The next three sections of the covenant made by the "Serampore Trio" are shorter and deal with the practical issues of missionary service. First comes a pledge of committed urgency. We do well always to fix in our minds that life is short and that all around us are perishing. Where has this urgency gone in the West today? How often have you heard a "hellfire" sermon? In fact, whatever happened to the very concept of hell? Jesus mentioned it often; we don't. This article shows how we need to!
Carey admits that, in a hot climate, it is easy to run out of energy, but calls their team to consistent action: to carry on conversations with the natives almost every hour in the day; to go from village to village, from market to market; to talk to labourers and servants. And he quotes the Apostle Paul on 'being urgent in season and out of season' [the Bible, 2 Timothy 4:2].
Next, the trio pledge to 'Christocentric' mission. It would be very easy to preach nothing but truths for many years, without being useful even to one soul! The expiatory death and all-sufficient merits [of Jesus Christ] must be central. Oh that these glorious truths may ever be the joy and strength of our own souls! Here again, contemporary Christianity has drawn back from the full force of this - witness the involved debate over "penal substitution" among church leaders, which, curiously enough, began with the aim of opening the gospel to more people.
Then comes a pledge to being available and approachable. We must on all occasions be willing to hear their complaints, give them the kindest advice, and make decisions regarding their affairs in the most open, upright and impartial manner. Any heated or haughty behaviour by the missionaries will sink their character in the eyes of their audience. We must at all times treat them as our equals. We can never make sacrifices too great, when the eternal salvation of souls is the object. This corresponds with today's emphasis on "incarnational" missiology - being like Jesus among those we hope to reach.
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