it might be proper to adopt, the Letters now presented to the public came into my hands, and, after considerable delays, I have been enabled to carry them through the press.

These Letters embrace some of the important topics to which I have adverted, and on the points which they embrace, supersede the necessity of any further discussion. They are the production, not of a theorist, but of a practician; not of a speculator, but of an active operator in the fields which he describes; of one who has followed the path which he recommends to others, and calls for no sacrifice which he has not himself made. Such a man demands to be heard on grounds peculiar to himself, and his testimony ought not to be lightly treated. On every thing relating to the qualifications, both moral and intellectual, of missionaries, their peculiar temptations and difficulties, the. nature of their labours, and the sources of their anxiety, their encouragements and discourage. ments, the reader will find most important and experimental instruction. On these points, and on the duty of christians to devote themselves and their property to the cause of Christ, I have nothing to add to the forcible reasoning of the Letters. Should they fail to convince, I am satisfied it must be from want of inclination, and

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not from deficiency of argument, which would not be improved by any thing I could state.

Another important department of the subject of Christian Missions has recently been brought before the public, by an able writer, in what he calls a "New Model of Christian Missions to Popish, Mahometan, and Pagan Nations." The author of the "Natural History of Enthusiasm " was not likely to publish on this important subject, what had not occupied a considerable portion of careful and matured thought; and the thoughts of such an individual cannot fail to be deserving of the thoughts of others. It would not be matter of surprise, however, if a mind, capable of producing beautiful illustrations of enthusiasm, and of analysing, with admirable skill, the infinitely diversified forms of mental delusion, should fail in an attempt to new model systems already in prac tical operation, and to re-cast the whole framework of our christian institutions. The power of detecting evils and errors may exist in a very uncommon degree, without the ability to plan with wisdom, and to create efficiency. Perspicacity is one thing, practical judgment another. There may be profound philosophical discrimination, with a very ordinary

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portion of sagacity in common things. Newton and Locke had no compeers among the philosophers of their day, but were ordinary men in regard to the common affairs of life.

I am mistaken if this will not be found applicable to the author of the "New Model," who I apprehend has failed as an architect, while he has succeeded as a philosopher. In this latter capacity he has succeeded, I should suppose, to the full extent of his wishes; in the former his success is yet to be proved. He can afford to lose a little, should he be disappointed; though I much mistake his feelings, if he would not be more gratified by the accomplishment of his projected plan of union of counsel, and division of labour, than by all the fame he is destined to enjoy as a christian essayist.

His celebrity in that capacity is in danger of producing an impression in favour of his representations and reasonings on the subject of Christian Missions, to which, in themselves, they are not entitled, and which, independently of this association, they would not effect. The author must be aware of this, and will not, therefore, be surprised, that his views should be examined with great jealousy, on the part of those, who are engaged in existing operations.

If they should think that his pamphlet is calculated to diminish confidence in plans which have long been prosecuted to cherish despondency respecting the success of exertions which are now made-to generate coldness and disaffection to them, and, consequently, to paralyse zeal in their support while it affords no ground to expect that the new and better way is likely to be adopted; he will readily admit, that it is their duty to recommend adherence to what has been tried, and not yet found wanting, instead of adopting other plans, however plausible, which are not adapted to the present circumstances of the church.:

While I make these remarks with the utmost freedom, I should be sorry to meet the author of the New Model" in an unfriendly manner, or to intimate that I have the slightest idea he is influenced by hostile feelings towards the institutions which are now endeavouring to spread the gospel through the world. The tendency of some of his statements and reasonings may be very injurious, while his object and aim are of the most christian and benevolent nature. Giving him full credit for the latter, I trust he will give me also credit for a sincere and anxious desire to promote the same object which he has in view, in the few

remarks I am about to make on some of his positions.

Before offering these remarks, which I do with great deference to the author, I beg to express my decided approbation of the 'temper and spirit in which he has conducted the discussion. He has presented a model, if not of Christian Missions, of the christian state of mind with which the whole subject ought to be viewed by those who approach it, with a view to improve the plan on which they are conducted. He is right in inviting an investigation. Truth can suffer nothing from fair and free inquiry, conducted in the way he has exemplified. We are too ready to be satisfied with things as they are, to conclude that whatever is, is best; and to be exceedingly fretted if any suspicions are entertained that all we have done, or are doing, is right. The love of novelty, it is true, is dangerous; but there is danger also in a blind adherence to the traditions of our fathers. If, therefore, we cannot show that plans already adopted are scriptural and efficient, by all means let us disten to any individual who proposes to show us a more excellent way.

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On the subject of division of labour, the author has said many excellent things. It has