a people are ignorant, they must be instructed; if they are secure and supine, the signs, causes and cures thereof must be set before them; if they are wavering and unstable, efforts must be exerted to have them settled and confirmed. Thus he that winneth souls is wise.

6. Is Christ to be preached in the manner above described? see the necessity which ministers of the gospel are under of being well acquainted with their Bibles. Hereby, like Apol los, they will be mighty in the scriptures; which are able "to make the man of God perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." Also the necessity is very great of their having much saving acquaintance with him, and living near him, lest, when "we preach Christ to others, we ourselves should be cast away." It will be sad, if we, by our unbelief, neglect that salvation which we are employed every sabbath in presenting unto, and urging upon, others. It was a dismal affair for those men to perish in the flood, that had an active hand in building the ark.-These ministers can best explain the pangs of the new-birth, and the nature of union to, and communion with Christ, and describe conversion, progressive sanctification, a life of faith, the struggles of the flesh and spirit, and such like subjects, who can speak of them from their own experience. These are surely best suited to speak a word in season to weary souls, who can comfort them, in their spiritual distresses, "with these consolations wherewith they themselves have been comforted of God." (2 Cor. i. 4.) Whereas, will he be fit to warn his hearers of the devices of Satan, and the deceits of a desperately wicked heart, who is an entire stranger to his own, and knows nothing of the matter but by report? Ministers who are unconcerned about religion, are generally cold and languid in their addresses to the conscience. There is something unnatural in endeavoring to excite in other men's breasts notions which we never felt in our own. But when the faithful gospel minister exhorts others, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. I shall shut up this discourse with a few words, first to the ministry here present, and, then, to this congregation.

My Reverend Fathers and Brethren-I acknowledge my. self very unfit to execute this design, but seeing that I occupy this place by your appointment, I hope that the few following hints will not be unseasonable, which I would choose to take to myself. Let us beware of preaching ourselves, in any shape, such as for applause, our own inventions, our passions or prejudices, or for the sake of worldly gain; but let us imitate the apostles of our Lord, who preached not themselves,

but Christ. A crucified Christ is the only ordinance of heaven for the salvation of souls. Let us by prayer seek all our subjects and furniture on them from the Interpreter, one among a thousand, Him whose name is Wonderful, Counsellor. Let us also be much concerned to wrestle with the Lord, not only for much of his countenance, in our studies and preparations and public services, but great success in his work. Paul may plant and Apollos may water, but the increase is of the Lord. Let us beware of being puffed up when eminently countenanced, or over much dejected when we are deserted; for in both pride appears. Let us guard against filling our sermons with dry, airy and frothy speculations, but with the substantial truths and invaluable riches of the gospel. Lastly, let us all, in our judicial meetings and public administrations, study faithfulness, Let us, through the grace that is in Christ for us, study to be faithful to him, to the souls committed to our charge, to the generation which we live and labor among, and to our own souls. We may believe that, what our Lord and Master says to the angel of the church in Smyrna, he says to us, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

Finally, A word to you in this congregation.

My Dear Friends and Brethren,-I would exhort you in the words of an apostle, "See that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." Very different effects follow on a clear, pure and faithful dispensation of the gospel, in the case of persons in the same congregation. Those that by faith embrace the great salvation presented in the gospel, as sure as God is in heaven, shall come in a little to the full and immediate possession of eternal life; for "he that believeth shall be saved;" but it is equally certain as to those, who, by their unbelief, pride, hardness and impenitency of their hearts reject it, the consequence thereof will be eternal destruction; for "he that believeth not shall be damned." The same star which is to some the morning-star bringing light and day, is to others the evening star bringing darkness and night; so the same gospel dispensation which is to some the savour of life, is to others the savor of death: the same gospel minister, who is a sweet savor unto God, of Christ in them that are saved, is the same in the case of them that perish. See that you bring forth fruit answerable to the pains that Christ has been at with you; for that end seek much of Christ's presence with you in his ordinances, and a plentiful down-pouring of the Holy Ghost upon you therein. Bless God for your minister, and for what he has done to him, and by his means

for you; give unto God the glory due unto his name. Pray much for your minister, and for us that we may be strengthened for our work, supported in it, made successful and faithful to the end. In this exercise you will not miss your own errand. There are two objects which the Lord has much on his heart, Zion and her priests, that is, the church and her ministers, and prayers for them are eminently acceptable to him. I shall conclude the whole in the engaging and affectionate language of Paul to the saints at Rome, "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me." (Rom. xv. 30.) May God bless his word and to his name be praise. Amen.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OF THE REV. ROBERT ARMSTRONG.

Mr. ARMSTRONG was a native of Scotland. Little more is known of his parentage, than that his mother was a widow, at the time of his coming to America; he was also an only child.

He received a classical education at the University of Edinburgh; and studied Theology at Whitburn with the Rev. Archibald Bruce, Professor at that time under the General Associate Synod. The certificate of his ordination to the ministry, is dated June 15th, 1797. He had been licensed to preach some time in the winter preceding, by the Presbytery of Kelso.

He was one of those students who make their way to professional life, by dint of their own resources; and the ardor and enterprize which it implies, were prominent parts of his character. His parents not possessing much worldly affluence, were unable to assist him. He taught a country school, or acted as private tutor in the families of gentlemen; and by this means he was enabled to make very extensive acquirements, both as a scholar and a divine.

He was licensed, and ordained with a view to his coming to America. An application having been made to the General Associate Synod of Scotland, in the year 1796, by some members who lived near Lexington, Kentucky, for a minister to be sent to them; the Synod in complying with the petition, (in which they asked for but one,) appointed two ministers to go to that country-Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Andrew Fulton. "You might be startled," says a member of Synod, in a letter to a friend in this country, "at the idea of two ministers coming at once; but we thought, as the Synod defrayed all expenses, if any disappointment as to success should follow, we,