Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-03-10

We tell Of the hundred thousand con-
verts from heathenism, now members OF
Christian churches, but this number is
less than the number of church members
in the single state Of New We
tell also Of the four hundred thousand pu-
pills enrolled in christian schools estab-
iished by missionaries but this is less
than are enrolled in the free schools of the
same state
We tell of the great number of books
which have been printed and distributed
in heather nations; but if copy of each
book of an enlightening and truly chris
tan tendency, which has been published
in any heather language during the last
thirty years, could be obtained, and all
were collected into library, it would be
found to be less in the amount Of reading
matter furnished, and far less in variety,
than is found nthe shelves of almost eve
ry intelligent man in our country. There
are single cities in our own land where
ten-fold more printing is executed every
year than can be executed at all the print
ing establishments in the employ of all
existing missionary societies, in all parts
Of the heather world.
The disciples of Christ then, it must be
admitted, have only begun the work of
converting the world to God. They en-
tered on the duty late; they have prosecut-
ed it tardily; and their advance in it is
small. Compared, however, with the in
herent difficulty of the work, with the OBJ
stacles to be removed out Of the wav, and
with the limited means employed, the be-
ginning has been most auspicious, and the
progress such as could not have been an
ticipated, except by faith in the promised
aid and cooperation of Him who assigned
the task. Still it is only beginning;
and after the American churches have
been sending missionaries to the heather
twenty-five years, and the churches Of
Great Britain forty years, there is no
kingdom, or even district of the heather
world, if perhaps few small islands of
the Pacific Ocean, and the remnants Of a
few tribes of the North American abort
gines, less than one million in all, be ex-
cepted, where Christianity has theascend-
ant, or where even a knowledge of its
doctrines and duties has reached any con-
siderable portion of the population.
But what is the church actually doing,
to raise up the thousands of missionaries
who ought to be sent into the field during
the next ten years! Is she not permitting
things to take pretty much their own
course, without great effort, or anxiety, OF
thought directed to this vital point2 Eve
ry one who honestly pleads this cause,
is authorised by the Lord Jesus to enjoin
it uponthe church to bring forth the young
men as workmen in this vineyard, and to
enjoin it upon the young men to come forth
and consecrate themselves to this work.
Why should there not be day Of solemn
fasting and prayer appointed by each
church, in view Of the guilty and perish
ing condition of the world! Why should
not each church take into sober considera-
ton what is its proportion of the men re-
qulsite to evangelize the world WHY
should not the minister, the elders and
deacons, or other approved and iudicious
persons, meet by appointment and look
over the church catalogue, and select the
specific number from those young mem
bers who possess the fundamental gifts
and graces?
1t will fatally retard the progress of the
gospel over the world, to leave the work
OF obtaining missionaries to the slow ac-
ton OF education societies and agents, or
to the influence which can be exerted over
young men by general appeals. The in
dividual branches Of the church must feel
a responsibility and themselves perform
an important duty; the whole must be TAX
: en- up more in detail, and the appeal must
be carried to the consciences of individual
young men, and they be made to feel that
the questions, in what manner and to what
extent they will obey the last command Of
Christ, are questions which they must
personally, and in the fear of God, decide.
Christians must look forward further, even
than this; and parents must begin early to
instruct their children on all the parts OF
the missionary work, and train them up
Tor bearing part 10 it. Teach them to
regard the conversion of the world to
Christianity as the noblest work in which
they can engage. and to burn with zeal to
be qualified for and engage in an enter
prise so benevolent and honorable. Pa
rents can, in their hearts and in their
prayers, consecrate their children to this
. cause, and make them feel how little the
endearments of blood, and friendship, and
home, are to be regarded, in view of the
command Of Christ, and the rescue of the
nations from death in sin and woe.
FRANCE.
Extract Of a letter from d. Ne,Otom Shell
don, dated Paris, Dec. lOth, 1885.
Perhaps you will have been expecting
a communication from your missionaries