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etymology or its use, is precisely synonymous with our word Missionary. Either term signifies, and with equal propriety, one who is sent forth to preach and propagate the religion of the Saviour. The word Evangelist is also used in a similar sense. The Evangelists, in the primitive Church, were a class of itinerants, who labored in most cases under the direction of the Apostles, and were engaged with them in disseminating Divine truth, and spreading the gospel. In this sense Philip, and Timothy, and doubtless many others, were called Evangelists. (See Acts xxi. 8. and 2 Tim. iv. 5.) Both these classes of teachers were in fact Missionaries. They were those who ran to and fro that knowledge might be increased-who were sent abroad with the messages of heaven, and were chiefly concerned in the propagation and establishment of the religion of Christ. -But the orders of Apostles and Evangelists are expressly mentioned, among the ascension gifts of the Saviour, and the constituted Ministers of his word. "He gave some Apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." If the fact that pastors and teachers are here mentioned is evidence that the Pastoral work is of Divine Institution; does not the fact that Apostles, and Evangelists are also mentioned furnish equal evidence that the Missionary work is of Divine Institution ?

3. In the wonderful manner in which the way was prepared for the spread of the gospel among the Gentiles or heathen, we have evidence that the work of spreading it among them is of Divine Institution.An angel was sent to direct Cornelius, who was an offi

cer in the Roman army, to the place where he might find a messenger of salvation. And a miracle was wrought to remove the scruples of Peter, and convince him that "to the Gentiles also, God" was about to "grant repentance unto life."-Soon after Paul was convert-. ed, it was revealed to him, as the grand purpose for which he had been raised up, that he should bear the "name of Christ before the Gentiles." And when he and Barnabas actually went unto the heathen, they went by the command of the Holy Ghost. "Separate me Paul and Barnabas, for the work whereunto I have called them."-Do not these various and manifest intimations of the will of heaven afford conclusive proof, that the work of spreading the gospel among the heathen is an Institution of God?

4. We have farther and it should seem incontestable proof on this subject, in the positive injunctions of our Saviour.—We consider the Sabbath a Divine Institution, because we find its observance enjoined in the Decalogue, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." We consider Baptism and the Lord's Supper Divine Institutions, because they are authorized by the express commands of Christ. "Baptizing

them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." "This do, in remembrance of me." We consider preaching the gospel, in the general, a Divine Institution, because our Lord said to his primitive ministers, and through them to all others, "Go ye, and preach the kingdom of God." But why should we not, for the same reason, consider the cause of Missions, or the particular work of spreading the gospel among all nations a Divine Institution? We know that this is expressly and repeatedly enjoined by the Saviour. "Go ye, and teach all nations." "Go ye into all the world, and preach

"It behoved Christ

the gospel to every creature." to suffer, and to rise from the dead on the third day, that repentance and remis sion of sins should be preached in his name among all nations." "Ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and inall Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”—It would seem, certainly, that Christ said as much on this subject as he needed to say, in order to place the work of spreading his gospel, among the positive institutions which he bequeathed to the world. I only add,

5. That the manner in which the immediate disciples of Christ understood and obeyed his commands, proves, that they considered the work of spreading his gospel as worthy to be ranked among his noblest Institutions. No sooner had their Divine Master ascended, and "endued them with power from on high," than they went forth and preached every where, the Lord working with them."-In consequence of the persecution, when Stephen was put to death, the disciples at Jerusalem "were scattered abroad," and they went every where, preaching the word."It was while Peter was passing throughout all quarters, that he came down to the saints which dwelt at Lydda;" upon which many there who" saw him turned unto the Lord."-It was a declaration of Paul, and made long before his death, "that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, he had fully preached the gospel of Christ." Indeed, so laborious were the primitive disciples, in the work of spreading the gospel, that Paul repeatedly intimates in his Epistles, that the world was comparatively filled with their doctrine. "Their sound went forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." The early Ecclesiastical historians have given a

more full account than that left us in the scriptures, of the labors and travels of the primitive preachers of the gospel; and it is evident from all, that they considered themselves under indispensable obligations to scatter the seed of Divine truth, and to do all in their power to fill the world with the doctrines of their Lord and Master.-We may then most safely and certainly conclude, that the work of spreading and propagating the gospel is founded on the authority of heaven, and is worthy to be regarded as an institution of the most High.

REFLECTIONS.

1. If the work of Missions is a Divine Institution, then it is as binding as any other Divine Institution. There are persons, and it may be pious persons, who do not appear sufficiently sensible of this. They have a regard for Divine Institutions, and a disposition to maintain and observe them. They remember the sabbath day, and endeavour to keep it holy. They reverence the sanctuary of the Most High, and are exemplary in their attendance on the appointed means of grace. They observe the special ordinances of the gospel, baptism and the Lord's supper, and profess to love and value them. But they are inclined to do little or nothing, for the spread of the gospel in heathen lands. In regard to this, they feel under no solemn and binding obligations. But it may be properly inquired of such persons, what reason they can have for regarding any Divine Institution, which is not a reason for regarding this? Will they say, that the other institutions of the gospel are founded on the command of Christ? And so is this. Or will they say, that the Apostles and primitive disciples regarded the others

as Divine Institutions? And so they did this. Or will they say, that it is honorable to God, and beneficial to themselves, to observe the other Institutions of Christ,? And will it not be honorable to God, and beneficial to themselves, to observe this also? It will doubtless be honorable to God and religion, to manifest so deep a regard for religion, as to endeavour to extend its blessings to our destitute fellow men. And to do the same, instead of personally injuring us, may be expected to issue in our highest good. A most important trait, doubtless, in the character of a christian is uniformity of obedience. Most professors of religion appear well in some points; while it is too frequently the case that they are deficient in others. Their characters are shaded with dark spots, which deface the glory of their profession, and render their prospects doubtful and ominous. If we would be prosperous and happy in our spiritual concerns, we must copy the whole example of our Lord, and endeavour to obey him in all things. We must have respect to all his Institutions, and be uniform in our obedience and love. And the more any christian examines the subject, the more I am persuaded he will be convinced, that all the reasons which bind him to observe any of the Institutions of Christ, bind him to observe that which has been considered in this discourse.

2. If the work of Missions is a Divine Institution, then those Churches cannot expect to prosper who wickedly neglect it.-It has been thought and said, that the work of Missions is so great and expensive, that a vigorous prosecution of it must endanger the prosperity, if not the existence, of the churches at home. But so far from this is the fact, that without a vigorous prosecution of it, I think the Churches

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