Missionary Register

WE We have noticed many things, as the last year has passed along, in both the temper and the events of the times, which clearly indicate the quickened approach of an altered state of the world. The circumstances, which have attended the actual downfall but suspended annihilation of Turkish Despotism, have been so remarkable, as to arrest the attention of even the thoughtless; while they confirm the Christian in his sure confidence in the Sacred Records, and lead him to discern methods whereby it may please God to accomplish the purposes of His mercy toward the world. But, so far will thoughtful men be from indulging in vain conjectures, that a just view of the Divine Dealings will incline them to wait, with watchful discernment indeed and awakened expectation, but with patient faith, the fuller opening of the purposes of Jehovah.

In the mean while, it is highly encouraging to survey the ground which has been gained. One of the Speakers at the last Anniversaries (see Speech of the Rev. Jabez Bunting, at pp. 293-295 of our last Volume) stated, with great force, the "Advantages gained to the Missionary Cause in the last Thirty Years." In reference to the same topic, the American Board of Missions have, in the following extract from a late Report, very ably and eloquently pressed home the universal duty of devoted zeal and courage in labouring, under God, for the Conversion of the World.

The efforts made by Christians, within the last Thirty Years, to send the Gospel into the dark places of the earth, have left a deep impression extensively upon the minds of reflecting men, that the following positions are unquestionable: viz.

That the state of the Heathen Nations now is substantially the same, as it was in the days of the Apostles

That, in many Countries called Christian, the inventions of men and the accumulated superstitions of ignorant and corrupt ages, have utterly eclipsed the Light of Revelation, and reduced millions of souls very nearly to the level of absolute Paganism

That, reckoning Heathens, Mahomedans, and the Ignorant and Superstitious in countries nominally Christian, we cannot avoid the conclusion, that more than Nine-tenths of the Human Race are without any correct knowledge of God and His Government, any just views of Sin, or any true apprehension of the Way of Salvation— .

That the Gospel affords the only adequate relief for the temporal, as well as for the spiritual wants of men—

That, before it can afford this relief, it must be preached, understood, and obeyed

That wherever the Gospel is preached in simplicity and with persevering fidelity, it is proved to be the power of God and the wisdom of God, in some

who believe

That, in fulfilment of the divine promises, God has shewn himself willing to accompany the labours of His Servants with the renewing and sanctifying influences of His Spirit-and,

That there is ample encouragement to multiply faithful Teachers, and send them to every land, in expectation of a glorious advance of truth and holiness, which shall reach the nations and bring men universally to rejoice in the salvation of Christ.

Though these positions are fully admitted to be true, yet a very small number are found, who are willing to carry them out into all their practical consequences. Nothing can be clearer, than that men are bound to make exertions for the benefit of their fellow-men, in proportion to their own ability, and the magnitude of the blessings which they endeavour to communicate: and when these blessings are inconceivably great, and the probability that they may be communicated is strong, we are bound, by the general law of benevolence, if there were no express command on the subject, to make vigorous, cheerful, and long-continued exertions, that there may be no failure on our part, in the great and holy work of bringing penitent sinners home to God. It is too plain for argument, that every professed follower of Christ is bound by his profession, taken in any intelligible sense, to do something for the common cause of religion; and every well-instructed Christian, who thinks that he knows experimentally the value of the Gospel, cannot consistently do less than devote a worthy portion of his time and property to promoting the spiritual good of mankind: and this portion should be appropriated as a matter of system and of fixed principle. What portion of our time and property should be deemed worthy, must be settled by a reference to the most obvious motives of Christianity; and especially to those feelings of love, gratitude, and generous sympathy, to which the appeal is so often made by our Saviour and His Apostles. No conclusions short of these can be entertained for a moment; unless we go the full length of releasing ourselves from all obligation to labour for the good of others; and thus declare concerning ourselves, that we are not partakers of the divine nature, that we have not the Spirit of Christ, and that we do not lay up treasure in heaven: this would be no less, than to disinherit ourselves from our Heavenly Father's bounty, to rely for happiness on our own resources, and to proclaim ourselves independent of God! To such frightful extremities must we be led, unless we are willing to acknowledge, that we are not our own, but are bought with a price, and that no true Christian liveth to himself. No man, who is duly mindful of his spiritual nature and his immortal destiny, can withhold from the service of the Church and of the great Human Family, those faculties, which he received by the grace of his Redeemer.

What shall be attempted, then, to induce Christians generally to embark in this cause, in such a sense as to make it their own? This will be a great change from the present state of things; and, when it shall arrive, every professor of religion, who aims to be consistent, will as diligently search for the proper channels of beneficence, as for the best mode of educating his children, or of preserving or restoring his health, or of discharging any one of the duties which he owes to the community. In order that all this may be

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Missionary Register, Volumen18