ndertake a mission of
such vast importance, attended by such terrible risks?

"`The Almighty Ruler seeks not for his ministers among the great and
bold,' he added, `as it is written, "He hath put down the mighty from
their seats, and hath exalted the humble and meek." And it will be
peculiarly so on this occasion, for the exaltation is from the humblest
origin; so humble it is scarcely possible to imagine so miserable a
beginning, in the end attaining distinction so honourable.

"`Imagine, if you can, my brethren,' he said, `in the building set apart
in your town for the reception of your destitute poor, a child
parentless, friendless, and moneyless, condemned, as it seemed, to
perpetual raggedness and intolerable suffering. A ministering angel,
under the direction of the Supreme Goodness, took that child by the hand
and led it out of the pauper walls that inclosed it, and under its
auspices the child grew and flourished, and learned all that was
excellent in faith and admirable in practice.

"`It was ordained that he should lose sight of his angelic teacher. A
dire necessity compelled him to withdraw from that pure and gracious
influence. He had to learn in a different school, and prepare himself
for heavier tasks. Manhood, with all its severe responsibilities, came
upon him. He sought first to render himself competent for some holy
undertaking, before he could consider himself worthy again to claim that
notice which had made him what he was. Earnestly he strove for the
Divine assistance and encouragement; and as his qualifications
increased, his estimate of the worthiness necessary for the object he
had in view, became more and more exalted.

"`At last,' he continued, `it became known to him that a Missionary was
required to explain to the savage people to whom I have already alluded,
the principles of Christianity. He was appointed to this sacred trust;
and he then determined, before he left this country for the distant one
of his ministry, to present himself before that beneficent being who had
poured out before him so abundant a measure of Christian virtue; that
they might be joined together in the same great vocation, and support
each other in the same important trust.'

"I heard enough," continued Mrs Reichardt. "All was explained, and I
was fully satisfied. The discourse proceeded to identify the speaker
with the poor boy who had been preserved for such onerous duties. Then
came an appeal to the