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ON THE LIMITS,

WHICH A MINISTER SHOULD PUT TO THE INDULGENCE OF HIS CURIOSITY,

WITH REGARD TO

PUBLIC EXHIBITIONS.

AN extreme is to be avoided. Some persons would condemn even rational curiosity. But the works of the Lord are great: sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. I would not object, therefore, to visit the Museum; or to go to see the rare natural productions often exhibited. I would enlarge, too, my views of man and the world, by frequenting the Panoramas of Cities. And, though I would not run after every sight, yet I would use my liberty in selecting.

But some are in an opposite extreme. They are found every where. But he, who sustains the character of a scribe of the kingdom of heaven, ought not to be found every where. The man, who is seeking a heavenly country, will shew the spirit of one whose conversation is there.

There is something in religion, when rightly apprehended, that is masculine and grand. It removes those little desires, which are "the constant hectic of a fool."

Every thing of the drama, and whatever is so distinctly the course of this world, must be shunned. If a Minister take one step into the world, his hearers will take two. Much may be learnt from the sentiments of men of the world. If a man of this character who heard me preach, should meet me where he would say, "Why I did not expect to see you here!"-then he ought not to have seen me there.

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There must be measure and proportion in our attention to Arts and Sciences. These were the very idols of the heathen world: and what are THEY, who now follow them with an idolatrous eagerness, but like children, who are charmed with the sparkling of a rocket, and yet see nothing in the sun?

Yet I would not indulge a cynical temper. If I go through a gentleman's Gallery of Pictures, I would say, "This is an admirable Claude!"— but I would take occasion to drop a hint of something higher and better, and to make it felt that I fell in with these things rather incidentally than purposely. But all this must be done with tenderness and humility: "I tread on the pride of Plato," said Diogenes, as he walked over Plato's carpet: "Yes-and with more pride," said Plato.

"THEY pass best over the world," said Queen Elizabeth, "who trip over it quickly; for it is but a bog. If we stop, we sink."

I would not make it my criterion-" Christ would not come hither!" I must take a lower standard in these things. I am a poor creature, and must be contented to learn in many places and by many scenes, which Christ need not to have frequented.

ON THE MEANS OF

PROMOTING A SPIRIT OF DEVOTION

IN

CONGREGATIONS.

LET

ET us ask, "What is man?" He is a creature of feeling, as well as of intellect. We must interest him as we can. It is unphilosophical to depend on the mere statement of truth. No doubt there is a contrary error: for what is the end of exciting attention, if there is nothing deserving attention ?

It is of the first importance, to PUT MEANING into every part of the service. In either extreme, of appealing to the understanding or the feelings, there may be no meaning: in a dull and lifeless preacher, there is no meaning; and, in one of a contrary character, there may be nothing worthy of the name.

There is, besides, TOO LITTLE ATTENTION, in many Churches, TO MAN AS MAN. I would consult his convenience in all lawful points. If he could sit easier on cushions, he should have

cushions. I would not tell him to be warm in God's service, while I leave him to shiver with cold. No doors should creak: no windows should rattle.

Music has an important effect on devotion. Wherever fantastical music enters, it betrays a corrupt principle. A congregation cannot enter into it; or, if it does, it cannot be a Christian congregation. Wherever there is an attempt to set off the music in the service, and the attempt is apparent, it is the first step toward carnality. Though there is too little life in the style of music adopted among the Moravians, yet the simplicity of Christianity pervades their devotion.

ORDER is important. Some persons, by coming in when they please, propagate a loose habit of mind. For man is a sympathetic creature; and what he sees others neglect, he is in danger of growing negligent in himself. If the reader goes through the Service as though the great business for which they are assembled is not yet begun, the people will soon feel thus themselves.

The Minister should take occasion frequently to impress on the people the IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK in which they are engaged. It is not enough to take it for granted that they feel this. We must take nothing for granted. Man needs to be reminded of every thing, for he soon forgets every thing.

MONOTONY must be, above all things, avoided.

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