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to their external commission, at the time when the compassionate Saviour made this affecting remark: yet alas! neither their doctrine, nor their example, nor their diligence, were at all suited to lead men into the way of eternal life; nay, their conduct and influence united to keep the people from Christ and his salvation.

On the other hand it is readily conceded, that every minister or missionary in whom these qualifications are found, is a labourer for Christ, in whatever part of the world he is employed, or in whatever way he is distinguished from his fellow christians. If he "cast out devils in the name of Christ," let us never think of forbidding him, "because he follows not "with us;" but rather wish him success in the name of the Lord.

The present occasion, indeed, calls our attention chiefly to the Gentile world; yet our subject can hardly allow us to pass over in total silence the state of professed Christians; among whom, it may justly be feared, the labourers, (such as the Lord of the harvest) will at last welcome with these most gracious words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou in"to the joy of thy Lord," are comparatively few. But whatever may be our opinion on this subject, let me remind you, my brethren, that asperity, reproach, and sarcasm are no weapons of our warfare; and that the use of them on this subject only excites resentment and strengthens prejudice. We should therefore pity and pray for, those, whom we consider as in error, and as misleading others.

This may be so done, as to give no needless of fence; and, (except in peculiar cases,) when united to a good example, and a "readiness to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear," is all that ought to be done.

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I shall not, however, enlarge on this subject. Whatever may be the case of Britain in respect of faithful labourers; I fear that they are proportionably much fewer in Ireland, though now united with Britain in one kingdom.-But what shall we say of the continent? What proportion of such labourers, as our Lord approves, is found in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and a great part of Germany? even supposing the reformed and protestant churches more adequately supplied. What shall we think of France, hostile France, the religious state of whose inhabitants is enough to draw tears from every reflecting christian, how near soever his country lies to his heart?

Think also, my brethren, on the Jews, dispersed through the world, without one faithful stated labourer! View Asia, with her immense population! A few missionaries, sent by different societies in England and on the continent, have been, and are, zealously and ably endeavouring to evangelize the Hindoos and others; among whom the well-known highly venerable name of Swartz is peculiarly distinguished, as employed in the work, with unwearied diligence, for half a century; and many others, of different names, are entitled to a high degree of our affection and com mendation: and I doubt not but many of them will at length be revered and lamented by vast multitudes,

in the same manner that the apostolical Swartz and Gerrickè, now are.

No doubt there are also some, (I hope far more than we know of,) resident ministers of genuine piety and zeal: yet after all, what are these, compared with their sphere of activity? The vast regions of China and Japan, perhaps without a single labourer! I would speak with deference to the judgment of those, who have fuller information, and should be greatly pleased to be detected in an error; but I own, I fear, that all the faithful labourers in Asia would little more than suffice, for the adequate religious instruction of one of the largest counties in this little island.

But it is needless to enlarge: a few missionaries from this society, whose labours are very exemplary, and promise great success; some also from other societies, and with no great number of resident ministers in two or three districts, seems the whole provi, sion for the vast continent of Africa!

Wherever we cast our eyes on a map of the globe, or read in treatises on geography, or books of travels; the same reflection on the religious state of the inhabitants forces itself on the pious and benevolent mind, when accustomed to view each individual of our species, in his relation to an eternal world!

The descendants of the European colonies in NorthAmerica, may be as well supplied with labourers in the harvest, as the countries from which they migrated; perhaps better: and it is a source of consolation to hear, that several societies have been formed for the purpose of evangelizing the remnant of the an,

This may be so done, as to give no needless of fence; and, (except in peculiar cases,) when united to a good example, and a "readiness to give an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear," is all that ought to be done.

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I shall not, however, enlarge on this subject. Whatever may be the case of Britain in respect of faithful labourers; I fear that they are proportionably much fewer in Ireland, though now united with Britain in one kingdom.-But what shall we say of the continent? What proportion of such labourers, as our Lord approves, is found in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and a great part of Germany? even supposing the reformed and protestant churches more adequately supplied. What shall we think of France, hostile France, the religious state of whose inhabitants is enough to draw tears from every reflecting christian, how near soever his country lies to his heart?

Think also, my brethren, on the Jews, dispersed through the world, without one faithful stated labourer! View Asia, with her immense population! A few missionaries, sent by different societies in England and on the continent, have been, and are, zealously and ably endeavouring to evangelize the Hindoos and others; among whom the well-known highly venerable name of Swartz is peculiarly distinguished, as employed in the work, with unwearied diligence, for half a century; and many others, of different names, are entitled to a high degree of our affection and commendation: and I doubt not but many of them will at length be revered and lamented by vast multitudes,

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in the same manner that the apostolical Swartz and Gerrick è, now are.

No doubt there are also some, (I hope far more than we know of,) resident ministers of genuine piety and zeal: yet after all, what are these, compared with their sphere of activity? The vast regions of China and Japan, perhaps without a single labourer! I would speak with deference to the judgment of those, who have fuller information, and should be greatly pleased to be detected in an error; but I own, I fear, that all the faithful labourers in Asia would little more than suffice, for the adequate religious instruction of one of the largest counties in this little island.

But it is needless to enlarge: a few missionaries from this society, whose labours are very exemplary, and promise great success; some also from other societies, and with no great number of resident ministers in two or three districts, seems the whole provi, sion for the vast continent of Africa!

Wherever we cast our eyes on a map of the globe, or read in treatises on geography, or books of travels; the same reflection on the religious state of the inhabitants forces itself on the pious and benevolent mind, when accustomed to view each individual of our species, in his relation to an eternal world!

The descendants of the European colonies in NorthAmerica, may be as well supplied with labourers in the harvest, as the countries from which they migrated; perhaps better: and it is a source of consolation to hear, that several societies have been formed for the purpose of evangelizing the remnant of the an

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