THE preceding Table of Receipts can hardly fail to meet with a careful examination. We commend it to our readers as a paper not merely to be read, but to be studied. It is certainly an interesting document, showing at a glance the substantial missionary feeling of the Church, so far as that feeling can be measured by a pecuniary standard. This it shows substantially, not perfectly; for some of our best churches have not yet co-operated with the Board, or co-operated only in part, in the work of Foreign Missions. We are gratified to know, however, that while probably no congregation in our body is now opposed to the separate action of the Church in this work, and while all, we believe, cherish the kindest feelings towards the missionary labours of their brethren, some of the most important of this class of congregations are gradually changing their ground in this matter. If the operations of the Board continue to be wisely conducted, we shall hope before many years to see all the congregations of our body cordially united in extending the same pure doctrines, and the same excellent church-order among the heathen, which they all heartily agree in regarding with love and reverence, as best for themselves, and best for our country; it is but one step farther, to maintain that they are best also for the world. And we are sure this ground can be maintained. But this is not our present purpose. We have adverted to this point only to acknowledge, which we gladly do, that these returns do not exhibit all that has been done by our Church in the work of Foreign Missions. We ought to observe farther, that this Table does not show fully all that has been given by the Church, for another reason: some of the congregations have made their collections during the year included in this Report, but as they have not yet been paid over, or havenot yet reached the Treasury of the Board, they do not appear among these acknowledgments. This is a result which cannot in all instances be avoided, especially in the case of congregations which make their collections near the end of the financial year of the Board; but it is at the same time a result which the acknowledgments of the next year will rectify. There may, possibly, be some mistakes or omissions in these returns; and if so, the Treasurer would be happy to correct them, on their being pointed out. We may assume then, after making these explanations, that this Table exhibits with substantial accuracy the pecuniary support, which has been given to the cause of Foreign Missions during the last year by the Presbyterian Church. Now we do not propose to offer extended comments on this Exhibit; but we do earnestly ask the attention of our readers, and especially of our clerical brethren, to the returns given in this statement. Do these returns show that, as a Church, we have done our duty to the Head of the Church, and to his great cause among the heathen? Do they show that we have reached the measure of our ability in this work? Before these questions are answered, we would beg of each clerical brother to take in his hand the Minutes of the last General Assembly, and then compare with its statistics the returns here presented. Counting the communicants in churches whose members are not reported nor summed up in the total returns of the Presbyteries, (see Minutes of the G. A. 1843, pp. 248, 265, and other places,) but which may be ascertained from former reports, it will be found that the whole number of communicants (stated at 159,137, in the last Minutes, p. 333) is nearly 180,000. Amongst so large a body, embracing people so highly favoured for the most part in worldly circumstances, what is the sum of less than $67,000 for the conversion of the world? But we trust our brethren will look at these returns in detail-by Presbyteries. And we are persuaded there will be a conviction in the minds of many, that there has been extensively a failure in the due performance of duty. It will appear that it is not merely the vacant and the feeble congregations, whose names are not found in these lists; but too often old and strong congregations, in well-settled parts of the country, and congregations, too, which enjoy the privilege of having able and excellent pastors. Now we must frankly admit that the want of their co-operation is discouraging, extremely discouraging. And yet we are aware that just such congregations and pastors are most liable to be distracted by the number and the variety of applications for pecuniary assistance. If, however, we might make a direct appeal to them, we would say, "Brethren, no object is more important than this; none more greatly needs your help; the heathen cannot appear in your midst and plead for your assistance, but their wants are as real, as affecting, as overwhelming, as if you saw them with your own eyes; and what you do for them, oh, do it quickly, do it earnestly—while you are waiting, they are dying." We have faith in our brethren in the ministry. We have faith in the piety of our churches. What we lament, is the want of consideration in many cases, and in many also the want of information. But these returns have a brighter aspect. They show some noble examples of self-denial and generosity. We doubt not that the eye of Him, who commended the two mites of the poor widow, has often looked with pleasure on the offerings of his servants, which are acknowledged in these lists. And even the eye of man can discern encouragement, in the fact that a much larger number of congregations have made collections in aid of this work, than during any former year. In the year ending May 1, 1843, contributions were received from a larger number of churches than in any preceding year; in the year now reported, the number has been about seventy greater than it was last year-counting in both years only the churches which remit their contributions directly to the Board, and not including the churches connected with the Central and Southern Boards, and those in the Synod of Ohio, whose donations were made through the Treasury of the Synod. The difficulty of obtaining funds in those parts of the land where the most of our churches are situated will account, probably, for the fact that there has not been a proportional increase in the aggregate of receipts. But even in this respect the result is encouraging, the entire receipts of the Board being about $10,000 over the receipts of last year, showing an increase, after deducting special donations, of about $1,000 in the contributions of the churches. We cannot doubt, however, that much more might have been done by the congregations, generally, which have given their aid to this work. Very many, we are persuaded from examining these returns, might largely increase their donations. One fact demonstrates this, that often congregations, which are small in the number of their members, and feeble in their resources, have given much larger donations than other congregations of far greater strength.-These statistics will awaken solicitude on account of the limited support given to the noble Missions of the Church; they will also awaken feelings of thankfulness, because they clearly show a growing interest among our congregations in this work of God. We forbear, however, to extend these remarks; only adding, that we hope our readers will never cease to seek, by fervent and believing prayer, the blessing of God on our Church in her missionary labours. The Missions of the Board yield to no others in their importance, and their prospects are full of promise, but it is God only who giveth the increase; it is only of his grace, that his people will engage in his work and persevere in it, and it is surely of his grace only that their labours will be finally crowned with success. THE DOMESTIC MISSIONARY CHRONICLE. JUNE, 1844. BOARD OF MISSIONS. For the Domestic Missionary Chronicle. Domestic Missions.--No. 2. In our last number, we showed that the the human voice and countenance are to be preaching of the Gospel was the divinely-employed in illustrating and enforcing divine instituted mcans of the conviction and con. truth. But this is not all-not only are version of men. The most effectual method these organizations incapable of doing the then of improving the entire population of work of the ambassadors of Christ, but they our country, is a pious and educated minis-are dependent upon the ministry for their try; a pious ministry, for he who engages prosperity and even permanent existence. in it without truc, heart-felt religion, is a Where shall we find the Bible in every curse rather than a blessing; an educated family? Where are Sabbath Schools in ministry, for a man who is ignorant cannot active operation, scattering their blessings instruct others, or do much to promote the over the entire population? Where are general interest of the community. That religious tracts given to every family; there are other religious and benevolent || conveying instruction to every mind, and organizations in existence among us, does admonition to every heart? It is where not in any degree excuse us from "preach the regular administrations of enlightened ing the Gospel to every creature," in our and pious ministers are engaged, and as a land. Bible, Tract, Sabbath School, and general rule, no where else. other Societies, valuable as they are, as While then we should embrace the whole subordinate, and subsidiary, can never take world in the arms of our Christian love, and the place of the ministry; nor without it desire that all nations should enjoy the be extensively useful; nor be regarded as preached Gospel, we should have peculiar essential to the existence of a Gospel church. zeal for our own land; ardent solicitude They can relieve us of no part of the burden that our vast population should be fully of preaching the Gospel. They possess their supplied with an able and faithful ministry; own spheres of action, carry on their own and an increasingly strong conviction that great enterprises, and have with us the no claims are superior to those of our own common design of doing good, for which we country. It is pleasing to know that from greet and love them as friends and fellow- our very commencement, such a ministry labourers; but they cannot free us from any has been in a degree enjoyed by us; truly portion of our responsibility; they cannot encouraging to reflect, that a spirit of religion do our work, nor render any part of it un- brought to this country most of those who necessary. It is not God's plan for the con- first settled it; that they came to our shores version of men, to substitute any thing for to extend the cause of the Redeemer; thus the living teacher: when the Gospel is to making our land, from its very birth, be diffused far and wide, and to become" Immanuel's land." This spirit achieved "the power and wisdom of God to salvation," our independence, and laid the foundation VOL XII.-13. for all the privileges which we enjoy; and this spirit has thus far preserved them. When we consider the distinctive features of our civil government, and advert to those things which distinguish our moral and political condition from that of other nations, we must feel the vast importance of domestic missions; the immense value of an Institution whose tendency and object it is to bring our whole population under the immediate influence of the Gospel of Christ. Here is exhibited the first great and extended experiment of free institutions; the first example of the church and religion left to sustain themselves upon their own moral power. In a Republic, like that which we enjoy, the very best form of rule for a virtuous community, but the very worst for a vicious population, the powers of government not only flow from the great mass of the people, but are actually exercised by them. In these circumstances, where the majority have, in fact and of right, all the power in their hands, it is evident that knowledge and virtue are absolutely necessary, not only for our national prosperity, but also for our national existence. liberties, teach men how to vote, and ultimately fill our halls of legislation with enlightened and intelligent men. But more than intelligence is necessary in a free government like ours. Some have supposed that upon this alone depends the preservation of our liberties; that to retain the institutions which we now have, the best and freest in the world, we haye only to keep our population well instructed in their political and religious rights; that to insure our safety, nothing more is necessary than to enlighten and educate them. All history and experience prove that it is a radical mistake; that it is a fruitless attempt to erect a magnificent edifice without a solid foundation; that all the light and knowledge of the world cannot make a nation secure and happy without a deeper and broader basis. In a country where the people rule, there must be virtue and morality to guide and moderate them; to subdue and restrain their passions; and to prevent that anarchy, revolt, and tumult which have destroyed every other republic upon earth. Men cannot be controlled by a power less than that which comes from above. The fear of God, a sense of his omniscience, the apprehension of eternal judgment, charity and love to our fellow-men-these alone can exert a mighty power over the jarring elements of a popular government, calm its raging billows, and hush them to peace. These alone, by pervading the hearts of our rulers and magistrates, can make them faithful, and save them from that utter selfish Knowledge is necessary; for freedom without this would be no blessing; a general suffrage accompanied with ignorance would be but a scourge and a curse. Now we ask, is there an institution better calculated than Domestic Missions, to diffuse general knowledge among the people; to expand the mind, elevate the soul, exalt the faculties, and inspire a taste for reading, and a habit of thinking? Does not all experience teachness which is so adverse to a pure love of that the most certain, speedy, and easy method of enlightening an unlettered community, is to begin by placing among them an intelligent, pious, and devoted Minister of the Gospel ? Is not the institution of Christian worship, statedly and properly conducted, soon followed by the establishment of schools, seminaries, and other means of intellectual culture? Can the former be" spiders' webs," that can be easily brushed maintained for any length of time without leading to the formation of the latter? Do we not ordinarily find, that just in proportion to the sincerity and strength of Christian principle in a community, is there a desire for mental improvement? Knowledge resulting from such a source, and generally diffused, must have a happy effect upon our national country. These alone can subdue inordi- Without away; statutes that are merely a dead-letter, which magistrates will be unable or unwill. ing to put into execution. But where is this solid virtue to be found? We hesitate not to say, that no system of religion which the world has ever seen can produce it, except Christianity; for every other regulates merely the exterior, and leaves the heart |