THE

CHURCH IN EARNEST.

BY

JOHN ANGELL JAMES,

AUTHOR OF THE CHURCH MEMBER'S GUIDE, ETC.

SIXTH THOUSAND.

BOSTON:

GOULD, KENDALL & LINCOLN,

59 WASHINGTON STREET.

1850.

LAST year I ventured to publish a little work, entitled, "An Earnest Ministry the Want of the Times." Most of the Reviews which did me the honor of criticising it characterized and recommended it as a practical work. Whether this were intended in the way of depreciation or information, it most aptly describes the production, which contains no profound disquisition — no new views-no development of abstract principles, and which pretends to nothing more than a humble effort, made in love, to stir up the pure minds of my brethren, by way of remembrance, and to furnish a few practical directions to beginners in the ministry.

me."

Every one who writes to do good, and who yields to the impulse which says to him, "Do something; do it ;" should well consider, not only what he would do, but what he can do; should study, not only his obligations, but his talents, his opportunities, and his means. It was a wise plan of action which the Psalmist laid down for himself, when he said, "Neither do I exercise myself in things too high for On this rule I have uniformly endeavored to act, in all my attempts at authorship. If I have any talent for usefulness, it is essentially a practical one. I will not conceal that I have been sometimes almost tempted to envy those who possess greater power of abstract thinking. This is a noble faculty, and the men to whom it is given perform services for truth which are invaluable, and, indeed, indispensable; they explain its nature-unfold its beautydefend it against the attacks of error-and establish principles to be applied by those who could neither so clearly discover, nor so ably sustain them. Practical men, however, are as useful in their place as ingenious and contemplative ones; and if their department be a more humble, yet it is not a less necessary, one, than that of theorists, philosophers, and logicians. There must be the hands to work the engine, as well as the mind to invent it.