The great object of a minister's chief attention being thus fixed, viz. upon the younger, and more teachable part of his congregation, it remains to be confidered in what manner their inftruction may be best provided for. Now it appears to me, that the only effectual provifion for this purpose is a courfe of regular and fyftematical inftruction. Every branch of knowledge is built on certain facts and principles; and in order that these be fully and clearly understood, they must be delivered in a proper order, so that one thing may moft naturally introduce another. In other words, no branch of knowledge, religion not excepted, can be taught to advantage but in the way of fyftem. Frightful as this word may found, it fignifies nothing but an orderly and regular fet of principles, beginning with the easiest, and ending with the most difficult, which, in this manner, are the most eafily demonstrated. No perfon would ever think of teaching Law or Medicine, or any other branch of science in the manner in which religion is now generally taught; b 4 taught; and as no perfon ever acquired a competent knowledge of Law, Medicine, or any other science by hearing declamatory difcourfes upon the fubject; fo neither can we reasonably expect that a juft and comprehenfive knowledge of religion fhould ever be communicated in the fame loose and incoherent manner. Befides, it is now too much the fashion to neglect public worship, and any scheme of bufinefs or pleasure is thought to be a fufficient excuse for a perfon's abfenting himself from it, even on the Lord's-day; so that this only means of instruction, insufficient as it is for the purpose, is becoming every day more uncertain; and it may be expected that lefs advantage will be made of it continually. On these accounts, religious knowledge will never be communicated, with certainty and good effect, from the pulpit only. Thofe of the congregation who think themselves already fufficiently knowing, will be disgusted with the repetition of elementary principles; to thofe who are extremely extremely ignorant, it is not poffible, in a formal difcourfe, to speak plainly and familiarly enough; and those whose minds are not fufficiently enlightened, and efpecially those whose prejudices are of long ftanding, will be apt to take offence at the discovery of truths which it will be impoffible for them to comprehend or receive. There can be no hope, therefore, of doing any thing to good purpose, in this way, unless the minister can have an opportunity of difcourfing to the young men by themselves. He may then converse with them familiarly on the fundamental principles of natural and revealed religion; he may say the fame things over. and over again, and change his form of expreffion, in order to make himself perfectly understood; he may alfo illustrate what he advances by familiar instances, and examples, and fet every thing of importance in a great variety of lights.. Moreover, if they will fubmit to it (which it will be greatly to their advantage to do). he may examine them on the subjects on which he has difcourfed, fo as to fatisfy himself whether they have perfectly understood him, whether they retain in memory the facts and reafonings which he has advanced, and be fufficiently grounded in one thing before he proceeds to another. This method will also give him an opportunity of removing any difficulties, or answering any objections which may have occurred to them, or which may have been thrown in their way by other perfons. In fhort, I would advise a minister to form the young men of his congregation from the age of 18 or 20 to about 30 into an academical clafs, and take the very fame methods to teach them the elements of religion, that he would do to teach them the rudiments of any branch of natural knowledge. To make this bufinefs the easier to the tutor, and the more advantageous to his pupils, it will be farther advisable, that he give his lectures from a fhort text or fyftem, written, or rather printed, that they they may have an opportunity of perusing it, and of studying it when they are by themselves, and thereby the better prepare themselves for examination. I do not give this advice at random, or from theory only; for I have, in a great measure, carryed the scheme which I am now recommending into execution; and I can affure my friends in the ministry that, as far as my own experience is a guide, they may promise themselves much pleafure, and their pupils much advantage from the exercise. If it can be made agreeable to the people, I would also advise that the minister deliver the heads of his system in a fet of regular discourses to the congregation at large, once in four or five years, that those persons whom it may not be advisable to admit to his familiar lectures, may have an opportunity of hearing fome useful topicks difcuffed, at leaft, in a concise manner, which they might, otherwise, have never heard of at all. But, if the congregation b 6 |