ing scenes were the immediate disciples of our Lord called to pass, before and after his resurrection? How dark and mysterious must it have appeared, that Paul, with his illustrious qualifications, should have spent so large a part of his life in prison, and in laboring with his own hands for a support; and should have been so perpetually exposed to the rage and persecution of ungodly men? In the time of the Reformation, also, how numerous were the difficulties to be encountered and frequently how unexpected,-before the truth could be preached with safety in a single nation in Europe? How often did the nations, which had been partially reformed, relapse into Popery, and re-kindle the flames of persecution? When our ancestors first came to this country, and sacrificed their ease and comfort to establish churches in the wilderness, how many and va rious were their hardships? How often did they suffer under the frowns of Providence, and how severely were their faith and hope tried? Yet, in all these instances, God was preparing his people for success and prosperity. So in most of the modern attempts to send the Gospel to the heathen, the discouragements, which at first presented themselves, have been overcome by zeal and perseverance. If the Moravians had yielded to discouragements, of which they experienced a great variety, they never could have had, as they now have, one hundred and fifty missionaries, some of them in the most inhospitable climates, and twenty thousand hopeful converts. If the Missionary Society in England had given over their labors, at the loss of the ship Duff, they never could have had, as they now have, missionaries at twenty different stations; nor could they receive, as they now do, most gratifying intelligence of the progress made in communicating instruction, and of conversions from idols to Christ. If Zeigenbalg and his associates had been deterred by temporary hindrances, they could not have planted the Gospel more than a century ago, in southern India; nor could a long succession of missionaries and pastors have ministered to churches, whose light has shone in that region with double splendor, in con trast with the surrounding darkness.

In estimating the success of missionaries, we must regard the stage of the mission, the difficulties to be met in the beginning, the value of an establishment among the heathen, and many other things, beside the number of converts made by the personal exertions of the first laborers in a new field. The man who shall learn a new language, conciliate the regard of even a few natives to the cause in which he is employed, add facilities to the acquisition of the language, begin a translation of the Scriptures, and prepare the way for others to labor with greater advantages, may, eventually, be the instrument of bringing more souls to heaven, (though he should never be so happy as to see any fruit of his toil with his mortal eyes,) than the most honored servant of Christ in a Christian country.

They who urge against missions to the heathen the small immediate success, which usually attends the first attempts in a new region, would do well to consider, that without a beginning there

can be no progress,-without a progress no consummation. And shall there never be a beginning? Will Christians fold their hands, and leave the heathen to grope in Egyptian darkness, without an effort to enlighten them? Or, if this melancholy determination is not allowed, when shall the beginning be made? Can a more favorable time to institute new missions ever be expected? If this favorable crisis, when the Christian world is awake on the subject, should be suffered to pass away unimproved, who can ensure the return of another? But it will not pass away in this manner; it has already been seized by multitudes who will not relinquish the object. In regard to many missions, the beginning is past; the progress is cheering beyond expectation or hope; and a glorious consummation may be reasonably anticipated.

To those who allege, that little has been hitherto done in the great work, it may be replied, that, in most instances, quite as much has been done, as was expected by any man, who considered the means employed. In some instances, more has been done, than the most enthusiastic ventured to hope. Who would have dared to predict so salutary and speedy a change, as has been experienced at Bavian's Kloof and Bethelsdorp in South Africa, by the wild, ferocious, and besotted Caffres and Hottentots? Fror a state of the most deplorable ignorance and brutism several hundred families of these degraded people have been delivered by the preaching of the plain truths of the Gospel. Industry has taken the place of vagrancy; honesty the place of fraud and theft; cleanliness and decency have been introduced where the most sordid and loathsome habits prevailed; the love of Christ has been shed abroad in hearts, which had been the residence of stupidity, sin and guilt; and the Christian graces and virtues have supplanted the selfish, malignant, and sensual passions and vices.

When Carey planned and entered upon a mission to Hindostan, about twenty years ago, he did not believe it credible, in his most sanguine moments, that his own eyes would ever witness such a progress as they have already witnessed. It appeared to him an object worthy of the most strenuous labors of a whole life to translate the New Testament into a single language; an object, which, if he might live to accomplish it, would furnish ground of everlasting gratitude and praise to God. What then must be his emotions, to see translations now carrying on in ten languages, in an estab lishment of which he was the founder; to see the publication of the New Testament in several languages, and a third edition of the whole Bible printing in one? What ought to be the emotions of Christians generally, while beholding these things, and the kindred efforts of other individuals and associations aiming at the same great end? How animating the thought that translations of the Scriptures are commenced in thirty Asiatic languages? Though we have to lament the early death of a Leyden, and a Martyn, vet others will be raised up to supply their places, and complete their benevolent designs.

VOL. IX.

41

The progress which has been made in obtaining a knowledge of the religious character of the Asiatics, and of the necessary qualifications of a missionary; in ascertaining the manner in which many classes of the heathen are disposed to treat Christian instructors; and in establishing the fact, that the great doctrines of our holy religion produce their proper benign effects, wherever preached in simplicity,-may be regarded as highly important and satisfactory. The most common and popular objections to missions are found to be utterly groundless; and the day seems to have nearly arrived, when, with all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, there shall be but one opinion on the practicability and duty of cn. gaging in missionary enterprises.

Arc we to reason, and act, as though all these advances were unworthy of consideration? Is the progress already made to be accounted as nothing? Is it nothing, that missionaries are stationed in New Holland; at many places in Hindostan; in Ceylon; at five or six places in Africa; in Tartary; in South America; in Labrador and Greenland; and in the islands of the Pacific ocean? Is it nothing, that such a man as Dr. Buchanan has travelled, and published the result of his researches, in order to show the progress of Christianity in the east, and to press upon Christians the duty of activity in this great work? Is it nothing, that the caverns of the Inquisition at Goa have been thrown open, and the wretched captives suffered to go free? and that this victory of religion over superstition has been achieved in consequence of the benevolent attempts to extend the light of the Gospel to Asia? Is it nothing, that we are enabled, by intelligence received while we are writing, to celebrate the triumph of the friends of missions in the British 'Parliament? a triumph which unbars India to the missionaries of the cross? Is it nothing, that the executive government of Great Britain is strongly in favor of communicating religious instruction to sixty millions of Asiatic subjects? Is it nothing, that the voice of the English nation was raised, in the course of three months, to a louder note of intreaty in favor of sending Christianity to the cast, than it had been raised for a century past, on any moral or political subject whatever, not excepting the abolition of the slave trade for which the nation struggled twenty years? Is it nothing, that nine hundred petitions loaded the tables of cach House of Parliament, signed by nearly half a million of individuals, a greater number than ever before offered petitions in their own hand-writing, for one common purpose, to any government on earth? Is it nothing, that these petitions flocked together from every part of England, Ireland and Scotland, as if moved by the same impulse; that they were evcry where encouraged by the wise, the considerate, the benevolent, the pious; and that their success was earnestly desired by all clas ses of persons from the prince to the peasant, from the learned divine to the amiable child?

We are anxious to fix your attention, Christian brethren, on the great object of evangelizing all nations;-an object more glorious, more worthy of the universal patronage and admiration of the peo

ple of God, than the tongue can express, or the heart conceive; and an object of sure and no very distant accomplishment. To this object the eyes of Christians in many countries are already most earnestly directed. The Christian world is now, for the first time, reaching forward to its attainment, and even grasping it by anticipation. In Great Britain, the promulgation of true religion in every part of the earth, and the publication and distribution of the Scriptures in every language, are topics of general and familiar allusion, as though these stupendous events were at hand, and were even now hailed with demonstrations of joy. When we notice that the wisest and the best informed men in that empire, and in our own country, partake of these joyful anticipations, and that a similar crisis in the state of the church has never before been known;when we observe, that this tone of public feeling has been excited not by a sudden impulse of enthusiasm, but by a patient comparison of the word of God with his providence, of prophecy with his tory, by an attentive consideration of the peculiar signs of the times, and by the gradual operation of causes above the powers of man to contrive or combine; we are forced to believe, that God has great things to be accomplished by the men of this generation, and that, after punishing the nations for their sins, he is about to deliver them from the wretched bondage in which they have been held. To this day the ancient prophets looked forward with holy rapture; for this day the persecuted congregations of the faithful prayed, during the gloomy reign of Popish superstition; for this day the Reformers labored and suffered; for this day the most devout aspirations of pious souls have in every age ascended. Shall we, who are so happy as to see this day, neglect to do our part? Other times have been times of preparation; the present age is emphatically the age of action. Shall we remain idle in this 'harvest time of the world?'

Some may inquire, What shall we do? What are the duties peculiarly incumbent upon Christians at the present time? To these questions the following answers are respectfully submitted.

Christians should pray constantly and fervently for the advent of the latter-day glory, This topic should never be forgotten in the public assembly, the social circle convened for prayer, the family, nor the closet. It is uniformly in answer to prayer, that Christ appears in his glory to build up Zion. It is in consequence of prayer, that spiritual blessings are ever to be expected. Were it possible, that prayer should cease to be offered for the millennium, that blissful period would never arrive; and the creation would groan under the prevalence of sin without hope of deliverance. Daniel understood by books the time appointed for the restoration of his captive countrymen to their native land, and set his face to seek the Lord God by prayer and supplication. So Christians should understand by the sure word of prophecy, the time of general deliverance, and should engage in earnest and united prayer. They should

pray, in order to awaken their sympathy for the immense multitude of sufferers throughout the world; to enkindle their own zeal, and stimulate others to the good work of the Lord; and to prepare themselves for all the sacrifices and active services, which the momentous crisis demands. They should pray, that Christians may all be united in the greatest effort, which ever claimed their aid; and that smaller points of difference may be forgotten in the great contest between Christ and false gods. They should pray, that all Missionary Societies, and all individuals who have an influence in the direction of missions, may be prudent, faithful, and guided by Infinite Wisdom; that the Missionaries whom they send may be humble, prayerful, courageous, and persevering, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and may happily exemplify the doctrines which they teach; that a great and effectual door may be opened for their entrance among the heathen, and that Christ may speedily become the power of God and the wisdom of God to many who shall believe through their instrumentality; and that a divine blessing may rest on all who contribute by their influence, their example, their property, or their personal labors, to extend the limits of the true Church, and gather Christ's wandering sheep into the one fold.

We take the liberty of stating, in this place, that many Christians. in Great Britain have, since missions were fitted out from that country, observed the first Monday evening in each month, as a season of peculiar prayer, both social and secret, for the success of missionaries and the spread of the Gospel. The same time has been devoted to the same purpose, by Christians in some of our towns, since the mission was fitted out from this country to Asia. Concert is pleasing in the pursuit of any desirable object. Let Christians, who are accustomed to assemble for social prayer, consider whether this concert may not be further extended. But whether this season be equally convenient for all, or not, we earnestly urge upon all the duty of stated, particular, persevering prayer for missionaries and those to whom they are sent. Let Christians raise their voices in unison, and adop: the language of the prophet, For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace; for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest; until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory.

Another obvious duty, binding upon all Christians, is to show the sincerity of their prayers by their practice. None, who have read their Bibles, ought to be ignorant, that they are stewards of whatever they possess; that all their means and opportunities of doing good are recorded in the book of God's remembrance; and that an account must be rendered of the manner in which this stewardship has been exercised. Who, in this favored land, can say, that he has. not been entrusted with at least one talent? Who can be willing to hide that talent in a napkin? How many are there, who have their five, their ten, their fifty, their hundred talents? And how unhappy will be their case, if all this liberality of Providence shall be found at last to have been wasted upon them; to have produced none of