VIII. THE MASSACHUSETTS BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY-Organized September 22, 1814.

As typical of the growing appreciation among the American churches, of the need for a more highly trained ministry, the "Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Society" holds an important place. Its "Address" follows:

"ADDRESS Of the Elders and Messengers of the BOSTON BAPTIST ASSOCIATION, to the Churches they Represent

Dear Brethren,

If we compare the present state of our denomination in this land with the state it was in 50 years since, we shall see great cause of encouragement and thankfulness. We were then oppressed; we have now full liberty to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences. We were then few in number; we have now increased to a multitude. The Lord has, indeed, done great things for us, whereof we have reason to be glad. But while we are surrounded with such tokens of his presence and favour, have we not some reason to blame ourselves for the non-improvement of those means of honouring him with which he has graciously supplied us? Much has indeed been done; but if there is reason to believe we have it in our power to do more, are we not bound to to make the attempt?

For several years past, we have been employed in missionary undertakings. These are highly important; and the success with which they have been crowned will, it is hoped, excite us to a still more vigorous prosecution of them. But is there not another object equally important which has not, as yet, engaged an equal portion of our regard? Is it not a matter of serious regret that a denomination so numerous as ours has made no adequate provision for the education of candidates for the gospel ministry? It will, indeed, be granted that many, without the advantage of an early education, have preached the gospel with much ability and success. Of these some have not only distinguished themselves as ministers of the word of God, but, surmounting the numerous obstacles which lay in their way, have in process of time accumulated considerable treasures of human science; while others, though never remarkable for their literary attainments, have, by their fervent piety, their knowledge of the Bible, and their assiduous attention to the duties of their sacred calling, been instrumental of great good both to the church and to the world. Such men, undoubtedly, deserve a large portion of our love and esteem, their praise is now in all the churches; and in the future world they will "shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars forever and ever." But instances of this kind, it is conceived, form no weighty objection to the utility and importance of an early education. We do not admit such an objection in other cases. Many sinners have been converted to God, who, previous to their experience of that blessed change, had not been permitted to hear the Gospel clearly and faithfully preached: but we do not thence conclude that the clear and faithful preaching of the gospel is of no importance.-The truth is, the Lord is not confined to means; he can work without them; he sometimes does; but when he has put them into our hands, we are bound to employ them for his glory; and if we refuse to do so, we cannot reasonably expect to enjoy his blessing.

In this view, the case before us is a very plain one. That an early acquaintance with some of the liberal arts & sciences. and especially with sacred literature, must be

very beneficial to a gospel minister, by enlarging his mind, facilitating the communica tion of his ideas, and assisting him to maintain the truth against the assaults of acute and learned adversaries, is too evident to be denied. Is it not equally evident that in many cases, the business of procuring these advantages for pious youth whom the Lord has endued with gifts, and called to preach the gospel, devolves on us? And have we not much reason to hope that, should our many prayers be accompanied by suitable exertions of this kind, the Lord of the harvest would graciously hear us and send forth a larger supply of faithful labourers? These are greatly wanted at the present time. Several churches belonging to this body are destitute of pastors. The like deficiency, it is believed, is lamented by many churches belonging to our sister Associations. Besides, were all our churches well supplied, an increase of spiritual labourers would still be needed. In many places where Baptist churches have not been planted, there is, notwithstanding, a great call for Baptist preachers. And could we supply those places with men of piety, and decent literary attainments, we might reasonably anticipate the high satisfaction of witnessing the rapid progress of evangelic truth, and of seeing the cause of our divine Master greatly advanced.

The importance of the object here contemplated will farther appear, if we consider the great embarrassments experienced by many a pious youth whose attention has been directed to the work of the ministry. The honour of God lies near his heart. He loves the souls of men, and longs to be instrumental of their salvation. The ministry of reconciliation appears to him a very glorious work; and could he suppose himself in any suitable degree qualified for it, he would immediately engage in it with all his heart. But he realizes that it is a great and arduous work. He feels himself wholly inadequate to it. What gifts he has are quite uncultivated. He is very ignorant; many private christians know more than he does; and how can he appear before them in the sacred character of a gospel minister? Had he property, he would readily sacrifice the very last cent to procure for himself the advantages of a suitable education. But property he has none. He makes known his situation to his friends. Of these, some attribute his anxiety to pride, and charge him to be more humble before he undertakes to preach the self-abasing doctrine of the cross. Others acknowledge the purity and correctness of his views; but though favoured with a large portion of worldly wealth, it so happens that they have nothing to spare for charitable uses. Others feel for the young man, and would rejoice to help him, but they are so indigent, and so few in number, that their benevolent wishes cannot be gratified. What can he do? To go forward appears presumptuous. To stand still is painful beyond expression. To abandon the idea of preaching, is to wound his conscience and spread an impenetrable cloud over his pros pect of a happy and useful life' --Many, it is believed, have felt this distressing anxiety for months and years. Nor is it at all improbable, that a very considerable number of our own denomination feel it at the present time. And shall we, brethren, sit still and suffer them to waste in unavailing grief, that precious time which ought to be employed in the improvement and cultivation of their minds? ...

In these circumstances, is it not desirable, that a Society be formed, under the superintendence of this Association, to procure money, by subscriptions, collections. or otherwise, in order to supply the deficiency of our Education Fund?”

Text-The Massachusetts Baptist Missionary Magazine, Vol. IV, pp. 118-122.

IX. THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY

The following extracts show the spirit, aim, and program of the promoters of tract distribution:

"An Address to Christians, Recommending the Distribution of Religious Tracts.

Whatever may be said as to past negligence, let it now appear that we are busied in discovering every way of access for divine truth into the human heart; and that we are resolved to employ every means we can think of as conducive to that end.

Among many others, none of which should be neglected, there is one which merits peculiar notice, and which we would earnestly recommend to the serious attention of the disciples of Jesus, as calculated to be of eminent and extensive benefit; namely.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF RELIGIOUS TRACTS

The advantages which may be expected to result from the distribution of Religious Tracts, are indeed so many and so great, that, where duly weighed, it is to be hoped they will have a powerful influence on the mind of every lover of Jesus and of souls. The following will be readily allowed, and carry with them their own recommendation.

It is a method which is likely to do good.

What is a Religious Tract, but a select portion of divine truth, designed and adapted to make the reader wise unto salvation?

It is an easy way of doing good. Every one has not the talent of talking to those he meets with, especially to strangers, on subjects of religion. . . . Here is a method by which it may be done with ease.

It is a cheap way of diffusing the knowledge of religion. The Tracts are in general small. They may be had at a very reasonable rate; and the person who will devote a small sum annually for this purpose, may convey to many hundred people in the course of a year, the knowledge of the way of salvation by a crucified Redeemer. . .

It is not so likely to give offence as some other methods of doing good. When we speak to a neighbor or a stranger on divine things, he is apt to consider us as assuming the place of a master, and setting up for his superior in knowledge and goodness. Pride instantly takes the alarm. But when a little Tract is put into his hand, the teach

er is not the giver of the book; but a third person, an absent lettered sage.

It is more extensive in its use, than any other method of conveying religious knowledge which a private Christian can employ. . . . When it is considered, that a Tract given by a friend, recommends it to an attentive perusal; and when by a stranger, excites curiosity to see what it contains; and that each of these Tracts may be read not only by the person who receives it, but by four or five more who compose his household; and that it may be lent from one family to another, we may form some idea how extensively divine truth is disseminated by this means. . .

But perhaps he may inquire, 'What Tracts are most proper to be given away, and calculated to do most good, that I may procure them.' This is a question of no small importance. . . . The following qualities should be sought for and are united in a good Tract.

Pure Truth. This, flowing from the sacred fountain of the Bible, should run irom beginning to end, uncontaminated with error, undisturbed with human systems; clear as crystal, like the river of life. There should be nothing in it of the shibboleth of

a sect; nothing to recommend one denomination, or to throw odium on another; nothing of the acrimony of contending parties against those that differ from them. . .

It should be plain. Perspicuity here is, next to truth, the first quality of a good Tract...

It should be striking. . . . However good a Tract may be, as to purity of doctrine, and perspicuity of style, if it be not so composed as to interest the reader in a more than ordinary degree, it is in danger of being thrown aside without a perusal. . .

It should be entertaining. . . . A plain didactic essay on a religious subject may be read by a Christian with much pleasure; but the persons for whom these Tracts are chiefly designed, will fall asleep over it.

It should be full of ideas. There are but few instances in which this quality can be dispensed with. It is but a small present, and therefore should be made as valuable as possible. Its value will rise in proportion to the number of precious truths which it contains. . . . For this purpose, truth should be compressed. The motto of every Tract should be, Multum in parvo; and if the foregoing qualities be attended to, there is no danger of compressing too much. . .

That small Religious Tracts possessing these qualities, must be highly valuable, and well suited to the important purpose of conveying divine instruction, will be readily acknowledged, but the difficulty is to find them.

To remove this difficulty, and to provide an abundant supply of such as have been described, that shall be always ready when called for, a SOCIETY is instituted, whose object will be to collect, compose, print, and distribute small Religious Tracts, and to dispose of them to subscribers and purchasers on the lowest terms." Text-Proceedings of the First Ten Years of the American Tract Society, pp. 11-21.

X. THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY

ADDRESS "To the People of the United States, (June, 1816)

Every person of observation has remarked that the times are pregnant with great events. The political world has undergone changes stupendous, unexpected, and calculated to inspire thoughtful men with the most boding anticipations.

That there are in reserve, occurrences of deep, of lasting, and of general interest, appears to be the common sentiment. Such a sentiment has not been excited without a cause, and does not exist without an object. The cause is to be sought in that Providence, which adapts, with wonderful exactitude, means to ends; and the object is too plain to be mistaken by those who carry a sense of religion into their speculations upon the present and the future condition of our afflicted race.

An excitement, as extraordinary as it is powerful, has roused the nations to the importance of spreading the knowledge of the one living and true God, as revealed in his Son, the Mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus. This excitement is the more worthy of notice, as it has been followed by a period of philosophy falsely so called, and has gone in the track of those very schemes which, under the imposing names of reason and liberality, were attempting to seduce mankind from all which can bless the life that is, or shed a cheering radiance on the life that is to come.

We have, indeed, the secondary praise, but still the praise, of treading in the footsteps of those who have set an example without a parallel-an example of the most

unbounded benevolence and beneficence: and it cannot be to us a source of any pain, that it has been set by those who are of one blood with most of ourselves; and has been embodied in a form so noble and so Catholic, as “The British and Foreign Bible Society."

The impulse which that institution, ten thousand times more glorious than all the exploits of the sword, has given to the conscience of Europe, and the slumbering hope of millions in the region and shadow of death, demonstrates to Christians of every country what they cannot do by insulated zeal and what they can do by cooperation.

In the United States we want nothing but concert to perform achievements astonishing to ourselves, dismaying to the adversaries of truth and piety; and most encouraging to every evangelical effort, on the surface of the globe.

No spectacle can be so illustrious in itself, so touching to man, or so grateful to God, as a nation pouring forth its devotion, its talent, and its treasures, for that kingdom of the Savior which is righteousness and peace.

If there be a single measure which can overrule objection, subdue opposition, and command exertion, this is the measure.

Under such impressions, and with such views, fathers, brethren, fellow-citizens, the American Bible Society has been formed. Local feelings, party prejudices, sectarian jealousies, are excluded by its very nature. Its members are leagued in that, and in that alone, which calls up every hallowed, and puts down every unhallowed, principlethe dissemination of the Scriptures in the received versions where they exist, and in the most faithful where they may be required. In such a work, whatever is dignified, kind, venerable, true, has ample scope: while sectarian littleness and rivalries can find no avenue of admission.

The only question is, whether an object of such undisputed magnitude can be best attained by a national Society, or by independent associations in friendly understanding and correspondence.

Without entering into the details of this inquiry, we may be permitted to state, in a few words, our reasons of preference to a national Society supported by local Societies and by individuals throughout our country.

Concentrated action is powerful action. The same powers, when applied by a common direction, will produce results impossible to their divided and partial exercise. A national object unites national feeling and concurrence. Unity of a great system combines energy of effect with economy of means. Accumulated intelligence interests and animates the public mind. And the Catholic efforts of a country, thus harmonzied, give her a place in the moral convention of the world; and enable her to act directly upon the universal plans of happiness which are now pervading the nations.

In the distinct anticipation of such an urgency, one of the main objects of the American Bible Society, is, not merely to provide a sufficiency of well printed and accurate editions of the Scriptures; but also to furnish great districts of the American continent with well Stereotype plates, for their cheap and extensive diffusion throughout regions which are now scantily supplied, at a discouraging expense; and which, nevertheless, open a wide and prepared field for the reception of revealed truth.

Yet, let it not be supposed, that geographical or political limits are to be the limits of the American Bible Society. That designation is means to indicate, not the restriction of their labor, but the source of its emanation. They will embrace, with thankfulness and pleasure, every opportunity of raying out, by means of the Bible,