CHAPTER VI.

HIS CONDUCT IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE CHURCH-CHURCH VISITATIONS-LETTERS OF ADMONITION TO OFFENDERS

-REASONS

FOR NOT DISMISSING A MEMBER OF HIS CHURCH TO THE WORLD, NOR TO AN UNITARIAN CHURCH -LETTER ON THE DELUSIONS OF MORMONISM-ATTENTION TO RESIDENT STRANGERS IN THE CITY.

HE had learned how to "behave himself in the house of God, the pillar and ground of the truth," "giving none offence, but pleasing all men in all things; not seeking his own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved." He won the entire confidence of the church, and ever secured a ready acquiescence in all his plans and propositions; nor was he slow to propose any measure that seemed to him to be demanded by the exigencies of the times. "In all cases in which he presided at meetings," says one, "I never saw him but once give a direct rebuke to a church member; and then, he seemed like one moved by the Holy Ghost-full of meekness, yet authoritative. So deeply was it felt that all his plans were the result of prayer, that however startling or unusual they might be, no disastrous results were apprehended from them, under his direction." None could more successfully drive a point of duty; and none were ever less chargeable with driving men, for in securing the ends he

aimed at, he used only that kind persuasion which is dictated by "fellowship with Jesus," and readily yielded any point of minor importance to the ignorance or prejudice of those whose views were less enlarged than his own; while his eye was steadily fixed on his main object.

It was his peculiar happiness to be able to bring the various talents of the several members of his church into active exercise, as occasion required. And holding it as an established truth in the Christian economy, that growth in grace is promoted by activity in works of faith and labors of love, such occasions were seldom wanting. "Teaching we learn, and giving we retain," is a maxim that no church member would venture to deny, nor be able to forget, under his ministry. The inactive Christian, must ever be but a shrub of stinted growth in the garden of the Lord, instead of a well-proportioned "tree of righteousness;" and his uselessness can hardly fail to be manifest to all, in the light of a devoted pastor's example.

He had always in view something more than simply to preserve the piety of his church from extinction; he aimed to impart to it the glowing warmth of the best days of Christianity, and to give it the consistency and beauty which should constrain the admiration of an unbelieving world. Hence he was led to propose an annual visitation of all the members of the church, and of as many members of the congregation as wished it, by committees both of male and female members, for serious conversation and prayer. By this means the church members became intimately acquainted with each other, and any individuals in the congregation being in an anxious state of mind, and unknown to their pastor, were brought to his knowledge. Let such a plan of visitation be universally adopted in our churches, and faithfully prosecuted, and it admits not of doubt that they would at once arise from the dust, and put on their beautiful garments, and constrain the ac

knowledgment of their consistency and strength from thousands who now hold their professions and distinctive badges in derision,

His views on this subject will best be learned from a brief address once made to the church, at the commencement of one of these general visitations.

"There are few, if any, more important duties than those which are connected with our situation in our respective families; and here, every parent and every head of a family, who is sensible of his responsibility, and of his temptations to unfaithfulness, deeply feels his need of the prayers and the Christian exhortations of the brethren. And is the honor of religion concerned in the general walk of a private individual? Much more must the honor of religion be concerned in the example and conversation and instruction given, by which a whole family is influenced and moulded in a course of preparation for becoming sources of blessing or cursing to the church of God.

"The course of religious visits which the church are now making to each other's families, is manifestly sanctioned and enforced by the command of the apostle'Exhort one another daily, while it is called TO-DAY; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.' This course will open the door for the most important kind of friendly and brotherly exhortation; and, accompanied by the Spirit of God, I anticipate the most happy results. It is proposed by the brethren of the church to visit immediately, in companies of two, every family in the church, and likewise those families in the congregation who may particularly request it.

"Much will depend on the manner in which these visits shall be performed. On this point, therefore, I shall suggest a few thoughts.

"Those who make these visits should be careful to have their own minds in a spiritual frame; and should make it a subject of special prayer, that the Spirit of God may accompany them. They should earnestly intercede for all the members of the family visited, and, that salvation may come to that house. Go with your heart full of love to the souls whom you are to meet, realizing their infinite worth, and that they must be converted, if they have not been, or perish eternally. Go clothed with humility, feeling your utter unworthiness of being honored as the instruments of quickening the children of God or converting sinners, and your utter insufficiency, without the Holy Ghost to give you thoughts and words, and to open the hearts of those with, whom you converse. Go, however, strong in faith, giving glory to God. Go pleading the promises, that God hath never said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain; and especially that precious promise, 'It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy; and on my servants and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit.'

"There should also be a preparation on the part of the family to be visited. They should make it a subject of special prayer in secret, and at the family altar; make it an occasion of serious self-examination, and of reviewing the manner in which they have walked before their household, and how far God has been honored or dishonored in their family. The head of the family, and any others to whom the duty may fall, should speak affectionately and solemnly to all the members, on the importance of improving the visit to their own spiritual and eternal good, reminding them that God will be present, and will call them at last to a solemn account for this and for all their privileges.

"When the brethren come into your families for this purpose, let no time be lost; remember it is to be an affectionate, solemn, and strictly religious visit. Let your families be collected, and let every facility possible be given, that all the members of your family may be profited. I should recommend that the visits be shortperhaps within the compass of an hour, and attended with prayer. If proper arrangements be made, and suitable topics introduced, and the Spirit of God be present with you, much may be accomplished in a short time.

"Should it be asked, What topics ought to be dwelt upon at these visits? I reply, this must depend in part on circumstances; but I will suggest a few things. Let the head of the family, without loss of time, make a statement of the spiritual condition of the several members, and the religious instruction given in the family. This would open profitable subjects of remark, furnish means of making the conversation more appropriate, and likewise give occasion to mutual information and improvement on the religious government and instruction of a family. Then you might speak of the gracious covenant which God makes with believers and their households-its obligations, its duties, and its blessings; the responsibility of the parental relation—that on it, God has suspended to a great extent the character and the eternal condition of happiness or wo of the children. You may speak of the worth of the soul; of death, how soon it may clothe that family with mourning; the solemn day of judgment, and the separation which will then take place between believing parents and their impenitent children. You may dwell on the importance of a new heart, and its absolute necessity in order for any solid happiness here, and for admission into heaven.

"These are some of the subjects on which you will do well to converse at these religious visits. And if this