the design, and the interests of our American Zion, and of the church throughout the world, to the Divine blessing; after which the meeting was dissolved. "On the morning of the following day, January 12, it was ascertained that the Rev. Walter Chapin, of Woodstock, Vermont, and a delegation from the Executive Committee of the United Domestic Missionary Society of New-York, consisting of the Rev. Absalom Peters, Corresponding Secretary, Rev. Matthias Bruen, and Mr. Archibald Falconer, who had intended to be present at the meeting, but had been prevented, by the badness of the roads, from reaching the city in time, had arrived late the preceding evening. The members of the meeting who were still in the city, met these gentlemen at the house of Mr. Homes, at 11 o'clock A. M. and gave them a parti. cular account of the proceedings detailed in the preceding record; in relation to all of which proceedings they were pleased to express their unqualified approbation. "I hereby certify that the above is a true account of the proceedings of the persons therein named, in relation to the formation of a National Domestic Missionary Society. "Boston, Jan. 12, 1826." cr The following is the copy of a Letter addressed to the Corresponding Se cretary by the Rev. Drs. Miller and Alexander, Professors in the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church, dated Princeton, March 6, 1826. "Reverend and Dear Sir, "We rejoice to hear that there is a plan in contemplation for forming a Domestic Missionary Society, on a much larger scale than has heretofore existed. We have long been of the opinion that the subject of Domestic Missions is one which ought to interest the hearts, and to rouse the exertions and the prayers of American Christians, to an extent which very few appear to appreciate. Our impression is, that, unless far more vigorous measures than we have hitherto witnessed shall be soon adopted, for sending the blessed Gospel and its ordinances to the widely extended and rapidly increasing New Settle: ments of our country, their active and enterprising population must, at no great distance of time, be abandoned to a state not much short of entire destitution of the means of grace. We would fain hope, that no Christian, who loves the Redeemer's kingdom, and reflects on the value of immortal souls; no parent, who remembers that his own children, or children's children, may, in due time, make a part of the population of those districts; no patriot, who desires to see the virtue, peace, union, and happiness of his country established, can possibly be indifferent to an object of such immense importance. Our prayer is, that the God of all grace may rouse the spirit of the Nation on this subject; and that the friends of religion who may be convened for the purpose of taking it into consideration, in the month of May next, may be directed to the adoption of a system which shall serve to give increasing interest and energy of proceeding in this momentous concern, and prove a source of lasting blessings to our beloved country. “ We are, Sir, with great respect, Pursuant to the invitation contained in the preceding circular, a Convention was held at the Session-Room of the Brick Presbyterian Church, in the City of New-York, May 10, 1826, to consider the expediency of forming a National Home Missionary Society. The Convention was organized by choosing the Rev. Jeremiah Day, D. D. Chairman, the Rev. Thomas De Witt, and the Rev. John Chester, D. D. Secretaries. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. David Porter, D. D. The following persons appeared, and were recognised as members of the Convention, viz: Rev. Henry Axtell, D. D. Geneva, N. Y. Zedekiah S. Barstow, Keene, N. H. Rev. Joab Brace, Weathersfield, Con. Rev. John F. Clark, Flemington, N.J. Thomas Davidson, New-York. John Frost, Whitesborough, N. Y. Mr. Archibald Falconer, New-York. Rev. Jesse Fonda, Montgomery, N. Y. Isaac Ferris, Albany, New-York. James H. Johnson, Madison, Ind. Bela Kellogg, Northington, Con. Stephen Lockwood, New-York. Rev. Luke Lyons, Esperance, N. Y. Zechariah Lewis, Esq. New-York. Rev. Joshua Leavitt, Stratford, Con. Peter Lockwood, Peekskill, N. Y. Jonathan Little, Esq. New-York. Rev. James M. Mathews, D. D. N. York. Thomas McAuley, D. D. New-York. Samuel T. Mills, Moscow, N. Y. Benjamin Mortimer, New-York. Gilbert Morgan, Johnstown, N. Y. John McJimsey, Montgomery, N. Y. John Morrison, Esq. New-York. Mills, Esq. Hartford, Con. John Nitchie, Esq. New-York. Rev. James J. Ostrom, Marlboro', N. Y. N. Perkins, D. D Hartford, Con. Seminary, Auburn, New-York. Gardiner Spring, D. D. New-York. William F.Vaill, Union Mission, Arkansas Territory Benjamin B. Wisner, Boston, Mass. Mr. D. H. Wickham, New-York. Thomas Webster, New-York. Rev. Henry R. Weed, Albany, N. Y. John Wheeler, Windsor, Vermont. John Wheeler, Esq. Hudson, N. Y. Elisha White, Esq John's Island, S. C. Rev. J. L. Williams, Middletown, Con. William Woolsey, Esq. New-York. S. V. S. Wilder, Esq. Bolton, Mass. The Rev. M. Bruen, then, in behalf of the Executive Committee of the United Domestic Missionary Society, stated the object for which the meeting had been convened, and presented letters from the following gentlemen, who were not able to attend, expressing their cordial approbation of the plan of a National Home Missionary Society; viz: His Excellency, C. P.Van Ness, Governor of Vermont; His Excellency, D. L. Morrill, Governor of New-Hampshire; His Excellency, De Witt Clinton, Governor of New-York; Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, of Albany; Rev. John H. Rice, D. D. Professor in the Theological Seminary, Prince Edward, Va.; Rev. Samuel Miller, D. D. Professor in the Theological Seminary, Princeton, N. J.; Rev. Calvin Chapin, D. D. Rocky Hill, Conn.; Hon. Charles Marsh, Woodstock, Vermont; Rev. E. D. Griffin, D. D. President of Williams College, Mass.; Robert Ralston, Esq. Philadelphia; Isaac C. Bates, Esq. Northampton, Mass.; Rev. N. W. Taylor, D. D. New-Haven, Conn.; Rev. Alexander McClelland, Professor in Dickinson College, Pennsylvania; John P. Cushman, Esq. of Troy, N. Y.; Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, Concord, N. H.; Rev. Charles B. Haddock, Professor in Dartmouth College, N. H.; Rev. George Duffield, Carlisle, Penn.; Rev. W. J. Armstrong, Richmond, Va.; Theodore Frelinghuysen, Esq. Newark, N. J. On motion of the Rev. Ebenezer Porter, D. D. seconded by the Rev. C. C. Cuyler, Resolved, That this Convention is now prepared to receive any proposition which the Executive Committee of the United Domestic Missionary Society may introduce, relating to the object of this meeting. The Rev. A. Peters, Corresponding Secretary of the United Domestic Missionary Society, then announced that the Executive Committee had entrusted to him the form of a Constitution, which, after much deliberation, they were prepared to recommend to the Convention, to be made the basis of the contemplated National Society. At the request of the chairman, the Constitution was read; after which, on motion of the Hon. James Kent, seconded by the Rev. Dr. Bates, the following resolution was adopted: Resolved, That this Convention entirely approve of the proposed plan of a National Home Missionary Society, and that they will now proceed to consider the Constitution which has been presented. The Constitution was then read, article by article, and after being discussed and amended, was approved, and is as follows: (See page 3.) On motion of the Rev. James Blythe, D. D. of Kentucky, seconded by Rev. James Richards, D. D. Professor in the Theological Seminary at Auburn, Resolved, That the Convention having approved the proposed Constitution, recommend to the United Domestic Missionary Society to adopt the same, and become the American Home Missionary Society. On motion by the Rev. Jesse Fonda, of Montgomery, N. Y. and seconded by the Rev. B. B. Wisner, of Boston, Resolved, That the officers of this meeting be a Committee of the Convention, to present to the U. D. M. Society a statement of the proceedings of the meeting, together with the proposed Constitution, and the preceding recommendations that the same be adopted. The Convention was then dissolved; and the meeting closed with the apostolic benediction by the Chairman. THOMAS DE WITT, Secretary, JOHN CHESTER, Assistant Secretary. FOURTH ANNIVERARY OF THE United Domestic Missionary Society. THE Fourth Anniversary of the United Domestic Mission ary Society was held at the City-Hotel, New-York, on Friday evening, May 12, 1826. The Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, LL. D. President of the Society, in the chair. The meeting was opened with prayer by the Rev. Henry Reid, of Abbeville District, South-Carolina. The Annual Report was then read, with the exception of the detailed account of churches aided, by the Rev. Absalom Peters, Corresponding Secretary. After which the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. 1. On motion of Garrit Smith, Esq. of Peterborough, Madison County, N. Y. seconded by the Rev. Joshua Bates, D. D. President of Middlebury College, Vt. Resolved-That the Report of the Executive Committee be approved and adopted, and that it be published under their direction. 2. On motion of the Rev. Nathan S. S. Beman, of Troy, seconded by the Rev. Edward Andrews, Norwich, Chenango County, N. Y. Resolved-That while the thanks of this Society are given to Auxiliaries, and to individuals who have contributed to the funds during the past year, we are sensible that much of the future success of the Society must depend on the continued and unremitted aid of its friends. 3. On motion of the Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, of Philadelphia, seconded by the Hon. Samuel Bayard, of Princeton, N.J. |