"knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." (Ps. 103 14.) "Who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Cor. 26.) The very nature of the ministerial office is a perpetual plea for the penitent acknowledgment of the personal unworthiness of its administrators, and for the most diligent efforts, on their part, to become more conformable to the likeness of Christ. The ministry is not supplied by the saints in light, or by angels, but by imperfect men.

2. The great requisite of piety is its sincerity. God seeks "truth in the inward parts." (Ps. 51: 6.) A true desire to become what God would have us to be, goes far to secure higher measures of excellence. Present imperfections are thoroughly undermined by genuine love. Piety has the prospect of vigorous life, when sincerity is ever moving it forward in the ways of Christian experience.

3. Grace is promised to the believer "according to his day." (2 Cor. 12: 9.) In the midst of trials and temptations, the Lord is ever present to strengthen his servants. He will not forsake those whom he calls to the work of the ministry. "Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world" (Matt. 28: 20), is a specific pledge of help in time of need, and to the end of time.

4. Sanctification is, in its nature, a progressive work. It implies the mortification of sin and the cultivation of holiness. The habits of the new life are developed and strengthened by exercise. The grace of God, which begins the good work in the heart, is able to carry it on unto the end. Sanctification tends to perfection, but is not perfected in the present state. Nevertheless, constant progress is the law of Divine grace, in the human soul. "We all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Cor. 3: 18.)

It is deserving of remark, in this connection, that, as the mind of the student experiences the expansion of literary discipline and of knowledge, during his preparatory course of study, so his heart has the opportunity of growing into greater maturity of religion. The objection of inadequate piety may be overcome, by Divine grace, in the diligent use of Scriptural means, just as the objection of insufficient mental qualification is overcome by proper diligence in study.

5. There is danger in either extreme,-of self-distrust or of selfconfidence. Humility is among the earliest and the latest fruits of piety. A low estimate of our own spiritual condition, if genuine, will lead to a greater dependence upon the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and thus to increased spiritual vigor. Self-confidence, on the other hand, tends to hardness of heart. The best condition of piety is when lowliness of mind is connected with a firm faith, and when Christian love looks up to God for spiritual aid in the zealous and conscientious discharge of every duty. God dwells in the

hearts of his contrite ones. He "resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble." (James, 4: 6.)

Meditations like these may serve to convince the pious candidate, that notwithstanding his present imperfections, he has great encouragement to thank God and to take courage. There is hope for the gradual and permanent growth of his spiritual graces. He is not, indeed, what he ought to be; but he may say, "By the grace of God, I am what I am." (1 Cor. 15: 10.)

If the candidate has any doubt of his piety, he should seek to renew his first love by repentance. (Rev. 2: 5.) The fact that he has undertaken to lead others into the paths of righteousness, increases his obligations to consecrate himself to the glory of Christ in eminent personal godliness.

II. Another source of anxiety to young men, in their views of the Christian ministry, is THE WANT OF SATISFACTORY EVIDENCES OF A DIVINE CALL TO THE WORK.

A mistake on so vital a point involves the most serious consequences.

1. Let it be distinctly understood that this subject, like others pertaining to the kingdom of grace, has its difficulties. God does not ordinarily grant to his children a degree of illumination that relieves the mind from the process of careful examination. The arduous task of solving probabilities respecting the Divine will, is one of the common conditions of the religious life. Many treatises have been written to define and illustrate the nature of a call to the Gospel ministry.* The views of others are always of use in assisting to form a right judgment. Each student, however, will be compelled to seek the evidences of a call by going directly to the throne of grace for light and guidance. No one has a right to expect exemption from the ordinary trials which encompass the path of believers.

2. The difficulty of discovering God's will is a test of character. Were a superficial examination all that was requisite, many might enter the ministry whose motives and qualifications would be soon discovered to be doubtful, or radically deficient. The ways of the Lord are right ways. He proves his children, and tries their hearts. (Deut. 8: 2.) The perils of the wilderness are the pathway to Canaan. Difficulties are God's tests; and the Christian ought to be prepared to meet them.

3. Difficulties concerning God's will commonly disappear by patiently waiting upon him. The Holy Spirit can alone designate any one to the sacred office; and of course, the illumination, requisite to satisfy the mind and conscience of the inquirer, must be

Among these, are treatises by the late Dr. Ezra Fisk, which was republished in the first volume of "Home, School, and the Church;" by Professor Hope, of Princeton College; by Dr. William Neill; and by Dr. James Wood, Associate Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Education.

sought from above. The judgment of the Church cannot be substituted for a divine call, any more than its declaration of belief in the piety of an applicant for the communion can supersede the personal conviction of the individual. Every one must be fully persuaded in his own mind. "No man taketh this honour to himself; but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." (Heb. 10: 3.) Light is given to those who seek it. "To the upright there arises light in darkness." (Ps. 12: 4.) Importunate prayer never had a clearer place in the private exercises of religion than in reference to our personal duty to the Lord of the harvest. "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" is a question, which, if asked in the right spirit, will receive in due time the right answer.

4. The principles, that control the decision of this subject, are not in themselves mysterious, or abstruse. Gifts suitable to the discharge of the duties of the ministry are necessary in every one who seeks the office. "Every office necessarily presupposes the corresponding gift. Man may appoint men to offices for which they have not the necessary gifts; but God never does, any more than he ordains the foot to see, or the hand to hear. . . . The only evidence of a call to an office, is the possession of the requisite gifts. If a man received the gift of prophecy, he was thereby called to be a prophet; or if he received the gift of healing, he was thereby called to exercise that gift. So if any man has received ministerial gifts, he has received a call to the ministry. What those gifts are, the Bible has taught us. They are such as these: soundness in the faith, competent knowledge, ability to teach, the love of Christ and zeal for his glory, an intelligent conviction of an obligation to preach the Gospel, and in short, the qualifications which are necessary in one who is to be an example and guide of the flock of Jesus Christ. The office of the Church in the matter is, first to examine whether the candidate for the ministry really possesses ministerial gifts; and then, if satisfied on that point, authoritatively to declare its judgment in the appointed way.'

5. The indistinctness and uncertainty of early impressions are not to be regarded as proofs that God does not designate a person to the work of the ministry. There are different modes of procedure in the divine government, but it is "the same Spirit that worketh all in all." (1 Cor. 11: 21.) An immediate and personal call was given to Andrew and Peter, to James and John. Paul received his commission in a miraculous manner. God ordinarily, at the present day, enforces the claims of the ministry in a mode analogous to the determination of other questions involving responsibility and duty. Some persons have clearer evidences than others; few possess, from the beginning, unequivocal signs of the divine will; all make progress towards clearness of conviction. The mere existence of doubt, at any stage of the inquirer's investigation, especially at its beginning, cannot be interpreted into a divine negative.

* Dr. Hodge's Commentary on 1 Corinthians, 12:28.

It is to be feared that many make a fatal mistake at this very point. Not obtaining at once, or readily, a satisfactory view of their duty to serve God in the ministry, they become discouraged, and turn off into secular occupations. A great loss occurs, in this way, to the individual and to the Church through a decision lacking the true elements of heavenly guidance.

Whilst the inquirer must beware of discouragement, he must not, on the other hand, be too easily persuaded to enter upon the ministerial work. Anxious deliberation is due to God, to the Church, and to his own soul. If, after sufficient investigation, he cannot obtain rational evidences of his heavenly Master's call, let him, with all humility and fidelity, go forth to serve Him in some other way. A call to the ministry is, in its nature, positive; it implies a definite and intelligent conviction that it is God's will that the individual should engage in this sacred employment. Where this conviction is absent, no one has a right to preach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Young men often find difficulties in THE WANT OF PECUNIARY

MEANS.

The records of the Church prove the Divine declaration, that "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called;" and that consequently "not many," from these classes, are appointed to the work of the ministry. It is the law of grace and of providence that a large proportion of the ambassadors of Christ should be taken from the humbler walks of life. Our blessed Lord himself was born in a manger. The trials of severe poverty marked his whole Mediatorial career. Let no pious young man be cast down! "It is sufficient for the disciple that he be as his Master." (Luke 10: 20.)

The Church comes to the aid of her pious youth in their arduous efforts to obtain an education. The systematic benevolence of the people of God can best answer the demands of the case. The Church proceeds on the principle, that it is her duty, as well as her privilege, to assist in the education of all her meritorious and indigent sons, who seem called of God to the work of the ministry. Her offers of aid are designed to encourage the deserving. Whilst the amount is not large enough to become a temptation, it is not so small as to repel hope. It is, in ordinary cases, a stimulant for the candidate to seek other means, if required, through his own personal agency; either by teaching for a season, by colportage, or by manual labour in agricultural or mechanical pursuits. This timely aid, secured through the Church, in a parental and delicate manner, has encouraged many of her sons to commence the literary preparations of their profession, and has sustained them in all the struggles incident to the life of indigent theological students. It may be remarked, that the scholarships, belonging to many of our seminaries and colleges, give increased facilities to those who are aiming at securing an education.

Sometimes a young man, in addition to poverty, is troubled with the embarrassment of debt. How shall he obtain his education under this increased pressure of outward trouble? Let him not despair! Others have succeeded, under circumstances equally gloomy and discouraging. God helps those who help themselves. Providence has a deep sympathy with the meritorious poor. Sometimes friends are raised up, in a remarkable manner, to advance the young man's cause. Many incidents are on record for the encouragement of the faith of the truly pious. Hope brightens the way. Industrious exertion finds, in various modes, a pecuniary reward. The occupations, already alluded to, not unfrequently yield ample returns. In cases of emergency, the pastor of the church, or other Christian friends, may find it in their power to secure relief in a special manner. Although the pressure of debt may be severe, the call of God to the work of the ministry can make rough places smooth. Where He has a will, He has a way.

In addition to poverty and debt, it may happen that a young man is the support of his widowed mother and sisters, or stands in such a relation to the family that his absence cannot be readily supplied. Still, let him not despair! If his course seem dark for the present, he can wait for future developments. Prayer is a mighty instrumentality before God. And, in connection with prayer, the efforts of persevering industry have many promises. Who can tell how soon a change of outward affairs, however trivial at first, may result in bringing the required aid? Where a whole family are united in the laudable and pious design of promoting the education of a son or brother, it is impossible to calculate the contingencies which may crown, under God, their united exertions. Not unfrequently a widowed mother has moved her family to the place where her son was about to pursue his studies, with a view to sustain the household more readily by taking boarders, or by washing and sewing. A young man may, indeed, feel a reluctance to tax a beloved mother or sister, on his own account. But a change of residence might often be for their own benefit, too. And if he should fear that the proposal for himself to study for the ministry (involving as it might, temporarily, some additional self-denial to his mother and sisters), may be unwelcome, he will probably find, on opening to them his whole heart, that many a prayer had been offered to the Lord of the harvest" to send him into the ministry, and that they were willing cheerfully to do anything to promote that end. Besides, an educated minister, after he has entered upon his profession, often secures a higher ability to aid his mother, and sisters, and younger brothers, and to advance in many ways their temporal welfare. There is, in reality, a bright side to the most gloomy cases.

It may be affirmed that no young man of true piety and of the requisite talents need be discouraged from looking forward to the ministry, simply because he is destitute of this world's goods. The