DR. WOODS'S

FOREIGN MISSIONARY SERMON.

THE PROFITS OF THIS SERMON WILL BE DEVOTED TO

THE SUPPORT OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.

DELIVERED AT THE

TABERNACLE IN SALEM,

Feb. 6, 1812,

ON OCCASION OF THE

ORDINATION

OF

THE REV. MESSRS.

SAMUEL NEWELL, A. M. ADONIRAM JUDSON, A. M. SAMUEL NOTT, A. M. GORDON HALL, A. M. AND LUTHER RICE, A. B.

MISSIONARIES

TO THE HEATHEN IN ASIA.

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.

BY LEONARD WOODS, D. D.

ABBOT PROFESSOR OF CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY IN THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN ANDOVER.

BOSTON:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, CORNHILL.

INTRODUCTION.

It seems proper that, in this place, some account should be given of the origin, and progress of that Missionary zeal, which has issued in sending messengers of peace to publish the gospel in the eastern hemisphere.

It has been often said, within a few years past, that Christians in America ought to support missions among the heathen in Africa or Asia; but the writer of these paragraphs is not able to state, whether any young man of suitable education seriously thought of engag ing personally in such a mission, earlier than about four years ago. About that time some of the young men mentioned just below, while pursuing their studies in different places, and unacquainted with each other, made missions among the heathen a subject of delib erate and prayerful contemplation, and resolved to devote themselves to this service, should Providence prepare the way. They considered it doubtful, however, whether they should have an opportunity of engaging in this employment; and, in the mean time, they sedulously examined, and re-examined the sub ject, and used every advantage in their power to gain information respecting the state of the heathen, and the encouragement to preach the gospel among them.

In the spring of 1810, these young gentlemen, with others who joined them, disclosed their views to the Professors in the Theological Seminary at Andover, where they were then prosecuting their studies. In June following, they applied for advice and direction to the General Association of Massachusetts Proper, then sitting at Bradford. The application was made in writing, and signed by Messrs. Adoniram Judson, Samuel Nott, Samuel J. Mills, and Samuel Newell, They state the history of their views and feelings on the subject, and make several inquiries, with respect to