wils in the sea, in perils among false brethren : ariness and painfulness, in watchings often, nger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and ness. Besides those things that are without, hich cometh upon me daily, the care of all arches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? s offended, and I burn not?" (2 Cor. xi. .) He that goes forth as an ambassador of to heathen nations, should calculate on trials to these. Few, indeed, are now called upon the tenth part of such sufferings; yet so long are aliens from God, and unwilling to be reto Him through the atonement and mediation Christ, their malice will continue to plot, power to act, against those who endeavour 't them from the error of their ways. This iew of the dangers and difficulties attending y labours is all that can be contemplated at from the scene; for it is not possible to peculiar manner in which men will oppose ers of the Cross. But if the mind be epared for the encounter, it will not be by any suffering, privation or resistance, expected. attol Jeg sid teeb medt e countries, indeed-the dominions of the Company for instance,-where the mis

nothing to apprehend from the power of man. Nevertheless, he must not exxempt, even there, from various trials of 1 patience. Obstacles may arise, either norance, the pride, the pertinacity and of the inhabitants; from acts of self

denial to which he must occasionally be called; or from the relaxing influence of the climate on his body and mind, which he may find it much more difficult to encounter than any personal violence or insult. Yet if these impediments are met by that principle, "The love of Christ" (2 Cor. v. 14), which ought to animate every missionary's heart, they will make as little impression upon him as a shower of arrows upon an invulnerable shield. The soldier, instructed in the art of war, inspired with the love of his country, or ambitious of military fame, thinks himself sufficiently prepared for the privations and labours of a campaign, and for the duties and perils of the field. He turns his back on the friends and endearments of home, and is ready for whatever hardships and dangers may arise. He too could tell you, perhaps on his very first march, that no descriptions which he ever heard or read of a military life had come up to the reality. But obstacles serve only as fuel to the patriotism that fires his bosom. If he pause at their first encounter, it is only to consider how they may be surmounted. He may be taken by surprise, but nothing can dishearten him; and rather than desert his post, he glories in death.

It may be questioned, indeed, whether much of this military ardour does not arise in some cases from mere animal courage, which plunges forward, like a high-mettled charger, reckless of danger and death; or whether, in other cases, it is not forced against the natural timidity of the mind from a dread of the imputation of cowardice. A consideration of the shame that would arise from the desertion of his

En consequence of its perils, may well be imato induce a soldier to assume the appearance rage which he does not possess, and to impel orward in a service from which he would be o retreat. Viewing the military man, hownder the most favourable circumstances; givn credit for the most honourable feeling that spire the soldier's bosom; we would still rehe missionary that he has enlisted on a service uch higher order: for its character is unnable; its achievements are deeds of mercy; trophies are the souls of the redeemed.

be outdone, in valour and constancy, by the te for martial renown? Let him go forth with, at least, equal fortitude, and inspired ilar devotion to the cause in which he is ennd then will he be ashamed to complain of -for difficulties and disappointments, or to post in despair. Let prayer be continually ato God, to give effect to the energies of his I the operations of his hand; and he will animated with a confidence in the Spirit's shall enable him to soar above the highest hat may cross his path.

- often surprised at the vast disproportion ne number of Christians in the world, and years that have elapsed since the Christian s presented to mankind. Were the proaristianity dependent upon the means used fusion, its limited success might indeed . But the triumphs of sacred truth are he Lord: and if we consider the mental

and bodily infirmities of the agents employed; the inconstancy of some, the conflicting tempers and interests of others; we shall rather be amazed that God has vouchsafed to effect so much by such unworthy, such incompetent instruments. He can indeed, and, to His praise be it acknowledged, He does counteract the natural tendency of human imperfection, and make His strength perfect in our weakness. Out of the very eater does He still bring forth meat, and out of the strong sweetness (Judg. xiv. 14). He is able, either to curb the power of the strongest enemy, or to give it the rein, and guide it to His own purpose. He can turn the wisest coun

sels of the malicious to foolishness, and make the simple wise. Hence He has caused His word to prosper, even when preached through contention, to add affliction to an Apostle's bonds (Phil. i. 16). Hence the persecutions of Paul, designed to impede his work, promoted rather the furtherance of the Gospel (Phil. i. 12). The death of the Son of God, intended by earth and hell to destroy Him, and extinguish His light, then dawning on the world, was the prelude, the necessary prelude, according to the appointment of Infinite Wisdom, to His triumph over every foe, and to the laying of an immoveable foundation for His church.

Seeing, then, how absolutely even the enemies of the Christian faith are at the Almighty's command, or under His control, we cannot be surprised that He so overrules the infirmities of His servants, as to cause them, instead of impeding His work, to become the indirect means of its advancement. Of this Divine

intendance we have an affecting, a humiliating ce in the case of Barnabas, who allowed a priffection to make him forget his public duty to urch (Acts xv. 37). Rather than consent to smissal of his young kinsman, Mark, who had himself undeserving of confidence in the work Lord; he throws up the society and hazards e of Paul, his distinguished and faithful com

Barnabas then returned home, sailing with into Cyprus. But, though we hear no more xertions in the cause of the Saviour, it cannot osed that he would remain inactive. A disossessing his love and devotion, could not to preach the Gospel wherever he went, and new channel would be opened for the flow of rs of life. It is, however, worthy of remark, atever his real love to Christ might induce ndertake for the honour of his Lord, a veil à over all he did, possibly as a rebuke of his talled gas

ext that we hear of Barnabas was upon an and under circumstances which shew, that great Head of the Church will not permit es of His servants to impede His designs for t of man, He, nevertheless, chastises them Hulgence of sinful passions. Barnabas had

s devotion to the cause of Christ by dedihat he had to His service (Acts iv. 36, 37). a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, h" (Acts xi. 24). Much is recorded of his I sufferings in his Master's cause, up to the s separation from St. Paul; the fidelity and