Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-05-27

/, mad made them overseers. As shepherds watc
lie over their sheep, only 10 prevent them fror
sraying away, but also TO lead them into good pas
| lures; so the ministers of Ephesus were charge,
c with the superintendent of the people Take ;
constant care, exercise an unccasing vigilance owe
lhe spiritual concerns of the congregations commit
ted TO your charge, lest beasts OF prey should sez,
and devour hem--lest Satan and their own corrus-
tons should ALLEVIATE their affections from the Al
mighty, and sink them in eternal ruin. "Watcl
we IN all things, endure Affections do the work OF
Evangelsts, make full proof of your Miaistry.'
The concern with which you are entrusted re-
member, brethren, is the church of the living God
church purchased with the blood of Christ, pur-
chase, which exhausted the treasury of Heaven, a
purchase which ost the son of God his life pur-
chase which crmsoned Mount Calvary with blood,
! Il purchase which angels witnessed, with dropping
wings, and throbbng hearts
The neglect of your duty would involve in il the
greater quit Your neglect would amount TO
| contempt OF that blood, with which the purchase
OF our salvation was made; and would stamp yonr
| characters win present disgrace, and consgn you
| TO eternal ruin.
we are most assuredly to give an account of our
stewardship. How dreadful will be the state of
that Clergyman, who, after having undertaken the
superintendent OF congregation, wthholds his
pastoral attention; and permits the people entrust-
ed to his care, not only wander from the path of
duty, but TO plunge into destruction.
| What Will be his situation at that moment, in
which the Angel shall swear, that time shall be no
more--at that moment, when the earth and the sea
! shall give up their dead-at that moment, when
every mortal from Adam to his last born son shall
stand naked and defenceess before God. What, |
ask you, VIII be the condition of a slo,hful wicked
| clergyman, at that tremendous hour?
See advancing before the tribunal OF IIeay en- some
unhappy sinner, who, when the sentence of con-
domination shall be pronounced, will charge the
tn fla H..
| he had been confded. Blessed Jesus! NAV the con-
demned sinner say, acknowledge that haye trans
crossed Thy right eous laws; but oh, Mercilul God !
my earthly pastor led me astray. At the time in
which violated thy preccpts, he proclaimed peace
IN my ears, and believed his report Hesanction-
cd my aberra ions BY his own PRACTICES ard TO him.
! IN the lace OF assembled universe, charge the
destruction OF my precious soul ii misery will be
| the portion OF every offender, my brethrenl Flow
aggravated VIII be the misery of wicked clergy
man, when sinners oil common description W III
call to the rocks to fall thein wicked clergy
man VIII cry ont II agony, mountains cover Iae
| from the presence of God
On the o;hcr hand, how transporting will be the
situation OF a watchiu shepherd "a f4ithful minis
ter OF religion. AT that hour in which the heavens
VIII be rolled up like scroll and he elements melt
WIN ieTI ent heat, pous clerSA man will arise from
his tomb IN peace and tranquility. The happy
| spirit OF some immortal Being will proclaim hin in
oie Nouits OF tIeaVen, rs man who had been
! faithful in the discharge of his dltv To him.
Blessed Jesus, l ackHoW ledge myself indebted for
| an acquaintance with divine things. He instructed
me Ia my duty-He taught me how TO pray-His
holy lie and conversation reflected light upon my
path, and 1t is through his insrumentality that
found the ways OF religion peasanthess, and all its
paths the paths OF peace. To such steward the
kedeemer VIII sraciously say Come thou, bless
ed OF my father, enter thou into the 10Y of thy
Lord
several OF you have just commenced your min
islerlai career TO you the path of pastoral duty
Inc iabours and difficulties with which you will
have to encounter are unknown. Pu; on, nv be-
loved sons, beseech you, put on the whole ar
mouF oil God; Tor you will need that armour 10 de-
lend you, from the attacks of the powers OF dark
ness depend moi on your own sI engih; for if
you do, you will find TO your loss, that YOU are
sriisiine 10 bro< @ or,
wisdom and knowledge; FOR your duties are such
as require The wisdom and the knowledge of Angels
to enable you to perform them 10 advantage Ask
wisdom OF God 10 teach you. Seek spiritual
| strength from God to sustain YOU BE strong in
die Lord, ana in the power of his night,
| lobe successful IN the ministfy of the gospel,
you must be IN earnest. A soldier to be useful to
his country 10 arrs eninence in his profession
must be deyoiedto his duty. a lawyer, provided
he wishes 10 occupy high ground, must fix his eye
upon the utmost poini OF legal eininence and sur
| buS ihO9t CIncultleS obtain
distinction. merchant who wishes TO be al the
head OF the department in Which he moves. mns, he
man nj business and not OF pleasure: man of in
dusiry and moi oil Incidence. A clergyman TO lie
lselu 10 ms fellow creatures end acceptable TO his
divine master, must read, and mark and learn the
word OF God. He must be always ready TO per-
form his duty. 1t must be his meat and his drink
10 DO The Will OF the Almighty. When called up
on Tor the discharge OF pastoral duties he must lie,
|
Ill tneir reasonable demands, and that he derives
enjoyment from the exercise of his Office.
| Acting upon such principles, a clergyman will
| rise IN the esteem OF God and Man. good I'M
Outstanding combined with prudence will lead him
from small lungs 10 great and like water his merit
will find is own level Press forward then toward
the mark; for the prize of your high calling of God
IN Christ Jesus. Take bold stand upon the mount
OF virtue, ard kept. Be confer ed with nothing
less than ministerial fidelity. a Drome remember,
IS useless animal; indolent clergyman is worse
than useless; he is the destroyer of souls
FINALLY, my sons, strive to advance the eternal
interests OF those committed to your care--spread
| these events before the throne OF Almighty God
and plead with Heaven in their behalf Visit "a
much as is compatible with your duty the waste pla-
ces oil Zion, and endeavor to raise from their ruins
our dllapldaled churches The time is very short.
Death Is at the door. We have not one moment tn
lose. Live, beseech you, live near 10 God. Live
as you would wish YOU had lived, when YOU come
to die BE faithful unto death, and should w never
meet again in tins world, trust we snail meet in
Heaven. May the Almighty take you inio his bo-
iy keeping guide you by mis- counsel ane at las,
receive you into glory.
THE CREEKS
We publish this day sort of official 1eco,,,,
from the Creek Chiefs who murdered M'Intosh.
Il