X.

instructions of his new spouse, was induced to exert CENT. his authority in the propagation of the Gospel through his dominions: in fine, Poland became a Christian nation; nor is it probable that this was a mere outward profession: that it was so in some instances, there is no doubt; but nevertheless, the circumstances of the narrative carry the appearance of something truly divine. Nor is that true, which Mosheim* asserts, that an inward change of affections and principles, was far from being an object of attention in this barbarous age. It seems most probable, that it was an object of attention in the missionaries, and in those who zealously received them. We have seen, in several instances, an evidence of zeal in preaching, and a constancy in suffering, which can scarce be explained on any other principle than that of godly sincerity. And we have lived to see a refined age as indifferent concerning an inward change, as any barbarous period whatever.

of Russia

Russia, The queen received sails to ConOn her stantinople,

and is there

955.

In the year 955, Olga, the queen of sailed from Kiow to Constantinople, and baptism, together with her attendants. return, she persevered in the Christian religion, baptized, but could not prevail on her family and subjects, A. D. to receive the same: the Greek missionaries, however, laboured still, and gradually succeeded †. At length, Wolodomir, her grandson, in the year 961 inarried Anna, sister of the emperor Basil, who, by her zealous importunity, prevailed on her spouse to receive Christianity. He was baptized in the year 987; and, from that time, Russia received a Chris- Russia tian establishment, and has ever since considered Christian, herself as a daughter of the Greek Church.

becomes

A. D.

Ulric, son of count Hucbald, born in 893, was 987. placed at Augsburg under the care of Adalberon, bishop of that city. He was made, at length, bishop of Augsburg, by the emperor, Henry the + Gibbon, Vol. V.

*Chap. I. Cent. X.

CHAP. fowler. He comforted his people, who had been II. plundered by the Hungarians: he avoided the Ulric, court: he kept close to his flock, and was equally bishop of renowned for devotion, and for pastoral labours. laboured in He died about 973.

Angsburg,

his diocese Thus, in an age of proverbial darkness, that illusfor 50 years trious prophecy continued to receive its accomplishment; Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and queens thy nursing mothers *." The regular and

66

civilized governments in the world sustained such dreadful calamities from the irruption of pagan nations, on all sides, that their encouragement of Christian missions was equally humane and prudential. The precepts of the Gospel were found alone effectual to meliorate the dispositions of barbarians; and, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, no doubt, this was the happy effect on the minds of many.But, it will still be said, "the conversion of a great number was only nominal, and compulsory methods were employed, which are by no means adapted to the genius of the Gospel." It must be allowed, that, the latter of these assertions is strictly true, and the former, in many instances, but by no means in all. The efforts of the tenth and the three preceding centuries, to extend Christianity, had their blemishes, which have been malignantly insisted on, and even exaggerated by modern writers. Defective, however, as these efforts were, they form the principal glory of those times; and partly, by evident proofs, and a detail of circumstances, and partly by analogy and the nature of things, they appear to have been attended with the effusion of the Divine Spirit, the genuine conversion of numbers, and the improvement of human society. The virtues, of many at least, of the missionaries, are above any encomium which I can give; though they were born in rude ages, and are consigned to contempt

* Isaiah xlix..

and oblivion by polite historians, who lavish all their praises on heroes and politicians. If, however, the labours of an obscure individual may attract the attention of the public, the names of Boniface, Anscarius, Adalbert, Unni, and others of the same class, shall be honoured among men, and the work of propagating the Gospel shall appear laudable in an extreme degree. It must appear so to all, who desire that the name of Jesus should be honoured through the earth, and that the power of his grace should be felt in every place, and in every heart. But to what lengths will not scepticism proceed? It has even been advanced, that the attempt to propagate Christianity, without the consent of the government established in every country, is unlawful in its nature. A position so injurious to the character of many of the best and wisest men, whom it behoves us to celebrate in this history, and so conveniently favourable to the selfish, avaricious, indolent spirit of nominal Christians, will deserve to be investigated and exposed in its genuine .colours.

CHAP. III.

AN APOLOGY FOR CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

THE Commission, which our Saviour gave to his Apostles, a little before his ascension, forms of itself the strongest apology for the practice of Christian missionaries in all ages. "Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

* Matthew xxviii. 19, 20..

CHAP.

111.

CHAP,

III.

missions.

It cannot be justly said, that this commission of evangelizing all nations is restricted to the Apostles, because He, who gave these directions, declares, He will always be with those who obey them, to the end of the world. The commission is then as much in force at this day, as it was in the first age of Christianity; and will continue in force till time shall be no more. The promise of divine support, to encourage the missionaries in the prosecution of a work so arduous and so difficult, extends to all ages, and would be perfectly inapplicable to those ages, if any such there were, which should have no right to propagate the Gospel.

Questions, "Is every person then, calling himself a Chrisconcerning tian, authorized to preach the Gospel among the heathen nations?" Not so: nor is every person called a Christian authorized to preach in Christian countries. Certain qualifications and endowments, and, above all, the real and genuine influence of the Holy Spirit, are necessary for this purpose. To define and to ascertain these in particular cases, enter not into the subject before us. Suffice it to say, that, however in point of prudence and expediency, it be proper to procure, if practicable, the consent and concurrence of the government of the country, which is the object of the mission, such consent and concurrence is not necessary as a legitimate qualification of a missionary, who should undertake to evangelize pagan countries. Our Lord well knew, that such consent was not attainable in any country under heaven, at the time in which he gave this commission. He mentions no such condition, nor did the Apostles conceive the necessity of such a license. It is well known, on the contrary, that they persisted in their mission, not only without, but also against the express prohibitions of all governments, whether Jewish or Gentile. The nature and reasonableness of Christianity itself is such, that, wherever it is fairly exhibited, in con

nection with its proper proofs and evidences, those, who hear it, are bound in conscience to obey it, magistrates as well as others; and, as we have seen, the magistrate himself not only may, but ought to promote it, for the good of society *.

"But the Apostles wrought miracles; and therefore, though they had a right to propagate Christianity, others who do not so, have no right to preach, except with the consent of the government." It does not appear, that the evidence of their com mission rested wholly on miracles, though it must be confessed these formed a striking part of it, and were afforded by Divine Providence, in order to facilitate the progress of the then infant religion. But if, what no serious Christian will deny, there is an internal evidence in the Gospel itself, which ought to weigh with every reasonable mind, abstracted from any thing miraculous, it will be the duty of every one to receive it, when fairly proposed; and the obedience due to divine revelation is binding not only on those who hear it from one who works miracles; but also on those who hear it from one who brings unexceptionable testimonies of miracles having been wrought by others, in attestation of Christianity. Whoever attentively reads the history of the Acts of the Apostles, and the historical parts of the Epistles, will find, that all ministers, regularly ordained,-for the case of self-ordained ministers, I do not here consider,-thought it their duty to preach the word every were, whether they could work miracles or not. The miraculous powers were an adventitious circumstance; of great importance, indeed, in the opening of Christianity; but if the stress of an evangelical commission to the heathen had ever been meant to be laid upon it, it is surprising that this condition should never be mentioned in the sacred volume: it is not to be

*See Chap. XVII. Vol. II.