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of your convention, that they may interest the members of their families when they return to their respective homes. Oh, that all who are detained in Christian lands felt their obligations, with respect to this work, and that those who might join us, only knew the abundant happiness they might enjoy in its prosecution! We entreat you, and as many as you may address on this subject, whenever you gather the mothers, and wives, and daughters of your families around your domestic altars, to pray for those who sustain the same relations among the heathen, but know nothing of their comforts and hopes and privileges."

Such, said the speaker, are some of the contents of this letter. Most cheerfully would I add my voice to its appeals. The influence of missionary wives and teachers in heathen countries was often forcibly impressed upon my mind, while dwelling among them. To form an idea of their usefulness you must become a member of their families, and be a witness to their habitual engagements. Their houses are a city set upon a hill. Thousands are daily observing the affection—the sympathythe mutual kindness-the order-the perfect harmony which reign there. What silent lessons of wisdom go forth from these humble dwellings to enlighten the surrounding regions! But this is only a small part of their influence.

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Follow that teacher who has just emerged from her model mansion. She approaches a school,-an infant school, and the smiles of a delighted group greet her as she enters. An hour is spent in examining the children and conversing with the teacher, who herself has received the same education. Go with her as she visits a second and a third school, all under the same wise regulations, but in the higher departments of learning. Now remember that these children are soon to be the wives and mothers of the nation to which they belong. Could you accompany them when they disperse to their respective homes, you would see how the blessed work advances. They pour the instructions of their teachers into the listening ears of their parents. They tell of that God and Saviour whom the Bible reveals, and the parents wonder and question perhaps repent and believe.

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But follow the same active labourer when the schools are dismissed. She is attracted to a hut by the cries of a wife under the lash of a tyrannical husband. He stops at her approach, and she gently rebukes him for his cruelty, and endeavours to instruct him in the duties of his relationship. She takes occasion to enlighten him and his miserable companion on the first principles of Christianity—the unity of the Godhead - the guilt and danger of their sinful estate, and the ne

cessity of an interest in the only Saviour of lost men. Thus she becomes the advocate of her sex, and the effective reprover of those who oppress

them.

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Go with her still farther. She approaches another dwelling where the wife and mother is breathing away her life. She points her, as she has often done before, to the Lamb of God urges her to renounce all other dependence to repent of her sins and confide her soul to his faithful hands. A burst of triumph tells that the work of faith is complete, while a deep groan follows, proclaiming that the ransomed spirit has departed.

Accompany her to one more scene of interest. It is the mansion of the rich. She is admitted to the private apartment of the females, where no missionary is allowed to enter, and as they gather around her, she unfolds to them the reasonableness and necessity of that religion which can alone save the soul. She explains its primary doctrines unveils some of its mysteries, and exhorts them to make her God and Saviour their Wherever she goes she is the wonder and admiration of many. They are surprised at her intellectual superiority over themselves; and when they learn that she is a representative of her sex in Christian lands, they wonder still more

own.

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at the superiority of that religion which she has come to communicate to them.

This is a specimen of the labours of many Christian females in heathen lands. True, sickness and domestic cares may curtail these exertions; but their usefulness is immense under almost all circumstances. Their presence and example alone are invaluable.

The unmarried generally have the entire command of their time, and may give themselves wholly to their work. The married are no less useful, for what time is necessarily deducted from external labours, is devoted to purposes equally important. In the social circle, and in the domestic relations, their influence is almost unlimited. I cannot dwell on this subject, neither can I close without expressing an opinion which I formed from extensive intercourse with missionaries, that woman is as indispensable to the successful operation of missions, as she is to the well-being of society in Christian lands.

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE last principle of action which was discussed by the assembly is, that Christians are bound to acquaint themselves with the diffusion of Christianity among the heathen, and to unite frequently in impassioned and importunate prayer for the divine blessing upon the labours of missionaries.

It has often occurred to me it has often been stated by my brethren, said an aged missionary, who had spent his life among the heathen, and was now worn out with excessive toil, that one great reason why professing Christians manifest so little interest in the conversion of the heathen, is want of information. Their knowledge of the moral condition of the world is exceedingly limited. Many are so deeply engaged in secular pursuits, that they seldom, if ever, read our state. ments and appeals. What we intend for them never meets their eyes, and of course cannot move their hearts. They have no time to attend those meetings where missionary intelligence is communicated. Even the concert of prayer for the

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