happy consequences of a favorable result; its importance to God, to the world, to the universe? And how obviously absurd to communicate the keeping and direction of such a cause to the undisciplined, to the rash, or to the ignorant. When difficulties arise between a monarch and a portion of his subjects, or between two independent states, who is commissioned to adjust them? When life, or character, or property is at stake, who is sought for a defence? When a high-minded people, stung by reproach, and roused by oppression, resolve on freedom, who are selected to guide her counsels and direct her armies? Men of genius, of learning, of talents, and of power. And strange, indeed, if to men of inferior capacity can be intrusted the rights of God, and the everlasting interests of men! Strange, if slender powers and ordinary gifts can sanctify, when a world of intellect, an empire of mind in ruin, is to be restored to God, and trained for heaven! What are liberty, or property, or character, or life, or thrones that perish, compared with the honor of God, and the salvation of souls? The loss of a single soul, in itself considered, is a greater calamity than the extinction of the sun, or the destruction of the universe! The conversion and final salvation of one sinner, is an event of higher moment, of deeper interest, than the creation of a whole system of worlds! The soul of man, from the extent of its capacities, and from its capability of endless improvement, has obviously, a value above that of the material universe. And, the recovery of such souls, has been deemed an object worthy the solicitude of angels, and the sacrifice of the Son of God. Indeed, it has called forth the highest expression of the Divine benevolence, in the gift of his Son, to seek and to save that which was lost. Does not the object then, demand the consideration of the most gifted minds, the highest and best cultivated intellect, as well as of sound and deep piety?

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A powerful and gifted ministry is, furthermore, demanded from the dazzling and attractive nature of the objects of time and sense which surround us; such a ministry as, in the name and power God, may arrest attention, and turn off the eye from beholding vanity. We live in an age of great enterprise, and in a country affording scope for bold and daring experiment in every direction. Genius is on the stretch for improvement, and continually throwing out new discoveries. The nation is rapidly advancing in wealth, and putting on strength, power, and influence. Railroads and canals are rapidly multiplying, and intimately connecting the most distant parts of our country. Emigration is pushing its onward march, clearing away forests, spreading over the vallies, covering the hills, and building up cities. In the older states, manufactories are increasing, and monied institutions are multiplying, and they rising in influence, pride, and power. The spirit of the age is also inspiring the intellectual world, and moving it onward to greater and higher attainments in knowledge. The press is pouring out its

periodicals and volumes with surprising and astonishing rapidity, and literary institutions, of every description, are rising up in all directions, to beautify and adorn our sons and daughters. Science is inspiring enthusiasm, and richly repaying the toils and labors of her votaries. The hall of legislation, and the bar of justice, are opening a wide field for the display of eloquence, and inviting thousands to the conflict. Learning, and genius, and eloquence, are attracting the gaze of the world, and enthroning themselves in the hearts of all civilized nations. At no age of the world, at no period of time, has the human mind, in all departments of worldly ambition and enterprise, been excited to keener intensity, or brought out results more adapted to absorb public attention, or to hide eternity from view.

Now, we would not arrest this spirit of enterprise, we would not allay this imposing march of improvement, but we would have it sanctified by the gospel, and made subservient to the advancement of Christ's kingdom among men. To accomplish this end, we perceive in these imposing movements, occasion for corresponding increase of energy in the church, and a redoubled power in her ministry. And who, if not the angels of the church, can be expected to draw down light from heaven, and throw around a celestial radiance, which will present worldly men and worldly objects in their proper light? And what other influence, indeed, can be expected to save the church herself from being led captive by the god of this world? The church was never exposed to greater peril than at the present moment. Agitated by internal divisions, and moved by external excitement, she requires the direction of a strong and skilful hand. Besides, the allurements of avarice and ambiton are dazzling her on every side, and inviting her embrace. And how is her pride thus fostered, her spirit of prayer checked, and her mind diverted from the great business of her high and holy calling! At such a crisis, what but an increased energy in the ministry of God, can be rendered effectual to save her and her children from being ingulfed in that general tide of worldliness, which threatens to drown millions in perdition, and, if unchecked in its operations, will deluge the whole world? The times call for a ministry of deep sanctity, of great piety, and of extensive influence; a ministry who can beat back the powers of darkness, and carry forward the church of God to perfection.

The Christian ministry is also a profession; and needs for its success, the confidence and respect of the community. But, to secure these, it must possess an elevated, moral, and religious character. It must advance with the general progress of society. Should it retrograde, or even remain stationary, while everything else is advancing, by loosing its relative standing and power, it will be soon crippled, and its influence weakened, if not annihilated. It should be the policy of the church to give to her ministry such resources, such energy, as to enable it to grapple with the stoutest minds, and

become, by its well directed strength, the object of respect and esteem, instead of scorn or pity. Yes, true wisdom says, give it the learning that can enlighten every circle; give it the power of reasoning, that will carry conviction through all ranks; give it a Divine eloquence, that will thrill and move, and charm, at pleasure. Yes, give it the ability, and courage, to hold up the cross of Christ, and to present the eternal realities of the gospel in all their greatness and power; and then it will become mighty through God. Let the cause of salvation be thus sustained, and all the bustle, and parade, and imposing grandeur of worldly enterprises, cannot obscure its majesty, or impede its progress. The march of truth will be onward, and the subjection of the world to the cross of Christ will be certain. Then will the Christian ministry command respect, and exert a healthful and saving influence upon the world of mankind.

A ministry of moral power and discernment, is called for by the prospect of great excitement in the civil and religious world. The signs of the times indicate scenes of excitement and conflict; and the word of prophecy has foretold the days of agitation and revolution. Says Jehovah, I will overturn, overturn, overturn it; and it shall be no more, until he come, whose right it is; and I will give it him. Again, he says: The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: the Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the aarth shall shake. St. John also refers to similar scenes, under a variety of figures, in the Revelations; he speaks of lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail, which are to shake the earth, and agitate the nations. From such striking illustrations, scattered through the Bible, we are led to anticipate fearful collision and devastation, such as the world as yet has never seen. Nations will be agitated, kingdoms will be moved, thrones demolished, old organizations broken up, and new organizations formed, harmonizing with the spirit and genius of the gospel. The church will cast off her sloth, be kindled to her primitive zeal, and unite her powers, and boldly assert for her Sovereign, the spiritual empire of the world. Every movement of the church may be expected to rouse the jealousy, kindle the wrath, and excite the resistence of her great adversary, and all his legions. He will never surrender up his dominion without a struggle. We are taught this by the history of the past, as well as by the word of prophecy. When have important changes ever been effected in public sentiment, or in the state of society, without a degree of agitation and violence? In science, in government, in religion, the conflict has usually been long and severe. And often have the hearts of the fearful and timid failed, before the battle was won. The occasions for excitement are seen in the conflicting symptoms of religion, in the organizations of civil society. They are seen in the spreading sway of infidelity, superstition, and law

less violence. Before men can be universally brought to concede to each other their rights, and to God his dominion, immense changes, of an exciting character, must obviously take place. The storm is certainly advancing; already are the elements in motion; we hear the distant thunder; we perceive the agitation; we see, here and there, the uplifted hand of violence, and, should God permit, very little seems necessary to plunge the nation into either a. domestic or foreign war. And should the torch of war be kindled, who can tell how wide would be the conflagration, or how long it might burn, or what ruin and destruction it might involve in its course? Now, for such a crisis, we need a ministry of deep piety, of great power, and of penetrating foresight; a ministry who will display, in the discharge of its duties, energy, and wisdom, and prudence, and zeal. We need in the holy office, men of calm and collected minds, who can look at the raging tempest without agitation; men who can stand amidst high excitement, without losing their balance; men who can take comprehensive view of truth and duty; men of enlarged and liberal views, as well as of inflexible firmness and integrity. We need a ministry above all selfish considerations, and all petty bickerings; a ministry who can steadily guide and direct the church of God, come what may; a ministry who enjoy the presence of God, and can inspire the confidence of the church under the darkest trials. Such a ministry is the greatest boon God can bestow upon his people, and never fail of sustaining the church under the sharpest conflicts, or of leading them safely through the most trying and afflicting scenes. But what can the church do in the day of trial, with a weak, ignorant, injudicious, and inefficient ministry? Such a ministry will hang like an incubus about her neck, and will strangle her to death. The value and importance of a pious, devoted, and efficient ministry, can never be overrated.

I will suggest but one other consideration. A ministry of elevated piety, and enlarged views, will greatly contribute to promote union among the truly faithful. Our Saviour, at his last interview with his disciples, before his passion, devoutly prayed that all his true followers might be one; and, who can look over our beloved Zion with anything like an angel's love, or an angel's pity, and not desire the same result? Who can calmly survey the divided and distracted state of the church, wrent, torn, and cut up as she is into sects, parties, and factions, without being deeply effected with the appalling scene, and without putting forth a helping hand to arrest an evil fraught with so much mischief? The time is coming, and the day is foretold, when this evil shall be banished from the church. And, like all other events, this will undoubtedly be brought about by human instrumentality. And such a ministry as we now contemplate, a ministry of deep piety, freed from narrow and selfish views, embracing in its comprehensive survey the great truths, and designs, and interests of the Redeemer's kingdom, and looking

at things on the comprehensive scale of eternity, and confiding in God, can easily keep in subjection its native pride, worldly ambition, and warring lusts; can easily merge all miner matters of difference and disunion, in the glorious enterprise of strengthening and extending the empire of Christ. Then no jaring-notes, no discordant sounds shall be heard; then the watchmen shall see eye to eye, and lift up their voices together; then will the dissensions of the church cease, and all her energies be consentrated for preparing and sending forth the charriots of salvation; and then will the work of the Lord speed its way onward, till all nations are blessed.

We shall now proceed to consider some of the most prominent objections which have been urged against ministerial education. It has been assumed as a fact, by many pious and good people, that ministerial education is designed to supercede the necessity of true piety, and the teachings and influences of the Holy Spirit. Now, we admit that the spirit of piety and true devotion has departed from some of the Christian sects, and that young men are educated and trained for the ministry, as they are educated and trained for the other learned professions, without any spiritual call to that sacred office. But we advocate no such system of measures; we as heartily condemn and repudiate them as do any of our brethren. We wish to see no man aided or assisted in acquiring an education for the ministry, who has not given evidence of decided piety, and who is not moved by the Holy Spirit to preach the gospel of The Constitution and the grace of God to perishing sinners.

By-laws of the Christian Education Society have effectually guarded against this objection, by proposisng to assist those young men only, whom the church may solemnly pronounce to be pious, and, in her opinion, to be called of God to preach the gospel. Consequently, this objection, however justly it may be urged against the proceedings of some of the Christian sects, cannot be urged against any system of measures proposed or advocated by us.

It has been supposed by some, that the apostle Paul strongly discountenanced the use of all human learning in preaching the gospel. To the church at Corinth he says, And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. That the apostle rejected the system of religion inculcated by the Pagan priests and Grecian philosophers, and the modes by which they recommended these systems to the people, is certainly true; and this is what he affirms in the words we have cited. He, adopting their own language, calls their system of religion wisdom, and the arts and tricks they used in propagating and sustaining it, the enticing words of man's wisdom. The apostle affirms that he neither taught the doctrine nor copied the example of the Grecian priests and phi

*Not yet published.