GOD’S CALL, OUR DIRECTORY
(Missionary Sermon.)
Isaiah 43:6. I will say to the south, Keep not back.
I. THE GRANDEUR OF THE SPEAKER. “I will say.” Who is He? The tone He assumes is that of one who need only speak to be heard, felt, and obeyed through all nature. It is He who is the great I AM; in comparison with whom the universe, with all its furniture, is as nothing, &c. Such an agent, such a friend, one so high and unspeakable, suffices you. But what will He say? or, what will He do? He promises to interest Himself in the conversions of the heathen, to bless our attempts for their conversion. How divinely pleasant and supporting! What more do you ask? But how will He speak? Not merely to the understanding, but to the conscience and heart; to all the secret springs of our nature; so as to make converts not to the sect of the Nazarenes, but to righteousness; not to Christianity only, but to Christ. Take two or three instances: St. Matthew, St. Paul. Are you converted to Christ? Without it, perish you must everlastingly (Matthew 18:3, &c.) We see the grandeur of the speaker in these and all similar instances.
1. Does the ineffable JEHOVAH Himself promise to speak in this manner? Then, let us not regret the want of miracles to convert the heathen. The promise suffices alone. What greater miracle than conversion itself? Be content with these miracles, and expect them from Him who says, “I will say,” &c.
2. Does He promise His efficiency in converting the heathen, on the supposition that we become His organ? Then, let us no longer blame Him for the partial communication of the Gospel. As was said by the Israelites to Pharaoh, “The fault is in thine own people.” The Gospel is committed to us in trust.
You whisper, “But if success is thus indefinitely assured to Gospel missions, none can fail of effect.” I answer—
(1.) None do fail altogether.
(2.) The promise in the text, and every similar one, implies that, though God will command success, it shall be through a fit instrument.
(3.) God will work in a way worthy His infinite wisdom as well as goodness. Duty is our province; events of time, &c., belong to Him.
II. THE GLORY OF THE THING SPOKEN.
“I will say to the south.” No particular country is specified. Better so, than otherwise. “The south,” amongst the cardinal points of the world—the east, west, north. In those verses (5, 6) we have a grand promise of universal conversion.
“I will say to the south, Keep not back.” This implies—
1. Something divinely tender and affecting. “I am your Maker and Saviour—essential love; and wait upon you, to unite you to myself and to all the flower of being in the universe,” &c. Can infidelity propose a greater good to mankind than the Gospel?
2. He will say to the south as He says to us, “Bring out your dead, deliver up all your vices, keep none of them back.” The design of Jesus Christ is to redeem from all iniquity.
3. That there is a disposition in the south to do the contrary. They have not only the common corruption of our nature to contend with, but the prejudice of ages to keep them back from the Gospel. Then, every exertion on our part is necessary. The natural and strong predilection of the heathen for their own ancient system.
In this work nothing can be lost. Nothing less will be gained than eternal glory, for millions upon millions in the South Seas will be won.—T. Prutycross, A.M.: The Pulpit, vol. v. pp. 161–172.