The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-19
Correspondence Of the Republic.


PITrsrIELD, Mass, Sept. is, lS49.
The great anniversary of the American Board of
Commissioners for Foreign Missions held this
week in the large Congregational church, standing
a beautiful square in the centre of one of New
England's most furnishing villages made so by
the spirit of industry that pervades the people of
this land of the pilgrims. The power and produc-
tiveness OF the manufacturing system visible on
every side. The wilderness il made to bud and
blossom as the This is the fortieth anniver-
sary of this missionary association, the income of
which, consisting, with some exceptions, of vast
amount of small contributions, amounts to nearly
900 per annum and the credit of the institu-
ton in the commercial world is of the first order
The sessions were opened on Tuesday, the 18th, at
four, p. m.--Hon. Theodore Frenghuysen presid-
ing. The opening sermon was preached by Rev.
DR.. Cox, Of Brooklyn, N. Y, from DAN viii q.
1t able and elaborate effort. Among the !
gentlemen present, Of civil and Judicial renown,
were Gov. Briggs, Chancellor Walworth, of New
York, Chief Justice Williams, of Connecticut,
Hornbower, of New Jersey, and Lieut. Gov. Arm
strong, of Massachusetts, The gathering was i'm
mcnse-one church edfce, and another equally
large and spacious hall being filled to OVERLOOKING
1t is supposed there were nearly thousand clergy
men present, representing churches, colleges
SCnOOS, anu Quiet clcNdtcu uuIleItS Oh human
progress The operations of this board have attract
ed the attention Of governments in various parts of
the world, not meditating the slightest interior
ence with their affairs, but exerting steady and
benefcent influence on the intellectual and moral
condition of their subjects.
England at first prohibited the landing of the
missionaries in any part of her dependencies; but
that decree was revoked, and her ministers, con-
suls, and agents, everywhere instructed to pro-
tect the persons and labors Of American missiona-
ries wherever that protection may be needed In
Turkey, too, there free federation of their instruc
tons and their religions while from Austria they
would be speedily banishcd They are, for the
most part, highly educated, intelligen and enter
prising men, who have thrown more light on the
past history and present position of distant and
explored countries than all the travellers who have
published volumes. On the accuracy of their state
ments the most implicit reliance may be placed.
The labors Of these men have given laws to the
Sandwich Islands, with all the blessings of an en-
lghtened and civilized government. They have
excited the astonishment of the learned Brahmins
of India and the Mutis of Persia, whose astronom-
ical doctrines have been overthrow by the simple
demonstrations of the scholar like Americans, at
home in various sciences. They have borne the
blessings Of salvation TO the Indian tribes, working
in concert with the plans and policy Of the govern
mental bureau, and rendering the Indians pacific,
so far as they have he'd them with their infiu-
ence. They speak with fluency the languages of
the respective countries where they have dwet and
taught and convey TO us lively pictures of the hab
its, manners, and customs of the people, num-
Der were present on this occasion. Among them DIR.
Poor, of Ceylon, who has been thirty years absent
from his native land exhibited the characteristics
Of psolI, .r ,,,t ha De- n
Dwight has gathered churches in the dominions #
the Sultan among that classic and graceful people,
the Armenians, who constitute kind of inpoium
in imperio, and are remarkably fond of the nvesti-
CATION of sacred subjects. Rev.W. NJ Thompson,
of Syria, gave graphic and striking views Of so
ciety in those oriental regions.
II was apprehended by not few, that the subject
of slavery would be brought up by the Abolition
lists, and attempt made TO create diversion Of
feeling, and division of sentiment in the assem-
blythe foul spirit having already rent asunder the
Methodist denomination, and the Baptist eccesias-
teal associations for the promotion Of missions.
But better influence prevailed. There so lit
tie hope of carrying such revolutionary measure,
that il not attemptcd-not word said
about il. "The frebrand had not a cinder in it,"
But although no moral confagration consumed the
comforts Of the assembled ministers and elders,
fire of different kind reused from slumbers
this morning at o'clock. The new and almost
completed edifce Of the Second congregation
found to be wrapped in flames, and was undoubt-
eddy set on fire by some cvil-disposcd inccndiary.
II is seldom such a spectacle is in a village
like this, and well might this aectionate and hos
pitabe people weep at the spectacle Of their be-
loved sanctuary burning down before their eyes,
even though II had not yet been dedicated in form
to the service Of God. There was, indeed, insur-
ance upon il, but they arc thrown back year.
The greatest disappointment is felt in this patri-
otto old Berkshire, that they could not look the
face and hear the voice Of the patriot hero whom
they united in clecting to the Chief Magistracy of
the Republic; but they live hope, and desire the
President too should what fair and beautiful
heritage this is that constitutes part Of the great
trust committed TO him. John Tyler has been
ralizing hereabouts in quiet and undisturbed OBJ
security. ID.