meed of a gratitude so much warmer as their objects are so much grander?

We have always thought that an opposition to Mis. sionary efforts was the most unfounded and unreasonable. Nor do we believe that any man, no matter what might have been his aversion to religion, could have maintained his opposition in company with the mild, unassuming, polished, intelligent, and pious subject of this memoir, as he presented himself on his first Missionary tour through the west.

Bred, if not in ease, in competency, accustomed from his earliest days to the pursuit of literature, familiarized to the academic shades of one of our eastern colleges, and finally, nursed in one of our most distinguished Theological Schools, Mr. Smith presented himself before the New-England public, with all the flattering prospects, which such a public and such talents and piety as he possessed were calculated to awaken.

But on this subject we will let Mr. Smith speak for himself, We have before us a very interesting journal kept by him, of all the important events which transpired in his life, from a short time before he set out on his Mission, until he was settled pastor of the church at Natches. As it respects his entering on the important Mission with Mr. Mills, he says: "Now an unexpected difficulty arose, which well nigh defeated our plan. The people at the S. Farms parish, in Litchfield, where I bad been preaching for some weeks, loudly remonstrated against my leaving them. They made use of argu. ments, and entreaties, and tears, to persuade me to stay. My own convictions of duty did not waver. The

mission appeared to me to be of more importance than the supply of any one parish in christendom. But my friends and fathers in the ministry appeared to think otherwise. It was therefore thought best to deliberate and consult farther upon the subject. The result was, a conclusion from them all that I ought to go. This was a great relief to my mind. For although I did not doubt respecting my own duty, yet to leave the people at S. Farms abruptly and without sufficient reason, 1 feared would do them an injury. This deliberate consultation and unanimous conclusion of judicious and disinterested persons, I hope will set their minds at rest. May the blessed God continue among them the gracious influences of his Spirit."

Thus we see this young man tearing himself from a people who already loved him as their spiritual guide. They shed tears of piety over his departure. His fathers in the ministry seem to think he ought not to go. Still, "the Mission appeared to him to be of more impertance than the supply of any one parish in christendom." Has this young man lost his reason? Or rather, shall not the tongue of opposition be hushed to peace in the presence of such an example?

We delight to follow the footsteps of this young man, and we have no doubt our readers will delight to accompany us. On his way to the west we find him at Burlington, New-Jersey, in company with his fellow labourer, Mr. Mills. "We called (says he) on Dr. Boudinot, to converse with him on the formation of a National Bible Society." It will not be forgotten that this was in August, 1814, about 16 months before the American Bi

And what an interesting

Will

ble Society was formed. group have we here assembled in consultation? The venerable hero of the American Revolution, and the ornament of the judicial tribunals of New-Jersey; the sage and experienced Mr. Mills, who devoted the whole of his life projecting and executing schemes of christian benevolence; and the young Mr. Smith, who had just bid farewell to his friends and all the fascinations of ease and civilized life, to travel through the cheerless forests of the west. And are all these men fascinated with a shadow? Does such a man as judge Boudinot, blessed with the rich experience of more than half a century of active life, and the eagle-eyed observation. of the most eventful period our world ever witnessed, sacrifice his $10,000 at the shrine of a phantom? such a man connect his name with folly, and glory more in being called the father of the American Bible Society, than in being one of the heroes of the American Revolution? Was such a man as S. J. Mills mistaken, who travelled over almost every part of America, receiving no more than his daily bread, solely employed in acts of benevolence, and who sacrificed his life in the service of the American Colonization Society; or was he goaded on by a silly ambition to be "talked about?" Was such a young man as D. Smith, ennobled by all the acquirements of science and literature, suddenly transformed into a lunatic, because he exchanged the warm firesides and the affectionate bosoms of his friends at S. Farms, for the log cabin of the honest but benighted inhabitants of our frontiers. And yet these things, and many such things, must the enemies to Missionary

and Bible Societies suppose, or relinquish their opposition.

It is alike characteristic of the grand operation of nature and of providence, that their proudest results often turn upon some almost imperceptible point. The grandest river that swells the ocean may be traced to some little rill that rises in the bosom of some unexplored forest. And many of the grandest moral results that have ever blest our world, may be traced to some thought engendered in the closet of secret prayer, or at the social christian fireside. See Elias Boudinot, S. J. Mills, and D. Smith, anxiously devising means for the establishment of the American Bible Society, 16 months before the meeting of that heaven-directed convention which organized that noble institution. May we not suppose that this was the very meeting that confirmed the good old judge in his plan, and determined him to make that appeal to the American public which eventuated in the formation of the American Bible Society. This mighty stream that now fertilizes so large a portion of the garden of God, may be traced up to Burlington. At the consecration of its waters D. Smith assisted. Upon this triumvirate heaven smiled, and the kindred spirits of these three men, now all in glory, press nearer together when they think of Burlington, and of Aug. 12, 1813; and when they witness the triumphs of the American Bible Society, they labour for a higher note of praise.

The limits of this sketch will not permit us to pursue but imperfectly the footsteps of this faithful and judicious young man. We are compelled to pass various

circumstances mentioned in his journal, when on his way from Philadelphia, and on the Ohio, every one of which tend to characterize him as an humble and most devoted man. At St. Louis he thus writes: "Last Saturday, the 5th inst. I reached this place. This is the western-most point contemplated in our tour. We have now travelled about 1500 miles; and truly we can say, "Hitherto the Lord hath helped." Not only have our lives and health been preserved, in a sickly climate, at a very sickly time-not only have we been preserved from personal danger; but the Lord has wonderfully prospered our way before us. By the dif ferent denominations of Christians we have been received with affection and with confidence. Infidels and profane persons have treated us with marked attention and respect, and have contributed libérally in favour of our plans Our hearts are encouraged. We are confident that the Lord is with us. We therefore cheerfully address ourselves to our important and arduous labours. If the Lord be for us, no matter who is against us."

These were probably the first Missionaries, that ever visited St. Louis. And we have here a faithful picture of the manner in which they were received. This portrait is highly creditable to the western country in general, and especially to St. Louis. That circumstance which most deeply interests the benevolent reader in this part of Mr. Smiths journal, is the manner in which he and his. companion, Mr. Mills, were received by christians of different denominations. Every intelligent christian must lament that spirit of division that