pastor of a Trinitarian and evangelical church, he preaches, or lends his pulpit to another to preach, the doctrines of Unitarianism, or Universalism; or being the pastor of a Baptist church, he administers baptism by sprinkling, or administers it to infants. He may hold those sentiments, or modes, if he will, as a man ; but he may not propagate them in the way supposed, or hold them consistently with his existing relations. The truth and falsehood of the conflicting systems are not the question here, but what are the just expectations of the people? The truth itself is not to be preached in violation of common honesty and good faith.

Again these rights may be infringed by the introduction into the pulpit of subjects' foreign to the ends for which it was instituted. Thus if the discussion of political questions be introduced there, it is unauthorized. The place was not made for that end. I speak of political questions as such. It is not to be denied that the great moral questions, or principles, which are

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often involved in politics, are proper subjects for discussion, in a proper manner, and as moral questions, in the Christian pulpit.

Again it may be held to be an infringement of conventional rights to introduce subjects which, though they may not be in their nature wholly foreign to the pulpit, are not necessarily involved in a due discharge of its duties, and are at the same time an invariable and known cause of dissention and distraction. Such are some of the agitating schemes of the present day. The object which the schemes affect may be benevolent and good, but the schemes themselves are human. They do not, like the precept, "Follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another," come within the revealed "counsel of God," and may not be forced upon either the minister or the congregation. The parish was not organized, nor the house built, nor the pastor settled, with these schemes in view; and since God has not commanded it, if

they are introduced, it ought to be by consent of parties.

Once more. The people suffer wrong, and their just expectations are disregarded, by the pastor deserting or consigning to other hands the trusts committed to him. Suppose that in a time of special attention to religion he is assisted by a stranger; and that this stranger, bringing his own novelties with him, assumes that he knows better than the pastor what ought to be done, and acts accordingly. He takes it upon him to direct what meetings shall be held, what measures adopted, who and how many shall be admitted to the church, how soon they shall be admitted, speaks with authority, and is in all respects, for the time being, virtually the pastor. Now can the pastor, consistently with his duty, can he consistently with the trusts reposed in him by the people that called him, and the council that ordained him, stand aside from his office, and give up the reins to this stranger? If the field has been com

mitted to his keeping, may he consign it to another?

Or suppose a member, or members, of his own congregation should rise up and assume that they know better than he how affairs should be conducted may he re

sign his charge to them? Every considerate person will answer, No! The people did not call these persons to exercise the trusts of the pastoral office, and their doing so is a usurpation. A minister certainly should have the privilege of calling in assistance when it is necessary; but he ought ever to maintain his place as a pastor, and never resign up his judgment and authority and hand over his parish to others.

CHAPTER VII.

DEACONS.

THE office of Deacons was first instituted, as is generally thought, Acts vi. 1—6.

The qualifications of the men who are to fill the office are, as mentioned at the time of its institution, that they be "men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom," that is, of unblemished reputation, distinguished piety, and sound judgment; and more particularly, 1 Tim. iii. 8-10; "Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of deacon, being found blameless." Which may be paraphrased thus; grave, sincere, temperate, not avaricious, of thorough knowledge of