patient as well as indefatigable in labourcapable of rousing a country by their energy, their fearlessness, and their devoted piety.

The barbarous or uncivilized parts of the world require a peculiar kind of labour, which demands scarcely less talent and wisdom, though not, perhaps, such eminent attainments as the other. The christianising of these countries is but one part of the work which must be done for them. It was taken almost for granted, at the beginning, that as soon as the gospel should be received by persons in such circumstances, they would become civilized. This is so far true. They are brought under the power of principles on which the whole structure of civilization may be reared. But unless we are prepared to assist the work of evangelization, after it has begun in a savage country, by all the means which the new state of society, and the new wants of the people will require, we only do the work in half. It will either, in the course of time, lose ground, or it will require all the resources of our societies merely to preserve the mission stations, which have been formed, in existence.

Whether Missionary Societies have adopted the wisest plan in bestowing so large a portion of their means and attention on barbarous, or semi-barbarous nations, while so large a portion

of the civilized world remains unoccupied, this is neither the time nor place to discuss. But of one thing I feel deeply convinced, that we are in want of some additional means for carrying forward the work both of civilization and of conversion in those savage countries, which appear to have benefited from our labours. I do not hesitate to say that the London Missionary Society does not possess, nor is it likely to possess, sufficient means for the christianising and the civilising of the South Sea islands, and South Africa alone. All its funds would be more than absorbed in the temporal improvement of these regions, so as to put their christian inhabitants in a permanent state of improvement and security. Nor is a Missionary Society the best instrument for effecting much that such a state of things requires. When it has introduced the gospel to the people, it has really done all it is properly competent to, or that it has undertaken. For when the people must be taught the arts and sciences, formed into a regular political community, guided in the enactment and execution of laws, and aided in the embryo efforts of commerce and merchandisea thousand things arise which a mere Missionary Society cannot attempt or interfere with.

Whether the present state of our country

C

does not suggest an additional means of promoting the interests of the gospel among the heathen, I beg to submit to the candid consideration of the christian reader. After the day of Pentecost it does not appear that the early disciples were sufficiently disposed to carry into execution the commission of their Master they tarried in Jerusalem, not only till they were endued with power from on high, but long after. They were pleased with their privileges, and were satisfied to dwell among their own people. It deserves to be noticed, that it was in consequence of the persecution which arose about Stephen, that they were dispersed, and went every where preaching the Word. Without the aid of such dispersions, which carried the seed of the Word to quarters which would not have been voluntarily visited, I doubt whether the apostles, aided with all their supernatural powers, would have been able to establish the kingdom of God in so many countries, in so short a space.

We are not persecuted by men, but our population is greatly afflicted by the providence of God. The difficulty of providing for families every day increases, and is not likely to diminish. In these circumstances ought not christians to consider what is the voice of Providence? Is

not the world all before them? Do they not profess to be strangers and pilgrims on earth? Why that cleaving to a native land, if it is a land of dearth or of barrenness, though of spiritual good, while they might in another region, as near to the heavenly world, a nd to its glories, as Britain, provide for themselves and their families, and materially promote the interests of the cause of God? Emigration on christian principles, and for christian objects, has not yet been properly tried. Look at America, towering already in greatness, and with a giant's step advancing to pre-eminence among the nations. Who cut down its forests, and drained its marshes, and planted its towns, and laid the foundation of its free and enlightened government? The pilgrim fathers who left, or rather were driven from our shores, to find a refuge or a grave on a foreign strand. There God has greatly blessed them, yea, and they shall be blessed.

It is by some such means, I apprehend, the gospel must be planted and watered in other countries, if the work is effectually to be done. I am glad to find that attention is beginning to be given to this subject. In the "Congregational Magazine" for this month, is an important letter on it; and as that work may not be in the

hands of some who may peruse this volume, I shall here present it entire. I shall only say further, that the writer is an intelligent christian minister known to me; and one who will not be found unwilling to act upon his own plan, should an opportunity be presented.

"It seems to be the opinion of the best informed persons in the political world, that the state of England calls imperatively for extensive emigration, and many thoughtful individuals, though possessed of a little property, look with much anxiety on families growing up, from the increasing difficulty found in so fixing young persons as to enable them to marry and provide for themselves and their children.

"In the religious world an idea begins also to prevail, that the extension of the Redeemer's kingdom might be greatly promoted by forming Christian settlements in heathen lands.

"I have therefore to propose, that a number of persons of piety and good character, members of Christian societies, (suppose fifty or a hundred families,) should emigrate in a body, at their own expense, with the two-fold object of providing for the temporal and spiritual good of their own offspring, and of extending the kingdom of Christ in the world. Serious persons, from the labouring classes, might be taken out as appendages, for a time, to those in better circumstances.

"By wise and prudent measures, a tract of good