And now, my brethren, what is the most appropriate thank-offering that we, Sovereign and people, can make to Almighty God for his mercies vouchsafed to us? Undoubtedly that which follows up our advantages and shows that we are worthy, or labouring to be thought worthy, of the great position with which God has entrusted us, even the thank-offering which David made after his preservation, and which is unpretendingly recorded in the words, “And David executed judgment and justice to all his people.” This it is ours to see carried out, so far as in us lies, and this we trust is being carried out fully and conscientiously by our representatives.
But something more have we to offer up to God than judgment and justice toward the people subject to our rule, though this offering be great and to be had in highest esteem. We have heard and seen what kings and prophets desired of old to hear and see. Our knowledge is increased, and so is our responsibility. All type, all figure, all mystery, are removed from us, and “God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son”—spoken a word of salvation in the Gospel which exceeds, in point of moral beauty and spiritual comfort, all that we can imagine or desire. This word we dare not enjoy to ourselves. On we must pass it, together with judgment and justice, to our people. It has made us great, and caused us to “shine like lights in the world.” Why should it not make them so, and cause them so to shine? On we must pass it, not only as a matter of ordinary and evident duty, but as a matter of feeling. Each true believer is, by his very impulse of faith, a soul-seeking power amongst men. In his heart is deeply sown the missionary germ—only requiring the light and heat of a living faith to raise and mature it to its appointed height and grandeur—when its branches are sure to spread themselves forth in sheltering love over all living within their reach.
To this passing on of blessings received to others are we ever invited. Now, this very day, are we so especially. “A great door and effectual” is open to us in the East. By the violence of circumstances—circumstances, those emissaries of the great Creator’s purpose—have the gates of superstition been torn from their hinges, and a way made for us to enter, unmolested, into the very sanctuary and stronghold of Belial, there to preach to our heart’s content “the way, the truth, and the life.” It is as if an angel—opportunity had been sent from on high to “prepare the way of the Lord,” and had cried aloud to the long pent-up and isolated heathen world to receive us—the missionary nation of the Cross of Christ; saying unto them, “Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth truth may enter in.” Oh! who is there amongst us that does not now desire to enter in? Who is there that does not sorrow over his indolence in not having done more hitherto for his fellows? Who does not burn with indignation at his own—his country’s—missionary apathy, when he contemplates before him, in India and her immortal millions, a vast sea of souls, now surging with infidelity, now again raging with superstition, bearing as it does on its sin-heaving and lust-swelling surface but few, very few, labourers in the employ of that blessed and acceptable merchandize, the toiling, as “fishers of men,” for the Son of God? Who, when he contrasts the greatness of the work to be accomplished with the contemptibly limited means he has brought to bear on its fulfilment—one pastor to a million souls being the provision made by Christian England’s National Church for the restoration of heathen India to her God and Saviour—who, when he so contrasts, is not lastingly impressed with a sense of unworthy selfishness?
Once more—accept, my beloved brethren, whilst it is to-day, this, this for all we know last, last challenge to visit, gospel in hand, the degraded millions of India. Plant amongst them a church. Erect for them a school. Provide them with a minister. Give them freely the means which have made you under Providence what you are. Let them know that these means are to be the implements of your new spiritual warfare amidst them. “Fight,” before them and their children, “the good fight of faith.” Tell them you seek, and wish them to seek, that “peace which the world cannot give,” and “which passeth all understanding.” Show them that you delight not in brandishing over their heads the cold and deadly steel, nor take pleasure in witnessing the fire-flash which heralds a creature’s death, but that you would rather wield the sword of the Spirit over their immortal souls, by means of the preached word, and rejoice for ever and ever in heaven that they were preserved with you and yours unto everlasting life.
THE END.