Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1847-07-22
lI7pGYIpT,gID COUNTY
DIDnRApISIW.


SAMUEL JOHN MILLS, "the Father
Of Foreign Missions in America" was the
son of venerable congregational clergy
man in Torringford, at which place he was
born on the 2lst Of April 1888. His moth
err was woman Of pre-eminent piety, and
early she dedicated him to the God whom
she delighted to serve. The years of his
childhood were spent beneath the paternal
roof in the. enjoyment Of such instructions
as were commonly bestowed upon The chill
dren Of New England ministers at that peril
cd. -u
During revival Of religion which took
place in his fathers parish when the sub
ject of this sketch was about ffteeuye ars Of
age, his mind became painfully impressed
with the consciousness ofhis accountability
as a sinner. In vain he struggled for light
ard hope his mind was filled with darkness
and dependency. Al that resided beneath
the same roof, and all who remained of his
father 8 descendants, himself excepted, had
expressed hope Of pardon, and had united
with the church-still he found nc. peace.
In this state of mind he continued for more
than two years.
In November, 1901, after most solemn
and earnest appeal from his pious mother,
young Mills left home with the design of
spending the winter at an Academy in Litch-
field, about twelve miles distant. The morn
ing of his departure was memorable one
in his history. After he had left, the moth
er betook herself to earnest prayer for her
son-and he for himself. "That very
morning." says the Rev. DR.. Spring, it
pleased the Holy Spirit to knock off the
chains from this unhappy prisoner, and in
troduce him into the liberty of the sons Of
God. He had not gone far before he had
such view of the projections of God, that
he wondered he had never seen their beauty
and glory before. He. retired small dis
lance into the woods, that he might be the
more at libertyto contemplate the character
Of God, and adore and ex,ol his amable
sovreignty."
The direction of young Mills thoughts
may be gathered from srsle suggestion,
soon after his return from Litchfeld, viz,
that he could not conceive Of any coarse of
life in which to pass the rest of his days,
that would prove so pleasant, as to go and
communicate the gospel to the heathen.'
1t is worthy of,remark that from that hour,
though but youth of sixteen, he never lost
sight of his darling object. During his stay
at home, and while loiling at the plough, he
made solemn conservation of himself to
the cause of foreign missions. "Thus," adds
DR.. Spring, " in retired field in Litchfeld
county, was the King of Zion beginning
that great course Of operations which have
produced such a mighty revolution in the
American Churches, and which bear so in>
innate relation to the progressive glores
of his kings DOM"
In 1906, he entered Williams College, and
graduated in 1910. While in that institu
ton there was an extensive revival of reli>
gion there, Of which he was the chief IN.
strument, and very many who have since
been foreign missionaries became subjects
Of grace during that revival.
Previous 10 the efforts of Mills, several
Missionary Societies had been formed in
this country, but they had all been devoted
exclusively to the support of domestic mis-
Sions. But in tracing the rise and progress
of Foreign Missions, We have little else to
do than 10 follow the leading events of MI.
Mills life, from his first year in college, to
he embarkation Of the American MisSiona-
ries for Calcutta, under the direction of the
American Board of Commissioners, in the
year 1912. Although from youth he had
evinced remarkable interest and zeal in
the cause, it was not until he became
member of college that his real objects and
designs were made manifest to the world.
He there unburthened his mind to few
ow-studentS; these he led to secluded
spot, where, by the side of large haystack,
he devoted the day to fasting and prayer,
and familiar conversation on this new and
interesting theme and he had the Satisfae-
lion of finding like spirit kindling in their
bosoms; 90 g.
After graduating at Williams, he became
resident graduate Of Yale college. His
os,sRsible object vas the study OF theology
ba, his real purpose was 70 ascertain whsth-