[1] Brainerd, Schwartz, and Eliot, and those who in every age
have had the most success in turning men to righteousness,
have been the first to declare that they were nothing.
They, of all men, most ardently implored, and most entirely
depended upon, the agency we are now contemplating; and
their success appears to have been more in proportion to
their earnest solicitude in seeking this blessing, than to
any other cause.--_Hall._
[2] Look at the history of those who have been the most
successful missionaries to the heathen, and see whether you
cannot trace certain results for which you cannot account
on any other hypothesis than that most momentous one of a
Divine influence, at certain periods, accompanying their
labours. In the history of Brainerd and Eliot, and others,
you perceive that for a considerable time there seem to
have been the same efforts employed, the same doctrines
taught, the same earnest and zealous prayers, and the same
watchfulness over their own hearts, and yet no saving
effect produced on others: all still remained barren; no
desirable movement of the heart was excited; and this
continued for a long period. Such was the state of things
when Brainerd first undertook the mission to the Indians;
but, after a considerable time, while he was propounding
only the same doctrines, and using only the same means, the
Spirit of God put forth its energy, and Divine
communication was imparted at one season "like a rushing,
mighty wind," at others "like the dew and the rain from
heaven," softening and thus opening the heart which had
resisted the entrance of sacred truth, and causing the tear
of genuine penitence to steal down the cheek. Nobody could
doubt that there was some one greater than a missionary
there;--that the Spirit of God had changed the barren soil
to sacred ground, and had wetted it, "like Gideon's fleece,
with the dews of heaven." And so it is, my brethren, that
every person who has had any long acquaintance with the
Christian ministry, is aware that there are certain periods
of barrenness and certain periods for bearing fruit. The
same talents, whether great or small, may be brought into
action; but there shall be some seasons in which efforts,
in no way special, shall be crowned with extraordinary
success.--_Hall._
[3] Were it the design of God merely to build a foundation
already laid, or to repair a dilapidated edifice, one might
talk of the efficacy of human suasion; but when that which
is to be done is to create a new principle, to pour new
life into the soul, to give "a new heart," to plant new
seeds in a soil where all has been barrenness and
desolation, to turn waters into new channels, to effect a
total change of heart and character,--what can accomplish
all this but an almighty power? Human suasion can operate
only on principles which already exist. When Demosthenes,
with his powerful eloquence, excited the Athenians to
combat, he only called into action, by a skilful grouping
of motives, and an appropriate exercise of his genius,
principles already existing, but which had lain dormant. He
created nothing new; he transformed them not into new
creatures, but only roused and stimulated those principles
which had animated the bosoms of nations in resisting
tyranny in every age. But when the apostles went forth to
preach faith in Christ, they proposed to make a change in
the mind and heart of man to which there was no natural
tendency; they required a creature "dead in trespasses and
sins" to awake to Christ; they proposed to convert him into
a devoted servant, a subject most loyal, affectionate, and
ardent; and how was it possible that mere human art or
force could accomplish such changes as these?
The Gospel is the instrument of God, and wonderfully fitted
by Him for His work; but even _it_ is nothing more than an
instrument; and when it is successful and baffles every
human effort exerted against it, it is because it is
wielded by an omnipotent arm.--_Hall._