to the grave, as their fathers have gone, without repentance,--then let him go and plant himself permanently with a people, who have always had the gospel, but few of them obeyed it,-many of whom know or think they know as much as the minister, and who think it necessary and proper to support the institutions of religion for some such reasons, as they support any other public thing, or because their fathers did so. It would not be respectable, it would be derogatory to the town, not to have the gospel. But, if a minister wishes to save souls, let him go among the destitute, -among those who have scarcely ever had the gospel, and who despair of having it, because they cannot raise an adequate salary. Blessed is he, who shall be able to return a message, like that of Christ to John the Baptist: "The poor have the gospel preached to them." Such will be attentive, will be thankful, will repent and believe, and their souls shall be saved. Oh what a luxury must it be to a servant of Christ to labor in such a field; what a reward; how rich must he be, in the joy of witnessing souls born to the inheritance of eternal life, and in all the exulting anticipations of standing around the throne, in company with these seals of his own ministry.

Such I think is the most select and desirable ground for the labors of an evangelist. But besides this, and for reasons which have already come up in the progress of this discussion, there is great room and much promise of usefulness for such labors, under the eye and within the acknowledged supervision of settled pastors. We have seen that there is a wide field of influence, within these regions, which can be reached only by such offices. At this moment, therefore, so long as Domestic Missionaries cannot occupy all the vacant ground, there is wanted an army of evangelists, not only to range through the destitute and desolate places, but

to commingle their prayers and labors with the stated pastors of the land.

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Finally How should evangelists conduct, in relation to stated pastors and other located ministers ? A man of that spirit and character, which we have supposed should belong to an evangelist, ardent, spiritual, heavenly minded, having consecrated all his heart and all his energies to his work, without expectation of reward, except the satisfaction of success, and the reversions of the heavenly state, will be likely to look upon the ordinary temperament of the Christian ministry, as cold; and not a few will he see, whom he will think worthy to receive the message from the mouth of Ezekiel: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves. Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?" Can he keep his patience in view of such a spectacle? If he had nothing else to do, then, perhaps, he might set himself up a prophet against the unfaithful pastors. But if he intends to do the work of an evangelist, he can find a far better employmeut, than proclaiming himself "a judge in the land," and in the church. He needs and should enjoy the confidence of all-of all who have claims to be acknowledged as pastors or ministers in the church of Christ. He ought to be a universal currency, "known and read," and acknowledged " of all men,”—to be welcomed wherever he comes, to be blessed wherever he goes. No pastor, though relaxed in his feelings, and conscious of unfaithfulness in his of fice, should be permitted to fear, but every one should desire his presence and assistance. Every pastor should be able to feel, that his own hands will be strengthened by such presence and himself the better established in the affections of his people.

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But let an evangelist declaim frequently even in general terms, against the character of the ministry; let him countenance the people where he

Let an evangelist too be planted in the midst of a revival of religion, where he is the principal agent, and let him be permitted to show such disrespect to ministerial brethren, of unquestioned piety, who have come to witness and rejoice in this work of of the Lord, as not to invite them to participate, as not to notice their presence, or to say their coldness, if permitted to act, would cast a chill through the revival,-I know not how to express what I deem to be the magnitude of such an evil. The very best and most gifted ministers in the church, who had come here, hoping to catch a little fire from the altar of God, are mortified, wounded, and filled with agony-publicly exposed to contempt! What an inextinguishable fire of distrust and discordancy is thus kindled upon such hal lowed ground! As if God was doing a work, to sustain which instrumentally requires a violation of his own laws! It is undoubtedly true that the moral temperament of the Christian ministry in this country, though higher and far better than in any other land, is yet far-far below what it should be. And what is peculiarly gratifying and hopeful, ministers themselves, not a few, are aware of this fact, they feel it. And they are willing-desirous, that the character of the ministry should be raised raised in themselves individually, raised universally. And it is actually rising every day. And the only way, by which one minister can act upon another for the advancement

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and example-by a reciprocal influence. The most salutary rebuke, which one minister can administer to another for his delinquencies, is to set up the light of his own example. And this, I aver, is the only rebuke which the evangelist should ever feel himself justified in throwing around him. This will be sufferedit will be felt-it will have its influence, and properly sustained, will exercise its renovating power through all the ranks of the Christian ministry. And this is one of the grand objects, which call so loudly and imperiously for the establishment and extension of the office of evangelists.

And are there no materials for this character in the land-in the church? Will none arise and come out, and devote themselves to this high calling? This enterprise, be it remembered, makes demand exclusively for volunteers. And their only commission, so far as it is to come from this world, must be the favorable opinion of a Christian community. Every such character, established by actual success, sealed by the providence of God, will find a ready currency. The solemn appeal of God's providence is made-an appeal, which I hope and trust will not be made in vain: Are there none -none in all the church, among all the young men of high and holy purpose, who will consecrate themselves to this object? If not, then the chains, which have been long forging under the sickly and halting progress of Christianity in our land, and which have thrown themselves over all the energies of Christian enterprise, imposing a most fearful bondage, must still fasten on her destinies. Then must the Church still sigh and groan, and lift her unavailing prayers to heaven, till other and nobler spirits shall be born in her bosom, and rise like Sampson to subdue the uncircumcised.

ANTIPAS.

CONSCIENCE, AND SATAN.

Min. It was nothing but a sense of duty that induced me to settle in this place. Every thing here was disagreeable to my taste: But I thought I was following the leadings of Providence; and I hoped time would gradually overcome my aversion to the natural situation, the society, and manners here.. But in spite of myself, I find it growing stronger every day, and I am led seriously to inquire whether it is not my duty to go away.

Satan. He is in a favorable state of mind to listen to my temptation, (aside.) I am surprised sir, that you ever consented to be ordained over this people. It is a station altogether too retired and unimportant for talents and acquirements like yours. When you were at college and at the theological seminary, you well recollect how high you stood in your class, and how the general expectafion was, that you would be called to fill some important post. What a pity that such talents and acquirements should be wasted upon such a desert spot as this! You were fitted for a literary society; but here there is no literary taste, nor any who take an interest in literary productions: of course, a man of less talent and less knowledge would answer here as well as yourself. Of what service to you, in such a place as this, are those acquirements in belles lettres, and in science, which you spent so much time in making? Yet how important would they be in a more intelligent and polished society! You have always been accustomed to refined and literary society; and it is impossible you should be happy among a people so clownish and illiterate as in this place; nor can you exert over them so good an influence as you might over those more polished and tasteful. Besides your wife has been accustomed to society of the first order, and by confining her here

ners, and in such a dreary spot, you make her life absolutely wretched. In short, both of you are well fitted for a society in some one of our cities, and were you released from this people, there is no doubt you would soon receive an invitation thither. In this world a man's influence depends very much on his situation. While here, you will never be thought much of abroad, nor your opinion be much sought after. Have you not noticed often that Mr. who was decidedly your inferior in college, is called very frequently to sit in council, and invited to take a prominent seat on public occasions, while you are neglected? and all this, simply because he is minister of and you of

Consc. Why was it, sir, that you devoted yourself to the work of the ministry? Was it to save souls, or to enjoy literary society? When you gave yourself to the Lord for this work, was it a condition that you should be settled over a literary and refined people? Are not the souls of others as precious as theirs? Did ever Jesus Christ or St. Paul leave a place where was a favorable opening for preaching the gospel, because the natural situation was not pleasant, or the people were not very literary, or very refined? Depend upon it, it is nothing but unhallowed ambition that induces you to think of leaving this people. They are much attached to you, and listen with great attention to your preaching; and your labors among them have been more blessed than you have had any reason to expect. If they are not as learned in human literature and science as in the city, they are better acquainted with theology. If they are not as polished, they are more sincere and more to be depended upon. As to your talents, be very careful that you do not over-rate them. If they were so mighty as you flatter yourself, long ere this you would have been sought after for

more conspicuous stations. If you cannot enjoy yourself here, depend upon it your heart is not right, and if you leave this place contrary to my advice, and obtain some other situation, apparently more pleasant, you may rest assured, that God will plant thorns in the path that now appears so flowery. Cultivate a more ardent piety, and acquire a greater concern for the souls of your fellow men, and your discontented feelings will vanish, and the purest kind of happiness will visit your bosom. At any rate, decide not to leave this place until you have made the question a subject of long continued, fervent prayer. Satan. If he is brought upon his knees I have lost him. (Aside.) Prayer! What need is there of prayer in so plain a case! Prayer is our resort only in very difficult cases. In such circumstances as these Providence makes the path of duty plain enough without it. For can there be a doubt that a Christian is bound to occupy that situation where he can be most useful; where he can turn, not merely a few, but many, to righteousness? And can any one doubt, who knows you, sir, but that you would be more useful in a more conspicuous station, and among a people whose habits and tastes are more congenial to your own? Besides I fear that your health is beginning to fail, although you may not perceive it. For no man can labor long with such a depression of spirits, and with so much to disgust him, without feeling the effects upon his physical constitution. I would not then deliberate any longer, lest you delay till you are so broken down as to be unable to sustain the labors of a more important station.

Min. I think I should not hesitate to decide upon leaving this place, were it not so difficult to get my ministerial connection dissolved. It is impossible my people should appreciate the reasons which influence me to go indeed, it would only excite their indignation were I to name

them. I fear, that to brake away under such circumstances, would produce an injury to the cause of religion more extensive than the greater good I should thereby hope to accomplish.

Satan. This difficulty is very easily removed. Only conduct among your people as if you meant to leave them, and they will ere long be glad to have you go. Manage your concerns in such a manner that they shall see you mean to keep yourself in a state of preparation for an immediate departure; and if they press you for the reasons of such conduct, talk to them largely of the precariousness of a minister's situation in these days, and tell them plainly that you have no expectation of spending your days among them; since the probability is very great, either that your health will not permit you long to perform the duties of a minister among them, or they will become weary of your services. Give them, moreover, occasional hints of their want of refinement, and ignorance of literature; treat their failings with much severity, and show them that you take but little interest in them, and you need not fear, but within a year or two, they will be very glad to join in a mutual council for your dismission. In the mean time leave it with me to prepare the minds of that council to be willing to grant your request.

Consc. I perceive, sir, that the suggestions of Satan are prevailing over mine. At present I shall trouble you no more. But think not that I am dead. You shall hear my voice again, when it will sound in your ears like thunder.

Min. The suggestions of Satan! It would be very curious if Satan were anxious to remove me to a sphere of greater usefulness. But I care not from whom suggestions come if they are founded on reason.

HISTORY.

The minister took the course marked out by the adversary, and