Old and New Testament, are all exemplified here, in _living
characters_. In the letters to the dear youth, who stand to you
in the relations of sons, and daughters, and pupils, it has been
my object to assist you, in making known to them the present
_condition and character_ of the Chinese. I have narrated chiefly,
such things as I had either seen or heard here on the spot. Many
of the accounts are imperfect, and the descriptions faint; and
I am on that very account, more anxious that you should follow
up the subject, explaining and illustrating whatever the children
do not easily understand. I wish you would often read to them the
44th chapter of Isaiah, and the 1st chapter of Romans. I wish also
that you would collect and point out to them interesting accounts,
published in the Missionary Herald, and in religious newspapers,
and books which have been published on missions. It is of great
importance that children be well instructed, correctly and
extensively informed, in regard to the condition of those to whom
the gospel is yet to be published. Every one, whether old or young,
rich or poor, has an interest‑‑a personal interest in this great
and glorious work; but children have a peculiar personal interest.
From the present generation of children, many hundreds, nay,
thousands of missionaries, are to be trained up and sent abroad
to the fields already white for the harvest. Our Lord, the Saviour,
has made it the privilege, and the duty, of every one who will
be his disciple, _to seek first the kingdom of heaven_; and he
has assured us that no one can be his disciple who will not forsake
all and follow him. It will profit a man nothing, if he gain the
whole world and lose his own soul: and so in comparison with seeking
to extend the religion of Jesus Christ. In comparison with bringing
souls from the damnation and power of sin and Satan into the kingdom
of God's dear Son, all things also are nothing. There is to be
a great change in the opinions, and feelings, and actions, of
Christians, in regard to this subject, else the gospel will not
be preached to every creature. Now hundreds and thousands of
Christians, or rather who call themselves Christians, are saying,
"We have nothing to do in this business, and we can't do any thing
if we try." But the time is coming, when all good people will say,
"We have a great work to do, for it is our business to publish
the gospel to every creature; and we can do all things through
Christ strengthening us."
It will help to hasten this change, if we make this subject‑‑the
subject of missions‑‑the preaching of the gospel to every
creature‑‑the conversion of the whole world‑‑very familiar to our
own minds and to the minds of others,‑‑especially to children.
If the Lord Jesus Christ should come down from heaven, and go round
to each of your houses, and entering, should address you
individually, and say, Go ye and preach the gospel to every creature;
you would think this a most solemn command; one which you could
not misunderstand. So it would be, and just so it is now. It is
no more your duty and your privilege, than it is my duty and
privilege. It is a common cause; one in which it is alike the
privilege and the bounden duty of every disciple of the Lord Jesus
Christ to engage, and with his whole soul, and mind and strength.
The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence. The case which I have
presented, is an extreme one‑‑a case of life and death‑‑not the
life of a single individual, a brother, a sister, or a child; nor
is it the temporal life of 10,000 individuals. Oh! no. It is the
eternal life of hundreds of thousands of immortal souls.
And now, dear friends, allow me to make in behalf of those among
whom I live, this one request;‑‑that you will think often of their
condition, and make it a frequent subject of conversation with
your children. I desire that you may do this, that you may be led,
and may lead your children to desire and earnestly to pray for
the conversion of the Chinese.
There is no danger of thinking, or saying, or feeling, or doing
too much in a work of such amazing magnitude. The danger, and it
is very great, is all on the other side. One solitary instance
of doing too much, has never yet been known; but on the contrary
all have come short. You can easily imagine what would be your
feelings, if you should see your fellow creatures, friends and
strangers, sinking and drowning in the waves, and if it was in
your power, you would, even at the hazard of your own lives, seek
to save them. O then, what ought to be the emotions, and what the
effort to save, when contemplating a whole nation sinking in the
bottomless pit? Sinking! yet they are like us, prisoners of hope.
And if they hear the joyful sound, and believe in Jesus, then shall
they be saved. Wishing you and your children, everlasting
happiness, I remain ever, your affectionate friend and servant,
E.C.B.