There is no impediment in his soul to the divine operations. He is as the clay in the hand of the potter, as the pen in the hand of the ready writer. His humble spirit simply inquires into the will of its God, and when that is discovered, confers no longer with flesh and blood, but fulfils it with the most entire resignation and great delight. 2. His meekness. This is a passive grace. It is the sacred ballast of the soul-that evenness, that divine serenity of spirit which “is not provoked," which nothing can move to wrath-that moderation spoken of by St. Paul, which harmonizes all the passions, and holds every power of the heart in sweet subjection-it ties them all to the horns of the altar. In this the Christian bishop eminently shines. Amid all the contradictions of sinners, and the provoking of tongues, he still retains his gracious temper, and discovers no emotion but that of pity and compassion-all is softness, all is love. This is the quiet 1 Pet. iii, 4. It is spirit, whose price is great in the sight of God. the Spirit of the Lamb, whose voice was not heard in the streets; who was oppressed and afflicted, yea, was brought as a lamb to the slaughter; and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth. O how contrary to the spirit of the meek and lowly Jesus is the turbulence and violence of many who call themselves the ministers of Christ! "But the sheep will flee from such, for they know not their voice." 3. His gentleness. This is an active grace, which flows out in the converse and the carriage. It is Christian courtesy. This also the Christian bishop possesses in a high degree. "Grace is poured into his lips," for "out of the fulness of his Lord he receiveth grace for grace." Nothing that is grating drops from his mouth. His very reproofs are dipt in oil. How insinuating is all his language, while the hearer hangs upon his tongue! His words "drop like the gentle His looks, and every rain from heaven upon the place beneath." gesture, and every feature, beam forth love. This is a key to open hearts with. What an amazing field of action does this engaging temper, accompanied by the blessing of God, gradually open to his zealous soul! He makes religion appear amiable even in the judgment of the world itself. And excepting when employed in the severer duties of his function, he knows nothing of the pain of giving pain. 4. His patience. This is the grace that "endures all things"-that flows out in sufferings and trials, and bears up the soul under every difficulty-sub pondere crescit. The more it is exercised, the stronger it grows. Let us view the Christian bishop in this respect. Behold, with what a steady pace he moves! Equally unshaken by the smiles or frowns of men, he gently moves along, like a mighty river, that bears down all before it, and yet waters every fertile meadow on its sides. His great Zerubbabel proceeds before him, and every mountain drops into a plain. His soul looks to Jesus, who endured the cross, despising the shame," and earnestly endeavors "To trace his example, the world to disdain, He smiles at persecution, and thanks his God for the opportunity of displaying an example to the world of the religion he proclaims. Thus does he go on, till he has finished the work which God has given him to do. And when the organs of his body have been weakened and enervated by the diseases which sooner or later assault the mortal frame, he still puts forth his little strength for the glorious cause in which he has been so long engaged, till having "fought the good fight, and finished his course," he drops asleep in the arms of his God. 5. His fortitude. His soul is far above the fear of temporal dangers. He possesses this cardinal virtue in all its strength and vigor. He "adds to his faith, courage," 2 Pet. i, 5. And though it is so divinely tempered by all the softer passions, as to be hid to all but the discerning eye, when not drawn out to action; yet there it ever resides, even in his inmost soul, like an iron pillar strong. But when the church, which he fosters in his anxious bosom, is in danger, he always steps out the foremost. He stands in the front of the battle, and endeavors to receive himself all the fire of the enemy. Like a faithful shepherd he steps between the wolf and the sheep, and is perfectly willing to lay down his life for their sake. If you touch the church of God, you touch the apple of his eye. And though he is not entirely ignorant of the value of his life and labors, yet when the cause of Zion calls him forth, "he mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth he back from the sword:" he beholds his once suffering, but now exalted Saviour. He looks up to the noble army of martyrs, "the cloud of witnesses," and follows their glorious track, "Pain, want defies; enjoys disgrace; 6. His impartiality. This is the rarest of all the virtues, and yet one of the most important for a ruler of the church. There is nothing more intolerable to mankind than partiality in him that governs; and it always springs in part from a meanness and baseness of mind. It meets with such immediate and effectual resistance, that all the reins of discipline are dropped, and the vineyard of the Lord thrown open to every beast of prey. But the Christian bishop is "without partiality and without hypocrisy." He moves by equal rules. He seeks not the praise of men, but serveth the Lord Christ. He meets with the constant and effectual support of those whom only he esteems-the upright and the good. And when the welfare of the church demands the separation of a rotten member, however rich, however honorable, however powerful, he clothes himself with the dignity of his office, and executes the will of God. 7. His zeal. In this he is eminent indeed. For though it is softened and corrected by the other graces, yet it wraps up his heart in the interests of Zion, and "the zeal of the Lord's house eats him up." He pants for the conversion of the whole world, and cries out with the souls under the altar, "How long, O Lord?" How far does his rapid spirit rise above the honors, the riches, and the pleasures of the world! He leaves them at a distance behind. His whole attention is swallowed up by greater things than these. While the men of the world are variously employed in the pursuit of earthly objects, he endeavors, in the Spirit of his Lord, to extract honey out of every flower, good out of every evil. He watches the opportunity, runs through every open door, and "spends, and is spent," for the good of mankind. 8. His wisdom. This reigns over all his soul. He is prepared for it by the God of nature, and endued with it by the God of grace. He was born to govern. He is "as wise as a serpent." His eye continually pervades the whole circle of his work, and yet who so blind as he? Isa. xlii, 19. He is all ear, and yet none is so deaf. He sets his feet in the centre of his sphere, and feels the smallest motion through every parallel. He knows with clear precision when to speak, and when to be silent; when to move, and when to be still; when to parry, and when to thrust. He has a quick discernment of men and manners; but he "lays hands suddenly on no man." His choice of laborers proceeds from the ripest judgment, and from the clearest evidence that can be procured. He feels all the strength of his resources, as if they were wholly centred in himself, and knows how and when to draw them forth. He is acquainted with the various views, the knowledge, the situation, the circumstances and the wishes of the people; and the various gifts, graces, and abilities of the pas tors. He makes them all to tally. He brings out all his force against the common enemy, he spreads out all his sails to every favorable wind, he keeps in motion every wheel of the machine, and uses to the uttermost every person and every thing within his power for the glory of God and the prosperity of his church. 9. His communion with God and confidence in him. These support him under all his trials. He lives within the veil. His soul cleaves to God; and he waters all his endeavors with fervent prayers. He bears upon the altar of his heart the interests of the church of Christ, and sends them up to the throne of grace with all the sacred fervor of devotion. He spreads out all his hopes and all his fears before his God, and "makes all his requests known unto him ;" and then returns to his labors with cheerfulness and vigor. He "walks with God," and moves with a full confidence and divine assurance of success, so far as the means he uses can answer the great end of every thing he does the glory of God and the good of mankind. Lastly: his seriousness. Though he lies at the feet of all the lovers of Jesus, yet he never debases himself. He knows his station, and "magnifies his office." The enemies of God may fear and hate him, but they cannot despise him. No lightness of spirit is observable in all is dignity as well as love. The company of the greatest upon earth affects him not. He lives in the presence of his Master, and says nothing but what is becoming the audience chamber of the King of kings. him; O what a blessing to the world is the man who answers this descrip. tion, "a polished shaft in the quiver" of God, "a burning and a shining light!" His spices are continually perfuming the place where he is, (Cant. iv, 16,) and "rivers of living water flow out of his belly" (John vii, 38) for the benefit of all among whom he sojourns. When he visits a people, he comes "in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel, and his Master's feet are heard behind him." He husbands every golden moment, picks up every fragment of time, and devotes his little all to the service of his Lord. He looks with the deepest contempt on filthy lucre, and is perfectly satisfied with the "riches of Christ." "O thou lover of souls, who willest not the death of a sinner, have pity on the world! Remember Calvary, hear the pleading Intercessor, and raise up men after thine own heart, full of the Holy Ghost, full of love and full of zeal! Guide them by thy Spirit, accompany them with thine omnipotence, that they may tread down the kingdom of Satan under their feet, and on its ruins build up thy glorious church." You may now easily perceive the dreadful effects of raising immoral or unconverted men to the government of the church. The baneful influence of their example is so extensive, that all the skill and cruelty of devils can hardly fabricate a greater curse than an irreligious bishop. But, "O thou man of God, follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. Be thou an example to the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Keep that which is committed to thy trust. Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, but be thou a partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, according to the power of God. Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Do the work of an evangelist, and make full proof of thy ministry." And thy God will open to thee a wide door indeed, which all thine enemies shall not be able to shut. He will carry his gospel under thy direction from sea to sea, yea, perhaps from one end of the continent to the other. Only feel thine importance, and feel thy danger, and let "not the foot of pride come against thee;" but preserve thyself in all humility, and chastity, and holy love, and thou shalt be a vessel of gold in the sanctuary of God, thou shalt bring millions to righteousness immediately or remotely, and shalt shine in glory as a star of the first magnitude for ever and ever. Dan. xii, 3. O thou who art the Holy One and the true, consecrate this thy servant with the fire of divine love, separate him for the most glorious purposes, make him a star in thine own right hand, and fulfil in him and by him all the good pleasure of thy goodness! For the Methodist Magazine and Quarterly Review. TRUE PIETY INDISPENSABLE IN A GOSPEL MINISTER. An Address intended to be delivered before the "Young Men's Society for Mental and Moral Improvement," of the Baltimore Conference, Georgetown, D. C., March, 1840. BY REV. T. 0. SUMMERS, MISSIONARY TO TEXAS, LATE OF THE BALTIMORE CON. MY BRETHREN,-Another conference anniversary has summoned us together in this place; and among the duties which claim our attention are those which belong to our own association. And by your appointment the incipient exercise devolves on him who now addresses you. As time measures off its annual circuits, it is impossible for a contemplative mind not to travel through the scenes of each departed cycle, and to bring up for reflection the events with which that part of our history comprised within the given limits may have been identified. As Methodists, we review the past year with undying interest, seeing that it was hallowed by the eucharistical centennial services of the thousands of our Israel! My brethren, it was a glorious year; yea, it was an unspeakable privilege with which we were favored to celebrate the first centenary of our beloved Methodism. But to many of us it was also a year of trial. The stern hand of affliction was laid upon us—we were made to tremble in its iron grasp, and to sink beneath its leaden weight. Mysterious providences lowered around us; and the vision of faith could alone discover the gracious smiles which were secreted behind the gathering frowns. Ah! there are seasons which try men's souls-seasons which put their religion to the test--which bring into requisition all their grace-which throw them upon their resources-no; not upon their resources, but upon the resources of their God! And, O! what a mercy if they can then verify the confidential and triumphant language of the sacred poet, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." When the spirit is, as it were, fluttering between two worlds, not knowing of which, in a single hour, it will be the inhabitant--in that state of awful uncertainty, when the stoutest hereos are made to cower and be afraid-then to feel calm and resigned, and confiding in the merits of the Redeemer, to be enabled to exclaim, "To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain;" O what a privilege is this! At such a time what a shade is cast upon "the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them!" Superior splendors and surpassing beauties, the ravishing glories of paradise, and the ineffable loveliness of the Saviour, having attracted our attention, and charmed our raptured spirits, we are enabled to sympathize with St. Paul in the sublimated feelings which prompted the noble exclamation, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Moreover, under these circumstances, how clearly does a minister discover the imperfections which have characterized his ministry; how deeply does he deplore them; how fervently does he pray that, should his life be prolonged, he may be enabled to give himself more fully to his important work! How earnestly does he resolve that, obtaining help from on high, this shall be the case! that the work of saving souls, building up the church, advancing the Redeemer's glory these as paramount objects shall receive his first and last regardshis constant and exclusive labors! that those habits of thought and action which are calculated to subserve these ends, and those alone, Ishall obtain his attention! You are My brethren, I have not sketched you a fancy picture. aware of this. I am, therefore, relieved of the task of adverting more directly to those circumstances which originated the reflections which I have just submitted. When surrounded with the circumstances in question, I was led to reflect much upon the qualifications requisite in a minister of the gospel for the due discharge of his important duties; and you will not be surprised at my considering true, genuine piety, an indispensable qualification--a sine qua non in the ambassador for Christ--without which all other qualifications are as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. Purity of character is so perfectly congruous with the work of a minister that it would seem as though the very fitness of things would be a sufficient motive to preserve him from the pollutions of the |