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giving additional strength to our virtue and piety in general, and, consequently, multiplying the probabilities of our perseverance in the ways of God. Some people are amazed at the strength of memory in persons of extensive knowledge, not considering that every new idea gives an increase of firmness to all those notions and impressions which previously existed in the mind, through a certain evident connexion by which it stands related to the whole of them, provided the person has pursued his studies systematically, and generalized his thoughts agreeably to regular principles. In like manner, the enlargement of duty tends to strengthen the whole class of our virtues and graces, as a building is the more stable and compacted in proportion to the number of its interior walls and apartments.

It is chiefly on this principle, for instance, that the state of matrimony is preferable to celibacy. A state so divinely social gives existence and full play to some of the noblest natural affections, which form an extended ground for the operations of grace and virtue; and the mind feels as if it had greatly increased the dimensions of its own proper entity or being. Even the cares and afflictions which arise out of the state are often, on this account, the most important parts of the moral trial. The same principle applies to the comparatively-extended duties of a master, a magistrate, a minister of the Gospel, or a rich man, whose situation enables him to improve and dilate his virtue far beyond the limits by which a poor man is confined. Missionary benevolence is, however, a noble course of god-like action, in which we may all successfully contend for the prize. Let us, then, enlarge the scene of the operation of our Christian virtues, by putting both our hearts and property into the immense design of converting the whole of the human family to God and his Christ. Here is scope for all our activities, and, consequently, for our highest growth in grace, and the attainment of the noblest happiness of our own minds.

Some farther observations relating to this trust cannot well be omitted. It obviously implies the existence of rules and limits connected with the discharge of our duty concerning it. Trustees have their instructions given them, which they must not fail to observe to their full extent, and which they must not overstep. In our endeavours to convert the Heathen, we must preach no other Gospel beside that which God hath committed to us; nor must we preach it in any other manner than that which he hath exemplified and taught. Hence,

considering the difference of opinion in the Christian world respecting the Gospel, it seems most eligible and proper, that cach denomination should send forth missionaries suited to their own views.

Lastly. This trust implies, in justice and propriety, that those in whom it is reposed possess every requisite qualification and facility for the accomplishment of its designs. What monarch attempts to extend his conquests by calling unfit men to the command of his forces? Even heroes must be put in a condition to act by being furnished with every assistance. Thus God has dealt with us for the spread of his Gospel. The work is by no means either impracticable, or unpleasant, or unprofitable. It is the complete reverse of all these.

That God has made us capable of the most enlarged and disinterested benevolence, is a noble consideration, and one which ought to awaken all our endeavours to acquire the liveliest zeal for the salvation of the world. We must acknowledge that self-love gives a mighty bias to the mind. It is, however, according to an original law of our nature, that we enter feelingly into the interests of others just on the same principle, and from the same motive, which operate when we enter into the future interests of ourselves. We have, indeed, a real interest in futurity, which we have not in the welfare of others; but we must, by the force of reason and grace, carry our minds forward to it, beyond our present existence, before we can be affected by it. In like manner, when the interests of another are to be properly attended to, we must, as it were, go out of our present selves to meet them and reflect upon them. We desire good and avoid evil, as such, without regard to persons; and the sole reason why we do not feel for others as we do for ourselves is, that we do not sufficiently consider and appreciate what concerns them. It is for a similar reason, that certain bodily complaints procure less pity than others, because they are not of the most frequent occurrence, and we have had less opportunity of ascertaining the real portion of evil which they contain. It was by a due consideration of the state and interests of mankind; a right use of attention, of reason, and of imagination, under the direction of genuine religion; that the characters of the great Howard, of Wesley, of St. Paul himself, and of all the celebrated benefactors of the human race, were formed. And God has furnished us with the same sort of capabilities, for which we also are responsible.

But God himself absolutely works with us in our missions. Let us, then, proceed with confidence to our part of this great co-operation. Many prophecies and promises are completely on our side, and he will help us by his grace and Holy Spirit, as he does in the more private affair of our own salvation. He will do so by binding satan, which probably he always does in great revivals of his work. It is surely consistent with wisdom and justice, and with the general mercy of God, that he should, according to his own good pleasure, manifest his goodness pre-eminently at certain times. Here is no reproba tion, no injury whatever done to any individual. And as to Providence, the Christian world has of late years experienced a signal concurrence of events in favour of missionary designs; a concurrence which has demonstrated the contrivance and purpose of God himself in this great business. The success of the Methodist Missions abundantly confirms this; a success unexpected, and absolutely unexampled, in the history of missions. Twenty thousand converts in the West Indies alone, and two hundred and sixteen thousand in America, besides a more immense number who attend with them every sabbathday on the ministry of the word, are the fruit of the Divine blessing on your former efforts. The Gospel is still committed to your trust, and God still enables you to execute the work. Let us think of these things, and give ourselves wholly to them.

V. CONCLUSION.

WE must now dismiss the subject with the following thoughts. Though mere hints of inference from the whole, their importance cannot fail to strike the pious and considerate mind.

In the first place, we now see the true reason why the Gospel has been hitherto confined to so small a portion of the globe. It was committed to men who have not yet, as a body, been faithful to their trust. And why it was so committed, we have already remarked upon. Dr. George Benson makes a brief observation which ought to sound in the ear of Christendom like a peal of thunder: "It is entirely owing to the faults of mankind that the Gospel has not continued since its commencement to spread all over the world!"

Secondly. The glory of the Gospel being chiefly of a moral and Divine nature, God's own people, who alone have a spiritual discernment, are the only persons who can duly admire it; and from them, of course, are we to expect the best and

most vigorous attempts to spread its lustre to the ends of the earth. Are those, then, excusable who from their present darkness cannot see this glory? O no! do not thus deceive yourselves. Such is the magnitude and importance of the subject, that you are bound to enter on sincere examination of it; an examination this, which will necessarily lead you through the whole process of experience. A boy at school is not to be corrected because he does not understand all the depths of art and science, but because he does not rightly apply his mind to these subjects. Begin immediately. "Bring forth works meet for repentance;" and let your countenance, your good wishes, and your contributions in behalf of the missions, now be ranked in the number.

A third consideration is most serious. What an awful responsibility lies on the Christian world respecting the salvation of others! The work is great and arduous in itself, involving a variety of personal and relative duties; but its object is momentous in the extreme. There is a sense, consistent with the Divine perfections, and the moral freedom of mankind, in which the salvation or damnation of others depends on us, who are entrusted with the Gospel. The Christian world in general has been blamable for centuries in omitting to attempt the conversion of the Heathen nations. Before any one says, "Well, it was not my fault," let us reflect. A vast evil has existed some where. It has distributed itself nearly through the whole mass of Christians, on which account each is apt to except himself. But this is a delusion. All sin must be detected, and God will find means to unravel the mystery which hangs upon public sins with regard to those who are guilty. Let us redeem the time while we may, not only by repentance, but also, by instant and unabating zeal for the salvation of our fellow men.

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In the last place: With what perfect confidence and spirit ought we to engage in missionary affairs! We may proceed on the fullest conviction, animated by the presence, the help, the approbation of Almighty God, and with a view of the noblest prospects. The Gospel which we propose to send to all the world is no cunningly-devised fable, but a sure word of prophecy, to which" both ourselves and the Heathen should "do well to take heed." It is the gift of God; and what he gives to us we may boldly give to others. In a word, it is "glorious," and consequently it must be a glorious work to illuminate the world with it. Amen.

DIVINE PROVIDENCE ADORED

IN

THE LAMENTED DEATH

OF

HER LATE ROYAL HIGHNESS

PRINCESS CHARLOTTE AUGUSTA :

OR

THE SUBSTANCE OF A DISCOURSE

ON THAT SUBJECT,

DELIVERED IN

WESLEY-CHAPEL, MEADOW-LANE, LEEDS,

ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH, 1817,

THE DAY APPOINTED FOR THE FUNERAL OF HER ROYAL HIGHNESS.

"WITH equal force, pale Death, or soon, or late,

Knocks at the cottage and the palace gate."

CREECH'S Horace.

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