Southern Christian Advocate

The following was written by a student at the Wesleyan University to a friend in this city who has furnished it to us for publication. How pleasing to witness in the young men of our colleges, a spirit of missionary zeal—an ardor of soul to engage in the self-denying labor of bringing the heathen to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. May the number of such increase.—Zion's Herald.

MISSION TO CHINA.

I noticed in a recent number of the Herald, an article upon this subject. I hail this as an omen of good, both to our own church, and to that neglected country. Though the time may not have fully arrived for the establishment of such a mission, yet it may not be unprofitable for us to agitate the question, that, when it does come, it may find us prepared. And what but this agitation, and its consequent enlightening of the public mind, are necessary, that all things may be ready?

In fact, has not the time already arrived? We have at the University, young men of talents, who, I am persuaded from an acquaintance with them, would joy to labor, suffer, and die for China; and if enough more worthy could not be found, the writer of this article would count it the highest honor to be reckoned among their number. The young men need only a leader of experience to go forward as pioneers in the glorious enterprise. That money would not be wanting, Br. Willing has given us more than a hint. With men and money at our hands, shall we wait until God thrusts both into the field?

Is not the fact that he has provided the means, proof of his will in the matter? True there are difficulties in the way. But does it become soldiers of the cross, with Christ for their captain to talk of difficulties? And are not even these difficulties more imaginary than real? We have been for years frightened with a difficulty of obtaining a knowledge of the language. But did not Abeel preach in the Chinese before he had been absent from this country three years? And may we not reasonably suppose that this difficulty will diminish as the facilities for acquiring the language are, as they will be, increased? If there are difficulties, it is no small consolation for the one conquering them, to reflect that now his writings can be read without a translation, by more than one third of the inhabitants of the earth.

There may be difficulties resulting from the government of the Celestial Empire, but those best acquainted with that government know, that judicious perseverance would, by the blessing of God, laugh them to scorn. The corrupt passions of men every where oppose the spread of the gospel; and we acknowledge that in China there is in addition to this a self-esteem, which appears to bar the progress of all improvement; but if the report which has reached us within a year is true, that 3000 in that country have renounced idolatry, their prejudices are already bowing to the omnipotence of truth.

The unbeliever may see lions in the way, but the humble Christian knows that when faith asks, the heathen shall be given for an inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession.

TERTIUS.