Poetry.

THE

METHODIST MAGAZINE.

FOR OCTOBER, 1820.

Divinity.

For the Methodist Magazine.

ON THE NECESSITY AND DUTY Of EvangelIZING THE ABORIGINES OF AMERICA.

A SERMON ON PSALM II. 8.

(Concluded from page 329.)

II. We will now inquire into the means necessary to effect this very desirable object.

1. It has been God's ordinary method from the beginning, to evangelize mankind by a living ministry. "The Gospel," saith St. Paul," is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth." Wherever the Gospel is preached in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, it always produces more or less effect. All other means that are used, are no farther effectual, than they are used in subserviency to the grand purposes of the living ministry of God's holy word.

But, in order to obviate the difficulties which have heretofore originated from the misconduct of some who have gone among these people, men must be selected, not only of approved abil ities as ministers, but of irreproachable character and conduct as Christians-Men in whose hearts dwells that love of God which kindles an ardent desire for the salvation of those to whom they preach. In a word, they must be men of deep and genuine experience in the things of God, as well as able ministers of the New-Testament, burning with love to the souls of men, and evincing in all their conduct, that they are actuated by a pure desire to promote the spiritual and eternal happiness of the souls of the Indians: that are seeking, not for ease, honour, or wealth, but the salvation of their souls.

It is vain to expect to convert these Pagans for the better, by sending among them as ministers of the Gospel, men that are VOL. III.

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only nominal Christians themselves, however eminent they may be for literary attainments, and for science in general. How much soever the mind may be imbued with human science, unless the heart is changed by divine grace, unless born of the Spirit, a man can have no clear perception of the plan of salvation by grace through faith; and of course is not qualified to explain the nature of true religion to others. It is not intended, however, by this observation, to undervalue human learning, nor scientific attainments, as though they were useless to a Christian Missionary. Far be the thought from us. We consider it essential for every minister of the Lord Jesus, if he would succeed in his great work, to "STUDY to shew himself approved of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." But what we mean is, that an external designation to the office by the appointment of man, though the person may possess all the human accomplishments which can be imparted to him, he is nevertheless unqualified to unfold the mysteries of redemption and salvation, unless he have his heart renovated by the Spirit of God, and he be called to the important work of the ministry by the same renewing Spirit.

Without this essential qualification, he is not only unqualified to instruct them in the knowledge of the truth, but he is also unprepared to encounter the difficulties and hardships he will unavoidably meet. A Missionary among the Indians especially, must be actuated from a higher motive than any worldly consideration whatever, or he will faint in his mind, and in despair abandon his work. He must count the cost of temporary privations, of enduring hardships, of encountering difficulties, for the sake of saving souls. And in the midst of these temporary sufferings, if his mind fix no higher than upon earthly objects, if he does not extend his views to futurity as the ultimate reward of his ministerial labours, disappointment will follow in the train of other evils, and he will retire from the field in despair.

In addition to this, should he not be conscious of a call from God for this special work? St. Paul saith, "When it pleased God to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen, immediately I confered not with flesh and blood." From these words, it is manifest that he had a special call to preach Christ among the heathen; and though we do not look now for those extraordinary manifestations which were made known in the Apostolic age, yet every true minister of the Lord Jesus is moved to that work by the Holy Ghost; and if any such minister is called of God to the special work of evangelizing the heathen, will not the Holy Ghost make known to that man his designation to that special work?

Call not this enthusiasm. Enthusiasm lies on the other side of the question. To succeed in a work of this kind, we must move in the order of God. Means, as well as men, of God's own appointment must be used. How, indeed, can a man expect to succeed in an employment so sacred and important, unless he is conscious he moves in obedience to God's will? And how can he be conscious of this unless the will of God be made known to him in some way? How else can this be done but by the Holy Spirit inwardly moving upon the mind, inclining it to this work, producing in the heart an earnest desire for the salvation of those people to whom he is preparing to go? This, together with special indications of Providence pointing out the way, may fully convince a man that he is acting in obedience to the divine will. Going forth under these impressions he will be conscious of the divine presence, will enjoy the approving smiles of God; and knowing his work is with his God, will pursue the path of duty under a confident expectation of success. The light of heaven will illumine his path, and the Holy Spirit be his daily consolation. But for a man to engage in a work of this kind, without a consciousness of the divine approbation, is to engage in his own name, and to trust in his own powers for success; and surely this is the height of enthusiasm.

This then is considered of the utmost importance to all those who would go to preach Christ to the heathen. They must not only be satisfied that they are called to the work of the ministry in general, but of their call to this work in particular. Being satisfied of this, and having voluntarily submitted themselves to the order of God, they will assure themselves of success, inasmuch as they are not doing their own, but the work of God. And if God is about to extend His salvation to these Gentiles, He will move the hearts of His ministers to go, and the hearts of His people to aid with their prayers and money. Men will rise up in the strength and power of the Most High, and "Go forth weeping bearing precious seed, and shall return with joy, bringing their sheaves with them." Instruments thus chosen and qualified of God, acting under the direction of the Master of assemblies, will evince the sincerity of their zeal, by their readiness to endure hardships, to persevere through every opposition which may arise in their way, in order to carry the glad tidings of salvation to those "other sheep" of Christ. Such men will have the approbation and support of God, and certainly they deserve the support and approbation of all Christian men.

It is moreover supposed that it will be according to the ordinary course of Divine Providence, that these people must be taught in their own language. This is infered from the manner in which God has wrought heretofore. When God was

about to send the light of the Gospel more extensively among the several nations of the earth, He qualified his Apostles for this work, by miraculously enduing them with the gift of tongues, so that all "did hear them speak in their own language the wonderful works of God." Such a miraculous interposition of Divine Providence and grace, we grant, was peculiar to that age, and was rendered necessary by the then state of the world; and therefore, we have no reason to expect a repetition of such miracles now: but we believe that those who go among the American Indians, with a view to teach them the knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, will find it essential to acquire a knowledge of their language. This will require time and labour.

The maxim of the wise man, "Train up a child in the way he should go," directs the attention of the Christian Missionary to the youth. Their minds, tender and flexible, are more susceptible of religious instruction, than those who have become confirmed in their superstitions by long habit, and who may feel it their interest to resist all innovations upon their religious systems. Not that we are to despair of success among those who have arrived to a mature age. Recent events, indeed, justify the expectation that very many of these may be brought into the sheep-fold of Christ. While, therefore, the sacred truths of the Gospel are announced to the adult, the youth are to be initiated by degrees into the elementary principles of Christianity, and thereby prepared to become rational and experimental believers at a more advanced period of life. This method, if rightly managed, cannot fail of success. And we rejoice in being able to recognise the hand of Divine Providence, moving the Legislature of these United States to adopt measures for the permanent establishment of schools among the Indian Tribes. This will greatly facilitate the work of the Missionary of the cross in his attempts to evangelize them. By this means, a knowledge of the useful arts, will accompany the introduction of Christian principles and practice. These two branches of knowledge, mutually assisting each other, will grow up together.

But while it is admitted to be the imperious duty of Christian ministers to be on the alert in this work of benevolence to the souls of men, it must be seen, at the same time, that it is a duty equally incumbent upon every private member of the Christian community, to afford all the pecuniary aid in his power. While men rise up in the Spirit of the Most High, and say, "Here am I, send me," the people ought to say, "Here are we, ready to impart to you of our temporal substance for your support."