not to have been born, than to die strangers to the pardon of the Redeemer’s blood and the sanctifying virtue of His Spirit.  From His throne on high He calls—­calls to you, “Look unto me, and be ye saved; for I am God, and there is none else.  Seek ye the Lord while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

On the other hand, such as have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them, are commanded to be joyful in their King.  He reigns, O believer, for thee.  The stability of His throne is thy safety.  The administration of His government is for thy good; and the precious pledge is, that He “will perfect that which concerneth thee.”  In all thy troubles, and in all thy joy, commit thy way unto Him.  He will guard the sacred deposit.  Fear not that thou shalt lack any good thing.  Fear not that thou shalt be forsaken.  Fear not that thou shalt fall beneath the arm of the oppressor.  “He went through the fires of the pit to save thee.”  Sing, then, thou beloved, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”

And if we have “tasted that he is gracious”; if we look back with horror and transport upon the wretchedness and the wrath which we have escaped, with what anxiety shall we not hasten to the aid of our fellow men, who are sitting in “the region and shadow of death.”  What zeal will be too ardent, what labor too persevering, what sacrifice too costly, if, by any means, we may tell them of Jesus, and the resurrection, and the life eternal?  Who shall be daunted by difficulties, or deterred by discouragement?  If but one pagan shall be brought, savingly, by your instrumentality, to the knowledge of God and the kingdom of heaven, will you not have an ample recompense?  Is there here a man who would give up all for lost because some favorite hope has been disappointed, or who regrets the wordly substance which he has expended on so divine an enterprise?  Shame on thy coward spirit and thine avaricious heart!  Do the holy Scriptures, does the experience of ages, does the nature of things justify the expectation that we shall carry war into the central regions of delusion and crime, without opposition, without trial?  Show me a plan which encounters not fierce resistance from the prince of darkness and his allies in the human heart, and I will show you a plan which never came from the inspiration of God.  If missionary effort suffer occasional embarrassment; if impressions on the heathen be less speedy, and powerful, and extensive than fond wishes have anticipated; if particular parts of the great system of operation be, at times, disconcerted; if any of the ministers of grace fall a sacrifice to the violence of those whom they go to bless in the