Year: 1864




The pastoral relation is quite much affected as
any other by the peculiar character of the times
through which we passing. 1t is not that new
duties suggested for that relation embraces al
ready the entire circle Of human life, but that the
old offices are now called for in changed proportions.
Let US specify instance or two of these changes


The " haste to be rich" which has always been
a crying evil in our land, and has always needed
rebuke, has swelled to such dimensions, has fast
ened itself on SO many hearts, has eaten deeply
into the very life Of so many, that he who has been
entrusted with the of souls may we'll feel that
all his energies are doubly tasked to meet and
resist it. His duty calls on him for singular plain
ness of speech, not in set terms and general
defamation but in distinct application to the sew
eral consciences of those of his charge who have
exposed themselves to this fearful peril How far
the evil can be checked, in this way even, may
admit of doubt. Yet some may be saved by it.
And there is no other way. To take this course
demands no slight degree of courage, and no ordi.
nary share of prudence. 1t may call for much
thought involve much perplexity, require much
prayerfulness and watching; and he must now as
never before, think and watch and pray for the
misguided ones who are of his flock, lest what is
their great danger prove their ruin.


Again, our land is full Of sorrow It is as Ra-
chael weeping for her children hardly village
any where which is not mourning for stout hearted
men gone down prematurely to the grave, hardly
household through the length and breadth of the
land, whose spirits are not in heavness for fathers
or sons or brothers, whom this cruel war has taken
away from their eyes forever. Then should all
priestly mnstrations be marked by peculiar ten
derness and depth of sympathy. Then should the
consultations of the GOspel-as Gods providence has
given them nearness of accessible brought near by
him, also to the bowed and heart. broken. Then
should be stand in his Master's place, and lift UP
the PROSTATE with his promises and mpart to "the
weary and heavy laden the strength and refresh,
ment and grace which that Master has commission
ed him to give. In these days of trouble and af1c
ton, when the strength of men is so paiuly shown
to be but weakness, and all earthly supports to be
only broken reeds the hearts of multudes are turn
ing themselves in secret hope and preparton to the
Lord, to find in Him that comfort and sustaining
power which their old relances can no longer give
All such to be sought out diligently and guided
with patient care in that way to which their own
grlelS point them and in which our Lord is now so
clearly calling them to walk. Then, too there are
many who are in danger. of being hardened by their
attiiction. They "refuse to be comforted." They
will see no kindness IN the hand that has smitten
them. They are almost ready to "curse God and
die" These likewise, should be sought out and
taught more cheerful faith and better way
They should be especial objects of the Pastors care
and sympathy and labor, as being in a peculiar
peril; for we believe that Christ our Saviour who
loves all men with divine love, looks also with
singular compassion on those whom their misery
has made wayward. Let the Priest, then, initiate
His heavenly pity and care for these as for sheep
gone astray.


Is not this time too, in which the Sacraments,
and particularly the Lords Supper, should be min.
stered, if not more frequently, certainly with more
earnest faith and solemn preparation? Should not
the people be now taught as they have not usually
been, and urged with affectionate importantly to
make much of what Christ hath so graciously insti-
tuted for them and gather from it the strengthen
ing grace which in it He so freely givesP
So much may indicate the kind of change the
changed aspect of the times has wrought in the du-
| ties of the Clergy. We may instance the altered
duty of the Laty in point only, though in their
case the changes are hardly less manifold The
great body of them have very much increased their
wealth. Many of them ohave become rich beyond
all their former dreams of accumulation Should not
the old proportion at least of this increase be given
into the treasury of the Lords house? Should not,
at least in this if not in much larger measure the
| means be provided for the Churchs benefactions
Now as ever, her institutions to be maintained,
her Clergy supported the ignorant to be instructed
the poor to be relieved She must look to her lay
men for the to do all this. Surely the claims
of their duty cannot be satisfied by their giving
| they gave in former times. Rather should their
hearts be enlarged their wealth has been enlarged
the need for their gifts has become greater. The
| providence Of God has given them an opportunity
of showing as they have never before been able to
show, the generous impulses of their nature, their
gratitude to Him. their love for his cause If they
prove unfaithful to this call which so plainly lie
| makes on them, we may well fear that their added
riches will prove only curse, and the unworthy
steward be stripped Of that imagined wealth which
he held so closely, and would not use in his Masters
serVice-Church hrtelligeneer.