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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Stre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. errata i to B pelure, on d n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 -' '- <^-ve<^ ^ U*i-4^-' \, i^^ ACCOUNT OF FOREIGN MISSIONS UNDERTAKEN AND SUPPORTED BY CHURCHES IN EDINBURGH, AND OTHER PLACES. June 1. ]80f). »■'.■ •f ,i'Ji!i-X;t.-r # I i i : i 'mati %\. m^ .^' REPORT. (^.. . The Churches of Cbriji ajjemllmg in College Street and Leith» Walk^ Edinburgh — to all that in every place call upon tht name of Jefus Chriji our Lordf both theirs and ours : Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father ^ and the Lordjefus ChriJl, To your confderation, beloved Brethren, the following Report it novo addreffed, THE attention which has of late years been excited to the miferable condition of a great part of the world, and the means employed to diffufe the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jefus among the nations, mud be highly gratifying to every be- liever of the gofpel. Never fince the Reformation have the thoughts of Chriftians been fo generally diredled to this impor- tant object. Indeed if we make a very few exceptions, it ap- pears to have been altogether neglected. Various reafons might be given for this negled. It might be alleged, and probably with juftice, that Chriftians have been guided too much by their own ideas of the fecret purpofes of God, inftead of remembering, that their only fure guide is that word which he has given to be a lamp to their paths, and a light to their feet. It may be, they forgot, in a great meafure, the connection which fubfids in all the plans of Providence between the means and the end. They hoped and prayed for the fuccefs of the gofpel ; but they over- looked the important queftions. How (hall they call on him of whom they have not heard ? And how Ihall they hear without a preacher ? And how ftiall they preach except they be fent ? If God had fpread the gofpel extenfively without employing the zealous exertions of his people to eflfeA it, it would have been contrary to what he has given us reafon to expedt, and fo far as we can trace it, contrary to the general plan of his provi* dence. A Perhaps thole who believed that God would employ the zC-» live endeavours of his people in difFufing the truth, expedled that their zeal was to be called forth by fome lingular divine in- terpofition. They might imagine that till this (hould take place, the time was not come, the time when the Lord's houfe (hould be built, not reflefling that God has commanded us in his holy word to ufe every means in our power, at all times, to promote his glory, and l6 do good to our brethren of men. That fome fuch idea operated on the minds of believers, is highly probable. At all events, we have, in the floth and inactivity of Chriftians, compared with the indefatigable exertions of merchants and men of fcience, a lively illuflracion of our Lord's words. '*• The chil- dren of this world are wifer in conducting their affairs, than the children of light " But however Chriftians might quiet their confciences, while fo great a part of the world, to which they had free accefs, was buried in idolatry, we apprehend that one of the principal caufes of their doing fo little, was their not entering into the meaning of our Lord's words, John xviii. 36. " My kingdom is not of this world." They had no idea of fpreadingthe gofpel merely by the converfion of individuals. They deemed it neceflfary that the religion of Jefus fhould be fupported by the civil power. Hence, where this could not be looked for, they coniidered individual exertions as in a great meafure unavailing. That fuch views were entertained, is evident from the condu^ of all the Refor- mers. How anxious were they to get the authority of the civil Magiflrate on their fide ! When the Proteftant princes were at war, they feem to have thought that on the ifTue of it depended the caufe of the Reformation. They forgot that the religion of Jefus kept its ground, and profpered, not only without the fup- port, but even in defiance of all the oppofition of the Roman Emperors ; and that the dreadful corruptions againll which they were Uruggling, had arifen from the unnatural alliance of a fpi> ritual and temporal kingdom. • It is indeed true, that where the Proteftants were fuccefsful, great advantages accrued, even in regard to fpiritual things j whereas, on the contrary, where they were unfuccefsful, a com> plete check was given to invefligation. This, however, was in a great meafure owing to the connection which fubfifted between civil liberty and the Reformation. This connection induced fome of the kings of Europe to oppofe the Proteflant religion with a zeal which would not probably have been called forth on account of religion alone. The Proteftants made it a common caufe, and this no doubt greatly excited the jealoufy of the Ro- man Catholics. Cromwell, for inftance, treated with the King of France about the perfecution of the Proteftants, and partly by threats obtained better ufage for them. No wonder that Ca- tholic pi confidere perfuafio aCted up civil go honour time wl there is more, an like Spa Itisl truth, all tures ar who are views of fiance th to us an grefs in with civ mifliona ing Chr preachin individu the ordi Tl»e i to fome ought a falvatior be, rega and beir or dlvifi all be p judgmei among ' though, cally fe in conft demonfi 21. If W( lieving, that we fo cleat are pro great n the wil jflured loy the zC-t . expeded divine in- take place, : (hould be holy word omote his fome fuch jable. At Chriftians, ; and mea The chil- , than the ;s, while fo iccefs, was ipal caufes e meaning I is not of merely by ry that the T. Hence, individual ,uch views he Refor- f the civil es were at depended religion ot* the fup- le Roman /hich they of a fpi, fuccefsful, il things J d, a com. ?r, was in I between t induced t religion i forth on common the Ro- the King partly by that Ca- tholic princes were glad to get rid of people, whom they juftly confidered as more attached to foreign princes of the Proteltaiit perfuafion than to their own fovereigns. Had the Reformers a6ted upon fcripiural principles, difclaiming all interference with civil governments, leaving them as they found tliem, giving honour and fubjeftion to the powers that be, and at the lame time wholly reje£ling their interference in religioys concerns, there is no doubt but the caufe of Jefus would have profpcred more, and we ilionld not have feen ftt this day whole kingdoms, like Spain and Portugal, in the grofleft darknefs. It is long before prejudice is eradicated: but the progrcfs of truth, although often flow, is always certain, where the Scrip- tures are generally read We cannot indeed riippofe, thai nil who are at prefent e;igaged in the caufe of miirions, have jult views of the nature of Chrift's kingdom ; but the vcrv circum- flance that fo many Chriltians are engaged in this caufe, apperirs to us an evident proof that believers have made confiderable pvo- grefs in their views of truth on this fubjeft. Thofe conntxSed with civil eftabl (hments, as well as difl'enters, are fending out mifllonaries, not to treat with heathen governments about adopt- ing Chriftianity as their national religion, but to endeavour, by preaching remiflion of fins through the blood of Chrift, to call individuals from darknefs to light, and to teach them to obferve the ordinances of Chrift. The number of focieties which have been formed, may appenr to fome a caufe of regret. It may be alleged, that Chriliians ought all to unite in one body, to make known the common falvation. This is true. Were Chriflians what they oup;ht to be, regarding the Scriptures alone as the rule of truth and duty, and being entirely direded by them, there would be no fchifms or divifions among them in this or in any thing elfc ; they would all be perfe£tly joined together in the fame mind and in the fame judgment. While there were fatliers, young men, and babes among them, they would obferve the fame ordinances ; and al- though, fo long as they were in this world, they would be lo- cally feparated from one another, yet their unity and harmony, in confequence of being all taught by the felf fame Spirit, would demonftrate, that Jefus came forth from the Father, John xvii. 21. If we judge by our own experience, we may be flow in be- lieving, that this fliall ever take place ; but let us remember, that we live during that time of awful defection from the truth fo clearly foretold in the Scriptures, when the witneflTes of Jefus are prophefying in fackcloth, and the glory of the church is in a great raeafure concealed. The period of the woman's abode in the wildernefs. Rev. xii. 6. has not yet expired ; but we know 5ifluredlyi that it is drawing towards a clofe, and that fpon all (it: '\,s. the holy apoftles and prophets, and all the deemed, downfall of (hall be called When this (hall be the cafe, when the Spirit (hall be poured out froai on high, when Chridians, fet free from a thoufand preju- dices which now fetter them, (hall all (ludy to regulate them- felves by the one infallible flandard — is it too mucli to expe£t, that they (hall agree, not merely in their views of fome great and important dodrines, but in regard to all the ordinances which Chrift has delivered ? At prcfent, however, we fee them much divided ; and the ne- ceflary confequence of this is, a greater or Icfs degree of jea- loufy of each other. lu fuch circumdances, their uniting in one body, to di(Fufe the knowledge of divine truth, about fome parts of which they are not agreed, is perhaps not fo defirable as it might appear at fird (ight. Unlefs they account the matters in which they difagree to be abfolutely indifferent, (in which cafe they ought to put an end to their differences entirely), the diver- (Ity of fentiment will produce a certain degree of mutual fufpi- cion, and their union will at the beft be partial. While things are in this fituation, perhaps there would be more unity amongil Chrifiians, if each body a£led according to its own views, with- out being obliged, from connection with others, either to go be- yond or to fall (hort of them. In this cafe, believers would pro- ceed with greater energy ; and although their exertions might be conduced upon a fmaller fcale, yet, by each taking a feparate field, more good might be done. Impreffed with thefe fentiments, the following Refolutions were adopted, and publiQied by the churches in the Miffionary Magazine for April 1803. ** The churches not only confider themfelves debtors to their neighbours at home, but alfo to the heathen, who are perifhing for lack of knowledge. Various confiderations induce them, as churches, to attempt doing fomething abroad. ** I. The formation of a Miffionary Society, feems to imply a deficiency in the conftitution of a church of Chrift, as if it were not competent for fuch to ufe all the means neceffary for fpread> ing the gofpel. But in the New Teftament we read of mifHons fent out by churches, and we hear of no other focieties engaged in the work. Paul and Barnabas were fent oixt to the heathen by the church at Antioch. The churches were commanded to receive the brethren thus employed, and to bring them forward on their journey after a godly fort, 3 John 6. 10. From the church at ThefTalonica, the word of the Lord founded out in Ma- cedonia and Achaia, i ThefT. i. 8. ** 2. They confider it to be of the greatcft importance, that Chri- I I ftians (hoi kting in t to every neftly de Chrirtian But they Chrifliar None ar( duty, no as they 1 "3. \ doing bpi any foci< idea of ( endeavo room fo "Un bers fet converf to devo tors wi church will la; the fut u X coUeai *«o for prJ "T filler c vite tb to con their \ . ~^;^-VAAi,:ii;:*;;.' |ed, (hall be )f Babylon, poured out ifand preju- ilate them- to expedV, Jfome great lances which and the ne- rce of jea- iting in one fonie parts firable as it matters in which cafe . the divcr- utual fufpi. ^hile things ity amongrt iews, with- r to go be- would pro- is might be a feparate Refolutions Miflionary •s to their e perifhing e them, as to imply a if it were *or fpread- if millions s engaged 5 heathen nanded to t» forward From the It in Ma. hatChri. I ftians (hould as much as poflible be of one mind when cooper- ating in the execution ot any plan. They heartily wiih fuccefs to every attempt for promoting the cauU of ChriU. They car- neftly defire to fee brotherly love more and more prevail among Chrillians, although in feme refpefts differing from each other. But they believe this end will be bell attained by each body of Chrillians walking according to the light they have received. None are in this cafe dragged beyond what they judge to be duty, nor are the confciences of others hurt by not going fo far as they think they ought to do. " 3. Whatever they do, will be in addition to what is already doing by others They are perfuaded their plan will not prevent any fociety from fending out a Angle miffionary. They have no idea of oppofition. They will pray for all who, by proper means, endeavour to extend the Redeemer's kingdom. Ther : is ample room for all their exertions. " Under thefe impreffions, the Churches call upon their mem- bers ferioufly to turn their attention to the great obj. ft of the converfion of the heathen. They call upon fuch as are willing to devote themfelves to the work to come forward. The pal- tors will examine thofe who apply, will give in a report to the churches on the moll favourable field for their exertions, and will lay before them whatever information they can colleft on the fubjeft. " The funds neceflary for carrying on this plan, to arife from colleftions, fubfcriptions, donations. Sec. ** On the firfl Wednefday of every month, they will afltmble for prayer for the fuccefs of the gofpel at home and abroad. *• The pallors will write circular letters in their name to their filler churches, to acquaint them with their plan, and to in- vite them to turn their attention to the Hate of the heathen, and to conllder and communicate what they think may be done lor their relief." The ideas fuggelled in the foregoing refolutions .met with tha cordial approbation of the brethren in our filler churches, with whom we convcrfcd or correfponded on the fubjeft. Nothing was now wanting but fuitable perfons to go out as Milfionaries, and fome llation to be fixed upon where our exertions might commence. In regard to the former we were not long kept ia fufpence. Mr John Paterfon, who had ftudied under Mr Ewing, had it in view, from the time he began his lludies, to devote him- felf to the work of preaching to the heathen. When his flu- dies were finilhed, he went to Gambullang, and by his inllru- mentality a church was planted there. The members were much «ttached to him, and were earneflly defirous of his retnaining anriongd them.andbecomingthcir paftor. Although hehad not loff i'lght of his original i.fi^n, he confented to this, partly from the profpedl of ufefnlnefs there prefented, and partly fronri not find- ing any of his fellow ftudents, who were difpofed to accompany him abroad. At the time when the above refolutions were printed, he had been fome years at Gambuflmg. The profpeft which this afforded him of going out in a way which he judged to be more fcriptu- ral than any other he had heard of, revived all his former de. fires. Conne£led with this, his intimate friend, Mr Archibald M'Lae, pador of a church in Kirkcaldy, who in confequjnce of his marriage, had for a time dropped his original intttntion of devoting himfelf to the fervice of Jsfus in foreign lands, was now equally defirous of embarking in the famecaufe. Having confulted together, they informed the churches in Edinburgh of their defire to go abroad to preach the gofpel, and at the fame time mentioned India as the fphere they wiflied to occupy. This propofal met with the cordial approbation of the churches ; but as they wifhedto proceed with the full confent of their filter churches whofe pallors had propofed themfelves, they rcfolvcd to correfpond on the fubjeft with their brethren at Kirkcaldy and Gambullang. In confequence of this refolution, tl>c following correfpondence took place. *' The churches of Chrill in Edinburgh, to th" church of Chrift in Kirkcaldy : Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God and our Saviour Je- fus Chria. ** We are informed, beloved brethren, that the mind of your dear pallor has, for a confiderable time, been turned to- wards the Hate of the heathen ; and, although much attached to you. among whom he has been for fome time called to labour, he Hill defires to devote himfelf to the Lord's fervice ampngft them. *• We are aware, dear brethren, of your regard and attach- ment to him ; but we trull you will not be unwilling to give him up for fo important a purpofe. " We are unanimous in wifhing to join with our filler churches in forwarding his views ; but without your mind we would do nothing in this matter. " We fiiall elleem it a token for ihuch good if you can cheer.* fully give him up to the work. We doubt not but you will fee the hand of God in it, and will confider the earned defire of our dear brother continuing fo long, conne£led with the prefent favourable opportunity of fending hitn forth, as the voice of ou( Lord Jefus to yoi^ as a church. «« Wit! lie, we d( tain, is that w vcrty " "We men goi fliould n( faithfullj to obferv expcrien will be e "We others, t being fei ntceffary inclinati great is alfo rem tain a pi lified mi uW« -f hearty c we are i I and we ^ and con be the 1 we {hal his owr Lord." .«X1 letter. us in t count. tion r ded in our p to the lake, a con heath work lie had not lof|i rtly from the rom /lot find. accompany intcd, he had this afforded Bore fcriptu- formcr de- <• Archibald fecjuonce of mention of lands, was Having dinburgh of «t the fame to occupy. : churches ; ■ their fifter ey refolvcd rkcaJdy and following church of tiplied unto Javiour Je- thc mind turned to- ittached lo to labour, c ampngft d attach- f to give churches would do in cheer- l^ou will defire of J prefent e of ouy ** With him, dear brethren, is the refidue of the Spirit, and he, we doubt not, will amply compenfate the lofs you may fuf- tain. *' There is that Icattereth, and yet increaleth ; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, and it tendeth to po- verty ** **We would juft fugged to you the importance of approved men going as miflionaries. It is doubly neceflary that fuch iliould not be novices ', and that they fhould not only be able faithfully to preach the gofpel, but alfo to teach the difciples to obferve all things which the Lord hath commanded. The experience which our dear brother has had while with you, will be eminently ufeful to him in the work he has in view. " We fee, in the failure of fome miflions, and the fuccefs of others, the vaft importance of men of knowledge and experience being fent out. This renders it, in fome meafure, abfolutely neceflary, that the churches fhould be ready to facrifice their own inclinations to the glory of Immanuel. Without this, nothing great is to be expe£ted from miflions to the heathen. Let us alfo remind you, dear brethren, how much more eafy it is to ob- tain a proper paflor for a church in this country than a well-qua- lifled mifllonary. it We do not mention thefe things from any doubt of your hearty concurrence in this matter j but we know that fometimea we are moll apt to err in what mod nearly concerns ourfelves, and we ufe the privilege of brethren, to endeavour to ilrengthen and confirm your faith and zeal. Brethren, pray for us. If it be the Lord's will that you (hould be deprived of your paflor, we fliall not ceafe to entreat him to fill his place with one after his own heart. We remain, brethren, yours in our common Lord." •' The church of Chrifl in Kirkcaldy to the churches of Chriit in Edinburgh : Grace and peace be multiplied to you, through the knowledge of God and Jefus our Lord. " Beloved brethren. We received your afifeftionate letter. The candour and tendernefs which you manifefl toward us in this aflUir, conftrain us to give thanks to God on your ac- count. We have had feveral meetings for prayer and confulta- tion refpeding the buflnefs of the miflion. We are nearly divi- ded in our opinion concerning the path of duty with regard to our paflor. The one half of the church, though much attached to their dear paflor, whom they highly efleem for his work's fake, and would have counted themfelves happy to have enjoyed a continuation of his labours, yet, confldering the ftate of the heathen, the earned defire of his mind to devote himfelf to the work of the Lord among ihem) conne^ed with the prefent favour- .; able opportunity of fending him forth, think they are called to facrifice their own inclinations, in order that the heathen may be given to Jefus for his inheritance ; and therefore they cheerfully give up their pador to this important work. — But the other half of the church were of a different opinion. They could not fee it to be the path of duty for him to leave his prefent important ftation ; they urged the pofTibility of their pallor being miltaken in this matter, the infant ftate of the church, the increaling de- fire of the people to hear the gofpel ; that the new place of wor> Ihip was nearly Unifhed, which will contain the double of our prelentone, and confequently greatly enlarge the fphere of hisufe. fulnefs ; the difficulty of finding a paftor who might give general fatisfadion, and have other qualifications necefTary for a proper difcharge of the duties of the paftoral office ; and the great pro- bability of finding a well qualified miffionary, who did not now occupy an equally important flation Thefe, with fome other reafons which were mentioned, appeared to them weighty ob- jefbions to their pallor going out as a miffionary. But whild they freely ftated their prefent views, they were willing tocon- fider the fubjcft more fully, and were ready to fay. The will of the Lord be done ; and if it were the will of God that their paf- tor fhould be called away to labour among the heathen, they would unite with the reft of their brethren, in following him with their belt wiflies and fervent prayers. Dear brethren, pray for us. " Kirkcaldy, lotb March 1804." ** The churches of Chrift in Edinburgh, to the church of Chrift in Kirkcaldy : Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jefus Chrift. " It was with unfeigned pleafure, that we learned by your very friendly letter, that fo many of you, dear brethren, were willing cheerfully to give up your beloved Paftor to the work of preaching the gofpel among the heathen. That fome of you fhould not be exadlly of the fame mind, did not furprife us. We know how apt we all are to be biafTed by affeAion in the exercife of our judgment. We are well aware, beloved, that befides private attachment, other motives tend powerfully to operate on the minds of our dear brethren. They are concern- ed for the profperity of the Lord^s work, and fear that our dear brother leaving Kirkcaldy might injure it much. We know you will bear with us, while we ufe the privilege of brethren in Chrift, to endeavour to remove fome of the obftacles which prelent themfelves to your minds. We are afTured, that your heart's defire and prayer is, that you may be guided in the midft of the paths of judgment, and that in this, as in other matter we wr fully fs you, as gofpel. indiffei defire f be conf churchj muft e\ breath we fuf( objeftio "It fuaded, truth, a than th «Th paftoral you fou fwer to are called to eathen may be hey cheerfully ; the other half could not fee ent important >eing miilaketi increadng de- place of wot- louble of our liereof hisufe. it give general for a proper he great pro- > did not now \i fome other weighty ob- . But whim villing to con- ', The will of that their paf> tieathen, they ollowing him lear brethren, ic church of ice from God we learned ear brethren, aftor to the That fome not furprife afFedlion in beloved, that >werfu]ly to are concern- lat our dear We know of brethren acles which that your ided in the as in other fl matters, the will of the Lord may be done. Under this impreflion we write to you, brethren, with the atmoft freedom, and we are fully fatisfied, that you will impute what we fay to afFeftioa for you, as well as an earneft defire for the general fuccefs of the gofpel. We are far from thinking that the church fliould be indifferent about a faithful pallor, or that they Ihould have no defire for his continuance amongd them. Such an one ihould be confldered a» a valuable gift from the great Head of the church, and ought to be efteemed very highly in love. But we muft ever recolleft the commandment to ceafe from man, whofe breath is in his noftrils. Will you pardon us, dear brethren, if we fufpeft that fome degree of unbelief may fugged mod of the objeftions dated in your letter. " It is true the church is in an infant date, yet we are per- fuaded, brethren, that you are knit together by the love of the truth, and confequently that you have a firmer bond of unicn than that of any man however valuable. " The qualificaiions neceffary for the proper difcharge of the pafioral office are highly important : but what iniquity have you found in Jefus which ftiould lead you to doubt, that, in an- fwer to your prayers, and thole of your brethren, he will bedow on you a pallor after his own heart ? We have no apprehenfioti of any danger arifing from your freely making rhe facrificci which, as it appears to us, the Lord fo evidently demands ; but we own we are not without uneafinefs, left, by refufing your full confent, and thus limiting the power and goodnefs of Jefus, where you have fuch clear intimations of his will, you (hould bring upon the church and caufe of God at Kirkcaldy the very evils, which you dread as the confequence of parting with your beloved paftor. ** You have been praying the Lord to pity the poor heathen, and to dir up the hearts of his people to engage in the work of the gofpel amcngd them. He has heard your prayers-; our dear brother fays, Here am I ! fend me. Let us entreat you, bre- thren, to rtjjice in the opportunity the Lord has given you of not only faying, Be ye warmed and clothed, but of denying yourfelves for their bent-fit. ** You notice the probability of finding a well qualified miflion- ary ; but furely, brethren, you are aware, that the qualifications of a proper miifionary are more rarely to be met with than thofe of a pador. Knowledge, zeal, experience, and devotednefs, are altogether indifpenfable in the former ; and although a pador ought to pofl*efs all thefe, a miflionary requires them in a higher degree, from having little or no acccfs to the counfel or advice of his brethren, and being expofed to far greater temptations and hatdfiiips in his work. ** We hinted in our lad, that unlefs the churches were willing B ".^-^l-\iita^-.-»iJ . 10 to part with their padors, whofe hearts inclined them to the work, nothing great could be expefted in the way of miflionary exertions. Young men are unfit for the work, and thofe who have been preachers for fome time, without being called to the paftoral care of a church, muft in general be deficient in fome qualifications which are eflential for a miflionary. " You obfi^rve, dear brethren, that your pallor may be miftaken in this matter. But what additional evidence can he have of his call to the work ? For many years he has been earnellly defir- ous of engaging in it. His being comfortably fixed in a fitua- tion, where he loves and is beloved by his btethien, has produced no change on his refolution. An opportuiuty is in providence afforded him of going abroad in the manner he judges mod fcriptural ; a beloved brother in Chrid is defirous of accompanying him ; his partner in life is cheerfully ready to ihare with him the perils of the arduous undertaking. In fliorr, brethren, if thefe are not fufficient indications of the will of God, we may defpair of attaining certainty as to the path of duty, and xnud ever remain fixed to the fituation in which we are placed whatever it may be. Indeed we apprehend fo many weighty circumdances feldom concur to point out the path of duty. If the church had been from the fird unanimous in encouraging !him to go forward, you would then, brethren, have confidered it his duty to proceed. But we can only conceive this to have arifen from the following caufes : either that his labours were un- acceptable to the church, and that they were defirous to part with him ; or that the Lord hadmiraculoufly interfered by giving a com- mandment, as he did to the church at Antioch, in regard to Paul and Barnabas ; or .had no lefs miraculoufly influenced the minds of every individual oi the church to part with a beloved pador, neither of which you will think we were entitled to expert, as they were contrary, to the Lord's ordinary method of working. If thofe padors only were to ga as miflionaries who were not deeply regretted by their refpedive churches, we fear, brethren, little would be done among the heathen. *' We rannot but remind you, by what a frail tenure you hold our beloved. brother as your pador. He may in a moment be removed from you He may be laid afide by ficknefs ; or if, from over attachment, you were to prevail on him to remain, "liis fervices might be rendered unprofitable, and even drife and divifi »n mi^ht aril'e between you and him. What a driking lefTon we have in the cafe of Mr Pearce, of one who was over- perfuaded not to go to the heaihen. on account of the fphere of ufefulnefs in which he was placed, and who was fo foon after removed from his people ! It has been faid, notwithdanding his earned defire to go abroad, the event (hewed he was midaken as to his call to the work, jii^t thi$ we apprehend to be unfoun4-« « i.t n them to the of miffionary nd thofe who called to the :ient in fome ly be miHaken he have of his arncflly defir- ed ill a iitua- )tethien, has rtunity is in manner he (I is deiirous uUy ready to ing. In fliorr, le will of God, h of duly, and I'e are placed lany weighty )ath of duty. 1 encouraging ve confidered this to have (ours were un. IS to part with giving a corn- regard to Paul d the minds of 'loved paftor, to expeifl, as of working, 'ho were not ear, brethren, mre you hold I moment be knefs ; or if, n to remain, en ftrife and it a ftriking 10 was over- he fphere of o foon after hftanding his s miflaken as be unfoun4« i cd. The event indeed (hews that God did not dcfign to fend him abroad ; but it by no means proves that he did not call hiai to the work. There are many things which occur contrary to the will of God. Sin is oppofite tO" it. God would rather that the wicked ihnuld turn and live : and yet multitudes periih. It was the will of God that the Corinthians (hould, with the ut- moft reverence and brotherly love, partake of the Lord's fup- per ; yet many died for not doing fo. We are therefore taught to pray that his will may be done on earth as it is In heaven. Yet in another fenfe this has been the cafe in every age. His counfel has ftood, and he has done all his pleafure. Who hath refift«Td his will ? *♦ We rejoiced to hear, that our dear brethren afe difpofed more fully to confic»er the fubjeft, and to fay. The will of the Lord be done ! And we cannot but think, that upon weighing all cir- cumdances, you will all be led cheerfully to join with us in bid- diiig ^'our dear pailor and his fellow labourer God fpeed in that woik on which their hearts are fo much fixed. *• We cannot conclude, brethren, without obferving, that al- though it IS undoubtedly the duty of our brother to coniider all the arguments which any of the church can bring forward, and even to attach all due weight to their opinion, it is impoffible for him to give up his own judgment as to the path of duty with- out becoming the fervant of men, and a£lin^ unliiihfully to his great Matter. This, we think, muft be fufficiently obvious ) and we trull that having delivered your opinion on the fubjeft, and finding our dear brother flill fully pcrfuaded in his own mind that it is his duty to preach in foreign regions the un- fearchable riches of Chrifl, you will avoid adding to the painful feeling which the thoujjht of quitting you and his other bre- thren in Chrill muft necefTarily produce. You will on the con- trary, we trufl, by your prayers ftrengthen his hands, and by your countenance encourage his heart. ** You have heard, beloved, of the refolution of the church at Cambuflnng. We rejoice in the grace beftowed on tiiem, and we are perfuaded of you, brethren, that our bowels (hall be refrefh- ed by hearing that you are like minded. And now, brethren, we commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritrnce among them who are fandlified : and with earnelt prayers for your further- ance and joy of faith, we are, dear brethren, youis in the fel- low fliip of the gofpel. " Edinburgh^ March 29. 1804." 12 ** The church of Chrlft in Kirkcaldy, to the churches of Chrid in Edinburgh : Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jefus Chrift. " Beloved brethren, We received your friendly letter on the 31ft March. The Confiderations fuggeftcd in it are in- deed weighty and important. We are now fully convinced, that the reafons which induced us to think,; that it was our paflur's duty to remain in his prefent ftation, may be applied with equal force in favour of his going out as a miflionary. And being fully perfuaded in his own mind, that he is called to preach the glorious gofpel of the bltfled God among the heathen, and that the objeftions which have been urged againft it are by no means fufficient to juftify his defining from the important work on which hist heartismorethaneverfixed, wecannottliereforeperfiil inoppo- fing his views on this fubjedl, left we lliould be found to fight againft God. Ycu will eafily perceive, brethren, that to part with our beloved paftor, whofe labours have been bleffcd in- bringing fome of us to the knowledge of Tefus, and refreftiing all our fouls, is indeed a very trying difpenfation. But after mature refledlion and deliberation, we are inclined to think, that it is the Lord's Tvill that we fhould make this facrifice ; and furely none are un- der ftronger obligations than we, to comply with what vHre con- ceive to be the will of our heavenly Father, without murmuring or difputing. Therefore, from a full convidtion of duty, we, with unfeigned chcerfulnefs, give up our beloved paftor to the ■work of the Lord among the heathen, and we earneftly befeech and pray God to beftow on him and his fellow labourer all need- ful grace, and to condufl them in fafety to their intended deftina- tion, and open for them a wide and an efTedlual door which no man can fhut, and that by the bleftlng of God accompanying their labours, many may be *' turned to God from idols, to fervi- the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from hea- ven." " We have been much engaged, efpecially of late, in praying that the Lord's way might be made known on earth, and his fav* ing health among all nations. Little, however, did we expeft, that our prayers were to be anfwered by the removal of our paftor. But we hope that this difpenfation (hall have a tendency to extend the boundaries of the kingdom of Chrift, and make us more than ever feel a lively intereft in miftionary exertions. And we ftiall efteem it our duty and privilege heartily to concur v^ith you in teftifying our love to the Lord Jefus and the fouls of men, by communicating of our temporal fubftance, according as the Lord hath profpered us, for the fupport of the mif- fion. gard churches of ace from God "riendly letter in it are in- tnvinced, that our paftor's ed with equal And being preach the iien, and that : by no means ork on which lerfiilinoppo- fight againfl )3rt with our >ringing feme 1 our fouls, is ure refledion is the Lord's none are un- viiat vi^e con. t murmuring )f duty, we, paftor to the eftly befeech rer all need- nded deftina- door which companying m idols, to 30 from hea- , in praying and his fav- we expeft, aval of our a tendency , and make y exertions, ly to concur id the fouls e, according f the mif- 13 <* As in all probability we fliall be deprived of our paftor, we hope you will unite with us in praying the gread Head of the church to give us a paftor after his own heart, fo that we may- receive damage in nothing. ** We remain yours, beloved brethren, in the fellow ftiip of the gofpel. «* Kirkcaldy^ April ii. 1804. « The churches of Chrift in Edinburgh, to the church of Chrift in Kirkcaldy : Grace and peace be multiplitd. *' We have received, dear brethren, your letter in an- fwer to our laft. We can truly fay that we give thanks to God on your behalf. We obferve that you not only give up your beloved paftor to the Lord's work, but that you do it with cheer- fulnefs. Brethren, we feel for the facrifice you are called to make : but fear not ; you are lending to the Lord, and he will repay. He is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love. We are perfuaded that he will fupply all your wants put of his riches in glory by Chrift Jefus. " We have nothing particular to ftate to you at prefent in re- gard to the deftination of our dear brother ; but we hope very foon to lay before you fome plan on the fubjed. We ftiall not ceafe to pray for you, and we requeft, beloved, that you would not fail to remember us. ** We, in a particular manner, defire you to ft rive together ivith us in your prayers for our paftor, who is to go out from us for a feafon to preach the gofpel in Ireland. " Trufting that our correfpondence will tend to endear us more to each other, and afturing you of our fympathy, and for- wardnefs to afllft you in any thing wherein we have opportunity, we remain, beloved brethren, yours in the Lord Jefus. Edinburgk f /ipril iS. iSo^,** it When the letter (p. 6.) was fent to the church at Kirkcaldy, a copy of it was forwarded to the church at Cambuftang, to which the following anfwer was received. *• The /ihurch of Chrift in Cambuflang, to the churches of Chrift in Edinburgh, with their biftiops and deacons : Grace unto you, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jefus Chrift. ** Beloved brethren, We received your very affeftlonate letter on the 3d inftant. With pleafure we learned, that your Attention as churches has been turned to the fituation of the hea- then. We have often reflefted, with great fatisfaftion of heart, 14 on that benevolence of mind which didated the format ion of miflionary locieties, and we are convinced that they have, by the bleffiug of God attending their honell efforts to propagate the glorious gofpel of the grace of God, been abundantly uleful to the fouls of periihing men ; yet we are fully peii'uaded, that the clofer we keep to the revealed will of God on every fubjed, the furer ground we have to expert the divine countenance and bkf. fiog ; and on this fubjedl it appears to us more confouant to that will, that wc (hould imitate the fiilt Chriilians, by cauiiug the gofpel to found out from the churches of the faints. When iniiiionaries are feledted by the churches of the faintb, and lent forth by them after being recommended to the grace ol God, we bave reafon to expe£l more unanimity of mind and Iteadind's of cft'ort in the great caufe, and by the divine blelfing more abun- dant fuccefs. •' Brethren, when we reflect on the deplorable fituation of the lieathen ; when we remember that Jefus died and rofe again, that repentance and remiiTion of iins fhould be preached to all nations ; and that the Father hath promii'ed to ^'ne the Son the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermolt parts oi the earth for his poffeflion-— we cannot but cheerfully concur with you in that molt godlike and benevolent of all deGgns, the delivering of thiB nations from the miferable flavery of fin, and tranflating them into the glorious liberty and blefl'ednefs of the children of God in the kingdom of his dear Son. We therefore elleem it our duty and privilege, to unite with you in fupplicating the great Head of the church to fmile on all your attempts (by fol- lowing his word) to fill the earth with his glory. We Ihould rejoice, brethren, in being able to aflill you with our fubitance ; and although our circumilances at prefent be rather unfavour- able, we humbly truft that our deep poverty will be found a- bounding to the riches of our liberality — convinced that if there be firfl a willing mind, it is accepted, according to that a man bath, and not according to that he hath not. '* We little expeded, brethren, that we would have been call- ed upon to part with our beloved pallor, that he might engage in this important work. We were rather hurt at not being informed of his defign, until his mind was fully made up on ihe fubject. He mentioned feveral reafons which had induced Slim to come to this determination, and requefled us not to ufe any influence to prevent him from putting his defign into execu- tion. Although we are convinced that our paltor, in afting as he did, was influenced by a defire to be more ( xtenfively uleful in promoting the interefts of the Redeemer's kingdom upon earth, yet we are at a lofs to perceive what part of the word of pod authorifes a pador to leave a church, when blefTed with I &i 4fc the formation of they have, by the to propagate the mdaiitly uleful to eiluaded, that the rvery fubjeft, the tenance and blef- conlbiiant to that IS, b^ cuuling the faints. When i fainti., and lent >race ol God, we and Iteadincfs of liing more abuu. fituation of the i and rofe again, preached to all give the Son the arts ot the earih ;ur with you in the delivering of and tranflating the children of ?refore elleem it lupplicating the ttempts (by fol- ry. We fliould 1 our fublUnce j ither unfavour- ill be found a- ed that if there to that a man have been call- ! might engage t at not being ly made up on h had induced ;d us not to ufe ign into execu- or, in afting as :enfively uleful kingdom upon of the word of n blefled with '15 pence, love and unity in all things that pertain to the faith aod praftice of the gofpel. ^ ' ^ , *' Dear brethren, if any thing prevent us from giving onr hearty concurrence to our pador's leaving us, that he may en- gage in the important work of preaching the gofpel to the hea- then, it is what we have juft now mentioned. If we faw this clear from the fcripiures, we would cheerfully make the facrU fice, and we humbly truft would rejoice we had it to make. '^ However, our paftor being fully refolved to go as a mifTion* ary, we think it improper to conftrain him to (lay among us» contrary to his own inclination ; and if it be the will of God, that he ihould go to preach the gofpel to the heathen, we hope and pray that God would beftow on him all needful grace, and make him inftrumental in turning many from darknefs to light, and from dumb idols to ferve the living God, and to wait for his Son from heaven — We believe that our pallor, in takin^r this ftep, is not influenced by any want of attachment to us, either as individuals or as a church ; and notwithllanding all that has taken place, we dill eileem him highly in love for bis "Work's fake. *' Brethren, as we confider it our duty and intereft to look ou^ for a paftor with all convenient fpecd, we hope you will join with us in praying the great Head of the church, that he, in his fovereign mercy, would grant us a paflor or paftors, who fliall be willing to ftiare in the comforts and crofles which he may be pleafed to allot us in this world, and who fhall be qualified for preaching the faithful word in fimplicity and purity ; and whofc Ikill in the word of righteoufnefs will enable him to inftruft all of us in the knowledge of God's truth and ways, in the o»"di- nances of his houfe, in the laws thereof, the comings in thereof, and the goings out thereof. " Praying that all grace may abound to you, through the knowledge of Jefus Chrift our Lord, we remain, beloved bre- thren, yours in the fellovvftjip of the gofpel. •* Cambujlangy March 15. 1804 " , *' The churches of Chrift in Edinburgh, to the church of Chrift in Cambuflang : Grece be unto you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jefus Chrift." ** We received yours, dear brethren, with unfeigned pleafure, and we doubt not but the Lord will amply recompenfe you for the facrifice you have willingly made of your beloved paftor for his fervice. ' ** We cannot be furprifed that you fliould feel upon the occt- fion, but our God will fupply all your wants, out of his richer in glory, by Chrift Jefus. i.3iiA"-;."ji,>> ( 16 . ** The peace and unity with which you iDfortn us you have been bleffed, calls for our grateful praifes on your behalf. ** In the general diredions given in the word of God refpefl* ing the duty of padors, it cannot be expelled, that every parti- cular cafe which nnay occur fhould be defcribed, or that minute dire£lions fhould be given in regard to them. But we are lure, that it is agreeable to the word of God, that every man fhould be fully fatisfied in his own mind as to the path^of duty. Your paflor has long had a great defire to preach the golpel to the heathen. In the courfe of providence, he has a very favourable opportunity of accomplilhing his defire. He is confcious tha( he does not ufe lightnefs in quitting the charge of a church to which he is much attached : but, taking the flrong inclination which he feels to go abroad in connection with the opportunity of accompanying his dear brother, and being fent out by the churches, he confiders himfelf to be called of God to the work, and therefore that he is bound to go forward. ** We think it a token for good, beloved, that you have free* )y given him up to the arduous work, and we trufl the expe- tience he has acquired whilft with you will eminently tend to qualify him for it. Your example, brethren, has ferved to pro- voke the church at Kirkcaldy to approve, in the mod cordial manner, of our dear brother M'L duced by their labours, and earneftly prayed that our fmall be- ginning rqight iffue in the extenfion of the unadulterated gofpel of our Lord, in (his part of the world. Previous to the recep- tion of your letter, I conceived, that it would not be our duty to leave our prefent fiations unoccupied ; but then I had no doubt of lome being found to fupply our lack of fervice here. iThis, you fay, is not at prefent attainable, and therefore I cheer- fully comply with your requeft, to tarry here, at lead for a ff a- in, er, who was of by his indi. onverfation with any remark that mittcd to your d, and a depart- 11 cannot fail to )t apply to this n the gofpel of of. But if He ir duty to obey. by your letters, flity and duty of ! of the truth, rt of their pro- the light of an to you our fen- )w far they cor. rd himfelf will smifed to guide at wherever you have reafon to guides the blind ofe of Meffi-s P. in. 18. i8c6. of the obferva- It. Our deten- ■ ^\y to be of the IS for promoting be Continent, I fupply our fta- ) we (hould fail would be pro- t our fmall be« ilterated gofpel us to the recep- not be our duty then I had no jf fervicc here, erefore I cheer- lead for a fi^s^ 4 , ^nd till within thefe few days I had :.' . ir. > Denmark foon. But unce the fl fon. When, however, our proceeding to India (hall appear ac manifeftly the will of our heavenly Father, as at prefent our re- maining here does, I truft I (hall as cheerfully go there. I feel my mind as much intent upon the primary objefl we had in view when wc left Scotland aa it was '.bet: the fulled expectation o' Lord has ordered uKf.iers cther^vife, it becomes us to (ubniit to his ble(red wi1' Hew onderful are his judgments, and his ways are part finding out ! As you juftly obferve, *• He leads the blind by a way which they know not" How flrikingly is this divine truth cxempllBed in our cafe. Surely we have much reaAm to blefs the name of our God, and look to him with humble fubmi(rion, faying, ** Lord lead us in the way that wo (hould go."— — ** The accounts you have received from time to time, can convey but a faint idea of the deplorable date of the Continent* in regard to religion. We pity the inhabitants of Bengal or Otaheite becaufe they worlhip idols, but what better are Euro- peans who worftiip no god ? " Thus I have given you my mind with regard to our pre- fent fituation. I trud that you ceafe not to pray for us, that we may be kept from falling, and be zealous and ufeful labour- ers in the vineyard of the Liord. With love to all the brethren, I remain yours affeftionately for Jefus' fake, £,B£K. Henderson.** " Copenhagen^ 20th Jan. 1806. ♦* Dearly Beloved Brethren, ** Yours of the 25th uU I received on the 12th inft. 1 ' immediate/ lent it under cover to Mr Henderfon who was at EKineur, defiring him to return it, and inform me what he thought was our duty in our prefent circumdanccs. Above, you have brother Henderfon's fentiments on this fubjed, and although he has anticipated much oi what I had to fay, yet I fliall date my thoughts on this matter more fully, that fo you ^ay know how my mind dani^ t«(fe£ted. " I need not inform you aft* 1 what I faid in my letter of the 9th ult. that notwithdanding all that U*!l taken place iince coming to this country, I was as much bent on going to India, as when I parted with you. Not that I had not thought of the necedity of remaining for a feafon pn the Continent of Europe. It often occurred to me, that the people here were as ignorant of the gofpel as the people of India, and in many refpeds as deditute of the means of being made acquainted with it. I am convinced of courfe, that it is as necelTary to fend midionaries io ^his, and the neighbouring countries, ^s to HindodaH) if not^ 22 more fo. I anticipated the advantages which might be derived from our remaining here, or going to fome other part of the Continent. I perceived that it would be eafier to obtain accefs to the people m Europe than in India ; that introducing the gof- pel among them would be attended with lefs expence, and that more was likely to be done in lefs time. I often afked myfelf, might I not be as ufefully employed in preaching the gofpel to Europeans as to Hindoos, and probably more fo ? Will it not be eafier for our friends to fend us out afiiftants ? And if the Lord blefs his word for the converfion of thofe who attend, are they not likely to be more estenfively ufeful to their fellow men than the uncultivated heathen ? As the field for mifiionary exertions is as extenfive as important, and in all probability will be mucli more produdtive, why not remain > Such thoughts frequently made me hef tatt ; but my ftrong defire to devote myfelf to the propagation of the gofpel among the heathen, foon turned the balance, and kept my mind ileadily fixed on going to India as we originally intended. Although your letter fuggefted no new ideas to my mind, yet as it is your opinion that we fhould remain for a feafon where we are, to improve the opening the Lord has made for us in this country, after confidering the mat- ter fully, and looking to the Lord for diredlion, and correlpond- ing; with my companion concerning it^ I cheerfully acquiefce with your advice to remain. This I confider not only to be your wifli, but likewife the will of my heavenly Father. The circumftances connefted with our coming to this country, and what has befallen us during the time we have been here, fo ful- ly convince me that the Lord has fome work to do with us here, that I dare not hefitate for a moment longer as to remaining. And yet were you as urgent for us to embark for India, as you arc for us to remain, 1 would moft willingly embark by the firft opportunity. " Well, the Lord has placed me in afituation fimilar to what I was when 1 went to Cambuflang. I was then fully fet on going out as a niflioiiary to Bengal, all T wanted was a fuitable com- panion. Brother M'Lae was on the eve of being married, and could not, tiimk of accompanying me, and none of my other clafs-fellows were difpofed for the work. Tlius, as I thought, nothing but the want of a companion prevented me from going at that time ; but the unalterable purpofe of Jehovah was the real barrier, and the other was only the means of bringing me to aft according to it. He had much work to do with me in Cambuflang — a number of poor finners tq bring in to his (heep- fold, vvho, I tnilt, (hall be my crown and my joy in the day of the Lord Je us Chrift — a church to plant there by my inftru- xnentality, which I doubt not is precious in his fight, and the obje£t of hi^ paternal care. The intered I feel in them snakes 23 ight be derivea her part of the to obtain accefs )ducing the gof. :pence, and that 1 alked myfelf, g the gofpel to >? Will it not I ? And if the attend, are they ;llow men than •nary exertions ' will be much hts frequently myfelf to the >on turned the ^ to India as fuggeftcd no hat we /hould te opening the ring the mat- d correlpond- Lilly acquiefce ot only to be father. The country, and here, fo ful- ith us here, remaining, ndia, as you by the firft ir to what I fet on going itable com- larried, and my other I thought, from going ah was the inging me with me in his flieep. he day of ny inftru- t, and the m makes 1 them dear to me as my own foul, and the comfort I enjoyed in them makes me anxious for the falvation of finners wherever I go, preaching the everlafting gofpel, that iliey may be united together, in like manner, to obferve the Itatutes of their Lord and Saviour. I do not think that ever 1 Ihall give up the thoughts of going to India fo long as I keep my health, and am not entangled with a family. But whether I fhall ever ice that country is known only to the Lord. Perhaps it may be with me as to India as it was with Paul as to Spain ; or I may be brought to it at a time, and 'n a way very unexpeflrd, as he was to Rome. The will of the Lord be done. Blefled be his name that ever he made me acquainted with his falvation, and put it into my heart to devote my life to his fervice in the work of the miniftry. I trufl I fliall ever be willing to ferve him by night and by day, with my whole perfon, wherever h« calls for my labours. " Dear brethren, do not imagine from any thing I have faid, that I feel difappointed in not immediately proceeding on my voyage, or that this circumftance gives me any uneafinefs. Notwithftanding my flrong defire to go, you can have no con- ception how eafy I feel at the profpe£t of remaining. The Sa- viour, who will not have us to ferve him againft our will, has, in a way of which I can give no account, made me perfefkly content with my prefentfituation— Thus, brethren, I have freely ftated to you my mind as to the fubjeft of your letter. **• I hope you will participate in our joy on account of what the Lord has done for us at Elfineur. Our congregation there had fcarcely ever exceeded a dozen, and fometimes not above half that number. On the 5th there were only feven. But all of a fudden, when we little expe£ted it, their number increafed. On the 12th, I received the following note from our brother — «* Be not furprifed when I inform you, that the feats were not fufficient for the number who attended to-day. Some fat on the fides of the windows, and others flood. Well, this is all in anfwer to prayer. I fuppofe you have had much earneft entreaty at the throne of grace lalt week. I had, and particu- larly this morning about 10 o'clock. The Lord has the hearts of all men in his hand, and he can turn them whatever way he pleafeth. He will be enquired of, however, by his people. They were remarkably attentive," &c. We had been rather difheartened on account of their backwardnefs ; but we began to queflion if we were not in the fault ourfelves in reflraitiing prayer for them before the Lord. This led us to the throne of grace, and occafioned our fecting apart fome nights, on which we defigned, though feparate in body, to meet there to afk di- redion of God, and to entreat him to incline them to come and hear ; and I cannot afcribe their coming, in the manner they i4 did, to any thitig elfe.-'>Do we not erf in not praying, that tliii Lord may difpofe men to come and hear his truth declared ? It ikiay favour of what fome people would call a defire to be po- pular ; but the lead attention to Rom. x. 13, — 17. will prevent us from being improperly influenced by the fear of being accu. fed of this.— As laft Lord's day morning was exceffively ftormy, I little ezpefted that there would be almod any hearing him, and yet he informs me that there were about fifty, and they had only three females, although they have always been the moft numerous ; but it was almoft impofllble they could come out. Two thirds of our ufual congreg&jon here were abfent, owing to the badnefs of the weather. Indeed the weather, for more than three months, has been very indifferent, fo that many have been prevented from attending, who, i doubt not, will attend fo foon as the weather gets fettled. ** I hope, dear brethren, you will never be long in letting us hear from yuu. It is only through the medium of letters that we have any fellowfhip with our Chriftian brethren at prefent. As you all enjoy this unfpeakable blefling in fo eminent a de> gree, do endeavour by your letters to iupply our prefent want of it John Paterson.'* Thefe letters were immediately read to the churches, and re- ceived the cordial approbation of the brethren. Others have fioce been received from them, of which the following are ex» traAs. us.- •* Mr Dear Brother, Copenhagen, April 8. 1806. *' Your kind letter of the firft of March gave us much joy. We were exceedingly happy to learn, that the alteration which has taken place with refpe^ to our miflion, met with the hearty approbation of all the brethren. Nothing but the fulled conviftion that it was the will of God, could have induced th^ brethren to propofe the alteration, and nothing elfe could have prevailed with us to accede to their propofal, and it is encourag> ing to find, that the (leps we have taken appear to all our bre- thren to be duty. Although we confider ourfelves as at perfect liberty to adopt fuch plans as appear to us to be moft for the glory of God, yet it would be painful to us in the extreme, to find that any part of our conduct was not approved of by the churches* I have no doubt, that if on all hands we have the glory of God fimply in view, and follow the path of duty as he day by day ftiall be pleafed to point it out, it will in a great meafure prevent any difference in opinion from ever taking place. " It gives us moft fincere pleafure to know, that our brethren take fuch ao intersft in all that concerns us. The work in raying, that thii ith declared ? It defire to be po. 17. will prevent r of being accu. ceffivelj ftormy, ly hearing him, tj, and they had been the moil could come out. ; abfent, owing ather, for more that many have lot, will attend ng in letting us 1 of letters that hren at prefent. • eminent a de. ir prefent want Paterson.'* urches, and re- . Others have llowing are ex» prtlS. iSo6. h gave us much the alteration , met with the ; but the fuUeft e induced thd Ife could have it is encourag. t all our bre- es as at perfect ! mod for the e extreme, to jved of by the we have the th of duty as iriil in a great 1 ever taking t our brethren The work in ^5 ivhicb we are engaged, is we truft the work of the Lord, which we hope will ever be dear to them, and endear to them all who are in any way inftrumental in carrying it on in the world. The Lord grant that we may be enabled to aft in fuch a manner as to prove ourfelves worthy of the confidence they place in lis and in no refpedl to difappoint their expeflation concerning us. John Paterson." u ^' Ei/ineuff April 12. 1806. Through the kindnefs of our Heavenly Father, we have enjoyed good health fince you laft heard from us. We? continue to fill up> as far as lies in our power, that fphere of ufefulnefs which he in his mercy hath opened for us, and we have reafon to hope that our labours will not be in vain in the Lord. Several of our hearers in both places begin to think — ■ the great matter is, if they be brought to think aright. This is the Lord's work. May lie give them on the behalf of Chrift^ the perception of that truth which $efh and blood cannot re- veal. If he be pleafed to blefs our labours, in any roeafure to this end, we are amply rewarded, and fliall therein greatly re- joice. The perfuaiion of having the prayers of fo many of God's dear people in our behalf gives US great encouragement to go forward. Pray ye more and rtiore earneftly for us that our faith fail not. We are furrounded with many great temp- tations, and confequently ftand in need of peculiar ftrength from on high. Oh that we may have more And more of that faith which overcometh the world ! that we may watch and pray, and daily be looking for the coming of our Lord ! ** Some time ago, when looking over the intelligence commu- nicated in fome of the old Magazines refpefting the ftate'of religion on the Continent, I met with a letter from a clergy- man in Sweden with which I was much pleafed. This led me to think of writing him, which 1 accordingly did ; and the following is a copy of the anfwer I lately received froni him. « Storeherg near Lidkoping^ March 25. 1806. *' Dearly beloved brother and friend in Chrifi, ** Your letter was very welcome to me, add I hope you will excufe me in delaying the anfwer fo long. This has been owing to the difficulty I have in writing Englifh, not having written a line in that language in the fpacc of thirty- years. " You may be aiTured that rvery new lover of the Lord with whom 1 become acquainted, every new notice of the growing of his reign, will ever rejoice. Warm and revive my poor and cold heart. How often have I wifhed to be among the heathen^ -;. -M^^ia^^lki^^.t ^.i. 26 or among fuch ChriAians where I could have an open door to their hearts ! Since 1799, I have had my own church CaHembly of hearers), in which the blefled gofpel has been preached for many years ; neverthelefs 1 cannot with certainty reckon thirty real lovers of our Saviour. The people deep, and have no ears for the precious atonement— -which is my greateft forrow In the neighbourhood are many awakened and fincerely walking fouls, with whom I have intimacy. " There are about twenty preachers of us in this diocefe, who have united ourfelves as an yearly afl'embly and conference for the purpofe of tdifying and exhorting one another in the true fervice of our Lord. This Society (the only one of that nature in Sweden, fo far as I knowj was eflabliflied in 1 802. — Your d-jar letter (hall be communicated in our Society. I am fure it will give them much joy ; and if you will continue to give us fur- ther accounts of the wi(hed fuccefs of the Lord's work by yourfelves and others, it will interefl me more than all things in the world ; and 1 will therewith rejoice, as alfo my brethren and other friends. " Oh ! that we may with foul and body devote ourfelves to him, who devoted htmfelf for us in the mod bloody death ! To know, love and ferve him, Oh ! that is already a heaven upon earrh. BlefTed be you and your dear brother, and every one who is in flaming love and fervent zeal to the ever and eve- adorable Saviour. For his fake I love you with all my heart, and through his grace I remain your poor brother, L. C. Retzius." " To-day I fent him another letter, mentioning fuch informa- tion refpefting religion as I was poflefled of. I have alfo made fome enquiries refpefting the circulation of tradls in Sweden, and the probable expencc of printing a number of them in the lan- guage of that country.— . ■■ EfltN Henderson." conti the b have to th more than ing an the m falfe I with and t the pi and pruder heart « it Copenhagen^ May 14 i8o6. We rejoice to think, that the opinion yon had formed as to the propriety of fending miffionaries to the Conti- nent is more and more ftrengthened. If gives us much plca- fure that all our friends are fo unanimous as to this matter, and it is calculated to confirm us in the choice we have made. In- deed we are more and more convinced, that at prefent we are "Where God would have us to be ; fo that although our defire to go to India be unabated, we would confider it difobedience to the divine will to leave our prefear fituaticn. We are happy to inform you, that the change which has taken place has not opera- ted in the fmallelt degree againft us. Our congregation continues equally good as at firft. Some who came for a few days have •pen door to ch Caffembly preached for eckon thirty have no ears forrow In ely walking diocefe, who inference for in the true f that nature — Your d'izr fure it will jive us fur- 's work by all things in brethren and Durfelves to r death ! To eaven upon I every one ver and eve- 1 my heart, ETZIUS." ch informa- e alio made Jwcden, and in the Ian. lERSON." 1806. 3n you had he Conti- luch plea- natter, and (lade. In- nt we are ir defire to edience to ? happy to not opera< continues days have 27 fallen off, but their place has been fupplied by others. We have every reafon to believe, that our congregation here will continue good, and that if there be any change, it will be for the better. What gives us much encouragement is, that we have accefs to many in private, and can ufe the freedom to fpeak to them about the things of the ettmal worM ; and perhaps more is to be done in a place like this by private converfation, than in any other way whatever. ** What an honour will it be, if we be inftrumental of form- ing and executing plans which, by the bleffing of God, may be the means of enlightening thofe nations where the beafl and the falfe prophet have fo long had their feat. We are convinced with you, that this lies at the foundation of all mifllonary work, and that it is the way in which the apoftles went to work. May the plans we form correfpond with the vaftnefs of the objed, and may we be enabled to profecute them with fuch zeal and prudence as to enfurc their fuccefs ! It is an obje6l in which the heart of God and of Chrift is engaged. Let us fee that we en- gage in it with our whole hearts. What appears to us moft difficult, is to manifeft in every part of conduft that liberality of fpirit by which the apoftles were fo remarkably diftinguiftied, whilft with them we hold every particle of divine truth preci- ous, and fcrupuloufly obferve all the ordinances of the Lord. Pafl experience would almoil make us think that this was im- poffible ; but we hope that as a body and individuals we have obtained fuch views of the truth, as not only to convince us of its poffibility, but alfo to enable us by our conduft to convince all the friends of truth, that it is both prafticable and neceffary, for our own comfort and the extenfion of the Redeemer's king- dom. We remain, Sec. J. P. — E. H." Meffrs Paterfon and Henderfon have diftrlbuted a num- ber of Englifh tradls, and have got feveral tranflated by a friend into the Daniih language. Thefe they have endeavoured to circulate, and have had the pleafure of finding, that they are in general well received, efpecially by thofe in the higher ranks of life. A refpeftable merchant has kindly accommodated them withafale.room, where one of them preaches on the Lord's day. The other is engaged at Elfineur, where they have got the ufe of a chapel. Mr Henderfon made a (hort excurfion to Helfingforce, on the oppofite coall of Sweden, and there diflributed tra£ts. Mr Archibald M'Lae, who intended at the beginning to ac- company Mr Paterfon to India, although, for the reafons already noticed, he heartily acquiefced in the propriety of his not pro- ceeding to that part of the world, was yet very defirous of going abroad ; and upon America being propofed, he cheerfully under- took the voyage. He accordingly failed with his family for $9 New York in the end of Oaober lad, and arrived in December. Very pleafant accounts have fince been received from him He has refolved to remain at prefent in that city. The foilowing is an extract from his. lafl letter. '* Ml Dear Sir, New Tori, Feb. 12. 1806. ** I PRESUME that before this time you have heard of pur fafe arrival, and of the kind reception we met with, from fe- veral of our friends in this place. The Lord has been very gracious to us (ince we parted with you. He has not left his fervants deflitute of his mercy, nor of his truth : though he has vifited us with fome trials and affliftions, thefe bear no propor- tion to the multitude of his mercies which we have experienced. Mrs M'Lae has been ill with a fever for thefe four weeks paft, but through the goodnefs of God fhe is now recovered. The children were both very unwell at the fame time, but they are ilfo getting better. Since I came here, I have in general preached five times a week, and have upon the whole, been well attended. I had an opportunity of preaching to the con- vifts in the States prifon. There are upwards of four hundred and fifty conviAs. They were very attentive, and I have rea- fon to hope, that the gofpel has not been preached in vain — The !(jord in fovereign mercy has been pleafed to blefs his word, and render it efFcftual for the falvation of a young man with whom I was formerly acquainted when in Scotland He belongs to Glafgow, and came out here about four years ago I have con- verfed with him frequently. He was in great diftrefs of mind when he was firft awakened, but he has now obtuined efFeftual reft to his foul in the work of Jefus, and is rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. I hope the Lord will more and more caufe his word to have free courfe and be glorified ** I think I mentioned iii the letter I wrote to your brother, that we were very much at a lofs for a fuitable place of worfhip. We are now very comfortably fupplied. We have rented a cha- pel for fifteen months, which was formerly occupied by the Uni- verfalifts. It is a very handfomc chapel, well feated, in the cen- tre of the town, and will contain betwixt four and five hundred people The rent is at the rate of three hundred and feventy- five dollars a year. I have preached two Sabbaths in it. In the forenoon and afternoon nearly full, and in the evening re- markably crouded. The people appear to be very attentive, and many of them call it the new gofpel, but I hope though it be ntw to many of them, it is after all the ancient gof pel .^ Arch M'Lae." It was intended that Mr Walter Balfour, who alfo ftudied under Mr Ewing and Mr Cowie, (hould accompany Mr M'Lae j but, ow- beha :d ecember. im He foi lowing 1806. heard of from fe- leen very i left his 2;h he has a propor- jerienced, eks pad. The they are n general hole, been the con- r hundred have rea- lain — The word, and ith whom >elongs to have con- 's of mind i efFeftual in hope of lore caufe otiicr, that f worfliip. jtcd a cha- y the Uni- n the cen- e hundred 1 feventy- 1 it. In 'eninfj re- intive, and iigh it be :'Lae." i'led under ; but, ow- 29 ing to an accident which he met with, he was prevented . During lad winter, he profecuted his iludies at the Univerfity of Edinburgh, and on the 28th of May, embarked for London on his way to America. He has been engaged, during thefe five years paft, in preaching the gofpel in different parts of Scotland ; and, although he has had feveral prefling invitations, always declined entering upon the paftoral office, as he wiftied to keep himfelf difengaged for more extenfive ofefulnefs. His intention now is to take his palfage for Halifax, and to proceed down the coaft, vifiting the different towns, and regulating his (lay in them according to circumftances. By this means, we (hall be able to acquire much information refpefting the Hate of religion in America He na- turally felt a ftrong defire to have a fellow- labourer to accom- pany him ; and the churches, having been fuUv fatisfied of the qualifications of Mr Archibald MQneen, who has been engaged in preparatory ftudies under Mr Cowie in Edinburgh, and who has alfo been employed in preaching in different parts of Scot- land, have agreed to fend them out together. In addition to thefe miflions, Mr Francis Dick has gone to Quebec. He failed for that place in June 1805 — He went through a courfe of preparation fimilar to that of the other?, and was for two years employed in preaching both in Scotland and Ireland, but, for the fame reafon with Mr Balfour, declined accepting a fettled charge. He has been well received by many in Quebec, and is at prefent preaching in a chapel formerly occupied by a preacher from the London Miffionary Society. Since his arrival, he has vifited Montreal, and the accounts we have had from him, and from other quarters, lead the churches to hope, that many preachers may yet be employed in that country. The following is an extraft of the laft let-.er from him. " ^74ebec, 'January 11. 1806. " As there is a gentleman who intends to leave this place for Britain in a few days, I have taken the opportunity of fending you a few lines by him. I thank my God that by his goodnefs I am in good health, and indeed I have been fo ever lince I came to this country. 1 hope this will find you and all my dear friends about Edinburgh in the fame comfortable H- (nation. I have nothing of a particular nature to mention at prefent. 1 have been preaching the word of life to the poor people ever lince I came, but cannot tell of any fruits having yet appeared Our place of worlhip is pretty well attended. In the evening of the Lord's day it is crouded by people of eve- ry defcription,.who feem to hear with great attention, and who behave with the greateft decency, which I am told was not the c^fe formerly ; for they often made great dillurbance in the even- 30 ing3. A few of the paplfls attend in the evening, but I have not had any opportunity of fpeaking with any oi them in pri. vate. 1 underftand fome of them would wifli information about divine things, but fear of offending their priefts has more weight with them than the fear of offending God The papifls here are a fet of poor ignorant inoffc-n(ive creatures, who live in the mofl friendly manner among themfelve-;, and are by no means bad neighbours. They are very kind tc il rangers. But what a pity it is, that they are involvrd in the thick datknefs of fu- perftition and ignorance : while alas ! the'r neighbours conduft is the means of coiifirming them in thfi' deluiion. For they fay, " If the Proieflants, who read t>e Bible, were better men than the Catholics, we might think of becoming Proteflants, but while we know that they are not fo good as Catholics we cannot but think Popery is bcft " Thus Chrift is wounded in the houfe ot his pretended friends. Hereby ihe way of truth is evil fpoken of. Here we may fee the truth tf thefe words ; ** My name is blafphemed among the heathen through you." When I think upon all thefe circumflances, I am ready to fear that it is impofTible to bring the Catholics to the knowledge of thf gofpel. This is however mine infirmity, for what is impof- fible with man is pofUble with God. There is no mountain too great to (land before the accomplifhment of his purpofes. He will make all his mountains to become a way, and his high way (hall be exalted. Awake, awake, O arm of the Lord ! awake, as in ancient times, as in the generation of old ! *' By the time that this reaches you I expeft that fome of the brethren will be prep&iing to fet out for this quarter. I have fent word to Upper- Canada that I have written to Scotland in their behalf. The brethren need not be difcouraged to undertake the voyage ; for neither the danger of the fea nor the change of cli- mate are at all fo great as they are ready to think when at home. And thrugh they were far greater than they are, the greatnefsof the obj- ft they have in vi^w, with the immutable promife of a faithful God, are more than fuffiricnt to quafh every unbeliev- ing fear How many have ventured to crofs the Atlantic with nothing elfe in view but the perifiiing riches of this world ! But the motives by which the brethrens minds are influenced are in- finitely more noblt — to preach among the Gentiles the unfearch- able riches of Chrift ; to turn men from darknefs to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may obtain, &c. I mentioned in my former letters to Edmburgh, that one Gae- lic preacher and two Englifh would be highly ufeful, and if on- ly one of each could come for th? firft feafon, others might be found afterwards who would be difpofed to come. But if even that cannot be obtained, I hope r.t leafl one Englifh preacher will be found to come, as I would be very forry if the people i« ^XL2. ^^-.nlli;i!eli'^! I have in pri- on about B weight ids here e in the o means )ut what fs of fu- conduft For they re better oteflants, lolics we unded in of truth e words ; gh you." f to fear vledge of is impof- mtain too fes. He his high ie Lord ! ^ight be if even Iher will ^ople ia 31 Elizabeth town (hould be difappointed, feeing they expeft one, and this might be the means of opening a door for the gofpel in the upper country, where, humanly fpeaking, there is more likeli- hood of difFufing the gofpel than here in the lower country, where Satan and Antichrift have their feat The former has his feat in every country, and in every unconverted man's brcalt ; but where the latter bears rule, the txternal impediments ap- pear moll formidable. I (hould like very much to go up ilie country the firft fummer, and leave one of thofe who come out in C^iebcc, which will relieve him of a long journey. •• You can let thechurches know that I have not yet needed to draw any money from Scotland, and it is not likely I will need to do fo while 1 am here.— — Give my kind love to all my. friends in particular, and to the churches in general. I hope I have an intercft in your prayers daily. Dear brother, 1 pray for you and for all my dear brethren in Scotland, that the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jefus, that great (hepherd of the Iheep, through the blood of the everlaft. ing covenant, would make you perfedt to do his will, working in you— to whom be glory for evermore. pRAJfcis Dick." Tt is with great pleafure we now ftate, that a Gaelic preacher, Mr James Reid, is extremely deiirous of going out to his country- men in Canada, and it is intended to fend him there by the firft opportunity, which is expected to occar about the end of this month. We hope that much advantage will arife from his be- ing among the Highlanders in that country, of whom there are now many thoufands, who can fpeak only their mother, tongue. Their fituation with refpeft to religion is reprefented as truly de- plorable, and we have had many urgent applications to fend over to their help. Mr Reid's labours will not, however, be confined to them He has ftudied the French language, with a view of being as extenfively ufeful as poflible in Canada, where it is fo generally fpoken. Like all the other brethren who have gone out from the churches, he has profccuted a courfe of lludies for the cultivation of his gifts, and the acquirement of the ori- ginal languages of ihe Old and New Teftament. He has alfo been engaged for a confiderable time in preaching in the High- lands, and has had different invitations in that country to under- take the pafloral office, which he declined, in order that he might be able to go to his deftitute countrymen and others abroad, on which his mind has long been bent. In fending forth our brethren, we confider ourfelves as merely difcharging the incumbent duty of affixing them in their endea- vours to promote the glory of Jefus, and to realize the earneft dejfire they have long had, of devoting their lives to miffionary 32 exertions. We are not bound to thenn, nor they to us, by anjr promtfe or worldly tie whatever ; but, while mutual confidence continues, we (hall efteem it our duty to forward their de- iigfiii. We confider it a matter of the utmod importance with regard to all thefe our beloved brethren, that in addition to fuitable means of improvement in knowledge, they have already had conflderable experience in preaching the gofpel at home. Ha- ving forwarded them, as we ttuft, after a godly fort, we are very deiirous of lending afliOance in the fame great work to others, who in like manner may he deemed properly quali- fied. The harveil truly is great ; but the labourers are llili few. We fubjoin an account of the expences already incurred by thefe various miflions. Dr. Abstradk of Receipt and Expenditure on Account of Foreign Missions, to June 1. 1806. Cr To monthly colle(Aions in Edin- burgh, from July 1804 to June 1806, L 3" \ I Extraordinary ditto. M7 3 5 Donations, 192 l6 R. S Efq. 250 A Lady by Mr Ewing, 5 Anonymous, by Mr J. H. 5 Ditto by ditto. 10 A Friend.by Mr R. H. S A Friend, by Mr £wing, 50 CoUedlion at the Tabernaolc GlaCgow, 55 7 10 Ditto at Albion Street Cha- pel, ditto. 47 16 Ditto at I Igin, S Ditto at Perth, 12 Ditto at Strathmartin, &c. 3 8 Ditto at Greenock, s 7 6 Ditto at Forres, 9 Ditto at Montrofe, 2 2 By amount of books, clothes, cafli. y^ carried out by Meflrs Paterfon and Hen- derfon, L.127 14 o Drawn for by them fince their arrival, i5i o o Amount of books, clothes, Wf. for Mr M'Lae and family, and Mr Balfour, and of money carried with Mr M'Lae, and paid for paiTnge of him and family to New York, 234 4 \\ Mr Balfour's additional out- fit and expences fince Mr M'Lae's departure, inclu- ding money carried with him, 29 7 6 Drawn for by Mr M'Lae fince his arrival, 46 17 5 Miffion to Quebec, 9° 3 S Feesof ciafles atCoIlepe, 8t maintenance of mifiiona- ries.&MrM'Lae's family, 292 17 Balance on hand, 34 13 o L.1116 16 6 L.1116 16 6 By this ftatement it will appear, that we have no idea of laying up any fund. No ; let the filver and the gold, whicli are the Lord\ remain in the hands of thofe whom he has con<« \ llituted his Itewards, till it be needed. . If we attend to the effedls produced by hoarding or finking] the fine knc fup, the The that good whol Iraiiec contir w. anxioi by en necelTa liberal way d ed in have it progrefs ferioully churches your Jib but ftill «d, that 1 grace of fakes bee This gofp comforts ( joyful ex part to ott pod ?-.L. hours of ]fl the gofpel ; fellow helf ^e will abi purpofe, afl ing the wor Chrift. it bouring aa fphere lefs i of many tha negleft to ca of Chriftians ^ur.neighbou les. by cn- L.X27 14 ce i5i es, nd ir, th For ily 234 4 If iit- ^r u- th 29 7 6 ae 46 17 5 90 3 S & a- ly, 19a 17 cf 34 13 L.H16 16 6 no idea of rold, whicli le has con"! 33 known, ibtr;" f ri'" "« ."p°» S':''pt"'\t t'H good work, . „d 'leave "L/^'"'' S'""a'ion, be r«d. ,""''•f• We do not intend then *« way diverterf r "'*^' ^^^P^^^d to the ri/t «f u ^ S"'^^ o^ in«r 1 "^» ^"^ enables us t« 1 i r * ^ rcliih to the joyful expedlation Shoii ^ook forward to dearh«-;i? 34 comparatively trifling expence and riik, that we may fend mil- fionaries to the dillance of many thoufand miles in fearch of avowed idolaters ? Let us remember, there are but two charac- ters in the world. So far from cunfulering, that the attention of Chridians ought to be exclpjfively directed to countries where the name of Ghrift is unknown, we conceive that we have peculiar encouragements to fend the gofpel to thofe who profefs the religion of Jefus. We find many in fuch fituations, who, while they are living without God in the world, admit that the Scriptures contain a divine n vclation. In addrefling ourfclves to fuch, we have the fame aJvantage which the apoflles had of old in reafoniog with the Jews. It is alfo to be expefted that among tliefe, we fliall meet with Chriftians who only require to be ftirred up to adlive exertions. It is evident how very imporiant it is, to provoke iuch to love and to good works. Some »oo will probably be found, v^ho, although living by faith in Jefus, have >et very dark and perplexed views of truth. If they be more fully inilru£ted, if their zeal be excited, they may not on- ly be ufeful among their countrymen, but an hod of miffionaries to labour among idolaters will be raifed up. Hence it appears, that to begin by vifiting and preaching the gofpel in countries called Chrillian, is the mod cfFc^ual method to evangelize the heathen. In thefe fentiments we are fully confirmed, when we attend to the manner in wliich the gofpel was firll publiflied. We find, that while the apoflles confidered themfclves to be debtors to all delcriptions of men, their firit attempts were diiefted to- waids thofe who profeflcd the woifhip of the true God, efpe- cially to fuch as refided in populous cities, and among civilized nations. The advantages of this mode of procedure are fuffi- ciently obvious ; and we may with cor.fidence lollow their ex- ample From tne Itate of our own country, we may judg2 of the iituation of others; for if we aie to know the difciplci of Chriit by their fruits, and if faith pu'^ifies the heart and over- comes the world, how few amongft us have obtained it ! But our own country 13 too favourable a criterion to judge by. On the Continent things are very difFtrenr, and many who are very carelefs here, would be fhocked if they faw the open profane- nefs and irreligion which prevail there. Btethrenj let us en- deavour to extend as far as pofl^ble the genuine aodrine of the crofs ; let us llrive to impart to many of our fellow hnners jull views of the nature of the kingdom of Jefus ; and Itt us ever remember, that our exerdons in his caufe v/ill be a good evidence of our growing attachment to him. It is unnecefTary for us, b« loved, to add, that we have all need to look well to ourfclves as churches and individuals. While proft/ of neg ledge calling him in the Wo not be ft rive t This are not conceal. We do ment ant ■re convi known t througho fame tin\ fqually c: all thing ^ufy to CO all its par '1 'he fellc Jefus to b All (he ] authority,, . although w cal ordinanc and tarne/tl' rcfptft, we J love them fo know fr jm e and various < vent rnen fro j ordinances of Jf we have I of fending th< the glory of C whtre differer Bexertion. W [any who appe: fbut we think, fchurches, form |New Teftamer 1 prov-eed by ( pur t/Forts are lithe r to been ei peplorable ftate .;.-»» ^ fend mif- fearch of 'O charac- iais ought of Chrift ragements of Jefus. are living contain a e have the reafoning jng thefe, be (lirred riant it is, I t'oo will in Jefus, If they be av not on- iifHonaries t appears, countries ;elixe the we attend ed. We 3e debtors irefted to- rod, efpe- r civilized are fuffi- their ex- judg2 of fciplci of ind ovcr- j it ! But : by. On I are very profane- et us cn- ne of the uiers jufl us ever evidence e all need While 35 pfoft/Hng (0 attend h °^ ne^I.dhng our own** wl'-r^"'^ °^ '''h^rs. wcftn. M u f«'l'ng on oth 's t, fL ''''' ^« ^'alk n Vis S,"- '^' ^"^^' '"•« •" all thinl ll ""' '° ^'■"s. let our n ^Y'' ^^H^^ ^'- word of 1 f^ '\^;- apparent ;' and ^us w'eV^lt?'- ^» r ^' ''^"d ^ J« us dwell .7 T ' '"y ^^' "Pon an m Yi^""''^ 'If've together for »i, r • ' '^^'^ and unirv . T ■ '^'"^h <^»n. W'' 10 no. re; Tot/^'^ -r view, '^^Tp'Z'.T'"^ 'o """' «nd prafhce ""'Z'*'-':"'"' from o.he, O ' «• ■""' J'""- "«o„vi„ccd „f 'L'°^ ""'"-Portan,. VVhile '[''"'' ''"J''''g- f-»" .he g,;/ Z^^';:;- -der whicht-a f L,-^""'- f throu^hf/iir .«„ "gs or laJvHtinn n/«o^ j "'" fo make T""/ '*P'ic.; p ceo. o ""r'^P"""" of a'„r;.;"= " ""= ■'"'y '" conicnd for ,|," f u """"""M. Vvf "nfi ^"^"■"^ """s parts- anH , '"' ""« dflivcreH ,?"''" " ""r •■' 'he W'">4"'„r,'he"ff''r""^ "'-1. CO ^cr' eVr'""' '" Jefus to be onl I "■" gofpel. vVe accoi,r7,l ^ '° "a'k -'''otit,.a„H Jdt „t«^.- -e publift J"4" ,;'^' P--.. a'though we reckon f^ , ^'''^^fiard the U^a J^ ^^"^ ^»f»ie "'ordinances <,:?,;: „';otL"^ 1" "o' »' bw ' h'eT' «^,"' refpea, we ran nn t "'."" """rinp he wU '"«'"'?'"""'<'. know from e^nerien ^' '''" »'"ch dwelleth ' ^1"' '""I "» , ve^;:rf:£?--.oet;^^^^^^ |ordi...^--«.heapo„o,tea,;^--- , ^wh.re differences of? r '^""^'^ ""^fVives w h "'" ^^ i«ertion. We /l mT'"'"^ "^'g'^t excite H.-fTr '"^ ''°^'^^7 i»n> who appi^rt ^^ ''' ^'"'"g ^o unite o.t:'t" '"' ^^«-P put we think tha? """ '^' ^''^ ^'"us fo ^ ' ''"°"'"^ ^'^'^ '* 36 &n