and what will not these, in the strength of our Saviour, conquer and destroy. Satan is malicious and subtle, and trembles for his empire. But let us not be ignorant of his devices."

Two Lutheran Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society accompanied Mr. Corrie on his return to India; and at the close of the year seven in English Orders followed them, four destined for Ceylon. The number of labourers was thus happily increasing : during the four years from 1814 to 1817 fifteen went forth to the East; eleven of them of the English Church, and four of the Lutheran.

Mr. Pratt frequently wrote to the Missionaries, and his letters were full of advice admirably adapted to their several circumstances. To the Rev. Thomas Norton he thus writes:

"You have a noble field before you. Oh! may you be kept humble, meek, zealous, believing, and persevering; 'giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed.' May you 'make full proof of your ministry' on the one hand, and 'please all men to their edification' on the other. You know how anxiously we watch over you, and how many eyes are upon us; and much of our character and honour as a Society, as well as the great cause which we have at heart, is in your hands."

At the same date he writes to the Rev. Messrs. Schnarre, Rhenius, Benjamin Bailey, and Dawson :—

"We trust you will, dear brethren, give yourselves wholly and unitedly to the great work to which God has called you, to make known the unsearchable riches of Christ to the heathen. Refresh your hearts by continually meditating on the Saviour's sufferings, the gracious end which He had in view, and that love which made Him gladly suffer for sinful men."

To one whose natural propensity was to be less attentive to economy than he should have been, he thus writes:

"Ever remember the caution, Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.' If you are expecting to be on a par in appearance, dress, &c., with Europeans who have lucrative situations, you will bring yourself into innumerable difficulties, and greatly hinder your usefulness. Your respectability must be weight of character; and must be grounded, therefore, on your zeal, your simplicity, and your godly sincerity. This respectability will greatly promote your usefulness any other would only be a stumbling-block to those around you. Aim at great things, not in this world, but in the kingdom of Christ; and how can we direct you to a higher human example than to that of St. Paul? Continually copy his zeal, his patience, his humility, and his labours of love. Remember him when he says: Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail, night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you.' He was willing to labour, and did labour, with his own hands, to minister to his necessities. Now, though we do not call you to any thing of this sort, we do exhort you to all prudent economy; ever recollecting, that what you unnecessarily spend is just so much hindrance to us in sending other Missionaries to help in the work of the Lord."

CHAPTER VII.

1813-1817.

DIFFICULTIES OF THE WEST-AFRICA MISSION-DIRECTIONS TO ENTER UPON A SYSTEMATIC COURSE OF PREACHING-THE SLAVE TRADE-RETURN OF THE MISSIONARY WHO HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE SOCIETY-LETTERS OF MR. PRATT UNDER VARIOUS PAINFUL CIRCUMSTANCES-THE SLAVE TRADE IS AT LENGTH OVERRULED AS AN INDIRECT INSTRUMENT OF SUCCESS-MR. BICKERSTETH'S VISIT TO AFRICA-MORE DEATHSMR. JOHNSON SENT OUT WITH THREE OTHER SCHOOLMASTERS-ABANDONMENT OF BASHIA AND CANOFFEE-PROPOSAL FOR A CHURCH MISSIONARY SHIP.

WHILE the great events were transpiring at home, which so happily terminated in opening the East to the entrance of the Gospel, the labourers in the WestAfrica Mission were still bearing the burden and heat of the day. They were struggling on through sicknesses and deaths, and a multitude of discouragements. They had toiled all the night; and though it cannot be said that they had taken nothing, yet their success, after so much labour and at such a cost, was far beneath the hopes they had cherished themselves, as well as the expectations entertained at home. Nine years had elapsed since the commencement of the Mission, and no very manifest and permanent benefit had followed. Nine Missionaries had been sent out; two of whom had been suddenly cut off by death in the midst of their work, and one had deserted the cause. Within a year of the arrival

of the three laymen, who accompanied Mr. Butscher

on his return to Africa with a view to assist in the concerns of the Mission, and augment its influence upon the natives by teaching the arts of civilized life, they and their wives were all swept away by a fatal sickness. Mr. Pratt writes to the survivors:

"August 16, 1813.

"Your friends, we trust, are gone to a better world, and have found the purpose of their hearts accepted through their blessed Redeemer, though it did not please Him to let them enter on the field of labour. But with this uncertainty of life before your eyes, we pray God to preserve you watchful and diligent; that when He shall come ye may be found of Him in peace, and doing the work as well as bearing the yoke of the Lord. Indeed, it is the spirit of resignation to God's will, and the zeal for your work which is manifested by you, that chiefly rewards us for the pains occasioned by our disappointments. And if any one should be tempted to a contrary course, we trust that God will give him grace to pause, and to repent."

He then endeavours to animate them by stating the important changes which had been made with regard to India, and the vigour with which the Christian public were taking up the Missionary cause. He adds:

"Now, all this should both encourage and stimulate you.It should encourage you, that so many are beginning to take an interest in the success of Missions, and that the prayers put up for you are continually increasing; and it should stimulate you to activity and perseverance, to consider how many eyes are fixed on your proceedings, and how many ears are open to receive tidings of your zeal and devotedness, and how many hearts will be gladdened by your piety, or pained by your failings."

In the instructions delivered to Mr. Butscher before his return, and transmitted to his brethren, the attention of the Missionaries had been particularly drawn to the great importance of commencing a systematic course of preaching among the heathen from village to village. The attempt had been made already, and failed, in a great measure from the influence of the Slave Trade; and they had been obliged to fall back upon their schools, as the chief instruments of doing good. But the direct preaching of the Gospel is so essential a branch of Missionary work, that it was felt that every effort should be made to overcome the difficulties.

The new interest which was now being taken in the spread of the Gospel among the heathen seemed to afford a fit occasion for urging this afresh; and Mr. Pratt writes accordingly to the Missionaries, Nov. 26, 1813 :—

"The public are now beginning to take a warm interest in the Society's concerns. We have aroused their feelings and awakened their consciences. Many eyes are turned on our Missionaries. Unless the fruits of a Christian Mission now established for several years become visible in our Report of Proceedings, we shall very soon have to defend the Society, and to apologise for it, in respect to the Susoo Mission, rather than lay claim to the public favour and support. Schools are our foundation. We and our Missionaries did well in laying that foundation; but the foundation is laid in order to the rearing the superstructure. Success belongs not to us, nor to our Missionaries; but attempts and exertions do. The Christian public will be fully satisfied, if they witness these attempts vigorously made and patiently persevered in, knowing that God alone can give the increase and success."