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prosperity of the Churches at home, is fending strongly to encourage the progress and secure the ultimate success of the Missions abroad. Every Pastor, and every private Christian, who moves actively and faithfully in his own proper sphere, does his duty, and is instrumental of good at home, is aiding, and very efficiently aiding, the cause of Missions among the heathen. Every religious meeting which is attended and improved; every revival of religion which is experienced; every humble prayer which is offered up; indeed every thing which is done for the honor and advancement of true religion among ourselves, is not without its influence on the progress of that cause, which is ultimately to fill the earth with the Saviour's name and glory.

In view of the representations which have been made, it appears not without reason, that the most active friends of foreign. Missions, are among the most efficient promoters of religion in our own country. That this is in fact the case, no persons of intelligence and impartiality will doubt. If we look over the names of those Ministers and private Christians, who are doing most at the present time for the success of Missions among the heathen; we shall find, perhaps in all instances, that they stand preeminent in the number of those, who are laboring to instruct the rising generation, educate pious youth for the Ministry, raise the tone of Christian feeling, and promote the triumphs of the cross among ourselves. And if what has been said is true, there are good reasons why it should be so. The spirit required in both species of labor is the same; and besides, the two causes are most intimately connected, and are in fact but one cause. If the Churches at home fall or decay, the foreign establishments must

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fall or decay with them. It would be as preposterous therefore in any one, to attempt raising foreign Missions upon the ruins of the Churches at home, as for the builders of a tower to undermine its deep foundations, with the hope of obtaining materials for carrying up its top.

Indeed, the grand system of religious effort in operation at the present day, though consisting of a variety of branches, is still a stupendous whole. Its dependencies are mutual; its connexions we trust indissoluble. May it continue in harmonious and vigorous movement, till the darkness of an hundred ages is dissipated, and the light of Divine truth has illumined the world.

DISCOURSE XIV.*

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EVIL SURMISINGS" IN RESPECT TO MISSIONS EXPOSED AND REFUTED.

1 Timothy vi. 4. "evil surmisings.".

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AMONG the bitter fruits and properties of a proud and sinful heart, the Apostle enumerates in the verse with the text, "envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings." By "evil surmisings" we are to understa unwarrantable jealousies, or sinful and uncha able suspicions. Such a disposition is the opposite of that holy charity, which is so highly commended in the sacred volume. Charity "believeth all things,” and “hopeth all things." Charity will incline its possessor to put the best construction possible on the words, actions, and characters of his fellow men. But those who give way to "evil surmisings" will put the worst construction possible upon the actions of others. Such, instead of being disposed to "cover a multitude of sins," will pretend to see sins where there are none; and will be surmising and imagining evil, where none is intended, and none exists.

We all know how troublesome such a disposition is in families and neighbourhoods. How much alienation and bitterness, how many hard feelings, ma

* Delivered at West Boylston (Mass.) Sept. 18, 1822, before the Religious Charitable Society of Worcester County.

licious whispers, and slanderous speeches, are the result of "evil surmisings ?"

We have reason to know too, how troublesome this same temper is in Churches. Probably, "evil surmisings" have produced more difficulties in Churches, more scandals to religion, and more wounds to the Saviour in the house of his friends, than any other cause.

The evil of such a spirit might also be traced, in its influence upon communities and nations. It is this which prompts persons, not to observe the conduct of their rulers, and guard against encroachments from them, but to be unreasonably jealous, and to censure and abuse them when perhaps they deserve praise. This same disposition has often involved nations in war, and strewed the earth with slain.-It might be interesting, were it convenient, to enlarge on the effect of evil surmisings”—of an unreasonably jealous, suspicious temper, in relation to each of these particulars. This however is not my present design.

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We live, it is often said, in a wonderful age-an age when great things are attempted, and great things accomplished, in a way of spreading the gospel among the destitute. True Christians of all denominations are embarking in one vast moral enterprise, the object of which is confessedly no other than the conversion of the world." In forwarding this most noble object, not only are great exertions made, but large sums of money are necessarily collected and expended.

Till within a few years, this work advanced with but little avowed opposition. If secret hostility was felt, it was not prominently exhibited, and the vast system of means which had been put in motion for the enlightening and reclaiming of benighted men, was

permitted to operate undisturbed. But things, in this respect, have latterly assumed a new aspect. Individuals, in different parts of the country, have risen up, with an open determination to oppose the Lord's work, to hinder the fulfilment of his precious promises, to arrest the progress of light and truth, and prevent the universal spread of the religion and kingdom of Christ.

As the opposers of Missionary operations have few or no facts on which to rely, they place their chief dependence on what the Apostle denominates "evil surmisings." They abound in jealousies and suspicions, which are expressed, perhaps in hints and whispers, though not unfrequently in the most palpable misrepresentations.

Sometimes the motives of those who engage in the Missionary work are suspected and impeached. Their apparent self-denials, labors, and sufferings are attributed to pride, avarice, indolence, or a love of fame.

Sometimes the truth of the accounts furnished by them, as to the ignorance and wretchedness of the heathen among whom they dwell, and the success attending their endeavours to enlighten and reclaim them, is called in question and denied. The whole is represented as an exaggerated statement, intended to further their sinister and selfish designs.

But the more common suspicion relating to the subject is, that the funds contributed for the benefit of Missions are misapplied. "They never reach their destined object. They are squandered away on unworthy agents-wasted, in promoting the gratification of those to whom they are entrusted."

It would be easy to shew in regard to all these surmises, that they are not only unfounded, but ma

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