arguments be thrown away. If the simple evidences of Christianity, founded as they are upon facts and inferences within the reach of almost every one, have no effect; in vain will the resort be made to the more recondite and abstruse arguments.

Probably the great leading error of religious teachers, ever since the days of the Apostles, has been, that they have not lived in a world of reality, if it may be so expressed. Facts of every-day occurrence- the fire-side and way-side exhibitions of human nature-man as he ishave been too much sacrificed to learned analyses of mental philosophy, and a professional dissection of the spiritual man. The pride of learning, the love of the schools, and the "itching ears" of polite hearers, have driven too many away from the homely, manly, matter-of-fact reasoning and preaching of the Saviour and his Apostles. No marvel, then, that the leaven might spread itself to our views of what constitutes efficient missionary training.

A person trained under the plan presented in these pages, will not come up to the standard we wish, unless he shall be of that matter-of-fact character. We further think that in the medical profession, both in its theory and practice, there is a far richer fund of resources whence to draw arguments ad hominem, in proof of religion, than he possesses who is thoroughly conversant with the Greek and Roman classics, all other things being equal. The beautiful fabric which the soul inhabits; with the wonderful mechanism of its various parts; its adaptation to external nature, and the adaptation of nature and her provisions to it; gives him one class of unique and powerful arguments to enforce the goodness and wisdom of the

Deity. These arguments, be it remembered, are at hand in all nations, and require no stretch of the almost palsied intellect of the heathen, to appreciate. They may show, far better than any, or all other reasoning, the fact of the UNITY of God. This is a fundamental truth, entirely unknown, and almost inappreciable by the polytheistic nations. In no department of creation do we find such proof of a Designer as in man's physical organization. And, in all nations, and to all people, the appearance of nice and beautiful design is instinctively referred to a designer. It is true that many eminent medical men profess to be infidels, (we should not probably do right to say they are in reality such), but it is seldom an atheist is found among them. If they can be found, the infatuation of pride, or some singular perversion of education will in most cases account for the anomaly. The general principle just hinted may serve to show why we attach so much importance to arguments drawn from the knowledge which a well educated medical man possesses. In addition to this, the medical practice will show him poor human nature in her hours of weakness and sorrow, of dismay and final conflict with death; and he must be an inapt scholar indeed, who, from such experience, shall not be able to draw peculiarly appropriate considerations to impress upon his hearers the importance and value of true religion. The most impressive and convincing preacher we remember ever to have heard, was an individual who selected illustrations and arguments from his experience when engaged in the practice of the healing art. By his judicious use of this department of knowledge, he caught and retained the profoundest attention of all who heard him whether unlearned or learned.

CHAPTER XII.

The plan of Itineracy continued. The question of marriage noticed.

It was mentioned at the outset, that the missionaries, contemplated in our plan, should not be stationed at any given points; but that they should be generally itinerant, and left to the providence of God to direct to their fields. of labor.

A modified system of itineracy-we say modified in contra-distinction from a system adopted by a large christian denomination-is now acknowledged by some as necessary, perhaps indispensable, in order to the more speedy spread of Christianity in pagan nations. This is a subject of growing interest, and beyond a doubt is destined to assume a paramount importance in the work of evangelization abroad. Whatever may be said concerning the employment of itinerant evangelists in countries well supplied with a faithful stated ministry, no objection, to say the least, can be urged against their efforts in communities where the name of Jesus has not so much as been heard. Having no objectors to spend time with on this point, we may at once notice an argument or two in favor of the course.

In the first place, it is an obvious feature of the missionary plan as drawn by the great leader of missions. The letter of the commission he gave commanded the first foreign missionaries to go from place to place as circumstances might indicate. Its genius was to present to

the greatest possible number of persons, an outline of the great and good news they had received in charge. They essayed to present it to all, and to surfeit none, if we may so speak. However hardened may have been the sinners of that age, they were not, as is familiarly called, gospel-hardened. The apostles and their contemporary fellow laborers, announced in clear, distinct, and manly terms, the gospel of their Lord. When once sure that they were understood by a given community, they passed on, leaving the responsibility where it most righteously belonged, to wit, with those who had ears to hear. It seemed as if their time was too precious to allow them to settle quietly down, to the retired duties of a pastor, while a world lay in ruins, and the command of Olivet was ringing in their ears. It was a considerable time before the earlier converts enjoyed the labors of a stated ministry, and when in the process of time this feature was recognized as a part of ecclesiastical organization, the pastors were indebted to the evangelists for having previously gathered the little flocks. It is true, that some of the first evangelists labored a considerable continuous period at particular places; but this was the result of circumstances that transpired from time to time; and was, in a certain sense, accidental. The facts that exist in this connexion it is unnecessary to quote. It may suffice to say that, they go to prove beyond a question, that the missionary operations of that day were essentially itinerant. This established proposition would alone raise our expectations that itineracy would come to be an important means in future missionary operations. The simple fact that it was indicated by the Saviour, even if no

voice were now heard in its favor, or there were no obvious philosophical reasons to commend it, would be sufficient to make us look for such a state of things. We are of that number who believe that great wisdom, and perfection of adaptedness to human condition and character, mark, not only the precepts, but the plans of the Redeemer. We may not be able distinctly to perceive this perfection in all its minuteness and beauty; but if we cannot, the source whence it emanates, firmly fixes us in this sentiment. As a matter of strict policy, to say nothing of a higher good, it is by far the safest course to practise upon the golden rule of doing to others as we would they should do to us. And yet, it seems at times so completely to trench upon what our prejudiced judgment supposes to be for our true interest, that we abandon the rule, and perhaps flatter ourselves that we have found a better way;-at least for temporary application. This train of thought is not digressive, as we only use it for the sake of illustration. It is not important,-indeed it is at times impertinent, if not impious, that we demand a full understanding on our part, of the philosophy of a scriptural direction, before we yield it a ready assent and a hearty obedience. It is enough that it be clearly indicated on the sacred page; and if it conflict with preconceived opinions we may conclude that in some way we have been misled. It will not be sufficient excuse to pass slightly by a divine injunction that we think it not adapted to the end it proposes. This view in nowise invades the province of human reason, that glory of fallen humanity. It only is intended to suggest, that if Christ has indicated any specific plans, wisdom the most profound has