The Christian Philanthropist

CONTENTS.

DISSERTATION I.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SCRIPTURES.

Need of the Bible as an inspired book, in view of the deficiency of the

best uninspired writings.—Meaning of inspiration.-Consciousness

of the sacred penmen that they were inspired.-The impossibility of

their writing as they did, if they had not been inspired.-Their

profession that they were inspired.-Evidence of their inspiration

from history-from miracles-from prophecy and its fulfilment-

from the moral precepts of the Bible-from its tendency and effects-

from the propagation of Christianity. Remarks:-the duty of

possessing the Bible-obligations of gratitude in view of the facilities

of the present day for distributing the Bible-and the duty of distri-

buting to all who do not already possess it,

DISSERTATION II.

DISTRIBUTION OF TRACTS.

Usefulness of knowledge to man as a rational and accountable being.-
No knowledge to be compared to that which relates to divine sub-
jects.-The Bible the great store-house of instruction, but the writings
of pious and good men, not inspired, highly important and useful.—
Among these, Tracts hold a conspicuous place.-Their character,
as drawn from the Bible.-Easy to be put into circulation.-Their
use among the heathen, and the testimony of missionaries concerning
them.-Different classes of persons who may employ them.-Their
cheapness favorable to their wide circulation.-Commendation of the
Tract system.-Agency of Tracts in bringing on the Millennium.-
Their influence illustrated in the Dairyman's Daughter and Young
Cottager.-Mention of the London Tract Society and the American
Tract Society at New York.-Anecdote of Antoninus the Roman
Emperor.-Comparison of Boston and New York at the time of
their religious anniversaries to ancient Jerusalem, at the time of the
Jewish festivals; to London and Paris.-Hope and confidence that

such celebrations will be ere long in all the great capital places on

the globe, and the inquiry what we shall do in hastening forward

the day,.

DISSERTATION III.

FOREIGN MISSIONS.

The Saviour's command, "Go ye into all the world and preach the

gospel to every creature."-Question how far it has been complied

with, and what portions of the world are still unevangelized.-State

of the Pagan world, and the immense number yet ignorant of the

gospel.-State of the Mohammedans and Jews, and the Greek and

Latin churches.-Reasons why the command of Christ should be

obeyed-the necessity of the gospel to the well-being of man-the

command of the Saviour-and the certainty that the gospel will one

day pervade all nations.-Cursory glance at what must be done in

order to it.-Story of a lady in Paris.-Reference to Dr. Worcester,

and Mr. Evarts,

DISSERTATION IV.

CONVERSION OF THE JEWS.

Glance at the history and character of the Jews, with their views of the

Bible, showing their moral condition to be little or no better than

that of Mohammedans and Pagans.-Consideration of their number-

dispersion-degradation and oppression.-Their literal restoration

to the land of their fathers-when this will take place-and

their subsequent happy condition. --- Afghans descendants of the

Jews. Opinion of Sir William Jones and Dr. Buchanan.-Drs.

Stiles, and Boudinot's opinion about the Indians. Remarks:-The

exertions at the present day in behalf of the Jews an omen of good-

great encouragement to labor for their conversion-becomes all to

engage in the object,

105

DISSERTATION V.

HOME MISSIONS.

Comparison of the state of depressed and desolate churches with that of

ancient Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah.-The resolution of the

Jews at that time.-Survey of the waste places of Zion in the United

States-New England-South and West.-Reasons why Zion

should be built-benefit of individuals-good of society-promotion

of Christ's kingdom and the glory of God.-Methods by which Zion

should be built-Churches must help themselves-ministers and

pious people must assist-those who have ability must afford gratu-

itous aid-plan of sending missionaries to feeble societies-import-

ance of their being prudent, faithful, zealous men-importance of

prayer for the divine blessing.-General call to all who love Zion or

their country to arise and build,

123

DISSERTATION VI.

SUPPLY OF MINISTERS.

Destitution of Christian instructors great.-The number necessary,

calculating one to a thousand.-Great deficiency, even in New

England, and more especially in the Western and Southern

States. Reference to Dr. Rice and Dr. Miller.-Question how

ministers shall be raised up to supply the demand.-Information

must be given respecting the deficiency-societies established to

educate young men-ministers bring them forward-and prayer

offered for success.-Appeal to Christians in behalf of the American

Education Society.-Good done by ninety-two of its Beneficiaries-

objection answered and an exhortation to immediate and more

Solomon's declaration, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and
when he is old, he will not depart from it."-Scott's remarks on the
passage. Subject of the Dissertation:-the religious education of
children.-Question considered what it is religiously to educate the
young. Should be taught the being and perfections of God, with
the duties they owe to him and to those around them.-Should be
taught their sinfulness, and the way of salvation by Jesus Christ.-
Should be taught also to govern their passions.-Reasons why they
should be thus taught-early impressions are long retained-early
piety is in itself amiable, pleasing to God, and conducive to happi-
ness through life-youth is the best season for cultivating it—it pre-
pares for greater usefulness here and greater happiness hereafter.-
Work devolves on parents and guardians, ministers of the Gospel
and instructors.-Reference to Raikes, Sabbath school teachers, and
the happy effects of the system,

DISSERTATION VIII.

PROMOTION OF TEMPERANCE.

156

Why abstain from the use of ardent spirit ?—The expense attending it—

returns of the Marshals-amount expended in Massachusetts-waste

of property annually in the United States.-The use in any degree

injures the morals and happiness of society-testimony of Judge

Rush, Judge Hale, and the Hon. William Wirt.-Use injures the

body-testimony of Dr. Buchan, Dr. Trotter, Dr. Alden and Dr.

Mussey.-Use in any degree injures the soul-testimony of the Hon.

Samuel M. Hopkins-striking remark of President Fiske.-Ways

of promoting abstinence several-by the interference of legislative

authority-fidelity in Judicial and Executive officers, taverners,

physicians, parents and ministers of the Gospel, professors of religion,

females, persons of all ranks, the press-agents.-President Adams, 173

DISSERTATION IX.

INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE.

No more aggravated sin in a Christian community than slavery.—All

men by nature equal and free-testimony of Scripture-our consti-

tutions of government founded upon the admission-blacks and

whites of common descent-color to be attributed to climate and

circumstances of living.-Slavery unjust, sinful and infamous-nature

of the case-Jefferson-Pitt in the British Parliament.-It is impo-

litic. All lawful and practicable measures should be adopted to put

an end to it-its effects-Montesquieu-Franklin.-Subject exciting

great attention at present-should be a total and immediate cessa-

tion of the slave trade-plans by which the abolition of slavery may

bc gradually effected-what has been done.-Time hastening when

it shall be done away,

197

DISSERTATION X.

RELIGIOUS IMPROVEMENT OF SEAMEN.

Scenes in seafaring life.-Seamen need religion as well as other men-

peculiarly exposed to temptations-trials and hardships.-Efforts

should be made to impart to them the Gospel-without it they must

perish their number and importance entitle them to attention-

their influence on shore-and the circumstance that they are to be

the carriers of the Gospel to the islands of the sea and the ends of the

earth.-Methods which ought to be adopted for their benefit-they

should be furnished with Bibles and other religious books-in every

port there should be good boarding-houses, and a place of worship

for their accommodation-stated prayer-meetings-religious libraries

established and temperance societies organized.-Encouraging pros-

pects-numeration of efforts,

DISSERTATION XI.

REFORMATION OF PRISONERS.

212

Condition of prisoners a prominent object of Christian regard.-Number

of prisoners. Their wretched condition calls for attention.-The

duty of exercising compassion towards them-they are capable of

being reformed-temporal and spiritual condition pleads in their

behalf-scriptures plead for them also.-Particulars in which atten-

tion should be bestowed-construction, ventilation and cleanliness of

prisons, religious instruction.-Notice of imprisonment for debt by

Dr. Channing,
226

DISSERTATION XII.

PROMOTION OF PEACE.

Christ the great Peacemaker, yet war has hitherto prevailed.-Reasons
why it should be abolished-it is the law of violence-is opposed to
the precepts of the Gospel-to the example of Christ-followed with

distressing evil effects.-Means of abolishing it-ministers of the

Gospel should advocate peace-parents and teachers of youth should

inculcate it, and show the horrors of war-publications in favor of

peace and opposed to war should be circulated-and societies formed

to abolish war and establish peace,

DISSERTATION XIII.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.

240

The Saviour's doctrine respecting alms-giving.-Duty of making

charitable contributions taught by the light of nature, and enjoined

throughout the volume of Inspiration.-Question to whom charitable

contributions are to be made considered, and who are to make