36 THB CHRISTIAN NATURALIST. 



go forth to cast their seed upon the stony wilds of 

 heathen lands. But what of this ? They have no 

 more reason to desist from their holy enterprise, than 

 has the farmer to abstain from sowing. Ill, therefore, 

 would it become the Protestantism of this land to 

 withdraw from the scene of its labours, even in such a 

 country as Ireland. To use the means of conversion is 

 roan's proper work; to command success is God's. 

 Nature teaches us thus much at the present season ; 

 and the wisest of kings gives us a precept worthy of 

 his wisdom, when he observes, ** Cast thy bread upon 

 the waters : for thou shalt find it after many days. 

 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening with- 

 hold not thine hand : for thou knowest not whether 

 shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both 

 shall be alike good." (Eccles. xi.) 



The Divine Being himself anticipates the short- 

 sighted objections of those who measure their duty by 

 their success, when he declares, " As the rain cometh 

 down, and the snow from heaven, and retumeth not 

 thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring 

 forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower 

 and bread to the eater, so shall my word be which goeth 

 forth out of my mouth, it shall not return unto me 



