American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1827-01-30
PROM THE NEW yoRH AMERICAN.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.

A meeting has recently been held in this city for
he purpose Of organising society here TO promote
Missions to foreign parts at which, as usual, much
(mphasi. was laid the presence, speeches and
ate ments, Of such among the assembly as had
cen occupied 10, or Witnessed the effects Of these
binistraiions in distant lands.
II is The furthest thing in the world from our
kurpose 10 question the benevolent motives or con
uc. of the latter pei sons, oI those who, stmua
Id by their zeal and representations, seek TO turn
n such a channel, the liberal charities Of our
we must in all Difference be permitted
~ question the discretion, and the expedency OF
Rhe attempt itself The suggestions on this subject
,he annexed communication from much res
ec,ed friend, are entitled TO deep attention. and We
Khall perhaps be excused Tor ampliynY little on
lhe same topics
There is most undoubtedly enough Of vice. and
ignorance, and destitution Of religious instruction in
Eur land. nay in our own city, where there pro-
badly thousands in state Of mental and spiritual
chase ment, hardly less than that ol the lindoos
Band wich isanders-to give occupation aud scope
or all that individual charity can hope TO accom-
Blish. US then turn our eyes and our efforts
Inward - Let the darkness Of our own communities
be made light, before we 90 forth into far distant
ands to disseminate the truths OF which many at
home are uniformed. II is true thai in visiting
Ind in comforting the miserable novels which in q
misery and more oa,hsome vices of that portion OF
he population, to which we have referred. as need
ng religious instruction. there is OF the thea.
&ical effect nothing Of the perilous and therefore
ATTRACTIVE adventure, nothing of the spirit, and per
haps almost hope, Of possible martyrdom. which
belong to the preparation and DEPARTURE aud labors
II missionaries TO foreign parts There is solemn
cave taking among friends, no swelling anthems of
|prayer and praise, as the faed minister is commit
,k. unc upb .pI and 4 /.
hangers. which affection magnifes ,enlod, of
known lands and unknown races Of men-no public
meetings. eloquent appeals, no lavdatory resolu
Hons, to be published in the newspapers But there
lis, therefore, The more need that every proper in
.ducement should BE- held out to the encouragement
|ot that more humble and ncomparably more useful
domestic mnislration above alluded to; and we
Should therefore, hesitate to divert from this source
la single contribution. With these remarks, made
|cer,sinly without any other motive than tina, ot the
common good, we submit the communication refer
red 10.
III the Editor Of the ". T. american.
Every cousideratc person mus, regret the well
meant, but i'll directed zeal which is displayed for
Foreign missions. Docs not our own country The
population of which spreads far beyond the provs-
ions that exist for its religious and moral instruction
afford ample scope for all the display OF Chris ian
z=al and pious liberslity The Heather in foreign
counties do not need as much many portions Of
our country, the lsbours of missionaries. They
taken care of by nation whose funds ample for
This purpose, and who have not the need as
I've have for these funds at home. Great Britain by
her various missionary institutions. her society for
the promotion Of Christian knowledge, Church
Missionary Society, London Missionary Society,
&c. SC. i. extending the benefits o Christianity to
Heather nations. A Church establishment in India
with College at Calcutta, and Baptist Seminary
and missionaries provide for the wants of that coun
Try. 1t is understood tina, at Ccylon the British
authorities have intima,ed wish that no more
American missionaries be sent there, and have re-
fused to sanction proposed College, alleging very
properly that they are competent TO provide for the
religious instruction Of the people IN their own do
minons. Our duty evidently is to take cafe OF the
extending population of our own country who are
destitute Of the ordinances Of the gospel. and
circumstances admit, of the unfortunate Indians,
whom We have displaced from the soil Of their
fathers. \.