418 THE STATE OF THE WORLD. Yes, even you may bear a part in the blessed work. There are, even now, such men in the world as those missionaries, of whom you have been reading, whose hearts are stirred up within them at the thought of the misery of the poor pagans, and who are willing to cross the ocean, and to spend their days among savages. Your slender offerings will assist to supply them with food, and raiment in those barbarous lands. The work of converting the heathen is great. God has appointed man to perform this work, for Jesus said, "Go, and preach the gospel to every creature." Grant me your attention for a few moments, while I lay before you the pitiful condition of the world in which we live. It contains at this time about eight hundred and fifty million inhabitants. Of this number more than half are heathen; a great many others are followers of the false prophet Mahommed; while multitudes, who are called Christians, worship images of saints, and observe other superstitious customs, forbidden by God in his word; and only one person out of thirteen is a Protestant Christian, even in name. The following list will show you, at a glance, the present state of the world, with regard to religion. The number of the Jews is not mentioned, but it is supposed not to exceed six millions. SMALL NUMBER OF MISSIONARIES. 419 480,000,000. Who do not profess to believe in Christ. Pagans Roman Catholics. 125,000,000. 65,000,000. Who call themselves Christians, but who worship images. 850,000,000. If there were sixty thousand missionaries, there would only be one to instruct each ten thousand of the Pagans and Mahommedans ; but alas! there are only about one thousand missionaries, therefore there is only one to instruct each six hundred thousand of the Pagans and Mahommedans.* Yet though there are so few, there is not money enough, subscribed by christians, to enable all to go to the heathen, who are willing to go. There is often much difficulty in collecting sufficient to defray the expense of fitting them out, and of sending them supplies. In the year 1837, the American Board of Missions were obliged to keep back thirty missionaries, who were ready to embark, and to desire those whom they had already sent out, to give up many of their schools, and to print fewer books. Neither is there a single missionary Society in England, that is not restrained in *The exact number of Protestant missionaries cannot be ascertained. Within a few years they have increased exceedingly. In the calculation stated above, assistant missionaries are not included. 420 EMPTINESS OF EARTHLY PLEASURES. its undertakings by the difficulty of procuring money. Can nothing more be done to assist those merciful men, who are ready to sacrifice all for the sake of the miserable heathen? Would it not be possible for many of us to give a little more than we do? Might not children spend less in toys and sweetmeats, young persons in vain amusements, and useless ornaments? What pleasure can be so great, as the thought of interrupting the barbarous scenes, that are now taking place upon the earth, especially when we remember how displeasing they are to Him, who left his throne of glory for our sakes! I once knew a young girl of fourteen years of age, who observed to her mother, "I have been considering how vain are all the pleasures of the world! What are they, but eating and drinking, fine clothes and company? How much better it would be to go to heaven, than to live on earth to enjoy these pleasures! How glad I should be, if God would take me to himself!" The remembrance of these expressions is a great consolation to the friends of this poor child, for a few months after uttering them she fell ill and died. How few ever attain to the wisdom that this young creature possessed! Were men in general convinced, as she was, of the emptiness of earthly pleasures, should we behold THE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON. 421 some, lavishing their money on sumptuous feasts and elegant apparel, gay company and trifling pastimes, magnificent houses and lovely gardens, grand equipages and numerous attendants, collections of pictures and halls of sculpture; or should we behold others, hoarding their money, in order to leave it to their children in the hope of raising their station in life, or of being counted rich, when they die? There is, however, something more to be desired than a speedy entrance into heavenly rest. It is the opportunity of serving God upon earth. Even an angel would esteem it a privilege to advance Christ's kingdom among men. How blessed are those who prefer this service to all the enjoyments of the world! The celebrated Countess of Huntingdon was one of these happy persons! Although, during the greater part of her long widowhood, she possessed an income of only twelve hundred a year, she found the means of sending preachers of the gospel into many dark corners of England, and, before she closed her eyes in death, lent her aid to the missionaries, then ready to depart to the South Seas. She might have thought her fortune hardly sufficient to support the splendour due to her rank; but she desired to act suitably to her heavenly, rather than to her earthly birth, and thought it more necessary to obey the precepts of Christ 422 BENEFIT OF LONG-CONTINUED LABOURS. than to comply with the opinion of the world. And can she regret the splendour she once resigned, now that she beholds her Redeemer's crown, radiant with spirits, enlightened by means that her self-denial and exertions supplied? And can she covet the good opinion she once forfeited, now that she hears their voices, proclaiming her Redeemer's praise? O that all who are in the bloom of youth would begin without delay to be the servants of God! It is those, who have devoted their whole lives to God, who have been the instruments of the greatest good in the world. Martin Oberlin, through whose labours the inhabitants of five French villages were made partakers of the blessings of the gospel, passed sixty years amongst them. It was in the morning of their days that Mr. Nott and Mr. Henry devoted themselves to that service, which has filled hundreds of islands with peace and joy. There are numerous ways of advancing God's kingdom, none of which should be neglected. Sunday School teachers have often trained up most faithful missionaries. Robert May,* a missionary to India, and an instructor of hundreds of little heathens, was converted in a Sunday School. How much good may also be done by asylums for sailors! Wicked sailors spread ungodliness from land to land, * The author of "Lectures for the Young." |