36 MINISTRY AT STAND, [Chap. III. 



Mr. Philips, having expressed satisfaction on behalf of the 

 congregation, offered him in their name the right hand of 

 fellowship; and then followed an excellent charge from the 

 venerable C. Wellbeloved, in which he states it as the minister's 

 first duty to lead the devotions of the congregation; as a preacher, 

 he is to point out " the whole duty of man." " You know, my 

 young friend and brother, that controversial preaching receives 

 no commendation from me. I cannot consider it as wise, or 

 proper, that a Christian preacher should be perpetually or fre- 

 quently combating opinions which his hearers have never held, 

 or have abjured, and labouring to defend those which they 

 cordially receive. . . . Discourses of this nature do not appear 

 to me very favourable to genuine humility and Christian charity." 

 He exhorts him to study to show himself "approved unto 

 God." " What your conscience dictates, you will speak and do, 

 regardless both of the censure and the applause of the world." 



After a hymn — the hymns were beautifully sung, to simple 

 tunes — the Rev. J. J. Tayler addressed the congregation. He 

 warned those who valued their own freedom not to erect a 

 standard of orthodoxy ; and ended with reminding them that 

 "the best fruits of the human heart and character will only 

 ripen in the warm and genial atmosphere of mutual love and 

 confidence." Their minister was young and inexperienced. 

 " Concede to him freedom of thought and honesty of speech. 

 Do not demand from him too soon the caution and reserve — 

 the cold maturity of judgment — which only years and ex- 

 perience bestow. Wait for the natural effects of age on a 

 young and sanguine mind. . . . Require from him devoted- 

 ness to duty, seriousness of spirit, and a deep concern for the 

 moral and spiritual interests of the human race ; but do not 

 tie him down in the pursuit of these objects." Then Mr. 

 Robberds, after a touching address, gave his young brother the 

 right hand of fellowship, in the name of the assembled 

 ministers. There was hardly a dry eye in the chapel. Philip 

 wrote: "I could not restrain my emotion at the morning 

 service. At any rate, it is better than seeming unmoved. All 

 these ministers were much affected : they all made such beau- 



