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BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.

President-Rev. Gardiner Spring, D. D.

Vice-Presidents-Messrs. Silas Holmes, George Brown, Kensey Johns, Sidney A. Baxter, Nathaniel Ewing, Alexander C. Henderson, James Blake, John T. McCoun, John M. McCalla, George W. Strong, Walter H. Lowrie, Matthew Newkirk.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

Rev. Messrs. William W. Phillips, D. D., George Potts, D. D., William Bannard, John D. Wells, John Thomson, John C. Lowrie, D. D., ex off., J. Leighton Wilson, ex. off., and Messrs. James Lenox, Robert Carter, Robert L. Stuart, Lebbeus B. Ward, Walter Lowrie, ex. off., William Rankin, Jr., ex. off.

Corresponding Secretaries—Mr. Walter Lowrie, Rev. John C. Lowrie, D. D., Rev. J. Leighton Wilson.

Recording Secretary-Rev. James M. Macdonald.
Treasurer-Mr. William Rankin, Jr.

Auditors-Messrs, James Donaldson, and Thomas Pringle.

Abstract of the Seventeenth Annual Report, May 1, 1854.

FINANCES. The receipts from all sources, including a balance of last year of $618 97, have been,

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$174,453 02

173,185 50

$1,267 52

PUBLICATIONS.-The Board have continued to occupy six pages of the Home and Foreign Record. Of the Foreign Missionary, 20,000 copies of the newspaper, and 3500 of the pamphlet form, (enlarged to 32 pages,) have been published. Of the last Annual Report, 4300 copies of the pamphlet, and 10,000 of the newspaper form have been issued; also a number of circulars and missionary papers.

A Manual of Missions, giving a brief and succinct account of the history and present condition of the Missions of the Board, has also been prepared by one of the Secretaries, and published, but not at the expense of the Board.

MISSIONARIES AND ASSISTANT MISSIONARIES SENT OUT.-Nine missionaries, (one of whom was a returned missionary on a visit to this city,) and twelve male and female assistant missionaries-making in all twenty-one-have been sent out.

AGENCIES.-Rev. William S. Rogers spent eleven months, and Rev. James Wilson five and a half months, as agents of the Board in the North-western States. One of the Secretaries spent two months in the autumn in meeting the Synods of the West and South, and in preaching to a few churches in that region. The clerical Secretaries have preached in as many of the churches in New York, Philadelphia, and their vicinity, at the time of their annual collection for missions, as was found compatible with their duties at the Missionary Rooms. At the present, and for some time past, the Board has not had a single agent in the field; and they have depended, therefore, upon the ministers of the churches to do this work themselves; and in a large number of cases it has been done with good effect.

MISSIONS AMONG THE INDIAN TRIBES.-The Board has seven missions among the Indian tribes of our own country, viz: among the Choctaws, Chickasaws, Creeks, Seminoles, Iowas and Sacs, Otoes and Omahas, and the Chippewas of the State of Michigan. Connected with these missions are eight ordained missionaries-Rev. Messrs. A. Reid, A. M. Watson, H. Balantine, Robert M. Loughridge, William H. Templeton, S. M. Irvin, William Hamilton and Peter Dougherty-and sixty-one male and female assistant missionaries; eleven churches, and upwards of one hundred native communicants; eight boarding and three day-schools; in which there are about six hundred pupils in various stages of their education.

Additions have been made to most of the churches, and the prospects of these missions

were never more promising than at the present time. Several of these tribes, especially the Choctaws, the Chickasaws, the Creeks, and the Chippewas, are making decided progress in almost every department of civilization; and the time is not far distant when they may be safely incorporated with our government, and be placed on a footing of entire social and civil equality with the white inhabitants of the country.

MISSIONS IN AFRICA.-The Board has two missions in Western Africa; one of which is in Liberia, and the other near the equator, and known as the Corisco Mission. Connected with these there are six stations and out stations; six ordained missionaries-Rev. David A. Wilson, James M. Priest, James L. Mackey, George McQueen, Edwin T. Williams, and William Clemens; one licentiate preacher, and eight male and female assistant missionaries; five churches, and about one hundred and twenty communicants; seven schools, (one of which is a classical institution,) and embracing in all about two hundred and fifty pupils. All of the churches have received accessions; and one has experienced a season of special reviving.

The Alexander High School is in a flourishing condition, and is doing as much for the moral, social, and intellectual improvement of this infant Republic, as any institution that has ever been established in that country. The missionaries at Corisco have enjoyed good health, and one of their number has penetrated the country to the distance of one hundred and fifty miles, and has brought to the knowledge of the Church a new and most inviting field for missionary enterprise; and the Board hope that the day is not far distant, when the blessings of the gospel may be extended from this point to the very heart of this great continent.

MISSIONS IN INDIA-In Northern India the Board have four missions, viz: Lodiana Furrukhabad, Agra, and Allahabad; thirteen stations and out-stations; twenty-six ordained missionaries, (two of whom are natives of India)-Rev. Messrs. John Newton, John H. Morrison, Charles Forman, Golok Nath, Levi Janvier, Adolph Rudolph, Jesse M. Jamieson, James H. Orbison, James R. Campbell, Joseph Calwell, John S. Woodside, John J. Walsh, Julius F. Ulman, David E. Campbell, Augustus H. Seeley, John E. Freeman, James L. Scott, Joseph Warren, Robert S. Fullerton, Robert E. Williams, Joseph Owen, Robert M. Munnis, Lawrence G. Hay, Horatio W. Shaw, and Gopee Nath Nundi; one licentiate preacher; twenty-one female assistant missionaries from this country; twenty-five native helpers; nine churches, with about two hundred and sixty native communicants; four printing-presses, from which have issued nearly 3,000,000 pages; twenty-seven schools, (several of which are high-schools,) with nearly 3000 pupils.

The missionaries entertain the most encouraging views of their work. There is a more general and a more decided desire among the people to listen to the claims of the gospel. Hinduism is evidently losing its hold upon the mind and heart of the people; and when the 3000 youths whom our missionaries have under religious and intellectual training, go forth among their countrymen, their influence must be felt, and be productive of immense good.

MISSION IN SIAM.-In Siam there is one mission, connected with which there are two ordained missionaries, Rev. Stephen Mattoon, and Samuel R. House, M. D.; one licentiate preacher; one female assistant missionary; one native helper; one boarding-school, with about thirty pupils. A large amount of labour has been performed in preaching, distributing religious books and tracts, and itinerating among the people. Mrs. Mattoon has free access to the female members of the royal family, and it is believed that her visits will result in good to those who would otherwise be inaccessible to the gospel.

CHINA. In China there are three missions; Canton, Ningpo, and Shanghai. Connected with these there are twelve ordained missionaries; Rev. Messrs. Andrew, P. Happer, John B. French, Charles F. Preston, Richard Q. Way, Henry V. Rankin, Samuel N. Martin, John L. Nevius, John W. Quarterman, M. Simpson Culbertson, Joseph K. Wight, Reuben Lowrie, and D. B. McCartee, M. D., and Joseph Kerr, M. D.; two physicians; thirteen female assistant missionaries; three native helpers; seven schools, with one hundred and seventy pupils; one printing press, from which have been issued eight separate volumes or tracts, and between two and three million of pages. The missionaries have been actively employed in the various duties of preaching, translating, teaching, distributing religious books and tracts; and those of the medical profession in the duties of the dispensaries, in addition to their other labours.

The present posture of affairs in China is one of immense interest, and the conviction on the mind of the Christian public is growing stronger every day that the country is on

the eve of a great crisis, which it is believed will be eminently favourable to the spread of Christianity; and in view of this, it is exceedingly desirable that these missions should be strengthened and greatly enlarged.

CALIFORNIA AND SOUTH AMERICA.-The Board has recently commenced missions for the Chinese of California, and for the Roman Catholic population in South America; connected with these are Rev. Messrs. William Speer and Thomas L'Hombral; both of which, it is hoped, will be productive of great good to the communities for whose welfare they have been established.

MISSIONS IN PAPAL EUROPE.-The Board has no missionaries in Papal Europe under their immediate direction. Their appropriations have been made to Evangelical Societies, which are known to be prosecuting the work of evangelization with zeal, prudence and wisdom; and the results of their labours, especially in France and Italy, are of the happiest and most encouraging nature. The appropriations made to these Societies for the promotion of the work of evangelization, including $7,786 73 invested for the endowment of the seminary at Latour, have been $15,942 17.

MISSIONS TO THE JEWS.-The Board has three missions to the Jews in this country, viz: in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore; connected with which, are three ordained ministers-Rev. Messrs. John Neander, Bernard Steinthal, Frederick J. Neuhaus, and Julius Straus, and one licentiate preacher. They have free access to their kinsmen according to the flesh; and in many instances, it is believed, with the happiest results.

SUMMARY The Board has under its direction, independent of what it has done for Papal Europe, twenty-two separate missions; fifty-nine ordained missionaries; three licentiate preachers; one hundred and nine male and female assistant missionaries; twentynine native helpers; twenty-six churches, and about five hundred native church members; fifty-three schools, and 4050 scholars; six printing presses; and have published more than 6,000,000 pages.

In conclusion, the Board would express the hope, that this work of mercy and love, in which they are engaged, may continue to grow and expand, until the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ.

Mission House, New York, May 6, 1854.

BOARD OF PUBLICATION.

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD.

President-Rev. W. W. Phillips, D. D.
Vice-President-A. W. Mitchell, M. D.

Cor. Sec'y and Gen'l Agent-Rev. B. M. Smith, D. D.
Editor-Rev. Wm. M. Engles, D. D.

Recording Secretary-Rev. Joseph H. Jones, D. D.
Treasurer A. W. Mitchell, M. D.

Publishing Agent-Joseph P. Engles.

Superintendent of Colportage-Winthrop Sargent.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.-Rev. Henry A. Boardman, D. D., Chairman. Rev. Wm. M. Engles, D. D., Rev. Joseph H. Jones, D. D., Rev. John Leyburn, D. D., Rev. B. M. Smith, D. D., ex officio, A. W. Mitchell, M. D., ex officio, Joseph B. Mitchell, Joel Jones, James Dunlap, James N. Dickson, Joseph P. Engles.

TRUSTEES OF THE BOARD OF PUBLICATION.-Incorporated February 13th, 1847.-A. W. Mitchell, M. D., President. Matthew Newkirk, Vice-President. Joseph B. Mitchell, Secretary. James Dunlap, Treasurer. B. A. Fahnestock, James B. Ross, C. B. Dungan, William S. Martien, Archibald McIntyre.

Abstract of the Annual Report, presented to the General Assembly May, 1854.

PUBLICATIONS.

During the year ending March 31st, 1854, fifteen new books in the English, and one in the German language have been published, giving a total of 38,250 copies. Nine tracts

in 12mo, and one in 18mo, have been issued, of which 26,000 copies were printed. The reprints of former publications have been 506,500 copies, making a total of 595,750 copies, which makes the total issues of the Board amount to 4,747,650 copies of books and tracts. The Publishing Committee report at the close of the year, March 31st, several other works in course of preparation for the press, and several actually in the printer's hands. But for unavoidable delays, these would have been included in the catalogue of new publications.

A new impression of the 64mo. Hymn Book is in press, whose print is both larger and more distinct; advantages which are very desirable, and which will not materially affect the size of the volume. It will still be adapted for the purposes for which it was designed. The circulation of the Sabbath-School Visitor has now reached 41,000 copies. It is computed that there are about 150,000 families connected with our Church, and it is highly desirable that this valuable auxiliary to the work of parental and Sabbath-School instruction should be found in every one.

COLPORTEUR ENTERPRISE.

During the year one hundred and fifty-one colporteurs have been in commission, of whom one hundred and forty-four have laboured in twenty-five States, six in the British provinces, and one in India. The distribution of these colporteurs in the several States has been as follows:-Three in Maine, two in New Hampshire, twenty-two in New York, four in New Jersey, sixteen in Pennsylvania, one in Maryland, two in Virginia, twelve in North Carolina, six in South Carolina, fifteen in Georgia, two in Florida, one in Alabama, one in Mississippi, one in Louisiana, five in Texas, one in Arkansas, two in Kentucky, one in Michigan, six in Tennessee, nine in Ohio, three in Iowa, four in Indiana, ten in Illinois, four in Missouri, and one in Wisconsin-twenty-five States having been thus included in our field.

Including about 28,000 volumes, and 48,000 pages of tracts, distributed by the Synods of Virginia and Pittsburgh, and 6517 volumes and 381,000 pages of tracts, the amount of donations stated below, the entire distribution of the year amounts to 135,983 volumes, and 1,300,547 pages of tracts. These amounts each exceed one-half of the aggregates for the three years ending March 31st, 1853, and added to those aggregates give the the totals for four years, 373,980 volumes and 3,335,829 pages of tracts.

Our colporteurs have visited 68,185 families, in 15,354 of which they have held religious services. They report 2340 Presbyterian families without the Confession of Faith, and 1603 other families with no religious book other than the Bible. The entire time spent by colporteurs equals forty-one years and a few days.

DONATIONS

Have been made to the amount of $2358.89, viz:-To Sabbath-schools, 2535 volumes; to naval and military stations and ships of war, 142; to humane institutions, 60; literary and theological institutions, 226; ministers, 850; feeble churches, 1376; individuals for gratuitous distribution, 1328. Total volumes, 6517, and 381,032 pages of tracts. These donations are of course exclusive of those made by colporteurs.

The aggregates of donations made since 1847, are, 32,285 volumes, and 1,441,532 pages of tracts.

THE FINANCES

Are in a very healthy condition. The Institution is entirely free from debt, and sustains itself fully.

Receipts from sales, $77,647.37; contributions, $15,867.25; other sources, $10,029.84. This last item includes $6111.09 on account of the Sabbath-School Visitor, $1413.75 for distribution of books and tracts, and $1105 for stereotyping certain books and tracts. The total receipts are $103,544.46, exceeding those of last year by $12,052.35, or nearly 14 per cent. The income of the Board has been trebled in ten years. The Board is entirely dependent on the contributions of the churches for sustaining the colporteur enterprise; and it is a subject of regret that these have fallen short of the expenditures by $2.819.75; yet it is pleasing to know that these contributions exceed those of the last year by over $3500; thus manifesting a considerable increase of interest on the subject among our churches. The excess of expenditure has been mainly owing to the settlement of colporteur accounts of former years.

TREASURER'S REPORT.

REPORT OF THE TREASURER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The whole amount received by the Treasurer, from May 1st, 1853, to May 1st, 1854, was $11,091.42; making, together with $12,302.46, the balance in the hands of the Treasurer from the last year, the sum of $23,393.88. The expenditures during the year have amounted to $18,665.46, leaving a balance in the hands of the Treasurer at the close of the fiscal year of four thousand seven hundred and twenty-eight dollars and fortytwo cents.

The following is an abstract of the several heads of receipts and expenditures:

Balance from last year,

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$12,302 46

1,662 58

1,066 57

5,915 85

532 37

154 46

614 51

350 00

36 36

50 00

708 72

$23,393 88

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