PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS BY ASHBELtiREEN, D.D., LL.D. WITH SUPPLEMENTAL NOTES JOHN C. LOWRIE NEW YORK ANSON D F. RANDOLPH & COMPANY (incorporated^ 182 FIFTH AVENUE Copyright, 1893, by Anson D. F. Randolph &- Company, (Incorporated). PRESS OF EDWARD O. JENKINS' SON, NEW YORK. PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS : ADVERTISEMENT—NOTE. The Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Cburcli, at their meeting in Baltimore, in October and November, 1837, passed the following resolution, viz. " Resolved^ That the Rev. Dr. Green be requested to draw up a history of the Foreign Missionary operations of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, to be published by the Executive Committee, with the pro- ceedings of this Board." "When the duty assigned by the foregoing resolution came to be performed, it was found on examination, that Domestic and Foreign Missions in the Presby- terian Church had not only been conducted by the same agencies, but that, to some extent, they had been mingled together. A compendious view of both, was therefore determined on, as stated in the introduction to the Sketch. Institutions established or conducted mainly by asso- ciations or individuals, not immediately connected with the Presbyterian Church, when mentioned at all, have received but a cursory and summary notice. Their operations have not been traced, although carried on in concert with members of the Presbyterian denomina- tion. Institutions characteristically Presbyterian have been regarded as the only proper subjects of anything like historical detail. Nor has it been considered as consistent with the plan adopted, to mention such of these as were known to have had no other than a very (V) Vi ADVERTISEMENT—NOTE. brief existence, or a very limited action. If any socie- ties having a just claim to be noticed in this compend- ious view, have been altogether omitted, the writer can only say, that they have escaped inquiries, made as extensively and diligently as his time and means of in- formation would permit. It is hoped that the readers of this Sketch will keep in mind that its natm-e forbade much enlargement. It had been easier for the author to compose a much larger work, than to condense his materials, after he had col- lected them, into the necessary compass. Probably some will think that equal justice has not been done to the numerous institutions that have been brought under review. This will not be fairly attributed to partiality in the writer—it is owing solely to the fact, that after much research he could obtain but scanty materials for some articles, while for others his materials were abun- dant, and near at hand. He is sensible of the defects of his work, but with all its imperfections he hopes it may be useful. As this Sketch could not be submitted to the Board of Missions, and as the larger part of it has not been seen even by the Executive Committee, it is to be dis- tinctly understood, that the writer alone is responsible for the statements it contains. —A. G. [Dr. Green's History has long been out of print, and no book supplies its place. It contains valuable Infor- mation, collected from many sources, to the year 1838. Its author, one of the eminent among our American clergymen, was born at Hanover, N. J., July 6, 1Y62. He graduated at Princeton College with the first honors, under the Presidency of Dr. Witherspoon, in 1783, and yielded to his preceptor's urgent counsel to accept the ADVERTISEMENT—NOTE. yii call of the Second Presbyterian church, Philadelphia. His ministry in this church was greatly blessed, and attend- ed with special revivals of religion. For twenty-five years he was the pastor of this large and influential congre^^a- tion and then, with ; the deep regret of both parties, re- signing its charge, he accepted the Presidency of Prince- ton College. At the end of ten years, on retiring from active pubHc services, he became the author of valuable books and the editor for twelve years of a monthly re- ligious magazine, the Christian Advocate. In some of his latter years he preached to a small congregation of colored people in Philadelphia. He was always an earn- est and eflicient friend of Missions. A personal inter- view with him in 1833 called forth expressions of deep sympathy with this cause. He departed this life May 17, 1848. This book is here reprinted as it left the author's pen, with a few omissions specified where they occur, and with some changes not affecting its meaning' such as the transfer of foot-notes, in some cases to the text, and the removal of his Appendix to its intended place, at page 215. Corrections or omissions have been made in extracts quoted from Annual Reports, rendered proper by later information. The Supplemen- tal Xotes, distinguished by brackets [ ], are inserted usually at the dates of the narrative or the suggestions of the subject and ; sometimes witiiout close connection with the original text, but still in keeping with its purpose. These W'otes have been gathered chiefly from many volumes published, or which have become acces- sible, since the year 1838 ; but in some instances they have been derived from personal knowledge. They sometimes refer to matters of later date, connected with preceding events or subjects. : VIU ADVERTISEMENT—NOTE. The plan of this History includes three periods, viz. First, from 1741 to 1838, embraciDg Domestic and Foreign Missions, both then conducted under the same direction—that of the General Assembly, or by some of the Synods. This part is treated of in this volume. Second, from 1839 to 1869. Third, from 1870 to . The narratives of the two latter periods will relate only to Foreign Missions. They may not soon be ready for the press ; but the first volume admits of being separately published. The occasion of preparing it is found in the Minute of the Board of Foreign Missions, of February 16, 1891. This kind Minute was understood by the Editor to include a transfer from routine to special work, as Providence might indicate. Any pecuniary avails that may reach him from this book will, as heretofore, go to the cause of Missions. J. C. L. New York, 53 Fifth Avenue, December, 1892.] CONTENTS. Introduction 1 Domestic Missions 2 Presbyterian Church always a missionary church 3 Virginia and the Carolinas early regarded as missionary ground 3 Collections annually taken up in the Churches, by order of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia in 17C6, to aid in sending the Gospel to destitute places 4 The General Assembly constituted 1788, and met the first time at Philadelphia, May, 1789 4 Vigorous measures adopted by the General Assembly to raise funds for the missionary cause, 1800 5 Standing Committee of Missions appointed in 1802 6 Circular addressed to every Protestant Missionary Society known in Europe 7 Missionary operations among the African race in the South- ern section of our country 7 Services performed by the lamented John H. Rice, D.D. 8 Synod of Virginia instrumental in forming Presbyterian churches in Kentucky 9 Synod of Pittsburgh efficiently engaged in sustaining For- eign and Domestic Missions 9 Monthly periodical issued by the Standing Committee of the General Assembly 9 Western Foreign Missionary Society of New Jersey, formed in 1800. Its organization independent of the General Assembly 9 Board of Missions of the General Assembly, constituted in 1816 10 Formation of Missionary Societies auxiliary to the General Assembly's Board recommended 10 Duties of Secretary and General Agent of the Board of Missions performed by a few of the members, amidst pas- toral and other engagements 11 (ix) X COi^'TENTS. Young Men's Missionary Society of New York, formed 1815 11 New York Evangelical Missionary Society, instituted about 1816 12 United Domestic Missionary Society, formed by the union of the Young Men's Missionary Society and the New York Evangelical 3Iissionary Society 12 Meeting of delegates from different States of New-England held at Boston, in 1826, to form a General Society for Domestic Missions 13 American Home Missionary Society, instituted May, 1826. 14 Refusal of the American Home Missionary Society to co- operate with the General Assembly's Board of Missions. 14 Resolution of the General Assembly of 1837, recommending the discontinuance of the operations of the American Home Missionary Society and the American Education Society within the Presbyterian Church 15 The organization of a Philadelphia Missionary and other Presbyterian Missionary Societies in the city and liberties of Philadelphia 17 Pennsylvania Missionary Society, formed 1826 18 Re-organization op the Board of Missions of the Gen- eral Assembly in 1828 19 FOREIGN OR HEATHEN MISSIONS 22 Indian Mission on Long Island, the first heathen mission instituted in the Presbyterian Church 23 Second mission under Rev. David Brainerd 24 Mission to Indians in eastern Pennsylvania, eastern New York, and New Jersey 24 Rev. John Brainerd succeeds his brother 28 New York Missionary Society, organized 1796 30 Transfer of all their missions to the United Foreign Mis- sionary Society 31 Northern Missionary Society, organized 1797 31 Mission to the Cherokee Indians 32 Rev. Gideon Blackburn engaged as a missionary 33 Efforts to establish schools among the Cherokees 33 Letter from Rev. G. Blackburn on the progress of civiliza- tion among the Indians 84 CONTENTS. XI Mission amokq the Wyaxdot Indians 35 Mission at Cornplanter's Town 36 Mission at Lewistown, Ohio 38 United Foreign Missionary Society instituted 1818 38 Their operations countenanced and patronized by the gen- eral government 40 The Two Osage Missions 43 The want of success in this mission induces its final aban- donment 43 The Cattaraugus Mission 44 Encouraging circumstances connected with it 45 The Mackinaw Mission 45 The Haytien Mission 46 The Tcscarora Mission 47 The Seneca Mission 49 Legislature of New York reject a petition praying for the residence of ministers of the Gospel on Indian lands 49 The Fort Gratiot Mission 50 The Maumee Mission 50 Proceedings of the Synod of Pittsburgh in relation thereto.