account, that we may win souls to Christ, and constrain men to say, We will go with you, for God is with you of a truth. Follow peace, Brethren, with men; and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Cultivate a peaceable spirit, that you may not afford a temptation to the many to seduce you into unholy practice. Beware of controversy. Guard against any thing like a spirit of harshness and censoriousness; and make every possible allowance for the peculiar difficulties and trials of others. Repel, at once, any suspicions which may arise in your own minds or be suggested by others, of the firm and unalterable attachment of the Society, and of full determination to consult your real interests and that of your families, to the full extent of its power. Remember that your are, and will be, the subjects of unceasing prayer to Almighty God-that your prosperity and success will give us joy and gladness-that we shall sympathize with you in every trial and difficulty and that, if spared to meet again in the flesh, we shall rejoice to hear the testimony of what God shall have wrought by you among the Heathen, to the glory of His Name. Nor be discouraged, if, after labouring long, you see but little fruit. You are sowing the seed. You are planting the acorn, from which the majestic monarch of the forest shall, in due season, arise. You can never adequately estimate the effects of your own labours. The husbandman waileth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and the latter rain. Be ye also patient: stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord druweth nigh. We might proceed, in the words of the Apostle-Take, my brethren, the Prophets, who have spoken in the Name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affection and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. But how did they endure?—as seeing Him who is invisible.-Fix, then, your eyes and your hearts on your Saviour, who, though unseen by mortal eye, is ever present with His servants. The bush burned, and was not consumed, because the Lord was there. The Young Men were cast bound into the fiery furnace; but the smell of fire passed not on them, because the Lord was there. Daniel shall rest in the lions' den; but, My God, he says, hath sent his angel, and shut the lions' mouths. Go forth, then, in dependence on this Saviour. Meditate on the example of His loving-kindness to His ancient people-on the exhibition of His power, as seen in supporting Apostles, and Martyrs, and Missionaries-on the blessed effects resulting from the labours of men like yourselves, in your own times: and thus, while you rely on the same all-sufficient grace and almighty power, be followers of them, who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises. Study their histories, and copy their example. You, my Brethren, have much to encourage you, of a temporal nature, which they had not: you have assured protection: you have a plentiful provision: other men have laboured, and you are entering into their labours. Think of these advantages, while you read the narratives of the solitary lives and the appalling dangers of many Missionaries. Think, too, of the many helpers, whom God is raising up around; and thank God, that He is thus providing Native Labourers, capable of sustaining the burden and heat of the day, who are looking to you for counsel and encouragement; desiring from you to learn the way of God more perfectly, that they may teach it to others also. In conclusion, ever keep the end in view. It is of little consequence, whether our lives are long or shortwhether our trials are many or fewwhen or how we die; if only it can be said, He walked with God; and was not! It is the end, which crowns the work. The Church may mourn over dying Stephen, and rejoice in the long-continued labours of the beloved John: and, for the sake of your work, we earnestly pray that God may long continue you in full vigour and usefulness; and that, as some of our Missionaries have now been many years labouring in the Stations which you are proceeding to occupy, you also may be preserved to labour during a still longer period, and with still more abundant success: but the period of the termination of our labours is of small account, in comparison with our diligence, our fidelity, and our devotedness. Be it, then, your object, as of sincerity-as of God-as in the sight of God-so to speak of Christ, and so to exemplify the doctrine of Christ, that you may be habitually preparing for His coming-that when you are ready to be offered and the time of your departure is at hand, you also may be able to say, I have fought a good fight: I have finished my course: I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing. And now, dearly-beloved Brethren and Sister, we commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all those which are sanctified. May the Divine Blessing rest upon you! May you be preserved from the dangers of the voyagesheltered from the heat by day and the cold by night-preserved from all the temptations of Satan-abundantly blessed in your own souls, and in seeing the fruit of your labours! APPENDIX II. ADDRESSES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY AND OF THE PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTI TUTION, DELIVERED AT THE OPENING OF THE INSTITUTION, 31st OF JAN. 1825. Address, by the Secretary of the Society, to the Students. BELOVED FRIENDS AND BRETHREN HAVING now, during the last nine years, had most of the Students of the Society for a greater or less period in my house, previous to their leaving their native land for their labours among the Heathen, it is with no common feelings that I resign a charge which has been so interesting and delightful to me. It has been one of my greatest comforts for that period, to have had in my family so many excellent individuals. Intercourse with them and their Christian conduct have often made my house like a lower Paradise; in which the communion of saints, and Christian love and sympathy, and hymns of praise, and social prayers, have given us some foretaste of those higher joys, in which we hope fully to participate hereafter. I can truly say, that it seems to me impossible for human beings to have given less trouble in the family and more comfort, than the Students of the Society. My servants have invariably regretted their leaving us; and have rejoiced in their coming to us: and I feel persuaded that I, and my wife, and my children have gained many a blessing from having them with us. It is, then, with feelings of deep regret, that I part with such a charge. Real consolation, however, is afforded, in the persuasion that the best interests of our Students, and their more effective preparation for this arduous office, will be materially advanced by the change. The incessant occupations of the Secretaryship have left me but very occasional opportunities, beyond family instruction, and conversation at meals, of attending to the preparation of our young friends for their work: and though it is my hope, that such opportunities as we have enjoyed have not been without benefits to the Students, as they have often acknowledged; yet increasing experience has shewn us the great importance, and, if we would do justice to the cause of Missions and to the Missionaries whom we send forth, the absolute necessity, of committing the Students to the care of Instructors who can give undivided and exclusive attention to the work. The Committee rejoice to place you under the care of our friend Mr. Pearson, as one fully competent to the Office to which he has been appointed. They have spared no means nor expense within their power, that might assist your progress in knowledge and piety, give you every advantage in pursuing your studies, and promote your preparation for your labours, your spiritual edification, and your personal comfort. The present plan has cost them many hours of lengthened discussion, many anxious thoughts, and a considerable expenditure of funds peculiarly sacred. For my own part, the more I consider the nature of this Institution, the more does the magnitude of its object rise in my view. The largeness of the design is similar to that of the Society in which it originates. The object is, that it should become a blessing, not merely to a few individuals, not merely to a large city or country, nor merely to a few uations; but that it should subserve, in its measure, the salvation of the Heathen World. Its design is not merely to do good to the present generation, but to successive generations till time shall end. Generations yet unborn, we doubt not, shall thank God for the Institution now forming. Its de. sign is not even limited to the present period of human existence; but it reaches its benevolent intentions to bless men through eternity. It concerns not man merely; it seeks to add joy to the joy of angels-to swell the heavenly chorus, with new songs of praise, and to glorify God Himself, by making manifest the riches of His wisdom, and grace, and love in the salvation of fallen sinners-in raising them from the very depth of misery, to the height of joy unutterable and never-ending glory. We venerate the Learned Institutions of our country. We bless God for them. They have been the Nurseries of learning and piety to our land. There, the greatest characters, that have blessed and adorned our Nation, have received the elements and first principles of their future usefulness: but, to my mind, there appears a yet higher point of blessing at which we are now aiming. Our Colleges bless our country. But, here, we hope may be trained those who shall benefit a benighted world those, by whose labours our country itself shall fill that high office, to which, in these latter days, God has so eminently called her-that of blessing the nations of the earth which are yet sitting in Heathen Darkness, with the light of Divine Truth. This is not an Institution for one country: it is an Institution for the whole Heathen World. The first building ever set apart in this country, in connection with the Established Church, for the sole and separate purpose of training Missionaries for the evangelizing of the Heathen, is this day opened and dedicated to that sacred purpose. To you, Brethren, we look for your part, that all these things may not be in vain. You are about to commence a new system. You will give the pattern to others, the example which may influence a successive series of Students, who will, from year to year, here be trained for their work. A bad beginning would leave an injurious impression, which might with difficulty be effaced. A good pattern, through you, will not fail to facilitate the important ends at which we aim. You will see and feel, I venture to say, that a kind and disinterested friend speaks to you, in the advice which is now given you. You know that he loves the Missionary Brethren: you know that he desires their best interests: you have heard him pour out his heart in prayers for them: you will consider, then, the advice now given as given in sincere love. We would, indeed, adopt the words of the Apostle, and say, Though ye know these things, and be established in the present truth, we stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance ; while we call you to recollect some first principles, in which we trust indeed that you are well grounded, but which can never be too often considered. Remember, in the first place, that you profess to be CHRISTIANS; and are called, by that profession, to live to the glory of Christ, to magnify Him, to suffer, and, if need be, to die for them. You have felt that He is worthy, for whom you should do this. He bought you with His most precious blood. He restored your souls. He sought you, when wandering far from Him; and led you in the right path. Your present, your highest joy, is communion with your risen Lord. He still intercedes for you. He upholds you in His ways; and will surely bring to His glory, all who trust in Him. Let this love of the Redeemer ever be the grand constraining motive-quickening all your devotions, animating you in your studies, leading you to submission and self-denial, invincibly draw. ing you to a total surrender of your selves to God. We can bring no more weighty motives before you, than these which are common to us all as Christians; which are the first spring of our Society, and of all efforts to propagate the glorious Gospel among the Heathen motives which, we trust, will ever be cherished in your bosoms, and burn with increasing ardour throughout your lives. Remember, also, that you are PUPILS. Subjection and submission are specially required of pupils. If the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be Lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the time appointed ; much more should those who are on the highest principles preparing for such an office as yours, yield themselves to those under whom they are placed. If there be one thing more than another in which your principles as Christians will be especially manifested, it will be in your cheerful and steady subordination. As Pupils, patient industry, also, and persevering diligence in study especially become you, while labouring to acquire the most important of all altainments-to be wise to win souls. By due attention to your present duties, you are fixing your character, as it regards your future labours. Habits of industry and application, now formed, are likely to continue through life, while habits of indo. lence and negligence now indulged, are not likely to be subsequently broken through. You are now, also, exhibiting to the Society that character, on which they must form some judgment of your conduct when you are far away from them. Oh that we may ever have such satisfactory evidence of your spirit, that we may have the utmost confidence and joy on sending you forth; and an unshaken conviction lodged in our minds, that, though we cannot watch over you, or be aware of all the circumstances in which you may be placed in distant lands, you will be ever consistent and conscientious in all your ways. Remember, further, that you are set apart as CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS-the Soldiers of the Cross; and that your very profession calls you to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. It is of immense importance to the general cause of preparation for Missionary Labours, that the course of the Institution be begun in habits of self-denial, not to say of hardihoodthat you do every thing which can be done for yourself, and requiring as little to be done by others as practicable. The great Apostle of the Heathen laboured with his own hands; and those who are followers of him will think nothing beneath them, that may really promote the good of the same great Cause. From what we have already seen of you, and from what we know of many more who have been with us, we have confidence that you will rejoice, when called to it, to sacrifice your own will, and ease, and pleasure, where they shall in any way interfere with the good of the great work to which you have devoted yourselves. Remember, again, that you hope to be MINISTERS OF CHRIST. This is not an Institution for the general education of young persons to fill ordinary situations in life; but it is specially set apart, a School of the Prophets, for the education solely of those who are preparing to engage in Ministerial and Missionary Labours; and it has the peculiar and distinguishing character of being composed of those who are believed to be eminently pious. Holiness becomes such an Institution. Levity, Worldliness, Pride, and Self-seeking debase and dishonour it. It may either be the greatest of blessings, through your piety; or may degenerate into an unprofitable and injurious expendi. ture of our means, through your want of piety. Oh that the grace of the Holy Spirit may be largely poured out; and may abundantly rest on those at the Head of it, and on all the Students, and on all con nected with it! Then, indeed, shall you here learn to be able Ministers of the New Covenant, and faithful Stewards of the Mysteries of Christ. Remember, too, that you aspire to the high office of MISSIONARIES—an office, far more arduous and more responsible than that of an ordinary Minister-an office, which calls you to leave your native land, to go to new scenes and new climates; there to attack the great Enemy of Man in his own territories, and to wage an open war against him among his own possessions. It is, however, an office, in which you may expect extraordi. nary assistance from God, and the special aid of his Holy Spirit. To be sent of God, on your work, is the highest honour which can be conferred on human beings; and calls for corresponding diligence in preparation, devotedness to God, and deadness to the world. There are Mis sionary GRACES-graces of the highest order bestowed on man-which you have to attain: such as, simplicity of faith, the meekness and gentleness of Christ, ardour of love, and the sacrifice of self; such as, a holy courage, patient perseverance, unfeigned humility, deep experience, and habitual devotion. There are Missionary GIFTS to be sought and cultivated—a sound judgment, the meekness of wisdom, a discernment of character, a talent for acquiring languages, and the ability of wisely adapting your proceedings to new and varied circumstances. There are Missionary QUALIFICATIONS to be acquired-general knowledge of various kinds; and especially the knowledge of mankind, the history of the World and of the Church, and of those countries in particular to which you are appoint. ed; and, above all, the thorough knowledge of the Word of God, and of Christ Jesus, the sum and substance of that Word. How much do you need Divine Grace, to bless your diligent preparation and endeavours for the attainment of all these things! |