ministers say the same? And if God converts sinners through the instrumentality of preachers, why may he not raise up preachers through the instrumentality of christians? Christians, therefore, must admit their obligation in this matter, or say that the preaching of the gospel is not a necessary instrument in saving the souls of men; but as this would be a direct contradiction of the scriptures, no christian can say it. But, to preach the word, as has been stated, requires certain qualifications. To give a full exhibition of the word, seasonably and in its proportions, demands a vast range and depth of knowledge. A minister must be acquainted with the grammar of his vernacular tongue, for how can he get the meaning of sentences, till he understands the harmony and government of their several members? He must understand the meaning of words, for it is through these the principles are conveyed which he is to unfold to others; and as our language is formed from various other languages, he must have some acquaintance with these foreign elements, if he would safely interpret the lively oracles. Not only is our language formed from other tongues, but the English Bible, which many think English learning all sufficient to construe, contains many transferred words; how then can a minister intelligently preach the whole truth, when a part of it is wrapped up in Greek and Hebrew terms, with which he has no acquaintance? It is on this ground that we urge the importance of an acquaintance with the languages, to the minister; without it, he cannot get the meaning of the Bible, on many points, and what he cannot get, he cannot communi

cate.

Besides this, such are the local allusions in the Bible, the change in customs and manners, the variety and philosophical depth of the subjects upon which it treats, that one must be well acquainted with geography, history, antiquity, and the sciences, to be able to show himself a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Eighteen centuries intervene between us and the birth-day of christianity. It has passed through many vicissitudes, and is now variously construed in its doctrines and duties. Papists and semi-papists claim on their side the voice of antiquity, and intrench themselves among the Greek and Latin fathers. How are they to be successfully met and vanquished, but by those whose researches extend over the same period, who can expose their mis-quotations, their fallacies, and false criticisms? The further we get from the apostolic age, the higher must the stand

*3

ard of ministerial learning arise; and we are not only getting further off every day, but knowledge is spreading among the people, demanding increasing knowledge in their instructors. Despite of what enthusiasts may say to the contrary, it requires an intelligent, well furnished mind, permanently to influence an intelligent community. There must be an adaptation in the instrument, to the materials upon which it is to operate. Hence, the churches ought to see to it, that those whom they call to the functions of the ministry, are qualified for their work. We do not say that every one should be a graduate, but there ought to be a degree of information, below which no one could be admitted to ordination. Let candidates spend more time as licentiates and in preparatory. studies, before they are admitted to the full responsibilities of the ministry. It will be better for them, and better for the cause. Let christians urge them to study, instead of urging them so hastily to the pastoral office, and let them furnish the means to enable them to pursue their studies till they are qualified for their work. Have we not religion enough among us, to say that no young man of promise, who desires to enter the ministry, shall fail for want of means, or be compelled to enter unfurnished for his work? There are many now drawn to the work, and thirsting for knowledge, who are kept back for the lack of means to enable them to advance. Can we suffer them to be kept back any longer, without incurring the guilt of hindering the fulfilment of the Saviour's last command? But, besides furnishing the means to enable them to acquire knowledge, we must furnish the means of support, to enable them to use it for the advancement of the cause. If christians refuse to furnish the necessary support, ministers, of course, will be kept back from preaching the word as they ought, and their excuse will be, Lord we would have gladly obeyed thy command, and given ourselves wholly to publishing the word of life, but thy people would not let us; they closed our lips by their parsimo ny, and compelled us, against our wish, to follow other busi

ness.

Here, then, is our business. As ministers, thus to preach the word for the healing of the nations; and as christians, to apply our means and energies to raise up ministers for this work, to send them forth well furnished for their duties, to sustain them under their exhausting toils, and never to cease the struggle, while any portion of our fallen race is ignorant of the great salvation.

It was to aid in this great work, that this convention was organized. It seeks to do this in three ways. 1st. By assisting indigent young men, who are called to the ministry, in acquiring a suitable education. 2d. By sending itinerant preachers to the destitute sections of our own State. And 3d. By contributing to the spread of the gospel among heathen nations. It is to these objects you are now invited to contribute,-objects so clearly scriptural and important, that they need only be clearly stated, it seems to us, to gain the support of every friend of God and man. The aspect of the moral world, and the embarrassed condition of our Missionary Boards, throw a solemn responsibility around the contribution we now make to the treasury of the Lord. Mason and Bennet speak the feelings of many others when they say "What shall we do? Shall we tell parents and children, they must wait for years, till the churches send aid from America? We have done what we could. If we enter into one field of labor, with all our might, another and another still pressing duty forces itself upon us, and some must be neglected. Which shall it be? An era has dawned upon the Karens, and we feel that we shall be culpable, if we do not plainly lay their case before the American churches. Brethren and sisters, this people are upon our hearts, and we come to you with them. We must not, will not, cannot lay down our burden. Will you help us, or see us crushed beneath it?" And in behalf of this convention, the young men coming into the ministry, our struggling College, the destitute sections of our State, and the millions in heathenish darkness, we make the same appeal. "Brethren and sisters, these interests are upon our hearts, and we come to you with them. We must not, will not, cannot lay down our burden. Will you help us, or see us crushed beneath it?" Think of God's blessings around you, of your christian vows and professions, and answer this question; think of his example, whose cross opened to you the gate of heaven-who, though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich—and answer it; think of that great day, when you must mingle with domestic and foreign heathens, at the judgment bar, to give an account of all your resources, and answer it.

APPOINTED BY CHRIST.

AN EXTRACT.

We earnestly enjoin it upon you, brother, to remember the Source from which you have received your appointment. It is not the College, it is not the Theological Institution. Your diplomas are not your commission. Nor is your authority derived from any Ecclesiastical Council. Jesus Christ is King in Zion; and if your appointment is valid, you are his ambassador to his rebellious subjects. Your commission is from his lips; your relation to him is direct; by his instructions are you to regulate your whole conduct, and to him personally and immediately are you responsible. No earthly prelate or judicatory is authorized to interpose between you and him. You are yourself a bishop-the highest functionary, subordinate to the Supreme Head, that a church is permitted to recognize. From this station you can rise no higher on this side of heaven. If you leave it for any other which human suffrages can offer, you descend.

As the office was instituted by Christ, and you fill it by his appointment, let us suggest that it becomes you strictly to adhere to the instructions of your great Diocesan. He has left very little to your discretion. The message with which you are charged, is his ultimatum to guilty men; and it is full and explicit, specifying his own rights and human duty, and stating definitively the terms upon which rebels against the divine government may be forgiven and eternally saved. All the duties of your holy vocation are prescribed with great clearness and exactitude. Scrupulously abide by his directions. As his ambassador, negotiate for him, and not for yourself.

Let the conviction be deep and permanent, that for all success in your mission, you are dependent on the sovereign pleasure of your Lord, "Of whom, and through whom, and to whom are all things." You are to perform your duty, and leave it to him to render your ministry effectual just when and where he chooses. "It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy."

THE

BAPTIST PREACHER.

VOL. IV.

February, 1845.

NO. 2.

THE SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL,

A GROUND OF GRATEFUL TRIUMPH TO THE FRIENDS OF CHRIST:

The Introductory Sermon delivered at the Sixty-first Anniversary of the Dover Association, at Hampton, Elizabeth City County, Va., October 12th, 1844, by REV. JOHN O. TURPIN, of King William, and published by request of the Association.

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."—2 COR. ii: 14.

The cause of the christian is arduous: and he who supinely folds his arms, and looks for a royal road to heaven, has fearfully miscalculated. The word of God abounds with testimony, both expressed and implied, sustaining the truth of this declaration. Were this not so, our Lord would not have informed his disciples that they should be “baptized with the baptism with which he was baptized." Nor would he have urged the exhortation, "Strive (agonize) to enter in at the strait gate, for many I say unto you, shall seek to enter in and shall not be able." Neither would the Apostle have found it necessary, for the encouragement of the Hebrew christians, to refer to that extended line of patriarchs and prophets, "who, through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." He had a proper conception of the magnitude of his work; therefore, he urged his brethren to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which most easily beset them: " adding, that they had not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. The text looks to this. The term triumph, implies the existence of a contest. Yet were the testimony of scripture less abundant, every shadow of doubt would be