ON FOREIGN MISSIONS

Your committee on F. Missions present the following Report:—

The past year has been an eventful period in the history of F. Missionary operations.

While we have occasion to mourn the loss of some valuable Missionaries; the unparalleled success that has marked the proceedings of the Board, and that has attended the labours of the Missionaries, calls loudly for gratitude to Almighty God. Rostan of France, a "standard-bearer" indeed, has fallen. Miss Cummings of Burmah, O'Brynt and Mrs. Lewis of the Indian Stations, were "faithful unto death," and have all, doubtless, gone to the "rest that remaineth to the people of God." Still we have by far, greater reason to "sing of mercy" than of "judgment." Indeed, the past year may be said to have introduced a new era in the history of F. Missions, under the patronage of American Baptists. Many new and promising fields have come to light, inviting labourers to gather in the whitening harvest; China with her immense benighted population, now accessible at the nearest point of approach—the Bombay and Madras Presidencies, where are already scattered converts, both European and native, and where 40 millions of immortal souls are perishing for "lack of vision;"—Germany, where the leaven of Calvinistic Baptist sentiments, is already beginning powerfully to operate upon the putrid mass of neology; where Oncken, Lewis, and other kindred spirits are pouring light upon the surrounding darkness; Africa, ill fated and too long neglected, but now promising health, and successful effort, to our Missionaries; and the Island of Hayti with her numerous Catholic population.

Not only have these new fields been opened; but measures have been taken by the Board, to occupy most of them, and greatly to augment the number of labourers in fields previously occupied.

On the first of July 1834, a reinforcement of 11 missionaries, accompanied bro. Wade on his return to Burmah. Two of these with their wives were to be stationed among the Karens; one, with his wife, was to join the Siam Mission; another, with his wife, was to form a station in Arracan; Mr. Osgood, a printer, and his wife, were to remain at Maulmein; and sister Gardner was to reside in the family of bro. Wade, in the capacity of a School teacher. These missionaries had acquired a considerable knowledge of the language of the people where they were to be stationed, before they left this country, and have, doubtless, been successfully labouring in their respective spheres since the time of their arrival, the 1st of Dec. last.

On the 11th of July last, 3 Missionaries—Crocker, and Mylne and his wife, were sent out to Africa.

On the 21st of Sept. 14 other Missionaries embarked for the east. Five of these were destined for the Burman Mission; two others (one a printer) with their wives, were designated to Bankok, Siam there to prepare for laboring among the Chinese. The five others were to labor among the Taling's on the Madras coast. With this last deputation, sailed Rev. Howard Malcom, appointed by the Board to visit the several Mission stations in the east, and to confer with the Missionary brethren on subjects pertaining to the interests of Eastern Missions.

Your committee hail with joy his appointment, as a measure promising great and important results.

Your committee learn with pleasure that the Board have secured the services of two valuable Missionaries, Willard and Shelden, with their wives, to join Porchat and Wilmarth in France; also, that they have designated a colored brother to Hayti.

The completion of the whole Bible in the Burman language, opens a wide field of labor, which ought thankfully and perseveringly to be cultivated; until every son and daughter of Burmah are permitted to read, how they may escape an "Eternal Hell." Viewing these enlarged operations, in connexion with the fact, that the Treasury is now, for the first time, almost empty, the inference is irresistible, that, while we are called upon by every consideration that is soul-stirring, to increase our contributions for Home Missions, Domestic Missions, and Ministerial Education, we must increase and greatly increase our contributions to the Foreign Mission Treasury.

Your committee feel, that the death of those Missionaries above mentioned, and the numerous instances in which the lives of others have been periled, ought forcibly to remind us of our dependence upon Him, "in whose hand our breath is," and of our duty to persevere in prayer for the lives, health, and success of those who are yet spared.

In closing their Report, your committee would offer the following resolutions:

Resolved, That this Convention cordially responds to the appeal of the Baptist General Convention, for the support and enlargement of their Mission in the heathen, and will use all suitable means in its power to carry into effect their resolution, to raise one hundred thousand dollars for Missionary purposes during the current year.

Resolved, That as the diffusion of authentic Missionary intelligence is a highly important means of calling forth the energies of the Christian church in extending the Redeemer's kingdom throughout the earth; And as the American Baptist Magazine is devoted specially to this object, and can now be furnished to subscribers at the very low price of one dollar a year; Therefore, be it further resolved, that we will use our efforts to secure its general circulation, and we do hereby cordially commend it to the patronage of all who are interested in the promotion of the glory of Christ, and the salvation of the heathen.

MARK CARPENTER, Chairman.