which, at different periods, have issued from the press, and excited the attention of mankind, none

550 TELLEK2O LHEKOZ

to

have laid claim to higher importance, none have displayed more powerful attractions, than those immediately connected with the great cause of „, missions,—a cause which, without incurring the charge of presumption, may boast THE ETERNA GOD' as its glorious patron, the sacred oracles of

A

truth as its unfailing supports, the blood-stained

cross as its invincible banner, and the progressive ZITAW .01 evangelization of a dark and benighted world as its

contemplated end. afro to goitre que s to toor!

That a long series of years should have rolled away before the slumber of professing Christians was broken, and before their hearts were suitably

-Int) se bom sú do ¿ gns of botsinsin) bas „ɔɔ of enoiseuil to 301 od 2107 & 10 1069 50 36279dinavi 28

3′ LOZE BOOK

SEOTIO EDILION OF BOBKILLE EXьО21LOKA

affected by their unaccountable neglect of the risen Saviour's last solemn injunction, is indeed a subject of regret and astonishment: but the recent dawning of heavenly light,-the raising, combining, and arming of "the excellent of the earth," for the instrumental subjugation of Satan's kingdom, the rapid diffusion of gospel truth, and the actual emancipation of heathens and idolators from their superstitions and their sins;-these are subjects which demand the most fervent gratitude,-which ought to call forth the warmest thanksgivings. And, blessed be God, whilst the wretched votaries of infidelity are employing all their resources, and exerting all their powers, to impugn the authority of Holy Writ, to envelope the tomb with the horrors of interminable darkness, and to blot out from the heavens that brilliant Luminary, which hath been appointed and set forth as "a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel," the good news which is continually arriving from distant countries evinces and demonstrates that "the Scriptures are able to make men wise unto salvation;"-that faith in a crucified Jesus can, in all climes, and with men of every class, disperse and annihilate the terrors of death; and that the Sun of Righteousness, which hath already risen upon multitudes of poor benighted souls in distant lands, is

still continuing to ascend, in majestic splendor, towards that zenith of glory which it is destined to attain, before the curtains of time shall be drawn aside, to admit a view of the solemnities of eternity;-before the voice of the archangel and the trump of God shall announce the morning of the resurrection, and convene the whole posterity of Adam before the judgment-bar of Christ.

Intelligence so important in itself, so honorable to the great Head of the Church, so terrific to the powers of darkness, and so exhilarating to the saints of the Most High, is naturally embraced with avidity, and cherished with sacred delight, by all who are aware of its intrinsic value. As it is impracticable, however, without devoting a considerable portion of time, attention and money, to this specific object;—without, in fact, purchasing, arranging, combining, and carefully perusing, bundles of reports, volumes of magazines, letters and journals of missionaries, and various other sources of information,—to obtain anything like a correct and luminous view of the societies which have been formed, the exertions which have been made, and the triumphs which have been achieved, in this great and glorious cause,-it is humbly conceived that a faithful, impartial, and connected account of the

B

various Missionary Societies now in existence, for the spread of the Gospel among Heathen and other unenlightened nations, will have a forcible claim on the attention and patronage of the religious public; as being peculiarly calculated to revive the most pleasing recollections, to animate to new and increased exertions, and to inspire the most sanguine anticipations, in respect to a cause which has already been so eminently owned, and abundantly blessed by a Triune God.

Impressed with this idea, and anxious to extend the knowledge of those great events which, in modern times, have begun to realize the visions of ancient prophecy, the Editor of the History now respectfully submitted to the Public, has engaged, in humble dependence on the promised aid of the Holy Spirit, to furnish a work, which, though moderate in its limits, and accessible to all ranks by its mode of publication, may form a complete Repository of Missionary Intelligence, and present, as it were, a panoramic view of those various societies which, however differing from each other in names and forms, resemble the separate bodies of cavalry, infantry, artillery, &c. in one grand army; all of whom are subjects of the same king, all arranged beneath the same national banners, and

all opposed to one common foe. It should, in fact, be explicitly stated, that this compilation is not designed exclusively for Churchmen or Dissenters, -Presbyterians or Independents,-Baptists, Methodists, or Moravians;-but for "all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," and who are earnestly solicitous for the salvation of their fellow

creatures.

In the prosecution of this design, the utmost pains will be taken to blend amusement with information; by embodying in the narrative the most valuable discoveries which have been made, and the best anecdotes which have been published, in connexion with the great design of sending out the light and truth of the Gospel to distant regions. The pictorial delineations will also tend, at once, to embellish the work, and to assist the reader in forming correct ideas of many highly interesting objects; and the index will be só contrived as to form an epitome of those Missionary Transactions, to which it will furnish the most prompt and ample means of reference. J'

That the blessing of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost may crown this humble attempt to sketch a family picture, in which every portrait