CHAPTER XXII.

PERSONAL LABORS AMONG THE HEATHEN.

My dear children—­You have, perhaps, often seen Campbell’s missionary map of the world.  If not, I want you very carefully to look at it.  I want you to look at the red spots on it, and think how many millions of people embrace the religion both of the Greek and Roman Catholic churches—­a religion which is nothing more nor less than paganism, with a few Christian doctrines added to it.  After this, I want you to look at the green spots, and think of the hundred and twenty millions of Mohammedans, who spurn the name of Jesus as a Saviour, and who have set up Mahomet as their prophet.  I want you also to look at all the dark spots, where, with comparatively a few exceptions, the people are in pagan darkness, without any knowledge of God and the only Saviour of sinners Jesus Christ.  And in view of all this darkness—­in view of the need of more than half a million of ministers of the Gospel to preach the news of salvation to them, I want you, my dear boys, to ask yourselves whether it may not be your duty, after you grow up, to become ministers, and go and preach the Gospel to them.  You know that you are bound to do all the good to others which you can; and even if you do not love the Saviour, you are not released from your obligations to do good.  I would by no means have you become ministers without giving your hearts to Christ; but this you are as much bound to do, as you are bound to do all the good you can to others.  If you are not Christians, I want you, through grace, to become such, and I want many of you to become ministers and missionaries.  Two of my sons are now missionaries in India, and four others, I hope, are preparing to come.  And why should not you also come here, or go to other heathen lands?  If you can be excused from coming or going, why may not all who are now little boys also be excused?  In such a case, there will be no missionaries at all.  And you know that this would be very wrong.  But I do not merely want many of you, my dear boys, to become missionaries, I want many of you, my dear girls, to become missionaries also.  Many little girls and boys have expressed a desire to become missionaries.  Several little boys who wrote to Mr. Hutchings, one of my missionary brethren, and several little boys and girls who have written to me, have said that they would like to be missionaries.

One writes, “I should like to go and be a missionary, and instruct the poor heathen children to love God.”

A second says, “I have been selling matches that I made.  I got five dollars—­just as many dollars as I am years old.  I think I shall become a missionary, and come and help you.  I hope I shall see you again when I come to Ceylon.  Tell the heathen children they must love God, and be good children.  They must not give the children to the crocodiles, nor throw them into the water; and they must not worship wooden and brass gods.  They must worship the true God, and keep his commandments.”