and to urge them to the performance of their duty, and to state to the Assembly the names of those Presbyteries and Congregations, if such there be, who shall not ultimately furnish the information necessary.

And this Assembly do also hereby recommend to all the people under their care, especially gentlemen of literature and leisure, within their bounds, to furnish the gentlemen appointed to this service, with all the information in their power to give, relative to the history in contemplation, that this important work may be completed, in a manner as accurate and satisfactory as possible.

It was stated to the Assembly by Dr. Green in behalf of himself and Ebenezer Hazard,

1813. esq. that from a variety of circumstances, they find it impracticable to go on with the History of the Presbyterian Church, which they were appointed to write, by an act of the General Assembly, passed in the year 1804, and in the writing of which, they have made considerable progress, and for its continuance have in their hands many materials. It was, at the same time, requested by these gentlemen, that the Rev. Samuel Miller, D. D. might, if it should seem good to the Assembly, be appointed to receive from them, all the papers, which they possess relative to the History in question, and that he be authorized and requested to complete the same.

Whereupon Resolved, That all the papers rel tive to the History of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, in the hands of Dr. Green and

Mr. Hazard, be by them deposited with Dr. Miller, and that he be appointed and directed to continue and complete said History; and that the arrangement in regard to the copy-right of this History (which right has heretofore been assured to Dr. Green and Mr. Hazard) be settled between them and Dr. Miller, as shall be mutually satisfactory to the parties severally.

"Resolved, That Dr. Green be associated with Dr. Miller in writing the History of the 1819. Presbyterian Church."

H h2

A SHORT ACCOUNT

OF THE

MISSIONS

CONDUCTED BY

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE Presbyterian Church in this country, was organised

at the commencement of the last century. From that early period the Missionary cause began to claim the attention of her ministers. At first, indeed, while this country was but thinly inhabited, the number of preachers small, and their congregations poor, little more was done than to send occasional assistance to such people as requested it from Presbyteries and Synods. Gradually the state of things became more favourable; and the duty of sending the gospel without solicitation to destitute regions, was more sensibly felt, and more easily performed. Our church has always considered missionary labours as an object of importance; which has been pursued sometimes with greater, and at other times with a less degree of zeal.*

The late Synod of New York and Philadelphia, as early as the year 1766, directed that a subscription should be taken, or a collection made, in all their congregations, vacant as well as supplied, for the purpose of raising a fund for sending the gospel to destitute places. The next year they determined

* See a Circular Letter of the Standing Committee of Missions.

on an annual collection, and adopted other suitable measures for the accomplishment of their benevolent design.*

The General Assembly, which was constituted by that Synod, met for the first time in Philadelphia, in May 1789. During the sessions of that year, the Missionary cause claimed their particular attention. They directed the four Synods, then existing under their care, to recommend each two missionaries to the next Assembly: and that funds might be prepared to meet the expense expected to be incurred, it was enjoined on all the Presbyteries, to take measures for raising collections in all the congregations within their bounds. Two of the Synods, owing to their remote distance from this city, deemed it best to conduct the Missionary business in a separate capacity. Their conduct was approved by the Assembly. The Synod of New York, and the Synod of Philadelphia complied with the direction, and recommended Missionaries. Four were commissioned, and among them the late Dr. M'Whorter. They were sent " for the purpose of organizing churches, ordaining elders, collecting information respecting the state of religion in the frontier settlements, and proposing the best means for establishing a gospel-ministry among the destitute inhabitants."t

From this time the Missionary business was steadily pursued by the Assembly, until the year 1802, when they appointed a Standing Committee of Missions. The number of their Missionaries varied from year to year, according as more or less could be procured for the service. In 1800, more vigorous and efficient measures were adopted for raising funds for the support of the Missionary cause. Agents were sent out with proper authority to apply to the wealthy and liberal for contributions; and by their exertions a considerable sum was collected, and formed into a permanent * fund. At the same time the Rev. Jedidiah Chapman was appointed a stated Missionary, for four years, on the northwestern frontiers. He was directed to take up his residence in some convenient place for accomplishing the Assembly's views, and required to perform annually six months Missionary labour on a tour through the destitute settlements, for the purpose of organizing churches, as well as preaching the gospel. It was made the duty of Mr. C. to direct the routes + Printed Extracts.

See the Records of Synod: