English Baptist Missionary Society.

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East Indies.—A mission was commenced at Serampore in 1793. The English Baptists were just awakening to a sense of their responsibility for the conversion of the world, when Dr. Thomas arrived in London, to solicit missionary aid for Hindoostan. The society took him under their patronage, and sent him back in company with Dr. Cary. After laboring successfully in various places, in 1800 Dr. Cary removed to Serampore, which thenceforward became a central station.

West Indian Missions.—In 1814, a mulatto preacher, named Baker, requested this society to send a missionary to Jamaica. In compliance with this request, Mr. I. Rowe was sent out, who, after laboring with pleasing success, died; and, in 1815, the society sent out Mr. Compere and assistants, who established a mission in Kingston. This was the origin of the Baptist missions in the West Indies.

South American Mission.—On a representation to the society, that much good might be done among the negro population and the Indians in and around Honduras, in the Bay of Mexico, the society, in 1822, sent out Mr. J. Bourne, who succeeded in establishing a church and congregation.

South African Mission.—In 1831, Rev. W. Davies was sent to Graham's Town, at the urgent solicitation of some Baptists, resident at that place.

Summary.

This society have, in Asia, the Asiatic Islands, West Indies, South America, and South Africa, one hundred and twenty-nine stations and out-stations, one hundred and thirty-four missionaries and assistants, twenty-two thousand four hundred and eighty-eight communicants, and seventeen thousand seven hundred and thirty-five scholars. This statement does not contain the full amount of their labors to the present year.

[pg 340]

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