Finally, Are you an aged christian?—How often have you prayed, “O Lord, revive thy work!” How often have you longed to see the dawn of the day of Christ upon all nations! Well, now you see it. God has granted you this before you depart to be with Christ. You, you aged servant of God, must rejoice in it. Your long life of mercy has been crowned with this mercy. Tell all about you, how you “saw the cloud arise, little as a human hand;” bid them look to its spreading showers; mark its reviving influence; and hear the “sound of abundance of rain.” Yes, you will encourage our youth to pledge themselves to this cause; you will give it the sanction and aid of your counsel and influence; and you will die in greater peace and higher triumph, since “your eyes have seen His salvation; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel.”
“Let the children of Zion,” therefore, “be joyful in their King.” “Both young men and maidens, old men and children, let them praise the Lord,” and unite to proclaim “His glory among the Heathen, His wonders among all people,” till the whole earth shall be filled with the honours of His high and glorious name. Amen.
But do any of you ask, What can i do in this cause?—This is an important and serious question, especially when you consider that that day will come when you must “give up your stewardship, and be no longer steward” of your Lord’s goods, whether he has entrusted you with five, three, or only one talent; and when he will doubtless ask you, what you have done to promote His cause in the world.
Well, then, it may be kindly and affectionately inquired of you, whether you do not indulge in some needless superfluities of meat, drink, apparel, furniture, or show, which, even in perfect consistency with your rank of life, whatever it may be, you may reduce, and have more to spend in works of piety and charity at home and abroad? Put this question to your hearts in the fear of God.
If you have no obvious superfluities, yet may not your economy, that is, your management of what you have, be more exact, methodical, and careful? So that even your own affairs will be more prosperous; and, from this good management, you may find much more to give to these great services than even now you are yourselves aware of. Try the experiment; for many have tried it, and have found themselves enabled to become “rich in good works,” almost without cost to themselves.
Ask, What cannot I give? Cannot I spare this penny every week?—Why not? Cannot I give this shilling, as a monthly subscription; or this pound, or even several pounds, as a yearly one? Why not? You may have an answer, but see that it is a good one; that it is such an one as you can with confidence give to your Lord, when He calls you to give an account of your stewardship.
Cannot I give my influence to this cause? Why not? I have some influence, perhaps as a master, or as a parent, or as a neighbour, or as a friend. Cannot I employ this talent of influence in inducing servants, children, neighbours, friends, to take a share in all the good which the Lord is doing upon earth among the children of men? Will they not be benefited by it? How many good thoughts will it put into their minds! How probable is it, that they may feel more sensibly the value of the Gospel than before, by considering the situation of those nations who have it not! How much will it enlarge their knowledge, to place before them the publications of a Missionary Society! How much will it ennoble the heart of the poorest and youngest among them, to teach them to live to benefit all mankind! Cannot I take even an active part in this work, if called upon; or may I not humbly offer my services in some department? Why not? Collectors, patient, persevering Collectors, are always wanting; and why cannot I become a Collector, and have the honour and blessedness of begging for a perishing world? Treasurers, Secretaries, Members of Committees, are wanting wherever a Missionary Society is formed, who will be active in their duty, and constant in their attendance. Cannot I then, if called upon, take my share of any of those duties, whenever they are assigned me? Why not? What good and serious reason can I give against it, when, laying my hand upon my heart, I ask, “How much owest thou unto my Lord?” Cannot I converse on these great subjects, and arouse my own languid zeal, and that of others, by this means? Why not? Would not this shut out many trifling things from conversation; and will not the constant reading of Missionary Publications, and accounts of the progress of Christ’s kingdom in the world, furnish conversation with some of the best and most inspiring topics?—and is not this in character, when, as the Psalmist says, “All thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord, and thy saints shall bless thee; they shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power, to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom.” And cannot I join my prayers, prayers in my closet, in my family, and in the Church of God: thus acknowledging that the work is the Lord’s, and that vain is the help of man,—thus bringing upon all counsel, and upon all effort, the prospering blessing of Him who “worketh all and in all?” Rest not till you have put to yourself all these questions, and then so act as “the answer of a good conscience” shall direct.
WESLEYAN MISSION HOUSE, BISHOPSGATE-STREET
WITHIN, LONDON.
*** For an account of the Missions conducted by the Wesleyan Missionary Society, see the accompanying “General View.”
LONDON: PRINTED BY JAMES NICHOLS, 46, HOXTON-SQUARE.