ably clear; and she evidently learned more in a few hours, under the teaching of the Spirit, than she had ever known before."

herself, of her duties and relations, seem remark- often remained till midnight. Then a severe persecution broke out; which was raging when he wrote. It is deeply to be regretted that this very promising field, as well as Rhanûs and Arabkir, is so much neglected; but such must be the case, until more laborers can be obtained."

Erzrum.

Since the return of Mr. I. G. Bliss to this country, on account of ill health, Mr. Peabody has had the sole charge of this station. As he looks out upon the wide and promising field which is attached to Erzrûm, he is deeply impressed with the danger of postponing its occupancy by a suitable missionary force. Will no one go to his relief?

Three services on the Sabbath for the Armenians have been regularly maintained by Mr. Peabody; and the average attendance has been larger than in any previous year. The number of hearers who have listened to the preaching of the gospel once or more during the year, is estimated at about two hundred. The weekly and monthly prayer meetings have been well attended. A few have manifested a spirit of earnest inquiry, and have been brought, it is hoped, into the kingdom of Christ. "A most lovely and interesting youth," Mr. Peabody says, a subject of Russia, has been severely persecuted by the members of his family. But though he is constantly expecting banishment into Russia, he has united with our church." Others are wishing to be admitted to the same privilege; and our brother hopes to receive them at a future time.

66

Aintab.

The Herald has contained so full a history of this station during the past year, that a brief abstract of the report presented to the annual meeting will suffice. Twenty-one persons have been admitted to the church, making the present number of communicants sixty-two. Others give evidence of piety, and will doubtless be received into Christian fellowship at some future day. Sudden and striking conversions, accompanied by pungent convictions of sin, are becoming more and more common. And it is a hopeful circumstance, that the Protestants love to hear plain and simple discourses on faith, repentance, regeneration, and the atonement of Christ, rather than discussions upon controverted topics; though they admit and feel the importance of giving the latter their proper place. It is no unusual event to see the greater part of the large Sabbath congregation moved by the doctrine of the cross. The liberality of the church, in its straitened circumstances, is already known.

Education is exciting an increasing interest at Aintab. The primary schools had an average of one hundred and fifteen pupils at the close of 1851; and of these only forty-eight were the children of Protestants. Of the fourteen pupils in the high school, nine were Protestants. Quite recently there has been an addition of thirty scholars, principally from Armenian families, to the primary schools. Such facts show the success of the educational efforts made by our brethren, and also that many parents who are nominally Armenians, are really Protestants. In truth, there is no reason to doubt that a large number of persons have made up their minds to join the new movement, and are only waiting for a favorable opportunity.

The evangelical Vartabed is represented as still most assiduously devoted to his work. "He is exceedingly useful, self-denying and faithful in the discharge of his various duties; and he is much respected and beloved by all who have any regard for the gospel. During the year he has had ten pupils more or less under his instruction, the average number having been five. He has taught them arithmetic, grammar, astronomy, moral philosophy, and some system of religious truth, either theological or historical." A common school has been recently established at Erzrûm; but the number of pupils is small. At other points in the field committed to the According to the report of the native helper at care of this station there has been very great Geghi, the truth has made decided progress in prosperity. Thirteen different individuals went that district, especially in his large village of forth from Aintab in 1851 to make known the one hundred and fifty houses. "When he was gospel of Christ. In many places the way is here last autumn," Mr. Peabody says, "he ex-prepared for the preaching of the Word; while pressed the hope that seven or eight persons had become spiritually acquainted with the gospel during the six months previous. And in letters recently received from him, he states that for four months after his return he enjoyed a time of quiet, which he endeavored to improve in making known the unsearchable riches of Christ to large numbers, who assembled at his house, not only on the Sabbath, but also on other days, and who

Kessab, Killis, Oorfa and Marash have become regular out-stations; and some of these may be converted into stations within a short time, if the Spirit of the Lord shall incline our young men to give themselves to the missionary work. At Kessab there is already an organized Protestant community, with a respectable congregation; and Mr. Ford, who has twice visited this place, thinks there are materials for a church. The

leading men of the city favor the reformation. |ings were reduced to the fifth or tenth It is supposed that a church might be formed at part of what they once were. Some Killis; and there would probably have been a even, though they bore their trials in this pleasing work developed by this time, if there respect with a most uncomplaining spirit, had been suitable laborers. New inquirers are could not and did not earn four cents discovered constantly at Oorfa; and many who from the beginning of the week to its attend the services of our Aintab brother, are said end. No one would give them employto listen to his words with tears. Marash has a ment; no one would buy their goods; small band of inquirers, in the midst of an Arme- no one would lend them money, even at nian population of ten thousand souls; “and, the highest interest. humanly speaking, should the means be used there which have been employed at Aintab, similar results might be expected."

Treblzond.

LETTERS FROM MR. E. E. BLISS.

Persecution at Marsovan.

GOD appears to be opening an effectual door at Marsovan; but the adversaries are many. Their craft and violence, moreover, will hardly yield the palm to anything recorded in the New Testament. But these things must needs be; and our brother who is spending the winter at Marsovan, is cheered by the thought that the Lord will protect his own blessed cause. Under

At length, in default of payment of the tax, their head man was imprisoned in a stable; and the place was so filthy that when I visited him it was almost impossible to breathe, for the stifling odors, and so dark that for some time we could not find the object of our search. Unwilling that their leader should suffer on their account, the Protestants went to the collector, and begged that they themselves might be imprisoned, and that he might be set at liberty, pleading that the tax was due from them, and not from him. Their prayers, however, were disregarded. And when, presuming upon our past friendly intercourse, I called upon the same officer in behalf of the prisoner, it was only to meet with a rude repulse. Within an hour of my visit, however, the brother was set at liberty; nor has the payment of the tax been I wrote to you in January respecting since pressed with anything like the forthe persecution under which the Protes-mer zeal. We cannot account for the tants of this place had been suffering, and change, except by referring to the agenof the check which it apparently had re- cy of Him who restrains "the remainder ceived from the arrival of an official copy of wrath." of the Sultan's late firman. That check, however, proved but partial and temporary. The firman was presented to the Governor of the province at Amasia; but upon the mere denial of the Armenians of our city that anything had been | done to the injury of the Protestants, the complaints of the latter were summarily dismissed. In like manner a special governmental order obtained from the capital not long after, for the reduction of an exorbitant tax, utterly failed of its object.

date of March 16, he wrote as follows:

Mr. Bliss next gives a painfully interesting account of the annoyances to which he has been personally exposed. The Armenians, it seems, formed a deliberate plan to drive him out of Marsovan. And when it was ascertained that the Turkish authorities, however willing to oblige them, would not venture upon a direct infringement of his rights, a blow was aimed at him through his landlord, himself a Protestant. Property to which this individual has as good a title as there is in Turkey, was taken from him; the door of his own dwelling was walled up; he and his family were placed at the mercy of their bitterest enemies; and in every possible way he has been insulted and wronged, till he has been obliged to flee to Constantinople.

The trials of our friends, instead of being diminished, became more severe. On the one hand were the Armenian ecclesiastics, seeking in every possible way to exclude them from all means of gaining a livelihood, and on the other But all has turned out to the furtherthe local Turkish authorities, in complete ance of the gospel. Those who had subservience to Armenian influence, first committed themselves to the Protestant imposing upon them a most oppressive cause, have remained steadfast; and the tax, and then demanding its immediate attendance upon our services has inpayment. What were the Protestants creased. Acts of violence which were to do? They were poor men. Their designed to strike terror into the hearts earnings had never more than sufficed of such as were favorably inclined to the for a bare subsistence. Now those earn- Protestant cause, though hesitating to

join it, has had rather the effect to give them an impetus towards the truth. This present reign of terror cannot last always. And when it has passed away, results may appear of which our enemies now little dream. God is our hope.

The winter has been one of many perplexities and trials; and in our isolated position they have borne heavily upon us. But we desire to bear witness that no good thing has failed us of all that the Lord our God hath promised. Though unworthy of his presence, he has been with us. In all our trials he has comforted us; and under all our burdens he has strengthened us. Blessed be his holy name forever and ever!

Seed cast upon the Waters.

Mr. Bliss describes the religious history of his landlord, who has suffered so much for his attachment to the gospel of Christ; and the sketch

will doubtless be read with interest.

I have just received letters from the native brethren in Sivas. Though they have no one to preach to them the word of life, still they do not forsake the assembling of themselves together. The first Monday of the month they observed as a day of fasting and prayer, being “all with one accord in one place." The previous Sabbath "seventeen souls," as they say, met for prayer; "three were from without." In Divrik, also, the work of God is onward. "The praying souls there are six."

But these little flocks, multiplying as they are over all Asia Minor, need shepherds. Grievous wolves are entering in. In Sivas "many in these days avow and defend infidel sentiments." In Tocat the infidel party claim to be "two hundred strong." Some of these were once " readers of the gospel;" but they have now closed the blessed book, and are striving to content themselves with a barren skepticism.

Aintab.

JOURNAL OF MR. SCHNEIDER.

Our landlord may be called an "old disciple,” as he carries back his first acquaintance with evangelical doctrines more than twenty years. At that time he was in Syria, "going up to Jerusalem" with thousands of other pilgrims. THE reformation at Aintab, one of the most In the providence of God he fell in with remarkable in the history of the church, continYakob Agha, one of the first fruits of ues to advance with unabated interest. What a missionary labor in that land. From him change has taken place, since Mr. Johnston was he learned the better way; and on his stoned out of the city! And why may not this return from his pilgrimage, instead of good work go forward, till the entire population the customary presents, crosses, beads shall have received the truth as it is in Jesus? and pretended relics, he brought to his And why may not other places, far and near, befriends evangelical tracts and portions of come partakers of the blessings of that gospel the word of God. At that time he knew which is "the power of God unto salvation?" but little of the truth; but, being a dili- Let the words of our Savior be pondered: "Said igent student of the Bible, he slowly and I not unto thee that if thou wouldst believe, thou painfully worked his way out of the shouldst see the glory of God?" tangled thicket and dark shadows of superstition to the broad fields and healthful sunlight of the gospel.

Not till quite recently did he find any one in Marsovan to sympathize with him in his desire to learn the truth. The face of a missionary he never saw, till Mr. Powers came here last spring. For years he has been subjected to continual persecution. Once he was a man of wealth, but he has been despoiled in so many ways that but little of it remains. He bears all his losses and trials, however, with much meekness and

cheerfulness.

Wants of other Places.

Three days later Mr. Bliss wrote again, giving some account of the work of the Lord in other places.

Discussion-Important Admissions.

January 14, 1852. One of our church members went to a private house to converse with several of its inmates. Among him to leave the house, and even took them was a bitter opposer; who ordered hold of his neck clothes, and shook him violently, his heart boiling over with rage. By kind words, however, the

storm abated somewhat.

As soon as the subject of religion was introduced, this man proposed that the Vartabed should be sent for, to silence our brother by arguments. But the Vartabed was unwilling to come; and he finally sent them word to come to him. They did so; and our brother sent for another of our church members to aid him in the discussion.

Having arrived at the Vartabed's resi- in conferring together on the subject, dence, they found about thirty spectators have come to this conclusion: "Hereassembled, mostly Armenians, some of after let us not try to dissuade or molest them his particular friends. The discus- any of our people who are inclined to sion turned mainly on the use of images Protestantism; for we shall only make and the holy oil, with occasional allusions the matter worse.' to other topics. On all the points considered, plain and positive proofs were A gallery having been erected in the rude brought from the Scriptures; and the Var- church now occupied by the Protestants, it was tabed and his adherents were silenced. found that seven hundred persons at least could He became very much excited several be accomodated, as people sit at Aintab. The times, however, leaping from his seat congregation on the third Sabbath in January towards them, with great vehemence. was very large, containing more than six But they were calm and collected; and hundred. they often endeavored to quiet his agitated feelings. They were thus engaged till after midnight, it being two o'clock before they separated.

But as they left him, he uttered a bitter and heavy curse against them, in the hearing of all present. This gave many a very unfavorable impression as to his character, and did more than all which had been said to prove that he was wrong. Our brother and some eight others went to a neighboring house; and there another hour was spent in exhortation and prayer. The man who was so much enraged at first, became as quiet as a lamb, and was apparently con

Kessab-Inquirers.

21. The accounts from Kessab, received to-day, are quite encouraging. As many as fifty meet together for worship on the Sabbath; and a meeting is held every morning, to read the Scriptures and pray, which closes by sunrise. The time of our native brother is spent, till towards in answering inquiries, when there is evening, in teaching the children and another meeting, similar to the one in the fore this is wholly disposed of, inquirers morning. Next comes supper; but bebegin to assemble again; and they do not separate till late at night, going vinced that the truth was on the side of the Protestants; and the impression the Sabbath our brother has no rest, his away even then with reluctance. On made by the whole affair seems to have time being literally occupied from mornbeen very favorable. Discussions of this nature are constantly going on in ing till late in the night. So much is different parts of the city, attended with results more or less happy.

there to do that he asks for another man to aid him.

On the succeeding Sabbath not less than seven of salvation at Aintab. The congregation exhibhundred persons assembled to hear the message ited a deep interest in the truths which were proclaimed.

17. The Armenian priests were recently heard to complain in such terms as these: "When we invite our people 29. Last evening several of our brethto confession, many of them answer, ren had a conversation with a laboring "We have confessed already.' If we Armenian. They did not separate till say, 'To whom?' they reply, 'To God.' between eleven and twelve o'clock. One Others, when we confess them, say to us, of them, as he returned to his house, met True, it is said in the New Testament, a young man who has not been regu"Confess your faults one to another; "lar attendant on our services, and took but where is your authority for binding him home to spend the night. But, inon us such burdens us you impose by your penances ?'"

As two priests have recently died, their flocks have been apportioned to other priests. But many say, after being thus assigned, "We do not wish this priest, but such an one;" not because they really have such a preference; but by this language they express their dislike to all priestly services.

stead of retiring, they were engaged till after four o'clock in conversation, reading and prayer. Our brother found his friend so serious, his conscience so tender, and his heart so much impressed, that he could not find it in his heart to leave him till morning. The young man mourned and sighed over his condition, and apparently longed for deliverance from his spiritual bondage.

As many have recently joined the Last Sabbath evening, after the serProtestants, some of the old Armenians, | vices, a young man came to Mr. Crane

to converse with him, his mind having | from morning till night, that he feels exbeen deeply impressed by what he had hausted, and calls again for help. Some heard; and while my associate talked of the hearers listen to the truth with with him, he manifested the great- tears. There is not a little persecution, est tenderness. To-day I have had an however; but we trust the Lord will interview with the same individual, and overrule it for his own glory. prayed with him. He says that since last Sabbath he has had no rest, and that, though he has engaged in work, his mind has been constantly uneasy on account of his sins.

Monthly Concert-Oorfa.

February 2. Our monthly concert this evening has been very well attended. Though it is rainy, and the weather is quite uncomfortable, probably four hundred were present. Intelligence from several places in the vicinity, where our brethren are laboring, was listened to with the liveliest interest. Afterwards an address was made by one of our church members, in which he alluded particularly to the mournful condition of the Armenian nation, destitute, as they are, of proper religious instruction. He then offered a prayer, in which he interceded particularly for the Armenians, and especially for their spiritual guides. The address was so earnest, and the prayer was so fervent, and there seemed withal to be so much sympathy felt for the destitute condition of these brethren after the flesh, that deep feeling was

awakened.

Twelve persons were admitted to the church at Aintab on the first Sabbath in March. Mr. Schneider supposes that seven hundred and fifty persons were present on the occasion.

Kessab-Malatia-A Parting.

8. Our accounts from Kessab are still

interesting. The spirit of inquiry is services are increasing. Such has been spreading; and the attendants on the the advance, that our friends have been obliged to enlarge their place of worship. Some are beginning to come from the surrounding villages to inquire into these new doctrines; and there is a call for laborers in the vicinity. It is evident, moreover, that the spiritual element in this movement is becoming prominent, there being considerable thoughtfulness and seriousness manifested by many. Indeed, we have much reason to believe that a genuine work of grace has begun in Kessab.

13. The brother sent to Malatia met

with little encouragement at first; but his recent letters are more encouraging. Quite a commotion has arisen among the Armenians, growing out of the question of the reading of the Scriptures in the church in the spoken language, some advocating it, and many opposing. The reading was actually commenced; but the hostile party abruptly put a stop to it. Not a little discussion has been awakened; and there is reason to hope that the seed of divine truth has begun to take root.

Three days later Mr. Schneider set out for Smyrna, to attend the annual meeting of the mission; and it had been arranged that Mrs. Schneider should accompany him, with a part of their children, in the expectation that she would

Under date of February 16, Mr. Schneider describes a recent visit made by a Protestant family to an Armenian family, which was expecting to spend the night in watching. The whole time, till the day began to dawn, was devoted to an examination of the doctrines of the gospel. One error after another was exposed; and one truth after another was established. The tears fre-proceed to America. quently came into the eyes of one person who was present; and he occasionally broke out in the language of wonder and surprise.

16. For several days persons have been coming to our house, to say their last words, and to bring their farewell March 6. Letters from Oorfa report an presents. These gifts of figs, raisins, increasing spirit of inquiry. On the oranges, walnuts, and other articles, are Sabbath more than thirty-five persons so numerous as to be burdensome; and came to our native brother for religious we have been obliged to leave a large instruction; and many assembled in the quantity behind. Yesterday large comevening, who remained till a late hour. panies of females came to bid Mrs. So much of his time is occupied with Schneider farewell; and this morning these inquirers, sometimes continuing our house and yard have been crowded