Rev. J. W. McLane, New York city; Rev. James H. Thomas, do. Rev. William Bradford, do. Rev. Mason Noble, do. Rev. James Knox, do. Rev. Milton Badger, do. Mr. W. R. Johnson, do. Mr. Charles Butler, do. Rev. Walter R. Long, West Troy; From New Jersey : Rev. William Bradley, New Brunswick; Rev. Samuel W. Fisher, West Bloomfield; Samuel Fisher, D. D., West Bloomfield; Rev. A. D. Eddy, do. Rev. William C. White, Orange; Rev. C. Hoover, Newark; Rev. J. S. Gallagher, Orange; Peter A. Johnson, Esq., Morristown; Mr. James Crane, Elizabethtown; Rev. John Ford, Parsippany; Rev. J. C. Hart, Springfield; From Pennsylvania : Rev. Eliakim Phelps, Philadelphia; There were also present the following missionaries of the Board, viz. Rev. Justin Perkins, Ooroomiah, Persia; Mr. Homan Hallock, assistant missionary, Smyrna. Also, Mar Yohannan, a Nestorian bishop from Ooroomiah, Persia. Organization. The President, the Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, took the chair; and at his request, the Rev. Dr. Codman opened the meeting with prayer. A letter from the Rev. Dr. Chapin, the Recording Secretary, was read, stating that, in consequence of ill health, he was unable to attend the meeting: whereupon the Rev. Daniel Crosby of Charlestown, Mass., was appointed Recording Secretary for the meeting, and the Rev. Edwin Holt of Portsmouth, N. H., was appointed Assistant Recording Secretary. The Rev. William Adams, Rev. Dr. Ferris, Rev. David Magie, Hon. Samuel Hubbard, and Pelatiah Perit, Esq., were appointed a Committee of Arrangements. Letters from the following members of the Board, not able to be present, were laid before the meeting, expressive of their lively interest in its objects and proceedings: From Maine : Gen. Henry Sewall, From New Hampshire : Rev. Aaron Warner. From Vermont : Hon. Charles Marsh, Hon. Lewis Strong, From Connecticut : John T. Norton, Esq. From New York:- Hon. Reuben H. Walworth, From New Jersey :— Hon. J. C. Hornblower. From Pennsylvanix :— John W. Nevin, D. D. From the District of Columbia : B. M. Palmer, D. D. From South Carolina :- From Tennessee :- From Missouri: Rev. Artemas Bullard. Dr. Anderson, in behalf of the Prudential Committee, made a statement of the business which that Committee had to lay before the Board. Circumstances which led to the Appointment of this Meeting. The following paper was read by Mr. Greene: As this is the first special meeting held by the Board during the thirty-two years which have elapsed since its organization, it seems proper, before entering on its business, to advert to the peculiar crisis of affairs which induced the Board to appoint it. The Prudential Committee went to the last annual meeting to report a heavier debt than had ever before embarrassed the treasury; to state that many of the missions were painfully cramped in their operations by inadequate pecuniary allowances, while the openings for greatly extended labors were more wide and favorable, and the calls to an onward movement more urgent, than at any former period. They also stated that while they had, in conducting the affairs of the missions, kept within the instructions given them by the Board, at each annual meeting for five years past, the indebtedness of the Board had been steadily increasing; and should the income for the year then ensuing be no greater than it was the last, while the missions should go forward as they were then going, the debt at the next annual meeting could scarcely be less than $100,000. They said also that they could not assume the responsibility of plunging the Board into debt to such an amount, while to reduce the missions by curtailment, or even to keep their expenditures within their present limits, when the providence and Spirit of God seemed so clearly to call for an advance, was not less painful and embarrassing. Nor could they think that the instructions which the Board might give them, nor the exhortations which, in the form of resoJutions, it might send forth to the churches, furnished a sufficient guaranty for their going forward in the present emergency, wheu similar measures had failed to accomplish the desired object for so many years preceding. Seeing the exigency into which the Board and its missions were brought, and the necessity of doing something which might be regarded as a basis, as substantial as the circumstances would admit of, on which the amount of donations to the treasury for the ensuing year might be estimated, the members then present, on motion of the Rev. Dr. Edwards, came forward, and with almost perfect unanimity, pledged themselves individually to increase their own subscriptions at least one quarter above what they were last year, and to use their influence to induce others to do the same. In doing this, they simply stated what they might be relied on to do in the way of contribution and influence; from which might be inferred what the christian community, whom they represented, might, in view of the same considerations, be expected to do. it was If the contributions from all parts of the country could, on an average, be increased one quarter above what they were last year, estimated that the missions could be sustained on their present scale, and the debt reduced nearly one half during the year then ensuing. Still, as the measures about to be adopted had never before been resorted to, and it could not be certainly foreseen how the friends of missions would respond to the proposal which was to be made, the Committee thought they ought not to bear the responsibility of conduc ing the affairs of the missions in this emergeney without having an early opportunity of conferring with the Board, in case the result of these measures should be unfavorable. The Committee therefore proposed that a special meeting of the Board should be held within six months, unless previous notice should be given by the president, that the treasury was so far relieved as to render such a meeting unnecessary. Subsequently, on motion of some other member of the Board, the motion for the meeting was amended, by striking out the condition proposed by the Committee, and leaving the appointment of the meeting absolute. In this form the motion was carried, it is believed, unanimously. In the manner now described, the responsibility of calling this meeting was taken from the Committee and assumed by the Board, in view of the emergency then existing; and under these circumstances we are now convened. Those here present, who attended the late anniversary in Philadelphia, will remember what painful anxiety pervaded most of the deliberations of that meeting; and that, though at its close some rays of light broke in, which caused the hopes of the Board to prevail over their forebodings, yet, as the results of the appeal then to be made could not be foreseen, it was impossible that the developements of the successive months should not be watched with great solicitude. And this solicitude would have been far greater, had not the indications of the presence of the Spirit of God inspired the belief, that the closing movements of that meeting were guided by his wisdom, and that he would conduct them to a favorable issue. So far as there has been opportunity for those measures to be carried into effect, and the results have appeared, the most encouraging anticipations which could have been entertained have been surpassed; both in respect to the amount of contributions received, and to the degree of interest in the missionary work, and of confidence in the Board, which have been manifested. The anxiety and fear felt at the annua! meeting have, therefore, so far as the indebtedness of the Board and the carrying forward the missions through the current year are concerned, been, to a great extent, removed; and in this view of the subject, the present meeting must be one of thanksgiving and praise. more commensurate with the magnitude and urgent nature of the work. An effort to liquidate the debt was needed; but the question really the most important then and now is, What measures shall be devised and what foundation shall be laid for a more extended and a more effective movement for the conver sion of the world to Christ? This is a question which, taking into view the present indications of divine providence, as seen in the openings in the heathen world and the facilities for spreading the gospel, calls for most prayerful and solemn consideration at this time. Perhaps we ought to estimate anew the magnitude of the work, count again the cost, review the principles on which, and the extent to which, we have consecrated ourselves to it, trace the progress already made, and examine again when and how it is to be fully accomplished. Statements relative to the Responses received to the Circular of the Board. The paper which follows was also read by Mr. Greene: With little delay, after the annual meeting, in conformity with a vote then passed, the Prudential Committee prepared a circular letter, to be sent, in the name of the Board, to all the corporate and honorary members not present at that meeting, informing them briefly of the emer gency into which the Board and its missions were brought; what, in view of this emergency, had been done by the members present at the meeting, and proposing to the absent members the same three questions that were proposed to those who were present, and requesting them to return answers before the present meeting. To this circular were appended the names of all who replied to the questions at the annual meeting, with their several answers. Of this circular, the Committee sent forth about 2,900 copies; refraining from addressing any to those, so far as they knew them, who had, by becoming connected with other missionary societies, virtually ceased to be active members of this Board. At the annual meeting it was suggested that another letter should be addressed to the pastors of all the churches that co operate with the Board; and the expediency of doing this was referred to the Prudential Committee. After considering the subject, it was thought that, as a large proportion of those pastors are either corporate or honorary members of the Board, and as the movement commenced at the annual meeting was especially appropriate to those standing in that relation,-it was not advisable to make any formal address to other pastors. This seemed to be the less called for, as the statement laid before the Board at the meeting, with all the proceedings on that occasion were But the indebtedness, embarrassing as it was and injurious to the character of the Board, was not the only cause of the anxiety and deep feeling manifested at the annual meeting. Taking into view the destinies of the unevangelized nations, and their present aspect and condition, it was then and remains still a momentous question, whether this Board and the christian community co-operating with it are to prosecute the missionary work on the present limited scale; or whether they are to go steadily forward, giving greater extent and efficiency to their operations from year to year, as the providence of God shall open the way, until Christ shall be preach-going abroad so widely in the religious papers. ed to all nations. The debt of the treasury, continued through so many years, swelling to such an amount, and regarded as an indication that the missionary feeling was not strong enough to carry forward the present operations of the Board, was sufficient cause for grief and alarm. But this debt, great as it was, might be liquidated by a single extra effort. Yet by such an effort, however successful, how little would the Board accomplish as a missionary society. How little would be gained, unless the means could be secured of going forward on a scale With the hope, however, of placing this information before many friends of missions whom it might not reach through the ordinary channels, 50,000 copies of the Dayspring, containing an abridged report of the meeting, were sent forth. To the circular letter just referred to, 297 answers have been received. From ministers there are 218, from laymen 79. To shew how far these responses indicate the state of missionary feeling over the country at large, it may be proper to mention that there are from Maine 27; from New Hampshire 30; from Vermont 27; from Massachusetts 96; from Rhode Island 3; || pressed any disapprobation, or any unwillingfrom Connecticut 28; from New York 62; from New Jersey 6; from Pennsylvania 2; from Virginia 2; from Tennessee 2; from South Carolina 1; from Louisiana 1; from Missouri 1; from Michigan 3; from Wisconsin Territory 2; from Georgia 1; and Indiana 1. Besides these responses which have been forwarded to the Committee by individual members of the Board, there has been a more informal, though perhaps not less hearty response, made probably by an equal or greater number of both ministers and laymen at the meetings of ecclesiastical bodies and auxiliary societies; em. bracing one Synod and some Presbyteries and Associations in the State of New York, some in the States of New Hampshire and Maine, by the members of which the first two of the three questions proposed at the annual meeting were answered with great unanimity. At the annual meetings of nearly all the auxiliary societies, in the State of Connecticut, eight or ten in Massachusetts, and nearly all those in Vermont, and of some in other States, embracing nearly all the auxiliary meetings held since the anniversary of the Board, the questions just alluded to were put and affirmatively responded to with great promptness and unanimity by those pre sent. These proceedings have been reported by agents or other delegates who attended the meetings on behalf of the Board, and probably the members of the Board then present regarded them as a substitute for more formal responses. It should be added also, that, from the reports received, it appears that these meetings of auxiliary societies have been attended by unusually large numbers of the ministers and others connected with them; in many instances nearly every minister being present. Adding the responses thus made to those more formal ones sent to the Committee, the whole number will not probably fall short of six hundred. In addition to the replies to the circular letter, received from members of the Board, it should be mentioned that other friends, not members of the Board, in view of the existing emergency, have written, expressing their confidence in the Board, and pledging their continued and increasing contributions, as well as their influence in securing the co-operation of others. As the character of the responses to the circular letter, especially when containing, as a large part of them have done, accounts of greatly augmented contributions, have deeply interested the Committee, and encouraged them in their work, they could wish that they might all be laid before this meeting. But as the time at command will not admit of this, is proposed to advert briefly to a few points on which these responses give occasion to remark. Afterwards it may be deemed expedient to read short extracts from some of thein. It may be proper to notice ness to fall in with and carry out the plan. Some few have declined binding themselves by any pledge, who at the same time have not fallen at all behind their brethren in their hearty and successful exertions to accomplish the object aimed at. So far as the Committee know, the circular has every where been most kindly received. 2. These responses indicate a new developement of the missionary spirit, stronger in its actings, and more widely prevalent than has heretofore been manifested. It would seem that the friends of missions are more disposed than heretofore to appropriate the missionary work to themselves, as their own work, in which, as Christians, they have a personal interest, and for which they are, to the extent of their ability and influence, responsible. There seems to be that kind of interest and zeal, which makes them willing to incur labor and self-denial, and actually to make sacrifices to promote the cause; and which fills them with pain and grief when its progress is embarrassed or hindered. The proceedings at the annual meeting, as published in the religious papers, have been read in place of a sermon on the Sabbath, and at the monthly concert of prayer, and the deep feeling awakened in ministers and churches by the narrative, and the results which have followed, clearly show this. Similar effects have followed statements made respecting those proceedings by agents in their visits to churches and auxiliary societies. There appears to be more than heretofore, though far less than there should be, a feeling that this work is enjoined by the Lord Jesus; and that earnest and vigorous co-operation in it is essential to christian character and discipleship. 3. The responses to the circular shew that there is widely prevalent a confidence in the ability and duty of the christian community to go forward in the missionary work on a more enlarged scale, and with more energy and despatch, than heretofore. Not more than two or three of the writers have expressed any doubts that the christian community were ready and willing to make a steady advance in this great enterprise, as God shall open the way and grant them ability, until the blessings of Christianity shall be experienced by all the nations. This 4. The responses develope the practicability of a powerful pastoral influence being exerted in this cause, and show the value of it. movement has shown more clearly than has ever been done before, to how great an extent the services of agents can be dispensed with, whenever the pastors, having their souls stirred with compassion for the heathen, shall enter unitedly and vigorously into the work. The number of sermons preached by them at this crisis, in bringing the cause before their respective churches, the resolutions formed by many to preach stated sermons monthly or at other regular periods, their visitation of other churches on the same errand, their labors as collectors, and in their personal application to men of wealth, and in many other ways, all show that pastors may exert a most efficient and salutary influence in promoting the missionary work; and show also that they are in a good measure pre 1. The full and hearty approbation expressed by the writers of the course adopted by the Board at the annual meeting, and their readiness to join in the pledge then given, to make increased exertions to carry forward the missionary work. A large portion of the writers take pains, as with one mind, and almost in the same language, to state explicitly their unqual-pared for it. ified approval of those proceedings, while others do it no less decidedly, though less formally. Not an individual, either by letter or in the meetings of auxiliaries or ecclesiastical bodies, so far as the Committee are informed, has ex 5. Among laymen, also, there has been, as shown by these responses, a similar manifestation of unusually deep interest in the missionary work. Men of the very first character and standing among their fellow citizens, have pub prise whose devotedness and zeal have not been surpassed those pioneers whose wisdom and energy, under God, gave to this work a direction and an impulse, the results of which we delight gratefully to recognize. Not that the christian community at this day have that burn licly and earnestly advocated the cause, have|| taken on themselves the labor of collectors, have been active in disseminating missionary intelligence, have greatly increased their own contributions, and in various other ways have expressed that warm interest in this enterprise, that energy, and those enlarged views in regarding desire that God's being and character to it, so characteristic of business men, and which afford so much encouragement and promise. 6. In these responses many facts have come to the knowledge of the Cominittee showing the need of a wider dissemination of missionary intelligence, as one of the essential means of sustaining and extending the missionary spirit. No permanent interest in this work can be awakened, no great self-denial or effort, no liberal system of contributions can be carried forward, among the great body of the community, without this. 7. The responses indicate unabated confidence in the Board. The unqualified expressions of this confidence, contained in every answer received to the circular, and in the proceedings of ecclesiastical bodies, auxiliary societies, and churches, call upon the Board for devout thanksgiving and praise to God, that in a work so complicated, and conducted through so many embarrassments, they should have been enabled to acquit themselves in a manner to secure so uniformly and for so long a time, the approbation of their brethren. should be known by all men,-that controlling regard to the command of the Savior, or that soul-stirring compassion for the heathen, which ought to fill every christian breast. Not that there is in this day, that hearty pouring forth of prayer, and labor, and treasure for the conversion of the world to Christ, which the exigency demands. Very far from it. In this respect we have nothing to boast of. Rather, cousidering the light which has been shed on this subject, the extent to which the promises of God have been fulfilled for our encouragement, and the ampler means placed at our disposal, we have reason for deep humiliation. Sull, in all these respects, we cannot but see that great progress has been made. In the year 1827, and again in 1828, the Prudential Committee, in addresses to the friends of missions, stated that the operations of the Board could not be well sustained unless the average receipts should be $10,000 a month. It seemed then more as if the Committee were asking for what they could not hope to realize, than it would now, if they were to ask for $30,000 a month. Indeed, it was not until the year 1832-five years afterwards-that the average monthly receipts rose to $10,000. In the review of the past growth of missionary zeal and enterprise and liberality, the survey of the present deepening and extending interest in this work throughout our community, and in the smiles of God upon the endeavors of this Board at home and abroad, have we not abundant reason to thank the Great Head of the Church for what has already been accomplished, and enter with new zeal and confidence on the career which is opening before us? After the reading of the foregoing document was closed, extracts from the responses were read, illustrating the statements which had just been made. In confirmation of the same statements, the treasurer of the Board, Henry Hill, Esq., gave a brief view of the receipts and disbursements since the annual meeting in September, show A single point more will be remarked upon. 8. From the contents of the responses to the circular, it is obvious, that so far as preparation for the work in the minds of the christian community is concerned, most encouraging progress has been made in the missionary enterprise. If it can be supposed that the Board, during any one of the first five years of its existence, in no one of which did its annual income scarcely equal the amount of its smallest monthly receipts during the last five, had found its treasury indebted to the amount of nearly $60,000, what possible prospect could it have had of liquidating that debt, or moving onward in its work? What knowledge was there then abroad in the community respecting the heathen nations,what conception was there in the minds of men of the greatness and urgency of the work of their conversion, or of the practicability and duty of accomplishing it,-where was there a feeling of personal interest in the missionary work, and of responsibility to labor zealously to obey the last command of Christ to carry the gospel to every creature-on which an appealing that the indebtedness of the treasury had from this Board could have operated successfully-Where were then the agencies, the organizations, the widely-distributed publications, the pastors well informed and zealous in this work to act in the churches,-where were the retrenchment, the self-denial and sacrifice, the systematic and well-established habits of giving-where were the contributors of hundreds and thousands of dollars, and the countless multitudes who brought their smaller offerings, by means of which such a deficiency could have been made up,-where was the spirit of prayer for the world's conversion, assembling almost every church in the land on the first Monday of each month,-where was the warm language of sympathy and support which on any emergency would break forth from thousands of hearts,and where was the church's earnest desire and looking-for the world's redemption-which now so much encourage our labors? Not but that there were men then engaged in this holy enter been reduced from more than $57,000 to about $20,000. Statements were also made by pastors and others, relative to the increase of interest in the missionary work, in the churches and auxiliaries with which they were severally connected. On the circular addressed to the members of the Board and the responses to the same, the Rev. Drs. Bates, Spring, Codman, and Proudfit, Rev. Messrs. Seth Bliss and S. D. Burchard, aud P. Perit, Esq., were appointed a committee. They subsequently reported, recommending that the document from the Prudential Committee be printed and circulated; which was adopted. |