The works of the Rev. William Thom, late minister ... - waughfamily.ca

44 SERMON'S.Oils llock, fhculd confift of pity and good will : it waspity and gocd will which moved your glorious Mafterto undertiike the work cf man's redemption ; youcannot err in formin'^ yourfelf upon fo illuflrious anexample ; " let the f?.me mind be in you, that was inChrifl Jefus." Pity and love to the perifhing and preciousfouls of men, will animate you to the faithfuldifcharge of your facred and laborious office.You are to be the fpeaker in this Congregationand moft certainly it is a great undertaking for anyone, to ftand up and charge himfclf with fpeaking toa numerous aflembly, concerning things of infinitemoment, where he alone is to be liilened to, and everyother perfon is to remain filent ; for there is hardlyone of his audience who is not more quick-fightedto obferve the faults than the merits of the fpeakerand thcfe faults, however fmall or few, are like to e-clipfe tlie beauty of the difcourfe, and to mar the effectof all that is right and forcibly advanced. This,this, however flightly it may be thought of, is aweighty and arduous office : but be not difcouraged jGod upholds and ftrengthens his fervants.You are to lead the devotions of this Congregation:in your prayers you fpeak to God, in behalf of yourpeople, and along with them.—As our Church hathnot received or allowed of fet forms, prayer is oftendeemed to be a fubaltern part of the m.iniflerialbuiinefs, and is therefore apt to be too carelefsly ftudied; and yet to worfhip God in a focial manner is,or^ ought to be, the chief end of our aflembiing inpublic.Many judicious and devout men have wifhed.that v/e had public meetings for prayer and praife only: This would be a folemn acknowledgment of curdependence on God ; and it might lead us to be atmore pains in fludying thofe prayers v/hich are to beoffered up to God in our affcmbiies.—You will judgeit neceffary to ftudy carefully, not only the matter,but the manner alfo, of your public prayers j you will