things which thou hast heard of me among many wit nesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." (2 Tim. ii. 2.) Respect to truth, to the honor of God, to the interest of the present and rising generation, requires this. Hence those church judicatories are highly culpable who show no proper concern in this matter; making little inquiry into the religious principles of their candidates for the ministry, or the tenor of their conversation; admitting those of doubtful principles, if not openly erroneous, from whom there is little reason to expect that they will teach the right ways of the Lord, or that "by following after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness," (1 Tim. vi. 11,) they should "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." (Tim. ii. 10.) In so doing, they are partakers of other men's sins, and, in some measure, chargeable with the injury done to religion and the souls of men, by the unsound ministry and the ungodly example of those whom they admit into the sacred office. The same is the case with respect to keeping in communion and the exercise of the ministry, those who, notwithstanding engagements to fidelity, make shipwreck of the faith, and turn aside from the holy commandment, to which they have promised obedience. Upon the whole, let all in their respective stations, be concerned to serve the Lord faithfully in the suitable exercise of the talents entrusted to them, knowing from whom they have received them, and who hath said, "Occupy till I come." (Luke xix. 13.) Cleave to the Lord, his truths and ways, with purpose of heart. "Hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering." (Heb. x. 23.) In a time of such degeneracy from the truth, and such corruption of manners, "contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3.) Practice religion, and thereby recommend it to others. Keep your garments clean, “being blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, shining as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life." (Phil. ii. 15, 16.) Especially let my fathers and brethren in the ministry, as they would be accounted of as the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God, be reminded of their obligation to faithfulness. We must all soon give an account of our stewardship. It concerns us, therefore, to “take heed to ourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made us overseers, and to feed the church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood." (Acts xx. 28.) "Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but ensamples to the flock." (1 Pet. v. 2, 3.) "Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing." (Luke xii. 43.) "For when the chief Shepherd shall appear, he shall receive a crown of glory which fadeth not away." (1 Pet. v. 4.) APPENDIX. (A. p. 14. ) TO THE MEMORY OF THE REV. ALEXANDER GELLATLY. While some have no delight but where the cup Of worldly mirth incessantly goes round, Others more wise, where sorrow's children droop, If e'er it ought availed, to view the grave Where GELLATLY, the faithful, lies entombed. In blooming youth he felt the power of grace, To speak in God's great name where'er he rose, The intercourse, thought meeting thought, how sweet, While they the instructive passages repeat, "Did not our hearts," say they "within us burn?" *Habbakkuk iii. 19. In converse, though his jndgment was exact, Yes, Gellatly, their plan thou did'st detest, Upon the church, (which was thy hourly care,) What though she's fled whose lot with thine was joined? What though ambition mock, because no place Dear to the saints on earth while time holds pace, His grave stone bears the following inscription: THE REVEREND AND LEARNED MR. ALEXANDER GELLATLY: Minister of the Gospel, Middle Octorara ; Who came from Perth in Scotland, into Pennsylvania, 1753, And departed this life, March 12, 1761, In the Fortieth and Second year of his age. "He endured hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and showed himself a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Tim. ii. 3, 15.) * Mr. Gellatly left a widow and an infant daughter, neither of whom long survived him. + 1 John, v. 11. |