sensible discourse on Acts xxii. 21. "Depart, for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles." The persons ordained have preached for several years with acceptance and success. Two persons, called under Mr. Jefferson's ministry, accompanied him as Missionaries. Two such ordinations have seldom occurred, in which Episcopalians, Seceders, Antiburghers, Presbyterians, Independents, and Methodists, all united. The following account is from the Evangelical Magazine for September, 1796. "The friends of the Missionary Society will rejoice to hear, that about five o'clock on Wednesday morning, the 10th of August, the Missionaries destined for the South Seas, embarked on board the Duff, and sailed from Blackwall to Gravesend. As the time of their departure approached, the prayers of God's dear people, who felt themselves peculiarly interested in the undertaking, became more frequent and fervent than usual. The evening preceding the embarkation was spent in the most solemn manner. The Directors, and other active friends of the Society, several of whom were Ministers, assembled with the Captain, the Missionaries and their wives, at Haberdasher's Hall, and, dropping all considerations of little party distinctions, mutually commemorated the death of the Lord Jesus, having first recommended to his merciful protection and care their dear brethren and sisters, from whom they were to be speedily, and perhaps finally separated. If ever God was present in the assemblies of his saints, surely he was present on this occasion. Every

heart was affected; and we trust, the serious impressions then made, will never be erased. Dr. Haweis, as the oldest Minister, led the worship, and Mr. Reynolds, next to him in years, concluded it; Dr. Hunter prayed; Mr. Wilkes and Mr. Eyre addressed the congregation; and Mr. Platt, Mr. Brooksbank, Mr. Townsend, and others, assisted in distributing the elements. Such a scene of love and harmony was truly edifying and refreshing. Surely it may be said, "What has God wrought?" It was a little specimen of what the Church in the latter days will experience, when love will level all distinctions. It was even a foretaste of heaven.

"Though they embarked at so early an hour, vast multitudes attended. The deck was crowded, many of the Directors and friends accompanying them down the river. As soon as the boats which brought off the Missionaries and Directors were removed, the sails unfurled-the noise of the ropes, and moving to and fro of the sailors, had ceased the beautiful hymn in the Countess of Huntingdon's collection was sung: "Jesu, at thy command we launch into the deep," &c. The sailors in the ships on each side of the river, hearing the singing, stood in silent astonishment; and many serious persons on the shore waved their hats, bidding the dear servants of God, Farewell. The following letter was received from the Missionaries on board the ship Duff, addressed to the Directors of the Missionary Society:

"We, the Missionaries, whom you, under the influence of our common Saviour, Lord, and Mas

ter, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of the eternal Jehovah, have been instrumental in bringing together, uniting in one body, and every way furnishing with all the temporal necessaries for the arduous undertaking we have in hand, cannot bid adieu to our native country, and dear brethren in Christ, without laying before the Directors of the Society (with the desire the same may be communicated to all whom it may concern) our views and feelings upon our present situation and future prospects.

"Having, through grace, overcome the disagreeableness, which we at first experienced, on our embarkation, arising from our little acquaintance with each other, change in our habitation and manner of living, we find our minds composed and resigned, and our hearts more closely united to each other in the bonds of love.

"On looking forward to the length of our voyage, and deliberating on all the dangers and difficulties which those, who traverse the bosom of the mighty deep, are exposed to, and frequently meet with, we are by no means discouraged; but can cheerfully give ourselves up to Him, who holdeth the winds in his fist, and the waters in the hollow of his hand.

"When we extend our view across the great Atlantic ocean, and contemplate the more extensive Southern sea; when, in our imagination, we conceive ourselves landed on our destined islands, surrounded by multitudes of the inhabitants, earnestly enquiring, "from whence come you? and

what is your errand?" we answer, "from a distant shore; the friends of God and human kind; touched with compassion at your unhappy state, as represented by our countrymen who formerly have visited you; moved by the Spirit of our God, we have forsaken relatives and friends, braved storms and tempests, to teach you the knowledge of Jesus, whom to know is eternal life."Though Satan and all the host of hell should be stung with indignation and resentment at our boldness in the Lord, and fire the hearts of their deluded votaries with all the fury and madness which brutal ignorance and savage cruelty are capable of; though our God, in whose name we go,—our Saviour, by whose rich grace we are redeemed, should deliver us up to their rage, and permit our bodies to be afflicted, yea, persecuted unto death; yet, trusting in the faithfulness of the Most High, the goodness of our cause, the uprightness of our intentions, the fervency of our affection for Christ our Head, and the elect of God, our hearts remain undaunted; and being, by divine mercy, enlisted under the banner of the great Captain of salvation, we are desirous to be "accounted worthy to suffer for his sake," and to endure hardship, as becometh good soldiers of Christ. Such, honoured brethren, and fathers in Christ, are our present feelings; which, we hope, through your united prayers, and the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ, our Lord and your Lord, our God and your God, we shall never, never lose.

"To you, and all who have contributed towards

our going forth, we render unfeigned thanks; and our prayers are, that the most high God may grant you occasion to rejoice in Jesus Christ on our behalf; to whose grace we humbly and heartily commend you, most respectfully and affectionately, bidding you farewell!

By order of the Missionaries,

JOHN JEFFERSON, Secretary.

On board the Ship Duff, at Spithead,}

the 29th of August, 1796.

Extracts of a Letter from William Henry, a Missionary, to Mr. Pindar, dated on board the Duff, Sept. 4, 1796.

Brotherly affection and harmony abound amongst us. The more we know of each other, the more we love; for my own part, I am, blessed be God, well satisfied with, and thankful for, the disposals of providence. I am content and happy in my present circumstances: I wish to be nothing but what I am. I am willing, by grace, to do or suffer any thing, so that the great object of my Mission be accomplished in the conversion of the heathen, and the glory of the great Immanuel be thereby promoted.

My dear friend, thus far was written on Saturday in haste; now thanks be to the God of all consolation, I resume my pen this day (on Monday) to give you good news respecting our Sabbath day's work. We were not left comfortless; (John xiv. 18.) our dear Master paid us a gracious visit; and, I trust, refreshed, warmed, and comforted all