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SUTTON STREET, COMMERCIAL ROAD, ST. GEORGE'S-IN THE-EAST.

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LONDON:

PRINTED BY THOMAS DANKS, CRANE COURT,

FLEET STREET.

THE

CHRISTIAN AMBASSADOR

ART. I.-COUNSELS TO YOUNG MINISTERS.*

Mofthe lofty, but responsible, position which you now occupy.

Y DEAR BRETHREN,-We congratulate you on the attainment

As advanced conditions are attained, it is well to remember that responsibility increases as privilege increases. Where much is given much is required.

As regards the arrangements of the Christian denomination with which you have resolved to spend your lives and employ your energies, your ministerial probation is terminated; but you need scarcely be reminded that probation never terminates with any child of man so long as he sojourns upon earth.

We, now assembled with you, prayerfully and anxiously hope that a long career of usefulness may await you; but no matter how useful soever God may condescend to make you, the future will unfold many difficulties; you will have fiery conflicts; there will be weakness, fears, buffetings, temptations. Ye wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers. We would exhort you: Fight the good fight of faith. Endure hardness as good soldiers. Forget not that your sufficiency is of God. The great Saviour, whose ambassadors you are, says, "Lo, I am with you alway."

You have cause for thankfulness and joy. Doubts concerning your ministerial probation and examination are now dispelled; for a season you may give your fears to the winds.

Joyfully, with thanksgiving to the Father of mercies, we give you the right hand of fellowship. Devoutly and importunately we implore for you the anointing which God alone can bestow. May you be endowed with power from on high! Your probation is ended. "Better," says an infallible testimony, "is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof." Of course it is understood that the thing begun is fitting and good; and the

The substance of an address delivered in the Hebbron Memorial Chapel, Hexham, on Sabbath day, May 1st, 1864, to eight young ministers after being recommended by the Sunderland District Meeting to the ensuing Conference for reception into the Annual List.

VOL. III.-No. 1.-NEW SERIES.

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