IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) .7^4^ L^' ***\^ ^ ^ 1.0 1.1 LiM2A |25 Ijj ^^" ■■■ lit * £f 1^ 120 ■ 1.8 lii2ini4U4 been in the field of labour us soon as any of our christian brethren of other denoniitiatiorjs ; not us riiuilx, but \ui friendly fellow- labourefx in cultivating so vast u wilderncsK, — happy to have the hon- our of l)oarin<; the Inunblest ))ui-t in su excellent a work. I sent wit of the u){ a standi I petuate( that, « gelists, work of will rem work of competii church work inf we shot ourselve may seei work of administ tained ii but to Pi of the SI God," h( lieve." ness; bi The all possil Sabbath, of cfiicic gospel, it IN BRITISH AMERICA. people with i sent from tersons who aat they re- )d were very »ply of reh- )uted. We -population, e were mul- eacher, who were others )inenes8 and whose Sah- iding News- to the soul ; fs, we were, ly known to a^ious priva- id help us." ' Wpe is me ar :" " when ' I had gone od, with the y." It were ho knew the peal made to were living iible to their ts that have ians on this a society in good which ill more ex- lough not in eforming an- ement, near- alid grounds j; themselves lo composed (wn. Know- nen recently judgment of acter, we are le fulness of ordially wish ur wishes, we our christian endly fellow- ave the hon- We regret deeply, that after a much longer delay than we had anti- cipated, we are at length able to send to you only one herald of the gospel — our dear brother M'Lachlan, whom we beg to introduce to your christian regards. His heart has long been set on missionary en- terprizes ; he was not only very willing to go, but very desirous of be- ing sent to Canada, although he might readily have found a field of la- bour at home ; and it is our hope that you will find him a faithful am- bassador, in what respects the glory of his great Master, and the best interests of immortal souls. Receive him, we beseech you, in the Lord, — and esteem him very highly in love for his work's sake. It is well remarked by an eminent living divine, that in respect to the body, and the present life, the sense of want becomes more acute in proportion to the greatness of the necessity ; but that in respect to the wants of the soul, the rule is just reversed. Now, in conformity to this rule, there is reason to apprehend that the estimate which many of you form of the value of a gospel ministry, may have been materially aifected by your residence in that coiintry. We should feel happy, if any considerations we could offer to your minds, in our brief address, might prove the means of counteracting this tendency, and of exalting your views of the great leading institution of the gospel system. When Our great High Priest had completed the stupendous work of re- demption, and just before his ascension into heaven, he gave a commis- sion to his disciples to ^o and preach the gospel ; and promised to be pre- sent with them in the prosecution of this work, ^^alway, — even to the end of the world." This promise implied, that the ordinance of preaching was a standing ordinance m his church ; — that a gospel ministry should be per- petuated. And in conformity with this promise, we are further informed, that, " when he ascended up on high, he gave apostles, prophets, evan- gelists, pastors, and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." You will remember the high pre-eminence which the apostles assigned to the work of preaching, over every other employment that might come into competition with it. When the work of dispensing the bounty of the church to the poor began to incroach on their time, they resigned this work into the hands of others. " It is not reason," say they, " th: r we should leave the word of God and serve tables." " We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word" It may seem still more remarkable, perhaps, that the apostle Paul held the work of preaching as having higher claims on his attention, than the administration of the sacraments. This sentiment seems plainly con- tained in the following declaration : " for Christ sent me not to baptize, hut to preach the gospel." The same inspired writer assigns the reason of the supreme importance he attaches to preaching ; — '* it hath pleased God," he says, " by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that be- lieve." " The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolish- ness ; but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God." The experience of all ages has shown how difficult it is, — if it be at all possible, — to preserve religion alive in any community without the Sabbath. And the difficulty of maintaining the Sabbath in any degree of efficiency, without the stated or very frequent ministrations of the (TONpei, ih scarcely less formidable. We have cause to fear, brethren, that ADDRESS TO CHRISTIANS these positions have been but too amply proved by your own observation and experience ; and unless you have dready beg^ to feel on your own minds the unhappy effects of long destitution, we are assured, that you will deeply deplore the want of a Sabbath, where you now sojourn ; or at least the want of such Sabbaths as you had been accustomed to wit- ness in your native land. Some of you we have known personally and familiarly as our own brethren in the fellowship of the church. " We took s«veet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in company." We have been edified and comforted by the same discourses, and have sat down together at the same communion table. We cannot permit ourselves to believe, that you had then less regard for the institutions of Christ, than we had ourselves. Whether you sufficiently considered the dan- ger of losing these privileges, when you came to the decision of placing yourselves in that distant land, it is not now our object to inquire. But we can freely make our appeal to you all, and especially to those of you whose attachment to the cause of the reformation was strongest, and whose enjoyment in the house of God, and in the fellowship of the saints was most abundant, whether the necessity and importance of a faithful administration of gospel ordinances, has not been more fully demonstrated to you by your sojourn in that country, than ever before. Whatever reception you may be inclined to give our young brother now sent among you, — and, we trust, the Lord will dispose your hearts to receive him as an ambassador for Christ, — ^we may assure you, that a ieeling of deep solicitude for you and your children, had no small share in determining the Synod to make choice of Canada as the first sphere of their missionary exertions. The chief Shepherd himself evinces his compassion, by following one wandering sheep into the wil- derness. And ought not we at length to explore that vast desert, into which so many from our various flocks have been wandering in suc- cession, for many years, and where most of them, we fear, are deprived of all pastoral care. They cannot '* go forth by the footsteps of the flock, nor feed their kids beside the shepherds' tents." But We confine not our address to those who are of the same reli- gious fellowship with ourselves. We know, that many others, whom we could not scruple to salute as christian brethren, — although not worshipping in the same societies, nor in all points holding exactly the same views with ourselves, — have transferred their abode to that coun- try. We have here in view, chiefly those who, in common with our- selves, venerate the Church of Scotland as she appeared under the se- cond reformation, — ^when she looked forth in the bloom of her youth, — ^the admiration of the christian world ; those to whom her presbyter- ian form of government, — her ample and lucid exposition of the doc- trines of grace, and the beautiful simplicity of her worship, together with the noble surrender she made of herself to the exalted Messiah, in a solemn covenant, still render her dear. We cannot doubt that a preacher, bringing the identical doctrines which that church embraced, — which she embodied in her incomparable standarrls, — and in defence of which a noble army of her martyrs laid down their lives, — would he to this cloKS highly acceptable. Their hearts respond to the words of in- spiration : " How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringfth good tidings ; that puhlishrth peace ; that hririgeth good . observation on your own ed, that you sojourn ; or jmed to wit- as our own «veet counsel " We have ve sat down nit ourselves ns of Christ, ■ed the dan- on of placing t to inquire, ially to those iras strongest, jwship of the >ortance of a n more fiiUy (1 ev«r before. Dung brother e your hearts ire you, that lad no small a as the first herd himself into the wil- st desert, into ering in suc- , are deprived tsteps of the le same reli- others, whom ■although not g exactly the to that coun- lon with our- inder the se- af her youth, ler presbyter- in of the doc- ship, together ilted Messiah, doubt that a rch embraced, 1 in defence of —would he to e words of in- > feet of him iriiigeth good I IN BRITISH AMERICA. tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God risionbth." Yet, neither would we confine our friendly salutations, or our benevo- lent regards, to these. We know that God ** hath made of one blood all nations of men, who dwell on all the &ce of the earth ;" and in this respect we account as brethren the whole human race, without refer- ence to kindred, or country, or diversity of religious belief. Remem- bering that all have immortal souls, — that all are sinners, involved in the common ruin of our species, — " our hearts' desire and prayer to God" on their behalf is, that they may speedily receive the gospel, — that they may be enlightened in the knowledge of Christ, — may come to him in humble faith, — and through the efficacy of his blood, and the prevalence of his intercession, " obtain an inheritance among all them that are sanctified by faith in him." In virtue of the office which we have received from the Lord Jesus, we would claim the privilege of addressing a few words of friendly coun- sel and exhortation to all. Many of you are rarely warned from the pulpit ; may we hope that you will yield the more attention to our brief address. 1. We beseech you not to forget that the concerns of your souls are immensehf the most important of all ytmr concerns. '* What ift a man ?rofited if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" 'ime is short. Eternity is long. The body must in a few years see corniption, and lie down with the worms of the dust. Death spares none on account of the multitude of their secular affiurs. The soul is destined to a never-ending existence. Although your outward prosperity should exceed the most sanguine expectations you ever formed ; although Tou could heap up gold as dust, and fine gold as the mire of the streets, how utterly worthless and despicable must all this appear, when you are stretched on your last bed, should your eternal destiny be still at hazard I Oh, then, to have a solid hope for futurity, — an interest in the unchangeable love of God, — in the salvation wrought out by Christ, — in the countless blessings of the new covenant I In the estimate which you shall then form, how immeasureably must this transcend in value Imy possible outward prosperity I Ought you not to give a decided pre- ference during life, to that which shall be infinitely superior at the hour of death ? ; 2. Let it be farther considered, that while the benefits we have spe- dfied are bestowed on men most freely, and independently of all worth in the receivers ; or, to speak more correctly, notwithstanding their in- finite demerit and guilt, yet they tieuer are conferred upon those, who, fy neglecting to seek them, prove that they regard them with contempt* ** How shall they escape who neglect so great salvation." '' Strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life ; strive therefore to enter in at the strait gate." The christian life is compared to a race, it is therefore necessary for us to " lay aside ev(!ry weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and to run with patience the race that is set hefore us." It is a keen and protracted warfare, with powerful and ma- licious foes ; " iight therefore the good fight of faith, that ye may lay hold un pterrml life." - 3. Bear further in mind, that the eager and persevering pursuit of 8 ADDHKSM TO CHRISTIANS the world, proves a fatal hindrance to many, in seeking an inheritance in the heavens. Where the King of Glory makes his most sumptuous entertainment, and sends forth his servants to give the most liberal in- vitations, what classes of persons are they, who, " with one consent, begin to make excuse ?" The persons who are immersed in the over- zealous prosecution of lawful occupations. Temptations from this source, are powerful in our own land ; and notwithstanding incessant warning from the pulpit, and from the press, they prove ruinous to tens of thousands. In your country, we greatly fear, the danger is height- ened, rather than diminished. The distractions arising from worldly avocations are, at least, as numerous ; while the counteracting influen- ces which our people enjoy in their religious ordinances, are to many of you, wholly inaccessible. Are not some of you already conscious of having suffered much harm and loss from this cause ? You have felt the deadening effect of many years' exile from the house of God— of the want of such preaching as is suited for your edification, or your con- science can approve. The freshness and fervour of religious affection, experienced in former years, seem to be irrecoverably gone. The " godly sorrow which worketh repentance," and the "joy that passeth all understanding," are alike unknown. May not some one be ready to cry oul, " O that it were with me as in months past, when the candle of the Lord shone upon my tabernacle." But if such be the effects produced on the minds of those, who, for many years, perhaps, were favoured with the best religious advantages, until a store of scriptural knowledge was laid up, and their characters in some degree formed ; how much more injurious must such destitution be to the young, who are utter strangers to those advantages I Many of you, probably, in deciding on the momentous question of emigration, were mainly influ- enced by the desire of making a more adequate provision for your chil- dren, than you expected to do in the old country. But if your soli- citude for their temporal prosperity, has placed them out of reach of the means of grace, and exposed them to the deadening, stupifying in- fluence of worldly pursuits, in combination with the still more power- ful seductions of corrupt and irreligious society, ho# little thanks do they owe you for your parental kindness I And should the natural and usual consequence follow, that they spend their life at a distance from God, and perhaps become contaminated with the fashionable vices that are practised around them, and finally, be hardened in unbelief and impenitence, how can you think to meet them at the judgment-seat of Christ? We beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of the Lord, to watch against the perils of your present situation. The world is an in- sidious and dangerous foe. " Ye cannot serve two masters." " They that will be rich, fall into temptation, and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful lusts." If you would not, therefore, imitate the profane Esau, who sold his birth-right for a morsel of bread — if you would not prosecute your secular avocations under the frown of the Almighty — if you would not have your table turned into a trap and a snare for your souls, do not suffer the things of time to gain the supremacy in your bosoms. " Take heed, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life." If the pub- IN BRITISH AMERICA. 9 \n inheritance 8t sumptuous lost liberal in- one consent, 1 in the over- ns from this ling incessant linous to tens l^er is height- from worldly cting influen- re to many of r conscious of You have felt se of God — of I, or your con- ious affection, ^ gone. The r that passeth ne be ready to en the candle be the effects perhaps, were 8 of scriptural jgree formed ; e young, who , probably, in mainly influ- for your chil- t if your soli- it of reach of itupifying in- more power- le thanks do le natural and distance from )Ie vices that unbelief and H'ment-seat of f the Lord, to orld is an in- prs." « They many foolish the profane ou would not Almighty — snare for your macy in your overcharged If the pub- lic means of grace are deficient, there is so much the more need that you search the scriptures with unceasing care. " Remember the Sab- hath day to keep it holy." It cannot possibly contribute, either to your health or outward prosperity, to rob Him on whom you every moment depend, and who is the bountiful Bestower of every good gift. If you cannot assemble with any christian congregation, to wait on the public services of the sanctuary, let each head of a family have a church in his own house. Suffer not your children to spend, in carnal indulgences, the day which you would be ashamed to devote to secular business. Be more solicitous to guard the sanctity of the Sabbath, than to pro- tect your crops from the ravages of the cattle. There is a trite proverb, which, when properly understood, conveys ' an important and useful lesson : God helps them, it is said, who help ^themselves. If the maxim should be understood as implying, that a man s 'destiny is of his own making, then we hold it to be not only false, but impious. But on the other hand, it is a most important truth, that God does not put forth his power in behalf of those who are sunk in apathy and indolence, but for those who diligently use the means which he has appointed. When the divine Redeemer was about to commence 'his public ministry, his herald was sent before him to publish this high command) " Prepare ye the way of the Lord ; make straight, in the desert an highway for our God." If we judge rightly, brethren, this is just the duty to which you are now especially called. We confident- ly believe, that the time is approaching, when the exalted Messiah shall ride in triumph throughout the whole extent of Canada, from one end of the land to the other. Its mighty rivers, and boundless forests ; its pro- tracted winters, and accumulated snows, will present no effectual barriers to his progress. " His arrows shall be sharp in the hearts of his enemies ; therefore the people shall be subdued under him." " A willing people shall come to him in the day of his power." But it is no presumption to affirm, because both the testimony of Scripture, and the history of past dispensations, furnish ground for the affirmation, that whether this event shall take place at an earlier or more distant period, is insepar- ably connected with the measures that shall be adopted, and the efibrts that shall be made, by the Canadians themselves. You may, perhaps, feel inclined to put the question, • What can we do for promoting the progress of the gospel in Canada? Are there any means to that end in our power i Our limits will not permit us to go into detail, in specifying what we conceive to be in your power; but we would beg your attention, while we offer n few hints for your consideration. 1. The first thing we would recommend to you, although it may pos- ■'sibly appear to be remotely connected with the object in view, is, that "you should cherish in your minds constantly, a high sense of the super- 'lative value and importance of the instituted ordinances of divine grace. ■If this be wanting, and there is no small danger that it should be ex- tremely weakened, if not absolutely destroyed, by a long continuance of religious privations, it is most unlikely, that any vigorous efforts will he employed for the acquisition of privileges that are held of no account. 2. We would, in the next place, recommend, that you be importunate in your prayers to God, in regard to this very vMtter. The exalted 10 ADDRESS TU CHRISTIANik Redeemer gives much encouragemeiit to present such petitions. When he beheld the multitudes of the Jewish people, who, on account of the unfaithfulness, and incompetency of their religious instructors, were re- garded bjr him as *' sheep having no shepherd," he had compassion on them, and thus addressed his disciples : " the harvest, truly, is plente- ous, but the labourers are few; pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the har- vest to send forth labourers into his harv^oC Are not the description and the command equally applicable to year condition ? In all your supplications, therefore, in the family, and in the closet, forget not to beseech God, that he will remember the destitute condition of Canada, — that he may speedily send to it, '* pastors according to his own heart," who shall search out the scattered multitudes, bring them into the fold of the good shepherd, and lead them to the green pastures of his word. 3. We would, in the third place, recommend that those who feel the importance ofreligion^ and are truly desirous of living near to God, should associate together in stated meetings, for reading the Scrip- tures, for prayer, and christian conference. A blessing from on high has often rested on meetings of this description. *< They that feared the Lord spake ojlen one to another ; and the Lord hearkened and heard, and I book of remembrance was written for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name." « Wherever two or threb are met together in my name," saith Christ, " there am I in the midst of them." A more explicit warrant for such meetings, or more animating encour- agement to constitute and frequent them, cannot be expressed. In the absence of public ordinances, a portion of the Lord's day might be spent in this manner very profitably, by a few christians who can walk to- gether in unity. And the advantage derived from them would l)e still more decided, if, in addition to the meeting on Sabbath, a small portion of one day in a week, or even of a day out of two weeks, were set apart to similar exercises- The knowledge of divine truth is thus kept~fresh in the mind, and the sacred fire of christian charity is stirred up and nourished. But, besides all the other advantages that may be expected to arise from this observance, we can assure you by experience, that a meeting of this kmd frequently proves the germ of a nourishing con- gregation. As he who plants an acorn has done something towards the production of an oak, so he who is instrumental in setting on foot a fellowship meeting; in the midst of a population destitute of public or- dinances, will frequently have the satisfaction of finding, that he has had the honour of laying the foundation of a regular congregation in that community. 4. Finally, we would offer our advice, that while your supreme depen- dence in this, as in every other enterprise, should be on God, and the exalted Mediator ; your next should be on your own exertions. For some time to comi, it will probably bo a matter of unavoidable necessi- ty, that ministers should be sent to you by churches existing in other lands. But iit regard to the support of those who labour among; you. we have tho firmest persuasion, that wherever it is practicable, itshoula be chiefly or entirely furnis/ied by yourselves. We do not overlook the fa^t, that the British ParUament makes an annual grant of the publir money for the advancement of religion in Canada, and were the sum given, duly und faithfully appropriated, we could not but applaud the me '\ marie w adians 1 and the ^ ligious f ever, or we still ing, an some ap the time PORARYj -i Such throw oi to press \inen, jud tfcommun ^adopted ^purposes, ^rticulai ^ome pe !'^thers mi fy subscri me heart t$ bear th |puntry. tocieties < they are s< (4ildren ? niany resp gIKe a pre •ifficient t nent, and ^ip where • lund, woi ▼ion the ir stcrate soin thft divine h coldness an< of public un mttt be ma first a willin Svolves so todren for ons in ; erously i rity are sailie difiScul trust you liu condition, Hn eertoin (Imn HO IN BRITISH AMERICA. 11 M the measare, as in accordance with the soundest policy. We also re- maric with joy, the growing interest which the condition of the Can- adians hat recently awakened among christians in Britain and Ireland, and the increasing liberality with which funds are supplied for the re- ligious improvement of these provinces. After all that is done, how- ever, or is likely to be done, both by public and private benevolence, we still believe, that Canada must continue to be, comparatively speak- ing, an uncultivated waste, until its own inhabitants are awakened to some appropriate exertions in providing religious ordinances for them- ' selves. If we are not greatly mistaken in our judgment of the signs of the times, every other source of supply will prove inadkquatiu, tem- porary, and PRBCARIOU8. Such being our convictions, you will not deem it unsuitable for us to throw out the following suggestion, which, although we do not intend to press it, we regard as of extreme importance. " We speak as to wise men, judge ye what we say." Our proposal is this ; that in every little ^community, unprovided with a gospel minister, measures should be 'adopted without delay for establishing a fund expressly for religious purposes. By common consent, a general meeting of the families of a ^particular district might be held, to make all necessary arrangements, ^ome person held in general esteem, could be chosen as treasurer, others might be appointed as collectors to take up monthly ur quftrter- h^ subscriptions, from all who should concur in the design, as they had ^e heart or the ability to give. Many of you have been accustomed % bear the expenses of your own religious institutions in your native <|puntry. Others have been contributors to one or more of the religious iocieties of the present day. Why remit your exertions now, when ^ey are so necessary for your own benefit, and for the benefit of your ciiildren ? The existence of such a fund would be advantageous in aiany respects. It would enable the inhabitants of any district to en- us kept afresh Wg® ^ preacher for a limited time, — even where the resources were not irred up and *wfficien^ to support a fixed pastor. It might prove a great encourage- le exvected n*"t, and often afford substantial aid, in erecting places of public wor- that a "^^P where they should be required. The very effort to establish such ' a fund, would have a beneficial tendency. It would preserve from obli- Tion the important principle, that it is the duty of every man to con- secrate some portion of his substance to the service of the Lord ; and, by thf divine blessing, it might be of essential use, as an antidote against that coldness and apathy about religion, which so generally flow from the want of public ordinances. In accomplishing an object so important, sacrifices mtBt be made, and difficulties must be encountered. But " if there be fint a willing mind," ycM will not shrink trom sacrifices, in a case which involves so deeply your own spiritual improvement and that of your Yqj dtlUdren for generations to come. Let it not be foi^otten, that of those "^ in your native country who feel for your privations, and are ns. When ount of the irs, were re- ipassion on r, is plente- . of the har- ! description In idl your )rget not to I of Canada, I own heart," nto the fold of his word. who feel the \ear to God, ' the Scrip- torn on high lat feared the 1 and heard, ed the Lord, IRBB are met dst of them." iting encour- jsed. In the ight be spent lean walk to- irould be still small portion rere set apart rishing con- ling towards tting on foot of public or- t he has had tion in that M^reme depen- od, and the rtions. hie necessi sons ing m among; you, other gf ^rously contributing of th:;ir substance for your relief, the great md^rity are just in the same circumstances, — and struggling with the / / itahould '""^ difficulties from which you sought an escape, by emigration. We ' II j^u^ trust you have not bet»n diauppointed in your hope of improving your f thp Dublir ''"'"^'*''^"» ""'^ there is no [)n)position of the truth of which we are more *u „..«, t'crtain than of this, — that your itvos, jre the sum / / i I hut applaud Ksprrilif will never hr impaired hy 18 ADDRESS. your liberality in the service of God. If it is the duty of your breth- ren at home to " care for your souls," much more surely is it your own duty. If their poverty does not exempt them from obligations to be- stow a portion of their scanty earnings for the purpose of sending you the gospel ; what excuse could possibly be made for a miserable and fatal parsimony on your part, to whose labours a new country jrields a much richer return ? How could you defend it to your own children ? How could you defend it at the judgment-seat of Christ ? ** And now, brethren, we commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them who are sanctified." Signed by appointment of the Committee on Missions^ Stewart Bates. ■ ';! f- . '.TV,': of your breth- r is it your own ligations to be- of sending you I miserable and ountry yields a own children ? ,? to the word of I an inheritance tssionSy EWART Bates.