of our missionaries has for a while impeded the benevolent designs of the parent Board, yet it has not cancelled our obligation to prosecute our endeavors for the spread of the gospel in Africa. We need not, in this report, offer a minute statement of facts respecting the mission, to support which this Society was formed. These facts have been laid before the public in the reports of the parent Board, and in the religious publications. It is sufficient now to say, that these missions deserve our vigorous support, and our continued prayers. Though a conscientious and wise economy is practised, yet the missions cannot be sustained, and much less enlarged, without liberal contributions from the friends of the Saviour. This Society ought to be among the most zealous auxiliaries of the parent Board. No where can that Board look for support with more confidence, than to the churches in Boston. Here is the seat of the Board. Its operations are conducted here. The men on whom its management chiefly rests, are among us. The missionaries of the Board are personally known to most of us. Many of them have preached in our houses of worship, have been visiters in our families, have mingled in our prayer meetings, and have sailed for their places of labor from our harbor. If, then, a strong interest should be felt any where for missions and missionaries, it should be in this city. The Board fully believe that a strong attachment to Foreign Missions is felt by our churches, and that if urgent necessity demanded large pecuniary contributions, they would be cheerfully furnished. But the Board regret that the efforts made in this city for the support of foreign missions do not correspond with the ability and the accustomed liberality of the churches. Various causes may be assigned for this apparent neglect. The pressure of demands for pecuniary aid to other objects is doubtless the principal reason. The Board feel, however, that it is exceedingly important that the male and female mission societies in each of the Baptist congregations should be zealously sustained. The cultivation of the missionary spirit among us is needful to the prosperity of religion in our own churches. Even if money were not urgently needed, the healthful action of the foreign mission societies in each congregation would be exceedingly beneficial, by its effect to foster love to Zion, and zeal for the salvation of men. This Society is needed for the same purpose. It is a central point of union to the mission societies in the respective congregations. It is a convenient medium of communication with the parent society, and it facilitates the operations of the general treasury, by receiving from the male and female societies their contributions, and transmitting them, in one sum, to that treasury. It helps to diffuse in the city a missionary spirit, by its meetings, and its annual sermon. It is, moreover, in harmony with the general plan of the parent Board, to establish county societies, to which the mission societies in the respective churches in the county shall be auxiliary. This plan has been carried into effect over a considerable extent of country: and it is desirable that it be adopted throughout the Union. These county societies are found to be highly important auxiliaries to the parent Board, and without their agency and superintendence the mission societies in the churches would be liable to languish. By these county auxiliaries and other large societies the delegates to the Baptist General Convention are appointed. The Boston Baptist Foreign Mission Society must, therefore, be seen to be a necessary part of the general plan of operations; and it is hoped that the impression which has prevailed to some extent, that it is not needed, will be removed. The Board are desirous that the Society may be sustained with more vigor, and that our zeal and our contributions for the support of Foreign Missions may be greatly increased. During the year past, God has added to our churches a large number of members. Zion has rejoiced. While we have endeavored to send the gospel to the heathen, we have ourselves been watered. Let us increase our ef forts and our prayers for the spread of the gospel at home and abroad, remembering that as there is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism, so there is one kingdom; and that our endeavors to promote the welfare of that kingdom, at any one point, will be felt throughout its whole extent, and will advance the prosperity of the whole. On behalf of the Board, J. D. KNOWLES, Sec. pro tem. The following account of the Treasurer was read and accepted: Boston Baptist Foreign Mission Society in account with James Loring, Nov. 27. By cash of Mr. Benjamin Sweetser, Treasurer of the Male Pri. Miss. Soc. of the 1. Collection at first Baptist meeting-house, prayer meeting, 65,00 Cash from Dea. Carlton, collected at monthly prayer meeting, May 3, at Federal- 6,61 7,70 Do. at meeting-house in Charles-St, 17,52 Do. at first Baptist meeting-house, Rev. Mr. Hague preached, 24,51 9. Cash of Mr. Daniel Cummings, Treasurer of the Male Pri. Soc. of Federal-St. 200,00 One hundred dollars of this amount to be appropriated to the support of a native Burman teacher. 1831. Jan. 3. Collection at first Baptist meeting-house, prayer meeting, 7,10 do. 21,70 Do. at meeting-house in Baldwin Place, Feb. 7. Collection at Federal-St. Baptist meeting-house, prayer meeting, March 3. Cash from Mrs. Heman Lincoln, Treasurer of the Pri. Female Baptist Soc. of Do. 9. Cash from Juv. Miss. Soc. of Federal St. Baptist church and congregation, for edu- 27. Cash from Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, Treasurer of Pri. Soc. of first Baptist church and soc. for the Foreign Mission, 14. Cash from Miss Clouston, Treasurer of the Female Burman Missionary Society of 50,00 68,00 11,87 14,81 13,79 20,00 10,00 21. Cash of Mrs. Margaret B. Chorley, Treasurer of the Baptist Female Pri. Miss. 47,72 May 1. Cash of Miss Sarah Jepson, Treasurer of the Juv. Miss. Soc. of first Baptist Sab- do. 16,15 9. Cash of Dea. Lathrop, Treasurer of the Pri. Soc. of Charles-St. Baptist Church 1830. Dec. 8. For cash paid Dea. Heman Lincoln, Treasurer of Baptist Board, Dr. 126,44 9. 1831. Do. do. do. do. 121,34 200,00 50,00 68,00 112,00 10,00 47,72 8,24 99,75 162,53 1006,02 Boston, Sept. 10, 1831. We have examined the treasurer's account, and found it correctly cast, and properly vouched; he having paid over all the money he has received to the treasurer of the Baptist Board of foreign missions. ICHABOD MACOMBER, Auditing SAMUEL BEAL, Committee. For the American Baptist Magazine. BAPTISTS IN MAINE. Within a few weeks we have had the happiness to visit several Associations at their annual meetings, in the great and prosperous state of Maine. The first which we attended was the Cumberland, at North Yarmouth, on the last Wednesday in August. It was a very interesting session, as several of the churches connected with this body had, during the past year, experienced a happy revival. This was especially true of North Yarmouth and Portland. The recent lamented death of Mr. Leonard, late pastor of the Baptist church in Portland, was duly noticed, and his loss is very deeply felt. He was to have preached the introductory sermon; instead of which, he had entered on higher services in heaven, and this duty was, in an appropriate manner, performed by his worthy predecessor, Rev. T. B. Ripley, who is now very happily located at Bangor, and who was present as a messenger from the Penobscot Association. The preaching and devotional services during this meeting were of a deeply religious character, and were continued for several days. Recent accounts from this ancient church announce the cheering intelligence that the special attention appears to have increased since the late meeting, and has resulted in the hopeful conversion of a number of individuals. We next visited the Kennebec Association, at Cornville, about twenty miles north of Waterville. This was also converted into a protracted meeting for preaching, exhortation, prayer, and praise. After the first day, the general business of the Association was conducted in a building near the meeting house, which had been prepared for the purpose, and the meeting house devoted exclusively to religious services. It was supposed, on this occasion, that prayers were particularly requested for at least one hundred persons, and we trust there was joy in heaven over some sinners that repented and gave glory to God, whose attention was arrested during the solemn services of this holy convocation. The ministers appeared to come in the spirit and power of Elias, and to enjoy much of the fervor of true piety. After leaving Cornville, we spent a few days in visiting several new towns that are very thinly inhabited, some of which are blessed with an effusion of the Spirit; and on the following week attended the meeting of the Penobscot Association, at Charleston. Arrangements had been made by the pastor and church, which were cheerfully adopted by the Association, for a four days? meeting. This was also a season of much interest, and many were constrained to say, 'It is good for us to be here.' From the favorable indications that were witnessed on this interesting anniversary, in connection with the spirit of prayer that seemed to pervade the hearts of the ministers and messengers of the churches, the happiest results may be anticipated. Our next and last visit was at the Lincoln Association, which held its session in Jefferson. The plans for conducting the meetings were of a character similar to those to which we have briefly adverted in the other Associations. Indispensable engagements would not allow us to remain with our friends here after the closing services of the first day, although we were 'loath to leave the place.' We however learn with great pleasure by a letter received from a valued friend, that it was a season of much religious enjoyment. He . says, "On Thursday, the devotional exercises at the meetinghouse commenced at nine o'clock. The house was crowded to overflowing. Friday the meetinghouse was crowded at an early hour. Many requests were sent in for prayers-a number from awakened souls, begging the prayers of the churches that they might be converted. It was a weeping season.-Results for eternity we hope were effected, which will cause everlasting joy in the realms of bliss." The preaching was generally addressed to the heart and conscience, and many we believe were induced to cry, 66 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" The several important subjects of sabbath schools, the wants and claims of Waterville College, also Domestic and Foreign missions, were presented at the various meetings, and very cordially received; contributions were taken for Domestic and Foreign missions. We had the happiness to meet many of the devoted ministers of Christ, of whose preaching and piety it would give us pleasure to express our feelings, did time and room permit. We must however be allowed to mention two or three of those venerable men who have borne the burden and heat of the day, and who will soon go to receive their reward. Rev. S. Boardman (father of the late lamented missionary, Rev. G. D. Boardman,) presided at the Kennebec Association and preached during the session to great acceptance. He is in the seventy-fifth year of his age. At the Lincoln Association, we had the pleasure to see and hear father Case, who has spent many years in missionary labors, and is now in the seventy-second year of his age. We also met Rev. B. Bisbee, who is of the same age, and who has spent many years in itinerant labors. These "servants of the most high God" contributed greatly in building up churches when the country was new, and when they were required to endure much cold, hunger, and fatigue. It is very gratifying to witness the increase and prosperity of the churches in contrast with their former situation. Some twentyfive or thirty years since, there was only the Bowdoinham Association in this state; and now they number nine Associations, consisting of about two hundred and twenty churches, containing fourteen thousand members, with upwards of one hundred and fifty ordained ministers. Surely this little one has become more than "a thousand." The population of Maine is rapidly increasing, and we believe it will soon become one of the most important members of the union. The soil is in general good, many parts of it of superior quality. It has great facilities of communication by water, and must be extensively a commercial and an agricultural community. In the course of our journey we visited for the first time, Waterville College. This is handsomely situated on the Kennebec river, surrounded by a fine country capable of sustaining a large population. The able officers of this Institution are devoted to its best interests, and are now reaping the reward of their toils in witnessing a special attention to religion--A letter from a friend says, "An increasing solemnity prevails among all classes, especially among the students of the college." We were pleased to find "Zion's Advocate," published at Portland, in general circulation among the churches. This religious journal is exerting a beneficial influence, and we therefore hope it will be greatly increased. The numerous Baptist churches and congregations in this state have it in their power to do much in aid of the great and benevolent operations of the present day. May a spirit of diffusive Christian charity in an eminent degree pervade them all. MASSACHUSETTS. REVIVAL IN BROOKFIELD. Brookfield, Mass. Oct. 15, 1831. Dear Brother, At your request I now lay before the readers of the Magazine an account of the revival in this place. I arrived here on the 24th of September last, and found that a work of grace was then in progress. Brother Ezra Going had preached here some two or three weeks before; and the word had been blessed to the convincing of about thirty persons chiefly youth and children, though some of grey hairs were inquiring the way to Zion with their faces thitherward. The second Sabbath after my arrival was the communion season of the church, and on the Friday previous, seventeen persons, all young, and eight of them males, told their exercise to the church. I had the pleasure of immersing eleven of these in the presence of a very large and attentive concourse of spectators. As conversions multiplied, we concluded it not best to defer another baptizing season till the next communion, and accordingly appointed this day for a church meeting to hear experiences preparatory to the baptizing tomorrow. Fourteen have told their exercises, though the extreme youth of several induced the church to defer their baptism to a future occasion. Brother Going, who came here to attend our protracted meeting this week, is expected to baptize nine or ten to-morrow. Our protracted meeting has been abundantly blessed. On Tuesday the weather was extremely unfavorable, and not more than twenty attended to listen to an interesting discourse from a Congregational minister, by the name of Everett. On Wednesday I found myself unsupported by any ministering brother, and the attendance in the morning very thin. I concluded to make the morning meeting, a meeting for prayer; and we enjoyed a comfortable season. Afternoon a Methodist minister appeared, by the name of Morton. I prevailed on him to preach; and we listened to an interesing and profitable discourse from the text, "The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live." John v. 25. I appointed to preach in the evening; and on arriving at the house, was cheered, as by the coming of Titus by finding that brother Going had arrived. On Thursday the meeting assumed a more interesting character, attendance was better, and in the morning Mr. Wilder, a Congregational minister, preached; and in the afternoon |