PROCEEDINGS
or THE
AMEBICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIOIVERS
roR
FOREIGN MISSIONS,
SPECIAL MEETING
HELD IN
THE CITY OF NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 19, and 20th, 1 8 4 2.
BOSTON :
PRINTED BY CROCKER Sl BREWSTER, 47, WaahiDgtoD-Street.
1842.
<
THE
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
FOR
FOREIGN MISSIONS,
AT THE
SPECIAL MEETING
HELD IN
THE CITY OF NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 19, and 20th, 1 842.
BOSTON :
PRINTED UV CROCKER & BREWSTER, ■17, Wasliiiigtou-Slrccl.
1842.
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MINUTES
OF THE
SPECIAL MEETING,
JANUARY 18, 19, and 20, 1842.
A SPECIAL meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was held in the city of New York, commencing on Tuesday the eighteenth day of January, 1842, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The sessions for business, and also the meetings for devo- tional services and addresses, were held in the Central Presbyterian Church, in Broome Street.
MEMBERS PRESENT.
The following Corporate Members were present : —
Hon. TiiEOuouK Freunghuysen,! Hon. TnoMAS S. Williams, Hon. Samuel Huhbard, Alexander Pkouoi it, D. D. Gardiner Sprino, D. D. Hon. Samuel T. Armstrong, Justin Edwards, D. D. John Codman, D. D. Thomas DeWitt, D. D. Joshua Bates, D. D. Hknrv Hill, Esq. CiiARLF.s Stoddard, Esq. John Tapi-an, Esq. Thomas II. Skinner, D. D. RuiTs Andersov, 1). D. Rf'v. David (Jreene, William J. Armstrong, D. D. Noah Porter, D. D.
George E. Pierce, D. D. James M. Matthews, D. D. Mark Tucker, D. D. Pelatiaii Perit, Esq. William W. Chester, Esq. Richard T. Haines, Esq. U. W. C. Olypiiant, Esq. Hon. Levi Cutter, Rev. Nehemiah Adams, Rev. Aluert Barnes, Rev. Silas Aiken, Rev. David Maime, Rev. Horatio Bardwell, Rev. Z. S. Barstow, Rev. Charles Walker, Rev. WiLi.ARD Child, C. W. Rockwell, Esq. Rev. CuAUNCEY Eddy.
4
MINUTES OP THE SPECIAL MEETING.
The following Honorary Members were present : —
From JVew Hampshire : — Rev. Edwin Holt, Portsmouth.
jFVom Massachusetts: — Rev. F. V. Pike, Newburyport, Rev. Samuel Backus, Palmer, Rev. Seth Bliss, Boston, Mr. Daniel Safford, Boston, Rev. Gorham D. Abbott, Boston, Rev. Daniel Crosby, Charlestown, Rev. Francis Tracy, Sunderland, Rev. Samuel H. Riddel^ Boston.
From Connecticut: — Rev. J. W. Alvord, Stamford, Rev. D. M. Seward, New Britain, Rev. D. B. Butler, Stanwich, Rev. Janson Atwater, Middlebury, Rev. Hollis Read, Derby, Rev. Rolin S. Stone, Danbury, Rev. Francis C. Woodworth, Norwalk, Rev. Daniel C. Curtis, Green Farms, Rev. Theophilus Smith, New Canaan, Rev. Mark Mead, Greenwich, Rev. C. Wilcox, North Greenwich, Rev. Orson Cowles, North Haven, Rev. .Tohn Smith, Wilton, Mr. Silas H. Mead, North Greenwich, Mr. Seth Seelye, Betlicl, Rev. Noah Coe, Greenwich, Rev. Joseph Eldridge, Norfolk, Rev. Erastus I. Cranston, Burlington, Mr. Obediah Mead, North Greenwich, Rev. Benjamin J. Lane, Suffield,
C. A. Goodrich, D. D., New Haven, Mr. Oliver G. Butler, Norfolk, Rev. J. P. Thompson, New Haven, Rev. Noah Porter, Jr., New Milford, Rev. Piatt Buflett, Greenwich, Rev. S. L. Hough, Nortiiford,
Rev. Edwin Hall, Norwalk, Rev. Joseph Fuller, Ridgefield, Rev. Henry G. Ludlow, New Haven, Jonathan Cogswell, D.D., E. Windsor, Mr. Thomas A. Mead, Greenwich.
Fom JVew York : — Rev. Miles P. Kquier, Geneva, Rev. John Marsh, New York city, Rev. Henry A. Rowland, " Rev. Sanmel 1. Prime, "
D. C. Porter, Esq. " Mr. A. I', ("uuuuings, " Rev. Samuel I). Burchard, " Rev. Isaac Lewis, "
Rev. John J. Owen, New York city, William Brown, Esq. " Rev. George B. Cheever, " Rev. J. W. McLane, " Rev. E. Van Aken, " Rev. William Adams, " Thatcher Magoon, Esq. " D. H. Wickham, Esq. « Rev. William A. Hallock, « Rev. J. C. Brigham, " Rev. Edwin F. Hatfield, " Rev. Asa D. Smith, " Jasper Corning, Esq. " Absalom Peters, D. D. " William Patton, D. D. " Rev. Samuel Whittelsey, " Mr. Luther Jackson, " Rev. James H. Thomas, " Rev. William McLaren, " Rev. G. Barrett, " Rev. E. W. Andrews, " Francke Williams, M. D. " Rev. O. Eastman, " Rev. S. B. Treat, " Rev. William Bradford, " Joel Parker, D. D. ". Rev. Charles Hall, " Edward Robinson, D. D. " Rev. Edward N. Kirk, " Rev. Cyrus Mason, " Rev. Mason Noble, " Rev. James Knox, " Rev. Milton Badger, " Mr. W. R. Johnson, » Mr. Charles Butler, Rev. R. S. Cook, " Horace Holden, Esq. " William G. Lambert, Esq. " Rev. John Forsyth, Jr., Newburgh, Rev. 10. J). (J. I'rime, Scotchtown, Rev. Ward Stafibrd, Brooklyn, Abijah Fisher, Esq. " Rev. W. H. Bidwell, " Samuel H. Cox, D. D. " Rev. J. M. Rowland, " Rev. Walter R. Long, West Troy, Rev. J. W. Aliicdonuld, Jamaica, Mr. Simeon JJenjumin, Ehnira, Rev. O. M. Johnson, Denton.
From Af »• Jsrsei/ : — Rev. Wm. Ikadlcy, New BrunsVick, Rev. R. Street, C'oimccticut Farnis, Rev. A. H. Dumont, Morristown, Rev. Ransford Wells, Newark,
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
5
Rev. Saml. W. Fisher, W. Bloomfield, Rev. James M. Huntinor, WestCeld, Rev. Win. R. S. Belts, Mount Holly, L. A. Smith, M. D., Newark, Samuel Fisher, D. D., W. Bloomfield, Rev. Horatio N. Brinsmade, Newark, Rev. Ebenezer Cheever, Newark, I Rev. A. D. Eddy, Newark, Rev. William C. White, Orange, Mr. Benjamin N. Martin, Rev. E. Seymour, Bloomfield, Rev. Orlando Kirtland, Morristown, Rev. C. Hoover, Newark, Rev. J. S. Gallagher, Orange, Peter A. Johnson, Esq., Morristown, Rev. H. N. Pohlman, N. Germantown,
Mr. John Taylor, Newark, iMr. James Crane, Elizabethtown, Mr. Charles Davis, " Rev. Lewis Bond, Plainfield, Rev. John Ford, Parsippany, Rev. J. C. Hart, Springfield, Rev. Ethan Smith, Newark, Rev. C. S. Arms, Madison.
From Pennsylvania : — Rev. Eliakim Phelps, Philadelphia, Professor J. H. Agnew, " Rev. T. T. Waterman, " Rev. Thomas Brainard, " Rev. A. Converse, "
There were also present the following Missionaries of the Board, viz. :
Rev. Justin Perkins, Ooroomiah, Persia.
Rev. Hirarn Bingham, Sandwich Islands.
Peter Parker, M. D., Canton, China.
Mr. Homan Hallock, Assistant Missionary, Smyrna.
Mso, Mar Yohannan, a Nestorian Bishop from Ooroomiah, Persia.
0RGANI7.ATI0N.
The President, the Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, took the chair ; and at his request, the Rev. Dr. Codman opened the meeting with prayer.
A letter from the Rev. Dr. Chapin, the Recording Secretary, was read, stating that in consequence of ill health he was unable to attend the meeting : whereupon the Rev. Daniel Crosby of Cliarlestovvn, Mass., was appointed Recording Secretary for the meeting, and the Rev. Edwin liolt of Portsmouth, N. H., was appointed Assistant Re- cording Secretary.
The Rev. William Adams, Rev. Dr. Ferris, Rev. David Magie, lion. Samuel Hubbard, and Pelatiah Perit, Esq., were appointed a Committee of Arrangements.
Letters from the following members of the Board, not able to be present, were laid before the meeting, expressive of their lively in- terest in its objects and proceedings : —
From Maine : — Gen. Henry Sewall, Enoch Pond, I). D. Benjamin Tappan, D. D. Rev. J. W. Ellingwood.
From JVew Hampshire . Rev. Aaron Warner.
From Vermont: — Hon. Charles Marsh,
E. W. Hooker, D. D. John Wheeler, D. D. William Page, Esq.
From Massnchusetis : — Hon. Lowi.s Strong, Leonard Woods, I). D. Heman Humphrev, D. D. Daniel Dana, D. 1). Mark Hopkins, D. D. William Allen, D. D.
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
Alfred Ely, D. D. Hon. David Mack, Jr.
From Connecticut : — John T. Norton, Esq. Hon. Setli Teny, Jeremiah Day, D. D.
From JVetv Yoi'k : — Eliphalet Wickes, Esq. Orrin Day, Esq. Elisha Yale, D. D. Diedrich Willers, D. D. Henry Davis, D. D. Hon. Reuben H. Walworth, David H. Little, Esq. H. H. Seelye, Esq. N. W. Howell, LL. D. Nathan S. S. Beman, D. D. Thomas McAuley, D. D.,
From JVew Jersey : — Hon. J. C. Hornblower.
From Pennsylvania : — John W. Nevin, D. D. David H. Riddle, D. D. William Neil, D. D.
District of Columbia : — B. M. Palmer, D. D.
IVom South Carolina : — Reuben Post, D. D.
-F/'Offi Tennessee : — Charles Coffin, D. D.
F-om Missouri : — Rev. Artemas BuUard.
Dr. Anderson, in behalf of the Prudential Committee, made a state- ment of the business which that Committee had to lay before the Board.
CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH LED TO THE APPOINTMENT OF THIS MEETING.
The following paper was read by Mr. Greene. —
As this is the first special meeting held by the Board durinjf the thirty-two years which have elapsed since its organization, it seems proper, before en- tering on its business, to advert to the peculiar crisis of affairs which induced the Board to appoint it.
The Prudential Committee went to the last annual meeting to report a heavier debt tlian had ever before embarrassed the treasury ; to state that many of the missions were painfully cramped in their operations by inade- quate pecuniary allowances, while the openings for greatly extended labors ■were more wide and favorable, and the calls to an onward movement more urgent than at any former period. Tiiey also stated that while they had, in conducting the aflairs of the missions, kept within the instructions given them by the Board, at each annual meeting for five years past, the indebtedness of the Board had been steaddy increasing \ and should the income for the year then ensuing be no greater than it was the last, while the missions should go forward as they were then going, the debt at the next annual meeting would scarcely be less than ,1100,000. They said also that they could not assume the responsibility of plunging the Board into debt to such an amount, while to reduce the missions by curtailment, or even to keep their expenditures ■within their present limits, when the providence and S[)iritof God seemed so clearly to call for an advance, was not less painful and embarrassing. Nor could they think that the instructions whicii the Board might give them, nor the exhortations which, in the form of resolutions, it might scud forth to the churches, furnished a sufficient guaranty for their going forward in the. pres- ent emergency, v/hen similar measures had failed to accomplish the desired object for so many years preceding.
Seeing the exigency into which the Board and its missions were brought, and the necessity of doing something which might be regarded as a basis, as
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
7
substantial as the circumstances would admit of, on which the amount of do- nations to the treasury for the ensuinir year might be estimated, the members then present, on motion of the Rev. Dr. Edwards, came forward, and with al- most perfect unanimity, pledged themselves individually to increase their own subscriptions at least one quarter above what they were last year, and to use their influence to induce others to do the same. In doing this, they simply stated what they might be relied on to do in the way of contribution and influence ; from which might be inferred what the christian community, whom they represented, might, in view of the same considerations, be expect- ed to do.
If the contributions from all parts of the country could, on an average, be increased one quarter above what they were last year, it was estimated that the missions could be sustained on their present scale, and the debt reduced nearly one half during the year then ensuing.
Still, as the measures about to be adopted had never before been resorted to, and it could not be certainly foreseen how the friends of missions would respond to the proposal which was to be made, the Committee thought they ought not to bear the responsibility of conducting the affairs of the missions in this emergency without having an early opportunity of conferring with the Board, in case the result of these measures should be unfavorable. The Committee therefore proposed that a special meeting of the Board should be held within six months, unless previous notice should be given by the presi- dent that the treasury was so far relieved as to render such a meeting un- necessary. Subsequently, on motion of some other member of the Board, the motion for the meeting was amended, by striking out the condition proposed by the Committee, and leaving the appointment of the meeting absolute. In this form the motion was carried, it is believed, unanimously.
In the manner now described, the responsibility of calling this meeting was taken from the Committee and assumed by the Board, in view of the emer- gency then existing ; and under these circumstances we are now convened.
Those here present, who attended the late anniversary in Philadelphia, will remember what painful anxiety pervaded most of the deliberations of that meeting ; and that, though at its close some rays of light broke in, which caused the hopes of the Board to prevail over their forebodings, yet, as the results of the appeal then to be made could not be foreseen, it was impossible that the developements of the successive months should not be watched with great solicitude. And this solicitude would have been far greater, had not the indications of the presence of the Spirit of God inspired the belief, that the closing movements of that meeting were guided by his wisdom, and that he would conduct them to a favorable issue.
So far as there has been opportunity for those measures to be carried into effect, and the results have appeared, the most encouraging anticipations which could have been entertained have been surpassed ; both in respect to the amount of contributions received, and to the degree of interest in the missionary work, and of confidence in the Board, which have been manifested. The anxiety and fear felt at the annual meeting have, therefore, so far as the indebtedness of the Board and the carrying forward the missions through the current year are concerned, been, to a great extent, removed, and in this view of the subject, the present meeting must be one of thanksgiving and praise.
But the indebtedness, embarrassing as it was and injurious to the charac- ter of the Board, was not the only cause of the anxiety and deep feeling man- ifested at the annual meeting. Taking into view the destinies of the une- vangelized nations, and their present aspect and condition, it was then and remains still a momentous question, whether this Board and the cliristian com- munity co-operating with it are to prosecute the missionary work on the pre- sent limited scale ; or whether they are to go steadily forward, giving greater extent and efficiency to their operations from year to year, as the providence of God shall open the way, until Christ shall be preached to all nations. The
8
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
debt of the treasury, continued through so many years, swelling to such an amount, and regarded as an indication that the missionary feeling was not strong enough to carry forward the present operations of the Board, was suf- ficient cause for grief and alarm. But this debt, great as it was, might be liquidated by a single extra effort. Yet by such an effort, however success- ful, how little would the Board accomplish as a missionary society. How little would be gained, unless the means could be secured of going forward on a scale more commensurate witli the magnitude and urgent nature of the work. An effort to liquidate the debt was needed ; but the question really the most important tlien and now is, What measures shall be devised and what foundation shall be laid for a more extended and a more effective movement for the conversion of the icorld to Christ This is a question which, taking into view the present indications of divine providence, as seen in the open- ings in the heathen world and the facilities for spreading the gospel, calls for most prayerful and solemn consideration at tliis time. Perhaps we ought to estimate anew the magnitude of the work, count again the cost, review the principles on which, and the extent to which, we have consecrated ourselves to it, trace the progress already made, and examine again when and how it is to be fully accomplished.
STATEMENTS RELATIVE TO THE RESPONSES RECEIVED TO THE CIRCULAR OF THE BOARD.
The paper which follows was also read by Mr. Greene. —
With little delay, afler the Annual Meeting, in conformity with a vote then passed, the Prudential Committee prepared a circular letter, to be sent, in the name of the Board, to all the corporate and honorary members not present at that meeting, informing them briefly of the emergency into which the Board and its missions were brought ; what, in view of this emergency, had been done by the members present at the meeting, and proposing to the absent members the sam.e three questions that were proposed to those who were present, and requesting them to return answers before the present meeting. To this circular were appended the names of all who replied to the questions at the annual meeting, with their several answers.
Of this circular, the Committee sent forth about 2,900 copies; refraining from addressing any to those, so far as they knew them, who had, by becom- ing connected with other missionary societies, virtually ceased to be active members of this Board.
At the annual meeting it was suggested that another letter should be ad- dressed to the pastors of ail the churches that co-operate with the Board ; and tlie expediency of doing this was referred to the Prudential Committee. After considering the subject, it was thought that, as a large proportion of those pastors are either corporate or honorary members of the Board, and as the movement commenced at the annual meeting was especially appropriate to tliose standing in tliat relation, — it was not advisable to make any formal address to other pastors. This seemed to be the less called for, as the state- ment laid before the Board at the meeting, witli all the proceedings on that occasion were going abroad so widely in the religious papers. With the hope, however, of placing this information before many friends of missions whom it might not reach through tlie ordinary channels, .WjOOO copies of the Dayspring, containing an abridged report of the meeting, were sent forth.
To the circular letter just referred to, 'ilKi answers have been received. From ministers there are 218, from laymen 70. To shew how far these re- sponses indicate the state of missionary feeling over the country at large, it may be proper to mention that there are from Maine 27; from New Hamp- Bhire 30 ; from Vermont 27 ; from Massachusetts 9fi ; from Rhode Island 3 ;
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
9
from Connecticut 28 ; from New York 62; from New Jersey 6; from Penn-, sylvania 2 ; from Virginia 2 ; from Tennessee 2 ; from South Carolina 1 ; from Louisiana, 1 ; from Missouri 1 ; from Michigan 3 ; from Wisconsin Territory 2 ; from Georgia 1 ; and Indiana 1.
Besides these responses which have been forwarded to the Committee by individual members of the Board, there has been a more informal, though perhaps not less hearty response made probably by an equal or greater num- ber of both ministers and laymen at the meetings of ecclesiastical bodies and auxiliary societies ; embracing one Synod and some Presbyteries and Asso- ciations in the State of New York, some in the States of New Hampshire and Maine, by the members of which the first two of the three ques- tions proposed at the Annual Meeting were answered with great unanimity. At the annual meetings of nearly all the auxiliary societies, in the State of Connecticut, eight or ten in Massachusetts, and nearly all those in Vermont and of some in other States, embracing nearly all the auxiliary meetings held since the anniversary of the Board, the questions just alluded to were put and affirmatively responded to with great promptness and unanimity by those present. These proceedings have been reported by agents or other delegates who attended the meetings on behalf of the Board, and probably the members of the Board then present regarded them as a substitute for more formal responses.
It should be added also, that, from the reports received, it appears that these meetings of auxiliary societies have been attended by unusually large numbers of the ministers and others connected with them ; in many instances nearly every minister being present.
Adding the responses thus made to those more formal ones sent to the Committee, the whole number will not probably fall short of six hundred.
In addition to the replies to the circular letter, received from members of the Board, it should be mentioned that other friends, not members of the Board, in view of the existing emergency, have written, expressing their confidence in the Board, and pledging their continued and increasing contri- butions, as well as their influence in securing the co-operation of others.
As the character of the responses to the circular letter, especially when containing, as a large part of them have dene, accounts of greatly augmented contributions, have deeply interested the Committee, and encouraged them in their work, they could wish that they might all be laid before this meet- ing. But as the tiine at command will not admit of this, it is proposed to advert briefly to a few points on which these responses give occasion to re- mark. Afterwards it may be deemed expedient to read short extracts from some of them.
It may be proper to notice
1. The full and hearty approbation expressed by the writers of the course adopted by the Board at the annual meeting, and their readiness to join in the pledge then given, to make increased exertions to carry forward the mis- sionary work. A large portion of the writers take pains, as with one mind, and almost in the same language, to state explicitly their unqualified apj)rov- al of those proceedings, while others do it no less decidedly, though less formally. Not an individual, either by letter or in the meetings of auxilia- ries or ecclesiastical bodies, so far as the Committee are inforniod, Ims ex- pressed any disap[)robation, or any unwillingness to fall in with and carry out the plan. Some few have declined binding tiiemselves by any pkdi^e, who at the sauio time have not fallen at all beiiind Uieir brethren in their hearty and successful exertions to ac(;ouii)lish the object aimed at. So far as the Committee know, tiie circular has every where been u)()st kindly received.
2. These responses indicate a now devclopeinent of the missionary spirit, stronger in its acting.'^, and more widely [)revalent than lias heretofore been maiiift'sted. It would seem that the friends of missions are more disposed than heretofore to appropriate tlio missionary work to tiiemselves, as their
2
10
MINDTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING,
own work, in which, as Christians, they have a personal interest, and for which they are, to the extent of their ability and influence, responsible. There seems to be that kind of interest and zeal, which makes them willingf to incur labor and self-denial, and actually to make sacrifices to promote the cause ; and which fills them with pain and grief when its progress is embar- rassed or hindered. The proceedings at the annual meeting, as published in the religious papers, have been road in place of a sermon on tiie Sabbath, and at the Monthly Concert of prayer, and the deep feeling awakened in ministers and churches by the narrative, and the results which have followed, clearly show this. Similar effects have followed statements made respecting those proceedings by agents in their visits to cliurches and auxiliary societies. There appears to be more than heretofore, though far less than there should be, a feeling that this work is enjoined by tlie Lord Jesus ; and that earnest and vigorous co-operation in it is essential to Christian character and disci- pleship.
3. The responses to the circular shew that there is widely prevalent a confidence in the ability and duty of the Christian community to go forward in the missionary work on a more enlarged scale, and with more energy and despatch, than heretofore. Not more tlian two or three of tlie writers have expressed any doubts that the christian community were ready and willing to make a steady advance in this great enterprise, as God shall open the way and grant them ability, until the blessings of Christianity shall be eixperienc- ed by all the nations.
4. The responses develope the practicability of a powerful pastoral influ- ence being exerted in this cause, and show ihc value of it. This movement has shown more clearly than has ever been done before, to how great an ex- tent the services of agents can be dispensed with, whenever the pastors, hav- ing their souls stirred with compassion for the heathen, shall enter unitedly and vigorously into the work. The number of sermons preached by them at this crisis, in bringing the cause before their respective churches, the resolu- tions formed by many to preach slated sermons monthly or at other regular periods, their visitation of other churches on the same errand, their labors as collectors, and in their personal application to men of wealth, and in many other ways, all show that pastors may exert a most efficient and salutary in- fluence in promoting the missionary work; and show also that they are in a good measure prepared for it.
5. Among laymen, also, there has been, as shown by these responses, a Bimilar manifestation of unusually deep interest in the missionary work. Men of the very first character and standing among their fellow citizens, have publicly and earnestly advocated the cause, have taken on tliotnselves the labor of collectors, have been active in disseminating missionary intel- ligence, have greatly increased their own contributions, and in various other ways have expressed that warm interest in this enterprise, that energy, and those enlarged views in regard to it, so characteristic of business men, and Avhich afford so much encouragement and promise.
6. In these responses many facts have come to the knowledge of the Committee showing the need of n wider dissrmijinli'in of rnix.tionari/ inletti- frence, as one of the essential means of sustaining and extending the mission- ary spirit. No permament interest in this work can be awakened, no great self-denial or effort, no liberal system of contributions can be carried forward, among the great body of the comuuinity, without this.
7. The responses indicate uunbalcd confidence in the Board. The un- qualified expressions of this coufKlence, contained in every answer received to the circular, and in the proceedings of ecclesiastical iiodies, auxiliary -eoci- cties, and churches, call upon the lioard for (lc\out tliaiik><;iv ing and praise to God, that in a work so complicated, and conducted through so many embar- rassments, they should have been enabled to ac(|uit themselves in a manner to secure so uniformly and fur so long a time, the approbation of Uieir brethieu.
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
11
A single point more will be remarked upon.
8. From the contents of the responses to the circular, it is obvious, that so far as preparation for the work in the minds of the christian community is concerned, most encouraging progress has been made in the missionary en- terprise. If it can be supposed that the Board, during any one of the first five years of its existence, in no one of which did its annual income scarcely equal the amount of its smallest monthly receipts during the last five, had found its treasury indebted to the amount of nearly S()0,000, what possible prospect could it have had of liquidating that debt, or moving onward in its work ? What knowledge was there then abroad in the community respect- ing the heathen nations, — what conception was there in the minds of men of tlie greatness and urgency of the work of their conversion, or of the prac- ticability and duty of accomi)]ishing it, — where was tliere a feeling of per- sonal interest in tiie missionary work, and of responsibility to labor zealously to obey the last command of Christ to carry the gospel to every creature — on which an appeal from this Board could have operated successfully ? — Wheie w-ere then the agencies, the organizations, the widely-distributed publications, tlie pastors well-informed and zealous in this work to act in the churches? — Where were the retrenclmient, the self-denial and sacrifice, the systematic and well-established habits of giving? — where were the contributors of hundreds and thousands of dollars, and the countless multitudes who brought their smaller offerings, by means of which such a deficiency could have been made up, — where was the spirit of prayer for the world's conversion, assem- bling ahnost every church in the land on the first Monday of each month, — where was the warm language, of sympathy and support which, on any emergency would break forth from thousands of hearts, — and where was the church's earnest desire and looking for the world's redemption — whicii now so much encourage our labors ? Not but that there were men then engaged in this holy enterprise whose devoledness and zeal have not been surpassed — those pioneers whose wisdom and energy, under God, gave to this work a direction and an impulse, the results of which we delight gratefully to recog- nize. Not that the christian community at this day have that burning desire that God's being and character should be known by all men; — that control- ing regard to the command of the Savior, or that soul-stirring compassion for the heathen, which ought to fill every christian breast. Not that there is in this day, that hearty pouring forth of prayer, and labor, and treasure for the conversion of the world to Christ which the exigency demands. Very far from it. In this respect we have nothing to boast of Rather, considering the light which has been shed on this subject, the extent to which the prom- ises of God have been fulfilled for our encouragement, and the ampler means placed at our disposal, we have reason for deep humiliation. Still, in all these respects, we cannot but see that great progress has been made. In the year 1827, and again in 1828, the Prudential Committee, in addresses to the friends of missions, stated that tlie operations of the Board could not be well sustained unless the average receipts should bo 810,000 a month. It scorned then more as if the Committee were asking for what they could not hope to realize, than it would now if they wore to ask for .*:iO,000 a month. Indeed, it was not until the year 18^{2, — five years afterwards — that the average monthly receipts rose to $10,000.
In the review of the past growth of missionary zeal and enterprise and lib- erality, the survey of the present deepening and extending interest in this work throughout our community, arul in the smiles of God upon the endeavors of this Hoard at homo and aliroad, liave we not abundant reason to thank the CJreat Head of the ("hurch for what has already been accotn|)lislic(l, and enter with new zeal and confidence on the career which is opening before us ?
12
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
After the reading of the foregoing document was closed, extracts from the responses were read, illustrating the statements which had just been made.
In confirmation of the same statements, the treasurer of the Board, Henry Hill, Esq., gave a brief view of the receipts and disbursements since the annual meeting in September, showing that the indebted- ness of the treasury had been reduced from more than $57,000 to about 820,000.
Statements were also made by pastors and others, relative to the increase of interest in the missionary work, in the churches and aux- iliaries with which they were severally connected.
On the circular addressed to the members of the Board and the re- sponses to the same, the Rev. Drs. Bates, Spring, Codman, and Proudfit, Rev. Messrs. Seth Bliss and S. D. Burchard, and P. Perit, Esq., were appointed a committee. They subsequently reported, re- commending that the document from the Prudential Committee be printed and circulated ; which was adopted.
RESOLUTIONS PROPOSING SPECIAL THANKSGIVING AND PRATER.
On behalf of the Chairman of the Prudential Committee, Dr. An- derson offered the following preamble and resolutions :
In view of the goodness of God towards this Board at-their Annual Meet- ing in September last, in leading the minds of its members to pledge them- selves to sustain the missionary cause and to use their influence to engage the christian community to increase their subscriptions, as well for the re- duction of the debt of the Board, as for the sustaining of its missions, and in view of the signal answer, which has been made to this call, by which en- couragement is given, that, if the friends of the Redeemer shall continue their efforts as tliey have begun, the Board will not only be relieved from its pecu- niary embarrassments, but the means will be supplied for its future progress;
Therefore, Resolved, That we recognise, in this action of the christian com- munity, the answer of the Lord to the prayers of his people, and in expres- sion of our gratitude to Him, we will observe the afternoon and evening of Wednesday as a special season of thanksgiving and praise, for His distin- guished kindness to this Board ; and of prayer for the out-pouring of His Spirit upon the churches at home, and at the missionary stations.
And believing that the great cause of missions cannot permanently prosper wiihout continued additions to our churches of faithful and devoted members, and of young men for missionaries, therefore
Resolved, That the Board respectfully suggest to the pastors tlie expedien- cy of recommending to the churches that the monthly concert of February next be observed by the churches of Christ connected with this Board, and its friends at large, as a season of special prayer, for the immediate revival of religion in all our churches at home and abroad, so that the friends and followers of the Redeemer may be greatly multiplied, and the cause of christian benevolence advanced.
Resolved, That it be recommended to the members of the several churches, to make constant remembrance of this concert in their prayers, and to seek for preparation of heart for the receiving of God's blessing in answer to' the supplications of that day, in tiie full belief, that as the Lord has shown us his favor as tu our temporal necessities, he will also confer on us and them still greater spiritual blessings, and thus all be prepared for the onward progress of His kingdom.
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HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE MISSIONS OF THE BOARD.
A paper was read by Dr. Anderson giving a brief historical view of the several missions of the Board, for the purpose of bringing the field in which the Board has been operating durisig thirty years, with the progress made and the openings and facilities for greatly extended labors distinctly before the meeting. As the principal statements contained in this paper may be found in the Annual Report, it is not deemed necessary to insert it here. This, with the statement made by the treasurer relative to the financial concerns of the Board, was committed to the Rev. Drs. Skinner, Edwards, Patton, Cox, and Tucker, and Rev. Messrs. Magie and Forsyth.
This committee subsequently reported approving of the documents submitted to them ; which was adopted.
RESOURCES FOR SUSTAINING AND ENLARGING THE MISSIONS.
Dr. Armstrong read the following paper, showing the ability of the patrons of the Board to carry forward the missionary work with a progressively increasing expenditure, and suggesting measures by which enlarged contributions may be called forth and continued.
When we look at the progressive character of the work in which the Board is engaged, and the necessity for increasing funds, in proportion to its progress, a question arises as to the ability of the patrons of the Board, to meet these growing demands, and the means, by w hich adequate contribu- tions may be obtained.
The churches that regard this Board as their agency for the missionary work, contain more than .'300,000 communicants. Of these, about one half are in Now England. Nine-tenths of the remainder are in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the western states north of the Ohio river. The resources of the Board are mainly drawn from that part of our country, which is most remarkable for enterprize, industry, and economy ; for great and varied natural resources, and the rapid increase of its population and devel- openient of its resources ; for general education, and the blessings of a preached gospel, and an educated ministry. Throughout this wide field, the supporters of the Board form a part of the population, not surpassed by any other equally numerous, in activity, energy, intelligence and piety. If their contributions already approached the limit of their present ability, we might rationally hope for such an increase of their numbers and resources, from year to year, as would be suflicient to meet the growing wants of the mis- sions.
But present contributions can scarcely be regarded as approaching the limits of present ability. The donations to the Hoard during the last finan- cial year, exclusive of legacies, and contributions from foreign countries, were about .S2 1 0,000. This is an average of seventy cents per annum to each of the I{00,000 church members, to whom the Board look for support Of this amount, not less than SlJfj.OOO, one-sixth of tiic whole, was given by a comparatively small number of persons, in sums, varying from ,*r)0, to $1,000. The frcnernt averirfre of individual contributions, was not then-fore more than sixty cents. Of the remaining SI7."),000, not less than !? 10,000, (almost one-fourth of the whole) was given at the monthly concert of prayer, by not more than one-sixth of the church members. Most of these, in addi-
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tion to what they gave at the monthly concert, contributed their full propor- tion to the annual collections in their churches. Thus it appears, on the sup- position that all the members of churches connected with the Board bore a part in the work, that the general average of contributions was less than tifty cents to each communicant, for the year. How easily might that amount be increased fourfold, or even tenfold, by economy and self-denial. Then it would hardly approximate to the sum expended by the whole community a few years since for intoxicating drinks, now admitted to be both useless and pernicious. It would be far less than is annually squandered in our large cities for amusements, that serve no other purpose than to while away an idle hour and yield a momentary gratification. There are among the patrons of the Board individual churches, whose contributions have averaged from five to eight dollars annually, for each member, for some years past, without any great self-denial, or any interference with the claims of other objects.
Careful investigation has evinced that the whole amount given to the Board is in fact contributed by about one-half of the members of churches professing to co-operate with it. The proportion of members actually con- tributing, and the average sum given by each member, vary very mucTi in different parts of the country. They are largest in the State of Massachu- setts, where, according to the best estimate that can be made, a little more than two-thirds of all the members of churches connected with the Board made contributions last year.
The average amount of these donations was about $1,10 to each commu- nicant, or $l,Wj to each communicant actually contributing. A like contri- bution from all the communicants in the churches connected with the Board, would give an annual income of §500,000. In that case legacies and dona- tions from non-communicants would swell the amount to $600,000, twice the sum needed to sustain the missions on their present scale'.
Yet the churches of Massachusetts are not oppressed or exhausted by what they are now doing for this cause. None of the patrons of the Board respond more cheerfully to its appeals for an increase of funds. No where do other benevolent objects receive a more liberal support.
One of the auxiliaries of the Board in Massachusetts publislies annually a full and accurate statement of all contributions to its treasury. The returns thus made present some interesting facts. The auxiliary embraces sixteen churches, which reported to the General Association in 1811, 2,4!.)0 members. It is made up chiefly of a rural and agricultural population. There is no city or large town within its lunits. All the churches have male and female foreign missionary associations. The plan of contributing by dividing each parish into districts, and appointing collectors of both sexes, for each district, is universal. The amount collected by this auxiliary in 1841, through the associations, was $2,69() 22. The report shews that contributions were made by 2,724 persons, exceeding by 234 the whole number of communicants. But as contributions were made by many who were not church members, (there were in one parish 8!» juvenile contributors) it is certain that all the church members did not contribute.
By information derived from other sources, it is known that the proportion of church members who do not contribute in that part of the country, is about one-fifth of the whole. A careful analysis of the tabic of contributions shows that of the whole number of contributors, one-eighth |)ay less tliari 2.') cents each per annum. A little more than one- fourth pay 2.j cents. Less than one-fourth pay iiO cents. Less than one-fifth pay one dollar. One in fifteen pay two dollars. Of the whole number of contributors more than nine-t(Miliis give one dollar or less, in sums varying from six cents to one dollar. Wx're all the actual contributors of this auxiliary, who gave one dollar, or less, to give only twice as much, the collection would bo $4,500, instead of $2,U00. How easily might this be done.
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Yet the whole collection in this auxiliary last year, including the monthly concert, was s.3,288, making a general average on the whole number of church members of Sl,32. A like average on all the members of churches co-operating with the Board, would have increased the receipts to 8400,000.
Here is a body of country churches, made up mainly of plain farmers and mechanics, with no peculiar facilities for the acquisition of property, and not more wealthy than the same class of persons throughout the land. Their rate of contribution last year, had it been universal, would have nearly doub- led the receipts of the Board. Yet nine out of ten of these gave one dollar or less. While one-fifth of all the church members made no contribution. Probably there is no other body of contiguous churches equally large, whose resources are more fully drawn out by a thorough and systematic organiza- tion. Yet how far do their contributions fall short of their ability, and how- easy would it be for the great mass of contributors then, to advance in their subscriptions from year to year, as the progress of the missionary work calls for increasing means of support.
But if this is true of these churches, how much more is it true of the vast majority of the friends of the Board. Individuals may be found who are now doing as much as they are able to do, and there are perhaps a few churches that have fully come up to the measure of their ability. But take the aggre- gate of the patrons of the Board throughout the land, and there can be no question of their ability to sustain a system of missionary operations whose extensive and growing prosperity, shall call for a steadily increasing support from year to year.
Can they be induced thus to contribute, and if they can, by what means shall this be done
Doubtless Christians may be persuaded to do their duty to the Savior and to their perishing brethren. It may require time, and much well directed labor, and the desired result may be reached by slow degrees. But to doubt its practicability, is a direct impeachment of His wisdom and goodness who redeemed his people with his own blood, and who dwells in them by his Spirit, that they may grow into his likeness, till they are presented faultless before God, with exceeding joy.
Three things are required to draw out the resources of the christian com- munity to such an extent as the progressive enlargement of the missionary work may demand.
1. Information generally diffused, as to the wants of the heathen : the facilities God has given us for publishing the gospel among them, and the success with which it has pleased him to crown the labors of our missionary brethren. For this object, the Board has the means, through its publications, the Missionary Herald and the Dayspring, of conveying missionary intelli- gence monthly to all its patrons. And we may anticipate great and in- creasing aid from the periodical religious press. To our weekly religious papers, the Board is deeply indebted for their valuable help, freely given in time past. And never more indebted, than in the present crisis in its finan- cial condition and prospects. They have borne an important part in diffusing the impulse given to the cause by the late meeting in Philadelphia. \Vc may safely count on their continued co-operation.
The second requisite for drawing out the resources of the church for the missionary work, is thorough organization and systematic action, such as shill present the opportunity and the invitation to contribute, at slated times, according to their ability, to all who are friendly to the cause. For this pur- pose, the plan, repeatedly recommended by the Board, of auxiliary societies, embracing such churches as can conveniently act together ; with associations male and female in every church ; and collectors tor the several sections of each church, has been tried and apjirovcd. It may be made as thorough, steady, and certain in its operations, as we would desire. The experience of
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twenty years has shown that with proper attention it will become more and
more efficient from year to year.
The third thing necessary to secure the desired result, is the presence and power of the Holy Ghost in the churches, filling the hearts of believers with love to Christ and compassion for perishing men, and making them willing to labor and deny themselves for tlie honor of the Savior and the salvation of those for whom he died.
We know that God is willing, according to promise and in answer to prayer, to give his Holy Spirit in such manner and measure, as shall render effectual the whole system of means for enlisting his people in the mission- ary work, so that according to their ability, yea and beyond it, they shall be ready of themselves to pour their free will offerings into his treasury.
Here then we have all necessary means for drawing forth the ample re- sources of the churches, to meet the growing wants of a system of missionary operations, steadily enlarging its sphere, and becoming more efficient in every department of evangelical labor, till in connection with the labors of kindred institutions, and through the abundant effusions of the Divine Spirit, the earth is full of the knowledge of the glory of God.
To promote the steady and successful action of this system, the Board has adopted as a part of its permament arrangement, the employment of a suita- ble number of general agents, devoted to the work, who give themselves to the business of diffusing information, awakening interest in the missionary cause, and inviting the churches to seasonable action for its support
Let us now have the cordial co-operation of pastors of churches and the leading friends of the cause, each charging himself with a personal responsi- bility, to look after the work in his own sphere of influence and effort, and setting an example of self-denying liberality according as God gives him the means. This will give circulation to missionary intelligence ; it will ensure the needed organization and systematic action ; it will animate tlie people of God to unceasing prayer, and thus secure the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, without whom all means and measures are impotent and vain, but through whom a little one shall become a thousand, and a feeble one a strong nation.
The heartfelt conviction of personal responsibility in the missionary work, pervading the assembled friends of the cause, at the late meeting of tlie Board in Philadelphia, was the most marked feature of that remarkable meet- ing. And the power of this principle to replenish an exliausted treasury, has been signally evinced. The increased interest and activity of pastors, is the most hopeful characteristic of the present movement in behalf of the mis- sions.
The agents of the Board in all parts of the country, speak of this, with gratitude to God, and to their bretliren. When tiicy are able to visit the churches, it gives unwonted success to their appeals. When they cannot be present, it supplies their lack of service. May we not hope that these, the divinely appointed teachers and leaders of the people of God, will not grow weary, or relax tlieir exertions ? And with their persevering and cheerful co-operation, may we not rest assured, that tlie churches who have chosen this Board as their agent in the work of publishing the Gospel to every crea- ture can 'and will supply abundant means, for the speedy, entire removal of all its pecuniary embarrassments, and its steady onward march, where the providence of God opens the w'ay, and the Spirit of God sets his seal upon its labors !
The work is vast. It is urgent. It is full of encouragement The char- acter of the Board as the missionary representation of so many churches, -and the prosperity of the missionary cause at home and abroad, dciiiaiid the speedy entire li(iiiidation of the rnmaining dclit, and the enlarged and vigor- ous prosecution of our work. The sentiment with which u distinguished leader in the missionary enterprize, commenced his self-denying and useful
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career, " attempt great things, expect great things," becomes more and more appropriate as the work advances toward its consummation. While the Lord of Hosts, according to his promise, hastens in his time, the blessed result so long predicted and prayed for, his people, who in his name have set up their banners, should forget the things that are behind, and reach forth to those that are before, till all nations call Messiah blessed, and the whole earth is full of his glory.
This document was referred to Chief Justice Williams, Rev. Mr. Barnes, Hon. B. F. Butler, Rev. Dr. DeWitt, Rev. Willard Child, Rev. Prof. Goodrich, Rev. E. Cheever, and Hon. Levi Cutter; to whom was also referred the following document read by Dr. Ander- son, on
THE ESSENTIALLY PROGRESSIVE N.VfURE OF MISSIONS TO THE HEATHEN.
Foreign missions are believed to be essentially progressive. The)' are so, like the growth of a tree, or of a family. The analogy in the latter case is most striking. The children advance in physical, intellectual, and moral de- velopement, make increasing demands for food, clothing and education, and must be prepared to take an independent and useful stand in the world. This progress is a part of the family constitution, and violence is done to the laws of domestic and social life wherever it is resisted, or even not promoted. Up to a certain period, it involves a regular increase of expense, which no en- lightened parent would withhold, except from necessity.
The same general truth holds in respect to missions. In our own system of missions at least, it is a fundamental truth, and one on which the delibe- rations of this meeting ought doubtless to turn. The time has come to count the cost of our enterprise, and to see, before going further, whether we are able and willing to meet it. Some have expressed the opinion, that the Board should form its plans on the basis of a fixed income ; and they have mentioned 2~Mfl00 or 300,000 dollars, thinking it cannot be expected to re- ceive a larger income. If a larger sum cannot be obtained, it is important we should know it ; but the proof of such a fact would also prove the cer- tainty of a decline, at no distant day, of our present system of missions, and also of the existing missionary spirit in our churches. It is impossible our system of missions should long bo pr()S|)erous on a uniform basis of expendi- ture, unless there should be something like a now and extraordinary dispen- sation of tlie Spirit. Some, misled by supposed analogy drawn from the business of the world, can see no more difficulty in reguhiting the expendi- tures of foreign missions, than those of trade and coiMineicc. l?ut there is scarcely any analogy between the two. Besides the intrinsic difference in their natures, the work of missions is pre-eminently a work of faith. Faith apprehends the main grounds of confidence respecting it. Our hopes and expectations concornin(r its progress and final triumph, are sustained by the command, promise, faitiifulness, power, and agency of Almighty (lod. There is great room for discretion, indeed, in forming new missions. A missionary society may have too many missions. IJiit the missions being once institu- ted, tlioy are sub ject, like so many fanulies, to the inevitable necessity of be- ing progressive, or of sufieriiig |)enalties subversive of their very existence. This is the law of their nature. And up to a certain point in their advance- ment, there will bo a regular increase in the demand for expenditure.
This fact would be viewed with concern, were it not that christian commu- nities, on entering upon this work, do always commenre their contributions on so small a scale, as to admit of a grnduni enlargement, on the wholo, for a long scries of years. The most ample proof of this would result from a. 3
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thorough statistical investigation. It should also be considered, that the wil- lingness of God's people to contribute, — wherein, for all practical purposes, consists their ability to do so, — increases as the magnitude and interest of tlie work are brouglit out to their view.
Tiie object of foreign missions is to introduce the gospel among heathen nations ; and experience shows that this can be elfeclually accomplished only by sucli a course of measures as will in fact secure for the people the self-sustaining institutions of the gospel. The apostles introduced these in- stitutions ; but they had far less labor to effect it, than we have, owing to the highly civilized state of the fields of their mission. Were the heathen countries we have to evangelize as civilized as Asia Minor, Macedonia, or Achaia, we sliould have to provide for only the personal and family expenses of the missionaries, and for printing the Scriptures and religious books and tracts ; and even a part of this expense, and soon the whole, would be de- frayed by the native converts. But in general there are stronger reasons now, owing to tlie degraded state of the heathen, than even the apostle Paul had at Corinth and Thessalonica, for not deriving the personal support of missionaries from heathen converts. The most that can be expected of them is, that they will be persuaded to support their own native teachers and preachers, and gradually to assume the support of the press, and of their schools and other institutions of learning.
And here it will be necessary to show what are the elements of a modern mission, and the sources of its expenditure. They are, — the personal and fauuly expenses of tlie missionaries, common schools and school-houses, the printing of books, higher schools or seminaries, and the support of a native agency of various descriptions. The missionary not only publishes tlie gos- pel orally, but, as a good protestant Christian, he also gives the Bible to the people; which he can do only so far as the people are taught to read the printed page. Not that missionaries are to teach the whole heathen world to read, or even a considerable portion of it. The most they can do is to en- sure the creation of such a public sentiment as shall secure this result. This involves the establishment of schools to some extent. These schools at the same time become attentive congregations, where tiiere will be frecjuent op- portunities for addressing parents, as well as children. They form also the missionary's strongest tie to the people at the commencement of his work, and his best means of infusing christian ideas into the language. Of books he will need, besides the Bible, a variety that are elementary in their char- acter, historical, doctrinal and practical : tlie heathen world being entirely destitute of such as are fit for cliristian use. Tlie school-houses will be cheap structures ; and they will serve also for preaching-houses in the neighbor- hoods where they are situiited. 1"he meeting-houses will be required at the central points where the missionaries reside, whither the natives may resort at stated times to hear preaching. As soon as converts are multiplied, it becomes an interesting (luestion, how native pastors shall be provided for them, and how, too, the more ])romising of the pious youth shall be rendered valuable evangelists and teachers in connection with the mission. Indeed this (juestion ought always to arise at the very outset The missions will be necessary from generation to generation, unless, as ministers of the grace of God, we proceed on a plan thai will throw knowledge and power enough into the native mind to do without foreign aid. Upon any other plan, we have no reason to expect a mission to do otherwise than run out and fail. There is but one way of doing this in any country, civilized or savage, christian or heatlien, and that is by giving a tiiorough education to a select number of minds — by training up teachers and leaders for tiie peo(de in academies and colleges, on a principle that separates the pupils from the surrounding lieatlienism. It is only in institutions like these, a competent native ministry can be provided for the people. There need also to be semi- naries for females, as well as males ; the value of native helpers being mani-
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fold greater, when they have intelligent and pious wives. And when we have educated pious natives to help us, we rDUSt give them employment, and must sustain theui and their families until their native brethren can be in- duced to support them, or we lose some of tlie most valuable and costly fruits of our labors.
These, then, are the elements, the instrumentalities, the sources of expen- diture, in a modern mission.
The more important indications of progress in a mission, are these; — col- lecting hearers, reducing languages to writing, translating the Scriptures, forming christian schools, creating a desire for education, awakening anxiety to learn Uie way of life eternal, multiplying converts, gathering churches, training up a native ministry and leading the people to support it : and what- ever else shows an amelioration in tiie domestic, social, civil, and religious state of the people.
Now the principle we seek to establish is, not only that missions must be progressive, or they will run out, but that this progress becomes the basis of increased expenditure, and creates a demand for it. The demand will be answered and ought to be answered, more or less by the natives themselves ; but, in most heathen communities, with all that can be got from the native converts, there will be an increasing demand upon us here at home, for men and pecuniary means, proportioned to the developeinent of results in the mis- sion ; and this may be expected to continue up to the period when the peo- ple have so far got possession of the institutions of the gospel and come under their influence, as to appreciate in some good measure their importance. Every new advance may be said to involve a call for additional expense, as the condition of its healthful permanence. Thus, the more disposition there is to have the word of life, the more necessity there will be for meeting- houses. The more earnest the desire for schools, the greater will be the de- mand for teachers, school-books, and perhaps school-houses ; and the neces- sity for expenditure on this score will never be so urgent, as when the people, as at the Sandwich Islands, show a disposition to help themselves ; for these are golden opportunities, too valuable to be lost The cost in the printing department, for some time, if the means are at command, will be in propor- tion to the progress of mind and feeling upward from the depths of a barba- rous and ignorant degradation ; and when there are translations, schools, readers, native converts to be established in the faith, native helpers to be trained, and a community decnandin? the lights and benefits of general knowledge, it cannot but be considerable. It is at least an indispensable auxiliary. But the greatest expense of all, next to that of supporting the missionaries themselves, in a well conducted mission, will be for training and supporting helpers in the various grades of a native agency; and the series of measures for rearing this agency being once commenced, it is essentially progressive, and with increasing cost Any violent curtailment here, is at great sacrifice and loss — as in Uie well-known case in the Ceylon mission, in the year 18;{7.
The history of many of our missions might be adduced in illustration and proof of the essentially progress- ve nature of the missions and of their expen- ditures, whether regarded individually, or in their collective capacity as a system of missions ; but the mission most to our purpose is that at the Sand- wich Islands, as being in some respects the most advanced.
This mission commenced its existence in flie year 1&2Q, with seven fami- lies; and so remarkable was the graceof (iod scon in its outset, that, in three years, it was necessary to send seven more families, and, in the year lS'i7, six others. Since that time, thirty-four families have been added, in five companies. Meanwhile there have been deaths and removals, and the pre- sent number of families is forty. Vet this increase of the force of the mis- sion was scarcely suflicient to meet the demands of the great awakening in 1837-8-9, one of the most remarkable recorded in the annals of the church.
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This necessary increase in the number of missionaries occasioned a gradually accumulating expenditure, which was the greater from the necessity of erecting a house for each family to dwell in. The printing establishment began its operations the year after the commencement of the mission, and, without ever meeting the demands of the native mind, scarcely in any one period, has thrown off a hundred millions of pages. Its expenses in 1837, exceeded 86,500. It has also required the erection of buildings for its use, more safe, durable, and costly, than the mud and thatch of the native houses. The great prevalence of common schools is obvious from the fact of one-third part of the inhabitants being able to read ; and though the cost of their schools, such as they were, has been borne chiefly by the natives, the mission has in some years found it necessary to pay nearly a thousand dollars in this department The desire of the people for public worship on tiie Sabbath, has been such that they have themselves erected the meeting-houses, that are found in almost every district; but, from the nature of the case, the buildings for the boarding-schools or seminaries, and the annual cost of these institu- tions, have come almost wholly upon the mission.. The rise in the annual expenditure of this mission, during the twenty years past, has been from $5,000 to .f35,000, or seven fold ; and yet its expenditure has generally been graduated on the most moderate scale compatible with the healthful exist- ence of the mission, and is now too low for the noon-tide and crisis of our operations there.
What if there had been the like progress, during the same time, in all our other missions ? In fact, our present indebtedness may be attributed to tlie inevitable increase of expenditure inherent in a system of missions such as w-e have undertaken to prosecute, viewed in connection with the want of a corresponding increase in the receipts.
That the actual expenditure at the Sandwich Islands lias been at a stand since 1837, proves nothing against the principle we are endeavoring to estab- lish, because that is wholly the effect of constraint. The mission is allowed to expend no more than !f«35,000 annually, and has only that sum to divide among its several instrumentalities. It needs several thousand dollars more to facilitate the training of a native ministry for the native churches. Nei- ther can the actual expenditures of any of the missions of the Board of late years invalidate our reasoning, because they have all been under limitation, and a limitation Avhich is in general determined more by the amount of re- ceipts, than by the actual necessities of the missions ; and the Prudential Committee have been obliged to use the utmost extent of their influence to induce tiie missions to keep, at all events, within their limits. This often does great violence to the feelings of the missionaries, who, while they see and confess the necessity, are deeply grieved at the amount of good thus annually sacrificed. Indeed, when the pressure was first resolutely applied, in the memorable year 1837, tiiere were missionaries who could scarcely bring themselves to submit to it, such violence did it inflict upon tliose on- ward tendencies, which God has been pleased to make inherent in the con- stitution of christian missions.
There is, therefore, a period in our missions, longer or siiorter, in which, if they suffer no violence, their results and expenditures both may be expected to increase regularly; and tiiis increase of expenditure, resulting directly from the grace of God, is the essential condition of the pros()ority of the mis- sion. The rapidity of the increase varies indefinitely. The fields of labor are intrinsically different. The missionaries differ in spirituality, capacity, and enterprise. Enemies oppose. The progress of events is hindered by the scantiness of the support aflbrded. Hut, in view of all that is revealed to us by the word and providence of the Most High, it seems like a waste of influ- ence to prosecute missions among the heathen on any other principle, than that of a gradually increasing advancement in their expenditure until we have passed Uie crisis in our work. It is painful to think of the sncriiice there ha^
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been in not a few of our missions, for some years past, owing to the want of pecuniary ability to employ the results (which was the way to take care of them) as the means of fartlier progress. There has been loss in very many of the missions, and at almost every stage of our progress. Our actual ad- vance has indeed been far less than it might have been, with the same num- ber of missionaries, had we had ample funds, with grace at home, and a "cor- responding grace on the part of the missions, to manage them wisely. The missions, tor six years past, have been in the condition of very poor families ; many of them, too, just in that stage of progress wlien the welfare of a whole generation seemed to depend on having more means.
Wliile, however, we guard against too great a number of missions, there is danger on the other hand. If there be not a considerable number and vari- ety in the missions, the liold upon the interest of the community will not be sufficiently uniform and strong. We must be prepared for the alternation of clouds and sunshine.
Experience has not yet thrown a strong light upon the question, how long the expenditures of a mission must be on the ascending series. Should the work be prosecuted with vigor in the oriental churches, and among the Druzes, it would seem that this series will not there embrace a great number of years; though it will be long before we shall tind it expedient to divert the current of our charities wholly from that quarter. In pagan nations, much will depend on the degree of civilization. In point of fact, these pay much in support of their idolatrous worship ; and the converts should be taught that, as Christians, they are bound to aid in supporting the worship of the true God. If this point has not been sufficiently urged upon native converts by missionaries, it has probably been because they have yet had no native min- istry to ordain as pastors of the native churches. At the Sandwich Islands, the books printed by the mission have generally been sold to the people, though frequently at a price little more than nominal ; and in the process of printing and binding the books, natives have been taught those arts. The people have been assisted to some extent in building school- houses, and in supporting their common schools ; but this ought not much longer to be necessary. One or two of the smaller boarding-schools are already supported by the native churches. As soon as there are natives qualified to be put in charge of the churches, those churches will naturally come into that relation to the Board, which churches in our new settlements sustain to the Home Missionary Society. And just here, we suppose, will be the turning point in our expenditures, from the ascending to the descending series. Our missions will not need then to be any longer re-inforced; but the superintendence of the native churches and of the other christian institutions may be left to the veteran brethren, whom the Lord shall have spared to see that day. This is on the presumption, that the people of the islands will remain independent of other powers and retain their present hold upon their lands. It will be many years after this period, however, before the Board can withdraw all its mis- sionaries, or cease wholly to make grants to the higher institutions of learn- ing on the islands, and to aid the Domestic Missionary and Education Socie- ties the people may be supposed to have formed ; or before their Bible, Tract, and Sabbath School Societies will cease to ask for aid from the similar insti- tutions in this country. But, should do disastrous influences disturb the course of events, the sums granted will not be largo, and will gradually di- minish as the religious principles and habits ot' the islanders shall gain strength. And what has been said of the Sandwich Islands, will serve to illustrate the probable course of events in other portions of the heathen world.
What is the conclusion of the whole, in respect to our position, our pros- pects, and our duty, as an association in charge of the business of conducting foreign missions ?
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MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING,
Our position is that of a society having twenty-six missions in widely dis- tant parts of the world, most of which are in such progress, as to render ad- ditional expenditures indispensible to securing their results ; and in some of them, owing to the extraordinary nature of their progress, the expenditures will need to be considerable. If the advance of the missions be as great in seven years to come, as it has been in the seven years past, $400,000, if not half a million, will be needed then, as much as $300,000 are now.
In contemplating our prospects, it is encouraging to know that $300,000 seemed as large a sum to be raised for the missions of the Board, seven years ago, as half a million does now, and the community appeared less able and willing to give ; and this shows a progress of ideas and sentiments in rela- tion to the missionary work, and to the ability to sustain it. But can the amount necessary for this purpose be contributed by the community without a painful sacrifice ? And is there reason to hope it will be contributed? These inquiries have already been considered by another.
The duty of the Board will bo matter of inference from tlie amount of means placed at its disposal. The wasteful policy of keeping missions on an inadequate allowance ought, on no account, to be persisted in ; nor will an enlightened religious community constrain to the discontinuance of the more recent missions, in order to have the means of sustaining those that are older and more advanced.
The committee to whom were committed the two documents given above, afterward made the following report through their chairman.
That they entirely concur witli the Prudential Committee in the views by them expressed. That the nature of the work of missions to the heathen is essentially progressive ; and for a time, therefore, must demand increased ex- penses ; and that when uncivilized nations first receive the gospel, it is not to be expected that they will be able to sustain the institutions of the gospel immediately, without assistance from abroad; and thus the very successes with which Providence has favored us, must, for a time, be the means of addi- tional expense. And if the gospel is to fill the whole earth by means of human instrumentality, the means used for tiie purpose must continue to be enlarged more and more, until the churches feel the full import of the com- mand. Go, preach the gospel to every creature,
A ([uestion then arises connected with these remarks, of great importance to the operations of this Board, whether the churches connected with this Board are willing and able to furnish the means to meet the increased de- mand, which the progressive nature of this work may require.
As to the ability of the churches, the Committee are of opinion that the friends of the cause are able to meet the increased demand to the extent re- quired by the progressive nature of this work.
By this, however, we do not moan to say that all our churches can be ex- pected to do more than they have done the current year ; on the other hand we feel bound to say, that some of them have this year made efforts which they will not probably exceed in the succeeding years, although we hope much and believe much in the continued exertions of these churches. At the same time we think that there yet remains much land to be possessed in the midst of us. \Vc fear tiiat the wants of the heathen world are yet very imperfectly understood by many of our christian brethren; and if they are sometimes awakened by tiie cry of a pressure and great danger, yet they are not aware of and do not provide for the continued supply which the wants-of a dying world demand.
One of the most imi)ortant means, therefore, in wliicli the increase of the funds of tiic Board for a time is to be expected, is, by ditftising ligiit and life to a class of the christian community, which has as yet hardly been reached.
MINUTES OF THE SPF.CIAL MEETING.
23
Every christian ought to know and feel that he can do something in this holy cause, if no more than the widow, who cast in her two rriites. Every such person will fee) a new interest in the subject, and that he is personally concerned, and will in some way become more and more useful.
But to create any such interest as the Prudential Committee here re- commend, information as to the situation and wants of the heatlien world must be diffused. And how is this information to be communicated? Many are even without a religious newspaper. They will never know the wants of the heathen, and seldom have any enlarged sense of duty, except such as they derive from their pastors. To them the church look for light upon this as well as other subjects connected with their spiritual interest, and are gen- erally warm and active in the cause or not, as their pastors are.
And while we are satisfied tliat the most that has been accomplished in this cause has been done by means of enlightened zealous pastors, yet there is reason to fear that there are some who feel themselves too little interest in the cause, or who are afraid to disturb their churches by calling upon them to give to distant heathen.
The number of such, we trust, is few, and the sums kept back by tlieir means small, compared with the loss arising from the want of a proper or- ganization in many churches, by which all the members might be reached. Until this is done we can never know the strength of the churches, nor what can be effected. It is by similar organizations that such large collections have been made hy some religious denominations in very small sums from each individual.
To effect the object then in view, it is the opinion of this Committee that no better mode can be taken,than that recommended in one of the communications referred to us, and it is to be hoped that every pastor will endeavor, in such way as he shall judge most suitable, to see that every member of his church shall be informed of the missionary operations in the world, and be duly impressed with the importance of doing something to advance the work, and thus see that each individual shall have opportunity to give according to his ability to this holy cause.
By a complete organization, as recommended by the Prudential Committee, many churches will come up to the work which now do nothing, and many individuals in other churches will cast in their money into the treasury of the Lord, who now give nothing, except by accident.
It is also to be expected that additional aid may be annually derived from the churches formed and forming in the west And if, in the ensuing sea- son, the God of missions shall, as we hope, visit our churches with the effu- sions of his Holy Spirit, there will be no reason to fear, cither the ability or the willingness of the churches, to meet the claims which the progressive nature of missions require.
MEMORIAL FROM THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN GKEENWICH, N. Y.
A memorial signed by the pastor, deacons, and clerk of the church in Grceinvich, Washington county, New York, relating to receiving to the treasury of the Board, donations from holders of slaves, and other kindred topics, was read by Dr. Armstrong.
On motion of the llev. Henry G. Ludlow, the following resolution was unanimously adopted :
Rc.iolvd, That the mcmorinlidts in behalf of tiio Congregational Church in Greenwich, N. V'., in regard to the relation which this Board is supposed to su^jluin to slavery, be respectfully referred to the report on the same general
24
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
subject, made by a select committee at the annual meeting of the Board, in September last, and adopted ; and that, in view of that report, the Board see no cause to take further action on the subject at this time.
SPECIAL THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE.
The preamble and the first and second of the resolutions offered by the chairman of the Prudential Committee (page 12) having been adopted, the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, the second day of the meeting, were spent in offering special thanksgiving and praise to God, in view of hi? goodness to the Board and the missions, especial- ly since the late annual meeting, in relieving to so great an extent, the embarrassment then existing, occasioned by inadequate pecuniary resources, and affording such encouragement that his people would sustain the missionary work in its onward progress. Prayers were offered by the Rev. Drs. Joel Parker, Spring, DeWitt, Cox, and Tucker; and pertinent addresses were made by a number of pastors, mentioning the indications in their respective churches of a livelier and more pervading interest in the work of evangelizing the world ; also by the Rev. Justin Perkins, first missionary of the Board to the Nestorians of Persia; by Mar Yohannan, a Nestorian bishop; Rev. Prof. Goodrich, and Dr. Parker, missionary to China.
PROBABILITY OF A STEADY INCREASE OF CONTRIBUTIONS.
Most of the day and evening of Thursday were occupied in state- ments and remarks, principally from pastors, on the question, — Whct/irr there is good reason to believe tlieit the christian community will furnish the means for that onward movement of the system of missions in which the Hoard is engaged, which the providence of God gives us reason to crpcct ?
That the pastors and other members of the Board present from dif- ferent parts of the country niiglit have ()[)|)ortunity and be induced to express their opinions on the fiuestions, tlicy were called upon by States. Representatives being present from all the New England States, from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, responded to the question. Most of them were understood to express the opinion that a gradual and steady increase of the contributions from the christian community might be calculated upon, and that it would be safe for the Board to conduct its operations in ex[)cctation of such an increase. A number expressed fears that the contributions fur some years subsequent would not be so large as those which were likely to come into the treasury the current year, and that no great increase could be confidently nnticipateil for some years to come.
From all parts of tiic country represented, most encouraging evi- dence was furnished tlint tlie missionary work is rising in I lie esti- mation and in the affections of the peojile ofGcxl ; that its inqiortance and oi)ligatoriness are more fell, and a more lively and practical in- terest in it is manifested, than in former years ; that ministers and
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING.
25
laymen are regarding it more than heretofore as a business for which they are personally concerned and accountable, and for the accom- plishment of which there must be calculation and effort and self- denial ; that the work must not be intermitted or delayed, but is to be extended, as the providence of God shall open the nations, and be carried forward with system and energy in some measure consummate with its greatness and urgent nature, and with constant reference to its full accomplishment at no very distant day.
The necessity of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to any success- ful effort for the universal spread of the gospel, seemed, to an unusual degree, to occupy the minds of those who addressed the Board during its sessions.
That revivals of religion are indispensable to the vigorous prosecu- tion of the missionary work, seemed also to be felt and appreciated by all. The churches which sustain this cause need it for their enlarge- ment and quickening, to increase their faith and their devotion to the work. The missionaries and the mission churches need it. It is needed by the impenitent and unbelieving at home and abroad, that they may be raised from their spiritual death. In this view of the subject it was that the last two resolutions inserted on page I2th were proposed and unanimously adopted by the Board, that the friends of missions might be induced to unite in earnest and persevering prayer for such an outpouring of the Holy Spirit as should result in a great and general revival of religion both at home and abroad.
Near the close of the statements from the pastors, the third resolu- tion on page I2th was adopted.
The meeting was continued through two sessions on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, the 18th, and three sessions on each of the two following days. Besides the afternoon and evening of the second day, which were devoted to religious services, the sessions were opened with prayers by Rev. Dr. Codman, Rev. Messrs. Magie, Barnes, and Walker, Rev. Dr. Skinner, and Rev. Mr. Aiken ; and after singing the hymn, "Blest be the tie that binds," &c. the meet- ing was closed with prayer and the apostolical benediction by Rev. Mr. Bardwell.
After passing the usual votes of thanks to the church and congre- gation, the choir of singers, and the families, whose hospitality and aid the members and friends of the Board had enjoyed on the occa- sion, the meeting was adjourned at the close of the evening of Thurs- day the 20th.
26
MISSIONS OF THE BOARD.
MISSIONS OF THE BOARD.
The following facts are taken from the " Historical View of the Missions of the Bo^ird," that was read at the special meeting, but is not printed in this account of ilie proceedings,
EXTENT OF THE SYSTEM OF OPERATIONS.
The origin of the foreign missionary enterprise in this country should never be forgotten. It was like the little cloud seen from the top of Carrael. No fact in tlie religious history of the country is better authenticated, or more remarkable, than that, at the outset, neither the Board, nor its Pruden- tial Committee, nor any of the leading minds in the American churches at that time, could see the way clear for raising funds enough to support the four young men, who were waiting to be sent forth to the heathen world. And when, after a fruitless effort to get the promise of pecuniary aid from England, in case it should be necessary, those men were sent forth, it was without being designated by the Committee to any specific field. There was not then the hundredth part of the knowledge of the heathen world in the American churches, that there is now, and the comparative claims of the dif- ferent portions of it was a subject then but little understood. The first mis- sionaries were left to decide what field to occupy after their arrival in India. Their Instructions were dated February 7, 1812.
The number of missions now existing under the care of this Board is 26. These embrace 80 stations. The number of ordained missionaries now in the field is 143, and of lay helpers of different descriptions 45, and of female helpers enough to increase the number to 392. To these add about 150 native helpers, who have been trained on the ground by the missions and are supported by the funds of the Board, and the number of present laborers swells to 542.
The mission schools contain 24,500 youth, of whom somewhat more than 1,000 are boarding scholars, in schools where the leading object is to train up a native ministry. Five hundred are in seminaries designed exclusively for males, where the course of study is as extensive as it can be while the languages of the several countries where they exist are no better furnished with works of sound literature and science.
Fifteen printing establishments are at work in as many missions, and in 31 languages, exclusive of the English, spoken by 450,000,000 of people.
The missions are in western and southern Africa, Greece, Constantinople, Asia Minor, Syria, Koordistan, Persia, western and southern India, Ceylon, Siam, China, the Indian Archipelago, the Sandwich Islands, Oregon, the In- dian territory west and northwest of the United States, and among tlie rem- nants of the Six Nations on the shore of Lake Erie.
PROGRESS MADE IN THE WORK.
All that was said to shew the extent of the field, is an indication of pro- gress made in the work. But more should be said, to the praise of God's grace.
The whole number of laborers sent from this country during the past thirty years, is 77J, or, including the native helpers now employed, it is 921. In general tlie text-books of the schools have been prepared by the missionaries, and a great progress, on the whole, has been made in this department ; espe- cially in translating the Scriptures, and in geography, arithmetic, geometry, ■acred history, and the drat principles of religion and morals.
MISSIONS OF THE BOARD.
27
Scarcely less than 300,000,000 of pages have been printed in the 31 lan- guages ; 13 of which were first reduced to writing by the missionaries of the Board. Not less tlian 80,000 persons have had portions of the Bible put into their hands, and been taught to read them by the missionaries. How far mind has been awakened from the profound listnessness of heathenism, called off from sensual and grovelling to intellectual enjoyments, and fur- nished with the treasures of science, thought, and refined christian sentiment, is known only to Him who knowetli all things; but the value of the results must be beyond conception great.
The amount of printing in our own country by the Board, in furtherance of its objects, during the twenty years past, is nearly or quite 200,000,000 of pages ; — not including reports, addresses, and appeals published by auxiliary societies ; nor upwards of thirty volumes of biography, missionary history, travels, researches, etc. ; or more than twice or thrice that number, if we in- clude books for Sabbath schools; which have grown directly out of its oper- ations.
Fifty-nine churches have been gathered among the heathen, containing nearly 20,000 members. The spiritual fruits of the missions to the oriental churches, are of course not included in this number, such not having been gathered into distinct and separate churches ; the effort having been hitherto to infuse the spirit of the gospel into those religious communities as they are.
Through the blessing of God on the cheerful and cordial concurrence of the community, there have also been effected extensive systematic organiza- tions for diffusing intelligence and raising funds at home ; and a credit has been gai*ed for the institution in the commercial world, which is of inesti- mable value in facilitating the support of the missions in so many widely re- mote parts of tlie world.