American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-07-23


made in the Watchman of the 18th and 10Th inst on the
unscrpura plans pursued for making ministers An apoI
ogy would be due to readers for trespassng on the
indulgence, by inserting it, to the exclusion of more in
teresng matter did not think it will best show how
those whom the "shoe nche8 endeavor get bareo0t
"For the Christian Repository.
Mr.. EDrToR,--If The following remarks are
worthy your notice you at liberty insert them
10 your paper.
There is singular proluson in paper called
"The Wachman' Of the 9th. and some structures
not less singular, in paper of the 10Th inst Ii is
difficult to find the nucleus of the authors produce
ton viewed as composition simply. But it is not
difficult to understand the writer's object. II is
clearly to bring into disrepute Education and Mis-.
sionary Societies
itsiproposed to enquire whether there is real cause
to condemn these societies. If they are injurious to
community, it must be on account
!. 0ffheir Moral polLution.
H. .Nentat ImbeciLity.
Ill The unworthiness of their object, or
w. The unworthy means by which they accom-
plish their object.
!. On account OF their moral pollution. II their
members be depraved, designing men, however noble
the object which first impelled them to associate
there is nothing 10 secure the accomplishment OF
that object Should their interests require it they
are ready 10 ,elinqush their prime object and sacr-
6ce ho"our and humanity, TO accomplish the basest
purposes But society capable Of such conduct
must be very depraved A majority Of the individ
uals composing it, must be wicked men One or
two moral delinquents will not give il such char
acer
majority OF the members must not only have
committed sin occasionally, but must be habituai
transgressors. For single immoral aeA does not
form man character. David committed murder;
But The murderer was not his character. Judas was
traitor but the Apostles not society of trail
tors Bot let us apply these remarks to the Edu-
cation & Missionary Societies.
What class OF men belong to these Societies !?
Are the most of them habituay immoral ARE
they Inhdels! show me one Are they drunkards /?
Where are their tipping houses What are their
crimes What is il that proves the base and vile
Shall we compare tnem with those who derde them?
Plant an Eden beside t,ogolha, and compare the
beauties OF the one with the oathsome objects of the
other
ii Mental imbeciliy.
A society thus defective may bring ruin upon it.
self; may become the tool of designing men, or an
auxiliary OF ibition. This has been the case with
some weak governments. Are the Societies whose
merits we discuss thus defective' Look al those
who preside in these societies If there be in
telectual excellence on earth, il is found here
Let the Wachman examine the catalogue of their
names, and himself judge, if such men have not
sufficient wisdom to design and sufficient vigouor to
accomplish noble enterprises.
Ill Societies engaged in unworthy objects will
injure community. To injure the property or per
sons OF men, 10 subvert religion betray the interest
OF immortal souls are base objects
Is this baseness to be charged upon these societies.
Upon what ground is this charge made Upon the
ground of profession They declare it is their OBJ
ect to spread the news Of salvation, and light the
lamp Of truth in the dark of the earth
Does this conduct afford ground for such charge !?
Their conduct speaks The very language of their lips
They translaing the Bible into every language
and sending missionaries every land, without the
least hope of reward this side of heaven.
/ But Nv. II the subject OF society is worthy, and
II be accomplished by wrong means, it may prove
curse. So many man believes, and believes
too that the above mentioned societies are pre-
cisely Of this kind But what means do these soeie
ties adopt. Such az God has commanded them to
adopt. Go We into all the world and preach the
gospel to every creature" These instructions were
given when the commission was bestowed upon the
apostles. The instructions are to be complied with
while the commission continues in the church and
every faithful minister OF Christ has this commits
sion. Thus the church believes, and from this be-
lief she would act She has yet been tardy in her
motions, but is now beginning to act with vigour
She sees the desoate state of the world, and while
the VOICE Oh Zion ISSUES from tue ShaueS VI spiioa
death. they listen with painful emotions What is
to be done to 'scatter the darkness which covers
the earth" Scepticism would sit silently stupid till
God accomplish the work by miracles. Inhdellty
would scott and deride and say, ''he heather need
no instruction" Christianity is not thus satisfied.
But still enquiries, "what shall be done e The Bible
Is to be printed in every language, and the gospel to
be preached to every creature. Some who admit
this still maintain that God must do the work.
Ehap. 4 e
business" What them shall the elements print
4 the Bible? shall the trees preach the gospel? o
Judgment thou hast fed to british beasts and men
! have lost their reason. But | will stop. Tho, no