HI Ai IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) y // i< Vx % 1.0 I.I 1.25 If itf M 111= U i 1.6 V] <^ /^ 'm % el XN {J-s^ ^e, Photographic Sciences Coiporation # ^ ■C ■s \ <^ ^i 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 %^ ^ «?. :/j CIHM/iCMH Microfiche CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques \ Technical and Bibliographic No;es/Not«s technicjues et bibliographiques The Institute h-^s attempted to obtain the best original copy availaL»!9 for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'lnstitut a microfilme le meilleur exemplaire qu'll lui a et^ possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-^tre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modificaticn dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiquis ci-dessous. D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagee Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur^e et/ou peliicul^e , I Cover title missing/ i I Le titre de couverture manque □ Cotcured pages/ Pages de couleur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommagees n Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur^es et/ou pellicul^es I I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 1^ ' Pages ddcolorees, tachetdes ou piquees D D D v/ D D Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en couleur Coloured ink li.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) f Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Pla^iches et/ou illustration- j en couleur Bound with other material/ Relii avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la dintorsion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans ie texte. mais. lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas iti filmies. □Pages dutached/ Pages d^tachees HShowthrough/ Transparence a Quality of print varies/ Quality in^gale D n^gale de {'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feui!!et d'errata, une pelure, etc., cnt ^t6 film^es d nouveau de facon a obtenir la meilleure image possible. n Additional comments:/ Commentdires supplementaires: This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film^ au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessdus. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 12X IfiX 20X 2*X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: McLennan Library McGill University IVIontreal The Images appearing here dre the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginnidg with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or Illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. L'exemplaire filmi fut reproduit grflce A la ginirositi de: IVicLennan Library ISAcGill University IVIontreal Les images suivantes ont 6x6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at de la nettetA de l'exemplaire film*, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est Imprimte sont filmAs en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminnnt soit par la derniAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont fiimis en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et an terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shaM contain the symbol -^(meaning "CON- TINUED '). or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la derniire image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — »> signifie "A SUIVRE ", le symbols y signifie "FIN ". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in on» exposure are filmed beginning in the uppe.r left hand ccrner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmte A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichi, il est film* 6 partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche & droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 I MISSIONARY EXERTION: ITS PRINCIPLE, MODE AND MOTIVES. THE ANNUAL SERMON, PREACHED BEFORE THB BOARD OF MISSIONS. BT JOHN KNOX, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD; LATE BISHOP OF THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE CITY OF ALBANY, UNITED STATES— NOW OF THE FIRST CHURCH PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND; AUTHOR OF MORAL RENOVATION, THE PRIZE ESSAY, REAL EDUCATION, &*. CHARLOTTETO WN : PUBLISHED FOR THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION, BY HENRY STAMPER, BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBt» SOCIETY'S DEPOT; AND WILLIAM HEARD, REH- GlOrS TRACT sOCiETx's D£FOSITAIiI. 1843. ■ '' It Thi induct requei fit, it saj thi that it in aroi tended gloriot The except preacl note. ness ai with w marks He that th sons to His gU Chai PREFACE. The author of the following production has been induced to commit it to the Press, by the unanimous request of the Society, by whom and for whose bene-' fit, it is now giren to the public j though he cannot say that he has been wholly uninfluenced by the hope that it may, by the blessing of God, be instrumental in arousing his fellow Christians to more earnest, ex- tended and prayerful effort for the diffusion of " the glorious gospel of the blessed God." The sermon is printed as it was delivered, with the exception of some extempore remarks, which the preacher could not recall, and the* addition of one note. Its great length is to be attributed to the vast- ness and importance of the subject, and the difficulty with which he had to contend in compressing his re- marks within the limits of one discourse. He has only to request the prayers of his readers that the Lord would shine upon Zion, and cause her sons to arise, that the whole earth may be filled with His glory. Amen. CharlotttftowD; April, 184$. m 1 ; •! MISSIONARY EXERTION. " They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- ment; and they that turn n>: - / to righteousness, aa the stars for ever and ever."— Dan. > ,i Sel*- is thegrar .{ r^ *■' ^.•xtural man. The most splendid eumccu na beej reared and consecra- ted as Temples to perpetuate its n nour ; the varied riches of creation have been collected for the main- tenance of its worship, and presented as offerings at its shrine; and its usurped supremacy has been confirmed and extended by the talent nd devotion of every at'e of the world, and every people upon earth. This unblushing, and in his own estimation, self appointed Deity, is, after all, only a nominal Sovereign— a too! in the hands of the bold usurper who madly and unsuccessfully aimed at the dethrone- ment of the Almighty— a sort of tenant-at-will who owes his elevation to necessitous expediency— a miserable fool that sacrifices his honour— his reason —his conscience — his interest, and every thing sacred and valuable upon the altar of his vanity-stricken imaginings. It is true that he is trumpeted forth as a Monarch of the highest class, but he is the vilest Slave of the lowest order; upon his shoulders float ihe robes and decorations of Royalty, but beneath mm* h; lii;;:f u Q MISSIONARY EXERTION. Ihcm arc the binding fetters— the not-to-be-mi?taken marks of the most degrading and abject servitude ; he sits on an apparent throne, but it is only the drop- board to facilitate his e.xecution, for the moment every thing is adjusted, the prop is removed, and he will sink into the infernal abyss of a lost eternity. He is the willing, though deluded, victim of Satanic thraldom — a silly Prince who has chosen the world, the flesh, and the devil, as his Cabinet, and placed himself entirely at the mercy of his Councillors. He is the subject of a grand delusion, the victim of a moral enchantment. He conjures up a new creation, peoples it with the offspring of his disordered fancy, and consecrates himself its undisputed and indepen- dent Sovereign. He persuades himself that he is a Kino", and announces it to others: so does the afflicted lunatic whose brow is adorned with a Crown of straw, and whose dominions are contained within the cell of the mad-house. We said that every people upon earth had thronged the Temples and avowed themselves the worshipers of this mighty Idol; and it is evident from the endless diversity of habit and opini ms, that there would be a difference at least in the externals of their religion, that the structures would be built in accordance with the taste, and the worship conformed to the genius of the people. The sacred edifices of some would be supported by massive pillars, and enriched with the finest entablature, while others would be of the plainest and rudest mould. Some would be built according to the strictest principles of architecture, while others would be absurdly irregular, erected without design, and in violation of its simplest rules. The services of some would be simple and insigniu- cant, those of others grand, attractive and imposing. i MISSIONARY EXEllTIOrCi 'J'be worship of one class would be barbarous anil disgusting; of another, unvarnished and apparently innocent, nhile that of a third, would be marked by its gravity and refinement. Their worship of this common Deity is progressive in its nature/dnd that not More in the Increased power of its grasp than in the positive improvement of its rites, caused by, and proportioned to, the progression of the mental character of its worshipers. Now it is evident that however much they differ in the externals of their worship, in the forms of their temples, the vestments of their priests, and the order of their services; yet they all agree in the homage which they pay to the one Idol, in the one character of their devotions, in the one motive that prompts them to worship, and in the one determination to support the grand delusion. So specious are its claims, and so vast the power of its enchantment, that the affections of men have been completely en- slaved, and their talent and learning have been devo- ted to the advancement of its interests. The energy of youth, and the experience of hoary age, have equally contributed to its ti iumphs. The discoverers of science, the patrons of the fine arts, and the thoDghtfu! philosopher, have been retained within the circle of its enchantment, and compelled to add to the luslre of its fame. Evien genius, notwith- standing her abhorrence of chains, has tendered a feigned obedience. The greatest efforts of the I mightiest minds, and the most expansive and purest schemes of the finest moralists— the great teacher •alone excepted-have only tended to confirm and extend its thraldom. Every system of mere human j philosophy has added strength to her fetters, by the tolerance of the wildest of her enormities, and the mmM 8 MISSIOIiARY EXERTIOIf. I i 1 grossed of her crimes. Only one system has appear- ed, and it is Divine in its origin, that has dared to question her supremacy, h has set at naught her usurped authority, denounced her as a base imposter, charged her priests with the viltst hypocrisy, and fastened upon them the guilt of the destroyers of souls. It has spread havoc among the most devoted of her worshipers, opened their eyes to the mon- strous delusion, turned their rage against the authors of the-r folly and their crimes, dragged down the idoi from her '^igh elevation, and reduced the god, with her temples and groves, to one common desolation. It has sapped the foundations of every opposing sys- tem, turned their boasted wis.lom into the merest folly, broken the united ranks of influence, riches and authority, and driven the power of combined empires before it, as is smoke by the sweeping wind. It has proved more than a match for all its antago- nists in every age, and it is destined to go forth on its onward progression, until all shall acknowledge the authority of its claims, yield up their hearts to the power of its sceptre, and exhibit in their lives the sanctifying influence of its truths. It is a philosophy altogether different from every existing system; it rivals nature in its simplicity, and exceeds it in the glory of its attractions. It opens up the foundation of human character, detects the entire motive of human action, and supplies the grand desideralum a correct test of its doings. It was unfolded in its fulness by its author, exemplified in its practical influence in his life, and was committed by him to his followers, to be transmitted to " all ages to come." It comes thus commissioned to the human family, and invested with the highest authority; aims directly and openly at the extermination of every as appe«'\r- I dared to auglit lier imposter, crisy, and itroyers of st devoted » the mon- he authors vn the idoi god, with ilcaolation. posing sys- the merest ice, riches comhined ping wind, its antago- forth on its wledge the arts to the ir lives the from every )licity, and It opens detects the iupplies the ngs. It was pUfied in its imroitted by " all ages to the human lority; aims on of every MISSIONARY EXERTION . Q opponent; declares instant and unpitying war against every sustaining power; marches immediately to the entrance, and demands an instant and unconditional surrender-breaks down the outworks, scales the battlements, puts the garrison to flight, and slays every straggler with the edge of the sword. The motto on its banner is free mercy to man, but none to his toes; and its only messa-e to the enemy is no qnar- ler^no truce. It cleanses the sanctuary, and f -fies ih? citadel of the heart; consumes every idol the /ire of love, and secures a living and a grateful obe- dience. It banishes all delusion; quenches al' loubt; dispels all indefiniteness of aspect, and dimness of vision; demonstrates the rectitude ofits claims by the evidence of truth; and its efficacy, by the power of experience. The Cross of Christ is the grand rallying point of the system-the centre around which all the other and minor principles revolve, and on wh'ch all of them depend-the source oflij;ht, life and order to the whole. It is the glory of the system-its grand interpreter, without which there could be nothing but darkness and confusion; so that all its principles, vvhen viewed apart from this, like planet, severed iVom tl'.'^ir common centre, appear to be so many depen- dent independencies, hurled with wild .'.nfusioii against each other, and aiming, unconsciously, yet certainly, at the general destruction—an amy with- out eyes to see, or ears to hear-a regiment of head- ess trunks, arrayed in the panoply, and assuming the attitude of war-lovers without hearts ! poeti withojt souls ! This new and noble philosophy, so elevated in jts position. AnrI en /«/^n^»»n^J: !.- w « /» . - ^, _ .,„.„j^,^„„„jg ,„ jjjj inOuence, ^as been ;^evised and promulgated for the recovery of man- i he aim and tendency of the whole systeia of uiea:.* 10 MISSIONARY EXERTION. IW I ll I 'll ^its vast moral machinery is to reclaim man from the love and practice of evil, and restore him to the favour and likeness of riis God. It has been sent to men as fallen and perishing; and it is precisely adapted to every variety of circiim- stance,and every peculiarity of character. To the self- righteous and obstinate Jews, who gloried in the per- reaction of their law, and in their relationship to the father of the Faithful, it unequivocally declares that «< by the deeds of the law, no flesh living can be jus- tified." To the reasoning and polished Greeks, who adored their parades of learning, and the refinements of eloquence, it presents itself, not with the specula- tive arts of the Schools, the subtleties of their vain and boasted philosophy, or the embellishments of their '< science falsely so called," but in the plain and ungarnished attire of truth, declaring that '< The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the know- ledge of the Holy is understanding." " Testifying to the Jews and also to the Greeks repentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ." It «' discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart," brings the whole world to acknowledge themselves guilty before God, and opens up to all a way of escape through Christ, ivho is able to save to the very uttermost all who come unto God by Him. In the sequel of this discourse, I shall direct your attention to the principles and means of Missionary Exertion; and to the motives which should stimulate us to this great and holy work. . me prmcipiu ui iTiis^ivnaij ^^--l-i-.-i. ,• defined, both in the precepts of the Gospel, and in the sympathy which it unfailingly awakens in all who are 'truly the subjects of its renovating power. The original commission *'Go ye therefore and teach all MrSSIONART EXERTION. If lan from in to the hing; and r circiim- a the self- a the per- lip to the ;lares that an be jus- eeks, who ifinements e specula- their vain hments of 3 plain and < The fear the know- jstifying to ce towards hrist." It he heart," themselves y of escape ry uttermost direct your Missionary Id stimulate in la plAnrlv il, and in the all who arc )wer. The nd teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you," was not addressed to the Disciples as Apostles, but as Disciples simply; for it is added, " and lo I am with you alway, (or every day) even unto the end of the world." It was the commission of the Church, whose members are Christ's witnesses, and not of the Apostles, as the rulers and teachers of that Church, for they did not continue for ever, and their office — the apostleship — was evidently an extraordinary one, in which they had no siiccessors* They were the first Church, and represented the Churches of the Faithful throughout all ages; and to them was en- * It is agreed on aTl sWes that the ApostTeship wa* an' office of an extraordinary cliaracter; and tiie most strenuou'- advocates of the High-Church uninterrupted-Succe&sion scheme, are compelled to acknowledge that the Apostles, in their character and office of ex- traordinary messengers, had no successors. That the Apostles were ordinary ministers, as well as extraordinary messengers, I nowhere read in the word of God; so that the establishment of ministerial prerogative and rule upon Apostolic precedent, cannot but be re- garded as both unwarranted and unnecessary— as unwarranted, be- cause the Apostles were not ordinary ministers^ they were disciples or learners of Christ, and His Divinely commissioned messengers to the world, specially consecrated and miraculously endowed for the great work of propagating Christianity, and establishing and setting in order the Churches to be gathered out from among inen. through their instrumentality— and as unnecessary as the character, qualifi- cations, duties and privileges of the Christian minister are clearly defined, and fully insisted on in the Apostolic epistles. The idea of personal succession, appears so ridiculous, that I am at a loss to account for the strange infatuation of those who pro- fess to hnllPVP if. 'Wlin ran ' plio.m tUj* ~«~^ ~— ll_.i _/• y-i . . . .. — .. — .^r?ii .fCiivTv liidi uicu ajc t;aiicu Ol vjOQ tO fill offices in His Church,whoare not only unfit to discharge the duties thereof, but possessed of characters utterly opposed to those required by the Word of God ? In every thing in nature there is adaptation, but in this there is nothing but unmixed repulsion! In tht New Testament there is nothing of this Succession scheme, and tht ddvo- 12 MISSIONinV EXERTION. "I IT BU M '\\ I li trusted the diflusion of the glorious Gospel. It can- not refer to the Ministers of the Gospel, hecause they are not the successors of the Apostles, and they do not derive their authority from the Apostles, hut from the Church and the Word of God.:]: The Commis. sion, then, was to the Church; and it emhodies the principle and duty of Missionary exertion, so that it is the high privilege of the faithful, in every a«;e, and in every nation, to preach the Gospel to every crea- ture—" to them that dwell upon the earth, to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." The precepts and exhortations of the Gospel are equally clear on this matter; and the history of the Church, as recorded in the Sacred volume, proves the CHtcs of the lieiosy make no appeal cithor to reason or scripiurc. No wonder Uiat Bishop Stillingdcel slioiiUI say " and must U»c tra- dition of tile CInireh be our rule to interpret Seripture by ? An excellent way to find out the truth, doubtloss, to bend the rule to the crooked stick; to make the jud^e aland to the opinion of his lacquey, what sentence he shall pass U|)on the cau.se in (piestion; to make Scripture stand up in hand to tradition, to know whether it may have leave to speak or not ! Are all the outcries of Apostolic tradition, of personal succession, of unquestionable records, resolv- ed at last into the Scripture itself, by him (Kusebhis) from whom all these long pedi-rees are fetched ? Then let succession know its place, and loam to vaiUxmct to the Scriptures. Ami withal, let men take heod of over-reaching themselves, when they would bring down so large a catalogne of single Uibhops from tli8 first and purest time of the Church; for it will be hard for others to believe them when Euskdius -/ro/n whom they are taken- PRUPESSETH IT SO HARD TO FIND TUKM." t I know of no one thing that h^s contributed more to the world- rmeis«nd inefficiency of the Churches of Christ, than the opinion that the Ministers are a distinct class, from the members of the Church. It lays the foundation for their distinct interests, which cinnot consist with the oneness of mind, and of effort *o essential lot growing piety and successful exertion. The Church with its Officcrt areojTK, for lb* latter form n part ofthtClmrch, and art etiu^tllf (( MrSSJONARY ttXEllTIOff. 13 el. It can- ecause they nd they do es, but from le Commis. ibodies the 1, so that it ry a>5e, and every crea- h, to every lie." Gospel are storv of the , proves the meaning of (he language employed. The Philip- pians-chap. ii. v 15- are told to shine as *' lumina- ries Jn the world," and to hold forth Ihe word of ^ hfe." The Romans— -chap, xii, vs. 8-12— are ex-* l.orted to present their bodies a living saeriHce, holy and acceptable unto (iod; and afterwards to fulfil tne duties of their various stations in (he Cliurch, accord- ing to the grace given; he that teacheth on teaching; he that exhorteth on exhortation; he that niletlj wirii' diligence, and they that minister on their ministry; while the Thesalonians are commended for having *' sounded out the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achnia, but also in every place-* Thes. i. 8. James writes to the twelve tribes scat-* )n or scripiurr. >l niust the tia- lure by ? An :Mi(i t!)u rule to opinion ofhiii in (|UPslion; to now whether it :!S of Apostolic •cc.ords, resolv- iisehius) from let succession riptures. An.i s, when they bhops from the jarii for othen ey are taken - c to the world- in the opinion icmbers of the iterests, which o essential to i vhh its Officcrt .'iil.jecl to its discipline with its ordinary mnmhors. The Cluirch r« ail executive body and transects its own businrss, and appoints its own on-.cers, so that the power of Ordination is vested in itself and lotinthe oflicers or Ministers of other Churches as is Rencrally believed, if it he nmintained that it is vested in the Ministers of other Churches, it uoul.i instruct me much to he informed Of the source from which they have derived it. If it he answered that they received it from their predecessors in the ministry.then here we have Apostolic succession as dearly as in the wriiin-'s of our Oxford Puseyites. If the power of Ordination' be vested in the nnn.stcrsofihc Chnrciies, then an uninterrupted succession is neces- sary to constitute it valid; and wherever any irregularity has existed, the succession and the validity are lost to^other. 'I'hat circ.nnstan- cos may possibly occur in which a person may be validly invented jv.th the ministerial oflice, by the unanimous vote of the people, as I'as been maintained by Hishop I'.umet. and manv other writers, is "tterly at variance with this view of the case; fw Ordinaiioi, is vest- --^ .n the ministry, or it is not. If it be. then it is esse ial that |t be transmitted by them; and without such transmission there rnn I'e no valid Ordination. The idea that extraordinary circumstances will einnnivor a Qn/jot.. ^r 1. ._ i "^ ?-.jr '" F^uH^c lu (lu thai wnicii liie wisdom of t'0. essentially spiritual, and which constitute* B 18 MISSIONiaV EXERTION. ' v'.t > li ,iM[!!i ^m all its subjects equally memhers of one body throiio-h faith in Christ Jesus. While it acknowledges the office and enforces the duties of the Pastors of the Churches who are to be ensamples to the flock in all things, in meekness, in faith, in patience, in diligence, in godlin'^-s — the leaders of the christian army, it calls all to exertion — to individual and intrepid exertion, in the great work of the world's conver- sion. It is the duty of the Pastor, to instruct and arouse the Church; to train and discipline the bands of the christian arny; to encourage the desponding, to strengthen the weak, and to rally the broken and dismayed; and lead on all from victory to victory, until they ure crowned with glory, honour and immor- tality. Ministers of themselves can accomplish little compared with what the Church as a body is fitted to effect; and he will never possess her native strength, and be arrayed in her native beauty, until the whole hosts of her soldiery awake to exertion, and every individual of her main body be inspired with such a noble enthusiasm as will lead them to endure hardship and make sacrifices, so that the great cause of human emancipation may be advanced in spite of all oppo- sition. Then shall the triumphs of the Cross be extended on their right hand and on their left, their enemies shall tremble and flee before the brighir.«^ss of their rising, the glory of the Lord shall shine round I about them, anu the armies of the faithful shall stand "forth like the morning, fair as the moon, clear as | the sun, and terrible as an army with banners." II. The means and mode of Missionary exertion. | When the Redeemer deiivered this commlssioa toi his Disciples he made ample provision as to the means| by which it was to be fulfilled. The Gospel had al- ready beeD preached in their ears, and it was to be >on, clear as MISSIONARY 2XERTI0N. ]q disclosed to them in all the perfection of its .implicity nd power by the comforter, ,vho brought all th2 to the.r remembrance, and told them "'" what they ould say." Christ crucified w.s tho powerful erne on wh.ch they dwelt; and the ,ame subjec in II ,ts vastnes, and variety, is still the instrument of be Church of GoU. The discoveries of philosophy nithe enargements of science, have brought o •". "I ''^'^!=' ■" ">e word of God; the march f ,vtol,on, tne progression of mind, and the increase f k,» have neither added to nor modified its truths; and af er havmg been subjected to the rustiness of neglect, on the one hand, and the most fiery activity n the other, for upwards of eighteen hundrei jears the mstrument remains unimpaired, still qu.clc and powerful, and sharper than a two-ed^e-. word.' But it can do nothing unless wielded by Ihe Church of God must bestir itself, and lay hold of the d.v.nely appointed weapon, and apply it „ith determi- ned valour before sinners can be converted to God y -ts power Of this duty the Church of Christ is fearfully and criminally neglectful; and the natural oon,,equences are spiritual declention, desolation and waste. It is folly for us to expect that men will be •lehvered from the kingdom of darkness, and the power of Satan, while the Church is indifferent to the Claims of a perishing world, and withholds that entire consecration which the Gospel so imperatively de- man,!s! There must be— ' -^ J First, Individual exertions both as it respects ner. sons anu Uiurches. eve? ^f/^"^**,'," "-^ '^"'■•^d volume and possessed even of the smallest measure of the Spirit of the Redeemer will deny that it is the duty of all who love ^^mstto exert themselves in >h. ,w.,. „f ,,, ^^^^K i l! 20 MISSIONARY EXERTION. ■:"( ii. Every christi cause, t^very cnristian must exert h'lmseU personally in this department of christian duty. His great aim should be to turn Sinners to God; for his motto is " no man liveth to himself." As individuals, we must make it our study to win souls, and rejoice in the work as our highest privilege. No son of God, aware of his great obligations, and awful responsibility, would dare to sleep with such composure as the mass of professing christians now do, while the broad way is thronged with multitudes hastening to destruction. It is the duty of the believer, as well as the christian Pastor, to labour for the conversion of souls; and to neglect this, is to quench the noblest and the most generous sympathy of the renewed heart, and beto- kens a woeful degeneracy in the people of God. Limited indeed must be that Christianity that will allow its subjects to retire to rest without having done something for Christ; and deep must be that delusion that will suffer men to call themselves christians, while days and even weeks pass over their heads without their having made one distmct effort at the salvation of souls from death. That is another religion than that which the Son of God introduced, which displays itself only in empty forms, and evapo- rates in still emptier wishes. The religion of Jesus requires a marked separation from the world, and an entire devotedness to the forwarding of that work for which he died. He that has a lower aim than this is unworthy to bear His name; and he that fulfils not His work, is a traitor to His cause. There are thousands of professedly christian cha- work, who consider all attempts at the conversion of sinners on the part of the laity, a presumptuous inter- fereace with the prerogative of their Spiritual in- MISSIONARY EXERTION. 21 structors; and as we cannot but regard such an opinion, as antichristian, and subversive both of the unity and emciency of the Clhurch of Christ, it be- comes us to exhibit the practical influence of the doctrine by concentrating our time, and stren^^th, and talent to the work. If wr fail in this we only furnish an emphatic comment on our own hypocrisy. We are are only tinkling symbols and soun.ling brass- contenders for opinions which we ourselves do not believe-mockers of God-profaners of his name- fnlse friend..^ of his cause— mock lights that gleam only to bewilder and desfroy! Ui it never be forgotten that no peculiarity of circumstances, or conformation of character, can release us from the discharge of this duty. Every man has only to urge the same plea a-id the machinery will stop, and the whole body become not only useless but burdensome. Every member has a sphere, and possesses an influence; and that infl-ience is devoted every moment of his existence either to the advance- ment or hindrance of Christ^s glorious Kingdom, (^od expects every christian to do the work to wh.ch he has called him; and the hour is not far distant when he shall send forth his angels to separate his servants from those who serve I^im not; and then in the eye of an awe stricken universe he will acknow- ledge and crown his faithful ones with Eternal joy while the hollow-hearted professor-the whited w.ll and garnished sepulchre, shall be stripped of hisdis- JjM.s'>, and cast forth with the unprofitable servant into outer darkness, where there shall bo weepin- and gnashing of teeth." ** Let no one complain of the want of opportunities or usefulness; it rests with you to make them if you can see none. He that can discover no eligible opening B 2 *t MISSIONIRT KXBRTIOn. I for the exercise of his talent, has yet to learn the science of doing good. Not a day passes over our heads, during which we have not many opportunities of being useful, unless we are shut out entirely from our fellow men; and he that is so circumstanced can easily devote a few hours in a week to this " honorable and glorious" work. The visiting from house to house; the reading of the Scriptures to the aged and the ignorant; as well as the training up of the young in the fear of the Lord, either in the Sabbath School, or at their own aomes, are employments sufficiently great in them- selves, and cndu ing in their consequences, to engage the talents and sympathies of an angel, were be honoured with the work. And if you do not arouse yourselves and engage fully and heartily in this work, even though you may conceive yourselves to be innocent of casting any impediment in the way of His cause, you are nevertheless stumbling blocks in the way of sinners, as were the Pharisees of old, and as such you will be treated by the *' Great King." But even if you were, what you esteem yourselves to be, no barrier to the progress of the truth, you will nevertheless be curs'^d oit'erly with Meroz because you "came not up to the i> ;7 '>f the Lord, to the help of the Lord against fhi^ niiglity." The duty and privilege of Churches to exert them- selves as such in tiiis great cause, are equally apparent A Society of the faithful, for such is a Church,! should cause the Gospel to sound out from them to all t The word ecclesi:, which is translated Church, signifies an as- fembly called oui from among men. in the New Testament there are only two senses in which the term is used: the one to signify the whole holy of the Hedeemed, or Christ's universal Churchj and the other, a sin;.le «' congregation of faithful men, in which the pure word of UoJ is preached, and the Sacraments duly administer«d ac- ailSSlONARr EXERXrO!*. S9 the region rjund about. This is «he express purpose for which they are retained in the world. Every Church should be a centre, from which should radiate the light of the glorious Gospel; and the members, under the ^!irection of the Church, should be sent forth to fill up the various departments of Christian duty for which they are fitted by their attainments and character. All the outposts in the neighbourhood would be thus plentifully supplied with the word of life, and through the abundant labours of the Church multitudes would speedily be added to its numbers; the means of its usefulness maintained and extended- and the Kingdom of the Redeemer furthered in the earth. It is no objection to this system tc .nay that it would require great pecuniary resources. The ♦rr.th cordirg to Christ's Holy Ordinance," a» ir. Rom. xvi. 5. '«Grc-et the Church which is in their house," in 1 Cor. xvi. 19. " The Cliurch which is in their house," in Coiossians iv. 15. «'The Church which is in his house;" and in Phil. i. 2, '« the Church in thy house." It is my clear that by "the Church in thy house" is meant the Society of Christians that met at the house mentioned/ for in tliose days of persecution the Christian people, not being privileged to erect i.ieet- ing houses, were glad to assemble for wo.ship in a private dwelling. It is also wonhy of remark that in the New Testament the Church- esof a particular Province or District, are never spoken of as One Church, but as Cliurches. This is another of the many improvements by which blinded and presumptuous men have attempted to amend the Apostolic order and government of :he Church of God. In the New Testament we do not read of the Chiirch of Asia, crthe Church of Achaia, or the Church of Macedo a. wo read now of the v^hureh of England and Ireland, the « ...-uh of Scotland and the Piesbyterian, or Episcopal Church; but of the Churches of Macedo- ma. the Churches of Achaia, the Churches of Asia, and the Churches of Galatia. I b'^lieVfi with th(t immnrto] f nnl.n «U"f «• ~ rM-.. «_ • « t-s fjOunt, iiini - a T^iiurcii IS a iree anil voluntary Society; nobody is born a member of any Church; other- wise the religion of parents would descend unto children by the same right ofinheriiance as their temporal estates.and every one would hold his faith by the same tenure as he does bis lands." 24 MISSIONAY EXERTION. i. ''ili i:. ■ ' 1 ■ ; -! 1 1 1 1 ! .1 is, it would require none. To pay the brethren for such labours of love, is to shatter the nerves and dry up the Spirit of Christian exertion. It is an unscrip- tural and ruinous procedure; inasmuch as it introdu- ces a principle which can never be extensively applied, for the Church should employ all its members in some labour, and as it never can give pecuniary remunera- tion to all, it either awakens envy flg'ainst some, and fosters a S{)irit of pre-eminence and pride in tl.ose who are thus rewarded, or it crushes the spirit and quen- ches the ardour of voluntary exertion. It is the duty of the Church to cultivate the gifts of its members at its stated meetings, as this is the only way by which they can beconie acquainted with its resourc^T?, and those which are promising, be trained and strengthened by exerci'^e. The neglect of thi«, and the consequent superficial knowledge of the attainments of the members, has led to the hasty ordijiation of many a licentiate, whose future life has been a burden to himself, and worse than useless to the church, and who, had a diflerent course been pursiied, might have been useful and happy in another department of christian hibor.r, or have been induced to labour for that necessary knowledge which would have made him an acceptable and useful Pastor. The churches in the primitive ages cultivated the field in their immediate vicinity, and having done thi?, they sent it to the " region beyond." We wish particularly to impress upon your mind the fact that the churches clainied this as their privilege, and rejoiced, amidst suffering and sacrifice, to perform it as th.pir duty. Th.ey bestowed abundant and constai't labour upon thd fieM, and they gathered in a corres* ponding harvest. If we would be efjually sucne^sful iu our efforts, we must be eqiially devoted! Missionary exehtioi^. 2$ to the work, and arduous and unremitting in ourtoil. To the Pastors and Brethren of Sister Churches at this time assembled, I say ♦« go and do likewise." '2(1. But our exertion must be united and pecuniary. The power of association is as extensive as it is effective. One man toiling by himself without any friendly eye to encourage him in his exertions, would accomplish very little in a lifetime; whereas the cheering influence of fellowship would lighten his heart, while it nerved his arm. As the grand enemy of man has taken advantage of this principle, and has made it a standing ordinance in the propagation of evil, we need not be astonished that the fountain of wisdom has converted it into an instrument for the increase and extension of good. The spirit of Chris- tianity is one essentially uniting and comprehensive; it gives scope for the sanctified operation of the social principle, and represents its subjects as associated by the dearest and most lasting ties. The principle upon which, by Divine command, they are formed into churches, lays the foundation of an association as extensive as the -ircumstances of the case will admit, for purposes sanctioned by the Word of God; and such associations will be useful if their transactions be scriptural, in proportion as they are extensive: whereas, if they are not regulated by the word of God, the extent of the association will only confer additional ability to disseminate evil. To the power of association for evil, Europe was indebted for the degradation and slavery, and the reign of darkness and delusion, by which the most atrocious severities were inflicted upon an impotent and dispirited race, and the progress of civilization retarded fop centuries > and it is to the power of asso- 28 MISSIOXi-RY EXERTIOJf < i II 1 . ciation for good that we mu?t attribute all that is ameliorating and ennobling in our civil, and ma^^nifi- cent and renovating in our religious institution?. Without the principle r^ extended association, the vast field of our Foreign Missionary operations would never have been occupied; and the stability and in- crease of our Institutions at home have been effected by the same unfailing instrument. The true secret of strength, permanence and extension, is union — close and enlarged union. Without it, though some Churches may prosper for a time, in the end they will be like the sundered rods, broken in pieces and scattered to the winds without aa effort: whereas if they were firmly compacted by an affiliated associ- ation, the united body must be destroyed before one of its members can suffer; and all attempts to crush and destroy it, would only tend to increase their strength, by a more perfect consolidation. Upon this principle are based the Bible, Mission- ary, Tract and Sabbath School Societies, and all those other noble public Institutions which are the glory of the age in which we live, and which, during the last forty years, have had such an extensive infiu- ence in exalting human character and promoting human happiness. The Prince Edward Island Home Missionary Board owes its existence to the same noble principle; and in proportion to the extent to which it is sustained, and the wisdom and pious zeal by which its efforts are directed, will be the success with which it shall be honored of God. That this Society should have some opposition to contend with, while it is a matter of deep regret, is nevertheless any thing but unexpected. All similar institutions have had their revilers, and upon what ground should we claim to be exempt? Cold hearted MISSIONARY EXERTION. 27 and selfish professors have ever been the enemies of ardent piety and extended evangelic effort- and it would have been a curse, and not a blessing, had we gamed the commendation of the Sleepers in Zion The power of prejudice, and a limitedness of vision may lead many well-intentioned and pious christians to withhold their influence from such an institution for a time, but it will ultimately receive their hearty co-operation. That we shall meet with opposition from without, it requires neither a prophet, nor the son of a prophet, to foretell; for as surely as we uro-e the claims of the Holy Gospel, and hJst upon those of a spiritual church, we shall call into activity the powers of evil, and rouse the wrathful animosities of the sons of flesh. But this opposition must only quicken our zeal, and strengthen our union. Our only safety from outward foes, lies in unanimity and compactness vwihin; and when we can appeal to the Word of God, as " the man of our counsel," and the director of our way, we shall be able, successfully, to silence the tongue of the «-ain- sayer. *' That the principle of associated exertion implies pecuniary contributions on a more extended scale than any other, is so generally acknowledged, that it requires no illustration. All admit that they should give I'berally, but it is to be feared few give as much as they ou^ht. Christians seem to have no standard of liberality, for they generally make a standard for themselves, by giving as others give, thus "measur- ing themselves by themselves," and not following the scriptural rule, to give " as the Lord hath prospered them." Jacob says " the Lord shall be my God, and of all that thou ..halt give me, 1 will surely give a ^fnih unto thee. ".Abraham gave a tenth j aad e?ea ^ ll 28 MISSIONARY EXBRTION. fl the Heathens consecrated one-tenth of all they posses aed, besides the best of the spoils, and their numerous offerings, to the service of their gods. Zenophon and the father of History, inform us that this was com- mon among the Greeks; and Pliny tells us that the Arabians were equally liberal in supporting the ser- vices of religion. Now, brethren, if Jews and Hea- thens gave one-tenth of all their substance, besides numerous offerings, for the support of their religion, how much should christirtUi give for the support of the stated ordinances of the Gospel, for themselves and their families, and for sending it to others who are dying for the bread of lifo? The poorest amongst us who wishes to sustain the character of a christian, can and should give a tenth; and those who are in happier circumstances, one-sixth, or more, as the ne- cessities of the case may require. The Countess ol Warwick gave one third; and history informs us of many who imitateii the noble example of their great representative, and gave their all. The christian dispensation requires greater devotedness, as it is one of greater spirituality, and it positively prohibits the " living to ourselves" and " laying up treasures on earth," Matt. ii. 9. The christian should dread an increase of worldly goods as the strongest temptation to unfaithfulness and pride; and he who withholds from God that which is his privilege and duty to give, cannot expect prosperity; or if he should become rich his riches will be a snare to him, rob him of all that is truly valuable, and embii . his future exist- ence: whereas " the liberal soul shall be made fat;" and he that ** soweth bountifully, shall leap boun- tifully;" the more he gives, the more he shall b« prospered of God, MISSIONARY EXERTION. 20 But while the Gospel shows us what we should give, it expressly assi- us that all our offerings should be voluntary. ^ ... Vspel, in no department, knows anything of compulsion: *' The Lord loveth a cheerful giver." The Redeemer himself was sup- ported, during his persojial ministry, by the free will offerings of the people whom he instructed; and his disciples, while unfolding that word which was the power of God unto salvation,were dependent upon the contributions of the pious, who ministered to them of their substance. And so it is with your Society. It has received no government aid— and God forbid that it ever should— but it derives its revenue from the spontaneous gratuities of the lovers of Zion. May God enable each of us this day to go forward and consecrate our substance to him with a willing heart! May wo prize it as our highest privilege to pour forth, ;iot only from our abundance, but also from our pov- erty, encouraged by the recorded assurance, that even the smallest gift, in the absence of a more costly offering, will be a.;cepted and honoured by the God of the temple, and the author o^ the work. 3d. The motives which should stimulate us to increased exertion. One grand feature of Christianity is its recognition of intelligence and will in the beings upon w^om it urges its ckims. .There is nothing tyrannical in its spirit; it conquers by the influence of persuasion, and leads forth its delighted captives by the power of love. Throughout the whole of the christian course, the " man in Christ" advances only as he ^rows in the 'knowledge of Jesus Christ,"'so that "he acts not more from the rising sympathy of a benevolent heart, than from the growing intelligence of an en- iigbtened understanding. The conversion of the c SO MISSIONARY EXERTION. ii i'li i"r I M sinner, and the obedience and self-denying exertions of the christian indeed, are all effected by the power of motive. Bear with me while I attempt to lay before you some of those motives which should awaken your sympathy, and prompt you to increased efforts in this good work and labour of love. I. Consider for a moment the condition and claims of those whose renovation this Society contemplates. I have no intention of comparing the Home with the Foreign Missionary field, as the subject would of itself be suflficient to occupy one discourse; and as it may be more ful'y discussed during this session of the Board. This society's operations are confined to the Island, and all who are acquainted with its lamentable destitution, are compelled to acknowledge that all the labour it can command i%, very inadequate to its press- ing necessities. There are thousands in this little Isle who know nothing about real Christianity, and have no desire that any one should teach them; there are thousands more who are mere formalists, who do not know whether there be any such thing as living religion, and who live and die in their delusion; and there are hundreds at least who are regular attendants upon the stated services of God's house, who live only to reject the Gospel, and die unregenerate. This, I regret to say, exists among all denominations, and is owing to a want of devotedness and power, and seraphic fervour in the ministry, and to coldness, prayerlessness and indifference in the people. The inclemency of the winter, the poverty, laboriousness and isolated condition of the new settlers, who are embedded in the forests, prevent many of them from coming long distances to the ** house of prayer;" and that which at first existed from apparent necessity, p^ves its continuance to the power of habit. Thus their I MISSIONARY EXERTioi^. 51 icreases carelessness about eternity fulness about the world, until the soul becomes en- tombed in a stupid insensibility, which bids deaance to religious impressions, and crushes the hopes, and paralizes the efforts of the servant of God. Now where is the christian who can look upon such prevailing degeneracy-such reckless self-soul-mur- der, unmoved? The pious Psalmist, when viewing the {growing iniquity of his people, when he beheld the transgressors, and was grieved, exclaims *' O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears ;" and again " rivers of waters run down mine ejes, because they keep not thy law •" and again, ** horror," or as it should be rendered the burning blast of the Desert " hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked who forsake thy law." The Apostle warned those Philippians who "minded earthly things," and ccuid not forbear weep- ing while he told them that they were the " enemies of the Cross of Christ," and that theii^ end would be destruction; and the blessed Redeemer himself show- ed the depth of his sorrow for the guilt of his people, when he wept over the devoted city and cried *'If thou hadst known, even thou in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thme eyes " If you can look upon aboundmg iniquity and prevailing indifference to God and to holiness, without having your " spirit st-'rred up within you," it is high time for you to awake, ''arise, and call upon thy God that thou perish not." My brethren, it becomes us to come out and separate ^^^.u.. xxO:» ttie degenerate, dv/ardsli Christianity ot the present age, to aim after the higher attain- ments of the christian life, to carry out the principle ot entire consecration, and dedicate body, soul and 32 MISSIONAny EXERTION' ^lll-^ I LIS, 'I Spirit to the service, so that we may labour with an Apostolic zeal, and be crowned with an ApostoHc success. II. The growth of christian character demands increasing exertion. Religion, thouo^h a personal, is also a relative thing. It is personal, as a principle in the soul; and relative, as exhibiting that principle in action. In the former, it is the seed in the ground; in the latter, it is the herb bearing fruit, and scattering fragrance to the delight and joy of all around. Christianity is not only a system of truth to be believed, but a flood of light to awaken feeling, and give birth, direction and permanence to exertion. The christian is often compared to the natural life, and young converts are exhorted as " new born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may «-row thereby." Now christian effort is as essential to the vigour and growth of the inner man, as exer- cise is to the strength and perfection of our bodies; and the believer who neglects the cultivation of that wisdom which leads to the salvation of deathless souls, will be cursed with leanness of soul, as cer- tainly as is the debauchee with weakness and disease. The christian virtues acquire strenjjth and beauty as they are exerted, and the most certain means of des- troying them is to visit them with neglect. Here then is a motive to aUion. If you aim at christian excellence, you must remember that it can only be attained by persevering exertion. Christians are to be followers and imitators of Christ; and they must c ek to be so imbued with hi;; spirit., as to be able to say with him, *' my meat is to do the wUl of him that sent me, and to finish his wo rk,^' before they shall be able to " seek and save MISSIONAHY EXERTION. d3 er demands that which was lost." The greater and more endur- ing their efforts, the more do they understand the meanmg of the maxim '' it is more blessed to give than to receive;" for '' he that watereth, shall be watered also himself " Lotus, my brethren, consi- der Christ the great Apostle of our profession, in his pat.ent endurance of suffering, in his steady unwea- ried exertions amidst the most violent and deadly opposition, in his unwavering adhticnce to the great cause for which he came fort!,, in spite of a thousand distractions, and in his entire consecration to human recovery, from which neither self-denial, nor degra- dation, nor reproach, nor sacrifice, nor labour, "nor suffering, no, nor death, could for one moment turn Him aside; let us consider Him and acquit ourselves as his followers— shrink from no difficulty or danger, no privation o.- sacrifice, so that we may reflect^his unquenchable love, and be conformed to the splendour of his perfect character. The true secret of christian advancement is in en- tire devotedness. The more you grieve over sin in others, the more you will avoid it in yourselves; and the efforts you put forth for the conversion of sinners will exalt the character, and increase the tone of your own piety. The morf. you feel for the perishin-, the more tender and deep will be your concern for your- selves. The happiness of the christian is intimately associ- ated with christian effort, for it enlarges the soul, and brings into healthful exercise the generous sym- pathies of the human heart. There is no ha»5nines3 equal to that produced by the elevation and ennoble- ment of the benevolent affections: this is the luxury w doing good. The conversion of souls is so great a work that it causes joy even among the angels in c 2 ® 34 MISSIONARY EXERT ICW. javen, 1 id constituted the joy which was set before Christ, in the prospect of which he endured the death of the Cross; and cold must be that heart that will not leap for joy when heirs of ^^lory are born of God into the kinj;dom of his Son. The true secret of happi- ness is to have the whole soul bent upon the great work. No christian can be happy that is not aim- ins at the conversion of souls. in. The certainty of success should excite us to action. That the work of God shall prosper, and the ado- rable Redeemer triumph over all opposition, is a fact disclosed with clearness and unequivocacy in the Sa- cred records, all persons are compelled unhesitatingly to acknowledge. The holy men of old, vho spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, beheld in holy vision the thickening triumphs of the Prince of Life. They declare that " the stone cut out without hands shall bv-jcome a great mountain, and fill the whole earth"—'* He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth" — that " as surely as Jehovah lives, the whole earth shall be filled with his glory"— that " the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea"— and that to Christ shall be given the Heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession. The teachings of the Saviour and the writings of the Apostles, all convey the same glorious truth, " for he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet." 1 Cor. xv. 25. But though the Bible unfolds the grand result of Chnsi s gionous mission, u ai mu sauic viuic reT^^dss the means by which it is to be effected, viz. the faithful witnessing of a devoted Church. The infallible suc- cess of the instrumentality employed, is disclosed as MISSIONARY EXERTIOrC. 95 an pncouragement to persevering activUj. Wanj a devoted servant has labored amidst reproach and pri- vation, with very iittle apparent success; but the fruit of his toils has been made manifest, even after his dust has been mingled with the clods of the val- ley. It is our privile^-e to '< plough in hope," know- ing that God's "word shall not return to him void," but that <' in due season we shall reap if we faint not." Our success is certain, though it may not ap- pear lo us or to all in the present life; for though "one soweth and another reapeth" in time, at the last we shall appear before the presence of the heavenly glory, wi*h all the children whom God hath given us, who shall be to us crowns of joy, and rejoicing in the day of the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though we may toil like the disciples all night; or wrestle as did Jacob with the angel till break of day; or with the great Apostle, spend three whole days in agonizing prayer, we shall not labor in vain or spend our strength for nought, "for he is faithful v'ho hath I promised— Heaven and earth may pass away, but the counsel of the Lord shall stand, and not one jot or tittle of all that He hath spoken shall remain ur fulfilled : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Let all the talent and resources of the world, all the ingenuity and power of hell, every weapon that the skill of devils can invent, and that the children of hell cat. employ ; let persecution light her fire? and engage in her unhallowed work the strong arm of civil power ; let civil war desolate the earth, and every lOond or nnmn f-tn linmf oeiinflAn • Xci- iUn Unn«^..- gather blackness, their secret places sv»nd forth their thunders, the winds rise, and the floods lift up their voice, so that the world shall present one scene of .i-}'^ 36 MISSIONARY EXERTION. M »i'l-li m anarchy and vast convulsion— let all that is hateful and mulicious in men and in devils, and all that is overwhelming and formidable in nature, be leagued in determined and appHlliiig array, against the onward work of the Prince of peace; >et the "Lord will have th«m in derision;" " he that sitteth in the heavens yhall laugh; He Is " misjhf.er than the noise of many waters,^' and he stiileth the tumult of the people. " Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing^" *' If God be for us, who can be against us?" The Kingdom of Ch/ist shall be advanced in spite of all opposition; the tri- umphs of his Cross shall be multiplied, and the glory of his grace shall be increased by the very means adopted to retard and destroy them-. The wisdom of God must be proved to be foolishness — the power of the Almighty must be subdued by the impotence of His creatures— the deep and wide-spreading Hood must be swallowed up by the drop in the bucket— the everlasting throne must be overturned by the creatures of a day — and all that is ele' il and im- mutable must be overpowered and engulphed by that which is temporal and tratisient, befoio any power can neutralize the labors of the children of that growing kingdom, which the couiisels of Jehovah have destin- ed to fill, not only the earth, but the very Heavens, with its glory ! T have only to add, that this great scheme of right- eousness occupied the bosom of God, before the " Heavens were stretched out, or the foundi»iions of the world were laid;" and that long before the uni- verse was arrayed in its loveliness, or the silence of eternity broken by the grateful adoration of newly- formed, and holy intelligences, the advancement of | this intermiaable empire was contemplated by Jeho- MISSICTNARY EXERTfO/V. ion, and was t\ ic Vahwith the profoundcst satlsfact source of the mo^^t unntferablc delight. The facf then, that the sympathies and thoughts ofthe Aimiirh- ty have been concentrateil upon it from eternity— \h:it it exhibits the result of the combined wisdom of Father, Son, and Holy Gbosi— that it is watched with the most surpassing snlicitude, and directed by (he deepest skill— and that into tlir hands of the Re- deemer ail power in Heaven and in earth has been committed for its furtherance and defence, secures the rapidity of its progress and the certainty of its ultimate triumpn? The kindgoms of this world are destined to totter and to fall ; tiie wisest alministrations to give place to others better adapted to the genius and pro-res- sioti of society ; and the highest earthly glory of the present age shall fade before the brightness of some future, though now undiscovered wonder ; but this Empire shall know no chan-e, but that of rapid pro- gression and nndyi.ig triumph. The clords of ignor- ance shall be dispersed ber.,re the brightness o7 its coming ; delusion and settled superstition shall be sundered and hurled before its onward power ; eve- ry obstacle sh&ll be overcome, and every enemy rc>- puised and destroyed, and upon the r.uns shall be erected that magnificent structure— the mo.intain of the Lord-the glory of the whole earth-the temple of the sanctified ones, redeemed from among men to hew forth his praises, who hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. • Brethren, a host of motives crowd upon me to urge lis to this hi*rh and \\n\\r wnt.!^ k..<. ...u:„-< -.i "= J •'••»«>., Jul n nH;ji neiifier your t'me nor my strength will permit me to enforce. The example of our adorable Red eemer, the first Great ■m issionary of his own Cross-at once the author and Sf8 MiSSrONAY EXEIlTior^. ih , great preacher of his Holy Gospel, should constrain ThouL^i h( .'J II us to incessant exertion, "inouiiti ne was rich in the possession of all the treasures of theuni- terse, all the glories of Heaven, and a.l the praises of eternrty ; yet he laid them all aside, that he might take a body of human flesh, tabernacle with men, and sanctify himself for the work to which the counsels of eternity had appointed him. Though he knew that nothing but suffering, neglect, ridicule, cruel mock- jngs, and the basest ingratitude awaited him, he came forth to publish the Father, to bring life and immorta- lity to light, and to poinc with unwearied zeal the be- nighted and perishing, to the way of life. He devo- ted himself with untiring activity to the preaching of repentance and faith, as he journeyed from city to city, intent upon exhibiting to all eyes that lo\e of which he was at once the express and embodied repre- sentation, and the gift. He shrank from no degrada- tion in fulfilling his work; but t'tooped to the compa- tjionshfp of the vile and the srnner, and hurried on- ward on his career of deep humiliation til' he endured even the shame of the Cross. His ben volence was such that he not only gave his labor, his all, but /ti»i- $elf, and his love for perishing sinners was so ardent and so great, that he even died for them. His apostles were di^-tinguished by the same heroic devotednc'^s to the great work. They took as their pattern the example of their Lord — the great apostle of their profession, and aimed at (he exhibition of the same mind that was in him. Tliere was a time when the treasures of wealth, the allurements of honour and of ease,- and the will of the flesh,, had charms for them, but " the former things had passed away," and they now sought higher riches and more lasting dislJnetions; tbeipsoleaim» was the honor that cometh MISSIONARY EXERTIOK. S9 from God and their high distinction, that of bein^ "mse to mn ,ouls. " N„ ,,bor was so arduous, no sa! cnfice so great, no self-denial so severe, no suffering oexcrueiat.ng-no. no death so alurmiog or dread! ul as to urn them from that purpose to fvhich they had so solemnly and entirely consecrated themselves Their uniform steadfastness under the most tryin^ crcumstances was a perpetual, living exhibition of the great apostle's declaration, <>None of these thing move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself s ry wb eh I have received of the Lord Jesus, to tes- t.fy the Gospel of the Grace of God." They delighted «r for Christ, and rejoiced in great tribula'^^J: for they thereby proved the power of theGospelvvhich they preached, and the faithfulness of the Savi- our whom they oifered to men. I „eed not add that the,r success was worthy of their efforts. I„ everv place they had seals to their ministry and credentials ol tl e,r apostlesh.p, by the establishment and enlarge- aTd" he "'7'"; ''' "^' ■"'"^'•'"» °f ^"Perstition, and the neglect and ruin of heathen temples, and b^ ene,ved baptisms of the Holy Ghost on themselves^ and on those whom they had been instrumental in re. a,m,ng rom the kingdom and power of darkness, d by w.Mch hey were fitted to enter upon new and Intherto unmolested territories, that they might be :::: w!" ""^ ^-o^y of renewed and e'tende'd tri! mp s. Wo among us, my Brethren, does not pant be partakers of their glory and success ? Who would not gladly forsake all that he has. and .o forth .=. uieyd.d to storm the very citadel of the wicked 2 could hey only have the assurance of the same ;>ll-5uffic.ent a,d, and be crowned ^itj, similar mani- \ ii 1 , !i .,'1.' j^.... 40 MISSIONARY EXERTION. My Brcthei Testations of Divine approbation have the recorded promise of the Lord, the assurance of his presence and blessing, and the certainty of sucr cess. Let us only imbibe their spirit, rival them in their exertions, and we shall assuredly be crowned with similar success. The glory of God so eminvintly promoted by Mis- sionary exertion, should constrain us to action. "As I live, saith the Lord God, the whole earth shall be filled with my glory: and the grand instrument by which this is to be cifected is, the Gospel extensively and purely diffused by an active and devoted Church: for the whole of redemption shall redound to the praise of the glory of His grace." The '^ man in Chrisf^ not only devotes himself entirely to the glory of God, but he longs and prays, and labors that God may be glorified by the grateful obedience of all his creatures. We cannot but regard trangression as derogatory to his honor a.id as insulting to the glory of his character and the rectitude of his claims; and who can look upon the prevailing neglect of his gospel,and the multiplied violations of his law, without feeling his spirit stirred up within him for the honor of his majesty? Can we think of the heartless services and the daring mockery with which the children of this world presume to im- pose upon the heart-searching and all-seeing Goa?— upon crowds of profane and mimic worshippers who throno- the house of prayer, who impiously call them- selves by his name, and pretend to reverence his will, but who are in heart the children of the god of thisi world, whose ways are evil, and whose end is, to be burned— can we look and think upon such daringj insult ^out emotion? — without being impelled by a ze> God's honor to unfold the great truth that / God • . j^pirit, and they that worship him must wof" MISSIONARY EXERTION. 41 ship him in spirit and in truth." Cam you think upon the neglect of God's house, upon the violation of his Sabbaths, and upon the thousand ways in which our fellow-men around us trample upon the riches of the grace of God, despising his most tender love, and set- ting at nought all his earnest expostulations and gra- cious offers of salvation and eternal life, without bein^- grieved for the folly and recklessness of the people, and putting forth your most earnest endeavours to rouse them from their sleep of death, and if possible to save them from the coming destruction ? Ask your- selves whether your hearts should not burn with zeal for the glory of your Redeeming God— and what should be your instant and great endeavours to pre- vent such formality and wickedness, so insultino- tp God, and so full of ruin to mankind. The happiness of men beyond the grave, should stimulate your exertions. It is certain that the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness, even in this life; but the growing miseries of a sin-stained con- science in time, are but as a drop in the bucket when contrasted with the thickening horrors of the "Lake offire," Think of the anguish, the torment, and smoke of the blackness of darkness, and of the worm that dieth not-T-of the fiery confusion and eternal anarchy of the pit of destruction —and then turn to the bless- edness, the ceaseless delights, the music and glory of the heavenly kingdom, and remember the fact that God has given you the means and called you to the work of saving souls from death. Think of the misery from which the soul would be delivered, who should be saved through your instrumentality, and of the glory and iueiTable delights of which it would be made the partaker— and tell me if this will not rouse you ^0 exertjioa? The man whose heart is not all emotion 1 '1 42 9|[ISSI0NARY EXERTIOK. it ,1 .1 I — r-and whose power?, and means are not all exertion, when contemplating such a subject as this, should not onl> abandon all pretensions to Christianity, but should blush to acknowledge that he exhibits the form, while he is destitute of the feslings of a raan! Let our obligations to Christ, by whom we have been redeemed from heli, and ransomed from the power of the grave— who has called us to be saints, and commissioned us as his witnesses to the world-^ who has enrolled our names in the book of life, and prepared us mansions in the Kingdom of the heavenly glory: — let the thousands of ouic fellow men, our fellow-countrymen, our fellow-subjects, our neighbors and our kindrecj with whom we have continued inter- course, and whom every pejrson now hearing me can personally reach, who speak the same language, ?nd dwell in the same island of the sea-rlet their sin- blackened and bloo '^-stained, yet deathless souls, arouse us to send them the only remedy for so tre- mendous an evil—let the glory of the church on earth, the joy of the Redeemed in glory, of angels in the presence of God in Heaven, and of the glory of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, together with the animating and distinguished reward recorded in my text, constrain us to this high and holy work. May we exhibit the character, engage in the work, and ultimately rejoice in the reward of those who turn many to rightepusness— !to shine ^s the stars for ever and ever. CONCLUDING EEFLEPTI0N9. " I. My Brethren in Christ who compose the Church of the living God, let me urge you to labour in your different departments of Christian enterprise. You }i^ye been called put, and set apart and sealed before MiSSIONARt EXEttTl'oN. 43 an infellfgent and wondering univei^se, as a host of chosen witnesses for his cause and glory. You have voluntarily and gladly, and entirely dedicated your* selves, your influences and your possessions, to his service alone ; and you have announced it as your highest privilege to be altogether conformed to his holy requirements— that you prize it as your meat and drink, and life, to do his will. If you are Chris- tians, you have been redeemed from amonc men ransomed by the precious blood of our adored Im- manuel, and are his true snd rightful property j so that all claims but His are false, all authority usurped, and your submission to any foreign power, in any degree, an act of disloyalty, and traitorship, which merits destruction. It is equally at variance with the acknowledged principles of your own new-being, and the constitution of lis holy government. To you, as his witnesses, have been committed tk^^i^^ extension of his Kingdom, the diffusion of his gospel and glory, and the salvation of deathless souls, lour duty is to exhibit the gospel in your daily walk and conversation, so as to make your whole life a livin*' embodiment of its mighty truths. You are not to live to yourself for the prosecution of your own pur- poses, schemes or interests, but to Christ; to the fur- therance of his kingdom, purposes and glory. The man of the world may toil for its shining dust, and value the applause and distinctions which it offers, and yet violate none of those principles by which he professes to be regulated— the world, the flesh, and the devil, are the masters whom he serves, and self is the idol of his adoration; but the Christian, who professes to take the Son of God as his example, must have the same mind that was in Him, and walk even as he walked. We must show the same compassion- ' I 44 MISSIONARY EXERTION. ate iove for the perishing and self-destroyed, and lab ith a lik( for their salvati arnestness must manifest the same engrossing desire for tht ad- vancement of the Divine glory, which will lead us to seek that God may be glorified in us ; we must be dead to the world, to our own feelings and interests, and be concerned about the whole earth being filled with the glory of God. If you do not labour and pray to convert sinners, and teach transgressors the way of the Lord, you have no certain evidence that you are Christians — you have no right to that high and holy name — to the hopes and consolations of the Gospel, or to the privileges of the Christian brother- hoodi Your duty and your privilege is to sound out the Gospel — to send to every dwelling and every person in the island — to press it upon their acceptance with unwearied diligence and fervent prayer, until all shall be sealed as the children of God, and shall have be- come witnesses for his truth and glory : — and after this blessed consummation, it is still your privilege and liigh obligation to send it to other lands, until every individual of the human race shall have bowed to its sceptre, and become partakers of its peace. While one soul remains out of Christ, it is the duty of the whole Church to spend its entire strength in prayer and efifort for its conversion ; and never to rest until God shall have constituted him a temple for himself through the Spirit. It is your work, my brethren, to labour unremittingly for God — to spare no cost, to shrink from no danger, so that you may do the will of Him that hath redeemed and called you to be saints, and fellow workers unto the king- dom of God ; it is God's to bless your labour with MtSSIO.VAHV EXEUTIO.V. 43 abunJunt success : a Paul may plant, an Apolioa may water, but it is God that givetl, the increase To expect that God will miraculously convert souls, >v"le he Church ..eglects to employ those mean^ wluch he has appointed " to save them that believe " .s a compound of condensed intidehty and brazen ami h.Sh presumption! By what name shall we call that -vlnch dares to expect that the Almighty will violate IS established order, because the creature chooses to slumber in indolence and crime? il. My brethren in the ministry, let us perform T Z T "' '""= ^"'" '■•"'>• ^""^'1 and ordain- Mof the Lord to this great ,vork, let us arise and giVe I'll proof of our ministry, by striving to '• dehver tiK'm that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain." We have beon placed as watch- .non, let us warn the people lest they die in tl...:r ini-