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Labourers needed in the harvest of Christ. 
 
 A SERMON, 
 
 DELIVERED AT SUTTON, (S. P.) 
 
 MARCH 18, 1812, 
 AS PRELIMINARY TO THE FORMATION 
 
 OF A SOCIETY, 
 
 IN THE 
 
 COUNTY OF WORCESTER, 
 
 FOR THE AID OF 
 
 PIOUS YOUNG MEN, 
 
 WITH A VIEW TO THE MINISTRY. 
 
 BY BENJAMIN WOOD, 
 
 PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN UPTON. 
 
 PRINTED AT WORCESTER, Br ISAAC STURTEFANr. 
 
 SOLD BY ISAIAH THOMAS, Jl'.V. WORCESTER AND BOSTON ■- 
 
 ALSO, BY LINCOLN ^EDMANDS, NO. 53, AND SAMUEL 
 
 T. ARMSTRONG, NO. 50, COHKHII.L, BOSTON j 
 
 AND BY MARK NEWMAN, ANDOVF.n. 
 
 13': 
 

SERMON, 
 
 LUKE x. 2. 
 
 THEREFORE SAID HE UNTO THEM, THE HAR- 
 VEST TRULY IS CREAT, BUT THE LABOUR- 
 ERS ARE FEW • PRAY YE THEREFORE THE 
 LORD OF THE HARVEST, THAT HE WOULD 
 SEND FORTH LABOURERS INTO HIS HAR- 
 VEST. 
 
 i^HRIST is King in Zion. Under 
 this character, he has the sole and exclusive right 
 of calling, and commissioning men to labour for 
 the good of the church ; and to extend the tri- 
 umphs of the cross. Hence those whom he 
 sends into the harvest, on this important business 
 are called his ambassadors, the ministers of the 
 Lord of Hosts. Having sent forth the twelve 
 Apostles, Christ appointed a band of seventy 
 auxilaries to assist them in carrying forward the 
 benevolent purposes of his grace. A great field 
 of missionary labour was before them. They 
 found much work to be done : And were they 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 sufficient to do the whole ? Could they take 
 every stand, that was needful to be taken ? Could 
 they sound the alarm, in the hearing of all who 
 were defiled with sin, and exposed to the wrath 
 of the Lamb? Let us hear the opinion of Christ, 
 and abide by his decision. He declares "The 
 harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few : 
 pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that 
 he would send forth labourers into his harvest." 
 The import of these words is plain, and their 
 application easy. By the harvest is meant the 
 world of mankind, and by the labourers the min- 
 isters of the gospel. With this explanation, we 
 shall proceed to apply them to the present oc- 
 casion, presuming they will not be considered 
 unappropriate. 
 
 This declaration " The harvest is great '," is 
 as true now, as when uttered by Christ. What 
 an immense number of inhabitants is spread 
 over the face of the wqrld ! Though death has 
 continued to triumph over men of every nation, 
 climate, colour, language, and government, yet 
 instead of decreasing, the number has surprising- 
 ly increased. This is very evident. Look into 
 our own country. How have its inhabitants 
 multiplied ! From thousands we have risen to 
 millions. But the number of people, in the 
 United States, is but a little handful, when com- 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 pared to the rest of the world. And the greater 
 part of these unnumbered millions too, are with- 
 out the means of grace. It is believed, from 
 good authority, that in Europe, there are one 
 hundred and thirty seven millions of Mahome- 
 tans, Papists, and Pagans. If we survey Asia, 
 we shall find that moral darkness pervades the 
 most of that immense territory. In that quart&r 
 of the globe, there are, doubtless, not less than 
 six hundred millions of Mahometans and Pa- 
 gans. In Africa, it is judged, that fifty two 
 millions are enveloped in Pagan, and Mahome- 
 tan darkness. And in the North, West, and South 
 of the United States, there is a land, where Satan 
 has for a long time, holden his cruel and 
 bloody empire. Upon a moderate calculation, 
 one hundred and ten millions of the inhabitants 
 are Pagans, and Roman Catholicks. Surely the 
 harvest is great ; but it will appear still greater, 
 if the natural state of mankind is taken into 
 consideration. The scriptures represent all men, 
 in their natural state, as being dead in trespasses 
 and sins — possessing the carnal mind which is 
 enmity against God. This most solemn truth, 
 has been abundantly confirmed, by observation, 
 and experience. Mankind have in all ages, given 
 the most clear and decided proof of their total 
 apostacy from God. This has been given, not 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 only, by the poor heathens, destitute of religious 
 instruction, but even by those, brought up under 
 the glorious light of the gospel. Such have ex- 
 hibited plenary evidence, that they had not the 
 love of God reigning in their hearts. They 
 have made light of the great salvation, which the 
 gospel reveals. Calls, warnings, and invitations 
 have been disregarded. They have invaded the 
 rights of Jehovah, and refused subjection to his 
 righteous government. They have loved them- 
 selves, supremely, and pursued an interest, in 
 opposition to the authority of God, and the best 
 good of his kingdom. This is true of all men, 
 whilst in a natural state, without exception. To 
 characters of this description, Christ observed, 
 11 I know you, that ye have not the love of God 
 in you." Unless sinners experience a change of 
 heart, effected bv the agency of the Holy Ghost, 
 they must die in their sins, and lie down in eter- 
 nal despair. Means and ends are connected, 
 both in the moral, as well, as in the natural 
 world. Thus the ministry of reconciliation, 
 under the government of Christ, is happily 
 adapted to meliorate the moral condition of men, 
 and promote their highest interest. Hence it is 
 infinitely important, that mankind in their fal- 
 len condition, have exhibited before them the 
 true character of God. His revealed pleasure 
 
< 7 ) 
 
 should be shewn, his requirements illustrated, the 
 terms of pardon explained, and the duty of re- 
 pentance urged, by all the motives which can 
 be produced — motives, arising from life and 
 death, blessing and cursing, probation and judg- 
 ment, time and eternity, heaven and hell. " Go 
 ye, said Christ, to the Apostles, into all the 
 world, and preach the gospel to every creature." 
 Go, and preach my gospel in the hearing of per- 
 ishing sinners. The command is limited to no 
 nation. The Apostles understood it thus. With 
 this impression, therefore, upon their minds 
 " they went forth, preaching every zvhere." 
 
 In these regions of sin, there are some who 
 have imbibed the spirit of Christ, and are desir- 
 ing to be fed with the sincere milk of the word. 
 It is necessary, therefore, that sinners are not on- 
 ly, faithfully warned of their danger, and ex- 
 horted to flee from the wrath to come, but, that 
 saints also, be encouraged, to persevere, in the 
 way of holiness, by the great and precious pro- 
 mises of the gospel. They are to be urged, by 
 the solemn injunction of him who said, " Ye 
 are my friends if ye keep my commandments," 
 by the example of Jesus, by the acts of the 
 Apostles, and the sufferings of the Martyrs, to 
 quit themselves like men and be strong. If", 
 then, men must be instructed, if the gospel 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 must be preached to all nations, if sinners must 
 be warned, if churches must be planted, and the 
 ordinances of the gospel administered, what a 
 harvest, my Brethren, is before us, — a harvest, 
 calling for a host of able, and pious labourers, 
 to put in the sickle, and reap down the fields. 
 
 M But the labourers are few." — Were we to 
 confine our views, within the limits of this 
 County, the call for labourers would not appear 
 so urgent and pressing. Great thanks are due 
 to the Lord of the harvest, that he has so gra- 
 ciously noticed this part of the vineyard, and 
 supplied, so generally, Churches with Pastors, 
 and Societies with Teachers. But our views arc 
 not here to be circumscribed. We must look 
 abroad. A great portion of the New-England 
 States is running over to briers and thorns, as- 
 suming the appearance of uncultivated fields in 
 a moral point of light for the want of labourers. 
 It is believed, that upon a moderate calculation, in 
 these States there are six hundred thousand, who 
 ar-e destitute of the stated means of grace. In ma- 
 ny places you will find churches planted, but no 
 Pastors ; Societies, but no Teachers, and multi- 
 tudes who never heard, either a prayer or a ser- 
 mon. We find by reports, made from time to 
 time by missionaries to the Board of missions, 
 that the harvest, is, not only great, but the la- 
 
( 9 ) 
 bourers zxtfew. Calls for missionary aid, are 
 continually increasing ; especially among the 
 new settlements. The Macedonian cry " Come 
 over and help us," with affecting importunity, is 
 heard from different directions. The untutored 
 Tribes of the wilderness, whose souls are pre- 
 cious, and who must shortly appear in judg- 
 ment with the rest of mankind, who enjoy the 
 gospel, have few to point them to the cross of 
 Calvary — to the blood of cleansing. No less 
 affecting is the condition of more than one mil- 
 lion of poor slaves in our own country. How 
 distressing is their situation ! without religious 
 instruction, — human beings, treated more like 
 brutes than like men, and yet destined to the joys 
 of Heaven, or the pains of hell. How long have 
 these miserable creatures been neglected ! O that 
 the time to favour them were come ; that men 
 could be found, who would go and preaych unto 
 them Jesus and the resurrection. But, my 
 Brethren, shall we find labourers equal to the 
 harvest, were we to take a view of that widely 
 extended field across the Atlantic, where dwell 
 the stupid Hottentot, the credulous Hindo, and 
 the wandering Tartar ? There labourers are few. 
 There arc millions, and millions of inhabitants 
 in the eastern world, that have none to break 
 unto them the bread of life. 
 
 B 
 
( io ) 
 
 Bat, my hearers, what shall be done? — Have 
 vvc nothing to do ? Most certainly. Duty is 
 plain. ** Pray ye therefore the Lord of the har- 
 dest, that he would send forth labourers into his 
 harvest." Prayer is a most important and inter- 
 esting duty, devolving on men. The command 
 is "Be careful for nothing, but in every thing 
 by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 
 let your requests be made known unto God." — 
 But does prayer comprise our whole duty? Has 
 the farmer nothing to do in the Spring, but pray 
 that he might have a crop in the Autumn ? Has 
 the mariner, sailing to the Indies, nothing to do, 
 but pray, that his vessel may be conducted, safe- 
 ly, to the place of her destination ? When we 
 see a fellow creature in distress, for food, or rai- 
 ment, have we nothing to do, but pray that his 
 wants may be supplied ? And when we see 
 such a great call for labourers, have we nothing 
 to do, but pray that the Lord of the vineyard 
 would send them forth into his harvest? Yes, 
 my brethren, we have other duties to perform be- 
 sides this. If we ask of Christ any blessing, we 
 ought to use all the necessary means for its at- 
 tainment. Suppose a person were to make this 
 prayer, " Thy kingdom come" he is not to stop 
 here. For duty requires him to pursue such 
 measures, as may appear best adapted to advance 
 
( >■ ) 
 
 the interest of this kingdom. Prayer and good 
 works are united. They go hand in hand. James, 
 an inspired apostle, made this to appear when he 
 said, " Shew me thy faith without thy works, 
 and I will shew thee my faith by my works."— 
 Prayer without works is dead, as well as faith 
 without works. Prayer stimulates to action. — 
 It had this effect upon the Prophets. They nor 
 only prayed much, but did much to promote the 
 cause of Zion. It had the same effect, upon the 
 Apostles. They were ready to travel from place- 
 to place, and from city to city, when the cause of 
 Christ, and the best good of their fellow men re- 
 quired it ; and even, to expose themselves to pe- 
 culiar hardships and trials. The love of Christ 
 constrained them to do and suffer all things for 
 his sake. Whatever exclusive privileges the A- 
 postles enjoyed, yet prayer is the same in spirit 
 and substance in all ages ; and will dispose men 
 to make ardent exertions, for the accomplish- 
 ment of any noble, and important object. 
 
 Considering the immensity of the harvest, and 
 the pressing call for labourers, the formation of 
 a society to assist pious y indigent young men o* 
 promising talents to a suitable education, with 
 a view to the christian ministry, is contemplated 
 Many difficulties may be started, and even ob- 
 jections made to the proposed object ; but be- 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 fore resolution they will disappear like the morn- 
 ing dew before the rising sun. Motives power- 
 ful to justify an attempt to form such a society, 
 as what is now proposed, are at hand. Permit 
 me, then, to call the attention of this auditory to 
 a few, which may be considered the most pro- 
 minent. 
 
 It is worthy of consideration, that there arc 
 men, who probably would be highly useful in 
 the christian ministry, if they had means to de- 
 fray the expense of an education, to qualify 
 themselves, for this important work. They 
 know not what to do. They dare not go for- 
 ward, for they see no way to accomplish the ob- 
 ject. Thus their talents lie buried, and their use- 
 fulness in a great measure is lost to the church 
 and society for the want of a little assistance. 
 Now a society, formed upon the plan proposed, 
 if it were to meet with success from the christian 
 publick, would be enabled to take such young 
 men under their patronage, and afford them pe- 
 cuniary aid. There are others of a like descrip- 
 tion, who, after surmounting many difficulties, 
 obtain the honours of College. But still they 
 are trammeled with embarrassments. The force 
 of this moral precept is felt by them, in all its 
 weight, " Pay thy debts " What can they do ? 
 Their Theological studies for a time must now 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 be suspended, and a stand taken in a school, or 
 in some other business, to enable them to dis- 
 charge their contracts. Accordingly, they are 
 not introduced into the field of harvest, so 
 soon, as they might have been, were it not for 
 their embarrassed situation. Or should they en- 
 ter upon a regular course of studies with a view to 
 the ministry, before they are in a measure reliev- 
 ed, they would still feel a weight, which would 
 serve greatly to depress their spirits, and injure 
 their usefulness, perhaps, through life. And 
 besides, are not those, who have been accustom- 
 ed to hardships, the very men that are now 
 wanted as missionaries ? Ministers, and espe- 
 cially missionaries must expect to meet with 
 perils, discouragements, and disappointments. 
 Men, brought up in affluent circumstances, and 
 unaccustomed to fatigue, cannot endure hardships 
 like those, educated in the school of adversity. — 
 The latter, not only know what it is to be in 
 want, but they know, also, what it is to be de- 
 pendent for support. And the various changes 
 through which they have passed, have prepared 
 them to endure hardness as good soldiers of 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 Further, is not the object contemplated benev- 
 olent ? The appeal is made to christians — 
 it is made to all who are disposed to reason and 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 reflect. Does it not wear a most friendly aspect 
 in favour of the Church of God ? In favour of 
 perishing multitudes ? And in favour of society 
 in general ? In this way, some churches may be 
 supplied with pastors, some sinners brought 
 home to Christ, and some destructive errors, 
 which are now prevailing, receive a fatal check. 
 The people in new settlements are greatly ex- 
 posed to be misled ; and especially, the rising 
 generation. Many are going about under the 
 character of teachers, who need teaching them- 
 selves, — declaiming against the peculiar doc- 
 trines of grace, dividing society into parties, 
 — speaking against a learned ministry, — and 
 against the order of churches. This is a great 
 evil ; and it is most seriously felt in many places. 
 Is it not benevolent to make exertions to sup- 
 press the progress of such destructive conse- 
 quences ? If the object now proposed be car- 
 ried into effect, it will help to form a barrier 
 against this great evil. For the number would 
 be multiplied, who would be able " by sound 
 doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gain- 
 sayers." In giving existence to such a society, 
 we hope suspicion will not consider it, a political 
 combination. We solemnly disclaim, in this 
 publick manner, all party purposes whatever. 
 Instead of opposing, we are uniting with mission- 
 
( «5 ) 
 ary establishments. We heartily wish them suc- 
 cess. And as an evidence too, and in zeal for the 
 common cause, we are calling togetherour strength 
 for the purpose of educating pious, indigent 
 young men, with a view to the christian ministry ; 
 and who, when qualified for the arduous work, 
 may go forth, trusting in Israel's God, as David 
 met the champion of Gath. Our object we trust, 
 ultimately respects the glory of God, the cause of 
 Christ, and the salvation of sinners. If so, ir is 
 benevolent, and therefore ou^ht to be encour- 
 aged. 
 
 We observe again, To assist the poor is not 
 only commanded, but is essential to true religion. 
 Obedience to the divine commands must be uni- 
 versal. That man's religion is defective, who 
 pretends to heed one command, but disregards 
 another equally binding. It is therefore asserted, 
 " Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet 
 offend in one point he is guilty of all." That 
 love which will make no sacrifices, when duty- 
 calls is no better than " sounding brass, or a 
 tinkling cymbol." What saith the scripture? — 
 " If a brother or a sister be naked, and destitute 
 of daily food, and one of you say unto them, de- 
 part in peace, be you warmed and filled, what 
 doth it profit? Whoso hath this world's good, 
 and seeth his brother have need, and shuttcth up 
 
( 16 ) 
 
 the bowels of compassion from him " How 
 dwelleth the love of God in him?" If Divine 
 Providence confer property on men, it is always 
 accompanied with this injunction, " That they 
 do good, that they be rich in good works, ready 
 to distribute, willing to communicate." It is in 
 the power of such to discharge some of the most 
 delightful offices of human life. They can give 
 to the needy, comfort the distressed, and aid be- 
 nevolent institutions, by opening their hands with 
 generous liberality. And where there are ability 
 and a call for acts of munificence, negligence is an 
 open violation of the precepts of both tables of 
 the law. 
 
 The great things which are now in operation 
 to promote the cause of Christ, and the success 
 which appears to accompany the adopted means, 
 afford encouragement to proceed in the object be- 
 fore us. The period in which we live is truly 
 eventful. Christians seem to be roused from 
 their slumbers, and unprecedented exertions are 
 making to publish to all nations the gospel of 
 Christ. The means now in operation, for the 
 accomplishment of this most desirable event, are 
 truly noticeable. Who can look on without as- 
 tonishment ! Glory beams from the cross, and 
 dazzling splendour excites admiration! Bible, 
 Missionary, and Tract societies are formed — 'these 
 
( 17 ) 
 
 are streams which water the heritage of God. — 
 In exertions, for disseminating divine truth, we 
 are not alone. In the eastern world, the protes- 
 tants of Europe are awake to missionary interests. 
 
 The happy effects of these numerous societies, 
 formed in different parts of Christendom have 
 corresponded in some good degree, with the sac- 
 rifices which have been made. Whilst the friends 
 of Christ have been planting, the Lord of the 
 harvest, has been pleased to give the increase — 
 " working with them, and confirming the word 
 with signs following." Now in view of these 
 things, we are called upon, with impressive em- 
 phasis, to unite exertion with prayer and be ready 
 to stand in our lot. Shall we not lay one stone, 
 or drive one pin in this building? Shall we look 
 on as idle spectators, whilst we see the friends of 
 God so generally labouring? Rather, let us unite 
 with them, and feel ourselves bound by every tie, 
 to serve God, with all our talents, and with all 
 our strength. 
 
 If we attend to the predictions, respecting the 
 kingdom ot Christ, and the spread of the gospel, 
 we are furnished with an additional motive, stirn 
 ulating to action. The rising glory of Christ's 
 kingdom, and the universal spread of his gospel 
 are things foretold in scripture. In this both the 
 Old and New Testaments perfectly agree. There 
 
( i8 ) 
 
 is a d<\y corning, when the Church shall emerge 
 from obscurity, and put on her beautiful gar- 
 ments — when the gospel shall be preached to all 
 the nations of the world. This is what we are 
 to expect according to prophesy. For it is de- 
 clared, " He shall see the travail of his soul and be 
 satisfied. Ask of me, and I will give thee the he a- 
 then for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts 
 of the earth for thy possession — All the ends of 
 the earth shall see the salvation of God." 
 
 But, my brethren, how is this to be accom- 
 plished ? Are we looking for miracles ? Are we 
 to sit still, and expect some providential interpo- 
 sition, like the sun, standing still upon Gibeon, 
 and the moon in the valley of Ajalon ? God is 
 able to carry forward the benevolent purposes of 
 his grace in this way, but we are not to expect it. 
 He works by means. If the kingdom of Christ 
 is to spread through all nations, the agency of 
 man is to be employed in accomplishing it. If 
 the standard of the cross is to be erected at Hin- 
 dostan, money must be raised, a vessel fitted out, 
 and missionaries must hazard their lives in the 
 attempt . * ' How shall they hear without a preach- 
 er f % * The dispensation of the word is the estab- 
 lished mean for converting sinners. Human ef- 
 forts are concerned, in the works of Providence, 
 :ind are they to be excluded in the most impor- 
 
( '9 ) 
 tant of all — in the spread of the gospel, and in 
 the erection of Churches among those throngs of 
 miserable pilgrims who are devoting themselves 
 to the impure and sanguinary worship of Jugger- 
 naut ? No, the earth shall help the woman. God 
 can press into his service, whatever means he 
 pleases. And he is now mustering his hosts. See 
 what is taking place. Kingdoms are shaking. 
 Thrones are tottering. Heralds are going forth 
 in many directions, "To proclaim the acceptable 
 year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of 
 our God." The various nations of India, are re- 
 ceiving the word of God, translated into their 
 languages. In this way, God will establish his 
 kingdom, from the " River even to the ends of 
 the earth." When therefore we consider that 
 means and ends are connected, we are furnished 
 with a weighty motive co go on, and leave the is- 
 sue with the Lord of the harvest. 
 
 One motive more remains, yet to be added, 
 which is the reward. He, who gives to the poor, 
 or for the purpose of aiding any benevolent ob- 
 ject from pious motives, will receive a reward ; 
 not on the footing of debt, but of grace. It i ; 
 therefore declared, the liberal soul shall be made 
 fat, and he that watereth, shall be watered also 
 himself. Giveandit shall be given unto you.' 5 
 — " He, that hath pity on the poor lendeth imtq 
 
( 20 ) 
 
 the Lord, and that which he hath given will he 
 pay him again." " He that giveth to the poor 
 shall not lack." " There is that scattereth and 
 yet increaseth. " The widow, casting in her two 
 mites into the treasury of the Lord, will be gra- 
 ciously noticed in the great day of accounts. Ev- 
 ery cent, given with a temper of mind, corres- 
 ponding to the spirit of the gospel will be care- 
 fully registered in the records of heaven. A re- 
 ward is promised to the lowest act of benevo- 
 lence — even, to giving of a cup of cold water! 
 O then what a rich, and lasting reward is reserv- 
 ed for such, as give much, and do much for the 
 promotion of the cause of Christ in the world. 
 For them, are reserved in store, crowns of distin- 
 guished brightness, ensigns of everlasting hon- 
 our. In serving Chirst, and the souls of men, 
 they are serving themselves; and in promoting 
 the interests of others, they most effectual ad- 
 vance their own. 
 
 The motives exhibited in view of the object 
 of the present meeting, are now submitted for 
 your consideration. If they have any weight, it 
 is presumed, you will act under their influence. 
 The impottant question in a few moments is to 
 be decided, shall a society be formed. 
 God, and Christ, Angels and men, will witness 
 the decision. It is hoped the result will be such, 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 as will bear the inspection of the last great day. 
 Should a society be formed, having for its object 
 the glory of God, in assisting pious, indigent 
 young men to an education, for the christian 
 ministry, its success will greatly depend on your 
 exertions. To you, therefore, my Brethren 
 and Friends, we look. And we look, with high 
 expectations, that you are ready to second the 
 object. We ask not for ourselves, but for young 
 men whose hearts glow with all the ardour of 
 holy zeal — for young men, who are anxiously de- 
 siring an education, that they might enter with 
 others into the harvest, but see no way to obtain 
 it. In asking for them we ask for Christ. f< In 
 as much, as ye have done it unto one of the 
 least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto 
 me.'* Shall the Saviour, then, be denied ? Did 
 he deny you ? Did he shut up his bowels of 
 compassion, when you were poor and helpless ? 
 Go to the manger, go to the garden, go to the 
 summit of Calvary, and see what Jesus hath done. 
 He who was rich became poor. Here is an 
 exhibition of amazing charity. M Let the same 
 mind be in you which was also in Christ." All 
 have something to do. If all have not pro- 
 perty to give ; then such as have not must aid 
 the object, by their counsels, by their prayers, 
 and by their examples, Shall support be deni- 
 
( 22 
 
 cd ? What is money when put in competition 
 with the salvation of sinners ? All the riches of 
 the world would be a price inadequate to redeem 
 one when lost. Now a few dollars, thus appro- 
 priated, may be a mean in the hand of God of 
 saving multitudes from the pit of destruction, 
 and of enriching their souls with never ending 
 triumphs. " Behold what a great matter a little 
 fire kindleth !" If, then, the harvest is great, if 
 labourers are wanted, if the souls of men are 
 precious, if the honour of Christ is an object of 
 our desire, and if we wish to lift up the standard 
 in the defence of truth, let us, this day erect 
 a monument of our zeal, which may be had in 
 lasting remembrance when we may be sleeping 
 in the dust. 
 
 As it respects us, as it respects this congrega- 
 tion, your opportunities for doing good, will 
 soon be at an end. If, therefore, you have any 
 thing to do, if you have any thing to give for 
 the actual advancement of the glorious cause of 
 Christ, be pleased to do it quickly. For the 
 Kings business requireth haste. It will be a dis- 
 tinguished honour to be employed, as instru- 
 ments in gathering into the kingdom of Christ 
 a rich harvest of souls. Under so pleasing an 
 impression, we would now commit ourselves, 
 and the cause to the direction of him, who is 
 
( *3 ) 
 
 Lord of the harvest ; believing that he who sows, 
 and, he who reaps will rejoice together ; in that 
 kingdom which hath foundations, whose builder 
 and maker is God. 
 
 
Q '