thee : for this thing is too heavy for thee : thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice : I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee." And then he proceeds to advise, that he should provide, out of all the people, a number of pious and able men to co-operate with him in the work wherein he was engaged*. And Moses did well in following the advice : for if he had not, his indis- creet zeal would have soon worn him out, and deprived the whole nation of the benefit of his labours for forty years. It were well if pious ministers would attend to this hint. There is scarcely a man who has any zeal for God or love for souls, who does not so multiply his labours, as to reduce his strength in a few months or years ; when true wisdom would teach him so to regulate his exertions, that he may hope to continue them imimpaired to nearly the end of life. I mean not by this to damp the zeal of ministers, but only to direct it. It is im- possible to be too zealous for -the Lord: but it is possible enough, and too common also, to exercise zeal in so indisci'eet a way, as greatly to injure the Church which we profess to serve. Let the zeal of our people be called forth : let them be invited to labour with us, to visit the sick, to instruct the rising generation, and to engage in every thing winch may benefit our fellow-creatures and exalt the honour of our God. With all the aid that can be afforded us, there will be work enough for us to do : and we should endeavour to perform our duties with spirituality and effect, rather than to abound in mere bodily exercise, which, after all, will profit but little for the salvation of souls. Are there then, amongst you, any that know the value of your own souls ? I call on you to help your minister in all those parts of his office which you can with propriety perform. And I trust, that if we will all exert ourselves according to our several abilities, the work of God will rapidly advance amongst us, and our " Jerusalem soon become a praise in the earth." When all, both male and female, concurred in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, every one working before his own door, the whole was com- pleted in the incredibly short space of two-and-fifty daysu. And what effects should not we see, if all were unanimous and earnest in advancing, each according to his ability, the work of God amongst us ? Methinks, our numbers would be greatly multiplied, and "showers of blessings" woidd be poured out amongst us.]
* Exod. xviii. 17 — 23.
u Neh. ii. 12, 28. and iii. 6. and vi. 15, 16.