Letter of Calvin Yale (1815) Showing the Interests of This Society

Theological Seminary Andover,

Sept. 27, 1815.

The Society of Inquiry on the Subject of Missions, to the Reverend Messrs. Hall, Newell & Not!, at Bombay

Beloved Brethren:—

At this time, when five of our number, are going forth to strengthen your hands, in the missionary work, we deem it our duty, by a friendly letter, also, to encourage your hearts. . . .

The members of this Society have not been the unmoved spectators of your example: they have not been unsolicitous about your welfare. From the time of your departure from these shores, they waited in anxiety the intelligence of your safe arrival in India. . . .

We say not this to flatter you, for it is well known, that God may choose the weakest instruments to perform his work, and that all your strength is in him; but we say it for your encouragement, and assurance, that altho your eyes should be closed in death, without having witnessed the conversion of a single heathen, your labour will not be in vain. Yet neither we, nor you can feel that enough is done, while ignorance, superstition and idolatry reign throughout so large a portion of our world.

The following we state as a summary of interesting topics, concerning which you will be able to collect ample information from the publications sent you.

The efforts and success—of Bible Societies—Domestic & Foreign Mission Societies—Tract Societies—Moral Societies—Female Cent Societies, and other charitable associations—and the lately organized Societies for the education of pious young men for the Gospel ministry. You will also obtain information of the establishment and success of the American Baptist Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions—of the flourishing state of Colleges, revivals of religion in many of them; Princeton, Yale, Dartmouth & Williams: & the establishment of two new Colleges, Hamilton and Alleghany—of the numerous and powerful visitations of the Holy Spirit, in many towns & parishes in New England, fifty-two of which might be named in Connecticut alone; also in New Jersey & some parts of the State of New York. You will see the vast fields for missionary labour within the bounds of the United States. You will notice with pleasure the establishment of the monthly concert for prayer, that God would grant success to his work, in Christian and especially in heathen lands. You will observe the establishment of a Theological Seminary at Princeton, N. Jersey—and we might mention also a "Society of Inquiry" & that several of its members, have actually devoted themselves to the cause of foreign Missions.

In view of these things, Dear Brethren, you will with the Psalmist, & with us exclaim, "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice." You will with us anticipate the time when these benevolent efforts, & this concert of prayer, shall extend thro’ out the whole habitable globe, when its object shall not be the extension of the Redeemer’s glory to the heathen, but its consummation in the hearts of all men.

We look for the smiles of the divine Saviour on our united exertions. We supplicate the influences of the Holy Spirit, that we all may promote the great object of evangelizing the world, while some of us, as individuals, with you, may be immediately instrumental of turning many heathen from the worship of dumb idols, to serve the living God.

Receive, beloved Brethren, our most cordial Christian salutation.

In behalf of the Society

CALVIN YALE, Corresponding Secretary.