s brought us to the ministry for such a time as this; and
surely my brethren will not prove themselves unworthy of so vast a
responsibility, but come up joyfully to the work, and reap the harvest
of the world.

And here let me say, that the millions of souls already lost are
immense; and it would be awfully presumptuous in Christians to neglect
the millions and hundreds of millions of the present generation. Century
after century has rolled along, ingulfing generation after generation,
till one would think that Satan himself would be satisfied with the
enormous havoc. Eighteen centuries have passed away, and sixty
generations, five hundred millions each--thirty billions of immortal
souls left to perish since Christ gave command to evangelize them. Are
not thirty billions enough? Shall we, by any guilty neglect, suffer the
present generation, six hundred millions more, to be added? O, let the
billions of souls already lost suffice. O, let us arise, and go and
preach the Gospel to the nations, that the generations that remain
between this and the judgment may be saved.

Let me suggest, too, that nothing would so readily produce _union among
ministers at home_, as to divert all their powers of body and mind into
some all-absorbing and self-denying enterprise. Now, what angel of
heaven has not wept over the contentions and jealousies that cloud the
glory of the American churches. How has the heart of Jesus bled over the
dissensions and strife of his own ministers! And is there no remedy? Let
pastors become so engrossed in fulfilling their commission as to obey
its literal import, and arise and go; and I mistake much, if the
movement would not make a material impression on their contentions and
jealousies. They would feel that they were doing a great work, and could
not come down. For contention they would find neither time nor
inclination. It would be difficult to state, in a foreign tongue, their
metaphysical distinctions, so as to make a difference. Higher and nobler
objects would engross the soul. Be entreated to try this course. Then
the recording angel shall not be compelled, with aching heart and
streaming eyes, to inscribe "ICHABOD" on our American Zion; but, with
willing soul and ready hands, shall write in fairer lines, "BEAUTIFUL
FOR SITUATION, THE JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH."

* * * * *

But it is often said, "I never _felt_ it to be my duty to go to the
heathen: I never had any suc