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at hand; and accordingly made arrangements with respect to her temporal affairs. After which, she said her mind was much relieved; that she had nothing to do but to wait the coming of her Saviour. In this happy state of mind, she passed the afterpart of the day, speaking to all that came in of the victory which she was about to obtain, and of the glory that should follow. The sensibilities of her soul seemed all alive to the obligations which the mercy of God, and the kind attentions of her friends, especially during her afflictions, had imposed on her; and she delayed not to make the best returns that was then in her power. She re quested that Mr. Abbott might be invited into the room, to whom, after pouring forth the warmest effusions of a grateful heart for his kindness, she gave an impressive exhortation, entreating him with more than human energy, to seek the salvation of his soul. Having thus arranged her business, and discharged a duty which she felt binding on her, she lay apparently easy, and waited pa tiently until between nine and ten o'clock in the evening, when amidst her friends she fell asleep in the arms of Jesus.

Thus lived and died, our dear sister Nancy, on the 2d of April, having devoted the best part of her life to the service of God. She was the dutiful child, the true friend, and the humble, pious Christian; and though dead she will long live in the affections of those who knew her, and who, with many tears, followed her to the silent tomb.

Miscellaneous.

For the Methodist Magazine.

IMPORTANCE OF STUDY TO A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL. (Concluded from page 267.)

TAKING for granted that you are complying, as far as your circumstances will admit, with the advice with which we com-. menced, namely writing upon some theme every day, we will take the liberty, by way of conclusion, to suggest a few things, which may assist you in the further prosecution of your studies. In the first place, then, do not depend too much upon books. Collect, indeed, all the information you can from books and from conversation with the wise and good; but after all you must digest for yourself; you must let the sentiments of others undergo a thorough refinement in your own mind, by examining for yourself the reason of them, their truth and propriety, their fitness and adaptation to present times. and circumstances; that you may bring from your own "treasury things new and old." You must be an original thinker. When you sit down to consider a subject,

think for yourself, arrange for yourself, clothe your ideas in your own language, and bring every thing warm from the heart. In the midst of your researches, lift up your soul to God for light, for love, for spiritual help; and then throw yourself into the arms of your heavenly Father, and plunge into the centre of your subject, fearless of consequences; and He whose servant you are, will bring you safe through, provided TRUTH be the object of your pursuit.

It was observed that you must not depend too much upon books. There is, however, one book, always open to your inspection, and which, therefore, you must constantly read: it is the book of experience: in this you must note, carefully note, all your observations. Mark passing events-notice particular providences as they regard yourself the Church-the world-and individual persons make them lessons of daily instruction and subjects of prayer and thanksgiving.

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Acquaint yourself thoroughly with the human heart. History, and especially scripture history, will unfold it to your view. your studies be methodical. And as we are most familiar with ourselves, begin with YOURSELF. Take your pen, and endeavour to portray yourself-Trace your origin-your end-separate, as far as you can, your soul from your body-consider them apartcombine them-contemplate your complex character-analyze your corporeal and intellectual natures your physical and moral powers consider your natural, actual, moral and relative condidition-your social and individual capacity-your present duties and future prospects-Connect the present and future world together-let your thoughts stretch themselves far "beyond the bounds of time and space"-and recollect that that is to be your future residence-that your business in this world is to fit yourself, and persuade others to fit themselves, for that eternal state. O! what a theme opens! What a world is this! But how much more mysterious and incomprehensible that which is to come! For your own improvement pursue each of the above heads until it is exhausted; but never attempt to exhaust a subject in your public administration. Concentrate your thoughts, and let the collected beams of truth light on the particular subject you would elucidate otherwise, instead of edifying an audience, you will exhaust their patience, and defeat the object of your ministry-if you tire yourself you will fatigue your hearers-and both yourself and they will be dissatisfied with your performance. Having studied yourself, ascend,

Secondly, To HIM WHO MADE YOU. Contemplate his perfections-meditate on the absolute independency of His existenceHis Eternity-Power-Wisdom-Justice-Goodness-Holiness

-Truth-Faithfulness-Long-suffering-Mark the administration of His government, and the dispensations of His providence -Make each of the attributes of His ineffable character, a

Theme, or a separate subject of meditation-follow it in all its bearings, then concentrate them-fall down before this bright assemblage of infinite perfections,-humbly adore Him in whom they inhere, while you confess your own ignorance, and entire dependence on Him for all things.

Next, take into consideration REDEMPTION the benevolence of its character-the comprehensiveness of its provisions-its suitableness to the character of God and condition of man-its suitableness to man as a sinful being-This will open to your soul a view of the tremendous scenes of Calvary-lead you to trace the life and death of Christ-to estimate the value of his atoning blood-and to meditate on his exquisite sufferings His resurrection-ascension-the evidences of it on the day of PentecostHere the dispensation of the SPIRIT will open to your view-you will understand the GLORY which was to follow the sufferings of Christ. From hence you will descend again to man, and be led to notice the operation of the Spirit upon his heart-working conviction, repentance-Faith in Christ-Justification-Sanctification -Inward and outward obedience to the law-obligation of the ordinances-Death-Resurrection-Judgment-Immortality.What a field for the display of all your mental energies! Do not attempt to leap over it at once; but take a solemn walk from length to breadth, and carefully examine every tree, every flower, every fountain, and every rivulet. In other words, do not mingle up in one sermon, every head of doctrine; but make each point a separate discourse, especially where you are called to minister to the same congregation for a length of time. This method will greatly enlarge your mind, and force you to amplify your subjects, and to enter at large into a proof and illustration of them.

In all your studies, and especially in all your public administrations, you will mingle reflections upon the social and relative duties of life, as being the surest evidence of a work of grace upon the heart. A work of grace upon the heart! Well understand this subject. You must learn it from experience. You cannot learn it from merely mental application. If you are, indeed, a true minister of the sanctuary, you are no stranger to this work of grace; this inward smart of repentance, this joy in the Holy Ghost, this wrestling and struggling against temptation, this holy violence in taking the kingdom of God. Whatever literary accomplishments you may possess, they will not supercede the necessity, nor must they take the place of, this gracious work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. When you have learned this from experience, you will know how to sympathize with the distressed, to 66 rejoice with those who do rejoice, and to weep with those that weep."

Before we conclude our observations, already protracted much beyond our original intention, permit us to recal your attention

to the primary object, which was suggested at the commencement of our remarks, namely, To save yourself and those who hear you. To effect this great object, the plan of redemption and salvation must not only be clearly explained, but it must be enforced upon the conscience, as a subject which must be tested by every man's experience, and exemplified in practical life. This, indeed, is far beyond human ability to accomplish. God alone can give the increase. Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. And we have no reason to believe that God will accompany any man's administrations, with the increased energies of His Spirit, unless that man live in the Spirit, unless he walk, not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. He who lives by faith in the Son of God, devoting himself entirely to His service, praying in the Spirit, and being otherwise called and qualified of God to be His minister, may expect the accompaniment of God's blessing, and may reasonably hope for success in his holy calling, It is when the sacred truths of God's word are sealed upon the conscience by the Holy Ghost, that they exert an experimental and practical influence upon the heart and life. We may, indeed, so far as our perceptions of divine truth are orthodox, talk well upon religious subjects without an experience of these things; but our talk will be only as a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. It is when the heart swells with love and gratitude to God, that we are drawn forth in tender sympathy and compassion to the souls of men. This, while it gives courage to persevere in our work, inspires the tongue with arguments to persuade men to be reconciled to God.

As this is the ultimate end of all our labour, so every study should be made to contribute to its attainment. When souls need our personal attendance, or the Church calls for active service; if the sick call for our counsel and prayers, the penitent sinner for instruction; then retirement and study, however agreeable and otherwise necessary, are to be sacrificed, and the wisdom and the knowledge we may have obtained must be exemplified in practice. To make private studies an excuse for neglecting these claims upon our active attention, is to confess an entire ignorance, after all our studies, of the main end of our calling, and our determination to defeat the great purposes of the Christian ministry. What are the purposes of the Christian ministry? Are they merely to occupy the mind with speculative truths? Alas! This were but a meagre object! Did the Lord Jesus Christ descend from heaven-did he preach, suffer, die-merely for the purpose of instructing mankind in some abstract truths? No! he came to rescue man from the thraldom of sin-to restore him to the image of God, by reforming his heart, and by rectifying his conduct, And if this was the end of the Author of the ministry, surely it ought to be the object of its members-if the Master proposed VOL. VĮ.

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this as the grand object of His mission into our world, it ought certainly to be the object of all His servants.

This being the fact, the whole weight of our ministry should be brought to bear upon this point, as the main end for which the Christian ministry was instituted. Indeed this is the most difficult part of our work. To induce people to attend on our ministry,

to enlighten their understandings with the leading truths of divine revelation, and to bring them under the profession of Christianity, is easy in comparison to persuading them to renounce their sins, to reform their lives, to surrender their hearts to God, and to live soberly and righteously in this present world. This effect produced presents one of the most infallible tests of the orthodoxy of our ministry. By their fruits ye shall know them. And this maxim applies to the truth of the doctrines delivered, as well as to the sincerity of the profession which is made: both àre to be tested by their practical tendency. Knowledge, eloquence, talents, zeal, are all lost unless they be productive of reformation in the hearts and lives of sinners. We do not say that such a result must be universal. This is not to be expected, when even our Lord himself could do no mighty works among a certain people because of the hardness of their hearts. What we contend for is, that those who profess to believe our doctrine, and to be profited by our ministry, must furnish evidence of the sincerity of their faith and the reality of their profit, by the righteous ness of their lives; and that therefore this must be the prevailing object of all our studies, all our labours, our preaching and exhortation. This object accomplished, we can say to them, "Ye are our epistle" (of recommendation) "written in our hearts, known and read of all men; for as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God, not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart."

Finally.-"The king's business requires haste." What you are to do must be done quickly. Whatever opposition you may meet with, persevere; whatever discouragements, still persevere; urge your way; make every thing bend to the main object of your mission; you are a man of one work-of one employment; you have no time to throw away; you cannot afford time for trifling visits, for vain talk, for idle recreation; the Judge standeth at the door; His reward is with Him; and He saith, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?

EDITOR..

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