reaks the spell of influence for God.

"_Quisquis amat dictis absentum rodere vitam,
Hanc mensam vetitam noverit esse sibi._"[11]

[11] POSSIDONIUS: _De Vita Augustini_, c. 22.

Such was the memento which St Augustine had inscribed upon his
dining-table. He found it necessary to remind the Bishops (_coepiscopi_)
whom he entertained not to misuse their ordained tongues. And the
Pastors of the nineteenth century need it still, quite as much as it was
needed in the fifth.

"SET A WATCH."

It is impossible, of course, to lay down exhaustive rules for the
Christian guidance of conversation in detail. It is quite certain that
the Gospel does not prescribe, or intend, that we should never speak
except about things spiritual, or even except about our special duties
in the Ministry. But it is quite certain too that the Gospel does
prescribe inexorably the utmost watchfulness and self-discipline in the
matter of the tongue, for all who name the Name of Christ. "For every
idle word that men shall speak they shall give account" [Matt. xii.
36.]; "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but such
as is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the
hearers" [Eph. iv. 29.]; "If any man among you seem to be devout
([Greek: threskos]), and bridleth not his tongue, that man's devoutness
([Greek: threkeia]) is vain" [Jas. i. 26.]; "Set a watch, O Lord, before
my lips." [Ps. cxli. 3.]

LIFE IN A CLERGY-HOUSE.

I may say a few words in this connexion about the peculiar call for care
and consistency where a group of young Clergymen live together in a
"clergy-house."

*ITS OPPORTUNITIES AND NEEDS.

It seems to me that such groups must in the nature of the case be
_either_ means of the greatest good in the mutual intercourse of their
members, _or_ just the opposite. As sure as _corruptio optimi est
pessima_, so sure it is that the young Clergyman who is not consistent
in temper, word, and habit, is the most unhelpful specimen of the young
man; just because of the discord between his ministerial character and
his personal. And if, say, three or four young servants of God (by
profession) domicile together and are _not_ consistent, I am afraid they
will positively and actively draw one another, without in the least
meaning to do so, away from the mind of Christ and the walk with God. Do
they allow themselves to engage in trivial foolish, unkind talk? Do they
so valiantly determine "not to be goo