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In the spring of 1810, these young gentlemen, with others who joined them, disclosed their views to the professors in the Theological Seminary at Andover, where they were then prosecuting their studies. In June following, they applied for advice and direction to the General Association of Massachusetts Proper, then sitting at Bradford. The application was made in writing, and signed by Messrs. Adoniram Judson, Samuel Nott, Samuel J. Mills, and Samuel Newell. They state the history of their views and feelings on the subject, and make several inquiries, with respect to which they solicit the advice of their fathers in the church. The association appointed a committee to make report on the application; and consequence of the report, proceeded to institute 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.” The board was composed of nine gentlemen well known to the Christian public. The association advised the young gentlemen " to wait the guidance of Providence in respect to their great and excellent design." The board of commissioners held their first meeting at Farmington, (Con.) Sept. 5, 1810. After forming a constitution, and appointing officers, they took measures to obtain the best information in their power, respecting the state of unevangelized nations; highly approved the readiness of the young gentlemen at Andover to enter upon a foreign mission; and advised them to pursue their studies" till further information relating to the missionary field should be obtained, and the finances of the institution should justify the appointment." They also prepared and published an address on the subject of missions.

The board met again at Worcester, Sept. 18, 1811.During the year which had elapsed, the prudential committee of the board examined and approved of four young gentlemen, as future missionaries to the heathen; viz. Messrs. Judson, Not, and Newell, abovenamed, and Mr. Gordon Hall, also

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a student at Andover. Mr. Mills had not finished his theological education, and was not examined with his brethren.The committee also sent Mr. Judson to England, to confer with the board of directors of the London missionary society, and to procure important information on the subject of missions, which could not be so well procured in any other way. He was welcomed with great cordiality by the directors, 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 to their support.

The board appointed the four brethren above-named, missionaries, " to labour in Asia, either in the Burman empire, in Surat, or in the Prince of Wales' Island, or elsewhere, as in the view of the prudential committee, Providence shall open the most favourable door ;" and advised them "to wait the further intimation of Providence as to support from this country (America) in the proposed foreign mission."

At this meeting Mr. James Richards and Edward Warren, students at Andover, offered themselves to the board for the missionary service, and were approved and taken under the patronage of the board.

The missionary brethren were in the meantime fitting themselves for their future arduous employment. Messrs. Newell and Hall attended courses of medical lectures both at Boston and Philadelphia, in order to be more extensively useful among the heathen.

About the middle of January 1812, it was found that a ship was soon to sail from Philadelphia to Calcutta. No time was to be lost. Robert Ralston, Esq. of Philadelphia, with that zeal for missions and for Christianity which he has long manifested, took an active and very friendly part in fa

cilitating the embarkation of the young men, both by 'procuring passages for them on very favourable terms, and by mak ing a generous donation. Messrs. Newell and Hall hastened to meet their brethren at Salem, where it was determined by the prudential committee to have them ordained, and to send then immediately to the field of missionary labour." Mr. Luther Rice, who had been a student in the same theological seminary, and was then employed as a candidate for the minis try, offered himself to the prudential committee to join the mission, and was approved and accepted. The prudential committee sent to several neighbouring churches, and convened a council* at Salem on the 6th of February, at which time and place the five young gentlemen were solemnly consecrated to the service of God in the gospel ministry among the heathen. On this occcasion the order of the public exercises was as follows:-The Rev. Dr. Griffin made the introductory prayer; the Rev. Dr. Woods preached the sermon from Psalm lxvii.; the Rev. Dr. Morse offered the consecrating. prayer; the Rev. Dr. Spring delivered the charge; the Rev. Dr. Worcester presented the right hand of fellowship; and the Rev. Dr. Spring made the concluding prayer.

It is confidently believed, that such impressions were made on the crowded auditory by the solemnities of the day, as will be lasting and salutary. Three of the persons ordained, viz. Messrs. Nott, Hall, and Rice, set out on the same evening to go with all practicable speed to Philadelphia†.

The council was composed of pastors and delegates from the north congregational church in Newburyport, the congregational church in Charlestown, and the tabernacle church in Salem; also of the Rev. Dr. Griffin, pastor of Park Street church in Boston, and the Rev. Dr. Woods, professor at Andover. The Rev. Professor Stuart was invited to attend, but was necessarily prevented.

+ Mr. Nott was married on his way to Philadelphia, and took Mrs. Nott with him; the other two went single.

They went on board the ship Harmony (in which they had taken their passage) on the evening of the 18th ult. and left the American oast on the 24th.

The other two sailed with their wives from Salem, in the brig Caravan, on the morning of Wednesday the 19th ultimo, commended by the prayers of multitudes to the gracious protection of God.

These transactions may justly be considered as forming a new and important era in the annals of the American churches, the era of foreign missions. It is natural to indulge in pleasing anticipations of the blessings which, with the Divine assistance, these missionaries may be the means of communicating to Asia. But while we leave the issue of this benevolent enterprise to the disposal of Infinite Wisdom, the good effects of these missionary exertions among ourselves ought to be mentioned with devout gratitude. Christians feel more sensibly than ever the value of their holy religion, while devoting their money and their time to extend its blessings to the heathen. Christians of different denominations, who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, experience the Blessedness of uniting in this catholic labour of love.

A few additional particulars in regard to the missions in America, are blended with the statement contained in No. III.

No. III.

SOME FURTHER PARTICULARS RESPECTING MR. NEWELL AND HIS COMPANIONS IN INDIA.

THE preceding Memoir has excited no small interest in regard to the subsequent history of these missionaries, and particularly that of Mr. Newell. The following statement is therefore subjoined to the present edition.

One month subsequent to the date of Mr. Newell's last letter, of 23d Feburary, 1813, he left the Isle of France, and after a résidence of about ten months at Columbo, in the Island of Ceylon, he embarked for Goa. On his way, he visited the Jewish synagogues at Cochin, and the Syrian church at Candenad. On the 24th Feb. 1814, he arrived at Goa, where he visited most of the colleges, churches, and monasteries, saw the vicar general of the Dominicans, dined with the superior of the Augustinians, and called on father Josephus a Doloribus, the late inquisitor, mentioned by Dr. Buchanan. He then found that the inquisition had been lately abolished by the order of the prince regent of Portu gal; though it is said that the archbishop retained all the power which formerly lodged in the court of the inquisition.

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Mr. Newell had now been more than two years separated from his brethren, and he had been most deeply afflicted; but all of them had passed through many trying scenes. this period, Messrs. Nott and Hall were at Bombay, and Mr. Newell, who had left Ceylon, with the intention of joining them, arrived there on the 2d of March. On Sab-bath the 27th of this month, they, for the first time in a'