eral irruptions into Thracia, many Christian priests were taken captives, who being of a holy blameless life, reproved the vices of the Barbarians; and, by calling on the name of Christ, procured health to their sick. This made them see an excellency in the Christian religion, and inquire after it; and the captives employed all their time to promote their conversion. By these means were the inhabitants upon the Rhine, the Celta, some of the remote parts of Gaul, and the people upon the river Danube, brought to entertain the gospel." -Gillies's Hist. Col. vol. 1, p. 21.

Again: "Before I conclude this section, I shall observe, that Christianity made farther progress in Persia in this fourth century. Some authors are of opinion, that there were Christians in that kingdom in the days of John the apostle. And Bardesanes who flourished in Mesopotamia in the end of the second century, writes, "That there were Christians in his time in the country of the Parthians, of Medes and Persians, as far as Bactria.' But, in the fourth age, the kingdom of Christ was farther enlarged in Persia. In the beginning of it, Janies of Nisibia went from Mesopotamia into Persia, to visit the Christians who were already there, and to endeavor to make new ones. The Christian religion was extensively spread there at the time of the Council of Nice in 325. Adiabene was almost all Christian. Constantine was very glad to hear so good news; and Sapor, king of Persia, having sent ambassadors to him about the year 332, to make an alliance with him, he wrote a letter to that king, wherein he prays him to grant protection to the Christians that were in his kingdom. Nevertheless there arose a great persecution in Persia against the Christians afterwards.

"In this century also the Scythian Nomades, who dwelt beyond the Ister, being disposed to entertain the gospel, but having few or none to preach it to them, Chrysostom got men of zeal to undertake this work. Theodoret says, I have read letters writ to Leontius, bishop of Ancyra concerning the conversion of the Scythians, and desiring fit teachers might be sent to them.'

"The same Chrysostom finding the Goths over-run with Arianism, got some proper persons of that country, and ordained them readers, deacons, and presbyters, and assigned them a church within the city. By their industry he reclaimed many to the church; and that this might succeed

the better, he himself went often and preached among them, making use of an interpreter to convey his discourse to the people, and persuaded other preachers to do the like. —Gillies, vol. 1, p. 28.

Fifth century. In this century Christianity was established in Ireland by Patrick, who was carried thither a captive from Scotland. Having learned the language and customs of the people, he was removed by some pirates into Gaul, whence after various adventures, he returned and preached the gospel in Ireland. "At length, his success was so great, that he has ever since been looked upon as the apostle of Ireland. He is said to have built more than 300 churches. He first taught the Irish the use of letters. He died about 460, in an advanced age. Milner vol. ii, p. 486." Burder's Miss. Anec. p. 111, 112.

In the sixth century, Gregory, bishop of Rome sent Au-gustine with a number of Missionaries into Britain, where they were successful. "It is reported that, in this century, Almundurus, a prince of the Saracens, was converted by Severus a monk: that Zathus, a prince of the Colchians, embraced Christianity, and Adad, a king of Ethiopia: the Heruli, also, who inhabited the banks of the Danube, and the Abasgi, a people in Scythia." Burder's Miss. Anec. p. 114, 115.

In the seventh century, "Zeal for the cause of Christ appeared in some pious individuals. Missionaries from England, Scotland, and Ireland, issued forth to convert their neighbors. Of these the famous Willebrod, an AngloSaxon, and his eleven associates,* form an excellent group, by whose indefatigable exertions, the knowledge of Chris-. tianity, such as they taught, spread through Batavia, Friesland, Cimbria, and Denmark, and procured for the prime apostle the archbishopric of Utrecht as his reward from the Roman Pontiff.-An. 615.

“Aidan, a monk of Ireland, was a very zealous and successful Missionary at this period. Oswald, a British prince, who had been baptized and educated in Ireland, sent for him. Oswald himself acted as his interpreter, for Aidan understood English but imperfectly; such was the zeal of this monarch to promote religion in the north of England!

Suidburt, Widgbert, Acca, Wilibald, Unibald, Lebwin, the two Ewalds, Werenfeid, Marcellin, and Adalbert,

Thus encouraged more Irish ministers came over, the Gospel was preached and many churches erected. Aidan was a bright example of godliness: he labored to convert infidels, and to strengthen the faithful. He employed himself with his associates in the daily study of the Scriptures, and was remarkably liberal to the poor. The character of this Missionary would have done honor to the purest times. Milner, vol. iii, p. 106.

“English Missionaries. The zeal of British and Irish Christians was not confined to their own island. Many persons, as we have already mentioned, travelled from thence to Batavia, Belgium, and Germany. Columban was one of the most distinguished. He was useful not only in France, but he passed the Rhine, and helped to evangelize the Suevi, the Boii (now Bavarians,) and other German nations. Gal, one of his associates, labored with much zeal, about the lakes of Zurich and Constance. In fortitude and laboriousness he was inferior to none of the Missionaries of his age.

"Kilian, another Irish Missionary, preached to the infidels about Wirtsburgh upon the Mayne. Gosbert, a pagan duke, was baptized, but being reproved by Kilian, for having married his brother's wife, that wicked woman procured his assassination. But the Gospel prevailed, and Barbetus and others were instrumental of much good in that quarter.

"Disen, also, an Irish monk, taught the Gospel in Ireland, France, and Germany; in the neighborhood of Mentz, his efforts were crowned with great success.

"The grateful remembrance of the zeal of these men, induced the Germans, in after-times, to found many convents for the Scotch and Irish, of which some are yet in being.

"About this time, Rupert, or Robert, bishop of Worms, is said to have been successful in establishing Christianity in Bavaria, having been invited thither by Theodo, duke of that territory: Corbinian, a Frenchman, watered what he planted. Emmeram, an Aquitanian Frenchman leaving his large possessions, travelled to Ratisbon, to spread the Gospel. He refused a large revenue, declaring that he only wished to preach Christ crucified. He was murdered by a son of the duke. Marinus and Anian, two Egyptians also came into Bavaria, and were successful in the same cause. "Moshiem is unreasonably severe on the motives of these Missionaries; other writers extol them too highly. The

truth probably is in the middle-way. Superstition, excessive attachment to the Roman see, and ambition to rise to episcopal dignity, perhaps influenced some of them; yet, from the few hints we have concerning them, they appear to have been in general truly pious men, very laborious, self-denied, seeking the conversion of the Heathen, and not worldly wealth nor aggrandizement. The effect of their labors, therefore ought to be noticed, as fulfilling that prediction 'the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.' See the Church Histories of Mosheim, Millar, Milner, and Haweis.” Miss. Anec. p. 116-118.

Burder's

Eighth century-"It is very gratifying to find that our British ancestors discovered, in successive ages, uncommon zeal in their missionary exertions. Willebrod, and his companions, have been already mentioned; their labors, according to some historians, should be placed rather in the eighth than in the seventh century: this, however is of no great importance.

"Winfrid, a native of Kirton, in Devonshire, was another eminent Missionary; he was educated in the monastery of Nutcel, and ordained at the age of thirty. His spirit was ardent, and he longed for the conversion of the Pagans. He went with two others, to Friesland, about the year 716, to water, where Willebrod had planted; but afterwards removed to Bavaria and Thuringia; in the first country he reformed the churches, in the second he was successful in the conversion of the Heathen. Throughout Hesse, or a very great part of it, even to the confines of Saxony, he erected the standard of truth. Gregory II. made him bishop of the new German churches, by the name of Boniface. He obtained several assistants in his mission from England, who dispersed themselves in the villages; he also wrote home for books, and by a circular letter to the British bishops and people, he entreated their prayers for the success of his missions. He continued full of zeal to the age of seventy-five, when going to confirm some converts in the plains of Dockum, he beheld, not the converts whom he expected, but a troop of angry Pagans, armed with shields and lances, who attacked him furiously, and killed the whole company, fifty-two in number, besides Boniface himself. His death was resented by the Christian Germans, who

raised an army, and conquered the Pagans, who, for the sake of peace, submitted to the Christian rites.

"Ecclesiastical writers differ much in their character of Boniface: allowance must be made for the times, but we cannot but hope that by his instrumentality much good was effected.

"Scotland had the honor, about this time, of contributing to the restoratioa of learning, and to the propagation of Christianity, by sending over, to several parts of Europe, men of learning and piety; among whom were Johannes Scotus, Claudius Clemens, Rabbanus Maurus, and Flaccus Albinus: the last is said to have founded the university at Pavia, and Clemens that of Paris. Rabbanus Maurus was made archbishop of Mentz.

"Virgilius, an Irishman, was appointed bishop of Saltzburgh, by King Pepin. Winebald, the son of a royal AngloSaxon, labored also in Germany, and his work was blessed among the Heathens.

"Liefuvyn, an Englishman, was distinguished by his labors among the Missionaries of Germany. He ventured to appear before the assembly of the Saxons, and, while they were sacrificing to their idols, he exhorted them with a loud voice to turn from those vanities to serve the living God. His zeal seemed likely to cost him his life; but he was suffered to depart, on the remonstrances of Buto, one of their chiefs, who contended that it would be unreasonable to treat an ambassador of the great God, with less respect than they did one of any of the neighboring nations. In the mean time, the arms of Charlemagne prevailing over the Saxons, his labors were facilitated, and he continued to preach among this people till his death.

"Milner observes, that 'this was an age of Missionaries; their character and their success form, indeed, almost the only shining picture in this century,' and he enumerates the following:

"Villehad, an English priest, born in Northumberland, was abundantly successful in the conversion of the Saxons; he underwent great hazards, overcame the ferocious spirits of the infidels by his meekness, and spread among them the knowledge of the Gospel. He became bishop of Bremen, and was called the Apostle of Saxony. He died in Friesland, after he had laboured thirty-five years.