at once, with the flower of his army.

This principle of action is not more indispensable in the conquests of
war, than in the great enterprise of the world's conversion. And how
truly glorious, how sublime by contrast, to exhibit this principle of
action, not in destroying mankind, but in laboring for their salvation!
Let all Christians be filled with this spirit, let every redeemed sinner
adopt in practice this rule of action, _to do the most self-denying, the
most difficult and perilous work in person, and to commit the easiest to
proxy_, then there would be a sight of moral sublimity that earth has
not seen--all the elements in action that are needed, under God, to
usher in the millenial day.

O, if to angels were committed the instrumentality of the world's
conversion, where would Gabriel speed his way if not to the post of
peril, and to the post of self-denying and toilsome drudgery? I mistake
his character much, if he would not betake himself at once to the most
arduous service. O, how he would delight to come down and labor with the
lowest being on New Holland or New Guinea, and be the instrument of
raising him up to the throne of Jesus! But to angels is not committed
the stewardship of propagating that precious Gospel, which God has
ordained for the world's renovation. The infinite treasure is placed in
our hands, the immense responsibility is thrown upon us. O, let us prove
ourselves worthy of such a trust, and not become traitorous to the
cause, by falling into the general spirit of operating by proxy.

But, in truth, how far do we act on the principle named, that of
performing in person the most arduous service, and of leaving the most
pleasant work for others? Look over the desolate and secluded parts of
the United States; look over the heathen world, and make out an answer.
Let facts speak. Is a residence in Arkansas preferred to a residence in
New-York, or a voyage to New Guinea before one to Europe?

Our blessed Saviour and his apostles did not feel inclined to shrink
from the more self-denying service, and to shift it upon others. If they
had felt so, then we should have continued in a state of darkness, and
have known full well the import of present wretchedness and eternal woe.

Let us suppose, for a moment, that the apostles had made the discovery
of obeying by proxy the Saviour's last command. But I hesitate to make
such a supposition, lest the force of such an immense contrast should
make it t