Suggestions for the conversion of the world, respectfully submitted to the Christian church

Preface

In this age of book-making, when so many works are issuing from the press, it may be fairly presumed, that their authors are influenced by different motives. One probably writes to improve his finances, a second to display his talents, and a third to benefit his fellow-men. If the author of the following work be not greatly mistaken, his # only motive, in thus intruding himself upon the notice of the public, is a sincere desire to promote the salvation of souls ; and if its publication should, in any degree, contribute to that end, he will feel amply rewarded, whatever the world's opinion may be of it.

The writer, having labored for ten years in the mission-field, the conversion of the world * has long been to Jiim a subject of deep interest ; and if any Christians should adopt, and faithfully work out, the plan which he has ventured to suggest, for the accomplishment of that important object, he will feel greatly obliged by their communicating to him the result ; it being his intention to follow up the present publication by others bearing on the same subject. He

4 PREFACE.

sends forth this product of his pen with considerable diffidence ; but he sends it in the name of the world's Redeemer, and earnestly prays that it may be made a blessing to many souls.

London, Sept., 1841.

Preface To The Second Edition

The author feels grateful for the kind reception his " Suggestions" have met with ; and he takes this opportunity of expressing his obligations to those ministers of different religious denominations who have, in various ways, so kindly recommended the volume containing them. He has added to the present edition many important particulars, which, it is hoped, will be found a real improvement. As several esteemed friends have already written him, in compliance with the request contained in the preface of the first edition, he hopes, ere long, to publish another small volume detailing the success of those efforts in the conversion of souls, which, in the following pages, he has endeavored to advocate ; and, in the mean time, he would respectfully solicit other communications on the same important subject.

December, 1841.

- PREFACE TO THE SIXTH EDITION.

It is now three years since the writer first published his " Suggestions for the Conversion of the World ;" and since that period more than fve thousand copies have been sold. His sole object in publishing this work was humbly to attempt, in dependence upon God, the promotion of more extensive and vigorous efforts for the salvation of men : and having heard from many ministers and laymen, that, in several places, where the " Suggestions " have been duly considered and acted upon, numerous conversions to God have been the result, he has been induced to issue the work in a cheaper form, that it may be more widely circulated among the poor.

September, 1844.

Chapter I

Conversion — Its nature and importance — State of the unchristianized world — Pagans — Mohammedans — Jews — Christendom — Morals — Politics — Literature — Commerce — Conversion of the world to be expected — Atonement universal — Adaptation of Christianity for universal diffusion — Intimations of Providence — Pledges already received — Declarations of Scripture * Page 9

Chapter II

Human agency in the conversion of the world — Truth the instrument of conversion — Lay agency — Bishop of Chester's opinion on the subject — Religion gives a moral fitness for teaching others — Inspires men with a desire to be so employed — This duty enjoined — Practice of the primitive church — Hilary's testimony — Divine agency in the conversion of the world — Pentecost — Subsequent success of the gospel — Divine agency still necessary — Importance of keeping this always in view 25

Chapter III

Obstacles to the conversion of the world — A defective exhibition of divine truth — Ministerial inconsistency — Hypocrisy in the church — Worldly conformity — Disunion — Covet - ousness — Lukewarmness — Idolizing pulpit talent — Evils in the domestic circle : L T ngodly marriages ; neglect of family discipline ; speaking evil of ministers before children — Tolerating gross offenses in the church — Appointing unconverted men to office — Ungodly choirs 44

Chapter IV

Individual effort — Importance of system — Plan for the world's conveision proposed — Its Scriptural character ; simplicity ; and probable results — Slow progress of Christianity

8 CONTENTS.

— More vigorous and systematic efforts required — Facilities for working the proposed measure among the Wesleyan Methodists — Numerous advantages connected with the personal exertions of private Christians . . Page 70

Chapter V

Importance of missionary effort — Number of missionaries that should be employed — The church in circumstances to support them — Contributions for the spread of the gospel — Items for the income and expenditure of the United Kingdom — Startling calculations — Easy method of raising funds — Contributions of the Wesleyans — Temperance movement — To neglect the world's conversion implicates the Christian character — Absurdity of praying without giving — Scriptural standard of giving— Missionary societies should not interfere with each other's fields of labor — Importance of encouraging native missionaries — The aggressive principle among new converts from the heathen — Missionaries and openings furnished in proportion to the liberality of the church — The spirit of martyrdom still to be cherished . . .91

Chapter VI

Systematic effort consistent with divine sovereignty — Connection between means and the end — Examples of success — Twelve persons brought to God by a female — Thirty by the efforts of three young men — A Wesleyan class doubled its numbers every three months — Six members of a family led to Christ by a new convert — Effect of a word spoken in a draper's shop — Bread found after many days — Christians teaching others by detailing the particulars of their own conversion — How to speak to others with effect — Letter from a lady .... 113

Chapter VII

No neutrality in reference to souls — Unfaithful professors — Hidden talents — Blood of souls — Many in hell that might have been in heaven had Christians done their duty — What the lost may probably say on the subject — The cruelty of being accessory to the loss of souls — Opposition of such conduct to Christ — Importance of saving a soul from death — Multitudes of sins prevented — The glorious results that may follow the conversion of but one soul 125

SUGGESTIONS

CONVERSION OF THE WORLD.

Chapter I

Scriptural conversion is a gracious change, extending to all the faculties of man, and producing, in his fallen nature, a complete and saving renovation. It is a change in his understanding ; for " God, who commandeth light to shine out of darkness, shineth into his heart," opening the eyes of his understanding to know himself, and " the things which are freely given to him of God." It is a change of his loill; for, being made willing in the day of God's power, he no longer resists the Holy Ghost, but humbly acquiesces in the plan of saving grace, and in the various dispensations of divine Providence. It is a change in his affections; for they no longer wander after forbidden objects, or cleave to the dust of the earth, but are " set on things above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of

God." It is a change in his deportment; for, having " put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt, according to the deceitful lusts," and, having " put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness," he " walks righteously, and godly, and soberly, in the present world." It is a change in his condition; for previously he was a " slave to divers lusts and pleasures," but is now "free from the bondage of sin and death ;" he was " an enemy to God by reason of w T icked works," but is now his friend, and " delights to do whatsoever he commands ;" he was a " child of wrath, even as others," but is now a " child of God, by faith in Christ Jesus," and has " received the Spirit of adoption, whereby he cries, Abba, Father."

Such is the nature of Scriptural conversion. Man is not merely reformed, but " created anew in Christ Jesus." Having, as a penitent sinner, approached the mercy-seat, he has, in the exercise of simple faith, obtained the forgiveness of sin, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified ; and thus " old things have passed away, and, behold! all things have become new."

To whatever region of our depraved world we direct our attention, we shall perceive human nature in circumstances imperatively requiring this spiritual regeneration. The Scripture declares that " all have sinned," and history, with ten thousand tongues, bears witness to its truth. Man is guilty, and therefore exposed to the penalties of the violated law; unholy, and therefore unfit for the paradise of God. Hence the necessity of conversion.

If the population of the globe be estimated at one thousand millions, it is probable that six hundred and fifty millions are the wretched devotees of pagan superstition ; one hundred and forty-seven millions the deluded followers of the false prophet ; three millions the unbelieving and scattered seed of God's ancient people ; and but two hundred millions, or a fifth of the whole human family, the reputed disciples of the blessed Jesus. Thus is the world lying in wickedness ; and such is the condition of a fearful preponderance of its inhabitants, that nothing but a Scriptural conversion can save them from the wrath to come. This will appear from an examination of the moral state of the different divisions of mankind, just specified.

Heathens. — They have tjjeir gods many. "The objects of worship in Tartary, the Philippine Islands, and among many of the savages of Africa, are not only the sun, moon, and stars, but the four elements. At Tonquin the several quarters of the earth are deified, and almost everywhere evil demons. In China a multitude of imaginary spirits are worshiped, which are supposed to preside over the seasons of the year, over rivers and mountains, and even the door and hearth of the house, and to influence all the concerns of men. In some of the South Sea Islands, birds, fishes, and even reptiles, are deified ; and in many places, under various forms, the great destroyer himself. In no place, however, is the polytheism of the heathens so gross as in Hindostan, where not fewer than three hundred and thirty millions of deities receive the adorations of their deluded and wretched votaries."* Nor are the devotees of heathenism " innocent children of nature," as some have thought proper to designate them, but "filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, and maliciousness ;" and how can they be otherwise, when they worship

Eighteen hundred years ago the apostle, in his first chapter to the Romans, gave a descrip-

* Young's " Gods of tho Heathen."

• lion of heathen morals as correct as it was humiliating; and if the testimony of missionaries and other persons who have resided in heathen lands is to be credited, it would appear that, in all the things mentioned by the apostle, in that description, are the nations still defiled who live without God in the world. The Rev. W. Arthur, recently returned from India, has stated that when he presented an intelligent native with a translation of the first chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, he seemed amazed after having read it, and exclaimed, " Who told him about us ? Paul was never here." This simple fact speaks volumes as to the moral state of the heathen ; for had the likeness in the chapter, drawn by the pencil of inspiration, not been very striking, it would not have so immediately and powerfully impressed that pagan's mind. Heathenism is, in the present day, associated with civilization and barbarism ; with intelligence and illiteracy : it has its magnificent temples in the cities of the East, and its rude altars in the forests of the West, and in the isles of the South ; but, in every connection and locality, it is the patron of cruelty and vice. Some of its temples are filled with the grossest abominations, and a worship of unmixed crime is presented therein. Many of its altars are

14 CONVERSION or THE WO&LB.

covered with costly sacrifices, and stained with human blood ; while, in most of its sacred festivals the flood-gates of vice are thrown wide open, and intemperance and licentiousness, bursting forth like a mighty torrent, sweep away every attractive virtue, and leave nothing but misery and degradation behind. The more devoted a heathen is, the greater must be his wickedness ; for his religion is crime, and its virtues among the most polluting vices that ever stained the character of man. Now, as the Scripture tells us that "the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burnetii with fire and brimstone," it is most obvious that the heathen who are thus clearly portrayed by an unerring hand, must perish without the converting grace of God.

Mohammedans. — The founder of this sect was a native of Mecca in Arabia, and lived in the sixth century. He professed to be a great prophet, sent by God to reform the world, and to have held several conferences with the angel Gabriel, who, according to his statement, communicated to him, from time to time, the various things contained in the Koran, which were to regulate the faith and practice of his followers.

CONVERSION OF THE WOULD. 15

When he first assumed the character of a prophet, few received his doctrine ; but, being of a subtil and enterprising spirit, he persevered, and ultimately succeeded by stratagem in multiplying his converts, who assisted him in the promulgation of his faith by means of the sword. His religion is at present professed by the Turks, Arabs, Persians, and by many in Africa and India. It is a mixture of heathenism, Judaism, and heretical Christianity; and notwithstanding its palpable absurdities, it exerts a most potent influence over its infatuated recipients. It recognizes one God, but denies the atonement ; and places the salvation of its adherents in fastings, pilgrimages, and frequent ablutions of the body ; while it allows the gratification of the most debasing passions of the human heart, and promises to the faithful a paradise of sensual pleasure, every way adapted to the taste of the most voluptuous. Now, as we are told in the word of God, that " out of the mouth of the false prophet" there came "unclean spirits," even " the spirits of devils," and that they who were influenced by them were " cast into the lake which burnetii with fire and brimstone," we cannot but think the allusion is to the false prophet of Mecca, whose unclean followers, without a spiritual regeneration, must undoubtedly feel the bitter pains of the second death.

Jews. — The ancestors of this interesting people were taught to expect a great Deliverer; but, when he made his appearance, he not agreeing with their preconceived notions on the subject, his own received him not, b.ut wickedly rejected him. The same principle of hostility is cherished by their offspring ; for " the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge ;" and although this has been the cause of their dispersion, and made them as a proverb and by- word among all people, they still continue to look for a Messiah to accord with their educational prejudices. They are a scattered and cruelly persecuted race, retaining among all nations their distinctive character, and emphatically " minding earthly things." Now, if it be true that there is no name given under heaven among men, whereby man can be saved, but the name Christ Jesus, what is to become of those children of Abraham, who trust in the fables of their Talmuds, rather than in the Scriptures, and who hope for salvation through a disannuled covenant, rather than through Christ the Lord 1 Without conversion it is evident they cannot be saved ; for, " whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father f and " if any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema maranatha."

Christians. — If we look through the length and breadth of Christendom, we shall at once discover, without any uncharitable judging, that all are not Israel that are called Israel ; but that many of them are far from God, and some participating in every species of demoralization of which human nature is capable.

But is not the conversion of the world a mere chimerical object, and every effort employed for its accomplishment dictated by ignorance and fanaticism ? Certainly not. It is true that it presents difficulties to overcome, but they are not insurmountable ; strongholds to storm, but they are not impregnable ; giants to combat, but they cannot stand before the Lord of hosts ; and walls of fortification reaching to the very heavens, but they shall tremble at the sound of the trumpet, and fall before the ark of the Lord.

The atonement of Christ leads us to expect the conversion of the world. It has made ample provision for it. The Scriptures, on this point, are full and unequivocal. Isaiah informs us that " all we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; but the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Not the iniquity of a few merely, but the iniquity 2 of all those luho, like sheep, have gone astray, and turned to their own way; consequently the iniquity of all the human family, this being their manifest character as fallen creatures. The apostle Paul is equally explicit: he tells us that God " spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all ;" that " Christ died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again ;" and that " He, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man." The beloved John supports the same delightful truth ; telling us that, "if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous, who is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world." He thus addressed himself to Christians generally, and thereby intimated that if, at any time, they should be overcome by the tempter, they were not to yield to despondency, but to remember their Advocate with the Father, w T ho was a propitiation for sins thus committed ; and not for such sins merely, but for all sins ; not for the sins of the church only, but for the sins of the whole world. These passages of Scripture, and others of similar import, clearly and fully assert the universal character of the atonement ; and this doctrine is corroborated by that of a general resurrection. That there will be a resurrection of the just and of the unjust, is a matter of revelation, and is distinctly stated to be the result of the Saviour's mediation ; for, " as in Adam all died, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." If redemption thus extend to the bodies of all, the legitimate conclusion forced upon us is, that it has made provision for the souls of all; as it appears, in our humble opinion, inconsistent with either the justice or mercy of God, that he should redeem the bodies of any of our race without redeeming their souls also, as that would render their anguish more intolerable in that place of misery which it was impossible for them to escape. Now the argument is this : As the atonement is universal, a foundation is laid for such a work of grace as shall put down every form of superstition and error, and bring under its saving influence all the tribes of men.

The character of Christianity leads us to expect the conversion of the world. If we examine its construction and frame, its spirit and tendency, and its independence both with respect to civil policy and ecclesiastical regimen, we shall at once perceive its adaptation for universal diffusion, and its competency to bring all nations under its salutary influence. Christianity not only commands its recipients to diffuse it throughout the world, and excites them to do so, but it is suited to all grades of intellect, and to every station and rank of society; and will not have fully carried out its aggressive principles, nor completely developed its spirit of benevolent enterprise, until it has explored every continent of the earth, blessed every island of the sea, deposed every idol from its throne, regenerated every pagan heart, gathered unto Shiloh every Jewish wanderer, wrested every trophy from the "Arab thief," and entirely reclaimed our apostate and rebellious race. Its benevolence is as deep as depravity, and as wide as the world. For the salvation of souls it exerts its energies, and lifts up its importunate voice, crying, " Give ! give !" nor will it ever say it has enough, until it has embraced the whole human family, and regenerated the heart of every man. The intimations of divine Providence lead us to expect the world's conversion. Every man who has acquainted himself with the world's history during the last forty years, must know that in that period it has undergone a considerable change very favorable to the conversion of the whole race of man.

The laudable efforts of the British, Foreign, and the American Bible Societies, have succeeded in arousing the nations, and exciting among them a spirit of inquiry relative to religious truth. The Eastern churches are awaking from their slumbers, and crying to those of the West, " Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out." The most intelligent among the heathen tribes are manifestly perplexed and disgusted with the principles and rites of paganism. Copies of the Holy Scriptures are nearly everywhere anxiously desired, and eagerly perused ; and heart-thrilling voices from almost every part of the unchristianized world, imploring spiritual help, are reiterated in the ears of the directors of missionary societies. Thus are the fields white unto the harvest ; and although much toil and opposition may await the reapers, yet these things are signs of the times not to be mistaken, and which indicate God's gracious designs relative to the revival and extension of pure religion throughout all the earth. Nor should we forget the standing of the British and American nations in the world. Without intending any reflection upon other nations, we feel all the confidence which truth inspires, in saying that they exert a paramount influence among the nations of the earth. Their banners are waving in the breezes of every zone ; and the sun is ever gilding some portion of their territory. Their canvass is swelling on every sea ; and their manufactures are sold in every market. Their name is a shield of protection in almost every land ; and their influence affords access to nearly all the tribes of men. Blind, indeed, must be that man who does not behold in these things the operations of a gracious Providence, which intends these countries to take a leading part in building the walls of Zion. With them is pre-eminently deposited the gospel of Christ, and these things mark them out as the chosen instruments to take the most active part in its diffusion. Like the angel in the Apocalypse, which John beheld flying in the midst of heaven, they have the everlasting gospel to preach to every nation, and people, and kindred, and tongue.

The success which has already attended legitimate and well-directed efforts, encourages us to expect the conversion of the icorld. The gospel is the divinely appointed instrument of salvation ; and wherever it has been faithfully made known, it has never failed to meet the case of its sincere recipients, whatever may have been the culture of their minds, the strength of their prejudices, the enormity of their sins, the depth of their degradation, or the peculiarities of their customs and creeds. It has met and overcome every form of opposition, and gained its trophies in all grades of society, and among all classes of men. x4theists, Deists, Socinians, Jews, Pagans, Mohammedans, princes, peasants, bondmen, freemen, philosophers, barbarians, and in fact individuals of all nations, conditions, and crimes, have felt it to be the power of God unto salvation. We are thus furnished with specimens of what the gospel can do ; and if but one in each of the classes of persons mentioned has been converted, in every such convert we have received an assurance that the conversion of the whole is practicable. Nay more, we have received in these converts the first-fruits of the world's harvest ; and as a sheaf of many golden ears, the church may wave them before the Lord, and regard them as an earnest that the whole harvest will in due time be gathered in. It is true that the gospel may not have triumphed extensively in many of the dark nations of the earth ; yet in every one has it obtained at least a burial-place for its faithful dead, which, like the cave of Machpelah, we receive as a pledge that its glorious Author is to inherit all kingdoms, and that " men are to be blessed in him, and all nations call him blessed."

The plain declarations of Scripture lead us to expect the conversion of the world. For instance : Is the kingdom of Christ compared to " a stone cut out of the mountain without hands ?" That stone is to break in pieces every opposing power, and " fill the whole earth." Is it said to resemble leaven ? That leaven is to diffuse itself until every part shall be brought under its influence. Is Christ said to be the seed of Abraham 1 In that seed " all the families of the earth are to be blessed." Is he the King of Zion? He is to " speak peace to the heathen ; and his dominion is to be from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth." Is he the King of kings and Lord of lords? " All kings are to fall before him, and all nations are to worship him." Is he the Son of God ? The Father has promised to give him " the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession." Has he received a name which is above every name ? " Unto the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, of things in earth; and of things under the earth, and every tongue confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Is it life eternal to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent ? " The knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea ;" and " all shall know Him from the least unto the greatest." Such are the statements of Scripture on the interesting subject of the world's conversion, and which in due time will receive their accomplishment.

Chapter II

Having in the preceding chapter established, as we believe, the necessity and practicability of the Scriptural conversion of the world, we shall now show by what agency that important work is to be effected.

It appears to be a principle in the divine administration, for God to accomplish wha^ man cannot accomplish, but not to perform what man can perform. See this principle exemplified in nature. God does not cultivate the soil, or deposit the seed therein, because man can do that ; but he gives the fruit of the earth in all its variety and richness, and thus effects what man cannot effect. See this exemplified in the miracles of our Lord. Take his raising Lazarus for an example. When J*e had come to the tomb of his servant, he directed his attendants to roll away the stone ; and when he had restored his friend to life, he further instructed them to loose him, and let him go. Now he that raised Lazarus from the dead could have easily rolled away the stone, and loosed his servant from his bands ; but these were things which man could do ; and our Lord, on that deeply interesting occasion, absolutely performed nothing but what man could not perform. Now this appears to be the principle upon which he acts in the conversion of men. It is true that we cannot of ourselves do any good thing, much less convert sinners from the error of their ways ; yet we can, in humble dependence upon spiritual aid, employ the means which God has appointed for that important end : and we have no more authority to expect that the Lord will convert sinners while those means are neglected, than the husbandman has authority to expect a plentiful harvest, while he neglects to cultivate his land and sow his seed.

The truth of God presented to the mind is the great instrument of conversion ; and it does not appear that a sinner can be converted and saved independently of the influence of that truth. For instance : Are men born again ? It is " not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible ; even the word of the Lord which liveth and abideth for ever." Are they sanctified? It is " through the truth." Are they made clean ? It is " through the words which Christ speaks unto them." " The word of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." Hence the absolute necessity of teaching, and consequently of human agency, in the conversion of the world. If ever there had been a period when that agency was unnecessary, it must have been on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost descended upon the disciples. But even then it was not dispensed with in the conversion of the three thousand souls, who on that memorable occasion were added to the Lord. They had mockingly witnessed the effects of the Spirit's manifestation, and were not pricked in their hearts until they heard the gospel truth from the lips of Peter. Then, and not till then, did they discover their sin and danger, and exclaim, " Men and brethren, what shall we do ?" Nor can we find a conversion to God after that period on record in the New Testament, in which human agency of some description was not employed. Was the Ethiopian eunuch converted ? The Spirit directed Philip " to preach unto him Jesus," that he might " understand what he was reading ;" and the eunuch " believed with all his heart," was baptized, and