The Foundation and Early Work of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts

Abstract

HE Puritan Revolution had its natural reaction during the 1 reign of Charles II, and immorality was widespread in political, social, and religious life. Very soon, however, the moral and spiritual work of the Church underwent a tremendous revival, despite the unfortunate wranglings which disturbed its unity. Part of this revival was the development of a society movement. Under the influence of eminent preachers Societies were founded for the cultivation and support of devotional life. For the most part their members belonged to the Church of England, and devoted themselves to the service of their fellow men. Their works took a practical turn-provision for education, for the spiritual needs of soldiers, sailors, and prisoners, and, finally, for the support of foreign missions. They grew rapidly, and the close of the century saw the formation of the two greatest Anglican organizations, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (I699) and its sister body, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (1701).1 Their founder, famed as an organizer of missionary effort, was Dr. Thomas Bray. Bray was born at Marton, Shropshire, in I656 and, giving promise of a fine intellect, was sent to Oswestry School and then to Oxford, where he took his degree at All Souls College in