Very Dear Brethren: Convinced as we are that the time has come, in which we can respond to the call of dying millions of our race, who are still in nature's night and know not God, we feel that we could not present for your prayerful consideration, a subject of more momentous interest than the subject of MissionsOurs is an unparralled [sic] age, an age of sublime enterprise in all the arts and sciences; no conception too sublime, no task too arduous to forbid an effort. As a result of zeal and energy we travel almost with the swiftness of the wind, whilst the lightning writes our thoughts in other climes, eclipsing the glory of by-gone ages, and pointing with bright anticipation to the future. Having proved the efficiency of means, it does not require a prophetic eye to see, that, at no very remote period of time, Christian influence must come in close contact with those influences which are so detrimental to the social happiness and the interests of man. The missionary cause combines within itself elements of the highest and holiest character; the object, the glory of God and the salvation of immortal souls - the most glorious enterprise which was ever-linked with the destinies of fallen men.
Will not the Christian world awake more fully to the interests of Messiah's kingdom, and pray for that zeal that once a animated the disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? By reviewing the history of the past, we find that, when the Apostles were gathered home, man's
energy abated in the missionary cause. The result was, the missionary spirit greatly abated until the days of the Reformation, when a few sought to know and to do the will of God. These servants of the Most High God have passed away, but their works follow them; and from the days of the Reformation until the nineteenth century a feeble few have been contending against the powers of darkness, amidst persecution, famine, disease and death.We hail the nineteenth century as the time pointed to by the prophet Daniel in viewing the time in which "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Our world is now inhabited by nearly one thousand millions of human beings. Of this vast number something over two hundred millions profess Christianity. Perhaps not more than one hundred million are truly the disciples of Christ. We think, after having surveyed the field before us, that not less than eight hundred millions are without a knowledge of the plan of Redemption through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and are crowding the broad road to death. Jesus Christ, our great Missionary from heaven, hath said, "The field is the world." "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." Let us look briefly at the world, geographically. First, glancing an eye over our bright and happy land, we discover that a large part of our Western territory is inhabited only by ruthless savages who are trampling upon the blessings of Heaven. It can be truly said of them, "they dwell in habitations of cruelty." Ever and anon we hear the war-cry as it recedes in the distance, and we plainly see "the axe is laid at the root of the tree." Shall we not try the weapons of our spiritual warfare effectually, before we are compelled to wage a war of extermination against the larger portion of the red men of
the West? The Gospel of Christ alone can save them from impending ruin, and if they refuse the heavenly message we shall soon witness the truth of the sentiment uttered in "The Poor Indian's Lament."
"They waste us, Ah! Like April snow,
Now in the morn we sink away;
And fast they follow us; we go
Towards the setting day.
And they shall fill the land, while we
Are driven into the western sea."We have their lands, and shall we refuse them the Bible? The way is fairly opened before us; let us co-operate with our brethren who are laboring in the western wilds. From the west turn the eye to that once favored land where the angelic missionaries from heaven proclaimed "Good tidings of great joy." Nearly the whole of that once favored land is spell-bound by Mohammedan delusion, except here and there a Syrian church or a missionary station. Although the northern nations are under the government of a Christian prince, they are scarcely nominally Christian. Who could stand by the ruins of once highly favored churches, now the resort of that bat and owl for protection from the noon-day sun, amidst the almost unbroken silence - broken only by the whistle of the quail, the cawing of the crow, or the Turk returning with his flocks seeking his humble hut - without reflecting upon the just judgments of sin-avenging God. Let our churches take warning. We will next turn to Africa. How little of this vast continent has been reclaimed by missionary labor! The remainder is bound by the brutal manacles of idolatry, which, like the blasting simoon, has withered the mind, destroying parental affection, urging the mother to tear from her bosom her smiling babe and throw it in the Nile to feed the monsters of the deep. In
many portions of the country, bands of lawless banditti frequently lay waster the villages of the defenceless inhabitants. In Europe one nation stands preeminently above all others in the cause of evangelizing the world, whist many of them still slumber, needing the assistance of missionaries among them, bound by the fetters of papal superstition - the result of which we see in Italy, with her prisons crowded with condemned criminals waiting the time of their execution. In France, the great emporium of human folly, how little is known of the religion of Jesus. A feeble few are struggling against the powers of darkness, and calling loudly for continued aid form this side of the Atlantic. China with her deluded millions has become restless under the galling yoke of superstition, and like some mighty giant is struggling to throw off her chains. Already much fruit of missionary labor is seen there. Shall we not co-operate with our brethren who have gone to China to preach Christ crucified, by our prayers and contributions? Go where we will, we find man the same fallen creature, following the blind infatuation of his own heart, rushing with impetuosity to the bosom of destruction; for it is written, "Without holiness no man shall see the Lord." Where can be found a holy heathen? Of their religion it is a shame to speak. But let us return to our own land. We see in many portions there is great destitution. He who is a Christian most certainly will inquire, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" To him who is chosen of God, Christ speaks and says, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations." How often do we hear this reply - "I would do more if I could, but the interests of my family require my attention, whilst the worth of immortal souls is pressing heavily upon my heart; but I must provide for my own." Here we make a solemn appeal
to all; and shall our appeal be answered as the appeal to Pharoah was when made by the children of Israel, laying upon us a heavier burthen, by saying the work must be done, and urging us to go. Are there not some of our ministers who have proved themselves active and efficient laborers, whose labors have been blessed, who could go a little further with our help, who are willing to count all things loss for the sake of the testimony of Jesus, willing to spend and be spent in the cause of Christ.Brethren, God hath taught us that "it is more blessed to give than to receive," and as the glorious Gospel of the Son of God is to all the richest boon of Heaven, all and everything to fallen man, shall we lose the reward of the Giver, and the hungry perish for the lack of the bread of life? Will we not begin anew our efforts, either separately as Churches, or as an Association, or by co-operating with [the] General Association. God hath abundantly blessed the labors of brethren connected with the General Association. During the last year twenty-two missionaries have been in the field, who were supported in whole or in part by voluntary contributions, whose united labors resulted in the hopeful conversion of nine hundred and seventy-eight persons. This should inspire us with the belief that God is smiling upon their labors of love, and stimulate us to such co-operation as the cause of Christ demands.
Brethren, in view of a coming judgment, where every man shall be judged according as his works shall be, let us try to do the will of our Father which is in Heaven.
========= [From Campbell County (KY) Baptist Association Minutes, 1858, pp. 7-11. The document is from the Campbell County Historical Society Library. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall]
More Kentucky Circular Letters
Baptist History Homepage