'614 e:r tinnily; ATTEMPT, &c. ing it in their power to spread a laugh round the company when they please : but let it be our ambition to net on the stage of life as men who, are devoted to the service of the trod of heaven, M the real" benefit of mankind on earth, and to their eternal interests. , -Yet there is no need that your behaviour should have any thing stiff or haughty, any ' thing sullen or gloomy in it: there is an art of plcasing"iu conversation that will maintain the honour of a'superior office without a morose silence, without an affected stiffness, and without a haughty supefiiority. A pleasant story may proceed without offence from a minister's lips ; but he should never aim at the title of a man of mirth, nor abound in such talesas carry no useful instruction in them, no lessons of piety, or wisdom, or virtue. Let a cheerful freedom, a generous friendship, and an innocent, pleasure generally appear on your countenance ; and let your speech be ever kind and xfléctionate. Do not put on any forbidding airs, nor letthe humblest soul be afraid to speak to you. Let your whole carriege beeivil and aflitble ; let your address to men be usually open and free, kuch as may allure persons tube open and free -with you in the im Portent concerns of 'their souls. Seek as ihr,es possible to ob- tain all,your pious designs, by soft and gentle methods of per suasion. If you are ever called to the unpleasing and painful work of reproof, this may be clone effectually upon some occasions without speaking a word. When vicious, or uncleanly, or un- becoming speeches arise in public conversation, a sudden silence with an assumed gravity will often be a sensible and sufficient reproof. Or Wherewords of admonition may not be proper be- eanse of the company; sometimes a sudden departure may be the best way to acquaint. them with your disapprobation.. But there are cases wherein such a tacitrebuke is not sufficient to answer your character and your office. Sometimes it is necessary for a minister to bear a public and express witness against shocking immorality, or against vile and impiousdiscourse. Yet in gene- rat it must he said, ifa reproof can be given in secret, it is best, and most likely to prevail upon the offender, because it less irri- tates his passions, nor awakens his pride to vindicate himself, and to despise all reproof. Whensoever providence calls you to this work, make it ap- pear to the transgressor that you do it with regret and pain : let him see that you are not giving vent toyour own wrath, but seek- ing his interest and welfare ; and that were it not for the honour of God, and tor his good, you would gladly excuse yourself froto the ungrateful task ; and that it is a work in which your spirit takes no delight. If the case and circumstancesrequire some slìeectes that are awful anti severe, let it appear still than
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