SERMON AND CHARGE
DELIVERED
ON OCCASION OF THE DESIGNATION OF THE
FIRS1 MISSIONARIES
TO
The Iflands of the South Sea.
DELIVERED AT
SION -CHAPEL, LONDON:
July 28, 1 ;g0.
On Occafion of the Defignation of
THE FIRST MISSIONARIES
TO THE
IJlands of the South Sea. ■
THE SERMON by HENRY HUNTER, D.D.
Mmifter of the Scots Church, London Wall,
THE CHARGE by EDW. WILLIAMS, D.D.
Minifter at Rotherham, Yorkfhire*
% TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,
A SHORT NARRATIVE
-OF THE ORDER. OF THE SOLEMNITY OF THAT DAY.
Tubhflied at the Requejt of the Directors of the Mijfionary Society.
LONDON :
PRINTED AND SOLD BY T. CHAPMAN, FLEET STREET.
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NARRATIVE
op • ,
THE SOLEMNITY.
THE Directors of the Miffionary Society having determined, that as many as had devoted themfelves to the fervice of the Heathen, ffiould receive a folemn defignation to the Work, they agreed to appoint one Minifter of each denomination for this bleffed fervice, and to exhibit that fpirit of Union, which it hath been their firft defire to culti- vate, and hope to be the happy means of in- creafing.
The Miffionaries are compofed of men al- ready ordained, of others in the habit of ex- pounding and praying in focial worfhip, and the reft men of tried Chriftian fidelity ; all filled with holy zeal to ferve the beft inte- refts of the natives in the South- Sea Iflands,
a ' by
VI
NARRATIVE OF
by introducing the principles of ufeful know- ledge, and true religion among them.
The Directors wifhed to fend them forth
with their Chriftian benediction, commend-
\
ing them to the care and teaching of the great head of the Church, to pour out upon them the abundance of his grace, to qualify them for the work to which they truft, God, the Holy Ghoft, has been pleafed to call them.
In confequence of the refolution taken, Thurfday, the 28th of Auguft, was fixed upon, and the following plan agreed to be purfued by a Committee appointed for that purpofe, and confirmed by the Directors.
The moft fpacious place of worfhip they apprehended would fcarcely contain the num- bers that would affemble on this occafion ; therefore Zion Chapel was preferred, in order to afford to as many as could be admitted,
the
TIIE SOLEMNITY
Vii
the fatisfattion of witneffing a feene fo fin- gular and blefifed.
The place was early crowded ; and after feven or eight thoufand had filled the Chapel to the doors, multitudes were reludtantly obliged to depart difappointed, whilft others crowded the windows without.
The fervice began with ail invocation to the Holy Spirit : “ Come Holy Spirit, hea- venly dove, &c.” and was fung with the moft enlivened devotion. The Rev. Mr. Evre, of Hackney, then read the prayers of the Church with great folemnitv. Three verfes of “ Salvation, O the joyful found, & c.” followed. When the Rev. Mr. Brookfbank prayed before the Sermon in a manner fo heart-felt and affecling, as every hearer wit- neffed. Dr. Hunter then, in his ufual ftrain of eloquence, and, animated by the prefent occaficn, delivered a moft impreffive Dif- courfe on Luke x. i — 20.
a 2
“ O’er
NARRATIVE Of
v lit
4 4 O'er the gloomy hills of darknefs, he. was next fung, and every heart feemed to feel the ’flame of vehement defire for the completion of the great and precious pro- mifes.
r . /
M * . *
The twenty-nine Miflionaries * then land- ing round the Communion Table, the Rev. Dr. Haweis, in a fhort, but pathetic and folemn prayer, addrefled to Jehovah- Jefus, the great Head of his Church and People, commended the Miflionaries and their Work to his almighty care, wifdom, and love : to dire<fl:, fupport, blefs, and give the fiuccefs, w hich he alone can command.
The five Miniflers chofen by the Direftors for this fervice {landing together, (the Rev, Dr. Haweis, of Spa-Fields, the Rev. Mr. Reynolds, of Camomile-Street, the Rev. Mr. Love, of Artillery- Street, the Rev. Mr.
Waugh, of Wells-Street, Oxford-Road, and
. , . . _
* Their names are contained in the fubjoined lift.
the
THE SOLEMNITY.
ix
the Rev. Mr. Wilks, of the Tabernacle) each of them took a Bible from the Com- munion Table, where they had been pre- vioufly placed, and five of the Miffiotiaries approaching the communion rails, kneeled down, when the Minifters, with the Bibles in their hands, advanced, and each in fuccef- fion addrefitd to the perfon kneeling before him the following words : “ Go, our be- “ loved Brother, live agreeably to this bleffed “ Word, (putting the Bible* into his hands) ft and publifh the Gofpel to the Heathen, <c according to your calling, gifts, and abi-
9
“ lities.” To which the Miffionary replied in words to this effect : “ I will, the
“ Lord being my helper.” Five others then knelt down, and the fame ceremo- nial was repeated, till the entire Million received their defignation. The whole was a fcene of fuch impreffive folemnity, as has
4 , K ' i i
* The Bibles were beautifully bound, and the gift of Mr. Bailey, of Hackney, a Member of Mr. Eyre’s congregation, with that Scripture written by him on the Hank leaf. Math, xxviii. 19, 20.
hardly
X
NARRATIVE OF
hardly ever been witneffed ; the Minifters and the Miffionaries feemed alike fo deeply affeCted with the awfulnefs of the Work be- fore them, whilft the Congregation exprefled the fenfations of their fouls in filence, tears, and fecret prayer.
The hymn “ Lord make them faithful,’* was fung with the mod fervent fpirit of prayer by the whole congregation.
The Rev. Dr. Williams, of Rotherham, then, from the pulpit, addreffed the Mif- {ionaries, {landing round the communion rails before him, in a mod able and judicious Charge, refpe&ing their tempers and con- duct, from Gen. xvii. i. which was heard with deep attention.
The Rev. Mr. Walker, one of the fenior Fellows of Trinity College, Dublin, clofed the Solemnity with a mofl fcriptural prayer, and full of animated devotion, fuited to the occafion, finilhing with the ufual benediction,
“ The
THE SOLEMNITY.
XI
“ The peace of God, &c.” The Congrega- tion then rofe, and united in fuch a fong of praife as, perhaps, was never before heard, “ Captain of thine enlifted hoft, &c.”
The whole departed from this folemn fcene full of joy and hope ; thanking God for what they had feen and heard, and crying mightily to him, that he would accomplilh the number of his eletft, and haften his king- dom.
LIST
i
LIST OF THE MISSIONARIES.
• . ) J ' l • ) Jf i f ' ' 1
Rev. Thomas Lewis James Cover John Eyre John Jefferfon Mr. David Bowel 1 John Buchanan Henry Bicknell Benjamin Broom hall James Cooper William Crook John Cock Samuel' Clode John Allan. Gillhan*
William Henry John Harris Samuel Harper Rowland Haftell Peter Hodges Seth Kelfo Edward Main Ifaac Nobbs Nott
Francis Oaks James Puckey William Puckey William Shelley William Smith James Wilkinfon
N. B. Mr. George Veefon was fince added to the above Lift. — Mrs. Cover, with her ton, Mrs. Haftell, with her two children, Mrs. Eyre, Mrs. Henry, and Mrs. Hodges, accompany their hulk bands. — But Mr. Hudden, with his Wife, was put on fhoBC at Portfmouth, her refolution hiding her while on board the veflel.
■%
JESUS CHRIST’S INTRUCTIONS
' * TO THU
SEVENTY DISCIPLES .
LUKE X. 1 tO 11. 16 tO 20.
After thefe things the Lord appointed other Jeventy alfo, and fent them two and two before his face into every city and place whither he himfelf would come. Therefore /aid he unto them, The harvejl truly is great, but the labourers are few : pray ye there- fore the Lord of the harvejl, that he would fend forth labourers into' his harvejl. Go your ways: behold, I fend you forth as lambs among wolves. Citrry neither purfe, nor f crip, nor Jhoes : and falate no man by the way. And into whatfoever houfeye enter, firjl fay. Peace be to this houfe. And if the Jon of peace be there, your peace Jhall ref upon it: if not, it fiall turn to you again. And in the fame
houfe remain , eating and drinking fuch things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from houfe to houfe. And into whatfoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat fuch things as are fet before you ; And heal the fick that are therein ; and fay unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatfoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the f reefs of the fame, and fay. Even the very dujl of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off againf you: notwithfanding , be ye fare of this, that the kingdom of Gcd is come nigh unto you. He that heareth you , heareth me ; and he
14
jEsis Christ’s instructions
that defpifeih you, defpifeth me ; and he that de- fpifeth me, defpifeth him that Jent me. And the Jeventy returned again with joy, faying, Lord, even the devils are Juljeft unto us through thy name. And he faid unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fill. from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power , to tread mi fer gents and for pious, and over all the power of the enemy ; and nothing Jhall by any means hr rt you, Notivithjlanding in this rejoice not, that the fpirits are fulject unto you ; but rather rejoice, beta ufe your names are written in heaven.
*' X)ELOVED, he not ignorant of this one “ that one day is with the Lord as a
thouland years, and a thoufand years as one day. t: The Lord is not flack concerning his promile, as fbmc men count flacknefs.*” In the prefence of Jehovah the meafurements of time and lpace ilirink into nothing. To his eye, not only the.in- conclafive reafonings of men, but the fagacity and penetration of u angels iland chargeable with folly.” With cmphatical lblemnitv he pronounces concern- ing himfelf : “ I am God, and there is none ellc; ** l am God and there is none like me: declaring *• the end from the beginning, and from ancient 4* times the things that are not yet done, faying, “ Mv counfel {hall ltand, and I will do all my plea- *• fuiv'j'. The eighteenth century is haftening to its expiration, fince the primitive miffionary in- iirnctions, which I have now rehcarfed, were iti'ued in perfon by the great King and Head of ihe Chriiliyn Church. More than threefcore times has the revolving globe, fince then, changed its inha- bitants. Mighty empires have crumbled into ruin. \ new world has emerged out of the vaft ocean. Nations then obicure, unknown, have acquired ce- lebrity and importance. Britain was, at that period, si iiat the iflaudsof the Pacific Ocean are now ; it was
f If. xlvi. 9. 10.
* 2 Pet. iii. 8. g.
arifing
TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES.
15
arifing into light, prefenting an object of curiofity to the Geographer, of cupidity to the Merchant, of ambition to the Conqueror. And in the w il'dom and goodnefs of God, the curiofity of the Geo- grapher, the cupidity of the Merchant, the ambi- tion of the Conqueror, became “ the preparation of 41 the Gofpel of Peace,” and “ the wrath of man « praifed God.” And what may not the ifiands of the South-Sea, through the wifdom and goodneli of God, in a few years become !
Empires have been formed, and have fallen ; the name of Pontiff has itvallowed up that of Emperor; new worlds have been difeovered ; the whole Globe 44 groncth and travaileth in pain together” at this eventful hour; the beam of the balance quivers on its axis; but amidfi all the Revolutions which have fucceffively affected the Globe, fince Chriftianity was firll planted in it, certain objects have never- tbelefs unvaryingly preferred their character, and exhibit to this day appearances exactly fimilar. Human nature is the fame perverfe, degraded, de- filed, wretched thing it was. The laws of the molt high God maintain their priftine force and authority. The word of the Lord is “ the fame 44 yefterday, and to day, and for ever;” and the grace that is in Chrilt Jefus overflows in the fame inexhaulted fulnefs. The commilfion of the Lord Jefus to his difciples, to “ preach among the Gen 44 tiles the unfearchable riches” of their divine Mat- ter, prefervesthe fame validity; and the execution of it fhall, through the bl effing of Heaven, be crowned with fimilar fuccefs.
The Angularity, and newnefs, of this day’s fer- vice would have induced me to decline taking any part in it. I have been frequently called upon, in the courfe of my miniltry, to addrefs a Pallor Jolemnly fet apart to the charge of a particular department of the Church of Guilt; and frequently to addrefs a Chriftian congregation in behalf ol the
Paftor
l6 Jesus Christ’s instructions
Pallor fct over them in the Lord. But the people this clay to be admonifhed, are innumerable, un- known myriads of human beings, fcattered over the yet unexplored regions of the Southern hemifphere. How fhall a voice that can fcarcely fill this fmall circle penetrate through the diameter of the folid earth ? and could it be heard lo far, would not the founds which it utters, and the meaning which it conveys, be unintelligible jargon to men of a ffrange fpcech ? Ah, what leas are to be croffed, what promontories to be doubled, how many moons mull wax and wane, how many dif- ficulties and dangers mull be furmounted, before an imprelTion can be made on untutored minds, before a fingle ray of heavenly light can difpel the awful gloom! Our addrefs here, therefores, mu ft be dire&ed to the great Father of all, who has imme- diate accefs to' the ear, to the he^rt, to the con- fcience of each of his intelligent creatures; that it may pleafe him, who has put it into the hearts of his fervants in the Britilh iflands, to extend an arm of mercy towards their brethren perilliing for lack of knowledge, that it may pleafe him to dif- pofe their hearts to receive with gladncfs the mef- fiage of peace and falvation : may it pleafe him to conduCb our little miflionary bark to the defired haven ; let the “ valleys be exalted, and every “ mountain and hill be made low, and the crooked “ be made flraight, and the rough places plain ? “ that the glory of the Lord may be revealed, and “ all flcfh fee it together, as the mouth of the Lord “ hath fpoken it*.”
But though wc can thus with confidence “ caft this burthen upon the Lord,” a delicate and a difficult part of the talk yet remains. I low various are the views, characters and difpolitions of the per- fons who haye fct this million afloat ! How va-
* If xl. 4. 5.
nous
TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES.
17
rbus the views, characters and difpofitions of the pcrfons who compofe it ! What prudence is re- quilite to fpeak a word fuitably, and in fcafon, to each of thele! I fhould even at this late hour fhrink from the office affigned me, were not the * labour to be divided, and were I not furnilheci with an example of conveying inftruCtion which all mud refpeCt, and fupplied with topics of addrefs from the ftores of perfect wifdom, even from Him who made the heart of man, who knows what is in it, and who has all power over it. While I endea- vour, therefore, from the directions given to the feventy by the Lord Jefus himfelf, to lugged ge- neral inftruCtions to all my brethren in the miniftry, though not to the exclimon of our friends of the Million, I joyfully leave it to the Minifter who fliall coinc after me, to addrefs a more particular charge to them, l'uch as the folemnity of the day, and their peculiar circumltances may require.
At the time when our bleffed Lord fent out the Seventy, by two and two, he was preparing to follow them in the laft circuit which he made through Galilee, being within the laft fix months of his abode upon earth. What He addrelfed to them on that memorable occalion, may, with the change of a few circumltances, ferve to admonilh, warn and inltruCt us all, and efpeeially thole whom we are fending out in his name, on a progrefs much more extenlive, but precifely in the fame view. I trult all will liften to them, therefore, with that attention, deference and humility which are due, not to the words of a mere man like themfelves, but of Him who “ fpake as never man fpake.”
1. Chrilt fent out the feventy by pairs, feeming to fay with Jofeph to his brethren, “ Sec that ye “ iall not out by the way.” The little diftrict of Galilee was thus parcelled out into thirty-five fub- divilions, and thereby the labour and danger were diminifhed by being equalized. Befides, each Miflionary was thus provided with a known and
B tried
] 8 jesus Christ's instructions
tried friend, embarked in the fame caufewith lelf, whole con venation would relieve the tedioufnefs of the way, mutual confidence would be infpircd to thedifcharge of their important truft, and credit would be fecured to a mcfiage delivered under the concurring teftimony of two witneffes. If God fhall be gracioufly plcafed to convey our Miffionaries to the place of their deftination, they too muft be under the neceflity of fcparating, and of prolecuting the objedl of their mitfiou in little fub-divifions, perhaps fingly. Lei's than half the number of the fevcnty are to be fcattered over a field, compared to which Galilee, Judea, are but a fpeck. But wherever there arc two, there, we are confident, will be found brothers and friends in the deareft bonds, kindred flames of love to God, to each other, and to the fouls of men. They will relieve the languor of exile from their native land by an in- terchange of kind affections; and as they “walk by the way,” they will realize the prefence of an unfeen, but well-known Redeemer, and “ their “ hearts will burn within them,” as they hold communion with him and with each other, and while “ he openeth to them the Scriptures.” How powerful will be their addrefs to the heathen, when they are found to be living and fpeaking the fame things, and “ loving each other with a pure “ heart fervently !”
The arrangement made by our blefTed Lord adminifters inllrudlion, reproof and encourage- ment to us who arc to remain at home. Coupled together in th'e work of the Chriftian minitlry, we have not always, as we ought, drawn in the yoke kindly together. By pulling in oppofite directions we have wearied and watted each other; too often turned to each other in anger, to tear, and bite, and devour. The common enemy has triumphed in this, the common caufc has futrered, and “ the “ hearts’* of many of God’s people “ have beep “ made fad.” We are, bleflcd be God, beginning
TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES. 1(?
to pet iomewhat more gracioufly aflbrted; the (cowling eye of fufpicion is exchanged for the fmilc of cordiality, and the enemy of the Gol'pel is ltrip- pcd of one of his topics of reproach. To union in miffionary views we. are indebted for this happy and honourable change. May it become more and more vifible every day in heart, converfation, and life !
2. Our blefled Lord fairly and faithfully warned the feventy of the difficulty and danger of the charge which they were undertaking. The labour and difficulty he reprefents under the idea of an am- ple harvelt to be reaped by the hands of a few la- bourers. That man has conceived very abfurdly of the Chriltian minillry who confiders it as a com- fortable and commodious fituation, in which he may live at his eafe, eat and drink, and rife up to play. The harveft field is a lcenc of more than ordinarv exertion, toil and fatigue, even when la- bourers are abundant ; it calls for unremitting appli- cation through the whole day, and frequently through the night ; it demands emulous yet friendly energy. In this hive every drone is a complicated evil, he fets a molt pernicious example, he Hands in the way of the bufy, and he devours the honey which he had not alliltcd in lloring up. But the induftrious labourer is encouraged by the confidera- tion that the eye of the Lord of the harveft is upon him, that his toil is not overlooked, will not be driven to excefs, will not pafs unapproved, unre- warded; that additional fellow-labourers will be fupplied, at his requeft, as the exigencies ;of the harveft may require.
The danger of the enterprize, is reprefented in the charadter here given of human nature: “ be- “ hold I fend you as lambs among wolves," “ Be- “ ware of men." When the foldicrs of this world beat up for recruits, they7 decoy the unwary by a flattering reprelentation of the fervice; they hold
B 2 out
20 jesus Christ’s instructions
out ideas of profit, of advancement, of glory : they keep carefully out of fight all that is difgufting and painful in the profeffion, exhaufting marches, con- tagious diforders, “ garments rolled in blood.’7 Not fo the Captain of our falvation. He faithfully declares the word: of his fervice, from the beginning. “If any man will come after me, let him deny “ himfelf and follow me.*” “ Ye fhall be hated of
“ all men for my name’s fake, men fhall revile you, “ and perfecute you, and fhall fay all manner of “ evil againft you falfely for my fake-f~;” and in the text, “ I fend you as lambs among wolves.” Mor- tifying view of human nature! and alas, it is not the exaggerated account of a difeontented, irritable cynic, inflamed with hatred agafnft mankind, but a true reprefentation of the cafe from one who knew it well, and who bitterly deplored that depravity which he was conflrained to expofe. Man a wolf toman! to his brother, his benefadlor! Man a vidlim to the fury of him whom he fought to fave ! “Beware "of” — what? the roaring lion, the ra- vening wolf, the “ bear bereaVed of her whelps, the adder in the path, the fiery flying ferpent ?” no, beware of men \ you are in greatell danger where you are difpofed to deem yourfelves mod fecure; reckon not on the ties of humanity, of confangui- nity, ofjullice, of gratitude; the innocence of the lamb, the harmlefsnefs ofthe dove are no defence.
No fmajl degree of fagaeity has been employed in feledling the fpot and the people on which our firft iinpreflion is to be attempted. A genial cli- mate and gentle manners have greatly contributed to determine the choice. But, O ye Miflionaries, trull not to either. Remember the words of the Lord Jcfus, “ Beware, of men.” Arc there no dangers, think ye, but thol’c which arife from boiltcrous elements, and ferocious fpirits ? are there
* Mat. xvi. 24. f Mat. v. tr.
no
TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES.
1\
nojdangers lurking under clement fkies, and fra- grant bowers, and alluring •miles, and a courteous demeanour. “ Beware of 11100.’'’ “ Watch and
pray that ye enter not into temptation.”
3. Our Lord cautions his Miffionaries againft an over curious and minute regard to accommoda- tion, preparatory to their entering on their million, and while employed in executing the butinefs of it : becaufe he would inculcate on them an unbounded confidence in the care of Providence, and perfect , contentment with fuch provifion as the hofpitality of thofe whom they vilited might, ffom time to time, fupply. They arc enjoined to dilregard fome particulars which niott men would deem ef- fentially neceffary to a journey: “ carry neither “ purfe, nor ferip, nor fhocs.” An anxious foli- citude about conveniences, much more about fantaliical gratification and indulgence, betrays a mind unfubdued to the authority, and unin- fluenced by the example of the Lord Jefus, betrays the fickly appetite of a fpoilt child, which mull be tempted and pampered with delicacies, not the manly lpirit of the intrepid youth who cares not how hard he lies, and how coarfely he fares, pro- vided he gets forward. He who expects between the decks of a fmall vcflel, on a long voyage, all the cafe and comfort of an enlarged, unreftrained lituation, had much better continue on fihore. He who dreams of ca&rying with him to Otaheite, or of finding there, all the luxuries of London, has not a particle of the miffionary fpirit within him, let him remain where he is. He who affcdls pre- eminence and diitindtion, he who is not pre-dif- pofed to order and fubmifficn, he who is not dif- poled to be, and to do, any thing, every thing which may tend to promote the objedl cf his mil- lion ; he who is not determined by grace to facri- fice pundlili'Q, humour, intereft, even his reafon- able claims, nay reputation, health, life, for the
cauls
22 jesus Christ’s instructions
caufe in which he is embarked, is not for our purpofe, “ let him return and depart.” “ Na- “ ture,” fays the proverb, “ is fatisfied with little,” and grace with lcfs, and grace in a Mifftonary fhould not be of the ordinary caft. To what a height of it was the firit and great Apoftle of the Gentiles exalted, when it enabled him to fay, cc I “ have learned in whatever Hate I am, therewith (e to be content. I know both how to be abafed, “ and I know how to abound ; every where and “ in all things I am inltructed, both to be full “ and to be hungry, both to abound and to fuf- “ fer need What a tbame then is it for a mo- darn apoftle, for a difciple of the felf-denying Je- fus to ramble “ from houfe to houfe,” in queft of a fuller table or of a fofter bed, and peevifhly to complain, if his temper is not ftudied, and his pa- late gratified, in every particular?
4. Our Lord recommends to the difciples, un- divided, undeviating attention to what was fpe- cially committed to them. This is plainly implied in the injunction, “ Salute no man by the way.” And this is by no means an encouragement to pradtife rudenefs and incivility, for the Gofpel in- culcates not only the weightier matters, fueh as “ are true, venerable, juft, pure but thofe alfo which cc are lovely and of good report,” and ordains that “ all things be done decently.” But the falu- tations of the eaft were, and are, formal, tedious, ce- remonious, and cuftom fandlioned them fo far as to lufpimd and interrupt the moft ferious and neccf- fary bufinefs. It became needful, therefore, on urgent occafions, to difpenfe with the cuftomary laws of decorum. To this purpofe was the in- ftruelion given by the Prophet to hisfervant, when the fon of the Shunnamite was to be raifed to life again : “ Gird up thy loins, and take my flaff in
* Thil iv. ii, 12.
“ thine
TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES. 23
“ thine hand, and go thy way : if thou meet any man falute him not; and if any falute thee, anfwer him not again*.” The King’s bufinefs requireth hafic. When a dark world is to be en- lightened, when the dead in trefpalies and fins are to be quickened into newnefs of life, let the fer- vant of Jelus Chrill give his whole heart to it ; “ let the dead bury their dead,” let the men of the world attend to the ceremonial of the world, but “ let his eyes look right on,” let not him turn to the right hand nor to the left ; let him go forward from Strength to ftrength, from company to company. May no holtile lalutation impede or defeat the progrefs of this Million, but wafted of Providence, may it fpeedily reach the field of action, and in due time rejoice our cars and our hearts with the glad tidings of their advancing, in the llrength of the Redeemer, from con quell to conquelt.
5. Our Lord’s inltruftions to the Seventy re- fpe6t their work, and the manner in which they were to perform it. This con lilts of three articles: They were to proclaim peace wherever they went, they were to heal the fick, and to announce the immediate approach of the kingdom of God. What a copious return for the lodging and refrelhments of a day ! And it is thus that the great God ac- knowledges and remunerates the little fervices which men render him in the perlon of his mini- fters. “ Say, peace be to this houfe.” It was the glory and the joy of angels to deliver a limilar mefiage to a perilhing world, by announcing the advent of the Saviour. “ Unto you is born this “ day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is “ Chrift the Lord, — and fuddenly there was with “ the angel a rtiultitude of the heavenly holl, t( praifing God and faying. Glory to God in the
* 2 Kings iv. 29.
(( big-heft,
24 jesus Christ’s instructions
“ higheft, and onTarth peace, good will towards <c' men*.” This honour is the glorious Jehovah pitting on you, men and brethren. I behold you hovering in the air over Otaheite, with the olive branch in your hand, and the habitation of peace on your lips. Peace be to this illand, peace be to old and young, “ peace, peace be to him that w is afar otF, and to him that is near” — “ Peace u with God through JefusChrift our Lord.” You are, not going to ftun the cars of thole unoffending iflanders with the thunder of European artillery % and to reduce their native domain to a defert, in carder to enfure the fovcrcignty of it. Inafmuch as it is more blefted to give than to receive, will your bleflednefs be fuperior to that of all the dif- covering navigators, and of all the ambitious con- querors that have cxiftcd from the day that the afpiring Julius landed on the Britifh brand, down to the prefent hour. O may the fons of peace be prepared to receive you, that “ your peace may
reft upon them,” and not “ turn fruitlefs unto *e you again.”
“ Heal the ftek.” The Seventy were endowed with miraculous powers of healing. They had this fupcrnatural fcal affixed to their commiffion, and thus an effectual door was opened for them to the hearts of thofe to whom their meflage was ad- drefted. We pretend not to fend you forth armed with fuch powers as this. But you go not altoge- ther unprovided. You carry with you no incon- fiderablc portion o £ European lkill and experience; you are furiiifhed with the medicines of all the quarters of the globe; you may be called in pro- vidence, to perform wonders of healing, which I hall have, to thole fimple fons of ignorance, all the appearance, and produce on ,thcm all the ef- fects, of a real miracle. And who can tell what
* Luke ii. 1 1, 13, 14.
a return
TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES. 25
a return you may be enabled to make to your own generous country, for the good which it intends, and is attempting, in the yet unknown medicinal plants, and drugs, and gums of thofe fortunate iitends; blefhngs of Nature dill lying hid to us, as the biddings of the Gofpel are, as yet, to them ?
“ Say unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.” This prepared the inhabitants of Galilee for a perfonal vifit of the Saviour of the world, thus was his approach announced in “ every “ city and place, whither he himfelf would come;” and thus are thefe our miffionary brethren to “ go “ forth,” I trull, “ in the fpirit and power of Elias, u in the fpirit and power of John Baptift ;” a “ voice “ crying in yonder wilderncfs, Prepare ye the te way of the Lord, make llraight in the defert a “ high-way for our God;”* a finger pointing out, a tongue proclaiming, “ Behold the Lamb of “ God which taketh away the fin of the world’. ”*j* “ Our brethren who vifited you at firfl, came in “ the name, and by the command, of the King “ of our native Ifland, but we come to you in “ the name, and by command, of the King of <x kings, the God of the whole earth. He already a rules’ over you, and over all mankind, in the “ kingdom of nature and of providence, and he <c is now coming to you in his kingdom of grace “ and love; he has fent us before his face to warn “ you of his approach, and though you will not, “ cannot fee him with the eye of the body, for “ God is a fpirit, he will make you to feel his <e power, and to rejoice in his goodnefs.”
6*. Chrifl encourages his difciples with this af- furance, that he fhould confidcr the reception which they met with, as given to himfelf; every ihflance of negle<5l or iiifult which fhould be of- fered to them as difrefpe&ful to him, and confe-
* Ifaiah xl. 3. f Ja, ii. 29.
C quently
JESUS CHRIST S INSTRUCTIONS
26
qucntly to God; and every expreffion of kindnefs and benevolence to them, as a perfonal favour. “ He that heareth you heareth me ; and he that “ defpifeth you defpifeth me; and he that defpifeth “ me defpifeth him that fent me.” Such is the tender in ter eft which the Redeemer condefcends to take in the treatment of his fervants. When “ Saul goes forth breathing out threatenings and “ daughter againft the difciples of the Lord,” he is arrefted with this challenge, not, why perfecuteft thou thefe ? but, “ Saul, Saul, why perfecuteft thou “ me?”* When the works of mercy performed by the righteous are to be applauded and rewarded, the acknowledgment runs in thefe terms, “ In as much as ye have done it unto one of the leaft “ of thefe my brethren, ye have done it unto mc.”-j- Keep the intereft of your Mafter, my very dear friends, fteadily in view, and you may fafely truft him with the care of yours; to touch you is to “ touch the apple of his eye.” But imagine not yourfelves warranted from this, to refent and re- venge every fuppofed affront offered to him in your perfons. The arm of man is much too feeble to wield the thunder, and his head too uninformed to cliredt it. In “ the meeknefs and gentlenefs of “ Chrift,” let your imitation be as exadt as poffi- ble, “ Come unto him, and learn of him to be “ lowly of heart.” But he will not truft the crea- ture with his wrath. With an cmphatical folem- nity he challenges this awful province as his own. “ Vengeance is mine, I will repay, faith the “ Lord. The difciples James and John were difpofed to execute fignal judgment on a village of the Samaritans, which refuted to receive their Mafter: “ Lord,” faid they, “ wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and “ confume them, even as Elias did ? But he turn-
t Mat. xxv. 40 \ Rom. xii. 19.
• “ed.
* Adis ix. 4.
TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES. 27
« ed, and rebuked them, and faid, Ye know not <c what manner of fpirit ye are of, for the Son of X( Man is not come to deftroy mens lives, but to “ lave them: and they went to another village. ”* The only mark of difpleafure which the Seventy were permitted to exprefs, in the cafe of being treated inhofpitably, was to “ go out into the “ ltrcetsof the city, and to wipe off the duft from “ their feet” againft the inhabitants, with a decla- ration that they had done their duty. Leave it to a fanguinary Mahomet, to a bigotted Pontiff, to propagate opinion by fire and the fword. “ The “ weapons of our warfare arc not carnal, but we arc confident they will be “ mighty through “ God to the pulling down of ftrong holds, cafting “ down imaginations, and every high thing that “ exalteth itfelf againft the knowledge of God, and “ bringing into captivity every thought to the “ obedience of Chrift.”'}'
7. Our Lord inftnnfts his difciples to keep their hearts with all diligence, from the emotions of felf- gratulation and complacency in the hour of fuc- cefs. To the full extent of his promife, and be- yond it, his prefence and power had accompanied them. This they joyfully acknowledged on their return, “ faying, Lord, even the devils are fubject “ unto us, through thy name.” That eye which nothing can efcape, difeerned through this ex- preflion of exultation a fhade of vain-glorying, which, with a mildnefs peculiar to himfelf, he deems it neceftary to reprefs. While he himfelf “ rejoices' in fpirit” at the commencing downfal of “ the Prince of the power of the air,” he admo- niflies them ' of a purer fource of latisfacftion and delight than even the lubjedtion of evil fpirits to the miraculous powers conferred upon them. It could not but be grateful to them to receive this
* Luke ix. 51 56. ‘f 2 Cor. x. 4, 5-.
C 2 aliurance
28
jesus Christ’s instructions, Jkc.
afiurance • from the lips of their divine Mafter:
“ Behold, I give unto you power to tread on fer- “ pents and fcorpions, and over all the power of “ the enemy; and nothing fhall by any means “ hurt you this fenced them about as with “ a “ w 11 of fire,” againft all the allaults of earth and hell, but even this was furpaffed by a ftill dearer, and more deeply interefiing confederation : Not- “ withtlanding, in this rejoice not that the fpirits “ are fubjedt unto you; but rather rejoice, becaufe “ your names arc written in Heaven.” Hereby their great, their eternal all was effectually fecured. Whatever might be the ilfue, whatever the effedt, of tneir future miniltrations, they had the exalted confolation of reflecting, that their “ life was hid “ with thrift in God,” that “none couldpluck them “ out of his hand.#
The gifts of prophecy, of working miracles, of fpeaking with tongues, have been bellowed upon bad men. The Lord Jelus, in another place, lup- pofes more than the probability that a plea of this nature wopld be let up unavailingly, in the great day of accounts': “ Many will fay to me in that <c day, Lord, Lord, haye we not prophelied in thy “ name? and in thy name have call out devils? “ and in thy name done many wonderful works? “ And then will 1 profels unto them, I never knew “ you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.*” It will be higjily honourable for you, my beloved brethren, to be made infirumenlal in catting down the idols of, the heathen to the ground, in wrefting a province from Satan’s empire; it will obtain for you a name and a place among the benefadtors of mankind ; but remember you have a full nearer and dearer concern to purlue: “ Work out your “ own falvation with fear and trembling,” that you may have “ your own fouls for a prey in the
* Math. rii. 22, 23.
day
TO THE SEVENTY DISCIPLES. IQ
u day of the Lord.” Look to the Apoftlc Paul, and learn of him to fay : “ I keep under my body, “ and bring it into fubjecftion : left that by any means, when- 1 have preached to others, 1 my- fC felf fhould be a caft-away.”* “ Not as though “ I had already attained, either were already per- “ feeft: but I follow after, if that T may apprehend “ that for which alfo I am apprehended of Chrilt “ Jefus. Brethren I count not myfelf to have ap- “ prehended: but this one thing Ido, forgetting “ thofe things which are behind, and reaching “ forth unto thofe things which are before, I prefs “ toward the mark, for the prize of the high cal- ft ling of God in Chrift Jefus.
To conclude: Let every profefted Chriftian con- lider himfelf as fpecially commiflioned to declare, and to live, “ the truth as it is in Jefus,” in the ears, and before the eyes of a carelefs and unbe- lieving world. Let fuch as have put forth their hand to this good work, more efpecially, remem- ber that they are “ a city which is fet on a hill, “ that cannot be hid.” Many eyes are upon you, and not all of them in kindnefs and alFedion. Take care that cc your good be not evil fpoken of ;” that this “ miniftry be not blamed ;” that you u give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to
“ the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God.”
“ Now the God of Peace be with you all. Amen,”
* i Cor. ix. 27. f Phil. iii. 12, 14..
MISSIONARY
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MISSIONARY
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ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
A
CHARGE
ADDRESSED TO THE MISSIONARIES,
BY
THE REV. EDWARD WILLIAMS, D.D.
MINISTER. AT ROTHERHAM.
ADVERTISEMENT.
IT is hoped the feverity of criticifm Will have no room for exeY'cife, when it is nnderjiood that, owing to peculiar circumflances, the following Difcourfe was written on one day, delivered the next, and, on the third, fent to the Prefs untranferibed-, which was unavoidable , partly, becaufe the Author was obliged to lecn>e town that day, and partly becaufe no time could be loft before Printing, that the Publication, of which it is a part, might be ready for the Mif- Jionaries, who are in daily expectation of embark- ing. May God blefs the Publication, both to the dear Mifjionaries and all who read it, and He jhall have the glory.
A
C H A R G E
" * • i
ADDRESSED TO THE MISSIONARIES .
MY dear brethren in the Lord, the magnitude of the caufc in which you are now engaged, and the foiemnities of this dav, have not been often equalled ; whether we confider your num- ber as Miifionaries, the liberal countenance of the public, the place of your deftination, or the na- ture of the caufe itfelf. So interefted is the re- ligious public in your favour, that not only thoufands of prayers have been and dill are of- fered up for you, but alfo about twelve thou f and pounds contributed with the fame view. The place of your deftination, confidered in a religious light, isfallownefs itfelf, fallow ground untouched ; and if you have the noble ambition of the apoftle Paul,* “ To preach the gofpel in diftant regions, “ and not to boat! in another man’s line, of things “ made ready to your hand,” you have, in pro- fpedt, an opportunity of having that, ambition gra- tified to the utmoft.
Of the caufe itfelf, who can calculate the con- fequences? Who can tell, but millions in lucceed- ing ages may be everlaftingly benefited by it? The
* 2 Cor. x. 16.
D
influence
34
A CHARGE
influence of a parent on his pofterity may be great; the influence of a magiitrate on the circle of his jurifdidtion greater; the influence of a chief governor on his extenflve dominions ftill greater; but a rnmijler of God has an influence, good or bad, on the minds of men, ftill greater than them all, as he officially prepares, or negle&s to prepare them for happinefs in a never-ending- fiate of ex- iftence.
This applies to every minifler of religion; but to a MiJJionary more than any other. His name may be emphatically called “ legion,” for the happinefs or mifery of many thoufands appears pe- culiarly cormcdtcd with him.
When, a few days ago, application was made to me to perform this office of addrefling you, many difficulties arofe in my mind, but none greater than the difficulty of entering fully into the real fpirit of the occalion ; I reflected, that without a heart-felt flmplicity of dependence upon God, without a fteady regard for his glory, difregarding the praifes or cenfurcsof men, without ardent love to the Lord Jefus Chrift, and the fouls of men ; in a word, without the true fpirit of a Miffionary, there would be a manifeft impropriety in my com- pliance. Confeious weaknefs therefore urged me to decline the momentous talk, but deference to the judgment of thofe whom I greatly rcfpc<5t, and love in the truth, difpofed me to acquielccnce. And now, O Lord God of truth and love, afliff both fpeaker and hearers, for thy mercy, for thy Son, for thy precious promife’ fake.
The Holy Scriptures abound with profitable fubjc<ffs and fuitablc paflages as ihc ground of fuch a difeourfe as this; many things, addrefled to patriarchs, prophets, apoftles and cvangelilts, are highly applicable to you on this ocenfion. Were 1 to add refs you merely as miniflers, no words could be more applicable than our Lord’s con- . . eluding
TO THE MISSIONARIES.
35
eluding charge to his difcipleS*, “ Go ye therefore “ and teach all nations, baptizing them in the <e name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the “ Holy Ghoft; teaching them to obferve all things .*•' whatfoever I have commanded you; and lo, I “ am with you ahvay, even unto the end of the “ world.” Whence might be noticed, the autho- rity of Chrifl, as the ground of your Million, Go ye therefore — your primary aim, and principal work, to teach, difciple, or evangelically to frofelyte the nations to whom you go — the bode of letting them apart, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and fo on — your conduft to the converted, teaching them to obferve all things whatfoever I have com- manded you — and, finally, the promifed prefence and aid of our divine Lord, and lo, I am with you ahvay even unto the e?id of the world.
But as you arc not all minifters in the firiiftefl fenfe, nor the greateft part of you, that fubjcCh would be too confined; I lhall therefore adopt, as a motto to what I have further to lav, the words you find in Gen.xvii. 1. the latter part. u lam “ the Almighty God; walk before me and be “ thou perfect.” — Or, I am GW (as in the margin and the old tranflation) all-sufficient, walk be- fore me, and be thou perfect, that is, upright , or fincere.
Thefe words, my’ dear brelhren, were addreffed to Abraham; to whom God had fpoken, fome time before, on this wife : “ Get thee out of thy “ country, and from thy kindred, and from thy (f father’s houfe, unto a land that I will fhew thee. “ And I will make of thee a great nation, and I “ will blefs thee, and make thy name great ; and
thou flialt be a bleffing. And I will blefs them u that blefs thee, and curfe him that eurfeth thee:
and in thee lhall all families of the earth be
, r
* Marth, xxviii. 19, 20.
D 2 “ blefled
A CHARGE
36 ' -
“ bleffed. So Abraham departed as the Lord “ had fpoken unto him*.”
Thus, you fee God’s call and Abraham’s com- pliance ; and your call feems not much lei's dear, though fignified in a different way. I feem to view each Miff on ary as an Abraham — a pilgrim, going forth in the name of the Lord, exerebing fir pi faith in his promife: “ By faith Abraham,” fays the Apoftle-j~, “ when he was called to go out “ into a place which he fhould after receive for an “ inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not “ knowing whither he went” — not having a parti- cular knowledge of the country to which he was going. “ By faith he fojourned in the land of tf< promife, as in a ft range country, dwelling in ta- “ bernaclcs with Ifaac and Jacob, the heirs with “ him of the fame promife. For he looked for a <6 city which hath foundations, whofe builder and u maker is God.” *
I feem alfo to view each MiffioUary as & father of many faithful — and all of you collectively, the fathers of many nations ! — And to each of you are thefe words now addreffed, “ 1 am God all-fujfi- “ cient, walk before me, and be thou upright."
Here you have, firft, a fummary direction by which to proceed in all your future attempts ; “ be “ thou upright , or fincere;” — and, fecondly, the grand fource of your encouragements in the dis- charge of your arduous work; (< lam God all-fuf- i( ficient " — Permit me now to attempt an imita- tion of this divine pattern, by
I. Offering to your eonlideration fueli direc- tions and remarks as appear to me mod important and ufeful to you as Chriftian Miffionaries. By
II. Propoiing to you fuch encouragements as your arduous undertaking requires, and which our all-fufficient God affords you. May lie afliil us all!
f Chap. xji. 1 — 4. f Hdj. xi. 8--- 10.
« I. I am
TO THE MISSIONARIES. 37
I. I am to offer fome directions and remarks. As a fundamental general obfervation, I would have you never to forget, that <e godlinefs re pro- fitable for all things,” and that nothing can com- penfate for the want of perfonal holinefs. I fo- lemnly declare, I would prefer feeing one of yon, both deaf and dumb, embark, if under the influ- ence of religion, than the inoft eloquent man in Europe, if not godly. Yet this godlinefs with its life and power muft be fo cultivated and directed as to promote tire caufe you have efpoufed. Suffer therefore the word of exhortation :
1 . Maintain a cot Jl ant , holy jeahujy over your ends and motives, in every flep of your Millions ry walk. If thefe are indeed good, your only end will not be your own refutation, whether of felf- denial and mortification to the world, or your Chriftian faith and courage, however great — nor the glory of the Britijh name, its riches, commerce, arts" and fciences, population and power — nor yet the temporal happinefs of the heathen, though it were great, and extended to millions yet unborn — but an cgd far higher is full in your eye, a motive much more powerful is operative in your foul, their fpi ritual and evcrlalting happinefs. This you will daily keep in view, and dread the thought of its being eclipfed by any thing earthly, remembering there is an end ftill more glorious than this, to which your hearts fhould be if ill more firmly at- tached— the glory of God our Saviour.
To promote the glory of the God of grace, our world ftands, all the wheels of creation move ; to this are directed all the rays of providential wifdom", all the difpenfations of religion, all the communi- cations of grace to the foul, with all the fucceeding influences of the Holy Spirit and the means of grace.
See then that it be not a mean, unworthy end you propofe, or motive that actuates you, either
now
38
A CHARGE
now or in future. The love of fame has been called “ the univerfal paffion difprove the uni* verfality of the maxim, to the content and joy of your own heart, and the confiffion of gainfavers, by your future conduct. What I now propofe to you, God urged upon Abraham — “ Walk before <c me, and be thou fincerc” in thy ends and mo- tives. And this is what our Lord inculcates on his difciples, “ The light pf the body is the eye, “ if therefore thine eye be tingle, thy whole body thall be full of light*.” Allow the expreffion, infincerity in a Miffionary is “ death in the pot” — a Miffionary without lincerity of ends and mo- tives, is “ fait without favour.”
2. Next to the glory of God, Let the irjlruftion , foirverfion , and everlajting happinefs of the heathen , he Jleadily intended , even when you may not think it expedient openly to avow the defign. This upright - nefs your prefent folemn engagement requires. It is almott incredible what wonders this principle— tleadinefs of aim — has produced in every depart- ment and concern of life ; and God has ever ho- noured it in his fervants. Prodigies of mental powers, and the greateft brilliancy of parts, have failed of fuccefs, when this was wanting; they promifed victory like Goliah, but ignominioufly fell ; whereas fleadinefs of aim, like David, makes no fhew and yet fucceeds. In all your traffic and covenants, in all your intercourfe and public de- portment, among the untaught natives of the South-Sea Iflands, bethisyour unvaried, inflexible aim — their falvation. Be this the aim of your
prayers and praifes, your joys and cares, your fuf- ferings and enjoyments. Be this your meat and drink, becaufe it is our heavenly Father’s will. For this plead continually, as a hungry, naked beggar for an alms ; even more than a proud and
* Matt. vj. 2Z.
greedy
TO THE MISSIONARIES.
I '
greedy Sycophant for promotion. For this let your common actions in life be employed; to this let your eating and drinking, as well as fading be di- rected; to this your deeping as well as your wake- ful moments be confecrated; to this your educa- tion of the heathen children, as well as your fet converfation or difeourfes to their parents; to this the education of your own children, and the con- duct of your families; to this all your connections and engagements with the natives.
Thus principled and employed, you will tread in the fteps of our common Lord, who laid afide his own cafe and honour; who, though he was rich, for our fakes became poor, denied himfelf for our advantage ; took upon him the form of a fer- vant, and made himfelf of no reputation. In this, therefore, be ye followers of Chrill as dear children. But, as fincerity of principle, and fieadinefs of aim, 'require an inftrument to work with, there- fore
3. Cultivate a greater acquaintance with the purity and fmplicity of the gofpel — God’s covenant. — By this alfo prove the fincerity of your profeflion. This is the word he has honoured above all his name ; this is the wifdom and power of God, the rod of his flrength, and the fword of his Spirit. Evangelical truths are the weapons of your war- fare, let them not be covered with unfightly ruft, nor blunted by too much polifli — mind chiefly the edge. Remember alfo, that the word is a two- edged fword, the law and the gofpel — the one, to fir ike conviction into the confcicnces of Tinners; and the other, to cut off fin from the believer in Jefus, as well as to lop off and confign to deftruc- tion all apoltatcs*.
Divine revelation is a bright, pure, well-polifhed mirror ; do not disfigure it with fcratchcs, made
X I y
* See Hcb, ij. 1—3. a r.d chap, iv, 1 1. rz.
with
40
A CHARGE
with unholy and foolifh fancies, though they fparkle in your eye like diamonds. The gofpel is pure wholefome milk; do not adulterate it with the water of your own fountain, corrupted reafon. The gofpel is a net ; do not alter the methes, to be either greater or finaller than the divine appoint- ment. But keep in mind, my brethren, that a growing acquaintance with the purity and fimpli- city of the gofpel is the effedt of divine teaching; feek therefore, with all humble importunity, the u undlion from the Holy One,” that ye may “ know all things.”
It is indeed poffible that, to induce a profejfwn of Chrifiianity, fome human mixtures or additions may be ufeful ; but God does not allow any of his fervants to be wife above what is written ; he will not have his bright and precious jewel, the gofpel, daubed with gaudy paint. Many, like Saul, pre- tend to offer a facrifice to the Lord, by human ad- ditions, and God’s anfwer to his plea by Samuel, is a fufficient reply to all intermeddlers*. “ Hath “ the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and “ facrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? “ Behold, to obey is better than facrifice, and “ to hearken than the fat of rams.” Take for yout example and guide the great Apoftle of the Gen- tiles : — te I determined not to know any thing “ among you,” fays he to the Corinthians^, “ fave *'£ Jefus Chrift, and him crucified.” And to the Galatians];, “ God forbid that I lhould glory, fave ,£ in the crofs of our Lord Jelus Chrift, by whom ££ the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the (( world.”
The Prophets and Apoftlcs do not fet themfelves formally tq prove the being and perfe&ions of God, as learned hypothefis would probably advife; but the fpirit of prophefy is the testimony of Jefus, and
* i Sam. xv. za. -J- i Cor. ii. s. , Chap. vi. 14.
the
TO THE MISSIONARIES.
41
the glory of the New Teftament Miniflers is to point Him out as “ the lamb of God, who takctli “ away the fins of the world” — to exhibit him, from the divine oracles, as God-man — Mediator — • born, to die for our tins, — and dying, to rife and reign for our juflification, and finally our glorifica- tion. The repeated experience of others has abun- dantly proved the preference due to this fnnplicity of teaching, before any other method, though more learned and laboured.
Thus furnilhed, permit me to recommend to you
4. An alternate regard to private and focial reli- gion. By neglecting perfonal holinefs you will de- generate into men of the world; worldly maxims will prevail, your zeal will be damped, your minds become earthly, your religion a lifelefs image, and your profeffion an unmeaning name; and, by ne- glecting foeial religion, you will not bcMiltionaries but Hermits, you might as well flay at home, live in fome lonely Englifh cottage, retire into the Highlands of Scotland, or Mountains of Wales. Let therefore converfe with God in folitude be fub- fervient to public utility. Enter therefore thy clofet, or penetrate the woods of Otaheite, to con- verfe with Jefus, to maintain fpirituality, and to plead for your idolatrous neighbours; and then, warmed with this holy lire, go and warm others by focial intercourfe. Thus your heavenly Father s will reward you openly, and heathens will in time learn that none but the difeiples of Jefus can be thus happy and thus ufeful.
Under this head, let me advife you, not only to guard againfl falling out by the way, (which God prevent !) and to love one another out of a pure heart fervently, but even let the poor ignorant natives take knowledge of you, that you do lb love one ano- ther, and that with the love of benevolence you are affectionately attached to them. Let them be
E eonllraincd
42 A CHARGE
conftrained to fay, “ Behold how thefe new-comers love one another!” How pleafant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity ! Some of us of late have feen delightful fpecimens of this union, we fee it alfo this day. My brethren, we commiffion you this morning, in the name of the Lord, to make a fair report of the lovely fcenes which you have be- held, to the teachable natives of Otaheite !
Tell them what you have feen, in the belt man- ner you are able, fo as to convey the fentimcnt into their inmoft fouls. Allure them by your teftimony and example, that the religion of Jefus leads to blits. Say, have fellowfliip with us, for “truly “ our fellowfliip is with the Father, and with his fon Jefus Chrift;” the God we adore, the Saviour we ferve. In this connexion I would add,
5. Aim at exemplifying the religion of Jefus in all its parts . There arc few human characters but have many fpots, and all in our world have fome ; it is therefore our wifdom to difcover and correct them in ourfelves and others. But how is this to be done ? By looking into the glafs of the word, which will faithfully exhibit each one to himfelf. One who endeavours to- walk before God uprightly , aims more at removing imperfections firft, than performing brilliant exploits. Study therefore your defects with a view to pardon and amendment; then you will be better able, when they afk you, What meaneth your new religion ? to anfwer them. Come and fee, follow us in every flep of our walk; obferve us in all our private and public, perfonnl and relative concerns. Behold us patient in tribu- lations, mild and meek when provoked, honed; when it is, in our power to impofe, doing to others as we would be done by, wifhing well and doing good to our very enemies, enduring all things for the elect fake, that they maybefaved.
Though we are equal as brethren, yet, obferve us, we know how to fubmit to our fuperiors, we
know
TO THE MISSIONARIES.
43
know how to obferve clue fubordin^tion among ourfelves. And as this exemplification of religion in all its parts is the heft practical anfwcr to the queftion, What is Chrifiianity ? fo it is the moll likelv way to your fucccfs. He who thus aims, and lludies, and llrives to honour God, will be honoured by him, and fhall be honourably reward- ed. “ Walk before me and be thou perfect,”' fays God, “ and I will multiply thee exceedingly, and “ thou fhalt be a father of many nations, and I will “ make thee exceeding fruitful.” I now add,
(j. Be more attentive to duty than even to fuccefs. Uprightncfs and fincerity will regard the will and authority of God, leaving all events to him-— to his adorable and fovercign difpofal. A man of real faith, in its free exercile, will not object and mur- mur, though God demand an Ifaac in facrifice. But fhould we be unconcerned about luccefs? By no means. But every thing in its due order. You may defire fucccfs much, but lhould ftill more carneftly defire to walk before God in uprightnefs, according to the folemn promife you have now made. And if you have but a little fuccefs, clo not “ defpife the day of finall things.”
The human mind is bufy in anticipation; you already pourtray to yourfelves what fort of a voyage you are likely to have, — what reception at your ar- rival,— what habitations, manners, and employ- ments? Be not over anxious about thefe things, but mind more prefent duty, let our text refound in your ears, and daily recur to your thoughts, “ Walk before me and be thou upright.” You will fee, perhaps, forafeafon, but little, very little fruit of your labour ; but “ who hath defpifed the “ day of finall things ?” Think of the hufband- inan, he calls into the ground the principal wheat, and waits for the crop with patience. The gofpel is. leaven, and it mull have time to operate; the gofpel is a preferving fait, it rnufl have time to . E 2 penetrate;
44
A CHARGE
penetrate; the gofpel is a grain of muftard feed/ and it muft have time to grow.
The way to fuccefs, even to furprifing fuccefs, is often intricate. Viewing Jofeph in the pit, in the prifon, who but the Omnifcient could have thought of his future fuccefs ? Who that faw the danger of Daniel, Shadrach, Mediae and Abed- nego, or of Jonah, would have given a pebble for their lives? — What wonders were wrought by means of illiterate apoftles, evangelifts, and difei- plcs, when God commanded fuccefs! View, on the one hand, the Coloflean powers of this world, on the other, the defpifed Nazarene, as a “ ftone cut out without hands, breaking them to pieces.” (Dan. ii. 34.) “ Thou fawelt till that a ftone was “ cut out without hands, which fmote the image “ upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and “ brake them to pieces.” It is added, (ver. 35.) {: and the ftone that fmote the image became a “ great mountain, and filled the whole earth.” I afk again, Who hath defpifed the day of [mall things ? Who knows not, that the flately oak was once an acorn, that the molt majcftic river begins its courfe as a finall rill, that Rome, though time was when it could boaft fuperiority to all other cities in the world, was once a fmall village, nay, that Great Britain itfclf was once a land of ftupid ignorance, and vile idolatry. He, therefore, who commanded the North to give up, and it was fo ; can alfo fay to the South keep not back, and it fhall be fo. To facilitate the performance of thefe duties enjoined, let me advife you
7. To contemplate with qfjiduity and affeftion, the char after of God, as dilplayed in his word, and in his favourite fervants in all ages. To walk before God, or with God, as Enoch did, muft imply a contemplation of, and afFe(ction for his true eha- radter; but what I would now particularly recom- mend to you, as greatly conducive to the end pro-
poled,
TO THE MISSIONARIES.
43
pofed, is, to read and obferve attentively the fclf- denying characters of thofe men . who, bearing much of the divine image, have Hood forth publicly to confefs him before men.
In the holy fc raptures you have a “ cloud of wit- nefles,” whom you will not fail to contemplate and to imitate; but above all be afliduous in looking unto Jefus, the author and finifher of our faith, who for the joy. that was fet before him, endured the crofs, defpifing the thame. Read, with con- tinual reviews and prayers, the lives of the Patriarchs and Prophets, the aCts of the Apoftles, the hiftory of the firft Chriflians by Eulebius, which if you have not already I hope you will be provided with, — the mod authentic holy lives and martyrologies — the bed journals of Midionaric? — efpeciallv the life and journal of Braincml, that highly favoured mail of God, written by another who had drank deep of the dime fpirit, Mr. Jonathan Edwards, of New England.
Having thus endeavoured to give you mv bed advice, directions and remarks, in addition to thofe that have been recommended by my Rev. Brother, relative to your character and conduCt as Mil- donarics, I now proceed
II. To propofe to you fuch encouragements as your arduous undertaking requires, and which our all-fufficient God affords you. I am God all-fuff - cient. Under this branch of our fubjeCt it would be improper, on feveral accounts, to detain you long; briefly then let me fugged to you the fol- lowing particulars.
l . Under every trial, hardfhip, or perplexing difficulty, know afluredly that, while in the way of duty, you have a covenant intered in the all-fff- ciency of God. In every flation there are difficulties, in a Chriflian million many and peculiar ones, but this one thought, if properly realized, mult ever
prove
A CHARGE
46
prove an adequate remedy, “ I am God all-fuffi- dient.”
How well adapted this confideration is to anfwer the end propofed, is evident from the circumltances that firft occaiioned its application to Abraham. Promifes were made, but difficulties fo great ap- peared in the way of their accomplifhment, that this confideration, and this alone, was equal to the difficulty.
Brethren, there are different forts of trials — there are trials and lnares even from profperity : Profperity! fay you, (ffiaking your heads, and your hearts trembling with the expectation of the reverfe) Who of ns can expect prqfpeniy ? But are you not going to Otaheite? for the lake of return- ing to which iiland of fenfual delights a ffiip’s crew mutinied? Ah, remember the hifiory of the antidiluvian church; ye u fons of God,” beware of the “ daughters of men.” Do not miftake me, I would not diffuade any from forming an honour- able and godly connexion; but fee firft that it be honourable and godly. Let not the Chriltiau Miffionary — the Chriftian mechanic — be dazzled with the prolpect of alliance with the nobleft fami- lies of the land, with the prelumptuous hopes of making them afterwards Chriftians. Are you wil'er than Solomon ? I repeat the queftion, are you wifer than Solomon ? — Oh cry to God all-fiiffi- cient, for he alone can help you in fo great a temptation, that the daughters of the land do not bear away your hearts, until they are made the daughters of God. Oh that none of you may be led in triumph by them, until they are led in triumph by divine grace!
Do not fay, this branch of the fubjeA is necd- lels; fori verily believe, and therefore fpeak, that fomc of your greateft trials in proccfs of time will arife from this quarter, and in nothing will you have greater need of having rccourfe to God all-
TO THE MISSIONARIES,
47
mighty, God all-fujfic'tent , than in this cafe. Suffer therefore the word of exhortation ; you feein to me, my young friends, as fo many Jofephs — not that you are huted by your brethren — not that you are fold for Haves— not that you are going to a tyran- nizing Egypt — but becaufe it is more than poffible your purity, you chaHity may be tried. May the God of Jofeph be with you, and help you to do as he did! Why did Jofeph prevail and profper? God was with him ! and he is all-fuffipicnt for you. You are going to the land of Gofhen, be not dif- couraged, God all-fufficient is even there, and the way thither is by a long voyage; but think. Who holds the ocean in the hollow of his hand? Who walked on the fca ? If billows rife, if ftorms break in upon you, caft out your anchor — caft the anchor of your hope within the vail, to Jefus in the higheft heavens, that you may be fure and ftcdfafl in your minds.
2. The Lord Jefus Chrift, whofe you are by re- demption and grace, and to whom you dedicate yourlelves for this blcfied work, has all power and authority in heaven, earth, and hell, for your good; and he hath declared that he “ will be with t{ you alway.” — Ye arc going, as ye have heard, as lambs among wolves, but the great fhepherd of the iheep will be with you; view him holding in his hand the recompenfe of reward, as he did once to Mofes, and hear him fay, “ To him that over- “ cometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna. “ A fhort feafon hence and you fhall fee and re- “ ceive a crown of life.” — Even now he fpeaks in loud and firm accents; “ Be thou faithful unto (i death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
3. Take encouragement from the covenant, office, and promifed influences of the Holy Spirit. All Chriflians may indeed take encouragement from this very important confi deration, but as none have greater need, fo none have a greater right
A S
A CHARGE
than you. What lifted up Chrift’s immediate Miffionaries when call down? what fupported them when weak? directed their feet when dark- nefs and doubts covered their way ? Who, but the Comforter? He fhall take of mine, faidJefus, and flfall fhew it unto you; he fhall guide you into all truth ; by him it fhall be given you in the hour of need what to /peak, and what to do.
Let not mountains of difficulties affright you t “ Not by might, nor by power, but by my fpirit, tc faith the Lord of Hofts,” the fpiritual Temple is to be eredtcd. O look then to the Spirit of Promifc ; • He can make you equally wife and meek — wife as ficrpents, but harmlefs as doves; and He can kindle a fire on the altar of your heart, and keep it burn- ing, which all the floods proceeding from the mouth of the dragon fhall never never be able to extin- guifh.
I add no more. May God add his bleffing to ijvhat has been now find, and to all the fervices m which we have been engaged, for Jcfus’ fake,
COUNSELS
COUNSELS
AND
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE REGULATION
OP
THE MISSION,
&e. &c.
—
BY THE DIRECTORS.
F
• . ■ p'
t
'
T :■!. V r ■
/ . \
« ' Jx ■ ' i\ ' Srt
, - i
.
. , - •'
i
COUNSELS
AND
INSTRUCTIONS,
&c. Sac.
.**1 • - . I I » <
I.
1 * l \ f
fcounfels for the Regulation of the Perfonal Conduct and Spirit of the Mijfionaries .
ALL counfels of this kind may be lummed up in this — Live near to God, and walk in love towards one another. A lenfe of the magnitude, high importance, and difficulty of the prelent at- tempt, fhould imprefs the mind of every Mif- lionary with the abfolutc ncceffity of continual nearnefs to God. A Miffionary, who docs not earneftly feek and entertain the moft intimate communion with the Molt High, is as a handful of chaff before the whirlwind: he mull walk with God; he mult fet the Lord always before him.
Should any Miffionary walk lightly under fo great a trull, as though he were equal to the work, fuch temerity and prefumption would pro- voke the Lord to jealoufy ; but we hope it will be far from our Miffionaries. Rather every one of them will have the fentence of death in him- felf, from a preffing lenfe of ignorance, depravity, and infufficiency ; each one will feek to be lower in the dull before God than another, that all may “ trull not in themfelves but in God, who raifeth “ the dead.”
F 2
The
52 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
The idea of the great expenditure of facred money in this Million, though an inferior con- fl deration, fhould imprefs the confciences of the Miflionaries ; but when they confider the ex- pectations, anxieties, and hopes of fo many Mi- nifters of Chrifl, and of fuch multitudes of fe- rious Chriftians ; when they think of the obferving eye of adverfaries ; above all, when they furvey the hundreds of millions of fouls lying in the dark- nefs of heathenifm, who may ultimately be affe&ew by the good or ill management, by the failure or fuccefs of this Million, how ought every Millio- nary to weep and make application, wreftling with the Great Angel of the Covenant, that he may be kept pure from the blood of all men, and may gain the prize of turning many to rigfrteouf- nefs.
Every Millionary Ihould fay from the bottom of his heart, “ Who is fufficient for thefe things r,v And he will think that it is no time to ftruggle for the little interell of perfonal pre-eminence, when fuch things are at flake.
The immutable purpofe of the love of Jehovah, founded not in human goodncfs, but in fovereign mercy, mufl be the Miflionary’s ' ftrength. The finilhed and infinitely meritorious work of Jefus mult be ever before his eyes ; the voice of his blood and of his fweet heavenly interceflion mufl ever be founding in the Miflionary’s ears. The triumphs of the day of Pentecoft, of the three firft ages of Chriftianity, and of the glorious reforma- tion mufl dwell in his memory.
“ Live together in love and union.” Ye are •brethren, but being men, are compaflcd about with infirmities. Bear and forbear : holding the unity of the fpirit in the bond of peace. Satan’s chief device will be to divide you. Form no parties, nor cabals; fupprefs the firft movements of difpirte and divifion ; ever remember the words- of the
Lord
regulation of the MISSION. £3
Lord : He is the greatest in his kingdom, wl>o is
the jervant of all.
We requelt it lolemnly, we adjure you in the Great Mailer’s name, “ Lore one another out of 4t a pure heart fervently putting on bowels of merey, kindnefs, long-fufFering, forbearing imc another, and forgiving one another, even though any man had a real caufe of dil'pleafure again it his brother, as God for ChrilVs fake hath forgiven you.
Your examples muft preach as powerfully as your words. But if ever bitter envyings and ft rife nrife, you will put an effectual bar to your own ulefulnefs, and defeat the great purpofe of your Million. Let all your zeal, therefore, be refervetl for your work, and let no felfilh paffions mingle with it, to corrupt the limplicity which is in ChrifL
You will be very differently qualified ; and in fome things there can be no competition between -you. The talent one lacks, another poflefles in a more abundant manner, and each is cquaily valu- able and necellary for the work of God, and your mutual comfort and advantage. Remember al- ways St. Paul’s beautiful allegory of the human body : Every part is alike needful, for its beauty, fymmetry,and prefervation ; and juit fo every mem- ber of your community thould have the laine care one of another.
Should evil break in upon a brother, which may the Lord preferve you from, be not baity or harfh in your rebukes, nor too fevere in your cenfures ; a broken bone muft be handled gently. You know St. Paul's direction where grievous offence had been given — “ Ye that are fpiritual, reltore fuch a “ one in the fpirit of meeknefs.”
Watch over each other in love and fidelity ; prevent, if pofiible, the evil ; kindly conceal from your brethren lefier offences, after private admoni- tion ; the greater, if unhappily fuch fhould arife,
mu it
54
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
miuft be cenfured openly : not treating him Jfs an enemy, but admonifhing him as a brother. Exclufion from your fociety becomes neccflary, when guilt produces no humiliation ; and obftinate perfeverance in evil, compels the excifion of the mortified limb, left the body be infected.
Avoid as much as poffible all occafions of temp- tation. Let no man be permitted, without leave of the community, to be abfent at night from the com- mon dormitory. In every journey, walk, occupa- tion, let two or more brethrefi always be together.
Should any native women feek inftru£tion in private, let one of our women fitters be their teachers. In public, all who pleafe, and arefilent, may attend our worfhip and inftruction.
If a brother thinks he ought to marry, let fuch a one take care that he be not guided by paflion and fancy : Only in the Lord is the clear apoftolic order : If therefore his defire be that he may' keep himfelf more pure in the honourable eftate of wed- lock, let him communicate his wifhes to his bre- thren, nor prefume to form any fecret engage- ments, but always a6t openly, with the approbation of the Million.
Should any brother marry a native, they fhould build a little houfe near their brethren, and come under the fame regulations as our own married brethren; their wives affociating with our believing women, and on no account feparate, but live in daily communion and worfhip under the fame roof.
Internal
REGULATION OP THE MISSION.
55
II.
Internal Order , Adminiflratton , and Inftruclion ,
[The Obfervance of this Order commences with the Voyage, and is to be continued on the Iflands, with fuch Variations as Circumftances render necefiary.]
YOU mutt be a little Church and Commu- nity, and form fuch rules for your proceed- ing on the fpot as may appear beft tinted to your circumtlances : but every one is obliged to give way to the conclulions of the majority, and chear- fullv to acquiefce in all matters of prudential re- gulation, and not to follow his own opinion or will.
It is hoped that the fpiritof faith, love, and hu- mility, will fo pervade the whole Million, that every individual will be ready, for the general good, to take the lowed place, and to become the fervant of all. At the fame time, condition, difunion, and want of fubor-dination, mull be avoided ; the Mif- lionaries will endeavour, in humble dependance on Divine Counfel, to form and maintain fuch an or- der among themfelves as is luitable to their diffe- rent gifts, offices, abilities, and employments ; fuch an order as may exprefs folemn refpedl and obe- dience to the inftitutions of the New Tcftament ; fuch an order as may ltrike the minds of the hea- then with ideas of its wifdom, fweetnefs, utility, and dignity.
That an order to defireable, without the pecu- liarities of any denomination, may be fecured ; that the honour and purity of the ordinances of God may be maintained, and that the effects of human pride and felf-lufficiency may be prevented,
fixed
5(5
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THB
fixed rules are neceffiary, and mull be unanirnoufly adopted.
The Management of the whole and feparate Millions fhould be conduced by a Committee of five, elected by the whole body of the Milfionaries. The determinations of this Committee fhould be confidered as final. Of this Committee the Cap- tain is of courfe one, and permanent Chairman during the voyage. At the end of one month while on board, and three months afterwards, one of the Committee fhould go out by rotation, and another be chofcn in his place by the whole body. To this Committee, and which it will be bell to elect on the firji day of the month, when that does not fall on the Sabbath-day, mult belong the ar- rangement of public religious fervices, the cog- nizance of immoralities, errors, and diforders, and the direction of all endeavours refpeCting the Hea- then, In cafes of peculiar difficulty and danger, all the Miffionaries may, if it appears to the Com- mittee practicable and advifable, be fummoned to hoid an extraordinary conference, and invited to give their opinion and advice.
During the voyage, the Captain is to be con- fidcred as having authority over all the Miffiona7 ries, as to all external matters ; to him it belongs to determine the convenient times for public fer- vices in the veflel.
When fixed on fhore, and fettled as a commu- nity, it is abfolutely necelTary that a Chairman be elected by the Committee for fix months at the leaf ; but we recommend that, in order to fuit the ideas of the natives, aceuftomed to the continual government of the fame Chiefs, it be for a longer
Prcfidcnt, for the time being, belongs al) the external arrangement of bufinefs ; he is the or- gan of the Society in all negociations with the native Chiefs, but he can only aCt in concert with
the
period. To t
REGULATION OP THE MISSION. 5 7
the Council, in which he is always to have a deli- berative voice.
The fame order mud be followed with the fm id- ler communities, which may branch out from the main body to the adjacent iflands, if the linall number in fuch Millions admits of, or requires it.
The Lord's I),p thou Id be obferved with fitcred regard and particular attention, and the whole of it employed in excreifes of. devotion, or labours of love.
We recommend folcmn fervice to be twice per- formed, careful only not to exceed a limited time, perhaps an hour and a half at fartheft ; the time to be fixed as luits the climate and manners of the people.
The beft informed, and longeft in the Miniftry, will naturally prelide in your devotions. Thole who are in the habits of lpcaking (hould, in their turn, improve their gifts, and edify their brethren. Every Mondav the Committee fhould fettle the morning and evening devotional exereiles, and ap- point who fhall read, give out the pfalms or hymns, pray and preach, the next Lord’s-Day, dividing the fcrvices among each other, as may be moll for edification.
Every day the morning fhould open and the evening clofe with a chapter, prayer, a pfalrn or hymn ; a fhort expofition may be given the one evening, and a fhort fermon the following event- ing, all through the tveek. Every man’s gilts may thus be tried and brought forward ; and let no man delpife his brother, but encourage the feeble- minded, and be patient towards all.
The Lord’s Prayer may be ufed or omitted, ac- cording to the option of him who officiates at the time ; approved verfions or paraphrafes of the Pfalms of David, and hymns containing found docinne, fhall be ufed from time to tune, fo as
G t<?
58 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
to meet as much as polfible, the ideas and withes of all the Milfionaries. The preachers fhall be careful to digeft well thefubjedt which they handle in public, and endeavour to introduce in their difeourfes a proper mixture of dodlrinal, experi- mental, and practical religion. No forms of prayer fhall be enforced fratedly and invariably ; thofe, however, who choofe to make ufe of a form or part of a form of prayer, fhall be at liberty to do fo. '
As our worfhip on the Lord’s-Day, and alfo morning and evening every day, fhould be open to the natives, and they fhould be invited to at- tend ; particular regard fhould be fhewn to fuch as appeared ferious and attentive ; and as foon as polfible little bodies of them fhould be formed, for evening conferences with them.
Refpecting the moft probable means of fuccefs with the natives, there can be but one opinion. The lives of our brethren muft give weight to their teaching : If they are truly exemplar}-, half the work is done.
How they are to teach, whether in difeourfing publicly, or in private conference, will hardly ad- mit of a doubt : — The B ble, and the experience of the moft fuccefsful Millions, allure us, that the great dodtrine of the Atonement muft be the chief corner ftone. The glory and the humiliation of Jefus, and every thing relative to the delive- rance from fin and- death by him muft make the ground work. A limple recital of his love, the defign of his incarnation, death, and refurrec- tion ; thefe muft be the points, chiefly repeatedly- dwelt upon. The obligations of love and duty which we owe him, naturally conned! thcmfelves with thefe views; together with proinifcs of his grace, through the agency of his own fpirit, to enable us to follow him in the regeneration.
REGULATION’ OF THE MISSION.
59
The bleffcdnefs and comfort of fuch a life in this world, and the ai'iurance of an attainment thereby of a happy and glorious eternity in a bet- ter, will afford a field of delightful inftru&ion.
AffcCl not fubtleties and deep points of contro- verly, either among yourfelves or with the natives. Wave as much as poflible what would lead to queftions, rather than godly edifying. Attempt not by arguments on the reafonablenefs, or evi- dences of the Chriltian Religion, to difplay your own whilom ; or, fuppofe you can anl'wer and filence all their objections, adhere to the fimpli- city which is in Chrift, trufting to the power of the Holy Ghoft to take the things of Chrift, and fhew them to their confidences with divine conviction and effectual energy. It is the evil heart of un- belief that muft be fnbdued ; an awakened con- fidence feels the need of a great faerifice : an unawakened mind will always refill the Holy Ghoft, and muft be left to him, who only can remove the darknefs, and quicken from a date of death to newnefs of life.
It muft be by divine operation, and not by mo- ral perluafion alone, that any real converfions will ever be wrought among the Heathen, or indeed among any others.
In all attempts to convince the natives of their fins, we fhould particularly leleCt thofe inftances of depravity which are molt frequently ftriking, viz. the {hocking crime of fhedding human blood ; the horrid murder of children ; the abominable public proftitulions, and fuch other enonpities as carry upon the face of them fomething revolting even to humanity. Avoid attacking their eftablifh- ed cuftoms of a more indifferent nature, fuch as their drels, amufements. Sc c. however indecent the one may appear, or in their confequences ap- parently dangerous the other. If the confidence becomes truly awakened, it will then grow tender,
G 2 and
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
60
and thev will be ready to hear, as in matters of lefs notoriety, and abtlain from the appearances of evil.
We cannot but obferve, however, that fome of their moft horrid practices may afford occation to the moft ufcful improvements. Their human fa- crifices themfelves open the way, in a very affecting and folemn manner, for introducing to view the Great Sacrif.ce, which alone can take awav fn ; and the oblations at their morais alto may be im- proved, as leading to an acknowledgment of the immortality of the foul, and the doctrines con- nected with an eternal world.
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper fhould be adminiftered at leaft once eyery month ; the en- quiries and applications it would give rite to, might be made very profitable to the natives.
Infants fhould be admitted to baptifm where either of the parents are profefted believers. If it be judged expedient to baptize the children of any of our countrymen, it fhould be done under the folemn engagement, that they fhould be brought to our tents as foon as they are capable of inftruc- tion.
Marriages fhould be folemnizcd publicly by any of our Minifiers, in the prefence of the Church, and entered into a regifter ; and if any Heathen, who has married one wife among the natives, pay attention to our teaching, he fhould be exhorted to enter into a folemn engagement to continue the hulband of one wife.
Avoid unnecefiary difputes about modes and forms; in uncftential matters, let every man think for himfelf, and not exaggerate the importance of things which do not aftcCt the fundamental doCtrincs of Chriftianity.
Regulations
REGULATION OP THE MISSION. 6l
III.
Regulations on the Voyage .
APT AIN WILSON being appointed to the
command of the (hip Dlpf, an obedience to
his injun&ions and regulations is neceflarily re- quired on the part of the Millionaires.
The improvement of the Millionaires in ufeful knowledge, and the prefer vation of their health, arc the two great objects to be attended to during the voyage ; the fiifl is intimately connected with eftablilhing a dilcreet fyftem of ufeful employment, adapted to the capacities and future defignution of the Miflionaries.
I. The Miflionaries mav be divided into two
• J
clafles ; thole who arc already in a more advanced Itate of mental improvement, and who are more particularly defigned to be employed in the in- flru6tion of others; and thofc who will berm- ployed in the! exercife of their art' and knowledge as mechanics. With refpedl to the firft it is re- commended,
1. That fome part of every day fhall be em- ployed in reading the Bible, and fueh other works as are adapted to increafc their religious know- ledge, and thereby their fitnefs for communicating religious i nil ruction.
2. That fome part of every day fhall alfo be employed in the accjuifition of general knowledge, viz. natural hiftory and the mathematics, particu- larly navigation.
3. That they fhall occafionally be engaged in the inftru&ion of the others in every branch of ufeful knowledge.
4. That one of them fhall be appointed Libra- rian, w ho is to have the charge of the books, and
who
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
t>2
who is to enter the name of the perfon who defires v one from the Library.
5. That one of them fhall be appointed to keep a journal, in which fhall be recorded the daily tranfadtions and general employments of the Mif- fionaries, together with their obfervations, taken from the thermometer and barometer every morn- ing, noon, and night.
0. That a portion of their time fhall be em- ployed in learning the vocabulary of the Otaheitan
4 language, which they will be furnifhed with.
With refpedt to thole who are more particularly to be employed in the mechanic arts, it is recom- mended,
1. That they alfo fhould employ feme part of every day in reading the Scriptures, and other re- ligious writings, for the purpofe of increafing their religious knowledge.
2. That they make themfelves ufeful on board of fhip as occafions may arife, in the exercife of their arts, as carpenters, fmiths, fail-makers, pain- ters, &c.
3. That they diligently attend to the inltrudfions which may be afforded them by others for their improvement in general knowledge.
II, With refpect to the health of the Miffiona- rics, as a free circulation of air, and an attention to cleanlinefs are the moft eflential means of pre- ferving it, it is recommended,
1. That when the weather permits they fhall bring their hammocks on deck, at fuch hour as Captain Wilfon {hall hereafter appoint, and to keep the fpa.ee betwixt the decks clean, by as fre- quently wafhing the fame as fhall be thought ne- cefiary.
2. That as it is cuftomary, for the fafety* of the fhip, that the lights in it fhould be extinguifhed £>y eight o’clock in the evening, and conle- (juentiy the Miflioparics will retire early to refi, it
is
REGULATION OP THE MISSION. 6$
is recommended, as a means of preferring their health, that they thould rife at the break of day.
3. That as inactivity, or too much fedentary employment, may be injurious to health, it is re- commended that every Miffionary take daily exer* cite upon the deck.
IV.
Concerning the Mode of Settlement in the IJlands.
IN attempting to obtain an abiding fettlemcnt in any ifland, it will be the duty of the Mif- fionaries to exercile much dependance on the Lord their God ; for the communication from on high of that peculiar dilcernment and liigacity which arc nectjlary in the firft opening of intercourfe with an uncultivated and unknown people ; and likewile for that influence upon the minds of the nations, which will turn the hearts of the people towards them, and bring them into favour and tender love with them. In fubordination to this dependance, every proper mean is to be ufed, with a humble fear of provoking divine jealoufy, by re- liance on the arm of flelb.
The Miflionaries may avail themfelves of the good opinion which they And entertained by the Heathen of thofe Europeans, particularly from this ifland, who have formerly viflted them. They will alio watch the firlt opportunities to iinprefs the people of the iflands with the flmplicity and un- feigned benevolence of their own hearts towards them, in the flrlt initance, with refpett to tem- poral objedts and concerns ; inflnuating to them, without oftentation, the luperior improvements in
the
64 INSTRUCTIONS FOR ,THE
the arts of life which they have had opportunity to acquire, and expreffing a cordial readinefs to impart to them every inflruedion and affidance of that kind. At the fame time, it will be becoming the character of Spiritual Miffionaries, to convince the natives, as foon as it is practicable, that they fct no great value on thefe things, or on any thing whatever belonging merely to this world ; but that the chief treafure they convey is entirely of a reli- gious and heavenly nature. The favourable pro- vidential influence on the minds of the natives, above alluded to, will attend thofe, who, while they ufe prudent precautions, keep clofe to their fpiritual errand and work, as that which will bear them through every difficulty.
The Miffionaries muft make the natives fen- fible, that in fettling among them they have no un- reafonable demands to make, no claims of ambi- tion, arrogance, or avarice ; that they are difpofed to acknowledge with the pureft integrity and re- fpedt the dominion of the natives over their own ifland, and all its productions, and thje fubordina- tion previoufly eflabliihed, and that they defire no further footing or property among them than is neceflary, in order to their ferving them in their mod valuable interefts. Every thing, therefore, ihould be fixed between the natives and the Mif- fionaries, by t ran factions formed in the cleared and mod equitable manner, according to the ideas of juflice which the natives entertain, and arc ac- quainted with. The Miffionaries mud not feem, nor indeed be, anxious to obtain an independanee of the free good-will of the natives, but rather fhow a willingnefs to place confidence in their juflice and generofity.
The firft acd of the Captain, or whofoev^r may be empowered to treat with the natives, will be tiie procuring, by favour or purchafe, fuch a fpot
of
REGULATION OP THE MISSION. 65
of ground as may be fufficicnt for provifion of every fort, as well as for an abode.
On this fpot a confiderably large houfe fhould be eredted, which may ferve for the place of public worfhip, wheir the weather will not admit our af- fembling beneath a wide-fprcading tree, or the fair canopy of Heaven. Thisfpacious manfion fhould be formed as much as convenient after the mode and with the materials of the country, in building which, it is hoped we fhall have the affiflance of the natives. There fhould alfo be a large room appropriated to a common hall for all meals, which fhould be fixed and regular, and it will alfo ferve for a fchool room for the natives, at appointed hours.
All matters of houfbold economy may be regu- lated by a fleward, appointed by the Committee for this very purpofe, who is to take care, with proper affiftants, from the produce of the land and the ftores, to provide the family, according to a bill of fare regulated by the fealons, and the abun- dance or fcarcity, which mult regulate your con- fumption.
At meals, the acknowledgment of God fhould be folemn, animated and chearful : fometimes ac- companied with a pfalm or hymn ; temperance, an unfeigned readinefs in each to become the fervant of all ; a mutual delight in each other’s temporal comfort, and a difpofition to catch proper fealons of converfation on fpiritual things, fhould diitin- guifh the Chriltian from the Pagan board.
/
66 INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
V.
Mariner of Life in Society, Lomefic Economy, and. Employment of Time.
HERE'alfo will, wc hope, appear among the Miffionaries the marks of that wifdom and energy which proceed from the Ipirit of the living God. The order, harmony, vigour, and fubordi- nation, which will reign through every corner of the mclofure, muft exhibit a ftriking lpedtacle to the untutored mind.
How much of your time the neceffary attention to your provifion and maintenance will require, cannot, be known till you get there ; labour is ra- ther to be courted than refufed, as nothing would be more dangerous than a fpirit of idlenefs.
Hours for the culture of your ground muft be allotted daily, when every hand muft be diligent according to his ability. Probably it will be moft for the general good that thefe hours for manual labour fhould be employed by each in their fcveral peculiar arts and vocations. The gardener and huf- bandmen, and thofe who have no art or peculiar occupation, thould be in the field, cultivating the land ; the carpenter at his law-pit or Ihop ; the fmith at his forge or vice ; and each ferving the community in his own way ; fo that the appointed hours of labour being thus fpent in the moft ufeful manner for the whole, the reft of the day may be appropriated for the more immediate purpofes of the. million.
Your own improvement in ufeful knowledge fhould occupy a part of every day ; the beft in- formed may improve themfelves, and aftift and bring' forward their brethren. Particular attention, fhould be paid to acquire as fpcedily as poftible the
Otaheitau
REGULATION OP THE MISSION. 67
Otaheitan language, to which the afiiftance of the Englilhmen we may find there will greatly contri- bute ; if but one or two of them cordially embrace the Miifionaries, and appear traCtable, and dif- pol'cd to hear the word of falvation. Thus, as foon as pofiible, lhould we endeavour to have tranfia- tions of prayers and hymns in the Otaheitan lan- guage, and may probably find thefe blefied to the natives, even before we can acquire a facility to addrefs them in their own tongue ; many may be pleated to ling with us, even before they undet- liand the import of the words ; feleCt pafiages of Scripture and hymns may be amonglt our firft ef- fays of printing. We cannot but feel a facred glow when we think that the firft chapter of St. John’s Gofpel may be read in the Otaheitan lan- guage before another year expires.
Some part of every day fiiould be fixed, as is moft convenient, to inftruCt the natives, to which instruc- tions they fhould be invited : our brethren each tak- ing a clafs to teach the letters of our alphabet ; the women fhould teach the women and girls apart, and the brethren the men. We fcarce entertain a doubt that many of the natives, from the higheft to the lowed:, will be eager to learn how to read, and mark thofe characters that to them muft ap- pear fo wonderful.
During the time alfo that our feveral handi- craftlmen are at work at their feveral trades, the natives will crowd with curiofity around them : all readinefs to inftruCt and inform them fhould be fhewn ; every little office of kindnefs be freely done for them, and native youths of ready ge- nius, efpecially the relatives of the fuperior people, whofe protection and favour will be of ufe to us, taken and taught how to manage tools.
At fuch feafons there will be a favourable op- portunity to addrefs the natives, who may be at-
II 2 traCted
6B instructions for the
trailed by their curiofity, and to mingle divine fubjedts of indruction with lefions of information.
It is earnedly recommended that every perfon in the Mifsion keep a particular diary of his own. Befides this, one perfon fhould be appointed to keep a general diary of the daily employments, and of every material occurrence which happens, we with no fpecious accounts to meet public curiofity, but fimple narratives of fa£ts and oblervations.
This diary fhould contain remarks on the coun- try, extent, divifion, foil, climate, produce, reli- gious obfervances, government, focial manners, common employments, &c. of the inlanders : each from time to time fhould read thefe, and add any farther obfervations they have made. Something of this kind fhould be done every day, and the ma- terials arranged once a week for transmitting home. Thefe obfervations, formed into a body, would exceedingly gratify the public, and probably greatly advance the purpofe of the Mifsion, by exciting a milsionary fpirit, and producing a considerable pe- cuniary afsiftance towards the furtherance of the work.
Whilft every brother poflefies the property he choofes to carry with him, as an individual — as a Chriflian Society they fhould have a community of all the goods provided by the Society’s funds, of the produce of their lands, and of their feveral la- bours, all this fhould come into a common ftock for the cc|ual ufe and benefit of the whole : This is primitive, and, in the prefent date of things, mod conducive to the great obje<5t.
Whild every office of kindnefs individually fhould be fhown to the natives, no traffic, on any account, fhould be carried on, but by the perfon the President choofes to be the medium of com- munication in every purchafe or exchange ; nor fhould any brother prefume to infringe this regu- lation, By this means you will be prevented from
exhauding
REGULATION OP THE MISSION. G(J
exhaufting your ftorcs, which by all wife methods you mult hufband to the belt advantage.
Great caution fhould be ufed as to af fuming a fuperiority over any of the natives by making fer- vants of them, even though they may feem willing to lubmit to the yoke, excepting in fuch things as fifhing, that cannot be well done without the af* fiftance of their ferviccs. The great and powerful among the natives fhould be taught by example to reward and do good to the lowcft.
Till the {hip returns, do not feparate from each other, but endeavour to perfedt yourlelves in the language of the country. Let your excurfions al- ways be in company two or three together, lent by the brethren, limiting the time of abfence, and returning according to order.
We recommend great diligence in providing an abundant culture of native vegetables and roots, as well as railing fuch new ones as may be carried out, and will be found congenial with the climate. A prolific foil will probably abundantly repay their efforts, and plentyr will enable us to afsifl the more indigent of the natives, and conciliate by adts of kindnefs their regard ; remembering always that the fouls of the mcaneft are as precious as the fouls of the greateft, and fuch kindnefs to their bodies will mark our friendfhip to them, and we hope enable us by every means to gain fome.
Whatever European commodities may be left, medicines, liquors, articles of drefs or food, fhould be carefully preferred for exigencies, all ftrong and fpirituous liquors fhould be wholly abftained from, but as medicine and on fpecial occafions, and the natives fhould never be fuffered to tafte them.
The natives are difpofed to fteal our iron and tools, and as the temptation to them is fo great, we fhould be very careful, when ufing tools in their company, to lay them near us and in
light
. wO * , < ' ,
70 INSTRUCTIONS, 8CC.
fight, and never leave them with fuch temptations before them.
The books belonging to the Million fhould be under the care and refponfibility of a particular perfon, who {hall take a note from thofe brethren who may defire to borrow any of them, and none be removed without fuch a note occupying a place.
Though we hope our conduCl will convince the natives that they will get more by our inftructions and affiftance than by any robbery they may com- mit, and that the King and Chiefs will probably pledge themfelves for our fecurity under that con- viction, yet we advife that the houfe be never left without fome perfon in it, as our attention w ill difcQurage any temptation.
On fhore, probably, the fettlement itfielf fhould be formed, with fome view of fituation, eafy of defence, and difficult of accefs, and the houfes fo fituated, as to be furrounded with a ditch and pallifadocs, which, if no other purpofe was an- fwered, would render all noCturnal depredations from the natives more difficult ; make it lecure as the fituation will admit, without appearing to ere<5t a fortrefs, or to defend it by arms, which might alarm the jealoufy, and alienate the affection of the Chiefs. Our own peaceable and unafluming behaviour will foon convince them, that they have nothing to apprehend from us of danger, and every thing to expeCt of kindnefs and affiftance.
FINIS.
Publifhed by T. CHAPMAN, Fleet-Street,
Price Two Shillings and Sixpence,
SIX SERMONS,
Preached in London at the Formation of the
MISSIONARY SOCIETY,
September 22, 23, 24, 1795,
BY THE
Rev Dr. Haweis, Aldwinckle.
Rev. George Burder, Coventry.
Rev. Samuel Greatheed, Woburn.
Rev. John Hey, Briftol.
Rev. Rowland Hill, M. A. Surry Chapel. Rev. David Bogue, Gofport.
To which are prefixed Memorials refpe£ting the Ella-* blilhment and firft Attempts of that Society.
also -
Price Two Shillings and Sixpence,
FOUR SERMONS,
Preached in London at the Second General Meeting of the
MISSIONARY SOCIETY,
May 11, 12, 13, 1796,
BY THE
Rev. Mr. Lambert, Hull,
Rev. Mr. Pentvcrofs, Wallingford,
Rev. Mr. Jay, Bath, and Rev. Mr. Jones, Llangan.
To which are prefixed, the Proceedings of the Meeting, and the Report of the Direftors,
With a Portrait of Captain Wilfon.