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importance of human learning in the present circumstances of the world; and some of them have acquired, by painful study in their old age, a competent degree of knowledge while resident in a foreign land.

2. We now come to the second point of inquiry-Whether the Christian Missionary ought to be invested with the SACRED CHARACTER, before he leave our own shores.

To preach the glad tidings of salvation to a lost world, is the most honourable office that can be assigned to man. The office of Kings and Legislators is not so exalted. Angels alone, we should naturally think, are qualified to do justice to the heavenly theme; and to appear before men as "the ambassadors of "Christ." Let those, therefore, who undertake this embassy, be satisfied that they are called to it of God.

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We have already seen the importance of human learning for the preacher of the Gospel. It is no less necessary that he should appear before the nations of the East in a character of sanctity; for they expect that the man, who ministers among them in holy things, should be recognized by his own countrymen as bearing a holy character.

It is proper, then, that every preacher who obtains from our own Church official sanction to go and baptize the nations," should be set

apart to the Holy Office, and ordained according to the Order of the Church. You may observe, that almost all societies of Christians have some form of Ordination; and, so far, they recognize the Office of the Ministry as sacred. Nay more, they confine their Missionaries to their own ritual or creed; and will patronize them no longer than they conform to it. This is not, indeed, the Catholic Charity of the Gospel. This is not the character of the true light which shineth on all. But this partiality appears to be inseparable from the very constitution of religious bodies, differing from one another. It may be called the INFIRMITY of the Visible Church of Christ; which is imperfect and militant here on earth. This advantage, however, results from it, that more interest is created and more energy excited, when the attention is confined to the operations of a single body of men. At this very time, some societies are so intent on their own work, that they do not well know what the rest are doing.

But the Church of England ought to shine on all like a venerable Nursing-Mother of the Church of Christ: she ought to contemplate with candour and benignity the useful exertions of the several societies not subject to her jurisdiction, notwithstanding their differing from her, and from one another, in matters not essential to salvation. Yet, while we behold with complacency the labours of others, we

would nevertheless set apart by holy ordination those preachers who are sent forth by ourselves.

But, in the great work of converting the Heathen World, men of different stations and offices are required. At the first promulgation of the Gospel, there were, saith the Apostle, "some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and "Teachers." There were also what he denominates" Helps for the work of the Ministry." In like manner, we may now employ, "some," Evangelists and Pastors invested with the sacred character; and some Teachers and Catechists, with such "Helps" of a secular kind as may be useful. Such subordinate instructors may be sent forth to commence the work; and, in process of time, those of them may return as candidates for ordination, who shall have acquired a knowledge of the foreign language, and a competent degree of learning for the sacred office; and who shall have obtained a good report for piety, zeal, diligence, and fidelity.

To this object we would now particularly direct your attention. I can report to you from my own observation, that the most useful and necessary labours among the Heathen, during the first years of Christian Instruction, are those of the humble Teacher and Catechist. Whenever you find a man well qualified by knowledge

and piety for this subordinate office, you may send him forth with confidence, in his secular character, as a fit instrument of light in a dark region.

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If you look around, you may observe that few of the rich or learned of any society of Christians, however small, and however zeal ous to diffuse Christianity, are disposed to go forth as Missionaries. And it is true, that, if the rich and learned did go, they could not assimilate with the poor and ignorant among the Heathen so easily as their brethrene of inferior station. They could not so easily as sociate with their poverty, or tolerates their ignorance. trand en tod * up "If then you cannot find rich men of your own body to go forth to enlighten the world, you must send men of humble condition;// and if you cannot engage learned men, you must send men of inferior attainments: for the Gospel must be "preached to all nations :" some men go forth to be "the Light of the World.” Let it be your care that the men whom you do send, possess the dispositions which our Lord hath enjoyed. Let them be. Men of the "Beatitudes." In regard to learning, they will acquire some portion of it in a foreign land. It is proper to observe, that a Missionary is not made such in his own country; but in the country of his labours. Learning is eventually ne

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cessary for him: it is indispensable to great success: but it is not so requisite at his first entrance on his missionary employment. The primary qualifications are evangelic fortitude, zeal, humility, self-denial, prudence, temperance; to which must be added, assiduity in learning a new language, with the docility of a child. And, in the period of eight or ten years, whilst that language is acquiring, some other branches of useful learning may be successfully cultivated. se

This opinion on the means of forming a Missionary, I deliver in perfect confidence: not only as the result of my own observation and enquiry; but as being sanctioned by the most eminent and useful preachers in the East, during the last century. *

II. We now proceed to consider our Second Proposition: that, IF YOU BE INSTRUMENTS, OF THE TRUE LIGHT, YOU WILL BE ZEALOUS IN

'ADOPTING THE MOST EFFECTUAL MEANS OF DIFFUSING IT.

But, perhaps, it may be expected, that, in order to stimulate your exertions, I should first give an account of the Darkness which exists in the Heathen World.

I I have, indeed, seen that Darkness; but it

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