Each church is a school of mutual instruction in the great principles and precepts of the gospel; where the younger are benefitted by the experience of the older, and all by the collected wisdom of the body, and by that of the pastor, their common guide. And the result is strikingly obvious, in the known practical character of this body of Christians. Look at their movements in all the practical concerns of religious and social life. Look at their colleges, and schools, and other institutions, designed and sustained by them, for the good of the world. Look at their efficiency in missionary operations, and in all movements of reform. They are not merely devout worshipers within church walls, and decent people without; but, notoriously and eminently, they are intelligent, liberal, and efficient business Christians. They serve God, as well as worship Him.

CHAPTER III.

CHURCH COVENANT AND WATCH.

HAVING 'looked at the principles of these churches, we proceed to their practice. The duties of church membership will of course be prominent, but much, also, will appear, in the chapters which follow, which will concern the congregation at large.

On becoming members of the church, besides professing our faith, we enter into a covenant. This covenant

is, first, with God; and embraces the duties of piety towards him secondly, with the members; with whom we engage to live in Christian affection and harmony; to walk with them in a due observance of ordinances; to watch over them in faithfulnes and love, expecting the same from them; to support the discipline of the church, and to submit to the same; and, in general, to observe and do all which the interests of the body, and of the members, may justly require of us, and to refrain from all which may reasonably grieve, or injure them.

To love the brethren, next to the love of God, is first among these duties. Love is the soul of all. But I pass over whatever pertains to the religion of the affections, and confine myself, according to my design, to

the practical concerns of the religious social state. The first which I shall mention is, the

MUTUAL WATCH OF THE MEMBERS.

We covenant together to watch over each other's infirmities and errors; to observe each other with the eye of Christian affection and concern, and to give and receive reproof, as occasion may require.

Any member knowing of any thing in another, which is inconsistent with his character or hopes as a Christian, whether it be some impropriety of behavior, error of faith, or neglect of duty, is bound to notice it in a way of friendly admonition; or to take such other measures as he may conceive to be best suited to his amendment. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such an one." "Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him." This was a law of the Jewish church, as well as of the Christian. "Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him."*

Positive faults are the first objects of this duty; but besides these, we are bound to notice the danger a brother may be in, of committing a fault. If we see him exposed to fall,-heedless of the pit that is before him, or parleying with the enemy,-we do wrong to wait till he actually falls, before we admonish him,

* Gal. vi. 1; Luke xvii. 3; Levit. xix. 17.

There are those who, through their peculiar weaknesses or temptations, are ready to fall, and that daily, into "the sin which doth so easily beset" them, and need our kind preventive vigilance. Insensible of the approach of temptation, or too weak to resist it, how kind then, how salutary, the faithful voice of the brother, who, true to the trust which he has assumed and given, comes once and often, as the case may require, to waken, strengthen, and recall them! It was such a duty as this, that Jesus enjoined on Peter: And when thou art converted,—that is, after thy fall and recovery, in the matter of denying Christ,--strengthen thy brethren. The same is enjoined on all. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.”*

I think, too, that that general state of coldness, or declension in religious feeling, into which all are too apt to fall, is within the province of this duty. If we see some "waxing cold;" falling off from the accustomed prayer meeting; no more speaking out of the abundance of the heart, of the things of the kingdom; "sunk down with sleep ;" it is incumbent on us, I do not say to rebuke them, but affectionately to "stir them up by

* Luke xxii. 32; Gal. vi. 2; Heb. xii. 15, 16.