Mediterranean, and in Siberia, a great part of their employment has been of this description. The same observation will apply to the missionaries of other societies. If I am asked what has the Siberian mission accomplished, to which the writer of the following Letters is attached, I am not at liberty to say all in answer to this question that I could say; but I can confidently answer, that the missionaries have been busily and successfully employed; their translation of the entire Scriptures into the Mongolian, beside other works, will, I doubt not, cause the generations to come to bless their name.

To have overcome the difficulties which were in the way of these preliminary objects, ought not to be regarded as a small matter. I am aware I shall be told that these are, after all, but means, however important they may be in themselves. I answer they are ends as well as means. They are legitimate objects of Christian labor; many of them will not require to be done again; and the man who has accomplished them ought not to be considered by his brethren as having lived in vain.

Is it nothing, considering the vast fabric of superstition, idolatry, and oppression, which we have begun to assail, that a slight vibration only begins to be perceptible? Our success ought not to be estimated merely by the cost and labor employed, but in connection with the opposition which we have to encounter. In this point of view our means are really insignificant. With

our feeble energies directed against hundreds of millions, is it nothing that a few outposts have been carried? that some alarm has been created that the sound of war has penetrated the lines, and been heard even in the centre of the camp? All this it seems is nothing, because we have not carried the main fortress; or at least overcome a large portion of the enemy.

It is not correct, that there has been little success even in the work of conversion, where the proper means have been employed. Are the conversions of the South Sea islanders already forgotten? Both in regard to numbers, and to the effects of the gospel on the individuals, these conversions have no parallel, except in those of apostolic times. But not to look exclusively at the work in this quarter, I am not afraid to assert, that, with few exceptions, wherever fit men have been employed in directly addressing the heathen on the subject of Christianity, they have not labored in vain; and that the success which has followed laborious and persevering exertion will bear a fair comparison, all things considered, with what takes place among ourselves. I challenge inquiry on this subject; and refer for the truth and accuracy of my statement to many parts of India, and Africa; and to the West Indian Missions, belonging to the Moravians, the Wesleyan Methodists, and the Baptists.

Instead therefore of pouring forth complaint and discouragement, it becomes us to adopt the language of thanksgiving, and to humble our

selves before God for our own unbelief and unprofitableness. The failure has been on our part, not on God's; and when we are prepared

to consecrate ourselves to the Lord, and our gain to the God of the whole earth," we shall be strengthened by him "tô beat in pieces many people, and gather them as sheaves into the floor."*

Before the writer of this Introduction had any idea of ocupying the important office which he now fills in the London Missionary Society, he wrote the following remarks:

"Considering the period during which exertion has been made to propagate Christianity among the heathen, and the number of persons who are employed in the work, both at home and abroad, it is surprising that some work on what might be called the philosophy of missions, has not yet appeared. The only things approaching to this character are, the Hints on Missions,' by Mr. Douglas, of Cavers; and the work on The Advancement of Society,' by the same highly gifted individual. But the former of these productions too accurately corresponds with its title to answer the purpose to which I refer; and in the other, the subject is only noticed as one among many. From these works, however, the germ of a highly valuable essay on the subject of Christian missions to the heathen might be obtained.

"What we want is, not an increase of reports of yearly proceedings, and of arguments derived from the Scriptures, to persuade us that it is our duty to engage in this good work; but a condensed view of the knowledge and experience which have been acquired during the last thirty or forty years. What appear to be the best fields of labor?-what the most successful mode of cultivating

*Micah iv. 12, 13.

them?-what the kind of agency which has been most efficient and least productive of disappointment?—what the best method of training at home, for the labors and self-denial to be encountered abroad?-whether are detached and separate missions, or groups of missions and depôts of missionaries, the more desirable? These and many other questions, require a mature and deliberate answer. The materials for such an answer exist. And can none of the officers whose time is wholly devoted to the management of our missionary societies, furnish such a digest? Are they so entirely occupied with the details of business, as to have no time or inclination left for looking at general principles? Were more attention paid to the ascertaining of such principles, and more vigor and consistency manifested in prosecuting them, there might be less of glare and noise; but, assuredly, there would be a prodigious saving of labor, property, and life; and in the end, a greater degree of satisfaction and real success."*

Little did I imagine, when the above paragraphs were written, that the observations contained in them might, at a future day, be applicable to myself, and that I might be called upon to account for neglecting to do that, which I had previously intimated persons holding certain situations ought to do. It is easier, however, to express expectations, and to form plans for others, than to execute ourselves. I have found it much easier to devise schemes of my own, than to accomplish them; and that the details of business are not always favorable to patient investigation, and enlightened deductions. But I cannot help frankly avowing, that it was my intention to attempt something of the kind

* Memoirs of Urquhart, Vol. I. pp. 91, 92.

described by myself, as soon as I had the means and opportunity for so doing. While pondering the plan 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 labors, and the sources of their anxiety, their encouragements and discouragements, 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 not from deficiency of argument, which would not be improved by any thing I could state.