le one?
Look too at the fact, that _there is scarcely a nation on the globe
where men do not go, and permanently reside for the purpose of making
money_. It is absolutely amazing to what an extent this is the truth.
Why then cannot men go forth, and while they obtain a livelihood, make
it their ultimate and chief aim to do good?
But the inquiry arises, In what way should laymen go forth? It may not
be desirable that they should go forth, to any great extent, under the
care of missionary boards at present existing, lest the objects of those
boards should become too numerous and complicated. And it may not
perhaps be desirable, or necessary, to have any other organization for
the purpose. I am not wise enough to give an opinion; but would suggest,
that men of some pecuniary means take those means, and emigrate to
heathen lands, just as some good men have gone to the far West. May
there not also be small combinations of men, not to help others, but
_each other_ into the field, just as there is in worldly enterprise?
When once established in the field, it is supposed that their trades and
occupations will afford them, with trials, hardships and reverses, an
adequate subsistence, and open before them a wide door of usefulness.
Some have suggested, that ministers of the Gospel should go forth and
sustain themselves abroad. That is a far different question. If
ministers of the Gospel ought not to sustain themselves in Christian
countries by laboring with their hands, still less should they attempt
such a course in foreign fields. They have _other work_ to do--enough to
occupy all their time.
But for laymen to go forth, and sustain themselves in this way, is it
not both proper and appropriate? and have not such enterprises, to some
extent, been already entered upon with success? Different fields, of
course, present greater or less obstacles; but what undertaking is
without its difficulties? Perplexities, embarrassments and sufferings,
would be a matter of course; but no greater and perhaps far less than
those Christians endured, who, being scattered abroad from their beloved
Jerusalem, went everywhere preaching the word.
It may perhaps be objected, that should many from all classes of
Christians thus go forth, to live and labor abroad, they would soon
possess the land, while the heathen would melt away before them. Let us
look at this point. And first, where is the evidence of such a result?
When and where has the exp
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