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Mighty is girding his sword upon his thigh; the arm of the Lord will awake as in the ancient days, in the generations
of old; and the people shall fall under him. His name shall endure forever. Are you affected with the
deplorable condition of the greatest part of the world, which lieth in ignorance and wickedness? Behold
the everlasting Gospel is going forth to every tongue, and kindred, and nation, and shall universally prevail.
Yet a little while, and the people that walk in darkness will see a great light, and upon them that dwell in the land of the
shadow of death will the light shine. All the precepts which are our warrant to engage in this work; all the promises which
are our encouragement to persevere with firmness, receive new weight and influence. While we are musing upon the
prediction before us, our hearts are hot within us; the fire burns; zeal kindles to a flame;
we glow with ardor to perform our part, and assist the flight of the preaching angel. We live to see the dawn;
we long to see the day. We witness at least the beginnings of what many prophets and righteous men have
desired to see, and have not seen them. For those of us who are advanced in years, let this suffice. We now can
depart in peace. We shall hear of the accomplishment and join with those who rejoice in heaven, over sinners who
are converted. But you, my younger Brethren indulge the pleasant view, and enter with vigor into the labors before you.
Lift up your eyes and look on the fields, for they are white already to harvest. Go on and prosper in your work.
Derive wisdom, strength and grace from your exalted Jesus. "Be of good courage, and behave valiantly. Watch ye,
stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong. The Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your reward."
5. Let MISSIONARY SOCIETIES ascend the prophetic mount, and enjoy the vast prospect laid open to their view. Let them appreciate
as they ought, the eminent station assigned them by their Savior, and obtain grace to be found faithful. They are employed by him in
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the midst of the Churches, to accomplish his blessed purposes, and fulfil his word. By their agency the preaching angel commences his flight, and
through their instrumentality the treasure of the Gospel will be brought to all the nations of the earth. By such associations
and efforts it might be expected the scene would open. Not by might nor by power, not from carnal policy,
or by the combination and support of civil rulers, but by the spirit of the Lord, exciting his ministers and people, from the purest principles,
to execute the mystery of his will. The hearts of all men are in his hand. He can gird and council those whom he honors
with his service, to perform any thing he pleaseth. Missionary Societies are, therefore, to be considered as ministering servants
employed in a work well pleasing to God; and deserving, while they faithfully persevere, the esteem and affection of all good men.
Be not discouraged my Brethren, when you enquire, whom shall we send, and who will go for us? The Lord
can provide instruments for his own work. - "Pray, ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborors into his harvest." He will
hear your prayers, and raise up missionaries. But with your prayers unite the means for obtaining suitable characters. Reflect seriously
whether it would not be adviseable to institute a THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL, for the express purpose of instructing and preparing pious young men for this arduous service
*
- whether such an institution would not probably stimulate some to offer themselves; and certainly produce the highest
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*
Similar institutions were formed even by the Roman pontiffs; and afterwards in Holland, the Reformed Church paid attention
to this object. Some professors of theology were eminently useful in preparing missionaries for foreign parts, especially
for the Indies. In Rotterdam there is now something of this kind, to which many of those who are sent out by the Netherland
Missionary Society now repair, for one or two years, previous to their missions. Also at Gosport, in England, under the direction of the
Rev. Mr. BOGUE.
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