missionary, and sees the traces of his benevolence, and piety, and usefulness, may he imbibe much of his spirit, and live, and labor like him, only many, many more years. Go forth, dear brethren, trusting confidently in the precious promise of the Lord of missions. Go forth in his name,-from pure, ardent love to him, and to the souls for whom he died, and he will go with you. Labor and pray among the heathen in the exercise of this spirit, and he will be with you. He will aid you in making still higher intellectual and spiritual attainments; he will support you under trials, succor you in temptation, sustain you amidst all your arduous labors, and crown them with ultimate success. Always remember that he will be present; and always secure his gracious presence. He can do as much for you, as though his bodily presence went with you. And would you feel encouraged, were he visibly present with you, as with his disciples, when he tabernacled in flesh, that you might seek his wisdom to illumine your minds, his counsel to guide your way, his mercy to support you, his grace to give you success, and his power to defend and protect you? You may as really have his presence to do all this, as did his disciples, when he sojourned with them on the earth. You may repair to him as frequently and freely, you may ask as much, and expect as much, and receive as much, as though he should go forth in his bodily presence with you, from this day till the hour of death. Let your

this be your encouragement, your hope, your confidence at all times.

And to you also, my beloved brother,* who are devoted to the same great and glorious enterprise of evangelising all nations, but in a different sphere, this promise of our Lord Jesus affords animating encouragement. To you, in connexion with your respected associates, the churches look with high expectation; and upon you, and them, they have devolved vast responsibilities and mighty cares. By the presence and grace of the Saviour, therefore, you must be sustained, or you will sink into discouragement, and an early grave. But upon this assurance, you, no less than he who spends his days in distant, benighted climes, may confidently rest; and resting upon it, may find support and joy amid all your painful toils. Then keep near to the Saviour; lean on his bosom, and confide in his faithfulness, and you need not fear.

Finally, dearly beloved brethren, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, maintain constant and intimate communion with him; labor only to do his will; tread in his footsteps; seek the conversion of the heathen, that he may see the travail of his soul and be satisfied; and you will be able to bear witness, as you ascend upward from the ashes of this world, as you stand at his tribunal, and as you sit on a throne of glory, that he has fulfilled to you his promise, Lo, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN TO THE END OF THE

WORLD.

* It may be proper here to say, that Mr. Anderson, to whom this was addressed, is the Assistant Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions,

THE

CHARGE,

BY THE REV. ISAAC KNAPP,

OF WESTFIELD, MASS.

DEAR BRETHREN,

The office, which has now been committed to you, by prayer, and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, involves the most sacred duties, and the most solemn responsibilities. The glorious Redeemer, who has purchased the church with his own most precious blood, has constituted you messengers of the Lord of Hosts, and heralds of mercy, to a world lying in sin. The office which you have received, attaches to it consequences, which will extend to the judgment of the great day, and reach through interminable ages. We doubt not, but the work to which you have now been separated, has been the subject of your serious consideration and earnest prayer. You have contemplated its arduous and difficult duties, and we trust have looked forward to that day, when you must give an account of your stewardship. Still, on this occasion, which, to us, and to you, is most deeply interesting, we feel ourselves bound, as an Ecclesiastical Council, to present afresh to your minds, some of the duties of the Christian ministry, and to exhort you faithfully to perform them.

Though the work to which you are called, is, in many respects different from that of stated pastors, yet we believe that the exhortation of the inspired apostle is applicable to you, no less than to us; and, in language dictated by the Spirit of inspiration,

we do, therefore, "Charge you, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and kingdom; preach the word; be instant in season, and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine." That you may be enabled rightly to preach the word, give yourselves to study, meditation and prayer. Labor to furnish your minds with all that knowledge, which your peculiar circumstances shall render necessary; but especially with a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. Let that sacred volume be the subject of your prayerful meditation. Unfold its sublime and heavenly doctrines, and urge on the consciences of men its pure and holy precepts. Exhibit the tremendous sanctions, and the consoling and precious promises, of the gospel. Proclaim that suffering, and that glorified Saviour, of whom prophets and apostles spake; proclaim him, in the infinite excellence of his character, in the glory of his divine perfections. Preach those doctrines, which stain the pride of human glory, and which lead depraved and rebellious men to hope for pardon only through the rich mercy of God in a bleeding Saviour; and for sanctification only through the operations of the Holy Ghost.

The work, to which you are called, is in many respects peculiarly arduous and difficult, and though we have confidence in you, yet we feel, dear Brethren, that, with peculiar propriety, we may charge you, in the name of the Great Head of the church, Take heed to yourselves. The ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ must love him. Those who go forth to publish terms of reconciliation, must themselves be reconciled to God. When far from your dear country and friends, surrounded by heathen, or the worshippers of Mahomet, enduring privations, and worn down with labors and cares, cheerless will be your state, unless sustained by the love of Christ, glowing in your hearts. And without this, you will not be likely to maintain that sacred character, which will honor the office with which you are invested. Take heed, then, to yourselves; and let all your conduct testify, that you believe and love the holy doctrines and precepts which you teach.

Take heed also to the ministry. Receive the word at God's mouth. Let not the doctrines you teach be corrupted, by the theories and speculations of any modern metaphysicians, nor by