CARE OF THE CHURCH.

191

the consciences of men, and, as it were, to handle them with hands; whereas, without them, whatever reason and oratory we make use of, we do but make use of stumps instead of hands.'

6

"To sum up all that we would say on the subject of preaching, we add, in the words of Paul to Timothy, We charge thee, therefore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom, preach the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine.'

"We charge you, further, dear brother, with regard to the care of the church. Feed my sheep,' says the Good Shepherd, and feed my lambs.' This requires attention not only to the wholesome doctrine you are to preach, but to the holy discipline you are to exercise. As to those already in the church, you are to see that they do not go astray; and if they go astray, to bring them back and see that they continue steadfast unto the end. As to those hereafter to be admitted, be careful · that they be sound in the faith, experimental in their views and feelings, and blameless in their deportment. Guard well the door of the sheepfold, and use every precaution to admit all the sheep and the lambs, and exclude every intruder. The strength of the church does not consist in its numbers, or its wealth, but in its purity and spirituality, and obedience to Christ. Be especially careful to use all your influence in the support of 'elders that rule well,' knowing that rulers will not maintain a greater degree of purity in the church than they maintain in themselves.

"We charge you, moreover, to fulfill the duties of your office in regard to the higher judicatories of the church.

It is "by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery" that ministers are set apart and consecrated to their work, and Paul's charge to Timothy, as a member of the Presbytery, and through him to. every other member, is in these solemn words: "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins; keep thyself pure." This judicatory is the guardian of

192

CHURCH JUDICATORIES.

the church's purity. If the Presbytery ordain men without sufficient proof of piety, soundness in the faith, holiness of practice, and ability to teach, they neglect this apostolic charge, and participate in the errors and scandals which such men introduce. To prevent this evil so far as your own efforts are concerned, be always present at the sessions of this judicatory and of the Synod, when not prevented by the providence of God. When present, endeavor to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Submit to their constitutional decisions; for genuine Christian liberty and independence and fidelity are always consistent with due subordination to the constituted authorities of the church, and we are never authorized to depart from them, till we are satisfied on good grounds that they are incorrigibly corrupt, and that God calls us to come out from among them." At the same time, act as an honest, faithful, and valiant man. Agree with your brethren in all things so far as they agree with the word of God; and be not afraid to disagree with them, if you believe in your heart that they depart from that word. For the word of God is the citadel of the church, and when we surrender that we surrender all.

66

Finally, dear sir, we charge you to be faithful to all the souls committed to your trust. We know very well that you will find it difficult to do every thing you desire to do for the salvation of such of your beloved people as have yet no interest in the Lord Jesus Christ. We can fancy ourselves placed by your side in your study, observing your concern for those immortal beings, that are perishing in sin. We hear your sighs, and see your tears. In the tender anxiety of your heart you say: "What more can I do to save them from sin and death? What new means shall I try to awaken them? On what subject shall I preach and how shall I preach to do them good? We see you on your knees, and observe you pouring out your sorrows into the bosom of your Savior. Brother, we know your soul will be ready to sink under the weight of your charge, and we would not needlessly increase that weight; but we must be faithful to you, that

IT SINKS DIRECTLY DOWN INTO HELL.

193

we may not be guilty should your people perish through your neglect. Behold your people that are yet in sin. They are dying. Be assured that the soul of every one that dies without Christ, sinks directly down into hell. It sinks directly down into hell. It sinks directly down into hell. Listen for a moment and hear the words of Jehovah to you in respect to this part of your people. Son of man, I have made thee a watchman'-unto this congregation

therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, thou shalt surely die, and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn thewicked from his wicked way to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked and he turn not from his wickedness nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.'

Do you say in your heart, and are you ready to exclaim: Who is sufficient for these things? Call to mind for your encouragement, the grace of God, by which you may be enabled to do all things, though in yourself you are nothing and can do nothing. Jesus, our Lord and our God, whom we love, and serve, and adore, and in whom we trust, has not left us without support and comfort in this ministry. And now, brother, as you are about to take part with us in this ministry, so take part with us in this consolation: Lo I am with you always,' saith the Savior, 'even unto the end of the world.' Amen,' said the evangelist. Thus do we also say. Even so, Lord Jesus, even so be with us, and with this thy servant and our brother. Amen."

The want of permanency in the pastoral relation, or the frequent dismissal and removal of ministers, in certain sections of our country, has become proverbial, and very many have been mourning over the evils incident to such a state of things. Dr. Yale was among the number who consider the practice as fraught with disaster; and his views are expressed in the following brief extracts from his correspondence. The first letter from which these extracts are taken, was written to a

194

THE FREQUENT REMOVAL OF MINISTERS.

friend in the western part of New York, and the other to a correspondent in Connecticut.

"I did not forget your worthy minister Mr. F., but had not room on the other page to mention him. Hope he is recovered before now. Take good care of him, and keep him long. I am well satisfied that the frequent change of ministers is a great evil both to ministers and people. To the former it prevents generally the building up of a character. Exceptions there may be; but generally a character is to be like the growth of an oak, or a cedar; slow and gradual, but sure and lasting. Ministers who are often changing, attain not the most desirable character. Then people become restive and feverish, find fault, and deprive themselves and their children, and their grandchildren, of the wisdom, counsels and example of age and experience. Congregations become unstable, and are often broken and divided. Certain Christian graces have not time to grow, even if they exist. Such as patience, forbearance, long-suffering, forgiveness, and the like. People also fail to be united as they should be.”

This letter was written near the close of his life; and the other in the year 1826.

"You mention the unpleasant circumstance of the dismission of brother B. He has been in the region beyond us, and seems afraid that education societies are overacting. But the dismission of ministers is a very frequent and very painful occurrence in this region. I can tell you a story which will make your ears tingle. Nine ministers dismissed and one removed by death within three years. I do not know but I shall be dismissed myself. It is dreadful. We do not know the lesson-Bear and forbear.' Our congregations suffer amazingly from these changes. Even if they obtain as good ministers as they lose, they do not regain the confidence they lost, as to the integrity of the ministerial character. I do hope the time will never come when Connecticut will be like York State in regard to the changing of ministers. Our condition is most miserable."

PASTORAL COMMUNICATIONS.

195

CHAPTER XV.

PASTORAL COMMUNICATIONS.

Though Dr. Yale ordinarily enjoyed such vigorous health that he was enabled to perform a vast amount of labor, there were times in which, through bodily infirmity, he was so far laid aside as to be obliged to suspend the active performance of the ministerial work. This was the case in the year 1835; during which year, for several months, he found himself altogether unable to engage in the labors of the pulpit; and frequently found it injurious even to associate very much with his friends. During this period, however, while his pulpit was supplied by others, he did occasionally send to the congregation some "pastoral communications," which were read by the person who occupied the pulpit for the day. And as these communications contain facts of the deepest interest, I have thought it best to give them a place in this volume. In this chapter will be found communications of this character, not only of the date above mentioned, but some also that were written at a much later period of his ministry. They will be inserted in the order in which they were written.

PASTORAL COMMUNICATIONS.

No. I.

Read April 12, 1835, P. M.

Statements and Requests.

"The pastor of this church, being unable to speak much, invites attention to the following communication: "On the last week in January, I had symptoms of scarlet fever, especially in an affection of the throat. This, in connection with a chronic catarrh, produced