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as

a concession to the people (a most dubious phrase!) than as a service to the cause of Christ. (2 Tim. ii, 3, 5.)

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The great normal argument of the apostle

Therefore I endure ALL THINGS for the elect's sake, that they may also obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory: (2 Tim. ii, 10) when adapted to every minister's varied toils, will certainly point not more to the gathering of the flock out of the wilderness, than to its future defence, guidance, and sustentation.

It is true that the resources of individual pastors for the discharge of their “high vocation," are much over-rated by many of "our people," as well as others; nothing being more common than for as much work of a pastoral nature to be desired, as if there were no other duties pertaining to the ministerial office. Indeed, the result of twenty years' experience has assured the writer, that the laity need much information on these points; and especially of our "best friends" require to make a

that many

pas

more cheerful sacrifice of large portions of their tor's time, in order that he may have more to devote to others whose need and claim are, in the abstract, quite as great. Nor ought members of society" to forget mere hearers," who are often in yet more extreme need of a pastor's advice and prayers.

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As the saved and unsaved are frequently found under the same roof, pastoral visitation is admirably adapted to the discovery and conviction of the latter; even as it was said of old, "I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees : that say in their heart, the Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil." (Zeph. i, 12.)

As the sentiments of this little work relate to a somewhat "vexed question," the form of "INCIDENTS" has been adopted, as one which

it more acceptable to the general reader.

may

render

Darlaston, Nov. 17, 1849.

B. S.

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"When they shall be reminded of so clear and great a duty, and excited to the consideration of it, and see, with us, the feasibleness of it, in a good measure; when it is done by common consent, no doubt they will universally take it up, and gladly concur with us in so blessed a work. For they are the servants of the same God, as regardful of their flocks, as conscientious as we, as sensible of the interest of Christ, as compassionate to men's souls, and as self-denying and ready to do or suffer for such excellent ends.”—Baxter's Reformed Pastor.

It is needful to define every thing, at present, the age being pre-eminently eclectic and discriminative. This arises, partly, from the increased division of society into classes, and still more from the im

mense variety of pursuits and topics connected with the multifarious life of, perhaps, the most busy and buoyant nation of modern times. With less restlessness than our continental neighbours, who seem "given to change, and almost, if not quite, as "many inventions" as our far younger American rivals, we yet seem more diversified than either in the forms. and topics of our existence, whether viewed in relation to commerce, politics, literature, taste, or

RELIGION.

In the last, and unspeakably most important of the whole, viz. Religion, we are becoming more avowedly utilitarian every year. The national establishment has risen more, during the last twenty years, than any, or it may be all the sects (popery included) that have been cast out of her pale, or have arrayed themselves against her authority. We venture to ascribe this, instrumentally, to the intellect which has wrought in her "high places," her colleges and her councils, and which has concocted new measures or revived old ones, adapted to the keen senses of a religious people, and shewing her up as (after all) England's Church, as well as the Church of England.

It is not chiefly the number of new churches erected both cheaply and quickly, and consecrated in "almost no time;" nor National (?) Schools, with Gothic fronts," put up" as the precursors of a "higher

dispensation," that have added so many more silvery and golden hues to the already fair and dazzling "religion of our forefathers"—" BY LAW ESTABLISHED:" but far, far more, than all these attempts at externalism, the bishops, and clergy, and pious gentry, and (not least) in some instances, ostentatious, or really religious, matrons, have raised,or contributed, funds, for the multiplication of PASTORS (properly so called); whose reverend forms have been visible all the week, and moving, too, among the people, and with a serious demeanour, imitating HIM WHO 66 WENT ABOUT DOING GOOD."

This is, doubtless, the "master-piece" of the Church of England. Puseyite propensities may be a kind of epidemic, arising from over-heated enthusiasm among the clergy, and aggravated by the still more noxious gases of worldly fashion, or remaining superstition among the laity, whether LORDS or serfs. But men were wanted, and were forthcoming; and if even called, or "vamped up" from other parties, their "fire-new honours" were the more likely to serve THE OBJECT of augmenting their zeal for "Mother Church." Especially, when they possessed a knowledge of the plan of salvation by faith in a crucified Saviour, they became the best of all agents, or "decoys ;" and when, with a fluency unknown to senior and more learned lips, they could pray without book!-nay! preach extempore!!!—

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