be the best entitled to support, out of all which aim at the same important objects. And considering that it is impossible, in the present state of things, to promote some of these objects at all, or any of them effectually, except by means of some such societies, it is most desirable that these should be supported universally. But how slight is the amount of contribution really given towards objects of this kind, compared with the wealth of those who ought to contribute! Amongst the countless members of our church, abundantly able to subscribe, there are not twenty thousand subscribers to the first of the four missionary societies here advocated; and not half that number to the second. The annual subscriptions paid to all four, added together, would not exceed the income actually enjoyed by several of our wealthiest individuals. And what is still more grievous, as a proof of the little interest felt in these objects, the amount subscribed by the great and wealthy, is usually little larger, if at all, than the amount given by the poorest subscriber. Let us hope that the time is not far distant when men of great wealth will give annually enough to support at least one Missionary apiece, and others will give in like proportion to their incomes; when the amount given to missionary objects will be answerable to their importance, and to that which the same persons give for other purposes; when time will be given as well as money; when interest will be felt in the success of the good work, to which the time and money are devoted; and when the reports of that great war of aggression, which the church carries on against the world, so far as it is forwarded by these associations, instead of being thrown aside as tedious and dull, will be waited for with anxiety, received with gladness, and read with profound attention. It will perhaps be matter of surprise to some readers of this volume, that there is here no sermon for the Bible Society. And it is not without painful regret that the subject has been purposely left out, for the following reasons, which are submitted, with all due respect, by one who has never been a member of the society, to the consideration of those many excellent churchmen who belong to it. The Bible Society, though undoubtedly productive of much good, is founded and conducted upon principles necessarily productive of much evil. The good which it does by the distribution of the Scriptures, might be done to the same amount, as far as the subscriptions of churchmen go, by a society of churchmen only. It fosters the false notion that a combination of many, who continue at variance in religion, for the advancement of some common religious undertaking, may serve instead of the union enforced in Scripture, for all to be perfectly joined together, in the same mind, and in the same judgment. And above all, it has circulated throughout the country, in the pages of its Reports, yearly, quarterly, and monthly, a tone of doctrine utterly erroneous, on the value of the Christian ministry. The heterogeneous composition of the Society precludes its advocates, in their speeches and letters, which form the mass of these Reports, from putting this point in its proper light, without risk of giving grievous offence. And as under the Romish system, the minister was every thing and the Bible nothing, so in the wide spread Reports of this Society, the written word is all sufficient for every conceivable purpose, and the ministry of living men, that most unquestionable ordinance of our blessed Lord, is held of slight account. To the general dissemination of this false doctrine, during so many years, by a Society which ought to spend all its funds in circulating the Bible only, we owe, more than to any other cause, the confusion now prevalent in the minds of most of our people, as to the respect really due to an ordained minister. This single consideration might well determine members of our church, to prefer, as the channel of their alms, for the translation and distribution of the Scriptures, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. (See Appendix M. p. 359.) The Christian Knowledge Society, and that for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, are, of all our Missionary Societies, the most antient, and also the most generally sanctioned by the authorities in our church. May their funds become as large, as their objects are excellent! And as their constitution is unquestionably good, may their administration become more free from all defects, and their measures for the increase of the church of Christ be continually more and more influenced by the spirit of his Gospel! The Church Missionary Society, more exceptionable in its constitution than that for the Propagation of the Gospel, has obtained a much greater number of subscribers, for this reason amongst others, that it has engaged in a field of labour more generally interesting, though not more really important. May the two associations work together in such entire harmony of purpose and affection, as to be practically all but one! The Society for Converting the Jews has taken a field of labour at once most interesting, most important, and most absolutely necessary for the prosperity of all the rest; one which had previously engaged little share of attention beyond the existence of a single tract, Leslie's Short Method with the Jews, on the List of the Christian Knowledge Society. (See Appendix F. p. 350.) May the thought of how little we have done hitherto for the Jews, determine us to do much for the future! And whilst in our treatment of this long oppressed race, we cease to do evil, learn to do good," may we experience the fulfilment of that antient prophecy, more than once delivered to their forefathers, "Blessed be every one that blesseth thee!" (See Appendix O. p. 360.) SEDGLEY VICARAGE. Easter, 1836. 66 |