but sinful dust. Through skin covering the bones my body hangs together, but is altogether unfit for any exertion. Through Divine mercy, I have, however, been enabled to keep the faith, to preserve a clear conscience, to walk humbly, without sin, before man, in all moderation, waiting for the coming of our Lord. I have reason to be very thankful for the quietness and peace which I have enjoyed, living among amiable people, and not among my own relations. Should I have remained at Riga, with my weak constitution, my heart should have been broke with grief. Noticed by so many judging eyes, who might have been glad if I had taken any wrong step, it would have been much more difficult to walk worthy of my vocation; although I must say, that during the three weeks that I spent in my native town, after my return from England, my dear father behaved in a very kind, indulgent, and tender manner, which greatly increased my love to and for these ten months past, I have regularly every week received a letter from him. He, I may say, is the only acquaintance which I have at Riga, for my sisters and all my other relatives have become strangers to me.

him;

"At this University I intend to remain till the month of October, and during that time to submit myself to the examinations, in order to obtain the

degree of a Russian Dr. M., which is here a great deal more difficult than in Edinburgh. After that, I shall probably return to Riga, and then I know my strength shall be according to my day; it shall be sufficient for the trials that wait upon me there. The Lord, who knows my infirmities, will neither leave nor forsake me."

This was his plan for the future. But his health broke down entirely. He was taken home to Riga, but only to die. Ardently did we hope that he would be spared to show to the people of Riga the example of a Christian Physician, a true Medical Missionary. But it pleased God to disappoint this hope. His ways are all mercy and truth, but often our feeble intellect considers them to be inscrutable. Let me now gather together the leading thoughts that have been spread over this address, and place them before you more briefly. The Medical Missionary must know well his profession-he must have pursued steadfastly a full course of professional discipline-he must have acquired the power of distinguishing diseases, and of applying the suitable remedies he must have skill in operating, when he has ascertained that an operation is necessary-he must exercise his profession with ardour and perseverance he must have a feeling heart for the sufferings of his fellow-creatures, and a conviction

that he is responsible to God for the use he makes of the remedies which are placed at his disposalhe must be conciliatory and forbearing to his neighbours and associates-he must be of a peaceable and peace-making spirit-he must be a Christian; convinced by reflection of the Divine authority of the Scriptures; feeling personally his need of that deliverance which the Gospel reveals; grateful to that Saviour who has procured the blessing to him; and determined, by God's grace, to show his gratitude, by his obedience, and by the consistency of his conduct. Conscious of his own sins and shortcomings, he has no desire to boast of his merits; and yet he thinks it no boasting to tell others, that since he became a Christian, he has been much happier than before, and that every effort he has made on the side of truth and virtue, has ever advanced his own enjoyment. Knowing that the efficiency of every remedy depends upon the blessing of God, he gladly asks, in prayer, for such a blessing; and he meekly feels that he is but an instrument, in God's hand, in all the success which attends his exertions. Being himself a Christian, he desires that others shall become Christians also. Being himself satisfied that sin is no trifle-that the displeasure of God on account of sin is no idle imagination, but a stern reality that there is only one way to heaven here

all

A CHRISTIAN MUST BE A MISSIONARY. 181

after, and one way to real, lasting happiness here, he desires that all may find that blessed path, that may listen to the Divine Saviour when He says, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." ""1

He may possess the qualifications, physical, mental, moral, which fit him for going to China or some other far distant land. If so, he has a glorious prospect before him; because to do good to others ought to be, in subservience to God's will, a ruling motive of life, and to do the greatest amount of good, must be the best sphere of duty. But he may lack some one of these. His physical frame may be unfitted for a tropical climate; or his mental capacities may be unable to acquire an Oriental language, or to grapple with the subtleties of Hindoo sophistry; or he may shrink from the supposed dangers, privations, and toils of the professedly Missionary work. In such case, he cannot have the honourable place which belongs to those who press into the van of the spiritual conflict. But he is not, therefore, excluded from it altogether. He may still enjoy the blessed privilege of serving the Lord Jesus nearer home. He is not relieved from the solemn responsibility laid upon him, of conse

1 Matt. xi. 28.

crating himself, and all his powers, to the Saviour. The man who declines the Missionary work at home, because he cannot prosecute it abroad, has no Missionary spirit at all.

The Minister may be a Missionary to the poor and ignorant at home; and the Physician or Surgeon may be a Medical Missionary to the same persons. We know that it is possible to be a Medical Missionary in Ireland; and there are many districts in that "Emerald Isle" where there are darkened minds and yet warm hearts, and where a Christian Medical practitioner will do more for the moral and physical wants of the poor than any other agent of philanthropy. And are there not in Scotland and in England not a few stations of which the same thing may be averred? We need not travel out of Edinburgh to find such stations. Many of you know the West Port, the Grassmarket, the Cowgate, the Canongate, and know that a Medical Missionary is needed in each of these localities. It is cheering to know that not a few of the practitioners in Edinburgh already fulfil that office, although no Society has appointed and sent them forth. There are students also in training for the same work. They are not the least promising alumni of the University, and not the least exemplary in their deportment. The young man who,