the question, "Where can I do the most
good?" Be assured we can do the most good by _obeying_ the Saviour: by
carrying out the spirit of his last command. Let us keep _close_ to that
command: it is safer than to determine by our own dark and biased
reasoning, and by our very limited foresight, where we can be the most
useful.

4. The nearer you live to Jesus, the more hope will there be of your
coming to a right decision. There is a process of conviction and
conversion before a man becomes a missionary--a serious conflict.
Nothing but nearness to the Saviour will prepare a man to pass through
such a conflict, and keep safely on the side of truth and duty.

5. If, after examining thoroughly and prayerfully the question of
becoming a missionary, the mind waver between conflicting reasons, it
will be safest to lean to the side of the greatest self-denial.

6. In selecting the place of the greatest usefulness in the wide field
of the world, the best rule is, to fly to the post most likely to be
deserted.

7. A kindred principle is, to do in person the more difficult and
unpleasant work, and to commit the more easy and delightful to proxy.

8. Remember the time is short. A few days more, and we shall meet our
Saviour in the presence of a world of souls.

9. Keep in mind the conduct of our blessed Saviour, and be imbued with
his spirit. Feel as he felt, and do as he did, when he beheld us in
misery and in sin.

CHAPTER VIII.

TRIALS TO BE MET.

Common trials need not be named: we allude only to a few of those that
are most severe. Take then first, the trial of leaving friends. The
Saviour says, "He that loveth father or mother more than me is not
worthy of me, and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not
worthy of me." The plain meaning is, to be Christians, our love to
Christ must be supreme. Now, if it is supreme, it will show itself to be
so in our conduct. There is full room, even at the present day, for a
practical test of this condition of discipleship. Not only is the
_spirit_ of this passage required, but in many cases, a _literal
compliance_ with the identical things named in it. This saying of our
Saviour has been too much forgotten. Like some other important sayings
of our Lord, it has been virtually expunged. It has been regarded as
applying only to apostolic times--to times of persecution. This is a
wide mistake. If all nations are to be enlightened by the use of means,
there must be