IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT.3) 
 
 V 
 
 /. 
 
 A 
 
 
 '<° WJ-.x. 
 
 / 1 /«Vw 
 
 < V . «P 
 
 t<'/ 
 
 f/. 
 
 
 1.0 
 
 I.I 
 
 1.25 
 
 |50 l"^" 
 
 us 
 
 IIIIIM 
 
 iiiiii 
 
 S 1^ lliio 
 
 1.8 
 
 !.4 
 
 1.6 
 
 % 
 
 a 
 
 ^a-' <%;♦ -^ 
 
 m 
 
 ^^'f 
 
 
 Pnr>+onrnQ-r\nir» 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 23 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTER, NY. 1 4580 
 
 (716) 872-4503 
 
 
CIHM/ICMH 
 Microfiche 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadit:. Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attempted to obtain the best 
 original copy available for filming. Features of this 
 copy which may be bibliographically unique, 
 which may alter any of the images in tha 
 reproduction, or which may significantly change 
 the usu!il method of filming, are checked below. 
 
 □ 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 n 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 Covers damaged/ 
 Couverture endommagi6e 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaurie et/ou pelliculie 
 
 Cover title missing/ 
 
 Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Cartes g^ographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or bluck)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 ReIJi avac d'autres documents 
 
 Tight binding may causa shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La re liure serree peut causer da I'ombra ou de la 
 distorsion le long de la marge intdrieure 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may 
 appear within the text. Whenever possible, these 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties 
 lors d'une res^auration apparaissent dans la texta, 
 mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas 6ti filmies. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentaires suppl^mentaires; 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire 
 qu'il lui a eti possible de se procurer. Les details 
 de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du 
 point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier 
 une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage 
 sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages da couleur 
 
 I — I Pages damaged/ 
 
 D 
 
 Pages endommagees 
 
 Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculdes 
 
 i y- Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 ' y/l Pages ddcolor^es, tachetdes ou piquees 
 
 □Pages detached/ 
 Pages detachees 
 
 Q'^Showthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 □ Quality of print varies/ 
 Qualiti inigale de I'impression 
 
 □ Includes supplementary material/ 
 Comprend du materiel supplementaire 
 
 □ Only edition available/ 
 Seuie Edition disponible 
 
 
 D 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata 
 slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to 
 ensure the best possible image/ 
 Les pages totalement ou partieilement 
 obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure, 
 etc., cnt 6t6 fiim^es A nouveau de facon it 
 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est filmi au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 
 
 10X 14X 18X 22X 
 
 26X 
 
 30X 
 
 I I I I k^ 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 24X 
 
 28X 
 
 32X 
 
ails 
 
 du 
 
 idifier 
 
 une 
 
 nage 
 
 The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 Metropolitan Toronto Library 
 Canadian History Department 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and in keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 L'ex! iplaire filmd fut reprodult grflce A la 
 g6n6rosit6 de: 
 
 Metropolitan Toronto Libiary 
 Canadian History Department 
 
 Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le 
 plus grand soiii, compte tenu de la condition et 
 de la nettet6 de I'exemplaire filmi, et en 
 conformity avec les conditions du contrat de 
 filmage. 
 
 Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 Les axemplaires originaux dont la couvarture en 
 papier est imprimde sont film^s en commen^ant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la 
 dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration, soil par le second 
 plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 originaux sont filmds en commen^ant par la 
 premiere page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par 
 la dernidre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 The East recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol —►(meaning "CON- 
 TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustiate the 
 method: 
 
 Un des symboles ^.uivants apparaitra sur la 
 dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbole >^-^> signifie "A SUIVRE", le 
 symbole V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre 
 filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. 
 Lorsque le document est trop grand pour 6tre 
 reproduit en un seui clich6, il est film6 A partir 
 de I'angle sup^riour gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et de haut en bas, en prenant ie nombre 
 d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la m6thode. 
 
 rata 
 
 3 
 
 lelure, 
 it 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 32X 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
J 
 
 I.- -'■■■ 
 
 A ]> l> H i: H % 
 
 "■'. . 4..'r^- 
 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SESSIONS AND CONGREGATIONS, 
 
 UADER THE liVSPECTIOAf 
 
 OF THE 
 
 i . 
 
 %,: ' 
 
 KELATIVE TO THE 
 TEMPORAr. SUPPORT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 MINISTEES m THE GOSPEL. 
 
 BY A COMMITTEE OF SYNOD. 
 
 CAYUGA : 
 
 THOMAS MESSENGER, PRINTER, "SACHEM" OFFICE. 
 
 lUWIUI 
 
 \ 
 
 1:. 
 
 ..iijfiklHiiMitaii 
 
 r 
 
 
^a'i ^'^ \ 
 
 JUn 7 1935 
 
 I 
 
"^ 
 
 f^m 
 
 'm^ 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 TO THE 
 
 SESSIONS ANl) CONGMO ATKINS, Xc. 
 
 Christian Brethrkn, — 
 
 The United Ptesl)ytenan Synod in Canada, aL 
 its meeting in Hamilton , in the month of June, 1854, entrusted a 
 Committee of their mimber with the drawing up of an Address to 
 you oji the subject of ministerial support ; and it is in obedience to 
 their inslriiotions, and with a view to present their sentiments, 
 that we now oireva few remarks on this important subject. In 
 doing this we shall express ourselves with all plainness and 
 seriousness ; and from the opinion we entertain of your candor 
 and conscientiousness, of your respect to the divine authority, and 
 to your own obligations us christians, we are persuaded that we 
 will not make our appeal in vain. " We speak as unto wise raen^ 
 jud.ge ye what we say." 
 
 We t'Uii your altentiou to the subject under a very few paxti- 
 culars. 
 
 I. Let us, by way of putting you in remembrance, exhibit your 
 duty in this matter. For although we might suppose this to be 
 unnecessary, as it is so fully presented in scripture, and although 
 with many of you it is practised conscientiously, yet there ar© 
 not a few, we fear, who Ironi inadvexteucy or otherwise, are not 
 doing what thcv ought. 
 
 Over much of the Christian Church the duty of its members 
 directly and libi-riilly to support the gospel has been for many 
 ages superceded by the human invention of a civil establishment 
 of religion : nor is chvistendom yet free from this deteriorating 
 and degrading imposition, .out the eyes of the great proportion 
 of honorably minded professing christians are now open to the 
 iuiustice and inipoliey ol' such establishments, and their zeal is 
 aroused fur their final extinction; and just in the same proportion 
 is it to be expected that the church at large will return to Christ's 
 own proscribed method for its support and extentiou by the 
 abundant free-will ofieriugs of the christian j)coplc. 
 
 Surely as a matter of equity those who devote themselves to 
 the work of the ministry have a claim on their people for compe- 
 tent and liberal support; and perhaps there is no denomination of 
 christian ministers whose claim is stronger than your own, as 
 they conscientiously refuse all compulsory provision. Those of 
 you who are properly enligiitened on this subject will, we doubt 
 not, discharge your obliga't ions by striving to place them iiir above 
 the ieeling.or even the iear of vrant. 
 
 
 M 
 
I 
 
 T^esldes, in common with those of most othet churche«, your 
 
 ministers have made inauy sacrifices in preparing themselves for 
 their sacred work; andjiavin^j passed through a course of edu- 
 cation, both expensive and lodious, a small part of which would 
 have qualified thorn for hicnitive and honorable sitifations in the 
 world, they are snrcly entitled to soinelhinj? like a libiral return 
 for the invaluable services they arc called to discharije. Tl 
 ihould also be remembered that tliey are obliged to mingle m 
 iociety of every kind, and to keep up a style oHiving correspond- 
 ing, in some degree, with the dignity of their callini;. 'i'huir 
 office, too, is one of active labor, which none need ehuo.^e, cithur 
 for securing bodily ease, or freedom from exhausting; exercise of 
 the mind. Tftheyarenot properly sustained they arc in danger of 
 losing their mental and bodily vigor, and thus becoming unfit for 
 yrosecutinir their duties. 
 
 What proportion of your means should be <!ovoted to God we 
 •hall not pretend to determine. But the general rnle is plain from 
 scripture that each shoidd give "as(!od hath pios])ered him.** 
 Under the ancient dispensation the Levite,s,who ministered in hol| 
 things, were to have" the tenth of all" from their brethren of the 
 other tribes. Under the gospel this duty is enforced with obvious 
 reference to ancient institutions. " If," says the apostle Tanl, *• we 
 have sown unto you spiritual things is it a great thing if wo shall 
 reap your carnal things I Do you not know that they who min- 
 ister about holy things live of the things of the temple, and they 
 who wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so 
 hath the Lord Ordained that they who preach the gospel should 
 
 live of the gospel." ,,.,.„ 
 
 There isonepeculiariiy of the christian church which will ra- 
 ther suggest the necessity and importance of even greater liberality 
 in its maintenance and progress than was required of old. Un- 
 der the Mosaic economy it was merely to the sn[)port of ordinances 
 among themselves that the Israelites were called. They were 
 not commanded to propagate their religion among other nations, 
 ilut under our dispensation it is the duty of christians not only to 
 !»ustain the gospel among themselves, but to extend it to others. 
 Each individual should do his part, and a combined effort should 
 be made to sustain and spread the gospel. Truly devoted and 
 conscientious christians have been heard saying,— " Let us tally 
 and spontaneously meet all the wantsof our ministers, let us give 
 our first and our best to the Kedeemer's cause." 
 
 From these and other considerations it must be admitted that 
 the ministers of Christ are entitled to the support of the christian 
 people, not as a matter of bounty, but as their just right,— as that 
 which reason, and gratitude, as well as the word of God, all utiite to 
 
 1 nf*iilf*T.to 
 
 n. Let us enquire how far this duty is observed. Notwnth- 
 Btanding the dignity of their oflicc,— the great ends which it is 
 
■i 
 
 wm 
 
 ■MPPP 
 
 shea, your 
 
 iiselves for 
 ic of edu- 
 ich would 
 oils it) the 
 ■ral return 
 har'fe. It 
 
 ;urrespon(U 
 g. Their 
 ose, either 
 exercise of 
 11 danger of 
 ig unfit {or 
 
 to God we 
 
 plain from 
 
 ered him.*' 
 
 •red in holy 
 
 iren oftho 
 
 ilh obvious 
 
 ranl,«w« 
 
 if wo shall 
 
 ' who mia- 
 
 , and they 
 
 Even so 
 
 >fel should 
 
 cK will ra- 
 
 ^r liberality 
 fold. Uij- 
 "ordinauces 
 rhey were 
 icr nations, 
 not only to 
 ; to others, 
 ifort should 
 evoted and 
 iCt us tally 
 , let us give 
 
 nitted that 
 le christian 
 ht, — as that 
 , all unite to 
 
 Notwith- 
 \\hich it 13 
 
 intended to serve, and the actuul good tosociery at hui;« ol whiclk 
 the faithful ministers, both directly and indirectly, are the honored 
 instruments, it rniist be acknowledgetl that in general, they meet 
 with very didi^reut outward recompense from persons ot other 
 learned [>rofossions. The skilful physician is well remunerated. 
 The lawyer's profession has been said to be"a coininy;of money." 
 But the minister is often doomed to live on the very scanty pro- 
 vision which those for whose everlasting happiness he labors are 
 contented to raise. And this is sometimes a mere pittance. In 
 general, it may be faiily asked,- Are ministers supplied with money 
 and means at all e<iuai to their necessities, not to say correspond- 
 ing with the ability and obligati(ni oi their people ? The truth 
 cannot be concealed. It is not ;so. 1 1 is liu otherwise. In many 
 cases that (ilod who, carini; lor the interior creation, has said,— 
 " Thou shalt not mnz/de the ox that ircadeth out the corn," sees 
 that his far greater care for his ministering servants is not re- 
 sponded to by those whose duty it is to sustain them,— so that 
 their mouths are often muzzled,— their external reward is not 
 given,— They plant a vineyard and eat not of the iiuit thereof, 
 they feed a flock and eat not of the milk ot the flock. How 
 many of the laborious and deserving servants of Christ have oc- 
 casion to sav with the apnstio Paul,—" Even unto this present 
 hour we both hanger and thirst, and are naked and are bufieted, 
 and have no certain dwelling-place!" 
 
 There have been Congregations so dishonorable ns to take 
 advantage of their ministers, if they happened, as is rarely the 
 case, to hare something ol their own, which is not only injustice 
 to them, but a robbing of their families of their patrimonial rights. 
 We have also heard of individuals, and these in circumstances 
 of growing wealth, excusing themselves from contributing their 
 propcrtion for religion because, as they alleged, they must be 
 just before they are generous, and this because, though living at 
 ease, they had some instalments to pay on their houses or lands. 
 But these people mistake entirely the nature of their duty in suij- 
 posing what is given for the gospel,~what is given to Christ, an 
 act of 'generosity. There is no generosity at all in it. It is as inucli 
 a matter of justice as the strongest of those claims against them 
 which can be enlorctd by civil law,— nay it is the first and the 
 highest claim, and their refusing to discharge it on grounds of 
 th^s description, which are mere evasions, is a robbing of God. 
 
 There is one serious fact, of which not all, but many of you 
 require to be reminded, it is that money has materially depre- 
 ciated in value during the few years that are past,— perhaps to 
 the extent of one- halt, and probably during the past year to the 
 extent of one-third ; or, in other words, the price of articles has 
 increased in this proportion ;— so that what was fixed as the min- 
 imum stipend should at least be increased one-third, if not doubled, 
 
 to be considered a pioper minimum now. ISo otipend should 
 
r\ 
 
 ht l«s,s thuu .£VMi, atiitnAlly»to be equal to what it was before, 
 
 Hiui to enable n tiiiiii.ster tulivo at all with comturt,or in freedom, 
 as linsliijiilil lit' nlilf til do. Irum Imrrnssing care. The church 
 generally should aim ;it this as the ic;ir,t to offer. 
 
 Men in jyenerul, — the tnerehants and traders of every kind, 
 
 Are jiaid for their commodities by whut is reckoned aiie(inivale!it. 
 In Commercial trausuctions the proiit.s are olten large, and yet 
 where is the man who does not consider the returns he realizes 
 a* due to his aeeiiracy. diligence, and enterprize, in conducting 
 btisiness'? Hut how is it with tlie minister oi tlie gospel, who is 
 » spiritual merchant selling goodly pearls? lie is the honored 
 in«trur''enL in giving wliiit is" more precious than gold, yea than 
 much hue gold :" and yet he receives in return, so liir as the 
 things oC this life ure concerned, only the most paltry stiins,aud 
 these are often given with irregularity and a grudge. 
 
 III. Consider with what ease this duty might be performed. 
 Many of the duties of the christian people are ditlicuit. It isdit- 
 Hcnlttoremeniberall tlioinstruction.s of a minister, and to reduce 
 them to practice. It is dillicidt to banish all worldly thoughts on 
 the Lord s day, and to s[)end it wholly in the exercises of rehgion. 
 Yet these -are incumbent duties, the neglect of which iv«t sinful, 
 liut where is the dillicully in liberally supporting the ministers 
 of Christ ! This part oi christian duty is perhaps tlieeasiest of all j 
 and yet it is the most neglected. To discharge the former duties 
 grace is necessary. But it requires no grace, one Would think, 
 :fbr the latter. Even without the slightest inconvenience ti> your- 
 selves you could furnish double or triple the amount to which 
 some of you are accustomed, and thereby make your ministers, 
 not affluent, but only coratbrtable. Grace, indeed, may be 
 necessary to enable you to contribute in the christian spirit, — to 
 do it freely, cheerfully, and in faith, and as a duty you owe to 
 ( Jhrist. But so far as the amount of means or money is concerned, 
 u sense of common justice should be suflicient. And yet this 
 duty is performed, in many cases, tardily and inadequately. If 
 professing christians, generally, were actuated by a right spirit 
 in this matter there could be no difficulty whatever. All true 
 christians in right exercise will be disposed to give a fair propor- 
 tion of their annual income for religious purposes,~partly to sup- 
 port their ministers, and partly for extending the means of grace 
 by missionary efforts, and for other objects of christian benevo- 
 lence. Were it not the worldly spirit that prevails among many 
 professors, the want of faith in God's promises, and the want of 
 love to Christ, it would not be difficult to fmd an agreement as to 
 what this proportion ought to be. The most of our members are 
 living at ease, and man^ of them in affluence, and all of theni 
 are ready to welcome their minister to their houses as often as he 
 IS able to go, and to lavish their hospitality in contributing to his 
 comfort. Case.-j do exist where a lew wealthy individuals in the 
 
mm 
 
 m^ 
 
 CM before, 
 in iireedom, 
 he church 
 
 very kind, 
 
 equivtlent. 
 e, and yet 
 he realizes 
 
 L'otuUictin!* 
 [)ol, who is 
 ic. hcjiiorcd 
 d, yea thau 
 Hit as the 
 stiins,aud 
 
 performed. 
 :. It is dit- 
 ] to reduce 
 ;hoiights on 
 ofrehgion. 
 Ii is Kinf'ul. 
 e ministers 
 \siest of all j 
 nner duties 
 ould think, 
 jce to your- 
 t to which 
 t ministers, 
 d, may be 
 i spirit, — to 
 foii owe to 
 i concerned, 
 id yet this 
 [uately. If 
 right spirit 
 . All true 
 fair propor- 
 irtly to snp- 
 ns of grace 
 ian benevo- 
 niong many 
 ;he want of 
 anient as to 
 members are 
 ail of them 
 5 often as he 
 iiting to his 
 duals in the 
 
 1 
 
 •^k whilst the others did their |.art, mif?lit, without over.lmio. 
 *^^h^meWro/?ven doin?< m.re thuu I h.y ....^1. Mor ;mly 
 
 do much '^.'•^''l,^, J*^' t^^^^^^^^^^^^ tooNvhore xn hat .s the mere 
 
 S;§'t h^ih wordcammuuicata tohuu that teacheth .« ail 
 
 tiordtkhiMs. svslematicany, contributing by m 
 
 no necessity i^ «' '» ^o^' J« J-^ "« \» "^^^^ Sabtotl. 
 
 Bat, here w. miut a.lver. to a great «;''^;,^ ,,;;•=„ "tL mem- 
 
 ,„p^ , ™ki»g their minister conjfo.table '" 5" ^^ff ^^^^ 
 .Tmer'e imagination that suggests any : and 'f * ^^be. 
 
 tf/'^gara='raSrtirs'l^r^e\rreali^ wotUd thus 
 
 "t'tftte practicability, we shotJd rather say <^<^-^^ 
 dotaj all that L, incumbent, both (or snpportmg and extendms 
 
 yf 
 
 J- 
 
'^^^■ 
 
 th<» ^nip«4, little n«*e»l he f^id. Ih tlii« Coiintn* f!i<»r<» are frw 
 
 Coil jrreunt ions which have not A hundred "Jrorsliipcn with com- 
 lortiiblt' itioonios, — uic«>mt'« which, u]\ thintrn wnisidcrfti, far ex- 
 e«ed tluLsool llicir riiiuisfcM, p^miixijie tlup(» y'rofessofs to give 
 a» they otiirlU for their own concrfmitioDiil uljicrts, and fur do- 
 mestic uikI iiireimi iiiissnins.and othor imrposps ot cli'lstian bene- 
 ficence, the lesult would beat tuice elliTtjvc in inukiiifr every 
 oifficultf vanish. Il'thii were done (nnJ where is tli(> diilicultf 
 in doing it!) the strong IVjiijiregations, besides honorably defray- 
 ing their own exiienses. would aid in ntip}K>rting the weak ; antf 
 the destitute ]>laces of the hud, and of the whole earth, w >uld b.5 
 l^ocdily supplied with divinv? ordinances. 
 
 Knt ulas! aUlii)ti:,di all this seems to he prneticahlo and et»sy, 
 yetKuch is the seKisliiH-ssuf hunirui iiaturo, and such the want of 
 love to Christ, and ;!^\k: tor his gJory, that wv ar»? apt to excuMi 
 ourselves Irom it^i pruutic*?. Suiat- WiJI not be2;in till others ara 
 ready, ^•ome wjll proim.-ie to net li' the rest will tbllow. Few 
 ate ot* such imi?pend(Mii spirit (whirh uU shtmld be), %* to dif- 
 eharge tlieir uw n duty thunirh aU others iieirlect their*, fn gcna- 
 lu^ wo lind, though many honorable excpptioriR are seen, that con* 
 tribiuioiis Ibr religion are xuor*! grudged than [or thing* of inera 
 workllv interest or uiutisemout. Maa in theso daya fay doubla 
 for their taxes, double fur ihtj wages oftheir servanTs, double for 
 articles of food and rainjerit} but yet lor ihoir religion. Which 
 Onght to be their dearest ,aa it i» their highest interest, they 
 •eem disposed, in general* tt» make no additiojial exertion,— to 
 give no double portiuu. In this l^ountry a man of activity and 
 •nterprize will oileu gain by u single commercial transaction 
 more than all a minister will receive for many years. Shoold 
 not gratitude for sucli success suggest that a reasonable j)rojv(jr- 
 tion of the returns of such a specufation be devoted to the (iiodof 
 providence by whose blessing it has been realized ? 
 
 IV. Let us mark the evident or threatened results of this neg- 
 lect of duty in ministerial support. There arc results of ttiit 
 lieglect which often come upoa the minister. It has been some^ 
 times said, that if a minister be well paid he ia apt to get indolent. 
 This, however, cannot be the effect on those who are conscien«» 
 tious, as all should bo, in the discharge of duty. They will ra- 
 ther be more stimulated, as they will be better qualified for their 
 Work. But an unsupported minister must have such a continual 
 anxiety about worldly matters as to depress his spirits, waste his 
 energies, and disqualify him in a great measure for the prosecution 
 of his labors. He will be dissatisfied with himself, and not ba 
 able to rectify the evil which nothing but his people's neglect has 
 occasioned. The work of the ministry, in which he expected to 
 find delight, will thus become irksome, and although he drags 
 on, through the help of the Lord, yet his mind is crowded with 
 tAies, and he becomes incapable of vigorous activity for the 
 
 1 
 
 ■I 
 
<» ore frw 
 with com- 
 rii, farfX* 
 its to give 
 id fi>r do« 
 stianbene* 
 kinir every 
 (' (lillicuhy 
 hly (lefray- 
 hveak } and 
 , WOUlU IM 
 
 and easy, 
 he want of 
 
 to r\e\W0 
 oiUen are 
 ow. Few 
 »s to die- 
 f n gcne- 
 I, that con* 
 « of in*Te 
 ^ay <!oub!e 
 
 double for 
 9n, which 
 ■rest, thoy 
 ertion,— to 
 tivity end 
 itansactiOA 
 , Should 
 le ()ro{y>r* 
 thet^odof 
 
 f this Deb- 
 its of ttiie 
 )een somei* 
 '.t indolent, 
 conscien- 
 ey will m- 
 !d for their 
 L contiaual 
 , waste his 
 prosecution 
 and not be 
 leglect hai 
 X pec ted to 
 1 he drags 
 wded with 
 ty for the 
 
 tpiiitual nitew«N 01 his flot»k. He niiy be ubhjjea. in «*)»«•»- 
 
 lu^n his Umily. and than much f'-^^V*"':'/!^' ulh^wi^ 
 havU.e» devoted to the prutitul h.« pouMle. ^ '' .^^tj^'T*; 
 occtipitnl. N..W M youyotirsolve. would do|.roc*te the id.e oi h-i 
 beit»R thu. dcptos«iHj, und brought tu such aa «xU«mity, y«» 
 should do your pari tor his cousf^laiwn »nd reUel. 
 
 Thrre atorcsiiUs of this n^s^ect on congregation^. ''"Th?«13l 
 but l« coiiviocod th:.l the prosp.-rity of «very church must depend, 
 Ta great mcn.ur«, en the rcspcctr.btlily of its m'^'slers. NoW 
 X»t it i« evident that the mrsiinonV of the people must beer 
 Iwn tWe who are oh the field of laU,r. it .s also true that U 
 Im tend, at. it is actually doing, to pTCvent m^n o talout, lenrnn «^ 
 and nl(,ty\fromdcvotu.g ihcmselvi'stothesarrodnthce. "Y ''• 
 ?" loet the peopl. ar. ?hu« pr.ctic.tly. though unuUen.onaUy. 
 
 rrmVtluNroinbon.fit.mul for anything that they can loll t «y 
 
 dr*iK of tUcK m^^t rr^-cious .nUcr.tance. But not to Uu.k I.oa ond 
 vou sclv i * .1 not cvid.nl that wbatem prevents nun. te» 
 tZZ full and diiciont discharge of duty innst be »"J;'r'<^ « ^ 
 ! Mtock » Wh.To miiusters arc not snst*.nod, the peop e ca n<^ 
 liiXicd ThU 9P»rUual food cannot be of thnt quality winch 
 
 ^i^:M^i^i^ und they »ry,*^^^"'^^:*:r,r;H%t:?, 
 
 the blanic is theirown: and mst.a. <.t t,.oknv£r at t^e reaUau^, 
 thcvoficn in.%-.^sc it by contumcd una ^^^'^'^'''^^ ''^^^l'^,,^ 
 co»grrir«aon tlm. circumstanced can never grow m ^"telUgei ee. 
 andSn christian worth and enterprise. The '^'^"^b^rs f sucl * 
 con,rcgalion,iusteaaof resornbling Chr.sr w^^^^^^^^ 
 ffood nresent a very opposite character. I ernaps men ai 
 KrStiansnmolg^Lm, who are ctoin, their own pnn and 
 Whom Ciod is prospering. But the community at large negecim^ 
 t».^i. autv arc in cencral, serious losers. Spiritually they are 
 w':?d\"frir From Sabbath to Sabbath the^ may sa 
 under a preached gospel, but they denve no benefit. J^^ ^ wo f 
 f^r they are not real christmns, although they ^^Xl^^^rZl 
 or they would not knowingly neglect llunr duty "^ this unportani 
 matter. They are « robbing (Jod m Uhes and ofter n^^^^^^ ^and 
 thereby laying theau^elves open to the doom l^^^"";^;' ^^^^^^^ 
 are cursed with a curse, for ye have robbed me, e^ en this 
 nation.'* 
 
 But especially do the loading nieu ul tiio ^g;;;^^^^';;;^' ;;,^ 
 may be siu^poscd to occasion this state ot things bring ^jury ipou 
 Sselv"fu.dividually. .Sueh persons luwe « ten be^^ repn^^^^^^^^ 
 Josses in trade or property, perhaps to the «^t«^^^^^ °^^^^^^;""7,,. 
 *old. tor all they have kept back from llie Lord's t^reasury Pe 
 bans tliev did not trace their cala mities to this cause. But others 
 IS^^d' tVatid w.re impressed thereby. God olten chastises m 
 
•::? ^ 4flB»TT wtm . .y ^ U gs-: 
 
 ^ ,1 
 
 I 
 
 \0 
 
 thif. mannrr ; and tl will be well if it be t<'iitii| !<, he m inp?cy, 
 and thai it lead to Naliilary r ■loniialinn. 
 
 And V^ .IjoI lis, in conclusion, notice the likely results of thf' 
 I'onscipntious discharge of this cKity- In this case, \vc remark, the 
 ministry is improved. We cannot slii't onr eyes to the lact that 
 I here is a diitrcisiiig sciarcity of proaclicrs a>"l ministers among 
 us. But the reason ol' this tact is not considered, it resolves 
 Itself into the sim[)ie truth ot which we arc speakini;, that the 
 prospects uf adcijuate support arc not ju'cocuted. JN'o youth de- 
 siring to be a minister, will, with open eyes, go forward to th'S 
 work, if he sees he will not be able to sustain himscU. Many, 
 indeed, go forward, wiio, were they aware of the dilhculties belore, 
 them, would shrinlc i'rom the undertaking. Many of the students 
 and their iriends, i re '.iiadc(|uate i'.idges of what is necessary Jor 
 the comforiable support ol'oiie in the station of a minister. 
 
 It will be sail, perhaps, that such calculations, and such atten- 
 tion to the means of outward sujjport, in one who is to hold a 
 spiritual oiPice, would seem to indicate a mercenary disposition, 
 and that those who contemplate the work of the ministry as the 
 employment of their lives, should have higher motives. So they 
 hnve, wo trust. Lut sti'i as niim.slors :ire lueu ol like passions 
 with their people, as they must jay for food and raiment like 
 other liicn, and must I-' cop up tlie resjiectability of their important 
 stations, it is both prudent and necessary, that they should look 
 at outward things as they are, and make a Jair comparison be- 
 tween the ir.f'ans and the end. 7\.nd who can lilaiue the serious 
 youth, whoso heart was set on b3iiig a minister, il he stops shoit 
 at the threshold from the visible j^rospcot of inadecjuale support, 
 and turns Ids acquiremi'nts into another channel ? 
 
 But let the minisLry be well supiiortod, let the people unite in 
 doing their duty, and the evil is removed at once. An ample 
 supply of ministers will be obtained ; and these servants of Cod 
 will not only be elevated in their outward condition, but improved 
 in their fitness for auty, and in their eliicicucy in discharging it. 
 They will now have the means of procuring such books as are 
 necessary Icr storing their minds with useful knowledge : and, 
 freed from those perplexing cares which now prevail, they will 
 pursue their proper labours, not only without har, but with a' \c- 
 rity and deliglit. They wid now be able freely to recomi: -nd 
 and encourage jaous and talented young men to come forward to 
 " the help of the Lord against the mighty." 
 
 We remark, further, that where attention is paid to tins duty 
 congiegations will llourisb. Jts performance is a piesumptive 
 proof that other duties are fulfilled, and that the interests of the, 
 cxjinrannity aro prospering. Let the people attend to tliis dutv, 
 and whilst we take for granted they pray for their minister, r id 
 'vait regularly aed devoutly on his ministrations, and the"iield of 
 the congregation becoiue.-s a li'tk "^-mbiern of the lulldmcnt of thi< 
 
 V.^ : 
 
hr 111 inercy, 
 
 ):illlts t>f' tlif' 
 J reiiiuik, the 
 tlie iact that, 
 istcrs iiinoiig 
 Jt resolves 
 ng, that the 
 ^'o youth (ie- 
 •vvard to th'3 
 jc!l. Many, 
 Millies belore, 
 ' the students 
 necessary ]i.ir 
 ustcr. 
 
 I such atteu- 
 is to hold a 
 f disposition, 
 liistry as the 
 es. So they 
 like passions 
 raiment like 
 eir ir'ijiortiiut 
 f should look 
 niparisou be- 
 e the serious 
 le stops shoi I. 
 uale support, 
 
 oplc unitt: ill 
 , All ample 
 ;'ants of God 
 nit improved 
 ^charging it. 
 
 hooks as are 
 vledge : and, 
 lil, they will 
 ut with a' '.c- 
 
 recouu: .nd 
 ic forward to 
 
 to tins duty 
 presumptive 
 .crests of the 
 to thiS diitv, 
 .Tunister, r id 
 d theniield of 
 Imcntof th.J< 
 
 .Hblin.p proph-^rv -•'riH" w.l..h>nicss HU.l th.^ solitary place shall 
 bft clad, and th.-'desert shall r.-joice and blossom as the rose. 
 
 'christian brethren, we .juote the IbUowim; appropriate renniT^^^ 
 nf a similar committee lately appoinl:ed bya Synod m the llmted 
 States as furmshmi;- useful hmls lor yourselves :~" 1 here aie 
 trials incident to the pastoral ollice of which no luraan a-ency 
 /•an relieve it, lUit tho-^c which spring Irom inadequate and un 
 certain support are legionary in number, as they are most 
 harrassiug a'nd pamiul. These the churches m« remove : and m 
 removing them tlicy would contribute no less to the usefulness 
 than the comfort of their pastors. What an amount of moral power 
 would be liberated, ii the whole time of our entire ministry could 
 1,0 appropriated to their legitimate dnt^.s xNot only would they 
 escape the adverse lulluciues omauatiug from their indispensable 
 .secular avocations, and which are so prejudicial to their own 
 snirituality,l)ut thcv would go about th-Mi work with an elasticity 
 und an energv to which they are now strangers. .Lvery one can 
 understand the dihereucc m the comparative efhciexicy ol two 
 pastors, one of wi.om serves a people who liud a happmess in 
 miti-ratino- his burdens.aud adding to his comlorts, while the otluu 
 
 trails alter him, from day to day, the heavy drag-cham ot pecu- 
 niary embarrassment and domestic depeudeucc. 
 
 .< \nd this leads to the ob.servation, that even onthclow ground 
 of self-mterest the churches should provide a more siutable support 
 for tiie ministry, ff the congregations which liave tried the ex 
 ,,eriment should be consulted (and we could name such congre^ 
 l Lions in our Syucd) they would say with one accord that they 
 found it good policy to take care of their pastors ; that all tlie 
 kindness shown them has been returned mamibki hy the increased 
 freedom •ind power of their ministrations, and their greater efti- 
 ciencY crenerally. This is not to intimate that mere hnancial ar- 
 jrumiits have a paramount weight with christian pastors, it is 
 «imply acknowledging that they have " like passions with other 
 men," and can do more work, and do it better, where they expe- 
 r.ence syuDathv and alicctioii, than where they meet comparative 
 coldiie.ss,and are left to struggle with want. .lt]Kjmtof fact, it may 
 be doubted whether there is any class of persons who are so much 
 alive to offices of kindness as pastors. The most t^nvial tokens of 
 Hlli.-ction from thr-.r peoj-le have often sent a thri 1 ot joy through 
 the entire tenantry of a par.sonage, and moistened everx' eye witli 
 tears ot gratitude. And next to the supports and consolations 
 drawn from aliove, th.n- liud encouragement and strength in the 
 as,sured conlidence and attachment of then congregations. 
 
 in line, tlu< tiuthful ub.erv.as of this duty will themselves be, 
 v>etsonally rewarde.l. - lie thut recciveth a prophet, in the name 
 of a prophet shall reeeu-c a proph«,t.\. rewarrl." 1 he very lea,it gift 
 will berecompnised bv<:hu.t. " Wlmsoevri g.vetha cnpot cold 
 watci toj.nv ol ''lui.ifV> d>.ciplc;. bhall mnooa^c lo.ohi:= reward. 
 
12 
 
 Notluui'^ done tu any o\ UoJ's servautN will be ovej looked. '< (ICd 
 IS not iinriit^hieou."'. to tbroet your work and labor ol love in that ye 
 havp ministered to the saints and do niinistev.'" The small con- 
 tributions of the poor are asvakmltle in God's estimation as th« 
 larger contributions of the alTlnont. The poor widow, with her 
 two mites, cast in more into the treasury tlian the rich with their 
 abundance, for she cast in all her living. The poor are, in general, 
 before the rich in the proportion of their offerings. Let all do as 
 they are able, and (xod will abundantly bless -^.nd reward. You 
 can never do too much in the cause of religion. Go, brehtren, 
 and make the experiment : do it in the name of Christ, and imder 
 the influence of faith and love ; and we can assure you, by the 
 word of the Lord, that so far from suffering loss or inconvenience, 
 by the sacrifice, rather we should say the service, you will find 
 yourselves, both in a pecuniary view, and in a spiritual view, 
 abundantly remunerated. The liord's treasury is the best bank, 
 and gives the surest and the largest interest .How few comparative- 
 ly have hitherto ventured to improve such a depository ! Were all 
 to do their duty we are certain that instead of being losers, in a 
 worldly view, they would be material gainers. It is the " blessing 
 of the Lord that maketh rich." Yet, O how little is faith in ex- 
 ercise in. giving unto the Lord ! How rarely is found the man 
 who will devote an adequate proportion of his substance to Christ! 
 Yet that man is the gainer, whilst others suffer loss. " There is 
 that giveth, and yet increaseth : there is that withholdeth more 
 than is meet, and it tendeth to poverty." All that is given for 
 the glory of God, and the interests of true religion, if given in faith, 
 will come back to the donors with an amply remunerating bless- 
 ing. " Cast thy bread upon the waters, and thou shalt find it 
 after many days." " Bring ye all the tithes into my store-house, 
 and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord, if I will not open 
 the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing,, till tlier<- l..s 
 not rCv.m to receive it." 
 
ceJ. '< CtCd 
 e ill that yt" 
 ■ small con- 
 ilion as th« 
 V, with her 
 iwith their 
 , in general, 
 jet all do as 
 vard. You 
 o, brehtren, 
 t, and under 
 
 you, by the 
 onvenience, 
 Du will find 
 ritual view, 
 e best bank, 
 omparativc" 
 
 ! Were all 
 ■r losers, in a 
 iic"ble.ssin!5 
 
 faith in ex- 
 
 md the man 
 
 ice to Christ I 
 
 « There is 
 
 oldeth more 
 
 is given lor 
 iven in faith, 
 rating bless- 
 shalt find it 
 ■store-honso, 
 ill not oppii 
 
 till t.hort- lid 
 
 <.i