Excerpt from Christian Researches in Asia: With Notices of the Translation of the Scriptures Into the Oriental Languages The publisher considers that he cannot perform a more grateful service to his liberal customers, than, (in addition to what was promised,) to present them with the following concise account of the Origin and Progress of the American Mission to the Heathen in Asia. It seems proper that, in this place, some account should be given of the origin and progress of that Missionary zeal, which has issued in sending messengers of peace to publish the Gospel in the eastern hemisphere. it has been often said, within a few years past, that Christians in America ought to support missions among the heathen in Africa or Asia; but the writer of these paragraphs is not able to state, whether any young man of suitable education seriously thought of engaging personally in such a mission, earlier than about four years ago. About that time some of the young men mentioned just below, while pursuing their studies in different places, and unacquainted with each other, made miss us among the heathen a subject of deliberate and prayerful contemplation, and resolved to devote themselves to this service, should Providence prepare the way. They considered it doubtful, however, whether they should have an opportunity of engaging in this employment; and, in the mean-time, they sedulously examined, and re-examined the subject, and used every advantage in their power to gain information respecting the state of the heathen, and the encouragement to preach the Gospel among them. In the spring of 1810, these young gentlemen, with others who joined them, disclosed their views to the Professors in the Theological Seminary at Andover, where they were then prosecuting their studies. In June following they applied for advice and direction to the General Association of Massachusetts Proper, then sitting at Bradford. The application was made in writing, and signed by Messrs. Adoniram Judson, Samuel Nott, Samuel J. Mills, and Samuel Newell. They state the history of their views and feelings on the subject, and make several inquiries, with respect to which they solicit the advice of their fathers in the church. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.