latent form, where nothing of the kind is openly avowed; but so far as they operate, they cut the sinews of exertion in the most glorious of causes— the conversion of the whole world to the faith of Christ, that He may reign, and all his enemies be put under his feet.

(4.) Prejudice against the publicity and activity of missionary and other societies has a very unfavourable effect upon their interests in some quarters. There is a class of christians who profess much in a certain way, but who speak and think in a slighting manner of the active exertions of some of their brethren. "We do not approve," say they, "of so much bustle and stir; we have no taste for public exhibitions.' A good sermon is better than a missionary meeting at any time: we see some who make a great figure at your meetings that would be better employed attending to the concerns of their own families, or to the examination of their own hearts. It is nothing but pride that prompts all this display of zeal." Such is their language, and consistently enough they refrain from lending their public support to the cause that calls forth such displays of unhallowed zeal. "I know the pride and the naughtiness of thine heart," said Eliab to his younger brother David; and whether such language as that now quoted be not dictated by a similar spirit deserves consideration.

But although these humble retiring christians

disapprove of "public exhibitions," they might be zealous in the cause itself in their own way; and I have no doubt that many of them aid it most efficiently, while they are too modest to let their liberality be known. In other cases, however, I am afraid the objection to the publicity of missionary proceedings rests on other grounds; they would be thought the friends of christianity at less expense than taking an active share in societies for its promotion implies.

The class of disapprovers of " public exhibitions" contains not a few individuals who discover much of the true spirit of christianity in their private life. They are exemplary in their attention to relative duties the religious instruction of children and domestics-their love of the pure gospel and attachment to the ministers who preach it. Their disrelish or disapprobation of the zealous attempts made in the present day to excite and keep up a spirit of active christian benevolence may be owing to their fear lest this outward zeal should be made a substitute for the less obtrusive, but not less essential, virtues of the christian character. It is true that efforts to promote the prosperity of the vineyard of others may be made at the expense of the welfare of our own. But this is not necessarily implied; and instead of retiring from the scene of exertion from an apprehension of danger to ourselves, and instead of censuring the conduct of those who incur the risk, would it not be more

christian-like to stand forward with our example and influence to encourage every sincere attempt to promote the good of our fellow-creatures? and at the same time exhibit an example of the power of religion in our own heart and life, in connection with such exertions. Surely this would be manifesting more of the spirit of Christ than to stand aloof from the contest of benevolence, and find fault with them that engage in it.

A keen observer could see pride lurking in the folds of the tattered garments of the old cynic, who professed to despise all the pomp and vanity and

pride" of the world. We judge not individuals, but reasoning from the nature of things, perhaps it is not too much to affirm, that there is room to suspect that the fair shew of humility that hides itself from the scenes of public and active exertion in the cause of missions and other similar "walks of usefulness," may serve to conceal that which is the opposite of true humility. If some who stand openly forward in such causes seek the praise of men for their zeal, may not the others be seeking the praise of men for their retiring modesty and humility? "Let us not therefore judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

But whatever may be thought of the respective character and motives of persons belonging to the class referred to, their conduct and spirit have a

very unfavourable effect upon the prosperity of the cause of missions. Their conduct in withholding, at least publicly, their countenance and aid, is an example to others still less friendly, who, under that example, shelter their neglect and contempt of such societies and their supporters. Their spirit is equally prejudicial to the cause, for as they (at least some of them) are thought to reside in an elevated calm, the unruffled atmosphere of pure christianity, and see the busy bustling crowd far beneath them, they who are thus active are represented as occupying but a lower place in the scale of christian attainment-much engaged about outward things, but negligent of the higher and heavenly exercises of christianity.

It is far easier to decry good things, because there is a mixture of imperfection in them, than to exhibit an example of doing good, purged of every improper alloy, and chargeable with no weakness. And it may be added that it is easier to stand still, doing nothing but condemning them that are attempting to do something, than to do that something, and shews less of a christian spirit than some would be thought to possess. If they cannot approve of the plans of their brethren, let them at least shew them a more excellent way. If they can accomplish the conversion of the world without making any noise or stir about it, let them shew how this can be done; but if they would leave it undone rather than make any ado about it, we are

of a different opinion; nor will we alter it although they should place us on one of the lowest forms in the school of christianity for our activity.

There have been men who thought the summit of christian perfection consisted in a total seclusion from the world and all its concerns; and in that seclusion pretended to devote their days and nights to acts of devotion. They were disposed to rank very low the religionists who lived in the midst of a wicked world, and by their example and labours tried to reform it. It was, however, somewhat unaccountable that the sublime pitch of devotion to which those men attained was found in hearts that never sighed for the moral miseries of the world they had forsaken, and that their hands never opened to an act of beneficence except the periodical and ostentatious charity which cost them nothing but a trifling deduction from the munificent charity of others, which enabled them to live in luxurious indolence in their monasteries. That this is true of one and all of them I by no means say; but in saying that this is a correct view of the great body of the monks of former days, I think I shall be borne out by the voice of impartial history. And it is somewhat curious to mark the similarity of principle between those recluses and certain high professors of the present day, who perhaps never suspected that they bore any family likeness to the monastic orders.

But a theoretical mistake into which they have

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