Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-05-09
THE PURPNSE OF Missions.

LIE II hGpNE or MlNSlONN.
What is the object Of Christian Mis-
Sions? 1t is not to civilize the barbarous
natives of earth, though that would be a
worthy object Civilization is blessing
which follows the Christian Religion
not the end TO be sought i'll prOpagating it.
Nor is it to show the common brother
hood of man. This, though higher
motive than the former, is not the chiet
purpose or propellng power OF missions
Many would-be soul winners seem to rise
TO higher in their aspiration than human
Sympath-.
They would tell a heather brother
of Christ chiefly because they pity the
heathen Indeed it would seem that
most OF our missionary teaching is at fault
on this point Many words are spoken
and written cOmmiserating tie poor
heather: while few words are uttered to
show how great diShonor and reprOach
these idolatrOuS nations are bringing upon
the name of the blessed Lord. Here. then
is the chief design Of Christian mission
to herald abroad to the whole world the
fatherllUUd of God and the eternal SON
ship of Jesus Christ.
The love of Christ in the heart of the
church must cOnStrain her to wing her
way to the heather and say God was in
Christ recOnciling the world unto him
self" There is none other name given
among men whereby We must be saved.
o. when will the church be jealous for the
honor of her Beloved? When will she
arise and arouse herself to maintain the
honor Of her Lord? When will Africa
India, China. seeing the Christian church
fastening to them with the gospel, cry out
with the prophet, How beautiful upon
the mountains are the feet of him that
bringeth good tidingS, that pubiSheth
peace. that bringeth good tidSing of good.
that publisheth salvation" Here is the
grand prOpelling power of all true mis-
Sionary endeav0r. Supreme love to God
which cries out 20. Lord, what shall be-
come of thy great name, which all idola-
t ars are defIing:" All the nations of the
earth are but as the small dust of the
balance" in his sight: hence His name
must be infinitely eXaulted 1t is this
all-cCnsuming, all-cOnquering power of
love to God and love to man for Gods
sake that constrained Bishop Taylor to
say. Il feel such yearning Ill my soul to
help the Lord Jesus to convert this world
that | would gladly be multiplied into a
thousand wOrkmen and then live a thOus-
and years to help on this work"
1t burned i'll John knOX'S heart till ii
kindled into this flame: Give me Scot
land, or die
Twas this supreme love to God which
possessed the heart of the Christian
mother who said: Is Thomas gone to
heaven through the missionary life :
Would to God he would call my son
john God did call John. lie went
and died. The Missionary Committee
was sad They feared to tell her Of Johns
death, but she anticipated the result, and
exclaimed " Is my second son gone to
heaven through the missionary life ?
Would to God he would call my youngest
son William William went and fell.
Full of sorrow. yet rejoicing. she said:
" Would to God had Il thousand SONS. |
would give them all for missionaries"
Beloved that is giving!- hearty. disin-
terested. GOd-like giving,
Christ said, AS my Father hath sent
me, even so send | you That is seHd-
ing-sending what is dearer than life.
How similar is this to Gods sending
his Vel Bel0red for the world.
Dear reader. what are you giving for
o for a shower of the mission
ary spirit upon the whole church.
Demos. OhiO. J. W. EICHER.