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reconnoitring; which is necessary to the commander, though not to the common soldiers. Perhaps a little reading of this kind, such as history, biography, systems of morals, &c. might eventually favour your grand design.-I am not aware of the line in which you have thoughts of obtaining admission. I think I have heard that there are great difficulties in this respect in the established church of Scotland: is it easier among the seceders? or have you any other plan? I throw out these hints, being ready to give my opinion on any thing you may think it worth while to propose to me, as I feel considerably interested in your concerns.

"Your present employment in respect of the Sunday schools seems to promise considerable usefulness, and may prove a step to something further. I should consider it of some importance to proceed with it decidedly, yet giving as little offence as possible, without deviating from your grand purpose.-I can give no decided opinion on the method by which your teachers proceed. As far as the children are concerned, it is certainly right to endeavour, by suitable explanations and illustrations, to make the truths inculcated clear and intelligible, and to apply them to their hearts and consciences: yet I easily conceive how, by admitting the presence of other persons, you may fall under the charge of lay preaching; and whether some method might not be devised of attaining the object, without exposing yourselves to the censure, or at least to a plausible charge of irregularity, may be worth considering....

"I could say something on Sunday schools,

had I room. I do not approve of teaching more in them than reading; and I should be rejoiced to have them under the care of pious persons: but, if you knew how many thousands of children in England are by them taught to read the Bible, and accustomed to go to a place of worship, when otherwise they would have been learning, practising, and teaching all manner of wickedness, you would think this little help something, and something important. With best wishes and prayers,

"I remain, dear sir,

"Your affectionate and faithful friend,
"THOS. SCOTT."

"DEAR SIR,

"Chapel Street, November 10, 1798.

"I THINK your views in respect of your grand design are very proper; and, in thus waiting on the Lord, he will no doubt direct in you due time to the best measures, and to that determination which will be most for his glory and your real good.-When I proposed the question concerning the body of Christians among whom you meant to seek admission into the ministry, I was not fully aware of the import of my own inquiry; for I find the difficulties are in most cases greater than I supposed. I could, as far as I can see, if it were fairly in my line, communicate with your seceders, as a layman, but I am sure I could not conscientiously enter into the engagements required of those whom they ordain. I

That is, not of writing, &c.

believe all parties were wrong in many things, last century; and it seems absurd to make an unqualified approbation of any party, so long since, the sine qua non of ministering in the gospel of Christ at present; when the most able, studious, and pious men can scarcely make up their own minds on so complicated a business; and most men are absolutely incompetent, through want of adequate information, to form any judgment about it.....

"I do not think either great strength of body, or singular talents of mind, are at all essential to the work of the ministry. As to the former, many of the most useful men that ever lived have seemed to think their ill state of health, leading them to speak 'as dying men to dying men,' one great means of their usefulness. And, though considerable talents are necessary for some special services, yet God has not generally made much use of them, and they have often been snares, rather than advantages, to the possessors; while men of moderate talents, with humble, simple, zealous minds, have had the greatest success. Besides, we are not competent judges of our own talents: and conscious unworthiness and insufficiency constitute one grand requisite for simplicity of dependence on the Lord in all things.-Classical learning, in the present state of things, is necessary for admission into the ministry; and it is proper that some, or even many, ministers should be classical scholars: but I am of opinion that a good fund of general knowledge, connected with an accurate and enlarged acquaintance with the Bible, and with theology as a science, (all of which

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may be attained by one who understands his own native language alone,) are far more useful in the pastoral office, in general circumstances, than a moderate acquaintance with languages can be.In short, I would have two sorts of ministers: one so completely learned as to be able to meet the enemies of Christianity on that ground, and to be above them at their own weapons: the other, pastors of no other pretensions than to be scribes well instructed in the word of God, and the great things of true religion. A smattering of Greek and Latin, or Hebrew, procured by an adult, at a great expense of time, if not of money, that might be better employed, is seldom of much use; and frequently only renders the possessor conceited and dogmatical. But in this we must accommodate to the opinions of those among whom we attempt to obtain admission.

"I really am incompetent to give any particular advice on the last subject you mention, except that I should be very frank and open in avowing my purpose, not to let regard to worldly interest or credit influence me, in the least, to do or omit any thing, contrary to my conscience; or that so much as seemed to be declining the reproach of Christ. You are perfectly right, that every concession will make way for some other requisition: and, except you can be convinced that some part of your conduct has been justly reprehensible, or needlessly offensive, or intermeddling with things which do not belong to you, your wisdom and safety will consist in making no concessions, but meekly, yet firmly, avowing a purpose of acting up to your conscience, and taking the consequences. In

every thing else concede: here be firm. The axehead would not have enabled the hewer to cut down the forest, if the trees had decidedly and unanimously refused him a handle: but, that granted, the rest followed.....But my paper is full, my time gone, and I am tired.-With best wishes and prayers,

"I remain,

"Your's faithfully and affectionately,

"DEAR SIR,

"THOMAS SCOTT."

"Chapel Street, May 25, 1799.

.....WE have set on foot a new society for missions to Africa and the East by members of the established church: and, as I am a party greatly concerned, and have accepted the office of secretary, it occupies a great deal of my time. Probably we shall engage a set of men to support it, and draw most of our resources from quarters, which are out of the reach of other societies. If you knew any one of a heroical spirit in the cause of Christ and of souls, he might here have an opportunity of exerting himself in that best of services.

"I have it not at all in my power at present to enter upon the questions about the covenant,' to which the seceders are so much attached: nor am I qualified, without more study, to give a decided opinion, grounded on convincing arguments, suited to settle the judgment of a serious inquirer. I have always thought it very extraordinary to blend the political disputes of the last century (for from these in great measure the questions origi

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