617. MAT 9:37, MAT 9:38. GOSPEL HARVEST, AND CHRISTIAN’S DUTY
Mat_9:37, Mat_9:38. Gospel Harvest, and Christian’s Duty
By Rev. Thomas De Witt, D. D., New York.
"Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."’97Mat_9:37, Mat_9:38.
The words of our text were spoken by Jesus to his disciples, as he contemplated the multitudes destitute of the means of religious instruction. "He was moved with compassion on them because they fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd," Mat_9:36. The compassion that dwelt in the heart of Jesus is not foreign to the hearts of his people, for they are of one spirit with him. The text presents, firstly, an argument for missionary efforts. "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." And, secondly, urges a duty in relation to them. "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest," etc.
I. An argument for missionary efforts. "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." This harvest will be gathered when the Christian religion shall universally prevail.
1. It is great, in view of the field which it will cover.
"The field is the world," Mat_13:38. As yet Christianity has extended its influence to but a small part of the earth; and where that influence has been found, it has been partial in its character. Here and there a spot has appeared in some degree verdant, amid a surrounding wide-spread arid desert. But this desert, in all its extent, will be cultivated and rendered fruitful. All obstacles will be overcome, and the whole earth exhibit the triumphs of truth. Benighted, degraded, and oppressed Africa, shall become enlightened, elevated, and disenthralled. The wall of China (like that of Jericho) shall fall at the sound of the gospel. The castes of the Hindoos shall be broken; and one bond, in the faith and service of Christ, shall unite them. The heathen shall everywhere "cast their idols to the moles and to the bats," and worship "the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent." The worship of the false prophet shall cease; and the pure light and peaceful influence of Christianity shall spread over the regions where now Mohammedanism exerts its sway. The isles shall receive the law of the Lord; all the perversions of the religion of Jesus shall be removed, and the truth be received in love, and exhibit its fruits wherever professed! Then shall be realized
’97"Scenes surpassing fable,
Yet true!’97scenes of accomplish’d bliss!"
2. The harvest is great, in view of its many blessings.
The religion of Christ blesses the life which now is, and prepares for happiness in the life to come. It exalts the intellectual character of man;’97it restores that balance and harmony in the intellectual and moral powers of man, which are so important in the proper cultivation of both;’97it corrects those prejudices, and subdues those corruptions, which prevent the investigation and reception of truth.
Take the map of the world, and select those countries where Paganism, Mohammedanism, and Popery, bear sway, and let the following inquiries receive an answer: Are knowledge and intellectual cultivation generally diffused? Are civil and religious liberty enjoyed? Is the female character elevated and respected? Are the duties of domestic life discharged, and its delights mutually participated? Do purity and peace pervade the community? The negative to these inquiries appears in full view. If we take the contrast, and mark the countries where the Bible has shed its influence, we discover the blessings adverted to, all following in the train.
But the religion of Christ sustains its distinguishing and commanding value, as a revelation of truth and grace, and as the great instrument of our deliverance from everlasting death. The truths peculiar to it respect man’s fallen and ruined state; redemption through the atoning merits of the Divine Saviour; the regenerating and sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit in restoring to that holiness, "without which no man shall see the Lord," Heb_12:14. These truths, and others immediately connected with them, constitute the vitality of the religion of the gospel.
3. The harvest must appear great in view of the instrumentality it requires.
The great result is to be accomplished by the faithful use of those means which God has, in his wisdom and goodness, appointed. As in the natural world, means must be used in preparation for harvest; and as, ordinarily, the product will correspond to the skill and diligence with which the means are employed; so also, in the spiritual world, means are equally necessary; and a like correspondence in the product will exist. "It pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believed," 1Co_1:21.
As we look farther, through the heathen world, how large and waste is the field! while, in parts remote from each other, a solitary laborer is found. The regularly ordained missionaries from different Christian denominations among the six hundred millions of heathen, in different parts of the world, as far as ascertained, amount to about six hundred and fifty. They are, in some cases, aided by assistants and native teachers. Still, how emphatically is the harvest great, and the laborers few; while some parts of the field are already white for the harvest.
4. The harvest is great, in view of the means and prospects furnished by Providence.
God, in advancing his kingdom on earth, prepares the way in arranging the events of his providence. He raises up instruments qualified for his work; and often opens the way before them, as they go forth crying, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God," Isa_40:3. The Bible Society multiplies copies of the Scriptures, in the various languages of the world, and supplies the place of the gift of tongues. It is needless to specify the various forms of Christian charity, which, commencing with infancy, lays the basis of a scriptural and religious education, and follows man in every course and state of life; and seeks to apply the best relief of sin, and want, and woe. The efforts of the present day for arresting and turning back that fell destroyer, intemperance, which has annually slain its thousands and tens of thousands, and which has interposed such formidable obstacles to the success of the gospel, are of incalculable worth.
The spirit of missions, which characterizes the present period, commenced with the revival of religion in the churches. Domestic and foreign missions have grown and strengthened in connection with the power of religion. The era of foreign efforts is identified with the prosperity of religion at home.
The events which have recently transpired mark the present as an interesting crisis in the history of the world. The Christian will, with care, study the page of prophecy, and the movements of Providence, and mark the light which they mutually shed on each other.
II. The text urges our duty in relation to missionary efforts: "Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest." The discharge of the duty enjoined by our Saviour supposes,
1. That we cherish a deep and constant sense of our dependence upon Divine grace.
The private Christian, in the divine life, is "clothed with humility;" lives a life of faith in the Son of God; and seeks continued supplies of the grace and help of the Spirit. So the Christian Church should always be found in the attitude of "leaning on her Beloved," Sol. Song, Isa_8:5; and should realize that all her springs are in God.
2. This duty requires habitual and fervent remembrance in our private devotions.
Love to the Redeemer’s cause is not a transient emotion in the Christian’s heart; but it is a fixed principle, and growing habit of soul. He "prefers Jerusalem above his chief joy." He should then be frequent, fervent, importunate, and persevering, in his intercession.
3. This duty requires union in Christians.
Addressing his assembled disciples, Jesus said, "Pray ye," Mat_6:9. The true disciples of Jesus are united in spirit and service. The words of our Saviour’s prayer are memorable: "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me," Joh_17:21. What Christian can be reluctant to engage in a service so delightful and animating, as united prayer for the coming of Christ’s kingdom on earth?
4. This duty requires the use of all proper means for suitably training laborers for the missionary field.
In our favored churches, where the Spirit’s influence is enjoyed, let the subject of foreign missions be presented in just prominence. In our theological seminaries, let a careful inquiry and deep interest be cultivated and cherished among their members, who shall soon go forth to preside in the churches of our own land, to give a tone to their sentiments and feelings, or else to enter themselves upon the glorious work.
5. This duty requires that all the churches of Christ should systematically and efficiently aid in the promotion of the cause of missions.
It cannot be necessary to argue the duty of professed Christians to give their prayers, their property, and labors, to this cause. The Christian judgment needs not be convinced, but the Christian conscience needs to be awakened, and the heart affected, Christians should learn to give, not from the impulse of momentary excitement, but from the deliberate conviction of duty, in the discharge of which the heart seeks its highest joy. Systematically, I say, because it is to be regretted that so many churches so readily relax their efforts, until some new impulse be given, which soon spends itself. These are like the mountain streams, fed by sudden showers, which soon pass away.
Application
Let every pastor present the claims of this cause prominently before his people, and feel that its prosperity is identified with the success of his labors at home. Let information be generally extended, and every means to excite interest, and combine effort, be employed. While in opposing the march of truth, various errors and conflicting interests combine, let the Church of God arise in her strength, and in unbroken columns march onward, under the banners of her great Captain, from victory to victory. While the enemy opposes and rages, we remember, "They that be with us are more than they that be with them," 2Ki_6:16. God’s truth is great, and must finally triumph.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS