messengers of salvation to the outcasts of Hindoostan. Pursuing his gracious design, he raised up suitable instruments for the work-men of large desires and kindred minds; men who, labouring for the Lord Jesus, could not be content with small achievements; men who desired, expected, and attempted great things. The Great Ruler of the church, sending one of these men to the East, and retaining another in the West, united in one great interest the worlds of the rising and the setting sun. The sphere of action was not too great for the comprehension, or the benevolence of their minds.-In the one, they sought to grasp the whole system of revealed truth; and in the other, the whole interest of the human race. Long they had prayed, their faith still increasing with their difficulties: but, at length, the Redeemer said, throwing open the door of mercy to India, "According to your faith be it unto you.' One of the links, by which Britain was bound to India, death has broken. Thus it must be, for the strongest earthly bands are frail. Not such is the hand that formed them, nor the work which they have thus far accomplished. Divine truth is deeply planted on the plains of Hindoostan, and, it shall be watched by the eye, and guarded by the power of Heaven, while a thousand labourers shall, I trust, gladly promote its culture. In losing the most valuable of earthly supports, we shall lose nothing if Christ himself fulfil to us the gracious promise, "Lo! I am with you always." But the Asiatic continent is by no means the only field into which a door is opened for the spread of the blessed gospel. The successive reports of the British and Foreign Bible Society prove that a great and effectual door is opened into various realms, and it is a matter of regret, rather than of surprise, that "there are many adversaries." In missionary efforts, none can despair who survey the success which God has conferred on the labours of Our valuable brethren, Schmidt, Vanderkemp, Campbell, Coke, Butscher, and their faithful associates. In proportion as the zeal and diligence of Christians multiply the means of instruction, the Redeemer opens a wider door for their operation. Thus it has repeatedly occurred to our brethren at Serampore, that, on their finishing the translation of the scriptures into a new language, Divine Providence has prepared the way for a mission into the country in which the language is spoken. Thus, the iron gate that led to the city has, though doubtless turned by an invisible hand, appeared to fly open of its own accord, before the humble missionary of Christ. If Mahomedan and Papal states should still forcibly oppose the entrance of divine truth, they will probably, by each other, be "dashed in pieces, like a potter's vessel;" for God hath said of Zion, "In righteousness shalt thou be established, Proud disdain, presumptuous confidence, self-righteous pride, and secret carnality fall before the power of his Spirit, and yield the noblest triumphs "to the praise of the glory of his grace." * This work of opening the heart to Christ is the same in every land. The descriptions of Indian converts, frequently communicated by our brethren, plainly show that "he maketh no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." and whosoever shall gather to- | who leads this holy war "all gether against thee shall fall for things are possible." thy sake." Isaiah liv. 15. A second obstacle to the spread of the gospel is found in the prejudices of the people, among whom it may be introduced. Thus the apostle Paul, though he had come to Troas, 2 Cor. ii. 12, had to wait, it would appear, till a door was opened to him, to preach the gospel. It is often thus amongst ourselves. Prejudice is weaken ed, and a spirit of hearing is excited preparatory to a still greater work. This spirit is a kind of atmosphere, which the gospel, in more favourable cireumstances, throws around it; We notice, thirdly, the chaand it is not less the gift of racter of the church to which God, because many external Christ said, "I know thy causes are combined in pro- works: I have set before thee ducing it. an open door, &c." Active Still the exceeding great-zeal, holy courage, and steadness of divine power" is displayed in that exercise of it, by which divine truth is introduced to the heart of a sinner, and delineates on it the Saviour's likeness, subduing the whole soul to the obedience of faith. Till this is accomplished, nothing is done that is fully worthy of the Saviour's glory; nothing that gives the stamp of immortality to his work. To this great object (the conversion of souls to God) our attention must ever be directed; and to this we shall find the enemy oppose his greatest resistance. So great, indeed, is this opposition in each individual of our apostate race, that, unaided from above, our courage must die away; and the church would behold despair engraven on her inverted banners. But to Hin fast attachment to divine truth, were eminently displayed by the Christians at Philadelphia; and they will ever mark the church whom Jesus delights thus to honour. The most powerful considerations impel us to continued and enlarged exertions in the sacred missionary cause. Among ourselves a spirit of union and co-operation should be most carefully preserved, and towards our fellow Christians at large we should discover an attachment to our avowed principles, at once undeviating and unassuming. Acting in the spirit of our Divine Master, we are secure of his approbation; and this will be combined with the good-will of all who are than this it were unreasonable to desire. under the same influence: more this society. It was a luxury of sympathy to be present at the grave of our late invaluable That the blessed Redeemer Secretary, where every good has been pleased to intrust to man exclaimed," Alas! my our hands a very interesting brother!" or, "Alas! my father!" and important mission to the But to the permanent effects of heathen, and to grant us a con- his death our attention must siderable share of his bless- now be turned. At every step ing, is acknowledged, I believe, we shall more deeply feel our by nearly the whole Christian loss. Where shall we look for world; and, in most instances, an advocate of missions or of with cordial good will. We divine truth at large, with attrac are thus rendered highly re-tions as great, and services as sponsible both to God and numerous as his? with intellect man; and on us devolves the as strong to investigate what is sacred duty of endeavouring, profound, and illustrations as by every means in our power, simple and luminous to the to maintain and extend this im- plainest mind-with arguments portant work. The founda- as forcible to defend the truth tions of this society were laid against its enemies, and lanby men of God, amidst the guage as mild and devout to ardent supplications of their soothe the hearts of its friends? souls for the promotion of the Where shall we find an ardour Saviour's glory in the immortal of soul approaching to sacred happiness of their fellow men. enthusiasm, combined with a The humility, spirituality, and coolness and prudence which prayerfulness; the spirit of en- could weigh a multiplicity of tire dependence on the divine jarring circumstances in the blessing, the self-devotedness, nicest balance? a promptitude diligence, zeal and prudence of which delays not for a moment its first friends, are all equally one step that can benefit the necessary to us, if we would cause which it pursues; blend entertain a just hope of labour-ed with wisdom and fortitude, ing in the same field with the which hold the passions in same success. We cannot thus command, till the moment serve God without the same arrives when that step may be ardour of devotion, the same taken to the greatest advantage. self-renunciation, the same de- Talents of the first order our termined co-operation for the friend possessed; but what general good, the same respect were they without those Chris ful Christian submission to civil tian graces, by which he ingovernments, and the same un-spired our hearts with love? bending integrity in the dissemi- The promotion of the gospel sation of heavenly truth. These universally, but especially in qualifications, always desirable the Eastern world, was dearer to the friends of the missionary to him than life. CAREY, cause, are peculiarly necessary INDIA, the CAUSE OF MISin the present bereaved state of sIONS the CAUSE OF CHRIST, stations impel us to continued and entarred exertions in the that gwes the ang off mortality to his work Tethered missionary cause. Among great object (the conversion of ourselves a spirit of union and souls to God) our attention co-operation should be most must ever be directed; and to carefully preserved, and tothis we shall find the enemy wards our fellow Christians at oppose his greatest resistance. large we should discover an geeat, indeed, is this oppo- attachment to our avowed prin to each individual of our ciples, at once undeviatin que suce, that, unaided unassuming. Acti Now shoxes our courage must spirit of our Dir e unthe church would are secure bu and this |