Is it not, perhaps, because those who are in Church office cannot go, and the mass of the laity think it no business of theirs?
If a persecution fell on England, and thousands were driven into exile, and, like those who were scattered in Stephen's persecution, "went everywhere preaching the word,"-- might not this be the conversion of the world, as indeed that began the conversion of the Gentiles?
But the laity leave all to the clergy, and the clergy have more than enough to do.
About this time I heard of another remarkable man, whose name was already before the public,--Mr.Groves,--who had written a tract called Christian Devotedness, on the duty of devoting all worldly property for the cause of Christ, and utterly renouncing the attempt to amass money.

In pursuance of this, he was going to Persia as a teacher of Christianity.

I read his tract, and was inflamed with the greatest admiration; judging immediately that this was the man whom I should rejoice to aid or serve.

For a scheme of this nature alone appeared to combine with the views which I had been gradually consolidating concerning the practical relation of a Christian Church to Christian Evidences.

On this very important subject it is requisite to speak in detail.
* * * * * The Christian Evidences are an essential part of the course of religious study prescribed at Oxford, and they had engaged from an early period a large share of my attention.