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Henry, the eldest son of Mr. Villeroi, a fine, animated, lad, of fifteen or sixteen years of age, was greatly struck with this address. guine feelings, and a lively imagination, he caught up, rapidly, the glow of intense interest which a warm detail of circumstances like these, had a tendency to inspire; and he thought, within himself, nothing appeared so desirable as the life and labour of the missionary, combining in its sphere so many heroic virtues and sacrifices, and crowned at the end with such immortal victory. He compared in his own mind, the deeds of worldly heroes-of the Greek and Roman conquerors-the Alexanders— the Scipios-the Hannibals: or those crowned with more modern laurels-the imperial victor of Pavia, or the once invincible Swede, who "left a name at which the world grew pale." How poor, how insignificant, did their motives and their actions appear, contrasted with the lowly missionaries, who, like their Master, were despised and rejected of men: who, instead of seeking worldly fame, incurred worldly contempt instead of thirsting for men's lives, earnestly sought to save them; and, instead of the perishing breath of human approbation, desired the honor which cometh from God only. Full of these thoughts and comparisons young Henry Villeroi returned home from the prayer-meeting that evening, excited too much, however, with new fancies and projects to be very communicative of them, as yet, to any one indeed the next day he rather sought to be alone; and, had any one witnessed his secret employments in his study, he might have been seen

tracing with his finger, on a gigantic map of Asia, the various spots where the seed of eternal life was scattering from missionary hands-where Swartz had toiled in his prolonged usefulness-where Carey translated-where Martyn died. He imagined to himself the delight of treading in their steps, of reaping their harvest, of carrying on their work. In idea he conversed with, and convinced their Pundits, he felt no fatigue in translation, no languor from the climate; he followed to the Jhatra of Juggernaut, preached to the thousands, and imagined their desertion of the idol, and, transported by fancy, conceived himself, at once, possessed of all the talents, the zeal, the indefatigable love of souls, the heavenly-mindedness, and the crucified spirit of these eminent characters.

It could scarcely be expected, that a mind which was thus taking excursions to the farthest boundaries of the globe, and even laying out for itself the highest rewards of protracted martyrdom, could return, with much facility or willingness, to bear the little interruptions of common occurrences. While Henry was in the midst of his meditations a message was sent to him by a person who requested his immediate attention. Henry scarcely listened to the message. It was from a person whose name he knew, and to whom he had several times given pecuniary aid, but just now he did not scruple to send him word that he was too busy to speak to him at present. A short time afterwards, a little sister, about five years old, ran hurriedly into the room,

she pushed his map rather unceremoniously out of her way, in consequence of which the weights he had put on two of its corners fell off, the map curled up into its usual fold when not in use, and overturned an ink bottle, which he had inconsiderately laid on its surface, for the convenience of writing notes. This was certainly a very provoking accident; the poor little girl was frightened, and begged her brother's pardon: she was going to tell him the reason of her hurry, and what she wanted with him, but Henry was too much irritated to hear her: he sent her instantly out of the study, with an angry threatening air, and shut the door, fastening it inside, to prevent any new intrusion. How the accident which disturbed him was remedied, does not appear; but it is probable that his mind did not soon recover its tone, or return to the course his thoughts had been pursuing, with the same animation and interest as before.

On the evening of the day after the missionary meeting had been held, a party of friends met together at Mr. Villeroi's house. The elder persons who composed this party were collected in a group, engaged, it is hoped, in useful and serious discourse, while the younger people, and a few whose vivacity led them to prefer such society, separated themselves a little apart into another room, which was connected with the first by a large folding-door. Here, assembled round a large table, they soon fell into animated conversation upon the subjects with which they had been entertained the

preceding evening, and with the ardour of feeling natural to most young people, began to plan and imagine schemes for advancing the good of mankind; but, as is usual in such cases, their plans were chiefly of an impracticable nature, depending on circumstances over which they themselves had no control, or clogged with some impossible condition. One young lady, seemed to possess much of the energy requisite for a missionary character, and only wished that the feebleness of her sex, and its disability for enterprise, did not prevent her from immediately engaging herself in the work. Another lady said, she was sensible how important were foreign missions, but she considered that a great deal was yet to be done at home, and that if she was possessed of a large fortune she would immediately establish herself in some town or village where, by influence and example, she would be the means of introducing new habits and new manners among the people. For their temporal comfort she would establish manufactories and means of employment, in healthy situations, where the exertion should be exactly suited to the capability of every individual in her district, and where the price of labour should be liberal and impartial. She would furnish all the poor with comfortable dwellings, clothes, and furniture, prevent the establishment of public alehouses, and encourage schools, over which she would secure pious and consistent superintendants. Besides having an exemplary Christian minister, resident, she would herself go from house to

house to read the scriptures, instruct, exhort, and encourage—she would keep a table open every day at her house, where a plentiful dinner should be provided for the poor, the lame, the maim, and the blind, all of whom should be indiscriminately invited. Her own wardrobe, and the furniture of her house, should consist of the plainest and coarsest materials, and her whole property considered only as a loan from the Giver of all good gifts, to be spent for His glory and the benefit of her fellow creatures.

After this young lady, a grave-looking lad took up the subject, and said, that he thought he could be most useful, if he were a bishop, for he could then appoint, throughout his diocese, faithful and enlightened clergy, who would preach the Gospel in its purity, look diligently after their congregations, and set a holy example to all under their influence. Another desired to be a member of parliament, in which he said he could support and advance the claims of religion, whenever any subject connected with it was brought before the house, and that he might be so much the means of influencing government, that instead of the missionary society being as now supported by private contributions, it might become a national establishment. According to his views the foreign colonies subject to Great Britain, were committed to its charge chiefly for the purpose of being instructed in Christianity, through the medium of a constant intercourse. That, as a mere political measure it ought to be an important object with government to fulfil this design, for nothing