Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1880-06-30

The Rev. DR.. Clark, foreign secretary OF the
American Board, addressed the congregation OF
Bethany church. Montpelier, Sabbath evening
last, on the Progress and Prospects in the Mis-
sionary Field. He took the first part Of Isaiah
sixtieth verse, which had been read, Arise,
shine; for thy light Ia come, and the glory Of the
Lord IL risen upon thee" ~ the prophetic vision
Of the triumph of the church; and Matthew
xviii: 1920, eco We therefore and teach all
nations lol am with you always" etc, as
the conditions Of this triumph. The church was
to bring the nations to her. and realize the great
ness and glory Isaiah saw, by Christ attending her
in her work Of preaching the gospel. We have no
hope In ourselves said DIR. Clark, Of making the
picture Of the prophet real we have no hope OF
changing the life and character Of the millions OF
the world and OF making OF them new men, but
we have with Christ with us and in us supple
menting our weakness and supplying our lack.
Nothing Is to be despaired Of with Christ rs our
leader. We eau do all things through him who
strengthened us. within the last half century
the church, and Christian men and women indi-
vidually, have begun to wake up to this great
fact. And under its impulse they have become
strong and done exploits. The achievements OF
their faith and zeal can no longer be denied.
They are recognized in states and empires. in the
social, civil and business world as WE'LL they have
impressed themselves upon the history OF the age.
| took up, he said only few days since, a
History Of the Nineteenth Century by an English
scholar. One chapter OF this work was devoted
to the missionary enterprise. And this mighty
result has been achieved when scarcely more than
one in ten In the church has any real interest
hardly more than nominal one. Yet with this
zeal OF the In ten, the results that the world
feel and confess have been reached. Surely he
who has all power in heaven and on earth Is with
the few that have undertaken for him. From
this point DR.. Clark went on TO give illustrations
Of the fact that he who gave the pledge Of the
divine presence and power was now fulfilling this
pledge to the letter. India far advanced two
thousand years ago-learned In philosophy and
science that in many respects she is our teacher
now-India with her two hundred and forty mil
lion Of population, has been brought into subjec
| ton to English and Christian law. How do you
| account for it7 Do you have any doubt that the
hand OF God is in this7 Why was Japan kept
sealed until steamships began to go out from sar
Francisco, and she was brought nearer to New
England or Montpelier than was Chicago forty
hand OF God is in these facts, working for hi
| people and church. Our attention has lately beer
turned to the ten religions Of the world" Blu
| there is only one religion. The turning Of thu
Buddhist priest TO Christ has within the last thre,
weeks been reported to the missionary office al
Boston. The Brahmin came before Anothe
point gained was the regeneration Of language
| The very ight-that Light which is the Life o
the world had been infused into the speech Of the
world-the words which were the medium o
thought and feeling, expression and communica
ton between men. So the last great work haC
had been DONE 1t now remained to close up tn
ranks and take possession of the earth for Christ
DIR. Clark here spoke at some length OF the stronl
| appeal that the board and its work made TO Yer
mont from the great number and Of Vermont mel
and women that were connected with the board
One hundred and eighty-six from this state ha,
gone into the feld-they were in prominent posi-
tons and were doing best work. Vermont me-
were doing more for the regeneration Of Turke
than all the diplomatists or any other class
| Another fact OF encouragement was that tn
"great legacy" the million dollars, had not, a
was feared by many, dried up the fountains @
benevolence, nor lessened the ordinary contribu
| tions. The first nine months of the year nov
passing showed considerable advance in the cor
tributions. The legacy had given the board tn
means of putting on to roads, already built an
open, the rolling stock that was necessary, an
they had been waiting for it. 1t had given wor
derful confidence and joy to the missionaries /
the field. Another encouragement was the in
crease Of the missionary force. Forty-fve ha
already been appointed this year-a larger nun