the pulpit. Thrust no soul into it-force no soul from it.

After some preparatory tuition, Mr. Raffles was sent by his friends, with higher views, to the Old College at Homerton, under the Rev. Dr. Smith as Divinity Tutor, and the Rev. Mr. Hill as Resident Tutor. This college, commonly known as the Homerton Independent Academy, is styled, by Dr. Winter, especially referring to Protestant Dissenters, the ancient seat of learning and religion;' and is, therefore, a ministerial seminary in which Dissenting Ministers seem to consider it as honourable to have been educated. This observation is necessary here. Considerable blame was imputed to the present writer, on a former occasion, for having unintentionally misrepresented the college wherein the Rev. Dr. Collyer was instructed, by stating him to have been prepared at Hoxton, whereas it appears that he was perfected at Homerton.

Concerning his professional views, Mr. Raffles has afforded much information. About the tenth year of his age, he states, in his Confession of Faith, professed by him at his Ordination as successor to the Rev. W. Humphryes, that his religious convictions were considerably strengthened through hearing a sermon preached by a plain but

pious man; the very mention of whose name always awakens within him emotions of the highest veneration and esteem. Subsequently he joined the Wesleyan Methodists; but becoming acquainted with the Rev. Dr. Collyer, and being introduced to his ministry and friendship, upon a removal to Peckham, Mr. Raffles found himself 'more and more enlightened,' his acquaintance with the Doctrines of Revelation more extensive, accurate, and correct,' and, consequently, his views, habits, and character more decided and confirmed.' Under these impressive views, there is no doubt, he entered the pulpit.—‹ The christian ministry was, from my childhood,' declares Mr. Raffles, the object of my warmest wishes and desires; and the choice of my earlier years was approved and confirmed by the judgment of maturer age. So far as I'am acquainted with my own heart, I think that I can conscientiously declare that my final choice of the ministry has arisen from the purest principles-certainly it was not for a morsel of bread, that it became the object of my desire; nor I trust, from any other interested and ambitious motive.'

What Mr. Raffles professes here, Dr. Collyer confirms for him. • The circumstances under which I I am addressing you,' observes the Rev. Dr. Collyer, during his Charge to this

preacher, are not without interest. We have long known and loved each other: we have shared our pleasures and anxieties mutually, and for some years: we have formed as clear conceptions, and obtained as perfect a knowledge, of each others character, as it is possible to possess in the present state. With respect to the motives which have induced you to enter into ministerial duties, I am satisfied of their purity; and the sphere of labour which you have selected, you have chosen from conviction. You have taken the oversight of this church, not by constraint, but willingly; not for a morsel of bread, nor for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind: neither as desiring to lord it over God's heritage, but with the sincere desire of being an example to the flock.'

Without the least wish to lessen the effect of the preceding passages, or the immediate appropriation of them, an impartial individual might wish, nevertheless, that such pointed stress had not been laid, either by Dr. Collyer or Mr. Raffles, on the phrases morsel of bread' and filthy lucre,'-as invidiously applicatory to some young men, whose calamity it may be to embark in the ministerial profession, alike destitute of paternal protection, the patronage of friendship, or the assistance of property.

To return to the preacher as yet before' us. Perhaps Mr. Raffles has been unconscious of the fact that he not only exhibits the sentiments of Dr. Collyer, but imitates that reverend gentleman's style and manner of preaching. Fancy is too predominant in the discourses of Mr. Raffles. It is not desirable that you should reject ornaments of style,' said Dr. C. in his Charge to him,

but let them be unsought: it is proper to accept the aids of imagination, but let its flight be directed by judgment, and corrected by the awful magnitude of your responsibility. We are not commissioned to amuse the vain and the fastidious; but to pluck the brand from the burning, by preaching Christ crucified! Guard against the extremes of slovenly neglect, in your compositions, and the polish which betrays a labour to exalt the man rather than his Master. In this we shall do well to imitate the Apostles, who never sought to decorate their subjects with the trappings of a meretricious eloquence; but the thoughts inspired throw a splendour over the language employed, inimitable by art, and inextinguishable by time.' Mr. Raffles might yet profit by these monitory hints. Let him strive to warm the heart, and not toil to charm the mind. Fancy is far short of feeling. Preachers

of the truth should have their lips touched with the live coal from off the altar!

Notoriety should be sacredly avoided by young ministers. The once young minister of the day, though the pious wonder of crowds, may prove the minister for the day! Whether in or out of an ecclesiastical establishment, the embassadors of christianity may find one brilliant example in point-that of Fenelon; who, having shone in the pulpit, withdrew to the shades of privacy, in order to mature those powers of mind which were afterwards to augment his usefulness and confirm his renown. Youthful ministers should not at first be stationed at the post of popular observation, though they may fairly appear there for a time; when, having thus made trial of their talent, they would act wisely in submitting to the penance of at least comparative seclusion, for the purposes of self-examination, and with the view of more permanently and efficaciously benefitting mankind. Now it has been the advantage of Mr. Raffles that such was his lot. But has he avoided the town, and kept prudently at his post? Players may look for gratification, indeed, in watching the transient triumphs of their 'animation, energy, and interest, kindling in every eye, and reflected from countenance to