"to the Society, as a plan of useful tendency, " and which he has already begun to establish "with the concurrence of the native Princes,

presents a prospect of better hopes, and en

creasing means for the extension of the Gospel. "Some doubt has been entertained, how far, as Christians, we are authorized to adopt a system, which though mediate, is not the imme"diate method of dispensing Christian knowledge; this is no time for discussing that question; but if the thing is done, and the natives understand it, as an institution for "teaching the language only, never break their "confidence by seeking for converts here. Our "Religion is not to be advanced insidiously, but “proposed boldly, and the first moral principle "of Religion is good faith.

"The other sort of schools intended for breeding up children in the faith of Christ, " is a plan as old as the Mission itself; and it is a reflection not of the most pleasing kind, to

observe, that in so many years, no native has "appeared worthy to be advanced higher than "the rank of catechist. If any opinion of an

*This is only meant in regard to that part of the Pro"testant Mission, more immediately under the patronage

and protection of the Society. In the congregations col"lected by the Danish Missionaries, some natives have re"ceived their ordination; and, at this time, there are or« dained ministers of the natives, in connexion with them.

"individual may be hazarded, it is, that Christianity cannot take root effectually till there are native Priests and Ministers. I "speak this from authority; because in Greece †, Asia, and throughout the Roman empire we

scarce read of any successor to, or fellow-la"bourer with, the Apostles, who was of the "Jewish nation, except Aquila and Priscilla. "The imbecility of mind which pervades the "native Indians, we are well informed of by the

correspondence of the Missionaries, who allow that they discharge their duty well under the "guidance of another, but are not possessed of

stability sufficient to be left to themselves. "This, however, we conceive from the general "nature of man, that to repose a confidence,

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begets an inclination to deserve it; and to give "a man rank and consequence, inspires him

"We have been surprized (when upon several occa"sions we have made a progress to other places, and taken "with us one or two scholars out of our school) to find "how much this hath contributed to the conversion of "souls, both among Heathens and Christians."

"Letter from the Danish Missionaries. Protestant "Mission, 1718, Part 3, p. 31.

Timothy is esteemed a native of Lystra; Titus, of "Crete; Dionysius, of Athens; Clemens, of Rome; "Ignatius, of Asia; Polycarp, of Smyrna.

"See Cave's Lives of the Fathers.-See also the "Salutations in the conclusion of several of the "Epistles."

"

with an emulation to support it. If this is a mistaken notion, your future correspondence "on this subject will be of essential service in correcting our misapprehension...

"

One consideration, and that is, the means "of addressing yourself to Mahometans, has "been purposely omitted; and this, not because "it is an object of small importance, but because "the difficulties of the undertaking have never "been sufficiently weighed. In the territories

subject to European influence, where you "might propose your doctrines without danger," "the mode of approaching mcu of this per→ suasion, is a matter that requires greater length of discussion than the present opportunity will allow; and in the country of the independant Princes, to attempt the conversion "of a Mahometan, is death.-This is a danger "which no engagement that you have entered "into with us requires you to encounter,-and

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which, indeed, is no object of the present "Mission. But this we may say, in general, "with respect both to Mahometans and Indians, "that your hopes of success are not to be founded on superior powers of reason, superior. learning, wisdom or abilities; but that the purity of your doctrines, the fervour of your devotions, the candour, firmness and regularity of your conduct, the confidence, which at steady faith and conviction of the truth in

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66.

spires, are the true foundation on which a preacher of the Gospel is to build, and under God the only effectual means of propagating our holy religion.

"And now, dear brother in Christ, nothing "remains but to consign you to the department "to which you are appointed, requesting you to "assure your brethren in India, that their con "cerns engage the most serious of our delibera"tions, and that our prayers are ever offered " up for their welfare and success; and may the "God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ "confirm the call which he has given you, sup "port you in every difficulty of your ministry, strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you "to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our "Lord."

"MR. JENICKE'S REPLY.

66 REVEREND AND HONOURED SIRS,

"Your praise-worthy exertions in promoting "Christian knowledge among the Heathens in "the East Indies, justly attract the attention of

every one, who knows the great and most "comfortable importance of the Christian Re"ligion, who has himself experienced the blessed

operation of the same, and of course has the only saving truth, together with the eternal "salvation of his fellow-creatures, at heart. For,

T

"he being sensible, that there is no true happíness without it, a desire will very naturally " arise in him, that all may be brought to enjoy "the same. To him, therefore, it is a matter

of joy, and he praises God, the lover of all mankind, that such a Society of Christians is "established here, who make it a principal

object of their concern to promote that de"sirable end, by supporting a Mission, in order "to dispel the darkness of ignorance and ido"latrous bigotry among those Heathens; and I

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myself have always had a veneration for this "laudable Society, before ever I knew that

Divine Providence would place me in con"nexion with them; having always found reason to esteem.this Mission as a work of God; and "unchristian reasonings about it never altered my opinion.

"This was the situation of my mind, when, unexpectedly, the Rev. Dr. Schultz, at Halle, "made the proposition to me, whether I should "be inclined to go as a Missionary to the East "Indies. Feeling the great importance of such

a call, nevertheless, I took it into serious con"sideration. Not having a thought, as if I

were equal to such a task, yet was I fully convinced, if God had destined me to this work, that he would give me the qualifications ne"cessary. I turned, therefore, my face away "from all that was dear unto me, that is, from