Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

mountain of his guilt. Thus died poor old Me, the blind warrior of Raiatea. I retired from the overwhelming and interesting scene, praying as I went that my end might be like his."*

Here my illustrations terminate: and the question which I now ask the man who pours contempt upon missions, is, What think you of the facts which this and the foregoing letter lay before you? What think you, for example, of the character and death of Vara and of Me? I invite you to examine the subject. You shall not be limited in the field of your inquiry. Go forth; ascend the historic pathway, and walk at large through all countries and all times,-assemble the sages of every clime, and of every tongue,-marshal the hosts of philosophers, philanthropists, legislators, and rulers,-unite their deeds of benevolence, and tell us whether you deem it safe to challenge for them all a comparison with the preceding solitary specimen of the deeds of the Martyr of Erromanga? Is such a comparison for a moment admissible? Are not all their moral achievements as nothing, if placed side by side with those of the Christian missionary? Approach the death-beds of Vara and Me, and behold them die! Give me your estimate of what Christianity has done for these once blood-stained savages! Could any thing less than Christianity have met their case, and made them happy? Has Christianity left them with a single want? Has it not brought immortality to light, and prepared them for its enjoyment? Do not all discoveries, and all bounties, which stop short of this, leave man ignorant, poor, and wretched? Seeing that he is immortal, are not all systems of instruction

* Williams, p. 97.

reformation, and rule, which do not assume this fact as their basis, insufficient and delusive? All efforts of philanthropy which exclude God and his grace, Christ and his gospel, are but false lights which lure to destruction. Men and brethren, awake from your dream! Search and look, and tell us what your philosophy has ever done for barbarous tribes, and perishing nations? Nay, more; what has it done for its own most renowned and illustrious professors? Reader! what has it done for thee? Be assured that its boasted provisions and proud pretensions will disappear amid the darkness of a dying chamber! The cross alone can there maintain its ground!

LETTER IV.

TO THE COMMITTEES AND MEMBERS OF THE LONDON AND AMERICAN PEACE SOCIETIES.

ON THE TENDENCY OF MISSIONARY LABOUR TO EXTINGUISH WAR AND TO ESTABLISH PEACE.

men.

FRIENDS of your countries, and of the whole human race! the formation of your benevolent confederacies will constitute an era in the future history of our world. Excepting societies for preaching the gospel, mankind never associated for any object of equal importance with that which has brought you together. Your object is to stay the effusion of human blood, to promote permanent and universal peace upon the earth, and good-will among A more magnificent idea never entered the human breast. Its benevolence is equalled only by its greatness. The true character and design of your societies are still but imperfectly known, especially in England; for it is pleasing to reflect, that, in America, the cause of peace has taken a deeper and a more general hold upon the public mind. A mighty gain has been realized by the publication of the "Prize Essays on a Congress of Nations," for the adjustment of international disputes, and for the promotion of universal peace, with

[graphic]

out resort to arms." In common with who sympathize with the aim of bot hailed the appearance of that impor great satisfaction, and I have read it interest. I consider that the gentlem liberality called this book into existenc a claim to the thanks of the whole civi servant men will allow that a great manding the attention of mankind was characters as the Hon. Joseph Story M'Lean, the Hon. John Q. Adams, T. S. Grimké, and the Hon. Daniel V to become the adjudicators. Name amongst legislators and literary men and America, serve to dignify the sub the ignorant flippancy of those who d the nations of the earth can disp slaughter. Great good must result fi both in America and in England. in the American Peace Society, to to the President of the United Stat departments, to the governors of ev Union, to every foreign minister at V executive of every republic in Amer crowned head in Europe. The Lond judiciously followed the example, in t portion of the edition, and in trans each of the foreign ambassadors in The possible results of this exalted m can foresee. As a means, it seems adm bring the momentous subject before and monarchs of the civilized world. are certain to obtain a careful perusal, a

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
« НазадПродовжити »