In these exerci

adjoining the town, conversing and praying with them, and preaching to them. ses I found the most solid satisfaction that I have ever known in discharging the duties of my calling. In a poor hut, with a stone to stand upon, and a three-legged stool for my desk, surrounded with thirty or forty of the smutty neighbours, I have felt such an unction from above that my whole auditory have been melted into tears, whilst directed to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the the sin of the world; and I, weeping among them, could scarcely speak or they hear, for interrupting sighs and sobs. Many a time did. Ithen think, 1 hus it was with the apostles of our Lord, when they went from house to house among the poor heathen. In work like this I could live and die. Indeed, had I at that time been at liberty to settle, I should have preferred that situation to any in the kingdom with which I was then acquainted.

"But the Lord placed me in a situation very different. He brought me to Birmingham; and here, amongst the novelties, cares, and duties of my station, I do not remember any wish for foreign service, till after a residence of some months I heard Dr. Coke preach at one of Mr. Wesley's Chapels, from Psalm lxviii. 31. Ethiopia shalb soon stretch out her hands unto God. Then it was, that in Mr. Horne's phrase, "I felt a passion for missions.” Then I felt an interest in the state of the heathen world far more deep and permanent than before, and seriously thought how I could best promote their obtaining the knowledge of the crucified Jesus.

"As no way at that time was open, I cannot say that I thought of taking a part of the good work among the heathen abroad; but resolved that I would render them all the assistance I could at home. My mind was employed during the residue of that week in meditating on Psaim lxvfi,

3. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God; and the next Sabbath morning I spoke from those words, On the promised increase of the church of God. I had observed that our monthly meetings for prayer had been better attended than the other prayer-meetings, from the time that I first knew the people in Cannon-street: but I thought a more general attention to them was desirable. I therefore preached on the Sabbath-day evening preceding the next monthly praver-meeting, from Matt. vi. 10. Thy kingdom come and urged with ardour and affection a universal union of the serious part of the congregation in this exercise. It rejoiced me to see three times as many the next night as usual; and for some time after that, I had nearly equal cause for joy.

"As to my own part, I continued to preach much upon the promises of God respecting the conversion of the heathen nations; and by so doing, and always communicating to my people every peace of information I could obtain respecting the present state of missions, they soon imbibed the same spirit: and from that time to this they have discovered so much concern for the more extensive spread of the gospel, that at our monthly prayer-meetings, both stated and occasional, I should be as much surprised at the case of the heathen being omitted in any prayer, as at an omission of the name and merits of Jesus.

"Indeed it has been a frequent mean of enkindling my languid devotion, in my private, domestic, and public engagements in prayer. When I have been barren in petitioning for myself, and other things, often have I been sweetly enlarged when I came to notice the situation of those who were perishing for lack of knowledge.

Thus I went on praying, and preaching, and

conversing on the subject, till the time of brother Carey's ordination at Leicester, May 24, 1791. On the evening of that day, he read to the ministers a great part of his manuscript, since published; entitled, An enquiry into the obligations of Christians to use means for the conversion of the heathens. This added fresh fuel to my zeal. But to pray and preach on the subject was all I could then think of doing. But when I heard of a proposed meeting at Kettering, Oct. 2, 1792, for the express purpose of considering our duty in regard of the heathen, I could not resist my in clination for going; although at that time I was not much acquainted with the ministers of the Northamptonshire association. There I got my judgment informed, and my heart increasingly interested. I returned home resolved to lay my self out in the cause. The public steps I have taken are too well known to need repeating: but my mind became now inclined to go among the heathen myself. Yet a consideration of my connexions with the dear people of God in Birmingham, restrained my desires, and kept me from naming my wishes to any body, (as I remember) except to brother Carey. With him I was pretty free. We had an interesting conversation about it just before he left Europe. I shall never forget the manner of his saying "well you will come after us." My heart said, Amen! and my eagerness for the work in reased; though I never talked freely about it, except to my wife, and we both then thought that my relation to the Church in Cannon-street, and usefulness there, for-bad any such an attempt. However, I have made it a constant matter of prayer, often begging of of God as I did when first I was disposed for the work the ministry, either that he would take away the desire,or open a door for its fulfilment. And the re. sult has uniformly been, that the more spiritual

been in the frame of my mind, the more love I have have felt for God; and the more communion I have enjoyed with him, so much the more disposed have I been to engage as a missionary among the heathen.

"Until the accounts came of our brethren's entrance on the work in India, my connexions in Europe pretty nearly balanced my desire for going abroad; and though I felt quite devoted to the Lord's will and work, yet I thought the scale rather preponderated on the side of abiding in my present situation.

"But since our brethren's letters have informed us that there are such prospects of usefulness in Hindostan, that priests and people are ready to hear the word,--and that preachers are a thousand times more wanted, than people to preach to, my heart has been more deeply affected than ever with their condition; and my desires for a participation of the toils and pleasures, crosses and comforts of which they are the subjects, are advanced to an anxiety which nothing can remove, and time seems to increase.

"It has pleased GoD also lately to teach me more than ever, that HIMSELF is the fountain of happiness; that likeness to him, friendship for him, and communion with him, form the basis of all true enjoyment; and that this can be attained as well in an eastern jungle, amongst Hindoos and Moors, as in the most polished parts of Europe. The very disposition, which, blessed be my dear Redeemer! he has given me, to be any thing, do any thing, or endure any thing, so that his name might be glorified, I say, the disposition itself is heaven begun below! I do feel a daily panting after more devotedness to his service, and I can never think of my suffering Lord, without dissolving into love; love which constrains me to glorify him with my body and spirit which are his.

"I do often represent to myself all the possible hardships of a mission, arising from my own heart, the nature of the country, domestic connexions, disappointment in my hopes, &c. &c. : And then I set over against them all, these two thoughts, I am God's servant and God is my friend. In this, I anticipate happiness in the midst of suffering, light in darkness, and life in death. Yea, I do not account my life dear unto myself, so that I may win some poor heathens unto Christ; and I am willing to be offered as à sacrifice on the service of the faith of the gospel.

"Mr. Horne justly observes, 'that, in order to justify a man's undertaking the work of a mis. sionary, he should be qualified for it, disposed heartily to enter upon it, and free from such ties as exclude an engagement.'-As to the first, ethers must judge for me; but they must not be men who have an interest in keeping me at home. I shall rejoice in opportunities of attaining to an acquaintance with the ideas of judicious and impartial men in this matter, and with them I must leave it. A willingness to embark in this cause I do possess; and I can hardly persuade myself that God has for ten years inclined my heart to this work, without having any thing for me to do in it. But the third thing requires more consideration; and here alone I hesitate."-Here he goes on to state all the objections from this quarter, with his answers to them, leaving it with his brethren to decide when they had heard the whole.

The Committee, after the most serious and maSure deliberation, though they were fully satisfied as to brother Pearce's qualifications, and greatly approved of his spirit, yet they were unanimously of opinion that he ought not to go; and that