THE

DOMESTIC MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

JULY, 1844.

BOARD OF MISSIONS.

ABSTRACT

full, the whole number would be over four thousand. Not less than sixty new churches have been organized, and about seventy houses for worship have been erected.

OF THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1844. During the past year, the work commit. ted to the Board of Missions, has been pros. ecuted with diligence, and with encouragWe are able to give only a partial report ing success. God has smiled on the efforts of of the number of Sabbath schools, and bible his Church to extend the influence of a pure and catechetical classes. The number Gospel through our land; the field of opera-reported exceeds eight hundred, embodying tion has been enlarged; the number of faith.in them not less than twenty five thousand ful workmen has been increased; new, and important stations have been occupied; the boundaries of the Church have been extend. ed, and the cause has, silently, but steadily advanced.

The whole number of missionaries in commission during the year has been, three hundred and-sixteen, and the number of congregations, and missionary stations supplied has not been less than nine hundred. One hundred and ninety-four of the missionaries were in commission at the commencement of the year, and one hundred and twenty-two have been new appointments during the year; this is the highest number of mission. aries the Board have reported, and the number of stations supplied is largely in ad. vance of any former year. Forty-one are entered on our list as Itinerant missionaries; a much larger number have, however, done the work of Itinerants, and a considerable proportion of the whole number have supplied several stations, and extended their la bours over large districts; the whole field occupied has been considerably extended du. ring the year.

children and youth.

The Temperance cause has steadily advanced in all portions of the missionary field, and its influence has been most salutary.— Much time has been devoted by the missionaries to pastoral visitation, and family instruction, and in very many instances, their labours in this department have been signal. ly owned and blessed of God. The monthly concert for prayer has been generally observed, and weekly prayer meetings have been established, and maintained wherever it has been found practicable.

The reports of the Missionaries furnish pleasing evidence of increasing interest felt and manifested by our mission churches in the spread of the gospel through our own land, and through the world, and it is an interesting fact, that very few of these churches, poor and feeble as they are, have failed to raise something for the missionary

cause.

Religious tracts, and books have been extensively circulated by the missionaries, and it is believed have done much good. The books and tracts of our board of publication are much needed, and greatly de

There have been added to the Churches, so far as reported, on examination, two thou.sired by the missionaries. These valuable sand six hundred and eighty-eight; on certifi cate twelve hundred and sixty-eight, making a total of three thousand nine hundred and fifty-six. Were the reports on this subject

publications are admirably suited to correct the evils which prevail to an alarming extent in most of the destitute portion of our country, and to diffuse a healthful influence

The expenditures of the year have been increased, not only by an increase in the whole number of missionaries, but also by a large extension of the field of operation, and by the occupation of a number of new and very important stations. The number of Itinerant Missionaries has more than doub led, and many additional stations have been occupied, and new missions are always and necessarily attended with large expense.

by the diffusion of light and truth. An in- The whole amount received during the calculable amount of good, it is believed, year exceeds what was received the last might be accomplished by the circulation year, by about six thousand dollars; and of these works through our whole missiona- as the Board have had but few agents in ary field, and it is worthy of consideration, the field, and have incurred but small exwhether at the present crisis the Church pense in the collection of funds, the great is not called upon to make a strong effort to amount of the whole has been expended in furnish all her missionarics, who need them, the support of Missionaries. with a full supply of these valuable works. The past year has not been marked with so many signal revivals of religion as the preceding this has been the case with the churches generally. Our mission churches however have not been left without revivals, and precious revivals; a few of our stations have been visited, with copious outpourings of God's spirit, while a much larger number have been blessed with a divine influence, silently, but constantly operating, and ma. king effectual God's appointed means for strengthening and sanctifying his people, and for the conversion of sinners. And aligencies of our country and the interests of though it is not our privilege to report numerous and powerful revivals of religion, nor very large accessions to the Churches, we have abundant evidence, that the labours of the Church, in this important depart. ment of her work, have not been in vain in the Lord. The field has been extended, much important new ground has been occupied; the cause has taken taken deeper and firmer root; and from a careful examination of the report of our missionaries, we are firmly persuaded, that in no single year! of our existence as a church in this land, has an equal amount of permanent good been accomplished by our missionary efforts, as during the past year.

FUNDS.

The whole amount of funds at the disposal of the Board during the year, includ. ing some small sums in the possession of a few of the presbyteries exceeds forty-one thousand dollars, and the amount paid out, including also, some small sums paid by some of the presbyteries exceeds thirty-seven thousand dollars. The balance in the Treasury when the year closed was about three thousand dollars, this balance is how ever rather nominal than real, as checks have been issued for nearly or quite the whole amount; and drafts are already due, which will require immediately a considerable additional sum to meet.

The amount of funds received, although considerably in advance of the preceding year, has fallen far short of what the ex

the cause have imperatively demanded. Had sufficient funds been furnished in due season; a number of our best and most devoted missionaries would have been spared much painful anxiety and severe suffer. ing; the Church might have had a still larger number of able workmen in the field; many other important stations might have been occupied; and with God's blessing a large additional amount of good might have been accomplished.

The engagements of the Board for the current year are already very large, and it is quite certain the demand for Missionaries and for pecuniary aid will be much greater than it has ever yet been. The great extent of our country, and the rapid increase and constant spreading of our population, must of necessity continue to increase the demand for Missionaries and Missionary aid.

This demand, we believe, should be met. It is unquestionably the plain duty of the Presbyterian Church, to the full extent of her ability, to occupy every important point which God in his providence opens to her labourers; and until this is done and fully done, our church will not have accomplished, her whole duty in this matter. That the Church is abundantly able, without lessening at all her contributions to any other good ob ject, and without the slightest sacrifice to any of her members, to double her contribu

ed in the last number of the Chronicle, fur-
nishes a specimen of the work devolving on
an agent for Home Missions, and shows
what may be accomplished by a good man
whose heart is in this work.
We ask our
readers carefully to peruse this report, that
they may understand better, what is the
work of an agent in this cause. As well as
the great importance of this work to the
cause of Christ.

tions to domestic Missions, cannot be doubted by any one who will soberly look at a few facts. The whole number of churches which have contributed to this object through the Board during the past year, certainly does not exceed eight hundred. The number is probably less than that, and this includes our mission churches, in most of which something has been done. Making all due allowance for contributions made through other channels, we are safe in say. ing, that not less than one thousand of our churches have taken no part in the work of spreading the gospel through our land, so far as missionary operations are concerned. And in the churches which have contributed, or in most of them-we are well assured-ready followed these missionary labours, and that it is only necessary the pastor and officers of the church, should feel an interest, and use a very little well-directed effort in order greatly to increase the contribution.

CONCLUSION.

The review of the Missionary operations and results of the past year, is well calculated to lead to very serious and prayerful reflection.

An incalculable amount of good has al

the immediate results, great and precious as they are, are but the earnest of future good, still more extensive. Means have been put in operation, which, in their onward progress We say then to the pastors and churches, || and continually growing influence, we may to meet present demands and enable your confidently hope, will bless millions yet unBoard of Missions to carry forward efficient- || born. ly the work committed to them, will require an immediate and large increase in the contributions of the churches. Funds are needed now, to pay what is due the Missionaries; and the prospective operations of the Board must necessarily be influenced by the promptness and liberality of the Churches-in furnishing the requisite means. Will the Churches wake up to the impor tance of this work, and to the imperative necessity of united, prompt, and liberal action.

AGENCIES.

During the year, the Board have had but two agents, and both were west of the Allegheny mountains. On the whole Atlantic coast, there has been no agency for this cause, except what has been done by the Secretary from the office. The agent at Pittsburgh has retired from this service.-The only agent the Board now have, is in the western agency at Louisville. The business of an agent in this cause, requires much wisdom, great energy, and untiring zeal, and necessarily subjects to much selfdenial, and hard labour.

But the agent for Home Missions, if he is diligent and faithful to his trust-has the opportunity of accomplishing much for the cause of Christ and the souls of men. The report from our agent in the West, publish

For these unequivocal tokens of God's favour, for the signal success with which he has been pleased to crown the efforts of his Church in this interesting department of her work, our united and warmest expressions of gratitude are certainly due, and such tokens of Divine favour should not fail to encourage and animate us in our work.

There is however another view of this sub. ject, which in faithfulness to our solemn trust, we are not at liberty to pass unnoticed. Something, yca, much has been done, and God has signally prospered us in our work, but the question occurs-have we done all we could do? The Church's ability to do, is unquestionably the measure of her responsibility in this matter; and it is humiliating and painful to be compelled to record the fact, that so large a number of our Churches have failed to do anything for the spread of the gospel in our own land. Why is this? Is the fault in the people? Are our Christian people insensible to their obligations to Jesus Christ? Are they steeled against the crics of their perishing countrymen? It cannot be the people are ready to do their duty, when it is made known to them, and properly urged upon them. Why then do so many of our churches fail to do their part in the great work of spreading the gospel?

The great reason unquestionably is, the apa-ther church nor ministers, nor sabbath, nor thy or inaction of the pastors and officers any gospel privilege, this is an object, in in our churches. The pastors in this whole their view, of at least equal, if not even matter have a controlling influence. To greater importance. In a country like ours, them the people look for instruction and di- so large in extent, and with such immense rection. A wise and judicious pastor, who tracts of unoccupied land, with a constant trains his people well, will find little difficul- influx of population from abroad, and an ty in embarking them in every good work. enterprising, ever-moving population at home, But if the pastor fail in teaching his people this is a work of great magnitude and untheir duty, or in seeing that the work is speakable importance; and this is a condone, we need not be astonished if we find stantly increasing work. To your Board the people remiss. All observation and ex- this seems to be emphatically the work on perience prove, that whatever agency the which the eye of the Church should be fixChurch may employ in the collection of ed, which should enlist her feelings, engage funds, the efficiency of that agency must her prayers, and call forth her united, conessentially depend on the interest and cor- centrated energies. We should aim at dial co-operation of pastors. They are, in keeping pace with the increase, and spread their own particular churches, the divinely-of our ever-growing, and ever-moving popappointed agents for creating and keeping ulation; we should seek to plant the stanup an interest among their people, and call- || dard of truth at important points in every ing out their resources for the extension of settlement through our whole land, and unChrist's kingdom-we do most affectionate. til this is done, it is believed the whole duly, but earnestly entrcat the pastors of our ty of our Church in this great work will not churches to consider well their responsibility be accomplished. in this whole matter.

Before closing this abstract, the Board beg leave to explain in few words what they understand to be the work committed to them, and what they deem essential, to carry into full effect the object of their appointment.

To accomplish this will require indeed great and untiring effort, and it may require some sacrifice; a large amount of funds will be needed, much larger than has ever yet been contributed to this object. But it can be done. And the Church should come to the decision at once. With God's blessing it shall be done. It can be done. The resources of the Church are ample; there are good ministers ready and

To aid in sustaining feeble churches already organized, and to supply such churches with the preaching of the Word and the ordinances of the gospel, the Board un-waiting to go, whenever the Church is prederstand to be one object and an important pared to send them; and so soon as the object of their appointment: and they are Church, in the true spirit of the gospel, well persuaded, this object cannot be over- comes up to the full standard of her duty in looked nor neglected without the sacrifice this matter, ministers will not be wanting. of many, very many of our churches. There God will furnish them as they may be needare hundreds of feeble Presbyterian church. ed. And as to funds-who that knows the es, which only need some present aid, in amount of wealth in the Presbyterian Church, order to grow and become strong, but which, can for a moment doubt its ability to furin their present weakness, without such aid, nish all that is needed? Let the trial be must inevitably sink. The Board deem it made promptly, and fairly made; let each an important part of their work to cherish feel his individual responsibility, and let and strengthen such churches. there be a perfect union of all. "Each But the Board do not by any means con. for all, and all for each" and the work will sider this the whole of their work, nor perhaps go forward, and with God's blessing the the most important part. To extend the results will be unspeakably glorious, preachboundaries of the Church, to occupy new ers of the gospel will be sent forth, and ground, to plant churches in new and des- by God's help, our wide.extended "wildertitute settlements, and supply with Gospel ness, and the solitary places shall be glad privileges the thousands and hundreds of for them, and our deserts shall rejoice, and thousands in our land, who have now nei-blossom as the rose."

ACTION

OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 1844. The Annual report of the Board of Missions was submitted to the General Assembly at Louisville, Ky., on Wednesday, the 22d of May. The Secretary followed the reading of the Report with a few remarks, when the following resolution, moved by the Rev. Dr. James Hoge of Ohio, and sec. onded by the Rev. Dr. William S. Potts of Missouri, was unanimously adopted by the Assembly.

Resolved, 1st. That the report of the Board be approved by the Assembly, and be returned to the Board for publication, and the Assembly earnestly commend this report, with the facts it discloses, and the objects and views it presents, to the serious attention of all our presbyteries, pastors, and churches.

On motion of the Rev. Dr. B. H. Rice, of New Jersey, seconded by the Rev. Dr. Wm. S. Plumer, of Virginia-the following Resolution was unanimously adopted by the Assembly.

Phineas D. Gurley of Indiana, and seconded by the Rev. Sylvester Scovel, Agent of the the Board for the West, was also adopted unanimously by the Assembly, as follows: Resolved, 3d. That to meet the pressing wants of the destitute in this land, and carry forward efficiently the important work of Domestic Missions, greatly increased efforts in the collection of funds are absolutely ne cessary: and the Assembly give it as their deliberate and solemn conviction, that the crisis demands, and the interests of the cause require, that the united and concentrated energies of our whole Church should be embarked in this work, and they most earnestly, and affectionately appeal to every presbytery, and pastor, and church in their connexion, to come up promptly and efficiently to the aid of this cause.

The several brethren who moved and seconded these resolutions, accompanied them with appropriate remarks, which were listened to with deep interest by the Assembly and a large audience. A sketch of some of the speeches delivered we may give in a future number. The occasion was one of unusual interest. In the midst of the great Missionary field in the West, the Brethren who addressed the Assembly, and the members of the Assembly general. ly, seemed to feel the magnitude and importance of the Missionary work. We cannot but indulge the hope, that an impulse has been given, that will be felt in all portions of the Church, and with God's blessing will urge onward, with new and greatly increas.

Resolved, 2d. That the work of Domestic Missions, having for its object the spread of the Gospel, and the permanent establishment of sound, evangelical churches in all sections of our widely extended country, is a work of great magnitude and unspeakable importance; That in a very special sense, this is the work of American Christians, a trust committed to the American churches, and for the accomplishment of which, Christians of this land will be held responsible by the Head of the Church.ed vigour, this blessed cause. A third resolution, moved by the Rev.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM MISSIONARIES.

INDIANA.

FROM A MISSIONARY IN ADAMS COUNTY. "What the Lord has done."

Since my last report I have attended three sacramental meetings. In the E**** Church, one of the churches organized within the last year, we received four members on examination; at this meeting we had the privilege to sit in heavenly places, and rejoice in what the Lord has done for us here. Twelve

months since there was no church in this neighbourhood; it was a new settlement, and all were growing up in the wilderness of nature, but the Lord was pleased to plant the standard of the cross, and the Lion seems to be changed to the Lamb; a full congregation, a church of twentyseven members, delighting in, and enjoying the worship of the Lord's house, a bible class on the days of preaching, to which all the members of the church, and