Dr. Brooks' Lecture.

Dr. Brooks was received last evening with most enthusiastic applause. His subject was "The Christian Ministry as a Profession."

The Christian Ministry is not at all the function of a few, but is the appointed work of all men, ordained or unordained. Before a man enters this, or other professions he must first recognize his own qualities and powers, and the needs of the community and generation in which he lives. He should also consider the questions 1, of earning a living. 2. Can his own life be best developed in this profession. 3. Will it do good to his fellow men. The great principle which underlies every profession must be considered in connection with the daily routine work. That profession is best where the connection between the two is closest.

Is the ministry practicable in this 19th century? Some professions are incidental and transitory. This we cannot so consider. Men need good leadership to-day. The country will always feel the effects of the pusilanimity of the ministers of fifty years ago in the anti-slavery agitation. Many reforms await the hand of the minister of to-day. The value of the spiritual above the material life, and the brotherhood of humanity, are the two things for the minister to teach. A definite creed is not necessary, if he puts before men the things which he feels would benefit them if they knew them. All considerations of money must be laid aside. The life of the man who cultivates himself for the sake of his fellow men, is the finesty. Not the misery of human life, but the knowledge of this misery, is increasing. The remedy for this is for men to be not paralyzed by it, but to be inspired by it to do all the good of which they are capable. A ministers life has its temptations, nor can all men succeed in the profession. But the man who fails must be compared not with his profession but with what he would be, were he in some other vocation. One cannot make an arrow-head out of a piece of putty.

The question should not be "Why should I go into the ministry?" but, "Why should I not be a minister." In regard to the alleged lack of enthusiasm at Harvard, intelligence and enthusiasm do not advance together. Intelligence is climbing a hill here at Cambridge, and has not breath enough to show its enthusiasm by shouting aloud. The enthusiasm will come later. With the power on one hand and the work on the other, let every man do what he can for this poor starved human life.