their communications embraced matters of general interest respecting the countries in which they sojourn, as well as intelligence more specifically of a missionary character.

Missionaries have been loudly complained against, that they have paid so little attention to this subject; but the best apology for them is, that there has been no proper channel through which these communications could be brought before the eye of the public. The missionary periodical papers find their limits small enough for containing information strictly relating to their missionary work, and as this deservedly holds the first place, articles of a more general nature cannot be admitted. And missionaries knowing this, think it needless to furnish them. But I am persuaded, that were some publication devoted to this branch of missionary intelligence, it might both be rendered subservient to the interests of the cause, by securing more universal attention and respect, while it contributed important additions to the stock of human knowledge; and might also, under judicious and spirited management, be made a source of considerable annual revenue to the missionary societies.

The details of the plan it does not belong to me to enter into; but if the hint be attended to, it may become a means of no small efficacy in promoting this best of causes.

It would not be difficult to increase the list of desiderata; but if these few be supplied, they will operate in their own way, and may lead to the suggestion of other things conducive to the same glorious end. I am, &c.

P. S. Since the above was written, I have observed that in the Evangelical Magazine for 1810

and 1811, is inserted a series of papers on the state of evangelical religion throughout the world, which in some degree meets my idea of a missionary survey of the world, as stated in the foregoing list of desiderata. Perhaps there may be other publications extant, of which I am not aware, in which these subjects are treated of. If so, means should be taken to give them the widest circulation. Many excellent papers, which have appeared in Magazines and Reviews, or extracts from them, might with great advantage be reprinted.

LETTER XX.

ON THE SPIRIT OF THE MISSIONARY
ENTERPRIZE.

My dear Friend,

HAVING given you my thoughts upon a variety of subjects connected with the missionary work, it may not be improper to say something on the spirit in which the whole ought to be conducted. It ought not to be a self-sufficient, worldly-wise, or enthusiastically daring spirit-but a spirit of humble, yet resolute faith-meek devotion-enlightened zeal, animated and directed by love to God and man.

This may seem so obvious as not to require distinct notice; but it may not be wholly unnecessary to state it. To pass it in silence, when so many other topics may have been insisted on, might be construed into inattention to a point of the most essential importance.

The whole undertaking is unspeakably solemn. It is a matter of life and death. It involves the salvation or destruction of all who are engaged in it, whether as preachers or hearers-dispensers or receivers of the word of God. They that preach must deliver their own souls; and the sincere faithful laborer will: but the careless unsanctified instrument, after having preached the Gospel to others, shall himself be cast away. The hearer of the word, who mixes faith with the hearing, who believes with the heart unto righteousness, and makes confession with the mouth, shall obtain salvation. As to him, the preacher is the savor of life unto life; whereas, the wicked who turns not from his evil way shall perish, but his blood shall be upon his own head.

But this responsibility, and the consequent guilt of unfaithfulness in doing the work of the Lord, ought to be viewed as attaching not merely to the immediate laborers in the field, but also, in a degree, to all at home, who are required to set their hands to the cause, and may be assisting in it even in the humblest degree. The sin of doing the work of the Lord deceitfully is not peculiar to the laborers in one department only. Lukewarmness may be the sin of the weekly or annual contributor, as well as of the missionary. I do not say that the guilt is equal; but the least degree of it wil be found heavy enough one day. It were awful in a missionary to be pampering himself, and living at his ease, and neglecting the souls of men perish ing around him-his fellow men, whose extreme wretchedness was making the most touching appeals to his humanity, to say nothing of his Christian benevolence and imperious obligations! But does it argue no guilt to live at ease in Great

Britain, and not concern oneself about who is perishing, who is calling for help, who is tossed with the tempest of an alarmed conscience and not comforted? It were an instance of depravity almost as great as could be found in the heathen world itself, if a man sent on purpose to distribute the bread of life to the perishing, should go to them, but neglect to fulfil his commission!-Keep his stores locked up, and suffer them to perish for want before his eyes! But is there no depravity in the case of those who know that there are millions upon millions thus perishing, and scarcely move a finger to help them?-Who never once denied themselves one sensual indulgence-never made one sacrifice-never put forth one hearty self-denied exertion to communicate of their abundance?

When men unite in a commercial enterprize, or for the purpose of prosecuting discoveries in natural history, or any other favorite branch of human knowledge, there is seldom room to complain of want of devotement to the object. The common interest all the parties feel in it, is a sufficient guarantee for each member of the society acting his part. They imbibe the same sentiments and feelings-they breathe one spirit, and their success in general corresponds to their willing, unwearied exertions. This is as it should be-we neither decry such pursuits, nor envy the reward of such exertions; but we may learn a lesson from the spirit of devotedness to their object which the men of this world, we may say, uniformly display.

But O how little (I had almost said how childish) are the most dignified and praiseworthy exertions of human intellect and human passions for the attainment of some earthly transitory good, when

brought into comparison with the godlike, beneficent design of changing the face of the moral world, by the extirpation of ignorance and idolatry, root and branch, and filling the earth with the knowledge of the Lord! If the generous philanthropy of this design should fire every breast with zeal in the prosecution of it, the unspeakable misery of the objects of our compassion, the danger of failure from mistake or inactivity, or from engaging in it in an improper spirit, should give double emphasis to the obligation we are under to seek grace from God to be faithful and diligent in obeying his own command.

If these things be so, what manner of persons ought we to be in serious devotedness to this cause! When a plague is raging in a country, there is little thought of diversion; there is no heart for merriment; and in devising and employing means that the plague be stayed, there is deep solemnity in every countenance. The image of death every where presents itself. Hearts are lifted up in secret to the almighty Disposer of life and death. There are earnest cries for the display of his mercy, for direction as to the use of means, and strength and courage to fulfil the melancholy but necessary duty of those who go between the living and the dead. Such a calamity as the plague, makes people forget their little differences and private interests. And they who are mercifully delivered from it will feel it to be the most proper expression of their gratitude to God, to do all they can, and that immediately, to help the unhappy persons who are still exposed to the pestilence. An hour's delay would be felt to be criminal-the total neglect of the sufferers, while a remedy was at hand, the most preposterous and inhuman cruelty.