mercy is fully set forth. How a man may obtain peace with God, a new heart, a moral renovation, a title to heaven, and a meetness for it, is clearly shown. No other book in the world comes to us as an original and divine authority upon these matters. The Bible is the fountain head of revealed and saving truth among men. All other books have drawn from it the truth that is in them upon the great theme of man's salvation. Upon no other volume has so much thought, by so many powerful minds, been exercised; and there is not another that approaches it in its power to reward investigation, and satisfy faith and reason, and yet retain oceans of unexplorable truth to task the highest faculties of the human being.

We pause to ask a question. Young man, have you ever yet read the whole Bible? If you have not, let that be your very next work in reading. A preacher should be so familiar with the Holy Volume as to be able to repeat a great part of it from memory, and to detect misquotations when he either hears them or sees them in print. Some men, we know, have not retentiveness of memory for this; but every preacher should make Holy Scripture his constant study, and store it up as much as he may be able, in the chambers of his memory. Begin you with the beginning, the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis,-" In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Go on carefully and thoughtfully, laying up all you can in the mind as you proceed, and follow it up steadily, chapter after chapter and book after book, until you reach the last verse of the book of Revelation, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.' Another order may be recommended to you after a while; but that's your duty now. What! thinking of preaching, and yet never have gone through the sacred books! How do the two things agree?

Next to the Bible may be mentioned the hymn book of the denomination to which the preacher belongs, as being of the number of his resources. In the Methodist family of churches, the hymns of the Wesleys are the basis of the "Service of song in the house of the Lord." Other hymns of great beauty and value, from Watts and other writers, have been incorporated with them; but, as real "cardiphonia," utterances of the heart, whether seeking or expressing evangelical piety in evangelical and poetical speech, or the mind's apprehension of evangelical doctrine and the "truth which is according to godliness," there are not any in the world that surpass those of the Wesleys, and very few that equal them. The philosophical Isaac Taylor was less accurate in his judgment upon some points than he was upon that of the Wesleyan hymnology, when he assigned to it a liturgical value, and a conservative power in relation to the religious life and doctrinal unity of the Methodists.

The questions put by Mr. Wesley in the Preface to the Hymn-book are pertinent, and admit, truthfully, of only an affirmative reply. "In what other publication of the kind have you so distinct and full an account of scriptural Christianity? such a declaration of the heights and depths of religion, speculative and practical? so strong cautions against the most

to be called of Christ to preach his gospel, hold fast to that conviction and act in accordance with it to your dying day.

Great and numerous as are the trials to be encountered in this solemnly important work, there are counterbalancing consolations, encouragements, and joys. The glowing heart, filled with yearning and pitying love to souls; the expanding mind opening to the perception of divine truth in its amplitude, harmony, and grandeur; the elevating and impulsive power of the Holy Ghost, in preaching and in prayer, bearing a man above himself and carrying him beyond himself; the felt sympathy between himself and his auditors; and his conscious power, at times, to move minds, touch hearts, and grapple with consciences, and to show them clearly the way to God, and guide them truly to Jesus; the bringing of souls, instrumentally, into Gospel life and liberty; the happy and holy walk, and Christian activity and usefulness of some who own him as their spiritual father; the shining of God's face upon his soul; and the prospect of a future and eternal reward, through grace: these are the great encouragements of the faithful preacher, and often compensate him for the great and sore trials by which he is beset. And in addition to these are some of a minor, yet prizable kind; such as the love and gratitude of persons benefited by his ministry; the kind hospitality and agreeable attentions of those who respect and esteem him for his work's sake; the hearty greetings with which some of his hearers welcome his coming, in many places, if not all, in which he has to labour; and the confidence which is reposed in him when he has proved himself to be a man of a faithful spirit. Add to these his own growth in grace, his progress in "knowledge and true holiness," his elevation to the highest region of human thought and feeling, the disciplinary power and effect of all that he has to pass through, as a preacher, upon his own moral nature and religious character, the ennobling influence over his own spirit of those sublime and purifying truths with which he has to come into habitual contemplation, and with which he must often stand face to face in their most majestic and glorious aspects. These are the things which, if he will, can give him rank with the aristocracy of mind, and parity with the princes of God's people.

Natural and orderly is the transition of thought from the local preacher's encouragements to his resources. Aud what are they? We can mention only some of them, and that only in a brief and general way; but they shall be the most important and obvious ones.

First and most prominent of all are the sixty-six sacred and inspired books, comprising history, prophecy, song, prayers, ethics, law, promise, biography, and wondrous revelation, bound together in one volume, which, by universal consent, is called THE BIBLE. In that book, not only is the origin of all things declared, and the destiny of all foretold, but the mind of God is made known, the very heart of God revealed. The counsels of God from eternity are stated in some of the writings of that precious book. The principles of his moral government are made known. The method of

mercy is fully set forth. How a man may obtain peace with God, a new heart, a moral renovation, a title to heaven, and a meetness for it, is clearly shown. No other book in the world comes to us as an original and divine authority upon these matters. The Bible is the fountain head of revealed and saving truth among men. All other books have drawn from it the truth that is in them upon the great theme of man's salvation. Upon no other volume has so much thought, by so many powerful minds, been exercised; and there is not another that approaches it in its power to reward investigation, and satisfy faith and reason, and yet retain oceans of unexplorable truth to task the highest faculties of the human being.

We pause to ask a question. Young man, have you ever yet read the whole Bible? If you have not, let that be your very next work in reading. A preacher should be so familiar with the Holy Volume as to be able to repeat a great part of it from memory, and to detect misquotations when he either hears them or sees them in print. Some men, we know, have not retentiveness of memory for this; but every preacher should make Holy Scripture his constant study, and store it up as much as he may be able, in the chambers of his memory. Begin you with the beginning, the first verse of the first chapter of Genesis,-" In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Go on carefully and thoughtfully, laying up all you can in the mind as you proceed, and follow it up steadily, chapter after chapter and book after book, until you reach the last verse of the book of Revelation, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.' Another order may be recommended to you after a while; but that's your duty now. What! thinking of preaching, and yet never have gone through the sacred books! How do the two things agree?

Next to the Bible may be mentioned the hymn book of the denomination to which the preacher belongs, as being of the number of his resources. In the Methodist family of churches, the hymns of the Wesleys are the basis of the "Service of song in the house of the Lord." Other hymns of great beauty and value, from Watts and other writers, have been incorporated with them; but, as real "cardiphonia," utterances of the heart, whether seeking or expressing evangelical piety in evangelical and poetical speech, or the mind's apprehension of evangelical doctrine and the "truth which is according to godliness," there are not any in the world that surpass those of the Wesleys, and very few that equal them. The philosophical Isaac Taylor was less accurate in his judgment upon some points than he was upon that of the Wesleyan hymnology, when he assigned to it a liturgical value, and a conservative power in relation to the religious life and doctrinal unity of the Methodists.

The questions put by Mr. Wesley in the Preface to the Hymn-book are pertinent, and admit, truthfully, of only an affirmative reply. "In what other publication of the kind have you so distinct and full an account of scriptural Christianity? such a declaration of the heights and depths of religion, speculative and practical? so strong cautions against the most

MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO PREACH.

THOUGH now fifty-five years since, I have not forgotten my first attempt at preaching. Indeed it would be strange if I had, standing, as it does, at the head of a course of action which has extended over by far the greater portion of my life. It is true, many things fade to our view in the deepening shadows of time, or sink entirely out of sight by the weight of successive accumulations; but not all. Some of our doings actually brighten by the many rubbings of life. They occupy the high places in our history; either as "pillars of salt," to remind us of our misdoings; or, as stones, enshrined by gratitude to bear lasting testimony of " the help of the Lord:" and besides, there is perhaps more truth and force in the poetical assertion of Campbell than we have thought:

“”Tis distance lends enchantment to the view.”

No doubt many of our transactions have been so much a matter of course, so isolated and without relationship, as scarcely to obtain a record on the files of memory. But, as we have said, others are not so forgotten; they are full of the social principle, and bear a character that throws its influence over the associations of future life. How far the little incident I am about to relate was of this latter class, I leave the reader to judge.

My attempt to preach was preceded by a little preparatory knowledge. It did not arise out of an emergency, when a supply was wanted, and, on the spur of the moment, got from whence it could, and when an attempt so made would produce an affirmative or a negative opinion, in the hearers, as to its character.

From my conversion, I had looked upon the Methodists as being the sect of sects par excellence; the Judah amid the tribes of Israel, and the preachers as the excellent of the earth, and the true successors of the Apostles. To have a look, or a word, or a notice from them, and especially to share their company, were among the choicest favours of my life.

In such esteem, and fostered by such company, grew up within me a secret desire to preach the Gospel. I cannot boast of the great comprehension of that wish, in all the responsibilities and consequences belonging to a preacher of the Gospel. I believe the desire, simply and spontaneously, grew out of my experience of converting, saving, and comforting grace: and it was not only so far simple, but sincere and zealous, in its object of promoting the glory of God, and the salvation of men. But my knowledge of human nature, and the innate propensities of the depraved heart, will not allow me to say that my wish to preach was free from all personal or lower considerations.

A local preacher, and a particular friend, had several times invited me to take his appointment, or assist therein; but I could not for a while so far master the fear of my inability and natural bashfulness as to agree. At length a time was mutually fixed. It was to be on the Sunday afternoon, in a house, and at a small agricultural village about four miles away. Our homes and

the place of preaching, formed nearly a triangle. After morning preaching, when I believe one of the most popular preachers in the Connexion had been holding forth, I dined with my friend.

My thoughts and feelings became rather troubled and uneasy at the table; so much so as to abate my appetite for the good things before me. I remember that I had so much to think about that I had but little to say; and the conversation of the friend or two at the table seemed so general, so far away from sympathy with my immediate business, that it quite annoyed me They seemed free, even to indifference, of all anxiety. Quite at their ease, they could either talk, or be silent; refer to that excellent sermon, or the other feeble, rude, inaccurate deliverance. "O, the difference," thought I, “between you and me! I have to preach, and you have not. I have to carry a burden nearly four miles, and don't know how to get rid of it when I get there." Of course the dinner sitting could not be lengthy; and my friend and I set off for the place of meeting.

As we went on, strange feelings rose within me; so as to enfeeble my physical strength. Many times had I gone to hear preaching of various kinds, and with real sympathy for great piety with small abilities; but now I was going to preach who had never preached before. The whole affair of preaching wore quite a different aspect. Every thing about the undertaking was important, mighty, awful. I felt more like going into a mighty battle than going to proclaim pardon and peace, through the Saviour of sinners.

As we walked along, I was exercised with a sort of running contrast between myself and every thing we passed. The few people we met gave us the usual compliments, and went cheerfully on, leaving me as they found me, with a burden of care. It was a fine day; and the cattle in the fields appeared quite at ease in their Sabbath enjoyments; lying down, or walking, eating, or not. I could almost fancy that not only the cattle, but also the trees, road, and every inanimate thing, had life and consciousness, and were aware of my trouble and engagement; and, notwithstanding my friend's kind consideration of my feelings, yet the few observations he made, no doubt to relieve the monotony of taciturnity, were like the joyous music of his heart coming in contact with the discordant musings of my own, and so far unwelcome.

In due time we reached the straggling little village, whither my thoughts had run on before, and had been backward and forward many a time, but which, when I came to it, gave a fluttering motion to the action of my heart. As we walked along, the thought came like a flash of lightning, "This is the place where I am going to preach ;" and as we passed a cottage door, the clock struck two, which came like two thunder claps, proclaiming the time for my beginning. A few persons were walking before us, and making for the same spot. Passing a turn in the road, the house was in sight, and we were soon there. It was a farmhouse. We had to go through a kitchen, into the large house-place where the meeting was