the people, a short time before I arrived here. During my visits I baptized 12 persons. A number more appear to be under deep convic tions for sin. A very solemn attention is paid to the preaching of the word I have formed a preaching circuit of about 60 miles. I also la bour occasionally in other destitute settlements." Rev. Peter P. Roots has laboured with acceptance in the service of the Board for six months. Many parts of his journal are interesting; but it would extend our Report to an undue length, were we to give the details with which he has furnished us. Perhaps it may be suffi cient to say, that he appears to have been indefatigable and successful in his work. The Board cordially approve of the plan he has pursued, as one which is likely to do the most good. In his communication he remarks, "I have formed a circuit, and have stated appointments for preaching in Ulysses, Lansing, Division, Dryden, Spencer, Candor, Owego, Athens, Chemung, Elmira, Painted Post, &c. It takes me four weeks to go round my circuit, and I wish I had a fellow-labourer with me. I think it best not only to plant, but to water; not only to visit, but to revisit the same places." We fully concur in his views, and think that the probability of usefulness is much greater, than where a person is travelling all the time. A tree is not cut down by one, but by repeated strokes; so when truth shakes the false peace of a sinner, and makes him tremble, it is necessary that it should be repeated till he falls under its influence. It is also desirable, when the axe has been laid at the root of the tree, and the transgressor feels a wounded conscience, that he should have some one to point him to the only source of peace and life. These considerations satisfy us, that such a circuit as our missionary brother has formed is the most likely to be attended with happy results. Rev. David Boynton, in a tour of three months, has visited a number of places in the county of St. Lawrence, State of New York. It ap pears from his lettter to the Board, that the Lord is carrying on his work in several towns where he preached. He frequently administered the ordinances of Christ, and enjoyed much pleasure in the service of his Master. Rev. Jesse Hartwell has been on a mission about six months; during which period he preached in many destitute towns and villages in NewYork, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Some extracts from his journal will be found interesting. He writes "On the third of May, I entered New Connecticut, and found a field where there was much need of gospel labours. I passed through many towns in Ashtabula, Geauga, Cayahaga and Huron counties. In these four extensive counties, there are only three Baptist ministers. In the counties of Cayahaga and Huron, together with the country adjoining west for hundreds of miles, and inhabited by many people, there is not one settled minister of the gos pel. O! brethren, here is a country resembling the vast regions of the East (which now attract so great attention) loudly calling for missiona ry aid. The prospect of success was never greater in any place I have visited, than in this region. I went as far as Sandusky-bay, attending meetings once, twice, or thrice every day, except one. While in the State of Ohio, I administered the Lord's supper twice; baptized ten persons, and attended a Convention of Churches to form an Association. I left many wounded hearts, and many who could say, Our souls have been greatly refreshed, and we have gained strength. They expressed their thanks to God, to the Missionary ociety, and to me, for this visit. I have been in paths untrodden by missionaries My situation has been somewhat like an axe-man in the woods, spotting a tree here, and girdling one there. I hope and trust, if more skilful labourers should succeed me, they will find evidences that some one had gone before them, and marked the way. If I should give a full description of my labour, and of the pleasing proofs that it has been owned and blessed of God to many souls; perhaps it might be said, "He bears witness of himself, his witness is not true." But this I may venture to say. I have seldom been more satisfied that I was on missionary ground, labouring with the approbation of my Master, than on this journey. It has been my aim to visit back settlements, and places unfrequented even by missionaries. I think this section of the missionary field ought by no means to be neglected. No time should be lost in sending pious, energetic, diligent, and skilful ministers into the Connecticut Western Reserve. In many places, materials seem to be at least felled, and partly hewed, to build temples for the name of the Lord. I scarcely ever found it more difficult to leave any place. The people entreated me to visit then again, and would not be satisfied with any objections I could make. I wish not to be forward to direct you, or to offer myself as a candidate; but as the journey is long, and short appointments expire before the most needy part of the missionary field is reached, I think it would save money, and be attended with more good, to appoint a person for a year. If a more suitable person cannot be found, and it is your pleasure, I will go for one year." The Board took this subject into consideration, and have appointed Mr. Hartwell for one year. Rev. George Evans has been appointed by the Board for six months to preach in the State of Ohio. He has not yet sent a particular detail of his labours; but the facts which he has communicated in a letter to the Secretary are sufficient to induce us to send more missionaries, if our means would admit. In a letter from Parkersburg, Virginia, he observes:"Since I crossed the mountains, the sight of my eyes has often affected my heart. The people in this region are very destitute, There is not a Baptist minister in this State within 50 or 60 miles of this place. There is but little if any preaching, except some by preachers in the Methodist connexion, for 100 miles up the river. And the people are not much better supplied on the other side of the river in the State of Ohio. In whatever direction a person goes, he finds himself on missionary ground. You will be ready to join with me in praying the Lord of the harvest, to send forth more labourers into his harvest." Rev. Ira Chase has been employed as our missionary for six months, in the western parts of Virginia. We could present you with very interesting accounts from his letters, but as some parts have already been published in the American Baptist Magazine, we refer you to that publication. The following brethren have also been employed for the time affixed to their respective names. months. w. Rev. Andrew Sherburne 4 00 Rev. Timothy Hodsdon months. . As the American Baptist Magazine is published under the direction of this society, for the benefit of missions, perhaps some information concerning it will be expected in our Report. The Board are happy to state, that its circulation has become very extensive. Of the first number of the New Series, 6,000 were printed. Of the last number 41,000. As several of the Agents have not yet made their returns, the Board have not yet realized any profits from the work. But they have reason to expect, should the subscribers be punctual in making payment, that it will yield important pecuniary aid. This, however, is not an object of the greatest consideration with the Board. The information which the Magazine widely diffuses, and the encouragement which it gives to Missionary exertions, are conceived to be of more moment, than the increase which it may bring to our funds. The Board take this opportunity of earnestly soliciting the assistance of their friends, by furnishing interesting matter for its pages. They also request that ministers, and other influential persons would be active in obtaining subscribers for the work. Reasons for this request will so readily occur to their own minds, that it is deemed unnecessary to bring them into view. We have now given you a brief account of the duties to which we have attended; and of the services which have been performed by our missionaries. We hope you will be gratified with the knowledge, that your liberality has neither been misapplied, nor remained useless. Through your assistance, the word of the Lord has been carried to those who were ready to perish; sinners have been converted, and saints comforted and established in the truth. In meeting the engagements which the Board have made, the funds of the society have been very much diminished. An acknowledgment of poverty is generally considered an unpleasant and humiliating task; but we are compelled from a sense of duty to make this acknowledgment. Our treasury is greatly impoverished; partly from the number of missionaries employed, which has been greater than in any former year, and partly from a diminution in the annual contributions to the society. But in the discharge of our duty, we have relied for help on Him who has said, the "gold and the silver is mine." We have believed that it was only necessary to make the friends of Christ acquainted with our circumstances, and they would cheerfully come forward and cast their mites into the treasury. If we had to solicit benefac tions for ourselves, we should be ready to shrink from the task; but it is the cause of Christ for which we plead; and to beg for him, we are not ashamed. We plead for our fellow-men, who are scattered in the wilderness like sheep having no shepherd, and we entreat you to pity them. In closing our Report, we would make the same appeal to you which the Apostle made to the Corinthians, when he was pleading the cause of the poor saints at Jerusalem. "Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." If a view of the amazing condescension and disinterested benevolence of the Lord Jesus has its proper influence on your hearts, it will constrain you to pity and help those who are destitute of the means of religious instruction. In behalf of the Trustees, DANIEL SHARP, Secretary. Boston, May 27th. 1818. A818.] BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 385 On reading the foregoing Report, Rev. Mr. Peak, in a very feeling and an fmated address, in which he took a brief retrospect of the exertions of the Society, and the attendant success, moved its acceptance. Rev. Mr. Bolles seconded the motion, and added a number of interesting remarks to the same point. Whereupon it was unanimously voted, and ordered to be printed. On reading the Treasurer's Account, Rev. Mr. Gammell in a brief, but impressive address, congratulated the Society on the liberal patronage which the friends of missions continued to afford them, by annually replenishing their treasury, and closed his remarks by moving its acceptance.-Rev. Mr. Winchell seconded the motion, accompanied with additional remarks, highly interesting to the audience.-Its acceptance was unanimously voted. Mr. E. Lincoln, after remarking upon the zeal and liberality of the friends and patrons of this Institution, moved, that the thanks of this Society be presented to those individuals and societies, who have contributed to our funds.-Unanimously voted. Rev. Mr. Marshall, after noticing and recommending the general objects of the Institution, moved the following resolution, viz. That the thanks of the Socie ty be given to the Officers and Trustees, for their faithful and unremitting services. Passed unanimously. Appointed Rev. George Phippen to preach the Missionary sermon next year, and Rev. Stephen Gano in case of failure. The following Officers and Trustees, were then chosen by ballot, viz. :— Rev. THOMAS Baldwin, D. D. Pres. Mr. E LINCOLN, Treasurer, Rev. DANIEL SHARP, Secretary. TRUSTEES. Rev. Elisha Williams, John Peak, Lucius Bolles, Stephen Gano, William Collier, James M. Winchell, Nathaniel W. Williams, Ebenezer Nelson, Rev. Stephen S. Nelson, William Gammell, Dea. Josiah C. Ransford, James Loring, TREASURER'S STATEMENT. The Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts was organized in Boston, 1802. The following sums have been received yearly by the Treasurer, from annual subscribers, churches, female missionary, and mite societies, and by the donations of charitable individuals, viz. Several individuals in their wills have bequeathed generous legacies to the Society; three of which, amounting to several thousand dollars, have not yet been received by the Treasurer. The Society has annually expended in Missionary labours, a sum nearly equal to the annual receipts-as the object of the Society is to furnish the gospel to the destitute, and not to accumulate a fund. * One benevolent individual presented the Society with 1400 dollars during this year. Vol. I. 49 A particular statement of the Treasurer's receipts has been annually publish ed in the Magazine, which is printed under the direction of the Society. The following contains an account of receipts since the annual report of May, 1817. Oct. 1. Monies received by the Treasurer from June 1, 1817, to June 25, 1818. 1817. June 18. By cash of Abijah Ellis, in part of the legacy of Susanna White, August 22. By a friend, by Mr. Sharp, Sept. 19. 17. By Malden Female Mite Society, By Danvers Mission Box, By Female Cent Society, Rowley, By Miss Mary Milliken, by Elder I. Case, By Mrs. Hobart Ashburnham, 1818,Feb.2By Deacon Wardsworth, by Dr. Baldwin, March 21. By Mr. Ira Chase, collected on his mission, 24. By Female Mite Society, Eastport, 100,00 2,00 18,38 ,55 6,00 15,47 27,35 5,00 15,00 12,50 63,93 16,00 By Female Benevolent Society of Newton, and vicinity, 55,51 2,00 5,00 3,00 2,00 10,00 34,65 May 14. By Mrs. Sparrowhawk, 2,00 19. 29. By Topsham Bap. Female Miss. Society, by Dr Baldwin, 12,31 5,00 By Charity Box, by widows Raymond and Humphrey, By Baptist Church and Society, Salem, by Mr. Bolles, 79,00 By Mission Box of Master Samuel Francis, Salem, by 4,25 By Elder Elisha Williams, 3,00 By Collection after Missionary Sermon, at Second Baptist *We are sorry to learn, that some monies sent by this Society, have, througk mistake, been credited to another. |