never to allow a church to be built, until | Turkish council then assembled; and it a regular report has been obtained, cer- was received with a burst of approbation tifying that the site is in a Christian from all the members, one of them sayquarter of the city, distant from mosques and Turkish dwellings. To-day we have obtained such a report; and by means of it we hope to secure a firman for the erection of a church, which is daily becoming more and more necessary. Mr. Schneider wrote in January last that six hundred and sixty dollars had been subscribed for the erection of this edifice. Such a fact demonstrates the extent of the interest which is felt in the gospel. 29. The individual whom we sent to accompany Mr. and Mrs. Dunmore to Diarbekr, has returned. He brings a favorable report from Oorfa, where he spent several days. It appears that little companies, amounting in all to some thirty, come every Sabbath to the house of our native brother for inquiry. During the week, and especially in the evening, such visitors are frequent. The young Armenian above referred to is very active and zealous; and his influence is salutary. The spirit of inquiry is evidently spreading. In an interview which our brother had with several persons, he found a man of influence and respectability who manifested a deep interest in the truth. He listened for about half an hour, as our brother pressed upon his consideration the things pertaining to his spiritual welfare, shedding tears quite freely. Protestant Honesty -The Power of the Word. The subjoined extract shows that the reformation among the Armenians is destined to exert a great and salutary influence upon the Mohammedans. ing, "These Protestants will bring to nought the Armenian nation, seeing they adhere so strictly to truth and honesty." The judge remitted one-third of his just claim. One of our church members recently found a silver watch-chain. Though he is very poor, and even dependent, he advertised the lost article, placing it in the hands of a Protestant silver-smith for the owner. In a few days it was identified and restored. When the facts became known, they created not a little remark, every Armenian declaring that if the finder had been one of their own number, he never would have returned the article. 24. There is a part of the city on which Protestantism has as yet made comparatively little impression. One of our church members had occasion to go thither on some business; and while attending to it an Armenian woman, alluding to another quarter where many follows: "The other day I was in that Protestants live, spake substantially as quarter; and they meet together, and read the Bible. How sweet it was to listen to it! Would that we could have But the people the same thing here. spend their time in listening to idle stories." Another Armenian who attended our services last Sabbath, was so much affected by what he heard, that he said, "I shall not come again to hear preaching; for if I do, I am sure I shall become a Protestant." A man from Biredgik on the Euphrates, who had never attended any of our services, was also present. He afterwards expressed both his surprise and his satisfaction, saying, that he had never heard anything but evil of the Protestants; but now he perceived how much they had been slandered, and that our preaching was all true, and such as was not heard from their own Vartabeds. The December 9. According to Turkish law, when both parents of a family have deceased, their property is appraised by the judge for the benefit of the surviving children, he receiving a certain per cent- Many incidents of this general charage for his trouble. An Armenian died acter are constantly occurring. recently, two of whose sons are Protest- spirit of inquiry continues active among ants, and two Armenians, and left his the Armenians; and many and various family in this condition. His property are the accounts of interviews and diswas appraised, therefore; but the two cussions which give a very encouraging sons of the Armenian faith concealed a view of the state of the Armenian mind. part of it, so as to avoid paying the cus-Men who were once most bitterly optomary fees. The consciences of the posed to us, have become wonderfully Protestant brothers not allowing them to softened down; and others who would participate in the sin, they gave informa- not formerly look at the subject of spirtion of the fraud. When the fact was itual religion, are now more made known to the judge, he was in the friendly. or less A Scene at Antioch-Kessab. Two of the Aintab brethren recently went to Antioch; but they were not permitted to labor without opposition. The following narrative will be read with interest. 30. One of our brethren had a conversation with an Armenian from a village near Antioch; and as he was interested in the truths which he heard, he began to spread them abroad; so that they came to the ears of the principal Armenian of the city, who has a seat in the Turkish council. This man, on meeting our brother in the street, began to address him in a boisterous tone, and accused him of having come to Antioch to disturb the peace, &c. The Armenian then went to the Gov After the council had asked our brother a great many more questions, he took his leave. As all this occurred before the council, and became a matter of public notoriety, it had a very salutary effect on the cause of truth. The following extract is in the highest degree cheering and encouraging. After these events our brethren proceeded to Kessab, where they were received with great joy by the small band of Protestants. The boldness and freedom of the latter showed great progress, and gave our friends not a little joy. For the first six days they were conifested the most earnest and unwearied stantly engaged with inquirers, who maninterest in divine truth. Seeing such an extraordinary state of things, they ernor, and lodged a complaint. A police ceased not, day or night, to answer their officer forthwith conducted our brother inquiries and declare to them the word of to the head of the police, who ordered God. They were generally unable to him to appear before the council. The retire much before midnight. Indeed so Governor asked him why he quarreled arduous were their labors the first week, with the Armenian. Hereupon he asked that each feared lest the other should leave of the council to explain the mat- become sick by reason of excessive ter; and he soon made it to appear, much labor. More than thirty male adults to the confusion of the other, that the attended their meetings, besides some charges against him were utterly false. females. The commencement of such Next the Armenian tried to convict our a work in Kessab is most happy, it being friend of some iniquity in his business, the centre of influence to more than of which he had some to transact in seven thousand Greeks and eight thouAntioch; but with no better success. sand Armenians in the immediate vicinThen it was pretended that he had long ity. Humanly speaking there is every been in the city disturbing the peace; prospect that the work will now go on but an inspection of his passport proved without any serious interruption from that he had but recently arrived; and so violent persecutions. Henceforth we this device failed. shall always keep one of our native As our brother asked permission to helpers there. But whence is the orretire, the Armenian accused him of dained preacher or missionary to come, being an unbeliever in all religion; a whose presence will very soon be impevery serious charge in the eyes of Mo-riously demanded there? hammedans. He replied, however, that such questions were not made a matter of inquiry by the government; and yet, if there was permission to discuss such January 5, 1852. We had very large points before the council, he was quite and full audiences at our Sabbath serready to show the nature of his belief, vices yesterday. Though the weather and to enter into an argument with the was so cold that the ground was covered Armenian as to the comparative correct- with snow, and though our rude tent, ness of their respective systems, the New constructed mostly of mats, is not as Testament being the standard of appeal. comfortable as many barns in America, With this proposition the whole council the whole space was filled and even were greatly delighted, and the Governor crowded. An unusual number of new told him to proceed. He then examined hearers was present, attracted by the three points, namely, the worship and extraordinary agitation and spirit of use of images, fasting, and the celibacy inquiry abroad among the Armenians. of the clergy. A full report of this Nothing was more manifest than that the discussion would have been interesting. truth was taking a very strong and powBut suffice it to say that even the Mufti erful hold of the consciences and hearts took sides with our brother against the of the audience. It was especially interArmenian, who was completely defeated.esting to see what impression the truth Progress at Aintab-Other Places. was making on the new hearers. I Protestant females in this particular has provoked noticed one in particular, whose eyes, others to similar efforts. Trebizond. the truth met in his heart. And there LETTER FROM MR. BLISS, JANUARY 8, were many similar cases. Ninety-two names were added to the list of Protestants from May to January, making the whole number of males four hundred and twelve. And Mr. Schneider anticipates a corresponding increase hereafter. On the second Sabbath in January, deed, the congregation was larger than it had ever been ; and some were obliged to go away for want of room. The necessity of enlarging the tent has become imperative. 1852. THE demand for missionary labor at a number of places in the interior of Asia Minor is so great, that our brethren endeavor to spend as much time as they can in visiting them, and in proclaiming therein the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was in view of this demand that Mr. E. E. Bliss left Trebizond, with his family, on the 9th of October, in the expectation of spending one or two Sabbaths at Marsovan and 13. A native brother writes to us Tocat, &c., and then proceeding to Sivas for the from Biredgik that some twenty Arme-winter. It will be seen from the following extracts nians, among whom is a Vartabed, hav- that his plans have been unexpectedly modified. ing some difficulty with their Bishop, have asked him to give them regular instruction, professing a desire to become Protestants. They do not go to their lies had separated themselves from the Archurch, and are constantly inquiring for menians, and had been organized into a light in regard to the prevailing errors. distinct community. A much larger numThough much wrong feeling is doubtless ber were in the habit of attending the mingled with this movement, an opportu-Protestant meetings, and professed a denity of preaching the gospel is afforded. The Lord may bring much good out of it; and it seems providential that our brother should be there just at this junc ture. In Oorfa the disaffection of many towards their Vartabed has much in creased the number who visit our native brother. Just at this time he has so much work of this nature, that he asks for help; and we design to send another of our church members to his aid. In Orool, a village eight hours from Aintab, in the direction of the Euphrates, there is also a movement. There are nearly fifty Armenian houses there, about fifteen of which are said to be strongly inclined to Protestantism. Formerly there was much opposition there. On one occasion, as I was passing through the village, they refused for a long time to give me a lodging for the night, because I was a Protestant. An English clergy; man, some months afterwards, received the same treatment, and for the same Protestant Movement at Marsovan. We found on our arrival that nine fami termination to join the organization as cessful experiment. All gave us a most soon as it should have proved itself a succordial welcome. Those who had not fully committed themselves, were urgent, as well as our avowed friends, that we should remain among them. They pointed to the scores who were already on the side of the gospel, and to the hundreds who would come over as soon as they should find that they could do it with safety. showed that, promising as might be the A few days' observation, however, aspect of the work in regard to numbers, there was one most marked deficiency. It lacked spirituality. The conversation of those who came together, turned not so much on the glorious truths of the church; and not so much on these, as on gospel, as on the errors of the Armenian of their ecclesiastical and civil rulers. the corruption and oppressive exactions All were convinced of the truth of Protestantism; but its particular charm in the eyes of most was evidently the promise of good which it gave for the life that now is. A very small number, comparatively, seemed to be hungering and thirsting after righteousness. Still the fact that so many were disposed to listen to the Word, demanded that the opportunity should not be neglected. In view of this state of things Mr. Bliss con- to be fed by our daily earnings; and cluded to remain at Marsovan for a season, and those earnings are instantly cut off, if we make known the mystery of the gospel. But the are known to attend your meetings." result has not altogether equalled his hopes. Anathemas-Help. We have now been here nearly three months. During the first month I At length scarcely any came to hear Mr. Bliss, preached every evening in the week, except the members of the Protestant commuand twice on the Sabbath. The audi-nity. But the persecuting ecclesiastics were not ence usually ranged from fifty to eighty; satisfied. More stringent measures must be rebut on Saturday evening and on Sunday sorted to. it ran up to one hundred and fifty or two hundred; and on one occasion two hundred and fifty were supposed to be present. The attention given was always good; and towards the latter part of the month there were indications of a more hearty interest in the truth than had been previously exhibited. In direct defiance of the Sultan's firProtestants on the part of other commuman, forbidding all interference with the nities, the Armenian Vartabed proceeded formally to anathematize by name all the members of our community, sparing neither woman nor child, and exhausting the whole vocabulary of curses. He added Then tribulation and persecution arose because of the Word. The Armenian strict orders, prohibiting all intercourse church began to resound with warnings with them in trade, or in any way whatand denunciations against the Protes-soever, under a penalty of thirty piasters. tants. All the power of wealth and He knew very well that his conduct would be condemned at the capital; but political influence was brought to bear against the truth. The taxes of those he also knew that it would be connived who had joined the Protestant community, at by the Turkish authorities of Marsowere more than doubled, in violation of van, and that he could very well afford, all right. Redress was refused; and in therefore, to run the risk of any reproof default of payment some were thrown which might come a distance of five into prison. Others known to be in the hundred miles; for should it arrive at all, habit of attending our meetings, were it would be in some diluted form, and warned to leave houses and shops which months perhaps after he should have acthey were renting. The instant payment the result, for a time at least, disappoint complished all which he desired. Nor did of old debts was enforced, with the utmost rigor of the law. Men who were his hopes. His persecuting orders were dependent upon their daily earnings for as thoroughly obeyed by his own people, their daily bread, were refused all emand as thoroughly connived at by the ployment. No mercy could be found at Turks, as he could well desire. Rebuffs the hand of landlord, creditor or employer, except on one condition, that of leaving the Protestant meetings. Under such a system, reaching almost every man of the congregation, and carried out with rare thoroughness and perseverance, our audiences rapidly diminished. All who came to hear us from mere curiosity, dropped off at once; and they were followed by the many who had hoped that Protestantism was to introduce a golden age of freedom from all oppression. Some of these, in their bitter disappointment, were ready to denounce us. Not a few even of a more hopeful class, honest inquirers after the truth, yielded to the pressure. We heard of their weeping in secret places, because they could not come, as before, to the place of prayer. "Our hearts are still with you," they assured us, as they sometimes stole in under cover of the darkness; "but what can we do? We are very poor. At home are six mouths and insults met the Protestants wherever they went. Bakers even would not sell them bread. And when day after day passed, bringing no relief, the feeble ones began to yield. One by one they and received his blessing. Only four made their submission to the Vartabed, stood firm. But the Lord was pleased to send a partial deliverance in a most unexpected manner. An authoritative copy of the Sultan's firman arrived from Constantinople, forwarded by a brother in ignorance of our need. For various reasons no such copies of this document had been granted for the interior hitherto; and any official who pleased, could ignore its existence. The news spread like wildfire through the city. Immediately our lost Protestants began to make their appearance from their hiding-places. Many others, whose sympathies were with them, though they had not dared to manifest The letters of Mr. Powers have made the readers of the Herald familiar with the Protestant movement in Sivas. They will be glad to receive the following testimony from Mr. Bliss. it, were as joyful as they themselves. | pose of the buried stranger's soul! How Before night five of the six who had long, oh Lord, how long? submitted to the Vartabed, bore to him a written recantation of what they had done. They professed, however, their willingness to receive the doctrines he wished to impose upon them, provided he would show the truth thereof from the Scriptures. Meanwhile the Vartabed had heard of the firman, and received the recantation very much as a matter of He declined any reasoning out of the Scriptures, and speedily sent his visitors about their business. This was two weeks ago. course. 66 The discussion of religious doctrine in eral and free. The brethren there are Sivas is becoming more and more genfull of hope; but they ask continually for a resident missionary. The Armenians of the seventeen villages about Sivas are calling for instruction. "Plenty of Since that time we have enjoyed compriests," they say, come to ask for our parative peace; and the number attend-money; when shall we see preachers of the gospel?" ing our meetings has begun to increase. What we need now, and we need it most In concluding his letter, Mr. Bliss gives the of all, is the descent of the Holy Spirit, following item of information. to "convince men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment." Many minds have received light enough to enable them to discern between truth and error; but they have not those convictions which would prompt them to lay hold, as dying men, of the hope set before them in the gospel. Tocat-Sivas. Amasia, twenty-four miles distant from Marsovan, has heretofore presented but little to interest us as missionaries. Just now, however, a native helper, who is spending a few days in the place, reports "much encouragement." Last Sabbath his room was thronged with visitors from morning till night. Zulus. In the latter part of November Mr. Bliss made a short visit to Tocat and Sivas. His report is deeply affecting. Who will listen to his appeal? LETTER FROM MR. A. GROUT, OCTOBER 29, 1851. Death of Dr. Adams. THE decease of Dr. Adams was announced in the March Herald. A letter has since been received from Mr. Grout, containing a brief account of his last sickness, and also describing some of his leading characteristics as a missionary. The cause of his death does not fully appear. He had been severely afflicted with rheumatism for some time; and at last his lungs would seem to have become diseased. He died on the 16th of September last. His end was peace." In Tocat the work of God is suffering great loss, for lack of one to feed the people with words of knowledge. Infidelity is spreading. Manuscript translations of Strauss, and of other authors of a like character, are in circulation. Some who were once asking for the bread of life, are now feeding on these husks. Many whose minds had become partially enlightened, are either going back to the darkness, or are becoming indifferent to all truth. The few feeble disciples are becoming more feeble. They beg for a resident missionary "Why, oh why, leave us any longer?" they ask. I would that the cry might Dr. Adams never became so weak as echo over the waters, in every school of to be helpless. Only an hour or two the prophets. Why, oh why, leave that before his death he could raise himself fair city, with its ten thousand Armeni-up and lie down without help; and only ans, to pass from the cold night of its a few hours before his death, when Mr. superstition to the colder night of infidelity? Will no one come to take up the mantle of Martyn, in the place where he disappeared from mortal view? While I stood by his grave, a priest from a neighboring church came up, who evidently thought that his services might be asked to perform a mass for the re Butler called on his return from our general meeting, he inquired particularly in regard to the meeting, with much interest and animation. Mrs. Adams thinks that her husband had little or no hope of recovering for some time before his death, but refrained from saying so on her account. |