Introduction

The exemplary lives of missionaries and their families who served the Lord in foreign fields are a motivating force to charge and stimulate us to greater spiritual vigour and love for the Lord in sharing the gospel to the lost. As far as western missions are concerned, it began in 1792 with William Carey. He is often called “the father of modern missions” and the one who coined the phrase “expect great things from God, attempt great things for God”. Single-handedly and with great courage, some of the missionaries addressed the social evils of their time: child marriage, the immolation of widows, temple prostitution and the untouchables in India; foot binding, opium addiction and the abandoning of babies in China; polygamy, the slave trade in Africa and the destruction of twins in Africa and Thailand. At great risk to themselves and their families they fought famines, floods, pestilences, and plagues while preaching the gospel. They were the first to rescue unwanted babies, educate girls and even liberate women from bondage and fear. Above all, they gave to the non-Christian world the most liberating of all messages - the gospel of Christ. William Carey, the father of modern missions is a man worthy of our study today.

William Carey’s Early Life

Carey was an 18^th century British Reformed Baptist Pastor and he was a cobbler by profession. Carey used all his free time to study whereby he mastered Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French and Dutch and gained a good knowledge of botany and zoology. A copy of Captain Cook's “Voyages Around the World” interested him in missions. In his cobbler’s stall, he hung a huge map of the world, with information about the various countries. Carey was not an armchair strategist. He was concerned with action, not only theory. His immediate aim was the formation of a society that would send missionaries abroad. This was not easy, for the Baptists among whom Carey worked with were often Hyper Calvinists (i.e. those who do not believe in the free offer of the gospel). The attitude of the church at that time, in general towards missions can be seen from the reply, which Carey received when he proposed that the church discuss “The duty of Christians to attempt the spread of the gospel among heathen nations”.

The moderator said, “Young man, sit down. When God pleases to convert the heathen, He will do it without your aid or mine,” Soon after this, Carey published “An Inquiry into the Obligation of Christians to use means for the Conversion of the Heathen” which is highly treasured among missionary treatises. There were a few who shared his vision, among them John Sutcliff, Andrew Fuller, Samuel Pearce and others; but even they counselled caution and delay in the execution of the plan.

The idea was novel and the obstacles from the church seemed insurmountable but the sovereign Lord overruled and sent his servant to India finally.

Some Historical Facts (adapted)

31 May 1792 was an important date in the history of missions. It was the birthday of the new worldwide era of missions after the 18th century revival. Carey preached his famous sermon on Isaiah 54:2,3 at the Baptist Ministers’ Association at Nottingham, asking them to extend the gospel to the heathen lands beyond. He said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” The Baptist Missionary Society was founded in the same year as the direct result of Carey's sermon. This led to the establishment of many other missionary organisations in due course, namely:

a) The London Missionary Society in 1795.

b) The Scottish and Glasgow Missionary Societies in 1796.

c) Netherlands Missionary Society in 1797.

d) The Church Missionary Society in 1799.

e) The British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804.

f) The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions in 1810.

g) The American Baptist Missionary Union in 1814.

h) The American Bible Society in 1816.

Notable Achievements

Inspired by God and compelled by His unconditional love, Carey went to India in 1793 with scant support from home. It was one thing to pass a resolution to form a mission; it was another to get the mission under way in action and support it personally and prayerfully. Difficulties abounded on all sides, pertaining to family, finance and the actual condition of the field. Carey's father considered him mad. His wife refused to accompany him and he was often depressed and alone but he never gave up and God was on his side. He was a true-blue missionary under the conviction of the Holy Spirit enlisted, for the extension of God's kingdom in India.

Edited by Rev Jack Sin

More Lively Hope

© Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
14 Bedford Square, Colonel Light Gardens, South Australia 5041