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HiotDgraphic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. MSSO

(716)873-4503

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1 2 3

-' '- <^-ve<<o , "'-'t^-y >^ ^ U*i-4^-' \,

i^^

ACCOUNT

FOREIGN MISSIONS

UNDERTAKEN AND SUPPORTED

CHURCHES IN EDINBURGH, AND OTHER PLACES.

June 1. ]80f).

»■'.■

•f

,i'Ji!i-X;t.-r

'mati

%\.

m^ .^'

REPORT.

(^.. .

The Churches of Cbriji ajjemllmg in College Street and Leith»
Walk^ Edinburgh — to all that in every place call upon tht
name of Jefus Chriji our Lordf both theirs and ours :
Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father ^ and the
Lordjefus ChriJl,

To your confderation, beloved Brethren, the following Report it
novo addreffed,

THE attention which has of late years been excited to the
miferable condition of a great part of the world, and the
means employed to diffufe the knowledge of the truth as it is in
Jefus among the nations, mud be highly gratifying to every be-
liever of the gofpel. Never fince the Reformation have the
thoughts of Chriftians been fo generally diredled to this impor-
tant object. Indeed if we make a very few exceptions, it ap-
pears to have been altogether neglected. Various reafons might
be given for this negled. It might be alleged, and probably with
juftice, that Chriftians have been guided too much by their own
ideas of the fecret purpofes of God, inftead of remembering, that
their only fure guide is that word which he has given to be a
lamp to their paths, and a light to their feet. It may be, they
forgot, in a great meafure, the connection which fubfids in all
the plans of Providence between the means and the end. They
hoped and prayed for the fuccefs of the gofpel ; but they over-
looked the important queftions. How (hall they call on him of
whom they have not heard ? And how Ihall they hear without a
preacher ? And how ftiall they preach except they be fent ?
If God had fpread the gofpel extenfively without employing
the zealous exertions of his people to eflfeA it, it would have
been contrary to what he has given us reafon to expedt, and fo
far as we can trace it, contrary to the general plan of his provi*
dence.

Perhaps thole who believed that God would employ the zC-»
live endeavours of his people in difFufing the truth, expedled
that their zeal was to be called forth by fome lingular divine in-
terpofition. They might imagine that till this (hould take place,
the time was not come, the time when the Lord's houfe (hould be
built, not reflefling that God has commanded us in his holy word
to ufe every means in our power, at all times, to promote his
glory, and l6 do good to our brethren of men. That fome fuch
idea operated on the minds of believers, is highly probable. At
all events, we have, in the floth and inactivity of Chriftians,
compared with the indefatigable exertions of merchants and men
of fcience, a lively illuflracion of our Lord's words. '*• The chil-
dren of this world are wifer in conducting their affairs, than the
children of light "

But however Chriftians might quiet their confciences, while fo
great a part of the world, to which they had free accefs, was
buried in idolatry, we apprehend that one of the principal caufes
of their doing fo little, was their not entering into the meaning
of our Lord's words, John xviii. 36. " My kingdom is not of
this world." They had no idea of fpreadingthe gofpel merely by
the converfion of individuals. They deemed it neceflfary that the
religion of Jefus fhould be fupported by the civil power. Hence,
where this could not be looked for, they coniidered individual
exertions as in a great meafure unavailing. That fuch views
were entertained, is evident from the condu^ of all the Refor-
mers. How anxious were they to get the authority of the civil
Magiflrate on their fide ! When the Proteftant princes were at
war, they feem to have thought that on the ifTue of it depended
the caufe of the Reformation. They forgot that the religion of
Jefus kept its ground, and profpered, not only without the fup-
port, but even in defiance of all the oppofition of the Roman
Emperors ; and that the dreadful corruptions againll which they
were Uruggling, had arifen from the unnatural alliance of a fpi>
ritual and temporal kingdom.

• It is indeed true, that where the Proteftants were fuccefsful,
great advantages accrued, even in regard to fpiritual things j
whereas, on the contrary, where they were unfuccefsful, a com>
plete check was given to invefligation. This, however, was in
a great meafure owing to the connection which fubfifted between
civil liberty and the Reformation. This connection induced
fome of the kings of Europe to oppofe the Proteflant religion
with a zeal which would not probably have been called forth on
account of religion alone. The Proteftants made it a common
caufe, and this no doubt greatly excited the jealoufy of the Ro-
man Catholics. Cromwell, for inftance, treated with the King
of France about the perfecution of the Proteftants, and partly by
threats obtained better ufage for them. No wonder that Ca-

tholic pi
confidere
perfuafio
aCted up
civil go
honour
time wl
there is
more, an
like Spa
Itisl
truth, all
tures ar
who are
views of
fiance th
to us an
grefs in
with civ
mifliona
ing Chr
preachin
individu
the ordi
Tl»e i
to fome
ought a
falvatior
be, rega
and beir
or dlvifi
all be p
judgmei
among '
though,
cally fe
in conft
demonfi

21.
If W(

lieving,
that we
fo cleat
are pro
great n
the wil
jflured

loy the zC-t
. expeded
divine in-
take place,
: (hould be
holy word
omote his
fome fuch
jable. At
Chriftians,
; and mea
The chil-
, than the

;s, while fo
iccefs, was
ipal caufes
e meaning
I is not of

merely by
ry that the
T. Hence,

individual
,uch views
he Refor-
f the civil
es were at

depended
religion ot*

the fup-

le Roman

/hich they

of a fpi,

fuccefsful,

il things J

d, a com.

?r, was in

I between

t induced

t religion

i forth on

common

the Ro-

the King

partly by

that Ca-

tholic princes were glad to get rid of people, whom they juftly
confidered as more attached to foreign princes of the Proteltaiit
perfuafion than to their own fovereigns. Had the Reformers
a6ted upon fcripiural principles, difclaiming all interference with
civil governments, leaving them as they found tliem, giving
honour and fubjeftion to the powers that be, and at the lame
time wholly reje£ling their interference in religioys concerns,
there is no doubt but the caufe of Jefus would have profpcred
more, and we ilionld not have feen ftt this day whole kingdoms,
like Spain and Portugal, in the grofleft darknefs.

It is long before prejudice is eradicated: but the progrcfs of
truth, although often flow, is always certain, where the Scrip-
tures are generally read We cannot indeed riippofe, thai nil
who are at prefent e;igaged in the caufe of miirions, have jult
views of the nature of Chrift's kingdom ; but the vcrv circum-
flance that fo many Chriltians are engaged in this caufe, apperirs
to us an evident proof that believers have made confiderable pvo-
grefs in their views of truth on this fubjeft. Thofe conntxSed
with civil eftabl (hments, as well as difl'enters, are fending out
mifllonaries, not to treat with heathen governments about adopt-
ing Chriftianity as their national religion, but to endeavour, by
preaching remiflion of fins through the blood of Chrift, to call
individuals from darknefs to light, and to teach them to obferve
the ordinances of Chrift.

The number of focieties which have been formed, may appenr
to fome a caufe of regret. It may be alleged, that Chriliians
ought all to unite in one body, to make known the common
falvation. This is true. Were Chriflians what they oup;ht to
be, regarding the Scriptures alone as the rule of truth and duty,
and being entirely direded by them, there would be no fchifms
or divifions among them in this or in any thing elfc ; they would
all be perfe£tly joined together in the fame mind and in the fame
judgment. While there were fatliers, young men, and babes
among them, they would obferve the fame ordinances ; and al-
though, fo long as they were in this world, they would be lo-
cally feparated from one another, yet their unity and harmony,
in confequence of being all taught by the felf fame Spirit, would
demonftrate, that Jefus came forth from the Father, John xvii.

21.

If we judge by our own experience, we may be flow in be-
lieving, that this fliall ever take place ; but let us remember,
that we live during that time of awful defection from the truth
fo clearly foretold in the Scriptures, when the witneflTes of Jefus
are prophefying in fackcloth, and the glory of the church is in a
great raeafure concealed. The period of the woman's abode in
the wildernefs. Rev. xii. 6. has not yet expired ; but we know
5ifluredlyi that it is drawing towards a clofe, and that fpon all

(it: '\,s.

the holy apoftles and prophets, and all the

deemed,
downfall of

(hall be

called

When this (hall be the cafe, when the Spirit (hall be poured out
froai on high, when Chridians, fet free from a thoufand preju-
dices which now fetter them, (hall all (ludy to regulate them-
felves by the one infallible flandard — is it too mucli to expe£t,
that they (hall agree, not merely in their views of fome great
and important dodrines, but in regard to all the ordinances which
Chrift has delivered ?

At prcfent, however, we fee them much divided ; and the ne-
ceflary confequence of this is, a greater or Icfs degree of jea-
loufy of each other. lu fuch circumdances, their uniting in one
body, to di(Fufe the knowledge of divine truth, about fome parts
of which they are not agreed, is perhaps not fo defirable as it
might appear at fird (ight. Unlefs they account the matters in
which they difagree to be abfolutely indifferent, (in which cafe
they ought to put an end to their differences entirely), the diver-
(Ity of fentiment will produce a certain degree of mutual fufpi-
cion, and their union will at the beft be partial. While things
are in this fituation, perhaps there would be more unity amongil
Chrifiians, if each body a£led according to its own views, with-
out being obliged, from connection with others, either to go be-
yond or to fall (hort of them. In this cafe, believers would pro-
ceed with greater energy ; and although their exertions might be
conduced upon a fmaller fcale, yet, by each taking a feparate
field, more good might be done.

Impreffed with thefe fentiments, the following Refolutions
were adopted, and publiQied by the churches in the Miffionary
Magazine for April 1803.

** The churches not only confider themfelves debtors to their
neighbours at home, but alfo to the heathen, who are perifhing
for lack of knowledge. Various confiderations induce them, as
churches, to attempt doing fomething abroad.

** I. The formation of a Miffionary Society, feems to imply a
deficiency in the conftitution of a church of Chrift, as if it were
not competent for fuch to ufe all the means neceffary for fpread>
ing the gofpel. But in the New Teftament we read of mifHons
fent out by churches, and we hear of no other focieties engaged
in the work. Paul and Barnabas were fent oixt to the heathen
by the church at Antioch. The churches were commanded to
receive the brethren thus employed, and to bring them forward
on their journey after a godly fort, 3 John 6. 10. From the
church at ThefTalonica, the word of the Lord founded out in Ma-
cedonia and Achaia, i ThefT. i. 8.

** 2. They confider it to be of the greatcft importance, that Chri-

ftians (hoi

kting in t

to every

neftly de

Chrirtian

But they

Chrifliar

None ar(

duty, no

as they 1

"3. \

doing bpi

any foci<

idea of (

endeavo

room fo

"Un

bers fet

converf

to devo

tors wi

church

will la;

the fut

u X

coUeai

*«o

for prJ
"T

filler c
vite tb
to con
their \

. ~^;^-VAAi,:ii;:*;;.'

|ed, (hall be
)f Babylon,
poured out
ifand preju-
ilate them-
to expedV,
Jfome great
lances which

and the ne-
rce of jea-
iting in one
fonie parts
firable as it
matters in
which cafe
. the divcr-
utual fufpi.
^hile things
ity amongrt
iews, with-
r to go be-
would pro-
is might be
a feparate

Refolutions
Miflionary

•s to their
e perifhing
e them, as

to imply a
if it were
*or fpread-
if millions
s engaged
5 heathen
nanded to
t» forward
From the
It in Ma.

hatChri.

ftians (hould as much as poflible be of one mind when cooper-
ating in the execution ot any plan. They heartily wiih fuccefs
to every attempt for promoting the cauU of ChriU. They car-
neftly defire to fee brotherly love more and more prevail among
Chrillians, although in feme refpefts differing from each other.
But they believe this end will be bell attained by each body of
Chrillians walking according to the light they have received.
None are in this cafe dragged beyond what they judge to be
duty, nor are the confciences of others hurt by not going fo far
as they think they ought to do.

" 3. Whatever they do, will be in addition to what is already
doing by others They are perfuaded their plan will not prevent
any fociety from fending out a Angle miffionary. They have no
idea of oppofition. They will pray for all who, by proper means,
endeavour to extend the Redeemer's kingdom. Ther : is ample
room for all their exertions.

" Under thefe impreffions, the Churches call upon their mem-
bers ferioufly to turn their attention to the great obj. ft of the
converfion of the heathen. They call upon fuch as are willing
to devote themfelves to the work to come forward. The pal-
tors will examine thofe who apply, will give in a report to the
churches on the moll favourable field for their exertions, and
will lay before them whatever information they can colleft on
the fubjeft.

" The funds neceflary for carrying on this plan, to arife from
colleftions, fubfcriptions, donations. Sec.

** On the firfl Wednefday of every month, they will afltmble
for prayer for the fuccefs of the gofpel at home and abroad.

*• The pallors will write circular letters in their name to their
filler churches, to acquaint them with their plan, and to in-
vite them to turn their attention to the Hate of the heathen, and
to conllder and communicate what they think may be done lor
their relief."

The ideas fuggelled in the foregoing refolutions .met with tha
cordial approbation of the brethren in our filler churches, with
whom we convcrfcd or correfponded on the fubjeft. Nothing
was now wanting but fuitable perfons to go out as Milfionaries,
and fome llation to be fixed upon where our exertions might
commence. In regard to the former we were not long kept ia
fufpence. Mr John Paterfon, who had ftudied under Mr Ewing,
had it in view, from the time he began his lludies, to devote him-
felf to the work of preaching to the heathen. When his flu-
dies were finilhed, he went to Gambullang, and by his inllru-
mentality a church was planted there. The members were much
«ttached to him, and were earneflly defirous of his retnaining

anriongd them.andbecomingthcir paftor. Although hehad not loff
i'lght of his original i.fi^n, he confented to this, partly from the
profpedl of ufefnlnefs there prefented, and partly fronri not find-
ing any of his fellow ftudents, who were difpofed to accompany
him abroad.

At the time when the above refolutions were printed, he had
been fome years at Gambuflmg. The profpeft which this afforded
him of going out in a way which he judged to be more fcriptu-
ral than any other he had heard of, revived all his former de.
fires. Conne£led with this, his intimate friend, Mr Archibald
M'Lae, pador of a church in Kirkcaldy, who in confequjnce of
his marriage, had for a time dropped his original intttntion of
devoting himfelf to the fervice of Jsfus in foreign lands, was
now equally defirous of embarking in the famecaufe. Having
confulted together, they informed the churches in Edinburgh of
their defire to go abroad to preach the gofpel, and at the fame
time mentioned India as the fphere they wiflied to occupy.
This propofal met with the cordial approbation of the churches ;
but as they wifhedto proceed with the full confent of their filter
churches whofe pallors had propofed themfelves, they rcfolvcd
to correfpond on the fubjeft with their brethren at Kirkcaldy and
Gambullang. In confequence of this refolution, tl>c following
correfpondence took place.

*' The churches of Chrill in Edinburgh, to th" church of
Chrift in Kirkcaldy : Grace and peace be multiplied unto
you, through the knowledge of God and our Saviour Je-
fus Chria.

** We are informed, beloved brethren, that the mind
of your dear pallor has, for a confiderable time, been turned to-
wards the Hate of the heathen ; and, although much attached to
you. among whom he has been for fome time called to labour,
he Hill defires to devote himfelf to the Lord's fervice ampngft
them.

*• We are aware, dear brethren, of your regard and attach-
ment to him ; but we trull you will not be unwilling to give
him up for fo important a purpofe.

" We are unanimous in wifhing to join with our filler churches
in forwarding his views ; but without your mind we would do
nothing in this matter.

" We fiiall elleem it a token for ihuch good if you can cheer.*
fully give him up to the work. We doubt not but you will
fee the hand of God in it, and will confider the earned defire of
our dear brother continuing fo long, conne£led with the prefent
favourable opportunity of fending hitn forth, as the voice of ou(
Lord Jefus to yoi^ as a church.

«« Wit!
lie, we d(
tain,
is that w
vcrty "
"We
men goi
fliould n(
faithfullj
to obferv
expcrien
will be e
"We
others, t
being fei
ntceffary
inclinati
great is
alfo rem
tain a pi
lified mi
uW«
-f hearty c
we are i
I and we
^ and con
be the 1
we {hal
his owr
Lord."

.«X1

letter.

us in t

count.

tion r

ded in

our p

to the

lake,

a con

heath

work

lie had not lof|i

rtly from the

rom /lot find.

accompany

intcd, he had
this afforded
Bore fcriptu-
formcr de-
<• Archibald
fecjuonce of
mention of
lands, was
Having
dinburgh of
«t the fame

to occupy.
: churches ;
■ their fifter
ey refolvcd
rkcaJdy and
following

church of
tiplied unto
Javiour Je-

thc mind
turned to-
ittached lo
to labour,
c ampngft

d attach-
f to give

churches
would do

in cheer-
l^ou will
defire of
J prefent
e of ouy

** With him, dear brethren, is the refidue of the Spirit, and
he, we doubt not, will amply compenfate the lofs you may fuf-
tain. *' There is that Icattereth, and yet increaleth ; and there
is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to po-
verty **

**We would juft fugged to you the importance of approved
men going as miflionaries. It is doubly neceflary that fuch
iliould not be novices ', and that they fhould not only be able
faithfully to preach the gofpel, but alfo to teach the difciples
to obferve all things which the Lord hath commanded. The
experience which our dear brother has had while with you,
will be eminently ufeful to him in the work he has in view.

" We fee, in the failure of fome miflions, and the fuccefs of
others, the vaft importance of men of knowledge and experience
being fent out. This renders it, in fome meafure, abfolutely
neceflary, that the churches fhould be ready to facrifice their own
inclinations to the glory of Immanuel. Without this, nothing
great is to be expe£ted from miflions to the heathen. Let us
alfo remind you, dear brethren, how much more eafy it is to ob-
tain a proper paflor for a church in this country than a well-qua-
lifled mifllonary.

it We do not mention thefe things from any doubt of your
hearty concurrence in this matter j but we know that fometimea
we are moll apt to err in what mod nearly concerns ourfelves,
and we ufe the privilege of brethren, to endeavour to ilrengthen
and confirm your faith and zeal. Brethren, pray for us. If it
be the Lord's will that you (hould be deprived of your paflor,
we fliall not ceafe to entreat him to fill his place with one after
his own heart. We remain, brethren, yours in our common
Lord."

•' The church of Chrifl in Kirkcaldy to the churches of Chriit
in Edinburgh : Grace and peace be multiplied to you,
through the knowledge of God and Jefus our Lord.

" Beloved brethren. We received your afifeftionate
letter. The candour and tendernefs which you manifefl toward
us in this aflUir, conftrain us to give thanks to God on your ac-
count. We have had feveral meetings for prayer and confulta-
tion refpeding the buflnefs of the miflion. We are nearly divi-
ded in our opinion concerning the path of duty with regard to
our paflor. The one half of the church, though much attached
to their dear paflor, whom they highly efleem for his work's
fake, and would have counted themfelves happy to have enjoyed
a continuation of his labours, yet, confldering the ftate of the
heathen, the earned defire of his mind to devote himfelf to the
work of the Lord among ihem) conne^ed with the prefent favour-

able opportunity of fending him forth, think they are called to
facrifice their own inclinations, in order that the heathen may be
given to Jefus for his inheritance ; and therefore they cheerfully
give up their pador to this important work. — But the other half
of the church were of a different opinion. They could not fee
it to be the path of duty for him to leave his prefent important
ftation ; they urged the pofTibility of their pallor being miltaken
in this matter, the infant ftate of the church, the increaling de-
fire of the people to hear the gofpel ; that the new place of wor>
Ihip was nearly Unifhed, which will contain the double of our
prelentone, and confequently greatly enlarge the fphere of hisufe.
fulnefs ; the difficulty of finding a paftor who might give general
fatisfadion, and have other qualifications necefTary for a proper
difcharge of the duties of the paftoral office ; and the great pro-
bability of finding a well qualified miffionary, who did not now
occupy an equally important flation Thefe, with fome other
reafons which were mentioned, appeared to them weighty ob-
jefbions to their pallor going out as a miffionary. But whild
they freely ftated their prefent views, they were willing tocon-
fider the fubjcft more fully, and were ready to fay. The will of
the Lord be done ; and if it were the will of God that their paf-
tor fhould be called away to labour among the heathen, they
would unite with the reft of their brethren, in following him
with their belt wiflies and fervent prayers. Dear brethren,
pray for us.

" Kirkcaldy, lotb March 1804."

** The churches of Chrift in Edinburgh, to the church of
Chrift in Kirkcaldy : Grace to you, and peace from God
our Father, and the Lord Jefus Chrift.

" It was with unfeigned pleafure, that we learned
by your very friendly letter, that fo many of you, dear brethren,
were willing cheerfully to give up your beloved Paftor to the
work of preaching the gofpel among the heathen. That fome
of you fhould not be exadlly of the fame mind, did not furprife
us. We know how apt we all are to be biafTed by affeAion in
the exercife of our judgment. We are well aware, beloved, that
befides private attachment, other motives tend powerfully to
operate on the minds of our dear brethren. They are concern-
ed for the profperity of the Lord^s work, and fear that our dear
brother leaving Kirkcaldy might injure it much. We know
you will bear with us, while we ufe the privilege of brethren
in Chrift, to endeavour to remove fome of the obftacles which
prelent themfelves to your minds. We are afTured, that your
heart's defire and prayer is, that you may be guided in the
midft of the paths of judgment, and that in this, as in other

matter
we wr
fully fs
you, as
gofpel.
indiffei
defire f
be conf
churchj
muft e\
breath
we fuf(
objeftio

"It
fuaded,
truth, a
than th

«Th
paftoral
you fou
fwer to

are called to
eathen may be
hey cheerfully
; the other half
could not fee
ent important
>eing miilaketi
increadng de-
place of wot-
louble of our
liereof hisufe.
it give general
for a proper
he great pro-
> did not now
\i fome other
weighty ob-
. But whim
villing to con-
', The will of
that their paf>
tieathen, they
ollowing him
lear brethren,

ic church of
ice from God

we learned
ear brethren,
aftor to the

That fome
not furprife

afFedlion in
beloved, that
>werfu]ly to
are concern-

lat our dear
We know

of brethren

acles which
that your

ided in the

as in other

matters, the will of the Lord may be done. Under this impreflion
we write to you, brethren, with the atmoft freedom, and we are
fully fatisfied, that you will impute what we fay to afFeftioa for
you, as well as an earneft defire for the general fuccefs of the
gofpel. We are far from thinking that the church fliould be
indifferent about a faithful pallor, or that they Ihould have no
defire for his continuance amongd them. Such an one ihould
be confldered a» a valuable gift from the great Head of the
church, and ought to be efteemed very highly in love. But we
muft ever recolleft the commandment to ceafe from man, whofe
breath is in his noftrils. Will you pardon us, dear brethren, if
we fufpeft that fome degree of unbelief may fugged mod of the
objeftions dated in your letter.

" It is true the church is in an infant date, yet we are per-
fuaded, brethren, that you are knit together by the love of the
truth, and confequently that you have a firmer bond of unicn
than that of any man however valuable.

" The qualificaiions neceffary for the proper difcharge of the
pafioral office are highly important : but what iniquity have
you found in Jefus which ftiould lead you to doubt, that, in an-
fwer to your prayers, and thole of your brethren, he will bedow
on you a pallor after his own heart ? We have no apprehenfioti
of any danger arifing from your freely making rhe facrificci
which, as it appears to us, the Lord fo evidently demands ; but
we own we are not without uneafinefs, left, by refufing your
full confent, and thus limiting the power and goodnefs of Jefus,
where you have fuch clear intimations of his will, you (hould
bring upon the church and caufe of God at Kirkcaldy the very
evils, which you dread as the confequence of parting with your
beloved paftor.

** You have been praying the Lord to pity the poor heathen,
and to dir up the hearts of his people to engage in the work of
the gofpel amcngd them. He has heard your prayers-; our dear
brother fays, Here am I ! fend me. Let us entreat you, bre-
thren, to rtjjice in the opportunity the Lord has given you of
not only faying, Be ye warmed and clothed, but of denying
yourfelves for their bent-fit.

** You notice the probability of finding a well qualified miflion-
ary ; but furely, brethren, you are aware, that the qualifications
of a proper miifionary are more rarely to be met with than
thofe of a pador. Knowledge, zeal, experience, and devotednefs,
are altogether indifpenfable in the former ; and although a pador
ought to pofl*efs all thefe, a miflionary requires them in a higher
degree, from having little or no acccfs to the counfel or advice of
his brethren, and being expofed to far greater temptations and
hatdfiiips in his work.

** We hinted in our lad, that unlefs the churches were willing

".^-^l-\iita^-.-»iJ .

to part with their padors, whofe hearts inclined them to the
work, nothing great could be expefted in the way of miflionary
exertions. Young men are unfit for the work, and thofe who
have been preachers for fome time, without being called to the
paftoral care of a church, muft in general be deficient in fome
qualifications which are eflential for a miflionary.

" You obfi^rve, dear brethren, that your pallor may be miftaken
in this matter. But what additional evidence can he have of his
call to the work ? For many years he has been earnellly defir-
ous of engaging in it. His being comfortably fixed in a fitua-
tion, where he loves and is beloved by his btethien, has
produced no change on his refolution. An opportuiuty is in
providence afforded him of going abroad in the manner he
judges mod fcriptural ; a beloved brother in Chrid is defirous
of accompanying him ; his partner in life is cheerfully ready to
ihare with him the perils of the arduous undertaking. In fliorr,
brethren, if thefe are not fufficient indications of the will of God,
we may defpair of attaining certainty as to the path of duty, and
xnud ever remain fixed to the fituation in which we are placed
whatever it may be. Indeed we apprehend fo many weighty
circumdances feldom concur to point out the path of duty.
If the church had been from the fird unanimous in encouraging
!him to go forward, you would then, brethren, have confidered
it his duty to proceed. But we can only conceive this to have
arifen from the following caufes : either that his labours were un-
acceptable to the church, and that they were defirous to part with
him ; or that the Lord hadmiraculoufly interfered by giving a com-
mandment, as he did to the church at Antioch, in regard to Paul
and Barnabas ; or .had no lefs miraculoufly influenced the minds of
every individual oi the church to part with a beloved pador,
neither of which you will think we were entitled to expert, as
they were contrary, to the Lord's ordinary method of working.
If thofe padors only were to ga as miflionaries who were not
deeply regretted by their refpedive churches, we fear, brethren,
little would be done among the heathen.

*' We rannot but remind you, by what a frail tenure you hold
our beloved. brother as your pador. He may in a moment be
removed from you He may be laid afide by ficknefs ; or if,
from over attachment, you were to prevail on him to remain,
"liis fervices might be rendered unprofitable, and even drife and
divifi »n mi^ht aril'e between you and him. What a driking
lefTon we have in the cafe of Mr Pearce, of one who was over-
perfuaded not to go to the heaihen. on account of the fphere of
ufefulnefs in which he was placed, and who was fo foon after
removed from his people ! It has been faid, notwithdanding his
earned defire to go abroad, the event (hewed he was midaken as
to his call to the work, jii^t thi$ we apprehend to be unfoun4-«

i.t

them to the

of miffionary

nd thofe who

called to the

:ient in fome

ly be miHaken
he have of his
arncflly defir-
ed ill a iitua-
)tethien, has
rtunity is in
manner he
(I is deiirous
uUy ready to
ing. In fliorr,
le will of God,
h of duly, and
I'e are placed
lany weighty
)ath of duty.
1 encouraging
ve confidered
this to have
(ours were un.
IS to part with
giving a corn-
regard to Paul
d the minds of
'loved paftor,
to expeifl, as
of working,
'ho were not
ear, brethren,

mre you hold
I moment be
knefs ; or if,
n to remain,
en ftrife and
it a ftriking
10 was over-
he fphere of
o foon after
hftanding his
s miflaken as
be unfoun4«

cd. The event indeed (hews that God did not dcfign to fend
him abroad ; but it by no means proves that he did not call hiai
to the work. There are many things which occur contrary to
the will of God. Sin is oppofite tO" it. God would rather that
the wicked ihnuld turn and live : and yet multitudes periih. It
was the will of God that the Corinthians (hould, with the ut-
moft reverence and brotherly love, partake of the Lord's fup-
per ; yet many died for not doing fo. We are therefore taught
to pray that his will may be done on earth as it is In heaven.
Yet in another fenfe this has been the cafe in every age. His
counfel has ftood, and he has done all his pleafure. Who hath
refift«Td his will ?

*♦ We rejoiced to hear, that our dear brethren afe difpofed more
fully to confic»er the fubjeft, and to fay. The will of the Lord
be done ! And we cannot but think, that upon weighing all cir-
cumdances, you will all be led cheerfully to join with us in bid-
diiig ^'our dear pailor and his fellow labourer God fpeed in that
woik on which their hearts are fo much fixed.

*• We cannot conclude, brethren, without obferving, that al-
though it IS undoubtedly the duty of our brother to coniider all
the arguments which any of the church can bring forward, and
even to attach all due weight to their opinion, it is impoffible
for him to give up his own judgment as to the path of duty with-
out becoming the fervant of men, and a£lin^ unliiihfully to his
great Matter. This, we think, muft be fufficiently obvious )
and we trull that having delivered your opinion on the fubjeft,
and finding our dear brother flill fully pcrfuaded in his own
mind that it is his duty to preach in foreign regions the un-
fearchable riches of Chrifl, you will avoid adding to the painful
feeling which the thoujjht of quitting you and his other bre-
thren in Chrill muft necefTarily produce. You will on the con-
trary, we trufl, by your prayers ftrengthen his hands, and by
your countenance encourage his heart.

** You have heard, beloved, of the refolution of the church at
Cambuflnng. We rejoice in the grace beftowed on tiiem, and we
are perfuaded of you, brethren, that our bowels (hall be refrefh-
ed by hearing that you are like minded. And now, brethren,
we commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which
is able to build you up, and give you an inheritrnce among them
who are fandlified : and with earnelt prayers for your further-
ance and joy of faith, we are, dear brethren, youis in the fel-
low fliip of the gofpel.

" Edinburgh^ March 29. 1804."

** The church of Chrlft in Kirkcaldy, to the churches of
Chrid in Edinburgh : Grace to you and peace from God
our Father, and the Lord Jefus Chrift.

" Beloved brethren, We received your friendly letter
on the 31ft March. The Confiderations fuggeftcd in it are in-
deed weighty and important. We are now fully convinced, that
the reafons which induced us to think,; that it was our paflur's
duty to remain in his prefent ftation, may be applied with equal
force in favour of his going out as a miflionary. And being
fully perfuaded in his own mind, that he is called to preach the
glorious gofpel of the bltfled God among the heathen, and that
the objeftions which have been urged againft it are by no means
fufficient to juftify his defining from the important work on which
hist heartismorethaneverfixed, wecannottliereforeperfiil inoppo-
fing his views on this fubjedl, left we lliould be found to fight againft
God. Ycu will eafily perceive, brethren, that to part with our
beloved paftor, whofe labours have been bleffcd in- bringing fome
of us to the knowledge of Tefus, and refreftiing all our fouls, is
indeed a very trying difpenfation. But after mature refledlion
and deliberation, we are inclined to think, that it is the Lord's
Tvill that we fhould make this facrifice ; and furely none are un-
der ftronger obligations than we, to comply with what vHre con-
ceive to be the will of our heavenly Father, without murmuring
or difputing. Therefore, from a full convidtion of duty, we,
with unfeigned chcerfulnefs, give up our beloved paftor to the
■work of the Lord among the heathen, and we earneftly befeech
and pray God to beftow on him and his fellow labourer all need-
ful grace, and to condufl them in fafety to their intended deftina-
tion, and open for them a wide and an efTedlual door which
no man can fhut, and that by the bleftlng of God accompanying
their labours, many may be *' turned to God from idols, to
fervi- the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from hea-
ven."

" We have been much engaged, efpecially of late, in praying
that the Lord's way might be made known on earth, and his fav*
ing health among all nations. Little, however, did we expeft,
that our prayers were to be anfwered by the removal of our
paftor. But we hope that this difpenfation (hall have a tendency
to extend the boundaries of the kingdom of Chrift, and make
us more than ever feel a lively intereft in miftionary exertions.
And we ftiall efteem it our duty and privilege heartily to concur
v^ith you in teftifying our love to the Lord Jefus and the fouls
of men, by communicating of our temporal fubftance, according
as the Lord hath profpered us, for the fupport of the mif-
fion.

gard

churches of
ace from God

"riendly letter
in it are in-
tnvinced, that
our paftor's
ed with equal
And being
preach the
iien, and that
: by no means
ork on which
lerfiilinoppo-

fight againfl
)3rt with our
>ringing feme

1 our fouls, is
ure refledion
is the Lord's
none are un-
viiat vi^e con.
t murmuring
)f duty, we,
paftor to the
eftly befeech

rer all need-
nded deftina-
door which
companying
m idols, to
30 from hea-

, in praying
and his fav-

we expeft,
aval of our

a tendency
, and make
y exertions,
ly to concur
id the fouls
e, according
f the mif-

<* As in all probability we fliall be deprived of our paftor, we
hope you will unite with us in praying the gread Head of the
church to give us a paftor after his own heart, fo that we may-
receive damage in nothing.

** We remain yours, beloved brethren, in the fellow ftiip of the
gofpel.

«* Kirkcaldy^ April ii. 1804.

« The churches of Chrift in Edinburgh, to the church of
Chrift in Kirkcaldy : Grace and peace be multiplitd.

*' We have received, dear brethren, your letter in an-
fwer to our laft. We can truly fay that we give thanks to God
on your behalf. We obferve that you not only give up your
beloved paftor to the Lord's work, but that you do it with cheer-
fulnefs. Brethren, we feel for the facrifice you are called to
make : but fear not ; you are lending to the Lord, and he will
repay. He is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour
of love. We are perfuaded that he will fupply all your wants
put of his riches in glory by Chrift Jefus.

" We have nothing particular to ftate to you at prefent in re-
gard to the deftination of our dear brother ; but we hope very
foon to lay before you fome plan on the fubjed. We ftiall not
ceafe to pray for you, and we requeft, beloved, that you would
not fail to remember us.

** We, in a particular manner, defire you to ft rive together
ivith us in your prayers for our paftor, who is to go out from us
for a feafon to preach the gofpel in Ireland.

" Trufting that our correfpondence will tend to endear us
more to each other, and afturing you of our fympathy, and for-
wardnefs to afllft you in any thing wherein we have opportunity,
we remain, beloved brethren, yours in the Lord Jefus.
Edinburgk f /ipril iS. iSo^,**

When the letter (p. 6.) was fent to the church at Kirkcaldy,
a copy of it was forwarded to the church at Cambuftang, to
which the following anfwer was received.

*• The /ihurch of Chrift in Cambuflang, to the churches of
Chrift in Edinburgh, with their biftiops and deacons :
Grace unto you, and peace, from God the Father and the
Lord Jefus Chrift.

** Beloved brethren, We received your very affeftlonate
letter on the 3d inftant. With pleafure we learned, that your
Attention as churches has been turned to the fituation of the hea-
then. We have often reflefted, with great fatisfaftion of heart,

on that benevolence of mind which didated the format ion of
miflionary locieties, and we are convinced that they have, by the
bleffiug of God attending their honell efforts to propagate the
glorious gofpel of the grace of God, been abundantly uleful to
the fouls of periihing men ; yet we are fully peii'uaded, that the
clofer we keep to the revealed will of God on every fubjed, the
furer ground we have to expert the divine countenance and bkf.
fiog ; and on this fubjedl it appears to us more confouant to that
will, that wc (hould imitate the fiilt Chriilians, by cauiiug the
gofpel to found out from the churches of the faints. When
iniiiionaries are feledted by the churches of the faintb, and lent
forth by them after being recommended to the grace ol God, we
bave reafon to expe£l more unanimity of mind and Iteadind's of
cft'ort in the great caufe, and by the divine blelfing more abun-
dant fuccefs.

•' Brethren, when we reflect on the deplorable fituation of the
lieathen ; when we remember that Jefus died and rofe again,
that repentance and remiiTion of iins fhould be preached to all
nations ; and that the Father hath promii'ed to ^'ne the Son the
heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermolt parts oi the earth
for his poffeflion-— we cannot but cheerfully concur with you in
that molt godlike and benevolent of all deGgns, the delivering of
thiB nations from the miferable flavery of fin, and tranflating
them into the glorious liberty and blefl'ednefs of the children of
God in the kingdom of his dear Son. We therefore elleem it
our duty and privilege, to unite with you in fupplicating the
great Head of the church to fmile on all your attempts (by fol-
lowing his word) to fill the earth with his glory. We Ihould
rejoice, brethren, in being able to aflill you with our fubitance ;
and although our circumilances at prefent be rather unfavour-
able, we humbly truft that our deep poverty will be found a-
bounding to the riches of our liberality — convinced that if there
be firfl a willing mind, it is accepted, according to that a man
bath, and not according to that he hath not.

'* We little expeded, brethren, that we would have been call-
ed upon to part with our beloved pallor, that he might engage
in this important work. We were rather hurt at not being
informed of his defign, until his mind was fully made up on
ihe fubject. He mentioned feveral reafons which had induced
Slim to come to this determination, and requefled us not to ufe
any influence to prevent him from putting his defign into execu-
tion. Although we are convinced that our paltor, in afting as
he did, was influenced by a defire to be more ( xtenfively uleful
in promoting the interefts of the Redeemer's kingdom upon
earth, yet we are at a lofs to perceive what part of the word of
pod authorifes a pador to leave a church, when blefTed with

4fc

the formation of
they have, by the
to propagate the
mdaiitly uleful to
eiluaded, that the
rvery fubjeft, the
tenance and blef-
conlbiiant to that
IS, b^ cuuling the
faints. When
i fainti., and lent
>race ol God, we
and Iteadincfs of
liing more abuu.

fituation of the
i and rofe again,

preached to all
give the Son the
arts ot the earih
;ur with you in
the delivering of

and tranflating

the children of
?refore elleem it
lupplicating the
ttempts (by fol-
ry. We fliould
1 our fublUnce j
ither unfavour-
ill be found a-
ed that if there
to that a man

have been call-
! might engage
t at not being
ly made up on
h had induced
;d us not to ufe
ign into execu-
or, in afting as
:enfively uleful
kingdom upon
of the word of
n blefled with

'15

pence, love and unity in all things that pertain to the faith aod
praftice of the gofpel. ^ ' ^ ,

*' Dear brethren, if any thing prevent us from giving onr
hearty concurrence to our pador's leaving us, that he may en-
gage in the important work of preaching the gofpel to the hea-
then, it is what we have juft now mentioned. If we faw this
clear from the fcripiures, we would cheerfully make the facrU
fice, and we humbly truft would rejoice we had it to make.

'^ However, our paftor being fully refolved to go as a mifTion*
ary, we think it improper to conftrain him to (lay among us»
contrary to his own inclination ; and if it be the will of God,
that he ihould go to preach the gofpel to the heathen, we hope
and pray that God would beftow on him all needful grace, and
make him inftrumental in turning many from darknefs to light,
and from dumb idols to ferve the living God, and to wait for
his Son from heaven — We believe that our pallor, in takin^r
this ftep, is not influenced by any want of attachment to us,
either as individuals or as a church ; and notwithllanding all
that has taken place, we dill eileem him highly in love for bis
"Work's fake.

*' Brethren, as we confider it our duty and intereft to look ou^
for a paftor with all convenient fpecd, we hope you will join
with us in praying the great Head of the church, that he, in his
fovereign mercy, would grant us a paflor or paftors, who fliall
be willing to ftiare in the comforts and crofles which he may be
pleafed to allot us in this world, and who fhall be qualified for
preaching the faithful word in fimplicity and purity ; and whofc
Ikill in the word of righteoufnefs will enable him to inftruft all
of us in the knowledge of God's truth and ways, in the o»"di-
nances of his houfe, in the laws thereof, the comings in thereof,
and the goings out thereof.

" Praying that all grace may abound to you, through the
knowledge of Jefus Chrift our Lord, we remain, beloved bre-
thren, yours in the fellovvftjip of the gofpel.

•* Cambujlangy March 15. 1804 " ,

*' The churches of Chrift in Edinburgh, to the church of
Chrift in Cambuflang : Grece be unto you and peace
from God our Father, and from the Lord Jefus Chrift."

** We received yours, dear brethren, with unfeigned
pleafure, and we doubt not but the Lord will amply recompenfe
you for the facrifice you have willingly made of your beloved
paftor for his fervice. '

** We cannot be furprifed that you fliould feel upon the occt-
fion, but our God will fupply all your wants, out of his richer
in glory, by Chrift Jefus.

i.3iiA"-;."ji,>>

(

. ** The peace and unity with which you iDfortn us you have
been bleffed, calls for our grateful praifes on your behalf.

** In the general diredions given in the word of God refpefl*
ing the duty of padors, it cannot be expelled, that every parti-
cular cafe which nnay occur fhould be defcribed, or that minute
dire£lions fhould be given in regard to them. But we are lure,
that it is agreeable to the word of God, that every man fhould
be fully fatisfied in his own mind as to the path^of duty. Your
paflor has long had a great defire to preach the golpel to the
heathen. In the courfe of providence, he has a very favourable
opportunity of accomplilhing his defire. He is confcious tha(
he does not ufe lightnefs in quitting the charge of a church to
which he is much attached : but, taking the flrong inclination
which he feels to go abroad in connection with the opportunity
of accompanying his dear brother, and being fent out by the
churches, he confiders himfelf to be called of God to the work,
and therefore that he is bound to go forward.

** We think it a token for good, beloved, that you have free*
)y given him up to the arduous work, and we trufl the expe-
tience he has acquired whilft with you will eminently tend to
qualify him for it. Your example, brethren, has ferved to pro-
voke the church at Kirkcaldy to approve, in the mod cordial
manner, of our dear brother M'L<ie following what he judges to
be the path of duty.

• ** We hope to be able foon to communicate to youfomething
on the fubje6t of the miffion.

" We truft our correfpbndence on this fubjf£l, will tend to
make us feel a more lively intereft in each others welfare.

*♦ We fhall not ceafe, beloved, to pray for you. We requefl
you to remember us; and, in a particular manner, to ftrive to-
gelher in your prayers with us for our pallor, who is going on
an itinerancy to Ireland. And now, breduen, may the God of
peace, who brought again from the dead the Lord Jefus, that
great fhepherd of the fheep, through the blood of theeverlafting
covenant, make you perf^£t in every good work to do his will,
working in you, that which is \yell pleafing in his fight thr < igh
Jefus Chrift ; to whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen. We
remai'i, beloved brethren, yours in the bonds of love."

*^ Edinburgh^ j4jiril 2'^. i%Q/\J**

Having thus obtained the full cnnfent of their bre-
thren, Meffrs Paterfon and M'Lae came to Edinburgh in June
1804, with a view of engaging in fome additional lludies pre-
paratory to their going to India. During the following winter,
they attended fome of the dalles in the Univerfity, as well as
private ledtures on difFtrent branches of i'cience.

whichl
dia w(
proball
val.
given
paniec
qualifif
Mrf
Edinbl
intervj
in the '
terfonJ
the wJ

;'"-rw'^"T^''^'',^'^~*'^?''"r'-!?^''^'"^^^

in us you have
• behalf.
f God refpcft-
at every parti-
or that minute
lit we are lure,
•y man fliouUl
f duty. Your
gofpel to the
?ry favourable
:onfcious that
F a church to
^g inclination
e opportunity
t out by the
to the work,

5u have free-
ift the cxpe-
ently tend to
ferved to pro-
moft cordial
he judges to

ou fomething

will tend tq
velfare.
We requeft
to drive to-
; is going on
' the God of
Jefus, that
eeveilafting
do his will,
ght thr 4igh
^men. We
e."

■ their bre-
gh in June
ludies pre-
ing winter,
as well as

On more maturie Cohfidelration, it tvas found, that the cfxpencd
which would be incurred by fending Mr M*Lae's family to In-
dia would be very great, and that his wife and children might
probably be expofed to many inconveniences on their firft arri-
val. It therefore appeared expedient, that the idea (hould be
given up, and that Mr Paterfon (hould proceed to India, accom-
panied by an unmarried brother, if fuch could be found fuitably
qualified.

Mr Ebenezer Henderfon, who was at that time fludying in
Edinburgh with a view to preach the gofpel, in which, during an
interval of his iludies, he had been engaged the preceding fummer
in the north of Scotland, offered himfelf as a companion to Mr Pa-
terfon. The churches, after being fatisfiedof his qualifications for
the work, and finding that Mr P. was very defirous that he (hould
accompany him, unanimoufly received him. Having been fo-
lemnly commended to Jefus by prayer with fafting, on the 23d of
Auguft 1805 they failed from Leith to Copenhagen, intending
to take their pafTage from thence to India in the (hips of the
feafon. On their arrival, however, they found they were too
late, and that they muft refolve to remain in Denmark during
the winter. To this they were the more eafily reconciled, as
they had an opportunity of preaching the gofpel to their coun-
trymen in Copenhagen and Elfineur. The accounts received
fronn them from time to time, and the profpe£t afforded of their
being made extenfively ufeful in their prefent (ituation, oc-
cafioned the brethren at home ferioufly to confider whether it
might not be their duty to remain for fome time on the Con-
tinent. So fully Were Meffrs Paterfon and Henderfon conviu-
ced of the importance of the fphcre in which they were placed,
that, although (till defirous of proceeding to India by the Spring
(hips, they felt uneafy in the profpe6t of leaving it, unlefs others
could be found to occupy their (lation. ' '

The churches had feen, that it was impoflible for them to
proceed without laying down a plan for their operations. They
had ' accordingly fent the brethren to Copenhagen on their way to
India. They were aware, however, that their plans might
be different from that of the great Head of the church, and as
they had no hope of fuccefs but from him, they defired to be
guided by him in all things. The favourable accounts received
from Denmark^ made fo (Irong an imprefiion on the pallors of
the churches, that they determined without delay to write to
Meffrs P. and H. and to learn how their minds ftood affedled.
They accoidingly addreffed to them the following lettiir,

" Dear Brethren, V Edi/tburgh, Dec. 25. 1805. ^

" We have perufed, with much intereff. Brother P.V

letters of 9th and i2ih November. Neither you nor we aotici^

G -

pated, before parting, the circumftances which have fince otf*
curred, and which demand our mutual thankCgivings to our
all- wife and gracious Redeemer, while they are much calculated
to lead us to repofe unlimited trull in Him, and to refer entirely
to his dire£lion the line of duty as He ihall day by day mark it
out. This is the duty and privilege of all the fervants of the
Lord Jefus Chrift in every condition and in every place, and
peculiarly applies to thofe, whofe exclufive bufinefs in the world
is to propagate the favour of his name.

*' From the ilatement in your various letters,^ particularly in
the two lafl, we have been ftrongly perfuaded, that for the pre-
fent at leaft, the Lord calls for your labours in that part of the
world where you are now placed. With your obje£t in view
as Miflionaries, we cannot conceive a fituation of greater impor-
tance, or of better hopes for glorifying the Saviour by making
known his falvation. There you have at once an opportunity
of inflruding many who never heard of the truth, and of
rekindling the light which feems ready to vanilh from that
part of the world.

*• You know, brethren, that at the beginning of the gofpel,
when, as now, there were not labourers fufficient for the harveft,
the Head of the church directed his fervants, where they
were to go, fometimes fending them to places to which their
own inclinations were turned, and fometimes thwarting their de-
ligns in this refpefl, and even frullrating their attempts to car-
ry them into eiFc£b. Now, although we are not to look for
that fupernatural dircdlion as to places^ which was frequently, if
not alwayit, vouchfafed to the Apoftles and to the firlt. minifters
of the word ; yet we are fully perfuaded that his will may ia
many cafes be io clearly afcertained from his providential
openings and arrangements, as to bind the confcience and re-
move all dubiety as to the line of duty.

" To us nothing appears more clear, than that the fer-
vice in which you are now engaged, ought not to be abandon-
ed, nor the door cloftd which the Lord has opened. Your pre-
fent fphere of labour is already equal to your exertions, and
thefe exeitions, even in a midionary view, are of as great impor-
tance to theinterefls of Chriflianity as if made in China or in any
other part of the world- What confequences would refultfrom
genuine Chriflianity being introduced among the trading part of
the North of Europe, and into the principal cities on the Conti#.
nent ? From your letters this appears to be praflicable, and from
the favour in the eyes of the people which the Lord has already
given you, we think there is every reafon to believe, that you
wil| be able to profecutc this important work with greater ad-
vaittage than any that might afterwards go out.

the

toil

Chr

cont

dent

to fu

mind

the
To a
will.
and h:
words
do.

«(

lave iince oC«
;ivings to our
tuch calculated
) refer entirely
hy day mark it
fervants of the
ery place, and
:fs in the world

particularly in
at for the pre-
lat part of the
}bje£l in view
greater impor-
lur by making
an opportunity
truth, and of
lilh from that

[ of the gofpel,
for the harveft,
s, where they
o which their
arting their de-
tempts to car-
t to look for
frequently, if
firlt. minifters
is will may in
providential
ience and re-

that the fer-

o be abandon-
Your pre-

xertions, and
great impor-

hinaor in any
d refult from
ading part of

on the Contio
ble, and from
has already
ve, that you
h greater ad-

*' Conlidering therefore the fphere you now occupy, and
the hopes of its extenfion, we are of opinion that it is impcflible
to find any other place where you can be of greater fervice in
Chrift's kingdom : of courfe we are moft defirous you ftiould
continue there, until the duty of leaving it be made as evi-
dent as the contrary feems to be at prefent. We are apt
to fuppofe that fimilar ideas mud have occurred to your own
minds, although from their being direded ultimately to another
obje£t, you may not have given the matter that confideration
which it is the objeA of this letter earneitly to rcqueil you will
do.

*' Dear brethren, you need not be told, that in obeying
the Saviour, we ought not to go before him, even in purpofe.
To all our refolutions this condition mud attach, if the Lord
will. How you are to ferve him, and where, he alone knows,
and his counfel (hall ftand. It is needlefs for us to multiply
words. We have mentioned the reafons for our thinking as we
do. Thefe have been furni(hed by your letters ; and to them
may be added the following conliderations, which are alfo of
much importance.

•* In aiding you where you are, both with neceflary fup-
port and with afTiftants, the churches here will have a vafl
deal more in their power than they would have, were you to go
to India. For although we have confidence that you will incur
no unneceflary expence, while on our part we would endeavour
to fupply all your wants, yet the fum neceflary to tranfpott and
fettle you in India, with the additional expence of living in that
country, would, we apprehend, in a great meafure, preclude
the profpedt of reinforcing the miflion, as well as prevent other
exertions. The probability of the continuance of life and
health, is alfo confiderably greater in your prefent itation :
and you run lefs rilk of being interrupted in your operations
in Europe than in India. The time that would be confumcd in
the voyage, and in finding a fetilement, would alfo be favcd.
And befides, while great and well direfted exertions are ma-
king in India by Societies who proceed in a fettled regular
train, and already occupy the principal flations, the immenfe
field which the Lord feems to open to you, is totally negUBed
of all, and there you would proceed without any danger of in-
terfering with others. It may alfo be added, that from the
moft credible fources of information lately obtained from
natives of different parts of Germany, feveral of whom fome
of us have feen, and who appear to be pious and intelligent
men, there is every reafon to believe, that unfpeakable bene-
fit might arife to Chriftianity on the Continent, from the
zealous and prudent exertions of thofe who know and can
fpeak the truth in fimplicity and in love. An inflance was

mentioned in proof, of a baker, lately in Berlin, who was of
great fervice to the caufe of the blefled Redeemer, by his indi.
vidual and unfupported exertions, and chiefly in converfation with
thofe to whom he had accefs.

'* It is unneceflary for us here to advert to any remark that
might be made on the opinion we have fubmittcd to your
confideration, as if there was a change of ground, and a depart.
ing from what was underftood by us all. You cannot fail to
fee, that the principles of fecular bufinefs do not apply to this
matter. Our only object was, to ferve God in the gofpel of
liis Son, and India was the place we thought of. But if He
calls for your fervices nearer home, then it is our duty to obey.
And we have been led, from the views afforded by your letters,
to fee more clearly than we before did, the neceflity and duty of
forming no purpofe in promoting the influence of the truth,
without iubjcfting our operations, in every part of their pro-
grefs, to fuch alterations as may be diflated by the light of an
all-wife and gracious Providence.

" We have thus, dear brethren, freely dated to you our fen-
timents. We (hall be glad to hear from you how far they cor-
refpond with your own. We trud that the Lord himfelf will
direct you in this important matter. He has promifed to guide
the meek in judgment ; and we are perfuaded that wherever you
fhall ultimately be called to labour, we ihall all have reafon to
adore Him who is faithful to his promife, and guide& the blincl
in a way that they know not."

How much thefe fentiments accorded ^ith thofe of Meiirs P.
and H. will appear by their anfwers.

•?^

fc<«.

** Dear Brethren, Elfineur, Jan, i8. i8c6.

** I am deeply convinced of tlie force of the obferva-
tions communicated in yoir letter of the 25th ult. Our deten- •
tion in this country at the firft, appeared evidently to be of the
Lord. Since the comme' "euv»nt of our exertions for promoting
the interefts of thd Redeomer's kingdom on the Continent, I
fondly hoped that bretinon v oald be fouad to fupply our fta-
^ions in the fpring, whfii (as we then expe£ted) we (bould fai^
for India. With joy I anticipated the fruits that would be pro>
duced by their labours, and earneftly prayed that our fmall be-
ginning rqight iffue in the extenfion of the unadulterated gofpel
of our Lord, in (his part of the world. Previous to the recep-
tion of your letter, I conceived, that it would not be our duty
to leave our prefent fiations unoccupied ; but then I had no
doubt of lome being found to fupply our lack of fervice here.
iThis, you fay, is not at prefent attainable, and therefore I cheer-
fully comply with your requeft, to tarry here, at lead for a ff a-

in,
er,

who was of
by his indi.
onverfation with

any remark that

mittcd to your

d, and a depart-

11 cannot fail to

)t apply to this

n the gofpel of

of. But if He

ir duty to obey.

by your letters,

flity and duty of

! of the truth,

rt of their pro-

the light of an

to you our fen-
)w far they cor.
rd himfelf will
smifed to guide
at wherever you

have reafon to
guides the blind

ofe of Meffi-s P.

in. 18. i8c6.
of the obferva-
It. Our deten- ■
^\y to be of the
IS for promoting
be Continent, I

fupply our fta-
) we (hould fail

would be pro-
t our fmall be«
ilterated gofpel
us to the recep-
not be our duty
then I had no
jf fervicc here,
erefore I cheer-

lead for a fi^s^

, ^nd till within thefe few days I had
:.' . ir. > Denmark foon. But unce the

fon. When, however, our proceeding to India (hall appear ac
manifeftly the will of our heavenly Father, as at prefent our re-
maining here does, I truft I (hall as cheerfully go there. I feel my
mind as much intent upon the primary objefl we had in view when
wc left Scotland aa it was '.bet:
the fulled expectation o'
Lord has ordered uKf.iers cther^vife, it becomes us to (ubniit to
his ble(red wi1' Hew onderful are his judgments, and his
ways are part finding out ! As you juftly obferve, *• He leads
the blind by a way which they know not" How flrikingly is
this divine truth cxempllBed in our cafe. Surely we have much
reaAm to blefs the name of our God, and look to him with
humble fubmi(rion, faying, ** Lord lead us in the way that wo
(hould go."— —

** The accounts you have received from time to time, can
convey but a faint idea of the deplorable date of the Continent*
in regard to religion. We pity the inhabitants of Bengal or
Otaheite becaufe they worlhip idols, but what better are Euro-
peans who worftiip no god ?

" Thus I have given you my mind with regard to our pre-
fent fituation. I trud that you ceafe not to pray for us, that
we may be kept from falling, and be zealous and ufeful labour-
ers in the vineyard of the Liord. With love to all the brethren,
I remain yours affeftionately for Jefus' fake,

£,B£K. Henderson.**

" Copenhagen^ 20th Jan. 1806.
♦* Dearly Beloved Brethren,

** Yours of the 25th uU I received on the 12th inft.
1 ' immediate/ lent it under cover to Mr Henderfon who was at
EKineur, defiring him to return it, and inform me what he
thought was our duty in our prefent circumdanccs. Above,
you have brother Henderfon's fentiments on this fubjed, and
although he has anticipated much oi what I had to fay, yet I
fliall date my thoughts on this matter more fully, that fo you
^ay know how my mind dani^ t«(fe£ted.

" I need not inform you aft* 1 what I faid in my letter of the
9th ult. that notwithdanding all that U*!l taken place iince
coming to this country, I was as much bent on going to India,
as when I parted with you. Not that I had not thought of the
necedity of remaining for a feafon pn the Continent of Europe.
It often occurred to me, that the people here were as ignorant
of the gofpel as the people of India, and in many refpeds as
deditute of the means of being made acquainted with it. I am
convinced of courfe, that it is as necelTary to fend midionaries
io ^his, and the neighbouring countries, ^s to HindodaH) if not^

more fo. I anticipated the advantages which might be derived
from our remaining here, or going to fome other part of the
Continent. I perceived that it would be eafier to obtain accefs
to the people m Europe than in India ; that introducing the gof-
pel among them would be attended with lefs expence, and that
more was likely to be done in lefs time. I often afked myfelf,
might I not be as ufefully employed in preaching the gofpel to
Europeans as to Hindoos, and probably more fo ? Will it not
be eafier for our friends to fend us out afiiftants ? And if the
Lord blefs his word for the converfion of thofe who attend, are they
not likely to be more estenfively ufeful to their fellow men than
the uncultivated heathen ? As the field for mifiionary exertions
is as extenfive as important, and in all probability will be mucli
more produdtive, why not remain > Such thoughts frequently
made me hef tatt ; but my ftrong defire to devote myfelf to the
propagation of the gofpel among the heathen, foon turned the
balance, and kept my mind ileadily fixed on going to India as
we originally intended. Although your letter fuggefted no
new ideas to my mind, yet as it is your opinion that we fhould
remain for a feafon where we are, to improve the opening the
Lord has made for us in this country, after confidering the mat-
ter fully, and looking to the Lord for diredlion, and correlpond-
ing; with my companion concerning it^ I cheerfully acquiefce
with your advice to remain. This I confider not only to be
your wifli, but likewife the will of my heavenly Father. The
circumftances connefted with our coming to this country, and
what has befallen us during the time we have been here, fo ful-
ly convince me that the Lord has fome work to do with us here,
that I dare not hefitate for a moment longer as to remaining.
And yet were you as urgent for us to embark for India, as you
arc for us to remain, 1 would moft willingly embark by the firft
opportunity.

" Well, the Lord has placed me in afituation fimilar to what I
was when 1 went to Cambuflang. I was then fully fet on going
out as a niflioiiary to Bengal, all T wanted was a fuitable com-
panion. Brother M'Lae was on the eve of being married, and
could not, tiimk of accompanying me, and none of my other
clafs-fellows were difpofed for the work. Tlius, as I thought,
nothing but the want of a companion prevented me from going
at that time ; but the unalterable purpofe of Jehovah was the
real barrier, and the other was only the means of bringing me
to aft according to it. He had much work to do with me in
Cambuflang — a number of poor finners tq bring in to his (heep-
fold, vvho, I tnilt, (hall be my crown and my joy in the day of
the Lord Je us Chrift — a church to plant there by my inftru-
xnentality, which I doubt not is precious in his fight, and the
obje£t of hi^ paternal care. The intered I feel in them snakes

ight be derivea
her part of the
to obtain accefs
)ducing the gof.
:pence, and that
1 alked myfelf,
g the gofpel to
>? Will it not
I ? And if the
attend, are they
;llow men than
•nary exertions
' will be much
hts frequently
myfelf to the
>on turned the
^ to India as
fuggeftcd no
hat we /hould
te opening the
ring the mat-
d correlpond-
Lilly acquiefce
ot only to be
father. The
country, and
here, fo ful-
ith us here,

remaining,
ndia, as you

by the firft

ir to what I
fet on going
itable com-
larried, and
my other

I thought,
from going
ah was the

inging me
with me in

his flieep.

he day of

ny inftru-

t, and the
m makes

them dear to me as my own foul, and the comfort I enjoyed in
them makes me anxious for the falvation of finners wherever
I go, preaching the everlafting gofpel, that iliey may be united
together, in like manner, to obferve the Itatutes of their Lord
and Saviour. I do not think that ever 1 Ihall give up the
thoughts of going to India fo long as I keep my health, and am
not entangled with a family. But whether I fhall ever ice that
country is known only to the Lord. Perhaps it may be with
me as to India as it was with Paul as to Spain ; or I may be
brought to it at a time, and 'n a way very unexpeflrd, as he
was to Rome. The will of the Lord be done. Blefled be his
name that ever he made me acquainted with his falvation, and
put it into my heart to devote my life to his fervice in the work
of the miniftry. I trufl I fliall ever be willing to ferve him by
night and by day, with my whole perfon, wherever h« calls for
my labours.

" Dear brethren, do not imagine from any thing I have faid,
that I feel difappointed in not immediately proceeding on my
voyage, or that this circumftance gives me any uneafinefs.
Notwithftanding my flrong defire to go, you can have no con-
ception how eafy I feel at the profpe£t of remaining. The Sa-
viour, who will not have us to ferve him againft our will, has,
in a way of which I can give no account, made me perfefkly
content with my prefentfituation— Thus, brethren, I have freely
ftated to you my mind as to the fubjeft of your letter.

**• I hope you will participate in our joy on account of what
the Lord has done for us at Elfineur. Our congregation there
had fcarcely ever exceeded a dozen, and fometimes not above
half that number. On the 5th there were only feven. But all
of a fudden, when we little expe£ted it, their number increafed.
On the 12th, I received the following note from our brother —
«* Be not furprifed when I inform you, that the feats were not
fufficient for the number who attended to-day. Some fat on
the fides of the windows, and others flood. Well, this is all
in anfwer to prayer. I fuppofe you have had much earneft
entreaty at the throne of grace lalt week. I had, and particu-
larly this morning about 10 o'clock. The Lord has the hearts
of all men in his hand, and he can turn them whatever way he
pleafeth. He will be enquired of, however, by his people.
They were remarkably attentive," &c. We had been rather
difheartened on account of their backwardnefs ; but we began
to queflion if we were not in the fault ourfelves in reflraitiing
prayer for them before the Lord. This led us to the throne of
grace, and occafioned our fecting apart fome nights, on which
we defigned, though feparate in body, to meet there to afk di-
redion of God, and to entreat him to incline them to come and
hear ; and I cannot afcribe their coming, in the manner they

did, to any thitig elfe.-'>Do we not erf in not praying, that tliii
Lord may difpofe men to come and hear his truth declared ? It
ikiay favour of what fome people would call a defire to be po-
pular ; but the lead attention to Rom. x. 13, — 17. will prevent
us from being improperly influenced by the fear of being accu.
fed of this.— As laft Lord's day morning was exceffively ftormy,
I little ezpefted that there would be almod any hearing him,
and yet he informs me that there were about fifty, and they had
only three females, although they have always been the moft
numerous ; but it was almoft impofllble they could come out.
Two thirds of our ufual congreg&jon here were abfent, owing
to the badnefs of the weather. Indeed the weather, for more
than three months, has been very indifferent, fo that many have
been prevented from attending, who, i doubt not, will attend
fo foon as the weather gets fettled.

** I hope, dear brethren, you will never be long in letting us
hear from yuu. It is only through the medium of letters that
we have any fellowfhip with our Chriftian brethren at prefent.
As you all enjoy this unfpeakable blefling in fo eminent a de>
gree, do endeavour by your letters to iupply our prefent want
of it John Paterson.'*

Thefe letters were immediately read to the churches, and re-
ceived the cordial approbation of the brethren. Others have
fioce been received from them, of which the following are ex»
traAs.

us.-

•* Mr Dear Brother, Copenhagen, April 8. 1806.

*' Your kind letter of the firft of March gave us much
joy. We were exceedingly happy to learn, that the alteration
which has taken place with refpe^ to our miflion, met with the
hearty approbation of all the brethren. Nothing but the fulled
conviftion that it was the will of God, could have induced th^
brethren to propofe the alteration, and nothing elfe could have
prevailed with us to accede to their propofal, and it is encourag>
ing to find, that the (leps we have taken appear to all our bre-
thren to be duty. Although we confider ourfelves as at perfect
liberty to adopt fuch plans as appear to us to be moft for the
glory of God, yet it would be painful to us in the extreme, to
find that any part of our conduct was not approved of by the
churches* I have no doubt, that if on all hands we have the
glory of God fimply in view, and follow the path of duty as
he day by day ftiall be pleafed to point it out, it will in a great
meafure prevent any difference in opinion from ever taking
place.

" It gives us moft fincere pleafure to know, that our brethren
take fuch ao intersft in all that concerns us. The work in

raying, that thii
ith declared ? It

defire to be po.
17. will prevent
r of being accu.
ceffivelj ftormy,
ly hearing him,
tj, and they had

been the moil
could come out.
; abfent, owing
ather, for more
that many have
lot, will attend

ng in letting us
1 of letters that
hren at prefent.
• eminent a de.
ir prefent want
Paterson.'*

urches, and re-
. Others have
llowing are ex»

prtlS. iSo6.
h gave us much

the alteration
, met with the
; but the fuUeft
e induced thd
Ife could have
it is encourag.
t all our bre-
es as at perfect
! mod for the
e extreme, to
jved of by the

we have the
th of duty as
iriil in a great
1 ever taking

t our brethren
The work in

ivhicb we are engaged, is we truft the work of the Lord, which
we hope will ever be dear to them, and endear to them all who
are in any way inftrumental in carrying it on in the world.
The Lord grant that we may be enabled to aft in fuch a manner
as to prove ourfelves worthy of the confidence they place in
lis and in no refpedl to difappoint their expeflation concerning
us. John Paterson."

^' Ei/ineuff April 12. 1806.
Through the kindnefs of our Heavenly Father, we
have enjoyed good health fince you laft heard from us. We?
continue to fill up> as far as lies in our power, that fphere of
ufefulnefs which he in his mercy hath opened for us, and we
have reafon to hope that our labours will not be in vain in the
Lord. Several of our hearers in both places begin to think — ■
the great matter is, if they be brought to think aright. This is
the Lord's work. May lie give them on the behalf of Chrift^
the perception of that truth which $efh and blood cannot re-
veal. If he be pleafed to blefs our labours, in any roeafure to
this end, we are amply rewarded, and fliall therein greatly re-
joice. The perfuaiion of having the prayers of fo many of
God's dear people in our behalf gives US great encouragement
to go forward. Pray ye more and rtiore earneftly for us that
our faith fail not. We are furrounded with many great temp-
tations, and confequently ftand in need of peculiar ftrength from
on high. Oh that we may have more And more of that faith
which overcometh the world ! that we may watch and pray, and
daily be looking for the coming of our Lord !

** Some time ago, when looking over the intelligence commu-
nicated in fome of the old Magazines refpefting the ftate'of
religion on the Continent, I met with a letter from a clergy-
man in Sweden with which I was much pleafed. This led
me to think of writing him, which 1 accordingly did ; and
the following is a copy of the anfwer I lately received froni

him.

Storeherg near Lidkoping^ March 25. 1806.
*' Dearly beloved brother and friend in Chrifi,

** Your letter was very welcome to me, add I hope
you will excufe me in delaying the anfwer fo long. This has
been owing to the difficulty I have in writing Englifh, not
having written a line in that language in the fpacc of thirty-
years.

" You may be aiTured that rvery new lover of the Lord with
whom 1 become acquainted, every new notice of the growing
of his reign, will ever rejoice. Warm and revive my poor and
cold heart. How often have I wifhed to be among the heathen^

-;. -M^^ia^^lki^^.t ^.i.

or among fuch ChriAians where I could have an open door to
their hearts ! Since 1799, I have had my own church CaHembly
of hearers), in which the blefled gofpel has been preached for
many years ; neverthelefs 1 cannot with certainty reckon thirty
real lovers of our Saviour. The people deep, and have no ears
for the precious atonement— -which is my greateft forrow In
the neighbourhood are many awakened and fincerely walking
fouls, with whom I have intimacy.

" There are about twenty preachers of us in this diocefe, who
have united ourfelves as an yearly afl'embly and conference for
the purpofe of tdifying and exhorting one another in the true
fervice of our Lord. This Society (the only one of that nature
in Sweden, fo far as I knowj was eflabliflied in 1 802. — Your d-jar
letter (hall be communicated in our Society. I am fure it will
give them much joy ; and if you will continue to give us fur-
ther accounts of the wi(hed fuccefs of the Lord's work by
yourfelves and others, it will interefl me more than all things in
the world ; and 1 will therewith rejoice, as alfo my brethren and
other friends.

" Oh ! that we may with foul and body devote ourfelves to
him, who devoted htmfelf for us in the mod bloody death ! To
know, love and ferve him, Oh ! that is already a heaven upon
earrh. BlefTed be you and your dear brother, and every one
who is in flaming love and fervent zeal to the ever and eve-
adorable Saviour. For his fake I love you with all my heart,
and through his grace I remain your poor brother,

L. C. Retzius."

" To-day I fent him another letter, mentioning fuch informa-
tion refpefting religion as I was poflefled of. I have alfo made
fome enquiries refpefting the circulation of tradls in Sweden, and
the probable expencc of printing a number of them in the lan-
guage of that country.— . ■■

EfltN Henderson."

conti
the b
have
to th
more
than

ing an
the m
falfe I
with
and t
the pi
and
pruder
heart

Copenhagen^ May 14 i8o6.
We rejoice to think, that the opinion yon had
formed as to the propriety of fending miffionaries to the Conti-
nent is more and more ftrengthened. If gives us much plca-
fure that all our friends are fo unanimous as to this matter, and
it is calculated to confirm us in the choice we have made. In-
deed we are more and more convinced, that at prefent we are
"Where God would have us to be ; fo that although our defire to
go to India be unabated, we would confider it difobedience to
the divine will to leave our prefear fituaticn. We are happy to
inform you, that the change which has taken place has not opera-
ted in the fmallelt degree againft us. Our congregation continues
equally good as at firft. Some who came for a few days have

•pen door to
ch Caffembly
preached for
eckon thirty
have no ears
forrow In
ely walking

diocefe, who
inference for
in the true
f that nature
— Your d'izr
fure it will
jive us fur-
's work by
all things in
brethren and

Durfelves to
r death ! To
eaven upon
I every one
ver and eve-
1 my heart,

ETZIUS."

ch informa-

e alio made

Jwcden, and

in the Ian.

lERSON."

1806.
3n you had

he Conti-
luch plea-
natter, and
(lade. In-
nt we are
ir defire to
edience to
? happy to
not opera<

continues
days have

fallen off, but their place has been fupplied by others. We
have every reafon to believe, that our congregation here will
continue good, and that if there be any change, it will be for
the better. What gives us much encouragement is, that we
have accefs to many in private, and can ufe the freedom to fpeak
to them about the things of the ettmal worM ; and perhaps
more is to be done in a place like this by private converfation,

than in any other way whatever.

** What an honour will it be, if we be inftrumental of form-
ing and executing plans which, by the bleffing of God, may be
the means of enlightening thofe nations where the beafl and the
falfe prophet have fo long had their feat. We are convinced
with you, that this lies at the foundation of all mifllonary work,
and that it is the way in which the apoftles went to work. May
the plans we form correfpond with the vaftnefs of the objed,
and may we be enabled to profecute them with fuch zeal and
prudence as to enfurc their fuccefs ! It is an obje6l in which the
heart of God and of Chrift is engaged. Let us fee that we en-
gage in it with our whole hearts. What appears to us moft
difficult, is to manifeft in every part of conduft that liberality of
fpirit by which the apoftles were fo remarkably diftinguiftied,
whilft with them we hold every particle of divine truth preci-
ous, and fcrupuloufly obferve all the ordinances of the Lord.
Pafl experience would almoil make us think that this was im-
poffible ; but we hope that as a body and individuals we have
obtained fuch views of the truth, as not only to convince us of
its poffibility, but alfo to enable us by our conduft to convince
all the friends of truth, that it is both prafticable and neceffary,
for our own comfort and the extenfion of the Redeemer's king-
dom. We remain, Sec. J. P. — E. H."

Meffrs Paterfon and Henderfon have diftrlbuted a num-
ber of Englifh tradls, and have got feveral tranflated by a
friend into the Daniih language. Thefe they have endeavoured
to circulate, and have had the pleafure of finding, that they are
in general well received, efpecially by thofe in the higher ranks
of life. A refpeftable merchant has kindly accommodated them
withafale.room, where one of them preaches on the Lord's day.
The other is engaged at Elfineur, where they have got the ufe of
a chapel. Mr Henderfon made a (hort excurfion to Helfingforce,
on the oppofite coall of Sweden, and there diflributed tra£ts.

Mr Archibald M'Lae, who intended at the beginning to ac-
company Mr Paterfon to India, although, for the reafons already
noticed, he heartily acquiefced in the propriety of his not pro-
ceeding to that part of the world, was yet very defirous of going
abroad ; and upon America being propofed, he cheerfully under-
took the voyage. He accordingly failed with his family for

New York in the end of Oaober lad, and arrived in December.
Very pleafant accounts have fince been received from him He
has refolved to remain at prefent in that city. The foilowing
is an extract from his. lafl letter.

'* Ml Dear Sir, New Tori, Feb. 12. 1806.

** I PRESUME that before this time you have heard of
pur fafe arrival, and of the kind reception we met with, from fe-
veral of our friends in this place. The Lord has been very
gracious to us (ince we parted with you. He has not left his
fervants deflitute of his mercy, nor of his truth : though he has
vifited us with fome trials and affliftions, thefe bear no propor-
tion to the multitude of his mercies which we have experienced.
Mrs M'Lae has been ill with a fever for thefe four weeks paft,
but through the goodnefs of God fhe is now recovered. The
children were both very unwell at the fame time, but they are
ilfo getting better. Since I came here, I have in general
preached five times a week, and have upon the whole, been
well attended. I had an opportunity of preaching to the con-
vifts in the States prifon. There are upwards of four hundred
and fifty conviAs. They were very attentive, and I have rea-
fon to hope, that the gofpel has not been preached in vain — The
!(jord in fovereign mercy has been pleafed to blefs his word, and
render it efFcftual for the falvation of a young man with whom
I was formerly acquainted when in Scotland He belongs to
Glafgow, and came out here about four years ago I have con-
verfed with him frequently. He was in great diftrefs of mind
when he was firft awakened, but he has now obtuined efFeftual
reft to his foul in the work of Jefus, and is rejoicing in hope of
the glory of God. I hope the Lord will more and more caufe
his word to have free courfe and be glorified

** I think I mentioned iii the letter I wrote to your brother, that
we were very much at a lofs for a fuitable place of worfhip.
We are now very comfortably fupplied. We have rented a cha-
pel for fifteen months, which was formerly occupied by the Uni-
verfalifts. It is a very handfomc chapel, well feated, in the cen-
tre of the town, and will contain betwixt four and five hundred
people The rent is at the rate of three hundred and feventy-
five dollars a year. I have preached two Sabbaths in it. In
the forenoon and afternoon nearly full, and in the evening re-
markably crouded. The people appear to be very attentive, and
many of them call it the new gofpel, but I hope though it be

ntw to many of them, it is after all the ancient gof pel

.^ Arch M'Lae."

It was intended that Mr Walter Balfour, who alfo ftudied under
Mr Ewing and Mr Cowie, (hould accompany Mr M'Lae j but, ow-

beha

ecember.
im He

foi lowing

1806.
heard of
from fe-
leen very
i left his
2;h he has
a propor-
jerienced,
eks pad.
The
they are
n general
hole, been
the con-
r hundred
have rea-
lain — The
word, and
ith whom
>elongs to
have con-
's of mind
i efFeftual
in hope of
lore caufe

otiicr, that
f worfliip.
jtcd a cha-
y the Uni-
n the cen-
e hundred
1 feventy-
1 it. In
'eninfj re-
intive, and
iigh it be

:'Lae."

i'led under
; but, ow-

ing to an accident which he met with, he was prevented . During lad
winter, he profecuted his iludies at the Univerfity of Edinburgh,
and on the 28th of May, embarked for London on his way to
America. He has been engaged, during thefe five years paft, in
preaching the gofpel in different parts of Scotland ; and, although
he has had feveral prefling invitations, always declined entering
upon the paftoral office, as he wiftied to keep himfelf difengaged
for more extenfive ofefulnefs. His intention now is to take his
palfage for Halifax, and to proceed down the coaft, vifiting the
different towns, and regulating his (lay in them according to
circumftances. By this means, we (hall be able to acquire much
information refpefting the Hate of religion in America He na-
turally felt a ftrong defire to have a fellow- labourer to accom-
pany him ; and the churches, having been fuUv fatisfied of the
qualifications of Mr Archibald MQneen, who has been engaged
in preparatory ftudies under Mr Cowie in Edinburgh, and who
has alfo been employed in preaching in different parts of Scot-
land, have agreed to fend them out together.

In addition to thefe miflions, Mr Francis Dick has gone to
Quebec. He failed for that place in June 1805 — He went
through a courfe of preparation fimilar to that of the other?,
and was for two years employed in preaching both in Scotland
and Ireland, but, for the fame reafon with Mr Balfour, declined
accepting a fettled charge. He has been well received by many in
Quebec, and is at prefent preaching in a chapel formerly occupied
by a preacher from the London Miffionary Society. Since his
arrival, he has vifited Montreal, and the accounts we have had
from him, and from other quarters, lead the churches to hope,
that many preachers may yet be employed in that country.
The following is an extraft of the laft let-.er from him.

" ^74ebec, 'January 11. 1806.
" As there is a gentleman who intends to leave this
place for Britain in a few days, I have taken the opportunity of
fending you a few lines by him. I thank my God that by his
goodnefs I am in good health, and indeed I have been fo
ever lince I came to this country. 1 hope this will find you and
all my dear friends about Edinburgh in the fame comfortable H-
(nation. I have nothing of a particular nature to mention at
prefent. 1 have been preaching the word of life to the poor
people ever lince I came, but cannot tell of any fruits having
yet appeared Our place of worlhip is pretty well attended.
In the evening of the Lord's day it is crouded by people of eve-
ry defcription,.who feem to hear with great attention, and who
behave with the greateft decency, which I am told was not the
c^fe formerly ; for they often made great dillurbance in the even-

ing3. A few of the paplfls attend in the evening, but I have
not had any opportunity of fpeaking with any oi them in pri.
vate. 1 underftand fome of them would wifli information about
divine things, but fear of offending their priefts has more weight
with them than the fear of offending God The papifls here
are a fet of poor ignorant inoffc-n(ive creatures, who live in the
mofl friendly manner among themfelve-;, and are by no means
bad neighbours. They are very kind tc il rangers. But what
a pity it is, that they are involvrd in the thick datknefs of fu-
perftition and ignorance : while alas ! the'r neighbours conduft
is the means of coiifirming them in thfi' deluiion. For they
fay, " If the Proieflants, who read t>e Bible, were better
men than the Catholics, we might think of becoming Proteflants,
but while we know that they are not fo good as Catholics we
cannot but think Popery is bcft " Thus Chrift is wounded in
the houfe ot his pretended friends. Hereby ihe way of truth
is evil fpoken of. Here we may fee the truth tf thefe words ;
** My name is blafphemed among the heathen through you."
When I think upon all thefe circumflances, I am ready to fear
that it is impofTible to bring the Catholics to the knowledge of
thf gofpel. This is however mine infirmity, for what is impof-
fible with man is pofUble with God. There is no mountain too
great to (land before the accomplifhment of his purpofes. He
will make all his mountains to become a way, and his high
way (hall be exalted. Awake, awake, O arm of the Lord !
awake, as in ancient times, as in the generation of old !

*' By the time that this reaches you I expeft that fome of the
brethren will be prep&iing to fet out for this quarter. I have
fent word to Upper- Canada that I have written to Scotland in
their behalf. The brethren need not be difcouraged to undertake
the voyage ; for neither the danger of the fea nor the change of cli-
mate are at all fo great as they are ready to think when at home.
And thrugh they were far greater than they are, the greatnefsof
the obj- ft they have in vi^w, with the immutable promife of a
faithful God, are more than fuffiricnt to quafh every unbeliev-
ing fear How many have ventured to crofs the Atlantic with
nothing elfe in view but the perifiiing riches of this world ! But
the motives by which the brethrens minds are influenced are in-
finitely more noblt — to preach among the Gentiles the unfearch-
able riches of Chrift ; to turn men from darknefs to light, and
from the power of Satan to God, that they may obtain, &c.
I mentioned in my former letters to Edmburgh, that one Gae-
lic preacher and two Englifh would be highly ufeful, and if on-
ly one of each could come for th? firft feafon, others might be
found afterwards who would be difpofed to come. But if even
that cannot be obtained, I hope r.t leafl one Englifh preacher will
be found to come, as I would be very forry if the people i«

^XL2. ^^-.nlli;i!eli'^!

I have

in pri-
on about
B weight
ids here
e in the
o means
)ut what
fs of fu-

conduft
For they
re better
oteflants,
lolics we
unded in
of truth
e words ;
gh you."
f to fear
vledge of
is impof-
mtain too
fes. He

his high
ie Lord !

^ight be

if even

Iher will

^ople ia

Elizabeth town (hould be difappointed, feeing they expeft one, and
this might be the means of opening a door for the gofpel in the
upper country, where, humanly fpeaking, there is more likeli-
hood of difFufing the gofpel than here in the lower country,
where Satan and Antichrift have their feat The former has
his feat in every country, and in every unconverted man's brcalt ;
but where the latter bears rule, the txternal impediments ap-
pear moll formidable. I (hould like very much to go up ilie
country the firft fummer, and leave one of thofe who come out
in C^iebcc, which will relieve him of a long journey.

•• You can let thechurches know that I have not yet needed to
draw any money from Scotland, and it is not likely I will need
to do fo while 1 am here.— — Give my kind love to all my.
friends in particular, and to the churches in general. I hope I
have an intercft in your prayers daily. Dear brother, 1 pray
for you and for all my dear brethren in Scotland, that the God
of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jefus, that
great (hepherd of the Iheep, through the blood of the everlaft.
ing covenant, would make you perfedt to do his will, working in
you— to whom be glory for evermore.

pRAJfcis Dick."

Tt is with great pleafure we now ftate, that a Gaelic preacher,
Mr James Reid, is extremely deiirous of going out to his country-
men in Canada, and it is intended to fend him there by the firft
opportunity, which is expected to occar about the end of this
month. We hope that much advantage will arife from his be-
ing among the Highlanders in that country, of whom there are
now many thoufands, who can fpeak only their mother, tongue.
Their fituation with refpeft to religion is reprefented as truly de-
plorable, and we have had many urgent applications to fend over
to their help. Mr Reid's labours will not, however, be confined
to them He has ftudied the French language, with a view of
being as extenfively ufeful as poflible in Canada, where it is fo
generally fpoken. Like all the other brethren who have gone
out from the churches, he has profccuted a courfe of lludies
for the cultivation of his gifts, and the acquirement of the ori-
ginal languages of ihe Old and New Teftament. He has alfo
been engaged for a confiderable time in preaching in the High-
lands, and has had different invitations in that country to under-
take the pafloral office, which he declined, in order that he might
be able to go to his deftitute countrymen and others abroad, on
which his mind has long been bent.

In fending forth our brethren, we confider ourfelves as merely
difcharging the incumbent duty of affixing them in their endea-
vours to promote the glory of Jefus, and to realize the earneft
dejfire they have long had, of devoting their lives to miffionary

exertions. We are not bound to thenn, nor they to us, by anjr
promtfe or worldly tie whatever ; but, while mutual confidence
continues, we (hall efteem it our duty to forward their de-
iigfiii.

We confider it a matter of the utmod importance with regard
to all thefe our beloved brethren, that in addition to fuitable
means of improvement in knowledge, they have already had
conflderable experience in preaching the gofpel at home. Ha-
ving forwarded them, as we ttuft, after a godly fort, we are
very deiirous of lending afliOance in the fame great work
to others, who in like manner may he deemed properly quali-
fied. The harveil truly is great ; but the labourers are llili
few.

We fubjoin an account of the expences already incurred by
thefe various miflions.

Dr. Abstradk of Receipt and Expenditure on Account
of Foreign Missions, to June 1. 1806.

To monthly colle(Aions in Edin-
burgh, from July 1804 to

June 1806, L

Extraordinary ditto.

Donations,

192

R. S Efq.

250

A Lady by Mr Ewing,

Anonymous, by Mr J. H.

Ditto by ditto.

A Friend.by Mr R. H.

A Friend, by Mr £wing,

CoUedlion at the Tabernaolc

GlaCgow,

Ditto at Albion Street Cha-

pel, ditto.

Ditto at I Igin,

Ditto at Perth,

Ditto at Strathmartin, &c.

Ditto at Greenock,

Ditto at Forres,

Ditto at Montrofe,

By amount of books, clothes,
cafli. y^ carried out by
Meflrs Paterfon and Hen-
derfon, L.127 14 o

Drawn for by them fince
their arrival, i5i o o

Amount of books, clothes,
Wf. for Mr M'Lae and
family, and Mr Balfour,
and of money carried with
Mr M'Lae, and paid for
paiTnge of him and family
to New York, 234 4 \\

Mr Balfour's additional out-
fit and expences fince Mr
M'Lae's departure, inclu-
ding money carried with
him, 29 7 6

Drawn for by Mr M'Lae

fince his arrival, 46 17 5

Miffion to Quebec, 9° 3 S

Feesof ciafles atCoIlepe, 8t
maintenance of mifiiona-
ries.&MrM'Lae's family, 292 17

Balance on hand, 34 13

L.1116 16 6

By this ftatement it will appear, that we have no idea of
laying up any fund. No ; let the filver and the gold, whicli
are the Lord\ remain in the hands of thofe whom he has con<« \
llituted his Itewards, till it be needed.
. If we attend to the effedls produced by hoarding or finking]

the

fine

knc

fup,

the

The

that

good

whol

Iraiiec

contir

anxioi
by en
necelTa
liberal
way d
ed in
have it

progrefs

ferioully

churches

your Jib

but ftill

«d, that 1

grace of

fakes bee

This gofp

comforts (

joyful ex

part to ott

pod ?-.L.

hours of ]fl

the gofpel ;

fellow helf

^e will abi

purpofe, afl

ing the wor

Chrift. it

bouring aa

fphere lefs i

of many tha

negleft to ca

of Chriftians

^ur.neighbou

les.

cn-

L.X27

i5i

es,

ir,

For

ily

234

4 If

iit-

7 6

17 5

3 S

ly, 19a

17 cf

L.H16

16 6

no idea of

rold,

whicli

le has con"!

known, ibtr;" f ri'" "« ."p°» S':''pt"'\t t'H

good work, . „d 'leave "L/^'"'' S'""a'ion, be r«d. ,""''•f•
We do not intend then *«

way diverterf r "'*^' ^^^P^^^d to the ri/t «f u ^ S"'^^ o^

in«r 1 "^» ^"^ enables us t« 1 i r * ^ rcliih to the

joyful expedlation Shoii ^ook forward to dearh«-;i?

comparatively trifling expence and riik, that we may fend mil-
fionaries to the dillance of many thoufand miles in fearch of
avowed idolaters ? Let us remember, there are but two charac-
ters in the world.

So far from cunfulering, that the attention of Chridians ought
to be exclpjfively directed to countries where the name of Ghrift
is unknown, we conceive that we have peculiar encouragements
to fend the gofpel to thofe who profefs the religion of Jefus.
We find many in fuch fituations, who, while they are living
without God in the world, admit that the Scriptures contain a
divine n vclation. In addrefling ourfclves to fuch, we have the
fame aJvantage which the apoflles had of old in reafoniog
with the Jews. It is alfo to be expefted that among tliefe,
we fliall meet with Chriftians who only require to be ftirred
up to adlive exertions. It is evident how very imporiant it is,
to provoke iuch to love and to good works. Some »oo will
probably be found, v^ho, although living by faith in Jefus,
have >et very dark and perplexed views of truth. If they be
more fully inilru£ted, if their zeal be excited, they may not on-
ly be ufeful among their countrymen, but an hod of miffionaries
to labour among idolaters will be raifed up. Hence it appears,
that to begin by vifiting and preaching the gofpel in countries
called Chrillian, is the mod cfFc^ual method to evangelize the
heathen.

In thefe fentiments we are fully confirmed, when we attend
to the manner in wliich the gofpel was firll publiflied. We
find, that while the apoflles confidered themfclves to be debtors
to all delcriptions of men, their firit attempts were diiefted to-
waids thofe who profeflcd the woifhip of the true God, efpe-
cially to fuch as refided in populous cities, and among civilized
nations. The advantages of this mode of procedure are fuffi-
ciently obvious ; and we may with cor.fidence lollow their ex-
ample From tne Itate of our own country, we may judg2 of
the iituation of others; for if we aie to know the difciplci of
Chriit by their fruits, and if faith pu'^ifies the heart and over-
comes the world, how few amongft us have obtained it ! But
our own country 13 too favourable a criterion to judge by. On
the Continent things are very difFtrenr, and many who are very
carelefs here, would be fhocked if they faw the open profane-
nefs and irreligion which prevail there. Btethrenj let us en-
deavour to extend as far as pofl^ble the genuine aodrine of the
crofs ; let us llrive to impart to many of our fellow hnners jull
views of the nature of the kingdom of Jefus ; and Itt us ever
remember, that our exerdons in his caufe v/ill be a good evidence
of our growing attachment to him.

It is unnecefTary for us, b« loved, to add, that we have all need
to look well to ourfclves as churches and individuals. While

proft/
of neg
ledge
calling
him in
the Wo
not be
ft rive t
This
are not
conceal.
We do
ment ant
■re convi
known t
througho
fame tin\
fqually c:
all thing
^ufy to CO
all its par
'1 'he fellc
Jefus to b
All (he ]
authority,, .
although w
cal ordinanc
and tarne/tl'
rcfptft, we J
love them fo
know fr jm e
and various <
vent rnen fro
j ordinances of
Jf we have
I of fending th<
the glory of C
whtre differer
Bexertion. W
[any who appe:
fbut we think,
fchurches, form
|New Teftamer
1 prov-eed by (
pur t/Forts are
lithe r to been ei
peplorable ftate

.;.-»» ^

fend mif-

fearch of

'O charac-

iais ought

of Chrift
ragements

of Jefus.
are living

contain a
e have the

reafoning
jng thefe,
be (lirred
riant it is,
I t'oo will

in Jefus,
If they be
av not on-
iifHonaries
t appears,

countries
;elixe the

we attend
ed. We
3e debtors
irefted to-
rod, efpe-
r civilized
are fuffi-
their ex-
judg2 of
fciplci of
ind ovcr-
j it ! But
: by. On
I are very

profane-
et us cn-
ne of the
uiers jufl

us ever
evidence

e all need
While

pfoft/Hng (0 attend h

°^ ne^I.dhng our own** wl'-r^"'^ °^ '''h^rs. wcftn. M u

f«'l'ng on oth 's t, fL ''''' ^« ^'alk n Vis S,"- '^' ^"^^'
'"•« •" all thinl ll ""' '° ^'■"s. let our n ^Y'' ^^H^^
^'- word of 1 f^ '\^;- apparent ;' and ^us w'eV^lt?'- ^»

r ^' ''^"d ^ J« us dwell .7 T ' '"y ^^' "Pon an m Yi^""''^
'If've together for »i, r • ' '^^'^ and unirv . T ■ '^'"^h <^»n.

W'' 10 no. re; Tot/^'^ -r view, '^^Tp'Z'.T'"^ 'o
"""' «nd prafhce ""'Z'*'-':"'"' from o.he, O ' «• ■""' J'""-
"«o„vi„ccd „f 'L'°^ ""'"-Portan,. VVhile '[''"'' ''"J''''g-

f-»" .he g,;/ Z^^';:;- -der whicht-a f L,-^""'- f
throu^hf/iir .«„ "gs or laJvHtinn n/«o^ j "'" fo make

T""/ '*P'ic.; p ceo. o ""r'^P"""" of a'„r;.;"= " ""=

■'"'y '" conicnd for ,|," f u """"""M. Vvf "nfi ^"^"■"^
"""s parts- anH , '"' ""« dflivcreH ,?"''" " ""r

•■' 'he W'">4"'„r,'he"ff''r""^ "'-1. CO ^cr' eVr'""' '"
Jefus to be onl I "■" gofpel. vVe accoi,r7,l ^ '° "a'k

-'''otit,.a„H Jdt „t«^.- -e publift J"4" ,;'^' P--..
a'though we reckon f^ , ^'''^^fiard the U^a J^ ^^"^ ^»f»ie

"'ordinances <,:?,;: „';otL"^ 1" "o' »' bw ' h'eT' «^,"'
refpea, we ran nn t "'."" """rinp he wU '"«'"'?'"""'<'.
know from e^nerien ^' '''" »'"ch dwelleth ' ^1"' '""I "»

, ve^;:rf:£?--.oet;^^^^^^

|ordi...^--«.heapo„o,tea,;^--- ,

^wh.re differences of? r '^""^'^ ""^fVives w h "'" ^^

i«ertion. We /l mT'"'"^ "^'g'^t excite H.-fTr '"^ ''°^'^^7

i»n> who appi^rt ^^ ''' ^'"'"g ^o unite o.t:'t" '"' ^^«-P

put we think tha? """ '^' ^''^ ^'"us fo ^ ' ''"°"'"^ ^'^'^ '*

&n<! to this field the providence of God has'led Us. In Ameri«ia
too we have ample fcope for exertion. If you approve our de.
figns, we (hall thankfully receive aflldance from you. We (hall
from time to time give you an account of our proceedings, and
we truft you will join with us in prayer to the great Head of the
church to crown our feeble attempts with his bledlng, fo far as
they are agreeable to his will.

*^* Donations or Suhfcriptions are received by the Pajlors of the
different Churches, — Alfo 3j/ Mr John Robertson, Mer~
chanty Edinburgh^ Mr George Gibson, and Mr James
Ogilvie, Merchants, Leith.

Ar;=:

I , ■ ■ — 4-

^A — . — *■ — --tti—^,—

PRINTED BY J. RITCHIE, EDINBURGH*