ine zeal invites and promotes it. Spurious zeal practises disguises, genuine zeal is the handmaid of uprightness. Spurious zeal may spring from an excited imagination, [like the violent and unholy effusions of certain pulpit orators of late,] genuine zeal flows from a renovated heart. Spurious zeal is unscrupulous in its methods, genuine zeal is conscientious in the means it selects. Spurious zeal aims at the extension of a party, genuine zeal seeks the enlargement of the Church of Christ. Spurious zeal would bind the nations in fetters, genuine zeal would proclaim liberty to the captives." These are searching words! They throw a light upon the character and spirit of many whose impudence, ignorance, and daring presumption, has been taken for zeal-yea, for godly devotion, for spiritual earnestness, and faithfulness in the cause of truth. This digression must not at present be encouraged: in returning to our main design, we venture to express a conviction that the Gospel Ministry, in our day, considered as a body, is seriously fallen: some portion of it lying in the grossest ignorance; other portions of it, absorbed in self-esteem, and a deceitful pride: and a very large bulk of it is beguiled and blinded by errors and perversions as antagonistic to the spirit and genius of the Gospel, as ever the powers of darkness were opposed to the manifestative glories of a Redeeming GOD. The material for fully exposing this state of things stands thick around us. may even be driven to such a painful work: we have counted the cost: we are prepared for the sacrifice: but would not advance one step until a dire necessity prevents further delay. For evil; in the first place it is tantalising to thirsty souls who pant for living bread; and in the second place, it tends to settle down dead formalists in an awful delusion. a ministry, then, to be essentially good, it must be one that has a Divine power to take the Bread of Life; to break it up in suitable and seasonable morsels; and under the unseen but certain guidance of God the Holy Ghost, gives a portion to six, and even sometimes to the seventh-even to those who appear to be at the very ends of the earth. Furthermore, we add, for a ministry to be essentially and permanently useful, it must be a growing ministry. Tell us why it isthat one man stands for twenty, thirty, forty years in one place, constantly acceptable, feeding the church of God with the finest of the wheat-while others are always moving hither and thither? We will not allow ourselves to attempt the reply; although in few words it may be given. That the good ministry is a growing ministry is easily proved. How many have said to us, "I knew So-and-so when he first came out, very many years ago; but, oh, what a different preacher now, to what he was then! He preached the doctrines of grace then; he preaches the doctrines of grace now: he entered into the experiences of the Lord's people then, he enters into their experiences now; he contended for new covenant settlements and New Testament ordinances then, and contends for the same things now; but there has been much thrown overboard; and the ministerial vessel has spread her sails more fully; has hoisted her colours more consistently; has cut her course through the ocean of truth more deeply and extensively; and the conseIn attempting to review the sermons con-quence has been, she has taken in more than tained in "The New Park Street Pulpit," we have proposed, first, clearly to exhibit all that is decidedly and indisputably good. Secondly, to plainly notice that which is not good and, thirdly, to suggest inquiries respecting those portions which are not sufficiently expressive of the mind and meaning of the preacher. Now the question meets us most decidedly-"WHAT IS GOOD?" We answer, briefly, for a ministry to be essentially, successfully, and permanently good, it must be a living ministry; the HOLY GHOST himself must be the Author of it: it must be a truth-expounding ministry: the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS himself must shine in it, and through it, throwing pure heavenly light into the sanctified minds of the chosen family of the Lord God Almighty. It must be a sympathising ministry: one that can come down, and enter into, the various hard cases, perplexing trials, and heavy sorrows of the living in Jerusalem. It is not enough, for God's exercised children, merely to have truth thrown at them; the mere setting up the skeleton of gospel principles, is a two-fold We ten times the number of passengers she used Oh, what a treasure is such a ministry! And what a cheat is the counterfeit of it! We bless the Lord with all our hearts that ever we found a ministry that had in it life, a seeing, feeling, communicating, growing, LIFE-the incorruptible seed-the word of God, that liveth and abideth for ever. If we go on at this rate, we shall never get into New Park Street. It was necessaryat least thus we have been led-to make a few prefatory remaks on the ministry itself. | hesitating, yet sorely tempted spirit; and they We are now prepared to obey the command fell-fell, in too many instances, to rise no -to read for ourselves, and report accord-more; commenced a career which has often ingly. The Printer says we can have no more space this month. We purpose, therefore, to lay the New Park Street Pulpit Sermons in our bed-room. Every morning, please God, we will read a portion; and next month the result of that reading shall be given. A FEW WORDS ON SABBATH SCHOOLS. ended on the gallows. All this, we affirm, might be prevented. Thanks to the efforts of not this generation better than the last ?self-denying teachers, it is becoming so. Is will not the next be better than this? Is it a pre-ordained necessity-a fatality-that our youth are to grow up thieves and prostitutes that our world is to become morally worse, instead of progressing better? Are not Sunday Schools, in conjunction with the City Missionary, and the preacher, the grand means for bringing about that millenium for the church when every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that Christ is the Lord? We say emphatically, Yes! THANKS to the enlightened evangelical Christianity of the nineteenth century, the Christian Church appears to be progressively becoming alive to the importance of training and educaWe heard one of the objectors to Sunday ting the rising generation in the truths of the Schools say lately, Tat he could agree with gospel of the blessed God. With but a few churches having them, if Christ had commandunhappy, sorrowful and comparatively isolated ed them to be instituted. Did not our tenderexceptions, our churches have those nurseries hearted, compassionate Lord, command Peter attached to them, wherein are taught those to feed the lambs in his flock? Were not who, in a few short years, will take their children brought to him, that he might touch place upon the stage of the world, and range them? and did he not, when his first disciples themselves either under the banner of the-like modern ones-tried to drive them away, cross, or rank among the enemies of our dear Redeemer; and it may be, become enemies to their own species. Strange as it may appear, there are still a great number of professors who are opposed to these glory-spots on the escutcheon of our beloved, though sinful sea-girt isle. To pretend or to be able to convince some people, would be too utopian an undertaking for even a Paul, Apollos, a Cicero, or a Demosthenes to achieve. We have tried to find out with almost as much perseverance as the searchers after the philosopher's stone, what are the objections that fairly could be raised against Sunday Schools; and like the famed searchers after that memorable stone, our search has been in vain. Let any one whose mind is not blinded by prejudice and bigotry, read the biographies of our most sainted men; and then I ask, can any doubt be entertained of the good accomplished by Sunday Schools? How many devoted men who have, and do now fill our pulpits, and are gone as missionaries to the distant climes of India, Africa, and America, in obedience to their Saviour's command to preach the gospel to every creature," received the rudiments of their religious education, and their first impressions of the constraining power of the love of God, in a Sunday School! 66 Look at the incalculable amount of good Sunday Schools accomplish in a moral point of view-to take a low ground of argument! Read the prison reports of England & America; and amongst that lamentably large amount of crime among the juvenile population of these two countries, how few there are who have ever been in a Sunday School! This is a negative kind of evidence, still it speaks volumes. Through the force of unpropitious influences, and under the power of temptation, they have committed their first crime unchecked; no solemn warning of a faithful teacher rose in the mind, no denunciation of the Judge of all flesh against their crime, flashed across their rebuke them, saying, "Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not?" Matt. xix. 14. Again he said, "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea." Matt. xviii. 3-6. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." (Verses 10, 14). Is not this evidence sufficient that our Lord sanctioned the teaching of children— nay, more, enjoined it on his disciples? Has he not condemned that Pharisaical selfishness which would seek to exclude from the benefits of the gospel thousands who might at least receive moral good thereby ? Blessed be his name, he is able and strong enough to accomplish all that was entered into in the everlasting covenant; and though the heathen may rage and the people imagine vain things, and though his followers may seek to oppose his truth being spread abroad, yet onward and onward still it flows, like the mighty river, widening as it nears the ocean, till at last the knowledge of his love to a fallen world, and his readiness to receive contrite sinners, shall cover the earth as the waters cover the mighty deep. "Waft, waft ye winds his story, It spreads from pole to pole: In bliss returns to reign." to read, "You are to have Sabbath Schools! you are to teach children! I command you to do so." In fact, they want a command for everything they do, in so many words. Well, here is one, which we hope they will obey"If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off: if thy eye offend thee, pluck it out." There is a command-obey it. The only command a Christian needs, whose mind is not blinded by prejudice, is that contained in our Lord's words-" Go ye forth into all the world, and preach the gospel to EVERY creature." This is sufficient, even if there were nothing more. The actions of those who are so very particular, or rather, pretend to be so, belie their words. For example, where is the slightest possible reference in apostolic practice, so far as we are able to judge, or where is there the shadow of a command of our Saviour as to the modern practice of singing hymns of experience especially when sung to such delectable compositions as Calcutta, Cranbrook, or Oatlands. Take the hymn beginning, ""Tis a point I long to know," &c., and set to the tune Harts, as often is, and what an idea it must give to the worldling of religious worship-that words only to be used in the solemn secrecy of the closet, or at the most, only to be breathed into the ear of a bosom friend, should be sung, or rather screamed and bawled out in a congregation of persons met for worship!-the thought is revolting. And yet this is done by those very individuals who pretend to want black and white for everything. Then again, that which we teach altogether should prevent the followers of our Lord from opposing Sabbath Schools. What is it? Is it the traditions of the Father? No: it is the Word of the living God. Is it vain philosophy? No: it is that which is able to make men wise unto salvation, through Christ Jesus. The Bible is our text-book; our lessons are drawn from thence; our illustrations are found there; we teach out of that Word which is a fire to subdue the stubborn will, a hammer to break the stony heart; which is sharper than any two-edged sword; that Word which is perfect, converting the soul; that testimony to make wise the simple; those statutes to rejoice the heart; those pure commandments to enlighten the eyes; that Word which Moses commanded the people to teach diligently unto their children; to talk of when they sat in their houses, when they walked by the way, when they laid down, and when they rose up; that Word which is described by one of old as tr more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold;" as "sweeter than the honey and the honeycombe;" that Word which David hid in his heart, that he might not sin against God; a lamp to his feet, and a light to his path; that Word which has been a comfort to millions on a dying bed; which has not only been their meat and drink while living, but the recollection of which has consoled them, and cheered and helped them, when passing through the valley of the shadow of death; and the recollection of which will be a source of joy in the happy world to which those are going who love our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is where we have our warrant for teaching; here we find everything we want to help us; we need not the sympathy of man, though we need not despise it; we have One above who looks down on the faithful Sunday School teacher, surrounded by a group of young immortals (ragged in appearance, it may be), with looks of infinite complacency and approbation, and says to him, "Work on, faithful steward! work on! Let not your heart be dismayed at the roughness of the materials with which you are brought in contact! my Spirit shall be with you; my Word shall not return to me void, but shall accomplish that whereto I sent it. And though no success may apparently attend your labours, yet work on! sow the seed in the morning, and in the evening withhold not thy hand, and I will give the increase. It is in my hands-the hands of the only wise God; who is too wise to err, and too good to be unkind." With such a commendation, and such incentives from our Father, we can go on with our work, looking to Him who is faithful for a blessing, who has promised that he will be wherever two or three are met in his name; not as a Looker-on merely, but as a Helper, an Encourager, a Sustainer, and a Friend. Brothers and sisters in this glorious work, this is no romantic picture, but a reality. Let us, then, gird up the loins of our mind. Let us on! let that be our motto. Look neither to the right hand nor to the left; keep the goal and Giver of all good; and though we may ever in view, looking unto Jesus, the Author be assailed by persecution, wounded by the and contempt by the world; and alas! by hands of friends, and treated with contumely professors of religion; yet let us still try to be wise to win souls, recollecting what the Word of the living God declares, that "they that be teachers, shall shine as the brightness of the firmanent; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever." ALFRED SCOTTEN. Dan. xii. 3. BRIEF NOTICES. have received a request from a Christian minister, notifying that Mrs. Rudman (the widow of the late Joseph Rudman), has two or three hundred copies of the "Memoirs" of her late husband on hand. They are neatly bound; and have been selling for 28. each copy; but are now reduced in price to ls. 6d. stamps to Mrs. Rudman, Bookseller, Drake Any person sending eighteen penny postage Street, Plymouth, can have a volume forwarded to their address, free; and will thereby help a little to cheer the widow's heart, and strengthen her hands. us, entitled, "Sketches from the Burial A SMALL six-penny volume has reached Ground: or, Professors and Possessors." By Elizabeth. Published by J. Gadsby, Bouverie Street. It appears that "Elizabeth has had unusual opportunity of witnessing the "latter end" of many persons; and from these various scenes and circumstances she has drawn the features of different characters; and a very solemn book she has made. The perusal of it is calculated, under God, to lead to close searchings of heart. DELIVERED TO MR. F. PEARCE, AT HIS ORDINATION TO THE BAPTIST CHURCH, Road, SOMERSETSHIRE, MAY 17, 1855. BY JOHN ANDREWS JONES. "Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it."--Col. iv. 17. MY DEAR BROTHER AND FELLOW-LABORER Acts xx. 24. It is in and by the work of IN THE GOSPEL.-At your request I am the ministry that the church, which is placed in a situation of great responsibility; Christ's body, is edified. (Eph. iv. 4). The and in addressing a few remarks to your ministry comprises all Divine truth; the consideration, I would aim to combine truth whole circle of the great and glorious docwith love. You have been engaged in the trines which are contained in the Bible, that ministerial service of the sanctuary for some great storehouse and spiritual treasury, years; but to-day you have entered upon the wherein you are to dig, and from whence arduous and all-engrossing employ of a you are continually to "bring forth things settled pastor over a church of Christ, walk- new and old." Matt. xiii. 52. Go you, ing in gospel order, upon New Testament therefore, my brother, constantly to the principles. sacred Word, and, acquainting yourself with all truth, come forth, and boldly declare it to the people. "Through desire, a man having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom." Prov. xviii. 1. Of the general intrinsic value of this Epistle to the Colossians, I shall not now descant, but confine myself to my text. Nearly forty years have ran their eventful round, since I stood up in similar circumstances with yourself. On that day (March 13, 1816) a most solemn and weighty charge was delivered to me from these words, by that eminent man of God in his day and generation-the late Mr. John Stevens. His holy injunctions fastened as burs on my mind, and the substance of his solemn remarks I not only never forgot, but have aimed, in my poor feeble way, to reduce to practice in the long course of my ministry, amid many infirmities, and sore ministerial trials; but, having obtained help of God, I continue to this day. I would attempt to gather up some fragments of thought, and offer them to your prayerful consideration. I shall soon cease from my work, and enter into my rest; but, if it please God, may you, my brother, be continued for much usefulness in this part of our Lord's vineyard, doing the work of an evangelist, and making full proof of your ministry; and doubt not but in the Lord's time, you will receive your laid-up crown. In addressing you from the words of my text, I shall notice three leading ideas. 1. The ministry-Of what it consists. 2. From whence that ministry is obtained -It is received in, or from the Lord. 3. The solemn Charge-Take heed that thou fulfil it. 66 First, The ministry. It comprises the glorious gospel of the ever-blessed God, in all its parts, branches, bearings, connections, and relations. It is the ministry of the sacred Word, which you are to give yourself continually to," (Acts vi. 4), and fulfil, (Acts xii. 25), and never leave, until you have "finished your course with joy." Vol. XI.-No. 128. I would just hint, be very explicit and clear in your ministry, on, 1, The great and glorious doctrines of the Trinity; 2, On the everlasting love of God, and his sovereign choice of the church in Christ before the foundation of the world; 3, On Divine predestination to the adoption of children by Christ Jesus; 4, On justification by Christ's imputed righteousness, apprehended by precious faith; 5, Of full and complete redemption through Jesus' precious blood; 6, Be very particular on the momentous doctrine of regeneration, as the alone work of God the Holy Ghost, on and in the soul of man; shew its evidential effects in effectual calling and conversion; and set forth its sure results, as discovered in what the regenerate character finds and feels; such as his holy mournings for sin, groanings, and cryings for mercy; of Christ believed in, relied, and depended on, loved and followed. Continue also the subject, as enjoining all holy practical obedience. Enforce gospel ordinances : permit no innovation here. "Shew the house to the house, and let them measure the pattern." Ezek. xliii. 10, 11. Tell the people that they are not entitled to call Christ "Lord, Lord," unless they do the things that he has commanded. (Luke vi. 46.) The great Shepherd of the sheep was baptised; and when he putteth forth his own sheep, he says, "they follow him." sist upon it, that an unbaptised believer has not put on Christ; (Gal. iii. 27); and, until he has done so, he should not be admitted into the church of Christ. "The same day, they were added to the church." They!Who? Those that had been baptised :none other. In K Well, then, the work of the ministry con- | forth fine meal, winnowed with the shovel sists in preaching, in proclaiming the great and the fan, (Isa. xxx. 24,) that the Lord's doctrines of the gospel, and setting forth people may be fed with clean provender. It Christ all in all in the sinner's salvation, is a great, a most precious gift bestowed on with all the matters of vital experience, and a minister, whereby he is enabled to underall holy practice. Free grace calls for full stand what God means in his holy word; for duties. Love to God, his Word, his wor- that alone will God bless to the souls of his ship; separation from the world, consorting people. If you treat on doctrines be scripwith the people of God. What saith the apos-turally doctrinal, and prove the truth of all tle? "As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." 1 Peter i. 15. Take you a pattern from the apostle, who saith, "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Acts xx. 27. But, you advance from the oracles of truth. Test experience also by the same unerring standard; and when you inculcate practicals let the Bible be a light to your feet, and a lamp to all your paths. Secondly. Are you a good minister of Jesus Christ? If so, from whence have you obtained that ministry? 1. You have obtained grace from the Lord. A graceless" man professing to be a gospel minister! O, 'tis dreadful! What! preach the love of God, and not have that love shed abroad in your heart! To proclaim salvation by Christ alone, and yet not know him as your Saviour! The very thought is appalling! But my dear brother, you have declared that which you have tasted, and handled, and felt; so you can "Tell to poor sinners all around, What a dear Saviour you have found." But, 2nd, it is not enough for a man to have grace only, in order to qualify him for the ministry. He must have spiritual gifts, in addition to grace. Dr. Owen says, "If the Lord Jesus Christ should cease to give out spiritual gifts unto men, he need do no more to take away the ministry itself: the ministry then must cease." Christ by his Spirit doth pre-furnish a man with spiritual gifts, in addition to grace in his heart, so that he becomes qualified to feed the Church of God, over which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer. Having gifts," says the Apostle in Romans xii., and he specifies those gifts in verses 6, 7, 8. Gifts are from Christ, and are bestowed by the Spirit of Christ; see Eph. iv. 7-11; and these gifts are for "the work of the ministry, the perfecting of the saints, and the edification of the body of Christ," verse 12. Do not let the people run before you; but you aim to go before them, and lead them on: that "they may grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Christ." 2 Peter iii. 18. Yea, that they may grow up into Him in all things." Eph. iv. 15. It is for this purpose, that the members of a gospel church grow, and increase in gospel knowledge, that Pastors are given; whose province it is to "feed them with knowledge and understanding." Jer. iii. 15. Such men being well taught of God, and able to teach others also, and who also lay themselves out to do so, are styled "faithful men," (2 Tim. ii. 2.) and are "Pastors after God's own heart,' When the school-boy is able to instruct his teacher, it is high time for the parent to place his lad in a superior school. Ponder well on Moses' prayer in behalf of Joshua his successor. "Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, which may go out before them, and which may go in before them; and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in: that the congregation of the Lord be not as" sheep which have no shepherd." Numb. xxvii. 16, 17. Dr. Owen says, "To lead the people out, and to bring them in, requires a degree of eminency, or else we shall be useless" to a great part of our people." ready to your hands." 2 Cor. x. 16. "Alas, Master, for it was borrowed." 2 Kings vi. 5. Well then, my brother, bear you in mind, that all your qualification for the ministry you have "received from the Lord:" you have therefore, no room to boast, for even an Apostle could say, "I know nothing by myself." 1 Cor. iv. 4. And here permit me Enquire, then my brother, and learn what gently to hint, (I borrow it from the apostle) gifts the Lord has bestowed on you, and then In preaching the gospel, be careful not to industriously employ the same in the service" boast in another man's line of things, made of your Master. It is your Lord's property, even the talents with which you are intrusted; see, therefore, that you put his money to the exchangers. Matt. xxv. 27. Let head, hands, and heart be all employed. Wear out, but do not rust out. Take you the apostle's advice to his son Timothy, "Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine; meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." 1 Tim. iv. 13-15. Bolt every doctrine to the bran; so shall you bring It will be a great mercy for you to feel continually, that you are a poor, weak, empty, nothing-creature in and of yourself; frequently going yourself to school, to obtain divine teaching, that you may thereby be qualified to teach others. May you enter into Paul's rich experience, and glory in your infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon you. 2 Cor. xii. 9. Let Christ be all in all; and be you content to be nothing at |