at home cannot expect to prosper long. The work of Missions is an Institution of Christ; and can that Church of Christ expect a blessing from him, which long and wickedly neglects one of his positive Institutions? Should we expect a Church could continue to prosper, which should pay no regard to the sabbath or should neglect public worship-or should presume to dispense with, if not to abolish, the Christian Sacraments? And why not? Because of its neglect and abuse of the Institutions of the gospel. And is not that Church, which neglects and discountenances exertions for the spread of the Gospel, chargeable with neglecting and abusing an Institution of the gospel? Christ says to his Churches, and to the whole body of those who bear his name, 66 Go ye and teach all nations. Do all you consistently can do, for the universal spread and triumph of my religion and Kingdom." But here is a Church called by his name, which virtually says, "I will do nothing in this business." And still does this Church expect a blessing from Christ?-Christ walks, my brethren, in the midst of his Churcheshe walks, with a vigilant eye and a powerful handhe walks among them to inspect and govern themhis favor to them is life; and his loving kindness is better than life; but his frown is destruction which nothing can avert-if he sees them faithful in his service and devoted to his institutions and commands, he will bless them and build them up; but if he sees the contrary, he will chastise if not destroy them ;-It is from plain principles such as these we gather the conclusion, that those churches, which neglect and discountenance exertions for the spread of the gospel, cannot expect to prosper long. They stand opposed to a plain Institution of Christ, and Christ must stand opposed to them.

course.

And in this view we may see, I think, why it is, that the Churches of Christendom have experienced so many frowns, and such long and distressing darkness, in ages that are past. They have neglected and abused the institutions of the Saviour; and especially that which has been considered in this disWhile the primitive Churches were faithful in this important work, and labored to spread the knowledge of the truth, they enjoyed constant and evident tokens of the Divine favour. They "walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost, and were greatly multiplied." But when they began to decline from their duty, and, instead of wasting their strength in the service of the. gospel, were disposed to waste it in biting and devouring one another, they forfeited of course the approbation of their Lord, and he began to visit them with the rod of his wrath. And as their declension from duty continued, they became more and more deserted and afflicted, and one candlestick after another was removed out of its place, till their light and comfort were at length succeeded by ages and centuries of most distressing darkness.

3. In view of the principles which have been established we may see why it is, that those portions: of the Christian Church have been the most highly favoured, and have exhibited the brightest evidences of grace, which have been most engaged for the spread of the gospel. Of the truth of the fact here stated, the history of the Church furnishes abundant evidence. From the eighth to the sixteenth century of the Christian era was emphatically "an iron age," and a season of deep spiritual darkness. And it is observable, that nearly all the rays which glimmered upon the gloom of this long and dreadful night

new."

were emitted from those regions where individuals were employed in diffusing the gospel. Accordingly Mr. Milner, in tracing the true Church of Christ through this dreary spiritual wilderness, found himself obliged to leave those places where Christianity had been long established, and to "travel with faithful missionaries into regions of heathenism, and describe the propagation of the gospel in scenes altogether Here, he says, he discovers "one of the brightest prospects of this whole period."*-It is observable also that since the reformation from popery, those portions of christendom have been most signally blessed, which have been most warmly engaged in propagating the gospel of Jesus. Of this we have a striking proof in the churches of the United Brethren. No people have within the last century done so much in proportion to their means as these, for the spread of the gospel; and no people have within that period enjoyed such unequivocal marks of the Divine approbation and love." Those that honour me,” saith God, "I will honour: but they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." Those churches that continue faithful in the service of the gospel, and in their adherence to the commands and Institutions of Christ, he will own, and prosper, and bless; but those that pursue a different course, and prefer the gratifications of self to the injunctions of their Redeemer, cannot reasonably expect the tokens of his love.

4. If the work of Missions is a Divine Institution, then no good reason can be given why it should not be vigorously prosecuted. We know that several considerations intended as reasons have been offered in opposition to this work. It has been said, for instance, "We have heathens enough at home. Let

*See Preface to Milner's Ecc. Hist. Vol. iii.

these be enlightened and converted, before our attention is directed to foreign regions."-But, in the first place, "this assertion can by no means be admitted." Where are the heathen in our towns and villages, "who have never so much as heard of a Bible who know neither what it reveals, nor where they may obtain one"? That there are those among us, who are in a great degree ignorant, careless, stupid, and hardened, is admitted and lamented; but these are not heathens, in the sense in which the word is used, when applied to those who have never heard of a Saviour, and are totally removed. from the influence of the gospel.-And even if they were heathens; what, in the second place, would it avail? Must an institution of the gospel be neglected, and a plain command of Christ be disobeyed, till we have not an ignorant or an unconverted person left? Were there none ignorant and unconverted among the Jews, when it was revealed in vision to the Apostle Peter that "the door of faith was opened to the Gentiles"? Were there none ignorant and unconverted in Antioch, when "the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Paul and Barnabas for the work whereunto I have called them"? Or were there none ignorant and unconverted in all the lesser Asia, when a voice came to Paul in the visions of the night, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us"?

But it will be said again, "The heathen are not in that deplorable condition which the friends of Missions represent. They have their own way of worshipping the gods of their fathers, to which they are sincerely and devoutly attached; and for aught that appears, they may be as happy in this life, and as safe for eternity, as ourselves."-But will those, who endeavour to satisfy themselves and others, by plac

ing the religion of the heathen on an equality with their own-will they consent, for once, to make an exchange? Will you "give them your Bibles, and Pastors, and Sabbaths; and receive their idol gods, and brahmins, and religious rites"? Will you" demolish the temples of Jehovah; and rear up to roll through your streets the car of Juggernaut, besmeared with blood of human sacrifice, and covered with emblems of pollution"? Will you "put out the Sun of righteousness; and bring back the darkness visible"? Will you forsake the fountain opened in the gospel; and "welcome to your hearts a religion which, if sin shall annoy, and the fear of punishment invade, will send you to drink of the waters that lave your shores, and wash in their flood, as your most effectual remedy" ?* If the superstitions of the heathen are good for them, why would they not be good for you? Or if the religion, of the gospel is a blessing to you, why would it not prove a blessing to them ?-But we have a shorter method than this of replying to the objection which has been introduced. That Saviour, to whom we owe and profess allegiance, has commanded us to carry the gospel to the heathen. We cannot therefore doubt, whether the heathen need the gospel, without placing our own fancies above the decisions of the Saviour, and presuming to sit in judgment on the Institutions of his word.

It may be urged again by way of objection, that "Christ can take care of his own Church-he can convert the heathen whenever he pleases, without our assistance or co-operation."-And so indeed he can. "He can raise up Missionaries, and send them forth

*See Dr. Beecher's Sermon at ordination of Mr. Dwight, pp. 48, 49.