out denying ourselves some of the accommodations and elegancies of life?

The work of spreading the Gospel will never be suspended, from the inability of Christians to contribute the requisite supplies. If there is a willing mind, on the part of all who profess their belief in the Scriptures, the treasury of the Lord will be speedily filled. With what readiness do the millions flow into the public coffers, when a war is undertaken, for the defence of our country, or our national character. The contributions to missionary purposes are but as the dust of the balance, compared with the expenses of a campaign. So much more heartily do we engage in the work of destroying our fellow men, than in bringing them to the light of salvation.

The burden of supporting missionaries will be triding, if it be distributed in due proportion, among all who are able to bear a part of it. It is the number, rather than the greatness of the sums collected, that swells the amount of the whole. The drops which descend from the clouds, form the rivers with which the ocean is filled. All that is necessary for supplying the treasuries of missionary societies, is an influence which will bring the subject home to every man in the community who has a heart to feel for the perishing heathen. This is a point upon which, with divine aid, the success of the whole undertaking depends. There is no ground of apprehension, that the work will be suspended, by the remissness of the missionaries abroad. The danger lies with us, who have so important a part to perform at home. We are too ready to feel, that the great efforts and sacrifices are

to be made by those who are consecrated to the service. We are perhaps congratulating ourselves, that we are not called to the field of battle. We are permitted to remain in quiet, by our own firesides. The warfare belongs to those to whom Providence has pointed it out, as their appropriate occupation. And shall we abandon them to the hazardous conflict, unsustained by the necessary increase of their numbers? They have made a voluntary sacrifice of all the gratifications which we so fondly cherish. They have broken away, from the endearments of kindred and friends. They have gone to the ends of the earth; not in pursuit of power or fame; not to return, with the treasures of the Indies, and spend the remainder of life in affluence and ease; but, after unceasing toil and self-denial, to die in distant lands, and leave their destitute widows and children to the protection of strangers and savages.

And do we hear them complain of their hardships? Far less than many of those, who, in this land of luxuries and refinements, are now and then called upon, to contribute a trifle for the support of missions. Why this difference? Do not the heathen stand in the same relation to us, as they do to the missionaries? Are we under less obligations, to express in acts of beneficence, our gratitude for redeeming mercy? Are we exempted from the injunction, to seek the salvation of others? Have we a dispensation from sharing in the trials and privations, which are necessary to the attainment of the object? While our brethren are gone to an arduous service abroad, we are bound to sustain their efforts, by strenuous exertions at home.

It is not enough, that we contribute of our substance merely. We are called upon to exert our influence, to bring up the public mind to a just apprehension of the magnitude of the missionary cause. By instruction, by example, by exciting inquiry, we must endeavor to correct the inadequate views of the subject, which at present prevail.

We must not suffer the missionary operations to be suspended, on account of the multiplicity of our engagements, in the business of life.

We are doing a great work. Why should we leave it, and come down, at the call of the men of the world? Are we to be so dazzled, with the splendors of opulence, as to turn off our thoughts, from the treasures which are laid up in heaven, for all the kindreds of the nations, who shall be rescued from the dominion of sin? Shall the bustle of commerce delay our purpose to send the tidings of peace, to the shores where the prince of darkness holds his deadly sway? Are we to be diverted from our plans of benevolence, by the researches of science, or the fascinations of literature? Shall we postpone a compliance with the command of Christ,till our favorite schemes of business and ambition are executed? A future opportunity of resuming our charitable designs, may never be allowed us. We may be much nearer the end of our earthly labors, than we are ready to suspect. He who was to have spoken here, at this time,* has now gone to his rest. Whatever he was to do, for the salvation of the heathen, is already done. The revered servant of God, also, who has presided in this Board, from its

Rev. Zephaniah Swift Moore, President of the Collegiate Institution at Amherst.

first formation,* and who watched over its concerns, with a deep and increasing interest, has lately departed, in a good old age. We trust they now know what it is, to pass from a world like this, to a state of holiness and blessedness without end. They estimate truly, the worth of that redemption which we are commanded to offer to the heathen. Do they look back with regret, upon the earnestness of their endeavors to forward the missionary cause? Do they feel that they have done too much, to spread the knowledge of that Savior, in whose presence, they find fulness of joy? Could they communicate their views to us, would they caution us against the danger of intemperate zeal, in missionary plans and labors? Would they not rather say to us, "Awake from your slumbers. Cease your excuses and delays. Hasten your preparations, to send the offers of life to the heathen. They are dying, as well as yourselves. If the mercy of the Gospel does not reach them soon, they are lost for ever."

Hon. John Treadwell, formerly Governor of Connecticut.