FOREIGN MISSIONARY CHRONICLE. VOL. II....No. 9. PITTSBURGH, DECEMBER, 1834. WHOLE NO. 21. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. CONVERSION OF THE WORLD. lead them to repentance. He will judge the warring nations, and command them to The Mountain of the Lord's House on be at peace; and they shall cheerfully exthe top of the Mountains.-(Is. 2: 2-5.) change the weapons of war for implements This is a clear and most animating descrip- of agriculture-"shall beat their swords intion, in prophetic vision, of the enlargement, to plough-shares, and their spears into pruand ascendency of the kingdom of the Mes- ning hooks." &c. siah in "the last days"-the blessed period of the spiritual and glorious reign of Christ under the new dispensation. There is an allusion to the temple at Jerusalem, which stood on a mountain. The establishment of the mountain of the house of the Lord upon the top of the mountains and its exaltation above the hills, represents the erection and establishment of the kingdom of Christ upon the ruins of idolatry, the strong holds of sin, and the dominion of satan. "All nations shall flow unto it." There shall be vast accessions to the church by the conversion of the Gentiles, who shall come in vast numbers, and, with great readiness of mind, to enjoy her blessings and privileges. When the Gospel shall be promulgated among the heathen, a spirit of inquiry will be excited, and a solicitude will arise about understanding the religion of Christ and participating of its benefits. Therefore, many will come themselves to Zion, that they may be instructed; and persuade others to come and walk with them in the ways of truth and righteousness; saying, "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."The Lord will rebuke many people, and The Increase and Everlasting Duration of the Kingdom of Christ.—(ls. 9: 6,7.) "Unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder," &c.-"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end," &c. The prophet, in this important passage, foretels the incarnation of Christ; clearly exhibits the union of Divinity and humanity in his illustrious Person; and predicts, that his kingdom, which is declared to be a kingdom of righteousness and peace, shall be greatly increased in its numbers and the power of its influence on the hearts and lives of men; and that it shall eternally endure; which accords with a declara. tion in the New Testament; "He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." His kingdom of grace shall continue until all his willing subjects shall have been gathered home; and all these, at the close of mortal life, or on the day of final retribution, shall be admitted to his kingdom of heavenly glory, where "they shall be ever with the Lord." Blessed Effects of the Gospel-Conversion of the Gentiles-Restoration of the Jews.--(Is. 11: 1—16.) The prophet, in this chapter, foretels the advent of Christ, the unction of the Holy Spirit shed upon him, his qualifications for the work of re demption, the equity of his government, the | learn his character, works and ways: benign influence of his Gospel in producing "Praise the Lord; call upon his name; de a holy, benevolent and peaceable disposition in the hearts of men of every nation, however barbarous, when the knowledge of the Lord shall be co-extensive with the earth, as the waters are with the channels of the great deep: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a root of Jesses, which shall stand for an ensign of the people: to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious." The heathen shall resort to the Savior as an ensign; and, believing on him, shall find rest to their souls, "in hope of the glory of God;" or, the Lord will rest with unspeakable delight in his ransomed people, in whose salvation, he, with the Father and Holy Spirit, will be exceedingly glorified. This was "the joy set before him" for which he "endured the cross", &c.-The latter part of this chapter appears to be as clear a prophecy as need be desired of the conversion of the Jews to the Christian faith, and their restoration to their own inheritance from their dispersions in all countries; some of which are particularly mentioned by their ancient names-Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and the islands of the sea. It is added, in reference to the conversion of the Gentiles; "He shall set up an ensign for the nations; and," in respect to the bringing in of the Jews, "shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." clare his doings among the people. Sing unto the Lord: for he hath done excellent things; this is known in all the earth." The Heathen, converted, shall praise the Lord.-Future Glory of Zion.-(Ps. 24: 16,23.) "From the uttermost parts of the earth have we heard songs, even glory to the Righteous." This is a prediction of the conversion of the Gentiles in the most distant regions of the earth, and the tribute of thanksgiving which they will bring to Christ, as being "the Lord their righteousness," for their complete justification before God, and exercising his universal dominion according to the principles of immutable justice. After speaking of the punishment which will be inflicted on all who persist in opposing the Gospel, the prophet foretels a period when the glory of the church shall exceed that of the sun and moon; transcend not only the splendor of all earthly kingdoms, but also the spiritual glory with which the church itself was vested in any preceding day of her prosperity: "Then the moon shall be confounded and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and before his ancients gloriously;"-among his ancient people converted to Christianity, or before the elders and ministers of the Christian church, with unsurpassable glory and majesty. A Feast made to all People.-The Darkness of the World Dispelled. (Is 25: 6,7.) These verses refer to the progress of the Gospel from the coming of Christ to the close of the millenium. Two The Excellent Things which God has things are particularly foretold; First, That wrought should be devoutly celebrated by the Lord of armies will, in his holy moun his people, and made known to others.-tain of Zion, his church, make, for Jews and (Is. 12. 4,5.) The things to which the prophet refers, in grateful acknowledgment of which the church is called to sing songs of praise to God, are those works of his providence and grace which he performs in fulfilment of his immutable promises and infallible predictions recorded in the preceding parts of this prophecy. This exercise of praise will tend to revive and edify the church, and to extend the knowledge of the truth to others; so that darkened kindreds of people, "strangers.and foreigners," may Gentiles of all nations, a spiritual feast, containing a rich abundance and variety of provisions; representing the invaluable blessings which were procured by the obedience and atonement of Christ, and are offered to sinners indefinitely, "without money and without price," in the gracious invitations of the Scriptures and the ministrations of the Gospel: "In this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things," &c.-Secondly, That the Lord, by the light of his word and Spirit, will rend the covering of ignorance, error, idolatry, sin, and consequent misery, in which all Pagans, Mahomedans, obstinate Jews, and blinded Romanists, are enveloped; and "will shine into their hearts, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.". That this will be effected is evident from his express prediction; "And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations."-That these things may be wrought, according to his promise, let us importunately pray. And to these great benevolent ends let us direct our vigorous and unwearied efforts. The Effusion of the Spirit and its Happy Results. (Is. 32: 15-18.) Until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field. Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever."-The prophet, in this chapter, predicts the desolations of Judah and Jerusalem, and their continuance until a time of a remarkable outpouring of the Spirit. The former desolations continued during the Babylonish captivity, but not till the coming of Christ. It is, therefore, concluded that the prophet refers to the desolations which commenced with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman army under Titus-have continued ever since—and will continue till the Jews shall be couverted to the Christian faith, and return to the Lord with all their hearts, in consequence of a richer effusion of the Spirit than has ever been experienced in time past. To that copious and powerful effusion of the Spirit, which is yet future, it is believed, the prophet refers in the prediction which is the substance of these remarks. But the blessing will not be restricted to the Jews. They shall come in, with the fulness of the Gentile nations. So far as the Gospel shall be preached and blessed to the heathen, the wilderness, though hitherto barren, shall become a fruitful field, beautiful and productive as the garden of the Lord. And genuine religion, righteousness and peace shall prevail in all the earth, without interruption, through numerous ages and generations, during the predicted glorious reign of Christ on earth. Gladness in the Wilderness and Joy in the Desert. (Is. 35: 1,2.) In the preceding chapter, God, by his prophet, predicts the execution of his vengeance upon the enemies of his church, the destruction of antichrist, and the desolations of mystical Babylon; the site of which will produce nothing superior to thorns, nettles and brambles become a habitation of wild beasts, dragons, satyrs; and a court of owls, cormorants, bitterns, ravens and vultures:an important prophecy, which yet remains to be accomplished. But the desolations of the antichristian domains will be effected in the righteous judgment of God, and prove a just ground of joy and thanksgiving, as preparing the way for the extraordinary progress of the true Gospel, and the prevalence of genuine piety, holy joy, and grateful praise, in lands which previously were in heathen darkness, and figuratively denominated "the desert, wilderness and solitary place." This joy will arise from a view of the mercies, as well as the judg ments, of God; his gracious benefits bestowed upon the guilty and destitute; and from a spiritual discovery of "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." "The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God." All Flesh shall see the Glory of the Lord. (Is. 40: 5.) In the context, the prophet predicts the ministry of John, the harbinger of Christ; and the good effects of his faithful labors in convincing many of his hearers of their sin and exposure to the wrath to come," and thus preparing their minds for the reception of the Savior who was about to be manifested, and whom, on his appearance, John pointed out as the "Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world." Thus Christ, the brightness of the Father's glory, was revealed; and the glory of God's moral perfections made known in his person and his work of re demption. This glory was seen by the apostles; one of whom says, "We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father." And it was seen by many others, who walked as the obedient disciples of Christ, and joyfully became members of his church when it was gloriously erected at the extraordinary effusions of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. And by these and others successively converted, the knowledge of his glory was diffused through the land of Israel; among the Samaritans, and the Jews in their dispersions; and, at length, extended to the Gentiles in every land which was accessible to the messengers of peace. But it will yet be seen with more distinct spiritual perception, and by incomparably greater numbers; for it is said. "all flesh shall see it together;" or, as it is quoted by the Evangelist Luke, according to the Septuagint, "All flesh shall see the salvation of God." This plain prophecy has never yet been completely fulfilled; but most certainly will be; for the God of truth has spoken it.-Let faith in such promises awake the pious and benevolent affections of his saints, and call forth all their energies in his glorious cause. ence to his precepts. This has been literally fulfilled in the British, the Sandwich, and the South Sea Islands; but we confidently expect a more complete and glori ous fulfilment.-On account of the deliverance of the Gentiles from their guilt and dreadful bondage of sin and satan, they are called upon to praise him, in new and joyful strains, by sea and land, to the utmost boundaries of the globe: "Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth: ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: Let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the Islands." (Is. 42: 10,11,12.) Stupid Idolaters summoned to appear, examine, and decide by the evidence presented, who is God, able to save, and worthy to be extolled and glorified, the first and the last, who governs the universe with uncontrollable power. Idolaters in heathen lands, and in countries denominated Christian, are blinded by sin and satan-“have eyes, but see not; and ears, but hear not;" but when "the Gospel shall shine unto them," and God, by his Spirit, shine into their hearts, they will be at no loss to determine whether dumb idols or Jehovah be the living and true God. This is now a subject of inquiry, and will soon be satisfactorily answered every where: "Bring forth the blind people, that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things?" &c. (Is. 43: 8—13.) Christ, the Light and Salvation of the Gentiles, will be praised in a new song over all the earth.-The Father declares that his beloved Son "shall bring forth judgment unto the Gentiles"-teach the heathen to know his glorious Gospel, in its sublime truths, its holy commands, and its excellent institutions-that he has given him as the Mediator of the new covenant, for a Light to the Gentiles, to dissipate the darkness of their gross ignorance, error and sin; and give them spiritual understanding of the incomparable excellence of God; the extent and purity of his law; their own depravity, condemnation and perish- Jews and Gentiles shall be gathered to ing condition; the rich and abundant pro- Christ, created anew and disposed to glovision made in the Gospel for the salvation rify him. (Is. 43: 6,7,8.) "Fear not; for of sinners-for the pardon, sanctification I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from and endless blessedness of all that believe; the east, and gather thee from the west. I that they may be encouraged to come to him will say to the north, Give up; and to the and live. He will not only "set judgment south, Keep not back: bring my sons from in the earth;" but "the isles shall wait for far, and my daughters from the ends of the his law"-intensely regarding the first in earth." &c.-This prediction was literally timations of his will, anxious to learn the fulfilled in part in the collecting of the Jews precious contents of his word, that they from the countries into which they had may yield a cheerful, unreserved obedi-been dispersed by their Chaldean conquer stance by contributing to the funds of (1.) Bible Societies excellent institutions which sprung into existence since the begianing of the present century, and have rapidly increased in number and efficiency. They are approved and sustained by the excellent of the earth in every Christian land. Their object is the printing and distribution of the Scriptures in all langua ges, and the supply of the poor and destitute in all lands with copies of the word of life.-Who, that loves the precious Oracles of God, would not be disposed to aid in the noble enterprise of the American Bible Society of supplying all the accessible population of the earth with this inestimable treasure? (2.) Education Societies and Theological Seminaries, the object of which is, by suitable instruction, to prepare young men of talents and piety for the holy ministry.-Can there be any ob ers, and in their return to the land of their fathers. But it appears to be applicable especially to the future restoration of the Jews, not only to their own land, but also to the favor and image of God, that they may answer the high end of their being, the glory of his name.-Let not the promises of God respecting the ingathering and salvation of his ancient heritage be viewed with indifference by Christians; but with the deepest interest, considering the part they are called to perform in the work of restoring that people. The London Jews' Society continue their labors of love in their behalf; and feel encouraged to persevere by the new spheres of action which are opening among the Jews on the Northern Coast of Africa; especially at Tunis; and by the leadings of Divine Providence in the East, where his written word and his Gospel preached have more free course than for many past ages. But some of the ex-ject more important? Look at the desolapressions of the prophet in this prediction seem to refer to the calling of the Gentiles to the knowledge, service and enjoyment of the true God, in whom "they live, move, and have their being." The Ends of the Earth called to look to Christ for salvation-submit, and profess their allegiance to him as their Lord. This is an unlimited and most gracious invitation. Christ is the great object of faith. All are called to behold and receive him as "the Lord their righteousness and strength," that they may be saved from sin and ruin; and are encouraged to come by the declaration of his Divinity and ability to "save to the uttermost." It is expressly declared, that all shall submit to him, by a cheerful surrender of their hearts, or by a sad experience of his omnipotent anger upon the impenitent: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me shall every knee bow, every tongue shall swear.' (Is. 45: 22,23,24,25.) A FRIEND OF MISSIONS. tions of Zion in our own country-the destitute places where no messenger of peace proclaims to the inhabitants the good news of pardon and eternal life through the merits of the Savior. Look at the rising race in the midst of ten thousand snares and temptations, growing up, in many places, without instruction in the knowledge of God the Savior. Look at the rapidly increasing population of our country, and the equal progress of every species of vice and impiety, without any proportionate increase of able and faithful ministers of the New Testament; and consider how many laborers in the Lord's Vineyard have recently finished their course and "gone the way of all the earth." Look at the Pagan world-the greater part of the inhabitants of the globe, upon whom the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ has never shined. Consider these things, and inquire whether it is not your duty to aid in the work of preparing for the ministry young men of piety, prudence and intelligence, who are unable to bear the expenses of their own education. Let not our Theological Seminaries languish, seeing that from them proceed many devoted servants of Christ, to THE DUTY OF HONORING THE LORD WITH labor in our own country, or "go far hence OUR SUBSTANCE. (Concluded from page 348. unto the Gentiles." Let us remember in our prayers and our contributions the We should honor the Lord with our sub- Western Theological Seminary, which, |