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of the Chinese towards "barbarians," it may fairly be presumed that they will be the means of doing more good than even the missionaries themselves. Against the white man they have strong national antipathies, and these have been increased by his unprincipled ambition and commercial rapacity. But against books and tracts no such antipathy exists-they are allowed to speak to the heart. Besides, few are yet capable of teaching the Chinese in their own language, and years of toil must be endured before missionaries can go forth in numbers. They have yet to prepare for this mighty labour; but the press can speak without reserve, and in a language that can be understood. It can tell the hundreds of millions inhabiting that vast empire the way of salvation in their own tongue, wherein they were born.

"There is something grand," says Gutzlaff, "in seeing such a prodigious number of our species united in one nation, speaking the same language, and using the same characters in expressing their thoughts by writing. Ancient and modern history furnishes no parallel of an identity which may be traced in the slightest particular." There is "something grand" in this circumstance; but how indescribably grand would be the picture, if this "prodigious number of our species "united in the worship of the one true God, instead of bowing the knee to their many false gods, or grovelling in the night of atheism! How indescribably grand would be a well-founded idea, that these hundreds of millions were passing to the realms of glory, to swell this triumph of the Redeemer's name: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and

wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." And that earth will one day witness such a scene the sure word of prophecy testifies. Wrapped in holy vision, in which futurity was revealed unto him, the same "beloved John," who was privileged to hear this song of the Redeemed in heaven, writes, " And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever," Rev. v. 12, 13. Christian reader, you are privileged to aid in bringing about this glorious consummation; and a talent has been committed unto you for that purpose, by Him who "hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." See that you so use that talent, that, through his grace you may receive the welcome

"Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord," Matt. xxv. 23. Beware of entertaining the idea that the little you can do will be of no avail, and that, therefore, your exertions may be dispensed with. All true Christians are commanded to spread the gospel throughout the world, and if they were to unite in the hallowed work with all their hearts, how great and delightful would be the results! If you, reader," have tasted that the Lord is gracious"-if you are powerfully constrained by the love of Christ, who died on the cross for your salvation, you will rejoice in spreading abroad the tidings of his love. You will be ready to make

any sacrifices, and to exert yourself to lead sinners to Christ. The gold and the silver which a kind Providence has poured into your coffers, will be looked upon as a talent committed to your trust for the service of the Lord, as being bestowed upon you for the purpose of assisting to build up the spiritual temple of which your Redeemer is the "chief corner stone." Whenever you are called upon to join in this work, you will imitate the zeal of the servants of David, who, when he exhorted them to assist in building a temple for the Lord at Jerusalem, "offered willingly." Have you, then, an interest in the atoning blood of Christ? Are you living to Him who died for you? If so, how great is your responsibility! By his grace you are become an heir of immortal glory. And enjoying this delightful prospect, you are bound to stretch forth your hand to the aid of the perishing. They are going down to the grave "without hope, and without God in the world," not only by hundreds and by thousands, but by tens of thousands; nay, millions! Can you, then, refuse to impart the blessing unto others? The servant who hid his talent in a napkin until the return of his lord, was cast into "outer darkness," where there was weeping and gnashing of teeth." You are therefore called upon to be active in the promulgation of the word of life. Spread it, then, that the long-predicted scene may be realized, when all shall know the Lord from the rising to the setting sun-when the whole human race shall flock to the temples of the one true God, as "doves to the windows."

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"O scenes surpassing fable, and yet true;
Scenes of accomplish'd bliss! which who can see,
Though but in distant prospect, and not feel
His soul refresh'd with foretaste of the joy?

One song employs all nations; and all cry,
Worthy the Lamb, for he was slain for us!'
The dwellers in the vales and on the rocks
Shout to each other, and the mountain tops
From distant mountains catch the flying joy :
Till nation after nation taught the strain,
Earth rolls the rapturous hosanna round.
Behold the measure of the promise fill'd;
See Salem built, the labour of a God!
Bright as a sun the sacred city shines;
All kingdoms and all princes of the earth
Flock to that light; the glory of all lands
Flows into her; unbounded is her joy,
And endless her increase. Thy rams are there,
Nebaioth, and the flocks of Kedar there :
The looms of Ormus, and the mines of Ind,
And Saba's spicy groves, pay tribute there.
Praise is in all her gates upon her walls,
And in her streets, and in her spacious courts,
Is heard salvation. Eastern Java there
Kneels with the natives of the farthest west;
And Ethiopia spreads abroad the hand,
And worships. Her report has travell❜d forth
Into all lands. From every clime they come
To see thy beauty, and to share thy joy,

O Sion! an assembly such as earth

Saw never, such as Heaven stoops down to see."

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