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 MISSIONARY SERMON, 
 
 PREACHED 
 
 IN THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 PHILADELPHIA, 
 
 On the twenty-third of May, 1814. 
 
 BY ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 PRINTED BY WILLIAM FRY, PRUNE STREET 
 1814. 
 
SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 
 
 May 24/A, 1814. 
 
 Resolved^ That the standing Committee of Missions 
 be requested to present the thanks of this assembly to 
 the Rev. Archibald Alexander, D. D., for the mis- 
 sionary sermon, which, by their appointment, he had 
 preached the preceding evening; and that the Commit- 
 tee request of Dr. Alexander a copy of the sermon for 
 
 publication. 
 
 Attest^ 
 
 , JOHN E. LATTA, 
 Perm. Clerk. 
 
 BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF MISSIONS, 
 
 May 24;^, 1814. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of the Committee be pre- 
 sented to the Rev. Dr. Archibald Alexander, for his 
 missionary sermon, and that the Committee request a 
 copy for publication. 
 
 Extract from the minutes. 
 
 EBEN. HAZARD, 
 Secretary. 
 
SERMON, &c. 
 
 Mark xvi. 15. — Go ye into all the world and preach the 
 Gospel to every creature. 
 
 The promulgation of this command marks a new and 
 important era in the history of the church and of the 
 world. These words may be considered as the public 
 and formal abrogation of the Mosaic economy; and the 
 authoritative annunciation of the new order of things 
 under the gospel. 
 
 The first communications of divine truth, through 
 Adam and Noah, were made indiscriminately to the hu- 
 man family; but, in both instances, the precious deposit 
 was generally adulterated, and nearly lost. The wisdom 
 of God, therefore, saw it to be necessary to select and 
 separate from the idolatrous world, a particular family 
 which might serve as a repository of the divine oracles 
 and institutions; until that ' seed of the woman'' should 
 come, of whom it was predicted, that he should ' dniise 
 the serpen fs head:'' and that * seed of Abraham^'' in whom 
 all the families of the earth should be blessed. 
 
 During this period, the church of God was, for the 
 most part, circumscribed within the limits of the elect 
 nation. Its institutions were not designed, nor calcu- 
 lated, for general use; but were local, temporary, and 
 burdensome in their nature, yet well adapted to the 
 
purposes for which they were appointed. It is true, a 
 permission was given to the Israelites, to receive prosCf^ 
 lytes from other nations, of such as resided among them, 
 or should choose, for the sake of the worship of the true 
 God, to come to them; but they never received a com- 
 mand to propagate their religion among the surrounding 
 nations. They were not authorised to send out mission- 
 aries to convert the world. These were the times of igno- 
 rance^ which God winked at. He would leave the world 
 to make a fair experiment of its own wisdom, and to 
 exhaust all its own resources; that it might ever after- 
 wards appear evident, that the world by wisdom did not 
 know God; and that a divine revelation was absolutely 
 necessary for its instruction. 
 
 But now the middle wall of partition was broken 
 down; the law of commandments contained in ordinances^ 
 being abolished in the Jiesh of Christ; that is, this law 
 received its accomplibhment, when the body of Christ 
 was lifted up on the cross, as a propitiatory sacri- 
 fice for sin. By this means, those who were far off 
 are made nigh, by the blood of Christ. That the king- 
 dom of God, or gospel dispensation, was not fully in- 
 troduced until after the death of Christ is evident, be- 
 cause the Mosaic institutions until that time continued 
 in full force, and Christ himself rendered obedience to 
 the ceremonial law until the very day of his passion. 
 The kingdom of Heaven, indeed, was preached; that 
 is, it was announced to be at hand, by John the Baptist, 
 and by our Lord and his disciples. The nature of this 
 kingdom was unfolded, and its future condition in the 
 world predicted; but no new laws were promulgated, 
 nor any new institutions set up, which in the least in- 
 terfered with, or superseded the ceremonial liturgy of 
 the Jews. 
 
But when Jesus Cuvust ^ our great high priest of good 
 things to come, had, through the eternal Spirit, offered 
 himself without spot to God to bear the sins of many; and 
 had hy this one offering of his own body, perfected for- 
 ever them that are sanctified, the service of the first 
 tabernacle was set aside, and as to any utility, or divine 
 authority, ceased forever; as an emblem of which, the 
 veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the 
 bottom, at the very moment of expiation; when Christ 
 our high priest, by shedding his vital blood and pouring 
 out his soul unto death, offered his one great sacrifice 
 for sins. 
 
 At the rising of the sun, the feeble light of the stars 
 is lost in the superior splendour of his beams. When a 
 living person is before us, we no longer want an obscure 
 delineation of his features. The shadow may serve to give 
 us a faint idea of the substance; but when the substance 
 is come, we may be content that the shadow should fiee 
 away. The restrictions, tutors, and governors, requisite 
 in a state of minority, are not needed by the man of ma- 
 ture age. So, when Christ was manifested as our priest 
 and sacrifice, the twinkling of the types, and the obscure 
 sketch of the ceremonies of the law, were wanted no 
 more. 
 
 The King Messiah, had already, by a series of 
 stupendous miracles, and by completely fulfilling the 
 prophecies which related to him, established his claim 
 to the high character and office which he assumed; and 
 having laid an ample foundation for the kingdom which 
 he was about to establish, he now issues his commis- 
 sion to those, whom he had chosen to administer and 
 act in his name, and by his authority, upon earth, and 
 says, " Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to 
 every creature.^* 
 
As his kingdom was not of this world, he would not 
 avail himself of the powers of the earth in its establish- 
 ment: as it was his purpose that his religion should not 
 stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God, 
 he rejected the aids of human learning and eloquence; 
 and selected, as his ministers, rude and illiterate men, 
 taken from an unimproved part of the country, and 
 from the lowest occupations in society; — men totally 
 unversed in the policy of the world, and incapable of 
 speaking even their own vernacular tongue with pro- 
 priety. To such ministers did Christ commit the ma- 
 nagement of his kingdom, and sent them forth into all 
 the world, to preach, without any earthly protection or 
 patronage. This little band of heroes went forth to achieve 
 the conquest of the world, with no other aid than the help 
 of God, with no other armour than the panoply of the 
 gospel. Their weapons were not carnal but spiritual, yet 
 mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 
 
 But we are not to suppose that our Lord Jesus Christ 
 sent out these men to instruct and convert the world, 
 without qualifying them for their work. Whom he 
 sends, he calls; and whom he calls, he qualifies. The 
 apostles were therefore directed to tarry at Jerusalem, 
 until they should be endued with power from on high. 
 Accordingly, on the day of Pentecost, they were tho- 
 roughly baptized with the Holy Ghost and with f re. The 
 effects of this baptism were, that they were enlighten- 
 ed to understand the sacred scriptures of the Old Tes- 
 tament. — They were enabled to recollect distinctly and 
 comprehend generally the meaning of all the discourses, 
 which they had heard from the lips of Christ. — Their 
 faith, love, fortitude, patience, and assurance of the fa- 
 vour of God, were wonderfully strengthened and in- 
 creased. — They were endowed with the extraordinary 
 
faculty of speaking with perspicuity and propriety, lan- 
 guages, which ihey had never learned, nor heard; — 
 and with the power of healing the sick, dispossessing 
 the demoniac, and raising the dead. There was more- 
 over given to them a mouth and wisdom which none of 
 their enemies could withstand; and a presence of mind 
 and promptitude of utterance, which enabled them to 
 defend themselves with composure and dignity, and 
 plead the cause of their Lord with convincing force, 
 however suddenly called upon, or however august and 
 imposing their audience. 
 
 So great, however, was the power of early and na- 
 tional prejudice, diat the apostles did not, for some 
 time, understand the extent of their commission. They 
 had, before, been sent on a short mission, on which oc- 
 casion it was ordered, that they should not go itito the 
 %vay of the Gentiles^ nor even enter into any city of the 
 Samaritans; and they seem to have thought, that by 
 going into all the xvorld, and preaching to every crea- 
 ture^ no more was intended, than that they should go to 
 the seed of Abraham now widely dispersed among the 
 nations. But this veil was soon removed, by a particular 
 revelation made to Peter in a vision; and by the calling 
 of Paul to the apostleship, who, from the beginning, 
 received commission to go to the Gentiles, and was, in 
 a peculiar manner, designated and directed, to preach 
 among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. 
 
 We read in history of many persons travelling into 
 foreign countries to acquire curious and useful know- 
 ledge, and of their imparting their dearly purchased 
 treasure to a few chosen disciples on their return; but I 
 believe this is the first instance on record of any per- 
 sons leaving their own country, and visiting foreign 
 parts, with no other than the benevolent purpose of 
 
 B 
 
10 
 
 communicating important information to their fellow 
 creatures. The very novelty and sublimity of the pro- 
 ject of reforming a world lying in wickedness, bespeaks 
 a divine impulse; but the success of these first mission- 
 aries stamps the gospel with such a seal of authenticity, 
 as neither the lapse of ages, nor the sophistry of its 
 enemies can ever obliterate. 
 
 The apostles divided the world amongst them, and 
 whilst some went to the East, others directed their 
 course to the North, — the West, — the South. They 
 turned their back upon all their earthly friends and 
 prospects, and went forth to meet sufferings and death 
 in their most frightful forms; but they were supported 
 by the conviction that they forsook nothing, but what 
 was perishable; and i^y the confidence that Heaven was 
 before them^ whichever way they turned their faces; 
 and near^ wherever they might breathe out their souls. 
 Discouraged by no diificulties, and appalled by no dan- 
 gers, they penetrated into countries not described by 
 the geographer, aisd whose story has not been told by 
 the historian: and even the record of their own labours 
 is only in heaven. Suffice it to say, that they proved faith- 
 ful unto death, and have gone to receive a crown of life. 
 Most of them it is believed, received also the crown of 
 martyrdom: but where^ or how^ or -when^ we cannot with 
 any certainty say. 
 
 In further considering this subject, it shall be my ob- 
 ject— 
 
 I. To show that this commandment imposes an obli- 
 gation on the ministry and on the church, now existing, 
 to j)ropagate the gospel among the nations, who are liot 
 yet blessed vviih its light. 
 
 II. Endeavour to answer the question, " What is the 
 present duty of the American churches, and particularly 
 of our own, in relation to this command?" 
 
n 
 
 III. Conclude with some considerations and motives 
 to stimulate and encourage us to exert ourselves in car- 
 rying our Lord's will into effect. 
 
 1. In the first place then I am to show, that this com- 
 mand imposes an obligation on the ministry and on the 
 church to propagate the gospel among the heathen. 
 
 The proof of this proposition is so plain, that few re- 
 marks will be necessary to establish the point. 
 
 It is evident from the tenor of this commission, that 
 it did not respect the apostles only, but their successors 
 in the ministry; for the work here prescribed was too 
 great to be completed by so small a number of labour- 
 ers. What could be done by zeal, diligence, and perse- 
 verance, they effected: but the world was too wide, and 
 the life of man too short, to admit of a few persons 
 preaching the gospel to all the tribes and nations, scat- 
 tered over the surface of this globe. As our Lord in- 
 tended that this work should be accomplished, we may 
 conclude, that the commission to execute it, extended 
 to the successors of the apostles, as well as to them- 
 selves. 
 
 Again, every authorised minister of the gospel, de- 
 rives his authority to preach and baptize, from this 
 commission which Christ gave to his apostles. He has 
 received his office, it is true, immediately from the 
 hands of others, already in the ministry; but all the au- 
 thority which they possessed to confer such an office, 
 is derived from the original commission. Otherwise the 
 office of the gospel ministry vvould be merely of hu- 
 man, and not divine, appointment. But Christ is king 
 in his church, and is the fountain of power as well as 
 honour. 
 
 Now, that instrument which gives authority, must 
 be allowed to regulate its exercise. If we receive the 
 office, we of course take upon us the obligation to fulfil 
 its duties. But the commission says, " Go ye into all the 
 
12 
 
 world, and preach the gospel to every creature ^ The 
 CO!. elusion ti^ jt:fore is inevitable, that every minister is 
 bound, by the very nature of his office, to use his best 
 efforts to propagate the gospel through the whole world. 
 
 To this it may be objected, that that part of the com- 
 mission, which directs the conversion of the nations, was 
 peculiar to the apostles and other extraordinary minis- 
 ters of that age; but of this there is no proof: and if it 
 were true, the consequence would be, not only that 
 other ministers were not bound to execute this work, 
 but it would be unlawful for them to attempt it. And, 
 conversely, if it be lawful to preach the gospel to the 
 heathen, it must be because it is included in our com- 
 mission; and if comprehended in our commission, then 
 we are bound to its performance. 
 
 But a more plausible objection is, that, according to 
 this view of the subject, it would follow, that every 
 preacher of the gospel must become a missionary, 
 and go to preach to the heathen. But this difficulty will 
 vanish, if we consider the commission as given to a 
 body of men, that is, to the ministry of reconciliation^ 
 who are to act in concert in ( arrying it into effect: and 
 also if we interpret it agreeably to the great end which 
 Was designed to be acconipHshed. 
 
 Suppose a literary society were directed by authority, 
 to communicate the knowledge of some art or science 
 to the whole world, and also to preserve a lively recol- 
 lection of the truths communicated on the minds of 
 their disciples; it is plain, that, whilst it would be ex- 
 pedient for some to go into foreign parts, others should 
 commt-nce their work at home; and whilst some were 
 engaged in teaching those who had never learned, others 
 would be as properly employed in keeping up, and in- 
 creasing, the knowledge of those already initiated. 
 
 Such is the state of the case with the mmistry, who 
 are commissioned to preach the gospel to all nations. 
 
13 
 
 The ground which has been gained, must not be 
 abandoned for the hope of gaining more. The know- 
 ledge of evangelical truth must be preserved; and those, 
 who have heard and believed, must be further instruct- 
 ed, and their children, as they become capable, must 
 also be taught. This requires a stationary ministry. 
 And so we read that, when Christ ascended up on 
 hi.^h, he gave not only some apostles, prophets, and 
 evangelists, l:)ut also pastors and teachers, for the per- 
 fecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and 
 for the edifying of the body of Christ. Accordingly, the 
 apostles orduin<"d elders in every city, where thty col- 
 lected churches. But all are comprehended under the 
 general commission; and however it may fall to the lot 
 of some to be stationary, they are, nevertheless, as a part 
 of the body, bound to promote the diffusion of the light 
 of the gospel, by every lawful and practicable means. 
 
 But to establish the point under discussion beyond 
 all possibility of doubt, I will adduce the promise of our 
 Lord, which he annexed to the commission, for the sup- 
 port and encouragement of those appointed to execute 
 it. The command of Christ, on this occasion, is not 
 expressed in the very same words by the evangelists, 
 Matthew and Mark; or rather, they have recorded dif- 
 ferent parts of the discourse, which the risen Saviour 
 delivered on this occasion. In Matthew, Christ says, 
 *' Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the 
 Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching 
 them to obsei-ve all things whatsoever I havie commanded 
 you: and lo! I am with you alway, even to the end of the 
 world.^'* Now these last words clearly ascertain the ex- 
 tent of the commission. Christ well knew that none of 
 those persons then in his presence would live to the end 
 of the world; but he addressed the apostles as standing 
 at the head of a long succession of preachers, which 
 
14 
 
 should not cease, until he should come again, wlien the 
 world would be at an end. 
 
 Now it is plain, that the promise and command are of 
 equal extent: for they are addressed to the same per- 
 sons, at the same time, and the one was intended to 
 encourage those, who should obey the other; but the 
 promise reaches through every age to the end of the 
 world; therefore so also does the command. We think 
 OURSELVES authorized to plead this promise; but as 
 surely as \\q do so, we recognize the obligation of the 
 commai;d: for, those w ith whom Chi ist hath promised to 
 be alway, are such as are engaged in propagating his 
 religion over the world. 
 
 If more were needful to be said on a subject already 
 sufficiently plain, I would argue from the circumstances 
 of the case. The work commanded to be executed is 
 not yet completed. It is agreeable to the will of God 
 that it should be done. It is predicted that it shall be 
 accomplished. Those therefore who manage the affairs 
 of Christ's kingdom, are bound, by every lawful means, 
 to comply with the revealed will of God, and to fulfil 
 his unchangeable purpose, of giving the heathen to his 
 Son for an inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the 
 earth for his possession. 
 
 The only thing which remains under this head is, to 
 show that the obligation of this command extends to 
 the private members of the church as well as to the 
 ministry. Not that they are bound to preach the gospel; 
 for 710 tjian taketh this honour unto himself but he that is 
 called of God, asxvas Aaron. The nature of the duty in- 
 cumbent on the church, in relation to this object, can 
 easily be made apparent. If a king should send forth 
 heralds through the whole extent of his dominions, to 
 announce some important intelligence to his subjects, 
 it would be the duty of all not only to avoid throwing 
 
15 
 
 any obstacle in the way of the royal ntiessengers, but to 
 facilitate their progress by every means in thfir power, 
 and to give them every encouragement and support 
 whiUt engaged in the king's business. Well, Zioa's king, 
 who is THE King of kings, and Lord of lords, 
 hath sent forth his heralds, and commissioned them to go 
 to the ends of the earth, announcing every where the glad 
 news of salvation: are not all the subjects of this King, 
 then, under obligations to promote this object? And 
 how will THEY answer for it, to the Great King, who 
 throw obstacles in the way of the preachers of the gos- 
 pel, or who are negligent about affording them assist- 
 ance? This is a great work which is undertaken, deeply 
 involving the honour of God, the interest of the Re- 
 deemer's kingdom, and the salvation of souls. 'I'he call 
 is loud for every one to come to the help of the Lord 
 against the mighty. Every thing which can contribute 
 to the accomplishment of the important end in view, is 
 put in requisition. Power, influence, talent, learning, 
 wealth, navigation, coiTimerce, medicine, ought all to 
 lend their aid in propagating the gospel. 
 
 How much might a christian government effect by 
 friendly negociution with heathen powers for the intro- 
 duction of the gospel, and for the liberty and security 
 of missionaries! What a blessing to the world, if com- 
 merce, so often stained with injustice and cruelty, should 
 be sanctified to this glorious end! W^hat a noble return 
 for the precious commodities of the East, to send them 
 
 THE WORD OF GoD AND THE PREACHERS OF SAL- 
 VATION! What a change in the affairs of men, if our 
 merchants esteemed the diffusion of truth, and the sal- 
 vation of the heathen, a merchandise better than the 
 merchandise of silver^ and the gain thereof preferable to 
 the gain offne gold! Thanks be to God! some such 
 merchants there are on both sides of the Atlantic! But 
 oh! may he increase their numbers an hundred fold! 
 
16 
 
 But not only those possessed of power and wealth 
 may promote this ^reat work, but every humble, pious 
 Christian, is permitted and enjoined to bring his offer- 
 ing. If they cannot make large contributions in silver 
 and gold; or if they do not possess talents, learning, 
 and power, yet they have access to a throne of grace, 
 and may employ humble, fervent prayer, the most ef- 
 fectual of all means, in promoting the cause of God. 
 
 II. I come now, in the second place, to inquire, What 
 is the duty of the American churches, and particularly 
 of our own, in relation to this command? 
 
 1. I have had occasion, already to observe, that this 
 command does not oblige us to abandon the vineyard 
 which has been planted in this western world, and that 
 it is as much the duty of one portion of the ministry to 
 feed the flock of Christ, already gathered unto the fold, 
 as it is of another to go in pursuit of the lost sheep, which 
 are still wandering in the wilderness. Nay more; this is 
 our first duty. To leave the churches without any regular 
 supply of the means of grace, for the sake of planting new 
 churches among the heathen, would be no less absurd, 
 than for the husbandman to relinquish a field already in- 
 closed and cultivated, to clear and plant new ground in 
 the wilderness. Besides, it ought to be taken into serious 
 consideration, that in the increasing and widely expand- 
 ed population of this extensive country, there are mul- 
 titudes destitute of the regular administration of the 
 word and ordinances: and this is true, not only in regard 
 to our frontier settlements, but to the very suburbs of our 
 largest cities. How many thousands, in this land, scarcely 
 hear the sound of the gospel once in a year! Without 
 the most energetic exertions, there is much reason to 
 fear, that some large districts of our country will sink 
 into a state of ignorance and indifference on the subject 
 of religion, equally as fatal as paganism itself. The souls 
 
17 
 
 of our neighbours and countrymen are as precious as 
 those of the heathen; and they are more within our 
 reach; to these, therefore, we should first devote our at- 
 tention and exertions. 
 
 The blacks and people of colour also, in a peculiar 
 manner, demand our attention. They have been a highly 
 injured people, and justice, as well as humanity, de- 
 mands, that we should in some Way, afford them re- 
 dress; and what better can we do for them, than to 
 convey to them the knowledge of a crucified Saviour, 
 in whose precious blood they may find a balm for all 
 their bleeding wounds, and in whose gracious promises, 
 a cordial to revive their fainting hearts, under the va- 
 rious afflictions which they are destined to endure. 
 These people are amongst us, understand our language, 
 are easily accessible, and willing and desirous to hear 
 the gospel. Let us not, therefore, overlook them be- 
 cause they are a degraded people, but let us rather pity 
 their miserable condition, and provide for them the rich 
 consolations of the grace of God. 
 
 2. Again, it must appear obvious to all, that the hea- 
 then of our own continent, and on our own borders, 
 have a peculiar claim on our benevolence. Without a 
 divine warrant we have driven them from this land. The 
 fine country which we now occupy was theirs, as much 
 as any country can be ours. But what have we given 
 them in return? The gospel, the richest treasure which 
 we could communicate, and the communication of 
 which would not have rendered us the poorer, we have 
 in a great measure kept back. 
 
 How little have we, as a nation, been concerned for 
 their conversion to Ciiristianity, although the propaga- 
 tion of this religion was made the ostensible reason, by 
 the governments of Europe, for taking possession of all 
 these countries. This is a national sin, the guilt of which 
 
 C 
 
18 
 
 is, probably, at this moment, imputed to us, by him, 
 who weighs the actions of men, and renders righteous 
 retribution unto nations as well as individuals. 
 
 Let it not be said, that the savage habits and roaming 
 life of the western Indians render their conversion im- 
 practicable. The gospel, accompanied by the power and 
 blessing of God, has a thousand times triumphed over 
 obstacles equally as insurmountable. Obstacles as formi- 
 dable existed in the case of our own heathen ancestors, 
 before the gospel was propagated among them. Had 
 those men of apostolic spirit, who preached the SAL- 
 VATION OF CHRIST among them, been as easily 
 discouraged as we are, how miserable might our situa- 
 tion have been at this moment! 
 
 Let it not be said, that they must first become ci- 
 vilized, before they can receive the gospel. This is a 
 mere refinement of modern times, totally unsupported 
 by historical testimony. What, in fact, has been the 
 great means of civilizing Europe, but Christianity? 
 What, in the nature of things, has such a tendency to 
 subdue the ferocious passions of savages, as the doc- 
 trines and institutions of our holy and benevolent reli- 
 gion? Have not the Ccffres and Hottentots, the Green- 
 landers and Esquimaux, the most degraded of all savage 
 tribes, embraced the gospel in our own times? Let us 
 then hear no more of waiting for the civilization of the 
 Indians, before we attempt their conversion. Let us rather 
 believe, that the truest, and most effectual instrument of 
 civilization, is the word of God; and that the renovation 
 of the heart, which it produces, will do more to mitigate 
 savage ferocity, than all the arts in the world. 
 
 If, therefore, we possess any zeal for the salvation of 
 the heathen, let us endeavour to propagate the gospel 
 among the Aborigines of this continent. 
 
19 
 
 3. But, is it the duty of the American churclies to send 
 missionaries to the East? This question has of late en- 
 gaged the attention of the Christian public; and is of 
 great importance. Previously to expressing an opinion, 
 I would premise, that, if there existed any proportion 
 between the labourers and the harvest, according to 
 every principle of judicious distribution, the heathen on 
 this continent, would, undoubtedly, fall to the lot of 
 the American churches; and would furnish a field suffi- 
 ciently large, for all their zeal and exertions. But at pre- 
 sent, the harvest truly is great, a?id the labourers are few. 
 As in a great field, which cannot all be reaped, it matters 
 little where you thrust in the sickle. The only question 
 of any importance is, in what part will our labour be 
 likely to produce most fruit? Or, what part of the har- 
 vest is most ripe for the sickle? Such is the present 
 state of the great harvest of souls, which lies before us. 
 The little band of missionaries, who have gone forth, 
 or who are likely to go forth from Christendom shortly, 
 to labour in this field, are not adequate to the thou- 
 sandth part of the work to be performed. They 
 should, therefore, commence and prosecute their la- 
 bours, wherever the harvest is richest and ripest. When 
 I turn my eyes to the East, two considerations strike 
 my mind with great force. The one is, the multitude of 
 people who inhabit those regions, most of whom are 
 still sitting in darkness, and in the region arid shadow of 
 death. Hundreds of millions of immortal souls, hastening 
 to eternity, without any knowledge of the only name 
 given under heaven, among men, whereby we must be 
 saved. How overwhelming the thought! If our object be, 
 according to the tenor of our commission, to preach the 
 gospel to evert/ creature; here, here is the place to 
 publish the glad tidings, where millions, in a short time, 
 might be made to hear the joyful sound. 
 
20 
 
 The other consideration is, that there appears to be 
 a great and eflTectual door opened in the East, at this 
 time, for the propagation of the gospel. 
 
 For many years past, Providence seems to have been 
 preparing the way of the Lord. The Bible has been re- 
 cently translated into many Eastern languages; and THE 
 WORD OF LIFE begins to be extensively circulated 
 among the heathen. The attention of the Christian world 
 has, after a long sleep, been awakened, and directed to 
 this portion of the globe: and by the gracious interposi- 
 tion of Providence, favouring the exertions of the piojiis 
 and benevolent, those odious and disgraceful restrictions, 
 which prevented the introduction of missionaries in the 
 East, are now, in a great measure, removed. 
 
 The loud call, which the present dispensations of Pro- 
 vidence seem to send forth, to all Christian nations 
 in behalf of the millions of Asia, is. Go over and help 
 them. Some of our sister churches have not been dis- 
 'obedient to the heavenly call. Our brethren in the 
 eastern states have made a magnanimous beginning, and 
 have set us a noble example, worthy of imitation. Ano- 
 ther large Christian society seems to have felt the di- 
 vine impulse, and are at this moment in motion. Many 
 sober Christians are of opinion, that the awful darkness 
 of a long night begins to break. Undoubtedly, a new era 
 has commenced, in regard to the propagation of the 
 gospel. And shall our church, as numerous as any in 
 the Union, remain idle spectators of the exertions of 
 others? Shall we only, pay no regard to the signs of the 
 times? Can we be contented, to prosecute the great busi- 
 ness of missions, in the same cold and circumscribed 
 manner as we have hitherto done? I trust not. I sin- 
 cerely hope, that the General Assembly, which consti- 
 tutes the Missionary Society of our church, will, at 
 their present sessions, take the subject of foreign mis- 
 
21 
 
 sions into serious consideration; and that they will 
 resolve to co-operate cordially and energetically, in 
 carrying on this glorious work. 
 
 To this, I am aware, there are some plausible objec- 
 tions, the principal of which I will now endeavour to 
 obviate. 
 
 The first is, the want of funds. If our efforts hitherto 
 have been barely adequate to collect sufficient funds to 
 defray the expense of missions to our frontier settle- 
 ments, how can we expect to carry on, successfully, an 
 expensive foreign mission? 
 
 To which I answer, that our churches have proper- 
 tioned their contributions to the object which we have 
 held up to their view. But, if we should determine on a 
 foreign mission, it will excite the attention of many, 
 who have never yet been pervaded by a missionary 
 spirit; and will bring into operation a liberality, which 
 only waits for an opportunity to discover itself. But, 
 whether sufficient funds can be obtained for this pur- 
 pose, is a problem, which e^sperience alone can certainly 
 solve. But, if I am not deceived, there is, at present, a 
 disposition in the people of this country to promote this 
 object. It has been evinced, in every instance, in which 
 any call has been made on their liberality, for the dis- 
 semination of evangelical truth in those populous re- 
 gions. The success of our brethren in the eastern states, 
 in collecting funds, is calculated to afford ample en- 
 couragement. Only let the people know that you mean 
 to send missionaries to the East, and many will be for- 
 ward to contribute. 
 
 If this respectable audience were assured, that the 
 collection of this evening would be appropriated to a fo- 
 reign mission, I have little doubt that their contribu- 
 tions would be doubled. Nay, I believe I should not 
 
2ii 
 
 misrepresent the sentiments and feelings of some of my 
 hearers if I should assert, that with this object in view, 
 they would increase their contributions tenfold. Many 
 have begun to taste the refined luxury of beneficence. 
 Experience has taught them the truth of that saying of 
 our Lord, " It is more blessed to give than to receive;'''' and 
 of the aphorism of Solomon^ " There is that scattereth 
 and yet increascth^ and there is that withholdeth more 
 than is meet, but it tendeth to po'uerty.^'' For the libe- 
 ral soul has been made fat, and those who have lent 
 unto the Lord have been repaid with large interest. It 
 seems to be a principle in the conduct of Providence, 
 that they who give most liberally, shall have the more 
 to give. 
 
 Wealth has acquired a new value with those, who have 
 learned this exquisite mode of enjoying it; for no trea- 
 sures ever afforded such delicious gratification, as those, 
 which are dedicated to the Lord. That surplusage of 
 wealth, which has commonly been employed in feeding 
 vanity and gratifying ambition, would be abundantly 
 sufficient to promote all the important objects of real 
 benevolence. Lideed, if only the one hundredth part of 
 the money expended in dissipations and luxuries hurt- 
 ful to health and morals, were reclaimed for missionary 
 purposes, it would be more than adequate to all our 
 wants. 
 
 One resource may, I think, be depended on, if others 
 fiiil. When the expensive work of the Levitical Taber- 
 nacle w^as on hand, the fair daughters of Israel, not only 
 performed much by the labour of their hands, but with a 
 willing heart brought their most valuable jewels of gold, 
 and precious stones, and dedicated them to the servi<x of 
 tlie Lord; and we read that, the lave r, a very costly 
 
and important part of the sacred furniture of the Court of 
 the Tabernacle, was made out of the looking glasses, or 
 brazen mirrors, of the women who were accustomed to 
 assemble at the door of the Tabernacle. The dignity, 
 happiness, and usefulness of the female sex, are intimate- 
 ly connected with religion. It has often been mentioned 
 to the praise of Christianity, that wherever it has been 
 received, woman has arisen from her degradation, and 
 assumed her proper rank in society. To which we may 
 add, that in proportion as the genuine spirit of this reli- 
 gion is prevalent, the importance of the exertions of the 
 female sex become evident. Not to detain you with 
 accounts of their frequent instrumentality in the intro- 
 duction and propagation of the Christian religion, which 
 are recorded to their honour, in the early history of the 
 church, I will only advert to their recent exertions, in 
 this city, which furnish a noble pledge of what may be 
 expected from them in this glorious cause. 
 
 But another objection is, that we cannot obtain mis- 
 sionaries willing to go among the heathen, in lands so 
 distant. A few years since, this would have appeared 
 an insurmountable obstacle; but a great change has 
 taken place. We have not only heard of some of the 
 inhabitants of Europe leaving their native shores, but 
 we have seen the youth of America willingly offering 
 themselves, to go and preach the gospel to the heathen, 
 on the other side of the globe. And even delicate fe- 
 males, influenced by the love of Christ and the ardent 
 desire of promoting the salvation of the heathen, have 
 broken asunder the tenderest bonds of human nature, 
 and have deliberately forsaken aficctionate parents and 
 beloved brothers and sisters, to go into the remotest 
 lands, never, never to return. 
 
24 
 
 I 
 
 The same hallowed flame by which they were inspir- 
 ed, glows, at this moment, in many a youthful bosom. 
 The language of their hearts is. Here am /, send me. 
 Open the way, provide the means, and missionaries 
 will not be wanting. 
 
 But the most formidable objection is, that by sending 
 missionaries abroad, we will rob our own vancancies, 
 and retard the propagation of the gospel, among the 
 Aboriginal inhabitants of this country. If I believed that 
 this consequence would follow, I should feel myself 
 bound to protest against foreign missions. But, before 
 this objection be admitted, let it be considered, that the 
 number of preachers, who might be expected to go on 
 a foreign mission, would be too inconsiderable to pro- 
 duce any sensible effect on the churches here; but whilst 
 the labours of less than half a dozen persons would 
 scarcely be missed at home, they might perform the 
 most important services as missionaries in the East. 
 But this measure would not diminish the number of 
 faithful labourers in our churches. There is the strong- 
 est reason to believe that the effect would be exceed- 
 ingly beneficial in many ways to professing Christians. 
 It would excite a missionary spirit, which is the true 
 spirit of Christianity. It would raise the tone of religious 
 feeling many degrees. It would tend to the destruction 
 of bigotry and of a narrow sectarian spirit. It would 
 promote peace and harmony in the churches. If Chris- 
 tians had their minds properly occupied, and their hearts 
 suitably expanded, with this noble object of propagating 
 the gospel among the heathen, they would not, they 
 could not, spend their lives in petty contentions. 
 
 The adoption of this measure would excite a spirit 
 of prayer for the heathen among God's people. If they 
 had missionaries labouring in the East, they would fre- 
 
25 
 
 quently and earnestly be endeavouring to hold up their 
 hands by prayer. And so far will our sending mission- 
 aries to the East be fronni diminishing the number of 
 preachers, for the supply of our vacancies and churches, 
 that I sincerely believe, it would be the best measure 
 which we could adopt for the increase of candidates for 
 the sacred ministry. One successful missionary sent to the 
 East, would also enable us to do something more effec- 
 tually for the conversion of the heathen on our own bor- 
 ders, than has hitherto been done. It would produce that 
 very ardor, which is necessary for the commencement 
 and vigorous prosecution of such a work. It would not 
 be long before enterprising missionaries would explore 
 our Western wilds, and visit the many tribes of Indians 
 who are scattered over this vast continent: and the la- 
 bourers in the West would soon begin to emulate those 
 in the Eastern parts of the vine3'ard. 
 
 III. But in whatever way, or among whatever people, 
 we may think it most expedient to propagate the gospel, 
 let us without delay be active in the fulfilment of this 
 most important duty. The rfibtives, which should urge 
 us to activity and combined exertion, are of the most 
 forcible kind. The honour of our God and Redeemer, 
 are deeply concerned in this matter. The consideration 
 of so many millions, giving that worship to dumb idols, 
 which is due to God only, ought deeply to affect our 
 hearts, and will, if we really love his name. Our bosoms 
 should glov/ with inextinguishable zeal to overturn, by 
 the artillery of the gospel, those monstrous temples, 
 and hideous idols, on whose altars such multitudes of 
 our degraded fellow-creatures are daily offering their 
 polluted worship, and their sacrifices of cruelty. 
 
 And is it no dishonour, think ye, to Christ, that, 
 although he offered himself a propitiation, for men of 
 
 D 
 
26 
 
 every nation, that so many have never yet heard his 
 name. When oppressed with a sense of sin's desert, 
 when wounded and stung with remorse, they pine 
 away and die in their sins, and no messenger of mercy 
 comes near, to speak to them in words of consolation. 
 Did not Christ come to destroy the works of the devil, 
 and yet are not four-fifths of the population of the world 
 under the baleful influence of this Prince of darkness? 
 Consider, I beseech you, the value of one immortal 
 soul; which nothing could redeem from death, but the 
 precious blood of THE Lamb of God; and which is des- 
 tined to an immortal existence, in glory and happiness, 
 or in darkness, disgrace, and everlasting misery! Cal- 
 culate how many souls are, every year, perishing for 
 lack of that knowledge, which, by sending the gospel, 
 we might convey to them. I have no wish to enter into 
 the discussion of the question whether the salvation of 
 some of the heathen be possible without the knowledge 
 of a Saviour, in some extraordinary way unknown to us. 
 In whatever way this question may be decided, it will 
 have little or no influence in altering the motives which 
 should impel us to seek the conversion of the heathen; 
 for it will be admitted by all, that they who are aban- 
 doned to gross and abominable idolatry, or to enormous 
 vices against the law of nature, cannot be saved in that 
 state. If they could, it would be a great blessing for 
 multitudes in Christendom to be converted back again 
 to paganism, because under the gospel, it is plain, that 
 He who believeth not shall be damned. What then, I 
 would ask, is the condition of the heathen in regard to 
 religion and morality? Are they not almost universally 
 either idolaters, or enslaved to the most degrading vices? 
 No words are sufficient to describe the abyss of depra- 
 vity, into which most heathen nations are sunk. Their 
 moral condition is wretched and disgusting beyond any 
 
27 
 
 thing that the imaghiation can easily conceive. All those 
 encomiums which philosophers of a certain school, and 
 for a certain purpose, have lavished on distant savage 
 tribes, are proved to be false — utterly false. 
 
 Now, prejudice and system aside, I appeal to your 
 good sense — I appeal to the benevolent feelings of your 
 hearts — I appeal to your conscience to decide, whether 
 it be more charitable, to neglect the conversion of the 
 heathen, on the supposition that they may possibly be 
 saved without the gospel; or to carry to them the word 
 of God, which we KNOW, is able to make them xvise unto 
 salvatioTi? The apostles certainly acted under the belief 
 that the knowledge of Christ by the gospel, was ordi- 
 narily necessary to the salvation of sinners; otherwise 
 they would never have sacrificed their lives in endea- 
 vouring to bring the heathen to the knowledge of the 
 truth. They believed that there was but one name given 
 under Heaven, by which men could obtain salvation; 
 and therefore they exerted themselves to the utmost, to 
 spread abroad, in all lands, the savour of this precious 
 name, knowing that men could not believe on him^ of 
 whom they had not heard; and that they coidd not hear 
 without a preacher. 
 
 O ye ministers of the gospel! the successors of the 
 apostles! imitate their praise- worthy example. To you 
 now, are the treasures, and the keys, of the kingdom of 
 Heaven, committed. Have compassion, 1 beseech you, 
 on your fellow creatures and brethren, in whose veins 
 the same common blood circulates, and who are des- 
 tined to the same immortal existence. O pity their 
 wretched condition, and endeavour to rescue them 
 from impending ruin. 
 
 And ye people of God! who have tasted the sweet- 
 ness, and experienced the power of the gospel, you 
 know how dreadful a thing it is to stand exposed to the 
 
28 
 
 sentence of a broken law; and how inexpressibly de- 
 lightful, by faith, to view The Lamb of God who taketh 
 away the sin of the world. Your feelings have been 
 made alive to what concerns the glory of God, and the 
 honour of your Redeemer, and the welfare of immortal 
 souls. Can you therefore remain at ease? Can you cease 
 from exertion? Can you restrain your prayers? Will 
 you suffer your silver and gold to canker in your cof- 
 fers? Or will you any longer lavish your treasures on 
 inferior and unnecessary objects, when you enjoy such 
 an opportunity of applying a portion of your wealth to 
 the most excellent of all objects? God, in his providence, 
 is, in our times, wonderfully opening a door for the pro- 
 pagation of the gospel among the heathen. The long, 
 dark night of superstition and error, we trust, is drawing 
 to a close. The morning star already appears in the East- 
 ern horizon; and ere long, we hope, that the Sim of Righ- 
 teousness will arise on the millions of Asia, ivith healing 
 under his wings; and will extend his benign influences 
 over the whole habitable world. The sound of the trump 
 of Jubilee, proclaiming the day of salvation and accept- 
 able year of the Lord^ is now heard on die plains of 
 Hindostan, in the deserts of Africa, and in the remote 
 and far separated Isles of the Southern Ocean. The. 
 Indian, the jYegro^ the Hottentot, and Otaheitean, begin 
 to emerge from the dismal darkness of barbarism, and 
 to assume the dignity of man, and enjoy the privileges 
 of the Christian. They begin to taste the sweetness of 
 redeeming love, and sing the praises of THE PRINCE 
 OF LIFE, in their own native tongues. 
 
 The Bible, which contains the words of eternal life, 
 has been circulated of late to an extent, and with a suc- 
 cess, which fills the world with astonishment. A few 
 years ago, we would have deemed incredible, that which 
 we have lived to witness;-— and if an angel from heaven 
 
29 
 
 should declare the events, which will occur during the 
 next hulf century, perhaps our faith would stagger at 
 the wonderful report. But however great and glorious 
 the events, which may be evolved by the revolutions of 
 the great wheel of Providence, they will probably be 
 effected by the means, which God has already appoint- 
 ed, and which have been commonly employed. The 
 churches will be roused to exertion. A spirit of prayer 
 and supplication will be granted. A liberality, unknown 
 to former ages, will be called into exercise. Many will 
 be stirred up to offer themselves as missionaries. Chris- 
 tians, agreeing in the great fundamental doctrines of the 
 gospel, will become more united in spirit, and more 
 harmonious in operation. The aspect of the nations will 
 be changed. Wars will cease, and the sword be turned 
 into the plough- share, and the spear into the pruning 
 hook. National animosities and antipathies will be ex- 
 tinguished or mitigated. Kings will then esteem if their 
 highest honour, to become nursing fathers^ and queens 
 nursing mothers to the church. There will then be no 
 occasion for pathetic addresses to the passions to extort 
 a scanty pittance from the pockets of the avaricious. 
 The people will offer to the service of the Lord, as of 
 old, when they were obliged to tell them to stay their 
 hand — that it was enough. 
 
 Whether any anticipation of the spirit of these future 
 times, is possessed by my present audience, will now 
 be put to the test. The object is now before you. 
 Funds are needed for missionary purposes — Perhaps, 
 to send missionaries to the East. — I will not urge you 
 to give, nor attempt any appeal to your passions: The 
 Lord loveth a cheerful giver. Let every one then, ac- 
 cording as the Lord hath prospered him, and according 
 as he hath purposed in his heart, bring his oblation to 
 the treasury of the Lord. The ponderous gift of the 
 
30 
 
 man of wealth and the widow's mite will both be ac= 
 ceptable. Of one thing however you may rest assured, 
 that no one will become ultimately the poorer, for giv- 
 ing liberally to such an object. And this I believe would 
 be the result, if your contributions should be increased 
 tenfold. Finally, remember that the principal fruit of 
 your liberality will be enjoyed in heavenly blessings. 
 He who soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and 
 he who soweth bountifully ^ shall reap also bountifully. 
 
 And now may God make all grace abound toward yoUy 
 that ye always having all sufficiency in all thingSy may 
 abound to every good work; being enriched in every thing 
 to all bountifulnesSj which causeth through us thanks- 
 givijig to God, 
 
 IME ENO. 
 
(4