the back." Oh! that the Lord would fill the forsaken churches with such men as Mr. Matthias.' He adds, I have indeed, been privileged to spend thus days of great joy. The spirit of liberality manifested by Christians at this jubilee was surprising; all was harmony and love; one mind, one spirit, one wish, seemed to possess all in every place I attended.'

With such feelings it is not surprising that he should seek earnestly for an opportunity for engaging in the missionary work. After much prayerful consideration, he determined to offer himself as a candidate to the directors of the London Missionary Society. His parents constituted at this time the great difficulty in his way. They were now partially dependent on him, they felt the privilege of leaning on their eldest son, and would be most unwilling to consent to his leaving his native country even for the Saviour's cause. Their own minds at the time were not opposed to Christian truth, though as yet their hearts did not seem given fully to the Lord.' He thought it prudent at first to open his mind to his aunt, and to get her to communicate his wishes to his parents. In his letter to his aunt, after sketching the wretched state of the heathen world, he says:- Can a Christian look on this scene without longing to be made an

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instrument in the hand of the Lord in turning these idolaters from darkness to light, and from the kingdom of Satan unto God? Can he rest at ease in Zion and see so many souls perishing for lack of knowledge? Oh! that the Lord would raise up more labourers in his vineyard, for truly

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the harvest is great, but the labourers are few.” When I read the lives of Schwartz, Vanderkemp, Brainerd, Des-Ganges, and many others, I long to join, with those who survive, in their toils and afflictions to sound the trumpet of the everlasting Gospel, and make known the blessed news of Salvation. For a long time it has been the subject of my fervent prayers to the Almighty that I may be a missionary of the cross. I have implored the Lord to take away the desire if it arises from a wrong motive, but, if otherwise, to increase it. Oh! my dear aunt, I feel it an absolute duty that I should offer my services to the Missionary Society, but I cannot muster courage to mention the matter to my dear parents. I fear it will grieve them; and yet how can they scruple at my being engaged in so glorious an employment? Really, I think, if I had fifty sons, I should rejoice to see them all engaged in the work of the Lord. How many youths are there who leave all to fight the battles of their king and country? Worldly parents

surrender up their offspring, and shall professing Christians scruple at giving up their children to fight the battles of the King of kings against the great enemy of souls? Mr. Jay once said, "I would sooner blow the trumpet of the everlasting Gospel, which proclaims mercy to a ruined world, than sound the archangel's trumpet, which at the last day shall call the world to judgment." Oh! that this love for the Gospel were implanted in many breasts. I long to be among the poor heathen, and I hope I can say unto the Lord, "Here am I, send me."

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'I cannot open my Bible without finding, almost on every page, a promise made by the Lord that his Gospel shall spread throughout the world. Who then would not rejoice in being made the happy instrument, under God, of bringing to pass, even in the smallest measure, the glorious purposes of his grace? I long to be engaged in this sacred employment, in order that I may be made useful to poor perishing sinners. I have read and considered the trials a missionary must endure, and hope I could say in the thought of bearing all, and leaving all," Not unto me, not unto me, O Lord, but unto thy name be all the glory." How I long to be emancipated from the concerns of the world, that I may be prepared for this blessed profession! I know the work is aw

fully important; it requires for its due fulfilment a mind wholly given to the Lord, and much crucified to the world; but the Lord can make the weakest creatures the depositaries of the divine treasure, that the "excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.'

His aunt did not succeed in obtaining the compliance of his parents with his wishes. Indeed, they were most unwilling; but it appeared to him to be his duty still to go forward, that he might ascertain the will of God. He accordingly requested an interview with the Rev. Thomas Jackson, of Stockwell, one of the directors of the London Missionary Society. An interview was readily granted; and after a lengthened conversation, on the subject of the missionary work generally, and of the motives that led him to the desire to be engaged in it, Mr. Jackson requested him to make a formal application, by means of a letter addressed to himself, to the directors of the London Missionary Society. I wish you,' were Mr. Jackson's words, now that I have had this friendly conversation with you, to write to me, stating the reasons you have for believing that the Lord has called you; your motives for wishing to be engaged in the missionary cause; and, more especially, your ideas with reference to the duties of one who is sent as a missionary to

the heathen. Write to me freely, and without fear-just as you would to an intimate friend who takes much interest in your present wishes. Lay open to me the feelings of your heart. At the next meeting of the directors I will communicate to them the subject of the letter.'

Thus encouraged, William Jones wrote fully to Mr. Jackson on the various points he had suggested. The result was, that he was invited in the month of September, 1813, to meet the committee of examiners of the London Missionary Society, at Mr. Hardcastle's office, 9, Old Swan Stairs, Thames-street. I attended the appointment,' he writes, with much fear and anxiety. There were several directors present. Among them were Dr. Waugh, Mr. Matthew Wilks, the present Dr. Liefchild, and Mr. Burder. The examination was rather long, and had reference to my own religious character, my views of the doctrines of the Gospel, and my motives for wishing to engage in the missionary work. At the close of the examination I retired, when the directors appointed Mr. Jackson to call on my parents, and to endeavour to obtain their consent.

'Mr. Jackson soon after had an interview with my parents, but did not succeed in his mission. I understood him to say that my father spoke in strong terms: "If it be necessary for me to sign