Christianity gradually Paganized--The work of the Reformers to restore it to its purity-Morals of the Papacy as described by Roman Catholic writers, preachers, and saints-Paganism of its worship as demonstrated by Bishop Middleton-Its public sale of pardons for sin-Tetzel-Pagan cruelty of the Papacy -A Te Deum sung in Rome, and medals struck in commemo- Ancient Missionaries in the East-The Inquisition at Goa set up to coerce the ancient Syrian Church-Description of that horrid tribunal at Goa by a Frenchman who had been confined there, and by Dr. Buchanan-Jesuit Missionaries in the East- Francis Xavier-The artifices practised by his successor, Robert de Nobili, and his colleagues--Capuchin Missionaries and others-Their Sinbad stories about different countries- Letters from modern Roman Catholic Missionaries-Present state of finances of the Association for the Propagation of the Propagation Society-Interesting ancient Protestant endowments- Church Missionary Society-Its monthly meetings and charac- teristic form of prayer-Gradual extension-Sketch of success- ful labours in places where, for years, failures only occurred- Beautiful letter of the Queen of England to African chiefs- Rev. Mr. Crowther and Rev. Mr. King, both liberated Africans, discover their mothers in the Yoruba country-Heavy blow to the slave-trade-New Zealand-Progress of religion and civilization-Tamehana Te Rauparaha-East Indian Missions Preliminary Remarks-Lontlon Missionary Society-Madagascar Elliott-American Missions-Continental European Missions -Moravian Missions-Preservation of their store-ship for eighty-two years-Bishop Porteus and Wilberforce's testi- Ireland enslaved to Rome in 1172-The Celts the aboriginal race- Irish converts in America as reported by a Roman Catholic priest-Beautiful lines on Ireland-The Irish Church Missions -Progress of Reformation attested by the Times and Irish Roman Catholic papers-Scenes illustrative of Irish character and the Irish Missions-Duhalla Schools-Dingle-A Comment- ary on the Bible printed by Irish boys-The Earl of Roden's account-A priest's curse-Homage paid to this priest by Mr. Wilberforce, the convert to Rome-St. Patrick's Purgatory, description of, by Inglis-Irish logic-Missionaries between Bedell and Irish Church Missions-Brown-Dr. Madden and MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES. CHAPTER I. THE FIRST CHRISTIAN MISSIONS. "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."-REV. vi. 2. THE Lord's command to his disciples: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature," and his promise, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," are the foundation of all Christian missions, and must supply every true missionary with his highest encouragement to the end of time. Nobly did the first Church carry out that command, and fully did they realize the presence of the Saviour in their arduous work. Never was spectacle exhibited in the world so august or so wonderful as the onward march and victory of Christianity, on its first appearance, over the powers of darkness. The leaders in a movement which aimed at the conquest B of a world, were a few individuals of the humblest class, and from a despised and subjugated race; having no sort of influence or power such as ordinarily affects mankind; and as regards human wisdom they were profoundly ignorant. The doctrines which they promulgated were to their own countrymen "a stumbling-block, and to the Gentiles foolishness;" and yet, by these, the immemorial usages of the nations were overthrown; the fascinations of a religion, which adapted itself to every sensual appetite, were broken; the philosophy of Greece and Rome were met and vanquished. Those who were engaged in the promulgation of these doctrines, endured, in every place, the utmost violence and wrong from the ruling powers, goaded on by an artful and numerous priesthood, whose craft was felt to be in danger. Over every obstacle this little band of warriors marched on, and triumphed marvellously. The Lord was with them of a truth: "The weapons of their warfare were not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." The rapid progress of the Gospel is not only recorded in Holy Scripture, but by profane writers. Tacitus, an historian of great reputation, and an enemy of Christianity, in giving an account of the fire which happened at Rome about thirty years after our Lord's commission to his Apostles, asserts that Nero, in order to suppress the rumours of having been himself the author of the mischief, had the Christians accused of the crime: "At first," he writes, "they only were |
