SERMON, 
 
 • i 
 
 DELIVERED A’.' HAVERHILL. 
 
 FEBRUARY 5, 1812. 
 
 ON THE OCCASION OF TWO YOUNG LADIES 
 
 BEING ABOU 1' TO EMBARK AS THE WIVES OF 
 fiEV. MESSIEURS JUDSOJV AI\I) .YE H ELL. 
 
 going 
 
 MISSIONARIES TO INDIA. 
 
 By JONATHAN ALLEN, A.M. 
 
 PASTOH OF THE FIRST . UCRCU IN BRADFOIU.. 
 
 Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 
 
 Jxscs Cubist. 
 
 HAVERHILL, MASS. 
 
 PRINTED AND SOLD BY IV. B. & H. G. ALLEN. 
 iS12. 
 
AD VER TISEMENT. 
 
 THE occasion of the following Sermon was serious and solemn. 
 It was expected that two of the Missionaries and both of the young 
 Ladies* about to sail with them to India would be present But 
 both cf the young gentleman and one of the young ladies , wore pro- 
 videntially called away , before the sermon was delivered . In con- 
 sequence of thi the Address to the young gentlemen was omitted ; 
 and that to the young ladies was varied. But by particular de- 
 sire, as well as to render the sermon more complete, it has been 
 thought proper to publish the whole as it was then written. If it 
 
 should in any measure , awaken the attention of people in this part 
 of the country to the exigencies of the brethren, it may be of some spe- 
 cial importance, and that this may be the happy effect, is the most fer- 
 vent prayer of the AUTHOR. 
 
 * i he young Indies were Miss Nancy Haseu ine, a member of the 
 first church in Bradford ; and Miss Harriot Atwood, a member of the 
 first church in Haverhill They are since married, the one to Rev \don- 
 iram Judson, the other to Rev Samuel Newell, and are immediately t* 
 sail for India. 
 
SE11310N. 
 
 JOHN XI. PART OF THE 52 VERSE. 
 
 that also he should ga ther together in one , 
 
 THE CHILDREN OF GOD THAT ARE SCAT- 
 TERED AD ROAD. 
 
 iQrOD has, according to his eternal counfels, among 
 the fons of men, a chofen people. 1 hefe he has been 
 pleafed to denominate his children. But they ever 
 have been, now are, and ever will be, till the end of 
 the world, fcattered abroad. Some are already gone 
 to heaven, fome are now upon earth, and foine have 
 not yet come into being. All thefe, however, fooner 
 or later mult be collected together. 
 
 Previous to our Savior’s death Caiaphas, as vile as 
 he was, foretold, that Chrift fhould die for the Jewith 
 nation, and not for that nation only ; but that alfo he 
 fhould gather together in one, the children of God, 
 that are fcattered abroad. This prophecy was, undoubt- 
 edly correct. It thus appears, that one great object of 
 Chrifl’s death was, to collect, unite, and bring togeth- 
 er, his chofen people into one body. This grand e- 
 vent will, finally, be accomplifhed. The arrange- 
 ments for it, in the divine government, are already 
 made, the wheels to bring it about are all in motion ; 
 and not one of them will ever flop, till the important 
 object is obtained. 
 
 When we look into the prophecies both cf the Old 
 
4 
 
 and New Teftament, and compare the difpenfations 
 of providence with them, we cannot but fee how 
 wifely all things are ordered for their completion. 
 We, therefore, look forward with confidence to their 
 final accomplifhment. We, indeed, fee fuch events 
 now crowding on, as cannot fail, under the direction 
 of the Moft High, to bring them to pafs. We alfo 
 believe, that God, according to his promife, will give 
 his Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the utter - 
 moft parts of the earth for his pofieflion. He will 
 gather together his children, from all parts of the 
 world. This we {hall endeavour to illuftrate in the 
 following difeourfe. In order to this, we {hall at- 
 tempt to {how what he has already done to colled 
 them ; what he is now doing, and what appears yet 
 needful to be done. 
 
 We are now accordingly 
 
 i. To {how what he has already done to collect 
 them. Here opens to view a field immenfely great 
 and importanr. It includes in it all that Chrift has 
 ever done for the falvation of men. It comprehends 
 the whole revelation of his wii!,his incarnation, fu {Ter- 
 mers, death, refurrection ; and all fuch gracious in- 
 fluences of the Holy Spirit, as he has been pleafed to 
 afford to anv of the children of men. All thefe, and 
 every thing connected with them, or any part of them, 
 wc have made known to us in the facred word. This 
 he hath commanded to be preached to mankind. 
 
 Before our Lord left the world, he gave this injunc- 
 tion to his Apoftles and minifters. “ Go ye, and 
 
5 
 
 tc;ich all nations* baptizing them in thd name of the 
 Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft.” 
 This command he all'o renewed after his reiurreclion, 
 in the following words : “ Go ye, into all the world, 
 and preach the Gol'pcl to every creature.” It was, 
 like wife, enforced with this declaration, “ He that 
 believetn, and is baptized fliall be faved ; but he that 
 believeth not fliall be damned.” 
 
 The Apoftles, as far as they were able, complied 
 with their inftruclions. They went forth, two and 
 two, into all the world. The Gofpel was thus, in a 
 very little time, preached in molt parts of the wide 
 extended Roman Empire, and fpread far, into other 
 parts of the world. Afia, Africa and Europe, foon 
 became enlightened with its beams. It was alfo at- 
 tended with a divine power for the converfion of Tin- 
 ners. Vaft multitudes, in a fliort time, were turned 
 from their idols to ferve the only living and true 
 God. 
 
 Thefe Heralds of Salvation, however, did not con- 
 tinue long upon earth. The term of their million 
 was but fliort. They all elofed the feene of their la- 
 bors in different parts of the world ; and all, except 
 one, fullered death for the caufe in which they were 
 engaged. But the favor of their labors did not die 
 with them. They eftablifhed Churches in every city 
 where they went, ordained elders in them, and left the 
 care of thefe Churches to them as their fuccefl'ors. 
 
 In order to account for this rapid progrefs of the 
 Gofpel, we mull take into view the extraordinary 
 powers conferred on the Apcflles. They fpake all 
 

 6 
 
 the various languages of the people to whom they 
 preached. “ God alfo bore them witnefs, both with 
 figns, and wonders, and with divers miracles, and 
 gifts of the Holy Ghoft.” 
 
 Had the fuccefTors of the Apoftles, been endowed 
 with the fame gifts that they were, the world would 
 have loon been enlightened by the Gofpel ; and 
 all mankind would have been taught of God. But 
 when the gift of tongues ceafed, and the influences of 
 the Holy Spirit were, in any meafure withheld, fuch 
 extraordinary fuccefs could not be expecfcd. Be- 
 fides ; when the Lord has been fowing good feed in 
 his field, Satan has always, likewife been bufy in 
 fowing tares. Thefe tares have not failed, in many 
 places, to fpring up, and choak the word, and render 
 it unfruitful. This was the effedft, even in the days 
 of our Savior and his Apoftles, and has continued to 
 the prefent time. The word of God has thus, by ma- 
 ny, been corrupted ; its fuccefs retarded, and in a 
 great part of the world, an entire flop put to its pro- 
 grefs. This has been awfully realized, where the Pa. 
 pal fuperftition, and Mahomedan delufion have had 
 their baleful influence. It is to be imputed to this, 
 that many nations once favored with the light of the 
 gofpel, now enjoy none of its reviving beams. But 
 the progrefs of the Gofpel is not, in this manner, to 
 come to an end. Thefe days of darknefs, which have 
 for fo many ages, veiled the world, we truft are now 
 almoft over and gone. The night, at leaft,isfar fpent, 
 and the day is at hand. 
 
The reformation, in the days of Luther and his ado- 
 ciates, gave the Papal bead a deadly wound. This 
 wound has never yet been healed ; and mud, finally 
 terminate in his death, ihe Mahomedan monder al- 
 fo, begins, of late, to totter on his throne. The idols 
 of the heathen, likewife, dand trembling before the 
 Ark of the Lord. Dagon and all his images arc def- 
 ined, very foon to fall. “ I will (hake all nations,” 
 faith the Lord, “ and the defirc of all nations (hall 
 come.” The events which have taken place in Eu- 
 rope, for a number of years pad, are in perfect con- 
 formity to the former part of this declaration. There 
 has been a great fhaking among the nations ; and ac- 
 cording to the prophecies, there mud be much great- 
 er dill ; and the commotion will extend to thofe who, 
 at prefent feel little or nothing of it. Babylon mull 
 fall ; the river Euphrates be dried up, and the way 
 for the kings of the ead be prepared. Thefe prophe- 
 cies, evidently, point out the overthrow both of the 
 Papal and Mahomedan dominions ; and the redora- 
 tion of God’s ancient people. Preparation has been 
 making, for all thefe great events, from the founda- 
 tion of the world. The hiftory of ages pad, in con- 
 nection with the prophecies, unfold the grand defign. 
 We are thus taught that fuch tremendous feenes are, 
 now, nigh at hand. We look through the glafs of 
 prophecy, and hail the day, when it (hall be faid, 
 Babylon is fallen , is fallen. When the bead and the 
 falfe prophet diall ceafe to make the earth drunk with 
 the blood of his faints. We rejoice in hope, that the 
 
8 
 
 time will foon come, when idolatry, fuperftition, snd 
 irreligion (hall come to an end.— When Satan him- 
 felf Hi all be bound a thoufand years, and (hall deceive 
 the nations no more, till the thoufand years be fulfil- 
 led. 
 
 2. We are to fhow what the Lord is now doing to 
 gather in his people. Here again, we fee fuch events 
 as are enough to aftonifti the world. We behold the 
 great conteft between truth and error, between Chrift 
 and Satan fall advancing to a crifis. We find, on the 
 one hand, Satan at the head of his numerous legions 
 preparing for the battle. We find, on the other hand, 
 the Prince of peace collecting his forces, and marflial- 
 ing them for their defence. 
 
 The enemies of Chrift, never exerted themfelves for 
 the overthrow of religion, at any former period, as 
 they have, for fome years paft, in all parts of the 
 world. Europe, efpecially, has been the theatre up- 
 on which the moft confpicuous part has been acted. 
 The watch word of the infidels there has been, 
 Crujh the wretch , that is Chrift, and his caufe and in- 
 tereft in the world. It is to be feared, that many al- 
 fo in America, have rallied around the fame ftand- 
 ard, and adopted the fame motto. 
 
 The friends of religion, on the other hand, have not 
 been, for fome time paft, and are not now, inactive. 
 Greater exertions than ufual have been made, and are 
 now making, for the propagation of the Gofpel of 
 Chrift. “ The chriftian church,” fays a correct au- 
 
y 
 
 thor, " is aroufed from the {lumbers of ages, to make 
 new exertions for the diflemination of true religion 
 throughout the world." To promote this important 
 object, many Bible and Miflionary focieties have been 
 formed in various parts of Europe. In thefe benevo- 
 lent exertions, however, it has fallen to the lot of G. 
 Britain to take the lead. America has alfo of late 
 been a little awakened from her (lumbers. God grant 
 that we may fee more of this difpofition among us. 
 
 It may be expected that Great Britain and America 
 will take the moll aftive part in the diffulion of the 
 Gofpel among the heathen nations. T he other na- 
 tions of Europe who profefs to be chriftians, are un- 
 der fuch political embarraffments, as to be obliged, at 
 prefent, to lie dormant. It is well known alfo, that 
 in England and America, pure religion has taken a 
 deeper root, and has flourilhed more, for fome time 
 pall, than in any other parts of the earth. In thele 
 climes then, we may expecl the greateft exertions 
 will be made to enlighten the heathen. 
 
 It is with no fmall degree of pleafure, that we here 
 recite, what has already been done, in thefe United 
 States, for the promotion of chriftian knowledge. 
 Many midionari-s have been employed, for fev^ral 
 years, in our new fettlements, and we hope with a 
 good degree of fuccefs. Thoufands have thereby had 
 the privilege of hearing the Gofpel, who before had 
 not heard a fermon for fome years. Many Towns 
 have likewife, been excited to feel the importance of 
 
 B 
 

 10 
 
 religion fo much, as to fettle minifters among them- 
 felves. The diftribution of books has alfo been at. 
 tended with a very good effect. The diftribution of 
 the Bible, efpecially, is of vaft importance. Societies 
 for this purpofe, bleffed be God, have very lately a- 
 rifen, in alinoft all parts of the United States. All de- 
 nominations of men, who profefs to believe the Bible 
 to be the word of God, are, now, more or lefs engag- 
 ed in this benevolent object. May the happy effects 
 be equal to our hopes and expectations. 
 
 In addition to other benevolent inftitutions there 
 has lately been formed in this, and one of the adjoin- 
 ing States, a Board of Commiflioners for foreign mif- 
 fions. The object of this is, to fend miflionaries to 
 the heathen, as far as they are able, into all parts of 
 the world. Many auxiliary focieties are alfo inftitut- 
 ed for the fame important purpofe. And we hope 
 that a fpirit of benevolence will be fo diffuftve, as not 
 to fuller the object to fail for want of fupport. 
 
 Under the aufpices of him who is gathering togeth- 
 er his people, great progrefs has been, for feveral years 
 paft, in tranflating the Bible, into the various languag- 
 es of the eaft. It is printed in the mod of thofe lan- 
 guages, and lent to many of thofe nations gratis. 
 What a noble prefent ! With what gratitude muff 
 they who read and underhand it, receive this word of 
 life ! The greateft blefiing which you can bellow up- 
 on us, faid one of the Syrians, to Dr. Buchanan, is 
 the Bible. '* We hope the time will foon come when 
 
 * Christian Researches Pa'je 9G. 
 
this blefled charter of all our fpiritual privileges, will 
 be given to all nations ; and that they will be able to 
 improve it in a proper manner. 
 
 The mod that is done in tranflating, printing, and 
 diftributing the bible in India, is done under the pat- 
 ronage of the Miflionary Society, the Bible Society, 
 the Society for promoting Chriftian Knowledge, and 
 the Baptitf Miflionary Society in England. The A- 
 gents of all thefe focicties, and denominations of chrif- 
 tians, are there, all united in promoting the fame ob- 
 ject ; and their united exertions have done wonders. 
 In confequence of them, we fee light begin to dawn 
 with fo much glory in the eaft. It is computed that 
 <c the people of England, notwithftanding the enorm- 
 ous burden of the war they fuffer, expend hundreds 
 of thoufands of dollars annually in diftributing the 
 Bible, employing miflionaries, tranflating the lcrip- 
 tures, and other extraordinary methods, in difpenfing 
 the Gofpel to mankind ” They have their mifliona- 
 ries both in the eaft and weft Indies, in Greenland, in 
 Africa, in many of the Iflands in the fouthern ocean, 
 and New Holland. In all thefe places, the found of 
 the Gofpel trumpet, now, begins to be heard. And 
 if it be but fmall at the beginning, we truft, that the 
 walls of the mighty Jericho of Heathen Idolatry and 
 fuperftition will fall before it. 
 
 The Gofpel is the grand inftrument, ordained by 
 infinite wifdom, to turn people from darknefs to light, 
 and from Satan to God. inftance of this may be 
 
fcen, in the fuccefs of a miflionary eftablifhment at 
 Franquebar near a century ago, and continued till 
 now. It was begun by Diegenbalg ; he was fucceed- 
 cd by Swartz and it has not failed of the divine bleff- 
 ing. “ It is eftimated that not lefs than eighty thouf- 
 and Pagans have forfaken their Idols and their vices, 
 and been added to the chriftian church by this fingle 
 eftablifhment.”* We might mention other places al- 
 fo, where the fmiles of heaven have equally attended 
 miflionary labors. And few exertions have been 
 made, but have been crowned with a good degree of 
 fuccefs. 
 
 The door for publifhing the Gofpel among the 
 heathen is, at prefent, more widely open than at any 
 former period. The heralds of falvation are cordially 
 received ; and are heard with attention, in almoft ev- 
 ery part of the world. “ The general hiftory of fuch 
 miflions as have been conducted on chriftian princi- 
 ples, and with a real regard to the converfion of the 
 heathen, affords abundant reafon to proceed.” Noth- 
 ing can be more pleafing than to hear, with what ea- 
 gernefs many of thd'e benighted people receive the 
 word of God. The inftance of what Dr. Buchanan 
 faw and heard, when pafting through the woods, near 
 T anjore, is enough to excite our tendereft fenfations. 
 “ This place was inhabited by the Collaries, or thieves, 
 now humanized by chriftianity.” “ When they faw 
 me, fays the Dr. and underftood who I was, they fol- 
 lowed me in the road, Hating their deflitute condi- 
 
 * Address to the Christian Public 
 
lion in regard to religious inftruebion. They were 
 clamorous for Bibles. They fupplicated for teachers. 
 We dont want bread, or money from you, faid they, 
 but we want the word of God.”+ 
 
 This learned Author has done more to fhow the 
 wants of the heathen in the eaft, than any other man. 
 He has fucceeded better alfo in pointing out the means 
 of a remedy. What he has written, ought to be in 
 the hands of every one, who feels any degree of in- 
 tereft in the fdvation of his fellow-men. He will here, 
 clearly fee, what good may be done, by carrying the 
 glad tidings of the Gofpcl to them. He will, likc- 
 xvife, find ftrong inducements to join heart and hand 
 to aid in fo noble, and fo benevolent a caufe. 
 
 We are now 
 
 3. To £how what appears yet to be done. 
 
 One important object to be purfued is, to aid 
 thofe who are tranflating and diflributing the Bible a- 
 mong the heathen. In this way, there remains a great 
 deal yet to bo done. It is very necefiary that the meaf- 
 ures which have been begun, fhould be continued, and 
 profecuted with increafing energy. We may then 
 hope, that the time will foon come, when all the na- 
 tions of the world will be able to read the Bible in their 
 own language. This will alfo open the door hill wi- 
 der for miffionary labors. We cannot doubt that 
 thofe who have the word of God, and in any meaf- 
 ure underhand it, will gladly hear it difpenfed to 
 them. The joyful tidings will be to them, like life 
 
 t Christian Researches. 
 
14 
 
 from the dead. It thus appears of importance, there- 
 fore, that miffionaries fhould be fent to every part of 
 the world. There fhould be no place inhabited by 
 human beings, where the Ambaffadors of Chrift are 
 not, likewife, to be found. 
 
 The minifters of Chrift have abundant encourage- 
 ment to proceed to the uttermoft ends of the earth. 
 Lo, I am with you alway, fays our Savior, even to the 
 end of the world. This promife reaches, not only to 
 the end of time, but to all parts of the earth. As. 
 long as they have the promife of Chrift’s prefence with 
 
 them, they ought to preach the Gofpel to every crea- 
 ture. Thofe who cannot go into far diftant parts of 
 the world themfelves, ought to ufe all their influence, 
 to encourage others j and to afford them all the aid 
 in their power. 
 
 It is the duty, indeed, of all men who are favored 
 with the light of the Gofpel, and are able, to lend a 
 helping hand to this important work. This may be 
 done by aiding to fupport thofe, who are actually en- 
 gaged in it. Miffionaries cannot live among the hea- 
 
 then, without fupport from others. Even Paul him- 
 felf, was not always maintained by the people to 
 whom he preached. I robbed other churches, faid he 
 to the Corinthians, taking wages of them to do you 
 fervice. In all things I have kept myfelf from being 
 burdenfome to you, and fo will I keep myfelf. And 
 how did he do this ? That which was lacking to me, 
 fays he, the brethren which came from Macedonia 
 fupplied. O that there were thoufands of fuch breth- 
 
15 
 
 ven as came from Macedonia to fupply Paul, in our 
 land. If people, in general, were now as much difpof- 
 ed to provide for the laborers in Chrift’s vineyard as 
 thcfe brethren were then, there might be an hundred 
 miffionaries among the heathen, where there now is 
 but one, or not even one. 
 
 It is high time, my brethren, for all who enjoy the 
 privileges of the Gofpel, to awake from their long 
 llumbers, as it refpects the heathen nations. They 
 have Ilept much too long, already ; and not fo much 
 as dreamt of the obligations they are under to thefc 
 benighted pilgrims. How long, my friends, through 
 the negligence of Chriftian countries, Ihall they be 
 permitted to remain in darknefs, and in the regions 
 of the fhadow of death ? What benevolent heart is 
 not ready to bleed at the thought of their deplorable 
 condition ? How much longer Ihall they be permit- 
 ted to grope their way through darknefs, to regions 
 of eternal defpair ? How much longer, Ihall Satan be 
 fuffered, through their ignorance of the Gofpel, to 
 lead them captive, at his pleafure ? O my friends, 
 they have immortal fouls as well as we. Chrift died 
 for them as much as he did for us. Their falvation 
 is alfo of as much importance as our own. How then 
 can we be contented that they Ihould familh for the 
 bread of life, when in our Father’s houfe there is e- 
 nough and to fpare. Let thefe fuggeftions, my breth- 
 ren come home to our hearts, and to our confciences ; 
 and let tnofe of us who are liberal, ftudy liberal things. 
 
 The benevolence which our bleffed Savior has dif- 
 
id 
 
 covered, in the redemption of men, is infinite. His 
 Apoftles and minifters, in the firft ages of chriftian- 
 lty, imbibed the fame fpirit. This fpirit, now, in a 
 greater or lefs degree animates all the fincere difci- 
 ples of Christ. O that it were again revived in all 
 its ancient power and energy ! That all people, who 
 enjoy the light of the gofpel, were animated with it. 
 It would, at once, awaken the attention of all who 
 live in a chriftian land, to the wants of the heathen 
 nations. What a change would this foon make in 
 the ftate of mankind ! The whole world would foon 
 be enlightened by the gofpel of Chrift. All would, 
 in a very little time, be taught to know the Lord even 
 from the leaft of them to the greateft. This happy 
 time, we now view to be nigh at hand. Fof I will 
 pour out my fpirit, faith the Lord, upon all flefh ; 
 and the earth {hall be full of the knowledge of the 
 Lord, as the waters cover the fea.” We now there- 
 fore, look forward with pleafure to this joyful period. 
 Taught by the writings of the prophets, we behold it 
 to be very near. The mifiionary fpirit now excited 
 alfo, in the chriftian world we view as its happy pre- 
 lude. We are, now, therefore, ready to hail the day, 
 when the Angel, in the midft of heaven, lhall fly 
 through the earth, having the everlafting gofpel to 
 preach to every nation and kindred, and tongue, and 
 people. 
 
 In the various ways, we have mentioned, it is the 
 purpole of Chrift to gather in his people ; and tln_y 
 will all, finally, be gathered together in one. They 
 
17 
 
 vv ill come from the eaft and from the weft, and from 
 the north and from the fouth, and (hall fit down in 
 the kingdom of God. A'.l the children of God, m 
 ever y generation, from Adam to the end of time, will 
 there meet around the throne of God and of the 
 Lamb, and they fliall go no more out, but be as the 
 Angels of God forever. This alfo will be there joyful 
 long, “ Thou waft flain and haft redeemed us to God 
 by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue and 
 people and nation.” Blefled then is the nation to 
 whom the word of this falvation is fcnt. “ Blefled is 
 the people that know the joyful found.” 
 
 Several fhort addrefl'es wiil now clofe the difcourfe. 
 My thoughts are here naturally turned. 
 
 i. To thofe of you, my brethren, who are about to 
 leave your country for a foreign land. Your objeft 
 is, to carry the gofpel of.Chrift, to a nation now in- 
 volved in heathen darknefs and error. A noble ob- 
 ject! An object worthy all your attention. But in 
 the profecution of it, you muft expect to meet with 
 trials and difficulties. Prefume not then, my young 
 friends, that your path before you will be ftrewed 
 with flowers ; or that you will be able, always, to reft 
 upon a downy bed. You may be obliged, like Ja- 
 cob, fometimes, to aflume a ftone for your pillow. 
 But fliould the Lord be with you, as he was with 
 him, you will find, even this to be a place of reft. It 
 will be to you, none other than the houfe of God, 
 and the gate of heaven. Encompafled by his prefence, 
 you will always be fafe, and may always be happy. 
 
 G 
 
13 
 
 Commit yourfelves then wholly to him, walk near to 
 him ; and in all your ways acknowledge him, and he 
 will direct your paths. 
 
 It is of real importance, my brethren, thai you 
 breathe the fpirit of the gofpel wherever you go. 
 This mull alfo give life and energy to you in all your 
 preaching. Let your fermons then be highly feafon- 
 ed with the divine favor. Nothing can be more ne- 
 ceffary ; and nothing more important. Go forth 
 then in the fpirit and power of Elias, to turn the hea- 
 then from their idols, and the difobedient to the wif- 
 dom of the juft. Go forth under the protection of 
 him, who holdeth the (tars in his hand, and can make 
 them Urine in the dark places of the earth. ( “Go forth, 
 with the Angel, having the everlafling gofpel to 
 preach unto them that dwell on the earth. Quit 
 yourfelves like men ; and be flrong in the Lord, and 
 in the power of his might. And if, like Paul, you 
 have to fight with beafts, not at Ephefus, but at Ran- 
 goon, like him alfo, be valiant for the truth — Contend 
 earneftly for the faith, and behave as good foldiers of 
 JefusChrift. But you are always to remember that 
 the weapons of your warfare are not carnal, but fpirit- 
 ual ; and that they are mighty through God, to the 
 pulling down of flrong holds, calling down imagina- 
 tions, and every high thing, that exalteth itfelf againft 
 the knowledge of God. Gird on then the whole ar- 
 mour of God ; and above all, take the fhield of faith, 
 wherewith yc fhall be able to quench all the fiery darts 
 of the wicked. 
 
19 
 
 May he who leadeth Jofeph like a (lock ever be with 
 you. May he be your Guide and Inftru&or. And 
 may you be made inftrumental of gathering thoufands 
 of the heathen into his church and kingdom. 
 
 O 
 
 My attention is next, 
 
 2. Called to thofe young women, who are alfo about 
 to leave us for a dillant country. 
 
 My dear children — you are now engaged in the 
 belt of caufes. It is that caufe for which Jcfus the 
 Sonof God came into the world and fullered and died. 
 You literally forlake father and mother, broth- 
 ers and lifters, for the lake of Chrift, and the promo- 
 tion of his kingdom. In this employment, you, prob- 
 ably', have an arduous work before you — A work, that 
 will occupy all your talents and much of your time. 
 
 44 When I was at Chinganoor,” fuy r s Dr. Buchanan, 
 (a place inhabited by chriftians,) 44 the fight of the 
 women allured me that I was once more in a chriftian 
 country. For the Hindoo women, and the Mahom- 
 edan women, and, in fihort, all women, who are not 
 chriftians, are accounted by the men an inferior race, 
 and, in general, are confined to the houfe for life, 
 like irrational creatures.”* 1 
 
 It will be your bulinefs, my dear children, to teach 
 thefe women, to whom your hufbands can have but 
 little, or no accefs. Go then, and do all in your pow- 
 er, to enlighten their minds, and^bring them to the 
 knowledge of the truth. Go, and if pofiible, raife 
 their character to the dignity of rational beings, and 
 to the rank of chriftians in a chriftian land. Teach 
 
 * Cb:litian Researches. 
 
20 
 
 them to realize, that they are not an inferior race of 
 creatures ; but hand upon a par with men. Teach 
 them that they have immortal fouls ; and are no lon°-- 
 er to burn themfelves, in the fame fire, with the bod- 
 ies of their departed hufbands. Go, bring them from 
 their cloifters into the afl'emblies of the faints. Teach 
 them to accept of Chrift as their Savior, and to en- 
 joy the privileges of the children of God. 
 
 Should you be able, in any meafure, to raife the 
 female character in the eaft, and bring but a fmall 
 proportion of them to know their Savior, it will, un- 
 doubtedly, afford you great fatisfacfion. Mrs. Palm, 
 in the ifland of Ceylon, enjoyed, in fome degree, this 
 pleafure. I afked her, fays Dr. Buchanan, if fhe had 
 no wifh to return to Europe, after living fo long a- 
 mong the uncivilized Cingalefe. No, fhe faid, fhe 
 was all the day long happy in the communication of 
 knowledge. How happy would it be, to hear, that 
 you are equally fuccefsful, and have the fame enjoy- 
 ment ! May you live to fee the fruit of your labors, in 
 the converfion of thoufands of your filters in the eaft, 
 and find that they, toith their hufbaiids and others, 
 have turned from their Idols, to ferve the only living 
 and true God. And may the Lord himfelf be with 
 you, and fupport and comfort you, and be your por- 
 tion forever. Again, 
 
 3. Let thofe of you, my friends, who are the par- 
 ents of thofe young people, about to leave us, endea- 
 vor to realize the fuperintending providence of God 
 in it. In this way you may be, and, I hope are, re- 
 
21 
 
 eonciled to it. For, you mult acknowledge, that it is 
 He only could infpire your children with fo much 
 courage and refolution. You know that they have 
 the tendereft feelings for their connections and rela- 
 tions ; and that they have no more defire to leave 
 you, and them, than any others. You firmly believe, 
 that it is from a fenfe of duty only, that they aflume 
 this courage, and dare to face fo many dangers. It 
 is becaule they have a defire to aid thofe, who are go- 
 ing to carry the glad tidings of the gofpcl to the heath- 
 en. You cannot, therefore, but approve of their mo- 
 tives, even when you feel ever fo much reluctance, to 
 have them leave you. Whatever may be your feel- 
 ings then, it may be your duty, as far as pofiible, to 
 fupprefs them. Be very cautious, therefore, how )Ou 
 throw any more weight in that fcale which is now 
 ready to fink too low, under its own burden. It is 
 necefiary, as far as you are able, to keep the ftate of 
 your minds, calm, compofed and refigned to the will 
 of God. You have, formerly, committed them into 
 his hands, and refigned them to his difpofal. He has 
 alfo, we truft, already, taken them under his peculiar 
 care and direction. Be perfuaded now then, re- 
 newedly, to commit them to the care of him who 
 made them. He will ftill take care of them, and 
 provide for them. He will yet be their father and 
 their friend, and will never leave nor forfake them. 
 And fhould you never fee them again, here on earth, 
 we hope the reparation will not be forever. We truft 
 that when you and they have finifhed your courfe 
 
22 
 
 here below, you will again meet, in heaven, to part no 
 more. We fully believe that the children of God 
 who are now fcattered abroad will there be gathered 
 together in one. Let this be your comfort and con- 
 folation. Again, 
 
 4. Let all your hearts, and your prayers, my chriC- 
 tian brethren, follow thefe youths, wherever they go, 
 even to the ends of the earth. 
 
 I know indeed, that if you have any intercourfe at 
 the throne of grace, you cannot but pray for them. 
 You mult pray, that God would keep and prefcrve 
 them from every danger ; and that they may arrive at 
 their defired haven in health and fafety — You mult 
 pray, that they may be received by the heathen with 
 attention ; and may there fhine as lights in the midft 
 of darknefs and error — That they may be fuccefsful 
 in the converfion of thoufands of thefe pagans from 
 their Idols to the worfhip of God. May your pray- 
 ers be heard. And may the Lord be their pillar of 
 cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night, to direct 
 them in all their ways. 
 
 Finally. My brethren of this whole affembly ; You 
 fee what thefe young people are about to do for the 
 converfion of the heathen. They are ready to haz- 
 ard their health and their lives in the promotion of 
 this benevolent object. You are fenfible that they 
 leave a country, where their profpefts of comfort and 
 happinefs are as fair as others. They are going to 
 regions, where the climate to ftrangers is unhealthy 
 and impure, and where the life even of the natives is 
 
23 
 
 but fhort. All this they do, for the fake of extend- 
 ing the gofpel of the Redeemer, and the falvation of 
 immortal fouls. And is there nothing to be done by 
 thofe of you, my friends, who (lay at home ? They 
 now throw themfelves upon the charity of their na- 
 tive country. To this they muft look for their fup- 
 port. And I hope, that the charity of this country 
 will not permit them to want. But to you, my hear- 
 ers, we muft look, at fome future period, for a part. 
 And 1 truft, that when requefted, you will not be un- 
 willing to contribute your mite. 
 
 To the care of the great Head of the church I now 
 commit them. To his grace I alfo refign you all. 
 May he gather you together in one. And may you 
 all return and come to Zion with a fong, and with 
 fhouts of everlafting joy. 
 
 AMEN. 
 
d HYMN — Written fur the dtcasioii 
 
 GO, ye heralds of salvation ; 
 
 Go, and preach in heathen lands ; 
 
 "Publish loud to every nation, 
 
 What the Lord of life commands. 
 
 Go, ye sisters their companions, 
 
 Sooth their cares, and wipe their tears^ 
 
 Angels shall in bright battalions 
 
 Guide your steps, and guard your fears 
 
 Go, ye pilgrims, heir of glory, 
 
 Show to Pagans Christ your King; 
 
 While the gospel is your story, 
 
 Earth shall with hosannas ring. 
 
 Go, and let your whole behaviour, 
 
 Show your love to Christ your Lord? 
 
 Let the heathen know their Saviour, 
 Teach them to obey his word. 
 
 Led by him, who in a marger, 
 
 Once a feeble infant lay ; 
 
 In rough climates, free from danger, 
 
 You shall plough your briny way. 
 
 Speed your course across the ocean, 
 
 Till you reach the Birman throne, 
 
 Tell those nations their devotion 
 Must be paid to Christ alone. 
 
 Landed safe in distant regions 
 
 Tell the Birmans Jesus died; 
 
 Tell them satan and his legions, 
 
 Bow to him they crucified. 
 
 Far beyond the mighty Ganges, 
 
 When vast floods between us roll: 
 
 Think how wisely Jesus ranges, 
 
 Nations wide from pole to pole. 
 
 While with heathen nations blended, 
 
 Light and peace within shall rise; 
 
 When your days on earth are ended, 
 Christ receive you to the skies. 
 
 To his grace we now resign you, 
 
 To him only you belong ; 
 
 You with every Christian Hindoo, 
 
 Joiu at last th’ Angelic throng.