CHRISTIANITY CARRIED TO THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH, OR THE DUTY OF CHRISTIAN NATIONS. TRANSLATED BY M. M. BACKUS. TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE AUXILIARY SOCIETY OF BRUSSELS For the Propagation of Christianity in the two Indies. Brussels, March, 1830. THE AUTHOR. A MANUSCRIPT copy of this discourse falling into the hands of a friend of missions in Holland, he translated it by the author's consent, and published it in the Dutch language.* The author did not at that time think of publishing it in French. The work that it recommends having been established in a more regular manner at Brussels, by the formation of a Society for the propagation of Christianity in the two Indies, auxiliary to the two Evangelical Missionary Societies, established, the. one at the Hague, the other at Rotterdam, the author thought that this discourse might perhaps contribute to enlighten the friends of Christianity and of humanity, concerning the end proposed by the new Society; and it is consequently published in the language in which it was pronounced. That the Lord may make use of it, whether in our own or foreign countries, to kindle the zeal of some in favor of the best work which man can undertake, is the wish and prayer of his heart. The facts alluded to in this discourse, are drawn from the most authentic sources; many have been extracted from the Letters upon India, by the missionary Ward, which have recently been translated into French. Some passages in this sermon were not pronounced in the pulpit, for fear of occupying a longer time than is usually accorded to the preacher. * Het Nut van Evangelische Zendelingen ouder de Heidenen, en onze Verpligting om deselve he Bevorderen, in octavo, Amsterdam, by Saaks, 1828, and more recently in 12mo. by the same publisher, under the title of Predikt he Evangelium allen Creaturen. CHRISTIANITY AND FOREIGN MISSIONS. A DISCOURSE DELIVERED AT BRUSSELS. "And Jesus said unto them: Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."-MARK XVI. 15. THE work of publishing the Gospel among all the families of the earth, is the greatest and most glorious work which has ever been or ever will be undertaken. While many deep shadows still obscure the tableau of Christian society, and while the reign of selfishness is still far from being over among men, yet we must acknowledge that the present is distinguished for its love of public good and for its humanity. Numerous associations have been formed in different countries, for objects of general utility. But all the associations, all the enterprises of the age, are but trifles in comparison with the magnificent undertaking of carrying the Gospel to every creature. The friend of humanity, before engaging in this, can make but feeble efforts; but when he enters upon this chief work, he pays the debt he owes to his species, and has the glory of bearing in his hand one of the stones destined to raise the temple of the living God in the world. Is there anything called great among men, which the work of publishing the Gospel to every creature does not infinitely surpass? Is it an association intended to release some unhappy beings who are pining away in dungeons, or under the pressure of some other misery? That were a great work; but the work of which I speak announces to a captive world the opening of the prison and the oil of joy for mourning. Is it a conquest, having for its end the deliverance of a people from the oppressors who desolate them, and their restoration to their legitimate sovereign? This were indeed a noble task; but the work of which I speak is intent on conquering all the nations of the earth to their true and eternal King. Is it the giving to a whole people a legislation which will establish it in peace and prosperity? But the work of which I speak bears to all nations the charter of the human race, the fundamental law of its happiness, a celestial legislation which alone can give them righteousness and peace. The work of Evangelical Missions is the most stupendous of all the works of benevolence in which men can engage, for it embraces the whole world; it is the noblest, for the benefit which it confers is, of all those which man can bear to man, the most in harmony with the immortal nature of which our bodies are but the mortal tabernacles; the most |