ennobling pleasure, which results from contemplating the success of this vast design, thus advanced through our feeble instrumentality, we possess an additional motive to exertion. "The expectations of the Parent Society, is another motive not unworthy of our attention. Its Directors are continually receiving applications from multitudes, who are famishing for the bread of Heaven, and from their missionaries, by whom they are importuned for additional assistance. They have recommended the system which we are now pursuing, as the most probable method of increasing their resources. They expect much, very much, from the liberality of Christian females, and shall we disappoint their expectations? No; rather let us far exceed them. "Do we ask for additional encouragement? What so encouraging as the promises and predictions of the Most High, and as the success, which has attended, and which still attends, in an increasing ratio, the exertions of his children. "True, every individual effort is not successful, or does not succeed in a measure proportionable to our wishes and expectations. Sometimes the pathway of the Missionary is thickly beset with thorns and briars, and dark clouds gather around him. Faint and discouraged, be discerns not the Heavenly Guide, by whom he is constantly attended, nor “amid the howlings of the tempest, does he behold the Angel, who rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm." Occasionally, too, difficulties of a more serious nature occur, God appears to frown so continually upon some favourite mission, that Christians are upon the point of abandoning it altogether. Or, he suffers some one, upon whom they have placed their warmest affections, and of whose piety and missionary qualifications they had not entertained the smallest doubt, to disappoint their hopes, and deeply to injure the cause which he has espoused. "But it would be strange indeed, if it were otherwise. How else could the faith and patience of Christians be exercised? In what other way could they be so effectually preserved from self-dependence? All these difficulties and discouragements are necessary; and when the end for which they are appointed is attained, they disappear. The faithful missionary pursues his course rejoicing, and Christians, with renewed vigour, again press forward in the path of duty. "Our horizon may sometimes be obscured, but in general our path is illumined by so steady and so strong a light, and the difficulties in our way are so few, that none but the most timid and distrustful are deterred from advancing. "Trusting in the guidance of Heaven, and sustained by the arm of Omnipotence, let the Missionary explore distant regions, traverse the desert, and plunge into the abodes of vice and wretchedness, and let Christians at home assist them by their prayers, and by their liberal contributions, confident of the ultimate and complete success of that noble cause, which thus engages their attention." From the Report of the Union Association of Ladies. "Through the exertions of your Collectors, sixty-six donors have been obtained, from whom the sum of $248, has been received and forwarded to the Treasurer-through whom, (deducting $7 for incidental expences,) the sum of $241 has been transmitted to the Boston Foreigu Mission Society, to be appropriated as required by the Constitution of your Association. "Your Collectors have it in their power to state, that they have been uniformly received with the utmost civility, and have met with a degree of promptitude and a disposition to second their efforts beyond what is usually evinced. "The cause of Missions is ever one of deep interest to the reflecting mind. It calls forth all the sympathies of our nature, and brings into action the purest principles of our religion. Though, like most other undertakings entered into for the spread of religious knowledge, it meets with its obstructions, and has to combat with the pride of reasoning, and the opposition of the unrenewed heart; yet however numerous the objections men may advance, the success that has already attended the efforts of Missionaries sufficiently declares it to be one the Almighty condescends to bless, and honour with his special protection. "The accounts which have been transmitted to us, must convince every one, who gives the subject any degree of attention, that the idea that no impression can be made on the uncivilized mind should no longer be considered admissible. "Its enemies may use their efforts to check its advancement in the world, may waste time and words respecting the expediency of sanctioning its designs, and furthering its progress, and withhold their aid for objects more agreeable to their views,-while the good seed that is sown springs up, shoots forth-and tribe after tribe throw away their idol gods, and bow to the sceptre of the Redeemer. "In this cause we may co-operate with all those holy men of old, who, trampling on earthly enjoyments, and bidding defiance to the censures and malice of a vain world, steadily held on their course, spreading the glad news of salvation to distant lauds, enduring the toil, and submitting only to death. "Our compassion is instantly excited by scenes of want and wretchedness at home-we can feel for that misery which directly presents itself to our view; and we should mark that man inhuman who could coldly pass by a fellow-being perishing within reach of his assistance:-but the beings we aim to relieve are not only practising on themselves the self-devoting rites of barbarism, but having the law written in their hearts to which they are amenable, and breaking that law, they are in most imminent danger of future misery, and greatly need those Scriptures which can alone make them wise unto salvation. A great responsibility therefore rests upon us; and great will be our condemnation if we prove unworthy of the trust committed to us. "Our Society is yet in its infancy; and one out of our number* who took an active part in its formation has, during the past year, been called to unite in nobler and higher services around the throne of God. While we lament the breach her death has occasioned, and the check given to that widely extended influence she always diffused, let the remembrance of her piety, and active, unremitted zeal, stimulate us to greater faithfulness in the fulfilment of the duties incumbent on us. "The demand for exertion made on us is great. We have begun to do something towards carrying on the great work of christianizing heathen nations. Let us be animated to a more vigorous discharge of our duty, and when we take into view the sacrifices made by the Missionaries of the Cross, let us not withhold the exertion of a much less degree of self-denial required of us. "The cause we espouse is one in which the Saviour bled-which will endure when states and empires shall have passed away: and, however powerful may be its enemies, "Preach the Gospel to every creature" still remains a command obligatory on all who hear it; and to whatever class of mankind men may belong, Christian or Mahometan, we have the Saviour's declaration, sufficient to silence every objector, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." From the Report of the Park-street Ladies' Association, it appears, that the Collectors obtained $118,04. Of this $115,04 were paid to the Treasurer of this Auxiliary Society. The Report itself has not been presented. Associations of Gentlemen have been formed, with great success, in the Old South, Park-street, and Essex-street congregations, and incipient measures are taking to form others. More than $2,000 have been already subscribed, and further sums are expected. These efforts will make the Foreign Mission Society of Boston and Vicinity an important Auxiliary to the American Board. We forbear, at present, to dilate on them, or on the plan of Associations generally-acquiescing in that view of them which has been presented by the Board, in their authorised periodical publication. By the lapse of another year, we trust, they will have acquired consistency and establishment, and their Reports of labours form no small part of the • Mrs. Bulley. documents on which this Society will ground its claims to the patronage of a Christian community. The claims on the Parent Society-the respected organ of so much sacred charity-are growing with the extension of their exertions. New missions must be established-reinforcements added to those which have been formed-the wastes of mortality repaired-and the progressive march of improvement maintained. And it is expedient that every Christian feel it his duty to aid, as far as may consist with other important obligations, in this great work of Evangelical Benevolence. To this city, which is the centre of its operations to New England, whence its principal resources must be drawn-and ultimately to the United States, must the Parent Board look, for encouragement to advance. It will be our felicity, by the aid of associated bodies, to aid their enterprise. System and perseverance must, with the Divine blessing, effect much. We cannot close this brief and imperfect Report without recommending to the assiduous perusal of all who are connected with us, the publications of the American Board, entitled 'Missionary Papers.' Directions to the Collectors will be found in it, well worthy their attention. There is also a full and distinct view of the general plan of the Board for these auxiliary institutions, which, we think, cannot fail to interest the Christian public. May they obtain the smiles of the Great Head of the Church, and their combined efforts advance the glory of His name, and the extension of His kingdom. On behalf of the Executive of the Society, WM. JENKS, Secretary. Boston, Jan. 3d 1825. Treasurer's Statement, From a statement of the Treasurer it appears, that from the formation of the Society in 1812 to the close of the year 1824, the following sums have been paid into the Treasury of the Parent Institution, the contingent expenses of annual meetings, &c. having been previously deducted: viz. The receipts of 1821 and 1823 exceeded those of the other years on account of the influence of some public meetings, at which addresses were made by several gentlemen, some of them well acquainted with the state of missions in India. It must not be supposed that the whole, or even the greater part of the donations to the Parent Board, from persons residing in Boston, have heretofore passed through the Treasury of this Society, though it is hoped that hereafter the principal part of such payments will go through this channel. In the year ending Aug. 31, 1819, the Board received from friends of missions in Boston, (including a very small amount paid to this Society by persons residing in the vicinity,) In the year ending Aug. 31, 1820, In the year ending Aug. 31, 1822, $1,801 73 2,203 38 6,579 21 3,490 85 4,909 34 4,009 99 661 77 In the year ending Aug. 31, 1823, In addition to the above, the Board received from persons residing in Boston, towards the support of a Printing Establishment in Western Asia, the following sums; viz. In the year 1821, $990 00 1,550 00 3,140 00 1,585 00 In the year 1822, In the year 1823, In the year 1824, These sums made a part of a subscription of $3,000 a year for the support of the Printing Establishment. Several of the subscribers reside in NewYork and in other places. ASSOCIATIONS CONNECTED WITH THE SOCIETY. Mr. William T. Eustis, Treas. Eight collectors. Formed Dec. 21, 1824. Park Street Ladies' Association. Mrs. Henry Homes, Pres. Mrs. S. E. Dwight, V. Pres. Mrs. Henry Hill, Sec. Mrs. J. F. Bumstead, Treas. Fifteen collectors. Formed Oct. 23, 1823. Union Gentlemen's Association. Rev. Samuel Green, Pres. William Ropes, Esq. v. Pres. Mr. Gerard Hallock, Sec. Hardy Ropes, Esq. Treas. Six collectors. Formed Dec. 28, 1824 Union Ladies' Association. Mrs. John McLean, Pres. |