tunities are offered, and extending your circle as circumstances direct or admit. It will be of especial importance to seek among those, who are Christians in name, for such as are Christians in heart, with whom you may be joined in one spirit. With such, of whatever denomination, it will be as delightful as it will be useful to cultivate acquaintance, friendship, and the most sacred fellowship. Some such may be found with whom you may take sweet counsel, and go to the Mercy Seat of God in company; hold stated exercises of devotion and instruction, and concert measures for doing good. Though the Association be small at first, it may increase and be advanced to great utility. Be this your motto-UNION OF ALL WHO LOVE the Lord JESUS CHRIST IN SINCERITY. Make it a steady aim to reduce the distinction of names, and forms, and minor differences of opinion, to their proper places; that they may not separate Brethren, nor obstruct communion, nor hinder unity of design or of action. Let the Prayer of the common Saviour and Lord, offered on that consecrated spot for his Disciples then present, and all that should believe on him through their word, be remembered with the deepest feeling: That they all may be one; as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. Should this divine sentiment, this spirit of celestial union, only be duly felt by you and a few others in Judea who truly believe in Christ; how soon might scenes, scarcely less refreshing than those of Pentecost, be expected. That it may be so felt,-and that the diffusive and vivifying influence may be realized, let nothing, Dear Brethren, be wanting on your part. At the house occupied by yourselves, if at no other place, you may find it safe and convenient to have stated seasons for social worship; at which you may open and allege the Scriptures, and hold such other exercises as shall be deemed most proper. Some true worshippers, some serious inquirers, and others willing to hear, may attend; and the word of God may grow, and prevail. You may also at your house be able to receive pupils for instruction either in a regular course, or in some particular branches. A few promising youth will be worth your attention, on their own account and on account of the services which they may eventually render to the cause; and in this part of your work, you will proceed with engagedness, as the way shall be opened to you. It will be a primary care, that your station become a Depository for Bibles, and other Books and Tracts, for distribution around you, and extensive dispersion. At all seasons Jerusalem is a place of resort; and from Christmas to Easter especially, the city is filled with pilgrims from countries near and far off. Opportunities therefore will be afforded continually for distributions to an indefinable extent. And if you find yourselves free to establish a Depository, and to make issues from it, and take care to let it be known in what languages Bibles and Testaments may thence be distributed, and what other Books and Tracts are wanted for the same purpose, you will soon receive, and will continue to receive supplies. You must not despise the day of small things. You must not be impatient under embarrassments and restraints. We know that your hearts are enlarged and ardent; we have great confidence also in the spirit of wisdom and of a sound mind which God has graciously given you. It will be put, we have no doubt, to a severe test; it can be adequately sustained, only by that same Almighty Grace by which it has been given. You must dwell in God; and be strong in him and in the power of his might. Though straitened in the circumstances of your situation, in Him you need not be straitened. When he pleases he can bring you out into a large place. From small beginnings he can advance your work in its several parts, to extensive operations and mighty results. It may be esteemed by the world a fool-hardy enterprise; but the world knows not what it is to trust in the promised aid of EVERLASTING STRENGTH. If, however, it shall seem good to the Sovereign Lord of Missions, that you should labour,as many of his servants have, both abroad and at home, without seeing tlie desired effects; still, if faithful, your work will be with him, and you will be glorious in his sight. If you are permitted to plant the grain of mustard seed, though it come not to be a great tree before you rest from your labours; it may ultimately, nevertheless, be for life to many nations, and for an everlasting praise. Your Mission,-associated as it will be, in every Christian mind, with all that is interesting in the ages that are passed and in the ages to come, will have a strong hold upon the Christian Community, and every circumstance of it will be extensively and decply felt. Does this oppress your minds with an appalling responsibility?-Let it encourage your hearts with the cheering assurance of being helped with many prayers. The Jews have been for ages an awful sign to the world. But the period of their tremendous dereliction, and of the severity of God, is drawing to a close. You are to lift up an ensign to them, that they may return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will return. The word of promise is sure;-and the accomplishment of it will be as life from the dead to the Gentile world. 'The day is at hand. The signal movements of the age indicate its dawn. It may be your privilege to prepare the way of the Lord. It may be your felicity to see some of the long lost Children of Abraham, returning with dissolved hearts; and confessing with unutterable emotions, that the same Jesus whom on that awful spot their fathers crucified, is indeed the Messiah, the Hope of their nation and of all the nations of the earth. It may be your distinguished honour to be leadingly instrumental in building again the Tabernacle of David which is fallen down, and the ruins thereof, and in setting it up; that the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom his Name is called. It will be our unceasing prayer, and the unceasing prayer of many, that your Mission may be crowned with all this joy and all this glory. You will tread upon the ground on which Prophets and Apostles trod;-on which Jesus Christ went about doing good, enduring the contradictions of sinners, and weeping over their obstinacy and wretchedness, until he sealed his message of mercy with his blood. Be it your care to tread in his steps. Keep your eyes steadily fixed, looking unto HIM; that amidst your toils, and difficulties, and discouragements, you be neither weary nor faint in your minds. He is your Leader and Commander. That Land belongs to Him. There again he will establish his throne, and will reign from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the world. And his word is sure, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne: even as I also overcame, and am sit down with my Father on his throne. We commend you most affectionately to the grace of God. You will ever be upon our hearts. YES, DEAREST BRETHREN, WE WILL STRIVE TOGETHER, AND THE CHURCHES IN THIS PLACE AND THROUGHOUT OUR LAND, WILL STRIVE TOGETHER IN PRAYER TO GOD FOR YOU; THAT YOU MAY BE DELIVERED FROM THEM THAT DO NOT BELIEVE IN Judea; and THAT YOUR SERVICE FOR JERUSALEM MAY BE ACCEPTED OF BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES THERE. By the Prudential Committee, S. WORCESTER, Secretary. |