day with their unlawful deeds〃 （2 Pet。 2：8）。 Hear what is written of
David： 〃Rivers of water run down mine eyes； because they keep not Thy
law〃 （Psalms 119：136）。 Hear what is written of the godly in Ezekiel's
time： 〃They sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the
midst of the land〃 （Ezek。 9：4）。 Hear what is written of our Lord and
Saviour Himself： 〃He beheld the city； and wept over it〃 （Luke 19：41）。
Surely it may be laid down as one of the first principles of Scriptural
religion； that he who can behold sin without sorrowful feelings has not
the mind of the Spirit。 This is one of those things in which the
children of God are manifest； and are distinguished from the children
of the devil。
I call the special attention of my readers to this point。 The times
demand that we look it fully in the face。 The feelings with which we
regard sin； heathenism； and irreligion are a subject of vast importance
in the present day。
I ask you； first； to look outside our own country； and consider the
state of the heathen world。 At least six hundred millions of immortal
beings are at this moment sunk in ignorance； superstition； and
idolatry。 They live and die without God； without Christ； and without
hope。 In sickness and sorrow they have no fort。 In old age and death
they have no life beyond the grave。 Of the true way of peace through a
Redeemer； of God's love in Christ； of free grace； of plete
absolution from guilt； of a resurrection to life eternal； they have no
knowledge。 For long weary centuries they have been waiting for the
tardy movements of the Church of Christ； while Christians have been
asleep； or wasting their energies on useless controversies； and
squabbling and wrangling about forms and ceremonies。 Is not this a
sight which ought to 〃stir the spirit？〃
I ask you； next； to turn back to our own land； and consider the state
of our great cities There are districts in our great metropolis； in
Liverpool； in Manchester； in Birmingham； in the Black Country； where
Christianity seems practically unknown。 Examine the religious condition
of East London； or of Southwark； or Lambeth。 Walk through the north end
of Liverpool on Saturday evening； or Sunday； or on a Bank Holiday； and
see how Sabbath…breaking； intemperance； and general ungodliness appear
to rule and reign uncontrolled。 〃When the strong man armed keepeth his
palace； his goods are in peace〃 （Luke 11：21）。 And then remember that
this state of things exists in a professedly Christian country； in a
land where there is an Established Church； and within a few hours of
Oxford and Cambridge！ Once more I say； ought not these things to 〃stir〃
our hearts
It is a sorrowful fact； that there is around us in the present day a
generation of men who regard heathenism； infidelity； and irreligion
with apathy； coolness； and indifference？ They care nothing for
Christian missions either at home or abroad。 They see no necessity for
them。 They take no interest in the Evangelistic work of any Church or
society。 They treat all alike with undisguised contempt。 They despise
Exeter Hall They never give subscriptions。 They never attend meetings。
They never read a missionary report。 They seem to think that every man
shall be saved by his own law or sect； if he is only sincere； and that
one religion is as good as another； if those who profess it are only in
earnest。 They are fond of decrying and running down all spiritual
machinery or missionary operations。 They are constantly asserting that
modern missions at home or abroad do nothing； and that those who
support them are little better than weak enthusiasts。 Judging by their
language； they appear to think that the world receives no benefit from
missions and aggressive Christian movements； and that it would be a
better way to leave the world alone What shall we say to these men？
They meet us on every side。 They are to be heard in every society。 To
sit by； and sneer； and criticise； and do nothing； this is apparently
their delight and vocation。 What shall we say to them？
Let us tell them plainly； if they will only hear us； that they are
utterly opposed to the Apostle St。 Paul。 Let us show them that mighty
model of a Christian missionary walking the streets of Athens； and
〃stirred〃 in spirit at the sight of a 〃city wholly given to idolatry。〃
Let us ask them why they do not feel as he felt； about the idolatry of
China and Hindustan； of Africa and the South Seas； or about the
semi…heathen districts of London； Liverpool； Manchester； Birmingham；
and the Black Country。 Let us ask them whether 1800 years have made any
difference in the nature of God； the necessities of fallen man； the
sinfulness of idol…worship； and the duty of Christians。 We shall ask in
vain for a reasonable answer： we shall get none。 Sneers at our weakness
are no argument against our principles。 Jests at our infirmities and
failures are no proof that our aims are wrong。 Yes； they may have the
wit and wisdom of this world upon their side； but the eternal
principles of the New Testament are written clearly； plainly； and
unmistakably。 So long as the Bible is the Bible； charity to souls is
one of the first of Christian graces； and it is a solemn duty to feel
for the souls of the heathen； and of all unconverted people。 He who
knows nothing of this feeling has yet to bee a learner in Christ's
school。 He who despises this feeling is not a successor of St。 Paul；
but a follower of him who said； 〃Am I my brother's keeper？ 〃even of
Cain。
III。 I ask my readers to observe； in the last place； what St。 Paul DID
at Athens。 What he saw you have heard； what he felt you have been told；
but how did he act？
He did something。 He was not the man to stand still； and 〃confer with
flesh and blood〃 in the face of a city full of idols。 He might have
reasoned with himself that he stood alone； that he was a Jew by birth；
that he was a stranger in a strange land；that he had to oppose the
rooted prejudices and old associations of learned men； that to attack
the old religion of a whole city was to beard a lion in his den； that
the doctrines of the gospel were little likely to be effective on minds
steeped in Greek philosophy。 But none of these thoughts seem to have
crossed the mind of St。 Paul。 He saw souls perishing； he felt that life
was short； and time passing away； he had confidence in the power of his
Master's message to meet every man's soul； he had received mercy
himself； and knew not how to hold his peace。 He acted at once； and what
his hand found to do； he did with his might。 Oh that we had more men of
action in these days！
And he did what he did with holy wisdom as well as holy boldness。 He
menced aggressive measures alone； and waited not for panions and
helpers。 But he menced them with consummate skill； and in a manner
most likely to obtain a footing for the gospel。 First； we are told； he
disputed 〃with the Jews〃 in the synagogue； and the 〃devout persons〃 or
proselytes who attended the Jewish worship。 Afterwards he went on to
〃dispute；〃 or hold discussions； 〃in the market daily with them that met
with him。〃 He advanced step by step like an experienced general。 Here；
as elsewhere； St。 Paul is a model to us： he bined fiery zeal and
boldness with judicious tact and sanctified mon sense。 Oh that we
had more men of wisdom in these days！
But what did the Apostle teach？ What was the grand subject which he
argued； and reasoned out； and discussed； both with Jew and Greek； in
synagogue and street？ That he exposed the folly of idolatry to the
ignorant multitudes； that he showed the true nature of God to the
worshippers of images made with hands；that he asserted the nearness
of God to us all； and the certainty of a solemn reckoning with God at
the judgment day； to Epicureans and Stoics；these are facts which we
have recorded fully in his address on Mars' Hil