It has now been about fifteen years since the Missionary cause was introduced into North Carolina, with great zeal and love for the poor Indians on our continent. Their deplorable condition was depicted in the most lively colors, and with all that sympathy and apparent feeling for their poor lost souls, calculated to soften a heart of stone, and awaken in the coldest-hearted Christian, the most earnest emotions for their salvation. But there was something then, and ever has been, that I dreaded as a viper full of deadly poison.
Although it was glossed over with the love of souls; the worth of souls; starving souls for want of knowledge, &c. &c. with all the embellishments of fine language, and great talents in teaching; added to which, were many tears, much show of feeling, and semblance of christian sincerity; yet I could not help being filled with a jealousy, that there was death in the pot.--And I have stood as an opposer and observer ever since, and now offer the public a few thoughts, and hazard some conjectures, on the future consequences of the Missionary and other societies, abounding in our land of freedom.
In the first place, several associated bodies proceeded to appoint delegates; say, four or five from each of their respective bodies, to form a convention or Missionary board, to lay a plan for the conversion of the heathen; (for no man could be found among all the seeming feeling ones for poor Indian souls, that would comply with the command of Christ: to take neither gold, nor silver, nor scrip; neither two coats; and go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, without money or price.)--These delegated divines, therefore, met together at ----, to hold the mighty council, to form the benevolent plan of converting the Indians, quickly. And what is the result of their deliberations on so important a subject? Why, money! money! Let the people give us their money, and the mighty work can be done. What? men do the work with money, which none but God can do by his grace and spirit! Folly indeed--but the plan was drawn, and this is as near the spirit and principle of it, as I am able to describe--
First: We must take all possible care to make the case of the Indians as bad as we can.
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| Elder Joshua Lawrence |
In the first place, several associated bodies proceeded to appoint delegates; say, four or five from each of their respective bodies, to form a convention or Missionary board, to lay a plan for the conversion of the heathen; (for no man could be found among all the seeming feeling ones for poor Indian souls, that would comply with the command of Christ: to take neither gold, nor silver, nor scrip; neither two coats; and go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, without money or price.)--These delegated divines, therefore, met together at ----, to hold the mighty council, to form the benevolent plan of converting the Indians, quickly. And what is the result of their deliberations on so important a subject? Why, money! money! Let the people give us their money, and the mighty work can be done. What? men do the work with money, which none but God can do by his grace and spirit! Folly indeed--but the plan was drawn, and this is as near the spirit and principle of it, as I am able to describe--
First: We must take all possible care to make the case of the Indians as bad as we can.
Secondly: We must show with great zeal, how much our hearts feel, by affectation only, since we are not willing to go ourselves; and if need should so require to get a little more money, we must shed some tears before our congregations.
Thirdly: Our Missionary texts must be well chosen and pathetically handled, to excite the sympathy of our hearers, and open their hearts to the Indians; and then while they are in that soft state, let a collection be made, and we shall draw plentifully from their pockets.
Fourthly: Let various societies be formed, to take in members at one or two dollars a year, for membership; and have so much at one time to constitute one a member or a director for life, and this will greatly contribute to our getting money.
Fifthly: Let us create titles, such as presidents, vice presidents, corresponding secretaries, and treasurers, in these new societies, with boards of directors, and other unheard of titles of honor in the New Testament; and this will be a good bait; since men delight to be honored, and have their names carried abroad, and no doubt cause many to do much in aiding our schemes of getting money.
Sixthly: Let traveling beggars be appointed, crying wherever they go--give! give us of your money to convert the heathen. How unlike the prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, the apostles, a Luther, a George Whitfield, a Wesley, a Dow, and a thousand others, who are ornaments to the free gospel of Christ; all impressed with the worth of souls; and who go forth taking up their cross, denying themselves, and devoting themselves to the work of God, for the good of men: dependent on God, without begging or being shamefully backed by monied societies.
By hard squeezing, somewhere about seven hundred and fifty dollars was collected, and deposited with Mr. Treasurer, until further orders from this board of wise divines, and set of new schemers in gospel theory. They met, and met again, from year to year, to re-organize their plan of money getting. Some years after, out comes a shameful Circular from this wise board, (when they had found out they were but men,) that if any man that had given, wanted his money back, he could have it, by applying; but that they were persuaded better things of of them that had given; (a proof of their vanity and folly; for they now plead the hostility of the Indians, and want of proper persons to teach school, &c. &c.) Soon the great and mighty institutions of foreign and domestic missions, with bible societies and theological seminaries, were circulated, with all the high encomiums that the English language could furnish; and into them, they and their perverted funds began to fall. Now, in this mighty field to do wonders, in sending the gospel to the destitute at home and abroad, to work this wise board of directors go, with redoubled ardor, setting the wisdom of all their heads to work, to invent new plans of getting more money--and how they may, by the by, handle a little of the precious stuff themselves, I shall here notice, as the people seem to bleed pretty freely.
And so, Seventhly: While in council they make a bargain, you comb my head, and I will scratch your back;--you confer on me the honorable title of gospel beggar or missionary hireling, at one dollar and twenty-five cents per day, or forty dollars per month, if you think I have a good talent for begging; or I will beg for you if you will pay me for my services; or I will play into your hands if you will play into mine--share the profits. Cheat and fleece the people out of their hard earnings, upon condition, you will let me beg in the name of your honorable society; for I am ashamed to beg for myself, lest the people raise the hue and cry--money hunter, &c.
What abominable hypocrisy! If the cause espoused be holy, just, virtuous, and honorable, why not come openly out to the world, and tell the congregations that you have been hired by the board of domestic or foreign missions, for one dollar and twenty-five cents per day, to beg for them; and that the beggar and the board are to divide the money, and all over wages is to be saved for other hirelings, doctors, and reverends; then congregations would know how to act, and such characters act more worthy the Christian minister and honest man.
By hard squeezing, somewhere about seven hundred and fifty dollars was collected, and deposited with Mr. Treasurer, until further orders from this board of wise divines, and set of new schemers in gospel theory. They met, and met again, from year to year, to re-organize their plan of money getting. Some years after, out comes a shameful Circular from this wise board, (when they had found out they were but men,) that if any man that had given, wanted his money back, he could have it, by applying; but that they were persuaded better things of of them that had given; (a proof of their vanity and folly; for they now plead the hostility of the Indians, and want of proper persons to teach school, &c. &c.) Soon the great and mighty institutions of foreign and domestic missions, with bible societies and theological seminaries, were circulated, with all the high encomiums that the English language could furnish; and into them, they and their perverted funds began to fall. Now, in this mighty field to do wonders, in sending the gospel to the destitute at home and abroad, to work this wise board of directors go, with redoubled ardor, setting the wisdom of all their heads to work, to invent new plans of getting more money--and how they may, by the by, handle a little of the precious stuff themselves, I shall here notice, as the people seem to bleed pretty freely.
And so, Seventhly: While in council they make a bargain, you comb my head, and I will scratch your back;--you confer on me the honorable title of gospel beggar or missionary hireling, at one dollar and twenty-five cents per day, or forty dollars per month, if you think I have a good talent for begging; or I will beg for you if you will pay me for my services; or I will play into your hands if you will play into mine--share the profits. Cheat and fleece the people out of their hard earnings, upon condition, you will let me beg in the name of your honorable society; for I am ashamed to beg for myself, lest the people raise the hue and cry--money hunter, &c.
What abominable hypocrisy! If the cause espoused be holy, just, virtuous, and honorable, why not come openly out to the world, and tell the congregations that you have been hired by the board of domestic or foreign missions, for one dollar and twenty-five cents per day, to beg for them; and that the beggar and the board are to divide the money, and all over wages is to be saved for other hirelings, doctors, and reverends; then congregations would know how to act, and such characters act more worthy the Christian minister and honest man.
(To be Continued)
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For now, until Welsh Tract Publications is reorganized as an LLC, I will handle the financial transactions. Understand that Welsh Tract Church does NOT have any affiliation with Welsh Tract Publications. Like the website and the YouTube channel, these websites were created by the friends of Welsh Tract Church. We do not believe in any extra-church organizations or "ministries". Flash Drives are now available.
The Lord Bless you!
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This flashcard contains all of the known articles written by Elder Wilson Thompson from 1832 until he died in 1866. It also contains Simple Truths, His Autobiography in a PDF file as well as an audiobook as well as his work Triumphs of Truth. Also, these works will be fully searchable and will fit on your smartphone. It will also be suitable for printing. The cost will be $50 for the flash drive containing all this information. We accept Zelle, CashApp, Venmo, or personal checks. For more information write to gsantamaria685@gmail.com.
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