death of a pastor, how consoling would it be to a bereaved church, to receive letters of condolence from neighbouring societies. There is one way, in which the most affectual help may be rendered by one church to another: I mean, pecuniary assistance granted from such as are wealthy to those who are poor. We are informed, Acts xi. 29, 30, that the disciples at Antioch sent relief, according to their abilities, to the poor saints in Judea. "Concerning the collection for the saints, as I had given orders to the churches at Galatia: Even so do ye." 1 Cor. xvi. 1. I am aware, that this is sometimes done. out of a fund, raised by the joint contributions of the churches in a county or district associa tion; but how great would be the effect produced, if a church, in its individual capacity, were from year to year to send a donation to some poor community in its neighbourhood. What a lovely display of Christian feeling would this be! How would it endear the societies to each other! It would assist those to gain an efficient and settled minister, who, probably, but for such help, would only enjoy the precarious labours of occasional and incompetent preachers. The comfort of many faithful and laborious ministers would be thus promoted, and the kingdom of Jesus Christ enlarged.

Ye rich churches in our large cities, and in the country, who, without effort, can raise for your own pastors ample salaries, I appeal to your lib

erality, on behalf of those many churches scattered up and down the land, which are withering for the want of a little of that wealth, which you could spare, without lessening the comfort, either of your minister, or your families. I would not rob the funds of Missionary, or Bible Societies, to replenish the little store of gospel ministers at home; but I will say, that no foreign objects should be allowed to interfere with the claims of those deserving and holy men, who are labouring for souls amidst all the ills of poverty, and all the cares and woes which such ills must necessarily entail.

Where is the favoured individual, into whose lap the bounty of heaven has poured the abundance of riches, and into whose heart divine grace has introduced the mercy that is full of good fruits? here let him find an object worthy of his wealth and of his zeal. Let him become the nursing father of our poor churches. If he spend two thousand a year in this way, he may give forty pounds a year to fifty ministers. What a means of usefulness! How many infant churches would smile upon him from their cradle; and as they turned upon him, their eyes glistening with gratitude, would exclaim, "My Father, my Father!" In how many churchbooks would his name be enrolled, amidst the benedictions and prayers of the saints!

CHAPTER VIII.

THE DUTIES OF CHURCH MEMBERS IN THEIR PE

CULIAR CHARACTER AND STATION.

I. THE pastor's wife.

A station so honourable, so important, so responsible, must necessarily be attended with duties numerous, difficult, and of great consequence. Her situation stands next in influence, and therefore in responsibility, to that of her husband: the minister excepted, she has the greatest opportunity of any member of the church, to do good or harm. As a wife, she should be a bright pattern of all that tender affection, that unsuspicious confidence, that cheerful obedience, that undivided devotedness to her husband's comfort, which such a relationship implies: a lovely, spotless exhibition of connubial virtue. No man is in greater need of all the force of conjugal sympathy and love, than a faithful minister.

As the female head of a family, she should direct her household affairs with judgment, and be a model of order, neatness, and domestic discipline. A minister derives some degree of respectability from the state of his family. Home scenes, according as they are lovely or repulsive, form a beauteous halo round, or dark specks upon, the orb of his public character. It is required of him that he should rule well his own household; but in this

he is dependent upon his wife. What a disgrace is it that his house should be such a scene of disorder, as to disgust, by its confusion, the more respectable part of his friends! Some people, if we were to judge from their habits, and their homes, seem to have been born out of due time; they look as if the era of their existence were the reign of chaos. Order is heaven's first law, and the laws of heaven certainly should govern the habitations of its ministers. If a mother, a minister's wife should strive to excel in every maternal excellence. How often is it the case, that a minister's children are talked of almost to a proverb, for their rudeness, ill behaviour, and wickedness; in such instances, much blame must be attached to the mother.

In her own personal character, there are two traits which should appear with peculiar prominence, and shine with attractive lustre in a minister's wife; these are PIETY and PRUDence. Her piety should not only be sincere, but ardent ; not only unsuspected, but eminently conspicuous. Her habits, her conversation, her whole deportment, should bear the deep, bright impress of heaven. She should be the holiest, most spiritual woman in the church. Her prudence should equal her piety. Without the former, even the latter, however distinguished, would only half qualify her for her important station. Her prudence should display itself in all her conduct towards her husband. She should be

very careful not to make him dissatisfied with the situation he occupies. Many a minister has been rendered uncomfortable in a situation of considerable usefulness, or has been led to quit it against the convictions of his judgment, by the capricious prejudices of his wife; whose ambition has aspired to something higher, or whose love of change has coveted something new. A minister's wife should consult her husband's usefulness, and be willing to live in any situation, however self-denying its circumstances may prove, where this is promoted; and considering the influence she has over his decisions, she should be very careful how she employs it in those seasons when a change is meditated. Her prudence should render her extremely careful, not to prejudice her husband's mind against any individual who may have, designedly or unintentionally, injured her. In not a few cases, have pastors been drawn into contention with some of their friends, by the imprudent conduct of their wives, who, possessing a morbid sensibility of offence, have reported, amidst much exaggeration, affronts which they ought not to have felt -or feeling, ought to have concealed. Instead of acting as a screen, to prevent these petty vexations from reaching his ear, they have rendered their tongues a conductor, to convey them to his bosom. They should hide many things of this kind, which it is not important he should know,