and repent, and in the spirit of Zaccheus give fourfold for what they had kept back from the cause of God, and henceforth be its devoted and consistent friends and supporters.

It is not by one stroke of the battering ram the walls of a besieged fortress are made to fall; but a repetition of strokes may at length make a breach. These letters are but a few strokes at various points of the wall of the castle of Indolence; and if perseveringly followed up by heavier and more skilful blows from engines of greater power, the effect will doubtless at last be produced.

In this view every missionary sermon, every missionary meeting, every missionary publication, does something towards its accomplishment. And O it will be a glorious state of the church, when every christian in every church, prompted by the mercies which he has received of the Lord, and knowing the terrors of the Lord which hang over a sinful world, shall be earnestly asking, “Lord, what wouldst thou have ME to do?" and ready to do whatever the answer communicated by "the wisdom" that is "profitable to direct,” shall point out.

If so, let means be used generally and systematically, to rouse the attention of christians to this subject more than has ever yet been done. Let me suggest

1. That all ministers and pastors of churches

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bring the subject fully and frequently before their people. Let them shew the missionary character of the New Testament dispensation. Let them

urge the duty of every one who has received the truth, to communicate it in some way or other. It is the duty of all to give their prayers and influence-it is the duty of some to give their money and time-it is the duty of some to give themselves to the cause by actual service.

Has any christian minister hitherto neglected so to urge the claims of the heathen upon the consciences of those over whom he is an overseer? Let him candidly own his error, and immediately begin practically to amend it. It is matter' of common remark, that a congregation acquires in a great degree the views and disposition of the minister. If he is of an inactive, contracted spirit, caring little, at least in the way of exertion, for what is beyond his immediate sphere, this will, generally speaking, be the character of his people also. If a minister seldom or never leads the attention of

* The Jews were not commanded to go into all the world and preach the law of Moses, to proselyte every people to the observance of the rites of Judaism. But if they had received such a command, and neglected to fulfil it, how should we have descanted upon this as one more to be added to the black catalogue of the sins of that people ? But the Jew might have re orted upon the Christian, and say, "Who art thou that judgest? for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things."

his hearers to the wants of others, it is no wonder if they as seldom think of them, and do nothing to help them. But can this be considered a right christian spirit?

Let us suppose in the first and best age of christianity, a church planted by the apostles, enjoying the stated ministry of the gospel, and walking in the ordinances and commandments of the Lord. They have been called out of darkness into marvellous light; but many around them are in that darkness still. These christians, however, enjoy their ordinances, from week to week, from year to year; but none of them go forth to tell their heathen neighbours what a Saviour they have found-to what hopes they are begotten againfrom what a death they have been delivered-and to represent the need of these blessings to every sinner. Does it not strike you as something very incongruous, to suppose that a primitive church should be so indifferent about the spread of the gospel? Indeed they could not have been described in the terms I have quoted-" walking in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord BLAMELESS," if such was their character; for in that case they were neglecting at least one commandment.

2. That all christians, whether ministers or others, who have proper views and feelings on this subject, form the distinct purpose of doing every thing in their power, according to their several

abilities, to fan the missionary flame around them. Christians of learning and ability should take every proper occasion to bring the question before their friends and fellow christians.

In furtherance of this idea, some might turn their minds to a comprehensive and thorough investigation of the nature, obligation, motives, means, and certain results of the evangelization of the world. Here is a list of a few grand desiderata on this most interesting subject.

(1.) A missionary survey of the world.

(2.) A missionary estimate of the resources, moral, literary, and physical, of the christian world, for attempting the conversion of all

nations.

N. B. This estimate should be formed not on the idea of such a gradual increase and multiplication of means as may possibly, in the course of four or five centuries, amount to something adequate to the extent of the work; but on the supposition that it is our work-our duty to attempt the whole. I do not entertain the enthusiastic idea, that all the heathen will at once become docile, reasonable, ingenuous, believing, as soon as they behold a host of missionaries come to convert them; or that the effect of one unprecedented effort shall operate with the effect of magic on the world. But on the other hand, I think exertion to such an extent would warrant high hopes that God was about to pour out an

extraordinary blessing, since he had caused his own people to make a devoted and simultaneous movement in obedience to his command, to make known his salvation to every tribe, and kindred, and people, and nation.

(3.) An inquiry into the most proper and effectual means of providing a supply of suitable men for the missionary office, and preparing them for its duties. And in connexion with this, the best means of assisting native converts of promising abilities in every part of the world, to give themselves to the work of instructing their countrymen. There is reason to conclude, that in many cases, from not following up partial success at missionary stations, by employing hopeful converts, the work has, humanly speaking, been much retarded.

(4.) A series of popular tracts on missionary subjects, embracing descriptions of the state of heathen nations, the character of their superstitions, the effect of attempts to convert them, the causes of the failure of such attempts, where they have been unsuccessful—the extent of the field of missions-want of labourers to cultivate it, &c.

This object is in part met by the monthly papers of some of the societies; but they are chiefly confined to those who are already subscribing to the cause-such tracts should be universally circulated.

(5.) A periodical publication, in which might be