Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... THREE LECTURES ON MISSIONS I SOME BASAL PRINCIPLES TT is assumed that all present accept the Bible as an inspired revelation of the true religion, and as the sufficient and only authoritative declaration of what is obligatory in Christian faith and practice. In seeking, therefore, a sure foundation for Christian missions, we turn to the Scriptures, and especially to those portions written in the first century of our era, and ask what they teach in reference to the duty of evangelizing the nations, on whom responsibility for this work is devolved, and what constitutes a call to personal service. Other interesting questions pertaining to the method of missions, must be reserved for another lecture. To these questions we find answers partly in explicit precepts, about which doubt is infidelity; partly in approved example, wherein we must consider how far it embodied universal principles, equally applicable in all times and all lands, how far it was modified by the apostolic rule of being in matters of mere expediency "all things to all men," and therefore to be adjusted to ever-changing conditions; and partly, we must depend on inference, more or less trustworthy according to its clearness and directness. I. THE DUTY OF EVANGELIZING ALL PEOPLES. This is so clear, so often asserted, so essential to the whole scheme and genius of the gospel, that urging it here would be superfluous. I. The Teaching of Scripture. In the Old Testament.--Abraham, brought from beyond the river to found a separate family, rejoiced in the promise of a seed in whom "all the nations of the earth should be blessed" (Gen. 22: 18). The prophets, while warning the people against alien influence, saw in the distance the promised seed set "for a light to the Gentiles, to...