98 BIOGRAPHY OF
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aybe a profitable preacher of the gospel; for in thisyou have determined to spend your days. You saywhat we know experimentally to be true, that your col-legiate studies have occupied the most of your time,and left but little to the study of the Bible; of this youare In a great degree ignorant. The subjeet of yourinquiry is of vast importance to you, and to the causeyou have determined to advocate; and I will, at yoururgent request, give you the best advice I know. » I. Retire to your study m your father’s house, andmake that room a proseuche, or place of prayer. Takewith you there a large polyglot English Bible, withthe Septuagint translation, and Griesbach’s Greek Tes-tament, with Dr. Parkhurst’s and Greenfield’s Lexicons,and Greenfield’s Greek Coneordance. Read the OldTestament regularly from the beginning, with the Sep-tuagint before you, by which you will be better able tounderstand the writer. Should you find any thing darkor unintelligible, note it down on a small blank book,and take it to your near neighbor, Elder T. M. A., whewill gladly assist you to the right understanding of thepassage. When you read the New Testament, haveGreisbach’s Greek Testament open before you. Shoulddifhculties oecur, examine the translation by Parkhurst’sor Greenfield’s Lexicon, and more especially by theGreek Concordance. ‘This is the safest and most cer-tain method of finding the true meaning of the words.Take short notes of all the important things you mayfind in your reading. Forget not to mingle prayer toyour God for direction into all truth, and that the wis-dom from above may be afforded you. II. In the intervals of your Bible studies, read churchhistory; Moshiem’s I recommend you to read first;then D’Aubigne on the Reformation; then Dr. Neanderon the first three centuries. ‘Take short notes of allimportant facts. Forget not meditation and prayer—pray always—pray without ceasing—Keep yourself inthe love of God. Vain will be your studies withoutthese. BARTON W. STONE. 99 III. When you have read your Bible through care-fully, not hurriedly, turn back and read it again, with thecommentary of Henry, and others, lately collated forthe Baptist Society. Have by you also Dr. McKnighton the Epistles; and consult these commentaries on alldifficult passages. . I do not recommend a general read-ing of them; as this would consume much time to littleprofit. Commentators generally labor to make the Scrip- |tures bend to their peculiar systems, and to speak thelanguage of Ashdod, or some other barbarous dialecHence the danger of becoming too conversant withthem. Yet continue in prayer. IV. Durimg your studies, let your seat be always filledin the house of God every Lord’s-day, and other daysappointed for divine worship. Pray and exhort pub-licly among the brethren. ‘This will prepare you forfuture operations. Many fill their heads with studieddivinity, and when they go forth to preach, know nothow to speak, and have to supply the lack by readinga discourse written, or committed tomemory. Remem-ber, my son, reading is not preaching. Poy “V. Keep yourself, as much as practicable, from toomuch company and irrelevant conversation. ‘These toooften intrude upon your studies and devotions. VI. When you are by your brethren sent forth topreach, confine your ministration to practical subjects.Young preachers are too fond of polemic divinity, andabstruse subjects. Vanity is at the bottom, and willruin them, if not checked by an humble spirit. VII. Let the glory of God and the salvation of soulsbe your polar star; then will your labors be blest in theworld; and a crown of righteousness be given you atthe coming of the Lord. VUI. You are blessed with a wealthy, pious father,who is able and willing to support you without the aidof the churches. Go then to the destitute, and build onno man’s foundation, taking nothing for your services.Many poor preachers have to confine themselves to thechurches, or get no help. You will not be under this ee —— oe x
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