THE penman of this psalm is un­known. He was, probably, some holy prophet, priest, or Levite, who penned it during his own and his brethren's captivity in Babylon. It has ever been justly admired; and attempts have been made by some of the first poets to render [Page 6] it into English verse. We regret that he who excelled all others in sacred poesy, and who has given an admirable trans­lation of this psalm, ‘in its Jewish form," should have asserted, that it could not well be converted into Chris­tianity;’ ^* and has, consequently, omitted it in his system for divine wor­ship. It appears to admit of an easy and useful application.

AS Jerusalem was a type of the Chris­tian church on earth, and of the general assembly of the first-born on high, so the captive state of the Jews, the scoffs which they endured from their enemies, the affectionate remembrance of their former privileges, and their prospects of a glo­rious restoration, well represent the af­flictions of the Church, and her final triumph; together with the exercises of the pious under these considerations. The words which have been read are beautifully and forcibly expressive. To [Page 7] manifest the most tender concern for the distress of Jerusalem, and anxiety for her deliverance, the form of an imprecation is adopted. ‘If I forget thee, O Jeru­salem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.’ Rather than string their harps for the purpose of mirth, they wish that they might lose their skill in playing; rather than cease to mourn their desolate condition, and look forward to the return of prosperity, they wish to be deprived of the use of their faculties.

THESE words teach us, my brethren, what ought to be our sentiment and con­duct with respect to the extension of the gospel of Christ; and they afford a pro­per subject of discourse on this occa­sion. They have been preferred, because Christians appear more to need excite­ment than information as to their duty. There is not one of us who does not [Page 8] believe that a time will come when the Christian religion will prevail over the whole earth, and that we are under obli­gation to promote this; but we are too seldom aware of the means in our power, and too disinclined to use them. In one word, while we assent to the necessity and benefit of missions, they are either not undertaken, or not supported, for want of a missionary spirit.

THE design then is, simply, to describe the temper and practice of those who can sincerely speak the language of the text.

IN the first place, The enlargement of the Church is to such, an object of their highest desire. ‘If I prefer not Jerusa­lem above my chief joy.’ To this, riches, honors, and pleasures yield in es­timation, and with the greatest reason. The glory of God, and the welfare of mankind are the leading principles which govern the Christian's heart; and these are advanced in proportion to the success [Page 9] of the gospel. Every sentiment of grati­tude, and every benevolent feeling unite in diffusing the knowledge of the love of God to our lost world.

THIS contributes to the temporal hap­piness of men, by enlightening their minds, subduing their evil passions, and directing them in the discharge of the du­ties which they owe to the great Author of all, and to one another. That so much misery is found on this earth arises from the partial and imperfect prevalence of the Christian religion. Even where it is professed, it is either misunderstood, or corrupted, or the power of it is not felt. Its real tendency is to produce righteous­ness and peace; and we are assured that this will be the effect when the nations generally embrace it; that ‘nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nei­ther shall they learn war any more.’

THE mere politician considers a nation happy when her commerce is extensive [Page 10] and secure; when she is tranquil at home, and commands respect abroad; he sees in the revolutions of empires only the workings of human passions, and he fondly anticipates a time when civil rights being well understood, and free govern­ments established, a melioration shall take place. But he who prefers Jerusalem above his chief joy, calls ‘that people happy whose God is the Lord;’ he views every revolution as connected with and subservient to Messiah's reign, and that on this ultimately depends the hap­piness of the great family of mankind. The fault lies in the innate corruption of our nature. That only which can and will effectually regenerate the world is the religion of Jesus Christ.

BUT when we consider that the re­demption of Christ is the way which God hath provided for the recovery of fallen men to holiness and happiness; that without the knowledge of this they must suffer endless misery in a future state, [Page 11] how awfully important to publish the tidings of salvation! The reflection that the greater part of our race are living in ignorance of the true God, in suspense as to what awaits them after death, or in anticipation of divine wrath, and must finally sink under everlasting despair, will excite the most lively emotions in the pious heart.^* ‘If I forget thee, O Je­rusalem.’ ‘Nothing is so constant in my remembrance, nothing gives me such deep sorrow as the perishing con­dition of my fellow-creatures.’

[Page 12]Is he, my brethren, esteemed a bene­factor of mankind who breaks the yoke of tyrants, and secures to a people civil freedom? Much more ought he who de­livers them from the captivity of sin and satan. Is he entitled to reward who in­troduces the arts of civilization? Much more is he who teaches the heavenly art of living to God, and prepares citizens for the New Jerusalem. Is he the friend of the poor and miserable who visits, and cheers by his bounty, their gloomy abodes? Much more is he who directs the laboring conscience where to find peace, and points to life and immortality through the Saviour. The progress of the gospel is an object of the highest importance to the temporal and eternal welfare of our race, and it is an object of the highest desire to all who feel the spirit of the text.

IN the second place, Such will encou­rage and strengthen one another in this glorious work. While they are not un­apprehensive [Page 13] of the difficulties which they must necessarily encounter, they will not be disposed to magnify these, and to dwell upon them so as to discourage themselves and others. Every enterprise is attended with difficulties. The Chris­tian has nothing to do with these, when the path of duty is evident, but to fore­see and prepare to meet them; leaving the event to God who doeth according to his will, and before whom the mountains often become a plain.

IT has been said, by way of discourag­ing the attempt to send the gospel to the Heathen, that now is not the time which God hath fixed for their conversion. Whence has this information been ob­tained? Who has released Christians from the obligation to make constant and unwearied exertions? Are not the means and the end connected? And when the former are faithfully used, have we not reason to believe that the latter will fol­low? Yea, when the proper methods are [Page 14] vigorously pursued, may it not be said, that the time is come?

IT has been objected that it is in vain to send the gospel to a people, until they are civilized? But how are they to be civilized? Will not the person who teaches them the things which belong to their everlasting peace, teach them also the arts of civilization, and inculcate the duties of sobriety and industry? Will their meeting together for divine wor­ship, and the instruction of their children have no effect? Will not these gradually check their roving disposition, and soften their ferocious nature? So far from wait­ing until a state of civilization precede the preaching of the gospel, that these must go together; or rather, the recep­tion of the Christian religion will natu­rally produce the other.

AGAIN, It has been objected that mul­titudes on the frontiers, and even in the interior places of our country, are desti­tute [Page 15] of religious instruction; and that these first demand our attention. It can­not be justly said that they are so destitute as the savages in the wilderness. Many of them once lived under the gospel; and they either have, or might have now the means of salvation. The holy scriptures, which testify of Christ, are accessible to them. Besides missionaries are sent among them by most of the Christian denomi­nations. Granting their condition to be pitiable, is not the condition of others more to be deplored? Should we not fly to save those first who are in the greatest danger of destruction? Who have the best claim to our benevolence? Those who are deprived of every way of relief, or those who will not use it when in their reach?

IT has been farther started as a diffi­culty that proper missionaries cannot be procured. Such persons seem to forget that "the Lord of the harvest" hath [Page 16] promised, and ‘that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.’

THESE objections will not deter those who are intent on the work. They are answered by referring to the grace of the Redeemer, and by an appeal to repeated experience. Had the Apostles been af­frighted by dangers of this sort, they had never gone forth into all the world. Had Paul consulted with flesh and blood, he had not been ‘debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians;’ he had never preached the gospel ‘from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum.’ Let any missionary to the islands of the South-Sea, to Africa, or to the Indians on our borders, produce such a catalogue of hardships as this; ‘Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered ship­wreck; a night and a day have I been in the deep: In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, [Page 17] in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in pe­rils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painful­ness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.’ ^*—What a holy zeal actua­ted this great Apostle! These various and numerous sufferings, enough to ap­pal the stoutest heart, did not check his career. He has left them on record, as if to shame the indolence and timidity of those who complain, or to show what can be endured for the cross of Christ.

THE institution of such societies as of late years have taken place, embracing the different denominations, has a happy tendency to encourage, to animate, and to give efficacy to their efforts. The in­fluence of a single man is often great; the influence of a number striving to­gether for the same cause is still greater, [Page 18] and renders success almost certain. The expression used in the address of one of the Missionary Societies in Britain,^* con­veys a noble and affecting idea; ‘a ge­neral movement of the Church upon earth.’ When this army marches to battle under Jesus the Captain of salva­tion, their victories will be irresistible, ra­pid, and universal. ‘Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously, because of truth, and meekness, and righteous­ness: And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.’ ^†

IN the third place, Those who feel the spirit expressed by the Jewish captives in the text, will make the cause of the Church matter of earnest and repeated supplications to the throne of grace. As the success of the gospel is uppermost in their thoughts and what they most fer­vently desire, so they will plead with God [Page 19] that every obstacle may be removed, and that "all flesh may see his salvation." "Ye that make mention of the Lord," says the prophet, ‘keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he make Jerusa­lem a praise in the earth.’ ^*

HOW consolatory to Christians to know that though some of them may be depri­ved of other means of affording assistance, yet they can all help by their prayers! And what encouragement to Missionaries struggling with difficulties, that they have access to Him who heareth prayer, and are assured that they are continually remembered by the faithful in every part of the world!

BESIDES the secret addresses to God, those who are truly engaged for the pro­motion of the Redeemer's kingdom, will meet together, and unite in their suppli­cations. To this exercise a blessing is promised. Hear the words of our Lord! ‘[Page 20]I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ ^* This is what makes the concerts of prayer so necessary and useful. They originated in Britain immediately upon the institution of the Missionary Societies, and the example in both was followed here. The same spi­rit which leads to the one will lead to the other.

THESE societies for missionary efforts, and for prayer, are the more pleasing, and promise to be attended with the greater advantage, because they consist of those of various denominations. Differ­ing in things small and unessential, they ‘agree as touching one thing that they shall ask.’ Our Father who art in heaven, bring thy people more and more [Page 21] to one mind in extending the gospel of thy Son, and in answer to their joint re­quests, let the work be done for them!

ONCE MORE, Let me mention that those who manifest the temper which has been described, will cheerfully contribute of their worldly substance. Without this, our desires are insincere, we do but dishearten and weaken one another, and our prayers are unacceptable. The Apos­tle, in commending the liberality of the Churches of Macedonia, says, they ‘first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.’ All who truly devote themselves to God, will de­vote the means with which they are fa­vored to the promotion of his cause. They will consider themselves not as pro­prietors, but as stewards; that wealth is given them not to live in ease, and roll in splendor, but that they may employ it in the service of Him who is Lord of all.

[Page 22]"Lo, I dwell," said David, ‘in an house of cedars, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth under curtains.’ ^* How similar his words in another place to those in the text! ‘Sure­ly I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, nor slumber to mine eye-lids, until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.’ ^† ‘I feel criminal," as though he had said, in possessing, and cannot enjoy this costly mansion, nor any of the luxuries with which I am surrounded, until provision be made for the ark of God.’ The prophet Haggai, when he reproved the people for their neglect of building the Lord's house, said, ‘Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste.’ Ah, how differently do some who call them­selves Christians act! While they live in splendid houses, ride in chariots, and fare [Page 23] sumptuously every day, they hardly be­stow a thought on the millions who pe­rish for lack of knowledge. Even the crumbs which fall from their tables, the superfluities of fortune, are refused.

THE objection has been sometimes made, that were there an opportunity of establishing missions in this country, Christians are not sufficiently numerous and wealthy for the purpose. A little consideration will teach us, that the only danger is in the want of union and zeal. If united, they can accomplish more than they are aware of; and if zealous, abun­dant means can be produced. Do we not find individuals and companies pur­chasing immense tracts of land, establish­ing banks, building palaces, and freight­ing vessels with the richest treasures? Whence all these things? Whence do men derive the means for these enter­prises, and yet when solicited to give for religious uses their right hands forget their cunning? They are withered and [Page 24] cannot be stretched forth? Is it not be­cause they forget Jerusalem, and set her prosperity below their chief joy? Infidels may sneer, and carnal professors start alarmed as though they feared to be robbed of their gods, but let them know that accursed is every thing which is not subservient to the cross of Christ; and that whosoever sacrilegiously withholds from God, his money shall perish with him, the rust of it shall witness against him, and shall eat his flesh as it were fire.

BUT there is no necessity for such de­mands upon Christians as would deprive them of a single convenience or even comfort in life. There is an abundance for the work, of what the possessors can­not possibly enjoy; yea, of what is a burden to them, and may be a real inju­ry to their posterity. None will under­stand me as inveighing against industry and enterprise in the concerns of this world, or against a liberal provision for our households. Suffer me, however, to [Page 25] say, and to ask every one in this assem­bly to mark it, that the honor and ad­vantage of wealth lie singly in its proper use. It makes eminent when it is made the instrument of eminent good.

WHEN God requires our souls, whose shall those things be which we have pro­vided? When at death, O man, thy right hand shall forget her cunning, and thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, will it be a pleasure to reflect that thou never usedst either for the glory of God? Hadst thou remembered Jerusalem, and preferred her above thy chief joy, thou wouldst have had a place there; but now thou art shut out, and thy short-lived joys are followed by endless torments!

ADMITTING that the rich worldling should still withhold his gifts, there is no occasion for despair. All who are im­pressed with the importance of the design will contribute time after time, accord­ing to their ability; and God will gra­ciously [Page 26] accept and prosper the willing mind. He knows the desolations of our Zion, he will fulfil the desires of the mourners, and he will ‘do good, in his good pleasure unto Zion, and will build the walls of Jerusalem.’

AFTER this brief discussion of the subject, bear with me a little longer, my brethren, while I endeavour to apply it more particularly to the business for which we are assembled this evening.

WHEN so many parts of the earth are buried in darkness, the light which we enjoy should raise our gratitude to God who hath thus distinguished us. Our privileges call also for a suitable improve­ment of them. More is expected from us than from the unenlightened heathen; and if we continue in impenitence, our condemnation will be more highly aggra­vated. Let us remember these words of our Lord; ‘This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and [Page 27] men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.’ ^* Let us tremble at the woes he denounced against Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Caper­naum, on account of their unbelief, after all the mighty works which had been done among them. O sinners, the gospel which we wish to publish abroad, has been often published to you. What re­ception have you given it? Are you still strangers to faith in the righteousness of Christ to justify you before God, and to the influences of the holy Spirit to renew and sanctify your nature? Be alarmed at your condition, and be entreated to em­brace without delay the salvation which is offered to you. Unless we have been brought to feel our own sin and misery, and to flee for refuge to that plan of re­covery which God hath revealed, it is not to be expected that we will be solicitous to proclaim the glad tidings to others. Only the love of God shed abroad in the heart will cause bowels of compassion. [Page 28] Only this will excite a real concern that the Lord may ‘gather together the out­casts of Israel.’

WITH the institution of a Missionary Society in this city, the principal object of which is to send the gospel to the In­dian tribes, you are well acquainted. The transactions of the Society have been published annually; and the progress which has been made will appear from the report of the Directors at this meet­ing. It is necessary, at present, only to say, that the missionary who was sent to the Chickasaw Indians ^* has been form­ally and kindly received; that he return­ed last fall, with the approbation of the chiefs, in order to remove his family; [Page 29] that the Directors employed, during the winter, an additional person as a catechist, and who is also a mechanic; and that both these persons with their wives and twelve children began their journey, in the state of Vermont, on the 13th day of last month, and are now on their way to the Chickasaw country. The whole company consists of seventeen souls.^* They have been furnished with passports, and every necessary document. O Shepherd of Is­rael, lead the flock in safety to the place of their destination!

HAVING thus effected a permanent re­sidence for persons who carry with them the joyful found of the gospel, and the arts of civilized life, we believe that tem­poral and eternal blessings are about to be extended to these poor heathen. The support of these missionaries and of others who may be employed, as the prospect brightens, will require constant dona­tions [Page 30] from all who prefer Jerusalem above their chief joy. At first it seemed matter of experiment, and some doubted; but every encouragement which can be rationally expected is now given. If we contributed formerly, when there was neither Missionary, nor certain object of his labours in view, how much more when God hath directed to both, and granted success!

FREQUENTLY has been pled before you the cause of poor children, and your works praised you. On a late occasion, you committed to us the sacred trust of expressing your griefs for the loss of the man whom you delighted to honor, and we received your indulgence.^* Fain would we, this evening, clear ourselves of the blood of men. Terrible are the yells of the savage when he darts from his ambush on his foe; but infinitely more terrible his screams of agony in a [Page 31] future state, to those who suffer him to perish through neglect. ‘You white people knew the will of the Great Spi­rit, but you would not come and tell us. You came indeed into our woods, and took away our hunting grounds. You brought us rum, and exchanged it for our furs. You taught us to lie, and to cheat, and to swear; but you sent us none to teach us how we might be hap­py when we were gathered to our fa­thers.’ How severe such reproaches! and alas, how justly merited by some who bear the Christian name!

THE collections made on the evenings of prayer are small. It is at the annual meetings the Society solicits, and places considerable dependence for aid. A ser­mon is preached as a mean of engaging our own hearts in the duties of religion, of animating one another in our noble undertaking, and of affording an oppor­tunity to all who love Jerusalem to con­tribute their gifts. ‘Peace be within [Page 32] thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.’ ‘If I forget thee, O Jeru­salem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.’

I CANNOT better conclude this dis­course than by directing your attention, my Christian brethren, to the encou­raging prospects which appear for the Church from the missionary spirit which has gone forth, and the glorious promises in the word of God. Encouragement may be drawn from the very calamities which are come upon the earth, and that flood of impiety which has threatened to overwhelm us. These latter days have been foretold, and are a sign of the com­ing of the Son of man. The Lord, in his own time, and we trust soon, will "turn again the captivity of Zion." The harps will be snatched from the wil­lows, and highly strung to his praise.

[Page 33]BUT whatever prosperity we expect to attend the Church, at certain periods, in this world, she may be said to be in capti­vity until the whole plan of redemption is completed; until ‘the glorious appear­ing of the great God, and our Saviour.’ Look forward to that joyful time. Then, O ye redeemed, will your afflictions be remembered only to increase your delight. Then will the rivers of Babylon be ex­changed for the pure river of the water of life; the willows for the tree of life; and you will ask for the harps of angels to sound the praises of your God and Redeemer.