Page images
PDF
EPUB

have heard that the Lord is with you." Then will God begin to say with new emphasis to those who once were not his people, Ye are my people; and they shall say, Thou art our God." Then indeed shall the Gentile Churches, which behold the beauty of the renovated Zion of Israel" be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory."-If intimations like these from different parts of the inspired volume are worthy to be trusted; then the Gentile Churches owe it to themselves, to their own spiritual prosperity and glory, to attempt the conversion of the dispersed of Israel.

7. There are peculiar reasons for such attempts at the present time, growing out of the facilities which are furnished for making them. In various parts of Europe and America, associations are formed and have gone into effect, differing indeed in minor particulars, but all aiming at the same grand object, the conversion of the Jews. Those therefore who are disposed to aid in this important work, can do it in any way they please, and at any time. Without so much as leaving their homes, they may have the satisfaction of doing all they think it their duty to do, either for the support of Missionaries among the Jews; or to furnish them with the New Testament and Tracts in their several languages; or to establish a contemplated colony of converted Jews in our own country. -Facilities are now offered for doing good to the dispersed of Israel, which have existed in no other age. It is then peculiarly incumbent on Christians of the present age to attempt their conversion.-It may be added,

8. There are special reasons for such attempts at the present time, arising from the success with

which recent exertions have been crowned.-Hopeful conversions from Judaism to Christianity events which in former ages have been scarcely known to exist are becoming frequent, and some of the most diligent and successful laborers now in the vineyard are converted Jews. In addition to this, it may be observed, that as the eyes of Christians begin to be opened to the manner in which it becomes them to treat the Jews, the eyes of Jews are apparently opening, relative to the high claims of the Christian religion. They are in the general willing to listen to the instructions of Missionaries, and to receive and examine the New Testament and Christian Tracts which are circulated among them in their own tongue. The veil of darkness, it may be hoped, is removing from their minds; the wall of prejudice, which has so long separated them from the truth, is breaking down; a spirit of free and impartial inquiry is in many instances exhibited; and a disposition is on the whole manifesting itself, which, if continued and cherished as we trust it may be, must ere long result in the conversion of many Jews. Now then is the time for Christians to think and feel, and pray, and exert themselves on their behalf. Now is the time for a prudent, vigorous, and persevering effort for their conversion.

The reasons here given why it becomes Christians to attempt the conversion of the Jews, are sufficiently numerous, and it is believed are pertinent and important. Whether we regard those feelings of veneration which we are accustomed to cherish towards their Patriarchal ancestors or the unspeakably important favors we have received from themor the long and cruel persecutions which they have endured from the hands of Christians-or the pro

mises of the God of Israel respecting them or the present aspect of his dispensations both in providence and grace ;-all these things are pointing the same way, and pressing upon Chistians the immediate duty of promoting, by all human means, the conversion and salvation of the dispersed Jews. Too long have this once favored but now scattered and depressed people been neglected already. Too long have they been left to mourn in the language of their ancient Psalmist and Monarch, "No man careth for my soul." It is now high time that Christians should awake to a sense of their duty respecting them, and commence in earnest the benevolent work of imparting to them the consolations of the gospel.

Let us, my brethren, think of this subject ourselves, and endeavour in view of it to ascertain our own duty. We profess to be Christians-to be disciples and followers of the Messiah of the Jews. Consequently the remarks which have been made are all applicable to us, and the reasons which have been given why Christians should attempt the conversion of the Jews, are reasons why we should unite personally in such an attempt. Are they not sufficiently powerful to satisfy us on this point, and leave but the single question to be decided, What can we do? What does our Lord expect and require us to do, in this important work ?-And obviously we all can unite in it, in our affections, and our prayers. We can follow it with our best wishes, and implore the God of Israel to crown it with success. And must we stop here? Can we do no more? For the blinded descendants of our father Abraham-those through whom we have received the precious word of Godthose whose spiritual interests he has committed specially to us, and upon whose conversion he has sus

pended the richest blessings to his Church ;-for these have we no offering to present, and no labor of love to perform? Let us endeavour to view this subject, as it will appear to us in the final day; and answer these questions now, as we have reason to believe we should, were they pressed upon us from the throne of judgment. And let no considerations deter us from acting, in this case, and in all cases, conformably to our most serious convictions of duty.

Amen.

DISCOURSE XVII.

IDOLATRY AMONG CHRISTIANS.

Colossians, iii. 5.
"Covetousness, which is idolatry."

CHRISTIANS at the present day hear much and often concerning the various species of idolatry which are practised in different parts of the world. The Catholicks worship a piece of bread, under the impression that it is the real body of their Saviour. They also render a kind of worship to their pictures of Christ, of the virgin Mary, and of other saints. The Tartars worship a fellow mortal styled the grand Lama, in whom they believe that the Divinity resides. Many have worshipped the sun, moon, and stars, and also fire. Others have worshipped, and probably do still, brute animals of several species, and insects, and vegetables. While millions and millions are devoted to the worship of dumb, inanimate idols, of brass and iron, wood and stone.-No enlightened person can contemplate these facts, without mourning over the deep debasement to which the human faculties are subject; and no Christian can hear of the obscenities and cruelties with which most of the heathen idols are served, without feeling disgusted and "pained at the very heart."

But, my friends, while we pity and detest the abominations of the heathen, and cherish a disposition to

« PreviousContinue »