As might reasonably have been expected,much has occurred, which calls for humiliation and sorrow; but they are happy in stating, that still more has arisen in the progress of the government of the Lord Jesus, which furnishes occasion for exultation and praise. The Board has reason to believe, that, if in some sections of our country, the missionary spirit has languished, the deficiency has resulted from the absence of exterior excitement; from the want of more comprehensive ideas, as to the fields and advantages of missionary efforts; or from the influence of mistaken apprehensions of the duty and honours of the disciples of Christ. They persuade themselves that where the hand has been closed, and the resources of Christian benevolence have appeared as streams in autumn, that the grand principles of love to the Redeemer, and benevolent desires for the salvation of millions that are perishing in their crimes, and degraded by their superstitious follies, still remain. Nothing more is needed, than, with wisdom and affection, to bring these principles into virtuous operation.

Many of the mission societies are flourishing, and generous individuals are, by their self-denying exertions, or by their munificent bequests, supplying abundant proof that they live unto the Lord--that they die unto the Lord.

In reviewing the several mission stations, Burmah, the region which first engaged the pious sympathies, and the resolute efforts, of the Convention and its Board, solicits consideration. The providence of God distinctly pointed to this region as the primary circle in which the spirit of missions, among the Baptist denomination, should shed its influence. Succeeded with the blessing of the Lord of the harvest, the Convention has not laboured in vain. Animated by that living flame, which no ideas of difficulty and distance can render obscure,

the hopes of the friends of Christ have been realized, and their fervent and united supplications answered. Persecution was apprehended; but the storm has been restrained. Conversions to God, were by some, considered as visionary; yet eighteen Burmans have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost! A church has been formed, its native members have, in general, maintained the firmness of a rock in their holy profession; inquirers are increasing; and it is believed that the mission there was never in a higher state of prosperity, or opened before the expectations of the Board a scene more encouraging. The New Testament, there is reason to believe, in the Burman language, has been completed, by the unwearied effort and discriminating talent of brother Judson. The health of Mrs. Judson is improving. It is devoutly hoped, from the good offices of the Emperor of Burmah, exercised towards your missionaries, that the time is not distant, if it have not already arrived, when the religion of Jesus shall be taught in Burmah, without the dread of the inhibitions of roy. alty, the availing resentments of the priesthood, or the anxieties which interrupt and enfeeble popular inquiry. Your Board long and pray for the season, when the "golden feet," swift no more to shed blood, shall be "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." sionary, brother Hough, has resumed his labours in the evangelizing and printing departments, and it is hoped will prove a valuable assistant at Rangoon. The interruption of missionary endeavours among the Arrakanese, occasioned by the decease of the amiable and persevering Colman, and by the temporary removal of his mourning widow to Calcutta, it is expected, will not continue long. The Rev. Mr. Fink, a worthy brother from the Serampore mission, is now engaged in

Our mis

that section of Christian service, and the Board are satisfied that it will be quite acceptable to the brethren at Serampore, that American exertions should mingle with their own.

The first impressions, attempted in the name of the Lord, by brother M'Coy, on the moral condition of the Indians, took place at a station, not so far west as Fort Wayne. Several considerations induced the Board to wish his removal to the late site of the mission, and considerations of a similar character have prompted them to instruct him to settle in Michigan, in the very heart of the nation of the Putawottomies. At this station buildings are rising, and the Indians, by their fervent requests and liberal contributions, are viting the continuance of Mr. M'Coy among them. It is expected a new station, in the course of a few months, will be established among the Ottowas. Mr. Johnston Lykins is a valuable assistant to Mr. M'Coy; and it is expected that the Rev. Peter Thurston will soon enter into these western la bours. The Board are still impressed with the conviction, that it be comes the friends of missions to pray to the Lord of the harvest to send forth more labourers into this portion of the whitening fields.

The mission planted at the Valley Towns, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Posey,-and now under the more immediate superintendence of the Rey. Mr. Roberts, is quite in a flourishing condition. The pupils are numerous; among whom are several, who appear to be serions believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. A spirit of solemn inquiry evidently gains ground. The worship of God is attended with seriousness. Among the inquirers are several chiefs An accession was made to that mission in the fall of 1821, of three families and three persous in single le-the whole number twenty-six. They live happily with each other, and en

courage each other's hands in the work of the Lord.

At its last meeting the Convention instructed the Board to co-operate with their brethren of the United Associations in Georgia, for the purpose of establishing a mission among the Creek Indians. This they have cheerfully done. They have voted $3,000, to be drawn for in six drafts, at sixty days distant, during the present year. The intelligence which they have received from the Rev. Mr. Mercer, Powelton, Georgia, is truly encouraging. The mission is under the superintendence of a brother, highly approved and recommended by them, of the name of Compere. It is certain that this, and our other stations, will derive considerable assistance from the government of the United States.

The Board are impressed with a conviction, that it is their duty to widen the scope of their exertions as much as in their power; but must refer it to the Convention to ascertain in what direction this important design may best be accomplished-and at the same time so licit their energies in reviving the spirit of missions throughout the Union, by such arguments and measures, as their wisdom and piety may suggest.

The minutes of this Board will show that it is their wish to assist their brethren of New-York state, engaged in the mission among the Oneida Indians, to the utmost of their power. An application from those brethren, for $500, the Board has the pleasure of submitting to the Convention.

The Columbian College in the District of Columbia, will offer to the Convention a full statement of its present important and promising condition. It is unnecessary to say more than that when the Board and the Trustees of the College have found an interchange of counsels and endeavours necessary, a very pleasing degree of harmony

[September,

of the Messiah, and the salvation of thousands. Their doings are pre sented for your inspection. They shall feel happy, if, in addition to the testimony of their own consciences, they find that their meastion, and especially by HIM whose ures are approved by the Convenfavour is life!

The Trustees of the Columbian College in the District of Columbia, to the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States for Foreign Missions, &c.

On the return of the triennial assembly of that venerable body, under whose auspices this institu. tion has received existence, and to whose fostering hand it looks, with filial confidence, for future countenance and enlargement, it is no less grateful to our feelings than consoDant with a sense of duty, to present a report of its present state.

The circumstances which gave rise to the College in its present form, and under the name which it bears, together with our proceedings in relation to it, have been regularly communicated to your Board, till within the last year. Since the last report to your Board, the Faculty has undergone some change. The Hon. Josiah Meigs, Professor of Experimental Philoso phy, for reasons entirely discon

nected with his relation to the Col

lege, was induced to resign. This measure, reluctantly adopted by him, would not have prevented his performing the services which he had so generously proffered to the College, had his life been preserved; but it pleased God, soon after his resignation, to remove him by death. In his decease, this institution has lost a zealous advocate and valuable friend, and literature and

science are bereft of one of their brightest ornaments.

Elijah R. Craven, M. D. has been elected Professor of Botany; and he has generously proffered a course of lectures on this branch of philosophy, to be delivered gratuitously. Samuel Wait and Alexis Caswell have been elected Tutors. The Faculty now consists of the following persons:

Rev. William Staughton, D. D. President, Professor of General History, Belles Lettres, Rhetoric, and and of Divinity and Pulpit EloMoral Philosophy, in the Classical, quence, in the Theological Depart

ment.

Rufus Babcock, William Ruggles, Samuel Wait, & Alexis Caswell,

Tutors.

Agreeably to arrangements made

efore the last report, Professors are Woods and Staughton embarked or Europe last year; the latter in May, and the former in June. We have been happy to learn that they were kindly received by gentle Comen of the highest character, both for learning and rank, in England; and that the object of their mission is in a train of accomplishment, equal to the most sanguine expecta tions of the Board, and with the GE promise of signal benefit to the in-, stitution. The services which Professor Woods rendered to the Col lege before his embarkation, were highly meritorious; and the faithfulness and assiduity of his exertions since his arrival in Europe, meet the cordial approbation of the Board, and entitle him to the grateful esteem of every friend of the College.

In the election of members to the Faculty, we were aware that great prudence and deliberation were necessary; and we are happy in the conviction, that the same Divine hand which has reared this institution, guided us in our choice. It is but justice to state, that they have all hitherto justified the confidence reposed in them; and we confidently believe that they would be an honour and a blessing to any Ecollege, in America or in Europe.

The Board have established a department in the College, which they hope soon to see organized, denominated the "General Philosophical Department and Repository," for the purpose of philosophical research, and for the accumulation of such specimens and materials as may constitute a philosoph ical museum.

A library for the College is commenced, and at present consists of upwards of two thousand volumes. It yet requires great additions to render it commensurate with its object of utility.

A complete Philosophical and Chemical Apparatus, procured by Professor Woods in England, is ex

pected to be received by the first of September next.

To secure to the Convention the controlling power over the destinies of this College, the premises are so conveyed to the Board, that if it shall so happen, within a thousand years, that more than one third of the Trustees shall be other than those nominated by the Convention, provided the Convention shall furnish a nomination of fifty persons triennially before the first Monday in May, that the whole property shall pass over to the Convention in fee simple.

The College opened with the Theological Department on the first Wednesday in September, 1821, and the Classical Department, on the second Wednesday in January, 1822. The whole number of students at the opening of the Classical Department was 30. The whole number in October last was 46. The present number is 59, viz. four pursuing theological studies only, junior class 4, sophomore class 16, freshman class 13, preparatory students 22. The number of theological licentiates is 17; of whom 13 are pursuing classical studies, viz, in the junior class 3, sophomore 2, freshman 3, preparatory 5.

Circumstances required an expenditure, more rapid than the influx of funds, to accomplish the undertaking of the Board, without sustaining great loss; by means of which a considerable debt is incur red.

The precise state of the funds cannot be now ascertained, on account of the multiplicity of the Treasurer's labours, which have rendered it impossible for him to bring up his accounts to the present date. It is certain, however, that it will not essentially vary from the following estimate. The amount of expenditures, for land, College edifice, out buildings, professors' houses, and College furniture, is about $70,000. The amount of debt is nearly $30,000.

The amount of uncollected subscriptions is upwards of $20.000. There are due to the Treasurer in notes, about $5,000. The Treas. urer has made an investment in bank stock of $7,500. And the amount due from the Board of the Convention to the College, on account of theological beneficiaries, is about $6.000 If all these claims were collected, there would be quite a sufficiency on hand to liquidate all claims against the College. The tuition money from the students already in the College, is sufficient to meet the salaries of the present acting faculty; but the successful career of the institution, imperiously requires that the President of the Coliege shall be set tled and permanently located with ît, at as early a day as practicable. We are, moreover, confident in the belief, that the additional celebrity which his name and services will give to the College, will produce an increase of resources, by the multiplication of students, and the more rapid progress of the institution, more than equal to the amount of his compensation. Under these convictions, the Trustees feel no hesitation in assuming the responsibility of providing for him an adequate support, whenever he shall deem it proper to accede to their wishes.

The time being at hand when the law of incorporation requires an election for Trustees, the Board have directed the election to be holden at the College, at 12 o'clock, M. on Monday the fifth inst. and

appointed Enoch Reynolds, Esq. the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, and the Rev. Mr. Semple, to superintend the same, to examine and determine upon the qual fications of electors, agreeably to the law of the College in relation to that subject; to record the names of the contributors who shall vote; to declare the result of the election; and to certify the same to each member who shall be elected. They have also appointed the next meeting of the Board to be held at the College, on Monday, the fifth inst. at four o'clock, P. M. at which time and place the newly elected Board will assemble and organize.

During the time we have had the honour to act in this Board, it has been our endeavour to ascertain the wishes of the Convention and its Board; and to fulfil them with promptness, has been the object of our earnest solicitude. The favour of the Lord has uniformly attended us; and in our deliberations not one circumstance has occurred to disturb our perfect harmony, even for a single moment. The prayers of the saints have been heard on behalf of this seminary; and the tokens of divine goodness, already experienced, inspire an unshaken confidence, that the God of redeeming mercy, has ordained it a lasting fountain of useful knowledge, a nursery of evangelical piety, and a monument of praise to his all-glorious name.

O. B. BROWN, Pres. Board of Trus.
LUTHER RICE, Treas. & Agent,
ENOCH REYNOLDS, Secretary.

Columbian College, 3d May, 1823.

It was common with Paul to begin his epistles with strong expres sions of his gratitude to God, for the holy perseverance of his brethren, for their support under heavy afflictions, or for the visible exten

sion of the bounds of the kingdom of the Divine Messiah. The General Convention are encouraged to adopt a similar mode in their present communication. They give thanks to God always for you all,