eminently it qualifies for usefulness-how it arms the soul agains every enemy, and guards it against every danger. Let him con sider the power of the Spirit of God for sowing this living an spiritual seed in great abundance-the promise of the Lord t increase the indwelling of the truth-and the suitable means the the Lord hath appointed for that end. Let him remember the growth in the divine life depends upon growth in the knowledg and faith of the truth. 1 Pet. ii. 2. "As new-born babes, desir the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." I more of this living seed be not sown in the heart, it is not possible that the soul should be more fruitful. In making this assertion the influence of the Spirit of God is not overlooked, but the means by which he works in making the souls of the saints more fruitful, is kept in view: it is by means of truth; by sowing that living seed more abundantly in the heart. What is it that makes a babe in Christ a young man? The more abundant indwelling of the truth. What is it that makes a young man in Christ a father? The still more abundant indwelling of the truth—not an increase of the living seed in them merely, but that with the great effects produced by it in the experience and practice.

May your ministers, through divine grace, so preach, and may you so hear, that by means of preaching, as an ordinance of God, your souls may be more and more enriched with the indwelling of that word of truth which is the power of God unto salvation. May you be fed with knowledge and with understanding. And may you, in your retirement, so read, and search ́and study the scriptures of eternal truth, that you may be "perfect men of God, thoroughly furnished unto every good work."

S. M.

EVANGELICAL ACADEMIES.

THE gospel is a blessing, the value of which exceeds all calculation. The discoveries which it makes, and the hope which it inspires, the sanctity which it imparts, and the consolation which it affords, are infinitely important.

God has deposited the treasure of the gospel in earthern vessels, not for concealment, but for communication. To publish the "Good news" of salvation is the main business of a chrisdan minister. The commission, "Go into all the world, and

preach the Gospel to every creature," continues in full force to this day. The great Head of the church ever lives to qualify men for the discharge of it, and by his blessing to ensure them

success.

An ability and a disposition to preach the gospel for the instruction and edification of others, have ever been justly deemed essential qualifications of a christian minister. These qualifications suppose, in the first instance, the possession of unfeigned piety; for though ministerial gifts are quite distinct from christian grace, yet he who is not a christian cannot with propriety be a christian minister. How can the man who is not himself experimentally acquainted with the truth-who has no sense of its excellency, and of its importance, be qualified to recommend it to the cordial acceptation of others?

Personal religion is therefore of high necessity, and absolutely an indispensible qualification for the work of the ministry. But it is not the sole pre-requisite. Every "good" man is not qualified to be a minister. There are gifts of a peculiar kind which Christ bestows for this work. He who possesses these gifts is not. only desirous of instructing others, but is, as the Apostle expresses it, "Apt to teach." He is endowed with "talents," as well as a "disposition" to impart knowledge.

It is not meant, however, to be insinuated, that super-eminent natural powers, or extraordinary genius, are indispensibly necessary to a preacher of the gospel: but a clear understanding, a sound judgment, and a convincing and persuasive manner of communicating instruction, are, it must be allowed, both desirable and important. For, as a writer pertinently remarks, "How should he who has little or no discernment, state and explain divine truths? He, who has no ability to compare and separate ideas, reason and infer? He, who has no inventive faculty, or power of recollection, illustrate and persuade ? and he who cannot arrange and methodize his thoughts, instruct and edify? These qualifications are the gifts of God, and where they are not good degree bestowed, the person, it is presumed, is not called to preach."

in some

That natural talents are susceptible of improvement is an updoubted fact. We therefore plead the expediency and propriety of affording to pious young men, who are considered to possess ministerial gifts, and who are desirous of devoting themselves to the work of preaching the gospel, the means of cultivation and

Improvement.

Vol. V.

B

There are indeed few studies which may not more or less subserve the ministerial calling, but some branches of knowledge, it is acknowledged, more immediately connect themselves with the duties of a minister than others.

It must surely be allowed, that it is highly desirable at all times, and more especially at a time when education so generally obtains, that the public teachers of religion should understand, not only the language by which they convey their ideas to others, but have also some acquaintance with the principles of composition and arrangement.

To be capable of consulting the languages in which the divine oracles were originally written, and of perusing the works of the "Fathers," and "first christian writers" upon their meaning, must be highly satisfactory and advantageous to a Theolo gical Student.

Nor can it admit a doubt, that a general acquaintance with "History," and more especially, "Ecclesiastical History," both Jewish and Christian; and the various "Customs," of different nations, is of considerable importance.

A knowledge of the "Jewish Theocracy," and "Polity," and the various "rites" and "laws" joined the ancient Hebrews; the just points of analogy and of disterence between the present and former dispensations, are of great moment in forming a correct judgment respecting "positive Institutes."

Some acquaintance with "natural Philosophy," which is no other than an acquaintance with the works of God, affords rational entertainment to a thinking mind, and tends, at the same time, to enlarge and to elevate its conceptions, in reference to the infinite perfections of the eternal God.

"Ethics," or the science of morals, which define the nature, and ascertain the grounds and limits of human obligation, are of inconceivable use in deciding on the awful controversy between God and his rebellious creatures, in demonstrating the total depravation, and enormous guilt of the latter, and in "justifying the ways of God to men."

That a "learned" education is not essential to the discharge of the duties of the christian ministry, is readily granted; yet that sound learning has, in every age of the Church, been auseful handmaid to the cause of christianity cannot be denied. “To her successful aid we are indebted for the best demonstrations of the being and perfections of God, the noblest defence of die

vine revelation, and the most satisfactory illustrations and proofs of the peculiar doctrines of the gospel."

We might refer to characters in our own denomination, who, by their learning and other excellent endowments, have essentially served the cause of christianity. The names of Gill, of Brine, of Stennett, and of Booth, to mention no more, are justly held in great veneration in all our churches; men of the first respectability for learning and piety; and who, though dead, will ever live by their excellent works to instruct and edify the church of Christ.

In the present day, when infidelity is industriously propagated in all directions, and among all classes in the community, it is surely desirable that among the friends of "Evangelical truth," there should be persons competent to meet the adversaries on their own grounds; and who may successfully encounter and expose the sophisms by which thousands are deluded.

Impressed with these sentiments, many of the friends of the Baptist denomination, both in London and the Country, have of late years used considerable exertions in establishing "Seminaries" for the education of pious young men, who may be recommended by the Churches as possessing talents for the Christian Ministry. To their plan, no objection, it is presumed, can arise in the minds of serious and considerate persons. Were the object in view to introduce into the christian ministry young men who gave no satisfactory evidence of a real change of heart, or who appeared to possess no promising talents for the work, the countenance and support of those who are well-wishers to the prosperity of Zion might be justly withheld, as an unsanctified ministry, it is well known, has ever proved its greatest bane; but to assist those who appear to be called of God to the work, previous to their entering on a regular and stated discharge of the duties of it, in acquiring useful knowledge, and thereby rendering them more acceptable and better qualified, appears to be a. measure adapted most essentially to serve the interests of religion. These "Seminaries" are established on the same general principles as the ancient "Schools of the Prophets," namely, "for the improvement of gifts already possessed." A Student, patronized by these Societies, is an Apollos, "learning the way of the Lord more perfectly." A Timothy, "stirring up the gift that is in him"-"devoting himself to reading, and meditation, that his profiting may appear to all."

These "Institutions" have a strong claim on the generosity

of wealthy persons, and especially those of our own denomination; from whose zealous and united exertions they naturally seek patronage and support, The warm countenance and recommendation of our Ministers, it is hoped, they cannot fail of receiving. Such as are favoured with a liberal education must be sufficiently sensible of their distinguished privileges, and will naturally wish that others may enjoy those advantages of which they know the worth; and such of our brethren as have not been so favoured, will earnestly wish, without a doubt, that their successors in the work may possess an advantage, the want of which they have always greatly lamented,

Peckham, Nov. 5, 1812.

T. T.

Gentlemen,

ON THE TARES IN THE FIELD.

To the Editors of the Baptist Magazine.

GAIUS, in his Answer to the Query on the "Tares in the Field," has made it sufficiently plain, that the parable is not to be interpreted as having a political meaning, or as giving directions to statesmen and magistrates. But applying the parable to Church discipline, and comparing it with other parts of the New Testament, it does not appear to me that Gaius has removed the difficulty proposed.

He observes; "It is not therefore to openly ungodly charac ters that the parable refers; but to hypocrites, who, though they 'do iniquity,' yet, do it in so secret a way as to elude detection. Nothing worse could be proved against them, than that their reJigion was doubtful." Is not this language at variance with that of the parable? (see v, 26-29.) "Then appeared the tares also." Was this appearance "in so secret a way as to elude detection?" Was the matter “doubtful?" The tares appeared, and appeared as tares. The servants were decided in their opinion. They knew them to be tares, and upon their knowledge founded an address to the housholder: "Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?" Nothing here of mistaking tares for wheat, or of waiting “till their character should develope itself." All is evident and plain, and the fact is admitted by the housholder, who replies; “An enemy bath done this," that is, "the devil." I conclude from the face of the parable, that the tares were discerned and discriminated