ADDRESS. 35 



and of all the facts connected with it, is essentially requisite ; 

 without which they would often grope in the dark, and spend 

 their money in vain, and * their labour for that which doth not 

 profit.' They must be intimately acquainted with the extensive 

 field of operation which lies before them, and with the physical, 

 the moral, and the political state of the different tribes to which 

 they intend to send the message of salvation ; otherwise their 

 exertions will be made at random, and their schemes be conducted 

 without judgment or discrimination. To attempt to direct the 

 movements of Missionary Societies without an intimate knowledge 

 of this subject, is as foolish and absurd as it would be for a land- 

 surveyor to lay down plans for the improvement of a gentleman's 

 estate, before he had surveyed the premises, and made himself 

 acquainted with the objects upon them, in their various aspects 

 positions, and bearings. If all those who direct and support the 

 operations of such societies, were familiarly acquainted with the 

 different fields for missionary exertions, and with the peculiar 

 state and character of the diversified tribes of the heathen world, 

 so far as they are known, injudicious schemes might be frustrated 

 before they are carried into effect, and the funds of such institu- 

 tions preserved from being wasted to no purpose. In this view, it 

 is the duty of every Christian to mark the progress and the results 

 of the various geographical expeditions which are now going for- 

 ward in quest of discoveries, in connexion with the moral and 

 political movements which are presently agitating the nations : for 

 every navigator who ploughs the ocean in search of new islands 

 and continents, and every traveller who explores the interior of 

 unknown countries, should be considered as so many pioneers, 

 sent beforehand by Divine Providence, to prepare the way for the 

 labours of the missionary, and for the combined exertions of 

 Christian benevolence." DICK'S Christian Philosophy. 



