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There are missions to the heathen, my brethren, in these days, as there were in those of the primitive saints; and Missionary Intelligence is published now, as truly as it was then. If therefore we would imitate the example of "the apostles, and elders, and the church at Jerusalem," who "gave audience to Barnabas and Paul;" we too must give audience and attention to the Missionary Intelligence which is published in our own times.

It will be my object in the ensuing discourse to exhibit the several advantages arising from an habitual and careful attention to Missionary Intelligence.. And,

1. Those who keep up an acquaintance with this species of Intelligence will hereby increase their stock of general knowledge. This may be the least of the advantages resulting from the study here recommended; still this is of sufficient importance to be particu larly mentioned.-Those who engage in the benevolent work of Missions, are usually men of cultivated minds. They visit the various regions of the globe; have ample opportunity to make discoveries and observations; and are capable of examining with faithfulness and accuracy whatever peculiar appearances nature, society, or art may present. Consequently, their journals are in many instances instructive and interesting, to the philosopher and antiquary, as well as to the Christian. Through the instrumentality of Missionaries, more real knowledge has, I think, been gained, respecting the present condition of the Jews, the natives of North and South America, the Islanders of the Pacific Ocean, and many of the debased tribes of Africa and Asia, than has been gained by all other means. Several of the more important Missionary publications of the present day would be

worth more than the costs of them, were it only for the advantages they present of acquiring general knowledge.

2. An acquaintance with these publications necessarily promotes valuable religious knowledge.—Religious knowledge may be gained, not only by a direct attention to the Scriptures, but by comparing the representations of Scripture, with the various appearances of human nature, with the exercises of Christians, and the operations of the Divine hand, under different circumstances, and in different attitudes. On this account, the peculiar circumstances, feelings, and duties of the Missionary, will be likely to suggest to him new and interesting views of religious truth, which it will be his duty and his pleasure to communicate. What a confirmation, for example, we have of the Christian doctrine of the native and total depravity of our race, in the accounts of Missionaries, relative to the debasing and bloody superstitions of the heathen, and their rooted aversion to every thing good. Here we may see what man, left to himself, is; and to what our fallen natures are capable of descending. And the frequently detailed operations of the Holy Spirit, in enlightening the benighted understandings of the heathen, awakening their consciences, renewing their hearts, and forming their vacant minds to duty and to bliss, open new sources of inquiry and knowledge, on some of the most interesting points of Christian doctrine.-From the letters and journals of Missionaries, we also become acquainted with the past history and present state of Churches and Christians in other parts of the world; and may have the advantage of comparing their traditions, creeds, and observances, with those received and practised among ourselves. But the most important

religious knowledge, resulting from an acquaintance with Missionary intelligence, is a fuller knowledge of our privileges and our duty. Until we know the characters and wants of the poor heathen, we cannot properly estimate our own blessings, or the obligations we are under to send to them relief. It is when we behold them presented before us by the faithful pen of the Missionary, in all the darkness and wretchedness of their present condition, and the infinitely deeper darkness which is brooding over their prospects for eternity, that our consciences are aroused to a sense of obligation, and we come to feel that we have duties to perform respecting them with which we cannot longer dispense.

3. An attention to Missionary intelligence is fitted to call into lively and vigorous exercise every Christian grace.This is a just conclusion from what has been already said; since growth in knowledge among real Christians, to whom every attainment is ultimately sanctified, necessarily implies growth in grace. But the point under consideration is capable of being illustrated, otherwise than by mere inference. What Christian can witness the strong representations frequently made in the pages of a Missionary journal of the native depravity of our race, and the depth of moral turpitude to which we are capable of descending, without feeling his benevolence excited, and the pride of his heart wounded and humbled? Or who can contemplate the wonders of power and mercy which God is continually performing in respect to such depraved, debased creatures, in bringing them to the knowledge and enjoyment of the gospel, without the liveliest emotions of admiration and gratitude, and the sincerest praise? Or who can reflect on the evidence thus furnished of the faithfulness of the Su

preme Being-that he remembers all his promises, and will speedily accomplish them, and not feel inclined to look up to him with increased affection, confidence, and joy? The accounts also which are furnished of the liberality, fidelity, and zeal of the recently established Churches among the heathen, are fitted more than any thing to reprove the slumbers of christians at home, and excite them to new and greater efforts in the service of their Lord.

4. By an acquaintance with facts relative to Missions, every plausible objection to the Missionary cause may be removed. The most charitable conclusion respecting those objections which are commonly urged against Missions is, that they are the result of ignorance. Persons do not make themselves acquainted with plain matter of fact pertaining to the subject; and of course unreasonable objections are conceived and retained. But all objections of this nature would instantly vanish, on a candid and careful perusal of Missionary intelligence. The objections, for instance, that the heathen are as safe and happy with their religion as we are with ours-that the principal object of Missionaries in their excursions is personal ease and aggrandizement-that the funds contributed for their support are wickedly squandered—and that their labors among the heathen are attended with no success ;-objections like these could no more subsist with a full knowledge of facts such as are daily published, than the darkness of midnight could subsist under the burning beams of a meridian sun. The most effectual method of dealing with honest minds, and removing their objections to the cause of Missions, is to continue publishing the

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truth, and to make them acquainted so far as possible with Missionary intelligence.

5. A careful attention to this species of intelligence excites an interest, and promotes an enlightened zeal, in favor of Missions.-The reason why so many persons, and among them some of hopeful piety, feel no more interested in the cause of Missions, is, they know very little about it. They may have heard remarks on the subject of Missions, and may have heard as much against them, as for them; but of the plainest facts, those which have been often published, they remain in almost total ignorance. This ignorance is, to be sure, inexcusable. When the light is shining all around them, they ought to see it. They ought to become acquainted with facts relative to the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom; and whenever they do this, they will unavoidably feel an interest on the subject of Missions. This work is so obviously good, so palpably benevolent, that no person of common candor or humanity can become acquainted with it, and not feel an interest excited in its favor. And as his acquaintance with it is continued and increased, the interest he takes in it will be increased. It will grow and rise just in proportion to his knowledge. And ere he is aware (i. e. if he has a good heart) he will find it has kindled into engagedness and zeal, and that he is now not only a friend, but a warm advocate and supporter, of the Missionary cause. His heart, his hands, his tongue, his pen, are all enlisted in its favor. He watches with interest its various movements, rejoices in its success, and is prepared to participate in its ultimate triumphs.-The proper mode of producing this desirable state of feeling in respect to Missions, is to scatter the light of truth and of facts; and there

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