Farewell to the Missionaries.

WHAT words were those which spake the Holy Ghost,
To saints devoutly waiting on the Lord:
Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius and Manaen,
And Saul; part of the church at Antioch.
How solemn and how blessed the voice they heard;
“Separate me Barnabas and Saul unto
The work whereto I have appointed them.”
And when sent forth, with fasting and with prayer,
How blessed the witness they united bore,
In Cyprus and Perga, in Pamphylia,
Of Him, in Whom no cause of death was found,
Yet nailed was to Calvary’s shameful cross,
And buried. But, most glorious victory!
(Proclaim it loud) “God raised Him from the dead.”
The news, clear Hutton, which they then did preach,
Thou goest forth to China to proclaim;
Far as thy steps shall move, thy voice’ shall reach.
Make known to China’s sons His blessed Name.
“TSEW YAY-SOO LAI.”2 To JESUS bid them come,
Who wandering are from God, astray and blind,
In Him they shall obtain a rest, a home;
And, as they learn of Him, they rest shall find.
So, as in Ephesus of old, they cried,
“Great is Diana,” yet were brought to own,
Through faith in Him on Calvary Who died,
Jesus the Saviour is, and He alone.
They turned to God, and cast their silver shrines
To moles and bats; so shall thy hearers do,
Who “TA TSAI KUNG-TSZ”3 say, or trust in signs,
By Taouist priests displayed, or pay to Fuh
The homage that to God alone is due.
Go, beloved brother, where Morrison before,
In faith and patience, labored well and long;
Like Burns and Wylie, go to China’s shore,
Hold forth the word of life her sons among;
While those who with you sail, our heart’s desire
And prayer to God with you shall equal share;
Before the Mercy-seat, we shall be nigher
To each of you, as each we name in prayer.
So shall a three-fold, ten-fold blessing rest,
On those who preach, and those who hear the word
In Sinim’s land; and they be not unblessed
Who serve by prayer your Master, Jesus, Lord.
His Name proclaim, Whose blood your ransom paid,
His arm your strength shall be, His word your guide;
His love your cheer; then never be afraid,
Whatever foes assail or ills betide.
His grace sufficient ever has and shall
Be found by those who look to Him alone;
Go, seek some souls to win from Satan’s thrall,
Some Orient gems to cast before His throne.
T.J.
 
1. On the departure of Mr. and Mrs. THOMAS MUTTON, their Children, and Miss VON POSECK, for China, 3rd October, 1896. Read Acts 13:1-5, 26-391Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Acts 13:1‑5)
26Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. 27For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. 28And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. 29And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30But God raised him from the dead: 31And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. 32And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. 35Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 37But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. 38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:26‑39).
2. “Come to Jesus.”
3. “How great is Confucius.”