on a proposition which involves any departure from their preconceived opinions, until they know whence the plan originates. If it have its birth in an opposite party, (for parties there are in the church!) it is looked upon with somewhat of suspicion. It is to be feared that the number is fewer than is supposed, of those who rise above all accidental and extrinsic considerations, and before they pass judgment on any new subject, give it a fair and candid examination. Indeed, it is a timely question, which we all might do well to notice, whether, in the present state of public opinion, we dare pursue, in its length and breadth, the course which manliness indicates. This may be asked on all hands, as well of the most ultra innovater, as of the most bigoted worshipper of ancient customs and set forms. Goaded by the tendency of the age, men have taken sides; and a barleycorn's deviation from the maxims of the leading spirits of the respective parties, subjects the dissentient to the suspicion of being unsound at the core. And in proportion as the point in discussion is metaphysical and impalpable, is its importance magnified. It is in vain to deny that in some cases this has assumed the nature of intolerance. It has often been considered by us as a sort of Protestant Inquisitionism. Its Pontiffs may be found in almost every community.

The present moment is rife with these difficulties, and he who adventures any new mode of christian effort, may expect to meet them.

As stated in the commencement of the chapter, great responsibility attaches to those who have the control of the public mind; and, as appears to us, they have no

right to pass judgment on any plan, until it has received at their hands a candid, deliberate, and prayerful consideration. It is very far from being enough, that the proposal is not in accordance with their previous impressions; unless those impressions are the result of careful and deliberate study. And it is all important that a careful discrimination be made, lest what is supposed to be a well founded, well examined opinion, should only prove a sort of intellectual heir-loom, which has come down. with the personal hereditaments of our ancestors.

Could we sweep aside the curtain which shrouds the forgotten things of the past, we should see many of the most important improvements of the present day, to have been suggested many years since, and unceremoniously laid upon the shelf by the influential of those times. This is an undoubted fact in reference to inventions in the natural arts; and a similar experience may be safely affirmed of the moral and intellectual world. In the port-folio of the writer of these pages there is now lying, a document prepared a half century ago, in which the modern plan of manual labor institutions is proposed; and its details, even to the cost of a spade, accurately laid down. Its author-one of the noblest of the departed-travelled many a weary mile, and sought by all means within his power, to find those who would coöperate with him, in making the experiment of combining manual labor—as a means of support-with the pursuit of knowledge. But his favorite topic was summarily disposed of as soon as he presented it to the learned and the influential. It was so contrary to preconceived notions, that it was considered as the fancy of a good but visionary man. A half

century rolled by, and the projector lived to see his favorite plan considered, not only as a modern invention, but as one of the most important instrumentalities of good to the human race. He has descended into the grave, and his name is unknown in connexion with the subject, save by a few who shared in his fire-side society. Had common courtesy even but have been left to its legitimate work, it is probable that his project would have received a fair examination; and long before this, those institutions would have been multiplied through the length and breadth of our land, affording the means of education to those who have lived and died desiring it.

These considerations have not a little afflicted the writer of these pages during their preparation. He has felt that it is far from being an auspicious time for suggesting any new form of christian effort. He has naturally feared that jealousy and suspicion which are abroad; as well as that keenness to detect inconsiderable difficulties. Feeling thus, he is desirous of occupying the closing chapter in noticing a few incidental advantages of the plan presented; if by any means he may gain some.

The first is, that the course of education contemplated, can be secured with a less expenditure of money than is required for the preparation of those who, by the present standard, are considered as duly qualified for the foreign mission service. This is an important consideration, if our course will well prepare the individual for that service.

Disguise it as we may, there is an instinctive shrinking on the part of many, from receiving an education at the hands of public bounty. A liberal course, as that is now understood, is consequently out of the reach of the ma

jority—or rather, it has been, until very recently. It is not too much to say, that there are hundreds in the community who would cheerfully relinquish secular pursuits, and offer themselves for the public service of the church— whether at home or abroad-if the means of procuring an education, independent of public aid, were within their reach. There is abundant proof of this, in the fact that all manual labor institutions are crowded, and many are annually denied admittance for the want of accommodations on the part of the institutions. Before these were established, there was comparative difficulty in finding persons willing to receive a gratuitous education. But no sooner were the opportunities alluded to presented, than crowds of youth simultaneously appeared, rejoicing that by their own efforts they could be qualified for usefulness. This fact is a notable one. The accurate observer has carefully treasured it in his mind; and in all systems of education presented for his consideration, it will have great weight. The course of study pursued in manual labor institutions-excellent as it is-is not at all an adequate cause for such a rush of persons to embrace their privileges. Neither can it be accounted for from any special popularity which these establishments enjoy for as yet, they are hardly acknowledged, (in some quarters at least,) as being worthy of much respect. Indeed, there is no way of accounting for the fact, but from the instinctive aversion to which we have alluded. Those minds of the most noble and enterprising order—and which, above all others, are the most needed in the mission ranks-ever feel the greatest repugnance to being dependent for an education upon any but themselves or

their natural friends. Those who have been subjected to this ordeal, consider it as one of the severest trials of their lives. This feeling is far from being blameworthy. It honors its possessor; and gives sure evidence of a character, in this respect at least, worthy of confidence.

The difficulty now alluded to, our plan somewhat relieves. At all events, it greatly lessens the amount of time and money required.

There are two ways by which the kind of education we propose, may with the most convenience be afforded to young men of limited pecuniary means. The more desirable would be to establish on a limited scale, an in stitution the course of study in which should be substantially that suggested in the eleventh chapter of this work. This would be a simple matter, for it would require, as compared with other institutions, only the exchange of the professor of the Classics for a medical professor. One competent person might instruct the pupils in medical science; and during the four years' course might amply qualify them for practice; with the exception, perhaps, of the instruction they would receive while at ending the two courses of lectures, which we have formerly stated they should attend, in addition. There are some branches of the medical profession with which missionaries on our plan need not be so particularly conversant, as, for example, Medical Jurisprudence. This may not occupy so prominent a place in our course, as would be desirable if those educated by it contemplated the practice of their profession in civilized nations.

Another mode by which the same object may be attained is this. In almost all populous places, there are