AD OF COMMISSIONERS bY A Magi 4 yh Pap bg SAR. ys; N FOREIGN {MISSIONS BOSTON: ‘ PRINTED BY CROCKER & BREWSTER, » Peay, pectin eee LETTERS ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS. {Addressed to the Rev. Davip Aseret, of the Reformed Dutch Church, by one of the Secretaries of the Board.] LETTER \ F Occasion and object of the Letters.—Origin of the American Board, and of its Meia! relations to the ecclesiastical bodies of the Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch and Congregational churches.—The Board still more intimately con- nected with those denominations.—IHas always acted as a national institu- tion. Dear Broruer,—You state that, from ignorance or misapprehension in many minds with respect to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, questions are often proposed to which you desire materi- als for the proper replies. For this purpose, you ask for a precise view of the Constitution of the Board, using that term in its most comprehensive sense, with the special view of showing the adaptedness of the Board for con- ducting the foreign missionary operations of the Reformed Dutch church. As the Board sustains the same relations to the Pres- byterian and Congregational denominations, which it does to your own—belonging to each and acting for 2 Letters on the Constitution each in precisely the same senses,—I shall accomplish your particular object as well by showing how it is fitted to act for all three of these, as if I kept your church alone in view. At the same time my statement of the case, if I am successful, will meet the wishes of many of our friends in the other two denominations. The American Board had an ecclesiastical origin, and had its first existence, as did the foreign missionary enter- prise in this country, among the Congregational churches of New-England. It was formed in the year 1810, by the General Association of Massachusetts, who appointed certain gentlemen residing in Massachusetts and Con- necticut a Board of Commissioners, giving to the Board at the same time the comprehensive name it now bears. In 1812, for the convenience and safety of its fiscal con- cerns, it was incorporated by the legislature of the same State, and authorized to elect its own members. The act of incorporation, if conferred at all, must of course be conferred by some one of the States. Its national de- nomination was now confirmed to it, and at its next meeting, eight members were elected from the States of New-York, New-Jersey, and Pennsylvania, (which was as far south and west as there appeared at that time to be preparation for acting on this subject;) and also five others from New-Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Isl- and. ‘The ecclesiastical bodies of the Congregational churches early gave the Board their full recognition. “Its patrons, however, have never been confined to that de- nomination, nor to New England; although the United Foreign Missionary Society was formed with express ref- erence to the Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch and Asso- ciated Reformed churches, as early as the year 1818. This Society was amalgamated with the Board in the year 1826, at its own request. In the same year, accor- ding to the terms agreed upon for the amalgamation, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church and the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch church gave the Board their official sanction and recommendation. In 1831 the General Assembly appointed commissioners to confer with the Board relative to the measures best adapted to enlist the energies of the Presbyterian church more extensively in the cause of missions to the heathen, who met and conferred with the Board in the autumn of of the American Board. 3 the same year. ‘These commissioners reported to the General Assembly that in their judgment the Board was a national institution, belonging as much to one section of the country as to another ; that it fully represented the Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch and Congregational churches, and sustained the same relation to each; that the proceedings of the Board had been in strict accord-. ance with this relation; that the Board, its Prudential Committee, and its missionaries, were under very high responsibility to the three denominations and to the Christian public, a responsibility peculiarly adapted to ensure the purity and efficiency of the whole system ; that in raising funds and in other proceedings in this country, the various ecclesiastical habits of the people had been, and there was every reason to feel assured would be, regarded ; that it was wholly inexpedient to at- tempt the formation of any other distinct organization within the three denominations for conducting foreign missions, at least until the concern should become too extensive and complicated (if that should ever be) to be managed by one institution ; and that it was of the high- est importance to their own spiritual prosperity, and to the extension of the Redeemer’s kingdom on earth, that the ecclesiastical bodies of the individual churches in these connections should give the Board their cordial, united, and vigorous support.—In 1832 a committee also from the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch church attended the annual meeting of the Board at New-York, and after conference with a committee appointed by the Board for that purpose, agreed to a joint report, the ex- press object of which was to impart new vigor to the mis- sionary operations of that church, conducted through the agency of the Board. Such in brief is the manner in which the Board has acquired its official relations to the general ecclesiastical bodies of the Presbyterian, Reformed Dutch, and Con- gregational churches. There is, however, another and highly important view of its relations to these churches. The Board has been connected with the Presbyterian church from the year of its incorporation, by the very elements of its existence. The members originally incorporated were in number 4 Letters on the Constitution eleven. These, immediately after receiving the act of incorporation, elected thirteen others, eight of whom were from among the most distinguished members of the Pres- byterian church. The Board now became, by its very nature, connected with the Presbyterian church. In the following year, a member was appointed from the Associ- ated Reformed church. The present honored Vice President of the Board was the first elected from the Re- formed Dutch church. This was in the year 1816. In 1824 another member of that church was elected, and in 1826 four others. Now the Board is to be regarded as being, both in fact and in effect, what its corporate mem- bers are. Of these there are eighty-three ; and forty-four are Presbyterians, thirty-one are Congregationalists, and seven belong to the Reformed Dutch church. ‘These numbers are proportionate to the number of communi- cants in the respective denominations. Hence the Board may, with equal propriety, be regarded as a Presbyterian Board, or a Congregational Board, or a Reformed Dutch Board. It is, at any rate, as much one as the other, and itis no more so. It is so, notwithstanding the Presbyte- rians outnumber the Congregationalists by one-fourth; notwithstanding the Congregationalists form but little more than one-third of the whole body. The most proper light, however, in which to regard the Board is neither as Congregational, nor Reformed Dutch, nor Presbyte- rian, but simply as a Board of CommissioNrrs, or Agency, composed of members from each of these denom- inations, and designed to act for each of these denomina- tions, or for such individuals and churches in them as may choose to employ it in conducting missions among the heathen. The Board has always, since the year 1812, proceeded on the ground that it possessed a general and not a sec- tarian character. Its agents have ever been sent without reserve, into every part of the Union. Its appeals have ever been made to the friends of missions throughout the republic. It never appealed to Congregationalists as such, nor to the people of any one section of the country. It has felt and acted as a national institution ; as operat- ing within its proper sphere wherever there were friends of benighted men who would be disposed to make use of its agency, ‘The tie which binds it to every part of the af the American Board. 5 country is in its very nature. This tie was strengthened by the amalgamation of the United Foreign Missionary Society with it, and by the official sanctions of ecclesias- tical bodies ; and it has grown strong, if not indissoluble, by the long-continued, general, and liberal patronage of the churches in every part of the land; by means of which it has, with the blessing of God, brought into exis= tence a great and extensive system of missions in the heathen world. On that patronage it is dependent for the means of supporting this system, and prosecuting the enterprise to a successful termination. The right, grow- ing out of the past and out of its very nature, to seek for missionaries and funds in every State of our nation, it can lose only by being shown to be unworthy of general confidence as a Board of Commissioners. The Lord make its members wise by his wisdom, and preserve them from mistaking or disobeying his holy will. Iam, &c. Lg Oi al ah il eo The Board not an ecclesiastical body.—Not a voluntary association.—Posseases the advantages claimed for both forms of association. Dear Brorner,—The American Board is not an ecclesiastical bedy. This is true, notwithstanding its ecclesiastical origin; notwithstanding its members are all members of the christian church; notwithstanding it is obliged, by agreement with the general ecclesiastical bodies of the three denominations, to lay its report annu- ally before them. The fact is, that appointment by an ecclesiastical body, responsibility to an ecclesiastical body, and the individual relations of members to the churches, are not of themselves sufficient to confer eccle- siastical powers on a missionary Board; and without ecclesiastical powers how can such a Board be regarded as an ecclesiastical body? The American Board has none of these powers. It cannot organize churches, nor classes, nor presbyteries; it cannot admit members to the od | 6 Letters on the Constitution church, nor excommunicate them; it cannot ordain min- isters of the gospel, nor silence them; nor can it transfer them from one denomination to another, nor change their ecclesiastical relations. .The same is true of all the other missionary Boards in this country, whether formed by ecclesiastical bodies or otherwise. Not one of them pos- sesses ecclesiastical powers; not one of them, properly speaking, is an ecclesiastical body. All are equally pow- erless, in the respects above mentioned, with the Ameri- can Board, and that Board has no ecclesiastical power whatever. Hence, if a missionary, when he comes under the di- rection of the American Board, is connected with a classes, or presbytery, or association, that connection is not thereby in the least affected. There is no feature in the constitution of the Board, which prevents the body to which he belongs from having the same authority over him after the connection has been formed, as it had before ; and the ecclesiastical body is just as much bound to watch over him as a minister of the gospel, to counsel him, and to discipline him in case he needs discipline. And when his connection with that ecclesiastical body ceases, (if it ever ceases,) it will not be, for it cannot be, by any action of the Board, but by regular dismission from his ecclesiastical body, that he may join some other which has grown up in the field of his missionary labors. This is an interesting and beautiful feature in the ex- isting methods of conducting foreign missions. Tor, neither the churches nor their ecclesiastical bodies, as such, can devote the time nor acquire the experience necessary to the management of a great system of mis- sions. It is therefore necessary to appoint trust-worthy boards of agency, or to recognize existing boards, for this purpose. ‘The American Board has in this respect been signally favored, having been employed by the churches for a long course of years, and never had its wisdom or faithfulness impeached in any quarter. The Board takes ordained missionaries and lay assis- tants from either of the denominations already men- tioned, with all their ecclesiastical relations upon them ; and experience has fully shown that there is scope for all the direction necessary on the part of the Board, without of the American Board. fi interfering in the least with those relations, or with the performance of any of the duties growing out of them. The several missions form churches according to such models as meet the views of the majority, Whether they shall organize associations, consociations, presbyteries, or classes, is determined in the same manner. In the missions of the Board among the North American In- dians, nearly all the churches are Presbyterian, and as- sociated in Presbyteries. In Ceylon they are Congrega- tional, and are united by consociation. The mission composed of members of the Reformed Dutch church, about to sail for the Indian Archipelago, is expected to regulate its ecclesiastical matters according to the rules of that church. Every where the ecclesiastical proceed- ings of the missions of the Board accord and will con- tinue to accord with the views of the majority of male menibers, every clerical and lay member above the age of twenty-one years having the right of voting. 2. The American Board is not a voluntary association, in the common acceptation of that term. woah ws fe ey tise 7 bead al} ly re hh phar epg’ Pte a7 OO wens ‘wal ~ , ie velop Senda & “te ate eee ew OMAR eat hie tea £ Sg le bk pal baicods “ae ae Siti i pret ot. Ve A welt eit Phy viel § . ie be ON A 296 wg) ee Pah We be | 2! ( vi F ql : vee oS ‘ ore ay 8 a Tomy ra : ( eo a ne ete: (Oe ee . rr.0 7 aes Apiiwore Baa 1 See - st i? - 4 : ? ’ wed 1 » 1 21h 1; Oc ‘ Sent ‘f 3 F ts {, Are aby : “ ee Sh eH AG wh iy oes a +4 ’ SO iy, 5 de - i ot Lone: Oy igety a's rary ie rafd nee ope meaty 3 es . grys ey ; ro) eg re Catt ie Oe J i x) ase. . aig. ik ia’ ewan US eon at sey 13 phat 3. , ‘ aa Pais ‘ Or DBP ' ~ > Ah oe eit yin petal ie vr |. Mowe ie 4 ey) A tik Facet get ght ten: abies: Fratton see fate Jeol. an AP iy “aeyt if Yo. at iia: vee bps rain vidi ia wear OOP) ti Pat iat fee OCI ¢ fii} Prat > ree ae 3s trl oe AaaPT 5 Mr eid en CM arswnke mre Peet OU eat? vebhs hi Inet < aaa Mr kas wt: fae galals or kisah ne: aan a) ee eum onkhts orton tiny fu Raita oA Gabe’ Teele i, ef wad Dae eds: va % A te Soi ea fia 2m MS: (OL GN Maa! en eaiapep a Poi . bei diiirtot, ene. ota si 4 pabe ae) sO eiseth.2 am softies perry oo Lk ’ - ae eat Uk ee ws ya oe Te » Lie é CORPORATE MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN BOARD. Time of Election. 1813. 1820. 1832. 1820. 1330. 1832. 1818. 1821. 1810. 1818. 1819. 1821. 1821. 1823. 1823. 1826. 1826. 1826. 1827. 1828. 1832. 1832. 1832. 1832. 1834. 1835. 1835. Maine. Gen. Henry SEWALL, Augusta. WittiiAm ALLEN, D. D., President of Bowdoin College. Enocu Ponp, D. D., Professor in the Theological Seminary at Bangor. New-Hampshire. Joun Hussarp Cuurcn, D. D., Pelham. Hon. GEORGE Sutvivan, Exeter. Natuan Lorp, D. D., President of Dartmouth College. Vermont. Hon. CHArtes Marsu, Woodstock. Josuua Bares, D. D., President of Middlebury College. Massachusetts. Witriam Barter, Esq., Newburyport. Hon. Witt1Am REED, Marblehead. LEonARD Woops, D. D., Professor in the Theological Semi- nary at Andover. Samuev Hupsarp, LL. D., Boston. Warren Fay, D. D., Charlestown. Epwarp D. Grirrin, D. D.. President of Williams College. Heman Humpnrey, D. D., President of Amherst College. Joun Copman, D. D., Dorchester. Hon. Lewis Srrone, Northampton. Justis Epwaxps, D. D, Andover. Joun Tappan, Esq., Boston. Henry Hit, Esq., Boston. Hon. Samuet T. AnmstTRoONG, Boston. Rev. Rurus ANDERSON, Boston. Rev. Davip GREENE, Boston, CHARLES STODDARD, Esq., Boston. Rev. Syitvester Houmes, New-Bedford. Rev. Witriam J. ARMsTRONG, Boston. Danie Noyes, Esq., Boston. 20 Corporate Members of the American Board. Connecticut. Carvin Cuarin, D. D., Wethersfield. Jeremiau Day, D. D. LL. D., President of Yale College. Joun Corton Situ, LL. D., Sharon. Bennet Tyter, D. D., Professor in the Theological Institute at East Windsor. Noau Porter, D. D., Farmington. New-York. James Ricuarps, D.D., Professor in the Theological Semi- nary at Auburn. EvieHavet Nott, D. D, President of Union College. Henry Davis, D. D., Clinton. ALEXANDER PRovupritT, D. D., Salem. SrrpHen Van ReEnwssEvaEr, LL. D., Albany. S. V.S. WitpeEr, Esq., New York city. Davip Porter, D. D., Catskill. GARDINER SprinG, D. D., New York city. ELEazARr Lorp, Esq., New York city. NatuanieL, W. Howe ut, LL. D., Canandaigua. . Joun Nircuie, Esq., New York city. Tuomas De Witt, D.D., New York city. Natuan S. 8S. Beman, D. D., Troy, Tuomas McAvLey, D. D., LL. D., New York city. Orrin Day, Esq., Catskill. Zecuaritan Lewis, Esq., Brooklyn. James M. Matuews, D. D., Chancellor of the New York Uni- versity. New Jersey. SamvueL MixtuEr, D. D., Professor in the Theological Semi- nary at Princeton. Puitip Mitiepoter, D. D., Professor in the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, D. D., Professor in the Theological Seminary at Princeton. THEODORE FRELINGHUYSEN, LL. D., Newark. James Carnauan, D. D., President of Nassau Hall. His Excellency Perer D. Vroom, Somerville. Pennsylvania. Asuper Green, D. D., Philadelphia. Rogert Ratrston, Esq., Philadelphia, Joun Luptow, D. D., President of the University of Pennsyl- Vanla. Tuomas Braprorp, Esq., Philadelphia. Samure. Acnew, M. D., Harrisburg. Witiiam Nert, D. D., Germantown. Joun McDowe .t, D. D., Philadelphia. Corne.ius C. Cuyter, D. D., Philadelphia. ALEXANDER HEnRY, Esq., Philadelphia. District of Columbia. Josrepu Nourse, Esq. 1826. 1826. 1832. 1834. 1834, 1834. 1826. 1826. 1826. 1834. 1834. 1826. 1834. 1823. 1826. 1832. 1834, 1826. Corporate Members of the American Board. — 21 Virginia. Gen. Joun H. Cocke, Fluvanna County. Wiviiam MaxweE -t, Esq., Norfolk. Gronce A. Baxter, D. D., Professor in the Union Theological Seminary. Tuomas P. Arxrinson, M. D., Halifax County. Rey. Witui1am 8S. Prcmer, Richmond. North Carolina. W. McPuerers, D. D., Raleigh. South Carolina. Moses WanppeE LL, D. D., Willington. Bengamin M. Patmer, D. D., Charleston. Georgia. Joun Cumminas, M. D., Savannah. Josep H. Lumpkin, Esq., Lexington. Tuomas GoxtpinG, D. D., Columbus. Tennessee. CuHartes Corrin, D. D., President of the College in Greenville. Isaac AnpeRsoNn, D. D., Professor in the Theological Semi- nary at Maryville. Ohio. Lyman Beecuer, D. D., President of Lane Seminary. Rogert G. Witson, D. D., President of the College at Athens. James Hoge, D. D., Columbus. Rosert H. Bisuor, D. D., President of Miami University. Illinois. Gipron Bracxksury, D. D. The number of Corporate Members who have deceased, is twenty- eight. There are, besides, twenty Corresponding Members, and fifteen hundred and thirty-nine Honorary Members. 22 Ig 1PP'Ssl 90 06%‘68————_ Sl 219 $9 6 8LO‘PE 10 991‘9- ‘sunah aay fo porwad yava ur squawhng aénuaap 89 L0%‘%69-——|00 Fee‘E9T 8% OSb'LEb-—— €9 $80‘°L9¢-—— LG &68‘0LI-—— $0..0¢8'0¢————= *supah aay fo porad yava ur squauhn J aJOyAA 19 LG G6 GL 99 €1 GG 0g P6 G0 GL 68 Ip 66 G6 GG IL €8 08 69 GO 89 88 6LL‘6SI 906‘ 6PT G6 0GL GIS'86 L6L‘FS £89'S6 9LO‘LOT OfF OL G10'6¢ 89P IP LELbG 6LE‘99 €8'6¢ 9GL‘cr OGPLG LOG‘ Ob 9FG' 9 P8b'0G €86°ST 960°¢ LLO'L 1198 8oo'6 ggg *squauhn gq jonuupy Cesl Pest Gest ras: | 1€81 OES 6381 8381 L381 9681 CoB POST vata | Go8I IZ8 Oss 6181 SIL LISI 9I8E GISI PISI SIs ZISL ‘Te “sny list ‘Wag supuy LDax —— ~~ ‘saunjipuadacnp G8 SI9°8SI 80 ¢36'88 - 0g 080‘E¢- 6b 6260- €¢ 9496 ‘sunah aay fo por.wad yava ur spdraaey a.dnsaapy L& 6LO‘S69-—|6T Or LL ra! 60 Ib SI6‘Ihh-—\L¢ 9% r9 68 GS 8l e¢ +6 L8 C6 CP 69 oh €9 £0 68 9G el OG : oF ‘sunah aay’ fo : porsad yava ur we LOrS9s-— OF LEOFSL-— G9. 186 8h— spdraray aj0u Ag Ore‘ EOL 98¢'SS1 PPS SPI PLS‘OEL E6001 610°E8 836° 901 600°Z01 1PS‘88 919°19 9IL‘eg €8h LP BGL‘gg L80'09 PCOS OP 66°68 06¢'LE OL’ PS 8h6 ‘6 10931 £666 CISC 198° IL 119‘SI C66 *sydvazayy qonuup “"duvod AHL JO SHUNLIGNGAdXA AGNV SLdIDOCA TVANNV cest ‘te Ainge) peel eesl Esl 1e8t Ogst 6681 8é8IL Lost 9681 CoS POST S81 Go8t IZ8L 0G8T GIST 8I8I LISI 9181 CI8L PISl €18L "spcrasayy ZISL ‘TE ‘20V Ist "3dag Supuy Lex J 2] 23 Number of Missionaries and Assistant Missionaries needed and requested by the Board for the year 1836. Es 3 a= 9 ela) 3 Bigifle E\E|2|8 = IR |e |as Countries. —|—|—|— Western Africa ;—for Cape Palmas, - - -} 2/1} 1) 1 European Turkey ;—for Constantinople, Sa- lonica, Greece, etc. - - - - - - - -| 2} 2 Asia Minor ;—for Scio, Caisarea, Galatia, ete. | 6] 2 2 Syria ;—for Jerusalem, Damascus, Mount LOT Rae ee eS are LP aie | Mg ie a Nestorians of Persia, - - - - - - - -| 1 Ded Mohammedans of Persia, - - - - - - -| 1/1 Afghanistan, to explore, - = - - = - - Tet Thibet, to explore, - - - - - - - - -| 11 Rajpoots, to be stationed at Ajmere, - - -]| 3] 1 Mahrattas, with a view to new stations, - -| 6] 1 Tamul people of Southern India, - - 10} 1) 1) 2 Singapore ;—for the Chinese, Bugis, Malay, and Siamese languages—to take charge of epee oes and the peminay, 6| 1) 1) 3 Siam,- - - - - - - ais -| 4 The Chinese j—to be acquiring the tenet and preparing forlabor, - - - - - -| 15} 3 Indian Archipelago ;—for Sumatra, Nyas, Celebes, Borneo, etc. - - - - - - -| 12] 4 Sandwich Islands, - - - - - - - - =| 16] 3/21 Cherokees, - = = - - - = > - = = 1 Choctawsy) "Ua be -- 2 Si ae + fe 4 Cronkaas seman sees =) = ime = ete PERNA) Hoch dh aksl ee & Pawnees,- - - IT yet Oo URI Sa | 2 Rocky Mountain Dedivas} - = = = = =| 10) 2}10 Sionz, Jigathe rae te = PS ice oe ne hein 2 Ojibwas, - - ee a) be ie New York lene SMe og Lael et No, = 2 107 |29|50\11 Summary of the Missions of the American Board. The number of missions under the care and direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, is thirty-two, embracing seventy-eight stations. One hundred and nine ordained missionaries are connected with these missions, of whom seven are regularly educated physicians. There are also nine physicians not ordained, eight printers and book-binders, thirty other male assistants, and one hundred and sixty-one married and unmarried female assistants ;—making a total of three hundred and seventeen missionaries and assistant missionaries sent from this country by the Board. There are also four native preachers, and fifty-one other native assistants. ‘The churches gathered among the heathen by the missions of the Board amount to forty-one, contain- ing upwards of two thousand members. In the schools there are twenty- one thousand pupils, receiving, in a greater or less degree, a christian edu- cation. Seven languages have been reduced to writing, and books pre- pared and printed in them, by the missionaries of the Board. The Jan- guage of the Sandwich Islands, in particular, after being reduced to the most simple form of writing, bas been enriched by the New Testament and portions of the Old, and by books illustrating the elementary prin- ciples of the most useful sciences. The germs of future colleges of sanctified learning have been planted in a number of the missions; and in Ceylon a college, in fact, exists already, containing about one hun- dred and thirty pupils, more than three-fourths of whom give hopeful evidence of piety. The Board has nine printing establishments, at four of which there are the means of manfacturing type, and at two are foun- deries for stereotyping. Measures have also been taken to secure to China the benefits of metallic printing. These printing establishments possess the means of printing in nineteen or twenty languages, spoken by people for whose special benefit the missions are designed, and spoken too by more than four hundred and fifty millions of haman beings. The amount of printing since the Board commenced its opera- tions, is nearly one hundred millions of pages, in nineteen langua- ges. > - — > : ¥ eS Yites 7 25 7>> ed