Does Christ's command to teach all nations still bind ordinary Christians? Carey's 1792 answer sent him to India and launched the modern missionary movement.
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Carey begins with the command itself: "Go, and teach all nations." Some hold that the commission belonged only to the apostles, and he answers that this proof would also cancel baptism, condemn every ordinary minister who has preached to the unreached, and strip away the promise "Lo, I am with you always, to the end of the world." A command can lapse if it is repealed, if no one remains to whom it applies, if a contrary revelation arrives, or if obeying it is impossible. None of these applies to us. The commission still binds, and neglecting it is disobedience, not prudence.
Next he surveys the record and the map. He reviews what earlier Christians attempted, including the work of Eliot and Brainerd among the peoples of America, and then sets out the whole world country by country, with its extent, its population, and its religion. His count gives "about 731 million" people, of whom 420 million remain in pagan darkness, against 44 million Protestants. The figures make the obligation concrete: most of the human race has never heard the gospel, while the Christians who could tell them remain at ease at home, absorbed in their own concerns.
Then he takes up the excuses of distance, hardship, danger, supplies, and language, and shows that merchants already overcome each of them for profit. His proposals are plain. Christians should first unite in fervent prayer, since "Prayer is perhaps the one activity in which Christians of every denomination can unite wholeheartedly" and so no one is excused. They should then form a society with a committee to choose and send missionaries, and fund it by weekly subscriptions of a penny or more from each congregation. Carey asks only that the goal be kept in view and that believers commit themselves to it.
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In the extent column, paired figures give length × breadth in miles. Other kinds of extent are labeled.
| Country or place | Extent | Inhabitants | Religion | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Great Britain | 680 × 300 mi | 12,000,000 | Protestants of many denominations | | Ireland | 285 × 160 mi | 2,000,000 | Protestants and Catholics | | France | 600 × 500 mi | 24,000,000 | Catholics, Deists, and Protestants | | Spain | 700 × 500 mi | 9,500,000 | Catholics | | Portugal | 300 × 100 mi | 2,000,000 | Catholics | | Sweden, including Sweden proper, Gothland, Shonen, Lapland, Bothnia, and Finland | 800 × 500 mi | 3,500,000 | Shared description for Sweden and the following four islands: the Swedes are serious Lutherans, but most Laplanders are pagans and very superstitious | | Isle of Gothland | 80 × 23 mi | 5,000 | See shared description above | | Oesel | 45 × 24 mi | 2,500 | See shared description above | | Oeland | 84 × 9 mi | 1,000 | See shared description above | | Dago | 26 × 23 mi | 1,000 | See shared description above | | Isle of Aland | 24 × 20 mi | 800 | | | Hogland | 9 × 5 mi | 100 | | | Denmark | 240 × 114 mi | 360,000 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Isle of Zeeland | 60 × 60 mi | 284,000 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Funen | 38 × 32 mi | 144,000 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Arroe | 8 × 2 mi | 200 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Iceland | 435 × 185 mi | 60,000 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Langeland | 27 × 12 mi | 3,000 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Laland | 38 × 30 mi | 148,000 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Falster | 27 × 12 mi | 3,000 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Mona | 14 × 5 mi | 600 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Alsen | 15 × 6 mi | 600 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Femeren | 13 × 8 mi | 1,000 | Lutherans of the Helvetic Confession | | Isle of Bornholm | 20 × 12 mi | 2,000 | Lutherans | | Greenland | Undiscovered | 7,000 | Pagans and Moravian Christians | | Norway | 750 × 170 mi | 724,000 | Lutherans | | Faroe Islands | 24 islands | 4,500 | Lutherans | | Danish Lapland | 285 × 172 mi | 100,000 | Lutherans and pagans | | Poland | 700 × 680 mi | 9,000,000 | Catholics, Lutherans, Calvinists, and Jews | | Prussia | 400 × 160 mi | 2,500,000 | Calvinists, Catholics, and Lutherans |
The rest of the Prussian dominions, scattered among several countries, are counted with the countries in which they lie.
| Country or place | Extent | Inhabitants | Religion | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Sardinia | 135 × 57 mi | 600,000 | Catholics | | Sicily | 180 × 92 mi | 1,000,000 | Catholics | | Italy | 660 × 120 mi | 20,000,000 | Catholics | | United Netherlands | 150 × 150 mi | 2,000,000 | Protestants of several denominations | | Austrian Netherlands | 200 × 200 mi | 2,500,000 | Catholics and Protestants | | Switzerland | 260 × 100 mi | 2,880,000 | Catholics and Protestants | | The Grisons | 100 × 62 mi | 800,000 | Lutherans and Catholics | | Abbacy of St. Gall | 24 × 10 mi | 50,000 | Lutherans and Catholics | | Neufchatel | 32 × 20 mi | 100,000 | Calvinists | | Valais | 80 × 30 mi | 440,000 | Catholics | | Piedmont | 140 × 98 mi | 900,000 | Catholics and Protestants | | Savoy | 87 × 60 mi | 720,000 | Catholics and Protestants | | City of Geneva | | 24,000 | Calvinists | | Bohemia | 478 × 322 mi | 2,100,000 | Catholics and Moravians | | Hungary | 300 × 200 mi | 2,500,000 | Catholics | | Germany | 600 × 500 mi | 20,000,000 | Catholics and Protestants | | Russia in Europe | 1,500 × 1,100 mi | 22,000,000 | Greek Church | | Turkey in Europe | 1,000 × 900 mi | 18,000,000 | Greek Christians, Jews, and Muslims | | Budziac Tartary | 300 × 60 mi | 1,200,000 | Greek Christians, Jews, and Muslims | | Lesser Tartary | 390 × 65 mi | 1,000,000 | Greek Christians, Jews, and Muslims | | Crim Tartary | 145 × 80 mi | 500,000 | Greek Christians, Jews, and Muslims | | Isle of Tenedos | 5 × 3 mi | 200 | Muslims | | Negropont | 90 × 25 mi | 25,000 | Muslims | | Lemnos | 25 × 25 mi | 4,000 | Muslims | | Paros | 36 mi in circumference | 4,500 | Greek Christians | | Lesbos, or Mitylene | 160 mi in circumference | 30,000 | Muslims and Greeks | | Naxia | 100 mi in circumference | 8,000 | Greeks and Catholics | | Scio, or Chios | 112 mi in circumference | 113,000 | Greek Christians, Catholics, and Muslims | | Nio | 40 mi in circumference | 1,000 | Greek Christians, Catholics, and Muslims | | Scyros | 60 mi in circumference | 1,000 | Greek Christians, Catholics, and Muslims | | Mycone | 36 mi in circumference | 3,000 | Greek Christians, Catholics, and Muslims | | Isle of Samos | 30 × 15 mi | 12,000 | Muslims | | Nicaria | 70 mi in circumference | 3,000 | Greek Christians | | Andros | 120 mi in circumference | 4,000 | Greek Christians | | Cyclades, with Delos as the chief island | | 700 | Greek Christians | | Zia | 40 mi in circumference | 8,000 | Greek Christians | | Cerigo, or Cytheraea | 50 mi in circumference | 1,000 | Greek Christians | | Santorin | 36 mi in circumference | 10,000 | Greek Christians and Catholics | | Policandra | 8 mi in circumference | 400 | Greek Christians and Catholics | | Patmos | 18 mi in circumference | 600 | Greek Christians and Catholics | | Sephanto | 36 mi in circumference | 5,000 | Greeks | | Claros | 40 mi in circumference | 1,700 | Muslims | | Amorgo | 36 mi in circumference | 4,000 | Greek Christians | | Leros | 18 mi in circumference | 800 | Christians and Muslims | | Isle of Thermia | 40 mi in circumference | 6,000 | Greek Christians | | Isle of Stampalia | 50 mi in circumference | 3,000 | Greek Christians | | Isle of Salamis | 50 mi in circumference | 1,000 | Greek Christians | | Isle of Scarpanta | 20 mi in circumference | 2,000 | Greek Christians | | Isle of Cephalonia | 130 mi in circumference | 50,000 | Greek Christians | | Isle of Zant | 50 mi in circumference | 30,000 | Greek Christians | | Isle of Milo | 60 mi in circumference | 40,000 | Greek Christians | | Isle of Corfu | 120 mi in circumference | 60,000 | Greek Christians | | Isle of Candia, or Crete | 200 × 60 mi | 400,000 | Greek Christians and Muslims | | Isle of Coos, or Stanchia | 70 mi in circumference | 12,800 | Muslims and Christians | | Isle of Rhodes | 60 × 25 mi | 120,000 | Muslims and Christians | | Isle of Cyprus | 150 × 70 mi | 300,000 | Muslims |
Asia
In the extent column, paired figures give length × breadth in miles. Other kinds of extent are labeled.
| Country or place | Extent | Inhabitants | Religion | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Turkey in Asia, containing Anatolia, Syria, Palestine, Diabekr, Turcomania, and Georgia | 1,000 × 800 mi | 20,000,000 | Islam is most prevalent, but there are many Greek, Latin, Eutychian, and Armenian Christians | | Arabia | 1,300 × 1,200 mi | 16,000,000 | Muslims | | Persia | 1,280 × 1,140 mi | 20,000,000 | Muslims of the sect of Ali | | Great Tartary | 4,000 × 1,200 mi | 40,000,000 | Muslims and pagans | | Siberia | 2,800 × 960 mi | 7,500,000 | Greek Christians and pagans | | Samojedia | 2,000 × 370 mi | 1,900,000 | Pagans | | Kamtschatcha | 540 × 236 mi | 900,000 | Pagans | | Nova Zembla | Undiscovered | Thinly inhabited | Pagans | | China | 1,400 × 1,260 mi | 60,000,000 | Pagans | | Japan, containing the island of Niphon | 900 × 360 mi | 10,000,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Ximo | 210 × 200 mi | 3,000,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Xicoco | 117 × 104 mi | 1,800,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Tsussima | 39 × 34 mi | 40,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Iki | 20 × 17 mi | 6,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Kubitessima | 30 × 26 mi | 8,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Matounsa | 54 × 26 mi | 50,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Fastistia | 36 × 34 mi | 30,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Firando | 30 × 28 mi | 10,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Amacusa | 27 × 24 mi | 6,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Awasi | 30 × 18 mi | 5,000 | Pagans | | India beyond the Ganges | 2,000 × 1,000 mi | 50,000,000 | Muslims and pagans | | Indostan | 2,000 × 1,500 mi | 110,000,000 | Muslims and pagans | | Tibet | 1,200 × 480 mi | 10,000,000 | Pagans | | Isle of Ceylon | 250 × 200 mi | 2,000,000 | Pagans, except for the Dutch Christians | | Maldives | 1,000 islands | 100,000 | Muslims | | Sumatra | 1,000 × 100 mi | 2,100,000 | Muslims and pagans | | Java | 580 × 100 mi | 2,700,000 | Muslims and pagans | | Timor | 2,400 × 54 mi | 300,000 | Muslims, pagans, and a few Christians | | Borneo | 800 × 700 mi | 8,000,000 | Muslims, pagans, and a few Christians | | Celebes | 510 × 240 mi | 2,000,000 | Muslims, pagans, and a few Christians | | Boutam | 75 × 30 mi | 80,000 | Muslims | | Carpentyn | 30 × 3 mi | 2,000 | Protestant Christians | | Ourature | 18 × 6 mi | 3,000 | Pagans | | Pullo Lout | 60 × 36 mi | 10,000 | Pagans |
Besides these are the small islands of Manaar, Aripen, Caradivia, Pengandiva, Analativa, Nainandiva, and Nindundiva, inhabited by Protestant Christians. Banca, Madura, Bally, Lambeck, Flores, Solor, Leolana, Panterra, Miscomby, and several others are inhabited by pagans and Muslims.
Pullo-way, Pullo-rin, Nera, Guamanapi, Guilliaien, Ternate, Metir, Machian, and Bachian are also inhabited by pagans and Muslims.
The Philippine Islands are supposed to number about 11,000. Some of the chief islands are listed below.
| Philippine island | Extent, length × breadth (mi) | Inhabitants | Religion | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mindanao | 60 × 40 | 18,000 | Pagans and Muslims | | Balol | 24 × 12 | 6,000 | Pagans and Muslims | | Layta | 48 × 27 | 10,000 | Pagans and Muslims | | Parragon | 240 × 60 | 100,000 | Pagans and Muslims | | Sebu, among the Calamines | 60 × 24 | 10,000 | Catholics | | Mindora, among the Calamines | 60 × 36 | 12,000 | Pagans and Muslims | | Philippina, among the Calamines | 185 × 120 | 104,000 | Pagans and Muslims | | Negroes Isle, among the Calamines | 150 × 60 | 80,000 | Catholics | | Manilla, among the Calamines | | 31,000 | Catholics and pagans |
The Ladrone Islands are inhabited by very uncivilized pagans.
| Country or place | Extent | Inhabitants | Religion | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | New Holland | 2,500 × 2,000 mi | 12,000,000 | Pagans; one or two ministers are there | | New Zealand | 960 × 180 mi; two islands | 1,120,000 | Pagans | | New Guinea | 1,000 × 360 mi | 1,900,000 | Pagans | | New Britain | 180 × 120 mi | 900,000 | Pagans | | New Ireland | 180 × 60 mi | 700,000 | Pagans | | Onrong Java | A cluster of islands | | Pagans | | New Caledonia | 260 × 30 mi | 170,000 | Pagans | | New Hebrides | | | Pagans | | Friendly Isles | 20 islands | | Pagans | | Sandwich Isles | 7 islands | 400,000 | Pagans | | Society Isles | 6 islands | 800,000 | Pagans | | Kurile Isles | 45 islands | 50,000 | Pagans | | Pelew Isles | | | Pagans | | Oonalashka Isle | 40 × 20 mi | 3,000 | Pagans | | Other South Sea islands | | | Pagans |
Africa
In the extent column, paired figures give length × breadth in miles. Other kinds of extent are labeled.
| Country or place | Extent | Inhabitants | Religion | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Egypt | 600 × 250 mi | 2,200,000 | Muslims and Jews | | Nubia | 940 × 600 mi | 3,000,000 | Muslims and Jews | | Barbary | 1,800 × 500 mi | 3,500,000 | Muslims, Jews, and Christians | | Biledulgerid | 2,500 × 350 mi | 3,500,000 | Muslims, Christians, and Jews | | Zaara, or the Desert | 3,400 × 660 mi | 800,000 | Muslims, Christians, and Jews | | Abyssinia | 900 × 800 mi | 5,800,000 | Armenian Christians | | Abex | 540 × 130 mi | 1,600,000 | Christians and pagans | | Negroland | 2,200 × 840 mi | 18,000,000 | Pagans | | Loango | 410 × 300 mi | 1,500,000 | Pagans | | Congo | 540 × 220 mi | 2,000,000 | Pagans | | Angola | 360 × 250 mi | 1,400,000 | Pagans | | Benguela | 430 × 180 mi | 1,600,000 | Pagans | | Mataman | 450 × 240 mi | 1,500,000 | Pagans | | Ajan | 900 × 300 mi | 2,500,000 | Pagans | | Zanguebar | 1,400 × 350 mi | 3,000,000 | Pagans | | Monoemugi | 900 × 660 mi | 2,000,000 | Pagans | | Sofala | 480 × 300 mi | 1,000,000 | Pagans | | Terra de Natal | 600 × 350 mi | 2,000,000 | Pagans | | Caffraria, or the Hottentots’ Country | 708 × 660 mi | 2,000,000 | Pagans, with a few Christians at the Cape | | Isle of Madagascar | 1,000 × 220 mi | 2,000,000 | Pagans and Muslims | | St. Mary | 54 × 9 mi | 5,000 | French Catholics | | Mascarin | 39 × 30 mi | 17,000 | French Catholics | | St. Helena | 21 mi in circumference | 1,000 | English and French Christians | | Annabon | 16 × 14 mi | 4,000 | Portuguese Catholics | | St. Thomas | 25 × 23 mi | 9,000 | Pagans | | Zocotora | 80 × 54 mi | 10,000 | Muslims | | Comora Isles | 5 islands | 5,000 | Muslims | | Mauritius | 150 mi in circumference | 10,000 | French Catholics | | Isle of Bourbon | 90 mi in circumference | 15,000 | French Catholics | | Madeiras | 3 islands | 10,000 | Catholics | | Cape Verd Isles | 10 islands | 20,000 | Catholics | | Canaries | 12 islands | 30,000 | Catholics | | Azores | 9 islands | 100,000 | Catholics | | Maltha | 15 × 8 mi | 1,200 | Catholics |
America
In the extent column, paired figures give length × breadth in miles. Other kinds of extent are labeled. The final table retains its two printed population columns; an empty cell gives no figure.
| Country or place | Extent | Inhabitants | Religion or description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Brazil | 2,900 × 900 mi | 14,000,000 | Pagans and Catholics | | Paraguay | 1,140 × 460 mi | 10,000,000 | Pagans | | Chili | 1,200 × 500 mi | 2,000,000 | Pagans and Catholics | | Peru | 1,800 × 600 mi | 10,000,000 | Pagans and Catholics | | Country of the Amazons | 1,200 × 900 mi | 8,000,000 | Pagans | | Terra Firma | 1,400 × 700 mi | 10,000,000 | Pagans and Catholics | | Guiana | 780 × 480 mi | 2,000,000 | Pagans and Catholics | | Terra Magellanica | 1,400 × 460 mi | 9,000,000 | Pagans | | Old Mexico | 2,220 × 600 mi | 13,500,000 | Pagans and Catholics | | New Mexico | 2,000 × 1,000 mi | 14,000,000 | Pagans and Catholics | | States of America | 1,000 × 600 mi | 3,700,000 | Christians of various denominations | | Labrador, Nova Scotia, Louisiana, Canada, and all the inland country from Mexico to Hudson Bay | 1,680 × 600 mi | 8,000,000 | Christians of various denominations, but most North American Indians are pagans | | California and the western coast to 70 degrees south latitude, extending inland to meet the preceding entry | 2,820 × 1,380 mi | 9,000,000 | Pagans | | All north of 70 degrees | Unknown | | Pagans | | Cape Breton | 400 × 110 mi | 20,000 | Christians | | Newfoundland | 350 × 200 mi | 1,400 | Protestants | | Cumberland’s Isle | 780 × 300 mi | 10,000 | Pagans | | Madre de Dios | 105 × 30 mi | 8,000 | Pagans | | Terra del Fuego | 120 × 36 mi | 5,000 | Pagans | | All the islands near Cape Horn | | | Pagans | | Bermudas | 16 × 5 mi | 20,000 | Half English people and half enslaved people |
| Little Antilles | Extent, length × breadth (mi) | Inhabitants | Religion or description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Aruba | 5 × 3 | 200 | Dutch people and Black pagans | | Curassoa | 30 × 10 | 11,000 | Dutch people and Black pagans | | Bonaire | 10 × 3 | 300 | Dutch people and Black pagans | | Margaritta | 40 × 24 | 18,000 | Spaniards and Black pagans | | St. Trinidad | 90 × 60 | 100,000 | Spaniards and Black pagans |
Eluthera, Harbour, Lucayonegua, Andross Cigateo, Guanaliana, Yumeta, Samana, Yuma, Mayaguana, Ynagua, Caieos, and Triangula are also listed as pagan islands.
| Antilles | Extent, length × breadth (mi) | Inhabitants | Religion or description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Cuba | 700 × 60 | 1,000,000 | Catholics | | Jamaica | 140 × 60 | 400,000 | English people and Black pagans | | St. Domingo | 450 × 150 | 1,000,000 | French people, Spaniards, and Black people | | Porto Rico | 100 × 49 | 300,000 | Spaniards and Black people | | Vache, or Cows Island | 18 × 2 | 1,000 | Spaniards and Black people |
The Virgin Isles number 12. Danes Island is the principal one; their inhabitants are Protestants.
| Caribbees | Extent, length × breadth (mi) | Inhabitants | Religion or description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | St. Cruz | 30 × 10 | 13,500 | Danish Protestants | | Anguilla | 30 × 9 | 6,000 | Protestants and Black people | | St. Martin | 21 × 12 | 7,500 | Protestants and Black people | | St. Bartholomew | 6 × 4 | 720 | Protestants and Black people | | Barbuda | 20 × 12 | 7,500 | Protestants and Black people | | Saba | 5 × 4 | 1,500 | Protestants and Black people | | Guardulope | 45 × 38 | 50,000 | Catholics and Black pagans | | Marigalante | 15 × 12 | 5,400 | Catholics and Black pagans | | Tobago | 32 × 9 | 2,400 | Catholics and Black pagans | | Desiada | 12 × 6 | 1,500 | Catholics and Black pagans | | Granada | 30 × 15 | 13,500 | English people and Black pagans | | St. Lucia | 23 × 12 | 5,000 | English people, Black pagans, and native Carib pagans |
| Caribbees, continued | Extent | White inhabitants, as printed | Black inhabitants, as printed | Religion or description | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | St. Eustatia | 6 × 4 mi | 5,000 | 15,000 | Dutch, English, and others | | St. Christopher | 20 × 7 mi | 6,000 | 36,000 | English | | Nevis | 6 × 4 mi | 5,000 | 10,000 | English | | Antigua | 20 × 20 mi | 7,000 | 36,000 | English | | Montserrat | 6 × 6 mi | 5,000 | 10,000 | English | | Martinico | 60 × 30 mi | 20,000 | 50,000 | French | | St. Vincent’s | 24 × 18 mi | 8,000 | 5,000 | The 8,000 are native Caribs | | Barbadoes | 21 × 14 mi | 30,000 | 100,000 | English | | Dominica | 28 × 13 mi | | 40,000 | English; 2,000 of them are native Caribs | | St. Thomas | 15 mi in circumference | | 8,000 | Danish Protestants |
This is the state of the world as nearly as I can obtain information. Yet for many countries, including Turkey, Arabia, Great Tartary, Africa, and America apart from the United States, as well as most of the Asian islands, we have no reliable counts of inhabitants. I have therefore calculated their extent and assigned an average number of people per square mile. I used a higher average in some countries and a lower one in others, according to their circumstances. A few general remarks will conclude this section.
First, according to this calculation, the world’s inhabitants number about 731 million. Of these, 420 million remain in pagan darkness; 130 million follow Muhammad; 100 million are Catholics; 44 million are Protestants; 30 million belong to the Greek and Armenian churches; and perhaps seven million are Jews. Every thoughtful person must be struck by how many descendants of Adam remain in the most deplorable heathen darkness. They have no means of knowing the true God except what the works of nature afford, and no knowledge of the gospel of Christ or means of obtaining it. In many of these countries, people have no written language and therefore no Bible; they are guided only by the most childish customs and traditions.
Examples include the central and inland parts of North America, the interior of South America, the South Sea islands, New Holland, New Zealand, and New Guinea. I would add Great Tartary, Siberia, Samojedia, and the other Asian regions near the frozen sea, most of Africa, Madagascar, and many other places. In many of these regions, people also eat the flesh of slain enemies, with the greatest brutality and eagerness. The late eminent navigator Cook established this beyond doubt among New Zealanders and some inhabitants of America’s western coast. Human sacrifices are also offered very frequently, so that scarcely a week passes without an instance. In general, these people are poor, barbarous, and unclothed pagans, as lacking in civilization as they are in true religion.
Second, barbarous as these poor heathens are, they appear as capable of knowledge as we are. In many places, at least, they have shown uncommon intelligence and willingness to learn. I strongly suspect that most of their barbarous acts began with a real or supposed affront and are therefore better understood as acts of self-defense than as evidence of an inhuman or bloodthirsty disposition.
Third, in other regions where people have a written language, such as the East Indies, China, and Japan, they know nothing of the gospel. The Jesuits once made many converts to Catholicism among the Chinese, but their chief aim seemed to be winning the people’s good opinion. Though the converts professed to be Christians, they were allowed to honor the image of Confucius, their great lawgiver. Eventually, the Jesuits’ ambitious intrigues brought government displeasure upon them. The mission was suppressed, and the Christian name was almost, if not entirely, suppressed with it. It is also a melancholy fact that Europeans have spread their vices wherever they have gone. Even the religious condition of heathens has been made worse by contact with them!
Fourth, a very large proportion of Asia and Africa, together with part of Europe, are Muslim. Those in Persia who belong to the sect of Ali are the Turks’ most determined enemies, and the Turks in turn abhor the Persians. Africans are among the most ignorant of all Muslims, especially the Arabs scattered throughout northern Africa, who live by continually plundering their neighbors.
Fifth, great ignorance and immorality abound even among those who bear the Christian name. So-called Christians of the Greek and Armenian churches live in all Muslim countries, but they are, if possible, more ignorant and vicious than the Muslims themselves. Georgian Christians near the Caspian Sea support themselves by selling their neighbors, relatives, and children as slaves to Turks and Persians. It is said that when Greeks in Anatolia become Muslims, the Turks place little trust in them because they are so noted for deceit and hypocrisy. Most members of the Greek Church are known to be very ignorant.
Catholics, too, are generally ignorant of divine things and very vicious. Most members of the Church of England scarcely exceed them in knowledge or holiness. Errors and loose conduct also appear among dissenters of every denomination. Lutherans in Denmark are much like the clergy in England. Most Christian countries present a dreadful scene of ignorance, hypocrisy, and moral corruption. Harmful errors seem to be gaining ground in almost every part of Christendom. The truths of the gospel, and even the gospel itself, are under attack; the enemy uses every means he can devise to undermine the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.
All these things urgently call Christians, and especially ministers, to exert themselves as fully as possible in their respective spheres of action and to enlarge those spheres as much as they can.
The obstacles to bringing the gospel to people who have not heard it must, I think, arise from one or more of these things: their distance from us, their way of life, the danger of being killed by them, the difficulty of obtaining the necessities of life, or the difficulty of understanding their languages.
First, consider their distance from us. Before the invention of the mariner’s compass, this might have been an objection. In the present age, it has little plausibility. People can now sail across the Pacific Ocean with as much certainty as they can cross the Mediterranean or any smaller sea. Providence even seems to invite us to try. Trading companies already carry on commerce in many of the places where these peoples live. Ships are also sent from time to time to visit recently discovered places and explore regions still largely unknown. Every new account of the people’s ignorance or cruelty should stir our pity and move us to seek their eternal good in cooperation with providence.
Scripture also seems to point to travel by sea: “Surely the Isles shall wait for me; the ships of Tarshish first, to bring my sons from far, their silver, and their gold with them, unto the name of the Lord, thy God” (Isa 60:9). This seems to imply that commerce will help spread the gospel when the church grows gloriously in the latter days, as the whole chapter prophesies. The ships of Tarshish were trading vessels that sailed to various places for commerce. At the least, the passage means that navigation, especially commercial navigation, will be a great means of carrying on God’s work. It may also imply that considerable wealth will be devoted to that purpose.
Second, consider their uncivilized way of life. This can be an objection only to those whose love of comfort makes them unwilling to endure hardship for the good of others. It did not stop the apostles and their successors from going among the barbarous Germans and Gauls, or among the still more barbarous Britons. They did not wait for the inhabitants of those countries to become civilized before bringing them Christianity. They went with the doctrine of the cross. Tertullian could boast that “those parts of Britain which were proof against the Roman armies, were conquered by the gospel of Christ.”
Nor did such hardship stop Eliot or Brainerd in later times. They faced difficulties of every kind and found that a wholehearted reception of the gospel produced beneficial effects that long contact with Europeans, without the gospel, could never achieve. This way of life does not stop merchants, either. If we loved the souls of our fellow creatures and fellow sinners as much as merchants value the profits from a few otter skins, we could overcome these difficulties.
Indeed, the uncivilized condition of these peoples should be a reason to preach the gospel to them, rather than an objection. Can we, as human beings and Christians, hear that so many of our fellow creatures live in ignorance and barbarism without acting? Their souls are as immortal as ours. They are as capable as we are of honoring the gospel and contributing, through their preaching, writings, or conduct, to the glory of our Redeemer’s name and the good of his church. Can we hear that they lack the gospel, government, laws, arts, and sciences without trying to teach them the principles of civilized life and Christianity? Would spreading the gospel not be the most effective means of their civilization and make them useful members of society?
We know that effects like these followed, to some degree, the efforts of Eliot, Brainerd, and others among Indigenous peoples in America. If similar efforts elsewhere succeeded with God’s blessing, as we have every reason to think they would, might we not see able theologians and read well-argued defenses of the truth among people who now seem to us scarcely human?
Third, consider the danger of being killed. Anyone who goes must risk his life and must not put personal safety first. Yet the goodness of the cause, our duties as God’s creatures and as Christians, and the perishing condition of our fellow human beings all call on us to risk everything and make every lawful effort for their benefit. Paul and Barnabas risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. They were commended for doing so, not blamed for rashness, while John Mark was censured for abandoning them through fear during their dangerous undertaking.
As I have observed already, I greatly doubt that most acts of violence against visitors arose from a ferocious disposition. They may instead have followed a real or perceived offense and been acts of self-defense. Sailors may imprudently offend a local person and provoke a response. Eliot, Brainerd, and the Moravian missionaries, however, have seldom been harmed. In general, people have shown a willingness to hear the word. When they have expressed hatred of Christianity, it has chiefly been because of the vices of those who are Christians in name only.
Fourth, consider the difficulty of obtaining the necessities of life. It may be less serious than it first appears. Even if we could not obtain European food, we could eat what the inhabitants of the countries we visit eat. Ministers would only be accepting in practice what they have already committed themselves to by entering the ministry.
A Christian minister belongs, in a special sense, to God rather than to himself. As God’s servant, he should be wholly devoted to him. By entering this sacred office, he solemnly undertakes to be engaged as fully as possible in the Lord’s work. He must not choose his work merely to please himself or treat the ministry as a way to serve his own interests or as a side occupation. He undertakes to go wherever God wishes and to do or endure whatever God calls him to in carrying out his ministry. In effect, he says farewell to friends, pleasures, and comforts, and stands ready to suffer greatly in the work of his Lord and Master.
Ministers should not expect a large congregation, affectionate friends, a civilized country, protection under the law, wealth, splendor, or even a sufficient income. They should be prepared instead for contempt and hatred, even from supposed friends; dark prisons and torture; life among barbarians whose speech is strange to them; miserable shelter in desolate wildernesses; hunger, thirst, nakedness, exhaustion, pain, hard work, and little worldly encouragement. The apostles acted in this way in the early church and endured hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
We live in a civilized country where Christianity is protected by law, so we are not called to suffer these things while we remain here. Yet I question whether all ministers are justified in remaining here while so many people in other lands are perishing without access to the means of grace. I am certain that ministers act contrary to the spirit of the gospel if they enter the ministry for their own advantage or with great worldly expectations. The commission itself is a sufficient call for them to risk everything and, like the early Christians, go everywhere preaching the gospel.
At least two missionaries might need to go together. In general, I think it would be best for them to be married men. To keep them from spending their time obtaining necessities, two or more other people, with their wives and families, might accompany them and devote themselves entirely to providing for them. In most countries they would need to cultivate a small plot of land for their support. This would give them a resource whenever other supplies failed.
Besides the benefits of one another’s company, this arrangement would remove the enormous expense that has usually attended such undertakings. The initial expense would be the whole cost. A large colony needs support for a considerable time, but such a small group could support itself after its first harvest. They could choose where to settle, and their needs would be few. The women, and even the children, would be needed for domestic work. A little livestock, perhaps one or two cows, a bull, and a few other cattle of both sexes, together with a few farming tools and some grain to sow, would be enough. Those accompanying the missionaries should understand farming, fishing, and hunting birds, and should have the necessary equipment. Other methods can also be considered. Once the work begins, many possibilities will occur to us that we cannot yet imagine.
Fifth, consider the difficulty of learning their languages. The same means used in trade between nations would be available. In some places interpreters could be employed for a time. Where none could be found, missionaries would have to be patient and live among the people until they learned enough of their language to communicate their ideas. It is well known that learning enough of any people’s language to convey what we wish to say requires no extraordinary talent and can be done in a year or two at most.
Missionaries must be deeply devout, prudent, courageous, and patient. Their beliefs must be unquestionably orthodox, and they must commit themselves wholeheartedly to their mission. They must be willing to leave life’s comforts behind and face the hardships of a hot or cold climate, uncomfortable living conditions, and every other difficulty that may come with this undertaking. They must be supplied with clothing, a few knives, powder and shot, fishing tackle, and the farming supplies already mentioned.
When they reach their destination, their first task must be to gain some knowledge of the people’s language. Two missionaries would be better than one for this purpose. They must use every lawful means to build friendship with the people and tell them as soon as possible why they have come. They must persuade them that concern for their good alone led the missionaries to leave their friends and the comforts of their homeland. They must take great care not to retaliate for injuries or think so highly of themselves that they despise the people. Such conduct would give the people reason to resent them or reject the gospel.
The missionaries must take every opportunity to do good. Working and traveling night and day, they must instruct, exhort, and rebuke with great patience and earnest concern for the people. Above all, they must pray constantly for the Holy Spirit to be poured out on those entrusted to their care. If missionaries of this kind undertake the work, we will see that it is practicable.
If God blesses their work, it may also be important for them to encourage any signs of gifts among the people they serve. If such people emerge, their knowledge of their countrymen’s language and customs will bring many advantages, and the change in their conduct will give great weight to their ministry.
If the prophecies concerning the growth of Christ’s kingdom are true, and if Christ’s commission to his disciples still binds us, then all Christians should wholeheartedly join in advancing God’s glorious purposes. For “he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit” (1 Cor 6:17).
William Carey was an English Particular Baptist who worked as a shoemaker and schoolmaster in Northamptonshire before entering the ministry. His 1792 pamphlet, An Enquiry, argued that Christians are obliged to use means for the conversion of the world, and it led directly to the founding of the Baptist Missionary Society that same year. In 1793 he sailed for India and settled at Serampore, where he and his colleagues set up a mission, a press, and a college. Carey translated the Bible into Bengali and Sanskrit and oversaw translations into dozens of other languages. He also served as a professor at Fort William College in Calcutta. He died at Serampore in 1834.
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