They set the

these concessions at their due value. greatest store by them. Such acknowledgments, from such a quarter, it is scarcely possible too highly to appreciate. That community, moreover, take them as an earnest of something more, and of something still better. I say better, for, although the opinions just recited are highly flattering, still they are but opinions. The article is merely a mass of extracts, with a few connecting sentences. There is a total remission of that intellectual might, profound research, and amplified discussion, which, upon all great questions of a literary, scientific, or political order, characterise the Edinburgh Review. The writer appears to have merely lounged, wondered, and admired, while he read the marvellous record of the Deputation, without once arousing himself to reflection or to inquiry. What labour, what vigour, what brilliancy, the Review has from time to time displayed in articles upon romance, poetry, and party strife! Yes; and often upon subjects of little general interest, and of absolutely no intrinsic importance. It will be a bright day for letters, for science, for jurisprudence, and for all that is dear to man, when the literature of missions shall become a reverend subject of intense and constant attention in all the great organs of literature. I do fervently hope that the Edinburgh Review will quickly set forth and take the lead in this most urgent and laudable of all intellectual labours. In this walk, it may yet earn laurels inexpressibly more glorious than those which it has already reaped.

It merits the attention of the Edinburgh reviewers, that the business of Christian missions is fast becoming a national matter. Men of all classes, from the peasant to the peer, and Christians of all sects, from the Esta

blished churches to the Plymouth brethren, are becom ing engrossed by its consideration. Even the heads a chiefs of the literary world have not only begun to lo with favour upon the undertaking, but are lend their powerful aid to promote its success. That gr national work, the ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA, done itself lasting credit by the insertion of a valua article upon the subject. The Quarterly Review, a -which, notwithstanding difference of opinion on tain points, must, I think, be allowed to have done mense service to letters, science, humanity, and gion,-is boldly putting forth its great power in be of this cause. It has already done excellent servic its articles on missionary works. The question of general principle of missions, in fact, is carried an the ruling minds of the empire. It is, therefore, hour assuming a more practical aspect. In this hi enterprise of philanthropy, as in every thing appe ing to civilization, the first place is held by Eng May our beloved country continue to be in the ca missions what she so long was in the cause of To adopt the words of a youthful writer, the gift of a gifted sire:

"Rule-but, Britain, rule no more,

As thou didst in days of yore,
With fierce war, with battle dire,
Bow, and sword, and cannon's fire;

Shed no more thy richest blood

O'er Earth's plains, on Ocean's flood;

But let war's dominion cease,

In thy last, long reign of peace.

Then, when the flag of peace unfurl'd

Shall freely wave o'er all the world,

The warrior's sword, with flowers enwreathed,

Rest undisturb'd, unhandled, sheathed;

The bloodless spear, the broken bow,
Musket and battle-axe laid low,—
Forgotten, lost, unused shall stay,
Or, rescued from dim rust's decay,
Re-forged, some peaceful form shall take,
Of reaping-hook, or plough, or brake;
Then, then shall Truth revisit earth,
Religion know a second birth;

The wilderness in gladness bloom.
Life, cheer the lonely desert's gloom;
Faith, make the blind bright visions see,
And Justice set the captive free.
Then Britannia o'er the deep

Shall still her march triumphant keep;
Not answering with her cannon's roar
The booming waves; but, to the shore
Of some unbrightened region bound,
Where error's last remains are found,
Bear gladly to the distant strands,
Of those expecting, thirsting lands,
Hopes with health and vigour rife,
Words of Everlasting Life."

To you, Sir, are entrusted powers which, perhaps, beyond those of any other living writer, may be rendered instrumental in awakening the learned world and the great world to the claims of the missionary character, and to the beneficence and glory of the missionary enterprise! By consecrating to this object your genius, your talents, and your attainments, you, Sir, will treasure up no bitterness for that hour which is now on the wing, and which will soon arrive, both to the friends and to the enemies of revelation and of missions. To this may the hand of Heaven direct your energies!

May you be long spared, and abundantly prospered in all your endeavours to enlighten, to elevate, and bless mankind!

T

And at length, when gathered to your fathers, and numbered with the illustrious dead, may you receive one of those crowns of glory which will be awarded to all those who labour to advance the kingdom of heaven upon earth!

LETTER XIII.

TO FIELD MARSHAL THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

MILITARY AND MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE ILLUSTRATED, COMPARED, AND CONTRASTED, IN RELATION TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CHARACTERS, CLAIMS, AND GLORY.

MY LORD DUKE,-I beg leave to address your Grace upon two subjects which I conceive to be of the utmost importance to mankind. These subjects are War and Missions. With the latter there is reason to believe your Grace is not intimately acquainted, and I am, therefore, anxious to place before you some of its principles, and a few of the facts by which those principles are illustrated. I shall, at the same time, take the liberty of inquiring a little into a subject with which you are profoundly conversant, and of venturing to express a judgment on the respective merits of the soldier and the missionary. Every age has had its heroes, and those heroes have been its gods, to whom have been raised statues, columns, and temples, in addition to the more substantial rewards of wealth, rank, and privilege. There is reason to hope that this order of heroes is coming to an end; for certain it is, that the sword will