Nathan Bangs · 8 of 28

Chapter 4. From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the Commencement of the General Conference of 1820. · Of the Missionary and Bible Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America

At a time when the Christian world is alive to every sentiment of humanity, and awake to the temporal and spiritual wants of men, every effort directed to the accomplishment of the grand climax of human felicity will, by the philanthropic mind, be viewed with pleasure and delight.

“It is the peculiar office of Christianity to inspire in the breasts of its votaries an ardent desire for the happiness of man. Expanding the soul with the purest benevolence, wherever its influence is felt it expels that selfishness which is fed and strengthened by avarice. And this divine principle, occupying the heart, prompts its possessor to the selection of the most suitable means to accomplish the object of his desire. Ever active, and directing his activity to exalt the glory of God, and to effect the present and future happiness of man, whenever suitable means are presented they are applied with assiduity, and with certain hope of success.

“Such, we trust, are the objects of the patrons of this society. Beholding with pleasure the extensive diffusion of Scriptural knowledge, through the medium of missionary, Bible, and tract societies, and believing that more efficient means to extend the Redeemer’s kingdom were within their power, the members of the Missionary and Bible Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America have agreed to unite their strength for the purpose of contributing their mite toward sending the messengers of peace to gather in the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

“In presenting their institution to their brethren and to the Christian public, they deem it expedient to explain, in a few words, their ultimate design: — it is, as expressed in the first article of the constitution, To enable the several annual conferences more effectually to extend their missionary labors throughout the United States and elsewhere; to afford a cheap supply of Bibles and Testaments to those who may have the means of purchasing; and to supply the destitute gratis.

“The primary intention, therefore, of this institution is an extended operation of the great missionary system, the success of which has been witnessed among us for so many years; and the Bible is only so far associated with it as to be made subservient to the main design. That this ought to be the leading design of every association which has for its final object the diffusion of Christianity, will appear evident to those who consider, that it has been the invariable method of God to bring mankind to the knowledge of the truth by means of a living ministry. The Bible is the infallible judge to which the living messenger appeals for the correctness of his message; but it is the word of truth, addressed by the ambassador of Christ to the understandings and consciences of men, that generally lays open the nakedness of the human heart, and brings the guilty sinner to Jesus Christ. Send, therefore, the living messenger of God, with the Bible in his hands, and let that finally decide the controversy between the sinner and the truths delivered. This method, we believe, will be the most effectual to convey the glad tidings of salvation to those who are perishing for lack of knowledge.

Moreover, as it is the design of this society to extend itself, if possible, by means of auxiliary societies, throughout the United States, and to engage especially the co-operation of all the annual conferences, provision is made in the constitution for the formation of auxiliary societies, and a circular addressed to them on the subject; and as none are so competent to take an impartial and comprehensive view of the various parts of our extensive continent as the General Conference, in which is concentrated the episcopal authority and the general oversight of the whole Church; and as it would, in our opinion, very much facilitate the operations, and greatly contribute to accomplish the benevolent objects of the society, to unite in some measure its counsels and operations with the book agency; we have provided for the attainment of these objects, by ceding to the General Conference a power of inserting such articles for these purposes as they may judge proper, as well as for the equitable apportionment of the funds of the society among the several annual conferences. As our ultimate object is the general good of mankind, by the extensive diffusion of experimental and practice godliness, we are principally solicitous to raise an adequate supply for such men of God as may volunteer their services in the cause of Christ, leaving to the episcopacy the selection of the men, as well as the place of their destination. We take the liberty of observing, however, that our views are not restricted to our own nation or color; we hope the aborigines of our country, the Spaniards of South America, the French of Louisiana and Canada, and every other people who are destitute of the invaluable blessings of the gospel, as far as our means may admit, will be comprehended in the field of the labors of our zealous missionaries. To accomplish so great and so glorious an object, time, union, liberality, patience, and perseverance are all necessary. And we hope to exhibit, in our future exertions, evidence of our zeal in providing pecuniary aid to the extent of our power, and in our fervent prayers and earnest wishes for the success of our institution.

“With an object of such magnitude and importance before us, we think we cannot appeal in vain to the liberality of our brethren and friends for their hearty cooperation.

“When we review our ministry from the commencement of our existence as a separate communion, and mark its successful progress, we are constrained to say, What hath God wrought!

“Contending with numerous impediments, they have persevered with great success in extending the triumphs of the cross among mankind. We ourselves are, we humbly trust, the trophies of this ministry. By the blessing of God upon their labors, it was this same ministry, crossing the ‘watery world’ in the character of missionaries, that gave the first impetus to that mighty exertion in the Christian cause, by which the present generation in this western world is distinguished. And shall we be wanting in our efforts to send this ‘gospel of the kingdom’ to our fellow-men, millions of whom are yet dwelling in darkness and in the shadow of death?

“Arise, brethren, in the majesty of your strength: in the name of Immanuel, God with us, go forward: concentrate your force in this society; and, by a united exertion, help to people the regions of perennial happiness, by contributing to send the word of life to the destitute inhabitants of our fallen world. What heart can remain unmoved, what hand unemployed, when called to action in a cause so important, so interesting, so sacred! Let but the friends of Zion give half as much for the support of missionaries, and for the distribution of the word of life, as the intemperate do to gratify and pamper their appetites, and there shall be no lack. “Although the constitution which accompanies this address requires the payment of two dollars annually to constitute a member, and the payment of twenty dollars at one time to constitute a member for life, yet this does not exclude donations to any amount, great or small. Remember, the mite of the poor widow was not only accepted, but her liberality was highly applauded by her Lord, because she put in all her living. ‘It is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to what he hath not.’ And if every one will become a cheerful giver, ‘according to the ability which God giveth,’ we shall soon witness the rising glory of the Church; ‘the solitary places shall be glad for them’ — the messengers of Zion — ‘and the wilderness shall blossom as the rose;’ the pagan nations, which inhabit the wilds of America, and the desolate inhabitants of our new states and territories, shall hail the effects of your bounty; — nations unborn shall rise up and call you blessed. Let, then, all hearts be warm, and all hands active, until the ‘ends of the earth see the salvation of our God.’”