REV. MR. MASSEY.

THERE are many ways of assisting ministers in the dis charge of their important duties, which seldom occur to common minds, but eminently conduce to the advancement of religion. One of these may be told in connection with General Washington, whose usefulness extended to every object within the sphere of his influence. In the affairs of Truro parish, to which Mount Vernon belonged, he took a lively concern, and exercised a salutary control. He was a vestryman of that parish. On one occasion, he gained a triumph of some mo ment, which Mr. Massey, the clergyman, who lived to an ad. vanced age, used to mention as an instance of his address. The old church was falling to ruin, and it was resolved that another should be built. Several meetings were held, and a warm discussion arose respecting its location; the old one being remote from the centre, and inconveniently situated for many of the parishioners. A meeting for settling the question was finally held. Mr. George Mason, who led the party for ad. hering to the ancient site, made an eloquent harangue, in which he appealed, with great effect, to the sensibilities of the people, conjuring them not to desert the spot consecrated by the bones of their ancestors and the most hallowed associations. Mr. Massey said that every person present seemed moved by this discourse, and, for the moment, he thought there would not be a dissenting voice. Washington then rose, and drew from his pocket a roll of paper, containing an exact survey of Truro parish, on which was marked the site of the old church, the proposed site of the new one, and the place where each pa rishioner resided. He spread this map before the audience, explained it in a few words, and then added, that it was for them to determine whether they would be carried away by an impulse of feeling, or act upon the obvious principles of reuson

and justice. The argument, thus confirmed by ocular demonstration, was conclusive, and the church was erected on the new site.

A DISCOURAGED YOUNG MINISTER.

A YOUNG minister was settled in a large and popular congregation, under very flattering circumstances. The church and people had settled him in the belief that he was a young man of more than ordinary talents, and with the expectation of his becoming a distinguished man. After a year or two, when the novelty of the thing had worn off, the current seemed to change, and the feeling prevailed that Mr. B. was not, nor likely to be, quite what they had expected. He did not grow as they had thought he would; he did not perform the amount. of labour which was needed to build up the church, and interest the congregation. Things dragged heavily. The young man felt the influence of the chill atmosphere which thus surrounded him. His spirits sunk, his health failed, and it was soon whispered around in the society and in the neighbouring towns, that Mr. B. would probably have to leave-he was not the man for the place. He was not the man of talents they had anticipated.

While things were in this state, at a meeting of the church, when the pastor was absent, (perhaps one called to see what should be done,) Mr. O—————, an intelligent and influential member, arose and said:

"Brethren, I think we have been in the fault respecting our minister. I think that he is a young man of superior talents, and will one day be a distinguished man. But we have not sustained him and encouraged him as we should. We have been standing and looking on, expecting him to raise both him

self and us to eminence. Now, let us adopt a different course. Let us encourage our minister with our prayers, our sympathies, and our efforts. Let us speak of him with esteem and confidence to others, and say that we think him a man of talent, and one who bids fair to be a distinguished man.”

The thing was agreed upon. The leading men set the example. Very soon every one was speaking in favour of Mr. B. His people visited him, sympathized with him; and people out of the society began to remark, how Mr. B. was rising in the estimation of his people.

The young man felt the change. The cold, damp chill with. which he was surrounded, and which was benumbing the energies of his soul, was changed by the influence of such kindly beams, and a warm atmosphere came over him. His spirits rose; his health returned; his energies awoke, and he showed to all that he had within him the clements of a man. Several revivals attended his labours. In the affections of the church and the people, he firmly established himself. His name became honourably enrolled among authors, and he was one whom his own church and other churches delight to honour,

REV. DR. STANFORD.

MINISTERS of the gospel, though it does not become them to talk of it, are often very poor, and kindness should be shown to them, both in act and in manner. The following may suggest an important and useful hint :-The late Rev. Dr. Stanford was once walking in Wall street, in New York, when he met a gentleman, who, judging from the threadbare appearance of his garments, that a new suit of clothes would not be unacceptable, invited him to step into a merchant tailor's shop, opposite. After they had entered, Mr. W. remarked to the

tailor that they had called for the purpose of requesting him to decide a point upon which there was some doubt, namely, who was the largest man, Dr. Stanford or himself. They were accordingly measured, and nothing more was said on the subject. The following week, a new suit of clothes were brought to Dr. S., accompanied with an anonymous note, requesting his acceptance of them. When relating this circumstance to his biographer, Dr. S. remarked, with his usual pleasantry, Well, what could I do but pocket the affront?"

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A NEW ENGLAND MINISTER.

AT the first settlement of one of the New England towns, the inhabitants, with their characteristic piety, erected a house of worship, and procured the services of an eminent minister. Without a fixed salary, he was partially dependent upon gratuity for support.

For the more effectual supply of his wants, as well as to testify their attachment and respect, the members of his flock appointed a day for general contribution. On that day, they came to the residence of their minister, some in carriages and some on foot, bringing with them their various gifts, all zealous to testify their love, and some, perhaps, anxious to exhibit their superior wealth. Be this as it may, they formed a happy group; cordial salutations were interchanged, love attuned every heart, and joy sparkled in every eye.

Among the last to arrive, were two neighbours who resided in a remote part of the parish; and whom want and privation, incident to a new settlement, had left nothing to give. Anxious to be the bearers of some token of their attachment and gratitude, they had, alas! nothing but honest hearts and kind wishes.

After much perplexity, they went into the woods, dug up each a small elm-tree, and came with their humble offerings. Silently and unobserved, they planted them in front of their pastor's dwelling. Not venturing to mingle among the wealthier givers, their work accomplished, they returned to their homes. Two hundred years have rolled over the events of that day. The shepherd and his flock are sleeping side by side. They that gave, and he that received, have passed away; givers and their gifts forgotten. Nay, they are not all forgotten. Near by, and designating the site of the parsonage, stands an aged elm. Until within a few years, there were two of them. Interlocking their giant branches, they had long battled with the tempests, and drank together of the morning dews; for their shadows reached back through two centuries. Others have been planted beside them; and long and densely shaded streets, like arched passages, have given character, beauty, and a name to the City of Elms.

Of these two trees, thus planted, one has fallen a victim to time; the other yet stands, in hale old age, rich in its memories and associations-not the least of which is, that it was the poor man's gift.

A SOUTHERN CLERGYMAN.

Two coloured men, in the South, had just been hearing a sermon, and were conversing together about it. One of them remarked that he could understand but little of it, but the other said that he understood all but one word. "What is dat ?" asked his companion. "De word perseverance," was the anwer. To which the other rejoined, "Oh! me tell you what dat is; it mean, take right hold; hold fast; hang on, and no let go."