THE

CONTAINING

A PARTICULAR ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

WESTERN FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

AND

A GENERAL VIEW OF THE TRANSACTIONS

OF

OTHER SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS.

VOLUME IV.

Published Monthly under the Direction of the Executive Committee.

PITTSBURGH:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM ALLINDER.

To the Readers of the Foreign Missionary Chronicle.

DECEMBER, 1836.

The present number closes the Fourth Volume of the Foreign Missionary Chronicle. We are grateful for the favor and patronage it has received; especially for very encouraging additions to the subscription list, during the last three months. This may be justly considered as an indication of increased interest in the Presbyterian organization and progressive operations of our Missionary Board. It is also hoped, that the diffus on of intelligence by this medium will be the means of kindling missionary zeal.

The history of the Western Foreign Missionary Society, during the last year, has been singular; and will, doubtless, prove interesting and instructive to the genuine friends of the Presbyterian church in succeeding ages. At the close of last year, it was announced, that the supervision of the Society had been transferred to the General Assembly, by a unanimous vote of the Synod of Pittsburgh, acceding to the terms proposed by a committee of the Assembly; and that the transfer would be consummated by the Assembly at their next meeting. Of this no doubt was entertained by the Synod, the Board of Directors, or the Executive Committee. In confident expectation of this change, the Committee, in the opening year, and during the months which preceded the meeting of the Assembly, carefully transacted the business which claimed attention, without extending the sphere of their operations, except in the commencement of a mission to the Mediterranean, which they had, for years, contemplated, as soon as the way should be opened in the providence of God. They were particularly solicitous that "the whole concern should pass into the hands of its new guardians unembarrassed with debt, and untrammeled by inconvenient arrangements of any sort." [See their address, page 79.]

But, to the astonishment of many witnesses, the expected transfer was rejected by a solemn vote of a small majority of the Assembly. This remarkable historical fact is well known. It has been published throughout the wide extent of our own and other churches; and is recorded for the admonition of future generations. The motives which determined the vote of the majority, to us, may be inscrutable; but they are infallibly known to the omniscient Searcher of hearts. "To their own Master they stand or fall." It is not our prerogative to condemn. It becomes us rather to pray, that, if they "erred in heart," God would mercifully give them repentance, remission through the blood of the Lamb, and grace henceforth to choose and pursue a "more excellent way" toward their brethren. The dispensations of Providence are frequently unfathomable. As the heavens are higher than the earth, the ways and thoughts of God are higher than ours. He governs the universe with unerring wisdom. All creatures and events are under his sovereign control, and directed to the glory of his name, and the establishment of his kingdom. He kindly interposes to overrule existing evils, of alarming magnitude, so as to advance the interests of Zion, and the salvation of perishing sinners. So, we trust, it will be in relation to our beloved Society. Though apparently "cast down," it has not been destroyed. In the mercy of God, it has risen to renewed life and vigor, and is prosecuting its work with encouraging prospects of increasing usefulness to "the world that lieth in wickedness."

When the decision of the Assembly was known, the Board of Directors convened, and, after consultation with the friends of the Institution, resumed their former position--calmly deliberated-adopted resolutions suited to meet the present exigence-appointed agents for different sections of the church, and boards of agency in several of the principal citiesissued a circular to the churches, representing the necessities of the Society, and soliciting the means of carrying on their work with greater efficiency in fields already occupied, and of extending their operations to regions where the name of Christ, the only Savior of lost sinners, is unknown. The Board have secured the services of an efficient Cor. Secretary and General Agent, to manage the concerns of the Institution, at home and abroad-to visit cities, towns, and churches, as far as practicable, and present to the friends of Christ the

claims of the Society, and the crying necessities of perishing millions of our race. They have also engaged the services of an additional Secretary, of experience in his department, to draft official documents, and conduct the correspondence of the Society, in the absence of the Cor. Secretary.

During the summer and autumn, the Executive Committee have devoted an increased portion of their time to the business of the Institution. They have enlarged their plans of action, and have published a view of the present missions under their care, and of those which they purpose, with the blessing of Heaven, to establish in some exceedingly important fields, with a statement of the number of missionaries and assistants who will be wanted in the various departments of the work--[See page 172.] They are encouraged by the intelligence received of the blessing of God upon their missions-his grace manifested in bringing several of the Aborigines of the West to the knowledge of the truth-and in the power of his Spirit attending the labors of their missionaries, and those of the American Board, on their voyage to India, which issued in the hopeful conversion of twelve or fourteen sea-faring men-and his loving kindness in opening prospects of extensive usefulness to their missionaries in Northern India. Let not the friends of missions be "weary in welldoing; for in due season they shall reap, if they faint not." Let them praise the Lord for his mercies already bestowed-pray for greater wisdom and strength to do his will-more active zeal in his cause-and more abundant success to the labors of our missionaries, by copious effusions of his Holy Spirit, in his illuminating and transforming influences.

The prospects of the Western Foreign Missionary Society were never more encouraging than at present. The Constitution always contained provision for the union and co-operation of all Synods and Presbyteries, holding to the Westminster Confession of Faith, and desiring a connection with the Society, or a representation in the Board of Directors. But the Synod of Pittsburgh, at their late sessions, so amended the Constitution, as to remove completely every apparent obstacle to such union and representation. It is grati fying to observe the resolutions recently passed by Presbyteries and Synods, recommending this Society to the confidence and co-operation of the churches under their care; and the zeal and liberality exercised to augment its pecuniary resources, so as to meet the heavy expenses of more extended operations in Pagan lands. The advance of missionary zeal appears also to be manifested in the increasing number of applications of pious individuals, to be taken under the care of the Society, and employed as missionaries and assistants in the work of the Lord.

We are sensible that our fairest prospects may soon be darkened; and desire to seek continual direction, growing strength, and abundant success, in our enterprises, from Him who is unsearchable in wisdom, almighty in power, infallible in truth, rich in grace and mercy to those who trust in his name. While suitable human instrumentality is indispensable, and gladly employed, we would ever remember, that "the excellency of the power is of God, and not of us;" that "it is not by might, nor by power, but by his Spirit," that his holy temple is to be erected; and, animated by his promises of help, we would go forward in his work, confiding in his providence and grace; "strong in the Lord and the power of his might," when called to assail the ramparts of the prince of darkness; using none but spiritual weapons, which are "mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." Pursuing this course, aided by the exertions, the prayers, and the beneficence, of our brethren in Christ, we and they may hope to participate in the glorious work of spreading the conquests of the King of kings, to the destruction of satan's kingdom, in lands of Pagan darkness and idolatry. May the Lord extend and hasten the triumphs of his grace! and to his name be the glory for ever! Amen.