the missionaries, and all their inquiries have led them to the conclusion that these labors have been conducted with wisdom, vigor and efficiency, and that no change is demanded in the policy of the Board or in the plans adopted by the missionaries. They believe that the character of the Teloogoo and Assamese people, the state of the Hindoo mind and its power in forming and directing opinion in the East, and the imminent danger that infidelity will occupy those intellectual mansions from which the devil of superstition has been cast out, all conspire to make it clearly our duty to sustain and encourage these missions, so far as is consistent with the just claims of other fields of labor; and especially to reinforce the mission among the Teloogoos as soon as the requisite men and funds can be commanded. The Committee on Finances returned their report amended. REPORT. The committee appointed on the subject of finance beg leave to report, that it is matter of devout thanksgiving to God, that the amount proposed to be raised during the last financial year—namely, $125,000, was realized within a very small sum, and the liabilities incurred by the Executive Committee have been fully met and cancelled; and especially are we called upon to render thanks for God's merciful interposition, and for happy relief in an hour of uncommon anxiety, consequent on the great delay of contributions and remittances from the churches. For several years past, this procrastination has occasioned much solicitude as to the final result of the fiscal year, and whether a very serious and humiliating debt would not be reported by the treasurer; but the apprehensions in regard to the issue of that just closed were of the most painful character, even to the last day of the year. Could this embarrassment be removed, as your committee confidently believe it might, by a more seasonable and early attention on the part of the churches in making and transmitting their contributions, the Executive Board would not only be saved a very severe and unnecessary state of suspense, but the friends of missions generally, also, who share in all the anxieties of the Rooms, and our beloved missionaries, perhaps, more than any others. Therefore, in view of the embarrassments heretofore existing, and in order to guard in future against similar difficulties, your committee offer the following resolution : Resolved, That it be recommended to the pastors of churches, and all others interested in the success of our missions, to give the subject special attention, and to exert themselves in securing collections and remittances in the early part of the fiscal year. The Committee on Agencies returned their report amended. REPORT. The committee on agencies ask leave to report that they entirely concur with the Executive Committee in the belief that a well-organized system of agencies, for the collection of funds, is indispensable to the highest efficiency of the home work of the Union. They are also deeply impressed with the conviction that no such system can exclude the necessity of cordial and active cooperation on the part of pastors, life members, and other friends of missions. With these views, the committee have simply to recommend that the agents of the Union make it one prominent object of their labors, to induce all the churches included within their several districts, to make stated and liberal contributions to the treasury, whether visited by them or not. The Committee on Indian Missions reported through Rev. T. Winter, chairman. The report and resolution were adopted and ordered to be read to the Union, to give an opportunity to Rev. Evan Jones, missionary to the Cherokees, with Oganaya and Lewis Downing, two native brethren, to address the body. REPORT. The committee on Indian missions, in reporting on the subject committed to them, ask leave to say: That the missionary exertions of this and of kindred associations to evangelize the untutored aborigines of our common country, happily express two important truths: the first is our duty to labor for the spiritual and eternal good of this interesting portion of our race;-and the second is the practicability, with the blessing of God, of securing those great results. As to the first, there can be but one opinion among those who entertain just views of that great Commission of our ascended Lord to his Church, to preach the gospel to every creature. But beside the universal obligation which this gracious commission lays on the Church, it were easy to show, did necessity require or the occasion admit it, that toward the aboriginal inhabitants of this land a peculiar obligation rests on its Christian population. This obligation results less from their proximity to us, than from facts connected with the past and the present in our civil and political relations to them. With some important benefits growing out of these relations, the Indian tribes have suffered many and grievous wrongs at the hands of the white man; on which, however, your committee have no disposition to expatiate. These wrongs admit of no adequate atonement. But this the friends of God and of the red man can do-and in a measure are doing-we can act on the sacred obligation which we are under to impart to these hapless tribes, to the utmost practicable extent, the unsearchable riches of the glorious gospel of Christ; and these received and enjoyed by them will prove an inheritance of unspeakably more value than any temporal inheritance, whose sequestration in times past may have filled their hearts with resentment and reasonable sorrow. And as to the second truth indicated by our exertions for the Indian tribes-the practicability, with the blessing of God on our labors, of bringing them to the feet of Christ-the results of these labor, as given from year to year, afford conclusive and highly encouraging proof. Thousands of these tribes, who once roamed through the forests in quest of a precarious subsistence, have been reduced and won over to habits of sober and regular industry; cultivating the soil with the skill of Christian civilization, and depending on its products for a more sure support. And, what is of infinitely greater account, many of them have been brought to know, to love, and to obey the Saviour, and to enjoy the hope of the regenerate child of God. Your committee have heard with great pleasure the report of the Executive Committee on this subject, as presented at our present meeting. It is true, as might have been expected, some few facts presented are adapted to excite regret and awaken our Christian solicitude, as to the condition of one or two of the stations. But in most of the missions under your care, there is much to occasion hearty thanksgiving to the God of Missions, and from which great encouragement may be reasonably drawn to give more and to labor more for the moral and social elevation, and the spiritual and everlasting good, of our Indian tribes. In particular, your committee are highly gratified by the efforts made at the several mission stations to benefit the younger portion of the tribes by schools and bible-classes, and by the interest taken in these efforts by those for whom they are especially intended. We regard this as a very important feature in the system of labor adopted by our missionary brethren, and one entitled to continued and prayerful support. Your committee have heard that part of the report relating to the Cherokee Mission, with great and unmingled delight. And there is one fact in particular to which we may be allowed in an especial manner to advert, because it prominently evidences the spread and triumph of correct views and principles through the ministry of the gospel, and the susceptibility of the Indian's heart to such triumphs. The fact to which we advert, is the entire extinction of the evil and guilt of slavery in the churches of that Mission;-a reform which our missionary brother Jones justly deems worthy of devout thanksgiving to God. Your committee are not aware of anything further connected with the Indian Missions, which calls for an extension of their report; but, in conclusion, offer the following resolution for adoption by the Board. Resolved, That in view of the manifest approbation of God on the labors of the Missionary Union among our Indian tribes, as apparent in the great and continued good resulting, we are furnished with sufficient incentives to continue and increase these labors. Resolved, That the Board recommend to the Union to appropriate the evening of Thursday to the preaching of the annual sermon, by Rev. V. R. Hotchkiss, of N. Y. The Committee on "Expenditures of 1852-3" reported through Rev. E. G. Robinson, chairman. The report and resolution were adopted and referred to the Union, with the special paper on that subject. On motion of Rev. E. Lathrop, a committee was appointed on grants from coördinate societies, and other sources. Rev. Messrs. E. Lathrop, M. B. Anderson and G. W. Samson, were appointed the committee. Resolved, That the Treasurer and Corresponding Secretaries be directed to present abstracts of their reports to the Union. Resolved, That the Chairman and Recording Secretary be instructed to report to the Union the proceedings of the Board. Adjourned till 7 o'clock, P. M. Prayer by Rev. D. Robinson, of Ia. WEDNESDAY EVENING, 7 o'clock. The Board met. The services were commenced with singing by the choir, and prayer by Rev. E. Dodge, of N. H. Rev. J. M. Haswell, missionary from Burmah, addressed the meeting. The Committee on grants from coördinate societies and other sources, reported through Rev. G. W. Samson. The report was referred to the new Board. A collection was taken, amounting to $84.00, in behalf of the Missionary Union. Adjourned. Prayer by Rev. Dr. Herron, Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh. M. J. RHEES, 14 Recording Secretary. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MISSIONARY UNION. PITTSBURGH, May 20, 1852. The American Baptist Missionary Union convened this day at 10 o'clock, A. M., in the meeting house of the First Presbyterian Church, in Pittsburgh, Pa., to hold its thirty-eighth annual meeting. The President being absent, Rev. Elisha Tucker, D, D., one of the Vice Presidents, took the chair, and called the meeting to order. Prayer was offered by Rev. Silas Tucker, of Ill. The Recording Secretary being absent, Rev. M. J. Rhees was appointed Secretary pro tem. The President made a few appropriate remarks. Rev. Messrs. S. Haskell, of Mich., N. P. Foster, of N. H., G. P. Nice, of N. J., L. Ransted, of O., J. F. Brown, of Pa., and Messrs. R. J. Larcombe, of N. Y., and M. W. Pond, of Mass., were appointed a committee to ascertain the names of the members present; and subsequently reported as follows: The whole number enrolled is 174, of whom 136 are ministers. From Maine there are three members; New Hampshire, two; Vermont, three; Massachusetts, nineteen; Rhode Island, one; Connecticut, three; New York, thirty-eight; New Jersey, five; Pennsylvania, twenty-eight; Ohio, fifty; Illinois, six; Indiana, three; Michigan, six; Wisconsin, one; Iowa, one; Indian Territory, three; Burmah, one; China, one. Lorenzo B. Allen, Ebenezer Dodge, Moses H. Bixby, Edward Bright, Jr., Edward T. Hiscox, MAINE. J. Gillpatrick, NEW HAMPSHIRE. N. Parker Foster. VERMONT. Joseph C. Foster, MASSACHUSETTS. Alanson P. Mason, RHODE ISLAND. Nathan Mason. CONNECTICUT. Harvey Miller, Mylon Merriam. Rufus Smith. Horace Seaver, S. Dryden Phelps. |