done, with what we are very plainly taught that it was intended to do, we too easily rest in causes of its past, and present condition, which leave the blame of the narrowness of the present bounds of Christendom any where, but where indeed it belongs; that is, with those who have called themselves christians. It is said too, in our own justification, that the age of miracles has passed; and that converts are not therefore now to be made, as they were made in the days of the apostles. And then we resort to the consideration, that there is work enough to be done at home, without going abroad to proselyte. And, if still pressed upon the subject, we ask, "where,

of nations." Now, however, not less than 12,000, in these islands, can read the word of God intelligibly; considerable portion of which have been translated into their language, printed and circulated. Three thousand children and adults are now in the school. Many are able to write, and some are considerably acquainted with arithmetic. The pleasures of the domestic circle are now known among them. Industry has increased. Drunkenness has become rare. Theft seldom occurs; and murder is still more unfrequent. The aged and infirm are kindly treated. Hospitals have been established; and charitable societies instituted, to relieve the afflicted poor. Their government is defined, and limited by a constitution; and the king and his chiefs have power only to execute the laws. Their wars are ended, and the weapons of war are perishing. Family prayer is almost universal. Twenty-eight houses of worship are opened on the Sabbath, and eighteen natives are employed as missionaries in the neighbouring islands. These are facts which require no comment. It would be easy to adduce many others, in regard to these islanders, which are not less interesting. But I would rather refer the reader, who would know more of this subject, to the London Quarterly Chronicle for July and October, 1823; and to the Missionary Herald for September, 1825.

and what, are the indications of providence, that our labours in the work of extending our religion among the heathen will be successful?" But I would ask any one who so reasons concerning the missionary cause, to bring home to himself the inquiry, as far as respects the intellectual, and moral condition of the world, "what better indications had our Lord and his apostles, of success in the work of diffusing his religion, than we now have?" I may ask, too, even at the hazard of startling those who have not so viewed it, if our religion be not, essentially, a religion of proselytism? Are not its designs respecting all mankind forcing themselves upon our notice, on every page of its records? Does it offer any compromise with false religion, or with idolatry, in any of their forms? Nay, more, I would ask, if christianity is to be extended over the whole world, and if the age of miracles be gone by, not to return, where is the consistency of waiting for a miraculous direction in this work, and for miraculous assistance in its execution? Shall we then wait for miraculous manifestations, to excite us to do what we may for its universal extension? The only miracle, indeed, which is necessary for our success, in the enterprise is, that they who call themselves christians, should strongly feel the power and worth of the religion of Christ; and, that their hearts should be drawn out in the exercise of that benevolence, without which, I know not on what ground we can claim to be his disciples. I will even proceed a step further, and ask, if we have not some advantage for the propagation of our religion, which the apostles had not? With them, christianity was an experiment that was yet to be tried. But we have the evidence of its

truth and excellence, which is derived from the admirable institutions that have grown out of it; and which as much belong to it, and depend upon it, as the branches of a vine belong to, and depend upon, the stock to which they are attached. We can shew, and prove, that in the degree to which it has been left to itself, unfettered by civil and ecclesiastical restrictions, it has triumphed over the strongest passions, and the most inveterate prejudices and customs; and has repressed abuses and crimes, which have been established and sanctioned by every other religion. By the knowledge, also, which it has imparted of mutual rights and duties, it has modified, and, we hesitate not to say, has improved civil government, and public morals, to an extent to which no other than christian principles could have advanced them. Who that has thoroughly studied the history of our own country, has a doubt whether we owe our peculiar civil institutions to christianity?* Nor may we alone defend our religion, and recommend it, by these most obvious and grand results of it. The countless associations which it has originated, for all the conceivable purposes of benevolence; the systems of education, that are essentially christian, which are forming and advancing throughout Christendom; the new responsibleness which it devolves upon woman, and the new rank which it has given to her; the emancipation which it has effected of the poor, from the entailed ignorance, degradation and debasement, in which every other religion finds, and leaves them; its efforts, and its

*I would refer the reader, who has not much time for inquiry on this subject, to the very able sermon, preached before the Legislature of the Commonwealth, on the 31st of May, by the Rev. Mr. Dewey, of, New Bedford.

success, in the work of abolishing slavery; and its influence on the domestic relations, and on domestic happiness; these are effects of our religion, which, in proportion as they are comprehended, and are seen in their true character by the intelligent of other religions, will do much, and cannot fail to do much, for its extension.* From what it has done, bad as Christendom is, we can demonstrate its adaptation to the condition, and to the wants of all men, and its tendency to an indefinite improvement of the human mind and character.

* "Before going to war, it is right to count the cost; and in the conflict which christians have begun to wage for the moral subjugation of the world, it is proper to estimate whether, with their few and scattered numbers, they can cope with the myriads of their opponents. Certainly at no former period had they such means, and such promising success, as we now have. All the ancient war weapons' of victory, excepting miracles, are at their disposal; and new instruments of still greater potency, which the science of the latter days has been accumulating for a universal revolution of the mind, are ready to be brought into action, upon a scale of overpowering magnitude. Even the single resource which is lost, may yet be recompensed by equivalents; and a substitute, in many respects, may be found for miracles. The first effect of a miracle is, to arouse the attention, and to overawe opposing prejudices. The second, to afford a proof of the truth of the religion, of which it is a sealing accompaniment. The first object may be gained by experimental philosophy. And as to the second, the difference in the proof of our religion, to any to whom it shall now be proposed, from its miracles, lies rather in the fact, that this proof is at the present day more circuitous than that it is less conclusive, than it was in the days of the apostles. Besides, the turning point of receiving christianity, even in the apostolic age, consisted less in having seen the miracles, than in seeing their own need of a revelation, and its adaptation to the present circumstances of humanity. Moral influence has always prevailed more 3*

VOL. I.

The third, and last element, or principle, of that spirit, which feels a paramount obligation to do all that it may for the diffusion of our religion, is the feeling, that God, in dispensing signal blessings to men, designs that they whom he so distinguishes, shall be his agents in giving the widest possible extension to these blessings. In other words, God designs that man shall be his instrument, for imparting the blessings of christianity to man; and he who has the means, and the opportunities, thus to benefit his fellow creatures, will be held responsible at the bar

than supernatural influence. The generation that literally lived on miracles, and had angels' food' for their daily bread, perished from unbelief in the desert; whilst their children, brought up in the loneliness of the wildernesss, far from the corruptions of the surrounding nations, were even eminent to aftertimes, as an example of a right godly nation." "

Hints on Missions, by James Douglas, Esq. pp. 22-24. This is a sensible little book; and far better worth reading, than have been many books upon the subject of missions, which have been, and are, more popular.

A friend suggests to me the expediency of remarking here, that the effect of miracles, as a means of missionary success, has been overrated; for the apostles seem to have resorted to them only incidentally; and Rammohun Roy says, they are not of the value in the East, which many Christians are accustomed to ascribe to them. It is indeed well known, that the Hindoos boast of far more wonderful miracles, than are related by the Evangelists; and though these reputed miracles are as wonderful absurdities, as were ever imposed upon human credulity, they must, and will dispose unconverted natives of India, to allow but little importance to the miracles of our religion. But converts to christianity, in that country, will obtain new sentiments of the miracles of Hindooism; and then also will they see, in the miracles of the gospel much to confirm their faith, that it is, what it claims to be, a dispensation from God.