ON THE 
 
 GENERAL MISSIONS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE CHURCH. 
 
 BY A PRESBYTER. 
 
 1842. 
 
——— 
 
 
 
THE GENERAL MISSIONS OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 BY A PRESBYTER. 
 
 Tue writer of the following remarks has no new scheme, either 
 for Missions or charity, to offer. Assuming that many different opi- 
 nions exist on the subject of our General Missions, and on the best 
 mode for sustaining them, he would simply endeavour to gather up 
 what may be termed a prevailing sentiment. Such a sentiment he 
 would urge upon others as promoting by its still further adoption, an 
 increase of harmony and christian love. He is not about to offer a 
 labored defence of Missions, or a systematic answer to the various 
 objections urged againstthem. He seeks to prove, that the existing 
 organization hasnot been a failure, and that all desirableimprovement may 
 be attained without any alteration of the constitution. And yet more, he 
 desires to strengthen the conviction which must be present in every 
 christian breast, that the cultivation of a missionary spirit is far more 
 important than the perpetual adjustment of the mere machinery of 
 missionary plans. It is not expected to gain assent to every posi- 
 tion. But should the reader find one sentiment tending in his mind 
 to the increase of unity and the exercise of charity on this subject, 
 he is besought to regard it with candid forbearance, unprejudiced 
 by other positions with which he may not so readily concur. 
 
 Present Plan—1. A Compromise. Some have objected to the 
 supposition, that the present plan of our Missions, is to be regarded 
 as a compromise. ‘This cannot however be kept out of view. Do- 
 mestic Missions had been comparatively an object withall, but far less 
 generally was the foreign work acknowledged asa duty. In the 
 new plan then, something was to be gained or lost for this latter De- 
 partment. On the one hand its friends were willing to place it un- 
 der the care of the General Convention, on certain conditions ; and 
 what security was there to prevent a majority of the Convention, or 
 its Board of Missions, from terminating at any time by a mere vote, 
 all its operations abroad? The conditions were a compromise, and 
 a division of labor for security, was demanded and granted. The 
 constitution thus acceded to before the work was relinquished to the 
 Church at large, establishes this point as a main principle. It is the 
 great guarantee given to the friends of Foreign Missions. It is true 
 that an alteration of the constitution may change this, and stifle the 
 J*oreign Department by a vote, and the mere power for this may be 
 found in the usual article providing for alterations. But in the same 
 way might the General Convention bring about such an alteration of 
 
4 
 
 the constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church of America, as 
 should unite it with the Church of Rome. The fundamental articles 
 of the constitution, certainly then cannot be brought up year after year 
 as matter of question, without virtually infringing a compact, one of 
 the parties to which became extinct by a voluntary act on the faith 
 of that compact. Let this be borne in mind whenever it is moved 
 (not to throw the two departments back again to an executive com- 
 mittee of a voluntary society, but) to merge them in one committee act- 
 ing under a new power against a direct stipulation to the contrary. 
 The interests then at least of the Foreign Department will be sacrificed 
 by sucha change, unlessthe sole committee be that of the friends and 
 patrons of Missions under voluntary association. The possession 
 and the valuable consideration given for it, will fallinto one and the 
 same hand ; and where is the justice of this? It becomes the friends 
 of Foreign Missions to ponder well the consequences, ere they re- 
 linquish the great and acknowledged guarantee, by which that De- 
 partment now stands out, with point and distinctness before the 
 Church, with its separate committee and secretary. 
 
 2. Points gained.—The distinguishing trait of our missionary or- 
 ganization is the avowed adoption by the Church at large of that 
 work, which had previously been assumed by individual and volun- 
 tary effort. It designed to bring the united energies of the Church 
 to bear upon its appropriate duties, throughout the vast spiritual 
 desolations of our own and other lands. No one Diocese could 
 successfully attempt the work, and in the disconnected efforts of 
 many, confusion and contention would be the probable results. 
 In the growth of a work of such magnitude, left in the hands of a 
 voluntary society, there might be indeed the prospect of immediate 
 efficiency, but the probable severing of sympathies in the Church 
 at large, and the cherishing an influence irresponsible in its 
 character and alien to the principles of the Church, might be feared 
 as a sure result. 
 
 Division of labor was a point of much importance, not indeed so 
 apparent in the incipient efforts, as essential to the enlarged ope- 
 rations of years to come. Disproportioned, as distinct committees 
 with their officers may seem to the number of missionaries then or 
 now in the field, without this, no reasonable confidence could long 
 be maintained. A few laborers in the West might be contented 
 with a compound Board of Managers. In its varying purposes, 
 as the bias of a Board formed on the principles of compromise 
 might from time to time vacillate, the remedy would be easy. The 
 parishes formed or others near, might sustain the faithful domestic 
 missionary. But to expect any number of able men with their 
 families to commit themselves to the peril of a foreign and hea- 
 then Mission, dependent upon such a Board, would be unreason- 
 able. When most wisely adjusted in reference to conflicting sen- 
 timents in the Church at large,—when most nicely balanced, 
 it would be least efficient, and yet such a balance of sentiment 
 in its members would ever be demanded. Unity and energy 
 would not be there, and the hope of the missionaries could only 
 be, under God, in their personal and direct hold upon the Church 
 at large. The intermediate link would be obliterated, and the 
 
is) 
 
 result suicidal to the unity and steadiness of their true relations to 
 the Church. 
 
 In the division of labor no such compromise is needed. Under wise 
 appointments the confidence of the missionaries, both at home and 
 abroad on the one hand, and the confidence of the Church at large 
 on the other, was justly anticipated, though the work of time 
 only. Such confidence certainly implied a generous charity and co- 
 operation among the friends of Missions; and, notwithstanding a 
 partial opposition, in a great measure unexpected, there is evidence 
 that such a confidence is, in the main, reposed in the missionary 
 organ of our Church. 
 
 If it is asked more distinctly how the plan has worked, we may 
 answer without hesitation— Well. We are confident in proving here- 
 after that all friendly differences of sentiment affect the - practice 
 only, which may be easily modified without compromising a single 
 principle. An uninterrupted harmony, so far as could be reason- 
 ably expected, has prevailed among those immediately entrusted 
 with the work itself Greater efficiency has been attained; arising 
 not from want of previous wisdom and energy, but mainly from 
 division of labor. And with reliance almost wholly upon spon- 
 taneous pecuniary aid, a remarkable steadiness in the contributions 
 has been the result. The foundation, it may be said, has been in 
 some measure laid. Unreasonable expectations were indeed formed. 
 Much of effervescent interestand effort, arising at first froma politico- 
 religious enthusiasm in the Greek Revolution, has passed away. ° 
 New friends have been gained for the whole work—motives have 
 been sifted,—every point freely discussed,—and we doubt not that 
 if ever forced to fall back upon the support of mere voluntary 
 friendship, it would then be seen how much that frendship has 
 become enlarged in growing simplicity upon love to the Saviour. 
 Still we may truly say that the advantages of the plan are mainly 
 prospective. Comparing this institution with others of a similar 
 character—watching the nature of all thorough progress in the 
 Christian church—allowing for a Resolution far in advance of the 
 spirit pervading the body which passed it, we may safely admit that 
 a few short years are not sufficient fully to test its character and efhi- 
 ciency. It is adapted with trifling increase of pecuniary expense for 
 conducting the full energies of the Church. It looks to a growing 
 piety and a growing co-operation as its ablest supporters. And when 
 it shall lead forth that piety to its true and legitimate work, then shall 
 it bear fruit even an hundred fold. That spirit which looks intelli- 
 gently over the complicated field of Christian duty, and in its own 
 faithful labors and devotion to Christ, can yet wait patiently upon the 
 Lord to work his own will, must apprehend in some measure those 
 glorious results to which the Church is entitled, from experience and 
 promise, steadfastly to look. 
 
 Misapprehensions.—1. Perfect agreement. In estimating aright 
 the operations and results of Missions in the Church, we are bound to 
 distinguish between just anticipations, and those too prevalent at the 
 reorganization of our Missions in 1835. There had been very far from 
 a united sentiment on the subject of Missions. Ina christian com- 
 munity struggling from its origin in feebleness and dissevered member- 
 
6 
 
 ship, through obstacles deeply affecting alike its spiritual and tem- 
 poral prosperity, the missionary spirit would naturally be of slow 
 growth, and little reliance could be placed on any sudden and untimely 
 show of fruit. Still the cause was gradually gaining suffrages 
 throughout the Church. Only five years before the reorganization, 
 the first foreign missionary found it inexpedient to present the claims 
 of his Mission, within the principal Diocese of the Church. But such 
 was the change, that in 1835, the worLD was acknowledged by the 
 General Convention itself as the field of our Missions. In the glow 
 of momentary ardor, dissentient opinions were hushed, and the bright- 
 est anticipations were formed from the apparent unanimity of the 
 great representative body. Much was gained: but still it was more 
 in profession than internal spirit. And how could it be otherwise 4 
 Missionary zeal will not long outmeasure true piety. Could any one 
 suppose that the latter had experienced so vast and sudden an ex- 
 pansion? The walls were suddenly raised, but the building was to 
 be more deliberately finished, and then, to become the habitation 
 of life. Many would still cling to theoretical objections, and be ready 
 to urge them. Many rebuked for their own apathy by every active 
 effort in another, would count this high sanction given to Missions, 
 as a yet sterner reproach upon themselves. ‘The outbreak of 
 such opposition, for a moment quieted, but never subdued, might have 
 been foreseen. And all those objecting on whatever ground to the 
 great movement adopted by our Church, (comprising not a few both 
 friendly and unfriendly to Missions,) acquiescing for a time, could 
 hardly be expected wholly to yield their objections. It has actually 
 occurred, we apprehend, that from all these sources of opposition, far 
 less has manifested itself than might have been justly anticipated. 
 Apart from a limited opposition already alluded to, the objections 
 urged have not exceeded what might have been expected in a church 
 assuming no ultra views of ecclesiastical authority, but awarding 
 freely the Protestant right of private judgment. Far distant be the 
 day in our Church when that which is excessive in the exercise of 
 such rights, shall be frowned down by mere power. Such would 
 soon be followed by an extension of the same power to the destruction 
 of all just independence. If Missions, commending themselves to the 
 christian conscience, cannot be sustained under God against every 
 obstacle, on higher ground, they ought not to be sustained by mere 
 authority or the passion of a party. Six years have elapsed in the 
 course of this great experiment, and no other opposition except that 
 elicited at the second Triennial meeting of the Board of Missions, de- 
 mands serious attention. 
 
 It was a mistake to anticipate perfect agreement. Slight reflection 
 in 1835 would have scattered so brilliant an illusion.. In a Church 
 with little perfect practical agreement any where, how could it be 
 hoped here, where the very preaching of the Gospel itself in faith- 
 fulness and simplicity finds bitter opposition from the natural heart ¢ 
 Whatever might be the peculiar sentiments of the minister on other 
 points, could it be supposed that a work carrying out that Gospel in 
 its principles, and extending its influence, demanding even some 
 sacrifice from its friends, would meet with no opposition in his flock ? 
 The decision of the General Convention had lifted the burthen 
 
7 
 
 of the work from the shoulders of those who had voluntarily assumed 
 it, and laid it professedly and broadly upon the Church at large, and 
 thus was a torch thrown among her members, lighting up the flames of 
 opposition from the dry materials of selfishness wherever found. 
 
 The great standards of the Church themselves indeed remain to 
 rally from time to time the broken ranks: but even with this safe- 
 guard, in these times of change, few are agreed on all points and in 
 all plans. New lines are continually drawing in the Church, often 
 severing the most intimate union, and enclosing together new and 
 unexpected acquaintances. Could it then be that such a wide and 
 fruitful topic as Missions would unite at once all minds in one suf- 
 frage ? or that any one plan, however well matured—however unani- 
 mously adopted by the representative voice of the Church, would 
 find a perfectly united response in either ministry or people? In 
 some of its details it would inevitably cross the favorite theory or 
 practice of many an enemy, and even of many a friend of the ex- 
 tended motive. 
 
 Now we contend for a faith which rises superior to this opposition, 
 which expects the warfare and buckles on the whole armor of God— 
 the christian panoply. If the church is right in her declaration, 
 if she has faith in her bosom, the work cannot be overthrown. Op- 
 position on minor points will gradually cease ; while that which is 
 levelled against the great pillars of the missionary work will con- 
 tinue, but always powerless: for on those pillars rests the everlasting 
 Gospel. On the shores we tread, one massive abutment has been 
 already raised. ‘The waters have not been spanned: but according 
 to our measure of faith in the promises of God, a second is rearing 
 in the distance ; while it is the great work of the Church, patiently 
 to carry forward the stupendous arch which shall rest in moral gran- 
 deur upon the two, and open up under the wise Master-builder, the 
 great high-way for the return of the nations. 
 
 2. Sudden Enlargement. In the glow of feeling consequent upon 
 the movement of 1835, the friends of Missions anticipated an imme- 
 diate and vast enlargement in the work itself. It was even confidently 
 stated in a high quarter, that ten missionaries with a Bishop at their 
 head, would soon be on their way to China. And a similar, or yet 
 greater expansion of effort, was expected in behalf of the vast re- 
 gions of the West, and elsewhere in proportion. But from whence 
 was such an increase to come? Where were the just grounds of 
 such anticipations? True piety, the fountain of all, was gradually 
 increasing ; but with it the pressing demands within the limits of the 
 Church itself, were also increasing. With hundreds of parishes un- 
 filled, slow indeed was the increase of candidates for the ministry. And 
 who could desire the increase of these candidates to outstrip that true 
 devotion, from which any thing but a formal ministry must come ? 
 And who would ask a rash zeal, which would lead abroad more than 
 a just proportion of the limited ministry of the Church ? 
 
 As the claims of a vast Domestic region, and, above all, the spi- 
 ritual wants of the world itself, were pressed upon the piety of the 
 Church, and as that piety in turn became deep and self-denying in 
 her young men, so it might be hoped would a more full response be 
 given to the prayer for laborers. But such a work would be, to 
 human apprehension, for some time at least comparatively slow. 
 
8 
 
 All this, however, was too much overlooked in the glowing antici- 
 pations of 1835. We affirm, nevertheless, that something has been 
 done. Without descending to particulars we may say, that the first 
 Missionary Bishop (appointed at that Convention) stated, at the ex- 
 
 iration of six years, that on commencing his labors in a vast diocese 
 he found but one clergyman (a deacon) under his supervision. At 
 the latter date he could number a body of 40 clergymen. 
 
 On the western coast of Africa, where various attempts to convey 
 the blessings of the Gospel had previously proved abortive, a Mis- 
 sion, commenced in 1836, under all the difficulties of the climate, 
 has taken root with four missionaries and six or eight other white 
 persons, extending its labors to four stations, and attended with every 
 reasonable success—a Mission in the mean time against which, so far 
 as we know, no voice has been raised. Other facts might be adduced, 
 but these alone are eucouragement to the reasonable mind. 
 
 A work of such a nature as that of Missions ina Church, rests not 
 upon transient limited means, but goes on at a pace to be ascertained. 
 only by the whole history of that Church, and not by the promises 
 or efforts of a few short years. The amount of influence which it 
 is thus to exert in a world of sin, by propagating the saving Gospel 
 of the Redeemer, is not to be determined from one Convention to 
 another, but will grow as the love of Christ prevails, and come to its 
 mature fruits as the power of that Gospel gradually extends within ; 
 it will be stationary when the spirit of piety ceases to advance; it 
 will decline when that spirit yields to undue attention to the mere 
 forms of godliness. 
 
 While then there has been disappointment, it is only that unwarrant- 
 ed expectations have been disappointed. Missions at home and abroad 
 have been sustained. The increase, on the other hand, within the 
 established limits of the Church, has been unprecedented, and nothing 
 lost by the effort for its wider extension. From one Diocesan ‘Theo- 
 logical Seminary, five missionaries have been furnished since 1835 
 for the Foreign field alone, and two more, it is stated, are about to 
 depart. Yet within that diocese, at no previous period, has there 
 been such an increase of temporal and spiritual prosperity. One 
 of the above missionaries being from a more southern diocese, has 
 been the acknowledged instrument of more spiritual good to his own 
 diocese than resulting within the same period from any other single 
 and similar means. We may then confidently believe, that the hope 
 of enlargement has been in some degree realized, and that the Author 
 of the Gospel, having commanded its unlimited extension, will in 
 future fulfil yet more, the chastened hope of his people. 
 
 This great work is eminently a work of practical faith. The 
 Church, permitted indeed to plan and modify its own operations, 
 and refrain, or act, or doubt, is still but the instrument. The power 
 lies with him who hath promised. Privileged, under certain attain- 
 _ ments of piety and grace, to grasp, as it were, and exercise that 
 power, still it becomes the instrument to await, without discourage- 
 ment, the greater exercise of the same power, suspended upon 
 higher acts of faith and prayer. 
 
 One grand result of missionary effort is its reacting influence— 
 the strengthening of faith by use and exercise—the increased inten- 
 
9 
 
 sity at home by expansion abroad—the vigorous out-branchings of 
 the tree increasing the strength at the root—in other words, the 
 growth of piety promoted by doing the will of God in extending his 
 Gospel, or, in the sentiment of Scripture, strengthening the stakes of 
 the tabernacle of the Church on earth, by lengthening its cords. 
 Often as this may be questioned, and little as it may be appreciated, 
 it will never be denied when tested by experience. The faithful 
 pastor sees it in the interest of his flock as he leads them on to some 
 vigorous effort, as the legitimate fruit of faithful preaching. The 
 Christian feels it in that donation which has been consecrated to the 
 spread of the Gospel intelligently and prayerfully. Ask the believer 
 who has thus given to the cause of Christ, if he would diminish or 
 increase his gift, and let the answer testify. The humblest disciple 
 of Christ, who has sought in prayer or effort within his means, to pro- 
 mote the spiritual interests of another—in other words, to extend the 
 blessings of the Gospel to another’s heart, can testify to the quick- 
 ening influence of such an effort upon his own soul. ‘ He that water- 
 eth shall be watered. Give and it shall be given unto you.” And in 
 beautiful confirmation of this, is the large amount of heavenly grace 
 which God has returned into the bosom of our Church, far transcend- 
 ing the feeble, broken, and divided efforts hitherto put forth for the 
 conversion of the world. Let the observing Christian turn to the 
 condition of our Church twenty years since, when commencing the 
 work of Missions, and compare it with her present measure of inter- 
 nal and external prosperity ; let him carefully set aside every bless- 
 ing which may not be traced, either directly or indirectly as resulting 
 from that piety which has stood out more or less strongly in behalf 
 of benevolent effort, taking in some way the shape of Missions; let 
 him make every deduction which an objector can possibly ane and 
 then decide for himself how far the present blessing upon the Church 
 is a blessing of God upon those very efforts and that very piety. We 
 put the question seriously, and in the most friendly spirit, to any 
 member of the Church entertaining a personal hope in the Saviour, 
 praying daily that his kingdom may come, and yet doubting in some 
 of its features or as a whole, the expediency of our missionary effort. 
 
 3. LRivalship. The foregoing remarks bring us to a point which 
 touches the main question of our missions ; se question not designed 
 as a topic in the present discussion, but not wholly to be disregarded 
 in the peculiar relation we are now approaching. It is embodied 
 in the honest misapprehension, that the Foreign Department, when- 
 ever actively prosecuted, must be antagonist to the interest of home 
 effort. This fear springs from two erroneous assumptions. Ifirst ; 
 that the amount of piety and means, is a fixed quantity, whatever Of 
 this amount that goes abroad being so much taken from the whole 
 supply. Second ; that some undefined enthusiasm will, even admit- 
 ting the increase of means, divert to a romantic pursuit of unattain- 
 able good in the foreign field, and lavish in waste, that which a sober 
 and intelligent piety would expend under its own eye at home. 
 
 It might be sufficient to confirm most minds already favorable to 
 the wor kk abroad, to appeal to the simple command of Christ. There 
 are those, hawecee who, compelled to acknowledge the force of 
 such a command upon the Church in certain circumstances, yet deny 
 
10 
 
 it the moment it is applied to their own Church, and to themselves, 
 under present circumstances. They triumphantly ask how can their 
 Church go into all the world 2 One may well pause when tempted to 
 throw upon another, no more able than himself to fulfil it, a plain 
 christian duty which requires some self-denial. But to revert to the 
 first ground of objection ; both the piety and the means consecrated 
 by the Christian Church to the service of God, are not fixed, but 
 variable. The source from which their increase is to be drawn is 
 comparatively exhaustless. Itis subject to all the legitimate opera- 
 tions of motives. Existing piety bears but asmall proportion to 
 the vast amount of human mind already under the influence of the 
 means of grace, and which means we know that God is ready and 
 willing to bless when His Church becomes a faithful witness to His 
 truth. And of the vast amount of means already at the command 
 of God’s professed people, how small a portion, yea, how indefinitely 
 small, is given to the service of Him to whom, after all, belong the 
 silver and gold? And yet what Christian does not see that a slight 
 movement of the Spirit of God in that direction, might release for 
 the cause of benevolence far more than the Church in its present 
 state could safely bear? Nay, a single mind, acting under an injudi- 
 cious impulse, might overwhelm the Church with a disproportionate 
 fand most deleterious, if not destructive to her spiritual interests. 
 God orders all things well; but still when we feel that the resources, 
 to be duly reached by the faithful application of the motives and 
 means of grace, are yet so largely locked up, when the cause of God 
 requires far more to be consecrated actively to his service, we must 
 feel also that something is wrong. Now we contend, that apart from 
 the ordinary means of the Gospel, Christians are to be intelligently 
 and boldly instructed in the spiritual wants of the world, and in 
 christian obligations throughout their whole length and breadth. We 
 contend that if such a course is pursued throughout all the depart- 
 ments of the Church from the General Convention, which has set 
 the great example in her Board of Missions, through every interme- 
 diate step to the parent and the Sunday school teacher, and this done 
 not with that timid faith which tells of principles now, but practice in 
 some future generation, but in that faith which shows the intimate 
 and present connection between the two, there would be a genera- 
 tion patiently and intelligently training up, for a full measure of 
 christian energy and life. Nay, we should be ungrateful not to be- 
 lieve that such, to a limited extent, is already the case. All men of 
 piety must desire such a result. But we ask the timid objector to 
 Foreign Missions, fearing lest they take away from means wanted at 
 home, what motive will bear down most effectually against the great 
 principle of selfishness, and unlock the greater amount of piety and 
 means for the active service of God? Will you select as the extent 
 of christian duty the bounds of a parish, a city, a diocese, or the 
 West? or will you open up at once that great work that includes 
 them all, and to which the Christian must, some day or other, con- 
 fessedly be brought ? This has in some measure been answered by 
 experience. There are bodies of communicants of ample wealth 
 relieved by a fund from their own parochial expenditure, where, 
 (if their very Sunday schools are not suffering under a scanty pit- 
 
it 
 
 tance of sympathy and support,) they are doling out but a 
 meagre tribute to supply the necessities of their own city or diocese. 
 We ask whether the extended motive has been faithfully and syste- 
 matically set before such a congregation! In every case we appre- 
 hend not, and the limited motive only has proved unavailing. On 
 the other hand, there are churches with a number of communicants 
 not greater, and with a personal amount of pecuniary means proba- 
 bly far less, who have contributed steadily, year after year, since 
 1835, their quota of hundreds, and even thousands, to the Gene- 
 ral Missions of the Church, and yet are well known for their 
 liberality in efforts for their Church nearer home. It is gene- 
 rally acknowledged that in churches of this class the ministry has 
 been marked by a steady interest in Christian Missions in their whole 
 length and breadth. The truth of this comparison needs no proof, 
 though many examples might be adduced in confirmation, 
 
 Another important evidence that opposition to Missions abroad 
 can be of little service in promoting those at home—that an attack 
 upon benevolent effort in one quarter will not disarm selfishness, and 
 open the fountains of sympathy in another, may be found in the 
 result of a course pursued by some, in a leading diocese of the 
 Church. In that diocese a strong and determined effort has been 
 made with singular perseverance for five or six years against General 
 Missions, in favor of diocesan efforts. An influential periodical has 
 yielded no truce in this warfare. Almost unopposed, it has taken its 
 stand against General Conventions, the Board of Missions, its Com- 
 mittee and officers, its missions and missionaries, with the evident 
 purpose of gaining, if possible, for diocesan Missions, all the means 
 expended under a general institution of the Church. The right to 
 discuss General Missions for such a purpose is freely conceded, 
 and we allude to the controversy simply to ask what has been the 
 result. True, much may have been checked in that stream of be- 
 nevolence which was flowing abroad to gladden the hearts of heathen 
 nations and revive a pure christianity in the East. The lengthening 
 cords of the Church may have been sundered. It may be true that 
 the General Seminary of a Missionary Church, under the local in- 
 fluence of such an argument, may for years have sent forth no mis- 
 sionary to a foreign field, and the hearts of some few beginning to 
 rejoice in a triumph over natural selfishness may have fallen back 
 under the cover of its cold excuses ; but little of experienced benevo- 
 lence has been shaken in its wide and consecrated purposes. The 
 General Missions have received from the churches of that diocese, 
 as its almost unasked and voluntary support, a pecuniary aid far less 
 diminished than the pressure of the times alone might warrant. 
 This, however, is not the point we would press on those engaged in 
 such a controversy. We entreat them as Christians professing to 
 have drunk deeply at the fountain of divine love, as brethren avow- 
 edly seeking to promote the glory of Christ, to weigh well the 
 influence of this warfare upon the common source of Christian be- 
 nevolence. The friends of the extended motive seem to have waited 
 quietly the result, to convince their brethren of the impolicy of en- 
 deavoring to exalt one branch of benevolent effort at the expense of 
 another. Scarce a whisper has been raised against the disparaging 
 
12 
 
 experiment. The following statement of missionary income will 
 give a comparative view of the relative aid to general and to dioce- 
 san Missions within the diocese in question, during the period to 
 which allusion is made. Itis to be observed, however, that probably 
 no diocese gives so freely to those applications for missionary objects, 
 at home and abroad, not included in any missionary reports. The 
 actual donations, therefore, are far greater than can be specified. 
 
 
 
 Dom. Committee. | For. Committee. Dioc. Miss. & Ed. Soc. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 —<$ 
 
 
 
 
 
 1837, $8,471 93 $4,409 90 $10,852 01* 
 1838, 8,007 31 5,536 55 7,926 65* 
 1839, 10,088 65 6,739 11 6,425 37 
 1840, 5,730 76 4,176 85 9,460 06 
 1841, 7,120 44 4,162 73 6,202 02+ 
 
 
 
 The remarks of the Rev. Dr. Chalmers on suchrivalsbip are much in 
 point here. ‘ Jealousy has sometimes been felt by the advocates of 
 different Societies. This jealousy proceeds ona false arithmetic ; oF 
 rather a misapprehension by virtue of which it is, that natural and 
 moral arithmetic are confounded together. By natural arithmetic 
 we estimate the means; by moral, we estimate the motives : 
 and it is quite a natural thing that by the very process by which 
 the means of benevolence are alienated from our Society, [that 
 of the Church of Scotland] a ten fold force is given to the motive. 
 Nothing can be more palpably true that the guinea which is parted 
 with for one charity, is no longer in reserve for another: but that 
 appliance which drew the guinea from the hand sent a new impulse 
 to the heart; so that he who has been operated upon has become a 
 much more hopeful subject for a fresh application, than the man 
 whose purse has never been opened, and that because his sensibilities 
 have never been addressed in the cause of liberality. 
 
 Itis thus that our different schemes might work, and in fact do 
 work into one another’s hands, Should the first have preceded, 
 and gone over the whole of Scotland, the second only finds the ground 
 more softened and prepared. It acts not by exhaustion, it acts by 
 fermentation. Exhaustion !—the notion is preposterous. Who ex- 
 hausts himself? Who has abridged one item of expense in the 
 cause of charity 2? Who has cast more into the treasury of the Lord, 
 than a very small fraction of that, which is familiarly known by the 
 name of pocket money 4 
 
 They are mainly the same names which are to be found over and 
 over again in all our charities. We do not count on the power of 
 alchymy, which would transmute every thing to gold: ours is a 
 higher and nobler alchymy—the alechymy of the heart; by virtue of 
 which it is, that the charity given for one object, expands to another, 
 till the giver exercises a wide and wakeful eye, on all the sufferings 
 and wants of humanity. 
 
 Those who would cast jealousy between two societies, have never 
 attended to the facts or philosophy of the subject. They display an 
 equally gross want of philosophy, with those who would repress the 
 
 * A few small sums received from beyond the present diocese, are here included. 
 
 + The failure of the Treasurer to pay the stipends of the missionaries has been a 
 mournful crisis in the history of the Society.—| Report of Diocesan Soc. 1841.] 
 
13 
 
 liberality of the working classes, in favour of our Bible and Missionary 
 Institutions, lest they should bring them nearer the workhouse, and 
 hasten their descent to pauperism. The fact is, it widens their dis- 
 tance from pauperism ; and translates them into the dignity of givers, 
 from that degenerate sloth and sordidness, which turn them into 
 receivers.” 
 
 The second erroneous assumption is, the alleged romantic charac- 
 acter of foreign missions, fitted only to mislead that calm christian 
 judgment, which should first supply all the necessities of our own 
 land. That this is erroneous will be seen on the slightest reflection. 
 It proves too much : for there is not a city or town in our own land, 
 that does not require far more than is now doing in the cause of 
 Christ, and by this rule, the missionary spirit of the christian world 
 would be narrowed down toa limit, too small to sustain its life. 
 There may be in effort a division of labor, but the spirit—the prayer 
 is one “thy kingdom come,” and the command is “ go ye into all the 
 world.” True, no one part of the Church of Christ can perform 
 entire obedience, but the command is addressed to all his followers 
 in a body. They are bound to press forward in faith, till the 
 kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of 
 his Christ. 
 
 Again, the work of Missions abroad is a work of faith, just as 
 the work of the parochial ministry is a work of faith. Without the 
 grace of God, not the slightest measure of real success can be gained 
 in either, and that grace is sufficient for both. It can erect light after 
 light over the face of the earth, making each in its turn the centre 
 of fresh illuminating points, until the whole earth shall be full of the 
 knowledge of the Lord. And from what we know of the history of 
 the christian church, from the day of Pentecost until now, we may 
 presume, that God is ready to pour out his blessing upon the faithful 
 efforts of his people. Let such Missions abroad be once seen to be 
 in accordance with the simple command of Christ, and disproportioned 
 as the means may seem to the end, romantic even if viewed only in 
 a worldly light, yet being in obedience to a Divine command, it be- 
 comes a reasonable object of faith and loses the features of romance. 
 The same Gospel which tarried not in Judea, until that land was 
 converted to Christ, still lives in its unchanging principles. The 
 same Saviour who, passing beyond the immediate wants of that land, 
 said to Paul, “‘ depart, for [ will send thee far hence to the Gentiles,” 
 is now by promise present to his faithful ambassadors, whether labor- 
 ing in his stead at home or abroad. Surely it is not yet time to star- 
 tle with fear at the enthusiasm of our own Church in the cause of 
 Missions. Whenever she passes the bound of christian judgment, 
 and thinks and acts only for the world abroad while forgetful of the 
 claims of her own land, she has all the principle ofa scriptural faith 
 to bring her back to a due proportion of christian effort. But the 
 truth is, that the more her members are arroused to a solemn sense 
 of christian obligation in sending the Gospel abroad, the more will 
 common consistency elevate in position the pressing calls of a more 
 immediate sphere of duty. The history of the Christian Church has 
 been but a history of Christian Missions, and Protestant Churches 
 are but slowly recovering the ground left by them almost wholly un- 
 
14 
 
 occupied, until the commencement of the present century. Roman- 
 tic as it then appeared, after a few short years we find 800 Protestant 
 Missionaries now in the field, accomplishing a proportionate amount 
 of good. That then which. appears in some eyes romantic, may in 
 another generation appear as an ordinary work. 
 
 In practice we may compare the relative diffusion of the Gospel, 
 with that of the commerce of our own country. Halfa century since 
 it was little else than romance to pass beyond the Cape of Good 
 Hope. There were many who would elicit first the whole resources 
 of our own country, by pushing its domestic commerce. There 
 were other minds who could watch the bearings of foreign traffic, and 
 who, resisting at the outset all charge of a romantic speculation, have 
 led to commercial relations, which carrying our commerce into all 
 the important ports of the world, have brought out those internal 
 resources which otherwise would-never have seen the light. Such 
 is commercial faith and such are its fruits. But ‘the children of this 
 world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.”* 
 
 4. Missions a Privilege. In regarding the missionary work in the 
 light of duty alone, its true nature has been seriously misapprehended. 
 Whatever is duty is also privilege. When giving is a duty, giving 
 isa privilege. When prayer is a duty, prayer is a privilege. Now 
 by many friends of Missions this is not appreciated. Their co-opera- 
 tion therefore is dwelt upon simply as duty, and brings with it the 
 natural bondage of mere duty. But viewed as a privilege, as co- 
 operating with God—with the Redeemer, in the great work of good 
 will toward man—a work to which angels might well aspire, and the 
 whole spirit is changed. To enter upon this privilege with full and 
 consecrated purpose, is to taste of the glorious liberty of the children 
 of God. Even in giving, God loveth a cheerful giver. And has he 
 no good in store for those whom he loveth? To urge on the Christian 
 to growing holiness and love, and yet to propose no scope for their 
 exercise, or at all events but a very limited one, leads only to a morbid 
 sensibility and eventually to indifference. Every faithful pastor can 
 testify more or less to this. Those of his flock engaged with the 
 most enlarged motive in the service of Christ, will be evidently en- 
 joying the higher degrees of christian privilege, while that piety 
 which feeds upon itself is but suicidal, Yet how many pastors are 
 satisfied with proclaiming duty on Sunday, and provide no fuel to 
 feed the awakening desire, or to lead out its principles into practice. 
 ‘This thought is especially commended to the young and timid pastor, 
 who, listening to the advice of influential but cold members of his 
 flock, fears to do more than state the duty of giving; who would 
 urge his people to be liberal in general, but fears to tell them of 
 Missions. Christians who enjoy the privilege, will have no fear of 
 the duty. 
 
 5. Small Parishes not exempt.—It is a mistake to suppose that Mis- 
 sions are to be sustained by large parishes alone.—In the wealthiest 
 congregations in our land,where ai/ are expected to give, there must be 
 some whose means are far surpassed by individuals in other congrega- 
 tions esteemed too poor to give any thing beyond the four walls of their 
 
 * The first voyage from America to the North West Coast and China was in 1787, 
 and proved unprofitable to the owners, 
 
15 
 
 own Church. Now itis contended that if there is a duty in aiding Mis- 
 sions, it is the duty of the follower of Christ, whatever his parochial 
 relation may be. Prayer, for instance, is the great sinew of the 
 work, and who is the disciple debarred from this, or who has not a 
 mite to give! The apathy, the timid fears and sad neglect of Rec- 
 tors, is one grand reason that no more interest is manifested in the 
 Missions of the Church. It is asserted with confidence, that there 
 is not a congregation in the land which would not give something for 
 the General Missions, nay even for the Foreign Branch, if the pastor 
 would follow out in faith the great precedent which is set before him 
 in the action of the General Convention. Let him present the sub- 
 ject intelligently, and follow it up in patience, and with positive cer- 
 tainty, strength will be alike imparted to pastor, people, and to 
 the great enterprise itself. In every parish, however small, becoming 
 thus interested, the golden chain of love gains a new link and draws 
 in a new member in the one great confederacy of Christ’s peculiar 
 people zealous of good works. 
 
 6. Machinery.—There has been a grievous misapprehension in many 
 minds even friendly to Missions, in bestowing their energies unduly 
 on the mere machinery of the missionary enterprise, upon the mode of 
 conducting it, and upon the plans of eliciting in detail pecuniary aid. 
 Guarded and watched as our Church is, from its parochial relations 
 up to its highest legislation, there can be little fear that the evils re- 
 sulting from abuses in active benevolence can ever gain much sway. 
 A far greater evil broods extensively over our Church. It is a cold 
 indifference to the Saviour, and to this work now committed to his 
 Church—an indifference fed by the unconquered selfishness of his 
 professed people. Worldly arguments, worldly feelings, and a half- 
 way Christianity, have hitherto benumbed the sensibility and tender- 
 ness of conscience in many a Christian heart. The veil of present 
 influences has hid from the believer the things of God. Let the 
 Church rejoice, that taken as a whole, there is evidence that the quick- 
 ening spirit of the Gospel is at work. The affections of the pastor 
 are not unfrequently quickened and elevated by the warmer breath- 
 ings of surrounding piety. It surely becomes the leader of God’s 
 host in the great contest with sin, to throw himself in the fore front 
 of the battle, to animate his followers and lead them on to victory. 
 To be always in the armory selecting weapons, laying down one and 
 taking up another, burnishing and testing his arms with jealous in- 
 trepidity, becomes not the leader when the ravages of the enemy 
 have reached the very gate. And yet how often is the awakening 
 desire in the parish, seeking to do something for the Saviour, chilled 
 in hearing of some new objection to the missionary organization, or 
 in finding the energies of the pastor spent in ever changing plans and 
 devices for raising money. It is time that these devices of the adver- 
 sary were resisted by a warmer spirit of Christian love. It is time 
 that the attention be turned from pivots and wheels to the moving 
 power. It is time that he who loves his Saviour and his Church, 
 should yield something to the settled voice of that Church; and 
 though he may fear that some small movemeut in the machinery may 
 not be in perfect harmony, yet to wait at least till that machinery is 
 in full operation before he condemns it. Harmony will not be pro- 
 
16 
 
 moted by his refusing his co-operation. It is time that the eye of 
 faith every where, should be turned more upon the object than upon 
 the instrument; that the shepherds of Christ’s flock should lead that 
 flock away from the rough herbage, into the green pastures and be- 
 side the still waters of the Gospel of grace and peace. Centuries 
 of organization and re-organization, will make but little progress in 
 the work of the Church, unless there is cultivated a pervading spirit 
 of Christian love which hopeth all things for the sake of Christ.— 
 Where there is a will there is a way, and without that will, any way 
 will lead to darkness and disappointment. Six years or more may 
 suffice for preliminaries. All parties have gained wisdom. It was 
 never safer than now to commit the work to its legitimate managers. 
 And if that work is carried out in forbearing charity, and in some 
 measure of united sentiment, the people will rejoice. Let the true 
 friends of the cause thus labor on in patient forbearance aud faith, and 
 peace will come over the spirit of God’s people like the balm of Gilead. 
 Let minor jealousies be hushed in the wide uplifted prayer, that God 
 would send forth laborers into the harvest, and that his kingdom may 
 come, and the Missions of our Church will soon be a glory in all lands, 
 “and God, even our own God, will give us His blessing.” 
 
 Objections to the present plan. 1. Concentration of ecclesiastical 
 influences. — Among the truest friends of the missionary enterprise 
 of the Church, are many who yield in some measure to the force of 
 partial objections against the present organization. Their judgment 
 is to be regarded, but the objections themselves affect only the work- 
 ings of the plan, and may be removed without altering the plan 
 itself. 
 
 It is objected with much appearance of reason, that a new central 
 influence is generating in the Church, by bringing the holders of its 
 ‘leading charities into direct correspondence with the parochial 
 clergy dependent on such charities, too regardless of legitimate 
 diocesan relations. This objection is made against the present mode 
 of operation and not against the persons officiating in either Depart- 
 ment. The objection at present can only touch the Domestic Com- 
 mittee of the Board. But whenever Bishops shall be appointed to 
 our Foreign Missions, the same objections will apply to the Foreign 
 Department, wherever Episcopal Jurisdiction extends. This will 
 be seen at once in the supposition that Africa and Texas shall be fur- 
 nished, as was proposed, with the Episcopate. Will it be expected 
 that the missionaries in Africa are then to be in correspondence with 
 the Foreign Committee irrespective of their own Bishop? Will not 
 some rule for missionary communications naturally grow into use in 
 so distant a diocese, which shall fully recognize their diocesan rela- 
 tions? Extend the rule to Texas, and then passing the line to Arkan- 
 sas, shall another mode prevail there, in the Domestic Department ? 
 
 Such an objection cannot be disregarded. It claims in the Church 
 what is claimed in the administration of the General Government of 
 our country for state rights. But its whole claim can be readily met. 
 Let the practice be to bring the Domestic Commitee and the dio- 
 cesan missionary organ into full and immediate correspondence. 
 That organ having the Bishop at its head, then takes such portion of 
 the work as lies within its immediate and proper jurisdiction. The 
 
17 
 
 natural result of this arrangement would be more or less as follows, 
 whenever the things which make for peace are observed, and with- 
 out this, little good will result from any plan. In the older and 
 larger dioceses, the wants of our own country will be presented 
 with concentrated power. The charities to relieve these wants will 
 pass through one channel, and the missionary organ of the diocese, 
 acting freely and in auxiliary correspondence to the Domestic Com- 
 mittee, will become responsible for the supply not only of diocesan 
 wants, but for its due portion of the means required for the vast ne- 
 cessities of the western regions. This responsibility will be at first 
 but partially felt. But if it is brought nearer home, and is pressed 
 upon the conscience with greater simplicity and by means more in 
 accordance with the great principles of the Church, in due time it 
 must be far more fully and generally realized than at present. The 
 strong claim of the West will be urged by the Committee with ten- 
 fold power upon the diocesan organ, and then in the proper channel 
 upon the parishes, and gradually the surplus means from the more 
 powerful dioceses will freely flow and with far more confidence, into 
 the General Treasury. The newly organized missionary diocese 
 with its Bishop at its head, becomes also the legitimate correspondent 
 of the Domestic Committee, and the immediate dispenser of the 
 funds which that Committee is enabled to bestow upon that part of the 
 field. A new responsibility now rests upon the young diocese. 
 Having all the advantage of immediate supervision, having its or- 
 ganization complete, it works with a power beyond itself; and the 
 order of our ecclesiastical constitution, the natural responsibility of 
 the clergy, are preserved in perfect harmony, and all needful de- 
 pendence upon the central treasury watchfully preserved. That 
 section of the Church comes to this treasury, not in the resistless 
 dependence of a few insulated missionaries, but it comes as a dio- 
 cese with its Bishop, presenting an intelligent view of its wants, 
 expecting that appeal to be felt through the Church, and to receive 
 the legitimate portion of the offerings of its abler sisters through the 
 appointed channels. The united voice of these appeals from the 
 West will be felt on both sides, as that motive which links together 
 by intelligent sympathy, the giver and receiver. In proportion as it 
 is neglected or refused the means will cease to flow. It is true that 
 the efficiency of this arrangement may not be immediately perceived. 
 Nay in some instances there may be a reduction of income to Gene- 
 ral Missions. But it will not be long thus. The plea cannot be long 
 resisted. The unity of the work, the conformity of mode with our 
 ecclesiastical order, and the singleness with which the appeal comes 
 to the christian heart, will pave the way for a vast increase of effi- 
 cient operation. The experience of another christian community is 
 in point. The American Home Missionary Society of the Presby- 
 terian and Congregational denominations employed in 1841, 690* 
 missionaries, and of its total receipts ($85,413 34,) 76,533 33 were 
 received through the agency of auxiliary (generally State) mission- 
 ary societies. For several years its operations were threatened with 
 the same fears on the part of various sections of those churches, and 
 added another and separate item to the missionary claims. A remedy 
 
 * 791 in 1842, 
 
18 
 
 was applied and has proved effectual. Each state missionary so- 
 ciety became auxiliary and regulated all the missionary operations 
 within its precincts, and the General Society now sums up the labors 
 of the auxiliaries, and is the channel through which the surplus of 
 one flows to supply the necessities of another. Jealousy became 
 thus disarmed, and harmony and efficiency were secured. Let us 
 protit by such experience. All this can be effected in perfect unison 
 with the great principles of our present organization. 
 
 2. Sacrifice of economy to division of labor. It has appeared to many 
 minds, as elicited in the discussions of the second Triennial meeting 
 of the Board, that economy in the administration of our Missions 
 has not been duly regarded; that while the main object (division of 
 labor) in the separation of the departments, had occupied the Con- 
 vention of ’35, experience has not justified the expense of such an 
 arrangement. ‘The objection demands serious attention, A large 
 majority of the Board has recently decided, that without further 
 evidence, no retrenchment of the expenses could be made by that 
 body, but admitting the importance of the subject, appointed a com- 
 mittee of investigation to report in June next. Such a report ren- 
 ders improper here, any extended course of remark. With all de- 
 ference, however, a few hints are offered, as rendered necessary in 
 this connection. 
 
 Let it be observed that no exception has been taken to the outlay 
 in any branch of missionary operations at home or abroad. for the 
 objection urged against one foreign mission, had reference only to 
 the expediency of its continuance, with no charge of imprudent out- 
 lay. ‘The objection is urged against the expense of management, 
 especially as ‘nvolved in the salaries of an officer for each Committee. 
 Tt will be shown hereafter that this amount is not greater than in other 
 parallel cases. Tn no instance was the wisdom of the organization 
 more manifest than in the division of labor in the work itself. It is 
 a point of such vast importance to the efficiency and power of the 
 various operations, that if again disregarded it must be at the risk of 
 confusion, and temporary or partial failure. This subject was clearly 
 
 resented shortly previous to the Convention of 1835, in a pamphlet 
 entitled, ‘“ A Plea in behalf of a Separation of the Domestic and 
 Foreign Departments of the Missionary Society,” a plea not with- 
 out its influence in bringing about that desirable result. The points 
 of that argument, equally important and applicable now, may be 
 profitably traced in this connection. ‘“ Our immediate concern 
 should be, not so much to procure support for our new Missions just 
 ready to be commenced, asto laya foundation broad, deep and firm for 
 all our future missionary operations—to settle the cause of Missions 
 upon its right basis—to fix it for ever upon its principles—to bring 
 out to view the distinctive elements of the enterprise.” The Society, 
 previous to the present orgapization, is declared to be “ the only 
 existing Missionary Society in the world, uniting under one agency 
 the two departments of missionary effort.” Committing the two 
 causes to one Executive Committee was proved to be in conflict with 
 the then existing state of feeling in the Church, on the subject of 
 Missions. In anticipation of division of labor it was said: ‘‘ The 
 Executive Committee for Foreign Missions will devote themselves 
 to their appropriate object with all the advantage of a singleness of 
 
19 
 
 aim and effort. Looking only at their own cause they will be ready 
 to take up and carry forward the largest designs of christian zeal. 
 Freed from the necessity of that constant solicitude and circumspec- 
 tion which now arises from having a two-fold object of pursuit, their 
 efforts will have all the energy and power of freedom. They will 
 be expected to accomplish for Foreign Missions as much asa single 
 Committee can accomplish for both causes united. They will ac- 
 complish far more, for they will have the advantage of a steady con- 
 centration of power upon a single object.” The same would be 
 equally true of the other Department. In speaking of the fresh in- 
 terest to be excited in the Church by such a change, the writer 
 remarks: “ But how is this specific form of the missionary spirit, 
 this deep and ardent love for the heathen, to be excited in the Church 2? 
 Obviously in no other way than by bringing the cause of Foreign 
 Missions distinctly into view, by setting forth the salvation of the 
 heathen as a separate object of christian endeavor. This again can 
 be thoroughly effected only in one way. The cause must have its 
 own representative—its own instruments and agents, whose business 
 it shall be to present the wants of heathen lands to the Church by 
 means of the press and preaching agents, to enlist christian compas- 
 sion in their behalf, and to draw out that compassion into action. 
 But this is not all. The very establishment of a separate agency for 
 Foreign Missions, will give prominence and singleness to that cause. 
 The eyes of the Church will be fixed upon it. It will stand out by 
 itself, attracting particular regard. It will assume new importance 
 in the minds of religious men. Its friends will rejoice in its eleva- 
 tion and take courage, while all will be led to contemplate its object, 
 and many to inquire, “ Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?’ This 
 too applies to the Domestic Department, and the advantage will be 
 lost whenever division of labor is sacrificed. 
 
 “ A single Committee, with its Secretary, must be composed of 
 men who, though they sincerely desire the advancement of Christ’s 
 kingdom, do not prefer one mode of advancing it to another. They 
 should not be distinguished for their devotion to Home Missions, 
 else Foreign Missions suffer in their hands, They should not be 
 singular in their attachment to Foreign Missions, lest Home Missions 
 receive detriment from their preference. They should not be men, 
 sume of whom belong to one, and some to the other. of these two 
 classes, lest discord obtrude herself upon their counsels.” The nu- 
 merous other advantages which flow directly from division of labor 
 as a general principle are then enumerated with conciseness and 
 force, and it is added that their application to the Secretaries of the 
 Committees is even tenfold more conclusive, if possible, than to the 
 Committees themselves. 
 
 “ Division of labor is the best economy of time and effort. The 
 more single the aim, the more constant is the action, and the more 
 free from distraction, The more thorough the knowledge, the less 
 time and effort are wasted on injudicious plans and modes of action. 
 Division of labor simplifies, and thus strengthens the sense of re- 
 sponsibility. The feeling of obligation becomes weak by diffusion. 
 Where several objects occupy the mind, no one of them seems to 
 claim a close and earnest attention. Responsibility is, if we may so 
 
20 
 
 speak, divided among them. If one is neglected, the rest perhaps 
 have been diligently pursued; and even if they have, the blame 
 which attaches to the neglect of the other is necessarily indefinite, 
 because the precise proportion of labor which it deserves can hardly 
 be determined. But when, on the contrary, the object is single, its 
 own claims, and consequently the corresponding obligation, may be 
 accurately measured.” 
 
 Now it is seriously asked, apart from the view of this subject as a 
 solemn compact, to which we have before alluded, are all the advan- 
 tages of division of labor, guaranteed to the interests of the two 
 Departments, especially to the Foreign, to be loosely relinquished in 
 deference to the cry of economy? The needful addition of respon- 
 sible assistance to a single Secretary, would much diminish the appa- 
 rent saving. And even that saving may be otherwise met whenever 
 it becomes necessary. There are doubtless friends of General 
 Missions, who would rather meet it, than see this wise compact 
 timidly surrendered on the short experience of six or seven years. 
 But further, what can be effected to meet all just economy in every 
 part of the work! The objection must be against the dispro- 
 portion of salary to the actual expense of living, to the amount of 
 labor performed, or to the officers themselves. On the first point, the 
 salary should doubtless be graduated to meet the expense of a cler- 
 gyman and his family living in the city. That no disproportion 
 exists here, may be gathered from the fact, that a similar salary, 
 viz : $1500 exclusive of house rent, (usually about $500,)is that given 
 in most cases to Professors of the General Theological Seminary, 
 and to rectors of city churches considered third rate in pecuniary 
 ability. 
 
 They who have much at stake in this matter have a right to be 
 heard. A rector, whose congregation has given, since 1835, to 
 our General Missions, perhaps more than any other—nay, even more 
 than the amount contributed by ail the churches in any larger city to 
 Diocesan Missions, speaks thus toa friend : ‘“‘ The laborer is worthy 
 of his hire, and the Church ought to be willing to give good salaries 
 to the secretaries and officers who are laboring faithfully. Let the 
 people know the full cost of Missions, and then it will appear whe- 
 ther the missionary spirit is of the genuine stamp. I donot believe 
 any thing is to be gained by making Christians consider duty a cheap 
 thing: and one reason, as it seems to me, why we are not more alive 
 to the subject is, that we are afraid of looking at the duty right in 
 the face, with all its consequences. We are too much in terror lest 
 our good may be evil spoken of, and consequently we refrain from 
 attempting the good. 
 
 “Now good must be evil spoken of, in the first instance, by all who 
 do not mean to co-operate, and the very cross of the Christian is to 
 be constantly doing and saying things, which to others, and often 
 these his best friends, seem either wltra or foolish. He who would 
 not be branded as a fanatic or a fool for Christ’s sake, I am afraid is 
 often obliged to deny Him.” 
 
 The Report of the Special Committee will probably show whether 
 the salary is disproportioned to the faithful discharge of the high 
 and varied duties recognized in the constitution, and appreciated by 
 
21 
 
 those acquainted with the nature of such multifarious labor. On in- 
 quiry into the nature of such incumbent duties, there is ample proof 
 that there is labor enough in either department to employ any one, 
 whatever may be his resources of mind and body. The work will 
 always grow with the man. If, for instance, it could be possible in 
 two months to perform all the duties required at the office during the 
 year, the other ten months would be far from exhausting the demand 
 for the travelling agency through the Church. We touch not here 
 upon the expediency of this branch of labor. It is enough that it is 
 recognized by theory and practice, and the more efficient the agent, 
 the more strenuous will be the claims laid upon him. In providing 
 therefore one such officer to each Department, the constitution places 
 the limit of duty only where the powers of the incumbent cease. 
 
 On the third point of proposed disproportion, it may then be infer- 
 red, that the charge must be established if at all. Here also the 
 Church may safely refer to the Report of the Committee of Investi- 
 gation. But if the office involves high and wide extended duties, to 
 perform which, the laborer is worthy of his hire, and that hire as al- 
 ready fixed is not over-proportioned to the known duties, let the 
 friends of the work beware how they sacrifice its interest to a demand 
 which may touch the incumbent merely, and not the office. The 
 question whether the officers of a religious Institution have properly 
 discharged the duties to which they were appointed, is one which 
 belongs to the Board of Managers superintending the work; and 
 upon that Board rests the serious responsibility of securing fidelity 
 and efficiency. Having the power to appoint, they have the power 
 to remove in case of need. To the whole of this objection then 
 against salaries, if proved in any point to be valid, there is a remedy. 
 It is therefore contended that the friends of missions should pause, 
 and if any change be necessary, let it affect not the high interests of 
 the office and of the work itself. 
 
 Agencies.—It is a singular fact, that many members of our Church 
 strenous in commending her conservative character, are first to assert 
 her defenceless exposure to evils existing without. Agencies in 
 benevolent bodies have been accompanied, it is said, with serious 
 evils, and therefore the least introduction of such an appliance must 
 produce evil with us. Hence it is argued that all agencies are to be 
 avoided. Let us look at this calmly. The Board of Missions (a 
 body of which the Bishops will ere long form one half or more,) is 
 empowered to appoint one man to each Department of the General 
 Missions, who it is understood is permitted to employ the time which 
 can be spared from his constantly increasing duties as Secretary, in 
 acting throughout the Church as General Agent for his special work. 
 The Bishops who will naturally stand together on Diocesan rights, 
 are to form ere long a majority of the employing body. Now what 
 is the power confided to this agent? He may enter any diocese in 
 official capacity, his movements being controlled not by one Bishop, 
 but by all in their proper place in the Board which appoints and 
 governs him. 
 
 But having entered the diocese he cannot enter any parish with- 
 out the concurrence of the rector. Could it be supposed that he 
 would attempt to exert an influence, direct or indirect, against the 
 
22 
 
 plans of that rector? One such impropriety fully proved, would 
 bring down upon him quick condemnation from his employers, who 
 may remove at pleasure. And when admitted to a parish to plead 
 for Missions, what is his power? He is but a sanctioned guest. He 
 can but present information and gain for the cause that which may 
 be gained for the truth, intelligent assent. Over the pecuniary re- 
 sources of the congregation he is not admitted to a particle of autho- 
 rity. Should a collection be made at the time of his visit, (a practice 
 in itself undesirable) it can only be at the will of the rector. His 
 legitimate, and the evident policy of his agency is to present, when 
 freely permitted, minute information concerning the Missions of the 
 Church, and to urge a moral plea for their support. And this per- 
 mission without power, is all that is conceded by the Church at large, 
 under every conservative guard, to the officers of a general institu- 
 tion already largely occupied by local duties. That he may enter the 
 diocese without the sanction of the Bishop is clearly a theoretical 
 right, to secure the independence of rectors rather than thatof Agents. 
 Suppose the rector to request the presence of a General Agent of a 
 sanctioned Institution of the Church. Shall the Bishop interpose his 
 official veto 1 Yet this is all, for it can hardly be supposed that such 
 an agent acting under a Committee of a Board of Missions, compris- 
 ing all the Bishops of the Church, will ever be arrayed in fact 
 against one of his employers acting at the head of his diocese. 
 This statement is necessary to expose the groundless character of 
 those jealousies, which have uow and then been expressed against 
 this feature of the missionary plan. We might as well fear the 
 putting to sea in a safe ship after using every precaution for the voy- 
 age, because storms have been encountered by those less prepared 
 for their destructive violence. 
 
 In this work of the Church, we know of no other sanctioned agency 
 but that of Missionary Bishops, who from the character of their ap- 
 pointment have it ispresumed, the same rights, with greater influence. 
 Besides this, there is a tolerated agency in each department which 
 may soon be checked when burdensome or irregular. It is not re- 
 cognised in the missionary organization. It is when a Domestic 
 Missionary taking a letter from his Bishop, goes through the length 
 and breadth of the land to plead for his Church: or when a Foreign 
 Missionary, with a letter from his Committee having a Bishop at his 
 head, goes through the land to plead for his station. Such an agency 
 should be watched for the simple reason, that it is not recognized or 
 guarded in the missionary constitution. But at present there may 
 be guard enough in the conservative character of the Church. They 
 who take needless alarm, and object to such an agency, overlook the 
 wisdom of their Church and its conservative character. ‘They have 
 suffered perhaps, when without, from a pressure of evil; and on en- 
 tering a Church with other tendencies, would prune away with un- 
 sparing hand the whole limb regardless of the fruit. Now, we con- 
 tend for a limited agency. In that it is limited, the wisdom of the 
 Church is manifest; in that it is granted, though not essential to our 
 polity and only in very subordinate aid of the designs of the Church, 
 there is also manifest a high and noble confidence in her great prin- 
 ciples, Like the noble animal which conscious of its power, loses 
 
23 
 
 not its high good nature at the harmless gambols of lesser animals 
 around it, it fears no evil when none is present. 
 
 Such an agency asthishas much to commend it. Itis needed to give 
 information at large concerning a general Institution. It strengthens 
 the mutual bond of union between the Church, and her own gene- 
 ral Institution, scarcely capable of being perverted to purposes of 
 consolidated power. It promotes an influence sufficiently guarded ; 
 and limited to a great single design of the whole body, it removes 
 little jealousies and fears, and tends to stir up the liveliest affections 
 of all, in the sanctioned work of the Church and of the Gospel itself. 
 It operates not against the ministry but through it. Wisdom and 
 experience unite in using such an agency ; not for raising immediate 
 contributions or interfering with parochial plans, but separating itself 
 from allimmediate and excited returns in dollars and cents, it may 
 go on from parish to parish, simply promoting an intelligent interest 
 in the missionary work of the Church itself, and thus aiding the 
 pastor as his constituent, in this labor of love, leaves him to carry it out 
 within his parish as he may judge best, and entirely at large in his 
 undisputed liberty as rector. The history of the new organization 
 has developed no tendency to excess in this species of missionary 
 work ; and when fully considered, it is scarcely to be supposed that 
 either Bishops or Clergy, will be so wanting in confidence in the In- 
 stitutions of their Church, as to take alarm for her safety, should a 
 circular letter be addressed to the Clergy from either Department of 
 her General Missions, or should the Secretary and General Agent of 
 either Committee appear at any of their parishes, to consult with the 
 rectors on the interests of those Missions. The beautiful harmony 
 of relations which characterises the Church, will suffer, whenever in- 
 vaded by undue assumption in any quarter. The tendency to con- 
 solidated power in the General Government of the Church, and the 
 same tendency in each diocese towards its ecclesiastical head, are 
 happily counteracted by the perfect independence of the parishes, 
 except in certain specified concessions. In preserving this harmony 
 with a watchful eye, all will be well. 
 
 Expenses. Much has been said in certain quarters on this head, 
 and one member of the Board, known as a friend to Missions, de- 
 clared in his place, that no missionary society managed its concerns 
 with so much expense as our own. The following table will show 
 the injustice of such hasty general assertions, and tend to remove 
 from every unprejudiced mind the injurious impression made against 
 our Missions on this ground. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1841. Receipts. Nderance eit Agencies alone. cent oF 
 
 To = = otal exp. 
 
 Am.Bd. of Com. for For. Miss.|$239,106 00) $31,811 02| $8,917 97) 13% 
 Presbyterian Board, - - 67,081 58} 11,870 00 3,383 12) 17 
 Baptist Board, : és 52,598 63] 11,480 68 3,083 81) 212 
 American Home Miss. Soc., 85,413 34} 10,193 00 12* 
 Foreign Committee, : 22,881 28) 3,060 46 133 
 Domestic Committee, = 30,113 58 3,611 21 12 
 
 
 
 * The expense of extensive agencies in this Society is not specified in its report, such 
 agents being classed with missionaries. yh ite: . 
 The Methodist Missionary Society does not furnish in ils reports sufficient data 
 
24 
 
 Information essential to interest in Missions. There is many a pas- 
 tor who, after some abstract declarations on the duty of aiding in 
 General Missions, expects his people to give freely for their support. 
 It is well, however, to bear in mind, that in most Christian and well- 
 ordered minds, there is something needed, when an object is pre- 
 sented for its favorable consideration, as means to interest in that 
 object. Such an interest, to be intelligent, must be based upon truth 
 and information. Without the truths of the Gospel lodged in the 
 heart, as the basis of all, mere information will avail but little. But 
 if a pastor would draw out the pure affections of his people, and fix 
 them upon the cause of Missions, let him remember that to this end 
 he must present largely and fully those topics of interest which relate 
 to the work itself. There are abundant materials for this, but they 
 are not accessible generally to the congregation. In various ways, 
 and by persevering effort, the pastor may accomplish much, and 
 though it may cost him no little labor and perseverance, yet he will 
 find himself amply repaid, not only in his own heart, but in the fruit- 
 ful interest of his people. He will find, as a delightful testimony to 
 the fidelity of his work, that the pious part of his flock, on whose 
 prayers he most relies for sympathy and aid in his own ministry, 
 will soon become also most engaged in the work of Missions. And 
 without such continued effort to extend an acquaintance with the 
 facts connected with the advancement of Christ's kingdom, but little 
 will be understood or felt in the prayer, ‘‘ Thy kingdom come.” 
 
 The information thus communicated should be general enough to 
 bring the whole field in turn before the attention, and particular 
 enough to fix that attention from time to time upon particular points 
 in the survey. Let such intelligence gradually extend through the 
 parishes of our Church by promoting the circulation of missionary 
 intelligence, by missionary meetings, tracts and addresses, and by 
 impressing upon teachers and pupils in the Sunday school the duty 
 and leading facts connected with it, and in due time the heart of the 
 benevolent pastor will be made glad, and every department of chris- 
 tian benevolence find a ready response and a continued support. 
 
 Systematic co-operation.—The varied internal relations of our 
 Church are clear, the gradations in steps complete. ‘The parishes 
 operate through their diocesan organ, these organs again by and in 
 the General Convention. To break up the great principle of such 
 gradation, and return from the Board of Missions directly to the par- 
 ishes, is to be regarded not a violation of order or responsibility, but 
 a temporary arrangement, a by-path for present use. We must hail 
 with joy the day when the returning chain shall be complete; when 
 the parishes becoming auxiliary to a diocesan missionary organiza- 
 tion, these organizations again shall sustain the general organ of the 
 Church in its great missionary work. Animate this form with spirit 
 and life, give to the skeleton its sinew and muscle and the full stature 
 is complete. 
 
 Now in the attainment of such an end no change is needed in the 
 for such an estimate. The three other general societies, missionary in character, viz. 
 
 The Amcrican Bible, Sunday School, and Tract Societies, are omitted, the expense of 
 printing and publishing being blended with that of general management. 
 
25 
 
 present organization. It is perfectly competent for each diocese to 
 bring forward its appropriate missionary body, not resting in the sole 
 will of its diocesan or in its standing committee, but in its Board 
 formed on the model already given, and in conformity with the great 
 principles of our Church, its Missionary Board set apart by its Con- 
 vention with its Bishop at its head. This would be to fill the space 
 which the General Convention has no power to fill. Between such 
 a Board and each parish of the diocese, let there be again formed the 
 Missionary link, and the chain is complete. The tree in the forest 
 whose strength lies in surrounding and continuous support stands 
 strong, while the stateliest oak if waving alone in the sole strength 
 of its own trunk and power of its own roots, can scarcely brave the 
 tempest. In such a symmetry in our missionary arrangements, the 
 plan of the General Convention of ’35, framed with such wisdom, is 
 only carried out to its legitimate results. That Convention did not 
 pretend to legislate for dioceses or parishes, but to draw an outline 
 within which eventually all the parts were to be duly traced. We 
 believe the tendency toward this perfect gradation—the desire to 
 complete the chain—to be daily strengthening. Already has it been 
 in one instance at least fully consummated, in the intermediate link, 
 and it is easy to anticipate a similar measure in each Diocese at no 
 very distant period. It will remain for each parish as the flow of 
 benevolent feeling gradually enlarges, to direct its current through 
 the provided channel of its own diocese. There may be something 
 lost in the preparatory measures—a check may at first be given to 
 the ordinary sources of pecuniary contribution—time will be requir- 
 ed for the strengthening conviction of growing experience—and yet 
 more for the growth of general harmony and confidence. But if our 
 principles are correct, and in the operation of our Church conformi- 
 ty to those principles desirable, the result will be sure. 
 
 Parochial Aid.—The missionary relation between the parishes 
 and the Genera! Board of Missions, being thus established through 
 its rightful and intermediate channel, the Diocesan Board, nothing 
 now remains but efficient parochial aid. From the parish must come 
 all that can ever be obtained of efficient permanent support. On 
 pastor and people devolves the obligation, if any exists, to carry out 
 the great designs of the missionary enterprise. The Diocesan Board, 
 if composed of those whose hearts are in the work, will ultimately 
 gain the sympathy and co-operation of the religious interest existing 
 in the diocese. It would be vain to look for much beyond this. To 
 expect permanent support from other motives than simple love for 
 Christ, would only subject to disappointment ; but to elicit that aid, 
 no mode seems more congenial than the united and cordial co-ope- 
 ration of all the parishes of the diocese, in its great missionary effort, 
 and then the union of the dioceses in applying their surplus means 
 through their General Board of Missions. How then shall the par- 
 ishes meet this demand upon them? Itis not designed here to enter 
 into details. A few general hints may not be out of place. 
 
 We take it for granted that every parish is under obligation to do 
 something in extending the kingdom of Christ. We are met, how- 
 ever, at once by hundreds of cases like the following. A young and 
 devoted minister has taken charge of a parish feeble in numbers and 
 
26 
 
 pecuniary means, having struggled through a severe effort to builda 
 church. It is still in debt for a portion of its cost. The promises 
 for a scanty salary are but imperfectly met. Now what can be done 
 for Missions? We answer much. Although the parish may be in 
 debt, it does not follow that the parishoners are so. The fact un- 
 doubtedly is, that all the interest possible bas not been awakened, 
 and the whole ability by no means elicited. A man who refuses 
 more than a trifle to his minister, and gives nothing for Missions, can 
 yet when needed, build a house, purchase a farm, renew his dress, or 
 find the means for some favorite object, some political or military 
 enterprise, or to gratify some unnecessary want of himself or family. 
 It isa mistake to suppose that the scanty treasury of such a parish 
 is to be drawn upon, if Missions are presented. Not so. A new in- 
 strumentality is brought to bear upon the hearts of the people, a 
 new interest is to be awakened, and new gifts to the Lord to be 
 drawn forth, not from the parish treasury, but from that larger fund 
 hitherto following the heart to be lavished upon worldly objects. 
 The minister, however unwillingly, has stood in this peculiar attitude 
 before his parish. “I preach to you the Gospel of Christ, and as the 
 fruit of your faith and piety have no greater object to present to you 
 than your minister’s support. Pay his salary faithfully, maintain the 
 decencies of worship among you; and you have performed your 
 duty. I ask no richer fruit from all my ministry, no higher visible 
 result from all my preaching.” Though not the language, such is in 
 fact the limited demand of that pastor who asks from his people 
 nothing for Missions. So cold a motive—a scheme of benevolent 
 action so barren—such inconsistency between the Gospel preached 
 and the Gospel practiced, must shut out from the parish efforts, the 
 highest and best energies of the people. Its own piety will rust.— 
 With abundant materials perhaps around for its increase, there will 
 be little disposition to unite with a cold and lifeless community, and 
 soon the too timid, though perhaps excellent pastor is starved away, 
 reaping only that which he sowed. 
 
 Now, on the other hand, let the great work of the Gospel be 
 brought forward judiciously, but in all the boldness of faith, what- 
 ever be the means or ability of the parish—let the purpose of inter- 
 esting such a parish in such a work be steadily and vigorously pur- 
 sued——let means be taken to inform the congregation upon the sub- 
 ject—let the potent element of piety be fully enlisted in its behalf, 
 and be the gifts that result from such a course more or less, this 
 length and breadth of christian obligation will not be presented in 
 vain. ‘Che new motive animates the pastor in his daily and weekly 
 ministry. He labors no longer for his salary but for Christ. The 
 fulness of this new motive is felt in his hour of prayer. It flows 
 out in Christian sympathy; it ennobles, enlarges, and elevates the 
 affections of his people. The object is sufficient to enlist their in- 
 terest, and the life-giving stream communicates to the elements 
 around the persuasive argument of a warming zeal. As the work 
 strengthens, parochial objects receive their full share of the growing 
 interest. Cheerful ability is found where least expected. There is 
 enough and to spare. The parish realizes new ties to the Church at 
 large, a vital union to the great body of Christ as it moves on in the 
 
27 
 
 great and glorious work. An instance that stands not alone, may best 
 illustrate the truth of these remarks. In a country parish there ex: 
 isted a debt of less than one hundred dollars. The pastor was duly 
 commissioned by the wardens and vestry to proceed to a neighbor- 
 ing city, and apply for aid to remove the long-standing embarrass- 
 ment. On conferring with a clerical friend who knew something of 
 the circumstances of the parish, it appeared that two members of the 
 vestry applying through their pastor, for this trivial aid, were them- 
 selves supposed to possess property worth half a million. The pas- 
 tor was advised to make no further application, but try other means 
 at home. Previous to that, we presume if a missionary contribution 
 had been proposed, the answer would have been, we are too poor 
 and in debt. In another small couutry parish, as stated to the writer, 
 the pastor, though a friend to Missions, feared to present the subject, 
 as his Church was in debt. But a goodly sum was on one occasion 
 forwarded to Foreign Missions, anonymously, with the remark that a 
 few members of the parish, not having the opportunity at home, had 
 been accustomed to contribute on public occasions abroad, then added 
 the above further contribution direct. The well known instance of 
 the disheartened rector applying for advice toa lay friend, cannot be 
 too often quoted in such a connection. ‘Have you,” said he, “a 
 Bible or Missionary Society in your parish ?” The answer was, 
 “no.” ‘Go, then,” said the friend, “and establish one, and at the 
 end of the year if your salary is not paid, come to me and I will 
 help you.” The experiment proved successful. 
 
 The precise mode of eliciting aid for Missions must of course vary; 
 and it is not here designed to suggest minute details. The error has 
 often been made of mistaking for systematic charity, some one 
 mode of such charity, which may have answered under certain cir 
 cumstances, but which is not adapted to all. The following hints on 
 systematic charity are offered as the result of some experience and 
 observation ; 
 
 1. Let the contributions be systematic in principle, though variable 
 in mode, from time to time, as circumstances may demand. To 
 change frequently, destroys the confidence of a congregation, and 
 never to change the mode, shuts out all improvement. 
 
 2. The Church, though a missionary society, looks to its Conven- 
 tion to conduct its missionary operations by a deputed organ, the 
 Board of Missions. So with the parish ; asa missionary society there 
 is needed some corresponding organization. It needs not a formal 
 society with its constitution and by-laws. The parish itself is, de 
 Sacto, a missionary socicty. The deputed agency may be of the most 
 simple character, a mere comwittee nominated by the rector. But effi- 
 ciency and steadiness will be wanting, unless there is some parish 
 organ having the rector at its head. Whatever be its form, the pas- 
 tor and flock should have a united voice. It will avail little for the 
 rector to be all in all—the dictator, when the pockets of his people 
 are to be consulted. 
 
 3. The mode of collecting will be most effectual when embracing 
 something more than collections in the church. Let it be ascertained 
 by personal application what each parishioner is prepared to give 
 weekly, monthly, or yearly, and let the contributions be collected 
 
 4 
 
28 
 
 periodically, also by personal application, and in all christian simpli- 
 city, without undue appeals or invidious comparisons, but leaving 
 each free to act as his conscience may dictate. Instances are known 
 where the amount so contributed has been generally little more than 
 one cent a week, and yet the sum has immediately swelled to a 
 yearly contribution far beyond any previous effort. As the interest 
 has increased, the personal contributions have also increased. The 
 object has been kept before the mind, and the prayers of the people 
 enlisted. Once realizing the privilege of christian benevolence, they 
 prefer to advance rather than draw back. What is most needed in 
 such a mode of collecting, is a convenient number of patient and 
 faithful collectors who will not be weary in well doing. There are 
 however to be found, in almost every parish, some persons of piety 
 whose active spirits may be most happily and safely enlisted in aid 
 of their pastor, in promoting the cause of Missions, as well as other 
 objects of christian benevolence. 
 
 4, The objects for which the collections are made, should be dis- 
 tinctly understood. It matters not so much whether each collection 
 has its specific object, or whether the amount of the collections is to 
 be periodically divided among objects, and in proportions previously 
 settled and known. The great point is, that the people shall under- 
 stand precisely to what objects of benevolence, their gifts are to flow. 
 It may accord with certain views, for the rector, solely or with others, 
 to sit in apportionment upon the offerings of the people. But in 
 such case a cold indistinctness will generally limit those gifts. On 
 the other hand, if the leading objects of christian benevolence are 
 intelligently and distinctly presented before the people, their affec- 
 tions gained, and their gifts become the voluntary fruits of a close, 
 intelligent interest, the whole plan of benevolent offerings will gra- 
 dually fasten upon the hearts of the people, and strengthen every hold 
 upon them. 
 
 5. One department of parochial assistance will especially and 
 richly repay, in the end, the most careful training of the pastor. It 
 is that derived from the juvenile members of his flock. No one 
 attentive to the youthful mind and heart, and aware of the force of 
 early habits and impressions, can be indifferent to the importance of 
 enlisting the young in the cause of Missions. Ifthe Sunday school, 
 for instance, of a parish, bas become interested in special objects of 
 missionary effort, and this not as amomentary impulse, but with care- 
 ful training, and proper motives enforced, a delightful zest will be 
 given to its various operations. The young may be easily interested, 
 and once cultivating the habit of benevolence, vast facilities are evi- 
 dently provided, when the heart itself becomes fully swayed by the 
 motive of the Gospel. How much more noble the moulding thus 
 given to character than by feeding the selfishness of youth with pro- 
 filess amusements and unmeaning toys !—and what pastor would 
 not delight to witness such a growing habit in the portion of his 
 flock, soon to become its pillar of strength ? 
 
 Imagine a Sunday school thus trained in delightful sympathy for 
 the destitute and suffering, and extend the thought until it reach the 
 youth of every parish in our communion, and patiently await the 
 
29 
 
 unfoldings of such a spirit as years advance, and who is so blind as 
 not to perceive a generation training in the Church, for carrying out 
 her wide and vast designs of Christ-like benevolence. There is not 
 a Sunday school in the land, but may soon realize its participation 
 in the work and give something to promote it. It may furnish a 
 few books to a neighbouring and less privileged school, or may send 
 a Sunday school library to the West, or support a pupil in some 
 distant mission station. And after all it is not so much the amount, 
 as the happy result in the youthful heart itself—the cultivation of a 
 habit and spirit which, under the blessing of God, will go far to sup- 
 plaut that worldly and selfish purpose, which now unhappily chains 
 to earth the mighty energies of the Christian Church.* 
 
 6. There is a powerful auxiliary influence, used extensively in the 
 English Church, perfectly consistent with our missionary organ- 
 ization, and with our Church polity and principles. It is as fol- 
 lows :—The rectors of four or five neighboring parishes, may agree 
 to be present and aid each other, successively, on each parochial 
 missionary anniversary. In England this means, followed up by 
 personal collections ou the plan already alluded to, has been found 
 by experience, greatly instrumental in awakening that hearty Chris- 
 tian zeal, now so generally pervading the English Church. It in- 
 volves no organization, no extraordinary and short-lived effort, but 
 simply the neighborly and brotherly agreement to aid each other in 
 extending the blessings of the Gospel, and of interesting the people 
 in the same glorious work.* 
 
 While, then, the minor operations in obtaining pecuniary aid may 
 be variable, the great principles deserving attentive consideration, 
 seem to be these—Ist. Making the congregation acquainted with 
 the facts of Missions. 2nd. Applying to them often and personally by 
 collectors. 3d. Some simple parochial organ for Missions, of which 
 the pastor shall be the head, not the whole; and 4th. That the ob- 
 jects aided be distinctly known. 
 
 Example of England. There is a lesson to be learnt from our 
 mother Church. She has set an example in every branch of mis- 
 sionary effort, which it becomes us not to slight. It will witness 
 against us if we heed it not. In the wide extent of auxiliary mis- 
 sionary associations, reaching, by personal application, even those 
 who have but their mite to give, in her parochial and other mission- 
 ary meetings, in her more generous contributions, in the untiring 
 faith of pastoral effort, and more recently in the rapid development 
 of a growing zeal which marks the Church of England, it becomes 
 us to follow with no timid step. And yet more are we admonished, 
 by that forbearance and christian charity which has recently united 
 in a firmer bond, the great societies of that Church. Is not the time 
 near when overlooking, in like manner, those differences incident to 
 human sentiment, and springing from the colder calculations of mere 
 mechanical arrangement, we shall generously unite to a much wider 
 extent in those efforts, which have for their legitimate object the ad- 
 vancement of the kingdom of Christ? Is not the time near, when 
 
 * See page 31. Note. 
 
30 
 
 they who cannot conscientiously unite, will silently permit others to 
 spend and be spent in such manner as may approve itself to that 
 portion of the Church ;—when the friends of such. effort shall 
 pursue their course in humble faith, restrained from every unchris- 
 tian aspersion upon the motives of otbers, themselves unmolested 
 by the objections of those not yet prepared to follow in the same 
 path ? In watching the high and honorable confidence now mutually 
 gaining ground in the various benevolent operations of the English 
 Church, an example is set commending itself to conscientious atten- 
 tion, as prompted by the Spinit of God, and evidently preparing his 
 own instruments for his own work, Let such a confidence pervade 
 our own Church, and our differences on the missionary question will 
 disappear, and opposition, if not eradicated, become at least silent, 
 in the feeling that if the work be not of God it will come to nought. 
 
 It is far better to regard the mere mechanical operations of the 
 missionary work as entirely subordinate. Though springing from 
 the abiding standards before us, such modes of operation may from 
 time to time safely be adapted to changing circumstances. Like the 
 implements of husbandry, they may be laid aside successively as the 
 seasons advance, until in due time the Church may be prepared to 
 * put ip the sickle” and reap the rich harvest which God will pre- 
 pare as the reward of faith. Unduly exalting the fashion of our in- 
 struments, we have lost sight of that deep zeal, which now charac- 
 terizes the enlarged movements of the mother Church. 
 
 Missionary Prospects— What then is the prospect before us, and 
 on what can anticipations for the future safely rest? The work to 
 all human apprehension, will gradually gain strength. It will secure 
 increasing confidence, it will be more distinctly recognized as a cor- 
 dial and powerful friend to diocesan and other more limited efforts, 
 in no possible way interfering with such efforts. It will grow stead- 
 ily with the piety of the Church. Parishes however limited in 
 means, will still join more and more in the common and sanctioned 
 enterprise. The deepening interest of passing events at home and 
 abroad, will force upon the attention of Christians, the great com- 
 mand of their Saviour. Convention after convention will gather up 
 and enforce the growing and prevailing sentiment. Increasing in- 
 formation will develope gradually, the absorbing interest of the vari- 
 ous fields of missionary effort. 
 
 On the other hand, God will doubtless test the faith of his people. 
 Opposition against the work, may be felt, calling for prudence and 
 wisdom in its managers. Want of success will here and there at- 
 tend its operations, while enough of fruit will appear to encourage 
 every heart into which the Holy Spirit has breathed a holy love. A 
 wider spirit of prayer will be awakened as the wants of the great 
 harvest are made manifest by missionary effort; and to all this God 
 will add his grace and favor. 
 
 The writer is aware that little heed may be given to anonymous 
 remarks. But if truth and love are enforced, it matters little by 
 whom. God can use any instrument. It becomes those of differing 
 sentiments to reflect, that the claims of the Saviour and the declared 
 voice of his church, may be coincident. It becomes them as Church- 
 
31 
 
 men to take that high minded and Christian view of the work itself, 
 which shall lead out the affections in faith upon the grand designs of 
 the Gospel, and laying less stress upon those minor puints on which 
 it can never be expected, that all will perfectly agree, and grasping 
 the great Christian object and motive, co-operate with freedom and 
 faith, and with that charity which bopeth and believeth all things. Is it 
 not time that the minor differences which have so long divided the 
 sympathies of Brethren, should be discarded from a warble so high 
 and holy, on which are bent the wisdom and authority of the Church, 
 and sustained by the labors of some of her most devoted sons ‘— 
 Above all, is there not demanded, the prayer that God would send 
 forth laborers into the harvest, and that His kingdom may come and 
 His will be done on Earth asit is in Heaven. Such a prayer coming 
 from the heart, will bring forth a cordial co-operation, animate the 
 faith of the believer, and ascend to God, without whom nothing is 
 strong, holy or good, and on whom it rests to vouchsafe his blessing, 
 and in due time to bring the work to its perfect consummation. 
 
 Note.— The principles contained in the Report of a Committee of the Convention 
 of the diocese of New-York, are so important and so general in their application, that 
 the following extracts are commended to the reader in this connection: 
 
 ‘There are certain first principles in regard to Christian benevolence which are 
 nearly self-evident, but to which we ought to have constant reference, if we would 
 construct a judicious system of operations. ‘These are— 
 
 1.—That real Christian benevolence is not to be elicited on the one hand by the 
 mere authority of law, nor on the other by occasional appeals and exhortations, how- 
 ever powerful or animating. 
 
 2.—That it is the gift of the Spirit of God in answer to humble NOT coupled 
 with apprepriate effort. 
 
 3,—That this appropriate effort consists in repeated acts of beneficence, performed 
 in view of apprehended truths and obligations, and continued until both the acts and 
 corresponding dispositions of mind ripen into habits. 
 
 4,—T hat it becomes therefore all important, that reasonings calculated to convince 
 the judgment, and facts fitted to awaken the benevolent feelings be frequently pre- 
 sented to every Christian congregation, and that this presentation of truth be accom- 
 panied in each case with prayer, and with an opportunity to practice the duty incul- 
 cated. 
 
 5.—That the benevolent habits here referred to, will be formed easily and with 
 less alloy of evil in proportion as they are commenced early in life. 
 
 If these principles are just—and that they are, will not, it is to be presumed, be 
 questioned—then it would seem to follow by unavoidable inference— 
 
 1.—That stated and frequent opportunities should be afforded to every congrega- 
 tion in the Diocese to contribute towards the propagation of the gospel—this oppor- 
 tunity being accompanied with a brief statement of the nature and importance of 
 this work in which the Church is engaged, with such facts as may be likely toawaken 
 interest, and also with a kind intimation that as God loves a cheerful giver, and since 
 to bea fellow laborer with Christ in the redemption of mankind, is a privilege rather 
 thana hardship, none but free will offerings are asked. 
 
 2.—F rom the same principles it also follows, in the estimation of your Committee, 
 that frequent occasion ought to be taken in Christian families, in Sunday Schools, 
 
32 
 
 and in Catechetical or Bible Classes, to inculcate upon the young the duty and privi- 
 lege of contributing both their prayers and their pecuniary offerings to the support 
 of the Church in her efforts to evangelize the world, and that such instructions ought 
 to be connected with the practical exercise of the principles inculcated. 
 
 3.—As all enlightencd and efficient action must be founded on a clear and vivid 
 apprehension of truth, and be sustained as well as originated by the Divine Spirit, 
 it seems expedient to your Committee that periods should be set apart for the com- 
 munication of Religious Intelligence, and for such devotional exercises as may be 
 afforded by the Liturgy, or provided by the Bishop. It would add greatly to the 
 interest of such meetingsif they should be so arranged among neighboring parishes, 
 that the clergy of such parishes should be able to afford to each other, and to their 
 congregations in succession, the benefits of their joint presence and co-operation. 
 
 4.—Inasmuch as every congregation contains persons, especially females, who are 
 not able to make direct contributions of considerable sums of money, but who would 
 gladly aid this cause by their industry and influence—and since such personal and 
 co-operative efforts tend much to the cultivation of benevolent affections, and have 
 resulted in many instances in this Diocese in great good, your Committee believe 
 that parochial associaticns, formed with such views, and placed under the direction 
 of the Rector or Minister, are likely to prove most important auxiliaries in this work, 
 and are entitled to the favorable consideration of the Convention.—[Jour. N. Y, 
 Conv., 1841, page 27.]