MINISTER is a Latin word applied in that portion of the Christian Church known as the Western to des- ignate that officer who is styled deacon in Greek, The word was applied generally to the Anglican clergy about the time of the great rebellion, since which time it has come into general use, and is now applied to any preacher of the Gospel. Even the Jews have adopted the use of this word, and rabbi is scarcely ever heard in Eng- lish-speaking congregations of that people. IMinisters are also called divines, and may be distinguished mto 2)olemic, or those who possess controversial talents; cas- uistic, or those who resolve cases of conscience ; experi- mentuJ, those who address themselves to the feelings, cases, and circumstances of their hearers; and, lastly, practical, those who insist upon the performance of all those duties which the Word of God enjoins. An able minister will have something of all these united in him, though he may not excel in all ; and it becomes every one who is a candidate for the ministry to get a clear idea of each, that he may not be deficient in the dis- charge of that work which is the most important that can be sustained by mortal beings. Many volumes have been written on this subject, but we must be con- tent in this place to offer only a few remarks relative to it.
1. In the first place, then, it must be observed that min- isters of the Gospel ought to be sound as to their jmnci- ples. They must be men whose hearts are renovated by divine grace, and whose sentiments are derived from the sacred oracles of divine truth. A minister without principles will never do any good ; and he who professes to believe in a system should see to it that it accords
with the Word of God. His mind should clearly per- ceive the beauty, harmony, and utility of the doctrines, while his heart should be deeply impressed with a sense of their value and importance.
2. They should be mild and affable as to their disposi- tions and deportment. A haughty, imperious spirit is a disgrace to the ministerial character, and generally brings contempt. They should learn to bear injuries with patience, and be ready to do good to every one ; be courteous to all without cringing to any; be affable without levity, and humble without pusillanimity ; con- ciliating the affections Avithout violating the truth; connecting a suavity of manners with a dignitj' of char- acter; obliging without flattery; and throwing off all reserve without running into the opposite extreme of volubility and trifling.
3. They should be superior as to their hioivledge and talents. Though many have been useful without what is called learning, yet none have been so without some portion of knowledge and wisdom. Nor has God Al- mighty ever sanctified ignorance, or consecrated it to his service; since it is the effect of the fall, and the consequence of our departure from the fountain of in- telligence. Ministers therefore, especially, should en- dea\'or to break these shackles, get their minds enlarged, and stored with all useful k nowledge. The Bible should be well studied, and that, especially, in the original lan- guages. The scheme of salvation by Jesus Christ should be well understood, with aU the various topics connected with it. And in the present day a knowledge of his- tory, natural philosophy, logic, mathematics, and rhet- oric is peculiarly requisite. A clear judgment, also, with a retentive memory, inventive faculty, and a facility of communication, should be obtained.
4. They should be dilifjeiit as to their studies. Their time, especially, should be improved, and not lost by too much sleep, formal visits, indolence, reading useless books, studying useless subjects; Every day should have its work, and every subject its due attention. Some advise a chapter in the Hebrew Bible, and an- other in the Greek Testament, to be read every day. A well-chosen system of divinity should be accurately studied. The best definitions should be obtained, and a constant regard paid to all those studies which savor of religion, and have some tendency to public work.
5. Ministeis should be extensive as to their benevolence and candor. A contracted, bigoted spirit ill becomes those who preach a Gospel which breathes the purest benevolence to mankind. This spirit has clone more harm among all parties than many imagine, and is, in our opinion, one of the most powerful engines the devil makes use of to oppose the best interests of mankind ; and it is really shocking to observe how sects and par- ties have all, in their turns, anathematized each other. Now, while ministers ought to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, they must remember that men always think differently from each other; that prejudice of education has great influence; that difference of opinion as to subordinate things is not of such importance as to be a ground of dislike. Let the ministers of Christ, then, pity the weak, forgive the ignorant, bear with the sincere though mistaken zealot, and love all who love the Lord Jesus Christ.
6. Ministers should be zealous and faithful in their public work. The sick must be visited, children ^lust be catechised, the ordinances administered, and the Word of (Jod preached. These things must be taken up, not as a matter of duty only, but of pleasure, and executed with faithfulness; and, as they are of the ut- most importance, ministers should attend to them with all that sincerity, earnestness, and zeal which that im- portance demands. An idle, frigid, indifferent minister is a pest to society, a disgrace to his profession, an in- jury to the Church, and offensive to God himself.