its richest blessing. To it some of our strong. they appear to be made with more than usual est churches owe, not only their present caution. strength, but their very existence. For about a year the society tried the experiment of doing without an agent. The leading motive to this course, was the general dissatisfaction of the churches with the labors of agents, where the amount necessary to support them is large in comparison with the receipts. It was found, however, that if this course were persevered in, the society might as well cease its existence. During the first six months of the year just reported, less than $100 came into the treasury, and even of this, the personal efforts of the Secretary procured more than half. And this deficiency occurred at a time when some of the ablest churches were accustomed to take up collections for this cause, and when, too, they were apprized that the work was to be left to themselves. The liabilities of the society had now largely overrun its means; and the Directors were convinced that the experiment of doing without an agent could be carried no further at present without disaster. They accordingly directed the Secretary, Rev. M. TRACY, to visit, so far as other duties might permit, those churches, in which the remainder of the year would be the appropriate time for making collections for this cause. As the result, the income of the year amounts to $944 94 of available funds. Fourteen missionaries have been sustained by the W. R. D. M. S., and the Parent Society has sustained 13 others on the same field. Professor Barrows' Sermon. The Magnitude of the Field. At first sight the disparity between the home and the foreign field may appear to be immense. The sphere of foreign missions embraces a large majority of the entire population of the globe. Its subjects are reckoned only by hundreds of millions. The very consideration of their multitude overwhelms us. Compared with the myriads upon myriads of the heathen, our own nineteen millions seem but as “a drop of a bucket." But it must be borne in mind that our population is increasing with unexampled rapidity, while that of the most populous heathen nations, as, for instance, China and India, is, and must of necessity remain nearly stationary. To indulge in doubtful speculations with respect to the future is an idle and unprofitable employment. But where the events that lie in the future may be certainly known by means of calculations based upon accurately ascertained data, they ought to exert upon our minds all the the rate of increase of our population influence of present realities. Now is not a matter of uncertain conjecture, but of accurate and long-continued observation. The following table exhibits the rate for every ten years since 1790. From 1790 to 1800 35.02 per cent. 1800" 1810 36.45 1820" 1830 33.26 As the native population goes on increasing, the relative increase from immigration must be diminished, even though the absolute number of immigrants should be greatly increased. From this source a gradual diminution of the total rate of increase will follow. But, as the addition to our population by The meeting of the Auxiliary above referred to was held during the sessions of the synod of the Western Reserve, and a sermon was preached on the occasion by Rev. E. P. BARROWS, Professor of Sacred Literature in the W. R. College, on the "CLAIMS OF HOME MISSIONS." We shall probably, in some future number, make large extracts from this discourse. At pre-immigration bears but a small proportion sent we content ourselves with the follow-to the whole increase, this diminution ing estimate of the magnitude of the field, and of the future population which will cover it. Although this is a view of the Home Missionary claim often adverted to, we republish the remarks of Prof. Barrows because cannot be considerable. Nor can any great diminution of the rate of increase of our native population be expected, so long as vast tracts of new land remain, as now, to be occupied. When the whole territory of the United States | This will give 416,000,000 as the shall have become settled, then the amount of inhabitants which the soil uniform experience of other nations shows that the rate of increase must be checked. But, for a very long period of time yet to come, it cannot be expected to fall as low as twenty-five per cent. for every ten years. What an amazing prospect, then, does the future present! According to the present rate of increase, the number of souls in the United States doubles in a little less than twenty-five years. The estimated population for the year 1850 is 22,577,000. If we suppose that, for the half century following, the population of the United States shall double once in 25 years, (and in all human probability it cannot fall much short of this) then it will amount in the year 1900, to more than 90 millions of souls. But here will not be the limit of this overwhelming wave of population. It will still roll onward, pouring forth its myriads on every side, until it is reckoned by hundreds of millions. It will not stop until it has filled up all the immense basins of the Mississippi and the St. Lawrence; has flowed over the Rocky Mountains, and lined the shores of the Pacific with populous cities and villages. There is another mode of estimating the future population of the United States, which conducts us, with equal certainty, to results no less astounding. Rejecting the belt of barren land, about 300 miles broad, which lies east of the Rocky Mountains, the territory claimed by the United States may be stated in round numbers at 2,000,000 of square miles. The population of the state of Massachusetts amounted in 1840 to 98.36 to every square mile. If we suppose this whole territory to be populated with equal density, the sum will be 196,720,000. But the state of Massachusetts has by no means attained to the highest limit of population that can be supported with comfort; and besides, a large portion of the soil of the United States is of a better quality than that of Massachusetts. Its average excellence is fully equal to that of France. According to Balbi, the population of France is 208 to every square mile. of the United States is capable of supporting with comfort. It is believed that this estimate falls far short of the actual capacities of our soil under the most improved mode of culture. But it is not the object of the present discourse to show what is possible with respect to the future population of our country, but what is certain. It is as certain as any event lying in the future that is known by the power of human reason, that the limit of 400,000,000, at least, will be reached in this country. But what is all this to us? What can we do for these multitudes ? may And how can we, of the present generation, mould the character of these future hundreds of millions? We can do it in the same way in which the early fathers of New-England moulded the character of the present inhabitants of New-England, and, through them, of the United States, to a very great extent. We must put forth all our energy to evangelize the present 19 millions of our population, and, as far as we shall be enabled to accomplish this work, we hope that it will, by the blessing of God, be perpetuated from one generation to another, and will grow with the growth of our country, until it has expanded itself into a sea of glory and blessedness. With the bright example of the Puritan fathers before our eyes, we need not ask how we can bear a part in the glorious work of illuminating and sanctifying unborn millions. To christianize the present population of the United States is our business. If we may be so happy as to accomplish this, then the promise of our Savior to his apostles will be fulfilled to us, "I have ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN." Glorious words! What a blessed harvest are the toils of those who founded the noble institutions of New-England bringing forth, now that they have gone to their final reward? Their fruit remains; and shall remain till the day "when the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat." On earth it || sippi Valley, with libraries wholly or shall remain till the archangel's trump, partially gratuitous. and in heaven, as long as God sits on his throne, and the myriads saved through the influence of these institutions cast their crowns at his feet. And such fruit it is our privilege to bring forth-fruit that shall remain to bless all coming generations long after our bodies have returned to their native clay, and our spirits gone to render up to God an account of their stewardship. Three thousand dollars FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN THE VALLEY OF THE MISSISSIPPI. In the year 1830, an arrangement was made between the American Sunday School Union and the A. Home Missionary Society, by which the missionaries of the latter in the valley of the Mississippi were to labor as agents of the former, in promoting the enterprise of forming 1000 Sabbath schools in two years. The scheme was not successful, and but few schools were formed as the consequence of this arrangement. A more effectual way of employing the agency of missionaries in carrying out the benevolent designs of the friends of Sunday schools, is that of granting libraries to schools under missionary care, when applied for according to certain conditions. Inestimable good has already been accomplished in this way; and from the following circular, it will be seen that still more is to be attempted during the present winter. We call the attention of our missionary churches to this opportunity to supply their schools with suitable libraries. And we hope that no congregation will think of availing themselves of this noble charity, without doing all in their power to help themselves, and thus to co-operate in the needful and blessed work of bringing the youth of the Great Western Valley under evangelical instruction. The American Sunday School Union have appropriated THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS of the Society's collections for the next six months, to the supply of destitute Sunday schools in the Missis Whenever a missionary in the service of the Home or Domestic Missionary Societies, or Boards of the Baptist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, Methodist, Congregational or other evangelical churches, shall establish a Sunday school in a destitute neighberhood, with a prospect of its permanency, and shall certify that such school is unable to raise sufficient money for the purchase of a suitable library, such school shall be entitled, upon the application of such missionary, to a pro rata share of said appropriation. Whatever a school can raise for itself should be remitted with the application. The application should state particularly the location of the school, the name of the superintendent, and the number of teachers and scholars in regular attendance at the date of the application. Also whether the school is supplied with Bibles or Testaments, and Hymn-books, whether application has been made elsewhere for aid, and what amount (if any) is raised by the school. The application should be forwarded to the Society or Board, in whose service the applying missionary is employwhatever donation is made, it will be ed, and thence transmitted to us; and sent to the Society or Board through which the application is received, to be forwarded by them to the proper destination. No application will be received under this notice after May 1, 1844. If any considerable portion of the population to be benefitted by the school are British emigrants, the application should so state. QUESTIONS, Why does the A. H. M. S. spend so much of its funds in the eastern states? ANSWER-There is in those states a vast amount of unoccupied ground, where churches should be planted, and many feeble churches needing aid. If the present Home Missionary organizations did not provide for such cases, a new set of societies would immediately be required for this purpose, which would destroy the unity of the work, and create a necessity for a double set of officers, agents, &c. The propriety of a given appointment, and the amount of aid, is decided by the officers of the local auxiliary within whose bounds it is made. Why are so many missionaries appointed by the A. H. M. S. in the state of New-York? ANSWER-Because in the state of NewYork there is no local auxiliary to take care of the missionary churches of the state-as is the case in the other older states-but the care of these churches is assumed by the Committee of the Parent Society. Thus the necessity of a separate organization for the state of New-York is obviated. Appointments by the Executive Committee of the A. H. M. S. from Oct. 1st to Nov. 1st, 1843. Not in commission last year. Rev. John M. Boal, Marion, Iowa. Rev. Wm. S. Taylor, to go to Michigan. Rev. John Green, Mine La Mott, Mo. Rev. A. Wetzel, German Ch., Utica. N. Y. Rev. O. C. Thompson, St. Clair, do. Rev. S. Hardy, Owasso, Rev. E. P. Noell, IIarmony Presb., Mo. Rev. E. Reynolds, Amity, do. do. Rev. L. Hamilton, Hunt's Hollow, do. Rev. Wm. Hunter, Springwater, Rev. L. Manly, Ontario, do. do. do. Rev. Isaac Chichester, Bennington, do. Rev. S. Sturges, Centreville, do. do. Rev. H. Chapin, Alden. do. The Treasurer of the American Home Missionary Society acknowledges the receipt of the Donations of Clothing, &c. Anonymous, a small silk cloak, and bundle of books. Brooklyn, Ct., a box, $45. Delaware Co., H. M. S., by Rev. S. G. Spees, 21 00 Martynsburgh, N. Y., 1st Presb. Ch., a box, $37 50. New-Haven, Ct., Center Ch. and Cong., a box. Durham, Fem. Char. Soc., by Mrs. M. H. Moreau, Cong. Ch., by Israel Smith, Tr. of Albany Presb., New-Haven, N. Y., Deac. Job Dowd, 15 00 10.00 20.00 13 20 The Philadelphia Home Missionary Society ac knowledges the receipt of the following sums during the months of July, August, and September, 1843, viz. 4. 00 Parsippany, N. J., Presb. Ch., Ladies' 1 50 5.00 100 00 10 00 30 00 30 00 1 61 St. George's and Delaware City, Del., coll. in Presb. Ch. in part, Drawyers and Port Penn, Del., bal. of coll. to const. Rev. Mr. Foot a Life Member, 1st Presb. Ch., N. L., Phila., A. Green. $10; C. Deal, $5; G. H. Roberts, $5; A. Waytman, $5; C. Dull, $5; A. H. Campbell, $5; others $25 75, A Friend of Home Missions, 5th Presb. Ch., Philadelphia, G. Henderson, $5; C. Stoddart, $5, 15 44 375 1 00 31 27 3. 00 27 00 5.00 40 00 10 00 Perrysburgh, by Rev. E. Tyler, 4 63 Elkton and Pencador, Rev. J. McIntyre, $5; Pleasant Valley, Presb. Ch., mon. con. coll., by Rev. B. F. Wile, 15.00 Mrs. McIntyre, $5; F. Henderson, $5; Mr. Kazier, $5; others, $32 01, 52 01 Newark, legacy of the late Mrs. Abby Roff, by Isaac Nichols, Ex'r, Randolph, by Rev. E. Taylor, Rondout, Presb. Ch., by Rev. J. H. Carle, Sinclairville, by Rev. E. Taylor, Troy, Second Presb. Ch., Gent. H. M. S., by C. Lyman, $75; Ladies' C. Assoc., by Miss D. A. Clemence, $26, NEW JERSEY Madison, Friend of Missions, by Rev. C. S. Arms, 100 00 Lewistown, Pa., Youth's (Female) Society, by Rev. A. Converse, 17 75 Darby, Pa., coll. in Presh. Ch., 9.18 47 00 1 12 Central Ch., N. L., Phila., coll. in Ch. in part, 108 00 New Vernon, N. J., coll. in Presb. Ch.. by Rev. J. Cory, 21 93 1.50 10 00 Laurel, Del., coll, in Presb. Ch., Philadelphia, Mr. C. B. Bayard, by Rev. A. Converse, 7.50 3.00 444 67 DISTRICT COLUMBIA Harrisburg, Pa., coll. in Presb. Ch., (in part,) 183 44 Washington City, 4th Presb. Ch., Children of free school, Mount Pleasant, Pa., coll. in Ch., (Presb.,) 20 90 Greensburgh, Pa., D. Welty, 34 72 1 00 3d Presb. Ch., Pittsburgh, Pa., coll. in part, 148 68 5th Presb. Ch., Pittsburgh, Pa., A. Scott, $3; W. Brown, $1, 4.00 Medina, B. Durham, 10 00 Rome, Cong. Ch., $3 33; Rev. F. A. Deming, $5, 8 33 INDIANA Meadville, Pa., coll. in 2d Presb. Ch., Erie, Pa., coll. in Presb. Ch., by Mr. Selden, $50; and by Rev. P. Chamberlain, $30, 20 69 80.00 Bristol, by Rev. T. C. De Pew, 2 00 4.00 4 00 ILLINOIS Canton, Cong. Ch., by Rev. L. Spencer, 7 00 MICHIGAN Minersville, Pa., coll. in Presb. Ch., by Mr. 50 00 36.50 Bristol, First Cong. Ch., $3 75; Second Cong. Ch., $3 39, by Rev. E. Parker, Cold Water, by Rev. L. Mills, Hudson, by Rev. J. W. Pierce, MISSOURI do. Savannah Cong., by Rev. E. A. Carson, 714 4.63 4.75 Mill Creek, Presb. Ch., Pa., $3; Harbor 5 25 East Whiteland, Pa., coll. in Ch., by Rev. 8.00 A. Converse, 12.00 5.00 9 00 Clinton-St. Presb. Ch., Phila., Capt. Rogers, by Rev. Dr. Parker, Techula, Miss. Col. Wm. H. Johnson, by Rev. A. Converse, 5.00 50.00 $3,406 66 J. CORNING, Treasurer, 4th Ch., Washington City, D. C., in full of $102, by Rev. J. C. Smith, 80.00 Friend, $2; do. by Dr. Armstrong, $2; a Lady, $5, ** Erratum. In the acknowledgment of receipts of the New-Hampshire Missionary Society, in the last number the legacy of Ralph W. Jewett, should have been $150, instead of $1.50. |