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THE SECOND
ANNUAL, REPORT
OF THE
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UNITED
PRESENTED AT THE
ANNUAL MEETING, HELD IN THE CITY OF NEW-YORK,
ON
WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 1819-
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PRINTED BY J. SEYMOUR,
49 JOHN-STREET.
1819.
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REPORT
The Society, at their first annual meeting, propo- sed certain amendments to the Constitution, recom- mended by the Board of Directors, and noticed in their report. They also introduced an additional clause, empowering them to supply vacancies oc- curring in their body, from one annual meeting to another, and took measures to have these amend- ments laid before the judicatories of the Churches of which this Society is composed.
The proposed amendments were approved by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church ; and were also approved by the General Synod of the Re- form ed Dutch Church, and by the Synod of the As- sociate Reformed Church, excepting that article which would constitute every person who shall make a donation of $100, or more, a Director for life.
In consequence of the above decision, six addi- tional members were added to the direction of the past year. — As soon as the Board had been re-organized, their attention was directed to a very prominent, and deeply interesting subject. — South dmerica, blessed in her climate, rich in her natural advantages, strug- gling for her independence, and as yet mantled with moral and religious darkness, promised to the intre- pid Missionary, just such a field as would be calcu- lated to excite, and to call into action, all the energies of his soul. At a meeting of the Board, held on the 27th of July, 1818, they resolved , that it was expedi- ent to select, without delay, two suitable persons to
4
visit those sections of South America, which appear- ed to present the most favourable fields for missiona- ry labours; to investigate their moral and religious state; to notice, and report to the Board, all the fa- cilities that might offer, for extending the Gospel to those regions, and the best methods of effecting that object. The Committee of Missions were authori- sed to select such persons, to fix their compensation, and to give them the necessary instructions. Suita- ble characters having been accordingly selected by the Committee, and presented to the Board, they re- solved, in a session of the 24th of August, that Wil- liam Nevins and Charles Mdlvaine, students of the Theological Seminary at Princeton, be agents of this Board, to visit La Plata, Chili, and other parts of South America, for the purposes specified in a for- mer resolution ; and that they embark under the di- rection of the Committee of Missions next spring. To prepare these young men for their work, they were placed for some time, at the expense of the Board, in the city of Philadelphia, for the purpose of obtaining instruction in the Spanish language. A Committee was also appointed to inquire into the practicability of introducing Spanish New Testa- ments into the above named provinces of South Ame- rica.
The report of that Committee was eventually re- ferred to the Committee of Missions, with instruc- tions to procure all possible information on the sub- ject.
In obedience to that order of the Board, the Com- mittee of Missions commenced a correspondence with several highly respectable characters, well ac- quainted with the present state of that country.
To these correspondents the following inquiries were proposed :
Will young men sent out by this Society, passing through the country, not as preachers, but as tra- vellers, be permitted to visit the above, or any other provinces of South America, without molestation ?
Will they be able to afford this Society more mi- nute, and extensive intelligence, if sent out for the express purpose of exploring the moral and religious state of the country, than can be procured, without such a mission, from already existing and approach- able sources of information ?
Is it probable that, by wise and diligent exertion, they will be able to prepare the w ay for, or in any w ise facilitate, future and more effective missions ?
Will it be practicable for them to introduce Spa- nish Bibles and Testaments, of the description above mentioned, without exposing themselves to the op- position or maltreatment of the government ?
And if they should be unnoticed by the govern- ment, arc the people so far advanced in emancipa- tion of mind and feeling, as to warrant such an at- tempt as the distribution among them of the Sacred Scriptures ?
Would these young men, if properly introduced, be like to meet with the encouragement, or at least with the protection, of distinguished and influential characters ?
Would such a mission as we contemplate, and a year’s residence in that country, be very expensive, if conducted on economical principles; and would the probable advantage counterbalance the expense and risk necessarily incurred in its prosecution ?
6
The reply to these inquiries, from one of our cor- respondents, was as follows :
“ After much reflection, I have been thoroughly convinced, that every human society, however sa- vage, debased, or oppressed, is capable of being led out of its barbarity, lifted from its debasement, freed from its bondage, and fitted for liberal, rational reli- gion, and rational government — for rationality in re- ligion, and in government, have always been found intimately connected, and are necessary to each other. It would, as it appears to me, be a gross so- lecism to assert, that man, even savage man, or how- ever he may have been benighted or oppressed, can be brought to a sense and practice of his moral and religious duties, and yet that he cannot be made to feel aiid practise those social duties necessary for the conducting of free government, and the manage- ment of his temporal concerns. It is for these rea- sons, I have always considered Luther, Calvin, Knox, Tillotson, Edwards, and other such advocates of Re- formed Religion, as being the indirect, but very able promoters of free government, and the cultivation of all that is noble and excellent in our nature ; because they have mainly contributed, by their efforts, to cause man to feel his own worth and dignity, and to awaken and invigorate his intellectual and rational faculties. I therefore consider a Religious Missiona- ry, whose object is to prompt men to inquire, to rea- son, and to think on their religious concerns, as one engaged in a work of the greatest and most inesti- mable value, as well in its immediate individual uti_ tility, as in its remote and permanent consequences. It is by the cultivation of the intellect alone, that man can be made to understand how to direct his
7
i
bodily exertions to the greatest advantage, to feel the blessings of society, to control by the machine of free government individual and social vice ; and above all, to comprehend how he may in any suita- ble degree discharge his duties, and direct his ado- ration aright toward the fountain of all intellect, and the great Almighty Mind of all minds.”
Whilst the author of this letter is of opinion that the religious instruction of the savage tribes is indisso- lubly connected with their civilization, he observed,
“ That the best directed efforts of some one or two rational Missionary preachers, in the midst of a multitude of well established false doctors, deeply interested in being continually active, and zealous, without the helps to be derived from freedom, a re- volutionaary movement, or some great social agita- tion, is, as it were, lighting a taper in a vast waste, in anticipation of the dawn of day. The insulated fee- ble light attracts the notice of but few, illuminates entirely no one of the paths over the desert — glitters for a while — then sinks, and leaves the general gloom again to pervade the whole.”
After some general remarks on the character or nature of former missions and Missionaries to that country, he observed,
“There has not, perhaps, at any period of the eighteen centuries of the Christian era been a more inviting, fertile, and extensive field thrown open for the cultivation of active, skilful, firm, and rational Missionaries, than that which now presents itself in South America. Most of the high provinces of Bue- nos Ayres, and all Chili, are occupied by a popula- tion of innocent, uninformed, but civilized agricultu- rists, who speak the Castilian tongue, and none
other; who were heretofore depressed and debased by arbitrary civil and ecclesiastical power, and are now engaged in an active revolutionary struggle against both. These husbandmen have become per- fectly sensible of the wrongs they have suffered ; — they earnestly desire information — are williug to re- ceive it from any quarter, and manifest gratitude to every one who teaches them to understand their re- ligious and political rights.
“Such are the people; but their present chiefs and priests, like their late masters and pastors, have other views, and are actuated by other motives.
“ By an article in the provisional constitution, or form of government of Buenos Ayres, the Roman Catholic religion is declared to be the established religion of th£ country ; and no such thing as the to- leration of any other sect is provided lor, or even intimated.
“The provisional Constitution of Chili contains a similar article. The result of inquiry, whether a Protestant preacher would be tolerated, was, that in the city of Buenos Ayres, Mendoza, San Juan, and in Chili, the people were well prepared to hear with temper, and much liberality, preachers of any sect who would have the discretion not to urge their op- position doctrines too far at once. The making an open legal declaration of the principles ol toleration had been much talked of, but a two-fold revolution in Church and state are, perhaps, not to be expected at the same time. It is believed that no Protestant preacher would be allowed at this time (if the attempt was made under ordinary cir- cumstances) to address the people. And no Pro- testant Missionary would be tolerated in even tra-
9
veiling beyond the jurisdiction of the patriot authori- ties, or any where within the American provinces subject to the colonial government of Spain. The practicability of introducing the Scriptures is said by our correspondent to be very doubtful ; he has also stated that some copies of the New Testament, which had been translated into Spanish by the Bi- ble Society in London, and sent over there, and dis- tributed among the people, had been carefully ga- thered up, and burnt by the priests. Bibles and books of all kinds are very scarce in Buenos Ayres, as well as in Chili. The people from Montevideo to Valparaiso are represented to be kind, hospita- ble, obliging, communicative, and partial to the citi- zens of these United States. The expense of tra- velling among them is great in proportion to the com- forts obtained, and much greater than with us.”
Another correspondent on this subject has written as follows : —
“ t hey appear to possess at Buenos Ayres a vir- tual toleration at present. Although the Roman Ca- tholic religion is established by lawr, yet the more liberal and enlightened are prepared for a system of universal toleration, without any religious establish- ment by government, in imitation of the example of the United States.
“ Salutary reforms may be expected in religion as well as government. The field of action is w ide, and the harvest might be ample. The success of the Jesuits in Paragua is a strong proof of the beneficial effects that might be produced among even the Abo- rigines, by diffusing the pure stream of light over the country.”
From another source we have derived the follow-
B
10
frig information, generally corroborative of the above : “ Persons conducting themselves with prudence and discretion may reside at Buenos Ayres, cultivate an acquaintance with the people, and acquire a knowledge of the moral and religious state of the country, without being exposed to either danger or suspicion. Although the distribution of the Spanish New Testament, by such persons, might not in itself be considered as an illegal act, yet it migh. give rise to suspicion that they had ulterior objects, connect- ed w ith the religion of the country, not sanctioned by the law s. Free conversation on the subject of religion, it is feared, would neither be tolerated by the laws, by the prejudices of the great body of the people, nor by the interests of those more immedi- ately connected with the Church. — The Roman Ca- tholic religion is established by law in the provinces of La Plata, and no other form of public w orship is to be seen there, nor is it believed that the time has yet come, when the prejudices of the lower class of peo- ple w ould tolerate any other. It is probably, how e- ver, fast approaching; for the more liberal and en- lightened part of the community do not hesitate to avow the opinion, that the true interest of the coun- try requires, that the Protestants who have settled, or who may hereafter settle in it, should be permit- ted to introduce their own forms of public worship. We have been thus particular in exhibiting the pre- sent moral and religious state of the revolutionary part of South America, because it is an object of so great interest both at home and abroad, because the correctness of the information we have detailed is unquestionable, and because, in connexion with that derived from other sources, it was the true cause,
11
why this Society have been prevented for the pre- sent from carrying the Gospel in its unadulterated simplicity to our South American brethren — Oh, when will intolerant nations see that truth can sup- port itself by its own weight, recommend itself by its own intrinsic worth, and extend itself by its own energies ! When will they believe that that God who has sent forth the Bible, will support his own cause ? When will they discover, and act upon the discove- ry, that systems long held sacred that will not bear the light of truth, are unworthy to be retained ; and that ecclesiastical tyranny, in whatsoever form it may appear, is as abhorrent to the word of God, as it is repugnant to the dictates of sound reason, and the best feelings of freemen ?”
The Board of Directors, in their session of the 28th of December last,
Resolved , That the Corresponding Secretary forth- with inform Messrs. Nevins and Mdlvaine, that re- cent and important intelligence had been received, which had produced great doubt as to the expedien- cy of prosecuting the Mission to South America, and that they would receive further information from the Board, as soon as they should come to a final deci- sion on the subject. That decision was soon had, and involved the present relinquishment of the un- dertaking. That this subject, however, which had so long and so deeply interested the Board of Direc- tors, might not be entirely lost sight of, and that they might be able to take advantage of favourable changes occurring in that country, the Correspond- ing Secretary was directed to write, and has written, to Henry Hill, Esq. American Consul at Valparaiso, requesting him to obtain, and to furnish information
12
in relation to Protestant Missionary ground in Chill, and the adjacent country, among either Pagan na- tives or Roman Catholics, to ascertain the practica- bility of establishing a Mission or Missions in that region, and the probable expense of conducting them.
A letter has been received from the Directors of the Missionary Society of the United Brethren, ac- companied by two pamphlets — one containing a suc- cinct account of the Missions established among the Heathen by the Church of the Brethren. The other, an account of the manner in which the Protestant Church of the Unitas Fratrum, or United Brethren, preach the Gospel, and carry on their Missions among the heathen. A letter has also been received from the Secretary of the Connecticut Missionary Society, connected with a copy ol the 19th Annual Narrative of the proceedings of that institution; and another from the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. A large box of valuable books and pamphlets has been received from the Church Missionary Society in London. It contained a very extensive and particular account of the proceedings of that Society in Africa ; an account peculiarly in- teresting, as discovering the first light that has for many centuries streaked with red the horizon of that mysterious and interesting section of the globe.
An official communication from the Clerk of the Synod of the Associate Reformed Church has been received, announcing that the Synod had adopted a Resolution, requesting the different presbyteries un- der their care to organize within their bounds, as speedily as possible, societies auxiliary to the United Foreign Missionary Society.
Information has also been received that the classis of New-York have recommended to the Churches under their care, to have a sermon preached, and a collection taken up in each of them for the benefit of this Society. A letter has been received from the Rev. Robert Bronk, of Watervliet, in the State of New-York, announcing that a Society of ladies had been formed in that place, auxiliary to this institu- tion ; a donation from this Society, under a different organization, had been previously received, amount- ing to thirty-two dollars.
A letter has also been received, through Rev. Dr. Griffen, from the Rev. W. Ross, of Winnsborough, South Carolina, announcing that a Society of ladies had been formed in that village, auxiliary to this in- stitution, and enclosing in behalf of said auxiliary a donation of thirty dollars. A donation of one hun- dred and sixty dollars and twenty-five cents, has also been reported by the Treasurer to have been received from the Female Missionary Society of Newtown, Long Island. F rom the report of the Rev. Stephen N. Rowan, who was sent out last spring to the Carolinas and to Georgia, it appeared, that he had collected from our brethren in the South to the amount of tw o thousand eight hundred and seventy- five dollars, sixty-tw o cents. From the facts stated by Mr. Rowan in relation to his agency, it has been deemed expedient to appoint other agents for the Southern parts of the United States.
The Rev. Robert F. N. Smith, of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, and the Rev. Dr. Muir, of Alexandria, have accordingly been appointed to col- lect donations, and to form auxiliaries in any part of of the United States, but especially in the South.
14
they making such arrangements as to have no in- terference of their respective agencies with each other.
The Treasurer of this Society reported in July last, that agreeably to an order of the Board, he had vested four thousand and six hundred dollars in New-York 6 per cent, stock, in the names of Robert Lenox, Peter Wilson, and Divie Bethune.
A correspondence was laid before the Directors last summer, between a Committee of a Society in Massachusetts for propagating the Gospel among the Indians of North America, and his Excellency the Governor of this State, in relation to the religious instruction of the New-Stockbridge tribe of Indians.
A Committee having been appointed to write on this subject to a Committee of the above named So- ciety in Massachusetts, the Board finally decided, that it was inexpedient at that time to take the Stockbridge Indians under their care.
A Mission to the Seneca tribe of Indians, has also been contemplated; but as it was known that the New-York Missionary Society have an Agent there, and as it was understood that they would continue to extend their fostering care over that tribe, the field was left to their cultivation, and the attention of the Board turned from the North, to the Missiona- ry wilds in the Southern and Western sections of our country.
The Committee of Missions were requested to make inquiry, without delay, respecting the expedi- ency of establishing a Missionary station in the west- ern part of Louisiana, bordering on the Spanish ter- ritory.
To obtain information on this subject, a letter was
addressed, in December last, to the Rev. Sylvester Larned, of New-Orlcans, to which a very interesting answer has within a fewr days been received.
The Committee were also requested by the Board to inquire into the number of the Delaware Indians in the Missouri Territory, to ascertain their local si- tuation, and the expediency of settling a Missionary or Missionaries among them.
The best general information, on this subject, that we have been able to procure, is taken from Gover- nor Clark’s Synoptical Sketch of the Indians within the Missouri Territory.
From this late, laboured, and valuable work, it ap- pears, that there are living in that Territory, in the settlements of the whites, six nations, containing 8260 adult Indians, and 4580 children. Of those having intercourse with the whites, but being more remote, there are fifteen nations, containing 57,700 adults, and 28,380 children. Of those having no in- tercourse with the whites, there are, east of the Mountains, one tribe, and from 10 to 15 roving bands, containing 17,000 adults, and 7,900 children; in the Mountains, from 20 to 30 roving bands, containing 20,000 adults, and 9,000 children ; west of the Moun- tains there are many tribes and roving bands, esti- mated at 80,000 adults, and 30,000 children — ma- king in the whole 182,960 adults, and 79,860 chil- dren. And in this estimate the Governor states in a note, he believes the number of adults, as well as the number of children, to be underrated. He also states that there are several parties of other tribes within the Territory, not noticed in the estimate. — Proceedings of Bd. of Managers for Baptist Miss. Ken- tucky, 1818.
The Board of Directors, having requested the Committee of Missions in December last to select, and send forth, two Missionaries, to form a Missiona- ry station among the Cherokee Indians on the Ar- kansas River, the Committee entered into immediate correspondence on the subject with Messrs. Epa- phras Chapman and Job P. Vinall, young men who had been previously recommended to them, and stu- dents of the Theological Seminary at Princeton. In a letter from these young gentlemen to the chairman of the Committee of Missions, dated the 8th of Feb- ruary last, they expressed their willingness to conse- crate themselves to the service of the Saviour, in a mission to the Indians.
“ You have done us the honour,” said they, “ to request of us a plan for the contemplated Mission to the Western Indians. We are aware of the anxiety you feel, that the Word of Life should be speedily communicated to those benighted men ; and as we feel a deep solicitude that Gospel Labourers should, be sent to them as soon as practicable, we, with that deference that becomes our youth and inexperience, do cordially submit the following suggestions :
“ Impressed by the charge of the Master, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature’ — and instructed, as well as animated, by the glorious example of the primitive Missionaries, and especially by that of the Apostle Paul, your Missionaries to the West should have nothing less in view than the conversion and civilization of the nu- merous tribes that inhabit those vast regions, as soon as God, in his wise Providence, shall prepare the way, and furnish the requisite means — that a Mis- sionary station in one tribe, when firmly established,
17
and under successful operation, should be a step- ping-stone for another, in some neighbouring tribe, and that to a third. Thus in God’s own best time, the Standard of the Redeemer shall be erected on the heights of the Rocky Mountain, and his conquests extended even to the shores of the Pacific Ocean.
“This will not appear chimerical, when we re- flect, that this event is embraced in that precious promise, that God will give to his Son the heathen for an inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession.
“ If we plan on a small scale, we may expect li- mited results. With an object so deeply interesting before us, the importance of selecting the most eligi- ble spot for the first establishment, particularly in a field so immense as the western country, must ap- pear extremely obvious to every one. The success of the Mission will very much depend on a judi- cious beginning. If we assail the enemy at a wrong point, we may be foiled in the first onset.
“ As the books that have come to our knowledge furnish no information that can be depended upon, in selecting a suitable spot for the commencement of Missionary operations, we conceive that the system of exploring the country must first be adopted. This will not only promote the immediate object in view, but give a new impulse to the interest of Missions in the West. It will also in some measure relieve the darkness, that now rests upon the Indians in that country.
“ Let then suitable explorers be sent out, who shall visit the different tribes inhabiting near the high- er parts of the Missouri, Arkansas, and Red Rivers, and their branches contiguous to the Mississippi. —
c
Let them be empowered to select such a situation as shall present the fairest prospects of ultimate success; a situation from which as a centre, missionary ope- rations may be extended to the surrounding tribes. And that they may be the better prepared to effect this object, let them first visit the missionary sta- tions at Brainard, and Elliott, and make themselves perfectly acquainted with the nature, and operation of those establishments, and avail themselves of all the experience of the Missionaries. It is now satis- factorily ascertained, that civilization must accompa- ny the Gospel, in order to success, in evangelizing the Indians. All attempts to introduce the Gospel among them, so long as they retain their savage ha- bits, and depend upon the uncertain supplies of the chace, have proved, and we believe will for ever prove abortive. If the Committee shall adopt a plan, similar in itg main features to that now in suc- cessful operation, at the missionary stations above mentioned, we think there is every prospect, that the solitary places will soon be glad, and the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose. We shall not at- tempt to detail the regulations adopted in those In- stitutions. We presume that a similar system is pur- sued in each. The fact, that their operations have been attended with success, is in our view a suffi- cient reason for making them a model. Their sys- tem of rules, the Missionaries may learn on the spot, and enable the Committee, by the intelligence they will be able to transmit, to fill up those plans, which at present must be left unfinished.”
At a meeting of the Committee of Missions, held the 2'2d of February last, Messrs. Epaphras Chap- man, and Job P. Vinall, w ere appointed their Agents
19
lo visit the Missouri Territory, to examine the state of the different Indian tribes, and to select a proper spot for a missionary station, it being distinctly un- derstood, that they be licensed to preach the Gospel, before they commence their tour, and that they pledge themselves to engage in the Mission here- after.
These points having been satisfactorily adjusted, and the Agents having signified that they expect no- thing from the Board but the payment of their ex- penses, the Chairman of the Committee was authori- sed to drawr upon the Treasurer for such sums as should be necessary to defray the expenses of their journey.
This appropriation having been paid, instructions for themselves, and talks to the Indians prepared and presented, the Missionaries authorised to so- licit donations in public and in private from the friends of Missions on their journey, and required to keep a regular journal of their proceedings, and to render an account of all the moneys they shall re- ceive ; they took their departure with our prayers, and the prayers of their assembled fellow students in the Seminary at Princeton, on Wednesday the 5th of May, 1819. To secure all possible aid and success to this enterprise, the Committee of Missions have written to several influential characters, at the seat of our General Government, to engage the patronage of the Officers of that Government, in behalf of this Society; and have directed their Agents to stop in their way, at the city of Washington, and to pro- cure such documents as may facilitate their intro- duction to, and future intercourse with, the Indian tribes.
20
In concluding the narrative of’ events, which have taken place amongst us during the past year, the Board of Directors report with feelings of deep re- gret, the loss they have sustained in their truly va- luable and estimable associate, John E. Caldwell, Esq. who departed this life on the 9th day of March, 1819.
The general prospects of the Society at this anni- versary, brethren, are certainly more favourable than they have ever been, since its auspicious institution. We have not only fields w hich are already white un- to the harvest, but have also Missionaries to send out to them in w hom we can confide. In the new terri- torial acquirements of these United States, as well as in those w hich will probably soon be secured to the nation, the benignant and penetrating eye of Chris- tianity has already discovered spots, on which Mis- sionaries of the cross may labour with the most flat- tering prospects of success. And we state from re- cent information, that a number of pious and intrepid youth, in some of the principal nurseries of sacred learning in our country, are becoming so interested in the cause of Missions to the heathen upon our bor- ders, that labourers will not be w anting, if we can only find the means to support them.
In viewing the mighty operations of Missionary So- cieties in the old w orld, we are ready to say, “ What hath God w rought?” We rejoice in the spirit that has impelled them to action, and rejoice also in the work which they have been enabled to perform. Our trans- atlantic brethren have done wonders. God, as by his word, so also by their example, is calling us to act. We will follow them in their work — wre will emulate their godlike example. They have had,
21
like ourselves, their day of small things ; but the grain of mustard-seed has become a tree : and the cloud, which was at first no bigger than a man’s hand, has covered the heavens, and poured down an abundance of rain. Like them we will watch, and labour, and pray for our own increase in due season ; and having scattered our seed in the fur- rows of the wilderness, will aw ait the fulfilment of the promise, in the immortal harvest that shall follow.
When we turn our eyes to the luxuriant, and al- most immeasurable wilds of the West — observe the prodigious tide of population that is pressing forw ard in that direction — the wise interference of our Go- vernment for the civilization of the Indians, and con- sequent melioration of their state, connected with the efforts of Missionary Institutions, to shed upon them Heaven’s light in the Gospel, — a scene is pre- sented to our view, the most fair, the most brilliant, and we think we may add, the most sublime, that has perhaps ever been presented to the Church, at any period of time, since the Christian era, in any section of the globe.
Looking forward for a century to come, we see ex- tensive forests bending under the strokes of the axe — the golden harvests wraving over immense territo- ries— Villages rising — Schools of learning, and Tem- ples of the most high God rearing their lofty Spires, in what is now an uncultivated wilderness — Agricul- ture and Commerce pouring their tributary streams into large cities, which now scarcely have existence — the heralds of Christ, with nearly the same views of divine truth, every where officiating at his altars — the River of God flowing, and white men, and red men, united in one free, common, joyful family, sing-
22
ing their songs of glory on every hill, and in every vale, “ to him that loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood.” By that Provi- dence that watches over the destinies of our coun- try, and by the effectual operation of thine Holy Spi- rit upon the minds of men, realize this glorious pros- pect, O Lord God Almighty, Sovereign of Heaven and Earth, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our blessed Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
By order of the Board of Managers,
PH : MILLEDOLER, Cor. Secretary.
BOARD OF MANAGERS
OF THE
United Toireign Missionary Society,
ELECTED MAY 12, 1319.
Officers.
• STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER, President.
ROBERT LENOX, Esq.
PETER WILSON, L.L.D.
JOSEPH NOURSE, Esq.
Rev. JOHN H. LIVINGSTON, D. D.
Rev. ASHBEL GREEN, D.D.
Rev. ALEXANDER PROUDFIT, D.D.
Rev. PHILIP MILLEDOLER, D.D. Corresponding Secretary . ZECHARIAH LEWIS, Recording Secretary.
DIVIE BETHUNE, Treasurer.
Vice-Presidents.
Other Managers.
Rev. EDW. D. GRIFFIN, D.D. Rev. JAMES RICHARDS, D.D. Rev. JOHN B. ROMEYN, D. D. Rev. JOHN M'DOWELL, D.D. Rev. STEPHEN N. ROWAN, Rev. ROBERT B. E. M‘LEOD, Rev. GARDINER SPRING,
Rev. SELAH S. WOODHULL, Mr. RENSSELAER HAVENS.
Mr. JONATHAN LITTLE,
Mr. ISAAC HEYER,
Mr. G. B. VROOM,
Mr. HENRY RANKIN,
Mr. JOHN BORLAND,
Mr. MICHAEL SCHOONMAKER Mr. WILLIAM WILSON,
Mr. JOHN FORSYTH,
Mr. STEPHEN LOCKWOOD.
2 4
TVie United Foreign Missionary Society in account with Divie Bethune , Treasurer.
CR.
1818. May 16. Balance at this date #2578 26
June 13. From the Rev. Stephen N. Rowan, the residue collected by
him on his southern itinerancy .... 1555 62
— 16. From the Rev. E. P. Swift, collected by him . $526 64
Less, discount on uncurrent notes . 20 38
— 19.
— 24.
— 27.
— 28.
From Capt. John Whitehead, of Wayncsborough, constitut- ing him a member for life, by the Rev. P. Milledoler From the ladies of Urbania, to constitute the Rev. James
Hughes a member for life
From the Students of Washington College, Penn, to consti- tute the Rev. Andrew Wylie, M. A. President thereof, a member for life, by Mr. Francis M‘Farland From the Rev. John I. Chrystie, of Warwick, Orange coun- ty, N. Y. as member for life .... From the ladies of Frankfort, Ky. to constitute the Rev.
Ely Smith, a member for life, by Dr. Mason .
From the ladies of Chilicothe, to constitute the Rev. G.
Wilson a member for life, by Dr. Romeyn From the Rev. Mr. Schermerhorn, a collection made at a Reformed Dutch Church in Scoharie From Edward Whaley, Esq. of Edisto Island, as member
for life, by Dr. M‘Leod
From a Female Society in Buffalo, Washington county, Penn, to constitute the Rev. John Anderson member
for life, by John Hoge, Esq
Aug. 21. From Mr. Ker, of Charleston, S. C. a donation, by Mr. S.
N. Rowan
From Mr. John Adams, his life subscription . .
From the Female Missionary Society of Newtown, (L. I.) a donation ........
From the ladies of Columbia, Franklinton, and vicinity, to constitute the Rev. James Hoge a member for life, by Richard Varick, Esq. ......
From WTm. Wilson, Esq. as member for life .
July 30.
Oct. 20. 1 28.
Nov. 28. 1819. Jan. 20. — 29.
From S. V. S. Wilder, Esq. do do .
From the Female Bible Class of Northumberland, Penn, to constitute their pastor, the Rev. R. F. N. Smith, a member for life, by Mrs. Sarah Boyd From Dr. Scott, of New-Brunswick, N. J. his annual sub- scription, by Dr. James Richards
From Mr. S. Lockwood, his annual subscription .
From Mr. Borland, as member for life . .
From the Rev. Mr. Woodhull, his annual subscription .
Feb. 4. From the ladies of the First Associate Reformed Church, to constitute their pastor, the Rev. Mr. M‘Lcod, a mem- ber for life
— 11. From a Female Missionary Society in Watervliet, Albany county, N.Y. through Mrs. Sarah Vandenberg, their
Treasurer
March 5. From the Associate Reformed Congregation of Stamford, Presbytery of Saratoga, a donation bv Dr. Milledoler From the Female Auxiliary U. F. Missionary Society, of Winnsborough, S. C. by the Rev. Dr. Griffin From the Young Gentlemen of the Poplar Tent Congrega- tion, Cabarrass county, N. C. to constitute the Rev. John Robinson member for life ....
— 24.
506 26 100 0
30 0
30 0
30 0
30 0 30 0
17 12
30 0
30 0
5
30
160 25
30
30
30 0
30 0
3
3
30
3
30 0
32 0 47 62
30 0
30 0
Carried forward
5491 13
25
Brought forward, 5491 13
March 24. From Mrs. Caroline Ball, of Charleston, S.C. a donation,
by Mr. Benj. H. Palmer ..... 30 0
April 15. From David G. Hubbard, Esq. as member for life . 30 0
From the Females of the Cross Creek Congregation, Wash- ington county, Penn, to constitute the Rev. Thomas Marquis member for life, by Dr. Romeyn . . 30 0
From the Females of the Presbyterian Congregation, Steu- benville, Ohio, towards constituting the Rev. Obadiah Jennings a member for life, (the residue to be forward- ed, through Dr. Romeyn ..... 20 0
— 21. A collection in the Dutch Church, of Manor of Fordham 6 0
A collection in the North West Dutch Church . . 8 0
— > 29. From the Young Ladies of Mill Creek and the Flatts con- gregations, to constitute the Rev. George Scott a mem- ber for iife, by Mr. J. M'Ferran .... 30 0
From a number of Young Ladiesin Youngstown and Brook- field congregations, to constitute the Rev. John Core a member for life . . . . . 32 0
Less, for a note said to be counterfeit . 10 0
22 0
May 1. From the Rev. Mr. Forrest, his annual subscription . 3 0
A collection in the Reformed Dutch Church at Greenwich,
by the Rev. Stephen N. Rowan ... 1.5 0
From Mr. Jesse Scofield, his life subscription . . 30 0
From the Female Auxiliary U. F. Missionary Society, of
Kingston, N. Y. by Mrs. Catharine Weller, their Secretary, through Mr. Seth Cauch ... 44 O
— 11. For three quarters’ dividend upon 4600 dollars, New-York
six per rents. 207 0
5966 13
1818. DR.
July 1. Paid the Rev. Stephen N. Rowan, for the balance of ex-
pense incident on his itinerancy southward, as agent 150 0
— 15. Paid A. H. Lawrence & Co. for 4600 dolls. N. Y. Six per
cents, at 102£ per ct 4703 50
■ — 27. Paid G. Cozine for 9 months’ attendance at the Board . 22 50
— 30. Paid J. Seymour for printing Report, ic. ... 86 40
Paid for printing Rev. S. N. Rowan’s report . . 3 25
Sept. 19. Paid Rev. I. Ely, per order of the Board ... 10 0
Nov. 7. Paid Messrs. Nevins and M‘Ilvaine for expenses incurred by them under the direction of the Committee of Mis- 1819. sions, to be remitted them by the Rev. Dr. Milledoler 97 0
Feb. 23. Paid expenses attending one box of books from England 10 20
Apr. 30. Paid Messrs. Chapman and Vinall, by order of the Board,
for the first appropriation ..... 800 0
Paid Mr. Chapman for sundry articles furnished himself for
the use of the Missions ..... 32 92
Paid sundry postages ...... 0 94
Paid discounts on uncurrent notes .... 10 67
5927 38
Balance in the hands of the Treasurer . . . 38 75
DIYTE BETHUNE, Treasurer.
Wo have examined the above account, and find vouchers for all the payments, and the additions correct, and the balance in the hands of the Treasurer is thirty-eight dollars and seventy-five rents.
ISAAC HEYER, ) Committee
MICHAEL SCFOON MAKER. C of Audit.
Xuv-Yor! , May 11, 1019.
26
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
UNITED FORIE1GN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
Article I. This Society shall be composed of the Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch, and Associate Re- formed Churches, and all others who may choose to join them, and shall be known by the name of “ The Uni led Foreign JMissionary Society .”
Art. II. The object of the Society shall be to spread the Gospel among the Indians of North Ame- rica, the inhabitants of Mexico and South America, arid in other portions of the heathen and anti-chris- tian world.
Art. III. The business of the Society shall be con- ducted by a Board consisting of a President, six Vice- Presidents, a Corresponding Secretary, a Recording Secretary, a Treasurer, and twelve Managers, to be annually chosen by the Society. They shall have power to enact their own by-laws. Seven shall consti- tute a quorum.
Art. IV. The Board shall present their annual re- port to the highest judicatories of the three denomi- nations, for their information.
Art. V. Any person paying three dollars annually, or thirty dollars at one time, shall be a member of the Society.
Art. Vl. The annual meetings of the Society shall be held in the city of New-York, on the Wednesday preceding the second Thursday of May.
Art. VII. Missionaries shall be selected from the three Churches indiscriminately.
Art. VIII. This Constitution may be altered by a vote of two thirds of the members present at an an- nual meeting, with the consent of the highest judica- tories of the three denominations.
27
PLAN OF AN AUXILIARY SOCIETY.
I. This Society shall be called the Mis- sionary Society of .
II. Any person subscribing dollars annu-
ally, shall be a member of this Society.
III. The business of the Society shall be conduct- ed by a President, Vice-Presidents, Trea- surer, Secretary, and other Managers ; of
whom shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
IV. The Board of Managers shall meet ,
or oftener if necessary, on a day to be fixed by them- selves.
V. The Board shall appoint agents to solicit sub- scriptions and donations to the funds of the Society.
VI. The Treasurer shall take charge of all the moneys belonging to the Society, and transmit them semi-annually to the Treasurer of the “ United Fo- reign Missionary Society,” at New-York.
VII. The Secretary shall record the proceedings of the Board of Managers, and of the Society, at their annual meetings.
VIII. There shall be a meeting of the Society once
a year, on the day of February, when the of-
ficers shall be chosen, and the other business of the Society transacted.