92 — stattstical notices of N. America. _ Now. 27: 
partial cause of a good effect, is also’ the cause of 2° 
veryunhappy one ;—too few young gentlemen of in- 
genuity and talents are induced to enter into the mi- 
nistry ; and of those who choose that profefsion, too « 
few enjoy the necefsary motives to excite them to 
cultivate their talents to the best advantage. 
You inquire ‘‘ whether ministers are faithful in do 
ing their duty? or whether they are restrained from 
it by their dependence on the people ?” Happily the 
simplicity of the people, in general, renders a: mini-- 
ster’s discharging his duty with fidelity ameng them, . 
almost the only source of his influence. And. the 
people here are apt to thiak, that, if a minister be’ 
very independent of their good opinion, he will have, 
“by many, fewer motives to the faithful discharge of 
his trust, especially if his own piety be not very 
warm, than he has in the present state of things. 
The same people who call a minister, although they 
have not the power of ejecting him without the 
concurrence of the presbytery, have yet the power. 
of rendering him so unhappy, that he fhall: be obli- 
ged to seek a dismifsion from them himself. They 
may with-hold his stipulated salary, or oblige him. 
to sue for it at common law ; which in the ideas of 
this country, will totally ruin his character, and de- 
stroy for ever his usefulnefs. One of the best se- 
curities which a man enjoys against this unhappy 
event, is a diligent and prudent discharge of his 
duty. If, by this means he confirms himself in the 
good opinion of the people, ministers are so rare, 
they will not easily part with him; but if they 
- fhould be gl-natured, he, by seeking a dismifsion im- 
