r their weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth; will it ease your
mind, and quiet your conscience, that you had not piety enough to go and
make known to them the way of life? This is a solemn subject. Let us
try, dear brethren, to look at it as we ought.

Allied to this excuse is the following: "I have never thought myself
qualified for the work of missions. It is a work which in my view
requires rare endowments. Did I possess the requisite qualifications, I
should delight to engage in so glorious a work."

To this excuse I would say, There is room in the wide field of missions
for every grade and variety of talent. Such is the universal testimony
of those who have gone forth. Neither could it be otherwise in so
various and vast a work as that of converting all nations, many of whom
need to be instructed in the simplest arts of civilized life, and in the
very alphabet of knowledge. But the excuse you render is entirely at
variance with the facts in the case. If the work of missions be deemed
worthy of the greatest talents, why is it that a large number do not go
forth from among the more prominent and influential in the sacred
office? The plea of disqualification is a popular one. There is in it
much appearance of humility and self-depreciation. But facts testify,
that many who plead their want of talent do not hesitate, if invited, to
take upon them the care of a college, or of a large and opulent church.
If the conduct of men is to be regarded as a just interpreter of their
sentiments, then the great body of the Christian ministry, instead of
regarding themselves unfit for the work of missions, consider themselves
too well qualified to enter it. They really think, that those of
inferior qualifications will do for missions; while those of superior
minds and brilliant talents must be reserved for important stations at
home.

It is said again, "_All_ cannot go abroad."

I reply, Do not use the word "all" till there shall be some need of it.
There is no danger _yet_ that the home company will be comparatively too
small.

There is another excuse which is worthy of more notice. One says, "My
own country claims my first attention. It presents a field of vast
extent, and demands a vast amount of labor. Its schools, colleges and
seminaries, must be sustained. Its religious periodicals must be edited.
The churches must be watched over, and brought up to a higher standard
of piety. Revivals must be promoted. But passing by