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SERMON OELITXKBD BXFORE THK Sotmp tot pto9a(0«tfn0 i^t ^s^nptl AMOnO THK INDIANS AND OTHERS IN NORTH AMERICA, NOVEMBER 6, ld29. BY BENJAMIN B. WISNER, PASTOR OF THE OLD SOUTH CBUROB IN BOSTON. BOSTON : PUTNAM & HUNT. 1830. Jt' ^ '« ? ^ 5 ..^••, n A ■ ;ft •{ I ^1 •*#:a :i..'<^'.'':- tl^ ■ f"^'^ itWlS'WT'';"*''""'"" '••' '' \ f (■..■. ■'•'1 ').^ /:':■: '■ -.5 » TIIK PRUPXn MODE Of CONmUTINO MISSIONS TO THE IIKATHEN. • (. ' •-w / ,. « SERMON DELIVERED BEFORE THE Sotfeti? Cot moma^iinQ m (S^ofiinel '! I I AMONG THE INDIANS AND OTHERS IN NORTH AMERICA, NOVEMBKR 5, 1829. IIY BENJAMIN B. WISNER, PASTOR OF THE OLD SOUTH OHUKCH IN BOSTOIf. BOSTON : PUTNAM & HUNT. 'I ^ it .-•3;, f a^ tmmmmm AT a meeting of the Society, November 5th, 1829. Voted, That tlie SiicRETAnv and Trf.asurer be a committee to present the thanks of the Society to the Rev. Dr. Wisnor for his Sermon deliverea before them this day, and to request a copy for the press ALDEN BRADFORD, Secretary. PRESS 0»' PUTNAM & HUNT. SERMON. (I MICAH IV, 1—4. Tn the laitt days, it shall rome to pasit, that the mountain of the home of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall eome, and say. Come, and let ua no up to the niountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob ; and he will leach ns of hi.s ways, and we will walk in his paths : for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and- rebuke strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plough-nharcs, and their tpears into pruning-hooki ; nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, nei- ther shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree ; and none shall make them afraid : for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. In this, as in many other passages of holy Scri^)ture, is predicted a period, when genuine Christianity, with its bless ed influences on the temporal condition and the eternal prospects of men, shall be diffused among all nations : A period, when the benefits of intellectual and moral elevation shall be every where enjoyed ; when the true God shall, every where, be known, and worshipped, and obeyed ; when the duties of domestic, and social, and civil relations shall be, every where, understood and performed ; when governments shall be modelled and administered on just and benevolent principles ; when war and its attendant mis- eries shall have entirely ceased, and tyranny, oppression, persecution, bigotry, and cruelty be done away ; when business shall be conducted without contention, dishonesty Oj \ f^^ s '^i and covctoiisncss, — with the design to promote the |)err)irt- ncnt interests of those cngajreil in it, nnd the general good ; when the Ainiilics of the eartii sliaii he the abodes of piety, and comfort, and love ; — a period when "■ the cj'.rth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea," and " the people shall be all righteous," and " all the ends of the world shall see " and rejoice in " the salvation of our God." Mighty, indeed, must be the revolution that shall accomplish all this. But let not the benevolent heart despond. " The moutli of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it :" and " that which he hath spoken, he will also bring to pass ; that which he hath purposed, he will also do." How will he accomplish the glorious result ? The efficient agency will be that of the Holy Spirit, whose office it is to "ive to men the light of the knowl- edge of the glory of God, and make them willing in the day of his power. " Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." " And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, that / will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh ;" and then " that great and notable day of the Lord" shall " come." But God usually works by means. He has uniformly, hitherto, dispensed spiritual blessings to men by the instru- mentality of their fellow-men ; and this gracious method of procedure, there is no reason to expect, will be discon- tinued. We are expressly assured it will be employed in effecting the glorious result predicted in our text. *' The law " is to " go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." The change foretold in the character and condition of the nations, is to be effected by means of "the law," and "the word of the Lord." And these are to " go for*h of Zion," and " from Jerusalem :" the means which it has been determined to employ, are to be put and continued in operation, by those already blessed with the knowledge and the happy influences of the true religion. ina- U; |ty» Jiall Ithc the ton hat [art [en to It must, then, be interesting to every Cliristian, ami to every philanthropist living in a Christian country, to in- quire, how is this instrumentality to be employed ? To what end, and in what manner, shall we direct our efforts, that they may contribute most efficiently to the extension of religion and happiness among the nations ? Shall our primary object be to civilize* or to christianize them ? And when we come to teach them the doctrines of religion, — whether at the commencement of our efforts for their im- provement, or at a subsequent period, — shall we inculcate only the simpler and more general principles of our faith ? or shall we, ut once, present and urge upon their accep- tance its most sublime and distinctive truths ? Let us give to these questions a brief ond candid exami- nation. I. First. In employing our instrumentality to extend the temporal and spiritual blessings of Christianity to the uncivilized and idolatrous nations of the earth, shall we MAKE IT OUR PRIMARV OBJECT TO CIVILIZE OR TOCHRIS- TIANIZE THEM ? On this point, you are aware that directly opposite opin- ions have been advanced and advocated, by persons professing the same desire to witness the universal diffusion of civiliza- tion and genuine religion. On the one hand, it has been main- tained, that the way "to teach Christianity to barbarous and savage nations " is, to " begin with civilizing them — educating and instructing them in the useful arts."t " The order of providence clearly recommends, that those chil- dren of penury should first get into easier circumstances, and then be made converts to religious tenets.":]; " It is * Uncivilized Heathen are chiefly referred to in this discourse, because the eflorts of the Society before which it was preachud, for the conversion of tho lleatiioii,are, by its charter, required to be directed to the North American Indians. As, howov- «r, many of the remarks to be made will be cijually applicabia to missions among civilized Heathen, these will be incidentally rolerred to. t Edinburgh Review, Vol. 21— page C6. t Do. Vol. 8— page 434. \ ■-_- ,.j^ji.»c'*ii«*''--"'1^i,viTfl' l>y this kind of prnclicnl iiistiiiclion nlunc, lliiU lliotic in a ccrlniii stiitc of ignorance and l)urlini'ism urc to be gained over to llic trntli ; and, till a similar course is followed, our Missionary and our Bible societies n)ay expend thou- sands and tens of thousands, to no purpose, but to manifest the goodness of their intentions, and their total ignorance of the means which oui;ht to have been pursued."* On the other hand, it is contended, that, in all our efforts to meliorate the condition of idolatrous and savage nations, we should make it o\ir jirst and great object to christianize them ; carryinjf with us, indeed, and rcconuncnding by ex- ample and instruction, the arts and comforts of civilized life, but makinj; tlitir impiovcnicnt in these respects only a secondary thinn;, — viewing it as a result that will be easily attained, and will follow, almost of course, when they are brought to receive in their hearts the softening ai»d elevatinji truths of relinion. Which of these directly opposite views is correct ? The readiest and most satisfactory way to decide the question is to appeal to facts. We might, indeed, argue from the nature of the case ; and shew, we think conclu- sively, that true civilization can be clTocted only by chang- ing the dispositions of barbarians ; and that the most di- rect, and in fact the only efficient method of accomplish- ing this, is to bring the powerful motives of the Gospel to bear directly on their hearts. But we arc not particularly fond of a priori reasoning, and have no dispo. Itl to re- sort to it, however easily and successfully it might be done, when we can appeal to facts. And on this subject there arc facts in abundance, furnished by an experience of eigh- teen hundred years. To facts, therefore, we appeal. 1. And the first fact to which I would direct your at- tention is, the striking and very instructive one, that, in the * Edinburgh Roviow, Vol. 21 — pngc fifi. Snc also ilin Discourse preached before tliis So«ioty, in 1823, by Ihn Rev. ThatMcus Mason Ilurri;;, D. D. pp. 8, 9. :-:^. commission gu'cn to the JlposUes and thrir succensnrs hy the Sa- viour, anil in llic history transmittal to us in the JS'cw Testament of its early exceution, there is not o«e uord about civilizing men ; altltou<>li tin; Gosspcl was to l)e, ami was in fact, car- ried by the Apostles to savage tribes as well aa to the then civilized nations.* Thecoinniund of tlie Savior is, " Go ye," — not to the nations which have been prepared for your coming by civilization, — but, " Go yc into all the n'0»7(/," — to savages as well as to civilized men. — And do what ? First civilize those whom voii find j^unk in barbarism, and tench the true philosophy to those whom you finil more refined ; t and thus prepare them for receiving my religion ^ No ; but, " Go yc into all the world, and preach the (Jospcl to every vrcalurc.^^ To all alike, savai^e and civilized, proclaim, at once and continually, tlu; ^«)od news of salvaticn through my atoning blootl. And the history of the proceedings of the Apostles in executing this touunission, unilcr the infal- lible guidance of the Holy Spirit, among savage as well as civilized nations, is, — not that they abstained from " preach- ing Christianity " till tliey hud taught the civilized the true philosophy, aiul the barbarous " the enu)licnt arts of life ;" but, "they went forth, and preached everywhere," lliat men "should repent, iimi turn lu Cod, and do works meet for repentance ;" "no< huowing any thing among" tliosc to wliom they went, from the beginning to the end of their continuance with them, " sttre Jesus Christ, and him cruciji- * Piiul, wo know from (i.iliitiuns i, 17. prei.ilicil llic Cio.«|i('l in Arnbin. There is also rcanoii lo Ijolicvo llmt lio visited ^paiii .111 tin' siiiiir boiicvolciit erriitid. And if lie (lid not ii!tro(liii:o Ciirisliniiil y into IJiiiairi, there i.s .-iiili.-.IHctory iividoncc lliat it wus !jiicuiij>ilully |)i'o|iU'.'at(:d uiiiuiii; its llicii liirli.iroii.s inli'ilaiits in the a^'U uf tlio Apostlca. In tlio .saiiin 'i^/u air.<>, mid no (■■■nht hy llic A|iosllr:), Cliiislianily waM introduced ainorif; several ul iIk; then iiiicjivili/.cil inhr.s north and cast of I'alestine. t This, it has hi'on maintained, nhoiild he Ihi- first step in alti iniitin^' to propagate Christianity anioiiy civili/.cd lleatl.eii. •' instead of M^ndini.' niissionaries for tlio iininediato pinpose tt('station to the divine commission of the Prophets and Aposiic. , whose instructions were delivered orally to the first converts to Christianity, and have been transmitted to us in the holy Scriptures : by which instruc' lions, accompanied with the efficacious grace of the Spirit, converts were made in Apostolic times, and are to be made in all ages of the world. And these instj'uctions, sanction- ed by the very attestation which sanctioned them when first 2 \ \ I i. • 10 delivered, we have in our hands ; and may employ, in en- liglilening and saving the nations, just as thoy were employ- ed by the Apostles. The objection is, then, of no validity ; and the evidence of the facts to which I have adverted remains unimpaired, and direct, and conclusive ; evincing, that it is the will of Jesus Christ, and the direction of his inspired Apostles, that, in labouring for the temporal and spiritual improve- ment of the idolatrous and barbarous nations, wc make it our primary object to Christianize them. 2. And now, let us look, secondly, at the kstlmony offaclf that have taken place since the times of the Jlpoitles. And here, I will pass over the various cflbrts that have been made in other ages for the spread of Christianity, and di- rect your attention, at once, to the benevolent exertions of the present day. And this I do, not because the ages which succeeded the Apostles, down to the present, furnish no facts to my purpose. All the facts which they present, at all applicable to the subject, are directly to my purpose.* But wc have not time for so extended an examination. And, of the experience of uninspired men, that must be most valua- ble to us, which has been had in the very circumstances in which we wish to be instructed how to proceed. And this, too, is, emphatically, the age of missionary effort ; and, 1 add without the fear of being contradicted by any man who has knowledge on the subject, of missionary success. * Tlio vcncrablo f.liot lias bcnn ad.liicnil as a witness in favour of llic plan of procKfiiliiif; against wlsicli tlio arf;nnient is here ilircctcd, inasiiiucli as ho formed the Imliaiis, anion;; whom lie laboured with micli Apostolic zeal and success, into a lilllo community, and uiivc them a simple in.stitut(^ of civil polity, and hud them tau^dit vari- ous domestic and mechanic aits. See the Sermon before this Society in 1S23. ]{nt 111 make the example in point, the advocates {\)r first civilizing; the Indians, should •hew, that Eliot deferred efforts to instnirt them in the Christian religion till af- ter then were in n nieasure rii'ilized. Hut this they can never do. While in- structing thorn in domestic and iiiechanic arts, he was every day prcaehinc to thani; and usin;; other means to bring thcni under the translorininc inllnence of Christian doc- trines. Till'! w.if always his prinuirn objiict. And so it was wiih 15uAirtAR|), and the MaYH^ws, and .ill others, who, in the last and preceding; ceiiiiiries. laboured mi successlullv to rclorni and Clinstiuiuzi; the >;orIh Aniencaii liuluin.-i. In 11 y'y in en- Icniploy- 'Vidcnce ipaiied, |e wilJ of ^postJcs, iprovc- makc it y of fads s. And vc been and di- itions of PS which » no facts It, at all se.* But And, of St vahia- ances in ^nd this, It; and, iny man success. l''e plan of ''oriiiod the into a little ""t'lif vari- 1S23. U„, i'"s, should ion till uf. While in. ? '<> thatn; 'stiaii , and 'Ijoiireil so In no age since the Apostles, have such exertions been made, and in none has so mucli been efl'ectcd, in spreading the Gospel through the earth. The standard of the cross has been planted in every clime, and on every shore. Hun- dreds of thousands of children and adults have l)cen brought under Christian instruction. Tliousands and tens of thousands of souls have, hopefully, been born again, among pagan and barbarous nations. Whole countries have cast away their idols, and received Jehovah as their God. And of a whole people, who were, within the memory of some of us, sunk in the lowest depths of barbarism and idolatry, it is declared, by the very best authority, that they are now the most thoroughly Christi.an of any entire nation on the earth.* What, then, is the testimony of this age on the subject before us .'' In answering the question, I am compelled to express my unfeigned regret, that I cannot adduce the results of any ex- periments made by the advocates of the first of the plans Ave are examining. They have said much about the want of wisdom, and the waste of zeal and treasure and lives, in those who have been aiming directly at Christianizing the nations. But no one of them has yet been found having the practical, matter-of-fact benevolence, to renounce the pleasures of country and of home, and. take his life in his hand, and go forth to some barbarous nation, and exhibit the folly of the plan of proceeding he condemns, by shew- * Sec letters of the doputation of the Lmidon Missionary Society — Messrs. Tyrcman and Uoiiiiett, from the Society Islands, '* A nation ofpiKerers," thoy say, " .'lave byconie en)iiicnlly trust-woithy. A jieople, forninly universally addict- ed to lasciviousncss, have hocomc modest and virtuous in tlic highest degree. Those who, a few years ago, despised all forms of religion except their own horrid and cruel superstitions, have universally declared in favour of Christianity ; study dili- gently tliosc parts of the Christian Scriptures which have been translated, ask earn- esily for more, and appear conscicntioosly to rcgidate themselves by the sacred or- ^11 les." A sinulnr revolution, much more rapid and nearly as complete, has been cli'ecleil by the blessing of (.Jiid on the American Ujission at the Sandwich Islands j and results e(|ually dtliglilCiil are f:ist producing, by the same means, among the Jherokei! anil Choclaw nations of Indians, and among various other, civilized and nnuivilizcd, llcuthcns. 12 I i. ing, in actual results, the superior wisdom of his own. Now we say, in the sincerity of our hearts, we do excced- inted to e Mo- They • divi- rnest- n the testi- 13 They began their missions to the Heathen in 1732 : and, though a very small denomination, with exceedingly limit- ed pecuniary resources, in 1822, they had, in various Hea- then countries, more than thirUj settlements, in which were employed about an hundred and sixhj missionaries, having the care of more than twenty-eight tlwusand converts.* These settlements are in Greenland, in North and South America, in the West Indies, in Tartary, Persia, and Egypt, in the Islands of the Indian ocean, and in southern Africa. And in all of them, you will see well-organized and happy com- munities ; — the filthy Hottentot and Grecnlandcr, exhibit- ing the decencies of civili7.cd life — the roving savage of America divested of his irregular habits and his barbarous cruelty ; all furnishing a beautiful exemplification of the morality and the spirit of genuine (^liristianity. And now by what process have these delightful results been produced ? A certain philosophical traveller, f hav- ing visited their stations in South Africa, and being delight- ed with the visible effects of their labours, without observ- ing or inquiring in what manner they were prosecuted, set himself to speculate on the principles from which such results must have originated ; and, upon his return to his native country, published to the world that " the Moravi- ans, insteiid of prcachinff to the natives the mysterious parts of the Gospel, instructed them in useful and industrious habits ; instead of building a church, they erected a store- house. And their labours were crowned with complete success." This testimony was eagerly caught up by a cer- tain distinguished periodical, and held forth to the public as convincing evidence, that the only way to oTect the eventual conversion of pagan and barbarous nations is first to civilize them. J But the Moravians themselves, whom the reviewer meant to compliment, "felt themselves insult- * Unit«(l IJrotlircns' Missionary Intelligencer, 1822, page 3. t Barrow. t EUiiiburgh Review, Vol. 8— page 432. \ i.i 14 cd by his culogium, and were the first to come forward and deny his assertions."* And no one at all acquainted with the history of their missions needs be told, that his statements were utterly without foundation. They have al- ways acted on the directly opposite system. They have, indeed, carried with them, among the savage tribes to whom they have gone, the arts and usages of civilized life ; and these they have recommended, by their example, and, to some extent, by their instructions. But this has always been with them a secondary object ; their principal eflbrts, wherever they go in the prosecution of their benevolent work, being, at once and continually, directed to the com- munication of the knowledge and the sanctifying power of Christian truth. The first question is, therefore, decided by the word of God, and by the continued testimony of his providence and his grace. If we would successfully employ our instru- mentality in extending among the idolatrous nations of the earth the temporal and spiritual blessings which we enjoy, we must make it our direct and primary object to Christian- ize them. II. We proceed to inquire, secondly, in endeavouring to Christianize the nations of the earth, what method shall wc pursue ? SHALL WE TEACH THEM, AT FIRST, ONLY THE SIMl'LER AND MORE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF OUR RELIG- ION ? OR SHALL WE, AT ONCE, PRESENT AND URGE UPON TIiEIR ACCEPTANCE ITS MOST SUBLIME AND DISTINCTIVE TRUTHS ?f On this point, also, you are aware that directly opposite opinions have been advanced and advocated, by persons pro- fessing the same desire to see the blessed influences of Chris- tianity universally diffused. On the one hand, it is maintain- ed, that missionaries ought to bring out at once, and continu- * Memoirs of John Urciiituirt, Vol. l—page 93. t '''ho reasoning under this licad is, throughout, as applieablo to civilized aa to uncivilized Heathen. > 3 1 ; i \ \ al '■ I P t' i t \ \ c \ t 't r I --'^t ^ '-i-^r*.: >^Pi and 15 (illy to make most prominent, in tlicir instructions to tlio Heathen, and to urge upon their attention with tender and persevering earnestness, the great peculiarities of the Chris- tian system, the incarnation of the Son of God, the propi- tiation made in his blood for the sins of the world, the lost condition of unrenewed men, the necessity of their renova- tion by the Holy Spirit, and the endless happiness or mise- ry depending on the character formed in the present life. On the other hand it is contended, that those who are la- bouring for the conversion of the Heathen, will be " far more likely to promote among them the cause of religion and virtue, if, instead of inculcating these mysterious doc- trines, they would enforce on the attention of their hearers those divine precepts which embody the principles of a morality the purest and most perfect the world has ever known."* A radical mistake, it has been alledged, in the conductors of modern missions has been, that, " instead of adapting instruction to the capacity and powers of compre- hension of the ignorant Heathen, — nay, instead even of teaching them ' which be the first principles of the oracles of God,' they commenced with inculcating those sublime doctrines which the most cultivated minds must be expand- ed to compi'ehcnd, and made the belief of profound myste- ries the first requisite ;" " while others, still more incon- sistently, introduced the abstruse dogmas of metaphysical theology, which puzzle the intellect, instead of the simple and intelligible moral precepts of the Gospel, which have a reforming and purifying influence on the temper and con- duct."! Which of these directly opposite views is correct .' In answering the question, we appeal, as before, not to a priori reasonings, but to facts. I. And we again refer you, ^rs^ to the example of the * Momoirs of Urquliart, Vol. 1 — |ia£rt-' S4. t Sermon preached before this Society in 1823, Ijy Thatklcus Mason Harris. D.D., p;i!;o U. «_^ .-'-.iw)-' ■ "« ■ *< » rii i.vtti< iiwmnii r/ ! fi r 16 Jlposths. Their efforts for the conversion of the Heathen were, every where, attended with immediate and most won- derful success. And this result, we have seen, was effected, not by the direct instrumentality of the miracles they wrought, but of the religious truths which they inculca- ted, and which we are to inculcate, among the nations. In what order and method, then, did they inculcate the Christian doctrines .-' The Apostle of the Gentiles shall answer. " The Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified ; unto the Jews a stumbling-block, and unto the Greeks foolishness ; but unto them which are culled both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and thcwisdom of God.^' " When I came to you, I came not with excellency of speech, or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God : for I determined not to know anv thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." " God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." This most successful propagater of Christianity among Pagan nations, acting under the infallible guidance of the Holy Spirit, made the atonement accomplished by the humiliation and death of the Son of God, wherever he went, the grand and prominent subject of his instructions. And so did all the Apostles. And in doing this, they were, and were in- tended by the Spirit who guided them to be, models for all propagaters of Christianity among the nations to the end of the world. What more direct and convincing evi- dence can be desired that, if we would secure the blessinir of God to give efficacy to our efforts for the conversion of the Heathen, we must make the atonement of Christ the great and prominent subject of our instructions .'' 2. And now look again, secondly, at the testimony fur- nished by the history of modern missions. And here, too, I might refer you to the experience of any, or of all the de- i-^ * 17 Heathen most won- s cflecteil, des tliey ly inculca- ions. lulcate the iuiles shall ecks seek ; unto the )oIishness ; (1 Greeks, " When cch, or of (iod : for I save Jesus lat I should St." This onji Paoan [' the Holy liumiliation ;, the jifrand d so did all id were in- models for ons to the incing evi- he blessinjr aversion of Christ the hnony fur- lere, too, I all the de- nominations of cvaufTolica! Ciiristians who have, of late years, been actively engaged in sending the Gospel to thj Heathen, and present you with the same unequivocal and decisive testimony. Uut, as before, I shall direct you" at- tention only to the Moravians. And this I shall do, not on- ly for the reasons stated in the former instance, but also for the additional one, that, of both the methods of procedure now under examination, these devoted servants of Christ liave made a thorough trial. Their second mission was established in Greenland, in 1733.* And for a series of years, using at the same time every means to gain the confidence and aflection of the savages around them, they were most assiduous in teaching them only such truths of the Christian system as are commonly regarded as of a preliminary nature, — the being and char- acter of God, the creation of the world, the fall of man, and the requirements of the divine law. And what was the effect of this, apparently, most rational mode of proceed- ing, pursued with a fidelity and a patience which will never be surpassed } " Shew us," their auditors would say, " the God you describe, then we will believe in liim, and serve him. You represent him as so great that we cannot come near him, neither will he trouble himself about us. We have prayed to him when we were sick, or had nothing to cat, but he heard us not. What you say of him, therefore, we think, is not true ; or, if you know him better than we do, then do ye, by your prayers, obtain for us plenty of food, health of body, and a dry house ; for these are all the things we either desire, or want. We have healthy souls already ; we need nothing but a sound body, and enough to eat. You are a different kind of people from us. In your country, perhaps, persons may have diseased souls : we have proof of this, indeed, in those who come hither ; they are good for nothing ; they may, therefore, stand in * Their first mission, to St. Tliomas in tiie West Indies, had been commenced in tho preceding year. 3 i> 18 U ' necil of a Saviour and a physi* iari for tlio soul. Vour licav- en ami your spiriliuil pleasures may I»c gooil eiiongli for you ; but they woulil he tiresome to us. We must have seals, and birds, and fishes ; these we shall not find in your heaven ; and therefore wc will leave it to you, and the worthless part of the Grecniandcrs. As for us, wo will go down to Torn<;arsu';k ; there wo shall find abundance of every thing, without toil or troul)le."* " If the missiona- ries tarried more than one night with them, they employed every spceies of art to entice them to their wanton, disso- lute practices; and when they failed in this, they endeav- oured to weary and provoke them, by mocking and mim- icking their reading, singing, praying, or by accompanying these sacred excici .es with their hideous howling, or the beat of their drums. They took occasion, from their ex- ternal poverty, to ridicule them with the keenest sarcasms ; and if the Brethren replied, that they did not come to Greenland for the sake of outward advantages, as good eat- ing and drinking, but to teach them the will of God and the way to heaven, they taunted them, saying, ' Fine fel- lows, indeed, to be our teachers ! We know very well, ye yourselves are ignorant, and must learn your lesson from others.' All this rudeness the Brethren bore with patience, meekness, and serenity : but the savages, instead of being softened by their gentle behaviour, were only encouraged to abuse them the more. They pelted them with stones, seized many of their goods, and shattered the- . to pieces. Nay, they were so cruel as to attempt to "^iOil their boat, or to drive it out to sea, which would have deprived them of their chief means of subsistence. And they even, with naked knives in their hands, threatened their lives."! At length, in 1738, five years after the commencement of their labours, there was a providential occurrence, destined ♦ Brown'* History of Missions, Vol. 1— page 305. t Do. Vol. 1— page 303. . . ^f ' ^?\ ' ■^ 'n our Iioav- ongli for mist liJive il ill your aiul the will {JO lulunro of luissiona- oinployeil on, (liissu- cy ctuloav- aiul miin- )inpany'mi!f ing, or the 1 their ox- sarcasms ; come to s good eat- f God and ' Fine fel- vcrv well, esson from h patience, d of being encouraged v^itli stones, . to pieces, their boat, rived them even, with ves." t ncement of :e, destined — paga 303. U) to have a most important inllucnco, not only on this mis- sion, but on the convcrii^iun of the Heathen throughout the world. Some Southlaiulcrs happened to visit the Urethren, as one of them was writing out a fair copy of a translation of the Gospel. They were curioji.s to know what was in the book ; and, on hearing read the history of Christ's ag- ony in the garden, one of the savages, named Kaiarnak, stepped up to the ta! 'c, and in an earnest, alFectiiig manner, said, ' How was that ? Toll me it once more, for I also would fain be saved.' Those words, the like of which the missionary had never hoard from the Iij)sof a Greenlander, penetrated his whole soul, so that the tears rolled down his chocks, while he gave an account of the life and death of Christ, and of the plan of salvation through him ; descri- bing, with more than ordinary force and enoi'gy, his suffer- ings in the garden and on the cross. The savages listened with fixed attention ; and some of them recpiested th.atthcy Mii^ht he tautjht to ])ray : and when the missionaries did pray with them, they fro(piontly repeated their expressions, that so they mi^ht not forget tliom. And, on leaving, they said they would come affain, and hear of these things. And from that j)eriod, KafaUiNak made lVot|nont visits to the Brethren, and at length took up his re-iilence with them : and, afier about a year, giving satisfactory evidonie of a work of grace on his heart, he was received into the CImrch. As yet, however, the missrionaries had made no definite change in their method of instructing the people. And soon, Kaiaunak left tlioin, to rotiini to his countrymen in the South. After about a year's absence, he returned, to their unspeakable joy ; I)rin'jii>g with him a brother and his family ; and savin:',, that all lie luul heard from the mis- sionaries li'i Iia.i ui;ulo liiiowii to Iih countrymen ; that he iiail ciulja\ oiircu, w liilo a!) inl, to bold connnunion with the Saviour ; aiul th;it h;^ ;lioiild n.'vcr leave the Brethren aut soon he was remarkably and pcrujanently changed. " The drunkard had learned to be sober ; and the man, who was as savage as a bear, had become ntild and peaceful as a lamb. He af- terwards gave the Brethren the following simjjle " and in- slruclive " account of liis conversion. " I," said he, " have been a heathen, and have grown old among the heathen ; therefore I know how the heathen think. Once u preach- er came, and began to tell us that there was a God. We answered him, saying, ' Dost thou think us so ignorant as not to know that } Go back to the place from whence thou earnest.' Then another preacher came to us, and bejjau to say, 'You must not steal, nor lie, nor get drunk.' To him wc answered, ' Thou fool ; dost thou think that we do not know that ? Learn first thyself, and then teach thy own ♦ Ilrowii's History of Missions, Vul. 2— |>|i. 107, !()!>. " It is proprr, liowpvcr, to rciiiaiU," t!io liistnrian adds, " llitit, tlio'i;.di tin; Jlrntliri'ii inako llio (k^alli of ClirisI tlio craiiil Miilijcct of tliiur iiroat'lini;,' aiiioiif,' llio lloalhcii, thi^y liy Tin inciiiis Cdiiliuo llieir iiisiructioiis to tliis particular puint. Tlicn; is iin part ul' diviiio truth, whether of a doctrinal or practical nature, but what they endeavour, \>y degrees, to instil into the niiudd of tlieir converts. " f i. < 09 j)coplc to leave off tliesc practices ; for who steal, or lie, or are more ilrmiken, than the white men ?' Thus we dis- missed him. After sometime brother Rauch* came into my hut, and sat down by me. He then spoke to me as fol- lows : ' I am come to yon in the name of the Lord of heav- en and earth. He sends to let you know that he will make you happy, and deliver you from that misery in which you at present lie. For this purpose He became a man, gave his life a ransom, and shed his blood for you.' When he had finished his discourse, he lay down upon aboard, fa- tigued by his journey, and fell into a sound sleep. I then thought, '• What kiiul of a man is this ? There he sleeps. I might kill him, and throw him into the wood, and who would regard it ? But this ffivcshim no care or concern.' At the same time, I could not forget his words. They constantly recurred to my mind. Even when I slept, I dreamed of that blood which Christ shed for us. I found this to be something different from what I ever heard be- fore ; and I interpreted brother Raucu's words to the oth- er Indians. Thus, through the grace of God, an awaken- ing began among us. Brethren, preach Christ our Saviour, and his sufferings and death, if you would have your tcords to gain entrance among the heathen.''^ f I, surely, need not add another word. The position is demonstrated. The only effect»val way to attempt the con- version of the Heathen is, at once, to preach to them, and urge upon their acceptance, the distinguishing doctrines of the Gospel, especially the incarnation of the Son of God, and his vicarious sufferings and death. This, and this alone, will ilhiininate their darkened understandings, melt their stubborn hearts, ami kindle in their icy breasts the flame of siiiritual life, and bring t!)em to the enjoyment of the SI bstantial blessings of civilization and true rcliirion. * {.'lirislian Tlciiry Uain;!!, tli« Moiaviaii" IMissionaiy w)io liaj ht'cii instrumental III Ills coiivcrtiioii. t Mi-mwh'm lli.^t.iry of MissioiiH, Vol. 1 — I'P- 3))(j, 397, I \ I i I 23 steal, 01' lie, ■ rims we dis- \ * came into to me as fol- ■s ord of heav- i le will make % 1 which you , 1 man, gave % When he ■ ■> aboard, fa- ep. I then 2 he sleeps. d, and who or concern.' rds. They i n I slept, I . 5 IS. 1 found r heard be- ' to the oth- -. an awaken- mr Saviour, our icords to ) 3 position is \ ipt the con- % them, and 1 .loctrines of {% )n of God, s, and this dings, melt breasts the joyinent of J, religion. en instrumental i We sec, then, brethren of this Society, what is our duty in the discharge of the sacred trust committed to us. We must employ, and send forth, to our destitute settlements, and to the Indian tribes, such missionaries, and only such, as have learned by experience, the deep moral ruin of the human race, and the subduing and transforming efficacy of redeeming love ; and, with hearts full of compassion for their perishing fellow-men and of zeal for the glory of Christ in their salvation, will, at once and continually, with the tondcrest afl'ection and at any sacrifice, endeavour to bring those to whom we send them to know and feel the power of the simple testimony of the dying of the Lord Jesus as the propitiation for our sins. If we persevere in this course, we shall obey the instructions of the providence and the word of God; we slsaH be faithful to the trust committed to us ; we shall essential' y contribute to the sal- vation and civilization of men. /f we pursue a different course, we shall disregard the unequivocal directions of the providence and the word of God ; we shall be unfaithful to the trust reposed in us by those who contributed the funds committed to our care ; we shall bestow our labours in vain. The liOrd give us grace to be faithful ; and to pursue the course which he approves, and will attend Avith his ef- fectual blessing. i It .n - ■,^-~ REPORT. OF TFIE SELECT COMMITTEE. Published liy a voto of tlie Society, Nov. 5lh, 1829. During the year 1823, the same number of missionaries were em])Ioycd, and in the same placet!, as for several preceeding years : And, excepting tlie teacliers for a few small Indian tribes, they were employed in tiie State of Maine. From the first establish- ment of tlie Society, our missionaries have labored aluost wholly in that part of the country. There were then, and since, al- ways have been, many new settlements in Maine, the inhabitants of whicii were destitute of the stated means of religious instruction, and the most of whom emigrated from the old towns in Massachu- setts. These considerations, probably, ijiduced the first and early members of this Society to employ religious teachers in that re- gion. The first missionary was Rev. Daniel Little, of Wells, who was peculiarly (pialified for tiie employment, and very popular on account of his evangelical and catholic sentiments. He was em- ployed several years, successively, viz. from 1789 to 1794; and his services were cxtensivcdy useful. In many places which he visited, the people seemed to have lost a disposition for religious worship and instruction, in conse(iuence of being long destitute of the means of grace; and many families were without the sacred volume. He convinced them of the importance of maintainingthe ordinances of the gospel ; and was instrumental in forming church- es and inducing the people to ordain ministers in several places. More recently, this and other similar societies, through their I L i 26 t If -^ I ■i / missionaries, liavn bocii instrumental in f()rniin,intment, Mr. Calef devoted to his own people in Lyman, who, he says, "are few and poor." They allowed him only forty-eight dollars for the year, which he received princi])ally in produce and labor. lie expresses, for him- self and people, much gratitude to this Society, for its aid for sev- eral years past; as, without it, he must have taken a dismission from them and left the town. Mr. Calef has been in the employ- ment of the Society many years, though generally for a short peri- od every year. The proportion of Congregationalists in Lyman and the adjoining towns is small, and Mr. Calef has been very ac- ceptable and useful among them. For the present year, Mr. Ca- lef has had no appointment, as it was believed other places claimed attention. m tr The Rev. Mr. Nurse,of Ellsworth, had amission at Mariaville, a new settlement in the neighborhood, for twelve weeks, with au- thority to employ some one as an assistant. He accordingly en- gaged Mr. Sylvester Clap, preceptor of the Academy at Blue Hill, in his vicinity, who spent four sabbatlis and two whole weeks at Mariaville. Mr. Clap was well received by the people. He j)aid particular attention to their sclu. "Is, and prevailed on the principal men to build a new school house. The report of Mr. Clap to Mr. Nurse is very minute and interesting. lie visit(;d the plantation twice in July, 1828, and again in May Ia?t. At his first visit, the men were so much occupied on their farms, that they seldom at- tended his preaching, except on the sabbath: and in May, the travelling was so bad as to prevent the attendance, even on the sabbath, of sucli as lived at a distance from the place where he preached. lie says, however, " that a good number attended, : a 29 lie support of ndnoss in liis ber time with night be very liaving reli- inistratioii of 0, ill produce o-ino. [Calcf devoted w and poor." car, wiiich he esses, for iiiin- ts aid for sev- 1 a dismission 1 tiic cmploy- r a short peri- ists in Lyman been very ac- I'car, Mr. Ca- )laccs claimed at Mariaviilc, ^eks, with au- cordingly cn- at Blue Hill, liole weeks at le. He paid the principal . Clap to Mr. tie plantation Irst visit, the :!y seldom at- in May, the even on the ICC where he cr attended, and were very serious in their deportment. According to the ac- counts, botli of Mr. Clap and Mr. Nurse, there is an opening at this place for useful service. " The field is represented as white for harvest, and appearances indicate, that the Lord has many souls in this place." Mr. Nurse says that Mr. Clap's services were very acceptable. Mr. Clap himself says, that his feelings were so moved by a visit to a small and poor plantation, adjoining Maria- ville, that he spent some time in getting a subscription for build- ing a school house. Mr. Clap was unwell two days, while on his mission ; but the residue of the time he appears to have assidu- ously devoted to the duties of his appointment. lie visited the schools in plantations 20, 27, 50 and 33 ; and preached several lectures, and made numerous family visits. He says he was happy to find that every family in tiiis wilderness had a bible. He visit- ed some recently bereaved families — in one of which the widowed mother of a large family of cliildren was in great distress on ac- count of her own spiritual wants, as well as for the loss of an af- fectionate husband. lie says, he exhibited such views of the Ciiristian religion, as he deemed suitable to her condition, and as were calculated to impart consolation. After lamenting his feeble state of hcaltii, by which he was prevented two days from attend- ing to the duties of his mission, he says, " this day is the sabbath, and I have preached three sermons to the people in No. 20. The house was crowded to overflowing. I liavc seldom had such an attentive audience. My emotions, on this occasion, induced me to say " it is good to be here." Mr. Nurse spent four sabbaths himself at Mariaville, and preach- ed ten sermons; one of which was before a society for the promo- tion of temperance. In the opinion of Mr. Nurse, this society is doing much good in the settlement. He states several instances of reformation which have occurred since its forniution. Mr. Nurse says he was gratified, by the numbers which attended his preaching, and with their serious attention to iiis discourses; and he expresses a hope, that he has not labored in vain. Mr. Nurse was one sabbath on the Island of Mount Desert, " which, he says, though not strictly, perhaps, missionary ground, as there is a set- 30 , i I -* i I i y 1 I ., - 1 ^ A wi tied minister there, lie was induced to visit, aa the Clcrjjyujaii is aged and infirm, tlic people widely dispersed, and it being also a season of extraordinary attention to religion." He had however, previously visited the aged minister, who appeared highly pleased at seeing him, and invited him to preach to ids peoj)ie. After- wards, having a request both from the minister and people, Mr. Nurse again visited Mount Desert; and he says, " the people were profoundly attentive." He hopes, the society will be willing to consider this time spent in its service. Mr. Nurse also performed missionary labor in the town of Hancock, adjoining Ellsworth, and preached several lectures, which, he says, were numerously and se- riously attended." At the date of his letter in May last, Mr. Nurse proposed to spend two sabbaths more at Mariavillo, to com- plete the appointment of last year-, though he and his assistant, Mr. Clap, had preached in the place eight sabbaths, at Hancock one ; one on INIount Dcscnt, and had employed a young man from the Bangor Theological School one sabbath at Mariaville. From this place, Mr. Nurse received ^37 50 ; and from the people of Mount Desert, 8^ oO ; and he has given the society credit, as part of the compensation voted him, for '"^40. Rev. Mr. Kellogg of Portland says he was received at Perry, with open arms. He immediately began a course of family visits through the town, in which there is about one hundred : and con- tinued, as he could redeem time from the Indian school. The in- habitants are scattered over a large territory ; but have become attached to a central worship on the sabbath. Their attendance on the Lord's day exceeded tliat of former years. The people had begun a new meeting house, which, during the then ensuing season, he expected would be completed. " It inspirited him in his efforts," he says, " to see the people giving serious attention to sabbath exercises and coming from all parts of the town. Six years ago, Perry was a moral wilderness ; without a priest and without an altar." " While in you;- service, including six weeks from the Massachusetts Missionary Society, I gave attendance to hrtee public schools, to the montiily coiicirt of prayer, to a day of fasting and prayer, to a iiiblo class, to fnc funerals, formed a ..*«i^ ^ |C']cr^ryn,aii is IjciDjr also !l |iiad liowever, 'glily i)lcased [oplo. Aftor- pcoplc, Mr. h i)coplo were [Ijc willing to «o pcrlWrnicd iI«\vortli, and oiisly and se- '■^y last, Mr. ^'Ilo, tocom- 'is as.sistant, at Hancock iig man from *'Jlc. From ''c pcoj)le of [rt'dit, at: pari il at Porry, family visits J : and con- >!• The in- iive become attendance The ])eople len ensuino- 'ted hini in attcmion to lown. Six pfitvst and : six weeks 'tichinco to a day of foiiued a 3] tract and a (rmpcrate society, admitted tlirro persons into llio cliurcli, had four communion .scasoiis, made ^70 vinits among the people, cliicfly pastoral, lahoring, l)y expounding the scriptures, by conversation and prayer, to brinjj home to every bosom the truth as " it is in Jesus." Mr. Kellofjg preached at Ltibcc, near Perry, and administprerational order, and they received Mr. I''arj;o willi cordiality and an apparent desire for spiritnal improvement. 'I he late wor- thy and venerable Mr. Mc'Iit-an, for several years a missionary from tiiis society, with ni\liniited discretion to perform service where and when he conld, visited this part of the country, eighteen years ago, wIkmi the settlemenls were new and scattered. Unt, by Mr. Fargo's account, his memory is much respected ; and the pood instructions ho gave them arc remembered with holy grati- tude anil joy. At nin^rham, Mr. Fargo says, the meetings on the sabbatli were well alfciided, and the most of the people manifest an interest in tiie things of religion. A sai)bath sciiocl recently established, wa.s in a prosperous slate. A small sum was raised for preaching, and l)y advice of Mr. Fargo it was expended by em- ploying a young man as a candidnle for settlement. At Mo.scow, he says, the people arc; less able to contribute for the support of the gospel. Our charity, he observes, was well received by the in- habitants of these places; but some of them wept when they were told, that but a part of a month could be allowed them. Two in- fants were baptised ; and two persons offered for a union with the church. The people desired Mr. Fargo to express their thanks to the Society for the kindness thus shewn them ; and to entreat for them a continuance and extension of spiritual favors. The set- tlement on the Canada-road is represented as a still more inter- esting field of missir)nary labor. " The joy, with which they re- ceive the missionary, the care nianifcsted for his comfort, the ea- gerness to hear his instructions, and the apparent good resulting, are subjects," says Mr. Fargo, " which cheer and animate us in our labors — of the destitute condition of this people, you will have a clear idea, when I inform you, that they have not been favored with any missionary labor for tlie year, except what you have fur- nished them by me." The same was the case with Moscow, ex- ■■n , mmmm ' f 3G \ cept two sabbatlis. Mr. Fargo obderves, that lie is of opinion, that no people in the United States, on account of their destitute state, their poverty and their reception of religious instruction, more deserve the charity of our society. The books sent by the Society were received by the poor like food by the hungry. But so great is the want, that they were like a drop of rain on a dry and parched plain. The thanks of the people in this region are tendered to the Society, through Mr. Fargo, for the books and the labors of the missionary ; and they also earnestly request to re- ceive similar favors, and that more time be allowed the teacher who may be sent there, if consistent with our attention and duty to the people of other places. Mr. Fargo was appointed in June last, for two months, to these places. For the last year, Mr. Far- go received $60 from the Massachusetts Missionary Society ; and $100 from the Maine Missionary Society. He says, these sums, with what the people of Solon allow him, compensate him about three fourths of the year. Agreeably to his appointment, Mr. Sawyer spent two months in missionary services among the inhabitants in the plantations on the Penobscot river. " At Brownsville and Williamsburg," he observes, "I have witnessed the fruits of former labors, under the patronage of this Society. Several of my former puplis, in these places, are now active members of the church." At Sangerviile, he assisted in forming a church of ten members. On former oc- casions, when in the service of this Society, Mr. Sanger assisted in organizing a church at Garland, and one at Foxcroft ; new towns in the county of Penobscot. During the last season, Mr. Sawyer labored nine weeks and a half, and preached ten sabbaths, in towns and plantations in different parts of the county ; baptized one adult, attended two communions, three funerals, two church meetings, a Bible Society, and several conferences. He preached twenty seven times, and made one hundred and thirty family vis- its. He also visited several schools, which he found well conduct- ed. Mr. Sawyer spent more time in Brewer than he would have done, (as it is an old town,) had there not been uncommon atten- 37 tion to religion in tiiat place. Many made public profession of tlieir faith in Christ, and gave satisfactory evidence of their religious character. There was a great desire manifested by the people generally in that town to hear the gospel preached ; and Mr. Saw- yer was induced therefore, to spend much time among them. For though numerous, they have no settled minister. Mr. Sawyer seems faithfully to have performed his duty as a missionary, and his labors to have been abundantly blessed. He has been appoint- ed two months this year, for the same places which he visited the last. By a statement of services rendered by Mr. Frederick Baylies, it appears, that he kept the Indian school at Nantucket, Chaba- quidick. Christian Town, Gay Head, and atCharlestown in Rhode Island, seventeen weeks in person, and employed others, as teach- ers in his absence, sixty three weeks. The whole number of chil- dren, who attended these schools, was 219, 195 of whom were In- dians : 188 of them were taught writing; 91 read in the Testa- ment, 66 in the Spelling book and 33 in the Alphabet. Most of them were also required to study and answer questions from Col- burn's Arithmetic. Mr, Baylies considers the schools a very im- portant part of his labors. He says the children of t'le natives are intelligent and docile, and their parents gladly embrace the oppor- tunities granted by these schools. His opinion is, that the moral and social condition of the Indians is gradually improving. The religious meetings on the sabbath, he says, have generally, been well attended ; sometimes very respectable for numbers, but, at other times, only a few attended. He expresses a belief, ' that some persons among them are truly pious, and have chosen the good part which cannot be taken from them." Some sabbath t;chools have been lately established among tribes under the care of Mr. Baylies. And he has been supplied with books for the children who attend them. It will be recollected, that of the tribe of Indians, called the New Stockbridge tribe, and formerly under the care of the late Rev. Mr. Sargent, in the State of New York, far the greater part "-"■m^^ fimmm 38 iPiiiovod to Green Bay, within the territory of Michigan, about live years ago : and that since the death of Mr. Sargent, no stated missionary lias Ijeen located among them. A missionary by the name of Miner, was appointed to visit those who settled at Green Bay : but he has deceased. The Rev. President Davis, and Rev. Dr. Norton, of Oneida county, State of New York, were re- quested by a committee of the Society to take the superintendence of those of the tribe remaining at their old settlement in that state. In a letter received from these gentlemen, bearing date, October 30th, 1829, they say, " there are but two families of the tribe still dwelling in this vicinity, who are landholders : but there are some vagrants, about whom no calculation can be made. And it ap- pears to us, that there is nothing further which your Society ought to attempt to do for those remaining." Of those at Green Bay, they say, they are able to give no satisfactory information, as to their number or condition — and they refer to the ' American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions,' which has a mission at that place, for information,. resi)ecting their state and numbers. On inquiry of the Secretary of that Board, it appears, that since the settlement began, many have migrated to the place from New Stockbridge ; thirty having removed there during the present year : and that the whole number is now 220 or 230. They are on the banks of Fox river, which falls into Green Bay. Their settlements extend about four miles on that river, and back from its banks two miles. Most of the flimilies have farms, on which they raise corn, potatoes, wheat, &,c. sufficient for their own use. Their buildings are decent and comfortable. They do not attend much to hunting, and seem disposed to cultivate the earth for a livintr. They exhibit many evidences of fondness for civilized life, and they understand and read the English language. They have had a school about two years, and kept chiefly by one of their own tribe. They have had some religious instruction ; butn^t without frequent interruptions. There is a church, consisting of 38 mem- bers, most of whom exhibit evidences of sincere piety — but a few have been disciplined and suspended for intemperance. On the sabbatli, about 100 usually assemble for public religious worship. I 1 39 an0. Hon. Jonathan Phillips, President. Rev. Dr. Porter, Vice President. Aluen Bradford, Esq. Secretary. Hon. AsAHEL Stearns, Treasurer. , SELECT COMMITTEE. Hon. Jonathan Davis, Res. Dr. Ware, Rev. Dr. Harris, Hon. Richard Sullivan, Rev. Francis Parkman. The President, Secretary, and Treasurer, arc members, ex officio, of the Select Committee. MISSIONARIES FOR 1829. # Rev. Elijah Kellocg, Peter Nourse, .lonathan Sawyer, Nathan Douglass, Freeman Parker, Charles F. Page, Timothy F Rogers, Marshtiold Steele, Silas Warren, Mr. Fargo, at months. 2 2 2 2 Perry, Mariaville, Plantations on the Penobscot, St. Albans and vicinity, PittstoM, and eastern parts of Lincoln coimty, 2 Limington, 2 Pernardston and Vernon, 2 Cooper, 1 East Andovcr, 1 Moscow, Bingham, &c. 2 Mr. Frederick Baylies, Missionary and 'J'eacher for the year, to the Indians on Nantucket, Mariija's Vineyard, and the Narraganset tribe in Rhode Island. 1 40 ACT OF INCORPORATION. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and eighty seven. An Act to incorporate certain persons, by the name of «'The Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America.'' Whereas divers persons have petitioned this Court for an act of incorporation whereby they may be the better enabled to carry into eflect their design of propagating the Gospel among the Indians and others in North America, and it is reasonable that the prayer of said petition should be granted : Therefore to promote and encourage the same, I. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same. That Richard Cranch of Braintree, Esq., Rev. John Clark of Boston, Francis Dana of Cambridge, Esq., Rev. Joseph Eckley and John FMiot of Bogton, Rev. Nathaniel Emmons of Franklin, Rev. Levi Frisbie of Ipswich, Moses Gill of Princeton, and William Hyslop of Brookline, Esqrs., Rev. Timothy Ililliard of Cambridge, Jonathan Mason of Boston, Esq., Rev. Phillips Pajson of Chelsea, Rev. Eliphalet Por- ter, and Increase Sumnei, Esq., of Roxbury, Ebenezer Storer, Esq., Rev Pe- ter Thatcher, and Oliver Wendell, Esq., of Boston, Rev. Joseph Willard, Ed- ward Wigglesworth and Samuel Williams, Doctor of Laws, at Cambridge, and the Rev. Ebenezer Wright of Boston, be, with such others as they shall elect, and they hereby are incorporated and made a body politic, for the purpose aforesaid, by the name of " The Society for propagating the Gospel among the Indians, and others, in North America ;" and the Society aforesaid shall have perpetual succession, and may have a common seal, which it shall be lawful for them to change, break, alter, and make new at pleasure, and may purchase and hold in succession, lands, tenements, and real estate of any kind, the annual income and profit not to exceed the value of two thousand pounds. And the said Society is hereby enabled to take and receive subscriptions of charitably disponed persons, and may take any personal estate in succession ; and all donations to the Society, either by subscriptions, legacy, or otherwise, excepting such as may be differently appropriated by the donors, shall make a part of, or be put into the capital stock of the Society, which shall be put out on interest, on good security, or otherwise improved to the best advantage, and the incomes or profits applied to the purposes of propagating the Gospel among the said Indians, in such manner as they shall judge most conducive to the de- sign of their institution ; and also among other people, who, through poverty or other circumstances, are destitute of the means of religious instructions : and the said Society is hereby empowered to give such instructions, orders and en- couragements to their officers, and those they shall employ, as they shall judge i n< m ai n S T u n e u si 1 c t V f 41 i ^ necessary ; and tlie persons employed as tencliers in any capacity, shall be men of tlie protestant religion, of reputed piety, loyalty, prudence, knowledge and literature, and of otlicr Christian and necessary (lualificutions suited to their respective stations. II. Jlnd be it further enacted hy the authority aforesaid. That the said Society shall meet at some convenient place in the town of Boston, on the first Thursday of December, and then choose a I'residenl, Vice rresident, Treas- urer, and Secretary, and such other ollicers "s they shall judge proper, and may make bye laws and orders for the rcgidation of lliesaid Society ,• provid- ed such bye laws and orders be not repugnant to the laws of the land, and act upon all matters which tliuy apprehend needful, to promote the end of their in- stitution : and the ollicers so chosen shall continue in their ollice, until the Thursday next succeeding the last Wednesday of May next following the time of their appointmtint. HI. Jlnd be it further enacted. That there shall he a general meeting of the members of the said Society at fiostoa afoiesaid, or in any other j)lace within this Commonwealth (unless some extraordinary occurrence prevent the same) on the Thursday aforesaid in May, and tirst Thursday of November, yearly, forever, and oftener, if needful, when and whore the said Society shal' think lit ; and any seven of the members (the President, Vice President, Treasurer or Secretary always to be one) being convened at the said times and places, are hereby declared to be a fiuorum of the said general meeting ; and the said Society at their general meeting in May, in every year, (and in case of any extraordinary occurrence preventing their meeting, then at their next general meeting after) shall out of their own body, by a majority of the members present, elect a I'resichnit, Vice I'resident, Treasurer and Secretary, and such other ollicers as they shall find needful, to continue in utiice until the May meeting next following their appointment, or until others be chosen to succeed them ; and all the oIliiMM-s aforesaid, before they shall be (|ualilied to act, shall be under oath for the faithful performance of their respective trusts ; and the said Society, at their lirst, or any other stated meeti'ig, (and at no oth- er) may elect into their body such poisons, as tliey shall judge (pialilled to as- sist them in their good design ; provided the whole number of the said society shall at no lime exceed lifty members : and loay appoint committees, to prose- cute the orders of any general m(!eting, audit the Treasurer's accounts, and prepare matters for tho Society to act upon ; and such committees shall exhibit an account of their proceedings, at the general meetings of the Society. IV. And be it further enacted. That the Society aforesaid, by tho name aforesaid, shall be, and is hereby declared to he capable to prosecute, pursue, and def(>ud, in all courts and places, and before all proper jndges whatso(!ver, all actions, causes, processes and pleas, of what kind or nature soever, in the fullest and amplest manner ; and if it shall happen that the said Soci(!ty shall become seized of lands or tenements hy mortgages, as security for the payment of any debts, due to the said society, it shall be lawful for the said Society, by 42 deed under the liand and seal of their President for the time being, to sell and convey the lands acquired in either of the two mentioned ways ; provided that no such sale shall be made or concluded on, but at some general stated meet- ing. ^ V. .^nd be it further enacted, That the said Society he, and hereby is empowered, upon the death of their President, Vice President, Treasurer, Se- cretary, or any other ollicer, to choose others at any stated general meeting, to succeed them ; and may also remove any of their ofliccrs when they shall judge expedient, and appoint others to succeed them therein. Provided al- wayi^, that no member shall be removed, or oflicers displaced, unless at one of the .stated general meetings a.-, aforesaid. And to the end, that the members of tlie said Society, and all contributors* to the said design, may know the state of the Society's stock, and the disposi- tions of llu' profits thereof, and of all the donations made to the said Society. V'l. Be it further enacted; That a particular account of such stock and disposition shall be exhibited by the Treasurer, at every staiod general meet- ing ; which accounts the Secretary, or a committee of the said Society (iiaving examined the same) shall certify to he true ; and fair entries shall be made in proper books, to bo provided for that purpose, of all donations made to the So- ciety, and of all the estate, both real and personal, belonging to the Society and of tlie increase thereof, nnd also of all transactions, either by themselves, their ollicers, or committees, for, or on any account of thesaid i'ociety ;and the said books shall be brought to the stated general meetings of the Society, and be there open for the perusal and examination of the members. Vn. And he it further enacted. That Moses Gill, Esq. be, and ho is hereby authorized, by public notification, in Adams' and Noursc's Independ- ent Chronicle, to call the first meeting of the said Society, at such time and place, in the town of Boston, as he shall judge proper. i MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY for propagoting the Gospel among the Indians and others. Named i" the Incorporation Act, 17S7. * Ricliard Cranch, E?q. * Rev. John Clark, 1'. D. * Francis Dana, V.s<\. * Rev. Joseph Ecklev, D. D. * Rev. John Eliot, Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, D. D. * Rev. Levi Frisbic, * Moses Gill, Esq. * William Ilyslup, Esq. * Rev. Timothy llilliaril, Rraintree. Rciston. Cambridge. Boston. JJoston. Franklin. Ipswich. Princoton. Brookline. Cambridge 43 r lit It- is le- Ito jiill bil- lof 10 rs psi- * Jonathan Mason, Esq. *Rcv. Phillips Piiyson, D. D. Rev. Eliplialet Porter, U. U. * Increase Sumner, Esq. * Ebenezcr Stfunr, Esq. * Rev. Peter Thatclier, D. D. •Oliver Wendell, Esq. * Rev. Joseph Willard, D. D. L. L. D. * Rev. Edward Wigglesworth, D. D. * Samuel Williams, h. L. D. *Rcv. Ebenezcr Wight. Elected May 29, 1788. * Hon. James Bowdoin, Esc). *Hon. William Phillips, Esq, * Richard Cary, Esq. * Rev. Jeremy liolknap, * Hon. Thomas Dawes, Esq. * Thomas Russell, Esq. * Thomas Lee, Esq. * Hon. Samuel Dexter, Esq. * Hon. Cotton Tufts, Esq Elected Juno 15, 1792. •Hon. James Sullivan, * Rev. Samuel West, D. D. *Rev. Jedidiali Morse, D. D. * Rev. Jolin Lathrop, D. D. * Rev. Simeon Howard, D. D. * William Phillips, Esq. lion. John Lowell, Elected November 2, 1792. * Nathaniel Appleton, Esq. Mr. William Woodbridge, * Rev. Daniel Little, * David S. Crcciiuugh, Esq. Elected November 6, 1794. *Hon. Benjamin Lincoln, Rev. Alden Uradfiird, Rev. Abiel Holmes, D. D. Elected June 1, 1798. * Mr. James White, *Mr. Samuel Salisbury, Elected May 27, 1802. » Mr. David Hyslop, * Dudley Atkins Tyng, Esq. * Rev. Elijah Parisli, D. D. Elected January 13, 1803. •Rev. David Tappan, D. D. •Eliphalet Pearson, L. L. D. Elected November 1, 1804. * Rev. Thomas Barnard, D. D, Rev. William E. Channing, * Samuel Eliot Esq. * Daniel Dcnison Rogers, Esq. Boston. Chelsea. Roxbury. Roxbury. Boston, Boston. Boston. Cambridge. Cambridge. Cambridge. Boston. Boston. Boston. Charlestown, Boston. Boston. Boston. Cambridge. Boston. Boston. Charlcstown. Boston. Boston, Boston. Roxbury. Boston. Medford. (now out of the State.) Wells. Roxbury. Hlngham. Wiscassot. Cambridge. Boston. Boston. Brooklinc. Cambridge. Cambridge. Salem. Boston. Boston. Boston. l' ' ' f'-f'' r 44 * .Saniunl Parkman» Esq. Hon. John. Davis, L. L. D. *Rov Joseph McKean.D. D. Elected November 7, 1803. * Hon. John Trcadwell, Mr. J{cnjaniin liiisscy, Mr. Samuel H. Walloy, Rev. Joshua Bates, Elected Novcmbai- 5, 1807. ♦Edward A. Holyoko, M. D. * Hon. Thomas Dawes, Jun. Rev. James Kendall, D. D. Hon. Jonathan Fliillips, Elected November 3, 1808. * Mr. Josioli Salisbury, Elected November 7, 1811. Rev. .John T. Kirkland, D. D. L. L. D. Rev. Hc-r.ry Ware, D. D. * Rev. 'J'lioiiias Prentiss, D. D. Rev. William Grecnough, Rev. John Fierce, Elected November 2, 1814. Mr. Edward Tuckcrman, Jun. * Caleb Gannett, Esq. Rev. Charles Lowell, * Mr. Elisha Ticknor, Roy. Samuel Gilo, * Rev. John Foster, D. D. Levi Hodge, Esq. •Rev. Jushuu Huntington, * Rev. Joseph McKoan, L L. D. Elected November 5, 1818. Rev. Francis Parkman, Rev. Jo.