CHAPTER II.

SECTION I.

REVIEW OF DIFFICULTIES ATTENDING

THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BAPTIST

MISSION-REJECTION OF THE MISSIONARIES FROM THE EARL OF OXFORD, AND THE CONSTERNATION IT OCCASIONED THE REVIVAL OF THEIR HOPES, AND THEIR RE-EMBARKATION UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES MORE PROPITIOUS.

THE projectors of the Baptist Mission commenced their design amidst unusual discouragements. The reader has already seen how very slender were their resources. But this was the least of the many adverse circumstances with which they had to contend. No principal denomination had at that time entered the field. And, not having originated any plan of foreign labour themselves, it was, perhaps, more than could reasonably be expected, that they should look with unmingled complacency upon one launched by an inferior body; or that they should contribute materially to augment its funds. A long, querulous, and crabbed letter is yet extant, from a gentleman in one of the midland counties, expostulating with Mr. Fuller upon the impropriety of making such a work a denominational undertaking, and the sort of sentimental absurdity, which he discerned and felt very tenderly, of commencing labours and exhausting resources in

distant countries, while so much remained to be effected at home. Such objections, it may be, are not utterly extinct to the present day. But those who entertain them, upon the first head, would do well to ask themselves, whether they are prepared to maintain perpetual and perfect silence as to those views of truth and forms of duty which distinguish that portion of the church to which they pertain from every other? If they hesitate at this, they should cease to expect the sacrifice in others. But, suppose they willingly consent to bate whatever is peculiar to their own body, and should succeed in prevailing upon all their fellow-christians to adopt the same determination, what advantage would accrue to the world from such an achievement? Must not some portion of truth be sacrificed, and some matter of positive obedience be neglected? Or will it be contended, that no part of the christian church either believes or practises correctly; or, that it is a less evil, in things holden to be non-essential, absolutely and totally to neglect, than involuntarily and partially to err. It is far better for christians to promulge the truth of Christ, according to their own conceptions, and to inculcate obedience to his authority agreeably to their own views, than to speculate upon a catholicism incompatible with their present circumstances to realize. Nor is it likely that the heathen, or those converted from amongst them, would be half so stumbled at witnessing any diversity in the external modes of christian practice, as they would at the detection of any designed neglect or concerted scheme of compro

mise. As the efforts of all devout persons will be regulated much more by those truths and principles which are deemed of essential and universal interest, than by any distinguishing peculiarities; so will there be unspeakably more in the general results of their labour in which to rejoice, than of denominational peculiarity against which to except. It is better to become at once auxiliary to an attempt at effecting some immediate and substantial good, made, as we suppose, with some attendant imperfection and error, than to speculate ever so sincerely upon schemes of union, or entertain ourselves and the world with mere hypotheses of agreement and coalition, until life is wasted, and our opportunities for usefulness retire. Our christian love cannot desire more appropriate or ample expression than is suggested to us in the prayer of the apostle: Grace be with all them who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.' Nor ought we to expect fellowship with other christians upon terms different from those intimated in another passage, where our zeal and our love are solicited at once into fervent action, and chastised into forbearing tenderness. 'Whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing: and, if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.'

It is also equally incorrect, and, it is to be feared, far more disingenuous, to entertain with repugnance, or treat with indifference, a project for conveying the gospel to distant nations, because much corresponding labour is in requisition at home. It is of far greater

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importance to commence such labours, than accurately to resolve the comparative claims of different latitudes of the globe to become their primary scene. The 'great salvation' is the patrimony of the world; and every portion of the human race, accessible to christian agency, is equally eligible to its mercies. The early dispensers of the gospel did not tarry in one region until all its population received it. Some, it is confessed, were driven from their native province by the terror and force of persecution; but others risked the perils of a missionary life, amongst remote and even barbarous tribes, from the purest charity to the souls of men. Nor is it supposable, that the devotion indispensable to originate, and keep in vigorous movement, a system of exertion and sacrifice such as foreign missions require, should be long prosecuted without producing a decisively salutary influence at home. That 'love of Christ,' which constrains a tender and an obedient heart, is too impatient to effect the good it meditates, to be holden in arrest, until a cautious, calculating, secular wisdom, has formed its decisions; and too deferential to supreme authority, to regard them when enunciated. A prudential worldly man, aye, and many a 'sober' christian, may deem the votary of such a principle to be 'beside himself;' whilst he, conscious of no desire but to please God, is content to appeal from the judgment of men to His. 'If we be beside ourselves, it is to God.' It is too often assumed that men, fervent and prompt, must be indiscreet; and that those of cool temperament and slow movement must be wise. But what hinders the com

bination of a feeling heart with a bright, sound, and discriminating intelligence? And why should we deem it conclusive, that the man who cannot feel, must therefore think profoundly and judge rightly? Must the noblest nature on earth be the least of all consistent with itself, and be destined to so great an absurdity, as to present its main attributes in necessary and ceaseless hostility? If a fair history of our moral nature could be exhibited, it would perhaps be found that the most feeling men were the most reflecting. The very attention they give to great and benevolent objects renders them vigilant observers of providential occurrences, and anxious to adopt the most promising means for compassing them.

The sensibilities of a christian heart being once excited, they will be easily provoked into new and further developments, and wrought to higher intensity, as legitimate occasions are supplied. More than half the popular charities of this kingdom have been devised and brought into active operation since foreign missions commenced; and the wealth by which they are replenished, is derived principally from the same source. But, persons who demur at contributing to evangelizing the heathen abroad, because, as they allege, 'they have heathen at home,' will be found to be those to whom these 'heathen at home' are least of all indebted. When making some slight effort a few years ago in Philadelphia, in behalf of 'female schools in India,' a department of missionary labour then of recent origin, those who met me with rigid mien, declaring they could not