"1. The preaching, under existing circumstances, will generally be of that kind, which is called conversational. By this I mean something less public and formal, than what is usually denominated preaching among ourselves, and yet, perhaps, not far removed from the common manner of preaching at the first promulgation of the gospel;-a familiar exposition of the Scriptures, or a religious conversation, in the house, by the way, on mountains, in valleys and fields, in social circles, wherever there are ears willing to hear. And the grand topics of discourse should be those which the Holy Ghost is wont to bless to the regeneration of men's hearts. So far as experience has proved any thing in the east, it has shown that this kind of preaching is the most effectual, which missionaries can there use to lead the people into an acquaintance with the gospel. And it is obvious, that our Saviour's command to publish the gospel everywhere, does not enjoin one precise and invariable manner of doing this. He leaves us at liberty to exercise our discretion, under the guidance of the wisdom he may please to impart. We may select the particular medium, through which to convey the momentous truths of his word-whether the school, or the press, or conversation, or public addresses, or all of them together. These we may render so many ways of publishing the gospel; and his command makes it our duty to employ them so far, and only so far, as they are applicable to the particular case, and are within our power.*

2. The decline of the eastern churches is to be referred very much to the want, or the neglect of the Holy Scriptures. The distribution of these blessed writings, until the sacred light shines in every part of the east, is a most appropriate work for Protestants. It is a duty binding upon them with a most solemn obliga

tion.

"3. The fact is, however, that a great preliminary work is necessary, in order to introduce the people of the east to an acquaintance with the Scriptures. The majority of them are unable to read, and multitudes of those who have acquired that ability, have acquired it under so wretched a system of instruction, that

(*) The views of the Church Missionary Society, as expressed last year in Instructions to the Rev. William Jowett, of Malta, are consentaneous with those given above, as to the kind of preaching which is now required of missionaries to the oriental churches.-"There is one means of propagating Christian knowledge, specially appointed of God, and on which, in proportion as it shall be employed with wisdom and in faith, a peculiar blessing may be expected the PREACHING OF THE CROSS. Preaching, however, under present circumstances, must, probably in most cases, be almost confined to what may be denominated 'Conversational Preaching,' in which the missionaries, whithersoever they go, speak to all men, as proper opportunities offer, as being ambassadors of Christ, and ministers of reconciliation."

their common reading is little better than a mechanical operation. They read without reflection, and of course without profit. The reason of this has already been explained. Now such a habit of reading must be broken up-by changing the plan of instruction, by changing the books, by making the lessons intelligible, and seeing that they are understood. In respect to this evil, a reform has already commenced in the east, and the friends of intellectual and moral improvement should give it accelerated speed. Here is room for achievements on a great scale, and for grand results on the human mind and character; and here is a call for the use of the press to an almost indefinite extent.

"Different opinions are entertained on the question, whether the oriental churches can be purified, as churches, from their doctrinal and practical errors. The question cannot probably be decided without experiment: and whether it be worth while to make such an experiment, must be determined by considering the points of difference between those churches and that of Rome, and how far the oriental churches may be considered as "holding the Head;" in short, whether there are vital principles enough remaining, through which to operate upon the diseased and torpid system. I have aimed, in this volume, to show how far such principles exist, and what are the adverse influences which must be overcome. And now I may close my work, by suggesting an obvious, but most momentous truth, that no array of means will be of much avail, unblest by the Spirit of God. The minister of Christ will now find, as the apostle to the gentiles anciently did in the same countries, that learning, and eloquence, and even the truth of God, are nothing, without the agency of the Divine Spirit. Paul might plant again, and Apollos water, in vain, unless God gave the increase. Let the subject commend itself, therefore, to the piety of our western churches, and often let the earnest petition be offered, that God would visit the degenerate churches of the east, and build up the old waste places,' and 'raise up the foundations of many generations.""

The work which we have been considering will probably pass through another edition, unless our own estimate of its merits is grossly inordinate: in such a case, we should be disposed to recommend a few trivial emendations in one or two places, with reference not so much to the correctness as to the perspicuity of the language. Although nothing is further from our intention than to hold a critical inquest upon the mere delivery of the author's thoughts, or the outward appearance of the work, it would be unjust not to say that it may be characterized as a good specimen of easy and simple composition; exactly in that simple and pellucid style which is a vehi

cle, and not an incumbrance of the thought. The typography and general execution are strikingly fair and even beautiful. Again we say, let such books, by such men, take the place of the puling sentimentality and idle fictions which infect our drawing-rooms, and effeminate the public mind.

ART. V.-AN ADDRESS TO THE STUDENTS OF THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, AT PRINCETON.

An Address delivered to the Students of the Theological Seminary, at Princeton, at the close of the Semi-Annual Examination, May 16, 1831. By Ashbel Green, D.D. LL. D.

My young friends and brethren-candidates for the Gospel Ministry:

Addresses, on occasions like the present, have been so frequently made in this place, that the topics peculiarly appropriate to them, have all, perhaps, been preoccupied. -The present is the third service of the kind, to which I have myself been called. What, therefore, I have now to offer, will be discursive; not confined to a single topic, but touching on a number; and if I deliver nothing that is new, I still hope, if you yield me a careful and candid attention, to say something which, under the divine blessing, may be useful.

Let me first call your attention to a point or two, relative to your course of study in this Seminary.

There is scarcely an error to which youth of liberal minds and liberal studies are more prone, if left to themselves, than to take the subjects of study in a wrong order; and, if I mistake not, those whose minds are most active and most comprehensive are, unless well directed, more apt to commit this error than any others. The cause is obvious their literary curiosity is so intense, and their thirst for knowledge so ardent, that they want to seize on every thing at once. They must, at least, have a taste of every subject; they must know something about it. Hence it too often happens, that they acquire a love— a passion even-for miscellaneous reading, which abides with them long, perhaps through the whole of life. The natural, and almost necessary result, is, that they know a little of

every thing, and but a little of any thing-I mean, they never become thorough masters of any one branch of knowledge.

It is, then, of great importance for liberal youth to pursue improvement in a right method, and to use the self-denial necessary to keep to such a method. There are certain things in every branch of science which are fundamental; they lie, and must lie, at the very foundation of all solid, accurate, and systematic knowledge of that branch of science: and if these elementary parts are not acquired at first, they are seldom acquired afterwards. Their acquisition commonly requires the aid of a teacher, and always requires a good deal of close and continued study; and if a young man does not master them in a school, or a college, or a seminary, he probably will never do it. If even disposed to do it afterwards, he will find it so difficult, that it is a thousand to one that he will get along without it, as well as he can; but always feeling the want of it-feeling it most sensibly, to the very end of life.

Now, what is this elementary fundamental knowledge in Christian Theology, considered as a science and a system? I hesitate not to say that the most essential part of it is, a knowledge of the Bible, in the languages in which the Bible was given by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost; and a just, accurate, and familiar view of the truths of the Bible, as they are arranged, defended, and illustrated, in our approved systems of theology, and in the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of our church. You may hereafter much more easily make improvement in other things, useful to a theological student, than in the two great departments of study which I have now named. Be assured, my young brethren, if you do not acquire the ability of studying-I mean studying with pleasure and effect-the Holy Scriptures, in the Hebrew and Greek languages, before you leave this house, there is very little probability that you ever will acquire it; and if you do not acquire it, you will feel the loss-or at any rate you ought to feel itevery time you enter the sacred desk, through the whole of your ministerial course. You ought never to prepare a sermon, especially in the earlier periods of your future ministry, without carefully studying the text, and sometimes its connexion too, in the ipsissima verba of the Holy Spirit.

In like manner, in regard to systematic theology, if you do not acquire something like a thorough knowledge of it here, the probability strongly is, that you will die without it. Yes, unless you accustom yourselves to go to the bottom of every point VOL. III.-No. III.-2 Y

of doctrine and find its basis in the sure word of God-for every other basis is unstable and worthless-and unless you attain to the ability of looking through the whole system, and of seeing the connexion and bearing of every part on every other partI say, unless you do this before you depart from the seminary, I feel well assured that not one in ten of you will ever do it. Your views, and your exhibitions of divine truth, will forever be disjointed, and frequently discordant. What you say and teach at one time, will be inconsistent with, and even contradictory to, what you say and teach at another. Now, we have quite enough of such teachers in our country already; and I do beseech you, my young brethren, not to add yourselves to the number: and that you may not, see to it that you do not leave the seminary, till you have fixed every important doctrinal truth, as it lies in your mind and is an object of your faith, on the firm foundation of God's word; and till you understand the consistency and harmony of all the parts of a theological sys

tem.

Are you ready to ask, whether I do not expect and wish, that you should endeavour to make some improvements in theology, in your future life. I must answer, as the logicians say, by distinguishing. If, by improvements in theology, the inquiry means an increase of clear perception and deep feeling, in relation to the beauty, glory, excellence, consistency and sweetness of evangelical truth-an increase, too, in a knowledge of the manner in which revealed truth may best be taught, inculcated and defended-an increase, also, of discernment, as to the errors to which the truth is opposed, and the consequent correction of some minor errors in your own minds -an increase, in a word, of your acquaintance and understanding of the Bible in all its parts, and of the glorious scope and tendency of the whole: if only this, or chiefly this, be intended by an improvement in theology, then, I say, I hope you will make great improvements; for I believe that such improvements will always be made by every minister of the gospel, just in proportion as he grows in grace, and persists in studious habits.

But if, by improvements in theology, I am to understand what some vain talkers seem to intend, the making of some great and original discoveries of truths and doctrines, that no searching of the Scriptures has ever yet brought to light; then, I say, I pray God that you may never attempt, or think of making any such improvements; for, if you do, I have not a