so to conduct the operations of the society, as to promote its best interests.

To the Synods of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and Georgia, letters were addressed by the committee inviting them, if they thought proper, to co-operate with the society in spreading abroad the knowledge of the Redeemer's name. These letters were written before the alterations in the constitution of the society took place. From North Carolina, and South Carolina and Georgia, resolutions were returned expressing their confidence in this society, but stating that owing to existing engagements, they deemed it best for the present to continue as now organized. The Synod of Virginia expressed their good wishes for the interests of the society, but decidedly preferred their present organization, and expressed a hope that no agents from other societies would be sent into their bounds.

The number of Presbyteries who have united with the society, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, is thirty, each of whom are entitled to have two members in the Board of Directors. The committee have received information, that a number of other Presbyteries, would most likely have united with them, but their members preferred to await the meeting of the next General Assembly, in the expectation that their highest judicatory would not longer delay the appointment of a Board of Foreign Missions under their own direction.

At the time when the business of the society, was by the decision of the General Assembly, placed again in the hands of the committee, they were without a Corresponding Secretary. The prospect of the transfer to the General Assembly, had tended to keep this office vacant for months before that period. In the month of August, at a special meeting of the Board of Directors, WALTER LOWRIE, Esq. Secretary of the Senate of the United States, was appointed Corresponding Secretary of the society. Owing to the peculiar nature of the office which he then held, he could not, with propriety, give up the discharge of his public duties till the meeting of the Senate of the United States. So soon as he could leave Washington City, he had been instructed by the committee, to spend a part of the winter in the cities of New York and Philadelphia, devoting whatever time he might deem proper to the Theological Seminary at Princeton. Very soon however, after reaching New York, he was attacked with severe illness, which confined him within doors for the most part, till the last of March. Thus, by the providence of God, was the only officer of the Board, whose whole time was given to the society, prevented from discharging the duties waiting for him on every side. In this dispensation, the committee would desire to realize the hand of their Heavenly Father, and to feel with a deeper

interest, that this work is the Lord's, and that without his blessing all their efforts will be in vain.

To transact the business of the society in the absence of Mr. Lowrie, and also to give more efficiency in conducting their extending operations, the Board of Directors in October appointed the Rev. E. P. SWIFT, an additional Corresponding Secretary, his compensation and duties to be designated by the Executive Committee. After conferring with him, and with the elders of his church, it was agreed, that he should retain his pastoral relations, and devote what time he might have to spare to the business of the society in Pittsburgh. Owing to the protracted illness of his colleague, these duties have been at times truly laborious.

After the adjournment of the General Assembly, a board of agency was appointed in Philadelphia, to aid the society in bringing out the resources of the churches. Until the meeting of the Synod of Philadelphia, the brethern of this agency by the deci sion with which they supported the enterprize, and their personal efforts in its behalf, rendered it efficient assistance. Since the meeting of the Synod, they form a part of the society, and still continue its steadfast and active friends.

The temporary agency of the Rev. D. Newel for this field, terminated on the 1st of November.

A similar board was appointed in New York. Their Executive Committee have regular monthly meetings, and have cordially engaged in the duties entrusted to them. They have felt deeply for the illness of Mr. Lowrie, who was expected to co-operate with them. But they have not been discouraged; on the contrary they have been induced to greater exertions, by the appointment of voluntary agents; who, with true missionary spirit, are giving their time and their labour, without compensation to carry forward the great work.

Another similar board was appointed in the South, at the request of several brethern from that region. It was at one time contemplated to send a permanent agent to that field. But a little reflection satisfied the committee that it was better to leave it unoccupied till after the meeting of the Synods. Since that time nothing has been done; the committee having acquiesced, most cheerfully in the expressed wishes of the venerable Synods in that section of the Church, as related in another part of this report. The Rev. J. W. BLYTHE, assigned to this field when it was decided to suspend further proceedings, resigned his agency in that service. The committee with reluctance consented to the resignation, chiefly because at that time they had no other suitable field unoccupied.

The Rev. WM. C. ANDERSON was appointed agent to reside at Louisville, Kentucky where there is a board of agency for the West. Owing to indisposition and other causes, it was not till late in the

fall, that he was enabled to enter upon his duties, since which time he has been prosecuting them among the Western churches.

The Rev. HENRY R. WILSON, Jr. one of the missionaries of the board, assigned for Northern India, spent some time in August and September, in visiting the churches in the Presbytery of Carlisle. As the reinforcement to that station has been delayed, Mr. Wilson has been obliged reluctantly to remain till the present time. Owing to this delay, however, the committee have availed themselves of his aid in bringing the cause of Missions before the churches in the Synod of Philadelphia.

PUBLICATIONS.

During the last year, the subscriptions to the Missionary Chronicle have been constantly increasing. There are now printed and extensively distributed 2100 copies of this publication. It was the intention of the committee to have commenced a quarterly paper on the 1st of January, to be continued regularly; but the illness of the Corresponding Secretary has hitherto prevented its appearance. This measure will be commenced as soon as circumstances will permit. Three thousand copies of a circular to the female members of the Church have also been printed.

RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.

The facts and circumstances already stated will, in part explain why the receipts for the year have not been larger. Until the meeting of the Synods in the fall, little was done to obtain the contributions of the churches; and, owing to the causes already adverted to, the last year has, in fact, been like the first year of a new society. Still there is cause for deep and painful reflection that the receipts have amounted to so small a sum. Many churches, and individuals have exhibited a spirit of christian liberality, far in advance of what has been usual heretofore; but, on the other hand, many of the churches, in connection with the society, have not for one whole year contributed any thing. The receipts through ordinary channels have amounted to $22,832 54, from the 26th of May, 1836, to the 1st of May, 1837, and making with $6497 60, the balance of last year, the sum of $29,329 14. The expenditures during the same period have amounted to $26,222 15. Leaving a balance in favour of the society of 3106 99.

For printing the Bible in the Chinese language, the Treasurer has received, from the Young Men's Bible Society in Pittsburgh $500; and $3000 from the American Tract Society, for printing tracts in India, Asia Minor, and China. As these sums have just been received no part of them has been expended; but measures

will be adopted without delay, for their employment according to the intention of those respective societies.

Various donations in clothing and useful articles have also been received, for the benefit of the society.

MISSIONS.

MISSION TO WESTERN AFRICA.

This mission, the first commenced, has always engaged the attention of the committee. Since the last report, it has been renewed under circumstances of much promise. Mr. Ephriam Titler, a coloured man and a licentiate of the Presbytery of Philadelphia, has been sent to the Bassa tribe, on the river John, 18 miles from the flourishing settlement of Bassa Cove. Mr. Titler had spent some time in Liberia, and had left his wife there when he visited the United States. He was instructed to commence at Boblee, a station previously selected by Mr. Pinney, having every facility of access to the natives, and owing to its elevated situation, affording every prospect for health. Mr. Titler sailed from Wilmington, N. C., on the 31st December, in a vessel chartered by the American Colonization Society, with a number of emigrants to Liberia. They arrived at Monrovia in safety early in February. To the managers of that institution, the committee express their cordial thanks, for giving their missionary a free passage to Africa.

It is the intention of the committee as fast as they can procure suitable and educated coloured men, to strengthen and enlarge this mission. The employment of coloured men, for building up the Redeemer's kingdom in Africa, the committee now believe, has not been sufficiently attended to by the churches. Their own most painful experience, in the loss of their first missionaries; the lamentable loss of lives, among the missionaries of other societies, and particularly of that noble institution, the Church of England Missionary Society, whose persevering and untiring efforts in behalf of Western Africa exceed all others, have brought the subject of some other agency strongly before the committee. Of their own missionaries sent to this field, but one survived, and he was forced to return in feeble health; and of the German Mission to Liberia, all died or returned. The number of missionaries and teachers, sent to Sierra Leone by the Church of England Missionary Society, including chaplains sent by the government from 1812 to 1830, was forty-four men and thirtyfive women. The aggregate of time all these lived in that colony was 208 years; giving as an average two and one half years to each; and more or less of that period, to far the greatest portion, was a time of severe sickness. A few returned home, but even

then their labours were equally lost to the mission. The average of two and one half years, as the life of a missionary, is a very painful subject of contemplation; but another view is even more So. Of these 79 devoted men and women, five only lived from twelve to seventeen years-ten from five to eight years-thirteen from two to three years, and forty-four died the first year. How important for every missionary society to profit by such painful and distressing experience of their own and sister institutions.

Now in the providence of God, an agency every way suited for the wants of Africa exists amongst us, and in the bosom of the Church. The constitution of the coloured man of the Southern States, has nothing to apprehend from the climate of Africa. If the friends of our Society at the south, will select pious, suitable men, it will be the duty of the Committee to have them brought to the north, and see that they are properly educated. The result of this course, in a few years, would be a full supply of pious, educated, and qualified missionaries for this long discouraging field; and with the blessing of God, Africa "redeemed, regenerated, and disenthralled," would stretch forth her hand to him. What Christian heart would not rejoice to see degraded, perishing, bleeding Africa, a nation scattered and peeled, for centuries the prey of the man-stealer and the murderer, rising from her long desolations, and rejoicing in the knowledge of redeeming love.

No missionary society in the United States, can bring this agency into action, with more advantages, than the Foreign Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church; and the Committee would most earnestly entreat their friends, and especially the pastors and elders of the churches, to assist them in carrying into efficient operation, the very important principles here suggested.

MISSION TO NORTHERN INDIA.

This most extensive of the missions of the Society, has continued to enjoy the protection and blessing of God. The only adverse circumstance is the return, on account of the ill health, of the Rev. J. C. Lowrie, as intimated in the last report. Mr. Lowrie left Lodiana the 20th January, 1836. When he arrived at Calcutta, it was found to be impracticable to obtain a passage direct to this country, and he was obliged to return by way of England, He arrived at New York the 28th December last. Since that time he has visited a number of the churches, making known the wants of the heathen of whose perishing condition he has been an eye witness. Should his health be restored, it is his settled purpose

to return.

The second reinforcement mentioned in the last report, consisting of Messrs McEwen, Campbell, Rogers, Jameson, Porter,

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