sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." I Tim. iii. 8-13.

Reflecting on this language of the Holy Ghost here presented to us, and on the general state of society in our times, as well as of our churches in different parts of the country, we may remark that there are certain qualifications which may be regarded as ESSENTIAL to the characters of our deacons, and others, which, if not indispensable, are truly DESIRABLE.

Preliminary to this inquiry, it is only proper to observe, that the whole language of the apostles proceeds upon the assumption that no one is qualified for the office of deacon in a christian church, who is not a member in full communion, and held in high and honourable estimation as a regenerated spiritual man, consistent in his profession as a disciple of Christ, "walking in all the commandments of the Lord blameless." Luke i. 6. This is clearly pre-supposed in the passages quoted. As it is a church office, designed to secure and promote the honour and comfort of the whole associated fellowship of Christ, no man can be supposed to be qualified unless he be a person of acknowledged piety, an evident partaker of the Holy Ghost.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS OF CHRISTIAN DEACONS.

1. Deacons must be DEVOUT IN SPIRIT: they are to be "full of the Holy Ghost." These terms have been regarded by some as indicating the miraculous endowments of the Holy Spirit; and that, therefore, they can have no application to modern Christians. But it does not appear that such was the meaning of the apostles in this language: they seem to have required the brethren selected should possess a large measure of the graces of the Spirit of Christ, sanctifying and governing their minds, and so fitting them for usefulness in the church of God. Believers generally are enjoined to be filled with the Spirit," Eph. v. 18, and to "walk in the Spirit," Gal. v. 16, that they may enjoy the holy consolations of the gospel, manifest the "fruit of the Spirit" in all heavenly virtues, and so glorify their Divine Lord. Those who are fitted for the service of deacons should especially be men largely distinguished by a devout and spiritual mind, and by compassion for the souls of men, illustrating the celestial power of their own personal piety, and exhibiting the mind that was in Christ Jesus. Happy for our churches, there are many who are favoured with such excellent deacons, men of God, whose spiritual gifts, edifying conversation, active zeal, cheerful temper, and generous benevolence, secure their own personal honour and enjoyment, while they thus prove that they are "full of the Holy Ghost"

2. Deacons must be SOUND IN DOCTRINE. The words of the apostle are, "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience." Intelligent and conscientious in their belief of the gospel, they should be firmly grounded in the knowledge of the Holy

Scriptures, and established in a heartfelt regard to all the grand principles of christian truth. Deacons, being conspicuous as officers of the churches, are often called upon to state and defend the great verities of the gospel: they must, therefore, be "ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear." 1 Pet. iii. 15. Our inquisitive times, when every principle is being rigorously scrutinized by both friends and enemies of Christianity, peculiarly require that our deacons should possess well-furnished minds, prepared by experimental knowledge of the gospel, to silence objectors, to speak a word in season to inquirers in the ways of godliness, and, under its sanctifying influence, to "illustrate and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour." Tit. ii. 10.

3. Deacons must be HOLY IN LIFE. Holiness is acknowledged to be essential to church-membership: and it cannot but be required in those especially who hold official stations among the disciples of Christ. As holiness is represented in several particulars, it will be proper here to notice them. Deacons must therefore be

Men of honest report, having the confidence and esteem of their brethren in religious association: they must have the testimony of their neighbours and fellow-citizens as to their uprightness and integrity, their characters illustrating the influence and power of their religion. Various circumstances over which men have no contronl, besides intellectual superiority and moral worth, will occasion some members of churches to be held in higher estimation than others, both in civil and religious life; but deacons, who are intrusted with the secular and pecuniary management of churches, are required to be blameless," and of unsullied reputation, that their stability and purity of character may secure the confidence and promote the happiness of their brethren, and to recommend to the world the excellency of the doctrine of Christ.

Wise. "Full of wisdom," is the language of the apostles. Intelligence is essential to the profitable discharge of any important duties; and they who are called to the office of the deaconship, must be men of sound understandings, practical knowledge, and large experience. "Wisdom is profitable to direct," even in the ordinary affairs of life; and in the church of Christ, much wisdom and prudence are necessary regarding the doctrines of Christianity, the principles of human nature, and the common maxims of the world. Considering the diversified characters, stations, and circumstances of Christians, and their consequent peculiar prejudices, infirmities, and imperfections, corrected, indeed, by the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, but not yet brought into heavenly equality and harmony, deacons, who have constant intercourse and communications with them, need divine endowments, the fruit of that "wisdom that cometh from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." James i. 27.

Grave. While gravity in speech and behaviour, in opposition to levity and trifling, is highly becoming in all persons professing godliness, this quality is peculiarly so in those who are distinguished

as officers in the church of Christ. Harsh moroseness, or repulsive severity, however, should by no means be found in those who bear the honours of the deaconship; but a dignified cheerful seriousness, corresponding with the sacred character of men whose duty calls them to be stewards of religious charities, rendering them easy of access, entitling them to and inviting the confidence of their poorer brethren and sisters, who are fellow-heirs with them of the kingdom of God our Saviour.

Sincere. The apostle's language is, "Not double-tongued." Insincerity or duplicity can scarcely be supposed to exist with personal piety; but even religious persons may be excessively talkative, and under the influence of that propensity, they may colour, embellish, and misrepresent facts regarding the infirmities or faults of their fellow-members. Such persons are but ill qualified to hold influential situations in worldly society, much less in the church of God. Men, as well as women, are capable of " wandering about from house to house; being tattlers also, and busy-bodies, speaking things which they ought not." 1 Tim. v. 13. Gossipping is common amongst all ranks, from the palace to the cottage, affording temptations to detraction, unfavourable insinuations against the absent, and even to slander and calumny; and such an evil has interrupted, not to say destroyed, the harmony of many a church of Christ. Deacons must be men of personal piety, elevated far above such littleness, meanness, wickedness, being sanctified by the Spirit of God, and animated with love to truth and peace, jealous for the peace of the churches, and watchful over the honour and reputation

of their fellow Christians.

Sober. "Not given to much wine," is the inspired canon. "Temperance is next to godliness," says the ancient proverb; but rather, it is an essential part of practical religion, and a fruit of the blessed Spirit. Fallen nature is easily tempted to self-indulgence and sensual gratifications, especially in those whom Providence has blessed with abundance; and the immoderate use of intoxicating liquors has, in lamentably numerous instances, been fatal to the spirituality, the happiness, and honour of eminent Christians. Divine inspiration gives this rule, therefore, with the highest reason; and in other passages, the apostle cautions the saints against this sort of indulgence, exhorting, " Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit." Ephes. v. 18. Deacons, even those who are blessed with a superfluity of this world's good, must be men of temperate, exemplary habits, that they may afford examples to their fellow Christians, and glorify their Lord and Saviour.

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Generous. "Not greedy of filthy lucre." Consistent piety, forming men to diligence in business, is frequently honoured in the dispensations of Divine Providence with increasing wealth; while "the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches," have, in many instances, "choked the word that it has become unfruitful:" and such cases have been seen among the disciples of Christ. Good men who have become rich, by being immersed in worldly occupations, have absented themselves from many divine ordinances, and declined

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in spirituality, manifesting even an increasing eagerness after greater wealth, and a far less degree of liberality than previously in contributing to the cause of God. Deacons must not be thus affected; lest they check the liberality of their fellow Christians, lessen the comforts of the poor, abridge the necessaries of their ministers, and impede, in various ways, the progress of the cause of the Redeemer. "I have seen a pastor starving and the poor neglected," says Dr. Morison, "where the resources of the people were ample, had not the parsimony of the deacon shut the eye, the hand, and the heart of benevolence. A narrow minded, timid, and selfish deaconship is an unspeakable curse to a christian church. If the grand problem to be solved is how little may be done for the cause of Christ, and character be preserved; if the fear be, not that the people may do too little, but too much,-how great is the evil thus officially inflicted upon the church of Christ!"

Exemplary in domestic government. "Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things." 1 Tim. iii. 11, 12. Polygamy was com mon among the heathen; and some of the primitive converts to Christianity had been involved in this criminal practice: but while such might be admitted to the fellowship of the churches, it disqualified them for holding office among their brethren, especially as it would render domestic government impossible on the principles of the gospel. Deacons, however, in our churches are required to be exemplary in their conjugal fidelity and domestic government, having wives like-minded with themselves, "heirs together of the grace of life," and their children under proper controul. Irregularities in their families would occasion reflections upon the religious characters of deacons and distress their fellow Christians, while exemplary behaviour at home and domestic regulations producing harmony, love, and piety, would bring honour in the eyes of all to the churches of the Lord Jesus.

4. Deacons must be LIBERAL IN ZEAL. Christianity is designed for all the nations of the world; and in its character it is essentially proselyting or missionary. Divine Providence has, in our times, widely opened the Holy Scriptures and clearly shown to us our duty as the adopted children of the Most High, the redeemed of the Lord our God. Devotion to the service of Christ and efforts to make known his glorious name and salvation to evangelize mankind, must especially characterize enlightened Christians. Individuals may enter with energetic zeal upon the different fields of labour, and God will certainly crown them with his effectual blessing; but organized churches are peculiarly fitted and called upon to show themselves consecrated to the various departments of the divine work.

Ministers must instruct their people in their high and responsible privileges, and lead them forth into walks of usefulness; but their holy projects require to be zealously and liberally seconded and sustained by their several deacons, as the most eminent members of their churches. Scarcely any thing can be more delightful, in re

lation to the constitution and operations of our churches, than the reflection that very many of our noblest public institutions have originated with, and been especially supported by, the zealous and liberal labours of our deacons. Their honour in the office, to which they have been chosen by the churches, is inestimably great; their responsibilities correspond with their high privileges; and an illustrious band of them deserve a lasting record among the most worthy benefactors of our fallen world. All our deacons ought to be duly sensible of the weighty but delightful obligations devolving upon them; not only in relation to the "tables of the poor and their ministers' tables," but generally in regard to the cause of Christ in the world. Sunday and day schools, colleges for the rising ministry, and missionary and Bible societies, for home and foreign labours, should all have their most generous support, directly from their own contributions, and from the people by their laudable and consistent example. Although our beloved and excellent friends in office have in very numerous instances shown themselves sensible of their honours and devoted to their duties, little doubt can be entertained but many need instruction in these matters; and others need to have their "pure minds stirred up by way of remembrance, though they know these things and be established in the present truth," that so they may become increasing and perpetual blessings to all the churches of our Lord and Saviour.

II. DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS IN CHRISTIAN DEACONS. Endowments of various kinds, and of the highest order, are doubtless desirable for christian deacons. But while, in the present state of the church of God, we may not expect the bestowment of miraculous gifts, there are talents of a remarkable class, possessed by many of our esteemed friends holding office, which are acknowledged to be desirable in all our churches. Some of these, at least, it may be advantageous to mention in this place.

1. Spiritual endowments are desirable to be possessed by all our deacons and among these may be reckoned,

The gift of prayer: no doubt but the deacons, chosen by the church at Jerusalem, were men of spiritual and devout minds, and that they were capable of leading the devotions of their brethren, when they assembled "with one accord for prayer and supplication." Acts i. 14; xii. 5, 12. Many estimable brethren, distinguished members of our churches, seem to possess richly almost every qualification for the office of deacon besides this; but their timidity and nervousness will not allow them to think of engaging in prayer publicly with the church. Affectionately sympathizing with such beloved brethren, we may say to them, that ability in this respect may be acquired by most men; and such a talent ought to be earnestly sought and diligently improved: still it may be admitted, that this is not essential, every one must perceive that it is a very desirable qualification in our deacons.

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The gift of preaching: this talent certainly is not essential to our deacons. Dr. Dwight remarks, in relation to this, There is undoubtedly no warrant given to deacons in the Scriptures to preach. But there are a multitude of religious instructions of very great im