%Mm§ ^ ^ '- Rnm ower of steam. The present territory of the United States is equal to that of all Europe, exclusive of Russia. It is more than six times larger than Great Britain and France together ; and as large as China and Hindoostan united. And if we admit that our soil is not surpassed in fer- tility by any other, or our climate in salubrity, there 46 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. seems nothing to hinder America becoming as populous as any other portion of the world. Suppose it to reach the present ratio of population in Europe — 110 to the square mile — and there would teem on our vast territo- ries a population of 220 millions. Or should the density equal that of China — 150 to the square mile — our popula- tion would be 300 millions. That the soil of the United States is capable of supporting this number there can be no doubt. A European writer of credit has asserted that the " resources of the American continent, if fully developed, would afford sustenance to 3,600 millions of inhabitants, or four times the present population of the globe" — and that the actual population will not fall short of 2,000 millions — giving to the United States 270 millions. Nor is this merely what may be. The present rapid increase of our population is actually swelling our num- bers into these enormous dimensions. " And what is more surprising," says the writer just quoted, " there is every probability that this prodigious population will be in existence within three or four centuries. The imagina- tion is lost in contemplating a stateof things which will make so great and rapid a change in the condition of the world. We almost fancy it a dream ; yet the result is based on principles quite as certain as those which govern men in their ordinary pursuits."* Our population is found to double every 23 years — say. for safety's sake, 25 years — and we have to look forward only 100 years, and our present ratio of increase gives us 288 millions ; or 125 years, and we have on our soil 576 millions; or 150 years, and we number more than the present population of the globe. Indeed, to take the result of 100 years (288 millions) as the ultimatum of increase to which the resources of our soil will allow our population to advance, and what a host have we here for the moral conquest of the world. And suppose this enor- mous population to be what, under the peculiar smiles of Heaven, they ought to be ; and what, in the singular dealings of God, they were designed to be ; and what, under the quickening and transforming power of the * De Toqueville. POWER OF THE PRESS. 47 Holy Ghost, they would be, and how grand their pros- pective influence on the regeneration of the world! rortray in your mind a nation of 288 millions, imbued with the principles of Puritan integrity, enterprise, deci- sion, self-denial, and benevolence ; her civil institutions so modeled as to leave Religion free as our mountain air, to invigorate the plants of virtue here, or to waft its bless- ings over the arid sands of Africa, or the snow-top moun- tains of Tartary ; her social relations unshackled by the iron chains of custom and caste ; her religion no longer laced in the stays of needless rites, liturgies, prelacy, or state interference ; the public mind enlightened by an eflicient system of common education ; or you may, if you please, contemplate our nation as peculiarly fitted to bring to bear on the nations the power of the 'press, or to facilitate the world's deliverance by the unlimited scope of our navigation — from whatever point you look, you will find, in this land of the Pilgrims, resources laid up in store, by which Providence may, in his own set time, revolutionize the world. What means this curtailing of distances — this facility of intercourse between the remotest points of our own country and of the world, if He that worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, be not about to use it for the furtherance of the cause which is as the apple of his eye ? If the introduction of the Greek classics into Europe, drew aside the veil of the dark ages, and the invention of paper-making and of printing perpetuated the advantages of the Reformation, may we not expect that the application of the power of steam is destined to subserve a scarcely less important end, in the conversion of the world ? To appreciate the force of this, we need to contemplate in the same view, three collateral facts : the extensive 'prevalence of the English language, and its treasures of religious knowledge ; the present supremacy, on the political arena, of the nations ivho speak this language ; and the singular distribution of these immense deposits of coal, which are to supply the power to print and distri- bute books, and to convey them, by whom "knowledge shall increase," over the broad world. 48 THE HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. Ours is the language of the arts and sciences, of trade and commerce, of civilization and religious liberty. It is the language of Protestantism — I had almost said, of piety. It is a store-house of the varied knowledge which brings a nation within the pale of civilization and Chris- tianity. As a vehicle of our institutions and principles of civil and religious liberty, it is " belting the earth," push ing east and west, and extending over the five great geo- graphical divisions of the world, giving no doubtful pre- sage that, with its extraordinary resources for ameliorating the condition of man, it will soon become universal. Already it is the language of the Bible. More copies of the sacred Scriptures have been published in the English language, than in all other tongues combined. And the annual issues in this language, at the present time, be- yond all doubt, far surpass those of all the world be- sides. So prevalent is this language already become, as to betoken that it may soon become the language of international communication for the world.* This fact, connected with the next, that the two nations speaking this language have, within a few years past, gained the most extraordinary ascendancy, holding in their hands nearly all the maritime commerce and naval power of the world, giving tone to national opinion and feeling, and sitting as arbiters among the nations, dictating terms of peace and war, and extending their empire over the nations of the East, holds out a glorious presage of the part America is destined to act in the subjugation of the world to Christ. I say America, believing that " Westward the star of empire takes its way ; The four first acts already past, A jifih shall close the drama of the day. Time's noblest offspring is the last." If it be a fact (and history proves it,) that wealth, * The New York Observer recently acknowledged the receipt of the following for- eib, an instructive lesson, and one much to our present purpose, as auguring well for Israel : It is the simultaneous and deep sympathy ex- cited in behalf of the sufferers of Rhodes and Damascus. Fifty years ago every Jew in the Turkish empire might have been slaughtered, and no great sensation produced anywhere. But now, so changed is public feeling to- wards the Jews, let the foot of oppression attempt to crush them, or the bloody mouth of persecution to devour them, and ten thousand voices are raised in one general remonstrance. Meetings are held in London, Liverpool, New York, Philadelphia, Constantinople ; the most cor- dial sympathy expressed, prayers offered to Israel's God for their relief, and petitions sent to the several govern- ments of Europe and the United States, that these gov- ernments would make it the duty of their respective Consular Agents in the East, to urge on the Pacha of Egypt the necessity of treating the Jews in Damascus and throughout his dominions as men who have rights like his other subjects. And what is more, these govern- ments listened to such petitions, and instructed their agents accordingly ; and so promptly, as to indicate a public sentiment against persecution, strong enough to prevent the recurrence in our world of another such scene. Thus are the Jews learning, for the first time since apostolic Christianity, that the Christian church has a heart, which can be touched in pity for the poor exiles of Israel ; yea, that the world, too, feel its cold heart begin to warm with indignation, if, in these latter days, upstart vandalism dare lay its uncircumcised hand on earth's SHAKING AMONG THE JEWS. 339 nobility. Too long has the poor Jew had but too much reason to regard Christianity either as idolatry towards God, or contempt, cruelty and outrage towards the house of Israel. The " pillar of cloud and of fire," has long turned its dark side towards them, and God has treated them as aliens and enemies ; and now that the light side is beginning to shine on them, we may indulge the de- lightful hope that God's former love is about to return. There is a " noise," a sound like the low murmuring of many waters, distant, distinct, and gathering strength with every new commotion, now pervading the whole Gentile world, in behalf of the seed of Abraham. It is the precursor — it is to a considerable extent the cause of the present movement on the Jewish mind. Though it- self not a feature, directly, of the Jewish mind, it is a feature of our times, which has had much to do in making the Jewish mind w^hat it now is in its favorable disposi- tions towards Christianity. 3. The " shaking" among the Jews themselves. Re- cent religious and intellectual movements among them indicate that the day of their redemption is near. The Jewish mind is everywhere awake. Never was there among them such a spirit of inquiry. A few facts will illustrate : From a communication by the Rev. Mr. Goodell, Con- stantinople, it appears that the Jews in the metropolis of the Turkish empire are agitated by an unusual spirit of religious inquiry. Some are anxiously looking for the speedy restoration of their nation to their beloved Pales- tine ; others expect the immediate advent of the Messiah ; others doubt whether he be not already come. " The chief Rabbis had led them to expect that, according to their books, the Messiah must absolutely appear during the year 1840. A learned Jew occasionally visits me, and almost the first, and sometimes the very first ques- tion I ask him is, Has he come .?" " Not yet," has always been his reply, till his last visit, when, laying his hand on his heart, he said, in a low and solemn tone, " If you ask me, I say he has come ; and if you will show me a safe place, I will bring you ten thousand Jews to-morrow who will make the same confession." .1 replied, " the apostles 340 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. and prophets had no safe place shown them to confess truth in, but they made the confession in the face of stripes, imprisonments, and death." But what more particularly demands attention here, as a proof of the awakening energies of the Jews, are the PUBLIC DISCUSSIONS amoug them in regard to the Talmud- and Rabbinical traditions. The Talmud is a medley of traditions, claimed by the Rabbins, (the modern Pharisees,) to be the oral laio, given through Moses, and of equal authority with the written law, not unlike the traditions of the Romish Church. Bating a sparse sprinkling of good throughout, the Talmud is a mass of crude fables, superstitions, and absurdities. From the bondage of this yoke the Jewish mind is laboring to be free. A large class of Jews, prin- cipally in Germany, called the Reformed, have taken strong ground against the Talmud. Conventions of Rabbis and learned men have from time to time been held, to discuss the authority of the Talmud, the expedi- ency of an alteration of the liturgy, a reform of the ritual, and a new translation of the Scriptures. Convince the Jews that the oral law -is only of human authority, and the colossus of modern Judaism will fall to the ground. The question, therefore, before the Jew- ish mind is nothing less than this : What is the basis of our religion, the word of God, or the commandments of men ? Precisely the question which divides the Protes- tant and the Romish churches. British Jews have already adopted a Prayer Book which is free from all references to the oral law. Leading Jewish writers, also, freely discuss topics like these : the p'esent position, character, and privileges of the Jews, past and present, their degradation, hopes, and fears. Another question of much practical importance, and much discussed, is. Is it necessary that Israelitish worship should he conducted in the Hebrew language ? In some places, the Reformed Jews have organized societies, binding themselves to the non-observance of Rabbinical rites and injunctions. They regard circum- cision as non-essential, and the promise of the Messiah JEWISH MIND ROUSED. 341 as fulfilled. In Gallicia, there is a secret society, the oh- ject of which is to undermine the authority of the Tal- mud, and the whole fabric of Judaism. The Scottish deputation to Palestine found the influence of this society to be working a secret, though powerful influence, among the Jews in the southern provinces of Russia. " The field," they say, "in Moldavia and Walachia, is ripe for the harvest. The Jews are in a most interesting state. Many here have their confidence in the Talmud com- pletely shaken." Of their interview with the Jews of Jassy, the capital of Moldavia, they say : " AH had an open ear to our statements of the truth." In France, Germany, and Poland, there is a very general abandonment of Rabbinism. In England and Holland the Jews are catching the spirit of life which is abroad on the stagnant waters of Judaism. In Berlin, the capital of Prussia, a writer says, " there is an extraor- dinary stir among the dry bones of Israel. The time has come when they themselves feel dissatisfied wdth the Rabbinical and fanatical systems of Judaism." A Jewish preacher recently said in a public discourse : "It is, alas! too true, that our religion does not answer what God had in view — which is not, however," says he, " the fault of Judaism, but of the Jews. Our state is certainly lament- able." " Within the last few years," says another, "every event connected with the Jewish people has assumed an intense interest and importance." We may, then, well credit the preacher in a Jewish synagogue in London, w^ho recently said : " We are happily emerging from the darkness into which persecu- tions of unparalleled intensity and duration had banished us. Our domestic, social, and political life is assuming a brightness, which we feel assured will become more and more cheering." Or, Lord Ashley, who in a late meeting of the Jews' Society in London, said : " At no time has the horizon been so bright for the Jewish people. At no time prophecy so near its fulfillment. A year ago no imagination was lively enough to conceive one-tenth ot what we have heard this day." In Smyrna, " there is great freedom of inquiry among the Jews." Many families admit Jesus of Nazareth to 29* 342 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. be the Messiah, yet retain some national rites. They read the New Testament, are weary of the bondage of the Rabbis, and give an intellectual assent to Christianity. Pointing to a Romish priest, a Jew says : " Our Rabbis and these priests are alike impostors." The late Prussian Embassador at the court of Rome, declared that " through- out the vast dominions of Germany and Poland, there is a general movement of inquiry, and a longing expectation abroad, that something will take place to 7'estore them to the land of their fathers." Rev. T. Grimshawe says, " A vast number of Jews are preparing to emigrate from Germany and Poland to settle in Palestine ; while throughout the whole of Europe and Asia, a general ex- pectation is raised among them that the time of their deliverance is drawing near. Throughout Italy, the same uneasiness and expectation may be observed." This movement of the Jews towards Palestine, whatever may be thought of it as an evidence of a literal restora- tion, is at least indicative of a state of mind not to be overlooked in our present discussion. In Prussian Poland, especially in the Grand Duchy of Posen, the Scottish deputation found everywhere '' an open door for preaching the word to the Jews ;" " the state of the Jewish mind decidedly favorable to mission- ary efforts ;" " patient to listen to the exposition of the word ;" and " parents manifesting an extraordinary, un- suspecting readiness to send their children to Christian schools." " Twelve years ago," say two indefatigable missionaries in this province, " the Jews would not come near a Christian church, nor converse on matters per- taining to salvation ; now they seem rationally con- vinced that Judaism is false, and that Christianity may be true." Indeed, a spirit of inquiry is abroad ; and multitudes who have all their lives long lain buried beneath the rub- bish of modern Judaism, are beginning to emerge. The long and dreary winter of Jacob's captivity seems to be nearly passed. The genial sun of the divine favor Js beginning again to shine, and to melt from their hearts the ice of ages. And soon we may expect the sons and SYMPTOMS OF RENOVATION. 343 daughtei^ of Judah will take their harps from the willows, and in the sweet lays of their own poet, sing, "Lo, the winter is passed, and the rain is over and gone, The flowers appear on the earth, The time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the turtle is heard in the land." Symptoms of ever- welcome spring appear — marks of resuscitation among the dry bones of Judah. And each revolving year shall witness new developments of the rising star of Jacob, till the kingdom shall be restored to David, and Judah shall again wear the crown, and bear the sceptre, and Jerusalem become a joy and praise in all the earth. But it must not be supposed that this mental and moral revolution has been the work of a day. The leaven of reform has been at work at least for a century. Moses Mendelsohn gave the first impulse to Jewish mind in modern days. Himself an eminent proficient in liter- ature and science, he infused his spirit into the minds of his countrymen. He sapped the foundations of Jewish bigotry ; and what is more, struck the death-blow to that corrupt, tyrannical system of Talmudism, the Popery of Judaism, which has done more than all other causes to debase the Jewish mind. Nothing, perhaps, more distinctly betokens the dawn of a brighter day for Israel, than the late efforts and im- provements in the education of their youth. In concluding this head I cannot forbear quoting the very valuable testimony of the Rev. Mr. Bellson, a con- verted Jew and missionary in Posen, and late candidate for the Bishopric in Jerusalem : " I am more than ever," says he, " impressed, that the Jews are hastening to a' great crisis. It must be evident to any common observer, there is a great movement among them. This wonderful people, who for eighteen hundred years remained unaltered, have undergone a marvelous revolution within the last forty years, espe- cially within the last twenty. They are in a transition state. Thousands, convicted of the hollowness and rot- tenness of Rabbinism, and, therefore, thrown it ofl', feel a 344 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. vacuum in their souls, which Christian truth alone can fill. The Talmud is sinking fast, and its giving up the ghost cannot be far off." Or, in the words of another intelligent writer, "the Jews are entering upon a new era in their history ; their position is becoming every day more interesting to the missionary, the student of prophecy, and the politician." There is, indeed, a " shaking" among the dry bones, and the sinews and flesh come upon them and the skin. And, moreover, the spirit from the four winds is breathing on these slain, and they are beginning to live. 4. Hence our next position : the Jews as disposed to receive the Gospel, and the success of Christian missions among them. A few facts here will confirm what has been said already, and show the present condition of the Jews to be one of delightful interest. " A surprising change," says another resident in Con- stantinople, "has taken place among the Jews of this city. Instead of persecuting or slaying those who show inclination to Christianity, or giving them a hint to re- move from the city, the chief Rabbi receives visits from Mr. Schaffeler, the Jewish missionary, corresponds with him ; commends his translation of the Old Testament into Hebrew Spanish, and urges it on the people. Constan- tinople contains from sixty to eighty thousand Jews. In Germany the movement is mighty and onward ; the Lord seems everywhere making way to execute his work among his people Israel — stirring up the hearts of many to search the Scriptures and seek salvation. The young men in the universities speak publicly and boldly on Jewish subjects. Whereas, twenty years ago, they were ashamed to be even known as Jews. In Frankfort, th« missionaries are surrounded from morning till evening by multitudes of Jews, opening to them the Scriptures, and alledging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the dead. A Jew in Russia came with his wife four hundred miles to receive baptism. Two dif- ferent deputations come to the mission at Warsaw to in- quire and get an " exact account of Christianity." Mis- sionaries at Bagdad, and other places in the East, speak SYMPTOMS OF RENOVATION. 345 of many hundreds of Jews opening their houses for in- struction, and still a greater number who are prosecuting their inquiries more privately. " In Hungary are hundreds of villages where half the Jewish population would ask baptism if they might have regular Protestant preaching." A missionary writes : " I nowhere find so much work and so kind a reception as in Hungary." " In Prussia the spirit of inquiry is still more general and intense. At Comitz, Posen and Zempal, the Jews hear the missionary gladly ; his room is crowded all day with Jews and Jewesses, to whom a great number of Scriptures is distributed, and Christ crucified preached with no bitter opposition. They come in crowds, old and young, eager for books on Christianity." " In Berlin the progress of Christianity among the an- cient people of God is extraordinary, and the opposition of the Rabbis cannot stop it. The Jews join as by dozens, by scores, and I hope they will soon come by hundreds." There is, in the single city of Berlin, one thousand Christian Jews — one hundred baptized in a sin- gle year. Within a few years, three hundred have been baptized in the Hebrew Episcopal Chapel in London ; one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight in Prus- sia ; five hundred and eighteen in Selisia ; three hun- dred and sixty-four in Warsaw and Kiningburg ; three thousand and four hundred Jews are in communion with the Christian Church. There is no consider- able town in Germany where there are not found baji- tized Jews. In Prussia, too, as also in many parts of Germany, thousands of Jewish children attend Christian schools, and are instructed in Christianity. " The present state of the Jewish mind," writes one, "is favorable to missionary labor. Throwing off Jewish prejudices and the trammels of the Talmud, they are anxiously inquiring after some- thing new — something more satisfactory than tlie puerilH- ties and outward observances of the Rabbis. The field is ripe." In Cracow, it is said, that if the means of support for proselytes could be obtained, one half of the Jewish popu- lation would become Christians. Indeed, not only here, 346 HAND OB^ GOD IN HISTORY. but in many other places, it costs the Jew his very Hve- lihood to embrace Christianity. Many Jewish fathers in Vienna, and also in Galhcia, are bringing their children up Christians, though they prefer themselves to die Jews, "Inquirers from foreign countries not unfrequently come over to England, for the express purpose of investigating the truth of the Gospel." Rev. R. H. Hershell, by birth and honor a Jew, having extensively visited his brethren in Europe and Asia, and heard, in their synagogues, their confessions of sin and their earnest cries unto the Lord in the land of their dis- persion, says : " I found a mighty change in their minds and feelings in regard to the nearness of the time of their deliverance. Some assigned one reason, some another, but all agreed in thinking the time is at hand." While dining, on one occasion, with the Elders of the Synagogue, and conversing on the present condition of the Jews, one said : " Ah, we need a Jewish Luther to come among us and stir us up." When he declared that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, it excited little astonishment or opposition. Indeed, I may here quote the declaration of Professor Tholock, of Germany, that " more Jews have been con- verted to Christianity, during the last twenty-five years, than during the seventeen centuries preceding." And, what is particularly encouraging to Christian effort, not a few converted Jews, and others not converted, are filling places of influence and trust, both in the world of letters and of politics, both in Church and State. Five Professors in the University of Halle are Jews ; three in Breslau. The celebrated Neander, Wehl and Brenary are Jews — ten professors in Berlin alone. Drs. Lee, Stahl and Capadose are Jews. So is a medical professor in St. Petersburg, and eight clergymen in the Church of England. Whether it be in pecuniary ability and financial tack, or in the higher walks of learning, or in military prowess, or in political or diplomatic skill, the Jews are not want- ing in men thoroughly furnished for every exigency. The Minister of Finance in Russia is a Jew. The Minister, Senor Mandezabel, of Spain, is a Jew. The late Presi- JEWS IN HIGH PLACES. 347 dent of the French Council, Marshal Soult, is a Jew. So are several French marshals. The first Jesuits were Jews. No great intellectual movement in Europe, re- marks one, has taken place in which Jews have not greatly participated. Indeed, not a small share of human activity is this day kept in motion by Jews. That mys- terious Russian diplomacy, which so alarms western Europe, is organized and chiefly carried on by Jews. The mighty reformation now preparing in Germany is developing itself under the auspices of Jews. It is strongly surmised that the celebrated John Ronge is a Jew. The daily political press in Europe, is very much under the dominion of the Jews. As literary contributors, they influence almost every leading continental newspaper. In Germany alone they have the exclusive control of fifteen public journals. An intelligent writer speaks of the " magic power" of their present intellectual influence in Europe. " For better or for worse, they are on the move. Every month brings tidings of a change. Old chains are being severed. Old opinions, associations and observances are being broken up. The harbor of Rabbinical Judaism is left. They must now either be piloted to the haven of truth, or, borne along for a time by every wind that blows, be at length stranded on the shore of Infidelity." We cannot but regard the Jews as on the eve — yea, in the midst of some mighty movement. There is, on their part, a singular preparedness for some great change. They are in a transition state — now being ^c/ioo/ecZ in every na- tion on the face of the earth, and in every branch of prac- tical, profound, and useful learning, and in the various functions of office — prepared in lessons of rich and varied wisdom and experience, to construct a more perfect civil and church polity than the world has yet seen. There is, doubtless, Jewish material enough, at the present time, to form a strong body politic. They have numbers, wealth, intelligence, industry, enterprise. Should certain Jewish families in Europe suddenly withdraw their capital, they would cripple kingdoms. These are encouraging features to Christian eflbrts in behalf of the Jews. Such material, if once converted to 348 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. God, would be mighty to the pulling down of the strong- holds of Satan in the Gentile world. Large portions of the Mohammedan and Papal world are accessible only through the Jews resident among them. In Egypt, Pal- estine and Turkey, you find the followers of the Arabian Prophet almost inaccessible to the Gospel ; yet you may preach to the Jew. In Wallachia and Moldavia, in Hun- gary, Austria and Italy, the attempt to evangelize the blind votaries of Rome, or of the Greek Church, would, till very recently, bring instant vengeance on the head of the missionary ; yet he may, without let or hinderance, preach to the thousands of Jews scattered there, and through them, introduce the gospel throughout all those wide realms of death. Finally, in contemplating the Jew, as he appears in the now passing scene of Israel's grand drama, we have before us a pilgrim and a sojourner, with staff in hand and loins girt — a man /?-om home, with little to attach him to the soil of his adopted country, and his heart as warmly sigh- ing for the hills and valleys of his beloved Palestine, and for the Holy Hill of Zion, as the Jew who had wandered from the fold in the days of David ; and his expectation of returning thither, as sanguine as were those of the waiting captives of Babylon. Whether or not such expectations shall be literally realized, none, I think, will question that the Jews are on the threshold of a great revolution, and, with the page of prophecy before us, we cannot doubt this revolution shall be a retuiTi to the favor of God within the pale of Christianity. Such are some of the facts connected with the present condition of the Jews. Do they not warrant the expec- tation that the time draws near when the Father of Jacob will again smile on his wayward, wandering children, and accept their services in their beloved Zion ? The bowels of his love, the energies of his Almighty arm, are once more engaged for his ancient people, to restore them to his favor, and make them a praise in all the earth. God has not cast off his people. He has engraven them on the palms of his hand. He is kindly visiting Jacob in his dis- persion, and is calling his chosen from the ends of the REFLECTIONS. 349 earth. The Lord will arise and have mercy on Zion, ibr the time to favor her has come. In bringing to a close a chapter already protracted much beyond the original design, the importance of the subject seems to urge on us a few brief reflections. 1. The question now so vigorously discussed by the Jews, assumes a double importance, from the fact, that it is the great question of the age. It is the Bible question. Shall the church take the Bible for her text-book, her only and infallible guide in all matters of faith and prac- tice, or shall the traditions of the elders, the command- ments of men, the decrees of councils, be her authority ? The " shaking" among the Jews is but a kindred move- ment with the present shaking in the whole religious world. It is the great question that divides Rome and Geneva. And this momentous question is likely to be first settled on Jewish ground. And have we not here a clue to the manner in which the Jews shall exercise so prominent an agency in the conversion of the world to Christianity ? Having themselves settled the great ques- tion of the age, broken down the last great, and perhaps the most formidable strong-hold of the adversary, they will come up to the great moral conflict as experienced, skillful, valiant men and successful warriors. 2. What lesson of duty is here taught to all who revere the Messiah, and look and pray for the speedy coming of his kingdom ; and look for it, too, as to come especially through the agency of the Jews. They are to be as " life from the dead" to the slumbering nations. Consequently, an intellectual and religious movement among no other people can possess so much interest to the Christian. The destinies of the world are bound up in the destiny of Israel. And as we see this destiny developing, and sub- limer scenes in the great Jewish drama transpiring, we can hardly mistake that a new dispensation is unfolding itself, more extensive, more sublime, than the world has yet witnessed. Every feeling of piety will, therefore, respond, with unfeigned gratitude, to what God is now doing to recover the house of Israel ; every pious effort be put forth to bring Israel again into the pale of the divine favor, and of the visible church of God. The 30 350 HAND OP GOD IN HISTORY. Jewish mind is ripe either for the messenger of the gos- pel, or for the teacher of infideHty. If we do not sow the good seed, while we sleep the enemy will sow tares. 3. What kind of efforts will be found more effectual to the conversion of the Jew ? Whether for Jew or Gen- tile, it must be in substance the preaching of Christ cru-. cified ; but to the Jew, not precisely in the same way. To him it is not a new presentation of Christ, but an identification of the Messiah already come, with his ex- pected Messiah. He is ready to believe, if he can identify Jesus of Nazareth as the foretold Christ. Hence these *' dry bones" must be " prophesied" to. Correct exposi- tions of the prophecies must constitute the burden of the labors of the missionary to the Jews. He must preach Christ the end of the Jewish law ; Christ, the reality of all their types, the substance of all their shadows, the thing signified by all their signs, the great sacrifice and sin-offering, the Lamb of God, the Messiah so long looked for. They cannot believe till they see Jesus the prophet like unto Moses ; the spirit of prophecy, a testi- mony concerning Jesus. Already much has occurred to force the Jewish mind to the study of their prophetic writings. The word of God is becoming more and more the only authority in religious controversy. 4. All things are preparing for, and approaching a crisis of intense interest to our entire race. This is an in- ference from a survey of the present condition of the Jews, as connected with their providential relation to the whole world. Any divine purpose fulfilled towards Israel, or any movement in their camp, involves in it a series of purposes and movements towards the whole Gentile world. Every leaf that stirs on the mountains of Israel, is a signal of a mighty commotion among the nations ; every ripple on the waters of Judah, a precur- sor of a storm that shall shake the foundations of the great deep. When God shall deign to smile again on his ancient people, and restore them to their promised in- heritance, all that have opposed his purposes shall be taken out of the way ; all that have wronged and op- pressed Israel shall drink of the cup of his indignation. It shall be the overturning of the world ; shall bring peace THE NESTORIAN CIIUllCH. 351 to them who love the Prince of Peace, but destruction to tiiem who have fought against the Lord's anointed ones. Are you prepared, reader, for the coming of such events ; laboring, watching, praying, waiting, hoping, till the Son of Man come in his glory, restore his people to his favor, avenge himself on their enemies, convert the world, and take the kingdom to himself? CHAPTER XIX. The Nbstorians— their country, number, history. The Ten lost Tribes. Early con- version to Christianity. Their missionary character. The American Mission among them. Dr. Grant and the Koordish mountains. The massacre. The great Revival— extends into the mountains. The untamed mountaineer. A bright day dawning. *' They shall build the old wastes ; they shall raise up the former desolations." — Isa. Ixi. 4. We shall pass over the Syrian, Coptic, and Greek churches without any particular notice, not being aware of any thing in their present condition especially en- couraging to the labors of the evangelist. That a reno- vating process has begun among them — that the hand of God is at work, preparing the way for the recovery, at no very distant day, of those lapsed portions of the one great fold, we do not doubt. Already facts indicate such a process. Yet the lines of Providence are not distinct ; the point of their convergence not certain. Nor need we speak immaturely. It is quite sufficient that we take a cursory survey of but one other of these ancient churches. The Nestorians. This ancient people occupy the border country between the Turkish and Persian em- pires. They are found mostly among the mountains of 352 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. Koordistan, (the ancient Assyria,) and in the province of Ooroomiah, in western Persia. The western portion of this territory is subject to the Turks, the eastern to the Persians, while the central portion, among the wild ranges of almost inaccessible mountains, is nearly inde- pendent — ignorant and barbarous. The Nestorians, computed now at 150,000, are the remnant of a noble race. They have a history of thrill- ing interest ; a history not yet written, and perhaps never can be. The antiquity of the Nestorians, their location, their preservation as a distinct people, and a Christian church; their doctrinal and Christian purity and spirituality, compared with all other oriental churches ; their entire exemption from idolatry, and their remarkable missionary character, are facts which bespeak an atten- tive perusal of their history, and which can s'carcely fail to suggest to every reflecting mind, that a people who have so long been the objects of an ever-watchful Provi- dence, are reserved for some signal display of his grace. An intelligent traveler, the late Rev. Dr. Grant, who recently visited them among their mountain fastnesses, has, with much plausibility, claimed for the Nestorians a Hebrew origin. They are, he believes, the remnant of the Ten Tribes, which Shalmaneser, King of Assyria, carried captive into Assyria 721 years before Christ. They are found in the very same spot where, twenty-five centuries before, God put the Ten Tribes. They resem- ble the Jews in features, manners, dress, and language. Their names are Jewish ; and tradition, both among themselves, and the nominal Jews that reside among them, as also among the Koords, assigns to them an Israelitish descent. And another species of evidence is produced. It is of the character of circumstantial testi- mony. Dr. Grant finds in this ancient Christian church certain relics of Judaism ; remains of sacrificial customs ; traces of religious vows, especially that of the Nazarites ; of first fruits brought to the sanctuary ; of Jewish purifi- cations and washings ; of the Passover ; of the prohibi- tion of eating unclean animals ; of the cities of refuge and the avenging of blood ; the extraordinary sanctifica- tion of the Sabbath ; the appointment of a High Priest, THEIR HEBREW ORIGIN. 353 and the peculiar structure of their places of worship, in which the " Holy of holies" is still to be seen. Though these " beggarly elements," the relics of a by- gone dispensation, but ill become the simplicity of a Christian church, they are just what we should expect to find on the hypothesis that these Nestorians were con- verted to Christianity at a very early period, and that they were Jews before their conversion. That the Ten Tribes, wherever they were at the time of the first pro- mulgation of Christianity, did very early receive the gos- pel, admits of little doubt. For the gospel was, in the order of appointment, first of all to be preached to the " lost sheep of the house of Israel." The work of evan- gelization among the Gentiles was deferred till this prelim- inary work was done. Both the Twelve and the Seventy were especially charged with a commission to the seed of Abraham. And it must further be borne in mind, that a full eight years elapsed from the Resurrection to the calling of the first Gentile ; an eight years of unusual Christian activity and missionary zeal, yet not a suspicion seems to have been breathed, during this time, that this activity and zeal had the slightest concern for any one beyond the seed of Abraham. At the beginning of these eight years occurred the notable Pentecost, in which three thousand Jews were converted, Jews " out of every na- tion under heaven." In this remarkable assembly were Jews from the very regions into which the Ten Tribes were carried, and where Josephus and other historians affirm they still were in the first century of the Christian era ;* and these, the Parthians and Medes of Peter's assembly, were no doubt the first to bring the gospel to the notice of their brethren among the mountains of Assyria, to meet, perhaps, a ready reception. Perchance they had already heard of Jesus, the King of the Jews, and the longr looked for Messiah. Perchance the " wise * Josephus says : " The Ten Tribes are beyond the Euphrates till now."— Antiq. B. XI. Oh. V. King Afp-ippa, in a speech to the Jews, alludes, as to a well-known fact, to their *' fellow tribes" dwelling in Adiabene beyond the En)ihrates. Adiabt-ne was a name given to the central part of Assyria, where these Iribts wire niaced by their royal captor, and where the Nestorians are still found. And Jerome, the most learned of the Latin fathers, very expressly and repeatedly states, that the Ten Tribes were to be found in that region in the fifth century. 30* 354 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. men from the East" had gone out from those very se- cluded glens, and returned with the joyful news that they had seen and worshiped this King of the Jews. Indeed, the Nestorians have a tradition, supported by the predic- tions of Zoroaster, that the Magi who visited our Saviour, went from Ooroomiah. The work of evangelization, begun by the converts of Pentecost, seems to have been carried forward by certain of the immediate disciples of our Lord. Most historians name the Apostles Thomas and Thaddeus, as embassadors to the Parthians and the Medes, while the disciples Mat- thew, Simon, and Bartholomew, together with Mares, Adeus, and Agheus, appear among the number who, at this early period, preached the gospel among the moun- tains of Assyria. Admitting Christianity to have been established among the Nestorians as early as I have supposed, hy Jews, be- fore they were themselves more than half emancipated from the yoke of Judaism, and among Jews who were still subject to the yoke, we should expect to find, as the result, a sort of Jewish Christianity, a mongrel of Judaism and Christianity, a cross nearer to Judaism than the Christianity of the Apostles before the vision of Peter. And the existence of such a Christianity there, is in turn an argument that it was introduced at the time, and among such a people, as I have supposed. The Nestorian Christians compare very favorably with every other oriental church, in doctrine, form, and spirit- uality. They have the greatest abhorrence of all image worship, of auricular confession, purgatory, and many other of the corrupt dogmas and practices of the Papal, Greek, and Armenian churches, and may with propriety be called the " Protestants of Asia." The preservation and local position of this people, for the last twenty-five centuries, is a matter of intense in- terest. Shut up in the midst of the munitions of the rocks, in the place God had prepared for them, they have been preserved from destruction, while thrones and dominions were falling to decay about them, and the world was shaken by the heavings of a thousand revolu- tions. And especially during the last twelve centuries, THEIR MISSIONARY CHARACTER. 355 have they been invaded on all sides by the emissaries of Rome, and hunted, like the hart on the mountains, by their Moslem neighbors. During this whole protracted period they have been a little flock surrounded by raven- ing wolves, yet the Great Shepherd has provided a fold for them, and nothing has been permitted to hurt them. Standing on the summit of a mountain that overlooked the vast amphitheatre of the wild, precipitous mountains, amidst whose deep defiles and narrow glens are found the abodes of the Nestorians, our late traveler thus eloquently describes the protecting hand of God in the preservation of this people : " Here was the home of one hundred thousand Christians, around whom the arm of Omnipo- tence had reared the adamantine ramparts, whose lofty, snow-capped summits seemed to blend with the skies in the distant horizon. Here, in their munitions of rocks, has God preserved, as if for some great end in the economy of his grace, a chosen remnant of his ancient church, secure from the Beast and the False Prophet, safe from the flames of persecution and the clangor of war." We can scarcely resist the conviction, if we would, that these dwellers among the mountains and in the vales, have been kept, as the special objects of providential care, for some great and special end ; and what this end is we are now beginning to see. But before proceeding to notice the present providen- tial indications of the returning favor of God on the Nes- torian church, we must allude at least to one other feature of this ancient church — its missionary character. This is a remarkable feature, especially when contemplated in connection with the persecuted and oppressed condition of that church during the period of her most laudable missionary zeal. From the third to the sixteenth century, her missions spread over the whole vast regions of cen- tral and eastern Asia, amidst the wilds of Tartary, and through the vast empire of China. Persia, India, and all the intermediate countries, from the mountains of Assyria to the Chinese Sea, had, to some extent at least, been made acquainted with the gospel through these zealous missionaries from the mountains of Koordistan ; while Arabia and Syria, and the western part of Asia, shared in 356 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. their indefatigable and self-denying labors.* As early as the fifth century, the Patriarch had sent out no less than twelve Metropolitans, and a corresponding number of Archbishops, to the very borders of China ; which implies the existence in those places of bishops, priests, and churches. In the seventh century we find them propa- gating their faith " from Persia, India, and Syria, among the barbarous and savage nations inhabiting the des- erts and the remotest shores of Asia;" and especially in this century did they carry the gospel into China. The Emperor Coacum, (from 650 to 684,) commanded Christian churches to be erected in all the provinces of China. The gospel was propagated in ten of the prov- inces of the empire, and all the cities were supplied with churches. Even in the tenth century, the very midnight of Christianity, when the light of the gospel seemed scarcely to disturb the universal darkness, except as it faintly gleamed out from the mountains of Koordistan and of the Alps, these intrepid disciples were penetrating the wilds of Tartary, and lighting there the fires of Chris- tianity. During the darkest portion of the dark ages, from the seventh to the middle of the thirteenth century, the Nestorians were in Asia what the Waldenses were in Europe. Such a providential feature is full of encouragement to all our endeavors to resuscitate the dominant energies of the Nestorian church. This church has been signally marked as a missionary church ; and she was, especially in the dark ages, a signal instrument for the carrying for- ward the work of redemption. Is not, then, every indica- tion of the return of God's favor to this people, full of hope for the whole Eastern world ? If once reanimated with their former missionary zeal, what have we not reason to hope from their undaunted courage and untiring zeal, when the power of the press and all the increasing means of modern times are brought to their aid? Long since did the burning tide of Mohammedanism sweep over the fair fabrics of their missionary toils in Asia, and seem- ingly prostrate them in the dust, yet w^e may hope a rem- * See a Sketch of Nestorian Missions, drawn up for the Miasionary Herald for August, 1838, on the authority of Mosheim, Assemane, Gibbon, &c. THEIR PRESENT CONDITION, 357 nant may remain, who, even in those now idolatrous lands, shall be roused from their long slumbers by the trump which seems about to shake the mountains of As- syria, and who, risen again, shall once more stand in their lot, witnesses for the truth, which they once so fearlessly professed and beautifully adorned in the days of their first espousals. Through them we may renew their missions in all Central Asia and China. Let the present Patriarch feel as Patriarch Tamotheus did a thousand years ago, and we should need to send very few men from the West to evangelize Asia. We should find men nearer the field of action, oriental men, with oriental habits, and better fitted to win their way to oriental hearts. And as the re- turning fire of Christianity shall again warm the centre, may we not expect its benign heat shall extend to the ancient extremities, and China and Tartary again be- come, through their instrumentality, vocal with the praises of our God ? But let us take a cursory glance of the present condi- tion of the Nestorian Christians, and see what the hand of God is now doing for them, and what prognostics there may be that their winter is passed and their spring cometh. The American mission was commenced at Ooroomiah in 1835; just in time to frustrate the nefarious schemes of the Jesuits to entangle the Nestorians in the subtle folds of Rome. A Jesuit offered the Patriarch ten thou- sand dollars on condition that he would acknowledge al- legiance to the Pope ; to whom the Patriarch replied, " Thy money perish with thee." And later still the assu- rance has been tendered him, that if he would so far be- come a Catholic as to recognize the supremacy of the Pope, he should not only be Patriarch of the Nestorians, but all the Christians of the East should be added to his jurisdiction. To this the Patriarch replied: " Get thee hence, Satan."* The providential interposition of the American Board saved this lapsed, yet interesting branch of the Christian church from a catastrophe so disastrous. From this tim.e forward the providential history of this * Dr. J. Perkins of Ooroomiah, in the Bible Repository. 358 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. mission is full of interest. When God would send thither his servants, he sent before them to prepare the way such men as Sir John Campbell, Lord Ponsonby, Commodore Porter, Dr. Riach, and Colonel Shell, not to mention oth- ers of like noble character and expansive philanthropy, to whom Providence had, at this time, given power and in- fluence at the courts of Persia, and of the Sublime Porte. It was through the very timely instrumentality of these men, that our mission found so ready access to the Nesto- rians in Persia and among the Koordish mountains. Nooroolah Bey, the fierce Koordish chief of the inde- pendent Hakary, who had put to death the German trav- eler Shultz, the only European who had ventured in his territories, is disarmed and made a friend by the profes- sional skill of Dr. Grant. Being seized with a severe ill- ness of which Dr. G. restores him, he is made ever after- wards his friend. Who does not discern the hand of God in this ? The raising up and qualifying such a man as Dr. Grant, and the protection afforded him throughout his hazardous excursions among the barbarous Koords, is sufficiently providential to excite our admiration. Such travelers are few and far between, and such excursions are under the guidance of a specially protecting Provi- dence. Again, the general favor our mission met from the ecclesiastics of the Nestorian church, is to be re- garded in the same light. The missionaries were re- ceived as fellow laborers, to resuscitate a lapsed and dor- mant church. The mission schools were welcomed as a public blessing ; priests and bishops put themselves under the tuition of the mission, and at the same time became efficient helpers ; their places of public worship were thrown open to the preaching of the missionaries, and all strove together to give to the Nestorian nation the Bible in their venacular tongue. All seemed prosperous, and a brighter day dawning ; when, suddenly, the heavens were overcast and portended a storm. The Koords rise on the mountain Nestorians, massacre a great number, and drive others from their homes. The mission in the mountains, which had already cost much in life and treasure, is broken up. The Pa- triarch and the higher ecclesiastics, acted on, no doubt, FIRST MONDAY OF JANUARY. 359 by the emissaries of Rome and of Oxford, allow their in- fluence to go against the mission. The village schools, forty-three in number, are disbanded ; the two boarding- schools broken up ; all looks dark. But it was the dark- ness that precedes the dawn. There was a bow on that cloud. God was about to appear for his down-cast peo- ple, and to prosper the labors of his faithful servants. A delightful presage of what God was now about to do, had been given in the beginning of the year 1844. While assembled on the first Monday of January, there appeared an unusual seriousness, betokening the presence of the Spirit. The result was the conversion of a few individ- uals, mostly young men from the seminary. During the next two years the mission was not left without tokens, from time to time, of a work of grace. But the year 1846, was the year of the right hand of the Lord. While the little church were again assembled on the first Mon- day of January, praying for the descent of the Spirit, the windows of heaven were opened, and a copious blessing came down. The first cases of inquiry appeared in Miss Fisk's school. Almost simultaneously, similar scenes were witnessed in Mr. Stoddard's seminary. From that good hour the work extended through the year, and over the plains of Ooroomiah, and among the mountains of Koordistan, till, in the judgment of charity, it has num- bered near two hundred hopeful conversions. Indeed, no number can safely be named. The eifect is well nigh national. The common mind has been moved. While a large number have been converted, a vastly larger number have been brought under the influence of evan- gelical truth, and may be said to be in a state of inquiry. It has never been the writer's privilege to be made ac- quainted with a revival of religion which bears more marks of a genuine work of grace. If deep and pungent convictions — abasing, self-loathing views of sin — if still- ness and solemnity, prayers and tears, be an indication of a work of the Spirit; if ecstatic views of pardoning love and joy in sins forgiven ; zeal for the honor of Christ ; tenderness of conscience, and ardent solicitude for the salvation of others, be evidence of a gracious work, such a work was witnessed among the Nestorians. 360 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. But it does not fall within the limits of our present plan to go into the details of the work, truly interesting as they are. We are to contemplate it only as a pi^ovi- dential measure p-eparatoiy to future progress. And the first thing which demands our attention is, the moral power for the evangelization of the Nestorian na- tion, which Providence created and secured by this re- vival. Mind is hereby sanctified and prepared for moral activity. But it is not the amount of mind now brought into the work, so much as its character, which develops the providential bearing of the revival. The same num- ber of souls might have been converted, and yet no great moral result follow to the church and nation at large. But when we recur to the character of the converts — bishops, priests, deacons, members of the Patriarch's fam- ily ; the most influential part of the nation ; nearly all that portion of the youth of the nation who are in the process of receiving an education, and, of consequence, being prepared to exercise a controlling influence in time to come, we discover the finger of God at work there in reference to some great, prospective good. Here are provided mental and moral resources, which we may con- fidently expect shall be employed for an adequate end. Does God design to convert this ancient people, and re- vive this ancient church, that he may again employ them as they were nobly employed a thousand years ago in the work of evangelizing Asia, he has provided himself with just such instruments as we should expect. Another providential feature of this revival is, its difusive character, and the long time of its continuance. These two features blended, exhibit a beautiful providence. It was widely extended because it was long continued. It was continued till the seminaries should have their vacations, and a large number of the recently converted should be scattered through the villages and among the mountains, everywhere carrying with them the light and love of the gospel, and kindling a flame in the bosom of their several family circles, and in their neighborhoods ; and, till the inhabitants of the mountains should witness the wonderful power of God, and many of the mountaineers become vi- tally interested in the work. The most interesting sea- THE MASSACRE AND THE REVIVAL. 361 son vs^as in the winter, when thousands of the poor mount- aineers are forced down to the plain of Ooroomiah to seek food. They now found the bread of Hfe, and re- turned rejoicing in the fuUness of Christ. But there is at this point a yet more remarkable providence to be no- ticed. The unprovoked and shocking massacre by the Koords, had now driven thousands more from their mountain recesses, where there seemed little hope the missionary could reach them, and forced them down upon the plain, and thus brought them in contact with evan- gelical influences. Their children were unexpectedly brought into the schools, their priests enlightened and converted, and the people brought to hear a pure gospel. And not only so. but the revival extended into the mountains. In this, too, the hand of God was signally manifested. An instance or two will illustrate : A little girl from Hakkie, in a mountain district, joins Miss Fisk's school, and, during the progress of the revival, becomes a Christian. Her father, an untamed mountaineer, soon visits her. The silken cords of a daughter's love are thrown about him, and these young disciples point him to the cross of Christ. He hears with indifference, then with wonder. Light increases ; conviction presses on him that he is a sinner, and his heart rises in opposition. He struggles with his feelings. The strong man bows and weeps like a child — the trembling sinner becomes a peace- ful Christian. This man was deacon Guergis. Having consecrated himself to the cause of Christ, he returns home to make known the more excellent way to his friends and neighbors. The light thus kx.. 'led, spreads, till evangelical doctrines are promulgated from \ 'llage to village over the whole district. Many inquire the way of life — many are converted. And when, after some months, the missionaries visit Tergarwer, the district in question, they meet a hearty welcome, find the people everywhere waiting to receive the word ; deacon Guer- gis, who had been a principal instrument in the work, la- boring with great zeal, prudence and efliciency, and the good work widely extended and extending. The position of this district, and the character of its in- habitants, are represented as giving this religious move- 31 362 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY, merit a peculiar interest. " Familiar as they are from in- fancy with the Koords, accustomed to mountain life and its attendant hardships, they will be able, if truly con- verted to God, to carry the gospel into the districts of Koor- distan under more favorable circumstances than our help- ers in Ooroomiah can command for some time to come." The commencement of the work in Gawar, another mountain district, fifty miles still further among the mountains, and more especially in the heart of the mount- ain population, is not the less worthy of note as a provi- dential movement. A rough mountaineer from Gawar, comes to Ooroo- miah on business ; is persuaded to remain a few days in the hope he may be led to attend to the concerns of his soul. He is immediately made the subject of prayer and exhortation ; is soon effected by the truth, which, in turn, increases the anxieties of others for him, and the fervor of their prayers for his salvation. He is deeply and pun- gently convicted as a sinner, and soon hopefully a new creature, sitting at the feet of Jesus. He returns to his" mountain home, with no one to instruct him, sympathize with, or encourage him, and himself unable to read. Months pass, and nothing is heard from Gawar, or the mountain convert. The vacation of the seminar}^ comes, when a younger brother of the convert returns home and finds there a blessed work of grace in progress, which he does not a little to advance. The mountain convert had gone in the fullness of the Spirit and in the power of his Master, told the simple tale of the Lord's doings for his soul, exemplified the truth in a life of prayer and simple faith and holy zeal, and it was the mighty power of God to the pulling down of strong-holds. His honest labors had been signally owned, and he had prepared the way for the labors of other converts, who now followed, and who were more perfectly instructed in the way of life. A glorious work of the Spirit was the result, which spread throughout the district. Thus, before the missionaries had made their first visit, an extensive work was in progress, commenced without any direct agency of theirs, and in a district of country hitherto inaccessible, and where, too, the preva- THE NESTORIAN CHURCH TO BE REVIVED. 363 lence of pure religion must be peculiarly salutary and efficient on the neighboring population, and bring the gospel in contact with the barbarous Koords. It is, probably, in this manner that the gospel is to make its v^ay, without observation or display, into the mountain districts, independent of human government or protection. All opposition seems hushed, and a conviction to per- vade the common mind, that the hand of the Lord is at work to revive the Nestorian church. There is almost a universal readiness to listen to a preached gospel — a general spirit of inquiry pervading the nation. And there is, too, an efficient and suitable instrumentality prepared, to advance the work till the whole nation shall be regenerated. It has never been the policy of the mis- sion to organize a new church, but to resuscitate the old one. And present appearances indicate that what has proved impracticable among the Armenians, may be achieved for the Nestorians. Already an extensive native agency is in the field. Ecclesiastics have generally shown themselves the friends of reform, and are the principal instruments in advancing the work. Four bishops are pupils and helpers to the mission, and a large number of priests and deacons ; and successors to bishops and priests are pupils in the Mis- sion Seminary, and converts of the late revival. Says the Rev. Dr. Perkins of Ooroomiah : " The light of true piety, kindled at various points on the plain of Ooroomiah, and in the neighboring mountain districts, is brightening and extending, and we have more and more evidence of the power and extent of the revival of last year. Indeed, in its blessed effects, this revival has never yet ceased, but has been, and is still, constantly advan- cing ; and where it has taken the strongest hold, the entire mass seem to be pervaded by its influences. Some of our native evangelists are itinerating in remote districts of this province, and with encouraging success." Reference has already been made to the character of the converts. No feature of the late revival, perhaps, is more strikingly providential, or possesses a higher in- terest to the pious mind, than the activity and zeal of the converts, to extend the work throughout the nation — 864 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. especially that the gospel be preached to their brethren in the mountains of Koordistan. District after district of those almost inaccessible regions has been visited, and the gospel preached, as one door after another has been providentially opened, with a zeal and self-denial worthy the days of the apostles ; and soon we may expect to hear that those hills and valleys have become vocal with the praises of our God. The hand of the Lord is in the thing for good, to that long forsaken but truly interest- ing people. But Providence has provided other resources there for carrying forward his work, in the form of the press, of education, and the preparation and publication of the Scriptures. Three millions of pages of printed matter have been scattered among the Nestorians, within scarcely more than twice that number of years ; and an efficient system of Christian education is preparing the mind of a large class of youth to act for the further regeneration of their nation. Do not these things indicate that the night, which has so long covered the Nestorians, is far spent, and the day is at hand ? And have we not some pleasing indications that the Lord of the harvest has important purposes to accomplish through the Nestorians — a conspicuous part to act by them in bringing in the latter-day glory ? "What position could be more important and advan- tageous, in its bearing on the conversion of the world, than that occupied by the Nestorians, situated as they are in the centre of Mohammedan dominion ? And is it too much to believe that this ancient church, once so re- nowned for its missionary effi^rts, and still possessing such capabilities, as well as such facility of location for the renewal of like missionary labors, will again awake from the slumber of ages, and become bright as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners ! that it will again diffiise such floods of light as shall forever put to shame the corrupt abominations of Mohammedanism, roll back the tide of Papal influence which is now setting in so strongly and threatening to overwhelm it, and send forth faithful missionai'ies of the cross in such numbers and with such holy zeal, as shall bear the tidings of sal- EIGHTEEN HUNDRED AND FORTY-EIGHT. 365 vation to every corner of benighted Asia. We confi- dently look for such results, and that at no very distant period. The signs of the times in this eastern world betoken the speedy approach of mighty political revolu- tions. The Mohammedan powers are crumbling to ruin. Christian nations are soon to rule over all the followers of the false prophet. Turkey and Persia are tottering, and would fall at once by their own weight, were they not upheld by rival European governments. The uni- versal catastrophe of Mohammedan dominion cannot, in all human probability, be much longer postponed."* They that take the sword shall perish with the sword — when the sword shall be taken from them. We look, perhaps, in vain over the whole face of the earth for a spot where the arm of the Lord is more man- ifestly revealed ; and we wait with increasing interest to see what shall be the future developments of Providence, concerning this ancient and interesting people. CHAPTER XX. Europe in 1848. The Mission of Puritanism— in Europe. The failure of the Reforma- tion. Divorce of Church and State. The 7/iora; element in Government. Progress of liberty in Europe ; religious Liberty. Causes of the late European movement. The downfall of Louis Phillippe. What the end shall be. ''^ I will overturn, overturn^ overturn — till he come whose right it 25."— Ez. xxi. 27. The time has not come to write, in the annals of the world's history, the Chapter on Europe in 1848. Yet the time has come to begin to write such a chapter. This, however, does not fall within the province of the * Rev. Dr. J. Perkins, in the Biblical Repository for 1841. 31* 366 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. present treatise. It is ours to take history as we find it, and in its ever interesting evolutions, to watch the Hand of God as He reigns in all its events. Since the forego- ing chapters were prepared for the press, revolutions and changes have transpired in Europe, which beautifully sustain our main position. Precisely what will come of these revolutions, we have not yet seen enough to pre- dict. But we are quite sure God is in them, and that He will, in due time, educe results which shall honor himself, and signally advance the kingdom of truth and right- eousness. We took occasion in a foregoing chapter, to speak of the Hand of God in the discovery of America, and of the controlling influence here given to the Puritan element ; how it has given existence, form and character to our government, been the main spring of our national pros- perity, formed our social relations, entered largely into all our commercial, educational and industrial enter- prises, and set religion free from the trammels which fettered her in the old world, disrobing her of senseless rites and more senseless trappings, and giving her a new vitality : and how this same controlling influence has followed, wave after wave, the tide of population west- ward, fulfilling its mission none the less effectually in the remotest settlements of the West, by incorporating itself with the heterogeneous materials collected there from every nation, tongue and kindred, softening, melting, fusing and running them into the New England mould. The Puritan seems the true type and representative of the Anglo-Saxon race, a race which seems destined to be a chief instrument in the rapid progress and elevation of man. New England is at once the nursery, the re- pository and the school-master of the whole nation. The Puritan element is everywhere the motive power. It has set in motion the wheel of the manufacturer ; opened the mine of precious and useful metals and minerals ; pro- jected our canals, railways and telegraphs ; spread our canvas on every sea ; covered our rivers and coasts with steamers ; built our colleges, and given existence, character and efiiciency to our common schools, and published our books. Go West or South, and you will THE REFORMATION INCOMPLETE. 367 find this same Puritan character telling on the industry and enterprise, the thrift and prosperity of the people. Ask who teaches this school, who the president and pro- fessors of this college, the cashier of this bank ; who your lawyers, physicians, preachers, statesmen ; who your most thriving farmers, mechanics, merchants, manufacturers ? Such having been the domestic fruits of Puritanism, we are prepared to inquire whether there be any foreign fruits which at all correspond. Nations have within a few years been brought into a strange proximity ; and if, as has been affirmed, our civil and religious institutions are more nearly, than those of any other nation, in har- mony with the religion of the New Testament, are we to expect their renovating influence will be confined to America ? Truth is mighty ; and institutions which har- monize with truth, shall extend. Oceans cannot hinder them ; national boundaries form scarcely an obstacle to their progress ; the iron gates of despotism cannot shut them out. Truth is a strong leaven, and though it work unseen, it is sure to leaven the whole lump. We hesitate not, therefore, to assume, that the present condition of Europe — the condition since the 23d of February, 1848, is but the carrying out and maturing of the magnificent scheme of Providence, begun in the dis- covery of America, and yet more ostensibly begun in the safe landing of the Mayflower at the Rock of Plymouth. In support of this assumption, the following considera- tions deserve attention. 1. The Reformation of the sixteenth century, both in respect to civil government and religion, was arrested before it had completed half its work. Luther left un- touched some odious features of Romanism. The Re- formed religion needed to be immediately reformed. But we allude at present to a single feature, whicii, it is be- lieved, contributed vastly to check the hopeful progress of the Reformation. We mean the neglect of the early reformers to effect a separation of Church and State. The Christian church was but half emancipated. Like her great Apostle, she sighed for deliverance : '* O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death" — from this dead body, the State ? Puritan- 868 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. ism cut the cord, and the church began to be free. The Reformation did not reach the depths of rehgious free- dom. Next to the usurpation and tyranny of Rome, this miserable union with the state has inflicted the severest blow. Puritanism proclaims a divorce ; and so univer- sally and successfully has the " voluntary system" been adopted in this country, that no sect would for a moment consent to such an alliance, if it were proffered. It would be regarded as death to the vitality of religion. It is under the voluntary system, that personal piety has so far pervaded the public mind, revivals prospered, our charitable enterprises originated and sent the gospel over the whole earth, and made Christianity so beautifully ag- gressive. This is essentially American — an advanced step under the favoring auspices of Puritanism — ^but not confined to America. It has found its way back across the Atlantic. The little leaven, which was not allowed room to work in England, was transported to America. Here it worked successfully, and has returned, with the accumulated power of two centuries, to do its destined work in Europe, and thence to fulfill its mission round the world. How this work is advancing in England, the present struggle, indicated in the term Church Reform, is ample voucher. The mass of the English nation has willed the severance of the Church and State, and Church and State must be severed. It is but the sure consequence of prin- ciples which have taken deep root in the English mind — an effect so imperative, that neither the power of the throne, nor the pride of the aristocracy, nor the piteous remonstrances of church dignitaries can long hinder it. What the Reformation unfortunately left undone for Eng- land, is likely soon to be done ; and once done there, where will this miserable relic of Romanism much longer find a foothold ? The late secession from the establishment of the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel, of London, is at this time ominous of coming change. It has undoubtedly struck a blow at this unhappy alliance, which will be felt throughout the English Church. Mr. Noel has sent through the press an explanation of the bold step he has taken, and a de- THE MORAL ELEMENT. 369 fence of his present position, which, if we may judge from the obvious merits of the book itself, and from the eager- ness with which it is sought by thousands of all denomi- nations in Great Britain, is destined to exert a no insig- nificant influence in the final emancipation of the Church from the incubus of the State. But we have, perhaps, a more forcible illustration of the progress of this feature of American Christianity, in the present religious condition of the continent. So accus- tomed had European Christians become to see Chris- tianity dwindle under the shadow of the State, that they scarcely knew she could survive the open sunshine oi' heaven — stand by her own native strength, and grow and expand as the plant of heaven, unpropped, unaided, unfed by the beggarly elements of the world. Yet, within a few years, and especially during the present year, an aston- ishing change has been wrought there. The union of Church and State has become irksome and offensive in proportion to the progress of civil and religious liberty. Persons well informed in the affairs of France, say that faith in the " voluntary system," and the disunion of State and Church, is making great progress among Catholics as well as Protestants ; and there is, in the Catholic church, a great disposition to throw off* the supremacy of Rome. And such a sentiment, it is confidently believed, is per- vading most of the European states. The public mind is very generally agitated on this question. Societies are formed for the purpose of realizing such a result, and the spirit of the age favors it. 2. To Puritanism we must accord the honor, under God, of developing a new element in the science of civil government — the moral element. Heretofore, bayonets and cannon had formed the substratum of governmental authority. Might gives right, was the motto of kings. Certain men were born to rule ; and certain others were as undoubtedly born to regale themselves in the royal sunshine ; and vastly larger classes of men, the masses, were as surely born for the king and his nobility, to live and toil for his profit, to be ruled for his pleasure, or to be *' flesh for his cannon." Such is government by one man or by the few, who rule irrespectively of the suffrage or 370 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. the good of the people. It is a government of force as opposed to a government of choice. The one requires impUcit obedience, the other rational obedience. Under one, men worship gods they know not whom, and obey laws they know not what. Under the other, reason guides, and an enlightened private judgment decides. One is the self-government of rational and moral beings ; the other, the application, by a few, of brute force, to keep in subjection the mass. The one makes freemen, the other slaves. Liberty was born in America. Long had she travailed in birth in the Old World. Many a throe had convulsed Europe to the very centre, till, in this fair land, liberty first saw the light. There had been before much in the world called liberty, but it was the mere glimmering of star-light, or the meteor's blaze, compared with the full- orbed luminary which now arose. Puritanism gave birth, form and ascendency to the moral element in govern- ment. From time to time nations had given signs of woe, and sent up their aspirations for deliverance, vindicated their high claims to freedom, and gained a temporary re- lief. But it was in America the great experiment was first fairly tried, whether self-government is yet prac- ticable. And, though our ship has not steered clear of rocks and quicksands, nor shunned the storm and tempest, yet we have found our vessel sea-worthy, able to ride on the crested wave, and to breast the roaring storm. A result has already been gained, which has demolished thrones, and sent disease and decay into every system of absolutism in Europe. The Declaration of American Independence passed over Europe, yet it was as the voice of distant thunder. It was an ominous sound, starting from his throne the too long quiescent monarch. Yet the danger seemed distant. He hoped that that cloud, which turned so dark and threatening a face towards the kingly estates of Europe, yet a face so bright and promising towards the free-born sons of America, would scatter with a brief outburst of popular indignation. But the establishment of American Independence came like a thunder-bolt, or like the shock of an earthquake, and made thrones tremble. France first FRANCE THE LAST YEAR. 371 received the shock, and, unprepared as she was, what a shock ! The French Revolution was a premature birth, and the birth of a monster, conceived in America, but gestated and brought forth under auspices altogether unfavorable to the beauty and proper development of the oflspring — a monster-birth, whose history is written in violence, crime and blood. Yet it indicated the power of the new ele- ment which had been cast among the nations. It was a burning star cast into a stagnant sea. France was un- prepared, yet her mercurial sons, driven into a phrensy by the first gleam of liberty that flashed across the western main, kindled a fire, soon to be quenched in blood. Though smothered and quenched for a time, it burnt un- seen — its internal fires ever and anon finding vent in some outburst for liberty. We need not trace its several steps. Liberty was not extinct in France from the day of the return from America of young La Fayette to the event- ful twenty-third of February ; nor did she ever cease her struggle against the incubus of royalty when a befitting occasion offered. France has lived half a century within the last year. What she so long struggled for, she obtained in a day. Year after year the unseen Hand had been preparing men, means and resources, yet all things seemed to re- main as they were ; but the moment of consummation came, and all was done. And, what may well astonish the unbeliever in Divine Providence, all was done at the very moment when human sagacity, and diplomacy, and skill, and perseverance, were the most diligently employed to prevent such a result. Louis Phillippe is driven from his throne, the monarchy demolished, and a republic formed, just at the time, and in the manner, which seemed the most unrelentingly to mock all the efforts he had made, all the alliances he had formed, and all the precautions he had taken to ward off just such a disaster. With Paris so admirably fortified ; and a rich, numerous and influ- ential priesthood for his allies ; and the Pope as the right- arm of his strength ; and a cringing alliance with England and Russia, there seemed— there was no human power that could molest him. Yet we see him fleeing from his 372 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY, palace and his throne, as helpless and unresisting, as if all human powers were in league against him. Providence had done with him and with his throne, and where is he ? But what progi'ess has liberty made in other States of Europe ? On the outbreak of the late French Revolution, the people of Holland demanded a larger liberty. The. king is made to feel the necessity of granting it. He chooses new ministers — proposes important reforms in the constitution, and promises to govern agreeably to the na- tional will. The King of Belgium yields to the liberals, and on this condition keeps his crown. The kingdom of Prussia is shaken to its centre, and its republican tenden- cies are gaining the ascendency. Poland is agitated and ripe for revolt; Venice is a republic. But more remarkable than all, the stagnant waters of Austria are all at once thrown into a foam. The tide of revolution came rushing into Austria like a cataract. The Austrians had seemed completely under the yoke. Yet, in a moment, as unexpected to Prince Metternich as if the tenants of the grave-yard had awaked, the people aroused from their long sleep, and proclaimed democratic principles. Prince Metternich, who had, for more than forty years, ruled Austria with a rod of iron, flees before the vengeance of an indignant people — an idiot monarch quits his throne — despotism is struck to the heart, never to recover. All Germany, in a word, is on fire— insurrection is everywhere triumphant. Germany was the land of Mar- tin Luther, the land of reforms, in whose rich soil lie deeply planted the seeds of liberty. The waiting friends of freedom throughout Germany had felt the electric shock from Paris, and saw that their hour had come. Consternation and dismay seize the heart of every abso- lute power. The people seem rising over the continent like the waves of the ocean, and kings and ministers feel that their hour is come. The people are ripe for liberty, and now is the time to strike the blow for rights too long delayed. A German Parliament is convened, elected by universal suffrage, and composed of delegates from the kmgdoms of Austria, Prussia, Hanover, Bavaria, and the smaller principalities. The objects of this parliament are, THE POPE AND LIBERTY. 373 to unite all Germany into one confederation — to relieve the different states from the oppressions and exactions of their present rulers, and the more effectually to establish free institutions. This parliament is truly a strange feature in European politics, and a more sure index of the real progress of free principles than any thing we have yet seen. A promising feature, not of this parliament only, but of the French republic, is, that they have pro- claimed the true American doctrine of non-interference — a delightful pledge that when the moral element shall pre- dominate in the construction of governments, nations shall learn war no more. In Italy, too, liberal principles have made gigantic strides. Constitutional laws are universally promulgated. To say nothing of Sardinia and Florence, Naples and Milan, where the moral element is allowed to take the lead in the formation of their new governments. Pope Pius IX. was compelled to concede a constitutional gov- ernment to the long-oppressed and priest-ridden people of the Papal states. The press is made free — laymen are admitted to a participation in civil affairs — an inde- pendent judiciary is organized — a Chamber of Deputies is appointed by the people, and free schools for the poor are established in every district in Rome. An act was passed, April, 1848, to provide means for the better education of the people. Yet the battle in Italy is still to be fought. Here are the strong-holds of despotism. The grim giant, though bearded in his den, and lying prostrate with his deadly wound, fearfully growls, and rouses to the encounter. Rome is divided against herself — a pitiable anarchy. Two great conflicting parties have been con- tending for the mastery. On the one side, the Pope and his adherents ; on the other, the political councils and the legislative assemblies of the people. The irritation be- came more and more violent. The Pope had granted much ; the people demanded more. The Poi)e at length becomes virtually a prisoner in his own palace ; the car- dinals dare not appear in the streets ; many of the priests are ill-treated and even beaten, and the liberals openly declare that Pius IX. will be the last of the Popes. But the popular indignation against the ghostly tyranny of the 32 374 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. Vatican remained unappeased. Unwittingly had the peo- ple been allowed to taste the sweets of Hberty. The clarion of freedom had sounded from afar. Crushed in the dust by the foot of the Beast, the poor, oppressed Italians start to their feet, awaked from a thousand years' slumber. The bow, too far bent, rebounds with a veur geance. The Pope is driven from his palace, glad to wrap up his marvelous infallibility in a footman's coat, and to coil his once dreaded supremacy in a footman's hat. Democracy is in the ascendant ; the temporal power of the Pope is at present suspended. How the struggle shall end, remains to be seen. A coalition of Cathohc powers may restore the Pope to his throne, and the power of the bayonet may, for a little time, keep him there. And this may be the occasion that shall light the torch of war, and set all Europe in a blaze. All this may be ; but that liberty will be again suppressed in Italy for any great length of time, and the Italians be made to bow again to the yoke, is less problematical. Cold murmurs of discontent are heard, too, from the hyperborean regions of the Muscovite Czar. The tocsin of liberty has been heard over Russia, and many a brave heart echoes back the sound. The Revolution of France came on Nicholas like a thunderbolt. His alliances with Austria and Prussia were disturbed, his plans defeated, or, at least, retarded. Nicholas received the dispatches an- nouncing the events of February with amazement. A deadly paleness came over his face as he read, and the paper trembled in his hand. A Republic in France ! A new appeal to the nations against tyranny ! A dan- gerous experiment for kings. A death-blow to tyrants. How this Anglo-Saxon element mocks the divine rights of kings, and proclaims the people the only legitimate sovereigns ! Nor have wretched Spain and Portugal escaped the shock. A suppressed but deep indignation rankles be- neath the surface of those ill-fated nations — an ominous calm that precedes the irruption of a volcano. All Europe is in motion — all Europe has entered on a new course of action. Altogether a new principle of government is in successful operation ; and though we LIBERTY AND THE JESUITS. 375 may expect commotions, and anarchies, and rc-actions disorderly progress, and seemingly disastrous retrogres- sions, yet we may confidently await the establishment of a new order of things, which shall more beautifully har- monize with the present advanced state of Christianity, knowledge, and civilization. 3. The progress of ?'eligious Yiherty in Europe still more directly illustrates the extended and the extending pro- gress of the Puritan leaven ; and indicates, too, the steady workings of a sleepless Providence. The progress of religious liberty has, within a few months, been truly astonishing. Since the breaking out of the late French Revolution, the severe laws against Protestants have been relaxed in every country in Europe. In some of these countries full religious toleration is al- ready enjoyed. The revolutionary tide spared not even the seven hills, demolishing dungeons and extinguishing the fires of persecution. The right of private judgment seems virtually conceded, even in Rome. The ancient Waldensian church, the true link between the apostolic age and ours, has at length been allowed liberty of con- science and of worship. Austria, despotic Austria, " whose frowning ramparts presented no chink through which even one ray of light might penetrate to the darkness within," is now open to the Bible and the missionary. In Ger- many all restraints to the spread of the gospel are removed. The Press is free, and never was its power more manifest than at the present moment. Full freedom of religious profession is enjoyed. The exercise of religious rights no longer depend on the profession of the Romish faith. And yet more astonishing has been the progress of re- ligious liberty in France. The zeal and prompt unanimity with which the Jesuits have been expelled from nearly every state in Europe, not excepting Rome, is an undoubted index of the prog- ress of religious liberty. The Jesuits are but too well known, the world over, as the implacable enemies of lib- erty, equality, and civilization — the sworn allies of abso- lutism — always ready to use the rod and the sword, to stifle the first symptoms of liberty, making religion the cruelest weapon of oppression. This general and simulta- 376 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. neous rising against the Jesuits, and a growing aversion to religious orders, is an unmistakable symptom of the prog- ress of free principles. The people of Europe have been brought to feel that liberty and the society of Ignatius can never prosper together. Their expulsion at this time is sio-nificant. Pius IX. had declared the Jesuits the strong and experienced oarsmen that keep from shiptoreck the hark of St. Peter, yet he was obliged, in obedience to the de- mands of the people, to expel them from the Papal states. The concession, significantly, bespeaks the weakness of Rome. The power of the Papacy is terribly shaken. Though still claiming infallibility in doctrine, the Pope very prudently concedes that " the Church must follow the necessary requirements of the age."" The opinion of a Romanist is worth something here. The Tablet, a Romish paper, says : " The rising persecu- tion is not confined to the Jesuits, but is directed against every religious community. The Dominicans, the Capu- chins, the Augustinians, have all received unequivocal notices of their approaching fate." And he might add the " Sisters of the Sacred Heart." While on the other hand it is now not uncommon to meet Romish ecclesi- astics, who, disgusted with the mummeries of Rome, boldly expose her errors — "earnestly advocating the abolition of compulsory celibacy of the clergy, the abro- gation of fasts and abstinences, and other Popish ob- servances." Thus is God moving on in the might and majesty of his providence, overturning and overturning, till his church shall be disenthralled from the bondage of the world, and established on the everlasting foundation of truth and righteousness. 4. Or do we inquire after the causes of the great Euro- pean movement, we are again brought to the same con- clusion. These causes had been in secret and active operation, at least, since the American Revolution, and only waited a favorable opportunity. Intensely did the internal fires burn, and an irruption was inevitable. Liberal principles were daily gaining strength. All classes of the people were feeling their burdens more and more grievous, and their growing discontent gave no NAPOLEON AND LIBERTY. 377 doubtful signs of an outbreak. Radicalism had given birth to numerous societies throughout Europe — many of them secret associations, all animated by one spirit, a de- termination to throw off the shackles of despotism. The death of Louis Phillippe should be the signal to strike the blow. The French Revolution, however, indicated that the hour had come. They arose by one common impulse, and despotism quailed before them. Again, facility of communication greatly hastened such a result. Books, journals, newspapers, travelers, reach the remotest parts of Europe in a few days, give timely notice of change, and communicate every new opinion. And all the vigilance and precautions of an argus-eyed absolutism cannot shut them out. The nations, as never before, flow together; a common sentiment pervades them. An electric spark thrilled Austria, Russia, Italy, Poland, the moment an explosion took place in France. We discover another cause in the fact, (instructive to kings,) that the potentates of Europe turned a deaf ear to the cries of their oppressed subjects. They had neither listened to their wants nor been careful to keep their en- gagements with them. Napoleon had done much to pre- pare Europe for liberty, and when the people of Europe were called on by the allied powers to take up arms against him, they did it with the promise that their rights should be respected, and liberal laws granted. The rulers promised, and the people freely shed their blood. But the danger past, the "scourge of Europe" put down, kings forgot their promises. " Austria did not grant to the Italians the institutions she promised. The king of Prussia conceded to his subjects only some petty reforms. Germany was held under a slavish yoke." Poland was crushed. Italy was left the miserable dupe of tyranny — the prey of every unclean bird. Nowhere was there re- spect for law, or security against arbitrary power. The rij^hts of conscience were systematically invaded. The judiciary was a mere tool for kings. " The nations bowed their necks, but they meditated the hour of deliverance. That hour is come ; they have seized it ; they have risen like one man, and the well-trained armies of kings have 32* 378 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. scarcely opposed an obstacle to the realization of their wishes." The day of retribution has come. Kings tremble, and their thrones crumble. The haughtiest monarchs, who could once insolently put their foot on the neck of na- tions, now in vain sue for mercy at the hands of their re- volted subjects. Deeply, indeed, do they drink to the dregs the cup of their debasement. The last was a hard year for kings. Late have they learned the humiliating lesson that kings are made for the people, not the people for kings ; that the rights of the people are as sacred as those of princes, and that their only chance for quiet and safety, is to live in good understanding with their sub- jects. The downfall of Louis Phillippe is here ominously in- structive. What would a serious observer of Providence expect would be the end of a powerful prince in the nineteenth century, who should pursue the course Louis Phillippe pursued ? Did he so demean himself in the high and responsible station to which Providence ex- alted liim — especially when we bring into the account the manner and condition of his taking the crown — did he so demean himself as to guarantee the continued smiles of Heaven ? In many respects Louis Phillippe was a very worthy man. He possessed many excellent traits of character. But in his regal life, when weighed in the balance, he was found wanting. He did more than to commit fatal political blunders. His sceptre was stained with palpable injustice and outrage, both towards man and God. He came to the throne as a liberal prince. Heaven and earth heard his vows, that he would reign as a re- publican king ; would surround the monarchy with re- publican institutions. The people, w^hose voice called him to the throne, hailed him as a father and a friend — the deliverer of an oppressed people from the thraldom of Bourbon despotism. And the Protestant world had reason to expect he would reign, at least, as a liberal Catholic prince. France and the world too well know how he has cringed to the most miserable system of ab- solutism. Had Louis Phillippe been half so ambitious to retain the good opinion of his people as he was to main- LOUIS PHILLIPPE. 379 tain his throne and to vindicate his legitimacy ; at least, had he been half so ambitious to render stipulated justice to his people, he might still have been the king of a pros- perous and affectionate people. Or had he been half so careful to act the liberal Catholic prince, extending the arms of his regal influence to promote, wherever French interests exist, education, civilization and Christianity, as he was to impose, by his strong arm, on an unoffending people just emerging from heathenism, corps after corps of Romish priests, who, he could not but know, would, if they acted in character, cripple, and, if possible, destroy every Protestant mission within their influence, he might still have been the head of a great and noble nation, on whom should come the blessing of many. That dark page in the history of Tahiti, will ever remain a darker page — an indelible disgrace, in the history of Louis Phillippe. When he directed his cannon against that newly Christian island, he directed them against his own throne. Those missions live and prosper, while Louis Phillippe has gone into an inglorious exile. An influence exerted in Greece, flowing from the throne of France, drove Dr. King from Athens and from his mission, a tem- porary wanderer ; Dr. King has returned to his work, and Louis Phillippe has bid farewell to his throne forever !* We may subjoin as subordinate causes of his downfall, regal extravagance, heavy taxation, a monstrous army, the fortifications of Paris, opposition to electoral reforms, the press subjected to vexatious embarrassments, money and other favors lavished on the priesthood, with a hypocritical attachment to Popery, hoping thereby to strengthen his dynasty at the expense of the people. Like Saul, who, in his troubles, had recourse to the witch of Endor, Louis Phillippe sought the favor of the Romish clergy, flattered the bishops, and favored the establish- ment of monasteries. But this resource failed him, and did but hasten his downfall. Such are some oi the causes which irrepressibly irritated the public mind, and • The very law which had been so often, of late years, applied by Louis Phil- lippe and his government to impede the spread of the gospel, and suppress free disc us- Bi?n, became, at length, the occasion of his own downfall. Discern ye not the Hand of Cod? 380 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. made the revolution inevitable. The Lord was departed from Saul, and he was sore distressed. And, finally, the Bible has had much to do in producing the late religious and political convulsions in Europe. The Bible is a revolutionary book, meaning by revolutioUj an advance of right opinions, manners and constitutions ; a resistance of oppression and monopolies ; a demand for liberty and natural rights. The word of God is a great leveler, which is upturning and overturning this wicked, distracted world, and preparing it for a complete civil and religious renovation. It is not too much to believe that the million of Bibles, which have been circulated in France during the last five years, have been a powerful element in the present downfall of despotism ; the break- ing up of old foundations to make way for better. And, what is prospectively encouraging for Fra^ice and the nations that easily adopt her opinions, the late revolution has, in a remarkable manner, opened the door for a more abundant and effectual introduction of the Bible. Through the admirable system of Bible colportage, the Sacred Scriptures are being distributed throughout France, in every condition of society. The cottage, the palace, the soldier, the sailor, the school, are, without let or hinderance, visited by the indefatigable colporteur, and blessings follow in his track. Here lies our brightest an- ticipation for France. The revolution has brought to light an amount of Protestantism in France, which was not before supposed to exist. Villages, where a Protestant could not find a congregation, if allowed to preach at all, have dismissed their Catholic cure, and called in evangelical ministers. All the religious societies find large fields open to their ef- forts, which they are prevented from occupying only by the want of the pecuniary resources. Thus has the great idea, so happily conceived — di- vinely suggested — in the Mayflower, been steadily and gradually developing, and never more gloriously than at the present moment. God may be seen in its progress at every step. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has been steadily opening the unsealed Book ; the eternal decrees have been unfolding, and being executed by an Almighty EUROPE REGENERATED. 381 Providence, and nothing has been able to retard their progress. The kings of the earth have set themselves, and the rulers taken counsel against the Lord, and against his anointed. But all their counsel and wisdom have been brought to naught. He that sitteth in the heavens has had them in derision. He has spoken to them in his w^rath, and vexed them in his sore displeasure. Never was the skill, sagacity and power of man more signally foiled ; never the wisdom and power of God more illustriously magnified. Austria, France, Italy, had done all that human sagacity and forecast could do, to save their thrones and their despotisms from the invading tide of popular reform. But it came, rolling over the troubled billows of the Atlantic, and all the strong-built fortresses of despotism, and triple lines of restrictions to shut out liberal opinions, and an unholy coalition with a corrupt priesthood, and the well taught doctrines of ab- solutism, and the profoundest skill of man and the power of the bayonet were but cobwebs. Europe has been swept over as by a tornado ; yet we confidently look that when this desolating tornado shall have passed by — desolating only to the towering fabrics of aristocratic pride and regal tyranny, and a grasping, ambitious priestcraft, we shall see a fairer temple arise, the temple of universal liberty, adorned with intelligence and virtue, where men, politically and socially free, shall rest from the turmoils of revolution — the temple of a pure religion, too, of a free and ennobling Christianity, all radiant with the wisdom and purity and glory of heaven. Such we anticipate as the glorious consummation of the present desolating revolutions in Europe. Anarchy may for a time prevail ; darkness and confusion, for a time, cover those lands which have so long been covered with darkness and confusion, but we look for the time, as not distant, when the great hammer of Revolution shall have done its work ; when the huge, confusetl mass of broken materials shall have been cast into the great cru- cible of the Almighty Hand, and fused, and a new order of things shall follow ; a remodeling of the nations ; of their governments ; an establishment of universal liberty 382 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. and a re-installment of Christianity on the simplicity and purity of her ancient foundation, disenthralled from her present cumbrous trappings and carnal armor ; when she shall renew her youth, and "rejoice as a young man to run a race." The little ripple, produced in the great waters of hu- man activity by the Puritan fathers, two hundred years ago, and which, to all human sagacity, seemed likely to die away almost as soon as produced, or to be merged in the billows of the ocean, becomes itself a mighty wave, rolling over the whole continent westward, and seeming to renew its strength as it crosses the Atlantic, and sweeps, like an overwhelming surge, over every nation in Europe. Roll on, ye heaven-sent billows, till despotism, and bigotry, and priestcraft, and every thing that opposes an heaven-born religion and a divine liberty, shall be crushed beneath your power. May the Lord hasten it in his time. CHAPTER XXI. Remarkable providences— small beginnings, and great results. Abraham. Joseph. Moses. David. Ruth. Ptolemy's map. Printing. The Mayflower. Bunyan. John Newton. The old marine. The poor Choctaw boy. The linen seller. Rus- sian Bible Society. The little girl's tears, and Bible Societies. Conclusion. " Behold, hoiv great a matter a little fire kindleth.''^ After having completed the task originally contem- plated, there still remained in our repository, slips, mem- oranda, a budget of unappropriated items ; not a few in- stances of remarkable providential interpositions, which did not find a place in the general illustration of our sub- ject, but which all go to illustrate it. We shall, therefore, give some of these a place in a concluding chapter. It cannot but interest the pious mind, and confirm the SMALL BEGINNINGS AND GREAT RESULTS. ,383 wavering, doubting soul, and quell the rising fears of un- belief, and give confidence in God's purposes and promises, and foster a delightful anticipation of the certain triurnpli of Christ's kingdom on earth, to see how, out of small be- ginnings, God is wont often to bring the most stui)end()us results ; setting at naught the wisdom of man ; ordering strength out of weakness, and making the most wonder- ful effects follow the most unlikely and insignificant causes. The following instances will farther illustrate the mode of providential agency in carrying out the great work of human salvation : Scripture history is full of illustrations of this sort. It seemed a small matter that Ahram should emigrate from his country, an adventurer into some strange land, he knows not where. Thousands might have done the same ; and the fact of his departure seemed an affair likely to concern few beyond his own particular family. But what did God bring out of this small matter ? Abram, the chosen progenitor of a great nation, should take pos- session of the promised land — be the father of the faithful — his numerous seed be the people with whom God should enter into covenant ; with whom, deposit his revealed will ; with whom were the promises, and through whom, all nations should be blessed. That quiet, unpretending departure of the son of Terah from Chaldea, was the humble beginning of the most remarkable series of events which go to make up the history of our world. It was the preliminary step to the founding of the Jewish com- monwealth ; a civil polity which has exerted a more con- trolling influence among the nations of the earth, than any empire that ever existed ; and the preliminary step, too, to the founding of the Jewish church, which was a remarkable advance on any prior dispensation of grace, as well as an efficient instrument in the progress of hu- man redemption. As long as the world stands, the in- fluence of that act shall be felt. As long as heaven en- dures, the spirit of just men made perfect shall bless God for the call of Abraham, and angels shall join in the cho- rus of thanksgiving to the Lamb. It was a small matter that Joseph should dream a dream ; or, that the daughter of Pharaoh should discover, 384 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. while bathing in the Nile, an ark of rushes, floating on the river ; or, that the same casualty should befall Dan- iel, which fell to the lot of many a noble youth of that day, to be transported from his native hills of Palestine to an unwelcome captivity in Babylon. Each of these seemingly unimportant incidents was the first link in a chain of stupendous events. Great and noble purposes were answered by the captivity of Joseph in Egj^pt, and of Daniel in Babylon ; and, perhaps, to no mere man that ever lived, has the church and the world been so much in- debted as to Moses. He was a signal instrument in the hands of God for civil, social and moral advancement. In that little rush bark lay the germ of the most extraor- dinary reform and advancement in every thing that per- tains to the best interests of man, both in this world and the world to come. Or, we might speak of David — the trivial circumstance of his being sent, when a mere lad, with supplies for his brethren, who were serving in Saul's army, leads, very unexpectedly, to his successful encounter wdth the giant ; to his signalizing himself in the sight of all Israel, and to the illustrious course which he afterwards pursued as the head of the chosen nation, and the guide and teacher of the church. He was an illustrious type of Christ, and an extraordinary instrument in forwarding the great work of human salvation. No one can trace up, step by step, the history of the son of Jesse, from the time that, in obscurity and in his childish simplicity, he watched his father's flocks in Bethlehem, till, with a " perfect heart," he sat on the throne of Israel, and wielded the destinies of the chosen tribes, and not admire the wonder-working hand of God, in so controlling human events as to bring the most extraordinary and far-reaching results out of the most simple, and, aparently, insignificant causes. Or, we might, ere this, have spoken of Ruth. It was a little matter that Abimelech, of Bethlehem- Judah, goes to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons, because of a famine. Many others do the same. Abimelech dies ; the sons take wives of the daughters of Moab, and soon die. The widowed mother turns her eyes longingly towards her native land, and resolves to PTOLEMY AND HIS MAP. 385 return. Her daughters-in-law propose to accompany her. One relents, and returns to her people and her idols ; the other perseveres, and casts in her lot with Na- omi and the people of God. By a felicitous train of cir- cumstances, all beautifully providential, Ruth becomes the wife of Boaz, v/ho was the father of Obed, who was the father of Jesse, the father of David. We trace back to that little Moabitess girl the lineage of the most illus- trious race of kings, of which was David, the sweet singer of Israel, and Solomon, the great and the wise, who raised Israel to the acme of national glory ; yea, the lineage of the King of kings, the Prince and Saviour of the world. A glorious issue from a most insignificant source ! Profane history furnishes illustrations scarcely less in- teresting, of the same overruling Hand, so controlling all the events of this lower world, as best to subserve the great scheme of redemption. A little mistake, (probably a mishap of ignorance,) is made by Ptolemy in drawing up a map of the world. He extended the eastern parts of the continent of Asia so enormously as to bring it round almost in contact with the western parts of Europe and Africa, of course making the distance across the Atlantic ocean to Asia but trifling. Consulting this map, Columbus conceived the idea of ef- fecting a passage to India by a westerly route. Hence the discovery of America. And though he must first dis- cover Ptolemy's mistake, and encounter difficulties of which in the outset he had no conception, yet his mind having become fired with ardor for discovery, his prepa- rations being made, and his zeal not easily abated, he pressed forward, not over a sea of a few hundred miles, but of thousands, till the expected land appeared. "A little fire" v/as kindled in his ardent soul for discovery, the result was an immensely " great matter," the discov- ery of a new world, the magnitude of which we have yet scarcely more than begun to see, and which we can never estimate, till we shall see the end of the magnifi- cent plans which God has to accomplish in connection with the American continent. So it was a little matter that a Dutchman should cut a few letters of the alphabet on the hark of a tree, and then, 33 386 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. by means of ink, transfer an impression of them on pa- per. But here was the rude idea oi printing. Nor did it seem a much greater matter that he should, (as the first improvement of the art,) cut letters in blocks of wood, which he used for types, to print whole pages for the amusement of his children. This was the day of " small things." But if you have a mind far-reaching enough to measure the present power of the press ; its power to perpetuate the arts and sciences ; to control mind ; to in- struct and reform men, and, by a thousand ways, con- tribute to the advancement of our race, you can tell how "great a matter" this art of printing is. Again, a vessel of a hundred and eighty tons is a small affair. Had you seen her afar off on the bosom of the broad Atlantic, a mere speck in the horizon, tossed like a feather on the huge waves, nearing the rock-bound coast of New England, you would not have suspected her laden with aught that should particularly effect the des- tinies of the American continent. The Mayrftovjer was laden with about one hundred persons, men, women and children, with their implements of husbandry and trade, with their books and Bibles, their preachers and teachers. A somewhat singular freighting! yet even curiosity would have dismissed any raised hope of signal good to come from such an enterprise when they were seen to land on Plymouth Rock; to cast their destinies, at the very commencement of a stern New England winter, on that wild, inhospitable shore. To all human sagacity, they must perish amidst the frosts and snows ; or, should they escape the severity of the climate, die with hunger, or fall by savage hands. Many did die ; all suffered se- verely ; and many a hard year's toil, trial and suffering, passed by before the world could see that the arrival and settlement in this country of our Pilgrim fathers was more than a quixotic expedition of a few refugees from Europe. But what has God brought out of it ? There was hid in that little nut-shell of a vessel, the germ of our free insti- tutions, of our present advanced condition of knowledge and virtue. Wrapped up in the bosoms of the men that occupied the cabin of the Mayflower, were the principles JOHN BUNYAN. 387 and ideas which, when developed and clothed in real acts and institutions, presented to the world a form of government, and a pure, evangelical, free Christianity, and a system of popular education and of morals, and an industry and enterprise, a^nd inventive genius, which, un- der God, have made our country what she is. And if any one can estimate the influence on our country and on the world, of the practical working of the principles im- ported in the Mayflower, he can tell us how great a mat- ter has sprung from so small a beginning. Puritanism, wherever found, embodies the elements of progress and improvement. It is this that has given character to our nation ; developed the resources of our country ; penetrated our mountains and brought out their wealth ; made our rivers highways ; secured our water- power ; filled our land with books and schools and teach- ers, and made us a great, noble and prosperous nation. It is Puritanism that has given new form and power to the church ; that has clothed Christianity in a more beau- tiful garment, and breathed into her the breath of life. A lew individual instances may be adduced to illustrate the same truth. A sturdy Puritan is serving in the parliamentary army under Oliver Cromwell. At the siege of Leicester, in 1645, he is drawn out to stand sentinel ; a comrade, by his own consent, takes his place, and is shot through the head at his post. Thus was John Bunyan, whose life had already twice been saved from the most imminent danger of drowning, again spared an untimely death. Though long since dead, he yet speaketh to millions in his own lan-^ guage, and to as many millions in other tongues ; one ot the most signal instruments for good that ever lived. John Neivton was another chosen vessel ; and how did God watch over him when calamity, pestilence or dis- ease was near, and shield him from danger, wiiile yet his heart was enmity to God. We quote a single instance : " Though remarkable for his punctuality, one day some business so detained him that he came to his boat much later than usual, much to the surprise of those who had observed his former punctuality. He went out in his boat, as heretofore, to inspect a ship, but the ship blew up 388 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. just before he reached her." Had he arrived a few min- utes sooner, he must have perished with those on board. Again, an obscure Highlander boy is taught the first principles of our religion by his humble parents amidst the glens of Scotland. He early learns to revere the Bi- ble, and to honor God and the religion of his fathers, We next hear of him, in mature years, a marine on board a British man-of-war. A battle rages. The deck is swept by a tremendous broadside from the enemy. Cap- tain Haldane orders another company to be "piped up" from below to take the place of the dead. On coming up they are seized with a sudden and irresistible panic at the mangled remains of their companions strewed on the deck. On seeing this, the Captain swore a horrid oath, wishing them all in hell. A pious old marine, (our High- land boy,) stepped up to him, and very respectfully touch- ing his hat, said, "Captain, I beUeve God. hears prayer, and if he had heard your prayer just now, what would have become of us ?" Having spoke this, he made a re- spectful bow and retired to his place. After the engage- ment, the Captain calmly reflected on the words of the old marine, which so affected him that he devoted his at- tention to the claims of religion, and became a pious man. Through his instrumentality his brother, Robert Hal- dane, though at first contemptuously rejecting his kind at- tentions, was brought to reflection, and became a decided Christian. James Haldane, (the Captain,) became a preacher, and is pastor of a church in Edingburgh. Robert subsequently settled in Geneva, and being much affected by the low spiritual condition of the Protestant church there, and the neological views of the clergy, he sought an acquaint- ance with the students of the theological school, invited them to his house, gained their confidence, and finally be- came the means of the conversion of ten or twelve, among whom were Felix Neff*, Henry Pyt, and J. H. Merle D'Aubigne. Few men have so honorably and successfully served their Divine Master as Neflf and Pyt ; and few fill so large a sphere in the world of usefulness as the President of the theological school at Geneva, and the DIXON W. LEWIS. 389 author of the immortal History of the Reformation ; and few spots on earth are so precious to the truth, as the city of Geneva. It was a " httle fire" that kindled these great hghts, and made the ancient and honorable city of ( 'alvin once more worthy of that great name ; it was a httle spark, struck from the luminous soul of a poor Highlander, and well lodged in the soul of his unpretending boy. After preaching successively and successfully in Berlin, Hamburgh and Brussels, D'Aubigne was, providentially, brought back to Geneva, his native city, which event led to the establishment there of the present evangelical "school of the prophets," with D'Aubigne at its head. This seminary is the hope of piety in Germany ; the cit- adel of the doctrines of the ever blessed Reformation ; a fountain sending out the healing streams of salvation to all Europe, and to the waste places of the Gentiles. A poor Choctaw boy, (Dixon W. Lewis,) is seen wan- dering in the streets of Mobile ; is taken into the house of a kind Christian lady, and fed at her table. The blessing she piously asked before eating, impressed him deeply, though he understood not a word of it. He is sent to a Sabbath-school, learns to read, and is converted. The Juvenile Missionary Society of Mobile send him to the Alabama Centenary Institute, and thence to Emory Col- lege, Georgia. In 1846, he is licensed to preach, and ap- pointed to labor among a remnant of his own tribe, in Kember County, Mississippi. His people, though not a Christian among them, build him a school-house and a church. His school opens with thirty-six scholars, from the child of five years old, to the adult of thirty-eight. He instructs them, prays with them, and in three months thirty-two of them are converted. At the close of his conference year, he reports one hundred and three con- versions, and a church organized among the Choctaws, ninety-eight strong. His father was among the converts, and many of his relations, and an old man of more than a hundred years old. A young man from the highlands of Averne, in France, is selling linen in a neighboring department ; is met by a Protestant ; taken to a'place of evangelical worship ; he hears, believes, embraces the truth — exchanges his wares 33* 390 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. for Bibles and tracts, which he widely distributes at his own expense. He writes to his parents and friends — the declaration of his new sentiments excites a general in- quiry, and the curate forbids his letters to be read. The young man in due time returns ; his neighbors and friends gather about him. The curate attempts to convince him in the presence of his father ; but failing, the father and the whole family, and many others, are led to forsake Rome ; a good work begins in the neighborhood, a mis- sionary is sent for, with the prospect that the whole re- gion will be evangelized. Many have been the instances of late in France, where the slightest, apparently the most insignificant circum- stance, has thus been the occasion not only of introducing the gospel to a certain spot, but of diffusing it till the whole province be turned from Rome, and evangelized. In the latter years of Alexander, Emperor of Russia, there existed in that vast and semi-barbarous country, a Russian Bible Society, which distributed, under the fa- voring auspices of the Emperor, a vast many copies of the Sacred Scriptures, and accomplished much good. In 1818, it had one hundred and twenty-eight branch societies, and had printed the Bible in twenty-eight languages. But where, among the mountains of that desert clime, shall we look for the little rill that gave rise to this fer- tilizing river ? I see it in the far-off region of Moscovia ; and its incipient streamlet sparkles in the light of the flames of that ancient capital. The Rev. Mr, P. is pass- ing through Moscow on his way to England ; is invited to the house of the Russian Princess M., who had just re- turned from the exile into which she had been driven on the invasion of Napoleon, and finally becomes the teacher of her children. He employs the influence of his station for the spiritual interests of benighted Russia. And especially did he, through the influence of the Princess, obtain a rescript for the formation of the first Russian Bible Society. It arose amidst the ashes of the ancient capital ; another of those lights which gleamed up from the confused darkness and the fiery upheavings of tiie career of Napoleon Bonaparte. This brings to our recollection the case of a yet larger GOD TAKES TIME. 391 river which arose from a still smaller rill : A Welch cler- gyman asks a Httle girl for the text of his last sermon. The child gave no answer — she only wept. lie ascer- tained that she had no Bible in which to look for the text. And this led him to inquire whether her parents or neigh- bors had a Bible ; and this led to that meeting in LonJon in 1804, of a few devoted Christians, to devise means to supply the poor in Wales with the Bible, the grand issue of which was the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society — a society which has already distributed more than 15,000,000 copies of the Bible — its issues now reach- ing nearly a million and a half annually. And this, in turn, led to the formation of the American Bible Society, and to the whole beautiful cluster of sister institutions throughout the world, which are so many trees of life, bearing the golden fruits of immortality among all the na- tions of the earth. This mighty river, so deep, so broad, so far-reaching in its many branches, we may trace back to the tears of that little girl. Behold, what a great fire a little matter kindleth. But it is time that the subject of this volume be brought to a conclusion. And to what conclusion shall we come ? We can scarcely trace the footsteps of Providence through so long a period of time, and over so varied a field, without being impressed with the majesty, and wisdom, and power of Him who directs every wheel of the great providential scheme, and brings to pass his own predes- tined results. In the review of our subject, we are brought, at least, to the following conclusions : 1. That, in working out the stupendous problem of the redemption of men and of nations, God takes time. Moral revolutions are of slow development. The works of Providence, more especially, perhaps, than those of crea- tion, have a direct reference to the disi)lay of the Divine character, and to the exhibition of man's character. It was needful, therefore, that these works be prolonged — that the book of Providence lie open continually for pe- rusal. It had been easy for God to speak the heavens and the earth and all therein, into existence in a moment of time — instantaneously to give form, fertility and beauty to the earth, and matured perfection to the animal, mm- 392 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. eral, and vegetable worlds. But God chose to lay open his works to inspection, that they might be examined piece by piece. It had been easy for God to have brought his Son to die a sacrifice for sin, immediately on the fall of man. But a thousand sublime purposes had then failed — God's glory had been eclipsed, and man's redemption been another thing. Four thousand years should be filled up in preparation — not a change or a revolution should transpire which was not tributary to the one great pur- pose. The Hand of God was all this time busy in well- directed efforts — not an abortive movement, not a mis- take, not a retrograde motion, did he make. All was onward, and onward as rapidly as the nature of the work permitted. There was neither hurry nor delay. God, as a perfect Architect, is rearing, in this world of ours, a perfect building. We believe the golden age of the earth is to return, when Christianity shall be glorified as one complete and perfect Temple. But this Temple shall be constructed of pre-existing materials. All sorts of systems, religions, politics, and ethics, have been per- mitted to exist, the perfect with the imperfect, the good with the bad. And it has, in all past time, been the work of the Hand of Providence, to overrule, select, reject, and out of the good and acceptable, to rear the perfect build- ing. Our present civilization, and systems of free gov- ernment, and of morals, are results of former facts, sys- tems and experiences — structures formed from the ruins of former edifices — compounds, from various gone-by in- gredients ; all thrown into the crucible of human prog- ress, fused, and run in a new mould. And may we not, philosophically speaking, say the same of our religion ? Shall not the perfect building be reared in the same man- ner ? — be wrought out of materials, selected and brought together by the ever-busy Hand of Providence, from every system, organization, form of government and religion, which ever existed ? — the eternal mind so overruling the whole as to bring good out of all ? If so, we see reason enough why God should take time to consummate his one great final purpose. Again, it had been easy for God to settle his people at once in the goodly land, without the migratory life of the INDIRECT RESULTS. :J93 oin Patriarchs, or the bondage of Egypt, or deUverance fr( the hand of Pharaoh, or the forty years' wanderings, hard- ships and temptations of the wilderness ; yet tlieir settle- ment in Palestine would, then, have been no more than the making stationary any other wandering tribes from the desert. The history of that whole eventful period w^as full of God and his grace, full of man and his rebeirMjii. Or the Reformation of the sixteenth century might have been the work of a day, instead of a result of three cen- turies' preparation. Or the teeming millions of Asia might have received the gospel without a train of pre- paratory events running through several centuries, ex- hibiting the wickedness and the withering influences of idolatry ; the inefhcacy of every conceivable form of error and false religion, to ameliorate the civil, social and reli- gious condition of a nation ; and finally producing the conviction that nothing short of a pure Christianity can do it. Or the dark continent of Africa might have been evangelized in a single generation, instead of the pro- tracted, mysterious process, which Providence has pur- -sued, administering a burning rebuke on Africa for her long-protracted sins, as a grossly wicked abettor of the slave-trade, yet visiting the captives in their cruel bondage, and by his converting grace preparing thousands to re- turn to that ill-fated land, laden with the best of Heaven's blessings for poor, forsaken Africa. Had the shorter pro- cess been pursued, God's glory and his abounding, con- descending grace had been but sparingly developed, and man's sin but partially exposed. God takes time. 2. We may infer, from facts stated, that often the ori- ginal and direct object which men have in view in their endeavors to do good, or to benefit themselves, is of less importance than the incidental and indirect objects which Providence brings out of it. We may be doing the greatest good where we least suspect it. The original and direct object for which Columbus entered u\)on the adventurous voyage across the Atlantic, was to find a shorter passage to India. The incidental advantage which was gained by the prosecution of the enterprise, was the discovery of the New World. The alchemists toiled for generations, in pursuit of the philosopher's stone : their 394 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. original and direct object was of no value. Yet their re- searches incidently led to the discovery of facts, in con- nection with the properties and composition of bodies, which served as the foundation of the science of modern chemistry. The inventor of printing had no object in view beyond the amusement of his children or of himself; or, at farthest, his own emolument. The incidental benefit's are world-wide, and past all human calculation. Luther buckles on the harness as a Reformer, simply to oppose an abuse in the sale of indulgences ; at first, perhaps, incited only by the fact that that sale was likely to be monopo- lized by the Dominican monks. The incidental advantage which grew out of the original controversy, was the ever glorious Reformation. Some men toil all their life long to accumulate wealth, a penny of which they will not give to the Lord, yet the Lord takes the whole. in the end. Others, like Saul of Tarsus, toil for years to perfect them- selves in learning for some selfish end ; God frustrates them in that, yet makes them accomplish an infinitely more worthy end in the building up of the Redeemer's king- dom. Nations engage in expensive, bloody wars, for most unworthy, trifling purposes ; He that sitteth King of the nations brings out of such wars incidental advantages of a noble and enduring character. One nation is thereby opened to receive the gospel, and, in another, mountain- like obstacles to the setting up of the kingdom of Christ, are removed. Man, in his schemes and operations, means one thing ; God, in his plans and agencies, means quite another thing. Hence, 3. We may with perfect confidence leave results with God. God will complete what he has begun. Not one of his purposes can fail. Man sees but a little way ; God sees to the end. Examples already referred to will illus- trate the thought. Little did the young Chaldean ad- venturer anticipate the illustrious race of kings that should descend from his loins, or his more illustrious spiritual seed. Little did he conceive that his departure from Chaldea was the first link of a most brilliant series of events. Little conscious were the brethren of Joseph, when they nefariously sold their brother into slavery ; or Pharaoh's daughter, when she drew the babe Moses from RESULTS ARK GOD S. 'M)^) the rush cradle; or the captors of Daniel, when they forced him into exile, that theirs were iJreliininary sl('|)s to the establishment of a power which has airain and ajrain revolutionized the world, and shall contiime to revohi- tionize it till the kingdoms of this world shall heconie the kingdom of our Lord. Little did Columbus tliink of the amazing consequences which have resulted to manliind from his adventures; or the Pilgrim fathers, the grand and truly astonishing effects of their zeal, and faith, and love of liberty, in their consequences on the history of man- kind ; or Faust, in his invention of the art of printing ; or Luther, in his bold essays to reform a corru})t church. And that little band of Christians met in London to de- vise means of supplying the poor in Wales with the Bible, were as far from foreseeing that their deliberations sliould result in the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which, with affiliated societies, (all her own le- gitimate daughters,) should so soon enter on the work of giving the sacred volume to the entire world. And as little did Robert Raikes think what an instrument for the renovation of the world he had originated, w^hen, having gathered about him a few beggarly children in the by- ways of London, he embodied the idea suggested by a benignant Providence into the form of a Sabbath-school. A child may set a stone rolling which the mightiest man cannot stop. We look back through nearly sixty centuries, and see with w4iat a steady, irresistible step God has carried for- ward the great work. Not a fixilure has occurred — not a mistake — not an obstacle that could stand in the way. The mountain has been made a plain when He would pass over. Kingdoms and dominions — the stateliest fabrics of human power and skill have been as nothing before him — as the cobweb in the path of the giant. What perfect confidence may we then have that God will complete what he has begun ; and especially as we now see he is, as never before, bringing all things into sub- serviency to the one great end. Learning, skill, inven- tions, improvements, discoveries, governments, all human activity is so shaped, or such a tendency given to it, that 396 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. it is made, in an unwonted manner, to subserve the work of human salvation. 4. Another conclusion to which we arrive is, that the church is safe. No opposition has ever prevailed, no weapon formed against her, prospered. Ten heathen per- secutions raged, and their fire was hot enough to dissolve any thing but God's Church. In the last, her enemies boasted that "now they had done the business for the Christians, and overthrown the Christian Church." Yet, in the midst of their triumph, the church prevails, while the persecuting power, the great Roman Empire, is brought to nought. Again, the Arian heresy threatens to swallow up the church ; or the beast on the seven hills makes war on the saints, and seems to overcome them ; or the unnumbered hosts of the Saracens spread like lo- custs over the Christian world, and seem for a time com- missioned to annihilate it ; or Protestantism is assailed by an Invincible Armada ; or likely to be blown up by the Gunpowder Plot in a Protestant Parliament. Yet all these mad endeavors avail nothing. God signally appeared for the deliverance of his people, and turned the machinations of the wicked against themselves. And so it has been in every age of the Church. She has outrode every storm, though shaken by the thunder- bolt and scathed by the lightning. No confederation has been half so much assailed or opposed with half so much power and virulence ; none has stood so firm, none with- stood so long. And, as it has been, so it shall be. " Judgment shall return unto righteousness" — the seeming darkness and disorders of» Providence shall issue in the furtherance of the cause of righteousness — the progress of truth. All shall be so overruled that the right and the good shall triumph. The righteous shall see it and be glad. The arm of Omnipotence is engaged to carry for- ward his cause — to make every one feel that if he be on the side with God, on the side of truth and righteousness, he is safe. The stars in their courses may fight against him — all may appear dark, and confused, and adverse — the tempests may beat, the floods come, yet his founda- tion standeth sure. It is the rock. His house will not fall. All his earthly interests may fail, the earth be burned THE GREAT CRISIS. 397 up, the elements be dissolved, yet the man who li.is Gud for his portion can suffer no loss. His treasure lies too high— his home beyond these temporary turmoils of lime — his interests are all in the safe kee})ing of One who never allows a single purpose of his to fail. But on the other hand, how different is the condition of the ungodly man ? He may seem to prosper for a while ; but his prosperity is as the " baseless fabric of a dream." It has no foundation. Be it riches, honors, pleasures, any thing in which God and eternity do not enter, it will change with the changes of time. It hath no permanence. 5. Again, w^e are led to conclude that all human affairs, and the great work of redemption, are approaching a crisis. The lines of Providence seem fast converging to some great point of consummation. Great events thicken upon us. Events which were wont to occupy centuries, are now crowded into less decades of years. The wheels of Providence run swift and high, far outstripping in their magnificent consummations any thing that a few years ago imagination could conceive or faith realize. We now see the whole world in motion, animated by a common soul ; and that soul is Providence. All is gloriously moving forward t# a destined point ; and that point the next great step of advancement in the sublime economy of grace. There is commotion among the hosts of Rome. The waters of the mystic Euphrates are glimmering for the last time in the rays of the setting sun. The Pagan world is shaken to its very centre — its temples crumbling, its idols falling, its darkness dissipating, and, as never before, it is prepared to receive the gospel. And the spirit of life is passing over the face of the stagnant Christianity of the East, and preparing those lapsed and corruj)t churches once more to arise and let their light shine. And there is discovered, too, a shaking among the dry bones of Israel, a spirit of renovation and life, betokening the long night of their dispersion and affliction to be nearly passed, and the day of their redemption at hand. In correspondence, too, with all this, there is a move- ment in the sacramental host, and a counter move- ment in the camp of the enemy, both heralding the 34 398 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. approach of the same crisis. This heaving of the lungs of a new spiritual life in the Church — this recent movement of the moral muscles of the body of Christ, has given birth to a delightful progeny of benev- olent associations, brought into being just in time to meet the demand created by the movements of Provi- dence in opening the field. The Church has at length roused from her deep sleep of apathy over the Pagan world, and is extending the arms of her compassion to the ends of the earth, and reaching the bread of life to wait- ing millions. While, on the other hand, the enemies of the truth -are on the alert, ready to contest with the saints the last inch of ground. The adherents of infidelity, error and Anti-christ, are gathering up their strength, com- bining their forces, and preparing to come up to the last great battle. " Satan is driven from one strong hold to another and foiled at every turn. Expedients are faifing him. He stirs up war, and it becomes the occasion of spreading the kingdom of peace. He excites persecution, but instead of exterminating the saints of God, it brings about full liberty of conscience, and favors the organiza- tion of independent Christian churches. He panders to superstitions, by devices so successful in the dark ages, but only provokes another reformation in tke land of Luther. His old arts will not serve him now." All things betoken the approach of another great crisis in the work of human redemption. 6. Another conclusion, therefore, to which we are brought, is, that although the world is soon to be given to Christ, yet there shall come a dark day first. The enemy has usurped the dominion of this world. He is the god of this world ; the prince of the power of the air. Though overcome, he is not yet dispossessed of his usurped inheritance. The strong man armed is still spoiling the goods. Often he is made to feel the weight of a stronger arm, and, like a chafed lion, is roused in his wrath. Truth is mighty. He fears its invading footsteps as he sees its irresistible progress. Yet he will not yield the possession of six thousand years without a last des- perate conflict. Nothing so soon brings on this conflict as the progress of truth. It is but the legitimate effect of THE WORK or THE AGE. ;ji»0 the diffusion of the gospel. And as the pn)])nbilitv in- creases, that Christianity shall fill the whole earth, that all shall be brought into subjection to Christ, all learniiiir, wealth, earthly power, manners, maxims, habits, human governments, and whatever belongs to man — the ra<^e of the enemy becomes more and more rampant ; and as lie sees his territory diminishing, and his last foothold threat- ened, he will make his last grand rally, and never yield while there remains a forlorn hope. The friends and the enemies of the truth are no doubt fast bringing things to a grand and dreadful issue, which shall for a little time cover Zion with a cloud, but which shall soon bring her out fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners. 7. The missionary work is the great work of the age. It is the work to which God by his providence is espe- cially caUing his church at the present day. Our age is not characterized by wars and rumors of wars, nor even by great political revolutions. In nothing is it so re- markable as for increased facilities for the spread of the gospel, and the actual diffusion of civilization and Chris- tianity by means of Christian missions. Few are fully aware what has been the progress of evangelization since the world was hushed into peace on the plains of Water- loo. But a single generation has passed, yet the moral changes which the world has undergone during this short period, are truly astonishing. The historian who shall write the history of this period, will needs fix on the work of evangelizing the heathen, as the great work of the age. Infidelity and fanaticism concede this, when they so carefully hold up the amelioration of the condition of man and the conversion of the world, as the Ultima Thule of all their systems, and of all their wild or wicked devices. No one would now think to hazard a new scheme, which should not hold up the spread of civiliza- tion, knowledge, and Christianity, as the consummation to be reached. 8. The present is the harvest age of the world. A busy and all-controlling Providence has been preparing the ground for centuries past, and sowinic the seed, and watering it with the heavenly dew, and warming it with 400 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. the rays of the Sun of Righteousness. He has, too, been preparing laborers for such a harvest, and now he is gathering in the sheaves. Indeed, for the last thousand years, all things have been preparing for this very age. Midnight darkness then covered the earth. That was the crisis of spiritual night. From that gloomy epoch causes have been at work; revolutions taking place; in- struments, resources, facihties accumulating, which have all been employed to bring about just such a day as the present. The lines of Providence seem converging here. The labors of Wicklif, Huss, and Jerome, the ever-glorious Reformation of the sixteenth century, prepared agencies, established principles, recovered, from the rubbish of a cor- rupt church, doctrines, and restored to the church vitality and spiritual vigor, all of which seem to have been look- ing forward to the present age. The revolutions and activities, and the great and good men of the seventeenth century, were especially contributing to this same end. Baxter, Bunyan, Doddridge, Flavel, and the hosts of giants of those days, were laboring for our times. Great and good men are always as the tree of life which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month, whose leaves were for the healing of the nations; yet those men seemed more especially to have been raised up for our age. Never more than now, perhaps, were the writings of those men fulfilling their divine commission. And, in like manner, the wars and political movements of the eighteenth century, with all its intellectual and moral advances, were contributing to the same consummation. The American Revolution ; the conquests of the English in the East ; and the career of Napoleon Bonaparte, were all far-reaching events, and immensely influential in bringing in the present harvest season of the church. By these means modern liberty found habitation and rest ; the territories of Paganism were thrown open to the benevolent action of the church ; and many a for- midable obstacle was broken down by that hammer of Providence, the hero of Corsica. Before him quailed the despotisms of Europe ; Rome shook on her seven hills, and the internal weakness of the Turkish empire was re- CONCLUSION. 401 vealed, and from that time Mohammedanism began to decline. 9. Finally, if such be the indications on the part oi' Providence, such the facilities and resources secured for evangelizing the world, and such the preparedness of the world to receive the gospel, what is the duty of the CHURCH, what the duty of every individual Christian at such a time, and under such circumstances ? This was announced as the third general topic of the present treatise. But our volume has already swollen to its prescribed dimensions. We may not, therefore, enter upon any discussion of this topic, but we leave it with the pious mind to i?ifer his duty in the solemn and inter- esting circumstances in which, at the present moment, he finds himself providentially placed. We possess advantages which neither the apostolic age, nor any subsequent age ever yet enjoyed. Such improvements, inventions, discoveries, facilities of com- munication and intercourse with all parts of the world, have been the heritage of no preceding age. The Print- ing Press, the Mariner's Compass, modern improvements in Navigation, and Magnetic Telegraphs, were equally unknown in the early ages of Christianity. Different portions of the world were estranged, one portion not even knowing of the existence of the other. Commerce was restricted to a small portion of the earth's population, and education was confined to a few individuals of a few nations. Science had scarcely been made to favor Christianity at all, and governmental power was generally opposed to it. Liberty, the only political atmos[)here in which Christianity can flourish, scarcely existed, even in name. The literature of the world, too, and its })liiloso- phy, were opposed to the progress of Christianity. But in the revolutions of Providence, how different it is now! What immense advantages does Christianity now enjoy for its universal propagation and establishment over the whole earth. The mighty power of God is everywhere at work, accomplishing the one great end for which the earth was made. All things are being brought into subserviency to this one ])urpose. God has risen up, and by the strong arm of his providence, is pre- 34* 402 HAND OF GOD IN HISTORY. paring to give the kingdoms of this world to his Son. The church has never before been brought into a position so favorable for the conquest of the world. What, then, is the duty of the church? and of the individual Christian ? She should work when and where God works. She should follow the leadings of Provi- dence ; take possession of every inch of territory open for her occupancy ; send a missionary, plant a mission, wherever she may ; erect a school wherever pupils may be found, and give the Bible and the religious book where- ever she may meet the reader. The harvest of the world is at hand ; the fields are ripe ; every disciple of Jesus Christ is a reaper. Each has his own sphere, and befit- ting capacities, and opportunities for using his capacities. He must, therefore, serve his Divine Master in his own sphere; which, if he do with fidelity, his rcward is as sure, and he may feel as delightful a confidence that he is performing a useful and important work, as the man who may be laboring in a very different sphere. Causes may be at work, or instruments be preparing, in some obscure corner, which we may help mature ; and which, when matured, become potent engines, to build up truth or demolish error. Duties are ours ; events, God's. The work to be done is as varied as it is vast and im- portant. None can be idle for the want of an appropriate work ; none, whether high or low, rich or poor, can be idle innocently. God now, as never before, is calling every professed disciple of the Lord Jesus to stand in his lot ; to do his duty as, in providence, it now devolves upon him. The Great Captain is rallying his forces for the great battle. He expects every man to do his duty. Ride on, victorious King, conquering and to conquer, till the kingdoms of this world shall be thine, and thou shalt reign forever and ever. mM^ BOOKS PUBLISHED BY H. E. EOBINS & CO., HARTFORD, CONN. A YEAR OF REVOLUTIONS— History of the year 1848. THE HAND OF GOD EST HISTORY; or, Divine Provi- DENCE Historically Illustrated in the Extension and Estab- lishment of Cheistianity. Emphatically "the Book for the Times." It is highly commended by Dr. Baird, Dr. Cheever, Dr. Alexander, Prof. Tappan, and others. 12mo. pp. 402. DODDRIDGE'S FAMILY EXPOSITOR. Royal Svo.; em- bossed, marble edges. LIVES OF THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; embellished with a finely engraved Plate of that immortal instrument, with Fac-simile Signa- tures of the Signers ; together with eight fine Steel Engra- vings. Large duodecimo ; embossed, marble edges. THE UNIVERSAL TRAVELER. Large duodecimo; em- bossed, marble edges. 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