THE HOPKINSIAN MAGAZINE. VOL. II. MARCH, 1826. No. 3. cans; showing it to be the duty and interest of the American colonies to emancipate all their African slaves: with an address to the owners of such slaves-Dedicated to the honourable, the Continental Congress" Three years before this, he, in connexion with Dr. Stiles, solicited and obtained subscriptions, to educate two piousAfrican young men, preparatory to their being sent back, as missionaries to their native country. The noble de LOCAL and occasional discourses are not, in general, adapted to the design of this work. The following, however, is thought to be an exception, as it contains a valuable exposition of the passage of seripture on which it is founded, and recommends an object of benevolent enterprise, which, at the present time, extensively and justly engages the attention of the American public. The subject of this discourse is also considered as somewhat appropriate to the Hopkinsian Mag-sign of colonizing our free coloured popuazine, which derives its name from a ven- lation in Africa, was advocated by Dr. erable divine, who took a deep and live- Hopkins, in a discourse befo: e the Sociely interest in the welfare of the sons and ty in Providence, R. I. for abolishing daughters of Africa. To this injured the slave trade." This discourse was depeople, Dr. Hopkins considered our na- livered, May 17th, 1793-from the Aption as owing a heavy debt, which they pendix to which, the following extracts are bound to discharge, by liberal contri- are made. "There is a considerable butions and persevering exertions to lib- number of free blacks in New-England, erate such as are drawn unto cruel bon- and in the other parts of the United dage,' and to communicate the blessings States, some of whom are industrious, and of knowledge, liberty, civilization, and of a good moral character; and some of above all, of Christianity, to the numer- them appear to be truly pious, who are on tribes inhabiting these benighted re- desirous to remove to Africa and settle gions, which nominal Christians have there. In order to effect this in the best beretofore visited, not to reform, but to manner, a vessel must be procured to go corrupt, not to promote peace and good to Africa with a number of persons, both will, but to excite war and rapine, not to white and black, perhaps, to search that save, but to destroy, and in which they country, and find a place where a settlehave so long carried on a dreadful traffic ment may be made. If such a place can in "souls of men." Se early as the year be found, they must return, and the blacks 1776, Dr. Hopkins published "A Dia- must be collected, who are willing to go logue, concerning the slavery of the Afri- and settle there, and form themselves into 50 a civil society, by agreeing in a constitution and a code of laws, by which they will be regulated. And they must be furnished with every thing necessary to transport and settle them there, in a safe and comfortable manner. This appears to be the best and only plan to put the blacks amongst us, in the situation most agreeable to themselves, and to render them the most useful to their brethren in Africa, by civilizing them, and teaching them to cultivate their lands, and spread ing the knowledge of the Christian relig. ion among them. These United States are able to be at the expense of prosecuting such a plan. And is not this the best way that can be taken to compensate the blacks, both in America and Africa, for the injuries they have received by the slave-trade and slavery, and that which righteousness and benevolence must dietate?—This will have the greatest tendency wholly to abolish the abominable trade in human flesh, and will certainly effect it, if all other attempts prove ineffectual. Are there not, then, motives sufficient to induce the Legislature of this nation to enter upon and prosecute this design? And is there not reason to think that it would meet with general approbatior. ?" The benevolent concern, which Dr. Hopkins manifested for the oppressed descendants of Africa, drew many of them into his congregation at Newport; numbers of whom appeared to receive saving benefit from his ministrations,and became worthy members of his church. What he long desired, but died without the sight,' it is our happiness, in some measure, to witness, in the operations and success of missionary and colonizing societies. May the same disinterested benevolence, which kindled his desires, warm the hearts of all who embrace his views of the Gospel, and excite them to imitate his example in efforts to promote the present and future good of our much in jured and neglected brethren of the Afri- A SERMON, Delivered in the Second Congregational Church in Newport, R. I. in December, 1825, the evening preceding the departure of a company of coloured people for Boston, on their way to Liberia: BY WILLIAM PATTEN, D. D. Pastor. PSALM Ixviii. 31.-Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. Ethiopia is a part of Africa, and include by a figure of speech, may the whole of that country. That she shall" stretch out her hands un to God" denotes, that the wants and distresses of that people, especially in a spiritual sense, shall engage the compassion of God, and that he will appear for their relief, by sending the gospel to them, and granting them worldly and spiritual blessings. Thus the apostle Paul saw, in vision, a man of Macedonia, who said to him, “Come over and help us," denoting that, as the people needed, so they were prepared to receive, the instructions and blessings of the gospel. The necessities and sufferings of mankind have a voice, and are a supplication, in the ear of the Lord. His compassion is infinite. "He is found of those that sought him not." He first manifests his regard to a people, which is the cause of their being brought to know and love him. That Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God, does not mean soon after the Psalm was written; but the Psalm contains a prediction of a series of events, referring chiefly to the ascension of Christ, and his reigning in Spirit over the world; and in that series, Ethiopia, as stretching out her hands to God, has a place-and soon after the commencement of this general reign E, A of Christ, Ethiopia shall share in prevalence of the gospel are now Preceding our text, it is said, "Thou hast ascended on highThou hast led captivity captive; he thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them." This is plainly expressive of the ascension of Christ, and of the subjugation of all his enemies, and of the enlargement and prosperity of his church. Captivity may denote those who make captive; and after the ascension of Christ, they shall be led captive, or in chains, as foes that are subdued. In this sense the expression corresponds to that of the apostle, “death is swallowed up of victory." Or captivity may denote those who are made captive. In repeated instances, when the tribes of Israel were made captive, they were styled the "captivity of Israel.' And that "captivity shall be led captive," may denote, that they who were in captivity to sin, shall be released, and led the joyful captives of divine grace. Whichever construction be adopted, the sense is the same, denoting a victory over the enemies of Christ, and the prosperity of the church, and the universal prevalence of the gospel. There are many prophecies of Were it not for this prospect, there would be reason for great discouragement and sorrow. If darkness were to continue, and sin to reign over so large a proportion of the human race: if all kinds of error were still to be adopted; and impieties and crimes to be practised: if the church were to remain so obscure and feeble, and continue so arduous a conflict with enemies so many and powerful, the glory of Christ as Saviour, would be in a great measure veiled, and the work of salvation would be brought into disrepute. It would justly be thought too extensive a plan, were I to attempt to adduce the prophecies in general, in scripture, of the victory of Christ, and the universal prevalence of the gospel, But it cannot be improper to attend to a sketch of the subject as presented to view in this Psalm. God is represented as "arising and scattering his enemies." His operations in favour of the gospel church are represented by the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, their guidance thro gh the wilderness, and introduction into the land of Canaan. His power will be as really exerted, though not in so miraculous or visible a manner, as in the salvation of Israel. He will send down his Spirit.This is represented in the figurative language of sending" showers of rain to confirm his weary heritage." He will "give his law;" furnish the world with his word— "Many shall be employed in publishing it ;" the number of missionaries and teachers shall be great. He shall convert the Jews. This is represented by his bringing "Benjimin and Naphtali," the former the nearest, the latter the most remote tribe, in Judea, including therefore, all the intermediate tribes. The Gentiles shall be converted. This is also represented by these extreme terms, the Princes of Egypt," the nearest and most powerful and inveterate enemies of Israel, and the inhabitants of "Ethiopia," who were the least to be dreaded, and the least known.Thus, all the inhabitants of the earth, both Jews and Gentiles, are included and the representation corresponds to the prophecies, that in Christ "all the families of the earth shall be blessed;" and that "the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the seas." There are two methods of ascertaining the time, when any propheey is to be accomplished: One is, from the dates connected with the prophecy the other from events which indicate, that the accomplishment of the prophecy has commenced. The latter is the more satisfactory, and the more certain. The events of the present day indicate, that the time of the general prevalence of the gospel is near.— It is evident, that revolutions and changes, unexampled in extent and importance, have within a few years, taken place in the political world: changes favourable to individual rights, and elective governments. Infidelity, in the form of deism, has been refuted, and in several countries very generally exploded. Mahomedanism and the Papal power have been essentially weakened.The Lord has poured out his Spirit upon his people, which is evident, in their union, and in their zeal to promote the gospel. He has given his word, by the translation of the scriptures in various languages. His word is proclaimed from a higher mountain than that of Sinai. more extensively known than the tokens of the presence of God on that mountain were seen, or than the thunders, in which the law was there delivered, were heard. It is given, not in terror, not clothed with darkness and threatening; but in the light of gospel grace, in the joyful accents of pardon and peace.→→ Great is the multitude of them that publish it. Its messengers are sent into all parts of the earth. The gospel is peculiarly successful; and there are indications of its wider and more rapid prosperity. The Jews, who have heretofore refused to read the New Testament, or to attend to gospel instruction, now receive, with thankfulness, this part of the word of God, and hear with candour, the instructions of ministers; and numbers of them have become converts and are eminent missionaries to their unbeliev ing brethren, and to the heathen. Among all professions of religion, where there has been an opportunity to know, there is a disposition to examine the scriptures. Gospel instruction is heard, and is attended with success, among the heathen in the western wilderness, in Greenland, in the Islands of the Pacific Ocean, the whole population, of some of which, have renounced idolatry. It has influence in the superstitious sects in Judea, in China, and other parts of the world. Appearances are peculiarly favourable respecting the Africans, in the general abolition of the slave trade, and the melioration of the condition of them in slavery in the emancipation of a large number : in the existence of an independent Republic in one of the largest W. I. Islands: in the settlement of colonies and churches in Africa, at Sierra Leone, at Regent's-town and other places in that vicinity, and It is more recently in Liberia -and in the readiness with which the Africans, promiscuously as they are rescued from the slave ships, and brought to those settlements, renounce their barbarous idolatry, and immoral habits, and conform to the laws of civilized society, and adopt the principles of the gospel, and in many instances manifest its spirit in their conversation and practice. To those who have moral discernment, these circumstances shew, as plainly, the progress of the gospel, and the increasing prosperity of the church, as the progress of the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land was plain to the natural sight; and the agency of God, and his faithfulness to his promises, are as conspicuous, as in the wonders which he wrought in behalf of Israel, whom he bore through the wilderness "as an eagle stirreth up her nest, and taketh and beareth her young ones on her wings." Among the means which the Lord employs for christianizing the heathen, is the formation of societies for specific objects to be attain ed, and establishing colonies and churches in heathen lands.. Associations are necessary, that any great work of benevolence may be accomplished. They combine more wisdom, possess a more entensive and powerful influence, and alone are permanent. It is like wise important, that colonies and churches should be established in heathen lands. Little benefit is to be expected from simple instructions, or theories, without any examples to illustrate them. Much less good has been done among the heathen in this country, and in other parts of the world, by solitary missionaries, than by missionary families, who have given an exam ple of social order, and of Christian worship and practice. With preaching it is essential that the example of Christians should be connected. Doctrines are then animated, and rendered visible. On this principle, Christ said to his church, "Ye are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." From these considerations, there appears reason highly to approve of the American Colonization Society, to favour the emigration of free people of colour to Africa. It is not their object to transport all the people of colour to that country.This would be impossible. Nor is it to be expected, that their number among us should be essentially diminished; but it is their object to establish a settlement, in which an example shall be exhibited of civil order, and industry and habits, and of Christian faith and worship and practice, the light of which may be seen by millions in a land of ignorance, of barbarisin, and of sin and suffering. In this view, there is reason to approve of the resolution of those before us, who are about to remove to Africa. They go, not from any particular dissatisfaction with their circumstances, or connexions here: not from an expectation of living without toil, or of accumulating great wealth, but that they may add their interest and influence to a settlement, which is designed to exhibit the principles of civilization and Christianity in a country, where they are not known, and no other example of them can be seen. Shall we not all concur in ex pressions of gratitude to the agent of the Society, present, who has been so assiduous and persevering in his exertions to raise money, to Rev. Horace Sessions. |