His Interest and Agency in the Promotion of Foreign Missions

Among the projects in uliich Mr. Mills took a deep interest, and which was the lirst in his own estimation at the time it was conceived, was the design of propagating the Gospel among the Heathen in foreign lands, by means of Missionaries from thi? country. It is interesting to ti-ace the connexion between the plans and measures devised by this single youth in Williams’ College, and naany of the great movements which have since taken place in the American Church. Though very little is to be found among his own papers, which would disclose his instrumentality, the almost universal acknowledgment of men interested in Missionary concerns, attributes to Mr. Mills a distinguished agency in bringing forward a new era in the history of Missions in this Western World.

The dawn of a Missionary spirit had begun to appear in some of the American churches before. To those who have observed the signs of the times, it cannot be doubtful that a new and splendid era on the other side of the Atiantic was introduced about eight-and-twenty years ago. In the year J 792, the first Missionary Society was established by Carey, Fuller, Pearce, and Ryland, at Kettering, in England. In 1795, the London Missionary Society waa instituted; and from this period Missionary Institutions have been increasing in number throughout the four quarters of the globe. America began gradually to participate in the sacred spirit. Aside from an establishment formed by the Moravians in 1734, and a branch of the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge among the Indians in North America, which was instituted at Boston, in 1787, the honour of commencing the first Missionary exertions in the United States belongs to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. At their first Session, as early as the year 1789, that body passed an order requiring the Churches under their care to take up collections for a Missionary Fund; and in 1 802, they established a Standing Committee of Missions, which has been in successful operation from that time to the present. The New- York Missionary Society was instituted in 1796; the Connecticut Missionary Society in 1798; the Massachusetts Missionary Society in 1799; and the New-Jersey Missionary Society in 1801.

Hitherto, however, the attention of the Western World had been exclusively turned to domestic Missions, among the new settlements, and Indians. To the eye of the few who watched its growth, it was obvious that the germ of this tree of

2s ME.MOinii OF THE LATE

life hail been gaiiiinj;^ strength and activity; but it was not destined to shoot out its branches to the river, and its boughs to the ends of the earth, till the period at which we have now arrived. That she had a distinguished part to act in the conversion of six hundred millions of our guilty creation abroad, beyond her destitute at home, was a thought that had never till now sunk into the bosom of the American Church. Why was it so? Surely no nation possesses greater advantages for disseminating religious truth, whether we regard resources or men; and no nation is under greater obliijations to make manv and great exertions for this exalted object. Why should the nations of Europe, in the midst of all their conflict and blood, have been sending their sons through diflferent continents and to the islands of the sea, while America, this land of freedom, peace, wealth, and privilege, circumscribes her exertions to a handful of men within her own territory.-^ If there are any who at this late hour are backward to engage in this glorious enterprise, let them know, that the deliverance of the Pagan nations is sure; — let them know that as God has given the Heathen to his Son for an inheritance, so he has given the sanction of his own Spirit to measures for their conversion, — and that the most stupid and barbarous of men have been brought within the fold of the Great Shepherd. If we do not choose to engage in this work, other nations, more faithful, will go forward and be crowned with success; but, “we and our father’s house shall be destroyed.”

In tracing the progress of the Missionary spirit ifi this country, in respect of Foreign Missions, we have little else to do than follow the leading events of Mr. Mills’ liie, from his first year in College, to the embarkation of the American Missionaries for Calcutta, under the direction of the American Board of Commissioners, in the year 1812. As has been already intimated, his devotion to the Missionary cause was early and invincible. It was not, however, until he became a member of College, that his spirit of Missions came out to view. It was then that the subject of Missions fastened upon his attention, engrossed the meditations of his serious hours, took deep hold of his feelings, and became the burden of his prayers. It seems to have been a peculiar visitation of the Spirit of God that turned all the solicitude and affection of his heart to this object. He reflected long and prayed much, before he disclosed his views; and when he determined to unburthen his mind, by conversing with two or three of his more intimate fellow-students, it was in a manner that deserves to be related; — He led them out into a meadow, at a distance from the College, to a retirement, probably familiar to himself, though little exposed to observation or liable to be approached, where, by the side of a large stack of hay, he devoted the day to prayer and fasting, and familiar conversation on this new and interesting theme; when, much to his surprise and gratification, he found that the Spirit of God had been enkindling in their bosoms the flame which had been so long burning in his own. The reader will not be surprised to learn, that from this hour, this endeared retreat was often maJe solemn by the presence, and hallowed by the piety, of these dear young men. It was to this consecrated spot they repaired, to cherish the high-born inlluence, and dedicate themselves renewedly to Christ in this blessed cause; to spend many a precious day in humiliation, fasting, and prayer, and there to offer to a present God those early and fervent supplications, to which may be traced the institution of Foreign Missions in the new world. The operations and existence of this Society wre unknown to the rest of the College, and have remained concealed by a veil, which has never been removed till now. Though some of this little company yet remain on earth, I am forbidden by very sacred ties, to lisp any other than the name of Samuel J.

Mills. y3ut I would shrink from intrusion upon

fellowship so endeared and so sacred. There is

something inexpressibly pleasant in those seasons of favoured devotion, when the mind perceives the coincidence between some of its own best emotions and the operations of the Holy Spirit. Such, we think, must frequently have been the gratification of this fraternal band.

The mind of Mr. Mills had now received a new impulse; and his paramount object was to devise measures to carry the plans which had now begun to present themselves in some definite shape, into immediate execution. Well persuaded that a successful appeal could not be made to the Churches, without first increasing the number of men who were willing to devote their lives to this self-denying service, and having, as he supposed, accomplished what he could for the cause in Williams’ College; he left that Institution, and became a resident graduate a few months at Yale College, in Connecticut. His ostensible object was the study of theology; but his real object was to ascertain whether there were not some kindred spirits in that Institution, who could be excited and encouraged to participate in this glorious enterprise. The purpose of an all-pervading Providence in this movement, was, however, different from his own. Shortly after his arrival at New-Haven, he became acquainted with the lamented Obookiah, a Heathen youth from one of the Sandwich Islands, who will be introduced to the attention of the reader in some subsequent part of this volume, and whose memory will long be tenderly cherished, especially by the pious in our country. Though we can say little of the success of his visit to New-Haven, so far as relates to the infusion of a Missionary spirit, or increasing the active friends of Foreign Missions, among the members or graduates of the College; subsequent events can hardly fail to leave the impression, that his steps were guided to that place by no ordinary impulse.

The following spring, Mr. Mills became a member of th6 Theological Seminary at Andover. Soon after he united himself with this Institution, he was visited with a very bitter bereavement, to which he alludes, with much characteristic sentiment, in the following Jjettr : — It was the death of his mother

“Dear Sir,

“I have just received your kind letter o January 2Uh, and thank you for the share you are pleased to take in our aftlictions. May you, Sir, af you are disposed to mourn with those that mourn, receive the blessing of kind Keaven.

“I hope my bosom will not heave a murmuring sigh because of this chastising stroke. God, as we trust, had redeemed the soul of our dear parent, and her Saviour, looking down, said, ‘Come up hither.’ And why should we say to her pure spirit, ‘Stay yet a little longer?’ What had we to offer her if she had tarried? Nothing, except that which we all inherit by the fall, ’ stripes, chains, and a dungeon.’ For being sanctified but in part, her remaining sins would lead her astray, and she must be chastised to bring her back to God. These would have been her stripes. A thousand tender ties which bind us down to things which perish in the using, and” pestered in this pin-hole here which men call earth;’” — this her dungeon. It is thus we languish. And is not that a dungeon which excludes the matchless beauties of the eternal Godhead, and gives us not so fair a view as Moses had when hid within the clefts of the rock? She now is free indeed! — made free by grace, and doubly freed by death. When 1 left Andover, I thought most likely I should see my mother alive — when I arrived at Hartford, I was informed she was no more! Her last sigh had escaped me. I hoped the information was not correct, and half believed it, until a second inquiry helped to confirm my fears

On my way before I arrived home, I passed the burying ground; and if I called there, I knew it would sa tisf)’ all doubts. If she was dead, I could tell where they had laid her; for my father in my earliest days would lead me to the burying ground, and tell me where my mother would be buried and where he should be laid, and I would weep, and hope that I should lie there first. When I arrived at the burying ground, the grave was newly covered — it was my mother’s! Here I gave vent to the most impassioned burst of wo. 1 wept not that my mother had gone to glory, but that I should see her face no more — no more should hear her warning voice, no more should share her prayers. Her dust is precious dust, and shall arise triumphant, when the trump of her Jesus shall call her to judgment. Upon my arrival home, 1 found the gray locks of my afflicted father had been shaken by the blast; still he seemed to be supported from above, and hopes, that as his day is so his strength will be. He thanks you, dear Sir, and all his Christian friends, who remember him in their prayers.”

This dear woman died in the faith and hope of the Gospel, on the 30th of December, 1809. It was while he was a member of the Theological Seminary, that the compiler of these sheets was first honoured with an acquaintance with this invaluable man. Here Mr. Mills found several of his former companions, who had dedicated themselves to the cause of Missions while together at Williams’ College; and the fraternity, in all its concealed energies, renewed its operations here.

The subject of Missions to the Heathen had already begun lo occupy the minds of several of the students not oiia;inally members of this secret Association, and a number were seriously and painfully inquiring concerning their duty in this important particular. Messrs. Newel, Judson, and Nott, in connexion with Messrs. Mills and Hall, held frequent consultations on this momentous subject, which issued in a resolution, to combine their exertions in immediately enterprising a Mission to foreign lands.

The writer well recollects the course Mr. Mills pursued while at Andover, to diffuse a Missionary zeal throughout that Seminary. It was his method to attach himself to the company of those students whose minds were exercised on the subject, and by judicious conversation, by a careful and unimpassioned presentation of the arguments, to bring them to adopt the conclusion, that it w as their duty to devote their lives to the Heathen. And never was an ambitious politician, seeking the honours and emoluments of office, more unremittingly or zealously engaged. His Missionary exertions constituted his relaxation from study; and he might always be found, during his leisure hours, in little circles of his brethren, engaged in conversation on these interesting topics. He had made himself complete master of the subject; and daily might he be seen, arm in arm, with one or more of his fellow-students, either provoking inquiry, or renewing former suggestions, or pressing the obligation to Missions upon their consciences, by considerations well nigh irresistible. There was a beautiful grove that spread itself in the reai of the College buildings; and “along that shady walk,” says one of his fellow-Missionaries, “where I have often walked alone, Mr. Mills has often been my companion, and there urged the importance of Missions to the Heathen. And when he had reached some sequestered spot, where there was no fear of interruption, he would say — ‘Come, God only can guide us right; let us kneel down and pray:’ — and then he would pour out his soul in an ardent supplication for the blessing of God, and the guidance of his Holy Spirit.”

It is not difficult to conjecture the state of Mr. Mills’ mind, when the subject of Foreign Missions began to be the fheme of public discussion, and the objections of” the wise and the unwise” threatened to retard, if not entirely defeat, the benevolent project. At first view, there are objections to such an enteiv prise, which, however fallacious, are exceedingly plausible. If any should inquire why we take so much pains to send the Gospel to the Heathen, when we have so many destitute among ourselves.-^ ^Vhy attempt to supply the wants of China and Hindostan, when we must leave multitudes perishing at our own doors,’* — What think you is the reply of the world to such an objection as this? “If Christians really be- •’ lieve that Christ tasted death for every man, that “there is salvation in no other, and that a great part” of the world are actually perishing in ignorance “of this only Saviour ;-» — if they really believe all” this, why do they not concern themselves to “have this gospel made known to every creature?” Why has this been neglected so long? — xlnd.

36 iMEMOlRS OF THE LATE

“alas! the Heathen join in the same bitter reproach. “The Missionary tclla them that he has come to” proclaim to them a Saviour, the Son of God, who ‘• has shed his blood to atone for the sins of the “world; and who has commanded his servants to” publish the glad tidings every where for the salva-

*’ tion of all men. When, says the Pagan, did this

“Saviour die? Eighteen hundred years ago, replies

“the Missionary. When did he command his

‘• servants to publish every where these good ti- “dings.’* — : — Just before he ascended from earth to” heaven, which was shortly after his death and re-

“surrection. Surprising! says the Pagan. If you

“Christians have known all these things, and really *’ believe that we ignorant Heathen must perish un- “less we believe in Jesus Christ; hotv could you leave” so great a part of the world, for so many genera- “tions, to go down to perdition, without coming sooner” to tell us of this only way in which we can be sa- “ved .-^ — This is not idle fancy; it is matter of dis-” tressing fact. Is it not time to arise and pluck “this dreadful weapon from the hand of idolatry” abroad, and infidelity at home y“‘”’

The narrow policy of such objections surely was not the principle of action on which the Church was extended in the Apostolic age, or will be extended in the future ages of the world. But there is little occasion to argue a point which has

* “The Conversiotj of the WoJd, or the Claims of Six Hundred Millions, and the ability and Juty of the Churches respecting them,” by the Rev. Messrs. Gordon Hall and Samuel Newel, American Missionaries at Bombay.

been so ably argued by others. To a sober mind* the subject lies within a very narrow compass. The Churches know that hundreds of milHons are perishinjr through icrnorance of a Saviour; — C hrist has absolutely Commanded his disciples to go and preach the Gospel to every one of them; and has pledged his faithfulness, that if they will go, their exertions for the Heathen shall be the means of greater exertions at home. And has he not redeemed th pledge? How can any reflecting man evade the obligation, to be at least the decided and zealous frie;id of Foreigrn Missions?

With fervent gratitude to the God of grace let it be acknowledged, that he was pleased to smile upon the designs of Mr. Mills and his associates, in turning the hearts of the Churches toward this favourite object. Men of intelligence and piety did not long hesitate in the adoption of measures which should embody the weight and influence of New-England in giving form and motion to this mighty machinery. Though we would not claim for Mr, Mills the honour of maturing the operations of the “American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions,” he is justly entitled to the praise of originating the plan of that noble Institution. It was through his instrumentality, and the advice and co-operation of the Reverend Professors in the Theological Seminary at Andover, the Rev. Dr. Worcester, of Salem, the Secretary and principal Agent of the Board after it was constituted, — and if a son may be permitted to record it, the Rev. Dr. Spring of Newburyport, that on the motion of the last named gentleman, the subject was iirst intro-

38 MEMOIRS or THE T.ATK

duced to llic attention oCllie General Association of Massacluisrtts, at (heir Annn;il Meetini in Bradford, in 1810. The following extract from their Minutes will present the liicts as tlicy then occurred.

At a Meeting of the General Association of Massachusetts Proper, at Bradford, on Wednesday the 27th of June, 1810. —” Four young gentlemen, members of the Divinity College, were introduced and presented the following Paper:

“The undersigned, members of the Divinity College, respectfully request the attention of their Reverend Fathers, convened in the General Association at Bradford, to the following statement and inquiries:

“They beg leave to state, that their minds have been long impressed with the duty and importance of personally attempting a Mission to the Heathen; that the impressions on their minds have induced a serious, and they trust a prayerful consideration of the subject in its various attitudes, particularly in relation to the probable success and the dilliculties attending such an attempt; and that after examining all the information which they can obtain, they consider themselves as devoted to this work for life. whenever God in his providence shall open the wny.

“They now offer the following inquiries on which they solicit the opinion and advice of this Association. Whether w itli their pitjsent views and feelings, they ought to renounce the object of Missions as visionary or impracticable: if not, whether they ought to direct their attention to the eastern or the western world; whether they may expect patronage and support from a Missionary Society in this country, or must commit themselves to the direction of a European Society; and what preparatory measures they ought to take previous to actual engagement?

“The undersigned, feeling their youth and inexperience, look up to their Fathers in the Church, and respectfully solicit their advice, direction, and prayers.

“Adoniram Judson jr.

‘• Samuel JYottf jr.

“Samuel J. Jllills,

“Samuel A^ew el.’’’’

This document was referred to a Special Committee, who in their report recognised the imperative obligation and importance of Missions — expressed their conviction that the gentlemen who had thus modestly expressed their views, ought not to renounce, but sacredly cherish their sacred impressions; and submitted the outlines of a plan, which at that meeting was carried into effect in the appointment of a Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, “for the purpose of devising ways and means, and adopting and prosecuting measures for promoting the spread of the Gospel in Heathen lands.”

Here was laid the corner-stone of an ediiice, which will long be the ornament of the American Church; — broad its foundation, beautiful its superstructure, lofty its dome. Such is the origin of an Institution, which for the extension of its pjans. and the wisdom

40 MLMOIRI^ OF THE LATE

of its direction, stniids forward a distinguished moniimont ofdivi’ie favour to the American people.

After considerable exertion at home, and some inquiry ahroad,it was resolved that Mr. Judson should repair to England, with the view of ascertaining what assistance could be afforded to the Mission by the London Missionary Society. “He was welcomed with great cordiality by the directors of the London Society, who engaged to take him and his three brethren under their care, and to allow them salaries, and employ them on a mission, if the funds of the American Board should not be competent for their support.” Contrary to the expectation of the Board, Mr. Judson, during his absence, felt himself justified in entering into partial arrangements at least, to become the Missionary of the London Society in the East-Indies. In view of such a measure, Mr. Mills, in writing to a friend, exclaims, “AA hat! is England to support her ow n Missionaries and ours likewise? O shame I If brother Judson is prepared, I would feign press him forward with the arm of an Hercules, if I had the strength; but I do not like this dependance on another nation, especially when they have already done so much, and we nothing. — I trust that each of the brethren will stand at their several posts, determined, God helping them, to show themselvee mkn Perhaps the Fathers will soon arise, and take the business of Missions into their own hands. But should they hesitate, let us be prepared to go forward, — trusting to that God for assistance who hath said, Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”’

Not long after this period, however, the Board were reheved from their pecuniary embarrassment, by the liberahty of a distinguished lady, whose name will ever be endeared in the grateful recollections of the writer. Let it not be recorded without the warmest emotions of admiration, that in the infancy of this Institution, no less than thirty thousand dollars, from a single bequest, laid the basis for a permanent fund, to send the gospel to the Heathen. The late Mrs. Mary Norris, widow of the late John Norris, of Salem, Massachusetts, one of the founders of the Andover Seminary, was raised up by a gracious Providence, to beconje the devoted patron of Foreign Missions, and by her memorable munificence, to ‘^ spread the throb of joy through the Heathen world.”

The first efforts of this Institution resulted in the embarkation of the Rev. Messrs. Hall, Nott, Rice, Judson, and Newel, for Calcutta, in the month of February, 1812. These were followed by the Rev. Messrs. Bardwell, Meigs, Poor, Richards, and Warren, who sailed for Ceylon the following October; these, by the Rev. Messrs. Graves and Nichols, who embarked for Bombay in October, UU7; and these by the Rev. Messrs. Winslow, Spalding, and Woodward, together with Dr. John Scudder, a physician of good professional reputation and practice, who embarked for Ceylon on the 8th of June, 1819. Beside these establishments, the Board commenced a Mission among the Clierokee Indians, i i January, 1816, and subsequently another amoUj, the Clioctaws. In addition to these 42 MKMOiRs OF tmf; late

exertions, they have recently set on foot n heavy A mission to the J^andwicli Islands. The individuals connected with this Mission consist of nineteen natives of America, seven 2;entlemen, with their wives, and five children; and i’onr natives of the Sandwich Islands. They ein1)nrk(Ml at Boston, on the 23d of Octoher, 1819. The last estahlishment was destined to Jerusalem. The Rev. Messrs. Levi Parsons and Pliny Fiske, emharked for Smyrna, with a view to this Mission, on the 3d of November, 1819. The receipts of the Board for the year 1 8! 9,are stated to have been thirty-seven thousand dollars, and their expenditures to have surpassed forty thousand. — They have now under their direction, and dependant upon their funds, either as Missionaries or as assistants in the work, eighty-one individuals, “extending their exertions from east to west, more than two-thirds around this globe.”

Here let us pause. Who will not admire the condescension of the adorable Head of the Church, in permitting so much to be accomplished by the designs of a single individual! Could Mr. Mills have lived to witness the rapid advancement of this glorious design; could he have seen the whole army of the Redeemed in New-England in motion: could he hae seen ten thousand hearts leaping in joyful eagerness, and ten thousand hands opened in liberal charities toward this hallowed cause; could he have seen the daily accession of talent and youthful vigour, as they have been consecrated to the work; could he have beheld so many Missionary stations blessing the dark regions of Asia, and have been lold of the conversions amid the desolations and cruehies ol’onr own wilderness: could he have been permitted to breathe his blessing into the breeze that wafts the glad tidings of great joy to the native isles of his own dear Obookiah; could he lastly have beheld the holy city Jerusalem,” the scene of a Mission from the American Church: surely he had iclt he had not lived in vain! Some of these olorious events he was permitted to witness; and with what weeping modesty he occasionally adverted to them, a few will long remember. Never has lie been more endeared, than when on one or two occasions he has been seen to be drowned in tears, and abased with self-confusion, in attempting to give utterance to his own views of what God had condescended to accomplish through the instrumentalities of one so worthless as he.