not conditional, but absolute, and rendered to God irrespective of success. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good."

And it is this ignorance, my brethren, of the eventual success of the Gospel on particular characters, which adds vehemence to our zeal, and perseverance to our exertions. It prevents presumption on the one hand, were we sure of success; and hopeless negligence on the other hand, were we apprized of a failure. And thus are we supported in the prosecution of our work by the reasonable, spiritinspiring confidence of hope; and thus preserved equi-distant from the heights of arrogance, and the depths of despair, into which such a knowledge of futurity would tend alternately to mislead us. And is it not by the influence of such connected hope and ignorance that the great machinery of the world is impelled on in its ceaseless course, and carried forward in the accomplishment of its endless diversity of designs? Is it not on this principle that the husbandman prepares the soil, and sows his seed, unheedful of the nipping frost, the scorching sun, the unkindly blast, the destructive mildew, the withering drought, or the inundating flood?-that the merchant lays out his capital, projects his schemes, and extends his commerce to all parts of the inhabited world, heedless of the risk incurred, the state of markets, the change of times, the recurrence of losses, the bankruptcies of others, or the total and irretrievable ruin into which his speculations may possibly plunge himself?-that the traveller forsakes his native land, for pleasure, profit, or discovery; forgetful of the varying climate, the rapid stream, the deleterious' air, the burning sands, the raging epidemic, the trackless forest, or the liquid fire?—that the navigator breaks every tie which binds him to his home, to try his fortune on the mighty deep, incautious of the furious tempest, the howling winds, the hidden rocks, the crushing ice, the torrid heat, the overwhelming waves, the fierce tornado, and the gathering storm?—that the warrior shakes off the ease and luxury of peace, to seek the withering laurel of earthly fame in fields of battle, neglectful of the wearying march, the calls of hunger, the interrupted sleep, the spreading pestilence, the scouting enemy, the din of war, the blood of thousands, and the heaps of slain? Is it not on the united principle of hope and ignorance of events, that such anxieties are experienced, such works accomplished, and such labours undergone? hopeful of success, though ignorant of it? And shall we, my brethren, who are engaged in the last and noblest design of Heaven to bless the world, be less active, less self-denying, less persevering, than they? and persevering, too, without the certainty of particular success? The difference between our relative circumstances only heightens the obligation; for as the man of the world is merely

bound on the achievement of his own will and purposes, he can continue his course, or desist, at his pleasure. But the Minis

ter of the Gospel, the Missionary of the church, acts not for himself, but on commission; and is obliged, by the articles of that trust, to continue his endeavours until its objects are accomplished.

But although the probability of a failure is implied in the text, yet are we assured that it will be merely partial and temporary. It is probable that some of the seed will fail; but, by possibility, it all may germinate and grow; for we "know not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." It may spring up hastily, and afford a present prospect of success; but the sun may "scorch it, and it will wither away." Or it may long delay its appearance, and be, to all human conjecture, dead; but, by the influence of an unknown power, it may at length unfold its latent principle, and grow up with all the freshness of vitality and vigour. Difficulties may arise, obstructions may impede, and adversity may frown upon the Gospel now; but its ultimate result will be that of most glorious success. The "early and the latter rain" will, ere long, descend upon the .parched land, and bring its fruit to maturity; and the time will eventually arrive, when the angel which cometh out of the temple shall cry aloud to Him that sitteth upon the cloud, "Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe." (Rev. xiv. 15.) The word of the Lord hath gone forth, and it shall not return unto him void; but it shall accomplish that which he pleaseth, and prosper in the thing whereto he hath sent it; "for the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

We remark,

IV. That the motives which incite us to such diligence are sufficient and obligatory.

1. Amongst the different classes of motives which tend to excite our perseverance, we observe, in the first place, those arising from the nature of the work itself. The state of the world is a state of ruin; and the application of the Gospel is the only means of its restoration. The natural condition of man is a state of mental darkness, of continued, aggravated sin, and of alienation from God; and the design of the Gospel is to dispel that darkness, to pour the light of truth into his mind, to give repentance and remission of sins, to direct him to the only Mediator, and to establish a connexion with his God. The superstitions and idolatries of the world are to be replaced by a rational and spiritual worship; its systems of false and pagan theology, by the written word; its vain and temporizing spirit, by the Spirit of holiness; and its various forms of depravity and wretchedness, by the ameliorating influence of the Gospel. And it is this influ

ence alone which has to produce such effects. Mere civilization is out of the question altogether. The present condition of civilized communities, the exertions of civilizing colonies, and the classic states of ancient times, can all attest its impotence and futility. "The world by wisdom knew not God ;" and, therefore, it hath "pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." But for this, the New-Zealander would have been a cannibal still; and the horrors of war would have continued, until the last tribe had not an enemy left.

2. We are again induced to perseverance, from the present condition of the natives. The land is now comparatively at rest; the dismal howl of war is now no longer heard; and the branch of peace is everywhere displayed. Their wandering habit is in a great measure subdued, and the mutual existence and intercourse of tribes are established on lasting principles. And reluctant as some may be to make the concession, yet concede it they must, that this change of habit and feeling is solely the consequence of Missionary effort; and that the British colony of New-Zealand has to thank the Gospel, and the Gospel alone, for its present implantation in this island.* The lion has lost his native ferocity, and become tractable as a lamb; and that monster, whose former life has been spent in depredations of cruelty, and whose carnivorous appetite has been glutted with the flesh of his victims, is at length transformed into a man, and become the subject of religious instruction. And perhaps the quickness of apprehension which he displays in the acquirement of knowledge, notwithstanding the mental stupidity and destitution of his former existence, is without a parallel in the whole range of history, unless it be in the case of the African slave. His general inquisitiveness, and disposition to learn, are no less apparent than his capacity; and the combination of these and other excellent qualities in the New-Zealand character, (however bad it may be in many respects,) calls loudly for our diligence in their cultivation, and affords us a pleasing prospect of success.

3. Our perseverance is encouraged, likewise, from the strenuous exertions of others. In favour of the cause, there are the labours of our friends and brethren at home; advocating its principles, urging forward its extension, defending its rights, and supplying its necessities. There are the labours of our brethren of the Church Mission,

* Notwithstanding any difference of opinion which may exist on this subject, it is a concession which the highest authorities in this country have not scrupled to acknowledge, as will appear from the following extract:" Whatever difference of opinion may be entertained as to the value and extent of the labours of the Missionary body, there can be no doubt that they have rendered important services to this country; or that, but for them, a British colony would not at this moment be established in New-Zealand."-Minutes of the Legislative Council of New-Zealand, Dec. 14th, 1841.

stretching themselves beyond themselves, entering every “open door,” and sowing the seed with both hands. There are the labours of pious and consistent native Teachers, hastening to communicate what little they have received, and supplying our places in distant villages. There are the labours of Christian colonists, wherever they are to be found, exerting a silent, but powerfully infusive, influence by the holiness of their lives. There are the labours of the British and Foreign Bible Society, who have indebted the country to their memory by an obligation which can never be cancelled, either in time or in eternity. There are the united prayers of the church,-burning as a sacred fire, and ascending to heaven as the incense of an inextinguishable flame, upon the altar of every Christian heart, and acceptable to God through faith. And there is the blessed co-operation of the Spirit, descended as the " power from on high," as the "promise of the Father," to "abide with us for ever," and to "guide us into all truth."

There is also, on the other hand, in opposition to the cause, the spread of Popery in the island; introducing its ignorance, and follies, and superstitions; and exerting its baneful and destructive power on the supple mind of the native, by "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." There is the recent importation of Puseyistical principles, insinuating their Popish and pestiferous influence into every thing which is holy, apostolic, and divine; dividing the church, and undoing in one day what it has taken years to accomplish; teaching genealogies for doctrines, fables for truth, and causing the very Heathen to blaspheme. There is the power of European example, when that example is bad; and especially where it is connected with adultery, or drunkenness, or the sale of intoxicating liquors. There is the unrooted existence and prevailing influence of sin; and there is the undying hatred and malignant opposition of the devil, who only seeketh that he may destroy.

And O, solemn thought! but whether in favour of the cause, or in opposition to it, we cannot tell, (God knows,) but there is the late awful death of the promising and indefatigable BUMBY, whose quenchless zeal carried him into the very foremost of the field, where he fell, honourably and victoriously, at the very commencement of his Missionary campaign! And, more recently, there is the bereaving death of the ever-to-be-honoured and much-lamented WATERHOUSE, that veteran Ensign of our battalion; who, with the most dauntless intrepidity, carried the banner of our Saviour's love and mercy into the very thickest of the enemy's ranks; and who only retired into the camp to tell of his exploits, and to die of his wounds! O, my brethren, let us imitate such bright examples of fortitude and perseverance, and prove ourselves worthy of so good a cause!

4. Another incitement to perseverance arises from the character of

our office. In opposition to all the bigoted, exclusive, and excommunicating interdictions of others, (whose frown is better than their favour, and whose censure is our greatest praise,) we profess ourselves to be called of God, as the heralds of peace and mercy, for the communication of his will to man; we are sent forth as the " messengers of the church," and set apart to the work of proclaiming our errand. We are considered and supported as her agents, as the almoners of her bounty; and we are not at liberty to defraud the meanest pensioner of his share-and of his full share-in that charity. We are compelled, on the very terms of honesty, to perseverance, were there no other and higher motive to induce us. We are indissolubly bound to the work by the ties of love and of conscience; and our eternal salvation is involved in our continuance in it. But we would take encouragement,

5. Lastly, From the express command and promises of God. It is not every command of man which implies in itself either mercy, or justice, or propriety; but in the mandates of God there is the existence of them all. If, therefore, we are satisfied that the evangelization of the world forms a part of the divine will, and that we are in the number of those to whom the work is intrusted,-that we are in the true, scriptural, apostolic line,-then there remains for us but one course to adopt; and that is the course of obedience. We are not, however, to forget that, with his divine command, God invariably gives the power to obey. He does not leave his servants to themselves, to rely upon their own strength, or to go a warfare at their own charge. Our risen Saviour had no sooner given the command, that the Gospel should be preached everywhere, than he added, for the encouragement of the bereaved Apostles, "And lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." And the sequent history of the church records the fulfilment of that promise. His presence and blessing have been the portion of the faithful few wherever they have been found, whether in the splendid temple, or in "dens and caves of the earth;" whether amongst the refined and civilized nations of Europe, or amongst the uncouth and savage hordes of these Polynesian islands. Nor does its application refer less to the future than to the past. Its existence will be co-eval with time; and its term will only expire with the world. And, my brethren, God is with us now! Were he not in the midst of us, the Gospel would wither in our hands; our "counsels would come to nought;" and the expostulations of Gamaliel would be verified in the total failure of our work. Were not the rain to descend from heaven, and the vernal sun to exert his genial and evaporating influence upon the earth, its verdure would instantly disappear, and all vegetation cease. The existence of the one is an evidence of the other. And so with regard to the Gospel. Its partial or general success we consider not merely as a presumptive