September, 1805.
Friends and Fellow Mortals,

WE

June. After her marriage she ings from September, 1804, te writes; "Am laid under fresh and peculiar obligations to my Creator, Benefactor, and constant Preserver. Oh, that my VE are all travelling, in heart might be suitably affected rapid procession to the with a sense of divine goodness eternal world. On this narrow and that I might have grace to and busy stage, we are forming fulfil with fidelity the duties in-characters, which will be estabcumbent on me, in my new re-lished for ever; and which will lation and station. O Lord, un-introduce us, shortly, to realms less thou dost protect us we are of glory, or regions of woe.unprotected. O Lord, mould Eternity will be to us joyful.or and fashion us as the clay is sorrowful, according to the part fashioned in the hands of the we act in this life, respecting the potter. Make my dear partner kingdom of Jesus Christ. an able and faithful minister of the New Testament, and enable me to observe whatsoever thou hast commanded. May our ways so please the Lord that even our enemies may be at peace with

us."

Since the first apostacy, which involved the world in sin and wretchedness, the only rational hope of forgiveness and salvation has been grounded on the plan of redemption by the sacri fice of the Son of God. And even the glorious plan of redemption appears to be ineffectual to salvation, without the renewing influences of the Holy Spirit. Nor do we find evidence of this renewing influence, where the word of truth is not known. March 3. Have been indul-" He that believeth shall be savged with the unspeakable privi-ed." "How shall they believe lege of going to the house of in him, of whom they have not God, and of uniting in the cele-heard? And how shall they hear bration of the Lord's supper. I without a preacher ?”

Feb. Lord's day. "Attended meeting. Oh, the goodness of God in permitting me to go to his house! I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the tents of the wicked."

have earnestly desired that I To aid the cause of truth, to might be favored with this un-promote humility and faith, and speakable privilege. I dare to to advance the Redeemer's kinghope the season has not been un-dom, infinite wisdom hath seen profitable."

fit to constitute an evangelical ministry; and to treat with sinful men by faithful ambassaIdors. To induce mankind to An Address of the Congregational call on the name of the Lord, so Missionary Society, in the coun- as to be saved, preachers are ties of Berkshire, Columbia, sent forth in the name of Jesus and their vicinities, to the Chur-Christ. The success of Zion's ches and Congregations. Also, cause under the divine admina Report of the Trustecs of theistration, has always been, by Congregational Missionary So- the instrumentality of preachers ciety, relative to their proceed-of righteousness. "Faith com

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eth by hearing, and hearing by liberal benefactor; yet considthe word of God." ering from whence pecuniary From this weighty considera-aid is derived, which is only tion, may be urged the importance of missionary exertions. The numerous millions of sinful men must perish, unless their attention be arrested to the words | of eternal life.

from the annual free will offerings; we are not without our fears, that, in the present period of general languor in religion, when iniquity aboundeth, and the love of many waxeth cold, we shall realize an abatement of the missionary spirit. May the Lord, of his mercy, prevent this: and we would fervently pray the Lord of the harvest, that he would enlarge the hearts of all ranks of people, to give support to the missionary labor

Impressed with this solemn truth, the pious, of many Christian nations have, by divine grace, been aroused to vigorous efforts to spread the gospel of Christ. Missionary operations have been more or less extensive, according to the various ability and zeal of the missiona-ers in the harvest. ry societies. They have been more or less successful, according to the good pleasure of Him, in whose hand are the hearts of kings and of all men.

With respect to the persever ance and success of this small society, we have occasion to bless God, that our expectations have been exceeded. Few in number, at first, void of experience, and destitute of pecuniary funds; the society could only, with feeble and trembling accents solicit the aid of the warmest friends of Zion. But notwithstanding the faint prospects, seven years ago, yet something worthy of the undertaking has been effected. Missionaries have been employed generally; and, at some times, in considerable numbers. The various journals of their labors and success afford pious pleasure. The means of a moderate compensation of the missionaries have been always at hand. The numbers, and the resources of the society have gradually increased.

But notwithstanding all that is past, which demands a tribute of thanks to God, and to every

The missionary cause is undertaken, not only with a view to the salvation of many souls, in the present Christian world; and to the edification and sup port of Christ's kingdom in its present extent; but also with a hope that it may be instrumental of the civilization and conversion of the benighted nations. Towards this great end, much has been effected much more remains to be effect. ed, to prepare the way for the millenial glory of the church.

and

Let all the friends of Zion think on these things, rest on the divine promises, and in their various spheres of action, make united and unremitted exertions. All the dark regions of idolatry in the east, the west, the north, and the south, are to be illuminated with the rays of gospel light; and this by missionary exertions. There is no other way, in which the glorious light of truth is ever made to extend beyond its usual limits. This was the way in which the gospel, at first, pervaded the gentile nations. God was found of them that sought him not ;

In consequence of an appointment from the Committee of Trustees, Rev. John Morse, on the 31st of October last, enterA Report of the Trustees to the ed on a mission of eight weeks Congregational Missionary So-to the counties of Columbia and ciety, relative to their proceedings from Sept. 1804, to Sept.

Greene, in the State of NewYork, which he completed on the 2d of January following. His journal has been received; from IN the Report of the Trus-which it appears, that he preachtees, at the last annual meeting of the Society, it was stated, that Messrs. Samuel P. Robbins and Asaph Morgan had each On the 22d of December last, entered on a mission of sixteen Rev. Samuel Fuller, having reweeks to the counties of Luzern received an appointment from and Wayne. The journals of the Committee of Trustees, enthese missionaries have beentered on a mission of twelve

which he was led to do in consequence of the advice of some of the Committee. On this mission he preached 88 sermonsformed one church-admitted 3 persons to the communion of other churches--baptized

weeks to the counties of Cayu-week in addition to the term for ga and Ontario and their vicini-which he was at first engaged, ties, which he completed on the 15th of March following. His journal, which has been received, states that in performing this mission, he preached 78 times -attended two religious conferences visited 7 schools and a number of families-administer- one adult and 14 childrened the sacrament of the Lord's supper twice-baptized 11 children, and received for the fund of the Society 31 dollars 15

cents.

administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper 3 timesattended 5 conferences-made 33 family visits, and received, in contribution 32 dollars 86 cents.

Rev. Joseph Avery, under an appointment from the committee of Trustees, is now engaged on a mission of twelve weeks to the western counties of the State of New-York.

In May last, Rev. Mr. Fuller, under a new appointment from the Committee of Trustees, engaged on a second mission of eight weeks to the county of Ontario; but, on account of the failure of his health, he was in the service of the Society only eight days. In this time he preached 10 sermons-visited 3 schools administered baptism once, and received in contribu-engaged, on condition of receivtion 7 dollars 18 cents.

In May, the Committee of Trustees sent also a new appointment to Mr. Asaph Morgan, with directions for him to do the duties of a missionary eight weeks in the northwestern counties of Vermont. A letter, lately received from him, gives information, that he is now engaged on this mission.

In the same month, Rev. Oliver Ayer, under an appointment from the Committee of Trustees, sat out on a mission of twelve weeks to the counties of Greene and Schoharie and their vicinities, in the State of New-York.

This mission has been performed; and from the journal of it, which has come to hand, it appears that he labored as a missionary thirteen weeks, one

All these missionaries were engaged in the service of the Society for six dollars a week, excepting Rev. Mr. Ayer, who was

ing 40 dollars for twelve sabbaths, and to have his pulpit supBut as he labored thirteen weeks, plied by neighboring ministers. the Trustees have allowed him 43 dollars 33 cents.

Since the report of the Trustees, at the last annual meeting of the Society, 69 weeks and 8 days of missionary service, actually performed, have been returned to the Trustees.

The amount of the contributions in the new settlements, received from the hands of the missionaries, who have made returns, the year past, is 125 dollars 59 cents.

The whole amount of monies

paid out for the support of missionary preaching the year past, is 386 dollars 33 cents.

September 17, 1805.

A Statement of the Funds of the Congregational Missionary Society, originated in the Counties of Berkshire and Columbia, and the expenditures of the same from the 19th of October, 1802, to the 22d of August, 1805, inclusive.

1802.

Oct. 19,

Dec. 7.

1803.

25 17

From Rev. Benjamin Wooster, collected on a
Mission,

Annual dues from two members,

A contribution from Washington,

A donation from Mrs. Austin, (Becket,)
A donation from C. Butler,

A contribution from Pittsfield,

March 1.

April 12.

Annual due from one member,

19,

12 94

35

25 82

May 9.

June 4.

July 12:

14.

A contribution from Stockbridge,

From Rev, Joseph Avery, collected on a
Mission

A contribution from Williamstown,
From Rev. Benjamin Wooster, collected on
a Mission,

From Rev. BrHotchkin,

A contribution from the Students of Wil-
liams College,

August 25. From Rev. Jabez Chadwick, collected on a
Mission,

Sept. 15. From a friend of Mission,

20.

Dec. 23.

1804. Jan. 4. 10.

Feb. 21. 28.

April 17.

From Rev. Samuel Fuller, cash advanced for
a Mission he did not perform,

Annual dues from sundry members,
Entrance money from sundry members,
From a friend of Missions,

A donation from Rev. Stephen Tracy,

From Rev. David Perry, collected on a
Mission,

A contribution from Chester,

A donation from Rev. Gideon Hawley,

From Rev. Benjamin Wooster, collected on a
Mission,

A contribution from Lee,

From a friend of Missions, the avails of a for-
tunate Ticket,