recompense their surviving relatives, they cannot alter the state of the deceased.

But, my brethren, while their perseverance in aiming to attain their favourite objects is an example for us, none of the objections above stated, at least in any great degree, attach to our plans. Certainly the object of societies for missions, and of all who support them is of prime importance, and our obligation to attain it is an indispensable duty; and, as far as our measures accord with the word of God, they are the result of divine wisdom. We send our missionaries (as they do their officers) at the risk of their lives; but we have scarcely a doubt, that if our missionaries should lose their lives their souls will be saved, and their bodies be raised to incorruptible glory. We likewise may consider, as far as we can, their surviving relatives; but we have the joy of reflecting that they themselves are receiving the reward of all the good which they did, and of all they would have done.

It may be incumbent upon us (as it would be on public men) to inquire whether by any inattention, or unseasonable measure, or any other means, the lives of our zealous servants had been needlessly exposed; and thus we ought to revise and improve our plans; but surely we should not be so disconcerted by events, which certainly cannot be thought unexpected, as to remit our earnestness: nay, indeed, we ought to redouble it. "Our love should "abound more and more, in knowledge and in all judgment."

I now hasten to conclude my discourse.-I do not preach funeral sermons for the sake of pane

gyrizing the dead, but in order to do good to the living. As to our deceased brother I am of opinion that our Lord's words to Nathaniel were applicable to him, more exactly than to almost any one I ever knew; "Behold an Israelite indeed," (Behold a Chistian indeed,)" in whom there is is no guile.” Simple, humble, teachable, heavenly-minded; affectionate, zealous, and devoted to the work in which he had engaged; every one who could appreciate spiritual excellency must love him: and even they who could not must be disarmed, and restrained from opposing him. He had not any superiority of talent, and he fully knew it, and was never offended at others for judging thus concerning him. He always seemed, without affectation, ready" to sit down in the lowest place;" and "in "honour to prefer others to himself," more literally than, I think I ever saw any other man. I never entertained a hope that he would ever appear eminent in the character of an author, or a translator of the scriptures into the African languages; (as I hope concerning some under my care :) But I had a pleasing persuasion that, when he had acquired enough of the native languages to make himself understood, he would, by his simple testimony, his conscientious, benevolent, and affectionate example, and his constant fervent prayers, be a valuable auxiliary to his brethren; and prove eventually a more successful missionary, than men of far superior talents but of inferior spiritual excellency. Nay, I had hopes (so distinct is heavenly wisdom from superior genius,) that his calm, dispassionate, loving spirit, willing to yield, and give up and bear any thing, rather than throw any hindrance in the

way of that cause, which was dearer to him I am confident, than life itself, would make him a valuable monitor and counsellor, especially to his junior brethren. But my hopes, and the hopes of others, it has pleased the infinitely wise God to frustrate; and it is our duty to bow in humble submission. I have not the slightest shadow of a doubt that our dear brother is with his beloved Saviour: receiving the gracious recompense of all the good which he did, or would have done and that Saviour, "the "Lord of the harvest," is able to raise up and send "forth other labourers into his harvest."

But retiring, as it were, from the view of the deceased, let us "look to ourselves." The views and principles which I have stated to you, and the language and conduct resulting from them; though more prominent in an apostle, a missionary, or a minister of the everlasting gospel ; are by no means peculiar to them. They are, most certainly, common to all real Christians; and peculiar circumstances and services only call them forth into exercise, and give them scope to shew themselves, and to produce their effects. But, my fellow sinners, are these your views and principles? Do your language and actions accord to them? "Examine yourselves :" "Seek "the Lord while he may be found, call upon him "while he is near."

But which, my brethren, is the happier man, even in this world? he who can heartily adopt the words of our text; and is satisfied that to "him "to live is Christ, and to die is gain ;" that, if he live longer, he shall live to be useful, and to ripen

for a "more abundant weight of glory;" and that, if he die, he shall go to be "with Christ "which is far better:" or he who is conscious that, if he live in his present course, he shall live to do mischief, and to "treasure up wrath ;" and that, if he die as he now lives, death will tear him from every good, and plunge him into every evil, without hope or remedy? "O Lord God "of hosts, blessed is the man who trusteth in "thee!" "These things we write," we preach, "that ye may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his "Son Jesus Christ."

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While any of you neglect the grand concern of your own eternal salvation, be not so foolishly presumptuous, as to give your opinion on the conduct of those who "count not their lives dear to them"selves," in seeking the salvation of their fellow sinners, in distant regions or inhospitable climates, in which eventually some lose their lives; or concerning those who encourage their benevolent and zealous endeavours. While you neglect your own salvation, you are evidently incompetent to form a judgment, or to give an opinion, on such important subjects. Therefore be silent; and leave these things to more competent judges.

My Christian brethren, while we mourn over the death of those who we trusted would have been spared for much usefulness, let us not mourn " as men without hope." When our dear brother and his companions left us, to embark for Africa, scarcely any of us expected to see them again on earth and is there any doubt of our meeting our

deceased brother in heaven? None, surely, except what may arise from a doubt of our own personal interest in Christ.

Let us not discourage ourselves or one another on the occasion; or be at all less earnest in promoting the glorious cause. Stephen is martyred, James is martyred, others, zealous in the service, are removed by death: but shall apostles, evangelists, Christians, be discouraged in their labours, or discourage one another? God forbid! Rather they will use all their influence the more zealously to promote the great object in view. "If in this "life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable." " If the dead rise not, "what shall they do who are baptized for the dead?" The soldiers in the front rank fall by hundreds; but others come forward, take the military oath, and succeed to their places: for they are assured that to them" to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

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Let us then " pray the Lord of the harvest to

"send forth labourers into his harvest:" let us pray most earnestly that the gracious Lord would spare the lives of the surviving missionaries, encourage their hearts, and animate them to attempt and accomplish great things, and to redouble their zeal and diligence, as the work is no less and the labourers are fewer in number. Let us also pray especially, not only for those who have lately left us, but for those that are with us; that they may not be discouraged, but rendered more simple, zealous, and devoted; that they may again and again count their cost; and that this painful dispensation may be overruled to render them more