plans, journeys, recreations, point directly to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the temporal and eternal welfare of men, as their grand centre. Whatever others may do, consider yourself as a man consecrated to the great work of doing good, to your latest breath. To this let every pursuit and acquirement be subservient; to this make every thing bend. Wherever you sojourn or reside, be ever on the watch for opportunities of promoting the moral and spiritual benefit of yourself and others. Recollect that you have but one object to pursue,-the extending and building up that "kingdom which is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." Let the last words, emphatically repeated, of the old English Prelate,-Pro Ecclesia Dei-Pro Ecclesia Deibe visibly inscribed upon every thing you possess and do. This is the real art of "turning every thing to gold," in the best sense; the art of being, in the highest degree that this world admits, useful and happy.

And now, my dear young Friend, I must bring to a close this collection of counsels; which I fear my desire to omit nothing important, has led me too much to extend. A wish, also, that nothing might escape your notice, has

led me to present the same thought more than once in different connexions. For this I make no apology. The truth is, there is so intimate a relation between different parts of truth and duty; they so run into one another, that occasional repetition is unavoidable. Nor is it, for various reasons, undesirable. The impres sion is thereby reiterated, and, perhaps, deepened.

In reviewing the various details to which your attention has been called, I trust you will often be ready to exclaim" Who is sufficient for these things ?" Who can hope, in the diversified situations and duties of a minister of the gospel, in publick and private, to avoid the numberless faults to which he is exposed on every side, and to exhibit, in regard to all the points which have been specified, a blameless example? I answer, truly no one who is not favoured with that Divine wisdom and aid, which are promised to those who unceasingly ask for them. The sentiments, therefore, which I should wish to see reigning in your mind in reference to this whole subject, are those which recognise your own weakness; the number and power of the temptations which surround you; the extreme arduousness of the task of doing well; your need of continual help; and the obligation which you are under to "watch and pray," that you may be enabled, in any

tolerable degree, to observe the rules enjoin

ed.

But, while I wish these sentiments to be deeply impressed on your mind; I am, at the same time, persuaded, that the substance of all that I have recommended, may be considered, with that Divine aid which is promised to all who faithfully seek it, as fairly within the reach of every candidate for the holy ministry, who has decent talents, and genuine piety: do not, therefore, by any means imagine, that the manners and habits which I have described, are such as very few, and those only who have special endowments, and advantages, can attain. There is not a student in our Institution who might not make the attainment, if he had the piety and the perseverance to use the proper means for the purpose. In this opinion, I am happy in being fortified by the venerable President of our Board of Directors,* with whose declaration, delivered to a body of your predecessors in the Seminary, I shall take my leave of you.

"In this matter we are under no necesity of contemplating an impossibility.-I maintain that there is a point in good manners, which every theological student, without exception, may and ought to reach; and which, whoever Rev. Dr. GREEN. See Christian Advocate, Vol. I. pp. 493, 494.

The

reaches, will be acceptable and agreeable to persons of every rank and condition in life. The attainment requires little more in order to make it, than the meekness, and gentleness, and benevolence, and courtesy, which the gospel itself explicitly recommends-and enjoins ; and a failure in which must, of course, be reckoned a real defect in christian character man who has reached the point I have in view, is as free from all that boorish roughness, all that reserved haughtiness or sullenness, all that clownish rudeness, and all those disgusting habits and actions, which are so generally and justly offensive, as the courtier himself. This man is neither forward nor sheepishly bashful; he is self-possessed, but modest and retiring; he is kind and civil; he is social and pleasant; he is desirous to please, and willing to be pleased; he is respectful to age and station; he is never intrusive or officious; he is on all occasions accommodating, and ready to do every good office in his power; and he never arrogates precedency of rank, nor demands an undue attention to himself. Now I affirm, that every minister of the gospel, and every theological student may possess this character; and that, if he possess it, he will be offensive to no one in point of manners. Aim at the attainment which I have here described: aim at it constantly consider it as a CHRISTIAN DUTY

to do so. It is, in the strictest sense, a christian duty; for believe me, your usefulness, your ability to do good, will greatly depend on your visible demeanour."

That you, my dear sir, may have grace given you to attain this character, and thus to adorn the sacred office, and become an eminent blessing to the church of God, is the unfeigned prayer of

Your sincere friend,

Princeton, April 10, 1827.

SAMUEL MILLER,

FINIS.