Assuming, for the moment, that the duties and qualifications of the medical practitioner do not impose upon him a higher degree of responsibility, relative to the spiritual good of his patient, than attaches to every other well-informed Christian, in reference to his neighbor, I may safely assert that the profession of medicine does in no wise release its member from a duty common to all Christians—that of embracing every opportunity to testify their gratitude to the adorable Saviour, and their anxious desire to extend the blessings of redeeming mercy to those who “are ready to perish.” But the assumption itself is incorrect; for it would not be difficult to prove that the favorable opportunities and peculiar facilities possessed by the physician do proportionably _augment_ his responsibility, and the consequent amount of obligation. Nor can this fearful responsibility be evaded, by a general impression of our unfitness for the task, unless we can conscientiously affirm that we have tried to the utmost—that we have done all that we were able to do. As regards the alleged interference with the ministerial office, I may truly say that, to the extent of my own observation, the apprehension is entirely groundless. So far removed, indeed, are the judicious, well-timed suggestions of the physician, in relation to the immortal interests of his patient, from anything like interference with the sacred function, that, in the instances in which they are most needed, they may be strictly regarded as _precursory_ and introductory to the more direct instructions of the minister; as opening a way for him which would otherwise be closed, as removing ill-founded objections to his assistance, and enkindling a desire for his spiritual counsel. In many other instances, the Christian physician proves a powerful _auxiliary_ to the faithful minister of Christ, especially by facilitating his visits, pointing out at what time, under what circumstances, and to what extent, the patient may be likely to attend, with safety and advantage, to “the things which make for his eternal peace.” I have good reason, indeed, to believe that the enlightened ambassadors of the Saviour, so far from entertaining a feeling of jealousy, do really hail with cordial satisfaction such auxiliaries, in their trying visits to the bed of sickness and death; persuaded that none can feel a deeper interest than a Christian physician, in the well-being of _the whole man_, bodily and spiritually, in reference to eternity as well as to time. And how can jealousy be felt? Is not the glory of his Divine Master in the salvation of immortal souls, the supreme object of every pious minister’s pursuit? If so, even the feeblest attempt to subserve the same cause must gain his hearty concurrence. Happily, the un-scriptural, un-Protestant notion of religious instruction devolving exclusively on the clergy has become obsolete. As well might the Bible itself be read and studied by them alone. The very