that for fix months of trial, expofed to all the fafcinations of enticement, not one charge has arifen, or fufpicion been entertained, of the unfullied chastity of the Miffionaries left in the different iflands-The burning fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar had lefs danger than the feductive importunities of Jofeph's mistress. But have I forgotten the object I propofed; and am I launching out in commendation of the men, and the inftruments employed? No. They are produced merely as teftimonies of the great power of God in the midst of us-the falvation and the glory are all his own-we feel this moment tranfcendent delight in afcribing it to him-we would not rob our God of the full tribute of his praife-the work which is done upon earth, he doeth it himself. I am confident, my brethren, I fpeak the fentiments of every heart, that we are more jealous of this kind of facrilege than ever our adverfaries can be in their fufpicions of us. We are abundantly rewarded, in being the happy inftruments of good to the Heathen; and we confefs ourselves unworthy, and lefs than the leaft of all God's mercies, Directors, Captain, Miffionaries, to us all belong this day fhame and confufion of face before him, with whom we have to do. He knows the unbelief, the fears, the mistakes, the undue tempers, with which we have been often chargeable before him. But we blefs him for the fuccefs which hath attended our efforts; and affured, that he pitieth our infirmities, and pardons our iniquities, we can truly fay, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us-but unto thy name be the praise.

Yet let us not fhout for victory: the great enemy of fouls, however foiled by our weakness, and our Immanuel's power, retires for a moment only, to concert his wiles afresh, and call us to renewed conflicts. Let not him, therefore, that putteth on the armour, boast as he that taketh it off. Nothing but the continued care, and keeping of our covenant Jehovah, can perfect the begun bleffing; bring wifdom out of our ignorance; trength out of our weakness, and glory out of our

humiliation. Hitherto he hath helped us-We will turn to the rock which is higher than we. Jehovah Niffi is the name, in which we will ftill lift up our banners, and as we often fing,

We'll take to ourselves all the shame,

And give all the glory to thee.

Thirdly, Therefore let us with the multitudes of the ifles be glad. Ifaiah xliv. 23. Sing, O ye Heavens, for the Lord hath done it. Break forth into finging, ye mountains of Chriftina and Otaheite, ye ever verdant forefts, and every tree therein, for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himfelf in Ifrael. Doth it become well the juft to be thankful? then furely never did an occafion arife to call forth purer joy, and more exalted praise. The Lord is making bare his holy arm, his righteousness hath he openly fhewed in the fight of the Heathen. The ifles are waiting for his law. The great trumpet of gofpel grace is blown, the found is gone forth to the ends of the earth. As foon as they hear of me, fays our Jehovah, they shall obey me; the ftrangers fhall fubmit themfelves unto me. Ah! brethren, do not your hearts burn within you, at the tidings you have heard, and joining in one vaft burft of praife and adoration, with angels and archangels, and all the company of Heaven? Can we but fhout around the throne, "Worthy is the Lamb that was flain, to re"ceive power, and riches, and wifdom, and ftrength, "and honour, and glory, and bleffing.'

Methinks I fee you, brethren, finking beneath the load of gratitude. Senfations, too big for utterance, fwell every bofom; and is not every hand lifted up with folemn adjuration? Pfalm cxxxvii. 5. If I forget thee, let my right hand forget its cunning; yea, if I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth! Yes, my dear friends, ours fhall not be the barren tribute of the fong we raife; we will praife him not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving ourfelves up to his fervice, and devouring our bodies, fouls, and

fpirits, living facrifices, holy and acceptable, which is our reasonable fervice. Rom. xiii.

Renew your efforts, ye men of God of this Society, to fpread farther and wider that adored, that endeared name, which is as ointment poured forth. Exercife your wifdom, roufe all your zeal, cement your happy union, arife with renewed vigour to the help of the Lord against the mighty; think nothing yet done, where fo much remains to be accomplished; a thoufand iflands, millions, myriads of immortal fouls, are yet crying to you, "Come over and help us." Acts xvi. 19..

Come forth, ye fpirits of the juft, burning with love of Jefus, and zeal for the falvation of mankind. Ye minifters of flame, that wait on his fanctuary, cherish the divine impreffion, that prompts to this arduous fervice. Rife up to lead the faithful warriors to renewed conflicts. Ye faithful, whom the Lord hath furnished with ability and zeal, to build up the ark of his church, the fmiths, the carpenters that smooth the planks, as well as the architects that plan the fabric, awake, as in the ancient days. Ye men of fcience in every department, especially in medicine and furgery, fhew yourselves: the miferies of the difeafed, and the dying cry aloud for your healing hand. Ye ready labourers all, thruft in the fharp fickle, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe; and he that reapeth, receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto eternal life; verily your.. reward fhall be great in Heaven. O! that the people might offer themselves willingly-the filver and the gold are his. Pour them in, that nothing may be wanting to further the progrefs of a work fo happily begun. The Lord of Hofts is evidently with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Up then, and be doing.

The time is fhort; whilft we are deliberating, thoufands are loft-the work is great-the King's business requireth hafte, and fo much the more, as ye fee the day approaching.

A

London Miffionary Society, Dec. 1798.

S the public have expreffed fo great an interest in the tranfactions of the Miffionary Society, they will hear with pleasure, that the Duff, which performed fo fuccessfully the former voyage to the islands of the South Seas, is again ready to fail for the fame Miffionary purposes; and through the good providence of God, an ample number of, we truft, faithful men and women have offered themselves on this noble and self-deny, ing fervice, and are most of them already embarked, The number of perfons will be at leaft forty, befide children; and many others who were accepted, were obliged to wait another opportunity, for want of room. The zeal that hath manifefted itself on this occafion, appears to be a token for good to us, and an honourable evidence to the Chriftian world, that there are not wanting many who are ready to labour and fuffer hardfhips, as good foldiers of Jefus Chrift.

The indefatigable labours and exertions of the Directors on this occafion, have done more than it was thought poffible to accomplish in the time; the season of departure requiring that the fhip fhould fail this year, as otherwise it must have been delayed till September or October in the year enfuing. The providence of God, however, must be acknowledged in many favourable circumstances which have occurred; particularly in the furnishing feveral ferious medical ftudents and practitioners, fome of whom offered themselves immediately, as they understood the want of fuch perfons for the Miffion, than which a greater bleffing of a temporal nature can hardly be conceived to the inhabitants of the South Sea Iflands, particularly Otaheite.

The expenfe incurred by the equipment of the fhip, with all neceffaries for itfelf the provifioning and other requirements for upwards of feventy perfons; a fupply for the brethren already fettled; and articles proper to exchange with the natives, or make prefents to the

chiefs, is fo confiderable, as to call loudly upon the friends of the institution, for their farther affiftance and fupport.

Defignation of Miffionaries, &c.

ON Tuesday, November 13, 1798, the Miffionaries about to embark on this Miffion, were folemnly defignated to their important work, at Spa-field Chapel. Dr. Haweis read the Common Prayer, after which Mr. Jerment prayed extempore, and Mr. J. Townfend offered the Defignation Prayer. Bibles (the donation of Mr. Bailey, of Hackney), with a fuitable addrefs, were delivered to each of the Miffionaries, by the Rev. Meffrs. Brookfbank, Hamilton, Hill, Platt, Radford, and Weft. A fermon was delivered on the occafion, by Mr. Maurice, of Fetter-lane, from Rev. xi. 15. and a charge to the Miffionaries, from Phil. i. 23. by Mr. Eyre, of Homerton. Dr. Hunter concluded with prayer.

On Tuesday evening, November 20, 1798, the four following Miffionaries were ordained at Surry Chapel, viz. W. Gregory, J. Hill, R. Levefque, and J. L. Vardy. The Rev. Row. Hill read the Church Prayers, and Mr. Howell, of Knaresborough (who accompanies the Miffionaries), offered the Ordination Prayer. Mr. Waugh preached from Phil. i. 18. and Mr. Hill gave an affectionate charge to the Miffionaries, especially thofe now ordained. Mr. Hamilton concluded with prayer.

On the following morning (Wednesday) the Directors and Miffionaries breakfafted together; after which Mr. Hill prayed, and Mr. Townfend gave an exhortation. In the evening the Miffionaries unitedly commemorated the love of their divine mafter, in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The minifters engaged were Meffrs. Eyre, Hill, Howell, Hunter, Kecherer, Nicol, Platt, Reynolds, Vanderkemp and Waugh.

The fingle Miffionaries embarked for Gravefend, the 27th of November, where they arrived on board the