the old minister, that particular evil in general cannot be remedied, but its causes may be ascertained, and a similar occurrence be guarded against in the future.

Your correspondent attributes the secession to the captivations of a "more popular style of preaching;" but this is only skimming along the surface, and not looking to the root of the matter; for how comes it to pass that the "new generation" has not withdrawn from the ministers I first mentioned? Perhaps ill training on the part of the parents has had more to do with the circumstance than any other cause; and here I do not allude to the neglect of those duties which enter prominently into household discipline, but to a mode of dealing with the teacher of divine truth, which directly tends to neutralize his teachings. I have no extravagant notions of ministerial office. I have little respect for the pretensions of those men who claim to be the immediate dispensers of heaven's grace, and to have the keys of the kingdom dangling at their side. Still the ministry is the appointment of Jesus Christ, and error is committed, and mischief is done, where it is not scripturally regarded as such, for by not respecting the teacher in the way his office and character have demanded, the truth taught is sure, in some degree, to be stripped of its influence. It may be done thoughtlessly, but there is nothing more calculated to hinder the gospel of Christ than that discussionary spirit which many bring and take away from the public services of religion-that disposition to lay hold of any flaw in its ministration, and to carry the tidings of it wherever they go-that exercise which many perform as regularly as the sabbath comes, the submitting the messenger and the message of God to the not very charitable ordeal of public criticism. The moral influence of this practice is most tremendously bad. Let a child grow up familiar with this mode of dealing with the services of the sanctuary-let him witness his parents forget the matter of the message they have heard, and expatiate only upon the merits of the man-and no wonder is it if that child should wander after the showy, though the superficial, and should turn out a thorough enemy to the cross of Christ. I think, therefore, that, in nine cases out of ten, where the "new generation" has deserted the aged religious instructor, the blame lies with the parties who have had the immediate training of it in their households; and that those who mourn over the occurrence, may, by inquiring into its cause, learn how to behave themselves wisely in a perfect way.

5. Your correspondent, referring to the retirement of ministers in years, and of the old school, from their charges, where the interests of religion are on the decline, and the blame lying not, be it remembered, at their door, speaks of the "rights of churches." Now, this phraseology sounds oddly in relation to people who have so grievously misconducted themselves; and I, for one, am disposed to deny the moral right of any church proposing the retirement of its minister under such circumstances. Still it may be conceded that some change in the ministry is desirable in such cases, though what that change should be must depend upon local matters, and ought not to be effected by infringing upon the "rights of the ministers"

without their free consent. In general, I would say, the decayed church should repent and do its first works; its members should make up for past neglect by an abounding liberality; an associate and helper should be found for the man who has grown old and grey in their service; then let the old man rest while the young man works, and the young man turn out of doors to preach while the old man ministers in his accustomed place; but let the old man, if accordant to his wishes and necessities, be honourably retained, as long as God shall spare him, in his office, with its usual emoluments untouched. I dislike co-pastorships, such as commonly obtain among us-the juxta-position in office between the young and the old-the placing of the noviciate and Paul the aged upon the same level. It has to me a very ungraceful aspect, and is not in harmony with my view of the things that are lovely, or with that subordination which ought to be observed by the members of the body of Christ; and, therefore, I should advocate the continuance of an aged minister as the sole pastor, while able in any degree to discharge the duties of the office, his associate being simply his assistant. Never, however, will these cases be properly met and remedied, until our body has a general fund for the maintenance of those whom age or infirmity disqualifies for their work; and it may be hoped that the Congregational Union will, ere long, vigorously endeavour to raise a fund for this purpose, from annual ministerial subscriptions, and congregational collections. Lest I should be suspected of selfishness in making these remarks, I truly subscribe myself, A MINISTER, Under thirty-three, and at work.

Sept. 11th, 1840.

A SECOND COMMUNICATION ON THE SAME SUBJECT.

(To the Editor.)

DEAR SIR,-The subject brought forward by your correspondent X. On decayed and decaying Congregational Churches, has long pressed on my mind as one of no ordinary importance. Confessedly an evil does exist, and the great question is, how is it to be reme died? Christians who see the evils so ably pointed out in the paper referred to-I mean influential men in the body, would do well, in setting on foot some comprehensive measure that would place superannuated ministers above want or anxiety. And this would only be an act of justice to a class of men, a large proportion of whom bave had, through life, such a limited income, that it is not to be supposed they have had it in their power to lay up an adequate provision for old age.

Some of the best friends of the voluntary system have long considered a fund for the support of superannuated ministers as a great desideratum in the churches. Instances, I apprehend, in various parts of the country, could be adduced, in which aged ministers have continued their labours in the pastoral relation longer than was for the good of the community. Now, when a minister tenaciously retains office, when a change appears desirable to such as have the

best interests of the church at heart, he may be unconsciously inflicting an injury on that church which years cannot repair; so that, instead of enjoying the quiet of retirement, his last days may be embittered by seeing the cause of the Redeemer dwindling and declining under his hands.

I believe, too, that a minister who voluntarily and disinterestedly retires from office at the right time, with the view of promoting the people's real benefit, is more respected and beloved for so doing, by those who knew that he was no hireling when in the full exercise of all the powers with which the Great Head of the Church had endowed him. Many good men, it is to be feared, have outlived their usefulness, by clinging longer to the office of pastor than they should have done.

It does not follow that, because a minister resigns the pastoral duties, he ceases to be a labourer in the vineyard in other departments. How useful might such men be as occasional preachers, such as might be still capable-as spiritual advisers-as influential members of committees? How useful, from their experience, might many of them be to their junior brethren in the ministry, who would cultivate their acquaintance, and would imitate their example, in so far as it was worthy of being imitated. In short, we can conceive of retired ministers being a great blessing, wherever Divine Providence may place them, in carrying forward the work of God by visits to the afflicted-by conversing with candidates for christian communion-by succouring the tried and the tempted from the stores of their observation and experience-by strengthening the weak, and comforting the feeble-minded. And what an edifying sight, to see an aged servant of Christ endeavouring to promote, according to his opportunity and ability, the kingdom of Christ, wherever he may be placed. Such men are worthy of double honour.

There are two or three things I would suggest as a practical conclusion to this letter. And,

1st. While ministers of the present day are promoting, by every means in their power, home and foreign missionary objects, shall not some comprehensive plan be adopted to smooth their own declining years, if they require it?

2dly. Is it not desirable that churches which had the services of ministers during their best days, when capable of it, should be expected to do something for them while they live in advanced life, if they require it?

3dly. Are we to wonder, that if there has been such a culpable omission in the duty owing to poor aged ministers, it should be visited with something like a retributive punishment, in the decayed and decaying state of many of our churches?

Sept. 9th, 1840.

I am, dear Sir, your's very truly,
ALIQUIS.

REV. D. E. FORD'S EXPLANATION TO OUR REVIEWER. (To the Editor.)

MY DEAR SIR, As the reviewer of "Decapolis," in your last number, p. 622, expresses a wish that I had given a short account of the work of God which I have been permitted to realize, together with the steps which I have taken, intimating that " a judicious publication of such facts would answer the end of precedent in law to a barrister, or facts in physiology to the anatomist," common courtesy demands that I should either comply with his wish, or give my reasons for declining to do so. The second seems to me the wiser course:

1. Because I demur as to the general propriety of publishing to the world the religious experience of living characters, especially when the most interesting particulars (as is almost always the case,) are those which have been communicated with an assurance of the most perfect confidence.

2. Because of the possible injury which such a course might inflict on the individuals concerned. Hitherto, I have had no reason to suspect the sincerity of any who have excited my hopes; but human nature is human nature still, even when renewed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. I would not willingly expose young converts to the temptation of thinking themselves very extraordinary specimens even of divine grace. In the most overwhelming revivals of religion, there has been nothing half so strange, as that men should listen to the gospel, that "dispensation of the Spirit," all their lives, and after all, die in their sins.

3. Because I contend that, as a whole, we are still below the mark. Many have been brought to God, but there are yet some left of whom I stand in doubt, and others are yet unsaved. We shall never reach the apostolic standard while a single hearer remains unconverted. "Warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."

4. Because there is nothing in our relative position, as a church, to command the attention of the world. We are but few among the thousands of Judah. Our chapel, when every sitting is occupied, only holds three hundred people: there is no possibility of its en largement, and if there were, it would be useless, as the ground is already occupied by other denominations. Moreover, the population of the town is on the decline, as any stranger may perceive on passing through our streets and observing the vast number of empty houses. To designate the gracious awakening with which we have been favoured," a revival," would therefore hardly accord with the views of those who invariably associate with that term, the idea of an extensive ingathering of souls from the profligate and abandoned world. We may say, as Paul did," And such were some of you,' but for the most part, those recently brought to God had attended the preaching of the gospel, and maintained an irreproachable character before men, all their days. The chief thing that would strike a stranger in visiting us would be, the proportion of the church to the congregation. I have comparatively few to hear me who are not

members, or candidates for church fellowship; and I think it due to myself and my friends to state, that this unusual proportion is not the result of laxity of discipline.

5. Because I hardly conceive myself to occupy a position which authorizes me to supply "precedents" to my brethren: I have had some experience, and can boast of some gray hairs. Should I be spared to the age of our friend, Dr. Redford, and outlive all the parties concerned, I may perhaps follow his example in cutting out a few leaves from my "Pastor's Sketch Book," and sending them to the printer, but till then, I should not think myself justified in such a procedure.

But while for these reasons I decline to meet the wishes of your reviewer, I have no objection frankly to state the process by which my own mind was gradually led to the adoption of what some would call "new measures." I had seen so many souls, in all directions, perishing in their sins because the truth of God had failed to reach their hearts, that I became persuaded that there must be something radically defective in the usual modes of stating it. I have not resigned one atom of the truth which I formerly held, but I admit, as true, some representations of divine sovereignty and human responsibility which I formerly questioned or denied. The substance of the views which I hold, and which I devoutly acknowledge God has been pleased to bless to the conversion of many souls, I have already stated in the little book the review of which has occasioned this letter. Let those who demur, answer my arguments, or rather let them direct their impartial attention to those scriptures on which those arguments, to me at least, appear to be founded. I contend that we have left the apostolic model of preaching, and that until we return to it, we shall never realize apostolic success. And it greatly cheers my heart to find that many, very many, of my brethren are adopting the same views. One, whose praise is in all the churches, says, "Sure I am that until the habits of ministers and christians in general become such as your statements are designed and adapted to make them, it is perfectly utopian to expect what is commonly called the glory of the latter day." And another, who occupies a high station in the Presbyterian church, in our sister land, writes, "I am quite satisfied with the correctness of all the views you bring forward in Decapolis.' I hope to be the better for it myself, and to do good to others by recommending it to their perusal. I am well convinced that all the observations it contains are true."

If from the press those representations of the claims of Christ should be accompanied with the same measure of success as attended them from the pulpit, mine will be the best reward an author can receive, the approbation which cometh from God only. To all other praise I am growingly indifferent.

Your's in the gospel of Christ,

DAVID EVERARD FORD.

Lymington, September 2, 1840.