176 APPENDIX. [sect. 



wants be met ? What shall we do to increase the supply of 

 men? Looking at these questions just now solely with re- 

 spect to the fact that God does deign to work out some of even 

 his grandest purposes through the instrumentality of human 

 means, we appear to want more systematic and energetic 

 missionary action in our Universities, and increased means of 

 familiarizing the mind with the reality of the work and its 

 pressing needs. — A greater familiarity with foreign countries, 

 languages, races, manners, customs, and religions, appears to be 

 a great desideratum. 



We would venture to suggest the importance of a good 

 Missionary Museum, and Reading Room, containing an appro- 

 priate Library comprising not only books treating directly and 

 indirectly on the subjects under review, but also maps and 

 atlases, as well as lexicons and grammars referring to the 

 languages and dialects the most employed by missionaries in 

 their intercourse with the heathen. To all this, copies of 

 the Scriptures and Prayer-Book printed in the same tongues 

 might advantageously be added; together with a collection of 

 autograph letters written home by missionaries and travellers, 

 as well as a number of their portraits — the reports and current 

 literature of the Home and Foreign Protestant Missionary 

 Societies being added to all. Moreover occasional meetings 

 for prayer, conversational and general missionary purposes, 

 carried on in strict subordination to academical duties and 

 pursuits, must be highly important. 



The frequent presence of eminent missionaries and travellers 

 among such a body would also produce an effect of untold 

 consequence. The strangeness and perplexity of idea pertain- 

 ing to foreign lands and races would perhaps hereby be worn 

 away more effectually by such intercourse than by any other 

 means, except the fact of actually going to see, hear and feel for 

 oneself 



Of course we bear in mind the truth that " the Lord of 

 the harvest will thrust forth labourers into His harvest." But 



