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number of Christian teachers is also great. the vast multitude of Ecclesiastics connected with the Roman Catholic and Greek communions, the number of Protestant Christian Ministers must amount to many thousands. And should we retrench even from these all such as are essentially disqualified for preaching the gospel; still there would remain a mighty host, who love their Master and his work, and who are highly qualified with learning and talents, as well as piety, to inculcate and defend the faith of the gospel, and to promote its universal prevalence and triumph. And the Christian world at the present period, instead of being inferior in knowledge and civilization to the other portions of the globe, is vastly and confessedly superior. This is the portion, to which Mahometan and Heathen nations must ultimately look, not only for their religion, but for most other things which are truly valuable either in science or in the arts of life.-The facts here stated conconstitute obviously not a single advantage, but a powerful train of advantages, in the hands of Christians at the present day for spreading the gospel.

The mode of operation pursued by Christians at present, affords them some advantages over the primitive saints, in their efforts to advance the kingdom of Christ.-Formerly, the different parts of this arduous and important work seem not to have been accurately defined, or properly distributed. The division of labor into the two distinct kinds, of making contributions and exertions at home, and acting as Missionaries abroad, was not sufficiently understood. And to such as were inclined to make contributions, the most desirable facilities probably were not afforded. The plan of combining efforts by means of organized associations, so far as appears, was un

known. Whatever was done, therefore, was done individually; and those who were able to do but little would not think it of consequence to attempt any thing. Those also who actually went to the Mission field, seem either to have overlooked, or (what is more probable) were prevented by the force of circumstances from employing, one of the most powerful means ever devised of assailing the empire of darkness;-I mean the establishment of schools, for the religious instruction and benefit of heathen youth.

It will be admitted, I should think, in view of these remarks, that the present mode of Missionary operation is in several respects superior to the ancient; and consequently that it places advantages in our hands of which the early Christians were destitute. The necessary division of labor between those who contribute at home, and those who are active abroad, is now understood and universally obtains. And to such as are willing to aid the work by their contributions, every desirable facility is at present afforded. The smallest mite is not refused, nor is it bestowed in vain. Every rill is directed into its proper channel; and every channel into a still broader stream; and the effect of all united is to swell the current of that mighty river, which is making glad the city of our God. Associations composed of individuals, and these united in larger auxiliaries, and these again combining their power, and bringing it to bear exclusively upon a single object-the dissemination of gospel truth,—must obviously give to the charities of the present day all that energy and efficiency which system and union are able to impart.The Missionaries abroad too are every where availing themselves of the benefits of schools. They are carrying into effect a system of

education, which, though necessarily slow at first, must if persisted in be sure-which, though not fitted to produce immediately a multitude of converts, is gradually undermining existing superstitions, and preparing the way for their ultimate overthrow.

Indeed all the advances in science and knowledge which have been made since the days of the Apostles, are, directly or indirectly, so many advantages in the hands of present Christians for promoting the gospel of their Redeemer. These advances, it will not be questioned, have been very great. But it is a well grounded maxim, that "knowledge is power;" and it is not more powerful probably in its influence upon any work, than upon that of promoting the gospel. Every step taken in the field of real science is so much gained to the cause of light and truth, and is fitted in some way, either more or less remotely, to subserve the interests of true religion in the world.

The comparison we have here made between the several advantages of the primitive Christians, and those possessed by Christians now, in relation to the work of spreading the gospel, must I think satisfy every impartial mind, that their unparallelled success is not to be accounted for on the ground of their superior advantages: For if in some respects they had an advantage over us; in many others, and those too I venture to say of greater importance, we have a decided advantage over them.

Perhaps it will be urged, in accounting for their successes, that the Spirit in a remarkable degree attended their labors. Wherever they went, the Holy Spirit followed them, and rendered their efforts powerful and effectual. This, doubtless, was the fact; but the question still remains, Why did the Holy Spirit follow them? Why did he bless their exertions more signally than ours? God, to be sure, is a sove

reign in the distribution of spiritual favors; yet he is not an arbitrary sovereign-and he never acts but in view of reasons. What reason then can be given, why the Holy Spirit should have accompa nied and blessed the labors of the primitive Christians, more than the labors of Christians since, except that they were more prayerful, more devoted, and more eminently holy?

It is

I am sensible, my brethren, that this mode of accounting for it must be a humbling one to us; still, I have reason to believe it is the only mode, evident, I think, on the very surface of the New Testament, that the primitive saints were more devoted to their work, more dead to the world, and more fervent and abundant in prayer-yes, altogether more, than christians are now, or than they have been probably at any other period. They were, as an apostle expresses it, crucified to the world, and the world to them. Its riches, its honors, its fascinating pleasures—all were "counted as dross and dung, that they might win Christ" themselves, and might extend the blessings of his gospel to others. By unceasing labors and willing sacrifices, accompanied by fervent and persevering prayers; they secured to themselves the constant smiles of heaven, and the constant influences of the Holy Spirit. They were continually in motion "warning every man, and teaching every man ;" and wherever they went they carried a revival with them. Thus their doctrines and their religion spread, and converts were multiplied. "Their sound went forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

And here we may see, my brethren, to what the christian world must come before a renewal of the triumphs and the success of primitive times can be

reasonably expected.

There must be a renewal of

the spirit of those times. Christians are not yet half awake on the subject, of spreading and promoting their religion. The world will never be evangelized in this way. Indeed those parts which are evangelized will scarcely be retained. The spirit of the primitive ages must return. The mantle of the Apostles must descend. The labors, prayers, and

sacrifices of the early christians must be renewed. Doubtless the frequent persecutions which those precious christians were called to endure, served to brighten their graces, and to excite their zeal; and if the slumbering church of the present age will not awake by any other means, God is able to kindle the fires of persecution again. He is able to chastise, and chastise, and chastise his people, till they will learn and follow the path of their duty.

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