might send to them, nor could even afford them the meagre benefit of a single visit." But while 30,000 have been added to the population, and 15 new fields have been opened during the past year, the number of missionaries sent to the Territory has been only 6, making the whole number who have labored under the commission of this Society since our last report, only 30. In the mean time, several ministers have, for various causes, ceased their labors in this territory. One of these, Rev. David A. Sherman, has been called from the post, where he stood with burning lamp and girded loins, to enter into the joy of his eternal reward. Iowa.-Until the last year, the Comthis territory almost in vain. The farmittee had appealed for missionaries to mer, the lawyer, the physician-men in could encounter the hardships of emievery department of secular enterprise, spect to their early establishment, their rapid advancement, and the harmony and success which have characterized the plans and labors of those who have been called to occupy this interesting field. Ten years ago, when our first missionary sailed up Lake Michigan, this splendid tract was one vast, natural garden, over which roamed the wild red man, and the scarce wilder prey which he followed in the chase. At the mines, and at the military posts, there were a few white inhabitants; and at Milwaukie, where now is a population of 6000, and two flourishing churches, there was but one white man. Five years ago, when our Agent passed over this territory, and explored its destitutions, he found but six churches, and three ministers of the Gospel, of the denominations represented in this Society. How rapid and how great has been the change! There is now on the same ground an ecclesiastical organization comprising 53 churches and 30 minis-gration, led on by interest alone; but ters; while the number of the people had become, a year ago, 45,000; and is now 70,000-making an increase of nearly 30,000, or 66 per cent. in twelve months! And the current of emigration is setting in with greater strength than ever. Some have settled in the villages, and places where religious privileges are enjoyed; but the largest portion of them have gone into the scat-last report, an addition to the territory tered settlements, or made their way entirely beyond the limits to which former emigration had reached, and spread far and wide over that fair and fertile territory. Such an astonishing increase and wide dispersion of population, cannot but greatly augment the necessity for missionary effort. Agent, Rev. STEPHEN PEET, remarks "From the interesting and favored region bordering Lake Michigan-from the beautiful and fertile valley of Rock River-from the borders of the Missis. sippi and the mining region,' where the harvest is great and the laborers are few-from the North, the region of Fox Lake and the Winnebago, and beyond the Wisconsin, and far up that river to the Pineries, where is a large population-the cry for the bread of life is heard. Never have I had my soul so deeply affected, as when listening to these calls, and could find none whom · Our I the love of souls, had gone with them almost no herald of the cross, led on by to lift up his voice amid the strife of land and New-York had furnished but worldly enterprise. While New-Enghe had returned East of the Mississippi; one such messenger in three years-and Rome had sent fire, with a still larger cation. At the time of rendering our reinforcement for the purposes of edu one third as large as the state of Pennsylvania, bad just been thrown open to that counties but 2 weeks old, had althe settlers; and soon we were told, ready 2000 inhabitants, and none to break unto them the bread of life. It was to the power of such facts to move the pious heart-and more especially to the influence of the Holy Ghost, the savour of whose presence, left by the recent revivals, had been so generally dif fused-that we attribute the increase of the missionary spirit, which it is our privilege to record. Early in the year, the Committee received overtures from of theology, desiring to be sent to lowa. many ministers, and from students But the circumstance which has most characterized the religious history of that mission, was the appointment of eleven members of the late senior class in Andover, to go out together, and to stand side by side in the fore-front of the battle, there waging against the powers of darkness. On the 3d of September, a meeting was held at Andover with this youthful band, by a delegation from the Society, at which time the parting counsels of the Committee were delivered to them by one of the Secretaries. The interest of that meeting will not soon be forgotten by those whose privilege it was to be present at its hallowed scenes. The missionaries who were thus designated-(except two who were providentially detained-) and one graduate from the Theological Seminary in New-Haven-arrived in Iowa in the latter part of October. With what welcome they met from the few brethren who were fainting under their burdens, may be inferred from the language of one who had long toiled and labored for the West. In describing their reception and consecration to the ministry, by the Iowa Association, he writes, "For three weeks past, I have felt like weeping all the time my heart has overflowed. The sight of this day is worth almost a life!" We trust that the prayers of many hearts will follow this consecrated band. Long associated as classmates in the Seminary, as friends in the arrangements of their enterprise, as fellow-travellers to their distant field, ordained at the same time and place to the holy ministry, they may well be supposed to feel all the ties of brotherhood. But the desolations of the land are too wide to suffer them to labor together. They have therefore dispersed themselves abroad-some in the earlier southern towns, where society is in a measure formed-some in the interior counties of the North, and others in the New Purchase. The testimonies to their industry, devotedness, and acceptableness with the people, are of a highly gratifying character. We believe that the language of one of them expresses the spirit of all. "I bless the Lord for sending me here. Here would I live, bere would I die. I have a calm consciousness of being where God would have me. Not a moment of discontent have I had-not a tear, from wishing to return to the more favored parts of Zion. Let me hunt up the sheep of the wilderness; let me sympathize with them in their trials; let me impart to them the consolations of the Gospel. Never, since I indulged the Christian's hope, have I been more happy. But Oh, let the people of God pray for uslet them not forget that our work is intimately connected with the salvation of the world-that we need the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, that our labors be not unblest." The whole number of those who have been sent to Iowa since the last report is 12-making the total of missionaries who have labored there under our commission during the year, 28. Rev. Asa Turner, of Denmark, has continued to devote a part of his time to the general interests of the Society, and has largely contributed, in various ways, to awaken the public interest in behalf of the land of his adoption. Such is an outline of the history of the Society for the year now closed. Our goodly barque has been safely guided by her Great Pilot through another annual voyage. Of the future, all we know is, that as the stream rolls on, it is filled with rocks and dangers, that the overhanging cliffs rise higher and frown with a darker gloom, and the current sweeps with a broader and swifter tide. Every year becomes more and more momentous, as we approach the day when the American character shall be so fixed, as to bid defiance to all direct attempts to mould it. .42 THE HOME MISSIONARY. Hindrances. cle-and one of increasing magnitude- The circumstances which combine to render the moral renovation of our coun-tence of that horrible anomaly in American institutions, slavery-covering so try a work of continued difficulty, are First-that hereafter, large a portion of our territory, and ensuch as these. the increase of our population will go, in thralling more than two and a half mila great measure, to swell the population lions of souls, made in the image of of the West. We cannot expect that the God, in a bondage worse than Egyptian, farms of the East will continue to be that prevents the most direct andeffectual 'subdivided, and that families will be con- efforts for their salvation. But a fourth tent with scanty possessions, when source of difficulty-and one which is boundless and fertile vales invite them developing its influence now more than beyond the Alleghanies. Hence, the in- ever-is the tendency of emigration to crease of the people will be mainly in disperse itself over wide and distant disthat part of our territory where the East tricts, instead of condensing on particucan act on it with the least facility. The lar tracts. Hitherto, the settlement of addition to our numbers will not be our national domain has been immediaround our older institutions, and amid ately on its western border. For a quarconsolidated society, but away from ter of a century it has advanced cautithem, where every thing is new, and ously, yet steadily, at the average rate moral influences comparatively feeble. of 30 miles in a year. This regular and Again the general conviction, pervad- compact movement has made it compaing not only the Church, but also the ratively easy to supply the means of world-not our own nation alone, but grace as they were demanded. But a likewise foreign lands-that now is the change is taking place. The ardor of time to win the control of the West, im- emigration has seized even upon the parts a tremenduous energy to the ef- West, and the pioneer whose plongh forts of all classes who are contending first broke the turf in Indiana or Illinois, for that prize. There, every system is driving his herds on towards the Grand of error puts on its boldest form, Prairie and the Platte Purchase. This and acts out its spirit with the least restless enterprize disregards all privarestraint. From what part of the land tions and transcends all obstacles. It comes the proposition, which lately tracks the long course of rivers, through grated on the ear of the nation, to de- the lonely waste, to their distant springs. prive our army and navy of their chap- It threads the passes, or overleaps the lains? Where was it, that in open day, cliffs, of the Rocky Mountains. And and in the halls of legislation, the bowie there, the same spirit of achievement knife and pistol did their work of death? which so recently converted the valley It was there, where also the Papacy is of the Connecticut into a garden, and coiling its serpent folds around the limbs, lined the banks of the Merrimack with and poisoning with its pestilental breath factories, has even now begun to open the life of the infant West. It is there fields and build towns on the plains of where Jesuitism confronts the advo-the Wallamette, and to turn the curcates of a pure faith wherever they turn, rent of the Columbia upon its waterbuying up their embarrassed churches, wheels. It would seem that almost all planting its schools, and rearing impos-parts of our vacant territory are to be ing edifices with foreign funds, and thus settled upon simultaneously; and hence The tokens of forestalls the possession of the land. the augmented importance and difficulty It is there, too, that the various sects of of the work before us. Protestant Christians are so commingled, a new destiny open upon us, demandyet subdivided, as to expend against ing more comprehensive plans, and each other much of the strength that grander developements of Christian enshould be employed against the common terprize. The term "HOME Missions" must no longer be restricted by its asfoe. And yet, amidst the tremendous action of these moral elements, sociation with the idea of our immediate is the arena on which our national sal-neighborhood, and the sphere of our doation is to be lost or won. Another obsta-mestic life; it has a meaning as wide as the continent, and refers to the salvation || in rebellion and be lost. How will those of souls almost without number. Relations to the Next century. It is idle to say, that all this is matter of speculation-that the emergency apprehended may never actually occur-and therefore we may dismiss all solicitude for the result. No man, who does not wilfully shut his eyes on the past, and on the present signs of the times, and disregard all the deductions of common sense, can counsel thus. Admit that our Union may not continue; its disruption would only increase our work, and call more loudly for the intensest effort. Admit that statistics may err in estimating the future numbers of people in this republic-that it is uncertain, whether our successors, a century hence, shall be 250 or only 150 millions; still, in either event, how vast the multitude that shall spread abroad over our territory, and what immeasurable interests depend on our decision! Although the history of this nation has rendered us familiar with rapid and eventful changes, it is impossible to look back, and trace the increase of population for 50 years, and deduce the probable law of its future progress, without a feeling of awe. There is something almost terribly sublime in this multiplication of being-this silent, steady accumulation of masses upon masses of immortal men! It is as if all the tides of the ocean were gathered upon our coast, and were advancing to burst in one vast deluge upon the continent. The fountains of the great deep are broken up. Day by day, we see the waters rise higher, but never ebb. The flood covers the eastern plains; it beats against the breast of the hills; it swells above the mountain tops, and pours in a thousand Niagaras over into the great open bosom of the West. We see it rolling on, northward, and southward, and westward, sweeping away the forests from states and territories yet unnamed, until, at length, the turbulent waters repose on the bed of a vanquished continent! Every wave of this ocean is a tribe of men; every drop is a human soul-instinct with life-born in sin -to be converted and saved, or to live thronging generations crowd after each other, over the verge of life, into the eternal world! Wherever there are combined with numbers, a general diffusion of intelligence and freedom, there must be activity-the struggles of ambition and the lust of wealth. Then, what developements will a few years unfold, of resources and energy in physical improvements, in politics, and in trade! What Joshuas, Howards and Washingtons, in benevolence and patriotism, will there be what Judases, Neroes, and Robespierres, in treachery and blood! These are no mere possibilities; they are approaching history. These millions are coming; they will be here before we are prepared to receive them. And nothing is more certain, than that the institutions which will shape their destiny, must be founded and bequeathed to them by us. This generation must make haste, and have the Gospel ready to take hold of them and mould them, as soon as they are born. Encouragement from the past. These convictions constrain the Society to urge the necessity of a speedy and generous enlargement of its operations, and of importunate, unceasing prayer for that success, which the Spirit of God alone can give. And what animating hopes do his past blessings warHow different our rant us to cherish! relations to this work from what they were when this Society began its existence! Then, the ground which was to form the chief scene of its endeavors, was almost wholly unexplored. Then, emigration had largely the start of missionary enterprise; and a dark, dense mass of population lay between us and the frontier, through which the influence of the ministry, the sanctuary and the school had yet to be diffused. Now, by help from on high, the Society has pushed through this mass, and has overtaken even the van-guard of emigration. On the extremes of our settlements, from Madawaska on the east, and the lakes on the north-round about by Green Bay and the upper Wisconsin, the new Iowa Purchase, and the Missouri Territory, whence caravans depart In view, then, of our high calling and privileges-in view of the cross on which our redemption was achieved in view of the judgment, to which we are so near-let us awake, and put forth our utmost efforts, with the courage of men and the faith of Christians. And if the Lord delight in us, he will give us this good land; and will say of it, as of Zion, "THIS IS MY REST FOREVER; HERE WILL I DWELL, FOR I HAVE DESIRED IT. I WILL ABUNDANTLY BLESS HER PROVISION. I WILL SATISFY HER POOR WITH BREAD. I WILL ALSO CLOTHE HER PRIESTS WITH SALVATION, AND HER SAINTS SHALL SHOUt aloud FOR JOY." for Mexico and the Oregon-and down In behalf of the Executive Com MILTON BADGER, Secretaries for Correspondence. Eighteenth Anniversary. The Eighteenth anniversary meeting of the American Home Missionary Society was held, agreeably to appointment, on Wednesday Evening, May 8, in the Broadway Tabernacle, New York. It was an occasion of more than usual interest. Those who have been more immediately concerned in the conduct of its affairs, for the past year, received new encouragement to prosecute their labors in future; while on the public generally, the survey of God's Providence in the year just closed, and in the passing aspects of the times, will not fail, we trust, to impress the importance and efficiency of this branch of benevolent effort. In our next number, may be expected a detailed account of the Anniversary, and the addresses delivered before the Society, by Rev. THERON BALDWIN, of Illinois, Rev. W. M. ROGERS, of Boston, Rev. Dr. STOWE, of Cincinnati, O., and Rev. JOHN TODD, of Pittsfield, Mass. |