ence; so does his heart leap within him. Can he then, on the principles of human nature, communicate that which is dark and desolate in his experience and prospects? No. He counts not that which has been lost, but that which is found. Probably there is no feeling in the bosom of others, which Christians at home are so incapable of apprehending, as that which animates the missionary in seeing a work of grace go forward, to a glorious and successful issue, in the heart of a heathen. We may rejoice, measurably, at the reception of such tidings; we may sympathize in the joy of the missionary; we may admire the arm that brought the wondrous deliverance ; but, he only can estimate the intrinsic merits of the subject who has been the instrument of the work. Consequently, no one else can fully understand his joys. Well may it be said, that with then the "Stranger intermeddleth not." Notwithstanding all these considerations, which exculpate the foreign missionary from any design to give the church a partial view of the difficulties in the case; the amount of obstacle is not properly ascertained. Who has not noticed, that at our great religious anniversaries, the balance of sentiment is decidedly on the side of hope and encouragement? It would almost seem, on such occasions, that the battle was well nigh finished; and that the world, with one acclaim, was about to acknowledge Jesus Christ as its ruler. This state of feeling honors the heart of those who compose those great convocations; but if the veil which shrouds the hidden abominations of heathenism could be drawn aside, the conviction would be vivid, that the mind had but imper. fectly examined the matter. Those most intimate with the arcana of heathenism, have often mourned over this fact; and they have wished that it were otherwise. They would that Christians should retire from those great meetings, as did the disciples from the scenes of Calvarytrusting yet weeping. Then, they believe, more would go to their closets, to pray for the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the mission enterprise. This would lead to the exercise of more entire dependence upon God. Means would appear but as means. No undue importance would be attached to wealth, talents, names, or to the beauty and seeming adaptation of evangelical enginery to the world's conversion. It is probable, that as the result of this frame of mind, the missionary would find a new influence attending his labors. The arid plains of heathenism, so to speak, would all at once appear clad in verdure and beauty. The dew of the Spirit would fall noiselessly upon the mind; and without apparent cause, the cry for mercy through a crucified Saviour, would be heard among those whose hearts had seemed steeled against any hallowing influence. Ah! when the church shall be found at the foot of the cross, urging with holy importunity the prayer of faith; placing no reliance upon an arm of flesh, the cause of missions must prevail ! Be this as it may, however, it is certain that the impulse which the cause receives from the stimulant of high hope is not so valuable, will not be so lasting, and it might be added not so pleasing to God-as that which is the result of a full appreciation of the discouragements in the way. In the former case, we may have the aid of our animal sympathies, and of all that is romantic in our nature. In the latter, we shall go on from principle. ] Having counted the cost, we shall not be turned back. Defeat will not hinder, nor success quicken our labors. To be permitted to use the means for the world's conversion, will be sufficient to cheer the heart. The unhappy result of the state of things just considered is, that Christians are less ingenious in devising plans of effort to benefit the heathen; or in improving those already in operation. If it be said that this remark impeaches the wisdom and enterprise of the present mission boards; we reply, that those who say thus, assume that the present plans have reached perfection. That the plans of our great societies are formed and prosecuted with peculiar wisdom, has been most cordially granted in a former chapter; but to deny that various new modifications of christian effort will not be required as the work proceeds, evinces but a limited acquaintance with the condition of the heathen. Indeed, it may be presumed that a better acquaintance with the wants of the world, may lead to the formation of some society like that contemplated in the following extract; from the pen of an experienced missionary and able writer. "If," says he, " in addition to those already in existence, there were also an institution for the promotion of agriculture, mechanic arts, and social order, and the general civilization of rude and barbarous tribes; such a society would exert a beneficial and powerful influence, and furnish an important agency in conjunction with those now engaged." * Ellis's Polynesian Researches, Vol. II. p. 220. It will probably be worse than useless, however, to attempt any organization of the nature proposed in this extract, unless it first be well understood that all attempts at the general civilization of rude nations will end in disappointment, except they follow, or go hand in hand with the gospel. The extract is only made to show, that among the most distinguished missionaries there are those who deem new modifications of missionary effort desirable. For the same reason the following sentiment is presented. It is contained in a letter from the Rev. Messrs. Thurston and Bishop of the Sandwich Island mission. "We still cherish the hope," they write, "of doing something ere long by way of instructing this people in the art of making cloth. To what extent this might be done we have no means of determining. A few wheels and other apparatus for carding, spinning, and weaving cloth, might seem sufficient to make the experiment; and so it might, were there any person able and ready to instruct them. We feel ourselves inadequate to devise any plan that shall be practicable, so long as the means for its accomplishment are out of our reach. But we most earnestly invite the friends of civilization to the subject, etc." In speaking of the Chinese, the missionary Gutzlaff says, "it is very desirable to let them feel the edge of our scientific superiority; I have therefore become the editor of a monthly Chinese periodical, and wish to publish several works upon science separately." These considerations are worthy of careful attention. They have been here presented, as was intimated, merely to strengthen the position that, new modifications of chris |