Students Who Changed the World – Samuel J. Mills

Samuel J. Mills, Jr. (1783-1818)

Raised in Connecticut, Mills came to faith in Jesus Christ through the Great Awakening that impacted his church. His concern for sharing the good news of Jesus with others was evident from this life-changing conversion.

Mills attended Williams College in Massachusetts. Although described as “awkward” with a “croaking sort of voice,” Mills became a leader within the students concerned with spiritual matters at the college.

When returning from a prayer meeting by the banks of a river in August, 1806, Mills and four other students were caught in a thunderstorm. They sought out cover under a haystack, and began praying about an awakening in foreign missionary service amongst students. After praying, Mills and the others dedicated themselves to foreign missionary service.

Mills was pivotal in starting a group at Williams College called The Society of the Brethren that influenced many students toward foreign missionary service. Similar groups were started on other campuses as students transferred or word spread.

While studying at Andover Theological Seminary, Mills and a few other students petitioned that a foreign missionary sending board be established by the General Association of Congregational Churches in 1810. Within two years, significant numbers of foreign missionaries were sent out from the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

Concerned about the social situation of American slaves, Mills explored possibilities of repatriating former slaves to African countries. In 1817, Mills surveyed land in present-day Liberia for this project. When returning home on the sea, he contracted a sickness and died at the age of 35 in 1818.