THE Massachusetts ; FOR THE YEAR CONTAINING Religious and Interesting Communications, CALCULATED TO EDIFY CHRISTIANS, AND INFORM THE RI. SING GENERATION. The profits of this work are to be applied to the support of Misionaries THE EDITORS APPOINTED BY THE SOCIETY ARE, Rev. Messieurs SAMUEL WORCESTER, A.M. JACOB NORTON, A.M. PAUL LITCHFIELD, A.M. Deloved Brethren and Friends, V discouragements, which attended the institution of the Society, the unexpected success, with which our infant exertions have been crowned, and also attend to the danger of neglecting our inestimable object, and our indispensable obligations to support it, by the Magazine, and all other expedients, you will ex. cuse the freedoin of the following remarks. There is a call for our united exertions in all respects, because we live in times of imminent temptation and danger. The rapid increase of the number of our members, whose an. nual tax relieves the treasury; the pleasing reports of our Miffionaries, who explore the Eastern and Western Districts, and the ardent attention paid to the missionary interest, at our stated meetings, in connexion with the increasing habit of our congre. gations and friends to furnish pecuniary means, by liberal con. tributions, are animating tokens of the smiles of Heaven, and grounds of encouragement to proceed in our laudable exertions, But how shall we progress with influence and honour, except we all, in our respective spheres of action, pay proper and fa. cred attention to the best interest of the Society? How shall we maintain our reputation and extend our usefulness, except like good soldiers we faithfully and valiantly guard and protect our standard? |