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148 Annual Report of the Northern Missionary Sociely.

Mr. William Jenkins, our stated missionary at Oneida, has been removed at the request of the Indians, they preferring the labours of one of their own countrymen, Mr. Eleazer Williams. He was directed by the Board of Missions, last November, to repair to the Seneca tribe of Indians, and those on the borders of the lakes. He found them dispersed in pursuit of food, their last crop having failed; and reported that there was no prospect of a permanent establishment among them. He visited the destitute in Upper Canada, which presents a vast field for missionary labour. In this region he spent 120 days, travelled 1500 miles, preached 158 times, visited and catechised 60 schools, baptized 147 children and 5 adults, and collected 40 dollars. He then returned, and sent in his resignation, which was accepted. The Board rendered this faithful and persevering man their thanks for his services while in their employ. And though his duties at Oneida have ceased, he is not useless, but has accepted a call in Canada, and has in charge many congregations, where he may still be employed in his favourite work of preaching to the destitute, Christ and him crucified.

In regard to the Oneida mission, the Board have no brighter prospects than were presented in their last Report. When the mission can be re-established is uncertain.-The Board would ever keep it in view, and embrace the first opportunity to send them the regular administration of the word and ordinances. They have, however, to represent, that Mr. Julius Pond, who styles himself attorney for the Oneida Indians, has in their name made a request that the rents of lands formerly granted by them to the Society, be made over to Mr. Williams, their present minister. As the Board has expended much more than the amount of their lands in this mission, and as the trust reposed in them has been faithfully executed, and will still be executed with Christian charity and fidelity, they returned for answer that they "would not pay the amount of rents received, or that may be received, into the hands of Mr. Williams, or any other person; but will endeavour faithfully to execute the trust reposed in them both by the Society and the State."

The Rev. Mr. Crane, a missionary from a Society in New-York to the Tuscaroras, represented that this tribe was in a famishing condition on account of the failure of their crops in 1816, and the consequent bigh price of provision. The Board deemed themselves bound by Christian charity, and with a view to open the hearts of Indians to a favourable reception of the word of grace, to devote a part of their own contributions to their temporal support. They ordered for their supply 75 dollars, to be distributed under the direction of Mr. C. Miller, of Albany, and Mr. Hickok, of Buffalo. No returns have yet been made concering this charitable donation.

From the Treasurer's account appended, it will appear, that the sum of 908 dollars has been received, and the sum of 1080 expended in missionary labours; and that there remains in the treasury a balance of 93 dollars.66 cents.

Annual Report of the Northern Missionary Society. 149

From the above details and statements, the Society will perceive that the Board has not been idle during the last year, but have employed more missionaries and expended more money, obtained more extensive acquaintance with the fields of useful labour, and their wants, than at any former period. The funds are almost expended: but let not treasure rust in our hands, while thousands are crying for saving health, and thousands perishing for lack of knowledge. The Board entertain a hope that the saints will re-animate their zeal, and endeavour to provide abundant means for this godlike charity of saving men through the cross. How can they hear without a preacher? How can they preach except they be sent ? And how can they be sent with success unless the silver and gold, which are the Lord's, accompany the prayers and exertions of his people?

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From the above representations, painful and pleasing as they are, the Board would call the attention of the Society to the vast fields of missionary labours which are now presented to their view. Many parts of the United States are as destitute as the remotest heathen, of the word of God. The real heathen on our borders cry, "Come over and help us.' Sufficient funds and suitable missionaries are not at command. Great things have indeed been done for Zion by American Christians; but let us entertain the hope that great and glorious things for the cause of truth and salvation are yet to be done by American Christians. Our United Foreign Missionary Society, established for the purpose of concentrating the otherwise detached powers of the Christian republic, invites our aid and alliance. And considering that the Christian power in this country is severed and acts only as fractional parts in the great work; that there should be some common point of union, force, and energy, from which one grand exertion may be made for evangelizing the nations, the Board suggest whether it would not be proper to invite by a circular letter all the Missionary Societies in the United States, to combine their efforts to establish a seminary for educating missionaries. Missionary success has kept pace with such institutions in Europe, and exertions have failed without them. The general and combined exertions of the Missionary Societies in America might establish a seminary, which, in the progress of time, might gloriously contribute to the fulfilment of the promise, "that all flesh shall see the salvation of our God." This subject the board recommend to the prayerful and wise deliberation of the Society; and while they are thankful for all the good they have done and all they expect to do, they would encourage the hearts of all in the promise, that "Christ shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied; that he who shall come will come, and will not tarry," and that the glorious reign of our Redeemer will yet be known over the face of the earth, and the song be sung, "Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." JOHN M. BRADFORD, Committee. CHRISTIAN MILLER,

Albany, Sept. 3d, 1817.

150 13th Report of the Bri. and For. Bible Society.

13TH REPORT of the British and foreign bIBLE SOCIETY.

(Continued from page 135.)

The domestic occurrences of the Society are now to be reported. It might reasonably have been expected, that, during a season of uncommon embarrassments and privations, the British and Foreign Bible Society would have felt its influence, in a temporary abridgment of its means, as arising from the public benevolence. But your Committee have no regret to express on this account; on the contrary, it will appear, from the specification of the sums contributed by the Auxiliary Societies since the last Annual Meeting, that the pure flame of charity has continued to glow with undimished ardour. And it cannot fail to be highly gratifying to the members of this Institution to learn, that during the last year, to the period when the Society's accounts are annually made up, the contributions from Auxiliary Societies amounted to no less a sum than 52,0271. 9s. 8d., notwithstanding the accession of new societies has been inconsiderable, compared with former years, owing to the ground having previously been occupied.

While your Committee return their grateful acknowledgments to the benefactors of the Society, whether associated or individual, within and without the United Kingdom, they feel it a paramount duty to offer their devout thanksgiving to Almighty God for the liberal support which the Institution has received. They are persuaded that the charity on which its existence and efficiency depend, while it finds gratification in the humble hope that it may be made subservient to the glory of God, and the happiness of man, seeks neither applause nor remuneration; rejoicing in its power to administer to the wants of the household of faith, at home. and abroad, and to provide a repast of spiritual and immortal food for strangers and aliens, whom it invites to partake of it; it implores the divine blessing on the application of its bounty, ascribing to God alone the praise and glory of the disposition which he has inspired. Contemplated as a proof of the deep interest which the object of the Institution retains in the public mind, it affords the purest gratification to the members and friends of the British and Foreign Bible Society, as it must to all who feel that " righteousness exalteth a nation,' and that the work and effect of it are peace and quietness, and assurance for ever.

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To what has been said in former Reports on the subject of Bi-, ble Associations, which have so essentially contributed to enlarge the funds of the Society, your Committee will only add the following observation, that the very principle of those Associations is calculated to operate as a monitory and restraining influence on the members of them. They see and feel the inconsistency of a life devoted to licentious indulgences and immoral habits, with the open and reiterated profession of a veneration for that book which so forcibly and explicitly condemns them, while their regulated: orderly meetings, and their monthly and weekly contributions for promoting the circulation of it, tend to invigorate those feelings, and render them habitual. And when this influence is considered

13th Report of the Bri. and For. Bible Society. 151

as extending (as from the active participation of females, and the young, in this service of love, it will naturally do) to the families of the members of these Associations, the consideration opens a new source of exhilarating hope, with respect to the rising and fu ture generations.

Scotland continues to manifest that zealous interest in the ad. vancement of the common cause which it has so constantly displayed; and the good effects of its exertions are to be found in the progressive increase of its Auxiliary Societies and Bible Associations, and in its munificent contributions, from various sources, to the funds of the Parent Society. Among the proofs of this assertion, which have already been specified, your Committee have the pleasure to adduce a renewed expression of the so often acknowledged liberality of the Presbytery of Glasgow, in their annual collection for the present year.

Your Committee have the pleasure to remark, that notwithstanding the distress which has been so severely felt in Ireland, the funds of the Hibernian Bible Society have scarcely suffered any defalcation; and that the issue of Bibles and Testaments by it during the last year, has exceeded that of the former by upwards of twelve thousand, making a total issue of nearly thirtyfive thousand copies.

Your Committee have had the peculiar satisfaction to assist the operations of this sister Institution, by relinquishing a claim of 13067. sterling, for Bibles and Testaments furnished to it, as well as by the gratuitous accommodation of 10,000 New Testaments.

The infancy of the British and Foreign Bible Society gave the promise of a vigorous maturity, which the progressive growth of thirteen years has amply confirmed. For complete and satisfactory evidence, that it has hitherto fully answered its designation and end, it is only necessary to advert to the extent to which the Holy Scriptures have been circulated, and to the numerous Institutions in different and distant parts of the world, now actively co-operat ing in the distribution of them. And while, on one hand, the Associations which have thus been formed on its exainple may be deemed a gratifying homage to the pure and benevolent principle of the Society, they come nearer to the feelings and expectations of its members, when considered as a provision for extending and perpetuating the benefit derived from it.

Devoutly ascribing these auspicious results, so astonishing by their magnitude, and so incalculably beneficial in their uses, to the divine favour alone; your Committee may be permitted to indulge the satisfaction of contemplating them as the pleasing fruits of Christian union, founded on a lively sense of an identity of interest in the promises of the Gospel, and animated by the charitable desire to make all mankind the partakers of its blessings.

It is from the active influence and energy of this union, that the British and Foreign Bible Society derives its means, and information to direct their employment; labourers for every soil, coadjutors in every quarter of the globe'; in a word, its support, encour

152 13th Report of the Bri, and For. Bible Society.

agement, and success. No Association formed on a narrower basis than of that universal benevolence which is the characteristic of the religion of Jesus, could have effected what it has accomplished. Having but one object in view, and that not only simple and intelligible, but also involving a duty which Christians of all denominations must admit to be of paramount obligation, this Catholic union requires no compromise of its members, and exacts no sacrifice of principles; and hence is less liable to be disturbed by the collision of human passions and prejudices. Consolidated and enlivened by a constant reciprocation of Christian hopes and feelings, it exhibits and encourages those endearing sympathies which mark the source whence they spring, and which, if universally cultivated and improved, would render the nations of the earth what the Gospel was designed to make them-a holy brotherhood, a community of love and peace.

That the moral and religious influence of the Scriptures has had a considerable and extensive operation, both in this and foreign countries, is tco obvious to be questioned or denied. The saluta. ry and efficacious counteraction which it has opposed to the increase of skepticism and infidelity, and to the progress of immorality and vice, together with all the evils which follow in their train, may be fairly enumerated among those of its general and ascertained effects, which have contributed in no small degree to the preservation of social peace and order. Nor is evidence wanting, in addition to what has been adduced in the body of the Report, of its influence with respect to a more important consumination. Many who never acknowledged the real value of this blessed volume," observes the noble President of the Swedish Bible Society, "have been enlighted by the Spirit of God, and look upon the Holy Scriptures with a more pious regard. The spirit of levity and mockery that prevailed as to the doctrines of revelation, has considerably given way to a more serious and devout attention to their more important concerns."

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This testimony is strengthened by that of a correspondent in Swabia, who asserts, that "a growth in divine knowledge, and an increase in faith and love to Jesus Christ, are already visible in many thousand souls."

If the preceding facts and reflections suggest the most encouraging motives for perseverance in the great undertaking to which the Society has pledged itself, they will receive additional weight from the consideration, that if the British and Foreign Bible Society had never existed, a large portion of the millions who, it may be presumed, have been benefited by its exertions, might have lived and died without possessing a copy of the sacred volume, to whom therefore the Charter of Salvation would have been as if it had never been revealed.

That it has pleased the Almighty, in bis gracious dispensations, to awaken mankind in so remarkable a degree to a sense of the supreme importance of bis Holy Word, and in times when his affictive judgments were calculated to give it a peculiar impression,

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