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.. " .4

S.E-&MON

4'^

DELIVERED

'IN Tilt: METHODIST CHAPEL, SAINT JOHN, N. B.
On SUNDAY, Iotii APRIL, I82i,

WHEM A COLLECTION WAS MADE IN AID OF THE FUNDS OF TH5

NEIV-BRUNSJVICK A UXILIdR Y

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©BtlBILll ©(S)®lll^^

By J. PR I EST LS F.

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lie shell not fail nor bo discouraged, till h& bavo sol judgment in th*
earth ; and th« isles shall wait for hi* law. — Isaiah.

Iconaic'er the exteaaion and unity of the Bible Society as the beat

pledge of the conlinivance of the Divine Mercy to this land : and I

' doubt not the time will come, when the nation tf'ill reckon that Society

a greater honour to her, as a christian people, than any othT institution

of which she .can boast. Rov. Dr. Buchanan.

,The morality of our holy religion is so salutary to civil Boci<*ty, iti
prorni|e9»ff a fLildreetale so oonsolalpry to indivWuSlii, its precepts so
Kuiibrt to <h% deductions of the most improved leBson, that it rnuat
Anally pcaitdil tbruui^hout the world.

^ Dr. WAXdON, BiihOpqfLiOndcrg.

PKUItiD BY HENHV CHUDB, PRINCE WILLlAl«»STREtT.

■■"{'^ V^v *'■«,

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The president, VICE-PRESIDENTS,

AND

COMMITTEE

OF TIIK

mW'BRUNSWlCK AUXILIARY BIBLE SOCIETY,

THIS SERMON, PREACHED AT THEIR REQUEST,

AND
jfOW PUBLISHED IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE WISHES OF FRIENDS,

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h teapeclfuUy inscribed,
By the

AUTHOR.

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ACTSii. 7— 11.

" And they were all amazed and marvelled^ sajjing one to anoifter, are
not all these winch speak Galileans ? and how hear we every man
speak in our tongue wherein we were born ? — Parthians, and
Medes, and Elamites^ and the dwellers in Mesopotamiaf andin
judea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pam-
phylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and stran-
gers of Rome, Jews and Proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, wt do hear
them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of QodP

OLUMES have been written on the origin of language ;
and the obfcurity in which the fubjc6l is involved has
^ given exiftence aiid currency to various opinions and con-
5 je^lures. But as opinion is not knowledge, nor conje6lure
principle, and as nothing more is known of a fubje6l than
\i\\?it\% proved ; fo nothing here is known with certainty
except what may be colle6led from the intimation of the
Jewilh Law-giver : — he intimates that the rudiments of lan-
guage wevs given to man by his Creator ; for Adam named
all creatures.

But whatfoever was the origin of Language, the pojfejjion
of it is peculiar to man, and is his peculiar ornament and
diflin61ion. Of the bodies of mere animals we fay, as we
do of our own, — " they are wonderfully made." The pow-
er of infiin61 in many of them is truly furprifing. Some of
them have organs fo analagous to thofe of fpeech in man
as fcarcely to be dillinguilhed from them. But ilill the
faculty of foeech is, in a great meafure, the criterion be-
tween man and the brute creation. Reafon, without this,
would have remained in ina61ivity, its energies uncxcited,
and its faculties torpid. The

( 6 }

The time ^vas when the communication of fentiment,
from man to man, was not reftrained nor impeded by a
variety of languages, for, as the facred hi dorian fays. The
whole earth was ojone Language and one Speech. Then it
was that the people formed the rebellious defign of build-
ing a tower on the fertile plains of 672/w.7r; partly, as is
fuppofed, for idolatrous purpofes, but principally to pre-
vent their difperfion. Both of thefe purpofes, if realized,
would have proved inimical to the interefls of man, and re-
pugnant to the Almighty's intentions, he therefore fruftrated
their plans bv confounding their language, io that they
could not Underlland one another's Ipecch ; and they be-
came united in nothing but in a wifh to feparate.

So many inconveniences have refultcd to man from this
confufion of tongues, that were the fcripture filent on the
fubjea, we Ihould probably infer that it was infliaed on
him for the violation of fome law, or as an antidote againft
fuch violation.

From this very circumfiance great inconvenience was
probably apprehended by this medley of perfons, who were
convened at Jerufalem on the day of Pentecof>, to witnefs
the defcent of the Holy Ghofl. None of the ApofUes could
expea to be underftood except by a very few perlons. ^
There were a hundred and twenty worfiiippers, and thele Q
are to be divided into fifteen or fixteen difTevent claffes ; for
fo many languages it is believed, were fpoken. But, when
agreeably to the expe61ation of thefe devout worlhippers,
and the prcdiaion of Him whofe word is furer than heaven
and earth, the Holy Spirit defcended upon them in copious
cftufions, this inconvenience no longer exift^d, but cverij
man heard them /peak in his own tongue. If a Roman ad-
vanced towards the Apoftles he would be ad'dreffed m
Latin ; if an Arabian, he would be addrefled in Arabic; and
fo of the others. This, together with the concomitant
phenomena, ftruck beholders with amazement. " And they
were all amazed and marvelled, faying one to another—
we do hear them fpeak in our own tongues, the wondenui
works of God."

Put may we not regard thefe words as the language ot

the

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( 7 )

the whole world, when the Bible fhall have been tranflaied
into every language of it, and when //le Book fliall have*
been univcrfally difTufed ? Then men of every clime may
lake up their Bibles, and with wonder and joy exclaim —
referring to the Prophets, our Lord, and his Apoftles —
'* We do hear them fpeak in oicr tongues the wonderful
works of Cod."

Keckiving thefe words in this way of accommodation, wc
lliall proceed to difcufs the following propofitions :
That the works of God abe wonderful ;
That it is desirable that f.very man should hear them

IN his native language :
That this is attainable ;

That the only w4y to attain it fully, is by a univer-
sal diffusion of the Holy Scriptures ;
That *'the British and Foreign Bible Society," is an
Institution ad?iirably calculated to atchieve this de-
sirable end ; AND,

That, therefore, it is every person's duty to extend to

I-^ ALL THE patronage AND SUPPOItT HE MAY POSSESS.

^'jRST— 77ze Works of God arc izonderful This is a fa^
'Tred to be doubted, and too obvious to be denied,
wonderful Beins; ; as all mud acknowledge who
plate him at the only Potentate, the King of kings,'
a.... . rd of Lords ; who only hath immortality, dwelling
in the light which no man can approach unto ; whom no
man hath feen, nor can fee : to whom be honour and power
everlalting. Amen. He is infinitely happy and perfeft.
The annihilation of every creature could not diminifn his
felicity, nor docs their ex'iftence augment it. He is illimit-
able in his immenfily, inconceivable in his mode of cx-
iflence, and indefcribable in his nature ; fo wife as to pre-
clude the poffibility of error, and fo good that he cannot
be unkind.

Now all nature declares that her productions refemble
the fourccs wh(?nce they emanate — Men do not gather
gra]m oj thorns, nor figs of thijiles. We are in tl*e daily
practice of applying the fame rule to the operations of
men. We do not, for inllance, expeQ a liige-like pro-
duction

^^SStassaesKEe&s^l^miatif.

( !

duHton from one who isreaily, or coinparativdy an idiot;
iior do wc expe^} from a writer, of creditable talents as an
author, a compofition of folly and abfurdity. The ufual
pra61ice is to judge of an author by his work ; y^ii, there
are cafes when we judge of a work by its author: that is,
wc have fuch knowledge of the writer's wifdom and pru-
dence, that we cannot think he will obtrude upon the pub-
lic any thing unworthy of its acceptance. Hence we no
fooner learn that he has publifhcd a work, than we purchz.";;
without hefitancy, and read with avidity.

In like manner, we are no fooner apj^rlfed of the cha-
ra^lerofGod, ?s it has been briefly 'elineated, than we
cxpe^l his works of nature, providence ai^d grace will prove
worthy of his wifdom, power and goodners. Nor fliall we
be difnppointcd — The works of the Lord are great, foug^ht
out of all them that have plenfure therein — They are wife in
their contrivance, multitudinous in the'** numbers, beauti-
ful in their appearances, regular in their operations, and
beneficial in their tendencies. To contemplaie them fre-
quently is both an important duty and a fource of ineffable
delight.

The works of Pbovidknce are wonderful. Providence is
the Supreme Being in motion. He does what feemeth
good io him, among (he armies of heaVen and the inhabi-
tants of earth. Every element is under his control. He
holds the wind in his filt. He delejmines the quarter
from which it blows ; the time of its rifmg and falling, to-
gether with the degrees of its influence. Every living crea-
ture flands before him and minillers to him. He fays to
one, go, anditgoeth; to another, come, and it cometh.
At his bidding beafts and fowls go \o Adam for names ; to
^ifoah for refuge, and an inhabitant of the ocean collefls
tribute for him who owns the gold and the filver, and the
cattle upon a thoufand hills. He moves — and valleys rife
and mountains become a plain. He determines the places
of our birth, and the c'icumliances of our lives. The king-
doms of the world he gives to whom he will ; for, as
Daniel declares. He renioveth kings, and fetteth up kings.
He rejected Saul, and gave the kingdom to Jeffe's young-
eft

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( 9 )

cil forij a lowly Liepherd. He took the ten tribes from
Rehoboam, and gave them to Jeroboam, originally au
inferior officer in his fervicc. Thus he took Egypt from
Pharaoh-hophra and gave it to theV'ng of Babylon.

But the text, we apprehend, fpeaks principally of the
wonderful work of liedcmjUiori. This is pi "-eminently
wonderful. Such as the fun never before witnefled ; nor
does hiflory record any fuch event. The holy angels, pro-
verbial for knowledge as they are, could never have con-
trived fuch a fcheme. The Apoflle Peter alTures us that it
is the fnbje^ of their (ludy. — " The fufferings of Chriftand
the glory that fhould follow, into which things the angels
defire to look." Piedemption is the wifdoni of God in a
my fiery. It i.God with men, and man with God : — "God
manifelled i;; ihe flefli." A union, in the Redeemer, of
omnipotence and wcaknefs ; riches and poverty ; infinity
and limitation ; life and death ; honour and degradation;
immutabih'ty and changeablenefs.

ExPEitiivrfNTAL re/igwn may be here referred to as a won-
derful work of God. As this would ne\er have had an ex-
idcnce in the world witliout a revelation from God; fo it
can have no exigence in the heart of man without the
myfierious operation of his fpirit : lb mylicrious that our
Saviour compares it to the wind, which of all tlie phenome-
na of nature, is the lead apprchcnfible in its cffence and
the mod fenfiblc in its eire6is. — Were this a work of man
it would wear his refemblance. Man is depraved. " Who
can bring a clean thini; out of an unclean ?" No effe^l can
exceed its caufc ; and an inadequate caufe is no caiife
at all.

TiiE Religion of Chrill is wonderfully fuited to the con-
dition of man. It is more wife in its contriv.ince. more
holy in its influence, more ] erfctl in its nature, and more
advantasfeous in its efl*e61s, thnn anv iyftem that was ever
prefented to the attention of the world. It came from
God : like nim it is perfect : while it accommodates itfelf
to the fimpie, it endears itfelf to the judicious part of man-
kind.

FnOM thcfc particulars we infer the truth of our Sfcond

Propofiiion,

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( 10 )

Propofition, namely, // is deJiraUe that every mm JJiould
hear thefe wGuderfid works m his native language.

The Bible, where God's wonderful works are exhibi-
ted, gives dignity to the tneaneft cottage, and adds luftre
to the moft fiiperb palace. The day on which a Bible
enters a country, its importance commences in the eyes
of angels. Then, and not before, it may be faid, " Arife, *
fliine,°thy light is come and the glory of the lord is rifen
upon thee." It was the pofTefTion of the Scriptures that
gave the Jewiih a decided pre-eminence over other nations :
— " Unto them was^'committed the oracles of God," The
day on which the Bible takes its departure from a country
IchaJjod m^y be infcribed on its walls :— " The glory is de-
parted."

The Gofpel is a real bleffrng. All others are but asy7/a-
dows. Being earthly in their origin, they are unfatisfying
in their ufe, and travjitonj in their duration. The light that
we behold — the food we receive — the raiment that wc put
on — the air we breathe — the friends th-.t we enjoy — though
all of them bleflings, are far from h€m%Jecure. But, if with
the report of God's word, we receive the grace that it pro-
claims, we have a friend thatfticketh clofer than a brother;
a Father that never leaves his children orphans ; a garment
of falvation, which neither time nor eternity can impair ;
bread tu eat of which the world has no conception, and
under the blelfcd beams of the Sun of righteousnefs, we
find healing and refrelhment : we breathe a new air, and
live in a falubriousatmofphere.

THEWOixlofGod isa great bleHing. It proclaims the
cUrfe removed — mankind redeemed — God reconciled — fin
pardoned — peace implanted — divine ftrength conferred —
falvation fecured : Not mines of gold, rivers of oil, nor
fields covered with perpetual verdure, are to be compared
with the bleflings of the Gofpel. He who enjoys them has
a happinefs that depends not upon external circumflances.
lie has fources of enjoyment, when thofe of the wicked are
exhaufled. Hear his langiwge : " Although the fig-tree
fhall not bloffom, neither Ihall fruit be in the vines ; the
labour of the olive fhall fail, and the fields fhall yield no

meat ;

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{ II )

meat • the flock fliall be cut off from the fold, and
there Ihall be no herd in the lialls : yet I will rejoice in the
Lord ; I will joy in the God of my falvation."

In every country the Bible finds men in the fame conditi-
on and in that deplorable condition, it holds out to them
the fame o^race and encouragement. It has been cal ed
therelioionof finners; and really it is the only religion that
meets their condition :— that illumines what is dark, and
pardonswhat is wrong. Howdeflrable, then, is it, that a)
men fhould have this precious book in their own language !
But as many things are defirable which are not aiiainable,
^ve proceed to dilcufs our Third Propofiiion, namely, that
this ohkd is attainnhk : this we argue,

1 From the efficaci/ of the Gofpel, " For as the rain
cometh down, and the fnow from heaven, and returncth not
thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring iorth,
and bud, that it may give feed to the lower, and bread to
the enter ; fo fliall my word be that goeth forth out ot my
mouth: it fliall not return unto me void, but it fliall ac-
compliifli that which I pleafc. and it fliall profper in the
thino vvhcrcuntolfcntit." The Gofpel is not only a iys-
tem of morality, but a fourccoidivinc agency, which exerts
itfelf upon the minds of ihofc who properly read it, ** It
is the power of God to the falvation of every one that bc-
lieveth." It has awakened the molt fecure ; has mollihed
the mofl obdinatc hearts ; has comforted the grcateft fut-
ferers • millions have proved it to be the cauie of their re-
formation and renewal. It -brings" both the dilcovery
and the experience of falvation. How weak and unopera-
tive are all the Ivflcms ol human philofophy compared with
the eilicacy of the Gofpel ! One of the celebrated men ol
antiquity might well indulge the feelings of deipondency,
occafioned by the dcficiencv of his philofophical principles,
and in all the bittcrnefs of voluble and diflicartening loiilo-
niiy compUin, that he could not bring over the inhabitants
<lf one village to live by the rules of his diaation. Indeed,
"Ion" did philofophv "brood over the miferies of her chil-
dren^and lono did flic amufe herfelf in dcvifing Ichcmes
for their relief. In the religion of Juki's we And all that

^' the

( 12 }

' rhe wifdom of the world' could never difclofe,— a remedy
for all the difeafes of our nature, a balm for the bleeding
heart, afubflitute for the want of human comforts, a piU
low for the bed of death. Its treafures enrich the cottage
of the poor. Its vivifying energy communicates new liTe
to the decrepitude of age. Its confolations fupport the
fainting fpirit when furrounding objefis can no longer
charm. Its hopes irradiate the vale of'death."*

If fuch is the efficiency of the Gofpel, it is in vain to de-
plore the want of miracles to accompany its circulation.
The Bible is never fent without its author ; its author is
God ; God is mighty in operation. Suppofe miracles to
accompany the difTcmination of the holy Oracles, what could
be gained by them ? '' If thev hear not Mofes and the Pro-
phets neither would they be perfuaded though" the mira-
cle of one '^rifing from the dead" were aflfbrded them.
But let the word of God go forth, accompanied by his
fpjrit, and, lo ! the work is done.

That the word of God (hall univcrfally prevail, we argue^
ficondly, from the language of /;/-o/V/m/. It has been'' re-
marked, that he who is acqiwinted with the hiflory of paft
ages, and who is converfant with prefent occurrences, lives
twice. At his bidding, pcafantsand princes; the learned and
the illiterate ; the noble and ignoble ; flatesmen and heroes,
with all their follies and excellencies prefent themfelves
before him, though they have been for ages dead. He fees
the origin of power ; the progrefs of fcience ; the fources of
wealth; the windings of dominion, and the fecrct fprinos
of national decay. ^

With equal propriety it may be faid, that he, who is ac-
(luaintcd with the prophetical writings of the Bible, lives
thrkc. Ilis exillencc is extended beyond its natural limits,
and thofe future events which arc the higheft in the
economy of Providence are, in fome degree, opened to his
view. Not that our views of the prophetical writings, even
alter the moft diligent and laborious Ihidy of them, will be
perfectly diflin6> and futisfaaorv. It is in general, here,
if any where, that *' we fee ihrough a ^«;lafs darkly." And
as to iome of thcfe prophecies we mav rcafonablv conclude

*Rov. Du Cuii.Ng.

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( » )

that their interpretation fhall no* arrive before their ac-
compli fhmcnt. Some of thefe prophecies, however, are
exprefled in language fo luminous and unequivocal that
'' he who runs may read." Such are thofe which refer to
the extension of the Meffiah'g empire, which Ihall be co-
extenfive with human habitation, and as lading as the pillars
of Jehovah's t'^rone. *' His name (hall endure for ever : all
nations fhall call him blefTed." Can we afcertain the num-
ber of converts that fhall be brought to Chrift in the latter
day of glory ? Surely not. Neither cm we number the
people of every nation, people and tongue, that " thai! fly
as a cloud and as doves to their windows,"

But it would be the efTence of esthufiafra to expe^ tke

attainment of this obje6^, without employing fuch means as

God has put into our hands ; and, our Fourth Propofition

liiues, Thai this cannot be attained witJwut the univerjal dif-

fiifion of the holy Scriptures.

Much may be learned concerning God by the works of
creation. — "'The heavens declare the gloilY of God, and the
firmament fheweth his handy wofk,'* Thele may be regard-
ed as the alphabet of a language : but it is the Bible that con-
ne61s thefe letters and teaches us to read. — " He has mag-
nified his word above all his name" — All other difplays of
God are partial, and comparatively un influential. They
hold forth the divine attributes fcparately, and teach us
nothing of their harmony, limitations, and extent. If we
could gather from thefe, that there was a God, jufl and mer-
ciful, it would be impofTible to fay where the excrcife of
juftice would end, and the operations of mercy com-
mence.

This will be further corroborated by a review of the ef-
fcfls produced by the fchemes of religion that took place in
the heathen world. How defe61ive were their views of the
Supreme Being ! And how futile were the apprehenfions
that they entertained concerning a multiplicity o^ fubordi*
nate deities ! How grofs mufl their fenliments have been
when they could afcribc to their gods unhallowed paffions,
and erefl temples for the performance of impure and abo-
minable rites ! How dark nuift their minds have become

( i* )

when they could worfliip diimb idols and pray to them for
proteaion ! When mankind had fuch mean ideas of the
beings whom they worihipped, as to believe them capable
of the bafeft vices, could any thing be expeaed of them
under thefecircumaances, buf that their fentiments of mo-
rahty fhould be erroneous, and that jthey fliould call eood
evil and evil good ?

Nor is the moral condition of thofe who are without the
divine records, now, better than it formerly was. Let us di-
rea our attention to the eafl and view the peopled vallevs
ofAfia Here IS a country lovelv to behold; a country
vvhich claims the honour of having been firft inhabited bV
the human race. Here the Saviour of the world was born'-
"went about doing good" ; and " once fuffercd the iuft for
the unjull." Yet, honoured as it was in other days, darknefs
now covers that part of the world and grofs darknefs the
people. In Afia there are five hundred millions of fouls
!I VI.- ^^^.^'^c^P^ions, have no god, except the gods
thac fanaion vic#; no faci^ifice., except thofe of folly and
blood; no priefls, except a rare of jugglers, impofiors and
murderers; «o holy days, except fuch as debafc by their
levity, corrupt by their fenfuality, imd harden bv their
cruelty.

The human bones, which, for the fpace of fifty miles co-
ver and whften the plain— the infaliate vultures that fea'/t on
human flefli, and which, here, have acquired a tamenefs ter-
rible to behold-the weary pilgrims, whp faint, groan, and
die while on their way to Juggernaut— the dchidcd multi-
tudes vvho fall a Hicrificc to the ponderous wheels of that
itupcndouscar— the human bones which are call on the fu-
neral pile—thc clouds of Imokc which afcend from thofe
dear-bought offerings— the iireams of blood which arc
drawn from thofe cofily facrifices-the fliouls of joy that
rend the a.r at the fight of the purple gore :-thefe iccnes
of woe and barbarity Ihcw the deplorable fltuation o^f thofe
who are without God s Word. With Hftle diflerence as to
religious rites, the fame dcfcription fuits thirty millious of
the race of Ham. Ignorance the moll pit)found ; imao-i-
nations the moll extravagant ; and crimes the mofl daring,

have

( 1^ )

have ever diltinguifhed the world ""lying in the arms of
the wicked one."

Hence, Pagans are unhappy. " There is no peace to the
wicked." What are all their cruel facrifices but proofs of
the writhings and agonies of a guilty confcience labouring
for liberty and peace ? Jhey feel themfelves to be miferable,
hence infer their gods are angry. A facrifice is brought —
perhaps a fmiling infant, or aged parent. But docs this
produce happinefs ? No : the a6l of murder cannot produce
peace. What muft be the feelings — what the anxiety —
what the horror of thofe, whofe hands are drenched in hu-
man blood ? So far is their hiflory from being a hiilory of
happinefs, that it is the hiftory of blood, horror and mifery.
' The heathens are unjaje. The contrary opinion indeed
too generally prevails. The true queftion in this caufe is, ^
we humbly apprehend, often miftaken. It is not whether it
be pojjibh for the heathens to be faved — that we grant. But
that very circumftance proves the (late of the heathen to be
more dangerous than if fuch a pv^fTibility aould not be pro-
ved. The poffibility of their falvation indifputably fliews
them to be fubje61s of moral government, and, therefore,
liable to aggravated punifhment in cafe of difobedience.
The true queftion is this : Are the heathens — ^idolatrous and
wicked as they are — fafe ? On this folemn fubje6l we Ihould
be bound to fpeak with great diffidence, were it left to the
decifion of authority merely human. But Infpiraiion has
decided it : and when human opinions come in contact with
the declarations of revelation, there is not one of you who
will hefitate to fay, " Let God be true and every man a
liar." The reafoning of the Apoflle in the firft of the Ro*
mans is of univevfal application ; it bears no marks of par-
ticularity, and there is not, in our day any one circum-
flancc that calls upon us to narrow the application. His
conclufjon, is that, fur all their crimes, they are without ex-
cufe. They are ignorant, but it is becaufe they do not
love to retain the knowledge of God in their minds. They
have a law written on their hearts, but they violate it ; they
have a confcience, which accufes or elfe excufes, but they
difregard its d ideates. Tiibrefore, they are without excufe.

Now

Now what is the remedy for all thefe evils ? The remedy
—the CatlioUcon forthera is the Bible. Where it proper-
ly prevails, it will produce two efFeas : it will chnlize and
chrijlianize. There is both a natural and aiSlual connexion
between a proper reception of the Bible and civhlization.—
Juft in proportion to its range in he|thenirh lands, we fliall
fee them emerging from the depths of barbarifm, and be-
coming honourable and ufcful members of civil fociety
The plundering Arab will relinquiili his nefarious praaices-
. the Bible will teach, - Let him who dole fteal no more ; let
hipi provide things honeft in the fight of all men." The
ferocious favage, whofe heart could not pity, and whofe
hands were reluaant to relieve the neceffitous, fhall learn
to fofler the emotions of fympathy ; "to weep with them
. that weep, and rejoice with them that rejoice." The hardy
•'Laplander will feel its power, and his frozen heart fliall
begin to glow with the celeflial lire of pure devotion Th»
fable African will be delivered fro., his galling chains, and
the fierce fliafts of cruelty fliall pierce him no more, while
our Saviour's golden rule of morality fliall be known re-
.'vered, and pra6tifed :— - Whatfoever ye would thai men
fliofild do unto you, do ye even fo to them : for this is the
law and the prophets."

The Bible, where it properly prevails, will chrlflianize.
Jherearenot wanting thole, who would reflria yoiir ex-
ertions, and confine them, exclufivcly, to the civilization of
the world. They t.alk in this way :— » civilize the favacrc
4each him how to cultivate his intellea and till the ^rround'
but leave alone his religion." Such a man is in clwraaer'
who having no religion of his own, would gladly find
Jiimlell countenanced in the dreadful deficiency bv a world
of deifis and idolators.

But fuppofe, that, out of compliment to men devoid of
religio»:, eflforts were made in their own way to civilize
Pagan lands; and, fuppofe, that upon this reduced fcale
ot operation, they fliould be as fuccefsful as they could de-
l?re, what would be atchieved, viewing man through all the
range of his exificncc.? It is true, the man of the woods
would become the mar. of^thecity; the favage would be

-^ elevated

Wtm

elevated into the fage. But wltire the light of fciencc would
be poured upon his path, and it would be ftrevyed vith thfi
flowers of literature; yet, if left to the dominion of his ^
vices, it is the path of perdition. He has been taught to
- fare fumptuously eVerv day," but this, \^.his cafe, is only
like pampering the wretch who is on his way lo execution ;
you ftrip'him of his flieep-karros, and clothe him with
" fine linen," but this is only to fit him for becoming an
alTociate with Dhei, You exchange the earthly hillock in
the wildernefs for the fculptured monument, on which
fome Ikilful artilicer may exuberantly depia ajiigh found-
ino- epitaph, and emblazon deeds rf renown, but while his
afhes repofe in grandeur, the worm that never dies dcftroys
his foul, and the fire that cannot be quenched is conluming
his peace. But let men firlt aim to lave the foul of the
heathen, and then as they proceed to the ultimate end ot
their exertions, they will not fail to fcatter over the path ot
benevolence the feeds of civilization and focial order ^

The word of God will produce d truly chriilian ipirit.
Let this book continue its progrefs, and inftead of thoulands
and tens of thoufands falling proflrate before their dumb
idols thev fliall fall down to worfhip the living God.
Their heathenilh rites will be abolilhed, and their altars
overthrown. Their temples being dellroyed, they will im-
inediatelv erea others, to the honour of him '^ who made
heaven and earth and all things therein'" To the fe templet
they will repair, inquiring their way to /ion with then-
faces ihitherward.

The Gofpel will point out to them the path of peace, the
Jliinino- road which leads to eternal life. Thcdoanne of
the crCfs, as the main-fpring in the chridian fytlem, will fet
every wheel in motion. This doarine will (liew them the
malignant nature of fm, and humble them in the diift be-
fore God on account of their iniquities. It will wm their
hearts— captivate their affeaions— (both their forrows, and
caufe their feet to run fwiftly in the path of obedience.

It will purge the moral atmofphere of Pagan lands ol
every noxious vapour: the pulfe of the new man will begin
to beat, and the heathen will find that '' there is yet balm in
Gilead,' and yet a phyfician there.*' , Ttf»

f#M

. • ( IS )

* '

The word of God will teach them how to die. Having a
hope blooming with immortality, when they approach the
dreary confines of the grave, " they will fear no evil ;" up-
held by the Saviour they will defy the powers of darknefs,
and fmile on the horrors of the tomb, defiring " to depai*t
and be with Chrili:, which is far better." When releafed
from their earthly tabernacles, their fouls, like a bird
emerging into liberty, fhall expatiate on the plains of light
and blifs. Immcnfity fliall be the meafure, and eternity
the duration, of their joy.

Fifthly — " The British and Foreign Bible Society"
IS AN Institution admirably calculated to diffuse uni-
versally THE Holy Scriptures. There are many con-
fiderations conne6led with this Inllitution, which clearly in-
dicate the interpofition of divine Providence. It v/as for-
med at a TIME when a iyftematic attack had been made on
the Scriptures. Many had imbibed the principles of in-
fidelity ; and the exilting political authorities of one lead-
ing European nation, were fo abandoned to the fpirit of
fcepticifm anddelufion as to difbelieve divine tievelation,
and openly declare their ho/tility to its principles. Loiid
and frequent were the bondings of this anti-fcriptural con-
federacy; and they threatened, in all the madnefs of antici-
pated triumph, to drive thofe old enthufiafts* the Prophets
and Apoftles, out of the world. But he that fitteth in the
Heavens laughed them to fcorn : the God of the Bible had
its enemies in dcrifion. About the crifis of this impiety the
magnanimous Inllitution of which we are fpeaking was
commenced.

The place where this Society was formed reminds us of
the hand of a watchful and interpofing Providence. The
geographical fituation of Great-Britain ; her numerous com-
mercial relations ; the extent of her naval rcfoiuxes; the
chara61er of her people, — were fuch as to make this place,
above all others, the moft eligible for giving birth and
extenfivc range to this unrivalled aOociation. The King of
England was decidedly friehdl) the circulation of the
Holy Writings. When Prince of Wales, and in the vigour
of his days^ though furrounded by all thofe temptations in-
cidental

^ i^

( 19 ) .

cWental to perfons in fialions f elevated, vet iSeup,!
h,s warm attachment to the Scriptures and hisdeteflaSof
aDt,-chr,ft,a„ principles by purchating. for diftribmion
among h,s friends, one hundred poundsr;or.h of "Dr r "
, W. v,ew of Deiflical wile,^." Pr nres of tho bfi I

Koyal; the „,oft di,J,X^uifl,ed Patriots atlsatlt ;f^„e
of thole Prelates of the United Church, moll cHebnted
forenid.t.on andpie,y ; the Rev. the Prkyteies of Scot
land, and d.flenters of almoft every name-many of lom
>vere inferior to none of the precedino, in the ex em o
he,r natural and acquired abilities, in zeal for the ve fare
ofmen p.ety to God, and love to their cou. try-c me
of the r^ T'"^ '" T™' ''^''- "'""' ^"""g « fnen*

"bloXf:"^"^' "'"'"° """ '^•^'"'"'-'l •" %''• i'»
'r:\mJimpUc\Uj of its nature (liews it to b^- admiriMv
adapted to lecure the univerCal dim,non of the SvSu'e,
Artie Isuefs and finiplicity are infcribed on the face of h
Nor doeg this detna from its ..lajeliy, for it is

" Like the ethereal fphere we fee,

Majefiic in its own timplicity."

n is pernaps fhe o„ly reiinious Inftitution in the world in
^vh.ch good men of all parlies can confcientiouflv unTle
mutor th.np, diliercnccs of opinion exift among men'eqna
h wiie and p.ous ; and they probably ,vill exlll until e

;nst."",rd V''^" '^ •"""'•^'' 'o^eaven" 11^' h -
■ '^aten CO di^liu "'"'Tr°7 ^^ 'T^' *°S^"'" "'"> •>•<=

lim, , rV.iH • "^' '"■'; '^^""'P'-omifc of principle nor vio-
Jal on of fa, his required. This Society, fimple oriain;!

tinflr'^n''^-'"'' '" "^ P'---"' '""•d^i"^ ■"> know an"° dS
na.on of lea or party. Equally open to " Jew and Gen-
t le. Barbarian, Scythian, Bond and Free" to aid its exert^

o e wo d oT r^llJ", '" "^"^" ''^"■"" "- -mmfinication

( 20 ;

And, yet, difTering as the Meubers of this Society do in
many things, the refle61ion ispleafing, that the harmony
and unanimity that conne6l them together have never been
interrupted. It was iaid of the primitive chrilb'ans that they
were of *' one heart." So it is here. The dew of Hermon
has not loft its refrefhing quality ; the ointment poured on
the head of Aaron ftill retains all its fragrance. Every
fpe61ator is induced to exclaim, fee, " how pleafant 'tis for
brethren to dwell together in unity.'*

The eageniefs with which the vScriptures are received by
thofe to whcm they are fent is a circumPiance highly auf-
picious. How ftiall we account for this, knowing as we
muft, that " the carnal mind is enmity ngainfl God ?"
We explain it thus: — ''The people fliall be willing in the day
of thy power." MI the Proteiiaiit Churches had their birth
amidft the convulfions of political elem^its, and their cra-
dle was rocked by liorms ; but now the principles of the
Reformation go abroad like a foft and beauteous lun-rife,
Iheddingrnys which are not only v/elcomed, but which are
hailed with acclamations ofjoy, and. afcriptions of praife
to "the Prince of peace," and Author of concord. What
is this but a cheering prelude to that glorious epoch when
the reproving words of the Saviour to the Jews, " they
could difcern the face of the fky but not the figns of the
times ;" and the equally reproving v;ords of the Evange-
lift, "The light ftiineth in darknefs, and the darkncfs com-
prehendeth it not," fliali lofe— lofe forever their applica-
tion ?

In former times when the light of the Gofpel faded av/ay
among men, none fighed at the approach of night; none
laid hold on the truth as Jacob on the Angel, faying, " I
will not let thee go :" but the fl.adows of the evening
were welcomed, and the Angel was repulfed. Is not this
favourable alteration a pledge of ultimate ^id univerfal
fuccefs ? It is the quickening and exhilirating frefimefs that
goes before the morning ; it is the rifing breeze which in-
dicates thetlefcending and univerfal fliower.

Bearing in mind what has been laid of this Infiitution,
we fliall be the lefs furpriled at its unparalleled fuccefs.

' 4 i V »

\.^-„,.

f J >

» W '

( SI )

At i(s commencement, this Society was as the cloud little
as the hiHnan hand ; it wasas a handful of corn Tcattered on
the mountains, but which now fliakes as the cedars in Le-
banon. It was only as a fpark of fire which fcarcely glim-
mered over the regions ofdarknels, but which now,*' like
the orb of day, travelling in the greainefs ol' his Arength,
illuminates tens of thoufandsby its clear and fleady ra-
diance. This Society is like a willow planted by a rivjr of
wafer; its leaves do not wither, and whalfoeve: it does
profpers. ir^ird mufl that heart be, that does not feel gra-
titude ; impenetrabic mult be the film that obfcures'^thc
vifion of him, who does not here fee the har.d of Jehovah ;
and paralizcd mull be thai tongue, which does not exclaim,
*'what hath Cod wrouo^ht !"

If thisChri'dian Society has already done fo much, what
may we not hopt it will be enabled to do in future i» Ex-
tendijig our views beyond thofe regions where revelation
has not yet fcattered her f^ebleft rays, we "may anticipate,
with exultation, the period when the Bible Society will pe- "
netrate the {hickefl daiknefs of Pagan lands, and, by ihe
torch of divine truth, expofe the fooli/li fuperftitions, ihe
obfcene rites, and horrid crneiiies o^ heatheiiifm in all its
forms— expofe thc-m to the abhorrence of their prefent de-
luded votaries.^ We mud now proceed to difcufs our Sixth
propofiiion— T/;v7/ il is everij ones (lutij io extend to this hi-
JlUuiion all ihe patronage and fuppo} t he way pofjhjs.

Man is not the prciprictor," bat onlv a (ieward of the ma-
nifold blelTings of God : He gives ; man dilfufes. Thus are
we elevated to the high honour of being humble imitators
of him ** who went about doing good," and o'" being al-
moners of the divine bounty. i^wt the Bible above all
other gifts of God, we Ihould be aaiLitious and zealous to
circulate.

All men are children of the fame parent, "who hath
madcof one blood ail the dwellers upon earth." Confe-
qiiently we are related to men of every clime. What opi-
nion would be entertained of hira who feeing one fo near-
ly allied io him by the tics of *iiature as a brother, to/Ted on
the enraired and tempeiluous billows, and which arc ready

to overwhelm him. nnd who will not make an effort to refcue
h!m from a watery grave ; or who feeing fo near a relat.on
rrdy.odieofhnnger, while he has "bread enough and to
(nare " but will not beflow upon him, who is in c r-
cumflances fo painful a folitary morfel f Would he not be
char" d with \he indulgence of difpofu.ons worle than
brutal ? Bv far the greater part of our brethi-en are ready to
be imbofomed in the billows of divine wrath ; fl«ll we not
endeavour to lave them ? They are per.dnng for want of
tpfritual bread ; (hall we not give them at leatt "the crumbs

that fall from our Mailer's table ?" , , , , i r
The performance of this duty is enforced by the rules of
;„/lwe. The time was when the nation to wh.ch we belong
% in the region and Ihadow of death. From the Ihores ot
Aia the word of life was received. The. Adatics through
their lukewarmnefs and indifference, have forfe.ted the
facred treafure, and have been generally deprived o it.
TheGofpel ha been taken away and they know not where
it i.s laid They lay in a tone of diihels, and ,n accents ot
iufiice, " come over and help us." 7 r „

^ This duty is further enforced by the r„ks o( c^iv
vroMion as chrifUans. Nothing ir, more palpable than
hat m be a chrifiian is to refemble Chritt. We profch to
take him for our pattern. " He has le t us an exam,.le th t
we mould tread in his Heps." Let the mind be in you
which was in him-.niverfal good will '^^^'^Jf^^'X^
a delire that all fliould come unto him and tall upon him
IVom therifmg to the fetting fun. ^„„„re-

It is verv poffible that there may he fome in this congie-
.ationwhi I warm friends to our affociation, who can-
Sot forward the objeas of it by pecuniary afflQance^ But
it is honed that vou will prav for its profperity. Divine
"race's given ii'i anfwer to prayer. Without this grace we

can do nothing. It were as wife to hope to a.lurne the di-
reaion of the wind or the control of the waves as to hope to

evangelize tlie world by our unaided exertions. It the pe-
cuniary refources of this Society were as ample as the e-
vcnue of Great-Britain, and its friends as numerous as the
(la'of heaven ; and if each of its friends united in h.mWf

» J

«>

( ^s )

the learning of Paul and the eloquence of Apollos, they
would ^ow and water in vain unlefs the increafe were
oivenofGod. Having our minds powerfully imp ^{Ted
with this neccOary and falutary truth, let us concluvlc^ by
devoutly praying in the words of Mofes :— " Let thy work
appear unto thy fervants, and thy glory unto their children j
and [ct thebeautv of the Lord our God be wpon us;. and
enablifh thou the work of oui hands upon us : yea the work
of our hands eftabliHi thou it."

In the preceding Difcourfe feveral fentenccs are takeififrom
the Worlis of the Rev. William J-", a Di/Jenting Miriifter ;
feveral from a Sernion jmhlified > j the Tkv. Richard Wat-
son; and a few from Speeches delivered hy ^^^^^/^^ff^
R. Watson, md the Rev, Jabez Bunting, J. M. Met/iO"
dijl Miniprs, ^' ^'

m-«