The second element, or principle, of that spirit, which feels its obligation to do all that it may for the diffusion of our religion, is, a deep and strong sense of the reality, and power, and worth of our religion; and of the inestima ble blessings which it will not fail to impart to those, who shall cordially receive, and faithfully obey it.

I have dwelt, perhaps, longer than it may be thought by many to have been necessary that I should have dwelt, on the sentiments with which our religion regards the heathen world. But I know that there are not a few, even of those who have made some progress in religious knowledge, whose opinions on this subject are unformed and unsettled; and that there are not a few also, who reason, as I think, most unjustly concerning it. I was willing, also, to detain attention for a few minutes longer than I would otherwise have done, upon the first element, or principle, of the missionary enterprise, from a conviction that, if this principle be distinctly understood, and strongly felt, a preparation will be secured for the succeeding topics of this letter. These topics I will now treat as briefly as I can.

Is our religion, then, a reality? Are its doctrines respecting the character and government of God, respecting the condition of man in this world, respecting our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal life that is beyond the grave, actually a revelation from God to us? I appeal, then, to the consciousness which the Christian has of the power, and the worth of his religion. I appeal to his experience of its purifying, its heavenly influence upon the heart that receives, and loves it, and yields to it. I appeal to his experience of its adaptation to the strongest wants of his nature; to the wants of his

immortal nature; to his experience of its power of exalting the soul above all that would degrade and debase it; of bringing man to the greatest nearness to God, to which he can be brought in this world; and of giving, even here, a foretaste of the blessedness, which it assures to its obedient believers hereafter.

Who, that thus knows the power and the worth of the religion of Christ, will not most earnestly, most solicitously desire its widest, its universal extension? We may possess knowledge, and riches, and other sources of great immediate gratification, and be strongly sensible of their worth, and yet not only not desire their diffusion, but even feel our own interest and happiness essentially depend upon the very fact of our exclusive possession of them. But so it cannot be in regard to the principles and the spirit of the religion of Christ. In each one of its principles, and in every object of it, Christianity is stamped with the character of universality, which belongs to no other religion; and, corresponding with this peculiarity of it, is the spirit which it awakens in its sincere believers. Christian benevolence, the love which Christianity inspires, is a principle that cannot lie inactive in the soul that receives it. It will expand itself beyond the sphere of its capacity of action. It will wish, and it will pray for, the amelioration of the suffering, to which it can extend only the emotions, and the breathings, of its compassionate desires. It will wish, and it will pray for, the universal diffusion of truth, and purity, and happiness. Nor will it evaporate in a wish; or think that its end is attained, only by a prayer for the good of all men. It will not indeed waste itself on the expanse of ignorance, and

weakness, and suffering, and sin; or spend its strength where it can impart no light, or comfort, or improvement. But, while it diffuses itself, like that subtile, elastic, all pervading fluid, which surrounds and fills our earth, and is the life of every living thing, it will ever delight to concentrate its power; and here, and there, and everywhere, as it may, to accomplish the greatest good of which it is capable. Christian benevolence will never hesitate upon the question, whether it shall act, wherever it may act, for the good of others. It can no more live without this action, than the selfish principle can live without action for its own indulgence. Do I, then, address those who have a christian sense of the reality, and power, and worth of our religion? With them, the knowledge of an opportunity, and the possession of the means of more widely extending it, will at once secure all that, christian earnestness, and that christian benevolence, can accomplish in this enterprise.

In thinking of the early 'extension of our religion,the unexampled rapidity of its extension during the life of the Apostles; and in pursuing the inquiries, "why has it not since been more widely diffused? Why has it not long ago penetrated into every region, where civil government is established, and the arts of civilized life are cultivated, and where men are qualified to weigh the evidences of its truth? and, why has it not overshadowed, and withered the superstitions, and exterminated the false religion, and the idolatries, of Turkey, of Persia, of Hindoostan, and of the vast empire of China? Why has it not yet spread through Africa? Why has it not accomplished in the islands of the Indian

ocean, and in all those of the Pacific, the good which it is said recently to have accomplished in the Society Isles?"*

In thus comparing what our religion has done, with what we are very plainly taught that it was intended to do, we too easily rest in causes of its past and present condition, which leave the blame of the narrowness of the present bounds of Christendom anywhere, but where indeed it belongs; that is, with those who have called themselves Christians. It is said too, in our own justification, that the age of miracles has passed; and that converts are not therefore now to be made, as they were in the days of the Apostles. And then we resort to the consideration, that there is work enough to be done at home, without going abroad to proselyte. And, if still pressed upon the subject, we ask, "where, and what, are the indications of Providence, that our labors in the work of extending our religion among the heathen

* In the year 1773, Capt. Cook estimated the number of inhabitants in the Society Islands at 200,000. The missionaries think that there must have been, at that time, at least 150,000. But in 1797, when the missionaries arrived there, the number did not exceed 20,000; and before Christianity began to exert much influence there, the number had diminished to little more than 15,000. It is believed that two thirds of the children, that were born, were sacrificed to idols; or were thrown into the sea to propitiate the sharks, which were worshipped as gods; or were buried alive. In the years 1801 and 1802, Mr John Turnbull resided at Otaheite for commercial purposes; and has since published "A Voyage round the world, in the years 1800, 1, 2, 3, and 4." Of the inhabitants of these islands, he says, "their pollution beggars all description; and my mind revolts from a recollection, which recalls so many objects of disgust and horror. Their wickedness is enough to call down the immediate judgment of heaven; and unless their manners change, I pronounce that they will not long remain in the number

will be successful?" But I would ask any one who so reasons concerning the missionary cause, to bring home to himself the inquiry, as far as respects the intellectual and moral condition of the world, "what better indications had our Lord and his apostles of success in the work of diffusing his religion, than we now have?" I may ask, too, even at the hazard of starting those who have not so viewed it, if our religion be not, essentially, a religion of proselytism? Are not its designs respecting all mankind forcing themselves upon our notice, on every page of its records? Does it offer any compromise with false religion, or with idolatry, in any of their forms? Nay, more, I would ask, if Christianity is to be extended over the whole world, and if

of nations." Now, however, not less than 12,000, in these islands, can read the word of God intelligibly; considerable portions of which have been translated into their language, printed and circulated. Three thousand children and adults are now in the school. Many are able to write, and some are considerably acquainted with arithmetic. The pleasures of the domestic circle are now known among them. Industry has increased. Drunkenness has become rare. Theft seldom occurs; and murder is still more unfrequent. The aged and infirm are kindly treated. Hospitals have been established; and charitable societies instituted to relieve the afflicted poor. Their government is defined, and limited by a constitution; and the king and his chiefs have power only to execute the laws. Their wars are ended, and the weapons of war are perishing. Family prayer is almost universal. Twentyeight houses of worship are opened on the Sabbath, and eighteen natives are employed as missionaries in the neighboring islands. These are facts which require no comment. It would be easy to adduce many others, in regard to these islanders, which are not less interesting. But I would rather refer the reader, who would know more of this subject, to the London Quarterly Chronicle for July and October, 1823; and to the Missionary Herald for September, 1825.