Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-08-25

nut and supporting them in the capacity
,fpreachers, teachers, printers, physicians,
distributors of Bibles, tracts, or any other t
capacity in which they can promote the
work for publishing Bibles, tracts, and
he circulation of information at home in
relation to that mission
The Board of Directors for the advance
ment fthis work have a Standing Help
ing Committee" in each state and terrific
~ of the Valley. These will examine
and recommend candidates, either for an
education preparatory to the China Mis-
sion, or for immediate labor in that field.
These committees will sustain much Of
the responsibility in their reception and
will naturally take deep interest in pro-
viding for their support.
The Board have already entered upon |,
this mighty work. More than one hum
bred and fifty OF the first talents of the de-
nomination in the Valley are already ap-
pointed as coadjutors in this work, and are
either life directors, legal directors, or ex-
oficio directors of the society. They are
we'll chosen and spread out from the gulph
of Mexico to Lake Michigan: and from
the Allegany mountains to the western
boundary of Missouri. This company OF
brethren form an overwhelming phalanx
whose concentrated powers will be mighty
through God to the pulling down of the
strong holds of darkness in China!
One missionary, the undersigned, is al
ready received under the patronage octhis
society. Two young men are also re-
ceived under its patronage to be educated,
and one or two others are now in readi-
ness to accompany him as missionaries to
China But the society has not the means
at present of educating those or sending
these. And, consequently, the Board
have authorized the undersigned to raise
funds by donations, or otherwise, from
any who may esteem it a privilege TO CO.
operate in this work."
From the above it appears that the aims
of the society are far from being small -
and that its end is desirable one. We
most fully approve of the end here speci-
fed. 1t remains, however, for us to ex-
anime some OF the means proposed for its
attainment.
The first clause of this second article in
the Constitution, declares it to be the OBJ
iect ofthe society in part, "to transact the
business Of a permanent fund, created in
the Mississippi Valley, BY Elder Issachar
J. Roberts, together with the management
of any other funds, collected and paid over
10 the purposes ofthe society" This first
clause ofthe second article should be ex-
planned. The amount ofthis fund should
be known; and the method Of creating ii
should be stated. 1t should be known,
also, who is to control this fund-whetheI
r the Board Of the Society are to control it
2 or whether they merely act as the legally
, constituted trustees OF Mr. Roberts, subec
to his order. Should no explanation be
given upon these and some other points
? persons who may hereafter become &C,
] quainted with the facts relative 10 thi:
/ matter, may rightfully accuse Mr. Roberts
. and his friends of having practised on then
{ one of the grossest ofimposition;s where
t as we cannot suppose that either Mr. Rob
. crts or his friends cherish any other thar
the most upright Intentions in their pres
ent movements. Let, then, their whole
plan be developed, and if individuals pre-
fer this new and extraordinary organiza
ton, let them make the election.
= Mr. Roberts is represented as having
It given his whole estate, amounting to thir
j. ty thousand dollars, and himself to tn,
r mission and the impression received is
o that this Board of Missions is constituted
G on the same principles as other Boards o
e Missions; and that Mr. Roberts has com
# mittcd himselfto the guidance and gooc
d faith OF that Board-that while he obey
O the instructions Of his Board, he may re
j. " upon them for a maintenance and {
: support of the mission. But the facts, a.
|, we understand them, are far otherwise
r be has neither given bimsclfnor his funds
= Mr. Roberts, some few years since, en-
>, tered in the state of Mississippi, one thou
= sand acres of government land for which
he paid about thirteen hundred dollars
l. This land he now possesses, and it conSl
y tutcs his whole estate. estimated by him
j self to be worth something like 100000
# This property he has placed in the hands
e Of legally constituted trustees, with in
is structons not to sell the land until it vii
h bring 100000 When sold the avail
are to be invested, and kept invested in thu
L most productive form, both principal anc
: interest, until the whole amounts to 500.
900, when the interest on y may be ex
o pended.
d Mr. Roberts has mother, three broth
l. ers and FIVE sisters, whom his trustees a.,
o instructed to support without regard t.
IF cost In the mean time, Mr. Roberts is t
r be supported, and the various expenses 0
y the mission to China met, by moneys hir
e ed or contributed, as the case may be- l
e is expected that large sums will be con
e tributed for this object. The instruction
A. of Mr. R. already given to his trustees 70
J. various objects in this country and IN Chi