An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens - In Which the Religious State of the Different Nations of the World, the Success of Former Undertakings, and the Practicability of Further Undertakings, Are Con by William Carey
page 52 of 57 (91%)
page 52 of 57 (91%)
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country, and for the civilization of its inhabitants, but may prove
the happy mean of introducing amongst them the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These are events that ought not to be over-looked; they are not to be reckoned small things; and yet perhaps they _are_ small compared with what might have been expected, if all had cordially entered into the spirit of the proposal, so as to have made the cause of Christ their own, or in other words to have been so solicitous about it, as if their own advantage depended upon its success. If an holy solicitude had prevailed in all the assemblies of Christians in behalf of their Redeemer's kingdom, we might probably have seen before now, not only an _open door_ for the gospel, but _many running to and fro, and knowledge increased_; or a diligent use of those means which providence has put in our power, accompanied with a greater blessing than ordinary from heaven. Many can do nothing but pray, and prayer is perhaps the only thing in which Christians of all denominations can cordially, and unreservedly unite; but in this we may all be one, and in this the strictest unanimity ought to prevail. Were the whole body thus animated by one soul, with what pleasure would Christians attend on all the duties of religion, and with what delight would their ministers attend on all the business of their calling. We must not be contented however with praying, without _exerting ourselves in the use of means_ for the obtaining of those things we pray for. Were _the children of light_, but _as wise in their generation as the children of this world_, they would stretch every nerve to gain so glorious a prize, nor ever imagine that it was to be |
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