There are aspects in the present state of the world, which, viewed in connexion with prophecy, past events and the acknowledged genius of Christianity, are indications of the same future event. Christianity has survived a long night of darkness. Ever since the dawn of the reformation it has been gradually returning to its primitive purity and power. Lately it has again begun to extend its boundaries, not on one only, but on almost every side; and the prospect of a more rapid extension, in the coming age, is particularly encouraging. The successive revelations, which God has been pleased to make to mankind, and all history, conspire in showing that the development of God's plan of mercy towards mankind has been gradual, and in creating a belief that he will gradually raise the human race, considered collectively, to the degree of knowledge and moral excellence, of which they are capable in the present incipient and imperfect stage of their being. All these considerations combined lay a foundation for a strong conviction that the Christian religion is destined by its Author to become ultimately the religion of the world.

3. The Christian religion is adapted to promote the happiness of those who embrace it.

Here again I shall be permitted to avail myself of the argument arising from the establishment of my former positions. That which God has adapted to the common nature and exigencies of mankind, and probably destined to prevail universally, must be presumed to contribute to human happiness; else where could we find proofs of the divine wisdom and benevolence? But the matter is not left to inference, however fairly and conclusively it may be drawn. Experiment has decided it. In the first ages of Christianity, wherever it went, it made a great and glorious change for the better, both in the state of society, and in the condition, characters and prospects of individuals. Idolatry, superstition, idle ceremonies, gross vices, idleness, and avarice were, to a remarkable degree, laid aside; and the great body of the primitive Christians were pious, simple in their faith and worship, industrious, contented, thankful, peaceable, generous, pure, and benevolent. Even after platonic philosophy and popish usurpation began again the work of moral corruption and intellectual degradation in the bosom of the church, the good effects of Christianity were visible, and never wholly ceased to exist. How much happiness, then, must reformed or protestant Christianity confer, when it shall be universally prevalent? and how great are the advantages, in point of happiness, which Christian protestant nations do actually enjoy, compared with the rest of mankind. We may presume that those among us, who consider

the difference of but little value, know little of the value of their own privileges, and less of the actual state of Jews, Mahometans and Pagans.

It will not cool the ardour of a true philanthropist to object, that God requires of all according to what he bestows, and not according to what he withholds; and that multitudes may be saved through Christ, who never hear of his name or his religion in this life. For how do we know, that the intensity of future happiness in them who are saved, will not be in proportion to the increased knowledge and elevation of character which are associated with the prevalence of Christianity in this world? It must be so, if Christians make a due improvement of their knowledge and means. But if we yield this point, are there not still motives enough for all, and more than all the exertions which missionaries have ever yet made? and inducements sufficient to undergo all the deprivations and sufferings which have fallen to their lot? What will not human nature sometimes endure in quest of knowledge, or gold, or celebrity? To what acts of daring and suffering will benevolence sometimes prompt a Christian, that he may render a temporary good to a solitary individual. And is it not enough that by extending Christianity we may communicate happiness in this world, which may not only be shared by numbers of the present age, but be handed down with increase to succeeding ages? If ours be a faith which inspires no zeal to extend itself, let us abandon it as destitute of an essential apostolic seal; but if the fault be in us, and not in our system, let us humble ourselves and honour those, by imitating their example, who, with a system less pure, have discovered a zeal more ardent, and perhaps it ought to be added, in some respects more useful to mankind.

4. In the efforts which missionary associations are now making, the probable means of extending the Christian religion are included.

It is manifest from various passages of the New Testament, that the Christian religion is to be extended by means of the preached and written word, and the administration of the Christian ordinances, with God's blessing upon these means; and where the means are faithfully and understandingly used, there is not the least reason to apprehend the blessing will be withheld. So far as preaching is concerned, this position is clearly implied in the text by which our discourse was introduced; and other passages too numerous to be quoted, and, it is hoped, within the recollec tion of the hearers, incontestibly prove the assertion. Indeed we can conceive of no other means, unless miracles, tongues,

prophecy and other extraordinary gifts of the Spirit should be

revived. Now the efforts, which various missionary associations are making, do include these means, to wit, preaching, the distribution of the holy scriptures in various languages, the administration of the Christian ordinances, together with the communication of such degrees of learning, especially to the rising generation, as are requisite to insure, in some measure, the success of the other means.

It may be objected, that the success of such efforts, in modern times, has been as yet limited, partial and uncertain. This is incident to the nature of the undertaking. It is to be expected, that it may require ages to complete the work; but it may not be the less certain that a sure beginning has been made, and that perseverance will surely complete it. It may be objected, that many are engaged in it from inadequate or base motives,many who are deceivers, or deceived. This is also incident to all great undertakings requiring the concurrence of many individuals. It may be objected, that both the labourers and the field are often ill chosen. This is a reason for changing the labourers and the field, but not for abandoning the work. It may be objected, as a consequence of the ill choice of labourers, that Christianity is often communicated, or attempted to be communicated, in a corrupted or imperfect form. But even in such a form, Christianity may be better than any other religion; and at most, this objection leads no further than to a more judicious choice of labourers. It would seem that the argument, from all these considerations, is conclusive in favour of missionary exertions in general, that honour is due to those by whom they are commenced, and that those who make them from right motives, will in no wise lose their reward, even when they are apparently unsuccessful.

It is high time, then, for every one to awake out of sleep, and lend assistance, through some particular channel, to that which is so good in its general tendency. The cause of missions is the cause of God. He has owned and blessed the work; and, it is verily believed, will own and bless it. Let us add to the number of labourers and the amount of means; and, whenever we attempt to mend the direction, be careful not to check the spirit, in which this great work is carried on,—and much more, not to impeach the motives of the great body of Christians engaged in it. Let us be more ready to take shame to ourselves that we have done and attempted no more, than to withhold due honour from any who may have done or attempted much, though it may not have been in the manner which seems preferable to us.

II. The design of the Evangelical Missionary Society was, and still is--to aid the newly and thinly settled parts of our own

country, in procuring the stated ministration of the word and ordinances of the gospel, commencing in those places of this description which are nearest home, and which may solicit our aid, and extending our labours to more distant fields, as we should be encouraged by past success, and an increase of means-to continue our efforts in those places, in which they are once commenced with acceptance and success, till a regular society be established, which should support the gospel without our aid;to unite, wherever it is necessary and practicable, in our labourers, the office of instructors of youth with that of preachers of the gospel, so that the seed sown in one generation may, with the blessing of God, bear increased fruit in the next;-and to distribute in our fields of labour such approved religious books and tracts as might be presented to us by pious individuals, or otherwise conveniently obtained.

These are the objects which we have pursued, and which we purpose still to pursue. For accounts of the success, which has attended the efforts of the society, I must refer you principally to the annual reports which have been published. We have effected nothing to boast of, but somewhat to be thankful for to God and the great head of the church. It is a subject of par ticular satisfaction and consolation, and calls loudly upon us for gratitude to Him who alone can give the increase, that all those who have gone out from us as missionaries, and have afterwards become settled ministers of the gospel in the places whither they were sent, are alive at this day, dwelling contentedly among their own people, continuing assiduous and faithful in their la bours, and approving themselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. The number of these is perhaps as great as could be expected in so short a period of time, and with the very limited means which have been at the disposal of the society. It is also a satisfaction to reflect that in almost every instance, if not in every instance, (it is believed in every instance,) in which our aid has been once requested and granted, it has been ear nestly requested again and again, with expressions of thankfulness for past assistance. It is also a satisfaction to us, though mingled with many painful reflections, that assistance is frequently and earnestly asked of us, which our means do not permit us

to render.

If then the objects of our pursuit be worthy, such is our situation, that we might almost consider ourselves excusable, if we were importunate in asking for more aid. But we have no right to be judges in our own cause. We only ask permission to state it with plainness and earnestness, and to exhort you to consider it, since, as we suppose, you have publicly convened for that

purpose this day. It is admitted, our designs have not the splendour and magnitude which invest those embraced by several other missionary associations; it is admitted, that if both we and they should fully accomplish our objects, they will have performed by far the greatest good; it is admitted, that the present situation of those, who are in the most destitute, insulated, and ignorant parts of these states, is far preferable to the condition of those who are groping in the dark night of heathenism. But, on the other hand, in our case, the needs of those we would aid are manifest, the field of labour is near, success is more certain, the expense of cultivation is comparatively little, and joint aid is continually springing up from the bosom of the field itself. It has always been a part of the economy of the Evangelical Missionary Society to aid those who would be encouraged, by the help which we should afford, to do something to help themselves. The good effects of our exertions have been unquestionably owing in some degree to this part of our plan.

-The Society also disclaims a sectarian character; and appeals to the characters of its missionaries, and especially to those who have become settled ministers under its patronage, as longest and best known, for proof, that it may disclaim this character. It carefully aims not to interfere with the efforts of other similar associations; and instructs its missionaries not to invade the province of ordained pastors of any denomination. Its object is to build up, and not to pluck down; and to build on its own, and not on another's foundation. It understands by waste places, those places in which the friends of religion are yet too few or too poor to maintain the regular institutions of the gospel; and those places in which sects have been so much multiplied, or irreligion has become so prevalent, that no protestant denomination can regularly maintain the institutions of the gospel any longer without assistance. To places of these descriptions the Society extends its aid, as far as its means will admit, at the request of those among the inhabitants, who appear to be friendly to virtue and order, religion and religious institutions.

Such, it is believed, are the objects of this Society, and the manner in which they have been and will be pursued; and its members think they have cause to rejoice in having done some good. They wish to do more. They ask for a share in the public contributions to such objects as they are pursuing. They wish to be content with such a share as may be bestowed, and are humble, that they are not more deserving of a share, proportioned to the moral value of the objects which they are pursuing with conscious integrity, and the happiness, which the acNew Series-Vol. V.

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