صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

By the foolishness of preaching it pleases God to effect the salvation of souls. "Go, preach the gospel to every creature; and lo I am with you to the end of the world," was the prime direction and encouragement which influenced the first gospel ministers. Hence the apostle faithfully magnified his office and with the greatest care inculcated the high demands of the pastoral office on all his sucWo is me if I preach not the gospel is the language of every qualified minister for much depends on pastoral exertion: and who is sufficient for these things?

cessors.

:

In every period of the church, God has made, in the course of providence, provisions for the support of his ministers, that they might give themselves wholly to the great duties of their office: For these are his instruments to destroy the pow ers of darkness. What memorable exploits were effected by Samuel and the prophets, by the Apostles and primitive ministers, by those excellent reformers, whose names will survive every vestige of antichristian influence? And what glorious things have been accomplished from the Fifteenth century to the present time by ministers of congenial souls? By instruments of this description the truth has ever been supported, and to the same class of men under the agency of the spirit the church still looks for direction. In allusion to the field of action and danger the ministers of Christ are styled leaders in gospel armour, and no legions ever needed accomplished Generals more than the church in

every period needs her able and experienced teachers and pastors. Though the treasures of grace are committed to earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, yet but little is effected in diffusing the light of the gospel aside from the faithful and well directed exertions of Christ's ministers. They must go from house to house, from tribe to tribe and from one nation to another. Neither perils by sea and land may cool their zeal, nor terminate their progress; but when duty calls or souls invite, they like the famous Vanderkemp must penetrate the howling wilderness and cross the raging ocean from continent to continent for the sake of proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation and spreading the triumphs of the cross. How great the obligations! How arduous the work! How encouraging the prospect; but O how glorious the reward! For Christ will use his faithful ministers in a peculiar manner to convert the Gentiles and restore the Jews. Let ministers then be clothed with humility and confidently put on the whole armour of God, and exert their abilities. For Christ will crush the powers of darkness and enlighten the world with his glory.

Fifthly. The magnitude of objects under consideration compels us all to exert our influence to promote the best interest of literature and useful science. For how can the ignorant, thoughtless, world be reclaimed without light and knowledge? As the morning star precedes the rising sun, so, in

the course of providence, general information precedes the light of the gospel. The night of barbarous ignorance must be dispelled to prepare the way for the Sun of Righteousness to diffuse his cheering and restoring beams. We therefore rank our UNIVERSITY, Colleges and Academies among the choicest blessings conferred on the federal states. These make our intellectual day. The loss of these precious luminaries of science would be like the loss of sun, moon and stars. For we should soon be involved in midnight darkness and ignorance. Let us then give honour to whom honour is due, and most frankly present our tribute of thanks to the patrons of science who have liberally supported her institutions. Let us, also, gratefully account our learned Presidents, Professors and Preceptors worthy of double honour, who faithfully devote their days in cultivating the minds of our sons and directing them into the channel of public usefulness. May these celebrated characters long enjoy the fruit of their labours, by seeing their qualified pupils adorn the first offices of church and state. May these precious fountains of science be salted with grace and bless the union and the world itself with the most delightful streams. May the patrons of literature and religion increase in opulence and improve in liberality; and may the righteous government of the state remain firm like a conspicuous rock in the ocean, which is fixed by the immutable and eternal laws of nature. For, if Colleges and public administrations become corrupt

and vicious, Zion must spread forth her hands and mourn the incumbrance of oppressive measures, false teachers and erroneous guides. But,

Sixthly. While, in the view of our subject, we are led to lament the past inattention of centuries to gospel missions, have we not abundant reason to adore God for the late missionary spirit which has expanded so rapidly, and already obtained such extensive influence? For, excepting the Romans and Moravians, who have zealously supported their missions, the christian world has comparatively for several centuries been asleep. But to the sovereign grace of God be it ascribed, the salvation of heathens is now the object. On both sides the ocean Missionary Societies are established. These charitable institutions among European christians are both multiplied and richly endowed. This new world also begins to emulate the noble example. The lamp of gospel mission is lighted and widely extends its benignant influence. It illuminates many of the long neglected parts of Europe. It also shines on the remote regions of Asia, and even upon that WRETCHED Africa. The newly discovered Islands of the South Sea are favoured with gospel missionaries and some of the distant tribes of this continent have lately been invited to forsake their idols and repair to the banner of salvation.

At these regions far distant from us and each other there are faithful missionaries, who amply compensate their employers by the pleasing ac

counts they transmit of their success among the rude inhabitants. But, our Evangelical Magazines in daily use supercede particulars of this nature.

How lovely and encouraging the prospect! God, angels and christians are engaged in the glorious interest. The issue of this increasing attention we cannot describe. But, as we know it is God's gracious design to enlighten the world, which has long been involved in thick darkness, and as the morning light begins to rise, have we not reason according to the analogy of providence soon to expect the day? Whether the times, time and half a time, of Zion's captivity are nearly terminated, we dare not confidently affirm. But, it is manifest that providence smiles on the missionary object. When Zion travails God will help her. Some great event respecting the church is probably at the door. The numerous wheels of providence, by their manifest concurrence, proclaim the near approach of Zion's God and King. Let us rather wait the event than hazard any conjectures: For the book is yet sealed. But, may we not hope that even the African and South Sea Missionaries will shortly present us the cordial salutations of their respective churches? In the mean time let us pray for the conversion of the heathens, and be ready to give them the right hand of fellowship. But,

Seventhly. We infer the peculiar obligations of this Missionary Society to make the most faithful use of the advantages which present. Though encouraged and even pressed by devout, praying,

« السابقةمتابعة »