condition of the People-Insurrection or disturbances in 1832 and INCREASED CLAIM OF MISSIONARY SOCIETIES, Page 417 ESPECIALLY ON THE SYMPATHIES AND BENEVOLENCE OF THE Magnitude of the objects-Past Success-Condition of Africa, St. 448 Tread-wheel Planter and Negro-Driver Mulatto and Black Females of the Upper Classes Its nature-Adaptation to the wants and circumstances of the World— Its designs-Its effects-The future glory of the Church-Particular instrumentality to be employed-Former neglect of the ChurchSubsequent activity-First Missionary Society-Difficulties and Discouragements-Future and increasing Success. CHRISTIANITY is a system of the most pure and exalted philanthropy. The field which it is designed to occupy "is the world," and its object the salvation of the whole human race, without any distinction of country, condition, or character. Revelation looks with the same benign aspect on the sun-burnt negro as on the inhabitant of a more temperate clime-to the bond as to the free-to the savage as to the philosopher; all are alike the offspring of the same common parent, involved in the consequences of the same apostacy, heirs of the same immortal destiny, and alike capable of being restored to the happiness and prerogatives of their exalted nature. "God has made of one blood all the nations of the earth." "Darkness has covered the B 2 FUTURE GLORY OF THE CHURCH. carth, and gross darkness the people." men. And in that great day, when the purposes of God shall have received their full accomplishment, "a multitude which no man man can number, out of every kindred, and nation, and people, and tongue," shall join in the eternal jubilee of the redeemed from amongst "They shall come from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south, and shall sit down with Abraham, and with Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God." But, as there is no other name given under heaven whereby men can be saved, but Jesus Christ, it is evident that the gospel must be universally diffused, and that "all nations" must be "subdued to the obedience of faith." And to this glorious event both promise and prophecy lead our expectations. "I saw," says Daniel, "in the night visions, and behold one like the Son of man came in the clouds of Heaven and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."* Thus there is to be a visible and territorial, if not an actual, subjugation of the whole world to the power and rule of the Redeemer. Thrice happy and glorious period! then the reign of darkness is to end and innocence and peace are to be enthroned. Innocence and peace, those blessed emblems of millennial happiness and glory. So will a new creation arise as * Dan. vii. 13, 14. MEANS TO BE EMPLOYED. 3 from the ruins of the old, when the various ranks of being, no longer separated, shall form one beautiful chain of happy intercourse. "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed, their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."* This representation of the future state of the world, it may be said, is exceedingly delightful, but how is such a mighty revolution to be effected? It is to be effected by the Gospel, accompanied by the Almighty power of the Holy Spirit. "But how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how can they hear without a preacher? and how can they preach except they be sent?" Human instrumentality is necessary in the order of means for the moral renovation of the world. The obligations under which all real Christians are laid should be felt, acknowledged, and, to the best of their ability, discharged; for they come to them not simply as duties, but as commands enforced by the example, and enjoined by the authority, of Christ. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Like the apostles, missionaries in every succeeding age were to be "sent † Mark xvi. 15. Isaiah xi. 6-9. 4 FIRST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. unto the Gentiles to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness unto light, that they might receive forgiveness of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified through faith which is in Christ."* It is deeply to be regretted that it was not until a comparatively recent period that Christians in general seemed aware of their duty towards the heathen world; and thus ages were suffered to pass away, during which it might be said by the eight hundred millions of our race who every thirty years pass into eternity as they cast their eye of distraction up to the frowning judge, "No man cared for my soul." No sooner, however, did the Church awake from her slumbers than she clearly perceived her obligation than she buckled on her armour, and was resolved, in the strength of the Lord, to take possession of the rich inheritance bequeathed to her. Hence, the formation of Missionary, Bible, Scriptural Education, and Sunday School Societies, and others of a similar nature, at once the ornament and glory of our land. Thus began a new era in the history of the Church of Christ. Such, indeed, on the formation of the first Missionary Society (in modern times) was the novelty of its character, so mysterious and powerful the difficulties against which it had to contend, and such the vastness and grandeur of its aim, that an interest was associated with it unparalleled in any age since that of the Apostles. The object contemplated, indeed, was regarded as a mighty and glorious, yet, in some respects, a dubious enterprise, requiring deep reflection *Acts xxvi. 18. |