crepidam quite. Let him mind his own business." Assuredly. If his own soul be yet untouched, uncared for, unrenewed-then he has a more urgent business, truly, within himself—one that may fully occupy all his time, and task all his energy, and which, uncompleted, may well debar him from almost every other labour. Then, by all means, let him mind his own business. But if his own soul have been visited with God's mercy, and tasted of His goodness, what more urgent business can he have on hand, than-dedicating himself and his talents wholly to the Lord, whose name he now bears, and whose he now is—to seek, in all humility, and yet in all faithfulness, through good report and through bad report, to discharge the double duty now lying heavy on him-duty to his fellowman, and duty to his redeeming God-duty for which, whether performed or not, he will have to reckon on that day when every man shall give an account of his stewardship-duty which, if disregarded at the world's bidding, convicts him of a double and damning crime-blood-guiltiness, and denial of his Master.

Already there is an enlightened and zealous graduate of this University-I am glad to call him my pupil and my friend-labouring as a Medical Mis

We

sionary in Ireland; and from time to time, the Association of this city, who sent him forth, is made grateful and glad by tidings of his success. trust that he is but one of many yet to come-the advanced skirmisher, to be followed by a dense and powerful phalanx-ready to spend and to be spent in their Master's cause. And were men found both ready and ripe-duly qualified in both heart and head-faith will not permit us to doubt that ways and means would be found for their full equipment and despatch on their glorious service.

But here let me guard against misapprehension, by touching very shortly on the Qualifications required for the Medical Missionary. First, and most indispensable of all, is his own conversion. "Without this, all other qualifications whatever are but as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."1 First having tasted of the Lord's goodness in his own soul, he becomes as "a man on fire," to proclaim aloud the gift he has received, and to urge his fellow-men to know no rest till they have found it too. "While he speaks great things for God, he must strive to live great things unto holiness;" his personal example becoming a luminous commentary to all his teaching. He holds his medical knowledge as secondary and subsidiary to his paramount aim of

1 See Appendix, M.

saving souls. At the same time, he must be no mere dabbler in physic, partially informed. "A little learning is a dangerous thing" at all times, and doubly perilous here. Professionally, he must be fully equipped; accomplished in knowledge, as regards both surgery and medicine, especially the former; for surgery, it is found-what in old times was termed "quod in medicina efficax et certum”obtains not only ample occupation, but also ample confidence, in heathen lands. He must be ready of eye and hand, and not unpractised in any department of his art. He should have a facility in acquiring languages. He should be strong, active, and hardy in body; patient, gentle, warm in heart; bold, yet humble; full of resource, yet trusting only in God; firm, and of indomitable energy of mind.1 He must lay his account with obstacles, disappointments, suspicions, distrusts, calumnies, and trial in every shape;-he must be ready to sacrifice all personal pride and worldly ambition;-he must be ready to become "all things to all men," that he may "by all means save some; "2-he must have "counted the cost before accepting the service;-he must be content with small means, poor lodging, and perhaps poorer fare; his only luxury may be that of "doing

1 See Appendix, N.

2 See Appendix, O.

good"-his only treasure may be in heaven. He must leave home and friends, perhaps for ever. In his dying hour there may be no friendly hand to close the eye, or to smooth the pillow. His "life is hid with Christ." His reward is not seen; it is beyond the grave.

Well may we exclaim, "Who is sufficient for these things?" Our only reply is, "With God all things are possible."—" I can do all things through ▾ Christ who strengtheneth me."- "Fear not; only

believe!"

And, now that we have considered, however imperfectly, the nature and importance of the cause we advocate-the warrants for exertion and hopethe circumstances which invite and command us to labour-the success which already beckons us on— and the qualifications necessary for entering on the high and holy calling-let me, in conclusion, commend the whole subject to the most serious thought of all students of Medicine. Our profession has heretofore been to blame, and must feel shame in the confession, that hitherto so few of her sons have dedicated their talents and themselves to this great work. Let that thought, while it leads to humble acknowledgment of the fault, stir up all to greater faithfulness in the future. If it be said, Why not

D

train up native missionaries for this scheme-those who are acquainted with the people, with their language, habits, and prejudices, and who are inured to the climate and customs? We answer, that this is by no means overlooked. Native missionaries will be trained, both for purely missionary work and for Medical Missions. Their labours are looked forward to as a most powerful agent in dispelling darkness, and bringing light to their fellow-countrymen. But they are not enough of themselves. Those who are best qualified to judge have emphatically declared, that the strongest arguments are "in favour of Medical Missionaries being from Europe, in particular, because of that union of steadfastness of character, with energy in action, which they are supposed pre-eminently to possess." As in the warfare of the sword, so will it be in the warfare of the Bible. The Sepoy fights gallantly, but he must be led ;-he is ready to charge up to the cannon's mouth, but his officer must be there before him. And so the native missionary, under the guidance and companionship of his European brother, will doubtless prove faithful and dauntless too in the toils and dangers of a holier warfare.

1

If, again, it be said—What can I, one man, do in

1 Presbyterian Review, No. XII., p. 369.