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 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 
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 ADDRESS 
 
 OF 
 
 %itt BoatD of !^iggions 
 
 ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY 
 
 OF THE 
 • IN THE 
 
 UNITED STATES, 
 
 ON THE SUBJECT OF 
 
 Auxiliary Missionary Societies 
 
 AND 
 
 Missionary Associations^ 
 
 TO THE 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 .. . ^Kjilabelpljia": 
 
 PRINTED BY JOHN W. SCOTT, 
 
 NO. 36 NORTH SIXTH STREET. 
 Dec, 1816. 
 
ADDRESS, 4^c. 
 
 Dear Brethren, 
 
 THE General Asssembly of the Presbyterian 
 Church in the United States have, from the very for- 
 mation of that venerable body, been engaged in the 
 pious and benevolent w<5rk of sending missionaries to 
 preach the. gospel to the destitute. In the prosecution 
 of this important concern, they have endeavoured to 
 provide instruction for the Blacks, as well as for the 
 destitute in our frontier settlements ; and as opportuni- 
 ties offered, and their ability allowed, they have estab- 
 lished missions for evangelizing the Indian tribes. 
 
 The missionary business, in our Church, has been 
 gradually increasing in extent and importance. It has 
 proved highly beneficial to the Presbyterian interest, 
 and greatly instrumental in promoting the common 
 cause of Christianity. A person duly acquainted 
 with the history of the church in this country, beholds 
 with delight flourishing Churches, important Presby- 
 teries, and even Synods, now spreading the influence 
 of religion and maintaining the ordinances of the gos- 
 pel in regions, where not many years ago scarce a 
 house of worship was seen, and where only the voice 
 of solitary missionaries was occasionally heard, while 
 they were hastily passing over their extensive fields 
 of labour. 
 
 We- have reason to give thanks to the Great Head of 
 ^ .he Church for the exertions in the missionary cause 
 
that have been made, and for the encouraging success 
 with which he has been graciously pleased to crown 
 these exertions ; but at the same time we have reason 
 to lament, that what has been done bears so small a pro- 
 portion to the necessities of our country. There are 
 thousands, tens of thousands, nay, hundreds of thou- 
 sands, who are, at this hour, destitute of the stated 
 means of grace, and seldom, if at all, hear the voice of 
 ministers preaching Jesus and his salvation. Such is the 
 deplorable condition of many parts of this country, that, 
 if vigorous efforts be not made^ the inhabitants will sink 
 Into a state of heathenism. 
 
 Two causes have circumscribed the operations of 
 thie General Assembly in their benevolent work ; the 
 want of adequate funds, and the want of suitable mis- 
 sionaries. The deficiency of missionaries is likely to 
 be supplied by the Theological Seminary established 
 by the General Assembly at Princeton, New Jersey ; 
 an Institution that has already furnished valuable min- 
 isters to our church, and promises to be productive of 
 great and lasting benefit to her interest. A missiona- 
 ry spirit has begun to pervade the minds of the young 
 men receiving their education in that Seminary ; and 
 the Professors feel disposed to encourage and promote 
 so noble a spirit, that leads them to pity the condition of 
 the destitute, and to devise means for supplying their 
 spiritual necessities. From that sacred place will pro- 
 bably issue forth many, who will devote either their- 
 whole time, or some part of it, to the missionary cause. 
 
 With this prospect in regard to future missionaries, 
 and believing that reliance may be placed on the liber- 
 ality of their people for supplying them with adequate 
 funds, the General Assembly, in May last, adopted 
 
measures for carrying on the Missionary business, 
 with more efficiency and to greater extent ; as will 
 appear from the following extract from the report of 
 a committee on that subject : 
 
 " The Committee rejoice in the prospect of a 
 competent supply of the word of God to the poor and 
 destitute in our country, by means of Bible Societies. 
 The numbers and resources of these Institutions are 
 every day increasing ; so that, at no very remote period, 
 it is hoped, that the Sun of Revelation will shine on 
 every dark corner of our land, and irradiate every 
 dwelling however obscure. The Committee, however, 
 instead of regarding this as a reason for relaxing mis- 
 sionary efforts, are persuaded that its proper effect is to 
 infuse new life and vigour into the missionary cause. In 
 proportion as the word of God is known and appreciat- 
 ed, will the preachers of the word in its simplicity and 
 purity be effectual : in proportion as the Bible is diffused, 
 will missionaries be successful in organizing churches. 
 " That there is a wide extent of country, destitute of 
 the ordinary means of grace, is too well known to be 
 mentioned in this place ; the present demand for mis- 
 sionary labours very far exceeds the ability of, supply : 
 and the population of the country is encreasing with 
 such rapidity, that, were every place now vacant com- 
 pletely supplied with the regular ministrations of the 
 gospel, after the lapse of a year there would probably 
 be in the nation, four hundred thousand souls requiring 
 the labours of a competent number of religious instruc- 
 tors. When, then, there are such multitudes at this 
 moment, who rarely, if ever, hear the gospel preached, 
 and such mighty additions are made every year to our 
 numbers ; when, too, great multitudes, sensible of their 
 
wants,, are addressing their importunate cries to us for 
 missionaries, the cry for help of souls ready to perish j 
 it appears to your Committee, that God and our breth- 
 ren require of us much more than we have heretofore 
 rendered. We are longing and praying for the com- 
 ing of the day of glory ; and perhaps many of us hope 
 to see it. But we have no right to calculate on mirac- 
 ulous interpositions j and without a miracle, century 
 after century must elapse before the earth can be filled 
 with the knowledge of God. All that the Christian 
 world is now doing with united effort, if continued 
 without intermission for;, one thousand years, would 
 barely serve to fill the world with Bibles and Mission- 
 aries. Yet we are not to despair. God, in his adorable 
 providence, seems to have changed, in these latter 
 times, the scale on which he had for ages conducted 
 the affairs of his government. Changes which former- 
 ly were the work of years, are now produced in a day. 
 Magnificent and astonishing events have passed so 
 often before the eyes of men of the present age, that 
 their minds have acquired a tone and vigour which 
 prompt them to undertake and accomplish great things. 
 We ourselves witness every day the wonderful effects 
 of combined counsels and exertions, both in the moral 
 and political world. 
 
 " From the lessons taught us by experience, your 
 Committee have no doubt but that in the Presbyterian 
 Church in the United States, there needs only union of 
 purpose and effort to accomplish all the plans which 
 have been proposed, and even to go far beyond the ex- 
 pectations and hopes of the most sanguine. And this 
 especially, as so powerful an impulse has been given to 
 the Christian community ; and the impression is so 
 
<3leep and universal, that it becomes us all who love the 
 Lord Jesus Christ, to exert ourselves for the promo- 
 tion of his glory and the extention of his kingdom. 
 
 *' For the purpose of enlarging the sphere of our mis- 
 sionary operations then, and infusing new vigour into 
 the cause, your Committee would respectfully recom- 
 mend a change of the style, and enlargement of the 
 powers of the Standing Committee of Missions. If 
 instead of continuing to this body, the character of a 
 committee bound in all cases to act according to the 
 instructions of the General Assembly, and under the 
 necessity of receiving its sanction to give validity to all 
 the measures which it may propose, the Committee of 
 JMissions were erected into a Board, with full powers 
 to transact all the business of the Missionary cause, on- 
 ly requiring the Board to report annually to the Gen- 
 eral Assembly ; it would then be able to carry on the 
 Missionary business, with all the vigour and unity of 
 design that would be found in a Society originated for 
 .•that purpose ; and, at the same time, would enjoy all 
 the benefit that the counsel and advice of the General 
 Assembly could afford." 
 
 Besides altering the style of " The Standing Com- 
 mittee of Missions" to that of" The Board of Mis- 
 sions," and clothing the Board with full powers to 
 transact all the business of the Missionary cause, the 
 General Assembly " authorized and directed them to 
 take measures for establishing throughout our churches 
 Auxiliary . Missionary Societies^ to aid the funds, and 
 extend the operations, of the Board." 
 
 The Board of Missions have not been unmindful of 
 the sacred trust confided to their eare, nor of the im- 
 
8 
 
 portant duties imposed on them ; though they cannot 
 forbear to express their regret that circumstances have 
 prevented their preferring an earlier claim to the atten- 
 tion of the churches to this most interesting concern. 
 
 You see, christian brethren, from the statement 
 made, the deplorable condition of multitudes of our 
 fellow-citizens in regard to religious instructions, and 
 that the General Assembly depend on the liberality of 
 their people to augment .their funds, so as to enable 
 them to extend the Missionary business, and render it 
 more efficient. They are aware how repeated are the 
 calls for pecuniary aid ; but the pressing necessities of 
 the destitute make theni absolutely and itnperiously 
 necessary. 
 
 To the Board of Missions it is gratifying to reflect, 
 that there is wealth enough in the Presbyterian Church 
 to supply adequate funds for all the pious and benevo- 
 lent purposes for which they are needed ; and to be- 
 lieve, that, by the various appeals made by the Assem- 
 bly to the liberality of their people, they are enriched, 
 instead of being impoverished ; because the Lord will 
 not fail to reward them for all donations they make 
 to the support of his cause in the world. 
 
 We cherish the hope, dear brethren, that you will 
 not turn away from the present application. We trust 
 you will lend cheerful assistance to the interesting 
 cause for which we plead, and that you will accept the 
 invitation to co-operate in the great work of supplying 
 the destitute widi the gospel of Jesus Christ. We 
 plead for the benighted and wretched Indians, whose 
 soil you occupy ; and intreat you to endeavour to in- 
 demnify them for their loss, by sending to them de- 
 voted men, who shall preach to them the unsearchable 
 
riches of Christ. We plead the cause of the oppressed 
 90ns and daughters of Africa ; and conjure you, by all 
 the principles of justice and equity, to avert the judg- 
 ments of Heaven, by supplying them with that gospel 
 which "proclaims liberty to the captive, and the open- 
 ing of the prison to them that are bound," and redemp- 
 tion by the blood of Jesus to bond and free, to the sable 
 African, as well as to the white European. We plead 
 the cause of your own kindred, who, having removed 
 from places where they once enjoyed all the means of 
 grace in rich abundance, and gone to reside in distant 
 regions, now spend silent Sabbaths, and see not " the 
 feet of them that publish salvation, and say unto Zion, 
 Thy God reigneth ;" and we beseech you to aid in 
 prosecuting vigorous measures for their spiritual in- 
 struction, lest they lose all knowledge of divine truth, 
 forget to reverence the Sabbath of the Lord, and learn 
 to contemn all the sacred institutions of religion. 
 
 Remember, christian brethren, th«t the places you 
 inhabit, now so highly favoured with religious privile- 
 ges, were formerly missionari/ ground; and tliat had it 
 not been for the pious care and christian charity of 
 others, your dwellings might at this moment have been 
 embosomed in the darkness of heathenism, instead of 
 being cheered and irradiated by the Sun of Righteous- 
 ness. Your benefactors have gone to receive from 
 their Redeemer the reward of their labour of love, and 
 can receive from you no return for their kindness ; or 
 if any survive, they expect no other recompense, than 
 to see you looking with compassion *on the destitute, 
 and contributing according to your ability to carry into 
 effect schemes for their relief. 
 
10 
 
 In pefforming the duty imposed on them by the 
 General Assembl)^, the Board of Missions take the 
 liberty of recommending certain plans, in supporting 
 which you will have an opportunity for expressing your 
 gratitude for benefactions received, and for assisting in 
 communicati»g to others the treasure with which you 
 have been enriched. They recommend the formation of 
 Auxiliary Missionary Societies, andof Missionary As- 
 sociations ; framed on principles exhibited in draughts 
 of Constitutions accompanying this address. 
 
 One or more Societies of this kind might be formed 
 within the bounds of every Presbytery ; and one or 
 more Associations, within the limits of every congre- 
 gation. These institutions should require small con- 
 tributions, so as to embrace the great body of the peo- 
 ple, and open a door of admission, at least to the As- 
 sociations, that individuals in very humble circumstan- 
 ces might become members. 
 
 Now, suppose, this plan were adopted ; suppose 
 Auxiliary Missionary Societies established within the 
 bounds of all our Presbyteries, and Associations 
 formed in all our congregations ; how gratifying would 
 be the result ? A large accession would be immediate- 
 ly made to the Missionary funds. The institutions of 
 the latter description might individually produce but 
 a small amount, yet would, from their multiplication, 
 produce a very large aggregate amount ; resembling a 
 stream that at first takes its rise frbm a small spring? 
 but which, in its course receiving many tributary 
 streams, swells at length into a noble river. Contribu- 
 tions derived from Associations whose members pay a 
 penny a week, have brought into the funds of "the 
 British and Foreign Bible Society" monies to a very 
 
11 
 
 large amount ; and similar Associations for the sup» 
 port of the Missionary cause, spread over every part of 
 our Church, would be proportionably productive. 
 
 On the supposition made, the funds derived from 
 the Society or Societies formed within the bounds hi 
 some Presbyteries, aided by the funds of numerous 
 Associations, might be sufficient for the support of one 
 or more stated Missionaries, within the limits of each; 
 the funds obtained from the same sources, within the 
 limits of other Presbyteries, might be sufl^cient for the 
 support of one Missionary for a year or nine months ; 
 and the funds collected in this way, within the bounds 
 of smaller Presbyteries, embracing a population more 
 reduced in circumstances, might meet the expense of 
 a Missionary employed for six or three months. 
 
 The effect of the labours of these Missionaries, with- 
 in the limits of the different Presbyteries, would be 
 beneficial in a high degree. Churches might be or- 
 ganized, nourished, and partially supplied with the 
 means of grace, till they gained strength to support the 
 gospel, either individually, or by the union of two or 
 three under one minister. 
 
 Besides, the aid that might be expected from these 
 Societies and Associations, by augmenting the Assem- 
 bly's Missionary fund, would enable the Board of Mis- 
 sions greatly to extend their operations, and act on a 
 plan that would render them more permanently bene- 
 ficial. 
 
 In addition to all these important consequences, the 
 adoption of the proposed system would extend the in- 
 fluence of the missionary spirit more generally among 
 our people, promote a growing interest in the prosperi- 
 ty of the Redeemer's kingdom, and incite them to act 
 
12 
 
 with warmer zeal in diffusing its blessings over our 
 own country, and through the world at large. 
 
 Such are the plans we recommend ; and such the 
 benefits likely to result from a general adoption of them 
 in* the churches. Need we suggest any additional 
 observations to enforce what is recommended ? Is 
 not the exhibition of the plans and of their probabW 
 consequences sufficient to secure attention to them ? 
 
 The voice of your country, whose welfare cannot be 
 secured without the prevalence of religion and virtue j 
 the intreaties of the church, which longs to multiply her 
 children, and to impart her consolations to the misera- 
 ble ; the authority of her glorious Head and the sove- 
 reign Ruler of the world, who commanded that his 
 gospel should be preached to every creature: all concur 
 in directing your attention to this important subject, 
 and in requiring your cordial support of the Missiona- 
 ry cause, and your liberal co-operation in every way for 
 extending Missionary exertions. 
 
 By order of the Board of Missions, 
 
 J. J. JANEWAY, President. 
 
 Philadelpliiay Deceinbery 1816, 
 
13 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 Article I. This Society shall be denominated 
 " The Auxiliary Missionary Society of .'* 
 
 Art. II. The object of this Society shall be tp sup- 
 ply with the preaching of the gospel the destitute 
 within our own limits, and to aid the funds, and , 
 facilitate the operations, of "The Board of Mis-' 
 sioNS acting under the authority of The General 
 Assemble or the Presbyterian Church in the 
 United ^tates of America. 
 
 Art. fii. Any person paying dollars on sub- 
 
 scribing, and one dollar annually, shall be a member of 
 this Society : and any person paying at one time txveri' 
 ty dollars^ or a sum which added to his former pay- 
 ments shall amount to truenty dollars, shall be a mem- 
 ber for life, without farther contributions. 
 
 Art. IV. This Society shall meet annually at 
 on the day of at which 
 
 time the report of its proceedings shall be read, and its 
 officers shall be chosen. The officers shall be a Presi- 
 dent, a Secretary and Treasurer. 
 
 Art. v. a Standing Committee of sfeven persons 
 shall be chosen at the same time ; any four of whom 
 shall be a quorum to do business. It shall be the duty 
 of this Committee to employ Missionaries, — to pre- 
 scribe their routes and fix their stations, — to obtain and 
 collect subscriptions and donations to the funds of the 
 Society, — to manage the general business when the So- 
 ciety is not in session, — and to report at every annual 
 meeting of the Society an account of their proceedings. 
 
 Art. VI. The Missionaries employed shall be eith- 
 er Licentiates or Ordained Ministers of the Presbyterian 
 Church, in good and regular standing, whom the Stand- 
 ing Committee "may deem suitable persons ; or such 
 persons as may be sent by the Board of Missions, on 
 the application of the Standing'Committee. 
 
14 
 
 Art. VII. The Missionaries shall labour within the 
 limits of this Society, and parts adjacent which maybe 
 destitute ; they shall receive from the funds of this So- 
 ciety for their services forty dollars per month, being 
 the salary allowed by the Board of Missions to their 
 Missionaries ; they shall report, as soon as convenient 
 after 'finishing their tour, an account of their labours 
 and apparent success, and of all other matters interest- 
 ing to the missionary cause that may occur to their 
 observation. 
 
 Art. VIII. Any surplus funds which may at any 
 time be possessed by the Society, shall be paid over to 
 the Missionary fund of the General Assemljly, at the 
 discretion of the Standing Committee. (Should there 
 be no missionary ground within the limits of any Socie- 
 ty, it is recommended that all the funds should be paid 
 into the Missionary fund of the General Assembly.) 
 
 Art. IX. The formation of Missionary Associations, 
 to aid the funds of this Society, shall be promoted by 
 its members whenever an opportunity offers ; and it 
 shall especially be the duty of Missionaries supported 
 by this Society, to endeavour to form such Associations 
 wherever it may be practicable. 
 
 Art. X. Any Association of persons (male or fe- 
 male) who shall contribute to this Society ten dollars, 
 shall have the privilege of sending one deputy to the 
 Society who shall enjoy all the privileges of any other 
 inember ; and for every additional ten dollars, they 
 shall have a right to appoint another representative. 
 
 Art., XI. This Constitution may be altered, at any 
 annual meeting of the Society, by a vote of a majority 
 of all the members, or of tv.'0 thirds of the members 
 present. 
 
 As soon as twelve subscribers shall be obtained, the 
 Society shall be considered as formed; and may imme- 
 diately proceed to the choice of its Officers and Stand- 
 ing Committee, who shall serve till the day appointed 
 in the Constitution for the annual meeting. 
 
15 
 
 CONSTITUTIOK. 
 
 Article i. This Association shall be denominated 
 " The Missionary Association of ." 
 
 Art. II. The object of this Association shall be to 
 aid the funds of the Auxiliary Missionary Society of 
 
 (Should the local situation 
 of any Associations render it more convenien! to pay 
 their funds immediately into the Missionary fund of 
 the General Assembly, it is recommended that this 
 article should be formed accordingly.) 
 
 Art. III. Any person paying annually at the rate 
 of one cent per week, shall be a member of this 
 Association. 
 
 Art. IV. The subscriptions shall be paid monthly, 
 or quarterly, or half yearly, or annually, as the Asso- 
 ciation may determine. 
 
 Art. v. The Abaociation shall meet annually at 
 on the day of 
 at which time they shall chose a Treasurer, and a Com- 
 mittee consisting of three persons ; and read any Mis- 
 sionary report or journal that may be sent by the Aux- 
 iliary Missionary Society, or any piece of Missionary 
 intelligence of an interesting nature that may be pro- 
 cured. 
 
 Art. VI. It shall be the duty of all the members, 
 and particularly .of the Committee, to procure subscri- 
 bers and donations. 
 
 Art. VII. The Committee shall be charged with 
 the business of collecting the money due from the 
 members, and paying what they collect to the Treasur- 
 er. 
 
 Art. VIII. As soon as the Treasurer shall have 
 received ten dollars, he or she shall pay it over to the 
 Treasurer of the Auxiliary Missionary Sotiety ; and 
 it shall be the duty ot the Treasurer to report to every 
 annual meeting of the Association the amount of all 
 monies received and paid. 
 
16 
 
 Art. IX. If the Association shall be disposed to ex- 
 ercise their privilege, they shall, at the annual meet- 
 ing, appoint their deputy or deputies to attend the next 
 annual meeting of the Auxiliary Missionary Society. 
 
 Art. X. As soon as ten subscribers shall be obtain- 
 ed, the Association may proceed to choose their Trea- 
 surer and Committee, who shall serve till the day 
 appointed in the Constitution for the annual meeting. 
 
 The Board of Missions, chosen and appointed by the 
 Assembly for the ensuing year, are ; viz. 
 
 Of Philadelphia and its vicinity. Rev. Drs. Green, 
 Alexander, Wilson, Janeway and Miller; Rev. Messrs, 
 Potts and Skinner, and Messrs. Boudinot, Hazard^ 
 Connelly, Haslet, Smith, Ralston, and Bayard. 
 
 Of New York, Rev. Dr. Romeyn, Messrs. Lenox, 
 Rogers, Bethune, Caldwell and Lewis. • 
 Of the Synod of Geneva, Rev. David Higgins. 
 of Albany, Rev\ Jonas Coe. 
 of N.Y.&N.J.Rev. Jas. Richards, d.d. 
 of Philadelphia, Rev. Robert Cathcart. 
 of Pittsburgh, Rev. Elisha Macurdy. 
 ofVirginia, Rev. John H. Rice, 
 of Kentucky, Rev. James Blythe, d.d. 
 of Ohio, Rev. Robert G. Wilson, 
 of N. Carolina, Rev. James Hall, d.d. 
 of S: Carolina and Georgia, Rev. An« 
 drew Flinn, d.d. 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE BOARD. 
 
 J. J. Janeway, President, 
 T. H. Skinner, Secretary, 
 
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