Christ till the "hard times" are over? It is admitted that in the course of providence the circumstances of individuals may be so reversed, that however willing and even zealous to help the "good cause," they cannot, consistently with the claims of justice, contribute even the smallest sum. Such are, of course, absolved from the guilt of withholding assistance; but so long as men have what they can call their own, of that they are unquestionably bound to impart a share to those who are poorer than themselves. Let them imitate the churches of Macedonia, of whom it is recorded that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality; for to their power, yea, and beyond their power, they were willing of themselves. They would say, "We are very poor and the times very hard, we can ill spare any thing from our small stock; but our bowels yearn over the poor heathen around us-with them it is hard times indeed! They are destitute of the gospel, while we are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom; let us live upon the coarsest fare, and strip ourselves of every superfluity, rather than leave them to perish."

(3.) The calls for help at our own doors-the support of preachers in remote and destitute parts of our own country-seem to possess a prior claim upon our liberality. Heathens at home have as much need of the gospel as heathens abroad. This

is a perfect truism, and so is the converse of it; heathens abroad have as much need of the gospel as heathens at home. And what is the inference? Neglect one of them; Surely not. Aid both according to your ability. But the very circumstance, that the heathen at home are so much within sight and within hearing, gives them so greatly the advantage over heathens abroad in competing for a share of christian beneficence, that a man of consideration, adverting to this circumstance, may I think very safely give the latter the first place in his regards; persuaded that the heathen at home will attract the regard of many who will never think of the heathen abroad, or only think of them as having a secondary and distant claim to attention. According to the views of some, the worshippers of the gods of Hindoostan, China, Africa, &c. should be left to their idols till there are no remains of ignorance and idolatry among ourselves. When any one argues in this way it might not be improper to advise him to adhere strictly to his own principle, and abstain from teaching the ignorant, even of his own countrymen, till he has nothing more to learn himself; to correct no errors till he has left no error in his own heart uncorrected; not to concern himself with the spiritual dangers and wants of his brother till he himself is beyond the reach of danger, and has no wants unsuppliedfor "Charity begins at home!"

Such sentiments are sometimes harboured in a

latent form, where nothing of the kind is openly avowed; but so far as they operate, they cut the sinews of exertion in the most glorious of causes— the conversion of the whole world to the faith of Christ, that He may reign, and all his enemies be put under his feet.

(4.) Prejudice against the publicity and activity of missionary and other societies has a very unfavourable effect upon their interests in some quarters. There is a class of christians who profess much in a certain way, but who speak and think in a slighting manner of the active exertions of some of their brethren. "We do not approve," say they," of so much bustle and stir; we have no taste for public exhibitions.' A good sermon is better than a missionary meeting at any time: we see some who make a great figure at your meetings that would be better employed attending to the concerns of their own families, or to the examination of their own hearts. It is nothing but pride that prompts all this display of zeal." Such is their language, and consistently enough they refrain from lending their public support to the cause that calls forth such displays of unhallowed zeal. "I know the pride and the naughtiness of thine heart," said Eliab to his younger brother David; and whether such language as that now quoted be not dictated by a similar spirit deserves consideration.

But although these humble retiring christians

disapprove of "public exhibitions," they might be zealous in the cause itself in their own way; and I have no doubt that many of them aid it most efficiently, while they are too modest to let their liberality be known. In other cases, however, I am afraid the objection to the publicity of missionary proceedings rests on other grounds; they would be thought the friends of christianity at less expense than taking an active share in societies for its promotion implies.

The class of disapprovers of " public exhibitions" contains not a few individuals who discover much of the true spirit of christianity in their private life. They are exemplary in their attention to relative duties the religious instruction of children and domestics-their love of the pure gospel and attachment to the ministers who preach it. Their disrelish or disapprobation of the zealous attempts made in the present day to excite and keep up a spirit of active christian benevolence may be owing to their fear lest this outward zeal should be made a substitute for the less obtrusive, but not less essential, virtues of the christian character. It is true that efforts to promote the prosperity of the vineyard of others may be made at the expense of the welfare of our own. But this is not necessarily implied; and instead of retiring from the scene of exertion from an apprehension of danger to ourselves, and instead of censuring the conduct of those who incur the risk, would it not be more

christian-like to stand forward with our example and influence to encourage every sincere attempt to promote the good of our fellow-creatures? and at the same time exhibit an example of the power of religion in our own heart and life, in connection with such exertions. Surely this would be manifesting more of the spirit of Christ than to stand aloof from the contest of benevolence, and find fault with them that engage in it.

A keen observer could see pride lurking in the folds of the tattered garments of the old cynic, who professed to despise all the pomp and vanity and "pride" of the world. We judge not individuals, but reasoning from the nature of things, perhaps it is not too much to affirm, that there is room to suspect that the fair shew of humility that hides itself from the scenes of public and active exertion in the cause of missions and other similar "walks of usefulness," may serve to conceal that which is the opposite of true humility. If some who stand openly forward in such causes seek the praise of men for their zeal, may not the others be seeking the praise of men for their retiring modesty and húmility? Let us not therefore judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling-block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

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But whatever may be thought of the respective character and motives of persons belonging to the class referred to, their conduct and spirit have a