We must visit the families. Parents must consecrate
their children to this work.
Pr Palmer endorsed the suggestion of Rev. Timothy
willi4on, that each one present should engage to find
out and bring forward at least one Missionary in the
cowing year. He asked the parents now to consecrate
their children to this service—not to wait until they
get to their homes. He called also upon the young
men present to give themselves at once to the Mission
ary work.
Pr. Marsh of New York, suggested that. some one
should be called upon to offer special prayer in behalf
of the subject under consideration. He was so called
upon, and the Assembly united in prayer for more la
borers for the great Missionary field.
Wednesday Evening.
Two public meetings were held on Wednesday
evening. one in the North Church, (Rev. Mr. Calkins')
and one in the Lafayette Street Church, (Dr. Hea
cock's.)' Dr, Hopkins presided at the North Church,
and Hon. W. A. Buckingham at the other. The
North Church was crowded to suffocation—the La
thvette Street Church was also full.
At the North Church, Rev. Dr. Parker was the
first speaker. Afterwards, in a few graceful words
the President introduced Rev. Newman Hall.
Bev. Newman Hall's Address.
Mr. Hall remarked that if he partook of the general
ignorance of America charged against his English
brethren. the generous kindness of such cities as Chi
cago, Springfield and Buffalo, was rapidly producing a
change, and he did not think he should ever forget
their localities. He paid a humorous tribute to the
American reputation in Europe where the representa
tives of this country spent their money so freely that
there were three prices at the hotels, American which
was the highest, English second, and German third.
On one occasion, when travelling in Switzerland, he
;vas presented at an inn with an extravagant bill and
met with the remark that he was not an American,
and only a poor Englishman, so he wished a German
hill. The account was taken away, and returned ma
terially reduced. Of course these remarks he contin
ued, were only pleasantries, but the inference was
that if Americans were rich so much the more reason
why they should support the missionary work. If there
were differences of opinion growing out of the late
war, there were none on this great question, and there
would be hearty unanimity in England if called upon
to support American Missions. In fact the speaker
believed that there was now a Turkish Aid Society in
London, whose contributions all went to the aid of our
missionaries in Turkey. We were all Englishmen, and
he was not going to divide on nationalities. He did
not forget the character of this meeting, and would
utter no sentence that was out of order; but it could
not be out of order to say that his people were de
lighted to see that in our great struggle when we were
fighting with desperation, sending sons and husbands
to the ranks, and toiling to raise the money to carry
on the war, the resources of the Missionary Society,
instead of being diminished, were absolutely augment
ed. They knew that if the destruction of our nation,
and the issue was in reality that, was accomplished, it
would have diminished by one-half the power the
Gospel wields in its battles with evil, and he could ex
claim in the words of our own poet:
Thom too, sail on 0 Ship of State I
Sail on 0 Union strong and great.
Humanity, with all its fears—
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate i
He thanked God it was hanging breathless on our
fate no longer; and at last it could say in the other
words of the same poet:
Our hearts, our hopes. our prayers, our tears—
Our faith Eriumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee, are all with thee!
Mr. Hall paid an eloquent tribute to Righteousness
as the great element of national, power, and argued
that the spirit of Christ in our individual hearts was
the great clement of success in the missionary cause.
The peroration of Mr. Hall's address was eloquent in'
the extreme, and electrified his hearers. No report
can do justice to the power of his parallel between the
army compassing Jericho, with none of the engines
of war, relying merely upon the orders of the great
captain, and the friends of truth obeying the corn--
mantis of God, leaving the result in His hands. We
have passed, he said, through the Wilderness, and
shod at length before the Richmond of unbelief. The
lines are all drawn, the mines laid, and who can tell
when the order for the great assault shall be given? It
is no time to falter.
Rev. U. 11. Wheeler followed with an admirable
address in regard to his Missionary field, Eastern
Turkey. By the aid of a large map of the Moslem
Empire, he held the audience most attentive to his
aecount of the progress of the Gospel in that dark
land. All wag darkness there fifteen years ago, but
now a great light is shedding its golden beams on a
considerable portion of his field. They have a
goodly company of earnest, devoted, self-sacrificing
converts, gathered into eighteen or twenty churches,
many or them already self-sustaining, with their na
tive pastors, and doing much, even out of their
deep poverty, to send the Gospel to the regions be
yond.
The congregation were greatly interested in Mr.
Wheeler's remarks, and were as evidently encouraged
to believe that the work of giving the Gospel to the
heat lien, and semi-heathen nations, is a practical one,
and may be so prosecuted that we may speedily'see
the proper results of our efforts.
Lafayette Street Church.
The exercises at Dr. Heacock's church were opened
with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Barrows.
Ex-Governor Buckingham, of Conn., presided and
Introduced the subject.
Her. Dr. Todd followed in a characteristic and
pithy address.
Rev. NI. Ballgarney, of England, said that he had
set out with the Rev. Newman Hall from England to
see this country, and it was a pleasure to come among
brethren and sisters using the same language. Be
had seen much to admire in this country, but nothing
which gave Mtn so much pleasure as this convention
of the people, who come together 'for the purpose of
extending the Gospel. He had followed us from year
to year, with prayers through the battle. We pre
sented a grand moral spectacle to the world; but
when the resolve was made to put down the rebellion
against Christ in China, he was still more rejoiced.
"Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to
every creature," was commanded 1800 years ago, stud
he thought it should have been aecomplished ere this.
The first Apostles went forth immediately, because
their light was kindled by Him;
their work had not
been continued because the life had gone out of the
church. Ile thanked God thaV9the missionary work
had been renewed. He was a member of the London
Missionary Society, which commenced operations at
the South SC4I. Islands seventy years ago. Not a can
nibal was converted for years, and it was once pro
posed to recall the missionaries; but while delibera
ling, word came that one hadbeen seen kneeling at
the cross. Savage Island was then beautiful, but like
Paradise Lost; and now it is like Paradise Regained.
A grandson of a cannibal visited London a short time
since, where lie first saw the idol hiS forefathers wor
shipped. This was a fulfilment of the old promise,
and a specimen of what could be done in larger coun
tries. China was one of the first fields of the Lon
don Society, but then every door was olosed against
Morrison, and Mills retired to the Island of Malacca
tint acquired the language and afterwards returned.
Ile trusted the London and American Board would
co - operate together in-the effort to Christianize China.
Ile knew of no higher honor than to become the am
bassador of Christ, and preaoh the gospel to the hea
then. Above all things he wanted a spirit of' prayer
a 1 supplication to reach the rich treasures of Hea
ven,
V. Wm. Tracy, said he came back from the -Ma
dura Mission, after an absence of thirty years, to say
he wa s not ashamed of the Gospel, but had often felt
ashamed of Christians and of his own-weakness. In
India there was great evidence of the power of the
Gospel, but they had the strongholds of Satan to
stwm. They had a religion with all the traditions'of
a hundred centuries, to which they looked with pride:
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1867.
It is magnificent in its worship and in the temples.
The one in Madura was 900 feet square, with GO
buildings. They were constructing one porch to cost
$360,000 ; and this is but one of fifty ; one room is
supported by one thousand pillars of granite; the
splendid torchlight processions fill the people with de
light.
Rev. Newman Hall, after having spoken, as we
eaid, at the North Church, by previous arrangement
passed over to the Lafayette street church, to speak
there also. At the close of Mr. Tracy's address
he was handsomely introduced by Ex-Governor
Buckingham, and spoke with great beauty and pow
er. He said—
It is a great pleasure to be able to address this
great audience representing. as it does, one of the
well-known missionary institutions of Christendom.
We have all heard of the American Board.
It is true I was permitted to take part in that
great struggle we had at home—a stzuggle of opin
ion. After all, the great struggles or the world are
struggles of opinion. They may culminate in other
struggles, but the great battles are fought out in the
thoughts and sentiments of men and women. We
knew perfectly well that your cause was our cause.
It was freedom everywhere; it was the dignity of
labor everywhere, it was law everywhere,
in oppo
sition to anarchy and oligarchy ; it was humanity
everywhere in opposition to barbarous cruelty. I
did not think we were battling for you. We were
battling for humanity and everything holy.
We thought if our authorities should be led into
any act by which our nation would be compromised
by a league with the principles of anarchy we
should ruin ourselves. Thank God always, the
great mass of our countrymen were with you in
that struggle, [Applause,] and thank God, the great.
mass of those opposed to you were led astray by a
misrepresentation of facts.
Most happy am I to be amongst the people in
whose struggle.l was deeply interested. A nation
honored everywhere for civilization, religion and
the efforts made to propagate the Gospel; and I
take it that there can be no better bond of union
between two great nations than unity in this great
work of making a nation for Christ Jesus unity
of sentiment is something, but unity of action is some
thing better. Let us be earnestly occupied doing
the same work and we shall not quarrel.
The gospel pledges us to keep the peace, and
nothing could be more injurious than a quarrel be
tween the two nations, or disparaging to the cause
we have in view. He thought that the teachings of
the Bible should be applied to the conduct of na
tions as well as individuals. He alluded to caste,
saying the Bible was the great leveller, and the
colored man who claimed Jesus as his brother had
a right to take him by the hand and say " we are
one."
Mr. Hall spoke for about half an hour, and his
sentiments were frequently greeted with applause,
though the audience were evidently restrained from
giving full vent to their feelings by the character of
the house in which the meeting was held.
The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Dr.
Goodale.
Thursday Morning.
The session opened at half-past nine with prayer
liepOrts or Committees.
Ex-Gov. 'Wm. Hale of N. H., from the Business
Committee made a report on Rules, which, after some
discussion was adopted. The Rev. Dr. Seelye reported
on the Central Turkey Mission, and the Rev. Dr.
Chapin, of Beloit, on the Nestorian mission. Ordered
to be printed.
After the report of the Committee on the Home De
partment, in regard to getting missionaries, to which
we have already alluded, the Rev. H. M. Stowe, D.D.,
presented the following report of the Committee on
the
Hawaiian Islands.
which was adopted - .
The Committee to whom this report was referred
return it to the Board with expressions of their hearty
desire to see it published. The facts it presents are
such as to lead considerate minds to expect the best
results from all our missionary work. The progress
through the past year in planting better schools and
spreading religious education, in training and ordaining a
further supply of native and devoted pastors, in circulat
ing the Bible, and placing the churches by this means more
recently on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
and in developing the self-sacrificing spirit of enforcing
missionary efforts in regions beyond in making converts
to Christ, and in yet other directions of a maturing
Christian life, has been such as must. strengthen the
hold these favored missions have hitherto had upon
the affections of the people of God. .
Nor can we regard these Island Missions for them
selves alone. They seem to us but stepping stones, in
mid-ocean, for the contemplated advance upon China
and the East. They have been preparing the way of
the Lord to those larger regions and vaster popula
tions.
Eastern Turkey
Dr. Canfield, from the Committee on Eastern Tur
key, said: The annual report of the Mission to Eas
tern Turkey for 1867, embodies statistics and facts and
suggestions of more than ordinary interest and im
portance. Your Committee would commend the re
port itself as worthy of publication and of the care
ful perusal of every friend of Missions. A few things
seem to deserve special notice.
Ist. The additions to the churches on examination.
2d. The increase in the number of churches and of
stations and outstations, where the light of the gospel
is imparted ; and also in the number of native pastors
and helpers.
3d. The determination of so large a proportion of
the churches to be self-supporting.
4th. Their'remarkable beneficence, reminding us of
the grace of God bestowed on the" churches of Mace
donia, how that in a great trial of affliction the abun
dance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded
unto the riches of their liberality.
6th. Their wise endeavors by schools and semina
ries to give solidity and permanence to their Christian
progress, and especially. to secure from among them
selves an ample supply of ministers and teachers.
6th. The powerful influence of their example in re
moving the prejudices and correcting the errors of the
Armenians, and in awakening a zeal for education and
reform even among those who still adhere to their old
ecclesiastical organizstions..
7th. The rapidly increasing circulation and study of
the word of God, and the general interest with which
its truths are sounded out and considered.
In short the concurring signs of a vast spiritual and
social transformation are so many and so cheering as
not only to furnish great occasion for gratitude to
the Father of Lights but also for renewed efforts.
Through failure of health and.by death, the number of
Missionaries in that field to which the past and the
present unite in giving such thrilling interest has been
mournfully reduced. The very naming of " the East
ern Question" suggests possibilities at least, to prompt
us to a speedy and strong reinforcement of that mis
sion. * * * * * * *
The report of the Committee on Western Turkey,
presented by Dr. Forsyth, was on motion of Dr. Pat
ton adopted ; the Rev. Mr. Parmalee , giving an inter
esting account of the work which is being done in that
country.
Ex-Governor Buckingham submitted the following
in relation to
Missionaries and their Children.
The committee to Whom was referred the paper sub
mitted by Dr. Wood, relating to the question of mak
ing provision for disabled missionaries, and the wid
ows and children of missionaries, would respectfully
report in part:
During the present session of the Board they have
not time to consider properly a subject,involving, as it
does, the personal necessities of the Missionaries, and
the future action of the Board, or to present sugges
tions which Will be likely to relieve those necessities,
and make such action wiseand.permanent. But they
are of the opinion that a larger .appropriation should
be made for'the children of Missioniries, and would
submit the accompanying resolution, and would ask
leave to report further at the nest annual meeting of
the Board.
Resolved, That the rules relating to grants to chil
dren of Missionaries adopted by this Board in 1834,
be so amended as to authorize the Prudential Com
mittee to make a grant not exceeding one hundred and
twenty dollars a year for each child until they are
eighteen years of age.
Mr. Buckingham made a few remarks in support of
the report, and moved that the committee be enlarged
by the addition of four practical business men.
The report and the motion were adopted ; the Pre
sident appointing the Hon. Henry W. Taylor, Judge
Wm Strong, William Hale, and John E. Page as mem
bers of the Committee.
President Brown submitted the following on
The Committee observe with thankfulness the signs
of advancement in the work of missions in China.
This is evident from the greater and unexpected fa
cilities afforded the missionaries, from the increasing
security in travelling throughout the different parts of
the empire, in the accessibility of the people, and in
the actual success of the labors of the missionaries. •
As a full report on the subject of China is reported,
from the Special Committee, to whom was conferred
the paper read by Mr. Treat, the Committee would
only recommend the adoption of this report, and that
it be printed.
The report was adopted. The Committee on the
Treasurer's Report.
have carefully examined the books and papers sub
mitted to them, and find that the accounts are cor
rectly kept, that they have been examined at the close
of each month during the year, and certified as cor
rect by an auditing committee.
It would be difficult to suggest any improvement in
the Treasurer's system of accounts, for they are
adapted to the purpose for which they are designed,
being simple and easily understood.
Your Committee have examined,the investments in
the Permanent Fund,. (amounting to $194,675 00) and
and in their judgment these investments are judicious
and safe. If these securities were to-day turned into
cash there would be realized at least eighteen per
cent advance.
Mahratta
The Committee on Mahratta Mission, Rev. Dr - . Geo.
E. Adams, Chair Man, reported the following special
features of the work in that quarter:
1. The Waddle Home Missionary Society, composed
of converted natives, has sent out laborers at different
points, amounting to three months for the year. This
deserves commendation as the beginning of an effort
which we trust to see greatly extended.
2. The statement of Mr. Bruce that the native help
ers under his care have preached to about seventy=
five thousand persons during the year is a still further
feature of the same desirable movement toward doing
our work by native agency with missionary superin-
ten dence.
3. To the-same effect is Mr. Wood's account of the
examination for license of three young men. Theex
amination conducied by the native pastors and the
missionaries jointly, but the written license proceed
ing from the native association.
4. Abundance and superabundance of work, few
ness of laborers—those few almost ciushed by anxiety
and toil.
The committee recommend the acceptance of this
part of the Prudential Committee's report.
The report on the Tamil Mission concludes as fol
lows :
And the result has been that. the people begin to
doubt the truth of Hindooism, or generally admit that
Christianity is superior to their religion, and a con
siderable number are every year added to our Chur
ches, until their future is brighter than ever with hope
and promise.
We regard the condition of this mission as satisfac
tory and encouraging, and recommend that the ac
companying reports be accepted and adopted.
Report of the Committee on the Aftleatt
Missions.
- While the -wants and claitris of the Chinese Empire
appropriately attract the main interest of the Board
during the present sessions, your Committee are as
sured„that none of those here assembled can consent
to forget altogether the destitutions or demands of
Africa‘ - That. vast continent embracing more than
eight millions of square miles, and inhabited by nearly
one-tenth of the human race, affluent in vegetable as
in animal life, already prolific! in material resources,
and destined soon to fill no trivial place among the
continents of the earth, must always command the at—
tention not merely of commercial navigators and
scientific travellers, but also of Christian philanthro
pists, unto whom this world is committed as their ap
pointed field of inquiry, of labor and of sacrifice for
Christ. And in the estimation of those who compose
this Board, how doubly interesting and precious must
that vast continent appear,- endeared already by our
prayers and efforts and offering on this behalf, and
hallowed alike by the partial successes we have gained,
and by the graves of those whom we have sent. hither
to possess the land for our Emmanuel. * *
Your committee regard with special interest the ex
plorations recently instituted by the Prudential com
mittee in order to discover a suitable site at some
point interior from Liberia for a mission of colored
men. These efforts deserve to be sanctioned and en
couraged by the Board. From a mission so located
and so organiied we might reasonably look for most
auspicious results. It might become the first in a
chain of missions similarly 'manned, • stretching far
into that. interior where the choicest. African fruitage
'and the finest African manhood are found. It might,
in due time, meet a kindred chain of missions, reach
ing northward of the Zulu base, thus decking the sons
of that swarthy-continent with jewels more precious
than her gold. Let us never despair of Africa.—
Though partly envelope& in mysterious barbarisni, in
part possessed by a Mahommedanism, little more than
barbaric, she also belongs to Carat .?
Afternoon Session,
Shortly after 5 o'clock the Board was called to order
by Vice-President Dodge, who called upon the Hon.
Mr. Child for a report on New Membership. The
Committee recommended the acceptance of the resigna
tions of corporate members as follows: S. 11. Walley,
of Massachusetts; B. C. Wolf, R. T. Haines, of New
Jersey ; L. F. Warren, of New York ; Jeremiah Sul
livan, of Indiana ; Henry Smith, of Ohio. A.Sopted.
The letters of absentees received were put on file
The Committee also reported the following: That
the present number of members was not distributed
fairly among the different States, and nominated with
a view of eplizing the matter the following
New Members.
Vermont—J. B. Page, Thos. Fairbanks.
illassachusetts—Richard Borden, Rev. J. W. Well
man, Rev. D. T. Fiske, D. D. ; Rev. A. H. Quint, D. D.
Samuel W. Lane, Esq. .
Connecticut—Rev. W. W. Davenport, Joseph Eld
ridge, D. D.
Rhode Island—Hon. Amos C. Barstoi , . -
New fersey-Aaron Carter, jr.
Ohio—l." W. AndreWs, D. D., Rev. H. M. Storrs,
D. D., Rev. Samuel Waloot, D. D., Hon. Chancey
Knowles, A. L. Grimes.
Michigan—Rev. Philo N. Hurd, Hon. Sol. L. Withey.
/ail:ha—Rev. Joseph Tuttle, D. D., Samuel N. Pot
ter. •
Illinois—Col. Charles G. Hammond.
lowa—Rev. A. D. Robbins, J. G. Foot.
..ilinnesota—D. W. Ingersoll.
Dr. Sweetzer from the Committee to whom is refer
red " the subject of arrangements for the annual meet
ing of the Board with reference specially to securing
ample opportunity for the members to participate"in
the deliberations and also to the demand made upon
the hospitalities of the people with whom the Boaid
meet, respectfully recommend that no action be taken
upon the subject.
The committee on the election of officers reported
in favor of _the re-election of the officers of last - year,
with the exception of Samuel H. Walley, substituting
Officers.
the name of Joseph S. Ropes, and the following were
elected for the ensuing year :
President—Mark Hopkins, D. D., LL. D.
Vice-President—Hon. W. E. Dodge.
Prudential Committee—Charles Stoddard, Esq ; Ne
hemiah Adams, D. D.; Augustus C. Thompson, D. D. ;
Hon. William T. Eustis ; Walter S. Griffith, Esq. ; Hon.
Alpheus Hardy; Hon. Lions Child ; Rev. Albert. Bar
nes; Robert R. Booth, D. D. ; Abner Kingman, Esq. ;
James M. Gordon, Esq, ; Rufus Anderson, D. D.
Corresponding Secretaries—Rev. Selah B. Treat ; Geo.
W. Wood, D. D. ; Nathaniel G. Clark, D. D.
Recording Secretary—Rev. John 0. Means.
Treasurer—Langdon S. Ward, Esq.
Auditors—Moses L. Hale, Esq. ; Joseph S. Ropes,
Esq.
Adjourned
Thursday Afternoon
was devoted to the administration of the Lord's Sup-
per. Two churches were opened for this purpose, the
First and the Lafayette Street, Rev. Dr. Forsythe pre-
siding at the former, and Rev. Dr. Wood, of Geneva,
at the latter. Both houses were well filled, but not
uncomfortably crowded. It was, as many testified, a
,pleasant and profitable occasion.
Thursday Evening.
Two large meetings were held, one in the First
Church, and one in the North, of whose proceedings
we give a brief synopsis.
First Presbyterian Church.
The First Presbyterian church was filled at an early
hour last evening, but not excessively crowded.
A large map of Eastern Turkey was suspended
above the pulpit, being, as the gentleman who placed
. . . .
it in posision remarked, better than a speech for im
pressing upon the minds of the audience the impor
tance of that great field.
The chair was occupied by Hon. W. E. Dodge, of
New York, who opened the services by giving out the
Hymn, "All Hail the power of Jesus' name," which
was sung by the congregation, without accompani
ment, Dr. Adams leading. PraYer was offered by the
Rev. Dr. Torrey, of Chicago.
The Chairman, Mr. Dodge, delivered a brief open-
ing address, In which he likened the experience of
those who have attended the meetings of this week to
going up upon the summit of a high mountain, froin
whence they could look down upon a dyingand 'sinful
world,
_ .
_. •
He said that he had been in the habit of at-
tending these meetings of the Board for several years,
but he had received impressions from this one which
he never received before. Sleeping and waking, he
had before his eyes that long, terrible seven years'
march of the - millions upon millions of China which
Dr. Treat depicted the other day. • He believed in all
solemuity that God has given us the means to save
these benighted millions—that he has given us the
flag to plant in the front of that long column and to
stop its downward march, crying, "Turn ye, turn ye,
why will ye die ?" He hoped those who had assem
bled here would not go home and merely say, "We
have had a good meeting, a precious meeting, a de
lightful meeting," but that all would feel that they
have been called upon to walk as shining lights in the
world, shedding abroad the light of the Gospel. He
spoke with deep feeling of the death of Mr. Brown,
of Chicago, who had regularly attended the meetings
of the Board for many years, but whose body passed
through the city last night on its way to Chicago.
The deceased had so loved the American Board of
Foreign Missions that he had placed it in his will
upon the same footing as his children.
.Rev. Mr. Sanders, Missionary to Ceylon, spoke of
the work in that great field, of its claims and its
needs. There are 2,000,000 of people on the Island,
which is one of exceeding interest and beauty, with
its palm and cinnamon groves and its pearl fisheries.
It has much less than one missionary to each 100,600
people. Among the interesting modes in which the
members raise their contributions, he mentioned the
custom of giving what is called" seized rice," derived
from a former practice of the idol worshippers. When
the rice is boiled for the daily family repasts, the
mother,zraspe -out - What she can with her hands and,
priti it aside for_the
to the temples and idols. The speaker gave an
interesting account of the working of the Gospel
among the outcast Pariahs, one of whom, named Paul,
has risen to be a Deacon of the Church.
Dr. Geo. E. Adams now led in the singing of the
hymn, "Salvation, Oh Salvation."
Rev. Dr. Wisner, of Lockport, next addressed the
meeting, protesting that he only did so at the com
mand of the Chairman of the Committee of Arrange
ments, who claimed to be General, and who distinctly
informed him that he was only a Brigadier. He
spoke of the utter self abnegation of the Missionaries
who go abroad into the regions of darkness. "He
that winneth souls is wise," and in this he found the
great object for which Christ left his people on earth.
He felt amazed that this work of salvation had been
given to man. Why not gitie it to the angels? Why
not make the glorified beings of Heaven his co-labor
ers in the vineyard of redemption? Fifty-three years
ago his venerable father, now in his eighty-sixth year,
took his departure as a home missionary for the then
distant and unknown region of East Bloomfied. Than
seemed to be then almost at the end of the world, and
his father set out with exceeding doubt whether he
should ever return. That was fifty-three years ago.
Now, we hardly know where the ends of the world
are. Dr. W. dwelt especially upon " the great
thought" of the conversion of - China.
Rev. Mr. Wheeler, missionary from Eastern Turkey,
spoke of the course of training adopted at the Theo
logical Seminary established there, and the care taken
in fitting the native preachers, of whom there are
now seventy-eight engaged in probationary work, for
their mission. The people have been educated to sup
port their own churches and preachers. In conclu
sion he protested strongly against the idea of a dis
tinction between home and foreign missionary work,
or of any difference between the kind of .Christianity,
which a man may, enjoy at home and that which sends
the missionary into heathen lands. Of what he neat
ly termed " sleeping car religion," which takeslhrough
tickets and goes to sleep, waiting for the conductor to
announce " Here we are at Heaven, gentlemen," he
entertained the poorest sort of an opinion.
Rev. Dr. Herrick Johnson. a faTmiliar acquaintance
in Buffalo, was the last speaker introduced. He be
gan by an allusion to the story of the little' girl who, ,
waking from a fevered dream of sickness, asked, " Is
this Heaven ?" and was answered by her mother, "No,
my child; but Jesus is here," He had felt, he said,. ,
this afternoon, when he sat at the table of the Lord's
Supper, that if we could not say " this is Heaven."
we could at least say "Jesus is here." And in:think
iug of the Saviour's death and why Christians cele
brate it, he found the grand.iucentive to Missionary.
work: Personal gratitude to Christ. My Saviour.
died; how ought Ito live? If every Christian would
keep that question in his heart, "my Saviour - died,
how ought Ito live?" there would be no trouble about
missions, no trouble about ftirids i no -trouble about
men to preach. - What did : Jeans die for?. He 'died
for, sin. His arm outstretched upon the cross took a
woild to his heart. " Behold the Lamb of God which
taketh away the sin of the world." Not mine Only—
not•of my family—net of my sect.-not of my dlinrch
—but to take away the sins of the world. What He
died for, ought we to live-for. "As thou hast.sent me
' into the world," said Christ in his last prayer, "so
also have I sent them." We must:Mlle, up to the full
measure of this idea before we prosecute the work of
missions as' we ought - to do, making everything else in
life subordinate to the salvation of the world. Every
Christian mother must, be brought to feel that her
childis not"her own; every Christian man that ,his'
money is not his oivn; every man that his time is not
hiS own. - ~ z -
Christ's:presence and Christ's power are the two
great inspirations in this missionary work_: The sol
dier fights best when he knows that his leader-is pre
tent, his eye upon_him, his heart with him. buy sol
diers in the Shenandoah - recoiled before the enemy
until the foam flecked horse of Sheridau appeared,
when all-their hearts took fire With new courage and
they. turned to semi the foe whirling down the valley:
And is not Jesus always with us? On. the. plains. of
Africa, in India, in China, everywhere, Jesus is there
to inspire - us to our duty. He is not only there, but
in our closets, and in our churches—over against
every pew when the contribution box is passed. as
truly as he stood over against the treasury in the tem
ple.
The spirit which ought to fill the Church is that of
the Old Guard at Waterloo, which cried '• the Old
Guard can die—they never surrender." it• such
ic
votion could be inspired under an earthly leader.
ought not a deathless courage to fill the souls of those
who fight the good fight under "the banners of the
Lord Jesus Christ?
After singing, Rev. Dr. Johnson pronounced the
benediction.
North Church.
The Rev. Dr. Taylor, of the Dutch Reformed Church,
opened the session with prayer.
The President stated that this meeting was an ex
ception to all others, in that nothing was said about
money. The want was men. There is a difference of
opinion respecting which should be presented first.
Some wanted the money and the men would come. and
others vice versa. . .He read a letter from the West,
from an unknown person, alluding to a draft of S2O.
and this one, inclosed one for $25. The writer had
promised God to contribute the half of his earnings to
benevolent objects. For the last twenty years Hon.
W. 11. Brown of Chicago, had made it a point to attend
the meetings of the Board. He died abroad and this
very night his remains are passing through this city
on their way to Chicago. He gave the same to the
Board as he did to his children. Judge Jessup forgot
many things but he never forgot his Board.
Rev. D. S. Dodge, of Beyrut, said the Syrian Mis
sion was never so strong in prosperity or, so weak in
men; it is strong in the appliances for the work and
future prospects. Beyrut is the Chicago in the East
in a mild form, and can be made the centre for the
120 millions that "Speak the -Arabic tongue. The
Catholic and Greek Churches are stirring with energy,
and so are theMohommedans, and the Druses are look
ing for the great men who are to make them rich. The
speaker gave them an account of the origin of the re
vival last year, and related some of the incidents con
nected with it. The girls' school, was the flower of
the Mission. Eighty girls arc instructed in all the
branches, and the effect upon the people is great. The
young mens' college would produce native pastors, and
remain a firm institution, of the country. We think
pestilence comes from the Orient, but he had seen traces
of a pestilence there Which came from he churches in
this country; that was "retrenchment." He never
wanted that word sent again to missionaries.
This is a day of opportunity in the East. The great
questions of morals and politics uow being agitated
will cause a change for which we should be prepared.
Rev. L. P.' Burbank, of Eastern Turkey, spoke of
Bitlits, from whenCe he came, and of an ancient vil
lage of robbers who are now teaching the Gospel. tliey
had a Missionary Society, were budding a chapel,
raisin.. ' money, &e.
Mr.P. R. Bunt, printer, now under appointment to
to N. China, had been in Madras long enough to teach
hundreds of young men to print as well as lie could,
and he was well satisfied that everything would be
well conducted, by the natives, who knew more than
he was formerly willing to confess. lie believed that
they should be trusted more. On the Queen's Birth
day, 'fiG he got a letter froth the Missionary Board,
asking him to go to China, and lie was never-so glad
beforK in his life, except when lie heard that Richmond
had fallen.
In giving some account of the operations of the press
at Bangalore he stated that they printed books better
than they do in Rochester. It seemed also that among
the reasons for leaving there was a !al press
which had reduced the price twenty per cent. for print
ing. ,
. Mr. - Trapper, from Canton, China, felt grateful to
the Board for taking the step toward evangelizing
China. It would require all our efforts. There were
only 100 Protestant missionaries, 3500 converts, 400 J
children in schools, 30 under training to labor as
teachers, and:100 colporteurs. There are 400 Roman
Catholic missionaries, 100 Sisters of Charity, and they
n_ymber24oo;ooo communicants in the country. Ile
stated that Christianity is now making rapid progress
and the nativeS - ake — nesrroying - enetr idols; but one
man had become a martyr to the faith at the hands of
a mob.
Dr. Taylor (Ref. Dutch) said his denomination,
when in the Board, had raised thirteen thousand dol
lars per annum, but they had done better since with
drawing. Last. year they had received and disbursed
$119,000, and paid a debt of $56,000. They also wanted
men. He was glad that the American Board had re
solved to go into China and assured them that the Dutch
Reformed Mission at. Amoy would receive their agents
with open arms.
The Benediction was pronounced by the Rev. Dr.
Cos.
Farewell Meeting
This commenced on Friday morning, at eight o'clock.
The church was already full, all evidently eager to
hear the last few lender words of the occasion. After
the reading of the Minutes and• passing an earnest,
hearty vote of thanks to the citizens of Buffalo, for
their generous hospitality, the whole congregation
united in singing, "Nearer, my God, to Thee."
Rev. Dr. WiSner of Ithaca, now eighty-five years of
age, wished to say .a few parting words. He hoped we
should not soon lose the blessed influence of this meet
ing. It had been a blessing to him. We should not
all meet again. Let us so live as to meet in Heaven.
His heart was full. He tenderly warned sinners pre
sent. to prepare now to meet their God.
At this point the President announced that a lady
from Vermont had offered to give one hundred dollars,
a first installment toward the Evangelization of China.
Rev. M. D. Saunders, fourteen years a Missionary
in India, next addressed the Assembly. He returned
to this country about. two years since with his family.
He had addressed hundreds of audiences. They had
experienced nothing but kindness everywhere ; but it
was 'not, he said, on their own account, it was because
they belonged to the Board. He wished to thank the
friends of Missions and the officers of the Board for
all their kindnesS to him and his family. He thanked
them for sending him back again to his field of labor,
and for one lady teacher with them, and for one young
Missionary soon to follow.
He had some requests to make -They wanted nine
Missionaries in his field. Will you,send them ? They
wanted more moneyin the Treasury of the Board, so
they may not be obliged to retrench disastrously in
their work. Will you furnish the means, so that when
we get our plans laid, and all our work successfully
going on, we may not- get word from Boston in the
middle of the year, that we must stop this and that
part, of our operations because the money is not corn
ing in as they expected ? This retrenching and Stopping
successful labors is dreadful-to the missionaries. This
is more discoura g ing than anything else. Our way
should be. nward.
Mr. Saunders is to sail on the 9th of October, to re
turn to hiS distant field. He leaves five children in this
country. His speech was very tender, and called forth
the warmest sympathy of the audience. He bade them
an affectionate good-bye in the Tamil lauguage, the
words meaning, "Going, come again."
President Hopkins said, he was desired to say a few
words, more particularly to thank the citizens of Buffalo
for their generouS, ample and graceful hospitality on
this occasion. He congratulated them also that they
had the privilege of claiming the promise, "Ii is more
blessed to give than to receive:" They had done more
than give a cup of cold water in the name of a disci
ple—they could not lose their reward.
The President's closing remarks were peculiarly
touching, tender and appropriate. All were melted by
them, and seemed to say in every feature, it is good to
be here. Holding up a card, he -said some one had
sent'up a request that the Board should pray for Buf
falo. While that should be remembered, he hoped also
that Buffalo would pray for the Board.
Dr. Walter Clarke of Buffalo, spoke in reply. He
playfully expressed the great gratification of the peo
ple of Buffalo in having the meeting of the Board with
them. They had enjoyed it, ranch, and felt reluctant
to Part with their many friends.
- The congregation joined in singing, "Blest be the
tie-that binds:" Prayer was offered and the Benedic
tion pronounced by Rev. Dr. Todd, when the Board
adjourned to meet. next year in Norwich, Connecticut.