text. Though the work itself is God's, yet it is to be accom- plished by human means. If salvation be through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through him alone, he must be made known to the benighted heathen : for " how can they call on Him in whom they have not believed ? and how can they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without a preacher*1?"
I thank God that means are now using by different societies to diffuse the Holy Scriptures throughout the world, and to send forth missionaries to instruct both Jews and Gentiles. Aid these societies then with all your power. It is particularly said in the verse following my text, that those who wait upon the Lord, " bring their silver and their gold with them." Let not this be forgotten by you. Let your property be consecrated to this holy service : account this its best and most appropriate use: and, instead of giving grudgingly or of necessity to so good a work, regard it as your highest honour to contribute even in the smallest degree to the salvation of your fellow- creatures, and to the establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom upon earth.]
2. To those who have no such blessed object in
view —
[What shall I say? I would take up a lamentation over them; and, in the language of surprise and grief, say, " Who are these who do not fly as a cloud, or as the doves to their windows?" What! have they never heard what a Saviour there is ? or, are they ignorant how much they stand in need of mercy through him ? Dear Brethren, be persuaded that there is no refuge for you but in Him : to him you must come, if you would ever find rest unto your souls. I beseech you, therefore, flee to him as your only hope : be in earnest : let not the doves flying to their windows outstrip you in your course. And bring to him all that you are, and all that you have. So shall the angels in the presence of God rejoice over you: so shall the Church of Christ also be edified through you : and so shall you be meet for the Church above, whither a whole cloud of witnesses are gone before you, and where you shall soon unite with them for ever in the service of your God.]
i Rom. x. 14.