prosperity or adversity that forms the prominent feature in the history of any particular mission, nor of the progress that has been made in the attainment of the object of missions generally, that I have adverted to this subject, as from a persuasion that the evil against which these remarks are pointed is common to all ages, to all parties, to all circumstances, to the missionary abroad and to the friends of missions at home.

Future ultimate success, as we have the most ample assurance, is certain. This we "believe and therefore speak" and labour; and hence the work of the ministry is "a work of faith, and any present tokens of divine power in giving effect to the word of reconciliation are to be improved for strengthening that faith, while they cause many thanksgivings to God. But this does not render the ministry, at least it ought not, a work of sense ; but this is in effect done if we abuse the present effect of our labours, whether prosperous or adverse, by making that the measure and rule of our duty.

Read over the epistles to Timothy and Titus, those rich magazines of divine wisdom in all that relates to the work of the ministry, and mark if they contain a single sentiment that can be construed as favouring the idea that the visible and immediate success of our efforts is to be taken for our encouragement to labour, or the contrary a reason for relinquishing the work, or growing slack

There is much said men engaged in this

in the performance of it. about the character of the sacred service, much about their duties, their trials, their support, their example, their making full proof of their ministry; but not a word of success as any concern of theirs in the way of motive. Having devoted their lives to the ministry of the gospel, it would have been preposterous if they had been indifferent whether their labours were successful or not. But feeling the deepest interest in the work itself, and the strongest desire to see the effect of their exertions, they must, nevertheless, assured that the power to "send prosperity" was in better hands than theirs, go on cheerfully and zealously in their work, feeling themselves in a certain sense independent of the immediate results whether as affecting their hearers or themselves. Paul speaks of having "great sorrow and continual heaviness in his heart on account of his unbelieving brethren the Jews," and concerning the Galatians he says, he "travailed in birth till Christ was formed in them;" but what if they had not believed-Would the apostle's zeal have cooled, or his hands grown feeble? By no means. Success drew forth his thanksgivings to God. "Now thanks be unto God who always causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." Over the hardness and impenitence and aggravated wickedness of men he wept, exclaiming " Of whom

I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ." But I suppose the apostles were not made more zealous in consequence of many becoming obedient to the faith, than by seeing that many rejected the counsel of God against themselves. In a word, they laboured not because they were successful, but that they might be so; not because they saw the fruit of their labours, but in the hope of reaping in due time," if they fainted notand they knew that their labour ultimately should "not be in vain in the Lord."

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The same thing might be further illustrated, were it necessary to enlarge upon it by a reference to the manner in which Paul speaks of his own trials. Observe in what light he regards a fruitless attempt to introduce the gospel into a town or district, how he bears up when the enemy prevails, how he comforts himself in his chains; and on the other hand, how he regards the fact of many sinners being turned to the Lord. In the former case he grieves, in the latter he rejoices; but his determination to spend and be spent in the cause of Christ, seems independent altogether of the things that befal him.

I would not infer from so little being said in the New Testament about success, that the labours of God's faithful servants will not be blessed; but I would conclude from this not being brought prominently forward, as a thing which

must visibly accompany the steps and crown the exertions of those who are on the Lord's side, that they are to be mainly concerned about doing their duty, doing their part, believing that God in his own time and way will do his. Among the many exceeding great and precious promises given them, there is not one that assures them specifically and individually of prosperity in their undertakings. But there are many promises of comfort, strength, assistance, directionyea all grace while they are warring the good warfare. And along with this are exhortations to courage, diligence, patience, perseverance. And so believers, both as to their individual salvation, and the accomplishment of God's purposes of mercy to the world at large, are taught to "be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." We must sow before we reap, we must fight before we conquer, we must suffer with Christ before we reign with him.

This I take to be the "due order," and I conceive it to be highly necessary both for ministers abroad and their constituents at home to keep constant sight of it. If missionaries forget it, they must faint under the burden and heat of the day, or retire from their post in despair. If the friends of missions at home forget it, they will grow weary of supporting at a great expense foreign establishments that bring no returns adequate to their expectations.

It appears then, that to labour and wait, believing that after they have patiently endured they shall obtain the promise, is the more excellent way. But this is very different from the notion of those who are impatient for tokens of success, from which they may derive a stimulus to farther exertion, and if they cannot perceive such tokens, think themselves warranted to give up what they call the "hopeless struggle."

Viewing the matter in this light, I was very sorry to find that an able and enlightened friend of missions had suffered the following sentence to escape from his pen. "Increase the piety, the intelligence, the enterprise, and the success of foreign missionaries, and you increase in nearly an equal proportion the co-operation at home, by which that success must be maintained and improved." The circumstance of success, to be sure, is here classed along with several other conditions of "securing the increase of co-operation at home." And so far I admit that all is well, and I perfectly agree with the author in thinking that increased success would elicit increased interest and support. But this implies that inverted order of procedure I am endeavouring to expose. The co-operation is not to precede, but to follow the success. There may be all the "piety, intelligence, and enterprise" requisite on the part of the missionary, but his receiving increased cooperation is suspended upon his being successful;

K