dividual rights and possessions, and the triumphs of the cross of Christ in the salvation of many of their precious souls, seem to indicate the speedy realization of that favored state of human existence, where the immunities of civilized society and the blessings of the gospel of peace are possessed and appreciated.

Your committee therefore respectfully recommend the adoption of the following resolution :

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Convention that early and energetic measures should be adopted by the Board to give increased efficiency to this department of their operations. SPENCER H. CONE, Chairman.

The report of the committee on Agencies was presented, and on being read and amended was on motion adopted.

The committee to whom was referred that part of the report of the Board which relates to the subject of Agencies, beg leave to report:

It is the dictate of wisdom that we employ the best means at our command, in the prosecution of the cause in which we are engaged. The Board has commended to the deliberate consideration of this Convention, the propriety of employing additional agencies in the collection of funds, and your committee believe the suggestion wise. It is not necessary that we inquire into the obligations of the churches and their pastorswhat they ought to do, to promote the cause of missions; we must take the case as it is. The Board have said, "In the present condition of our churches, living agencies are necessary;" and have presented their views at length, of the qualifications of those who should be thus employed. It is a mistaken policy that would select a man for such service, because his circumstances in life, or the situation of his family, would permit him to labor with little or no compensation. One man would be cheaper at an ample salary, than another would be, at nothing. The one has no influence, and can exert none, beyond that which his commission gives him;-the other would wield a mighty influence in the community at large, independent of his official character; instead of being carried through the world by the celebrity of the Society he serves, he will support that society as upon his shoulders, and triumphantly bear it onward in the accomplishment of its benevolent designs.

Nor is it every eloquent preacher or sound divine, who would make a good agent for the collection of funds. Not a few learned men appear to be most lamentably deficient in business talent-in good, practical, common sense,-than which, nothing is more indispensably necessary in every day's intercourse with almost every diversity of character. There is no man more important to any society,-certainly to a missionary society,— than he who goes abroad as their representative among the churches. That it should be so, is a matter of grief before God; and it ought to be a subject of daily prayer, that the time may soon come when all our churches and their pastors will come up to the help of the Lord in missionary labor, and save the cause most of the toil and expense of agencies. But that time has not yet come; and hence, your committee beg leave to recommend that the Board be authorized to appoint collecting agents, and to assign them their fields of labor; and that they be authorized also to appoint a Financial Secretary, with a suitable compensation, who shall by and with their advice correspond with the district agents, and, in general, superintend the collecting department of the Board. All which is respectfully submitted. JAMES E. WELCH, Chairman.

The report on European Missions was read, and on motion accepted. The committee on European Missions have had the subject referred to them under serious consideration, and request leave respectfully to report:

That while deeply impressed with the importance of increased exertion for the diffinsion of the gospel in countries professedly christian, but actually involved in the gloom of bigotry or the darkness of infidelity, they are convinced that the Board have done all that prudence will justify, and zeal chastened by discretion demand, in view of the prevailing pecuniary embarrassments that have depressed the country for three years past. The union of the church with the civil power in Europe, presents obstacles more formidable to the advancement of the truth in some lands claiming to be regarded as christian, than exist in pagan Asia; and it is most earnestly to be desired that increased liberality on the part of our churches, should speedily afford the means of enlarging the operations of the Board in Germany, France and Greece, and wherever the beast and the false prophet resist with despotic and unhallowed influence, the grace and glory of the Son of God. There is much to encourage our faith and to animate to renewed ef

fort, in the fact that the spirit of inquiry is increasing, and opposing influences obviously yielding to the claims and power of the truth; and although at present we must rely more upon the agency of the press than upon the voice of the living teacher, yet we may rejoice in the conviction that our devoted missionaries are now scattering precious seed which must ultimately ripen into an abundant and glorious harvest.

The necessity of a more elaborate report is obviated by the lucid and comprehensive manner in which the subject is presented in the report of the Board. As all that is interesting connected with our mission stations in Europe, is there furnished in minute detail; and as the committee find nothing in their present condition that requires the immediate or special action of the Convention, they refrain from presenting resolutions, but would earnestly and seriously commend our European Missions to the prayers and liberality of our churches. B. T. WELCH, Chairman.

Adjourned. Prayer by br. McCoy, of Shawanoe.

Tuesday, May 4.-Morning session.

Prayer by br. Solomon Peck, of Massachusetts.
The minutes were read and corrected.

The report of the committee recommending the next triennial meeting of the Convention to be holden with the First Baptist Church of the city of New York, was on motion reconsidered. Whereupon, Resolved, That the next meeting of the Convention be held with the First Baptist Church of the city of Philadelphia.

Resolved, That the next annual meeting of the Board be held with the First Baptist Church of the city of New York.

On motion of br. Chapin, Resolved unanimously, That we recommend to the ministers of the several churches connected with this Convention, to preach on suitable occasions upon the importance and influence of fervent prayer in connection with the great missionary enterprize in which we are engaged.

The Treasurer presented an account of moneys received for Foreign Missions during the session of the Convention, amounting to about $15,000.

On motion of br. S. Peck, Resolved, That the fervent thanks of this Convention are due to our Heavenly Father, that throughout the deeply interesting discussions and transactions of this session, He has caused to prevail so large a measure of Christian affection and harmony. On motion of the Foreign Secretary of the Board, Resolved, That the Convention tender to the Baptist churches and congregations and other friends of this city, their grateful acknowledgments for the generous hospitality and christian courtesy with which they have been received and entertained during their present session.

Resolved, That the minutes and documents of the Convention be referred to the Board for revision and publication.

Resolved, That a Committee consisting of brethren A. Perkins, Solomon Peck, and Stephen Chapin, be appointed to consider the expediency of so altering the Constitution as to change the time of our triennial meeting; said Committee to report at the next meeting of the Convention.

On motion of br. Sharp, Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Convention be presented to the President for the able, impartial and courteous manner in which he has performed the arduous duties of his station during the present session. Adjourned, with prayer by the President.

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF MANAGERS.

At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Baptist General Convention, held at the call of the President, in the First Baptist Church, Baltimore, immediately after the adjournment of the Convention, May 4, 1841;-there were present Messrs. D. Sharp, W. B. Johnson, Stephen Chapin, Jonathan Going, Jno. Peck, S. Peck, S. H. Cone, R. Babcock, Jr., H. Lincoln, J. B. Jeter, C. G. Sommers, I. Chase, J. H. Linsley, Thos. Stocks, N. Kendrick, B. T. Welch, Wm. Colgate, Wm. Crane, G. B. Ide, A. Bennett, J. B. Taylor, Jno. Wayland, B. Sears, A. Perkins, Wm. W. Everts, N. W. Williams, J. S. Bacon.

The meeting was opened with prayer by br. Linsley.

J. S. Bacon was appointed Recording Secretary, pro tem.

On motion, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Cone, Sears, and N. W. Williams, was appointed to nominate fifteen persons members of this Board to constitute the Acting Board for the ensuing year.

The following list was reported and unanimously adopted, to constitute

Resolved, That the Acting Board be instructed to give immediate attention and distinct prominence to the subject of Indian schools, and that they be especially directed to secure to each individual whom they regard as a school teacher, and who is reported as such to the U. S. government, increased facilities for teaching a school as large a portion of every year as may be practicable.

On motion, Resolved, That the Board now proceed, as authorized by the Convention, to elect by ballot a Financial Secretary.

The ballot was taken, and resulted in the unanimous choice of Barnas Sears, as Financial Secretary.

On motion, Resolved, That the appointment of preacher for the next anniversary, be referred to the Acting Board.

The Foreign Secretary stated that Daniel J. Macgowan, M. D., of New York City, had offered himself as a missionary to China, and that he was in this city. Whereupon it was

Voted, That brethren Peck, Williams and Bacon be a committee to converse with Dr. Macgowan with reference to his appointment as a missionary, and that they report to the Acting Board in the afternoon. The meeting was adjourned with prayer by Dr. Kendrick.

J. S. BACON, Recording Secretary, pro tem.

Note. The next Annual Meeting of the Board will be held on the last Wednesday in April, 1842, with the First Baptist Church in the city of New York.

Br. R. E. Pattison, of Providence, R. I., is appointed to preach the annual sermon, and br. Pharcellus Church, of Rochester, N. Y., to be his alternate.

TWENTY SEVENTH

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD.

Presented to the Convention, at Baltimore, April 29, 1841.

MR. PRESIDEnt,

The Board of Managers have looked forward to this anniversary with profound interest, and, in concert with Christian brethren in all parts of our extended country, have offered fervent supplication that the deliberations and measures of the Tenth Triennial Convention may be marked with the charity and concord which have characterized the proceedings of every Convention that has preceded it, and may eminently conduce to the furtherance of the great object of their organization-the universal promulgation of the gospel of peace.

The period that has elapsed since the present Board was charged with its high trust, has been one of unusual trial, at home and abroad. The inroads which death has made upon us, though they have been fewer than within some former seasons, have been painfully severe. The late Recording Secretary of the Board, James D. Knowles, of whose piety, sound judgment, and enlarged benevolence, it would be hard to determine which had the preeminence, and whose diligence in doing good was alike comprehensive in its objects and effective in execution, died, in the fulness of his strength, almost immediately on his return from the Convention of 1838. The removal by death, of Mrs. Jones, Mr. Rollin, Mr. Merrill, Miss Macomber, and Mrs. Crocker, of the foreign service, the last two within the year now closing, is also subject of mutual condolence with the Board and its bereaved missions.

That the lives of other missionary brethren have been redeemed from imminent peril and distress, and that the members of the Board, who were honored with your confidence, are so generally permitted to complete the term of their official duty, and to give back their trust to so full a representation of brethren and co-adjutors from every section of our confederacy, on this hallowed occasion, we offer to God our grateful praise.

The peculiar circumstances in which the Board and its missions have been placed within the last three years, to which allusion has just been made, appear to call for a departure from our usual method of report.

The ability of the Board to fulfil its trust, is essentially dependent on the entireness of the confidence reposed in it by the community whom it is commissioned to serve. For the generous measure of confidence awarded to the Board hitherto, we are grateful. And so far as a just exposition of our principles and acts shall prove us entitled to its continuance, we indulge no apprehensions of its abatement. Such an ex

position we propose now to make, with as much particularity as the circumstances of the occasion shall permit. We begin with the

1.

ORGANIZATION AND RELATIONS OF THE BOARD.

RELATIONS OF THE BOARD TO THE CONVENTION.

The Board have seen cause to give a public expression to some of their views regarding the intent and nature of their organization, in an Address adopted Nov. 2, 1840 (Appendix A). It is stated in that address that the Board is empowered to act for the Convention with reference to one, defined object. We now add, that for the prosecution of that object its powers are plenary. Whatever means are best adapted to spread abroad among the heathen and other partially enlightened nations the full light of the knowledge of the glory of God as it shines in Jesus Christ, the Board is authorized to employ them, whenever and wherever it will, to the extent of the resources placed at its disposal. Not only may it commission Christian missionaries to preach the gospel in foreign lands, and provide for their adequate support, but it may furnish all requisite facilities to make their preaching successful. With its preachers it may also send forth school-teachers and bibles and tracts, and so far as the gospel takes effect through their instrumentality, it may virtually become a home organization in the countries being evangelized, educating and sending into the field native teachers and pastors.

The capabilities of the Board are the same as to its domestic operations. Simplicity of object does not involve necessarily inattention to subordinate ends, nor the use of a single order of means. Whatever means are appropriate to secure the continuance or increase of its income, it may constitutionally apply them. It has indeed no concern with individuals or associated bodies beyond the legitimate prosecution of its one great object; but within that range, its powers are unfettered except as they are regulated by a sound Christian discretion.

Charged with so ample discretionary powers, the Board, nevertheless, is not an irresponsible body. Created by the General Convention, to the Convention it is amenable, and through the Convention to the societies and individuals therein represented. The Convention has a right to know all its measures and its policy; it can pass upon the same an award of approval or of condemnation, and in the exercise of the right of appointment can confirm or change that policy; it can alter or restrict the powers of the Board, or it may rescind them altogether.

The application of these statements might be manifold. They may serve as a corrective to an error which seems to have possessed some minds, as though the simplicity of our organization were not in every way perfectly adapted to all the diversified operations which may enter into the process of evangelizing the world. They furnish to the Board their warrant and encouragement to seek the hearty coöperation of any and all whom the Convention represents. They indicate distinctly with whom the Convention has deposited its mediate directory power, in the conduct of its missionary enterprize, and where lies its security against the abuse of that power. They illustrate the necessity why the Board, being held responsible by the Convention, must assert and enforce a like responsibility to itself of all who are subject to its direction.