N^- w IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 11.25 I4i ■ JO 14.0 25 2.2 2.0 ..Sciences CorporatiQn 33 WIST MAIN STRHT WIBSTIR,N.Y. 14SM (716)t73-4S03 6^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHfVI/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Instituta for Historical l\/licroraprocluctiont / institut Canadian da microraproductions liistoriquas ;V Technical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notot tachniquaa at bibiiographiquaa Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy avaiiabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibiiographically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction, or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. D D D D D D Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur I I Covara damagad/ Couvartura andommagte Covara rastoraii and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raataurte at/ou paliicuite I I Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua Colourad mapa/ Cartaa g^ographiquaa an coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encre da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) Colourad plataa and/or illuatratlona/ Pianchaa at/ou illuatratlona an coulaur Bound with othar material/ RaliA avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ La re liura aarr^a paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatortion la long da la marga IntAriaura Blank laavaa addad during raatoration may appear within the text. Whenever poaaibla, theae have been omitted from filming/ II ae peut que certainea pagea blanchaa ajouttea lore d'une reatauration apparaiaaent dana la taxte, mala, ioraqua cela Atait poaaibla, caa pagea n'ont pea tt§ fiimAaa. Additional commenta:/ Commentalrea auppMmantairaa: tfl L'Inatltut a microfilm* la meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a AtA poaaibla da ae procurer. Lea ditalia da cat exemplaire qui aont peut-Atre uniquea du point da vue bibliographiqua, qui peuvent modifier uno image reproduite. ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dana la mAthoda normale de filmage aont indiqute ci-deaaoua. r~~1 Coloured pagea/ D Pagea de couleur Pagea damaged/ Pagea endommagtea Pagea reatored and/oi Pagea reataurtea et/ou pelliculAea Pagea diacolourad, atalned or foxe( Pagea dAcoiortea, tachatAea ou pIquAea I — I Pagea damaged/ r~1 Pagea reatored and/or laminated/ rri Pagea diacolourad, atalned or foxed/ Tl P o fl O b4 th ol fli a! orl □ Pagea detached/ Pagea d^tachAea 0Showthrough/ Tranaoarence Tranaparence Quality of prir Quality in^gala de I'impreaaion Includea aupplementary materii Comprend du material auppMmentaIre Only edition available/ Seule Mition diaponlble I I Quality of print variea/ r~| Includea aupplementary material/ r~| Only edition available/ Tl a» Tl w M dl er be riJ rei m( Pagea wholly or partially obacured by errata allpa, tiaauea, etc., heve been ref limed to enaura the beat poaaibla image/ Lea pagea totalement ou partiallement obacurciea par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont At* filmAea A nouveau de fa^on A obtanir la mellleure image poaaibla. Thia item la filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document eat film* au taux de r*duction indlqu* ci-deaaoua. 10X 14X 18X 22X 28X 30X 7 lax 16X 20X 24X 28X 3W The copy film«d her* has been r«produc«d thanks to tha ganarosity of: National Library of Canada L'axampiaira fiimA fut raprodult grAca it la gAnArositA da: BibliothAqua nationala du Canada Tha imagas appearing hara ara tha bast quality possibia considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in Icaeping wKh the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illuatratad impres- sion, or the bacic cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on eech microfiche shall contain the symbol -^(meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Les images suivantes ont AtA reproduites avac le plus grand soin, compta tenu de la condition at da la nattetA de I'exemplaire film*, et en conformity avac les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont ia couverture en papier est imprimte sent filmto en commengant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par ia darnlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous las autres exemplaires originaux sent filmte en commenpant par ia premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par ia darniAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dee symboles suivants apparaftra sur la darnlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon ie cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, cherts, etc., mey be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure ere filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmfo A des taux de rMuction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, ii est fiimA A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 THI / .; OBJECT, 9EASONABLKNE39, AND CLAIMS or Christian Missions. iZii f SERHO]^ Prtaehed at Halifax, Nova-Seotia| February Sth, 18S9. IN BKHALF OV TBI ^in^.,ij!3-r Wesleyan Mission Fund. «•*.■■$' BT ROBERT YOUNG, AND PUBLISHED BT REQUEST. " But to do good and to communicate forget not, for with luch sacrifices God is well pleased."— Paul. HAXiZFAZ, JX. 9* PKIITTBD BT P. J. HOLLAND, AT THB OFFICE OF THE ACADIAN REOORDIR. 1829. 4 PRBFACB. The writer of the following Discqittne has been indueed to BubmitlttotheF^eM, not from any desire to appear before the pnblic as an aiithor^ nor from any ^prefiepsionof its claimi as a superior composition, bat from the solicitations of several of his friends, and in hope of aiding that interesting cause in behalf of which it yifiB originally delivered, and to which the profits of the work are intended to be appropriated. «, .^ ,Y^'\>^Z^* A^, ^^^ /£^V^jg^£-> /;^^,*HiV^ luted to ' before >Q.of Kb tioBs of er98tiog I and to riated. dSi tee Aav« (^^on oppoWimsly^ 2e< «• Ho'g^ wUo. aUmn. 9ti». «,€. 10, V. Paul ul ! Paull tb«tt art beaije thyi,elf )' Do roo^ui^o oil men i can this thiti| be! If we muii 4e |;e^o<, iTsbat/'bja done to,oar families, to 6ur friends, and to those of our own pairtT:, a^n4 tp sneli onfy. So says the carnal man ^* ifhose mind i« enmity i|;aintti Ood)**' and directly opposed to ihe tjounsel.df His blMse« will. ^Biit the Apostfe was of another raind->amihd''^creM^iview,''and'iodeepr' ly imboed with the Spirit of God, that ijfc breatlied a |;ejterdtts l>e|ne- volence as diffdsiye as t^ human irace. In the benevble8\ce which, be fblt and taught, there was no(I^n^ mean nor contract^. |Ie called upon men to do good, and tb db it on the largeirt; scale j--^?eB unto ** all iiun^-^to men pC &I1 characters, of all principles. Of all partiiei, of all cireumi^tances, and of all dimes, whateirer might be their prejadices, their creeds, or thdc stations.in lift. Left u« do good unto them, says this iidinlrable phitaiit^rbpist, whether they be friends orfbes~the sons Of Belial^ or the s^ns of OodT-rano let that good be according to tUe opportunity which prbvi^pce has placed in our hands. What noble sentiments are tll^esel Sentiments which he learned, not at the feet of Gamaliel, but at the feet of ** Him who spake as never man spake.^ Had they been taught by any of the heathen sagCs of antiquity, the higheist encomiums would have been lavished upon them. And shall we regard them less because taught by " Paul the aged," the disciple of Christ, and the ambassador of Heaven? Shall we designate them trite and uninteresting because found in the $acred volume? Be it far from ua to act so wickedly ; hut on the contrary let us give them the approval of a practical and steady observance in proportion to the ability we possess. That ability, say^ you, is extremely limited, and when exerted to the ut- fnost, must be very circumscribed in its operations, and partial in its benefits. Be it so. The Lord is not '< an hard master, reaping where he has not sown, and gathering Where he has not strawed." But may not the veracUyo£ thin statement be questioned? Is our ability indeed so small? We venture to reply in the negative ; for notwithr standing our circumtcribed meiiis, and coinparativelyinsulated situ- «tion, we may do good on a very lane scale^ f s these disabilities do not predndt our rendering a verjr efficfi^nt support to, the cause of Missions'; and there is not a mpre effectual way of doing gopd unjto all men *Uhan by facilitating the progreis of Christian Missions throughout tho world. Nfwt ire to do good •ccording to our oppor- tunities, much indeed is required at our hands, as a concurrence of auspicious circumstances furnishes opportunities of usefulness^with- OMt parallel in the annals of the Christian Church since the days of the Apostles. Had St. Paul looked forward to the present age, in which, there are so marnr organized Missionary Societies and such means for their successuil operation, and had he required of us the greatest atretch of religious charity, he could not have addressed us in langu- age more appropriate than he has done in the words of our text, for we have an opportunity of doing good in the best and most compro- hensive sense of the word: and according to this opportunity does he require us to act. These things we hope to make appear in the dis- cussion of our text which will lead us to examine, the object ofMie- nonary etUerpri$e-—the op]portunitie$ for Mteaionary opertUiona^andthe grounds ofMisnonary clatma. The object of Missionary enterprise is, the good of our fellow men. It is to do them good both civilly and religiously : — good, in mil the vicissitudes of life ; under all the sufferings of death ; and through the interminable ages of an approaching eternity— for all these hiessings, and in fact every other of which man is capable, are in elose alliance with this exalted object. The enemies of the Mis- sionary cause will doubtless object to this, as they talk loudly of the worldly ambition, ease, and emolument of its agents being its primary, if not its exclusive objects: but the blood of a mighty hoit, that in the prime of life, have fallen victims to Missionary toil, amidst privation, suffering and reproach, crieth " from the ground" against these charges, and in the ** ears of the Lord of Hosts" against the authors of them . The preaching of (he gospel is the means employed in this enter- . prise, for the attainment of the contemplated object ; and wherever it is preached it never fails to benefit its faithful recipients in every possible way, both with respect to ** the life that now is, and that, which is to come. " It confers upon them a boon more valuable than life itself, and lasting as eternity. It instructs the ignorant in the deep science of salvation, and coanmunicates ** light to them who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." It feeds the hungry with ** the bread of life," and ^* opens rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the vallies for them whose tongues fail for thirst." It restores peace to the wretched ; joy to the sorrowful ; bids con- fficting passions be still, and hushes the tempest of the human mind. It clothes the naked with robes of righteousness, and raise»the poor and degraded out of the dust, enriching them with blessings more precious than rubies, and sitting them with the " princes of God's people." It flutters over the sick with healing in its wings;-" binds up the broken hearted, proclaims liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prisons to tnem that are bound." It accompanies the bereaved to the grave of their departed friend,and in the extremity of their anguish, it whispers to their souls with a voice at once sooth- ing and exhilarating, ** thy brother shallrise agam," and, in a moment, the rays of immortality burst forth, and illume the dark and deso- late abode. In short, it reforms the vicious ; restores the prodigal to his father; and erects in the liegro hut,— 'in the Indian wigwam,— ■ ouroppor- urrence of ness,with- laysofthe in which, ch means (greatest in ]angu> t^^tf for conopra- ' does he I the dis- 't of Mis- ~ and the ir fellow rood, in h ; and -for all ble, are he Mis- ofthe sing its 7 hoit, try toil, ;round" against t enter- lerever I every fid that >e than in the vho sit y with ntains lirst." 8 con- mind. e poor more God's binds dthe s the mity >oth- lent, leso* iigal and in the African Kraal, the Christian altar on which pure incense h offered: and these abodes of filth and wretchedqess undergo a trans- formation as wonderful as it is pleasing, and become tabernacles of re- joicing. Peace'and industry smile around— the hills and dales be- come vocal with praise to God — " the wilderness and solitary place are glad for them, and the desert rejoices and blossoms as the rose." More proper or efficient means therefore could not have been em- ployed in promoting the good of men, than the preaching of the gos- gel; seeing that it connects with it all the good of body and of soui,— of time and of eternity. But is this not orerra^tng the gospel? The superiority of our condition informs us that it is not. VVhy Is our state so much superior to that of the Jews, Mohammedans and Hea- thens ? Why are not we roaming the dense forest, unconsbioua of the pleasures of civilized life, paying adoration to the Gods of our ancestors, and offering at their polluted and sanguinary altars, the dearest of our offspring ? And why have so many of us found an antidote to the miseries of human iil'e, and h^ve now a joyful hope of a blessed immortality ? We differ from others, and what maketb us to differ? Any thing in nature or philosophy ? No. But the gospel *^ which bringeth salvation," — it hath appeared to us, and all the blessings of grace and civilization have followed in its illustrious and sweeping train. Missionary enterprise not only contemplates doing good,but doing it <* unto all men," however remote their situation — insalubrious their clime — intricate their languagn — vicious their habits, or diver- sified their complexions, manners and creeds. Nothing of the con% tractedness of party enters into its designs, nor does it stop to take a part in the clangour of sectarian strife, but absorbed in the great- ness of its object, it pushes forward in the career of its overwhelming benevolence, to" preach the gospel to every creature," and pour its exuberant blessings upon all the nations of the world. Its object is to save immortal souls. For these it employs its energies — for these its lifts up its importunate voice, crying '^ give, give,^^ nor will it ever say it has enough, until it ha& explored every continent of the earth, — visited every Isle of the Sea,->eutered every habitation of man, — deposed every idol from its throne, — regenerated every pagan heart, — gathered'unto Shiloh every Jewish wanderer, — wrested ^ '.ery tro- phy from the Arab Thief, — and enriched Heaven with its r '.omen* tous spoils. Such is the object of Missionary enterprise, an object of all others the most noble that can engage the attention of man. How benevolent, how glorious, and how vast the design ! But is the object not visionary, and every attempt to accomplish it dictated by ignorance and enthusiasm? So say those who.view the obstacles in the way of its accomplishment through the microscopick eyeo('un> belief, and who, like the dismayed spies, endeavour to disseminate the same spirit throughout the camps of Israel. But tiiank the F^ord we yel have our Calebs amongst us to animate our spirits, and urge us forward to possess the land. It is true there are difficulties to overcome, but they are not insurmountable. There are strong holds to storm, but they are not invulnerable. There are giants to com- bat, hut they cannot stand before the liord of Hosts: and though there be walls of fortification, reaching up to the vciy heavens, they •iHill lf«mtil§ Hi Iht sound of tlt« trtiinp*!, tnd fall beror* tht ark of IMi liOHl. 9»^ iiAl Ihul II I* vhionarr, or tho offtr?etc«nee of a liOftloU ituAf^unlfoiii f^f llio mouth of tbo Lord bath spoken Co the #«»lNkry, aitU uiosl positively deelarod, that Jesas shall " hare the WaliMtH iW hie (ithertlanco, the utiertnost parts of the earth for his |»oseees(OM,— ami thai all sliall know him fh>ui the least to thefreat- oal.*^ As surely theroforo ae Ibe |o{a. Mi nJAy skall iaU M'oro iU r^pel, '' 9utt of victory sb«R prodaim tkfoutthout e»r4h and beaveo, thai ^^ tlse torti God omci potent reistt- •»h.*' 'i'ht f^fffhrtrlumtii^ Jbr JUtmonar^f opitrutiont form the next taptc&r U»»i»i»^ t/ur «tt^»tio/te 't^H preti«nt a;i;« may witJi much propriety b^deMgimtW, Ihe^ a^e oJ\^portuMity for dQin(^ gpood'; ^iv at no prt!« voding iHHHQii qI' Iho w#rld wore thera such facilities for miroianary v^rdlioan a.s the psesertt atibrds, ^rrd it cannot but be apparent ta «^ve»y reil^oting mii)d» Vntm tho paii»itt^ events of the day, that the ** iiUHi to lavi/ui' ^joii, yott that the let tunc i» come,'' and'an oppor* tiuoit^y la |AltH)ed withtti oui* reach oi' being e»tenMveiy uaeM to our Callow iHOi». 'VHii fiixHiU itinle of the ivcrld i^fhvorablb lo JIftsstonortf opererfftme— Vvttivy itHki^ who hnti ntiide himftulf acquainted with its last twenty yews' hiRlory> tuuHt litiow tllat it has undergone a considerable chfti)g«) during tliat poHudi very favorttbie to Missionary exertions. 'Ifho Iftuduble oilbfts of the Bible fifociety in promulgating to man«^ kind\ iu ivbout ou« hundred and sixty dilibrent languages^, tiie won- dori'ul woi'kH oi (>(>di tiuve iiuoDeedod in moving the nations^ and tiAtiiting nuiongftt thoiu i\ sfniit of inquiry rei&tiv'o to religious truth. 'IMiti iluilejike tliopi'ecurflurof I£uunanuei, has gone forth and is tM-ef)i4iiitK " in the w>l(iernr.«» a high way for our God," Who is at the liiiiul uftliat S4n»lt, but inviiHSiblly ui my which is tles.tined to orer- t)H'«HV Jill up{)ositiou, and to sobduo^tiie wljole world. Tliat the way is {HvpsHUg for this ikubie achieveuieni, must be obvious oven to a Mi|>etiiv-tal ob»ei'Vfr. The two g.r««t AiUiclui^tian pow«r8 are in a »1hIu of |>ov4ent«us agitation, and msuy of 1 heir votaries are begin* iMfkg l« lH'lr«y sio;«» of ili$6ttti$fa€4ion with the absurdities of their r««p«clivt; c«fH«l». The lia>tern churches aie aw«kiiTjf from their sluud>ei>, auUcrving tofjiose of the Wont " j;i\'e us of ifotir oil for «Kulaju|Ks ;n>>t;oue out,' 'l'he'»ost'iiitrlfij;etit ainoirgsl theidoiatrotis > ait* jutttuffslly l>e«:ouMii;; {)«r|>io.vt'tl aihd disgusted with the iu»ri<;*(4es n!)«J tjtfs ()t]»aj;auis4n. Copie.> ol'tlieHoljr Scriptures are i\4n*o<»t <>vt»rv\vliei« auiiously ilesired, uimA ea^riy perused,. Aitd Iwavt liuiiiin^ vo«ce)i» (Vom rtttious sections of the tmcbristiaiiixed ^vo»ld, iwi^woriox s(,>irituul i)elf>, are reiterated in the ears of the Ihrettors of iMissiionary x'^ocielies, Tfuis are the fields " white to ti»« h«rvt>«ti and althuw^h we do afr not stale thai in prery part of liie«i>, laborer* would !>« allowedto »"eHp without much toil and oppo*- Mtiow, yvtwu ai« bold to say that these things concurring sraiuita* sici flu fr •1 ht trk of •ace of a •n (o the bftve tht tb for hit be^at« *o survlj efTon of ktr with »" nign. ca their and tri« yroeUin at rei^. t topicfc ropnetjr Qo prt!« rsionarj irimt tit iiat t1i« > oppor*. i ta our tion».~^ twenty (iiBrafale ertions. t> man^ B won- 18^ antl' I truth; and ia >ut th» over*- IB vrny^ >n to a re in » begin- their I their ii for itrotis ^i the 'a are And mzed f the ie to irt of ppo* uita* Bcooaly, art lisns of th« tiaM which call upon ui to ** put in tbt »ickle and r«ap, for tht banrett i« rip«." The frutni tUmding of Uu Br%li$M naiian m tkt w&rldf i$ mm H k tr tit* €um$laneefaifrakUtoih€progn»§ojAR$$%oni. Without intMidiBfaBj iovidioat raflection on other oationa, I feal all tba coofidaoea which truth inapiras, in a? owing that Graat Britain axarta a paramonat im- fluance amongst tha nations of tht aarth. Soma y iald to this influanea from motives of attaehmaot ; others, from those of fear. For at what- •rer court, or in whatever coontnr, ahe faila to.aeeure respect, Ik* roaring of the British Lion never fails to inspire draad. That such ia her influence, is evident from the protection which her verj nam« af- fords. It is like a strong toii^er in which naanyybrs^gvsrs find aafety whilst travelling in the lands of peril and death j and even her envioua foes are often (ound amongst those individuals whilst far away froaa the land of 'heir birth. Connected with this influanea are, her extensive Dossessions. She haa her floorishing cok>niea in every quarter or the gbbe, which are increasing in numoar and magnitnde ; and even millions ol the heathen are under the control of heraaluta* rj sceptre. Her banners are waving in tha brease of avanr aone, and the sun is ever gilding some portion of her dominions. Her can- vas is swelling on every sea, and bar thunders shaking every contio tinent. These things furnish an opportunity to us aa Britona, af being extensively useful in the cause of missions, and not only amoagat the civilized, but the most barbarous and degraded of the huaoMi race. Situated as her possessions are in tha Mediterranean, in Airica, in Asia, in Australia, in America, and the difierant islands af the sea, they open before us in their respective vicinitiea, immenaa fields for missionary achievement, giving as immediate access to millions of our fallen species, and anor£ng communication cither directly or indirectly with almost all the tribes of men, to whom we can now extend oor religious charity, under the respecUble and in- fluential patronage of the British flag. Blind inaeed must be that man who does not behold in these things the operations of a giacioiis providence, which designs the British nation to take a leadiqg pait " in building the walls of Zion." With her is pre«eminently depoa sited the everlasting gospel, and these things mark her out aa a chosen instrument to take the most active part in its difiuaion.— Liika the Angel in the Apoealrpse, she is to fly in the midst af Heaven, bearing on her extended pinions the sacred deposit, that ahe may convey it to " them that dwell on the earth, and to every na- tion, and kindred, and tongue, and people." And I am happy to aay that having already commenced her flight, she has for some time been on the wing, and it is tki$ that renders her invincible in the field ofcontest,— -that crowns her arms with victory,— and extends her borders in tha earth. It is JAu, which makes anti-christian nations laint in her presence, and causeth Bel to bow down, and Nebo to atoop before her. And it is thi$, rather than the exeelleaey of her constitution, or the wisdom of her stateameo, or the prowess of her armies, or the strength and valor of her navy, that gives her such influence, respectability, and dominion in tha world. Britain is Heaven's almoner, and therefore Providence opens her way amongst tht nations for the distribution of Heaven's bounty. She blows the II (rumpti of tht Lord in hereampi, and tho ** Lion of tho tribe of Judah'* roan in her defence. No wonder then that her ene- mies should be scattered in confusion, and the nations should give place unto her. The number of men whom the Lord ia rniaingupfor the MUiionary fforkffumiehei anadditional opportunityjbr U$ awceeaful operation. The facilities already mentioned would prove of little real utility in pro- moting the desired object, were there not to be found men who are willing to hazard their livfls for the Gospel's sake^ in any land to which providence may open their way. Thank God, such men ara found amongst all denominations of Christians. They have felt the inspiring touch of the ** live coal from off the Altar/' and are glowing with so much zeal for tho salvation of the heathen, that they are ready to forego all the pleasures of home, and the comforts of civUixed ' hfCf that they may preach amongst the idolatrous Gentiles the un« tearchable riches of Christ. In their thirst for this interesting and hallowed work, they are literally exclaiming in the hearing of their respective churches, " here are we ; seed us. " And when they shah meet in the field of contest, though forming distinct companies with aome trifling difference in their uniform, they will be found to be only so many divisions of the same grand army, coAimanded by the aame general, arrayed in the same armour, contemplating the same (iesigns :— and in the overflowings of their zeal to conquer the com* mon enemy, their little differences will be as much lost, as the badges of the different battalions in the heat of action^ annidst the roanng of canpon; the clashing of arms; and the groans ofbleeding and dying men. But although such men are found amongst all denominationa of christians, yet amongst the Wesleyans are tn'ey the most numer- ous. Ninety young men, after passing honorably through a regular course of examination,were proposed to the last " British Conference,*' as candidates for the ministry, a large proportion of whom oflered themselves for miasionary service, ^nd were I to say that eur exten- sive societies could supply even more than these annually ,if required, it would not be saying too much ; for there are amongst us numbers of those Jn whom the word of the Lord is like fire shut up in their bones, and who only wait a providential call to bid adieu to the land of their nativity, to carry the glad tidings of salvation to every part of the world. It has been said that the world is the missionary's parish, and it ia pleasing to know that there are men willing to labor in any part thereof. Inform me of that savage tribe with which a Wesleyan Missionary would not take up his abode? Tell me of that pestilential atmosphere in which he would not breathe ? Point me to that wretched or remote habitation of man which he would not Yisit, and in which he would not dwell, and for the first time shall I blush at being associated with Wesleyan Missionaries. We lift up our eyes then, and' behold not only the whiteness of the fields, but also a large number of labourers qualified by the Lord, and ready to be sent forth into his harvest. Our pecuniary ahilily muat aha be ranked amongat our opportui^iea for Misaionary operationa. Whatever facilities the aforementioned circumstances may furnish for the spread of the Gospel by means of missionary efibrts*, pecuniary resources are essential to their efficien- »n ofthi lould f iva fuiionary fwn. The in pro- who are land to mon are felt (be glowing tnejr are cinliged the un« ing and -Of their ley shall lies with id to be by the )e same 16 com* badges roannif d dyin|r inationi nunier- reipular rence," offered 'ezten- quired, imbera 1 their >e land 7 part narj'a labor bich a ne of Point id not lall I iftup f but iyto nities oned as of iien- *; ej. The men whom God is preparins must be placed in the differ- ent openincs of providence to preach the glorious Gospel of the Sen of Gad, " ior how shall they (the boathen) hear without a preacher? how shall these preach except they be sent?'* And how shall they be lent except the professors of the christian faith shall send them? I am aware that many think that christians are no*.T making gratt exertions in this work of charity, and certainly thev are when com- pared with the frigid indiflerence of former times ; but when riewfid m connection with the population of Christendom, they dwindle into perfect insiifnificancy, and absolute trifles. It is true that about three hundred and forty thousand pounds sterling are contributed annually, exclusive of " government grants," for the diffusion of Christian Knowledge by moaits or Bibles, Schools, Tracts and Missionaries: — " but what is this amongst so many ?" When equally divided amongst us, what is the proportion of each ? I blush to name it! We each pay pounds annually for the luxuries of lile, but onl^ one halfpenny for this religious charity! Should we apportion this turn amongst protestant christians by whom it is almost exclusively raised, it will increase rather than wipe away our reproach, for it will be found that protestants — enlightened protestants,— for whose re- ligion both Heaven and earth poured forth their blood, pay some- thing less than three halfpence each annually for its circulation throughout the world ! But we may come a little nearer still, and enquire what proportion of this expense is borne by ua in this highly favoured Province? Gratitude as well as benevolence, call upon us to do our part, but alas! for us, we do it not. The amount expended annually m the consumption of ardent spirits may be estimated at about twenty shillings for each individual of its population ; but for the diffusion of Christian Knowledge abroad, only one Penny ! ! ! The Lord have mercy upon us! One pound to demoralize our happy country, and but one penny to bless the world! For the cause of intemperance one pound; — for the'salvation of seyen hundred mil« lions of immortal spirits, one penny!!! Blush then to eulogize our charity, and cease to talk of our vigorous exfirtions,for nothing com-* paratively is yet done,— nothing to what must be done — nothing to what we are capable of doing. Were Protestant christians like the poor disciple to do what they cotild, the gates ofHell vvouIJ ti-embl^, — heathenism with all its votaries would faint, and the false prophet would turn pale and die. Were we now to commence the work in earnest by retrenching all our needless expenses, lopping off every superfluous branch of expenditure, and calling into requisition all tho capabilities which providence has given us; who does not set*, that, in spite of all the complaints of poverty, and all the contortions of avarice, we coiiM increase ouv respective items of charity equal td the seed which falls into good ground, some thirty, some sixty and some an hundred fold, and greatly ansist in sending forth siirii a host of Missionaries into the Held of action, as would soon under God ficoiir the nation*, shake the eai-th, and revolutionize the whole wni-Iil? Such then, are our opportunities for doing good - such the signs of the times — and such the dawning of the latter day glory, when " at evening time it shall be light." Tlie grounds of Misaionary cTaiins now call for our ntlenUon, " Let us do good unto all men," says the \postle, and so says the Mission- ary cause which is imbued with the same liberal and benevolent spitit 10 of cbirit/. Beiog founded upon the broaJ basis of doing good unto oil meiH it tppealt to your benevolence, and claims support with the Toiee of an Apostle, and on the most proper and equitable grounds. It claimi support on the ground othumaniiy. The law of human- itj dictates compassion, and enjoins that we exert ourselres to miti- gate the sufferings of the human kind; and as this is the grand object of the missionary cause, it appeals to your benevolence with all the authority which the law of humanity can give, and with all the en« •rgetic eloquence which deep wretchedness can inopire. Open your •yes on those who~>e benefit missionary proceedings contemplate, and you will beheld a picture of misery sufficient to awaken all the sensibilities of nature, and call into exercise all the sympathies of the soul. Cast your eyes tov/ards Asia, and there behold the ex- posed and mangled remains of thousands of your fellow creatures, who yearly fall victims to the cruel Moloch of India ! There behold aged parents, abandoned by their unnatural offspring, and left in tha woods to perish without a friendly hand to close their eyes! There behold the innocent and smiling babe, torn from the bosom to which it clings, and torn too by a mother^a handf and cast into the sac red Ganges to be destroyed by the ferocious Alligator! There behold tba relentless grave devouring the living widow with the deceased husa band; or see her wrapt in flame upon the funeral pyre which has been lighted by the hand of her eldest son! There behold — but we can no lonj^er endure the appaling scene! Horrid shrieks and expiring groans affright us from the shore! But where in the tinchristianized world •hall we go, to meet with a more pleasing picture of human nature? If we visit the isles of the Pacific Ocean, we shall bo greeted by the Tell of savages more ferocious than the tiger, and behold man feed« ing upon man! If we pass through the Continent of Africa, despot- ism and blood will meet us at every step, and the shadow of misery will spread darkness in our path! If we explore this western world, the horrifying war-whoop, the blood stained tomahawk and the reeking scalping knife, will inform us that the misery of savageism prevails amongst the children of the forest, whilst the ignorance, impurity, and wretchedness of thousands of the degraded sons of Ham, will convince us that they are in a state of bondage more deplorable and cruel than that which enslaves their persons. In short, to whatever part of the world in which the gospel is not preached, our attention is directed, we behold the same melancholy picture; — and although in some countries it may be more deeply shaded than in others, yet in its lightest hues, the picture is sufficient to melt the hardest heart, and to rouse all the sympathetic powers of which human na# ture is susceptible. To meliorate this state of sufieringisthegrand design of Missions, and they therefore appeal to your humanity for support, to enable them to achieve this worthy object. Who amongst us would not designate that man inhuman, who should in our streets pass by a fellow being, wounded, and bleeding, and dying, without extending to him assistance ? And shall we be less severe in our remarks upon that individual who refuses help to those who are in circumstances of wretchedness infinitely more affecting and deplorable ? Shall we call such a being human, who tees the; tears and blood of millions, and who hears the groans of a perishing world without emotion ? For the credit of our own species we will disown him, and disown him justly:— for he must be more ■^ ol rJ P| el si tl II of d«f il than of man, to be so insensible (o the calls of humanity. The Missionary cause claims support on the ground otcomangmnUv* All men possess the same common nature, for ** the Lord hath madie of one blood all them that dwell upon the earth." Hence in whatever region we meet with man, we find hin susceptible of the same im- pressions,— capable of thelsame enjoyments, — and liable to the same evils with ourselves. His body is constructed like our own, and pos- sesses the same senses, — is sustained by the same process — passei through the same stages — and terminates in the same dissolution. And like us, his soul is both intellectual and sentient. It can perceive, and reason, and feel, and resolve, and remember: — and in every thing we are essentially the same." Nor has God given us a common na* ture merely, but also a common origin. No, says scepticism, for dif% ference of color and configuration, as well as remoteness of situation, are against a common Ancestry. It is readily conceded that these objections seem plausible, but they are certainly more specious than solid, as color may be satisfactorily accounted for on the ground of « combination o£habUfdiet and cZ(ma(e,these being the things which give to the inhabitants of the several portions of the Globe uieir respect- ive shades,and make a marked distinction, not only between Europe- ans and Africans, but amongst all the nations of the Earth. Hence it will be found by the impartial enquirer, that nations resemble each other in color, in the same proportion as their resemblance is found in habit, diet, and climate. As to difi*erence of configuration we some- times see great variety in this respect in the same family, and there- fore the sceptic might as well contend, that families who have not all the same prominent or retiring forehead — the same Grecian or Aquiline nose — the same round, long, or oval face, are not children of the same p^^rents, as to object to a common origin on the ground of difTeronce found in exterior form. And as to remoteness and in- sularity of situation, there is no difiiculty but what originates in our own ignorance. It is true that we know not how America, or the Isles of the Pacific Ocean were peopled ; but does our ignorance prove that they were not peopled from Asia, the birth place ot man f Is it just to be more influenced by our ignorance, than by the test!* mony of God which assures us that we have all proceeded from the same source? And if there should be difficulties in harmonizing those things with this fact, are we to deny it on that account.' If so, then, on the very same principle, we may alike renounce every thing in religion and philosophy, and sink at once into Atheism and universal unbelief. Seeing then that all men are brtUtrettf the law of consanguinity requires that we do them good to the utmost of our ability. ** This law dictates afiection which does not depend upon the accidents of stature, or compleuon, or age, or intellect, or riches, or poverty, or residence, or any other circumstance than that of brotherhood. It indeed binds us to furnish the greatest aid, and to manifest the ten- derest affection towards that part of the family whose necessities are the greatest, and whose circumstances are the most distressingV ** and on this ground does the Missionary cause urge a powerful claim. Let no one then be so base as to resist the claims of consan- guinity, or so depraved as to say with insolent Cain, "Am I my oroiher^$ KeeperV* but rather let us all say with the self reproaching Patriarchs, *' we are verily guilly concerning our brethren *' Guilty indeed, for millions of our brethren have long been in a perishing con« ^f* 12 dition, and what have we done to save them ? Contributed annually i one penny! li (his the afTection and sympathie. cause let them be exerted. Have you influenrc in the world? To this cause let it be directed. Have you fire in your souls? In this cause let it break forth Have you devotion in your spirits? For this cause let it ascend *.o Heaven. Have you money in your |iockets? In this cause let it be expended. l^len! Brethren! Christians! Hy what inspiring name shall 1 call you? Your duty is plain, and for its performance, humanity is pleading, — briithoihood is ent'-eating, — and Christianity is exhorting. There is no time for delay, whilst souls are perishir.g. What ye do then, do quickly. —Do it with your might.— Do it in spile of ail opposition, that the hles«ing of them who are ready to perish may come npon you, and (he cup of cold water not lose its reward. AMEN.