A historic 1808 sermon that argues for the eternal reign of Christ and a bold, worldwide mission to spread the gospel.

This edition presents Abiel Holmes’s discourse delivered at the Boston anniversary meeting of the Society for Propagating the Gospel among the Indians and Others in North America. It builds a case for the perpetuity of Christ’s name, government, and church, and connects biblical promises with a then-contemporary call to global evangelism. The text frames mission work as a central duty of Christians and surveys the spread of Christian knowledge across continents, including Asia, Africa, and Europe, with a focus on the use of printed Bibles and missionary effort in Indian territories.

Readers will encounter theological reflections, historical context, and practical appeals for support of missions. The work also includes notes and discussion about the state of missionary activity and related correspondence from the period, offering a window into early 19th-century religious thought and organizing efforts.

• The sustained claim of Christ’s perpetual kingship and the enduring church.


• A worldwide missionary vision rooted in biblical prophecy and promises.


• Context on early American religious organizations and their support for missions.


• Appendices and notes that illuminate contemporary debates and sources.

Ideal for readers of religious history, early American theology, and studies of Christian missions in the colonial era.

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