serve the common cause, as by 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 increase; 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 public.. Let it not then be thought that nothing is done, while the ground is preparing, or 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 civilized and 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 dis"obedience," 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 com

bined 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 missionaries must, by long previous study, obtain the imperfect knowledge of the languages spoken by the heathen; while the apostles were at once endued with this needful qualification from on high. They called men's attention to their message, by multiplied and surprising miracles of love; but those whom we employ must gradually gain confidence " by patient con"tinuance in well doing." In short, obstructions, insurmountable by human power, on every side impede our progress; and it is proper we should be aware of it, and fairly warn all concerned "to count the cost." But let us not be discouraged. If we use no" carnal weapons," but such only as the Lord himself appoints, he will at length render them effectual. "Who art thou, O great moun"tain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain."-" Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts."

66

In the depth of a severe winter, the impediments to cultivation, from snow and frost, are insuperable by all the power of man: but, when the almighty ruler of the seasons sends the warm south wind, with the beams of the vernal sun, the ice and snow dissolve, the earth softens, vegetation

proceeds rapidly, and the husbandman finds the obstructions effectually removed. And thus it is, and thus it will be, whenever or wherever "the Spirit of God is poured from on high." We ought not then to be discouraged by difficulties, or to shrink from steadily contemplating them but we should look well to our motives and to our means; and above all be careful to place our whole confidence in the Lord, knowing that the gospel, when faithfully preached, has always been made "the power of God unto salvation :" and, if we haye true faith, we may say to the mountain, "Be "thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea," and nothing will be impossible to us. As, however, some regions oppose stronger barriers to our progress than others do; and as we cannot make our efforts in every part of that immense field which lies before us; we may very properly inquire, where the state of civilization and learning, or the nature of the existing governments, with various other circumstances, give the most reasonable prospect of success; and where a central situation affords the fairest hope that the gospel, if successful, would thence be more widely diffused. While therefore we seek heavenly wisdom, by searching the word of God, and by constant prayer to him for it; we should endeavour to avail ourselves of all those sources of information, by which we may learn the actual situation of different countries in every part of the globe.

And here it may be observed, that it is of vast importance that the several Societies, formed for this great purpose, should consider one another as coadjutors, and not as competitors, and cultivate

an amicable intercourse. In this case many societies will probably be found preferable to one, though proportionably larger. One may embrace this special object, and another that; one may find the readiest access to this country, and the other to that country: external circumstances may give one an advantage for a particular kind of service, from which the other may be precluded: each may, as it were, bring into circulation the treasure of wisdom and piety, as well as influence, which is found in its particular circle: and they may all profit by the counsels, plans, observation, success, or failures, of every one; and help one another in various ways, when that assistance becomes especially seasonable. Thus more methods may be tried, more talents brought into exercise, more in formation and wisdom acquired, and more exertion made by several societies, amicably striving together for the faith of the gospel, than by one. Thus a number of merchants, acting separately, yet in a manner friendly to each other, extend commerce much more advantageously than a large monopoly. And divers kinds of soldiers form a better army than if all were exactly of the same description, armed in the same manner and formed but one vast phalanx : provided they have no other eontest than a zealous competition who shall best serve the common cause.

The world, my brethren, is wide enough; and there is little danger of our interfering with each other, except we intend it. If then we endeavour to animate one another to exertion; to encourage one another's zeal and patience when they decline to impart reciprocally information, and give mu