The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-11-08
Fon THE lsSrRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
FOi IGN MISSIONS.

llou W L oIelSn biISsiOnS Dy our OnurCu, J"
| will notice in conclusion some other consid
. erations that should not be disregarded b.
those who are praying for a better ant
| brighter day, and have an eye to the prom
ises and providences of God We are re
quired not only to search the Scriptures, bu
to discern the signs of the times.
1st. If We w review the workings o.
Providence from ,be first discovery of this
great continent the present time, it will
appear almost demonstration that the
United States esigned to take the lead
in the grand rise of the worlds con-
version. By y i providence it would
seem the American continent was held in re-
serve with all its sshness and fertility, un-
til the Christian Church after the great
apoStacy should De purified and delivered
from the deadly incubus of POpery, and be
restored to something like its primitive char
acter by the great Reformation, for Luther
was 25 years old when Columbus died.
While our ancestors in England and Scot
land were partially Chrstianized during the
first century by the apostles or their imme-
date successors, the fruits of whose labors
we reap to this day, about the sixth century
they were overpowered by the missions of
the Pope, and long held in spiritual bondage.
But they were ultimately emancipated by
the writings and active agents of Luther and
Calvin. And we might ask, What would we
have been at this hour, had not missionaries
and other faithful men and women at the
risk of life stood up for the truth? And
shall not we in gratitude carry the light
to those who sit in darkness and the shadow
of death? Not few of the first settlers of
this country were refugees from persecution
and oppression, and finding here an asylum
where they would enjoy civil and religious
liberty, they spread those sentiments abroad
which led to our free institutions in Church
and State. We may occasionally err in our
views of policy, but the great tendency is
towards light and }or and as this is the
spirit to develope human nature in all its
faculties, we may be sure that our heavenly
Father intends to make it conspicuous in the
Millennium.
2. The material power of this great and
growing country, spreading out from the st.
Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico, and from
the Atlantic to the Pacific, where every man
is a sovereign and paupers are comparatively
few, deserves special nstice as well calcu-
lated to defray the expenses, and furnish the
men to do the work. IF we will not under
take it, what country will or can? Should
the wealthy like Zaccheus have the heart to
give half their surplus wealth to educate
candidates and sustain them in the field, the
good work with the blessing of God, might
progress with giant strides; while the poor
mans prayers and aims and the widows
mite would also ascend to heaven as an &C
eeptable memorial in the sight of God. We
need at this hour scores of holy men in Mex
leo and South America, to pour in flood of
light that we may speedily have their men
and money to aid US in surrounding and
storming the citadels of the old world
Even our war with Mexico and our own
dreadful civil war have in some degree pre-
pared the way of the Lord; and the billions
of money spent in few years 60 to show
what We can do in better cause if our hearts
are in it. But is it not shame to our
Southern Church to have Mr.. Pratt alone
for months and years in Columbia, and only
Messrs, Lane and Morton in the great EN-
pire of Brazil, to say nothing of others?-
A beginning is better than nothing, but in
stead of advancing with bold step, it seems
from the language of the Committee that
we are not. They ask "How shall we an
swer to the great Head of the Church for
having become wearied in cause so dear to
his heart" And yet their estimate is so low
of our zeal and ability, they only ask an
average of about fifty cents to each member
of the Church.
3. Another consideration is the reflex in
Auence which this noble self denial and dis
interestedness would 9e upon our spiritu-
ality and happiness, if we can believe
the Scriptures, upon temporal prosper
ity If we are cov' 's and miserly, and
set at naught the c .mands of God, we
shall have leanness Cf soul and heartfelt
anguish in our domestic and social relations
and it may be we shall be visited with sword,
pestilence, or famine. Christ says, cit is
more blessed to give than to receive" But
we are slow to believe it. And the prophet
says, Honor the Lord with thy substance,
and with the first fruits of thine increase
SO shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and
thy presses shall burst out with new wine. y
AS our Father is kind, we presume he gives
to his children as many of the good things
of this life as they can bear; for he says
"No good thing will he withhold from then
that walk uprightly;" and sometimes it ii
good to be afflicted. But if we are SO blini
as to follow Christ for the loaves and fishes
we may expect his frowns in this world, ant
his vengeance in the world to come. If Coz
is infinitely holy and happy, the Christian
will always find close connection between
holiness and happiness, and as he recede
from the great source of bliss, he finds within
himself an absence of rational happiness
, and the clamors of appetite that nothing