Formation

In 1806 a group of Williams College students lead by Samuel J. Mills formed “The Brethren” whose object was to effect in the persons of its members a mission or missions to the heathen. The Brethren became a deep force for missions in Williams College and afterward at Andover Seminary upon the matriculation  of its founding members. These members had been influenced by the teachings of their church, many of whom were raised in evangelist families. As a group Mills and his peers vowed to a life-time commitment of foreign missions. In the summer of 1810 a letter was presented at the General Association of Massachusetts in which the members of The Brethren along with area ministers and college faculty sought the support of a Missionary Society in the region to alleviate the financial burden that a venture such as foreign missions would incur. After days of debate and discussion the American Board of Comissions for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) was established.