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FIRST MEETING OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS.
BY REV. NOAH PORTER, D. D., FARMINGTON.
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was first organized at Farmington, in this State, Sept. 5, 1810. At the annual meeting of the General Association of Massa- chusetts, held in Bradford, in June of that year, four young men, Adoniram Judson, Jr., Samuel Nott, Jr., Samuel J. Mills and Samuel Newell, members of the Theological Seminary in Andover, had offered themselves to be Missionaries of Christ to the heathen, and committed themselves to the Association for advice and direction as to the course they should take in enter- ing on the work to which they were devoted ; and the Associ- ation had proceeded, with solemn deliberation and prayer, to institute a Board for that purpose, and for the general object to which these young men had consecrated themselves, under the name of " The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," consisting of nine members, all of them, in the first instance, chosen by that Association, and afterwards to be chosen annually, five of them by that body, and four of them by the General Association of Connecticut ; and had chosen the following gentlemen to constitute the Board : His Excel- lency John Treadwell, Esq., Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight, Gen. Jedediah Huntington, and Rev. Calvin Chapin, of Connecticut ; Rev. Dr. Joseph Lyman, Rev. Dr. Samuel Spring, William Bartlett, Esq., Rev. Samuel Worcester and Deacon Samuel H. Walley, of Massachusetts. In complaisance to Governor Treadwell, chairman of the Commissioners, their first meeting was held in Farmington ; and, circumstances making it incon- venient to accommodate them at his house, the meeting was held at the house of Rev. Noah Porter, the pastor of the church there, who was invited to take part in their deliberations. A majority only were present, viz., Governor Treadwell, Doctors Lyman and Spring, and Messrs. Worcester and Chapin. The first day and part of the second were employed in anxious
152
First Meeting of the American Board.
consultations relative to the Constitution of the Board, the di- rection to be given to its missionaries, and the raising of the necessary funds. The Constitution being formed, the Board was organized by the choice of the following gentlemen as its officers :*
His Excellency, JOHN TREADWELL, EsQ., President.
Rev. DR. SPRING, Vice President.
WILLIAM BARTLETT, EsQ.,
Rev. DR. SPRING, Prudential Committee.
Rev. SAMUEL WORCESTER,
Rev. CALVIN CHAPIN, Recording Secretary.
Rev. SAMUEL WORCESTER, Corresponding Secretary.
Deacon SAMUEL H. WALLEY, Treasurer.
Mr. JOSHUA GOODALE, Auditor.
The sensation excited by this movement, among the pastors and churches of New England, was profound. No doubt was entertained that the young men, in whose minds it began, were moved by the Spirit of Christ. They were now publicly devoted to the service of Christ among the heathen, for life. Their example furnished an appeal to the churches for their co- operation that could not be unheeded ; and the Commissioners selected to receive and apply their charities, and to direct and superintend their missions, were among the choicest of New England's sons. Of Governor Treadwell, a few years after his death, it was said that he was " the last of the Puritan Gov- ernors of Connecticut." Perhaps this could not now be said with due consideration of the piety of some who have suc- ceeded him ; but it was said of him, with reference not to his piety alone, but also to his theological knowledge, his simplicity of manners, his firmness of purpose, and the interest which he took in the order of the churches, the propagation of the Gos- pel, and the cause of evangelical religion. When he was made the first President of the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, he had long been prized by the ministers of New England as one of the ablest theological writers in this coun- try ; and had for many years been the Chairman of the Trns-
* A more ample account of the above may be found in the Panoplist, Vol. 3, pp. 88-90, and 181.
First Meeting of the American Board. 153
tees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, to which office he had been chosen at the first organization of that Board. Dr. Spring, of Newburyport, also was eminently a public man, and was honorably connected with some of the most important philanthropic, educational and evangelical enterprises of his day. Dr. Lyman, of Hatfield, was one of the earliest friends and patrons of the Hampshire Missionary Society, and in 1812 was chosen its President. On the death of Dr. Spring in 1819, he was chosen Vice President of the American Board of Con- missioners, and in 1823 its President. Dr. Worcester, of Salem, also stood eminent among the ablest ministers of New England, as a preacher and an author, an expounder of the Christian faith, and its defender ; and as the Corresponding Secretary of the American Board from its institution till his death in 1821, he contributed, probably, more than any other man to the high and honorable character which it has sustained. Dr. Chapin, of Rocky Hill, was too well known to need any extended no- tice. He was distinguished for exactness, enterprise and hu- mor, and a constant interest in all Christian and benevolent en- terprises. He continued the Recording Secretary of the Board from its organization till near the close of his useful life.
21
MISSIONARIES TO FOREIGN LANDS NECTICUT .*
FROM CON-
NAME.
PLACE OF BIRTH OR
EARLY RESIDENCE. Norwich,
FIELD OF
MISSIONARY LABOR.
China.
Pawnees.
Sandwich Islands.
Woodbury,
Sandwich Islands.
Norwich Town, Armenians.
Mr. Daniel H. Austin,
Winchester, Osages.
Mansfield, Osages.
Mrs. D. H. Austin, (Lydia Hovey.) Mrs. P. Auten, (Lydia Chapman.) Rev. David Avery,
Fairfield, Choctaws.
Franklin, N. Y. Indians.
Rev. David Bacon,
Mrs. David Bacon,
Bethlem,
Mackinaw.
(Alice Parks. ) Rev. D. Baldwin, M. D.,
Mrs. D. Baldwin, (Charlotte Fowler.)
Mrs. Dyer Ball, (Lney H. Mills.)
Mrs. Elias R. Beadle, (Hannah Jones. )
Rev. William A. Benton,
Tolland, Syria.
Rev. Isaac Bird,
Salisbury, Syria.
Rev. William Bird,
Hartford, Syria.
Rev. Lemuel Bissell,
East Windsor, Ahmednuggur.
Abraham Blatcheley, M. D. Madison,
Mrs. A. Blatcheley, (Jemima Marvin.)
Lyme,
Sandwich Islands. 1 Sandwich Islands.
The list of missionaries here given, includes the names of several who went to different Indian tribes before the formation of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions ; also the names of a few who, though not born in Connecticut, spent their youth in the state, made here a profession of their faith, and were mem- bers of our churches at the time of their leaving for their fields of labor. The names of missionaries who were born in other states and who came to Connecticut only for the purpose of education, or who resided here only while they were pursuing their college studies, are not given.
Woodstock, Mackinaw.
Durham, Sandwich Islands.
Northford, Sandwich Islands.
New Haven, Singapore.
Hartford, Syria.
Rev. William Aitchison, Mrs. Samuel Allis, (Emeline Palmer.) Rev. Lorin Andrews, Mrs. S. L. Andrews, (Parnelly Pierce.) Rev. William 'T'. Arms,
155
Foreign Missionaries from Connecticut.
Mrs. A. C. Blunt, (Harriet Ellsworth.)
Rev. H. Bradley,
Mrs. H. Bradley, (Catharine Wheeler.) Rev. D. Brainerd, Haddam,
Rev. J. Brainerd,
Rev. David Breed,
New Haven, Choctaws.
Colchester, Choctaws.
Mrs. Ebenezer Burgess, (Mary Grant.)
Rev. E. Butler, M. D.,
Mrs. E. Butler, (Esther Post.)
Rev. Cyrus Byington,
Mrs. W. Chamberlin, (Flora Hoyt.)
Rev. G. Champion,
Rev. J. E. Chandler,
Mrs. Henry Cherry, (Charlotte H. Lathrop.)
Mrs. H. Cherry, (Jane E. Lathrop.)
Rev. Epaph's Chapman,
Rev. Edward Chester,
Rev. Titus Coan,
Mr. Amos S. Cooke,
Miss Delia Cooke,
New Hartford, Ojibwas.
Franklin,
Choctaws.
Seymour, Syria
Norwich,
Singapore.
Fairfield,
Sandwich Islands.
Norwich, Choctaws.
Danbury,
Cherokees.
Chatham, Cherokees.
Lyme, Sandwich Islands.
Cornwall, Sandwich Islands.
Branford, Delaware Indians.
Rev Stephen Fuller,
Rev. Charles Gager,
Chatham, Cherokees.
East Haven, N. Y. Indians.
Fairfield,
N. Y. Indians.
N. Y. Indians.
Haddam, N. Y. Indians,
Mrs. David Breed, (Sarah A. Griswold,)
Colebrook, Satara.
Norfolk,
Cherokees.
Canaan, Cherokees.
Bristol, Choctaws.
Danbury, Cherokees.
Westchester, Zulus.
N. Woodstock, Madura.
Norwich, Madura.
Bozrah,
Madura.
East Haddam.
New Haven,
Madura.
Killingworth,
Sandwich Islands.
Danbury,
Sandwich Islands.
Mrs. C. C. Copeland, (Cornelia Ladd.) Henry DeForest, M. D. Rev. J. T. Dickinson,
Mr. Henry Dimond,
Miss Lucinda Downer,
Mrs. Sylvester Ellis, (Sarah Hoyt.) Mr. J. C. Ellsworth,
Rev. James Ely,
Mrs. James Ely, (Louisa Everest. ) Rev. Levi Frisbie,
East Haddam. Bozrah.
156
Foreign Missionaries from Connecticut.
Rev. Anson Gleason, Mrs. A. Gleason, (Bethiah W. Tracy.) Rev. J. Goodrich,
Rev. Jona'n S. Green,
Mrs .. J. S. Green, (Theodocia Arnold.)
Rev. Elnathan Gridley,
Mrs Peter J. Gulick, (Fanny II. Thomas.)
Mrs. C. Hall, (Matilda Hotchkiss.)
Mrs. Wm. Hall, (Emeline Gaylord. )
Mrs. Charles Harding, (Julia M. Terry.)
Mrs. Sarah Haskell, (Sarah Brewster.)
Mrs. Allen Hazen, (Martha R. Chapin.)
Mrs. Story Hebard, (Rebecca W. Williams.)
Rev. Abel H. Hinsdale,
Rev. H. R. Hitchcock,
Mrs. J. Hitchcock, (Nancy Brown.)
Mrs. Thomas Holman, (Lucia Ruggles.)
Miss Elizabeth J. Hough,
Rev. A. Hoyt,
Mrs. A. Hoyt, (Esther Booth.)
Mrs. S. Hutchings, (Elizabeth C. Lathrop. )
Mrs. William Hutchison, (Forresta G. Shepherd.)
Rev. Mark Ives,
Mrs. M. Ives, (Mary A. Brainerd.)
Rev. Stephen Johnson,
Rev. Samuel Kirkland,
Mr. H. O. Knapp, Mrs. H. O. Knapp, (Charlotte Close.) Mrs. E. Lathrop, (Cornelia F. Dolbear.) Mrs. J. Y. Leonard, Amelia A. Gilbert.)
Hartford, Lebanon,
Choctaws.
Choctaws.
Wethersfield,
Sandwich Islands.
Lebanon, Sandwich Islands.
Millington, Sandwich Islands.
Farmington, Turkey.
Lebanon, Sandwich Islands.
Cheshire, Stockbridge Ind's.
Norfolk, Senecas.
Plymouth, Bombay.
Norwich,
Assyria.
Somers, Ahmednugger.
Lebanon, Syria.
Torrington, Assyria.
Manchester, Sandwich Islands.
Eastbury, Cherokees.
Brook field, Sandwich Islands.
New Britain,
Choctaws.
Danbury, Cherokees.
Southbury,
Cherokees.
New London, Ceylon.
New Haven,
Turkey.
Goshen, Sandwich Islands.
Haddam, Sandwich Islands.
Griswold, China.
Lisbon, N. Y. Indians.
Greenwich, Sandwich Islands.
Greenwich, Sandwich Islands.
Montville, Choctaws.
New Haven,
Armenians.
157
Foreign Missionaries from Connecticut.
Rev. Charles Little, Rev. H. Lobdell, M. D., Mrs. H. Lobdell, Ridgefield, Assyria. (Lucy C. Williams.) Rev. J. Lockwood, New Haven, Choctaws.
Rev. Nathan L. Lord,
Rev. D. B. Lyman,
Rev. David McClure,
Mrs. Dwight W. March, (Julia W. Peck.)
Mrs. Samuel D. Marsh, (Mary Skinner.] Rev. Samuel J. Mills,
Rev. C. C. Mitchell,
Mrs. C. C. Mitchell, (Eliza A. Richards.) Rev. Samuel Moseley,
Mr. W. H. Manwaring,
Rev. Benjamin C. Meigs,
Mrs. B. C. Meigs, (Sarah M. Peet.)
Rev. J. Miner,
Mr. Eastman S. Minor,
Mr. Samuel Moulton,
Mrs. S. Moulton, (Lucinda Field.)
Mrs. Murgee, (Mary -. )
Rev. Samuel Nott,
Rev. Samuel Occum,
Mr. J. Olmsted,
Ridgefield,
Choctaws.
Branford,
Sandwich Islands.
Mr. Henry Parker,
Litchfield,
Cherokees.
Mrs. H. Parker. (Philena Griffin.)
Rev. M. Palmer, M. D.
Mrs. M. Palmer, (Clarissa Johnson.):
Mrs. M. Palmer, (Jernsha Johnson.)
Mrs. J. W. Parsons, (Catharine Jennings.) Rev. Jolın M. S. Perry,
Columbia, Danbury, Assyria.
Madura.
Norwich, Ceylon.
New Hartford, Sandwich Islands. Delaware Indians.
New Haven, Assyria.
Fairfield, Zulus.
Torringford, Africa.
Groton, Nestorians.
Meridell, Nestorians.
Mansfield,
Choctaws.
Norwich, Cherokees.
Bethlem, Ceylon.
Bethlem, Ceylon.
Guilford, Stockbridge Ind's.
New Haven, Ceylon.
Bolton, Choctaws.
Killingworth, Choctaws.
Lyme, India.
Franklin,
Mahrattas.
Columbia.
Simsbury, Cherokees.
Stanwich, Cherokees.
Colchester, Cherokees.
Colchester, Cherokees.
Derby, Armenians.
Sharon,
Ceylon.
Mrs. Benjamin Parker, (Mary E. Baker.)
158
Foreign Missionaries from Connecticut.
Mrs. J. M. S. Perry, (Harriet J. Lathrop.)
Rev. Benj. Parsons,
Fairfield,
Armenians.
Rev. Gideon H. Pond,
Washington, Sioux.
Rev. S. W. Pond,
Washington, Dakotas.
Washington, Dakotas.
Rev. Rollin Porter,
Somers,
Gaboon.
Mrs. Rollin Porter,
Somers,
Gaboon.
(Nancy A.
Rev. William Potter,
Lisbon,
Cherokees.
Mrs. W. Potter. (Laura Weld.)
Hampton, Cherokees.
Rev. A. T. Pratt, M. D.
Berlin,
Armenians.
Mrs. A. T. Pratt,
New Haven, Armenians.
(Sarah F. Goodyear.)
Mrs. Wm. C. Requa, (Susan Comstock.)
Rev. Elijah Robbins,
Mrs. E. Robbins, (Adaline Bissell.)
Mrs. Samuel P. Robbins, (Martha R. Pierec.)
Miss Emily Root,
Mr. Samuel Ruggles,
Brookfield, Sandwich Islands.
East Windsor,
Sandwich Islands.
Plymouth, Ojibwas.
Huntington,
Madura.
Stonington, Syria.
Wethersfield, Sandwich Islands.
Glastenbury, Choctaws.
Manchester, Choctaws.
Northford,
Syria.
Norwich,
Syria.
Berlin, Oregon.
West Hartford.
Norwich, Choctaws.
New Canaan, China.
Middletown, Nestorians.
Weston,
Nestorians.
Mrs. C. S. Sherman, (Martha E. Williams.)
Rev. Wm. C. Shipman,
Miss Pamela Skinner,
Miss Juliette Slate,
Rev. Eli Smith, D. D. Mrs. E. Smith,
(Sarah L. Huntington.)
Mrs. Henry H. Spaulding, (Eliza Hart.) Rev. S. M. Spencer,
Miss Eunice Starr,
Rev. Edwin Stevens,
Rev. W. R. Stocking, Mrs. W. R. Stocking, (Jerusha E. Gilbert.)
Wilton, Osages.
Thompson,
Zulus.
Rockwell, Zulus.
Enfield, Siam.
Farmington,
N. Y. Indians.
Mrs. Samuel Ruggles, (Nancy Wells.)
Rev. J. L. Seymour,
Charles S. Shelton, M. D.
Norwich,
Ceylon.
Mrs. S. W. Pond, (Rebecca Smith.)
159
Foreign Missionaries from Connecticut.
Rev. Seth B. Stone,
Madison, Zulus.
Rev. John C. Strong,
Granby, Choctaws.
Stamford,
Sandwich Islands.
West Hartford, Madura.
Hartford, Turkey.
Mr. W. A. Thayer,
Mrs. W. A. Thayer, (Susan Whiting.)
Rev. J. L. Thompson,
Miss Cynthia 'Thrall,
Rev. R. Tinker,
Hartford, Sandwich Islands.
Manchester, Choctaws.
Mrs. E. S. Town, (Hannah E. Cone.) Miss Susan Tracy,
Rev. William Tracy,
Rev. William F. Vaill,
Hadlyme, Osages.
Hadlyme, Osages. -
Hartford, Turkey.
Hartford, Turkey.
Lebanon, Sandwich Islands.
Branford, Sandwich Islands.
Salisbury,
Sandwich Islands.
New Preston, Ceylon.
Norwich,
Madras.
Harwinton,
Sandwich Islands.
Norfolk,
Sandwich Islands.
Winchester, Choctaws.
East Windsor, Syria. Choctaws.
Columbia,
Roxbury, N. Y. Indians.
Colebrook. N. Y. Indians.
Montville, Cyprus.
Windsor, Cherokees.
Norwich, Choctaws.
Norwich, Madura.
Mrs. W. F. Vaill, (Asenath Selden.)
Mrs. H. J. Van Lennep, (Mary E. Hawes.) Mrs. H. J. Van Lennep, (Emily F. Bird.)
C. H. Wetmore, M. D.,
Rev. Samuel Whitney,
Rev. E. Whittlesey,
Rev. S. G. Whittlesey,
Mrs. Miron Winslow, (Harriet W. Lathrop.) Mr. Abner Wilcox, Mrs. A. Wilcox, (Lucy E. Hart.) Mrs. L. S. Williams, (Matilda Loomis.)
Rev. Samuel Wolcott,
Rev. A. Wright,
Mrs. Charles L. Stewart, (Harriet Tiffany.) Rev. H. S. Taylor, Mrs. D. Temple, (Eliza Hart. )
CORNWALL MISSION SCHOOL.
At the meeting of the Board for Foreign Missions in 1816, it was resolved that a school for the education of foreign youths should be established in this country, and a committee of seven were appointed to carry out the design of the Board in this respect. The committee met October 29th, 1816, in New Ha- ven, at the house of Dr. Dwight, and adopted a constitution, in which the object of the school, and the means for securing the object were specified. The object of the school was stated to be " to educate heathen youth in such a manner, that with fu- ture professional studies they might be qualified for mission- aries, schoolmasters, interpreters and physicians among heathen nations ; and to communicate such information in agriculture and the arts as should tend to promote Christianity and civil- ization." To carry out this design, a farm and suitable build- ings were to be provided for the practice of agricultural pur- suits ; the useful branches of education were to be taught, and also the leading truths of the Christian religion. Accordingly a farm was purchased at Cornwall, suitable buildings erected, and a school commenced about the first of May, 1817, with twelve pupils.
Rev. Herman Daggett, of New Canaan, for several years a pastor on Long Island, and also a teacher of academies in dif- ferent places, was soon thought of as a suitable person to be placed at the head of it ; but as he was detained by his engage- ment in the academy at New Canaan, Mr. Edwin W. Dwight, of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, took his place for one year. Mr. Daggett, at his inauguration, in May, 1818, delivered an address. Gov. Treadwell also made an address ; and Rev. Joseph Harvey, of Goshen, preached a sermon. All of these were published in connection with the memoirs of Obookiah. Considering the great variety of taste, disposition, age, lan- guage and character of the pupils, a more difficult task can hardly be conceived than the management of such a school ; and Mr. Daggett, by his great kindness and wisdom suc-
161
Cornwall Mission School.
ceeded in giving to the school a very harmonious char- acter, and in rendering it for a season, the instrument of no inconsiderable usefulness. His pupils were greatly attached to him, and not a few of them thought to have been radically and permanently benefitted by his influence. But Mr. Daggett's health gave way, and his connection with the school ceased in a little less than six years. Being thus obliged to retire from all public service, he still resided in Cornwall about eight years lon- ger, and died in March, 1832. Rev. Amos Bassett, D. D., who had just left the pastorate at Hebron, (subsequently settled at Monroe,) succeeded Mr. Daggett in 1824, and continued in charge of the school, till it was disbanded. Dr. Bassett died in 1828, having been a member of the corporation of Yale College from 1810. He was an excellent scholar, a sensible and solemn preacher, and especially distinguished for the grav- ity of his deportment, and for godly simplicity and sincerity. Rev. Herman L. Vaill, now of Litchfield, was for a time an assistant in the school.
The Prudential Committee reported in 1817, that the condi- tion of the school was highly satisfactory ; five of the scholars were from the Sandwich Islands ; four of whom were hope- fully pious and exemplary in their conduct ; Henry Obookiah was of the number. For several following years the school seems to have grown in numbers, and in the confidence and regard of the Christian public. The reports of the Prudential Committee for the successive years indicate a satisfactory pro- gress in the various branches of education, and an encouraging degree of interest in spiritual things.
The committee in their report for the year 1821 say, " The expectations of the community are surpassed-the history of its progress is such as to encourage the education of heathen youth, and it is hoped that the number of scholars may be greatly increased through the agency of our commerce, which extends to all parts of the world." The conduct of the scholars was declared good, and their progress in study commendable.
In 1822 the whole number of scholars was thirty-four, of whom twenty-nine were heathen, representing more than half as many different nations and tribes. There were natives of Su- matra, China, Bengal, Hindostan, Mexico, New Zealand ; of the
22
162
Cornwall Mission School.
Society, Sandwich and Marquesas Islands, the Isles of Greece and the Azores ; and from among the North American Indians, there were Cherokees, Choctaws, Osages, Oneidas, Tuscaroras, Senecas, and of the St. Regis tribe, in Canada. In age they ranged from mere childhood to adult years. The languages which they spoke rivalled in number, those which were heard at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Though the ends of the school were secured, and its general interests were remarkably sustained amid all the difficulties attending it; yet it became, after a few years, obnoxious to public censure,-perhaps to an undue measure of prejudice,-on account of the intermarriage of two or three Indians with respectable young ladies in the neighborhood. In 1825 the Prudential Committee raised the question whether the school should be continued. It had answered the expectations of its friends, but the relations of the Board with foreign lands had changed, so that the reasons which led to the establishment of the school had lost their force. It was thought best, however, to continue it for the present, but without special effort to increase its numbers.
The committee appointed in 1827 for investigating the whole subject, reported that the school be discontinued. Their rea- son was not that the school in itself was a failure, but that the objects which it was designed to secure could now be se- cured better in some other way. Schools had now become es- tablished at the various Missions. Natives could be educated at these schools cheaper, and with a better prospect of being di- rectly engaged in the service of the Missions. Besides, there were difficulties in educating them here, arising from the curi- osity of the public from visiting, and consequently too much diversion from their studies and pursuits.
In view of these and various other reasons the Board thought best to discontinue the school, though not regretting the estab- lishment and continuance of it thus far.
For full accounts of the origin, progress and results of the School, see Missionary Herald, and Reports of the Board, 1816-1827 ; and for notices of Mr. Daggett and Dr. Bassett see Dr. Sprague's Annals, vol. 2, page 291, and Dr. Allen's Bi- ographical Dietionary.
CONGREGATIONAL HOME MISSIONS IN CONNECTICUT.
BY REV. HORACE HOOKER, HARTFORD.
Connecticut, from the character of its founders and their aim in its settlement, ought to be, and in fact to a good degree has been a misssionary State.
First in order, we may reckon the attempts at different times to Christianize the native tribes within the limits of the colony. For our present purpose, it is enough to say that these attempts were both more numerous and successful than is generally supposed.
The next exhibition of the home missionary spirit, as it would now be regarded, was by " divers ministers in the eastern part of the colony, who, early in the last century, were at the pains and charge of going and preaching in the town of Provi- dence, R. I., by turns." In 1722, " the Association of New London County petitioned Gov. Saltonstall to grant a brief for contributions in so many towns and congregations as his wis- dom should see meet," for the support of preaching in that place. In 1724, the General Court, upon application, allowed a brief to " be emitted " to " encourage the building and finish- ing of a meeting house in Providence"-the beginning of that care of Connecticut for her " little sister," which has been ex- ercised so beneficially in later days.
In 1774, the General Association recommended subscriptions among the people for supporting missionaries " to the scattered back settlements in the wilderness to the northwestward," in what is now Vermont and the northern part of New York These settlements, to a large extent, were composed of emi- grants from Connecticut. Rev. Messrs. Williams of Northford, Goodrich of Durham, and Trumbull of North Haven, were chosen a committee to receive funds and supply the place of missionaries, when those appointed by the General Association failed. Rev. Messrs. Taylor of New Milford, Waterman of Wallingford, and Bliss of Ellington, were selected as missiona-
164
Home Missions in Connecticut.
ries, to spend five or six months on a missionary tour, " if the committee are able to provide for their support so long." The war of the revolution interrupted the scheme and the growth of the settlements.
In 17SS, the subject came again before the General Associa- tion, in consequence of an address by New Haven West As- sociation ; and Rev. Messrs. Jonathan . Edwards, Timothy Dwight, Joseph Huntington and Cotton M. Smith, were chosen a committee to consider and report what was proper to be done in the matter. It was again before the General Association in 1791. In 1792, Middlesex County Association having report- ed to the General Association that they had appointed Rev. Mr. Vaill as missionary to the new settlements, the General Association voted its approval of the measure, and a commit- tee was chosen to ask liberty from the General Assembly to take up collections in the churches for the support of missiona- ries in this service. In 1793, it was voted that the missiona- ries spend four months on their tours. Pastors were allowed $5.00 per week for their services and $4.00 per week for sup- plying their pulpits in their absence. For several succeeding years, a Committee of Missions was appointed by the General Association-annual contributions were taken up in our churches-and numbers of missionaries entered the field- chiefly pastors, who left their flocks, temporarily, to minister to the destitute in the wilderness.
What, at that time, were the location and condition of the ever shifting West, may be gathered from the directions given by the Committee of Missions to one of the missionaries, [Rev. Aaron Kinne,] " to go north and south of the Mohawk river, in Otsego and Herkimer counties, as far westward as there are settlements proper to be visited." In 1793, a misssionary from Connecticut held the " first regular meeting ever attended," at Manlius, in the center of New York, and the next day, another at Pompey, ten miles further south, also "the first ever at- tended " there. Finding the settlements, to use his own language, " more numerous than had been suspected," he ven- tured to deviate from the course prescribed in his instructions, that he might be able to give to the committee, composed of such men as the younger President Edwards and Dr. Trum-
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