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Board of World Missions. Records, 1857-1980.

 Collection
Identifier: W88-0301

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of annual reports (1857-1968); foreign mission conference proceedings (1899-1944); materials from individual missions; articles and serial publications; minutes; photographs; and booklets and brochures associated with the RCA Board of World Missions. Materials also include the board constitution; manuals; a memoriam for Isaac Chamberlain; publications; missionary address list; missionary profiles; and a facsimile program for an 1864 ceremony at Holland’s Black Lake, entitled “Laying the Keel.”

Dates

  • Creation: 1857 - 1980

History

The Board of Foreign (later, World) Missions was organized by the General Synod in 1832. The board was under the direction of the RCA but was also under the authority of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. David Abeel led the first mission of the RCA to the island of Borneo in the Dutch East Indies in 1836. This mission was largely a failure and a new one was begun in Amoy, China, in 1842. Another successful mission was founded in 1853 in Arcot, India. Missions to Japan, Arabia, and Mesopotamia followed in the decades to come. In 1857 the board broke away from its ties with the American Board of Missions and established independent missions. Under its new name, the board is still active.

Extent

4.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Dutch; Flemish

Abstract

The Board of Foreign Missions (later, World Missions) was organized by the General Synod in 1832. The board was under the direction of the RCA but was also under the authority of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. David Abeel led the first mission of the RCA to the island of Borneo in the Dutch East Indies in 1836. Missions also sprouted in four primary target areas: Japan, India, China, and Arabia. In 1857, the board broke away from its ties with the American Board of Missions and established independent missions. Under its current name, the board is still active. This collection consists of annual reports (1857-1968); foreign mission conference proceedings (1899-1944); materials from individual missions; articles and serial publications; minutes; photographs; and booklets and brochures. Materials also include a large cloth map of Asia (1896); the board constitution; a memoriam for Isaac Chamberlain; missionary address list; missionary profiles; and a facsimile program for an 1864 ceremony at Holland's Black Lake, entitled "Laying the Keel."

Photographs

2 images (Box 2)

Provenance

Western Theological Seminary

Status
Completed
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Hope College Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Van Wylen Library
53 Graves Place
Holland Michigan 49423 United States
616-395-7798