Fruits of Toil in the London Missionary Society by Various
page 28 of 78 (35%)
page 28 of 78 (35%)
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burying him in their own village. But the national custom prevailed
over their entreaties. A few days after he had taken farewell of his Church, he called on me, and gave me a few steel pens, the remainder of some I had given him for writing his sermons. As he gave them to me, he said, 'I have finished my work: I shall write no more sermons; and that nothing may be wasted that is useful in the work of God, let these pens be given to a younger man, who is still able to write sermons.' This incident is characteristic of the man, and will illustrate his simple uprightness, and his concern for the work of God. He is now very infirm, but strong in faith; he is calmly waiting to be summoned to his reward." Much more might be written on this topic, and these illustrations of Christian experience might easily be multiplied. Our native churches give proof in every direction of the soundness of the teaching from which they have sprung, and of the Divine blessing by which it has been followed. They differ greatly in the outer form of their life from English churches: they differ scarcely less from one another. They differ in their knowledge, in the character of their excellencies, in the form of their defects. They differ in their experience of the truth, as they have had a varied history. But one heart and one mind are found within them all. It is the Bible which touches their feelings most deeply, which quickens their conscience, which inspires their richest joys. Everywhere the tribes, once heathen and hard-hearted, now Christianized, care for the orphan, show kindness and courtesy to women, and watch over the aged and the sick. Everywhere they lead a pure life, they cultivate and practise mutual kindness, they are brought under public law. These things are not novelties in Christianity; but their daily recurrence in all our Missions is the best testimony we can offer to the reality |
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