242 Address of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions

tion, that not a cent of expense has arisen to the Institution from sending Mrs. White (now Mrs. Rowe) to the East. She supported herself entirely while she continued in America, and from her own funds procured her outfit. Two hundred dollars besides she left in the hands of the Treasurer, which, as she is now connected with the English mission, the Board is of opinion ought to be returned to her. May she prove in her new situation like Priscilla, a helper in the Lord Jesus. Dr. Carey says, "I consider her marriage as a very providential circumstance. At Digab she cannot fail of being useful." Dr. Hinton, Assistant Secretary of the English Baptist Society, ingeniously observes, that "England and America have plighted hands at a missionary altar, by their respective representatives, Mr. Rowe and Mrs. White. Every one augurs good from

their union."

Soon after the arrival of brother Hough in India, he applied for a passage on board a brig from Calcutta for Rangoon. He carried with him, as a present from the Serampore brethren, a printing press, types, paper, and other articles. Some serious difficulties occurred in his descending the Hoogly river (which are detailed at large in a communication now presented) and constrained his return to Calcutta. The difficulties were such as call for the sympathy of every feeling, and especially of every parental bosom. Some loss to the mission has been sustained; but it is such as may reasonably be sometimes expected, yet such as it is hoped will not frequently occur. He embarked a second time on the 17th of September, 1816, and has arrived safely at his destination. Brother Judson appears much pleased with him as a missionary associate. May he prove eminently useful. At Rangoon a church has been formed. This it is believed is the first church ever constituted in that empire on the real basis of the Gospel; and surely our denomination throughout the United States must feel themselves sacredly pledged for its support.

By communications from the brethren at Rangoon, it appears that they are increasingly encouraged in their important work. Brother Judson and wife are truly valuable persons. He has laboured under indisposition for some months past, but is in a good degree recovered. He has composed a tract in the Burman language, which brother Hough will be able to print immediately. Of this difficult language he appears to be already master, and is both facilitating its acquisition for associates and successors, and progressing in the translation of the scriptures of truth. May his life be preserved for many years to come. More missionaries in Burmah are anxiously desired.

The Board cannot, they wish not to conceal from you, that in the discharge of their internal duties they have experienced much embarrassment and obstruction. Convinced of the integrity of their aims, and of the propriety and importance of the measures they have pursued and accomplished, they respectfully ask of the Convention an attentive investigation of their conduct, and an avowal of the sentiments of your body whether it deserves censure of support.

to the General Convention of that Denomination. 243

Suggestions which have been offered relative to the propriety of altering, in some points, the Constitution of the Convention, the Board have taken into serious consideration. They apprehend that instruments of this description ought to be held as sacred as possible, so that changes occur only when imperious necessity or a conviction of solid advantage shall require them. They have reason to believe that bequests have been made to the Convention, which a variation of the title might render precarious. But from the experience of three years, and the best light they have been able to obtain, they are of opinion that the following alterations will be beneficial, and are expedient, viz. That the powers of this Convention be extended so as to embrace home missions and plans for the encouragement of education; and that henceforward the quorum of the Board for the transaction of business be five.

A communication from our Agent, Mr. Rice, relative to his late tour, has been laid before the Board, to which we refer you. Until the present time he has been employed in the United States for originating and encouraging mission institutions, and for organizing and establishing a system of general intercourse. It is obvious that many important advantages have resulted from this measure. The distinct sense of the Convention, however, upon the propriety of continuing such an agency, it would be proper the Board should possess.

The Board are deeply convinced of the propriety of immediate attention to the state of the Indians of our own country. Habits of civilization among them will necessarily be connected with the reception of the Gospel. They are heathen which from their proximity have a special claim upon your pious zeal. It is believed that suitable persons can be obtained to go among them. Large fields also are to be found, especially in the western sections of our country, where the truths of the Gospel are rarely, if ever proclaimed.

Several very interesting documents have been received from India, which the Board have the pleasure of presenting to you. They rejoice that the cause of God is evidently increasing in the earth, and trust the time is not remote when the kingdoms shall become the Lord's.

The Board are sensible that the means usually employed by the Supreme Head of the church for the advancement of undefiled religion is the preaching of the Divine Word, and that it is of importance that the preacher be furnished as extensively as possible for his important work. They respectfully call your attention to the general subject of education, and hope your wisdom may contrive means for the advancement of this important object.

The labours of the Corresponding Secretary, greatly diversified and extended, must, as the Board are sensible, necessarily occupy a large portion of his time, and require much care and exertion. The Board respectfully submit to the Convention the propriety of an expression of their opinion, as to his receiving a reasonable compensation. With sentiments of Christian esteem,

By order of the Board,

HORATIO G. JONES, Rec. Sec. pro. tem.

244

Extracts from the Proceedings of the

The documents referred to in the foregoing Address were read, viz. a communication from the Agent to the Corresponding Secretary of the Board; a fraternal and very excellent letter from the Rev. misssionaries, Dr. Carey, Dr. Marshman, and Mr. Ward, Serampore; communications from our missionary brethren, Mr. Judson, and Mr. Hough, viz. letters from Mr. Hough while at Calcutta ; letters and communications from Mr. Judson at Rangoon and a joint communication from Messrs. Judson and Hough after Mr. Hough's arrival at Rangoon.

:

The Corresponding Secretary of the Board communicated to the Convention, that information had been received by himself and the Agent from a very large proportion of the numerous associations in the United States, that Secretaries to hold correspondence with the Secretary of the Board are generally appointed; and that the whole Baptist denomination throughout our country appear to have caught the holy flame, and are entering with increasing zeal upon the work of extending the knowledge of the Lord from the river to the ends of the earth. Communications from Auxiliary Mission Societies are equally animating.

[The following are some of the amendments to the Constitution, and of the resolution reported by a Committee which were adopted.]

1. That the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions for the United States have full power at their discretion to appropriate a portion of the funds to domestic missionary purposes, in such parts of this country where the seed of the Word may be advantageously cast, and which mission societies on a small scale do not effectively reach.

2. When competent and distinct funds shall have been raised for that purpose, from these, without resorting at all to mission funds, the Board shall proceed to institute a Classical and Theological Seminary, for the purpose of aiding pious young men who, in the judgment of the churches of which they are members, and of the Board, possess gifts and graces suitable to the gospel ministry.

Resolved, unanimously, That the Convention view with peculiar pleasure the existence and operations of the American Bible Society, and that they will be happy, so far as the nature of their Institution admits, to co-operate with them in the great object of circulating the Word of God in this or any other country; and that the Corresponding Secretary of the Board be requested to communicate to the said Bible Society this resolution.

Resolved, unanimously, That the President of the Convention be requested to address a letter to the President of the British and Foreign Bible Society, expressive of the high sense which this Convention entertain of the important and extensive blessings which have resulted from their unwearied labours of love, in printing and distributing the Holy Scriptures to our fellow beings of different nations and languages; and particularly for the kind aid afforded to our brethren at Serampore, engaged in translating and printing the Scriptures in the languages of the East.

Resolved, unanimously, That the Convention earnestly recommend to the churches throughout our country, to UNITE IN THE

Baptist General Convention.

245

GENERAL CONCERT PRAYER MEETING, on the first Monday of every month, for the purpose of imploring the blessing of Almighty God on missionary efforts.

Letters from two young brethren, James Colman and Edward W. Wheelock, expressing their ardent desires to go out as missionaries to Burmah, were read, together with honourable testimonials from their tutor, the Rev. Mr. Chaplin. Their case was referred to the Board.

Also, letters from the Rev. William B. Johnson, and Rev. James A. Ranaldson, relative to New-Orleans and its neighbourhood; from the Rev. Humphrey Posey and others, relative to the Cherokee Indians; from the Rev. John Young, relative to Indians in the vicinity of Michilimackinac; and from the Rev. Isaac M'Coy, relative to the Missouri Territory, &c were referred to the Board.

A letter from the Corresponding Secretary of the Richmond African Baptist Missionary society was read.

Resolved, unanimously, That the said letter be noticed on the minutes of the Convention, and that the Board, if they find it practicable, be advised to institute an African Mission, conformably to the wishes of the said African Mission Society; and that the Corresponding Secretary of the board be requested to communicate. this resolution, together with an encouraging affectionate letter to that Society.

Upon a request of the President that the sense of the body relative to the permanent character of the Convention should be expressed,

Resolved, unanimously, That it be entered on the records as the deliberate sense of this body, that the delegates and proxies, or their substitutes, appointed by the Mission Societies, Associations, and Churches, united in the General Missionary Convention, do continue as constituting the said Convention till the time of the next triennial meeting.

The subsequently named persons were elected as the Board of Missions for three years, viz.

Rev. Thomas Baldwin, D. D. Mass.; Rev. Lucius Bolles, A. M. Mass.; Rev. William Staughton, D. D. Penn.; Rev. Horatio G. Jones, A. M. Penn.; Rev. Daniel Sharp, A. M. Mass.; Rev. John Williams, New-York; Rev. Burgis Allison, D. D New-Jersey; Thomas Shields, Esq. Penn.; Rev. John Healey, Maryland; Rev. Barnabas Bates, A. M. R. I.; Rev. George Roberts, North Carolina; Rev. William Warder, Kentucky; Rev. Elisha Cushman, Connecticut; Rev. John Peck, New-York; Rev. Spencer H. Cone, Dist. Colum.; Rev. Thomas Roberts, Pennsylvania; Rev. Lewis Leonard, N. Y.; John Cauldwell, Esq. New-York; Rev. Rob. B. Semple, A. M. Va.; Rev. Edward Baptist, A. M. Va.; Rev. Richard Furman, D. D. S. C.; Hon. Matthias B. Tallmadge, Esq. N. Y.; Rev. Jesse Mercer, Georgia; Rev. Archibald Maclay, New-York; Rev. John P. Peckworth, Penn.; Rev. James M'Laughlin, New-Jersey; Rev. John M. Roberts, D. D. S. C.; Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman, Kentucky; Rev. Ste

246

Sunday Schools at Albany.

phen Gano, Rhode Island; Mr. George F. Curwen, Penn.; Mr. John Bradley, Penn.

Resolved, unanimously, That his Excellency Gabriel Slaughter, Esq. of Kentucky; Robert C. Foster, Esq. of Tennessee; his Excellency William Rabun, Esq. and Charles I. Jenkins, Esq. of Georgia; Gen. Abner Forbes, of Vermont; Hon. Mark Harris, of Maine, and Cornelius Paulding, Esq. of Louisiana, be elected honorary members of this Convention, and that the Corresponding Secretary of the Board be requested to communicate to them respectively this resolution.

From the Albany Gazette and Daily Advertiser.

SUNDAY FREE SCHOOLS.

the

The invention and prosperous experiment of a new mode of instruction by Dr. Bell and Mr. Lancaster, combined with the happy thought of Mr. Raikes in regard to Sunday schools, have opened a way for common and religious education, which the world never before has witnessed. These were necessary to accomplish the plan which commenced in the distribution of the Holy Scriptures; unless those to whom the Scriptures are given can read and understand the great principles of the book put into their hands, work of charity is in vain. The ignorant of every class and age. should be taught to know and appreciate the great moral and religious truths contained in the Bible; thus, an open door is presented to Bible societies, and one charity helps another. Sunday schools have been established in this city (and to their praise be it recorded) chiefly by young persons of serious minds and estimable deportment, who have turned their attention to all classes, ages, and complexions. Much good has already been done, and more is promised. The efforts of those engaged, (though all tending to the same grand object) have been desultory, and without general

concert.

Aware that "combined exertion is powerful exertion," and will more readily accomplish the objects, meetings were called to carry into effect the plan of one general "Sunday School Society.in the city of Albany." The result of these meetings will be seen in their proceedings which follow, and the constitution which has been adopted. Subscribers to the amount of not less than 75 cents, will have the pleasure of performing a charitable act, and of opening the way for the march of the gospel through the ranks of vice and ignorance.

At an adjourned meeting of the patrons and friends of Sunday Schools, beld at the capital on Monday evening, the 21st instant, agreeable to the resolution passed at the last meeting, the Hon. ELISHA JENKINS, Esq. was appointed chairman, and LUKE LYONS, secretary.

After reading the minutes of the last meeting, the report of the board of inspectors of the "Sunday Free School Society for the benefit of Africans" and the constitution, which at a previous meeting was referred to a committee of revision, it was