Sidor som bilder
PDF
ePub

MADAGASCAR RE-OPENED.

be singularly useful. The object* was deemed sufficiently connected' with the object of the Society thus generally to appear on the minutes; and the Secretary, who suggested it, was accordingly desired to enter it."*

This was the first minute recorded in the books of the Religious Tract Society, which led to the formation of the British and Foreign Bible Society., Its commencement was indeed humble, but its results have been glorious, far beyond the most sanguine expectations of its devoted founders. The ex. penditure of the Society, from its commencement, has been the large sum of 3,855,4861. 4s. 11d.; it has circulated the Scriptures in 148 languages, of which 121 have been entirely new versions; and its issues have reached the vast number of 25,402,309 copies of the Scriptures. If to these be added the circulation of the independent Society in America, and of the Continental Societies which depend upon their own resources, the entire and grand total will amount to no less than 43, 344,132. Who can forbear to exclaim, "What hath God wrought!" The effort has no parallel in the records of the Christian church; and if it be indeed the fact, as the most competent to form an opinion have estimated, that at the commencement of the Society's labours not more than 5,000,000 of copies of the sacred volume were in existence, what gratitude do we owe to the Author of all good, that he has led the Society, formed more immediately for Wales, to embrace the world, and to bring about such a magnificent result ?—

Christian Spectator.

MADAGASCAR RE-OPENED. The vast, populous, and beautiful island of Madagascar has long been an object of intense interest to the Christian mind. It is thirty-five years since missionaries first land ed on its shores, where they were welcomed and encouraged by Radama, one of the most remarkable potentates of his day. The gospel was preached, numerous schools were established, and the printing-press was actively employed, partly at the cost of the Religious Tract Society. In 1828, king Radama died, and with the accession of the present queen all this promising commencement was darkened; at length, in 1835, the edict was issued which repelled both Chris tianity and civilization from Madagascar; the ports were then closed against European ships. The persecuted missionaries were compelled to flee to other regions, the religion of Christ became a crime punishable with slavery and d ath, the congregations were

* That is, the circulation of the Bible throughout

the world.

199

dispersed, and forty or fifty of the converted Malagasses were martyred; five hundred of them escaped to the Mauritius. During the reign of terror, we are told that tens increased to hundreds, so that thousands continued to study the Holy Scriptures, to sanctify the Christian Sabbath, and to meet on the moun. tains and in the caves of Madagascar, uniting in acts of love, obedience, and worship to God and to the Redeemer.

So late as 1851 persecution was renewed, and the sufferings of the native disciples were great. The accounts received of their fortitude, when brought forth to martyrdom, appeal to the most tender feelings of the heart.

The surviving believers have at length their reward: "The only child of the queen and heir to the throne, upon whom the government has now devolved, has learned the faith in which the martyrs died; and the only son of the late persecuting prime minister, the bitterest foe of the converts, has professed himself their friend." With Christianity, civilization returns, and the ports of Madagascar are to be opened to the missionaries, and, at the same time, to the commerce of the world.

The professing Christians are still numerous. At Tanarivo they are said to be five thousand, while others are prepared to listen to the gospel. It is now for those who once laboured and prayed for the conversion of Madagascar to move forward promptly, and avail themselves of the door which is thrown open for their admittance. If there be any hesitancy, the Romish priests will anticipate our movements, and supplant us in our former scenes of usefulness, while the hearts of the simple-minded believers, who have long cried to God, and look for our return, will be discouraged.

The Religious Tract Society is prepared at once to move in co-operation with the London Missionary Society. The new editions in Malagasy, of the Hymn-Book, and "Pilgrim's Progress," translated by the late Rev. J. J. Freeman, will be immediately put to press; and editions of the following works, translated by the Rev. D. Griffiths, will be got ready without delay, and at an early day despatched to instruct, revive, and cheer the minds of the interesting people of this far off isle: "James's Anxious Inquirer;" "Come to Jesus," and "It is I," by the Rev. N. Hall; "The Sinner's Friend." Several tracts will also be reprinted.

Who will help in this good and pressing work? Already two or three friends have kindly stepped forward with donations; but we must appeal for prompt and more extended assistance. The sum required, we trust, will be liberally supplied; not only to defray the charge of the works above stated, but for others which may be called for by future openings in Providence.

THE SOCIETY FOR THE DELIVERANCE OF HINDOO APOSTATES.

[blocks in formation]

"A fortnight since, in this city of Calcutta, many learned friends established a society called, "A Society for the deliverance of Hindoo Apostates." the object of whcih is to reintroduce into society, on the performance of certain ceremonial rites required by the Shastras, those young men who, by the evil counsels and wills of the missionaries, may become Christians.-Samachar Chandrika, 16th August, 1852.

The followers of pure Hindooism abandon. ing their apostate children remain ever after clotbed in mourning for them. Now, however, their sons, who have embraced Chris tianity and discovered its real worthlessness, on perceiving a way to escape, will be anxious to be delivered from it, that is to say, they will thus think, "Having fallen into the net

of the missionaries we have taken refuge in a false creed, but now we will return to the eternal religion of the Hindoo." Now if it can be arranged that such individuals, after purification from the crime of having partaken forbidden meats and drinks can, according to the Shastras, be again recived into Hindoo society, then the envenomed tooth of the missionaries will be broken. For this purpose about one hundred wise and excellent gentle. men, during the last three Sabbaths, at the house of a learned friend at Surtir Bagan, Calcutta, have established the above-named society, and from the determination manifested by its members, we have no doubt something important will result.

The missionaries must now be watchful, or they will be no longer able (successfully) to spread thier deceitful nets. The young Bengalis of their own schools are rending asunder those nets; for Babu Isharchandra Nundee, an accomplished scholar of Dr. Duff's institution, in a recent small work, has completely exposed the snares of the English (missionaries,) and thereby spoiled the beauty which attracted the eyes of some, and broken the charm of the sounds which bewitched the ears of others.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

DEPARTURE OF WESLEYAN MISSIONARIES., -On the 20th of January the Rev. Messrs. Beach and Cox, and Miss Wannop, embarked at Southampton for China; also Mr. Burgess for Madras, Mr. Barber for Jaffna, North Cey. lon, and Miss Holmes and Miss Jackson for South Ceylon. On January 17th, the Rev. David Barley and family, with Messrs. J. Smith, Moses, and Rising, embarked for the West Indies.

PARTICULAR BAPTIST MISSIONS.-We are happy to learn that this society is proposing to send over twenty additional missionaries to India. This will speedily nearly double their strength, and we doubt not will be followed with the divine blessing.

ANNIVERSARIES.

MARKET HARBOROUGH.-The annual missionary sermons were preached on Lord's. day, Jan. 30, by the Rev. J. F. Winks, of Leicester; and on the following evening a very interesting missionary meeting was held, Mr. Bennett in the chair. Speakers,-Mr. Reed, Rev. J. B. Pike, Rev. J. F. Winks, Rev. T. Blackbourne, Rev. Webb, P.B.; and Rev. H. Toller, Indep. Collections and subscriptions, £10, 13s. Ižd.

F.S.S.

Feb. 21, the Rev. W. Underwood, of Derby, preached our annual sermons on behalf of the foreign mission. In the afternoon a juvenile missionary meeting was held; when the Revds. W. Underwood and J. Goodall gave addresses. This department had realized during the year more than £10, our young friends apparently taking a great interest in its success. Last year they agreed to support a native minister. On the Monday following, the public meeting was held-the mayor in the chair. The Revds. W. Underwood, J. G. Pike, W. R. Stevenson, J. A. Baynes, and H. Hunter, addressed it. Total amount collected, nearly £15. B.W.Y.

BARNEY, Norfolk.-Our annual Missionary services were held in this place Nov. 23rd, 1852, when we were visited by Rev. W. Jarrom, who preached in the afternoon, and in the evening gave some deeply interesting information relative to China and its prospects. His address was listened to by a very full chapel with the most intense interest. Addresses were also delivered by Rev. G. Short, (P. B.) and Mr. Humphrey. Collections &c., with the whole proceeds of a public tea, were £7 148.

On the following Thursday evening, No. vember 25th, Mr. Jarrom visited Castleacre, NOTTINGHAM, Stoney St.-On Lord's day, and addressed a good congregation.

[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH.*

BY REV. C. SPRINGTHORPE.
"Ye are the salt of the earth."-Matt. v. 13.

AMID the diversity of human opinion and religious belief characteristic of the civilized world, there has always existed a general concurrence in the sentiment, that the man Christ Jesus was the ablest expounder of moral and spiritual verities that has ever appeared among mankind. Now, as formerly, the opponents, in common with the abettors of christianity, endorse the memorable and eulogistic comment, "Never man spake like this man. Nearly all agree, that for sublimity of thought, beauty of diction, and grandeur of aim, the oral instructions of Christ are incomparable. But the christian makes an advance upon this position, and regards the author of the passage just quoted as the Great Teacher sent from God, his divine instructor, his infallible guide; and in seeking to discover the will of heaven, he considers that his most befitting posture is to sit at the feet of Jesus and hear his words.

Beloved brethren, to this endeared and consecrated spot we now repair. Turning from the heartless and specu

lative theories of men, how cheering to the soul are the sweet and gentle words of Incarnate Love. Seeing the multitudes, his feeling heart yearns with pity and compassion towards them, and dispensing with established forms and current usages, he ascends the adjacent mount, and discourses to the congregated throng in winning and pathetic strains.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the pure in heart," &c. In reflecting on this series of beatitudes, one cannot forbear the exclamation: "O that all the recognized propounders of christianity, ancient and modern, had caught the spirit, and imitated the example of their Master; for that spirit, and that example, clearly demonstrate that Jesus came, not to execrate and denounce, but to enlighten and bless the family of man.

Directing the attention of his numerous auditors, first to those moral dispositions of the soul which constitute the essence of true piety, our

*The substance of the following excellent discourse was delivered at the Midland Conference, at Rothley, March 29th, 1853, and is inserted at the earnest request of several who heard it.-ED.

Lord next proceeded to describe their practical operation, the external developments and uses of the inner, spiritual life, intimating that his words, when properly regarded, were quick and powerful; adapted to rouse the soul to a just contemplation and vigorous prosecution of its high destiny in the universe of God.

Speaking of his immediate disciples, and of all who hereafter should believe on his name, Jesus thus continued, "Ye are the salt of the earth. Ye are the light of the world." To you as a community of holy brethren, is entrusted one great branch of that moral conservative power, by which the sweeping torrent of corruption is to be stemmed, and the Divine purposes accomplished in the world.

The mission of the church on earth is the topic here suggested for our consideration. We propose to discuss the objects and agencies of that mission.

Our first remark is :

That the maintenance and extension of God's rights is a primary object of the church's mission.

As the Creator and moral Governor of the world, Jehovah possesses certain grand prerogatives which form the glory of his character, secure the stability of his throne, and demonstrate the universality of his rule. From his august and majestic abode the High and Lofty One has proclaimed his will, the purport of which is, that man should love the Lord his God, with all his heart, and mind, and soul, and strength; and his neighbour as himself; the Deity thus presenting an exclusive claim to the homage of our heart, and the obedience of our life. It might be supposed that a requirement so obviously just and reasonable, would have met with a cordial response in the creature's breast, and the fact that it did not, necessarily supposes some anterior moral defection. Most assuredly to love the best of all beings is

the dictate of pure, enlightened human consciousness. Now, omitting any reference to the Mosaic account of the fall, does not all history, both sacred and profane, abundantly prove, that there is an innate tendency in our race to forget God, a deepseated aversion to his holy character and law, a repugnance to his sovereign authority and control? Had man's physical potency been equal to his cherished inclinations and degenerate instincts, long ere this, creation would literally have become a blank, and the Deity blotted out of existence. Again and again, a million times over, "the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God." Hostility to the righteous claims of the Holy One, then, forms a radical element in human nature, which, unless subdued, gradually augments in force and modes of manifestation. Hence, a fearful alternative arose in the Divine economy of the world. Either revolt must continue and speedily annihilate rational existence on the earth, or a new conservative agency must be grafted on the original constitution of things. Infinite wisdom and benevolence adopted the latter course. Then it was that the fountains of eternal love and mercy gushed forth in profuse and inexhaustible streams from a parent's swelling bosom, to purify, to reclaim, and to bless his revolted offspring. Among other remedial agencies, a novel organization is created. The shattered temple of humanity is reconstructed. The heart of the child again vibrates in harmony with the suasive yet commanding tones of its heavenly Father. It becomes apparent that thus transformed man, in his individual and associative capacity, shall constitute an important agency, through whom the invisible Supreme will exhibit his perfections, and secure the universal recognition of his claims.

Impartial and multiplied historical references would warrant this conclu

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH ON EARTH.

sion. Was not the preservation of of Divine knowledge among the antediluvians owing to the action of the church then existing? Is it not written that amidst abounding corruption, Enoch, Noah, and others, "walked with God?" Was not the Abrahamic race chosen from the rest of mankind for the same purpose?

Following the true church in all her wanderings throughout this sinstricken and God-dishonouring world, do we not find that wherever located, she is a witness for God, incessantly uttering a stern and indignant protest, both against the absurdites of Polytheism, and the crudities of false philosophy? Facts in abundance might be adduced to prove that indifference or cruelty are the governing associations of the human intellect, when it would by searching find out God, and compare a likeness to him. The sages of the east, and the profound philosophers of the west, never did arrive at the true knowledge of God. "Professing themselve wise, they became fools." "The world by wisdom knew not God." It is therefore evident that one grand object of the church's mission on the earth is to maintain and extend God's rights. In keeping with this exalted purpose, christian communities have despatched the heralds of truth abroad to warn the world of sin, and summon the nations to behold their Saviour and their God. As a branch of this conservative agency, is there not reason to fear that some among us are losing sight of their vocation? "From India's burning plain," the Macedonian voice salutes our ears, "Come over and help us." The bulwarks of the ancient faith are yielding under the melting power of the truth. The great Moloch of the east is retreating before the martial hosts of Zion's King. God is fighting for us; our foes dispersed are fleeing away; but, alas! the soldiers of the cross are passing from the field of conflict to the plains of tri

202

umph. Where are the men upon whom their mantle has fallen ?

Yes, we repeat, where is the man who from the depths of his soul responds: "Here am I, send me ?" May the Lord God of the prophets undertake for us, that as a denomination of christians we may fulfil this part of our mission on the earth.

The promotion of man's interests is a second object of the church's mission. That the claims of God and the well-being of man are one and undivided, is a fundamental axiom in sound christian philosophy. It is therefore contended that the heirs of heaven are the truest benefactors of earth. Each has a mission to his fellow. "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." "Do unto others as ye would they should do unto you." "Do good unto all men." In the name of our holy faith and common sense, we protest against the attitude which modern scepticism has assumed: "Christianity versus Secularism." Had the church been true to her living Head, intent upon effecting the designs of her existence. a discussion like the one recently held in the metropolis of our land, could not have taken place in the nineteenth century. Long ago, the universal sentiment would have settled the controversy raised by popular unbelievers. Our text evidently teaches, that the disciples of Christ embrace that system of truth, and wield that moral power, which alone can civilize, ennoble, and render man happy; showing him "how to make the best of both worlds," and that to work out this reforming process, is a primary object of their mission.

The principle here enunciated] is in harmony with the economy of the universe. Every created thing is sent forth for some special purpose; to do some one or more thing for which it is specially created or endowed. There are countless suns: Jehovah sends them to give light and heat

« FöregåendeFortsätt »