Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1831-02-03
ADDRESS


10 tie Friends and Patrons Of the Society.
DEAR BRErHREN,-As the time Of our an (
niversary draws nigh. the Executive Commit
tee again look To you for thai aid IN support
ing Foreign missions which for eighteen
wears past you have SD promptly Afforded
I'VE tr.,st you viii not forget, that hundreds
of our friends end fellow citizens, no have
left home and kindred and country. and en-
coun.cred the Tolls. and privations of mis-
sionary life, are depending ON the annual ben
efac;ions Of their Christian brethren. both tO
abstain them in their lab0rs of love, and save
them from absolute want.
That the cause Of Foreign Missions has
found so great number Of early, constant,
and devoted friends within our limits. is a [
fact which we desire to recognize with de-
vOut gratitude to God. A sentiment which [
you have repeatedly expressed at our annual
meetings, that the Importance ofthe enterprise
calls for Increasing patronage and erertton. (
The regular increase "f the receipts OF former
years, happily corresponding to this senti-
mcnt. inspired the animated hope, that 8" far
as aid from this Society was relied ON, the A.
merican Board might be- warranted in that
extension Of thirr operations which the open
ing fields OF usefulness before them are con-
,inualy inviting This hope, we are constrain-
ed to acknowledge, the retnrns of the last
two years have failed to sustain. The re-
ceipts Of 1899 were $500 less than those If
the preceding year; and the Treasnrer's re-
port for 1880, exhibits an additional diminu-
tion Of more than $500.
1t Why.this sad decline? The reason is not
that the importance Of the missionary enter
prize has itself declined-that the souls Of 600
millions of heather have become less pre-
MIR efpssr Nivfn srnnn dnf0 81
my gospel to all natons," less obligatory. II
Is not the want of confidence in the fidelity
or competency Of the American Board; of
the maturity, wisdom, and success Of whose
operations very year furnishes increasing ev-
idence. Nor is it the want Of ability in our
churches to sustain the most sanguine antici-
pafions which we have SO f0ndly indulgrd.-
Is it then that our benrvOlence has declined
eur charity grown cold ! Have we ceased tn
love the welfare Of ZiOn--tO pray for the
kingdom Of Christ---or to feel our obligations
10 Jesus, who gave bis life ransom for our
souls
1t is M encouraging consideration, hreth-
rem, that we address those whose feelings on
this subject, we regard ms in unison with our
swn. That increase Ut subsidiary aid cores
pending with the present exigencies "f the
missionary cause which zoe so earnestly snli-
cit, is also the object or your hearts desire,
and prayert to God. But how is this desired
increase tp be supplied Not from The re-.
sources Of the Opuent Of this world; nor
from any great increase of friends and sup
pOrters to our cause, however desirable such
an event. The Increased liberality Of existing
friends, must he our main Dependence and
hope. Has the amount Of support tChich aOe
hGUe Individuality contributed hitherto, been e.
quail to the reasonable demands Of Christian be.
aevoience? How do our sacrifices compare
with those made by Christ and his apostles
10 the same cause? There is no ground TO
apprehend that our bene factions will interfere
with the claims of creditors or tirpendanis.-
II there 10 any truth in the Promises Of Gods
word, which are full and explicit ON the sub.
jrct OF charity, Our ability to meet the claims
Of justice and honesty. are not ordinarily i'm
paired BY the appropriations al Christian be-.
nevOlence. "There 10 that scaitereth and
get increaseth." Is divine maxim of which,
our own community furnishes many living H.
lustrations. The being whO dispenses pros.
perity and adversely to his creatures at hi.
will, can, without miracle, return into thu
lap af henevOlrncr, the promised reward al
four. fold, for all that IL lent unto the Lord
..'rhere 10 that withholdeth more than 10 meet
and it tendrth to poverty"
The fact that the recipients Of our charity
are not the only persons benefited by II, bu,
that II is even more blessed TO give than to re-
ceivp," is one which ipvests the subject with
peculiar interest. and makes us the more car.
nest and importunate in pressing its claims
upon our fell0w-men. Gladly would we per-
euade them to share literally in this blessed
ness--t0 bRcome the subjects Of that peace,
and love, and joy. and divine favor which the
exercise Of charity produces. =. He that sow
eth beautifully shall reap also hount;fully."
Confident We are, brethren, that the mission
airy cause is the csuse Of God, and will pre-
vail; that the Kingdoms Ofthis world will be-
come the Kingdoms Of our Lord; that he who
has begun this work 90 auspiciously in our
own age. viii carry il on unto Perfection
The requisite human aid scW be f,,rnishcd.-
There win mot be wanting k5cn ready 10 share
the sacrifices and privileges Of becoming CO.
workers with God. It 10 Cor as to decide
whether we viii become part al that number.
The salvation of a lost world, the apprO-
pirate work Of Christ and his followers. il NOT
10 he accomplished without sacrifices and
srrisati0ns. IN this self-denying course, the
Captain If our salvation has nobly led the
xay. Nor did his contemporary discirles
shrink from sustaining their part Of The ser. ice
Like him they cheerfully renowned every
worldly consideration Ia this laLour of love,
counting not their lives dear unto Them. Are