"the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." They were often so zealous in the cause, that it was needful for their brethren to moderate their ardour; and numbers, with St. Paul, might have said, "None "of these things move me, neither count I my life "dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course "with joy, and the ministry which I have received "of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace "of God." And indeed the christians in general, who were not called to this special service, seem to have been animated by the same holy fervency, in aiding the exertions of their brethren to the utmost of their ability.

When we think of nearly a thousand millions of our species at once inhabiting this globe; all sinners, all having immortal souls, all to stand before God in judgment, all soon to die, yet to live for ever in another world, either in happiness or misery; and few, (alas, how very few in comparison!) having any ground to hope for happiness in that eternal state: when we reflect that another thousand millions will in a few years have succeeded the present generation; all born in sin, and the children of wrath and disobedience, to be soon swept away into eternity, and that this is the case from age to age: and when we remember that "God has so loved the world as to give his only be

gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should "not perish but have everlasting life;" that in infinite mercy he has sent us the gospel, and led us to embrace it; that we possess a good hope through grace; and that the same gospel is suitable, free, and sufficient, for all throughout the world, if all heard and

believed it: surely the mind that was in Christ, love to him and his cause, a desire to imitate his example, and genuine philanthropy, will combine to excite us to use all our influence, in every way, which may tend, either directly or more remotely, to promote the great ends of Emmanuel's incarnation, and death upon the cross! Our life is short; a large proportion of it is already spent; we have lived too much and too long unto ourselves; and "there is no work, nor de"vice, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, "whither we are going." Let us then not merely enquire what we are bound to do, but what we can do. And how any of our labours, efforts, or contributions, according to our several talents, may produce some effect in spreading our holy religion; and how we, feeble and insignificant individuals, by combining our influence, and exciting others to join us, may extend its blessings to the remotest nations, and to those who shall exist in future ages. Surely this is the grand end for which we ought to value life, after we "have "known the grace of God in truth;" and all that respects our temporal interests, should be entirely subordinated to the desire of glorifying God, and do. ing good to mankind, above all in their eternal concerns!

If we would conduct undertakings of this kind in that manner which may eventually be most useful; we should endeavour to acquire enlarged views of the subject. A soul in China, or Africa, is of as much value, as one in our own families or congregations, and its salvation is as important: and in like manner a soul that shall exist in the next century, or ages after VOL. III.

A a

we are dead, will be of as much value, as the soul of any man now living. We should therefore make up our minds to lay ourselves out with persevering diligence, amidst delays and discouragements, as well as in the face of dangers and difficulties. We may never see or hear of the fruit of our exertions; but it may perhaps hereafter be said concerning them, to those who shall succeed us, "Other men laboured, and ye "are entered into their labours." The sacred writers were as really instruments in our salvation, seventeen hundred years at least after their death: as "the mi"nisters by whom we believed;" and so were they, who first brought the inestimable treasure of the holy Scriptures into our island; and they too who translated them into our language.

The persons, who form good roads through regions before impassable, as much assist future travellers, as they who supply them with convenient vehicles. And, endeavours to acquire an acquaintance with the languages of the heathen nations; to translate the whole or any part of the Scriptures into those languages; to circulate them in the proper places; to teach the natives to read them; and in any way to furnish means of faith and grace where there are none, are preparing the road for missionaries; and may eventually as much subserve the common cause, as actually supporting missions: though not in a manner so congenial to our feelings, or so likely to gratify us with the tidings of success.

The man, who has enlarged views of agricultural improvement, not only makes inclosures, plants, vineyards, or sows corn, in order to obtain a speedy in

crease; but he plants acorns, and raises timber trees, for the use of future generations; being satisfied with the reflection, that others will in due time be profited by his labours. In this part of his plan, which requires most patience and disinterestedness, he may be censured by the inconsiderate, as if he effected nothing: but in the event he will be proved, to have wisely consulted the permanent good of his family and of the publick. Let it not then be thought that nothing is done, while the ground is preparing, of seed is provided, or it is cast into the earth, but does not appear. Feeble beginnings may at length produce great effects: the most successful efforts, in almost every thing, have been slighted at first; and they who planned or set them on foot have seldom lived to witness their success. Let none then " despise the day "of small things:" let none undervalue any of the different methods by which the same grand object may be pursued; for we may say to christians at large in this respect, "These things ought ye to have done,

"and not to have left the other undone."

In attempting to convert the heathen, we should also be careful not to forget for a moment our own principles, concerning the character of fallen man, and the usurped dominion of Satan: which alone render their conversion indispensably necessary. The human heart, both among the civilized and the savage nations, is "carnal, and enmity to God." Men may be friendly when you trade with them, and carry them such things as they highly value: but if an attempt be made, in good earnest, to turn them from their idolatry, superstition, and wickedness, to the spiritual

worship and service of God our Saviour; if their rivetted prejudices and criminal practices be fairly, though meekly, opposed; if their fears be excited, and guilt charged home on their consciences; if repentance, and works meet for repentance be insisted on; if the strict precepts and awful sanction of the divine law, and the offensive doctrines of the gospel be explained to them; if in short, christianity be thoroughly preached, as the apostles preached it, many of them will be exasperated. However they may endure gradual introductory instructions, of which they do not clearly perceive the tendency; when they fully understand what is meant, they will consider the preacher, as aiming to turn the world upside down," as exceedingly troubling the city or country, and as teaching customs which they must not observe.

Satan also, who "works in the children of disobe"dience," will use all his influence, both as a deceiving serpent and as a roaring lion, to support his tottering kingdom, which is directly attacked by every effort to evangelize the heathen: nor can any prudence, meekness, or love, which consists with faithfulness, prevent the effects of this combined opposition. Dangers and difficulties likewise of various kinds are inseparable from the attempt, nor have modern missionaries the advantages enjoyed by the apostles and primitive preachers of the gospel. The invention of printing, indeed, has put a very powerful engine into our hands, of disseminating divine truth, which they had not; and of which it becomes us to make as much use, if possible, as wicked men do in propagating impiety and iniquity. But our missiona