uncultivated his pagan charge may be ;-let the Christian missionary be, in the best sense of the word, a student. Let him never forget, that the more highly his mind is cultivated, other things being equal, the more vigorous and effective will be his exertions to extend the limits of the church.

Too much attention the Christian missionary can hardly give to the letters and journals which he may send to his friends and patrons. On these, especially, he should lay out his strength. With nice discrimination, he should select the facts to be presented. Whatever skill and ingenuity he may possess, he should industriously employ in giving these facts a form, and offering them in a connection, in which they may work their appropriate effects. He may thus hope, under God, to attract the attention and awaken the sympathies of thousands to rear up and bring forward many and valuable helpers in those Christian communities which may read his pages. A deep and thrilling interest was extensively awakened, not long ago, in one of our principal cities, in behalf of an American mission, by the just, yet glowing statements of one who had been a very useful member of that mission.

We need not be reminded, that in the suggestions we have made, we have offered little which can claim the praise of novelty. To such praise, on such a subject, we do not aspire. The bell innovator should tread lightly when he enters on missionary ground. Here rash specu lation may work unutterable mischief. And such speculaion, we can not help thinking, strongly marks the novel*

A plan has lately been offered to the Christian public in England, by the author of the Natural History of Enthusiasm, for consolidating the

plans for conducting evangelical exertions among the heathen, which have of late been spread out beneath the public eye.

It is with the sincerest pleasure, that we express our full conviction, that in all important respects the American Board and kindred institutions, have fallen upon the true method of laboring for the conversion of the nations. It is a method which seems to us to be, as far as the circumstances of the case admit, happily accordant with the official course of the first Christian missionaries. Let the present plan of operation be acted on with greater energy and increased confidence. It has been attended with the smiles of the Savior. We exult in the full confidence which it is our privilege to cherish, that the smiles of the Savior will not be withheld in time to come.

But we now approach a point on which we can not but speak with deep and painful emotion. We know full well, that the conductors of foreign missionary operations in this country, would most gladly extend their plans-would eagerly increase their operations a thousand fold. Our hearts have ached within us, to hear them utter again and again, in tones which should fall upon the ears of the churches with startling effect, the word EMBARRASSMENT. Oh, if professed Christians in this highly favored land, would rise up as by a common impulse, to the full performance of their duty; if they would cordially yield to the obligations which bind them

different missionary societies into one grand institution, to be directed and controlled by the established church! This plan was carefully examined, fully exposed, and triumphantly exploded, by the Rev. WILLIAM ORME, the late beloved and able Secretary of the London Missionary Society, in an essay introductory to Mr. Swan's Letters.

to the Messiah's throne, the word embarrassment would in such connections be heard no more. The treasury of the Lord would be filled to overflowing. "The company" of the heralds of salvation would be "great." The angel having the everlasting gospel to proclaim, would soon be seen urging his flight through mid-heaven. His voice, loud as the "sound of many waters," would fall upon the ear of the nations. Glad voices would be heard in heaven, and be echoed from the earth, shouting, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and he shall reign forever!"

We sometimes seem to hear the voice of our beloved missionary brethren, as from their different stations they look back towards the redeemed churches of their native land. We hear them addressing those who are devoted to the sacred office. Dear brethren, they exclaim, lift up your eyes and survey the field in which you stand. "The field is the world." Can you for a moment think, that compared with the laborers who are toiling at home, a full proportion of laborers are engaged in foreign service? You can not for a moment indulge such an apprehension. Who then can be found among you, who will promptly, cordially, joyfully, devote himself to this exalted work? Come, dear brethren, and help us. We faint beneath the burden which rests upon our shoulders. Come and help us. We are overladen. Do none of you pant to tread in the footsteps of Brainard, and Martyn, and Hall? We long to bid you welcome to the field of missionary effort which it is our privilege to

occupy.

Again, we seem to hear them address rg the churches bought with redeeming blood. Bear with us, we hear them say, bear with us in what some may deem our folly.

Look on us. We have literally devoted whatever we are and have to the service of the churches. We are ashamed to speak of our labors, self-denials, and sufferings. Yet, brethren, we are not entirely strangers to suffering and self-denial. We have no complaint to make; but you will permit us affectionately to appeal to your consciences and hearts. Will you sustain us in the service to which we have been consecrated? From this service we do not ask to be relieved. We rejoice "to spend and be spent" in so glorious a work. But to be crippled and embarrassed in our designs for want of those aids which you, dear brethren, are well able to afford-this, this goes like a dagger to our hearts. We rejoice in the circumstances of ease and plenty by which we see you surrounded. We rejoice to see you "sitting beneath your vine and fig-trees, having none to molest you or make you afraid." Long and graciously may Heaven smile upon you! But, dear brethren, REMEMBER US. Remember the cause to which both you and we are devoted-a cause dear to the heart of everlasting Love, and which should be dearer to us than life itself. Oh, let not that cause longer be embarrassed, Stand up to sustain it. Give it your prayers, your influence, and a portion of your property. Cling to it, we beseech you, with a warmth of affection, and a strenuousness of effort, proportioned to its importance. Urge on-Oh, urge on the triumphal car of your Messiah, that you may unite in the shouts which shall proclaim him King of a redeemed, conquered world!

HOME MISSIONS.*

Every man who thinks with us, that the best interests of this country are vitally connected with the character to be formed by the inhabitants of the Valley of the Mississippi, will regard the question as deeply interesting and highly important, What sort of religious teachers are demanded by the peculiar wants of the West? Whatever this character may ultimately be, the ministers. of religion may reasonably be expected to have a leading agency in creating and combining the elements of which it may be composed. To them it must naturally belong, in the most important departments of human interest and exertion, to instruct the understanding, guide the conscience, and mold the heart. They will be likely to impress their own image on the growing mass of living beings on which they will be permitted and commissioned continually to act. Their influence, for good or for evil, can not fail to reach the very vitals of the mighty community with which they will be connected. This influence must correspond with their character. It must be modified and directed by the views which they may hold, the feelings they may cherish, the objects to which they may be devoted. Who, then, can help seeing, that when we speak of the character which they ought to bear, we touch upon a subject of momentous import and thrilling interest?

* Review of the fifth Report of the American Home Missionary Soci ety. New York-1831.-Published in the Christian Spectator-1831.