Precious Lord Jesus, from the inexhaustible fulness of thy mighty self, supply, I beseech thee, the souls of thy needy ones now before thee; that in this vale of tears, by the sweet visits of thy love, and the happy assurance of personal interest in the Beloved, they may step in concert with David, and exclaim," thou hast made with me an everlasting covenant," &c.

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Remember, he sets at the furnace, though the heat may cording to thy views more than requisite, yet it will only remove the dross. When this is accomplished, you shall come forth like gold. Observe the bond of union; "These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them," Isa. xlii. 16. Oh, the firmness of God to his covenant! This and this alone will stand as the rock of our salvation in the midst of a tempestuous ocean.

I perceive I have already exceeded the limits of your time, therefore, I find it impossible to enter upon the third part of the subjectThe perpetuity of the Lord's presence with his people. I will detain you only a short time longer. You know I stand here to-night an advocate for those dear children before you. I have already pleaded their cause in the preceding parts of this day. I thank you for your liberality, and hope this evening you will give further proof of your love to the poor and needy. I feel happy to find, that since the institution of this society in the year 1803, 6000 children have been received; and now there remains under its fostering care 350. I would ask, Which is most desirable, to see those children cleanly attired in God's house under the sound of the gospel, or wandering the streets half naked, and their tongues uttering awful oaths and obscene language?' I feel persuaded, in the moment of speaking, you will not require of me to urge another claim.

My dear children, with what words can I address you ? I pray the Lord to make you truly sensible of the mercy he has conferred upon you. The bible is not only put into your hands, but you are taught to read it. This is the word of salvation which we preach. And O that it may be a light to your feet, and the means under the teaching of God the Holy Ghost, of leading you to the foot of the cross. I cannot offer for you a more important prayer than once fell from the lips of Moses, "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end." Deut. xxxii. 29.

Before I conclude, I beg to address those whom God has honoured to manage the affairs of this chapel. My dear brethren, may you by the Spirit of truth" earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints." Enter not into any compromising system. Give up not one iota of truth. We cannot expect any blessing where there is not decision for truth. Forget not, we live in a day of much declension. Where there is firmness for covenant truth, and spiritual worship enjoyed, God will be their shield and buckler, and they shall know, "That upon this mountain the Lord will make unto his people a feast of fat things."

I desire to bless the Lord in giving me strength in coming up

before you the last four sabbaths, and by that which the Holy Ghost teaches, and not man, enabling me to deliver the testimony of truth. I have received several proofs, and one in particular, that the word of his grace has been blessed. This is the great reward of our labours. Whether we ever meet again is with the Lord. May the Lord Jesus, the glorious head of the church, send you much prosperity; bless you in very deed; and grant us, if it is his will, another happy meeting; but above all a joyful meeting before his throne. To him, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, be ascribed, as unto Israel's Triune Jehovah, equal power, glory, and dominion by this assembly, and the whole church of God, to-night and for ever. Amen.

ANSWER TO THE QUERY OF A CONSTANT READER,

AS TO A CALL TO THE MINISTRY.

UPON the face of this enquiry, it is very evident, that some young person having a desire to enter the ministry, is very solicitous of being directed in the right path. If this is the case, the humble and teachable spirit displayed is a good token, and proves that the individual has some solemn impression that the work of the ministry is a very important and responsible situation. That there are very often early desires, without any decisive motives after this work, is often demonstrated; and to proceed no further, the experience of the writer is conclusive; having himself had these feelings, he was anxious also, that he might not run without being sent: perhaps few endured more troubles of mind; but after earnest prayer, and a proper regard to the leadings of providence, he saw the way, and heard the voice, "Behold, I set before you an open door, and no man can shut it." That men may become ministers, whom God never commissioned, is awfully clear, in this day of PARSON-MANUFACTURING; and that, with some good people, young preachers are not acceptable, my young enquirer will find out, if he should ever enter the ministry. Though I am happy in perceiving this spirit is fast on the decline, I hope our young querist will take into his consideration that the work of the ministry is unprofitable for this life, and very unrespectable, if he should solemnly declare all the truth of God. Herein is the difference; it may be both profitable and respectable, if he should turn out "a pretty preacher, a nice man," and any thing but a preacher of Christ. As to the advantages arising from the ministry, à hundred voices would exclaim, "It is unprofitable, very discouraging, only we have respect to the recompence of reward." The more a minister is like his Master, as to the truth-the more will he resemble him in trials and persecutions: he who becomes a minister of Christ, must count the cost, and make up his mind, if necessary, to have "no place where to lay his head." I throw out these as preliminary suggestions: and in direct answer to the important VOL. IX.-No. 117.] 3 E

question, the following things are to be considered, from which a tolerable fair conclusion may be drawn.

I. If I am called to the ministry, I shall feel the constraining influence of the love of Christ.

When the arrow of sharp conviction entered the heart of Saul of Tarsus, he exclaimed, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" and so with those who feel the love of Christ, who are made sensible of an interest in the covenant. But though they feel this constraining principle, which" smiles at impossibilities," there are many ways in which that active principle may develop itself. Let our young friend set down and examine himself thus: "Is it the love of Christ that constrains me ? or is it a mere ambition, a desire to be a teacher, for the satisfaction of my pride? or is it absolutely from love to Jesus? Is it really my wish to live to him, to be spent in the preaching of his word?" I well know, that many feelings may be mixed up with the purest, and that too much of self will appear in such an examination; but is the preponderating, the supreme feeling, a love to Christ, or more extensively a love to a covenant God? If not, touch not the ministry. Without this love, you will never bear up against its great difficulties, corroding anxieties, and discouragements.

II. If I am called to the ministry, I shall feel a mighty concern for the souls of my fellow-creatures.

I have all along supposed that the individual wishing to enter the ministry is really a true christian. Now, I maintain, that unless we have felt the value of our own souls, we never can be earnest for others. It was the experimental language of one, "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved;" and "my eye affects my heart." Does our young friend feel this concern for souls? Is he exercised with a burning flame that he could leave all, become a gazing-stock to the world, endure privations and trials, that he might instrumentally win some ? If there is no such love to souls, he has no right to the ministry; yea, it would be a burden.

III. If I am called to the ministry, there will be the constraining influence of the Holy Spirit.

The expression of the apostle's, "Woe unto me, if I preach not the gospel," may bear two constructions; the one, as to the subject of his ministry; "if not the gospel, woe unto me :" the other, as to the person; "though others preach, that is not enough; woe unto me if I do not also preach." I know from my own experience, that the Lord's ministers are constrained in spirit, that he puts the desire in the heart: then the soul will not, cannot rest, until a "door and effectual be opened." Let our young friend examine himself upon this point, in connexion with the preceding; for many individuals to their ruin, have knocked their heads so much against the pulpit, that nothing would do but preaching; never succeeding, and always in a miserable condition: those whom God sends he will bless.

IV. If I am called to the ministry, the Lord will fit me for it. Many good men, yea, all christians, have a love to souls, but are

not fitted for public teaching; they, therefore, are useful in visiting the sick, distributing tracts, filling the office of deacons, &c. Is our young friend fit as to abilities for the work? God never sends any without. Does he think he has? Let him have the judgment of his elders, and some ministers or friends. Let them judge; for when we judge of our own talent we are too apt to look at it through a telescope. Let him try his talent in our workhouses, or private rooms. These are fine places for a young beginner; here is nothing to flatter their pride, or feed their vanity; here they can give vent to their zeal, and here they may try their gifts, just

"As a bird each fond endearment tries,

To tempt its new fledg'd offspring to the skies." When I refer to talent, I do not mean first or second rate, but a decent talent for public speaking; without this (I speak as a man) there will be no success, if the ministry become our only occupation; many would do for the village, that would not be followed in the city; "all are not apostles," &c. Let our young enquirer look well to this by all means have the opinion of some good minister, and a few friends.

V. If I am called to the ministry, there will be the indications of providence.

The providence of God is the unfolding of his purposes. God is pleased by very peculiar means to introduce his servants into his vineyard, and there is always an open door for us; the way is made comparatively clear to us. If in business, perhaps, it is not suscessful, every thing may seem to go contrary to prosperity, and with this an earnest desire and compulsion to the ministry; perhaps some sudden call to stand up for God, and many other things. Run not against, but look well to God's providence.

In conclusion. Wait the Lord's time; he will open the door, though the way be dark: if he has intended our friend for the ministry he will fit him for it, and bless him in it.

One grand thing to be noticed is, that all whom God sends have many fears as to their commission.

May the Lord direct the enquirer; send out labourers, (drones there are plenty) bless his own servant, and glorify himself.

Dec. 2, 1833.

A MINISTER.

GOD'S WILL, AND NOT CREATURES' AFFECTION, THE GROUND OF SPIRITUAL PRAYER.

"THY WILL BE DONE."

IN taking up my pen once more to defend the supreme good pleasure of Jehovah, in calling the objects of his eternal love, I frankly own I despair of ever convincing a mongrel calvinist, that salvation in all its departments is altogether of God. P. asserts in one page, that Jehovah has loved his people individually with an

everlasting love; and "that all E. M.'s arguments failed to convince me that the apostle was mistaken, when he declares, “ ye have not, because ye ask not." Then some that are individually loved with an everlasting love, will be finally separated from Jehovah's embrace, because a parent asked not. Is not this a fair inference? Then it will not be my fault, for all that are individually loved with an everlasting love are mentioned in every prayer of mine. As P. appeals to the readers of the Spiritual Magazine, (and I hope most of its readers are lovers of the doctrines of discriminating grace,) as to his questions and my answers, I leave it with them to decide.

P. attempts to prove, there is promise and command to pray for children; but what he has adduced is not to the point; the promise he quotes, Acts ii. 29. "for the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that afar off, even to as many as the Lord our God shall call." Is not the latter clause the determining point of the whole passage?"even to as many as the Lord our God shall call." P. takes hold of the children, an arminian, "to all that are afar off," admit both in the proclamation of the gospel; but as to the recipients of the blessings, "even to as many as the Lord our God shall call." Here the apostle was preaching out the freeness of the gospel to the pricked in heart, throwing open the gates of admission to the coming sinner. If the promise in this passage is to children, then it is to "all that are afar off;" but let the spiritual judge.

For the command, I am referred to the 72nd Psalm. What has this to do with a general praying for children? Here is Solomon, with all the effects of his reign pourtrayed on the mind of David; a fine spemen of what I asserted, that God may impress upon the mind a child whom he designs to call, which P. and Parent have taken such unwarrantable liberties with; but where is the rest of David's children, not a word about them in the whole Psalm; then "he had not, because he asked not," if P. is to decide. I am also referred to Rom. ix. 3; here P. and Paul are agreed, but E. M. will not join them, no more than he would approve of Paul's conduct in cireumcising Timothy, Acts xvi. 3. That Paul here spoke the truth of his mind I do believe; but that he spoke the truth of God, I do question; we follow Paul no further than he followed Christ. But he is not like P. justifies such a feeling, he corrects it-he begins to justify the sovereign pleasure of Jehovah in the rejection of his brethren, his kinsman according to the flesh. "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect, for they are not all Israel which are of Israel; neither because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children; but in Isaac shall thy seed be called: that is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Paul is here meeting the charge of neglecting the Jews and forsaking them, makes his appeal as to the interest he feels in their welfare, then drops into the sovereign will of Jehovah, and vindicates his conduct by unfolding the designs of Jehovah. I am the more confirmed in this view of the apostle's