In order to this, you must, indeed, have your own minds deeply convinced that, in the sight of God, and compared with eternity, all the differences between the most polished and the most uncivilized nations as to manners and customs in which truth and duty are not immediately concerned, are matters of very little consequence. This, and this only, will enable you unaffectedly and cordially, without constant restraint, to associate with the Africans, so as to gain their respect, acquire their confidence, and win their affections.

4. It may indeed be said, that on the coast, and in the districts to which you are immediately sent, the inhabitants are accustomed to European manners, and in many cases affect to imitate them. But however this may be, you are not to consider yourselves as Missionaries to this small proportion of the population of those regions, exclusively, who are so far acquainted with Europeans. In respect of these, the difficulty last mentioned may be diminished: but hence a far more formidable and distressing difficulty arises. A few honourable examples, and some late efforts of a contrary nature, excepted, Europeans, Britons, yea, Christians so called, are principally known in Africa, for their excessive avarice, their unrelenting cruelty, their licentiousness, their base treachery and oppression.

The very ideas, European-Briton-Christianare associated in their minds with those of unprincipled selfishness, of suspicion, and terror' Mr. Brainerd, among the Indians of North America, found that the base and treacherous usage which they had experienced from the white men occa

sioned a most discouraging difficulty. For a long time they could not be convinced that he came among them for any other than selfish and treacherous purposes: they counted it next to impossible that he should be, as he professed to be, a disinterested friend, who sought nothing but their good; and they long entertained the most unreasonable suspicions of his intentions. He, however, by the help of God, effectually surmounted this difficulty; and then the contrast between his conduct, and that of his countrymen, and of the whites in general, procured him respect and affection proportioned to their former suspicions and prejudices. In the case of the poor negroes, perhaps, the difficulty may be still greater: but perseverance in the means which he used, and with which you are not unacquainted, will eventually, by the blessing of God, turn the scale in your favour also,

5. Another difficulty in your way arises from this circumstance; The persons to whom you are going are almost wholly unaccustomed to receive any kind of moral or religious instruction.

They know no sabbath, when, other employments being suspended, many, in Christian countries, assemble for religious purposes, and to receive instruction from their pastors. They have, I suppose, religious feasts: they "sit down to eat, and “to drink, and rise up to play ;" and their abominable idolatries, and absurd superstitions, are probably accompanied by licentiousness and cruelty: but moral or religious instruction forms no part of the celebration; and so far is the assembling of the people on these occasions from giving Missionaries an opportunity of addressing them, that they most painfully deprive them of such opportunities.

The Jews had their synagogues; and the apostles, on the sabbath-days, resorting to them, obtained a hearing from the assembled company. Even the gentiles of Greece and Rome, and the inhabitants of many countries in which Christianity was first propagated, had the schools of the philosophers, where numbers attended to receive instruction. Such probably was the school of Tyrannus at Ephesus. The idea, that some were qualified to teach others maxims of wisdom and rules of morality, existed among them; and they also considered such instruction as a valuable advantage to those who could attend on it. These notions, and the habits arising from them, gave the preachers of the gospel an opportunity of setting before them "the truth as it is in Jesus." But notions and habits of this kind have scarcely any existence among the negroes in Africa: and much patience and perseverance must, in general, precede even your gaining attention to the gospel, from what would in Christian countries be deemed a very small congregation: and even then you will be liable to interruptions and difficulties from which Christian teachers are customarily exempted. Miraculous gifts often procured the primitive evangelists a hearing from the people: but you have not this resource; nor any substitute for it, except by imitating the benevolence and mercy of their healing miracles, in your persevering conduct among the natives.

The first efforts, in such circumstances, must generally be made by conversation; by asking and answering questions; by making short but weighty

1 Acts xix. 9.

observations, suited to excite the dormant powers of reflection and conscience; or by instructing children in reading, or in any thing which their parents desire them to learn: and this often must be done, not only gratuitously, but at a considerable expense: thus seeking, in a variety of ways, some access to the minds and hearts of both old and young. Many things also will occur to you, when actually engaged in the service, which cannot be known by those at a distance, Only, "Despise "not the day of small things." Never lose sight of your supreme object. Watch for opportunities: seize on them when they offer: and an earnest desire of success will greatly whet your ingenuity in finding out proper means of attaining it. This is found in all the concerns of life; and will be much more so in your undertaking, if you pray without ceasing for heavenly wisdom; and also that God would both " open your mouths to shew forth his "praise," and open the ears, minds, and hearts of the people, to receive instruction: for "he openeth, " and no man shutteth."

6. The circumstances in which the Missionaries themselves are placed, especially when a new mission is attempted, are such as occasion considerable difficulty.

A few individuals, generally young men, and inexperienced in this service, are stationed in a strange country: where they have no wise instructor, no experienced counsellor, no faithful monitor, to superintend them; and, beyond their own little company, not a human being to whom they can open their hearts, or with whom they can join in converse, on those subjects which are most

of all their delight. They have none to help them; either by counsel, encouragement, prayer, example, or in any other way.

This almost entire destitution of religious society and public ordinances is no small part of the privations to which they willingly submit, in order to seek the salvation of those who are "perishing for "lack of knowledge:" and, except as the loss is supplied by more abundant communion with God, and larger communications from him, it is unfavourable to the vigour of personal religion, as well as an impediment to usefulness. Many cases may occur, my brethren, in which you will be ready to say, 'Could we now consult the honoured 'Committee of our Society, or some of the friends 'whom we have left behind, we should be satisfied 'to abide by their decision: but now we must act, ' either one way or the other; we must either 'seize this opportunity of attempting something, ' or finally lose it.' No written instructions can reach every case which may occur. Much must be left to your discretion: and you may be tempted, by the fear of doing what may be disapproved by man, to relax your exertions; or be pushed forward to act prematurely. This is an embarrassing difficulty. You must, however, keep close to your instructions when they are applicable to the case; and, when time is given, wait for further counsel and direction. You must study carefully the journals of other approved and successful Missionaries. You must search the scriptures continually; and especially study The Acts of the Apostles, in which is a fund of instruction for Missionaries, in the conduct and discourses of those who were first