The missionary year has been one of prosperity. Only two mission laborers have been removed by death, and four by sickness or other cause. Twelve missionaries and assistants have been appointed exclusively of native helpers. The receipts of the year, ending April 1, were $85,487 24; to which may be added - $10,000 received from co-ordinate societies, the U. S. government, and interest on the permanent fund, making a total of $95,487 24. The total expenditures for the same period were $94,339 71, showing an excess of receipts to the amount of $1,147 53. Seven collecting agents have been employed the whole or parts of the year. Much labor has also been performed by missionaries temporarily in this country, and by deputations from the Executive Committee. The Assistant Corresponding Secretary entered upon his duties in July. The treasurer of the Union is Richard E. Eddy, Esq., in place of Hon. Heman Lincoln, resigned. Of the periodicals of the Union, the Magazine has a circulation of 4,000 copies, and the two editions of the Macedonian 20,000.MISSIONS
Of the missions in Burmah, Maulmain mission has 2 stations, with 21 out-stations, in charge of 27 missionaries and assistants and 36 native helpers. Of the missionaries. Dr. and Mrs. Judson, Mr. and Mrs. Harris and Miss Lillybridge arrived in Maulmain in December last, and Mr. Simons and Mr. Osgood and wife are in this country. The operations of the mission have been attended with good success, especially in the Karen department. Several of the churches have been greatly enlarged. The total additions on profession of faith the last year, in this mission, including those reported from Burmah proper, have exceeded 1,400. The schools, Burmah and Karen, in all their departments have been in successful operation and have shared in the religious prosperity. The Peguan and part of the Sho Karen translations of the New Testament have been put to press, besides other important works.From Tavoy mission our returns are incomplete. There are 2 stations and 18 out-stations, with 11 missionaries and assistants, and 26 or 28 native helpers. Much sickness has prevailed in the mission; Mrs. Mason died October 8. The ordinary ministrations of the gospel have been maintained. The theological school was opened in May, and the Burman and English boarding school the previous month; the former containing more than 20 pupils. Other schools have also been in progress. The additions to two churches in connexion with Mergui station were 21. The translation of the Old Testament into Sgau and Sho Karen has been commenced.
Arracan mission has 2 stations and 8 out-stations; 2 missionaries, including Mr. Abbott now in this country, and 27 or more native laborers, including Karen assistants in Burmah proper. Mr. and Mrs, Beecher, who sailed for Arracan in July, are temporarily resident at Maulmain. The total number of additions to the churches in this connection has not been reported, but it is known that great rehgious interest has prevailed among the people, both Burmans and Karens. In 20 or 30 Karen villages are said to be 1000 Christian families.
Of the other Asiatic missions, Siam [now Thailand] mission has 1 station and 1 out-station, 7 missionaries and assistants, including Mr. Jones now in the U. S.; and there are three native assistants. Mr. Jencks and wife left this country for Siam, with Mr. Dean of the China mission, in June. The mission has had its wonted prosperity, compared with the fewness of the laborers. Five Chinese have been baptized on profession of faith in Christ. Progress has been made in the printing and foundry department, and in the translation and revision of the Chinese New Testament.
In the China mission, at 2 stations and 3 out-stations are 6 missionaries and assistants, beside 8 native assistants. In this number are Mr. and Mrs. [Edward C.] Lord, who sailed for China in January last. Mrs. Devan died at Canton Oct. 18. Mr. [William] Dean resumed his labors at Hongkong in November. The Canton missionary has been transferred to Hongkong. - The church had been in charge of native assistants during the absence of the missionaries. The number of members is 16, with several applicants for baptism. Both at Canton and Ningpo much missionary labor has been performed, and some knowledge of the Christian religion widely spread abroad.
In Assam mission are 3 stations and 8 missionaries and assistants, including Mrs. Brown returned temporarily to this country, and 2 or 3 native helpers. Accounts from this mission last received are of a most cheering character. The stations have all been favored with the presence of the Holy Spirit and heathens have been turned to the worship of the true God. To the three mission churches 18 have been added by baptism, of whom 7 are members of the Nowgong Orphan Institution. The school department at all the stations is prosperously sustained.
The Teloogoo mission, with one station, is in present charge of 3 native laborers, the 4 missionaries and assistants belonging to it being detained in this country by sickness. Mr. and Mrs. Day arrived in June last. The native assistants are faithful in exhortation and Bible and tract distribution; several of the schools continue in successful operation.
The Bassa mission in West Africa has 1 station and 2 out-stations, 4 missionaries and assistants, including Mrs. Crocker who returned to this country in July; and 2 native assistants. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been absent part of the year on account of ill health, but returned in November last. The affairs of the mission are prosperous. Three of the native population have been added to the church by baptism, and others are inquiring after God. The schools are well sustained.
In Europe, the mission to France with 7 stations and more than 30 out-stations, in charge of 1 missionary and an assistant, and 10 native preachers and colporteurs, has received 21 members on profession of faith in Christ, and others are waiting for the privilege. The mission continues to be harrassed by governmental and papal persecution; native laborers are subjected to fine and imprisonment; but the work advances, and was never before more full of promise.
The German mission with 14 stations and numerous out-stations, and 18 or 20 native laborers, has had large increase, as in past years. More than 235 have been received into the churches by baptism, and the total number of members in more than 30 churches is about 2000. The churches of Hamburg and Berlin have received each of them 73. Abundant labor has been performed in Bible and tract distribution, and nuclei of additional churches are being gathered in every direction: though some of our faithful brethren are still exposed to violence and persecution.
The Greek mission has 2 stations and 6 missionaries and assistants, who labor with assiduity in their respective departments, and with increasing hopes of usefulness. Preaching in Greek at stated services has been commenced by Mr. Arnold. The schools and other more informal means of instruction adopted by the mission, both at Corfu and Piraeus, give cheering promise for the future.
Among the aborigines of this country, the Ojibwa mission has 1 station and 2 out-stations, with 3 missionaries and assistants, and 1 native assistant. The churches have had an increase of 5 by baptism. The boarding and day school at St. Mary's has 40 pupils.
The Ottawa mission in Michigan has 1 missionary and an assistant, at one station. The state of the mission is much improved. Temperance, industry, and desire of knowledge and general culture, prevail throughout the settlement.
The Tonawanda mission or station has one missionary and assistant. The boarding school has been discontinued, but 2 district schools are to be opened if the Indians remain on the Reservation.
The Shawanoc mission, with 4 stations, is in charge of 11 missionaries and assistants, with 3 native helpers. The 4 churches have received 56 members by baptism. Two meetinghouses have been built. The schools are in an improved condition, but need additional aid.
The Cherokee mission has 5 stations and 5 out-stations, under the care of 6 niissionaries and assistants, with five native preachers. A church has been organized at Cherokee. The number of baptisms reported last December, is 14. Several meeting-houses have been erected. The translation of the New Testament into Cherokee has been completed and partially printed, 5,000 copies in one edition, and 5,000 additional copies for tract distribution. The whole number of missions under direction of the Union is 16, with 50 stations and 93 out-stations, occupied by 101 missionaries and assistants, of whom 48 are preachers, and 144 native helpers. The number of churches reported, is 103. 1,783 have been added to them by baptism the past year, making the aggregate of members about 10,000; the number of schools is 59, and of pupils from 1,500 to 1,600.
========= [From the Tennessee Baptist, June 5, 1847, p. 2. Scanned and formatted by Jim Duvall.]
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