name of Jesus. He will see the travail of his soul, and all his benevolent desires will be satisfied. The power of God will soon accomplish a work, which, seen in distant prospect, has made thousands, now sleeping in Jesus, leap for joy. O Sun of Righteousness, arise; shine upon the dark places of the earth; fill the world with thy glorious light! Amen.

A SERMON

DELIVERED AT THE ORDINATION OF THE REV. JOHN W. ELLINGWOOD, AT BATH, ME., NOV. 4, 1812, AND OF REV. JACOB IDE, D. D., AT MEDWAY, MASS., NOV. 2, 1814.

2 Tim. 2: 24, 25.- THE SERVANT OF THE LORD MUST NOT STRIVE; BUT BE GENTLE UNTO ALL MEN, APT TO TEACH, PATIENT; IN MEEKNESS INSTRUCTING THOSE THAT OPPOSE THEMSELVES.

My principal reason for introducing this subject is, that it has been treated less frequently than most other subjects which pertain to the pastoral office, and, as I think, less frequently than its nature demands.

My single object is, to illustrate the peculiar importance of meekness and gentleness in a minister of the gospel.

I begin by saying, that the spirit of meekness and gentleness is necessary to qualify a minister for the various duties of his office.

It is necessary to prepare him for the successful study of the Scriptures. An Apostle directs us to "receive with meekness the ingrafted word." The predominance of those sinful passions which are contrary to meekness, disqualifies a minister for profitable reading and meditation. It blinds the eyes of his understanding, gives a wrong bias to his judgment, and exposes him to every kind of error. What confidence can his people have in the conclusions to which he is conducted, while under the influence

of pride, anger, or any disorderly affection? But under the influence of meekness, he is prepared for profitable study. He is sensible of his own ignorance and is ready to submit unreservedly to the infallible word of God. He is willing to give up all the results of unsanctified reason, and to believe every revealed truth on the authority of inspiration. With a docile temper, he says, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." Time spent by a minister in search of divine truth with such a disposition, will not be spent in vain. The God of truth will be his teacher. "The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way."

Meekness and gentleness are necessary to prepare a minister to teach the Christian religion and perform other ministerial duties, with propriety and success.

The Christian religion is a religion of love. It breathes peace on earth and good will to men. A minister, who possesses the virtues recommended in the text, imbibes the spirit of this religion, and is prepared rightly to teach its doctrines and duties. But if a man undertakes to preach the gospel without the spirit of meekness and gentleness, there is a manifest repugnancy between his office and his character. He calls upon others to exercise that love, which has not been shed abroad in his own heart. He inculcates upon them the meekness and gentleness of Christ, when he

himself is destitute of those excellent virtues.

Meekness and gentleness are necessary to a preacher's acceptance. I mean not to suggest, that the best mode of exhibiting the truth would reconcile the unsanctified heart to it, or cause the offence of the cross to cease. But the preacher, who complies with the Apostle's direction now before us, has nothing offensive in his manner; and any opposition made against him is excited purely by the holy nature of the truth itself, and not by anything exceptionable in him, as a preacher. He will indeed love the truth, and earnestly contend for it. But in the defence of the truth he will be careful never to enlist his angry passions. His tongue will never utter invectives against others, however they differ in opinion. Nor is he transported to undue severity, either

of language or feeling, against those who load him with reproaches and injuries. The only methods which he employs to bring men to the knowledge of the truth, are those which are dictated by reason, compassion, and gentleness. Let a minister preach thus, and his enemies will be able to find no occasion against him, except concerning the law of his God.

Meekness and gentleness are peculiarly important to a preacher's success. "The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Acrimonious feelings and expressions are not the instruments, by which the cause of righteousness is to be promoted. A minister is indeed engaged in a warfare; and he must contend and fight in order to his success. But what is the nature of this warfare? What is this contention, but a contention against the disorderly affections of human nature? Now with what weapons will you carry on such a warfare? Is a minister to use anger and violence, to subdue anger and violence in others? All the doctrines of the Bible are to be taught, and all errors to be opposed. The question is, in what manner? The Apostle answers: "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves." A minister, who follows this direction, has the brightest prospect of success. Every one must perceive that this manner of teaching corresponds with the nature of divine truth. The incomprehensible greatness and perfect holiness of the subjects of revelation require, that they should be treated with sacred composure and meekness.-The least mixture of passion is inadmissible. Can you excite love by the language of ill will? Can you attract men to a heaven of peace, by displaying a spirit of strife?—to a heaven of kindness, by a spirit of virulence? Can you successfully inculcate condescension, forgiveness, and compassion, by displaying pride, revenge, and hardness of heart? Can you persuade your hearers to govern their passions, by showing them that you do not govern your own?

The success of a minister consists in conforming the hearts and lives of men to the character of Christ, and fitting them for the heavenly inheritance. His usefulness is to be measured by the

degree, in which he promotes the fruits of the Spirit. But if he is destitute of those fruits, what reason is there to expect he will promote them among his people? He may have a burning zeal, and do much seemingly for the conversion of sinners. But who will reward him for converting men from stupidity to animosity? for rousing them from sleep to bite and devour? A minister of a rough and violent spirit may build up his church; but the members composing it will, in all probability, be stamped with his likeness. Reposing confidence in their teacher, they will conconsider not only his doctrines, but his disposition and manners, as authorized by his religion. Thus the deformity of their character will, in a measure, be attributable to the wrong spirit of their minister.

I have now touched upon a very interesting point. To be useful a minister must be exemplary. The example of one, who possesses a right temper, is of mighty efficacy in forming the minds of Christians. They look to him as a pattern, and receive their particular cast of character from what they see in him. His sweet and lovely spirit diffuses itself among the followers of Christ, and promotes love, joy and peace. His example manifestly rises above the best attainments of human nature, and in the view of all beholders is a distinguished honor to divine grace.

But a minister has other duties to perform. He must visit from house to house, and converse with his people in private. He must seek access to them at all times, and administer counsel, reproof, and consolation, as their circumstances require. In the performance of all these duties, the disposition, which I have been recommending, is unspeakably important. It will allure his people to attend to his instructions. As he assumes no airs of haughty superiority; as he governs his own passions, and is always patient and kind; they will freely disclose to him all their difficulties, and with a candid, teachable temper, ask his counsel. The gentleness of his disposition will render even his reproofs acceptable. Who can take offence—whose heart is hard enough not to be affected, when a minister of the gospel goes to him, and, with meekness and tenderness, honestly tells him what he has