1 tinued for many years after Mr. Walker's scriptural doctrines had, unhappily for the people, ceased to be delivered from the pulpit. While the importance of mutual confidence and help cannot be denied; yet to secure the advantages without the attendant temptaffection and fellowship-That the principal means proposed be the singing of a Psalm or Hymn, offering up prayer, and expounding the Scriptures; which two last exercises shall be conducted solely by the Minister. The members shall however severally be at liberty in succession to select the Scripture for exposition at the next meeting-That the member, whose turn it may be to name the subject for the next exposition, shall also be at liberty to put any question for advice in any case, or for information on any subject, whether connected with the individual soul, or with the general cause of God, which question shall be answered after the exposition at the next meeting; and at the close of the meeting, any member may request through the medium of the Minister a special interest in the prayers of the other members, when particular circumstances seem to require it-That in case a member should wish any subject introduced not to be made a topic of conversation elsewhere, it must be introduced as confidential, and the members will be expected not to betray the confidence so reposed in them-That any member, wishing to propose a candidate for admission, shall make such proposition privately to the Minister after the meeting is over; when any of the members may also stay for the purpose of consulting him on any private matter, which could not have been introduced with propriety in the presence of the meeting-That, should a member be guilty of any scandalous offence, his name shall be erased from the Register book of the Society at the time of meeting; when the same shall be notified by the Minister to the other members— That a member, accused of any inconsistency, which may be grievous to the rest, shall first be admonished by the Minister in private; and, should he persist in the inconsistency, the evil shall be pointed out to the offender in the presence of the meeting; and if there be no signs of compunction shewn, expulsion from the Society must then take place.'-Christian Guardian, Jan. 1830. 1 Mr. Richmond also in his early Ministry established an interesting Church-meeting, mainly upon these principles, though with less formality of system. Its object was large, social, and edifying. It included the explanation of the Scriptures, Prayer Book, and other useful books; friendly and Christian exhortation according to their circumstances; questions of scriptural or experimental difficulties; and united prayer for a blessing upon themselves, their families, their neighbours, their country, and the whole Church of God throughout the world. See his Life, pp. 43, 44, note. ations and inlets to evil, is a matter which exercises the minds of many Ministers with considerable perplexity. The system of social meetings, which we have endeavoured to detail, requires a previous counting of the cost. Its management and the maintainance of its interest and effectiveness, are matters of no small difficulty; while under wise regulations the harvest will be of important account. The junction of Ministerial control with Ministerial confidence offers, upon the whole, the best promise of attaining the desired ends of unity, harmony, and truth-the only means of that “Christian communion," which (as a Puritan Minister justly remarked) "keeps our religion in breath, and without which it will be ready to die.” CHAPTER VII. THE OFFICE AND USES OF HELPERS. Ir was never intended, that the Minister should sustain the whole weight of the service of God. Moses was assisted in his work by seventy elders, in tender consideration of his overwhelming responsibility, And thus the office of " helpers" in the primitive Church appears to have been of considerable service in promoting the efficiency of the Christian Ministry. And one of the most important results of the pastoral work is, that the confidence with our people, and the insight into their individual character which we thus acquire, enables us to employ them in subservient but most efficient spheres of labour. Few departments, however, of our work require more of that "wisdom that 1 See Num. xi. 10-25. Moses, Exod. xviii. 13-26. Comp. also Jethro's wise advice to 2 Rom. xvi. 9, 12. Phil. iv. 3. is profitable to direct." The differences of administration in the present day, and the different temperament of the Church from the primitive times; the rise of a spirit of independency; the excitement of spiritual pride; the introduction of the baneful evil of "many masters ;" and the consequent diminution of the just influence of the Parochial head ;—are temptations incident to this system, that will exercise unceasing watchfulness. But yet, with strict subordination to Ministerial control, and with a large share of humility and forbearance, room might readily be found for the active co-operation of lay-agency in various offices, defined by the local system, and portioned out according to the "diversities of gifts." Dr. Chalmers has fully pointed out the relative advantages to Ministers and people from thus calling forth the energies of the laity into subordinate employment in our respective spheres. If in the first instance it may be more easy to do the work ourselves, they will ultimately be found in many cases to be more effective labourers. It is probable, that some of us may be suffering loss from the neglect of this use of our people; and that to this cause may be attributed the success, with which they are often drawn from us, by those who unduly avail themselves of their assistance, and elevate them to an importance most injurious to the simplicity and lowliness of a Christian profession. 3 The various plans of the Ministerial economy for the good of the parish will always furnish a suitable sphere of labour. The work of instruction in the Sunday School-the superintendence of adult schools -the management or promotion of religious societies 2 See his Civic Economy, 3 See quotation from Baxter, pp. 611, 612. 1 James iii. 1. -the diligent and sympathizing inquiry into the wants of the poor-the administering to their temporal necessities, and much more to their spiritual benefit— the visitation of the sick,-these, and similar plans, will furnish as much employment for the time of private Christians, as a conscientious regard to their secular callings will generally allow. The duty of undertaking this office, with a due consideration of their private circumstances, should be inculcated upon every private Christian. The work of instruction belongs to Ministers primarily-not exclusively. They must be movers and directors of the system, but not the sole agents. Their office is to set many lesser wheels in motion, in subservient harmony with the grand movements of the machine. Christians cannot seek their own edification too fervently; but they may be occupied in it too selfishly. Many appear to have no more interest or care for the unconverted around them, than if there were no such beings in the world. Or they are content to leave their souls to the superintendence of the Parish Minister, with the same indifference as they leave their bodies to the care of the Parish Apothecary. They are little aware of the loss, which arises to themselves, no less than to the Church by this want of exertion. They much need to be reminded of their obligations-that they are "called out of darkness into marvellous light," that they might "arise and shine"-that they are bound therefore, to strengthen our hands, not only by the light of their example, but by personal labour and activity. We were destitute of helpers, and God has converted them that they might be our "helpers in the Lord." This will naturally lead us to remark, that the individual advantages of this service are of the highest importance. There is no better stimulant to personal religion, than active devotedness to the spiritual wants of our fellow-sinners. In some respects therefore more good is done by the employment of helpers than would have been effected by our own exertions. For while there is the same good in the object, an additional benefit is conferred by the instrumentality. Graces are called into exercise, which otherwise might have been dormant; while we experience sensible relief in our work, by making them partakers of our burdens and our privileges, our sorrows and our joys. With this view, and with a due regard to relative duties (which must upon no account be superseded), it is advisable to press this Christian responsibility upon those that are just commencing their Christian course. Such persons are apt to be absorbed in the new world of interest that surrounds them. They want to be drawn forth into the active habits of practical religion - to have their graces exercised, their sympathies excited, their sense of obligation deepened, and their view of the realities of the Gospel established, by a close contact with the spiritual distresses and supports of those around them. For some departments of this employ, Christian experience and wisdom are materially requisite; and not less needed are the exercises of Christian patience, humility, earnestness, and love. But these are qualities, that gather strength and maturity by diligent and prayerful exercise. The plain duty and simple work of private instruction fall within the sphere of the lowest spiritual capacity. Nothing more is needed than an acquaintance with the value of the soul-the lost estate of man-the need of a Saviour the power of his love-the work of his Spirit-the hope of his glory. These, when really felt, will be readily explained-not indeed |