The National Preacher, Vol. 2. No. 6., Nov. 1827 | Page 2

salvation through my blood--even that blood which their
own wicked hands have shed.'
This direction to the first preachers of the cross, to begin at Jerusalem,
suggests the general thought,
THAT IT BECOMES CHRISTIANS, IN ALL AGES, TO MAKE
SPECIAL EFFORTS FOR THE CONVERSION OF CITIES AND
LARGE TOWNS.
This thought may be illustrated and enforced, from the example and
instructions of Christ and his apostles; from the early and signal
visitations of the Spirit on cities; from the power with which Satan
reigns in them; and from their relative importance, and influence on the

world.
I. _Our Saviour devoted his personal ministry very much to cities and
large towns._
Says Matthew, "And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of
commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to
preach in their cities." Mark speaks of Him as follows: "And in the
morning, rising up a great while before day, he departed into a solitary
place, and there prayed: and Simon, and they that were with him,
followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him,
All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next
towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth." Luke
informs us, that, on another occasion, He said unto those who sought
him, and who urged him that he should not depart from them, "I must
preach the kingdom of God to other cities also, for therefore am I sent."
From many other passages of Scripture, also, we learn of Christ's
preaching in cities. "And behold, the whole city came out to meet
Jesus." "And all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?" "And many
of the Samaritans of that city believed on him." He is also found in
Jericho, and in Capernaum. His wonders are made known at Chorazin
and Bethsaida. His walks are along the shores, where commerce and
trade had congregated vast multitudes. Jerusalem he repeatedly
visits--especially on the anniversaries of religious festivals; when his
instructions might fall upon the ear of assembled thousands; and
through them be conveyed to every town and village of the land. On
one occasion, when he was come near to the city, "he beheld and wept
over it, saying, if thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day,
the things which belong to thy peace; but now are they hid from thine
eyes.--Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and
stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered
thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her
wings, and ye would not!" On another occasion, it is said, "Then began
he to upbraid the cities, wherein most of his mighty works were done,
because they repented not. Wo unto thee, Chorazin; wo unto thee,
Bethsaida; for if the mighty works which were done in you, had been

done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in
sackcloth and ashes. And thou Capernaum, which art exalted unto
heaven, shalt be brought down to hell; for if the mighty works which
have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have
remained until this day. But I say unto you, that it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, than for thee."
Thus it appears that the All-wise Saviour thought it proper to devote
much of his ministry to cities and large towns.
II. _Christ, in his instructions to his disciples, particularly directs their
attention to cities and large towns._
"These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Into
whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and
there abide till ye go thence. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor
hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the
dust of your feet. Verily, I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for
the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, in the day of judgment, than for that
city." How solemn, yet well defined were these instructions. How
strongly must the twelve have been impressed with the importance of
special exertion in large towns and cities. "After these things, the Lord
appointed seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face, into
every city and place, whither he himself would come. And he said unto
them, Into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such
things as are set before you, and heal the sick that are therein, and say
unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into
whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out
into