WORK IN THE COLONIES. CHAPTER I. "THY KINGDOM COME.' THERE are few people, at least among those making any profession of religion in this Christian land, who do not repeat these words each day of their lives; and Sunday after Sunday their sound is borne upwards, from the hearts, we trust, as well as the lips of innumerable worshippers. But amongst the thousands who unite in offering up this prayer, how small a number ever reflect on the responsibility they thus incur ! Is it not generally acknowledged that when we pray for any temporal or spiritual blessing it is our bounden duty to make every exertion in our power towards the attainment of that blessing? Should we not justly deem that person in error, who, having prayed earnestly, "Give us this day our daily bread," should sit with folded hands expecting his daily sustenance to be brought to him without any corresponding effort on his part? How then can we beseech the ALMIGHTY to hasten the coming of His visible kingdom here below,—that is, the extension of the Christian religion throughout the world, as we do in this B petition,-how can we venture to do this if we are not at the same time doing everything in our power to advance that blessed object? Let each one of us then ask himself the question,- What am I doing to spread the knowledge of our BLESSED LORD and His Gospel amongst those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death? And to those who think that it is not in their power to do anything for so great a work, be it said, there are three methods in which the propagation of the Gospel may be advanced, and one or more of these is in the power of every living being. Firstly, by Personal Exertions. In all ages it has pleased GOD to raise up men who have devoted themselves to this work as missionaries-men, who have indeed “left houses and lands, brethren and sisters, fathers and mothers, wives and children, for Christ's sake and the Gospel's." From the days of the Apostles to the present time, there has never been wanting a glorious succession of those who have thus "climbed the steep ascent of Heaven Through peril, toil, and pain,”— And let us never forget,-we,-who in Christian England enjoy the full light of the Gospel,-that we owe that blessing entirely to the exertions, to the self-denying labours of such as these ;-to whom, doubtless, has been, and ever will be fulfilled, the gracious promise that they "shall receive an hundredfold now in this time-and in the world to come eternal life." And here we cannot forbear directing attention to an excellent paper which appeared some years ago in the Gospel Missionary, entitled, "A few Words to Mothers at Home about Missions Abroad," which clearly points out to English 1 Vide Gospel Missionary, vol. v. p. 60. mothers how much may be done by them in awaking and fostering a missionary spirit in their children. But there are many who by reason of their age, or sex, or other circumstances, are unable to give their own personal assistance in this great work. The next method of advancing the propagation of the Gospel, is one which is undoubtedly in the power of all, and that is,— Secondly, by Prayer. When our country is either threatened by hostile armies, or engaged at a distance in all the horrors of war, all are ready and anxious to join in fervent prayer for success to our arms, and comfort and support to the brave soldiers who are freely laying down their lives for their Queen and country. And most clearly it is our duty so to do. But, is it not equally, or much more our duty to intercede for those who are engaged in a far higher, far nobler warfare,-for those devoted soldiers, who beneath the banner of the Cross, and led on by the great Captain of our salvation, are fighting the fight of faith in all parts of the world against sin and Satan, the unfailing adversaries of our souls? The success we should pray for in this case is no mere earthly victory, by which, at best, some cities or provinces are added to our possessions (and with them a heavier load of responsibility upon our rulers and governors), or a few perishable honours are heaped upon our conquering troops. No, the victory we pray for is one in which thousands of immortal souls are rescued from the dominion of the powers of darkness; and the victorious soldiers in that battle need no fading earthly garlands for their brows, for to them it has been said, "They that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and over;" and "When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” ye Let us not then be backward to fulfil this great duty: let us not be satisfied with coldly joining once or twice a year in |