Charles Babcock. This committee reported in favor of immediate action, but recommended that the proposed Convention confine its efforts to the support of domestic missions. They also submitted the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, viz.

"Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed by this Association, as delegates, to meet such other delegates as may be appointed by sister associations, to adopt measures for carrying into effect the above object.

"Resolved, That the delegates be requested to hold their first meeting at the village of Mentz, (near Auburn,) in the county of Cayuga, on the third Wednesday of November next, at 10 o'clock, A. M.

"Resolved, That we earnestly solicit the associations in this State and its vicinity to unite with us in the above plan; and that such as may convene before the meeting of the convention as above, at Mentz, will appoint delegates to meet at the above time and place.

"Resolved, That Elds. E. Galusha and D. Putman, and Dr. Babcock, be delegates to meet as above; and that Eld. W. Windsor be substitute, if either fail."

In accordance with this resolution, on the 21st of Nov., 1821, delegates duly appointed by the Otsego, Oneida, Madison, Franklin, and Cayuga, Associations, assembled in the town of Mentz, Cay. Co., and organized under the name of the Baptist Domestic Missionary Convention of the State of New York and its vicinity.

A constitution was adopted, the fourth article of which says, "The object of this Convention shall be to promote domestic missions." The first officers of the Convention were as follows, viz. Dea. Squire Manro, President. Eld. Sylvenus Haynes, Vice-President. Eld. Elijah F. Willey, Secretary. Dr. Charles Babcock, Treasurer. Elds. O. Č. Comstock, Solomon Goodale, Elkanah Comstock, J. S. Twiss, John Jeffries, Dea. Jonathan Olmsted, and Brn. Alexander M. Beebee and Isaac Geer, Directors.

Among the number who composed the meeting were those faithful servants of the Lord, Elds. Sylvenus Haynes, Caleb Douglass, and Joseph More, and Deas. Asher Wetmore, Squire Manro, and Dr. Francis Guiteau-men full of faith and of the Holy Ghost; all of whom have ceased from their

labors, and, we believe, have entered into the joy of their Lord. No one, who attended the meeting, can have forgotten the singular manifestation of God's power and presence then and there enjoyed, or with what freedom, faith, and fervency, God's blessing was sought upon the labors of that day. Before the Convention closed its session, the following address was adopted, viz.

"ADDRESS

OF THE BAPTIST DOMESTIC MISSIONARY CONVENTION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND ITS VICINITY.

To all the Associations, Missionary Societies, and Churches, within the said territory, and to the Christian Public.

"At a time when the dispensation of mercy is opening to the benighted nations of the earth-when Christian communities, in every country, are awaking from their long slumbers to liberal exertion-when the Bible and the missionary are making their peaceful way alike into the palace and the cottage of the heathen-with peculiar pleasure we witness the benevolence, assiduity, and perseverance, of many domestic missionary societies now in existence, and most cheerfully bid them God-speed. They have done what they could. Still, it is much to be lamented, that, for want of more ample means, their worthy labors are far from supply. ing with the precious gospel the vast multitude in our coun try who are perishing for lack of vision, or setting in order the things that are wanting' in the destitute churches. "The following disadvantages attend the present state of things:

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"The separate funds of small societies do not enable them to employ, in all cases, men well qualified for the arduous duties assigned them. Where missionaries labor, they are taken as samples of the denomination by which they are sent out; or, rather, they are considered as the ablest among their brethren. Ought we not, then, to select for such an important embassy those who possess the best talents, and the most information, as well as the greatest share of prudence and piety? Missionaries are spiritual planters; and

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let it not be forgotten that such was the appellation of a Paul, not of an Apollos. It is a painful consideration that the limited resources of our present societies prevent their employing any suitable person for a considerable length of time. Consequently, the faithful missionary, after entering an important field of labor, and seeing the pleasure of God begin to prosper in his hand, finds that the term of his mission has expired, and the means of his support are exhausted. The wants of his distant and dependent family oppress his mind, and urge his speedy return to their relief. He fears, on the one hand, the just charge of being worse than an infidel if he do not hasten to provide for his own household, and, on the other, a dreadful woe if he contiuue not there to preach the gospel. The entreaties and tears of anxious sinners and ardent converts overcome him-he tarries a few days longer-God pours out his Spirit-sinners are regenerated-the weeping multitude hang upon him, crying, Do not leave us! we fear going to hell without ever hearing another gospel sermon! But the time has come, and he must tear himself from them. He leaves young and inexperienced converts without instruction, without human protection, without a church to nourish them, exposed to the attacks of Satan, the corruptions of their own hearts, the sophistry and malignity of infidels and false professors. He leaves convicted sinners destitute of an evangelical messenger to point them to the Lamb of God, who alone can take away their sin. Could such provision have been made, by an adequate society, as would enable him justifiably to continue a month or two, perhaps many precious immortal beings might, through his instrumentality, have been brought out of darkness and despair into the light of life, to embrace the hope of eternal glory. A church might have been constituted, and a flock in the wilderness inclosed in the gospel fold.

"The object of the Convention is to remove such evils, and to produce a greater sum of good: not by destroying, superseding, or opposing, those benevolent missionary societies already in operation; but by combining, improving, and maturing, them.

"The benefits which it is devoutly hoped will result from this institution, are,

"1. A combination of energies, efforts, and funds. And let it be remembered that combined exertion is powerful exertion.' As extreme heat depends on the concentration of many rays into a single point, and as the powerful current of a majestic river is produced by the uniting of its various tributary streams, so, in relation to doing good, the strength of the churches of Christ (as far as human ability extends) consists in a union of their wisdom, their talents, their graces, their charities, and their exertions, in mutual and friendly co-operations. In blending our liberalities, we may be able more largely and effectually to supply the destitute, by commanding, for missionary purposes, the first talents and graces committed to our denomination. Is it not highly important that those who enter the enemy's territories, to plant the standard of Emanuel, should be well acquainted with his mode of warfare? and that he who lays the foundation of God's house should be a wise master-builder? How desirable is it that those who are to organize churches in the moral wilderness, and 'set in order the things that are wanting' in those that are scattered, divided, or distracted, should be wise as serpents and harmless as doves-that they should be thoroughly acquainted, not only with human nature and the economy of Divine grace, but with the discipline of the house of God-that they may be able to answer the various inquiries of the ignorant, stop the mouths of gainsayers, reconcile the disaffected, and humble the vain-boaster? Does not the honor of religion and the good of souls require a missionary board, whose funds will authorize them to say to those who are best qualified for the responsible and momentous work of a domestic missionary, 'Go, enter on missionary ground, and there continue as long as God in his providence directs, and we will provide for your family and flock?'

"2. The collection of important and extensive information. A convention of delegates from every part of this State and its vicinity will bring together numerous interesting and essential facts, concerning the want of churches, destitute portions of country, and the operations of the hand of God in different places. And through the medium of that correspondence, which the constitution provides, the moral as well as local situation of that vast and gloomy region in the west will be laid open to the view of the Board, and by

them to that of the benevolent public. Much time and money are now employed to little effect for want of such knowledge.

"3. A judicious distribution and destination of missionaries. Owing to an ignorance of each other's proceedings, different societies, in some instances, send more missionaries to some particular places than are needed, while others are left entirely destitute, and, for want of proper information, often direct them to fields of labor far less important and promising than many that remain unoccupied. Whereas, a society, having an ample and distinct view of the whole ground, and also of the different gifts at its command, can adopt and occupy to peculiar advantage.

66 "4. The continuance of useful and successful missionaries in places where God has smiled, and still smiles, on their labors; and where existing circumstances and impressions of duty require them to remain.

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"A transient falling of drops of water scarcely affects the surface of the earth; but a continual dropping weareth away stones.' So, notwithstanding a sermon or two from a faithful embassador of Jesus Christ may scarcely produce a perceptible effect, yet a continuation of his ministerial exertions is often blessed of the Lord for the conversion of hundreds of sinners and the organization of formidable churches. In clearing land of its native growth, we would not pass along, giving a single blow to every tree in the forest; neither should the missionary (unless of necessity) preach a single sermon only to a destitute people. Nor should he leave the infant churches, the solitary convert, like a stalk of wheat in the thick woodland, to a sickly growth beneath the extended branches of umbrageous oaks; but make an opening to admit the warmth and effulgence of the sun.

"Could you witness the heart-rendings of a missionary about to leave converts weeping on every side, while sinners wring their hands in the agonies of despair, would you not say, 'Let something be done to prolong his stay?" As to the duty of supporting domestic missions, need we say anything by way of argument? Tell us, you who have been delivered from darkness, sin, and death, by the glorious gospel of Christ! tell us, ye parents who have beloved children in