Εικόνες σελίδας
PDF
Ηλεκτρ. έκδοση

out; with what success we know not, as circumstances not long after arose which put an end to the mission.

A century afterwards, the Portuguese discovered the way to India round the Cape of Good Hope, and in 1511 took possession of Malacca. In 1552, the celebrated Francis Xavier, thinking all the success which had attended his labors in India and Japan nothing, if he did not convert the greatest of nations, the Chinese, set out from Malacca with the firm purpose either to die or to promulgate his doctrines in China. Noble resolution! though in a Catholic missionary. Alas! that such a zeal of God should not have been altogether according to knowledge! With incredible difficulty he was at length landed on an island opposite Canton, but died before he could execute his design. Three successive attempts by the Dominicans, Augustines, and Capuchins to effect a lodgement in China failed. The Italian Jesuit, A. Valignano, Vicar of India, who spent three months in Macao in 1583, while looking at this immense but apparently inaccessible empire, was heard to exclaim, "O rock! O rock! when wilt thou open? Choosing from among the missionaries committed to his care, the most talented, he caused them to be instructed in the Chinese language. The most celebrated of these, Roger and Ricci, succeeded at length by consummate perseverance, in getting footing in the empire, and thus opened the door for others. Having established churches in several places, Ricci visited the capital, gained access to the Emperor Wan-leih, and among his converts soon numbered Le, a great mandarin, and Seu, a minister of the cabinet, who, together with his illustrious daughter Candida, became a champion of the Christian faith. Candida soon won over her husband, encouraged the missionaries, educated exposed infants in the Christian faith, and at her own expense built churches, and printed for distribution 130 volumes on Christian doctrine, translated into Chinese; but among them, strange to say, was no translation of the word of God! Here is one of the striking differences between Popish and Protestant missions. It is not difficult to see which rests most firmly on the authority of the word of God, the Church which withholds, or that which bestows the Scriptures. How different might have been the state of China at this moment, had these missionaries been faithful to their high trust, in giving the Bible freely to the millions around them, or even to their illustrious converts! Ricci died in 1610. He was the first Catholic missionary who had penetrated into the empire, and had spent only 27 years there in his work; yet when he died, there were more than 300 churches in the different provinces! "What cannot one zealous man do, if his whole soul be directed towards one object! What might Ricci have done, had he dedicated his labors to the blessed Redeemer!"

Ricci was succeeded by Schaal, a German Jesuit, equal if not superior to himself. The prime minister of the new emperor Yungleih, his two principal generals Keu and Chin, the empress dowager, the empress herself, and her son Constantine the heir of the crown,

were converted to Christianity, and baptized by Koffler, a German Jesuit, in 1650; and the Catholic faith would doubtless have been established as the religion of China, but for the success of the Mantchoo Tartar arms, which placed a new dynasty on the throne. Perhaps in the end we have reason to rejoice in this event, rather than to regret it. Providence seems to have purposely reserved this vast empire for a purer faith, and for this reason prevented it from falling under the yoke of the Man of Sin.

Schaal however, and Verbiest, became favorites with the new government, and the Emperor Shun-che, and Kang-he, who, next to Kublai, was the greatest prince that ever sat upon the Chinese throne, favored the Catholic missions. Yung Ching, his successor, in 1723, was their enemy, and banished all the missionaries, except such as he found subservient to his interests at court, forever from the empire. By this order 300,000 native converts were deprived at once of their spiritual guides; many were cruelly punished; many apostatized; but some steadfastly endured. Perhaps these had really found the Saviour. We would not willingly believe that all the fruit of these missions was chaff. Even in Babylon the Lord has his people, and it might be so here. Successive efforts have been since made by the Catholics to regain the ground lost in China, but with little effect. Regarding them as enemies to the state, as intriguing emissaries of a foreign power, (not indeed without some reason) the succeeding Emperors, Keen-lung, and Kea-king, repeatedly persecuted them. The present reigning monarch, Taou-kwang, who came to the throne in 1822, has been less hostile, and of late many Catholic missionaries have entered. the country; but their principal work is reading mass, and distributing crucifixes and pictures, and the calendars of the Romish church. The number of their converts is said to be 600,000. But they are generally very poor and ignorant, despised and bigoted, a stumbling-block, instead of an honor to the Gospel. They have lately manifested much opposition to Mr. Gutzlaff's labors in diffusing the word of God in China. Yet to extend this spurious form of Christianity in China, there are now seminaries for training Catholic missionaries at Macao, Lisbon, Naples, and Paris, and from 30,000 to 50,000 dollars are expended annually!

IV. PROTESTANT MISSIONS.

Over this vast field Protestants have too long slumbered. The London Missionary Society formed in 1795, was the first to awake to its claims. From the first, the Directors of that Society resolved to send a missionary to China, as soon as a suitable man could be found. The subject was brought up year after year, but it was not until 1803, that they succeeded in finding a missionary in the late Dr. Robert Morrison. After several years preparation at the Missionary Seminary, under Dr. Bogue, at Gosport, this distinguished man embarked for China, by way of America, in 1807. On his way he spent about three weeks in the United States, formed acquaintance with several valuable Christian friends, and received

from Mr. Madison, then Secretary of State, letters of introduction to Mr. Carrington, American Consul at Canton. On his arrival at Macao, through the influence of the Catholic priests, he was ordered away by the Portuguese authorities; and being thus forced to go immediately to Canton, found a welcome reception from Mr. Carrington, and enjoyed the privileges of the American factory of that place. Thus our country had the high honor of aiding the first Protestant Missionary to China. Dr. Morrison's subsequent labors are well known. By him chiefly, with the assistance of Dr. Milne, who joined him in 1813, the whole Bible has been translated into the language of China, a work which the Catholics, after 250 years missionary labor never attempted! By him also a Chinese Grammar and Dictionary have been prepared, which will immensely facilitate the labors of succeeding missionaries. By his means, moreover, an Anglo-Chinese College was established at Malacca in 1818, and is now under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Evans, in a flourishing condition. Several Chinese converts have been and are now active laborers in spreading the gospel among their countrymen. Protestant missions have also been established at Penang, Singapore, Batavia, and Bankok, for the benefit of China. But a survey of these will naturally come under our second head of inquiry, and must be reserved to a future opportunity. Christians! Protestants! remember the 400 millions of China.

ON MAKING THE MOST OF LIFE.

The facts contained in the latter part of the following extract will be new and interesting to many, and throw new light over the character of an eminently glorious band of Baptist Ministers. May others be stirred up to go and do likewise.

From the Memoirs of Rev. Joseph S. Christmas, by E. Lord, Esq. In the contemplation of his history, likewise, it is obvious to consider how much with such a character may be effected within a brief space of time. The whole period of his active usefulness, after he received license to preach the gospel, scarcely exceeded five years; yet, by consecrating himself wholly to his work, and in a spirit of simple dependence on God earnestly aiming and desiring to accomplish much, and, in short, by making the most of his time, his gifts and faculties, his acquisitions, his influence, his prayers, his faith, and his hopes,-he effected and was the means of great and permanent good in different places; exerted a wide and salutary influence, and exhibited a character and an example alike creditable to religion and beneficial to man. Had he aimed at less, and given but a wavering and divided attention to his great object, his life, had forty years been added to it, might have been less valuable to himself and the world, than it has actually been. While considering his high aim, and the constancy of his purposes, the writer has been reminded of what was related to him some years ago, by the late Rev. Dr. Ryland, of Bristol, respecting the

peculiar development of character, and superior attainments and usefulness, of his early associates, Carey, Fuller, Sutcliffe, Pearce, and others; namely that when they were obscure and without learning or influence, they agreed together, and resolved, after much consideration of the state of the world and of the cause of religion, to endeavor, by the utmost efforts in their power, respectively TO MAKE THE MOST OF LIFE;' to make the greatest possible attainments in holiness, and to glorify God and benefit their fellow-men in the highest possible degree. In pursuance of this resolve, one of the leading objects, which appeared most important to be undertaken and which best suited this character, was referred to each, to be the engrossing object of his exertions. To Carey, it was assigned to lead the way as a missionary to the heathen-to Fuller, to exert his great power as a biblical student, and theological writer-to Ryland, himself, to occupy the distinguished office of training young men for the gospel ministry-to Pearce, to rouse the public mind to the subject of missions, &c. The extraordinary attainments, influence and usefulness of these individuals are, without doubt, owing, in a great degree, to the high purposes and aims which they thus solemnly resolved to pursue with indefatigable constancy and zeal through life.

[blocks in formation]

PLAN OF A DAILY CONCERT OF PRAYER.

We have thought it might do good to put our readers in possession of the plan of a Daily Concert which they will find below, copied from the Memoir of the late Rev. Joseph Emerson, with whom it originated. The explanations which follow will sufficiently show the reasons for the arrangement of the topics for daily supplication. We invite the attention of Christians to the subject. Mr. Emerson himself observes with his usual ardor, "My opinion is, if they will try this experiment in earnest, they will pray twice as much for the conversion of the world-twice as much, and twice as well; and thus the blessed effect will be four times as great. And what if the whole Christian world should thus increase the amount and efficacy of their prayers for Zion's enlargement? O consummation most devoutly to be wished. And such consummation, and much more glorious, is near at hand."

PLAN OF A DAILY CONCERT OF PRAYER.

"Pray without ceasing."

66

SABBATH.

Thy kingdom come."

Sabbath duties and privileges, as preaching, Sabbath schools, family instruction, etc. 2 Thess. 3: 1.

MONDAY.

Conversion of the world;-Foreign missions, the destruction of Antichrist, the downfall of idolatry, and all false religion, and the universal prevalence of peace, knowledge, freedom, and salvation. Bible, missionary and tract societies, the cause of seamen, etc. Psalm 2: 8.

TUESDAY.

The ministers of the Gospel, and all who are preparing to become such; and likewise societies for the education of pious young men for the ministry. 1 Thess. 5: 25. Luke 10: 2.

WEDNESDAY.

The rising generation,--colleges, seminaries, and schools of every description; the children of the church, the children of the ungodly, and orphan children. Isaiah 44: 3.

THURSDAY.

Professing Christians,--that they may much more abound in all the fruits of the Spirit, presenting their bodies a living sacrifice, and offering gladly of their substance to the Lord, to the extent of his requirement,-that afflicted saints may be comforted, backsliders reclaimed, and hypocrites converted,-that Zion being purified, may arise and shine. Isaiah 62: 1.

FRIDAY.

Our country, our rulers; our free institutions, our benevolent societies; forgiveness of national sins; deliverance from slavery, Popery, infidelity, Sabbath breaking, intemperance, profaneness, etc. Daniel 9: 19. Psalm 67: 1, 2.

SATURDAY.

The Jews. Isaiah 54: 8. Ezekiel 36: 27. Also our friends.

« ΠροηγούμενηΣυνέχεια »