Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-10-22
THE PAST-THE PREsENT-AND THE
FUTURE

Eccl. Vii. 10.
1t IS common opinion among the aged
thai the days OF their youth were better than
the present But II we examine the faithful
page OF history we shall find that light and
neutrality-suspicious. and science, ana human
comfort and happiness, are increasing.
Ii we conine ourselves to the subject of re-
! h97on only, we shall be convinced that these
days" are better than the "tOrmer" we
nave an assurance from scripture, that the fu-
| ture will be better than the present.
We know but little OF The antldeluyian world
but the probability IS that they had httle more
knowledge OF The Gospel than tnat lntnaton
10 our hfst parents that 1.-The seed OF the Wo-
man should brulse The serpents head" A CO
senant was made with Noah, and another win
Abraham, IN winch the plan Ot salvation Was
gradually untolded. 1he Great Sacrifice WAS
prehSured under the law gwen By Moses
| aud made sui pla.ner by the prophets, espe
cIaliy by isaiah-but ii was not I'll the (" fun
ness OF time" that the Messiah came. and ms
Gospel was preached to the Geanes. futis
4u0J years the church was cohtncu, almost
exclusively, to the israelites and their fol eta
Tiers. The rest OF the world were 50 flr from
knowing and believing on Saviour vino was
10 come, mat but very few wcrshipbed Tie
, lrueGod. Even the Greeks and Romans, the
, mos poiished anI polite nations Of aniiquilv,
we're profoundly 10 norant and snperstillous IS
respected religion. itIs sand they worshicpcd
about 5000 dlf.nlGes, OF Various oIders aud
degrees.
Inc seeds Of Christianity were sown by the
apostles AID PRIMITIVE Christians, in most OF
tie cations then KaoWn. So that there were
SONG believers N almost every nation under
IA. i. o. .+t4
world las There been So many Christians as at
lie present. The dght Wnioh sprung up At
me reformation from f0pe,, mas been gradu
ally spreading-and lbs nov spreading with
al accelerated NOTICE.
This IS new era IN tae Church--the era OF
blo!e, Missionary, aud / ..et Societies, and Of
oaDbauh schools. 1ae Christians OF tbs aye
wIed an engne wH.oti was unknown To the
Apostles and primitive Chrlstlan8--we mean
HE fRhoS ! An engine which seems design
cd BY FroVde nee TO eahghten-lf not to eu n
9eftze the world. Much has already been done
IA the last - years, but more remains TO be
accomplished. For the unerrlng word oil
Prophecy Informs rs that "lhe earth shall
DC filled with Tie Know ledge OF Tic LORD US
the waters cover the seas" And how IS this |
20 be accomplished Not by miracle--but by |
iile eXertions al MEM sood men--for God
works oy the agency OF ms people and ban
lei, speaking OF The hittsr days, Saws, "nllty
snail run to and fro, aud knowledge shall be IN
creased"
We who pray for the spread Of the Gospel, |
.e "ho desire The prosperity OF Xloii---be pen |
suaded that Ihere IS soi"etimg Tor youto 40. |
Il the world IS to : eVangeIzcd by human
ieans, you have something 10 30 beslles ji4il-
ps jar il, yea shuuid Unite wan ,ouI
brethren ~ the east, Ia sehtling TIE Biuie,
" ~ithoat note OF comment,' TO every ra.ion
under he;.fen. Sena Missionaries 10 lie hc..-
thea--e ncourageSahbata Schools, rs ma 81 RES
ut piety aud vrtae Tor the youtn--euc, sutAlc
iract Societies and al the benevolent nsiita.
uens OF the Gay. '!hen unite III the petition
of the Church Universal Thy kiHsdoln
come !" and there can be no doubt lie Lord
viii hasten ms work"
As i've motto aeon, let us consider the
osstness u the object TO be accomplished
ne conversion OF tie world AND Tor our
encouragement let Us remember that all the
pfophets have spoken Of SUCH On event .as iu-
turc, and as certain.
Christians have long believed that there
is to be a season OF universal peace, pietv,
and prosperity on the earth, of at least one
tao'sand gears; but it is only of late Years,
that an opinion has become prevalent that
the dawnllg OF that glorious era has become
visible IN the christian horizon. 1t is now the
prevailing opinion among the most enllghten
ed Christians OF all cenomii latlons OF frotcs-
tants, that the means are in operation which
vii, by the blessing of Providence, accom-
ptsa this desirable efd-and that these means
are no othei than the eXertons CT the societies
above mentioned.
How honorable s Il 10 be fellow -helpers in
THIS glorious work! The present generation OF
Christians act as Pioneers 10 tDose who will sue
coed them. fne good how done will be ip-
cafcna6ie in lis eieets on future generations
and on future ages.
II the soul OF one individual is of more value
than the whole mat era universe and if ssthere
is no other name given under heaven among
men Whereby We can be saved, but the name
Of Jesus, how Important is It that that blessed
maine should be made known to al the healhne
who are "perlshlng for lack of vision"
! The Indians on our borders, have peculiar
claims on the benevolent exertiors of the
Christians OF the United States-especially on
the citizens OF the Western States. They be.
lieve in one God whom they cali the Great
! Spirit" Many OF them nave been converted TO
Christianity by the exertions of pious Mission.
aries and the door is opened for the ciyil.za.
ton and conversion of many more schools
bare established among them in various places,
by which some OF their youth are instructed
in the principles of religion; but many are
suffered to grow up in the ignorance Of their
fathers, who would gladly be instructed in the
religion of the Bible, had they opportunity.
Most of the tribes are willing ard anxious to
have Missions and chools established among
them; and our eastern brethren are partially
awake to this object land it is to be hoped that
| the Christians of the West will do their duty