fear?" It may be prudent to qualify these remarks by the grave advice of Secker-" Every one should consider what his age, standing, reputation for learning, prudence, and piety, will support him in saying; that he may not take more upon himself than will be allowed him." The best rule for a young minister is, to take care to rest his authority on that ground, on which alone in truth it stands the word of God. Whenever, therefore, you have occasion to use an authoritative tone, support it as much as you can by Scripture.

The next method which I propose, in order to enable you to win the respect of your hearers, is one recommended by Aristotle to orators in general, but particularly suited to the character of a clergyman; and that is, the expression, as occasion permits, of wise, amiable, and Christian sentiments, (yv@uai', as Aristotle calls them.) You have observed the applause which follows the expression of noble and generous sentiments, even before a concourse of persons whose character little corresponds with the sentiment expressed. There is always in men's hearts an admiration of excellence in the abstract. Suppose a hustings-orator to quote from Pope's Homer the wellknown lines,

"Who dares think one thing, and another tell,
My heart detests him as the gates of hell;"

the sentiment would be cheered heartily by the very

1 Arist. Rhet. lib. ii. cap. 21.

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men who would go up five minutes afterwards and give a fraudulent vote. You may avail yourself of this innate assent to what is good,—which, in a decent church congregation, may be presumed to be stronger than in the audience just alluded to; you may introduce many shrewd and sensible, amiable and Christian, remarks, which will be sure to find a response in the hearts of your hearers. Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap'. "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." "It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing." St. Paul has a striking way of bringing in such sentiments, by using the first person, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things"."

Sometimes the maxims of the world, all of them, indeed, as such, are contrary to Scripture. You may boldly notice this fact, and still men's better feelings will generally respond. Thus our Saviour: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy,' but I say, love thine enemy." Few men will not acknowledge the beauty of the sentiment. So "the world says, 'Honesty is the best policy,' but I say, Be just and fear not. That

3 Gal. iv. 16.

1 Gal. vi. 7.

2 1 Cor. v. 6.

+ 1 Cor. xiii.

5 Ibid.

man would not be very praiseworthy, who was honest only because it is politic."

It has an impressive effect on the minds of your hearers, and, doubtless also, will contribute to your own comfort and strengthening, if done with humble sincerity, to offer up short ejaculatory prayers to God, supplication for the aid of his holy Spirit, or thanksgiving for his mercy. "O thou who knowest our insufficiency, assist us, we beseech thee." "Lord, write these truths on our hearts." "Send us, O God, thy holy Spirit, to enable us to profit by the consideration of this thy holy word." Preachers very often introduce a prayer of this sort after enunciating their subject. This is well-timed and pious, but should not recur in every sermon ; and prayers introduced in sermons should be brief.

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Lastly," says Herbert, "be often urging the presence and majesty of God by these and such like speeches, 'Oh! let us take heed what we do; God sees us, he sees whether I speak as I ought, or you hear as you ought he sees hearts as well as faces; he is amongst us; and he is a great God and a terrible, as great in mercy, as great in judgment.' Such sentiments as these will have a good effect both on yourself and hearers, for there is a constant reciprocity of feeling between you, which should be encouraged by all means.

By attending to what is contained in this letter and the next, you will acquire that which English

preachers are, by natural constitution, most deficient in, namely, unction. Recollect, I am assuming all along that you are single-hearted, and sincere, and under the guidance of the Spirit of God. "Without me,” said the Lord Jesus, "ye can do nothing1.'

1 John xv. 5.

D

LETTER VI.

HOW TO GAIN THE CONFIDENCE OF THE HEARERS. SECONDLY, BY SHOWING A FRIENDLY

DISPOSITION TOWARDS THEM.

You will have done much if you can establish in your hearers' minds an opinion of your Christian integrity; but you must endeavour to go beyond this, and give them reason to believe that you are not only generally well disposed, but personally interested in their welfare and salvation. To make this impression seems constantly to have been present in the mind of St. Paul. Feeling most deeply interested for his flock, he seems to have sought opportunities to let them know his affection for them; being well aware how important it was with a view to their persuasion.

With this view deliver your message, as it really is, a message of mercy-" glad tidings of great joy"-an offer of pardon and peace. Dwell often on God's love