The following circumstance in the history of Sabat ought not to be omitted. When his family in Arabia had heard that he had followed the example of Abdallah, and become a Christian, they dispatched his brother to India (a voyage of two months) to assassinate him. While Sabat was sitting in his house at Visagapatam, his brother presented himself in the

knowledge of the Arabic and Persian languages, to superintend the labours of his companion. Mirza Fitrut, another celebrated Persian scholar, who, visited England some years ago, and was afterwards employed in translating the Holy Scriptures in the College of Fort William, is engaged as the coadjutor of Sabat in his translation. Mr. Martyn himself is translating the Scriptures into the Hindoostance language. In his latest letters, he speaks of his friend Sabat in terms of affection and admiration. Sabat accounted himself, at one time, the best mathematician and logician in Arabia. Mr. Martyn was senior Wrangler, or first mathematician of his year, at Cambridge, in 1801. In a letter, dated Sept. 1809, Mr. Martyn thus writes: "With my Arabian brother, and "Mirza Fitrut, I am labouring most of the day in the Hin"doostanee and Persian Gospels. The translation of the rest "of the Holy Scriptures into these languages is employment enough for some years to come. At intervals I read Per

"sian poetry, with Mirza, and the Koran with Sabat. These "Orientals, with whom I translate, require me to point out * "the connection between every two sentences, which is often more than I can do. It is curious how accurately they "observe all the rules of writing. Sabat, though a real "Christian, has not lost a jot of his Arabian notions of "superiority. He looks upon Europeans as mushroom, and "seems to regard my pretensions to any learning, as we do "those of a savage, or an ape."

disguise of a saqueer, or beggar, having a dagger concealed under his mantle. He rushed on Sabat, and wounded him. But Sabat seized his arm, and his servants came to his assistance. He then recognized his brother! The assassin would have become the victim of public justice, but Sabat interceded for him, and sent him home in peace, with letters and presents, to his mother's house in Arabia.

And these, my brethren, are the instances I wished to lay before you, of the divine power of the Christian religion recently exemplified in the East. The conversion of Abdallah and Sabat seems to have been as evidently produced by the Spirit of God, as any conversion in the primitive church, not accompanied with a sensible miracle. Other instances have occurred in Arabia of a similar kind, and on the very borders of Palestine itself. These are like the solitary notices which, in other nations, have announced the approach of general illumination.

You have now seen, 1. Evidences of the general truth of the Christian religion in the East; and, 2. Evidences of the divine power of that religion recently exemplified in the East. What conclusion, then, shall we draw from these facts? It is this: that the time for diffusing our religion in the East is COME.

We shall notice some other particulars which encourage us to think that the time is come.

1. The minds of good men seem every where to be impressed with the duty of making the attempt. Nearly fifteen years have elapsed since it began, and their ardour is not abated. On the contrary, they gather strength as they proceed; new instruments are found, and li beral contributions are made by the people. Indeed the consciences of men seem to bear witness that the work is of God.

The rapid success of this undertaking must appear almost incredible to those who are not acquainted with the fact. Translations of the Scriptures are carried on, not only in the languages of India, Persia, and Arabia, but in those also of Burmah and China. Mount Caucasus, in the interior of Asia, is another centre of translation for the East, particularly for the numerous nations of the Tartar race. The Scriptures are preparing for the Malayan isles, and for the isles of the Pacific sea. The great continent of Africa has become the scene of different missions and translations. North and South America are sending forth the Scriptures. They are sent to the uttermost parts of the earth; to Greenland, Labrador, and Austral Asia. We might almost say, "There is no "speech, nor language, where their voice is "heard."*

* India, which solely occupies the minds of some persons in

And this spirit, for the diffusion of the truth, is not confined to Britain. It is found among good men of every Christian nation. Perhaps on this day prayers are offered up in behalf of the work, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. We are encouraged, then, to believe, that the time is come, in the first place, by the consent of good men. When I say good men, I mean religious and devout men, whose minds are not chiefly occupied with the politics and affairs of this world, but who are "looking "for the consolation of Israel;" as it is expressed in these words, " Thy kingdom come." 2. Another circumstance, indicating that the time is at hand, is the general contemplation of the prophecies. Scripture are at this time in Asia, as in Europe. East begin to study the oracles of their prophet Isaiah. And, what is more important, the prophecies begin to be published among heathen nations; and we may expect, that every nation will soon be able to read the divine decree concerning itself.

The prophecies of pondered as seriously Even the Jews in the

3. The Holy Scriptures are translating into various languages.

When the Gospel was first to be preached

their discussion of the subject of missions, is but a small part of the nations which seek the word of God.

to all nations, it was necessary to give a diversity of tongues; a tongue for each nation; and this was done by the Divine Power. But in this second promulgation, as it were, of the Gospel, the work will probably be carried on by a diversity of translations, a translation for each nation. Instead of the gift of tongues, God, by his Providence, is giving to mankind a gift of Scriptures.

4. Another circumstance, which seems to testify that the work is of God, is the commotion in the bands of infidelity against it. "He" rod is troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." A spirit hath issued from the mouth of infidelity, which rageth against Him whose Star appeared in the East, and would destroy the work in its infancy. It rageth not against the Romish Church in the East, though that be Christian; nor against the Armenian Church in the East, though that be Christian; nor against the Greek Church in the East, though that be Christian; but it rageth against the religion of the Bible, that vital religion which aims at the conversion of the hearts of men.

Our Saviour has said, "The Gospel shall be "published among all nations." But these resist the Divine Word, and say it cannot be published in all nations. Our Lord hath said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the GosBut these allege, pel to every creature."