Yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth:
And he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither,
And the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal,
Saith the Holy One?"

What are missionaries, Mamma?

A true missionary, my love, is unexceptionably the brightest and most glorious character upon earth: he is next to an apostle, my love; he is one of Christ's disciples.

Are there many, Mamma?

I fear, my child, there are but few.

Why are there few, Mamma?

Because much is required of them. Do you not remember, my love, what Christ exacted of his apostles,-to forsake home, friends, mother, father, wife, and children,-to leave all?

And did they do this, Mamma?

Yes, my love? Peter said to the Lord, Behold, wę have forsaken all, and followed thee.

And are there indeed few missionaries, Mamma ? But few indeed, my love. Those of the church, my love, as our Lord said, would prefer rather exaltation than the lowest seats. Oh, my love, few are to be found, leaving wives, mothers, and children for the sake of Christ; taking up his cross, and following him in town, field, and market-place; but

many are fond of settled spots, of good homes, and the good things of this world.

Did all missionaries travel, Mamma?

Paul was their head, my love, who was in labours abundant, suffered stripes above measure, in prison more frequent, in deaths oft. He received of the Jews five times forty stripes save one; thrice was he beaten with rods, once stoned, thrice suffered shipwreck, and a night and a day was he in the deep. In journeyings often; in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils of his countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often ; in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. But O, my love, where shall we find such a missionary? Why, my love, I do not know any who will take their staff for God, and thus traverse the world with his simple scrip and Bible. Are the missionaries not provided for, Mamma ? God said, he would provide for them. He brought to their remembrance how the lilies of the field grew, and were fed; how that they toiled not, nor did they spin: he adverted to the growth of the grass of the field: he told them not to take thought what they should eat, or what they should drink, or wherewithal they should be clothed: he desired them to

take no thought for the morrow; for that the morrow should take thought for the things of itself: sufficient unto the day was the evil thereof.

Did Paul trust to God?

He did, my child; but he exerted himself, by not neglecting the use of means for his own subsisttence.

How, Mamma?

He followed the humble trade of a tent-maker. He said, that he debased himself that those whom he taught might be exalted: for he added, "When I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself."

Now, my love, Paul was the head of the church; for he says, "I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles."

I deeply lament, my child, the contrast in that and the present state of the church: for the heads are how more of the character of the dignitaries of the earth, than after him who made himself poor, that others by his poverty might be made rich, and who was indeed the Lord of Hosts, the gracious King of glory. For even Peter, who was the Lord's constant follower and chosen servant, was but a fisherman. When he was called upon by a poor lame beggar, he replied, that he had neither gold nor silver

to give: so poor and so dependant were God's chief est ministers on God's daily bread. But these, my sweet child, preached the gospel to the poor; and that is the commandment of God to all his ministers to this day. Indeed, none was worthy of becoming Christ's disciples, but who was ready to humble himself in the church: for Christ said, "Whosoever doth not humble himself, and doth not bear his cross, cannot be my disciple. For which of you," said the Lord," intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it: lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold him begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and is not able to finish. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal, If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be. Let your loins be girded, and your lights burning. There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid, that shall not be known. I say unto you, my friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. Are not five sparrows sold for a farthing? and not one of

them is forgotten before God: but even the very hairs of your head are numbered. Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise lordship over them, and their great ones exercise authority upon them: but so shall it not be among you; but whosoever shall be greatest among you shall be your minister; and whosoever will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all: for even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister."

Then what will God finally give to his faithful missionaries, Mamma ?

In reply to Peter, he said, my love," Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. In my Father's house there are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father; and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he, (my love, says the Saviour, shewing the Spirit to be God,) the Spirit, shall teach you all things, and