cing spirit, the
spirit of devotement, even unto death--still exists on earth. Let the
objector inquire seriously, whether much of it reigns in his own bosom;
and whether in proportion as he is destitute of it, he be not lacking
not only in the spirit of missions, but in the spirit of Christ, without
which it is impossible to be a disciple. For it is true not only of
missionaries, but equally of all Christians, that they are not their
own--that they are bought with a price; and are under obligations of
_entire consecration_, each in his appropriate sphere, that are as high
as heaven and as affecting as the scenes of Gethsemane and Calvary. And
we are bound, equally with the early disciples, to count it not only a
duty, but "all joy" to labor, suffer and die, if necessary, for Christ's
sake, and in the good work which he has given us to do.

Did we become sensible of our lost condition? Did we with one accord
lift up our penitent and broken-hearted cries to the God of mercy, that
he would provide a way for our salvation? Did the angels intercede in
our behalf that the Saviour would come? No: _self-moved_ he appeared for
our relief. He beheld us wedded to our sinful courses; unwilling to be
taken from the pit into which we had plunged ourselves, and clinging
with unyielding grasp to the very instruments of our ruin--strangely
enamored with the very vampires that were preying upon our souls. The
more disinclined we were to sue for mercy, the more the Saviour pitied
us; for our very unwillingness to supplicate showed the depth of our
ruin.

In like manner, the more indisposed any heathen nation may be to receive
us to their shores, admit the light of the Gospel and partake of its
blessings, the more deeply should we feel for them, and the more
zealously labor for their salvation. That a nation has not called for
our aid, but is resolutely determined to keep us at a distance, is a
strong argument for being deeply interested in their behalf. Their very
blindness and maniac disposition should call forth the deep
commiseration of our souls. Such was the spirit of Christ. Such is the
true spirit of missions. It is but a small measure of compassion to aid
those who supplicate our assistance. The very blindness, guilt, madness
and vile degradation of a people, should be to us a sufficient voice of
entreaty. They were so to the heart of the precious Saviour, or he never
would have undertaken the work of our redemption. O, when sha