The Book of Religions Part 45

In conformity with the spirit and design of this ancient and venerable society, all measures in any degree of a party or sectarian character, are scrupulously avoided.

Wesleyan Or English Methodist Missionary Society.

Scarcely had Mr. Wesley raised the standard of Methodism in England, before he turned his attention to the wants of other lands. America presenting a vast field for missionary labor, he sent over Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore, in 1769. These were the first Methodist missionaries. From their labors the Methodist Episcopal church in the United States gradually came into being. Dr. c.o.ke was preeminently useful in establishing missions in various places This society was organized in 1817.

WEST INDIES.-A peculiar providence marked the commencement of this mission. Dr. c.o.ke, with three preachers, was proceeding to Nova Scotia, in September, 1786, but was driven, by stress of weather, to Antigua. Finding a number of serious persons there, he preached Jesus to them, and by his labors laid the foundation for extensive missions.

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.-About 1779, several Methodist emigrants were the means of awakening many souls. Among these was Mr. Black, who, after laboring for some time with zeal and success, was appointed the superintendent of the mission in British North America. This mission embraces Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada, Newfoundland, and Honduras.

MISSIONS IN ASIA.-The plan of establishing missions in Asia originated with Dr. c.o.ke; and, in 1813, he sailed, with Messrs. Harvard, Clough, Ault, Erskine, Squance, and Lynch, for Ceylon. Unfortunately, he died on the pa.s.sage. The brethren, after many trials, reached Ceylon, and commenced their labors at Jaffna, Batticaloa, and Matura. From Ceylon, the society directed its attention to continental India, where their labors have become very extensive.

MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA.-These missions were begun in 1816, by Rev.

Barnabas Shaw, among the Namaquas, a tribe of Hottentots. These missions have subsequently spread over large portions of this benighted land.

MISSIONS IN THE SOUTH SEAS.-These missions include the Friendly Isles, New Zealand, New South Wales, &c. They were commenced at the latter place, in 1815, by Mr. Leigh, who began his duties and labors at Sydney, with favorable auspices and good success.

MISSIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.-These were commenced in Gibraltar, in 1804, by Mr. McMullen, who died a few days after beginning his labors. The mission was then suspended until 1808, when Mr. William Griffith was appointed to its charge. Besides this mission, the Methodists have stations at Malta, Alexandria, and Zanto.

MISSIONS IN EUROPE.-These missions embrace the labors of the society in Sweden, France, Germany, Ireland, and the Norman and Shetland Isles.

Notwithstanding many obstacles, arising from intolerance, ignorance, or superst.i.tion, the good work progresses at these missions.

Summary.

In 1840, this society had, in the West Indies, fifty missionary stations; in British North America, eighty-four stations; in Asia, twenty-two,; in the South Seas, twenty-five; in Africa, thirty-one; and in Europe, forty-two stations. In all these countries the society had two hundred and fifty-four stations, six hundred and twenty-three missionaries and teachers, seventy-two thousand seven hundred and twenty-four communicants, and fifty-six thousand five hundred and twenty-two scholars.

Missions Of The Methodist Episcopal Church.

I. FOREIGN MISSIONS.

1. _The Liberia Mission_ was commenced in 1833, by the Rev. M. B. c.o.x, who, in a few short months after, was called to his eternal reward. His dying language was, "Though a thousand fall, Africa must not be given up."

Five other missionaries have fallen in the same field. The Liberia mission now includes an annual conference of seventeen preachers, all colored, except the superintendent and the two brethren recently sent out. It has a membership of nearly one thousand, of whom one hundred and fifty are _natives_. There are thirteen day schools, in which from five hundred to six hundred children are instructed, (of whom about forty are natives, preparing for future usefulness,) fourteen churches, eight mission-houses, three school-houses, one academy, (a stone building,) and one printing-office. Total of missionaries, male and female, twenty-four.

2. _The Oregon Mission._-This mission was commenced by Rev. Messrs. Jason and Daniel Lee, and now numbers twenty-one missionaries, including preachers, teachers, physicians, farmers, mechanics, &c. The greater part of these were sent out in 1840, making, with their wives and children, about fifty souls-the largest missionary expedition going, at one time, from this country. They are now laying the foundations of their future work.

3. _The Texas Mission_ was commenced by Rev. Dr. Ruter, a.s.sisted by two young preachers, who accompanied him to that country in 1837. An annual conference was established in this mission field in 1840, which now includes three regular presiding elders' districts, and eighteen stations and circuits. It numbers twenty-three travelling preachers, thirty-six local preachers, (i. e., lay preachers, who support themselves, and preach as they have opportunity) and two thousand seven hundred and ninety-five members. There is a college at Rutersville.

II. DOMESTIC MISSIONS.

1. _German Missions._-The first German mission was established in Cincinnati, in 1835, by Rev. William Nast. There are now seventeen German missions, containing about one thousand members, in the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and New York. A German paper is published at Cincinnati, called _The Christian Apologist_, having eleven hundred subscribers.

2. _Indian Missions._-There are eighteen missions, and one manual labor school, among the Indians located within the bounds of Rock River, Michigan, Holston, Missouri, Mississippi, and Arkansas conferences. These now include two thousand six hundred and seventeen native church members.

3. _Missions among the Slaves._-There are forty-seven of these missions in successful operation, including twelve thousand three hundred and ninety-three in church fellowship.

4. _Missions in Dest.i.tute Portions of the Country._-There are one hundred and eight domestic missions of this kind, which embrace twenty-three thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight church members.

Aggregate.

Foreign missions-sixty-three missionaries, four thousand three hundred and seventeen church members.-Domestic missions-one hundred and seventy-eight missionaries, forty-one thousand church members.-Total-two hundred and forty-one missionaries, forty-five thousand three hundred and seventeen church members.

The whole amount of missionary money collected for the year ending April 20, 1842, is one hundred and five thousand two hundred and eighty-one dollars; expended, one hundred and forty-nine thousand and sixty-five dollars.

Seventh-Day Baptist Missionary Society.

The operations of this society are confined to the occasional a.s.sistance of dest.i.tute churches at home. It employs six agents and missionaries. Its receipts for 1838 were one hundred and eighty-six dollars.

The Seventh-Day Baptists have also a _Society for the Promotion of Christianity among the_ JEWS, at home and abroad. It was organized in 1838.

French Protestant Missionary Society.

This society was formed in 1822, at the house of S. V. S. Wilder Esq., an American merchant, then residing in Paris. It has a seminary for the preparation of students. In 1829, it sent out three missionaries to their first field of labor, among the French emigrants of South Africa, and among the surrounding tribes. It had, in 1839, in South Africa, seven stations, twelve missionaries, about one hundred converts, and five hundred scholars.

Netherlands Missionary Society.

The princ.i.p.al labors of this society are expended in Dutch India and in Siam. In Dutch India they have eighteen missionaries, at thirteen stations. Of the success of this society, little is known in this country.

Scottish Missionary Society.

This society was established, in 1796, by the members of the Episcopal church in Edinburgh. It has had missions in Tartary, Asia, and the West Indies. Some of them are still sustained.

German Missionary Society.