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TO THE PASTOR, BY

MOSES C. WELCH, D. D.

THE Lord Jesus Christ is prince of peace, king of Zion, and the great head of the church. He is the stone laid in Zion for a foundation, the chief corner stone of the building. He hath appointed the ordinances, and given all the regulations for his family on earth. He hath instituted the officers, and given all the means of inftruction for his mystical body. When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edefying of the body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

The mode of induction to office, and all the authority committed to his ministering servants, are from him who is set as king on the holy hill of Zion.

One has been regularly called to minister in this part of the vineyard; and having accepted the invitation, a council convened for the purpose hath, after satisfaction obtained that he is called of God, set him apart to the sacred office over this branch of the church of Christ.

While we rejoice with this flock in the smiles of heaven upon her, we proceed to the solemn charge to him who is now their pastor.

You are, my dear brother, constituted an officer in the kingdom of Christ, a bishop in the church of God. You are not a minister of Socrates, or Plato, but of Him who is set as king on the holy hill of Zion. You are not to imitate the ancient philosophers of Greece and Rome, but you are to be a servant and follower of Jesus of Nazereth. We charge you, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, the elect angels, and the church in glory, who are witnessing the solemnities of this day, that you take heed to the ministry you have received, and fulfil it. Is it not a solemn thought that the eternal THREE, the angels of heaven, and some of the church of the first born, are present to witness the interesting transactions of this day? Before all these we charge you, my brother, as an officer in the king. dom of Jesus, to magnify your office. We exhort you to diligence, fidelity, and perseverance in the sacred work to which you are now devoted.

You are to feed the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood. And you are to give them that food which is calculated to nourish them up unto everlasting life. And you must be assured that the food suited to this great and important object, is the sincere, the unadulterated milk of the word. That you will make your study, and the man of your counsel. Search the scriptures with an inquisitive mind after the truth, and a holy affection for their divine author, and you will draw from thence that instruction suited to every case.You will there find the glorious character of JEHOVAH, and learn something of the wonderful perfection of his nature, as well as the incomprehensible mode of his existence. You will there find a revelation of one God in three distinct persons, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST.

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You will learn, from the same fountain of truth, the character of man, fallen, depraved, and totally corrupted. You will find, also, the necessity of a complete change of the moral state of man-even that he must be born again, that he may be prepared to see the kingdom of God.

The sovereignty of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, doing his pleasure in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, makes a part of that system of truth with which we are to feed the church of God.

By the divine constitution, and the blessed promises of the covenant of grace, we find the believer secured from final apostacy.

The retributions of eternity in the salvation of penitent believers, and the eternal misery of such as die without repentance, come to us from the author of all truth.

In preaching these eternal and most interesting truths, you will feed the friends of God; and by this you will be most likely to convert his enemies. Preach, therefore, the plain truths of the bible.-Declare all the counsel of God, that you may be pure from the blood of all men. In this day of abounding error endeavor to know the truth, and use every exertion to support it. Shrink not from a defence

of the doctrines of the cross. Hold them dearer than life. While you avoid, on the one hand, a censorious, intolerant spirit, that anathematizes all whose opinions differ from your own; you will, on the other hand, guard against an accommodating, smooth, temporizing course, which brings the gospel down to the feelings of the men of the world. Preach the gospel plainly. Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.

The sealing ordinances of the gospel you will administer to subjects duly qualified, always making

a difference between the precious and the vile.Give the children's bread to those who, in a judgment of charity, are of the houshold of faith. In the administration of baptism, follow the example of the apostles, and the most distinguished lights in the church from the apostolic age. Baptize the be liever and all his. Feed Christ's sheep-feed his lambs.

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Be thou a man of prayer. Bear your people daily on your heart at the throne of grace, as Aaron did the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on his breast when he appeared before the Lord.

Commit this treasure to faithful men. Lay hands suddenly, or inconsiderately, on no one. Never assist in the introduction of a doubtful character to the sacred office, lest he betray his post, poison the flock, or sow tares among the wheat.

Be careful to watch over your flock, and see that the laws of Christ's house are honored and enforced.

Visit the sick. Support, with the consolations of the gospel, the dying christian; and lead the sinner, even on a dying pillow, to feel that he who believeth not, is condemned already.

Treat all your people with tenderness and affection, even as a father his children.

Remember, at all times, that the fear of man bringeth a snare; and that although you are to render honor to whom honor is due; yet you are not so much to fear the most dignified among men as to daub with untempered mortar.

The fidelity of Nathan when he addressed the king-the frankness of John in reproving Herodthe open sincerity of Paul when he preached before the Roman governor, and the plain dealing of Jesus with the great men of the earth, will be your guide. Let no man despise thy youth. Be thou an example of

the believers in the word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Do the work of an evangelist. Make full proof of thy ministry. Keep this charge, O man of God, that thou mayest both save thyself, and this dear flock over which the holy Ghost now maketh thee an overseer.

As a faithful servant of Christ, may you see, to the joy of your heart, much of the travel of his soul among your people, and at last have many as the seal of your ministry. And may you, after having turned many to righteousness, shine, among the celestial ranks in glory, as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars forever and ever.

ΑΜΕΝ.

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