HOMILETICS. Vere. 1-16.-The mini~try of character. The pastoral Epistles, an<l this chapter in particular, bring prominently before us the Christian ministry as uf commanding importance in the scheme, of Christianity. Christianity, the sum and substance ot Christian doctrine, was to be diffused among all nations; and the great in@trument for maintaining it in efficiency and power was to be the ministry. But in describing the ministerial qualifications the apostle lays so much stress upon the perso11al character of the ministers, as to make ns feel that the Christian ministry of which he speaks is a ministry of character as much as of preaching, or teaching, or any other ministration. Looking at this side of the ministry, we learn that it is the purpoHe of the great Head of the Church, Jesus Christ our Lord, that his doctrine and the truth which he brought down from heaven should be presented to the world in the lives and characters of his accredited servants and ambassadors. Those servants of his were to be scattered among the people, "in every city," and every village, where the gospel message hacl been brought, and the people were not only to hear from their lips, but were to see in their lives, the nature and practical effect of the doctrine delivered to them. And, in truth, the eloquence of holy, loving, and self-denying lives is more persua- sive than that of any words, however !,!OOd and however beautiful We feel, even after ·reading the words of the Master himself, and having felt their power, that there is a still greater power in that life ar,d death, wherein were embodied, in all the beauty of love and goodness, the sublime precepts which he taught. While, therefore, we see the importauce of a learned clergy, an eloquent clergy, an orthodox clergy, and withal a clergy of business habits, we shall do well to keep steadily in view the commanding and essential quality of high and consistent Christian character, showing it:s.;lf in all the details of the daily intercourse of life. The clergy of the Church should be the epistle of Christ, known and read of all men in every place where they are located, as bishops, priests, or deacons. In theii manner of life and whole conversation should be seen worked out in practice what the grace of our Lord Jesus Cbrist is iutended to effect in t-he renewal of human nature. Their conduct and cbaracter shoul, i be a living comme,,tary on the Word of God which they preach to the people, and their silent argument for pressing it upon the people's acceptance. And hence we may deduce the imp1Jrtance of a resident minititry. The functions of preaching and minis- tering the sacraments may be performed by strangers. The effect11al sermon of a holy Christian life requires" elders" resident amidst the community to whom they preach. 'l'he pure morals, the well-ordered families, the meek aud patient behaviour under provocation, the kindly genial sympathies, the fair and equitable dealing, the sober gravity, the self-control and eelf-mastery of the servant of God, must be seen near in the daily intercourse of life, to be judged of and appreciated. It is the glory of the English Church that, by means of her endowments, she is able to place a minister or Christ to reside in every parish. Let every such minister remember that the interests :>f the Christian faith are bound up with his own manner of lire sn,l that of his house- hold, and do his utmost endeavour that that life may be a faithful reflection of the grace of God, which teaches men to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. and to live soberly, righteously, and go<lly in this present world, while we wait for the appeariag of the glory of our Saviom Jesus Christ.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS .AUTHORS. Vera. 1-4.-.Apostolic address und salutation. The full representation which the apostle gives of his apostolic office is designed at once to mark the authority by which he gives the instructions that follow, and to serve as an index to the contents of the whole Epistle. I. THE CLAIMS OF THE APOSTLE. "Paul, a servant of God, 11.nd an apostle of Jeaus Christ." 1. He is servant a of God. Not, as ho often describes himself, "a servant of Jesus Christ." The _title seems to mark the relat_ion (.J.) of one w~o had once be~n a slave to sin, hut, having become free through Chnst Jesus, w~ still, s~ rar u obliga- tion, service, and life were concerned, a servant of God; (2) his devotion k> God after 8 THE EPISTLE TO TITUS. [OR. I, 1-18.