presumed to trench, nor carelessly nor wantonly approach the confines of the regular clergy. The doctrine and discipline of the church are sufficiently and gloriously illuminated from many a golden candlestick; and the citadel of christianity is well guarded by the lynx-eyed vigilance of Bishops PORTEUS, WATSON, and HORSELEY. But a young man, sequestered and studious, imagined that the moral doctrines, and the literary beauties of the Bible might be familiarly illustrated in vehicles, cheap and popular. "On this hint he spake," and volunteered in a village as a Lay Preacher, without even "the laying on the hands of the presbytery." The author will soon respectfully appear at the bar of public opinion; and, in the impressive words of the ancient law," stand upon his deliverance;" nothing doubting of a fair trial from the discernand candid, and catholic-and careless of the crude criticisms of the malignant vulgar.

ing,

THE LAY PREACHER.

DESIGN OF THE PREACHER.

“I will rise now, and go about the city, in the streets, and in the broad ways."-Song of Solomon iii. 2.

In a walk, so wide, and various, the pondering preacher, perhaps, can moralize upon the shifting scenes, more profitably, aye, and more pleasantly too, than a more heedless pedestrian. He, who sallies out for the express purpose of speculation and remark, with his scrutinizing spectacles on, and "with a patient ear," can note and describe, with greater accuracy, than the individual, who is cramped with the crowd, or who, engrossed by some worldly care, is hurrying onward to his object.

A

I have long been of opinion, that if I could traverse the market place, visit the mart, lounge at the coffee-houses, and, explore, in the homely phrase of Sancho, "every creek and corner" of a great city, that I could profitably compose a little essay, and tell, occasionally, what I had seen and heard. With this opportunity, eagerly sought, and long denied, I am now indulged. In the metropolis of my country, I have found a sort of parsonage, which has been my shelter for more than a year. Having had time to visit many of my new parishioners, to compose my cares, and put my study in order, I have thought it expedient to shake off sluggishness, to rouse from the dreams of abstraction, and to resolve, as it seems Solomon, in my text, has done be1ore me, to rise now, and go about the city, in the streets, and in the broad ways.

Many years ago, I stood in a rustic pulpit, and was wont to address myself to the few villagers, who thought my sermons worth listening to. It was literally "the voice of one crying in the wilderness," for the forest was frequently my study, and my principal hearers a gurgling brook, a silent valley, or an aged tree. I had but few of the fathers to consult, and perused

the best of books, not with Poole's, but my own commentary. My discourses, like the tedious narratives of farmer Flamborough, in the "Vicar of Wakefield," began to be "very long, very dull, and all about myself." My hearers grew desperate, and I disheartened. I took an affectionate leave of them, migrated to the city,a nd sought preferment. Of the difficulty in obtaining it, I quickly had occasion to meditate in the text of "Ye shall seek me, but ye shall not find me." Disappointed in my golden and romantic expectations of a benefice, I have become quietly submissive to the mandate of necessity; acquire, as fast as I can, "the knack of hoping;" and, like some cheery practical philosopher, that I have read of, "draw upon content, for the deficiencies of fortune."

But, though not translated to a see, nor even made chaplain to a bishop; though I neither snore with fat prebends, in a stall, nor gloriously wake with a Watson, or a Horsley, yet, as happy brides are wont to say, I have some reason to be pleased with the alteration of my condition. My study is enlarged, and I have received salary enough, to purchase the works of St. Austin, and a bible, of better print, than the little

Scotch edition I used to twirl over, in the country. Though the tithes of a Lay Preacher, are very tardily collected, yet, the more liberal parishioner, does not always forget, that "the labourer is worthy of his hire." Cheerfulness keeps pace with patronage, and, though there is not much danger, that she will be outstripped by her companion, I have such good spirits, and such agreeable reveries, in my "journey. ings," whether from country to town, or, " from Dan to Beersheba," that I often flatter myself I shall,

"From diocese to diocese, to CANTERBURY pass, sir."

But, enough of this levity. It remains, to speak of the profit, or the pleasure, which I propose to my readers, from my habit of going about the city. If, either as a watchman, or a lounger, I traverse its streets, or its broad ways, the utility of such a ramble need not long be doubted. It will enable me, to variegate my speculations, to discern all the hues of "many coloured life," to turn gay subjects to moral purposes, and furnish copious materials for rebuke, or exhortation.