The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

An Estimation of the Clergy.

As the morals of people degenerate, it is not surprising to find the teachers of morality and religion, held in less estimation, and their instructions disregarded. Certain it is, that if we find their characters widely different, or altogether opposite to the example and precepts of our blessed Saviour; if we find them irregular in their lives, proud and domineering in their tempers, or apparently more concerned about the advancement of their worldly views, and interests, than the duties of their profession; however, a regard to decency and good order may procure them civility and complaisance, we cannot esteem them.

But when in their deportment, they discover by their universal charity and benevolence, their candor and simplicity, christian patience and humility, joined to a manly fortitude in the discharge of the duties of their station; when by these sacred and infallible tokens, they convince us that they are the ministers of our blessed Lord indeed, they deserve our love and veneration as gentlemen---but more so as the ministers and immediate servants of the most high God. When we see these dispositions prevailing among them and influencing their lives and conversation to promote the best good of mankind, and the honor of their great Lord and master; they will have the cordial love and approbation of all wise and good men -- to support them in the faithful discharge of the duties of their station, and a tender concern for their interest and the comfort and support of their families, especially, when it is considered, that tho' the abilities of our clergy are ever so eminent, by the constitution of our churches in New-England, they are cut off from all hope of advancement. their but fellow servants and labourers together in the vineyard, that has but one Lord. It is well known that the salaries of our clergy in general, especially in most of the country towns, is scarcely sufficient for the support of their families in the common necessaries of life, much less for the education of their children, and settling them in the world; especially at the present time, when the necessaries of life are greatly enhanced in value. From the commencement of the war, thro' the whole of the paper age, that class of men have borne as large a proportion of the public burden as they could have borne, had they lived in the iron age. This subject is worthy the attention of each individual, and the community at large; since we have reason to apprehend there are many young gentlemen of real worth and abilities, who are deterred from engaging in the sacred employment, from the fear of poverty, and that contempt which the profane and thoughtless pour upon the profession, principally on that account. The clergy viewed in a political light as public teachers of religion, and morality and of every public and personal virtue among the various classes of men, appear a most useful order of men in the State, and one great bond by which society is held together; they have no doubt been the principal means of diffusing among the bulk of the common people, that knowledge and understanding in things humane & divine, which has raised them above those of the same class in other parts of the world; who are comparatively children in knowledge, to the common people of New-England. Sublime and excellent as the precepts are which the clergy teach and are bound as well to practice as other men; we are not to expect to find them faultless. But men of sense and goodness will love them for their virtue, and will cheerfully lend them their assistance, continuance and support, and cordially cultivate their acquaintance and friendship, and encourage them in the ways of well doing.

A. B.