may produce effects, little suspected, before the trial comes to be made.

It may be said that, admitting the share which a lively fancy, expatiating upon the unknown scenes of his future destination, may have in determining the mind of one who contemplates the missionary work, there is at least equal reason to suppose that his mind may be as much discouraged by the prospect of future evils, as wrought upon by the hope of redeeming advantages connected with the arduous calling. But I think there is reason to form a different conclusion with regard to most of those who actually become missionaries, and that not merely upon a speculative view of the subject as a question in the philosophy of the mind, but arguing from the real experience of individuals who have entered upon missionary service.

Be it observed, however, that I limit the application of the remark now made to those who have actually become missionaries; because I believe that many whose minds have been agitated by the question, whether they ought personally to embark in the missionary cause, and have ultimately relinquished the idea, have been in a great measure swayed in their resolution to stay at home, by having their minds filled with a gloomy and magnified view of the privations, &c. of a missionary life. But I conceive that in such cases there was not the strong predilection for that department of service in the cause of Christ, which ever accompanies the true missionary spirit, but a cold and suspicious apprehension that it might be matter of duty. In discussing this question, therefore, the subject, possessed of few attractions in itself to such a mind, is viewed in the most unfavorable light; and the suggestions of " flesh and blood" in

favor of the ease and security and sobriety of a life at home, are listened to with approbation, and carry the point over the doubtful plea of duty.

It appears to me, therefore, that, generally speaking, they who most conscientiously endeavor to count the cost before leaving their father's kindred and their house, do not reckon the cost so great as it actually turns out to be. They put an undue value upon certain items of gain, and omit or underrate certain items of loss. But their after experience discovers to them their error. I would by no means insinuate that this discovery must necessarily make them repent of the step they have taken, or that they do not find, in the fulfilment of the Saviour's promise (Mark x. 30.) spiritually considered, an ample compensation for all that they have left and all they forego; but that, had they known all circumstances before, as experience has since shown them, they would have been more sober in their estimate of the satisfaction or reward in the present world. And if they had not had faith to wait, in the want of present recompense, for the recompense of reward at the resurection of the just, they would have declined the work. Or, if they did go forward to it, they would have done so with a more simple and sublime faith, a higher elevation of aim and desire, a spirit of more entire consecration to the work, "not counting their lives dear unto them." This I take to be the precise effect which the discovery of the real nature of his undertaking, at whatever stage of it this discovery is made, produces on the heart of the true missionary; and that thus his motives and aims are acquiring a superior purity and heavenliness as he advances in his career of labor and tribulation.

to himself such a scene of missionary labor and success, that he will be ready to quit every thing dear to him in the world to realize it. This may be in connection with the purest motives. The work he chooses is most honorable and praiseworthy. The enjoyments he anticipates are holy and exalted. He reckons upon finding them in the faithful discharge of his duties as a servant of Christ. He will take delight in devising methods to rouse the attention and gain the affection of the natives. He will cheerfully adopt their manners and customs, so far as he innocently may, and so far as may conduce to their favorable opinion of him, or appear likely to promote the success of his work among them. He will anticipate with rapture their becoming interested in the message of mercy, "the glad tidings of great joy" he publishes among them; he will teach them to read in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. He will train them up for heaven, and walk before them in the way to it. Tempóral good things, sensual and even intellectual enjoyments, hold a very inferior place in his regard, while he bars his mind against the very thought of seeking pleasure in the ways of sin. In a word, he promises himself much personal enjoyment in his work, and a rich reward in the success of it.

Not

But it is obvious, that if a man contemplates the subject in this light, he is making self-gratification the hinge on which the whole scheme turns. that the idea of personal enjoyment is to be utterly excluded, but it must not be made the swaying consideration. If nobler views, and more disinterested motives, have not brought the mind to the state of being made up upon the subject, and determine it in favor of the missionary work

happen what may, there is reason to fear that, when the scheme of self-gratification turns out to be a life of self-denial-of many temptations from without and from within-a life of many hindrances and few aids to self-improvement, and withal, not rewarded with the anticipated success in the work, while year after year rolls away; the disappointment may, if the grace of God prevent not, turn the work entered upon with glowing zeal and raised expectation, into an intolerable burden, and leave the unhappy laborer to drag it on with weariness, if he does not altogether relinquish it in disgust.

In the case now supposed, there may have been a degree of sincerity of heart, and purity of motive, along with the admixture of selfish views; but it is not difficult to conceive, that the situation of a missionary in a foreign country, may appear a desirable thing to persons who possess neither the spirit nor qualifications of a true missionary. It may appear so to men dissatisfied with their situations and prospects at home, or actuated by the love of novelty, or possessed of a desire to see and know the world, or carried away by a vain ambition of distinction, and getting a name. Such men may find in the project of becoming missionaries, something highly calculated to please the imagination. And it must be allowed, that persons who embark in the holy cause of missions, in such a spirit, may have their reward-the reward they seek-but the reward of the "good and faithful servant," as they neither seek nor earn, they shall not obtain. Let us endeavor to trace the progress of an individual, actuated by any of the base principles now mentioned-destitute of the spirit of the office to which he aspires. In the

first instance, he overcomes obstacles and difficulties that stand in the way of the accomplishment of his wishes. His resolution and apparent devotedness may gain him the favorable opinion of Christian friends. The very circumstance of his professed desire to engage in the service of God among the heathen, an undertaking so arduous, that many truly devoted men have shrunk back from its difficulties and dangers-produces an impression in his favor among religious people -their charity teaches them in this case to hope all things. A good report of him is carried to the directors of a missionary society, along with the offer of his services. He is accepted as a candidate, passes the time of preparatory study, and finally is sent abroad.

The degree of respect and affection which fall to the share of a minister at home, will just be in proportion to the zeal, and fidelity, and ability with which he performs the high duties of his station. An inconsistent, idle, unqualified minister, cannot hide his true character, and he will not long stand, higher in the public estimation than he ought. It is in the power of adventitious circumstances to give a momentary distinction, but not to confer a lasting fame; and for this plain reason, that the man acts his part in the midst of a people qualified to distinguish things that differ, for the Bible has taught them what a Christian and a Christian minister ought to be. Besides, his character is brought into immediate comparison with his brethren in the ministry, and his proper place is assigned him accordingly. the case is very different, it may be, with our missionary. His residence may be in a country where he is not exposed to the view of a Christian

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