County Association, has aided, during the last year, in the support of 28 missionaries in that State, whose labours appear to have been attended with usual success, while several of the congregations aided, have been blessed with revivals of religion. The expenditures of this Society have exceeded its receipts during the last year, which is accounted for by the fact that no Agents have been employed in that state for the collection of funds for the last two years. Its Directors, however, manifest a zeal and an enterprise which furnish the strongest ground of confidence, that, in the language of their last Report, they will DO as they have done and CONTINUE to do so, while the occasion lasts; and that by increasing their exertions, they will be able hereafter, through the Parent Society, to extend their influence much beyond the bounds of their own state.

The NEW-HAMPSHIRE MISSIONARY SOCIETY has continued its co-operation with this Committee, and has granted aid to 31 missionaries in that state, under commissions from the Parent Society. But as we have not received the regular annual returns from the Secretary, we are unable to add any further particulars in this place.

THE DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF CONNECTICUT.

This Society has come into active co-operation with the A. H. M. S. since our last anniversary, and has conformed to the stipulations recommended to the adoption of Auxiliary Societies. It has not been practicable, however, for it to become formally auxiliary, on account of a condition in its constitution, which renders it necessary to delay such a measure until its next anniversary, when it is proposed to consummate its connexion under the name of the "CONNECTICUT MISSIONARY SOCIETY AUXILIARY, TO THE A. H. M. S." In the mean time it conducts its operations as an auxiliary, and has already pledged aid in the support of 22 missionaries and agents under commissions furnished by the A. H. M. S. The receipts into its treasury, from June 18, 1830, to April 1, 1831, have been $2276 77, and its payments to the Parent Society, under the above stipulations, have been $308 98. Its operations under the present arrangement, have been highly successful, and furnish the most animating encouragement, that, hereafter, in addition to furnishing all needed aid to the feeble congregations in that state, it will be an efficient auxiliary of the A. H. M. S. in sustaining its great enterprise in behalf of the West and South. As it proposes, in this way, to enter, in some measure, into the labors of the old "Connecticut Missionary Society," and to be conducted by the same Board of Directors, it is confidently believed that it will more than equal the usefulness, and sustain the reputation of that venerable institution, whose praise is in all the churches.

The SABBATH SCHOLARS' MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION of the Sabbath Schools connected with the Cedar-street Presbyterian church, New-York, both on account of its peculiarity and its efficiency, continues to be one of the most interesting of the Auxiliaries of the Parent Society. It has paid into the treasury of the Society, during the last year, the sum of $600, and stands pledged for the entire amount of aid granted by this committee to five missionaries in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan territory. Its Fourth Annual Report, recently published, indicates a comprehensiveness of design, a maturity of plan, and a system in execution, which would do honour to any association for benevolent purposes, while it evinces, in a most pleasing manner, that the great national object of the Parent Society has already made a lodgement in the hearts of the children of that congregation, both male and female, from which it will not be easily displaced. But the benefits of this youthful association have not been confined to the direct results of the aid which it has furnished to the Parent Society. The Sabbath Scholars in other congregations in this city have been stimulated by their example to form similar associations, and thus an influence has been commenced, which we trust will extend until many youthful hearts VOL. IV.

5

and hands will be warmly and actively engaged in this and other enterprises of benevolence.

The WESTERN RESERVE DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY, embraces, as its field, the northern part of Ohio, and the whole of Michigan territory, and is co-extensive with the Western Reserve Synod. This auxiliary has come into full and systematic co-operation with the Parent Society within the last year. Since October last, it has assumed the support of six missionaries under commissions furnished by this committee. Our Agent on that field, who is also Secretary of the Society, has been actively engaged during the year, in visiting the congregations, encouraging the feeble to make more vigorous efforts to sustain the institutions of the gospel among themselves, and soliciting contributions. The actual receipts of the Society have been small, but the Agent reports that the present prospect from subscriptions made and pledges given may be considered equivalent to a security for $2000 within the present year, and that though the cause is yet in its infancy, there are indications of its soon becoming one of prominent interest among the churches on the Reserve.

THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OF AGENCY FOR HOME MISSIONS IN THE WESTERN STATES, ESTABLISHED IN CINCINNATI, OHIO.

This Agency was named in our last Annual Report, as having been appointed, but its operations suspended for the purpose of securing the concurrence of the Board of Missions of the General Assembly in the same or some other appointments, to conduct unitedly the operations of that Board and of this Society in the Western States. We then expressed the hope that, in course of the coming three months, the above organization would be perfected and in full operation, affording a facility for prosecuting the work of Home Missions beyond the mountains never before enjoyed. The Committee, however, have not been able to effect the proposed arrangement, and, owing to the delay occasioned by the correspondence in relation to it, the Central Committee of Agency was not fully organized until late in the autumn, when our Agent, the Rev. R. Gushman, who is also Secretary of the above Committee, entered upon his labours on that field, and has since pursued them with great industry and encouraging success. That Committee have not yet assumed the responsibility of supporting any particular Missionaries, having hitherto made all its appropriations through the Executive Committee of the Society, while the attention and labours of the Agent have been chiefly directed to the formation of Auxiliary Societies and raising funds. The amount of subscriptions and cash received, as reported up to the 1st of April, 1831, was $1658 12, and other arrangements have been made with Committees of Correspondence and Auxiliary Societies on that field, which indicate a state of preparation for future and extended operations, highly creditable to the enterprise and enlarged views of the Central Committee.

"The experience of every day," says the Secretary, in his Report, "convinces us more deeply of the amazing responsibility under which we now act. Never have we felt so sensibly the necessity of high attainments in knowledge, in wisdom and in holiness, as since engaged in giving some direction and efficiency to the A. H. M. S. in the great valley of the west. We would not take a step in this enterprise without leaning on the kind arm of our Divine Redeemer." And again, "we have been much gratified and encouraged by the zealous co-operation of many churches and individuals on this field. So far as we can judge, there is an increasing attachment to the principles of the A. H. M. S. The more it is known, the more it is approved. The operations of the Society evince that it is just what it professes to be, the SERVANT OF THE CHURCHES. The divine favour has hitherto attended its movements, and we are well persuaded that it is one branch of the great system of benevolence, which is to fill the world with the riches of redeeming grace."

Such are the subsidiary organizations which have hitherto afforded the most efficient aid to the Society in its extended operations. To these we might add,

if our limits would admit, a special notice, equally interesting, of each of those auxiliaries of a less imposing character, but whose contributions, in many instances, have been more bountiful in proportion to their means, and equally indispensable to the success of the great enterprise to be accomplished. Such are many of the Church and Sessional Associations, whose payments to the Society, within the last year, have varied from $10 to nearly $2000, as God has prospered them. These, and other organizations, which may yet be formed, varied as the different sections of the church may choose, but all moved by one spirit, a spirit that will not rest nor be weary until the world is converted, constitute the sources of income, on which the Society may hereafter depend, with a confidence unwavering as the faith of a martyr, not only for the redemption of its present pledges, but for the means of enlarging its operations, until it shall have filled the land with blessings, and prepared its immortal millions to be the instruments of eternal blessedness to the nations.

But if any portion of the christian public need yet another argument to convince them that the AMERICAN HOME MISSIONARY SOCIETY is an instrument chosen of God for the building up of his church, let them review, with us, the following

RESULTS OF ITS OPERATIONS.

Under this head, the Committee are aware that they have to do with subjects in relation to which all the estimates and conclusions of finite intelligences are of necessity inadequate. We have not even the means of determining with accuracy what are the present results, and much less are we competent to decide what will be the future consequences of moral causes now operating on so large a scale. In relation to these results, there are many "secret things," of eternal moment, which " belong unto the Lord our God," and which are reserved to be revealed hereafter. There remain, however, upon the face of his Providence, some visible effects of his blessing upon the instruments of his choosing, which belong unto us and to our children," that the friends of the cause may be encouraged in the work which he has given them to do. These it is our privilege to report.

The conversion of souls, as it is the single ultimate object of the Society, deserves the first place in this review. But here it is not possible to speak with perfect accuracy. It appears, from a careful perusal of the reports of the Missionaries, that there have been added to the churches aided, within the last year, 3491 souls, 2532 of whom have been received on profession of their faith, and have been admitted, for the first time, to the communion of the church. It should be borne in mind, however, that the reports of the Missionaries are imperfect. Making a suitable allowance, therefore, for defects in these reports, there cannot be estimated less than 2,800 new additions to the church, under the labours of our Missionaries, while the number of hopeful conversions is doubtless larger than the above. These, in many instances, have been the gradual ingathering of those who have been permitted, as yet, to reap only sparingly, while others have been the bountiful results of the ministry of those, whose labours God has blessed with the special influences of his Spirit, and have been gathered in companies of tens, and fifties, and hundreds. Fifty-three of the congregations aided have been reported as blessed with special revivals of religion, from which from 20 to 130 souls have been added to the church, and some of which arestill in delightful progress. Thus, while the more wealthy churches in many of our cities and principal towns have been the subjects of blessings surpassing all that the grace of God had bestowed in former years, and while he who sitteth in the heavens has been raining down righteousness upon most of our colleges, and has thus purified and enlarged the sources of the Society's dependence, the same grace has been richly enjoyed by many of the congregations which have shared in its bounty. Twice blessed have been those charities which have been derived from such sources and been directed to such results.

SABBATH SCHOOLS, BIBLE CLASSES, AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.

In other ages, the few souls that were converted, were accustomed to remain comparatively idle, in respect to external action, because no man had hired them. The wants and claims of the world were but little known, and there existed none of those associations which now make their appeal to all hearts, and invite to benevolent effort, every man that cometh to the light. But now the relations of the church to a world lying in wickedness, are better understood, and wherever ministers preach the gospel, we are accustomed to look for other influences besides the conversion of souls. The hearts of parents are turned to their children, and the sympathies of the rich and the intelligent are kindled up on behalf of the poor and the ignorant, and wherever revivals are enjoyed, both the Pastor and his flock feel that they are blessed that they may become blessings to others. Hence have arisen in our day the system of Sabbath School and Bible Class instruction, with which the youth of our congregations are so generally favoured; and hence have been originated those other methods of doing good, through which the benign influences of our churches are extended to the destitute, and scattered to the ends of the earth. And even the poor, when their hearts are touched with the love of God, do not ask to be excused from taking part in these enterprises of benevolence. We do but report therefore what the friends of the Society are prepared to hear, when we announce that its 463 missionaries have reported, as under their instruction, during the year, more than 200 Bible Classes, embracing not less than 5000 members, and that there have been sustained, in the congregations aided, not less than 500 Sabbath Schools, with not less than 20,000 pupils. Yet these are glorious results, and full of the most interesting promise to the churches where they exist. They constitute so many little centres of religious influence, which will be felt upon other generations. They invite the influences of the Spirit of God, and thus, in many of them, revivals of religion have had their commencement, in which not a few both of the teachers and the taught have been savingly benefited, and hundreds of the careless reclaimed and saved..

In the promotion of Sabbath Schools, our missionaries generally have been much encouraged by the resolution of the American Sunday School Union, to supply the valley of the Mississippi with Sabbath School instruction, within two years. It is known to the public, that this Committee early pledged its endeavours, through the Missionaries of the Society, to establish at least one thousand of the schools required to accomplish this noble resolution. But as the missionaries have been instructed to report, on this subject, directly to the A. S. S. Union, it is not in our power, at this time, to report the progress which has been made in this specific work, though we are assured that their efforts, generally, so far as they find it consistent with the claims of the people to whom they minister, are zealously directed to its accomplishment.

The Missionaries also, as advised in their commissions, have, as far as we know, without exception, endeavoured to promote by every practicable measure, the cause of the Bible, of Religious Tracts, of Education, of Foreign Missions, and of Temperance, among the people and congregations where they labour. In many instances, these efforts have been attended with the happiest. results. Enough has been communicated on these subjects, in the reports of the Missionaries, to make it apparent, that, if it were practicable to ascertain the whole amount which has been gleaned, in aid of these objects, from the 577 congregations assisted, the result would both surprise and encourage the christian philanthropist, while the universal observance of the Monthly Concert of Prayer, indicates that there are a few, at least, in all our congregations, whose prayers and alms have gone up together before God.

It remains only that we present the following

TABULAR VIEW

of the results of the last year, in several particulars, compared with those of the

preceding years.

Having thus presented the most important details, and results of the doings of the Society, during another year, the Committee are unwilling to close this Report, without a public expression of their gratitude to Almighty God, for the signal blessings with which he has crowned its efforts. The Society has now been in operation five years. In that time, besides all the other indirect and accompanying influences which it has exerted, it has granted essential aid in support of 996 years of ministerial labour, in congregations which otherwise must have been deprived, in whole or in part, of the blessings of a preached gospel-has reported each year from 10,000 to 20,000 children instructed in Sabbath schools, and from 2000 to 5,000 of the young and others instructed in Bible Classes. In the same time its Missionaries have reported not less than 7,700 souls added to the churches aided, and more than that number of hopeful conversions under their ministry. Who can contemplate these results without feeling deeply convinced that God has been with us of a truth? These are the Lord's doings, and marvellous in our eyes. They surpass all that the most sanguine of the friends of the Society had anticipated. To him be all the glory. But these definite results are but parts of the blessings which he has bestowed, and are to be viewed rather as indications of what may hereafter be accomplished, than as a fulfilment of the divine purposes in relation to the cause in which we are engaged. There remaineth yet much land to be possessed, and the present preparations of the Society for future and extended efforts, in the number and efficiency of its Auxiliaries, and in the constantly increasing evidences of the confidence and co-operation of a large portion of the christian public, indicate that the Lord of the harvest is about to do greater things than these, to the glory of God by us. The work is now better understood than ever before. The principles of the Society and their adaptation to the genius of christianity have been more thoroughly tested. Never did the Committee feel that they stood at the focus of so many rays of light, as at the present moment Never, at the commencement of any previous year, was there presented so great a work to be done, as invites the efforts of this Society, for the year to come; and never were they surrounded with so many encouragements to do it. Difficulties, it is true, are to be encountered, obstacles are to be overcome. If it were not so, we should have no need of the whole armour of God, in pushing on to its accomplishment this work of love. But since it is so, the friends of the cause have need to keep near to the throne of him in whom is all their strength, and while the wide spreading wants of the needy, on the one hand, are beseeching us, and the manifest tokens of the divine favour, on the other, are urging us to new and increased exertions, no friend of God, no friend of man, should fear to assume his full share of the responsibilities of this high and holy enterprise, in humble dependence on the grace of Him to whom belong the kingdoms of the world.

After the reading of the foregoing Report, the Rev. MARK TUCKER, of Troy, N. Y., presented the following resolution, viz.