I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in distresses, for Christ's sake. How extraordinary the language! How intense the devotion to Christ's cause! How completely superior to all distrust of the Saviour's aid! The idea evidently is, the more we suffer with him, and for him, the more secure and certain are we of his constant and almighty aid. This is indeed throughout the doctrine of the Scriptures. "As thy day is, so shall thy strength be.”—“For, as our sufferings on account of Christ abound, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."-" Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for their's is the kingdom of heaven."-" Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake; rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." There is, in all these passages of God's Word, the same principle pervading them; viz. that the faithful and devoted servant, however great his infirmity, however few his talents, however small his success; if he do but labour and suffer in his Lord's cause, he shall be recognised, supported, honoured, and rewarded. When Heaven looks on mortal efforts, it is not the high talent alone, not the lofty perfectionist, but the sincere and devoted servant, who is honoured with approbation and divine protection. Most Christians have had the proofs and exemplifications of this, in their own experience. It has not been the most highly gifted, but the most sincerely devoted, on whom the Saviour's power has most conspicuously rested. It was, we believe, a view of the case, similar to that which has now been taken, which induced St. Paul to declare, that if he must needs glory he would glory in his infirmities.

Observe, finally, the encouragement which is afforded by this subject to engage in the Saviour's cause. To the young disciple, whose often violated resolutions dispirit, and depress, and discourage from adventuring onward in the Christian warfare, I would suggest, that however necessary the use of means to avoid temptation, and to resis

evil, certainly is; still it is not less necessary to look beyond and above oneself to the Divine Saviour, and place our entire confidence and only hope of success absolutely in his power resting on us; ye know He has said, "Without me ye can do nothing. Can the branch bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine? No more can ye, except ye abide in me." But, on the other hand, he also says to those who are dicouraged, on account of their weaknesses and infirmities, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Let not then your heart fail you, nor your hands hang down in remissness and inactivity; but take courage and press onward, looking to Jesus, whose over-shadowing protection, and whose ever-present power, constitute such a stimulus and defence, as shall ensure to the feeblest Christian an ultimate and complete victory over all his enemies.

To all sincere and devoted Ministers of the Word, Home Pastors and Foreign Evangelists, this subject affords the greatest encouragement. We sometimes have seen the necessary qualifications of Ministers and Missionaries drawn in such a high style of natural and intellectual, as well as moral and religious perfection, that I am sure no modest man could ever deem himself at all fitted for the service of his Lord. But the Master himself has not thus stated the case; Paul has not so stated it. The Apostles of our Lord have not led us to suppose that they were men exempt from the passions and the infirmities, and the wants and the imperfections of other men. As if it came by their own wisdom, or power, or goodness, that they "made men whole," converted many thousands, and radicated Christianity in the world. They too had strifes and contentions among themselves and with their fellow-disciples; and whatever painters may represent on the canvass, or orators declaim from the rostrum, there is no reason to believe that the great Apostle of the Gentiles either possessed a fine person, or a powerful voice; but there is reason to believe, from his own testimony, as well as from tradition, that he had unprepossessing bodily defects, and was, according to the taste of the times, an

A A

inferior public speaker. Oh no! it was not a commanding gentlemanly* person, nor a smooth and graceful oratory, nor the absence of human imperfection in temper and conduct, that converted the nations. The vessels which bore the Gospel "Treasure" were not vessels of gold or silver, or precious stones, but "earthen vessels," that the excellent and soul-transforming power should manifestly appear to be of God, and not of man. It was the "Lord· working with them,”—it was the divine "power of Christ" resting on them, which caused the primitive Evangelists always to triumph and spread the savour of Christian knowledge in every place.

The false Apostles were those who preached themselves, exhibited their fine persons and their fine speeches, and practised a dishonest secret craftiness, and handled the word of God deceitfully, and by specious glosses, to please man's taste, corrupted it.

But the true Apostles set up no claim to external ac- » complishments; St. Paul does not deny the truth of the allegation of his adversaries, that his bodily presence was WEAK, and his speech contemptible. "But (says he), though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge." "We preach not ourselves, but Christ the Lord; as of sincerity, as of God in the sight of God, speak we in Christ."

I infer, therefore, my brethren, that every one who possesses ad ue knowledge of Christ's Gospel, unfeigned love to the Saviour, a sincere desire to glorify Jehovah, by receiving himself, and bearing to others the glorious Gospel of God, is justified in his endeavours to do so, and to hope that the Saviour's power will rest on him, whatever or how many soever his personal infirmities may be.

In accordance with these principles, my brethren, your preacher ventured at first to undertake the work of an evangelist; on the same principles he has hitherto persevered in it, and those alone are the principles which still encourage him to go forward in the work. Pray for

Some Patrons of Missions, in distant parts of the world, have requested to have "gentlemenly" Missionaries sent to them.

him that he may very gladly glory in infirmities, and may take pleasure in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses for Christ's sake; and that the power of Christ, in all his journeyings, may overshadow him and perpetually rest upon him.

Finally, brethren, farewell! Glory not in the supposed "dignity of human nature," but "glory in Christ." "Be perfect, (i. e. complete as a Christian church,) be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

HINTS

ON THE

MEANS REQUISITE TO PROMOTE CHRISTIAN
KNOWLEDGE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

ON TEACHING ALL NATIONS.

"Then the eleven disciples went away into a mountain, and Jesus came and spake unto them saying, ' All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth; go ye therefore and (μanTevσATE TAνтa тa εvn) teach, or disciple, all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; (didaσkovтes) teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."—Matt. xxviii. 18-20.

TO BRITISH CHRISTIANS.

THAT it is the duty of the disciples of Jesus to teach the Christian religion to the whole world, is a principle that has been felt and acted on in the United Kingdom, within a few years past, more than at any former period. But that the duty is felt by the churches, to the degree which it ought, cannot yet be affirmed; nor has the Christian intellect of this land as yet engaged in the performance of the acknowledged duty, in a manner that is at all suitable to the disciples of that Master whose claims are admitted to be divine. The spirit of persecution, which has so much disgraced our common humanity, even under the Christian name, gave occasion to a strong feeling, in the minds of many, against all interference in matters of religious belief. The history of past ages in Christendom, affords a reason of the most convincing character against the appli