Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-04-01

useful and honest occupation, thanIo be
brought into the ministry They had
neither such piety nor talents as should
have induced their friends to recommend
them to Education Boards. Many seem
TO entertain the foolish opinion, that if you
can make minister of any man, he will
OF course be much more useful, than ia
private station. No opinion can be more
| erroneous; even in the new countries, a
pious layman of plain understanding, is
lar more useful than the same man, cloth
ed with the sacred Office. | have known
some laymen who could speak fuently on
religion. and pleased the multitude, but I
never Knew lay preacher, who did not
diminish his responsibility and influence
by holding forth in public. Neither is it
commonly advisable for men who have
been long in another profession. to become
ministers they are sure to bring with
them the technical habits of their for
mer pursuits. 1t is a good general
rule, and scriptural. for every man to
abide IN the calling in which he was cali
ed. And there is no lawful profession in
which person of eminent piety NAV not
be very useful; and surely, piety and tall
ent are needed in other caiIings beside
the ministry. Some may think, that in
stead OF wishing 10 increase ministers, the
tendency OF my remark is, to discourage
men from entering the sacred office. |
confess, that l am more solicitous to have
those that aspire to the ministry, suitably
qualified, than TO have it filled ever So
full with unqualified men. The necessi.
ty OF eminent piety in ministers, need not
be proved by ldbored augmentation. No
body denies it. The wicked world ex.
pect 1t; and as far as external conduct is
concerned, exact it. Let the guide of
souls be what he processes 10 be, man
OF God, thoroughly furnished to every
good work. Let the youth who aspires
10 this office imbibe the pure and humble
spirit of the gospel. Let him make thor
ongh trial of his prudence, .sobriety, and
stability, before he offers himself. Let
his friends also be free and faithful with
their friendly counsels to inexperienced
youth. Rather let them, at first lean to
the side OF discouragcment than the con-
trary. Many more are pushed forward.
who should remain in the back ground
than are retarded or hindered, when toev
should go forward. Let it be remember
&c that the most deserving will common
y be the most reserved and diffident We
should be cautious Of encourag ing a for
ward, selfcon6dent youth to think of the
ministry. AT any rate, he should be re.
pressed for the present. He may learn.
10y sore experience, his own weakness,
and want OF wisdom. Bring forward the
tlmld, the reserved. and diffident youth.
who needs to be taken by the hand and
encouraged. But before any one is rec
commended to be supported by the funds
OF the church, let a fair trial be made of
MS capacity, at home. Let his first pro-
baton De In his fathers cottage, or in his
masters shop. There is too much en-
couragement given to young men to lean
on the arm of charity. 1t would be far
better to cast them for while on their
own resources. The remarks which | |
have made are not mere theory. A. A.
AN ENLIGHTENED HEATHEN.-Bv
many of the more enlightened heathens |
Divine Instructor was ardently desired. |
In ILLUSTRATION of this, the language off
Plato has been often cited; nor is it easy
10 conceive of any thing more conclusive
and striking than his picture of Socrates
advising his pupil to forego the usual sac.
rlflces until teacher should be sent from
on high. In another place. speaking of
such an inspired teacher. he represents,
with prophetic sagacity and precision.
that she must be poor, and void of all
qualifications but those of virtue alone:
that wicked world would not bear his
instructions and reproofs; and therefore
within three or fonr years after he began
TO preach, The would be prosecuted, i'm
prlsoned, scourged, and at last be put to
death" La this remarkable passage, we
behold the divine philosopher, rising from
mournful survey of human ignorance,
turning with an air of dependency from
every earthly resource, yet eagerly thirst
ng for knowledge of God, and virtue,
and futuriy. till his thirst grows into !
iesire for celestial aid, and his desire ma
ures to an anticipation, and even pre-
fiction, which God was actually intending ,
o fulfil. And in uttering the desire which !
lis words disclose. we may take it for 4,
granted, he was clothing the thoughts of /
thousand bosoms, venting the secret and :
cherished longings of unnumbered hearts. )
I we. though standing in the radiance of ;,
ne Sun" which has since risen on the :
world, are yet sometimes conscious of I'm /,
patience. and complain Of obscurity, what !,
nuSf havu hoon RI, ,r,iS hos and ,a.;.a :
ions ofthose who. with keen perception )
# their existence. were sitting in dark !,
less and the shadow of death 2-Dr. Har-
ass Great Teacher.