Perhaps there never was a time which more than the present required zeal blended with discretion, firmness tempered with meekness, and faithfulness softened by charity, in the Christian minister: well does the admonition of our blessed Lord to his disciples apply to those whom, in this day, he has called to be pastors under Himself—“be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” There are two other passages of Scripture which appear to present a striking view of an important duty of the clerical office in times like the present, and of the mode in which it is to be exercised: the command addressed to Isaiah, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.” {193a} And the instructions given by St. Paul to Timothy, “The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God, peradventure, will give them repentance to the acknowledgment of the truth.” {193b} It is the duty of Christian ministers to exhort and console each other in the difficult work they have to perform; “to put one another always in remembrance;” to “bear one another’s burdens;” to “admonish one another in the spirit of meekness and brotherly love.” How high is the dignity of the ministerial office! “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.” {194a} “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled unto God.” {194b} How awful its responsibility! “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore, hear the word of 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 the wicked 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.” {194c} “Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which He hath purchased with his own blood.” {194d} How great the satisfaction, how sweet the joys of a successful ministry! “For what is our hope or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” {194e} “Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord: for what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy, wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God?” {195a} “Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” {195b} “Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in