abundant treasure-house, but let him also be careful, lest, amid the flourish of rhetoric, he conceal the CROSS. "Sound speech that cannot be condemned," is the most efficient preaching. But in order to that apprehension of the truth, and the exercise of those dispositions of soul which qualify for the pulpit, the minister must be a constant, laborious, prayerful, Bible-student. In the law of the Lord, "must he meditate day and night." The chief concerns of his heart should be, to give the world an uncorrupted Gospel, and to rescue dying men from a threatening perdition. Therefore we remark,

2. That ministers must be supported. I mean not that they shall receive princely incomes. That, like the aristocratic prelates of England, they must have a seat in Parliament, and burden the people with tithes: but only, that they may be so far relieved from secular toil, as to give themselves wholly to the sacred ministry. I object not to minister farmers, or minister school-teachers, if necessity compel to these vocations; but certainly, it would promote the diffusion of an unadulterated Gospel and effective preaching, if the Churches would disencumber their pastors from the world.

Compel a minister to some temporal pursuit for the maintenance of his family, and you detract from his usefulness. The mind, to develope its powers, requires patient and vigorous exercise. It must first perceive truth and then study how it may impart its perception to others with perspicuity and force. These studies comprise its weekly employments for the pulpit. How can tasks, so arduous, so responsible, be mastered in the broken intervals of labor and worldly care? Necessarily under such circumstances, "the man of God" often appears before his congregation, having for it no definite message. He says something and his audience hear it, but it is thrownoff in such an unconnected, digressive manner, that the understanding, unable to comprehend him, grows weary and indifferent. Thus a Sabbath is lost; the people disperse unbenefitted, and souls die unreconciled to Christ!

Morever, compulsion to manual labor, or mercantile pursuits, subjects the pastor to censure. If he have to present bills, press accounts, and attend courts, his character will be assailed by the designing, and the dishonest. Though he were as pure as an angel, yet would the enemies of Christ impugn his motives, should his necessary transactions conflict with their interests. Thus he would lose his influence, and the devil obtain a victory. Take away his influence, and you render him inefficient. well might you wrest from the soldier his armor, and expect him to conquer in battle, as to expect that a preacher can benefit a community without influence. The way to perpetuate this moral power, is to let his intercourse with the world arise mainly from his official duties.

As

Then, brethren, as ye love a pure Gospel, and yourselves have felt its power, look out men of honest report; educate and support them; and let them proclaim untrammelled the merits of a Savior's love.

3. The Gospel ought to be diffused among the destitute. What so vitally concerns our race should not be withheld. The law of philanthrophy, the cardinal virtue of all christians and the evidence of love to God, incites to the duty of preaching the Gospel. Disseminate ought to be the willing motto of the whole Church. To make known the scheme of redemption is the great design of a Church in the world. Life and salvation are to be transmitted through her instrumentality. In view of her relation to the ungodly, she is called the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city unconcealed on the hill-top. The sphere of her operations is this entire globe. "Teach all nations"-" preach the Gospel to every creature,' was the valedictory of Jesus. Hence in what place soever there can be found an unconverted soul, there is work for the Christian. "No one liveth to himself," testifies the word of the Lord. But to carry out this great original plan of our Divine Father two things must be observed.

1. We want united action. Heretofore, nothing, like uniformity, in spreading the Gospel, has been attained. Perhaps no Church has yet borne her full proportion of the burden. While some benevolent hearts have contributed beyond their ability, others, equally able, have done nothing. It is unquestionably the duty of all to assist in evangelizing the world. Yea, it is as much one's business to spread the word of salvation, as it is to pray for his daily bread, or return thanks for blessings received. I will go farther. A professor who would confine the means of grace to his own Church, gives not the best evidence of a change of heart. How can a liberal spirit, expanding with love divine, place limits to that Gospel of the Kingdom, which is to be preached to all nations? Tell me, what kind of spirit is that, so prevalent among some, which refuses to contribute for the missionary enterprise? It cannot be the spirit of him "who went about doing good." It savors strongly of this world. Christ was a missionary-angels are missionaries-the Apostles were missionaries—and if some Christians be not missionaries, surely they are fighting against God.

Then brethren, let all "come to the help of the Lord against the mighty." Let there be some established system by which to draw out the resources of every member. Send the Gospel forth to such as 66 sit in the regions and shadow of death. Like the rays of the morning sun, let it roll the moral vapors from the earth, and scatter light and heat among the bewildered sons of Adam. But,

2. We must give more attention to home effort. While I believe that a really pious heart desires the conversion of all

mankind, and that a spirit of missions ought to reach "from the river to the ends of the earth," I believe also, that the destitute around us, have been too generally neglected. More regard for our immediate neighbors, would meet a readier response from many in the Church who now do but little if anything. I know, indeed, that a soul rightly exercised, is not fastidious as to persons and places; but nevertheless, there are some who prefer home labor. Objections to foreign missions are frequently made on the score of destitution at home. These doubtless are sometimes the evictions of covetous hearts; still, they demand our consideration. Let us present an alternative, and say to our brethren, if you will not give of your substance for Burmah, surely you will for the good of those in your own land, your own State. Have pity on those starving souls, who are bone of your bone, and flesh of your flesh. Give, O! give them "the bread of life." Certainly, they will respond to a request so reasonable.

Again, an ardent solicitude for our own people, would beget a sympathy for the benighted heathen. In proportion as the Gospel is diffused may we expect souls to be converted. These will naturally feel for others still in nature's darkness, and if such cannot be found in our own land, they will be sought abroad.

Every district Association ought at once to turn its attention to home destitution. Every such body, according to its wants and numerical strength, ought to have evangelists actively laboring within its bounds. For want of this, many precious years have been wasted. The elements of moral death have brooded over our State, while the healing balm has not been imparted to check the disease of sin. Here, in this peninsula, there stretches before us "a waste howling wilderness." Error, ignorance, superstition, and prejudice, have drawn the vail of night over its moral horizon. Here, then, is work for this Association. Several of the old Churches, once influential and active, have now scarcely a name by which to establish their identity. I speak not of disruptions, caused by designing religionists, nor of the blamable supineness of brethren, but of the facts. Numbers of immortal souls, between Richmond and the blue waters of the Chesapeake, have never known nor felt the Gospel. Many perhaps have not even heard it. This "field is white to the harvest. need an active, zealous, energetic evangelist to travel and preach between York Town and Fox-Hill. Likely you may need one too, in the upper end of the district. And I doubt not, what is true of our Association, is true to some extent of every other in the State.

We

The resources of support are ample, if Christians would economise in articles of mere luxury. Appearances testify that some professors would rather expend twenty dollars to feast their friends, than to give half that sum to a benevolent enterprise. The superfluities which abound in dress and fare, would be sufficient,

no doubt, to support two missionaries in every Association. I repeat, our resources are ample. They are sent to us in the dewdrops of the night, and the showers of noonday; in the sunbeams that woo the mists from the soil, and in the golden har

vests.

If then there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, -if heathenish darkness, and soul-destroying ignorance could move God with pity,-if it is his pleasure to save by the Gospel them that believe, let us prove ourselves worthy stewards of that which has been entrusted to our care. Let us "work while it is called to day, " and recollect that the fire of the last day, "shall try every man's work, of what sort it is.

4. The Gospel asks the careful attention of its hearers. It addresses the intellects, and courts the affections of lost sinners. Though it is God's only method, yet, in order to be saved, we must heed its calls. Men must believe it, and "faith comes by hearing. Mark it, my friends, faith comes. The faith of the Christian is not that which previously existed in the mind, and is common to man, but it is a divine principle, begotten by the Holy Spirit, and comes into the soul through the preaching of the word. But in the arrangement of God; attention on the part of the hearer is essential to its reception into the heart. The watchman is "to cry aloud, and spare not; " to lift up his voice like a trumpet, and show the people their transgressions; but his toil will prove unavailing unless the audience attend. It is impossible to say, how saving faith communicates with, and is interfused through the soul. We know only the fact on the authority of Holy writ, that "it comes by hearing." Hence our Savior proclaimed in his day: "Whosoever hath ears to hear, let him hear;" that is to say, attend. This faith, like the wind, is known only by its effects. "It works by love, purifies the heart, and overcomes the world."

Now then if any in this congregation desire to experience this purifying, all conquering principle, I hope they will ponder well in their minds the word spoken.

This glorious Gospel is to be the means of your redemption, if you slight not its calls. It was sent to reclaim the nations. To be a light to their feet and a lamp to their path. It is to sweep ignorance, hatred, and rebellion from the earth, and establish peace within her borders. Its design is to elevate man to the dignity of angels, and people heaven with redeemed souls: It is to give melody to that song, which shall swell in sublimest strains to the honor of God, the Father, Christ the Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit, the regenerator and sanctifier.

Let us believe, obey, and diffuse this blessed Gospel. Amen!

OUTLINES OF A SERMON:

BY THE EDITOR.

The unjust steward.-LUKE, XVI: 1-13.

The apparent designs of this parable, were, to charge the Pharisees with a prevalent vice; and to caution the disciples against it: the vice of covetousness. That it was intended to reprove the Pharisees, appears from the facts that it was spoken in their presence, and that they so understood it, which our Lord does not deny. (ver. 14.) That it was cautionary as respects the disciples is evident, because it was addressed to them, and because certain expressions in the parable imply it. (ver. 8.)

In the case adduced, whether supposed or real, the vice intended is strongly marked. Read verses 1-7. It appears to have been the ruling passion of the accused, although not his only one. Indeed no sin is solitary. Gamblers usually drink; swearers violate the Sabbath; and children who disobey their parents are not apt to pay a strict regard to truth. This man was lazy. "I cannot dig." And proud. "To beg I am ashamed." Extravagant. He "wasted" goods. Dishonest. The goods were not his, but his lord's. He was accessary to the crimes of others: for he induces his employer's debtors to cheat for his advantage. About to be discharged for his unfaithfulness, he contracts with them for a reduction of their bills, to secure himself a retreat, when left homeless. He had, however, one redeeming quality: "wisdom," a prudent regard to the future, but that he perverts. This quality, in the good application of it, our Lord commends to his disciples for their imitation. "Make to yourselves friends" &c.

The moral of the parable appears to be contained in the 9th verse. "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." The unjust steward so used the goods of his employer, entrusted to him, as to secure the friendship of his debtors: thus providing for his own future necessity. Imitate his example.

That this is the moral of the parable, may be inferred from the parallel. The instrument to be used in both cases is the same:— wealth. The unjust steward used his master's wealth; we are advised to use our Lord's. This is the only meaning of the phrase "mammon of unrighteousness," in contradistinction to the "true riches." The comparison holds in three particulars. 1. The steward was displaced. We also shall "fail," or be put out of office. 2. He made friends of those who could aid him in future. We are exhorted to do the same in a higher, or moral