by some to
a want of sensibility; to a destitution of the finer, tenderer, and more
delicate feelings, that adorn society, and that make families lovely and
happy. Here then are trials: such, however, as he must cheerfully meet
for Christ's sake.

But the separation from home, with its numerous and nameless
endearments, and at the risk of misrepresentation, is but the first
lesson of obedience. That person whose love to Christ is so weak as to
fail here on the threshold, would give but poor evidence of being
prepared for similar and severer trials in prospect. The _main_ occasion
for exemplifying the spirit of the Saviour's words to which we have
alluded, is on heathen ground, when stern necessity calls upon parents
to make the best disposition in their power in regard to their own
children. This is an occasion not so well understood by the Christian
community as the one I have noticed. The difficulties in the way of
properly training children on heathen ground are not clearly seen;
neither are all the objections appreciated which attend the usual
alternative, that of sending them to a Christian land. These are the
occasions of trial, compared with which all other sufferings of the
missionary are scarcely worthy of being named. They are trials, however,
that must be met, not evaded; for the Saviour says, "He that loveth son
or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." They must be cheerfully
met, and counted "all joy," or we cannot claim the spirit of the first
disciples.

There are those, I know, who would relieve this subject at once by
proposing the celibacy of missionaries; but the argument of such persons
can hardly be deemed worth considering, till they shall know a little
more "what they say, and whereof they affirm." Celibacy for ministers
at home would be a much more proper and expedient arrangement, than for
missionaries in most foreign fields. And one would think that the
experience of the church, from the days of the apostles till now, had
taught us enough to silence at once any such proposition, and to place
it forever at rest. Were it in place for me, I could give reasons here
to the heart's content: but I deem it more prudent to forbear.

The DIFFICULTIES in the way of training children on heathen ground,
cannot all be named; and fewer still can be justly appreciated by those
who have never made the attempt. What I shall say will apply
particularly to barbarous and degraded nations, such as the Sand