which is truly beautiful, profits the worthy man himself, and he distributes to himself the greater good." Oh were this reasoning more present and excitative to us! Could we see that the absorption of habits and years in one strong exertion of self-denying devotement repays and honours all! Did we "count those happy who" thus "endure"!

The Church must be more ready to recognise the substantive effects which God has already wrought among the heathen. Every record of these should be anxiously awaited and eagerly perused. We should "declare His doings among the people, and make mention that his name is exalted." We speak advisedly, when we assert that great criminality is evinced in a general indifference to what has taken place. We are accustomed to say that little has been done. What mean we by that little? Know we how much? Have we received, with the joy and gratitude they should inspire, the tidings which reach us from distant lands? Could we trace, in our mind, the Missionary chart? Could we guess the number of Missionaries? Possess we any competent knowledge of these details? It is profane thus to repine, dastard thus to flag, when the heart is evidently cold to all success. "They say, Let Him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know

* σε Ολιγου γαρ χρονου ησθηναι σφοδρα μαλλον ελοιτ' αν, η πολην ηρεμα· και βιωσαι καλως ενιαύλου, η πολλα έθη τυχονίως· και μιαν πραξιν καλήν και μεγάλην, η πολλας και μικρας Αιρούνται δη μεγα καλον εαυτοις.” κ.τ.λ. - Nimoch: Eth: Lib. ix. Cap. 8.

it." "When His hand is lifted up, they will not see." It is upon such a state of disposition that God particularly pours his rebuke. What care these murmurers among the people for that to which they direct neither study nor enquiry? We may put the question to these indifferentists, which once was proposed to the Deity, to clear Him of any such collusion : "Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?" The means of information

be known in a few hours,

are at hand. All might or at most, in a few days. But all is going on with their entire ignorance and recklessness. What is this but to aim against themselves the fearful doom adjudged of old: "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you"? How might we affect the young, console the old, and often convince the gainsayer, by distincter narrative of our Missions! How well would it edify, to "gather the church together, rehearsing all that God has done with them, and how he has opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles"! Does God rejoice to "mete out the valley of Succoth” does Christ, in the few converts of and shall

Sychar, foresee the harvest of the world, we hear with indifference, and leave to vacancy, records of triumph which surpass the long and united experience of the Church? "Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth."

The Pastors of Churches may examine themselves with much advantage in this matter. They are Christ's: by Him they are given to his people. The same authority which prescribes their present lot may summon them to the ends of the earth. They must stand ready for every sphere and description of labour. But if their ministry at home be unblessed, may it not be the intimation that they are called hence? If the Missionary is oft compelled to sink into the pastor, why may not the pastor rise into the Missionary? We may advance on even this. Were a few of our most able preachers, our best beloved Ministers, the men of the most fixed association, the largest success,-to offer themselves to fulfil this work, it is believed that such would be the impression and the impulse, that the Church would assume a new aspect and date a new æra! The duty would, however, be correlative. Will their people resign them? Could they magnanimously bid them speed? Would they, though with weeping, yet with firmness, accompany them unto the ship"? Oh it will be a joyful day, when all talent and influence shall be at the disposal of the Church, and her selfishness shall wholly perish! When, like a heavenly monitress, she shall send forth her most "precious sons' the most arduous services, and they shall seek no pre-eminence, but of toil and danger!

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on

It is a stern reflection, that there should be so much of unavailing power among us. Were it all elicited, and all directed, scarcity of any means would not be known. Each Christian ought often to ask

himself, Whom have I brought,-how many,-to the knowledge of the truth? Whom have I saved from death? To many it would be a scandalising question. They would think it should only be proposed to the preacher of the gospel. Ah, it is thus that we are neutralised! Almost every thing lies latent. We have to learn our first lesson, and to take our first step. We have yet to see the reason why we were brought into the fold. Then were we devoted to the cause of universal salvation. Missions are to Christianity but its proper expansion and evolution, -like the mathematical genesis of the given line or segment. Have we obeyed the pledge? Have we not made the Church our lurking-place from labour? Have we not sought a very indulgence there? "Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another: for every man shall bear his own burden." Let no one shrink, supposing that the work is doing without him: "Thou mayest not hide thyself." Idleness has

no longer the excuse: "No man hath hired me."

It cannot be too strongly impressed upon our minds, that we have now reached a point of the highest interest and dreadest responsibility in the history of Missions. There is no alternative but to advance or to recede. The building we can raise at pleasure, and leave at any height the tree must grow or wither. The city may keep within its walls: the army must march or fly. It is not failure that troubles us but success. New fields of labour invite us, admirable candidates plead for our patronage, dis

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tant churches are hastening to a maturity, but still more than ever they need our help. Conversion inspires revival, and revival produces conversion. "As soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her chil dren." The urgent claims which now appeal to us grow out of this prosperity. From what has that prosperity grown? The answer is joyous, and yet awful: we have besought it, and we have been heard. Our prayer has not "returned into our own bosom"! We have "covered the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and with crying out." Were we sincere? Did we dissemble? Do we grudge the consequence? Do we grieve that our prayers are answered? Would we that there had gone up “a bootless bene"? That we still groaned in unavailing intercessions? That our Missionaries were put to shame? That they had fled before their enemies? That the Pagan should not understand nor seek after God? That the Gospel should be hindered? Some subtle hypocrisy is here. God is "the Hearer of prayer." It is a glorious name. Our exclamation has been of it. We have declared it to the heathen. They have prayed. He has glorified his name. Hearing prayer, all flesh shall come unto him. Would we blot out that memorial? Would we quench that serenest out-beaming from His crown? He has been faithful to his promise: he has done his part. His arm has put on strength: have we put on strength? He has plucked his right hand out of his bosom: is our "heart at our right hand"? His work has appeared unto his servants: where is our handy-work?