the life of william carey-第9章
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low…creatures； and fellow…sinners； as they have for the profits arising from a few otter…skins； and all these difficulties would be easily surmounted。
〃After all； the uncivilised state of the heathen； instead of affording an objection against preaching the gospel to them； ought to furnish an argument for it。 Can we as men； or as Christians； hear that a great part of our fellow…creatures； whose souls are as immortal as ours； and who are as capable as ourselves of adorning the gospel and contributing by their preachings； writings； or practices to the glory of our Redeemer's name and the good of his church； are enveloped in ignorance and barbarism？ Can we hear that they are without the gospel； without government； without laws； and without arts； and sciences； and not exert ourselves to introduce among them the sentiments of men； and of Christians？ Would not the spread of the gospel be the most effectual mean of their civilisation？ Would not that make them useful members of society？ We know that such effects did in a measure follow the afore…mentioned efforts of Eliot； Brainerd； and others amongst the American Indians； and if similar attempts were made in other parts of the world； and succeeded with a divine blessing （which we have every reason to think they would）； might we not expect to see able divines； or read well…conducted treatises in defence of the truth； even amongst those who at present seem to be scarcely human？
〃THIRDLY； In respect to the danger of being killed by them； it is true that whoever does go must put his life in his hand； and not consult with flesh and blood； but do not the goodness of the cause； the duties incumbent on us as the creatures of God and Christians； and the perishing state of our fellow…men； loudly call upon us to venture all； and use every warrantable exertion for their benefit？ Paul and Barnabas； who hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ； were not blamed as being rash； but commended for so doing； while John Mark； who through timidity of mind deserted them in their perilous undertaking； was branded with censure。 After all； as has been already observed； I greatly question whether most of the barbarities practised by the savages upon those who have visited them； have not originated in some real or supposed affront； and were therefore； more properly； acts of self…defence； than proofs of ferocious dispositions。 No wonder if the imprudence of sailors should prompt them to offend the simple savage； and the offence be resented； but Eliot； Brainerd； and the Moravian missionaries have been very seldom molested。 Nay； in general the heathen have showed a willingness to hear the word； and have principally expressed their hatred of Christianity on account of the vices of nominal Christians。
〃FOURTHLY； As to the difficulty of procuring the necessaries of life； this would not be so great as may appear at first sight； for； though we could not procure European food； yet we might procure such as the natives of those countries which we visit； subsist upon themselves。 And this would only be passing through what we have virtually engaged in by entering on the ministerial office。 A Christian minister is a person who in a peculiar sense is not his own； he is the servant of God； and therefore ought to be wholly devoted to him。 By entering on that sacred office he solemnly undertakes to be always engaged； as much as possible； in the Lord's work； and not to choose his own pleasure； or employment； or pursue the ministry as a something that is to subserve his own ends； or interests； or as a kind of bye…work。 He engages to go where God pleases； and to do or endure what he sees fit to command； or call him to； in the exercise of his function。 He virtually bids farewell to friends； pleasures； and comforts； and stands in readiness to endure the greatest sufferings in the work of his Lord； and Master。 It is inconsistent for ministers to please themselves with thoughts of a numerous auditory； cordial friends； a civilised country； legal protection； affluence； splendour； or even a competency。 The slights； and hatred of men； and even pretended friends； gloomy prisons； and tortures； the society of barbarians of uncouth speech； miserable accommodations in wretched wildernesses； hunger； and thirst； nakedness； weariness； and painfulness； hard work； and but little worldly encouragement； should rather be the objects of their expectation。 Thus the apostles acted； in the primitive times； and endured hardness； as good soldiers of Jesus Christ； and though we； living in a civilised country where Christianity is protected by law； are not called to suffer these things while we continue here； yet I question whether all are justified in staying here； while so many are perishing without means of grace in other lands。 Sure I am that it is entirely contrary to the spirit of the gospel for its ministers to enter upon it from interested motives； or with great worldly expectations。 On the contrary； the commission is a sufficient call to them to venture all； and； like the primitive Christians； go everywhere preaching the gospel。
〃It might be necessary； however； for two； at least； to go together； and in general I should think it best that they should be married men； and to prevent their time from being employed in procuring necessaries； two； or more； other persons； with their wives and families； might also accompany them； who should be wholly employed in providing for them。 In most countries it would be necessary for them to cultivate a little spot of ground just for their support； which would be a resource to them； whenever their supplies failed。 Not to mention the advantages they would reap from each other's company； it would take off the enormous expense which has always attended undertakings of this kind； the first expense being the whole； for though a large colony needs support for a considerable time； yet so small a number would； upon receiving the first crop； maintain themselves。 They would have the advantage of choosing their situation； their wants would be few； the women； and even the children； would be necessary for domestic purposes： and a few articles of stock； as a cow or two； and a bull； and a few other cattle of both sexes； a very few utensils of husbandry； and some corn to sow their land； would be sufficient。 Those who attend the missionaries should understand husbandry； fishing； fowling； etc。； and be provided with the necessary implements for these purposes。 Indeed； a variety of methods may be thought of； and when once the work is undertaken； many things will suggest themselves to us； of which we at present can form no idea。
〃FIFTHLY； As to learning their languages； the same means would be found necessary here as in trade between different nations。 In some cases interpreters might be obtained； who might be employed for a time； and where these were not to be found； the missionaries must have patience； and mingle with the people； till they have learned so much of their language as to be able to communicate their ideas to them in it。 It is well known to require no very extraordinary talents to learn； in the space of a year； or two at most； the language of any people upon earth； so much of it at least as to be able to convey any sentiments we wish to their understandings。
〃The Missionaries must be men of great piety； prudence； courage； and forbearance； of undoubted orthodoxy in their sentiments； and must enter with all their hearts into the spirit of their mission； they must be willing to leave all the comforts of life behind them； and to encounter all the hardships of a torrid or a frigid climate； an uncomfortable manner of living； and every other inconvenience that can attend this undertaking。 Clothing； a few knives； powder and shot； fishing…tackle； and the articles of husbandry above mentioned； must be provided for them； and when arrived at the place of their destination； their first business must be to gain some acquaintance with the language of the natives （for which purpose two would be better than one）； and by all lawful means to endeavour to cultivate a friendship with them； and as soon as possible let them know the errand for which they were sent。 They must endeavour to convince th
