gence and deficiencies. Will these be likely to command either their respect or their love? The minister, then, who unnecessarily absents himself from the judicatories of the church, does a complicated injury to the cause of Christ; but he injures his own character, standing, and influence in the sacred office, quite as much, if not more than any other interest.

(4). A punctual attendance on the ecclesiastical assemblies under consideration, is the best school in the world in which to study church government. I know that you have read books, and heard lectures on this department of theological study. But the knowledge derived from books and lectures is apt to be theoretical, and to make but a slight impression on the mind. When you come to occupy your seat, and act your part in ecclesiastical judicatories, you see the great principles of church government, as it were, embodied and exhibited in actual cases. And being called upon closely to contemplate these cases, to study them, to view them under various aspects, and to listen to ample discussions on their real merits; we may be said, in these circumstances, to enjoy advantages for investigating principles, and having the results of investigation deeply and strongly impressed upon our minds, which no retired study can so well furnish. Whatever may have been your previous reading, never expect to find yourself expert in comprehending and applying the great doctrines of church government, unless you have studied them much on the floor of judicatories. If you carefully observe what passes, you will observe men of excellent minds, who are not in the habit of attending those judicatories, often betraying a degree of ignorance, on some of the very

first principles of church discipline, as ludicrous as it is disreputable.

(5). Finally, a due attendance on the assemblies under consideration, is one of the best means of obtaining and constantly extending and improving a connected knowledge of the history of our church. Whatever other part of ecclesiastical history a minister is ignorant of, he ought certainly to be well acquainted with the history of his own church; and especially of that portion of it which is embraced within his own time. But even this portion will not be thoroughly gained and kept up by any member who is not in the constant habit of attending on the judicatories of his church. Before these assemblies all the principal facts are made to pass. And they appear there with a life and force much more impressive, much more likely to be remembered, and in connections and circumstances better adapted to leave their appropriate lessons, than if contemplated only by means of an oral statement, or a printed page. Show me a Presbyterian minister who is familiarly acquainted with the history of his own church, and especially since he entered her ministry, and I will, without hesitation, show you a man who has been constant and punctual in attending on her judicatories.

It is evident then, whether we consider the honour of our religion, the edification of the church, the fulfilment of our official vows, the duty which we owe to our fellow-servants, the promotion of our own respectability and influence among our clerical brethren, or the extension and improvement of our own ecclesiastical knowledge, we ought to make a point of appearing, as punctually as possible, in every judicatory

of the church in which we have a right to occupy

a seat.

2. Make a point, not only of attending every meeting, but also of being punctually present at the opening of the judicatory. It is possible that the first acts of business may be decidedly the most important. In this case, tardiness may be quite as injurious as total non-attendance. And even if this be not the case, as most commonly it is not; a variety of things may pass before your arrival, absolutely essential to an intelligent and connected view of the proceedings. Let no ordinary engagement interfere with perfect punctuality in this matter. Be on the ground among the earliest; and you will find more advantages connected with such a system than I can well enumerate. To say nothing of many other considerations, what right have you to occupy the time and swell the minutes of the judicatory by compelling them to receive and record your apologies for delinquency?

3. I would advise you to prepare for attendance on every judicatory, by serious retirement, meditation and prayer.

If every "creature" that we enjoy ought to be "sanctified by the word of God and prayer," surely this ought to be more especially the case with one of the most important official duties in which we can possibly engage. When we are about to meet with our fellow-servants, as a judicatory of Jesus Christ, to deliberate and consult respecting the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom; to act together in our public and ministerial character, not merely for the welfare of a single soul, but for that of many congregations, and perhaps, of the whole church with which we are

connected; and when we know not how far the influence of what we say and do may extend; surely we ought to address ourselves to all such duties, with the most serious consideration, and with humble, importunate prayer for all that wisdom, and guidance, and strength which we need. I had almost said, if there be any occasion on which a man of enlightened piety should feel serious and devout, it ought to be on the approach of such an assembly.

Let me urge you, then, whenever you are about to attend any church judicatory, and especially those of the higher kind, in all the movements of which large and momentous interests are involved; to set apart a portion of time for special prayer, with a particular view to this object. If you be about to take your seat in a Synod or in the General Assembly, let the whole day before you set out, if practicable, be observed as a day of solemn prayer, accompanied with fasting. If the discharge of necessary duties preclude the possibility of this, as may sometimes be the case, make a point of redeeming at least one hour for special retirement and devotion, in reference to your anticipated engagement. And in this solemn hour, endeavour to ponder deeply in your heart, and to spread before the Lord, all the magnitude and difficulty of the work which you have in prospect; and all the temptations and dangers to which you may be exposed, from your own infirmities, and those of others. Pray that you may be inspired with heavenly wisdom in all the business that may come before you: that you may be enabled, in every case, to take just views of truth and duty; that you may be guarded from prejudice, from passion, and from every unhallowed temper: that

you may be enabled always to act from the purest motives, and with a single eye to the Redeemer's honour: that you may be preserved from giving a wrong touch to the ark, either ignorantly or presumptuously; that you may not be permitted, unnecessarily or improperly, to wound the feelings of those with whom you may be called to act; and that, in all the proceedings of the judicatory, you may be enabled to judge and act in such a manner as that the peace, purity, and edification of the body of Christ may be happily promoted.

Nor ought you to forget, in these moments of humble and tender approach to the King of Zion, to pray for the brethren with whom you are about to act, as well as for yourself. Pray that they may be so enlightened, aided, sanctified, counselled and controlled in every thing; may be so guarded from the influence of erroneous views, and from the ebullitions of unhallowed feeling, that "all things may be done decently and in order," and may issue in the advancement of the great cause of truth and righteousness. If every member of ecclesiastical judicatories attended their meetings, respectively, under that kind of influence which such exercises, faithfully conducted, would be likely to inspire, how different would be their aspect and their results, from those which we frequently witness!

4. Not only engage in these exercises before the judicatory assembles; but endeavour every day, through the whole of its sessions, to repeat similar exercises in reference to this matter. Ponder much and frequently, more especially on the introduction of cach new article of business, on the nature and