peacemakers. If this be a long process, the delay is unavoidable; for God permits no other mode. If generations pass away before this reform is effected, it is our fault, who hold the truth, but do not exemplify it. But the delay is unavoidable; for no other mode is, in accordance with the Divine government.

It cannot be denied, that the cause of reform in religion, politics, and social economy has suffered, and not undeservedly, from the faults and vagaries of those who have, in all ages of the world, offered themselves as reformers. It has too often happened that the prosecution of the best reforms has fallen into the hands of the worst men. All reform requires industry, energy, and indomitable perseverance. These qualities are frequently found among those who are destitute of all good principles, and who embark in the cause of reformation from interested motives, or for the mere sake of the excitement and distinction which a new career affords. Such men, not having the main object in view, turn the

whole progress of events to serve their own purposes, or commit such excesses and are guilty of such outrages as bring reproach and contempt upon the cause they advocate, and finally beget a resistance to further progress which cannot be overcome. Reforms are thus often wholly ruined by the unfitness or wickedness of those who usurp their management, or smothered by the imprudent zeal of those who need better guidance. Seeing how thorny and difficult this path has always been, and how many a good cause has suffered shipwreck for want of good pilots, it is not to be wondered that good men stand aloof, fearing to enter a career in which so many not only fail to achieve the good they aim at, but commit a world of mischief, which, perhaps, they did not contemplate. It is so common for those who leave the beaten track on the great subjects of religion and the temporal interests of humanity, to wander far beyond the sphere of truth-once swung from their accustomed moorings, to push far out into a trackless and

254 HATING ERROR WITHOUT LOVING WISDOM.

uncertain ocean, without compass or chartthat many of the most prudent, dreading the loss of present advantages, refuse to step from the trodden road of routine, or to cast their eyes into regions beyond the ordinary range of their vision; and regard such wanderings as sinful and dangerous. As soon as they observe a man adventuring. upon new ground or unused investigations, they look upon him as in the path of danger, if not in the road to destruction. Thus is born a stern and immovable conservatism, which reverences prudence more than truth-which fears error more than it loves wisdom. Into this mistaken disposition the best may fall, because the best are most apt to mistrust their own powers and doubt their own fitness. Where this prevails in any community, the spirit of inquiry is repressed, if not extinguished, and none but erratic, ill-balanced, and ill-disciplined minds venture, against the weight of public opinion, to depart from the usual routes of thought and action. The prudence of the

wise, carried too far, but heightens the absurdity of the foolish, and thus, unhappily, throws additional discredit upon the path of research and reformation.

But although all these snares, temptations, and obstacles beset the path of reform, it is none the less our duty to struggle onward. It is in the order of God's providence thus to try our courage and fortitude at every step, and thus to strengthen the intellect, the good affections, and the watchfulness of his servants, by giving full exercise to every faculty of progressive energy and passive endurance. It is His will, that whilst His people are doing good to their fellow-men, they shall be building themselves up in spiritual vigour and mental power, thus enlarging their capacities for higher enjoyment in the world of spirits. Christians must not stand still while by far the largest portion of men are estranged from their Master, and while strife, oppression, bloodshed, and evil rule throughout all the world. They must not only fulfil the voca

256 BE THE KNOWN FRIENDS OF THE POOR.

tion to brotherly kindness to the individuals around them, but they must study every problem of humanity which is displayed before them, and do what they can for multitudes both near and at a distance. It should be true, and be known to be true, that they are incessantly occupied in studying the temporal and eternal interests of men; that they are ready to go forward upon every occasion and every moment when relief can be afforded, sorrow soothed, suffering alleviated-when any reform can be effected, with advantage in the mode of accomplishing it and permanent results for the end.

It should be known and felt by the masses of degraded and suffering men, that Christians seize every occasion of labouring for their good as it should be known to the rulers of all countries, that reforms conducted by Christians involve neither bloodshed, nor rebellion, nor disorganization, but the best interests of all concerned, social, intellectual, and religious. But Christians can only create this