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tributions that are given, and the state of missionary feeling among the churches. And, as I acquire information on any of these subjects, I feel it my duty to communicate it by conversation, by letters to individuals and societies, by lending, selling, and giving away books, by public addresses, containing statements of facts; and, if I ever preach again, by preaching missionary sermons.

"It is my duty to do what I can to excite others to suitable views, feelings, and efforts on this subject. For this purpose I should labor to remove all objections that are brought against missions; to correct all erroneous impressions respecting the state of the heathen world, and respecting the designs and exertions of missionaries, and missionary societies; to point out to the rich and the poor, the various ways, in which property may be earned or saved for this purpose. I should endeavor to direct the attention of those who are preparing, or who ought, perhaps, to prepare for the ministry, to the examination of their duty, and to the claims of the perishing pagans. In short, I should make it my object wherever go, whenever I write or speak, read or preach, or whatever I do, to bring into view in every suitable manner the wants of the heathen, and our duty towards them; to urge on ministers to preach, Christians to pray, young men to enlist, and people of every age and class to do all they can to extend the borders of Zion.

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"It is my duty to inquire carefully in what part of the vineyard I ought to labor. It is the duty of some young men to go to the heathen, of some to labor in the destitute parts of our own country, and of some to supply the vacancies occasioned by the death and removal of clergymen. Lord Jesus, whither wilt thou send me? I have often given myself away to thee to be employed any where, and in any manner that shall conduce to thy glory, and the salvation of souls.

"For many years past I have felt much anxiety on this subject. In the summer of 1810, about two years and a half after I became, as I hope, a friend to Christ, after several months of careful inquiry, I felt convinced that, if my life and health should be spared, and I should succeed in acquiring an education, it would probably be my duty to be a missionary to the heathen;-at least I was convinced that I ought to keep myself free from all engagements which might interfere with my duty in this respect; to direct my attention particularly to missionary subjects; to hold myself in readiness to go wherever duty should call; and to make my calculations with a view to spending my days among the heathen. During a period of more than six years I have had my attention directed to this object, and have had earnest desires, and fond expectations, that I might sooner or later 'preach Christ, where he had not been named.' My desires for the work have sometimes been strong, at other times weak. Sometimes my attachment to relatives, and to Christian society, my love for social enjoyments, ease, and convenience, have almost induced me to say, 'I pray thee have me excused.' But when I have thought again of the heathen going down to woe with no one to point them to Jesus; when I have read the command of my ascending Saviour, I have readily cried out, 'Here am I, Lord, send me.' This has been my language when flattering prospects have opened before me, when my attachment to friends. has been in mind, when I have lain down and risen up, when I have been in company and when alone. I have often said, 'It is my earnest desire to go among the heathen.' I have prayed that God would not hedge up my way, but grant me the desired privilege.

"But I was young, only eighteen, when I first resolved on being a missionary. Much that is unholy has been mixed with my feelings on this sub

ject. Many unholy motives may induce a man to desire this work. I wish, therefore, to re-examine all my past resolutions and plans, and inquire anew what I ought to do. I take it for granted that some young men, who are now entering the ministry, ought to be missionaries. Am I one of the number? In pursuing the inquiry, I desire to have no regard to private interest, personal convenience or suffering, reputation, natural attachments, advice or wishes of friends, any farther than it may conduce to the good of souls. I desire that my own improvement in holiness, my obligations to relatives, the preservation of my life and health, the acquisition of property and influence, the conversion of sinners and the glory of Christ, may all be viewed in their proper light, as I proceed.

"An inquiry on this subject may properly respect one's age, health, talents, habits, feelings, connexions in life, reputation, the leadings of Providence, and the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

"Age. Though men considerably advanced in life have engaged in missions with great success, as was the fact with Dr. Vanderkemp, yet, when new languages are to be acquired, new habits formed, and new modes of living adopted, the work should evidently be undertaken in early life. My present age, (twenty-four years, and a half,) I think may be considered very suitable. Should I be a missionary, I shall probably be able to engage in the work in my twenty-seventh year, if not sooner. No objection, therefore, can be raised from this source against my being a missionary.

"Health. The privations, the sufferings and the labors, connected with a missionary life, render it important that the man, who engages in it, possess good health. In this respect Providence has been to me peculiarly propitious. My constitution has never been impaired by sickness; my limbs and my faculties have never been injured by accident; my.

strength remains firm; my sight, hearing, voice, and lungs are unimpaired; and my whole constitution seems fitted for the fatigues of a mission. True, my health and life may fail; that I leave with him in whose hands they are.

"Talents. From the difficult and responsible work the missionary has to perform, we may infer the necessity of superior talents. It is comforting, however, to one who is conscious that he is not distinguished by native talent, to find that God employs the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty.' The representations of Scripture, which teach us that the work is to be accomplished not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord, may encourage those who, but for these representations, would never dare engage in the sacred office. But since the chief of the Apostles was chosen to go to the gentiles, and since the work requires so much prudence and skill, it becomes an inquiry, whether my talents direct to pagan lands, or to Christendom, as the field of my labors.

"It is exceedingly difficult for one to form a correct opinion of his own talents. When honor or reward is to be obtained, we are likely to put ourselves too high on the list; when duty calls, especially some trying, unpleasant duty, we often plead inability. It is no part of genuine humility to underrate our talents, and no part of faithfulness to take a place for which we are not qualified. I am blest with a good memory, and tolerably quick perceptions; though I have not that depth of thought, or originality of genius, which many possess. My talents are rather of the ready kind, and this, I hope, would be favorable for the missionary work. I must depend, however, very much on the advice of others in this particular. I trust it will not be presumption in me to offer myself, if nothing lie in the way but want of talents..

The history of the herdsman of Tekoa, of the Shepherds of Galilee, of some successful illiterate preachers of the Gospel in former ages, of the Moravian missionaries, and of many ministers in our own country, encourages me to think, that, with the talents I have, I may be usefully employed in preaching to the heathen.

"February 24. Habits. I set apart this day to pursue my inquiries. Are my habits such as would render it suitable for me to go to the heathen, such as would afford a prospect of success? In early life I was habituated to manual labor. This, indeed, was my almost constant employment till I was seventeen or eighteen years old,-was continued at intervals during my college-life, and has never been entirely discontinued.

"I was early fond of study, and devoted to it my leisure hours and days. I have at some times applied myself closely to study, so much so that I can safely say, there is nothing in my habits invincibly opposed to close application. Horne says, the missionary's habits should be rather active than sedentary. This encourages me. I love to study, but I love still more to be engaged in active employments.

"I have been in the habit of instructing schools, of teaching individuals, families, and classes, the holy Scriptures, of conversing and exhorting in religious meetings, and of visiting families.

"In 1815, I spent nine months in preaching, At that time I acquired a habit of writing sermons with facility, of sketching plans, and of preaching extempore, which I still retain. I have often had intercourse with men of erroneous principles, and have become in some degree familiar with their objections, arguments, and cavils. And I have had occasion to converse much with inquiring sinners. My habits of living have always been plain and simple. I was brought up in a farmer's family, and from childhood have been altogether unacquainted with

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