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With what signal effect the weapon of sanctified learning may be wielded, let the history of the Reformation from that fearful condition of the Church attest. Would you know the opinion of the Reformers themselves on the subject? "If we lose the learned languages by our neglect," said Luther, we shall lose the Gospel." "An unlearned theology," said Melancthon, is an Iliad of evils ;"-a sentiment often reiterated by Calvin also. Need I remind you that our Puritan and Nonconformist forefathers-the champions of truth and liberty in their day-and whose standard theology continues to nourish the piety of the Church, were learned divines? Need I add further that among the most useful men of modern days, have been a Doddridge and a Watts, a Wesley and a Whitefield, of England; and, of America, an Edwards, a Bellamy, and a Dwight; and that, besides being educated themselves, they advocated the Collegiate preparation of others for the ministry-some of them actually presiding in such institutions?

"We

Far be it from us to deny that God has greatly blessed the preaching of some uneducated ministers. therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." He did not bless them, however, on account of their ignorance, but in spite of it. It was not their ignorance which he blessed, but certain other qualities which they possessed in common with the educated man of God-quali ities which a wise education would have aided to develope and direct-zeal, and devotedness to the glory of God. On the other hand, could we take you to listen to some of this class, you would feel at once that their preaching-in which distinctions are frequently made without differences, assertions are mistaken for arguments, and illustrations of truth substituted for doctrines-is of a character to limit their usefulness to a single class of hearers, and to disparage them in the eyes even of some of that class. And how many a minister of this description, could you address him on the subject, would feelingly deplore his own want of early education, and set forth the disadvantages

under which he consequently labours. And thus you might easily obtain, from your own observation, an illustration of the same truth which history in all ages so abundantly confirms, that there exists a relation between religion and an educated ministry, and that, where the latter is wanting, the former invariably tends to superstition, fanaticism, or extinction.

And now, what, after all, is the summary of the various arguments in support of an educated ministry, but simply this-that ignorance is imperfection; and that, in the case of the man of God, we are anxious to lessen that imperfection as much as possible? What is it but saying, that, as sin is the parent of all voluntary ignorance, and as the gospel is the great remedy for sin, we believe it was meant, directly or indirectly, to remedy such ignorance as well as every other evil; and that we are anxious that the man of God should be an instance of its remedial influence in this, as well as in every other respect? What is it but saying, that, if he speak for God, he should speak according to the rules of language; that, if he attempt to reason for God, he should not do it irrationally, but according to the rules of reasoning; that, if he profess to be an interpreter of the Bible, he should spare no pains necessary to render himself a correct expositor" an able minister of the New Testament.” In a word, what is it but saying that the man of God should be made as acceptable an offering to the Head of the Church, and as efficient an agent for the diffusion of the Gospel, as his own, endeavours and the endeavours of the Church, combined with the prayers of both for the impartation of the Holy Spirit, can possibly render him?

III. Such being some of the grounds of the importance of an educated ministry, I might enlarge, thirdly, on the consequent obligations. The nature of the occasion, however, which has now assembled us, reminds me that you are already alive to those obligations, and allows me to restrict myself to the bare enumeration of particulars.

I will only remind you, therefore, that as your sense of the importance of an educated ministry committed you to the erection of a College, so now the erection of that College commits you to a series of corresponding duties. By selecting the more capable and intelligent, as well as pious, among the youthful members of your churches, to enjoy its advantages; by fairly estimating its pecuniary wants and contributing liberally to its support; by allowing its students the full enjoyment of its entire course, instead of hastily terminating their studies, and hurrying them into the ministry unprepared; and by giving the preference, when called to choose a pastor, not to one of ignorant, but of intelligent piety; by these means you cannot fail, under God, to secure an intelligent ministry. And by placing these means in your power, the Head of the Church is leaving you to say whether he shall be served by an illiterate, or by an educated ministry.

Brethren, you have entered on a great work. Bear with me while I exhort you to view it chiefly in the highest light. View it, if you please, as an honour and a service to the Denomination of Christians to which you belong; and, as such, it richly deserves their practical thanks. But regard it chiefly as belonging to that great system of agencies by which God is subduing all things to himself. Contemplate it chiefly in that only relation in which it can be invested with enduring importance; as included in that infinite plan, which subordinates all our movements to its own designs, and which, while it demands the strenuous activity of every agent in the universe, yet absolutely stands in need of none; and thus regarded, you will feel ennobled while rendering it the humblest service. Think of it, if you please, as a movement called for by the circumstances of the time-as a work for the day; but fail not in your holiest moments to regard it as touching the past eternity and the future; as associated with that" ministry of reconciliation" which was determined on before the foundation

of the world, and with that "perfecting of the saints" -that "edifying of the body of Christ"-which is to be the theme of grateful admiration in the eternity to come. Think of it as a means which God will employ for preparing himself agents in days to comedays when nobler services shall be rendered to his cause than we have ever attempted, and when loftier motives shall inspire their performance. Thus regarding it, you will feel that you are living for the future as well as for the present; that you are setting in motion trains of ever augmenting influence, which, deriving their efficacy from heaven, shall hasten the completion of the kingdom of God. Cherish the conviction, if you please, that your new Institution will combine with other and similar means to raise the educational character of the Christian ministry, and thus to increase its usefulness; and that, on this account, it will deserve the suffrages and enjoy the confidence of thousands. But, hasten at once to place it under the guidance, and at the disposal, of Him, "for whom are all things, and by whom all things consist ;" and you will have secured for it a patronage which will bring good for it even out of evil, and which will make it subservient to the highest end. Place it, by earnest prayer, in the light of his countenance; and its highest prosperity is secured; and on you he will confer the honour of presenting to the coming generation of Christians, a class of ministers whose only motto will be, "For us to live is Christ."

This he is expecting at your hands. Link it as a humble instrumentality to the cross of Christ; and, then, what though no patron saint gives it a name, and no royal munificence endows it, "the Highest himself shall establish" it; and what though no lofty pretensions to Apostolic succession be made for its sons, the Spirit himself shall descend to anoint them to their office, and to ratify and bless the work of your hands. In humble dependence and grateful faith dedicate the service to your Lord; and to you he will, in effect, repeat his ancient promise, "from this day will I bless you."

THE CONVERSION OF THE JEWS:

A SERMON

DELIVERED

BEFORE THE BRITISH SOCIETY* FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL AMONG THE JEWS, AT THE SCOTCH CHURCH, REGENT SQUARE,

LONDON, APRIL, 1843.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! ROMANS XI. 33.

PROBABLY many of you have listened to every Lecture of the series which the Discourse of this evening is to bring to a close. You first beheld the Israelites invested by the hand of God with peculiar distinctions; for "to them pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; theirs are the fathers, and of them as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever." Having glanced at their high prerogatives in the past, your eye was then pointed to their great destination in the future. "For God hath not cast away his people whom he did foreknow." The eye of prophecy is fixed on them still. For them, some of the choicest promises of the Bible are reserved. And a theatre awaits them, in which their every movement shall excite the devout admiration of the Church, and engross the attention of the world.

The single object of the "British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews," is the spiritual good of the ancient people of God. For this it seeks to engage the prayers, the influence, and the