numbers, and nowhere has a revival of religion been experienced in the same degree as in churches distinguished for their devotion to missionary objects.

VIII. THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR COUNTRY are identified with the progress of this cause.

Peace, commerce, and with them national prosperity and honour, follow in its train, and it therefore invites the sympathies of an enlightened patriotism. Patriotism is a moral instinct; it is one of those principles without which human nature loses the last traces of its majesty, and in the renunciation of which, society severs the ties which bind it together.

What ought to be dearer to us than our country. The man who thinks lightly of his country, and feels no interest in its welfare, may be considered the enemy of his family-the enemy of his friends and of the community in which he lives. Nay, he is his own enemy; for, while he neglects the interests of his country he ruins himself; and we may boldly say that for us to abjure patriotism would be to become the enemies of God; for Britain is the sanctuary of piety and the asylum of distress. She is now among the nations what Jerusalem was in the zenith of her glory-the citadel of truth, and the Pharos of the world.

And Christianity is the true source of Britain's greatness and glory. What were our forefathers but a horde of barbarians under the gloomy and ferocious despotism of the Druids! Their lands polluted with religious murders! Parents like the early inhabitants of Canaan, offering up their sons and daughters, unto devils; themselves the devotees of cruelty and superstition!

Christianity has made England what she has now become the seat of humanity and benevolence. It has

delivered millions of its inhabitants from eternal misery, and placed them among the innumerable inhabitants of heaven. It has been the preserving salt of the British Isles

"More corrupted else

And therefore more obnoxious at this hour,
Than Sodom in her day had power to be,

For whom God heard his Abraham plead in vain."

Of all your empire; that where Britain's power
Is felt, mankind may feel her mercy too."

While the diffusion of the gospel is so calculated to promote peace and happiness at home, to prevent war abroad, and extend indefinitely the advantages of civilization, its influence in promoting national aggrandizement is very considerable. Compare those countries that are favoured with a divine revelation, with the nations that are destitute of this privilege; or even compare their present condition with their former state of Pagan ignorance and idolatry, and you will at once see the influence of Christianity on civil law, on the arts and sciences, on literature and commerce. If such are really the indirect advantages of Christianity, it should be promoted through the medium of every agency, commercial, scientific, and religious. Men of commerce in particular, who draw riches from those parts of the world where missionaries among the heathen reside, if they would have the special blessing of God upon their trade, their ships, themselves, their families, and their country, must aid this work.

Is it yet too early a period to inquire whether a society could not be organized consisting of these classes, having reference to the religious condition of those

parts of the world in which they are especially interested? A society to elicit and concentrate the energies of merchants, ship-owners, captains of vessels, and commercial men in general, together with gentlemen of scientific habits and professional pursuits. The interest which such individuals have in foreign lands, and their continual communication with them, call upon them loudly to regard the apostolic injunction, to "do good unto all men as they have opportunity." Such often have access to quarters that are altogether closed against direct missionary agency. Having such advan tages for disseminating divine truth, they are peculiarly fitted to become a most important medium through which every civil and religious advantage possessed by Great Britain might be communicated to millions who are now perishing in ignorance and sin.

The general design and object of such a society or institution might be thus declared :

"For promoting Christianity and Civilization through the medium of commerce and scientific and professional agency, and for rendering the influence of those engaged in mercantile, scientific, and professional pursuits, subordinate to the advancement of true religion and the promotion of civilization throughout the world." *

We exhort Britons, then, by the mercies they have received, by all that has distinguished the operations of benevolence so conspicuously in their own native land; making Britain the rallying point of all the great principles of human improvement, the ark and sanctuary of all that is sound in morals, all that is wise and enlightened in legislation, pre-eminent among the nations for political power, for commercial prosperity, for liberal institutions, and for the free spirit of her government,

* See Hill's "Philan. Repertory." A society proposed by G. F. Angus, Esq., and J. Douglas, Esq., of Cavers.

that they will fulfil their high destiny, embrace their glorious privilege; and, in accordance with apostolic precept, "do good unto all men."

IX. We are laid under obligations to promote this work, from the ADVANTAGES OF ENGLAND IN HER COLONIES, IN THE EXTENT OF HER ACQUIRED TERRITORY, and in the means and opportunities we thus enjoy.

The eulogy of Moses on the Israelitish nation is applicable to us.* Our "nation is great"; great in arms, in science, in wealth, in extent, in resources, in influences. "God is nigh to us." And is not the caution that follows as necessary to us as to them. "Only take heed to thyself, lest thou forget the things which thou hast heard and seen, and teach them diligently to thy sons, and thy sons' sons.'

The facilities which, as British Christians we possess for the diffusion of the gospel, are altogether unparalleled. Our foreign possessions spread over the whole earth. Our Queen has kingdoms not only in one or two great portions of the globe like the ancient kings of Spain and the present great monarchs of Russia and France, but in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Australia, together with a central point in the Mediterranean-extended regions in every clime are under her influence. From the Arctic to the Antarctic Ocean, in British Columbia and the Falkland Islands; on the confines of Persia, and on the borders of Burmah; in Southern Africa and Australasia, may be found territories depending on the crown of England. England has no rival on the sea; she is the queen of commerce and industry, and like a mighty colossus putting one foot on India, the other on Canada, she bestrides both hemispheres.

*Deut. iv. 7-9.