to examine the foundations of the house. It is well at times to do this. But it is better to enter and abide in the house! It is infinitely better to avail one's self of its shelter from the stormy blast, to enjoy its rich and spacious accommodation, to dwell in safety and peace under its blessed roof, and to gaze on the widespread prospect from its windows. There are evidences of the truth and Divine origin of the Christian faith, blessed be God!-evidences enough to satisfy any candid inquirer. But, oh, that faith itselfthe faith or revelation thus evidenced! What thought can measure its unspeakable preciousness! What tongue can

utter, what pen can write, its glorious soul-satisfying, worldtransforming nature and effects! Darker than midnight is the problem of existence apart from it,—blank as the grave our prospects, whether as individuals or as a race. Man without a revelation from his Maker, like a rudderless and dismasted vessel, driven by mighty winds over raging billows towards a rock-bound coast, drifts helplessly, hopelessly towards destruction. Redeemed man, enlightened by the beamings of the Sun of righteousness, steers steadily and peacefully into the desired haven. The pilot is at the helm, home is in sight, and though the voyage has been dark and dangerous, it is all but over, and its blessed end and eternal issue is the kingdom of righteousness and glory, prepared and promised "from the foundation of the world."

APPENDIX.

G G

THE EAST LONDON INSTITUTE

For bome and Foreign Missions.

LONDON CENTRE-HARLEY HOUSE, BOW, E. COUNTRY BRANCH-HULME CLIFF COLLEGE, CURBAR,

DERBYSHIRE.

YOUNG WOMEN'S BRANCH-DORIC LODGE, BOW, LONDON, E.

Hon. General Director:

Rev. H. Grattan Guinness, F.R.G.S.

Hon. London Director:

H. Grattan Guinness, M.R.C.S.

Hon. Secretary:

Mrs. H. Grattan Guinness.

Treasurer:

Sir Arthur Blackwood, K.C.B.

Bankers:

London and South Western Bank (Bow Branch).

Trustees:

Theodore Howard, Esq., Westleigh, Bickley, Kent.

Capt. the Hon. R. Moreton, Le Mars, Iowa, U.S.A.

Rev. J. Stephens, M.A., Somerset Villa, Dartmouth Park Hill, N. Sir Arthur Blackwood, K.C.B., Shortlands House, Shortlands, Kent.

Referees:

Rev. Archibald G. Brown, London.
W. T. Berger, Esq., Cannes.
Rev. Henry E. Brooke, Bromley,
Kent.

W. Carruthers, Esq., F.R.S.
Rev. Dr. Culross, Bristol.
Rev. Thain Davidson, London.
Charles Finlay, Esq.

Philip H. Gosse, Esq., F.R.S.,
Torquay.

Rev. S. Hebditch, Sidney.
Theodore Howard, Esq., London.
Rev. David Lowe, Glasgow.

Donald Matheson, Esq.
Captain the Hon. R. Moreton.
R. C. Morgan, Esq., Editor of
"The Christian."

The Right Hon. Lord Polwarth.
Robert Paton, Esq., London.
Rev. Sinclair Patterson, M.D.,
London.

Lord Radstock.

Rev. C. H. Spurgeon.

Rev. J. Hudson Taylor, China.
Rev. H. M. Williamson, Belfast.

FIFTEEN years ago, under a strong sense of the claims of the

heathen on the Christian Church, we were led to found the EAST LONDON INSTITUTE FOR HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONS, with a view to the training of earnest and able Christian young men as Missionaries. Our reasons for making this effort were—

I. THE UTTER INADEQUACY OF THE EXISTING STAFF OF MISSIONARIES. According to Mr. Keith Johnston's latest estimates, the world's population is now over 1,400 millions. Of this vast number, less than 400 millions are—even in name-Christians. The remainder, of over a thousand millions, are non-Christians, and for the most part heathen. Among this almost inconceivable mass, Protestant Missionaries are labouring to spread the gospel, but only in proportion of one to four hundred thousand souls; so that practically 800 millions of our fellowcreatures may be said to be totally unevangelized.

2. THE CONVICTION WE ENTERTAINED THAT TO MEET THIS IMMENSE DEMAND FOR MISSIONARIES, THERE EXISTS AN AMPLE SUPPLY, IF ONLY IT COULD BE UTILIZED. There are numbers of Christian young men in the various sections of the Church well adapted for missionary work, and really anxious to devote their lives to it, who are never likely to do so unless they are helped to secure, first, a suitable training for the mission field; and secondly, an introduction into it.

We felt, that in order to do useful missionary work among the countless tribes of Central Africa, or the teeming millions of the labouring classes in China, not highly educated scholars only were needed; that plain, practical men, if endued with faith, love, zeal, and common sense, might, with suitable training, become exceedingly useful Missionaries in such spheres; and that the sending forth of such men might help to solve the difficult problem, how to support an adequate missionary staff, by proving

in some spheres, at any rate, missionaries may be sustained at com