LETTER 4
Samuel Miller
Concluding remarksAppeals and Exhortation.
Christian Brethren: Having, in former numbers, briefly traced the history of the monthly Concert in Prayer, and endeavoured to show the duty and importance of attending upon it; and having made some suggestions respecting the best method of conducting the exercise, and the obligation to accompany every season of prayer for the conversion of the world with contributions for carrying on the work; it only remains that I close with some serious exhortations to fidelity and perseverance in this important duty.
We are now prepared to reflect on what has been said, and to make the whole matter of serious consideration and of practical appeal.
Is it so, then, that the children of men without the gospel, are in a state of deplorable destitution and misery; deprived of the best and only effectual means of temporal comfort, and without hope for eternity? Is it so, that we are all bound to feel for those who are in this situation, and to pray for them; and that, if we have no heart to do this, we can have no scriptural evidence that we are Christians? Is it so, that it is in the power of the members of the Presbyterian church to send this glorious gospel to millions, both in our own country, and foreign lands, who have it not; and that, notwithstanding this, only a small portion of them have ever made any serious effort to fulfil this important duty? Is it true, that, in a majority of our congregations, ministers, and elders, and deacons, and people, after every exhortation and entreaty to the contrary, are still slumbering over this delinquency; that our prayer meetings for the revival of religion, and the conversion of the world, are thin and cold; and that our Boards of Domestic and Foreign Missions, are left to struggle with all the embarrassments arising from stinted means, and restricted plans of action? And is it also true, that all this has been stated, and again and again proclaimed to the church, in all her length and breadth, without exciting any thing like a general and cordial response, and still leaving a large part of our nominal body to all appearance indifferent and inactive in regard to these high claims, which address themselves so solemnly to every Christian feeling?
That there is a distressing lack of interest in this great subject on the part of multitudes among us who bear the Christian name, can be doubted by none who have eyes to see, and ears to hear. To what are we to ascribe this deplorable delinquency? Not, surely, to the want of importance and of interest in the great object recommended; for it is, beyond all comparison, the most solemnly important, and the most interesting object that can be presented to a thinking mind. There can be none greater; none more adapted to rouse the attention and captivate all the sensibilities of the Christian’s heart. The temporal and eternal welfare of unnumbered millions of menthe extension of the Redeemer’s kingdomand the glory of the eternal Godcan any objects be greater than these, or more worthy of our supreme regard? Neither does our deplorable delinquency in regard to this object arise from ignorance of our duty; for it has been set before us, explained, and pressed upon our consciences with a frequency, a clearness, and a force which leave no individual among us who has been willing to be informed, at a loss to understand what the Lord would have him to do. Nor yet, again, does the lack of zeal and effort on this subject arise from want of power to discharge the duty in question; for we have abundant time, and means, and power, for attending to far inferior objects. Nor yet, once more, can we plead that the discharge of the duty in question is not accompanied with an appropriate and encouraging reward; for, when discharged from proper motives, and with a proper spirit, there is no work in which a rational creature can engage with sweeter enjoyment, and of which the performance as well as the retrospect is productive of richer or more abundant fruits.
To what, then, are we to ascribe the delinquency in question, so disreputable to our character as a church, and so distressing to all who take a cordial interest in the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom? Must we be driven to the mortifying conclusion that the melancholy fact indicates that religion is at a low ebb in our beloved Zion; that the greater part of those who externally belong to our communion, have only a nominal attachment to the great cause which they profess to love; and that the great work of spreading the knowledge of the gospel holds
a place in their affections far below that which relates to the gains and honours of the world? Surely from a state so deplorable and criminal as this, every one who is concerned for his present peace or his eternal welfare, would wish to be roused.
Permit me, then, in the name, and in the fear of the Lord, to reason with those who lay claim, in any sense, or in any degree, to the Christian character, and are yet conscious that they are, in any measure chargeable with this delinquency.
My dear friends, can any thinking person doubt that the situation of those who are without the gospel, whether in heathen lands, or in lands nominally Christian, is a situation truly deplorable, and attended with circumstances in the highest degree unfriendly to their present enjoyment, and still more fatal to their eternal welfare? Can any one doubt that for rational, immortal and accountable creatures to be placed in circumstances in which they can know nothing of the Bible; nothing of the means of grace; nothing of those principles and teachers which lead men to present happiness and to eternal salvation,is, of all situations on this side the abyss of perdition, the most perilous and gloomy?
Can any doubt that the gospel is the greatest, richest, best treasure that can possibly be sent to any portion of our ruined race that is destitute of it? Can any really doubt that it is the duty of the church of Christ, as such, to take effectual measures for sending this gospel, far and wide, in all its purity and power, to those who have it not? And if this be the duty of the church, as a living, active body, does not every member of the church participate in this obligation; and is not every one directly or indirectly connected with the church, under a personal responsibility in regard to this matter; a responsibility weighty and solemn, and from which it is impossible to escape? Let me ask you, then, beloved reader of these linesif you call yourself a Christianhow will you escape from this obligation? Nay, whether you call yourself a Christian or not;whether you bear the relation of formal membership to the church or nothow can you escape from it? If, indeed, you have publicly and formally united yourself with the church, this act adds, no doubt, to your obligation; makes it more strong and tender. But if you have never taken this step, still if you have heard the gospel; if you have the Bible in your hands, you are bound to impart a knowledge of them to others. To whomsoever much is given, of them shall much be required. Let none say, then, we have never made a profession of religion, and therefore, are not under obligation to take an active part in spreading the gospel. You are bound, O reader, whoever you are, to believe and obey the gospel. But, if you fail of performing this duty, this failure does not release you from the obligation to perform another, that is, to send it abroad to others. Every one to whom the gospel comes is bound to believe it; and, believing it, to confess Christ before men. But if he believe not, though he ought not, remaining in unbelief, to profess a lie; yet, surely, his not making a profession of religion, in these circumstances, does not, cannot release him from the obligation to repent and believe. All the weight of responsibility arising from his character as a sinner to whom the offer of mercy comes, still lies upon him. In all our contributions to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, or, in any way, to promote the happiness of our fellowmen, it is our duty to give, from proper motives, and with a proper spirit, from a disinterested principle of love to God, and a sacred regard to the temporal and eternal well-being of those to whom we give. But suppose a man supremely worldly, who knows nothing of holy love either to God or man, to know of a destitute family, hungry and starving at his door, while he has bread enough and to spare; is he not bound to contribute to their relief? If he should, unfeelingly, refuse to afford relief, when it was in his power, should we not consider him as a brute? And if he should plead, as an apology for not doing it, that he was not a Christian, should we not regard him as insane; as one who had entirely lost sight of the real nature of moral obligation?
The obligation, then, of all who bear the Christian name, and of all who even possess the gospel, to do their part for spreading it abroad, being so plain, let me entreat you, beloved reader, to bring this question home, without partiality, and without evasion, to your conscience and your heart, and to ask,Am I faithfully discharging this obligation?am I fulfilling my duty in regard to the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom?am I acting as if I verily believed the gospel to be the most precious of all gifts of God to fallen, lost man; and that there can be no real happiness, temporal or eternal, without it?am I, in a word, habitually acting toward my destitute fellow-creatures as I should wish them, if I were in their situation, to act toward me? Which of us, dear reader, can honestly answer these questions without a consciousness of deep delinquency? And if any of us are compelled, in candour, to reply that we are entirely, or in a great measure, neglecting the duty to which they refer, how can we dare to take the name or the seat of Christians?
I fear there is a large amount of self-deception in the minds of many professing Christians in regard to this subject. If they were asked, Can any one be a disciple of Christ who does not sincerely desire the spread of the gospel, and the enlargement of the Redeemer’s kingdom? they would promptly and decisively answer, No. If they were again asked, whether it is possible either for the church, or for any individuals, to prosecute any extensive plan for evangelizing the world, without a large expenditure of funds, they would with equal promptness and decision reply, No. If further interrogated, how these funds were to be obtained, they would, without hesitation, say, The members of the church ought, doubtless, to furnish them. But if one question more were addressed to themHave you contributed your due proportion of what ought to be furnished for this great object? they would probably respond"Not, perhaps, fully, but we have contributed as much as was convenient, and we trust that the great Head of the church, whose is the power, will provide all that may be necessary for the accomplishment of the object." Is this the spirit of those who would deal honestly with conscience, and with God? Did the Redeemer do no more than was convenient for our salvation? Did the Apostles do nothing more than was convenient for bearing the glad tidings of great joy to the benighted and the perishing? Will those poor, stinted contributions, made without self-denial or a sacrifice, and which you feel, at the time, to be falling below what they ought to be, give any satisfaction in a dying hour, when you come to review your course, and examine the evidences of your sincere discipleship? "O that we were wise, that we understood this, that we would consider our latter end!" [Deut 32:29]
We look back with sorrow and shame on the want of zeal and energy on the part of those who have gone before us, when we recollect that eighteen centuries have passed away, since the full light of gospel knowledge and privilege has dawned upon our world, and yet not more than one quarter part of the population of our globe has ever heard of the glad tidings of redeeming love. Our fathers quieted their consciences with one plea or another, while they were doing so little to send the light of life to those who were sitting in the region and shadow of death. We are quieting our consciences with pleas quite as insufficient for our indolence. But how long will it take to evangelize the world, if the work should go on no faster than we are now conducting it? Alas! at the end of eighteen centuries more, so slow is the present rate of progress, that, if we proceed no faster than we are now doing, and if the earth’s population goes on to increase as we have reason to expect, we shall be found to have gained but little, if any thing, on the wants and miseries of our fallen world.
What Presbyterian is there who loves his church, and who, above all, loves his Saviour, who is not grieved and humbled, when he learns how meagre is the support, and how embarrassed the movements of our Boards of Missions, in sending the gospel to the destitute and the perishing; when he reads in the various channels of public intelligence, that all our missionary stations, abroad and at home, are calling for more labourers, and entreating us to extend our plans, to enlarge our schools, so as to comprehend the hundreds of children who are waiting to be taken into them, but cannot be received for want of more means? Who is not, I say, grieved and humbled, when he finds that the funds placed at the disposal of our laborious and faithful Boards are more likely to be diminished than increased; that these funds are so inadequate, that, instead of enlarging their plans, they are likely to be obliged to contract them; that, instead of sending more labourers, there is danger of their being compelled to call back some who have been sent? O that the friends of Christ would be persuaded to arise as one man, and to say, with a zeal and an emphasis never yet put forth, "These things must not be so! and, God being our helper, these things shall no longer be so!"
Our blessed Saviour long ago said, "The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light." [Luke 16:8] Of the truth of this fact, we have testimonials so numerous and striking, that they cannot escape observation, and ought most deeply to humble us before God. The lovers of worldly gain, of carnal pleasure, and of secular show and honours, are ready to bestow treasures without stint on their favourite objects. Who does not know that millions on millions are freely, nay, eagerly bestowed on intoxicating poisons, which, if devoted to the hallowed work of evangelizing the world, would suffice for sending the gospel to every heathen nation now accessible to the religion of Christ? Who does not every day see the votaries of this world submitting to privations, and making sacrifices for promoting temporal objects, which, if they could be devoted to our missionary Boards, would furnish the most ample means for executing their largest plans? And shall we be compelled to sit down, under the mortifying conclusion that the mass of Christians cannot be excited to pay equal attention, and to take an equal interest in the kingdom of Christ, though they acknowledge it to be of infinitely more importance than all the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them? Remember how busy the enemies of religion are, in circulating their corrupt opinions, their infidel tracts, and all those destructive influences which unbelief and impiety are so zealously engaged in scattering abroad. Remember, too, how active and unwearied the followers of "the man of sin," [2 Thess 2:3] "the son of perdition" are, in spreading abroad their miserable superstitions and idolatries; how they compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when they have gained him, make him tenfold more the child of perdition than themselves. The foreign votaries of the papacy find it easy to collect from a hundred thousand to a quarter of a million of dollars annually, for sending to our country to propagate their unhallowed system of superstition and idolatry among us. And shall those who profess to be animated with the pure love of Christ, have less concern for the spread of the glorious gospel, and the salvation of their fellowmen? Shall those who are blessed with the knowledge of a pure gospel, and who profess to have felt its power, be unwilling to take the same pains, and to make equal sacrifices for sending to the destitute and the perishing, that gospel which is the power of God to salvation to every one that believeth? Alas, alas! what shall we say to the cavillers who exultingly recite these things, and who allege that the system of Romanism is more benign, and more abundantly productive of benevolent fruits than that of Protestants?
Nor ought we, in our meditations on this subject, to forget the noble example of our brethren of the Free Church of Scotland, since their separation from the national establishment, and their assertion of "that liberty wherewith Christ hath made his people free." [Gal 5:1] Though, by the disruption of their secularities, they have given up all their public endowments, and consigned their congregations to poverty, and to a struggle with all those difficulties which poverty brings with it; though, from that thrilling hour, they were compelled to take upon themselves burdens and responsibilities to which they had been altogether unaccustomed; yet they have not only replaced, substantially, national endowments, by the abundance of their spontaneous contributions, but they have also contributed more for missionary objects, during the short time that they have stood alone, than the whole endowed church ever raised before the disruption! How was this? Their affliction gave them a deeper sense of the value of the gospel, and of their obligations to send it, as far as they could, to the oppressed and the miserable. We are accustomed to speak of their achievements with applause; O that we may catch something of their spirit, and learn, like them, as the demands on our Christian liberality rise higher, and become more abundant, to open our hearts with cheerful and ever increasing enlargement!
Dear reader! when you enter into your closet, and ask the blessing of God on your own soul; when you thank him that your lot is cast in a land of Christian light and knowledge; when you pray that your Bible, your Sabbaths, and all the means of grace with which you are favoured, may be blessed to your own spiritual benefit; do you never suffer your mind to turn toward those who are destitute of all these spiritual privileges? And if you ever think of them, in all their darkness and misery, can you divest yourself of the conviction, that you owe them somethingmore than you have ever done for them? And can you ponder this debt in your mind, without rousing from your lethargy, and resolving that, by the grace of God, you will endeavor to do more than you have ever yet done for their benefit? And oh, in that solemn place, and in that tender and solemn season, when you extend your views forward a little; when you think of a dying hour, and of the responsibilities connected with your appearance before the judgment seat of Christ, can you reflect without pain on the millions sitting in the region and shadow of death, for whose temporal and eternal benefit you have contributed far less than for some of the veriest luxuries, which you would have been as healthful and as happy without as with?
Ministers of the gospel! suffer an aged brother, who feels himself to be on the verge of his great account, to speak to you with freedom and affection. I cannot divest myself of the impression that a large part of the delinquency in zeal and effort in this great cause, in many of our churches, may be traced, in some measure at least, to the want of that deep interest, and those corresponding indefatigable labours in behalf of this cause, which ought to characterize their spiritual leaders and guides. I recollect too well, beloved brethren, my own delinquencies as a pastor, to admit of my pleading with you in any other than the most respectful and affectionate language. It is presumed you have made up your minds, that it is not your duty to engage in missionary work, either in the foreign or domestic field. But is there, therefore, nothing incumbent on you in relation to the great missionary cause? I answer, just as much and as solemnly as if you were yourselves labourers in that great field. If you were missionaries, you would be bound to do all in your power to carry the gospel to those who had it not. But, being pastors, or labourers at home, you are bound by equally strong and solemn ties to do all in your power to send the gospel to those who are without it. You complain, perhaps, and express regret that your people are torpid and backward in fulfilling their duty in regard to the cause of missions. But, beloved brethren, is no share of the blame for this delinquency to be laid at your door? Have you done all in your power to enlighten, stimulate, and urge them forward to the discharge of their duty? Have you taken care to inform yourselves of the wants and miseries of the heathen, and of those in our own land, who are destitute of the gospel? Have you carried a deep impression of these wants and miseries with you into the pulpit from Sabbath to Sabbath, and into the family visitation from house to house, and have you laboured faithfully to impart this impression to all who listen to your voice? Are you careful to keep all whom you either statedly or occasionally address, awake and alive, from time to time, to the claims of God upon them, as workers together with him in spreading the gospel? Are your habitual preaching, your public and social prayers, and your daily example a constant memento of their duty, and a powerful stimulus to its performance? If the leaders and guides of the people have not done this, are they free from the guilt of their people’s delinquency? O, if pastors really performed their duty with fidelity and zeal, there would be little need of public agents to go from church to church to remind those pastors of their duty, and in fact, to take it out of their hands, and do it for them. If the great body of our pastors were animated with the spirit of Brainerd, and Whitefield, and Mills, and Evarts, and many more who might be mentioned, would the cause languish and stand still in so many of our churches as it now does? Yet can any one doubt that all our ministers ought to possess this spirit, and that it is to be lamented that they do not? Yes, it is because so many who bear the sacred office appear to take so little interest in the missionary cause, and either forget or neglect to bring it before the minds of their people; and, when they do attempt to speak of it, do it with so little apparent feeling, that they permit the subject, if I may so express it, to die away in the memories and hearts of those committed to their charge.
Elders and Deacons of the church of God! allow me, before I close, to address a word of exhortation and entreaty to you! You are set to be counsellors and helpers of your pastors in attending to the temporal and spiritual wants of the flock. Of course, if your pastors, from feeble health, or failing memories, or depressed spirits, become at any time, delinquent in attending to the claims of the missionary cause, it is your privilege and your duty to interpose and to prevent its being neglected or forgotten, so that you may be every day saying or doing something to impart knowledge, or awaken zeal in regard to this great cause. By doubling your own exertions, and endeavouring, each one, to excite some friend and neighbour to do the same; and by labouring, in all your intercourse with the members of your respective congregations to excite and extend a missionary spirit; by urging every one who can read, to take the missionary publications of our Boards, you may accomplish an amount of aid to the cause which you cannot now anticipate.
Young Christian! This subject ought to be especially interesting to you. You are now setting out in your career of devotion and usefulness. If your course is to be an elevated and noble one, let it be as early as possible in good earnest. Begin at once to feel and act on the principle, that you are not your own; that you and all you have are entirely and forever the Lord’s. Be assured there is nothing worth living for, but to do good, and to promote the enlargement of the Redeemer’s kingdom; and the earlier, and the more sincerely and thoroughly you enter into the spirit of this plan of life, the happier you will be, and the richer blessing to your generation. Oh my dear young friends! if you would only realize the happiness which grows out of being habitually "constrained by the love of Christ," [cf. 2 Cor 5:14] you would turn away from all the grovelling and ignoble pursuits in which a worldly spirit delights, and make his glory your supreme good.
Worldly man! have you nothing to do with this subject? Though you do not profess to love or seek the Redeemer’s kingdom, yet you profess to have a benevolent regard to the happiness of your fellowmen. You would be unwilling to be regarded as supremely selfish, and especially as misanthropic in regard to the great interests of temporal and social happiness. But have you not seen and heard enough to know that sending the gospel to those who have it not, whether at home or abroad, has a tendency essentially to improve their condition in this world, to say nothing of that which is to come? Have you no desire to take part in sending to your fellowmen, that which, if received, will render them more pure, more temperate, more industrious, and more happy; which will strike at the root of all those habits which tend to destroy personal and domestic comfort, and even life itself, and to elevate them at once on the scale of rational and social existence? If you cannot love the gospel, can you not see enough in the history of Christian missions to satisfy you that, in aiding them, you are aiding the great cause of human happiness? and if so, on what ground can you hesitate for a moment?
Finally, let us all endeavour to rouse ourselves to deeper sensibility, and more active zeal on this great subject. Let the language of the evangelical prophet be sounding in our ears wherever we go, and whatever we undertake, "Awake, awake, put on strength, O Zion!" (Isa 52:1.) O that it might please the Lord to raise up another Isaiah; another like him in spirit and in eloquence, to go forth through the length and breadth of the land, proclaiming in the name of the Lord, Awake, awake, put on strength, O Zion! Or rather, O that it might please Isaiah’s God to pour out upon all our churches, and upon all our ministers and elders, a spirit of awakening, and of active zeal for the salvation of souls! What object in the universe, let me ask, can more emphatically or more worthily call on us to put forth all our strength, than that of extending the Redeemer’s empire, and promoting the everlasting benefit of millions of immortal spirits; and for this purpose sending them that glorious gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth? Surely here is an object worthy of every effort, and of every sacrifice that can be made by intelligent and accountable creatures.Again, then, I say, in the language of the Prophet, to every minister, every member, and every well-wisher of our Zion, Awake! Awake! Pray and labour without ceasing, until there shall be a general and united movement of our whole church to carry the glorious gospel to every kindred, and people, and nation, and tongue; until the knowledge and glory of the Lord shall "cover the earth, as the waters fill the sea." [Hab 2:14] Amen!
A MISSIONARY’S APPEAL
The following earnest and pointed appeal, from a missionary in Calcutta, addressed to professing Christians in India, seems to have an appropriate place here. [Editor of the Presbyterian Board of Publication.]
Do you ever attend the Missionary Prayer Meeting?
Dear Friends:Do you ever attend the Monthly Missionary Prayer Meeting? If not, come and see. You are Christians by profession, and doubtless feel interested in the progress of Christianity in the world; at least you should; for angels, who know more of the worth of the soul, and the importance of its salvation, rejoice over every sinner who repents; they feel deeply interested in the salvation of mankind. The Lord Jesus, in whom you profess to rest all your hopes for salvation, feels intensely interested in the salvation of men. He sees of the travail of his soul in it and is satisfied. Who will be there? Were the angels of God on earth in human form, they would be present at the Missionary Prayer Meeting. They would not neglect it either for the purposes of ease, or pleasure, or aggrandizement; no, they would press through all to be there; yea, even as they found their way to the house of Lot in Sodom, so would they find their way to that sanctuary in which is held the assembly for united prayer. If the Lord Jesus were on earth, as he was when he tabernacled amongst men, he would be there, the most interested of all spectators. If it is the spot towards which the Saviour of the world would bend his steps, because there he would find those who are interested in the great work for which he died and rose again; if angels and our blessed Master would be there were they on earth, why should not you go? Why should you, or how can you, stay away? Nay, Christ is there, for he has promised to be in the midst of his people, even with two or three, when they unite together in prayer; and he has further said, that if we agree touching any thing, it shall be given. The Spirit of God is there, waiting to pour out a blessing upon the church and the world, to enlighten, convert and sanctify the whole human family. The Father of mercies, the God of all grace, is there, waiting to be gracious; for for these things he will be inquired of, by the house of Israel, that he may do them for them. The whole hierarchy of heaven watch over it with intense interest. And seeing we are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us be present; let us lay aside every weight, [Heb 12:1] and the sin which doth so easily induce us to remain away, or be negligent of the Missionary Prayer Meeting.
The object of the Missionary Prayer Meeting has a strong claim on you as a Christian. It is to beseech God to pour out his blessing upon mankind, to pray that he would fulfil his gracious and glorious promises to the church and the world, that he would put away sin from the human family, and bring about that period when all the nations of the earth shall be blessed with peace, and joy, and hope. As you look abroad upon the mass of idolators, and Mahommedans, and Romanists, and unconverted nominal Christians; some of them, it may be, domestics, relatives, neighbours with whom you may be on terms of intimacy and friendship; can you, as you look upon such and read such solemn declarations of Holy writ as these"Except ye be born again ye cannot see the kingdom of God" [John 3:3]"No idolator, nor whosoever loveth or maketh a lie, shall have inheritance in the kingdom of God" [cf. Rev 22:15]can you look abroad under such circumstances, and not feel concerned for their salvation; especially when you know that it has been said, by the unerring Teacher, Jesus, "What shall it profit a man, if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" [Mark 8:36] Can you be indifferent under such circumstances; unfeeling in such a position? Can you stay away from the assembly which is engaged in supplication for the coming of Christ’s kingdom and the establishment of peace, and truth, and righteousness on the earth? Ponder and pray over your own state if you can, and fear lest you should come short of the rest promised to the people of God. Fear lest you should not yet have passed from death unto life, lest you have a name to live and be yet dead. "Awake, thou that sleepest, and Christ shall give thee life. Some have not the knowledge of Christ; I speak this to your shame." [1 Cor 15:34]
Yours, etc.,
Pastor.
