THE IDENTITY OF PRIMITIVE AND MODERN MISSIONS,
A DISCOURSE,
BY PROF. SHERWOOD.
" And when James, Cephas and, John who seemed to he pillars, perceived
the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the
right hand of fellowship ; that we should go to the heathen and they
unto the circumcision."—Gallatians ii. 9.
The Apostles were laborious men. They counted not their lives dear
when the service of their Master required them to face danger and en¬
dure suffering and privation. Paul travelled and proclaimed the gospel
in more than twenty cities and towns, and in as many large provinces.
His voice was heard in a region of country as long and as broad as these
United States. As he was a free man by birth, so did he consider him¬
self free to publish the glad tidings of salvation, unshackled by parish
lines—uncontrolled by any dictation but that of the Holy Spirit and the
providence of God. The church had not become so wise in his age as
to confine her ministers to a narrow field of operations, lest the gospel
should flee entirely away. The people of God, in Paul's day, retained
in their recollection a most solemn command of their ascended Saviour,
14 Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature: he
that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."
It is probable too they had some knowledge of Phoenician history—a
people settled on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean—a handful at
first, but by enterprize had fixed permanent settlements in Africa and
Europe, and by their extensive commerce, carried out the produce of
their labor to distant lands, and in return, brought home vast amounts
of wealth as well as stores of useful knowledge. Thus they became
the means of enlightening and civilizing many barbarous nations. Ex¬
ports, instead of impoverishing, enriches a nation : so the gospel. And
those churches which use the greatest efforts and send out the most men
to tell the " glad tidings" to others, are most enriched in spiritual bles¬
sings*
The meaning of the word Misswnary, is one sent. The Greek verb
(apostello) signifies to send out or forth, from which the noun apostle is
Vol. I. i
54
A DISCOURSE BY
derived. The Latin verb is mitto to send, to send an ambassador. The
Latin noun is missio a sending—the participle is missus, one sent: in
English, Missionary. When the Saviour sends out the twelve he uses
the Greek verb apostello.
The place where "James, Cephas (Peter) and John gave the right
hands of fellowship" to Paul and Barnabas, was Jerusalem, at the time
of the famous council.—Acts, xv. Certain mischief-making Jews had
preached that the Gentile converts could not be saved without observing'
the ceremonial law.
This clause " except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses,"
was fabricated by the Jews, for the Lord had taught no such doctrine :
it had never been revealed that converts from heathenism should be sub¬
ject to the abrogated ceremonies of the Jews: nor had the Apostles and
elders given any such commandment, though it seems, the advocates of
this new regulation pretended to derive it from Jerusalem.
" They gave to me and Barnabas, &c. as a token of a covenant or
agreement between them : they took them, as it were into partnership
with them, admitted them as apostles into their society and gave their
full consent, particularly to this article, that ice, should go unto the hea¬
then, preach among the Gentiles." Dr. Gill.
We infer from this transaction that Paul and Barnabas, in attempts to
publish the gospel among the Gentiles, were engaged in a good work—
they were approved by such as were well qualified to judge in this mat¬
ter. James, the Lord's brother, the last speaker in council refers to pro¬
phecy touching this subject. " That the residue of men might seek after
the Lord and all the Gentiles." 17th verse.
In reading the history of the persecutions under Nero, of Rome, and:
Mary of England, we are at no loss to perceive that the spirit and object
of the agents engaged were the same. It is manifest that the spirit wa9
a cruel and fiendish one—the object to suppress and exterminate Christi¬
anity. It matters not what were the forms of cruelty or the wea¬
pons us"fed—whether the victims were exposed to devouring beasts or
hung on the gibbet, or burned at the stake : who will give such evidence
ofobtuseness ^perception as to affirm he does not see resemblances so
strong as to amount to identity 1
Who that has read Luke's account of the journey of Candace's treasur--
er from Jerusalem towards Gaza, and of his baptism, and has witnessed
ofre in some, river of Georgia, would question the identity of the ordi¬
nance as administered 1 The candidate had been tanned by a tropical sun
—the administrator was not dressed after the present fashion, nor were
the witnesses so numerous as those which generally crowd around at such
interesting seasons in the present day : But do any or all these circum¬
stances induce a sincere inquirer after truth'to conclude there is a differ¬
ence between the ordinance as administered then and nolo ? Who does
rROiEMsOK SIILRW()()]),
55
not see a likeness so true as to convince him of the identity of the thing
though in two distant ayes t
Who will affirm that the object of wars is not the same now as when the
battles of Rephidim and Marathon were fought 1 Then the soldiers, the
agents, went out with their bows and arrows, and spears, and battle-
axes : now with swords, and muskets, and cannon. But who dare aver
that the bloody contests of the present day are not as really war as before
the invention of gunpowder? Would one of Homer's heroes, or one
that fought under Joshua, after having witnessed the field of Waterloo,
when it was covered with heaps of the slain, maintain that men had not
been at war on that bloody theatre—that the objects of war had not been
accomplished %
Circumstantial differences do not affect the jwincipol matter when we
are in search after identity. If we ascertain that the design, the motives,
the object in a certain cause to be the same, though in two different peri¬
ods of time ; it is sufficient to stamp that cause with identity. Let the
above remarks suffice to shew what is to be understood by identity. It
is designed to prove thatprimitive and modem missions are the same in
design, motive, means, and results: but especially because the agents
engaged in them, were,
I. Controlled by a similar spirit and sent out in a similar way.
The Apostles felt for the lost and rained state of man and desired to re¬
lieve it. As Paul was waiting at Athens, his " spirit was stirred within
him when he saw the whole city given to idolatry" (Acts xvii. 10.) " Wo
is me if I preach not the gospel." (1 Cor. ix. 1G.) The Lord had direct¬
ed him " Depart for I will send thee far hence to the Gentiles." (Acts
xxii. 21.) Soon this intimation is made certain by the direction of the
Holy Ghost. '' Separate me, Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto
X have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their
hands on them, they, that is, the church either collectively, or through
their prophets and teachers, sent them away." (Acts xui. 2,>3.) Here
the Holy Ghost and church unite: "they sent them away," and "so
they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost." We are not to suppose the
Holy Ghost spake to the church by an audible voice—the direction no
doubt came from impressions made on their minds in consideration of the
darkness and wretchedness of all those nations destitute of the light of
the gospel.
Missionaries are controlled by a similar spirit. They profess in their
examination for ordination that they have been moved upon by the Holy
Ghost to engage in the work of preaching the gospel—the church and
presbytery approve their design and they are sent out to proclaim the
glad tidings of salvation.
David Brainard, a missionary to the Indians, in the wilderness ot Pa.
in 1745, says in his journal, "I hau great hopes respecting the heathen ;
56
A ^DISCOURSE BY
O that God would bring numbers of them to Christ." Under such feel¬
ings he went out to labor for their salvation, having been set apart by
fasting and prayer.
TVm. Carey, from his first convictions was remarkably impressed about
heathen lands, and never engaged in prayer for many years, without in¬
terceding for their conversion. About 1786, he writes an essay on the
perpetuity of our Lord's commission " Go ye into all the world," &c.,
and the efforts made to fulfil it. In 1792, he and Doct. Thomas sailed for
India, to labor amo-ng ,the heathen of Hindostan, having been set apart as
were the apostles.
Pliny Fish* after carefully examining his Christian experience, says,
" The result was a conviction that it was my duty and earnest desire to
be a missionary to the heathen." " Whence arises this willingness to
leave my country and friends for the sake of carrying the gospel to the
destitute, if the Holy Ghost is not operating in my heart to lead me to
serve God in this way V'
Mr.Judson, and his first associates in 1810, "state their minds have
been long impressed with the duty and importance of personally attempt¬
ing a mission to the heathen."
Missionaries furnish as much evidence that they are called by the Lord,
as any ordinary minister: infidels only object to the reality of the call of
the latter 5 hence, they only will object to that of the former.
II. They labored, in the same way, and among similar subjects. The
object of the apostles was, to persuade sinners to " turn from the dumb
idols" which they worshipped, "to the living God." (Acts 14,15.)
Wherever he met sinners, whether in the synagogue—at Areopagus,
in the market, or on board ship, Paul proclaimed to them the gospel—
besought them to " be reconciled to God." When the Jews contradict¬
ed and blasphemed, Paul and Barnabus waxed bold and said—"Lo, we
turn to the Gentiles." (Acts xiii. 46.)
So modern missionaries. " In the morning" says Carey, " I went
out alone and stood close to an idol's temple where I had a good congre¬
gation : after that, another in the maiket place." Paul went from house
to house—so did Brainerd, and Carey, and Judson—the one preached to
the American Indians—another to the Hindostanee—another to the Bur-
mans—all were dark and benighted heathen idolaters.
* This faithful herald of the cross was sent as a missionary to Palestine, and in
his farewell sermon takes Paul's words, " Now I go bound to Jerusalem, not know¬
ing, &c." He did visit the Holy city, and after a few years labor, died at Bayroot.
professor sherwood.
57
III. They received the approbation of the same hind of people. Paul
and Barnabas were approved in their mission by the church at Antiocb,
and afterwards by James, Peter and John, three eminent apostles. They
gave the "right hands of fellowship" expressive of their confidence and
friendship, " that we should go to the heathen." Peter had associated
"with a Gentile family which had received the Holy Ghost and approved
their baptism; but the censorious Jews blamed him for his conduct,
though under the immediate tuition of the Lord. After he had explain¬
ed however, the complainers ceased their opposition. The enlightened
pious Jews did not disapprove of attempts to preach the gospel to the ig¬
norant. Some not conversant with the scriptures, (see Acts-xv. 15, 17.)
opposed through ignorance and prejudice. This is probably the case at
the present day. Opposition comes from those who have not investiga¬
ted the subject. Some have looked into it with a jaundiced vision and
the whole matter has partaken of the tinge which affected their sight.
Missionaries now are approved by the most pious of the age, and pray¬
er, like a volume of incense, goes up incessantly for the success of labor¬
ers. What heart, but one of adamant, would entertain feelings of hostil¬
ity to the conversion of the heathen, and disapprove the attempt to shew
sinners " the way of salvation" 1
IV. They preach the same doctrines. The doctrine of Peter on the
day of Pentecost was, " Repent and be baptized." Paul testified " re¬
pentance towards God and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts
iax. 5.) He also instructs the Galatians that " Jesus Christ gave himself
for our sins." "For Christ once suffered, the just for the unjust, that he
might bring us to God." (1 Peter iii. 18.) The apostles urged, per¬
suaded and warned men, and shewed those who do not obey the truth,
that their final portion will be " indignation and wrath that upon those
who opposed and blasphemed their own blood would rest. Though
they inculcated the grand doctrine of salvation through the merit of
Christ; they left the impenitent without excuse: they pointed out his
accountability.
Missionaries of this day preach the same doctrines. See the evidence
from the instructions given by Brainerd in the experience of a converted
Indian : " His heart echoes to the soul humbling doctrines of grace. He
never appears better pleased than when he hears of the absolute sovreign-
ty of God and salvation of sinners in a way of mere grace."
Whitfield, a most distinguished missionary gloried in the doctrines of
grace : his letter to Mr. Wesley, furnishes abundant proof. Brainerd's
method as described by himself was, "If I treated on the being and at¬
tributes of God, I was naturally led to discourse of Christ as the way to
the Father s if on the misery of our fallen state, it was natural to shew
the necessity of Christ to atone and redeem from sin : if on the violation
58
A DISCOURSE BY
of God's commands, I was brought to mention Christ as one who had
magnified the law and become the end of it for righteousness."
In regard to the conversion of the Burmans, Mrs. Judson prays, " O
for the influence of that spirit which can alone effect the mighty change.'*
Dr. Carey, says, "Only God can break the carnal heart."
They warned and urged men to repent and flee from the wrath to come,
V. They established churches of similar subjects. When the Etheo-
pean Eunuch enquired whether he might be baptized, he was answered
by Philip, " If thou believest with all thy heart thou mayest." "I be-i
lieve that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (Acts 8. i.) He was bap¬
tized on this profession. Those " that gladly received the word from
Peter were baptized." (Acts ii. 41.) " Many of the Corinthians hear*
ing, believed and were baptized." (Acts xviii. 8.) In these instances we
find the candidates for baptism and church membership, made a profes^
sion of faith in Jesus Christ.
So in the present age. Kristnoo and Gokool, the first converts in
Hindostan, related their experience—confessed Christ, and were bapti¬
zed. Hear the experience and confession of the Burman convert Jtfaung
Nau. " I believe that the Divine Son, Jesus Christ, suffered death in
the place of men, to atone for their sins." " He expresses sentiments of
repentance for his sins and faith in the Saviour" is Mr. Judson's account
of him. When Maung Ing, another Burman, was a candidate for Bap¬
tism, the danger of a public profession was mentioned : he answers,
" when meditating on this religion, I know not what it is to love my own
life."
Gokool " was displeased that the Bible did not agree with his notions,
and was so uneasy that he did not sleep much for two months—saw him¬
self a great sinner—looked to Christ and has no other hope."
A Burman convert says " I put my trust in Jesus Christ," and aHin->
dostanee in regard to his conversion, " It is all of grace."
An Indian woman relates the following to Brainerd : " Me try, me try
save myself—last my strength be all gone—could not me stir a bit fur¬
ther. Den last me forced to let Jesus Christ alone—send me hell if he
pleases." Were you willing 1 enquires the Missionary. " Could not
me help it—my heart, he would be wicked for all. By by my heart be
glad desperately." To such persons modern missionaries extend the
hand of fellowship and receive them into church relation.
Two Burmans professed faith in Christ in a time of peril, and expected
persecution, and although the missionaries thought they had experienc¬
ed divine grace, " advised them, as they had so little love to Christ as
not to dare to die for his cause, to wait and reconsider the matter." The
above relations shew the kind of instruction, which the converts had re¬
ceived.
PROrCSSOR SHERWOOD.
59
VI. The source of their efficiency the same. Paul says, " Our suffi¬
ciency is of God." Paul " planted—Apnllos watered : but God gave
the increase." (1 Cor. iii. G.) " I can do all tilings through Christ Jesus
which strengthened me."
When the good work had begun among the Indians, Brainerd says,
" I could not but admire the goodness of God who had inclined them to
enquire after the way of salvation." " He (God) orders strength out of
weakness by making bare his almighty arm at a time when all hopes and
human probabilities failed. It is remarkable how God, almost unaccoun¬
tably called these Indians together and seized their minds with a most so¬
lemn concern."
When starting to visit the Karens, a nation of wild people north east of
Burmah, Mr. Boardman uses the language of Moses, " If thy presence
go not up with us, carry us not up hence." The Lord's presence did
iaccompany them, and the truth was made powerful on their hearts.
In regard to his hopes touching the salvation of the Hindoos, Carey
Writes, " I trust in the promise, power and faithfulness of God."—"1.
Was enabled to speak with abundant plainness and warmth, and the^?ow-
er of God evidently attended the word." " The divine spirit," says
Brainerd, " in such a manner set home upon their hearts what I spoke to
them, that the house was soon filled with cries and groans."
Let these suffice to shew where modern missionaries repose their
confidence to render their preaching efficient in converting sinners.—
" They (the Burmans) appeared unusually solemn, and I could not help
hoping the Holy Spirit was hovering over and would ere long descend
and enlighten their precious souls." Mrs. Judson.
VII. The source of their encouragement was the same. In the midst
of their trials and conflicts, God was the source whence primitive mis¬
sionaries derived their support and comfort. " Be not afraid" speaks
the Lord in a vision to Paul,—" for I am with thee."
" Blessed be God," writes Brainerd, " that he lays me under the hap¬
py necessity of living upon himself." " If I ever felt the value and effi¬
cacy of prayer, 1 did at this time. I could not rise from my couch,—I
could make no efforts to save my husband, I could only plead with that '
powerful Being who has said, call upon me in the day of trouble and I,
will hear." Mrs. Judson—soon her husband was released from prison.
This case is quite similar to that of Peter. In the journals and letters of
modern missionaries it is abundantly clear that they look to God as the
source of their encouragement. Each seems to say-—
" In all their tears,—in all thnir strnits,
My buul on his salvation waits."
60
A DISCOURSE BY
u We were enabled to lean upon God and to feel that be was able let
support us under the most discouraging circumstances." Mrs. Judson*
"It is indeed an unfailing1 source of consolation, that we have a God to
C5
whom we may at all times repair and make known our wants by prayer
and supplication.'1' Mrs. Judson. " Thanks be to God, not only foi*
' rivers of endless joys above,' but for ' rills of comfort here below.' "
Mr. Judson.
VIII. They experienced, similar trials and persecutions. The Acts of
the Apostles is but a history of the labors and persecutions of primitive
missionaries. On the day of Pentecost, the preachers were accused of
being intoxicated. (Acts ii.) Soon Peter and John are imprisoned—Ste¬
ven stoned—Paul was drawn out of Lystea, "supposing he had been
dead"—James is killed with the sword—Paul and Silas imprisoned1—
" certain lewd fellows of the baser sort" under direction of the Jews,
assault the house of Jason, where the Apostles lodged—" certain of the
Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that
they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul." Hear Paul's
own version of his persecutions. "Of the Jews, five times received I
forty stripes save one—thrice was I beaten with rods—once was I ston¬
ed," &c. (2 Cor. Xl. 23-2S.)
And by whom were these persecutions excitedGenerally by the
Jews, the professed friends of God. They could not endure the thought
that the Gentiles should enjoy the blessings of the Gospel. The conver¬
sion of millions of heathen, would not diminish aught from the efficacy
of the word of truth : it would not detract any thing from the comfort of
the believing Jews; yet so much like the " mangered mastiff" were they,
that they neither embraced salvation for themselves, nor allowed others
to hear the glad tidings. " Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that
they might be saved." (1 Thes. i. 2.)
Such has been the case with modern missionaries. Daniel Marshall}
a name dear to every Georgian, after having preached among the Indi¬
ans in Pa. came as a missionary into this State, in 1771. Upon his se¬
cond or third visit, he was arrested while at prayer, for daring to preach
in St. Paul's Parish ! The next day (Monday) he was examined at Au¬
gusta by the Episcopalian Parson and a magistrate and ordered no morel
^to come into the province ! ™
Carey and Thomas started for Hindostan in an English ship, but un¬
der peremptory orders from the English East India Company, they were
compelled to disembark ! They reached India in a foreign vessel, and
were compelled finally, to settle at Serampore, within a Danish pro¬
vince ! Why? the "craft" of the English "was in danger" as was
that of the shrine-makers in Paul's day : hence they forbade preaching
to the Hindoos, lest they should become enlightened and less exposed to
processor, sherwood.
61
theif cupidity, Sc( Judson and his associates, sent out in 1812, were or¬
dered away from that same region. Mr. J. sailed towards Africa and
was providentially carried to Burmah ! His case was quite similar to that
of the Apostles as mentioned in 16th Acts : " They assayed to go into
Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered them not"—Macedonia was to hear the
word of the Lord : Judson designed to preach to the Hindostanee, but
Providence intended that Burmah should be the theatre of his trials and
persecutions. A perusal of the trials and sufferings in Burmah, would
draw tears from the dryest eye and affect the most adamantine heart.
That man's sensibility which would not b^ excited by such perusal is not
to be envied : he may have the shape but not the heart of a human being.
Later missionaries have been persecuted nearer home. In this State,
the friends of missions have been excluded churches—ministers shut out
of houses of worship.—threatened with beating—meeting-houses have
been wrested from them—been charged with being speculators—preach¬
ing false doctrine, and even associations, which were organized a3 advi¬
sory councils merely, have assumed law-making powers, in order to eject
missionary churches. Appended, in a note, is a resolution of one of those
bodies, which will in a few years be a literary curiosity.
Note. " Resolved, We from this time forth, desire to have no fellowship with
any church, association or individual, who are or may connect themselves, either
directly or indirectly with the falsely called benevolent institutions, viz.: Mission-
ary, Temperance, Bible, Tract, State Convention, Sunday School Union, or any of
these kindred institutions," &c. &c.
Minutes of the Primitive "Western Association, 1837.
IX. They were sustained in the same way. Paul labored at the trade
of tent-making, and by this furnished some means of support, but not suf¬
ficient ; for he says, " we suffered all things." (1 Cor. ix. 12.) " Famine,
thirst, nakedness, hard labor, and many other hardships." Dr. Gill.
Again, (2 Cor. xi. 9.) And when I was present with you and wanted:
" he wanted the common necessaries of life." For that which was lack¬
ing to me, " which he could not make up by his own labor, the brethren
which came from Macedonia supplied." Dr. Gill.
The Apostles were sustained also by the churches. " The brethren
which came from Macedonia," &c. " Meaning either Silas or Timotheus
who came from Macedonia, while he was at Corinth, (Acts xviii. 5.) who
might bring him a supply out of these parts, or else some that belonged
to the churches of Macedonia, particularly the Philipians, who frequently
communicated to him and sent him presents." Dr. Gill.
Now let us look at the support furnished Paul by the Philipians, 4th
chapter, 10, 14-18 verses. " But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that
now at the last your care of me hath flourished again, wherein ye were
also careful but ye lacked opportunity. Nothwithstandingye have done
well that ye did communicate with my affliction. Now, ye Philipians,
Vol. i. a
62
A DISCOURSE BIT
know also that in the beginning of the Gospel when I departed from Ma*
cedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and re¬
ceiving but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again
unto my necessity. Not that I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may
'abound to your account. I am full having received from Epaphroditus
the things, &c."
" But ye lacked opportunity." The Epistle to the Philipians was
written when Paul was a prisoner at Rome, some 1000 or 1200 miles
distant. Hence it wa3 difficult to convey him means of support.
Communicate with my affliction" 14th verse. " He was in prison
and penury : the Philipians communicate with him in it by sending their
minister to visit him with a present for his relief and support." Dr. Gill.
For even in Thessalonica," &c. 16. " In his use and service to sup¬
port him while there," See. " They sentfrequently, &c." Dr. Gill.
" I desire fruit that may abound to your account." verse 17. " His
great desire was to see fruits of righteousness grow upon them by which
Bometimes are meant acts of beneficences in 2 Cor. ix. 10, and that these
might be abundant and turn to their profit and advantage as fruit does.
His view was that the balance might be on their side and that much
might be received by ttoem ; so it was not for himself, but their encour¬
agement andfuture good." Dr. Gill.
"Having received of Epaphroditus," &c. verse 18. "Which he ac¬
knowledged, that the character of this good man might stand clear, who
had been entrusted with this affair." ibid. That is, Paul records the re¬
ception of " the things," whether it was money, or clothes, or provi¬
sion, or what not, as the treasurers of missionary societies do now, so that
Epaphroditus might not be called a speculator; or that the withering"
sarcasm of the present day " We don't know where so much money
goes," might not be applied to the bearer of the Philipian contribution.
Dr. Gill has been quoted largely in proof that the churches sustained
their missionaries in primitive times, because he has not, as most modern
missionaries and their friends have, been charged with heresy; nor can
he be considered as being carried away with " new notions
"The things," 18th verse. What were they? Epaphroditus must
have carried " things" which Paul needed or that which would purchase
them: they were the representative of money.
Let us review the facts : Paul is at Corinth, 2 Cor. xi. 9. Acts xviii. 1,
11, and is furnished with means of sustenance, probably by Silas and
Timotheus, who were come from Macedonia, Acts, xviii. 5. " That
which was lacking," after all the proceeds of tent-making were exhaust¬
ed, " the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied." 2d Cor. xi. 9.
Again : Paul is at Rome, Acts xxviii. 16. " It," this Epistle, " was
written to the Philipians from Rome by Epaphroditus" end of 4th chap-
PROFESSOR SHERWOOD.
63
ter Philipians. " Your care hath flourished again." Epaphraditas had
brought him means of support, having travelled over 1000 miles : this is
the second instance. Phil. iv. 10,18.
" In the beginning of the gospel," Phil. iv. 15. "Soon as the gospel
was preached to them, they shewed a grateful and obedient spirit." (see
Acts xvi. 12-40.) " not only while he was with them (the Philipians)
they communicated to him, but when he was gone from them." Dr» Gill.
This is the third instance of sustenance being supplied.
" In Thessalonica ye sent once and again." verse 16. " Once and
again," twice at least : Dr. Gill says "frequently" These are the
fourth and fifth instances.
If in the mouth of one or two witnesses every word is established : Jive
records of contributions to Paul in his missionary labors are deemed suf¬
ficient proof for our position, viz. : that the Apostles were sustained by
contributions.
Modern missionaries are supported in the same way. Churches now
select and sustain certain men who have gone to labor in heathen land9.
Several in Georgia send directly to Messrs. Stevens and Simons with
whom they were acquainted. Their acknowledgments are quite similar
to those of Paul and for the same purposes, to shew the agents in trans¬
ferring " the things," have acted faithfully. "We are thankful for the
box of clothing you sent us—the crockery was just such as we needed-—
the bill of exchange on A. & B. has been honored," &c., is the form of
acknowledgment by our missionary brethren in Burrnah or west of the
Mississippi. There is more system perhaps now than in Paul's day, but
not one hundredth part as much liberality. (See 2d Cor. viii. 1, 2, 3.) The
practice of publishing donations is fully sanctioned by Paul's conduct.
The first four verses of the chapter last cited, is a compliment on the
churches of Macedonia, who were willing "beyond their power," to
minister to the saints : the 4 th chapter to the Philipians, is little else than
an encomium on the liberality of that benevolent church towards the
missionaries of the cross.
Missionaries of the present day get a bare support. Carey labored
some eight years in the factories among the Hindoos, and learned their
language. It is a general regulation that no one shall enjoy alone the
proceeds of his labor—all is thrown into a common stock, from which
the concern, with what is received from abroad, is supported.
Note.—It is maintained that persons give to Missionary Societies, in order to
get the " praise and honor of great and wicked men." If so, then the Philipran
church is severely rebuked and Paul is to be blamed for publishing their contribu¬
tions. (See Paul's Journal on the following page.)
64
A DISCOURSE BY
X. Their own character and, that of their disciplet, were similar.
The hind of men sent out as missionaries by the Saviour, were hum¬
ble meek men—men who sought not their own honor, but that of
their Master. " We are fools for Christ's sake. We are made as the
filth of the world and are the off-scouring of all things." 1 Cor. iv, 10,12.
Such were Brainard, and Carey, and Fisk, and Boardman: they felt
no aspirations for worldly honor and aggrandizement—their honor was to
honor their Master. Judson describes the kind of men proper to be sent
to Burmah : "Men of an amiable yielding temper—willing to take the
lowest place—to be least of all and the servants of all-«-men who enjoy
closet religion, who live near to God and are willing to suffer all things
for Christ's sake without being proud of it."
In their disinterestedness.—Paul coveted no man's silver nor gold—he
laid up nothing. " He (Carey) has told me," says a correspondent, that
whatever his future circumstances, he durst not lay by a shilling for his
children—for all is devoted to God" ! Such knowledge did he obtain of
oriental languages that, as professor of Sanscrit in the college near Calcut¬
ta, he received a large salary ; but all was devoted to the mission. In
his last will, a library and some furniture seem to be all his property,
though he had labored about forty years in India, and part of the time
received thousands of dollars annually : all his earnings had been devo¬
ted to the cause of missions—the benefit of man. So with Judson. He
threw lflto the Lord's treasury about $4000 at once—the avails of his
If Paul's old journal or account book should be picked up by some
traveller, we might expect something like the following :
Cr,
By 30 stater from church at Antioch, to help sustain a mission to
Gentiles.—Acts xiii.
By 40 stater and 4 drachmas from Macedonia.—2d Cor. xi. 9.
By « " from Philipian church, while at Thesalonica. Phil. 4 : 16.
By" " from Philipi, while at Rome, See. &c. Phil. 4 : 18.
Dr.
To paid 10 tetradrachmon, for fare from Sileucia to Cyprus.
Do. do. from Paphos to Perga.—Acts xiii. 4,13, &c.
The prophets, it seems, did not sail fare free ; (See Jonah, i. 3.) nor
could the apostles be expected to have such a privilege. Who supplied
them 1 Either they must have had money of their own, or the churches
supplied them : the heathen could not be expected to do it; it is clear
that the churches must have furnished them with means to travel.
FBOFEifiOR fflERWOOB.
earnings in this country and its subsequent increase. In general such
may adopt the language of the poet:
" No foot of land do I possess,
No cottage in this wilderness—
A poor, way-faring man.
I lodge awhile in tents below,
Or only sojourn as I go
Till I my heaven obtain/'
In their experience. The experience of primitive missionaries and of
their disciples, shew that their salvation was of the Lord. [See No. V.]
In their happy and triumphant death. " And they," the wicked Jews,
"stoned Steven, calling upon God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my
spirit." Xn the close of life Paul writes, "I am ready to be offered : I
have fought a good fight &c. henceforth there is laid up for me a crown
of glory," &c. " Blessed be God who giveth us the victory through our
Lord Jesus Christ."
Brainerd, near the end of his pilgrimage writes, "O my dear God, I
am speedily coming to thee, T hope hasten the day O Lord."
John Elliot, died shouting "Welcome"—"Joy/'
A poor Slave in the West Indies, under care of missionaries, dies
shouting " Victory, Victory."
Mr. Fountain's last words were, "Faith—my Redeemer—my hea¬
venly Father."
• Shingot, a converted Hindoo, a few moments prior to his dissolution,
" Life is good, but to be wholly emancipated is much better.—God is my
only hope."
Fuetich, another, answers Dr. Marshman, " 1 have not a doubt of ob¬
taining salvation (felicity) by the death of Christ/'
Another : " I am dy ing, but am not afraid of death."
Carey: " I am ready to depart, bat the time when, I leave with God."
" I shall soon be in glory—soon glorify God as the angels." Brainerd
on his death-bed.
XI. The results are the same. Under the preaching of Peter, the peo¬
ple cried out "What shall we do'"? When Philip published the gospel
in Samaria, " the people gave heed to those things which he spoke."
" When they believed—they were baptized, both men and women.**
Acts viii. When Paul preached at Corinth, Crispus the chief ruler of
the synagogue, &c. Acts xviii. The general results were, the conviction
and conversion of sinners, and their obedience to the commands of
Christ.
So in later times. After preaching, Brainerd writes: " The discourse
seemed to have a silent but deep and piercing influence upon the audi-
6a
A DISCOURSE BY
enee/*' Carey labors several years, but in God*s good time, ©ne, then
another is hopefully converted—they relate the gracious dealings of the
spirit an their hearts and are baptized. Judson labors years, sowing the*
seed;—a sincere inquirer is examined and baptized. When he and oth¬
ers went among the Karens, who had read' some of the Tracts scattered
in their country, they were addressed, " We hear there is an eternal hell
—We are afraid of it. Do give us a writing that will tell us how to es~
cape it." "Are you Jesus Christ's man? Give us a writing that tells
about Jesus Christ."
"I stood amazed" says Brainerd, " at the influence that seized the au--
dienee almost universally and could compare it to nothing more aptly
than a mighty torrent that bears down every thing in its way."
The general results are, the conversion of sinners and their union to¬
gether in churches. Within the last century, some 50,000 persons have>
been hopefully regenerated. Many of these have left as bright testimony
that they "fell asleep in Jesus" as did the apostles and martyrs.
REFLECTIONS.
(1.) If pillars in the primitive churches approved missions, i. e. the-
publication of the gospel to the destitute heathen, and expressed their
"fellowship" for those going to preach it; it is plain that those, who op¬
pose this course and pass resolutions of non-fellowship, cannot possess
the apostolic spirit.
(2.) We are furnished in this mbject with a touch-stone for the genuine¬
ness of our religion. If we dislike and oppose what the apostles liked
and promoted ; we may be certain that our religion is not that which the
Bible recognizes.
(3.) We may learn from this discussion whether we have the mind of~
the Saviour. Now that spirit which opposes the cause espoused and ad¬
vanced by the apostles, is not the spirit of Christ; anti-missionaries da.
oppose it; therefore they have not the spirit of Christ.
In a dark age, some good men may oppose the cause of missions, be--
cause they do not understand it; but he who fights against missions nowr
will be found fighting against God. If we admit such to be Christians,
we disparage the cause of Christ and lower the requisites for discipleship.
(4.) If we begrudge the heathen the gospel and while we quarrel
about the means to spread it, waste our time in doing nothing but to hin¬
der others; we have imbibed the spirit of the selfish Jews and care more-
for our money than for the salvation of souls.
(5.) If missions are enjoined by the Bible and to be sustained by the-
churches, as has been plainly shewn; what is our duty? Manifestly to
contribute to them as a Christian obligation and pleasure j for " God
loveth a cheerful giver."