THE

DOMESTIC MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

MAY, 1844.

BOARD OF MISSIONS.

For the Domestic Missionary Chronicle.

Domestic Missions.--No. 1.

Designing to make some remarks on the subject of Domestic Missions, we commence by showing that the preaching of the Gospel is the great and principal means of the conviction and conversion of men.

tained, and which was the standard to which there was an invariable appeal, was read, expounded, and enforced. "The Lord gave the word, and great was the company of those who published it." Great was the company of the seers and prophets, who, from time to time, preached against the crimes of their countrymen, and exhorted them to repentance; many of whom boldly announced to their sovereign the truths of God— Shemaiah preached to Rehoboam, Ahaziah and Hanani to Asa, Micaiah and Elijah to Ahab. Some of their discourses are on record; the most of which are probably only schemes or analyses of what was an

Its importance must be acknowledged, when we consider it a Divinely-instituted means; the instrument which God has appointed for conveying the truths of revealed religion; and has employed in every age, and under every dispensation. From the earliest period salvation has been communicated to fallen man by audible sounds;|| and such annunciation by the human voice, has, by the blessing of God, been most ef. fectual. It has enlightened the ignorant,nounced at large. These public teachers aroused the careless, and brought to repentance the profane and wicked. It has pacified the broken-hearted, directed the doubtful, confirmed the wavering, emboldened the timid, and comforted the sorrowful.

When men first associated together, pub. licly to "call upon the name of the Lord," Enoch preached, and from the Apostle we learn something of the doctrines which he delivered to his hearers, and the fidelity with which he warned them of a future judgment. Noah, too, was "a preacher of righteousness" to the disobedient Antideluvians, the Spirit of Christ moving upon their hearts, and the long-suffering of God bearing with them. Under the Mosaic economy, men were raised up by God to an nounce his truth, and by preaching to give instruction to the people through all the land of Israel. His will was reduced to writing, and the Book in which it was con

opened schools or theological seminaries, in which was taught the pure doctrine of Mo

scs.

One was near Ramah; another at Jericho; a third at Bethel, where youth were instructed, and where the people often resorted to offer prayer, and hear the exposition of Scripture. The effects of these public and private lessons of piety upon the principles and morals of the people were amazing. Indeed, it is very evident that pure religion prospered just in proportion as preaching flourished, and declined just as that decayed, or was suppressed. When the people had no "open vision," and the "word of the Lord was scarce;" when they were left "without a teaching priest, and without the law," then they were ripe for the judgments of God; when they "mocked at the messengers of God, despised his word, and misused his prophets," then "the wrath of the Lord arose, and

The wisdom of God is apparent in the adoption of this means to spread the Gos

there was no remedy;" when he took away commissioned the Apostles to "go and his preached word and ordinances, they preach the Gospel," he instituted no new seemed to be Loammi, "not his people." means of propagating the truth; it had been When for their crimes they were driven into in existence ages before, and now was only captivity, the prophets who accompanied to be extended "throughout the world," to them neglected not the duty of preaching: "all nations," to " every creature." in private houses they orally inculcated the principles of their religion, and faithfully warned their countrymen against the idola-pel, and to bring men to its obedience. He try that surrounded them. One, an extraordinary preacher, is particularly mentioned; Ezekiel, who was endowed with singular abilities for the exccution of his office. We have recorded several of the pointed sermons which he delivered, the doctrines which he taught, and the manner in which he announced them. After their return from captivity, the Jews had many preachers, the most distinguished of whom seemed to be Ezra. We learn from Scripture, how he assembled the people in Jerusalem, and ascending a pulpit, "read the law," and gave the interpretation thereof." At this time synagogues were multiplied in all the cities and towns of Judea; the Scriptures were read and explained, and preaching became almost universal. To the influence of such instruction, imparted on every Sabbath, rather than to the severity of their affliction, are we to ascribe the return of this whole nation to the belief and worship of the one true God; are we to attribute the interesting fact that they never afterwards relapsed into idolatry.

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When the Gospel dispensation was about to be introduced, John the Baptist appeared, commissioned to announce the advent of Messiah, and taking Elijah as his model, preached the doctrine of repentance, in a style the most vehement, with imagery the most bold, and with a popularity of which his enemies were afraid. Jesus Christ, when he reached the age at which men were commissioned to perform the duty, commenced preaching, and continued it until the close of his life in doctrine and spirit, he "spake as never man spake;" and with a success truly astonishing. "Five hundred brethren at once" witnessed his resurrection; some of whom were, no doubt, converted through the instrumentality of the Apostles, and the Seventy, but most of whom were, probably, the fruits of his ministry.

who formed the soul of man, and knows how it is impressed and affected, has here wisely consulted the constitution of our frame, and employed the very best mode of effecting the desired end. The living voice of the speaker, the countenance, the gesture, the audible appeals to the understanding and conscience, the sympathy that is created between him and his hearers, the direct passage from heart to heart that is made by speaking-these are adapted to awaken attention, to excite interest, to apply truth, and to make an impression deep and lasting. Such an impression as could never be made by the mere reading of the Gospel of Christ, They teach us (in the language of Scripture) "how forcible are right words," and that " as iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his friend." In considering the wonders effected by the ancient Greek and Roman orators, can we conceive of the production of such effects, if the people had merely read in their retirement the celebrated orations that were spoken to them? Could Peter the Hermit in any other way have roused all Europe to engage in the Croisade?

In another view we feel the wisdom of this means, and the necessity of an order of men to proclaim the great truths of religion. In a world like this, where men obtain their subsistence only by "the sweat of their brow," the mass of the people are so engaged in their necessary avocations that they have little leisure for the acquisition of knowledge: the greater part are so deficient even in the elementary parts of education, that they are unable to read the Scriptures. Of those who have the ability, what multitudes possess no disposition? But those who have the inclination and the ability to gratify it, find the preaching of the Gospel far more impressive than the mere reading of the Word of God: the day, the place, It is then obvious that when our Lord the occasion, the assemblage for worship,

all so awaken interest and feeling, as to
give to
this means peculiar importance.
These are reasons why preaching is as ne-
cessary now, as it was in ancient times.

Julian of the importance of this mode of impressing the people, that in his efforts to restore Heathen impiety, he employed philosophers to preach once a week against the Christian religion, and inculcate the principles of Paganism; and if God had not suddenly cut him off, he would, by a means so artful, have soon accomplished the design which he meditated.

The Reformation from Popery was car

The testimony of Scripture is clear and express, that preaching has been, still is, and will continue to be, the chief means of salvation. "When in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." "I have begot-ried on principally by preaching. ten you," says Paul to the Corinthians, "through the Gospel," evidently the preached Gospel. "Who were born," says Peter, "not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God." "Of his own will," saith James, "begat he us with the word of truth." But no passage is more expressive than that of Paul, in his Epistle | to the Romans: "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"-the word heard, and, therefore, preached. "How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard, and how shall they hear without a preacher ?" Upon this means God has promised a special blessing, evidently teaching us that it is a Divine institution; an appointed channel through which spiritual blessings flow.

The

avidity of the people to read the Scriptures,
and to hear it expounded, was wonderful,
and multitudes crowded to the Reformers,
who were superior preachers, who fearlessly
inveighed against the corruptions of the Pa-
pacy, and bore an honourable testimony to
"the faith once delivered to the saints."
Under the bold and faithful preaching of
Calvin and Luther, Knox and Zuingle,
Cranmer and Latimer, the Reformation soon
became general and national, and flew like
lightning through all parts of Europe. From
that time to the present, the preached word
has been "the power and the wisdom of
God to salvation." Religion has been so
nearly co-extensive with preaching, that
where it is not heard, there no piety is visi-
ble; and, on the contrary, where faithful
preaching has long been enjoyed, there reli-
gion exists and flourishes.
part of those who have been enlightened
and sanctified, ascribe the change which
they have experienced, under God, to "the
hearing of faith." Far more knowledge of
religious subjects, and far deeper impressions

The far greater

All experience shows that preaching has been the great means of promoting the conversion and salvation of men. It was evidently so under the Old Testament dispensation; and we have seen that the reading and exposition of the Law and the Prophets in the synagogues, prevented the Jews from being drawn into the idolatry of the Hea-have been gained from this source than from then, and preserved among them a thorough all other human labours. Nor was any knowledge of God and his laws. That by method ever devised so convenient, so cheap, this means the Christian religion was widely so effectual for the purpose of diffusing inand successfully propagated in the first ages struction-it is worthy of its great Author of Christianity, must be evident to all who it is a Divine institution. read the Acts of the Apostles, and the his. tory of the Church immediately succeeding the Apostolic age. As the Jews had their synagogues, in which the Scriptures were read and explained, so Christians at the very beginning had their churches, in which all the doctrines, and duties of their religion were inculcated, and enforced This, by the Divine blessing, tended to its preservation and extension; and under all the oppressions and persecutions which the Heathen devised for its suppression, it every where grew and increased. So sensible was the apostate

Says the great Christian poet,
"The Pulpit
Must stand acknowledged, while the world shall
The most important and effectual guard,
Support, and ornament, of virtue's cause."

stand,

The reading of the Scriptures is an important instrument of instruction in Divine truth, but valuable as it is, it cannot, in any age, however enlightened, supersede the necessity of a preached Gospel. It is pleasing to know that upon this principle all our great and benevolent religious institutions are acting. The Bible Society, in diffusing the Scrip

BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS.

tures among the destitute, are professedly ||ing God, saves those that believe." They preparing the way for the living teachers. are sure to take their offspring to the house The Tract Society, scattering far its precious of God to receive the instructions of his minleaves, and circulating widely its valuable isters; and on their return home, they care. publications, has in view the like end, and fully watch over the seed sown in the sancwould render the preaching of the Gospel tuary, and water it with a father's prayers more efficacious. The Sunday School Union, mingled with a mother's tears. in planting Sabbath Schools in places where Gospel is preached, and the ministry enjoyed, Where the no stated ministry is enjoyed, is anticipating there the Scripture is the most devoutly the same happy result. Christian parents read, and religious education the most faithwho are sedulously attentive to family edu- fully observed. It is attested by the history cation, and who are looking forward with of practical and experimental religion in hope and expectation to the salvation of their every country and of every age. children, continually feel that "by preach

COMMUNICATIONS FROM MISSIONARIES.

ARKANSAS.

FROM A MISSIONARY IN PULASKI COUNTY.

A Church Organized. Since I last wrote you, I have organized a Church of seven members; although the number is small, the prospect is favourable. I ordained two elders, who are men of intelligence, and possessing, as I trust, all the requisites for usefulness.

In these ends of the earth, where every thing is required to be done from the beginning, things are to be received very differently from what they would be in other circumstances. The only ground on which we can build our hopes for the success of the Gospel, is patient and persevering effort, in dependence on the Lord's blessing. It is consoling to be assured that he does not despise the day of small things; "He breaks not the bruised reed, nor quenches the smoking flax." Did we not know, from the whole history of the Church, that its general progress has been almost imperceptible, we might faint from discouragement, and conclude that nothing is doing. We know however, that duty is our part, success can come from God alone.

General State of the Church, Great Want of Ministers, and of means for supporting them.-As regards the general interests of our Church in Arkansas, I would again respectfully say to the Board, that it is exceedingly important more labourers

K.

be sent here. I am aware that other fields are numerous, and the calls to occupy been unduly neglected? I have now been them are urgent, but has not Arkansas here more than sixteen years; during been the only Presbyterian minister in a a considerable part of that time, I have district larger than Pennsylvania; as yet there are, strictly speaking, but four rated from each other, some of us having besides myself. We are all widely sepato travel nearly two hundred miles on horseback, to attend a meeting of Presbytery. From this statement it will be seen that there are very extensive portions of Arkansas entirely unoccupied by our own Church. I would not be understood here as overlooking or undervaluing the labours of some faithful and devoted brethren of other denominations; we are thankful for such labours. But there is an immense field here still unoccupied,.and I can say with truth, that intelligent, devoted Presbyterian ministers are received with peculiar favour, and their prospects of usefulness would be as encouraging here as in any of the new states with the same population.

There are several places I would name as especially entitled to the attention of our young brethren, who may turn their thoughts to the far West.

Batesville, a pleasant village on White river in the northern portion of the state; in that place a small church is organized.