| 114 been penetrated by any of the missionaries. But, sir, I will leave this gloomy and almost hopeless part of the world, and hasten to show you what the missionaries have accomplished. While idolatry spreads her wings over the whole face of Asia and Africa, there is an extensive continent where they are basking in the meridian glory of missionary success, and their labors are now no longer needed; I need not say that I mean Europe. It is said that Europe contains two hundred and twenty five millions of inhabitants, and about one hundred and thirty millions are Roman Catholics, thirty five millions are Protestants, thirty millions are of the Greek Church, and the rest are Mohammedans, Jews, &c. Surely we should have abundant cause to rejoice in such an extensive harvest, but, sad to relate, nearly two-thirds of the whole mass have been converted, we are told by the mother of harlots, thus (it is generally agreed) having become tenfold more the children of hell than they were before. Yet, notwithstanding this sad event there is a goodly number still remaining, although we must, by common consent, deduct from the pure church that of the Greek, as being "full of errors," we have yet thirty million although they are divided into about six hundred different sects, and Paul has said there is but one body (church) one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, yet it remains for us to follow on and find the real benefit accruing from the labors of the clergy. But to what body shall we now look, is it the Calvanists? No, no, cries then thousand voices, they consign the innocent and the virtuous to eternal torment. Is it the Methodist-methinks I hear the famous Whitfield, while journeying in Scotland, exclaim-"the damnable doctrine taught by Wesley!" Where then shall we look? The majority say to the Church of England. Here, then, we are compelled to lay aside the remaining five hundred and ninety nine sects as being corrupt, and not the church of Christ. [A question naturally may arise here-whose church then have they been converted to?] But which portion of the Church of England, the Orthodox, the evangelical, or the Pussey, I must leave with your readers to say. It is pretty clear, I think, sir, that something has been accomplished.
We will now take a bird's-eye view of America, which has been a wide field for missionary enterprize [enterprise] for many years back. Humboldt estimates the population to be as follows:
Indians 8,600,000.
Negroes 6,500,000.
Mixed race 6,500,000.
Whites 13,500,000.
The whole amount is more than thirty five millions, some estimate it at forty millions. And few indeed of the Indian or black population have yet been converted by them so there may well by a cry for help, help sounding in our ears. Money, to send out missionaries to the poor perishing heathen. Such a great stir was made about this thing that I asked-are they all going to hell for not believing in him of whom they had not heard? and was answered, No, God could not be just in that-(So you see, sir, they were of opinion that they are going to heaven by millions!) I then asked-when the missionaries reach these nations, with the GLAD TIDINGS, will they all believe? No, not one in twenty. Thsn [Then], what will become of those who reject your gospel? Why God will be just in sending them all to hell!!! Forgive me, sir, but I could not prevent the thought from darting cross my mind-Then they are laboring that a way may be opened to send these multitudes * * * and I could not wish them God speed. Do, sir, unravel this mystery, that I may feel more charity towards my old friends.
But, to return, from the best calculations that I could get at, the state of the world, at the present time, is something like-
Pagans, Jews, &C. 620,000,000.
Mohammedans 160,000,000.
Roman Catholics 132,000,000.
Protestants 37,000,000.
Greek Church 30,000,000.
Total 979,000,000.
In looking at the conversion of the world, it is a great work and many obstacles in the way; but let us imagine the work perfect, and all the sects flowing to the mountain of the Lord's house, I am afraid instead of peace, there would be war. For a deadly enmity exists among them, and I doubt the reign of peace would not commence till they were all exterminated. What do you think must be done?
Believe me, your affectionate brother,
John Greenhow
Millerism.
Springfield, Feb. 22, 1843.
House of Representatives-
To the Editor of the Times and Seasons
Sir,-Last evening I attended a meeting, held in the State House, where a Millerite was holding forth. As it was the first time that I ever heard on of this strange deluded sect, I, of course, felt a little interested, and thinking that his discourse might be edifying to the readers of the Times and Seasons, I have forwarded it to you for publication.
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