The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1821-09-05


Mn. wills NJ
That the public may be made acquainted
with the nature of the oppo s,ion to foreign
missionary societies, l take tho liberty OF
transmitting TO you for publication, tho sub.
joined extract tsom a sermon preached by
ELIAS HICKS, an eminent minister of the
socieiy Of irIepds:
"The bible and missionary societies con.
slider to have their origin in the flesh. The
advocates Of this system are jealous enough
to the cause, and leave no path uDtried 10 col
iect their resources from every quarter they
solicit aid a, large, no matter from whom, for
such a cause, to promote the glory of God
they Cali on aoy Of ,he devils children; and
for this they take from the dueliist, the gam.
bier, tho warrior, and the slave trader, and
collect the Ubiquitous wages of oppression /
with these they go to work to begio and raise
wo'k OF charity in the world. l need not
remind you, that charity begins at home
men led by christian spirit let il OUT at home
irs aoh w'lie we profess to serve the same
God, who looks with equal justice upon oil
the wskmaOship Of his hands, with what pro-
prieiy can aims be obtained from those whose
gain 10 from the oppression OF their fellow
c'ca'ures' 1t is not enough for the minds of
people 10 be Quilted, and q, rest from the idea
oi contributing to suchsobjec,s as these IL is
III some measure the case, thet they are, and
thus far, by ailsying conviction, and support
ing false rest, these societies are really in
furious 10 individuals. In what manner Can
these persons reconcile to themselves, to give
cont buttons to societies 20 promote tho wor-
ship OF God in distant countries, while st home
they enact laws to prevent millions from go.
ing to church except at the will of their cru
el masters. "Let my people 60 that they
may serve men" The object Of these socic-
ties, as far as l have been able to- discover
IL ON their p oies sions, Is, to remove the hea.
then from their suporstilions, and 10 convert
them 10 the same faith, and tho same charity
Of course with themselves, Are they not
MOI liksly, in the EVeeent state OF christen.
dom, TO spread Ito errors dissentions, and con.
uoyers,es In such state of things, OF the
examples and ideas, and conduct SO prevalent
here, OF what benefit can they be They go
TO teach better people than themselves III,
however, such benefits were TO accompany
their lshors, we have abundant cause for them
al home (; for The benefits they 60 to destrib-
ute abroad. we have objects OF compassion
here on whom they may be bestowxd. Was
it noble purpose, which, the ford could pros
per, his servants would be supported by 9th
eI means than those which ] have stated.
The apostles formerly ordered, "frecly ss ye
receive, freely give :" and If the almighty
had not commanded it, common justice and
honor, as it regards the outward, affairs OF
Men, would require it. The work of the Al
mighty Is a free work, and never can DO car
r,ed on by pecuniary means it could not be
supported by the wages OF oppression, admin
islered by the guilty hand Of cruelty. These
follow diilereet course, aoJ give not unless
rewarded by man. The apostles had all their
goods in commemorative hands administered
to their necessities--while these dispose OF
iheir goods in sale where they gc---snd 1t
may be said Of them, as it was formerly,
"Fhy money perish with the" a true min
Ister OF the Gospel OF Jesus Christ would 60,
as formerly, without script or purse, and
would have aone to rely upon but the minis.
Ter OF the true sanctuary and tsbe rnacle,
which God hath pitched, and not man"
ANE DorE.