parental heart was grieved that they should so soon forsake him, and listen to the voice of strangers, who sought to lead them away from the simplicity that is in Christ.

This part of the Apostle's history affords an useful lesson to faithful ministers, to watch over their flocks with jealous care, and not to withhold the wholesome reproof, though it may deeply wound; for "faithful are the wounds of a friend."

Of all the offices held by man, none is so important in its nature, and awful in its responsibilities, as that of the CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, however much it may be despised by an ungodly world, or unhappily dishonoured by the unseemly conduct of some who sustain it.

Glorious indeed will be the reward of that man, who, in the spirit of St. Paul, takes upon himself the care of souls, and solemnly engages in the presence, and through the grace of Jesus, "to teach and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's family; to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children, who are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ for ever."

May all who enter into this sacred office, "never cease their labours, their care and diligence, until they have done all that lieth in them, according to their bounden duty, to bring all such as are, or shall be committed to their charge, unto that agreement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ,

that there be no place left among us, either for error in religion, or for viciousness of life."

The will and ability to perform so great a work, is given of God alone; hence arises the need for earnest prayer, that the Holy Spirit may impart those gifts and graces which are peculiarly requisite in an ambassador of Christ.

"Would I describe a preacher, such as Paul
Were he on earth, would hear, approve, and own,
Paul should himself direct me. I would trace
His master-strokes, and draw from his design.
I would express him simple, grave, sincere ;
In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain,
And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste,
And natural in gesture; much impress'd
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly, that the flock he feeds
May feel it too; affectionate in look,
And tender in address, as well becomes
A messenger of grace to guilty men."

This bright example of a Gospel minister, the Apostle held forth to us in his own experience, spirit, and conduct. As his labours were incessant, so also were his solicitudes for the welfare of the Church of God. In enumerating his trials, he mentions last, as if to mark its peculiar greatness, that which came upon him daily, "the care of all the churches."

We cannot forbear to mention another instance of his uncompromising firmness when ministerial reproof was needed. He deeply lamented the evils which disfigured the Corinthian church: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of

our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you my brethren, by them which are of the house of Cloe, that there are contentions among you. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you, envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man. I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase."

Discarding all idea of personal merit, the disinterested Apostle strikes at the root of popular applause and party spirit. By his deep insight into the human heart, he saw the source from whence these evils sprang-that love of change, that fondness for novelty, that captious spirit, that itching ear, that setting up of one minister above another, which divided the church, and engendered strifes and contentions amongst them. With unwearied solicitude he laboured to counteract these growing evils, that "all who professed and called themselves Christians, might be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in the unity of the

spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life."

St. Paul was well aware that an enemy had done this. As the kingdom of Christ is extended by union, gentleness, and love, so Satan increases his dominion by discord, strife, and hatred.

Knowing the depths of this arch-deceiver, and being jealous for the Truth, he forewarned the Corinthians against his delusions: "There must be heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest." Is not this a word in season? Do not errors and divisions even now weaken the Christian Church, and tarnish her glory? Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments unspotted from sin.

With equal fidelity he apprized the Christians at Rome to beware of schismatics, who would endanger their peace and unity :-" I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple."

This unwearied labourer was the more anxious for their preservation from these evils, as they were in a prosperous spiritual condition:-" For"he adds" your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet, I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly."

These instances are sufficient to show, that St. Paul was a faithful reprover, that he feared not the face of man. While others were dissembling, or courting popular applause, he could say with honest Nehemiah: "But so did not I, because of the fear of God."

As a Christian, and a preacher of righteousness, the Apostle was obedient to the reigning Power and cheerfully submitted to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake. His religion was the religion of peace and good order, not of strife and confusion. "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker. Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth." While the rebellious sinner exclaims; Who is Lord over us?-the humble Christian cultivates a spirit of reverential love.

In drawing a sketch of the Apostle's conduct and preaching, we must notice his important exhortations to the duty of Christian obedience to civil government. Having revealed to Titus, the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ, he subjoins: "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee. Put them in mind to be subject to principalities, and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work; to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.”

How beautifully does the Christian character shine forth in this admonition. Were all rulers and subjects brought under the holy influence of the Gospel, then "truth and justice, brotherly