spoken of throughout the whole world." Matt. 5: 14; Col. 2: 5; Rom. 1: 8. When the Christian graces of the church at Jerusalem shone brightest, they are described as "praising God, and having favor with all the people." So when the Corinthian church had manifested their abhorrence of sin, and their tender, earnest regard to the commands of Christ, the Apostle says to them, "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men : forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart."

4. To increase the efficiency of the church, by calling into useful activity every member, in the sphere best adapted to his powers. "For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth on teaching; or he that exhorteth on exhortation." Rom. 12: 4-8.

Thus far the influence of church discipline is preventive. If delinquencies call for corrective discipline, the objects are,

1. To reclaim those who fall into sin. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such an one." "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him, let him know, that he who converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death; and shall hide a multitude of sins." Gal. 6: 1; James 5: 19, 20. Such is also the spirit and purpose of the Saviour's command in regard to an offending brother.

2. The purity, honor, and consequent usefulness of the church. "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast them that hold the doctrine of Balaam." "Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore, the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump." Rev. 2: 14; 1 Cor. 5: 6, 7.

3. To prevent sin in others. "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." "If any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed." 1 Tim. 5: 20; 2 Thess. 3: 14.

SECT. 2. Church Covenant and Watch.

One important means of maintaining a high state of discipline in the church, and preventing sin in the members, is, their constant, tender, and vigilant watch over each other. Gross sins in church members are preceded by smaller ones, and these by smaller still, and these by neglects of duty which a timely admonition might have prevented. This mutual watch is not only the soul of church discipline, but affords the best exercise of the piety and the affections of its members.

When believers join the church, they not only make a public profession of their faith, but enter into a special covenant, either expressed or implied, with that particular body of Christians; and it is this covenant which unites the baptized believer in church fellowship to the members of that church, and engages him to perform certain duties to them, in virtue of the relation and obligations assumed in the church covenant. It has been customary in most churches to have written or printed articles of covenant expressive of the abligations thus assumed, which every candidate for membership is expected to sign, in token of cordial assent to the

same.

The adoption of this covenant creates no new obligation to God or man; but simply expresses the intention of the professed convert to perform specific duties. Jacob entered into a special, unwritten covenant with God, attested by the erection of a stone; Gen. 28: 16-22; and David adopted a written covenant for the guide of his conduct; Psalm 101. A church covenant is of the same nature, though being extended in its application to a company of believers, its practical value is still more obvious. The following forms

having been extensively adopted by the churches, may be considered as fair specimens of the

CHURCH COVENANT.

“Having been, as we trust, brought by Divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give up ourselves wholly to Him; we do now solemnly and joyfully covenant with each other, TO WALK TOGETHER IN HIM WITH BROTHERLY LOVE, to His glory as our common Lord. We do, therefore, in His strength engage,

"That we will exercise a mutual care, as members one of another, to promote the growth of the whole body in christian knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to the end that we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

That, to promote and secure this object, we will uphold the public worship of God and the ordinances of His house; and hold constant communion with each other therein; that we will cheerfully contribute of our property for the support of the poor, and for the maintenance of a faithful ministry of the gospel among us.

"That we will not omit closet and family religion at home; nor allow ourselves in the too common neglect of the great duty of religiously training up our children, and those under our care, with a view to the service of Christ, and the enjoyment of heaven.

"That we will walk circumspectly in the world, that we may win their souls; remembering that God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind; that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and that a city set on a hill cannot be hid.

“That we will frequently exhort, and, if occasion shall require, admonish one another, according to Matthew, 18th, in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted; and that as in baptism we have been buried with Christ, and raised again, so there is on us a special obligation thenceforth to walk in newness of life.

"And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do His will; working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ: to whom be glory, forever and ever. Amen."

ANOTHER.

"As we trust we have been brought by Divine grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the influence of his Spirit to give ourselves up to Him, so we do now solemnly covenant with each other, as God shall enable us, that we will walk together in brotherly love;

that we will exercise a christian care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully warn, rebuke, and admonish one another, as the case shall require; that we will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor omit the great duty of prayer, both for ourselves and for others; that we will participate in each other's joys; and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows; that we will seek Divine aid to enable us to walk circumspectly and watchfully in the world, denying ungodliness and every worldly lust; that we will strive together for the support of a faithful evangelical ministry among us; and, through life, amidst evil report and good report, seek to live to the glory of Him who hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light."

By such a covenant, church members agree to notice each other's errors and dangers with affectionate concern, and to give or receive such timely warning and reproof as occasion may require. Any member who knows of any. thing in another inconsistent with his profession or his hopes, be it an error in doctrine, a neglect of duty, or an impropriety of conduct, or of language, is bound to give him friendly caution, with a desire to his amendment. "Thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him."

Besides actual faults, we may see a brother exposed to temptation, unconscious of his danger. How many, through some peculiar weakness, or easily besetting sin, are exposed to fall, who might be saved by timely warning; and how precious, in such a case, is a clear-sighted, true-hearted brother, to raise the voice of affectionate solicitude! It is cruel and wrong to wait till he actually falls. In such a case, how sacred is the duty of "looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God." And if we see our brethren growing cold, and declining in religious feeling, we should remember the duty of our covenant and watch, to “stir up their pure minds by way of remembrance."

There is far more hope of saving an erring brother before his sin is aggravated and notorious, than afterwards. The private labors and affectionate solicitude of individual brethren are more winning than the open, public proceedings of the church; his conscience is more tender; he is not chafed

by suspicion's and reports. Prevention is better than cure. But alas! how often is the pledge of members to watch over each other neglected till a cure is impossible; expulsion is the only resort, the church is disgraced, and a soul is ruined, it may be through its neglect.

This mutual, affectionate watch, is one of the chief benefits of our church union. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." A brother who will in kindness admonish and reprove us, is above all price. "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness; let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil." Why should it be deemed so unpleasant, and be so much neglected, when, like charity, it "is twice blessed: it blesseth him that gives, and him that takes?" That the faithful discharge of this duty is peculiarly acceptable to the Saviour, is manifest. "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." 1 Thess. 5: 14.

The utmost kindness and wisdom are requisite in performing this duty. A distrustful, meddlesome, fault-finding spirit, has nothing to do with it. In giving admonition, regard should be had to the age and station of both parties. "Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." 1 Tim. 5: 1, 2. The time, the place, the circumstances, as well as the manner and spirit of giving reprcof, are all important. If we are not in a temper to receive reproof meekly and thankfully, we are not prepared to give it. The duty is mutual and correlative. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed."

And finally, to reject or resent a reproof, kindly given by a christian brother, is a great wrong to him, and a violation of a solemn covenant. "He that hateth reproof is brutish." Such an evidence of faithfulness and affection should greatly increase our love to him who bears it. The duty of giving reproof implies the duty of receiving it kindly, and of endeavoring to profit by it.