to holiness, is exceedingly displeasing to God: for the former are found in a high degree in fallen angels; but holiness is the glory and excellency of the divine nature. Extraordinary capacity, or learning, is commonly rather unfavourable to usefulness. "That your faith should not stand, in "the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." "We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that "the excellency of the power may be of God, and "not of us." A plain good understanding, sound judgment, and a capacity of distinguishing things which at first sight appear to be the same, with what is called 'common sense,' (though not a very common endowment,) suffice for almost any sphere of activity in the Christian church; apart from all those brilliant talents which raise some individuals to a high pre-eminency above others.

In these respects, however, we are what God hath made us: we cannot give to ourselves those endowments in which we may be eclipsed by others; which we may be tempted to covet or envy; or by the consciousness of not possessing which we may be in danger of being dejected: but we may cultivate our natural capacity, and we may improve our talents. Heavenly wisdom, however, which God has promised to the prayer of faith, will suffice to render us competent to whatever service may be allotted us.

That learning also, which bears the highest price in civilized countries, and a measure of which is almost indispensable for a stated minister, at least in many situations, is not requisite for Missionaries

in general. The knowledge of the learned languages is useful to a Missionary, chiefly as the very learning of them gives him a facility in acquiring other languages grammatically and accurately; which, I apprehend, is seldom done by those who are wholly unversed in the dead languages: and also as preparing him for the important office of a translator of the scriptures into the language of the country in which he is called to labour. This ought always to be kept in sight by all the zealous friends of missionary attempts, as a leading object. But it cannot be undertaken with the hope of desirable success, unless by those who are conversant in the original languages of the scriptures, and with the Latin, as the key to this knowledge; because the books best adapted to give a deep and accurate view of the Greek and Hebrew are written in Latin. It is not, however, needful that all Missionaries, or even a majority of them, should have this degree of learning.

I have, however, my dear brethren, given you what insight I could into those things which are needful for this important part of your office: and I am persuaded that you are capable, by moderate but regular application, to do good service in this line. I hope you will never lose sight of this object; but give to these studies, and attempts at translating, as much time as can be spared from more urgent demands, and as a proper regard to your health and spirits will allow you to do; and that you will return to them with alacrity and pleasure, when excluded from more active services; assured that in this way you will eventually serve the common cause to a most important degree.

A general acquaintance with history, especially so far as it relates, in any degree, to the sphere of your labours; and an acquaintance with the manners, and customs, and sentiments of the adjacent regions, especially those of the Mohammedans who reside there, would be of great service to you.

The knowledge of the Arabic is, I am deeply convinced, of the greatest importance to Missionaries in Africa and the East;' as being, perhaps, itself or in dialects, more generally used than any other language in the world. It grieves me to think that I could give you so very little help in this part of your studies: but I am persuaded that you have so far attained as to be enabled, if favoured with health, to acquire, by a moderate application, whatever is needful in that language. I trust you are fully aware of the importance of doing this; as it will give you much additional influence among tribes who know no learned men except Mohammedans, and scarcely conceive of learning unless in association with the Arabic language; as it will open to you a treasury of words not unknown to. the natives, and peculiarly capable of being assimilated to their idiom, with which to supply the deficiencies of their languages: and as it will give you access to the more recondite learning of the Mohammedans, and to the knowledge of their delusions and superstitions, and their plausible way of stating and defending them. This is a species of knowledge more important to you than all the classical learning in the world: for how can you counteract those errors you do not understand?

But let these hints suffice on a subject of which I am but little competent to speak.

2. The dispositions of the heart, under the teaching and influence of the Holy Spirit, are of still greater importance, and of more urgent necessity.

Here faith is especially needful, in all its exercises. You can do nothing to any purpose but by faith. A realizing view of eternity, of the everlasting happiness or misery of every human being, and of the consequent the incalculable value of an immortal soul; an abiding conviction that all men, every where, are "by nature children of wrath," and "vessels of wrath fitted for destruction," and under condemnation for their personal crimes; and that there is no salvation for any one of them except in Jesus Christ, and by faith in him; a firm persuasion that a single soul converted by your means is a greater good, than the utmost possible success in any secular employment, or even in an attempt to meliorate the temporal condition of mankind—both in respect of the man himself, and the consequences of his conversion at present and even in future generations: all this, I say, is indispensibly requisite. Indeed should you spend your whole lives in assiduous labours, and win but a very small number of true converts from the kingdom of darkness; you will have lived to more purpose, not only than the most celebrated warriors, poets, orators, and historians, but even than legislators and philanthropists. Faith in this respect, strong and animating faith, is peculiarly requisite for you, in the prospect of long delays, numerous disappointments, and the apparently small success of your labours. Never forget, I again repeat it, that he who wins one soul does more, a thousand times more, for the glory of God and the benefit of

mankind, than he who civilizes whole nations; except as their civilization may eventually prove conducive to their conversion and eternal salvation. That faith, also, which "sees him who is invisible;" which "sets God always before us;" which looks habitually to the once suffering, and now glorified Redeemer, who, we believe shall come to be our "Judge;' "faith which worketh by love-purifieth "the heart-overcometh the world;" faith which entrusts our present and our eternal concerns, unreservedly, into the all-powerful and faithful hands of Christ, and receives him in all his offices and characters; faith, by which we "yield ourselves to "him," to be employed and disposed of as he pleases; faith which rests on his promises, and expects the accomplishment of them from his power, truth, and love: in all respects, faith will be especially needful to you, my brethren, every day, and every hour. "Lord, increase our faith!" must be your constant prayer. -Fortitude is especially required in a Missionarythe courage of faith; for all other courage will fail in this case. Nor that courage which often madly risks both life and soul in assaulting others; nor even that which is shewn in defending ourselves, or those connected with us: but that steady fortitude by which our Lord himself persisted in his labour of love; unmoved by dangers, or the immediate prospect of death in its most tremendous form, till he could say, "It is finished!" You must "arm "yourselves with the same mind;" and be followers of his holy apostles, " as they followed him," and trod in his steps of zeal, and love, and fortitude, undismayed by any terror, unwearied by any hard