subjects of deepest interest to the preacher have been presented again and again, there is danger of their becoming trite, and of his fearing that his people regard them as trite, at least in his manner of presenting them. The preacher fails to produce in every mind the same feeling of interest which he has himself had; and thus he becomes discouraged ; and discouragement has an unhappy influence upon his powers.

After a few years of pastoral labor, if he has studied and preached without regard to connexion, he may find in himself a feeling of exhaustion; he must not be surprised if some of his hearers complain, that his productions are dry. The influence of a minister's studying and preaching at random is alike injurious to himself and to his people. It is very seriously to be apprehended that such a habit will issue either in not studying at all, or in running over so many books, (for there will not be investigation of any subject,) as will prevent him from establishing any well formed conclusions, and will render his mind rather a resemblance to chaos, than a well arranged storehouse of valuable materials. On the contrary, should a minister deliver to his people a judicious series of sermons on the doctrines of the Bible, on the duties pertaining to the various relations of life, on the parables, on the biographical accounts in Scripture; should he distinctly set before them the Saviour in various attitudes; should he unfold the principles which actuated the first disciples in the actions ascribed to them; should he give connected instruction on the promises and on the threatenings of the Bible, and on numerous other extensive topics that might easily be named; who does not see that his own intellectual resources would become vastly improved, that he would continually engage in his labors with the freshness of new delight, and that an incalculable amount of intellectual and moral improvement would be imparted to those whose privilege it might be to enjoy his ministrations? True, such a course would require much thought and investigation; and would leave but little time for light and careless reading. But for what is a man called into the ministry? For what are the spiritual destinies of immortal beings intrusted to him? If any man's heart fail him in view of mental labor, let him not burden any church with the expense of helping him to eat, and drink, and make a respectable appearance; let him beware lest he incur the dreadful reproach,

"thou wicked and slothful servant !" The ministry is not a barren profession, unless a man chooses to make it so. The subjects which it presents for instruction and moral advancement, are so various and extensive, that the longest lile cannot exhaust them.

The method of studying and preaching, now recommended, may appear at first sight to be severe; but after a short trial it would become easy, for it would be highly interesting; and it would, in its prosecution, present many new views which would incidentally furnish matter for other discourses, not immediately connected with the series ; besides its influence in strengthening all the powers of the mind, and continually exercising the invention.

The work before us, is a Course of Lectures, in which the CHRISTIAN is contemplated in twelve different respects: in Christin the Closet—in the Family—in the Church in the World—in Prosperity-in Adversity-in his Spiritual Sorrows-in his Spiritual Joys-in Death-in the Grave-in Heaven. The Preface abounds with valuable instruction ; and is well worthy of repeated perusal. In this the author adverts to that state of feeling which may induce some professors of religion to censure the work as not being sufficiently copious on topics of doctrine; or as seeming in their apprehension to impose upon the necks of Christians an oppressive yoke of practical obedience. He clearly shows, that while the New Testament discloses a system of divine grace, it also discloses a system of human duty. The man who separates these two, puts asunder what God has joined together. Privilege and duty are inseparably connected. Nor should Christians be left destitute of positive instructions respecting matters of duty, on the assumption that “the grace of God will teach people all this.” Mr. Jay well remarks, “the sacred writers never left these things to be taught by the grace of God, without instruction.” “The grace of God will incline and enable us to do all this; but it is the Bible that teaches."

In this part of the volume, the author also exhibits a few rules which he thinks should regulate the style of pulpit performances. Utility should be the preacher's grand object. He ought not to be intimidated and checked by fearing to impair the dignity of the pulpit ; he ought not to be so solicitous for niceness of composition and address, as to prevent the love of Christ, and of souls from bearing him away, and losing himself in the effort to save souls, and to hide a multitude of sins. An officer in the midst of action, will be all occupied in urging and completing the conflict-What should we think of him if he turned aside after a butterfly, or showed himself at liberty to mind and adjust his ring, or his dress ?" The truth is, those individuals in a congregation who are able to appreciate good writing or speaking, if they possess the benevolence and the judgment which would render their favorable regard worth the seeking, are the very last who would consent that the instruction and salvation of the people, should thus be sacrificed at the shrine of vanity. Genuine feeling and ardor are great excellencies, and produce deep impressions; they throw petty failures into the shade. The preacher needs not be coarse; he should endeavor. to be correct and methodical; but let him not “sacrifice impression to correctness," and " effect to nicety of endeavor.”

The subjects of religion need to be made plain. The preacher is appointed to teach. He best endeavors to accomplish the design of the ministry, who, without coarseness of expression or illustration, makes his thoughts level to common understandings. Young preachers sometimes appear to think, that their abilities will not be perceived, unless they exhibit something unusual and almost unintelligible. But never should it be forgotten, that the years which ought to be devoted to education, will have been quite misapplied, unless they result in making the individual more in

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telligible and instructive. Natural and acquired talents are not intended “to unfit a man for any part of his office; but to qualify and aid him the better to perform it.” The judgment of the most approved critics on this subject, particularly when applied to the business of the pulpit, must commend itself to our regard : “clearness of expression and simplicity of thought are the first marks of elegance."

Preaching should not be a series of logical definitions. In the Bible, "all is life and motion.” Such should be the case in pulpit performances. A sermon may define, and discuss, and argue; but whatever it does, should be done with vivacity; for the preacher has to deal with beings, to whom pertain imagination and passions, as well as intellect.

Several other topics are alluded to in the Preface; and the author's free use of Scripture language and of poetry is vindicated. But we have not space for mentioning all that is excellent even in this introductory part. We will just say, that the principles exhibited are well adapted to this stirring age, and that Mr. Jay's work is a happy exemplification of his principles.

It is not our purpose to enter upon a minute detail of each Lecture. We shall do little else besides expressing the impression made upon our minds by the perusal of the work.

There is displayed in these Lectures a very extensive knowledge of human character. The author is a man of accurate observation. He has not mingled with his fellow-men without becoming acquainted with their qualities, both good and bad ; without knowing their necessities, and the suitable manner of relieving them. He views men as they actually are, and adapts bis instructions to their case. As an illustration of our remark, we refer to the following extract.

*Some seem afraid to administer the consolations of the glorious gospel fully, as if they would have, if not a licentious, yet a paralyzing effect on the receiv

But these timid dispensers of divine truth, though they may be well-meaning, are not well infornied. They are ignorant of the very principles of our pature ; and know very little of the comforts of the Holy Ghost-or they would know that these comforts are not opiates, but cordials—that while they refresh, they also animate. If there must be any thing of an extreme (for which, however, we do not plead,) the leaning had better to be on the side of privilege than legality, even with regard to practical religion. Such a man grateful for his indulgences, at the feet of his Benefactor, as well as Lord, will feel himself much more disposed and bound to dedicate himself to his service; and his language must be, “ What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards

• Let us view the Christian in his perils. He is perpetually surrounded with temptations in the world. These flatter him, and would entice him away from God. And these he is to resist, steadfast in the faith. But how is this to be done? By threatening? By constraints? These may indeed induce hiin actually to refuse the offers and allurements; but not in affection. The joy of the Lord is his strength; and without this, a man will only leave the world as Lot’s wife left Sodom--she left it, but her heart was still in the place; and she inwardly sighed, O that I was there! O that I could return and not be destroyed! Thus there are some who forsake the world, as far as they are impelled by the fear of hell, or the dread of reproach, or shame of inconsistency; but they hate the obligation that keeps them back from their loved indulgencies; and like wasps burnt out of their nests, are angry and resentful towards all around them, for the injuries they have endured. Prohibition, so far from killing desire, has a tendency to increase it; sin takes occasion by the commandment; and that which

er.

me ?”

was ordained to be unto life, proves to be unto death. The Christian is not sav. ed from the world by the law, but by grace. He is not driven out of it against his inclination-he leaves it voluntarily; and gives proof of it; for truly if he were mindful of the country from whence he came out, he would have opportunities to return. He has the same allurements and seductions presented to him, as others. But here is the difference: they are alive to them; but he is dead. He has found something infinitely superior; this, by refining and exalting his taste, has weaned him; and he can no longer relish the mean and ignoble provision of former days. Having found the pure spring, he no longer kneels to the filthy puddle. Having tasted the grapes of Eshcol, he longs no more for the leeks, and garlic, and onions of Egypt. The palace makes him forget the dunghill.

• This, this is the way, and the only effectual way of separating the heart from the world; it is to subdue the sense of an inferior good, by the enjoyment of a greater. Who would exchange the green pastures and still waters for barrenness and drought? Who wants lamps, or even stars, when the sun is up?

As by the light of opening day

The stars are all concealed;
So earthly pleasures fade away

When Jesus is revealed. • This joy exorcises a man of carnal affection, and we are persuaded the effi- . cacy of it is far greater to mortify us to the world, than the influence of afflictions. Losses and disappointments may surprise and confound us, and lead us to lament the uncertainty of every thing below; but they do not make us feel their unsatisfactory and polluted nature. Even under the pressure of their trials, and amidst all their complaints, you will often discern the disposition of the sufferers remaining unchanged. And if not, how soon after does renewed pursuit succeed deplored deceptions, and they flee to a repetition of similar experiments till all the mad career is ended! But the experience produced by the sight of the cross, and communion with God in Christ, will never allow the world to become again the Christian's end, or portion. If by the power of delusion he be drawn astray for a moment, he will soon find that it is not with him as in months past ; and he will be sure to feel the wretchedness of what he has chosen, compared with the glory of what he has left. And this feeling will serve to recal him. The apostate has no such experience as this to check and turn him. But the backslider has: and see the result—“I will go," says the Church, "and return to my first husband, for then it was better with me than now." pp. 283–285.

[To be continued.)

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

The Christian Spectator,"conduct- questionably deserving a large share of ed by a number of” Pedobaptist “Gen- censure,—as in the bondage of sectaritlemen," at New Haven, Conn. will an feeling and of ignorance,-as un-, hereafter be published quarterly. “Its willing that others should think for leading feature will be doctrinal dis- themselves, -and as remarkably desticussion,—the inculcation of a sound tute of charity, and so envying and theology, as it regards the friends no vexing a portion of the people of God. less than the enemies of truth,—the We complain not of the fair and Chrisedification of believers as well as the tian use of arguments. Truth fears convincing of errorists and gainsayers.” not investigation; and charity rejoiceth The price will be, as it has been, three in the truth. dollars a year.

In most respects, this work has de- Memoir of Mrs. Judson.—We have served well of the public, but not in great pleasure in being able to state respect to its boasted catholicism. It that Messrs. Lincoln & Edmands have has, we believe, industriously repre- in press, under the direction of the sented “our Baptist brethren” as un- Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, a

MEMOIR OF Mrs. Ann H. JUDSON, stitution to the coming of the Messiah. including a History of the Burman 3. On the change of the Sabbath from Mission, by James D. Knowles, Pas- the seventh to the first day of the week. tor of the Second Baptist Church in 4. On sanctifying the Lord's day. 5. Boston

Arguments and motives for keeping the The work will consist of about 350 first day of the week holy. pages, 12mo. and will be accompanied with a copperplate engraved portrait of Sermons on the xxxiii. chapter of Mrs. Judson, with a Map of the Bur Deuteronomy:—The publication has man Empire, and a specimen of the been begun of a series of Sermons on Burman language. The price will be this chapter, by William Parkinson, one dollar neatly bound, and eighty- A. M. Pastor of the First Baptist Church seven cents in boards with cloth backs. in the city of New-York. The work,

From what we know of the subject consisting of twenty-six sermons, avand of the author, we anticipate a high- eraging, in octavo, about 24 pages, will ly interesting and instructive book. We be printed on good paper, and with a hazard nothing in predicting that who- large type. ever procures and reads it, will be amply repaid.

The Aged Christian's Cabinet.

Proposals have been issued for publishEssays on Baptism, by the Rev. ing, at New-York, a work with this Joseph Samuel C. F. Frey, late Agent title, containing a variety of interesting of the American Society for meliorat- Essays, Dialogues, short Discourses, ing the condition of the Jews, now Pas- Letters, &c. adapted to the instruction, tor of the Baptist Church, Newark, N.J. consolation, and animation of aged are in the press, and will soon be pub- christians of every denomination. By lished by Lincoln & Edmands, Boston. John Stanford, A. M. The work is to The work will consist of about 120 be published in about ten numbers, and pages, 12mo. and will be sold at 37 1-2 to make one volume 8vo. cents a copy

Paley's Theology, with copious notes The Lord's Day.- Proposals have and Illustrations. Lincoln & Edmands. been issued at Philadelphia for publishing by subscription an Essay on the Di- Baxter's Call, to which will be addvine appointment of the Sabbath, and ed, Now or Never, and Fifty Reasons of the Lord's day. By William Bal- why a Sinner should turn to God withlantine. It is to consist of five parts. out delay. Lincoln & Edmands. 1. On the first institution of the Sabbath. 2. An attempt to prove that the Thomas a Kempis, edited by Rev. Sabbath was kept holy from its first in- Howard Malcom. Lincoln & Edmands.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

Letters of David and John.—These Meeting-house in Providence, R. I. Letters, containing animadversions up- August 20, 1828, at the interment of on the Lectures of Dr. Woods on In- Rev. Stephen Gano, A. M. Jate Pastor fant Baptisın, with an appendix by Dr. of the First Baptist Church in that town. Ryland, the whole making a pamphlet By Daniel Sharp, Pastor of the Third of 106 pages, have been republished at Baptist Church, Boston. the Tract Depository, No. 118 North Fourth Street, Philadelphia ; price 25 Obligations of the Baptized; or Bapcents, single, or two dollars a dozen. tism an Emblem of the Death and ResThe authors have agreed to give all the urrection of Christ, as connected with profits of the sale to the Baptist Gener- the State and Prospects of the Believer; al Tract Society.

a Sermon delivered before the Boston An Account of the High School at

Baptist Association, introductory to

their Session at Cambridge, Mass. Sept. Rock-Spring, Illinois. By Rev. J. M.