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ought to be most cautiously avoided. To do the work well, rather than soon, should be the chief concern; and to be approved of God, rather than applauded by men, the great object of ambition. In various views of Dr. Marshman, particularly the point to which I have adverted, I do not accord: But there are in his little work, sentiments of deep and vital importance to the success of missionary engagements. I refer here to the importance which he attaches to the connexion between the piety of the church at home, and of the agents abroad, and the blessing of God upon their labours. I greatly fear this subject is not yet sufficiently understood. We think, perhaps, we have done a great deal when we have educated and sent forth missionaries, and when we have met in public to pray for them; all this is well; but it may all take place, and nothing be effected. It is not enough that the clouds above are charged with that electric fluid which is sufficient to shatter every temple of idolatry to atoms. There must be fit conductors for its conveyance, or it will not explode. There must be men who connect heaven and earth together by their principles and affinities. The church must be a more spiritual community, and missionaries must be

more spiritual men, before the divine influence shall " drop as the rain, and distil as the dew; as small rain upon the tender herb, and as showers upon the grass." The blessing must rest upon ourselves more extensively, before it rest upon the heathen, and the "fulness of the Gentiles come in." In the justice and importance of the following extract, I most cordially concur, and I earnestly hope that the solemn view which it presents of what now is, and of what must be, before God can greatly bless our efforts, may be deeply impressed both on missionaries, and on those who send them.

"It is evident, that without that holy and Christlike spirit so conspicuous in the apostles, missionaries would be incapable of training up in a due manner, were they given, that abundant increase of heathen converts for which prayer is so often made. What could men under the influence of selfishness and carnality do with such a multitude of converts, who had the very image of Christ impressed upon their souls? Would not this glorious image, instead of being preserved in all its beauty and proportion until they reached the "stature of a perfect man in Christ Jesus," be possibly disliked as far too precise? In the present low standard of holiness which almost universally exists, would it not in such converts be quickly injured by the

carnality, party-spirit, self-love, vain-glory, and possibly unrighteous dealing, they beheld around them? What mission is prepared to receive a multitude of converts created anew by the Spirit of God in righteousness and true holiness, so as duly to nourish them up in faith and holiness? Is it then any wonder that God should refuse, earnestly as it may be desired in our prayers, to convert thousands in a day, when he knows how soon his holy image in their hearts would be defaced by the wretched, selfish system which now passes for true holiness among so many? How is it that we so easily discern what the Scriptures say respecting doctrines or modes of worship, and remain so blind to those plain truths, those important deductions respecting righteousness, true holiness, and the mind of Christ, which involve our highest personal happiness on earth, and which alone can lead to the accomplishment of our highest desires respecting the salvation of the heathen?

"We may indeed further ask, what missionary body is prepared to receive with proper feelings the blessings of a Pentecost, for which prayer is so often made? Were three thousand Hindoos converted on one occasion, and five thousand on another, what denomination or public body would not find this an occasion of sin, either by its causing them to congratulate themselves on their own liberality and wise conduct, were the blessings given to them, or by its exciting envy toward those to whom it was given,

were it given to others? We learn from the apostle James that we may not merely fail to receive because we ask not; we may ask and receive not, because we ask amiss, that we may consume it on our evil desires. And such are vain-glory, self-complacency, and party-rivalry. If then this be the case, is it any wonder that he who refused to deliver Israel by the hand of Gideon's thirty-two thousand men, lest Israel should vaunt themselves against him by saying, "Mine own hand hath saved me," should refuse to grant a Pentecost to our most earnest supplications, until it will tend to promote in us humility, and love, and true holiness, instead of adding fuel to our carnality, pride, and self-complacency? Surely it is time that we all regarded the apostle's exhortation, "Brethren, be not children in understanding; howbeit in malice (or evil-feeling) be ye children; but in understanding be men." And if our understandings be duly exercised, we shall soon be convinced, that were the God of holiness to crown with his presence and blessing in the abundant conversion of the heathen, a selfish, unholy, or carnal spirit, in those connected with missionary efforts, he must frustrate the very design of Christ's death, that of saving us from our sins, and purifying unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. May we all be deeply impressed with what the Scriptures declare on this important subject, and may the Lord give us understanding in all things."*

• Thoughts on Propagating Christianity among the Heathen. pp. 14-16.

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Before concluding this Introduction, which, unintentionally, has been too much extended, I must entreat the attention of one class of readers in particular to the following Letters: I refer to those who are educating for the work of the ministry. To excite, direct, and instruct this important class of the religious community, so as to call forth their zeal for the conversion of the heathen, may be regarded as the chief design of the volume. In all that is said on the topics which bear on this point, by my respected friend, I most entirely

concur.

It is melancholy to find, that while we are overstocked with labourers for the home service, there is still a great lack of competent persons for the foreign; that the spirit of our Academies seems to be bounded by the seas which surround our island; that many are content to be cooped up in the narrow enclosures of our villages and hamlets, instead of desiring to expatiate over the regions that are beyond us, crowded with a sinful and immortal population; that there are often competition and rivalship about a very ordinary congregation, but no striving for the furtherance of the gospel in the lands of the shadow of death. Where all is quietness and assurance and

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