DILIGENCE.

CE is indispensable in every department of istian ministry. Health is too precarious coo short to admit of indolence in any one, cially in him whose business it is to prepare the presence of God. But the Missionary v occupies a station where life is held on a ore uncertain tenure than in his native land. Id never forget, that "there is no work, nor nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave he is going;" and therefore, whatsoever his leth to do, he is to "do it with his might." he returneth to his earth, in that very day ghts perish :" and what a thorn will that man the pillow of death, whose indolence shall thoughts" for the conversion of the healie with him.

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idle missionary is such an anomaly, that I idered it unnecessary to pursue this suggesfriend, however, from India, who has careused these pages, is of opinion, that the ught not to be so cursorily treated. I will subjoin the remark which he has written in -in of the manuscript.

gh' an idle missionary be an anomaly,' yet be well to press this point still more forcibly. nary is a man after all, and has much cause

to exercise jealousy over himself. Many that are not absolutely idle, may still do their work in a dawdling, drowsy manner."

Such a workman has almost as much need to be ashamed of himself as the idler. But I will continue to indulge the hope that this word of caution will suffice.

PERSEVERANCE.

'seem as unnecessary to admonish a misto perseverance in his task, as to diligence in ution. Yet, how devoted soever a man apthe outset, he may very soon, and probably eet with temptations to desist.

I not think it possible for one who has entered missionary work in a right spirit, to allow the _ce, the obduracy, or even the violence of the ■, to drive him from his post. But among the onverts he may meet with discouragements t will be harder to resist. Where the disof caste is retained, some are found so uns occasionally to mingle with the heathen at estivals, and join them in the pooja and the This was especially the case when the Choorbus raged in India, about fifteen years ago. more consistent in the exclusive observance stian ordinances, may, nevertheless, display so E the moral character of the Gospel as to distheir minister. But let the missionary of concluding too hastily, that it is in vain to the conversion of the heathen. Such disapents attend every Christian minister, who is nterested in the eternal welfare of his flock; ave no hesitation in saying, that, as far as my nce extends both at home and abroad, the

Christian community in India would not suffer by a comparison with the state of society in England. The missionary is answerable for his fidelity only, not for his success. If he delve, with admonitions ; plant, with instructions; water, with prayer; the Lord of the vineyard will take care of the increase. Every builder of the Redeemer's temple should at least be careful to lay a good foundation, though he may be morally certain that others will build thereon. But if he abandon the momentous work in despair, merely because he cannot see the spiritual edifice rising, let him not suppose that the Lord will suffer the building to stand still in consequence of his desertion from his post: and when it shall be completed, and "the head stone thereof" brought forth "with shoutings," it is not hard to imagine the feelings of the man, whose negligence will have deprived him of the happiness of joining in the triumph.

Some have been induced to relinquish their work through the debilitating effects of a tropical climate, without waiting to give it a fair trial Most European constitutions feel, and in time many sink, under this influence. And where there is not sufficient energy of mind, or rather stability of principle, to counteract the languor of the body, we cannot be surprised at the impatience which some have shewn to return home. But the missionary should consider that the Providence of God has appointed him to the station he occupies, and that nothing but positive sickness or an obvious call of duty can justify his leaving it. If the heat render him incapable of doing all that he wishes, or of working exactly in the way that he had

1, it will be his duty to modify his plan acto circumstances; and it will encourage him vere, if he calls to mind the Saviour's approval oman in Bethany, "She hath done what she (Mark xiv. 8).

es, he ought not to think that he is doing, or nothing, when, through excessive heat, unable himself out of doors. He may always find ccupation at home, either in his study, or with chists, catechumens, and pupils.

when unwell, he should not take the alarm , and run away from his duty. We see mind civil officers struggle with disease through tted period of their service; and I am acd with more than one missionary in India who severed thirteen and fourteen years, notwithg frequent returns of a severe distemper, emthe intervals of health in a profitable manner. ionary should consider his sufferings as part ross which the Saviour expects him to bear. version of a heathen nation must be com. by foreigners; and it seems to be the apent of Heaven, that England should open to ves of India the treasures of Divine wisdom e. Very few who are engaged in this transenterprise can expect to escape bodily sufIf, therefore, every missionary were to retire e field as soon as visited with sickness, how the work be accomplished? The probable of the Almighty in giving to Britain the empire would be suspended; and the poor Hindoo emain in darkness and unbelief, until Jehovah commission some nation to supplant us in the