ply them most speedily and successfully, and the prospects of the comparative usefulness of his own talents in different parts of the field, and different parts of the work required in the conversion of the world? And where can be obtain this comprehensive view of things, without a course of missionary reading? Or how could he, without this view, be prepared to fill that public station in the kingdom of Christ, which the Head of the church is pleased to assign him?

But the direct influence of this course of reading, is not limited to the followers of Christ. The late revivals of religion, which have in no inconsiderable degree been promoted by religious and missionary intelligence, the testimony of those who have been awakened and brought to repentance, by missionary reading; together with the nature of the subject itself, abundantly prove, that it is wisely adapted to promote the spiritual and everlasting good of those, who have no true love to Christ;-no interest in that Savior, who has redeemed, and who is now gathering in his elect. In this view it may be recom mended to them also, as infinitely more worthy of their attention, than the productions of abused imagination, or the trifles of gaiety and amusement, which neither cherish nor gratify the temper of heaven, 3. In addition to these remarks on the salutary influence of mis. sionary reading upon private Christians, Ministers, Missionaries, Students in Theology, and even upon unsanctified men, it may be proper to suggest a few hints to those, who have not availed themselves of these advantages, in order to furnish them with the means, and guide them in the course of such reading.

It is a lamentable fact that a great proportion of the people of the U. S. do not afford themselves the facilities which they need, for pursuing such a course. It is a fact over which the American church ought to weep day and night until the evil is removed, that while 20,000,000 newspapers have annually been circulated and read within her borders, her own children have, to a lamentable extent, been kept in ignorance of the progress of Christ's Kingdom;-in ignorance of the claims of a perishing world;-in ignorance of the means by which the spiritual wants of the world are to be supplied, and her own highest prosperity to be secured. A few indeed there are, who are happy exceptions;-who have too deep an interest in the welfare of Zion not to seize every possible means of knowing her state and progress.

Is it too much to suppose, that the time is not far distant, when every true church of Christ will constitute a missionary society, not in profession merely, but in energetic action? It is not too much to say, that every church in Christendom ought to constitute such a society; and among its means of usefulness, ought to number a well furnished missionary library; and that every Christian, besides having access to such a library, ought to secure to himself the stated privilege of reading and possessing one or more of the best periodical pub Jications, which are devoted to the cause of missions and of religion in general. Such a library as is here contemplated should contain the best ecclesiastical histories, the best histories of missions, the best lives, journals and travels, of missionaries, and of men eminently

useful in promoting this cause; together with a variety of the best works immediately connected with the subject of missions, and which may be termed miscellaneous.*

Could a collection of this kind be placed in the hands of every minister in the United States, and be faithfully read by him and his people, the effect of the whole would probably be greater in promoting the cause of missions for ten years to come, than that of all other means put together. It would remove the endless objections of ignorance; it would break down the barriers of prejudice; it would not only plead effectually with the eloquence of facts for the perishing heathen, but to every faithful minister it would be an able and faithful colleague, a powerful auxiliary in the great work of promoting ardent and active piety among his people, and in training up for activity and usefulness the sons of the church. In this way every man might be prepared to take an active part in the systematic efforts, by which the sublime and stupendous edifice of the church is to be completed.

What remains to be said at the present time will relate to the order of the course. As has been already hinted, some of the best periodical works of the day should be statedly perused. The general history of the church and of missions should be commenced early, and read in connexion with the geography of those regions, in which missions are undertaken or contemplated. From general histories which give the most commanding view, we may descend to those which are more particular, and which respect some part of the church, or a single mission. With the more particular history, the journals, travels, and lives of the missionaries, who have been employed in the fields of which these histories treat should be perused As works of practical piety, or as guides to the Christian or student, the acquaintance with Xavier, Brainerd, Whitefield, Pearce and Buchanan can hardly be too early or too familiar.

If it be the prominent inquiry of the student, who has a general view of the subject, whether he possesses the spirit and the talents requisite in the missionary, and whether it will be his duty to become one,-after searching carefully the word of God, and examining his own heartlet him read Horne's letters, the lives of Brainerd, Pearce, Buchanan and Van Der Kemp. In this reading he will find many profitable hints to guide him. By accompanying these devoted servants of Christ

The following is a list of the most useful books to an ordinary reader.

In Ecclesiastical History, the common works before the public; particularly, Milner's Church History.

Histories of Missions: Lord's, Winslow's, Brown's, Loskiel's, and Crantz's.

In Biography: the life of Xavier, Brainerd, Pearce, Whitefield, Howard, Buchanan,—also of Harriet Newell, Mills, Winter; Middleton's Evangelical Biography; Brooks's Lives of the Puritans.

Journals and Travels: Buchanan's in Asia; Morier's in Persia, Armenia, and Asia Minor; Clarke's in Europe, Asia, and Africa; Barrow's in Africa and China; Salt's and Bruce's in Abyssinia: Campbell's in South Africa.

Miscellanies: Horne's Letters on Missions, Ward's View of the History, Literature and Religion of the Hindoos; Burder's Missionary Anecdotes. Missionary Sermons; Many periodical works, among which should be the following: viz. Transactions and Reports of the London Missionary Society; Reports and Proceedings of the Church Missionary Society; Missionary Register: Periodical Accounts of the Baptist Missionary Society; Moravian Periodical Accounts; Reports of the Edinburgh Missionary Society; and in connexion with anch of the abovementioned as relate to Africa, Clarkson's History of the Abolition of the Slave-trade. The best periodical works of our own country should be added.

in their toils, he may be assisted in counting the cost, and in ascertaining whether he is able to undertake and pursue the work, in which they so constantly and devoutly engaged. But let him not decide hastily, that it is not his duty to go to the heathen, unless his mind be firmly placed on some greater duty at home. Or if some dispensation of providence forbids him to go abroad, let his exertions be directed to build up the churches already established, and to aid the laborers who are or may be sent into the great field. Then shall those who plant and those who water together receive the increase from God; and the sower and the reaper both rejoice in the abundant harvest. Thus God will be glorified, the church enlarged, the world redeemed.

REVIEW.

F. Z.

CXXXII. A Sketch of Missions; or History of the Principal Attempts to Propagate Christianity among the Heathen. By MIRON WINSLOW, A. M. Missionary to Ceylon. Andover: Flagg and Gould, 1819. pp. 432. Price $1,34.

To entitle a book on any subject to public patronage, it is requisite that a book on that subject be needed; and that the performance offered to the public, be so executed as to supply the need.

There is now before the community a mass of information on the subject of missions; but much of it is so scattered through periodical publications, as to lie beyond the researches of common readers. Some compilations from the letters and journals of Missionaries, and from the Reports of Societies, have been arranged and published, which are not without their merit. But a succinct, well digested, view of missionary operations, comprising the prominent facts, exhibited in a manner best adapted to general circulation, has hitherto been a desideratum to the advancement of the missionary cause. Information should ever be the ground of action. We do not desire that zeal which is not according to knowledge. We wish the churches to understand the object of missions; to be fully aware of the necessity of missionary exertions, and of the success which has attended them. With such knowledge and motives, if their hearts burn with love to their Savior, they would not long withhold their assistance.

As a mean of information on this subject, we feel much pleasure in being able to call the attention of the religious community to a "Sketch of Missions," by Mr. Winslow. The work includes a view of the Propagation of Christianity before the Reformation-Propagation of Christianity by the Roman Catholics-by the Anglo-Americans-by the Danes by the United Brethren--by the Methodists-by the Baptists-by the London Missionary Society-by the Edinburgh Missionary Society-by the Church Missionary Society-by the American Board-by the American Baptists.

In general we think a due proportion of attention is bestowed on these particulars. At the first glance it appeared that the missions of the United Brethren, occupied rather too large a share of the work. But the intelligent reader cannot be weary of following our author into regions, where are exhibited such instances of faith and zeal, as

would have done honor to the primitive ages of Christianity. We are pleased, that the operations of the United Brethren have a conspicuous place in the work before us. The meekness, the industry, the patience and the fortitude, with which these silent disciples of the lowly Jesus have done their Master's work, ought to be held up to the churches and to missionaries, as an example for imitation.

We wish that the author's "limits" and "means of information," had permitted a more full account of the Methodist Missions. The venerable Dr. Coke, to whom it was principally owing that missions were established by the Methodists on no less than eight of the West India islands, and who added an impulse to all their other movements, must have been a character worthy to be exhibited more distinctly to the public view. We rejoice in the prospect, that the Methodists will soon cease to be viewed in so unfavorable a light as they have been by other denominations of christians. Surely that denomination who have fourteen stations in the West Indies; and, "animated by their usual zeal,-bave within four or five years extended their labors to Sierra Leone, South Africa, Bombay, and Ceylon, in the east; and Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland in the west;" and who, in all their missionary plans, have conducted with a meekness and perseverance, which does honor to the Gospel,-ought to be hailed as fellow laborers in the vineyard of the Lord. The fruits of their labors evince, that the Savior recognizes them as such.

The plan of the work before us, has some solid merit. It is lucid, and presents the leading features of missionary operations, in a prominent and interesting light; tracing separately the movements of each Society from the beginning.

The execution too is, in most instances, creditable to the writer, He informs us, that "when the work was in a state of some forwardness"—he "was unexpectedly required to make immediate preparations for leaving the country;" and that hence, "of necessity the sheets were struck off without the benefit of revision." This will be an apology for a few verbal blemishes in the work. The style is simple, neat, and highly marked with perspicuity. The sentences are often short, though interspersed with a sufficient number of longer ones to make an agreeable variety. The author makes very few reflections on the particulars which he relates. He compresses a numerous and judicious selection of facts into a small compass. We lose sight of the author in attending to his subject; and so happily does he lead us along, that we feel a delight in being guided by him, and beholding the scenes through which he conducts us. Those who have but little leisure for reading, and are unacquainted with former operations in the missionary work, will here find the information which they wish, digested, and brought to their hands. And they, who are more thoroughly versed in the history of these operations, cannot fail to find a rich repast by reviewing them in the well arranged and simple form in which Mr. W. has placed them. We most heartily wish that every Christian in our land would read this little publication. And it is so cheap, that it might be possessed by every family, Some will be the more ready to purchase when they are informed, that, through the generosity of the author, if any profits should arise from the work,

they will be devoted to procuring a library for the mission to Ceylon, and to assisting a pious young man in preparation for the Christian Ministry." And we would particularly recommend, that a copy or two should be procured by each social library.

We should hope that great good would result from the general dissemination of this little work. We are confident that the opposer of missions, when he has learned the effects of missionary exertions, will see that his opposition is unreasonable. When he discovers what has been done among the Aborigines of our country, he will no more repeat the hackneyed objection, that "the Indians cannot be Christianized."

We are confident, too, that when the Christian reader finds so many different denominations engaged in this great work, all influenced by the same spirit, and pursuing the same object; and when he finds that the great Head of the church blesses their labors, and thus acknowledges them as his servants he will yield up his prejudices against those, whose chief difference from himself is, that they bear a different name. Could all our churches be deeply imbued with the spirit of missions, party bickerings would give place to expanded benevolence, and be lost in co-operation. We talk with high sounding words of the approach of the Millennium; but the feelings, which too many indulge towards those, who follow not with them, show plainly, that they do not possess, in any great degree, the spirit of the Millennium. Some improvement in this respect has been made; but still much, very much, remains to be done. And we believe that, would Christians lose their party distinctions in the mighty work of saving a world, it would be the greatest step which they have ever taken towards its accomplishment. The publication before us, will, we trust, help to dissipate the clouds of ignorance and prejudice, which so much obscure the light of Christianity and retard its progress. Again, we solicit the attention of the community to this publication, as a compendious history of the most interesting transactions, in which men have ever engaged. The marching of armies, the transfer of crowns and sceptres, the rise and fall of kingdoms, are but children's play, compared with the mighty operations by which the world is to be evangelized. It is to afford opportunity for carrying them forward, that nature holds on her undeviating course. For the accomplishment of these great things, the Everlasting Father carries forward his mysterious Providence; for this the Savior died; for this the Spirit deigns to strive with men; of this all heaven is in eager expectation.

We will only add an extract as a specimen of Mr. W.'s style. It shall be taken from the conclusion of his work.

"The number of stations occupied by the different Societies mentioned, is about 160; the number of Christian laborers, of every class, not far from 360; the annual expenditures on objects directly missionary, near $50,000 dollars; and 450,000 for other objects connected with enlightening and civilizing the world; exclusive of all internal sources of income. The converts now at the different stations may be reckoned at 50,000, which would give 139 to every missionary, including schoolmasters and lay settlers, a number greater than is found in most of our churches. But if such are the first fruits, what will be