Christian Missions 2

II. We shall now consider the events which are taking place in our own time, in continuance of the great scheme of the world's spiritual culture. Could I have had it placed at my option, after taking a prophetic view of all ages and all nations, in whatera of the world's history, and in what country I would spend the days of my sojourn below—I would, so far as the annals of time have yet gone, without hesitation have said, "Let me live in England at the commencement of the nineteenth century!"

Where others hear nothing but the portentous sounds—woe, woe, woe—issuing from the temple of the Lord; I catch many a note of joy, resembling a distant echo of the angels' song at the nativity, which makes me say, Blessed are our ears, for they hear what many kings and wise men and prophets desired to hear—but were not permitted. And where others see nothing but vials of wrath, and gathering clouds, and signs of judgment, and specters of mischief, approaching to fill this land and all the earth with misery; I cannot help spotting a heaven brightening every moment with more glowing tints, and a scene below covered with the buds and blossoms of spiritual blessings. And instead of responding with a groan to the raven croak of despondency—I thank God and take courage. Never, so it appears to me, was there so much going on, to give interest and importance to human existence, as in the age and in the country in which we live. The mind of man, so far as his natural faculties are concerned, is going forth in new dignity, his character is expanding itself into more ample magnitude, and Christianity investing itself with new power. Depend upon it, young people, you are living in no ordinary age.

1. Consider what is being done by the professors of Christianity, for extending the knowledge of Christ in the world. The church is awakened from the slumber of ages, and is rousing her energies and collecting her resources for some great work. Many are seeking for the lost mantles of the apostles and reformers. The spirit of primitive Christianity is beginning to be revived; and though it be, at present, with something of the smoke and crackle of a newly-kindled fire, yet we hope the flame will soon burn brighter and purer—I am sure that it will become noiseless in proportion as it becomes intense. Men are no longer disposed to class zeal for the spread of the Gospel among matters of doubtful disputation; nor to be frightened at the spirit of evangelism—as at a mischievous and erratic specter, coming forth from the gloom of superstition, to disturb mankind, and to take peace from earth; but instead, to hail it as the primitive religion come down from heaven, where it had retired for a season, and now revisiting our world as its ministering angel.

Look around, and see what is being done for the eternal interests of man. In our own country, and indeed throughout the United Kingdom, we see the outpouring of the Spirit of God in a very remarkable manner upon the ministers of the Church of England. How greatly have piety and zeal increased in the hearts of its clergy. This circumstance forms, in my apprehension, one of the most remarkable and encouraging signs of the times.

Then consider the various institutions which have been formed by the evangelical denominations for the diffusion of divine truth in the world. It is almost difficult to find any unoccupied ground, or any neglected object. The claims of missions to the heathen have been advocated, not only in private houses, (to which, at one time, the subject was almost exclusively confined,) but in churches and in cathedrals; not only in places set apart for religious worship—but in the senate and the places of public concourse, in the cottages of the poor and the mansions of the rich.

Nor have the humbler ministers of religion alone taken up the cause, for prelates have stood forward, to urge the demands of these truly apostolic associations of Christian zeal and compassion. Not merely have new institutions been raised up—but ancient and venerable societies, on which something of the somnolence and infirmity of years had fallen, awakened by the stir and bustle around them, have renewed their youth as eagles, and, led by mitered heads, have gone forth into the field of labor. Profane scoffers and infidel reviewers, a numerous and a motley crew, with little in common, as Mr. Hall remarks—but a deadly hatred to true religion, who formerly ridiculed the whole scheme as a 'bubble of enthusiasm', needing only to be left to itself to explode, finding their predictions falsified by events, and perceiving the flame of zeal burning brighter and rising higher—begin to look inquisitive and amazed, and to admit that there is something approaching to what is grand in a scheme supported by millions, and having for its object the conversion of the world.

All is activity! This is truly an age of excitement. The church of Christ is really in a state of expectation. All true Christians believe and anticipate the second coming of Christ, though they are by no means agreed as to the nature and circumstances of his advent. Myriads are patiently and diligently laboring to bring on the millennium; others are studying the mystic symbols of the Apocalypse; and under the impulse of perhaps an unauthorised curiosity, are endeavoring to know the times and the seasons which the Father has put in his own power; all are either active or expectant. The very opposite of stagnancy, quiescence, and torpor—is the characteristic of this age. The exertions made have a specific character.

The activity is not loose, incoherent or unmeaning—but it assumes the definite form of zeal for the diffusion of Scriptural knowledge. Except in the case of a few, there is nothing wild, visionary, or unrealistic. It aims at a given end, by means adapted and appointed to accomplish it. The end is the conversion of men's minds, hearts, and lives, from error and wickedness; and the means are the instrumentality of the truth and the power of God. The dissemination of scriptural principles by education and the preaching of the gospel, is the pursuit of the day. Nothing coercive, nothing secular is employed—but only the simple, rational, and scriptural efforts of instruction, persuasion, and conciliation. Such are the features of this extraordinary era.

2. I shall now direct your attention beyond the boundaries of the church, to those subsidiary influences and auxiliary circumstances, which are accumulating around the cause of missions, and which, under the direction and blessing of Providence, will assist in extending the reign of Christ. Contemplate the rapid diffusion of knowledge. Never was there such activity of the human mind as in the present day; it is urged onward in its career of invention and discovery, by a force which surprises itself, and of which none can calculate the extent or effects. It would seem as if knowledge had been accumulating for ages, like the snow upon some Alpine height, and having been lately melted by the approach of a warmer sun, was now flowing down in superabundant streams to the valleys below.

Education, improved in every department, from that which trains the infant's mind to creep, to that which teaches the philosopher to soar—has given an impetus to thought, and created an appetite for knowledge, which the press, with all its millions of productions, can scarcely satisfy. Think of the rapidity with which the mind of man is now bounding onwards. "Although there are thousands of years on the record of the world, our Bacon, who first taught us the true way to investigate nature, lived but the other day. Newton followed him, and illustrated his precepts by the most sublime discoveries that one man ever made. Harvey detected the circulation of the blood only two hundred years ago. Adam Smith, Dr. Black, and James Watt, were friends; and the last, whose steam engines are now changing the relations of empires, is scarcely cold in his grave. Illustrious Britons these, who have left worthy successors treading in their steps."

Think not that the lives, and labors, and discoveries, of such men have no influence upon, or connection with, the cause of the Redeemer, or the extension of religion. There is One reigning in the heavens, who renders all that takes place upon earth, though often in ways unknown to us, subservient to the spiritual interests of mankind. Little does it occur to some infidel philosophers, when they are placing upon their brow the laurel or plume which a grateful and enriched nation has awarded to them—that their researches have been illuminated and guided by that very Savior whom they have ridiculed as an enthusiast, or reviled as an impostor; and that the chief end which Providence contemplates in the triumphs of their genius, is the advancement of that cause which they despise as the wild excess of superstition!

Think upon the system of Colonization which is now so rapidly going on. It seems, to use the words of the author just quoted, as if Great Britain is to become not only the queen—but the mother of nations. "A colony of her children, imbued with her spirit, now occupies a magnificent territory in the New World of Columbus; and although it has been independent yet for only half a century, it already counts more people than Spain, and will soon be second to no nation upon earth. The example of the Anglo-Americans has aided the same western hemisphere to become the cradle of many other gigantic states—all free, and following like steps. In the still more recently discovered continent of Australia, which is larger than Europe, and empty of men, colonization is spreading with a rapidity never before witnessed, and that beautiful and rich portion of the earth will soon be covered with the descendants of free-born and enlightened Englishmen. From thence, still onward, they or their institutions will naturally spread over the vast Archipelago islands of the Pacific Ocean—a track studded with islands of paradise. Such is the extraordinary moment of revolution, or of transit, in which the world at present exists." (Arnot, "Elements of Physics.")

And where, we may ask, has the Creator predestined that this progress shall cease? Thus much, at least, we know, that the earth shall yield her increase, and every portion of it which can be made capable of sustaining human life, shall receive a population over whom the scepter of Christ shall be eventually swayed. Men emigrate not merely to prepare the way for the establishment of commerce—but for the planting of Christian churches and institutions. The world is filling up with human beings who (or those that shall spring from them) shall swell the shout of triumph which the redeemed of the Lord shall roll over the surface of the earth!

Consider the present extent of the British empire, especially in the East. To Britain seems entrusted the high and sacred commission of being not only the benefactress—but the evangelist of the nations; and for this purpose God has given her an empire which extends into the four quarters of the globe, and on which the sun never sets. Our dominion in India extends over nearly a hundred million souls; and reaches from Ceylon in the south to Thibet in the north, from the Persian Gulf in the west to the borders of the Chinese empire in the east. And what can be the design of that Great Being who rules in the heavens and governs the earth, in granting us this prodigious territory, with its teeming population? Was it merely to decorate the crown of our sovereign with the rich gems of oriental colonies? or to furnish our armies with another field of military conflict, on which to gather the laurels of victory? or to enrich our merchants, by causing the commodities of the East to flow into their warehouses? or to raise the flavor of our table luxuries by the spices of burning climates? or that we might import into our country tropical diseases?

No! Providence has ends more worthy of itself and of us, in thus extending our power in a country so remote, and so much opposed to us in all its customs, habits, and religion. India has been conquered by England—that it may be converted by England! It is subjugated by our weapons—that it may be blessed by our religion! Our commerce and conquest have opened for Christianity a way into that vast continent. You senators and statesmen! who would not have us touch the idolatry of the Hindoos, lest we should rouse their prejudices, and alienate their minds, and goad them to rebellion—learn thus your error! Mistaken men! how short-sighted are your counsels, how shallow your policy! you would defeat the very design of Heaven in giving you this vast empire. By the very means you propose to secure it—you would provoke the Almighty to take it from you. Know that our missionaries do more to retain India than your soldiers; and that every new convert we make from idolatry is a new link in the chain which binds Hindostan to Britain. Learn then your interests, and give encouragement, and not opposition, to the cause of missions and the spread of Christianity in your oriental colonies.

As a Christian man and as a Briton—I deplore the progress of our weapons in that quarter of the world; but I have felt relieved and comforted with the hope that every conquered province would become another spot on which to plant the standard of the Cross; and in this light alone I can contemplate with delight the towering fabric of our Eastern power. The Birmese war, viewed thus, is not without its interest and its purpose. It is a fact worthy of remark, that the branch of oriental idolatry which prevails in Birmah, is the worship of Budhu, and this is also the case at Ceylon. Now, as the latter, where Christianity is become remarkably successful, is already in our possession, may we not hope and anticipate that the converted Cingalese will take the easy journey to the conquered provinces of the Birman empire, and that a successful appeal will be made to the millions who still bow down to Budhu, by those who have turned from this dumb idol to worship the living and the true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven?

In following up this train of remark, I may observe that I was much impressed with the following passage in the work of a British officer on the Birmese war—"It is really difficult to perceive where the career of our armies will stop—in the course of a year we have successively stirred up several nations against us, of whose political existence we were scarcely aware; and it does not seem improbable that before many years we shall be invading the Chinese empire—when we were at Prome, we speculated on the subject, and calculated the distance; and the Chinese themselves seem to have taken the alarm."

Many a man has, without knowing it, in such hints as these, foretold approaching events; and who can say that there may not be something of uninspired prediction in this effusion of military ambition? It is not undeserving of attention that the late successes of our troops in the East have been pushing our approaches nearer and nearer to the "Celestial Empire," in one direction, by the passes of the Himalaya Mountains, and in the other by the Birman provinces. Bishop Heber was so struck with this, in his tour through the north of India, that, when in the vicinity of the Himalaya, his exultation as a Christian prelate rose above his contemplations as an enlightened traveler, and amidst the sublime emotions produced by a view of the loftiest pinnacles of the globe, he found still sublimer feelings awakened in his bosom, by his discovering what he thought an easy access, by the passes of those snow-crowned summits, for our Bibles and our Missionaries into the frontier, at least, of the Chinese empire.

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