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PASTORAL LEWER 
 
 FROM TUR 
 
 TO THE 
 
 flllRClIE.S rXDEK ITS CASK, 
 
 ADOPTED IT 
 
 10th Xo^voml^eiv 1 3^ 15. 
 
 FAYETTEVILLE.:^ 
 
 PRINTED BY EDWARD J. HA IX. 
 
 1846, 
 
THE fmUS COlL€(mt)M 
 
 The Synod of North Carolina to the churches undertiiair care. Grace, 
 jnercy and peace from God our Father, and from our LoH Jesus Christ. 
 
 Belovkd Brethren ix the Lord: 
 
 You are, no doubt, aware, that one ofthe primarv objects 
 of the annual meetings of your Synod, composed, as it is, ofthe Pastors 
 and representatives of your churches, is, cai-efully to inq'Jirs into the con- 
 dition of our beloved Zion; and to devise and propose measures for b^r 
 improvement and enlargement. Remembering our high responsibility, 
 as watchman on the walls of Zion, we feel constrained to communicate 
 to you, the results and conclusions at which wo have arrived, in an af- 
 fectionate but faithful Pastoral Letter. Regard it, we beseech you, not 
 as an ordinary olficial document, but as a special communication upon 
 matters of practical and vital importance to yours-oivos, to your children, 
 to our common countr}', and to the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 And, at the very out-set, truth requires us to state, that the general 
 aspect of our Zion, at present, is unusually discouraging and humiliating; 
 tliat feebleness and decline are the leading features o( majiy, whilst cold- 
 ness, inactivity, and barrenness, are the most prominom characteristics 
 of nearly all our churches; — a very few only appearing to \ye prosperous. 
 Death and emigration are steadily, and with increasing rapidity, thinning 
 our ranks, and diminishing our numbers. Very many of our venerable 
 Fathers, both in the ministry and among the laity, who have been, Am- 
 ring tlie last half-century, so prompt to come up to the help of the Lord 
 ajrainst the mighty, have no longer a place, elmer in our churches or in 
 our church judicatories. Nor have any of our churches, of late, been re- 
 freshed and strengthened by revivals of religion, as in fornier years. The 
 Fathers have fallen asleep; but their sons, to an alarming extent, con- 
 tinue in the course of this world. The spirit of revivals, those precious 
 harvest seasons for the souls of men and for the chui^ of God, seems to 
 
4 
 
 iiavc departed from among i.is. With verv foAv exceptions, the rniinl)fr' 
 •<»i"dt;aths and removals, in our churches, has exceeded the nimiber ot'ad- 
 <iitions. From our statii^tical rcports, it appears, tiiat, witliin tJie pu^t 
 }ear, Uie number of our ministers has been diminished, by six, and o:' 
 /Hir candidates tor the ministry, by ten. In addition to all this, tlie tVc- 
 <iUent, and, as it appears to us, unwise breaking up of Pastoral relations, 
 (jt'late, the rapid increase of vacant churclies, and the manifest uant of 
 unity, energy, and ciieertul liberality in the support of the gospel, are 
 fvils a!r<-ady of enormous magnitude, and tearfully onnnous of a still dark- 
 er day approaching. This state of decline, moreover, has l?een going 
 t»n, for several years* We have, now, Avlthin the liounds and under the 
 jiu isdiction of our JSynod, 27 vacant churches: — G more than we had e 
 years ago; and some of them, churches that have been heretofore regard, 
 ed as among the strongest and most flourishing among us. And what is 
 still more alarnn'ng, whilst this state of things not only continues among 
 v.s, but steadily increases, our people seem to 1k\ recklessly and fearful- 
 ly indiflerent to it; and neither ministers nor people have hearts to pray 
 about it. Nor is this all: For seme six or eight years past, the rinn)ber 
 <>f revivals of religion \vithin our bounds, the additions to our churches, 
 the success of the JSabbath-sehool cause, attendance upoii jjible class and 
 Catechetical instruction, the amount of benevolent contributions, the dis- 
 position of our yonng men to devote themsehes to the service of God an<i 
 his church in the work of the ministry, the disposition of the people t.'> 
 sustain indigent candidates for the sacred otiice, and the zeal manifested 
 l>y both ministers and people in the Temj)erance reform, instead of in- 
 creasing, as the grov. th of our population and the indications of ])ivinc 
 ]*rovidence have loudly demanded, iiave, with very few e^ceptions, ]>een 
 steadily retrograding. Already, some ofour feebler churches have a meie 
 liominal existence; whilst others have become vacant, frem their imibili- 
 ty to support their Pastors: and, in some of the rest, there is either such 
 a state of disafiection tov. ards the Pastors, such an enervating indulgence 
 In personal animosities and family quanels, or, from some other cause*.^ 
 >uch an increasing difficulty to secure the stipulated ministerial siip[)oit, 
 as to render the prospects of their Pastors exceedingly discouraging iwic 
 jirecarituis. Under such circumstances, neither ministers nor p^eoplr 
 know what to expect; nor do they feel the right sort of stimulus, either 
 to pray or to iaTK)ur for the building uj) of the church. On ti e contrary, 
 they are both disheartened, and disposed to criminate each other. Thi<? 
 vork of decay and mortilication, though slow afid ofteji in)percej)til)le, is. 
 iieverth.eless, progressive and certain. ]^et the pjesent state of things 
 '•(iUtinue a little longer, and the weaker ofour churches will beconie e\- 
 trnct; whilst the stronger will continue to decline and dwindle, until they 
 become as weak as the weakest. 
 
 Beloved brethren: We camiot witness such things, and contemplate 
 >;ijch pro.spects respecting our l)eloved Zion, w ithout sounding an alarm; 
 — without stating distinctly, so {hr as we can ascertain them, not only 
 the langtu'shing state of the church, but the causes and tlie remedy. 
 
 We know, indeed, that rrrry good and 'perfect gift is from aborr^ 
 4!lid com'eth down from the Father of lights, with irho/n is f.'O rariahle- 
 m'ss, neUher shadow of turning; aiid that, w ithout the divine lilessing^ 
 
5 
 
 aU our clT.n'ts to build up his kingdom amonorst men must be fruitless- 
 ^V^e caiiuot, however, charge the decline of religion and the; barrenness 
 Tvt' ordinances to t!ie Author of all good. We are assured, that i/j-y arm 
 is not short p.ned that he cannot save; neither is His ear heavy that hecan^ 
 not hear: but that sin j)r(Kiuces a separation between Him and his peo- 
 ple. The fault is ours; — chargeable either to the ministers or to the 
 p<!ople; — most probably to both. 
 
 We have most solemnly asked ourselves, as we now inquire ef you, 
 — Is the present languishing state of religion among us, and declining 
 <'ondi!.iou of our churches, owing to a want thf faithfulness in the exiiibi- 
 tion and a})plication of appropriate Bible truth, from the pulpit, or in 
 P.astoral visitations] Or, Is it owing to scandal, or gross inconsisten- 
 cies, ill the Jives of your ministers? As to our professional peribrnuuiv 
 ces, we are conscious of much imperfection, 'i'liis, and any want of 
 entire exemplariness of life, is, undouljtedly, too often, the legitimate re- 
 m\i of the want of a sufficiently ardent, absorbing, and controlling pie- 
 (y, in our own hearts. Your ministers, then, need to be revived, — to 
 have the Holy J^pirit poured out, copiously, upon tliem: and, usually, 
 when the people ajt-e revived, the preachers, as well as the peoj)le, feel 
 it, ajid manifest it, as mucli as any. 
 
 But, it sometinies occurs, that, when we Vvould otherwise {i*el stirred 
 up to greater zeal and activily in our professional work, we are discour- 
 liged and disqualified, ))y the fatigue and perplexing care? of em])loy- 
 nipnts that are utterly t()reign from our sacred functions. To such euj. 
 ployments, we are, not unfrequently, absolutely driven, in order to secure 
 j^bare competent support, tor ourselves and our families. It is utterly 
 iinpossible lor us to he in a suitable frame, either intelleclually or 
 spiritually, to preach the gospel, eiflier in the pulpit or in the family, 
 when our bodies are worn down by secidarizing employments, or otir 
 nuuds are jaded and harrassed hy the pressure of del)t, and the know^ 
 ledge, stariiig us in tlie face, that that debt is eirfarging, our liabiliti* < 
 increasiiig, our families unprovirled for, our children growing up \n 
 ignorance, and that a large part -of wliat little we do receive is paid 
 f'ither grudgingly or ^ a mere charity. We atiectionately suggest, 
 then. Dear brethren, that tervent prayers 1)e offered to tlie Head of the 
 church, and that appropriate efforts be made by l)oth minii>ters and pec*- 
 pie, that the Lord would revive and encourage the hearts of }our Pr*.-- 
 tors, and place them, in every respect; in a situation, as far as jxtssi- 
 ble. free from v.orldly care^ and favourable to iheir official usefulness. 
 
 Agaiu: We would atiectionately intpiire. — Is- there no delinquency 
 in duty among our Uulir!,''i;-Elders, — in maintaining a vvhoh^some dirci- 
 j)line in the chui'eh, for tlie preservalioJi- of its purity: and in keeping up 
 and enuouraging Aveekly prayer-meetings, tor the comfort of the saint-., 
 and the special benelit <jf the rising race? Are the} sufficiently cnr»>- 
 ful, to see that siK-h meetirjgs are attended, and conduct<^d in an interest- 
 ing and e.']il\iug manner? Are they doing. all they can, to shield their 
 Pastors from the shafts of wicked men; to liold U[) tlieir hands, to secrnd 
 their efforts, and to carry, out their plans tor doing g?)o({: — for pr<imotir:g 
 tbe iiitelligenc.e and spirituality of the people? Surf ly, vw* ei\\\ nrvc,- 
 reasonably ev.pect reiigit)n to be revivedj or the clutrcli to tluuiUh, 
 
 3^2436 
 
6 
 
 where tliero is little or none of the spirit of prayer. Our God is hoth 
 able JiU'l willing, to cause his Zion, though ever so desolate and waste, 
 to become as the garden of Eden: But He saith himself that He will 
 i/ct for this be inquired of, by his pe()ple, 1o do it fir them. And, are 
 not the Elders of the church, men selected for their zeal and piety as 
 ^^'ell as for their wisdom and prudence, expected to be leaders and en- 
 samples, in this most important and delightful exercise? If, therefore, 
 they are not tiu'owing their experience, practical sltiil, and personal in- 
 tiuence, into zealous ef^brts to maintain weekly prayer-meetings, and to 
 render them interesting and usefid, they are not doing what the people 
 expect them to do, what they might do, and what their ofiice requires 
 them to do, as co-workers with their Pastors, in fostering the impres- 
 sions, which are often produced by the public and Parochial labours of 
 tluMr Pastors, by the Providences of God, and by the common influences 
 of the Spirit. It is seriously feared, that the church is suffering, for 
 want of more social prayer; — which always encourages family \A orship, 
 and closet devotions. There are, probablj', not less than four hundred 
 and thirty Riding Elders, within our bounds. How many weekly 
 prayer-meetings are there? If every Elder had the spirit of player, 
 jiiid ex:erted liimself to keep up a well conducted prayer-meeting, might 
 we not confidently expect good results soon to appear? Vv^ould not 
 their Pastors preach and pray more and better? Woidd not the people 
 jjttend both Church and prayer-meetings better, and hear the gospel to 
 Ijetter purpose? Woidd not sinners be converted, christians be more 
 consistent, and our churches be more flourishmg? 
 
 But dear brethren, — Have our private church members no share in 
 the guilt of bringing about the present languishing state of our Zion? 
 Is there nothing like corruption, or mere nominal religion, in our 
 churches? If a large proportion, or any considerable number of our 
 riiurch members are mere professors of religion, though ever so zealous 
 for an orthodox creed, whilst they are strangers to experimental reli- 
 gion, having never been born again: — if they attend ever so punctili- 
 ously iipon the outward and popular forms of Christianity, whilst they 
 art^ ignoi-ant and destitute of its vital power, }#»d neglect its practical 
 duties, — can we expect the Church to flourish? If family worship be 
 gcMierally, or to any considerable extent, neglected; — if secret prayer 
 be l)ut rarely practised; — if personal, family, or neighborhood grudges 
 anrl quarrels be allowed, — so that individuals and families of the same 
 communion, who are brethren by profession, can say nothing but evil 
 <•! each other, and never even speak to one another; — is it any wonder 
 that the church is in a languishing state? If such be the state of things 
 aniong us, (and we most heartily wish there was no evidence of such 
 being the state of things in any part of our bounds;) has not the church 
 the very elements of destruction, in her own bosom? It is not a novel 
 tiling in the History of the church, that her prospects are beclouded, and 
 her friends dismayed by defeat and sore chastisements, on account of 
 some sin indulged in by only a portion of her members, and sometimes 
 on.'y by a single individual. As memorable instances of this, and solenni 
 warnings to us, we need only refer you to the golden calf, the murmur- 
 iii<r of the jwop.le of Israel in Kadish', the iniquity of Peor, and the sin of 
 Acha:i;. iji ineddiiiig with the accursed thing. We must ferret out, and 
 
put away sin, if we would Lave the Lord to prosper the work of our hands. 
 
 In this connexion, we feel constrained to specify some two or three 
 prominent and growing evils, which, we fear, liave already obtained a 
 strong hold; and are exerting a most withering influence, in the church. 
 
 1. In the first place, we mention, the indulgence of a wordly spirit, 
 in the form of selfislniess, avarice, and cupidity. We are aware, that 
 it is difficult, in many cases, to distinguish between the operation of this 
 spirit and dire necessity. Let every one scrutinize his own motives on 
 this subject. But, whenever it is as obviously true of protessing chris- 
 tians as of others, that every man seeketh his own, irrespective of his 
 neighbour's wealth; that the constant and predominant current of their 
 thoughts and desires is in the pursuit of wordly emolument; that their 
 objects of pursuit, and plans of action, as evinced by their daily conver- 
 sation and conduct, tend exclusively to the same end, viz: to the acquisi- 
 tion and hoarding up of property, for their own sensual enjoyment; and 
 that it is with manitest reluctance that they contribute even a pittance 
 — (a mere mite in comparison with the amount of their resources) — for 
 the support of the gospel, or for benevolent purposes; — is it any wonder 
 that religion languishes, or that the church dwindles? The influence of 
 such a spirit, not only shuts out from the soul the claims of benevolence; 
 but it freezes up the channels of charity, excludes God and religion from 
 the mind; keeps men too busy to attend either upon family worship or 
 the social prayer-meeting; prepares them to disregard the law of the 
 Sabbath; disqualifies them for the devotions of the sanctuary; disposes 
 them to take unlawful advantages in trade; and to extort, from their fel- 
 low-men, in direct proportion to the pressure of their necessities. Those 
 who possess such a spirit, not only fail to be ike salt of the earth and 
 the light of the world; but they aie spots in our feasts of charity^ clouds 
 without water ^ trees whose fruit icithereth, raging waves of the sea, uan- 
 dering stars, to whom is reserved, the blackness of darkness for ever. 
 Dearly beloved, — Love not the world., neilhcr the things that are in the 
 world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
 And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renew- 
 ing of your mind, that ye may prove ichat is that good, and acceptable, 
 and perfect will of God. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have pvl 
 off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is 
 renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where 
 there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barba- 
 rian, Scythian, bond, nor free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on, 
 therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, b&wels of mercies, kind- 
 ness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering; forbearing one an- 
 other, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; 
 even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And, above all these things, 
 put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Arid let the peace of 
 God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called, in one body; and 
 be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wis- 
 dom; teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, and Hymns, and 
 Spiritual Songs, singing v'ith grace in your hearts to the Lord. And 
 whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,, 
 giving thanks to God and the Father, by him. 
 
8 
 
 *2. Sccomfly: We have roa.son to fear, that the preaching of thcf 
 'blessed <^os()el, and the oitlinances and jnivileges of God's house, are 
 bcginnin<r to be greatly undervalued hy our people. Already, it is but 
 too evidei>t, that the people feel' no serious alarm when their house of 
 worship is closed up, the candlestick of the sanctuary removed from a- 
 mong them, and the preaching of the gotrpel, Avhich God lias ordained 
 the principal ineaiks of salvation, is no longer enjoyed l>y them. For 
 the same reason, in too many instance^^, vacant churches, — although 
 ih.oy are scattering and becoming weaker every day, — seem to ]>e con- 
 stantly bccoujing less zealous and less un5k?d in effort, to procure, for 
 themselvesy an adequate supply of gospel . mini^rations. i Hence, too 
 many who enjoy the ordinances of the gospel and the privilege* of the 
 church, — persons, moieover, who are in far more Affluent circumstances, 
 — regard it as an intoierable tax, — a burden too heavy to be l>orne, — 
 to have to pay, even it tythe of wha^ their torefathcrs> paid, for the 
 planting of the church, and the support 4)f the gospel. Perhaps, they 
 have enjoyed such privileges so long, that they have become suifeited 
 with thein* . Let them, visit a new country, and there witness the la- 
 iii*'ntable etiects of a destitution of the moans of grace, and begin to leef 
 pinched with hunger for the bread of lite: thefi, teeling "as if they cai»- 
 not do without it, they will be glad to get that gospel H;^ hich they now 
 undervalue, even by paying ten times the amount, whicli, at present, it 
 co5ts them. In direct proportion, moreover, t?o our valuation of g(jspel 
 f^rivileges, will our desires and cries be poured out to G'od^ for his Mess- 
 ing to attend the ordinances of his house. Although the gift of the Holy 
 Spirit cannot be purchased with money; yet, so long as professing ehris- 
 tians love their money or property more than they love the means of 
 ' ^'racc, or the souls of their leilow-men, they need not e.Apcct the Holy 
 >'pirit to give eiiiciency to those means of grace, cither in conifortin.g: 
 their hearts, or in enlarging the church. { As you value, therelbre, the 
 souls of mcii, your own true ha})piness, the salvation of your children, 
 and the best interests of our beloved country, beware of undervaluing 
 the gospel and its ordinances: guurd, most sedulously, against even a' 
 f'jmporary privation of the healthful influences of a stated gospel minis- 
 •itry; and, if you arc already deprived of them, spare no pains to regain 
 • them; and cease not your prayers to God, both publicly and pj ivately, 
 till he shall send unto you, a shepherd after his own heart. 
 
 3. Tinrdly: The love of novelty and change, insta))ility aiid vacilla- 
 tion of miner, in regard to the dbctrines, institutions, and ministry of the 
 ♦:,hurch, must be mentioned, as another growing evil, of disastrous ten- 
 dency. We fear, the scripture is about to be fulfilled, even among u-, 
 which says, the lime icill come, when iliey wUl not endure sounxt doclrlnr.;. 
 but after their own lusts, having itching cars, they shall heap to them- 
 selves teachers, turn au:ay their ears from the truth, and he tui-ned into 
 fables. This spirit has already begun to do its work among us; and, 
 JiK^n, under its influence, whenever there is a protracted meeting, or a 
 strange preacher within reach, will leave the most faithful Pastor to 
 preach to vacant seats and! empty walls, i And what is otill woi-se, this 
 spirit will drive from theiiv homes, however comfortah'le, and from their. 
 
9 
 
 fn^lds «r labour, however important and inviting, the best of men, hov- 
 't'ver eminent lor piety, sound in doctrine, and indefatigable in duty; for 
 jio oth^ir cause than t»'i<e desiw of change, the love of novelty, or the 
 hope of having the ear tickk'd by the popularity of a new preacher. 
 This disposition to set aside the Pastoral office at pleasure, and to prr- 
 ihr an itinerating miiiistiy, k diametrically oppos^^d to one of the mo.t 
 prominent, distinctive, and vitally important features in our Presbyterian 
 »iystem, and to the great design of the Pastoral office, as instituted by 
 ^'hrist; and fmught with most dangerous consequences. It has already 
 begun to thix^aten our cfeurch-es; and while it continues among us, we 
 need expect little else than tlosolation. 
 
 Upon this subject, we cansiot forbear giving you, in full, the views 
 tind cautions of the American Home Missionary Society, as the result 
 ^>f their long experience and <?xtended information, as published in the 
 Annual report of the Contrail Agency, in the State of New York. May 
 1837. 
 
 'We considtsi*,' say that Society, 'the frequent changing of ministers 
 •so destructive :an evil, that we are constrained to invite the attention of 
 'Our Missionaries and church-es to the followin^^ co n side I'at ions, in the 
 ."iiope that they v>m11 ponder the suljiject thopoqghly; and, by the grace of 
 <.Tod, be guided in the path of duty. 
 
 'I. We wiM mention a few -of the. ways, in which a minister^ who 
 means to be a Pastor, is injured Ijy frequently changing his field of U- 
 ^jour. 
 
 '1. It inrreasea ike txpemes of his Jamil y. None of our ministers 
 sreceive more for tl>eir servioe-s tba^i enough to meet the necessary ex- 
 gienses of the year. Every removal, by loss of time and consumption 
 of property, increases his expenses, fiom fifty to a hundred dollars, 
 'This noust embarrass hiuij, and dimmish his usefulness. 
 
 '2. Neglect of study another eril tendency of a changing ministry. 
 In this day of commotion and reading of ephemeral productions, there 
 xxva but few ministers of sufficient self-conMnand to pursiie a course of 
 Theological research, wihich requires mental agony, but which is indis- 
 i^)ensable, would they grow in knowledge arid be able to feed their flock, 
 — so long as they can depend upon the labours of former years. Wc 
 are aware, that some churches prefer to have their ministers spend the 
 whole year in visiting. Experience, howeve?*, proves, that, with few 
 •exceptions, a people never know the worth of their minister, until the 
 last old sermon is used up, or burnt up; and he S-segins to draAv afresh, 
 'from the stores of etcrnai truth, things new and^ld. Such a people may 
 know what they have goti; but they never can know what they have losl. 
 
 '3. It diminishes a minister's consciousness of responsibility; and makes 
 him indifferent about the distant results of his labour. A minister is .a 
 man of like passions with others; and needs every possible influence, to 
 induce him to seek the path of duty, and hold him in it. We cannot 
 doubt, that the perpetijpally recurring thought, — '/ shall probably remain 
 here but a year^'''' will tend to make him reckless. How is it possible 
 to avoid it? A man, were he as pure as an angel, needs the hope of 
 success, as well as the love of doing good, to kindle his zeal, and prompt 
 him to watchfulness, forethought, and industry. But often, he is a mere 
 2 
 
10 
 
 annual hireling, with but a few months at most, to begin and close up 
 iill hi!« iuiiours, in a given place. And the agreement which holds him 
 there, has, on the face of it, evidence, that his people regard him with 
 verv little confidence; and his prospects are withering, rather than re- 
 freshing. We need not wonder, if a man held l)y the chmch in such 
 r.ircunistances, should do, or neglect to do, what would render him un- 
 popular, or his labours unproductive. 
 
 *4. //. prevents a minister from carrying into ejfect any important plan 
 for gathering and building up a congregation. Would he accomplisli, 
 what a minister, by the grace of God, may do, all the various circum- 
 stances and wants of the whole church and congregation are to be 
 sought out; — the children and youth are to be gathered around him and 
 taught to remember their Creator; — j)arents are to ]>e instructed how to 
 command their children and households to keep the way of the Lord: — 
 the church is to be puritied by discipline; her understanding enlighten- 
 ed; her artections directed; her energies combined; and all her powers 
 enlisted in the enterprize of the world's conversion. Who can accom- 
 plish such a work, in one year, — or two years, — or five years? How 
 is it possi])le for a man, even the best, to clt^ar and prepare the soil, 
 sow the seed, and bring in the ripe harvest, short often or fifteen years.' 
 He may do something, yea much, but can he shew what a faithful Pas- 
 tor is capable of doing] Can he carry a church through the school of 
 Ciirisfl Can he train a generation for the sei-vice of God? 
 
 *5. It prevents a minister from acquiring the habit of patient endv- 
 raticc, which is so important to an Ambassador of Christ. A minister, 
 who would exert a solid, holy, and lasting influence in the Avorld, may 
 depend upon being severely tried. He cannot escape trials by chang- 
 ing places. They must and will come. If he attempt to run away from 
 them, and be overtaken at last, he will be likely to imbibe a petidujit 
 and fault-finding spirit. If he meet them manfully, and endure them 
 patiently, it will chasten his spirit, and increase liis meekness. TIm; 
 easiest way to dispose of ministerial trials, whatever be their nature or 
 magnitude, is to endure them. The habit of endurance, which this 
 course will strengthen, greatly diminishes the severity of trials; and, in 
 the apprehension of the subject, it will proljab>ly diminish their number. 
 But, what is of more importance still, trials, well endui ed, l aise a min- 
 ister vastly in the estimation of his people, while they increase his con- 
 fidence in the grace of God; and thus, the way is prepared for his ex- 
 erting a more powerful, salutary, and permanent influence. 
 
 'II. We will now name a few of the ways, in which a church is iii- 
 jured, by frequently changing their minister. 
 . -'1. //. will, almost incai'iably, lead to the neglect of discipline. Tliis 
 is one of the most important and painful duties a minister has to per- 
 form. When he supposes his residence with a people is merely tem- 
 porary, it has often presented a fatal temptation to pass over this st-it- 
 denying duty. His successor takes the same course, until that church, 
 which might have been united, flourishing, and strong, is alienated, 
 few, and feeble. 
 
 '2. It tends to divide and distract a church. Some churches seem 1> 
 imagine, that the most stife and certain way to dispose of the great 
 
11 
 
 rvass of their parish difficulties, is to dismiss their minister, espccially 
 .r;'any serious oj)positioii appears a<»ainst him. But the people of (»otl 
 i'iny never hope to get a rninister who will buLld them uj), without they 
 iire tried and proved, as well as their niinister. Tliej must be with 
 Jiiuj, and heartily witii him. They must labour with him, and suHe:' 
 •tilth hin^; or the cause of christ must suffer, and languish, and die. 
 Now, suppose that a congregatitjji has secured a minister, and a faith- 
 L'.d one: Suppose that congregation is in the habit of dismissing their 
 inini^Jter as often as any serious difficulty arises; and suppose the truth 
 *.'f God lias chafed the consciences of some of the people, so that they 
 reel uneasy: Wiiat is the consequence? These restless spirits know, 
 ■'i-'hat has been done, more than once, in similar circumstances: By a 
 tttie anf.jl manoeuvering, the rninister has I'cen dismissed. 'J'heir course 
 
 plain; and their work is easy. They know the church will not ev- 
 :lurt' hardness-, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; but will shrink fi'om 
 opposition raised against th(^ir minister; and though they profess to love 
 iiim, will part with him, rather than do their duty. Some of the church, 
 iiowever, uro willing to hazard any thing necessary to retain him: but, 
 he must go, leaving the chiu'ch to contend about him. When such ;i 
 .icene has been acted over, again and again, and anothej', and sti'l 
 mother party is formed in a chuich, their affections, instead of ]>eiiig 
 'juited and settled upon one, are divided among nearly as many minis- 
 ters, as there are members in the church. 
 . I< makes them fastidioiis and fault -firuVrng. Called as often as , 
 r^ome of our churches are, to hear candidates, (not for settlement, l)ut to 
 l)e hired for a year or two,) they unco««ciously acquire the habit v( 
 criticizing every thing they see a minister do, or hear him say. And 
 as one gi-eat object of changing is, to get something new, — something 
 that will arrest attention, tliey are led to attach an undue import-afice to 
 novelty; and this })egets a disposition not to be satisfied wilh any thing. 
 Tiiis habit, aside from its destructive influence in neutralizing the truti», 
 has led the way to numerous complaints, which have been tiu' cause of 
 bitter regret to the authors of them; and have injured the reputation and 
 ■wrimg the heart of many an aff(?ctiona.te minister. 
 
 '4, preoenfs a church from acquiring that covfidence in her wiuis. 
 f'n\ irhirh^ next to the Iruth of God, is one of the most powerful and df- 
 lighful instruments of Pasloral usefulness. When a minister lias been 
 in a congregation for a course of years; has often wept with those that 
 %veep, and rejwced with those that rejoice; mingled in all their families, 
 and sympathized with them in the various circumstances through which 
 they have passed; the people then begin to know him, and love him, and 
 oontide in him, as th^Mr Pastor. When ^lle has followed the child from 
 the Baptismal font, v/ith the instructions and counsels, warnings and en- 
 treaties of a yearning Father; bee'i with him when convicted; answered 
 bis itiquiry, — What shall I do to he saved? — led him in prayer when he 
 knew not Uow to pray; and mingled his tears of joy with the penitent 
 l>efore the mercy seat; — that youth will never forget his Pastor. He 
 knows his Pastor ioves him. No voice is more sweet to him, than the 
 one which taught him liow to be saved. When a congregation ha^ 
 been thus educated by their Pastor; M hen they have tried him and proved 
 
12 
 
 )iim; when they have hibourcd with him, and wept with hin?, and re- 
 joiced with him; when they have seen and felt his salutary influence on 
 tiieir own souls, in every liimily and eveiy department of" society: — they 
 reverence and love him as children do an affectionate Father; and are 
 prepared to follow him, as their spiritual guide. But frequent changes 
 I'ljrbid the formation of this endearing bond: and shut out a people from 
 its benign influence. 
 
 '5. It destroys the character of a churclu It is not yet to be learned^ 
 tliat a church has a character, as well as a minister. It is not unfr(?- 
 qqenily that we hear the following inquiries, when persuading a minis- 
 t;^r to go to a i)articular church, ^ — Have they ever had a settled PasiorT 
 Do they often change ministers? Do yoii know whether they wish to hire 
 by the year, or to settle? These, and similar inquiries, are made, to de- 
 cide one question; viz: Can I be useful there? If a minister, espe- 
 cially one of the better sort, |jet the impression, that the people are slow: 
 to settle a Pastor, and rather contemplate changing once in a year or two, 
 lie will be likely to pity the people; but, despairing of success, he will 
 pass on.' 
 
 Dear Brethren: We cannot close this communication, without solemn- 
 ly cautioning you against all those forms and systems of error, that are?- 
 beginning to be propagated among us, which either exclude or under- 
 value the old-fashioned, but fundamental scriptural doctrines of Original 
 sin; total depravity; the absolute necessity of a change of heart; regere<f- 
 ration by the Holy Spirit; justification bj the imputed righteousness of 
 the Lord Jesus Christ; and good works, as the indispensable evidence of 
 a man's being in a state of grace: — which set tbrth Baptismal regeiM*- 
 ration, sacerdotal forgiveness of sin, Baptis4Tial justification; and sacira- 
 rnental confirmation, as an easier and more fashionable way of salvation; 
 which lay claim to Apostolic succession in office, and the exclusive right 
 of interpreting, if not of reading the holy scriptures, as well as of adniiin- 
 istering divine ordinances; and which urge men, as the step of paramount 
 importance, to join the church, as a means of grace; — or, as the only way 
 of safety, to come iiito the church, hy Prelatical Baptism and ConfirRia- 
 tion, irrespective of their princip^les and of their lives. Think not, we 
 beseech you, that there is, or can be any easier way of salvation than 
 that which the meek and lowly Jesus hath taught us, by newness and 
 holiness of life, through faith in his name. Guard against ihese, and 
 their kindred errors, however arrogantly and pompously they maj be 
 urged upon you, by men, enrobed in bigotry, and of exclusii'e pretensions. 
 They are the abominations of Rome, in Pusyitish dress; and they arej).ro- 
 pagated, with all the zeal and dexterity of primitive proselytism. 
 
 Finally, Brethren, — If you would be joyful in the Lord; if you woulcii 
 see your children and servants growing up around you, ss fruitful planta- 
 in his vineyard; if you would have the candlestick of the sanctuary to 
 continue its light, and to shine ntore and more brightly among you; if you 
 would have the church of God revived, enlai'ged, encouraged, and efii- 
 cient; — the salt of the earth, — the light of the world; if you would have 
 the world, which licth in wickedness, converted to God; — we sf)lemn]r 
 charge you, to seek, with all diligence, a more elevated and active grade 
 of piety: Be more trequently and more im;portunate in your closets; let 
 
13 
 
 the holy scriptures Ije, moro scruj>ulousIy, the daily lamp to }our feet, and 
 light to your path; let brotherly lave he wilhout dissimvlalion; associate 
 yourselves more fi equeiitly together, t<)r social prayer and solemn praise; 
 maintain a higher starnlard of tlimily religion; pay special attention to the 
 religious instruction of your childi en and servants; drill them, n)ore tho- 
 rou£;hly, after the example of our fore-fathei s, in the oicellent standards 
 and catechisms of our church; maintain a constant ajid strict observance 
 of the Saljljath; and especially, give the honour which is due to the {loly 
 Spirit, and to Him alone; — recognise Him, distinctly iiwd lial)itua!ly, in 
 his divinity, personality, and appropriate work; — clicrish an abiding sense 
 of absolute dependence upon his agency; — and seek, most fervently, in 
 tlie diligent use of the means of grace, a speedy and a mighty effusion of 
 his sacred influences. 
 
 And now, may that God who liath all hearts in his hand, and who 
 conducteth them whithersoever he will, as the rivers of water are turned, 
 incline your heaiis, to the cheerful, willing, and habitual exercise of every 
 grace and virtue which adorns the character of his own children; and may 
 He malce f/ou perfect in every good irork io do his u i/J, uorhing in you 
 that which is well pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom 
 be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 
 
 By order of the Synod. 
 
 SAMUEL WILLIAMSON, Moderate. 
 
 Charlotte, N. C. Nov. 10th, 1840. 
 
I 
 
ij. G. 204 Z99M v.l 372436 
 Nos. 1-18 
 
 N, C. Rftl igious-^Bampial e^ts^ 
 
 CALL NUMBER 
 
 A 
 
 Vol. 
 
 I 
 
 Date (for periodical) 
 
 Copy No. i _ 
 
 N.C. 204 Z99M v.l 57343 
 
 •'OS. 1-18