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our parishes and congregations may be thus engaged! What encouragement will it afford us in our ministry to hope that this pious ardour may be general! Assuredly we shall assemble in public worship with our respective charges, with very different feelings, when we believe the religious part of our people have been privately imploring the divine blessing upon themselves, their families, their ministers, their nebours, their country, the Church of Christ, and the world at large. We shall all go forth to our labours, trusting that the seed we are sent to sow, will fall upon the good ground, and bring forth fruit, thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold.

O then, my brethren, let me intreat YOUR ZEALOUS CO-OPERATION in promoting this general spirit of prayer.

Let me intreat YOUR OWN FERVENT PRAYERS, that the Lord may grant to us who are in the ministry, more of his Holy Spirit. O may He more and more make all bishops and pastors, like the pastors of the first churches, "men of God, full of faith, and full of the Holy Ghost!” It will greatly encourage us in our arduous office to reflect, that we are thus intreating one for another; that we are secretly, constantly, and fervently praying, that this blessing may be largely bestowed upon all people. If all the clergy are thus employed, what sanguine hopes may we not entertain! It would, indeed, be a most favourable sign of a revival of religion, if they all should seek to fulfil the office assigned to the watchmen in Zion: "Ye that make mention of the Lord," or, as the emphatic marginal reading of our Bible is, Ye that are the Lord's remembrancers," whose office it is to put Jehovah in remembrance of His gracious promises, "keep not silence." In your closets, in your families, in your private intercourse with each other, "give Him no rest till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." (Isaiah, lxii. 6.)

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Permit me also to suggest the importance of our frequently preaching upon the various offices of the Holy Spirit. By this practice, our hearers will be more fully instructed in this part of Christian doctrine, and hence be more deeply convinced of the necessity for a general effusion of His divine influence.

Prayer is the child of faith, and faith comes by hearing. If Christians hear of the offices of the Holy Spirit, and of the promises to give this blessing to all who ask it, their faith may be strengthened and their prayers become fervent. Ir a short time this pious flame` may spread, and without observation the kingdom of Christ may come.

REMARKS ON THE PROPOSED PLAN OF FEMALE CIRCLES OF INDUSTRY.

To the Editor of the Christian Herald.

SIR-I am a constant reader of your useful publication, and my heart is often warmed while perusing its interesting accounts of revivals of religion, and the various effects produced by Missionary, Bible, Tract, and Sunday School Societies.

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I rejoice with my fellow Christians, that our lot is cast in a land where we may not only sit under our vines, and our fig trees, and none to make us afraid, but where there are opportunities for females to cast in their mite into the treasury of the Lord, by engaging in all those institutions which aim at the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. But sir, while we are performing these important duties, there are others which ought not to be left undone. The same blessed lips that commanded to "Go and teach all nations," commanded also to feed the hungry, and to clothe the naked; and there is a particular blessing promised to him that considereth the poor. Now, sir, I fear that your correspondent" S--" when recommending the formation of Circles of Industry in this city, did not consider the number of poor women, who depend entirely upon the labours of their hands, for the support of themselves, and often a family of children. The resources for female industry are so inadequate to the demand for employment, that various charitable societies are engaged in supplying the wants of the sick, the aged, the widow, and orphan. Want of work is a complaint we daily hear, and if such be the case now, what an increase of misery would follow were our pious females to monopolize the little there is. But some will say, we will only do fancy and other work, and that poor people cannot do." To this I answer, and from a personal knowledge of the fact, that there are many ladies in this city, who have moved in the first circles of fashion, and have been educated in the most expensive manner, who are now obliged to earn a scanty subsistence by executing embroidery and other fancy works. One of these told me lately, that seeing some infant's caps in a window for sale, she made several and offered them to the person who kept the shop. A bargain was soon made, as her's were executed in a superior style, but on inquiring who had supplied the others, she was informed it was a poor widow, who had no other support for herself and two infant children-poor as my friend was, she carried her work elsewhere. Lest, however, my fair sisters may feel disappointed at having their circles of industry disturbed, I would suggest a change in their object. Instead of making articles for sale, let them employ themselves in altering cast-off garments for Sunday school children. In putting their old gowns together, and quilting warm coverlets for the sick and the destitute. Those who have fine old linen, might make many comfortable articles for their less favoured sisters, or should they prefer it they might make up linen for poor Students of Theology. I would also suggest a plan for furnishing a fund for Missionary or Bible purposes. Let each circle of industry have one or more boxes, and the members drop into them as much as they can spare when they meet, and at the end of the year remit the amount to whatever Society they please.

A very little self-denial in dress or pleasure will furnish more money than could be made by the needle, and the persons thus employed will not be goaded by the reflection, that while endeavouring to benefit the souls of those at a distance, they have been taking the bread from our own poor.

DORCAS

REPLY TO A LAYMAN" ON PASTORAL VISITATION.

To the Editor of the Christian Heraid.

SIR-Your last number contained some remarks on Pastoral Visitation, which have appeared to me liable to exception. I do not condemn them in the gross, nor can I, on the whole, regret that they have appeared on your pages; but the subject itself, besides being a delicate one, is of so practical a nature, as to require the pen of an experienced Pastor to illustrate it. On this account, I was sorry to observe, that the general tenor of the piece exhibited much of the air of personality. The writer would have accomplished his object, (which I shall not doubt was benevolent) with equal certainty, had he confined himself strictly to principles and duties. It is often hazardous to select a particular neglect, which does not necessarily involve some positively vicious habit, and pronounce it one that renders a minister of the gospel unworthy the confidence of his charge. If all this is not asserted in any single sentence or paragraph of the Layman's letter, I fear it will be inferred from the general tenor of his remarks. But as ministers as well as their hearers, are fallible and sinful men, this sentiment would exalt the duty of Pastoral Visitation above every other. That particular obligation must be singularly momentous, which, if not promptly met, would completely or nearly destroy the usefulness and character of a minister, who is in all other respects acceptable and faithful to his people. Sir, I am conscious of too many sinful defects in my own endeavours to preach and exemplify the gospel of the grace of God; and my intercourse with the most devoted servants of God, has made me acquainted with too many failings in them, not to possess a considerable measure of charity on this subject. My own decision and practice are indeed entirely with those, who consider Pastoral Visitation an important and most interesting item in the active duties of the settled minister. I love to slip unceremoniously into the families of my congregation, and pass a few moments in cheering the heart of the good old pilgrim, with some familiar talk about the grace and power and faithfulness of our common Saviour, and the blessedness of those who are destined soon to be with him in glory. I take a sort of painful satisfaction, even in warning the backslider, and affectionately beseeching the careless sinner to consult the future happiness of his soul. I find it comparatively easy to administer suitable reproof to the intemperate, the sabbath breaker, and the profane, in private. But then, I recollect the time when the act of doing all this, to my own satisfaction, was, with me, a greater desideratum than it now is, and the cross, a most oppressive burden. I cannot, for a moment, place myself above any of my brethren in the ministry, on the ground of my having given a more practical attention to this part of my duty, than some others have done; nor do I certainly conclude, that had circumstances given a different mould to my official labours, my mind would have been less solemnly impressed with the momentous character of my charge.

The writer of this article has said thus much of himself, to convince the reader, that he speaks from experience and observation, when he declares, that he cannot subscribe to the idea suggested in

the last paragraph of the "Layman's" remarks. He does believe. that there may be many Christian ministers in our land, whose daily walk and conversation prove them to be godly men, men of prayer, earnestly devoted to their work, and heartily concerned for the salvation of their people, who do not visit and "teach from house to house." Such a minister was President Edwards, during his continuance at Northampton, (Mass.) of whom his biographer says, "He did not make it his custom to visit his people in their own houses, unless he was sent for by the sick, or he heard that they were under some special affliction." It is known to the writer, that very extensive revivals of religion have occurred under the ministrations of Pastors, who have followed Mr. Edwards' example. He could easily specify men and places, did a sense of propriety allow it.

The inference from these remarks is, that there exists or may exist, among the clergy of this or any other section of the country, a great diversity of opinion on the subject of Pastoral Visitation; and it would be presuming, to say the least, if not manifestly uncharitable, to impute a disposition and habit of some to neglect their official duties. No excuse can indeed be framed for such ministers (if such there be) as excuse themselves from this service, on the ground, that they cannot find sufficient time for its performance, while they lounge away the week till Thursday or Friday, and then begin the great labour of preparation for the pulpit. But it is the fact, that some very industrious ministers among us, have too large a share of their time necessarily Occupied with cases, which do not immediately pertain to their pastoral relations. The public calls made upon the time and attentions of some among us, are extremely numerous and altogether indispensable. And such is the habit which this Christian community have fallen into, of intrusting every public concern of the church to the more popular part of the clergy, that it seems determined on preventing both their future popularity and their usefulness. Few persons, besides clergymen, can fully appreciate the obstacles which in some cases, lie in the way of regular Pastoral Visitation. The writer might specify not a few, with which the Layman may have been but imperfectly acquainted. But it is far from being his object, to justify the neglect in question, nor has he time for a more ample discussion. The subject is deserving a thorough investigation. And he will indulge the hope, that these strictures, together with the remarks by which they are occasioned, will give to some candid and practical pen, this very employ

ment.

Your obedient servant,

CLERICUS.

REMARKS.-We have most cheerfully given a place to "Clericus" in reply to “ A Layman,"claiming however, the Editorial right of making such remarks as in our opinion, the state of this important discussion requires.

We do not hold ourselves responsible for every expression of our correspondents, nor feel ourselves at liberty to mutilate and debilitate their communications, by a vain endeavour to make them speak exactly our own sentiments. We willingly admit some variety, and difference of opinion, so long as there is no departure

from Christian kindness and courtesy, so long as we perceive in the midst of variety, a uniform tendency to what is useful, and amiable, and of good report.

We certainly do not approve of setting up the duty of "Pastoral Visitation," as a test of ministerial piety. Though we consider it a duty, and one exceedingly important, far be it from us to say, that a minister may not otherwise give evidence of even great eminence as a Christian; or that even failure in this duty, accompanied by a general negligence, may not consist with that slumbering piety, of which we, as well as our readers, may have had frequent experience.

The latter alternative is all, we suppose, which the "Layman" intended to assert, not as the universal accompaniment of the censured neglect, but as in point of fact, the accompaniment in that section of the Church, which was the scene of his observation. Unquestionably, he had not his eye fixed upon such men as JONATHAN EDWARDS, who spent the hours redeemed from one branch of ministerial duty, in such an urgent use of the press, as made him, instead of a mere parochial minister, rather a minister to his country, and to mankind.

While we thus give this great and good man his due honour, we feel it just to remark that we have always considered President Edwards' omission of pastoral visitation, as an evidence of human weakness, rather than as one of his eminent virtues: rather to be avoided as the foible of a very great and good man, than to be admired and imitated. We believe that President Edwards would have found more comfort, more usefulness, and especially less opposition, had he systematically visited his charge, though it had been with a very economical expenditure of his valuable time, and that he would have made no real encroachment upon his useful studies. We make these remarks, because we fear that the example of President Edwards, as quoted by "Clericus," has had an extensive influence,—and an influence most unjustifiable, upon those individuals, who are not as earnestly, if less ably, engaged in making the pen and the press, preach the Gospel of the grace of God.

We admit that one general rule on this duty, cannot be made to apply to all ministers. It has pleased God to furnish to his Church, and to the world, a great variety of talents, and to connect each individual with labours and duties peculiar to his own particular station. Hence, while pastoral visitation is unquestionably the duty of those ministers, whom God has placed over particular congregations, that duty may be (not omitted,) but accommodated to those other duties which devolve upon the minister, whom God in his providence, inclines and enables to enter upon a larger sphere. Such an one may be excused, if like "Clericus," he "slip unceremo. niously” in, “and spend a few moments," as he passes annually, and regularly through "the families of his congregation;" while those whose labours are princi. pally limited to their own flock, should make a more formal and complete pastoral visitation. Let then those, who restrain in any measure their pastoral labours, make amends by their more public exertions, and those who restrain their public exertions, make amends by the constancy and fidelity of their pastoral labours; and let it be long the happy lot of the CHRISTIAN HERALD to proclaim abroad the progress of the Redeemer's cause, by the harmonious exertions of BOTH.

Entelligence..

UNITED STATES.

-AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE sixth anniversary of this society was celebrated in this city on Thursday the 9th inst. The Officers and Managers of the Society and VOL. IX.

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