more spiritual men, before the divine influence shall drop as the rain, and distil as the dew;

as small rain upon the tender herb, and as showers upon the grass." The blessing must rest upon ourselves more extensively, before it rest upon the heathen, and the "fulness of the Gentiles come in." In the justice and importance of the following extract, I most cordially concur, and I earnestly hope that the solemn view which it presents of what now is, and of what must be, before God can greatly bless our efforts, may be deeply impressed both on missionaries, and on those who send them.

It is evident, that without that holy and Christlike spirit so conspicuous in the apostles, missionaries would be incapable of training up in a due manner, were they given, that abundant increase of heathen converts for which prayer is so often made. What could men under the influence of selfishness and carnality do with such a multitude of converts, who had the very image of Christ impressed upon their souls? Would not this glorious image, instead of being preserved in all its beauty and proportion until they reached the “ stature of a perfect man in Christ Jesus," be possibly disliked as far too precise? In the present low standard of holiness which almost universally exists, would it not in such converts be quickly injured by the

carnality, party-spirit, self-love, vain-glory, and possibly unrighteous dealing, they beheld around them? What mission is prepared to receive a multitude of converts created anew by the Spirit of God in righteousness and true holiness, so as duly to nourish them up in faith and holiness? Is it then any wonder that God should refuse, earnestly as it may be desired in our prayers, to convert thousands in a day, when he knows how soon his holy image in their hearts would be defaced by the wretched, selfish system which now passes for true holiness among so many? How is it that we so easily discern what the Scriptures say respecting doctrines or modes of worship, and remain so blind to those plain truths, those important deductions respecting righteousness, true holiness, and the mind of Christ, which involve our highest personal happiness on earth, and which alone can lead to the accomplishment of our highest desires respecting the salvation of the heathen?

"We may indeed further ask, what missionary body is prepared to receive with proper feelings the blessings of a Pentecost, for which prayer is so often made? Were three thousand Hindoos converted on one occasion, and five thousand on another, what denomination or public body would not find this an occasion of sin, either by its causing them to congratulate themselves on their own liberality and wise conduct, were the blessings given to them, or by its exciting envy toward those to whom it was given,

were it given to others? We learn from the apostle James that we may not merely fail to receive because we ask not; we may ask and receive not, because we ask amiss, that we may consume it on our evil desires. And such are vain-glory, self-complacency, and party-rivalry. If then this be the case, is it any wonder that he who refused to deliver Israel by the hand of Gideon's thirty-two thousand men, lest Israel should vaunt themselves against him by saying, "Mine own hand hath saved me," should refuse to grant a Pentecost to our most earnest supplications, until it will tend to promote in us humility, and love, and true holiness, instead of adding fuel to our carnality, pride, and self-complacency? Surely it is time that we all regarded the apostle's exhortation, "Brethren, be not children in understanding; howbeit in malice (or evil-feeling) be ye children; but in understanding be men." And if our understandings be duly exercised, we shall soon be convinced, that were the God of holiness to crown with his presence and blessing in the abundant conversion of the heathen, a selfish, unholy, or carnal spirit, in those connected with missionary efforts, he must frustrate the very design of Christ's death, that of saving us from our sins, and purifying unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. May we all be deeply impressed with what the Scriptures declare on this important subject, and may the Lord give us understanding in all things."*

Thoughts on Propagating Christianity among the Heathen. pp. 14-16.

Before concluding this Introduction, which, unintentionally, has been too much extended, I must entreat the attention of one class of readers in particular to the following Letters: I refer to those who are educating for the work of the ministry. To excite, direct, and instruct this important class of the religious community, so as to call forth their zeal for the conversion of the heathen, may be regarded as the chief design of the volume. In all that is said on the topics which bear on this point, by my respected friend, I most entirely

concur.

It is melancholy to find, that while we are overstocked with labourers for the home service, there is still a great lack of competent persons for the foreign; that the spirit of our Academies seems to be bounded by the seas which surround our island ; that many are content to be cooped up in the narrow enclosures of our villages and hamlets, instead of desiring to expatiate over the regions that are beyond us, crowded with a sinful and immortal population; that there are often competition and rivalship about a very ordinary congregation, but no striving for the furtherance of the gospel in the lands of the shadow of death. Where all is quietness and assurance and

comfort, there is great professed zeal for the spiritual interests of men; but at the posts of danger, the enterprise of self-denial and hazard, the ranks of the really militant army of Christ remain unoccupied.

This state of things obviously implies a low degree of principle even among the ministers of Christ. I do not prefer the charge of insincerity or hypocrisy; but surely there is reason to doubt the strength and ardour of zeal when it is so generally confined to spheres of exertion which call for little sacrifice, and expose to no danger. Let me entreat my younger brethren to reflect on this, and to ponder the reasonings of the following Letters. Give the subject your serious consideration; let it be matter of solemn prayer and selfexamination. Do not take it for granted you have no interest in it,-that your call is at home, that you have not talents or courage for the work. Contemplate the duty of devoting yourselves to Christ in whatever field or region he may be pleased by his providence to mark out for you. Contemplate the wants and woes of the world, which is all before you; presenting an unlimited field of labour, and the fullest excitement and occupation for your