ordinary and extraordinary; and at other times, by merely ordinary and regular methods. When the nation of Israel was to be delivered, and a type to be given of the great redemption, Moses was immediately appointed, without the intervention of man ;-when the Israelites were to be taught, and prophecies to be uttered regarding a coming Saviour, the schools of the prophets provided, and the Holy Ghost inspired, the men who should declare the will of God;-and when the gospel was to be diffused and its truths substantiated, and its principles and precepts clearly defined and enforced, Jesus Christ ordained, and by his Spirit qualified, the apostles for the work to be accomplished; but when pastors and teachers were given for the work of the ministry, for the perfecting of the saints, for the edifying of the body of Christ, his apostles were sent, and his evangelists were left to ordain elders in every church; and when any of his servants have been called to any particular departments of labour, such as evangelizing some appropriate district, their brethren have been guided to set them apart to the work whereunto the Holy Ghost had called them.

The regular course has been when God was about to employ and call forth his servants in his work, that they have been set apart by instituted ordinances. Such ordinances were occasionally administered by one, where only one authorized servant could be present; but where two or more could meet, they all united in the solemn engagement. In either case the individual was recognized as holding his office by

divine appointment, and was commanded to feed the church of God, over which the Holy Ghost had made him overseer.

God has connected promises with an attendance upon, and a conformity to, instituted ordinances. Positive ordinances are instituted not for any moral efficacy which is natural to, or inherent in them, but that they may be a means of testifying to the individual concerned, his need of blessings peculiarly required in sustaining his official character; and that by his attention to them he may evince his willingness to serve, and his readiness to obey and glorify God. This is the proof of discipleship, that because he loves Christ he keeps his commandments. God has connected even the disposition to obedience with the blessings which he has provided, and has made even the Spirit of desire the earnest of the purchased possession.

Obedience to positive precepts is as much the duty of the professor of revealed religion, as is conformity to abstract moral requirements; and attention to possitive divine injunctions will secure the blessing of God, as much as obedience to any even the highest moral precept. The fall of man, and all the woe it entailed, was by the breach of a positive precept, "Thou shall not eat of it." Attendance upon the Sabbath is enjoined with a force partly positive and partly moral, but of the former more'; yet the richest spiritual 'blessings are promised to the righteous observance of it. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ," as connected with the scheme of salvation, is strictly a positive pre

cept; and, consider the infinite blessings attached to compliance, thou shalt be saved!" This is wise and just; it is the doing of God, and is wondrous in our eyes. It is the heart which God requires: a right spirit is his own gift, and he will be glorified in the work of his own hands. He has said: "all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God." The word of our God shall endure for ever: He is a rock, his work is perfect, nor will he change in that which he hath spoken; he will not disappoint his people in the blessing for which he hath caused them to hope. Blessings have always been received in attendance, in the faithful attendance on divine ordinances. The Holy Ghost was given by the laying on of hands, and by the prayer of Peter and John. His influences were imparted to the certain disciples found at Ephesus by Paul; and Timothy is directed to stir up the gift of God which is in him by the putting on of the hands of Paul: in the parallel passage it is called, the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery. Through the labours of men, thus designated, and a few called by an extraordinary appointment, the gospel of Christ was promulgated in most parts of the world, and churches built up and established in every notable place, within the first century of the Christian era; and from the neglect or abuse of this ordinance, the choice of unfit persons, or the addition of ceremonies not of divine appointment, the Christian world was reduced to a state of gross ignorance and sin, most dishonourable to the church of Christ.

could be suggested through the Directors to the Mission whose printing establishment they support, as also what they are willing to contribute towards defraying the expenses connected with such an undertaking. This is a subject we wish to press on the serious consideration of every liberal soul, capable of devising and supporting liberal things. A press would be advantageously employed, and we think is a necessary and important part connected with the Mysore Mission. This will appear by a consideration of the extent of the country, and the languages still much more extensively spoken in India which are common to this province.

The country of Mysore is in extent nearly equal to Great Britain. The population is thin, perhaps not exceeding three millions. The system of heathenism, and the whole plan of Hindoo and Mahommedan governments, are, we conceive, very inimical to the interests of society. Famines, which are not infrequent, the want of prudent foresight in the people, the insecurity of private property, may in some measure account for the small number of inhabitants, whilst the ravaging and sanguinary proceedings of the late Tippoo and his father may have driven not a few, who once inhabited Mysore, to other parts of India. But on this subject we feel no desire to dwell, as it does not come within our province. The country, if properly cultivated, will, we are persuaded, support more than treble its present population. The Canarese and Hindostanee are the languages spoken in the Court of

the Mysore Rajah, but the Teloogoo and Tamul are also extensively known in the surrounding country. The study of these in the Institution, whilst rendered necessary to supply the local wants, will, we hope, be the means of raising up many labourers to occupy very large districts adjoining the country of Mysore. The Portuguese language, which is spoken by numbers, will not at present be made a separate branch of study in the College, though pious young men who speak that language will be eligible, as students, to enjoy the benefits of the Institution.

The four Elementary Schools have been suggested to our minds as likely to insure a regular increase of pious, devoted young men as ministerial students. The school which was commenced in 1821 has been the means of imparting much useful and religious knowledge to many who have left the school and entered the service of gentlemen. Six, who are now students, received their religious impressions whilst they attended the school. One of the students died in July 1824, who commenced learning to read his own language in the school; he gave, during his last illness, a pleasing evidence of the power of divine truth over his mind. Some of the boys in the schools are promising as religious characters; nearly all of them make conscience of secret prayer. As the schools have been commenced avowedly for religious purposes, there will be no ground for complaint that we have made any departure from our original plan, and the alarms have already ceased to operate on the minds of the parents.

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