with a view to assist in the right ordering of Clerical Meetings, a set of Regulations are subjoined, which have been found to work well in a neighbourhood where from twelve to sixteen clergymen have been in the habit of acting upon them regularly for twelve years past. If but three or four parochial ministers of likemindedness in the same neighbourhood, were to commence a regular course of private meetings, under some such Regulations as those now proposed, they would undoubtedly become sensible of the mutual advantage to be derived from the really ministerial intercourse thus produced. Others would soon be added to the number, and the benefit be increased but it would hardly be desirable that a greater number should be thus associated than would be enough to ensure the regular attendance of from ten to twelve clergymen at each meeting.

In neighbourhoods where such clerical Meetings have not been already formed, the present state of the times seems to make it specially desirable that those who are anxious to make full proofTM of their ministry, and to maintain the standard of spiritual truth amongst their flocks, should avail themselves of the comfort and advantage resulting from these brotherly meetings: and where young ministers are placed in charge of parishes the plan is of more pressing moment; since it tends to remedy the mistakes of inexperience, while it encourages the untried efforts which might be checked through the timidity of self-distrust.

Together with the regulations are given forms of prayer, adapted for use at the morning meetings. Other forms, suitable for the Afternoon meetings, are reserved for the next Number. These latter will contain some larger details of intercession: and it is respectfully suggested, that with very slight alteration according to particular cases, these prayers might sometimes serve for ministerial supplication and intercession, on other occasions besides those for which they were framed.

For the benefit of such clergymen as may think proper to act upon this suggestion, a selection will be given from the questions. which have been already considered at the clerical meetings for which these regulations were originally arranged.

REGULATIONS FOR A CLERICAL MEETING.

1. The members meet four times a year at each other's. houses, on the Tuesday nearest to the moon-light at the end of the months of February, May, August, and November.

2. The meetings commence at Ten o'clock in the Morning, and continue until One o'clock. Dinner is to be on the table

at half-past one. The meeting is renewed at three o'clock in the Afternoon, and is concluded about six..

Or thus-2. The meetings commence at Ten o'clock in the Morning, and continue until One o'clock. An hour is then allowed for slight refreshment and exercise. The meetings are renewed punctually at Two o'clock in the Afternoon, and are concluded at half-past four o'clock; when dinner is to be on the table.

3. Every Member is expected to attend each meeting without any particular notice; or if he is obliged to be absent, to write to that effect to the member at whose house the meeting is to be held.

4. Clergymen, and Candidates for Holy Orders, are admitted to the meetings as Visitors.

5. Two of the members are appointed as permanent Presidents, and two as Secretaries. At the meetings, one of the Presidents takes the Chair; or, in their absence, one of the Secretaries; who also preside at their own houses.

6. At ten o'clock the meeting is opened with prayer, by the member at whose house it is held.

7. The Prayers used may be either according to a form, or extemporaneous.

8. A passage of Scripture is then considered in conversation until one o'clock.

9. The passages of Scripture are chosen from a book, in which any member is at liberty to insert any passage for consideration. When however the consideration of a passage has been commenced at one meeting, it is to be considered at subsequent meetings, until the whole passage shall have been gone through.

10. The subject is closed with a short prayer by the Chairman, or any member whom he may appoint.

11. A Hymn may be sung at this time.

12. After dinner any subject relating to the internal arrangement of the Society may be discussed; new members may then be proposed, the arrangements made for the next meeting, &c.

13. Any person desiring to become a member, must be proposed when he is not present, and must have attended at one meeting as a Visitor, before he is eligible for admission as a

member.

14. The Member at whose house the next meeting is to be held is to select the passage of Scripture and the question to be then considered.

15. In the Afternoon the meeting is re-opened with prayer, a short portion of Scripture having been previously read.

16. A subject is then discussed. The Chairman first asks the opinion of each of the members seriatim, and when all have been asked, then the discussion becomes general. Any member may pass the subject without giving his opinion.

17. When the discussion is closed, it practicable the result is entered in the Question-book.

18. A hymn is then sung, and the meeting closes with prayer. 19. At the first Meeting in each year some part of the Ordination Service is always to be considered, either in the Morning, or in the Afternoon, or both.

20. Every member may insert in the book any question, or any passage of Scripture for consideration.

21. One of the Secretaries will notify to each member, the time, place, and subjects for the next meeting, at least six weeks. previously.

PRAYERS TO BE USED AT A CLERICAL MEETING.

Upon opening the Morning Meeting.

O God the Father of Heaven: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

O God the Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

O Holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, three Persons and one God: have mercy upon us miserable sinners.

Thou hast invited us to come to Thee, O Heavenly Father, and hast made a way of access to Thyself through Jesus Christ our Mediator. Give us the Spirit of Adoption. Give us that holy confidence, which becomes those for whom thou hast prepared that new and living way into thy presence. We humbly plead thy great and precious promises and knowing that thou art faithful, and canst not deny thyself, we believe that Thou, Lord Jesus, art now in the midst of us, while in thy name we approach the throne of thy grace in faith.-Lord we believe, help thou our unbelief.

We do not presume to come unto Thee trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies: we desire to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed. Let a sense of thy presence quicken the sense of our sinfulness before Thee. Lord help us or we perish. Lord make us truly to feel the burthen of our sins, and

truly to cast that burthen upon the strong one, mighty to save, who bare our sins in his own body on the cross. Humble us before Thee, in our own sight, for our original defection of our nature, by which we are very far gone from thy righteousness. We take shame to ourselves for the many evil fruits of that bitter root of sin, which we have brought forth. More particularly would we confess our many offences and short-comings since we have tasted of thy goodness, and known the power of thy Gospel in our hearts. How often have we grieved thy Holy Spirit! -How often have we followed the subtle devices of thy enemies! -How often have we allowed the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, to draw us from Thee, and from thy service!Surely there is no health in us: but do thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable offenders ; and spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever.

We come before Thee at this time deeply impressed with wonder, not only at thy great love in redeeming such sinners from the bondage of evil, but also at thy distinguishing favour in calling even such sinners to the high honour and privilege of being thy Ministers, Stewards, and Watchmen-yea, even thy ambassadors for Christ; sent in Christ's stead to call perishing sinners to be reconciled to Thee in Him.

But while we thus approach thee with the remembrance of the great dignity and high honour, which thou of thy free choice hast been pleased to put upon us above our other fellow sinners, help us to confess and mourn over the sins of our ministerial work. How often have we forgotten the source of our sufficiency, and gone forth to work in our own strength !-How often have we been secretly puffed up by our success and have taken the tokens of thy power to our own praise !-How little have we taken heed to do of the work thou hast appointed for us! How slothful have been our most diligent endeavours-how easily have we been discouraged from our labour !-What excusings do we find in our hearts for avoiding painful duties! How little do we feel the true value of the souls committed to our charge, and for whom thou Lord Jesus didst shed thy precious blood. Surely it is wonderful that thou shouldst condescend to employ such unworthy instruments, and yet thy mercy endureth towards us— we are still labourers in thy vineyard-still stewards of thy mysteries-still ambassadors of thy majesty and mercy. Give us then more grace-make thy strength more perfectly seen out of the weakness of thine instruments. Pardon gracious Saviour, pardon our grievous offences; and for the glory of thy name

turn from us all those evils which we most righteously have deserved. Consider the souls of thy people to whom thou hast sent us-Consider our frame that we are but dust. Send forth the Holy Spirit and with great might succour us, that whereas by our sins we are sore let and hindered in running the race that is set before us, by thy merciful goodness we may speedily be delivered.

We desire to offer our heart-felt thanks for all thy mercies vouchsafed to us. Especially at this time we would praise thee for all those assistances and supports by which we are helped forward in the difficult duties to which Thou hast been pleased to call us. We thank thee that we are not left one by one alone, as many of thy faithful servants the prophets and presbyters of old were left in times of trial and difficulty. We thank thee that there are a goodly number in this land called to bear thy standard before the people; and we thank thee for this present opportunity of mutual counsel, sympathy, and instruction. We pray that thy blessing may accompany our meeting-We ask thy Spirit to direct our intercourse-Give unto each of us the spirit of wisdom, of understanding, and of a sound mind-Give us the spirit of humility that each may esteem another better than himself; and not thinking too highly of himself, may think soberly, according as thou hast dealt to each the measure of faith. Make our discourse profitable to mutual edification-open our understandings that we may understand the Scriptures—reveal to one and to another the mind of the Spirit in thy Holy word, and give unto us all the mind that was in Jesus Christ, that we may humble ourselves to be taught, and may all grow in grace, and in the saving knowledge of the Gospel. Shed abroad in our hearts the Spirit of unity and godly love, that we may forbear one another, and may with one heart, and one mouth, glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Upon closing the Morning Meeting.

O Father of Mercies, the giver of every good gift, we desire at this time to pour forth our hearty thanksgiving for the precious gift of thy Holy Word, by which salvation may be brought to our own souls, and to the souls of those whom thou hast commissioned us to teach. We praise Thee for the knowledge of thy Scriptures, and for the power of searching therein; and especially we give thee thanks for that portion of divine truth which we have now been considering. We bless thee that thou hast permitted us, unworthy sinners as we are, to endeavour at this time to help one another in the study of that word of truth;