THE tenth annual meeting of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, was held in the council chamber of the state house, in Boston, Sept. 15th, 16th, and 17th, 1819. The following members were present; viz. Rev. JOSEPH LYMAN, D. D. Gen. HENRY SEWALL, His Honor WILLIAM PHILLIPS, Esq. Hon. CHARLES MARSH, Rev. JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. Hon. WILLIAM REED, Rev. SAMUEL WORCESTER, D. D. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Lyman; and on the following days by the Rev. Dr. Morse, and the Rev. Dr. Chapin. The annual accounts of the Treasurer were exhibited, as examined and certified by the Auditor, and accepted. The Prudential Committee made their annual Report, which took up the greater part of the first day, and which was accepted. The Report of the Executive Committee of the Foreign Mission School, was read and accepted. The Rev. LEONARD WOODS, D. D. Professor in the Theological Seminary at Andover, (Mass.) the Hon. JOHN COTTON SMITH, of Sharon, Con. DIVIE BETHUNE, Esq. of the city of New York, and ELIAS BOUDINOT CALDWELL, Esq. of Washington, District of Columbia, were unanimously elected members of the Board. After the annual organization of the Board, the officers were as follows: The Hon. JOHN TREADWELL, L. L. D. President. Rev. JOSEPH LYMAN, D. D. Vice President. Rev. JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. Hon. WILLIAM REED, Rev. LEONARD WOODS, D. D. Rev. SAMUEL WORCESTER, D. D. and JEREMIAH EVARTS, Esq. Prudential Committee. Rev. Dr. WORCESTER, Corresponding Secretary. Mr. EVARTS, Treasurer and ASHUR ADAMS, Esq. Auditor. The Rev. Dr. Lyman preached the annual Sermon, at the Old South Church, on the afternoon of Thursday, the 16th, from Isaiah Iviii, 12. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: VOL. XV. 64 thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, THE REPAIRER OF THE BREACH, THe Restorer oF PATHS TO DWELL IN. His Honor Lieut. Gov. Phillips, and the Rev. Drs. Worcester and Morse, were requested to present the thanks of the Board to the preacher for his Sermon, and to ask a copy for the press. JOHN TALLMADGE, Esq. was unanimously elected a member of the Agency for the Foreign Mission School. In the course of the session the following resolutions were adopted. Resolved, That individuals, clergymen and laymen, residing in different, and especially in distant, parts of the United States, and in other lands, be now, and, as shall be deemed advisable, hereafter, elected by ballot, to be connected with this Board as Corresponding Members; who, though it be no part of their official duty to attend its meetings, or to take part in its votes or resolutions, yet, when occasionally present, may assist in its deliberations, and, by communicating information, and in various other ways, enlighten its course, facilitate its operations, and promote its objects. In pursuance of the foregoing resolution, the following persons were unanimously elected by ballot to be corresponding members; viz. The Rev. FRANCIS HERON, Pittsburgh, Pen. the Rev. JAMES CULBERTSON, Zanesville, and the Rev. ROBERT G. WILSON, D. D. Chillicothe, Ohio; the Rev. JAMES BLYTHE, D. D. Lexington, and the Rev. DANIEL C. BANKS, Louisville, Kentucky; the Rev. WILLIAM HILL, D. D. Winchester, and the Rev. Dr. BAXTER, Lexington, Virginia; the Rev. CHARLES COFFIN, D. D. President of Greenville College, and Dr. JOSEPH C. STRONG, Knoxville, Tennessee; Col. R. J. MEIGS, agent of government in the Cherokee nation; Col. JOHN M'KEE, agent of government in the Choctaw nation; SAMUEL POSTLETHWAITE. Esq. Natchez. Miss. the Rev. SYLVESTER LARned, New Orleans, Lou. Rev. HENRY KOLLOCK, D. D. Savannah, the Rev. MOSES WADDEL, D. D. President of the University of Georgia, JOHN BOLTON, Esq. Savannah, JOHN WHITEHEAD, Esq. Waynesboro', and the Hon. JOHN ELLIOT, Sunbury, Georgia; the Rev. BENJAMIN PALMER, D. D. Charleston, and Dr. EDWARD D. SMITH,* Professor in the College, South Carolina; and Gen. CALVIN JONES, Raleigh, N. C. Abroad the following persons were elected; viz, WILLIAM WILBERFORCE, Esq. CHARLES GRANT, Esq. the Rev. JOSIAH Pratt, and the Rev. GEORGE BURDER, London; the Rev. JOHN CAMPBELL, D. D. the Hon. KINCAID MACKENZIE, and the Rev. RALPH WARDLAW, D. D. Scotland; Mr. FREDERIC LEO, Paris; the Rev. Mr. JOWETT, Malta; the Rev. Archdeacon TWISLETON, Ceylon; the Rev. WILLIAM CAREY, D. D. and the Rev. THOMAS T. THOMASON, Calcutta; and the Rev. ROBERT MORRISON, D. D. China. The manner, in which the Corresponding Members are to be informed of their election, was submitted to the Prudential Committee. Resolved, That this Board, is deeply impressed with the holy devotedness, zeal, fidelity, labors, and excellence of character, of their This gentleman died quite lately, on a visit to St. Louis, Missouri, greatly lamented by all who knew him. late beloved missionary, the Rev. EDWARD WARREN; that his memory is precious; and that the Prudential Committee be authorized and directed to erect a suitable monumental stone over his grave, at the Cape of Good Hope. Resolved, That the Board will ever exercise an affectionate and provident care, for the widows and children of such missionaries, as shall have deceased in its service; and the Prudential Committee are authorized, and it will be their duty, to make such provisions in these cases, as will be consistent with the principles of the missionary cause, and adapted to the circumstances of the respective missionary stations. Resolved, That the Board gratefully acknowledge the liberal and increasing patronage of the Christian public extensively afforded to this institution, its measures, and objects; and that the Prudential Committee be directed to express the thanks of the Board to all Sociities, Churches, Congregations, and individuals, from whom donations and contributions have been received. Various interesting subjects were referred to the Prudential Committee, and to the future deliberations of the Board. [The details of business, which annually demand the attention of the Board, in relation to funds, the duties of officers, &c. &c. and the appointment and report of various committees, would not be particularly interesting to the public. The important objects and plans of the Board are brought to view in the Report of the Prudential Committee.] Resolutions of thanks were unanimously adopted, and ordered to be presented to the Committee of the Old South Church, for the use of that house of worship, for the public religious services of this annual meeting; To the choir of singers, for their attendance and aid on this occasion; To his Honor, the Lieut. Governor of Massachusetts for his kindness and politeness in procuring the use of the council-chamber for the use of the Board during the present session; and To those individuals and families in Boston, whose hospitality has been experienced by the members. The Prudential Committee were directed to compile and publish a Report, comprising the various annual documents. The next annual meeting was appointed to be held at Hartford, Con. on the third Wednesday of September, 1820, at 10 o'clock A. M. The Rev. Dr. NoTT having been appointed to preach on that occasion, the Rev. Dr. PROUDFIT was appointed to preach in case of his failure. The meeting was concluded with prayer by the Rev. Dr. WORCES TER. REPORT OF THE PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE. BRETHREN, The year is quickly gone; and in the kind providence of HIM, who has crowned it with his mercies, we are returned to this Board of sweet and high counsel, to review the past, and to consult for the future. But not all are here. The revered friend of man and of God;-who had borne a conspicuous part in the cares and teils of his country's deliverance and elevation, and, with still more ardent devotion engaged in the great design of raising up the world to virtue and to glory-the Hon. JEDIDIAH HUNTINGTON-is not here.—The venerated champion of the cross,-whose highest joys were its holy triumphs, whose conceptions were among the first in the teeming deliberations, from which this Board, with all its plans and enterprises, sprung,-who, in each succeeding year, has been the second of its officers, and a prime counsellor of its measures,-and whose fidelity to his many and weighty trusts was an example to his compeers and a light to the world, the Rev. Dr. SPRING-is not here.-Their course is finished; their work is done;-their trials are ended; and our Master and Lord, supremely wise and good, has called them to rest from their labors, in the mansions which he had prepared for them. The places that have known them will know them no more. We have mingled our tears with many at their tombs; we have embalmed the memory of the one and of the other in our hearts; and we now record their names in the assured persuasion, that they have long since been enrolled for everlasting remembrance on high. But the time demands, that they who weep be as though they wept not. Our work is not done. We have still to be followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The removal of laborers, one after another, is no intimation that the design is to be relinquished, or the work suspended. He, whose design it is, still lives, and still reigns on the holy bill of Zion, for its accomplishment; and is continually giving increased emphasis to the mandate, Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations;—and to the assurance, Lo, I am with you alway. The Missions, concerning which report is now to be made, are seven: BOMBAY, CEYLON, PALESTINE, CHEROKEE, CHOCTAW, ARKANSAS, and SANDWICH: the first, only six years ago dubiously struggling for a place, and even for existence; the last, just on the eve of embarkation; and the whole extending from east to west more than two thirds around this globe, which, as the dearly purchased domain of the Son of God, Christian benevolence desires completely to encircle, and to fill with the light of his salvation. BOMBAY. This Mission, the first child of the Board, can never be mentioned by your Committee, without emotions, which the heart wishes always to feel, and recollections, on which it dwells with ever freshening gratitude and delight. It has lost nothing of its title to be regarded with the liveliest affection, confidence, and hope. The mission now comprises three stations. The first, which is also the principal seat of the mission, is in the great native town of Bombay; and is still held by Messrs. Hall, Newell, and Bardwell. At Mahim, about six miles distant, on the northern part of the same Island, is the station of Mr. Graves,-in the midst of about twenty thousand heathen people, dwelling compactly around him, and near to a still greater number on the neighboring Island of Salsette. Mr. Nichols has his station at Tanna, the chief town of Salsette, distant from the first station about twenty-five miles, and separated only by a very narrow strait from a dense and wide spread population on the continent. These stations are regarded as eminently eligible, combining many and great facilities, and advantages for extensive operations. About a year ago, Mr. Nichols was visited with a severe bilious illness, by which he was brought near to death. "My physician, my friends, and myself," he says, "for several days anticipated the rapid approach of that hour, when my soul would be summoned hence. But the Almighty Physician appeared to save. The chastisements of his rod were mingled with the sweetest tokens of his love.-le made all my bed in sickness.—I cannot think of the goodness of God, and the unremitting attention of Dr. Taylor, and my beloved friends about me, but tears of gratitude fill my eyes." His speedy recovery is mentioned by the other brethren, and will be regarded by this Board, as a particular mercy, to be recorded with devout thankfulness. It is, however, only a touching instance amid an ample display of Divine Goodness. In the general health of its members,-in its internal harmony, in the favor it has obtained with the rulers, and with the people, European, and Native,-in the free course afforded to its operations, and above all, in its lively steadfastness in the work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope,-the Lord has marked this mission with distinguished kindness. Since the dates reported the last year, a wide expansion has been given to the sphere of its operations. At first, the labors of the brethren were limited to the town of Bombay. After the arrival of Messrs. Nichols and Graves, by occupying the stations of Mahim and Tanna, they brought the whole island of Bombay, and Salsette also, within their range. Nor is this all. By the late war in India, the Mahratta states and territories, on the side of the peninsula or continent adjacent to Bombay, and to a great extent, were subjected to the British dominion. This event, as it rendered those countries more easily and safely accessible, gave a new spring to hope and to enterprise. In October last, Mr. Newell made an excursion to Caranja, an island near Bombay, containing about ten thousand inhabitants. mostly Hindoos." There he preached to numbers of the people, and distributed a hundred books." In the same month, Mr. Hall passed over to the continent, and visited Choule, a place upon the coast, about thirty miles south of Bombay. “Here, in a small compass," he says, "are six or eight towns, belonging to the English; and in these towns there may be thirty thousand inhabitants; who, with the exception of about two hundred Roman Catholics, fifty families of Jews, and a few Mussulmanns, are all Hindoos." He visited most of the towns and villages in the district, "preached to, and conversed with, large numbers of the people, and distributed about two hundred books. Not only were the books kindly received; but, before he left the district, the people thronged around him, at different places, eagerly desirous of obtaining them. This afforded him very favorable opportunities for preaching to them, which he as gladly embraced. When his stock of books was gone, pressed |