1 fall; prefigured by the types under the Old Testament; and when the time was fully come, the Son of God was born, and dwelt among men; yielded obedience to the divine law; manifested himself to be the Son of God with power; stated the terms of acceptance; by his sufferings and death, made an atonememt for sin, and arose triumphant from the grave. He instructed, comforted, and commissioned his apostles, and ascended into heaven. He sent down the Holy Ghost, and now over-rules all things for the good of his Church, which he has purchased with his own blood. We know of no work which was ever accomplished with similar circumstances; in which such an agent was employed; and in which there has been such a display of divine goodness and merсу. 'The subject of the gospel, also, shews the importance of our laboring to promote it. It teaches the character and government of Jehovah; the origin, apostacy, and present condition of the human race; it reveals to our hopes a recovery from sin to holiness. The attention of mankind is called to this subject, by every motive which respects this world, or the world to come. It is a subject in which every individual is concerned. Other branches of knowledge concern men of a particular profession; a knowledge of one may not be essential to the performance of the duties of another; but, if ignorant of God and Christ, we must all perish. The benevolent design of the gospel evidences the importance of our laboring to promote it. It is from the benevolence of God; it was while we were enemies, and without strength, that Christ died for us. It is designed to reconcile men to God and each other; to promote peace and harmony in society; it warns us of the consequences of an unholy life, and declares that it shall be well with the righteous.-To proclaim this, Christ came down from heaven, and revealed his Father's will. He assured mankind of God's gracious acceptance, upon repentance and submission; and sent the Holy Spirit to renew men to holiness, and to prepare them for the heavenly inheritance. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he first loved us, and gave his Son to die for us." From a view of this subject, our own concern in it, and that of the whole family of man, can we cease to use our utmost exertions to extend the knowledge of a Redeemer ? II. The means by which the spread of the gospel is to be accomplished. The means, by which God accomplishes his purposes, are of two kinds, ordinary and extraordinary: that is, by means which are permanent, or those, in the use of which, he has given a special and direct command. All means are such as manifest God's holy sovereignty. Is a passage for the children of Israel through the sea to be opened? Moses must lift his rod, and stretch out his hand over the sea to divide it: but the Lord alone can cause the waters to roll back, to stand as a wall, and the dry land to appear. Is water to be brought from the rock, that the people may drink? Moses must strike the rock, and speak to it. Are the walls of Jericho to fall down? The people must encompass the city seven times, and the priests blow with the ram's horns, at the divine command. These are instances of the extraordinary means, which God has commanded on particular occasions. On the introduction of Christianity, the apostles were furnished with miraculous gifts by the Holy Ghost-the gift of tonguesof healing and of discerning spirits. They were clothed with extraordinary power, that it might be manifested, they had receiv ed their commission and authority from God. These were the broad seal of heaven to their testimony, and witness of the resurrection of Christ from the dead. But, no sooner was the end accomplished, for which these gifts and powers had been granted to the Church, than they ceased. The canon of scripture was completed, the news of salvation extensively published, the Christian Church established, and the oracles of God intrusted to its care, with a promise of Christ's spirit and presence, for its preservation and increase. The preservation and increase of the Church is not, however, now to be expected, by any miraculous interposition, or any immediate revelation from the Holy Ghost. The means, by which the gospel is to be promoted and continued, are appointed and established in his Church. These means, which are permanent and universal, do, however, as evidently manifest the divine sovereignty, as those which were extraordinary and limited; and in attending to them, in the manner directed, we are encouraged, by humble prayer, to look with confidence to God for a blessing, as did the ancient saints. Duty is ours, the blessing is of the Lord; it is, therefore, the height of presumption to expect, and impious to pray for success in any other way than that which is warranted by the providence and word of God. Where the news of salvation has been published, and Churches gathered and established, the ordinary means, by which religion is to be promoted, are preaching the word, reading, and studying the scriptures. The scriptures are to be our only rule; by them the Christian is to be perfected, and the "man of God thoroughly furnished unto all good works." All the doctrines of the gospel are to be declared, and the unsearchable riches of Christ to be brought into view. It depends, under God, upon the Church of Christ-upon those who profess religion-whether it be promoted or not. By the holy lives of professors-by a serious and constant attendance upon all the institutions and ordinances of Christ's appointment-by the wise and wholesome discipline of Christ's house, are we to look for the furtherance of Christianity. It is also peculiarly important, that true religion, consisting in the fear and worship of God, be maintained, and constantly observed, in the families of those who profess friendship to Christ. One great means of continuing the Church, where once established, is the careful instruction and catechising of the children of believers. Pious families are the nurseries of the Church. There is, however, a responsibility upon the Church, as well as upon parents, that it watch over all its baptized members. In the prayerful exercise of these duties, Churches and parents may humbly look to God for his blessing, and that their children may be a seed to serve the Lord, and may arise up and declare his righteousness to nations which are yet to be born. I am fully persuaded, that one reason among many, why the Church has so often mourned the absence of her great Head, and the withdrawing of the special influences of his Spirit, is, that she has not been faithful to the trust reposed in her, by attending to the rules appointed, for the instruction and discipline of her members. For this cause many a "candlestick has been removed out of its place, from many a daughter of Zion, her beauty has departed, her gold has become dim, and her most fine gold changed." I may also urge the duty of secret prayer, and the religion of the closet. The real Christian delights to retire from surrounding objects, to impose silence on his tumultuous passions, and to converse with his Father who sees in secret. These are all appointed by God, in his word, as means of promoting the cause and interest of religion. By a careful and conscientious discharge of these duties, we may, with faith in the divine promises, look to God in Christ, that he would pour out his Spirit upon us, and his blessings upon our offspring. The influences of God's Holy Spirit are acknowledged to be necessary to the conviction and conversion of a sinner, and also to maintain the divine life, when once communicated. But the blessing of God, or his agency, by no means renders unnecessary our exertions, diligence, and faithfulness. We tempt God, when we pray, or expect, that he will revive his work, while we either totally neglect, or carelessly perform our duty. I would observe further, with respect to the means of spreading the gospel, where churches have not been established, and where the word and ordinances of God are not regularly and statedly administered, that the command of Christ and the examples of his apostles are carefully to be followed. Furnish the inhabitants with able, faithful, and pious missionaries to teach them the way of reconciliation; call their attention to their highest concern, the salvation of their souls. Furnish them with the word of life, and religious books, by which they may become acquainted with God, themselves, and Jesus Christ. Establish churches where it can be accomplished, and exhort them to continue steadfast in the faith, and the practice of religion; and "your labor will not be in vain in the Lord." Thanks to God, this, for several years, has been attempted, and the attempt has been owned and blessed by the great Head of the church. "The wilderness blossoms, and many a solitary place is made glad.". By the annual reports of the labors and success of those employed by the Missionary Society in this State, the hopes of its friends have been realized, and their fears dissipated. The liberality, manifested by the friends of Zion, has been accepted by the Father of all, and the prayers offered to him have been answered, by many revivals in our churches. We are encouraged to press forward with more confidence, having experienced the protection of Him who has said, " All power in heaven, and in earth is given me-Go, preach the gospel to every creature." With respect to the heathen in different quarters of the world, and the propriety of attempting their instruction and conversion to the Christian faith, the subject has been presented to the public, both in Europe and America, in such a manner, as cannot fail, I concieve, to gain the attention of all denomination, of Christians. For information, I must request your attention to publications, written by those who appear to have had the best means of knowing the condition of the heathen and the prospect of success. This glorious work has not only been begun, but is rapidly progressing. Any temporary check, in divine Providence, it is believed, will only be the means of maturing and accomplishing the object. Men of an apostolic spirit are found in Europe and America, willing to jeopardize their lives for the cause of Christ, and the salvation of their fellow-men. We are called upon to support them, and the Lord has opened the hearts of many to devise liberal things. "Freely ye have received, freely give." Give to Christ and his cause. A cup of cold water given in his name will not go unre warded. "O God! we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name! But who are we, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort: for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." Steadiness and perseverance will, with God's blessing, crown the work with glorious success. The best gift of God to man is the knowledge of himself in Christ. The more this knowledge is spread, the more is his glory declared, and the kingdom of Christ advanced. The number of those who offer praise and prayer to Jehovah is multiplied; and the earth becomes more assimilated to heaven. All the friends of religion take a lively interest and concern in this great and important business. With hope they anticipate the glorious advancement of the knowledge of Christ, when they may embrace their fellow men of all nations and climes. If one soul be so valuable, and the price of its redemption so great; if there be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth; how much is this joy increased, when numbers are rescued from their captivity to sin and satan, and brought into the glorious light and liberty of the sons of God! We have this hope, according to the promises of God in his word, that the time is coming, yea, the set time to favor Zion : "When all nations shall know and fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the sons of strangers shall build thy walls and their kings shall minister unto thee," The future glory of the Church is the " theme of all the prophets, and the desire of all good men; for this we wait in hope; when her gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; when the Lord God shall be an everlasting light to his people; when a little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation." O Lord! hasten it in thine own time. And is not the time come? has not "God set up his sign among the nations? Is he not calling for his servants to go to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow; to Tubal, Javan, and the isles afar off, that have not heard of his fame, neither have seen his glory, that they may declare his glory among the heathen?" From all these considerations, the importance of using the means, and of making the utmost exertions to spread the gospel, is manifested. Come, then, my brethren, to this work of the Lord, and remember that God is a spectator of our conduct.The Lord Jesus Christ knows our works, and has said, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." The way is prepared, in divine providence, to spread the knowledge of Christ, into different quarters of the world. The Church is awaking from her long slumber, and death-like apathy. Numbers are offering themselves to the work of the Lord, ready to devote their lives to his service, and the salvation of perishing souls. We are invited to unite our prayers, for their success, and to aid them with our substance. What a privilege! How good and gracious is our blessed Saviour, that he will accept whatever we do to promote his cause as done to himself ! Have you, my brethren, estimated the worth of one soul ? In the view of its author, it is of more value than a world, and is only to be weighed in the balance of eternity. Consider that there are millions of men without the knowledge of Christ. Can you, with unaffected hearts, behold these self-tortured and de voted victims, suffering under a blind superstition, and, perhaps, perishing through our remisness, and withhold the word of life, which would point them to the cross of Christ, and unfold the wonders of redemption ? What vast sums have been expended to pamper pride, and gratify ambition, and to render men more vicious and miserable ? What is it that we justly prize of the most value? On what does our present peace, or future comfort rest? Whence do we derive hope of eternal life, and felicity for ourselves and our children? Whence, but from the gospel of the grace of God? And will you withhold this heaven-born gift, this one thing needful, from those sitting in darkness, and in the regions of the shadow of death ? See that Temple dedicated to an Idol! Read the inscription: "To the UNKNOWN GOD." Behold the messenger of the Prince of Peace approach the thronged multitude. Hear his address: "Whom ye ignorantly worship, HIM declare I unto you; God, who made the world and all things therein, seeing he is Lord of all, dwelleth not in temples made with hands." Hear VOL. VI. No. 6. Cc |