tions, I have felt anxious that its sacred hours should be judiciously devoted to the appropriate duties of my office: And have endeavored to perform an amount of labor equal to three public services. This has been done in a variety of ways.-By preaching in the day or evening, at the hail in Milton Street, which I have engaged to supply myself, or obtain other preachers, every Lord's day evening; for the African church, the Penitent Females' Refuge, the Primary school-room, in Ann-street, the House of Correction, and, in a few instances, have aided our ministering brothers with my services. Have held occasional meetings in different sections of the city, visited many vessels at our wharves, conversed and prayed with the seamen, distributed tracts among them, and urged them forward to the temple of the Lord. Have likewise visited families in secluded situations; and conversed and prayed with them. This I have done in several instances, in company with our respected brother Sheldon, the present Congregational missionary; finding, as expressed in Scripture, that two are better than one.

"In the week time, as privileges important to my own spiritual comfort and refreshment, I have united with a few brethren in a prayer meeting, on Monday mornings, with particular reference to the mission. A part of the time, have conducted a circular meeting of christian friends, where the neighbors, who are not accustomed to such meetings, are invited. The remaining time, on these, as well as other days, is occupied in the customary duties of my missionary calling.

Wednesday afternoons, 1 have a Bible class of colored people, at the north part of the city; to whom, with others, I preach in the evening, in their Sabbath school room. And on the same evening have conducted family worship at the Penitent Females' Refuge. A few times I have attended a Biblical exercise at the same place, for Rev. Mr. Greenleaf, on Friday evening, which has been very interesting to my own mind, and I hope some benefit to the inmates of that Institution. Since the latter part of July, I have likewise, with the grateful approbation of the Directors and Superintendant, (part of the time in company with a benevolent friend,) conducted morning worship, twice a week, and afforded some literary instructions, which it is hoped may be useful.

"On Thursday evenings, have held a meeting in Peck Lane, regularly since the 1st of April. This is the revival of one of my predecessor's meetings, Mr. Conant, and I trust is attended with good to the neighbors who have availed themselves of the privilege.

"I make a practice of visiting in the vicinity of my meetings, the same or preceding day, with a view to encourage attendance. In these, as well as other visits, to the sick, &c. I have derived very essential assistance from female friends, who have accompanied me, and who, I hope, will not be weary in well doing in this respect.

"I have once visited the Marine Hospital, at Chelsea. By permission, prayed with the sick in the several wards, and was happy to learn that they were so well supplied with religious visits, and occasional preaching, by a pious Episcopal minister, Mr. Fenner, Chaplain at the Navy Yard, Charlestown."

After attending to the foregoing statements, it may seem superfluous to subjoin any arguments in support of the claims of this Society on the patronage of our churches. As, however, inquiries are not unfrequently made as to the result of our efforts, permit us to remark, that the work of a domestic missionary, like every other, has trials peculiar to itself. One of these is, that the real amount of good effected, and of evil restrained, is less obvious than in many other cases. And the obstacles and discouragements, are more apparent to our view than are those attending missions more foreign. A thousand little offices are performed, which cannot be made extensively known. It would be manifestly improper to detail very many interesting particulars occurring among our own citizens, which a foreign missionary might with the greatest propriety report to his constituents at home. The actual results will not be seen until we arrive at heaven. But if we faithfully discharge our duty, and can say, "Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded," we may safely leave the event of success with him who alone is able to grant it.

If

Another trial is that the field is so extensive and laborers are so few. every christian church could support a missionary, so that the labors of one should meet those of another, our favored city would no doubt exhibit an aspect widely different from that which it now wears. It is earnestly

hoped that this will one day be the case. The pastors of our churches find it impracticable to visit even their own parishioners so frequently as is desired by many; consequently they cannot look after the thousands of individuals who are attached to no religious society whatever, and have no stronger claim upon one minister than another. And in what way can those destitute thousands be furnished with ministerial instruction, but by labors of this character?

The importance and utility of the work increases in view of the fact, that many persons remove into the city, from various places where they have enjoyed the society of good people, and who in some instances are themselves professors of religion: but who, from poverty, from the circumstances of their families, from being wholly unknown by christians, and not knowing where to find such as they think would feel interested for them, make no attempts to attend public worship, mix with neighbors who are far from being beneficial, and thus settle down in a dangerous state, unless prevented by some peculiar providence. Permit here the recital of a case given verbally by Mr. S. the gentleman mentioned above. He says:

"Soon after engaging in the mission, I one day called at a house where I found the mother of a family who, in the course of conversation, informed me that she was a Baptist professor, but that since her residence in Boston she had not been to meeting at all. That her husband objected both to going himself and to her going. On taking leave I desired that she would kindly remember me to her husband, and hand him a Tract I had with me, on the subject of public worship.

"About three months after, passing the same way, I called again. She observed that on first receiving the Tract, her husband was quite offended, and remarked that I should not have left that Tract if he had been in the habit of attending worship. But, further, that from that time, he had himself been half the day, and taken care of their children the other part, that she might

to whom a call from a christian female is a source of much comfort.

But it is time that we should hasten to lay before the society the necessity of making some special exertion to increase our means for the support of the mission. The design of the effort made last autumn, as expressed above, was its permanent establishment. As great an interest, perhaps, was excited at that time, as could be expected. Rising of two hundred members have been added since the middle of December. But the means are still inadequate, notwithstanding the salary of Mr. Collier is smaller than was Mr. Conant's. The Society has paid no expenses incident to the meetings conducted by Mr. Collier: rooms, lights, &c. having been furnished either by the hearers themselves, or gratuitously by friends. "The Evangelical Society" has defrayed the expenses at the Hall in Milton Street; and the attendance of the sexton, in making preparations for the monthly meetings of this Society, has been gratuitous during the six summer months. For all these favors, we tender our grateful acknowledgments.

Constant and untiring efforts must be made on the part of the Society. Every member should consider it her duty to do something in addition to her own subscription, by soliciting subscribers and donations. Can there be a female in any of our congregations, who would withhold her mite, if she knew our need of pecuniary assistance?

We should deprecate a suspension of the mission as a very serious evil. Many would be left almost wholly without religious instruction, and the work would be more difficult to commence again. New opportunities of usefulness are daily opening, and the prejudices on the part of the ignorant, against receiving instruction, are diminishing. Hence the importance of speedily adopting measures which will result in a sufficiency to cover the expenses.

A powerful inducement, it would seem, to the female members of our churches to contribute to this object, is the pleasure of meeting on the first Monday of the month, for devotional exercises. Were-it our lot to live in some remote region, where we must travel miles to meet two or three beloved friends, how invaluable would appear the privilege of stepping a short distance to unite with many such friends, at a time set apart by thousands

of Christians, throughout the world, to pray for the universal extension of the Redeemer's kingdom! Two or three dollars a year for such a luxury, would appear trifling. The good accomplished by our missionary, then, we must account clear gain. Let us keep in mind, too, that an important object of our meetings is, to pray for missionaries. And if we wish ours to be a faithful and successful laborer, we must pray much for him.

Mr. Collier further remarks: "As to my daily visits and conversation from house to house, among the poor, sick and well, there are no limits to such services, excepting my time and ability.

"I have not kept a list of the families, except where I have thought it might be useful to repeat my visits. Of such I have a list of nearly 300, and if circumstances permitted, it might be greatly increased.

"To children, and young persons, I have given particular attention; encouraged their joining Sabbath Schools, and Bible Classes; and have succeeded in some instances, where it has evidently been promotive of the cause of morality, in the observance of the Lord's-day, and the interests of Biblical instruction. Have assisted in getting several children into week day schools. And here it is proper to acknowledge the timely and efficient aid of the "Priscilla Society," established for the express purpose of forwarding the benevolent design of your Society by furnishing needful articles of clothing, to enable the poor to attend public worship, and Sabbath Schools.

"I have been induced to attempt the establishment of a Religious Reading Room, Lord's day mornings, where I have heretofore preached in the afternoon. In this I have been much assist

ed by the persevering efforts of brother N. W. Bradstreet, as I also have by himself, and other christian brethren, in various other of my meetings.

The value of this aid is inestimable.

The presence of such, serves not only to strengthen the Missionary in his arduous labors, but to encourage the attendance of other persons. Mr. Co

nant, my predecessor, justly observed,

that he found the interest of the unawakened to revive or decline, in proportion as they were countenanced by the presence of the people of God. Every private brother has an opportunity of thus becoming a city Missionary.

In closing his report, Mr. C. remarks.

"I have witnessed some of the sweetest consolations of religion afforded to the sick and dying followers of the Lamb, in the lowest walks of life, that I have ever seen in any circumstances. And I have witnessed some of the most distressing and appaling scenes I ever saw, in the afflictions of those of an opposite character.

"Surely there is a God. Surely there is an eternity of rewards and punishments."

We close by reminding you, that many among us may sing with the poet:

""Tis almost done, 'tis almost o'er, We're following those who 're gone before; We soon shall reach the peaceful shore, Where we shall meet to part no more." In behalf of the Board of Managers of the Boston Baptist Female Society for Missionary Purposes,

M. WEBB, Secr'y.

N. B. During many years, the Society has enjoyed the pleasure of an extensive correspondence with female benevolent societies. It will be pleasant to continue this. Letters may be directed to the Secretary, to the care of Messrs Lincoln & Edmands, No. 59 Washington-Street.

MISSIONARIES WANTED.

The Baptist Board of Foreign Missions have the prospect of establishing several new stations among the Indians west of the Mississippi, and would, therefore, be pleased to receive information of suitable men to be employed in the undertaking. It will be readily perceived that the service is important, and will require intelligence—that it is self-denying, and will demand well established piety in any minister who may engage in it. No one should attempt it without having previously contemplated the sacrifices to be made, and deliberately settled the question that he is prepared to make them. Satisfactory references will be requir ed. Proposals may be addressed to the subscriber, at the Baptist Missionary Rooms, No. 52 Washington-St. Boston.

L. BOLLES, Cor. Sec.
Boston, Dec. 1830.