station. An inconsistent, idle, unqualified minister, cannot hide his true character, and he will not long stand higher in the public estimation than he ought. It is in the power of adventitious circumstances to give a momentary distinction, but not to confer a lasting fame; and for this plain reason, that the man acts his part in the midst of a people qualified to distinguish things that differ, for the Bible has taught them what a christian and a christian minister ought to be. Besides, his character is brought into immediate comparison with his brethren in the ministry, and his proper place is assigned him accordingly. But the case is very different, it may be, with our missionary. His residence may be in a country where he is not exposed to the view of a christian community. He is therefore left without the encouragement to zeal and diligence in his appropriate work, which the stimulating presence of brethren might afford; and at the same time, beyond the salutary restraint of being under the eye of them who would watch over him with jealous care, lest he should be drawn aside, either in spirit or conduct, from the good ways of the Lord; lest he should grow slack in the service to which he has vowed the consecration of his time, and talents, and heart, and all; lest he should learn the ways of the heathen, and bring reproach on the name of Christ. In such a situation, a truly devoted servant of God will walk with "fear

and trembling." Knowing his own weakness, and not ignorant of the deceitfulness of his own heart, and the devices of Satan, there will seem a double urgency in the call to him to "watch and pray, lest he enter into temptation." But if we follow an individual of an improper character, such as we are here supposing, into a distant scene of labour, remote from the view of all whose presence might be a spur to good, and a check to evil, it is easy to conceive the almost certain consequence; at liberty to think his own thoughts, and speak his own words, and do his own deeds, and that for a long season; while there are no means of his friends or constituents ascertaining the true state of matters, his real character may remain long undiscovered and unsuspected. His unconscientious waste of time-his engagement in pursuits foreign to his proper work-his deviations from sobriety, and dignity, and consistency of conduct-his dereliction of principle, and utter breach of his most solemn engagements, are never known and never heard of, because he will not criminate himself, and he is at a safe distance from the observation of his brethren. With all this, there may be such a measure of attention paid to the language of the country, and to the duty of holding occasional intercourse with the natives, as will furnish matter for an occasional letter, for the satisfaction of those at home, whom it may be his interest to please. He may find it no

difficult matter to keep on good terms with his constituents, and delude them with the vain idea that he is labouring faithfully and successfully to disseminate the gospel among his heathen charge, while he is leaving them without the smallest concern, and, as yet, without remorse, to their wicked delusions.

The case is in some respects, but not essentially, altered, where there are several labourers together, and one such character among them. There must here be more circumspection, more care to preserve appearances. But as it is generally found conducive to the furtherance of the work, and most suited to the variety of taste and qualification in a body of missionaries to make a division of labour, each in his own department is thus rendered more independent, and left more at liberty. And in the supposed case of an unfaithful member of a missionary establishment, there is more room for the practice of hypocrisy, and less liability to suspicion; while delicacy, and the spirit of forbearance, and hope of amendment, and charitable allowance for peculiarity of natural disposition, &c. may make his brethren very tender of exposing one whose improprieties cannot escape their notice. The truth is, a Judas may remain undetected for years among his brethren and fellow labourers. And who can say but there may be traitors who sell their Master and the souls of men for a piece of money, and yet

live unsuspected, and pass off the stage with a fair reputation ! The supposition is awfully alarming; but the use to be made of the observations offered in this letter, must be reserved for the subject of my next.

I am, &c.

LETTER II.

THE SAME SUBJECT CONTINUED.

My dear Friend,

THE promised sequel to the observations contained in my last letter, I now proceed to lay before you.

If other motives than those which ought to actuate the mind, may impel men to offer themselves for missionary service; and if such persons may succeed in obtaining the sanction of societies, be appointed to fields of labour, and occupy them to their own hurt, and the injury of many-the subject demands the solemn consideration of all whom it in any way concerns.

In secular business, though principle is ever regarded as of the highest value, yet it is possible for a servant influenced merely by considerations of interest, expediency, or necessity, to perform his work with as much credit to himself, and satisfaction to his master, as if he had been actuated by the most honourable and conscientious motives in every iota of the service required of

m. But in this sacred employment the case is