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“... as it engaged the first
attention of the Society, has ever since been the sub-
ject of their particular care and solicitude. The ar-
rival of the Royal Admiral, Captain Wilson, in July
last, brought the intelligence, that the nine Mission-
aries, sent out by that vessel, had reached their desti-
nation in good health; and were cordially welcomed,
both by their brethren and the heathen. It appeared
that the outward tranquillity of the former had been
preserved; and although they had not at that time ac-
quired a sufficient acquaintance with the language to
enable them to preach publicly to the natives, yet they
were able-to converse with them occasionally; and in
this way scattered among them the precious seed of
the gospel. The internal state of the Mission con-
tinued also to manifest, in a high degree, their de-
votedness to God, and their affectionate and peaceful
conduct towards each other. They gave an intima-
tion, that a general meeting of the chiefs was expected
shortly to take...”
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2 |
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“...occurs betwixt the
two places, the security of our brethren, as woil as their
estimation with the natives, is likely to be promoted.
This is a circumstance also, which, being connected
with the national interests, is likely on that account to
engage in its behalf the countenance of a government
whose administration bears so favourable an aspect on
measures of public utility, or benevolent enterprize.
Indeed, the Societv has already received unequivocal
proofs of its kind disposition towards this' Mission, in
the free passage which i: has intimated will be given
to those persons who may hereafter be sent out, and of
which the Directors have already availed themselves in
the instance of three Missionaries, who lately sailed
on board the Ocean.
Whether this station may appear of so much im-
portance as to induce the government to adopt any
measures, by which the Missionaries may have the
C advantage...”
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3 |
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“...excited, indeed, the displeasure and opposition of some
professing Christians, who appear to have acted under
the influence of prejudice ; bur, on the other hand, has
been favoured with the divine blessing in so greac
a degree, as to increase considerably the disposition to
attend the public worlhip of God, by which means
that efficacious grace has been communicated, which
has brought salvation to many. The conversion of
the heathen, however, bcino- the more immediate and
direct object of his mission, seems to have engaged his
unwearied activity ; and, communicating to others the
same zeal with which he himself was inspired, the
effect of their united efforts is thus expressed in the
Annual Report of the Society above mentioned, and
in other letters from that colony : “ Our exertions in
this metropolis, have been very abundantly'blessed.
The number of the converted heathens is consider-
able, who manifest the power of the Spirit, not only
in the public worship, but in their intercourse among...”
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4 |
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“...thence to the spot where he has since
exercised his ministry; which is called Waggon-
maker’s Valley.
In the commencement of his labours he met with
opposition from some persons in the vicinity, who, al-
though bearing the name of Christians, were inimical
to the instruction of the uncivilized heathens in the
doctrines of Christ; and these men not only traduced
the Missionary Cause, and misrepresented its object
and tendency, but earnestly entreated the government
at Cape-Town to suppress the mission, and send
away its leader, as a seducer of the people. The Go-
vernor-general Dundas was, however, fo well con-
vinced of the motive which induced this opposition,
and understood so justly the beneficial influence of the
principles of Christianity, in promoting the general in-
terests and tranquillity of the colony, that he wrote
himself to this worthy brother, encouraging him to
remain there, and assuring him of his protection.
Thus supported, he has continued to apply himself,
with commendable...”
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5 |
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“...and we have reason
to hope, that the "blessing of God rests on their minis-
try. One of them is at Zak River, which is about
nineteen days journey from the Cape, where the Mis-
sionary Kicherer is now settled. The preaching of
this mint ter of the gospel seems to have been attend-
ed with considerable effect; but he has been princi-
pallv employed in itinerant labours, so that these ef-
fects cannot be so distinctly st ited. He accompanied
two of the brethren to the Corannas, to establish a
Mission among them, whereof we shall soon speak
more pat ticularlv ; but partly on account of his health,
and partly at the desire of the heathens at Zak River,
whom we had visited once or twice before, he decided,
with the approbation of the brethren, to settle at that
place. It appears that he is there assisted by a young
man of the name of Schols, whose conversion to Govl
is among the fruits of his ministry, and to whom he is
affording fuch appropriate instruction as may qualify
him for future usefulness...”
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“...TO THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 23
tire under a sacred preparation for the gospel dispen-
sation. Already our Missionaries are instructing those
tribes and nations whose memorial has scarcely reached
us, and is hardly to be traced in the records of history.
Till lately, drey have probably not heard of the fame of
Jesus, nor the efficacy of his blood to procure the re-
mission of their sins : others, equally unknown to us,
but who have received some indistinct rumours con-
cerning the object of our Missionaries, have expressed
their desire to have some sent to them; and this we have
the pleasure to say, is likely to be soon gratified; as two
young men from the Berlin Seminary, named Palm
and Ulbricht, who are in connection with our Society,
and who have been long detained in Holland, are
now on the point of departure to that colony, accom-
panied by some other brethren, sent out by the Rot-
terdam Society. Let us connect these in our daily
prayers, with their fellow-labourers, both in Africa...”
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“...Societies have
been formed amongst them ; and great attention paid
to the instruction of the rising generation. They ex-
press their gratitude to God, and to the Society, for
sending the gospel among them : a blessing wdiich
they appear highly to value, and suitably to improve.
The original purpose of the Society, in sending
those two persons to Canada was, that they might ob-
tain such information there of the contiguous heathen,
as might induce them, in the course of a few years, to
undertake a Mission among them ; and thus fulfil the
direct and most prominent object of the institution. Mr.
E Mitchell...”
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“...48
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS
rectors to form a part of a Mission to that island. They
hope that brother Frey also, a descendant from Abra-
ham, and now the heir of his faith, will soon have
the desire of his heart fulfilled, and bear his testimony
to the Jews, that the Messiah is already come, and
that it is in vain to look for another.
It will, however, doubtless, occur to those who take
a suitable interest in the concerns of the Society, that
the accomplishment of these various objects will un-
avoidably occasion a very increased expenditure of its
funds. Indeed, the disbursements of the last year have
greatly exceeded its income, and rendered it necessary
to dispose of some parr of that property, which the
Directors would have been glad to have retained as
the basis of its permanent support. It will be ex-
tremely manifest to those who attentively reflect on
the subject, that, without an adequate and permanent
foundation, the Directors cannot embark in new and
extensive undertakings, however...”
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“...ADVANTAGES OF PATIENCE.
47
Jesus our forerunner, standing ready to welcome us
home, to an eternal participation with him in glory.
Should it now be enquired, What has all this to do
with the business of this day? 1 would reply, Much,
every way. The glorious gospel, whi.h the Mission-
ary Society endeavours to propagate both at home and
abroad, contains a free, full, and persuasive invitation
to all people, where-ever it is published, to seek for
the glory, the honour, and eternal life of which I have
spoken.
This Society, which I have now the happiness to
address, has, like Jesus, been moved with compassion
for the souls of their fellow-sinners. While they have
considered them as sheep without a shepherd, lost on
the distant mountains of ignorance, vice, and wretch-
edness, they have almost wished for the pinions of a
dove, to fly to their relief. This Society is not satis-
fied that all its own members obtain eternal life for
themselves ; the object in view is, that all may come
to the...”
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“...not render ourselves
ridiculous by the adoption of means repugnant to
reason, revelation, and common sense. xWere we to
see a man attempting to split a large flint with a
small feather, or to overturn St. Paul’s Cathedral with
his little finger, we might smile at his simplicity ; we
should not admire the depth of his wisdom, in the
choice of his instruments to effect his purposes. Some-
thing like this would be our case, were we to send
Missionaries wholly incompetent to the object of their
mission. Surely, it would not be wise in ?. prince to
send, on' an embassy of peace, men hostile to his per-
son, family, and government; nor must we send men
to beseech sinners to be reconciled to God. till we
have reason to believe that they are reconciled to him
themselves. It would be folly to send men to win and
watch for the souls of others, who know nothing of the
worth of their own; to illuminate and warm a dark
and cold world, while they have neither light nor heat
in themselves. A man blind...”
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11 |
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“...object, is yours. You are influenced
by the same motives, and echo back the same prin-
ciples.
It is an animating truth, that the same spiritual and
eternal blessings are connected with the conversion
of the heathen, by your instrumentality, as were with
the successful labours of the apostle of the Gentiles.
An heathen brought to believe, through your Mis-
sionaries, is equally a fellow-citizen of Zion, an heir
of God, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ, as those
seals which were set to the Mission of the apostle.
There is no difference for sinners brought to believe,
whether Otaheitan, African, or Hottentot; they are
all one in Christ Jesus with the Barbarian, Scythian,
bond and free, called in the first age of Christianity.
The Gentiles, to whom you have been privileged to
send the gospel of salvation, are, without controversy,
equally the subjects of sacred prediction as those in
former times. A door of faith opened to them,
whether in the Southern Isles, Caffraria, or in whatever
part...”
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“...superior
was he to that spirit which aims to rise by sinking
others, that he would not so much as build upon any
man’s foundation, lest he should seem to assume to
himself the credit due to another. You, brethren, I
know would trample on the idea of a claim to equal
attainments. Yet, to the glory of the grace of God,
it might be asked, What Evangelical Mission has this
Society attempted to throw into the shade ? Who can
rise up and justly charge it with assuming that repu-
tation, which is due to others ? The useful and disin-
terested labours of the Wesleyan connection — the
prudent, steady, and unanimous efibrts of the Baptist
Mission, rich in hope — the noble, persevering, self-
denying, ahd successful exertions of the Moravians,
and every evangelical attempt of the establishment, it
lias-noticed With affectionate respect, and assisted by
fervent prayer. With them, this Society are fellow-.
labourers...”
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“...You see, bre-
thren, your cause is good.
Suffer then the word of exhortation : recollect,
“ it is good to be zealously affected, always in a good
cause.” O seek yourselves to rise high into the en-
joyment of God. The Missionary spirit will then
nerve your souls, while descending into the vale of
years. This sacred, sweet communion, will fire the
bosoms of our dear youth, with animated regard for
those who are perishing for lack ol knowledge. No-
thing produces, promotes, and renders a true Mission-
ary spirit habitual, like living near to God. When
you meet to-deliberate, be prudent, rmted, and ener-
getic. Plan with care, and execute with a spirit wor-
thy your cause. Be not dete: red by the shafts of
ridicule, sarcastic interrogations, or specious objec-
tions. Consider, the best conduct has frequently
been imputed to the worst motives. In patience
then, possess your souls. Be zealously concerned to
obtain instruction from God, and he will not fail to
direct and over-rule : “ Ask, and...”
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“...is
the revealed will of God, that now at last it should be
effectually removed.
This subject presents us with the divine right of
Missions. Since God hath given the command, it is
the duty of his servants to publish it abroad in the
world, leaving it with him to enforce his interposed
authority.
Wehaveherealsoevidence, that thetime forattempt-
ing Missions is come. God now commandeth: this 7/ow
is already eighteen hundred years old ; it is not, there-
fore, prematurely urged upon the heathen. Mission-
ary undertakings are by no means an innovation in
the church of Christ; and the fault of Christians re-
specting this matter, has surely been tardiness, rather
than precipitation. Blessed be God, the season,
though...”
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“...112 IGNORANCE OF THE HEATHEN,
mountain ; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge
of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah xi.
4-—9. We are debtors, therefore, both to the Greeks
and to the Barbarians; both to the wise and to the
unwise.
Lastly,—This subject contains a lesson to Mission-
aries, and indeed to all preachers of the gospel. Like
the apostle Paul, brethren, let us be animated our-
selves, and aim, in preaching, to animate others, not
by worldly, but by spiritual views. Let us cherish
the lively hope of a blessed resurrection ; and ever set
before us the prospect of the appointed approaching
day, in which God “ will judget he world in righteous-
ness by that Man whom he hath ordained.” “ Let us
renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walk-
ing in craftiness, nor handling the word of God de-
ceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth, commend-
ing ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight
of God.” 2 Cor. iv. 2. Let us always remember
that our success...”
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“...ST. PAUL’S MISSION TO THE GENTILES.
A SERMON
PREACHED BEFORE
The Missionary Society,
AT
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, SHADWELL,
On Friday Morning, the \3th of May, 180S.
BY THE REV. J. NEWELL,
VICAR OF GREAT MISSENDEN, AND
rERPSTUAL CURATE OF LEE, DUCKS....”
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“...SERMON IV.
ST. PAUL’S MISSION TO THE GENTILES.
ACTS. XXII. 21.
And he said unto me, Depart :for I will send thee fur hence
unto the Gentiles.
The salvation of the Gentiles was a mystery hid-
den from ages and generations in the divine mind.
But some favoured servants of the Most High, saw,
“ as through a glass darkly,’' the glory that should be
revealed ; therefore they proclaimed—“ The desire of
all nations shall come; and in his name shall the
Gentiles trust.”
The gospel hath brought life and immortality to
light. The Gentiles who receive it by faith, are no
longer “ strangers and foreigners; but fellow-citizens
with the saints, and of the household of God.”
When God designs to work, he can never err in the
choice of the instruments which he employs. He
separated Paul from his mother’s womb, called him
by his grace, and sent him to preach among the
Gentiles “ the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Though
the principal scene of the Apostle’s labour was among
the Gentiles, his heart glowed...”
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“...118 st. Paul’s mission to the gentiles.
intelligence, “ They will not receive thy testimony,”
wounded the apostle’s mind deeply. He reasons and
remonstrates; but Jesus is deaf to his intreaties, and
commands him to “ depart; for 1 will send thee,”
saith he, “ far lienee unto the Gentiles.”
The conversion of the heathen was Paul’s work;
a work in which the Saviour of men is so deeply in-
terested, that he thrusts his Missionary forth from the
assemblies of the saints at Jerusalem, to cultivate the
barren desert. Lift up your hearts, brethren, to God in
prayer, for an outpouring of his Spirit upon us, while
we consider the salvation of the Gentiles as an object
of divine delight, a certain event, an infinite blessing.
I. The salvation of the Gentiles is an object of di-
vine delight. The Father has given the heathen to
Jesus, in the covenant of redemption. “All kings
shall fall down before him ; all nations shall serve
him,”—the divine promise. Is it founded on any
compact, or covenant-engagement...”
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“...ST. pavl’s mission to THE GENTILES. 113
The redemption of the soul is precious. There is
nothing that man can give, that will be esteemed an
adequate satisfaction for the sin of his soul. “ With-
out the shedding of blood, there is no remission.”
But “ Hear, O ye heavens, and be astonished O
earth !”—a divine sacrifice is offered ; the church of
God is purchased with his own blood ! Sinners of all
nations shall enjoy the blessings of redemption, for
“ He gave himself a ransom for all.” We may point
the wretched lost sinner to the bleeding cross ; and say,
“ Behold the Lamb of God, whotaketh away the sins
of the world.” When the Jews beheld Jesus bathed
in tears at the grave of Lazarus, they exclaimed,
“ Behold, how he loved him!” When we by faith see
him with garments rolled in blood in Gethsemane,
or expiring in agonies on Mount Calvary, we may-
well exclaim, “ Behold, how he loved us sinners of
the Gentiles 1”
Another effect of divine love to the Gentiles, is the
commission that Jesus...”
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“...120
ST. PAUL S MISSION- TO THE GENTILES
takes a voyage by sea in an opposite direction. A
storm arises ; the rebellious prophet is thrown over-
board, and preserved by a miracle. He receives a
second commission:—“ Arise, go to Nineveh, and
preach unto it the preaching that 1 bid thee.” The
prophet, ashamed of his former rebellion, and dreading
to provoke his God again, goes forth and delivers his
message faithfully. The remarkable reformation
which followed, shewed that his preaching was not in
vain.
Peter, with the rest of the apostles, heard the Savi-
our’s commission : “ Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature but his labours
were confined to those who were within the pale of
the Jewish church, till a divine vision, accompanied
by a voice from Heaven, convinced him that “ What
God hath cleansed, he ought not to call common or
unclean.”—“ The wrath of man shall praise him 1”
Persecution shall be subservient to his grand designs.
Persecution scattered the church...”
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