sober, steady, and diligent in his labors. In order to devise and execute those plans which will best promote his object, he must possess a full and accurate knowledge of the enterprise in which he is engaged; and while in the prosecution of his work, he should "expect great things, and attempt great things."

6. Good business-habits.

An agent ought in some degree, to have confidence in his own abilities; and yet be always ready to receive advice and assistance from others. He ought likewise to be quick in thought and movements, but not hasty in decision or action. It is desirable, that he should be a good financier-be strictly accurate in all pecuniary concerns, and scrupulously and punctiliously so, in collecting funds and accounting for them. He should be uniformly frank in all his conduct, and devoid of all deceptive practices and cunning craftiness in his proceedings. All he says and does should be in perfect accordance with truth-truth neither exaggerated nor diminished. Overstatements for the purpose of accomplishing an object are not to be approved. The doctrine; that the end will justify the means, is never to be adopted. He should, too, be habitually exact in all his transactions, and punctual in all his engagements-ever acting under a realizing sense of his responsibility to the great Head of the church, and also to some public board. This is necessary for his own safety and defence, as well as a guarantee to the community for the faithful discharge of his duties.

7. Gentleness and liberality in feeling and conduct.

An agent ought to be exempt from selfish or sinister motives and purposes, sectarian prejudices and local partialities,-disposed to gratify the community in their predilections, so far as is consistent with truth and duty. He ought to possess a large soul-one that can overlook trifles, and will not descend to low measures-one that is charitable towards those of different views and feelings,

and will embrace in its benevolence the great family of man. He ought also to be devoid of affectation, or a magisterial air, and to possess and exhibit high and commanding principles of action. Never should he be guilty of incivility or misbehavior towards any individual, because he happens not to think with him in relation to his object, or to contribute to it so largely as he would desire. Soft words and a winning manner should characterize one who is to act in the official capacity of a public agent. He should, too, ever treat with all due respect the ministers of the gospel, and enter their inclosures only by the door, remembering, that each one of them is bishop in his own diocese; nor should he ever interfere with the concerns of the minister, or church, or parish. Nothing like dictation should appear in his feelings, manner, or conduct. It will be a happy circumstance, if he shall have been a pastor, as he will then know the views, feelings, and rights, of those in that situation, and be able so to demean himself as to meet their approbation.

8. Deep interest in the cause of benevolence generally. A person who acts as an agent should be favorably disposed towards all the Christian enterprises of the present day, and exercise the most fraternal spirit towards those individuals who conduct them. While he should never view his own object as the only one worthy the attention of all Christendom, nor perhaps as the most important; nor infringe on the rights and prerogatives of those who may have fellowship with him in the same or other benevolent societies; he should, however, possess full confidence in the cause he espouses, love it, and be ardently engaged in its promotion. This he may do and not disparage kindred institutions, but regard them as necessary parts of the great whole. He should, too, be capable of strong emotions, and be so engrossed with the cause of benevolence, as to labor indefatigably with body and mind; feeling, that "the king's business requires haste,"

and that "it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing."

9. Entire devotedness to the enterprise in view. In carrying forward the affairs of this world, there must be a division of labor. All cannot perform the same or every part of the work which is to be done. This is so in the nature of things, and this being true, every individual should perform the service which falls to him. An agent, therefore, should consider himself as wholly set apart to the employment assigned him, -as exclusively devoted to it in thought, purpose, and action. In this way he will accomplish more, and all interferences and jealousies will be prevented. As a general thing, it is not expedient, that an agent should perform the business which peculiarly belongs to pastors; nor is it wise, for an agent of one benevolent society to take an active part in managing the concerns of another similar society. Evils have arisen, and evils ordinarily will arise, from such a course of procedure.

10. Circumspection in conversation and deportment.

The conversation of an agent should be principally on the subject of his agency. His affections should be absorbed in his own cause, and then, out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth will speak. He should be strictly

a

confidential man,-one who will neither tell all he knows, nor disclose secrets. Some men seem to glory in revealing every thing, as well as knowing every thing. But no man is more to be dreaded or despised, than one who goes about retailing what ought to be his own secrets or the secrets of others. Such conduct in an agent will be detrimental to himself, or to the cause he espouses. He ought, therefore, to set a watch at the door of his lips, and at the same time to maintain such a deportment generally towards those with whom he associates, as rather to prevent, than invite, too much inquisitiveness on their part. His whole conversation and intercourse with indi

viduals, families, and the great community, ought to be holy, and to have a sanctifying effect. Wherever he is, or in whatsoever circumstances, he should endeavor to lead all to God, and to devotedness in the cause of the Redeemer. In all his deportment, he should, too, be very observant of the courtesies of life, and never suffer those families whose hospitality he enjoys, to be incommoded on his account. A gentlemanly, unobtrusive manner, is peculiarly becoming. There is a heedlessness much to be reprobated, and an undefined courtesy much to be approved. 11. Freedom from a contentious disposition.

Possessing the spirit of meekness, forbearance, and kindness, an agent should refrain from petty strifes, and maintain, at all times, and in all places, the dignity which becomes the ministerial character. He ought never to permit himself, in the common acceptation of the term, to dispute with those with whom he associates, or to come in collision with any class of people whatever. He should be free from a censorious, fault-finding spirit, and abstain from all sectarian and unnecessary controversies, being so much engrossed in his own peculiar business, as to leave no time for such subjects, feeling also, that he is "doing a great work and cannot come down" to engage in things of this nature. Were this the case, more harmony would subsist even among agents representing the different denominations, and engaged in subjects the most exciting; and thus, through their instrumentality, party feelings and sectarian jealousies might be allayed.

12. A good classical and theological education. Knowledge is power, in every department of human life and action, and no less so in the ministry, than in other professions. This is true also in respect to agents. A good education will ordinarily be necessary to qualify them for their work, and to obtain for them respect with the literary and religious, and I may add irreligious, part

of the community. And this education permanent agents must acquire, before commencing their agency, for after entering upon it, they will have no time to obtain it, and, -had they time, their minds would not be suitably prepared to do it. This remark applies but partially to those agents who are temporarily employed. Most men, uneducated in the business to which they are devoted, are predisposed to be radical in their principles and conduct. As a general thing, this is true not only of those of this description in the learned professions, but also in the other occupations of life. Not having been disciplined like those regularly taught, they are very likely to possess in many respects feelings and sentiments different from others, and, consequently, to conduct in a manner that will be diverse. It is on this account desirable, that an agent should be regularly and thoroughly educated. He will also be much happier in the society of those who are thus educated, than he would be were he destitute of such an education.

13. Eminent piety.

Above all things, an agent ought to possess piety, piety of the highest order, the most ardent and devoted; not periodical, but uniform piety. His heart should glow with love to God and man. He should feel, that all he is, and has, and can do, is Christ's, wholly Christ's, -consecrated to the promotion of his cause and the honor of his name. A desire for the glory of Jehovah and the salvation of men, together with a deep sense of dependence on God for success in his enterprise, ought ever to be prevalent in his mind. Such piety will inspire him with courage and incite him to vigorous efforts, -efforts which will be accompanied with humble, fervent, importunate, and persevering prayer.

The intercourse of such an agent with the community will ever be sanctifying; and his addresses will impress