nition, encouragement, or comfort. It is therefore in many cases the chief source of a Minister's usefulness; for who is there that does not need to be reminded of various things which, for obvious reasons, cannot be discussed in a mixed assembly, but which are highly important for his individual edification? Yet, notwithstanding the acknowledged importance of this duty, it is one so arduous, and so completely opposed to the spirit of the present age, that it will seldom be faithfully performed but by a man of pious character; so that a diligent discharge of it ought always to be considered a favourable omen *.

To discharge this duty faithfully, it is of course necessary that a Minister be well acquainted with the circumstances of his parishioners. Hence arises a considerable argument against the practice of certain individuals, chiefly among the

He who is habitually sensible of the importance of eternity, as every

unbeneficed part of the clergy, who, though in other respects perhaps faithful and consistent, yet not adverting to the necessity of continued residence among the same people, are perpetually changing their place of ministration. Sufficient

attention has not been paid to this subject. Ministers who cannot by any means be charged with general indifference to the interests of religion, are often seen to injure it by their conduct in this respect. The most frivolous pretexts are sometimes urged by the parties concerned, and admitted by others, in cases where nothing but considerations of great urgency ought to have been suffered to have any influence. To justify a Minister's removal, it is not enough that he leave, as his successor, a man of piety and discretion: for a frequent change of pastors must necessarily tend to injure a parish, however careful each succeeding one may be to prevent such a consequence. On the mind of a Minister himself, this inconsistency must also produce an injurious effect. His zeal, and diligence, and affection, will, in most cases, become languid; and he

good man must be, will not neglect the favourable opportunities afford

will labour with reluctance, being no longer excited by that local interest, that individual attachment, that personal solicitude, which often stimulate to exertion more effectually than the most powerful general incitements. Yet were he even to become more zealous and diligent after every new change, his usefulness to others, as far as it depends upon a knowledge of their pursuits, dispositions, and individual temptations, would necessarily be diminished.

If a Minister's health or worldly circumstances Indispensably require his removal, and perhaps, in some instances, if a scene of more extensive usefulness be open before him, he may not be presumptuous in considering these things as the dictates of Providence. But what excuse can be assigned for the conduct of him who quits the station which Providence has appointed him to hold, merely to gratify an avaricious or an inconstant disposition?

At no time, perhaps, has the necessity of longcontinued residence been so great as at present In former ages men looked up to their pastors with

ed by the clerical office of attending the sick, the aged, and the

reverence and regard, so that nothing but the most unclerical and profligate conduct could weaken their affections or their confidence. But in the present state of things, owing to the preva lence of revolutionary and infidel principles, or to other causes, which it is not the object of this note to investigate, a Minister enters a parish under very different circumstances. Far from finding his people obedient and attentive to him in virtue of his ministerial office, he discovers that he must be indebted for his influence to his personal character. If, however, he be properly attentive to the duties of his station, he gradually acquires esteem and consideration; his opportunities of doing good are now multiplied, and his authority and example become of essential service to the interests of religion. Personal friendship, and long habits of union, at length confirm the bonds of attachment that unite him to his people; and his general knowledge of their characters being now complete, his ministerial labours are performed under every circumstance that can be expected to give them their due effect.

dying. It is not conceivable that a man of such a character can be informed that one of the souls intrusted

The fickle character, on the contrary, encounters every day new difficulties. He ploughs the ground, but stays. not to enjoy the harvest. After anxiously watching over the tender infancy of his "children in the faith," he suddenly leaves them exposed to "every wind of doctrine," and to the various snares and dangers with which they are surrounded. He is a stranger to the pleasures of the venerable Pastor, who, having been long stationary, has beheld a race of faithful and experienced Christians grow up beneath his care, anxious to repay, with gratitude and affection, his former labours, and to solace his declining years by walking worthy of the profession he has taught them to embrace. Were a Minister seriously to contrast these rational and elevated pleasures, with the joylessness of an old age. spent among strangers to whom he is attached by no tie but that of interest, he would begin to look with far less anxiety to the prospect of new preferments, and would learn to rest content with the station which Providence had assigned him.