AN 
 
 
 ENQUIRY 
 
 OBLIGATIONS OF CHRISTIANS, 
 
 TO USE MEANS 
 
 FOR THE CONVERSION 
 
 In which the religious State of the difierent. Nations of the Wor^, 
 the Success of former Undertakings, and the Practicahility 
 of further Undertakings, are considered. 
 
 BY WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. 
 
 professor of the Sungikritt, Mahraita, and Bengalee Languages, in the 
 College of Fort William, and one of the Baptist Missionaries. 
 
 “ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek ; for the same 
 Lord over all, is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call 
 on the name of the Lord, shall be saved. How then shall they call on him, 
 in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him of whom 
 they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a Preacher ? and how 
 tehail they preach except they be sent ?’* Paul. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PUBLISHED BY BUTTON AND SON, PATERNOSTER- ROW ; 
 
 AND SOLD BY 
 
 T. INKERSLBY, BRADFORD ; ROBINSON AND CO. AND G. WILSON; 
 LEEDS ; HOLDEN, HALIFAX ; COOMB E, LEICESTER : J. JAMES, 
 BRISTOL; AND AI.L OTHER BOOKSELLERS, 
 
 1818 , 
 

 '1 
 
 I 
 
 T* Inkersley, Pxinteii Biadfoid. 
 
ADFERTISEMENT. 
 
 The following Essay was Dr. Carey’s first publication. The 
 MS. was read by Dr. C. at the Baptist Association at Clipstone, in 
 Northamptonshire, in 1791 — printed by the desire of that Associa- 
 tion, and by its publication materially aided in the formation of 
 the Baptist Missionary Society. This Society originated with Dr. 
 Carey, and was formed at Kettering, Northamptonshire, Oct. 2, 
 1792. Dr. Carey was born Aug. 17, 1761 : resided at Hackleton : 
 was baptized by Dr. Ryland, Oct. 5, 1783, and after a while join- 
 ed the church at Olney, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John 
 Sutcliff, A.M. by which church he was sent into the ministry. Ho 
 came to Moulton, a village four miles from Northampton, in 1786. 
 Went to Leicester in July, 1789, and was ordained Pastor of the 
 Church-meeting, in Harvey-lane, in that town. May 24, 1791. In 
 this situation ho continued till June 13th, 1793, when he embarked 
 for India, as a Missionary, in company with the Rev.John Thomas. 
 In 1794, settled at Malda, in India; and in 1799, removed to Se- 
 ranipore. In that place, houses have been purchased by Dr. Carey, 
 Dr. Marshman, and Mr. Ward, for residences, and for setting up 
 sixteen printing-presses, which are all at present employed in 
 printing the Holy Scriptures; which have been translated, or are 
 in a course of translation, into forty-two languages. Ten Baptist 
 churches have been established in India. Upwards of twelve hundred 
 persons have been baptized, chiefly natives, on a profession of their 
 faith in the Lord Jesus. Twenty-five native Indians are employed as 
 preachers. A large number of native schools are established ; in 
 which several thousands of Indian children are taught to read the 
 Scriptures, and to write. Dr. Carey is the Professor of the Ben- 
 galee, Mahratta, and Sungskrit Languages, in the College of Fort- 
 
IV. 
 
 William. He, Dr. Marshroan, and Mr. Ward, have contributed (we 
 have reason to think) not less than ^£3000. per annum to the sup- 
 port of the Mission, from their own private emoluments. Besides 
 the above ten churches there are ten or twelve dififereut stations 
 occupied regularly by the Missionaries in preaching : and many 
 thousand copies of the Bible are in circulation. 
 
 Were Dr. Carey to write the Essay at this time, which is now 
 reprinted, no doubt he would find occasion to alter some parts of it ; 
 particularly the Table in Section III. But we present this work to 
 the world as a specimen of what Dr. Carey was, when he laboured 
 under every disadvantage, not what he could do at present. And 
 we doubt not but many of his friends will be glad to see the Doc- 
 tor in his first dress. 
 
 The Reader will bear in mind, that the Independent, and 
 Church Missionary Societies, were not in existence till some years 
 after the Baptist Missionary Society was formed. This will ac- 
 count for some paragraphs in this work, where the Author com- 
 plains of the few Missionary exertions then made in the world. 
 
 Shipley, Aug. 13, 1818, 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 ->*<■- 
 
 AS our blessed Lord has required us to pray that his 
 kingdom may come, and his will be done on earth as it is 
 ill heaten, it becomes us not only to express our desires of 
 that event by words, but to use every lawful method to 
 spread the knowledge of that will. In order to this, it 
 is necessary that we should become in some measure ac- 
 quainted with the religious state of the world-, and as 
 this is an object we should be prompted to pursue, not 
 only by the gospel of our Redeemer, hut even by the 
 feelings oj humanity ; so an inclination to conscien- 
 tious activity therein would form one of the strong- 
 est proofs that we are the subjects of grace, and par- 
 takers of that spirit of universal benevolence and 
 genuine philanthropy, which appear so eminent in the 
 character of God himself. 
 
 Sin was introduced amongst the children of men by 
 the fall of Adam, and has ever since been spreading 
 its baneful influence. By changing its appearances to suit 
 the circumstances of the times, it has grown up in ten 
 thousand forms, and constantly counteracted the will and 
 designs of God. One would have supposed that the re- 
 membrance of the deluge would have been transmitted 
 from father to son, and have perpetually deterred man- 
 kind from transgressing the will of their Maker ^ but so 
 A 3 
 
VI, 
 
 blinded were they, that in the time of Abraham, gross 
 wickedness prevailed wherever colonies were planted, and 
 the iniquity of the Amorites was great, though not yet 
 full. After this, idolatry spread more and more, till the 
 seven devoted nations were cut off with the most signal 
 marks of divine displeasure. Still, however, the progress 
 of evil was not stopped, h7U the Israelites themselves too 
 often joined with the rest of mankind against the God of 
 Israel. In one period the grossest ignorance and bar- 
 barism prevailed in the world; and afterwards, in a more 
 enlightened age, the most daring infidelity, and contempt 
 of God; so that the world which was once over-run with 
 ignorance, now by wisdom knew not God, but changed 
 the glory of the incorruptible God as nnich as in the 
 most barbarous ages, into an image made like to cor- 
 ruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, 
 and creeping things, l^ay, as they increaseed in science 
 and politeness, they ran into more abicndant and extra- 
 vagant idolatries. 
 
 Yet God repeatedly made knownhis intention to pre- 
 vail finally over all the power of the devil, -to destroy 
 all his works, to set up his own kingdom and interest among 
 men, and to extend it as universally as Satan had ex- 
 tended his. It was for this purpose that the Messiah 
 came and died, that God might be just, and the justifier 
 of all that should believe in him. When he had laid 
 down his life, and taken it up agcdn, he sent forth his 
 disciples to preach the gospel to every creature, and to 
 endeavour by all possible methods to bring over a lost world 
 to God. They event according to their divine conunission, 
 and wonderful success attended their labours; the civiliz- 
 
Vll. 
 
 ed Greeks, and uncivilized Barbarians, each yielded to the 
 Cross of Christ, and embraced it as the only way of sal- 
 vation. Since the apostolic age many other attempts to 
 spread the gospel have been made, which have been con- 
 siderably successful, notwithstanding which a very large 
 proportion of mankind are still involved in all the dark- 
 ness of heathenism. Some attempts are still making, but 
 they are inconsiderable in comparison of what might be 
 done, if the whole body of Christians entered heartily into 
 the spirit of the divine command on this subject. Some 
 think little about it, others are unacquainted with the 
 state of the world, and others love their wealth better than 
 the souls of their fellow creatures, 
 
 III order that the subject may be taken into more seri- . 
 ous consideration, I shall enquire, whether the commission 
 given by our Lord to his disciples be not still binding on 
 us, — take a short view of former undertakings, — give 
 some account of the present state of the world , — consider 
 the practicability of doing something more than is done, and 
 the duty of Christians in general in this matter. 
 
AJV ENQUIRY 
 
 INTO 
 
 is^bUsatioiis at Cijristiaus, 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 Enquiry whether the Commission given hj our Lord 
 to his Disciples be not still binding on us. 
 
 Our Lord Jesus Christ, a little before his de- 
 parture, commissioned his apostles to Go, and 
 teach all nations ; or, as another evangelist ex- 
 presses it. Go into all the world, and preach the 
 gospel to every creature. This coramissiou was 
 as extensive as possible, and laid them under 
 obligations to disperse themselves into every 
 country of the habitable globe, and preach to 
 all the inhabitants of the world, without excep- 
 tion, or limitation. They accordingly went forth, 
 in obedience to the command, and the power 
 of God evidently wrought with them. Many 
 attempts of the same kind have been made since 
 their day, and which have been attended with 
 various success; but the work has not been taken 
 up, or pro.secuted of late years (except by a few 
 individuals) with that zeal and perseverance 
 with which the primitive Christians attempted 
 it. It seems as if many thought the commission 
 
Into the Obligatiojis of Christians. 9 
 
 was sulBciently put in execution by what the 
 apostles and others have done ; that we have 
 enough to do to attend to the salvation of our 
 own countrymen ; and that, if God intends the 
 salvation of the Heathen, he will some way or 
 other bring them to the gospel, or the gospel to 
 them. It is thus that multitudes sit at ease, and 
 give themselves no concern about the far greater 
 part of their fellow-sinners, who to this day, are 
 lost in ignorance and idolatry. There seems 
 also to be an opinion existing in the minds of 
 some, that because the apostles were extraordi- 
 nary officers, and have no proper successors, 
 and because many things which were right for 
 them to do, would be utterly unwarrantable for 
 us, therefore it may not be immediately binding' 
 on us to execute tbe commission, though it was 
 so upon them. To the consideration of such 
 persons I would offer the following observations: 
 
 First. If the command of Christ to teach all 
 nations be restricted to the apostles, or those 
 under the immediate inspiration of the Holy 
 Ghost, then that of baptizing should be so too ; 
 and every denomination of Christians, except the 
 Quakers, do wrong in baptizing with water at 
 all. 
 
 Secondly. If the command of Christ to teach 
 all nations be confined to the apostles, then all 
 such ordinary ministers who have endeavoured 
 to carry the gospel to the Heathens, have acted 
 without a warrant, and run, before they were 
 sent. Yea, and though God has promised the 
 most glorious things to the Heathen world, by 
 sending his gospel to them ; yet, whoever goes 
 first, or indeed at all, with that message, unless 
 he have a new and special commission from hea- 
 ven, must go without any authority. 
 
 Thirdly. If the command of Christ to teach 
 all nations extends only to the apostles, then, 
 
10 Enquiry 
 
 doubtless, the promise of the divine presence in 
 this work must be so limited ; but this is ex- 
 pressed in such a manner as entirely precludes 
 such an idea. JLo, I am, with you always, to 
 the end of the world. 
 
 That there are cases in which even a divine 
 command may cease to be binding is admitted. 
 As for instance, if it be repealed, as the cere- 
 monial commandments of the Jewish law ; or if 
 there be no subjects in the world for the com- 
 manded act to be exercised upon, as in the law 
 of septennial release, which might be dispensed 
 with when there should be no poor in the land 
 to have their debts forgiven, Deut. xv. 4 ; or if, 
 in any particular instance, we can produce a 
 counter revelation, of equal authority with the 
 original command, as when Paul and Silas were 
 forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word 
 in Bythinia, Acts xvi, 6, 7; or if, in any case, 
 there be a natural impossibility of putting it in 
 execution. It was not the duty of Paul to 
 preach Christ to the inhabitants of Otaheite, 
 because no such place was then discovered, nor 
 had he any means of coming at them. But none 
 of these things can be alledged by us in behalf 
 of the neglect of the commission given by 
 Christ. We cannot say that it is repealed, like 
 the commands of the ceremonial law ; nor can 
 we plead that there are no objects for the com- 
 mand to be exercised upon. Alas ! the far 
 greater part of the world, as we shall see pre- 
 sently, is still covered with Heathen darkness ! 
 Nor can we produce a counter-revelation, con- 
 cerning any particular nation, like that to Paul 
 and Silas, concerning Bythinia ; and, if we 
 could, it would not warrant our sitting still, and 
 neglecting' all the other parts of the world ; for 
 Paul and Silas, when forbidden to preach to 
 those Heathens, went elsevthere, and preached 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 1 1 
 
 to others. Neither caa we allege a natural im- 
 possibility in the case. It has been said, that 
 we ought not to force our way, but to wait for 
 the openings, and leadings of Providence ; but 
 it might with equal propriety be answered in this 
 case, neither ought we to neglect to embrace those 
 openings in Providence, which daily present 
 themselves to us. What openings in Providence 
 do we wait for? We can neither expect to be 
 transported into the Heathen world vvithout or- 
 dinary means, or to be endowed with the gift of 
 tongues, when we arrive there. These would 
 not be providential interpositions, but miraculous 
 ones. Where a command exists, nothing can 
 be necessary to render it binding, but a removal 
 of those obtacles which render obedience im- 
 possible, and these are removed already. Na- 
 tural impossibility can never be pleaded, so long 
 as facts exist to prove the contrary. Have not 
 the Popish missionaries surmounted all those 
 difficulties which we have generally thought to 
 be insuperable? Have not the missionaries of 
 the Unitas Fratrum, or Moravian Brethren, 
 encountered the scorching heat of Abyssinia, 
 and the frozen climes of Greenland, and Labra- 
 dor, their difficult languages, and savage man- 
 ners? Or, have not English traders, for the 
 sake of gain, surmounted all those things which 
 have generally been counted insurmountable ob- 
 stacles in the way of preaching the gospel ? 
 Witness the trade to Persia, the East- Indies, 
 China, and Greenland ; yea, even the accursed 
 Slave-Trade on the coasts of Africa. Men can 
 insinuate themselves into the favour of the most 
 barbarous clans, and uncultivated tribes, for the 
 sake of gain : and how different soever the cir- 
 cumstances of trading and preaching are, yet 
 this will prove the possibility of ministers being 
 introduced there ; and if this is but thought a 
 
12 An Enquiry 
 
 sufficient reason to make the experiment, my 
 point is gained. 
 
 It has been said, that some learned divines 
 have proved from Scripture, that the time is not 
 yet come, that the Heathen should be convert- 
 ed ; and that first the witnesses must be slain, 
 and many other prophecies fulfilled. But ad- 
 mitting this to be the case, (which 1 much 
 doubt"^) yet if any objection is made from this 
 against preaching to them immediately, it must 
 be founded on one of these things; either that 
 the secret purpose of God is the rule of our 
 duty, and then it must be as improper to pray 
 for them, as to preach to them ; or else that 
 none shall be converted in the Heathen world, 
 till the universal out-pouring of the Spirit in 
 the last days. But this objection comes too late, 
 for the success of the gospel has been very con- 
 siderable in many places already. 
 
 It has been objected, that there are multitudes 
 in our own nation, and within our immediate 
 spheres of action, who are as ignorant as the 
 South-Sea savages, and that therefore we have 
 work enough at home, without going into other 
 countries. That there are thousands in our own 
 land as far from God as possible, I readily grant, 
 and that this ought to excite us to tenfold dili- 
 gence in our work, and in attempts to spread 
 divine knowledge among them, is a certain fact; 
 but that it ought to supersede all attempts to 
 spread the gospel in foreign parts, seems to want 
 proof. Our own countrymen have the means of 
 grace, and may attend on the word preached if 
 they choose. They have the means of knowing 
 the truth, and faithful ministers are placed in 
 abiiost every part of the land, whose spheres of 
 action might be much extended, if their con- 
 
 • See Edwards on Prayer, on this subject, lately re-printed bjr 
 Mr. SutclifT. 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians, 13 
 
 gregations were but more hearty and active in 
 the cause : but with the Heathen, the case is 
 widely different, wh.o have no Bible, no written 
 language, (which many of them have not,) no 
 ministers, no good civil government, nor any of 
 those advantages which we have. Pity, there- 
 fore, humanity, and much more Christianity, 
 call loudly for every possible exertion to intro- 
 duce the gospel amongst them. 
 
 SECT. tl. 
 
 Containing a short Review of former Undertakings far 
 the Conversion of the Heathen. 
 
 Before the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 the whole world were either Heathens, or Jews; 
 and both, as to the body of them, were enemies 
 to the gospel. After the resurrection, the dis- 
 ciples continued in Jerusalem till Pentecost. 
 Being daily engaged in prayer and supplication, 
 and having chosen Matthias to supply the place 
 of Judas in the apostolic office, on that solemn 
 day, when they were all assembled together, a 
 most remarkable effusion of the Holy Spirit 
 took place, and a capacity of speaking in all 
 foreign languages was bestowed upon them. 
 This opportunity was embraced by Peter, for 
 preaching the gospel to a great congregation 
 of Jews and proselytes, who were from Parthia, 
 Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappado- 
 cia, the proconsular Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, 
 Egypt, Lybia, Crete, Arabia, and Rome, and 
 B 
 
H 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 at the first effort God wrought ao powerfully, 
 that three thousand were converted, who imme- 
 diately after were baptized, and added to the 
 church. Before this great addition, they consist- 
 ed of about an hundred and twenty persons, 
 but from that time they continually increased. 
 It was but a little after this, that Peter and John, 
 going up to the temple, healed the lame man : 
 this miracle drew a great multitude together, and 
 Peter took occasion, while they stood won- 
 dering at the event, to preach Jesus Christ to 
 them. The consequence was, that five thousand 
 more believed. 
 
 This was not done without opposition ; the 
 Priests and Sadducees tried all the methods they 
 could devise, to prevent them from preaching 
 the gospel. The Apostles, however, asserted 
 their divine warrant ; and as soon as they were 
 set at liberty, addressed God, and prayed that 
 a divine power might attend their labours, which 
 petition was heard, and their future ministry 
 was very successful. On accout of their neces- 
 sities who were engaged in this good work, 
 those amongst them who had possessions, or 
 goods, sold them, and devoted the money to 
 pious uses. 
 
 About this time, a man and his wife from 
 great pretensions to piety, sold an estate, and 
 brought part of the money to the apostles, pre- 
 tending it to be the whole ; for which dissimula- 
 tion both he and his wife were struck dead by 
 the hand of God. This awful catastrophe, how- 
 ever, was the occasion of many more men and 
 women being added to the church. The mira- 
 cles wrought by the Apostles, and the success 
 attending their ministry, stirred up greater envy 
 in the Priests and Sadducees, who imprisoned 
 them ; from which confinement they were soon 
 liberated by an angel ; upon which, they went 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 15 
 
 immediately as they were commanded, and 
 preached in the temple : here they were seized 
 and brought before the council, where Gamaliel 
 spake in their favour, and they were dismissed* 
 After this, they continued to prosecute their 
 work, rejoicing that they were counted worthy 
 to suffer shame for the name of Christ. 
 
 By this time, the church at Jerusalem was so 
 increased, that the multiplicity of its temporal 
 concerns was the occasion of some neglects, 
 which produced a dissatisfaction. The apostles, 
 therefore, recommended to the church to choose 
 seven pious men, whose office it should be to at- 
 tend upon its temporal affairs, that they might 
 give themselves to prayer, and the ministry of the 
 word. Seven were accordingly chosen, over 
 whom the apostles prayed, and ordained them 
 to the office of Deacons by the imposition of 
 bands : and these things being settled, the 
 church increased more and more. One of these 
 Deacons, whose name was Stephen, being a 
 person of eminent knowledge and holiness, 
 wrought many miracles, and disputed with great 
 evidence and energy for the truth of Christiani- 
 ty, which raised him up a number of opponents. 
 These soon procured his death, and carried their 
 resentment so far as to stir up such a persecution, 
 that the church, which till now had been con- 
 fined to Jerusalem, was dispersed, and all the 
 preachers, except the apostles, were driven 
 thence, and went every where preaching the 
 word. 
 
 A young naan, whose name was Saul, was 
 very active in this persecution ; he had been 
 educated under Gamaliel, a member of the 
 Sanhedrim, was a person of promising genius, 
 by profession a Pharisee, and much attached to 
 the Jewish ceremonies. When Stephen was 
 stoned, he appeared much pleased with it, and 
 
16 An Enquiry 
 
 liad the custody of the clothes of his executioni- 
 crs; and from that time, was fired with such a 
 spirit of persecution himself, that he went about 
 draggiug some to prison, and compelling others 
 to blaspheme the name of the Lord Jesus. 
 Neither was he contented with exercising his 
 • jage at Jerusalem, but went to the chief priests, 
 and obtained testimonials of authority to carry 
 on the same work at Damascus. But on his 
 way, as he was almost ready to enter into the 
 city, the Lord changed his heart in a very won- 
 derful manner ; so that instead of entering the 
 city to persecute, he began to preach the gospel 
 as soon as he was able. This presently brought 
 upon him the same persecution, in which he had 
 designed to involve others, and even endangered 
 his life, so that the brethren found it necessary 
 to let him down from the city wall in a basket 
 by night, and so he escaped the hands of his 
 enemies. From thence he went to Jerusalem, 
 where he preached the word, but beingpersecuted 
 he went to Cesarea, and from thence to Tarsus. 
 
 In the time of this trouble in the church, 
 Philip went and preached in Samaria “with great 
 success, and so great was the work, that an im- 
 postor, who had deceived the people with leger- 
 demain tricks for a long time, was so amazed, 
 and even convinced, as to profess himself a 
 Christian, and was baptized; but was afterwards 
 detected, and appeared to be an hypocrite. 
 Besides him, a great number believed in reality, 
 and being baptized, a church was formed there. 
 Soon after this, the Lord commanded Philip to 
 go the way which led from Jerusalem to Gaza, 
 which he did, and there found an Eunuch, of 
 great authority in the court of Ethiopia, to 
 whom he preached Christ, who believed, and 
 was baptized ; after which, Philip preached at 
 Ashdod, or Azotus. 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians, 17 
 
 About the same time Peter went to Lydda, 
 or Diospolis, and cured Eneas of a palsy, which 
 was a mean of the conversion, not only of the 
 inhabitants of that town, but also of the neigh- 
 bouring country, called Saron, the capital of 
 which was Lasharon; and while he was there, 
 a circumstance presented itself which tended 
 much to the spread of the truth. A woman of 
 Joppa, a sea port town in the neighbourhood, 
 dying, they sent to Lydda for Peter, who went 
 over, and when he had prayed, she was raised 
 to life again; which was an occasion of the con- 
 version of many in that town. Peter continued 
 there preaching for some time, and lodged at 
 the house of a tanner. 
 
 Another circumstance also tended to the fur- 
 ther propagation of Christianity; for a Roman 
 military officer who had some acquaintance with 
 the Old Testament Scriptures, but was not cir- 
 cumcised, was one day engaged in prayer in bis 
 house at Cesarea, when an angel appeared to 
 him, and bid him send for Peter from Joppa to 
 preach in his house. Before this time, the work 
 of God had been wholly confined to the Jews, and 
 Jewish proselytes, and even the apostles appeared 
 to have had very contracted ideas of the Chris- 
 tian dispensation; but now God by a vision dis- 
 covered to Peter that Christianity was to b« 
 spread into all nations. He accordingly went 
 and preached in the house of Cornelius, at 
 Cesarea, when several were converted, and bap- 
 tized, and the foundation of a church laid in 
 that city. 
 
 Some of the dispersed ministers having fled to 
 Antioch, in Syria, began to preach to the Greeks 
 in that city, about the same time, and had good 
 success; upon which the apostles sent Paul and 
 Barnabas, who instructed and- strengthened 
 them, and a church was formed in that city also, 
 
] 8 An Enquiry 
 
 which ia a little time sent out several emineut 
 preachers. 
 
 In the Acts of the apostles we have an account 
 oi four of the principal journeys which Paul 
 and his companions undertook. The first, in 
 which he was accompanied by Barnabas, is re- 
 corded in the xiii. and xiv. chapters, and was 
 the first attack on the heathen world. It was a 
 journey into the Lesser Asia. In their way they 
 passed over the island of Cyprus. No sooner 
 had they entered on their undertaking, than 
 they met with great difficulty; for Mark, whom 
 they had taken as their minister, deserted them, 
 and returned to Jerusalem, where, it seems, he 
 thought he should enjoy the greatest quiet. Paul 
 and Barnabas however went forward; in every 
 city they preached the word of the Lord, enter- 
 ing into the Jewish synagogues, first preaching 
 Christ to them, and then to the Gentiles. 1 hey 
 were heard with great candour and eagerness 
 by some, and rejected by others with obstinacy, 
 wrath, and cruel persecution. One while they 
 had enough to do to restrain the people from 
 worshipping them as gods; and soon after, Paul 
 was stoned, dragged out of the city, and left 
 for dead. Having jjenetrated as far as Derbe, 
 they thought proper to return by the way that 
 they came, calling at every city where they had 
 sown the good seed; and finding in most, if not 
 all these places, some who had embraced the 
 gospel, they exhorted and strengthened them in 
 the faith, formed them into a church state, and 
 ordained them elders, fasted and prayed with 
 them; and so having commended them to the 
 Lord on whom they had believed, returned ta 
 Antioch, in Syria, from whence they first set out, 
 and rehearsed to the church all that God had 
 done by them, and how he had opened the 
 door of faith to the Gentiles. 
 
Into the Obligations of ChrisiiajiS. 19 
 
 About this time, a dispute arising in the church- 
 es concerning circumcision, Paul and Barnabas 
 were deputed to go up to Jerusalem, to consult 
 the apostles and elders on the subject. This bu- 
 siness being adjusted, they, accompanied with 
 Judas and Silas, returned to Antioch with the 
 general resolution, and continued there for a 
 season, teaching and preaching the word of the 
 Lord. 
 
 Paul now proposed to Barnabas, his fellow- 
 labourer, that they might visit their brethren in the 
 places where they had been already, and see how 
 they did. To this Barnabas readily acceded ; but 
 a difference arising between them about taking 
 John Mark with them, who had deserted them 
 before, these two eminent servants of God were 
 parted asunder, and never appear to have tra- 
 velled together auy more. They continued, 
 however, each to serve in the cause of Christ, 
 though they could not walk together. Barnabas 
 took John, and sailed to Cyprus, his native 
 island, and Paul took Silas, and went through 
 Syria and Cilicia, to Derbe and Lystra, cities 
 where he aud Barnabas had preached in their 
 first excursion. 
 
 Here they found Timothy, a promising young 
 man, whom they encouraged to engage in the 
 ministry. 
 
 Paul being now at Lystra, which was the 
 boundary of his first excursion, and having vi- 
 sited the churches already jdanted, aud deliver- 
 ed to them the decrees of the apostles and elders 
 relating to circumcision, seems to have felt hi& 
 heart enlarged, and assayed to carry on the 
 glorious work of preaching the gospel to the 
 Heathen to a greater extent. With Silas and Ti- 
 motheus, he, in his second journey,* took a 
 
 • Tile account of this second journey into the Heathen world 
 begins at Acts sv. 40, and ends chap, xviiii 22. 
 
20 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 western direction, passing through Phrygia, and 
 the region of Galatia. Having preached the 
 word in these parts with considerable success,* 
 he and his companions wished to have gone into 
 the proconsular Asia, and afterward assayed to 
 go into Bythinia; but were forbidden of the 
 Holy Ghost, who seems to have had a special 
 design of employing them elsewhere. Passing 
 by Mysia, they came down to Troas, on the sea- 
 coast. Here a vision appeared to Paul, in which 
 he was invited to go over to Macedonia. Obe- 
 dient to the heaveuly vision, and greatiy encou- 
 raged by it, they with all speed crossed the 
 jEgean Sea, and passing through the island of 
 Saraothracia, landed at Neapolis, and went from 
 thence to Philippi, the chief city of that part 
 of Macedonia. It was here that Paul preached 
 on a Sabbath-day to a few women by a river 
 side, and Lydia, a woman of Thyatira, was 
 converted and baptized, and her household 
 with her. It was here that a poor girl, who 
 brought her employers considerable profit by 
 foretelling future events, followed the apostles, 
 had her spirit of divination ejected; on which 
 account her masters were much irritated, and 
 raised a tumult, the effect of which was, that 
 Paul and Silas were imprisoned. But even this 
 was overruled for the success of the gospel, in 
 that the keeper of the prison, and all his house, 
 were thereby brought to believe in the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and were baptized. 
 
 From Philippi they passed through Amphipo- 
 lis, Appollonia, Thessalonica, (now Salonichi,) 
 Berea, Athens, and Corinth, preaching the 
 gospel wherever they went. From hence, Paul 
 took ship and mailed to Syria, only giving a short 
 call at Ephesus, determining to be at Jerusalem 
 at the feast of the passover ; and having saluted 
 * See cbap. STiii. %i, aod Gal. i. 2, 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. S'! 
 
 the church, he came to Cesarea, ‘ and from 
 thence to Antioch. 
 
 Here ended Paul’s second journey, which 
 was very extensive, and took up some years. 
 He and his companions met with their diffi- 
 culties in it, but had likewise their encou- 
 ragements. They were persecuted at Philippi, 
 as already noticed, and generally found the 
 Jews to be their most inveterate enemies. These 
 would raise tumults, inflame the minds of the 
 Gentiles against them, and follow them from 
 place to place, doing them all the mischief in 
 their power. This was the case especiaily at 
 Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth. But amidst 
 all their persecutions God was with them, and 
 strengthened them in various ways. At Berea, 
 they were candidly received, and their doctrine 
 fairly tried by the Holy Scriptures ; and there- 
 fore, it is said, many of them believed. At 
 other places, though they affected to despise 
 the apostle, yet some clave unto him. At 
 Corinth, opposition rose to a great height ; but 
 the Lord appeared to his servant in a vision, 
 saying. Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not 
 thy peace, for I am with thee, and no man 
 shall set on thee to hurt thee ; for I have much 
 people in this cify. And the promise was abun- 
 dantly made good in the spirit discovered by 
 Gallio, the proconsul, who turned a deaf ear to 
 * the accusations ®f the Jews, and nobly declined 
 interfering in matters beside his province. Upon 
 the whole, a number of churches were planted 
 during this journey, which for ages after shone 
 as lights in the world. 
 
 When Paul had visited Antioch, and spent 
 some time there, he prepared for a third journey 
 into Heathen countries ; the account of which, 
 begins Acts xviii. 23, and ends chap. xxi. 17. 
 At his first setting out, be went over the whole 
 
22 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, 
 strengthening all the disciples ; and passing 
 through the upper coasts came to Ephesus. 
 There, for the space of three months, he boldly 
 preached in the Jewish synagogue, disputing, 
 and persuading the things concerning the king- 
 dom of God. But when the hardened Jews had 
 openly rejected the gospel, and spake evil of 
 that way before the multitude, Paul openly se- 
 parated the disciples from them, and assembled 
 in the school of one Tyrannus. This, it is said, 
 continued for the space of two years, so that 
 all they that dwelt in the proconsular Asia, 
 heard the words of the Lord Jesus, both Jews 
 and Greeks. Certain magicians, about this time, 
 were exposed, and others converted, who burnt 
 their books, and confessed their deeds. So migh- 
 tily grew the word of the Lord, and prevailed. 
 
 After this, an uproar being raised by Deme- 
 trius, the silversmith, Paul went into Macedo- 
 nia, visited the ehurehes planted in his former 
 journey, and from thence passed into Greece. 
 Having preached in different places for three 
 months, he thought of sailing from thence direct- 
 ly to Syria ; but, in order to avoid the Jews, who 
 laid wait for him near the sea-coast, he took 
 another course through Macedonia, and from 
 thence to Troas, by the way of Philippi. There 
 is no mention made in his former journey, of his 
 having preached at Troas ; yet it seems he did, 
 and a church was gathered, with which the 
 apostle at this time united in breaking of bread. 
 It was here that he preached all night, and rais- 
 ed Eutychus, who being overcome with sleep, 
 had fallen down, and was taken up dead. From 
 hence, they sailed for Syria, and in their way 
 called at Miletus, where Paul sent for the elders 
 of the church of Ephesus, and delivered that 
 most solemn and affectionate farewell, recorded 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 23 
 
 ia the twentieth chapter of the Acts of the 
 Apostles. From hence, they sailed for Tyre, 
 where they tarried seven days, and from thence 
 proceeded to Jerusalem. 
 
 Paul’s fourth and last journey (or rather voy- 
 age) was to Rome, where he went in the cha- 
 racter of a prisoner. For being at Jerusalem he 
 was quickly apprehended by the Jews ; but 
 being rescued by Lysias, the chief captain, he- 
 was sent to Cesarea to take his trial. Here he 
 made his defence before Felix and Drusilla in 
 such sort, that the judge, instead of the prisoner, 
 was made to tremble. Here also he made his 
 defence before Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice, 
 with such force of evidence, that Agrippa was 
 almost persuaded to be a Christian. But the 
 malice of the Jews being insatiable, and Paul 
 finding himself in danger of being delivered into 
 their hands, was constrained to appeal unto 
 Caesar. This was the occasion of his being sent 
 to Rome, where he arrived after a long and 
 dangerous voyage, was shipwrecked on the is- 
 land of Melita, where he wrought miracles, 
 and Publius, the governor, was converted. 
 
 When he arrived at Home, he addressed bis 
 countrymen, the Jews, some of whom believed ; 
 but when others rejected the gospel, he turned 
 from them to the Gentiles, and for two whole 
 years dwelt in his own hired house, preaching 
 the kingdom of God, and teaching those things 
 which concerned the Lord Jesus Christ, with 
 all confidence, no man forbidding him. 
 
 Thus far the history of the Acts of the Apos- 
 tles informs us of the success of the word in the 
 primitive times ; and history informs us of its 
 being preached about this time, in many other 
 places. Peter speaks of a church at Babylon ; 
 Paul proposed a journey to Spain; and it is gene- 
 rally believed he went there, and likewise came 
 
24 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 to France and Britain. Andrew preached t© 
 the Scythians, north of the Black Sea. John 
 is said to have preached in India; and we know 
 that he was at the Isle of Patmos, in the Archi- 
 pelago. Philip is reported to have preached in 
 Upper Asia, Scythia, and Phrygia ; Bartholo- 
 mew in India, on this side the Ganges, Phrygia, 
 and Armenia; Matthew in Arabia, or Asiatic 
 Ethiopia, and Parthia; Thomas in India, as far 
 as the coast of Coromandel, and some say in 
 the island of Ceylon ; Sinaon, the Canaanite, 
 in Egypt, Cyrene, Mauritania, Lybia, and < 
 other parts of Africa, and from thence to have 
 come to Britain ; and Jude is said to have been 
 principally engaged in the Lesser Asia, and 
 Greece. Their labours were evidently very ex- 
 tensive, and very successful ; so that Pliny, the 
 younger, who lived soon after the death of the 
 apostles, in a letter to the Emperor Trajan, ob- 
 served, that Christianity had spread, not only 
 through towns and cities, but also through 
 whole countries. Indeed, before this, in the 
 time of Nero, it was so pre\:alent, that it was 
 thought proper to oppose it by an imperial edict, 
 and accordingly the proconsuls, and other go- 
 vernors, were commissioned to destroy it. 
 
 Justin Martyr, who lived about the middle of 
 the second century, in his dialogue with Trypho, 
 observed, that there was no part of mankind, 
 whether Greeks or Barbarians, or any others, 
 by whatsoever name they are called, whether 
 the Sarmatians, or the Nomades, who had no 
 houses, or the Scenites of Arabia Petrea, who 
 lived in tents among their cattle, where suppli- 
 cations and thanksgivings are not offered up to 
 the Father, and maker of all things, through 
 the name of Jesus Christ. Irenaeus, who lived 
 abou the year 170, speaks of churches that 
 were founded in Germany, Spain, France, the 
 
Into the Obligations qf Christians. 25 
 
 eastern countries, Egypt, Lybia, and the middle 
 of the world. Tertullian, who lived and wrote 
 at Carthage, in Africa, about twenty years after- 
 wards, enumerating the countries where Christi- 
 anity had penetrated, makes mention of the 
 Parthians, Merles, Elamites, Mesopotamians, 
 Armenians^ Phrygians, Cappadocians, the inha- 
 bitants of Pontus, Asia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and 
 the regions of Africa beyond Cyrene, the Ro- 
 mans, and Jews, formerly of Jerusalem, many 
 of the Getuli, many borders of the Mauri, or 
 Moors, in Mauritania, now Barbary, Morocco, 
 &c. all the borders of Spain, many nations of 
 the Gauls, and the places in Britain which were 
 inaccessible to the Romans ; the Dacians, Sar- 
 matians, Germans, Scythians, and the inhabi- 
 tants of many hidden nations and provinces, 
 and of many islands unknown to him,_and which 
 he could not enumerate. The labours of the 
 ministers of the gospel, in this early period, 
 were so remarkably blessed of God, that the 
 last mentioned writer observed, in a letter to 
 Scapula, that if he began a persecution, the city 
 of Carthage itself must be decimated thereby. 
 Yea, and so abundant were they in the three 
 first centuries, that ten years’ constant and al- 
 most universal persecution, «nder Dioclesian, 
 could neither root out the Christians, nor preju- 
 dice their cause. 
 
 After this, they had great encouragement un- 
 der several Emperors, particularly Constan- 
 tine and Theodosius, and a very great work 
 of God was carried on; but the ease and af- 
 fluence which in these times attended the church, 
 served to introduce a flood of corruption, which 
 by degrees brought on the w'hole system of Po- 
 pery, by means of which all appeared to be lost 
 again ; and Satan set up his kingdom of dark- 
 ness, deceit, and human authority, over consci- 
 eoce, through ail the Christian world. ' 
 
An Enquiry 
 
 In the time of Constantine, one FrumentiOs 
 was Sent to preach to the Indians, and met with 
 great success. A young woman, who was a 
 Christian, being taken captive by the Iberians, 
 or Georgians, near the Caspian Sea, informed 
 them of the truths of Christianity, and was so 
 much regarded, that they sent to Constantine 
 for ministers to come and preach the vrord to 
 them. About the same time, some.barbarous 
 nations, having iriade irruptions into Thrace, 
 carried away several Christians captive, who 
 preached the gospel; by which means the in- 
 habitants upon the Rhine, and the Danube, the 
 Celt8e,and some other partsof Gaul, were brought 
 to embrace Christianity. About this time, also, 
 James, of Nisbia, went into Persia to strengthen 
 the Christians, and preach to the heathens; and 
 bis success was so great, that Adiabene was al- 
 most entirely Christian. About the year 372, 
 one Mos6s, a Monk, went to preach to the Sa- 
 racens, who. then lived in Arabia, where he had 
 great success; and at this time, the Goths, and 
 other northern nations, had the kingdom of 
 Christ further extended amongst them, but 
 which was very soon corrupted with Arianism. 
 
 Soon after this, the kingdom of Christ was 
 further extended among the Scythian Nomades, 
 beyond the Danube; and about the year 430, a 
 yeople called the Burgundians, received the 
 gospel. Four years after that, Palladius was sent 
 to preach in Scotland; and the next year, Patrick 
 was sent from Scotland, to preach to the Irish, 
 who before his time were totally uncivilized, and, 
 some say, cannibals; he, however, was useful, 
 and laid the foundations of several churches in 
 Ireland. Presently after this, truth spread fur- 
 ther among the Saracens ; and in 622, Zathus, 
 king of the Colchians, encouraged it, and many 
 of that nation were converted to Christianity. 
 
Into tha Obligations of Christians, 27. 
 
 About this tirah also, the work was extended in 
 Ireland, by. Finian, and in Scotland, by Con- 
 stantine and Columba ; the latter of whom, 
 preached also to the Piets, and Briidseus, their 
 king, with several others, were converted. About 
 541, Adad, the king of Ethiopia, was converted 
 by the preaching of Mansionarius ; the Heruli, 
 beyond the Danube, were now made obedient 
 to the faith, find the Abasgi, near the Caucasian 
 Mountains. 
 
 But now Popery, especially the compulsive 
 part of it, was risen to such an height, that the 
 usual niethod of propagating the gospel, or ra- 
 ther what was so called, was to conquer Pagan 
 nations by force of arras, and then oblige them 
 to submit to Christianity; after which, bishoprics 
 were erected, and persons then sent to instruct 
 the ^people. I shall just mention some of those 
 who are said to have laboured thus. 
 
 In 596, Austin, the monk, Melitus, Justus, 
 Paulinus, and RufRnian, laboured in England, 
 and in their way wore very successful. Paulinus, 
 who appears to have been one of the best of 
 them, had great success in Northumberland; 
 Birinnius preached to the West Saxons, and 
 Felix to the East Angles. In 589, Amandus 
 Gallus laboured in Ghent, Cheleuus in Artois, 
 and Gallus and Columbanusin Suabia. In 648, 
 Egedius Gallus in Flanders, and the two Evaldi 
 in Westphalia. In 684, Willifredin the Isle of 
 Wight. In 688, Chilianus in Upper Franconia. 
 In 698, Boniface, or Winifred, among the Thu- 
 riugians, near Erford, in Saxony, and Willi- 
 broad in West-Frieslaud. Charlemagne con- 
 quered Hungary in the year 800, and obliged 
 the inhabitants to profess (/hristianity, when 
 Modestus likewise preached to the Venedij at 
 the source of the Save and Drave. In 83.4, Ans-. 
 garius preached in Denmark, Gaudibert, in 
 
t8 An Enquiry 
 
 Sweden; and about 861, Methodius and Cyril, 
 in Bohemia. 
 
 About the year 600, the xScythians overran 
 Bulgaria, and Christianity was extirpated ; but 
 about 870, they were re-converted. Poland be- 
 gan to be brought over about the same time; and 
 afterwards, about 960 or 990, the work was 
 further extended, amongst thePoles and Prussians. 
 The work was begun in Norway in 960, and in 
 Muscovy in 989; the Swedes propagated Chris- 
 tianity in Finland in 1168; Lithuania became 
 Christian in 1386 ; and Samogitia in 1439. The 
 Spaniards forced Popery upon the inhabitants of 
 South America, and the Portuguese in Asia. 
 The Jesuits were sent into China in 1652, 
 Xavier, whom they called the Apostle of the In- 
 dians, laboured in the East-Indies and Japan, 
 from 1541 to 1562, and several missions of Ca- 
 pauchins were sent to Africa in the seventeenth 
 century. But blind zeal, gross superstition, 
 and infamous cruelties, so marked the appear- 
 ances of religion all this time, that the professors 
 of Christianity needed conversion, as much as 
 ttie Heathen world. 
 
 A few pious people had fled from the genera^ 
 corruption, and lived obscurely in the vallies of 
 Piedmont and Savoy, who w^ere like the seed of 
 the church. Some of them were now and then 
 necessitated to travel into other parts, where 
 they faithfully testified against the corruptions 
 of the times. About 1369, Wickliffe began to 
 preach the faith in England, and his preaching 
 and writings were the means of the conversion 
 of great numberSj many of whom became ex- 
 cellent preachers; and a work was begun, which 
 afterwards spread in England, Hungary, Bohe- 
 mia, Germany, Switzerland, and many other 
 places. John Huss, and Jerome, of Prague, 
 ‘preached boldly and successfully in Bohenoja, 
 
Jutv the Obligations of Christians. 29 
 
 and the adjacent pacts. In the following centu- 
 ry, Luther, Calvin, Melancthon, Bucer, Martyr^ 
 and many others, stood up against all the rest ot 
 the world ; they preached, and prayed, and 
 wrote : and nations agreed one after another to 
 cast off the yoke of Popery, and to embrace the 
 doctrine of the gospel. 
 
 In England, Episcopal tyranny succeeded to 
 Popish cruelty, which, in the year 1620, obliged 
 many pious people to leave their native land, and 
 settle in America ; these were followed by others 
 in 1629, who laid the foundations of several 
 gospel churches, which have increased amazing- 
 ly since that time, and the Redeemer has fixed 
 his throne in that country, where but a little 
 time ago Satan had universal dominion. 
 
 In 16.‘'32, Mr. Elliot, of New England, a very 
 pious and zealous minister, began to preach to 
 the Indians, among whom he had great success ; 
 several churches of Indians were planted, and 
 some preachers and schoolmasters raised -up 
 amongst them; since which time, others have 
 laboured amongst them with some good encou- 
 ragement. About the year 1743, Mr. David 
 Brainerd w^as sent a missionary to some more 
 Indians, where he preached, and prayed; and 
 after some time, an extraordinary work of con- 
 version was wrought, and wonderful success at- 
 tended his ministry. And at this present time, 
 Mr. Kirkland, and Mr. Sergeant, are employed 
 in the same good work, and God has considera- 
 bly blessed their labours. 
 
 In 1706, the king of Denmark sent a Mr. 
 Ziegenbalg, and some others, to Tranquebar, on 
 the Coromandel coast, in the East- Indies, who 
 were useful to the natives, so that many of the 
 Heathens were turned to the Lord. The Dutch 
 East-India Company, likewise, having extended 
 their commerce, built the city o-f Batavia, and 
 E 3 
 
30 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 a church was opened there ; and the Lord’s 
 Supper was administered for the first time, 
 on the 3d of January, 1621, by their minister, 
 James Hulzibos ; from hence, some ministers 
 were sent to Amboyna, who were very success- 
 ful. A seminary of learning was erected at 
 Leyden, in which ministers and assistants were 
 educated, under the renowned Walceus ; and 
 some years a great number were sent to the 
 East, at the Company’s expence, so that in a 
 little time, many thousands at Formoso, Malabar, 
 Ternate, Jaffanapatnam, in the town of Co- 
 lumba, at Amboyna, Java, Banda, Macassar, 
 and Malabar, embraced the religion of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. The work has decayed in some 
 places, but they now have churches in Ceylon, 
 Sumatra, Java, Amboyna, and some other of 
 the spice islands, and at the Cape of Good Hope, 
 in Africa. 
 
 But none of the moderns have equalled the 
 Moravian Brethren in this good work ; they 
 have sent missions to Greenland, Labrador, and 
 several of the West-Indian Islands, which have 
 been blessed for good. They have likewise 
 sent to Abyssinia, in Africa, but what success 
 they have had I cannot tell. 
 
 The late Mr. Wesley lately made an effort in 
 the West-Indies, and some of their ministers 
 are now labouring amongst theCaribbs and Ne- 
 groes, and I have seen pleasing accounts of their 
 success. 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 Containing a Surve!j of the -present State of the H'orkl. 
 In this survey I shall consider the w'orld as 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 31 
 
 divided, according to its usual division, into 
 fourparts, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, 
 and take notice of the extent of the several coun- 
 tries, their population, civilization, and religion. 
 The article of religion I shall divideinto Christi- 
 an, Jewish, Mahometan, and Pagan; and shall 
 now and then hint at the particular sect of them 
 that prevails in the places which I shall describe. 
 The following tables will exhibit a more compre- 
 hensive view of what I propose, than any thing I 
 can offer on the subject. 
 
 EUROPE.-* 
 
 Groat Britain, 680 miles in length, 300 miles in breadth, 
 I'i, 000,000 inhabitants, Protestants, of many denominations. Ire- 
 land, 28) miles ill length, 160 miles in breadth, 2,000,000 inhabit- 
 ants, Protestants and Papists. Franoe, 600 miles in length, 5C0 
 miles in breadth, 24,000,000 inhabitants. Catholics, Deists, and 
 Protestants. Spain, 700 miles in length, .500 miles in breadth, 
 9, -500,000 inhabitants, Papists. Portugal, 300 miles in length, 100 
 miles in breadtjt, 2,000,000 inhabitants. Papists. Sweden, in- 
 cluding- Sweden Proper, Gothland, Shouen, Lapland, Bothnia, and' 
 Finland, 800 miles in length, 500 miles iu breadth, 3,500,000 in- 
 habitants. The Swedes are seiious'Lutherans, but nio't of the Lap- 
 landers are Pagansandvery superstitious. Isleof Gothland, SOrailes 
 in length, 23 miles in breadth, 5,000 iuhabitants. Isle of Oesel, 45 
 niilesiu length, 24 miles in breadth, 2,500 inhabitants. Isleof OelanJ, 
 84 miles in length, 9 miles in breadth, 1,000 inhabitants. Isleof Dago, 
 26 miles in length, 23 miles in breadth, 1,000 inhabitants. Isleof 
 Aland, 24 miles in length, 20 miles in breadth, 800 inhabitants. Isle 
 of Hogland, 9 miles in length, 5 miles in breadth, 190 inhabitants. 
 Denmarlc, 240 miles in length, 1 14 miles in breadth, 360,000 in- 
 
 * The indulgence of (he re.ider is here calle41or. This Table ,is made by 
 Mr. Carey, with fewer helps than are now af hand However, a* present 
 it is not so incorrect bnf the read“r may form> tolerably acrnrafe idea of the 
 state of the world. The impression m.ade on the Heathen world since irSK), 
 when this scale w.as made, is gtoiions, hut not so exien- ive as materially to 
 involve theScale. We prefer its remaining as when fiisl made. 
 
32 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 Labitaiits, Lutherans of the HeWetic Confession. Isle of Zeeland, 
 fiO miles in length, 60 miles in breadth, 284,000 inhabitants, Lu- 
 therans of the Helvetio Confession. Isle of Funen, 38 miles in 
 hiligtb, 32 miles in breadth, 144,000 inhabitants, Lutherans of the 
 Helvetio Confession. Isle of Arroe, 8 miles in length, 2 miles in 
 brea4th, 200 inhabitants, Lutberans of the Helvetic Confession. 
 Isle of Iceland, 435 miles in length, 185 miles in breadth, 60,000 
 inhabitants, Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession. Isle of Lange- 
 land, 27 miles in length, 12 miles in breadth, 3,000 inhabitants, Xti- 
 therans of the Helvetic Confession. Isle of Lalainl, 38 miles in 
 length, 30 miles iabreadth, 148,000 inhabitants, Lutherans of the 
 Helvetio Confession. Isle of Falster, 27 miles in length, 12 miles 
 in breadth, 3,000 inhabitants, Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession. 
 Isle of Mona, 14 miles in length, 5 miles in breadth, 600 inhabi- 
 tants, Lutberans of the Helvetic Confession. I.-de of Alsen, 15 
 miles in length, 6 miles in breadth, 600 inbtibilanls, Lutberans of 
 the Helvetic Confession. Isle of Femeren, 13 miles in length, 8 
 miles in breadth 1,000 inhabitants, Lutherans of the Helvetic Con- 
 fession. I.sle of Bornholm, 20 miles in length, 12 miles in breadth, 
 2,000 inhabitants, Lutherans. Greenland, Undiscovered, 7,000 
 inhabitants. Pagans, and Moravian Christians. Norway, 750 miles 
 in length, 170 miles in breadth, 724,000 inhabitants, Lutherans, 
 24 Faro Isles, 4,.?00 inhabitants, Lutberans. Danish. Lapland, 285 
 miles in length, 172 miles in breadth, 100,000 inhabitants, Luthe- 
 rans and Pagans. Poland, 700 miles in length, 680 miles in 
 breadth, 9,000,000 inhabitants, Papists, Lutheraas, Calvinists, and 
 Jews, Prussia,* 400 miles In length, 160 miles in breadth, 2,500,000 
 inhabitants. Calvinists, Catholics, and Lutherans. Sardinia, 135 
 miles in length, 57 miles in breadth, 600,000 inhabitants, Papists. 
 Sicily, 180 miles in length, 92 miles in breadth, 1,000,000 inhabi- 
 tants. Papists. Italy, 660 miles in length, 120 miles in breadth, 
 20,000,000 inhabitants. Papists. United Netherlands, 150 miles in 
 length, 150 miles in breadth, 2,000,000 inhabitants, Protestants of 
 .several DeDominatipns. Austrian Netherlands, 200 mites in length, 
 200 miles in breadth, 2,500,000 inhabitants. Papists and Protestants. 
 
 • The re.tt of Prussian dominions being scattered about in several conji' 
 frifs, are counted to those countries where they he. 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians, 33 
 
 Switzerland, 280 miles in length, 100 miles in breadth, 2,880,000 
 inhabitants, Papists and Protestants. The GHsoas, 100 miles in 
 length, 62 miles in breadth, 800,000 inhabitants, Lutherans and 
 Papists, The Abbacy of St. Gall, 24 miles in length, 10 miles in 
 breadth, 30,000 inhabitants, Lutherans and Papists. Neufchatel, 
 32 miles in length, 80 miles in breadth, 100,000 inhabitants. Cal- 
 vinists. Valais, 80 mites in length, 30 miles in breadth, 440,000 
 inhabitants, Papists. Piedmont, 140 miles in length, 98 miles in 
 breadth, 900,000 inhabitants. Papists and Protestants. Savoy, 8 T 
 miles in length, 60 miles in breadth, 720,000 inhabitants. Papists 
 and Protestants. Geneva, City, 24,000 inhabitants. Calvinists 
 Bohemia, 478 miles in length, 322 miles in breadth, 2,100,000 
 inhabitants. Papists aud|Moravians. Hungary, 300 iniles in le.igtfa, 
 290 miles in breadth, 2,500,000 inhabitants. Papists. Germany, 
 600 miles in length, 500 miles in breadth, 20 , 000,000 inh ibitants. 
 Papists and Protestants. Russia in Europe, 1500 miles in lengih, 
 1,100 miles in breadth, 22,000,000 inhabitants, Greek Church, 
 Turkey in Europe, 1000 miles in length, 900 miles in breadth, 
 18,000,000 inhabitants, Greek Christians, Jews, and Mahometans. 
 Budziac Tartary,3oo miles in length, 6 o miles in breadth, l, 2 o 5 ,ooo 
 inhabitants, Greek Christians, Jews, and Mahometans. L sser 
 Tartary, 39o miles in lertgth, 65 miles in breadth, 1, 000,000 in- 
 habitants, Greek Christians, Jews, and Mahometans. Crira Tar- 
 tary, 145 miles in length, 80 miles in breadth, 5oo,ooo inhabitants, 
 Greek Christians, Jews, and Mahometans. Isle of Teuedos,- 3 
 miles in length, 3 miles in breadth, 2oo inhabitants, Mahometans. 
 Isle of Negropont, 90 miles in length, 25 miles iu breadth, 25,ooo 
 inhabitants, Mahometans, Isle of Lemnos, 25 miles in length, 
 25 miles in breadth, 4 , 000 inhabitants, Mahometans, Isle of Paros, 
 36 miles in compass, 4,5oo inhabitants, Greek Christians. Isle of 
 Lesbos, or Mitylene, 160 miles ip compass, 3o,ooo inhabitants, 
 Mahometans.^g.nd Greeks. Isle of Naxia, loo miles in compass, 
 8,000 inhabita;)ts, Greeks and Papists, dsle of Scr„\ or Chios, 1 12 
 miles in compass, 113,ooo inhabitants, Greek Christians, Papists, 
 and Mahometans. Isle of Nio, 40 miles in compass, l,ooo in- 
 habitants, Greek Christians, Papists, and Mahometans. Isle of 
 Scyros, 60 miles in compass, l,ooo inhabitants, Greek Christians, 
 Papists, and Mahometans. Isle of Mycone, 36 miles in compass. 
 
^4 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 3,qoo inbabitaDts, Papists and Mahometans. Isle of SanTos, 
 
 30 miles in length, 15 miles in breadth, 12,ooo inhabitants, Ma- 
 hometans. Isle of Nicaria, 70 miles in compass, 3,ooo inhabi- 
 tants, Greek Christians. Isle of Andros, 120 miles in compass, 
 4,000 inhabitants, Greek Christians. Isle of Cyclades, Delos 
 the Chief, Too inhabitants, Greek Christians. Isle of Zia, 
 4o miles in compass, 8 ,ooo inhabitants, Greek Christians. Isle of 
 Cerigo, or Cytheraea, 5o miles in compass, l,ooo inhabitants, Greek 
 Christians. Isle of Santorin, 36 miles in compass, ]o,ooo inhabi- 
 tants, Greek Christians and Papists. Isle of PoLicandra, 8 miles 
 in cpmpassj 4oo inhabitants, Greek Christians and Papists. Isle 
 of Patmos, 18 miles in compass, 600 inhabitants, Greek Christians 
 and Papists. Isle of Sephanto, 36 miles in compass, 5,ooo inhabi- 
 tants, Greeks. Isle of Claros, 4o miles in compass, l,7oo inhabi- 
 tants, Mahometans. Isle of Aniorgo, 33 miles in compass, 4,ooo 
 inhabitants, Greek Christians. Isle of Leros, IS miles in com- 
 pass, Soo inhabitants, Christians and Mahometans. Isle of Ther- 
 mia, 4o miles in compass, 6,000 inhabitants, Greek Christians, 
 l.sleof Stampalia, 5o miles in compass, 3,ooo inhabitants, Greek 
 Christians. Isie of Salaniis, 5o miles in compass, l,ooo inhabi- 
 tants, Greek Christians. Isle of Scarpanta, 2o miles in compass, 
 2,000 inb.ibitauts, Greek Christians'. Isle of Cephalonia, 13o 
 miles in compass, 5o,ooo inhabitants, Greek Christians. Isle of 
 Zant,5o miles in compass, 3 ’, 000 inhabitants, Greek Christians. 
 Isle of Vlillo, 60 miles in compass, 4o,ooo inhabitants, Greek Chris- 
 tians. Isle of Corfu, 12o miles in compass, 60,000 ii, habitants, 
 Greek Christians. Isle of Candia, or Crete, 2oo miles in length, 
 60 miles in breadth, 4oo,ooo inhabitants, Greek Christians and 
 Mahometans. Isle of Coos, or Stancbia, To miles in compass, 
 12,800 inhabitants, Mahometans and Christians. Isle of Rhodes, 
 60 miles in length, 25 miles in breadth, 12o,ooo inhabitants, Ma- 
 hometans and Christians. Isle of Cyprus, 15o miles in length, 
 To miles in breadth, 3oo,ooo inhabitants, MahometaBs'."*’ 
 
 ASIA. 
 
 Turkey in Asia contains .■Vnatolia, Syria, Palestine, Diuhekr, 
 Turcomania, and Georgia, looo miles in length, 800 miles in 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 35 
 
 breaili'i, 2o, 000,000 inhabitants. Mahometanism is most prevalent, 
 but theru are many Greek, Latin, Eutychian, and Armenian Chris- 
 tians. Arabia, l3oo miles in length, IZoo miles in breadth,, 
 IG,ooo,ooo inhabitants, Mahometans. Persia, 128o miles in length, 
 1140 miles in breadth, 2o, 000,000 inhabitants, Mahometans of the 
 Sect of Ali. Great Tartary, 4ooo miles in length, 12oo miles in 
 Irreadtli, 4o,0oo,ooo inhabitants, Mahometans and Pagans. Siberia, 
 28oo miles in length, Pfio miles in breadth, 7,5oo,ooo inhabitants, 
 Greek Christians and Pagans. Samojedia, 2ooo miles in length, 
 37o miles in breadth, l,9oo,ooo inhabitants. Pagans. Kamtscbat- 
 cha, 54o miles in length, 236 miles in breadth, 9oo,ooo inhabitants, 
 Pagans. Nova Zernbla, Unduscovered, thinly inhabited. Pagans. 
 China, 14oo miles in length, 120b miles in breadth, 60,000,000 
 inhabitants, Pagatts- Japan, contains Niplion Island, 9oo miles 
 in length, 36o miles in breadth, 1 0,000,000 inhabitants. Pagans, 
 Isle of Ximo, 21o miles in length, 2oo miles in breadth, 3,ooo,ooo 
 inhabitiiiits. Pagans. Isle of Xicoco, I IT miles in length, 104 
 miles in breadth, 1, 800,000 inhabitants, Pagans. Isle of Tsussima, 
 3?) miles in length, 34 miles in breadth, 4o,ooo inhabitants. Pagans. 
 Isle of Iki, 2o miles in length, IT miles in breadth, 6,000 inhabi- 
 tants, Pagans. Isle of Kubitessima, 3o miles in length, 26 miles in- 
 briadili, 8,000 inhabitants, Pagans. Isle of Matounsa, S4 miles 
 in length, 26 miles in breadth, 5o,ooo inhabitants. Pagans. Isle of 
 Fastisiiii, 33 miles in length, 34 miles in breadth, 3o,ooo inhabit- 
 ants, Pagabs. Isle of Firando, 3o miles in length, 28 miles in 
 breadth, 1 0,000 inhabitants. Pagans. Isle of Amacusa, 27 miles 
 in length, 24 miles in breadth, 6,000 inhabitants, Pagans. Isle of 
 .4wasi, 3o miles in length, 18 miles in breadth, 5, 000 inhabitants, 
 Pagans. India heyond ttie Ganges, 2,ooo miles in length, l,ooo 
 miles in breadth, 5o,ooo,ooo inhabitants, Mahometans and Pa- 
 gans. Indostan, 2, 000 miles in length, l,5oo miles in breadth, 
 
 110.000. 000 inhabitants, Mahometans and Pagans. Tibet, 12oo, 
 miles in length, 48o miles in breadth, lo,ooo,ooo inhabitants. Pa’ 
 gaus. Isle of Ceylon, 25o miles in length, 2oo miles in breadth, 
 
 2.000. 000 inhabitants. Pagans, except the Dutch Christians. Isle 
 of Maldives. ! 000 miles in nwmJer, loo,ooo inhabitants, Mahome- 
 tans. Isle uf Sumatra, looo miles in length, loo miles in breadth, 
 2, loo, 000 inhaliiunfs, Mahometans and Pagans. Isle of Java, 
 
An Enquiry 
 
 riiiles in li-bglh, loo miles in breadth, 2,Too,ooo inbabitanfs, 
 Jlahomelans and Pagans. Isle of rimor, 210 miles in length, Si 
 miles in breadth, 3oo,ooo inhabitants, Mahometans, Pagans, and 
 a few Christians. Isle of Borneo, 800 miles in length, Too miles 
 in breadth, 8,000,000 inhabitants, Mahometans, Pagans, and a few 
 Christians. Isle of Celebes, 5!o miles in length, 24o miles in 
 breadth, 2, 000,000 uihabiiants, Mahometans, Pagans, and a few 
 Christians. Isle of Boutam, 75 miles in length, 3o miles in breadth, 
 
 80.000 inhabitants, Mahometans. Isle of Carpenlyn, 3o miles in 
 length, 3 miles in breadth, 2,ooo inhabitants, Christi.an Protestants. 
 Isle of Ouralure, 18 miles in length, 6 miles in breadth, 3, 000 inha- 
 bitants, Pagans. Isle of Pullo Lout, 60 miles in length, 3t) miles in 
 breadth, lo.ooo inhabitants, Pagans. Besides the little Isands of 
 Manaar, A ripen, Paradivia, Pengaudiva, Analativa, Nainandiva, and 
 Ni'uliindiva, whleh are inhabited by Christian Prote»tanls. And 
 Banoa, Madura, Bally, Lambeck, Flores, Solar, Leolana, Pan- 
 terra, Aliscomby, and several otln^rs, inhabited by Pagans and Ala- 
 honretans. The AIoloccas are, Banda, 2o miles in length, lo 
 miles in breadth, 6,000 inhabitants. Pagans and Mahometans. 
 Bnro, 2.5 miles in length, lo miles in breadth, 7, 000 inhabitants, 
 Pagans and .Mahometans. Amboyna, 2-5 miles in length, lo miles in 
 breadth, 7,5oo inhabitants, Christians ; — the Dutch have 25 
 Churches. Ceram, 2Io miles in length, 45 miles in breadth, 
 
 250.000 inhabitants, Pagans and Mahometans. Gillola, 19o'niiles 
 in length, llo miles in breadth, 65o,ooo inhabitants, Pagans and 
 Alahometans. And Pullo-way, Pullo-rin, Nera, Guamanapi, Guil- 
 li.aien, Ternate, Motir, Machian, and fiachian, which are inhabited 
 
 . by Pagans and Mahometans. The PHtLtppixE Islands are sup- 
 posed to be about 1 1,000 ;-some of the chief are. Isle of Miuda- 
 nao, 60 miles in length, 4o miles in breadth, 18, 000 inhabitants, 
 Pagans and Mahometans. Isle of Pahol, 24 miles in length, 12 
 miles in breadth, 6,000 inhalntants, Pagans and .Alahometans. Isle 
 ofLayta,48 miles in length, 27 miles in breadth, lo.ooo inhabi- 
 tants, Pagans and Mahometans. Isle of Parragon, 24o miles in 
 length, 60 miles in breadth, loo, coo inhabitants. Pagans and Ma- 
 hometans. The Calamines, are Sebu, 60 miles in length, 24 
 miles in breadth, lo,ooo inhabitants. Papists. Jlindora, 60 miles 
 ■in length, 36 miles in breadth, 12, 000 inhabitants. Pagans and Ma- 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 37 
 
 bometaus. Philippina, 185 miles in length, 120 miles in breadth 
 104,000 inhabitants, Pagans and Hahometans. Negroes Isle, 150 
 miles in length, 60 miles in breadth. 80,000 inhabitants. Papists. 
 Manilla, 31,000 inhabitants. Papists, and Pagans. The La- 
 drone Islands are inhabited by most uncivilized Pagans. New- 
 Hollaiid, 2j500 miles in length, 2,000 miles in breadth, 12,000,000 
 ii^abitants. Pagans one or two ministers are there. New 
 Zealand,* 960 miles in length, 180 miles in breadth, l,120,ooo 
 inhabitants, Pagans. New Guinea, 1,000 miles in length, 360 
 Kiiles in breadth, 1,900,000 inhabitants. Pagans. New Britain, 180 
 miles in length, 120 miles in breadth, 900,000 inhabitants. Pagans. 
 New Ireland, 180 miles in length, 60 miles in breadth, 700,obo 
 inhabitants. Pagans. Orirong Java, a cluster of Isles, Pagans. 
 New Caledonia, 260 miles in length, 30 in breadth, 170,000 inha- 
 bitants, Pagans New Hebrides, Pagans. Friendly Isles, 20 in 
 number. Pagans. Sandwich Isles, 7 in number, 400,000 inhabi- 
 tants, Pagans. Society Isles, 6 in number, 800,000 inhabitants. 
 Pagans. Kurile Isles, 45 in number, 50,000 inhabitants. Pagans. 
 Pelew Isles, Pagans. Oonalashka Isle, 40 miles in length, 20 miles 
 in breadth, 3,oo6 inhabitants, Pagans. The other -South Sea Is- 
 lands, Pagans. 
 
 AFRICA. 
 
 Egypt, 600 miles in length, 250 miles in breadth, 2,200,000 in- 
 habitants, Mahometans and Jews. Nubia, 940 miles in length, 
 600 miles in breadth, 3,000,000 inhabitants, Mahometans and Jews. 
 Barbary, 1,800 miles in length, 500 miles in breadth, 3,500,000 
 inhabitants, Mahometans, Jews, and Christians, Biledulgerid, 2,500 
 miles in length, 350 miles in breadth, 3,500,000 inhabitants, Maho- 
 metans, Christians,, and Jews. Zaara, or the Desart, 3,400 miles 
 in length, 660 miles in breadth, 800,000 inhabitants, Mahometans 
 Christians, and Jews. Abyssinia, 900 miles in length, 800 miles, 
 in breadth, 5,800,000 inhabitants, Armenian Christians. Abes, 540 
 miles in length, 130 miles in breadth, 1,600,000 inhabitants, Chris- 
 tians and Pagans. Negroland, 2,200 miles in length, 840 miles ia 
 
 * Two Isl.incii. 
 G 
 
38 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 breadth, 18,000,009 inhabitants. Pagans. Loango, 410 miles in 
 length, 300 miles in breadth, 1,500,000 inhabitants. Pagans. Congo, 
 540 miles in length, 220 miles in breadth, 2,000,000 inhabitants, 
 Pagans. Angola, 860 miles in length, 250 miles in breadth, 
 1,400,000 inhabitants, Pagans. Benguela, 430 miles in length, 
 180 miles in breadth, 1,600,000 inhabitants. Pagans. Mataman, 
 450 miles in length, 240, miles in breadth, 1,500,000 inhabitants. 
 Pagans. Ajan, 900 miles in length, 300 miles in breadth, 2,500,000 
 inhabitants. Pagans. Zanguebar, 1,400 miles in length, 350 miles 
 in breadth, 3,000,000 inhabitants. Pagans. Monoemugi, 900 miles 
 in length, 660 miles in breadth, 2,000,000, inhabitants. Pagans. 
 Sofala, 480 miles in length, 300 miles in breadth, 1,000,000 inhabi- 
 tants, Pagans. Terra de Natal, 600 miles in length, 350 miles in 
 breadth, 2,000,000 inhabitants. Pagans. Caffraria, or the Hotten- 
 tots Country, 708 miles in length, 660 miles in breadth, 2,000,900 
 inhabitants. Pagans, and a few Christians at the Cape. Isle of 
 Madagascar, 1000 miles in length, 22o in breadth, 2,000,000 inha-, 
 bitants Pagans and Mabometans. Isle of St. Mary, 54 miles in 
 length, 9 miles in breadth, 5,000 inhabitants, French Papists. 
 Isle of Meiscarin, 39 miles in length, 3'0 miles in breadth, 17,000 
 inhabitants, French Papists. Isle of St, Helena, 21 miles in com- 
 pass, 1,000 inhabitants^ English and French Christians. Isle of 
 Annabon, 16 miles in length, 14 miles in breadth, 4,000 inhabitants, 
 Portuguese Papists. Isle of St. Thomas, 25 miles in length, 23 
 miles in breadth, 9,000 inhabitants. Pagans. Isle of Zoootora, 
 80 miles in length, 54 miles in breadth, 10,000 inhabitants, Maho- 
 metans. Isle of Comora Isles, 5 in number, 5,000 inhabitants, 
 Mahometans. Isle of Mauritius, 150 miles in compass, 10,000 
 inhabitants, French Papists. Isle of Bourbon, 90 miles in com- 
 pass, 15,000 inhabitants, French Papists. Isle of Madeiras, 3 in 
 number, 10,000 inhabitants. Papists. Isle of Cape Verd Isles, 
 10 in number, 20,000 inhabitants. Papists. Isle of Canaries, 12 
 in number, 30,000 inhabitants. Papists. Isle of Azores, 9 in 7ium- 
 ber, 100,000 inhabitants. Papists. Isle of Maltha, 15 miles in 
 length, 8 miles in breadth 1,200 inhabitants. Papists. 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 59 
 
 AMERICA. 
 
 Brazil, 2900 miles in length, 900 miles in breadth, 14,000,000 in- 
 habitants, Pagans and Papists, Paraguay, 1140 miles in length, 400 
 miles in breadth, 10,000,000 inhabitants. Pagans, Chili, 1200 miles 
 in length, 500 miles in breadth, 2,000,000 inhabitants. Pagans and 
 Papists. Peru, 1800 miles in length, 600 miles in breadth, 
 
 10.000. 000 inhabitants. Pagans and Papists. Country of the Ama- 
 zons, 1200 miles in length, 900 miles in breadth, 8,000,000 inha- 
 bitants, Pagans. Terra Firma, 1400 miles in length, 700 miles in 
 breadth, 10,000,000 inhabitants. Pagans and Papists. Guiana, 
 T80 miles in length, 480 miles in breadth, 2,000,000 inhabitants. 
 Pagans and Papists. Terra Magellanica, 1400 miles in length, 
 460 miles in breadth, 9,000,000 inhabitants. Pagans. Old Mexico, 
 2220 miles in length, 600 miles in breadth, 13,500,000 inhabitants. 
 Pagans and Papists. New Mexico, 2000 miles in length, 1000 
 miles in breadth, 14,000,000 inhabitants. Pagans and Papists. The 
 States of America, 1000 miles in length, 600 miles in breadth, 
 
 3.700.000 inhabitants, Christians of various denominations. 
 Terra de Labrador, Nova-Scotia, Louisiana, Canada, and 
 all the country inland from Mexico to Hudson’s-Bay, 1680 
 miles in length, 600 miles in breadth, 8,000,000 inhabitants, Chris- 
 tians, of various denominations, but most of the North-American 
 Indians are Pagans. California,, and from thence along the 
 western coast to 70 degrees south latitude, and so far inland as to 
 meet the above article, 2820 miles in length, 1380 miles in breadth, 
 
 9.000. 000 inhabitants. Pagans, All to the north of 70 degrees, un- 
 known, Pagans. Cape Breton, 400 mites in length, 1 10 in breadth, 
 
 20.000 inhabitants, Christians. Cape Newfoundland, 350 miles in 
 length, 200 miles in breadth, 1400 inhabitants, Protestauts. Capa 
 Cumberland’s Isle, 780 miles in length, 300 miles in breadth, 
 
 10.000 inhabitants. Pagans. Cape Madre de Dios, 105 miles in 
 length, 30 miles in breadth, 8000 inhabitants. Pagans. Cape 
 Terra del Fuego, 120 miles in length, 36 miles in breadth, 5000 
 inhabitants. Pagans. All the Islands in the vicinity of Cape Horn, 
 Pagans. The Bermudas extend 16 miles in length, 5 miles in 
 breadth, 2o,ooo inhabitants, Half English and Half Slaves. The 
 Little Antilles are Aruba, 5 miles in length, 3 miles in breadth. 
 
40 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 2oo inhabitants, Dutch and Pagan \egroes. Curassoa, 3o miles « 
 length, lo miles in breadth, 1 l,ooo inhabitants, Dutch and Pagan 
 Negroes. Bonaire, lo miles in length, 3 miles in breadth, 3oo in' 
 habitants, Dutch and Pagan Negroes. Margaritta, 4o miles in 
 length, 24 miles in breadth, I 8 ,ooo inhabitants, Spaniards and Pa- 
 gan Negroes. St. Trinidad. 9o miles in length, 6 o miles in breadth, 
 
 100.000 inhabitants, Spaniards and Pagan Negroes. The Baham.as, 
 are Bahama, 5o miles in length, Ifi miles in breadth, J 6 ,ooo inha- 
 bitants. Pagans. Proddenee, 28 miles in length, 1 1 miles in breadth, 
 
 5.000 inliat-itants, Pagans. Besides Elutbera, Harbour, Lucay- 
 ■negua, Andross, Cigateo, Gnanaliana, Yunieta, Samana, Yuma, 
 /lit • aguaca, Ynagua, Caieos, and Triangula, Pagans. The 
 ^ TtLLFS, are Cuba, 7oo miles in length, 6 o miles in breadth, 
 
 . . c^r.ooo inhabitants, Papists. Jamaica, 14o miles in length, 6 o 
 ■ ' e? iobreadl’., 4oo,ooo inhabitants, English and Pagan Negroes. 
 
 Domingo, 45o miles in length, Ido miles in breadth, 1, 000,000 
 inhabitants, French, Spaniards, and Negroes. Porto Rico, loo miles 
 in length, 49 miles in breadth, 3oo,ooo inhabitants, Spaniards and 
 Negroes. Vache, or Cows Island, 18 miles in length, 2 miles in 
 breadth, looo inhabitants, Spaniards and Negroes. The Virgin 
 Isles are 12 in numher, of which Danes Island is the principal, 
 Protestants. The Carribbees are St. Cruz, 3o miles in length, 
 lo miles in breadth, 1 3, 5oo inhabitants, Danish Protestants. An- 
 guilla, 3o miles in length, 9 miles iu breadth, 6,000 inhabitants, 
 Protestants and Negroes. St. Martin, 21 miles in length, 12 miles 
 in breadth, 7,5oo inhabitants, Protestants and Negroes. St. Bar- 
 tholomew, 0 miles in length, 4, miles in breadth, 720 inhabitants, 
 Protestants and Negroes. Barbuda, 2o miles iu length, 12 miles 
 in breadth, 7,5oo inhabitants, Protestants and Negroes. Saba, 5 
 miles in length, 4 miles in breadth, l,5oo inhabitants, Protestants 
 and Negroes. Guardulope, 45 miles iu length, 38 miles in breadth, 
 
 50.000 inhabitants. Catholics and Pagau Negroes. Marigalante, 
 15 miles in length, 12 miles in breadth, 5,4oo inhabitants. Catho- 
 lics and Pagan Negroes. Tobago, 32 miles in length, 9 miles in 
 breadth, 2, 4oo inhabitants, Catholics and Pagan Negroes. Desia- 
 da, 12 miles in length, 6 miles iu breadth, l,5oo inhabitants, Ca- 
 tholics and Pagan Negroes. Granada, 3o miles in length, 15 miles io 
 ireadth, 13, 5oo inhabitants, English and Pagan Negroes. St. Lucia, 
 
Inlo the Obligations of Christians. 41 
 
 23 miles in length, 12 miles in breadth, 5ooo inhabitants, Ebglish and 
 Native Pagan Carribbs. St. Eustatia, 6 miles in length, 4 miles in 
 breadth, <5, oooWhites, 15,oooNegroes,Dutch, English, &c. St. Chris- 
 topher, 2o miles in length, 7 miles in breadth, 6jooo Whites, 36,ooo 
 Negroes, English. Nevis, 6 miles in length, 4 miles in breadth, 
 
 5.000 Whites, Jo,ooo Negroes, English. Antigua, 2o miles in 
 length, 2o miles in breadth, 7,ooo Whites, 3o,ooo Negroes, English-^ 
 Montserrat, 6 miles in length, 6 miles in breadth, 5,ooo Whites, 
 
 10.000 Negroes, English. Martinico, 6o miles in length, 3o miles 
 in breadth, 2o,ooo Whites, 3o,ooo Negroes, French. St. Vincent’s, 
 21 miles in length, 18 miles in breadth, 8,ooo Whites, 5,ooo Ne- 
 groes, the 8,000 are Native Caribbs, Barbadoes, 21 miles in length, 
 14 miles in breadth, 3o,ooo Whites, loo,ooo Negroes, English. 
 Dominica, 28 miles in length, 13 miles in breadth, 4o,ooo Negroes, 
 English, 2,000 of them Native Caribbs. St. Thomas, 15 miles in 
 compass, 8,ooo Negroes, Danish Protestants. 
 
 This, as nearly as I can obtain information, is 
 the state of the world; though in many coun- 
 tries, as Turkey, Arabia, Great Tartary, Africa, 
 and America, except the United States, and 
 most of the Asiatic Islands, we have no accounts 
 of the number of inhabitants, that can be relied 
 on. I have, therefore, only calculated the ex- 
 tent, and counted a certain number on an aver- 
 age upon a square mile; in some countries more, 
 and in others less, according as circumstances 
 determine. A few general remarks upon it will 
 conclude this section. 
 
 First. The inhabitants of the world according 
 to this calculation, amount to about seven hun- 
 dred and thirty-one millions; four hundred and 
 twenty millions of whom are still in Pagan dark- 
 ness; an hundred and thirty millions, the follow- 
 ers of Mahomet; an hundred millions, Catholics; 
 forty-four millions, Protestants; thirty millions, 
 of the Greek and Armenian churches ; and per- 
 haps seven millions of Jews. It must undoubt- 
 edly strike every considerate mind, what a vast 
 P o 
 
42 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 proportion of the sons of Adam there is, who- 
 yet remain in the most deplorable state of hea- 
 then darkness, without any means of knowing 
 the true God, except what are afforded them by 
 the works of nature; and utterly destitute of 
 the knowledge of the gospel of Christ, or of any 
 means of obtaining it. In many of the.se coun- 
 tries they have no written language, consequent- 
 ly no Bible, and are only led by the most child- 
 ish customs and traditions. Such, for instance, 
 are all the middle and back parts of North 
 America, the inland parts of South America, the 
 South-Sea Islands, New Holland, New Zealand, 
 New Guinea; and I may add Great Tartary, 
 Siberia, Samojedia, and the other parts of Asia 
 contiguous to the frozen sea; the greatest part 
 of Africa, the island of Madagascar, and many 
 places beside. In many of these parts also they 
 are cannibals, feeding upon the flesh of their slain 
 enemies, with the greatest brutality and eager- 
 ness. The truth of this was ascertained, beyond 
 a doubt, by the late eminent navigator, Cooke, 
 of the New Zealanders, and some of the inha- 
 bitants of the western coast of America. Human 
 sacrifices are also very frequently offered, so 
 that scarce a week elapses without instances of 
 this kind. They are in general poor, barbarous, 
 naked Pagans, as destitute of civilization, as they 
 are of true religion. 
 
 Secondly. Barbarous as these poor heathens 
 are, they appear to be as capable of knowledge 
 as we are; and in many places, at least, have 
 discovered uncommon genius and tractableness; 
 and I greatly question whether most of the bar- 
 barities practised by them, have not originated 
 in some real or supposed affront, and are there- 
 fore more properly, acts of self-defence, than 
 proofs of inhuman and blood-thirsty dispositions. 
 
 Thirdly, In other parts, where they have a 
 
43 
 
 Into the Obligations of Christians. 
 
 written language, as in the East-Indies, China, 
 Japan, &c. they know nothing of the gospel. 
 The Jesuits indeed once made many converts to 
 Popery among the Chinese; but their highest 
 aim seemed to be to obtain their good opinion; 
 for though the converts professed themselves 
 Christians, yet they were allowed to honour the 
 imageof Confucius, their great law-giver; and at 
 length their ambitious intrigues brought upon 
 them the displeasure of government, which ter- 
 minated in the suppression of the mission, and 
 almost, if not entirely, of the Christian name. 
 It is also a melancholy fact, that the vices of 
 Europeans have been communicated wherever 
 they themselves have been; so that the religious 
 state of even heathens has been renderc^d worse 
 by intercourse with them! 
 
 Fourthi]]. A very great proportion of Asia and 
 Africa, with some part of Europe, Mahome- 
 tans'., and those in Persia, who are of the sect of 
 iJali, are the most inveterate enemies to the 
 Turks; and they in return abhor the Persian.®. 
 The Africans are some of the most ignorant of ail 
 the Mahometans; especially the Arabs, who are 
 scattered through all the northern parts of Af- 
 rica, and live upon the depredations which they 
 are continually making upon their neighbours, 
 
 Fiflhhj. In respect to those who bear the 
 Christian name, a very great degree of igno- 
 rance and immorality abounds amongst them. 
 There are Christians, so called, of the Greek and 
 Armenian churches, in all the Mahometan coun- 
 tries; but they are, if possible, more ignorant 
 and vicious than the Mahometans themselves. 
 The Georgian Christians, who are near the Cas- 
 pian Sea, maintain themselves by selling their 
 neighbours, relations, and children, for slaves to 
 the Turks and Persians. And it is remarked, 
 that if any of the Greeks of Anatolia turn Mus- 
 
An Enquiry 
 
 ii 
 
 snlmen, the Turks never set any store by them, 
 on account of their being so ranch noted for 
 dissimulation and hypocrisy. It is well known, 
 that most of the members of the Greek church 
 are very ignorant. Papists also are in general 
 ignorant of divine things, and very vicious. Nor 
 do the bulk of the church of England much 
 exceed them, either in knowledge or holiness ; 
 and many errors, ami much looseness of conduct, 
 are tp be found amongst dissenters of all deno- 
 minations. The Lutherans in Denmark, are 
 much on a pair with the ecclesiastics in Eng- 
 land; and the face of most Christian countries 
 presents a dreadful scene of ignorance, hypo- 
 crisy, and profligacy. Various baneful, and 
 pernicious errors appear to gain ground, in 
 almost every part of Christendom ; the truths 
 of the gospel, and even the gospel itself, are 
 attacked, and every method that the enemy can 
 invent is employed te undermine the kingdom 
 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 All these things are loud calls to Christians, 
 and especially to ministers, to exert themselves 
 to the utmost in their several spheres of action, 
 and to try to enlarge them as much as possible. 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 The Practicahility of something being done, more than 
 what is done, for the Conversion of the Heathen, 
 
 The impediments in the way of carrying the 
 gospel among the heathen must arise, I think, 
 from one or other of the following things; — 
 either their distance from us, their barbarous 
 and savage manner of living, the danger of being 
 
■ Into the Obligations of Christians. 45 
 
 killed by them, the difficulty of procuring the 
 necessaries of life, or the unintelligibleness of 
 their languages. 
 
 First. As to their distance from us. Whatever 
 objections might have been made on that account 
 before the invention' of the mariner’s compass, 
 -nothing can be alledged for it, with any colour 
 of plausibility in the present age. Men can now 
 sail with as much certainty through the Great 
 South Sea, as they can through the Mediterra- 
 nean, or any lesser sea. Yea, and Providence 
 seems in a manner to invite us to the trial, 
 as there are to our knowledge trading companies, 
 whose commerce lies in many of the places 
 where these barbarians dwell. At one time or 
 other, ships are sent to visit places of more recent 
 discovery, and to explore parts the most un- 
 known ; and every fresh account of their igno- 
 rance, or cruelty, should call forth otir pity, 
 and excite us to concur with providence in 
 seeking their eternal good. Scripture likewise 
 seems to point out this method. Surely the Isles 
 shall wait for me; the ships of Tarshish first, 
 to bring my sons from far, their silver, and 
 their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord 
 thy God. Isaiah lx. 9. This seems to imply, 
 that in the time of the glorious increase of the 
 church, in the latter days, (of which the whole 
 chapter is undoubtedly a prophecy,) commerce 
 shall subserve the spread of the gospel. The 
 ships of Tarshish were trading vessels, wffiich 
 made voyages for traffic to various parts ; thus 
 much, therefore, must be meant by it, thatnauf- 
 gation, especially that which is commercial, 
 shall be one great mean of carrying' on the work 
 of God ; and perhaps it may imply, that there 
 shall be a very considerable appropriation of 
 wealth to that purpose. 
 
 Secondly. As to their uncivilized and bar^ 
 
46 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 harous way of living. This caa be no objection 
 to any, except those whose love of ease renders ' 
 them unwilling to expose themselves to incon- 
 veniences for the good of others. 
 
 It was no objection to the apostles and their l 
 successors, who went among the barbarous i 
 Germans and Gauls, and still more barbarous | 
 Britons I They did not wait for the ancient { 
 inhabitants of these countries to be civilized, I 
 before they could be christianized, but went I 
 simply with the doctrine of the cross ; and } 
 Tertullian could boast, that “ those parts of i 
 Britain which were proof against the Roman i 
 armies, were conquered by the gospel of Christ.” }• 
 It was no objection to an Elliot, or a Brain- 
 ERD, in later times. They went forth, and 
 encountered every difficulty of the kind, and 
 found that a cordial reception of the gospel pro- 
 duced those happy effects, which the longest 
 intercourse with Europeans, without it, could 
 never accomplish. It is no objection to com- 
 mercial men. It only requires that we should 
 have as ra.uch love to the souls of our fellow- 
 creatures, and fellow-sinners, as they have for 
 the profits arising from a few beaver-skins, and 
 all these difficulties would be easily surmounted. 
 
 After all, the uncivilized state of the hea- j 
 then, instead of aflbrding an objection against | 
 preaching the gospel to them, ought to furnish I 
 an argument for it. Can we as men, or as I 
 Christians, hear that a great part of our fellow- 
 creatures, whose souls are as immortal as ours, 
 and who are as capable as ourselves, of adorning 
 the gospel, and contributing by their preaching, 
 writings, or practices, to the glory of our Re- 
 deemer’s name, and the good of his church, 
 are enveloped in ignorance and barbarism? Can 
 we hear that they are without the gospel, with- 
 out government, without laws, and without arts 
 
Inif> the Ohligathns of Christians. 47 
 
 and sciences, and not exert ourselves to intro- 
 du6e amongst them the sentiments of men, and 
 of Christians? Would not the spread of the 
 gospel be the most effectual mean of their civi- 
 lization? Would not that make them useful 
 members of society ? We know that such effects 
 did in a measure follow the aforc-mentioned 
 efforts of Elliot, Brainerd, and others, amongst 
 the American Indians ; and if similar attempts 
 were made in other parts of the world, and 
 succeeded with a divine blessing (which we have 
 every reason to think they would) might we not 
 expect to see able divines, or read well-conducted 
 treatises in defence of the truth, even amongst 
 those who at present seem to be scarcely human ? 
 
 Thirdly. In respect to the dajiger of being killed 
 by them. It is true that whoever does go, must 
 put his life in his hand, and not consult with flesh 
 and blood ; but do not the goodness of the cause, 
 the duties incumbent on us as the creatures of 
 God, and Christians, and the perishing state of 
 our fellow-men, loudly call upon us to venture 
 all, and use every warrantable exertion for their 
 benefit? Paul and BARNASi^S, who hazarded 
 their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 were not blamed as being rash, but commended 
 for so doing ; while John Mark, who through 
 timidity of mind deserted them in their perilous 
 undertaking, was branded with censure. After 
 all, as has been already observed, I greatly 
 question whether most of the barbarities prac- 
 tised by the savages upon those who have visited 
 them, have not originated in some real or sup- 
 posed affront, and were therefore more properly, 
 acts of self-defence, than proofs of ferocious 
 dispositions. No wonder if the imprudence of 
 sailors should prompt them to offend the simple 
 savage, and the offence be resented ; but Elliot, 
 Brainerd, and the Moravian missionaries, have 
 
48 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 seldom been molested. Nay, ia general the : 
 heathen have shewed a willingness to hear the I 
 word; and have principally expressed their | 
 hatred of Christianity, on account of the vices 
 of nominal Christian.s. 
 
 Fourthly. As to the difficulty of procuring 
 the jiecetisaries of li/e. This would hot be so 
 great as may appear at first sight; for though 
 we could not procure European food, yet we 
 might procure such as the natives of those 
 countries, which we visit, subsist upon them- 
 selves. And this would only' be passing through 
 what we have virtually engaged in by entering 
 on the ministerial office. A Christian minister 
 is a person who, in a peculiar sense, is not his 
 own; he is the 6-erpa/ii of God, and therefore 
 ought to be w'holly devoted to him. By entering 
 on that sacred office, he solemnly undertakes to 
 be always engaged, as much as possible, in the 
 Lord’s work, and not to chuse bis own pleasure, 
 or employment, or pursue the ministry as a 
 something that is to subserve his own ends, or 
 interests, or as a kind of bye-work. He engages 
 to go where God pleases, and to do, or endure, 
 w’hat he sees fit to command, or call him to, in 
 the exercise of his function. He virtually bids 
 farewell to friends, pleasures, and comforts, and 
 stands in readiness to endure the greatest suffer- 
 ings in the work of his Lord and IMaster. It 
 is inconsistent "or ministers to please themselves 
 with thoughts of a numerous auditory, cordial 
 friends, a civilized country, legal protection, 
 affiuence, splendor, or even a competency. The 
 slights, and hatred of men, and even pretended 
 friends, gloomy prisons- and tortures, the society 
 of barbarians of uncouth speech, miserable ac- 
 commodations in wretched wildernesses, hunger, 
 and thirst, nakedness, weariness, and paiufuluess, 
 hard work, and but little worldly encouragement, 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians^ 49 
 
 should rather be the objects of their expectation . 
 Thus the apostles acted in the primitive times, 
 and endured hardness, as good soldiers of- Jesus 
 Christ ; and though we, living in a civilized 
 country where Christianity is protected by law, 
 are not called to suffer these things while we 
 continue here ; yet I question whether ail are 
 justified in staying here, while so many are 
 perishing without means of grace in other 
 lands. Sure I am that it is entirely contrary to 
 the spirit of the gospel, for its ministers to enter 
 upon it from interested motives, or wuth great 
 worldly expectations. On the contrary, the 
 commission is a sufficient call to them to venture 
 all, and, like the primitive Christians, go every 
 where preaching the gospel. 
 
 It might be necessary, however, for two at 
 least to go together, and in general I should 
 think it best that they should be married men; 
 and to prevent their time from being employed 
 in procuring necessaries, two, or more other 
 persons, with their wives and families, might 
 also accompany them, who should be "wholly 
 employed in providing for them. In most coun- 
 tries it would be necessary for them to cultivate a 
 little spot of ground just for their support, which 
 would be a resource to them, whenever their 
 supplies failed. Not to mention the advantages 
 they would reap from each other’s company, 
 it would take off the enormous expence which 
 ' has always attended undertakings of this kind, 
 the first expence being the whole; for though a 
 large colony needs support for a considerable 
 time, yet so small a number w'ould, upon receiv- 
 ing the first crop, naaintain themselves. They 
 would have the advantage of choosing their 
 situation ; their wants would be few ; the wo- 
 men, and even the children, would be necessary 
 for domestic purposes ; and a few articles of 
 
 E 
 
60 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 stock, as a cow or two, and a bult, and a few 
 other cattle of both sexes, a very few utensils 
 of husbandry, and sonoe corn to sow their land, 
 would be sufficient. Those who attend the mis- 
 sionaries should understand husbandry, fishing, 
 fowling, &c. and be provided with the necessary 
 implements for these purposes. Indeed a variety 
 of methods may be thought of, and when once 
 the work is undertaken, many things will suggest 
 themselves to us, of which we at present can 
 form no idea. 
 
 Fifthly, As to learning their languages. The 
 same means would be found necessary here as in 
 trade between different nations. In some cases 
 interpreters might be obtained, who might be 
 employed for a time; and where these were not 
 to be found, the missionaries must have patience, 
 and mingle with the people, till they have learn- 
 ed so much of their language as to be able to 
 communicate their ideas to them in it. It is 
 well known to require no very extraordinary 
 talents to learn, in the space of a year, or two at 
 most, the language of any people upon earth, so 
 much of it at least, as to be able to convey any 
 sentiments we wish to their understandings. «■ 
 
 The missionaries must be men of great piety, 
 prudence, courage, and forbearance ; of un- 
 aoubted orthodoxy in their sentiments, and must 
 enter with all their hearts into the spirit of their 
 mission; they must be willing to leave all the 
 comforts of life behind them, and to encounter 
 all the hardshipsof atorrid, or a frigid climate, an 
 uncomfortable manner of living, and every other 
 inconvenience that can attend this undertaking. 
 Clothing, a few knives, powder and shot, fishing- 
 tackle, and the articles of husbandry above- 
 mentioned, must be provided for them ; and 
 when arrived at the place of their destination, 
 tb^ir fisst business must be to gain some acquaiu- 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 51 
 
 tance with the language of the natives, (for 
 which purpose two would be better than one,) 
 and by all lawful means to endeavour to cultivate 
 a friendship with them, and as soon as possible^, 
 let them know the errand for which they were 
 sent. They must endeavour to convince them 
 that it was their good alone, which induced them 
 to forsake their friends, and all the comforts of 
 their native country. They must be very careful 
 not to resent injuries which may be offered to 
 them, nor to think highly of themselves, so as 
 to despise the poor lieathens, and by those means 
 lay a foundation for their resentment, or rejec- 
 tion of the gospeL They must take every op- 
 portunity of doing them good, and labouring 
 and travelling, night and day, they must instruct, 
 exhort, and rebuke, with all long suffering, and 
 anxious desire for them ; and, above all, must be 
 instant in prayer for the effusion of the Holy 
 Spirit upon the people of their charge. Let but 
 missionaries of the above description engagein the 
 work, and we shallseethat it isnotirapracticable. 
 
 It might likewise be of importance, if God 
 should bless their labours, for them to encourage 
 any appearances of gifts amongst the people 
 of their charge ; if such should be raised, up, 
 many advantages would be derived from their 
 knowledge of the language, and the customs of 
 their countrymen; and their change of conduct 
 would give great weight to their ministrations. 
 
 SECT. V. 
 
 An Enquiry into the Duty of Christians in general, and 
 what Means ought to be used, in order to promote this 
 
 W ’jrk . 
 
 If the prophecies concerning the increase of 
 
62 
 
 jin Enquiry 
 
 Christ’s kingdom bo true, and if what has been 
 advanced, concerning the commission given by 
 him to his disciples being obligatory on us, be 
 just, it must be inferred that all Christians ought 
 heartily to concur with God in promoting his 
 glorious designs, for he that is joined to the Lord 
 is one spirit. 
 
 'One of the first, and most important of those 
 duties which are incumbent upon us, is fervent 
 and united prayer. However the influence of the 
 Holy Spirit may be set at nought, and rejected 
 by many, it will be found upon trial, that all means 
 which we can use, without it, will be ineffectual. 
 If a temple is raised for God in the heathen 
 world, it will not be by might, nor by power, nor 
 by the authority of the magistrate, or the elo- 
 quence of the orator ; hut by my Spirit, saith 
 the Lord of Hosts. We must therefore be in 
 real earnest in supplicating his blessing upon 
 our labours. 
 
 It is represented in the prophets, that when 
 there shall be a great mourning in the land, as 
 the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of 
 Megiddon, and every family shall mourn apart, 
 and their wives apart, it shall all follow upon a 
 spirit of grace and supplication. And when 
 these things shall take place, it is promised that 
 there shall be a fountain opened for the house of 
 David, and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, 
 for sin, and for uncleanness, and that the idols 
 shall be destroyed, and the false prophets ashamed 
 of their profession. Zech. xii 10. 14. — xiii. 1. 6. 
 This prophecy seems to teach that when there 
 shall be an universal conjunction in fervent 
 prayer, and all shall esteem Zion’s welfare as 
 their own, then copious influences of the Spirit 
 shall be shed upon the churches, which like a 
 ipvx'iiyiog fountain shall cleanse the servants of 
 the Lord. Nor shall this cleansing influence 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 53 
 
 stop here ; all old idolatrous prejudices shall be 
 rooted out, and truth prevail so gloriously, that 
 false teachers shall be so ashamed as rather to 
 wish to be classed with obscure herdsmen, or 
 the meanest peasants, than bear the ignominy 
 attendant on their defection. 
 
 The most glorious works of grace that have 
 ever took place, have been in answer to prayer; 
 and it is in this way, we have the greatest rea- 
 son to suppose, that the glorious out-pouring of 
 the Spirit, which we expect at last, will be 
 bestowed. 
 
 With respecfto our own immediate connections, 
 we have within these few years been favoured 
 with some tokens for good, granted in answer 
 to prayer, which should encourage us to persist, 
 and increase in that important duty. I trust 
 our monthly prayer •meetings for the success of 
 the gospel have not bi^n in vain. It is true a 
 want of importunity too generally attends our 
 prayers; yet uniraportuuate, and feeble as they 
 have been, it is to be believed that God has 
 heard, and in a measure answered them. The 
 churches that have engaged in the practice have 
 in general since that time been evidently on the 
 increase; some Controversies which have long 
 perplexed and divided the church, are more 
 clearly stated than ever; there are calls to preach 
 the gospel in many places where it has not been 
 usually published ; yea, a glorious door is opened, 
 and is likely to be opened wider and wider, by 
 the spread of civil and religious liberty, accom- 
 panied also by a diminution of the spirit of 
 popery; a noble effort has been made to abolish 
 the inhuman Slave-Trade, and though at present 
 it has not been so successful as might be wished, 
 yet it is to be hoped that it will be persevered in, 
 till it is accomplished. In the mean time, it is a 
 satisfaation to consider that the late defeat qi 
 E 3 
 
54 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 the abolition of the Slave-Trade, has proved the 
 oceasion of a praise- worthy effort to introduce 
 a free settlement, at Sierra Leone, on the coast 
 of Africa ; an effort which, if succeeded with a 
 divine blessing, not only promises to open a way 
 for honourable commerce with that extensive 
 country, and for the civilization of its inhabi- 
 tants ; but may prove the happy mean of intro- 
 ducing amongst them the gospel of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 These afe events that ought not to he overlook- 
 ed ; they are not to be reckoned small things ; 
 and yet perhaps they are small compared with 
 what might have been expected, if all had cor- 
 dially entered into the spirit bf the proposal, so 
 as to have made the cause of Christ their own, or 
 in other words to have been so solicitous about 
 it, as if their own advantage depended upon its 
 success. If an holy solicitude had prevailed in 
 all the assemblies of Christians in behalf of their 
 Redeemer’s kingdom, we might probably have 
 seen before now, not only an open door for the 
 gospel, but many running to and Jro, and 
 knowledge increased ; or a diligent use of those 
 means which providence has put iu our power, 
 accompanied with a greater blessing than ordi- 
 nary from heaven - 
 
 Many can do nothing but pray, and prayer is 
 perhaps the only thing in which Christians of all 
 denominations can cordially, and unreservedly 
 unite ; but in this we may all be one, and in this 
 the strictest unanimity ought to prevail. Were 
 the whole body thus animated by one soul, with 
 what pleasure would Christians attend on all the 
 duties of religion, and with what delight would 
 their ministers attend on all the business of their 
 calling. 
 
 We must not be contented, however, with 
 praying, witnout exerting ourselves intheuse 
 
Into the Obligations of Christians. 65 
 
 of means for the obtaining of those things we 
 pray for. Were the children of light, but as 
 wise in their generation as the children of this 
 world, they would stretch every nerve to gain 
 ■so glorious a prize, nor ever inaagiue that it was 
 to be obtained in any other way. 
 
 When a trading company have obtained their 
 charter, they usually go to its utmost limits ; 
 and their stocks, their ships, their officers, and 
 men, are so chosen, and regulated, as to be likely 
 to answer their purpose ; but they do not stop 
 here; for, encouraged by the prospect of success, 
 they use every effort, cast their bread upon the 
 waters, cultivate friendship with every one from 
 whose information they expect the least advan- 
 tage. They cross the widest and most tempes- 
 tuous seas, and encounter the most unfavourable 
 climates; they introduce themselves into tl;e 
 most barbarous nations, and sometimes undergo 
 the most affecting hardships ; their minds conti- 
 nue in a state of anxiety and suspense, and a 
 longer delay than usual in the arrival of their 
 vessels, agitates them with a thousand painful 
 thoughts, and foreboding apprehensions, which 
 continue till the rich returns are safe arrived 
 in port. But why these fears? Whence all 
 these disquietudes, and this labour? Is it not 
 because their souls enter into the spirit of the 
 project, and their happiness in a manner depends 
 on its success? Christians are a body, whose - 
 truest interest lies in the exaltation of the Mes- 
 siah’s kingdom. Their charter is very extensive, 
 their encouragements exceeding great, and the 
 returns promised infinitely superior to all the 
 gain^i of the most lucrative fellowship. Let, 
 then, every one in his station, consider himself 
 as bound to act with all his might, and in eveiy 
 possible way for God. 
 
 Suppose a company of serious, Christians, mi- 
 
66 
 
 An Enquinj 
 
 nisteis aud private persons, were to form them- 
 selves into a societj, and make a number of 
 rules respecting the regulation of the plan, and 
 the persons who are to be employed as mission- 
 aries, the means of defraying the expence, &c. 
 &c. This society must consist of persons whose 
 hearts are in the work, men of serious religion, 
 and possessing a spirit of perseverance ; there 
 must be a dotermination not to adroit any person 
 who is not of this description, or to retain him 
 longer than ,he answers to it. 
 
 From such a society a committee might be ap- 
 pointed, whose business it should be to procure 
 all the information they could upon the subject, 
 to receive contributions, to enquire into the cha- 
 racters, tempers, abilities, and religious views 
 of the missionaries, and also to provide them 
 with necessaries for their undertaking. 
 
 They must also pay a great attention to the 
 views of those who undertake this w'ork ; for 
 want of this, the missions to the Spice Islands, 
 sent by the Dutch East-India Company, were 
 soon corrupted, many going more for the sake of 
 settling in a place where temporal gain invited 
 them, than of preaching to the poor Indians. 
 This soon introduced a number of indolent or 
 profligate persons, whose lives were a scandal to 
 the doctrines which they preached; and, by 
 means of whom the gospel was ejected from 
 Ternate in 1694, and Christianity fell into great 
 disrepute in other places. 
 
 If there is any reason for me to hope that I 
 shall have any influence upon any of my bre- 
 thren,. and fellow' Christians, probably it may 
 be more especially amongst them of my own de- 
 nomination. 1 would therefore propose that 
 such a society and committee should I'e formed 
 ftinongst the particular Baptist denominat ion. 
 
 1 do not mean by (his, in any wise to confine 
 
nto the Obligations of Christians. 
 
 57 
 
 it to one denomination of Christians. I "svioh 
 with all my heart, that every one who loves oar 
 Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, would in some 
 way or other engage in it. But in the presen , 
 divided state of Christendom, it would be raor ; 
 likely for good to be done by each denomination 
 engaging separately in the work, than if they 
 were to embark in it conjointly. There is room 
 enough for us all, without interfering with each 
 other; and if no unfriendly interference took place, 
 each denomination would bear good will to the 
 other, aud wish, and pray for its success, con- 
 sidering it as upon the whole friendly to the great 
 cause of true religion ; but if all were intermin- 
 gled, it is likely their private discords might 
 throw a damp upon their spirits, and much re- 
 tard their public usefulness. 
 
 In respect to contributions for defraying the 
 expences, money will doubtless be wanting; aud 
 suppose the rich were to embark a portion of 
 that wealth over which God has made them stew- 
 ards, in this important undertaking, perhaps 
 there are few ways that would turn to a better 
 account at last. Nor ought it to be confined to 
 the rich; if persons in more moderate circum- 
 stances, were to devote a portion, suppose a 
 tenth, of their annual increase to the Lord, it 
 would not only correspond with the practice of 
 the Israelites, who lived under the Mosaic Econ- 
 omy, but of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, 
 and Jacob, before that dispensation commenced. 
 Many of our most eminent forefathers, amongst 
 the Puritans, followed that practice ; and if 
 that were but attended to now, there would not 
 only be enough to support the ministry of the 
 gospelat home, and to encourage village preach- 
 ing in our respective neighbourhoods, but to de- 
 fray the expences of carrying the gospel into 
 the Heathen world. 
 
6S 
 
 An Enquiry 
 
 If congregations were to open subscriptions of I 
 ene penny, or more per week, according to their 
 circumstances, and deposit it as a fund for the 
 propagation of the gospel, much might be raised 
 in this way. By such simple means, they might 
 soon have it in their power to introduce the 
 preaching of the gospel into most of the villages 
 in England ; where, though men are placed, 
 whose business it should be to give light to those 
 who sit in darkness, it is well known that 
 they have it not. Where there was no person to 
 open his house for the reception of the gospel, 
 some other building might be procured for a 
 small sura, and even then something considera- 
 ble might be spared for the Bapti.st, or other 
 committees, for propagating the gospel amongst 
 the Heathen. 
 
 Many persons have of late left off the use of 
 Wcst-lndia sugar, on account of the iniquitous 
 manner in which itis obtained. Those families 
 who have done so, and have not substituted any 
 thingelsein its place, have not only cleansed their 
 hands of blood, but have made a saving to their 
 families, some of sixpence, and some of a shil- 
 ling a week. If this, or a part of this were 
 appropriated to the uses before mentioned, it 
 would abundantly suffice. We have only to keep 
 the end in view, and have our hearts thoroughly 
 engaged in the pursuit of it, and means will not 
 be very difficult. 
 
 We are exhorted io layup treasure in heaven, 
 where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, nor 
 thieves break through and steal. It is also de- 
 clared, that whatsoever a man soweth, that shall 
 he also reap. The.se scriptures teach us, that the . 
 enjoyments of the life to come, bear a near relation 
 to that which now is ; a relation similar to that of 
 the harvest and the seed. It is true, all the re- 
 ward is of mere grace ; but it is nevertheless en- 
 
Into the Obligations of •Chris Hans. 59 
 
 coaraging: what a treasure, what an harvest 
 must await such characters as Paul, and Elliot, 
 and Brainkhd, aud others, who have givou 
 themselves wholly to' the work of the Lord, 
 What a heaven will it be to see the many myriads 
 of poor Heathens, of Britons amongst the rest, 
 who by their labours have been brought to the 
 knowledge of God. Surely a crown of rejoicing 
 like this is worth aspiring to. Surely it is worth 
 while to lay ourselves out with all our might, in 
 promoting the cause and the kingdom of Christ. 
 
 P.S. No. I. It is pleasant to preserve every little circumstanco 
 in early life, relating to such a man as Dr. Carey, which will at 
 all serve to illustrate the goodness of God to the church by him as 
 an instrument. The following note could not be found when the 
 advertisement, containing an account of Dr. Curey was written : — 
 
 “ October 5tli, 1783, I bapti*ed (says Dr. RylandJ in the river 
 Nen, a little beyond Dr. Doddridge’s Meeting-house, at Northamp- 
 ton, a poor journeyman shoemaker, little thinking that before nine 
 years had elapsed, he would prove the first instrument in forming a 
 society for sending missionaries from England to preach the gospel 
 to the Heathen ; aud much less foreseeing that be Vvould become a 
 Professor of Languages in an Orieutal College, afnd the Translator 
 of the Scriptures into eleven different iaflguages. Such, how'ever, 
 has the oveut proved, was the purpose of the Most High, who se- 
 lected for this work, not the son of one of our learned ministers, 
 nor of one of our most opulent Dissenting Gentlemen, but the son 
 of a parish cler't of Pauler’s, Perry, in Nertbamptonsbire. Ac- 
 cordingly, on October 2d, 1792, I witnessed, in a little back par- 
 lour at Kettering, (belon^ng to Mrs. Beeby Wallis,) the first form- 
 ation of a small society, which begun with a subscription of 
 £13. 2s. 6d. and of which, this William Carey, the elder, wasthe 
 founder, who is now (1812) superiuteUding the printing and publica- 
 tion of the Scriptures in twenty-four different languages !” — 
 
 Bap. Mag. for 1812, pp. 376, 377. 
 
 Mr. Carey, at Moulton, taught a village school, besides preach- 
 ing. His people there could only raise him ten or eleven pounds per 
 annum, besides five pounds from the London fund. Under these 
 disadvantages, he made considerable proficiency in learning the 
 Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Frencfr, Dutch, and Italian languages, 
 wiHiout any teacher to give him regular instruction. “It is pleasant 
 to trace the rise of the oak from the acorn.” Dr. R. “ Who hath 
 despised the day of small things?’’ — Fuller’s Life by Dr. R. first 
 Edit.pp.Zi9—Z4‘{. 
 
 Dr. Carey was appointed Professor of the Mahratta, Beugalee, 
 and Siingskrit languages, in the College at Fort-William, in April, 
 1801, by Mar-ims Wellesley . — Periodical Accounts, Vol. II. p. 178. 
 
BD An Enquirrj, ^c. 
 
 No. IT. Besides the many traoslBlions which have been made of 
 the Holy Scripiure5,by the missionaries, and printed, they have writ- 
 ten and published the following works: — 
 
 1. A Translation of the Ramayuna, by Dr. Carey and Dr. Marsh- 
 man, 3 vols. 4to. dedicated to Sir George Barlow. 
 
 2. Sungskrit Grammar, by Dr Cafey, pp. 1030, dedicated to 
 Marquis Wellesley. 
 
 3. A Translation of Confucius, with a Preliminary Dissertation 
 on the Chinese language, by Dc. Marshmau, 4to,pp. 725, dedicated 
 to Lord Minto. 
 
 4. t'lavis Sinica; or. Key of the Chinese language, and on the 
 Colloquial Medium of the Chinese, by Dr. Marshmau, 4to. pp. 662. 
 
 5. An Account of the Writings, Religion, and Manners, of the 
 Hindoos, including Translations from their principal Work.s, 4 vols. 
 4to. by William Ward, third edition. 
 
 6. Bengalee Grammar, by Dr. Carey. 
 
 7. Bengalee Dialogues, by Ditto. 
 
 8. Mabratta Grammar, by Ditto. 
 
 9. Mabratta Dictionary, by Ditto. 
 
 10. Sikh Grammar, by Ditto. 
 
 11. Telinga Grammar, by Ditto. 
 
 12. Punjabee Grammar, by Ditto. 
 
 13. Casbmeer Grammar, by Ditto. 
 
 14. Kurnata Grammar, by Ditto. 
 
 No. HI. “ If the inhabited known world were divided into thirty 
 parts, it would be found that nineteen of them are still possessed 
 by Pagans; six by Jews and Mahometans ; and five only by Chris- 
 tians of all denominatiou.s; of these nominal Christians, not more 
 than one third are Protestants. According to the latest computation 
 the foHowing is supposed to be the present state of the world : — 
 
 Pagans ■ jn482,000,000 
 
 Mahometans... 140,000,000 
 
 Ronmn-Catholics 80,000,000 
 
 Protestants 65,500,000 
 
 Eastern Christians 30,000,000 
 
 Jews... 2,500,000” 
 
 Jones’ Dictionary of Religions Opinions, 
 printed 1815, Pref. pp, 3, 4. 
 
 X. JnAerstey, Printer, DradJoPd,