science dictate, whether in accordance with the pastor's wishes, or not.

A church should carefully guard the pastor's influence. The pastor's reputation, unsullied, is a tower of strength; and is among the choicest treasures of the church. Satan and wicked men know this, and they usually attack religion in the persons of its professors, but especially of its ministers. If their characters and influence can be broken down, the devil triumphs. A church should seek a pastor of unblemished reputation, and then carefully preserve it. If he has faults, they should speak of them to no one but himself. If parents who are members of a church, speak lightly of their pastor, how sad must be the effect on their unconverted children! Instead of this, they should guard him from the breath of slander and suspicion. His reputation is dearer to him than life, because his usefulness depends so much upon it.

Finally, it is the duty of every church to render to the pastor an adequate pecuniary compensation. On this point the scriptures are very plain. "Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?" "Even

so hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel." "Let the elders that rule well, be counted worthy of double honor, (i. e., as the connection implies, compensation,) especially they who labor in the word and doctrine: for the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn: and the laborer is worthy of his reward." The principle here brought to view, is that of reciprocity in the support of the pastor, not the duty of charity. It is RIGHT, that every person who enjoys the ministrations of the gospel, as every one ought to, should pay something to support them. A minister has an undoubted right, as far as man is concerned, to preach for nothing, if he pleases, or to be supported by one class of

*Gal. 6: 6; 1 Cor. 9: 11, 14; 1 Tim. 5: 17.

persons, while he labors for another, but the true principle of justice in the case is, that those who receive the benefit of his labors, should pay for them.

But inasmuch as the principle is of difficult application, as ministers are loth to speak of their pecuniary claims or wants, as many feel it to be their duty to preach the gospel whether they are compensated or not, and as many churches are unable to insure an adequate pecuniary reward to their pastors, on their settlement, the members should remember this part of their duty, and individually communicate to the pastor's wants. They should furnish him with the pecuniary means of devoting his whole time and strength to the work of the ministry. They should see that his study is supplied with the necessary books, so far as he has time and a disposition to use them. They should be in the habit of presenting him, frequently, with substantial marks of their kindness and esteem. Thus his heart will be cheered, his love for them increased by the tokens of their love to him, and his labors will be more efficient.

SECT. 5. Removal of a Pastor.

It is desirable that the pastoral relation be as permanent as possible. A good man acquires influence by being known. This is the Lord's property, which it is wrong to sacrifice lightly. In accepting the charge of a church, a pastor should consider it his duty to remain till death, unless God shall clearly indicate his duty to remove. The relation between a church and pastor should, in all ordinary cases, be formed in this expectation.

His health may

Yet it may be a pastor's duty to remove. require it. A state of feeling may exist among his people, which may render his continuance, in his view, undesirable.

An express stipulation is sometimes entered into between the church and the pastor, at the time of his settlement, that the relation may be dissolved at the wish of either party, on giving the other three months notice of a wish to do so. This is an arrangement of doubtful propriety. How could

a pastor preach to a people who had notified him to leave them at the end of three months? or how could a church be willing to hear him? But when made, it should be adhered to, unless both parties consent to terminate the relation at once, and of course a notice of this kind from either side settles the question.

If there be no arrangement like this, and the pastor feels it his duty to remove, he should communicate his wishes in writing to the church, with the reasons for them, and ask their consent to the termination of his pastoral engagement. The church should meet, and after prayerful deliberation, and a full expression of individual feelings, proceed to vote on the queston. If they accede, the relation is terminated, if not, they will send to him a committee, with a communication, giving the reasons, and endeavoring to dissuade him from his purpose.

If the pastor still desires a dismission, and the church is unwilling to grant it, they should ask the advice of a council, and they may, if they choose, agree beforehand to abide by it.

If a church should think the removal of their pastor desirable, while he had no wish to remove, a proper course would be for the deacons or elder members to call on him as individuals, and express their views with all frankness and freedom, requesting him to ask a dismission. Should he decline to do so, they might request him to call a meeting of the church to confer and act on the subject. The pastor of course would not be present at such a meeting, and if the church were of opinion that he should be dismissed, they would propose to unite with the pastor in calling a mutual council to advise in the case.

The question is sometimes asked, Is it orderly, according to Baptist principles, and right in itself, for one church to invite the pastor of another church to be its minister? In the first place it is plain that because one church wants the pastor of another church, is not a sufficient reason why he should be invited. The church where he now is wants him also, and in this respect they stand on equal

ground. But the latter church has regularly obtained him, hence, on this ground their right is paramount. Nor is the offer of a larger salary a sufficient reason. It is not even on worldly principles. What would be thought of the merchant who should entice away a valuable clerk from another, by the offer of a large salary? Much less would such conduct be justifiable in a christian church. Nor is it right for one church to call the pastor of another because, in its opinion, a much larger field of labor will be opened to him, or because they believe he may be more useful with them. They are not suitable judges of the usefulness of the pastors of other churches, and every church is ready enough to magnify its own importance. Is it said, by way of excuse, that ministers belong to the Lord? So do the silver and the gold. And for this reason we are obtain them by any other than fair means. is too often used as a cloak of selfishness. report that a pastor wishes to leave his church, or that his church wish him to leave them, sufficient ground for a call. The separation of a pastor from one church should be completed before another connection is negotiated.

not permitted to This expression Nor is a flying

CHAPTER II.

CHURCH MEETINGS.

A church, assembled with its pastor and deacons to transact business, should be regarded as the most solemn, dignified, and important meeting ever convened on earth. Questions of infinite moment, and eternal in their consequences, are there considered and decided. The young convert with trembling hope relates his spiritual exercises, seeks admission to her bosom, and takes the everlasting covenant of God upon his lips; the unfaithful member is tried, found guilty, and is sorrowfully put away from the fellowship of the saints on earth, and from the hope of

heaven, till repentance prepares him to resume his place among them; while Christ, whose eyes are like a flame of fire, is walking among them, noting all their doings, to be confirmed in heaven, or to be tried and found imperfect.

The church is to ascertain and execute his will. It is strictly an executive, not a legislative body. It must judge by the scriptures whether those who seek its ordinances and fellowship are true and obedient disciples, and whether an accused member is guilty of an offence, which, according to the scriptures, is deserving of excommunication.

Each church, too, being a missionary body to the world, charged in the Saviour's farewell words, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;" is to devise ways and means and measures to discharge this high trust. Its united piety, zeal, wisdom, and pecuniary liberality, are all to be brought in requisition. Questions more weighty, objects more magnificent, and projects more sublime, than ever occupied the cabinets of earthly monarchs, are to be considered and matured.

This business is the common concern of all the members, by their equality as brethren, their mutual covenant, and their common obligation to Christ. It requires much mutual consultation. All the members of the church should therefore, attend the meetings, and unite in imploring the blessing of God upon their labors. No church business can be well done when but a part of the members are present, and it is a gross neglect of Christ, and the interests of his kingdom to stay away.

SECT. 1. Order of Business.

Every efficient, well regulated church has frequent meetings for business. The frequency must depend on the amount of business to be done, and other circumstances. It is desirable that considerable time in each meeting be spent in devotional exercises.

The pastor is usually considered the moderator of the church meetings, by virtue of his office; if he be absent the clerk, or senior deacon calls the church to a choice of