away to be seen no more. "They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." And with what words shall I address those who have taken their places, the successors of the venerated and the beloved-the generation of 1812?

In that year, American Christians pledged themselves to the work of evangelizing the world. They had but little to rest on except the command and promise of God. The attempts then made by British Christians had not been attended with so much success, as to establish the practicability, or vindicate the wisdom of the missionary enterprise. For many years, the work advanced but slowly. One denomination after another embarked in the undertaking;and now American missionaries are seen in almost every land and every clime. Many languages have been acquired: many translations of the Bible have been made; the gospel has been extensively preached; and churches have been established containing thousands of sincere, intelligent converts. The obligation, therefore, on the present generation, to redeem the pledge given by their fathers, is greatly enhanced. And it is an animating consideration, that with the enhancement of the obligation, the encouragement to persevere in the work, and to make

still greater efforts, are increasing from year to year. Judging from the past, what may we rationally expect, during the lapse of another thirty or forty years? Look forward with the eye of faith. See the missionary spirit universally diffused, and in active operation throughout this country, every church sustaining, not only its own minister, but, through some general organization, its own missionary in a foreign land. See the Bible faithfully translated into all languages,— the rays of the lamp of heaven transmitted through every medium, and illuminating all lands. See the Sabbath spreading its holy calm over the face of the earth, - the churches of Zion assembling, and the praises of Jesus resounding from shore to shore, and, though the great majority may still remain, as now in this Christian country, without hope and without God in this world, yet the barriers in the way of the descent and operations of the Holy Spirit removed, so that revivals of religion become more constant and more powerful.

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The world is yet in its infancy; the gracious designs of God are yet hardly developed. Glorious things are spoken of Zion, the city of our God. She is yet to triumph, and become the joy and glory of the whole earth. Blessed be God, that we live in these latter times the

latter times of the reign of darkness and imposture. Great is our privilege, precious our opportunity, to co-operate with the Saviour in the blessed work of enlarging and establishing his kingdom throughout the world. Most precious the opportunity of becoming wise, in turning many to righteousness, and of shining, at last, as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars, forever and ever.

Let us not, then, regret the loss of those who have gone before us, and are waiting to welcome us home, nor shrink from the summons that must call us thither. Let us only resolve to follow them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Let us so employ the remnant of life, and so pass away, as that our successors will say of us, as we of our predecessors, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord. They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

EMBARKATION OF THE MISSIONARIES.

REV. H. A. GRAVES.

For the following brief account of the sailing of the missionaries from Boston, on Saturday, July 11th, 1846, we are indebted to an editorial of the Christian Reflector.

We have now, at the writing of this, Saturday afternoon, at 1 o'clock -- just returned from being witnesses of a scene that can never fade from the vision. At the foot of Central Wharf, a large company, despite the oppressive heat of the weather, had collected; many of whom had stood on the ground for hours, that they might exchange the parting salutation, and catch the parting look of the loved and the venerated, going far hence to the heathen, ' to them that sit in darkness, in the region and shadow of death.' An appropriate and fervent prayer was offered by Rev. A. D. Gillette, of Philadelphia, and the beautiful hymn, which follows the present article, written for the occasion by Mrs. Edmond, was then sung. The voice of prayer, the sounds of music, hallowed by such a scene, who can ever forget?

On a small raised platform, as the noble vessel, the Faneuil Hall, was loosed from her moorings, stood the little group of missionaries, with him, their pioneer and chief, and her, who in fidelity to Christ accompanies him, conspicuous to the view. Rev. Adoniram Judson, D. D.,

and Mrs. Emily Judson, Rev. John S. Beecher and wife, Rev. Norman Harris and wife, and Miss Lydia Lillybridge, were the company.

"Bear them on, thou restless ocean,

Let the winds their canvass swell."

Before a sweet and favoring breeze, the ship bore them away as if proud of her treasure, and the sight of waving signals from the sea and the shore soon disappeared from the sight. The face of each missionary, so far as we could discern, wore a cheerful aspect, as if the smile and the love of Jesus, for whose sake they had given themselves up to this service, were during these very moments richly enjoyed. None appeared more so than she to whom her own sweet lines find now so fit an application: "I shrink not from the shadows sorrow flings Across my pathway; nor from cares that rise In every foot-print; for each shadow brings Sunshine and rainbow as it glooms and flies. But heaven is dearer. There I have my treasure; There angels fold in love their sunny wings; There sainted lips chant in celestial measure, And spirit-fingers stray o'er heaven-wrought strings. Then let me die. My spirit longs for heaven, In its pure bosom evermore to rest; But if to labor longer here be given,

'Father, thy will be done" and I am blest."