son's Dictionary and Grammar-De Guigne's Dictionary in folio, Chinese, French and Latin-Medhurst s Dictionary-Marshman's Clavis Sinica-Premare Notitia, and copies of all the Translations made by the mission

tural History-Agriculture, these five with plates-Biography-Family relations-Im. perial Chinese Dictionary-The Four Books -Primary Education-General Education -Education in the higher branches-Wor ship paid to deceased ancestors--Sacred aries. These I have placed on the shelves Edicts--Religion of Budh, and Commercial Regulations. Some of these works are quite extensive. The History is in 400 vols. The Encyclopedia in 120. The Five Clas sics in 104. The volumes are mostly in 8vo., but like all Chinese books, are thin, varying from 150 pages to 250." We quote another paragraph from the ard works. The time may come sooner

same letter:

with yours. Together they make a good beginning of a Chinese Library; other frier.ds will add to this number, and so occasionally will liberal-minded merchants engaged in the trade with China. All our missionaries in China will give their cordial assistance by designating and procuring the best and stand

The vote of thanks which we subjoin from the Minutes of the Executive Committee, will be a fitting sequel to this notice :

than we have expected, when the important suggestions in your letter will be carried into "I have looked forward with much inter. practice. Every important work must have est to the time when the opening in China, for Missionary labour will lead to the adopnected with our Foreign Missionary operaa beginning; and I am truly glad that, contion of measures for having the Chinese lantions, so good a beginning for a Chinese Liguage taught in the United States. Cases brary has been made." will often occur when this will be a great saving to the funds of the Board, besides af. fording other advantages, I should suppose, also, that young men intended for commer. cial pursuits in China, would find it of great service to obtain some knowledge of the lan. guage before leaving the United States. meet this object, the arrangements wanted are quite simple, and the necessary expense would be small-a suitable room-a native Chinese teacher-and a Chinese Library. Without knowing that you had the same purpose in view, I have for several years been collecting books for the study of the Chinese language; some of these are Morri.

Το

"A letter from D. W. C. Olyphant, Esq. dated 25th of June, was read, stating that he had presented to the Board a number of Chinese books, selected in China, with a view to the commencement of a Chinese Library in the United States; when it was resolved, that the Committee, on behalf of the Board, return their thanks to their respected associate for this additional evidence of his interest in the Foreign Missionary cause."

THE

DOMESTIC MISSIONARY CHRONICLE.

AUGUST, 1844.

BOARD OF MISSIONS.

ACTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 1844,

ON THE SUBJECT OF

CHURCH EXTENSION.

THE Committee to whom was referred || worship is necessary.-The former has by the General Assembly of 1843 the been accomplished, to some extent, by overture respecting the erection of churches in feeble congregations, by the aid of their brethren who may be able and willing to contribute for this purpose, have considered the subject with attention, and present the following Report as the result of their deliberations.

our portion of the Church Catholic in her associated capacity; the latter has been generally left to the unaided efforts of congregations when gathered, however weak they may be. That each society should, if able, erect its own house of worship, is altogether proper, even as it The maintenance of evangelical truth is right that the minister should be and practical piety is the primary duty of supported by those to whom he ministhe church of our Lord and Saviour Jeters; and it should never be regarded as sus Christ. And next to this, and inse- a burden by any, although effort and selfparably connected with it, is the great denial should be required in order to effect work of extending this Divine Religion, either object. But as it has been deteruntil it shall fill the whole earth. For inined, that the united ability of the Church this purpose it is necessary to plant ought to be employed in sending the minchurches wherever they do not exist, ister to preach the gospel to the destiand thus to secure the administration of tate, and in aiding weak congregations in the word and ordinances of Jesus Christ. sustaining their pastors; is it not equally In fulfilling this part of her duty, the proper to aid those who need help in Presbyterian Church in this land has act - || building suitable houses for public wored rightly in sending forth the ministers ship? We think that this is proper for of the Gospel to preach, to gather and several reasons. organize churches, and to nourish them with spiritual food, that they may grow up to maturity, and abound in the work of faith, and the labour of love. This indeed, is indispensably necessary, and ought to engage the first, and chief efforts of the church; yet it is certain that, in a subordinate, but very important sense, the erection of suitable houses for divine

1st. A church of adequate size, and respectable appearance, is of great importance to every congregation. The want of such accommodation produces indifference and discouragement in those who are connected with the congregation, and has a repulsive influence on others.

2d. There are very many places in which the members and friends of the

may be reasonably concluded that much more would be willingly given, on some well-digested system of operation. And, in what way may the collection and application of money for this purpose, be most easily and safely carried into effect?

The General Assembly has adopted, with the general approbation of the Church, the policy of special Boards for each particular object that is designed; and this may be done in the present instance, or if not now, yet at a future time, if it shall appear to be expedient. But at this time it may be sufficient to commit the management of this work to

Presbyterian Church are too few, and too poor, to build such houses as would accommodate themselves, and that portion of the people in the vicinity who might be induced to attend on the ordinances of the Gospel, but as yet are disposed to give little or no pecuniary aid. In these circumstances, our feeble churches are discouraged, and do not attempt to build a house, or they build one which is insufficient and unattractive, or they become involved in debt, which they are unable to discharge. Several hundred instances of one, or other of these cases may be found. How important would assistance be to a congregation in such circum-the Board of Missions. Thus all needed stances! information will be collected, and in the light of experience a future assembly will mature a different plan of operation, if it shall appear that a change is expedient. For referring this business to the Board of Missions, the following reasons may be deemed sufficient :

3d. Many unsuitable churches are erected, and much money is wasted, it is confidently believed, for want of necessary information. If well-digested plans and estimates could be procured at once, with little or no expense, proportionate to the number of the members of the congregation, and other circumstances, and accompanied by advice respecting the construction, and arrangement, and finishing of the building, both externally and internally, it would be an advantage, equal in very many cases to considerable pecuniary aid.

1st. It is in its nature intimately connected with the Domestic Missionary work.

2d. In its present stage, it can be transacted by them with less time and expense than by a separate organization.

3d. The Board already possesses, or can readily procure, such information as may be needed.

1st. It is expedient and highly important to promote the extension of the Presbyterian Church in this nation, by aiding systematically in the erection of churches wherever they are needed.

We may next inquire whether the members of our Church would probably The Committee therefore recommend be willing to add this to their other efforts to the consideration of the General Asfor the promotion of the cause of the Re-sembly the following plan : deemer. This inquiry we may safely answer in the affirmative. Although we, as a Church, fail greatly to contribute, as we ought, of that worldly substance which the Lord has entrusted to us, for religious purposes; yet we may on good grounds believe, that not a few of our people would gladly throw their benevolent offerings into this channel of beneficence, if a well-arranged plan were presented to them. They are now frequently and urgently solicited to give for church building, or for payment of debt already contracted, in cases of which 3d. The Board shall annually appoint they know little or nothing, and can have a committee on church extension consistno assurance that their donations will being of five persons, who shall have charge well applied. Considerable sums are of appropriating the moneys which may collected in this way every year, and it" be received for the purpose, and of pro

2d. The direction and oversight of this work shall be committed, until otherwise ordered, to the Board of Missions, who shall, in the management of it, be subject in all respects to the directions of the General Assembly, and shall annually report to the Assembly their execution of this trust.

curing and furnishing, at cost, or gratui- they may be able to obtain, and report tously, plans and estimates for churches, fully on the whole subject to the next in answer to applications which may be General Assembly, with a view to furmade to them. ther maturing, and perfecting the plan of

CHURCH EXTENSION.

4th The Board shall also make regu-operation. lations for the government of the committee in receiving applications for aid, raising funds, and making appropriations of moneys; shall examine the proceedings of the committee; and shall appoint such officers or agents as the General Assembly shall direct.

ACTION OF THE BOARD OF MISSIONS.

A Special Meeting of the Board of Missions was held in the Mission Rooms, Philadelphia, on Wednesday the 19th of June, to consider the subject of Church Ertension, as referred to this Board by the General Assembly at their late meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, and to adopt measures for carrying into effect the ac

5th. It is distinctly recommended to all our congregations to make a collection for this purpose, once in each year, and transmit the amount directly, or through their Presbyteries respectively, to the Treasurer of the Board of Mis-tion of the Assembly. Previous notice

sions.

of this meeting was given by an advertisement in the Presbyterian, and letters were addressed to members within reaching distance of the place of meeting.

6th. It is recommended to all the Presbyteries to take such order on this subject as they may deem best, and that they appoint a Committee on Church Ex-The meeting was well attended. The tension at each autumnal meeting of the Presbytery, and applications for aid in building shall be received, and acted on by the Board through this committee, and with their explicit recommendation.

Rev. Dr. Miller, of Princeton, N. J., in the absence of the President, Dr. Green, was called to the chair. The meeting being opened with prayer, the report of the Committee on Church Extension made to the last General Assembly, and the action of the Assembly on the same, were read; and after some general remarks

On that part of the overture referred to them which proposes that Licentiates shall be required to serve as missionaries for some definite time, the Committee re-from several of the members, on the imspectfully say that, in their opinion, however desirable and profitable such service might be, such a rule would interfere with the rights of Licentiates and of Presbyteries, in a manner which is not consistent with the Constitution of the Church, or with the powers and duties of the Board of Missions; and therefore ought not to be adopted. In behalf of

the Committee.

portance of this subject, and the views of the Assembly in committing its management to their Board of Missions; the question of the location of the commillee of five, who are 10 act in this business, was submitted to the Board. This question was freely and fully discussed, and the result was, an entire conviction, expressed by every member present, that to accomplish the important work committed to them, this committee must consist of members of the Board, who can hold frequent and regular meetings, and Resolved, That while it will be proper who can hold their meetings at the Misthat the Board of Missions receive, and sionary Office, through which the applicaappropriate during the present year any tions for aid in building churches will be moneys which may be contributed for made-where the funds for this object Church Extension, they are requested are received and disbursed, where all the specially to collect all the information "accounts are kept, and where the infor

JAMES HOGE, Chairman.

The following additional resolution was also offered by Dr. Hoge, and adopted: