the human family. For want of an adequate interpreter, it was deemed imprudent, at that time, to offer any further instruction. Our missionaries continued together until about the first of October. Mr. Vinall being at that time in very indifferent health, he thought it most prudent to descend the Mississippi, in a large decked boat, and if his health should not be restored, to return home by the way of New-Orleans.

"As no information, to be relied on, has subsequently been received of our brother, it is believed from that fact, as well as from other concurring circumstances, that he has been called to enter into the joy of his Lord.

"After parting with Mr. Vinall, Mr. Chapman, accompanied by Captain Prior, went with the chiefs, their women and children, who were returning to the Osage country, to select the place for a missionary station in that tribe. We derived, said he, much advantage from their company. They were very kind and attentive, and for the most part supplied us with meat. We were detained about two days with them, in camp, waiting for the arrival of those of their number, who, the year before had been taken prisoners by the Cherokees.

"It was very interesting to hear them at the garrison, joining in a kind of sacred singing. Every morning, on the first appearance of light, we heard them on all sides around us, for a great distance from the camp, engaged in very earnest prayer to God, their Creator. This they did, likewise, on all extraordinary occasions, as when they received any distinguished favour. They are very sincere, temperate, and considerate, and appear to regard the particular Providence of God with as much attention and reverence as any Christian people.

They are very desirous of adopting the dress and manner of living of the whites, and say, if good white people will come among them, and show them how to live like the whites, they may occupy as much land as they want.

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During his continuance with that people, Mr. Chapman explored the country, and selected a place for a missionary station that station, in allusion to the three denominations engaged in this missionary work, has, by a vote of the Board, been named Union.

"It is situated about 25 miles from the junction of Grand River with the Arkansas-one mile from the former river, about the same distance from the celebrated Saline of that country, and a day's ride from the principal Osage village, on the Verdigrease River, in latitude, by Melish's map, 35, 30 north, and 20, 20 of west longitude, from Washington. The site for the missionary house is in the middle of a very rich prairie, and near a never failing spring of excellent water. The slope of the ground, immediately adjoining the spring, is as conducive to the

convenience and beauty of a building spot, as if it had been formed by art for that purpose. Limestone, and clay for brick, abound in that country.

"On the 8th of October, accompanied by Mr. Slover, a good hunter and woodsman, Mr. Chapman set out on his way to the Missouri. Having no guide, nor path to depend on, they were obliged, through many difficulties and obstructions, to direct their course principally by the compass for about twelve days. On the seventh day from their departure, they passed through the villages of the Big Osages, and were, on two occasions, providentially supplied with provisions by hunting parties of the Osage tribe. Parts of the country through which they passed were rich, pleasant, well timbered, and abounded with coal, imbedded but a little below the surface of the earth; whilst other parts were broken and sterile.

"Having reached an American settlement, Mr. Chapman parted with his companion, and under the safeguard of a heavenly Providence, arrived soon after at St. Louis.

"During the continuance of Mr. Chapman at St. Louis, and in his return from that place to this city, he endeavoured to make arrangements to facilitate the future progress of a missionary family.

"The Board of Managers having been informed, that the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, had made a covenant with the Cherokees, previous to the arrival of our agents on the Arkansas, and had promised to form amongst them a missionary establishment; it was resolved, that to avoid all collision, and to maintain that good understanding which ought to exist between the two sister institutions, this Board will relinquish, to the American Board, their contemplated station among the Cherokees, on condition of their fulfilling the engagements entered into by our agents. The American Board having signified their compliance with this condition, it was resolved, to proceed forthwith to form a missionary establishment among the Osages."

The Report then states, that this Board have adopted the necessary measures for availing themselves of the offers of the United States government, to give its aid in promoting the esta blishment of schools for the education of the Indian nations which border on our settlements. The Report proceeds

"The Board, in their general principles, have declared it to be their object to promote amongst the Indians not only the knowledge of Christianity, but also of the arts of civilized life. Beside the branches of learning taught in common schools, the boys will be instructed in agriculture and the mechanic arts-and the girls in spinning, weaving, sewing, knitting, and household business. They have also resolved, that in every establish

ment there shall be a superintendent, and an assistant, who shalf be ministers of the gospel. A schoolmaster, a farmer, a blacksmith, a carpenter, and such other mechanics as shall be found necessary, all of whom shall come under the general denomination of Missionaries. This number may be increased as occasion shall require, and at every station there shall be a physician, by profession; or a person acquainted with the practice of physic.

"They determined also, that in no case should any be taken into this service who should not have a character well established for discretion and piety-and that the whole mission family should be governed by the same rules, and, excepting in cases of sickness, should eat at the same table.

"Having settled their preliminary business, the Board now proceeded to take measures for procuring a missionary family."

As the names of the persons who compose the mission, together with an account of the religious exercises preparatory to their departure for "UNION," are given at page 24 of this volume, we shall omit that part of the Report.

"Whilst the most pleasing prospects are thus opening upon the aborigines of the west," we are happy to perceive, that "the Board have not lost sight of the interests of their Redeemer in South America," and our pleasure will be increased, when we see the way open for sending a mission to that quarter, and when the treasury of the society shall be supplied with the means of accomplishing so important an object.

"We believe that good things, and precious things, are yet in store for that country.

"Venezuela has opened the door of religious toleration; her example will, in all human probability, be soon followed by the neighbouring provinces; and if so, South America will be evangelized.

"When we now contemplate the various and arduous duties which this Board have in so short time been enabled to perform, the appearance and character of our missionary family, and the interest manifested by so many amongst us, of all ages and classes, in missionary concerns-we have cause, indeed, to acknowledge the hand of God, as signally manifested to us, to our missionaries, and especially to the poor perishing heathen, to whom they are now bending their steps.

In reviewing the events which have occurred amongst us during the past year, we are encouraged, we are thankful, and we are joyful.

"Blessed be the LORD GOD, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things, and blessed be his glorious name for ever, and let the whole earth be filled with his glory.-Amen, and Amen.'"

AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY.

Speeches delivered at the Fourth Anniversary.

The following address, prepared by the President, was by his request, read by the Rev. John B. Romeyn, D. D.

BRETHREN AND FELLOW-CITIZENS,

Animated with the delightful prospect opened up to us by the promulgation of the gospel over the habitable earth, we are encouraged, gratefully to acknowledge the providence of God, for having once more brought us together on this joyful anniversary, to bless his holy name and rejoice in his superintending mercy. Our risen Saviour hath assured his disciples and followers, " that all power was given to him in heaven and on earth. Go ye therefore into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believeth and is baptized shall be saved. As my Father hath sent me even so send I you." By whom was this dignified order given, with so great appearance of almighty power and sovereign authority? It was no other than the King of Glory. The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory. One who a few days before had stood arraigned at Pilate's bar, was condemned as a malefactor, and had actually suffered the cruel and ignominious punishment of crucifixion as a transgressor, while God, angels, and men, testified his innocence and immaculate purity.

The gospel has been termed by St. Paul, the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which had been ordained by God before the foundation of the world. Now it is evident, that the mystery was to be revealed in the fulness of time; yet it is certain, that neither the Jewish rulers nor the most learned doctors among the heathen, had any adequate knowledge of it; and it would have remained hidden to this day, (as indeed, it still is, to the greatest part of mankind,) had it not been for the promulgation of it by the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. This, then, is the great business we are engaged in, as their followers, on this day, by which we are found fellow-workers with Christ in the completion of this blessed plan, by spreading it through the world, even to the ends of the earth. If the followers of our Lord, at the commencement of this great undertaking, stood in need of encouragement and support, in so disinterested and laborious a work of pure benevolence to the great family of mankind, I know not how we can better spend a small portion of the time allotted to the present occasion, than in contemplating the nature of our engagements for promoting the glory of God and the eternal felicity of our fellow

men.

If we would form a just idea of the great task that lies before us, let us take a retrospective view of the inhabitants of the earth at the first annunciation of these glad tidings of great joy to all nations.

Though boasting of their superior knowledge, and rejoicing in their great literary attainments; yet the Apostle of the Gentiles informs us, (and he is our surest source of information,) when speaking of the heathen world, that, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools; and changed the glory of the incorruptible God, into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmer

ciful.

Compare this degraded state of mankind with the blessed effects of the labours of the apostles and followers of Christ-with the fruits of the Spirit, which, the same apostle assures us, are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. These having been the fruits of this excellent system of gospel grace, in the small part of our world where it has been made known, and many glorious promises having been given to the followers of the Lamb, however unlikely to be verified, which refer decisively to the glory that should follow in the latter day, in which our lot is fallen, can we do better than to make them the subject of our daily encouragement and constant support?

I well know that there have been some persons (I would fain hope, without any evil intentions, but rather from want of proper information,) who have attempted to discourage this work of universal love, by appealing to the great number of the sacred obame that have been already issued by the many Bible Societies throughout the

world. From hence they have denied the necessity of increased exertions to diffuse the word of life.

If these charitable objectors would but inquire and know the necessities of our fellow men, by comparing their present numbers as now existing, who are thus favoured, as they suppose, with this invaluable treasure, with those who sit in darkness and dwell in the shadow of death, they would draw a very different conclusion.

From the latest statistical tables it appears, that in Europe alone, the population amounts to somewhere about 180,000,000 of persons, scattered over about 3,000,000 of square miles. In this calculation is comprehended all nominal Christians, amounting to about 140,000,000. The remaining 40,000,000 consist of Jews, Mahomedans, and Heathen. Thousands among all these, including multitudes in our own country, are calling out, with an ardour equal to that of the man seen by the apostle in a vision, "come over into Macedonia and help us ;" while more than 2,000,000 of Indian natives throughout America, and nearly as many coloured people, who, notwithstanding all our endeavours made to christianize them, may be said, (with a few exceptions,) to be still strangers to the plan of redemption from sin and death, to the enjoyment of eternal life through the gospel.

This estimate is not to be depended upon as precisely accurate; but sufficiently so for our present purpose, as it shows to demonstration that in the whole of christianized Europe and America, there is but one Bible extant to sixty inhabitants, and these daily wearing out and otherwise destroyed, the number not exceeding, probably, more than 3,000,000 of copies.

But if we should extend our views to the whole world, consisting of about 800,000,000 of souls, with not exceeding 5,000,000 of Bibles, it would afford not more than one Bible to 160 inhabitants.

What can the sceptical objector (who knows the value of an immortal soul,) say to these solemn facts, while they daily see souls launching into an awful eternity? Is there any necessity to add a word more to convince every serious mind that our work and labour of love is not in vain in the Lord; or to rouse and encourage you, any fellow-labourers, in this important part of the Lord's vineyard, to persevere in this good cause, with unwearied zeal and activity, under the encouraging promise that he himself is with us: yes, my brethren, even to the end of the world. And is it not a great privilege which we enjoy at this moment, to see this very promise so. manifestly accomplished in part? Looking abroad among the nations of the old world, do we not see the Spirit of God diffusing the light of divine truth to the darkest regions of the globe? Do we not behold efforts, greater than have ever before been made, for conveying the glad tidings of salvation to the most ignorant and destitute of the human race? Are not the inhabitants of the southern islands of the sea casting their dumb idols to the moles and bats, and erecting temples for the worship of the only true God? Are not the descendants of faithful Abraham receiving, with delight, the evangelical records in their own native tongue, and studying them with zeal, to their great advantage? And whence is it that so ardent a thirst should have been excited among the nations of the earth for the living waters of salvation? Whence this anxious solicitude for the oracles of divine truth? Is it not demonstrative proof of the fulfilment of the promises of the gospel?

To promote the glory of God and the salvation of our fellow candidates for immortal life, and thus becoming actual labourers with Christ in the great harvest of his kingdom, ought to be the ardent wish of every true disciple of the cross.

Let us, then, be far, not only from discouragement, but let us exceedingly rejoice in that success with which it has pleased a gracious Master, thus far, through good report and evil report, to succeed our feeble exertions, by the generous aid of our fellow-citizens and joint expectants of eternal life. "Not unto us, not unto us, O Lord, but to thy great name be all the praise." In reviewing the list of those worthics, who have so ably assisted, with unwearied diligence, in conducting the business of this society through the past years, while we unite in gratitude to God for their continued lives, and health in general, it cannot, it ought not, notwithstanding our other engagements, to escape our notice, that all who have heretofore been fellowJabourers with us, are not now present with us to partake of our joy. One is gonehas been called from his works of charity on earth, to his great Master's presence in heaven. He was a man of exalted piety-of universal piety-amiable and conciliating in his manners, and of inflexible integrity and great purity of heart.

No inember of this society can hear the name of JOHN MURRAY, Jun. without unfeigned respect for his memory, and deep regret for his loss.

Nor is it his departure only we have to mourn. Another of the zealous friends of this institution; he who presided in the convention that formed the invaluable Consti