MILLS, SAMUEL Joi, Jr., 1783-1818; b. Conn.; graduated at Williams college in 1809. While in college he formed an association among those students who were con sidering the question of entering upon foreign missionary work. After spending a short time in the study of theology at New Haven, he entered Andover theological seminary in. 1810, where, being deeply impressed with the importance of foreign missions, he endeav ored to awaken the same spirit among his fellow-students. With Judson, Flail, Newell, and Nott he united in a memorial to the General association of Massachusetts (Congre gational), which resulted in the formation of the American board of commissioners for foreign missions. He was licensed to preach in 1812, and spent two years in mission -work in the southern and western states with -Messrs. Schermerhorn and Smith. On his return he was ordained June 21, 1815. He published an account of his tour. Finding great destitution of the Bible in those states, he suggested at the close of his report the formation of a national Bible society, which resulted in the organization of the Ameri can Bible society. To him was due the formation of the Mated foreign mission society,
and also the African school at Parsippany near Newark. Through his exertions in con junction with Dr. Finley, the American colonization society was formed in 1817, and he was appointed with Dr. Burgess to visit England in behalf of the society, and to explore the west coast of Africa for a suitable site for a colony of colored people from America. He sailed in Nov., 1817, and wonderfully escaped shipwreck on the coast of France. Embarking from England for Africa Feb. 2, 1818, he arrived on the coast Mar. 12. After faithfully exploring it, he embarked for the United States in the brig Success May 22, 1818. Having taken a severe cold which was followed by fever, he died at sea June 16. He is called the " father of foreign missions in America." A memoir of him was published by the Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring.