care of Apostolical men in all ages downwards, to execute that commission for the good of souls, and the honour of their Blessed Redeemer.

How the primitive preachers of it succeeded in the discharge of their great trust in the earlier days of Christianity, we have a glorious account in the sacred writings, where we find that whilst they were acted by "one and the same Spirit," the power of the Gospel was wonderfully advanced by them; 'twas no sooner risen, but like the sun, its emblem, it shone forth even upon the remotest parts of the then known world, "giving light to them which sate in darkness, and in the shadow of death." But when we observe in after-times the frequent eclipses it underwent, and the strange declensions it suffer'd thro' the corruptions and dissension of those that succeeded in the later ages, 'twould afford matter for very melancholy reflections, should we too nicely enquire how our most holy religion, which in fifty days after the Resurrection of our Lord, was proclaimed at Jerusalem to men of all the nations, and in all the languages under Heaven; doth now at more than fifteen hundred years distance, thro' the prevailing influences of Judaism, Mahometanism, and Paganism, bear no larger a proportion to those other professions than that of V. to XXV. no more than which is allow'd it by the most accurate computation in its utmost latitude, as it comprehends the Eastern, the Latin, and the Protestant Communions at this day.

To recover the ground lost, and for the better promoting the great ends of Providence, in reducing all denominations to one fold, whether Jews or Gentiles, there have been many and zealous attempts for the conversion of Infidels in these last times.

The Church of Rome, whose emissaries compass sea and land to gain proselytes, boasts much of her Spanish, Portuguese, French, and several other missions, by which it must be confess'd, that the name and profession of Christianity hath indeed been inlarged, but mixed with such gross corruptions as very eminent persons amongst themselves have deservedly complained of, whilst the Reformed Churches of Holland, Sweden, Denmark, &c. have done more, though with less pomp, and under far less happy opportunities.

England we must confess hath been too much wanting to her self in this great concern, from whom more might have been expected, as enjoying more of the special favours of

God, under a clearer light of the Gospel than many other nations; but the concurrence of many unhappy circumstances under which we have long laboured, hath obstructed the willing endeavours of many able and pious persons, who would often and heartily have come into this Evangelical work; but this noble design seem'd, by the special providence of God, to be reserved for so favourable a season, when many other pious and charitable works are carrying on in this kingdom.

'Twas during the reign of King William III. that this glorious design for advancing the kingdom of the Blessed Jesus was first effectually set on foot, who was no sooner informed by some whose hearts God had stirr'd up for this extraordinary undertaking, That in many of our Plantations. Colonies and Factories beyond the Seas, the Provision for Ministers was bery mean; and many others of our Plantations, Colonies and Factories were wholly destitute and unprovided of a Maintenance for Ministers and the Publick Worship of God; and that for lack of Support and Main= tenance for such, many wanted the Administration of God's Word and Sacraments, and seem'd to be abandon'd to Atheism and Infidelity; and also that for want of Learned and Orthodox Ministers to instruct others of His Subjects in the Principles of true Religion, divers Romish Priests and Jesuits were the more encouraged to perbert and draw them over to Popish Superstition and Edolatry, but he immediately erected a Society or Corporation, consisting of many eminent personages in Church and State, as well as of a considerable number of others of almost all ranks and professions, to carry on so glorious a design; at the head of whom appear our Metropolitans of both provinces, the most Reverend Fathers in God, Thomas Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, and John Lord Archbishop of York, with the Right Reverend Father in God, Henry Lord Bishop of London, to whose jurisdiction the most of those places do belong.

The Society thus constituted, after adjusting preliminaries, as the choice of Officers, such were the President, Vice-President, Treasurers, Auditors, Secretary, &c. appointment of Deputies in the Counties to take Subscriptions, settling of By-laws and Orders for their more regular proceeding in a matter of such consequence; and admission of New-Members, (as they were empowered by the Charter to call in such to their assistance from time to time, who might appear useful men,) applied

it self diligently to the great work in hand, which had soon met with a fatal period by the lamented decease of its founder, had not the good providence of God bless'd us with an equal successor to the important affairs of religion as well as state, our gracious QUEEN ANNE, who, upon an Address for her protection from the whole body of the Corporation, was pleased, in the most favourable manner, to express her self thus.

I SHALL BE ALWAYS READY TO DO MY PART TOWARDS PROMOTING AND ENCOURAGING SO GOOD A WORK.

The Society being thus encouraged by the assurances of Her Majesty's royal favour, (who had beforehand declared her approbation of what they are now doing, by her princely munificence, when the affair was in private hands only) the work has gone on ever since, by God's blessing, with greater success than could reasonably be expected; Correspondencies are begun abroad, Deputations settling at home, many Subscriptions made,

several Benefactions brought in, and divers prudential ways and means taken for the conversion of Indians, and settling the state of religion in Her Majesty's Foreign Domisions; by supplying with able and good Ministers the natives as well as English; appointing Catechists and Schoolmasters for the slaves with other ignorant persons; and sending over select Libraries for the improvement of the Clergy, as well as practical treatises for the edification of the laity.

And at the same time, it has pleased God to raise up a spirit of zeal in many of the Plantations for promoting this great and good work.

What has been done as to the several particulars mentioned, appears from the view annex'd, extracted from the journals, memorials, and letters of the Society; whence may be easily gather'd how the Society has endeavoured to answer the great trust reposed in them to the satisfaction of unprejudiced persons.