scorn of her pretensions, and would fain lay her honours in the dust.

It is a satisfaction above all price to the members of our own Church, that, through the medium of this venerable Society, an object so important may be pursued without compromising any of these essential principles. And though its labours, for more than a century past, have not been of that specious and dazzling description which attracts the notice of the multitude, and becomes the theme of popular admiration; yet is there reason to believe, that the good effected by it has been extensive, solid, and permanent. The Divine blessing appears to have thus far accompanied its endeavours: and why should we doubt the continuance of that blessing, now that our endeavours are to be exerted on a larger scale, if we still conduct them on the same correct views and principles; if, while we strive to emulate the zeal, the ardour, the energy of St. Paul and his fellowlabourers in the ministry, who "stood in jeo"pardy every hour," and shrunk not from any difficulties which threatened to obstruct their progress-we yet pursue our course, as they did, with prudence and circumspection,

II Cor. XV. 30.

with modesty and humility, with conciliation and forbearance, with equanimity and patient perseverance.

Encouragement, too, of more than ordinary weight, is now presented to us. The Episcopal Church is taking root, we trust, in India. From the excellent Prelate, who, under Providence, directs its course, every thing may be hoped for, that unwearied zeal, united with consummate knowledge, ability, and judgment, can accomplish. Nor may we omit to observe, that the influence of such an exemplary character upon the habits, the morals, and the principles of our fellow-countrymen there resident, can hardly fail to produce a perceptible improvement in their general conduct, and, consequently, to give them an increased respectability in the estimation of the natives, whom we are desirous of reconciling to the Christian persuasion. This is no mean advantage; nay, we should rather say, that it is the greatest of all advantages towards the attainment of our benevolent purpose. For if (as we well know from experience) the influence of example will take effect upon thousands, who will turn a deaf ear to precept and admonition; what may not be anticipated, when they who profess "the doc"trine of God our Saviour," are careful also

to "adorn" it by their conversation and demeanour?

Still more, however, will the ability of this Society to promote its main object be increased, when the design of establishing a College, in the metropolis of India, for the education of Missionaries, shall have been carried into effect. From that period, whenever it shall arrive, we may date new hopes of the most animating kind. Trained and nurtured by persons of approved principles, and of competent knowledge and acquirements, native Missionaries may hereafter be sent through that vast territory; whose labours among their fellow-countrymen cannot but be greatly facilitated, and their ardour invigorated, by those local and personal attachments, which must operate as a double stimulus to their exertions, and excite a double interest in their success. To calculate the sum of the benefits which may hence be reasonably expected, were, at present, premature. But surely we may trust in the favour both of God and man, on an undertaking so eminently characteristic of pure Christian zeal and Christian benevolence. And when this part of the design is more generally known and understood by the public, than at present

y Titus ii. 10.

it appears to be, I feel persuaded, that the munificence of the great and opulent among us, and especially of the many distinguished commercial and mercantile inhabitants of this metropolis, will be cheerfully and amply bestowed for its encouragement and support. It is necessary, indeed, that all who are disposed to promote its object, should be apprised that the revenues of the Society are, as yet, by no means equal to the extent of the demands upon its bounty; demands daily increasing, as additional modes are suggested of doing good.

One observation more (lengthened as this discourse already is) I cannot prevail upon myself to omit, respecting the security afforded by the regulations of this Society, that its object shall be pursued by none but the most unexceptionable means.

Not only are the personal good character and competent ability of the Missionary made indispensable conditions of his admission to the office, and of his continuance in it, but specific rules are prescribed to him for the discharge of his office, entirely in unison with that Apostolical mode of instructing the ignorant and unconverted which has already been considered. I advert particularly to its excellent summary of "Directions for Cate

"chists for instructing Indians, Negroes, and "others;" which shew how carefully this matter had been weighed, and with what sound judgment the whole process of spiritual teaching had been systematically digested, at the first formation of the Institution. The Missionary becomes responsible for endeavouring to acquit himself of his charge conformably with these directions: and when these and other advantages, resulting from a Society so constituted and so conducted, are duly considered, we shall hardly be charged with speaking" foolishly in the confidence of boasting"," if we affirm, that, perhaps, in no other Institution of the kind are to be found securities equally binding and equally effectual.

It is unnecessary to detain you longer, either by a recapitulation of what has been said, or by exhortations which, before such an audience, could add little of weight or interest.

The zeal of the Church of England, by which this Society has ever been actuated, is not that of Mahomet, or of the frantic opponents of Mahomet, the Crusaders, a zeal of violence and blood;-it is not the zeal of the wily Papist, who blends Paganism and Christianity in one discordant mass, rendering truth z 2 Cor. xi. 17.