American Board Of Foreign Missions.
Missions in Asia.—The news of the success of English missionary enterprise, seconded by the zeal and influence of S. J. Mills, originated the germ of the invaluable labors of this board, which was organized in 1810. Their first missions were in Asia. Bombay was the scene of their first labors, in the year 1813, and Messrs. Nott, Newell, and Hall, their first missionaries. From Bombay they extended their influence to Ceylon, in 1816; to China, and South-eastern Asia, and to Siam, in 1830.
Mediterranean Missions.—These missions were begun by sending out Messrs. Parsons and Fisk on a voyage of research. The first station occupied was Beyroot, in Syria, in 1823. To this, stations at Malta, in Greece, at Constantinople, &c., have been added.
Missions at the Sandwich Islands.—A special providence marked the commencement of these missions. Two boys, named Obookiah and Hopu, were, at their own request, brought to America. This gave rise to a train of interesting circumstances, which led to the commencement of the mission, in 1820, by Messrs. Bingham, Thurston, and others. Vast success has attended this mission, especially of late.
North American Indian Missions.—These were commenced in 1816, among the Cherokees, by the Rev. C. Kingsbury. The Choctaws, the Chickasaws, the Osages, and other tribes, have since shared the labors of the board. The late unhappy removal of the Cherokee nation has done much towards the prostration of missionary success among that interesting but deeply-injured tribe.
Missions in Africa.—The efforts of the board in this quarter of the globe are of recent date. Only seven years have elapsed since their commencement. Some native towns on the western coast, and a numerous aboriginal tribe called the Zulus, on the south-east shore, are the chief objects of their labors at present. This field is considered very [pg 337] promising, and it is confidently believed that its occupation will be one effectual aid in the great work of regenerating that darkened, enslaved, and degraded continent.
In 1841, this board had missions to the Zulus in South Africa, the Grebos in West Africa, to Greece, to Turkey, Syria, the Nestorians of Persia, the Independent Nestorians, the Persian Mahometans, to the Mahrattas in Western India, to Madras and Madura in Southern India, to Ceylon, Siam, China Singapore, Borneo, and to the Sandwich Islands.
They have missions to the Cherokee Indians, the Choctaws, Pawnees, to the Oregon Indians, the Sioux, Ojibwas, Stockbridge Indians, New York Indians, and to the Abenaquis.
Summary Of Foreign Missions.
The number of missions in this department is seventeen; of stations, sixty-one; of ordained missionaries, one hundred and eleven, five of whom are also physicians; of physicians, seven; of teachers, eight; of secular superintendents, two; of printers, eleven; of bookbinders, one; of female helpers, married and unmarried, one hundred and thirty-nine;—making a total of laborers beyond sea from this country of two hundred and eighty. To these add four native preachers, and one hundred and thirty-five other native helpers, and the number of laborers who are employed and supported by the board in the missions beyond sea, is four hundred and nineteen.