fully to consider and faithfully to meet his own obligations, by his personal contributions and prayers, and by his endeavors to incite others to do their duty. And, this spirit spread throughout our churches, who can tell how rapid will be the spread of our Redeemer's kingdom-how early the period when all nations shall call Him blessed? JAMES FURMAN, on behalf of the Committee. DANIEL SHARP, Chairman. The committee on Indian Missions presented their report, which was read, and made the order of the day for Monday next. The report of the committee on the African Mission was read, when, on motion, the report was adopted. The committee to whom was referred so much of the annual report as relates to Missions in Western Africa, beg leave to report: Your committee feel great pleasure in contemplating the course of Divine Providence in regard to this mission during the past three years. Its interests have been prospered, and the prospect of extensive usefulness is now much more promising than at any former period. The recommendation to their Board, by the last Triennial Convention,-to promote, as far as possible, the establishment of primary schools among both natives and colonists, and to send out, as soon as practicable, a printing press and materials for furnishing books, &c., has been complied with. Schools have been sustained at the several stations, and a press is now on the ground, which will be ready for employment as soon as a printer can be found to superintend its operations. There is an earnest demand for schools among the tribes bordering upon the colony. Several of these tribes have been led, by recent events, to place themselves under the protection of the colonists, and they express a strong desire to partake with them of the privileges of the gospel and the blessings of civilization. This part of the field is thus rapidly widening, and increasing in interest in a like proportion. The late important discoveries connected with the long lost river of the desert, have opened a broad and attractive region for commercial and benevolent enterprize. The former will not be slow in entering that field-nay, it has already entered. An extensive expedition has been fitted out from Great Britain; and it becomes the Christian community-it becomes us as an integral portion of that community, and especially, as American Christians,-to see that the light of the precious gospel, borne by the living teacher that the spirit of Christianity, borne in the heart and in the life of the missionary of the cross, should follow close upon the footsteps of that commercial enterprize, which seeks only worldly aggrandizement and worldly gain. It is true, that two missionaries with their wives have been sent out by the Board, during the past year; but what are these among the benighted millions in the interior of Africa, who have never heard the gospel? One of our missionaries at Liberia has, in the wisdom of an inscrutable Providence, been removed by death during the past year, and the others are asking earnestly for additional help. Your committee cannot but express the hope that the prayers of his people will prevail with God, and that their contributions will enable the Board to sustain this mission with becoming vigor, and to increase the number of laborers, as its interests or its exigencies may demand. They therefore beg leave to offer the following resolution: Resolved, That the tokens of Divine favor which have been bestowed upon our mission in Western Africa during the past three years, call for the devout gratitude of our hearts, and that the events in Providence which seem to be enlarging the field of labor and greatly increasing the prospect of usefulness, call upon us and upon the churches connected with this body, for earnest prayer and increased exertion, that we may be enabled, in a suitable manner, to occupy that wide and interesting field. All of which is respectfully submitted. R. FULLER, Chairman. The report of the committee on Obituary Notices was read, and on motion it was adopted, as follows: To recall to mind the virtues of the departed, is one of the best means of improving those of the living. It is, therefore, no less the dictate of our highest interest, than it is a compliance with the promptings of affection, to rescue from forgetfulness, the names of those with whom we have taken sweet counsel, or with whom we have joined hand in the service of our Lord. Since the last Convention, the Recording Secretary of your Board has been removed: the name of Knowles has been added to the number of those who rest from their labors, and are receiving the blessing of the dead who die in the Lord. In the sentiments expressed in a series of resolutions adopted by the Board a few days subsequent to his death, the committee are persuaded our whole denomination participate; and would recommend that those resolutions be placed on our minutes as expressive of the sense of this Convention. They are as follows: “Resolved, That in the general grief created by this event, the Board deeply partici pate. "Resolved, That the Board are specially sensible of the loss which they have sustained, in view of the wakeful interest which was ever manifested by their beloved brother in the cause of Foreign Missions, and the distinguished ability with which he counselled and labored for its successful prosecution. "Resolved, That while we cherish a spirit of humble deference to the divine appointment, which has so suddenly bereaved us of our brother, in the midst of his usefulness,— it becomes us also to exercise devout gratitude to God, for the eminent services which he was enabled to render for so long a period, and for the bright example which he has left for our imitation. "Resolved, That the Board tender to the afflicted widow and family of the deceased, the assurance of their Christian sympathies, and that the senior Corresponding Secretary be requested to communicate to the same a copy of the above Resolutions." Since the last Convention, also, the names of Jones, and Rollin, and Merrill, and Macomber, and Crocker, have been added to the bright roll of those who have finished their course with joy, and passed from the missionary field to their reward. Of some of our deceased missionaries, we have biographies, by which, though dead, they yet speak in behalf of the perishing heathen. Of others, possibly memoirs may yet be given to the public through the agency and interest of personal friendship. But there are many the memory of whose piety and self-sacrificing devotion to the missionary work, after lingering a few years in the circles of those who knew them personally, is in danger of being lost; and with it, the influence of their examples from among the living. To prevent this, the committee believe an obituary volume, consisting of brief memoirs of those who have fallen in our service, should be prepared and given to the churches, while yet the materials are obtainable from those who live to remember and to love the early developments of their piety and missionary zeal. They ask leave therefore, to suggest a recommendation to the Board, that they cause to be prepared and published, a volume of brief memoirs of deceased missionaries; which may form the first of a series, of the character and title of the Missionaries' Memorial." Respectfully submitted. R. W. CUSHMAN, on behalf of the Committee. The committee on Changes in the Board, &c., presented their report, which was read, and on motion it was laid on the table. The tellers, appointed to examine the ballots, reported in part. Resolved, That when the Convention adjourns, it adjourn to meet in the basement room at half past 7 o'clock this evening. The committee on Finance reported. Whereupon, on motion, the report was adopted. The committee on Finance respectfully submit, That we deeply regret to find a balance of $1200 due to the Treasurer, and an aggregate receipt of funds totally inadequate to the existing operations of the Board. We therefore advise all diligence and energy in the collection of funds, and beseech the churches to renew and multiply their contributions, as without such a course we cannot discharge our duty to the heathen, or assume our proper place among the armies of the living God. We further respectfully suggest, that the agents of the Board turn their especial attention to an effort among our wealthy churches, and endeavor to secure the support of a missionary or native preacher, the one at an expense of $400, the other $100. JNO. O. CHOULES, Chairman. On motion, at his request, br. Galusha was excused from serving on the committee on Agencies. Br. J. E. Welch was substituted in his place. Adjourned. Prayer by br. Sanders, of Georgia. Evening session. Opened with prayer by br. Babcock, of New York. Resolved, That the report of the tellers on the election of Officers and Managers in the Board of the Convention, be now made in full. There being a deficiency of six Managers, on motion the Convention proceeded to ballot. The following were duly elected Officers and Managers of the Board: Ex officiis, Managers. R. B. C. Howell, Ten. Robert E. Pattison, R. I. John M. Peck, Ill. Aaron Perkins, N. Y. WM. B. JOHNSON, President of the Convention. The following resolution was proposed: 66 Resolved, That the Constitution or By-Laws be amended by inserting the word "two" before the word "Vice Presidents" in the 2d line of the 4th article, and that it take effect from the commencement of the next meeting of the Convention. It was also proposed, that the constitution be so amended as to make it necessary that a Vice President be appointed for each of the States. *Since deceased. On motion, the whole subject was referred to the Acting Board, to report at the next triennial meeting of the Convention. Adjourned. Prayer by br. O. B. Brown, of Washington, D. C. Saturday, May 1.-Afternoon session. Prayer by br. Denison, of Connecticut. The report of the committee on Publications was read, whereupon, on motion, it was adopted. Your committee to whom was referred the Publications of the Board, would respectfully report: That in our judgment great importance is to be attached to the circulation of full and correct intelligence upon the subject of missions, among those whose prayers, contributions and active energies should be secured for the great cause in which we are engaged. The true Christian, in the lively exercise of the spirit of piety, needs only to know his duty, to be induced to perform it. Our brethren constitate no exception to this rule. Spread among them missionary intelligence; let them see heathenism in all its debasing influences, and christianity in all its loveliness; let them hear the last, great, though yet unfulfilled command of our ascended Lord; let their faith be assisted by what may be seen, heard, and felt, in regard to the success which has attended our missionary labors; and their hearty, cheerful, and steady co-operation is secured. We have never known of an instance in which an individual has, through the organs of the Board, become thoroughly acquainted with the missionary work, where a spirit of Christian enterprize, a zeal for the cause of God among the heathen, has not been the result. With these views, we would recommend to the Convention the adoption of the following resolutions: Resolved, 1. That the Convention approve of the suggestions in the report respecting Missionary Tracts, and would recommend, as suitable topics for some of them, the harmony and necessary connexion between the belief of the doctrine of grace and Christian effort the entire consecration of person, time, and property, implied in a religious profession-facts which afford a triumphant refutation of charge of peculation in the missionary enterprize-narratives of conversions among the heathen, &c. Resolved, 2. That occasional papers, containing peculiarly interesting intelligence and pungent appeals, and coming as fresh communications, would exert more influence than similar matter communicated through the more usual channels. Resolved, 3. That the Missionary Magazine, the most important of the publications of the Board, ought to be universally circulated, and that it be recommended to the churches to adopt immediate and efficient measures for supplying themselves with such numbers of it, as will afford all their members an opportunity of becoming fully acquainted with the operations of our Board and of kindred institutions. All which is respectfully submitted. J. GOING, on behalf of the Committee. The report on Changes in the Board, &c., was on motion taken up— whereupon after much discussion it was referred to a select committee consisting of brethren Kendrick, Dodge, Boyakin, Cone, Sears, S. Peck and Chapin. Adjourned. Prayer by br. Hill, of New York. Monday, May 3.-Morning session. Prayer by br. Perkins, of New York. The report of the select committee on Changes in the Board, &c. was presented and read, whereupon on motion it was unanimously adopted. The special committee to whom was referred the report of the committee on Changes in the Board of Managers, beg leave to report: Your committee, after having prayerfully weighed the subject submitted to their consideration, would say, that although they believe it would be better to reduce the number of the Board of Managers, a large proportion of whom should reside at the seat of the Board's operations; yet as this cannot now be done, they would submit the following resolutions-viz. : 1. Resolved, That the Board of Managers of the Baptist General Convention be in structed at their first meeting after the rising of this body, to designate fifteen of their own number, whose names shall be published in their annual reports, and who shall be residents in Boston and vicinity, to be their ACTING BOARD, any seven of whom shall be a quorum for business. 2. Resolved, That to this Acting Board, at all times responsible, shall be referred our missionary business, which may arise between the meetings of the Board of Managers, to whom they shall make annual reports of all their doings. 3. Resolved, That the word five in the latter clause of the fifth article of the ByLaws of the Convention be stricken out, and the word seven be substituted in its place, so that the clause will read, "but at other meetings seven shall be the quorum." All which is respectfully submitted. In behalf of the committee. NATH'L KENDRICK, Chairman. The report on Indian Missions was on motion taken up and read. A substitute for the resolutions contained in the report was proposed, when, after much discussion, on motion the Convention Adjourned. Prayer by br. Galusha, of New York. Prayer by br. Ide, of Philadelphia. Afternoon session. The substitute for the resolutions recommended by the committee on Indian Missions, being still under discussion, several brethren gave a free expression of their opinions, when, the hour having arrived for adjournment, the Convention determined to meet this evening at half past seven o'clock. Adjourned. Prayer by br. Church, of New York. Prayer by br. Bacheller, of Massachusetts. Evening session. The report of the committee on Indian Missions having been amended, was adopted and ordered to be printed. The committee to whom was referred so much of the report of the Board of Managers as relates to the operations of the Convention among American Indians, beg leave to report: That having given to the subject all the consideration which time and circumstances would permit, they have arrived with entire unanimity of sentiment, at the following conclusions. The worthy and efficient missionaries employed by the Board, to labor as preachers and teachers in different tribes, have been blessed with a large share of success in the conversion of this benighted people, within the last two or three years; but your committee have learned with unfeigned regret, that during the same period, the number of Baptist missionaries in the Indian Territory has decreased. We are constrained therefore earnestly to recommend, that as soon as practicable, stronger efforts than those heretofore employed be put forth, that as a denomination we may adequately and faithfully cultivate this interesting portion of the land, of which we believe the Captain of the Lord's host has commanded us to take possession. We rejoice that the descendants of the native lords of the soil, after being driven by the influence of white men of a foreign clime, from river to river, from forest to forest, over mountains and valleys, have at last found a settled home in the regions of the far west, where they have a country guarantied to them by the faith of the nation, as a permanent residence for all future generations. Here, by the fostering care of the government, and the holy influence of religious institutions, they are acquiring those habits which are essential to their comfort and usefulness on earth, and to their happiness beyond the grave. Already, wholesome laws and courts of jurisprudence are established, and to a cheering extent, the usages of civilized society have superseded their ancient and barbarous customs of retaliation. The benevolent designs of the christian and the philanthropist, in reforming their morals and in promoting their future welfare by the aid of secular as well as religious instruction, may now be carried out with greater facility, and with brighter prospects of success, than at any former period of their history. This longoppressed and degraded race are gradually apprehending the importance and nature of self-respect; and the consciousness of security in the enjoyment of their national and in |