The situation of St. Andrew's, on the sea coast, renders it exceedingly agreeable; the walks on the shore sometimes put me in mind of the Lake of Geneva, whilst the distant snow-capt Grampians represent the Alps in minature. These associations are

always sweet, much more to be desired than the smoke and bustle of Glasgow. But I conclude, praying for your spiritual welfare, and begging for an interest in your prayers, that I may be found faithful (fidèle) unto death.'

"Your friend and fellow-labourer in the Gospel,
"J. A.”

The Missionary Society, consisting of about sixty members, met once a month in the Divinity College, by special permission from the Principal, to promote the objects of the institution, by furnishing fuller information and more enlightened views on the subject of missionary labour, and suggesting and urging the most powerful motives to zeal and devotedness.It was resolved, that on these occasions, each in turn should read an original essay, illustrating or enforcing the arguments in favour of missionary undertakings, and bringing them to bear in all their variety of application.

As the formation of this society, and its subsequent proceedings, had considerable influence in leading John's mind by slow and cautious steps, from a general assent to the importance of missions, through all the intermediate stages of close investigation-a gradual perception of individual duty-direct personal appeal to the final, deliberate, yet most resolute and

warm-hearted determination to devote his life to the Heathen, it will not be unsuitable here to introduce his own record of the commencement and progress of his Missionary character.

At his ordination in answer to the enquiry, "What led you to choose the office of a Missionary?" after mentioning the strong attraction of his mind to the work of the ministry, and his preaching in Mr. Malan's church, he thus proceeds: "At this period the claims of Missions were strongly urged upon my mind by a zealous and devoted minister, the Rev. Mr. Empeytaz, of Geneva, then bearing opprobrium for the cross of Christ. It was impossible to remain unaffected by the solemnity and earnestness of his appeal; he charged it upon my conscience, and reminded me I should have to give an account at the last day. But unacquainted with the nature of the work, aware of the danger, and appalled by difficulties, I objected, and referring to my youth and inexperience, put off the thought till another time. Whilst pursuing general studies at Glasgow, the character of the Apostle Paul became a frequent subject of meditation; his self-denying labours, his ardent love to his Redeemer, and unwearied zeal for the salvation of souls, commanded admiration; whilst the prominence given to them in the inspired writings seemed to say, 'Go thou and do likewise.' His words especially in 15th chap. to the Romans, which breathe so much of the missionary spirit, 'Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: but as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not

heard shall understand,' deeply affected me whenever I read them; they seemed to cover me with reproaches, and excited painful and mixed emotions.

"The following winter, the formation of an University Missionary Society at St. Andrew's, and a friendship formed with the lamented John Urquhart, still farther directed my attention to the Heathen. That admirable youth, with the experience of years, combined a sound judgment, a cultivated taste, and a feeling heart; and no where did these excellent qualities appear to so great an advantage, as in his attention to and statement of the arguments for Missions. It became the subject of united and importunate prayers, of diligent enquiry, and daily consultation of the word of God. An Essay I was called upon to read before my fellowstudents, placed in still clearer light to my own mind, the positive obligations of Christians to spread a know-ledge of their religion. The thought was naturally suggested, that what is the duty of all, as Christians, might be the duty of some in particular, and the enquiry presented itself, whether myself, a candidate for the sacred ministry and anxious to promote the glory of God, might not be called to engage personally in the work. It was evident all could not go; many did not possess the requisite qualifications; and many were bound by every sacred and relative tie to their native land; those therefore, not circumscribed by these limits, are under a two-fold obligation to enquire what is the will of God concerning them in this matter. Searching the Scriptures at this time, with prayer for direction, a summary of their testimony on the subject, under the heads of prophecy and example, of precept

and promise, strongly influenced my mind. Consul.. tation with friends, information collected from various sources, the examples of devoted Missionaries, and the appeal on behalf of labourers from the London Missionary Society, finally determined me. The great reasons on which I found the propriety of this decision, after having received the sanction of my most judicious and experienced Christian friends, are, a settled assurance, founded on the most satisfactory evidence, that the Bible comes from God, and that it commands those who receive it to make known its all-important contents to their fellow men-the happiness I daily and hourly derive from its truths, and which I would not exchange for worlds-the awfully depraved and miserable condition of those who are deprived of the light of Revelation-a firm conviction that Christianity makes not less for men's temporal interests than for their eternal good-the nature of Redemption by Christ, its freeness and sufficiency for all-the revealed purposes of Jehovah to select a multitude out of all lands-the conduct of primitive disciples-and, lastly, the relation in which we stand to our Redeemer, and our desire to promote his glory. That there are thousands, who remain to be converted in this country, we readily and at the same time mournfully acknowledge; but the way of salvation is sounded daily in their hearing-of the far greater number it may be said, 'Their blood upon their own heads:' the Apostles did not esteem this a sufficient reason for staying in Judea, and had it been acted upon, the Gospel would not yet have reached these remote islands. For my own part, unless particular reasons could be assigned, as that I was totally unqualified for the work, or better suited to

is

some other sphere, or relative duties should forbid, or the way should become impracticable, no considerations would induce me to remain in this highlyfavoured land. Under existing circumstances, and with my present views, I should be violating the dictates of my conscience, were I to exercise my ministry. in this country."

The Essay here referred to is happily preserved, and shall be inserted, as embodying a condensed view of an extensive argument, and a lucid representation of the claims which this noblest of objects has upon every individual. It bears date March 8, 1825.

ESSAY ON MISSIONS.

IN contemplating the works of God, we must ever have been struck with the beautiful adaptation of means to produce the ends he has had in view. It might have seemed natural to suppose that the Almighty would have had no need of instruments to fulfil his purposes; that he who said to light, be, and it was—who speaks, and it is done to whose power no obstacle can be opposed-and whose wisdom is perplexed by no combination of difficulties--we might have thought that reiterated commands and the instantaneous fulfilment of them, would have been the general order of his procedure. Nothing seems to give us such exalted ideas of high and commanding authority, as a magnificent effect springing forth immediately at the slightest bidding; and they who have affected supreme authority amongst mankind, have aimed at securing the promptest obedience to their commands. But in this, as well as in many other instances, God's ways are not as our ways,