ble Ship we trust will conduct us to some port of entry. We see abundant cause to justify the high-toned Christian feeling of our young brethren, who point us to this waste wilderness, and urge us to its culture; and we hail their generous promptings as a blessed proof that as the fathers sleep in Jesus, their sons will take up their labors, and perpetuate the praises of the Redeemer. But your Committee believe that the strong holds of Satan in China, as in India, must be attacked by the gradual advances of a regular siege. It may be years before the out works capitulate, but when they do, the conversion of the land will probably be speedy. If the Christian would ever behold the standard of the cross erected in Canton, it ought to be regarded as an adequate reward for the conflicts of a century.

In concluding this Report, which, if adopted, your Committee feel, will greatly increase the expenditure of the Board, they are encouraged by the firm belief that funds will not be wanting to execute so great a work of mercy, and that we are arriving at that period when it will emphatically appear that the gold and silver are the Lord's. And in order to hasten this dedication to the Lord, the obligations to liberality in the spread of the Gospel must be made to press more heavily on the consciences of the rich.

All which is respectfully submitted.

JOHN O. CHOULES,

In behalf of the Committee,

NATHANIEL KENDRICK, Chairman.

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The Committee on the African Mission REPORT,—

That, after deliberating upon the subject of the African Mission, they are of opinion, that it yields not in importance to any other mission under the care of this Convention; and that its claims to support and enlargement, as facilities for both are afforded, should be considered irresistible by American Christians. The degradation of Africa has seemed to furnish to other portions of the world the excuse, if not the occasion, of traffic in her children, as articles of commerce. But this long afflicted and neglected land has been permitted to look upward in these latter days, for some relief from its mighty pressure, and not to look in vain. The efforts for the abolition of the slave trade have been the happy predecessors of efforts for sending to her coasts the missionary with the word of eternal life, in the place of the trader with the means and the instruments of misery and wretchedness. Prophecy must be fulfilled, in the stretching forth of Ethiopia's hand unto the Lord. Ours is the work of helping Ethiopia to stretch out this hand to the Lord for deliverance; not of using it for her own subjugation. Important, indeed, must be that mission, whose unmixed object it is to assist in the accomplishment of a prophecy so clear.

The encouragements to persevere in this mission are so marked as to indicate an onward progress with enlarged and accelerated movements. The establishments that have been made on the coast, have been favorably received by the natives. These have anxiously asked for books to instruct them in the way of salvation, and earnestly desired the establishment of schools among them for their own improvement, and the improvement of their children. The difficulties that naturally lie in the way of new establishments, and particularly for benevolent purposes, are yielding to the influence of experience, and of persevering, judicious efforts under the divine blessing. The morals of these establishments are improving. Dr. Ezekiel Skinner, å gentleman who has recently gone out to the scene of missionary labor, on the coast of Africa, and on whose word entire reliance may be placed, thus writes:-" The morals of Monrovia are not so bad as I anticipated. I have not heard a profane word, since I have been here, nor seen a drunken man, nor had a drop of spirit offered me, nor seen it used by others. There is a strict and general attention to the Sabbath."

Baptists have particular encouragements to prosecute this mission with increasing vigor. The number of their denomination is accumulating in the missionary regions on the coast of Africa. Several Baptist churches are in existence there. Of the emancipated servants of Dr. Hawes, of Virginia, who are recent emigrants to that country, 20 or 30 are Baptists, of very promising appearance, and of interesting features of character. These propose to form a church at Bassa Cove,-a new station. Two white brethren of the Baptists, Rev. Messrs. Mylne and Crocker, as the Board have reported, are appointed to go out to Liberia, and will sail by the first favorable opportunity.

The opening for future missionary efforts, in relation to that benighted land, seems to have been most favorably made in the recent discovery of the termination of the river Niger. Hitherto, the mission stations have been confined to the coast, penetrating but little into the interior. By means of this mighty river, the very heart of Africa is laid open, and its occupancy seems to be invitingly held out to the missionary of the cross. Rising on the western side of the continent, this river pursues its way, for many hundred miles easterly, to the opposite side of this great portion of our globe, and then, turning southwestwardly, continues its course to the ocean, for many hundred miles more. On its banks, town rises after town, fertile regions succeed each other, opening an inviting field to the merchant and the missionary to enter, and to occupy important stations, not for the purpose of subjugating their fellow-men to bondage, but of elevating them to their true rank in the scale of creation.

Mercantile enterprise will doubtless traverse, at no very distant day, this great highway into the interior of Africa, and erect, on its banks, the necessary stations for its lawful purposes of trade in that extensive region; and the ship and the steam. boat, that bear the merchant, with his valuable commodities for the temporal comfort of the inhabitants of that land, may bear, too, the missionary, with his pear! of great price, to enrich their souls with the imperishable treasures of an eternal state. On the banks of this river, mission stations must be formed, from which the heralds of the cross shall go forth into the length and breadth of the land, to occupy and cultivate it in the name of the Lord of the whole earth.

With such views in reference to the missionary enterprise in Africa, what ought to be the feelings, what the efforts of American Christians in its support? The nations of modern times, nations civilized and Christian, have considered the inhabitants of Africa, in certain large portions of its territory, as a species of property in which traffic has been extensively carried on. Has our favored nation stood aloof from this humiliating trade? But these nations have been waked up from their insensibility; and, if not all, the greater number of them have agreed to abolish this blot upon a nation's glory. But still, the trade is carried on, to a painful extent; and, so long as Africa shall remain in her ignorance, her superstition, and her degradation, materials will be furnished, by her own children, to the cupidity of the distant trader, to carry on this odious traffic. Let American Christians send, to the dwellers in that degraded land, the Gospel of Jesus Christ,—the Gospel of salvation. Let them receive that freedom which Jesus has to give,—that freedom bought with his blood. Then will associations join in the work of abolishing the slave trade. Then will the shores of the land of Ham be abandoned by the slave ship, and her sons and daughters no more depart from their hereditary borders, to sigh in the bondage of a foreign country. The Gospel will then have free course and be glorified throughout that vast continent.

In conclusion, your Committee take leave to recommend the adoption of the following resolutions:

Resolved, That it is the duty of the churches of this country, to direct their attention more seriously to the consideration of the condition of the Africans in their native land, and to exercise a deeper feeling of interest in the mission established for their recovery from their degradation in this world, and eternal ruin in the next.

Resolved, That whilst the judicious management of the colonies and mission stations on the African coast, and in the interior, will mainly depend, under God, upon the prudence and ability of the white brethren, who shall be sent out as missionaries and teachers, yet that care ought to be taken in training up those of the colored population who may go out in the same characters and relations to fit them for their stations.

Resolved, That the Board be earnestly requested to prosecute the African Mission with vigor, and to enlarge and multiply their mission stations, as means and opportunity shall be afforded them.

All which is respectfully submitted.

W. B. JOHNSON, Chairman.

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The Committee appointed to attend to the communications of the Baptist General Tract Society, and the communication of the City Conference of Baptist Ministers in New York, on the subject of a Baptist Publication Society, beg leave to REPORT.

Your Committee regard with great interest the operations of the Baptist General Tract Society, and hail with joy any efforts to promote the energy and efficiency of the press, in the hands of our denomination. It is a matter of special gratulalation, that the publications of this Tract Society are finding their way into the four quarters of the globe. Already have large appropriations been made to the Burman empire, and the soldiers of the British army, having wandered far from home and friends, have heard in that country, through the medium of this Society, the words of everlasting life. As they receive the memorials of a Saviour's body and blood from the hands of our missionaries, many of them, in their communion with saints, and with Christ, we are sure, give thanks to God not only for the gift of his Son, but for the organization of this Society, through whom they have been brought into the kingdom of Christ. For Liberia, and Bassa Cove, in Africa, large appropriations have been made. Thus while American Christians lament the early fall of Holton, Skinner, and others, who scarcely entered on their self-denying work before they were received up into glory, they rejoice that preachers are there from our own land, animated, if not with the breath of life, with the Spirit of the living God, affected neither by clime nor condition, but alike ready to preach amid plague and pestilence, health, and happiness, the glad tidings of great joy-salvation by the Son of God.

The Scripture Manual on Baptism, one of the publications of this society, has been translated into the German language, printed at Hamburg, and extensively inculcated. A number of copies have been sent to the United States, for the benefit of our own German population. This Society also contemplates publishing the Memoir of Mrs. Judson, in the German language, that the influence of her piety and untiring self-denying zeal may there also be felt.

The Society is making efforts to circulate their publications in France, as an antidote, in the hands of the Holy Spirit, by their unadorned and simple statements, both to the sophisms of infidelity and the heartless gorgeousness and rites of Popery.

While the Society, wakened by the solemn calls from abroad, has been endeavvoring so widely to circulate its publications, that the ignorant may be taught the way of life, and that Christ's disciples loving his holy word, may not be reduced to such necessity as the Karens, who, in one instance, were known to cut up a tract into several pieces, that each might have a few sentences, they have not forgotten their own country. At a meeting of the Board of Managers of this Institution, held in Philadelphia, September 6th, 1834, the following resolution was passed, viz. "Resolved, That this Society, without relaxing in any degree its efforts for the general circulation of tracts, relying on the blessing of God, and the zealous cooperation of its friends for help, will endeavor, with the least possible delay, to place, by sale or donation, a bound volume of its select publications in every family willing to receive the same, in the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri.

Another Resolution has been passed unanimously by the Board, proposing to raise $5000, to circulate their publications in the great Western Valley.

With regard to the communication of the New York City Conference of Ministers on the project of a Baptist Publication Society, the Committee are fully aware

of the truth of all that has been said at this Convention, relative to that powerful engine, the press, and that our denomination thus far has too much disregarded it. They feel the importance of concentrating the energies of all the Baptist churches in the United States, in every good word and work. It is desirable, they doubt not, that all possible means should be used without delay, to promote the excellence and the circulation of religious literature, which may emanate from, and give character to the denomination. But as this subject does not properly belong to the great object of this Convention, they beg leave to recommend, that a meeting of the brethren, aside from their Conventional character, be held at some convenient time, during our stay in Richmond, for free conference on this subject. All of which is respectfully submitted,

J. PARKHURST, Chairman.

The Committee on the Treasurer's Department fully concur with the Board, in the views presented in their Report. The duties of the Treasurer have become so numerous and responsible, that they require his undivided attention. It is unreasonable to expect any individual to devote his whole time to the service of the Convention, without tendering to him a suitable pecuniary compensation. Of the present Treasurer, and of the faithful and efficient manner in which he has performed his duties, the Committee need not speak. For eleven years, he has held the office of Treasurer; and, during nearly half this period, having relinquished his lucrative private business, he has devoted all his time and energies to the service of the Convention. He has, besides his ordinary duties as Treasurer, made many long and laborious journeys. Eight times he has visited the City of Washington; and, on some occasions, remained there several weeks, to promote the interests of our Indian missions, or to transact other business connected with the Board. Twice he has visited Cincinnati, as a delegate from the Board to the Convention of Western Baptists. He has made one missionary tour to the southern states, and to the Valley Towns Station. He has constantly attended the meetings of the Convention, and of the Board, and numerous meetings of Societies, Associations, and State Conventions. For all these varied labors, he has received no pecuniary recompense; and, in addition to his gratuitous services, he expended, in the eight years preceding the last Convention, more than fifteen hundred dollars, for travelling expenses and clerk hire, on account of the Board, for which no remuneration has ever been made.

The Convention, therefore, concur with the Board, in the opinion that the Convention ought not to permit the Treasurer to make these sacrifices, without offering to him a proper recompense for his future services. They accordingly recommend the adoption of the following resolution :-

Resolved, That the Board be authorized to pay to the Treasurer, in future, a suitable compensation for his services, if he shall think proper to receive it.

The Committee who were appointed to notice the deaths of the missionaries, which have occurred since the last triennial meeting, present the following REPORT:

It is our duty, on the present occasion, to turn aside from the general current of business, of congratulation, and rejoicing; and for a moment, dwell upon the memory of some who have ceased from their labors. Yet we rejoice that our religion permits us to listen to the voice from Heaven, saying unto us, " Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

In Burmah, the voice of lamentation has been heard, and we are obliged to record the death of our respected and beloved missionary, sister Cummings. She has left for her friends but few records of her life, except her good works. A short time before her death, she alluded to it as if sensible that it was near. "Lord Jesus," she said, "prepare me for thy coming. A vile sinner, I cleave to thy cross, and implore pardon through the merits of thy death. That I have hitherto lived no more to thee is my pain, and my grief. Thou hast, by thy providence, led me into this wilderness, and here hast thou often spoken comfortably to me. And now Lord, come unto me, and make thine abode with me. Without thee, I am a lonely being indeed, but with thee, none less so. Thou art my only hope, my only inheritance, my God, my all." She was indeed a bright and a shining light; but in God's mysterious and righteous providence, "her sun has gone down while it was yet day."

At our Indian stations, we are called to mourn the loss of brother O'Bryant, and sister Lewis, who we trust are gone to their rest in heaven.

But the loss which has been most extensively felt, and which we are called upon most deeply to deplore, has been experienced in France. Since the last meeting, your able and faithful missionary of the Lord Jesus, brother Rostan, has ceased from his labors of love. To us, it seems that he was engaged in a work too great and too glorious, to be so soon cut down. But to God, whose ways are in the great deep, it seemed otherwise. At the closing scene of this great and good man, how appropriate are these words,

"Soldier of Christ, well done,

Rest from thy loved employ,

The battle's fought, the victory won,

Enter thy Master's joy."

In removing these missionaries from the field of their labors, our Saviour seems to say, "What I do now, ye know not, but ye shall know hereafter." While our unceasing prayers ascend to Almighty God, that he would send forth more laborers into the whitened fields, let us give heed to the voice of these servants of Christ, who have gone before us, saying, "Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh."

Respectfully submitted.

S. S. WHITMAN, Chairman.

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[We are reluctantly compelled to postpone the Report of the "Committee to whom was referred the communication from the Virginia State Bible Society." It will be inserted in the next number of the Magazine.],

TO OUR READERS.

The great length of the proceedings of the Convention, and of the accompanying documents, is our apology for the delay of this number of the Magazine. It was thought desirable to spread them before all our readers; and we doubt not, that they will peruse them with strong interest and lasting benefit.