New

have many facilities for the introduction of ter, than the number of missionaries-mucli good and faithful men. more upon the kind, than the amount of This country (Texas), as a missionary preaching-and so in regard to results; the field, has strong claims on the sympathies, amount of good accomplished depends mathe prayers, the efforts of Christians. It is terially on the whole course by which these deemed by many, well acquainted with it, results are produced. During the year, to be at this moment one of the most inte- we think there has been a decided improveresting and promising missionary fields on ment in the character of the missionariesthe face of the globe. It contains already in their plans of labor-their fidelity in a population of nearly or quite 100,000 preaching, and their general system of opesouls, and increasing daily with a rapidity ration. There has been, in the men who almost unparalleled. A large proportion of have been appointed, a strong accession to the present population are Protestants and the cause of Bible truth and order. emigrants of the United States, and many of and important missionary fields have been them are Presbyterians. This whole field is occupied. Much important valuable infornow open for missionaries; an intense desire mation has been gained, and with the is manifested to obtain for the people, good prompt and cordial co-operation of the evangelical, devoted ministers of the Gos- Church, the Board were never before in a sipel. The language of many in that coun- tuation to accomplish so much for the cause of try is, "we want ministers, who desire no- Christ in our land, as at the present mothing so much as to see sinners converted ment; while the review of the past, then and the cause of Christ advanced. Such should make us humble and thankful, the ministers will find in Texas a field into brightening prospect before us beckons us which they can thrust the Gospel sickle, forward, and urges us onward. and reap, not a golden harvest, but a harvest of immortal souls."

After giving the details, of which we have presented a summary above, the Reports proceeds :

In this day of ostentatious display, we regard the important remark with which this Report commences as peculiarly seasonable and appropriate; its truth will be at once perceived by Such is a brief sketch of the operations every serious mind; by quoting it last, and results of the past year, and in these we hope to secure for it the more results we find abundant cause for gratitude, careful consideration of our readers :— and much, very much to encourage us in our work. The cause has advanced-a The Board have prosecuted their work vast amount of good has been accomplished silently; a noiseless course they believe -many weak and declining churches have best accords with the Spirit of the Gospel, been revived and strengthened. Thousands and is most pleasing to the Master they and tens of thousands have been brought serve. "The kingdom of heaven cometh under a Gospel influence. To the poor and destitute the Gospel has been preached, and many souls we trust have been saved. In view of such results, where is the friend and benefactor of this cause, who will not rejoice and bless God that he has had the ability and the disposition to aid in so good, so great, so Godlike a work.

cause,

not with observation, is not ushered in with pomp and parade." Missionary operations they believe should be destitute of all human parade, and be conducted with great simplicity. In this belief, they have silently, but they trust diligently, labored, to urge onward the kingdom of Jesus Christ; and they rejoice in the sweet assurance that they have not labored in vain.

But in judging of the prosperity of the and estimating the amount of good done, we are not to limit our view to immediate results. It is not to be taken for BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE GEgranted, that an increase in the number of NERAL ASSEMBLY-Annual Report, missionaries, and a numerical increase in the 1838. several items reported, are in all cases certain evidences of that kind of prosperity by under private tuition and in acadeNumber of Candidates, 526-viz. which the cause of Jesus Christ is perma

nently advanced. The prosperity of the mies, 136; in Colleges, 268; in Thecause depends much more upon the charac-ological Seminaries, 122. These In

stitutions are located as follows: in and duties of our Presbyteries ;-its New England, 7; in New-York, New most important feature is, that "the Jersey, and Pennsylvania, 35; in De- Board will patronize no young man laware and Maryland, 2; in the until he has been examined on his exSouthern Atlantic States, 32; in the perimental acquaintance with reliWestern States, 19-total, 95.-Re- gion, and his views in seeking the ceipts, $35,698; Expenditures, $35,- ministry, and by a vote received under 330. the care of Presbytery, and then to be

The concluding remarks in this Re

After mentioning the Agents em- recommended to the Board." ployed during the year, several of whom had accepted pastoral charges, port will receive the cordial approbathe Board add :tion of all the members of the Church. While the precise form, and the ex

similar institutions, whether civil or ecclesi

The number of our helpers will thus be tent, of the operations of each Board greatly reduced, and it is a matter of ex- will not, from the difference in their tremely doubtful experiment whether the work can be carried on with efficiency and departments of labor, be exactly simi. success in any section of the Church with-lar, and will be determined by the out the services of agents to some extent. leadings of Providence towards each Thus far uniform experience is against it. respectively, yet being designed to All the facts forbid us to depend exclusively promote a common object, the glory of on voluntary agencies. And this is not the the Redeemer and the good of his cause, experience of our Board alone, but of all they should be fully sustained by all astical. Where the machinery has been who love the Saviour and our branch of well constructed by a skilful agent, and a his Church. Free as we now hope to strong impulse given, it will continue to be from collision with foreign agenmove on for some time, but the friction of cies, we regard all our Boards with the indolence and avarice will stop its motion. most sincere interest. Like sisters in We find it extremely difficult to obtain suit- the same family we expect to see them able agents, and equally difficult to retain loving and beloved, and we anticipate them in the service of the Board after we have procured them. The service is so for them a delightful career of affeclaborious, requiring the agent to be so much tionate co-operation and expanding absent from his family, meeting frequently usefulness in the Lord's work.

with unpleasant repulses where he thought he had a right to expect a different reception; and finding none of the dear delightful sympathies that cling around the Pastor,

There is no class of ministers in the

American Sunday School Union-An

and that bind him to the flock for whose nual Report. Receipts, $60,429--of souls he watches; as soon as he can do it which in payment of debts and books with a good conscience, he retires and takes sold, $34,158;-Expenditures, $60,a pastoral charge. 084. This Society is indebted for Church whose labors require more self-de-money borrowed on interest to the nial, and who need to be cheered in their amount of $59,243. The number of work by the General Assembly, and all the volumes printed during the year was pastors and churches under their care, more 371,902; of Infant-school lessons, than the agents of your Boards. pamphlets, Sunday-school Journal, &c., 143,450; making about thirty During the year a plan of co-ope-millions of pages. A select Library ration with the Presbyteries was of the books published by the Union adopted, from which important advan- has been prepared for the use of comtages are justly expected. It seems mon schools, consisting of 121 volumes, to accord admirably with the powers averaging 160 pages each.

VOL. VI.

36

These

were printed on superior paper, bound the year, $37,848; amount of loans and lettered, arranged in a case, and of- refunded, 4,467. fered at the low price of thirty-three American Home Missionary Societydollars. This library appears to have 10th Annual Report. Receipts and met with much and deserved approba- balance from last year, $87,624; Extion. Reports from 101 auxiliary penditures, $95,878. Number of misschools and societies show an aggre- sionaries employed, 684,-who labored gate of 827 schools, 9441 teachers, in 840 congregations and missionary 68,500 scholars, and 96,773 volumes districts. Additions to the churches in their libraries; 375 teachers and -on examination, 3,376; by recom. 816 scholars made a profession of reli- mendation from other churches, 2,262. gion during the year. The number of American Seaman's Friend Society. auxiliaries that transmit reports is --Annual Report, May, 1838. Re. very small in comparison with the ceipts, including payments for the Ma. number that claim the privileges of gazine and Hymn books, $14,173-a the connexion. heavy balance still standing against American Education Society-22d the Society. Chaplains are support. Annual Report. Receipts, $55,660; ed by the Society at Havre, Oahu, Expenditures, $58,861. Number of Cadiz, and New-Orleans-besides aid beneficiaries aided during the past extended to several other stations year, 1,141-of whom 283 were in 18 abroad, and many local institutions Theological Seminaries, 588 in 40 in this country. Two chaplains were colleges, and 281 in 81 academies or recalled, one from Marseilles, the other under private instruction. Amount of from Rio Janeiro-owing tothe necesearnings by the beneficiaries during sity of retrenchment.

The Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATION.

THE subject of the following paper is one of the greatest importance, and a right understanding of it is necessary to our feeling a proper interest in the measures, which are in progress for the conversion of the heathen.

(For the Missionary Chronicle.) What is the condition of the Heathen?

ings and conduct of many who have, probably, never been at the trouble of examining its correctness.

One thing is quite obvious-if the heathen do not need the Gospel in order to their salvation, Christians may well forbear to make the sacri. fices, which are essentially necessary to the spread of our religion in heathen countries. These sacrifices are not only

distressingly severe in some of their Many are ready to say, "God is forms, but they are uncalled for.infinitely merciful, and surely will not Another inference from this opinion is condemn to everlasting punishment equally plain and far more important, the myriads of creatures whom he has if the heathen do not need the Grosmade,—especially as they are in such pel, let Christians by no means atgreat ignorance concerning what he tempt to send it to them; nay more, let requires of them." This opinion is them order home every missionary, and often maintained; and it is still more if possible call back every bible that generally felt, as a vague apprehen- has been put in circulation in hea sion, not clothed in words, and yet ex- then lands. Without the Gospel and erting a decided influence on the feel- the means of grace, according to this

opinion, they are safe; but with them died to procure for the children of their responsibility would be like our men. own, and all who reject the offers of This opinion, even in its modified mercy or neglect this great salvation, form, is exposed to the entire force of would go down, like the finally impe- the two former inferences already nitent among ourselves, to an aggra- stated; and we believe that it is invated condemnation. Let us, as com- consistent with the clearly revealed will passionate men, avoid whatever would of God. We shall quote but one pas. lead to this result as the greatest of all sage:

calamities to our heathen neighbors, "Whosoever shall call on the name and let us leave them in their igno- of the Lord shall be saved.

How then rance, which, if not the means of direct shall they call on him whom they have happiness, is at least their security not believed? and how shall they befrom positive suffering. Still another lieve in him of whom they have not consequence from the opinion stated at heard? and how shall they hear without the beginning of this paper is, that if a preacher?" Rom. x: 13, 14. the present generation of the heathen Hearing, believing, calling upon God, do not need the Gospel, no more did are here represented as necessary our own forefathers need it. They, alike to the Jew and the Gentile in too, were heathens, as ignorant and order to their being saved. If the degraded as most heathen people of the apostle had been constructing an arpresent day. And if the former gene- gument expressly to refute the opinion rations of the heathen were as little in referred to above, could he have seneed of the Gospel as those who live at lected stronger terms? the present day, then why did our We must form our belief concerning Saviour come into our world and die on the condition of the heathen, as of the cross? His salvation is not neces- other men, from what we know of the sary to the well-being of the present race character, government, and will of of the heathen; it was not necessary to God, and also from what we know the former generations-it might have of the character and conduct of the been withheld, it was a work of super-heathen.

review.

erogation! Such is the impious con- Now, in examining this important clusion to which we are conducted, by subject, we admit and fully believe that easy steps, from the opinion under God is infinite in mercy, "not willing that any should perish, but that all But it will be urged, that it is on ac- should come to repentance and belief count of the death of Christ that the of the truth;" that the atonement of heathen are not in the hopeless condi- Christ is of infinite value, and theretion in which they are sometimes re- fore amply sufficient for the salvation presented to be; and that in some of all the millions of our race; and way, to us it may be unintelligible, that it is the pleasure of God, as cerGod in his infinite mercy will save tainly known from his express comthem. In this modified form, the opi- mandment, that the offers of salvation nion is entertained by many. Chris- and the means of grace should be tianity, if its amiable and elevating given to all men.

influences were diffused generally But whether all men, or whether among the heathen nations, would any men, without those means of grace prove a great blessing, but without its which have been divinely appointed, direct instrumentality they may be can be saved, is a question not at all partakers of the grace which Christ determined by these great truths. We

know that "the angels which kept not for it is partly of a judicial character. their first estate are reserved in ever- (See Rom. 1: 28.)

lasting chains, under darkness, unto Again: God is just no less than the judgment of the great day,"-and merciful. Mercy cannot be exercised yet God is infinite in his mercy. We at the expense of any other perfection know that "Sodom and Gomorrha, of the Divine character; and the and the cities about them, in like man- claims of justice must be satisfied either ner giving themselves over to fornica- by the death of the sinner, (Rom. 5 : tion, are set forth for an example, suf-12, Gal. 3: 10.), or by the atoning fering the vengeance of eternal fire," blood of Christ, in which an interest is and yet salvation by faith in the Mes- to be obtaind only by faith, (Rom, 3: siah to come was the blessed portion 25, Gal. 3: 18).-These are truths of many in their day. There is the which all Christians believe. same difficulty precisely in reconciling Once more: God is holy; and their destruction with the mercy of" without holiness it is impossible to see God and with the grace of Christ, God." The pure in heart are blessed; which is assumed in regard to the hea- for they, and only they, shall see God. then of the present or of any other Into "that great city, the holy Jerusaage. Indeed, if these general views of lem, there shall in no wise enter any the mercy of God and of the compas- thing that defileth, neither whatsoever sion of Christ be alone appealed to, we worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.” do not see in what way the belief of " Without are dogs, and sorcerers, and the Universalists can be avoided-that whoremongers, and murderers, and all men shall be saved. idolaters, and whosoever loveth and

But there are other most important maketh a lie." and most clearly revealed truths to be Now let the character and conduct considered here:-All men are under of the heathen nations be compared the righteous government of God, and with these truths. Consider that, like are accountable to him for their con- all men, they are "by nature children duct; and he "will render unto every of wrath;" descendants of fallen paman according to what he hath done, rents; and then examine the descripwhether it be good or bad." It is pre- tion of heathenism which is contained, posterous to maintain that the ac- in the first chapter of the Epistle to countability of men is taken away by the Romans-an account which is their ignorance; because that igno- abundantly true, according to all tesrance itself is the result of sin timony, of the heathen nations of the which has blinded their minds; and present day. Look at the multitude moreover, it is a wilful ignorance, of sins against God and against man, not complained of by them. The go. of omission and of transgression, of vernment of God cannot be set aside heart and of conduct, of which the by the sinful ignorance of his crea- heathen are guilty. In the view of tures; sin cannot be admitted as an their depraved character and sinful apology for itself under any govern- conduct, if they do not obtain an inment. The authority of even human terest in the blood of Christ which laws is not to be subverted, nor can cleanseth from all sin, can they be suftheir claims be satisfied, by the con- fered to go free from punishment? If tented ignorance of those who are they may, then all our views of the sosubject to them. This very blindness vereignty of God, of the righteousness is a proof that the authority of the of his laws, of his jealous regard for Divine government will be enforced, the justice, purity, and truth of his