SERMON, 
 
 delivered at 
 
 NORTH BRIDGEWATER, OCT. 31, 1R21, 
 
 AT THE 
 
 ®!B2)IiTAT3©il 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Rev. DANIEL TEMPLE, and Rev. ISAAC BIRD, 
 
 AS 
 
 evangelists and missionaries 
 
 TO THE 
 
 heathen. 
 
 BY THE REV. RICHARD S. STORRS 
 
 PiSTOH OF THE CHFRCH IS BRAINTREE. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 CROCKER & BREWSTER, PRINTERS, 
 No. 50, Cornhill. 
 
 1822. 
 

 4 * 
 
SERMON 
 
 ACTS xiii, 2. 
 
 AS THEY MINISTERED TO THE LORD AND FASTED, THE HOLY GHOST 
 SAID, SEPARATE ME BARNABAS AND SAUL, FOR THE WORK WHERE- 
 UNTO I HAVE CALLED THEM. 
 
 Prayer is never unseasonable. The acknowledg- 
 ment of God in all our ways is the only sufficient safe- 
 guard against surrounding dangers, and the only sure 
 foundation of success in our enterprises. 
 
 But in no circumstances are we so urgently called 
 to this duty, as when we meditate the enlargement of 
 Zion, and are putting in operation measures, that look 
 forward to results deeply involving the glory of God 
 and the everlasting welfare of men. Here, faith must 
 lead the way. We have no authority aside from the 
 command, and no encouragement aside from the pro- 
 mise of Jehovah, on which to act. Prayer, or that 
 spiritual intercourse with Heaven, opened by the blood 
 of Jesus, is therefore the indispensable preliminary to 
 every successful effort in the cause of Christ. 
 
 When, by the labors of the apostles, a church had 
 been gathered at Antioch, the new converts compos- 
 ing it were naturally led to survey the spiritual deso- 
 
4 
 
 lations spread around them. With the compassionate 
 spirit of the Redeemer glowing in their bosoms toward 
 those jet inthralled by wretched superstitions, and 
 with a gratitude like that of the lepers shut out from 
 Samaria, who first discovered the flight of the Syrian 
 army, they said among themselves, “We do not well; 
 this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our 
 peace.” Wherefore, under the direction of the Holy 
 Ghost, they assembled together, and with prayer and 
 fasting resolved to send Barnabas and Saul abroad to 
 proclaim the great salvation both to Jews and Gen- 
 tiles. 
 
 I shall not stop to inquire into the nature of that 
 influence which was exerted by the Spirit of God in 
 this instance. It is enough for us to know, that the 
 same “Holy Ghost” was promised by Christ to his 
 disciples in all ages, as their Guide and Comforter — 
 that when his influence leads to the exercise of the 
 apostolic spirit, and to a course of conduct sanctioned 
 by apostolic example, it is thereby distinguished suffi- 
 ciently, for all necessary purposes, from every other 
 species of influence. We are not to learn the mind of 
 the Spirit from uncertain impulses — but to obey his 
 will as revealed in the lively oracles; and then, we 
 may affirm with confidence, that we arc “moved by 
 the Holy Ghost.” 
 
 The consecration of any man to the office of the 
 ministry is an act of very solemn import. The con- 
 nexion established between a pastor and a congregation 
 involves consequences of the most interesting nature: 
 but even that must yield, in point of deep and affect- 
 
ing interest, to the consecration of men for evange- 
 lizing the nations that sit in darkness. 
 
 Permit me then to direct your attention, 
 
 I. To the work itself in which missionaries arc em- 
 ployed; and, 
 
 II. To the evidence, which they ought to possess, 
 that they are called by the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Concerning the work itself, you will notice its im- 
 portance — its magnitude — its difficulties and its plea- 
 sures. 
 
 1. Its importance. I scarcely need advert to the 
 salutary inlluence of Christianity on the temporal in- 
 terests of mankind. It will be questioned by none in 
 this assembly, that even where it has failed to purify 
 the heart and elevate the character to the highest 
 standard, it has yet softened the ferocious passions — 
 shed a balmy influence on the intercourse of social 
 life — restrained the excesses of depravity, and pro- 
 duced a higher toned morality than is found in heathen 
 lands. It has nurtured the arts — fostered science, 
 encouraged the efforts of genius, and banished the 
 spirit of Vandalism, so uniformly cherished by savage 
 and half civilized nations. Were no other blessings 
 to flow through the human family with the promul- 
 gation of the Gospel, these alone would justify us 
 in declaring the work of sufficient importance to en- 
 gage the attention and zealous efforts of all good men. 
 
 But, there are blessings of a higher order connected 
 with this work — blessings not bounded by time, nor 
 confined to “this dim speck of earth” — but stretch- 
 ing forward, and laying hold on eternity. What saith 
 an apostle? “V hosoever shall call on the name of the 
 
6 
 
 Lord shall be saved.” He speaks of an everlasting 
 salvation. “How then shall they call on Him, in 
 whom they have not believed, and how shall they be- 
 lieve in him of whom they have not heard, and how 
 shall they hear without a preacher, and how shall 
 they preach except they be sent.” Whatever specu- 
 lations we may indulge on the question whether God 
 will appropriate the peculiar blessings of his grace to 
 any, who are not favored with the light of revelation, 
 it is very certain from this reasoning of Paul that the 
 ordinary method of imparting those blessings, is, and 
 ever will be, the instrumentality of a preached Gospel. 
 “It hath pleased God by the foolishness of preaching 
 to save them that believe;” and he hath committed 
 the treasures of his grace to earthen vessels, purpose- 
 ly that the excellency of the power may be ascribed 
 to Him; — for his glory is more displayed by opening 
 such a channel of communication, than it would have 
 been either by the ministry of a higher order of intel- 
 ligences, or by no ministry at all. 
 
 The publication of the Gospel is necessary, to con- 
 vince men of sin, of righteousness and of judgment — 
 to make them understand the spirituality and extent 
 of God's law — the depths of their own corruption — 
 the sovereignty of the divine counsels — the astonish- 
 ing riches both of his wisdom and knowledge — the 
 unsearchableness of his judgments, and the mystnri- 
 ousness of his wavs. Until the mind is enlightened on 
 these subjects, in vain is the heart assailed either by 
 argument or intreaty — in vain arc all persuasions to 
 that holiness without which no man shall see the 
 Lord. Philosophy may exhaust all her resources, and 
 
7 
 
 the tenderness of friendship, or the fervors of seraphic 
 zeal may be superadded to the most powerful reason, 
 ings, and yet, till Christ crucified is exhibited as the 
 hope of glory, no submission to God can be inspired 
 into the heart, — no victory over the spirit of disobe- 
 dience can be secured. 
 
 When, therefore, we are able to estimate the value of 
 that principle of immortality, within us — to compute the 
 happiness it may enjoy, or the misery it may endure, 
 through interminable ages; — when we can fully under- 
 stand the preciousness of the blood of atonement — the 
 loveliness of Him who is “chiefest among ten thou- 
 sand,” and “altogether lovely,” we may comprehend 
 the importance of missionary labors — and not till 
 then. 
 
 2. Its magnitude. The moral revolution, which 
 the Gospel proposes to effect in every sinner, is so 
 great, as to be described by the Holy Spirit as a 
 new creation — a work that can be accomplished only 
 by that “exceeding greatness of power which wrought 
 in Christ and raised him from the dead.” If we ex- 
 tend our thoughts, then, from an individual sinner, to 
 a whole world lying in wickedness, and consider the 
 rapid flow of successive generations — the millions that 
 are every year swept into eternity and succeeded by 
 other millions equally needing the renovating influen- 
 ces of the Holy Spirit, and the instrumentality of a 
 preached Gospel, can we deny the immense magnitude 
 of the work? 
 
 But we must consider the demand made on the 
 resources of those engaged in it. Their circumstances 
 
8 
 
 oblige them to be abundant in labors — in journeyings 
 often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils 
 of their own countrymen, in perils of the heathen, in 
 perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils 
 among false brethren, in weariness, in painfulness, in 
 watchings often, in hunger, in thirst, in cold and na- 
 kedness. 
 
 The whole system of Christianity is to be explained, 
 defended, and applied to the actual condition of those 
 to whom the missionary addresses himself. The counter- 
 acting systems of idolatry and superstition are to be 
 boldly met — their claims are to be canvassed— their ab- 
 surdities and their intrinsic abominations exposed. 
 The prejudices that have fastened on the benighted 
 mind, and been confirmed by the unsuspecting confidence 
 of a hundred generations, are to be loosened from their 
 hold, and removed out of the way. The conscience, in- 
 cumbered by a thousand vain ceremonies, or blinded by 
 the pomp and pageantry of idol worship, is to be relieved 
 and aroused. The heart, hardened to adamant by famil- 
 iarity with licentiousness and blood, is to be summoned 
 to a surrender of all it values, at the foot of the cross 
 — and every thing consecrated by immemorial custom 
 to “them that are no gods,” is to be challenged as the 
 enemy of Jehovah. Is not this a work of magnitude? 
 Is it to be accomplished by feeble efforts — or even 
 by the more vigorous exertions of here and there a 
 solitary missionary? When we think of the miserable 
 condition of pagan countries, we are apt to imagine 
 them destitute, eciually of spiritual and intellectual en- 
 ergies. It is a mistake. Minds of the greatest sub- 
 til ty, of the greatest power, and capable of prodigious 
 
9 
 
 effort, may bo found among the Indians of the west, 
 and are not uncommon among the idolaters o( the 
 cast. The mass of heathens arc no doubt degraded; 
 the lower classes have as little claim to intellectual 
 as moral cultivation — but there are those among them, 
 as well as among us, capable of distinguishing between 
 sophistry and just reasoning, capable of detecting ev- 
 ery weak point in argument, and of bringing no small 
 share of metaphysical acumen into the defence ol 
 their theistical systems. Such minds possess an influ- 
 ence over the multitude, not easily to be controlled; 
 and, buried as they are in ignorance of the first princi- 
 ples of revealed truth — strengthened in their preju- 
 dices against a new religion by veneration for antiquity, 
 and fondness for earliest conceived opinions, they are 
 not to be easily enlightened and brought into subjection 
 to the great Prophet of the church. The sluggish mind 
 of the Hindoo Pariar, and the shrewdness of the philo- 
 sophical Brahmin, may, for aught I know, present equal 
 difficulties to the Christian teacher — but the history 
 of missions assures us, that years of patience and ar- 
 duous exertion, accompanied by fervent prayer, have 
 scarcely gained access to either. 
 
 And, if the magnitude of the w'ork be estimated by 
 the extent of the field inviting culture — tell me what 
 amount of labor is requisite to place six hundred mil- 
 lions of immortal beings — and these six hundred mil- 
 lions removed and succeeded by six hundred mil- 
 lions more every thirty years, at an equal point with 
 ourselves on the scale of religious privilege. You 
 must remember , — it is no fiction — it is fact — paganism 
 extends its sway over more than half the extent of the 
 2 
 
JO 
 
 immense continents of Asia and Africa, and over at 
 least three fourths of the extent of America. Beside 
 this, until lately it has maintained an undisputed con- 
 trol over the islands of the South Sea. New Holland, 
 sometimes called “the Fourth continent” is wholly pa- 
 gan, except a little corner, where a recent Christian 
 establishment exists. And even the West India isl- 
 ands, held by Christian nations, ^contain,” says Bishop 
 Porteus “upwards of 400,000 human beings, of whom 
 much the greatest part live most literally without God 
 in the world; without any knowledge of a Creator or 
 Redeemer; without any one principle either of natural 
 or revealed religion, and without the idea of one moral 
 duty/’ Besides this, in Europe , Pagan idolaters pos- 
 sess the greater part of Greenland, Russian Lapland, 
 and other parts of the northern extremity of the con- 
 tinent; making in the whole a pagan population of 
 nearly five hundred millions totally ignorant of Chris- 
 tianity. Add to these at least an hundred and forty 
 millions, who swear by Mahomet — spread over all the 
 Turkish dominions in Europe, Asia, and Africa — filling 
 up the Barbary states — plauting the crescent in the 
 interior of Africa, and extending its baleful shadow to 
 Zanguebar and a large region of dense population on 
 its eastern coast; scouring the desarts of Arabia — 
 withering the glories of Persia — flourishing in the 
 Russian territories of Astrachan and Little Tartary — 
 guiding the Independent Tartars of Turkistan and 
 Bucharia on their plundering and murderous expedi- 
 tions — and covering with awful darkness the eastern 
 islands of Malaya, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, <5cc. thick 
 settled with men immortal as ourselves, and even 
 
11 
 
 stretching into Hindostan, as though the blackness oi 
 Paganism was not of a dye deep enough, to please 
 the Prince of darkness. 
 
 Now I ask — Is there one spot on earth, that does 
 not need the Gospel? Where will you find it? Are the 
 islands of the sea sufficiently happy without it; happy 
 — in crowding their morais with hundreds of human 
 victims in a day as a burning sacrifice to the honor of 
 an idol? They have every blessing that the bounty of an 
 indulgent Parent can bestow, except the Gospel — but 
 can they be happy while the restraints of Divine grace 
 on their guilty passions are suspended — while, in all 
 their anticipations of the future, an impenetrable cloud 
 hangs over the eternal world — and the only heaven, 
 of which they form an idea, corresponds in its chief 
 characteristics with the most filthy and disgusting 
 scenes on which the sun ever looks down? Are the 
 inhabitants of Asia or of Africa happy, when the slight 
 elevation of their character above the brutes only en- 
 ables them to perceive their miseries, and aggravate 
 them by guilty indulgencies? Are they happy in their 
 domestic condition, when selling each other — the near- 
 est relatives, into perpetual bondage — in their self 
 inflicted tortures — in their horrid immolations? If 
 this be happiness, then indeed the Gospel would add 
 nothing to their comfort; if this be happiness — and, if 
 eternity be a dream,— then, no missionaries are required, 
 to carry them the good news of peace on earth and good 
 will to men. But if on the other hand, all the nations of 
 the earth, yet unenlightened by the Gospel, are in that 
 state of deep moral degradation, which renders them in- 
 capable of solid happiness both here and hereafter, then 
 
12 
 
 o great work remains to be done for them — “their eyes 
 are to be opened;” they are to be turned “from dark- 
 ness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, 
 that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inher- 
 itance among them that are sanctified by faith in Je- 
 sus.” 
 
 3. Its difficulties. Disgraceful as it is to human 
 nature, that any, who enjoy the blessings of revelation, 
 so lightly esteem them as to pronounce them unneces- 
 sary to the Hindoo, the African or the Indian; un- 
 happy as the reflection is, that there are thousands 
 in Christendom whose hearts have never been touched 
 by the love of Jesus, and whose minds are no more 
 enlightened to any valuable purpose, than the minds 
 of the New Zealander and the Caflrarian, yet the fact 
 must be known, and confessed, and published, till pious 
 tears flow freely enough to wash out the foul stain 
 from the page of Christian history. Before the age 
 of missions commenced, infidelity busied itself with 
 vain attempts to tear down and destroy established 
 institutions — to bring the church, with her ministers 
 and ordinances into discredit — to snatch the Scrip- 
 tures from the hands of the young, and degrade them 
 in the eyes of the old. But since that period, it has 
 studied the concealment of its most odious features^ 
 and contented itself with directing its energies, in one 
 shape or other, against that whole system of measures 
 concerted for evangelizing the world. Hence, the en- 
 comiums now so freely lavished on the morality of 
 nations, whose most sacred rites are marked with ob- 
 scenity and murder; — on the purity and magnanimity 
 of nations, whose very courts of justice are scenes of 
 
13 
 
 continual perjury — and on the innocence, the harm- 
 lessness of nations, whose proudest virtues arc dis- 
 played in the wanton effusion of human blood. 
 
 Although representations so foreign from truth are 
 daily losing their influence in proportion to the diffu- 
 sion of light, yet there are not wanting those, that bear 
 the Christian name, and partake perhaps in some mea- 
 sure of the Christian spirit, on whose feelings and con- 
 duct toward the heathen, such representations have 
 produced the most unhappy effect. The correct im- 
 pression, in regard to the moral state of the world, is 
 by no means so deep, so general, nor so operative, as 
 it would have been but for these efforts of infidelity. 
 And while every Christian acknowledges, in general 
 terms, his obligation to do what in him lies, that the 
 Gospel may be preached to every creature, he is apt 
 to realize but very faintly his individual responsibility; 
 and so long as many around him do nothing — and even 
 deny the obligation to do any thing; and so long as he 
 has not been an eye witness of the wretchedness that 
 he hears of, he easily soothes his conscience, and gen- 
 erously applies all his resources to that more certain 
 species of charity, which begins and ends at home! 
 Now, must not all missionary operations be retarded 
 by such a state of feeling among Christians? Even the 
 most devoted missionary cannot escape moments of 
 enervating despondency, when his supplications for 
 more help are disregarded; and when that voice of 
 the Christian public, in obedience to which he entered 
 the vineyard, now says to him, “You must labor alone” 
 — “save such as you can , and leave others to go down 
 to everlasting burnings.” Well may his heart sink 
 
14 
 
 within him; the unbroken sceptre of the prince of 
 darkness extends over millions around him; multitudes 
 are yearly hurried to the tomb, on which not one ray 
 of hope falls from Him, who is the light of the world; 
 his own arm is too weak to stay for a moment the 
 tide of desolation rolling at his feet — and they, who 
 have pledged their bodies, theirspirits, their substance, 
 their all to aid him in the mighty labor, turn a deaf 
 ear to his entreaties! Say you, that the missionary 
 ought not to be so sensibly alive to the deficiency of 
 Christian liberality at home? and that he has nothing 
 to do but to prosecute his labors to the best of his 
 ability and wait for his reward from heaven? Strip 
 him then of the finest sensibilities of nature — give 
 him a heart of stone-*-put scales on his eyes — and 
 bind around him a triple coat of steel. What! may 
 he not feel! May he not weep over miseries that he 
 cannot relieve! Shall he harden himself into marble, 
 rather than give way to the sorrows that rush into 
 his soul, and extort from him the Macedonian cry! O 
 no! A missionary that could do this, we would never 
 send to publish a Gospel that breathes tenderness and 
 love. But if you employ missionaries, who have the 
 feelings of men mingling with the softest Christian 
 sympathies, and who are best qualified for usefulness, 
 they are men who must be hindered in their work by 
 a parsimony that ill becomes the followers of Jesus. 
 
 And who can describe the difficulties existing on the 
 very fields of missions! What eye that has not seen 
 them, — what hand that has not held over them the 
 light of revelation, can portray the vices, the corrup- 
 tions — the superstitions that flourish in dreadful luxu- 
 
15 
 
 riance over the whole extent of the region and sha- 
 dow of death! Ignorance, gloomy as the shades ol 
 fabled Erebus — depravity, bold and daring as that 
 which once opened the windows of heaven and broke 
 up the fountains of the great deep, are to be encounter- 
 ed by every missionary that attempts to plant the cross 
 at the door of the mosque, or of the temples of Brama. 
 Had I time to remind you of the sufferings of Egede 
 from the Angekoks, on the frozen shores of Green- 
 land; — or of that devoted band, that have at length 
 secured the conquest of Otaheite; — or of Henry Mar- 
 tvn, pouring forth the sweetest strains that ever an- 
 gels sung, on ears as deaf as the rocky mountains of 
 Himmaleh — and dying unheeded by the cruel Hassan 
 in the wilds of Turkey; — nay, could I enter into the 
 details of those labors and sufferings, in which our 
 own missionaries have abounded, both in the east and 
 the west — lead you into their closets and show you 
 their tears over the hard-heartedness of men, who 
 more eagerly listen to the winds that whistle through 
 their forests than to Christian instruction — and open 
 your ears to their lamentations over some that began 
 to run well, but were afterwards hindered — I am sure 
 you would be convinced that the life of a missionary 
 is chequered with seasons of painful suffering, that 
 demands your deepest sympathy. 
 
 Can it be a light thing to overturn a mass of super- 
 stition and idolatry, consolidated by the lapse of thirty 
 or forty centuries? The very attempt awakens a thou- 
 sand fears — and calls into action a thousand jealousies 
 in those, who have been taught from infancy to vener- 
 ate a long established system of polytheism. And 
 
16 
 
 the Gospel admits of no compromise with the Vedam 
 of the Hindoos, the Zendavista of the Persians, or the 
 Koran of the Turks and Arabs. It promises none oi 
 its rewards to the devotees of a false religion; and 
 condemns no system of faith more unequivocally, than 
 it condemns the policy of Loyola’s disciples in blend- 
 ing the religion of Christ with the religion of Confu- 
 cius; — or in submitting to the austerities and assuming 
 the habits of a brahmin in order to persuade the brah- 
 mins and their followers, that Christianity is merely an 
 adjunct to their old religion; — an improved edition of 
 it! The Gospel system, in its essential character, is 
 exclusive. It cannot betray itself and yet admit the 
 truth of other religious systems; “for -what fellowship 
 hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” “What con- 
 cord hath Christ with Belial?” “What agreement 
 hath the temple of God with idols?” 
 
 It is a well known fact, that the Romans granted 
 complete toleration to every shade and shape of po- 
 lytheism, prevailing in their territories. But when 
 Christianity found its way into the empire it became 
 at once the object of unrelenting persecution. Wild 
 beasts were fed with the flesh of Christians till glut- 
 ted — the fiercest executioners became wearied with 
 shedding such quantities of human blood; and why 
 this fury? because the Christians prayed together, 
 and sung their hymns in praise of Jesus? No; but be- 
 cause the toleration of Christianity must involve the 
 destruction of polytheism. If the same species of 
 persecution is not adopted at this day in all pagan coun- 
 tries, look for the reason in the extended arm ol Chris- 
 tian power — in commercial policy — not in the anmhr 
 
17 
 
 lation of those passions that set Rome on fire, to find 
 a plea for destroying Christians. The same opposi- 
 tion to truth remains. It may show itself more clearly 
 in Burmah or at Constantinople, but elsewhere it is 
 a smothered flame. So our missionaries find it, in the 
 contemptuous neglect of their instructions, and in the 
 angry treatment experienced by their converts. 
 
 Lay out of the account then, that whole class of 
 trials, which the missionary must endure from the 
 sinfulness of his own heart, powerfully operated upon 
 by the peculiarities of his situation; — and another 
 class arising from the separation of a thousand strong 
 and tender ties binding him to the land of his nativity; 
 — and only contemplate the determined opposition of 
 infidelity; — the cold indifference of nominal Christian- 
 ity; — the sluggishness of those, who have something 
 more than a name to live; — together with the “gross 
 superstition, the absurd polytheism, the monstrous 
 idolatry — the obscene and barbarous rites, savage sac- 
 rifices, and atheistic philosophy” of the unevangelized 
 nations; — and tell me, is not the work of the missionary 
 difficult. Blessed be God! there is a power that can 
 sustain him! 
 
 4. The work has its pleasures too. The Lord has 
 honored it beyond all other employments. He is 
 himself the great Agent in every movement made to- 
 ward its accomplishment. The church on earth is 
 his delight; and the chief reflection of his glory on 
 all other works of his hand, is derived from her. 
 Whatever else he does, beside directly advancing 
 her interests, is done in subserviency to her ultimate 
 triumphs. Not a wheel nor movement in the great 
 3 
 
18 
 
 machine of nature, but conspires to make Zion the 
 joy and the beauty of the whole earth. In this point, 
 all his counsels meet. Here he displays himself in all 
 the glory of the God of holiness — in all the loveliness 
 of the God of mercy — in all the terrors of the God 
 of justice, Is there nobler pleasure in the universe 
 than to be a fellow laborer with God? 
 
 It is a work in which God commands men to en- 
 gage, with all their strength. “Go ye into all the 
 world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” 
 What pleasure is purer, than that which flows from 
 obedience to the highest authority, pursuing the most 
 benevolent ends. The noblest employment in which 
 the mighty powers of angels are engaged, so far as 
 we are permitted to know, is “ministering to them, 
 who shall be heirs of salvation.” And as faithful mis- 
 sionaries are laborers together with them, so are they 
 fellow heirs with them to the purest joys. 
 
 Moreover, it is a work that will infallibly succeed. 
 Those divine promises, on which our confidence rests, 
 are many, and of no doubtful import. “Ask me,” says 
 Jehovah, “and I will give thee the heathen for thine 
 inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for 
 thy possession.” In addressing Zion as already shin- 
 ing forth in the glory of the Lord, Isaiah rises on his 
 subject in the language of rapture; “Lift up thine 
 eyes round about and see; all they gather themselves 
 together: they come unto 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 be enlarged, because the abundance 
 of the sea shall be converted unto thee: the forces 
 
19 
 
 of the Gentiles shall come unto thee: the nation and 
 kingdom that will not serve thee shall utterly perish; 
 thou shall call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates, 
 Praise; thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall 
 thy moon withdraw itself, for the Lord shall be thine 
 everlasting light: and the days of thy mourning shall 
 be ended; thy people shall be all righteous; I the Lord 
 will hasten it in his time The occasion does not 
 permit me to multiply quotations from those prophe- 
 cies, which are so replete with comfort to all who 
 are waiting for the future “Consolation of Israel.” 
 But on their broad basis, I may affirm without fear of 
 contradiction, that all who engage with pure motives 
 in hastening their fulfilment, will find their hands 
 strengthened and their hearts encouraged. Could 
 you give such assurance of success to the enterprising 
 merchant, the sails of his ships would instantly whiten 
 every sea. Could you inspire the bosom of the pat- 
 riot soldier with the same unerring confidence, with 
 how light a heart, and firm a step, would he march 
 into the field of battle! Happy, thrice happy, are they 
 who pledge their lives and undivided strength to la- 
 bors, which shall never be disappointed while the 
 Almighty sits upon the throne. Let some infer from 
 the strength of divine promises, the inutility of human 
 efforts; let them steel their bosoms against the cries 
 of so many millions yet urging their way, in unbroken 
 ranks, to the world of weeping and despair — and that 
 too by the very argument that would nerve them with 
 invincible strength in any more earthly enterprise; 
 they are welcome to all the pleasures of sturdy indo- 
 lence — and to all the gratification they can derive 
 
20 
 
 from cankered silver and gold. Theirs is neither the 
 temper, nor the pleasure, of the self-devoted mission- 
 ary — whose eye is fastened on the promise, while his 
 hands lay hold on the work, that will result in glory 
 to God, and everlasting life, to perishing millions. 
 
 Earth has its pleasures — they may flutter around 
 the iron bound chest of the miser — or the voluptua- 
 ry’s scenes of dissipation — or the philosopher’s study 
 — but they alight no where except on the heart of be- 
 nevolence. To carry relief to the agonized victim 
 of disease — to wipe away the tear that glistens in 
 the eye of misery, is a luxury of delight, of more 
 value than crowns and diadems. Follow then the 
 missionary into the wigwam of America, or the mud- 
 w'alled cottage of the South Sea Islands, where a 
 family of young, untutored immortals clusters around 
 him. He begins his darling theme and tells them of 
 the love of Jesus. He first catches the eye of one — 
 presently of another — and another, till all listen with 
 deep attention to the wondrous story of “God manifest 
 in the flesh.” They weep in view of so much good- 
 ness. They shudder at their own ingratitude. He 
 bends the knee in their behalf, at the family altar 
 then first erected — gives them his blessing — and re- 
 tires. The seed is sown. Ere long, the husband and 
 the wife, with their domestic band, present themselves 
 an offering unto the Lord — hope lights up the smile 
 of joy in their habitation — faith lays hold on ever- 
 lasting things — obedience to God crowns the remnant 
 of their days; — at length they fall asleep in Jesus, and 
 afterwards, awake to all the raptures of heaven! Has 
 not that missionary a title to joys the world knows 
 
21 
 
 nothing of? O! could we estimate the value ol' the 
 soul — could we weigh it in the balances of the sanc- 
 tuary as it is weighed by Him who made it — could 
 we lilt the covering which God in mercy has thrown 
 over the torments endured by the damned, or pene- 
 trate the veil that conceals the glories of heaven, then 
 might we estimate the pleasures, that will be derived 
 to the faithful missionary from the labors to which 
 he is called. 
 
 Nor may we forget the “recompence of reward” 
 that awaits him in heaven. The Scriptures establish 
 the principle, and urge the motive, of future rewards 
 proportioned to the attainments here made by the 
 children of God, and the good they may have accom- 
 plished, or had it in their hearts to accomplish. He 
 that improves ten pounds is made the ruler of ten 
 cities, and he that improves five pounds has rule over 
 five cities. “Those that are wise shall shine as 
 the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn 
 many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” 
 
 These prospects, which the faithful missionary is 
 permitted to indulge, connected with the delight that 
 flows from cordial obedience to the will of God, and 
 the happy, though limited success of his labors, may 
 well refresh his spirit amid the thousand nameless 
 trials and more obvious difficulties that present them- 
 selves to him. 
 
 II. Let us glance very cursorily at the evidence 
 which missionaries ought to possess, that they are 
 called by the Holy Ghost. 
 
 h They should ardently love the work. Indeed 
 it is an essential qualification of “elders,” who take 
 the oversight of the flock already collected, that 
 
22 
 
 “they feed them, not by constraint, but willingly, not 
 for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” More than 
 this is necessary to the perfection of the missionary 
 character. Strong desires must swell the bosom, not 
 only for the conversion of the world by some means, 
 but for a personal share in the requisite labors and 
 conflicts. His eyes will be open on the difficulties of 
 the undertaking, 4 but with holy Paul he will be ready 
 to “endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they 
 may obtain salvation.” What if his motives be mis- 
 understood and misrepresented — what if his charac- 
 ter be not elevated to a height that the shafts of 
 malice and envy can never reach — what if the force of 
 his arguments and the pathos of his exhortations be 
 not always felt — and what if all his doubts and disqui- 
 etudes do not quit him the moment he treads on hea- 
 then ground, — still he says, “let me know the fellow- 
 ship of Jesus’ sufferings, if thereby I may save any 
 for whom he died.” Yes! in full view of trials more 
 numerous, more complicated, more appalling than can 
 ever be realized by a stated pastor, and with no re- 
 wards in prospect but such as are spiritual and eter- 
 nal, he possesses a deep and fervent desire to engage 
 in the work; and “being affectionately desirous” of 
 all who are ignorant of Christ, he is “willing to impart 
 to them not the gospel of God only, but his own soul 
 also.” 
 
 2. They should possess strong faith in God. His 
 promises are their sole dependence. Without hab- 
 itual attention to the indications of his Providence, and 
 much prayer for the illuminations of the Holy Spirit 
 to accompany the study of the Scriptures, no man 
 can be prepared to labor with comfort and success on 
 
23 
 
 pagan ground. What else can inspire the necessary 
 humility? It is the highest honor conferred on mortal 
 men, to be permitted to declare the unsearchable 
 riches of Christ — an honor too high for the frailty of 
 our nature to support, but for the awful responsibi- 
 lities with which God has connected it, and the ar- 
 duous duties it involves. How shall these responsi- 
 bilities be felt, and these duties discharged, without 
 a humble reliance on that grace, which is communi- 
 cated only in answer to the prayers of strong faith. 
 A great degree of boldness is often necessary in the 
 missionary character; and though in many instances it 
 is a native quality that requires only to be sanctified, 
 yet in other instances scarcely a trace of it is to be 
 found in the natural character, and as much of it as 
 may be acquired, results from the confidence cher- 
 ished in the promises of God. When the missionary 
 can say, “the Lord is my light and salvation; the 
 strength of my life,” he may also say, “of whom shall 
 I be afraid?” “Though an host encamp against me, I 
 will not fear, though war arise against me, in God 
 will I be confident.” Samuel dared to say unto Saul, 
 “thou hast done wickedly.” Nathan feared not to 
 tell David, “thou art the man.” Elijah knew that 
 Ahab sought his life, but boldly declared to him, “thou 
 hast sold thyself to work evil in the sight of the 
 Lord;” and need I repeat to you the bold reproofs 
 of John the Baptist to Herod — of Peter and John to 
 the council, or of Paul and Barnabas to the contra- 
 dicting and blaspheming Jews in Pesidia? But for their 
 strong faith in God, these holy men had not ventured 
 
24 
 
 to reprove kings, nor dared the fury of an unprinci- 
 pled and blood thirsty multitude. 
 
 And what but confidence in God, unsubdued by 
 difficulties or discouragements, could have carried 
 forward the timid Brainerd through so many heart- 
 rending scenes of guilt and wretchedness as he was 
 compelled to witness at Kaunaumeek and the Forks of 
 the Delaware. Or, what but the firmest conviction 
 of the gracious purposes of God toward the most 
 forlorn of the human race, could have inspired the 
 Mayhews or Elliot with resolution enough to break 
 up the idolatrous and bloody feasts of the savages — 
 to give them hymns of praise to Jesus for their war- 
 songs — to brave the authority of the sachems, and the 
 still more powerful influence of the powaws — to re- 
 duce their unwritten and uncouth language to form 
 and rule, and then translate the Scriptures for their 
 use. And what but the strongest faith in God could 
 have armed the retiring Swartz with courage to enter 
 the camp of the blood thirsty Hyder Ally, on an em- 
 bassy that no other person dared to undertake — or 
 with self denial and patience enough to go into the 
 midst of the thieving tribes of collaries, where no trav- 
 eller for ages had been safe — and having in his hand 
 no other weapon but that of heavenly temper, — the 
 doctrine of “Christ and him crucified,” compelling 
 them to abandon their vices, cultivate their lands, 
 and adopt the Bible as their code of laws? But, 
 thousands of instances are on record, where a single 
 missionary, putting his trust in the Lord, has fearlessly 
 ventured into the heart of Satan’s kingdom, — collect- 
 ed many precious trophies of graoe, and returned in 
 
25 
 
 safety with his spoils to share the triumphs of Im- 
 manuel. 
 
 3. Perhaps to other evidences of a divine call to 
 this employment, I ought to add, the possession of a 
 strong and improved mind. Such evidence at least 
 existed in the case of Saul and Barnabas. I would 
 not be understood to say that ordinary or even in- 
 ferior powers, under the influence of ardent love and 
 strong faith, may not fill up some departments of 
 missionary labor with great advantage; — much less 
 that any portion of talent can supersede the necessity 
 of spiritual qualifications. But the difficulties already 
 enumerated as opposing the progress of truth in 
 heathen countries; and the necessity of furnishing cor- 
 rect and numerous translations of the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, clearly evince the importance, not only of much 
 patient study, but of a mind originally fitted for large 
 acquisitions, and well furnished with those principles 
 of natural and metaphysical science, that cannot safely 
 be overlooked in the defence of divine truth against 
 the philosophical errors, that enter essentially into 
 every system of pagan faith. 
 
 It is a fact, not to be mentioned without gratitude 
 to God, that a large proportion of the ordained mis- 
 sionaries, at present employed among the heathen, 
 are among the most learned as well as the most hum- 
 ble men of this generation. Having superior talents, 
 hearts glowing with love to the millions for whom 
 they labor — strong faith in the promises and provi- 
 dences of God — a cheerful resignation to life or death, 
 in the field they have chosen, it cannot be a question 
 whether they are called by the Holy Spirit — nor 
 4 
 
26 
 
 whether they are rearing a temple to the glory of Je- 
 hovah — composed of lively stones — on a foundation 
 broad as the world, from which ten thousand thou- 
 sand voices shall pour forth this song unto the Lord 
 — “he hath become our salvation, for he hath tri- 
 umphed gloriously. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, 
 amongst the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holi- 
 ness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” 
 
 Thus I have endeavored to direct your attention 
 to the true character of those missionary labors, which 
 are so loudly called for at this day — and to point out 
 some of those evidences, which ought to be exhibited 
 by missionaries, in proof that they are called by the 
 Holy Ghost. 
 
 And now permit me to say — there is not an indi- 
 vidual in this assembly, who has not a deep interest 
 in the subject. Are you a man — ignorant of that 
 “joy of grief,” excited by believing views of the Lamb 
 of God? Then indeed you may not feel for perishing 
 nations; — but remember, the time is coming — unless 
 your insensibility yield to the constraining love of 
 Christ — when those heathens will rise up in judg- 
 ment and condemn you, — and when the fact that you 
 can contemplate all the movements now made to- 
 ward their conversion with indifference, will fill you 
 with everlasting confusion. Are you a Christian? 
 Then you have surrendered yourself to the Lord in 
 an everlasting covenant, and are no longer your own. 
 You rejoice that the King of Zion has already girded 
 his sword on his thigh, and rides forth prosperously 
 in the cause of truth, meekness and righteousness. 
 You will not only shout hosanna, but cast your gar- 
 
'll 
 
 ments in the way; and all that portion of your sub- 
 stance which can do him honor. 
 
 Who then is on the Lord’s side? I feel the more 
 confidence in pressing this inquiry on every conscience, 
 at the present moment, because I know there cannot 
 be such an anomaly in the kingdom of God, as a 
 Christian who does not rejoice in the triumphs of the 
 cross. The Christian’s interest and happiness are 
 identified with the prosperity of Zion — his heaven 
 begins in his devotion to Christ in the present world. 
 Do you then know the extent of the devastations sin 
 has made? and the only method by which they can be 
 repaired? and the obligations that rest on you to send 
 the Gospel to every creature? If you know these 
 things — let conscience declare what is your conduct 
 — and whether you have in truth arrayed yourselves 
 on the Lord’s side. 
 
 The solemnities of this day are not essentially dis- 
 similar from those at Antioch, when Saul and Barna- 
 bas received the imposition of hands from the breth- 
 ren, and were sent away to their missionary labors — r 
 nay more, they cannot fail to remind us of the part- 
 ing scene at Bethany, when Jesus gave to his disciples 
 their commission with his blessing, and ascended to 
 heaven to receive gifts for them. 
 
 Not often is there an assembly convened for such 
 a purpose. It is to us a precious privilege to wit- 
 ness the designation of these two beloved disciples to 
 go to Jerusalem; — to the birth-place of Jesus our 
 Prince and Savior; — to the scene of his personal in- 
 structions — his sufferings — his death — his resurrec- 
 tion and ascension to heaven. They go on an errand 
 
28 
 
 of mercy — to proclaim that “He is risen indeed,” 
 and that “he ever liveth to make intercession” — to 
 gather the outcasts of Israel, and the dispersed of 
 Judah — to summon the world to meet on his holy 
 hill of Zion. They know not what shall befal them 
 there. Perhaps bonds and imprisonments await 
 them. Their trust is in God. But have they no 
 claims on us? Are they not our messengers, as well as 
 the ambassadors of Christ? Do they not go for us to 
 fulfil the last injunction of our dear Redeemer? Yes, 
 brethren; and do I not' hear you say, we will never 
 forget them — we will never cease to pray for them 
 — they shall never want any good thing in the power 
 of our hand to bestow? Well then — let heaven re- 
 cord our vows to day — and if we no more see their 
 faces in the flesh, — when we meet them at the 
 bar of God, let it be their testimony of us that we 
 have been faithful. 
 
 You, brethren, beloved for Jesus’ sake, having 
 freely devoted yourselves to the work of the Lord, 
 and looking forward with strong desire to the com- 
 mencement of your labors on missionary ground, will 
 love to remember, that you are treading the path, in 
 which Saul and Barnabas have gone before you — and 
 that the same Jesus, who left not his disciples comfort- 
 less, when he was received up to the right hand of 
 God, still says to you, “Lo! I am with you always.” 
 He will be on your right hand and on your left; he 
 will go before you and be your rereward. I need not 
 tell you, that those of our countrymen, who have gone 
 before you, in earlier or later times, have found these 
 
29 
 
 promises verified. A falling Warren and Mills could 
 testify with their expiring breath to the faithfulness of 
 Jesus; and that father of missionaries, that prince in 
 our Israel, who so lately fell the victim of ceaseless 
 care, in his last moments was comforted, “because he 
 had been enabled to do something toward the great 
 object,” to which you this day pledge your lives — 
 your all. — Here — I should love to stop with you — 
 and listen to the plaintive accents of the daughter of 
 Zion, as she bends over the grave of her beloved 
 Worcester. But no! — “onward” — is the voice of the 
 immortal Spirit that has quit the tenement, in which 
 it so long struggled with sin and death: — “onward,” let 
 our hearts respond — onward in the path so gloriously 
 illumined — and leading so straight to rivers of pleas- 
 ure at God's right hand. 
 
 Wherever you go — and wherever God may de- 
 termine the bounds of your habitation, you will be 
 followed by the prayers and blessings of thousands in 
 your own land; and we trust by the blessing of thou- 
 sands ready to perish in heathen lands. Only be 
 faithful unto the death; — and whether you wander 
 amid the desolations of Jerusalem, or on the banks of 
 the Ganges; — or in the forests that stretch toward the 
 setting sun; — whether you fall by pining sickness, or 
 by the pestilence that walketh in darkness, or by the 
 hand of violence, you will meet the approbation of 
 your Savior — and awake in the morning of the resur- 
 rection to hear him say to you, and to all saved from 
 sin by your instrumentality — “Well done good and 
 faithful servants, enter ye into the joys ofyour Lord.” 
 
 \ 
 
■ — 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE CHARGE, 
 
 BY THE REV. DANIEL THOMAS, A. M. 
 
 PASTOR OF THE SECOND CBURCH IN A BINOTON. 
 
 Dear Brethren, 
 
 Deeply interesting to us all, and especially to you, are the 
 transactions of this day. God has brought you to this hallowed 
 place, in which, by the imposition of hands, and by prayer, you 
 have been publicly and solemnly consecrated to the sacred office 
 of the Gospel Ministry, with a view to your being sent forth to 
 the Jews and the Heathen, as Missionaries and Evangelists. There 
 is reason to conclude, that these transactions will be followed by 
 consequences to you, and to Zion, and to the universe, which will 
 be continually unfolding and extending through the whole course 
 of endless duration. We hope nd trust, that you will so discharge 
 the duties of the holy office, with which you are invested, and so 
 perform the particular service on which your eyes and hearts 
 have long been fixed, as to be able to review these solemnities, 
 and contemplate their momentous results, with tranquillity and joy 
 through life, in the hour of death, and at the tribunal of God. 
 
 But yet, on this deeply impressive and affecting occasion, it will 
 be neither improper nor unseasonable, affectionately to urge you 
 to ceaseless fidelity in the arduous and self-denying work, which 
 you have deliberately chosen; to which you arc separated; and on 
 which you expect and hope shortly to enter. You will therefore 
 Feadily receive a word of exhortation from your brethren of the 
 Council, by whom you are now constituted Ministers of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, and Messengers of his salvation to those, who “sit in 
 darkness, and in the region and shadow of death.” 
 
 And now, beloved brethren, in the name of Him, who is Head 
 ever all things to the church which he hath purchased with his 
 
32 
 
 i 
 
 own blood, and hath set as a seal on his arm and his heart, we 
 exhort, we charge , you to make full proof of your ministry. As 
 you would do this, take good heed to yourselves. Watch over 
 your own hearts, and keep them with all diligence. Examine 
 well the nature of the motives from which you act, and see that 
 they are pure and holy, that they are such as the heart-searching 
 and rein-trying God will approve. The religion which you are 
 to teach and recommend to others, and for whose universal 
 spread and triumph, we trust, your fervent prayers ascend daily 
 to the throne of everlasting mercy, consists in that charity which 
 “seeketh not her own,” and which “is the bond of perfectness.” 
 It is this, and this on/y, ‘that suffereth long, and is kind; that think- 
 eth no evil; that rejoiceth not in iniquity, but in the truth; that 
 is full of mercy and good fruits; and that beareth all things, hopeth 
 all things, believeth all things, endureth all things.’ Without this 
 disinterested charity, without this holy love to God, and Christ, 
 and perishing souls, ministers would be nothing but sounding brass, 
 though they should understand all mysteries and all knowledge, 
 and speak with the tongues of angels. Let this love, therefore, 
 O ye men of God, burn in your hearts with an uniform, increas- 
 ing, quenchless flame. 
 
 From the peculiar nature of the work before you, there is 
 reason to expect that peculiar difficulties and trials await you; 
 such as will require far more than an ordinary share of wisdom, 
 of prudence, of patience, of fortitude, and of constancy, to prepare 
 you to meet and pass through them, in a manner that shall do 
 honor to the precious, glorious cause in which you have em- 
 barked. Labor therefore to become eminent in these virtues, 
 which are so necessary to arm you for the conflict. And let no 
 anticipated or unanticipated difficulties and trials, should they ac- 
 tually overtake you, move your steadfast souls; neither count ye 
 your lives dear unto yourselves, so that you may finish your 
 course with joy, and the ministry which you have received of 
 the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace of God; but 
 esteem the toils, and sacrifices, and sufferings, and reproaches to 
 which you may be called for Christ’s sake, greater riches than all 
 the treasures and glories of the created universe. 
 
 Whenever and wherever divine Providence shall open the way 
 for you to preach the Gospel to others, we charge you to preach 
 
33 
 
 it plainly and fully, remembering that those whom you may ad- 
 dress, will stand in perishing need of the great salvation, which it 
 reveals and offers. To this end you must preach to them the 
 message that God bids you, and not diminish a word. That you 
 may do this in a proper manner, it is necessary that you study 
 with diligence the holy Oracles, which are able to make both 
 you and your hearers wise unto salvation, through faith that is in 
 Christ Jesus. Since “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” 
 you will readily perceive, that it “is profitable for doctrine, for 
 reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the 
 man ofGod may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good 
 works.” Should you preach the Gospel in a clear and distin- 
 guishing manner, you will approve yourselves to the consciences 
 of sinners, and to both the consciences and hearts of saints. Preach 
 doctrinally, as well as practically. It is, indeed, certain, that the 
 peculiar and distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel lie at the foun- 
 dation of all true morality and piety. There is no holy practice, 
 there is no evangelical obedience, but that which flows from the 
 belief and love of Gospel truth. In your preaching, as far as 
 possible, imitate Him, who spake as never man spake; and then 
 your discourses will be highly doctrinal, and practical, and im- 
 pressive, and powerful; and those to whom you speak, will feel 
 that they can neither hear and love, nor hear and hate the mes- 
 sages which you bring them from the Lord, without ripening 
 apace, by the means, for endless joy, or for endless woe. A faith- 
 ful exhibition of the doctrines and precepts of the Gospel, is cal- 
 culated to edif\ r , quicken, and comfort saints; to enlighten, con- 
 vince and reclaim sinners; to extend the empire of holiness and 
 peace; and to display the glory ofGod. As, therefore, you would 
 promote, in the most effectual manner, these great and benevo- 
 lent objects, let it be your constant aim to declare all the counsel 
 of God, to preach the whole truth with the utmost plainness. In 
 so doing, like Paul and his associates, you will be pure from the 
 blood of all men; and, like them too, you will be unto God a sweet 
 savor of Christ, both in them that are saved, and in them that per- 
 ish under your ministry. And while you preach the everlasting 
 Gospel to your fellow creatures, be careful always to display be- 
 fore them, in your own lives, much of its transcendent excellence 
 and loveliness. Let the light of your example, as men, as Chris- 
 
 5 
 
34 
 
 Bans, and as ministers, shine far around you, and shine with ever 
 increasing, expanding radiance. Vain is the preaching of that 
 minister, however orthodox, and learned, and eloquent he may 
 be, who does not live in accordance with what he preaches. A 
 holy life speaks to the conscience and the heart with eloquence 
 most persuasive and overpowering. 
 
 Should God Almighty, by the effusions of his Spirit, bless your 
 labors to the conviction and conversion of sinners, you may then 
 be called to gather churches, to administer the seals of the cove- 
 nant of grace, and to lead in the discipline of Christ’s house. In 
 performing these official duties, the right performance of which 
 is so essential to the peace and prosperity of Zion, see that you 
 adhere strictly to Gospel rules. Admit to Christian fellowship 
 and communion such only as give scriptural evidence of being 
 the true followers of Christ. Baptize visible believers and their 
 households; and administer the holy discipline which Christ has 
 instituted in his church, with tenderness, with firmness, and with 
 impartiality. Should you in Providence be invited to assist in 
 ordaining others to the work of the ministry, be cautious and de- 
 liberate. “Lay hands suddenly on no man.” Never give your 
 voice to introduce those into the pastoral office, who appear to 
 be destitute of the requisite qualifications. It will be your duty 
 also to visit the sick and dying, where, often, a combination of 
 circumstances may render giving them suitable instruction and 
 warning extremely difficult and perplexing. But remember, that 
 you must shortly meet them at the bar of God; and be faithful 
 to their departing spirits. 
 
 The various duties of your highly responsible station, as minis- 
 ters, and especially as missionaries, are more arduous hnd difficult 
 than any imagine, who have not been called to discharge them. 
 Nor could the most enlarged capacities, stored with all the 
 treasures of science and philosophy, without “an unction from the 
 holy One,” qualify and enable you to perform these duties accept- 
 ably to God. You should labor, therefore, to obtain and cherish 
 a deep and habitual sense of your own insufficiency, and of your 
 entire and constant dependence upon God. This will naturally 
 lead you to trust in him, to cast your burdens upon him, and to 
 pour out your hearts before him, at all times. Daily commit 
 yourselves .and your work to God, in humble, fervent, effectual 
 
35 
 
 •prayer. Do this, and his grace will be sufficient for you. Do this, 
 and he will teach you how to preach and how to live, and will 
 make your preaching and lives eminently instrumental to the 
 promotion ot' his glory, and the advancement of his cause. 
 
 Your vows to leave forever, if God will, your native land, and all 
 its rich and manifold blessings, and go far hence to spend your 
 days in labors and watchings, in perils and distresses, for the re- 
 building of Zion in that interesting land, where her divine Re- 
 deemer was born, where he preached and wrought miracles, and 
 where he suffered, bled and died; these your solemn vows, be- 
 loved brethren, are entered on the records of eternity, are regis- 
 tered in the book of God's remembrance. Go forth, then, in the 
 strength of the mighty God of Jacob, and perform them. You 
 will have the prayers of all who pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 
 Go forth, and let the same patient, disinterested, dauntless, uncon- 
 querable spirit be in you, which was in Elliot, and Brainerd, and 
 Swartz, and Martyn, and other distinguished missionaries, who are 
 gene to their reward; yea, rather, let the same mind be in you, 
 which was in their Divine Master, who endured the cross, and 
 despised the shame; and stay yourselves on his unchanging prom- 
 ise; u Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end.” 
 
 In conclusion, we charge you before God, and angels, and men, 
 that ye be faithful unto death; and when He who is the believer’s 
 life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 
 Amen. 
 
RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP, 
 
 BY THE REV. SAMUEL GREEN, 
 
 OF READING. 
 
 Beloved Brethren, 
 
 The present is an occasion big- with interest both to you and 
 us; and, we doubt not, to angels, and to Him, who is King on the 
 holy hill of Zion. 
 
 You have here been publicly set apart by prayer, and the laying 
 on of the hands of the presbytery, and solemnly charged with the 
 embassy of glad tidings to a people wandering in the mazes of de- 
 lusion, and perishing for lack of knowledge. Now before we 
 take our last farewell of you, and bid you God speed on your 
 holy enterprise, the grateful office is assigned me of expressing 
 to you our sympathy, and most cordial Christian fellow ship. It is 
 a ceremony, equally the dictate of that oneness of soul, which ex- 
 ists among all the soldiers of the cross, and of apostolic example; 
 not in the present case, expressive of the fraternal regards of 
 this council, or of the churches thej r represent merely, but of 
 the whole Christian communitj-, who rejoice to claim you as 
 their heralds to the heathen. Thousands of kindred spirits, not 
 only in this land of your nativity, but in other climes, will feel a 
 new glow of benevolent desire, and their love to the souls of the 
 heathen, and to the Lamb that bought them with his blood, will 
 be fanned to a brighter flame, as they contemplate the object of 
 this day’s solemnities. While engaged in preparation, or tossed 
 on the pathless ocean, or occupied in your work of high respon- 
 sibilities, they will follow you w ith a look of the deepest interest, 
 and often lift the imploring eye and hand to heaven for an effusion 
 ot spiritual blessings upon you. 
 
 The real servants of Christ in every age, and in every region, 
 are moved by the same Spirit, and are members of the same body, 
 
that when one member suffers, others suffer with it; the joy of 
 one is the joy of all; and the success of one, is the success of all. 
 
 “The saints on earth, ami all the dead, 
 
 But one communion make.” 
 
 They are all laborers in Christ’s vineyard, — and what if their 
 portions of toil, while here below, be not side by side; they serve 
 the same Master, are encouraged by the same promises, replenish- 
 ed from the same unfailing fountain, animated with the prospect 
 of the same recompense, and cheered with the certainty that 
 they shall all meet at last and rejoice together in their Father’s 
 house. 
 
 Accept, then, dear Brethren in Christ, this right hand, and 
 with it the sympathies, the blessings, and the prayers of the 
 churches of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of us his ministers. By 
 this we do solemnly declare, in the presence of this assembly, 
 attendant angels, and before Zion’s King, that we do embrace you 
 as beloved brethren in the fellowship of the Gospel, experimental- 
 ly acquainted with its great truths, endowed with missionary gifts, 
 and firmly established on the foundation of the apostles, and 
 prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; as 
 having an equal right with us to officiate at the altar, and to 
 manage the concerns of God’s house. 
 
 Accept it as a pledge of an endearing remembrance in our 
 hearts, when your voices shall no longer be heard within the 
 walls of our American Zion. Though the Atlantic roll its tide be- 
 twixt us, forget you we will not, we cannot. Morning and even- 
 ing, when we encircle with our households the family altar, amidst 
 other objects calculated to excite our sympathy, and call forth the 
 fervor of devotion, we will remember our brethren who have left 
 father and mother, and the privileges of Christian society for a 
 life of labor, and self-denial, among the heathen. We will bear 
 you on our hearts, too, before the throne of grace in our closets. 
 There, while we hold, singly and alone, intercourse with that 
 God, that seeth in secret, we will never cease to make mention of 
 you, and wrestle with him for your success. In the great congre- 
 gation too, your circumstances shail not fail of being mentioned at 
 the mercy seat. And especially on the first Monday in every 
 month, when the sun as he travels through the heavens, beholds 
 
38 
 
 ■flat whole Christian world prostrate before God, with this prayer 
 in every mouth, or in every heart, u Tky kingdom come;' 1 ' 1 our dear 
 brethren in Palestine, where Jesus taught this prayer, and where 
 his kingdom first began its enlargement, and where his soldiers 
 celebrated their first victories, shall be recognized as not the 
 least important instruments in hastening this glorious event. 
 
 The spirit of the Psalmist is stirring within us: — “If we forget 
 thee 0 Jerusalem, let our right hand forget its cunning. If we 
 do not remember thee, let our tongue cleave to the roof of our 
 mouth; if we prefer not Jerusalem above our chief joy.” Again 
 shall a voice be heard in the midst of thee, in accents melodious 
 as those which charmed the listening shepherd on the plains of 
 Bethlehem: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come and the glory of 
 the Lord is risen upon thee. Break forth into joy; sing together, 
 ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his 
 people; he hath redeemed Jerusalem. Thy watchmen shall lift 
 up their voice.” 
 
 We doubt not, but you feel borne down under the weight of 
 your solemn charge. To be invested with the sacred office of the 
 Christian ministry; and to be the chosen ambassadors of Jehovah, 
 and sentforth on the high errand of a world’s redemption, under all 
 -the advantages of a Christian community— surrounded with brethren 
 who bestow on us their sympathies and their counsels — by Chris- 
 tians, whose presence animates, and strengthens us — preceded, 
 wherever we go, by light, and knowledge, which have removed 
 a thousand barriers to our success; — the ministry, even under 
 these circumstances, puts in requisition all our resources of wis- 
 dom, patience, and self-denial. 
 
 Often, when we look at our people, and go forward with them 
 in imagination to the judgment day; when we contemplate our du- 
 ties, and think what a hold they all take on eternity; we cannot 
 forbear exclaiming, Lord, who is sufficient for these things! Is this 
 work assigned frail, dying man! are earthen vessels the destined 
 depositories of such a treasure! Blessed Redeemer, why was not 
 •ibis glorious dispensation entrusted to some of those exalted an- 
 gels, who encircle thy throne, and who are as flames of fire to do 
 thy will? Surely it is a service which Gabriel might envy, but, a' 
 its responsibilities, Gabriel would tremble! 
 
39 
 
 This great work is now committed to you under circumstance* 
 of additional moment. — You are henceforth to labor as Christ 1 * 
 commissioned servants, not in a vineyard, already in a high state 
 *>f cultivation, and surrounded by fellow laborers; but in a barren 
 waste — once indeed the field where Jesus and his apostles toiled,, 
 and where a rich harvest was at length gained; but that, ages since, 
 has been all gathered into God’s garner, and those who reaped it 
 are gone to rest. You may, here and there, find a mouldering 
 relic, but sin like a flood has rolled its dark waters over all those 
 regions, and left nothing but spiritual desolation. 
 
 Called upon, as you are, to execute tbe duties of your office 
 under circumstances of peculiar embarrassment, you are entitled to 
 no ordinary share of our Christian sympathies. You go bound in 
 the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things which shall befal 
 you there. The follower of the false prophet will look upon you 
 with the eye of jealousy; you cannot flatter him with the prospect 
 of a heaven of voluptuousness, nor encourage him in his course of 
 rapine and blood, by the promise that he will thus obtain the fa- 
 vor of God. You cannot tell the Jew of a temporal deliverer; and 
 your very name fixes on his nation the guilt of a foul deed, at the 
 perpetration of whieh the sun hid his face, and the pillars of the 
 earth trembled. The Greek will with difficulty be made to look 
 out through the lumber of pictures and ceremonies, which ages of 
 ignorance and superstition have collected around him. Reluc- 
 tantly will he turn his eye from the pomp of so ceremonious a 
 worship, and fix it on that simplicity, and spirituality of devotion 
 which alone, you, as the faithful servants of the Lord Jesus, can 
 approve and exemplify. 
 
 You go to the land where they crucified him, whom you cal! 
 Lord and Master. The prince of darkness still reigns there, and 
 the disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his 
 Lord; }'ou may be led to Calvary, or some blood stained spot, to 
 seal the truth of your mission by the sacrifice of your life, and to en- 
 circle your brow with a martyr’s crown. The spirits of thousands 
 of holy martyrs have fled from Palestine, and are this moment 
 rejoicing before the throne of God, and the Lamb. Not one of 
 them laments the sacrifices and sufferings endured here for the 
 dear name of Jesus. — You may be destined soon to sw r el! their 
 
 song. 
 
40 
 
 But, dear Brethren, we hope a different scene awaits you. We 
 believe that He who has said to Jerusalem, and to the cities of 
 Judah, “Ye shall be built, and to the temple, thy foundation shall 
 be laid,” has appointed you, in that interesting portion of the 
 world, many years of successful labor. Be not dismayed at the 
 sword of the merciless Turk, nor at the ravages of the wide- 
 wasting plague, for He will be there, in whose hands are the 
 hearts of all, and who holds the keys of death and hell, and who 
 has said, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. 
 The name of the God of Jacob defend you — be your shield and 
 buckler, and then the sun shall not smite you by day, nor the 
 moon by night. “You shall not be afraid of the pestilence that walk- 
 eth in darkness, nor of the destruction that wasteth at noon day — 
 a thousand shall fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right 
 hand; hut it shall not come nigh you.” 
 
 We congratulate you on your engagement in this high enter- 
 prise, at a day when there is much to encourage you. The Sun 
 of Righteousness is appearing in his glory, and throwing his beams 
 over the earth, and Illuminating many of its darkest corners. The 
 gods that have not made the heavens and the earth will soon 
 perish from off this earth, and from under these heavens. Their 
 own worshippers begin to confess them to be vanity and a lie, and 
 to cast them to the moles and to the bats. The loud note of prep- 
 aration is heard from Asia, and from Africa, from the islands of the 
 Pacific, and from our western wilderness, “Cast up, cast up a high 
 way for our God;” nor less animating is the voice of that unexam- 
 pled earnestness of prayer, and union of effort so prevalent 
 throughout Christendom. 
 
 Go then, brethren, blow the trumpet of salvation in the ears of 
 the deluded and enslaved millions of Palestine; bid the blind see, 
 and the dead in sin awake, and the prisoners come forth from their 
 prison houses. Go, with the dear partners of your sufferings, and 
 of your triumphs, boldly tread the path of Martyn, of Brainerd, and 
 of the great apostle of the gentiles. May their mantle fall on you, 
 and a success greater than theirs attend your labors. 
 
 No one possessing the spirit of Christ can forbear feeling a 
 community of interest with you in this glorious work. We, that 
 remain at home, will not be unmindful of your sacrifices. You 
 embark in a cause dearer to our hearts than life itself. When 
 
41 
 
 your voice is heard across the Atlantic for more laborers, for our 
 prayers, or our pecuniary aid, God forbid that our cars should be 
 deaf, or our hearts cold. 
 
 You look around you, and behold many dear relatives and 
 friends; — we know that in the surrender you make of them, or 
 theirs of you, neither confer with flesh and blood. You are 
 bound to them by a thousand tender ties. They know not how to 
 give you up, how to cast on you the last lingering look; till they 
 meet you disrobed of mortality. But 1 trust you feel the constrain- 
 ing love of Christ; and standing on the high ground of faith, can 
 say with Paul, “what mean ye to weep, and to break mine heart, 
 for I am not only ready to be bound, but to die also at Jerusalem, 
 for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 
 
 Once more we say, dearly beloved brethren, accept this right 
 hand — may the eternal Spirit, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, rest 
 upon you, and accompany you in all your labors and sufferings. 
 
 And finally, after having fought a good fight, kept the faith, and 
 turned many from darkness unto light, may we meet you on mount 
 Zion above, and hear you tell, in seraphic strains, how faithful you 
 found Christ; and how gloriously you saw him triumph in Pales- 
 tine; and, through eternity, unite our voices with the redeemed 
 out of every kindred, and tongue and people, in the song of MoseS 
 and the Lamb. Amen. 
 
 
 9 
 
ADDRESS 
 
 TO THE PALESTINE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 BY THE REV. SERENO E. DWIGIIT, 
 
 OF B06T0N. 
 
 It is probably known to my audience, that this part of our Com- 
 monwealth was selected, as the scene of the interesting solem- 
 nities, which we have just witnessed, in consequence of the for- 
 mation, during the past summer, of a Missionary Society, consisting 
 of the ministers and numerous members of fourteen neighbouring 
 churches and congregations. The design of the society is to sup- 
 port at least one missionary to Palestine. That event is one of 
 no ordinary interest to Christ and his Church. The fact, that so 
 many, and so respectable Churches have discovered, at the same 
 moment , a deep and practical interest in the cause of missions; 
 is in itself a delightful circumstance. Still more gratifying is it to 
 learn, that, for the accomplishment of their benevolent purpose, 
 they are associated as one body , in a regular, organized society. It 
 assures us that their efforts will be concentrated, systematic, and 
 permanent. It leads us also to hope, that an example of Christian 
 benevolence, so well directed and so honorable to its possessors, 
 will be extensively followed. And what crowns the interest, 
 which, as Christians, we have felt in this event, is the region of the 
 ■world, selected by the Society, for the labors of its Missionary: a 
 region, which no Christian can think of without remembering, that 
 to it he is indebted for all the blessings which he enjoys in the 
 present life, and for all which he hopes for in the life to come. 
 
43 
 
 It need not be said, that the The American Board ok Commis- 
 sioners for Foreign Missions feel at least their share of in- 
 terest in an event so auspicious to their cause. It is at the request 
 of their Prudential Committee, beloved brethren of these associated 
 churches, that I this day address you. It could have been wished, 
 for your sakes, that the proposal of such an address hail been 
 made at an earlier season. Yet your Christian candor and kindness 
 will allow me to express to you, even with little preparation, the 
 instinctive feelings of the heart. 
 
 Permit me then, Brethren, with unfeigned and cordial sympa- 
 thy, to congratulate you , peculiarly; as well as the rest of this 
 assembly; on the delightful solemnities of this day. In the exer- 
 cise of Christian love, you had prepared your united free-will 
 offering to be presented to your common Sav iour and Lord. This 
 offering was a Herald of Salvation, whom you had resolved to send 
 forth to publish the Gospel of peace on the mountains of Judah, and 
 to say unto Zion, ‘Thy God reigneth.’ — To day, Brethren, you have 
 seen him, and a beloved brother associated with him in the same 
 work of faith and labor of love, consecrated by prayer and the lay- 
 ing on of the hands of the Presbytery, for this honourable office. 
 
 Is it an interesting sight for a single church to behold the man 
 of their choice set apart for the work of the ministry. To-day, the 
 members of no less than fourteen churches behold the man of their 
 choice , and with him the partner of his future labors, set apart for the 
 same sacred employment: not indeed to preach the Gospel to them- 
 selves; but (what is not less interesting to an expanded benevo- 
 lence) to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ in that land, 
 the very name of which excites the liveliest emotions in every 
 Christian bosom. Was it a delightful occasion to a company of 
 Jewish Christians assembled at Jerusalem; when they beheld the 
 right hand of fellowship given by the Apostles to Paul and Barna- 
 bas, that they should go to the Gentiles. To day, that scene is 
 reversed. A company of Gentile Christians are here assembled 
 to behold two brethren, in whom we think we discover the same 
 grace, commissioned in the same manner to go to Jerusalem. In 
 behalf of the Prudential Committee; and, may I not say in behalf 
 of three sister churches in the metropolis associated for the same 
 benevolent design; I tender you our Christian salutations; and, in 
 the name of Christ, we hid you God speed. 
 
44 
 
 It is to us an interesting fact, that the first mission to Jerusalem and 
 Palestine should have been established by the American Church. 
 America is the only Christian nation, which has never persecuted 
 the descendants of Israel. It w'as proper, therefore, that she 
 should have the honor of leading the way in their ultimate resto- 
 ration to the land of their fathers. That land is itself associated 
 with all that is dear to our feelings, or animating to our hopes. It 
 is the land concerning which God sware to Abraham, “I will surely 
 give it unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, for an inheritance.” 
 In it the Church of God for fifteen centuries found its only earthly 
 habitation. There are the sepulchres of Abraham and the Patri- 
 archs, of Moses and the Prophets, and of the Apostles and Martyrs of 
 Jesus. There the plan of redeeming mercy was revealed through 
 successive ages by the spirit of prophecy; until in the fulness of 
 time, the Shepherds of Bethlehem, as they watched their flocks 
 by night, heard the heavenly messengers proclaim “Glory to God 
 in the highest; Peace on earth; and Good will to men;” because 
 “a Saviour is born in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord.” 
 There the Son of God lived as our Prophet; died as our Sacrifice; 
 triumphed over death and the grave; appointed the conversion of 
 the world; and went as our Forerunner into heaven. There, too, 
 were educated and commissioned, those Apostles and other Mission- 
 aries to whom we, with the rest of Christendom, are indebted for 
 the Gospel. That land is now also, in a most important sense, the 
 Land of Promise. I know, that for more than seventeen centu- 
 ries, it has been trodden down of the Gentiles. Yet the God of 
 Israel, who brought back his ancient people from Babylon, has 
 given them a sure and unfailing promise, that he will set his hand, 
 “the second time, to assemble the outcasts of Israel, and to gather 
 together the dispersed of Judah, from the four corners of the 
 earth.”* Of the fulfilment of this promise, the Christian Church 
 will not be an uninterested spectator. Not only will she behold 
 the Jews added to the number of her children; but their restora- 
 tion will be to the Gentiles as life from the dead. 
 
 Viewed as a field of Missionary enterprise , Palestine possesses 
 at least equal interest. Of the countries, which compose 
 the empire of Mohammed, it may be regarded as the centre- 
 
 • Is. xi, 11, 12. 
 
4j 
 
 The remotest limits of the Barbary States on the S. W.; 
 those ofTurkey in Europe on the N. \V.; of Asia Minor on the N.; 
 of Tartary and Persia on the E.; and of Arabia and Egypt on the 
 S.; are about equally distant. Strapge that the Land of Promise 
 should have been, for so many centuries, the centre of this impure 
 and sanguinary Imposture. Though the followers ot Mohammed 
 constitute a compact population of 80 millions, all of them acquaint- 
 ed with one common language; yet, if I mistake uot, our own 
 Mission to Palestine was the first Protestant mission ever estab- 
 lished in a Mohammedan country.* I need not ask the Christian, 
 whether this mighty empire is to be broken down; or whether 
 the countries, over which it extends, are to be given to the Prince 
 of Peace. The Christian has a sure word of prophecy; unto 
 which he takes heed, as unto a light shining in a dark place. By 
 that light he discovers, that the days of this empire are number- 
 ed; and that the deliverance of this vast and benighted region 
 dx-aweth nigh. For the fulfilment of this prophecy he does not 
 rely on an arm of flesh. The musket and the cannon may indeed 
 prepare the way, by overturning the various despotisms by which 
 these extensive regions are oppressed. Yet it is only the shield 
 of faith, and the sword of the Spirit wielded by the Christian Mis- 
 sionary, which are mighty through God to the pulling down of 
 the strong holds of Satan. A Protestant Mission, firmly established 
 in Palestine, is therefore an object of no ordinary interest. Placed 
 in the very heart of the Mohammedan empire, it may propel the 
 streams of life to its remotest extremities. 
 
 Within the limits of this empire all the Ancient churches of 
 Christ are to be found, except one; and that is in its immediate 
 vicinity. The Greeks are a population of four millions; the 
 Armenians of two; and the Syrian Christians probably of one 
 more. The Coptic Christians in Egypt are numerous; and the 
 Abyssinians probably exceed three millions. Here then is a 
 Christian population, dispersed over the empire of Mohammed, 
 or in its immediate neighbourhood, of more than ten millions. All 
 of them, as is found by actual experiment, are prepared to receive 
 the Scriptures, and to welcome the Christian Missionary. They 
 know the vernacular language of their respective countries. 
 They are acquainted with the character, habits, and feelings, ot 
 
 The mission at Harass, was w ithin the limits of Russia, 
 
46 
 
 die people, and are inured to the climate, and mode oF life; but 
 they need the truth of the Gospel and the grace of God. Now 
 they are lamps that have not been lighted; and the objects around 
 them are enveloped in darkness. When they are kindled from 
 the fires of Heaven, what a flood of light, will they not shed on 
 the whole Mohammedan world. Jerusalem is their place of 
 pilgrimage; and thither many thousands of them repair, ever}’ 
 year, to celebrate the feasts of their respective churches. A band 
 of faithful missionaries, stationed at Jerusalem, may send the Bible 
 and other religious publications not only through Egypt, the 
 States of Barbary, Abyssinia, Arabia, Persia, Asia Minor, and 
 Turkey in Europe; but, by the help of the Armenians, through 
 the remotest territories of central Asia. 
 
 Within these limits, also, are found not less than one half of 
 the Jews, now existing; all the Samaritans; and all the descend- 
 ants of the Ten Tribes. These interesting remnants of the an- 
 cient Church of Israel will, as they are successively discovered, 
 be within the operations of the same Mission. Such is the mode 
 of travelling in these countries; and so extensively is Jerusalem 
 the common rendezvous of both Jews and Christians; that from it, 
 as a central point, the Missionary can act with a decisive efficacy 
 on all the various tribes in these widely extended regions. Where 
 then, let me ask, can this world furnish a field of missionary labor 
 equally extensive; equally interesting in itself; or one, the first 
 fruits of which will be followed by a harvest equally abundant. 
 
 Permit me also, Brethren, to congratulate you on the Period , 
 when this Mission is established, and when your Missionary is to 
 go forth. I here allude to the widely-extended convulsions of the 
 Mohammedan world, and to the symptoms of decline and speedy 
 overthrow every where visible throughout the empire of the 
 False Prophet. The two eastern pillars of that empire, the king- 
 dom of the Great Mogul and that of Hyder Ali, are dashed to 
 pieces. Persia is rent asunder, and has become two kingdoms. 
 The Persians, as a sect, have long been separated from the more 
 western Mohammedans. An extensive and rapidly increasing apos- 
 tasy from Islam* now exists in the province of Fars, in Persia; 
 and a far more extensive and formidable one, that of the Wa- 
 habees, in Arabia. The sceptre of Turkey, also, is ready to 
 
 The Mohammedan Faith. 
 
47 
 
 drop from the withered arm of the Ottoman Porte, and nothing 
 sustains it, but the jealousies of Europe. 1 am aware, that num- 
 bers who hear me may look on the existing’ troubles in Turkey 
 with dismay, and may regard them as furnishing evidence that 
 this is not the time for Missionary operations within her territories. 
 A single consideration, however, will shew, that a great and effec- 
 tual door is about to be opened in that country, for the introduc- 
 tion of the Gospel. . The barbarities committed on the Greeks 
 have roused the sympathy and the indignation of Christian Europe; 
 and particularly of their brethren of the Greek Religion, in the 
 ' empire of Russia. — If the arms of Russia and Austria, shall be di- 
 rected towards Constantinople; no one can hesitate as to the re- 
 sult. The overthrow of the Turkish empire, and the deliverance 
 of European Turkey, would open not only that*country, but the 
 whole of Western Asia, to every Christian invader. The Mis- 
 sionaries of the Cross might commence their labors in every part 
 of the Mohammedan world; and the Mussulmaun and the Jew 
 would soon listen with surprise to the Gospel of a Crucified 
 Saviour preached in the Mosque and the Synagogue.-If, on the con- 
 trary, peace is now concluded with Turkey; it will be concluded 
 on such stipulations, that the various nations of Christians, inhabit- 
 ing her territories, shall be guaranteed the enjoyment, of their re- 
 ligious rights and privileges. On this supposition, therefore, the 
 Missionary w ill find the way of the Lord prepared , and his paths 
 made straight. 
 
 In the mean time, the present state of things will open the eyes 
 of these various nations to the fact, that their brethren, the 
 Christians of Europe, are deeply interested in their welfare; and 
 will thus prepare them more readily to receive the Gospel at 
 their hands. The sympathy and friendly interposition of the, 
 Europeans, and especially of the Russians, on the one hand; and 
 the gratitude of the Greeks on the other; will serve to unite 
 more closely these great divisions of one common family; and will 
 soon call forth far greater efforts, than have hitherto been made, 
 to procure them not only the Sacred Scriptures but faithful In- 
 structors and Missionaries. Their very sufferings, also, and the 
 many struggles which they have sustained in the cause of free- 
 dom, will raise them to asuperiour character, and inspire them with 
 
48 
 
 feelings which cannot long endure the yoke of slavery. If, then, 
 the present convulsion does not terminate in the immediate libera- 
 tion of Greece; it will prove the speedy precursor of that desir- 
 able event, and of the consequent downfall not only of the Turk- 
 ish power, but of the Religion of Mohammed. The present 
 state of the eastern world, therefore, as well as the sure word of 
 prophecy, leads us to the conclusion that the churches of Greece, 
 Armenia, Syria, and Egypt are soon to be liberated from Moham- 
 medan oppression, and to take their stations among the younger 
 but more flourishing churches of Western Europe and America. 
 What a vast influence, then, may we not exert on these interesting 
 portions of the Christian world, by giving them, at this present 
 moment, the light of the Gospel, and preparing them for that 
 brighter day, which is rapidly approaching. 
 
 Pleasing is the reflection, that the Missionaries, this day ordain- 
 ed, are to carry with them that most powerful of all human en- 
 gines, the press. It is generally known that a few individuals, 
 chiefly inhabitants of our metropolis, have pledged themselves to 
 furnish for five years, an adequate support for a Printing Press, 
 to be established in Western Asia. It will commence its opera- 
 tions in the modern Greek. As the field opens and widens, it will 
 extend its labors to Armenia, Syria and Egypt, and ultimately 
 to Arabia and Turkey. The population of these countries, Jew- 
 ish, Christian and Mohammedan, is rapidly becoming a reading 
 population. Tracts and other religious publications, as well as 
 Bibles, annually distributed to thousands of pilgrims at Jerusalem, 
 and dispersed by them on their return to their respective countries, 
 like the river of the waters of life seen by Ezekiel “will issue out 
 towards the east country, and go down into the desert; and every 
 thing, whither the river cometh, shall live.” 
 
 These interesting events, which many prophets and kings de- 
 sired to witness, and the approach of which no Christian can con- 
 template without thankfulness and praise, will soon be recorded 
 on the page of history. Some of you, Christian Brethren, may not, 
 indeed, live to hear of their accomplishment on earth; yet you 
 will not long have joined the church above, before you learn, that 
 the prayers, which you and they never ceased to offer, are answer- 
 ed; and that, after the lapse of many centuries, Judea and Galilee 
 again witness the victories of the Cross. Will any of you then re- 
 
49 
 
 gret your efforts, or your contributions, in tire best of" causes. 
 Whatever sacrifices you may now make for Christ and the 
 Church; if it be of all your properly, and even of life itself; will it 
 not then appear as nothing. Will not all be repaid a thousand 
 fold, when you behold the light of heaven dawning anew on these 
 benighted regions, and their inhabitants following each other in 
 successive generations to that world, where there is no distinction 
 of Gentile or Jew, but where Christ is All in all. 
 
 And is there a solitary individual in this great assembly, who, 
 if alive when these events shall be accomplished, does not wish 
 to share in the victory and to feel that it is in some degree owing 
 to his efforts, his charities, and his prayers; or who, if previously 
 summoned to the world of spirits, is not desirous to learn, in hea- 
 ven, how the land, where Christ himself unfurled the standard of 
 salvation, is once more recovered to the King of Zior. If this be 
 your wish, my beloved friends, let me persuade you to engage now 
 in the service of Christ. Make his cause your own. Give up your 
 property, your time, your labors, ay the Lord hath need of them. 
 Verily, I say unto you, you shall in no wise lose your reward. 
 
 Permit us then, Brethren, to rejoice with you in the prospect 
 of great and ultimate success, in the interesting field where your 
 Missionary and his brethren are to labor. It will not be surpris- 
 ing if numbers of you, who are this day contributing to this glorious 
 object, shall live to see the day, when the empire of Mohammed 
 shall come to a perpetual end; when the Jews out of all nations, 
 and the Ten tribes of Israel from eastern Persia, shall come to- 
 gether as one nation, and worship the Lord again at Jerusalem, 
 believing in Him of whom Moses and the Prophets did speak, 
 Jesus of Nazareth the Son of David; when the ancient churches 
 of the East, now sunk in the lowest state of ruin, shall rise and 
 shake themselves from the dust, and put on their beautiful gar- 
 ments; when the Law shall again go forth out of Zion, and the 
 word of the Lord from Jerusalem; and when not only Greek, Arme- 
 nian, and Syrian, but Jewish missionaries shall unite with those of 
 Europe and America in proclaiming the Gospel of peace, not 
 merely in the countries now called Mohammedan, but in the re- 
 motest limits of Africa and Asia. 
 
 I need not say, Brethren of these united Churches, that the Mis- 
 sionarv whom vou now send forth, will need vour pravers. He 
 
 7 
 
50 
 
 is soon to embark for Jerusalem, “not knowing what may befal him 
 there.” He is going to a country, the most hostile of any on earth 
 to the Christian religion. While you are safe at home; you 
 know not what enemies he may be called to encounter. Yet 
 the God of Missionaries has said, “Lo I am with you alway even 
 unto the end of the world.” If Paul and Silas and Timothy, at 
 Corinth, could ask for the prayers of the church at Thessalonica; 
 well may he, who is on his way to Jerusalem, say to you , “Breth- 
 ren, Pray for me.” I need not however, on this occasion, intreat 
 your prayers in his behalf. The deep interest which you have 
 manifested in him, and in the Mission in which he and his com- 
 panions are entering, is a full assurance, that you will remember 
 them continually in secret, in the family, and in the prayers of 
 the sanctuary; but especially when you meet, in concert with the 
 whole church on earth, to pray for the prosperity of Zion. I 
 know, my Christian friends, that I may here publicly pledge your 
 faith, that, whenever you go, united or alone, to the Mercy-seat, 
 you will have them in affectionate remembrance. Beloved 
 Brethren, Go on and prosper; may the Lord grant, that your ex- 
 ample may kindle the flame of Christian love throughout the 
 churches of our land, and prompt them to unite in similar associa- 
 tions for the same benevolent purpose! 
 
PALESTINE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 Mr. Temple was received as a missionary in the autumn of 1 820. 
 He had for several years contemplated offering himself for this ser- 
 vice when his theological course at Andover should be completed; 
 and this intention had been known to the Committee. The field of 
 labor, on which his mind had long dwelt with particular interest, was 
 Asia Minor, Palestine, and the neighboring regions; and to this 
 field he w T as assigned, with the expectation that he would enter 
 it, as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made. In the 
 mean time, he was employed as an agent to preach on the subject 
 of missions, and to raise funds for the Board. While performing 
 this agency, in the winter and spring of the present year, he visited 
 all the towns in Plymouth county, and many in the adjoining coun- 
 ties; and was most kindly and cordially received, both by the cler- 
 gy, and the people. 
 
 In consequence of becoming acquainted w ith Mr. Temple, and 
 his intended mission, it was proposed by friends of the missionary 
 cause, that an auxiliary society should be formed, with a view to 
 the support of a missionary in Palestine or its vicinity. A meeting 
 was accordingly held at Weymouth, on the 20th of June, at which 
 the contemplated society was formed. 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 Art. I. This Society shall be called The Palestine Missionary Society. 
 
 Art. II. The specific object of this society shall be to support one Mis- 
 sionary, (who shall be approved by the Society,) in Palestine or its vicinity, 
 under the direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
 Missions. 
 
 Art. III. Should the annual subscriptions and donations of the Society 
 amount to a sum more than sufficient to support one missionary, the surplus 
 shall be appropriated to aid in the education of Jewish children under the 
 direction of the Palestine mission. 
 
 Art. IV. Any gentleman or lady, on subscribing this Constitution, and 
 engaging to pay annually into the treasury, such a sum as he or she shall 
 
b'l 
 
 specify, shall be a member of this society. And any gentleman, on subscrib- 
 ing and paying twenty dollars, and any lady, on subscribing and paying ten 
 dollars , shall be a member of this Society for life. 
 
 Art. V. The officers of this society shall be a President, two Vice Presi- 
 dents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, an Auditor, and one or more directors in 
 each Parish embraced by the Society. 
 
 Art. VI. The officers of this Society shall be chosen annually; the Presi- 
 dent, Vice Presidents, Secretary, and Treasurer, by ballot; the others by 
 nomination. 
 
 Art. VII. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to act both as recording 
 and corresponding Secretary, and to exhibit reports to the Society. 
 
 Art. VIII. It shall be the duty of the directors to solicit and receive 
 subscriptions and donations, and pay the same into the Treasury. 
 
 Art. IX. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to keep an account of 
 monies or other articles received by him, to transmit the same semi-annually 
 to the Treasurer of the American Board, for the purpose specified in Art. II. 
 and to report annually to this Society. And it shall be the duty of the Au- 
 ditor to examine the Treasurer’s accounts, and report on the same to the so- 
 ciety at each annual meeting. 
 
 Art. X. This Society shall meet annually on the third Wednesday in 
 June, at such place as they shall previously appoint, for the purpose of 
 choosing officers, and transacting such business as may come before them. 
 
 Art. XI. The Secretary, by order of the President, may call a special 
 meeting, by notifying one director in each parish, who shall cause the same 
 to be made public therein accordingly. 
 
 Art. XII. Each meeting of the Society shall be opened and closed with 
 prayer by the President, or some one by him designated. 
 
 Art, XIII. At each annual meeting, a sermon shall be delivered, by some 
 one previously appointed by the Society, and a report read by the Secretary, 
 Art. XIV. After the sermon and report, a contribution shall be received 
 in aid of the Society’s funds. 
 
 Art. XV. This Constitution may be altered or amended by the vote of 
 two thirds of the members present at an annual meeting. 
 
 The following gentlemen were then chosen officers of the Society for the 
 
 current year. 
 
 Ei.ipnAi.KT Loud, Esq. President, 
 
 Rev. A. Richmond, i 
 
 Mr. Seth Hunt. \ Vice P r ^ents : 
 
 Rev. Jonas Perkins. Secretary, 
 l)r. Ebenf.zer Alden, Treasurer, and 
 Mr. Sir.AS Paine, jr. Auditor. 
 
 Directors were also chosen in the several towns in the vicinity