Christ upon this subject are best illustrated by his own example;-the supplications which he offered to his Father were of the description for which we are pleading. We have an account of some short ejaculatory prayers of Christ, in Mat. xi. 25, 26; and Luke xxii. 41, 42; and also of a larger and more public prayer, offered for his Church and people, and given more at length in the 17th chapter of John's Gospel. All these were uttered out of the abundance of the heart, by the special aid of the Holy Spirit.

2.

If we look to the authority and example of the Apostles, every thing there is in favour of extempore prayer; for we know of no forms of prayer either enjoined or used by them. All the passages which they have written upon prayer, favour that which is free and unpremeditated, dictated by the inward state of the mind, and the trials and temptations with which it is surrounded. But without entering at large into the controversies which good men have had upon the point, I shall content myself with saying, that I give a decided preference to extempore prayer in the closet, the family, and the Church :1. Because it leaves the greatest scope for the devout exercise of the heart, and it is to the heart that the gracious Hearer of prayer looks; for what is a well-composed and well-expressed prayer, unless the soul breathes after God in it? It is like a well-shapen human body, destitute of the vital principle. Because it leaves the greatest room for the agency of the Holy Spirit, from whom real Christians, when in prayer, often derive such freedom of expression, such energy of feeling, such strong faith to believe the promises, and to wrestle with God for the application of the comfort of them to the soul, as constrains them to say, "this is the finger of God." Exod. 8. 19. "I cannot (says Mr. Jay,) but earnestly recommend the use of free and extemporaneous prayer, where it is practicable. There is in it a freshness, a particularity, an appropriateness, an immediate adoption, and use of circumstances and events, which cannot be found in the best composed forms." Bishop Wilkins, in his " Gift of Prayer," pages 11, 12., speaks so candidly and so suitably upon extempore prayer, that I cannot forbear introducing his remarks:- "For any person so to sit down and satisfy himself with his book-prayer, or some prescript form, as to go no farther, this were still to remain in his infancy, and not to grow up in his new nature; this would be, as if a man who had once need of crutches should always afterwards make use of them, and so necessitate himself to a continual impotence. It is the duty of every Christian to grow and

increase in all the parts of Christianity, as well gifts as graces; to exercise and improve every holy gift, and not to stifle any of those abilities wherewith God hath endowed them. Now, how can a man be said to live suitable to these rules, who doth not put forth himself in some attempts and endeavours of this kind? And then, besides, how can such a man suit his desires into several emergencies? What one says of counsel to be had from books, may be fitly applied to this prayer by book; it is commonly of itself flat and dead, floating, for the most part, too much in generalities, and not particular enough for each several occasion. There is not that life and vigour in it to engage the affections, as when it proceeds immediately from the soul itself, and is the natural expression of those particulars whereof we are most sensible." He adds, "and if it be a fault not to strive and labour after this gift, much more is it to jeer and despise it by the name of extempore prayer, and praying by the Spirit; which expressions, (as they are frequently used by some men by way of reproach,) are for the most part a sign of a profane heart, and such as are altogether strangers to the power and comfort of this duty."

After all, though I have freely expressed my opinion in favour of extempore prayer, if any reader differ with me upon this head, both in opinion and practice, I condemn him not; the great matter is, to pray with the heart, to pray in faith; and of those that pray in this manner, whether with or without a form, I can heartily say, "Peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." Gal. vi. 16.

THE HISTORY OF MISSIONS.

NO. II.

S. S.

IN giving a sketch of the history of Missions, I would observe, that the Acts of the Apostles contain the report of the first Missionary Society. The grand authority under which that and all other Missionary Societies act, is the departing injunction of the Lord Jesus Christ,-"Go ye into all the world, and preach, the Gospel to every creature." Mark xvi. 15. Far and wide did the labours of the Apostles extend, even, as some imagine, to Britain itself, in carrying the commission of their heavenly Master into effect. The sound of these faithful heralds of divine mercy reached Europe, Asia, and Africa; and the site on which it pleased God to reveal his

salvation, was eminently calculated, from its geographical situation, to be the centre of communication, by land or by sea, to the whole earth.

But, however vigorous and successful the exertions made in the early ages of Christianity were, papal darkness afterwards dimmed the eye of Christendom, and promoted, to Missionary exertions, only emissaries of delusion. It was not till the Reformation dawned upon Europe, that we can look for any thing worthy of notice in Missionary labour; and not early in the Reformation either, because the first Reformers had so much to do in struggling against the errors of Popery, that they had little time to commiserate and help the heathen world.

Two of the earliest indications of Missionary zeal, which we can notice subsequent to the Reformation, were the formation of Societies for Promoting Christian Knowledge,one in Scotland, and the other in England, under the respective Churches of these countries, about the beginning of the seventeenth century. The great apostle of the Scottish Society was Brainerd, whose life forms a model for Missionaries, and is generally put into the hands of young men who purpose to enter the Missionary field, that they may see in him the qualifications they should possess, and the devotedness they should exhibit. Of the English Society, though Zirgenbald preceded him, yet Swartz was by far the most distinguished agent, and left on the peninsula of India an impression of the importance of Missionary exertion, that will never be oblite rated. It is remarkable that the Scottish Society should have directed its peculiar attention to the Western world, while the English Society devoted itself to the Eastern world; and thus, in both hemispheres at once, the way was preparing for more extended Missionary exertions.

de

About the year 1730, the Moravians, as a body, began to distinguish themselves by Missionary zeal. Two of their first Missionaries went out to the negroes of the West Indies, termined, if they found no other way of access to these outcasts of men, to sell themselves as slaves, and thus to work side by side with them, that they might have an opportunity of proclaiming to them the unsearchable riches of Christ. The devoted Missionaries of this Society have, also, long and successfully laboured on the icy shores of Greenland. With small resources, and with simple-minded men whose testimony was constantly directed to Jesus Christ and him crucified, this Society has been greatly acknowledged of God, in turning heathens, in the West Indies and the Northern re

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gions, from darkness to light, and the power of Satan unte God; and, as long as the history of Missions shall endure, their labours of love shall be told as a memorial concerning them.

About the year 1750, the Methodists commenced their Missionary exertions, by the Rev. J. Wesley crossing the Atlantic to Georgia, in America. But the most distinguished champion of this Society in Missions was Dr. Coke. On a voyage to America, he was unexpectedly cast into the West Indies, and caught an interest in the distressed negroes that never forsook him, as long as he lived. For many years, he, almost single-handed, sent out men, and begged from door to door for their support, devoting largely of his own private resources, at the same time, to this important work: and he finally closed his life and labours in going out to Ceylon with a chosen band of Missionaries, whose labours have extended even as far as New South Wales. This Society has, also, been eminently blessed in the conversion of sinners, both in the West Indies and the Eastern world.

About the year 1793, the Baptist Missionary Society commenced its operations. Carey and Marshman soon after went out to continental India; and, after surmounting many difficulties, arising from the exclusive power of the East India Company, who were not then friendly to Missions, they formed their settlement at Serampore. These worthy men, aided by their excellent wives, and assisted by Bard, as a devoted fellow-labourer and printer, earned, by their literary labours, many thousands of pounds, which they devoted to the spread of religious knowledge, and the extension of Missionary labours. Pearce, of Birmingham, one of the finest spirits that ever actuated a human frame, and one of the fondest friends of Missions, created an interest in their cause at home; and they have laboured and reaped the fruits of their labours, in the ingathering of souls to Shiloh, to a great and glorious

extent.

About the year 1795, arose the London Missionary Society, constituted of members of different religious denominations. Its first great effort was directed to the far distant islands of the Pacific Ocean, particularly Otaheite, and there in its vicinity many distressing occurrences took place, to try. the faith and patience of the people of God, both in the Mission and the Society. Repeatedly did the Rev. Dr. Hawies give £500 at a time, to encourage their perseverance in their unprecedented labours. But, after more than fifteen years of

severe trial, God poured out his spirit in a degree scarcely exceeded since the days of the Apostles. Whole islands, as by a divine impulse, cast away their idols, sought religious instruction, were convinced of sin, and converted to God. The work has extended among the Society and Friendly Islands, and to the more distant regions of the Sandwich Islands. Africa and the Eastern world have, also, largely shared in the labours of this Society. China and its dependencies have been cheered by the labours of its Missionaries, particularly Drs. Morrison and Mylne. The names of the Rev. George Burder, Rev. James Hughes, Drs. Bogue, of Gosport, and Waugh, of Lon. don, stand distinguished, as the originating and leading members of this Society. Dr. Waugh framed the fundamental law of the Society," that it was not its design to send Episcopacy, Presbyterianism, Independency, or any other form of Church government, but the glorious Gospel of the blessed God to the heathen;" and this Gospel has been eminently made, by its means, the power of God, in the salvation of souls. The Rev. Matthew Wilks and the Rev. Rowland Hill, were nursing-fathers to this institution.

About the year 1810, the Scottish Missionary Society commenced its operations. Its chief exertions, for a length of time, were directed to the vicinity of Astracan, in the Southern dependencies of Russia; but its labours there were latterly much impeded, and the Society has turned its attention to the East, but more particularly to the West Indies. Many of the West India planters are of Scottish origin, and this Society has their peculiar confidence. They are not only permitted, but encouraged to labour amongst the slaves; and thus a wide and effectual door has been opened. The slaves have gladly received the divine testimony, which has been attended to their hearts with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven. This Mission has been endeared to the North of Ireland, not only as of Presbyterian origin and direction, but as the field where our countryman, Waddell, has been an active agent, and our much-lamented Leslie fell, in the midst of most promising exertions.

About the same period, the Church Missionary Society for Africa and the East, entered into the Missionary field. The renowned Dr. Buchanan, by his sermon, entitled "The Star in the East," and his book of " Christian Researches," roused the Anglican Church to this holy enterprise. Several of their first Missionaries fell sacrifices to the climate of Sierra Leone; and yet others volunteered to this forlorn hope. The amiable