For the Spread of the Gospel

George Hill, born in 1750, died 190 years ago today, on December 19, 1819. He graduated the University of St. Andrews at 14, was appointed Professor of Greek there at the age of 22, and was ordained to the ministry at St. Andrews when he was 28. He eventually rose to the positions of Professor of Divinity and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. His publications include Volume of Sermons (1796); Lectures upon Portions of the Old Testament (1812); Theological Institutes (1817); and, posthumously, Lectures on Divinity (1821).

On May 20, 1790, he preached a sermon before the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland challenging that body, on the basis of the sermon text, Ps. 22.27-28, to take up the cause of the "universal propagation" of the Christian gospel throughout the world. This sermon promoting a worldwide missionary endeavor preceded by two years the publication of William Carey's An Inquiry into the Obligations of Christians to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens, and constitutes an important step forward in the history of missions.

Sermon XIV (preached on May 20, 1790):

While we are thankful for the Father of Lights for the fullness and purity in which the inhabitants of this happy isle enjoy the advantages of the Christian Revelation, let us aspire to the exalted office of being workers with Him in the great and benevolent scheme, by which he is gathering his children out of all kindreds and tribes. The ministers of religion fulfill the peculiar business of their station, when they recommend the gospel to the attention and esteem of the world, by preaching its doctrines uncorruptly, and by exhibiting in their lives, a specimen of the divine power of those truths which they preach. Men of rank and influence act in the spirit of true patriotism, and of a philanthropy still more enlarged, when they cherish, by their example, the respect which the people entertain for the religion of their country: and the most private Christian, by discharging the duty which Jesus requires of him, and by forming his children to the love of that religion into which they were baptized, contributes, in his place, to maintain the barrier which the God of truth hath erected against the progress of idolatry and superstition. The public establishment of Christianity is the light of the world, and the virtues of Christians, by making this light to shine before men, draw them unto Jesus. When the subjects of the Prince of Peace appear clad in the beauties of holiness, they display the glory and the excellency of his kingdom. The attraction of virtue, that charm which commands the heart of man, is felt by every one who beholds the fruit of the spirit in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth; and the friends of Jesus thus prepare for Him, a people who shall be willing, in the day of his power.