Paw-i - 
 ^ev. 
 
 \ ' i', -3- 
 
 •THE 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 AND 
 
 CONSTITUTION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 N EW.YO RK 
 
 K Etr-YO R'Ki 
 
 Printed by T, and J. SWORDS, No. 99 Peatl-ftrejf*. 
 
ADDRESS, &c. 
 
 The Kew-Tork 'MiJJionary Sackty 
 
 To all thera that love our Lord Jcfus Chrlft 
 in finccrlty. 
 
 VERY DEAR BRETHREN, 
 
 F VENTS have recently occurred which deeply in- 
 j tercft every genuine Chridian. We learn, from 
 Iburces the moil direfl and authentic, that exertions 
 of uncommon vigour are now making, -beyond the 
 Atlantic, for extending the kingdom of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ. A fpirit of jealoufy for his name, not 
 lefs deciliv'e than univerfal, aiiuates our brethren in 
 Britain. Its influence was firfl felt by the faithful 
 around the metropolis; and the impulfe hath vibrated 
 to the extremes of 'the ifle. V/lhie their nation is in- 
 volved in the deftrudlive war which convulfes Europe; 
 they are devoted to the advancement of that kingdom 
 which is righteoufnefs, and peace, and joy in the Holy 
 Ghoft. Large focieties, founded on evangelical prin- 
 ciples, and embracing various denominations, have al- 
 ready been formed, and are rapidly forming, for the 
 purpofe of propagating the gofpel among the unhappy 
 Heathen. With a magnanimity worthy of Chriftians 
 they have ficrificed the bigotries of party on the altar 
 of Apoflolic zeal. To tlie Eafl, to the South, to the 
 Wed, their ardent eye diredls its attention. Unwilling 
 to reftridl their efforts to their own immediate connec- 
 tions, 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 {rdiis, it is their noble defign to produce, if pofiibleV 
 
 a general movement of the church upon earth.” 
 
 It was their generous piety which gave rife to The 
 New-York Missionary Society. It is to folicit 
 yoiir co-operation in the fame glorious work, that the 
 Society now addrefies you ; and furely, brethren, there 
 are confiderations which fhould prompt us to follov/, 
 without delay, their great example. That in Mefliah 
 “ all the families of the earth fnail be b'lefled,” is yet the 
 fubjeit of promife. True it is, that the effects which 
 refulted from his “ appearing to put away fin by the fa- 
 “ crifice of himfelf,” were a pledge of its final and illuf- 
 trious accomplifhment. When fte afcencled up on high, 
 the wall of partition between the Gentile and the Jew 
 was broken down : the river of life potired its dreams 
 among the nations 5 they watered the lot of our Pagan 
 progenitors; they have defc^nded unto' us, their chil> 
 dren; and v/e, at this hour, verify the gracious pre- 
 diction, “ it fliall come to pafs that in the place where 
 “ it was faid unto them, ye are not my people^ there it 
 “ fhall be faid unto them, ye arc the fans of the living 
 
 But although fplendid ftcceilions have been made to 
 the church of Chrilf, there is room for acceffions yet 
 more fplendid. Though we enjoy the cleared light of 
 his gofpel, there are millions of our race on whom it 
 never drone. There are hundreds of millions who never 
 taded his falvation, nor heard of his name. Ofthefe, vad 
 numbers are in our own land. They arc without God, 
 and without hope; deditute of the means of grace, and 
 even infenfible to their rtiifcry. Age after age hath elapf- 
 cd, and they dill fit in the region and fhadow of death. 
 Befides thefe, there are, on our frontiers, multitudes 
 whofe fituation, notwithdending occafional aid, entitles 
 them to our deeped commileration — without the dated 
 preaching of the word — without the ordinances of thi 
 
 / 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 golpcl — without fanftified fabbatlis, or regular religious 
 inftru(5lion ; many of them, though called Chriftians, 
 are Heathen in reality. 
 
 If their haplefs ftate Ibould excite our fympathy, 
 the duty of attempting their relief is too plain to be 
 evaded, r.nd is recommended by motives the moft 
 tender and forceful. The fouls of thefe poor Pagans, 
 and of others in circumllances not lefs afflidUng, are 
 as valuable as our own ; they are as capable as ourfelves 
 of glorifying God, and of being glorified with him. 
 I'hey will be as bright ornaments, if faved, in the 
 crown of Jesus j and, if lolf, as certain heirs ot the 
 wrath to come. ' 
 
 In their forlorn conditiort we fee an afFedling picture 
 of what ourfelves once were. too, have fprung 
 
 from an infidel ftock. IVe, too, were “ aliens from 
 
 the commonwealth of Ilrael, and ftrangers from the 
 “ covenants of promife And fuch would we have 
 been at this day, had not fomc difciples, to whom we 
 are everlafting debtors — ftien “ full of faith and of 
 “ the Holy Ghoft,’\put their lives in their hands, and 
 preached to our fathers the gofpel of falvation. They 
 felt the authority of the command which enjoins the 
 church to evangelize the nations-, and that command, 
 in all its folemnity, is binding upon us. Freely we 
 have received — freely we muft give. The lead ac- 
 knowledgement v/hich the loving kindnefs of God our 
 Saviour can require at our hands, is to “ take the cup 
 “ of falvation d’ to drink deeply for ourfelves, and 
 Communicate of it to others. And yet, vvhat have we 
 done towards refeuing the Heathen f:T)m their igno- 
 rance and from their delufions ? We have prayed in- 
 deed we are in the habit of praying that the king- 
 dom of our Lord Jefus may come. But vvhat means 
 have we ufed for attaining the blefling ? Where are 
 ^he monuments of our zeal, of our boldnefs, of our 
 
 fortitude. 
 
( 6 ) 
 
 fortitude, of our patience? I'he zeal of others who 
 have preceded us, is a ftriking reproof to our luke- 
 warmnefs. The labours of the May hews, in the eaft- 
 crn ftatss,' in the laft century — of the apoftolic Elliot — 
 of the indefatigable Brainerd — anct the exertions of the 
 Moravian Chriltians, and the fucccfs which they have 
 obtained, at once fpeak fhame to our apathy, and en- 
 couragement to our emulation. Verily we arc guilty 
 in this refped:. We have not realized the deplorable 
 ftate of millions of our fpecies. We have been con- 
 tented with wiihes, v/lien we were called to adion. 
 We have folded our arms in floth, or have wafted 
 ourfelves in contefts of inferior moment, when we 
 ftiould have confolidated our ftrength in the caufe of 
 the common falvation. Surely our friend, our brother, 
 who delivered us from going down to the pit, “ who, 
 “ his own felf, bore our fins in his own body on the 
 tree,” merited a more grateful recompence. May 
 not our backv.ardnefs in publiftiing abroad his praifes 
 be a caufe of his controvei fy with us ? May it not be, at 
 leaft in part, to corrcd this iniquity, that vital godlinefs 
 decays among ourfelves, and the influences of his good 
 Spirit are withheld from our devotional aflemblies? 
 Ah ! the neceftities of the Heathen have long implored 
 our aid, but implored in vain: and if they be ftill dif- 
 regarded, the cry of their blood, fucceeding to the cry 
 of their wretchednefs, may bring upon us a calamity 
 v.'hich fliall make the ears of every one that heareth it 
 to tingle. Who knoweth but the Lord, to punifh our 
 infenfibility, may, by a fpecial providence, transfer our 
 privileges to tke inhabitant of the foreft*, may write 
 upon our temple-doors. The glory is departed! 
 and while he caufes “ the defert to rejoice and blofibm 
 “ as the rofe-,” may abandon us to the defolating flood, 
 and convei‘t our goodly heritage into a barren wafte ! 
 Beudes thbfe confiderations which addrcls our fenfe 
 
 of 
 
( 7 ) 
 
 of gratitude and of intereft, there is anotuer no Ie(s 
 powerful, which arifes from the peculiar circumRaiKcs 
 of the times. Infidelity abounds. It hath alTumed an 
 imperious air, and glories in the expedation of a fpeedy 
 extermination of thq religion of Jesus. To confound 
 its vain hopes,' we are called upon to fhew, by our 
 adivity in the caufe of truth, that the Spirit of Chrifi: 
 continues to animate his body, that there is ftill life and 
 energy in his church, and that the profped is as diftant 
 as ever, of “ the gates of hell prevailing againft her.” 
 
 If then, dear brethren, the fouls of men are precious 
 in our eyes — if the honour of our Lord Jefus is an ob- 
 jed of our defire, or his commandment of our reve- 
 rence — if gratitude for his wondrous love hath, not 
 fled from our hearts — if the confeioufnefs of former 
 negled excites one emotion of fhame, let us roufe from 
 our lethargy— let us ftrive to redeem, by future dilir 
 gence, our loft opportunities. While other parts of the 
 church are earneft and adive, let us not be like a palfied 
 limb in a living body. In order to fecond the efforts 
 abroad, by ftrenuous efforts at home, let us, v. Ith cor- 
 dial affedion and mutual confidence, unite our luppli- 
 cations, our counfels, our refources. Should Me even 
 fail in our immediate expedations, we may a:d thofe 
 who fhall have better fuccefs. And if finners be brought 
 to the Saviour, our objed is gained. In the temple 
 above it will make no difference whether they v'cre 
 gathered from the banks of the Miffifippi, the Gambia, 
 or the Ganges- 
 
 But, to effed any part of fo vaft a defign, good 
 wifhes are not fufficient. The w'ifcft and rnoft bene- 
 volent plan muft be defeated without encouragement 
 of a different kind*, we a(k, therefore, brethren, a 
 portion of your worldly fubftaiice — -we afk it in the name 
 of HIM whofe you are, and whom you ferve. “ Ye 
 ‘‘ know the grace of our Lord Jefus Ch/ift, that though 
 
 “ he 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 he was rich, yet for your fakes he became p>oor, that 
 “ ye, through his poverty, might be rich.” You have 
 nothing but what you receive from his bounty. Hs 
 poured out his foul ^or you-, and is it a great matter, if, 
 with a pittance of your carnal things, you minifter to 
 the interefcs of his kingdom r Let wealthy Chrlftians 
 remember, that “ the liberal devifcth liberal things, and 
 “ by liberal things fliall he ftand.” Let the widow throw 
 in her mite, be it ever fo fmall. bier offering of love 
 will neither be rejedled of God, nor ufelefs to man. As 
 drops from heaven create the mighty torrent, fo the 
 feebleft powers, in combination, produce an aftonlfhing 
 refultj and accomplifh, with cafe, what theory would 
 have pronounced incredible, if not impoffible. 
 
 Such, brethren, are our intentions, and fuch our rcr 
 quells. Shall we, in propofing them, incur the danger 
 of repulfe ^ Muft we be difheartened by reludlance, or 
 mortified by objec5lion ? Will any one flight our under- 
 taking as romantic and chimerical? Will he paint to 
 us the perils of the wildernefs — the favagenefs of the 
 Heathen — their roving difpofition — their diverfified 
 fpeech — their cuftoms in every thing abhorrent from 
 civilized life? Will he dwell on the improbability 
 of obtaining fuitable miffionaries ? On the difpropor- 
 tion of our means to the end we have in view ? Will he 
 recal the fuccefslefs iffue of fome former attempts, and 
 thence predidl the difappointment of our hopes ? 
 
 To all fuch objeftions vye reply, “ In the name of 
 “ OUR God we lift up our banners” — We know 
 that the fervice is difficult — We have not amufed our- 
 felves with the dream of progrefs without obftacle, and 
 vi£5tory without refinance. But we know alfo, that in dif- 
 ficult fervices the grace of Jefus, and the fower of faith, 
 are moft confpicuous. W hen the honours of the crcfs, 
 and the eterital welfare of men are at flake, wt mufl not 
 confer with flcfli apd blood,” It is criminal timidity 
 
 which 
 
( 9 ) 
 
 which 'tfhifpers, “ there Is a lion In tlie way — I lhall be 
 “ flain in the ftrcets.” I'Ve cannot encounter more lieart- 
 breaking oppofition than was encountered, in a fimilar 
 enterprffe, by the apoftles of the Lamb, and by the 
 blefled Reformers. Thofe apoftles and reformers who 
 always triumphed in Christ — triumphed when Perfe- 
 cution waved over their heads her fcourge of blood, and 
 kindled around them the fires of martyrdom. With 
 Jefs to difmay, we have as much to encourage. If in 
 the might of him who hath “ all power in heaven and 
 “ in earth, they were more than conquerors-,” in his 
 might can conquer too. Nay, there is nothing more 
 formidable in the experiment which we contemplate, 
 than in a believer’s daily w arfare “ with principalities and 
 “ powers, and fpiritual wickedneflhs.” “ God rcigneth 
 “ over the heathen. God is king of all the earth.” The 
 filver is his\ the gold is bis: The difpofitlons of men 
 are under bis controul : His grace can fix tlie wandering, 
 and humanize the cruel; can quicken thafluggifh, ren- 
 der the fordid generous, and embolden the fearful ; can 
 beftow an apoftlic fpirit for apoftolic work ; can make 
 worm Jacob threfh the mountains.” Let our hearts, 
 then, fwell with refolution, and beat high with hope. 
 “ Glorious things are fpoken of the city of God. For 
 “ thus faith the Lord, I will extend peace to her like 
 “ a river, and the glory of the gentiles like a flowing 
 “ ftream. I will lift up mine hand to the gentiles, 
 “ and fet my ftandard to the people; and they fhall 
 “ bring thy fons on their arms, and thy daughters fhall 
 “ be carried upon their fhoulders. Faithful is he who 
 “ hath promifed, who alfo will do it.” And diftin- 
 guifhed will be our honour, brethren, if he vouchfafe 
 to employ us as inftruments in the fulfilment of his 
 word. Should he even, in his fearchlefs wifdom, not 
 permit our attempt to have the defired effect, the at- 
 tempt itfelf fhall turn to us for a teftimonv, and fhall 
 
 B corns 
 
( lO ) \ 
 
 come up, in memorial, before his throne; vvkn the 
 pageantries of the world pafs into oblivion. \ 
 Finally, brethren, we intreat that our inftitutiok may 
 not De mifunderftood. Let not fufpicion view it as a 
 political combination. The kingdom of Chrift, that 
 kingdom which we have united to promote, is not of 
 this world. We moft folemnly difclaim all intention 
 of aflbclating for any political or party- purpofes what- 
 ever. Neither let it be interpreted as a confpiracy 
 againft the outward diftInfHons that prevail among us. 
 With equal folemnity we difclaim all intention of 
 interfering, direftly or indire<5tly, with the internal 
 arrangements or other peculiarities of any Chriftian 
 denomination. The only end of our aflbeiation 
 is that which, in finglenefs of heart, we have pub- 
 licly avowed, the promulgation of the gofpel of cur 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. To this, all who love him will 
 fay, notwithftanding their fmaller differences, God 
 fpeed ! Under fo pleafing an impreflion, brethren, we 
 commit ourfelves and our undertaking to God and to 
 you. Without the arrogance of didating, we beg leave 
 to recommend the immediate formation of fimllar focie- 
 tles throughout the continent. Your own acquaintance 
 with your local fituation qualifies you to judge how 
 large a diilricl each ought to include. Let agreement 
 in the great doctrines of grace be the bafis of aflbeia- 
 tlon. While this will be a principle of energy in each 
 fociety, it will be a ftrong tie of connection to the 
 whole ; and will enable them to concert and to condud 
 a plan of harmonious and efficient co-operation. The 
 hearty concurrence of Chriftians of different denomi- 
 nations in a fcheme fo interelling to them all, will be a 
 token for good, that the Lord is about to build up 
 Zion, and to appear in his glory. Amen. Even fo: 
 come Lord Jesus ! 
 
I 
 
 & > 
 
 ■! 
 
 CONSTITUTION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 NEmrORK MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 
 
 InJVitnied November i, 1796. 
 
 5 
 
 
( 13 ) 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 1 . GENERAL DESIGN. 
 
 
 I. 
 
 T his foclety fhall be called, The New-York. 
 Missionary Society. 
 
 2. The efforts of the fociety fhall be exclufivcly di- 
 refted to the propagation of the glorious gofpel of 
 Chrift, in places which are deftitute of it, and of the 
 means of obtaining it: nor fhall any bufinefs, not im- 
 mediately relative to this objeft, be difcuflcd at any of 
 their meetings. 
 
 3. That the world may be fatisHed as to the reli- 
 gious principles which they embrace for themfclves, 
 and refolve to propagate among others, their view of 
 the great outlines of thedodlrine of falvation is exhibit- 
 ed in the following propofitions : That in Jehovah, 
 the one only living and true God, there are three per- 
 fons equal in all divine perfections, the Father, the Son, 
 and the Holy Ghoft — That Jehovah, who created all 
 things for his own glory, made our firft parents up- 
 right, and entered into covenant with them for them- 
 felves, and for their pofterity — That in their fail, all 
 mankind fell; that they are, by nature, children of 
 wrath ; are totally depraved, being dead in trefpaffes 
 and fins ; and, with refpeCl to any created power, are 
 without help and without hope — That in virtue of a 
 covenant eftablifned, 'from everlafting, with him as the 
 ^ federrd 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 federal head of the eledion of grace, the Ikjrd Jefus 
 Chrift, the eternal Son of the Father, was manifefted 
 in the flefli, by aduming the human, into a perfonal 
 union with his divine, nature — That being, in one 
 perfon, very God and very man, he, as the furety of his 
 people, yielded perfeft obedience to the precept of the 
 divine law; and endured its penalty to the uttermod, 
 in pouring out his foul unto death as a true and proper 
 facrifice and atonement for their fins — That his righ- 
 teoufnefs, confiding of both his obedience and fuffer- 
 ings, freely imputed to them, and received by faith, is 
 the foie ground of their acceptance with God, and of 
 their title to eternal life — 1'hat they are Tnade alive 
 unto God; are vitally united with the I.ord Jefus ; are 
 fan(5tified, and rendered meet for heaven, by the effica- 
 cious and almighty energy of the Holy Spirit — That 
 the word and ordinances are the great means which he 
 
 employs in beginning, carrying on, and completing his 
 work of grace in the heart — That there is an inlepara- 
 ble connexion between free pardon and the pradice of 
 holinefs — That all who are juftified by the merit, and 
 regenerated by the Spirit, of Chrift, are kept by the 
 power of God through faith unto falvatlon — And that 
 there will be a general refurredlion of the dead, both of 
 the juft and of the unjuft; and a final retribution by Jefus 
 Chrift, who will adjudge the righteous to endlefs life, 
 and the wicked to endlefs puniftiment. 
 
 4. The fociety will cordially correfpond and co-ope- 
 rate with other Societies which now exift, or may here- 
 after exift, in any nation or part of the world ; or with 
 individuals, who, agreeing with them in thefe important 
 truths, incline to aid the profecution of their defign. 
 
 II. OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. 
 
 I. The officers of the fociety to be chofen annually, 
 by ballot, fhall be. 
 
 A Presidi-nt, 
 
( 15 ) 
 
 A PaE'in^T, to preferve regularity and decorum 
 in the pro:e«ings of the fociety when met •, and for 
 that end co l^te queftions •, confine fpeakers to the fub- 
 jert under (/fcufTion ; give the cafting vote in all equal 
 divifionsj and generally, to enforce fuch rules, both of 
 order and of bufinefs, as the fociety may enadt. 
 
 A Vice-President, who, in the abfence of thePre- 
 fident, fliall take his placp, and perform his duties. 
 
 A 'J'reasurer, to receive the monies, make the dif- 
 burfements, and keep the accounts of the fociety ; who 
 fhall give fufficient fecurity to the Dircdlors for the 
 faithful difeharge of his truft. 
 
 A Secretary, to condudl: their correfpondence, 
 under the fuperintendance of the Direflors ; and 
 
 A Clerk, to record their proceedings. 
 
 2. There fhall be chofen annually, by ballot, twelve 
 perfons, who, together with the officers, fhall conftituta 
 a Board of Direftors. Seven fhall be a quorum. 
 
 3. It fhall be the duty of the Diredlors to colledl and 
 prepare for the confideration of the fociety, all fuch in- 
 formation as, in their judgment, fhall be neceflary for 
 forming any general arrangements ; to inquire after, ap- 
 prove, inflruft, fend out, and watch over, miffionaries-, 
 to apply, to the objeds of the alTociation, fuch of the re- 
 gular income as fhall not be referved by the fociety for 
 their own fpecial difpofal ; to lay before the fociety, at 
 every ordinary meeting, a concife fummary of their, 
 proceedings : and the better to difeharge the truft re- 
 pofed in them, they fhall be empowered either to adfc 
 all together, or to fubdivide themfelves into different 
 committees, fubjed to the diredion of the whole, as 
 they fhall find moft convenient and advantageous. 
 
 4. The Diredors fliall meet ftatedly, at leaft once a 
 quarter •, and fhall always meet on or before the Mon- 
 day immediately preceding the general meeting of the 
 fociety. This meeting of the Diredors may coincide 
 with a quarterly meeting, if found convenient. 
 
 5. On 
 
( ) \ 
 
 5. On the deceafe, or refignation of any if the offi- 
 cers, the Diredtors ffiall fill up the vacancy tijj the next j 
 meeting of the fociety. 
 
 III. GENERAL MEETINGS. > 
 
 1. The fociety (hall meet annually, at the city of! 
 New-York, on the firft Tuefday in November; for I 
 the purpofe of receiving the report of the Dlredlors — 
 examining the ftate of their finances — clefting their 
 officers, &c. — and concerting- meafures for profccuting, 
 to effe( 5 l, the great interefts of the afibciation. Twenty- 
 one members ffiall be a quorum. 
 
 2. At every annual meeting, one or more fermons 
 ffiall be preached, by a minifter or minifters of the afib- 
 ciation, appointed at the laft annual meeting, and a col- 
 lection made for the benefit of the fociety. Shcidd any 
 thing, during the recefs of the fociety, fruftrate theii 
 appointment, a new one ffiall be made by the Direc- 
 tors. 
 
 3. All publications, in the name of the fociety, fi-ial' 
 be refolved upon in a general meeting -, ffiall be figned 
 by their Secretary ; committed to the Directors to be 
 printed at the fociety’s expence, and difpofed of on fheit 
 account; and all monies arifing from the fale thereof, 
 fhall be immediately paid into rhe treafury. 
 
 4. Befides the ordinary meetings of the fociety, tin 
 Directors, upon any urgent occafion, ffiall call a fpecia 
 meeting; of which the members ffiall be informed by f 
 written intimation from the Secretary. 
 
 5. All meetings of the fociety fiiali be opened anc 
 clofed with prayer. 
 
 IV. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. 
 
 1. Perfons may be admitted from all religious de 
 no.minations indifcriminatcly. 
 
 2. Every perfon propofed for admiffion mufi bi , 
 
 rccommendcc 
 
( ^\7 ) 
 
 tccoramended, in writing, by at leaft two of the mem- 
 bers, as friendly to the objed and principles of the focic- 
 tv, and a^of Chriftian deportment. 
 
 3. The power of admitting members is lodged in 
 the board of diredion but the votes of two-thirds of 
 the Diredors prefent, taken by ballot, fhall be ncceflary 
 to an eledion. 
 
 4. The fociety referves to itfelf the power of cleding 
 honorary members. 
 
 5. Every member (honorary ones excepted) (ball 
 fubferibe the conftitution of the fociety, previoufly to his 
 being admitted to a feat. 
 
 6 . Every member (honorary ones excepted, with 
 whom it fhall be optional) fliall pay into the treafury^ 
 on his eledion, a fum not lefs than two dollars and an 
 half-, and a further yearly fum of not lefs than tw o dol- 
 lars. 
 
 7. Every congregation or aflbeiation which favours 
 the dehgn of the fociety, fliall be entitled to fend one 
 delegate for every fum equal to that required from in- 
 dividual members-, and every fuch delegate, on com- 
 plying with the fecond and fifth regulations under this 
 head, fliall enjoy all the privileges of a member without 
 a formal eledion. 
 
 8 . Members who fliall be found hoftile to the reli- 
 gious principles of the fociety, as fet forth In this con- 
 ftitution, or immoral in their condud, fliall forfeit theij 
 niemberfliip. 
 
 V. MISSIONARIES and other TEACHERS. 
 
 1. Every mlflionary, or other teacher, fhall be ap- 
 pointed by the Diredors. 
 
 2. The Diredors are to ufe their utmoft diligence, 
 in afeertaining the orthodoxy, piety, talents, zeal and 
 prudence of miflionaries; and on no account whatever 
 to employ perfons of a dubious charader. 
 
 C 
 
 3 - 
 
( ) 
 
 §. In cafes where it is thought proper that k mif. 
 fionary be ordained, he fhall be remitted, for ordina- 
 tion, to his particular religious connedions •, and at the 
 fame time fliall be confidered as fent out by the fociety 
 at large i and lhall equally enjoy their countenance and 
 fupport. 
 
 4. Befldes mifiionaries, the fociety will gladly, as 
 their refources fhall permit, embrace opportunities of 
 cftablifhing catechifts, or other teachers of approved 
 piety, and foundnefs in the faith. 
 
 5. Mifiionaries, or other teachers, who fhall prove 
 diforderly or unfaithful in the difcharge of their duty, 
 may be fufpended by the Diredors, from the fervice of 
 the fociety till their next general meeting. 
 
 6. All mifiionaries and teachers fhall receive fuch 
 falarles as the Diredors fhall appoint: but their ap- 
 pointments fhall be fubjed to the revifion of the fociety. 
 
 VI. FUNDS. 
 
 1 . The fources from which the revenue of the fociety 
 is contemplated to arife, are the ftated fubfcription of 
 members — public colledions — the fale of the fociety’s 
 publications— and the liberal benefadions of focieties, 
 and benevolent individuals. 
 
 2. If there be in the treafury a conflderable furplu- 
 fage unappropriated, and for which there is no profped 
 cf a fpeedy appropriation, the Treafurer, by the advice 
 of the Diredors, fhall loan it, in truft, at lawful intcrefl, 
 on good'fecurity j or difpofe of it in fome other manner 
 equally fa^b and produdive. 
 
 3. No ilionies fhall be paid by the Treafurer without 
 an order froin the fociety, or from the Diredors, to the 
 amount to wWh they authorlfed to draw. 
 
 4. The fociety will confider themfelves at liberty to 
 apply immedia6cly to the purpofes of their inftitution, 
 not only their ordinary funds, but all donations for the 
 difpofal of which t\^c donors fliall not otherwife dired. 
 
 V VII. FRO- 
 
( ’9 ) 
 
 VII. PROVISION ARY ARTICLES. 
 
 1. No alteration (hall be made in this conftitiition 
 .inlefs it be previoufly fubmitted to the Board of Direc- 
 tors and by them laid before the fociety at their next 
 ftated meeting. 
 
 2. In thofe cafes, however, in which a propofal for 
 alteration fhall be not be approved by the Direftors, 
 It may be brought by the propofer immediately before 
 the fociety, but it fhall lie over for confideration till the 
 next ordinary meeting. 
 
 By order of the Society^ 
 
 JOHN M. MASON, Secretary. 
 
 New-Tork, Nov. ift, 1796. 
 
 Officers and other Directors for the enfuingyear. 
 OFFICERS. 
 
 Rev. JOHN RODGERS, D. D. President. 
 
 Rev TOHN H. LIVINGSTON, D. D. Vice-President. 
 ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, Ei'q. Treasurer. 
 
 ‘Rev. JOHN M. MASON, Secretary. 
 
 Rev. JOHN N. ABEEL, Clerk. 
 
 OTHER DIRECTORS. 
 
 Rev. William Linn, D. D. 
 
 Rev. John M'Knight, D. D. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Foster, D. D. 
 
 Rev. Gerardus A. Kuyeers. 
 
 Rev. Samuel Miller. 
 
 Leonard Bleecker, Efq. 
 
 John Broome, Efq. 
 
 Thomas Mackaness, Efq. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Storm. 
 
 Mr. Ezekiel Robins. 
 
 Mr. George Lindsay. 
 
 Mr. John Murray. 
 
 Donations to the fociety will he thankfully received 
 hy their Treafurer, Alexander Robertson, Efq; No. 
 191 Pearl-ftreet; or by any other of the Directors. 
 
 Communications, relative to the objeiis of the fociety, are 
 to be addreffied to the Secretary.