as your supreme aim, chief desire, and all-engrossing
object, the promotion of Christ's kingdom--the salvation of souls for
whom he died?

Besides, what is the great purpose for which the church was instituted?
Certainly, not to promote in its members a delusive comfort and quietude
of mind; neither mainly nor chiefly to secure their own ultimate
salvation; but _to take advantage of union of strength to convert the
world._ The church--the whole church, without the exception of any of
its members, is by profession, not merely a missionary society, but a
_missionary band:_ the minute-men of the Lord Jesus, ready to do his
will, at home or abroad, with singleness of aim, and with a spirit of
entire devotion.

"But," you say, "were we thus to live, the world would verily believe we
were deranged."

_Deranged!_ it would be the right kind of derangement. Were not the
apostles thought to be deranged? And the Reformers--Luther, Melancthon,
Calvin, Knox and others--were not they thought to be enthusiasts and
zealots? Why? Because they were somewhat in earnest in the cause of
Christ. Worldly men toil and strive night and day, in collecting
together a little of the pelf and dust of the earth, and think
themselves wise in doing so; but if the disciples of Christ show zeal or
earnestness, in pursuits as much higher than theirs as heaven is higher
than the earth, and as much more important as the immortal soul is more
valuable than corruption and vanity, they call them enthusiasts and
fanatics! But, alas! how few of us who profess to be the disciples of
Christ, have manifested such zeal in his service as to be called by such
epithets. Such persons alone God calls wise; and those worldly men, who
are mad in the pursuit of wealth, God calls "fools." The wisdom of God
and the wisdom of the world are utterly at variance. O that all who
profess to love Christ, manifested such zeal in obeying him as to be
strange and singular men! How soon would every human being hear his
Gospel! But since such zeal is not manifested, the heathen are left to
perish; and where, I ask affectionately and solemnly, where rests the
guilt?

But, here it may perhaps be replied, "Our sin is a sin of ignorance. We
have not been acquainted with the full import of the Saviour's last
command, nor with the extent of our obligations to Christ. Neither have
we been acquainted with the wretched and guilty condition of the heathen
world, nor with the exertions necessa