Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library https://archive.org/details/reportofselectcoOOamer REPORT OF elect fatmittee < A B.C.T THE DEPUTATION TO INDIA. NEW-YORK : JOHN A. GRAY’S FIRE-PROOF PRINTING OFFICE, 16 AND 18 JACOB ST., COR. FRANKFORT. 1856. ' .V . ' . ■ . . . * . > REPORT The Committee to whom was referred the Report of the De- putation to India, by the A. B. C. F. M., at the special meeting held in Albany, in March last, would now respectfully submit their Report. Your Committee have felt, from the time of their appoint- ment, that weighty matters have been intrusted to their delib- erations ; and they have not been willing to dispose of them without protracted investigation and much prayer. As the friends of Foreign Missions we have felt — one and all — willing to meet, as far as practicable, the responsibilities laid upon us ; and while we are sensible of the imperfect manner in which we have executed our trust, we have spared no time or pains which might be required in order to present the whole subject, which is now exciting a deep interest in the public mind, for the final decisions of the Board at its present annual meeting. In carrying out our purpose touching this matter, the Com- mittee have held five meetings, at which most of the members have been in attendance, and spent in all fourteen days in la- borious sessions, from eight to eleven hours each day, in col- lecting materials, in reading letters, in hearing statements, and in deliberations on the same, with a view to this Report ; and yet we have found it impossible minutely to survey the whole ground ; nor can we pretend, in embodying the various items of information which have come before us, in all instances, to have arranged them in the most natural or impressive order. To do this would require the exclusive attention of some one - mind for a long period, and the production would expand into a large volume. Either directly or indirectly the Committee have had before them the entire policy and the practical work- ing of missions to the heathen. These inquiries conduct us into a vast field, and one hitherto but imperfectly explored ; and, by the wisest among us, many things yet remain to be learned. 4 At the first meeting of your Committee, convened in Boston on the 16th of April last, it was “ Resolved , That a copy of the following letter be addressed to each male member of the missions visited by the Deputation and by Dr. Anderson : “ Dear Brother , — In behalf of the Special Committee to whom the Report of the late Deputation to India was referred by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, at its recent meeting in Albany, we invite your immediate attention and reply to the following questions. We hope your answers will be as concise and condensed as can be, without omitting any thing that may seem to you to be important : “ 1. Do the reports in the printed minutes of the meeting of your mission with the Deputation, or with the senior Secretary, express adequately your personal opinions, especially on the relation of Schools and Seminaries to the Missionary work ; on the use of the English language, and on the ecclesiastical relation of Missionaries to Native Pastors and Churches? “ If your opinions were in any respect overruled by the ac- tion of the meeting, please to state particularly the difference between your own j udgment and the views presented in the reports. “ 2. So far as the changes in the policy of your mission have gone into effect, do they promise an increase of efficiency in the work of conversion ? and has there been any change of your judgment since the meeting, either favorable or unfa- vorable to the changes then inaugurated ? “We propose these few questions only as hints to guide your mind, and not with the purpose of excluding any infor- mation which you may be able to communicate, and which, in your judgment, is pertinent to the business referred to this Committee. “ Please address your reply to the undersigned at the Mission- ary House, Boston, and soon enough, if possible, to be re- ceived by the 1st of September next. “ Leonard Bacon, Chairman, pro tem. “ Boston, April 16, 1856.” A similar circular was addressed to returned missionaries in this country. At the same meeting it was likewise “ Resolved , That the Prudential Committee be requested to 5 furnish this Committee at their convenience, their opinions upon the various subjects contained in the Report of the De- putation, indicating generally the principles upon which the operations of the India missions should hereafter be conducted, especially in regard to schools and seminaries, the press, the preaching of the Gospel, and the relation of missionaries to the native churches and pastors.” In response to these and other requests for information, your Committee have received numerous communications, from different missions and individual missionaries, and likewise a reply from the Prudential Committee, embodying their views on the “outlines of missionary policy.” We have like- wise had statements, written and oral, from a number of mis- sionary brethren who have returned from the foreign field, and others who feel a deep interest in the matters which are now pending before the Board. We have had before us not far from. 2,500 manuscript pages, besides many oral communi- cations. These are the principal sources from which your Committee have derived their information. Of these materials, all that can be presented, is a mere synopsis ; and in order to preserve the greater unity, we shall refer to the documents and other information in our possession, of whatever nature, as they may relate to the same subjects and the same missions It is the object of your Committee to lay before the Board all the information relating to essential points, which has come within their reach : not all the communications , for this would be next to endless, and would be likely to remind one of the hypothetical volume, which the apostle John mentions at the close of his succinct and inspired narrative. In pursuance of this plan, then, we notice a letter addressed to Dr. Anderson, dated Jaffna, Ceylon, June 16th, 1856, and signed by all the missionaries. This letter states that they were not subjected to coercion, but acted freely. They were not threatened with a loss of their livings; and in relation to schools, each missionary is permitted to have as many, both for Christian and heathen children, as he wished to have. The twenty-one reports were “all passed by a large majority of the mission, and most of them without a dissenting vote.” While their opinions are not entirely accordant “ on all the subjects dis- cussed,” they add : “ Yet we all desire to express our gratifica- tion thus far with most of the results.” And this is after more than one year’s observation and experience. They say, we would not “ return to where we were before your visit.” They regret the publication of “ extracts from private letters,” and “ fear they have not always conveyed the meaning of their 6 several authors.” The whole letter gives a very interesting and very satisfactory view of things in that mission, notwith- standing some diversities in sentiment, which have greatly agitated the American public. A Letter of eighteen compactly written pages, from M. D. Sanders, dated Tillipally, June 27th, 1856, and addressed to the Chairman of the Special Committee, is a paper of great interest. Mr. Sanders joined the mission in 1852. We can give only a naked outline of this letter. He says : “I think the Deputation had great influence. I would npt have had it otherwise. They, as a Deputation, could propose measures which the majority of the mission were in favor of, but which were in such a shape that the mission, by itself, could not touch them. It is possi- ble, that an overshadowing influence arose in this connection. Their influence seemed to me to be exerted in a high and honorable way.” His views of Batticotta Seminary deserve special notice and regard. He thinks this Seminary is of a higher order than is called for by the circumstances of the case. It aims to teach more science than the other English high schools of India ; and he has “ never seen the native teacher in Batticotta Sem- inary who made science the handmaid of religion.” In 1851, “ of 37 studies examined, 32 were in the English language, and 5 in the Tamil.” The disproportion was not generally so great ; but examining committees “ have dwelt on the fact, that Tamil was too much neglected.”* Mr. Sanders was in Batticotta one year, and had charge of the Seminary six months. He was delighted with the work, and felt that it “ was a most encour- aging field of labor.” He adds: “I then went to the village work, and am free to say, that my views have been very much modified by my experience, and by a knowledge of a wider range of facts.” The graduates were raised too high above “ the masses of the people for effective missionary work.” The Tamil missionary field, he thinks, will not generally depend on Batticotta graduates for a supply. Few assistants from this source are now found on the continent. Mr. S. gives us the following table of persons born within the limits of the Tillipally Station, and now living, who were educated, wholly or in part, at the Batticotta Seminary. It was made out in November, 1855, and, of course, entirely irre- spective of the request of the Special Committee. 101 Names in all. 29 Reside abroad. 72 Within the station. * The Committee do not understand that the time devoted to these respective studies has been in proportion to the number of studies themselves. 46 Professed heathen. 35 “ Christians. 11 Not known to have rubbed ashes. 5 Sons of Christians. 4 Excommunicated church members. Leaving out those who are abroad, Of the 72 at the station — 39 Are heathen. 16 Professed Christians. 9 Not known to have rubbed ashes. 4 Sons of Christians. 4 Excommunicated church members. Of 16 Professed Christians — 9 Were receiving salaries from the mission. 1 Connected with the press, and jet retained. 1 Left the office when turned over to the natives. 1 Teacher. 1 Left the Seminary, and has no employment. 1 An ordinary cooly. 1 A farmer. 1 In search of employment. “ Those who are marked as heathen,” says Mr. S., “ and ex- communicated church members, attend our religious meetings no more frequently than the heathen generally.” He also says, that “ if the salaries of the mission were to stop, there are only two or three of the Christians whom we could depend upon as permanent residents.” Mr. S. mentions another fact which reveals an alarming state of things: “That all our Christians fully expected that all of their sons should be educated in Batticotta Seminary, and all of their daughters in the Oodooville Seminary ; and were offended if they were not taken ; and I think it is clear that the tendency was not towards rooting Christianity in the soil of Jaffna.” It is well known that the Jaffna Church has had an unenviable reputation on the subject of Caste, and Mr. S. says: “The Batticotta Graduates have given us this reputa- tion ; and it is also true that the leading and most learned mem- bers of our Church give us the most trouble on this subject.” As to Oodooville Boarding School, the testimony is that it “ has been eminently successful as a missionary institution.” And yet the number who should be educated there must be graduated by the prospects of their being “ married to suitable companions.” The training of this school would entirely unfit the pupils to become “ wives in ordinary and heathen Tamil life.” In relation to Village Schools; Mr. S. would have the mission 8 report on this subject thoroughly carried out. ‘ The school should be select, where there is a sufficient number of Christ- ian and nominal Christian children to warrant it.’ They now have provision for more than forty village schools, and he would have them made as efficient as possible, “ by the em- ployment of thorough Christian teachers .” 1 The school should be made an appendage of the Church, and Christians should feel that it is their school, and that their children are to be pro- tected by it, as far as possible, from heathen influences.’ Mr. S. would encourage schools for girls, in every legitimate way, but not as has been done heretofore, “by presents in the shape of fruits, head-oil, clothes, jackets, and washing of clothing.” Some of these have been discontinued at several of the stations. The English may be encouraged, Mr. S. thinks, to a greater extent in large cities, as in Calcutta and Madras, than in coun- try missions. He would give an English education to a few of the best scholars in the Batticotta Seminary, and even this should be done only to a limited extent ; but he deems it quite useless in Oodooville Boarding School. The best scholars ac- quire but little, and what they have is of no practical use when they leave the school. The desire for English is very strong, and it is sought principally “ for the worldly emolument to which it introduces the individual and he can not consider it “ the duty of the American Board to spend its strength in that direction.” 1 Those who are capable of making the English valuable in their work,’ he would have instructed to a limited extent ; but he adds : “ I believe the majority of our assistants will be as efficient without it if they are properly trained in their native tongue.” On the ecclesiastical question , Mr. Sanders says but little. The mission has a “ Plan of Union, which,” he sa}^s, “ works well.” It is neither Association, nor Presbytery, nor Classis. “The reaction connected with the changes in our mission,” he remarks, “has not yet been so great as I anticipated.” His closing appeal to this country, is for men and means to sustain and carry on the mission. The Special Committee have received a letter from Mr. How- land, dated Batticotta, June 27th, 1856, which corresponds, in its general tenor with the one already noticed from Mr. San- ders. In regard to the prominence given to educational efforts, he employs strong language : “ The results of forty years’ labor in this mission do seem to indicate that there are evils incident to our educational establishments in connection with missions, which after a series of years, so develop as greatly to exceed the advantages, and may be the means of destroying 9 more souls than are saved by such instrumentality. These can not well be understood in all their force, except by those who have been brought in contact with them for a course of years, in actual labor, among the masses, in the village work.” Mr. Howland’s former opinions of the necessity of the English language for those who were preparing to become re- ligious instructors had been for some years gradually modified ; they were still more modified, during their late discussions while the Deputation was with them ; though he now thinks that it may be desirable, when the Seminary is again com- menced, to have the English “ taught to a select class.” “ On the ecclesiastical relations of missionaries and native pastors and churches” — his opinions are expressed in the Re- port on that subject in the printed minutes, page 37. lie deems it not easy for one who has not actually labored among the heathen to understand how difficult it is to accommodate these infant churches to the Procrustes-beds of denominational rules. “ It is really difficult, after a course of years, for some of us to recognize our own denominational identity as individuals, and I do not believe any one of us knows, or cares to know, the denominational origin of all the others.” As to the inquiry, whether his “ opinions were in any re- spect over-ruled by the action of the meeting ?” he says : “Al- though the evils in connection with our work had been appar- ent for a long time, the way had not seemed open for a change till the arrival of the Deputation.” On a subse- quent page of his letter, he adds : “During the meetings with the Deputation, the way seemed open for changes, as it had not been before ; and there appeared to be more unanimity among ourselves on the subject than we supposed there would be, and the changes were made which are mentioned in the reports ; but the reasons for some of the more important ones are not fully stated in these reports. The presence of the Deputation undoubtedly had an influence in bringing about these changes, though that influence was not, I believe, that of authority. Their instructions seemed a little startling when first read, but I did not feel bound, on that account, to yield my personal con- victions of duty. At the commencement of the discussions, I dissented from some of their propositions, and felt that I had perfect liberty to express my dissent, which I did on some points, and I yielded to none any other assent than that of con- viction, after candid discussion and consideration.” In reply to the inquiry of the Special Committee, “Do the changes promise an increase of efficiency in the work of con- version?” he remarks: “Perhaps not immediately. But I hope for more success ultimately than in the former course.” 10 He then states several very natural and obvious causes of re- action ; such as the blighted expectations of Christians, who were quite confident that all their children would be educated at the Batticotta Seminary and the Oodooville Female Board- ing School — which in any event a few years would have proved to be fallacious, the reduction of the wages of native assistants, and the like. “But still we felt,” he adds, “there was a ne- cessity for a change. "We did what we thought we must do, and tried to do it in a way to avoid as much evil as possible. In the circumstances, we have cause to be thankful that we have suffered so little from it The Christians are tried in re- gard to their own prospects, and those of their children ; but some of them are beginning to make the best of it, and are helping themselves by way of obtaining education for their children.” The heathen show as much willingness as before to listen to the Gospel message. “ Indeed,” says Mr. Howland, “ I never had so interesting village meetings, nor held them so frequent- ly, as since the changes were made. These meetings are some of them held in private houses, and in villages where they have no school. I am especially encouraged by the results, thus far, of the efforts to transplant Gospel institutions into the villages, commenced in connection with the other changes. There is encouragement, and hope that the little gatherings in the vil- lages may be the beginnings of Christian churches. The assist- ants in charge are benefited by the responsibility thrown upon them, and I think will grow in strength to meet it. The church recently established under a native pastor in my field, seems to be prospering, and the experiment, thus far, is suc- cessful beyond our hopes.” The Chairman of the Special Committee has received another letter from Mr. Howland, bearing date, Batticotta, July 2d, 1856, exclusively devoted to the subject of education. His remarks, in this letter, on the old village schools are dis- criminating and instructive, and may serve to show the real value of this instrumentality. These schools have done much good in many ways, and especially as the children were in- structed in the Holy Scriptures. But as they have been so connected with heathenism, in various ways and forms, being under the tuition of heathen teachers, and heathen lessons hav- ing been inculcated either openly or by stealth, they must have formed a very doubtful auxiliary, or appendage, of a Christian mission. Changes for the better have been effected at one or more of the stations. Christian teachers have in some instances been obtained. But still further reformation is called for. Mr. H. says : “ I believe that in some few instances these teachers 11 do rise above mere mercenary motives, and really desire the salvation of their pupils ; though their efforts, both in the line of instruction, and direct labor for the salvation of their pupils, would not compare with those of some of the most indifferent Sabbath-school teachers in America.” On the subject of Female Education Mr. H. refers to the re- ports in the printed minutes, pp. 46 and 50. The former system of rewards — clothing for the girls in the village schools, and “ in boarding schools, full board and cloth- ing,” and “ dowry upon marriage”' — have been gradually discon- tinued, and a less mercenary system has taken its place. He thinks that the Female Boarding-School at Oodooville “has fur- nished the most precious results of missionary labor in Jaffna,” but from circumstances, which have been already distinctly stated in the report, the number of pupils must be limited. He would seem to concur fully in the measures adopted during the visit of the Deputation, on the subject and details of educa- tion in this school. “In looking at results,” says Mr. H., “it should be borne in mind, in connection with these educational efforts, the mission has been emphatically and decidedly, from the beginning, a preaching mission. Indeed, statistics show that a large pro- portion of missionary strength has been given to the direct preaching of the Gospel. In the Sabbath and village congre- gations ; by the way-side ; in the Bazars ; from house to house ; from village to village ; in the school-room and in the mission- ary’s study ; the great labor has been, we believe, to bring the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, in direct contact with the hearts of this people, in humble reliance upon the renewing and sancti- fying influences of the Holy Spirit to make it effectual to sal- vation. In summing up results, therefore, some may be the re- sult more especially of these labors, and others more particu- larly of educational efforts, while more will be the combined result of both. Some results will be easily traced to their cause, and others not easily.” On another subject, which is prominent in the present inquiry, he remarks: “The desire for English education has become in- tense among both Christians and heathen. It is a desire not founded upon an estimation of the language or the rich stores of literature and science to which it is the key, but solely upon the fact that being the language of the rulers of the land and of the missionaries, acquaintance with it is the stepping-stone to honor and wealth.” This letter contains a statement of “ Results of missionary labor in Ceylon ,” pro and con, which must have great interest 12 to the friends of this cause. These results may be briefly epi- tomized in our report, in the following manner : ‘ There is a very general diffusion of the knowledge of Christ- ianity among the people. : There is among many of the heathen a want of confidence in their religious system. ‘The great majority of conversions have been among the educated. ‘ The majority of the Christians are persons of influence and standing in the community. ‘ The Christians are from the great body of the people. ‘ The thorough Christian education of both sexes is exerting a salutary influence on the children of the Church. 1 There are instances of fervent piety in the Church, and sometimes earnestness and faithfulness in laboring for the sal- vation of others.’ “ But on l he other hand:' 1 ‘ The great body of the Church are more or less pecuniarily connected with the mission. ‘ This fact has made church membership a thing to be desired for its pecuniary advantages. ‘ The heathen generally consider it a privilege to have some of their relatives connected with the Church and mission em- ployment, as they receive ready money. ‘ This pecuniary relation to the mission tends to destroy their power as a witnessing Church, among the heathen. ‘ This suspicion among the people, of the motives of Christ- ians, is dispiriting to those who are sincere. ‘ The missionaries often have little confidence in the apparent interest of those who listen to them, since there are so many ways in which they may receive worldly benefit from them. ‘ These pecuniary relations often tend to destroy that love for one another, among church members, which is one of the evidences that they “have passed from death unto life.” ‘ This relation to the missionary as paid agents, often ren- ders them eye-servants. 1 The fact that a large proportion of the Church are paid agents, often awakens envy on the part of those who live by daily toil. ‘ Those church members who have been trained in board- ing schools, as children, where they have received every thing from the mission, at length come to claim, as a right, what they have been long accustomed to receive as a gratuity. ‘ This state of things destroys their confidence in each other. ‘ The training of Christians in boarding schools unfits them for settling down on the soil as farmers. 13 ‘ There seems to be no opening now for the large rising gen- eration of baptized children, but to be educated like their parents, and become the dependents of foreigners. ‘ The yielding of the heathen to their Christian relatives, for the sake of pecuniary advantage, often has a bad influence on the Christians themselves, by leading them to conform to the heathen superstitions of their friends. ‘ As education has been generally confined to the farmer caste, and the Christians are mostly of that caste, the lower castes often feel that they are not welcome to the Gospel feast. 1 The condition of the educated young men who have not become Christians, is a sad one. They either yield to open wickedness, or seek to fortify their consciences by some refuge of deism or mysticism, and are often violent opposers of the truth. 1 This course is regarded by the heathen as an evidence against the moral power of Christianity to regulate the heart and conduct.’ “ Among all those who have been educated in the Semi- nary” — and we quote the very language of the letter — “there is probably not one in fifty ) who makes any use of his knowledge to drink from the rich fountain of English literature. Some few of our native assistants make some use of such books as Barnes’s Notes ; and of a Concordance, or Scriptural Manual ; but they rarely take up an English book to read it for the informa- tion it contains, though they may do it as a means of improve- ment in the language.” This letter closes with a few pertinent facts respecting that field of Christian effort. There are favorable materials to be wrought upon and influenced — and especially among those who have been educated in the schools. There is much ac- quaintance with the word of God, and often conviction. “ The present is emphatically^ e time for labor.” The Church, with all its imperfections, has “ a blessing in it,” which may be ex- tended to the pagans. He says : “We want help , we want men .” Mr. Howland joined the mission in 1846. A letter from Mr. Spaulding of the same mission, dated Oodooville, June 27th, 1856, and addressed to the Chairman of the Special Committee, deserves notice in this place. It con- tains views on several points adverse to those already con- sidered, as expressed by other members of this mission, and especially on education in general, and instruction in the Eng- lish language in particular, as connected with the missionary work in Jaffna. He speaks of the visit of Dr. Anderson and his colleague in the following terms : “ Our Christian fellowship 14 with the Deputation was delightful — all that the eloquence of Mr. Thompson, or the glowing heart of Baxter, could paint or feel.” He intimates, however, that they might entertain widely different opinions on mission policy ; and yet the discussion- room did not interrupt Christian courtesy and fellowship, when they “ sat together in heavenly places.” One of the Deputa- tion he “ had long known ana loved” — a “ Secretary of great experience” — “ whose labors and self-denial for the cause,” he ‘ honored.’ These testimonies to the Christian spirit and bearing of the Deputation, are confirmed by the whole mission ; and your Committee may add, not only in Ceylon, but elsewhere. As to the changes made in the Batticotta Seminary, Mr. Spaulding does not approve of them, and yet he says: “We had no one whose heart was in it, and who could be spared for it. Of course it must be modified, or the horse would run away with his rider ; and many thought he had already ! This was our fix. To carry it on was impossible .” And yet he says : “ I do not find fault with the Deputation, as such. They did what they were empowered to do ; — perhaps less. (And no perhaps about it.) The fault lies back of all these, and grows out of the want of liberal plans and liberal contributions of money for the great work.” The . fault, according to Mr. Spaulding’s reasoning and statements, must lie at the door of the Prudential Committee and the Christian community in this land. It is in this connection that he remarks : “ I think it would be 1 disastrous ’ to return to exactly what we had when the Deputation visited us — with only one missionary teacher — with so little Tamil and Bible — and so much English and science. Give us a bridle and men to handle it, or we would better go on foot. I have no fellowship with the plan of raising little horses, because great ones may run away with us ! There is a fault somewhere.” Wherever the fault may be for the changes made in Batti- cotta Seminary, and for closing it for a time, Mr. Spaulding en- tirely exonerates the Deputation from all participation in it. This is the only thing to which your Committee need call at- tention at present. As to Oodooville Female Boarding School, Mr. S. would enlarge rather than retrench. His views do not correspond with those entertained by a large majority of the mission, nor could they be carried out, even if it were desirable. This latter statement he fully admits. He would have the American churches furnish men and money not only to carry on missions in the simple form of preaching the Gospel to the heathen, but he would have them build up educational establishments of various orders on a large scale. Mr. Spaulding further says : “ The simple preaching of the Gos- pel among the people of India, when Catechisms and Scripture history are not , and have not been taught to the children , has thus far, had very little effect. Conversion simply by preaching, as the term is generally used, is yet, to a very great extent, theory .” In speaking of Education, he also says: “My opinion is, that the land or field we occupy needs Batticotta Seminary worked at least by two first-rate conservative men, thoroughly biblical. I would take a class now and gradually add until I reached the aimed at 75 or 100 students. I would have central English schools to fit lads for Batticotta, as formerly, in English as well as Tamil.” He adds: “ We should always have one man in the mission who should be treasurer and Indian agent for secular business, and be the head of our depository. Such a man is much needed, and saves all the other members of the mission untold trouble and time. He should not be taxed with a great amount of mission dabor. A college and theologically educated man — a conservative. We are laying foundations — theological and church foundations ; and one untrained and ultra man will do more hurt than two good missionaries can do good. The Board, and the cause too, have suffered much from want of at- tention to this subject.” “ To restore things to their right position, I would first of all advise the entire ignoring of the twenty one reports.” The duty which Mr. S. indicates, the Select Committee can not perform. “ The Committee of 13 must make up their minds as to what they and the American Churches wish to have us do on cdl these grand points, and then they must tell us definitively what those things are, and give us the means to carry out their wishes, as the messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ. For obvious reasons the Committee must do and settle this.” The Special Committee can not feel it to be their duty to step in between the Prudential Committee and the mission, and then give specific directions in matters which that Committee under- stand much better than ourselves, which the Board has espe- cially confided to them, and upon which even they would not exercise the prerogatives which Mr. Spaulding would have us assume. No Committee — Special or Prudential — would assume and exercise such powers, and no mission could, in many cases, conscientiously follow such dictations. All discretionary power would be absorbed in mere authority. Mr. S. joined the mission in 1820. A letter from Mr. Meigs, dated Manepy, July 1st, 1856, should be noticed in connection with that of Mr. Spaulding ; and, especially, because they sympathize in certain opinions, in 16 which, they differ, to some extent, from the other members of the mission. Of the Deputation Mr. M. speaks in the kindest and m<5st commendatory manner. “They gave me abundant reason to love and respect them. Our intercourse with them, during the whole time of their residence in Jaffna, was of the most de- lightful kind. It is very pleasant, even at this distance of time, to call to mind those hallowed and precious seasons of Christian fellowship, which we then enjoyed. I have somewhere seen it stated, that the elder missionaries were not treated with proper respect by the Deputation. Let me assure you that there is no foundation for this remark. During the whole time of their sojourn among us, we were treated with very marked respect and kindness by both of the members of the Deputation.” Again he says: “ I would bear ample testimony to the Christian kindness and gentlemanly bearing of the Deputation, in all their intercourse with us. They exhibited much of the suaviter in modo , as well as fortiter in re. I was greatly pleased and in- structed by their views on most of the subjects brought before us. They are men of great wisdom, and experience, and piety, and they earnestly desire to do all in their power to advance the kingdom of Christ among the heathen. Yery many of the measures adopted while they were with us, have my cordial approbation.” A remark attributed to Mr. Meigs, and published in the pa- pers, and quoted in the discussions of the Board at Albany, has had, no doubt, much influence in exciting prejudice against the Deputation. The remark was this: “The Deputation took much pains to let us know that they had the power to do as they pleased, whether we were pleased or not ; and that they had the power, also, to stop our allowance, if we did not behave ourselves so as to please them.” This quotation is said to be from a private letter of Mr. Meigs. In a letter signed by all the members of the mission, including Mr. Meigs, we find the following : “ The Deputation did represent that the Prudential Committee had the responsibility of distributing the funds com- mitted to their care, and it was intimated, in one or two in- stances, that, in the opinion of the Deputation, they would not appropriate them to certain purposes ; but we have no recol- lection that any thing was said, in any of the meetings, which implied that our living was in danger.” We quote the letter again: “Dr. Anderson said, that, if we thought our salaries were insufficient, the Committee would be willing to increase them.” Mr. Meigs informs us that the mission disbanded the Batti- cotta Seminary, because they “ had no one who was able and 17 willing to teach it.” * * * “ Those who could teach it, were placed at other stations, and we were compelled to pursue the course we adopted.” And he suggests that, when the Se- minary is reopened, he would have it “ better adapted” to the wants of the mission, ‘less scientific, and more biblical. The number he would reduce only to 50, instead of 25.’ In relation to Oodooville Boarding School, Mr. Meigs agrees with the great majority of the mission, that it should “ bear some proportion,” in its pupils, “to the number needed as com- panions for the native assistants.” In this sentiment he agrees with Mr. Sanders, who says : “ The number must be regulated by the marriage market.” Mr. Meigs “ would not advise the study of English” in this school. The facts relating to this mission, so far as they have come before your Committee, may be summed up in a few words. The changes, which were made during the visit of the Deputa- tion, were adopted by the mission itself, and sustained either unanimously, or by a large majority. Nothing was forced upon the mission by the mere authority of the Deputation ; but the reports were their own, and were the result of their own deliberate judgment and conviction. The brethren of the mis- sion, one and all, bear testimony to the high social and religious qualities exhibited by the Deputation during their sojourn among them. Their visit refreshed the hearts of all ; and your' Committee confidently trust that it will be followed by marked and blessed results. Whatever difference of opinion may exist between the Com- mittee, and the deceased Dr. Poor, and the beloved Spaulding and Meigs, missionaries venerable in age and service, upon some points brought into view in this report, the Committee enter- tain undiminished confidence in the integrity of these excellent men. They have probably done, under the circumstances, as well as could have been done by any good men. They have borne the burden and heat of the day for more than a third of a century, and it affords the Committee pleasure to bear this testimony to their exemplary Christian fidelity, and the high claim they have upon the affection of the American churches. MADURA MISSION. A general letter from all the missionaries, dated Madura. June 12th, 1856, bears high and honorable testimony to the Deputation and their doings. 1 The Deputation had not deter- mined, as some have said, on the particular changes to be inau- gurated. In the meetings for discussion they manifested quite 2 18 as much desire to hear the opinions of others, as to express their own. The Deputation had an influence, and a great influence, but the mission decidedly denies, that it was such as to prevent, their responsibility with regard to the reports adopted by them/ Of the 22 reports ‘ there is not one in which they have a decided wish to retrace their steps.’ They express gratitude for the visit, and they say that : “ After the lapse of more than a year, they cordially repeat their assent to the sentiments expressed in the preamble and resolution adopted by them at the close of their meeting. It seems to them due to the Deputation to say, that in their belief, they could not have decided upon the changes to be even recommended in Jaffna.” This letter is subscribed by Mr. Herrick, in behalf of the mission. Your Committee will now refer to a letter from Mr. Herrick addressed to the Chairman, in which he gives his own opinions, as a member of the mission. ‘ He is not anxious, as an indi- vidual, that the subject of the renewal of the boys’ boarding- school, should be considered now, and he heartily approves of the reports touching the English language.’ Mr. H. says : “ Our report, as well as the remarks of the Deputation, upon the ec- clesiastical relation of missionaries to native pastors and churches, meets my approval.” He would deprecate any action of the Board, which should oblige the missionaries to attach undue importance to the mere form of church government. In a letter from Mr. Tracy, addressed to Dr. Anderson, and dated Pasumalie, June 18tli, 1856, the writer says : “ I am quite satisfied, from personal conversation with the Deputation, soon after coming into this mission, that they had no definite plan to carry out ; and I am bound to say, that, on leaving this mission for Jaffna, the Deputation repeatedly expressed to myself and other members of the mission, their entire ignorance of what was to be done in Jaffna.” ‘ They had no doubt that changes were necessary, but thought it possible /hat several years might elapse before such changes would be effected.’ This last sen- tence is given as the language of the Deputation. “ In regard to the English school at Madura, the action ol the Deputation was in full accordance with the views of the mission.” But for strong reasons, “the mission was glad to have the Deputation assume the responsibility of the change.” The modifications made in the Seminary — of which he is Prin- cipal — met with Mr. Tracy’s cordial approbation. He sets a high value on the English language for native preachers and catechists. ‘He agrees with the Deputation on the subject of “ Grants in aid;” and cheerfully reiterates his full assent to re- solutions of confidence and affection passed at the close of their special meeting.’ 19 A letter from Mr. Taylor, addressed, to tlie Chairman of the Special Committee, dated Mandahasalie, July 15th, 1856, contains some very important thoughts on the subjects involved in this report. His views on the relation of schools and seminaries to the missionary work, drawn up eight years ago, are worthy of the deep and prayerful consideration of all who labor for the conversion of the heathen. “1. The first business of a mission is to disciple the people to whom it is sent. “2. Having discipled, and established churches, it should help those churches to a native ministry suited to their character and wants. “3. It is in accordance with apostolic usage, and is most natural, to take from among the converts, persons for the elder- ship. “ 4. These should be men and not boys , men of established character, known to the people, taught in the Scriptures, and apt to teach. “5. If a higher order of ministers, as to human attainments, is desired for these churches, than this primitive method will secure, it will not be till after the body of the churches have been morally and intellectually raised through the power of the Gospel ; and with the demand there will be furnished the supply by the first steps in the reform itself; which must come from Christian family training , perfected by improved primary schools, and the occasional training of those children of the Church who are to be devoted to the work of the ministry. “ We have deviated from these principles. “1. We have taken up the work of education previously to the work of discipling, and as a means of discipling, rather than as a result of it. “ 2. We have been educating the children of the heathen, (in our seminary) for the work of the ministry, in the Church yet to be, and have not waited for the children of the Church, spring- ing up as the result of God’s blessing on the preaching of the Gospel. “ S. We have been giving an English rather than a Tamil and biblical education.” Mr. Taylor expects much good from the plan now adopted. If it is carried out, the “ Seminary will be more like that which is needed.” ‘ It should be for the mission, and not the mission for it.’ Mr. T. did not understand the Deputation as claiming for the Board ecclesiastical power over the mission ; and is him- self in favor of native ecclesiastical organizations. Another letter from the same writer, of June 5th, 1856, and addressed to Dr. Anderson, has deeply interested the Commit. 20 tee. He speaks of three eras in the mission, falling under his “ observation and experience.” The first dates from the time when he entered the field, about twelve years ago. The system then in operation, says Mr. T., “ in its leading character- istics, was a system of schools with heathen masters, for the conversion of heathen children. When these teachers were asked, one by one, if they were Christians — they all answered, No. They were then asked if they wished to become Christians — and again they promptly answered, No. They said, they learned Scripture lessons, and taught the children for the sake of their pay.” The second period was one of “reforms and compromises.” ‘The people of some of the rural villages asked for instruction that they might become Christians.’ The heathen schools were dropped, and other schools took their place. Congregations were formed, and these were the beginning of the necessity for all the great changes that have been made.” The third era dates from the visit of the Deputation. “Many com- pounds and buildings were not in the right place ; and the church organizations were defective. Our educational system was not answering the end for which it was designed. The Deputation laid before the mission the principle, and it was adopted without dissent, That the governing object should be the conversion of sinners , the gathering of the converts into churches, and the appointing of pastors over them. As to the educational system, it was agreed, that “it should be for the mission and not the mission for it.” A few “ might be well educated both in Tamil and English.” Mr. Taylor enters his protest against every form of the idea, that the Deputation exercised any undue authority over the mission, or so “ overshadowed ” them, that they lost, as it were, their senses, and mainly echoed their views. He protests, too, against the idea, that the Gospel can not be given to the people, unless the English be used as a medium ; and also against the idea, that missionaries will not have enough to do unless they have schools to care for. Your Committee would next notice a letter from Mr. Chandler of the same mission. It is dated Madura, July 12th, 1856. Of the Deputation he uses this language : “ The visit of the Deputa- tion to our mission, I have no hesitation in saying, I believe to have been a great blessing. They came in the fullness of the gospel of Christ. Their visit did us good, and set forward the work of converting the masses of the heathen in this part of India, not a little. They came not as lords over God’s heritage, not to usurp authority over us, not to coerce us into measures against our [deliberate opinions — ‘ not to destroy but to fulfill.’ They came like noble, disinterested, Christian men, to consult 21 and advise respecting the noblest work on earth, and they did not for a moment betray their high trust.” He says in reply to our inquiry : “ I answer; the reports to which you allude, do ex- press my personal opinions.” Their Seminary, though at first on the plan of Batticotta, has been “ gradually throwing oft' some of its incumbrances.” Such seminaries are not indigen- ous among the heathen, and in such a country as India. They are not generally adapted to do an efficient work among the natives. Missions should aim to “ evangelize all.” “ Begin- ning at the top and working downward” will never do. He says : “ I believe we are now on the track, our machinery is good, and in motion. Our great need is ‘ the spirit of the living crea- ture in the wheels.’ ” “ Teaching the English language, or teaching western science in that language,” he admits, “is a delightful employment to all who are fond of teaching. But it is not the best way to reach the minds of the Hindoos with the Gospel. It is sheer nonsense to say we can not convey to their minds correct ideas of the atonement of Christ through their own tongue, owing to a de- fect in the language itself. The language, it is true, is full of heathenism ; so are the minds, thoughts, and habits of the people. The Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Egyptians, Cretes, and Arabians, £ heard every man, the Gospel in his own tongue wherein he was born and many were converted.” As to the ecclesiastical question, he thinks the missionaries must be left to exercise a discretion according to circumstances. In reply to the inquiry respecting the effect of the late changes in the policy of the mission, Mr. Chandler remarks : “ I believe the work of the mission is going on with increased efficacy. My mind has undergone no special change except to become more and more satisfied that we are on the right system. We need the Holy Spirit, and the sympathy and prayers of all who love their Saviour, and who love this work. Then I have no doubt greater and more permanent results will speedily follow.” Mr. Little and Mr. Webb differ from many of the views ex- pressed in the above quotations. To considerable extent their opinions are adverse to the changes introduced during the visit of the Deputation. To some of these changes, others of the mission also object. MADRAS MISSION. Mr. Hurd, of this mission, says : “ My views have changed on the subject of receiving ‘ grants-in-aid 1 from government for our schools. My principal reason for objecting to them is, that the standard of secular education in our schools must be much higher than it is now in order to meet the requisition of government in giving the aid. It would be better to have no school which should occupy the entire time of one missionary, if the religious character of the school is to suffer. The Bible must occupy the first place in the school. The missionary must make it his great business to win souls to Christ, if he has a school.” Mr. Hunt, the intelligent missionary printer, has written to your Committee from Madras, July 4th, 1856, expressing his approbation of the reduction of the press to a vernacular basis. On the subject of grants-in-aid , he says : “ With present light I am all doubt. If it be true, as has been stated, that a certain standard in secular knowledge shall be sustained in the schools, and that secret instructions have been sent after the Education Dispatch, requiring that all teachers in government schools shall pledge themselves not to do any thing personally to in- duce their pupils to change their religion, though one may not be strictly connected with the other, yet I feel very jealous of having any connection whatever with the government of such schools.” He subjoins, “ The Scottish General Assembly’s Mission here, refuses the assistance of government on account of the restrictions, I believe.” THE ARCOT MISSION. A letter from this mission, dated Vallore, July 4th, 1856, contains many good thoughts on the work of evangelizing the heathen. The members of the mission say: “ That the leading- agency to be used for the conversion of India is the oral procla- mation of the Gospel to its adult population, accompanied by the distribution of the printed word, and by fervent, persever- ing prayer ; and that it is neither scriptural nor wise to turn from this simple plan, appointed by our divine Redeemer, and substitute heathen schools as the means of propagating Christ- ianity.” In another part of their letter they say : “ In our opinion education should not be the forerunner and instrument of evangelization, but one of the precious blessings in its train.” Again : “ We think English should not be taught to the native youth whom we are training for preachers and assistants in the missionary work. This conviction is gaining strength on every side, in almost every mission in India. The study of that language is not necessary as a medium of instruction. Science and theology can be thoroughly taught in the verna- culars. There is no incapacity in the native languages. If it 23 exists anywhere it is in the missionary, and for the reason that he devotes himself to English.” Much more of this na- ture, and equally appropriate, might be quoted if our limits would permit. The English language leads those who are thus educated, away from the mission, because it is the high road to the patronage of government and pecuniary gain. They con- cur with the Deputation on these subjects. MAHRATTA MISSION'S. A letter from these missions, signed by all the members but ■one, was addressed to your Committee, from Western India, June, 1856. It is a truly able and instructive document, and has many bearings upon the great questions which now en- gage the attention of this Board. These brethren say, in rela- tion to certain reports as to the manner in which changes were brought about by the Deputation : “ On this point we speak only for the Mahratta Missions. But with respect to these we wish to be distinctly understood, that we avow ourselves to he the authors of the reports adopted at our meeting, and responsible for die principles embodied in them.” And again : “It has been said, that these reports can not have expressed the views of the missionaries, because their views were different before the Deputation came, as appears from their letters. We do not admit the inference, even if the premises are partially true. We claim the right to modify our opinions for sufficient rea- sons, as well as to hold them unchanged.” They say again on this point : “ The part which the Deputation took in the meet- ing was suggestive and advisory, rather than authoritative.” And again : “We regard the visit of the Deputation, as a great blessing to the Mahratta Missions.” They have “ no confidence in the utility of schools, taught by heathen teachers, as a part of missionary operations.” They would have “ Christian teachers employed especially in those places where Christian families are residing, or where some religious interest is already awakened.” The necessity of stu- dying English in order to gain access to religious books, is yearly becoming less. Translations and original works sup- ply the place of English. The study of this language often interferes with the acquirement of Mahratti. A slight know- ledge of the English — and this is all that is generally acquired — often exerts an unhappy effect on young men. They be- come giddy, ape the English, are alienated from their own people, and are unfit for the purposes of the mission. They conclude from these, and many similar facts, that a judicious 24 selection may be made from “the young men who have a good vernacular education, and that these only should be taught English.” “ The system of village operations,” say these brethren, col- lecting and organizing churches, and ordaining over them na- tive pastors, has our hearty sympathy and approval. The trial of the present system has been favorable. “ One year and a half,” says this joint letter, “ has elapsed since the com- ing of the Deputation, and we have had time to make trial of our present plans. We look upon the results of this trial with great satisfaction.” They say, in this letter, that a reversal of the action taken in the meeting with the Deputation, has been hinted at. But they add: “ We have no fears that the Board will require such a step, in opposition to the wishes of the missionaries ; and we are certainly far from wishing it. We have adopted our present plans with the fullest conviction that they are the best for our work.” Again they say : “ After eighteen months’ trial, we have more confidence in them than at first, and are more 'deeply interested in carrying them out.” The appeal with which this letter closes, for laborers in the great harvest-field, which spreads all around the Mahratta missions, is truly affecting. In connection with this letter from the mission, your Com- mittee would notice two from Mr. Balantine to Dr. Anderson, one dated Ahmednuggur, July 7th, 1856, and the other, July 26th. The last named is in behalf of the mission. These letters, as well as the one signed by all the missionaries except Mr. Wilder, while intrinsically excellent, derive an additional importance from their intimate relations with the subjects which now engage our attention. Mr. Balantine has forwarded with his first letter, a copy of the constitution of the native churches under the care of the mission. “ These,” he says, “are con- ducted on the same principles on which the mission church has been conducted for years past.” They consider that the fountain of authority is in the members of the chureh, but do not object to the delegation of this authority to a committee, or a bench of elders, who with the pastor, shall transact all the business of the church. Their constitution is partly Congre- gational and partly Presbyterian, though the missionaries are all Presbyterian — a fact which Dr. Anderson did not know till after he returned home. In his reply to the letter of the Ahmed- nuggur mission he says : “How suggestive is the fact, that I did not know before, that you were all Presbyterians. I did not think to inquire when in India, and there appears to have been nothing in our discussions to develop the fact.” Mr. Balantine in stating this fact, says: “But we have adopted only those features of the Presbyterian system which we honestly think are better adapted than any other, to the wants of our native pastors and churches in this field.” He does not think ‘ that the native Presbytery should be connected with any ecclesiastical body in America, though a correspondence may be of advantage.’ The letter of July 26th, in behalf of the mission says : “ No change was made in the ecclesiastical character of the native churches here, by the visit of the Deputation.” “ Indeed we al- ways feel especially thankful for the visit of the Deputation, when we think of the assistance they rendered in the organ- ization of the two native churches, and in the ordination of the two native pastors over them.” No change was made from their former principles. “Nothing was done,” the letter expressly states, “ to give a sectarian organization to the asso- tion of native pastors here.” The missionaries felt perfect^ free to propose any thing they thought best. When the native Presbytery or Association shall become prepared to perform all necessary ecclesiastical functions, the mission will discon- tinue them, and retain only the power of distributing funds committed to their trust.” They agree with Dr. Anderson, that the missionaries and the native ecclesiastical body should remain entirely separate in all ecclesiastical business. Mr. Wilder, of Kolapoor, has written at great length in opposition to these views. He has also collected testimony from various other missionary laborers in India, of which the Committee present the following summary, mostly in Mr. Wilder’s own words. “There are one Scotch missionary and nine English church missionaries in the Bombay Presidency, all of whose theory and practice is opposed to the recent action of the Deputation, and the changes introduced in regard to schools. “ Fourteen European missionaries in this Presidency have given this testimony, and also, all the missionaries of the London Missionary Society at Belgaum, Bellary, and Bangalere ; also, seven of the most intelligent Christian laymen, making in all thirty, more than half of whom sent their testimony unsolicit- ed. Is it right to persist in a system of measures condemned by the united and unanimous testimony of such a body of men now in the field ? “In these you will find abundant testimony to the small apparent results of preaching, compared with schools. Four or five faithful missionaries have spent their lives, or from ten to twenty years, almost exclusively in tours and oral preach- ing without a single convert. Also, to the importance of good English schools in every mission in large towns, and to the 26 necessity of vernacular schools, employing Christian teachers if we can, and heathen if we must.” SYRIAN MISSION. The Committee had letters before them from all the mission- aries connected with the Syrian mission. Excepting Dr. De Forest, now in this country, nearly all fully approve of the course pursued by Dr. Anderson, during his visit, and of whatever was done at that time in regard to the mode of conducting mission- ary operations in their field of labor. A letter from Dr. Smith, dated Beirut, Feb. 2d, 1856, ad- dressed to Mr. Thompson, one of the Deputation. It contains a calm and able discussion of several points involved in the mat- ters before this Board ; but it would not be possible to present the full force of his remarks, on various topics, without occupy- ing more space than the Report will admit. We restrict our- selves to two points — the use of the English language , and the authority of the Prudential Committee and the Secretaries. On the first subject he has the following remarks: “With re- gard to the use of the English , I can not imagine that any person, of the least experience, can entertain for a moment the idea of depending on it as a medium through which to bring about the conversion of a foreign people. If any one entertains such a fancy, let him picture to himself a company of Frenchmen com- ing among us, and trying to convert us to their faith, not by addressing us in English, but by first teaching us French, and then preaching to us in that language. The deep and tender chords of religious feeling are to be touched by the familiar ac- cents of our own mother tongue, and that most skillfully used. This every practical missionary must know well. The use of English, as a medium of instruction in schools, appears much more plausible ; yet, in practice, we have not found it to answer. We attempted it in our former male seminary, and two ruinous results ere long met us ; one was, as soon as our pupils had learn- ed enough English, they went into lucrative secular employments, and were lost to our great object; and the other, that they did not learn their own language well enough to use it effectually in writing or speaking ; so that they were not fitted for, or useful as helpers, had they remained connected with us. When w'e were obliged therefore to close the institution, we resolved, when- ever a new one was opened, to make Arabic the only medium of instruction. This was before Dr. Anderson visited us in 1844, and I think it possible, that his decided opinions on this subject, were derived in part from our experience. In opening the pre- sent Seminary, our resolution was carried out. Arabic is the 27 only medium of instruction ; and the institution is furnishing us with a corps of well trained, efficient helpers.” On reading the discussions in the meeting at Albany, Dr. Smith was reminded of another advantage of making the ver- nacular the medium of instruction, which he thinks worth}*- of being “ made prominent in this discussion.” “ It is this : that we have been obliged to prepare and print text-books in the different branches of science, thus enriching the language with the means of education, which the natives can introduce into their own institutions ; and thereby helping them on as a na- tion in their own efforts towards intellectual improvement. This great benefit from our labors they appreciate, and fully acknowledge. Had brother Allen’s great printing establish- ment at Bombay had near it institutions taught in the vernac- ular, and, of course, calling for, and furnishing elementary books in the native language, he would not have it to say, after so many years, that the vernacular does not furnish the means of teaching, and therefore English must be used.” The other point on which we would give an extract from this letter, has reference to the authority of the Prudential Committee and the Secretaries. “ And here allow me to re- mark, that while I do not deprecate a healthful jealousy on the part of the Christian community of those who are intrusted with such momentous interests as are in the hands of the execu- tive officers of our Society, yet I do think every movement is much to be lamented which shall result in really diminishing the confidence of the friends of missions in them, or unduly weakening their authority over the missionaries whom it is their business to direct. It is perfectly evident, that the main consideration which underlay most of Dr. Anderson’s sugges- tions, and especially of those which he urged with the most earnestness, or if you please, authority , was economy. lie was inquiring into every department and every station, to see where expense, in less essential matters, might be saved, and yet leave all that is essential to the efficient working of the mis- sionary system in free action. Hot that he undervalued the real importance of the so-called secondary departments, and would not like to see them large and flourishing, but the churches do not actually, after all that is done, year after year, to stimulate their benevolence, give contributions large enough to accomplish all this. And now, is it the right way to rem- edy the difficulty, to get up an agitation, which, by weakening the confidence in our directors, shall diminish the income of the Board, and thus bring down the screws with a still harder pressure ? Truly, I am afraid that not many missionaries who are bearing the burden and heat of the day, in the very depart- 28 ments under consideration, will be able to tbank their friends very cordially for the direction they have given to this matter. Pray excuse my earnestness, but having been myself engaged for nearly thirty years in one of these departments, I have per- haps a right to speak freely. As to authority , who can doubt that men appointed to take charge of so many important inter- ests, and have the direction of so many individuals, should be intrusted with it, and be expected to exercise it? For one, under the salutary checks of a watchful and yet confiding Christian public, I am not afraid of it. So far as my observa- tion and experience go, I believe it has been hitherto wisely and very indulgently exercised. I should regret to see it di- minished. It is necessary to the impartial distribution of the funds of the Board, and not less necessary to the safe Avorking of our system of self-governing missions. Without it, every mission would ofttimes be in danger of shipwreck. With any considerable diminution of it, I think the missionary’s position would be much less desirable and comfortable than it is now.” A letter from Mr. Calhoun, addressed to Dr. Treat, one of the Secretaries, dated Abeik, Feb. 5th, 1856, properly claims a place here. He has fully expressed his vieAvs on the study of the English, as one of the agencies of the missionary work. He remarks : “ I Avish then to say, that with his views, (Dr. Anderson’s,) Which I suppose are the vieAvs of the Prudential Committee in reference to the study of the English, I fully ac- cord, as I believe do all my brethren. Our Seminary for males was formerly, as you knoAV, in Beirut. English Avas pro- minent. The mission thought it ought to be. It Avas, in a con- siderable measure, the medium of instruction. When I came to this mission in 1844, I Avas appointed to take charge of the Seminary then to be reopened after a long interval, aneAV. I found the brethren decided on two points : first, the Seminary ought not to be in Beirut as formerly, but on the mountain ; and secondly, that the English language ought not to be the medium of instruction, nor occupy any prominent place in the system. Experience of large evils had brought them to these conclusions. Years have passed away, and I believe all are convinced that Ave are in the right. I need not enter into the reasons. The decisions of experience are all you Avant.” Another particular. “ Secondly, I AA r ant to say (and this is Avhat I could not say to Dr. A.) that after a prolonged inter- course Avith him, during his visit in Syria, in the house and by 1 ' the way, in private conversation and in public conference, I be- came most deeply impressed Avith the largeness of his vie\A’s and the extent of his experience. I am free to say, and believe all my brethren will coincide Avith me, that on many points he 29 helped us mightily. His opinions are clearly conceived, and as clearly expressed ; and, if to some, as appears from reports in the papers, he may seem to be dictatorial in his manner, I am persuaded that this arises, not from a desire to assume authority, but from a deep conviction that the truth is with him. I will only add farther, that I was never before so fully aware of the thorough spirituality of his religious experience and his un- wavering confidence in God. I, perhaps, hardly need have written a line on these topics, but as misrepresentations exist, I thought that a testimony from however humble a source, might not be without its use.” A letter from Mr. Ford, written at Beirut, and dated June 15th, 1856, bears a concurrent testimony with that of the other letters of the same mission, “ In regard to the use of the Eng- lish language, as a medium of instruction for the young, I am fully and strongly agreed with the mission and the Prudential Committee in deprecating its use, except in rare and excep- tional cases. Among the young people in Syria who have learned some English, I have seen quite as much evil as good resulting from its use, and perhaps more.” He says, on another topic to which frequent reference has been made : “ The report adopted by our mission on the subject of the relations of mis- sionaries to native churches and pastors, having been prepared mostly by my own hand, expresses of course the views with which my judgment coincides.” Mr. Ford tells us, that “ the conferences of the senior Secre- tary with our mission, were not connected with any change in the general policy we had been pursuing. His suggestions were rather calculated to give definiteness and completeness to the policy which has been generally prevailing and becoming established in our mission for years past.” Touching another point, he says : “ It may not be amiss to add, that the degree of control and authority exercised by the Prudential Committee through its Secretaries, so far as it has been felt in our mission, has always seemed to me a relief to the mission, rather than a burden or hindrance.” Of the means of promoting confidence between the Prudential Committee and the mission, he observes : “ I know of none more effectual than the frequent repetition of such visits to the missions as that which it has been our privi- lege recently to enjoy.” ABMENIAN MISSION. Your Committee have in their hands several letters from this mission: one from Hr. Dwight, and another from Dr. Goodeli, 30 are rich in thought and full of facts, and bearing directly upon the subject of our investigations ; and it is so difficult to do them justice by any abridgment or synopsis, that we shall take the liberty of reading them, in extenso, as a part of our Report. “ Constantinople, June 2, 1856. “ Rev. Leonard Bacon, D. I)., Chairman pro tem. “ Dear Sir , — I have recently received your circular dated at Boston, April 16, desiring from me answers to certain ques- tions respecting the visit of the Deputation to this field, and its results. In answer to question Ho. 1, 1 have to say, that what- ever is recorded in the printed minutes, etc., of the Conferences held at Constantinople, between Dr. Anderson and the mission- aries then found in this place, as the action of the meeting, is so far as I know, a fair expression of my own personal opinions, on the various questions that came before us. I was not con- scious of being overruled myself on any point, nor did I ob- serve any thing that led me to think that my brethren were overruled by the Deputation. Our discussions, on all the topics, were perfectly free and unconstrained ; and so far as I know, if any of us had differed from the ground taken by Dr. Anderson on any point, we should not have felt the slightest hesitation in expressing the difference to our highly respected and much beloved Secretary. “In reply to the second question, I would state that so far as I now recollect, no changes in the policy of our mission were even proposed by Dr. Anderson, and of course, none have gone into effect. The only point on which there is an apparent exception to this, relates to our Seminary at Bebek. The ques- tion of making it exclusively a Theological Seminary, was dis- cussed, and decided in the affirmative; but as this was the original design of the Seminar}^ and especially as it has been the policy of our mission to bring the institution ultimately into this shape, it was only a question of time. When Dr. Anderson was here, several of the most respected of our native brethren waited upon him, in committee, and among other things, suggested, of their own accord, such a change in our Seminary. Our own opinions, so far as I know, were unani- mous on the subject, and as a result of the deliberations at the Conference, we are now aiming at a gradual reduction in the number of our pupils, with the view of ultimately retaining only those who give evidence of piety, and who may be con- sidered fair candidates for the work of the ministry. For my part, I shall be heartily rejoiced when our Seminary is brought fully upon this ground ; though it was agreed on all hands, that no violent haste should be used in making the change. 31 “ The fact is, that the policy adopted from the first, in the Ar- menian mission in regard to schools, seminaries, etc., I suppose to be very much the same as that which the majority of the missionaries of the Board in India, have recently decided was best for them. “ On the question as to the comparative importance of schools and preaching, if you wish to know my views, I would refer you to an essay I presented at the annual meeting of our mis- sion in May, 1855, on the apostolic example as a rule for us, a copy of which was sent to the Missionary House. That schools of some sort, and to some extent, are to be used, in the system of missionary means, appears to be conceded on all hands. It is my opinion that no general rules of universal application can be framed so as to cover all cases, and prescribe the exact limit to which, every missionary may go. Even in one and the same mission, what may be highly expedient at the beginning, may be wholly inapplicable after a few years. I can conceive of no better judges in the matter, than intelligent and devoted missionaries upon the ground. In this mission, the majority of missionaries has always virtually decided such questions ; and I have yet to learn that any different course has been adopted in India, or in any other field of the Board. “In regard to ecclesiastical organizations, etc., lean say that during the twenty-eight years that I have been connected with the Board, I do not remember that I have ever once been asked by any Secretary, or member of the Prudential Committee, whether I was a Presbyterian or a Congregationalist. I should like to have you ask the gentlemen at the Missionary House, whether any of them know which I am ? “ When the Protestant Armenians were separated from the old Armenian Church, I was called upon to assist my brethren here in organizing them into a new ecclesiastical body. The original draft of the form of organization was made by my own hand, and I hereby testify, that neither directly nor indirectly was one word said, nor one particle of influence used, from the Missionary House in Boston, on the subject. We had among us Presbyterians, Old School and Hew ; German Reformed ; and Congregationalists ; and by previous agreement, we threw over- board all our sectarianism, and consequ'ently came to a harmo- nious result. The majority of the mission decided the point, and the rest, having got rid of their sectarianism, were satisfied. Could any better rule be conceived of than that, in each mission of the Board, the majority should decide ? Who would advo- cate, in preference, the establishment of two or three different kinds of church organization by missionaries of the Board, in one and the same place, as being likely to do the most good to 32 the souls of men and the kingdom of Christ ? If the majority of missionaries here had been Presbyterian, the form of organiz- ation would naturally have been Presbyterian, and all would have been perfectly harmonious in that, and no influence from home could have prevented it ; and I am perfectly certain that none would have been used. “ I wish to add one remark on this topic ; namely, that I re- gard the effort now being made in some quarters to sectarianize missionaries, as a very hopeless one. We have got very far beyond that ; and we all feel that we hold the vantage-ground above our brethren at home, and I think we shall not be very easily persuaded to relinquish it. “ Encouraged by your intimation near the close of your cir- cular, I would add the following statements on matters pertain- ing, as I suppose, to the business referred to the Special Com- mittee. I have never noticed, either in the Prudential Commit- tee, or in the Secretaries, the slightest disposition to exercise any undue authority over us. On the contrary, they accede almost invariably to whatever the mission, as such, recom- mends ; and I really think, that as things are now constituted and ever have been,- there is far more danger of the missions overshadowing the Prudential Committee, than there is of the Committee’s overshadowing the missions. I have been ac- quainted with operations of several other societies, and I know of not one in which so much power is left in the hands of the missions, and in which there is so little interference from home. “ As to our senior Secretary, I may say to you, what deli- cacy would forbid me to write to the Missionary House, that I have known him well for twenty-six years, and I know of no one less disposed to exercise authority than he. In all his official intercourse with us, whether by letter or by personal visitation, (and he has been here twice) it has been always trans- parently evident that he wished to be governed himself, and to have us governed, by facts and substantial arguments. He brings to the discussion of every missionary question a mind clear, systematic, and comprehensive; rich in the stores of a long and well husbanded experience, and deeply imbued with the spirit of primitive Christianity. Of course, such a man must have positive opinions, and who would desire to see one in his position that had not? But I have never discovered in him the slightest inclination to domineer. “I have sometimes thought that, to a mind complacent in it- self and unwilling to yield, no greater weapons of tyranny can appear, than strong facts and arguments , and so far as my know- ledge goes, Dr. Anderson has never wielded any other weapons of tyranny than these. 33 “I trust that the Lord will guide you, in all your investiga- tions and conclusions, and that all may tend to His glory. I remain, dear sir, with sentiments of high respect and esteem, “Very sincerely yours, “H. G-. 0. Dwight.” “Constantinople, June 2 cl, 1856. “ To the Rev. L. Bacon , D.D., Chairman pro tern., etc., etc. “ My dear Brother , — Your circular of April 16th, was duly received, and I am happy to say a few things in reply ; or, if not all of them directly in reply, yet all of them having refer- ence to the same general subject, — and “ 1st. What is desirable or indispensable in one mission, is not so in another. Also, what is necessary in any particular mission at one time, may not be so at another ; for when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part should be done away. For instance, when I first came to these coun- tries, we were glad to get hold of any little boy or girl, to teach English, Italian, or any thing else, no matter what. It was all we could do. It was an entering wedge. But we should be- very foolish to employ our time in any such way now, or to' think that this was the only or the best way of conducting missions. There has been a great onward progress of things. Times and circumstances have changed, and why should not we change with them? On opening our female boarding school, eleven years ago, English was more or less taught in it. It was an inducement for pupils to come, and we were glad to get them on any terms, and moreover our female helpers had then learned so little Armenian, that they were not competent to teach in it except to a limited extent. But from year to year English text-books gave place to Armenian ones, till the study of English ceased entirely. It must now be more than two years, since any English has been taught in this school. Why were we furnished with a press and Arme- nian type, but to use for the good of the people ? And what do those pupils, who marry at the age of fifteen or sixteen years, want of the English language, to make them good Christian mo- thers? — nothing, absolutely nothing. Nor do we now need it as an inducement for pupils to come ; for, without any such inducement, we have offers of more pupils than we can take. “2. For theological students, I mean for those of them who are expected to go through the whole course at the Bebek Seminary, and who are to be employed as our principal pastors or translators, it certainly seems very desirable that they should understand English, on account of the commentaries and other helps, which are found in that language, and which it can 3 34 hardly be expected will be found very abundantly in their own for some time to come. But I must confess, that in the late war the temptations to the young men to engage as interpreters to the officers in the army were so great, that I sometimes most heartily wished, that all the English were taken out of the Seminary and flung to the bottom of the Dead Sea. During the last two years, on account of our peculiar circumstances, the English has certainly proved proved a curse, and not a bless- ing, and yet perhaps I ought not to say so ; for it is the provi- dence of God that has thus ordered it, and this same providence can bring immeasurable good out of what now seems to be a great evil. But let us suppose that the study of the English in our Seminary should be attended with the same embarrassing circumstances in years to come, as it has been for the last year or two, what shall be done? Shall the English be thrown out entirely ? or shall we continue it, and then look to Tocat and Aintab for pastors and teachers ? Perhaps in such a case, the question should be thrown back upon the churches, whether they would support a seminary with so little prospect of raising up a native agency and ministry. Individuals could do it, or any voluntary combination of individuals could do it; but ought the funds of the Board to be so employed ? and especially, ought they to be so employed at the present time, when such wide doors are now open for preaching the glorious Gospel, and we can not enter them because the funds of the Board are so limit- ed ? In the first years of our mission, the Bebek Seminary would have been a great help to us, even though it had not fur- nished us with a single pastor, translator, or teacher ; for its influence was great in securing favor, and bringing us into con- tact with men. But influence of this kind we no longer need. “3. On the subject of the ecclesiastical relations of mission- aries to native pastors and churches, I long ago formed an opin- ion, which I at different times expressed more or less fully in my correspondence with the Committee, and which, though it seemed to meet with but little favor, then, I was happy to find, in the paper read to us by Dr. Anderson, all contained and bet- ter expressed, than in any hints I had even thrown out on the subject. As a matter of fact, we, at this station, had already long acted very much in accordance with the views expressed in that paper. In fact the Deputation, (with reverence be it spoken,) 11 in conference added nothing to" us. That is, I do not now recollect a single thing which Dr. Anderson proposed to us, which we had not already adopted, or were actually waiting to adopt, just as soon as we had his sanction to do so. Let me not, however, be understood as implying that Dr. Anderson’s visit was of no use to us ; for it was of very great use. It was 35 the very thing we wanted. We looked forward to it with great pleasure, and we look back upon it Avith still greater pleasure. The only expressions I have ever heard from my brethren and sisters in reference to his visit here, have been those of thankfulness. We needed his help to do certain things, which, though we wished to have done, we felt incompetent to do ourselves ; but Ave have now done them, and Ave are glad. It Avas a great satisfaction and a great encouragement to us, to know that our vieAVS were substantially his, and that his vieAvs were substantially ours, on all the great subjects that came be- fore us. And we only regret that his colleague, the Rev. Mr. Thompson, could not have been here also. “ In conducting missions on a large scale, there must neces- sarily be much power and authority vested somewhere, and power is always dangerous. “But most disastrous effects Avould follow the taking aAvay of this power. I would rather see it increased than diminished. I hope, therefore, every precaution will be taken in the present controversy, not to Aveaken the authority of those to Avhom is committed the great responsibility of directing and superin- tending this great enterprise of the Christian Church. “ I do not know that I need say any thing more, unless it be that I have not consulted Avith any of my brethren, as to Avhat I should Avrite, or as to what they Avere intending to Avrite, or Avhether they were going to Avrite at all, or Avhether, indeed, they had received your circular. I have simply stated my own impressions, and praying the great Head of the Church to give you and the other members of ‘ the Special Committee’ his special presence and aid in the matter referred to you at Al- bany, I remain, “Yours most truly, “ W. Goodell.” The document from the Prudential Committee already re- ferred to, styled “ Outlines of Missionary Policy,” Ave in- corporate with this report as the most natural and convenient mode of bringing it before the Board. OUTLINES OF MISSIONARY POLICY. Missions are instituted for the spread of a scriptural , self-propa- gating Christianity. This is their only aim. Civilization, as an end, they never attempt ; still they are the most successful of all civilizing agencies, because (1.) a certain degree of gen- eral improvement is involved in a self-propagating Christianity, 36 and must be fostered as a means thereto ; and (2.) a rapid change in the intellectual and social life is a sure out-growth therefrom. CONDITIONS OF THE ENTERPRISE. The object , then, which missionary societies have in view, is simple; but in reaching it, they are subject to many conditions. 1. Their ability is limited; hence economy in the employ- ment of men and money becomes imperative. 2. Multitudes are perishing in all the earth without the knowledge of Christ ; time, therefore, is an important element in their policy. 3. The machinery which they use, is necessarily large ; for this reason they will always prefer simplicity in their opera- tions. 4. Secular complications , as tending to weakness, they will studiously avoid , so far as may be practicable. 5. As their resources depend upon the confidence reposed in them, their plans must secure the approval of their constituency. 6. The reflex bearing of missions is of the highest import- ance : hence the effect of particular measures upon the churches should ever be kept in mind. These are conditions which meet us at the threshold ; they are permanent , and in some sort necessary. But an outward view of the missionary work reveals the ex- istence of other conditions, which may be called variable or con- tingent. 1. The peculiarities of different fields must be taken into the account. More must be done for education among the North American Indians, than will be possible in China. In the same country, and even in the same mission, there will be material diversities. Madras and Bombay require schools of a higher order than Dindigul and Ahmednuggur. Arrangements which meet the wants of Sivas, will fall below the demands of Con- stantinople. 2. The preferences and aptitudes of missionaries must be taken into the account. The individuality of each, within certain limits, should be regarded. One is averse to teaching; another loves it. One has no taste for literary labor ; another delights in it. Such facts should be duly considered. 3. The age of a mission must be taken into the account. A system which is good at the beginning, may prove defective in later years. 4. The strength of a mission must be taken into the account. Plans that would be wise, if there were a larger force to execute them, may be unwise in existing circumstances. 37 5. The importance of a harmonious cooperation must be taken into the account, (a) Unity of views between missionaries and their directors is eminently desirable. If, therefore, the former are decidedly in favor of a particular line of policy, they should be gratified, unless there are strong reasons to the contrary. ( b ) Unity of views among the missionaries themselves is emi- nently desirable. Any plan, therefore, which will avoid the danger of divided counsels, other things being equal, is entitled to the preference. THE PROBLEM. “ How shall missionary societies establish a living, out-work- ing Christianity in the dark places of the earth.?” This is the problem which we are now to examine. If we resolve the end of missions into its simplest elements, we shall find that it embraces (1) the conversion of lost men, (2) organizing them into churches, (3) giving those churches a competent native ministry, and (4) conducting them to the stage of independence and (in most cases) of self-propagation. Occasionally the labors of a missionary society will terminate, when its churches shall have become self-subsistent ; but gene- rally it must carry its work to the point of reliable self-develop- ment. Then, and not till then, may it advance to “regions beyond.” Our problem, therefore, may take this form : “ How, under the conditions already indicated, are intelligent, independent, aggressive churches to be gathered?” Obviously it must be done by the gospel of Christ , “ the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” We are to declare “ the words of this life” to the unevangelized masses, in all proper ways, and at all proper times, looking to Him whose work we do for the needed blessing. THE AGENCIES. The conditions imposed upon us determine the agencies which we are to employ, as also their comparative worth. These agencies are mainly three-fold, oral preaching , education , and the press. For our present purpose, we have no occasion to speak of any thing else. We are brought now to the chief question of missions : “What place, relatively , shall we assign to the preacher, the teacher, and the book-maker T' The value of oral preaching none will dispute. It must ever stand in the foreground. Indeed, it is indispensable. But when we have enlisted this agency, it may be asked: “ What more do we need ?” “ Preach the Gospel to every creature,” is the com- mand. What place is there, then, for schools and the press ? 38 The injunction of Christ must receive a natural and reason- able interpretation. “ The letter killeth ; the spirit giveth life.” Whatever assists in imparting efficacy to the Gospel, comes fairly within the meaning of our great commission. If the mis- sionary can increase his power as a preacher by the use of tracts, let him do it. If the truth of God can secure a permanent home in a heathen community most speedily by means of schools, let them be opened. In employing such instrumentalities we are virtually complying with the command of Christ. Beyond this a missionary society, as such, has no warrant. The school and the press, then, are to be regarded as auxila- ries , and in this character they are entitled to a very high place. Education, as an end , can never be promoted ; as a means it is invaluable. Without it, in fact, Christianity will be long in reaching the point of self-propagation. Literature, as an end, is never to be sought ; but Christian books are essential to the speediest and best development of native piety. Speaking with greater precision, we may say, that oral preaching is absolutely indispensable ; the school and the press are relatively indispensable. There is no conceivable way by which the ultimate end of mis- sions can be attained without the living preacher ; but it is pos- sible, hypothetically , to reach this end without schools or books. ORAL PREACHING. Under this term, for convenience, we include all presentations of religious truth, whether stated or occasional, formal or in- formal, in the pulpit or elsewhere, by whomsoever made. We naturally consider (1) the workmen , and (2) the work. 1. As first among the workmen we place the ordained mis- sionary. He has gone forth, “called of God,” “to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” To this end he will qualify himself, as soon as a due regard to other interests will permit, to deliver his message in the language of the natives, so that all may say : “ We do hear them speak in our own lan- guage the wonderful works of God.” It will be his aim, from beginning to end, to render himself as effective and successful in his calling as possible. He will study the best methods of using “ the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” proving all things, holding fast that which is good. Especially will he strive to deepen his own piety, knowing that here is the well-spring of his power. The assistant missionary can also do much in the same line of things. The “ beloved physician” will not feel that his duties are discharged, when he has prescribed for the body; there is a deeper malady that demands his care and skill. The “ konora- 39 ble women,” in all ordinary cases, will rejoice to become the teachers and guides of their sex. 2. The things which the missionaries have themselves heard, they must “ commit” “ to faithful men , who shall be able to teach others also.” The raising up of a native ministry, accord- ing to the pattern which Paul has given us, should always be a prominent object. Every man who can be made useful in pro- claiming the truths of the Bible, whether as a preacher, a cate- chist, or a colporteur, should be enlisted in this service, unless there are paramount claims upon him. And he should be ad- vanced from one post of usefulness to another, as fast as he proves himself worthy of the honor. 3. Those who devote themselves chiefly to other labors , should give as much of their time as practicable to the preaching de- partment, if duly qualified therefor. The teacher of a school, for example, should feel that his vocation is to improve the heart as well as the mind, and that his responsibilities embrace all around him. 4. All who profess to be the disciples of Christ, should be train- ed up in the belief that they are to be witnesses unto all men of what they have seen and heard. And they should do this, as they have opportimity, with no expectation of gain, but because the impulse of a renewed heart prompts them to say : “ Hereunto are we called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow his steps.” At this point the question might be asked: “ To what extent may the preaching agency be developed ?” (1.) It should never transcend the limits of a wise and watchful control. In other words, a mission should be able at all times to work its corps of helpers with ease and efficiency. (2.) The ultimate end of mis- sions should never be overlooked. As permanent results are aimed at, the school and the press must be duly honored. Our plans look forward to a long and arduous campaign. We want no victory at the beginning, that will retard our final triumph. As a part of the work , regular Sabbath ministrations are of great value. They are a public and living plea for holy time, for the Bible, for the ordinances of the Gospel, and for whatsoever is peculiar to the Christian system. In heathen lands, as else- where, they are a means of enforcing truth upon those who enjoy them ; and because of the thick darkness which prevails in these habitations of cruelty, they are all the more needful. Missionaries, therefore, will early seek to gather congregations that shall meet on the first day of the week for the hearing of the Wprd ; and they will multiply such assemblies to the extent of their ability. But their duties in this regard do not end here. Indeed, 40 their principal activity will be seen in other efforts. They will ever inquire, with a prayerful and trustful spirit : “ How can we best, with the preaching agency at our command, press the claims of the Gospel on the multitudes around us?” They will employ all methods of doing good, adapting themselves to the old and the young, and discarding with special earnestness the doctrine that for adults there is little hope. At one time they will be found at the bazar, at another in the distant vil- lage ; now they will go from house to house ; now they will speak to the passer-by of the things which concern his eternal peace. Their faith, their patience, their wisdom, will be sorely tried ; but it is Christ’s work ; they love it, therefore, and will love it to the end, remembering that “ the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” EDUCATION. The office of schools is two-fold. 1. To a limited extent, they aid the preaching department directly, (a.) A large amount of truth is communicated to the pupils by their teach- ers and others, in circumstances which are often favorable to its reception. Accurate statistics would show that such labors have been highly useful. ( b .) Parents and relatives, to say nothing of others, are frequently brought into contact with the living preacher ; and conversions are sometimes effected in this way. But schools can hardly be defended on this ground. Our necessary conditions exclude them. 2. They aid the preaching department indirectly, (a.) They prepare the native ministry which is needed therefor. (/>.) They lay a broader foundation for the intelligence and effi- ciency of the churches, (c.) They prepare the ground for the good seed of the Word, among the children of real or nominal Christians, as also among heathen children ; and they do this to some extent among adults, (d.) Anterior to all other re- sults, they have some value as an instrumentality for opening the door to the Gospel. It is for this indirect auxiliary labor that schools are to be chiefly honored. The normal idea of missionary education would be realized by having (1.) boarding schools (equal to the demand in every case) for native helpers and their wives, all hopefully pious, in which the course of instruction should be adapted to the prospective duties of each ; (2.) day-schools for children be- longing to the Christian communities , supported, however, by the parents; (3.) day-schools for children outside of these communities , taught by devoted and skillful men under the supervision of the missionary, the number being limited by his ability to 41 comply with these two conditions without impairing other efforts. Seldom, however, can this idea be realized in all its parts. 1. There are exceptional cases, which must be provided for. Among the North American Indians, English schools must re- ceive special attention. The same may be true of the chief cities of India. 2. For lack of hopefully pious candidates forthe native agency, to be trained in boarding schools, it will some- times be necessary (a) to conduct pious young men to this work by a shorter road, as has been done with so much advantage in many cases, and (5) to receive persons into the boarding schools who afford no evidence that they have been born again, but who (it may be hoped) will furnish such evidence in coming years. The preference in such cases should be given to the children of Christian parents. 3. The Christian communities may lack the ability to sustain their day schools. If so, it wil[ be the duty of the mission, if its funds permit, to render such supplemental aid as may be needed. It should be understood, however, that it is only for the present necessity. 4. It may at times be expedient to employ, in the schools outside of the Christian communities, teachers imperfectly qualified for their business. Some will be unregenerate men ; possibly they may be heathen. It is desirable, perhaps, that we speak somewhat more fully in regard to boarding schools and day schools, leaving out of view all exceptional cases. 1. Boarding schools should be conducted with sole reference to the greatest efficiency (present and future) of the mission which sustains them. For the most part, they should be train- ing institutions. Not that all of either sex who are admitted to them, will occupy posts of special prominence. It were too much to expect such a result. But the governing idea of a boarding school, in ordinary cases, is that it prepares young men and young women for some department of missionary labor. In considering the questions, “ How large shall this or that school be?” “ What studies shall be pursued ?” “How long shall the course of instruction continue ?” it is not easy at all times to find the answer. The best rule would seem to be, “Let the wants of the mission decide. Bring forward your native agency, as fast as you need it. Up to this point you are always safe. When you educate for any other end, you get upon questionable ground.” Within the legitimate sphere of boarding schools there is room for a wise discretion. We may safely say, however, that (1) the course of instruction should have a constant reference to the post that each is to fill ; (2) it should be eminently biblical ; (3) 42 it should also be practical, so that the pupils may know experi- mentally how to apply their knowledge ; and (4) generally it should not embrace English, except in its latest stages, or for very select classes. 2. Day schools may embrace the children of Christian parents, the children of persons under instruction, and the children of heathens. These different classes of pupils may be in separate schools, or all together. It will be the constant aim of a mission to render such schools more and more effective as auxiliaries. To this end (1) they should have the best teachers who can be provided for them ; and (2) the supervision of the missionary should be as thorough as practicable. It will often happen, however, that a teacher is poorly quali- fied for his work. In such an event the defect must be supplied to a degree by the missionary, or by some native brother ; else it will become a question whether the school shall be sustained. This is often a difficult problem; and it will sometimes be found expedient to continue a school of comparatively little present value for the sake of a prospective advantage. For schools of heathen children taught by heathen masters, (which are allowable only in special cases, and in the early stages of a mission,) the strictest supervision by the missionary is indispensable. He must have the requisite time therefor, as also a competent knowledge of the language. THE PRESS. The press may be used (1) as an auxiliary to education, for schools can not be carried on without books ; and (2) for the dif- fusion of Christian truth, by means of the Scriptures or religious books. Such books may be regarded as written preaching. The office of the press in the last particular is twofold. (a) It is often, with the divine blessing, a converting agency. It is so, at times, without the aid of the living voice. But more commonly it becomes effective in connection with the ordinary preaching of the Gospel, antecedent or subsequent. ( b ) It is eminently serviceable in training the native churches. It enlight- ens the mind and instructs the conscience. It presents new views of the office and destiny of the Christian discipline. When the voice of the preacher is silent, it pours into the mind the doctrines of the perfect Teacher. RELATIVE ADJUSTMENT. Before dismissing the consideration of our threefold agency, we ought perhaps to advert more specifically to its relative ad- 43 justment. That there is danger of a mistake here, is quite obvious. 1, There is often an intrinsic difficulty in determin- ing the relative place of the preacher, teacher and book-maker. The question may involve facts that are exceedingly compli- cated. 2. There may be extrinsic tendencies to error, that will operate with more or less power, (a) The preferences of a mis- sionary may be very strong in a particular direction. One is fond of itinerant labors, another of teaching, a third of book- making. (b) The circumstances of a mission at a givemstage of its operations may have undue weight. Preaching may yield little or no fruit; but there is abundant opportunity for educa- tion ; and tracts and books can be circulated to any extent. The auxiliary force, in such a contingency, may become too large. The experience of missionary societies thus far has shown that the school and the press, are most likely to transcend their proper limits. There is a tendency to enlargement in both forms of effort, which results, not unfrequently, in undue cen- tralization. To avoid tbis peril, missions should often recur to the cardinal principle, “ Education and books are only auxiliar}^ to oral preaching.” And the inquiry should often come up, “Are the schools and the press, in our operations, properly subordinated to our grand aim?” It is found that printing establishments need to be carefully watched. They are sometimes necessary; still they are pretty sure to give the making of books a special prominence. It would seem to be wise, therefore, to dispense with such estab- lishments, whenever the work which is required can be done elsewhere, at reasonable rates, and with convenient dispatch. ORGANIZATION OF CHURCHES. It only remains that we speak of the results of our agency, when they are assuming an organized form. In general, a missionary will gather his first church at his station. But he will find, sooner or later, that God has given him seals of his ministry in other places ; and the question will be forced upon him, “ Ought I to form these scattered sheep into a separate flock ?” It may be difficult at times to answer this inquiry. The proper solution will not depend solely (1) on the number of candidates for membership in the new church, for ten in one case may be worth more than twenty in another; or (2) on the number of men who are to join it, as five may be enough in one case, while more would hardly suffice in another ; or (3) on the materials for office-bearers , as it may sometimes be expedient to organize a church without any officers ; or (4) on 44 the installation of a native pastor at an early day, for this is by no means indispensable. It would seem, however, that the missionary should be able to answer the following questions in the affirmative : 1. “ Can I provide a competent guide and teacher, ordained or unordained, for the proposed church ?” 2. “ Will the Gospel have a freer entrance to the unevangelized masses by reason of such a step ?” As soon as possible, every church should have its own na- tive pastor, the members, on their part, contributing for his support according to their ability, and he, on his part, adapt- ing himself in a reasonable degree thereto. Such aid as the mission may render should be considered as supplemental and temporary. And not only should the pecuniary burden be thrown upon the church, as fast as possible ; the responsibility of government should also be assumed at the proper time. In the first instance, missionaries are obliged to form churches and ordain pastors. They have the requisite power, because it is essential to their work. What they are to do be- yond this early stage of ecclesiastical development it is not for us to say. The subject is not within our sphere. It is wholly in the hands of the missionaries ; and on no account should it he interfered with. They have the right (1) to decline forming any ecclesiastical organization for themselves, retaining their con- nection with Presbyteries, Classes, Associations, etc., in this country ; or (2) to assume one that shall embrace the native churches and pastors. In the contingency first supposed, they will give to the native churches and ministry such an organiz- ation as they may think best, to be afterwards modified by the latter or not, according to their own free choice. In the second contingency, it is presumed they will not feel at liberty to go outside of the principles of ecclesiastical order which are recognized by the denominations represented in the Board. And in no case should there be any ecclesiastical control exercised by missionaries over the native churches and minis- ters, (save that which may grow out of the action of bodies composed of both elements.) A wise disbursement of funds will provide all the checks which are necessary or proper. And this leads us to speak of a fundamental principle of great importance. The expenditure of money should always he the act of a mission. It can never be intrusted to an ecclesias- tical body, however constituted; because, in such an event, there can be no just accountability. By our present system, the Prudential Committee are responsible to the Board for all the moneys received into the treasury ; and the missions are responsible to the Committee for all the moneys sent to their respective fields. The Board, therefore, know where to look ; 4o and the Committee know where to look. Every dollar can be followed to its place of disbursement. Any other plan would be fatally defective. We are expected to state our convictions in regard to the expediency of forming ecclesiastical bodies that shall combine the missionary and the native elements. This is a question of peculiar delicacy. Still, as we have disclaimed all right of in- terference in such matters, and shall be understood to express an opinion merely, we will venture to say that we consider such a union undesirable. At this point it will be necessary to inquire more particular- ly into the exact position which a missionary occupies. 1. He is a foreigner. Ho matter how closely he may have identified himself with his calling; in his relations to the peo- ple among whom he dwells, he is only a stranger. He remains a citizen of the United States. If laid aside from his labors, he returns here. If he dies, his family return here. On the other hand, the natives will always regard him as one from a distant land. His speech, his dress, his food, each “ bewray- eth.” him. They may honor him greatly, and love him much, but one of themselves he never can be. 2. His work is temporary. It may, indeed, outlast his life ; still it is destined, with God’s blessing, to have an end. When the churches shall have reached a certain point, he expects to move forward. He is like the general who penetrates the enemy’s country just as fast as he can secure the key-points. 3. His duties are peculiar. ( a ) He is an evangelist. When he gathers churches, it is not to be their pastor ; he raises up others to take this charge and burden. True, he may act as a pastor for a time ; but it is simply from necessity. His sphere is aggression, conquest. ( b ) He is also a disbursing agent. He must have money, not only for his own support, but for other objects. He must sustain schools, employ assistants, and scatter abroad the Word of Life. To this end a weighty trust is committed to him. Is it expedient that such men should form ecclesiastical rela- tions with the native churches and pastors? We think not. It seems to us that (1) simplicity of arrangement is against it. The true and abiding elements in the ecclesiastical body are the native churches and the native ministry. Why, therefore, should the missionary element be introduced, when there is no necessity for it ? t And (2) congruity is against it. The mis- sionary and the native pastors can never sustain precisely the same relations to their common work. There is a racbcal, insurmountable diversity. 46 Separate action will be for the advantage of all parties. (1) The independence of the native element will be more sure. If missionaries are in the ecclesiastical body, they will exert, almost of necessity, a predominating influence. (2) The power of self-government will be best developed in this way. The na- tive churches and ministers must have responsibilities to bear, before they can learn how to bear them. By this plan, (3) there will be less danger of embarrassment and disorder , when the mis- sionaries leave for “ regions beyond.” On the other hand, the mission will do its work with the greatest freedom, if it act only as a mission. United with the native element, it will often be obliged to consider questions in a two-fold capacity. This may be very undesirable. Suppose, for example, the missionaries to be out-voted by the native churches and pastors, in a matter which involves the expendi- ture of money. When they take up the subject as a mission, they will find themselves in a position of special difficulty. As members of the ecclesiastical body, though in a minority, they are bound to yield to its decision ; as members of the mission, in view of their pecuniary accountableness, they may feel constrained to nullify the act. It may be said that the native body will need the wisdom and experience of the missionaries. But all the assistance which is desirable, it would seem, may be obtained in the form of counsel. The advisory influence which may be exerted ac- cording to some natural arrangement, and the regulating power which necessarily grows out of the disbursement of money, will probably suffice for the happiest development of the churches that may be formed in any part of the world. On the ecclesiastical question, which has excited much in- terest and discussion, both at home and abroad, your Commit- tee have unanimously agreed on the following Preamble and Besolutions : Whereas, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions is not an ecclesiastical body ; Resolved , That it can neither exercise nor confer any ecclesi- astical power. Resolved , That the appropriate sphere of a mission established by this Board, and regarded simply as such, (whether composed wholly of ordained ministers, or of ministers and laymen,) is to decide upon the places where labor shall be performed, the per- sons and instrumentalities to be employed, and to distribute funds. Resolved , That on the whole subject of ecclesiastical relations 47 and organizations, the principle of the Board is that of entire non-intervention, on the part of the Board and its officers ; that missionaries are free to connect themselves with such ecclesi- astical bodies or churches as they may choose, either on mis- sionary ground or in this country ; and that in organizing churches, provided the principles held in common by the con- stituencies of this Board be not violated, the persons to be thus organized are free to adopt such forms of organization as they may prefer.” If these principles are adopted and carried out, your Com- mittee believe this vexed question will be at rest. Tour Committee would further recommend that, for the pur- pose of carrying out in the Prudential Committee the just and salutary principle of representation, with respect to the denom- inations by which the Board is mainly sustained, two members of the Committee be annually elected from the Presbyterian Church, and one from the Reformed Dutch Church ; it being understood that a quorum for the transaction of business be, as heretofore, a majority of the members resident in Boston and vicinity. On the subject of Deputations, your Committee have been equally well agreed. The following Resolution embodies their views : Resolved , That in the judgment of this Committee it is pro- per, and may be desirable, to send Deputations to the various missionary stations, for the purpose of obtaining information in regard to them ; but that it would be inexpedient for such Deputations to have power to originate or make important changes in mission policy, without the express authority of the Prudential Committee. I From all the information which has come before them, your Committee deem it inexpedient to receive grants in aid from government by the missions, when such appropriations are accompanied by certain conditions which may lead to embar- rassment in the practical working of the system. The very sensible presentation of this subject by Mr. Hunt, and Mr. Hurd, have had great weight with the Committee. Your Committee are well aware that much has been said, both in this country and abroad, and especially in the popular discussions among ourselves, with regard to the powers of the Prudential Committee, and many questions have been raised respecting them ; but we believe they are already well defined, and that they are no greater than may often be needed for the 48 efficient conduct of missions. (See Missionary Manual, Art. 3, By-Laws.) In regard to the late visit of the Deputation to the Eastern missions, the Special Committee believe they have performed a great and needful work ; that they have discharged their high trust as faithful, devoted men ; that they ought to receive the cordial thanks of this Board ; and, that we may confidently hope, that a new spirit may pervade and animate our missions abroad, and a strong missionary impulse be given to our churches by this labor of love. It is true, some diversity of opinion exists in relation to missionary policy, but it is not a diversity which respects the kind of agencies to be employed in order to save the soul and evangelize the world, but such as respects the spe- cific forms and relative proportions in which these agencies are to be used. And in looking over the whole missionary field, there is great unanimity even on this latter point. Your Committee have some things to add on the general sub- ject. The object of Foreign Missions is to make known the Gospel, and plant Christian churches among the unenlightened and un- evangelized of our race. As a scheme of benevolence it contem- plates the spiritual condition and interests of those who are des- titute of a revelation from heaven. The founders of the Board of Commissioners have distinctly set forth the great end on which their eye was fixed when they formed their scheme and entered upon its execution. At a meeting held at Bradford, Mass., June 27th, 1810, “Voted, that there be instituted by this General Association, a Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, for the purpose of devising ways and means for promoting the spread of the Gospel in heathen lands." When the Board was fully organized at a meet- ing held at Farmington, Connecticut, September 5th, 1810, its leading purpose was expressed in very similar language. “ The object of this Board is to devise, adopt, and prosecute ways and means for propagating the Gospel among those who are destitute of the knowledge of Christianity.” And when the Board received a legal existence, it was incorporated “ for the purpose of propagating the Gospel in heathen lands, by supporting missionaries and diffusing the knowledge of the holy Scriptures.” The idea here expressed is a very clear one, and the language used to convey it is simple and well chosen. The heathen are the subjects of instruction, the thing to be taught is the Gospel , and the agents and instrumentalities named for doing this work, are missionaries and the Scriptures. This was the type of missions as it imprinted itself upon the minds of our "New-Eogland fathers. “Promoting the spread 49 of the Gospel in heathen lands,” by “ supporting missionaries and diffusing the knowledge of the holy Scriptures,” would seem to involve the idea of giving such a Christianity to the heathen as will not only save men, but become self-sustaining. Modern missions would be stripped of their glory, if they did not fully embrace the principle embodied in the great commission : “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations,” that is, ‘ disciple ’ all nations — evangelize all nations — ‘ christianize' all nations. When this is accomplished, the work of missions is done, and other processes, whether they pertain to the salvation of men, or their advancement in a higher intellectual and Christian civilization, are to be conducted by more settled and permanent agencies — agencies, which, if properly used, with the spirit of dependence on God for a blessing, ordinarily keep progress with the living age. Among these may be named the church organization, the settled pastor or bishop of the flock, and other officers who are his coadjutors or helpers — all of which are in- troduced by missions — together with the various educational institutions which never fail to accompany, or follow, the in- troduction of an enlightened Bible Christianity. The blessings, too numerous and multiform to be mentioned here, which go hand in hand with a preached and welcomed Gospel, or tread immediately in its footsteps, are properly left to other agencies than those of missions. A living Christianity not only creates these agencies, but knows how to use them. The authority for missions, both in primitive and modern times, must be found in the commission given by Christ to his apostles, briefly recorded by one of the Evangelists in these words: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” This injunction has been in force for more than eighteen centuries, and is in full force at this day. It comes to us in all its original freshness, and the same living- spirit is in it which breathed there the day in which it was given. That was the dawn of a new era in the Church of Christ when a few ISTew-England fathers, admonished by their sons, awoke to the contemplation of their own relations to this command of Heaven, and to the 630,000,000 of perishing heathen who fall within the direct scope of its intention. The first missionaries obeyed this injunction, not only in its spirit, but in its letter. They waited at Jerusalem only for the gift of the Holy Ghost to furnish the necessary qualifications for carrying out their great commission. Among these there was one, as obvious as it was indispensable — “ The gift of tongues.” They were to “preach the Gospel,” and to many 'persons, and many nations whose language they had never learned, and which, in their circumstances, they had no means of learning. 4 50 They were to “ preach the Gospel,” or proclaim its message orally — for this is the primitive import of the term. Other things may be called preaching, constructively; but oral procla- mation is literal preaching. So the Author of the great commis- sion intended, and so the apostles understood him, and so, it may be added, the gift of tongues interpreted] their instructions. They were supernaturally qualified to ‘ speak to every man in his own tongue in which he was born.’ It was the gift of tongues to the apostles, and not the gift of hearing and understanding a strange language , on the part of the people. And this principle, or fact, stands forth, radiant in light, through all the apostolic narrative. Every nation was addressed in his own language — - in the vernacular , whether more or less rich in expression — whether more or less adapted to religious thought. The vener- able Hebrew, the rich and mellifluous Greek, or the manly and majestic Latin, might have been carried round the world, by the apostles and their personal associates, as a holy language, if it had seemed best to Him who orders all things in wisdom, and who made his own arrangements for converting the nations. The audiences might have been furnished with the gift of hearing with the same ease with which the first preachers were furnished with the gift of speaking. But this was not the plan of God. It is his purpose, the wisdom of which we can partly comprehend, but which need not be discussed here, to give the Gospel with all its stores of rich grace to the nations of the earth in their own languages. There may be rare exceptions, but they are such as go to establish, rather than repeal the rule. And tins purpose will be accomplished, and the glad tidings will be preached, and joyful hallelujahs will be lifted up in all the languages and dialects of the earth. Preaching, or oral preaching, as it is sometimes called, by a sort of tautology, in our day, is the ordained instrumentality for the salvation of the soul and the conversion of the world. This principle lies at the foundation of missions to the heathen. This is the grand agency. It must ever occupy the first rank, while other means may accompany it as auxiliaries, or follow in its train, and then become active causes for still further progress. Here God has placed preaching — literal preaching. Nothing can supersede it, or stand in its place, or go before it, in a success- ful plan of missions. On this point your Committee have been entirely one in conviction and sentiment, as may be seen from the following Resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : Resolved , That the oral utterance of the Gospel, in public and private, is the chief instrumentality for the conversion of the world. Resolved, That education and the pmss are to be employed 51 as auxiliary agencies, in forms and methods, and in a relative proportion to the chief instrumentality, to be determined by the circumstances of each particular mission. Resolved , That the Committee are glad to know that the Batticotta Seminary has been only temporarily closed, and that they trust that it may be soon reopened on such a plan as may accord with the views of the mission and with the principles of the preceding resolutions. Education and the press can never successfully take the place of preaching. They should not stand before it in point of time, or generally be employed as a preparative to its reception. Nothing could more directly contravene the established methods of grace. It is true that the press did not exist in the apostles’ day, but education had its power over mind, and its controlling influence in the social structure ; and the principle is the same whether applied to one or both, or to any other human instrumentality. “ It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save themt hat believe ; ” and the principle is as true now as in the age of primitive Christianity. It is true that one form of society, or of civil government, may be more favorable to the propagation of the Gospel, among a people than another ; and one course of education of the individual mind may better prepare that mind for the sav- ing entertainment of the truth than another ; but to infer that the first work of Christian missions is to reorganize the frame- work of society, or reconstruct the government of a country, or educate mind, by conducting it through certain prescribed courses, in order to convert men and induce pagans to become Christians, is to disparage the simple plan of God, and load down the friends of missions with responsibilities which no mortal men can sustain. It is reversing the order of things as established of God. There is more in it than at first meets the eye or ear. It is saying that the Bible revelation is not adapted to man in all circumstances— that he may wander so far from God, may sink so low in vice, may be bound so firmly by the cords of sin, may go down so low on the intellectual scale, as to possess nothing upon which the truth of the Gospel can fasten itself, and reclaim him. This is to disparage the Scriptures. It chimes in — we speak not of the intention , but of the fact — with the oft-repeated theory of infidels : “ That you can never christianize the heathen till you have first civilized them.” This is an old theory, and it still lives in the religious speculations and the prevailing literature of the age. It is now assuming a prominent place in such discussions. But other things are implied in the theory that would put 52 forward any instrumentality as an antecedent and introductory process to the preaching of the Gospel with success. It con- signs one generation of pagans to a hopeless doom. Its lan- guage implied, if not expressed, is this : you can not expect to evangelize and save the present generation of heathens — the only hope respects their children. These may be educated, and then the statements and appeals of the Gospel may be made to bear upon their minds and moral susceptibilities, and they may be converted and saved. Not to insist here on what has already been hinted at, that such a theory would render the apostolic commission to “ preach the Gospel to every creature” of no force and of no avail in certain cases, and the Scriptures inapplicable to the condition of men till certain changes are brought about by other agencies than the truth of God, and previously applied, it is to our present purpose to urge that such a view of missions foreshadows a hopeless future for the whole living generation of pagans. The Gospel of the grace of God can not shed one ray of light or hope upon the thick darkness which hangs over their eternity. The policy recommended by your Committee is not new. It agrees with the old land-marks formerly established by this Board. In addition to the references already given from the early records of its organization, we may refer to two sermons preached before the Board — one in 1840, and the other in 1845 ; and no doubt others might be added in which the same views are distinctly presented. “ The Gospel adapted to the wants of the WORLD,” is the subject of the first. We give an extract : “We have on the surface of this globe a population almost infinitely diversified : the polished European, and his descend- ants not less elevated, in almost every land ; the wild Arab, the wandering Tartar, the inert southern Asiatic, the bigoted Jew, the proud and self-confident Turk, the fierce cannibal of Aus- tralia, the debased Hottentot, the ignorant Greenlander, and the rude and savage tenant of our own native forests : — and these furnish but a mere specimen of the human race. Nations differ in almost every thing — in their modes of obtaining a livelihood, in civilization and intellectual culture, in moral habits and religious rites. “ But the Gospel makes an appeal which men, in all these di- versified national circumstances, are capable of feeling. This appeal they have felt. In the days of the apostles, the truth of God overleaped the frame-work of national caste, and evinced, in every land where its truths were announced, its power to save. And facts of the same character are interwoven with the whole history of modern missions. Such have been the triumphs 53 of the Gospel in our day, that the foolishness of infidelity, which has loudly asserted that Christianity can not be propagated among the nations who differ in their habits and religions from those who have long been under the influence of this system, has been rebuked and put to silence. The religion of the Bible is just such a scheme as is demanded, in order to accomplish the great objects which it proposes. As it is designed for a world, so it is suited to the exigencies of a world. It has a universality of purpose, and a universality of character, in order to carry out and perfect that purpose. It takes the world as it is, and goes about the work of making it better. It can reach men just where they are, notwithstanding their national peculiarities, and make them the friends of God and the heirs of heaven. It needs no pioneer. It asks for no herald to invoke other agencies to prepare the way for its coming and reception. It is itself the pioneer of Jehovah — the herald of the great King. “ These things can be affirmed only of the Gospel. Were we to examine all the systems of ancient and modern philosophy which have proposed to make men wise and happy, and submit them to a critical analysis, we should perceive that they are all strongly tinged with the spirit of the age and nation in which they originated ; and were, at the same time, capable only of a limited application. Carry these systems across a few lines of latitude or longitude, and they become exotics in an ungenial clime and perish of themselves. Protract their existence a single century, upon the very soil which gave them birth, and among the very people who originated and cherished their dogmas, and they became superannuated and die of old age. The same is true of the religions of the world. They are all local and tem- porary — and well they may be, for they are dependent on cir- cumstances for their very existence. It would be a thing next to impossible to bring the Turks and the Greenlanders to ex- change religions ; and yet Turkey and Greenland may be made to feel the truth of God, and submit to its power. ISTo system of false philosophy has ever been universal — no single form of paganism has established its dominion over the nations of the earth. But the Gospel is indigenous in every soil where it is planted. It is at home in every land. It accomplishes its own appropriate work wherever it goes, for God is in it. “ I would not intimate in these remarks, that different states of society may not be more or less favorable to the propagation of the Gospel ; nor deny that auxiliary agencies may be employed to unfold, diffuse, and enforce the truth of God ; and least of all would I affirm that the Gospel will leave a nation as it finds it. Civilization and the useful arts of life, letters and refinement, in one word, all that can elevate man in the scale of being, pro- 54 mote Ms happiness, or adorn and beautify his social character, have never failed, other things being favorable, to follow in the footsteps of this revelation from heaven.” The subject of the other sermon is — “ Burdens to be cast upon the Lord.” The following is in point. “ Our object thus being the salvation of men, the burden wMch rests upon us, is not simply a proclamation of the Gospel among the heathen, but such a proclamation of it as shall save the soul. If we fail of this, we fail of our object altogether. I do not say that we do no good, but we fail of the object we have in view — of that which is the very soul of our enterprise. We are not a society for promoting civilization, or literature, or the arts ; but for saving men ; and the great reason why this is not more fully accomplished, is because our missionaries and our Board, and the Christian public who act with us, are not more ready to take up just the burden that is necessary to accomplish this. It is not the establishment of seminaries, or of printing-presses, or of any external apparatus. Ho ; but it is that constraining love of Christ, and that sense of the infinite value of salvation, wMch leads the missionary to preach the word , in season and out of season ; to testify publicly and from house to house of the grace of God. “ But, it may be asked, are we to neglect literature and science, education and forms of government, and civilization ? Are not these valuable in themselves, and are they not important aids in promoting Christianity ? Are we to narrow our views to a sin- gle object, and not rather take those that are comprehensive and enlarged ? The general question here involved there is not time fully to discuss. From the first there have been two theories of missions, according to one of which we are to introduce Christ- ianity at once, as a means of salvation, and to leave other things to follow in its train : and according to the other we are to in- troduce other things as the means of introducing Christianity. 1 do not mean that missions have been established distinctly and avowedly on these two principles, but that in the minds and in the labors of some, the spirit of the first method, which may be called the method of faith, and that in the minds and the labors of others, the spirit of the second method, which may be called the method of philosophy, has predominated. Now we believe in the method of faith. We believe that the greater will include the less — that, as a general thing, under God’s government, and more especially where, as in a tree or an animal, or a human being, or in the social state, our object is to be reached by a pro- cess of development, the attainment of the highest end must ul- timately involve that of all others. We believe that the religious 55 nature of man is that which is deepest and most radical in him ; and that it is only as that is quickened, that motives of suffi- cient power to induce him to break away from the vices and degradations which are opposed to a high civilization as well as to a true religion, can be brought to bear upon hint W e believe that, except as this nature is quickened and directed and strengthened by Christianity, any form of civilization that may exist will fall in by its own weight ; that literature will become corrupted and a curse ; that social life will be full of jarring elements ; and that inventions in the arts, and those improvements which facilitate the intercourse of men, and every tiling which gives an accelerated movement to so- ciety, wili be but as the laying down of the iron track, and the concentration of energy in the iron horse, that shall prepare the way for the shocks of more awful and destructive collisions. We do not find, and the fact is to be noted, that Christ or his apostles made any inventions or discoveries in the arts and sci- ences, or sought directly to promote literature. We believe that the preaching of “ Christ and him crucified,” and that only, is “ the wisdom of God and the power of God unto salvation;” and that, if we can so plant and water the tree of life that we shall have the fruit that is unto eternal life we shall have also the green leaves, and the fragrance, and the broad shade of a right social state ; and we think but lightly of that kind of enlarge- ment and liberality of view which would lead any one to leave his appropriate work at the root of this tree, and to be look- ing all over the branches, and spending his minute and fruitless labors around its individual fruit stalks, and the peduncles of its leaves. The principles here indicated we hold to be essential in the first planting of Christianity; and even after it is esta- blished, it may be doubted whether it will not be found that those who attempt to carry society forward on any other princi- ple, will not ‘ labor in the very fire, and weary themselves for very vanity.’ ” The cause of Foreign Missions is, in our day, exciting deep attention ; and not only Christians, but infidels, are entering into the discussion. And the two antagonistic schemes already no- ticed, are distinctly presented, and have their respective advo- cates. There is a marked and labored article on Foreign Mis- sions, in the July Number of The Westminster Review— a Periodical which the reading public need hardly be told is the organ of philosophical infidelity in Great Britain. This singu- lar production may be referred to in order to show how this cause is looked upon by those who treat with special bitterness of spirit, every thing evangelical, and likewise the positions \ 56 they assume as to the best mode of conducting missions, and the reasons of their preference. This article says : “ Till lately the enterprise invariably pro- ceeded upon the ground of saving souls from hell. All idol- aters were undoubtedly supposed to be damned; and to rescue as many as possible from perdition was the simple object of all missions.” But the writer thinks men have become wiser and more enlightened of late. “American Congregationists,” the article asserts, “ and English Unitarians, and some liberal German Protestants, who do not believe in the damnation of heathens on account of their ignorance, send out missions too, with a wider view than the old missionaries, with the hope of raising whole nations out of a state of idolatrous corruption of morals into a condition of Christian civilization.” The accu- racy of these statements, your Committee can not vouch for. But there is a spirit here which speaks for itself. And there is a deep moral element underlying these positions which should be thought of, and analyzed. It is this : If idolaters, or pagans, are looked upon as sinners, and as such, lost, and exposed to endless ruin, “ to rescue as many as possible from perdition,” would be the simple object of all mis- sions. “ Christ and him crucified” will be the great theme. A world of bliss or woe is at stake, and no time is to be lost. The missionary who believes these things, goes to work in good earnest to rescue the perishing. ‘ He preaches the Gos pel to every creature’ within his reach, if he may save some. This is the view of the missions taken by the Christian who believes in heaven and hell. So say skeptical journalists. But if the degradation of the heathen, rather than their guilt, the misery of their present social state, rather than their exposed- ness to fearful and endless ruin hereafter, impress the mind, then a widely different policy is pursued. Persons “who do not believe in the damnation of heathens,” send out missions “ with the hope of raising whole nations out of a state of idol- atrous corruption of morals into a condition of Christian civil- ization.” And the instructions which would be given, would correspond with the object to be accomplished. The aim is to raise savages into civilization ; and we may be sure that the streams which are sent out from such missions, will never rise higher than the fountain. The probability is, that they will fall far below it. If the highest object is to educate and civil- ize, the education and civilization will not be worth having. In the August number of the North British Review, from which we might have hoped better things, we find an article on Foreign Missions, which seems too nearly allied, both in 5T sentiment and spirit, to the one already noticed from the Westminster. We refer to this piece merely as one of the signs of the times — as an indication of certain tendencies of the missionary work, as associated with certain articles of reli- gious faith — as containing important revelations of mind, gov- erned by specific moral sympathies, in relation to the policy and conduct of missions. This writer says: “ The object of the missionary enterprise has been much obscured by the exaggerated language in which advocates of the cause indulge.” Even in “ Protestant missionary records, we may trace a notion, im- plied, though seldom nakedly expressed, that heathens, who fail to come, during their life-time, within the range of the life- giving efficacy of Christian faith, actually perish.” That is, the heathen may be saved without the Gospel and without faith. In a touching fact, which he quotes from one of our missionaries, the animus of this writer is still more clearly re- vealed. Said a heathen child, after having embraced the Gos- pel: “ ‘How long have they had the Gospel in New-England V When told, she asked with great earnestness : ‘Why did they not come and tell us before ?’ and then added : ‘ My mother died, and my father died, and my brother died without the Gospel ’ — here she was unable to restrain her emotions. But at length, wiping away her tears, she asked: ‘Where do you think they have gone?’ I too could not refrain weeping, and turning to her, I inquired: ‘Where do you think they have gone ?’ She hesitated a few moments, and then replied with much emotion: ‘I suppose they have gone down to the dark place — the dark place. Oh ! why did they not tell us be- fore ?’ It wrung my heart as she repeated the question : ‘ Why did they not tell us before ?’ ” On this the North British remarks: “Can this be mere ad captandum language to draw contributions to the missionary societies? If so, it is very wicked. But if it be really genuine and sincere, how melancholy a fanaticism does it dis- play !” We cut short these citations. But if we were to go farther, it would reveal a more unsound theology, and a worse spirit. These speculations are carried into the writer’s theory of missions. “It needs,” says he, “no exaggerations such as these to supply a sufficient motive for missionary enterprises. Our object is to introduce Christianity with all the blessings which accompany it — true views of God, its ennobling motives, ils pure morality, the elevation of life and manners, the civili- zation, the knowledge, even the material progress, which are sure to follow in its train.” As to the salvation of the heathen, lie seems to have very little concern. “We may leave it to God himself to decide how the benefits of Christ will be ex- 58 tended to those whom it has pleased him to permit to live and die in ignorance of his gospel.” According to these views, the civilization of pagan nations, rather than their rescue from sin and endless death , would seem to be the grand object of mis- sions. Such lessons were never learned from the risen Saviour in Jerusalem, or the ascending Saviour upon Mount Olivet. CONCLUSION. One characteristic stands forth with a noble prominence, in the letters your Committee have received, whether from the missions or individual missionaries ; and that characteristic is compassion and concern for the souls of the heathen. Our missionaries, it is true, are but men ; like those who send them out, and pray for them, and help sustain them, they are nei- ther infallible in judgment, nor perfect in sanctification. But they are good men. It is an intellectual and spiritual feast to read such letters as those which have come before us. It brought us into a missionary element, by bringing us into com- munion with minds deeply imbued with that element. For about two weeks devoted to this social investigation, we have seemed to live in India and other parts of the East. We have been where Adam was made, and sin entered and blighted our world ; where hundreds of millions of his children are groping in a darkness so dense that it may be felt. In making our spi- ritual observations, we have wandered among “the shadows of death,” where the Sun of righteousness has never yet shined — where the star-light of hope even has hardly begun to appear. But during these visits to the pagans , if our hearts have been depressed by the profound desolations on every hand, they have likewise been made glad by the company of our missionary brethren. We have felt a new confidence in the cause, and in God. We can never lose the impression made upon us. It was good to be there. The wail of the heathen, perishing in their sins, and going down to death, will continue to come up in our ears ! Our missionary brethren, often feeling that they are alone, and almost unfriended — one after another going down to their long slumbers, seem to stand before us and point to the heathen, and beckon to this land for help. And 'where is the heart — and wiiat is the heart of Christendom, that it does not beat in holy response to these appeals ? The Macedonian cry comes over to us from all the densely peopled East, but where are the Pauls to hear that voice, and expound, and obey the heavenly vision, and go over the seas to help them? May this meeting of the Board be an era in the history of missions. May we all be baptized with a new and heavenly spirit to-day. May many a heart be wanned in prayer — and many a hand be opened in liberality— and many a young man, and many a young wo- man, come to the altar of Glod, and here consecrate life and soul and body to the cause of missions, and look up to heaven and say to the first great Missionary, '• Here am I; send me." N. S. S. Beman, Chairman. M. Hopkins, D. H. Riddle, Erastus Fairbanks, Linus Child, Benjamin C. Taylor, Horace Holden, Asa D. Smith, Wm. Jessup, R. T. Haines, Ray Palmer, P. II. Fowler.