BSAS0N5 9Hr ITE SHOULD PMJ]^ POM P‘HB PHOSPEMltT CF 
 THE BEDESMEH^S EINGDOM OH EARTH, 
 
 
 <- 
 
 PAM. 
 
 SERM. 
 
 A 
 
 SERMON, 
 
 \ 
 
 rREACHED AT NORWIOH, FIRST SOOIXTY) 
 
 BEFORE The 
 
 rOUEIGN MISSION SOCIETY 
 
 FOR FroBmcB AjTD jjBs rjcvfjjr, 
 
 .. t 
 
 MAT 17, 1814, 
 
 At the second annual mketin®. 
 
 BT SAMUEL MOTT, 
 
 PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN FRANKLINi 
 
 Tkt stone that smote the image became a great mountain and 
 filled the whole earth. 
 
 MORWICH: 
 
 PRINTED BT RUSSELL HUBBARD. 
 
dT the annual meeting «f the “ Foreign Mission Society of 
 JV’oi wich and its vicinity,” holden May IT, 1814, — 
 VOT’?D, 'JTiat Messrs. William Cleveland, and Sam- 
 uel R udd, present tl)e thanks of this Society to the Rev. Mr. 
 Nott, for his Sermon delivered before them this day, and re- 
 quest a copy for the press, and obtaili subscribers to defray 
 expence of publication. 
 
 Ji trm topy of Record, 
 
 Certified by * 
 
 - JABEX HUNTINGTON, /Sec’ry. 
 
 
A SERMON, 
 
 LUKE XI. 12.— THV ElKODOM COME.' 
 
 TThIS direction was given by the great head 
 of the Church to his disciples, when he was personally 
 on earth. It is still in force, and of universal obliga- • 
 tion. 
 
 The kingdom here mentioned is that kingdom 
 which God has set up in this ruined world, in the 
 hearts of believing sinners ; and of which his own 
 dear son is king. 
 
 For the prosperity of this kingdom, all men ought 
 to pray. For it, all men who love the Lord Jesus in 
 sincerity do pray. They pray, that it may come, in 
 its true light, power, purity, spirituality and glory, to 
 the utter overthrow of the kingdom of Satan. They 
 pray that the holy scriptures may be translated into 
 all languages, and be universally spread, — that they 
 f may be preached with perspicuity, and be attended 
 I with divine energy ; — that their sacred truths may be 
 * cordially embraced — their benevolent spirit actually 
 possessed, and mankind universally live as become 
 i children of a common parent, growing in light, lore, 
 l>eace, faith, comfort, hope and holiiicss. 
 
4 
 
 Considering the ver}’’ interesting occasion, upon 
 which we have assembled, and the 'wards that have 
 been read, from the oracles of God., for our direction, 
 it may be useful, to point out some of the reasons, 
 why we should pray for the prosperity of the Redeem- 
 er’s kingdom in the world. 
 
 1. As it is a kingdom of vast worth. 
 
 It has been set up at very great expence ; at the 
 expence of Christ’s precious blood. “Neither by 
 the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, 
 he entered in once into the holy place, having obtain- 
 ed eternal redemption for us.* Wherefore Jesus 
 also that he might aarictify the people with his own 
 Wood, suffered without the gate. § Who loved us 
 and washed us from our sins in his own blood. ”f 
 When we take into view, the perfections of God, 
 we may be assured from the expensive manner in 
 which the foundation of the Redeemer’s kingdom 
 has bten laid, that it is a kingdom of vast worth. — 
 Much blood and treasure, have often been spent in 
 laying the foundations of other kingdoms ! But it has 
 been human blood ! — *Tt is peculiar to the kingdom, 
 now under consideration, to have been founded by 
 the blood of the Son of God ! No blood ever equal- 
 led this. It is of infinitely more worth, than thou- 
 sands of rams, or ten thousand rivers of oil. 
 
 The worth of the Redeemer’s kingdom, is farther 
 evident, from the consideration, that God has engag- 
 ed to protect it: “ The gates of hell shall not pre- 
 vail against it.”:f “ No u^eapon that is formed against 
 thee shall prosper. ”|| 
 
 ’►tteb. ii. 12. §tteb. xiii. 1^. tH.ev. i. 5. |Mat. xvi. II. 
 lisa. liv. ir. 
 
5 
 
 'rhc saints have to meet verj’ powerful enemies. 
 
 * For we wrestle,’ says the Apostle, ‘ not against flesh 
 ^ind blood, but against principalities, against powers, 
 against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against 
 spiritual wickedness in high placa .*^ — Hut having 
 on the 'ojJwle armour of God ; “ They run not as tin- 
 ccrtainly ; they fight not as one that heateth the air.”* 
 
 “ The God of peace shall bruise Satiui under their 
 feet shortly.”^ In times of great darkness and diffi- 
 culty, tvhen Zion is ready to say, the Lord hath for- 
 saken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me, the fol- 
 lowing words point out her security, and are calcu- 
 lated to recover her from desponding feelings. “ Can 
 a woman forget her sucking child, that she should 
 not have compassion on the son of her w'omb? yea, 
 they may forget, yet will not I forget thee.”f 
 
 The worth of the Redeemer’s kingdom, is still far- 
 ther evident, as it is designed ev'entually to recover 
 vast numbers of the human race, from their shameful 
 and criminal revolt from God, to their proper allegi- 
 ance, — to make them good and loyal subjects, by 
 changing them, as it were, from wolves and tigers, 
 into lambs and doves, — from open enemies, into cordial 
 friends .--—By causing them to delight in loving and ‘ 
 serving the Lord, instead of the pleasures of sin : — to 
 do this neither through fear of punishment, or hope 
 of any personal reward, but because he is infinitely 
 amiable, has a right to govern the world, and alwn-\ s 
 does it, in the most wise and holy manner ! A king- 
 dom thus founded, its perpetuity thus secured, and 
 itschief design thus glorious, is of incalculable worth. 
 It surely ought to be prayed for most sincerely, earn- 
 estly and perseveringly. 
 
 ^Eph. vi. 12. * 1 Cor. ix. 26. §Roiii. xtL 20. xlix. 15. 
 
6 
 
 2. We ought thus to pray for it, because we know 
 from the holy scriptures, that God, has graciously 
 engaged to enlarge it, and likewise to encrease the 
 sanctification and knowledge of his people, before the 
 final consummation. 
 
 The scriptures are full of promises concerning the 
 future prosperity of the Messiah’s kingdom — It may 
 be useful to refresh our minds w ith a few of them. 
 
 The promises, which the Lord made to Abraham, 
 the father of the faithful, seems to imply more, than 
 hath ever taken place : “ Seeing that A'. 'raham shall 
 surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the 
 nations of the earth shall* be blessed in him.”* The 
 following words, likewise, of king David, appear to 
 have been fulfilled, but in part : “Yea, all kings shall 
 fall down before him ; all nations shall serve him.Ӥ 
 They had a partial accomplishment in the days of 
 Solomon, but remain to be more fully accomplished 
 in gospel times. 
 
 The Prophets in common, and Isaiah particularly, 
 have spoken abundantly, of the enlargement of the 
 church in gospel times. 
 
 The following passages, will serve as a specimen 
 of what he has said. “ It shall come to pass in the 
 last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall 
 be established in the top of the mountains, and shall 
 be exalted above the hills ; and all nations shall flow 
 unto it. And many people shall go and say. Come 
 ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to 
 the house of the God of Jacob ; and he will teach us 
 of his ways, and we will walk in his paths : for out 
 of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the 
 
 Genesis xviii. 18. §Psalm Ixxii. 11. 
 
•7 
 
 Lord from Jerusalem.* Sing, O barren, thou that 
 didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry 
 aloud, thou thgu didst not travail with child: for 
 more are the children of the desolate than the children 
 of the married w’ife, saith the Lord. Enlarge the 
 place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the cur- 
 tains of thine habiuuion ; spare not, lengthen thy 
 cords, and strengthen thy stakes. For thou shalt 
 break forth on the right hand and on the left ; and 
 thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the des- 
 olate cities to be inhabited. § Arise, shine; for thy 
 light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon 
 thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the 
 earth, and gross darkness the people : but the Lord 
 shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon 
 thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and 
 kings to the brightness of thy rising. Lift up thine 
 eyes round about, and sec ; all they gather themselves 
 together, they come to thee : thy sons shall come 
 from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy 
 side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together : and 
 thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged ; because the 
 abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the 
 forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. Thou 
 shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt 
 suck the breast of kings : and thou shalt know that I 
 the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the 
 mighty One of Jacob. A little one shall become a 
 thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the 
 Lord will hasten it.”f 
 
 The Prophet well knew, how unlikely, according 
 to human calculation, the remarkable dungs he had 
 
 *Isa. U. 2, 3. $Isa. liv. 1—4. tisa. lx. 1—6, 16, 4* 22. 
 
8 
 
 foretold wefc to take place ; neveftheleas, having a 
 fixed confidence in God, and being swallowed up 
 with his subject, he breaks forth in his last chapter, 
 in the following most remarkable manner : “Who 
 hath heard such a thing ? who hath seen such things ? 
 sltall the earth be made to twing forth in one day ? or 
 shall a nation be born at once ? for as soon as Zion 
 travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I 
 bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? 
 sailli the Lord : shall I cause to bring forth, and shut 
 the wot7ib? saith thy God. Rejoice ye with Jerusa-* 
 lem, and be glad with her, all ye that lore her : re- 
 joice foi' joy with her, all ye that mourn for her : that 
 ye may suck astd be satisfied with the breasts of her 
 consolations : that ye may milk out, and be delight- 
 ed with the abundance of her glory. For thus sMdi 
 the- Lord, Behold I will extend peace to her like m 
 river, and tlie glory of the Gentiles like a flowing 
 stream : then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne i^n 
 her sides, and dandled upon her knees. As one 
 whom his mother oomforteth, so wiH I couafort you i 
 and ye dial! be comforted inierusalam.”* 
 
 The prophecies are equally ex^icit, with resspect 
 to the increase, of the sanctification aaid kaaowledge df 
 the church under the reiga cf the Messiah— “ The 
 wolf also sliaflJ dwell with the lamb, and the loo|>ard 
 shall lie down with the kidi and the calf and the 
 young lion and the fatlhig together; and a little 
 child shall 'lead them. And the cow and the bear 
 shall feed ; their young ones shall liedowu togcflter ; 
 and the lion shall eat straw fiflee the oa. And the 
 sucking child slaull play on the hxile of tdic asp, and 
 
 ‘•laaiali htvi. 8^14. 
 
9 
 
 the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockar 
 trice’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all 
 my holy mountain : for the earth shall be full of the 
 knowledge of the Loan as the waters cover the sea.* 
 Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light 
 of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevens 
 fold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the 
 Loan bindeth up the breach of his people, and hcal- 
 eth the stroke of tlieir wound. 1 “ And the eyes of 
 
 them that sec shall not be dim ; and the ears of them 
 that hear shall hearken. The heart also of the rash 
 shall understand knowdedge, and the tongue of the 
 stammerers shall speak plainly. ”f “ And he willde-. 
 stroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast 
 over all people, and the vail that is spread over all 
 nations.”! 
 
 The writers of the new Testament, especially St. 
 John, are likewise explicit, as to the future flouri^-. 
 ing state of the church ; his words are : “ And I saw 
 an Angel come down from heaven, having the key 
 of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 
 And he laid hold on the dragoh, that old serpent, 
 which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thou« 
 sand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, 
 and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he 
 should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand 
 years should be fulfilled. ”|| 
 
 Satan, that old deceiver of our race, will unques.. 
 tionably, be greatly restrained, and persons be raised 
 up, who shall possess the spirit of the ancient Mar- 
 tyrs, and enjoy under the spiritual reign of Christ, a 
 
 *Isa. xi. 6—10. §Isa. xxx. 26. flsa. xxxii. S 4* 4. lisa. xxv. T. 
 
 UBev. XX. 1—4. 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 thousand years prosperity. — God has great blessings 
 in store for his church. His elect, from among all 
 nations must be gathered in, and their sanctification 
 be completed. It is true “ Blindness in part is hap- 
 pened to Israel,” but it is only “ until the fullness of 
 the Gentiles be come in ; and so all Israel shall be 
 saved.” 
 
 3. We ought to pray fo** the prosperity of the Re- 
 deemer’s kingdom, because the creature’s of God, 
 which have been long and shamefully abused by our 
 fallen race, will experience a kind of general emanci- 
 pation, in the day of its prosperity : ‘‘For the earnest 
 expectation of the creature vvaiieth for the manifesta- 
 tions of the sons of God. F or the ereature was made 
 subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him 
 who hath subjected the same in hope : Because the 
 creature itself also shall be delivered from the bon- 
 dage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the 
 children of God. For we know that the whole crea- 
 tion groaneth and travaileth in pain together until 
 now.”* 
 
 When the Messiah’s kingdom shall be set up 
 among all nations, and the spirit and doctrines of the 
 gospel, shall have their proper influence on mankind ; 
 they will cease to sport even with the lives of beasts, 
 and to make an improper use of things in the inani- 
 mate world : especially will they cease to injure^ dis- 
 tress and destroy one another. — The nations of the 
 earth in that blessed day will, “ beat their swords 
 into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning- 
 hooks : nation shall not lift up sword against nation, 
 neither shall they learn \\ ar any more. § Instead of 
 
 •Rom. viii. 19—23. §Ii». ii. 4. 
 
ii 
 
 thirsting; for dominion, they will be happy in attend- 
 ing to the arts of civilization, and the duties of relig- 
 ion. “ They shall sit every man under his vine, and 
 under his fig-tree : and none shall make them afiaid : 
 for the niouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.f 
 
 The shameful traffick in meti^ which has so long 
 disgraced many of our race, will in that blessed peri- 
 od cease. Persons unrighteously held in bondage, 
 will then be emancipated : — Instead of ignorance, su- 
 perstition, infidelity and oppression, there will exist 
 not modern sophisms, mere •oisionary theories, but an 
 actual improvement in knowledge, a purity of senti- 
 ment, genuine liberty and real piety. This divine 
 rule, will have a practical influence on the chihirenof 
 men : As ye ’would that others should do unco you, da 
 ye Ukeviise unto them. 
 
 4. We should pray for the prosperity of the Re- 
 deemer’s kingdom, because when oppression shall 
 cease, things will then generally, be consecrated to 
 the Lord. “ In that day shall there be upon the bells 
 of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; 
 and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the 
 bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem, 
 and in Judah, shall be holiness unto the Lord of 
 Hosts.”* Things being thus consecrated to their 
 proper use, a kind of general Jubilee will commence. 
 Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord heth done it: 
 shout, ye lower parts of the earth : break forth into 
 singingye mountains, O forest, and every tree there- 
 in : for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified 
 himself in Israel. Ӥ There is joy in the presence of 
 the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.% 
 
 tMicah iv. 4. *Zech. xiv, 20 ^ 21. §Isa. xliv. 23. |Luke xv. 10. 
 
I 
 
 12 
 
 subject to which we have been attending nat- 
 urally leads us to remark. 
 
 That all persons present, who experimentally know 
 the evil of sin, the beauty and glory of religion, as 
 consisting in mipremt love to God and good luill to men^ 
 who have themselves, actually taken refuge und^’ die 
 wings of the Redeemer, must have been animated, 
 by the view we have taken of the promises, respect- 
 ing the future prosperity of his kingdom ; — that sin 
 shall not only be destroyed in their own hearts, but 
 that Satan, shall shortly be bound, and that he shall de- 
 ceive the nations no more, till the thousand years be jtil- 
 Jdied-;- — that the seed of Abraham, uith the fulness of 
 the Gentiles, shall be gathered into the kingdom of 
 Christ, and justice, righteousness and peace, gener- 
 ally pervade our world : — that the heathen from the 
 ends of the earth, the worsliippers of the Grand Lama, 
 the sovereign Pontiff of the Asiatick Tartars, of in- 
 animate nature, of creeping things, birds, beasts, and 
 departed heroes, shall all, eventually have their minds 
 so divindy illuminated, as to renounce their idolatry, 
 cordially to embrace the holy religion of the bible, 
 and voluntarily to commence, the rational and hum- 
 ble worshippers of the triune God : — then the earth 
 shall be full of the kmvsledge of the Loxn as the wa- 
 ters timer the sea.* 
 
 It is exceedingiy pleasing in the natural wwld, af- 
 ter the swn has been long interoepted by clouds, to 
 have it jqjpear in its resplendent beauty. It dispels 
 a gloom from the countenances of men, animates 
 fbero to .business, and spreads asmik at onoe over 
 the face of rMiture. 
 
 *Ifiaiah xi. 9. 
 
13 
 
 How much more pleasing must it be, to a pious 
 mind, to see ihc Son of righteousness arise, in the 
 benighted corners of the earth, to enlighten, animate, 
 invigorate, comfort and save, tlte souls of men ? 
 
 To see the clouds of ignorance, sui^erstition and 
 sin, dispelled, and the refulgent beams of the Sav- 
 iour’s glory, shine with unparalleled lustre? 
 
 Who under the influence of the Christian spirit, can 
 realize the gross ignorance, the great superstition, 
 the savage brutality, and the present danger of tlic 
 heathen nations — the dispersed, oppressed and un- 
 happy state of the seed of Abraham, and not be ani- 
 mated with the prospect, that both will soon taste and 
 see dial the Lord is good, and live according to the 
 laws and examples of the divine Redeemer ? 
 
 We are led further to remark. 
 
 From the evidence, which hath been exhibited 
 from the prophecies, of the future prosperity of the 
 Redeemer’s kingdom, we may rest assured if we 
 make the prayer incur text, “ Thy kingdom come,” 
 we shall obtain our particular request. 
 
 Tlie divine mind concerning the future prosperity 
 of the church, we have seen is most clearly revealed. 
 
 If in Christ’s name therefore we pray, thy kingdom 
 came, we may rest assured tliat we shall receive a 
 gracious answer. 
 
 “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that 
 will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son, 
 If ye shall ask any tiling in my name, I will do it.”* 
 
 “ If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a fa- 
 ther, will he give him a stone ? or i[ he ask a fish, 
 will he for a fish give him a serpent ? or, if he ask an 
 
 *John xiii. 14. 
 
14 
 
 egg, will he offer him a scorpion ? If ye then, being 
 evil, know how to give good gifts unto your chil- 
 dren : how much more shall heavenly Father 
 give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him 
 
 All that God has engaged to do for Zion, we may 
 confidently pray him to do. — As he has said to his 
 Son, ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for 
 thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth 
 for thy possession, the friends of the Redeemer, may 
 confidently pray him, to enlarge the borders of his 
 church — pray him, not only to remember his prom- 
 ise to Abraham, but to gather in his elect, from 
 among all the heathen nations. 
 
 Were the heathen destitute of any capacity for 
 happiness — were there no way prepared for their par- 
 don, were they not immortal, and capable of standing 
 eternally as monuments of the Redeemer’s victory 
 and triumph, or were there no intimations of mercy 
 for them in the scriptures ; -it would not be strange if 
 they were not remembered in the prayers of the 
 saints : but as they are capable of happiness, as there 
 is a way, in which they may be pardoned by the atone- 
 ment of Christ, as they are immortal, and capable of 
 becoming in the Redeemer's crovm ; and it is 
 expressly declared, by the spirit of prophecy, the 
 Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the bright- 
 ness of thy rising, we may not only pray for their con- 
 version, but pray with an assurance, that we shall be 
 heard and answered. 
 
 Though it is certain, that the prayers of the saints 
 w'ill be answered, with respect to the future prosperi- 
 ty of the church ; it does not clearly appear, how 
 soon the answer will take place. , 
 
 *Luke xi. 11 — 14. 
 
15 
 
 It evidently will not be, till the holy city spoken of 
 by St. John, shall have been trodden under foot forty 
 and two months — and the two witnesses, shall have 
 prophccied a thousand two hundred and threescore 
 days clothed in sackcloth. 
 
 It becomes us therelbre, however earnestly we 
 may pray for the prosperity of the Redeemer’s king- 
 dom, patiently to wait for the accomplishment of the 
 
 divine promises, till the appointed time. We have 
 
 reason to hope that the appointed time draweth nigh — 
 that the millennial day actually dawneth, from the 
 wonderful exertions, now making, in the different 
 parts of Christendom, for the promotion of the king- 
 dom of Christ : “ Thou shalt arise, and have mercy 
 upon Zion : for the time to favor Iter, yea, the set 
 time is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her 
 stones, and favor the dust thereof.* 
 
 The Lord emphatically is building up his church, 
 in troublesome times ! — We must wait upon him ! — 
 The waiting upon God, that becomes those, who 
 pray, thy kingdom come, is totally opposed, to a care- 
 less, negligent and covetous disposition. It tends to in- 
 fluence people to cast their money freely, into the 
 missionary treasury, with a view of making known 
 the divine Redeemer, to the heathen, that are sitting 
 in the shadow of death; who, w'hatever may be the 
 color of their bodies, have souls just like our own ! 
 
 Is there not great reason to doubt the sincerity, of 
 those affluent persons, who in this day of wonders, 
 content themselves, (if they do any thing,) merely 
 
 *Psalm CB. IS. 14. 
 
16 
 
 with praying, thy kingdom comef Who cOiitribtite 
 nothing upon any occasion to aid missionary exer- 
 tions ! 
 
 They would be thought lost to the common feel- 
 ings of humanity if they should say to the needv^ 
 Depart in peace ^ he ye ’inarmed and and should 
 actually, witlihold the helping hand. — Ought they 
 not likewise, to be thought lost, to all the true feel- 
 ings of religion, if under the meridian of gospel light, 
 with a cup overflowing with common blessings, they 
 refuse to contribute, for the promotion of Christian 
 knowledge among the heathen, actually perishing for 
 the bread of life ? 
 
 It is a reproach, [yiith humility be it.xpoken,) tathe* 
 professors of religion in common, and to :the mink* 
 ters of Christ in particular, that they have hitherto; 
 done so little, for the promulgation of the gospel !• 
 The pbblic’attention to this interesting subject, has 
 been excited but in a small degree, since the Apos-’ 
 tolic age, among Protestants through the whole Chris- 
 tian world, ’till within a short period. 
 
 What have even the ministers of Christ do«c tOv 
 spread the gospel, that appears as Uiough they had;- 
 fclt the force of the solemn injunction from their di- 
 vine Lord ? ^'Coye into all the world and preach the 
 gospel to every creaiure.^’’\ 
 
 It is now almost two thousand years since the> 
 birth of the Saviour ; when the Angel of the Lord 
 said, “ Behold, I bring you good tidings of great; 
 joy, whi6h shall be to all people. For unto you, k 
 
 *Jamc9 ii. l€. 5Mark»i. 15. 
 
17 
 
 bom this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which 
 is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto 
 you ; ye sliall find the babe wrapped in swaddling 
 clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was 
 with tlie Angel a multitude of the heavenly host 
 praising God, and saying. Glory to God in the high- 
 est, and on earth peace, good will towards men.’’^*^ 
 
 Notwithstanding this wonderful declaration, by 
 those heavenly songsters ; and the comnussion before 
 mentioned to Christ’s ministering servants, %)hat have 
 they clone ? Even at this remote period of the world, 
 the most of the nations are ignorant that a Saviour 
 hath been born; that he hath erected his standard 
 among men. 
 
 There ever have been, and still are, great difficul- 
 ties, in the way of making Christ known to the hea- 
 then I But are those that have been, sufficient, to jus- 
 tify the feebleness past attempts ? or those that now 
 are, to keep from making more vigorous exertions ? — 
 The appeal is made to conscience !-— Have not 
 too many* ministers, been rather speculathe^ than 
 practical divines ? Have not many e^en in Connecti- 
 cut, paid more attention to nice speculations^ than to 
 making known the only Saviour, to the poor Indiart 
 tribes, scattered through the various parts of our crwti 
 country ? And who has ever thought ’till very lately, 
 that they had any thing to do, about the salvation of 
 Pagans of other countries, more than to pray for them ? 
 
 Have not Christians in common, been very remiss 
 in their duty, with respect to their exertions for the 
 
 3 
 
 . *Luke ii. 10—15. 
 
18 
 
 salvation of the heathen, as iveJl as the ministers of 
 Christ ? 
 
 In no part of the world, perhaps, is the gospel sys- 
 tem, in a speculative view, better understood, than 
 by the regular ministers and churches in New-Eng- 
 land ; but how far, nevertheless, have the Moravians 
 and Methodists, on this, and the other side of the At- 
 lantic, excelled them in zeal, for making known the 
 crucified Saviour, to guilty, perishing sinners? 
 
 The Moravians have sent missionaries to the East 
 and West- Indies — to the Cape of Good Hope — to 
 the coast of Guinea — into Persia and Egypt — to the 
 slaves of Algiers — to the Calmuck Tartars, and other 
 heathen tribes in the Russian parts of Asia. Like- 
 wise to the Laplanders — to the negro slaves in South- 
 America — to the Esquimaux Indians, in the cold 
 barren regions of Labrador — as well as into many 
 other parts of North-America ! — “ Such” says the 
 historian, “has been the zeal and perseverance of 
 this poor people, in spreading the savor of the Re- 
 deemer’s name, that no hardships nor dangers, by 
 land or sea, no distance of country, no stupidity or 
 barbarity of nations, no expence of which they are ca- 
 pable, no long and total separation from their coun- 
 try, friends and dearest connexions, no persecutions 
 nor disappointments could damp their courage, de- 
 press their spirits, or interrupt their endeavors.”* 
 
 The Methodists likewise, have done much in dif- 
 ferent parts of Europe, the West-Indics and America, 
 to make known the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners. 
 
 *Con. Evau. Mag. vol. i. pp. 82 . 
 
However wc may differ from both the foregoing/ 
 in many points of theology, who can behold their zeal, 
 self-denial and hardship, in promulgating the gospel, 
 and not feel desirous of imitating their good example. 
 
 There are other illustrious examples, that invite 
 
 our attention. — The European missionary and bible 
 societies, within a few years especially, have wrought 
 wonders. Missionaries have been sent into Africa, 
 Asia and to a number of the Islands in the South 
 Sea ! — The European Christians have not been con- 
 tent, with praying, thy kingiUm come. They have 
 cheerfully notwithstanding all their other very extra- 
 ordinary calls for money, afforded every pecuniary 
 aid, to those who liave had zeal to carry the glad tid- 
 ings of salvation to distant regions ! — By their aid, 
 bibles have been translated into different languages ; 
 and multiplied in the Englhh^ far beyond any former 
 example ! 
 
 But the missionary spirit has not been confined to 
 Europe ; — it has crossed the Atlantic. Many soci- 
 eties, have been formed in our own land. Much 
 good has been done^ — much is novi doing, and much yet 
 remains to be done. 
 
 After the missionary spirit began to arise in this 
 country^, the views of the good people were for years 
 in a great measure local. Nothing was thought of 
 but our new settlements, and the heathen upon the 
 borders of the United States ! — Of late their views 
 have become more enlarged, and they have seemed 
 to realize that all men are their brethren ! — The hun- 
 dreds oj millions of Pagans upon the Eastern Continent ^ 
 
so 
 
 have excited attention.— -A few youths apparently 
 pious^ and zealous to spread the knowledge of their 
 divine master, voluntarily offered, toleaxie their friends 
 and native country, to sound the gospel trumpet 
 among them ; — -to invite them to turn from their idol 
 vanities to the living God, through the blood of that 
 lamb, that taketh avoay the sin of the vjorld! — The 
 benevolent proposal struck the minds of many pious 
 persons with irresistable force ! 
 
 A Foreign Missionary Society was soon formed, 
 which took those youths under their patronage. Ma- 
 ny Auxiliary Societies, have likewise been formed^ 
 to aid in the benevolent work. Monies have been 
 raised ! Prayers have been offered ! — The faith and 
 patiericCi of the first adventurers, has been put to the 
 test ! They have been tried Various VDoys, but have not 
 fainted! — Nothing really discouraging, has taken 
 place — and the greatest obstruction, that has been in 
 the: way, through the goodness of God, in ansvier to 
 many prayers, has been removed, since the last meet- 
 ing of this Auxiliary Society. 
 
 Missionaries may now, by the new charter of the 
 East-Tndia Company, go any where in their domin- 
 ions, to persuade sinners to be reconciled to God 
 through the great Redeemer, and to promote the mo- 
 rality of the gospel. 
 
 This one act of legislation, calls for tlie sincere thanks 
 of the friends of Zion, to Almighty God, in all parts 
 of Christendom. It ibrebodes great good to the East* 
 India Missions; — it looks as though God was on 
 their side. If ht itally is, neither men, nor money 
 
21 
 
 will be wanting: — His counsels ’tmll stands and he 
 %oill do all his pleasure. 
 
 It is as easy, for the great disposer of all events, to 
 incline other persons to engage in foreign missionsy as 
 it was to incline those, who have already engaged. 
 It is as easy for him, to provide support for new ones, 
 as it has hitherto been to provide for those who have 
 gone. As soon as money was needed it was obtain* 
 cd. Many persons as though moved by a divine 
 impulse, stood ready to contribute ! they haiie con- 
 tributed with a liberal hand! — They are ready to 
 contribute again and again. Their hearts are in the 
 business. Their money therefore, will not be with- 
 holdcn, whenever the Lord calls for it. ' 
 
 Some persons, may doubt about the propriety of 
 giving. They may object, and object, and be so 
 strongly attached to their golden and silver gods, as 
 never to give a dollar, upon any occasion to aid the 
 missionary cause ! — The work nevertheless will go 
 on for the cause is the Lord’s : — He owns it 
 He undoubtedly will provide for it ! The silver and 
 the gold are his. If some are unbelieving, and will 
 not come to the help of the Lord, there are enough, 
 who will ! 
 
 As worldly wise men, love to lodge their money 
 in public funds, and readily subscribe to loan them, 
 when the security is good ; so there are men, posses- 
 sing in some good degree, the 'loisdom that is from 
 above, who are fond of lending their money to the 
 Lord. I'hey well know, as Godliness is profitable 
 unto all thrngSy having the promise of the life that notu 
 is, and that xehich is to come, that he will pay princi- 
 X>al and interest, whenever it is necessary. 
 
22 
 
 Is it not high time, for all who believe the reality 
 of religion, and hope to be saved by the atoning blood 
 of Christ, to attend to the dictates of real benevolence ? 
 and to see that they do not love in word and tongue 
 only, but in deed, and truth ! — That they cast their 
 bread upon the waters — that they spare no pains, to 
 make Christ known, and to exalt the honor of God, 
 in the salvation of sinners ? Has Christ died ? Is full 
 expiation made for sin ? Can God be just in justify- 
 ing him who believeth? Is there, no name under 
 heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved, 
 but the name oj Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the crucifi- 
 ed and risen Saviour ?* Hath the inspired Apostle 
 said, “How then shall they call on him in whom 
 they have not believed ? and how shall they believe 
 in him of whom they have not heard ? and how shall 
 they hear without a preacher?”! — Are these facts? 
 Of what importance then, to have the gospel preached 
 to the ends of the earth ! How beautiful are the feet 
 of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring 
 glad tidings of good things. § 
 
 You all well “ know the grace of our Lord Jesus 
 Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he 
 became poor, that ye through his poverty might be 
 rich.”! Who, under the influence of that love, 
 which brought the divine Jesus from heaven to earth, 
 if they cannot become the heralds of salvation them- 
 selves, but must feel willing, to aid the missionary 
 cause, not only with their prayers, but with their 
 wealth ? 
 
 There are but very few in any country, who can 
 personally, like Llliot, Brainard, Swartz, Thomas, 
 
 •Acts Hi. to cy 12. tRom. x. 14. §Rora. x. 15. l2Cor. viii. 9. 
 
23 
 
 Cary and riiany others, actually engage in missionary 
 labors, — but all who are disposed can pray, “ t/iy 
 kingdom come and there are very few, who pray, 
 but can at least, cast /uo mites, into the missionary 
 treasury! — THE LOAN IS OPEN. — Those who 
 approve of the missionary cause generally, and of 
 foreign missions partieularly, who feci bowels of 
 compassion, for the poor heathen, not onl)- ignorant 
 of a Saviour, but who often expose their feeble chiU 
 dren, and aged people to certain deaths ; and who im- 
 molate their widowed females upon the funeral piles 
 of their husbands, have opportunity this day to put in 
 their money. They are earnestly invited to do it, if 
 they approve of the divine security. May the mem- 
 bers of this Auxiliary Society, and all those present, 
 possess both the praying and the liberal spirit. 
 
 Let us all give, as the Lord may afford us oppor- 
 tunity, always remembering that he loveth a cheerful 
 giver. 
 
 Let us likewise unceasingly pray, thy kingdom 
 come: — Pray that the wilderness may blossom as the 
 rose — that Ethiopia may stretch forth her hands unto 
 God — that the hordes of savages in our own country, 
 from the Atlantic, to the Pacific Ocean — all the pa- 
 gans of the Eastern Continent, and upon all the Isl- 
 ands of the sea, may be instructed in the way of sal- 
 vation revealed in the gospel ; — that Jew's and Gen- 
 tiles, may all be brought into the same sheepfold, and 
 be deeply engaged to glorify God, with their bodies 
 and spirits which are his. 
 
 “Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not si- 
 lence. Give him no rest, ’till he establish — ’till he 
 make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” 
 
24 
 
 .U ■ 
 
 4 - 
 
 Let each one devoutly say, “ For Zion’s sake will 
 I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will 
 not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as 
 brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that 
 bumeth.’”^^' AMEN. 
 
 ’‘Isaiah Ixii. 1. 
 
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