their women yet greater restraints. Hence, as Christian churches were first formed in Greece and Asia, it might have been inferred, that such females as wanted other instruction than was given in the public assemblies, must have received it in private, from some of their own sex; and that from them also, women in penury, distress, and confinement, must have received visits of succour and comfort. Accordingly we find females, eligible from their knowledge, experience, discretion, and age, were appointed for these purposes. They are often referred to in the Epistles. Paul speaks of those 'women that laboured with him in the gospel.' In the earlier periods of Ecclesiastical History, we perceive women having some offices analogous to those of the men. they were of a private nature. Our brethren, the Moravians, retain some functions of this kind; and we believe no man, among them, can be a pastor who is unmarried; as there are services required of the wife, as well as of the husband. But none of them are consonant with the public ministration of the word. How far any appointments of a similar order might But be profitably established in our churches, it would not be perhaps improper to inquire. But we are not going at present to attempt any new schemes. We deem it preferable to take things as they are; and endeavour to improve what is practicable; rather than to deal in what is speculative. We therefore say, that without the assumption of office; and without leaving the sphere of engagement suited to your sex and station, you may, in an eminent degree, serve your own generation by the will of God. Let me freely develop and enforce what I should deem necessary to your securing so desirable an attainment. I presume on your personal religion. It is said of Zachariah and Elisabeth, that they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, blameless.' If a Christian is to marry only in the Lord,' how indispensable is this requisition to a minister. If he sets at nought the divine precaution, he not only by his example justifies others in forming unhallowed connexions, but his own wickedness will correct him; and he will be made to feel, in the natural consequences as well as in the penal rebuke, what an evil and bitter thing it is to forsake the fear of the Almighty. His case indeed is to be pitied, should he have been imposed upon after serious and candid examination. And there have been wives who have made pretensions, to gain the upright, who are always the most unsuspecting. And when the mask has been afterwards thrown aside, what an astounding discovery has it been to the deceived, and what a degradation to the deceiver! And when the disguise has continued, what a wretched constraint has been necessary to keep up appearances! And what irksomeness has been endured in being so often engaged in the exercises of unfelt devotion ! And what excuses have been made for omitting duties, against the drudgery of which the alienated heart has revolted! And what can be more likely to impair conscience, and to produce impenitence, than 'lying against the Holy Ghost ?' 'And what is the hope of the hypocrite, though she hath gained, when God taketh away her soul?' 'But we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.' Yet, though in your case, the reality of godliness be indispensable, it is not sufficient. Every thing in the claims of your calling requires, not only that you should fear God, but that should fear God above many; not you only that you should know the truth as it is in Jesus, but be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; not only that you should be sincere and without offence, until the day of Christ, but be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Here let me speak of your deportment — With regard to THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT. With regard to OTHER RELIGIOUS PARTIES. With regard to your owN CHURCH AND CONGREGATION. With regard to your FAMILY. First; with regard to THEM THAT ARE WITHOUT. Of these your husband is to have a 'good report, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.' It must be the same with you for though less conspicuous than himself, you will not escape observation. You are required to be firm and decided. You must keep your high and holy ground, and not be drawn down into the course of this world. If you comply with their wishes, and conform to their maxims and manners, they may like you more, but they will esteem you less. It is by your consistency that you are to strike and impress others. They will not regard, what they see you make light of yourselves and surely you cannot evince the importance you attach to the truths you profess, by owning them at one time, and being ashamed 'of them at another, according to the place and company in which you are found: but only by the constancy of your adherence to them, and the sacrifices you are ready to make in their defence. Yet tenderness must be connected with decision, both to qualify it, and to prove the source from which it results- that it is not -- the offspring of obstinacy, but principle; that it is not self-will, but a regard to the will of God; that it is not prejudice, but enlightened |