The

the English colony, and their consequent | were hopefully converted to God. wars upon the Zulus. The mission to number of church members (who are adWestern Africa, though commenced in mitted to that relation only after a cred1834, has not yet advanced beyond Cape ible profession of real piety) increased in Palmas, where it has a very interesting that space of time from 5000 to more seminary for Grebo youth; but its ultimate than 18,000. The natives have erected destination, as soon as the way is opened many houses for public worship, and a up the Niger, is to the populous and health- still greater number of schoolhouses, and ful countries of the interior. Along the on the Sabbath-day, which is generally coast, however, eastward of Cape Palmas, observed by abstaining from labour and there is work for many missionaries. amusements, the sound of the church-going bell is heard in not a few of their valleys.

The results of the mission of the Board in the Sandwich Islands, a group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, constitute one The Board has very properly spent a of the great moral wonders of the age. portion of its funds in missions to the The first missionaries landed on those more important and influential tribes of islands in the year 1820. At that time the the North American Indians. It benatives were savage and pagan, without gan with the Cherokees and Choctas, in letters, without a ray of Gospel light; 1816-18, who then inhabited a tract of though they had just before strangely country within the chartered limits of burned their idols-a fact unknown in the some of the Southwestern States. These United States when the missionaries em- two missions, for more than ten years, had barked on their errand of mercy. In 1840, great success. The poor Indians were after the lapse of only twenty years, this then driven almost to desperation by those same people might properly have claimed who wished for their lands, and were bent the title of a Christian people. Though on inducing them to remove beyond the necessarily destitute in great measure, Mississippi River. These efforts had a owing to their poverty, of the more impo- cruel success. The missionaries have folsing insignia of civilization, they then had lowed the two tribes above mentioned in the elements and basis of it in Christian their exile. Missions were also instituted institutions, schools, a written language, at different times among the Creeks and the press, and books, and in the extensive Chickasas, eastward of the Mississippi, prevalence of pious dispositions and habits. and among the Osages westward; but Within this space of time their language they have been discontinued. Subsequent had been reduced to writing, and about to the year 1830, missionaries were sent 100,000,000 of pages had been printed by to the savage, wandering Ojibwas, Sioux, the mission in the native language. As and Pawnees, in the vast territory norththe alphabet contains but twelve letters, west of the United States; and in 1835 and each letter has but a single sound, it they were sent across the continent, beis easy learning to read. One third of the yond the Rocky Mountains, to the Indians population can read. The children of the in the Oregon Territory. There are sevchiefs are educated by a member of the eral missions among the feeble remnants mission in a boarding-school designed for of the once powerful Six Nations, found them alone, which the chiefs support: this on the borders of Lake Erie, in the State is at Honolulu, in the island of Oahu. At of New-York. Lahainaluna, on the island of Maui, there is a seminary, for which a large stone edifice has been erected, containing nearly 100 boarding pupils; and at Wailuku, on the same island, there is a corresponding female institution, containing about fifty. At Waialua, on Oahu, there is a manual labour or self-supporting school. Two other boarding-schools are at Hilo, on the island of Hawaii, which are supported chiefly by the natives. The free schools number about 14,000 pupils. Laws have been passed by the government defining and securing the rights of property to the people, and taking the power of imposing taxes from the individual chiefs, and vesting it exclusively in the National Council, which is to assemble annually. But the most remarkable fact of all, is the extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the years 1838 and 1839, in consequence of which many thousands of the natives

The following is a summary view of what, through the Divine favour, has been accomplished by this Board. The amount received into the treasury of the Board during the year ending on the 31st of July, 1843, was $244,224 43; and the amount of payments was $257,247 25; leaving the treasury indebted to the amount of $13,022 82.

The number of missions sustained during the year was 26; connected with which are 86 stations, at which were labouring 131 ordained missionaries, eight of whom were physicians, eight other physicians, 15 teachers, 10 printers and bookbinders, six other male, and 178 female assistant missionaries-making the whole number of missionary labourers sent from this country and sustained by the Board 348, which is eight less than the number last year. If to these be added 14 native preachers and 116 other native helpers,

the whole number of missionary labourers books and tracts in thirty-three different connected with the missions, and sustained languages, spoken by more than 450,000,000, from the treasury of the Board, will be exclusive of the English. These langua478, which is 10 less than were reportedges are the Zulu, Grebo, Italian, Greek, last year. Of these missionary labourers, four.ordained missionaries, and two male and nine female assistant missionaries, in all 15, were sent forth during the last year, being the least number of preachers, and the least number, including all classes of labourers, that has been sent forth during any year since 1831.

Armenian, Turkish (in the Armenian character), Arabic, Mahratta, Portuguese, Goojurattee, Hindosthanee, Latin, Tamul, Teloogoo, Siamese, Chinese, Japanese, Malay, Bugis, Hawaiian, Cherokee, Choctaw, Seneca, Abenaquis, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Creek, Osage, Sioux, Pawnee, and Nez Perces; fifteen of which were first reduced to wri

ting by missionaries of the Board.

Organized by these missions, and under their pastoral care, are 62 churches, to The sixty-two churches which have been which have been received during the last gathered among the heathen are formed year 2690 converts, and which now em- as nearly on the Congregational or Presbrace, in regular standing, 20,797 mem-byterian model for such ecclesiastical orbers. This number does not include some hundreds of hopeful converts among the Armenians, Nestorians, and other communities in Western Asia.

ganizations as the nature of the case would permit. None but converts who have been received as members of the church, after giving credible evidence of piety, are alThe number of printing establishments lowed to partake of the Lord's Supper. connected with the missions is 16, with The spiritual fruits of the missions to the four type foundries, 43 founts of type, and Oriental churches are, of course, not in30 presses. Printing has been executed cluded in this number, such not having for the missions in 33 languages, exclusive been gathered into distinct and separate of the English, 15 of which were first re-churches, the effort there having been to duced to a written form by the missiona- infuse the spirit of the Gospel into those ries of this Board. The copies of works religious communities as they now are. printed at the mission presses during the past year exceed 600,000, and the number of pages is about 56,383,000; making the total number of pages printed for the missions since they commenced about 442,056,185.

THEORY OF THE MISSIONS OF THE BOARD. -The Board does not regard any of its missions as being permanent institutions. Their object is, through the grace of God, to impart the spirit and plant the institutions of the Gospel where they do not In the department of education the mis- exist, and then to leave them to the consionaries have under their care seven sem-servative influences that shall have been inaries for educating preachers and teachers, in which are 524 pupils, besides 22 other boarding-schools, in which are 699 pupils, more than 400 of whom are girls. Of free schools the number is 610, containing 30,778 pupils; making the whole num-sential principle of his calling, a sojourner, ber of pupils under the care of the missions 32,000.

gathered about them. This is true theoretically, and it will come out in fact as soon as the means are furnished for prosecuting the work with becoming vigour. The missionary is emphatically, in the es

pilgrim, stranger, having no continuing city.

The leading object of its missions, Of the 32,000 youth in the mission therefore, is the training and employment schools of this Board, somewhat more of a native ministry, as the only way in than 1200 are boarding scholars, in schools which the Gospel can soon become indiwhere the leading object is to train up a genous to the soil, and the Gospel institunative ministry. Five hundred and twen- tions acquire a self-supporting, self-propaty-four are in seminaries designed exclu-gating energy. And the fact is important sively for males, where the course of study to be noted, that the elders, or pastors, 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. In general, the text-books for all the schools have to be prepared by the missionaries, and a very great progress, on the whole, has been made in this department, especially in geography, arithmetic, geometry, sacred history, and the first principles of religion and morals.

About 442,000,000 of pages have been printed at the sixteen printing establishments connected with the missions of this Board. These establishments have printed

whom the apostles ordained over the churches they gathered among the heathen, were generally, if not always, natives of the country. While the apostles had not the facilities of the present day for training men for this office by education, they had not the necessity for so doing. Among their converts at Ephesus, Berea, Corinth, Rome, and elsewhere, they had no difficulty in finding men who only required some instruction in theology, and scarcely that when endowed with miraculous gifts, to be prepared for the pastoral office. How they did, or would have done, beyond the Roman Empire and the bounds

of civilization, we are not informed; but ly embarrassed and hindered in his work. in the use they made of a native ministry, we recognise one of the grand principles of their missions, and also the true theory of missions-simple, economical, practical, Scriptural, mighty through God.

The manner in which the Board is endeavouring to carry out this theory in practice has perhaps been sufficiently indicated. | But the subject is one of so much importance, that it will be worth while to quote part of an article upon it, which was submitted by the Prudential Committee of the Board, at the annual meeting in the year

"3. The student, while in the seminary, should be trained practically to habits of usefulness. But this requires caution, and must not be attempted too soon. Those III. On the power and economy of the plan. set apart for the sacred ministry might "In most of our missions we are opporemain as a class in theology at the semi-sed by these formidable obstacles, namely, nary, after completing the regular course distance, expense, and climate. England was of study; or, according to the old fashion in this country, which has some special advantages, they might pursue their theological studies with individual missionaries, and, under such superintendence, exercise their gifts before much responsibility is thrown upon them.

"4. The contemporaneous establishment of female boarding-schools, where the native ministers and other educated helpers in the mission may obtain pious and intel- "Such a measure would effect a great ligent partners for life, is an essential fea-saving of time. Indeed, we can never leave ture in this system. A native pastor, with our fields of labour till this is done. Our an ignorant, heathen wife, would be great-mission churches must have native pastors,

and pastors of some experience, who can stand alone, before we can leave them. Besides, we should make far greater progress than we do had we more of such helpers. "And what economy of money there would be in the operation of this plan! The cost of a ten years' course of education for five natives of India would not be more than the outfit and passage of one married missionary to that country. And when a company of missionaries is upon the ground, it costs at least five times as much to support them as it would to support the same number of native preachers. The former could not live, like the latter, upon rice alone, with a piece of cotton cloth wrapped about their bodies for clothing, and a mud-walled, grass-covered cottage, without furniture, for a dwelling; nor could they travel on foot under a tropical sun. They could not do this, and at the same time preserve health and life.

en boarding-schools. But the scheme, however promising and indispensable, cannot be carried into effect without a large addition of first-rate men to the company of our missionaries."

It is interesting to observe how the attention of Protestant missionaries from Europe, as well as the United States, has been drawn of late to the importance of a native ministry as a means of carrying on the work of missions among the heathen. There can, however, be no doubt that this Board has taken the lead of all other missionary societies in giving that subject the prominence practically which it deserves in the great system of missionary operations.

THE ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE BOARD. The annual meetings of the Board must receive a brief notice. They are held in the month of September, in some one of the more important cities of the Eastern or Middle States, and occupy three days. The session is for deliberation and busi

"The cost of educating 1000 youth in India, from whom preachers might be obtained, and afterward of supporting 200 na-ness. The annual meeting for the year 1841 tive preachers and their families, would be is a fair specimen of the usual attendance only about 25,000 dollars, which is but little of members. There were 56 corporate, more than the average expense in that coun- and 102 honorary members present. Of try of twenty-five missionaries and fami- the corporate members five were heads of lies. Now, if the preaching of two well- colleges (there are thrice that number beeducated native preachers, labouring under longing to the corporation); thirty-one judicious superintendence, may be expect- were pastors of churches, or otherwise ed to do as much good as that of one mis-employed in the Christian ministry; ten sionary, we have in these 200 native preach- were civilians; and the remaining ten eners the equivalent, in instrumental preach-gaged in mercantile or medical pursuits. ing power, for 100 missionaries, and at an expenditure less by nearly 75,000 dollars a year. And then, too, the native preacher is at home in the country and climate, not subject to a premature breaking down of his constitution, not compelled to resort for health to the United States, or to send his children thither for education. Besides, the native churches and converts might gradually be brought to assume a part or the whole of the support of the native ministry; while it is very doubtful whether it will ever be expedient for the missionary to receive his support from that quarter.

The first day of the session is employed in bringing forward the business of the meetings, so far as the Prudential Committee is concerned, which is done in writing. This, including the different parts of the annual report, is usually referred to some fifteen or more committees, who report during the session. Their reports often give rise to friendly discussions, which are always interesting, and often eloquent. All the meetings are open to the public, and are usually held in a church, that there may be room for those friends and patrons who wish to attend. "One hundred thousand dollars a year In the evening of the first day a sermon is would board and educate 4000 native youth. preached before the Board by a member That sum would support 500 or 600 native appointed to the service at the previous ministers with their families; and if the meeting, and the members unite in celevalue of this amount of native preaching brating the Lord's Supper during the sestalent equalled that of only 200 missiona- sion. A meeting for popular addresses is ries, the annual saving of expense would held in the evening of the second or third be at least 125,000 dollars. But it would day. The last day of the session is genin the end be worth much more; so that erally the great day of the feast in point we see, in this view, how our effective force of interest; and it may truly be said that among the heathen may, in a few years, be the annual meeting of this Board, as a rendered manifold greater than it is at pres- whole, has for several years past exerted ent, without even doubling our annual ex- a great and good influence on the commupenditure. Some progress has even now nity, its proceedings being more extenbeen made towards this result. We al- sively and carefully reported in the reliready have 500 male youth in our seven gious newspapers than those of any other seminaries; and a still greater number, religious or charitable institution in the male and female, in our other twenty-sev-country.

PUBLICATIONS. The publications issued | lished in the National Intelligencer under by the Board directly are, 1. The "Mis- the signature of William Penn, 1829, by sionary Herald," published monthly in about Jeremiah Evarts. Speeches on the Pas24,000 copies; 2. The "Day Spring," a sage of the Bill for the Removal of the Inmonthly publication just commenced in dians, delivered in the Congress of the the form of a small newspaper; 3. The United States, 1830. History of the Amer"Annual Report," a document of about ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign 200 pages, of which 4000 or 5000 copies Missions, by Rev. Joseph Tracy, 1840. are issued annually; and, 4. The "Annual Sermon," and occasional missionary papers of various descriptions.

Among the numerous works which have been occasioned more or less directly by its missions, though not published by it or at its expense, the following may be mentioned :

CHAPTER IV.

other missionary associations, so that we may dispense with going into the reconsideration of them in the notices that are to follow.

We have gone into considerable detail in the preceding chapter in order to exhibit, Memoir of Mrs. Harriet Newell, by once for all, the grand principles of our Rev. Leonard Woods, D.D., 1815. Memoir American missions-the establishment of of the Rev. Levi Parsons, by Rev. Daniel schools for the Christian instruction of O. Morton, 1824. Memoir of the Rev. youth, and especially for raising a native Pliny Fisk, by Rev. Alvan Bond, 1828. ministry among the heathen themselves, Memoir of Catharine Brown, a Christian and the employment of that most imporIndian of the Cherokee nation, by Rev. tant auxiliary, the press. The views of Rufus Anderson, 1824. Memoir of Rev. the American Board of Commissioners for Gordon Hall, by Rev. Horatio Bardwell, Foreign Missions on these points are held, 1834. Memoir of Mrs. Harriet L. Wins-I believe, without exception, by all our low, by Rev. Miron Winslow, 1835. Memoir of Mrs. Myra W. Allen, by Rev. Cyrus Mann, 1834. The Little Osage Captive, by Rev. Elias Cornelius, 1822. Memoir of Mrs. Sarah Lanman Smith, by We turn next to the Presbyterian Rev. Edward W. Hooker, D.D., 1839, Syr- Church's Board for Foreign Missions, not ian Mission. Memoir of Mrs. Elizabeth D. because next in point of date or extent of Dwight and Mrs. Judith S. Grant, 1840. operations, but simply because it derives The Christian Brahmin, or Memoirs of the its support from a member of the same Life, Writings, and Character of the Con- great Presbyterian family of churches, of verted Brahmin, Babajee, by Rev. Hollis certain other branches of which the AmerRead, 2 vols., 1836. Memoirs of Ameri-ican Board of Commissioners for Foreign can Missionaries, formerly connected with the Society of Inquiry respecting Missions in the Andover Theological Seminary, 1832. Tour around Hawaii (one of the Sandwich Islands), by Rev. William Ellis, 1826. A Residence in the Sandwich Islands, by Rev. Charles Samuel Stewart, 1828. History of the Sandwich Islands' Mission, by Rev. Sheldon Dibble, 1839. Observations on the Peloponnesus and Greek Islands, by Rev. Rufus Anderson, 1830. Researches in Armenia, by Rev. E. Smith and Rev. H. G. O. Dwight, 1833. Residence at Constantinople, by Rev. Josiah Brewer, 1830. The Nestorians, or the Lost Tribes, by Asahel Grant, M.D., 1841. Missionary Sermons and Addresses, by Rev. Eli Smith, 1833. Journal of a Missionary Tour in India, by Rev. William Ramsey, 1836. Journal of a Residence in As the Old School Presbyterian Church, China and the Neighbouring Countries, by which appointed and supports this Board, Rev. David Abeel, 1834. The Missionary numbers 1409 pastors and 2088 churches, Convention at Jerusalem, or an Exhibition and as nearly all these have it in their of the Claims of the World to the Gospel, power to aid the cause, there is every by Rev. David Abeel, 1838. Journal of prospect of its becoming in a few years a an Exploring Tour beyond the Rocky very efficient association. Its receipts for Mountains, by Rev. Samuel Parker, 1838. the year ending May 1st, 1843, were 64,734 Essays on the Present Crisis in the Con-dollars, and it had expended about 65 doldition of the American Indians, first pub-lars more than this. In this statement are

Missions is the missionary organ. The two societies, in fact, comprise nearly all that is now done for the conversion of heathens, Mohammedans, and Jews, by Presbyterians of all shades, in the United States.

The Board of which we have now to speak was constituted only in 1837, the congregations which it represents having before that combined with others in supporting the American Board, and many of them, indeed, with a truly liberal spirit, now support both. The latter of the two Boards arose from a conviction which had long been gaining ground, that the Presbyterians as a Church, and by the medium of their supreme ecclesiastical judicature, ought, like the Church of Scotland, to undertake foreign as well as domestic missions.