4. Candidates for the ministry may do well to pérform their first offices here, and thereby prepare themselves for further services.

5. One special design of the meeting should be with united prayers to ask the blessing of Heaven on the family where they are assembled, as well as on the rest that with the wondrous force of united prayers, "two or three may agree on earth, to ask such things" as are to be done for the families, by "our Father which is in heaven."

6.

The members of such a society should consider themselves, as bound up in one "bundle of love ;" and count themselves obliged, by very close and strong bonds, to be serviceable to one another. If any one in the society should fall into affliction, all the rest should presently study to relieve and support the afflicted person in every possible way. If any one should fall into temptation, the rest should watch over him, and with the "spirit of meekness," with "meekDess of wisdom," endeavour to recover him. It should be like a law of the Medes and Persians to the whole society, that they will, upon all just occasions, affectionately give and receive mutual admonitions of any thing that they may see amiss in each other.

7. It is not easy to calculate the good offices which such a society may do to many other persons, besides its own members. The prayers of such well-disposed societies may fetch down marvellous favours from heaven on their pastors; their lives may be prolonged, their gifts augmented, their graces brightened, and their labours prospered, in answer to the supplications of such associated families. The interests of religion may be also greatly promoted in the whole flock, by their fervent supplications; and the Spirit of grace mightily poured out upon the rising generation; yea, the country at large may be the better for them.

8. The society may, on peculiar occasions, set apart whole days for fasting and prayer. The success of such days has been sometimes very remarkable, and the savour which they have left on the

minds of those who have engaged in them, has been such, as greatly to prepare them to "show forth the death of the Lord," at his holy table; yea, to meet their own death, when God has been pleased to appoint it.

9. It is very certain, that the devotions and conferences carried on in such a society, will not only have a wonderful tendency to produce the "comfort of love" in the hearts of good men towards one another; but that their ability to serve many valuable interests will also thereby be much increased.

10. Unexpected opportunities to do good will arise to such a society; and especially if such a plan as the following were adopted: That the men, who compose the society, would now and then spend half an hour by themselves, in considering that question, What good is there to be done? More particularly,

Who are to be called upon to do their duty, in coming to special ordinances?

Who are in any peculiar adversity; and what may be done to comfort them?

What contention or variance may there be among any of our neighbours; and what may be done for healing it?

What open transgressions do any live in; and who shall be desired to carry faithful admonitions to them? Finally What is there to be done for the advantage and advancement of our holy religion?

In the primitive times of Christianity, much use was made of a saying, which was ascribed to Matthias the apostle: "If the neighbour of an elect, or godly man sin, the godly man himself has also sinned." The intention of that saying was, to point out the obligation of neighbours watchfully to admonish one another. O how much may Christians, associated in religious societies, effect by watchful and faithful admonitions, to prevent their being "partakers in other men's sins!" The man, who shall produce and promote such societies, will do an incalculable service to the neighbourhood,

I proceed to mention another sort of society; namely, that of YOUNG MEN ASSOCIATED.

Societies of this description, duly managed, and countenanced by the pastor, have been incomparable nurseries to the churches. Young men are hereby preserved from very many temptations, rescued from the "paths of the destroyer," confirmed in the "right ways of the Lord," and much prepared for such religious exercises as will be expected from them, when they shall themselves become householders.

ORDERS

I will here lay before the reader, some which have been observed in some societies of this nature.

1. Let there be two hours at a time set apart for the purpose; in which, let two prayers be offered by the members in rotation; and between the prayers let there be singing, and the repetition of a sermon.

2. Let all the members of the society resolve to be charitably watchful over one another; never to divulge each other's infirmities; always to give information of every thing which may appear to call for admonition, and to take it kindly whenever it is given."

3. Let all, who are to be admitted as members of the society, be accompanied, by two or three of the rest, to the minister of the place, that they may receive his holy counsel and directions, and that every thing may be done with his approbation; after which, let their names be added to the roll.

4. If any person thus enrolled among them, fall into a scandalous iniquity, let the rebukes of the society be dispensed to him; and let them forbid him to come among them any more, until he give suitable evidence of repentance.

5. Let the list be once a quarter called over; and then, if it appear that any of the society have much absented themselves, let some of the members be sent to inquire the reason of their absence; and if no reason be given, but such as intimates an apostasy from good beginnings, and if they remain obstinate, let them be dismissed, with kind and faithful admonitions.

8. Once in three months, let there be a collection, if necessary, out of which the unavoidable expenses of the society, shall be defrayed, and the rest be employed for such pious purposes, as may be agreed on.

7. Once in two months, let the whole time be devoted to supplications for the conversion and salvation of the rising generation; and particularly for the success of the gospel, in that congregation to which the -society belongs.

8. Let the whole society be exceedingly careful that their conversation, while they are together, after the other services of religion are over, have nothing in it, that may have any taint of backbiting or vanity, or the least relation to the affairs of government, or to things which do not concern them, and are not likely to promote their advantage. But let their conversation be wholly on matters of religion, and those also, not dispatable and controversial subjects, but points of practical piety. For this purpose, questions may be proposed, on which every one, in order, may deliver his sentiments; or, they may go through a catechism; and every one, in rotation, may hear all the rest recite the answers; or they may be directed by their pastor to spend their time profitably in some other

manner.

9. Let every person in the society consider it as a special task incumbent on him, to look out for some other hopeful young man, and to use all proper means to engage him in the resolutions of godliness, until Ire also shall be united to the society. And when a society shall in this manner be increased to a fit number, let it use its influence to form other similar societies, who may hold a useful correspondence with each other.

The man who shall be the instrument of establishing such a society in a place, cannot comprchend what a long and rich train of good consequences may result from his labours. And they who shall in such a society carry on the duties of religion, and sing the praises of a glorious Christ, will have in themselves a blessed earnest that they shall be associated togeth

er in the heavenly city, and in the blessedness that shall never have an end.

PROPOSALS TO THE MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL.

HITHERTO my discourse has been a more general address to persons of all conditions and capacities. I have proposed a few devices, but those which are equally applicable to private persons, as to others. We will now proceed to address those who are in a more public situation. And because no men in the world are under such obligations to do good as the MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, "it is necessary that the word of God should be first spoken unto them." I trust, therefore, my fathers and brethren in the ministry will "suffer the word of exhortation."

It must be admitted, that they who are "men of God" should be always at work for God. Certainly, they who are dedicated to the special service of the Lord, should never be satisfied, but when they are in the most sensible manner serving him. Certainly, they whom the great King has brought nearer to himself than other men, should be more unwearied than others, in endeavouring to advance his kingdom. They, whom the word of God calls angels, ought certainly to be of an angelical disposition; always disposed to do good, like the good angels ;-ministers ever on the wing to "do his pleasure." It is no improper proposal, they they would seriously set themselves to think, "What are the points wherein I should be wise and do good, like an angel of God? Or, if an angel were in the flesh, as I am, and in such a post as mine, what methods may I justly imagine that he would use to glorify God?" What wonderful offices of kindness would the good angels cheerfully perform for such their "fellow servants!"

We must call upon our people, "to be ready to every good work." We must go before them in it, and by our own readiness, at every good work, show them the manner of performing it. "Timothy," said the