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it, or to be more affected by it, than a minister of the gospel. must have trials. How delightful soever his prospect at the beginning, difficulty lies before him. The day may open with a clear sky; but dark and stormy clouds will appear before night. If a minister faithfully preaches the religion of Christ, and lives accordingly, he must encounter opposition in one form or other. But amidst all his troubles, he has peace within. Others are agitated; but he is composed. Others may load him and his doctrine with ignominy. But he is gentle and patient. No resentful or envious thought corrodes his heart. The sweetness and lenity of his disposition secure to him an inward serenity, which nothing can disturb.

Allow me to say further, that ministers have real and sometimes urgent occasion for the exercise of the spirit which I have been recommending, in their connection and intercourse with each other. Yes, brethren, you will have occasion to exercise this Christ-like disposition towards your fellow-laborers in the sacred office. They will be called to struggle with difficulties and bear afflictions which will make an appeal to your compassion and sympathy. Therefore "put on bowels of mercy." They will need substantial acts of friendship from you. Therefore "put on kindness." They will have faults of character-faults, which may interfere with your comfort, and may excite feelings of dislikefeelings which, if allowed to lodge in your hearts, may lead on to animosity and bitterness. If you would be sure to foreclose evils so much to be dreaded, then put on meekness and forbearance towards your brethren, whatever may be their faults. You will certainly have occasion, more or less frequent, to exercise meekness, gentleness and forbearance towards your fellow-laborers in the work of the ministry. And on the other hand, your brethren may discover some faults in which may you, make it necessary for them to exercise the spirit of meekness and forbearance towards you; and thus it will be as the Apostle directs,—" forbearing one another, and forgiving one another."

Finally, consider the importance of the virtue enjoined in my text, as it is necessary to assimilate ministers to the great Shep

He is

your

standard.

herd and Bishop of souls. Fix your eyes then steadily upon your Lord and Master. He was meek and lowly in heart. The spirit of the dove pervaded his whole character and life, particularly the closing scene. He was abused, insulted, reproached, and condemned. But the Lamb of God, though possessed of power to crush his enemies in a moment, bore it all with silent meekness! When they finished the work of malice and cruelty, and nailed him to the cross; no emotion of ill-will was excited in his breast; but with indescribable compassion and tenderness he said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

My dear brother, behold your pattern! See the lovely virtue, which ought to beautify your character, and to pervade your studies, your preaching, and your pastoral labors. Cherish this excellent virtue. Grow in the meekness of wisdom; and make all your trials and sufferings subservient to this end. Banish forever that proud, irritable temper, which rises against a faithful reprover; and always consider him your best friend, who most plainly points out your failings. Complain not of injuries. If at any time your feelings are disturbed - look unto Jesus. You can find no other perfect example. You can aim at no honor or happiness so great, as to bear the likeness of him who was meek and lowly in heart.

—If

A SERMON

DELIVERED AT THE ORDINATION OF THE REV. JOEL HAWES, D. D., AT HARTFORD, CONN., MARCH 4, 1818.

Hebrews 13: 17.- THEY WATCH FOR YOUR SOULS AS THEY THAT MUST GIVE

ACCOUNT.

A MINISTER of the gospel must give account to God, as well as the people of his charge. He describes to them the transactions which they must then witness, and in which they must bear a part. But he should remember, that it will be a day of judgment to him, as well as to them. He must stand before Christ, not to preach the gospel, but to be judged by it; not to disclose to sinners, by the light of divine truth, the secrets of their hearts, but to have the secrets of his own heart disclosed; not to tell his flock, that Christ will come to divide them from one another, and place the saints on his right hand and sinners on his left; but to take his own place on one side or the other, according to his character.

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The final account of a minister must be as strict and impartial, as that of his people. No allowance will be made in his favor, because he was solemnly ordained to be a Christian pastor, or because he went through the common labors and trials of the ministry. Nor will any favor be shown him, because he occupied an important station in the church;—nor because he preached the nor because he was held in high estimation for his talents

truth;

and piety. Nor will any allowance be made in his favor, because he encountered difficulties and sufferings; nor even because his labors were successful, and many blessed him as their spiritual father. He must be tried by the same unbending rule of righteousness with others. He must give account of all his conduct, and of the hidden things of the heart; particularly of the motives, which led him to assume the sacred office, and of the spirit which actuated his studies, his visits, and all his ministrations. If he has been a faithful shepherd, he will receive an unfading inheritance. The review of his pious labors and sufferings on earth will fill him with emotions of unspeakable delight; and the souls converted or edified under his ministry, will be his joy and his crown. But if he has neglected the duties of his calling; what can he expect but the frown of his Judge? No, entreaties for mercy can then prevail. He must see at an appalling distance, those blessed mansions which were once within his reach, and which he persuaded others to secure.

This brief description of the final account which a minister of the gospel must give of himself at the last day, will help us to see what practical influence the expectation of that account ought to have upon him. This influence may be considered in relation to a minister's object, his qualifications, his duties, his failings, and his trials.

First. The practical influence, which I am to illustrate, respects a minister's object, or the end at which he ought to aim. He looks forward to the time when earthly pursuits will cease, and earthly interests disappear, and when the Lord from heaven will sit upon his throne to judge the world. What will the minister then consider to have been the most important object of his calling? Will he not see that nothing ever deserved a thought compared with the conversion of sinners, and the edification and enlargement of the church? Will he not then see, that turning aside from this great object to pursue wealth, or science, or personal promotion, was an abandonment of his sacred work? When a minister fixes his eyes upon the day of account, he must feel, that there is nothing else for him to pursue as the end of his holy

office, but the glory of Christ and the advancement of his kingdom. Other things become insignificant. If he does but little for the salvation of men, he does but little of his proper business. Let him do anything that is foreign to his calling; it is all a bubble. Those acquisitions, cares, labors, which do nothing toward saving immortal souls, will at last appear as the chaff of the summer threshing floor. Thus if a minister habitually looks forward to the day of account; the views which he knows he must then have, will obtain a present influence over him; will withdraw him from everything inconsistent with his proper work, and keep him engaged, with steady, ardent zeal, to promote the reign of Christ, as the great end of his ministry.

Secondly. This practical influence respects a minister's qualifications. If he judges rightly as to the proper object of the ministry, he will perceive that it calls for high qualifications; qualifications far above what he possesses. Whatever advantages of education he may have enjoyed, and whatever length of time he may have spent in preparing for the ministry; he will fall down in the dust, when he compares his attainments, either moral or literary, with the high mark at which his office requires him to aim. His previous contemplation and study seem to have done little more, than to fix his eye upon the magnitude of the work before him, and show him how much remains to be done in obtaining the requisite qualifications. Now a proper recollection of his accountableness to God will prompt him to unwearied endeavors to obtain these qualifications; — qualifications which may be held in low estimation by the worldly mind, but are of great price in the sight of God. These qualifications he will pursue with constant assiduity. Let no idle intruder interrupt him. Let no worldly anxieties disturb him. He is studying for the judg ment day. He is making improvements for eternity.

Thirdly. The subject is to be considered in relation to a minister's duties. These duties are so numerous and difficult, that, from conscious insufficiency, he is sometimes disposed to shrink back from them. And sometimes while attempting them, he is ready to be disheartened. It requires a motive of no common