sion, and contempt; to remember the forgotten, to attend to the neglected, to visit the forsaken, and to compare and collate the distresses of all men in all countries."

ON CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

HE cause which has convened us together,

THE

which demands our serious consideration,

and which calls for our individual co-operation, is the missionary cause. And do I not speak within the bounds of veracity when I say, this is the cause of Christianity, the cause of Christ?

Our Redeemer was a missionary. His mission to earth was characterized with infinite benevolence. He came to seek and to save that which was lost." The High-Priest of our profession was an itinerant preacher. He journeyed from place to place, "publishing good tidings to the meek, binding up the broken-hearted, proclaiming liberty to the captive, the opening of prison-doors to those that were bound, and announcing the accep table year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God." And when He had accomplished that for which His advent was made-His bodily presence being no longer necessary among His

followers-He then led His disciples to Bethany, gave them His benediction, and directed them to go to Jerusalem and there abide until endowed with power from on high. There, on Mount Olivet, as they steadfastly beheld Him, He made His ascent from earth to glory.

It pleased the Great Head of the Church, on the day of Pentecost, fully to qualify His servants for the great work whereunto they had been appointed. And being thus prepared, they were to go forth and publish, to a world of sinners lost, the glad tidings of salvation, through a crucified and risen Redeemer.

Those first ambassadors of Jesus were richly endued with the missionary spirit. They had forsaken all for Christ, and could, therefore, individually exclaim, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” With them the eye being single and the motive pure, they were fully prepared to go forth into the field of missionary labor-willing to toil, to suffer, and to die-"not counting their lives dear unto them, so that they might finish their course with joy, and the ministry which they had received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the grace of God."

And the field of labor assigned them was not a limited one. Their parish was the world; for their credentials read, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” ye, therefore, and teach all nations." And their guarantee of success was, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

"Go

Now, for our encouragement in this glorious enterprise, let us for a few moments glance at the efficiency of missionary operations during the Apostolic age. We behold the first heralds of the cross, without public patronage, without money, without friends, going forth, having to contend with the false faith, the superstition, the prejudice, the iniquities then prevailing. Against all they proclaim the doctrines of the Gospel, which is "able to make men wise unto salvation." Glorious were the results which attended their ministrations. Thousands, both of Jews and Gentiles, were brought to Christ. Under one missionary sermon three thousand were awakened, made partakers of pardoning mercy, and added to the Church.

Thus did the word of God grow and multiply in those days. Prior to the destruction of Jerusalem, the missionaries of Jesus had promulgated the glad tidings of salvation in almost every part

of the then known world. They had traversed Asia, Africa, Europe, and many of the islands of the deep. The labors of those primitive missionaries demonstrate that they were possessed of the true missionary spirit, and the success attending their efforts proves that missionary operations have been abundantly efficacious.

We have not time, neither is it requisite to our purpose, on the present occasion, to trace the history of the Church from the Apostolic age to the present day. Suffice it to say, that the Great Head of the Church has kept up a living ministry, whose evangelical labors have proved successful in the conversion of thousands and tens of thousands. And, though the rain of temptation has descended, and the floods of persecutions have beat, and the winds of false doctrine have blown upon the Church of Jesus, yet has it stood secure, being founded upon the Rock-the Rock of Ages. Though many powerful and cruel persecutions have been waged against the followers of Jesus, yet have they boldly acknowledged their Lord and Master, and cheerfully sealed their testimony with their blood. True, thousands have received the crown of martyrdom, and thus, through tribulation deep, have gone to join the Church triumphant; and still thousands more have believed and been united