QUALIFICATIONS OF A CHRISTIAN
MISSIONARY.

ST. PAUL might possibly be jealous over the tender spirit of his beloved sun in the faith, lest he should be shaken by the prospect of persecution. For this he seems to be preparing him in various parts of these Epistles. Be not thou ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel, according to the power of GodEndure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Thus he would strengthen his mind, and call forth his powers, both in the disharge of his office and in the patient endurance of sufferings, inasmuch as God had not given them the spirit of fear, but of power.

In applying to our present purpose the language of the Apostle, we observe, 1. That a Missionary must be endued with A SPIRIT OF HOLY COURAGE. "Courage, or fortitude," said an acute observer of the human mind, "is the guard and support of the other virtues; and, without it, a man can scarcely keep steady to his duty, and fill upthecharacter of a truly worthy man."

Hence this virtue will be found necessary for us all, as CHRISTIANS. Cowardice, however inherent in our frame, is absolutely inconsistent with a truly Christian spirit. Christianity delivers us from a tormenting fear of God, and raises us above the cowardly fear of man. He, who deserts

his standard, betrays his sworn allegiance to his sovereign, and is guilty of death: but the righteous is bold as a lion.

In the profession of their religion, the disciples of Christ are exposed to trials and temptations and difficulties of various kinds; and to meet and to overcome them demands a holy bravery. The warning voice of our Lord shews how necessary this spirit is to all who would fight manfully under his banner-Whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

But if courage be thus necessary to us as Christians, MINISTERS, more particularly, should be endued with this spirit. They are set for the defence of the Gospel. They should preach the Word with all boldness. Both the Old Testament and the New abound with precepts, examples, promises, and threatenings, intended to stir up in them holy and undaunted zeal. They must, therefore, expect the malice of Satan to be exerted against them in a tenfold degree. They must look for a greater portion of the scorn of the world. They stand in the front of the battle. They must consequently guard against the spirit of fear: yea, they must exhibit a bold and resolute mind, which shall raise them above every difficulty and render them superior to every danger.

But if this be the case with the Ministers of Christ in the discharge

of the ordinary duties of their holy function; then MISSIONARIES, most of all, have need of this sacred principle. Timidity, in them, is a total disqualification. The Missionary, without an effort of mind, by which immediate pleasure is rejected, pain despised, and life itself set at hazard, will never accomplish much good. He has to wrestle, in no common degree, with flesh and blood, and with principalities and powers. His trials and difficulties are far greater than those of other Christian Men or Ministers. Ilis person is peculiarly exposed to danger, and his principles to contempt. His work is singularly arduous. His discouragements may be exceedingly great. He may have to overcome, in himself, ignorance of foreign languages; and, in the people whom he wishes to instruct, deep-rooted prejudices and aversion from the things of God. His Danger may likewise arise from the unhealthiness of climate, and from the opposition of Priests of false religion. Present sufferings and despair of final success may awaken all his fears. Would he emulate the Apostle, in his holy courage to propagate the Gospel of Christ? He may also be conformed to him in sufferings. Once was I stoned: thrice I suffered shipwreck: a night and a day I have been in the deep. In journeyings often. In perils of robbeis: in perils by mine own 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. He may be in straits, not among friends who would counsel and comfort him, but among enemies who would rather, by their cruelty, add weight to his sorrow. But, inspired with a noble and undaunted courage, a divine and heavenly magnanimity, he rises above them all; and, in the realizing prospect of sufferings, says, None of these things move me; neither count I my life dea

unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.

Such was the courage of a North American Missionary; who, when an Indian Chief had sworn his destruction, took uninvited possession of the Chief's tent, laid himself on his skin, and was found fast asleep there when the Chief returned. This instance of confidence disarmed the enemy, and converted him into a powerful protector and friend. Surely the same spirit animates our beloved Brethren; who, after the loss of so many of their companions, can still say, "We are not disheartened, but encouraged; and if we are so, who stand in jeopardy every hour, you will not do well to be cast down"-" Let more labourers put their lives in their hands "—"A Missionary should not be over anxious for his life; but, while he is prudent in all things, he should carry, as it were, his life in his hand, ready to resign it at his Saviour's command."

Courage, therefore, is an essential qualification for a Missionary. But this, alone, is not sufficient.

2. We come, therefore, to consider another qualification mentioned in the text-A SPIRIT OF LOVE.

This is the religion, that will make an entire conquest over the hearts of men. God is Love. The spirit of Christianity is love. The badge of our profession is love. Our religion, by revealing the danger of our natural state, and the wonderful method of our recovery, by shewing the harmony of the Divine Attributes and the riches of Divine Grace, produces love to God and man. Without a knowledge of this salvation and an experience of this love, no man is qualified to proclaim it to the world.

(1) A Missionary should, therefore, be peculiarly endued with this spirit, because it will be requisite, in the first place, in the daily exercise of personal religion.

A Missionary should be deeply sensible of the glory and grace of his Re

deemer, and deeply impressed with his infinite obligations to Him. He must live near to Him, in the spirit of holy communion. His meditations of Him should be frequent and sweet. He must call to mind "His agony and bloody sweat, His cross and passion, His precious death and burial, His glorious resurrection and ascension," and His second coming to judge the world. He must have a sincere concern for His interest, be faithful to His cause, study to imitate His perfections, and earnestly desire the full enjoyment of His presence in heaven.

Thus he serves a Master whom he loves. He serves Him with alacrity, because he loves Him in sincerity. He serves Him with all the strength of his capacity, with all the devotion of a willing mind. He loves to speak of the glory of His kingdom, to talk of His power, and to anticipate His final triumph over sin and death and hell. His happiness is placed in the favour of His Lord. He is bought with a price: he believes this; and he glorifies God in his body and in his spirit, which are God's.

This spirit of Love is, indeed, necessary to Personal Religion, independently of all difficulties; and will accompany the Christian into a better world: but it is peculiarly needful to one who is employed in leading others to the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2). The spirit of Love is, therefore, especially necessary to the Missionary in order to stimulate him to zealous ex

ertions.

A Missionary must be indefatigable. He has not merely stated duties; but he must lay himself out, in the service of his Master, in every possible way. He cannot expect the Heathen to come to him he must go to them. Not only must he preach publickly, but from house to house. Like the Good Shepherd, he must seek that which was lost, strengthen the diseased, bring again that which was driven away, feed the flock, ga

ther the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. His life, in short, must be one continued scene of exertion; and the hope of winning souls to Christ must more than counterbalance all the difficulties, and more than compensate all the toils of many years. No worldly gain could reward the labour of a Missionary, nor can any thing call him forth to his toil but this spirit of Love.

This spirit will manifest itself in every variety of form-in condescension, in compassion, in forbearance, in kindness, and in much patience. He will become, to use the significant expression of one well acquainted with the Missionary Character, "a Man of the Beatitudes."

Look at the bright example of St. Paul. In his former state, his learning was extensive, his friends were numerous, and his prospects were flattering; but now he cheerfully counts all but loss that he may be a faithful Missionary for Christ. Difficulties could not move him. The desertion of friends could not change him. Contempt, insult, and suffering could not turn him aside from his course. Labours, watchings, and imprisonment could not weary him.

And what is the principle which called forth these exertions? It was the spirit of love-The love of Christ construineth us! This is the copious river which fertilizes a thousand fields. This is the current, sufficiently power. ful and rapid to force itself through every obstruction.

(5). But there is yet one other oc casion, which, perhaps still more particularly renders a spirit of Love indispensable to the Christian Missionaryit prepares his mind for painful privations.

Great sacrifices may, yea must be, necessary. Family, friends, country all that has been associated in his mind with domestic enjoyments, is to be given up, perhaps for ever. He must be prepared for the loss of

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health, of personal comforts, and even of life itself. While he forsakes his own people and his father's house, and quits the comforts of social life, he may exchange a land of freedom for one of comparative slavery. He leaves, perhaps, the refined pleasure of communion with Christians and civilized society, for a residence among men of barbarous habits, and depraved manners. He may have to give up an easy state of duty for incessant toil; in some instances, to deny himself the reputation which he might have attained among those who were qualified to appreciate his endowments, in order to labour among those who can form no adequate conception of natural and acquired talents, still less of Christian grace and spiritual gifts. He may be called to resign views of usefulness and expectations of preferment in the midst of his own people, to pass through evil report among men who would regard him with a suspicious mind and consider him unworthy of any countenance or support. This is not an ideal case. Such was a distinguished Missionary, whose Memoir has been read and will be studied by thousands. The faithful and affectionate Biographer of Henry Martyn, who had the happiness of being intimately acquainted with him, could say-" He was endued with the truest sensibility of heart, and was susceptible of the warmest and tenderest attachments. No one could exceed him in love for his country, or in affection for his friends; and few could surpass him in an exquisite relish for the various and refined enjoyments of social and literary life. How, then, could it fail of being a moment of extreme anguish, when he came to the deliberate resolution of leaving for ever all that he held dear upon earth. But he was fully satisfied, that the glory of that Saviour who loved him and gave himself for him, would be promoted by his going forth to preach t the Heathen: he considered their

pitiable and perilous condition: he thought on the value of their immortal souls: he remembered the last solenin injunction of his Lord, Go and teach all Nations; and, therefore, with a child-like simplicity of spirit and an unshaken constancy of soul, he stood prepared to go to any part of the world, whither it might be deemed expedient to send him."

And what will induce any man disin. terestedly to endure these privations for the benefit of others?-Nothing but a spirit of Love! Has the Philosophy of the world discovered any adequate inducement? Has Infidelity suggested any sufficient motive? No! Nothing will prepare the mind to endure painful privations for the real welfare of the world, but a spirit of Christian Love.

Yet Courage and Love, however essential, are not the only qualifications requisite for this service.

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3. We observe, therefore, thirdly, that a Missionary must be endued with A SOUND MIND. He has to deal with a diversity of character. must suit himself to each varied tone of feeling. Judgment must moderate Courage, and direct the fervency of Love.

(1). This sound mind is called into action in the life of a Missionary, more than in that of most other men; and, particularly, in his conduct toward the Heathen.

The Missionary will be brought into contact with the uninstructed, with opposers, and with men who will become his personal enemies. Sound judgment is required to enable him to avoid giving unnecessary offence: while the ignorant are to be instructed, the penitent comforted, the desponding cheered, the weak encouraged, the obdurate softened, the careless awakened, the irritated soothed, and the impatient calmed, by what has been forcibly styled "the invincible power of meekness."

If there be wisdom in a right apprehension of truths, it is no less seen