he longed to see the Independents and Calvinistic Methodists engaged in the same field of hallowed enterprise. He was powerfully acted upon; and, in September, 1794, he inserted an earnest appeal to Pædobaptist Christians, in the pages of the Evangelical Magazine, calling upon them, in energetic and scriptural terms, to combine all their efforts for carrying into effect the commission of their Divine Lord. The address is so excellent a specimen of the spirit which animated this honoured servant of Christ, that it deserves a place in any record of the London Missionary Society, however brief or imperfect; it is as follows:

CHRISTIAN BRETHREN,

God has favoured us with the knowledge of the way of salvation, through a crucified Redeemer. Our obligations to him on this account are inexpressible; and, I trust, we are often prompted, from the fulness of our hearts, to ask, "What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits?" If in many things we are anxious to make a suitable return, there is one thing with respect to which, if weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, we shall be found wanting. A survey of the state of the world presents to us more than one-half of the human race destitute of the knowledge of the Gospel, and sitting in darkness and in the shadow of death. Their deplorable condition, it is utterly impossible for words to describe! And what have we done for their salvation? There are hundreds of millions of poor Pagans ignorant of the true God, and falling down before stocks and stones. There are hundreds of millions more, blinded by the delusions of Mahomet, and unacquainted with Jesus, as the only mediator between God and man, whom to know is eternal life. If we have never thought of these things, there is much reason to lament our criminal unconcern for the honour of God, and for the salvation of the perishing souls of men. If they have been the subject of our serious consideration; with such a scene before our eyes, what methods have we employed, that all these myriads of Pagans and Mahometans might be delivered from the `power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son!

While we are forced to acknowledge that we have as a body done nothing, we may justly reflect that we are under the strongest obligations to do everything in our power. We all know that it is the supreme end of our existence to glorify God. But can we suppose though we endeavour personally to live to his honour, our obligations are fulfilled, while we have employed no methods, as a Christian body, to lead our brethren in Pagan lands to glorify him also, by making them acquainted with his nature, government, and grace? We profess "to love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity; " but are we not bound thereby "to shed abroad the sweet odour of his name in every place," till it be diffused throughout all the

of London, being at that time supplying at the Tabernacle, were invited to meet a few friends at the Doctor's house on this interesting occasion; and when, after uniting in prayer and praise, these worthy ministers returned to their lodgings, they mutually expressed their desire to set on foot a missionary society among their connexions likewise. About the same time, Dr. Edward Williams, then of Birmingham, and other Pedobaptist ministers of that district, were imbibing a similar spirit, and the result of these concurrent trains of thought and feeling was one in which ages unborn will have to rejoice-the establishment of the London Missionary Society, in Sept. 1795."

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dark parts of the earth, the habitations of ignorance and cruelty? We are commanded to "love our neighbour as ourselves;" and Christ has taught us that every man is our neighbour. But do we display this love, while we allow gross darkness to cover the Pagan and Mahometan nations, and are at no pains to send to them the glad tidings of salvation through the sufferings and death of the Son of God? Perhaps we have not considered our duty, resulting from that command, which was directed from the supreme authority to every follower of the Lamb, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." That has yet been done. It ought to be done without delay; and every Christian is called upon to act his part, and cannot without criminality withhold his exertions towards procuring obedience to the command of his Redeemer and his Lord. Gratitude calls loudly to us to be active instruments in the hands of Christ, in proclaiming to the most distant parts of the earth that grace of which we hope we have ourselves been made partakers. Justice, too, unites her strong and imperious voice, and cries, "Ye were once Pagans, living in cruel and abominable idolatry. The servants of Jesus came from other lands, and preached his gospel among you. Hence your knowledge of salvation. And ought ye not, as an equitable compensation for their kindness, to send messengers to the nations which are in like condition with yourselves of old, to entreat them that they turn from their dumb idols to serve the living God, and to wait for his Son from heaven? Verily, their debtors ye are."

But it may be asked, "Why are we in particular called on to exert ourselves in this work?" Will it satisfy you if I answer, that I am one of you, and think myself on this account obliged to speak more immediately to you? A connection with a society or denomination of Christians should certainly influence us to seek the welfare of that society, and authorises us to invite its members to discharge the duties incumbent on them. Besides, all other bodies of professing Christians have done, and are doing, something for the conversion of the heathen. The labours of the church of Rome have been far more abundant than those of all other sects whatever. O that they had but conveyed Christianity pure to the blinded Pagans! The Church of England has a society of considerable standing, for the propagation of the gospel. The Kirk of Scotland supports a similar institution. The Moravian brethren have, if we consider their numbers and their substance, excelled in this respect the whole Christian world. Of late the Methodists have exerted themselves with a most commendable zeal. An association is just formed by the Baptists for this benevolent purpose, and their first missionaries have already entered on the work. We alone are idle. There is not a body of Christians in the country, except ourselves, but have put their hand to the plough. We alone (and it must be spoken to our shame) have not sent messengers to the heathen, to proclaim the riches of redeeming love. It is surely full time that we had begun. We are able. Our number is great. The wealth of many thousands of individuals is considerable. I am confident that very many among us are willing, nay desirous, to see such a work set on foot, and will contribute liberally of their substance for its support. Nothing is wanting but for some persons to stand forward, and to begin.

We have the greatest encouragement, Brethren, to engage in this work of love. The sacred Scripture is full of promises, that the knowledge of Christ shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the channel of the sea; and every promise is a call and a motive to enter on the service without delay. It is the cause of God, and will prevail. Should we even fail in the attempt, we shall not lose our labour;

for though the heathen should not be gathered by our means, "yet we shall be glorious in the eyes of our God." But we have no reason to expect such an issue. For all who are engaged have met with such success, as to animate others to unite their vigorous endeavours. In no one place have pious and persevering missionaries laboured in vain.

Some, perhaps, may ask, “What can we do? We are willing to assist; but how can our assistance avail? Need I say, Brethren, that our duty is to use the means of Divine appointment? In every age of the church, the propagation of the gospel has been by the preaching of the ministers of Jesus Christ. By the same method are we to propagate the gospel now. It is highly probable that some zealous men would present themselves, who are well qualified to go immediately on a mission among the heathen. But in general they will require some previous instruction; and therefore it will be pecessary to found a seminary for training up persons for the work. An able and eminently pious minister, in a central situation, must be sought for, to superintend it; and as the education of a missionary must be, in many respects, widely different from that of those who preach in Christian countries, it may be expected that every man of talents will unite his endeavours to render the plan of instruction as well adapted to answer the end in view, and in every respect as complete as possible. For the support of the seminary and of the missionaries, funds must be provided; and I do not think I am too sanguine in my expectations when I say I am fully persuaded, that in every congregation among us, annual subscribers will be found, and an anuual collection granted; and that the produce of these, aided by qccasional donations, and by legacies from the lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ, will be sufficient for maintaining at least twenty or thirty missionaries among the heathen. What pleasing and glorious effects may result from their labours, it is impossible for the human mind to calculate!

With objects before us so grand, and prospects so delightful, I conjure you, Brethren, to exert yourselves in the cause of your Redeemer and of perishing souls. An insulated individual, and not having an opportunity of consulting with others, I take this method of recommending the subject to your serious attention. Think of it in your most pious moments. Let it be matter of prayer before God; and make it the topic of your conversation with one another. As it is the duty of pastors of the church "to be forward in every good work," I call upon the ministers of the metropolis to consult together on this important subject, and without loss of time to propose some plan for the accomplishment of this most desirable end; that our Lord Jesus Christ may have "the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession."

August 26, 1794.

As might have been expected, such an appeal gave birth, in many a private circle, to serious conversations on the subject of missions to the heathen. The writer of the address, and many of his Christian Brethren were much roused on the theme; and on the 4th of November, 1794, only two months after its publication, the first formal meeting was held at the Castle and Falcon, Aldersgate Street, with the express view of carrying out the suggestions of Mr. Bogue, and giving birth to a society, on a large and comprehensive scale, for diffusing the gospel to the ends.

of the earth. Those who were privileged to mingle in this hallowed circle have been wont to refer to it as something like a type of heaven, for the harmony and love, the devotion and praise, by which it was distinguished. Though it consisted of ministers of various denominations, not a single jarring note was heard in it, but all seemed to forget what was peculiar to themselves, in thinking of "the common salvation," and of the paramount duty of extending its blessings to the heathen world.

The impluse was now given; and from this hour the infant cause began to take deep root in the public mind. Every day witnessed fresh accessions to the number of its friends, while many generous offers of pecuniary assistance were made in prospect of its approaching organization.

Some there were, indeed, of high respectability, who refused their early co-operation, and regarded the project at large as tinctured with enthusiasm, and but little fitted to abide the test of experience. These discouragements, however, by the way, did not in the least damp the zeal of its devoted friends, but led them rather to look with firmer confidence to the promise and power of the Most High.

The period had now arrived, when these more private consultations were to be followed up by a succession of appeals to the religious public, all tending to one great object, viz. the formation of a catholic union of Christians for the spread of the gospel throughout the world. Accordingly we find that, in the close of the year 1794, it was resolved to prepare an appeal for publication in the Evangelical Magazine, and for circulation among ministers in the metropolis and its immediate vicinity. It was styled "An Address to Christian Ministers, and all other Friends of Christianity, on the subject of missions to the heathen." This address was published in the January magazine for 1795, and was at the same time forwarded to a large circle of ministers of various denominations, accompanied by an affectionate letter from the pen of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Love, the provisional secretary for the time being. Both the letter and the address are so excellent, that they are truly worthy of being handed down to posterity.

ADDRESS.

DEAR BRETHREN,

The address which appeared in the Evangelical Magazine for last September, on the subject of sending missionaries to preach the gospel among Pagan nations, seems to have awakened considerable attention. Many acknowledge the desirableness of the object; some lament, with tears, its having been so long neglected, and numbers only wait with anxiety for an opportunity of exerting themselves in so glorious a cause.

That something may be done with effect, it is hoped that not only evangelical

Dissenters and Methodists will be found generally disposed to unite in instituting a society for this express purpose, but that many members of the Established Church, of evangelical sentiments, and of lively zeal for the cause of Christ, will also favour us with their kind co-operation. Indeed, the increase of union and friendly intercourse among Christians of different denominations at home, is one of the happy effects which will immediately flow from an institution of this

nature.

In order to the organization of such a society, it has been proposed that a general meeting of ministers should be held in London, early in the ensuing summer. In the meanwhile, that such a meeting may be brought forward with advantage, it is warmly wished that ministers and others, who favour the design, would immediately begin to exert themselves in their particular spheres.

It may be asked, What can be done? In answer to this proper inquiry, the following hints are humbly suggested :—

Let each individual, who is affectionately zealous in the cause, take every proper opportunity, by conversation and by letter, to endeavour to communicate the same sacred fire to others. Let him try to impress his friends, not only with the general importance of this business, but with the idea of its being practicable and expedient in concurrence with others, to do something in it now. And where the force of argument seems to take effect, let him farther endeavour to persuade his friends to come forward with pecuniary support. By all the methods which a prudent zeal can suggest, let him make up as large a list as possible of respectable names and subscriptions. Proceeding in this manner, it is imposssible to say what extensive success may soon follow the exertions even of a few individuals. To such as shall subscribe, it may not be amiss to hint the impropriety of diminishing their former liberality to other religious institutions, in order to extend it to this new undertaking. The Lord does not approve of "robbery for burnt offering." What is given, should either be saved from some article of unnecessary expenditure, or taken from what would otherwise be laid up in store.

By such efforts as these, a Christian may engage the support of his friends in behalf of this important enterprise; but let it never be forgotten, that it belongeth to "Him who hath the key of David, who openeth and no man shutteth," to open a great and "effectual door" for the propagation of his gospel. To him, therefore, let every eye be directed! The great mean of obtaining his blessing on our benevolent exertions, is prayer. Perhaps God's putting it in our hearts to engage in this excellent design is an answer to the prayers of many of his people for a series of ages. Let us, then, take encouragement to stir up ourselves, and others in our several connections, to extraordinary prayer for the pouring out of the Spirit from on high, to direct and prosper this great attempt. For this purpose the laudable example of our brethren in Warwickshire is worthy of general notice, who have set apart the first Monday of every month, at seven o'clock in the evening, as a season of united prayer for the success of such attempts to spread the gospel through the world, “Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence; give him no rest till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."

Already has Divine Providence begun to smile on this infant design. In the Evangelical Magazine for November, one gentleman promises one hundred pounds to the society as soon as it is established; and five hundred pounds more are promised by another gentleman, for the equipment of the first six missionaries to the South Sea Islands. The warmest gratitude is due to these two generous friends of the Christian interest in heathen lands, and their animating example is worthy