The American Telescope: With An Appeal to Backslidden Christians

IT is now about fifteen years since the Missionary cause was introduced into North Carolina, with great show of zeal, and love for the poor Indians on our continent. Their deplorable condition was depicted in the liveliest colors, and with all that sympathy and apparent feeling for their poor lost souls, calculated to soften a heart of stone, and awaken in the coldest-hearted Christian, the most earnest emotions for their salvation. However, there was something then, and ever has been, that I dreaded as a viper full of deadly poison. Although it was glossed over with the love of souls; the worth of souls; starving souls for want of knowledge, &c. &c. with all the embellishments of fine language, and great talents in teaching; added to which, were many tears, much show of feeling, and semblance of Christian sincerity; yet I could not help being filled with a jealousy, that there was death in the pot.--And I have stood as an opposer and observer ever since, and now offer the public a few thoughts, and hazard some conjectures, on the future consequences of the Missionary and other societies, abounding in our land of freedom. Are you not a Christian? Then why is it you live so unlike a Christian? Have you not been redeemed from death by the precious blood of Christ? Have you not been made a citizen of heaven, a son of the Great King and a joint heir with the Lord Jesus? Then why do you live so unlike such an one? Why do unclean words fall from your lips? Why are sinful actions found in your hands? Why are unholy thoughts cherished in your heart? You are ashamed to be called by the name of Christ; I pray God He may not be ashamed to call you by that name in the day of judgment. Let me appeal to you, O backslider. Return to a consistent Christian life. Take up the cross, and "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called."