Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

without creating a degree of confusion, and involving an extent of mischief, which, I am

[ocr errors]

66

sure, even the author of the New Model" would find it difficult to prevent, and impossible to contemplate without dismay. He must be aware of the difficulty of convincing the thousands of persons at home, of the necessity of such a reformation as he proposes, without whose concurrence it could not be carried into effect. He must also know that we cannot re-model the hundreds of agents abroad at our will and pleasure, many of whom would plead conscience (the most unmanageable of all things by human legislation), in bar of our proceedings, and who, if it were resolved to enforce them, would move heaven and earth by their outcries against our unjust and irreligious proceedings. The author will perceive that I am now referring particularly to one part, and that a leading one, of his plan. To begin a new scheme is one thing, to melt down and re-cast what already exists, and which is the more difficult to touch the longer it is in operation, is a very different affair.

I think such an attempt exceedingly undesirable. Its success is very doubtful-its failure would be certain ruin. Experiments, where there is great hazard, are generally inexpedient,

as the probable gain may scarcely balance the loss actually sustained. Frequent or extensive changes are never deemed expedient in the management either of families or of communities. It is not possible to foresee all the consequences which may arise from such re volutions; and hence in general, though I grant it is often more the love of ease than the consideration of utility that operates, men prefer the ills they know, to fleeing to others which they know not. It would not be difficult to pull out the pins, and break the main-springs of our moral machinery; but it might be found impracticable to bring it soon again into efficient operation. It is easy to cut down and to destroy, compared with the labour of building and planting.

For similar reasons, I do not think such an extensive re-modelling requisite. I think the faults of the present system greatly exaggerated; the good effected by it understated or overlooked, and the anticipated advantages of the more excellent way too highly coloured. Various plans at present in operation require amendment, and they are susceptible of it, without admitting that they are fundamentally defective, or requiring that the whole framework should be taken to pieces. To this

[ocr errors]

extent, I think, some of the author's views call for attentive consideration, and will not, I trust, be entirely lost, though his main object should fail.

I apprehend this ingenious writer attaches rather more importance than is correct, to what he calls a peculiarity of means, which he seems to think must be nicely studied in every case in which we send the gospel to a people. Now, without disputing the general principle, that the means must be adapted to the end, I conceive that we may be greatly misled by it, if we adopt human views of adaptation as a main principle in our attempts to evangelize the world. It would bring the doctrine of expediency into operation to a far greater extent than has ever yet been the case. It would reduce the advancement of the kingdom of God very much to a thing of human calculation. I cannot think that the appro priateness of the agent, or of the means, have been hitherto altogether neglected. Every man has not been thought qualified for every place, or for every kind of employment. The work has not been carried on so much at random as our author supposes; errors and faults have been committed, but all has not been error and a surdity. The wisdom which selected and sent forth Henry Martyn, or William Carey, or

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

does not suggest an additional means of promoting the interests of the gospel among the heathen, I beg to submit to the candid con sideration of the christian reader. After the day of Pentecost it does not appear that the early disciples were sufficiently disposed to carry into execution the commission of their Master they tarried in Jerusalem, not only till they were endued with power from on high, but long after. They were pleased with their privileges, and were satisfied to dwell among their own people. It deserves to be noticed, that it was in consequence of the persecution which arose about Stephen, that they were dispersed, and went every where preaching the Word. Without the aid of such dispersions, which carried the seed of the Word to quarters which would not have been voluntarily visited, Indoubt whether the apostles, aided with all their supernatural powers, would have been able to establish the kingdom of God in so many countries, in so short a space.

-We are not persecuted by men, but our pòpulation is greatly afflicted by the providence of God. The difficulty of providing for families every day increases, and is not likely to diminish. In these circumstances ought not christians to consider what is the voice of Providence? Is

not the world all before them? Do they not profess to be strangers and pilgrims on earth? Why that cleaving to a native land, if it is a land of dearth or of barrenness, though of spiritual good, while they might in another region, as near to the heavenly world, and to its glories, as Britain, provide for themselves and their families, and materially promote the interests of the cause of God? Emigration on christian principles, and for christian objects, has not yet been properly tried. Look at America, towering already in greatness, and with a giant's step advancing to pre-eminence among the nations. Who cut down its forests, and drained its marshes, and planted its towns, and laid the foundation of its free and enlightened government? The pilgrim fathers who left, or rather were driven from our shores, to find a refuge or a grave on a foreign strand. There God has greatly blessed them, yea, and they shall be blessed.

16

It is by some such means, I apprehend, the gospel must be planted and watered in other countries, if the work is effectually to be done. I am glad to find that attention is beginning to be given to this subject. In the "Congregational Magazine" for this month, is an important letter on it; and as that work may not be in the

[ocr errors]
« ForrigeFortsæt »