619. ISA 54:2. HAPPY INFLUENCE OF FOREIGN MISSIONS ON THE CHURCH
Isa_54:2. Happy Influence of Foreign Missions On the Church
By The Rev. David Abeel.
"Spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes."’97Isa_54:2.
The text is a command given to the church,’97in other words, a duty enjoined upon Christians. The only way to ascertain both its precise meaning, and the best mode of its accomplishment, is to consult the preceding and following verses. "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; for thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited."
The whole passage, then, refers to the conversion of the Gentiles, or heathen; and furnishes the following important suggestion, that there is no system of means so well calculated to give expansion and stability to the church of Christ (not merely to lengthen her cords, but also to strengthen her stakes), as foreign missionary operation. The direct benefits of missionary exertions upon the heathen, and their reflex action upon the churches which put forth these exertions, are both to be considered in estimating the efficacy of these means. It is a question of great interest, and one which cannot be too freely discussed, nor too quickly determined, whether, for the good of the world, the main energies of the church ought to be expended upon countries nominally Christian and comparatively limited; or upon the more extensive and populous regions, now shrouded in pagan darkness and Mohammedan delusion? The decision of this question would indicate to many a mind, now vacillating and distressed; it would assure the confidence of the doubtful; it would recall his distracted attention, and concentrate his divided efforts; it would send forth streams of vital influence through those appropriate channels, which, for aught we know, are now empty and dry.
There are several reasons which are supposed by many to favor the opinion, that Christian exertion is less productive among pagan nations than at home.
(1.) There are preliminary barriers which oppose the efforts of the missionary, and which do not exist in Christian lands.
Of these, the most important are strange languages, and strong prejudices. That these are real obstacles, ignorance alone will deny. There is, perhaps, nothing more trying to a sensitive heart, than to be surrounded by crowds of deluded and dying men, between whom and yourself there is no medium of intellectual communication. An ocean rolling between could not more effectually separate you from the objects of your compassion. In some countries, the difficulties of acquiring languages yield to nothing but the most persevering labor. This, however, is not everywhere the case. Perhaps no two languages are equally difficult of attainment. There are places where even transient traders and travellers pick up the native tongue, and soon become eloquent in its employment. As the number of missionaries increase, the difficulties of languages are reduced, and the facilities for their acquisition multiplied. Nay, missionaries not merely abbreviate the term of pupilage to their successors; but furnish them with useful labor, even during their necessary studies. There are daily services to be performed at every station, which cannot be dispensed with, and which do not demand the employment of the tongue. And these services are generally proportioned, in number and variety, to the efficiency of men engaged.
Another preliminary obstacle mentioned to the successful efforts of the missionary, is prejudice. In a few prominent heathen countries of the world, this barrier appears almost impregnable. China, Japan, and Cochin China, have marshalled their forces on their frontiers, and bade defiance to foreign aggression. But, even to these countries, there are points of attack which they cannot guard. The gospel is gaining access to China through numerous channels; and, sooner or later, every barrier shall be undermined, and a highway through every part of this empire be prepared for the servants of the Lord.
In almost every land, where missionary efforts have been continued for any considerable time, prejudices have invariably yielded; and, generally, when they begin to subside, they rapidly disappear, and seldom return.
(2.) Another reason for which, it is believed, Christian effort is more profitable at home than abroad, is the systematic and stubborn opposition which the gospel meets from the established forms of civil government and pagan superstition. How far such opposition will be exerted where the Romish religion has loaded the cause of Christianity with its own opprobrium, we can only conjecture. Experiment has proved, that these obstacles scarcely ever prevent the introduction of the gospel, or greatly arrest its progress in any country.
(3.) A third reason, which may be supposed to operate against the comparative advantages of foreign missionary labor, is the risk and waste of life which it involves. If there be, as there doubtless is, a difference in the mortality of ministers in pagan and Christian nations, the reasons are obvious’97the number of missionaries is so limited, that they labor harder, and suffer more, than their brethren at home; and thus far, they have occupied the most unhealthful positions, often under the greatest disadvantages. When missionaries are sent forth in sufficient numbers to supply the stations now possessed, and to occupy the far more extensive and important countries of Northern India, and all the higher divisions of Asia and Europe, the scale will turn; and health and life will probably be enjoyed to as great a degree and protracted a limit in the unevangelical world, as within the present boundaries of Christendom.
This, however, is but one view of the subject. There are arguments which favor the opposite opinion. There are arguments which give a high degree of probability to the conclusion, that the direct results of gospel efforts are greater in pagan than in Christian lands. Among the reasons for such an opinion, is that one which induces almost all ministers of the sanctuary to exchange the sphere of their labor at home; and which would, if they were consistent with their principles, send great numbers of them abroad. The souls to be saved are much more numerous’97much more needy. Another reason is, the means of usefulness are both more various and extensively operative.
A further reason, which shows the superior influence of foreign labor, is the activity of native converts. Notwithstanding all that has been uttered by foes, and feared by friends, of the comparative fruitlessness of foreign missions, if the number of converts, in Christian and heathen lands, were divided by the proportion of gospel-ministers allotted to each sphere of labor, it is probable Christians at home would never again put the question, Where are the fruits of foreign missions?
If in connection with the number of souls actually saved, we estimate the instrumentality prepared, not only for present, but for future operation, we believe but few could hesitate in ascribing the greatest influence upon the church and the world, to foreign missionary exertion. And even if it could be showed that Christian efforts among the heathen are not as productive as at home, even then the chief argument which supports the doctrine presented in the text remains untouched.
2. We believe that foreign missions are the best means of lengthening the cords and strengthening the stakes of the church, because they establish an action and reaction between themselves and the churches, which is most powerful and advantageous to both parties. This may be demonstrated by several facts.
I. Missionary labor increases the piety and energy of the churches.
The missionary spirit includes among its essential endowments, faith, prayer, self-denial, deadness to the world, charity, beneficence, heavenly-mindedness, a willingness to submit to sufferings and hazards, and a supreme regard for the glory of God. If such be the spirit which disposes and prepares men to engage in the work of converting the heathen, it is not difficult to perceive how the churches are benefited by missionary labor.
1. There is the stimulus of example, than which nothing is more influential. Hold up to the churches those with whom they are under equal obligations, but who have far exceeded them in the "work of faith, and labor of love," and you bring a motive to bear upon them which piety cannot resist.
2. It operates through sympathy. We are brethren. Our work, our aim, our strongest desires, our highest honor, our dearest interests, our eternal recompense are the same. Just so far as we are sanctified, what one feels, and attempts, and accomplishes, must powerfully interest and actuate another.
3. There is the duty and blessedness of necessary cooperation. We must labor together. Missionaries are "the messengers of the churches." The churches must send them forth, sustain them with their prayers and contributions, and supply the increasing demand for men, which the opening field requires. The energy of the one increases the energy of the other. The missionary prepares work for the churches, and throws the obligation of its performance upon them, and can the churches remain inactive, when urged to exertion by such a fearful responsibility?
4. Again. It diverts the mind from those unimportant points of doctrinal difference, and metaphysical distinction, and abstruce speculation, which squander the time, and pervert the talents, and ruin the souls of thousands.
5. It operates, too, through the influence of its own greatness. It expands the mind, liberalizes the soul, elevates the aim; arouses faculties and feelings which nothing else could have addressed; and produces efforts and results which no other object could command.
These are some of the invaluable effects of missions upon the churches. But where are your facts? say they who regard this doctrine as a mere splendid theory. Such facts we are capable of furnishing.
(1.) Nothing more powerfully arrests the attention of youth and children, than missionary narratives. By these means they are taught how much they differ from the heathen; and how they ought to pray, and contribute, and labor for their salvation.
(2.) Much has been attributed to the reaction of missions, as a means of producing our revivals, and improving all our home institutions. How much the education, and tract, and Bible societies owe to the strong appeals we furnish them, let the burden of their reports, and especially the eloquence of their agents, attest.
These are some of the channels through which the richest blessings are poured into the churches from missionary stations.
II. Missionary operations not only increase the piety and energy of the churches, but greatly assist in supplying their domestic destitution.
Our former position being admitted, this is its legitimate consequence. If every Christian could be brought to employ all his talents, it would require but a small proportion of the present number’97perhaps only the reduced proportion of Gideon’s army’97to accomplish a greater amount of good than is now effected.
(1.) We have referred to the influence of foreign missions upon the young. Many a converted youth has had his attention directed to the ministry through the reading of missionary journals.
(2.) The reaction of missions upon the domestic interests of individual denominations, is instructive.
(3.) When we speak of the vigor which missionary exertions throw into our domestic institutions, we refer to a very natural operation. That man who has courage to attempt a great enterprise, despises the difficulties of a small one. The energy produced by the one, overlooks all the appalling trifles of the other.
III. The church, through missionary efforts, places herself in the best, and, indeed, in the only position for receiving the most abundant spiritual blessings.
1. These efforts have a direct tendency to remove the most serious obstructions to piety and efficiency.
Where the work of evangelizing the world is carried on with energy, it indicates and produces self-denial and liberality. We need not stop to show that nothing is more repugnant to eminent holiness, or usefulness, than a selfish parsimonious spirit. It is abhorrent in the eyes of a holy God. "For the iniquity of his covetousness." said Jehovah, "was I wroth, and smote him," Isa_57:17.
2. It secures to us those promises which are connected with enlarged exertions.
"The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself," Pro_11:25. "If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not," Isa_58:10, Isa_58:11.
IV. It must encourage and enable the church still more to extend her limits, and thus to return to the heathen world the full influence of her improved condition.
This consequence is certain. It would be a dictate of selfish policy, if it were only a secular interest. Missionary effort is its own reward.
We have seen that it not only demands large resources, but supplies the resources it demands. There is, however, a nobler principle for this enlarged policy, than personal recompense. Confidence is gathered from success, and energy from action. Nothing so effectually convinces the church of the impotence of her own might, and the necessity and adequacy of her Redeemer’s promised aid, as the effort to restore a rebellious world to its God. It is. the most stupendous enterprise, in which mortals have an agency. It taxes the utmost strength; and then makes demands upon faith, which infinitude alone can meet.
Application
1. This subject teaches that lengthening the cords cf the church, is strengthening her stakes. The two are inseparable; and they who confine themselves within their own limits, and labor first and exclusively to improve their domestic interests, without obeying the injunction and following the order of the text, will probably accomplish as little at home as they attempt abroad.
2. Our only authority for. preaching the gospel’97the promises and predictions of the word of God’97the purchase of the Saviour’s death’97the triumph of his oppressed church’97the highest glory of his mediatorial reign,’97all demand the universal diffusion and dominion of Christianity.
3. Church of the living God, awake! Thy slumbers, oh, how guilty, how cruel! Thy husband’97thy Redeemer’97bids thee awake: and what he says to all, he says to each’97awake!
Autor: JABEZ BURNS