without it could have been realized. One distinguished individual has studied the subject of Missions for this purpose; and on the cause of philanthropy and piety he will confer an invaluable boon, if he is disposed to continue the effort, and to complete the course of which we have had some interesting specimens. No ordinary pleasure will be afforded to the writer of these remarks, if this and succeeding volumes should prove in any degree an auxiliary to such a result ;-to gather the stones for a noble edifice is no mean honour.

One conclusion has forcibly struck him in the examination he has pursued, it is the importance of giving stability and influence to what has been effected, in preference to the contemplation of new measures. This ap plies particularly to those stations which may be regarded as a centre of influence, or a fulcrum from which others may be powerfully moved. For we have not to do merely with. the individual case, but with its bearing and tendencies. A reference must be had to its relative importance, as well as to its actual necessities. To exhaust our means on an isolated spot might be justified, if that exclusively demanded assistance; but when the claims on sympathy are so numerous and pressing, they must at least primarily be expended on those places which warrant, from their connexion with others, an expecta tion of the greatest amount of good. When, for example, a dense cloud enveloped the Mission to Tahiti, the Directors of the London Society were asked-Why continue your agents there? And to this they might have replied, as, perhaps, they did-"Because, if we succeed, who shall limit the bounds of our triumph? Look at the islands so thickly scattered over the vast : Pacific, and comparatively so easy of access; and who will assert that the attractive influence of the Cross, experienced in one, shall not pass to another, and another, and another, until all, brethren in Adam, are brethren in Christ ?" On the same: principle, the Christian Knowledge Society no sooner heard Bishop Heber's declaration-" Here is the strength of the cause in India!"-than, instead of being diverted by otherobjects, to the neglect or enfeebling of this, they appropriated to it what appeared due to its relative importance as well as to its exigencies. In this path the Directors of Missionary

Dr. Chalmers. See Orme's Life of Urquhart. See Tanjore

institutions will do well to tread. Let them severally follow up what they have begun, unless, in any case, the soundest reasons should urge them to pause; applying their means like the skilful general, who does not disperse his energies far and wide, but brings as many as possible to bear on those points which, if gained, will command for him other trophies.

In all the movements that are made, there should be also a constant reference to first principles; since those on which the friends of Missions formerly acted, will retain all their force until the full glory of the millennium beams upon the world. Then only will the cry of human misery be hushed, then only will the charge to afford relief be repealed. As the flight of time hastens on that period, the eye may glance at the visions of prophecy, and at the success already obtained; Christians in America may be stimulated by Christians in Britain, and the latter may catch the ardent zeal of their Trans-Atlantic friends; but in none of these things should the mind be absorbed; the reference should be direct and unceasing to the woes of man, and to the solemn obligation which rests on every possessor of the Gospel to promote its diffusion. From hence two valuable results will arise; the one will regard the means employed, and the other the spirit in which they are used-the one will secure the proclamation of the truth, and the other the continued exercise of that devotion, benevolence, and zeal, which alone are suited to its dispensation and advancement.

Nor should it ever be overlooked, that in Missions abroad, and Missions at home, there is no place for supremacy, or even rivalry; the support of both should be cordial and contemporaneous. While Foreign Missions should not be delayed until Home Missions are unnecessary, the latter should not be sacrificed to regard for the former. Each should have its appropriate claim ;-it cannot be withheld from one without injury to the other. To allow the spirit of Foreign Missions to languish or evaporate, is to avert from our own land unnumbered blessings since here, it is true, that they who water others, shall themselves be watered; and to suffer that spirit to withdraw our sympathy from the moral and spiritual wants of those immediately around us, is to have their blood required at our hands, and to weaken the cause we intend to promote. The principal means now operating in heathen lands are afforded by the small part of Britain hitherto evangelized; let this

work proceed more extensively, and the means will be proportionably increased. Just as men are unsolicitous for their own best interests, will they be unconcerned about the eternal welfare of others; but in every accession to the Christian Church, there is that of one, who will gladly offer his efforts, his contributions, and his prayers, that the Saviour he loves may be universally adored. Well, then, may we present the petitions which were poured forth by ancient believers-"God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us, that thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all people! Let God bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him!"

ABBREVIATIONS EMPLOYED IN THE WORK.

L. M. S. or L. S., London Missionary Society.

S. M. S., Scottish

N. M. S., Netherlands

ditto.

ditto.

ditto.

U. F. M. S., United Foreign ditto (United States).

A. B. C. F. M., American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. A. B. B. F. M., American Baptist Board for Foreign Missions.

C. M. A., Calcutta Missionary Auxiliary.

M. A., Missionary Association.

M. S., Missionary Society.

A. M. S., Auxiliary Missionary Society.

U. B., United Brethren.

C. K. S., Christian Knowledge Society.

S. P. G. F. P., Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. B. & F. B. S., British and Foreign Bible Society.

B. S., Bible Society.

B. A., Bible Association.

A. B. S., Auxiliary Bible Society.

L. J. S., London Jews' Society.

E. J. S., Edinburgh

T. S., Tract Society.

ditto.

B. F. S. S., British and Foreign School Society.

A. S., Auxiliary Society.