Letters on missions

Preface To The American Edition

The intelligent writer of the Letters on Missions, which compose the principal part of this volume, is under the direction of the London Missionary Society, and is already known to the American reader as the author of an interesting work, entitled, ' Memoir of the late Mrs. Paterson, wife of the Rev. Dr. Paterson, of St. Petersburg,' — from the press of the publishers of this volume. He spent a part of the years 1818 and 1819, in the family of Dr. Paterson, at St. Petersburg, acquiring the Russ language. He then proceeded with his associate, Mr. Yuille, to the field of their missionary labors in Siberia. The Russian government, with a liberal policy, granted a full sanction of their

VI PREFACE.

object, with an assurance of its special protection, and with commendatory letters to the local authorities, and a free passport for horses and postillions through the whole of their long journey. They were more than two months on the road. Making the seat of their mission at Selenginsk, among the worshippers of the Grand Lama, they immediately began to translate the Scriptures into the Buriat-Mongolian tongue, which they completed in the year 1828, with the help of Mr. Stallybrass, who had joined them some time before.

The three brethren then resolved, with commendable disinterestedness, to occupy each a separate post, in order more effectually to promote the object of their mission. Mr. Yuille remained at Selenginsk ; Mr. Stallybrass removed to a place called Khodon, in the territory inhabited by the Chorin-Buriats ; and Mr. Swan, the author of these letters, commenced a residence on the river Ona, where he is supposed still to remain. The letters, however, must have been written before his removal from Selenginsk.

The Directors of the London Missionary Society thus speak of Mr. Swan's letters, in

PREFACE. Vll

their Report for the year ending May, 18*29 : — " Mr. Swan sent to England for publication, some time ago, a small volume of Letters on Missions, which has been carried through the press by the Secretary, and which, on account of its tendency to promote the cause of missions, the Directors beg most cordially to recommend to the attention of the Society, and of all the friends of missions."

Mr. Swan's style is simple, perspicuous, and earnest ; and he has performed a work which was greatly needed, in a very satisfactory manner. Native good sense, enlightened by experience, reflection, and piety, is seen in every one of his pages, and his work is commended to the serious perusal of students in theology, of preachers of the Gospel, and indeed of all the professed disciples of Jesus Christ. If read with a proper spirit, it will not fail to throw new light on the path of their duty ; and it is one of the few books, concerning which we may venture to say, that aspirants for the sacred ministry ought by all means to read it, before they determine to spend their lives among the churches, or even the waste-places, of their own country.

Vlll PREFACE.

As the " New Model for Christian Missions'' has been republished in the United States, Mr. Orme's Introduction has a greater importance, than would otherwise be attached to it. Yet it will be found interesting and instructive, and well deserving of an attentive perusal, even by those who have not read the Essay, which it is chiefly designed to controvert. The mind of Mr. Orme was vigorous and well regulated ; and though the church of Christ has been called to lament his decease since the publication of this volume, he will long continue to speak, in England and America, by means of his " Life and Times of Richard Baxter."

Boston, Mass., March 4, 1831.

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INTRODUCTORY PREFACE.

Missions for the Propagation of Christianity among the Heathen can no longer be regarded as doubtful experiments. The grounds of attack and defence, therefore, have undergone an entire change. Thirty or forty years ago, such undertakings were represented by those who opposed them, as fanatical and Utopian ; as begun under the influence of a misguided zeal, and never likely to answer the purpose, or reward the benevolent exertions and sacrifices of their projectors.

The friends who espoused the cause, knew too well the nature of the work in which they had embarked, to be put down or discouraged by this mode of assailing them. Their enterprize was founded on a correct knowledge of the nature of Christianity, as a message from God to man, and as adapted to all the diversified evils which belong to his fallen nature. They were fully persuaded that it was the will of God the gospel should be preached to every creature ; and that, though they might err in the selection 1 of instruments, or in the choice of spheres of action, God would regard with approbation the effort to promote his glory, and sooner or later smile upon it with success. Success, come when it might, however, they never alleged as the proper ground of their engaging in the work. They knew that it was the prerogative of God alone to give it in answer to prayer, and in connection with effort, while it was their duty in faith and patience to wait for it.

I grant that if success in such a cause were indefinitely delayed, it would lead to some important considerations. It would induce suspicions as to the nature of the work attempted ; as to the construction put upon the revelation of the will of God ; and, finally, as to the divine origin and design of Christianity itself. For if any part of the communication from heaven be clearer than another, it is the intimation, that the blessings of the gospel, as they are adapted to all, so they are destined by God to be enjoyed by all, the nations of the earth. Jf therefore all attempts to propagate the gospel should fail, it would follow either that we are incapable of understanding its revelation, or that some'hing of a very mysterious nature belongs to the designs of God respecting it.

So far from being under the necessity of looking at the subject in this light, we have been furnished with evidence of the most satisfactory kind, that the experiment has succeeded to the full extent, if not of the wishes, at least of the expectations of those who have tried it ; that in every instance where the attempt has been judiciously made by proper instruments, and sufficiently persevered in, success to a greater or less extent has taken place ; and that on the whole, the results have been so satisfactory, as to present a complete answer to every objection, and the fullest encouragement to proceed.

I am aware that the opinion now expressed is not in entire accordance with the views of all who think and write on missionary subjects. I have just cast my eye on the following paragraph :—

" It cannot but be a question to every mind — why is it that with such large and varied means our success is so trifling? Why is it that while so many societies are at work, and so much money expended, the results bear no adequate proportion to the cost and labor ? The fact is notorious, both at home and abroad. We labor in vain, and spend our strength almost for nought ; at least, all are ready to acknowledge that our success is not commensurate to our means, and that a vast machinery is employed to produce an insignificant result. It would be wrong to be satisfied with such a state of things. The error doubtless attaches to us. We are not straitened in God but in ourselves. In such circumstances, we are bound to suspect our motives and principles. Were we co-workers with God — were we laboring in the spirit of our Master, it would be a mockery to suppose our present success the adequate result of our labors."*

I entirely dissent from the writer of this paragraph, in the view which he takes of the result of missionary labors. The statement, I con-

* New Baptist Miscellany [Eng.] for October, 1829; p. 422.

ceive, to be unfounded in fact, to arise from an inadequate view of the operations which are at present going on, and to be as injurious and discouraging in its tendency, as it is incorrect in its assumption. I am unconscious of having any disposition to exaggerate the success which has attended the labors of Christian missionaries, or to form an extravagant idea of that success; but when it is spoken of as nothing, and as bearing no proportion to the cost and labor bestowed ; and is maintained that all this is notorious, both at home and abroad ; — it is proper to refuse assent to such sweeping assertions.

There is such a thing as being impatient of labor, or of waiting for its results ; of entertaining too magnificent ideas of the amount of our own doings; and of assuming the attitude of menace and reproach, because every thing is not according to our mind. It is possible too to forget, that when a gigantic superstructure is to be raised, a platform or foundation of proportionate extent must be laid. It seems to be expected by many, that the cupola should be rising into view, before there has been time to accomplish the work underground. It is overlooked, that a very large portion of the work which has been done by missionary societies and missionaries, during the last thirty or forty years, has been chiefly preparatory in its nature. Much labor has been employed to overcome difficulties an 1 obstacles which stood in the way of the work at home, or of its introduction into various countries abroad. The efforts required to subdue positive hostility to missionary undertakings have been great, and required much wisdom and perseverance. To have succeeded thus far in commanding public confidence and approbation, is alone of vast moment to the future interests of the work. It is but within a few years that the cause has acquired the appearance of magnitude, or that the operations have been conducted on a scale at all worthy of it, or of the persons who espouse it. Yet we are already told that our success is nothing, compared with our means.

Many of our most valuable and efficient missionaries have been employed rather as pioneers, than as regular soldiers ; their time and talents have been chiefly devoted to the compilation of grammars and dictionaries of new and difficult languages ; to the translation of the Scriptures, and of other valuable works, into those languages ; to the forming of systems, and conducting seminaries and schools for education; in short, to the construction of a vast apparatus of means for attack and defence, which may be more extensively and effectually employed by others than by themselves. What has absorbed the chief part of the time, strength, and talents of the Baptist missionaries at Serampore 1 — translations, dictionaries, schools, and school books. The same remark will apply to many of the missionaries belonging to the London Missionary Society, in India, China, and the Chinese Archipelago, In Madagascar, in the 1*

Mediterranean, and in Siberia, a great part of their employment has been of this description. The same observation will apply to the missionaries of other societies. If I am asked what has the Siberian mission accomplished, to which the writer of the following Letters is attached, 1 am not at liberty to say all in answer to this question that 1 could say ; but I can confidently answer, that the missionaries have been busily and successfully employed ; their translation of the entire Scriptures into the Mongolian, beside other works, will, I doubt not, cause the generations to come to bless their name.

To have overcome the difficulties which were in the way of these preliminary objects, ought not to be regarded as a small matter. I am aware I shall be told that these are, after all, but means, however important they may be in themselves. I answer they are ends as well as means. They are legitimate objects of Christian labor ; many of them will not require to be done again ; and the man who has accomplished them ought not to be considered by his brethren as having lived in vain.

Is it nothing, considering the vast fabric of superstition, idolatry, and oppression, which we have begun to assail, that a slight vibration only begins to be perceptible ? Our success ought not to be estimated merely by the cost and labor employed, but in connection with the opposition which we have to encounter. In this point of view our means are really insignificant. With our feeble energies directed against hundreds of millions, is it nothing that a few outposts have been carried ? that some alarm has been created ? that the sound of war has penetrated the lines, and been heard even in the centre of the camp 1 All this it seems is nothing, because we have not carried the main fortress ; or at least overcome a large portion of the enemy.

It is not correct, that there has been little success even in the work of conversion, where the proper means have been employed. Are the conversions of the South Sea islanders already forgotten ? Both in regard to numbers, and to the effects of the gospel on the individuals, these conversions have no parallel, except in those of apostolic times. But not to look exclusively at the work in this quarter, I am not afraid to assert, that, with few exceptions, wherever fit men have been employed in directly addressing the heathen on the subject of Christianity, they have not labored in vain ; and that the success which has followed laborious and persevering exertion will bear a fair comparison, all things considered, with what takes place among ourselves. I challenge inquiry on this subject; and refer for the truth and accuracy of my statement to many parts of India, and Africa ; and to the West Indian Missions, belonging to the Moravians, the Wesleyan Methodists, and the Baptists.

Instead therefore of pouring forth complaint and discouragement, it becomes us to adopt the language of thanksgiving, and to humble ourselves before God for our own unbelief and unprofitableness. The failure has been on our part, not on God's ; and when we are prepared " to consecrate ourselves to the Lord, and our gain to the God of the whole earth," we shall be strengthened by him " to beat in pieces many people, and gather them as sheaves into the floor."*

Before the writer of this Introduction had any idea of ocupying the important office which he now fills in the London Missionary Society, he wrote the following remarks :

" Considering the period during which exertion has been made to propagate Christianity among the heathen, and the number of persons who are employed in the work, both at home and abroad, it is surprising that some work on what might be called the philosophy of missions, has not yet appeared. The only things approaching to this character are, the ' Hints on Missions,' by Mr. Douglas, of Cavers ; and the work on ' The Advancement of Society,' by the same highly gifted individual. But the former of these productions too accurately corresponds with its title to answer the purpose to which I refer ; and in the other, the subject is only noticed as one among many. From these works, however, the germ of a highly valuable essay on the subject of Christian missions to the heathen might be obtained.

" What we want is, not an increase of reports of yearly proceedings, and of arguments derived from the Scriptures, to persuade us that it is our duty to engage in this good work; but a condensed view of the knowledge and experience which have been acquired during the last thirty or forty years. What appear to be the best fields of labor? — what the most successful mode of cultivating them ? — what the kind of agency which has been most efficient and least productive of disappointment? — what the best method of training at home, for the labors and self-denial to be encountered abroad ? — whether are detached and separate missions, or groups of missions and depots of missionaries, the more desirable ? These and many other questions, require a mature and deliberate answer. The materials for such an answer exist. And can none of the officers whose time is wholly devoted to the management of our missionary societies, furnish such a digest? Are they so entirely occupied with the details of business, as to have no time or inclination left for looking at general principles ? Were more attention paid to the ascertaining of such principles, and more vigor and consistency manifested in prosecuting them, there might be less of glare and noise; but, assuredly, there would be a prodigious saving of labor, property, and life; and in the end, a greater degree of satisfaction and real success."*

Little did I imagine, when the above paragraphs were written, that the observations contained in thern might, at a future day, be applicable to myself, and that I might be called upon to account for neglecting to do that, which 1 had previously intimated persons holding certain situations ought to do. It is easier, however, to express expectations, and to form plans for others, than to execute ourselves. I have found it much easier to devise schemes of my own, than to accomplish them ; and that the details of business are not always favorable to patient investigation, and enlightened deductions. But I cannot help frankly avowing, that it was my intention to attempt something of the kind

• Memoirs of Urquhart, Vol. I. pp. 91,92.

described by myself, as soon as I had the means and opportunity for so doing. While pondering the plan it might be proper to adopt, the Letters now presented to the public came into my hands, and, after considerable delays, I have been enabled to carry them through the press.

These Letters embrace some of the important topics to which I have adverted, and on the points which they embrace, supersede the necessity of any further discussion. They are the production, not of a theorist, but of a practician ; not of a speculator, but of an active operator in the fields which he describes; of one who has followed the path which he recommends to others, and calls for no sacrifice which he has not himself made. Such a man demands to be heard on grounds peculiar to himself, and his testimony ought not to be lightly treated. On every thing relating to the qualifications, both moral and intellectual, of missionaries, their peculiar temptations and difficulties, the nature of their labors, and the sources of their anxiety, their encouragements and discouragements, the reader will find most important and experimental instruction. On these points, and on the duty of Christians to devote themselves and their property to the cause of Christ, I have nothing to add to the forcible reasoning of the Letters. Should they fail to convince, I am satisfied it must be from want of inclination, and not from deficiency of argument, which would not be improved by any thing I could state.

Another important department of the subject of Christian Missions has recently been brought before the public, by an able writer, in what he calls a •' New Model of Christian Missions to Popish, Mohammedan, and Pagan Nations." The author of the " Natural History of Enthusiasm" was not likely to publish on this important subject, what had not occupied a considerable portion of careful and matured thought; and the thoughts of such an individual cannot fail to be deserving of the thoughts of others. It would not be matter of surprise, however, if a mind, capable of producing beautiful illustrations of enthusiasm, and of analyzing, with admirable skill, the infinitely diversified forms of mental delusion, should fail in an attempt to new model systems already in practical operation, and to re-cast the whole frame-work of our Christian institutions. The power of detecting evils and errors may exist in a very uncommon degree, without the ability to plan with wisdom, and to create efficiency. Perspicacity is one thing, practical judgment another. There may be profound philosophical discrimination, with a very ordinary portion of sagacity in common things. Newton and Locke had no compeers among the philosophers of their day, but were ordinary men in regard to the common affairs of life.

I am mistaken if this will not be found applicable to the author of the " New Model," who I apprehend has failed as an architect, while he has succeeded as a philosopher. In this latter capacity he has succeeded, 1 should suppose, to the full extent of his wishes; in the former his success is yet to be proved. He can afford to lose a little, should he be disappointed ; though I much mistake his feelings, if he would not be more gratified by the accomplishment of his projected plan of union of counsel, and division of labor, than by all the fame he is destined to enjoy as a Christian essayist.

His celebrity in that capacity is in danger of producing an impression in favor of his representations and reasonings on the subject of Christian Missions, to which, in themselves, they are not entitled, and which, independently of this association, they would not effect. The author must be aware of this, and will not, therefore, be surprised, that his views should be examined with great jealousy, on the part of those who are engaged in existing operations. If they should think that his pamphlet is calculated to diminish confidence in plans which have long been prosecuted — to cherish despondency respecting the success of exertions which are now made — to generate coldness and disaffection to then), and, consequently, to paralyze zeal in their support — while it affords no ground to expect that the new and better way is likely to be adopted ; — he will readily admit, that it is their duty to recommend adherence to what has been tried, and not yet found wanting, instead of adopting other plans, however plausible, which are not adapted to the present circumstances of the church.

While I make these remarks with the utmost freedom, I should be sorry to meet the author of the " New Model" in an unfriendly manner, or to intimate that I have the slightest idea he is influenced by hostile feelings towards the institutions which are now endeavoring to spread the gospel through the world. The tendency of some of his statements and reasonings may be very injurious, while his object and aim are of the most Christian and benevolent nature. Giving him full credit for the latter, I trust he will give me credit also for a sincere and anxious desire to promote the same object which he has in view, in the few remarks I am about to make on some of his positions.

Before offering these remarks, which I do with great deference to the author, I beg to express my decided approbation of the temper and spirit in which he has conducted the discussion. He has presented a model, if not of Christian Missions, of the Christian state of mind with which the whole subject ought to be viewed by those who approach it, with a view to improve the plan on which they are conducted. He is right in inviting an investigation. Truth can suffer nothing from fair and free inquiry, conducted in the way he has exemplified. We are too ready to be satisfied with things as they are, to conclude that whatever is, is best ; and to be exceedingly fretted if any suspicions are enter- 2 tained that all we have done, or are doing, is right. The love of novelty, it is true, is dangerous; but there is danger also in a blind adherence to the traditions of our fathers. If, therefore, we cannot show that plans already adopted are scriptural and efficient, by all means let us listen to any individual who proposes to show us a more excellent way.

On the subject of division of labor, the author has said many excellent things. It has been too little attended to, though not entirely neglected. Most of the Missionary Societies now existing, embrace too many objects, or occupy too many different stations and fields of labor. There is much truth in the following representation : —

" It is perfectly veil known that, except on peculiar occasions, the actual business of every charitable institution is transacted by a very small number of zealous individuals, who perhaps are as often thwarted and embarrassed, as aided by their colleagues. Of necessity, therefore, it must be that when a Society occupies an extensive and various field of labor, the few efficient individuals are compelled, often at the expense of health and peace of mind, to give their distracted attention, in rapid succession, now to the home concerns of the society, and now to its foreign operations; and these foreign operations are of the most dissimilar character. Placed in circumstances so perplexing, what can be expected, even from the most accomplished talent, and the most unwearied assiduity, but a vague, inappropriate, and almost imbecile suffusion of mental strength over the immense surface of affairs. And what can be expected from zeal so disadvantaged, but a waste of resources upon projects which, though they might have succeeded had they enjoyed the benefit of undiverted counsels, could not but fail when they shared the attention with a multitude of dissimilar concerns ?

" And lei us turn into another street, and enter another * upper-chamher' of Christian business ; and there see another little knot of zealous men, distracting themselves by an almost fruitless attention to the very same extended circle ot multifarious objects. Again we may visit another, and yet another committee — not each concentrating its forces upon a single specific object — not each constituted of individuals personally qualified for the tasks they severally undertake; but each promiscuously gathered from the narrow circle of a particlar party, and each burdened, and over-hurdened by the well-meant ambition of effecting something at all points, and something of all kinds. And does this missionary system approve itself to reason .? or is it not rather a most ruinous chaos, in which, though pure motives may be very conspicuous, manly wisdom is not at all seen ?" pp. 46 — 48.*

The esse is here powerfully put, and the state of matters thus described demands the most serious consideration of our Missionary Societies and Committees. The chaos, however, is not so ruinous as is alleged ; nor is the case beyond cure, without entirely new modeling our institutions. There are two obvious departments in every Missionary Soeiety : the raising of funds, and the foreign application of them. They do not so necessarily involve each other, as that all the parties engaged in the one, ought to be equally engaged in the other. On the contrary, they require different kinds of talent and of information ; and the less they are mixed up with each other, the more effectually is the common end

* The reference is to the American Edition.

of both likely to be attained. Were this the case, there would be a vast saving both of time and of labor. It is perfectly absurd to find thirty or forty persons as gravely engaged in discussing the payment of a twenty pound bill, or the appointment of a porter, as in the direction and arrangement of a score of missionaries, on the other side of the globe. It is desirable that missionary directors should be men of information, talents, and influence ; but it is not necessary that they should be all equally capable of doing all things. The present constitution of these societies does not necessarily involve this absurdity of management ; I do not see, therefore, that it ought to be persevered in.

I very much like the idea which is suggested in this pamphlet, that the management of every Mission should be confined to a small number of individuals, known to be thoroughly qualified for conducting the undertaking — persons deeply read in the history and circumstances of the people to whom the Mission is sent ; and capable of giving such a direction to all the means in their power, as by the Divine blessing may be productive of the greatest effect. I would not confine the following observations to Mohammedan Missions ; I would extend the principle to all Missions. The parties who conduct them ought fully to understand every thing which relates to the field of labor which is occupied, and ought to be able to give a large portion of undistracted attention to it.

" Tn conducting a Mission to Mohammedan nations, is it enough that men should be zealous, prayerful, kindhearted ? Is it .enough that they should be expert in managing , those details of business which are common to a Missionary Society with every other charitable institution > Or is it enough that they should be competent to read sound theological lectures to candidates for the work, or that, in sending out their missionaries, they should be able to address to them powerful and pathetic harangues ? Is it, in a word, enough, that they should be just qualified to do that which should be done if we had only to send out a company of preachers to officiate in the chapels of an English colony ? All this is not enough. The projectors and managers of such anattack upon Mohammedanism as the present moment invites, should be the four or five individuals who might be picked out from the fourteen millions of our population. And these four or five gifted men should be solemnly called forth by the voice of the ' Christian public, and should be placed in a condition in which they might feely devote the undis'racted attenlion of their remaining years to the great work. And let the agency of these individuals be as much blended as you please with influence of a more popular kind ; and let public opinion bear with its whole force upon whatever they do. We want no snug or sleeping secrecy ; but we absolutely need qualified and permanent agents for the achievement of difficult tasks." pp. 38, 39.