23-455 62 Board of For. Miss. in Ref. Dutch ch. C. S.

50 00

653 78

703 78

185 33

889 11

5 00

324 19

10 00

68 50

9 00

77 50

119 15

THE mission to the Armenians held its annual meeting at Smyrna, commencing on the 26th of April, and closing on the 6th of May. All the stations were represented except Erzrum, which is at present occupied by only one missionary. As in previous years, much time was spent in devotional exercises; and the effect of this arrangement upon the deliberations of the meeting was very happy. Questions of great importance were discussed and settled; but the brethren seem to have had wisdom given them from above. The missionaries have felt much embarrassed in distributing their force during the coming year. At their last annual meeting they requested a reinforcement of twelve ordained laborers. Only one has been sent, however; and he has been stationed at a place which was not mentioned in the appeal that came to us one year ago. And not only so; Mr. E. E. Bliss has been transferred from Trebi

zond to the same important post. This fact affords a striking illustration of the rapidity with which changes are taking place in Asia Minor.

"We must

kir and Tocat with the least possible delay; and Marash, regarded last year simply as an out-station, is now thought to present claims as strong as any of those just named. At Erzrûm and Aintab, moreover, there is a loud call for a reinforcement. Twelve missionaries, therefore,

are needed at once.

And there are special reasons for the earnestness of the mission. "At some of these places unbelief is coming in like a flood, and counting its disciples by hundreds. The minds of men, excited by religious discussion, and impressed mainly with the falsehood and absurdity of their old notions, are in great danger, unless seasonably guided, instructed and warned, of falling into skepticism or utter infidelity." And our brethren say, as the result of their anxious deliberations and inquiries, "The more intimately we become acquainted with the circumstances and claims of these opening fields, the more we fee!. that they must not be neglected."

Several changes have been made in the location of the missionary force. Messrs. Riggs and Benjamin are to remove from Smyrna to Cón-stantinople, in the belief that the operations of the mission press can be carried forward to the greatest advantage in the latter city. Mr. E. E. Bliss is transferred to Marsovan for the present;. and Mr. Sutphen is to be associated with him. Such are the exigencies of Aintab, in the opinion of the mission, that Mr. Ladd has been requested to repair thither, and remain for at least one year.

In regard to the other places which were regarded last year as desirable openings for missionary labor, our brethren are oppressed by the magnitude of the interests at stake. reiterate," they say, "that the urgent claims of all these posts continue to press themselves upon our attention; and we feel sad in view of the time which must elapse before the necessary men can be obtained, and can acquire the language which they must employ in proclaiming the everlasting gospel." Eight missionaries, they Reports from the different stations were subsay, should be stationed at Sivas, Cesarea, Arab-mitted to the annual meeting, exhibiting the

STATION REPORTS.

VOL. XLVIII.

13

history of missionary operations in the great their consistent lives and useful labors, are highly Armenian field during the past year. The main animating. facts embodied in these documents are already known to the readers of the Herald; but a few gleanings may be acceptable and useful.

Constantinople.

With the three churches at Constantinople, under the pastoral care of Messrs. Simon and Avedis, (with whom Mr. Dwight is associated,) the readers of the Herald are already well acquainted. Though the one hundred and twelve members of these churches are poor, and obliged to struggle hard to gain their livelihood, they not This station has a large and important field only pay their tax for the secular department, but committed to its care. In addition to the capital they have contributed about three hundred and of the empire, it has the oversight of a territory fifty dollars for their pastors, &c. Our brethwhich embraces Philipoli and Gallipoli, in Euro-ren regard this as an important step towards pean Turkey, and the region of Cesarea in the self-support. The Holy Spirit has given special opposite direction; so that its greatest length is seven hundred and fifty miles. The efforts of the missionaries to spread abroad the saving knowledge of Christ, in this vast district, have been of the same general character as in former years.

tokens of his presence; and some, it is believed, have found the pearl of great price. Various facts show, moreover, that the truth has made " 'very great progress" in the Armenian nation, during the past year. And our brethren make this important statement: "We believe that the peculiar tenets and modes of action of popery, especially of Jesuitism, with which the Armenian church was fast being deluged, have taken a decided step backward; and we also believe that the victory has been gained by the doctrines of Protestantism."

The two seminaries have enjoyed their usual prosperity. The number of scholars under the care of Mr. Hamlin is thirty-nine, twenty-five of whom are Armenians, and fourteen Greeks. "In steadiness and sobriety of character, interest in religious truth, and uniform attention to study, the latter are by no means behind the former." This is a The tidings from the different out-stations are very gratifying fact, and contrary to the general encouraging. The church at Broosa, consisting expectation. The Armenian praying circle has of nineteen members, is "enjoying peace and nine members, while that among the Greeks has prosperity under the care of its acceptable native five. "They agree to watch over one another, pastor." From Nicomedia the report is even and faithfully reprove whatever they see in each more cheering. Fifty were enrolled as church other contrary to the Christian life." The grad-members at the beginning of the year; and there uates of this institution are doing much for their is much activity and zeal among them. Their people. Those who have engaged in teaching, contributions amount to nearly ninety dollars, are introducing a new era into Armenian schools; and those who have labored as colporters and pastors, are generally proving themselves most valuable assistants to the mission. The return of the young men who are now in America, anticipated with pleasure ; and it is hoped that their future course will be advantageous to their nation in various ways. One has already gone back to die. He finished his course with a firm trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. "He was deeply affected by the great kindness shown him by friends in Boston and its vicinity."

The report from the female seminary is not less cheering. Of its twenty-four pupils, four are Greeks. The interest taken in all the biblical and religious exercises has been gratifying to the teachers; and two or three have professedly passed from death unto life. About forty dollars have been raised for benevolent purposes. The influence of the institution upon the Armenian community is increasing; and there is a loud call for its enlargement. Twenty-seven have already left the seminary with the hope that they had been born again, sixteen of whom are the wives of pious young men, pastors, teachers, &c. The reports which their former instructors receive of

besides the aid which they afford in supporting a colporter. The school has gradually increased; and the present number of pupils is probably one hundred; such is its popularity with Armenian parents. The opposition to the truth at Adabazar has greatly subsided. Though the church has but eighteen members, it exhibits an excellent spirit; and its contributions have exceeded forty dollars. The school is prosperous, the number of scholars being forty. A Protestant community has been organized at Rodosto; and a church may be formed during the year. Five families in the Greek village of Demir Desh have enrolled themselves as Protestants; and they are "very anxious to obtain a living preacher, as well as a school-teacher."

The report next gives a long list of places, which have been visited occasionally, and into which the leaven of the gospel has been introduced. Among them is Hartal, between Constantinople and Nicomedia, a short time since "the only jewel in the possession of the Armenian church, which had not been spoiled by the touch of heresy;" but now five of its inhabitants have rejected their past errors. Nice has eight enlightened men ; another place has fifteen ; another has

six; but this must suffice for the present. Our | later developments have shown that the early brethren are confident that the gospel is going doubts which we entertained in regard to the into all parts of their field. "Everywhere," moral qualifications of the young man sent there they say, "God is raising up witnesses for him- for evangelical labors, were too well founded. self. And the Word not only elicits inquiry; it Our faithful brother in that place and his wife is felt to be the power of God unto salvation to have continued to be firm and consistent in their every one that believeth.'" Christian walk. They are expecting soon to remove to Smyrna, and will prove a valuable addition to our Protestant society."

Smyrna,

Trebizond.

The report from this station has its lights and its shades. There have been serious difficulties in the church for some time; and though the eccle

The brethren at this station are much encouraged by the aspect of their field. The progress of spiritual religion may be slow, indeed, inasmuch as the Armenians in that city have added the vices of the Turks, Greeks and Jews to those of their own people; still they confidently antici-siastical council, held in September last, seems to cipate" an abundant harvest unto the Lord."

In describing the routine of missionary labor, the report says: "There has been an increased amount of preaching, and with more encouragement than usual. For several months past the attendance at the Armenian and Turkish services has averaged about twenty; and as many of those who desired to avail themselves of this privilege, were familiar only with the Turkish language, a request was made that Mr. Johnston would preach every Sabbath; which he has done. Mr. Riggs has a second service in Armenian. The English service in the Dutch chapel has been more fully attended than in previous years."

have succeeded in restoring peace, the native brethren have not that confidence in each other, and that freedom in bearing their testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ, which are so desirable in their circumstances. And it is a lamentable fact, that "there are no conquests among those who are without."

On the other hand, the different meetings sustained at this station have been better attended by the Protestants than ever before. Their contributions have also increased; and they are establishing a "mutual benefit fund." The school is likewise reported as prosperous. there are indications that the influences of the Holy Spirit are not altogether withheld. "There are instances of more than ordinary prayerful

And

The friendly disposition of the new Governor of Smyrna was mentioned in the last Herald. His tolerant and impartial administration is re-ness," the report says; "and some persons out of garded as an important and hopeful event. The report says: "It is thought that much has been gained in the way of general impression, favorable to the cause of truth. The Armenians of Smyrna have seen a Protestant community, not only organized, but living and growing through the first shock of opposition; and they must be convinced at last that Protestants can live and enjoy rights among them."

the church have been unusually impressed with a sense of their sinfulness and perilous condition. And we hear of individuals out of our community who are ill at ease with themselves, are fully convinced of the truth, and are vainly waiting for an opportunity to come out openly on the Lord's side, when they can do it without pecuniary sacrifice."

And the following extract from the report will Mr. Johnston has made two short tours to be read with pleasure: "Very recently there has Magnesia and Akhissar; and one of the native been a case of hopeful conversion, which seems brethren, at his own request, and without salary, more striking, more clearly marked and interestwent last summer, and spent several weeks at ing, than any that has ever occurred among us. Magnesia, Akhissar, Kirkagatch, Aidin and The person referred to is the wife of a member Nazlee. "We have reason to believe," our of the church. Her seriousness and convictions brethren say, "that he proved a faithful witness increased from day to day for about two weeks, to the truth, and that his labors were not without till, on a certain night, she could neither sleep, a blessing. At Akhissar, especially, the gospel nor let her husband sleep. The whole time was seems to have taken root; and a Protestant spent in reading, prayer and conversation. The community has been organized, composed of six next evening, while her husband was absent at Greeks and two Armenians, some of whom give our weekly prayer meeting, and she was enevidence of sincere piety. The hostility of the gaged on her knees in pleading for mercy, light Greek Bishop and primates has been, in some was shed down upon her heart; a new song was instances, successfully resisted; and we hope by put into her mouth; and she rose from prayer, as the blessing of God soon to see a church in we hope, a converted woman. That night also Thyatira, eminent once for works of charity she could not sleep; but it was for joy; and she and service and faith.' The hopes we formerly repeatedly waked her husband to give thanks for had of Magnesia have not been realized and the unspeakable mercy of God. Her views of