which they solicit the advice of their fathers in the church.

The Association appointed a Committee to make report on the application; and, in consequence of the report, proceeded to institute a Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, "for the purpose of devising ways and means, and adopting and prosecuting measures for promoting the spread of the gospel in heathen lands." The Board was composed of nine gentlemen well known to the Christian public. The Association advised the young gentlemen "to wait the guidance of Providence in respect to their great and excellent design."

The Board of Commissioners held their first meeting at Farmington, (Con.) Sept. 5, 1810. After forming a Constitution, and appointing officers, "they took measures to obtain the best information in their power, respecting the state of unevangelized nations; highly approved the readiness of the young gentlemen at Andover to enter upon a foreign mission; and advised them to pursue their studies till further information relative to the missionary field be obtained, and the finances of the institution will justify the appointment." They also prepared and published an address on the subject of missions.

The Board met again, at Worcester, Sept. 18, 1811. During the year which had elapsed, the Prudential Committee of the Board examined and approved four young gentlemen, as future missionaries to the heathen; viz. Messrs. Judson, Nott, and Newell, above named, and Mr. Gordon Hall, also a student at Andover. Mr. Mills, had not finished his theological education, and for that and other reasons was not examined with his brethren. The Committee also sent Mr. Judson to England to confer with the Board of Directors of the London Missionary Society and to procure important information on the subject of missions, which could not be so well procured in any other way. He was welcomed with great cordiality by the Directors, who engaged to take him and his three brethren under their care, and to allow them salaries, and employ them on

a mission, if the funds of the American Board should not be competent for their support.

The Board appointed the four brethren, above named, missionaries "to labor in Asia either in the Birman empire, in Surat, or in the Prince of Wales's Island, or elsewhere, as, in the view of the Prudential Committee, Providence shall open the most favorable door," and advised them "to wait the further intimation of Provi dence as to support from this country in the proposed Foreign Mission."

At this meeting Messrs. James Richards, and Edward Warren, students at Andover, offered themselves to the Board for the missionary service, and were approved and taken under the patronage of the Board.

The missionary brethren were, in the mean time, fitting themselves for their future arduous employment. Messrs. Newell and Hall attended courses of medical lectures, both at Boston and Philadelphia, in order to be more extensively useful among the heathen.

About the middle of last month it was found that a ship was soon to sail from Philadelphia to Calcutta, No time was to be lost. Robert Ralston, Esq. of Philadelphia, with that zeal for missions and for Christianity which he has long manifested, took an active and very friendly part in facilitating the embarkation of the young men, both by procuring passages for them on very favorable terms, and by making a generous donation. Messrs. Newell and Hall hastened to meet their brethren at Salem, where it was determined, by the Prudential Committee, to have them ordained, and to send them immediately to the field of Missionary labor. Mr. Luther Rice, who had been a student in the same Theological Seminary, was then employed as a candidate for the ministry, offered himself to the Prudential Committee to join the mission, and was approved and accepted.

The Prudential Committee sent to several neighboring churches, and convened a Council* at Salem, on

The Council was composed of pastors and delegates from the North Congregational church in Newburyport, the Congregational church in Charlestown, and the Tabernacle church in Salem; also of the Rev. Dr.

the 6th. instant, at which time and place the five young gentlemen were solemnly consecrated to the service of God in the gospel Ministry among the heathen. On this occasion the following Sermon, Charge, and Right Hand of Fellowship, were delivered before a crowded and deeply affected auditory. It is confidently believed, that such impressions were made by the solemnities of the day, as will be lasting and salutary. Three of the persons ordained, viz. Messrs. Nott, Hall, and Rice, set out the same evening to go with all practicable haste to Philadelphia.* The other two sailed with their wives from Salem, on the morning of Wednesday the 19th. instant, commended by the prayers of multitudes to the gracious protection of God.t

The issue of this mission must be cheerfully left to the disposal of Him, who is the Lord of the universe, and who will ultimately establish his kingdom through the whole earth.

Griffin, pastor of Park Street church in Boston, and the Rev. Dr. Woods, Professor at Andover. The Rev. Professor Stuart was invited to attend, but was necessarily prevented.

Mr. Nott was married on his way to Philadelphia and took his wife with him; the other two went single.

They went on board the ship Harmony, (in which they had taken their passage,) on the evening of the 18th. instant, and probably sailed from Newcastle the next morning.

† They sailed in the brig Caravan. FEBRUARY 29, 1812.

SERMON.

PSALM lxvii.

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. THAT THY WAY MAY BE

KNOWN UPON EARTH, THY SAVING HEALTH AMONG

ALL NATIONS. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy.—Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. God shall bless us; and ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL

FEAR HIM.

CAN any real Christian be a stranger to the enlarged views, the benevolent desires, and pleasing anticipations of the pious author of this Psalm? It cannot surely be necessary to inform my audience that every true worshipper of God resembles him in love, and can be satisfied with nothing short of all that infinite love designs. The Christian has a heart to feel for his fellow creatures. He takes into account their temporal comfort, and endeavors to promote it; their temporal wants and sufferings, and does what in him lies to relieve them. But, when their spiritual interest is before him; when he contemplates the value of

their souls, and the prospect which the gospel opens of immortal happiness in the world to come; his bowels of compassion are moved; his tenderest affections kindled; pure and heavenly love pervades and warms his soul. He longs for the eternal felicity of his kindred and friends, of his country and the world. His hearts desire and prayer to God is, that all men may be saved, that all human beings may forsake their evil ways, and turn to the Lord; that his kingdom may come, and his will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. With this holy affection reigning in his heart, the fervent, devoted Christian presents himself a living sacrifice unto God; and counts it a privilege to do and to suffer any thing for the advancement of his cause. He is ready to "endure all things for the elect's sake, that they also may obtain the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." In this state, no difficulty discourages; no danger alarms. The sacrifice of property and pleasure; stripes, imprisonment, and death, lose their terrors, and become more attractive, than any earthly good. He is as steady to his purpose, as resolute, active, and patient in pursuit, as the restless miser, or the ambitious conqueror. And as their desire of wealth and of conquest is insatiable and unbounded; so is his desire for the diffusion of Christian knowledge and happiness. Every degree of success attending the dispensation of the gospel, even a single instance of conversion among the weakest and meanest of mankind, yields him the purest pleasure. But this pleasure only increases desire. His enjoyment of the good already attained urges him on to the pursuit of more. The progressive enlargement of the kingdom of Christ will constantly enlarge the benevolence of his heart. While there is a nation or tribe under heaven not sub