ministers' meeting at Kittering, for forming a society for propagating the gospel among the heathen." On the 2d of October of the same year, these brethren met at Kittering, and, at the close of the regular services for which the meeting had been appointed, retired for prayer, and then "in a most solemn manner pledged themselves to God and to one another, to make a trial for introducing the gospel among the heathen." This was the origin of the English Baptist Missionary Society. Now I cannot calculate upon the | annual meeting in the same place, at which miraculous interposition of the grace time a resolution was passed, "That a of God to sustain this work, without plan shall be proposed against the next the appointed means. And I know that Pedobaptism, and Puseyism, and Infidelity, will shake hands and enter in to quench the spirit of inquiry as soon as the work is suspended. Oh! yes, we know the wiles of Satan by sad experience. We have data in abundance to verify ALL, and MORE than is here stated. Our promising Constantine, we fear, is already beyond reclaiming. And no stone is being left unturned by the foe, in every form, to destroy also Demetrius. The enemy, in vigilance and activity, surpasses any thing that I have ever witnessed. And not only is this the case at Corfu, but it covers the whole field of our labor. It has forestalled us at Joannena, and marshalled all its forces for active combat whenever any one may there arrive. I see, in every direction, the lowerings of a turbid horizon, but a glorious sun of righteousness beyond, is rising in his meridian splendor. These are the movements of the putrid waters, which for fifty generations have been curled by no breath of piety, and which by the spirit of God must, to become pure, be lashed into commotion. This gathering storm we view, nothing dismayed, for we see our Heavenly Father there, and it bespeaks that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Yes, we bless God that he has permitted us to behold these tokens of his love. was that we might be the instruments in his hand of saving some, that we came to Greece; and you will have anticipated me when we say, that so long as our health will allow us to do any thing, we do not feel at liberty to leave the ground. It The connection between prayer and one of the most important religious movements that has ever blessed the church and the world, is here too obvious to need illustration. Prayer moves the hand that moves the world; but God works by means. In answer to prayer, God raised up, and gave to the church a Cary. He entered the ministry and joined this association in about three years after the beginning of the monthly prayer meeting. But the answer to prayer was still earlier. Mr. Cary seems to have been deeply impressed with the condition of the heathen world before he entered the ministry. Whether the study of geography was the occasion which the Holy Spirit used to turn his thoughts and desires to the wants of the heathen, or whether a secret interest in their spiritual condition led him to the study of the geography of these countries, it is not now easy to decide. Be this as it may, his inquiries on these subjects resulted in a determina THE ENGLISH AND BAPTIST MIS- tion on his part to try to give to the hea SIONARY SOCIETIES. In 1784 an association of Baptist ministers and churches meeting at Nottingham, Eng., "Resolved to set apart one hour, on the first Monday evening in every month, for extraordinary prayer for a revival of religion, and for the extending of Christ's kingdom in the world."'* In the spring of 1792 the same body of Christians held their *This was the origin of the monthly concert of prayer. then the knowledge of the gospel. Mr. Cary's connection with such men as Fuller and Sutcliff, and Ryland, and Pierce, and others of a kindred spirit, only tended to give body and form to this solicitude for a sinful world. During the eight years intervening between the beginning of the monthly prayer meeting and the organization of the Baptist Missionary Society, the leaven was at work. Mr. C. rarely permitted an interview with his brethren to close, without speaking on the subject of missions. These conversations, together with the seasons for special prayer, began to produce results. There was an obvious inconsistency in talking and praying so much about an object, for the accomplishment of which they were doing nothing. The importance of the object all admitted. But as to its practicability there was great doubt. On this point, Mr. Cary had much to encounter. But in proportion as their sympathies for the heathen became enlisted, the possibility of doing something for their salvation appeared plausible-till their hearts being fully prepared, Mr. Cary drove the nail in a sure place, by his notable sermon from Isaiah liv. 2, 3; the heads of which were, expect great things-attempt great things. This led to the formation of the society, and the full determination to send out Mr. Cary as a missionary to India. Mr. Cary, in connection with a Mr. Thomas, a pious man, who had been for several years a surgeon in the service of the East India Company, 'set sail for India the 13th of June 1793, for Calcutta. In the spring of 1796, they were followed by Mr. John Fountain. And again, in the spring of 1799, four other missionaries were sent out, among whom were Ward and Marshman, whose names have been so long associated in the public mind with that of Carey. How many missionaries the society has sent out during the 50 years of its operations, we are not informed. But in 1841 it had 77 living ordained ministers in the field of labor, with something more than 100 native assistants. In the earlier history of the society there were frequent instances of mortality among its missionaries. Several of the most promising of the brethren seemed to be permitted to live only till they were qualified by a knowledge of the language to commence labor for the heathen, when they were cut down, as if, for a trial of the faith of the friends of missions. But some have been spared to an advanced age, and have thus been permitted, not only to lay a deep and broad foundation for the introduction of the gospel into India, but also to see, in some good degree, the fruits of their labor. Mr. Cary did not commence his efforts at Calcutta, but at Malda, several days journey up into the interior-but within the province of Bengal. Here he prosecuted the study of the language-commenced the translation of the scriptures, and communicated to the people by conversation and preaching what knowledge of the gospel he could, till the arrival of Marshman and Ward, and the other brethren with them. The English East India Company refusing to allow this reinforcement of missionaries to settle either in Calcutta or in the country where Mr. Carey had established himself, it was resolved to accept an invitation from the Danish governor to locate themselvees at Serampore on the opposite side of the river Hoogly, 15 miles above Calcutta. This induced the brethren at Malda to remove to Serampore, where under the protection of the Danish government, they could prosecute unmolested, their missionary labors. Messrs. Cary and Fountain arrived at Serampore on the 10th of January 1800, and were received in a most friendly manner by the Danish governor. The first thing done by the brethren was to settle a plan of family government. "All the missionaries were to preach and pray in turn; one to superintend the affairs of the family for a month; Mr. Cary was appointed treasurer and keeper of the medicine chest; Mr. Fountain librarian; Saturday evening was devoted to adjusting any differences that might have arisen during the week; and pledging themselves to love one another; finally, it was resolved that no one should engage in any private trade, but that whatever was done by any member of the family, should be done for the benefit of the mission." In consequence of the opposition of the English East India Company, the labors of the missionaries out of Serampore, were, for several years, greatly circumscribed. Mr. Ward, in one of his excursions for preaching the gospel to the natives, was detained by a police officer, who alleged as the ground of the detention that the Company had given no orders for the natives to Baptized in 1800 2 lose caste. At another time, on the arrival | Brief Narrative of the Baptist Mission, at Calcutta of two missionaries from Eng-written by A. Fuller, and republished in land, destined to Serampore, a demur was this country in 1813, will show the promade at the police office, on the ground gress made in the spiritual results for the that," as the East India Company did not 10 years succeeding the first baptism. think proper to interfere with the prejudices of the natives, it was the express desire of the governor-general, that Mr. Cary and his colleagues would not." Avarice and infidelity were the instigators of this movement.* But gradually these clouds rolled away, and the Baptist mission to the East has had a steady advancement till the present day. "as one In a few years the missionaries began to preach at Calcutta, while their stations in the country multiplied in number, and increased in interest. As early as 1809, a chapel was opened in Calcutta, and the missionaries looked upon the city of their most important spheres of labor, and the principal scene of their success.' Calcutta, when the English Baptists began to preach the gospel in it, was one of the most wicked cities in the world. But from that time may be dated its progress in moral improvement. 1801 6 1802 9 66 1803 14 1804 15 1805 33 A few of these were Europeans, as in connection with Krisno was baptized a son of Dr. Cary. But this in no way affects the ratio of increase in the conversion of the natives. A similar increase will be found on examination of the annual reports of the society to have been realized till the present time. The report of the past year gives 32,899 as the number of members connected with the different mission churches. How many converts have died Besides these, at Serampore and Calcutta, and gone to be forever with the Lord,” the Society had in 1841 In the East Indies 21 stations, several of which were in cities and populous towns. In the Asiatic Islands, at Ceylon, Java, Sumatra. In South Africa, at Graham's town. In South America, at Belize, in Honduras. In the Bahama Islands, and the West Indies. Total number of stations 167. Such has been the success of the mission in Jamaica, that the support of the parent society, by the consent of the missionaries, has been withdrawn. Krisno, the first native convert in India, and who afterwards became a highly esteemed preacher to his countrymen, was baptized in 1800, more than 7 years after the missionaries commenced laboring for the conversion of the heathen. The following table of baptisms, taken from the * At this time French infidelity had reached India, and was rife there. heaven knows better than earth. Although the conversion of the heathen from idolatry to a saving belief in the gospel is the object for which every missionary labors, and to effect which every agency must be brought directly to bear, yet, thus far, no small part of foreign missionary work has been preparatory. Of the labors of none of the missionaries is this so true, as of the English Baptists. They were pioneers. They also invaded the empire of idolatry at its strongest point. No where has false religion been so securely intrenched in the hearts of the people as in India, specially in Bengal. When Cary reached India, very little had been done in translating the scriptures into the Asiatic languages. Before 20 years had passed away, the missionaries report that they "have the care of 14 translations,-8 of which were then in the press." In less than 30 years more, they had published the word of God in 40 languages. Schools have received due attention. At no period since the publication of the The present number of children under instruction is 10,298. The progress which the cause of missions has made among our English Baptist brethren, may also be seen from the increase in their annual contributions. The first subscription opened at the formation of the society, amounted to £13. 2s. 6d. which was considered sufficient for present purposes. The society, however, soon raised about $2000, nearly all of which was expended in getting the missionaries to their place of labor. In 1838, the amount raised was $72,750. The collections of the past year amount to $109,831. This not only shows great progress in the cause, but specially since 1838. Perhaps there is no body of Christians in the world, who, considering their circumstances, contribute more liberally for the cause of foreign missions than the English Baptists. May their example continue to stimulate other portions of the Christian church to still greater efforts in this most precious of causes. The influence of the missionary morement among the Baptists in England, upon the Baptists in America. The movement in England on the subject of Foreign Missions, soon produced a corresponding one on this side of the Atlantic. From some cause there was then a much more frequent correspondence between the English and American Baptists than at the present day. The subject of foreign missions was then in its freshness, and afforded an interesting theme of epistolary correspondence. Besides this, the missionaries themselves wrote from India to the leading ministers in this country. Numerous were the letters addressed to Baldwin, Stoughton, Rogers, and others, from Cary, Ward, and Marshman. These letters were many of them of a most interesting character. But the most efficient agency at work in this country was the American Baptist Magazine. This was established in 1803. In this was published not only interesting portions of this private correspondence, but also of that, between the missionaries and the Society in England. Magazine have its pages contained more thrilling accounts of heathenism, or more persuasive appeals from the missionaries. This influence awakened in the hearts of the Baptists in this country a missionary spirit. A development of this feeling was first seen in the formation of the "Salem Bible Translation Society." Mr. Lawton, an English Baptist missionary, on his way to India, touched at this country; and being detained a few weeks, made an attempt in Salem and its vicinity to do something in behalf of missions. He found the hearts of the people in some degree prepared; and the society to which allusion has just been made, and which still exists as an able auxiliary to the Board of Missions was the result. This was formed in 1812. Soon after this, occurred an event which contributed more than any thing else to hasten the formation of the Baptist Triennial Convention. A change in the denominational views of Messrs. Judson and Rice, and their unexpected application to American Baptists for missionary support, was the occasion of embodying and calling forth the missionary feeling which had been, for years, rising in the American Baptist churches. Let no one suppose that we aim to detract in the slightest degree from the importance of that impulse which was given to the cause of missions by the event to which we have alluded. Dr. Judson as a pioneer missionary does now and always will have, all the praise that a sincere servant of Christ can desire. And that his talents, piety, and personal influence have been of unspeakable importance in increasing a missionary spirit, and in bringing us to our present state of advancement, all know and all delight to acknowledge. But seed was sowing in this country before Mr. Judson was a converted man. The English Baptists were sowing it. Their missionary society, and their missionaries in India, were sowing it broadcast over the Christian world. There is not a missionary society in existence which is not indebted either for its origin or its increased activity to the missionary efforts of English Baptists; but | set his seal upon our efforts by the gift of none are so much as ourselves. And we his Spirit. The progress of the gospel has would that their influence upon us in this exceeded the expectations of its intelligent respect might continue as direct and as friends. We have every thing to inspire powerful as at first. They are still greatly hope,-every thing to encourage us to go in advance of us. It must be acknow- forward. Christ requires it. The spiritual ledged that their condition is more favor- wants of the heathen appeal to every Chrisable to the successful prosecution of such an tian sympathy. In no way can we so enterprize than ours. The churches which successfully promote religion at home, as co-operate in this work are in the vicinity by the liberal prosecution of foreign misof each other, occupying a territory not sions. It is hoped, that according to the one-twentieth as large as that occupied by recommendation of the Board, our brethren, American Baptists; communication is not the pastors of churches throughout this only quick, but convenient. The pulsa- country, will preach on the subject of mistion at the heart reaches every member sions on the 1st Sabbath in October next, with almost unabated force. The word and take up in behalf of the society an extra spoken in London is heard within a few collection. It is believed that a comparihours in every congregation in England. son of the two societies will tend to proNot so in this country. We are not only voke a holy emulation. widely dispersed, but of dissimilar views and plans of action. What is said in Boston or New York, often needs an interpreter at the south, and in the valley of the west. They are near and unique. We are not. This is an obstacle to an efficient effort in behalf of any great enterprize; an obstacle, it is true, which time and our internal improvements are rapidly dimin LETTER FROM THE FOREIGN SECRE The Foreign Secretary left home on the 8th Ja passing from Batavia to Lockport, on Saturday the 9th inst., I turned aside to ishing, but one which is at present seriously felt in the cause of foreign missions. But visit the mission school at this place. The whatever apology we may make for our school, you are aware, is under the direcpresent distance behind our English brethtion of the Baptist State Convention of ren, we need not, and must not remain New York, but holds relation to the Board where we are. Our movements must be of Foreign Missions on account of an apquickened. It is in hopes of contributing propriation from the U. S. Government of to this result, that the Board of Foreign Missions, at their late annual meeting in New York, resolved to unite with their English brethren in celebrating the jubilee of their missionary society. This relation between our English brethren and ourselves is so definite and so palpable, and we may add, so important, that sympathy with them in this, the day of their thanksgiving, is most reasonable. Nor ought we to be unmindful of our own prosperity. God has wonderfully blessed us. There are few stations occupied by modern missionaries, more interesting, if so much so, than those which have been selected by the American Baptist Board. And God has 33 VOL. XXII. $400 annually towards its support, which passes through their treasury. The mission premises lie about five miles westerly from the county road, in the town of Newstead,* Genesee co., nearly equi-distant from Batavia and Lockport, and adjoining the Tonawanda Indian "Reservation." They comprise 124 acres of choice land, 60 acres of which are under cultivation-a good mission house one and a half stories high, a school-house, a barn and other out-buildings in good repair, and are well stocked and furnished. The land was purchased by the Convention in 1829. *Post office address, Akron. |