The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-24
From the Boston Courier
HOME MISSIONS.


From the Boston Courier,
HOME MISSIONS.
lsAor1 J.AwaEScg--On the 18th May, "The
geno, oIent Fraternity Of Churches held its fifteenth
annv, rsary In the Federal street church.
Hon Abbott Lawrence, among other interesting
speakers said he could not omit bearing his tesii
nony 10 the great benefits, IN his opinion, derived
not only by this city but by others both In this and
foreign lands, by this institution. lie well reniehi'
bered DR. Tuckerman's commencement Of tins enter
prise. II small Ginning, but II Ind grown 70
great work. The first seamen's chapel ana ,ne
first preaching to the poor SO far as lie kns ~ ~o,e
duous abors Of the city missionaries and schsp'o oi
the great benefits he had derived tom thelr lioois
According to the Saviours declaraiion W. sno .h
always have the poor with U.S. Ana ne pelioseu ',lc
moor as great benefit 10 the ri, h. as the rich We're
10 the poor Otherwise, the almighty, oenevoieht
Creator would never have permitted sueh STATE %
things The poor ye have always mu,h yoa ana
Christ as our Head, II is our duty ana our pfV &c,
TOO TO look 10 this class OF our community large
portion of our poor are native ci'zens VIuous aug
use 'ul and larger portion are foreigners, invited
here by the principles OF our Governmtn II was
100 late now 10 discuss the wisdom OF this policy,
This country is deemed by the Old World the asylum
OF the oppressed, ana we nave many poor hooking
here 10 share our blessings
lie looked upon city missions as the grand means
OF elevation for this class and Of security too, for
our property and institutions. 1t was our duty
and interest to intend TO them; not to level down,
but to lerei up IL our duty TO minister TO their
temporal wants. but more especially to their spritua
and the only sure morality was founded on religion.
Sunday schools were the great means OF reaching
This class with spiritual instruction. We are bound,
in every practicable way TO improve their character
morally and intellectually to provide the means OF
such education as will render them good and useful
Citizens
In an economical point of view, the ministry at
large should have our efficient support and CO.
operation. He regarded i as doing more 70 proven,
crime and secure propriety, than any other equal
amount expended. He wished there was dosble the
expense in this department He rejoced II was not
confined TO any sect. For himself he WINS no secta-
rian. He acknowledged every man as his brother
who acknowledged Jesus Christ TO be the Saviour of
the world. He felt that the aity, that each indivi
dual, had duties to perform In this work OF moral
reformation, 10 sympathise with the missionary, and
encourage him by social intercourse and generous
contributions.
He felt the uncertainty Of life, and he could not
neglect that opportunity Of bearing his testimony 10
the importance Of providing for the religious wants
of this community and he would say to his friends.
what we do must be done quickly. There was no
time to lose In perfectng our plans for benefttng
our immigrant population.
Our land hitherto favored of God, was such ma
tion as never did before and probably never again
would exist. Do we, he asked, appreciate our pryi-
iegesl Do we contrast our own strong and quiet
state with the apprehension and agitation of foreign
nations All here were too much engrossed In
worldly interests. He himself, he confessed
BIT he felt that he lived in land governed by Chris
ton men and Christian influences. The Christianity
which any possessed was all derived from the same
book. All our social enjoyments, our civil and rei
pious privileges our common law and the common
great Fountain--the Word of God. Let the Bible,
then be circulated only in this city bur let Il be
scattered broadcast all over the land.
He believed we should "begn at Jerusalem"
Boston our jerusalem We should take care of
our own family our own household first but we
should stop there. For the great influx of for
eigners, he was aware, that not only the manners
but the character and the religion of the people might
be changed, All the ministers, all the bibles and
tracts could not prevent il, without we American
citizens do our part. After providing for our own
to our new States and Territories. Three hundred
thousand foreigners come TO this country in year.
and the number was rapidly increasing, Iowa and
Wisconsin, embracing 1000 square miles, were, a
United States, or the possibility of being peopled
by white men, for many generations. But they
are now filing up with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Swedes, Germans and Irish, and with amazing ra-
pidity. Thirty years ago religious instruction kept
pace with the increase of population. Now, from
The facility of inland navigation by steam the popu-
iaon Of our new States was fast getting ahead of
ligous instruction !; and Western and South
western States were the best missionary field on the
face Of the globe We need not go 10 France, Italy,
Germany, and Sweden, no evangelize them. The
people OF these countries were coming to He
was in favor Of foreign missions. He contributed to
fheii support. He would not reduce them copper, |
provided they could at the same time bring up the |
means of home-eyangelizution to meet the present
exigency.
In California there were, already, from the Eastern
states, from twenty thirty thousand inhabitants
and probably one hundred thousand in all. These
were Of all nations and tongues. Why 20 TO Kamp-
scatka or to Japan when Kampscatka and Japan
can be found in California; This, he said, was a
matter of common sense. The people had the des-
TIMES Of this vast nation in their own hands. How
he asked, can our liberties and cherished insi-
buttons be maintained, but by giving to the whole
people intellectual cultivation principles drawn
from the Word of Godl Without religion pervade
oilru ia huf n rou Of nd
Let us, then, begin here and show that here, in
this city Of the Puritans, have just Of
our responsibility. II is the duty Of every man to
take up this work as personal matter He owes II
TO God and TO his country. Without the Bible, the
mind and heart Of this people will be barren
the earth without the sun. And while our work
should begin here, II must not end this side OF the
horizon. Ii must extend to our brethren In foreign
lands But we must take care of home before we
look to Europe. Immigration will not diminish,
and we must make preparation to meet it. 1t will
be less than from three TO four hundred thousand
for years to come and this, with the home increase,
the hand OF every man, we shall give law 10 the
world; and In giving law, we shall also give religion.
This was common object-one, In which Chris
tians OF all secis had equal interestall who took
the Bible the foundation of their faith. For him
self the Bible Just IL reads the Word Of God,
and the only rule Of religious faith and practice; and
he had no sympathy with any who wanted it altered
or explained to suit any particular creed. Let us
sec to II, he said that we do what we can to give
this light Of life TO the whole world.
California
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