of allotting benefices to men, and not searching out well-instructed and devoted men for benefices, still prevails to an alarming extent.

Places of public amusement are resorted to by many who have solemnly engaged before God, to "lay aside the study of the world and the flesh;" and this circumstance confirms their flocks in the opinion that there is no harm, in pursuits, which do really lead to the waste of time; to the perversion of talent; to the destruction of spirituality of mind; and to the loss of the soul. "It is required in Stewards that a man be found faithful; but if honesty, sincerity, integrity, and diligence, be requisite in the Stewards of earthly goods; they are indispensible, in the "Stewards of the mysteries of God." Their office is of heavenly origin; their employment is wholly of a spiritual character; and its fruit is to remain, not for a time only, but for ever. They are called to "make full proof of their ministry;" "publicly, and from house to house, testifying repentance toward God, and faith toward the Lord Jesus Christ."

Had this been done in Ireland even for the last

century, we should have had a very different order of things from what is now visible. When men have "sown to the wind," it is not to be wondered at, if they " reap the whirlwind." The mass of the population has been most grievously neglected. Generation after generation has passed into eternity without a single combined effort being made, to let in upon their darkened minds the light of Gospel truth; to burst the fetters of ignorance and superstition by which they were "fast tied and bound;" to point them to the place of blessedness and glory, and to make them acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only way that can ever lead to it. If the liberty wherewith Christ makes his people free, had been universally proclaimed, our prisons would not have had so many inmates; our scaffolds would not have been stained with the blood of so many victims; nor would so many have been torn from their friends, their homes, and their country, to linger out in distant

lands a miserable existence. Neither should we have had to peruse the melancholy record of whole families passing over from Scripture to tradition; and exchanging the sure promises of God who cannot lie, for the promises of man whose "flesh is grass, and whose glory is as the flower of the grass."

Past steps cannot now be retraced;-past errors cannot now be corrected;-past evils cannot now be prevented. It is the part then of true wisdom, not to spend time in the expression of useless regrets, but to consider,

2dly. The duties of the Church in this dark day of her tribulation. Let the Clergy be acknowledged by their respective flocks, as "able Ministers of the New Testament, capable of reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all authority:” let them fearlessly lift up the standard of the cross, and call upon sinners to rally round it; let them blow the trumpet of the Gospel, so that it shall not give an uncertain sound; let them set forth Christ in all his fulness of grace and glory, as having "died for

our sins, and risen again for our justification; and let them never cease to proclaim the truth :

By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not

"

of works lest any man should boast." Let them also testify, that as, "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his,”—so none can possess this Spirit, without being “careful to maintain good works;" without “ "purifying himself, even as Christ is pure;" without "perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord." Let them preach by their daily walk, as well from the pulpit. Let "gravity, sincerity, sound speech which cannot be condemned," be recognized in them. Let them "through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body," "set their affections on things above," and keep themselves "unspotted from the world:" ever remembering, that they are consecrated to a holy service, and that they are bound to the discharge of its duties by vows as binding, as they are solemn. Let them, laying aside all matters of doubtful disputation, " contend earnestly for the faith once delivered

unto the saints"-afford satisfactory proof that their conversation is in Heaven-and that they lay upon their flocks, no burden, which they themselves are not willing to bear. Great blessings are ever attendant upon a faithful ministry; the sick will be visited; the healthy will be exhorted; the young will be trained up in the way in which they should go; and the wants of the poor will be relieved.

Much might be stated upon the subject of discipline-but there is no space for it here. Let it suffice to observe, that discipline is in a very lax state, and that the re-establishment of it is most desirable.

Those in authority should (having first ascertained the sentiments and views of their Clergy) consult without further delay respecting it, in the hope of devising a judicious plan for its regulation. Else, disciplinarians will arise in quarters where the Church is hated; her doctrines laughed at, and her Ministers despised. Truth is on her side; and why should she be afraid to look error in the face, and reform what