the Churches, who constitute the Commissariat Department at home, justified in gratuitously adding, by their

rule well, &c. Hence it is lawful and equitable, and the ordinance of God himself, that they which preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel. It is, however, more desirable for examples' sake, and for the preventing of offence or suspicion, as well as more noble and honourable in itself, and conducive to our more complete glorifying God, to render an unpaid service to the church; in this, as well as in all other instances, and, after the example of our Lord, to minister and serve gratuitously. Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. Freely ye have received, freely give. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Paul proposed the same to the imitation of ministers in general, and recommended it by his example. Ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me: I have showed you in all things, how that so labouring, ye ought to support the weak. Yourselves know how ye ought to follow us; for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; 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: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us. I have used none of these things; neither have I written these things that it should be so done unto me; for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void: what is my reward then? verily, that when I preach the Gospel, 1 may make the Gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel. When I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable tɔ no man. all things I have kept myself from being burthensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. No man shall stop me of this boasting. What I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion, from them that desire occasion, that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we are. Behold the third time I am ready to come unto you, and I will not be burthensome to you ; for 1 seek not yours, but you; for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. Did I make gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? Did Titus make a guin of you? Walked we not in the same spirit? We do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. And if at any time extreme necessity compelled him to acoept the voluntary aid of the churches, such constraint was so grievous to him, that he accuses himself as if he were guilty of robbery. I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service."

In

"Pecuniary considerations ought by no means to enter into our motives for preaching the Gospel. Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." If it be a crime to purchase the Gospel, what, must it be to sell it? How then, ask the Ministers, are we to live? How ought they to live, but as the

parsimony or neglect, to the sufferings of the soldier in the field. Still, if they do carelessly add to his sufferings, the good Missionary will, nevertheless, remain at his post, as long as ever the banner of the cross continues to be unfurled.*

9. A Missionary should be a man of good temper,† tender feeling, and active benevolence, bearing much and long with enemies and young converts; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; not a stern,

Prophets lived of old? On their own private resources, by the exercise of some calling, by honest industry, after the example of the Prophets, who accounted it no disgrace to hew their own wood, and build their own houses;-of (our blessed Saviour Jesus) Christ, who (some suppose) wrought with his own hands as a carpenter." (MILTON.)

Of the lawfulness of Christian Missionaries and Ministers following some secular profession for a livelihood, whilst they teach the great truths of Christianity to others, whether in Christianized or Pagan countries, I have no doubt; but the general practicability of it in modern times, is not so apparent. In this, as in other cases, the work will be best done by a division of labour. (MORRISON.)

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If, however, such self-denial be thought too arduous for the Ministers of the present day, they will most nearly approach to it, when, relying on the providence of God who called them, they shall look for the necessary support of life, not from the edicts of the civil power, (nor from the fixed stipends or salaries of Missionary Societies,) but from the spontaneous good-will and liberality of the Church, in requital of their voluntary service." (MILTON.)

"Bishop Mant justifies the union of the magisterial character and that of an instructor of youth, as secular occupations' consistent with the functions of a clergyman.” (Christian Remembrancer, Feb. 1826.)

The Minister of religion " desecrates his high calling, when he considers it in the light of a commercial transaction, in which a bargain is struck for a certain return of services, upon the payment of a certain price." (SUMNER.)

* We should almost doubt the propriety of this martial imagery, were it not sanctioned by Apostolic example, lest we should be supposed the advocates of war. For the Missionary should be the Herald of peace, not only between a guilty conscience and high heaven, but also of peace on earth among men. (MORRISON.)

+ Some young English Missionaries are far inferior to Asiatic Pagans, in command of temper, in a knowledge of human nature, and of the rights of others to respectful treatment, however erroneous their creed may be. (MORRISON.)

bitter, metaphysical doctrinalist. He should ever be ready to do good to all men, to the evil and unthankful, as well as to the household of faith. If he have it in his power to communicate pecuniary aid to the distressed, he will not confine it to those who profess to become Christians, but extend it liberally to all human beings who are in the midst of suffering. Some persons, to avoid the possibility of encouraging hypocrisy, would have Missionaries studiously avoid bestowing any charity. But then, in this case, the heathen mock his discourses on benevolence, for he is never seen to practise it. The straitened circumstances of Missionaries generally, whose allowances are often scarcely adequate to support their own families, place pecuniary charities out of their power. The late Dr. Milne felt much this difficulty, and sent home a request to have small sums placed at the disposal of Missionaries, to be expended by them in relieving cases of distress among the heathen. But however desirable this may be, it is possible, without silver or gold, to exhibit kindness and benevolence of heart and conduct, in various nameless ways.

10. The Missionaries should not cherish high notions of priestly* power and privilege, but should introduce

* Seeing it is now generally admitted that the choice of a nation can constitute rightful magistrates, and a rightful dynasty of kings, (who are lso "ministers of God" for good,) it seems inconsistent to reason, that the choice of a Christian assembly, or church, consisting of "faithful men," cannot constitute a rightful Pastor or Bishop. The kings of England, since the "glorious revolution," acknowledge that their right to reign is derived from the choice of the people; but the Bishops of the English Church still cling to a supposed divine right, derived mysteriously by a disputed, uninterrupted succession from the Apostles, through the Bishops or Popes of Rome; deeming this a better title than the election of Christian congregations. And some of the advocates of this system still scoff at those whom they call "self-created," and "self-constituted" teachers. The Presbyterian Church of Scotland too, and the Secession Church, are not less staunch in requiring, as by divine right, the communication of their authority to teachers of Christianity, and the same leaven seems working among Dissenters and Methodists. But if Bishop Burnet was correct in considering an experimental knowledge of Christianity, and an ardent desire to communicate it to others, as a being

a system of mutual instruction, to bear as extensively as possible on the facts, principles, and duties of Christianity.

"moved by the Holy Ghost" to undertake the ministry, surely any believer whatever, provided with the requisite knowledge and piety, is competent to teach Christianity. Knowledge of any science constitutes a right to teach it, and why the communication of Christian science should be fettered by any other conditions, is not easy to apprehend.* It is true, incompetent persons may assume to teach; and it is equally true, incompetent persons may be regularly appointed to teach. There is no system without its defects or abuses. Unless the disciples of Jesus, "scattered abroad" throughout the United Kingdom, and all nations of the world, exert themselves, and exhort their fellow-creatures to "know the Lord," we see no adequate means for the universal diffusion of Christian knowledge. The Pagans of China teach, that it is the duty of every man, not only to study virtue for himself, but also to communicate it to others, with all the knowledge and experience he may acquire; if he perform only the first part of this duty, and omit the latter, he sins against the light of nature; whereas many of the Christian priesthood of Europe discourage every effort to communicate Christian knowledge by any other persons than themselves; and some avow that they would rather have persons ignorant of Christian doctrine, than that a layman should teach it. A Dutch merchant in China wrote prayers, and distributed them amongst the poor Catholics resident in Macao, for doing which he was summoned before the Bishop, and reprimanded. The Bishop told him, that although the prayers were good, it was irregular and improper for any but a Clergyman to write and circulate them.

The Ecclesiastics of Europe, who have had it in their power to influence the legislatures of different countries, instead of encouraging, have procured the prohibition of private assemblies of Christians for mutual instruction and devotional exercises. The prevention of seditious meetings has been the plea; but the utmost charity cannot help suspecting other motives, arising from selfishness and the lust of power; motives, indeed, similar to those that originated the Brahminical caste in Asia. Under such circumstances, no one can be surprised at the ignorance of Christian doctrine, and the hostility to it which still prevails in all the nations of Europe; for Ecclesiastics have usurped the keeping of the key of knowledge, and have, in a large majority of instances, (it is to be feared,) neither entered themselves, nor suffered others to enter. The Archimandrites, and Cardinals, and Bishops,

"The Romanists reproach the Protestants, that their Ministers have no Mission, as not being authorized in their ministry, either by an uninterrupted succession from the Apostles, or by miracles, or by any extraordinary proof of a vocation. Many among us deny any other Mission necessary for the ministry, than the talents necessary to discharge it."

Every new disciple should be, to the extent of his capabilities, a new Missionary. No native convert should be taught to live only for himself. In this way, under the fostering care of the Great Shepherd, Christian truth will spread itself in all lands, and the vocation of Missionary eventually cease.

"And they shall not teach any more

Every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
Saying, 'Know ye Jehovah,'

For they shall all know ME,

From the least of them unto the greatest of them,

Saith Jehovah

(Jeremiah.)

CONCLUSION.

The preceding thoughts on the qualifications of Missionaries are presented to the reader, not as a complete essay on the subject, but as touching on the leading points, which the writer, from his own experience, considers applicable to the present times.

The qualifications of each Missionary, natural or ac

and Presbyters, and other Rulers of national churches, who, by envying the Lord's people, being prophets, and interfering to prevent their prophesying or teaching, hinder the Gospel, instead of furthering it, have reason to anticipate a terrible account at the day of judgment.

Since the human mind is substantially the same in all ages and countries, and by it the patriarchal and the Jewish revelations were corrupted, it is not matter of surprise that the Christian revelation should also be neglected or perverted, and corrupted by those who should teach it. And, therefore, as in great monarchies, there are appointments which proceed, not through the usual channels, but immediately from the throne, so the Divine Providence seems sometimes to overlook the constituted authorities on earth, and Himself bring forwards unsanctioned individuals to reform and bless mankind. Such was the Reformer Luther, and many others.

"As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of ceremonics, but also in matters of faith."

(Articles of Religion.)