,transcribed from the #ahdf ,john ,snow edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,picture3 ,public domain book cover ,,the ,,unity ,,of ,,the ,,church ,,essential ,,to ,,the ,,conversion ,,of ,,the ,,world4 ,a ,,sermon1 ,,preached ,,before ,,the ,,directors ,,and ,,friends ,,of ,,the ,,london ,,missionary ,,society1 ,,during ,their ,anniversary ,,in ,,may1 #ahdf1 ,,in ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,st4 ,,mary1 ,,spital ,,square1 ,,london1 ,,by ,j4 ,h4 ,,gwyther1 ,m4,a4 ,,vicar ,,of ,,madeley1 ,,salop4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,london3 ,,john ,,snow1 ,,paternoster-,,row2 ,,the ,,society',s ,,offices1 ,,bloomsbury ,,house1 ,,finsbury ,,square4 ,,geo4 ,m4 ,,smith1 ,,ironbridge1 ,,salop4 #ahdf4 ,price ,sixpence4 ,,sermon4 8,neither pray ,i for these alone1 but for all who shall believe in me through their ,word3 that they all may be one3 that the ,world may believe that thou hast sent me40--,,john xvii4 #bj1 #ba4 ,the last earthly act of one we love and honour1 is often referred to with deepest interest1 and revolved with the most thoughtful attention4 ,it is then that the dying ,parent delivers his solemn counsels1 and unbosoms his most sacredly cherished feelings4 ,if ever the tenderest and earnest workings of the heart are laid open1 it is as the scene draws near and yet nearer to its close4 ,and as our beloved ,,saviour approached the termination of ,his earthly history1 the strong commanding feelings of his soul were displayed1 and then especially he taught his disciples what sentiments he would have them cultivate1 and what objects he would have them propose2 whilst by his example1 he taught them in what spirit1 and by what means to seek those high and holy ends4 ,it was then1 assembled with his disciples in the ,garden of ,gethsemane1 that ,he as the ,great ,high ,priest of ,our ,profession1 breathed forth in earnest prayer1 the words before us3-- 8,the last acts of the ,great ,mediator1 were acts of prayer40 ,,he prayed6 that he might impress his people with the importance of prayer4 ,he made them witnesses of his prayer1 that when they hereafter might follow him their divine intercessor1 by faith1 within the veil1 they might know for what ends1 and in what spirit1 his intercession is carried on4 ,,his ,,last ,,acts were prayer4 ,it was in prayer that he closed his last interview with his ,apostles4 ,it was in this exercise that he passed his hour of agony in the ,garden2 and when on the ,cross1 ,his dying breath was spent in repeated and solemn application4 ,oh6 beloved brethren6 'twas a solemn scene2--the adorable ,mediator with the shadows of death deepening around him1 employed in earnest addresses to his ,,father4 ,the ,garden--the ,judgment ,seat--the ,scourge--the ,cross1 were full before him4 ,on what now is ,his spirit bent8 ,on what subjects does he meditate8 ,his prayer will tell1 and tell how fully his heart was occupied with the work of mercy--the well-being of his church--the honour of his ,father--the salvation of the world4 ,it was then he uttered the prayer in which he sought for his people1 that they all may be one1 that the world may be converted to him4 ,he had charged them 8to love one another40 ,he had shown them that they were virtually 8all one30 ,by the sacred supper1 he had sought to cherish their love and union1 and now by his example he taught them to make it the burden of their prayer4 ,and even still his heart longs for this6 ,he looks down from his exalted throne1 upon that church which he so much regards1 and which he 8has purchased with his own blood20 that church to which he has entrusted such a high and glorious work2 big with the richest blessings for a ruined and wretched world4 ,he sees that church divided1 torn1 distracted1 alienations and strifes prevailing1 whilst the world's millions are waiting1 uninstructed1 unenlightened1 unblest2 and then1 having connected the conversion of the world with the unity of the church1 he again pours forth the intercession1 8,father1 may they all be one1 that the world may believe that thou hast sent me40 ,in the endeavour to fulfil that duty1 which the ,directors of the ,london ,missionary ,society have assigned me1 ,i feel ,i need your sympathy1 and your prayers4 ,i stand before you 8in weakness1 and in fear1 and in much trembling40 ,from a sense of my own insufficiency to perform this duty aright1 as well as from the conviction that ,i may be standing in the room of some more qualified and acceptable advocate of the cause1 ,i was naturally reluctant to leave the quietude of a country village and place myself in this public situation3 on the other hand1 believing that this was a call from ,,god1 to bear my humble testimony to ,his truth in this great ,metropolis1 and that in endeavouring to do his will1 we shall not fail of his grace2 ,i have come beloved brethren1 and would seek to offer a few remarks upon the interesting subject now introduced to your notice4 ,the subject ,i am fully aware1 is now one of those to which so much attention has been given of late years1 that ,i cannot hope to present it more clearly or forcibly than it has already been placed in your view3 all ,i can attempt is to bring these things again to your remembrance1 and again to urge them upon the attentive consideration of the ,christian ,church4 ,in doing so1 ,i propose to consider three things-- ,i4 ,the object1 which in this ,petition1 the ,,saviour seeks4 ,,ii4 ,the means by which it is to be promoted4 ,,iii4 ,the reasons why it should be most earnestly desired4 ,we must proceed to notice3-- ,i4--,the object1 which in this petition the ,saviour seeks4 ,it is the unity of all believers upon ,earth4 ,not indeed that ,,christ is indifferent to the peace and love which ought to bind together all mankind as one great family4 ,he purposes to secure this2 but he seeks to bless ,his ,church1 that thro' it he may bless the world4 ,yes6 beloved brethren1--,men ought to 8be one0 in the bonds of love and kindness4 ,we are ,brethren1 all 8one man's sons10 and where there is a man1 there is one who has a claim upon the thoughtfulness1 the care1 the kindness of his fellow man2 and in order to promote the general well-being of our species1 we should be as one4 ,to us there cry the poor in their destitution--the ignorant in their darkness--the oppressed in their wrongs--the victims of war1 murderous and impious war--the slaves in the chains1 which tyranny has thrown around their persons1 or set on their intellect and conscience2 these1 and sufferers in every other form of woe1 appeal to man1 the family1 the fraternity of man1 for sympathy1 pity1 and relief4 ,they are ,men2 they are ,brethren2 and these are outrages against our common claims1 which should rouse all that hear the cry1 to succour the suppliants4 ,we have all one ,,father1 and happy will be the time1 when ,his divided and distracted household1 shall again 8love as brethren20 when the oppressor shall cease2 when 8violence shall not be heard in our borders20 when the clangor of war shall give place to the melting sounds and celestial song of 8,peace on earth1 and good will towards men20 when truth shall fill all intellects1 and love reign in every heart4 ,bright6 ,glorious ,day6--,and shall this happy consummation ever bless this afflicted1 burdened1 groaning world8 ,it shall6 ,the ,gospel purposes it1 and to secure its accomplishment1 the ,gospel is daily putting forth its heavenly energy1 and ere long1 earth in love shall be the very emblem of the heaven of heavens4 ,the fierce passions of the human spirit shall be subdued4 8,the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb1 and the leopard shall lie down with the kid02 8the cow and bear shall feed03 8they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain2 for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the ,,lord1 as the waters cover the sea40--,,isaiah xi1 #f-i4 ,but another work must precede this4 ,the ,church must first be made one itself4 ,the universal harmony predicted1 and eventually to be realized in the world1 must first pervade the elements of ,,christ',s ,visible ,church1 and therefore as a means to that great end1 even that the world may believe in1 fully recognize1 and submit to the authority of ,him1 whom ,,god has sent1 the ,redeemer here prays1 that ,his disciples may 8be one20 implying thereby that the unity of the ,church1 is the great pre-requisite for the conversion of the world4 #a4--;,and who are ,his ,church1 ,his ,people1 the subjects of this prayer8 ,none but those who rest upon ,his atonement1 and rely upon ,his grace1 as the one foundation of their hope for eternity4 ,it is not the bearing of a ,christian name2 it is not an enrolment in any society1 however scriptural in doctrine and apostolic in discipline that constitutes men ,christians4 ,there may be loud profession--an orthodox creed--ceaseless activity--large sacrifices1 without faith in ,,jesus or love to his name4 ,but these are indispensible2 without them there is no interest or fellowship with ,,christ1 and no part1 or lot in ,his ,church4 ,without faith1 there is no salvation2 and 8if any man love not our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ he must be accursed40 ,the possessors of these alone1 are the true 8living stones built up a spiritual house40 ,but the ,church includes all who believe on the ,son of ,god1 among whatever community they may be found4 ,each christian may have1 and ought to hold dear1 his convictions1 as to the truths the bible teaches1 and the church principles which are there developed4 ,the ,bible is ever to be his standard1 and his conscience binds him to receive all that it teaches4 ,we plead for no latitudinarian indifference4 ,we have our convictions1 nor dare we yield them1 unless ,,god should1 by ,his ,spirit1 afford us another view of truth2 nor will any candid christian1 who differs from us1 call for such a sacrifice4 ,we ask not for such unwarranted concessions from any4 ,nor dare we judge the ,,lord',s servants2 to their own ,master they stand or fall4 ,to ,him they are amenable1 and it cheers the spirit to think that our minor errors and imperfections hinder not ,him from receiving any who rest on ,him for mercy1 and yield to ,him their hearts4 ,all these are ,his people--they are parts of ,his universal ,church2 though severed from each other1 they are one with ,him2 members of ,his mystical body2 branches in ,him the ,living ,vine6 ,and where shall we seek them8 ,they are found adorning fellowships of varied names1 and each possessing features of peculiar beauty1 and sacred excellence4 ,we dare not say that a connexion with any system of itself can make men ,christians2 nor of ,episcopacy1 ,presbyterianism1 ,congregationalism1 nor ,methodism1 that it is exclusively ,,the ,,church ,,of ,,god1 so as to monopolize all sacred relations and existing piety4 ,but we believe that genuine disciples of ,,christ are to be found amongst them all4 ,the churches which have numbered among them a ,fletcher1 a ,henry ,martyn1 a ,cary1 a ,williams1 a ,wesley2 will furnish their portion towards the one great assembly1 8the church of the first born written in heaven40 ,the genuine disciples of the ,,saviour1 are to be found in various ranks1 and among different denominations of ,christians2 from these many have been gathered already1 and swell the throng around the throne of ,,god above4 ,even now the multitude collected from among them1 is greater than any man can number2 they have lost their party badges and sectarian titles4 ,this is their only distinction1 8,they have washed their robes1 and made them white in the blood of the ,lamb10--and they need no other--this is their great title--this secures them a happy1 blissful place before the throne of ,,god and the ,lamb2 and they desire no more4 ,and many yet are found below4 ,true our minds are distracted by the differing names and varied distinctions which exist among us4 ,but be of good cheer1 beloved brethren1 upon a goodly company1 though widely scattered1 ,,christ looks down with joy1 seeing in each of the throng1 a trophy of his love2 a soul saved by his sacrifice1 and transforming to his image4 ,the ,,saviour',s prayer contemplated all these1 and sought that they may all be one4 ,and indeed they so far are even now one4 ,there is a bond which binds them to each other1 which no power can sever4 ,it is that spiritual tie which unites them to ,,christ2 in ,him they are all one4 ,they were ,,one in ruin--in separation from ,,god--in captivity to ,satan--in exposure to eternal death4 ,they now are partakers in a common salvation--redeemed by the same blood--renewed by the same ,spirit--relying upon one ,saviour--,children of one ,parent1 they form one holy family1 and will spend an eternity together in their 8,father's ,house40 ,thus real1 substantial1 and indissoluble is their union4 ,they are one1 as ,,christ is in the ,,father and the ,,father in ,him4 ,but1 alas6 this ill accords with the aspect they present to the world1 and the attitude in which they stand to each other2 nor can the prayer of ,,christ be silent1 until the one-ness of his people shall be felt1 and their union shall be manifest to all4 #b4--,then we may further enquire--,wherein must such union consist8 ,it is clear1 not in the adoption of one common name2 for such may be1 and the aim be entirely lost1 and the object of the ,,saviour unattained4 ,something of this kind was realized in the dark ages4 ,the ,church of ,rome then contained within itself well nigh all existing nominal ,christianity4 ,but did this1 think you1 brethren1 realize the prayer of our ,,lord8 ,one name embraced men of every varied creed1 and covered every form of abomination4 ,a one-ness1 where except for the title 8,christian10 and for the form of godliness1 no religion seemed to exist2 life and soul were lost1 the frame-work alone remaining4 ,this one-ness was that of the tenants of the sepulchre and the grave yard1 where the fellowship was that of an universal corruption1 and the calm was the stillness--the silence of death1 only broken by here and there a mourner1 weeping that the dry bones were so many1 and that they were so very dry4 ,no1 this is not the peace we long for1 and for which ,,christ prays4 ,better1 a thousand fold better1 is our present state1 than such an unity as that4 ,it is at least replete with life1 though disfigured by diversities4 ,we have spirit1 and we have power2 though that spirit is too frequently expended in strife1 and that power in warfare4 ,the first thing essential to the attainment of ,christian ,unity is1 that ,christians should be brought to feel that real one-ness1 which even now exists between them4 ,there is a principle which is inseparable from the existence of vital godliness1 and that is faith in ,,christ4 ,now if all who look to the work of ,,christ for justification1 and confide in the ,,holy ,,spirit for sanctification1 are really ,christians1 why should they not be felt to be such1 and loved as brethren8 ,,christ loves them1--let them love each other4 ,to all of them ,,jesus is precious2 then let our hearts embrace with ardour all 8who love our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ1 in sincerity20 and if we can do this1 there will be but little difficulty in rendering that unity visible4 ,how can it be concealed8 ,for where there is true love1 there must to some extent be friendly intercourse--sympathy will be engendered--in spite of existing distinctions1 love will draw us together into kindly greetings1 and social fellowship4 ,nor will there be wanting opportunities of co-operation in efforts to diffuse the ,bible1 extend the ,gospel1 and convert immortal souls4 ,and even where this may not be1 there will be witnessed a cordial interest in each other's labors of love2 we shall rejoice when prosperity attends the work of others employed with us in the same holy enterprize1 and mingle our tears with those which disappointments cause to flow from the eyes of our beloved and devoted brethren2 and only let this but be realized1 and all bitterness1 and envy1 and malice1 will speedily disappear4 ,if ,christians differ in opinion1 yet they will agree in heart2 if they are constrained to exhibit their views strongly1 they will aim to do so with 8the meekness of wisdom10 and with the kindness of charity4 ,oh1 for this consummation6 ,believers1 labour and pray for it--sacrifice for its attainment your party jealousies--mortify carnal prejudices1 and crucify the spirit of bigotry2 and thus hasten the accomplishment of the ,,saviour',s prayer1 when we shall all be one--one in love--one in our great aim for reviving the church1 and saving the world--one in fervent prayer--and shall all value1 more than any other title1 the one new name given to the disciples at ,antioch4 ,having considered somewhat at length the object which in this petition of the ,,saviour1 he more especially seeks2 namely1 the unity of his ,disciples2 a one-ness in his ,church2 let us in the second place1 advert to the means by which it is to be promoted4 ,and here ,i need scarcely remark1 that coercion can do nothing3 neither ecclesiastical canons1 nor authoritative edicts1 can sway the conscience1 or influence the affections4 ,nor can even much reliance he placed on moral suasion1 or controversial discussion4 ,we may acknowledge the importance of the object1 but be after all undecided as to the method of its attainment1 or indifferent to its ultimate success4 ,the great means are with ,,god2 yet all of us can do something towards the promotion of ,christian ,union1 and ,i would humbly suggest the following hints3-- #a4--;,by personally cherishing1 and prominently keeping in view those great truths upon which the ,church of ,christ has agreed4 ,for after all1 to use the admirable language of a ,christian author upon this subject2 8,the unity which the ,church of ,,christ should maintain within1 and promote without1 even in our present circumstances exists1 and that substantially1 though imperfectly4 ,its existence is proved by an identity of motives and aims2 proved by that similarity of sentiment1 which makes the ,christian find a new brother in every converted man2 proved by petitions and praises1 like in matter and in manner1 and offered to the same throne of grace2 proved by the general correspondence of our forms of worship4 ,were some enlightened heathen1 such as ,cicero1 to rise up and come among us1 he would perceive little difference among the purest ,christians1 unless his attention were called to it by some formal partisan4 ,the grand and glorious features of the ,christian faith1 would stand out before him in bright contrast with those of heathenism1 if our paltry animosities did not obscure them40 ,let us then set before us1 and steadfastly gaze upon the great soul-elevating1 and spirit-uniting doctrines of the ,gospel4 ,the atonement of ,,christ--,his perfect work--finished redemption--spotless righteousness--all prevailing intercession1 and final conquest4 ,the work of the ,spirit in the regeneration1 sanctification1 and perfection of believers4 ,these are the great master-truths2 let them be to our souls1 what they are to the ,gospel1 the ,alpha and ,omega1 the foundation of all2 and much will be done in enlarging our views1 refining our judgments1 breaking down prejudice within1 and concentrating our affections upon points of general agreement4 ,in addition to this1 let the mind of ,,christ be ours4 ,his mind was absorbed with love to his ,,father1 and compassion for souls4 ,cherish the same2 let this predominant passion occupy and control our spirits1 and there will then be but little space found1 and less taste felt for those trifles which distract1 divide1 and embitter4 #b4--,we may promote this ,christian ,unity further1 by seeking to form1 and convey a right impression of our own excellence1 in comparison with the worth of others 8who follow not with us40 ,we are too prone to dwell with much of sectarian gratulation1 upon the peculiar advantages of our own communion1 or the evidences of divine favour we have been blessed with2 to the disparagement of others1 from whom we differ4 ,that spirit1 whilst it leads us to vain boasting1 as infallibly leads to a despising of our brethren4 ,rather let as mourn over our own imperfections and short-comings2 let us recall to mind how feeble and often futile have been our efforts2 how our piety has mingled with much of earthliness1 our love with much of selfishness1 our zeal with much of partiality1 and our devotedness with much of self exaltation4 ,on the other hand1 let us be willing not only to allow1 but even to rejoice in the excellencies of others--to ponder their worth and their works--to cast the sin-covering mantle of true christian charity over the infirmities of our brethren1 and to rejoice with them in their success1 weep with them in their discouragements1 and aid them in their necessity4 ,thus we shall1 as saith ,st4 ,paul1 8look not every man on his own things1 but every man also on the things of others40 ,each preferring his brother in honour and in love4 ,the bonds of christian union will be strengthened1 and the dove-like spirit of peace condescend to dwell in the hearts of christians1 constraining even the world1 as of old1 to confess--8see how these disciples love one another40 #c4--;,christian ,unity is to be promoted by co-operation in those wise schemes of christian effort1 which may consistently embrace all who love the ,saviour4 ,co-operation has ever been found very powerful in producing and sustaining unity4 ,in such christian efforts1 there is a common object proposed2 a measure of agreement in the means to be employed1 in order to its attainment2 a participation in responsibility2 a sympathy in trials2 an interest in success2 all which bind kindred hearts2 unite in holy brotherhood those who share in the same common-wealth and privilege2 and allay those feelings of envy and jealousy which have so fearfully agitated and divided the body of ,,christ4 ,thanks be to ,,god1 we live in an age1 when such efforts are put forth1 in which we may conscientiously co-operate with our brethren1 in the great and glorious designs they contemplate4 ,by so doing1 we shall help much to complete the unity of the ,church4 ,yet1 beloved brethren1 why enumerate more means8 ,there is one influence1 which adequately employed1 would secure the whole4 ,what want we1 but a large and universal effusion of the ,holy ,spirit8 ,oh1 yes6 this would do it all4 ,it would fix our gaze upon ourselves1 until we sank abased in the dust4 ,it would attract us all to the cross2 that whilst drawn to one common centre1 all would be drawn closer to each other4 ,such would appear the transcendent glories of that object1 that all others would in comparison lose their power to charm or interest us4 ,the ruin1 guilt1 danger1 wants1 and woes of a perishing world1 would awaken our tenderest compassion and ever watchful solicitude4 ,eternity unveiled--heaven in its peerless glories--hell in its hopeless torment1 would so bring our spirits under the 8powers of the world to come20 that we should be blind1 and deaf to all things of inferior moment4 ,were this gracious influence but felt and cherished1 all would indeed be one4 ,divisions would be healed4 ,stumbling blocks be removed4 ,hearts joined to hearts4 ,joys mingled with joys2 and the blessed ,,saviour',s prayer1 receive its full accomplishment1 and ,his people be one1 even as ,he and the ,,father are one4 ,it remains for me in the ,third place1 to direct your attention to the reasons1 why this ,christian ,unity should be so earnestly desired4 ,now here we might1 if it were necessary1 advert to many and weighty reasons1 for seeking to promote and increase this spirit in the church of ,,christ4 ,i shall only however1 fix upon the two more immediately connected with the text2 the one implied1 and the other expressed by it4 ,the first is derived from its being the great prevailing desire of our divine ,redeemer4 ,it rested much upon ,his heart1 or he would not have prayed so earnestly for it4 ,he was then going forth to gird himself for ,his arduous undertaking4 ,he was about to engage in fierce conflict with the powers of darkness4 ,he had before him the accomplishment of a glorious work--the vindication of the divine honor--the illustration of the divine perfections6--the recovery of a ruined and apostate race--the establishment of a kingdom1 which eventually should be co-extensive with the world4 ,in doing all this1 he would have to pass through scenes of humiliation1 suffering1 and death4 ,he would have to assert his victory over death and the grave1 by raising himself1 and 8spoiling principalities and powers1 make a shew of them openly1 triumphing over them40 ,he would finally have to ascend up on high1 8leading captivity captive10 to receive his reward1 and claim his kingdom2 to mark the success of his cause1 and the triumphs of his cross4 ,but he plainly foresaw how intimately that success1 and these triumphs1 were connected with the unity of his disciples--how preeminently their one-ness constituted their strength--of what vast importance to his ultimate conquest of the world1 was the mutual agreement and brotherly love1 which ,his people should evince4 ,and so he interceded1 with a spirit yearning for the fulfilment1 and deeply interested in the result1 8,,father ,i pray that they all may be one40 ,and if this desire be so strong on the part of the ,redeemer2 if this unity be dear to him1 should we not1 ,his professing followers1 esteem it as worthy of our regard8 ,yea6 as of the first moment8 ,can we feel indifferent1 when the honor of ,,god1 and the glory of ,,jesus are involved8 ,can we be unconcerned spectators of the present divided and discordant spirit which prevails among us8 ,nay1 surely christians1 your master longs for unity4 ,lay aside every other consideration1 and let his will be paramount1 and your desire and prayer be 8that they all may be one40 ,the other reason ,i would adduce for the cultivation of this spirit1 arises from the direct influence such unity is to have upon the conversion of the world1 7as stated in my text17 8,i pray that they may all be one1 7in order17 that 7as a means to an end17 the world may believe that thou hast sent me40 ,the conclusion then1 at which ,i would desire to arrive1 is1 that such unity is essential to the final triumph of the ,gospel2 that if we desire the latter we must seek to promote the former2 and in fact1 that unless we are willing to strive for--sacrifice for--pray for the spirit of unity2 our efforts1 zeal1 and devotedness will be virtually defeated4 ,and now look1 beloved brethren1 what is the state of the world in this the nineteenth century8 ,eighteen hundred years have rolled away1 since the command was given by the ,great head of the church1 the risen and ascending ,,saviour1 8go ye into all the world1 and preach the gospel to every creature40 ,and still the ,prince of darkness maintains his sway among the nations4 ,idolatry and superstition1 the chief pillars of his throne1 are resting in almost every land4 ,darkness still covers the earth1 and gross darkness1 the people4 ,out of #ijj millions of immortal souls1 scarcely #cjj millions are even nominally ,christians4 ,to multitudes the name of ,,jesus is a sound unknown2 and the glad tidings of ,his grace and salvation strange things4 ,my brethren1 ought these things so to be8 ,or would these things have so been1 if the church of ,,christ had risen to her duty2 in a word1 had greater union prevailed among her members8 ,she has had strength1 resources1 opportunities2 she has not lacked zeal1 intelligence1 nor encouragement2 but she has expended her strength1 in that which profiteth nothing2 her resources1 in fostering intestine warfare2 and perverted her opportunities1 to promote sectarian dogmas1 and anti-christian strife4 ,we are called bitterly to mourn these departures from the ,spirit of ,,christ2 and thus with shame1 to confess that we are verily guilty concerning our heathen brethren4 ,upon the christian church1 has been laid the obligation to preach to them the ,gospel2 but alas6 we have fearfully neglected our duty1 or at least very inadequately performed it4 ,but see1 my beloved brethren1 what influence this christian unity would exert1 and what consequences would follow from it in the conversion of the world4 ,for the church would then be a witness for the truths and excellence of the glorious gospel--and how important is that6 ,it is in the church that the men of the world study the gospel4 ,they care not to investigate its real nature1 as revealed in the bible--they care not to study its features1 in the character of ,,christ--they care not to attend to its delineation in the ordinance of preaching4 ,but they can see it in professors--and they will scrutinize their character1 and keen sighted and vigilant are they in detecting evil1 and discerning imperfections4 ,and how invariably have the division1 discord1 and strifes of the church1 laid a stumbling block in the way of the enquirer--strengthened the worldly in their prejudices against the truth1 and confirmed the unbeliever in his incredulity and contempt4 ,but on the other hand2 a church1 spiritual1 zealous1 devoted1 one in love to each other1 in love to ,,christ and love to souls1 would bear upon itself its own credentials4 ,the world convinced by such evidence1 and impressed by such scenes1 would acknowledge 8that ,,god was with us of a truth10 our religion would be honoured1 and 8the name of our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ glorified40 ,and again--if such unity existed and prevailed1 the whole undivided energies and resources of the church1 would be at liberty1 and ready to be devoted to the extension of the gospel1 and the salvation of the world4 ,much strength is now lost in our conflicts with each other--much squandered upon vain and profitless discussion4 ,let these hitherto mis-employed energies be called forth--these perverted resources gathered into the proper channels2 and then may we not hope that the church of ,,christ would present an unbroken front to the powers of evil1 and move on one compact and irresistible host to secure the happy subjection of all things to our ,redeemer4 ,the cultivation of this spirit moreover1 would place us in a state of eminent preparedness for our glorious work4 ,our minds would no longer be engaged in minor objects1 but would constantly recognize the one great end--the conversion of the world to ,,christ4 ,all occasions of envying1 strife1 and division being removed2 what agents would ,christians be in this holy enterprize8 ,men baptized with pity for souls and love to ,,jesus--burning with ardent zeal to make him known--counting not their lives dear unto themselves1 so that they may set forth the unsearchable riches of ,,christ4 ,and in answer to the united prayers of such an united people1 ,,christ would send forth his ,holy ,spirit as it never yet has come4 ,yes6 beloved brethren6 only let there be unity in the church1 and scenes1 of which ,pentecost was but a type1 an imperfect emblem1 will presently appear4 ,much has been done in preparing for the approaching harvest4 ,the seed is thickly sown1 and is being sown still more thickly4 ,the preached word--millions of bibles--the hundreds of millions of tracts--the labors of ,sunday schools1 and the efforts of missionaries2 all these have scattered wide the sacred gospel4 ,and now what wait we for8 ,oh6 beloved6 for the shower which these united prayers of the united church shall bring down2 then1 and not till then1 nations will be converted to ,,jesus2 the world will be brought to his feet believing2 earth shall raise its triumphant song--8,hallelujah for the ,,lord ,,god omnipotent reigneth4 ,the kingdoms of this world1 c4 ,hallelujah40--,the church is one4--,the world is ,,christ',s4 ,having already detained you so long1 ,i feel reluctant to trespass upon your patience further4 ,i must however not forget that my duty would be still more imperfectly performed than it has been already1 were ,i not to make honourable mention of that great and noble society2 the claims of which ,i would in conclusion urge upon you4 ,i say great and noble society1 for such verily it is2 whether you regard the broad and catholic principle upon which it was originally founded--the eminent and pious who have adorned its ranks--the devoted1 self-denying1 and exemplary men who have been its missionaries--or the signal success and peculiar blessing with which the 8,,god of all grace0 has crowned its operations4 ,these are days in which missionary societies proceed with rapid strides2 and it is interesting to a devout and enlightened mind1 to review the history of such institutions2 to trace them in the infancy of their existence1 the feebleness of their first efforts1 the perils and danger attendant upon their course2 and then to rejoice in every year of their advancing strength and prosperity4 ,in the case before us1 whether we consider the signs of the times when the foundation of this society was laid1 amidst the fall of thrones and the convulsion of the civilized world2 or the limited means and feeble agency1 with which it commenced its efforts for the redemption of the nations2 or the gigantic obstacles1 both at home and abroad1 which were then presented to its progress2 or whether we glance at the superhuman and glorious results1 which in every sphere of its labours have rewarded its toils2 reason1 no less than piety1 will give utterance to humility and praise in the poetic strains of inspiration1 8not unto us ,o ,,lord1 not unto us2 but to thy name give glory1 for thy mercy1 and for thy truth's sake40 ,we rejoice in the happy contrast presented to our view1 between the state of things now1 and that of former days4 ,when this society commenced its benevolent career1 there were many formidable obstacles with which the originators of such institutions had to contend4 ,great ignorance and gross mis-conception prevailed as to the real condition1 social and moral1 of ,pagan nations4 ,the visitors of heathen countries had contented themselves with merely glancing at the surface of society1 even often purposely refraining from a detail of evils and enormities they could not have failed to have observed1 whilst others denied the vices they had no care to suppress1 and the existence of miseries which their own interest or influence had served but to aggravate4 ,it was indeed maintained that the negro race in general1 the ,hottentot in particular1 was the connecting link between the animal and human species1 though partaking far more largely of the attributes of the brute1 than the similitude of the man4 ,but on the other hand1 the inhabitants of the east were glowingly described as blest with civilization1 and enlightened by science2 and although the objects and forms of their worship were diversified1 yet as their eulogists affirmed1 their veneration for their gods was sincere and unbounded2 while in social life1 they were patterns of excellence--kind in their tempers1 and lovely in their manners--living to make each other happy1 and dying in the assurance of paradise hereafter4 ,such were the popular falsehoods to be combated and refuted1 at the very outset of the missionary enterprize4 ,but where are now the advocates of ,paganism1 and the apologists for ,idolatry8 ,the moral condition of the heathen is better understood to-day1 by the children in our schools1 than it was by the enlightened classes of society fifty years ago2 and the necessity of the gospel to meet the wants1 and heal the sufferings of mankind1 has become a familiar and undisputed truth4 ,and by whom have these idle tales and gross fabrications been exposed8 ,by the men of ,,god1 sent forth from our midst1 who have lived with the heathen1 and for the heathen2 from whose concurrent testimony the church has learned1 and the world has been constrained to admit1 that idolatry in all its varied forms1 is an abominable thing2 that its principles are founded on falsehood and absurdity1 and that its requirements are cruel and obscene4 ,in the early days of missionary efforts1 the fields of labour were necessarily few and contracted4 ,the wide and effectual doors opened to us were then closed1 and for admission our revered forerunners entreated and pleaded in vain4 ,their ardent zeal panted for access to the teeming and degraded multitudes of ,india4 ,but by the merchant1 the soldier1 and the statesman1 the christian missionary was alike denounced and resisted4 ,the robber and the spoiler were found in the train of the ,british conqueror2 but the minister of heavenly mercy might not set his foot upon those distant shores4 ,now1 thanks be to ,,god1 how altered is the scene2 the legislature of our country has awarded religious freedom to ,india2 and now the missionary may go through the length and breadth of that mighty empire1 testifying to the ,mussulman and idolator 8repentance towards ,,god1 and faith towards our ,,lord ,,jesus ,,christ10 unmolested by the natives1 and befriended by his countrymen4 ,if the early friends of missions excluded from the millions of ,india1 turned their attention to the colonies of the west2 there the curse of slavery rested with all its unmitigated horrors4 ,and whilst christian compassion wept over the lacerated body1 or the more tortured spirit of the deeply injured negro2 the stern voice of the oppressor forbade the application of the balm that might have soothed and healed his bleeding heart4 ,in the judgment of the slave-holder to instruct the negro in the mild principles of ,christianity1 was an offence not to be forgiven1 an evil pregnant with every conceivable danger2 and of all men1 the missionary was the man most to be dreaded and detested4 ,but the spirit of justice1 philanthropy1 and religion1 maintained the hard fought contest1 till the spirit of oppression though unchanged1 was compelled to yield2 and amidst the scenes where ,smith was martyred as the friend of the slave--where the sanctuaries of ,,god were pillaged and destroyed--where faithful brethren were seized1 imprisoned1 and threatened with death1 there liberty has been proclaimed to the captive1 and there the glorious gospel of the blessed ,,god has gladdened and governed the hearts of thousands4 ,in ,southern ,africa also where the arms of our country had triumphed1 ,british power was exerted for the support of slavery1 and the discouragement of christian missions4 ,the feelings of the colonists in general1 were well expressed by the ,dutch farmer1 who in reply to the proposal of ,robert ,moffat to preach the gospel to his servants1 exclaimed with a voice of thunder6--8preach to the ,hottentots--preach to the dogs40 ,but now1 thanks be to the ,,god of missions1 the ,hottentot is free2 the ,caffre is protected1 and the wandering and hostile tribes of the desert enjoy the advantages of liberty1 order1 and peace2 sanctified and enhanced by the blessings of religion4 ,but surpassing all other wonders of a gracious providence on behalf of missions--,china1 which from time immemorial barred her gates against the stranger2 which ten years ago appeared equally impregnable for ages to come4 ,china itself is open6 ,opened to an extent far beyond our power of occupation4 ,already the faithful evangelist proclaims the gospel of salvation in her crowded cities1 none making him afraid1 and many giving welcome to his message4 ,of the christian missionary then1 so lately proscribed in the east and west1 excluded from the deserts of ,africa and the cities of ,china1 it may now be said 8the world is all before him where to choose1 and providence his guide40 ,can we not trace the hand of ,,god in all this1 and say 8what hath ,,god wrought40 ,to form a just estimate of the benefits that have directly resulted from the missionary labors of this and other kindred societies1 during the brief period of their varied efforts1 it is necessary that we should attentively consider the magnitude of our design--the conversion of #fjj millions of idolators to christianity--a multitude diversified in habits1 language1 and character--the limited amount of agency that has yet been employed--the antiquity of the various systems of idolatry which prevail1 in contrast with the novelty and strangeness of the gospel claims2 and above all1 the perfect congeniality of heathenism1 to the depraved principles and passions of the human nature1 in opposition to the humbling and sanctifying influence of ,christianity4 ,these considerations are suggested1 not for the purpose of alleviating disappointment and bespeaking forbearance to a narrative of failures2 but rather to heighten our pleasure and enlarge our gratitude1 that amidst obstacles so gigantic and with means so limited1 we have in the short space of fifty years been favored through the divine blessing1 with success so varied and abundant--success1 both in character and amount1 it may be confidently affirmed1 greatly exceeding the largest expectations of the fathers of the cause4 ,this society has laboured to bless suffering man amidst the different forms of his guilt and misery1 in ,asia1 ,africa1 ,polynesia1 and the ,west ,indies4 ,and in which of these wide fields of its mercy has it failed8 ,it has laboured for his happiness in relation to the life that now is1 as well as that which is to come1 and in which of its designs of mercy has it not succeeded8 ,behold the triumphs of christian missions in the peaceful villages and cultivated plains of ,africa--in the contentment and prosperity of the ,west ,indian freed-man--in the ,polynesian savage1 transformed into the kind husband1 the tender parent1 and the happy man6 ,what numerous evils have not been terminated1 and what daring crimes have not been prevented by the influence of missions8 ,how many a widow1 otherwise doomed to perish amidst the horrors of the burning pile1 now lives6 ,how many an infant1 destined to die by the hands of its mother1 is now pressed to her bosom6 ,how many a victim1 marked as a sacrifice to the gods of his country1 now trusts and adores the ,,god of salvation6 ,yes6 we do rejoice in these supplementary advantages of christian missions2 but had our success been limited to these1 we should have deemed success itself a failure4 ,our first1 our noblest aim1 is not to civilize but to evangelize the heathen2 not only to raise the savage to the dignity of man1 but to raise man to fellowship with ,,god4 ,and in every scene of conflict with error and sin1 the champions of the truth have maintained a good fight1 and have been heard exulting1 8now thanks be to ,,god who always causeth us to triumph in ,,christ1 and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place40 ,theirs is no empty boast1 as they indulge these joyous strains4 ,they point in ,africa to the wandering marauder1 once more ferocious than the lion which prowls amidst her sandy deserts1 now harmless and gentle as the lamb6 ,in ,india to the ,brahmin1 once the object of idolatry1 now of scorn2 once caressed by friends and loved by kindred1 now a solitary outcast2 8but what things were gain to him1 he has counted loss for ,,christ40 ,in the ,isles of the ,pacific to the man1 once both the destroyer and consumer of his fellow man2 but now the cannibal delights in peace1 and breathes the amenities of love4 ,in the ,west ,indies to redeemed multitudes1 once in harder and viler bondage than their crudest oppressors could impose on their emaciated frame2 but the ,,son ,,of ,,god has made them free1 and 8they are free indeed40 ,but on the other hand this society has had to mingle her tears with her praises1 and exhibits the trials as well as the triumphs of faith4 ,from ,madagascar the shepherds have indeed been driven1 and their flocks scattered2 they wander amid the wilderness as lambs among wolves1 and many have been offered as a sacrifice upon the altar of their faith4 ,from the deserts of ,siberia also1 where for more than twenty years our faithful brethren laboured with untiring zeal1 to plant amid those snowy solitudes the garden of the ,,lord--they have been driven from their much loved toil4 ,in ,tahiti also1 where our fathers gathered their plenteous1 yet long delayed first-fruits1 we have been called to reap the bitterest sorrow4 ,the envious eye and malignant spirit of popery could not tolerate that fair field of protestant faith and apostolic piety2 and in the ,government of ,france she found a mind sufficiently ungenerous1 and a hand sufficiently oppressive1 to effect the desolation of that lonely island4 ,alas6 freedom bleeds1 and injustice triumphs in ,tahiti4 ,the people have fled from their homes to breathe the air of freedom in the fastnesses of the mountains1 and the christian queen is now a fugitive from her native isle4 ,nor these things only4 ,our success has provoked the zeal of our adversaries4 ,idolatry1 which once regarded our efforts with silent scorn1 now feels our power1 and arms itself for resistance4 ,popery tracks the footsteps of the christian mission2 not in ,tahiti only1 but in ,china1 ,india1 ,africa1 the ,west ,indies--on every soil they tread4 ,yes6 beloved brethren1 we must not dream of repose1 or allow our past success to lull us into security or indifference4 ,the hosts of earth and hell are opposed to us2 they unite in strong phalanx against the ,,lord1 and against ,his ,anointed4 ,unity is their watch-word1 for unity is their strength--combination and co-operation are their principles4 ,let us be taught by the enemy2 let us put on the whole armour of ,,god1 that we may be able to stand in the evil day2 and over all1 8put on charity which is the very bond of perfection40 ,remember1 beloved brethren1 that in an united advance against the enemy1 the victory is sure4 ,the ,captain of our ,salvation is now gone forth conquering and to conquer4 ,to ,him are given 8the heathen for his inheritance1 and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession40 ,and 8,he must reign until he shall have put all enemies under his feet40 ,the cause1 the glorious cause is advancing6 ,christians will you not help it8 ,the conflict has begun6 ,christians will you not join it8 ,the final triumph of ,messiah is at hand2 even now the angelic hosts are preparing their golden harps to celebrate with the rejoicing heaven and redeemed earth1 the consummation so ardently anticipated by the ,redeemer--so long desired by the church--so cordially hailed in promise--so fervently supplicated in prayer2 even the complete unity of the church1 and by consequence ,,the ,,universal ,,conquest ,,of ,,the ,,world6 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,geo4 ,m4 ,smith1 ,printer1 ,ironbridge4