Let

men as "the ambassadors of Christ." those, therefore, who undertake this embassy be satisfied that they are called to it of God.

We have already seen the importance of humạn learning for the preacher of the Gospel. It is no less necessary that he should appear before the nations of the East in a characer of sanctity for they expect that the man who ministers among them in holy things, should be recognized by his own countrymen as bearing a holy character.

It is proper, then, that every preacher who obtains from our own Church official sanction to" go and baptize the nations," should be set apart to the Holy Office, and ordained according to the Order of the Church. You may observe, that almost all societies of Christians have some form of Ordination; and, so far, they recognize the Office of the Ministry as sacred. Nay more, they confine their Missionaries to their own ritual or creed; and will patronize them no longer than they conform to it. This is not, indeed, the Catholic Charity of the Gospel. This is not the character of the true light which shineth on all. But this partiality appears to be inseparable from the very constitution of religious bodies, differing in form from one another. It may be called the INFIRMITY

of the Visible Church of Christ; which is imperfect and militant here on earth. This advantage, however, results from such partiality, that more interest is created and more energy excited, when the attention is confined to the operation of a single body of men. At this very time, some societies are so intent on their own work, that they do not well know what the rest are doing.

But the Church of England ought to shine upon ALL. Like a venerable Nursing-Mother of the Church of Christ, she ought to contemplate with candour and benignity the useful exertions of the several Societies not subject to her jurisdiction, notwithstanding their differing from her, and from one another, in matters not essential to salvation.

But, in the great work of converting the Heathen World, men of different stations and offices are required. At the first promulgation of the Gospel, there were, saith the Apostle,

some Evangelists; and some, Pastors and "Teachers." There were also what he denominates "Helps for the work of the Ministry." In like manner, we may now employ, some," Evangelists and Pastors invested with the sacred character; and some Teachers and Catechists, with such "Helps" of a secular kind as may be useful. Such subordinate instructors may be

sent forth to commence the work; and, in process of time, those of them may return as candidates for ordination, who shall have acquired a knowledge of the foreign language, and a competent degree of learning for the sacred office and who shall have obtained a good report for piety, zeal, diligence, and fidelity.

To this object we would now particularly direct your attention. I can report to you from my own observation, that the most useful and necessary labours among the Heathen, during the first years of Christian Instruction, are those of the humble Teacher and Catechist. Whenever then, you find a man well qualified by knowledge and piety for this subordinate office, you may send him forth with confidence, in his secular character, as a fit instrument of light in a dark region.

If you look around, you may observe that few of the RICH OF LEARNED of any society of Christians, however small, and however zealous to diffuse Christianity, are disposed to go forth as Missionaries. And it is true, that, if the rich and learned did go, they could not assimilate with the poor and ignorant among the Heathen, so easily as their brethren of inferior station. They could not so easily associate with their poverty, or tolerate their ignorance.

If then you cannot find rich men of your own body to go forth to enlighten the world, you must send men of humble condition; and if you cannot engage learned men, you must send men of inferior attainments: for the Gospel must be "preached to all nations:" some men must go forth to be "the Light of the World." Only let it be your care that the men whom you do send, possess the dispositions which our Lord hath enjoined. Let them be "Men of the BEATITUDES." In regard to learning they will acquire some portion of it in a foreign land. It is proper to observe, that a Missionary is not made a Missionary wholly in his own country; but in the country of his labours. Learning is eventually necessary for him; it is indispensable to great success: but it is not so requisite at his first entrance on his employments. The primary qualifications are evangelic fortitude, zeal, humility, self-denial, prudence, temperance; to which must be added, assiduity in learning a new language with the docility of a child. And, in the period of eight or ten years, whilst that language is acquiring, some other branches of useful learning may be successfully cultivated.

This opinion on the means of forming a Missionary, I deliver in perfect confidence: not only

as the result of my own observation and enquiry; but as being sanctioned by the most eminent and useful preachers in the East, during the last century.*

II. We now proceed to consider our Second Proposition: that, IF YOU BE INSTRUMENTS Of THE TRUE LIGHT, YOU WILL BE ZEALOUS IN ADOPTING THE MOST EFFECTUAL MEANS OF DIFFUSING IT.

But, perhaps, it may be expected, that, to stimulate your exertions, I should give some account of the Darkness which exists in the Heathen World.

I have, indeed, seen that Darkness; but it is not easy to describe it. No man can know what it is, who has not seen it. It is no less dreadful, than when the Israelites beheld, at a distance, the thick darkness of Egypt from their dwellings "in "Goshen, where there was Light." I have been in what the Scripture calls "the Chambers of Imagery:" Ezekiel viii. 12, and have witnessed the enormity of the Pagan Idolatry in all its turpitude and blood. I can now better understand those words of the Scriptures, "The dark places "of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty:" Psalm 1xxiv. 20. I have seen the libations of human blood, offered to the Moloch of the Eastern

Ziegenbalg, Shultz, Swartz, and Gerické.