VARIOUS METHODS OF DOING GOOD. 423

and are the greatest hindrances to missionaries in their holy labours. Good sailors might, on the contrary, diffuse blessings from shore to shore. Mr. Williams, the missionary to the South Seas, once touched at an island, where a pious sailor, who had come before him, had much benefited the inhabitants. He lamented that this was so rare an instance of good flowing from a sailor's visit.

Let us, therefore, seek by every means to enlarge our Redeemer's kingdom, not knowing which shall prosper most. Who can tell what effect a Bible or tract may have, or what impression a sermon, or a pious hint, may make! Let us add our good example to our exertions! How is it the missionaries gain the respect of the heathen among whom they dwell? By their holy lives, their meek behaviour, and affectionate spirit. This blessed, though difficult, method of doing good we might all pursue both in England and abroad, and none would prove more beneficial. Let us add to holy example, fervent prayers, and from the heart say, "Thy kingdom come."

But though we should neglect to serve God, or to honour Him, or to pray to Him, yet his kingdom must come, for He has said, "I will gather all nations and tongues, and they shall come and see my glory." Is. lxvi.

How sad it is, that when Christ has purchased with his blood an inheritance for the

424

THE UNCLAIMED LEGACY.

heathen, that they should live and die in ignorance of it! What compassion we should feel for a poor man, who, having spent his days in pinching poverty, at length perished with hunger! How much our compassion would be increased, if we heard that a great sum of money had been bequeathed to him, and that he had never been informed of it! Should we not lament his sufferings the more, when we knew that they might have been avoided? What should we think of those who had neglected to inform him of his legacy, especially if we heard that they had known of the poor man's sufferings, and that they had received great favours themselves from the rich man who had bequeathed the money, and had been entreated by him, with his dying breath, to inform their poor brother of his legacy? Should we not accuse them of heartless selfishness, and black ingratitude?

But will not our Saviour be displeased with us, if we do not use every means to inform the poor heathen of the rich blessings, that he has procured for them? Many a benighted pagan, who is now committing deeds of barbarity, and looking forward with terror to the grave, might become, if instructed by a missionary, not only a harmless, but also a benevolent man, and be filled with joy in the prospect of an eternity of happiness.

THE AGED MISSIONARIES' HYMN.

LORD, hear thine aged servants raise,

A parting song to thee;

These coral rocks would speak thy praise, If we should silent be.

Our failing eyes can ne'er forget

The wonders thou hast shown,

And now, before our sun is set,

We make these wonders known.

morn,

How sweet the memory of that
When we, by love constrain'd,
Forsook our home, to dwell forlorn
Where heathen darkness reign'd

Across the sea, in vessel frail,

We did our way pursue;
Hope was the anchor, love the sail,
And faith the compass true.

When first we placed our stranger feet

Upon the coral strand,

And heard the natives warmly greet
Our little Christian band-

O then we thought, they soon will love
That Jesus whom we preach,

And sing his praises in each grove
That skirts the rocky beach.

426

AGED MISSIONARIES' HYMN.

But when they had our message heard,
Our glorious God they scorn'd,
And still their senseless logs preferr'd,
With scarlet plumes adorn'd.

And parents still beneath the sod
Their slaughter'd infants hid:
O how could they adore our God
Who lov'd what He forbid !

We climb'd the crag with bleeding feet,
Through many painful years,

The blessed tidings to repeat
'Midst blasphemies and jeers.

But when our hopes were almost fled,
And news had come from far,

How impious men had wagged the head,
And cried" Aha! aha!"*

O then our God his powerful hand
Out of his bosom drew ;†

His touch snapp'd Satan's iron band,
And forth the captives flew.+

See-like a cloud of doves they soar;
How beauteous to behold

Their wings with silver cover'd o'er,
Their feathers tipp'd with gold !§

* Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, Aha, our eye hath seen it. Psalm xxxv. 21.

+ O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme for ever? Why withdrawest thou thy hand, even thy right hand? Pluck it out of thy bosom. Ps.

lxxiv. 10, 11.

Who are these that fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? Isaiah lx. 8.

Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold. Ps. lxviii. 13.

AGED MISSIONARIES' HYMN.

How sweetly now their hours glide by!
How bright their sabbaths shine!
Their little barks they swiftly ply

To hear the word divine!

Unseen, within some leafy nook,
At early dawn they pray —
In groups they sit, and read God's book,
And sing at close of day.

Great God, the glorious things we see,
For joy we scarce believe;

What is our house, and what are we,
Such blessings to receive?

Long while we sow'd the precious grain,
Bedewed with bitter tears;

Now hardly can our arms contain
The sheaves of golden ears.

Is this the manner kings reward
The servants they approve?
This is the manner of the Lord,

And such his faithful love.*

427

* What am I, and what is my house, that thou hast brought

me hitherto? And is this the manner of man, O. Lord God? 2 Sam. vii.