$5.00 per Mrs. Lowrie, New. Lisbon, O.-Subscriptions to Chroni cle: Martha Austin 50; Mrs. M. Gra. List of contributions to the Western Foreign Newcastle, Del.-Donation by Miss Blaney 50.00 Philadelphia,-Collection in Arch.street 10.00 3.50 13.00 205.35 Several articles of jewelry, not valued. Steubenville, O.-For the Chronicle, Rev. 500.00 20.00 10.00 18.12 10.00 74.65 8.50 50 Corydon, Ia.-At monthly concert, by Rev. Cherry Spring, Ky.-Collection, by Rev. S. do. in 5th Presb. ch. per do. Clinton, Pa-Subscrip. to Chronicle, per Salem Church, per Rev. James Alexander, Shelbyville, Ky. Cong. collection by Rev. Florence,-For Chronicle, P. Coe 50; Rev. Frankfort Ch, Ky., per Rev. S.C. Jennings, 4.50 Sewing Society, per Miss S. A. GaÏ. 15.00 -Jewelry, not valued, per Rev.J.Galbraith, Morgantown, Va.-Sundry articles of cloth- 1.75 30.00 This work will be sent gratuitously to the pastors of all such congregations, as statedly contribute to its funds; to the offcers of all Auxiliary Societies; to the active friends of the society, wherever desired; other persons who may order it, will be expected to pay the sum of Fifty Cents per annum, to go to the general use of the Institution. All communications relating to re-. mittances and the transmission of funds, 50 should be directed to Rev. Elisha Macur dy, Briceland's Cross Roads, Washington county, or Mr. Samuel Thompson, No. 10, Market street, Pittsburgh. 48.25 ANNUAL REPORT Of the Executive Committee, as submitted to the Board of Directors during their late Session, May 8th and 9th. (Continued from page 35.) In proceeding to notice the fields of labor selected by the Ex. Committee, it should be stated, that in their earliest deliberations, and their first circulars addressed to their brethren, the western regions of CENTRAL AFRICA were mentioned as presenting a field for evangelical effort to which providence seemed to direct the special attention of Missionary Institutions in this country. A resolution was soon after passed to undertake the establishment of a Mission in Western Africa as soon as suitable laborers for that field could be procured; and this determination was communicated to those who were likely to feel interested in it. In January, 1832, a letter was received from Mr. John B. Pinney, of the Theol. Sem. at Princeton, offering himself to the Society as a Missionary for that field; and late in the following summer, when his departure to Africa in the fall seemed to be suspended upon the provision of a suitable associate, Mr. Joseph W. Barr, then a member of the second class in the same Seminary, tendered himself to the Society for the same perilous enterprise. Having resolved to send these brethren to this chosen field as early in the following autumn as circumstances would allow, with a commission to explore the interior to some considerable extent before any sta No. 4. tion should be selected, the Committee pro. ceeded to secure their induction into the office of the holy ministry, and their preparation for the intended expedition. They were ordained in the city of Philadelphia, on the 12th of Oct. following, and were to have embarked from Norfolk, Va., for Liberia, on the 25th of that month. This Board, and the community at large, are too well acquainted with the distressing event by which, in the mysterious providence of God, the Committee found themselves snddenly deprived of the services of a devoted and promising Missionary, to require any statement of particulars. The removal of Mr. Barr, when thus entering upon an expedition for which he appeared to be peculiarly well fitted, and from this Society when just beginning its intended work, was doubtless intended for wise, and good, and holy purposes: and while they have endeavored to submit without a murmur, and humble themselves under the mighty hand of God, the Committee have not yielded to despondency in respect to the African enterprise. The work of missions is dear to the heart of the reigning Mediator; and these trials of the faith of his church will, they doubt not, in the end, turn out for the furtherance of the gospel. After a short suspension of their ar rangements, the Committee finally con cluded to allow Mr. Pinney to proceed alone, and he accordingly embarked at Norfolk on the 1st day of January, and arrived at the colony on the 12th of Feb., after a passage of forty-two days. To the numerous emigrants who went out in the same vessel Mr. Pinney devoted much of his attention on the passage; and ón his arrival was kindly received by Gov. Mech- | of sending the gospel to Africa. Nor lin, and other friends, at Monrovia. should this obligation be contemplated with At the date of our last accounts from regret. Perhaps there is not a spot on the him he was still in the vicinity of Liberia, globe where christianity would achieve a and hoping soon to be joined by an asso- more astonishing revolution. With a soil ciate from this country, before departing fertile almost beyond a parallel, penetrated far into the interior. He appears to be by one of the largest and finest rivers, well pleased with the appearances of the having upon its banks a profusion of the colony, encouraged with the prospects of materials of commerce, and the abundant the expedition, and anxious to have the sources of wealth and enterprize to its claims of Africa, as a missionary field, large but indolent and rude population, pressed upon the attention of Christians in sunk deep in ignorance and superstition, this country. The Committee have the the impulse which the gospel gives would prospect of being able, at no distant pe- be inestimable. And in many places neiriod, to provide one or two laborers to ther a bigotted attachment to existing sujoin Mr. Pinney; and they feel encouraged perstitions, nor a prejudice against christito hope that places may be found in va- anity, would be likely to present any seririous parts of that extensive benighted ous obstructions to missionary operations. continent, which, in point of healthfulness In the selection of a SECOND STATION on of climate, ease of access, and prospect- the great field of evangelical missions, the ive usefulness, will be found as inviting as attention of the Commttee was directed to most tropical countries. The colonies al- the Japanese islands, Siam, Persia, Java, ready planted on its western shores, and and the central and northern regions of the anticipated commencement of an ex- Hindoostan. Having understood that the tensive commerce through the noble and Prud. Committee of the American Board long-famed river of Central Africa, and its of Com. for For. Missions had, with its tributaries, will afford such facilities for accustomed judiciousness, determined upcommunication with distant tribes, and in- on the speedy occupancy of two or three of terior missionary stations, as will be found these places, it was finally resolved that, eminently to favor the dissemination of the if nothing should occur, on further ingospel. And where such efforts are ad- quiry on the part of our Missionaries on vancing through the labors of their white their arrival in India, that a station should brethren from this country, there is reason be fixed at some convenient place in the to hope that, eventually, there will be found central part of the extensive and populous many among the more intelligent, and country of pious, and enterprising of our free people of color, who will emigrate to these benighted regions, and settle around those centres of moral illumination, as well to aid the benevolent undertaking by the introduction of the arts of civilized life, as to advance their own happiness, and that of their families, by the occupancy of a fertile country, and a lucrative business, in connexion with a highly respectable and useful station in society. HINDOOSTAN. It was regarded as desirable, in the present case, to make choice of as high a latitude as the interests of the missionary cause would allow; and the accessibility of India, its dense population, its impure and cruel superstitions, and its facilities for the diffusion of religious knowledge through the press, and by the establishment of schools, all seemed to commend In the meantime, it is to be hoped that it to the attention of the Society. Messrs. the movements and discussions which are John C. Lowrie and William Reed, then going on in this country, in reference to members of the West. Theol. Sem. had the African race, and the knowledge of been among the first to offer themselves to that continent, which is now increasing so the Committee as missionaries to the heathfast, will tend to extend and deepen the en; and when this selection had been made, conviction that on the American church, and their course of theological studies comin a peculiar sense, rests the responsibility | pleted, they were formally appointed to this contemplated mission. These brethren have been for some time employed as agents in the service of the Board; and they are expected, with the partners of their toils, to embark for Calcutta about the close of the present month. The Presbytery of Huntingdon, by which Mr. Reed has been ordained to the work of the holy ministry, have promptly assumed his support; and the Presbytery of Newcastle contemplate a similar arrangement with respect to Mr. Lowrie. In sending forth these laborers to proclaim the messages of redemption in Eastern Asia we enter, it is true, a field which has already shared considerably in the benevolence of both the British and American churches, of different denominations; but it is one which contains too large a proportion of the human race, and exhibits too impressively and extensively the need of the renovating influence of the gospel, to leave any doubt as to the expediency of striving to multiply the fountains of its spiritual illumination. Besides those hundreds of millions of - immortal beings which spread over its continental territories, there are many large and interesting islands, containing a dense population, on which the name of the Saviour of the world has scarcely been pronounced. Unless the means of christian instruction are there rapidly multiplied, how can the church of God be prepared for the hour when the islands of the Indian Archipelago-the empire of China, and the territories skirting its borders, shall be open to the approaches of christianity, and importunate to receive the tidings of salvation? tions for their social and spiritual benefit may be attended with better prospects of success than formerly. If those abundant causes of decrease, of degradation and suffering, which spring from intemperance, international wars, and the wandering predatory habits of the Indians, can be in any good degree terminated; and the moral and intellectual influence of a stated intercourse with missionaries and their associates, and a general attention to pastoral, agricultural, and mechanical pursuits can be secured to them, there is reason to believe that these tribes may yet become a thrifty, virtuous, and happy people. Amidst the numerous difficulties with which Indian missions have been attended, their results, especially in latter years, have been decidedly encouraging; and the mournful history of that unfortunate people will, while they remain among us, give them great, if not unequalled, claims upon our commiseration. Two of the Missionaries now under the direction of the Society have been, with two or three other assistants, appointed to a station, yet to be chosen, west of the Mississippi. The Rev. Wm. D. Smith, who has also received a similar appointment, is expected to leave this city in two or three days, with a commission to visit several of these western tribes, and prepare the way for the commencement of the Mission during the course of the present year. Other fields, whitening for the harvest, are opening to our view in almost every quarter of the globe, and amidst the islands of the ocean. The American and Baptist Boards of For. Missions in this country, and similar institutions in the old world, THE AMERICAN INDIANS are advancing with energy and spirit in are also, for the most part, yet unblessed the work of sending forth laborers; but with the knowledge of Jesus Christ. The as the prospect expands before them, and Committee have not forgotten, in their new calls are made upon them, they earmissionary arrangements, the claims of nestly demand the assistance of other porthis people upon the philanthropy of the tions of the Redeemer's heritage. American churches. They are happy such a period, no society connected with also to say that, from the contemplated a large section of the visible church, and measures of the General Government in formed for evangelizing the heathen, should respect to the concentrated location of the be required to pass (to a reasonable maturvarious tribes formerly inhabiting different ity in resources and usefulness) through parts of the states and territories of the many lingering years of feebleness and Union, there is reason to hope that exer- dependence. If the spirit of this age At finds a place in the hearts of that portion of the Presbyterian Church which look with favor towards this society, and if its ministers and theological students increas ingly share in the missionary impulse, such, we believe, will not be its allotted course. themselves in the cares of this life, or repose at ease, and slumber in security, while the wants of the benighted heathen are overlooked, and the cries of the destitute for the bread of life go entirely unheard. degradation and wretchedness of the unevangelized portions of the earth, many have but very indistinct apprehensions; as of the real indispensibility of the gospel to any radical change in the moral, social, and political condition of barbarous nations; and of the essential character of Besides the seven Presbyteries of the that form of evangelical christianity by Synod of Pittsburgh, and one Presbytery which alone this renovation is to be effectand a number of congregations within the ed; while others are criminally insensible bounds of that of Ohio, the Presbyteries of the worth of the light of revelation to of Philadelphia, Huntingdon, Northumber- the heathen--of the value of the soul, and land, Newton, Hudson, Miami, Oxford, the solemn obligation which the law of West Lexington, Louisville, and Muhlen- Christ imposes. Hence too many of God's burgh, have become constituent parts of own professing people roll in wealth and the Association; and those of Newcastle, fashion,-flourish in business,-immerse Carlisle, and New York, with some others, have encouraged the Committee to anticipate, to a greater or less extent, their friendly co-operation. The 1st Presbyterian Church in the city of New York, by which the support of our lamented Missionary, Mr. Barr, had been assumed, entertain the noble purpose of sustaining one, if not two, missionaries in the foreign field. Other Presbyteries, and opulent churches, we think, will follow these examples, until every Presbytery, and many of the larger congregations of our body shall claim the privilege of being (in connexion with the Amer. Board, or this Society) thus specifically represented on heathen ground. Our plan of thus connecting, in a definite and affectionate relation, the missionary with the presbytery or the congregation that supports him, has many advantages; and the facility with which, in this way, the number of mission-up their supplicating voice-opposing difaries may be increased, we hope will soon, in respect to the Presbyterian Church, be happily illustrated. And what can hinder the most gratifying advances of this kind in our own and other branches of the visible church but the want of an inclination to attempt them? It must be confessed, that much as has been said and done for heathen missions, it is but too manifest that this great undertaking has as yet but to a very limited extent taken hold of the minds of professing christians. Doubtless also the state of the church, and the character of the age, present some very formidable obstacles to the successful prosecution of this great work. Of the actual In view of these things, and of the magnitude of the great undertaking itself, we might well feel dismayed if we had no other dependence than an arm of flesh. The Redeemer of Israel, however, is mighty. His is the gold and silver, and the cattle upon a thousand hills;' and to him it belongs to 'turn the hearts of men, as the rivers of water are turned.' Unto him every knee shall bow-to him every tongue shall swear-and unto him the gathering together of the people be. For those precious tidings of everlasting life, which he has provided by his death, the benighted nations of the earth are lifting ficulties are disappearing-their moral degradation, and the physical resources of those lands, in which superstition and barbarity have long debased millions, whom the gospel might have made intelligent, affluent, and happy, are becoming more and more known; while all the movements of providence, and a thousand striking instances of success in the work, admonish and encourage to redoubled effort. Nor is this all. The ability of christendom to give the gospel to the nations is increasing faster than its execution; and the reformations going on in community, in respect to items of useless and ruinous expenditure, will greatly increase it. Indeed the moral |