Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-05-22

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Tor Foreign Missions an annual sum o
2o,OOO pounds sterling, nearly 100000
! They first pay tithes of all they. possess
Tor the support of an established church
ana then support their own Institutions
: Brethren, do we pay tithes of what we
possess even for all our benevolent objects
They do, shall i say five times2 they do
ten times as much in proportion to their
numbers as we do, with all our advan-
lages and wealth, and with no established
church to support. What ought TO be
expected from us2 We must raise at least
100000 in the next twelve months. We
must do it, or be disgraced in the eyes oil
the Christian community. We must do
1t. or break the hearts of our missionary
brethren. We must do it, fol- the glory
lot God and the salvation of souls. There
are before US some examples of benevo-
lent sacrifice OF property. What did Jud-
son few years ago.! Having, through
his own relatives and those OF his departed
wife, and by the presents received from
the English and Burman governments
acquired from six to ten thousand dollars,
he poured it all as donation into your
treasury. Why should Adoniram Jud-
son do this, more than you or L? Why
should he love God more than we should?
And why should he do more for his Mas
ter! Has he been redeemed by the blood
of Jesus? so have we. Has he conse-
Grated his all to God! so have we.
| wish now to speak as practical man.
For nearly quarter of century have
been working in Boards. I know some
thing of the operations and perplexities of
Boards. Shall brethren who work in the
Board alone feel the responsibility Shall
it not be shared! | would direct my
practical remarks to pastors of the church
es; tor from all have experienced Lam
convinced the work of sustaining missions
rests mainly on pastors. We have pro-
fessedly devoted our all 10 the cause of
Christ; and brethren, we have felt that
we have done this at home-we should
do it equally in regard to operations
abroad. Pastors lay themselves oct for
the labors of the pu pit. As an example
did not the beloved Staughton, during
his labors in the SAMSON Street Church.
study to prepare himself to give his peo-
pie in the morning of Sunday, a scriptural
exhibition of truth and duty for their own
edification aud encouragement? And did
he not aim to make thatpreparation which
the promiscuous assembly that crowded
to hear him on Sunday evening called
for2-adapting his efforts to his object /?
t)OPS not avnru rr3Stor ,,I,re,,o - 49,
extent, the same course? He may be
sometimes governed by mixed motives
these are to be regretted. But | ask eve
Try pastor present, if they task their pow
ers for Monthly Concert, on Monday
evening, TO make that meeting an inter-
esting one. To draw attention to that
meeting, and give it interest, pastors must
task their minds; they must feel their
responsibility, they must come upt the
work.
| would suggest, Sir, with very great
modesty, thought which has long occu.
pied my mind, and on which l hope some
action will take place at this meeting. Il
IS that Circular be sent out from the
Board to the Pastors of all our churches
urging upon them the importance of the
work of missions, and Of the Monthly
Concert, and furnishing such hints as may
aid them in the prosecution of their duty
in This respect
Shall l be excused, Sir, if l give here
q little of my own experience as a pastor?
Within the last fourteen years, during
which have been connected with the
Oliver Street Church, they have contrib
uted $4,000 to the Foreign Mission
cause; and l never heard brother or
sister say they had contributed too much.
Several years ago, when our Foreign
Mission, Board was in distress pledged
myself to raise $1,000 annually for their
use. And though could wish our eff
forts had been far greater than they have
been, | am thankful that in. this we have
not disappointed the Board. The only
subscription book | ever carried in nv
pockei, has been one for Foreign Missions.
| regard 1t as part OF my ministerial
duty TO promote this cause. In the pull
Ipit | endeaYor to preach Christ at home,
and with my Subscription book to preach
him abroad. My custom is something
like this, when | find a brother so olsen
gagged from business that his attention
may be gained for half an hour, | pro-
pose the subject. and endeavor 10 secure
his. interest in i. then ask him how
much he intends to take Of this stock. If
he appears disiucIined to mention any
sum, do rot urge him. but, tell him
| leave Il. with him to pray oter and decide
before God. and wait to know the result.
Thus | have annually collected my thou
sand dollars. and mean to carry my little
book with me. as long as | live. and to
! leave it as an heirloom to my successor.
The sisters in our church are organ