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Missionary Society, stating that they had a proposition to make relative to an amalgamation of that Society with the American Board of Foreign Missions, for the more effectual promotion of the great objects of the two institutions. whereupon, these gentlemen were invited to sit with the Board as Honorary Members, during the session.-Gen. Daniel B. Brinsmade, being present as a Delegate from the Agents of the Foreign Mission School, was also invited to sit with the Board as an Honorary Member during the session.

After these preliminary transactions, the Treasurer made his Report. According to this report, the receipts for the year amounted to $63,392.54, and the expenditures, including a balance for which the Board was in debt, to $55,744.18.

The Report of the Prudential Committee was then read, and ordered to be printed.

At two o'clock P. M. on the first day of the session, the Annual Sermon was preached by the Rev Dr. Bates, from John viii. 32.; And the Truth shall make you free. A copy of the sermon was requested for publication.

The following officers were chosen for the year ensuing :

The Rev. Joseph Lyman, D. D., President;
The Hon. John Cotton Smith, LL. D., V. P.
The Rev. Calvin Chapin, D. D., Rec. Sec. ;
The Hon. William Reed,

The Rev. Leonard Woods, D. D.
Jeremiah Evarts, Esq.

The Hon. Samuel Hubbard, and
The Rev. Warren Fay,

Prudential

Committee.

Jeremiah Evarts, Esq. Corresp. Secretary;
Mr. Rufus Anderson, Assistant Secretary;
Henry Hill, Esq. Treasurer; and
Chester Adams, Esq. Auditor.

The Rev. Edward D. Griffin, D. D. was chosen preacher for the next annual meeting; and the Rev. Lyman Beecher, D. D. was chosen to preach in case of his failure.

On the subject of Salaries, it gave the Board great pleasure to be informed, that it had been necessary to pay nothing, the past year, out of the general treasury, for the support of the Corresponding Secretary; and that it was expected there would be no occasion, the coming year, for paying any thing out of the general treasury, either for the support of the Corresponding Secretary, or the Treasurer. This highly gratifying fact was owing to the public spirit and liberality of a few individuals residing chiefly, though VOL. VII.-No. 11.

77

not altogether, in the city of Boston; who, being informed that the question of salaries had given rise to some uneasiness, in different parts of the country, and believing that there was no just ground for the uneasiness, and that all occasion should, if possible, be removed; generously undertook to raise, by private subscription, a sum sufficient, with the interest of the funds already received for that purpose, to pay the whole amount of compensation allowed to those officers, for five years

to come.

In the course of the first two days, the subject of amalgamating the United Foreign Missionary Society with the Board came several times under consideration. A committee appointed to confer with the commissioners from that Society, reported, that, so far as they had been able to examine the subject, the proposed union is both practicable and desirable. The commissioners then made statements to the Board, similar to those which they had previously made to the committee. The reasons which they adduced in favour of a union with the Board were briefly these:

That the most friendly relations and feelings now exist between the General Assembly and the Synods, and the Orthodox Associations of New-England.

That the spirit of controversy having subsided, the intelligent and candid of the Christian public are all satisfied, that the same gospel which is preached in the Middle and Southern and Western States, is preached also in the Eastern States.

That the missionaries of both societies preach precisely the same gospel to the heathen; and that the same regulations are adopted by both in the management of missions.

That both derive much of their funds from the same churches and individuals; that the great body of Christians do not perceive or make any distinction between the two institutions, and consequently do not perceive any necessity for two, and regret the existence of two; and that many churches and individuals, unwilling to evince a preference for either, are thus prevented from acting promptly, and from contributing liberally to either.

That both societies are evidently embarrassed and cramped, through the fear of collision and difficulty; and that

the agents of both are discouraged and limited in their operations by the same apprehension.

That the objects, principles, and operations, of both are so entirely similar, that there can be no good reason assigned for maintaining two.

That the claims upon the churches are becoming so numerous and frequent, and the necessities of the desti tute so urgent, that all institutions are sacredly bound to observe the most rigid economy; and that by the union, much that is now expended for the support of offices, officers, agents, &c. will be saved for the general objects of the societies.

And lastly, that the prevailing feeling in the churches demands a union between the two societies, and will eventually make it unavoidably necessary.

After these statements, a committee was appointed to report the terms on which they supposed the union might be formed with the United Foreign Missionary Society. Their report, after much and deliberate discussion, was unanimously adopted by the Board, and received the concurrence of the Commissioners from New-York.

This very desirable measure is therefore likely to be effected. The proposed amalgamation cannot, however, be completed till it shall have received the sanction of the highest judicatories in the Presbyterian and Reformed Dutch Churches, which cannot take place before the meeting of those bodies in May next. In the mean time the American Board and the Commissioners from the U. F. M. Society have mutually agreed to certain preliminary articles in respect to the contemplated union.

The measures of the Board respecting the Foreign Mission School, will probably be regarded by many with surprise; for ourselves, however, we are satisfied to leave the matter to the wisdom of that venerable body.

A resolution having been submitted to the Board, on the second day of the session, "That it is inexpedient to continue the Foreign Mission School at Cornwall;" a committee was appointed to report upon the same. The next morning that committee reported as follows:

"The Foreign Mission School was established by the advice and under the direction of some of the wisest and

best men, which our country has produced, and who now rest from their labours. The design was excellent, and commended itself to the consciences and hearts of Christians throughout the land. The favour of God was vouchsafed to the rising institution, and a considerable number of pupils became pions, as their subsequent lives have proved; an important mission had its origin here; happy specimens of improvement were witnessed; and thousands of Christians have personally seen the advancement in useful knowledge, of young men, who had previously lived in ignorance and paganism.

"But a change of circumstances, in many important respects, together with the inherent difficulties of the case, have excited serious doubts, whether a school designed for the education of youths collected from heathen nations, can be permanently supported, with advantage to the cause of missions. Many pupils have been selected from natives of the Sandwich Islands: but these natives can now be better educated for the purposes of the mission, at the schools in the islands. Higher schools than any, which have yet been in operation, are contemplated, in both the Cherokee and Choctaw nations, to be supported ot the expense of the people themselves. Youths from the Mediterranean need, and their friends expect they will receive, a collegiate education.

"On the whole, the question whether a sufficient number of promising youths can be obtained; and whether they can generally be restored to their respective countries greatly improved, civilized, and guarded against evil; causes so much hesitation, that the following resolutions are recommended to the Board for its adoption: viz.

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Resolved, That a committee of this Board be appointed to take the whole subject into consideration; to visit Cornwall, and there confer with the agents of the school; to examine into all its concerns; and to report to the Prudential Committee their opinion respecting the course, which Providence shall seem to render judicious and necessary.

"Resolved, That, at present, no new expense be incurred for the erec tion of buildings.

"Resolved, That when the commit. tee shall have made their report, in ac

cordance with the provision in the preceding resolutions, the Prudential Committee be authorized to act definitively on the subject of the school."

This report was accepted, and the Hon. Mr. Hooker, Jeremiah Evarts, Esq. and the Rev. Dr. Chapin, were appointed a committee pursuant to these resolutions. It was then resolved,

"That the Prudential Committee be authorized, in case they think proper, to admit the descendants of Africa into the Foreign Mission School, with a view to their preparation for missionary labours on the coast of Africa."

It was also recommended to the Prudential Committee to establish a mission in Africa, as soon as they shall find it practicable, and be able to make the requisite preparations.

The following resolutions passed unanimously, with respect to the Mission College proposed to be established in the island of Ceylon: viz.

"That the Board fully approve of the proposed establishment of a Mission College in the island of Ceylon, as soon as the Prudential Committee shall be able to obtain funds sufficient

for the purpose, and make requisite and satisfactory arrangements." And,

"That the Corresponding Secretary present the thanks of this Board to the gentleman, who has offered to pay five thousand dollars for the purpose of establishing a College in the island of Ceylon, whenever ten thousand dollars shall have been provided from other sources for the same object."

After passing these resolutions, the meeting, which had been one of unusual interest and importance, was closed with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Bates.

The next Annual Meeting is to be held in the city of Middletown, Conn. on the Thursday next succeeding the second Wednesday of September, 1826, at ten o'clock A. M.

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ORDINATIONS AND INSTALLATIONS.

Sept. 28.-The Rev. CHARLES NICHOLS, Over the Church in Gilead, Hebron, Con. Sermon by the Rev. Luther Hart, of Plymouth.

Sept. 29.-The Rev. Edward BULL, over the South Parish in Lebanon, Con. Sermon by the Rev. Abel M'Ewen of New-London.

Sept. 29.-The Rev. Messrs AUGUSTUS POMROY, LUKE G. BINGHAM, LUCIUS ALDEN, and JOHN M. ELLIS, (from the Theological Seminary at Andover) were ordained in the Old South Church, Boston, as Missionaries, to the Western States, in the service of the United Domestic Missionary Society. Sermon by the Rev. M. Bruen, of New-York.

Oct. 12.-The Rev. HENRY JONES, over the Church and Congregation in the Parish of New-Britain, in Berlin. Sermon by the Rev. Professor Porter of Andover.

Oct. 12.-The Rev. BARTHOLOMEW

T. WELCH, over the Baptist Church in Catskill, N. Y. Sermon by the Rev. S. H. Cone of New-York.

Oct. 12.-The Rev. Messrs. FREDERICK E.CANNON and Dan Blodgett, at Williamstown, Vt. as Evangelists. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Chandler, of Waitsfield.

The Rev. JONATHAN CURTISS, (installed) over the Calvinistic Church and Society at Sharon, Mass. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Brigham of Randolph.

Oct. 16.-The Rev. Messrs. HIRAM CHAMBERLAIN and ALBERT M'MASTERS, were ordained in the Brick Church, Beekman-street, New-York, as Missionaries to the Western States. Sermon by the Rev. M. Bruen.

Oct. 19.-The Rev. LYMAN COLEMAN, over the Congregational Church and Society in Belchertown, Mass. Sermon by the Rev. Joel Hawes of Hartford.

DOMESTIC.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THE ERIE CANAL was completed on the 26th of October. Intelligence of the admission of the first boat from Lake Erie into the canal was conveyed by a running fire of cannon, placed at convenient distances, from Buffalo through Albany, to New-York and Sandy Hook, and an answer returned in the same manner from the ocean to the lake. The 4th of November, the day on which the boat from the Lake will reach New-York, is to be devoted to a grand celebration. The completion of this great work, is an event worthy of the enthusiasm with which the people of that State regard it. Nor will their fellow-citizens, in other States fail to regard it with a portion of the same feeling. It is one of those lines which every American will be proud to trace on the map of his country.

A grand council was held on the 4th of August, at Praire du Chien, with the Indians of the North West Territory-the Sacs and Foxes, the Chippewas, Sioux, Winnebagoes, and Menominies. The commissioners on the part of the U. S. were Gov. Cass and Gen. Clark. The object of the talk' was to adjust certain disputes which had existed among these tribes, in respect to boundaries and other causes of mutual hostility, and to restore them to settled peace and good will; all which was happily accomplished. The appearance of the Indians, amounting to between two and three thousand, is thus described in the Michigan Herald.

"They all arrived at the council

ground, clothed in their war dress, and armed with bows and arrows, war clubs and other Indian implements of warfare, very few having fire-arms, and encamped separately, under their respective chiefs. The Sacs and Foxes were the last to arrive, and are represented as making a very warlike and imposing appearance. They came up the Misisippi in a fleet of canoes, and as they approached the Praire, they lashed their canoes together and passed and repassed the town in a connected squadron, standing erect, singing their war songs, and dancing after their custom. On landing, they drew up in martial order, as if in war-like defiance of their enemies, the Sioux, who were encamped on the opposite side of the town, and who shot back the fierce look of defiance upon their ancient foes. The elder chiefs of the opposing taibes were prudent enough, however, to restrain the kindling passions of their young men; and their friends the Chippewas, who were already on the ground, passed along their line, and received friendly salutations."

No very important FOREIGN NEWS has reached us during the month. The papers contain a document which professes to be a "Manifesto of the Greek Nation," or an act of the clergy, the representatives of the people, the civil officers and the military officers both of the navy and army, placing the nation under the absolute defence of Great Britain. The document is accompanied with much editorial discussion respecting its genuineness. It has however some appearance of truth.

Errata.-Aug. No. p. 393, line 38, col. 1, for human principles, read human moral principles; p. 410, near the bottom of col. 2nd, for patience read penitence. In the last No. p. 537, line 32, col. 1, for worshippers read worshipper; p. 538, col. 2, near the bottom, for May flowers, read May flower's.

THE

CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR,

FOR

1826.

In accordance with the wishes of many of its friends, the CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR will hereafter be published in New-York, by J. P. Haven, and in New-Haven, by S. Converse.

As this work has been circulated, more or less extensively, in nearly every state in the Union, during the seven years of its existence, it may be presumed that its character has become generally known. To such, however, as have not been familiar with its pages, the following brief statement will not be superfluous.

The Christian Spectator is designed chiefly as a Theological Magazine and Review. It embraces, in the form of essays, sermons, and reviews, a great variety of subjects, interesting both to the theologian, and the private Christian. It has also a department for literary and miscellaneous communications. It gives a summary of the most important literary, religious, and political intelligence, a monthly list of new publications, ordinations, &c.

It is conducted by an Editor, assisted by an Association of Gentlemen. The doctrines which it advocates, are those which are approved by the orthodox genérally; while subjects of a merely sectarian, or local interest are excluded. Among its contributors, are gentlemen distinguished for their theological and literary attainments, in various parts of the Union.

A periodical work should rely, perhaps, solely on its own merits, to obtain for itself a circulation in the community. As, however, the proposed publication of the Christian Spectator in New-York, as well as the commencement of a new year, may bring it to the doors of some who have no personal knowledge of its character, it is deemed not improper to accompany this prospectus with the following recommendations.

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