ary-8. The first Missionary church-9. The tenor of the Epistles-10. Forms

part of a universal plan, which includes the agency of angels-11. And which

devolves and accumulates all the moral influences of the church from age to

age
84-132

CHAPTER III.

ILLUSTRATED AND ENFORCED FROM PROPHECY.

1. Does prophecy afford any glimpses of the ultimate results of such instrumen-

tality?-2. Will the final triumph of Christianity be in any way indebted to

such agency ?-3. Circumstances which now render this inquiry peculiarly

important-4. Millenarianism (as popularly understood) unfriendly to Mis-

sionary activity.

I. Millenarian doctrine at variance with some of the leading principles of Divine

truth-1. With the fact that Divine commands imply the promise of aid and

success-2. With the sincerity of the Divine character-3. With the Divine

benignity-4. With the ordinary and wise reserve of Scripture 5. And is

derogatory to the dispensation of the Spirit.

II. Not warranted by prophecy. III. The enlargement of the Church resulting

from Christian activity. IV. This view, corroborated by every part of the

Word of God by which its correctness can be fairly tested. V. The whole

harmonized with the foregoing parts, and applied

133-173

PART II.

THE BENEFITS OF THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE,

CHAPTER I.

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

I. The state of the Church has varied in proportion as it has been faithful or other-

wise to its Missionary design. II. Progress of Christianity through the suc-

cessive ages of the Christian era-1. Sixteenth century, or reformation within

the Church-2. Seventeenth century, or period of Missionary preparation and

promise-3. Eighteenth century, or period of Missionary association-4. Nine-

teenth century, or period of Missionary enterprise.

III. Events which may be regarded as dividing the brief history of modern Mis-

sions into epochs. IV. Statistical summary
175-191

CHAPTER II.

ADVANTAGES OF THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE TO THE HEATHENS.

SECTION I.

TEMPORAL BENEFITS.

What it has done in this respect for the various nations of Christendom-1. Some

islands owe their discovery to it-2. Wandering tribes localized-3. Taught

useful arts and trades-4. Languages reduced to a written form-5. Education

given-6. Laws and government instituted-7. Morality promoted-8. Checked

depopulation and prevented extinction-9. Mediated between hostile tribes,

and prevented sanguinary conflicts-10. Retrieved their slandered mental

character-11. Protected the oppressed, liberated the enslaved-12. Various

evils blotted out-13. Elevating effect on the character and social rank of

woman; general views of temporal benefits; benefits unascertained greater

still
192-218

SECTION II.

RELIGIOUS BENEFITS.

1. Abolished idolatry-2. Imparted Christian instruction-3. Alleviated moral

miseries-4. Instrumentally converted and saved many-5. Bibles; ordi-

nances; churches-6. Accessions to the Church above

218-226

CHAPTER III.

THE REFLEX BENEFITS OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

SECTION I.

TEMPORAL ADVANTAGES.

These afford a fine illustration of the remunerative influence of benevolence-1. Ren-

dered great service to literature and science-2. Corrected and enlarged our

views of the character and condition of man-3. Vindicated our own charac-

ter in the eyes of the heathen-4. Preserved European life-5. Benefited our

commerce-6, And shipping
227-237

SECTION II.

RELIGIOUS BENEFITS.

1. Broke up the prevailing monotony of the religious community-2. Enlivened

the piety of Christians, and increased their happiness-3. Produced denom-

inational emulation among them-4. Led to the formation of other institu-

tions-5. Taught us that the cause of religion, abroad and at home, is one-

6. Greatly enlarged our Christian views-7. Promoted sympathetic union of

Christians-8. Increased pecuniary liberality-9. Awakened and cherished a

spirit of prayer-10. Produced noble specimens of Christian character-11.

Shown us the practicability of the Missionary enterprise, and impressed us

with our individual obligation to espouse it-12. Disarmed infidelity of its

principal weapon-13. Promoted Biblical study-increased the evidences of

Christianity and deepened our confidence in the Divinity of its character

and the certainty of its triumphs-14. Been the means of converting many of

our countrymen abroad and at home-15. And, in various ways, eminently

glorified God
238-264

CHAPTER IV.

ARGUMENT DERIVED FROM THE BENEFITS OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS,

FOR THE INCREASED ACTIVITY OF THE CHURCH.

I. Our Missionary success fully proportioned to our efforts. II. Advantages

have flown from them which nothing else could have conferred. III. The

history of modern Missions illustrates every part of the theory of Christian

influence. IV. Supplies a powerful motive to the increase of our Missionary

zeal

265-281

PART III.

ENCOURAGEMENTS OF CHRISTIANS TO PROSE-

CUTE THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE.

I. Encouragement from the history of Christianity. II. Encouragement from the

political aspect of the world. III. Encouragement from the moral state of the

world. IV. Encouragement from the state of the Protestant Churches.

V. Encouragement from the word of God.

Connexion with the preceding parts, and application of the whole

283-326

PART IV.

OBJECTIONS TO THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE.

I. The Missionary enterprise unnecessary-the heathen safe. II. The Missionary

enterprise impracticable. III. Civilization should precede Christianity. IV.

We have "heathen enough at home." V. We have not the necessary funds.

VI. Of no avail, till Christians are united. VII. Of no avail, till the " per-

sonal reign" of Christ. VIII. The time is not yet come-" must not take
God's work out of his hands," &c. &c.

Reflections

327--363

PART V.

THE WANTS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AS A

MISSIONARY SOCIETY, EXAMINED.

Found to consist, generally, in the want of entire devotedness to its office-1. More

particularly in deep humility-2. In the due appreciation of the spiritual

nature of its office-3. A clear conception and vivid conviction of the Mis-

sionary constitution of the Christian Church-4. Missionary information

should be more widely circulated, and more seriously pondered-5. A greater

depth of personal piety-6. Holy wisdom to mark and improve the movements

of Providence-7. Greater devotedness to the Missionary object among minis.

ters at home-8. Christian union-9. Greater pecuniary liberality-10. Mis-

sionary laymen-11. Energy and zeal.-12. Prayer.

The whole applied to the enforcement of entire consecration

365-420

PART VI.

MOTIVES TO ENFORCE ENTIRE DEVOTEDNESS TO
THE MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE.

1. To retrieve, if possible, the evil effects of past neglect-2. As the only alterna-
tive of partial hostility against Christ, at present-3. The state of the heathen
requires it-4. The remarkable manner in which Providence is calling for it
-5. Some have thus devoted themselves-6. It is only a devoted Church that
is prepared to turn the characteristics of the age, change and transition, to a
scriptural account-7. We are likely to impart our character to the future-
8. Nothing done for Christ is lost-9. All things belong to him-10. The
claim of redemption-11. The relative object of redemption-12. It would
complete the honor of the Gospel-13. Our regard for the glory of God requires
it-14. And it would be the completion of human happiness.
Conclusion

421-478