hold dear. In treating with them, avoid unbecoming reflections, disobliging appellations, and ungenerous allusions; but in the language and spirit of the gospel, endeavour, as far as they have erred, to win

them to the simplicity there is in Christ.

I am, esteemed brethren,
respectfully and affectionately yours,
SIMPLICITAS.

It is a distinctive excellence of Christianity, that when it exerts its genial influence over the heart, it destroys the frost of human selfishness, and sets in motion those streams of kindness and charity which are designed and adapted to bless mankind. To form suitable channels in which these streams may flow, and to give them an extensive and beneficial direction,is the part of Christ ian wisdom.

Perhaps it would be assuming too much in behalf of the present age, to suppose that we are imbued with a purer spirit of benevolence than was possessed by Christians in former times. But the happier circumstances in which we are placed give us more leisure and means for doing good; the improvement which is visible in the general state of society, has opened to our view, and made easier of access, a larger field of benevolent effort, than was presented to our pious ancestors; and the faeility with which we can unite in the formation and execution of plans for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ, gives us advantages which they did not possess. They were not destitute of benevolence, but from the peculiarity of their condition, forsaken, oppressed, and im prisoned by their fellow men, the tender concern which they felt for the salvation of others was like a living fountain of water confined in the bowels of the earth; or if it worked its way to the surface, was restrained, and diverted from its course, and thus prevented from uniting with kindred streams and diffusing its blessings to a wider ex

tent. These considerations should check the feelings of self-gratulation, which may arise when we compare our exertions with what was done by the church in former ages; and lead us, now we are at rest from our enemies, to labour with all our might in prosecuting plans for evan gelizing the world. The principles which made our predecessors in the faith willing to suffer for Christ, should make us voluntarily active for hrist. The holy love which caused them to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods, should induce us to give a portion of our goods for the promotion of the Saviour's cause. It is our favoured lot to live in a peaceful period of the church; we have liberty and means to labour for God; we should therefore be industrious in forming those channels which will give an extensive and efficient direction to the sympathies which exist in the hearts of the sincere disciples of Christ.

While we rejoice that many faithful servants of the cross have bid adieu to their country and kindred, and have passed over the mighty deep to make known the unsearchable riches of Christ among the heathen; and while we hope that Foreign Mission Societies will al ways be patronized and supported ; we must be permitted to say that Domestic Missions have very pow erful claims on the Christian public.

The population of our country is scattered over so large a tract of territory, that for a long time its spiritual wants in many parts can be supplied only by the labours of

missionaries. Had we even a sufficient number of ministers to give one to every thousand souls, one half of them could not become the settled pastors of congregations; for this obvious reason, there are vast districts where one hundred persons could not be regularly convened, and if they could be convened they could do but little, for supporting the gospel. However multiplied then the number of ministers might be, these small and impoverished assemblies in the wilderness must be assisted by the funds of Missionary societies, that are formed in populous towns and cities, or they must perish for lack of knowledge.

The founders of the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, were convinced of this affecting truth. Hence they formed this channel of benevolence, which has conveyed the blessings of salvation to very distant parts of the United States. But as the channels of some of our large rivers are supplied by periodical freshets, and various tributary streams, so this channel of Christian philanthropy depends for its supplies upon the bounty of individuals and collective bodies of men. To encourage your co-operation in sending the tidings of mercy to the poor and destitute, we shall now lay before you our proceedings as a Board; and a brief detail of the labours and success of our Missionaries during the last year.

From a persuasion that a comparatively small field of labour would be better cultivated than one of undefined extent, the Board have directed their Missionaries to fix on some important places to which they should devote particular attention, and from which they might make preaching excursions as often as practicable during the term of their appointment. After much deliberation on the subject, the Board are satisfied that this is the most effectual method to attain the objects of this Society. In some

very destitute sections of the country, where there are perhaps six or eight churches, and all of them without a pastor; the Board have proposed to supply them with a Missionary for half the year, if they would make arrangements for his support the other half. The proposal has been cordially accepted. They are now favoured with the word and ordinances; and it is hoped the period is not far distant, when, instead of drawing from the funds of this Society, they will become helpers in the good cause.

In a few instances where it appear. ed of great importance to encourage churches which were making strenuous efforts to maintain the public worship of God, the Board have granted assistance. There is reason to believe, that the aid which has been thus afforded, has not only benefited the recipients, but will eventually subserve the cause of Missions.

In a letter from Hallowell in the State of Maine, after acknowledging with gratitude the kindness of the Board in affording such timely encouragement, the writer remarks, "There is now no doubt that the ministry will be constantly maintained, and that after the expiration of the year, assistance will not be needed from abroad. We are now building a meeting-house 67 by 50 feet. Our spiritual concerns also are prosperous. Our place of worship is constantly crowded; and it is no uncommon thing to see many in tears. We have reason to hope that many have serious impressions on their minds, which will terminate in their conversion. Some of our meetings have been solemn and awful as with the divine presence; and a divine power seems to attend the word." This is one instance in which the Board have assisted a feeble church to support a Christian minister, who, by his activity and zeal, has set in operation a series of measures, which may be productive of incalculable good.

Since the last annual meeting, the Rev. Isaac Case has spent three months in the service of your Society. His labours were chiefly confined to a destitute region, including a part of New-Hampshire and Ver. mont. He informs us in his journal, That he preached and administered the Lord's Supper to an infant church in Montgomery, which had been constituted about ten months. This little church appeared very thankful for his visit. The following day he travelled about ten miles through dismal woods, and arrived at the western part of Belvidere. "Here," he says, "I found a few scattered inhabitants between the mountains, remote from the rest of the world. They seldom hear any preaching. I appointed a meeting, and some came several miles in a tedious snow storm to attend an evening lecture. The next day I went to the eastern part of the town, where I was kindly received. The people attended the lecture on a short notice. I believe they felt the force of divine truth, for they appeared as solemn as if they had been arraigned before their Judge. Surely this season will long be remembered. From this place I went to Craftsbury, Waldin, Hardwick, Barnet, and other towns, testifying the gospel of the grace of God; and enjoying much comfort in the Holy Ghost. I have in this journey visited many destitute places; where I found small Baptist churches, that gladly received the word. They sent their thanks to the Society for commiserating their situation; and expressed their sorrow, that it was out of their power to contribute to its funds."

Rev. Isaac Kimball had an appointment from this Board for six months. In conformity to the instructions which were given him, he has chiefly laboured in the State of New-Hampshire, and has also visited some adjoining places in the south-east parts of Vermont. He

had only fulfilled his first appointment of three months, when his last communication was received; but it contains facts which must be very gratifying to the friends of this Society. In his letter to the Board he remarks, "It is just thirteen weeks this evening since I alighted in Unity, on the borders of my missionary field. I met with a very cordial reception among the brethren and friends. I have spent my time principally in Claremont, Charleston, and Unity. I have, however, made short excursions to other towns; and have preached in Goshen, Newport, Cornish, Plainfield, and Grantham. Thrice I have visited and preached in different places in Vermont. In the prosecution of my labours, I have travelled, since my arrival, about 500 miles; have preached ninetyeight times; attended twenty-one other religious meetings, either for business or worship; have administered the Lord's supper four times; attended to the administration of baptism five times, and administered the ordinance to six persons; and have visited schools. I have reason to bless God that I see, as I trust, some appearance of good attending my feeble efforts. Although nothing very general has yet been manifested, still the way for a blessing, we hope, is opened, and the Lord's work begun. In Charleston there is a thronging attendance and a very solemn attention. In Unity there are two or three instances of hopeful conversion.

In Claremont is presented the most hopeful prospect. There were about 20 professors belonging to dif ferent Baptist churches scattered throughthe town. When I became acquainted with their number,strength and situation, I thought it best here in the name of our God, to set up a banner. Fourteen of these professors, together with three others that I had baptized, who had joined no church, agreed to unite in calling a council for the purpose. No

sooner had this little band of Christian heroes agreed to arise and go forward, than the Lord gave them victory. One person was baptized and added to them last Lord's day, and a powerful work of the Lord seems to be commencing. New

cases of conviction appear at almost every meeting, and the number who have hopefully passed from death to life, is eight or ten, some of whom it now appears, had been under conviction several weeks."

Rev. Elisha Andrews has spent three months under the patronage of the Board. He devoted the most of this time to a few towns in the western part of Vermont; and in the counties of Warren and Clinton, in the State of New-York. He observes, "It would afford me much pleasure to be able to state to you any success of my labours in the conviction and conversion of sinners; but we know the seed must be sown before it will germi nate and produce fruit." After preaching at Arlington, Wells, and several other towns in Vermont; Mr. Andrews proceeded to the head of Lake George, and delivered a number of discourses in Warrensburgh and its vicinity. At Plattsburgh, he says, "I preached twice in the Presbyterian meeting house, and once in the Cantonment. The soldiers behaved with great decency, and some of them were solemn ly impressed. The commander invited me to give them another discourse, to which I agreed, and consequently I preached again to them on the ensuing Lord's day. From the time that I came into the county of Clinton, until I left it, I was constantly employed in visiting almost every accessible part of it; and preaching seven, eight, and nine sermons in a week; in all these labours I enjoyed more than usual strength and comfort. I delivered thirty-eight sermons in that county, besides attending to the formation of a Bible Society; spending two days in a council; and one

in a church meeting. This county extends about forty miles from the line of forty-five degrees, to the Sable River, and is generally settled from ten to twenty miles back from the Lake. It contains several considerable villages; but in all this extent of country, there are only four Presbyterian and two Baptist ministers; and one of them is an aged decrepit man, unable to go abroad. From the time that I left the county of Clinton, I travelled circuitously up the Sable River, and then across the county of Es sex, to the Lake; preaching once a day, and sometimes twice. several places where I preached, the attention was such as indicated an approaching revival of religion."?

In

Rev. Edward W. Martin has performed missionary service for 3 months, in the State of New-York. As his journal exhibits an account of his labours and travels from day to day, it would be difficult to present a general statement of them in this Report. He appears to have been very indefatigable in the discharge of his duty, and to have preached the word in season and out of season to the poor and destitute, among whom he visited. Appearances in several places encouraged him to hope that the seed he had sown would be raised by the power of God. He closes his journal with the following remarks, "I have spent thirteen weeks in missionary service; preached seventy times; baptized five; broke bread once; and made many family visits. I have been kindly received in all places; and an effectual door has been opened for preaching the word. I am sensible that the collections I have made are very small; but I have done what I could. The article of money where I have travelled is scarcely known, except by name. The people have expressed much gratitude to the Society for remembering them. They wish still to be remembered; and promise, that if a change of times.

takes place, they will remember the Society, and do something for the encouragement of missions. The region through which I have travelled is generally very destitute. I visited one place this winter, where I was informed there were but two Presbyterian and two Baptist ministers for the distance of one hundred miles." Mr. Martin used his endeavours to increase the circulation of the American Baptist Magazine, and to form Missionary Societies. He says, "The cry is still sounding in my ears, Come over and help

us."

As the Board have not allowed their feelings to be governed by sectional prejudices, so they have prescribed no limits to their exertions, except the boundaries of the great and extensive country in which it is their happiness to live. Under the influence of feelings which will know neither East nor West, North nor South, they have give en the longest appointment this year to a faithful and beloved brother, Rev. Edward Davenport, to preach in the State of Pennsylvania. He has fulfilled a mission of three months with evident tokens of the divine approbation; and has entered on another tour of 6 months at the request of your Trustees. The following extracts from his communication to the Board, will no doubt impart much pleasure. "Agreeably to your appointment, I set out from home on the 28th of August, and rode directly to the State of Pennsylvania. In my journey I passed through Smithfield, and Springfield, where I laboured two years ago. In Springfield there has been a church constituted since I was last with them. And in both towns the disciples appear stedfast in the faith. To the scattered in habitants in the county of Tioga, I preached almost every day. I called at Delmar, where I assisted last year in constituting a small church. They had only heard one or two sermons since I was with them last

season, but they appear to have searched the scriptures, and to have grown much in the knowledge of God. They are loving and faithful brethren indeed. From Delmar," he says, "I passed into the counties of Potter and McKeen, west of the Alleghany mountains, where'l calculated to spend most of my time; as I could not learn that there was a preacher of the gospel in either of the counties. I accordingly formed a circuit up and down the Alleghany River, and Potatoe creek." In this region Mr. Davenport preached from seven to eleven times a week; visited from house to house; and the people appeared to receive the word with all readiness of mind, and expressed their gratitude to God-and to the Board for sending them the word of life. At a place called Norwich settlement, the minds of many of the people appeared to be unusually impressed from the time he first laboured among them.

The Spirit of the Lord appeared to operate on their hearts, and many were the subjects of deep and pungent convictions. One soul was hopefully brought to know the truth; the door appeared to be effectually opened for more labour in that place; and the good work seemed to be universal. Mr.Davenport remarks in his journal, "I was induced to stay two weeks longer than my first calculation, and had the satisfaction of baptizing eight on a profession of their faith." After taking his leave of them, and travelling fifteen miles through mud and woods, he was so tried in his mind concerning the destitute situation of this people, that he could not sleep during the greatest part of the night; he finally resolved to return. He says, "I continued preaching with them a week; and the Sabbath following I baptized seven persons. This is the Lord's doing, to him be all the glory." On his return, he baptized two persons in Potter county, who gave evidence of a work of grace in their