boats, where an appropriate hymn was sung; and after a short address, they were, by prayer and supplication, committed to the mercy, power, and grace of the Lord Jesus.-After an affectionate farewell, they set out on a journey by water of 2000 miles to erect the standard of the cross among the heathen; and will not every Christian say amen to such an enterprize?

Christian friends, would there be any thing unreasonable or unchristian in asking the question, would not the superfluous wealth of the Christian community, squandered away by dress and dissipation, by amusement and lewdness, be sufficient to convey the arts of civilized life, as well as the gospel with all its comforts, in a very short time, to all the heathen of our guilty world? And would it not lay up treasure in heaven, and make to yourselves (in the language of our Saviour) friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations? Luke 16 9.

Circular of the Board of Managers of the Baptist General Convention for the United States.

66

We have lately had the pleasure of witnessing another triennial meeting of the Baptist Convention. Among the delegates we were gratified with beholding many of the venerable "fathers" in our churches, who " have known him that is from the beginning;" together with many of our young men," who "are strong, and the word of God abideth" in them. The interview was harmonious. The subjects spread before them were of the highest moment, and their consultations deliberate and solemn. It is humbly believed that the session was held under the approving "shadow of the Almighty."

In reviewing the several mission stations, Rangoon presented some considerations of an afflicting character. The amiable young Wheelock has been called by death from the mission field which his zeal had influenced him to select. He died on his passage from Rangoon to Calcutta. At the latter place his widow at present resides. Should she wish to return, the Managers consider it their duty to meet the expenditures that may arise from her passage. They hope she may find a sphere of usefulness among the pious missionaries around her. Mr. Hough has left Rangoon, and is employed in the printing department at Serampore. His immediate connexion with us has consequently ceased. Our beloved brother Judson, and his excellent wife, are actively engaged in their missionary work; and brother Colman and his partner are eagerly treading in their footsteps. A zayat, or building, in addition to the mission-house, has been erected in a public situation, where, to numerous inquirers, they daily ex-" pound and testify the kingdom of God. One Burman has given evidence of saving conversion, and been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Others are solemnly affected. We beseech you to contribute to their success, by the fervour and frequency

of your prayers. Without the descending influences of the Spirit of God, missionaries, like Noah, may condemn the world, but the world will not be saved.

1

From the trial which for three years has been made, and from the opinions of several judicious brethren in the western and southern sections of the Union, the managers, at a large meeting, were led to determine that St. Louis and St. Charles be no longer regarded as missionary stations under their direction and support. Mr. Welch has discovered an inclination to continue at St. Louis, and in its neighbourhood; the Board wish him success in his labours. They had resolved that Mr. Peck become an associate with Mr. M'Coy. Some engagements into which Mr. Peck had entered, it has since been found, will prevent his removal from his present station until the close of the current year, when it is expected he will be occupied agreeably to the resolution of the Board.

Brother M'Coy has gone from his late situation to Fort Wayne. The managers recommend and approve of this change, as it will bring the mission more immediately into the centre of an Indian settlement, and furnish him with the greatest prospect of doing good, by instructing and publishing the way of salvation. He is endeavouring to acquire the language of the natives, that he may converse and preach without the embarrassment of an interpreter.

The managers have resumed their mission among the Cherokees, with renewed ardour. Missionary measures were for some time suspended, in that quarter, from the uncertainty whether these Indians would continue to occupy the land of their progenitors, or retire westward. Liberal appropriations have been made to enable brother H. Posey, assisted by Mr. Dawson, a well qualified teacher, to effect a permanent, and, with the blessing of the Redeemer, a prosperous establishment, in that benighted region.

In the Georgia and Oakmulgee Associations, the generous wish is maturing into holy effort, to instruct and evangelize the Indians of the Creek nation. The Board rejoice in their purposes of Christian benevolence, and will be happy in the co-operation of their counsels and exertions. They have appointed the Rev. Francis Flournoy, a brother in whom the managers place great confidence, as possessing excellent qualifications, to commence the good work in such a way as his own judgment and the advice of his brethren shall conclude most expedient.

The Indian School at the Great Crossings, prospers under the active and benevolent care of the Rev. Mr. Ficklin. The Board will ever feel happy to contribute to its success. They have placed it under the direction of a Superintending Committee, in whose piety, prudence, and zeal they possess a cheerful reliance. They consider it due to the impartiality and benevolence of the general government, to state, that it has already contributed li

berally to the western stations, with a view particularly to Indian reform, and has promised to augment such assistance in propor tion as the extent of the efforts of the Board shall widen.

Several brethren who have received more or less of assistance from the Board in their incipient attempts as missionaries, are labouring with acceptance and success; particularly in the southwest parts of our Union, and are now supported by their personal exertions, and by the beneficence of the friends of evangelic truth. Among the various topics which have called into action the discussions and resolutions of the Convention and its Board of Managers, the education of godly youth called to the work of the ministry, by the churches, has received its deserved attention. An institution is in operation in which eighteen young men are engaged in a course of intellectual and literary improvement. A site for its ultimate establishment has been procured, on an eligible eminence, in the vicinity of Washington city. Buildings are erecting, and it is cheerfully expected that in a few years, by the united efforts of associations, churches, brethren and friends, it will become a source whence the streams of learning and piety will spread through our large and increasing denomination.

The managers, influenced by a conviction of duty, as well as from sentiments of affectionate esteem, are grateful to the God of missions for the continued health and distinguished exertions of their worthy agent, the Rev. Mr. Rice. The other agents, who are regularly authorized to co-operate in this service of benevolence, it is hoped, will be received with kindness and respect.

Permitted to live in an age before unparalleled for the wonders of grace, and called on aloud to stand in our lot and accomplish with our might whatsoever our hands find to do, God grant that we may none of us sink into slothful inactivity, degrading selfishness, or infidel despondency. Prophecy must be accomplished, and the Spirit of brightness effuse his living beams. If human effort, of itself, be imbecile, the Head of the church can render it effectual. "Prove me, Now, saith the LORD OF HOSTS, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

NEW-YORK SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

(Continued from p. 94.)

In pursuing our notices of the three reports mentioned at the head of this article in our last number, we next come to that of the "New-York Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Society."

"The very flourishing school of St. John's Chapel, presents the interesting spectacle of 284 regularly attending scholars, of whom 127 are males, and 157 females.

"In the school of Zion Church there are 100 regularly attending scholars, who have made great improvement, both in learning and behaviour.

Of the schools of St. Paul's Chapel, it is stated that "the whole number (males) at present on the register, is 101; of which 62 are whites, and 39 are coloured. Of this number, about 40 are regular attendants." In the female department of this school, the number of regular attendants has averaged about 60.

"The female school of Trinity Church, is in a very flourishing and encouraging state. It consists of 69 scholars, of whom 33 are white, and 36 coloured.

The Superintendent of the United Male Schools of Trinity and Grace Churches, report that there are at present on the register the names of 69 children, of whom about 50 attend regularly."

The female school of Grace Church, reports 50 scholars admitted during the year; at present there are 27 regular attendants.

In the male and female schools of St. Philip's Church, (a church recently erected by a very respectable congregation of coloured persons) there are upwards of 70 regularly attending scholars.

We regret that the schools of St. Mark's Church have been relinquished, more especially as that part of our city is much in need of schools for the moral and religious instruction of the poor; and affords an ample field for the arduous labours of Sunday School Teachers.

It appears from the preceding extracts, that under the patronage of this society "there are, at present, attending the several schools in our union, 733 scholars-300 male, and 433 female. If to this number be added the scholars who, from various causes, are irregular in their attendance, the whole number now instructed in these schools will amount to at least 1000.

"There is also a society in the Lutheran congregation, formed about three years since, of which their pastor is president, which has under its care a well conducted school of 43 or 44 boys, managed by four teachers and a committee of superintendents, by which it is regularly visited.

"The same church has also a female school equally prosperous." From a review of the report before us "it appears that in this city, there are taught by means of Sabbath Schools, an aggregate of not much less than 9000 children and adults, of whom many

have no other means of instruction."

The report of the Episcopal Union closes by stating the necessity of additional labourers, and urging all who have it in their power, to render assistance, in the following appropriate terms. "From many of the reports, it is obvious that if the number of teachers were increased, there would be a great increase of the number of scholars. To those who by influence, or by personal services, can contribute to this, we would earnestly recommend the reflection, that thus the church will be rendered more prosperous-society will have the advantage of more extensive diffusion of useful knowledge--the honour of God will be promoted-new monuments may be erected to the glory of the Re

deemer's grace-souls may be snatched from everlasting perdition-the host of heavenly worshippers may be increased."

It is gratifying in the highest degree to perceive the efforts which are made in these establishments to instruct the poor and the ignorant in knowledge and piety. Existing evils will be checked, and gradually removed; approaching evils will be arrested in their progress, and the best of blessings will be bestowed upon multitudes who are taught, and upon society at large, by the means of the Sunday Schools. It will not be the fault of the system, it will not be for the want of a rich blessing from on high, upon well intended, persevering efforts, if they do not present in the course of half a century, the delightful spectacle of a reformed and pious race, where vice and irreligion now prevail; but to the reluctance of those who might engage in the laborious, but not irksome task of doing good. And it is painful to perceive, that even now, owing to this very cause, the work is only partly done. The committee of the Sunday School Union Society, on this subject, make the following observations, which are well worthy the conscientious attention of all those who profess to follow Him who went about doing good.

"In an institution, receiving, as does this, an almost universal approbation, your committee are pained to state, that, owing to an unaccountable apathy and indisposition to encounter the requisite self-denial, the good proposed by Sunday schools is confined to limits far short of what the necessities of the poor, or the good of the community would require. If many thousands are collected in your schools, many more still disturb the repose of the Sabbath, and, lost to all principle, grow up to beggary, abandonment and wretchedness. The complaint from all the schools, throughout the year, has been, that, owing to a want of teachers, their numbers are small, compared with what they might be.

"Your committee fondly hope that this state of things shall not long continue, and that while Christians, with a laudable zeal, are sending out missionaries to the destitute on our borders, and to our uncivilized neighbours, they will not entirely neglect those whom providence has placed at their own doors, and in a manner, under their own guardianship. If self-denial is requisite in the Sunday School Teacher, and if but little honour is attached to his name among those influenced by the pride of life, still, the object is too important to be abandoned; and the duty too imperious to be neglected. We appeal to the consciences of this Christian community, whether they do not incur an awful responsibility, in omitting an exertion which might end in a success, as great as that which is expected, even from those noble missionary enterprises which have lately filled their hearts with admiration and with joy. "The principal burden of our schools has been sustained by those, whose intense and laborious pursuits during the week, might well excuse them from any engagements on the Sabbath, which did not comport with rest of body and mind. How many