The New York herald., 1869-05-10
PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.

Services mt the First Presbyterian Church.
Services in connection with the Presbyterian
Board of Foreign Missions were celebrated last
night at the First Presbyterian church, corner OF
Fifth avenue and Twelfth street. The church was
well filed in every part The opening services,
which were in the form usual among Presbyterlans,
were conducted by the Rev. DR.. W. NJ Paxton, the
pastor of the church. Previous to the sermon
brief report Of the operations Of the Board during
the past year was read. 1t commenced with thanks
10 the Almighty for His goodness during
the year. and for the evidences which had been vouch
safed OF Gods presence and power and the many
tokens Of His providentia care TO the agents OF
the society. The report then spoke briefly OF the
operations OF the missionaries among the Chinese
in California, the Romanists in Brazil and Liberia,
tions OF the globe where stations had been estab-
llshed. the Board had during the past year dong
its work In different places eighty three MISSIONARIES
thirteen native preachers, eghty-six assistant mis-
sonaries and 1893 native helpers. There were forty.
eight churches connected with the various missions,
winch reported 1886 communicates. Schools had
been organized in various localities reporting an at
tendance OF 5,40O children. among whom several pro-
fessed TO have been converted to the TRUTH During
the year two of the society's missionaries had died.
one connected with the Indian mission and the sec
ond with that In Liberia The expenses OF the
hoard mad been in excess OF the receipts so much as
to leave balance Of $1,000 against the society The
had been one Of the deo
which was due TO legacy left to the Board, without
which the debt for the past year would have reached
that more mnst be done for the Board ut home or
less would have to be done by It abroad.
After the reading OF the report the Rev. Dr. Tnayer,
of Newport II. l., preached sermon. The reverend
gentleman took his text the thirty-seventh verse
OF the ninth chapter OF ST. Matthew's Gospel-"rhe
harvest truly is penteous but the aborers are iew."
ceeded virtually as follows:-The harvest OF men
was truly great. The world was TO be brought to
Jesus Christ-the whole world and nothing less,
for the Lord contemplated all mankind, and in
tended Christianity TO be the faith Of our entire
race. To think OF converting the heather world
from Its false religions. the growth OF centuries and
OF universal prevalence. and In place thereof TO
build up the truth OF Christianity was something so
overwhelming that some persons could be found
who would deny the probability OF accomplishing
the work II Christians accepted the revelations OF
Christ however, they must do so Internationally,
and must accept His orders, one OF which was the
whole above the parts. That Christianity should be
a world religion was natural consequences,
from the fact that the. saviour OF men
gave His life for the word. only as world
and once give up this truth 1t woud lose
All its grandeur The national element in the
Christian church predomlnated too much and gave
This element IN the Church weakened the progress
sIye power of Christianity. The Church could only
progress by conquest ana Wnen @ lost It's aggressSe
first. The recollection that Christianity was a
world religion would be the means of preserving
the simplicity and purity Of the gospel. Forgeful.
ness Of tins truth was certain to be followed by
tiona controversies. This was matter OF history
and could not be wondered at. Christianity required
the consecration OF SELL and nothing but the most per-
feet idea of Christianity could bring this spirit into
the Church OF Christ. Churches, like men, must die
OF plethora, and th,e disease would set IN unless
Christianity ware recognized as world religion.
Society was gaining upon the churches, q fact which
also arose from this faulty Idea or the nature OF the
religion OF Christ.
hearers that many merchants and many mechanics
ovqnt TO have beeu missionaries, and that In all
PROBABILITY many Of his hearers ought to have gone