Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-10-03
AnnuaI Meeting Of the American Board Of
ComnlssioneTs for FOreIan MIsHions.

The session opened with prayer by the
Rev. DR.. Cox Of New York.
The first business that came before the
Board was the adoption Of the Second RoSO-
lutions.
The report Of Rev. DR.. Anderson concern
ing retrsnchment which had also boon read
in the morning was referred tothe following
Special Commit Hon. VIM. Strong, W.
E. Dodge, Esq, JnO. KingSbury, Esq Jas.
". McLano, D. D.; Adison Kingsley, Ray
Palmer, D. D.; s. B. Chittenden, Esq.
Rev. sehlh B. Treat, one of the secretar-
les Of the Board, read the following resolu-
tionsi
Resolved, That we discover no valid rea-
son for encouragement in the present condi-
tion of our country, being fully persuaded,
from the ability which the churches still
possess, viewed in connection with the free
and generous spirit with which all classes
are responding 70 the appeals of patriotism,
that we may hope for a cheerful acknowl-
edgment Of the claims Of Him who is the
Prince Of the Kings OF the earth, and whose
dominion embraces, sustains, and controls
all others.
Resolved, That in order to his, our
churches need to be more deeply impressed
with the magnitude and sacredness Of the
enterprise, and the exceeding desirableness
of thorough and efficient organization, in
asmuch as, without the former the best ma
chnery, and without the latter the best in
tentions, will fail of their legitimate results.
ReSolUed, That the pastors, cooperating
with the Board, be earnestly requested to
present TO their congregations, on all proper
occasions, the claims of the missionary work;
y because of its unspeakable importance
| to the heather, for the life that now is, and
for that which is 10 come; (2) because Of its
| inestimable value TO our churches, in pre-
serving heir doctrinal soundness, in devel-
/ Oping their benevolence, in giving them
strength for home duties and home conflicts,
in heightening their estimate of the un-
searchable riches of Christ, in e'evating
their conception of that kingdom which
must stand forever (3) because of the hon
or and the love which it secures for our
| Emmanuel, at the same time that it enables
| him 70 see of the travail Of his soul and be
satisfied.
| ResolUed, That the pastors be also request
ed to introduce the best system (if not al
ready done) for collecting the offerings of
| their people, which their circumstances al
| low, making it their special endoavOr to
| carry the claims of perishing world, and
of Him who died for it, at least once year,
to every man, woman and child in their
| congregations.
Resolved, That the importance of fervent
prayer be urged upon all the friends of the
| Board, in order that the God Of missions
may bestow more abundant blessing upon
his servants abroad, and incline his people
! TO devise liberal things at home and TO this
/ end the monthly concert is warmly COM
mended to The affection and support of all
our churches.
Mr.. Treat addressed the Board earnestly
in behalf of the subject referred TO in the
resolution. He said:
| It is the easiest thing in the world to give
money if there be but a willingness. Who
would have imagined year ago, in Boston,
that we should receive such great and un-
| expected aid? The plans and endeavOrs of the
/ Board should be in accordance with the les
sons which we have received during the past
year. Other considerations should have al
/ so their influence upon us. Compassion for
the lost, for the heather, and the influences
which is exercised over the churches in our
own land.
We need also system which shall give
the finish to the missionary work. Let us
take lesson from the Wesleyans of Eng
land, where the ministers make the cause
| their own, and see that the claims Of mis-
sions are carried to all their congregations,
of whatever age, of whatever ability. Very
| likely il will increase your lGbors. Very
| likely, for it will be hard to save the world
without labor. The Prudential Committee
has come to the conclusion that there should
be a moe thorough organization, and plan
for more systematic giving. The past year
has proved our ability to give, and the
problem TO be solved is how to avail our
selves of the ability. Give what we may in
faith we are no losers by it.
Rev. Walter Griffith, OF Brooklyn, N. Y:
cannot avoid speaking of the great i'm
| pOrtance Of the present movement. We are
accustomed to look a. the American Board
as having its officers and it's missions, and as
| having its work TO perform. Upon our fdel-
ily to carry forth this work personally de-
pends the success of this great work. The
resolution speaks of the ability which we
possess, and do we not see that the ability of
/ the churches is fully equal to the call; that
without something like self denial wecannot
carry the gospel TO the poor heather in all
lands? God will give US the ability if we
have the heart.
We have hero, let US say, 800, 900 connect
| ed with our church. Are there one-sixth
| of these persons who could contribute ten
cents per month? l think so. Are there
one sixth who can contribute half this sum
and not distress them2 l think there are
And again, cannot One-sixth more contrib
ute at least three cents, and cannot the re-
maiuder give as much as one cent per week?
have no doubt of it. Well; now if these
sums could be raised, the treasury OF our
board would be enriched $625, 900, and this
without any denial on the part of the givers.
Cannot then the pastors of our churches pre-
sent this subject to our brethren? I believe
that there are none of those who profess to
be christians but would respond to the call
willingly and gladly.
Judge Williams, of Norwich, Conn, said:
I cannot let this subject pass without speak
ing word on this subject. I have often ad
mired the system of schools which Ohio has
built up for the education of her youth, and
the spirit and enterprise which she has al
ways exhibited. Let US ask that you do one
thing more, that you give freely to aid in
this work Of sending forth messengers to
evangelize. Let the afternoon of that Sab
bath upon which the Monthly Concert is
had, be devoted by the pastors to presenting
TO the children the missionary work. How
little is the sacrifice which we make com
pared to those who leave their countries and
their homes to 60 forth to foreign lands
Ny friends. we have no better representa-
tives of ourselves or institutions that those
whom we send forth as missionaries. Shall
we let them suffer? Mol Let US see to it
then that we do our part in this glorious
work.
Mr.. E. Dodge, ESQ., of New York, said,
after reading the third resolution:
There is one thing which has occurred to
me connected with this subject, which is
this; Oh that we had made little greater
effort; that we had raised g little more
money than We have raised. Do you sup
pose that if any individual, one year ago,
hads prOphecisd that the United States
would raise Eve hundred millions for the
msintainance of the war we should have
believed in him2 Has not God shown US
that his arm will sustain this Government,
In thn ,..n LII --E;nk AZ. s......... -