"To stir up the minds of our fellow-men to the important subject of scattering light among the ignorant and benight. ed, by presenting them from time to time with intelligence on the subject of missions, at home and abroad, will be part of our duty. Indian reform, which we contemplate with interest, will engage a portion of our efforts to promote.

"Though the cause of missions is the great object of our regard, and to promote this object our energies and our ef forts will be directed, and our hearts pledged, yet we contemplate in the range of our consideration all those kindred associations, combined for the consummation of that single object, so devoutly to be wished, the reflection of the Redeemer's glory in the redemption of a fallen world.

"There are other efforts put forth for the healing of the nations, to which our attention will also be directed. The Bible interest is inseparable from the missionary. They are pioneers to each other. If the missionary takes the lead, it is but to introduce the sacred volume; if the Bible is on the advance, it is only to prepare the stranger to its truth to address the missionary on his advent with the anxious inquiry, 'Of whom speaketh the prophet this, of himself, or some other man?'

"Sunday-schools, with their flood of benefits, commend themselves to our regard. No charity appears to have been more signalized by the blessing of Heaven.

"The interests and operations of our Institution at Hamilton are among the important subjects to which our regard is pledged.

"Our pages will be occasionally devoted to such literary subjects as may carry with them moral benefit to our readers. Biographical sketches of such persons as may have ornamented the Christian name, shall have a place in our columns. Such political events, both at home and abroad, as give dis tinction to the age in which we live shall not be omitted. The important legislative proceedings of our own State, and the Congress of the United States, with such speeches as may be important to preserve, shall be given in the Register.

"We present our paper as an organ of communication to the public for all our religious bodies. Our object will be to

make the Register a profitable, interesting, and cheap, vehicle of religious intelligence, embracing, also, a portion of literary and political information."

Various measures were adopted to extend the benefits of the paper. Traveling agents were appointed, as well as local agents, with a hope and full expectation that the number of subscribers could be increased, so that a revenue might be realized to the funds, as well as to the amount of information possessed by the denomination. It was ascertained that no paper of respectable size could be published, where 'the articles were to be put in type every week, and an editor to be compensated, unless the terms of subscription were more than two dollars, or the number of good subscribers exceeded 3,000, without loss to those engaged in it. During the first year, therefore, exertions were made and economy practiced, in the belief that the paper ought to be sustained and continued.

In 1827 the committee on the Register, (who were appointed by the Board of the Convention,) reported the number of subscribers to be 2,900, and a prospect that $500 would be realized that year. The following year a less number of subscribers was reported, although it was thought the debts were equal to the expenditures.

After the paper had been published about five years, many having been quite negligent in their payments, and some debts becoming very uncertain, the committee appointed by the Convention to consider what measures could be adopted to promote the interests of the paper, believing that there was little hope of any direct income to the funds of the Convention, and fearing that its debts would increase faster than its income would be realized, made the following report: "We recommend that the Register be leased to some suitable person or persons for years, reserving the annual rent of said paper to the Convention, and also the control of the editorial department. And further, that a general traveling agent be forthwith appointed, for the immediate collection of all the outstanding debts: and that after such a collection shall have been made, if a balance shall remain against the paper, that then immediate steps be taken for the payment of such balance, by an appeal to the liberality of our brethren."

The report was adopted, and the standing committee directed to carry out the same.

In accordance with the above proceedings, a proposition was made by Messrs. Bennett & Bright to publish the paper for five years. After due consideration, their proposition was accepted, and in the spring of 1830 the paper was leased to them for that term of time; the former editor continuing as usual to have the whole oversight and charge of the editorial department. Under this arrangement the circulation of the Register greatly increased, payments were more promptly secured, and the paper was made to yield a handsome revenue to the Convention, which for a time was required to liquidate the debts that had occurred in the establishment of the paper, and while its circulation was more limited. It was enlarged at the expense of the publishers, an increasing interest was felt by all acquainted with it, and its weekly arrival hailed by thousands with delight. The influence it continued to exert was highly salutary in the promotion of an intelligent, united action in the great objects of foreign and domestic missions, Bible, education, Sabbath-school, and temperance, causes; in the dissemination of revival intelligence, and inculcating the principles of pure and undefiled religion. The editor continued to retain and deserve the confidence and support of his brethren, although conflicting questions of great public interest often produced difference of views and action, and awakened the slumbering energies of the denomination. This course, amidst the most exciting questions, was approved by the sober and considerate of all parties. None but those engaged personally in the responsible work of catering for the public taste, and regulating the public mind, can duly appreciate the feelings, cares, and trials, of a conscientious editor.

In 1833 an effort was made to change the location of the paper, and remove it to the city of New York, and amalga mate it with the Baptist Repository; but after a full and open discussion, the project was totally disapproved and abandoned.

The following extract from the report of the Board of the Convention, in the fall of 1834, will show the renewal of the lease with Brn. Bennett & Bright:

"The New York Baptist Register is still the property of the Convention. The term for which it was leased to Brn. Bennett & Bright will expire next February. At an early period, a committee was appointed to renew the lease, embracing the best intelligence and experience of the Board. The paper is again leased to the present publishers, for seven years from the commencement of the next volume. The Convention will receive 150 dollars annually for 2,500 subscribers, and 20 cents in addition for each subscriber above that number. Should the number of subscribers be less than 2,500, a deduction is to be made from the 150 dollars of 10 ́cents on each of the number wanting. The present number of subscribers is 5,100, which will bring to the funds of the Convention 670 dollars. But the revenue of the present volume and of the next will be demanded to cancel the debts against the Register existing prior to the first lease, unless collections can be made from the subscribers of that period beyond what we anticipate. Could the number of subscribers be increased to 7,000, the income would be 1,050 dollars per annum. With its able and experienced editor, under the care of its approved and faithful publishers, in its present enlarged form, we hope this vehicle of religious knowledge and information will be cordially welcomed into every family in the denomination. Nearly all the associations in this State have passed resolutions of commendation.” The following year a more full report was made of the expenses and situation of the Register, which is here given, as it presents, in short, the progress of the paper:

"The debts contracted in commencing the paper have long been a prolific source of trouble and perplexity: various means have at different times been devised for their liquidation, but they failed to produce those results most devoutly anticipated. The executive committee, who for many years were in the habit of advancing their own funds, and of giving to the paper the benefit of their personal responsibility, deserve well the gratitude of their brethren; and we are con fident it will not be withheld. They have waited patiently for their claims, and we rejoice to say they are all discharged.

"The committee to whom the state of the Register was referred, submitted the following report:

"Your committee, in the discharge of the duty assigned to them, have ascertained that the Convention, in August, 1832, were in debt, on account of the paper, to the amount of $2,221 51, all of which has been entirely discharged; and furthermore, that a balance will exist, in favor of the Convention, in February, 1836, of nearly $300. The present number of subscribers is estimated, in round numbers, to be 5,000. Assuming the ground that this number will not be diminished after February, 1836, the Convention will realize from it a nett revenue of $650 per annum; and should the subscribers be increased to 6,000, the revenue from this source will be $850; and an additional amount of $200 per annum, for every thousand added to the list of subscribers: thus, whenever the list is increased to 10,000, the annual revenue resulting to the Convention will equal $1,650. From a view of these highly interesting and encouraging facts, your committee are induced to hope that the proper consideration of them will operate on all who value our missionary interests, so as to stimulate them to immediate and persevering efforts to obtain additional subscribers to the Register, until the number shall equal our most sanguine expectations, and the proceeds from this quarter render our means of supplying the destitute with the bread of life much more ample.'

"All the associations in the State, who are auxiliaries of the Convention, have continued to express their approbation in its favor, and their recommendations to promote its more extensive circulation. Did our limits allow it, we would gladly spread their resolutions before you; but a single one, which exhibits the spirit of all the rest, must suffice: Resolved, That we retain undiminished confidence in the New York Baptist Register, as a periodical well calculated to promote the Redeemer's kingdom, and we urge its universal patronage by the churches composing this body.'

One more extract we give from the report of the Board for 1836, as it presents a view of the benefit resulting from such a paper, its bearing upon our denomination, and its influence in the extension of Christ's kingdom in the world :

"This valuable periodical continues to be the property of the Convention, and is constantly accomplishing, to a most interesting extent, the two-fold services of a missionary and