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hearts? Why do so many young men, who commenced their literary career, full of missionary ardour, frequently lose all their zeal, as worldly ambition increases, and their neglected piety declines?

Why are the most devoted and self-denying students in our institutions so much more easily persuaded to become foreign missionaries than those of an inferior grade of piety? Why are the most holy men and women in the churches the chief supporters of missions; and why are those religious communities the most interested and active in this work, where "the spirit of Christ" most powerfully prevails? I wish no other argument in favour of the spirit of missions, than its affinity or identity with the purest, holiest exercises of the soul. I desire no other means of increasing this zeal a hundred fold, than the outpouring of God's Spirit upon our churches and institutions of learning.

Oh that all our young ministers and students were like Amaziah, who, “willingly offered himself" to the service of the Lord; or Peter and his brethren, who "left all" to follow Christ; or Paul, who when called to his missionary work, "conferred not with flesh and blood!"

Oh that the mind of that blessed Redeemer were in them, who, "though he was in the form of

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God, and thought it not robbery to be equal with God, yet made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

CHAPTER XXII.

A SECRETARY of a missionary society, who had long filled his important office to great public acceptance, resumed the subject as the last speaker sat down.

There is one inquiry, said he, which those who have preceded me have expressed a hope would be pursued. It relates to the comparative fruitfulness of the ministry in Christian and in heathen countries. Some of our younger fellow-labourers have maintained, -as an objection to going abroad, that they might be more successful in multiplying the subjects of the Redeemer's kingdom among their fellow-citizens, than in a land of strangers. The objection, as far as I understand it, is limited to the immediate effects of the gospel ministry. Now this is only one view of the subject, and if correct, would prove very little. The point turns upon other considerations.

I commenced my ministerial course near the epoch of modern missions. I remember the first operations of this heavenly spirit. I have seen

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the powerful influence it has exerted upon the church at home, and I believe I am safe in affirming, that if the missionaries had done nothing among the heathen, they have accomplished more for their own countries by going abroad, than if they had remained at home and filled the most distinguished stations among us. The inspiring example of these self-denying men- the light they shed upon our domestic heathenism - the boundless range they opened to our confined vision - the wide scenes of wretchedness they spread before our restricted benevolence - the astounding claims upon our narrow purses, which they preferred and the practical views of our varied ability, which they furnished, produced effects which no causes within our own limits could have originated. It was like life from the dead. Our eyes were opened and our hearts penetrated. What we had always deemed impracticable, we attempted. What was thought impossible, we achieved. Aroused to a sense of our responsibility, there appeared no limits to the blessings with which the Lord was pleased to crown our efforts. The result has already been stated. Those institutions which are the glory of our country, arose in rapid succession into existence. I can add my testimony to what has been affirmedthat the very men whose sympathies were first

awakened by this new object of Christian benevo lence, and who employed their influence and wealth in its promotion, have been the earliest and firmest supporters of all our 'domestic charities. To me the effect appears magical. I can scarcely imagine that I am in the same country in which I began my ministry. If no other good resulted from the toils of the missionary, what do they not accomplish through the means of influence which they furnish to ministers, teachers, and parents? What other subjects speak so eloquently to the minds of children as their narratives and appeals? Here then the good seed is sown in a soil which promises the richest harvest of blessings to the Church of Christ.

But there is another view of the subject, which our younger brethren appear not to have taken.

Even if they could show that the immediate fruits of the ministry are greater among civilized than pagan nations, could they also prove that the varied modes of operation which are usually employed by missionaries, would not ultimately produce greater results than those adopted at home? The books they generally prepare and distribute — the schools they institute and supervise - the native agency they create and control, are all to be added to the public and pastoral duties which comprise almost the only instrumentality employ

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