The report of the committee on the mission to the Jews is as follows:

In a mission to the Jews, it seems to be specially important to turn the thoughts of that people, as much as possible, from their depressed and unhappy state as a community; fix them on their individual character and condition, as sinners against God and exposed to the curse of his law; and, at the same time, bring them to feel that personal reconciliation to God and restoration to his favor are more worthy of their care and effort than their restoration to Palestine, or the re-establishment of their ancient national polity, that thus they may be led to feel their need of a Messiah to atone for their sins, rather than one who may conduct them to national power and glory.

Like all other sinners, sunk in impenitence, error and unbelief, the Jews are disposed to ward off the force of gospel truth by cavils and discussions. In all such cases, error is more likely to be corrected, and the character to be changed, by pointedly addressing the awakening truths of the Bible to the heart and conscience than by controversy. Much of the perplexity in conducting missions to the Jews, and much of the disappointment experienced in the results, may probably have been occasioned by want of sufficient regard to this point.

So far as appears from the Report of the Prudential Committee, the mission now under consideration has been planned and hitherto conducted on the principles here suggested; and it is to be hoped that the missionaries, in their preaching, in more private intercourse, and in their other labors, will aim mainly to convict individuals of their sins, and lead them to repentance and saving faith in Christ, leaving questions relating to unfulfilled prophecy to be settled by the developments of divine Providence hereafter to be made.

In the New Testament predictions relating to the ultimate and universal triumphs of the gospel, much importance is attached to the conversion of the Jews; and the prevailing divided opinions now existing among them as to the authority of the rabbinical interpretation of their Scriptures, and the greater freedom of thought and inquiry now manifested among them, together with the greater political freedom granted them of late by the governments under which they live, seem to be indications that the Lord is preparing the way for the conversion of his ancient covenant people to the Christian faith, and should encourage us to prosecute the work of evangelizing them with increasing vigor and with more prayer and hope, relying on the Holy Spirit alone to remove their blindness and unbelief.

The committee on the Syria mission express the following opinions:

The year included in this Annual Report has been signalized, above all former years in the history of the Syria mission, by various indications of success. It is evident that the time has come when it is the imperative duty of those to whom that mission looks for support, to attempt and expect far greater things than heretofore. At such a crisis as has now arrived, any curtailment may be disastrous; and every new laborer will find the fields already white and waiting for the harvest.

The committee on the mission to the Nestorians, after saying, "This mission may be as well supplied with laborers as others; and yet we cannot but feel that there is ample room for more," proceed as follows:

Mr. Stoddard, who left Oroomiah for this country with his family on account of his health, was called, while in quarantine at Trebizond, to part with his wife by the prevalent pestilence, that is now visiting our land. She

"passed away, in a few hours, to a better world." "It has made a wide and sorrowful breach," say the missionaries, " in our little band." Some of your committee have had the pleasure of meeting our beloved brother in his sorrows, since he brought his motherless children to his native home. We love him not the less for his trials, as we trust they all work out for him "the peaceable fruits of righteousness."

The department of education in Oroomiah is such as to lead your committee to feel that the best results will be experienced from the seminary and free schools there established.

In regard to the progress of the gospel, we are always to remember that opposition to good, while human nature is what it is, is a condition of spiritual progress. And this is distinctly seen at Oroomiah. Ecclesiastical power, where the genuine spirit of Christianity is wanting, is always the bitterest foe to truth. But we are happy to see that the various forms of persecution (and they have been many) are met by the native converts, in the primitive simplicity of Christian faith. The genuine effects of the gospel are seen, while they count not their lives dear unto them. And we cannot but observe the providences of God, in enlisting against the persecuting power at Oroomiah, influences that hold back and restrain it.

The Governor of Oroomiah has seemed ready to administer equal justice to all. And the sympathies of some ecclesiastics, high in office, have been given to the oppressed, persecuted Nestorian Christians. "Mr. Stevens, the British Consul at Tabreez," say the missionaries, "has, unsolicited, exerted himself in the kindest and most efficient manner for our protection." To him our thanks are truly due, inasmuch as he has often averted from the heads of our missionary brethren impending calamities. Thus has God, in various ways, interposed for their deliverance, and made them to triumph through his might.

It is known to readers of missionary intelligence, that during all these trials God has greatly blessed this mission by his spirit. During the present year, a work began in the seminary, and extended itself into many villages. We have been greatly interested to see how in this dark land, the fruits of the Spirit are, as in revivals in our own country, joy, peace, long-suffering, and every good work. Great is the change effected in many once far from God and hope. Mar Yohannan, known to many in this country during his visit, is greatly changed. It is interesting to mark the expression of his deep humility and penitence, as having been an unfaithful shepherd of the flock of Christ.

We think no one can observe the changes that are taking place in Oroomiah and in its vicinity, and not feel the deepest gratitude and the highest encouragement in the great work of missions. God has wrought wonders among the Nestorians. He will do greater still, if we are faithful in this work. When we mark the political changes which have taken place in Turkey and Persia ; when we note the local relation which this mission holds to large portions of the unevangelized world; we cannot but expect the happiest results.

The plains of Oroomiah, the mountains of Koordistan, are open and free to the missionary, to carry the tidings of life to the villages of the Nestorians. We would seek, as members of this Board, as Christians, to meet, if possible, the earnest appeal of our brethren of this mission to send them additional laborers. We cannot say they have labored in vain, or spent their strength for nought.

The language of the committee on the Mahratta missions is as follows:

The fact has often been presented in previous years, that the subversion and removal of Hindooism and the substitution of Christianity must be

effected, not by a sudden revolution, but by slow degrees. It will be brought about by the Spirit of God, through much self-denying, patient, persevering labor on the part of his people. In answer to our prayers for the oldest of our missions, we expect to hear, for a long time yet, only of progress encouraging to our hopes, of great things in prospect. This we have in the report from the missions this year.

The missionaries have been tried and hindered in their work by the distressing sickness of some of their number, by the illness of some which has taken them off from their labors, by persecutions from opposers, and by the defection of a few of their church members, requiring their excommunication; but the lives of all the missionaries have been mercifully preserved. Those who have enjoyed health, have prosecuted their work in the same way as in former years. Their schools are in a more prosperous and promising condition than at any previous time. The Spirit of God has been present in some of them, manifesting his renewing power in the conversion of some of the pupils. The contribution of one thousand four hundred and twenty-five rupees by English residents for the support of these schools, at one time, shows the high estimation in which they are held by those who are capable of appreciating religious education. One new station has been added during the past year to those occupied by the missions.

The church in Bombay has received three new members by profession. The church in Ahmednuggur has received ten, and that in Seroor four, making seventeen in all. Besides these facts, the increased interest manifested on the subject of Christianity, and the modifications of Hindooism which are becoming obvious, show that progress is made in the work which ought to encourage our hopes, invigorate our faith, and draw forth more prayer and thanksgiving to God in behalf of these missions.

The committee on that part of the Annual Report which embraces the Tamil missions, say:

The Madras mission has been prospered during the past year. An addition has been made to the number of missionaries since the last anniversary. A new interest in the Bible has been awakened by the annual meeting of the Madras Bible Society, which was attended by the venerable Bishop of Calcutta. A visible change has taken place in public opinion, in regard to the education of Hindoo females. Prejudice has given way, and females of any caste are educated.

The Madura mission has some features peculiar to itself. What are termed village congregations," are gathered by the missionaries in numerous villages. This increases the labors of the missionaries, but gives an opportunity to preach the gospel to the perishing with more prospect of usefulness. Although no special work of grace has been enjoyed, yet several instances. of conversion have occurred. The great Head of the Church has given the missionaries there some precious tokens of his favor.

The Ceylon mission, one of the oldest under the care of the Board, and served by some of the oldest and most devoted of the missionaries, men who bear the marks of the Lord Jesus, has been blessed the past year. The schools and seminaries, connected with that mission, are in a prosperous condition.

Each of these missions needs a new supply of missionaries. Let all the friends of missions pray the great Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his vineyard.

The committee on the Siam, Canton and Fuh-chau missions, report:

That from the documents submitted to the examination of the committee, they learn that the Siam mission, formerly under the care of this Board, has

ceased to exist. The Prudential Committee, having deliberately weighed all the circumstances connected with that mission, came unanimously to the conclusion, that the indications of Providence authorized, and seemed even to require them to leave the field to other societies, which had entered, or were about entering it.

In doing so, they bear honorable testimony to the earnest and exemplary devotedness of the Rev. Mr. Hemenway, the brother who, for some time, has borne alone the labors and the responsibilities of that mission.

The Canton and Fuh-chau missions, in the different modes of their operations, have been prosecuted during the past year with increasing encouragement. The conviction of the missionaries, of the vastness and the importance of the fields open to them, increases as they become known. The difficulties with which they have been called to contend, in the prosecution of their work, are, for the most part, disappearing; and your committee cannot but express the confident hope, that the devoted, self-denying and persevering labors of your missionaries, blessed of God, will ere long result in vast good to multitudes of that populous and benighted land.

The report on the Amoy and Borneo missions is in the following language:

The mission to Amoy cannot but be regarded as among the most encouraging of this Board. The prospects opening to it are such as tend much to gladden the heart and make us feel that our labor shall not be in vain in the Lord. But this mission has been again baptized with the baptism of affliction. The removal of Mr. Pohlman, occurring, as it did, when he had become qualified so happily for his work, and at the outset of a career of great promise, is a trying event; and yet the effect, we judge, cannot but be to call out other hearts and other hands, and in the end to build up the mission in greater strength. To die as our young brother did, is not to die in vain. We mourn his loss; and yet hope sweetly mingles with our emotions, that a gracious Master will overrule it for an amount of good, which even his life, most estimable and able as he was, might not have accomplished. The appeal comes closely home to the heart of every pious youth in the church from which he came, who will supply his place? The reinforcement now contemplated is small; we cannot but hope, however, that it is only the earnest of a large supply.

The opening of a sanctuary in that distant island, built after our own plan, the services of which are conducted like our own, marks a most important era in the history of this mission.

The Borneo mission still calls for our sympathies; and yet the cloud which had settled so heavily upon it, seems to be rising. The very measure, the return of all the missionaries, which in ordinary circumstances would be fatal, seems in this case to be full of hope. It cannot be that the appeals of brethren coming, as the missionaries do, from so needy and pressing a field, and with hearts yearning over their perishing flock, will be in vain. When all the circumstances which led to the settlement in Borneo, indicating most clearly providential control, are taken into the account, we feel warranted in holding firmly to the belief, that precious fruit shall yet be gathered, where so much moral power has been employed. The tenacity with which the missionaries have held to their mission, and especially the indomitable courage of Mr. Steele, teach a most important lesson to their patrons; indeed, rebuke the despondency to which some of the friends of this mission have yielded. The view taken of the continuance of this mission, in the Report of the Prudential Committee, accords fully with that entertained by this committee.

Whether any advantage may be taken, in furthering the objects of Dyak missions, of the English enterprise under Capt. Brooke at Sarawak, does not now appear. Should any opportunity offer, under the protection of the British

government, we may hope for entire freedom from the governmental difficulties, which in years past have formed a serious ground of discouragement to this mission. The engagement of the returned missionaries as laborers for the Board in the denomination they represent, it is believed, will completely revive the interest of the Reformed Dutch Church in a work, which has made large drafts on their faith and patience.

The committee on the Sandwich Islands mission submitted the subjoined report:

This mission continues to enjoy the favor of God, and to show that the benefactions of the friends of missions in connection with this Board, which have been heretofore bestowed upon that now christianized nation, have not been misapplied. The time, however, appears to have now arrived for the commencement of a gradual separation of the Christian communities at the Sandwich Islands from the superintending care of the Board, and from dependence on American Christians to sustain a preached gospel among them. And your committee highly approve of the very wise and judicious suggestions which have been made to the missionaries by the Prudential Committee, as to the manner in which that gradual separation should be effected. We also commend the truly Christian spirit with which those suggestions have been received by the missionaries themselves.

At the meeting of the Board at Brooklyn in 1845, the attention of the Prudential Committee and of the missionaries was called to the subject of raising up a native ministry among the converts to Christianity in those Islands, not only to aid the missionaries then in the field in their labors of love among that people, but who should also be able and competent to supply their places when those labors might be ended, and those faithful missionaries of the cross might be called by their divine Master to their rest in heaven. And your committee are pleased to learn from the Report which they have had under consideration, that nine native preachers have been already licensed by our missionary brethren there to preach the gospel in those now Christian communities, and that others are also in training for the work of the gospel ministry. The members of the mission churches have likewise exhibited a truly commendable zeal in the cause of their divine Master, in their endeavors to sustain a gospel ministry for themselves, without further expense to the Board. They have, indeed, of their poverty given much for that object; and a few of those churches will soon be able to furnish a support to their pastors. Exposed, however, as the churches of the Sandwich Islands must be at present, to the assaults of errorists located there, it will not, for some considerable time at least, be either wise or prudent to leave those churches altogether dependent upon a native ministry, or to any other ministry employed and paid wholly by themselves, without the assistance and the counsels of those who have hitherto been their spiritual guides, or others of the AngloSaxon race, who may be raised up or sent there to supply their places.

It is, therefore, proper that the system of partial support, proposed by the Prudential Committee, should be continued, so far as to secure to the Sandwich Islanders, at all times, a competent Protestant ministry. It is also desirable that the children of missionaries born in those Islands should be induced to remain there, and be educated in the seminaries of learning which have been established by missionaries under the direction of the Prudential Committee. And the parents of such as exhibit evidence of hopeful piety, and are competent to the work of the gospel ministry, should have every proper encouragement and assistance in educating them for the work at the Íslands, without sending them to this country for that purpose; for nothing is calculated to have a more beneficial influence upon the minds of the native converts, in reference to the education of their own children, than to see the children of the missionaries born there brought up in the nurture and admo