habitual sedateness, and command of his countenance, which will prevent his being the sport of every ludicrous occurrence, or merry-andrew, who may happen to be presented to his view.

The dignity of which I speak also requires its possessor to avoid those companies, in which language, and scenes, are likely to be exhibited, which ought not to be even witnessed by a minister of the gospel. If any thing of this kind be expected in a company before it assembles, a minister ought to decline making one of its number:-And if, after he has joined it, there be any indication of the approach of such scenes, he ought to take an early opportunity of escaping before they actually make their appearance. Even dining, or tea parties, in which any thing like the reign of levity, and especially of revelry, is anticipated, ought to be invariably shunned by an ambassador of Christ. That you will not allow yourself to be present at places in which cards or dancing are made a part of the professed and prominent entertainment, I take for granted. But I will. go further. When you are invited even to what are called family parties, and you find either cards or dancing about to be introduced, though it be on the smallest scale, and in the most domestick way, make a point of withdrawing. It is, on all accounts, better to

be absent.

When a clergyman allows himself to be found in the midst of exhibitions of this nature, though he take no part in them, yet, if he have a proper sense of christian and ministerial duty, he will be more or less embarrassed; and, if he attempt to be faithful in reproof or remonstrance, may, perhaps, do more harm than good. Many a minister of Christ, in these circumstances, has been involved in conflicts, in the course of which his feelings have been lacerated, his dignity lowered, and his comfort wounded in no small degree. Lay it down as a fixed principle, that you cannot possibly be in light, frivolous company, or where frivolous engagements are going on, even if there be no other mischief, without having your dignity impaired. If the gravity and respectability of your character do not prevent every thing unseemly, or approaching to it, from occurring, it is no place for you. How much better is it, with a wise caution, to avoid, as far as possible, all such embarrassing places and companies! The prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself.

The dignity of which I speak should also prevent ministers, however youthful, from engaging in many of those recreations, which may not be unsuitable for others, but in which one who is officially bound to be grave, ought not to indulge. If you happen to be thrown into

young company, and any of the little plays which are frequently resorted to, by youth of both sexes, for passing away time, happen to be introduced, it will be by no means proper that you take any part in them. However admissible such plays may be for children, or for those who are just rising above the age of children, a minister, or a candidate for the holy ministry ought to be more gravely and appropriately employed.

Again; the dignity of manner which I wish to inculcate, may be impaired by various little infelicities of deportment into which those who are not prudently and delicately on their guard, may be betrayed. I have known worthy men, who had so little knowledge of human nature, and so little sense of propriety, that they suffered themselves to be involved in angry contention with ostlers, with stage-drivers, with boat-men, and other coarse and vulgar men, with whom they were brought in contact. Carefully avoid every thing of this sort. Rather suffer wrong, than run the risk of a publick conflict with those who are generally rude and foul-mouthed, and too often altogether lawless. It is unbecoming enough for any grave man to be involved in such controversies; but for a clergyman, it is peculiarly unbecoming. I might not always estimate his talents; but I should certainly always estimate his personal dignity by ob

serving the degree of care and vigilance with which he avoided rencounters of this kind.

Further; when I speak of dignified manners in a minister of the gospel, I refer to that character of deportment which is opposed to littleness, not to say meanness, in his dealings. There is often found, in this respect, in some ministers, otherwise men of great excellence, a striking want of just taste and delicacy. They can higgle and chaffer about a cent, with almost as much pertinacity as might be expected from a beggar. They can resort to as many petty arts for gaining a favourable bargain, even in the smallest affair, as if dexterity in dealing were their trade. And, even with the poorest individuals with whom they deal, they are ready to contend about a trifle with the most determined obstinacy. In short, I have known men of the sacred profession, in whom the rage for little savings, in all their pecuniary transactions, appeared to be a besetting infirmity, and to follow them through their wh le course, and on some occasions led them to exhibit themselves in a point of light altogether unworthy of their office. In making these remarks, I have no design to censure that habitual, and even rigid economy, which must, of necessity, and certainly ought to be practised, by those whose circumstances are narrow, and who have no means of enlarging them; and this is probably the case with

a majority of those who devote themselves to the service of the church. In all such, a constant care to guard against unnecessary expenditure is not only allowable, but is, doubtless, a christian duty. But there is a wide difference between this, and conducting pecuniary expenditures, when we resolve to incur them, in a pitiful manner; a manner which indicates a mind inordinately set on the most paltry gains and savings. I remember once to have received a very unfavourable impression of a clergyman, some time since deceased, on observing that he employed a considerable portion of precious time, and expended no small share of ingenuity, in recovering from a particular friend five cents, when he had just received from that friend what was of more than ten times that amount in value.

Again; the dignity which I recommend, is opposed to all those arts in social intercourse, which, though not really crooked or disingenuous; yet approach the confines of what is so, and may, possibly, be liable, with some, to that imputation. Make it a sacred point never to engage in any covert or questionable course of action. Let both your speech and your conduct be always so perfectly fair, candid and honourable, that the more they are scrutinized, the more perfectly correct and creditable they will appear.

Never venture, in any case, or for the