A r\ y A DISCOURSE, PREACHED IN BOSTON, BEFORE THE Sjtaffatbufctrs £0ifiionar? £>otietp, M A T 25, 1803. BEING THEIR FIRST ANNIVERSARY. By SAMUEL STILLMAN, D. D. Pallor of the Firfl Baptid Church in Bollon. Publifhed by defire and for the benefit of the Society. BOSTON : Printed by MANNING & LORING, No. 2, Comhill. 1803. c3* Thofe parts of the Dfcourfc that 'were omitted in the delivery of it , through indif- poftiion of body , are added in its publication. DISCOURSE. Romans x. part of verfes 14 and 15. AND HOW SHALL THEY BELIEVE IN HINI OF WHOM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD ? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER ? AND IIOW SHALL THEY PREACH EXCEPT THEY BE SENT ? We live at a period of time, marked by very great events. Among thefe we place the blow that hath been given to the anti-chriftian kingdoms, the uncommon fuccefs of the gofpel, and its prefent flattering appearance. The feat of the beaft hath been attacked, and thofe popilh countries which have flied the blood of the martyrs with awful pro- fufion, have been deluged in blood. God, as a juft punifhment for their crimes and cruelty, hath given them blood to drink in great meafure. The man of fin, though not dellroyed, hath re- ceived a blow, from which we venture to fay, he will never recover. He hath loft his power in a great degree to do harm, efpecially in France ; by which nation he hath been principally fupported for many centuries. In that country, he is entirely fub- [ 4 ] je&ed to the control of the civil power ; his author- ity is limited, and held by permiflion. It is alfo a pleafing and promifmg event, that there appears, at this time, a door opening in France for the propagation of the gofpel of Chrift ; a moll animating account of which hath been lately pub- lilhed in the Evangelical Magazine. Time would fail me to tranfcribe it into this difcourfe. I will only fay, that the perfons who were fent to inquire into the Hate of religion in that country, met with encouragement that far exceeded their moll fanguine expe&ations. And attempts are now making to furnifh its inhabitants with the New-Tellament, and an excellent defence of its divine origin in their own language ; and to fend proper perfons to preach the gofpel among them. Many of their rulers fa- vour the defign. May the glorious Head of the church, who bought her with his blood, blefs this excellent attempt ! The numerous and uncommon revivals of religion , that have taken place in different parts of the United States of America, alfo mark the day in which we live : that in our weftern country was the moll gen- eral and furprifing. Thoufands have been hopeful- ly tranfiated out of darknefs into marvellous light ; w ho, according to our lateft and moll correcl infor- mation, are careful, with few exceptions, to live as becomes the gofpel ; which circumflance afeertains the reality of that moral change, thefe people profefs to have experienced. By their fruit ye Jhall know them , is an infallible maxim. In various other places there have been great ad- ditions to the churches of Chrift of different denomi- [ 5 1 nations. The Lord hath revived his work in the midfl: of the years, and made the wildernefs to blof- fom like the rofe ; which many of the friends of re- ligion confider as an anfwer to prayer. It i s about feven years fince the quarterly concert for prayer, among chriftians of different perfusions in Europe and America, commenced. The princi- pal objeft of which is, to pray for the revival of reli- gion in the world, and the more general propagation of the gofpel. During that period, the enemy has in a very uncommon manner, come in like a flood ; but the Spirit of the Lord hath lifted up a ftandard againft him ; and the caufe of Jcfus Chrift hath been remarkably progreflive. The furprifing mijfionary /pint that prevails in the old world and in the new, is one of the fignal events of the prefent day. Great attempts have been made, and large fums of money have been, by our pious friends in Europe, expended, for the important pur- pofe of fending the gofpel to pagan countries. This event hath been attended with fuch union, love, and friendfhip, among chriftians of different denomina- tions, as cannot fail of giving exalted pleafure to all thofe, who love the Lord Jefus Chrift in ftneerity. The fame fpirit animates many good men in our own country, who are exerting themfelves in various ways to extend the Redeemer’s kingdom. In imi- tation of our Pedo-baptift brethren, the Baptifts of this Commonwealth met in May, 1802, and formed themfelves into a fociety by the name of the “ Maf- fachufetts Baptift Millionary Society.” The defign of which is, “ to furnilh occafional preaching in the new fettlements, and to promote the knowledge of C 6 ] evangelic truth within thefe United States ; or far- ther, if circumftances fliould render it proper.” To aid this important defign, there will be a fer- mon delivered annually, and a contribution for the benefit of the Society ; the expenfes of which are to be defrayed by the fubfcription monies, and by do- nations. In compliance with the wifhes of my brethren, I addrefs you on the prefent occafion. Permit me, therefore, to invite your attention to the palfage firft read — And how /hall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? and how Jhall they hear without a preacher ? and how Jhall they preach except they be fent ? The apoftle difeovers his ardent love to the fouls of his countrymen, and his ftrong defire for their falvation, in the plain and faithful manner in which he fpeaks of them in the context. My heart's defire and prayer to God , fays he, for Jfracl is , that they might be faved. But why this anxiety, if, as fome perfons tell us, all mankind will certainly be faved ? Why anxious that they might be faved, if they cannot be loft? His fears were excited, it feems, by the miftake they were in concerning the mode of acceptance with God. For they being ignorant of God's righteouf- nefs , and going about to cjlablijh their own rightcoufnefs , have not fubmitted themfelves to the righteoufnefs of God . This, in Paul’s judgment, was a fundamental and a fatal error ; becaufe there is no name under heaven given amongft men, by which we can be fav- ed, but the name of Jefus. lie now paffes to explain the only fure method of falvation : For Chriji is become the end of the law for C 7 3 righteoufnefs to every one that believeth — compared with chap. iii. 22, 23, 24. Even the righteoufnefs of God, which is by faith of Jefus Chrifl unto all and up- on all them that believe : for there is no difference. For ell have finned , and come Jhort of the glory of God ; be- ing juf ifed freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Chrifl Jefus. The apoflle teachcth us in thefe words, and in many other paffages of his writ- ings, that the falvation of Tinners depends entirely, on faith in the finilhed and everlafling righteoufnefs of Chrifl. And that under the gofpel difpenfation, there is neither Greek nor Jew, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free ; but that wbofoever believeth in Jefus Chrifl fhall be faved. But how fall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? and how fall they hear without a preacher ? and how fall they preach except they be fent ? From the text I obferve, I. That the difpenfation of the gofpel is of infinite importance to mankind. II. Therefore, that chriflians are under the mofl folemn obligations to diffufe the knowledge of it, by every method in their power. I. We firfl obferve, that the difpenfation of the gofpel is of infinite importance to the world. By the gofpel I do not mean every thing that goes by that name. Among mankind there are many corruptions of primitive chriflianity. Thefe ought to be fhunned, not diffufed ; becaufe deflitute both of truth and energy. The true and proper Deity of Chrifl is denied by fome ; by others,, who have more caution, and a greater regard to public opin- ion, never mentioned. With this error at the foun- dation, no man, in my view, can preach Paul’s gof- [ 8 ] pel, becaufe he taught mankind that the Divinity of Chrifl is eflential to chriflianity. A gofpel without an Almighty Saviour, a pcrfedl and an everlafling righteoufnefs, an atonement for fin, is not his, but belongs to thofe who would pervert the gofpel of Chrifl:, by fubflituting repentance and fincere obe- dience, as the reafon of acceptance with God, in the place of a divine atonement. There are others who deny or extenuate the total depravity of human nature ; reprefent mankind in a much better condition than they are, and thus daub with untempered mortar. Regeneration, or the new birth, is either denied, or fo mifreprefented, that many perfons conceive it to be altogether ideal. I will not, however, dwell on this part of the fub- jedt, but pafs to obferve, that by the gofpel as a gen- eral term, we mean the great truths taught by Chrifl and his apoflles, fuch as, the finner’s real condition of guilt and moral inability ; that he is under the law and under the curfe ; that there is no falvation for him but by the obedience and death of Jefus Chrifl, who died the juft for the unjufl, &c. ; that fmners mull be born again, or be renewed in the fpirit of their minds by the influence of the Holy Ghofl ; that the method of falvation is by grace alone, not of works, left any man fhould boafl ; and that whoever believeth in Chrifl hath everlafling life, and fhail never come into condemnation ; that true faith will be followed by a life of holy obedience ; or that all fuch as have believed in the Son of God, will be careful to maintain good works. Thefe and all the dodtrines which are connedled with them, we believe to be apofloiic j fuch as were [ 9 ] preached by Chrift and his apoftles ; fuch as were maintained by the churches of Chrift in general at different periods ; fuch as are to be found in the con- feflions of faith of different denominations of chrif- tians ; fuch as were bleffed by God to promote the various revivals of religion that have taken place in different ages and countries. Thcfe were the fenti- ments brought by our pious anceftors to New-Eng- land ; and are now to be found in the writings of thofe venerable men : Which we believe to be infinite- ly important to the world, becaufe they teach man his true chara&er and condition ; call up his atten- tion to his belt interefts ; infpire him with conviftion of his guilt and danger ; fhow him that he is un- done forever in himfelf confidered ; but that there is yet hope for him in Jefus Chrift, who died for chief of finners ; and that God can be juft, yet jufti- fy the ungodly who believe in Jefus. They contain a complete anfwer to this all-important queftion. What JJoall I do to be faved ? A queftion this, my brethren, that all the angels in heaven could not an- fwer ; but which is now revealed in a ftyle fo plain, that the way-faring man, though a fool, (hall not err therein. Into it the angels defire to look ; while believers of every age and country adore the incar- nate myftery — A God in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. And a circumftance that carries its importance to its higheft pofiible de- gree, is. That it gives us the mod wonderful difplay of the divine perfe&ions, and fecures a prefent and an eternal revenue of praife to God. If fuch be the nature, defign, and tendency of the gofpel, it follows, That the difpenfation of it is of infi- nite importance to mankind : for bow Jhall they be- lieve in him of whom they have not heard ? and how B [ IO } Jhflll. they hear without a preacher ? and how Jliall they preach except they be fent ? This great and glorious plan of faving finners, was conceived in the mind of God in eternity ; or, it is coeval with his infinite exiftence. And in time it hath been revealed to man. The firft intimation of it was made to Adam immediately after his fall, and repeated through every fucceeding period, till Chrift himfelf came in the flefh. During the Old JTeftament economy this revelation was made by fhadows, types and prophecies : to trace and ex- plain which we are not now at liberty. During that difpenfation the whole was confined to the Jewifb pation ; but after Chrift came, the difpenfation of the gofpel was extended to the Gentiles. Thecom- miffion is expreffed in terms of universality : Go ye into all the world, and preach the frfpel to every creature , &c. Accordingly, the apoftles, after our Lord’s afeenfion, vifited the Gentiles, and preached the gofpel among them. Since the days of the apoftles, God hath raifed up a fucceflion of men in every age, whofe bufinefs it is to diffufe the knowledge of evangelic truth ; and who, in the text, are faid to be fent. How Jhall thc-j preach except they be fait ? We are hereby taught, that it is as impoffible that any perfon fliould preach the gofpel properly except he be fent, as it is, that the people fliould believe in him of whom they have not heard. It is a natural inquiry then. What are we to underhand by this ex- preflion ? 1 anfwer, r. It implies, that the preacher mull be called by divine grace to an experience ot the gofpel. '1 his is the firft qualification for the facred office. Unlcls [ II ] this be the cafe, he will not love the work, nor realize the value of immortal fouls, and the danger they are in of everlaftine: condemnation. Without this, he is not qualified to converfe with anxious finners, and to conduct them to Chrift the only remedy. Like the unlkilful pilot, he will rather be in danger of running the vefiel on fhore. How can he diftinguifh true from falfe religion, as a perfonal thing, who never knew it? Perfons of a different chara&er may run before they are fent, and by virtue of uncommon talents, like a fhooting ftar, fhine for a moment, but they are quickly loft in oblivion. The queftion which our Lord thrice put to Peter, every candidate for the niinillry ought to anfwer fof’ himielf , Lovcjl thou me? Without this love to Chrift he will be like the founding brafs and the tinkling cymbal. And Paul’s charge to Timothy, 2d Lpiftle H. 2. ought to be moft facredly obferved by us, my brethren in the miniftry, when called to ordain oth- ers : And the things which thou haji heard of me among many witneffes , the fame commit thou to faithful men , who fhall be able to teach others alfo. How compre- henfive and interefting is this charge ! The doctrines he had preached, he charges him to commit to faith- ful men ; i. e. to believers, who had felt the tranf- forming power of the gofpel on their hearts. 2. To which I add, that a perfon his being fent , implies, that he poffeffes certain natural qualifica- tions, among which, as a principal, is aptnefs to teach ; or an eafy manner of communicating ideas ; which moft affuredly fuppofes that he hath ideas to commu- nicate. There are fome pious men, who feem to think that they are always to infift on the chriftian’s experi- ence, or the pious feelings of the heart. But they [ 12 ] ought to recoiled, that the gofpel contains a rich variety of important truths and duties ; with which they are bound to make themfelves acquainted by a clofe application to reading and ftudy, that they may be as fcribes ready inftruded in the kingdom of God, and be able to bring forth out of their treafure, things new and old. Give thyfelf wholly to thefe things , fays Paul to '] imothy, that thy profiting may appear to all. Ye candidates for the miniftry, and ye young men v/ho have juft engaged in the facrcd office, permit me to call your attention to the great importance of general knowledge ; and efpecially of a cor- rect acquaintance with the oracles of God. Hearts under the impreffive fenfe of vital piety, and minds well ftored with knowledge, will qualify you to be both acceptable and ufeful preachers. Depend upon it, if you wifh to be ufeful you rnuft preach Jefus Chr-ift and him crucified ; and guard againft that perpetual fatnenefs, into which fome preachers un- happily fall. 3. One thing more implied in the preacher’s be- ing fent, is. His obtaining the approbation and licenfe of fome regular religious fociety, or church of Chrift. Such certificate will afeertain his chara&er among ffrangers, and open a door for extenftve ufefulnefs. Without it no regular churches or minifters of the gofpel will encourage him. After the converfton of Saul the difciples would not receive him, until he was recommended by Barnabas. A like caution fhould be obferved by chriftians of all denomina- tions, in order to prevent impofition. Preachers of the preceding defeription enter into the fpirit of the gofpel ; realize its truth, its holy na- ture and unfpeakable importance to finners ; hence [ *3 3 they travail in birth again till Chrift be formed in them. And chriftians in private life imbibe the lame fpirit ; hence feci, or are eafily convinced, II. That they are under the moll folemn obliga- tions, by every effort in their power, to fpread the gofpcl as far as poflible. 1. The firlt of thefe arifeth from the infinite dan- ger Jinners are in. Chriftians firmly believe that they are under the curfe of a broken law, and ex- poied every moment they continue impenitent, to everlafting deftru&ion. Is this the cafe, my friends ? How then can we remain eafy one moment, without making fornc attempt to excite their fears, and to awaken their attention to their danger, before their feet Humble on the dark mountains, and the pit Ihut its mouth upon them ? Should we fee our neighbour’s houfe on fire, we fhould fly immediately to alarm the family, and extinguilh the flame. Impenitent finners are in an infinitely worfe condition. How unfpeakable then are the obligations of chriftians, to do every thing in their power for their falvation ! 2. Efpecially fince the gofpel reveals the only rem- edy for their recovery. There is no name under hea- ven given amongft men, whereby they can be faved, but the name of Jefus. Can a real chriftian believe thefe two propofitions. That finners, as fuch, are in, a loft and undone condition ; but that there is cne y and only one method in which they can be faved, even by Jefus Chrift, and his heart not burn within him, to attempt, at lead, to convince them of their danger and the only way of their recovery ? Feeling the influence of thefe folemn truths, certainly, my fellow chriftians, efpecially my brethren in the min- iftry, we ought, like the angel mentioned in the [ 14 ] Revelation of St. John, to be ready to fly through the midft of heaven, having the everlafting gofpel to preach to them who dwell on the earth. 3. And let us recoiled!:, my brethren, that the field is large ; there is a world before us, and multitudes of perifhing Tinners who never heard the gofpel. There are the heathen in our own country, who are fitting in the region and fhadow of death, having none to break unto them the bread of life. Attempts have indeed been repeatedly made to con- vert our Indian neighbours to the faith of the gof- pel ; but fo flrong are their attachments to favage life, and to their own natural notions ; and, I add with reludtance, fo ftrong their prejudices againfl fome who call themfelves chriitians, on account of the ill treatment they have received from them, that few, comparatively, have embraced chriflian- ity. Nor can we reafonably expedt to be fuccefs- ful among them, until we regain their affedtion and confidence, and convince them that we feck not theirs but them. They have been repeatedly and fhamefully defrauded in time pad ; whence have arifen inveterate prejudices againfl the white people. Thefe prejudices mufl be removed by a different treatment. The men who go as miffionaries among them, ought to be pious, meek, benevolent, entirely detached from the world ; having nothing to do with purchafing lands, but folely to inflrudt them in the things that belong to civilization, and to their everlafting peace. By fuch men much might be accomplifhed among them under a divine bleffing. Haflen, O Lord our God, the happy period when thou wilt give the heathen to thy Son for his in- [m3 heritance ; and the uttermoft parts of the earth for his poffeilion ! There are alfo great numbers of families that have fettled in the wildernefs, who are unable to fupport a gofpel miniftry, and are therefore ftarving for lack of vilion. One of our millionaries who was out fixteen weeks on the weftern million the laft year, informs the Society, That he preached in forty-one towns in which there was no Hated miniftry of any denomination ; and in thirteen towns in which a millionary never had been. In one part of the wil- dernefs the people had not heard a fermon for four- teen years. A lad of fourteen years of age, who had never feen a Bible before, took it from him, and viewing it, faid, “ Is this a Bible? 1 did not think it looked fo.” Hark, my chriftian friends, the voice of thoufands, deftitute of the means of grace, crying in the wildernefs, “ Come and help us !” Certainly we cannot be deaf to their cry. They thank you for what you have done, and pray that you will pity them in their unhappy condition, and again fend the gofpel among them, 4 . Which has the promife of the life that now is, no lefs than that which is to come. The great ad- vantages refulting from the gofpel to civil fociety, are an additional reafon why chriftians fhould exert themfelves to promote it. It produces the mod ev- ident and important change in the hearts and lives of all thofe who really believe it. It informs the judg- ment, and by its energy governs the heart, fubdues the violence of the paftions, and regulates the con- duct. Hence the difference between the men of real religion, and the men of the world ; between Saul the perfecutor, and Paul the preacher cf the [ ,6 ] faith he had laboured to deftroy ; between our hea- then neighbours, and the towns and villages in which the gofpel prevails. To which I appeal for undeni- able proof of the truth of the preceding obferva- tions.* The fact cannot be denied, though it may be vilified and mifreprefented by thole who are un- friendly to thefe things. But, my hearers, fuch an extraordinary change in thofe who had been wholly inattentive to religion, and in many inftances, its vi- olent oppofers, Ihould filence thofe men of every de- fcription, who ridicule this work. They ought to be extremely cautious, left they be found to fight againfl God. When hundreds of mankind, of dif- ferent ages and characters, who had lived without God and hope in the world, embrace the gofpel, and live under its influence, which is attefted by both the friends and the enemies of religion, we are oblig- ed to confefs the change is real, though, to many, it is unaccountable. To what caufe fhall we afcribe it ? Certainly not to the influence of Satan, who is allowed to be the molt wicked being in exiftence ; and who blinds the minds of them who believe not , left the light of the glorious gofpel of Chri/l , who is the im- age of God , foould fnne unto them. His malignant difpofition urges him incefiantly to promote rice-, and oppofe virtue ; to make men wicked, not good. Before we can rationally believe that he has any agency in revivals of religion, unlefs to oppofe them, * There are two publications that contain particular accounts of thefe revivals of religion in different places. One of them intitlcd “ Surprifing Accounts of the revivals ''of Reli- gion," &c. printed by Woodward, No. iz, South Second Street, Philadelphia ; the other intirted “ Ir.cfenfe of Piety,” &c, printed at Newbury port, by A. March, 1802. M [ 1 7 . ] and bring them into contempt, we muft difmifs all our former ideas of his character, and admit that he is totally altered ; confequently that the world have nothing to fear from his influence. Nor can the change we plead for be aferibed to enthufiafm, or delufion ; to fome fudden impreflion on the mind, whereby the perfon is led to fancy that he is infpired with fome new revelation from heaven. The effects of fuch enthufiafm have fometimes furprized us, we confefs ; but in the prefent cafe we muff look for a fuperior caufe, becaufe it is evident- ly a change of the difpofition of the heart, acting itfelf out in the moft rational manner in the life. The man confeffes and forfakes his fins ; God be- comes the obje£t of his fupreme affection ; Jefus Chrift, in his character and fullnefs, the object of his love, his confidence and joy ; holinefs his choice and delight. His life and converfation are entirely altered ; he denies ungodlinefs and worldly lulls, and lives foberly, righteoufly and godly in the pref- ent world. He continues in well doing ; lives and dies under the influence of the fame truths, that gave him hope and confolation when he firft believ- ed. Is this delufion ? Would to God the world were under its influence. The wolf would then dwell with the lamb, the leopard lie down with the kid ; the calf and the young lion and the fading to- gether ; and a little child might lead them. Nei- ther would there be any to hurt nor deflroy in all God’s holy mountain. Should we compare the effects produced by the gofpel in modern times, with its influence on man- kind in the apoftolic age, we fltall find that they arc [ l8 1 perfectly analogous. The means made ufe of were the fame : It p leafed, God by the fcoHjhnefs cf preachings in that day, to fa-ve them that believe. Under Peter’s firff fermon three thoufand were converted. So it is in our day. The effedts produced by the gofpel are alfo the fame. Sinners then were pricked in their heart, and faid, Men and brethren , what Jhall we do ? This is the language of awakened fmners in the prefent day. They found no peace of mind till they believed in Jefus Chrift ; fp it is now. Be- lieving in him, they rejoice with joy unfpeakable and full of glory. After their converfion, they were careful to recommend religion to all around them, by their lives and converfation ; fo it is with fuch as are brought to the knowledge of the truth in this day. So different are they from what they once were, that their enemies are obliged to acknowledge it. And this has often been the cafe with whole towns and villages, where God hath revived his own work. Nor is it any reafonable objection to thefe revivals, that they are fometimes attended with irregularities, which the friends of religion lament. Human imperfection will always appear in a greater or lefs degree, in every thing mankind engage in. Is not this the cafe with all their ftruggles for liber- ty ? Though begun in juffice and moderation, to what extremes have they been carried ; what injuf- tice and oppreffion have marked their progrefs ! — Shall we then condemn them in the grofs ? by no means. What is right, we approve, and what is wrong, condemn. When, therefore, the wicked forfakes his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and returns unto the Lord, every virtuous mind muff approve a change fo intererting to the plan himfelf, and fo beneficial to fociety. [ *9 ] The fubjed fuggefts a variety of reflc&ions; to which I pafs. 1. It naturally leads us to give glory to God for our diftinguifhed privileges. The gofpel, that brings life and immortality to light, is brought to our doors. This is a ble'fling of ineftimable value* What a melancholy condition Ihould we be in with- out it ! Blefled be God, he hath not left us thus to perifh, but hath fent his word and healed us. Let us then unite in one delightful fong of praife to Him xvho hath loved us, and walhed us from our fins in his blood. To him be glory forever. But a raoft diftrefling fear creates a paufe — and fwells each pious heart with ar.guifh too great to be expreffed, left any of thofe who have been exalted to heaven in point of privileges Ihould be thruft down to hell ! God forbid that this dreadful anticipation Ihould be realized. Sinners, think a moment what an aggravated condemnation your’s will be^ who have trodden under foot the Son of God, and have Counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was fan&ified, an unholy thing, and have done def- pite unto the Spirit of grace. Now is the accepted time, now is the day of falvation. Death may foon arreft you in your criminal career, and fix you for eternity. Oh, that you might immediately By for refuge to lay hold on the hope fet before you. I pray God that it may not be faid of you, that light is come into the world, and that you have loved darknefs rather than light, becaufe your deeds ‘are evil 1 2 . What could have been the reafon, that this belt of interefts did not engage the united efforts of ehriftians of all denominations, before the prefent [ 20 ] period ? The gofpel has always been the fame — fin- ners have, as fuch, always been in the fame ftate of guilt and danger — good men have always believed the gofpel to be of infinite importance to the world, yet how few attempts, comparatively, have been made with energy and perfeverance, to fend it to the unenlightened parts of the earth ! “ It is a very affe&ing fad that according to the loweft computation, there are at this moment above FOUR HUNDRED MILLIONS of our fellow men in a ftate of pagan darknefs. What pains and expenfe does it not deferve to attempt to refcue, at leaft, forne out of fo many millions from ruin ?”* I do not mean, however, to fpeak difrefpe&fully of thofe attempts that have been made by fome chriftians to convert the heathen ; but only to cen- fure my own inattention, and that of many of my chriftian friends, to an object of fuch magnitude. It is with pleafure I remind you of the “ Danifh mif- fion to the coaft of Coromandel, in the Eaft-Indies, fince tllfe year 1706, by which above 18,000 Gentoos have been brought to the profeflion of chriftianity. The Dutch in the ifland of Ceylon, and other of their Eaft-India fettlements, have had ftill more ex- tenfive fuccefs. The Moravian brethren, have with- in thefe fixty years part, fent miflionaries to various heathen nations, and have difeovered a zeal for the propagation of the gofpel, which ought to provoke in all other denominations of chriftians, a godly em- ulation. Their fuccefs has been remarkable among the Greenlanders, and in the Dutch Weft-India ifl- ands. They have alfo fent miflionaries among the * Periodical Accounts, No. 1. [ 21 ] American Indians, and the Efquimaux on the coaft of Labrador, who have been hopefully owned for the converfion of fouls ; and have attempted to preach the gofpel to the Tartars, and to the Hotten- tots. We are informed that in the year 1788 they had in their focieties 15,000 converted heathen.”* The apoftolic Eliot and the excellent Brainerd were happily inftrumcntal of great good to the In- dian nations. Yet with truth we may fay, little has yet been done, compared with the millions of pagans, and the poor inhabitants of our back fettlcments, who are this day without the gofpel. An extenfive field for mifiionary labours is before us in our own country ! and we have reafon to blefs God, that he hath excited fuch a fpirit for millions among chrif- tians of different denominations in Europe and America. We truft it is a prelude to that blefled day, when the earth Ihall be filled with the knowl- edge of the Lord, as the waters cover the deep. I have already mentioned to you the melancholy condition of our people inhabiting the wildernefs. Many towns without any fettled miniffer : fome that have not heard the gofpel for fourteen years. And when an opportunity to hear it was offered to them, no weather prevented their attendance. Some of them were deeply imprefled with divine things, and others brought to believe and rejoice in Chrifi: Jefus. This is good news from a far country, and Ihould animate us in all our future exertions. Were I to judge from your folernn filence, and profound attention this evening, I Ihould conclude that you are all deeply interefted in this blefied caufe. * Periodical Accounts, No. 1. L M 3 And from your feelings and ycur number, antici- pate a very liberal contribution. You cannot give your money for any better purpofe. It is to defrav the expenfes of fending the gofpel among the poor deftitute inhabitants of the wildernels. The mo- ment is at hand, my dear friends, when you will have an opportunity to gratify the fineft feelings of a benevolent heart. What you give this evening is to be applied to the extenfion of the Redeemer’s king- dom. Remember, the Lord loveth a cheerful giver. In fine, I congratulate you, my brethren of this Miffionary Society, on the fuccefs that hath attended your firft attempt. The letters that were read to you this day from your miffionaries, left fcarce one eye dry. You wept, but you wept with joy. You have ample encouragement to proceeds Remember that in this cafe, you are workers together with God. May that adorable Saviour, whofe caufe it is, crown your future efforts with abundant fuccefs* and give you many redeemed fouls at the laft day as your joy and crown. Even fo, Lord Jefus. — ■■■ ■ AMEN.