dor? of Swartz and his coadjutors among the natives of Indostan? Was it the power of working miracles, which gave to their labours such visible and triumphant success? Had Vanderkemp this power in converting the wandering and ignorant Hottentots? or Eliot, or Mayhew, or Brainerd, in the success which accompanied their labours among the Indians of our own country? They saw those tawny tribes moved under the preaching of the gospel, as the trees of the wood are moved with a mighty wind. They saw hundreds eagerly embracing the word of life, not because that word was confirmed by mighty signs and wonders and gifts of a miraculous kind, but because the Spirit of God was poured upon them in his enlightening, convincing, and sanctifying power. What has been, my brethren, may be again.

Besides, if the heathen are ever to receive the gospel by what means is their conversion to be effected? We have no reason to expect that the age of miracles will return. The word of God, made quick and powerful by the agency of the Holy Spirit, will be found abundantly sufficient to accomplish this work. When God's time is fully come for gathering in the hea then, every obstacle to the spread of the gospel will be removed; his word will be preached to all nations; his Spirit will be poured upon all flesh; and "the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea." Then "will be destroyed the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over the nations." Then "the mountain of the Lord's house will be exalted above the hills, and all nations flow unto it."

In the mean time, let us do our duty, if it be only to prepare the way for this glorious era of the church of

God. But whatever we undertake, let our eyes be steadfastly turned to the Lord, and let all our expectations be from him; let us look, and wait and pray for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit. There is danger, brethren, that we shall overlook this almighty Agent, so essential both to our fidelity and success; or at least that we shall not give him that place, in our plans and operations, which his high and sacred office demands.

To avoid this danger, and to stir us up to a vigorous discharge of our duty, let us set the apostle's example fully before us, and make it a part of our daily prayer that we may deeply imbibe his spirit. He loved the gospel, and felt extensively its transforming power. He considered it not merely his duty, but his highest honour and privilege, to preach its unsearchable riches among the Gentiles. Yet he did not seek his own honour and advantage in this service, nor rely upon his own wisdom and strength for success. God's glory was his last end; and in the Divine power and mercy he confided to make his labours beneficial to the heathen. Could we possess his spirit in all things, how much would it prepare us for the work in which we are engaged; and what happy consequences might we not expect to follow.

There would then be no want of missionaries Men would rise up in every part of the country like Brainerd—like Vanderkemp_prepared to leave their friends and all that the world holds dear, to carry the gospel to the wandering savages in both hemispheres, or to plant it among the more civilized, but equally benighted tribes of the earth.

There would be no want of pecuniary means. Men who have consecrated themselves would consecrate

Had we the spirit of Paul, the spirit of missions. would not languish, nor its object fail for want of constant, fervent, and believing prayer. Day and night should we remember the poor heathen, and those who have gone forth to break the bread of life to them. Never could we think of the light and privileges we enjoy, without feeling the tenderest compassion for those who sit in darkness, and sending up strong and fervent cries to heaven in their behalf. And why, my dear brethren, should we not possess this spirit? Is it not heaven-born? Is it not godlike? Does it not comport with our character and profession as Christians? Will it not impart a sweet and heavenly peace to our own bosoms? Has it not a rich and eternal reward? No object can be conceived more sublime; none more important: it involves in it the glory, of God through his Son, and the eternal salvation of millions-an object which should at all times greatly interest us, but which the events of the present times powerfully press upon our attention. God, we know, has promised to give his Son "the heathen for his in

heritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession." The time appears at hand, when the promise shall be carried into complete effect. What mean these mighty revolutions among the nations these last twenty years this turning and overturning, in which the hand of God is so visible, as to fill the world with astonishment? Do they not tell us, He is near whose right it is to reign? What mean these movements in the church, both in Europe and America? These missionary societies, and Bible societies, which unite so great a portion of the intelligence and zeal of Christendom? The church has awaked from the sleep of centuries; she is turning her believing eye, in every direction, and seems resolved to plant the standard of the cross in every land. I need not tell you, brethren, what has already been done among the heathen; that Christian missionary establishments have recently been formed in India, in Africa, and in the islands of the Southern Ocean, besides several among the natives of our own country; that translations of the holy Scriptures have been made and are making, in very many of the Asiatic languages, spoken perhaps, by not less than five hundred millions of people. More than fifty missionaries are now actually labouring in pagan lands. Others are preparing to join them; men of piety, men of talent. Thousands, who have not seen each other's faces in the flesh, and who are of different religious communities, are united in this benevolent and glorious design.

Is this a time to sit still? Do we not already see the dawn of the millennial day? Do we not hear, or seem to hear, the accents of that song, which shall yet resound from every shore, "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee:"