MR. GIDDING'S ESSAY ON MODERN MISSIONS SYSTEM #3 (TROTT) 1837

I now come to Mr. Giddings's third proposition: that combination of effort on the part of the church, is sanctioned by Christ its head.

This proposition he attempts to prove; First from the usefulness of such combinations, for the accomplishment of great worldly objects, as exemplified in turnpike and railroad companies. Secondly he says Christ gave the principle his sanction,“ when he chose the 12 apostles to be with him, to cooperate with him, in the language of Paul, to be workers together with God in bringing about his gracious designs of mercy toward our guilty world.” He speaks of the appointment of the 70, as having reference to the same principle; as also the early Christians having all things common. In reference to the same principle of combination of effort he makes Paul represent the church is a body fitly joined together. But after all this, which I may call monstrous proof, (for it is the most monstrous perversion of the scriptures, I ever witnessed from a man professing candor, and reverence for the bible) it will do him no good in support of his mission cause, unless he can prove that christ's Kingdom is of this world, and sustained by worldly principles; or that Christ has authorized a combination of the church and the world to advance his cause; For such as to combination found in the modern mission system.

That the Lord Jesus employs instruments for the accomplishment of his gracious purposes towards his people, all consistent old school Baptists admit, but he chose for himself, the instruments he intends to employ, and directs them to their field of Labor as he did the 70, we maintain. That he ever authorized others to choose and direct for him, as the mission boards, assumed to do, we deny, until divine authority is produced for such assumption.

That christ's church is a body fitly compacted together, of which Christ has the head, we believe, and that it grows up into him in all things, we are taught: Ephesians 4.15, 16. But how it grows and increases, no man by human reason or science, can know any more than he knows how the seed he casts into the ground springs and grows, mark 4.26, 28. Hence Mr. Giddings so egregiously mistaking the spiritual union of the Church of Christ, for the mere voluntary combination, such as is found in a Turnpike company. That Christ has formed his people a social people, we know; And that when those who have been taught by the spirit of God meet and speak of their experience, their hearts flow together in union, we have felt. And such cheerfully give themselves up to each other, to walk together in fellowship, and in obedience to the institutions of Christ. But whoever supposes disunion is produced by that cold mathematical calculation of interest or strength, which is implied in combination of effort, must be ignorant of gospel fellowship. What the child of grace does in obedience to the institutions of the gospel, he would do, if an account thereof he should be abandoned by all men. Hence the same principle which leads him to give himself up to a church, as a Church of Christ, may again constrain him to separate himself from that church, and to stand and bear his testimony alone rather than sanctioned certain errors which he finds maintained by the church. So far from a union with the true Church of Christ, bearing any resemblance to that combination of the church and the world, found in both the foreign and domestic mission societies, the act of thus uniting with the church, is formal and visible separating of oneself from the world.

So much for Mr. Giddings notion of gospel system being a combination of effort. I however wish to notice more particularly a few of his remarks. 1st that “Christ chose the 12 apostles to cooperate with him;” that is to labor jointly with him to the same end, for this is the plane idea of cooperating. Christ came to minister, that is, to serve under the law, and to give his life a ransom for many. Did the apostles cooperate with him in this, and help him to finish the work the father gave him to do? This cooperating in the work of Christ, is a new doctrine. It does appear that these missionists care not how they degrade Christ to level with worms, or pervert a doctrine of the gospel, to give plausibility to their schemes. The Lord Jesus called and ordained the 12 to be with him, and to witness of all that he began, both to do and to teach, and also of his resurrection acts 1.1, 21, 22. He taught them to honor him as Lord, and to do whatsoever he commanded them, owning no other master. He committed to them a dispensation of the gospel, because it was his pleasure to put that treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the power might be of God, and not of them. Very different this from their being cooperators with him. The 70, he as a king, chose and sent his messengers, two and two before his face into every city and place, whether he himself would come, Luke 10.1. Was there anything in all of this like equality? How absurd would it be if a messenger sent by an earthly king, before him, to give notice of his approach to any part of his realm, should, on that account think himself a cooperator with the king in the government of his Kingdom.

But secondly, Mr. Gidding makes Paul say, they were workers together with God. Paul does not say so; Though the translators make him say to some amount. The text, 1st Corinthians 6.1, reads, “we then, as workers together with him,” but the words with him, are printed in italic, to show that there is nothing in the original answering to them. Why does translators presume to add to them, I know not. The proper reading of the text is, “we then, as workers together, (or rather, as fellow workers) beseech you.” This is the idea evidently intended to be conveyed, that in beseeching them, Paul and Timothy did as brethren, as companions, and not as lording it over them. The same idea is kept up in the 3rd and 4th verses, where it is added, “giving no offense in anything, that the ministry be not blame; But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God.” They did not say yourselves, but ourselves, connecting themselves with them as fellow laborers, and as the ministers of God, and not as workers with him.

We have another passage in first Corinthians 39, in which the translation is equally exceptionable with the above; and these two are more so than any I have noticed, unless it be Psalm 110.3. In a translation of this text, 1st Corinthians 3.9, there is a plain contradiction to the context. In verse 5, we find Paul, not exalting himself and apostles as equal with God in the work of salvation, but putting themselves upon their own level, that God might be exalted. His language is, “who then is Paul, and who is Apolllos, but ministers by whom you have believed, as the Lord gave to every man?” In versus 6 and seven, he adds, I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants, anything; Neither has heated waters, but god that gives the increase.” How different this from the translation of verse 9, which reads, “for we are laborers together with God; you are God's husbandry, you are God's building.” But when we come to look at the original, we find it different. It ought to read, “we are equally God's laborers; You are God's husbandry.” The construction of each branch of the text is the same. Theon gar esmen sunergoi; theon georgion este, and so of the other. It is theon, the genitive for God, in each case, and we might with the same propriety, according to the construction, read you are the husbandry together with God, as to read the former branch as in the translation. Some may perhaps contend for the signification of the word sunergoi, as favoring the translation; It being sometimes used to signify aiders, or assistants, but the formation of the word determines its natural signification. It is formed of sun, which in composition signifies equally, together, in company, and ergoi, which signifies work or labor; hence ergos, a laborer, and ergoi, being thus compounded, shows that sun qualifies ergos or the ergoi, and not theon. Thus the true rendering is as above, we are equally God's laborers; and so the apostle explains it in verse 8, “now heat at plants, and heat at waters are one.” This verse, thus properly rendered answers exactly to the context and to the whole scope of the apostles reasoning, which was to show that there was no ground for the Corinthian brethren to divide themselves into parties, and one to say I am of Paul, another item of Apollos, for Paul and Apollos were both equally God's ministers, laborers or servants, and the Corinthians were not Paul’s or Apollos ’husbandry but God’s.

As Mr. Gidding gave me occasion to touch this subject, I felt it important to make this digression, and notice both these texts, as pedo baptist, and new school preachers are so fond of referring to them as giving them a great importance as if they were agents or a kind of vice-regents for God, or fellows with him in carrying on the work of salvation.

I will now pass to Mr. Giddings 4th proposition, that in relation to missions, there is nothing in combined action repugnant to the general principle, on which in other cases it is justifiable.

This is rather a singular proposition to come from Mr. Gidding after having asserted that Christ had given such combination of effort, his high and holy sanction. However, as he has laid down the proposition, and undertakes to sustain it, we will follow him through with our examinations.

He has given 3 specifications, which he admits necessary to establish, in order to sustain his proposition. They are, that the end or object to be obtained by such combinations, be in itself good. That the means employed for its accomplishment, be lawful and proper; And, that those means be directed in a lawful manner.

In his attempts to show that this first specification, that the object to be attained, be it in itself good, is found to hold good in the mission system, he asserts that it is no other than the conversion of the world to God, and adds, “that he designs its accomplishment, has been already abundantly shown.” He further asserts, “for it (the conversion of the world) he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes on him should not perish. For if the savior left the bosom of the father.” He says, “those who espoused the cause of missions, have the same object in view, and no other;” that is, the same object God having giving his son. The savior had in leaving the bosom of the father, in becoming obedient of the death in re ascending an intercessor before his father's throne. For all these and more he names. This is truly assuming high ground for his mission advocates; And they are engaged to accomplish the same object Christ had in view in leaving the bosom of the father, in dying. It is raising them fully as high as Christ; For it would seem that Christ did not accomplish the object for which he came into the world, and they have now undertaken to complete it for him.

Mr. Getting says much more to the same amount, showing on the one hand the wretchedness of the heathen; And on the other hand what had changed to missionaries designed to make in the case. But as the above quotations contained the substance of all he says on this head, we will confine our remarks to them. The high assumption he makes I will leave him to answer for, to that God who will in due time vindicate the honor of his great name. As to the assertion that he had “abundantly shown that God designs to conversion of the world to him;” we promptly deny it. Mr. Gidding under his first proposition showed that God opened quote designed to extend the blessings of the gospel to all the nations of the earth.” To this I readily assent it; But there is a material difference between the fact that a people shall be saved, who are “redeemed unto God from every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation,” and the idea now advanced by Mr. Gidding that God designs a conversion of the world, or all of the kindred tongues. The expression redeemed out of the kindreds, implies that some of every kindred we're not redeemed. But to this point, whether the missionaries attempts to convert the world to God is good. If not it is rebellion against the government of God.

By the world I presume Mr. Gidding means the whole human family existing on the earth. Has God therefore designed the conversion of the world to himself? Certainly not; For if he had he has been awfully disappointed. But God has said, “my council shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,” Isaiah 46.10. Has God ever manifested it to be his design that the world should be converted to him, or be saved? Let us inquire of the ages that are passed. Did God design the old world to experience the salvation of Noah and his family? Evidently not, from the special directions given to God to Noah, concerning the size of the ark, as to whom, and what should be brought into it, and from the declaration which God made, that the end of all flesh was come, genesis 6. This preservation in the arc, was a like figure unto baptism, as baptism was a light figure unto it, of the salvation by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is, they were both figures of the true salvation, not the substance of it, first Peter 4.20, 21.

2nd the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt, and God's redeeming them as a peculiar people unto himself. Israel were typical and a redemption typical of the redemption of God's spiritual Israel. Hence Christ is said to be our Passover, sacrifice for us, 1st Corinthians 5.7. See also, 1st Corinthians 10.1-6. It is very evident that God in sending Moses into Egypt to deliver Israel, did not design the deliverance also of the Egyptians, exodus 314-20; and 7.1-4. See also the directions concerning the sprinkling of the blood of the Passover, exodus 12.7-13. It is equally evident that God, in bringing Israel into Canaan, did not design the preservation of the canaanites, but their destruction. Did God design the conversion of the gentile nations generally, to himself, during the legal dispensation? If so, why did he bar them from the privilege of the Tabernacle and temple worship? Why did he make the laws establishing his religion with Israel, a middle wall of partition between them and the gentiles? Why did he, whilst he gave to Israel the scriptures, sent to them his prophets, and gave them line upon line, and precept upon precept, wink, as Paul says, at the ignorance of the gentiles? Acts 17.30.

3rd when Christ came in the flesh, God did not design at that. The conversion of the whole world to the truth of the gospel. Not the Jews as a nation, Matthew 13.11-17, compare with mark 4.11, 12, and Luke 8.10. Also John 12.37-41. Not the gentile; For Christ commanded his disciples saying, go not into the way of the gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter you not; but go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel,” Matthew 10.5, 6.

4th after the resurrection of Christ, and ascending of his disciples among the gentiles, the Lord did not design the conversion of all; As is evident from the holy ghosts not suffering Paul to go into Bithynia, and from God suffering him, and other preachers, to be driven by persecution, from many other places, after they had preached to gospel for a witness to them. While at Corinth, the Lord spoke unto Paul in a vision “be not afraid, but speak and hold not your peace, for I am with you and no man shall set on you to hurt you.” And why at Corinth was he to continue? “For I have much people in this place,” was the reason assigned for the Lord, acts 18.9, 10. So where God had a people to be brought into the liberty of the gospel, he could, and did send his preachers without the aid of missionary societies, and continue them too, until his purpose was completely accomplished. The same will hold good in all after ages, for Christ says “I am with you,” that is, in reference to those whom he sends, “always even to the end of the world,” and having too, “all power in heaven and in earth.” I would then ask Mr. Giddings why, if God at any period for the last 1200 years, designed a conversion of the world to himself, through the circulation of the scriptures and the preaching of the gospel, he suffered the popish and mohammedan interests to arrive at that power, by which they have been enabled to debar the scriptures and the gospel from so many countries, and to continue to exercise this power to this day? Christ certainly has not lost any of his all power.

The missionaries laboring den to convert the world to God, when he so manifestly does not design this conversion our laboring in a bad cause. It is as much rebellion against God, as was Israel's attempt to go up and take immediate possession of the land, when God had said their carcasses should fall into wilderness, numbers 14.39-45.

But if God does not design the conversion of the world to himself, does he not design extending the blessings of the gospel to all nations? I understood from the scriptures, he does. But this event evidently belongs to the quote times and seasons which the father has put into his own power,” and the period of it, therefore is not for us to know, until it is his pleasure to make it manifest, acts 1.7. But for our patient waiting for it, God has been pleased to connect this glorious event, in prophecy, and other events as precursors to it. Thus, as foretold in the 60th chapter of Isaiah, it is to be preceded by that special vengeance which the Lord will take upon his enemies, as in Isaiah 59.16-19, as mentioned in Isaiah 66.19-12. It is preceded by the Lords “pleading with all flesh, with fire and sword,” versus 15, 17. As for told in revelation 11.15, it is preceded by the “spirit of life from God entering into the witnesses” that had been killed, and by the “great earthquake,” versus 11, 13. As mentioned in revelation 14.6, it is connected with the proclamation “that Babylon is fallen, is fallen;” verse 8. And in reference to the “kings of the east,” that Euphrates must first be dried up, revelation 16.12.

Now the missionaries, in their attempts to convert the nations, do not “know the thoughts of the Lord, neither understanding his counsel for he shall gather them as sheaves unto the floor, and say, arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion, Micah 4.12, 13. Their cause therefore is not good. But in the second place, God has not appointed the mission societies to do this work of extending the blessings of the gospel to all nations. They cannot show their Commission having a seal of heaven to it. The whole government of this work is committed to Christ, and he must reign until he has put all enemies under his feet 1st Corinthians 15.25. He said all power is given unto me both in heaven and in earth, and lo, I am with you, Matthew 28.18,20. Has he then become so weak as to require men to form combinations, in order to gather strength to do this work for him? No. The thing is an insult upon His Majesty. Again, in reference to human means, the declaration is “not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4.6; Titus 3.5-6. Does Mr. Giddings think that by their combinations they can command and control the operations of the spirit of God, at dare option? If not, are they not setting him at not, and going on according to the plea of their own devising, and attempting to convert the world at their own pleasure? Can that be a good work in which the Holy Spirit has set aside, the majesty of the Lord of glory insulted, and men are deceived with a conversion in which there is no spirit, no life?

The missionaries are undertaking to convert the world to God, at their own will, and by their own exertions. The Pope pretends to forgive sins by virtue that it is in the church. Which is the most presumptive in heaven insulting? If those who trust in the Pope's pardons will find themselves deceived, those who trust in human evenly produces conversions, for bringing them to god, will be no less so. It is assuming the prerogative which belongs alone to God, to forgive sins, it is quite as much so to undertake to convert and save according to the will of men, and by means of human devising, “salvation is of the Lord.” If then popery is a branch of the man of sin, the modern mission system must be connected with it also. Thus so much for the goodness of the object aimed at by the mission combination.

(To be continued)