The Committee appointed to enquire into the number, state, andi prospects of the Baptist Foreign Mission Societies, recently formed in the United States, begs leave to REPORT, That, from the attention bestowed upon this subject, your committee has not been able to obtain such exact information as could be desired; but has had the satisfaction to learn, that not fewer than seventeen societies of this description are already in operation. Of these societies, such information as your committee has obtained, will be cheerfully submitted, beginning with the northern section of our country.

"The Haverhill Society"

has transmitted very little information; but will cordially co-operate in the general design now going forward, and may furnish perhaps a hundred dollars annually to the general fund

$100 00

"The Salem Bible-translation and Foreign Mission Society" appears to have collected about $ 500, and will probably be able to furnish at least $200 annually to the general fund

$ 200 00

"The Baptist Society for propagating the Gospel in India and

other foreign parts"

has exerted a very laudable zeal and activity, collected already more than 1250, and may undoubtedly furnish to the general fund at least four or five hundred dollars annually

450 00

"The Baptist Missionary Society in Rhode Island" has collected about $ 200, and, with what may be expected from a Female Mite Society of the same place, will probably furnish at least two hundred dollars annually to the general fund

$ 200 00

"The New-York Baptist Society for Foreign Missions" we doubt not will aid the great object to a degree worthy the liberality of its wealthy subscribers. We persuade ourselves that at least four hundred dollars, we hope much more, may be expected from that society annually to the general fund $ 400 00 "The New-York Baptist Female Society for promoting Foreign Missions"

exhibits an example of such an admirable and praise-worthy character, as cannot fail of being imitated by the charitable Ladies of other cities. Though organized so recently as April last, the laudable exertions of this society have collected not less than 870, and will, it is believed, be able to furnish perhaps $150 annually, to the general fund $ 150 00

"The Baptist Foreign Missionary Society of New-Jersey" has been organized very recently. The President of this society says to your committee, that "it is believed that the New-Jersey Society will annually furnish $100." We are persuaded, however, that he has fixed on too low an estimate; nor can we deny ourselves

the pleasure of anticipating a much larger amount from so respectable a source $100 00

"The Philadelphia Baptist Society for Foreign Missions" will doubtless answer the high expectations which the wealth and known liberality of this portion of our country cannot fail to create. The Secretary of this society states, that "Subscribers' names handed in to the Secretary of the Phila. F. M. Society, are 390-all of whom are $2 annually, except 3 of $5, 3 of $4, and 3 of $3 annually." This society has collected already nearly $ 500, and will fur. nish, we confidently expect, annually to the general fund, more than $1000 00

"The Delaware Branch Society for Foreign Missions" though very recently formed has more than forty annual subscribers, has collected about 40 dollars, and will be able to furnish, it is believed, at least, one hundred dollars annually to the general fund

"The Baltimore Baptist Missionary Society"

$100 00

has given by one of the delegates of that society the following statement, viz: "The mode of collecting subscriptions and donations in Baltimore, is by respectable citizens in each ward, who are authorized to go round on that errand; besides which, collections are made at the monthly prayer meetings. The citizens abovementioned not yet having gone round, we cannot say what will probably be the result in that respect, though we feel confident, from the known character of Baltimore, that it will not be unimportant. Our annual subscriptions are two dollars each. The money we have on hand is upwards of $ 100, but it is not forwarded, as we were ignorant of the proper receptacle."-We persuade ourselves this society will be able to furnish annually to the general fund, certainly not less than $150 00

"The Washington Baptist Society for Foreign Missions" has collected $ 70, has transmitted $70 to the general fund, and will probably furnish to this fund annually, more than

$100 00

"The Richmond Baptist Mission Society for propagating the Gospel in India and other Heathen Countries" has collected more than $200, has transmitted $200 to the general fund, and will be able to furnish to this fund annually two or three hundred, perhaps a much larger sum

$250 00

"The North-Carolina Baptist Society for Foreign Missions" has collected $ 260, has transmitted to the general fund $100, and, it is hoped, may be able to furnish to this fund annually not less

than

$ 500 00

"The General Committee of Churches united in the Charleston Baptist Association"

has entered into the missionary design with laudable zeal and activity. The following interesting statement has been given, viz: "The Baptist churches included in the Charleston Association, S. C. have committed the missionary business to the hands of their general committee, recommending the formation of auxiliary societies, to be formed as convenience may direct, within the bounds of their union. Several such societies it is known are formed, and it is understood that others are forning, or will be formed in the course of the present year; but a regular account either of their number, or the amount of their contributions cannot be expected before November, when the Association and Committee are to meet for the transaction of business.

The Charleston Society, perhaps, consists of about one hundred members, several have subscribed an annual contribution of five dollars. At the High Hills of Santee, head of Black River, and the Welsh Neck, it is known societies are formed: at the Congaree, Amelia Township, and Goose Creek, it is understood they are about to be formed."

From the known liberality of this important portion of our country, we cannot suffer ourselves to calculate on less than from three to five hundred dollars annually to the general fund $400 00 besides what may be expected from "The Wadmalaw and Edisto Female Mite Society," perhaps annually

yet

$100 00

"The Beaufort District Baptist Society for Foreign Missions" has collected but little; but has an annual subscription of $260 by fifty-one subscribers one of $50-one of 20-one of 15-several of 10-and we may reasonably expect annually to the general fund, from this wealthy and liberal quarter, at least

$300 00

"The Savannah Baptist Society for Foreign Missions" has collected $456, has transmitted to the general fund 445, and will be able, it is believed, through the distinguished zeal, activity and liberality of its members, to furnish to this fund annually about The delegate from this society, Rev. Mr. Johnson, has also trans$1000 00 mitted to the general fund which sum was collected by him in Orangeburgh, on his way to 89 62/ Philadelphia, to attend the Convention.

"The Kentucky Baptist Society for propagating the Gospel" has collected more than 8 100 already, and may be able to furnish to the general fund, perhaps two or three hundred dollars annually $ 250 00

Nor can we refrain from remarking, that the zeal of our brethren in the west, and the prospects in that quarter, give us great pleasure, and excite the happiest anticipations of the extent to which the missionary spirit may yet diffuse itself through our country.

Besides the societies completely organized and in operation, something has been done towards the formation of one in Fredericksburg, Virginia; and we think it reasonable to expect from that society, which we presume will go into operation soon, annually to the general fund not less than $100 00 Others we doubt not will yet be formed, uniting with those already in existence, in efforts to impart the benign influence of the Gospel to benighted nations.

From the foregoing imperfect sketch, it appears that the various mission societies mentioned, have collected already about $4000 00 will probably be able to furnish annually to the general fund,

and have transmitted to the general fund

Accounted for by Rev. Luther Rice, monies received by him for missionary purposes

5850 00

824 621

1274 62

From which deducting travelling expenses &c. of Mr. Rice 262 21

will leave

$1836 673

But the committee appointed to consult relative to the compensation suitable to be allowed Mr. Rice for his ser vices, have concluded to allow him the same as that allowed by "The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," for similar services, viz. eight dollars a week. For 35 weeks, that is, from the last of Sept. 1813 to the last of May, 1814

which being deducted from the above, will leave in the general fund already

280 00

$1556 673

ADDRESS.

The GENERAL CONVENTION of the Baptist delegates for Missionary purposes, assembled in the meeting-house of the first Baptist church in Philadelphia, on Wednesday the 18th May, 1814; to their constituents, the churches of Jesus Christ, the Ministers of the Gospel, and the friends of religion in general, present their christian love and cordial wishes.

BELOVED BRETHREN AND FRIENDS,

In what manner and to what extent it has pleased the blessed God, of late, to direct the attention of many among us, to the interests of the Redeemer's Kingdom, some of you are already sensible, and others will learn from the preceding pages. Under the smiles of a propitious Providence, a Convention has assembled in Philadelphia, consisting of delegates from parts of our union, various and remote, to devise a plan, and enter into measures, for combining the efforts of our whole denomination, in behalf of the millions upon whom the light of evangelic truth has never shone. The result of their serious and affectionate consultations, you have an opportunity of perusing.

Unpromising and disastrous as the present state of our world may appear, the period is assuredly approaching, and we trust is not distant, when the scene shall be reversed: "The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." "The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." "The glory of the Lord" shall arise upon Zion. "Mountains and hills shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Our God will "create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and his people a joy." "The seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give her fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew."

For this glorious period the church has long and anxiously been waiting. For this, thousands of the petitions of the saints have already been presented by the great Mediator before the eternal throne, and thousands more are continually ascending. It is a day of glory embraced in the tenor of the covenant of