if? In in CO CO "taajEnfffgi^ EX L1BRIS DISCOURSE, Before THE SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING THE GOSPEL AMONG THE INDIANS, AND OTHERS, IN A ORTH AMERICA. On the \st of November, 1804, Br REV. L E V I F R I S B Pastor of the First Church in Ipswich. Cbarkstoivn : FRINTED BY SAMUEL ETHERIDGE. AT a meeting of the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians, and others in North Amer ica, on the first of November, 1804. Voted, That the Rev. Dr. LATHROP, the Rev. Dr. ELIOT, and the Rev. Dr. ECKLEY, be a Committee, to return the thanks of the Society to the Rev. Mr. FRISBIE for his excellent Sermon, delivered before th eiMhis <Jay> ap3 tp*e<niest a copy of it for the press. . -V: : * :: - : Jfc#U>IAH MORSE, Secretary. DISCOURSE, &c. ACTS VIII. 5, 6, 7, 8. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Chrijl unto them And the people with one accord gave heed unto thofe things which Philip f pake ^ hearing and fee ing the miracles which he did. For unclean fpirits crying with a loud voice came out of many that were poffeffed with them ; and many taken with palfies^ and that were lame^ were healed : And there was great joy in that city. JL HE changes, which take place in the condition and character of cities and nations, are wonderful ! While the people of Jerufa- lem defpife and perfecute the gofpel of Chrift ; the Samaritans receive it with thank- fulnefs and joy ! They were a people of a ftrange original, and a fingular character : memorable for their error and duplicity in [ 4 J religion, for their numerous immoralities, and for various calamitous revolutions. They were, at this time, involved in igno rance, finfulnefs, and guilt ; afflicted with demons and difeafes, and infatuated with the diftr acting enchantments of Simon the for- eefer. Philip, by the truth and power of the gofpel, prelented and applied an effectual remedy to all their diforders. He poured light upon their benighted minds, hope and peace into their guilty hearts ; difpenfed health and comfort to their difeafed bodies, liberty froni tormenting demons, and from the delufions of an impious impoftor. They had therefore abundant reafons for tranf- ports of joy. But were they the only people whofe nat ural and moral diforders required the heal ing power of the gofpel, or who were filled by its falutary light and influence with emo tions of great joy ? By no means. They were but an epitome of mankind ; an affect ing example of the deplorable condition of the whole human race. And their joy was but a fpecimen of the joy of every perfon, family, and people, who believe the truth, and receive the bleffmgs of the gofpel of peace. For GOD has deiigned and adapted [ 5 .] this gofpel to be a light to lighten the tiles, and the glory of his people Ifrael. To be glad tidings of great joy to all people ; to proclaim peace upon earth, and the divine good will to man, to the remoteft ends of the world* THE fubjecl, therefore, naturally fugged- ed by the text, to our ferious consideration, is this : THAT the gofpel of falvatlon mujl prove a fource of great joy to all who cordially hear^ tin- derjland) and receive it. THE gofpel is capable of producing great joy, becaufe it is defigned and adapted to deliver us from grievous and complicated evils, and to confer upon us the enjoyment of precious and everlafting benefits. And to illuflrate the truth of pur doctrine, it may be ufeful to confider, Ift. THE evils, from which the gofpel is fuited and intended to deliver us. And, Ildly, THE bleflings which it promifes and communicates to all thofe, who cordially re ceive it. Ift. THE evils, from which the gcfpel is adapted and defigned to deliver the finful children of men, are, that ignorance, fmful- nefs, guilt, and mifery, which had ovr- [ 6 ] fpread all the nations of the earth. They had loft the knowledge of the living God, of themfelves, of their duty, their dignity, and happinefs, and had funk into a deplorable ftate of fpiritual delufion, flavery, and death. There was indeed a time, when mankind were acquainted with their Maker ; a * when they beheld the face of God in the mirror of his works ; but fuch was the depraved difpofition of their hearts, that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were they thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their fool- ifh heart was darkened ; and, profeffmg themfelves to be wife, they becarne fools. When we read the firil chapter of St. Paul s Epiftle to the Romans, how are we afflidled and difgufted with the difmal picture, which he has there given of the human, and efpec- ially of the Roman character and condition ? And when we confult the teftimonies of con temporary authors, how are we furprifed to find them drawing the fame picture of de formity with features fo exceedingly firmlar ? b How foon did mankind rebel againft the voice of nature, of reafon, and of the gra cious and awful difpenfations of Providence ? The earth was overfpread with wickednefs ; * See Notes at the end. [ 7 ] It was overwhelmed with a flood ; but the deluge did not wafh away the iniquity and pollution of the human heart ! Men rap idly degenerated into error, idolatry, and fin. The reafon was, they did not like to retain GOD in their knowledge. The infin ite purity and fplendor of his majefty were too dazzling for their weak and diftexnpered fight. His laws, and worfhip were too ftri<5t and holy to meet the approbation of their perverted minds. Therefore they invented gods more fenfible, more congenial and in dulgent to their imaginations and appetites. And, having transferred to thefe fi<flitious deities the paffions and vices of depraved humanity, they honoured and worfhipped them with rites and offerings correfpondent to their characters, and to die corrupted and bewildered fentiments and propenfities of their own hearts. For the character, the government, and the laws of fuch gods they could have no cordial veneration. They fometimes trembled before them, and at tempted to appeafe their anger with coftly vi&ims and cruel facrifices ; but how often, when they were not fuccefsful, was their flavifh terror converted into impious repin ing, inlult, and contempt ? Ignorant of GOD, [ 8 ] they neither knew nor reverenced their own natures as fubjects of dignified, rational, and immortal fpirits. Having no ideas of an immortal exiftence, or of future rewards and punifhments, but fuch as were confufed, fabulous, and extravagant, they felt and aflumed a liberty of plunging into all kinds of injuftice, treachery, and violence. BUT it is poflible that the dreary picture which has been drawn of the gentile ftate and character, however warranted by ancient hiftory and modern obfervation, will not be permitted to pafs for a juft likenefs of the whole heathen world. LET it then be acknowledged that the learning, the policy, the patriotifm, liberty, and virtue of the Greeks and Romans have been admired and celebrated, by the hifto- rians, poets, and orators of all ages ; yet in the enlightened view of true philofophy and religion, how greatly is their glory obfcured and degraded ? Their boafted patriotifm and love of liberty, what were they better, except in a few inftances, than a reftlefs, infatiable luft of advancing and eftablifhing their own perfonal and national wealth, grandeur, and glory, upon the fubjection and flavery of all furrounding nations ? If, in the early ftages t 9 ] of their republics, they were diftinguiflied by more liberal and generous fentiments, yet in proportion as they rofe in power, riches, and greatiiefs, they funk in probity and vir tue ;- until, by their pride, licentioufnefs, and faction, they had facrificed their liberty and independence to emperors and tyrants, and exhibited to all nations and ages an example of a Hill more wretched flavery to the fordid amd imperious paffions of riot, luxury, cru elty, and wickednefs. Nothing lefs had been fufficieiit to fatisfy their ambition than abfolute dominion over all the nations of the earth ; and, by their attempts to accomplifli this extravagant project, and the improve ment they made of their conquefts, they deluged the world with blood, and torment ed its inhabitants with infinite mifchiefs and miferies, AND what was their philofophy but ail incoherent fyftem of pompous {peculations, embellifhed indeed with fome fc altered rays of truth, but corrupted and obfcured by predominant {hades of error, fophiftry, and arrogance ? THEIR virtue was a ftranger to humility ; an alien from true love to GOD and benevo lence to man ; it was the offspring of pride, B t 10 ] fubtilty, and a thirfl of glory. It had not y even with the afliftance of all their philofo- phy and refinement, either the will or the abil ity to enlighten and reform the body of the people, to purify their religion, or amend their hearts, but left themunder the full domin ion of polytheifm and idolatry, and fuffered their fervices and rites of worfhip to remain corrupted and deformed by all the deteftable extravagance, impurity, and fuperftition, of the moft barbarous pagans. IF we attend to the nation of the Jews j; they had received from heaven the lively oracles of GOD, which taught them his per fections, his worfhip, and his will, and the principles and benefits of private and public wifdom, virtue,.- and happinefs ; but they deferted their GOD, corrupted their religion, and became flaves to the power of their crimes and their enemies ; and, having loft all jufl ideas of the character and defign of their long predicted Meffiah^ they expected him, not as a Saviour from the bondage and mifery of fin, but as a prince and a hero, who would conduct them to liberty, con- queft, and glory above all the nations of the earth. When therefore the Saviour appear ed, detected and condemned that ignorance^ [ 11 ] pride, hyppcrify, and wickednefs, which had polluted and degraded all ranks and ages of people, they were exafperated to rage, and malice againft him ; they vilified, perfecut- .ed, and finally murdered him by a mod painful and ignominious execution. And now the fun of righteoufnefs feemed to have jfet forever, and all mankind to be involved in a gloomy night of ignorance, delufion, wickednefs, and death ; from which it was impoflible, they could arife into light, liber ty, and happinefs, without the interpofition of the infinite power and mercy of GOD. Thefe divine perfections did interpofe for the inftruction and falvation of a periihing world. Which leads us to confider, in the lid PLACED the bleflings which the gofpel, the medium of this divine interpofition, promifes and communicates to all who cor-^ dially receive it, and fo proves to them, as our dodtrine aflerts, a fource of exceeding great joy. And it proves fuch a fource, be- caufe, in the ift PLACE, it reveals to them the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the Son of GOD, who came into the world to heal the diforders, and ex pel the miferies of mankind ; to give light to the gentiles, life and falvation to the ends [ 12 ] of the earth. To accomplish this great and benevolent end his incarnation, doctrines, miracles, f ufferings, refurreelion, and afcen- fi on into glory ; the effufions of his Spirit, the preaching of his apofllcs and miniilers, were all defigned and adapted : they declar ed, they exemplified, the adorable perfec tions and government of GOD, that affem- blagc of majefty and mercy, dignity and condefcenfion, holinefs and grace, which unite in the divine character and works. They taught mankind the knowledge of their relation and obligation to GOD, as their creator, benefactor 6 , and friend. They in- flru6ted them in the knowledge of the dig nity and deftination of their immortal na tures, the depravity and ruin to which they were degraded by fin, their accountablenefs to God, the refurreclion of their bodies, their appearance at his righteous tribunal, and their final confignrneiit to endlefs hap- pinefs, or mifery, according to their works. BUT could thefe folemn truths prove a fource of joy to guilty criminals ? No ; they were intended primarily to roufe their atten tion, to alarm their confciences, and to im- prefs their minds with an effectual convic tion of their finfulnefs and guilt; and of [ 13 ] that gulf of darknefs and perdition into which their fins were plunging them head long. Such a conviction alone can render men duly ienfible of their abfolute need of an Almighty Saviour. For if they are not fufficiently convinced of the greatnefs an$ malignity of their moral diforders, and their want of all merit to atone, for them, or power to remove them, how can they pofli- bly be fenfible of the neceflity of an all per fect Phyfician ; or perceive, in the proviiion of fuch a Phyfician, the difplay of divine wifdom, holinefs, and grace ? And if it con tains no difplay of thefe perfections, it bears not the lignature of GOD, it is not diftin- guifhed from a fyftem of impoflure and de ceit. Thofe, therefore, who would effectually examine the divine original of the gofpel, muft bring to this examination a mind im- pifeffed with a fenfe of fin, and of the necefli ty of a method of falvation by unmerited grace ; otherwife, it is a wonder if their prejudices, and their pre-attachment to the deluding enjoyments of the world, do not impel them to view this gofpel with fuch doubt and indifference, as will finally degen erate into infidelity and contempt. { 14 1 THE pagans were not totally deftitutc of this kind of preparation for the belief and reception of the gofpel of peace. For, how ever deeply they were involved in the gloom of ignorance and wickednefs, yet they de-* rived from nature and tradition some gleams of falutary light, by which they were made partially and painfully fenfible of the c^for^ der and mifery into which they had fallen. Their confciences did not wholly forbear to reproach them for their unnatural and atro^ cioxis crimes, and to affure them " that thofe, who commit fuch things are worthy of death." For that fenfe of the intimate con nection there is between the works and wa ges of iniquity, which the God of nature has implanted in the human breaft, is feldom totally obliterated by all the ftupifying pow er of ignorance and vice. Hence their ftrange and coilly offerings, their human vidtims*. their facrifice of friendly and filial blood, to appeafe the anger of their gods. But when the gofpel fhone upon them, it difcovered to them in the ftrongeft light, their fin, their danger, and their remedy ; and caufed them at once both to tremble and rejoice. While it unveiled to their view that threefold chain of ignorance, wicked- [ 15 3 nefs, and guilt, by which they were bound, it revealed the hand, which was both able and willing to burft it aflmder ; the hand which was ftretched out to give fight to the blind, healing and liberty to the wounded, broken hearted, captive. By the energy of its light and power it diflipated their dark- hefs "and delufion, expelled their idols and demons, filenced their lying oracles, con founded their magicians, and difcovered to their deluded votaries the falfehood and arro gance of their impious devices and presump tuous pretenfions ; and thus exhibited with the brighteft evidence, the dignity, excel lence, and glory of him, who was indeed the mighty power of GOD. And if the operations of the fpirit and truth of the gofpel have been lefs powerful, rapid, and wonderful in lucceeding ages, yet they have been fubftantially the fame, and have produced fimilar effedls among the ignorant and deluded pagans and favages both in Afia and America. Witnefs the te timonies of an Eliot, a Mayhew, a Brainard, and of many others, who have laboured with pious courage and zeal in thefe wild and ftubborn regions of God s husbandry. As all have finned and deftroyed themfelves, [ 16-] and the whole world, both barbarous and civilized, is become guilty before God, there fore to every one, who effectually under- ftaiids and believes the gofpel, it mufl be come a fource of powerful convLdlion and contrition, and of pure and fubftantial joy. How is it^poflible it ihould be otherwife ? For, while it difcovers to them their deplor able ignorance, their aggravated offences, the wrath of God revealed from heaven againft their unrighteoiifnefs, and ungodliiiefs, and fills them with awful apprehenfions of end- leis darknefs and perdition, it does, at the fame time, reveal to their admiring view the boundlefs compaffion of God, and the per fect fuitablenefs and all-fufficiency of his Son Jefus Chrift. It offers him to their accept ance as a Saviour and advocate of infinite dignity, merit, and mercy ; who, by his obe dience and death has obtained for finners a complete and everlafting falvation : a falva- tion confiding in the full pardon of nu merous and aggravated offences ; in peace and acceptance with God, adoption into his family, deliverance from the dominion and pollution of fin, and an.intereft in all the grace and affiflance neceffary to a fleady perfeverance in faith and holinefs to the end of life ; a falvation commencing wi&h [ 17 ] hope, peace, and purity, and terminating in the final enjoyment of everlafting bleflednefs and perfe&ion, in the kingdom of glory. WE obferve sdly, that when chriftians con- (icier the evil principles and propensities of their nature, and feel their total inability to maintain a courfe of lively faith and obedi ence in oppofition to that numerous hoft of enemies and temptations, which furround them, and watch for their definition, they muft greatly rejoice in that ample provifion, which is made in the gofpel for their direc tion, fupport, and prefervation : a provifion, which propofes and promifes the Son of GOD for the all-powerful and gracious captain of their falvation, engages to give and contin ue to them the inftrudlions and influences of his holy Spirit, to guide, defend, and comfort them in their wearifome and dangerous pil grimage through the wildernefs of this world ; and to conduct them to a crown of life, a manfion of reft, and a triumph of glory in the heavenly Canaan, 3dly. WHAT afliftance and fatisfadlion do they derive from divine ordinances ? Thefe are the clduds which diftill the heavenly manna ; precious medixims of fpiritual inter- c [ 13 ] courfe with GOD, of the manifeftation of his perfections, the communications of his grace, and of offering up to him the facrifices of holy, worfhip and heavenly affection. Thefe ordinances, they are perfuaded, are of the higheft importance to propagate truth, to promote virtue and holinefs, and to main tain a fenfe of GOD and religion in the hearts of their children, their friends, and their fel low-citizens \ and that nothing can, therefore, aim a more deadly blow at the civil and moral purity, dignity, and happinefs of a people, than a bold or infidious attempt to render their religious inftitutions and ordinances, objects of neglect, contempt, and rejection, THEREFORE, 4thly, the gofpel mull be a fource of joy to all fincere chriftian patriots, on account of its powerful influence to pro mote and fecure the order and happinefs of fociety. Virtue, confifting in juftice, integ rity, and benevolence, is the foul of an har monious, and well regulated community ; the vital, attractive, principle, which animates and unites all its members. But it might be as wifely expecled that grapes would grow upon thorns, as that virtue would flourifh on any other ftock, than that of religion. And is it poffible to find a religion, which [ 19 ] contains a collection of laws, a fyftem of truths, and ordinances fo friendly to virtue, and fo powerfully efficacious to cherifh and extend it, as the religion of the gofpel ? E- ven infidels acknowledge the fuperior purity and perfection of gofpel precepts, the mild- nefs and liberality of that virtue, which they enjoin, and the majefty and energy of thofe motives, by which they enforce it. c Thefe precepts and motives operate powerfully to purify the fprings, and to foften the rigor of civil government ; they perfuade and impel the heart of the magistrate to the love and prac tice of wifdom, juftice, and chriftian patriot- iftn, by railing his attention to an all-perfe6t Sovereign, in whofe prefence all earthly dif- tindtions are equalized ; in whofe view, pride, injuftice, and cruelty ,are infinitely odious and criminal ; right eoufnefs, purity, and lenity, exceedingly amiable and laudable, and at whofe tribunal they fhall finally receive an everlafting recompenfe. At the fame time the precepts and motives of this religion al lure and conftrain the heart of the fubjedt to that reverence for the laws and minifters of government, and to that juftice, fidelity, and benevolence toward his fellow-citizens, which moft effectually promotes focial har- [ 20 ] rnony and happinefs : they guard him in, public, they watch him in fecret, to deter him, not only from the deeds of covert wick- ednefs, but even from thofe paffions and im aginations^ which, if indulged, might termi nate in works of impiety and unrighteouf- nefs. THE mild influence of chriflianity foftens the horrors of war, and humanizes the feroc ity of courage ; while it animates the virtu ous warrior to purfue the bloody conflidl with invincible fpirit and bravery to the point of victory, it there fets bounds to his career, difpofes him to fpare the vanquiftied enemy, and to confole the calamity of defeat and captivity with the meek and generous language and treatment of fympathy and be neficence. THAT a contrary fpirit of licentioufnefs, difcord, and perfecution, has frequently and greatly deformed the beauty, and ruined the happinefs of chriftian focieties and nations, is acknowledged and deplored. The corrupt and reftlefs paffions of mankind, which too often pervert the bed things to the vilefl pur- pofes, have proftituted the mod pure and be nevolent religion, which the world ever be held, to a cloak of covetoufnefs and hypoc- t 21 ] rify, to an engine of ambition, impurity, and revenge. A falfe and fiery zeal has imagin ed it was doing GOD fervice by harafling and tormenting every fedl, which differed from its own. A fpecious and prepofterous charity indulgent to men of loofe and dan gerous principles and practices, has been eager to exclude from fociety, and brand with in famy thofe whom it ftigmatized as puritans and fanatics, becaufe they were not as lib eral as itfelf. But fuch events, as they ver ify the truth of gofpel predictions, fo they furnifh 110 folid objection againfl its divine original, or the purity and benevolence of its genius, its dodlrines, or precepts. For will any prefume to aflert, that the gofpel gives the finalleft encouragement to licentioufnefs, intolerance, or cruelty ? No ; it forbids and oppofes them with all the energy of divine authority, juftice, and love. WE add 5thly, that the gofpel is adapted to prove a fource of joy to mankind under that heavy burden of want, difeafe, and fuf- fering, to which fin has fubjedled them. ARE we then to expedl that it will exert, as in the days of its firft promulgation, a mi raculous power to fatisfy their defires, and to heal their fufferings and difeafes ? No ; t $2 ] but we are warranted to expect effects, in fome refpects, ftill more falutary and fubftan- tial : to expect that it will eradicate, or re- flrain thofe vicious principles and paffions, which are the inexhauflible fprings of hu man wants and miferies. That it will mor tify that covetoufnefs which impels the ava ricious to worfhip the world, and to facrifice their health, liberty, happinefs, and falvation to this infatiable idol. That it will crucify thofe unbridled luftsandaffedUons which con- fume the property, enfeeble the bodies, and deflroy the fouls of thofe who indulge them. That it will humble that pride, and correct thofe falfe and dangerous principles of hon our, which are the caufes of endlefs vexa tion, difcord, and diftrefs ; and will imprefs the hearts of men with a full conviction that it is infinitely more noble and generous to forgive injuries and affronts than to revenge them ; to defpife the reproaches of a mif- judging world, than, by attempting the vin dication of character, and the acquifkion of glory in fingle combat, to brave the laws of their country, pierce with exquifite anguifh the tendereft fenfibilities of nature, fpurn the love, and defy the vengeance of their SAV- IOUR, and their GOD. [ 23 ] WE are moreover to expert that the gofpel of Chrift will prove a fource of fupport and confolation to the piotis believer, under all the inevitable exigencies and calamities of life, by giving him juft conceptions of the glory and government of GOD, and a cordial acquiefcence in all the manifeftations of his will and difpenfations of his providence: that it will give him the joyful teftimony of a pure, approving confcience, and a comforta ble affurance that all his trials and fuffer- ings are the merciful corrections of a mofl wife and gracious Father, who will blefs them for the advancement and confirmation of his faith and holinefs, and for increafing his preparation for the enjoyment of com plete and everlafting bleffednefs : that how ever he be poor and deftitute, yet he is rich in the pofTeflion of all things in the fulnefs of GOD through the all-fufEciency of Chrift, and in the unfearchable treafares of his grace and glory. How often have the deftitute, the dejedled, and heavy laden fled for refuge to their gracious Redeemer, and found reft and peace to their weary fouls ? Under the fierceft ftorms of affliction and perfecution the hope of the gofpel is an anchor of the foul. The depth and darkaefs of an hor~ [ 24 ] rible pit and a miry clay are not Ib pro found and impenetrable as to exclude from the humble fuppliant every glimmering prof- pecft of deliverance, or forever to debar his eyes from the light of liberty, or his lips from the fong of joy ! For if the high and the lofty One, who inhabiteth eternity, will defcend and dwell with the humble and the contrite, is it poffible that they fliould not be revived and comforted by the prefence and com munion of a friend and Father fo infinitely all-fufficient in power, wifdom, tendernefs, and love ? WE have only to add, that the gofpel is a fource of joy to the fincere believer under the profpedl, the approaches, and the pangs of death. However the philofopher may affecft, in the pride of his wifdom, to defpife it ; however the warrior may lofe, or brave its terrors in the fire and tumult of conflidl, or the profpecSl of vidlory and glory ; or the martyr be tranfported above the dread and feeling of its formidable afpedl, and cruel tortures by a confcioufnefs of the redlitude and dignity of his caufe, the prefence of his GOD, and the expectation of a crown of heavenly bleffednefs ; yet, to the retired and contemplative mind, death is naturally cloth- [ 25 ] ed with forms of darknefs and difmay. From the dread of which to what can we flee for deliverance but to that gofpel, which brings life and immortality to light ? Are we op- preiTed by a confcioufnefs of fin with the apprehenlion of appearing in the prefence of afpotlefs Judge ? The gofpelprefentsthe moft animating hope of acquittance at his right eous tribunal. Are we diftreffed with a pain ful idea of being torn away from all our precious relatives and friends ? The gofpel encourages us to expedl a blifsful union* with angels and the fpirits of jufl men made per fect ; to find a friend and a father in GOD ; to fee his face in peace, and drink in the moft raviihing pleafures from the light of his countenance. Is it painful to bid an ev- erlafting farewell to all the enjoyments of life ? The gofpel promifes an inheritance incorruptible, a manfion, a crown, a throne, a life of endlefs reft and glory in the pref ence of Jefus Chrift. Are we mortified with the apprehenfion of committing our bodies to the deformity and corruption of the grave ? Our hearts may be cheered with the blifsful profpecT: of their refurredlion to a ftate of heavenly ftrength, honour, and im- mortality ; of their transformation into a [ 26 J likenefs to the glorious body of our Re deemer, and filming like the brightnefs of the fun forever in the kingdom of his Father. And are not thefe exalted and everlafting benefits amply fufficient to counterbalance all the wants, labours and fufferings of life and death, and to evince the truth of our doctrine, that the gofpel is adapted and de- figned to be a fource of great joy to all who cordially believe and obey it I MAY we not then juftly conclude the di- courfe with this general inference, which ap plies the fubjecl to the prefent occafion, That if we are fatisfied from knowledge, from faith, and efpecially from our own experi ence, that the gofpel is indeed fuch a fource of joy as has been reprefented, then it is our duty, our intereft, and happinefs, to difrufe the bleffings of it, by all fuitable means and exertions, through every divifion and habi tation of the human race ? Such exertions niufl be highly pleafing and honourable to* . GOD our SAVIOUR ; for there is joy in heaven, joy in the prefence of the angels, over one finner who repenteth ; and if the converfion of one produces fuch joy in heaven, what gladnefs would refult from the conver fion of a multitude ?- And if chriftians cor- I 27 ] dially unite in the execution of a defign which employs infinite power, wifdom, and love, have they not great reafon to hope they fhall be ultimately fuccefsful ? The defigns of GOD mufl prevail, and become finally triumphant. Happy thofe who have co operated in the promotion of their fuccefs ; they lhall ultimately fliare in the honour and bleffednefs of their perfect accomplifhment. SHOULD we not therefore catch that fpirit of heavenly companion, which the gofpel breathes toward human creatures, periihing in ignorance and wickednefs, and zealoufly exert it in every warrantable method for their deliverance ? AND is not the condition of great num bers of our fellow-countrymen truly danger ous and deplorable ? Removed into the un cultivated regions of our exteiifive country, fubje6ted to labour, hardfhip, and, in a meat ure, to the want of thofe means of knowl edge, piety, and happinefs which we fo abun dantly enjoy, are they not in danger of de generating into ignorance, vice, and barbari ty, of becoming irreligious, diforclerly, and jniferable among themfelves, ufelefs, not to fay peftilent, members of fociety, and finally outcaftsfrom the kingdom of GOD ? If then [ 28 ] our hearts are melted and expanded with the precious dodlrines and bleffings of the got- pel, we fhall be zealous and a6tive to diffufe its light, purity, and happinefs, among our diflant brethren. AND may not the members of this fociety, inftituted for the propagation of the gofpel, among the Indians and others., congratulate themfelves on the honour and happinefs of being engaged in a defign, fo dignified and benevolent ? May they not expect, with a proportionable degree of confidence, the countenance and patronage of government, the afliftance of the influential and opulent, and the good wimes and prayers of all, who acknowledge, who experience the truth, the joy, and the charity of the gofpel ? What though the evidences and profpec~ls of fuc- cefs may not be fo numerous and promifing as fully to fatisfy the wimes of the pious and the munificent, yet they Ihould confider that former exertions for the converfion of the favages have not been wholly unavailing. If the harveft of converts has been compara tively fmall, yet has it not been fufficient to compenfate all the expenfe and labour, which have been beftowed upon it ? If the value of one foul is far greater than of all the treaf- t 29 ] xires and glories of the world, furely the fal- nation of one, and efpecially of a number, muft be an ample recompenfe for all the arduous and expenfive means, which have been em ployed for its accomplifhment. AND from the meafure of civilization, knowledge, and religion, flill retained by our brethren in the new and diftant parts of our country, and from the cheerfulnefs and gratitude with which they appear to accept and fecond the attempts, which have been made to increafe the diffusion of chriftian knowledge and piety among them, the prof- peel of fuccefs is ftill more promiling. But whatever the degree of this fuccefs mall fi nally prove to be, tjtiofe who are fincerely engaged in the promotion of it will experi ence the fuperior pleafure of gratifying their own charitable affections, and a high fati- fadlion in the confcious fincerity of their in tentions to honour their GOD, their SAVIOUR, and his religion, and to advance the tempo ral and eternal happinefs of their human brethren. Thefe pious and benevolent in tentions, and the animating profpecls of ex tending the bleffings of falvation to millions of the human race, may be vaft and un bounded. For thefe bleffings are not limit- I 30 ] ed to any period of time, or defcription of people. The divine commiffion : " Go teach all nations ; go preach the gofpel to every creature," flill retains its gracious and facred authority. The declarations, the promifes, the benefits of endlefs life and happiiiefs ihay be proclaimed with perfect fincerity not on ly to the learned, the opulent and the polifh- ed inhabitants, of civilized countries, but to the fwarthy African, the plundering Arab, the roving Tartar, and the wandering Sav age who traverfes the wilds of America, from the defert plains of Patagonia to the dreary mountains of the frozen pole : and if they will but liften to the joyful found, embrace its propofals, and comply with its prefcrip-r tions, their hearts fhall be melted and moulded to a fpirit of meeknefs, piety, and love, and finally bleffed with the enjoyment of everlafling peace, purity, and glory in the kingdom of GOD. How elevating and delightful muft be the reflection to the hearts of all, who are lin- cerely engaged in this benevolent defign, that their efforts may ultimately fpring up into fuch an exuberant harveft of bleffings to their fellow-creatures, and be finally crowned with an immeafurable reward ? [ 31 ] FOR if the holy and munificent Judge of all human creatures and a&ions, will, at laft openly applaud and recompenfe thofe who have miniftered relief to the natural wants and fufferings of their neighbours, with what an emphafis of fuperiof applaufe will he fay to thofe who have been liberal and adlive in contributing fpiritual food and confola- tion to the hungry arid periming fouls of fin- ners, " Come ye blefTed of my Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry, thirfty, naked, fick, and in prifon, and ye vifited me, and granted me comfort and re lief ; for in as much as ye did it unto one of the leaft of thefe my brethren, ye have done it unto me." t A M E N. * C 33 ] NOTES. NOTE [A.] J>. 6, THE time especially intended, was immediately after the flood, when mankind were not perverted and corrupted with er ror, and idolatry ; but it is probable that the apostle intends to suggest that the perfections of GOD are discoverable by his works, and that all might, from this source, obtain some just ideas of them, if they were disposed to attend with a humble, imt and fixed application. NOTE [B.] p. 6. THOSE who have been conversant with Roman authors will readily recollect, or easily find, the testimonies referred to by the preacher ; but the author principally intended is Seneca. Those who are able to read the works of this philosopher in his own language, and are disposed to examine the description which hegivesofthe human awl the Roman character, and com pare it with that of the apostle, may consult Seneca de brevi- tate vitre, Chapts. 2d, 12th, 14th, and 16th; and de beneficiis JLibr. 3d, Chapts. 15, 16, Libr. 5th, Chapts. 15th and 17th. FOR the satisfaction of the English reader, I will take the liberty to transcribe a passage or two from an abstract made by Sir ROGER U ESTRANQE, in which he affirms, "that he has reduced all Seneca s scattered ethics to their proper heads, without any additions of his own, except such as were absolutely- necessary for connecting them together." He introduces Seneca, declaring that, u Some are ungrateful to their own country ; and their country no less ungrateful to others ; so that the complaint of ingratitude reaches all men. Doth not the son wish for the death of his father ; and the husband for that of his wife ? But who can look for gratitude in an age of so many gaping and craving appetites, where all peo ple take, and none give ? In an age of license to all sorts of vanity and wickedness ; as lust, gluttony, avarice, envy, ambition, sloth, insolence, levity, contumacy, fear, rashness, private discords, and public evils, extravagant and ground less wishes, vain confidence, sickly affections, shameless impieties, rapine authorized, and the violation of all things sacred and profane ; obligations are pursued with sword a_nd poison ; benefits are turned into crimes ; and that blood most seditiously spilt, for which every honest man should ex pose his own. Those who should be the preservers of their coiuitry, are the destroyers of it ; and it is matter of dignity to i [ 34 ] trample upon the government. The sword gives law, and mercenaries take up arms against their masters. Among these turbulent, and unruly motions, what hope is there of find-? ing honesty or good faith ; mercy, modesty, or religion ?" L Estrange s Abstract, Boston edition, of 1792. If the reader wishes to see the sable picture completed, he may consult the same abstract, pages 132, 133, and 327. NOTE p. 15, (two lines from the bottom.) THE ministers of Boston, Doctors Cotton Mather, Colman, Sewall, Prince, and others, in what they call an attestation to Mr. Mayhew s account of pious Indians at Martha s Vineyard, given at Boston, June 14th, 1726 ; assert that " twice seven years had not passed away, after the beginning of the Massa* chusetts Colony, before the renowned ELIOT, a good man, full of the holy Spirit, and moved by him, set forward the good work, " and the hand of the LORD was with him" and with a victorious labour he became master of the Indian language, and in that language preached to many villages of the savages ; un til, by the blessing of God on his laborious diligence, many be-r lieved and were turned unto the Lord. The Indians being so successfully instructed in the word of truth and gospel of sal vation, soon had schools erected among them ; and learning to read and write, this indefatigable servant of GOD, first of all, translated the Bible into their language ; and added a version of the Psalms in Indian metre, whereof they became skilful and graceful singers. * They further assert that the consequence of all this was, the forming of congregations, the collecting and establishing churches, and administering ordinances, in several villages of Indians, who attended upon them with apparent sincer ity, constancy, and devotion. In this account of pious Indians, by Mr. MAYHEW, the reader may find such an history of the conversion, the pious and exemplary lives, and peaceful deaths of many of those people of both sexes, and of all ranks and ages, as will afford him a satisfactory conviction of their having im bibed the Spirit, enjoyed the comforts, and practised the duties of Christianity, with a truly evangelical sincerity. THOSE who have read Mr. David Brainard s journal of the rise and progress of a work of grace among the Indians in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, will recollect the account he gives of the pow erful and surprising influence of the gospel upon the minds and hearts of those savage people ; especially upon one who had been a noted conjurer, [pow wow] drunkard and murderer ; and who, like Simpn Magus, " gave out, that he was some great one, to whom* they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, this man is the great power of God ;" but who became, not a pretended, but, apparently, a real subject qf [ 35 ] the faith and holiness of the gospel ; a zealous defender, and practical preacher of the truth which he once attempted to obstruct and destroy. See Brainard s Journal, page 154, and 221. NOTE [C.] p. 19. LORD Bolingbroke, in the 5th vol. of hk. works, page 188, as quoted by Dr. Fuller in his "Gosjiel its oivn ivitness" ac knowledges that, * the gospel is in all cases one continued les son of the strictest morality, of justice, of benevolence, and of universal charity." VOLTAIRE, quoted by the above author, in page 69 of his " Gosfiel its own ivitncss" asserts that " wherever Society is established, there it is necessary to have religion, for religion which watches over the crimes that are secret, is, in fact, the only law which a man carries about with him ; the only one which places the punishment at the side of the guilt ; and which operates as forcibly in solitude and darkness as in the broad and open face of day." This cannot be affirmed with dxact truth of any other religion but that of the gospel. LORD Shaftsbury observes, that " whoever by any strong persuasion or settled judgment, think* in the main, that virtue causes happiness, and vice misery, carries with him that secu rity and assistance to virtue which is required" or, " if he believes a GOD, dispensing rewards and piurishmenls to virtue and vice in a future" life ; " he carries with him still the same advantage and security ; whilst his belief is steady, and no ways wavering or doubtful." And although he la bours to prove that this hope of reward and fear of punish ment, has too great an influence on the mind, tends to increase the power of self love beyond all clue bounds of proportion, and to swallow up all generous and benevolent principles and motives, yet he acknowledges, that, " if by the hope of reward be understood the love and desire of virtuous enjoyment, or of the very practice and exercise of virtue in another life ; the expectation or hope of this kind is so far from being derogato ry to virtue, that it is the evidence of our loving it the more sincerely, and for its own sake." Characteristics, vol. 2, page 67 and 65. Now if his Lordship would have conceded, as may be pre sumed he would, that the Christian religion presents to the minds of men the clearest and strongest views and evidences of future rewards and punishments, and that the nature of these rewards and punishments, and the hope and fear which they excite, are such as he requires, and even admits to be conducive to the sincere and constant practice of virtue, then he acknowledges, implicitly at least, that this religion has a powerful influence to promote safety, order, and the happiness of society. C 36 ) APPENDIX. A PARTICULAR account of the Society for Propagating the Gospel, of its operations, and funds, was given at the close of the Discourse, preached before them by Dr. LATHROP, the last year. It is not necessary that it be here repeated. THE permanent funds of the Society remain as stated by their Treasurer in his Report, published in the discourse just men tioned.* The General Court, willing to increase the means and usefulness of the Society, added^e hundred dollars to their usual grant, making it a thousand, for the current year. This addition was made specially with a view to enable the Society to establish and support schools, in Maine, in places where the inhabitants are unable to educate their children. Beside this grant* two hundred and fifty five dollars, twenty seven cents, were collected after the delivery of the preceding Anniversary Discourse. SUCH have been the means of the Society. They have em ployed them in supporting Mess rs. MAYHEW, HAWLEY, and SERGEANT, who minister to Indian congregations, at Martha s Vineyard, Marshpee, and New Stockbridge. Five Missiona ries also have been sent Jhe past season to preach the gospei among that part of the inhabitants of Maine, who are either wholly destitute of, or but sparingly enjoy, the means of relig- ion. Four hundred dollars have been expended in promoting school education for children, in new plantations ; and the same sum in books, for distribution ; such as Bibles, Testaments, Psalm books, Primers, Spelling books, Doddridge s Rise and Progress, Token for Children, Divine Songs, and a variety of other religious books and tracts ; a great part of which have been distributed by the Missionaries, and others, to whom they have been committed for that purpose. FROM the Journals of the several Missionaries, and informa tion received from other authentic sources, there is reason to believe that the efforts of the Society have been crowned with an encouraging degree of success. The labours of the Mis sionaries have been gratefully acknowledged ; the books have been received and read with avidity, and hopeful improvement, and the aid and encouragement given to schools has been pe culiarly acceptable, and evinced that this method of benefiting that hardy and enterprising class of people, who are extending, the settlement of our country, may be pursued on a larger scale with eminent advantage. Among the good effects of these ex ertions of the Society, are the preservation, as far as they have influence, of the good habits of these emigrants, formed in the places of their nativity, the advancement of Christian piety, civil * Total amount of funds, 23,417 DoUs. 36 Cts.-Auuual income, 1/145 Dolls, 83 Cts- [ 37 ] order, morality ,and the establishment of churches, forming con-~ gregations, the administration of the ordinances of baptism, and the "Lord s Supper, and exciting and cherishing dispositions and wishes among the people, permanently to enjoy the benefit Df these and other good institutions. THE Society learn with pleasure from their Missionaries, that there exists a general disposition among the people in the new plantations, according to their ability, to support schools and religious institutions ; but their means are yet so inadequate, that the aid of the Society is peculiarly acceptable. A contin ued and increased attention to these hardy and useful citizens is so obviously promotive of the religious, moral, civil, and so cial interests of the Commonwealth, and so much for the pecu niary advantage of the proprietors of lands in this part of the State, that the Society confidently hope for the continued aid of the Legislature ; and that the gentlemen who hold here large tracts of unsettled lands, will be induced, from the double mo tive of interest and benevolence, to contribute liberally to a pur pose so laudable. The Society hold themselves pledged to a faithful use of all funds deposited in their Treasury. It is their pleasure to be the stewards and almoners of the Common wealth, and of pious and wealthy individuals. OFFICERS of the SOCIETY for the year ending MAY 1805. Hon. James Sullivan, Esq. President, Hon. Oliver Wendell, Esq. Vice-President, Ebenezer Storer, Esq. Treasurer, Rev. John Eliot, D. D. Vice-Treasurer, Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D. D. Secretary, Rev. Abiel Holmes, Assistant-Secretary, Rev. John Lathrop, D. D. Rev. Joseph Eckley, D. D. . William Phillips, Esq. )> Select Committee. Mr. Samuel Salisbury, Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D. D, The following is a List of Members living, January 1st, 1805. Rev. Thomas Barnard, D. D. Alden Bradford, Esq. Rev. William Channing, Hon. Richard Cranch, Hon. Francis Dana, Hon. John Davis, Hon. Thomas I>awes, f 38 ] Rev. Joseph Eckley, D. D. Samuel Eliot, Esq. Rev. John Eliot, D. D. Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D. Rev. Levi Frisbie, David S. Greenough, Esq. Rev. Abiel Holmes, Mr. David Hyslop, Rev. John Lathrop, D. D. Hon. Benjamin Lincoln, Rev. Joseph McKean, D. D. President of Bow- doin College, Rev. Jedidiah Morse, D. D. Samuel Parkman, Esq. Rev. Elijah Parish, Eliphalet Pearson, L. L. D. Hancock, Professor of the Hebrew atfd Oriental Languages, and the English Language, William Phillips, Esg. Rev. Eliphalet Porter, Daniel D. Rodgcrs, Esq, Mr. Samuel Salisbury, Ebenezer Storer, Esq. Hon. James Sullivan, Esq. Hon. Cotton Tufts, Esq. Hon. Dudley A. Tyng, Esq. Hon. Oliver Wendell, Rev. Samuel West, D. D. Mr. James White, Ebenezer Wight, Esq. Samuel Williams, L. L. D. Mr. William Woodbridge. FORM of a BEQUEST, or LEGACY. Item. I give and bequeath the sum of to the Society for Propagating the gospel among the Indians and others in North America ; to be applied either to the general objects of the Institution, or to such particular purposes, con sistent with those objects, as the donor may think proper- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY Return to desk from which borrowed. This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. FEB 1 7 1975 DEC 2 2 198 LD 21-100m-9, 48(B399sl6)476 1/38284 f - !* THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY