The choice of a field, especially of the first field, is a matter of much moment, as it is sometimes decisive in its influence on subsequent development and usefulness. A young man, however, should beware of undue anxiety respecting it. A Divine call involves not only an appointed work, but also an appointed field of work. The subject should be made, therefore, a special matter of prayer, and the opportunities Providence may open for making the acquaintance of churches should be faithfully improved. The Lord will then direct by the leading alike of His Spirit and the heart and of His providence in external events. Several suggestions, however, may here be important: 1. _Carefully consider the question whether duty does not call to a missionary field._ No one should evade a full, fair consideration of this, for success and comfort in one's life-work depend, not on obtaining what is termed an eligible settlement, but on occupying the post God has assigned us. All parts of the world are now opening to the Gospel, and in our own country vast populations are gathering from other lands, sent hither to be evangelized. Evidently, many of the young men now called to the ministry must be designed by the Master for work among the destitute. Eminence among ministerial brethren is a proper object of ambition, but it is a mistake to suppose that the choice of a mission-field, either East or West, will prevent this. A much larger proportion of our foreign missionaries rise to eminence in their work than of ministers at home. The men who are recognized as Christian leaders in the West are mostly men who went there to struggle with the difficulties of a new country and a small salary. By roughing it at the outset they developed manhood and power. Some of the ablest and most eloquent men of this age developed in pulpit power at the West. It is true in the ministry, as everywhere, that he who for Christ's sake will lose his life shall save it. A sacrifice and a struggle for Christ in earlier life give development and momentum to all the elements of power in a man. There is here wide room for a venturesome faith; and nothing is more certain than that many, by seeking at once great things for themselves, dwarf their after-life.