OF MISSIONS. His blood-red banner streams afar; Who follows in his train? Who best can drink his cup of woe, Triumphant over pain; Who boldest bears his cross below- The martyr first, whose eagle eye In midst of mortal pain, He prayed for them that did the wrong: But there is no mystery as to the result. By special revelation, that result was made known to the Apostle Paul, (Eph. iii. 2-7) and demonstrated by his almost superhuman life and labours. To talk of difficulties and discouragements and dangers, is unbeliev bedience. God has promised, and saved are to seek the lost, and those who hear and live are to become the preachers to them that have never heard, and who are perishing for lack of knowledge. This has been God's agency in all past dispensations of the church and is the only instrumentality instituted for all time to come. (Rom. x. 13-15). Neither is there any ambiguity as to the course of duty. Events belong to the Lord, but commands belong to us. Obedience, therefore, is ours, and it is with God to bless or to withhold his blessing, to withhold or to withdraw his presence; and this obedience is to be rendered according to our ability and opportunity, whether success or disaster has attended past exertions-whe the |