II. We now proceed to consider our second proposition: that if you be instruments of the true Light, you will be zealous in adopting the most effectual means of diffusing it.

But, perhaps, it may be expected, that, to stimulate your exertions, I should give some account of the darkness which exists in the heathen world. I have, indeed, seen that darkness; but it is not easy to describe it. No man can know what it is, who has not seen it. It is no less dreadful, than when the Israelites beheld, at a distance, the thick darkness of Egypt from their dwellings "in Goshen, where there was light." I have been in what the scripture calls "the chambers of Imagery," (Ezekiel viii. 12.) and have witnessed the enormity of the Pagan idolatry in all its turpitude and blood. I can now better understand those words of the scriptures, "the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty;" (Psalm 1xxiv. 20.) I have seen the libations of human blood, offered to the Moloch of the eastern world; and an assembly, not of two thousand only, which may constitute your number, but of two hundred thousand, failing prostrate at the sight before the idol, and raising acclamations to his name.

But the particulars of these scenes cannot be rehearsed before a Christian assembly; as indeed the scriptures themselves intimate: Eph. v, 12. It may suffice to observe, that the two prominent characters of idolatry are those which the scriptures describe; cruelty and lasciviousness; blood and impurity. It is already known to you that the fountain head of this superstition in India, is the temple of Juggernaut. and it will give you satisfaction to hear that the gospels have been recently translated into the languages of Juggernaut. The christian world is indebted to the labors of the missionaries of the baptist society in India, for this to important service.

But there is a moral darkness in the east, of

a

dif

ferent character from that of paganism, I mean the darkness of the Romish Superstition in pagan lands. Upwards of two centuries ago, papal Rome established her inquisition in India, and it is still in operation. By this tribunal the power of the Romish church was consolidated in that hemisphere. From Goa, as a centre, issue the orders of the Santa Casa, or holy office, to almost every nation of the east; to the western coast of Africa, where there are many Romish churches; and thence to their settlements along the shores of the continent of Asia, as far as China and the Phillipine isles. Ships of war and ships of commerce have ever been under its command; for the vice-roy of Goa himself, is subject to its jurisdiction; and these ships afford the means of transmitting orders to all countries, of sending forth priests, and sometimes of bringing back victims.

Besides the spiritual tyranny of the inquisition, there exists in certain provinces, a corruption of Christian doctrines more heinous than can be easily. credited. In some places the ceremonies and rites of Moloch are blended with the worship of Christ! This spectacle I myself have witnessed at Aughoor, near Madura, in the south of India. The chief source of the enormity is this: The inquisition would not give the Bible to the people. In some provinces I found that the scriptures were not known to the common people, even by name; and some of the priests themselves assured me that they had never seen them.

But the era of light seems to have arrived, even to this dark region: for a translation of the scriptures has been prepared for it. This version has been recently made by the bishop of the ancient Syrian Christians; and I have the satisfaction to announce to you that a part of it hath been already published. It has been printed at Bombay, by the aid of the funds, to the augmentation of which the Society has recently contributed.

Dd

the attention is confined to the operation of a single body of men. At this very time, some societies are so intent on their own work, that they do not well know what the rest are doing.

But the church of England ought to shine upon all. Like a venerable Nursing-Mother of the church of Christ, she ought to contemplate with candor and benignity the useful exertions of the several societies not subject to her jurisdiction, notwithstanding their differing from her, and from one another, in matters not essential to salvation.

But, in the great work of converting the Heathen world, men of different stations and offices are required. At the first promulgation of the gospel, there were, saith the Apostle, "some, Evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers." There were also what he denominates "Helps for the work of the ministry." In like manner, we may now employ, "some," Evangelists and Pastors invested with the sacred character; and some teachers and catechists, with such "helps" of a secular kind as may be useful. Such subordinate instructors may be sent forth to commence the work; and, in process of time, those of them may return as candidates for ordination, who shall have acquired a knowledge of the foreign language, and a competent degree of learning for the sacred office; and who shall have obtain ed a good report for piety, zeal, diligence, and fidelity.

To this object we would now particularly direct your attention. I can report to you from my own observation, that the most useful and necessary labors among the heathen, during the first years of Christian instruction are those of the humble teacher and catechist. Whenever, then, you find a man well qualified by knowledge and piety for this subordinate office, you may send him forth with confidence, in his secular character, as a fit instrument of light in a dark region.

If you look around, you may observe that few of the rich or learned of any society of Christians, however small, and however zealous to diffuse christianity, are disposed to go forth as missionaries. And it is true, that, if the rich and learned did go, they could not assimulate with the poor and ignorant among the heathen, so easily as their brethren of inferior station. They could not so easily associate with their poverty, or tolerate their ignorance.

If, then, you cannot find rich men of your own body to go forth to enlighten the world, you must send men of humble condition; and if you cannot engage learned men, you must send men of inferior attainments: for the gospel must be "preached to all nations:" some men must go forth to be "the light of the world." Only let it be your care that the men whom you do send, possess the dispositions which our Lord hath enjoined. Let them be "Men of the Beatitudes." In regard to learning, they will acquire some portion of it in a foreign land. It is proper to observe that a missionary is not made a missionary wholly in his own country; but in the country of his labors. Learning is eventually necessary for him: it is indispensable to great success: but it is not so requisite at his first entrance on his employment. The primary qualifications are evangelic fortitude, zeal, humility, self-denial, prudence, temperance: to which must be added, assiduity in learning a new language with the docility of a child. And, in the period of eight or ten years, whilst that language is acquiring, some other branches of useful learning may be successfully cultivated.

This opinion on the means of forming a missionary, I deliver in perfect confidence: not only as the result of my own observation and inquiry; but as being sanctioned by the most eminent and useful preachers in the east, during the last century.*

Ziegenbalg, Shultz, Swartz, and Gericke.

This translation is in the Malayalim tongue, some times called the Malabar: which is spoken not only by the Hindoos of Malabar, Travancore and Cochin; but by upwards of three hundred thousand Christians in these provinces, some of them belonging to the ancient Syrian church, and some of them to the Romish church; and who will all, as we have been informed, gladly receive the word of God, both priests and people.

Another remarkable event hath concurred to favor the design. The Italian bishop of chief eminence in those parts, who presides over the college of Verapoli, which has been established for the students of the Romish church, has denied the authority of the inquisition, and has acceded to the design of giving the holy scriptures to the people. I my. self received from him the assurance of his deter. mination to this effect, in the presence of the British president in Trevancore. So that the version executed by the Syrian bishop, whom Rome has ever accounted her enemy in the east, will be given to the Romish church. Thus, after a strife of three hundred years, doth "the wolf lie down with the lamb;" and the lion, changing his nature, begins to “eat straw like an ox," Isaiah xi, 7. And it is for the support of this work, in particular, that we would solicit your liberality on this day. It is for the translation of the Bible into a new language, which is not only vernacular to Hindoos and Mahometans, but is the language of a nation of Christians who never saw the Bible; and whose minds are already disposed to read the book which gives an account of their own religion.

Thus much of the darkness which pervades hea then lands. We shall now advert to the means of imparting light to them.

The time seems to have arrived, when more ef fectual measures ought to be adopted for the promulgation of christianity, than have hitherto been