the sentence which they shall show thee, | returned his book, saying that the Bishto the right hand nor to the left." Deut. op had prohibited its purchase and xvii. 11. We showed him that the perusal. According to our rule, we did priests and Levites referred to in the text were very different persons from the rabbies.

Other conversations were held with the Jews, but with no definite results Next morning two Bulgarian priests called and purchased New Testaments, saying that they were glad to procure them.

We improved the first leisure to visit the Bulgarian school. We found the teacher, a middle-aged man, attired very neatly in half-Frank dress. His man

ners

were pleasing, and his greetings kind. We were invited to sit upon a divan in a verandah, which looked out upon a large garden and orchard.

not return the money. The young man said the Bishop would punish us, if we did not restore the money, and threw the book at our feet. He afterwards returned and took the book, saying that he would burn it.

Leaving Scopia on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Mr. Parsons and his party set out for Ghiustendil. They had occasion to pass through a number of villages, generally small and very rude in their appearance; and in one of them they spent the Sabbath.

with our host on the subject of religion, 11. Saturday evening we conversed concerning which he was extremely ignorant. When asked if he had the New Testament, the book which God has given to us to show us the way of life, he answered that he had. We asked him to bring it. He said he could not,

the salvation of the soul, in his apprethe lamp! It appeared, therefore, that hension, depended upon the picture of the Virgin Mary; and he knew not what the New Testament was. We handed which he read with apparent

After talking a while, he invited us into his study, which was neatly furnished, the walls being covered with maps, paintings and prints. He seemed to be pleased with our inquiries in respect to the Bulgarian people and litera- as it was hanging on the wall, behind ture. He showed us his library of Bulgarian books, handed us a grammar of the language eighty years old, large octavos of geography and geometry; works on theology, mythology, logic and history, Plutarch's Lives, the works of Horace, Cicero and Homer, a theological treatise on parchment eight hundred years old, and several volumes of native poetry. He said they had the Old Testament, but that it was now very rarely to be met with.

him a copy,

delight during our stay. We found but one other reader in the village. To him we sold a New Testament.

The quiet of the Sabbath was disturbed by a Turkish wedding. Next day our friends proceeded to Palanca, "a long, narrow town in a beautiful valley," in which the Bulgarians have a

In his school-room we noticed, among a variety of maps, &c., a chart illustrating parts of biblical history, and a cari-church, a large school, &c. cature which he had made of the Bulga- 13. Though we could stay in Palanca rian nation and its oppressors. The but a few hours this morning, we sold Bulgarian people were represented as thirteen New Testaments in Bulgarian a blindfolded woman. We left him, and one in Greek. We were compelled much pleased with our visit, surprised to leave, apparently, just as we had at finding so many books in the Bulgari- awakened the attention of the people. an language, quite favorably impressed We sold five New Testaments after our in regard to the Bulgarian character, and having a more ardent desire than ever for the enlightenment of this blinded people.

boxes were closed. Several came running after us, even when we were out of the place, with money in their hands. We quickly disposed of all that we had reserved for such an emergency; but our. boxes were ahead of us. We deeply regretted the necessity of sending any back empty.

Soon after our return to the khan, several boys came running to us, with their shoes in their hands, and half out of breath. Some brought money and purchased our books. Others hurried away to their fathers; whereupon the The route to Ghiustendil lay across a spur of fathers and older brothers came, till we the Balkan. "The mountains and hills," Mr. were crowded. Some bought; but Parsons says, were covered with oak, beech others had no money. Still the boys and pine. The colors of the dying foliage were intreated, till the money was sent for, almost equal in variety and brilliancy to those and the books were secured. One of New England. But the thatched huts were

exceedingly unlike New England houses; and so and then the harder doctrines of repent

were the people, clothed from head to foot in their sheep-skins, the wool being outside. But there is a still greater dissimilarity in thought and feeling and knowledge." It was late in the afternoon when the party arrived at Ghiustendil.

Ghiustendil.

14. On this spot Justinian was born. Hence the modern name of the village. It is still a place of considerable importance; and it lies upon the south side of a wide and fertile valley, about four miles from the Struma. It has a population of some twenty thousand souls, including about eight hundred Jews. Amid the ruins of the ancient city are many massive columns and marble blocks with Latin inscriptions. There is a massive marble vase in one of the mosques, bearing Latin inscriptions. In the vicinity of the place are artificial mounds.

ance and faith. He was also told that Jesus would become his Messiah, if he would forsake his sins, and believe in him. Again, after a moment of silence, he said_mournfully, "Have we no Messiah? Has he come; and shall we have no Messiah?"

"In looking back upon this day's labor," Mr. Parsons says, "we acknowledged with gratitude that God had inclined many to listen with unusual attention to the gospel." Next morning, leaving Hohannes to converse with two Turks who had called at the khan, Messrs. Goldberg and Parsons went to the Bulgarian school. The teachers, who were ecclesiastics, received them politely. They had been put upon their guard by the efforts of the Bishop; but they said there was nothing wrong in the books, and that they wished to procure some.

16. The Bulgarians seemed slow to 15. We made an early call on the come forward to make purchases. We Chief Rabbi, who has visited England, told one and another that it was the last and seen something of the world. We day of our stay. About the middle of then went to the synagogue and school. the forenoon, however, they began to We were followed to our khan by a assemble. During nearly all the rest of crowd of Jews, of all ages, to whom we the day our room was crowded. We spoke of the things of the New Cove- sold our New Testaments very fast. nant, which the prophet had said before- Our entire stock was soon exhausted. hand the Messiah would give. Some The teachers whom we had visited, arbought it; while others bought the Old rived too late. We had but one copy Testament both in Hebrew and Hebrew-left; but, as they understood Greek, they Spanish. We were much interested in took the entire Bible in that language. a young man, who had read the New The independence which they and many Testament, and now wished to talk with others manifested, when they knew that us, or rather to hear from us the evi- the books were prohibited, was pleasing dence of the Messiahship of Jesus of and encouraging. They had some fear, Nazareth. He requested a copy of the it was evident; but their desire for the Old Paths and one of each of our tracts. Word of Life, in their own language, We also noticed a lad in the crowd, overcame their apprehensions. We were who listened attentively to what was not able to satisfy their wants; for which said, and afterwards came repeatedly we were sorry. Still they came. Some to see us. Late in the afternoon he paid could read the Servian, which resembles us a visit, with two others, to inquire the Bulgarian. Such gladly took the further about the Messiah. When shown Servian New Testament. Others went from the Old Testament that the Messiah away, apparently grieved, yet silent. had come, he replied, "Yes, Messiah Others begged us to come again. Ben Joseph; we wait for the other." "There is but one. The Bible speaks of but one; and the book you hold in your hand, is the New Covenant, mentioned in Jeremiah." He sat for a moment thoughtfully, kissed the New Testament, and said, "He has come," "he has come," in a doubtful, questioning tone of voice. "But the Messiah is for the Jews," he said; "what have you to do with him? The Messiah is for the Jews; we have him not; he has not come." He was shown the hard doctrine that the Messiah is for all people;

Sophia-Dubnitza—Return.

On the 17th of October our brethren left Ghiustendil, crossed the Struma, and proceeded to Radomir, a place of four or five hundred houses, where they spent the night. Next morning they set out for Sophia, across the Balkan. In speaking of the country through which they traveled, before they came to the mountain pass, Mr. Parsons says: "The soil of this beautiful district is very rich, and capable of supporting millions. The inhabitants, however, are poor and few. Between the church, the government and the

mountain robbers, they have little hope of re- latter being a new place, built by some of King taining what they might accumulate. Hence George's people under the direction of a brother they have little stimulus to labor for anything who is called Governor; thence they proceeded beyond the bare necessities of life." At ten to a district, on the other side of the river, cono'clock the summit of the Balkan was reached, taining some half dozen Bakělě and Shikani and at half past three the capital of Bulgaria towns, known as Dongila; after which they Sophia has a population of some thirty thousand ascended the Râgâli, a branch of the Gaboon, Turks and Bulgarians, and at least six thousand where are several Bakělě towns. Jews. Through the combined influence of the Pasha and the Bishop, however, but little was effected in this city. The selling of the Scriptures to the Jews even was prohibited. On the 21st of October, therefore, our friends recrossed the Balkan, and proceeded to Dubnitza, which

has less than two thousand houses.

a

King George's Town-Ovizuwe.

We left Baraka September 13. After pleasant sail of about six hours, and spending a short time at Konig Island, where Mr. Bushnell has a temporary residence, we arrived at Ovizuwe. As we 23. The Jews rejoiced at our arrival. entered the town, we found the people The Turks had recently burned their around one of the houses, where a slave synagogue, which contained nearly all of Governor was just dying. It was their books. They wished, however, to too late to do any thing either for his buy only the Old Testament. They had soul or his body. The room was full of been carefully guarded against the New women, weeping in the most piteous Testament and the Old Paths. We manner, and calling upon the spirits of found an unusual desire for the Hebrew- their fathers. But their cries were in Spanish Bible. We sold five to be placed in the synagogue for common use and several copies to individuals. One poor man, who had no money, brought a new shirt, wishing to exchange it for a Bible. The people continued to come to us till late on Friday, when, it being the eve of their Sabbath, they could buy only through Gentile hands.

Here Mr. Golberg set out for Constantinople, according to his previous intention, while Mr. Parsons and his Armenian brother turned their faces towards Salonica. They reached home in safety October 30.

Gaboon.

vain.

As we entered, they turned to Mr. Bushnell, and besought him, especially the mother of the dying man, in the most heart-rending manner to help and

save him.

"You are our missionary," they said, "our father. You are Goverhim die," &c. As these words were nor's friend. Oh, help us, and do not let accompanied by cries and tears and beseeching looks, we felt in some measure what a dreadful thing is death, without one ray of light from the future world!

We turned away from the distressing scene, and spent a few minutes in conversation with Governor. He seemed in deep affliction, and could not speak without tears. The dying man was his favorite servant; and he loved him as a

LETTER FROM MR. PORTER, OCTOBER 1, son. We spoke of Christ and the way

1851.

of salvation through him. He listened with interest, and asked a few questions; In September last Messrs. Bushnell and Porter but he thought we ought to send a man made two excursions up the Gaboon River and to live there; for, as we only came occaits branches, partly to proclaim the gospel of sionally, they forgot what we said at one Christ, and partly to become better acquainted time before we came again. He seemed with the country as a missionary field. To some to be a man of considerable character of the places which they visited, no white man for a native; and they say he drinks no had ever penetrated before. Our brethren were rum. deeply impressed with the preparedness of the whole region for missionary labor. "Would that we could have taken with us," says Mr. Porter, "some of the hopefully pious young men

at home, who ought to be here, or preparing to come here. Surely, they must have been stirred up to give the gospel to this poor perishing people."

After calling on a converted Krooman, who teaches a school at Ovizuwe, Messrs. Bushnell and Porter repaired to King George's Town, about three miles distant, on an eminence which

affords an extensive prospect.

Historical Gleanings.

During the evening we conversed with

Messrs. Bushnell and Porter, on their first tour, went to King George's Town and Ovizuwe, the King George about the people who for

merly inhabited this region. He said ing a box, somewhat resembling a coffin. that the first occupants were the Divwas. This is unusual in the case of slaves; Then the Mpongwes lived far back in as they are for the most part literally the bush; and it used to be thought that "thrown away," which is the meaning of if one of them saw the salt water, he their term for burying in any form. The would soon die. The Divwas have deceased was dressed in his ordinary dwindled away, and only one man, now apparel, a cloth fastened around the living in Tom Lawson's town, on the waist and extending below the knees. south-west side of the river, is left. All his other clothes, some of them quite The Mpongwes came down first to the large and gay, were spread over him; head waters of the river; and, gradually his hat was put on, his face being covwasting away, they have descended to ered. After he was laid in the coffin, the lower part of the river. When they put in a cup for him to drink with, King George was a boy, all vessels an- a knife, a fork and a plate for his food; chored off his place; and his father was and they nailed on the cover. A long the principal trader. Then the natives stick was then lashed lengthwise upon sold ivory, black wood, red wood and the top, to facilitate the removal of the slaves to the English and Americans, as corpse. Much time was consumed by well as to the Spanish and Portuguese. these arrangements. The Shikanis next came over the A rude drum was now brought, and mountains, and were a wild, fierce, pow-preparations were made for " making erful and numerous tribe. The Mpong- cry." Women came, bringing their wes looked upon them as they now look country chairs, and they sat around the upon the Pangwes. He called them, door. Soon the drum began to beat, and like most of the old men, "Bulimen," the females in and around the house set which is a corruption of a Portuguese up a most piteous wail, which they kept term for ass. But the Shikanis have almost literally sold themselves out; and are now a miserable remnant, whose villages are scattered among the border towns of the Mpongwes and Bakėlės.

The last named tribe came still later over the mountains, overpowering the Shikanis, and are now the principal occupants of the branches of the Gaboon. Within the last ten years the Pangwes have made their appearance; and probably there are as many as five thousand who have come over the mountains, and taken possession of the upper waters of the river. The other tribes are receding before them, and coming down nearer to the coast.

Next (Sabbath) morning our brethren preached to a number of the natives; "but they were nearly all under the influence of liquor, as two canoes had come up the evening before from the trading factories near Baraka." Mr. Porter had a long conversation with King George in regard to his intemperance. He made fair promises; but it is doubtful whether he will keep them.

A Funeral.

Towards noon we went down to Ovizuwe to hold a meeting; but we were obliged to wait awhile, on account of the funeral ceremonies of the slave who had died the night before. The house was more crowded with women than ever; and all appeared very sad, while many of them wept. A few men were prepar

up for about half an hour. After they ceased, some eight or ten slaves took the body, and bore it away to bury it. Their custom is to deposit the corpse in the bush, at a distance from the town; and if it is a slave, they leave it unburied, and then run as fast as they can, so that the dead man shall not get up and follow them. If one of the number falls, they think he will soon die. The burying is done by slaves, none of the relatives following the body to the grave, or ever visiting the place.

After this burying party came back, they washed all their clothes. At night they built a fire, around which they danced and yelled till morning, to keep off the spirit of the dead man, making the mangrove forests around the town ring incessantly.

Messrs. Bushnell and Porter were able to address a few of the natives "on the way of life and salvation."

Dongila-The Rágâli.

Crossing the next day to Dongila, our brethren held a service in one of its towns; and they were highly gratified with the attention which the people gave to the Word. Having ascended the Râgâli about three miles, Messrs. Bushnell and Porter spent the night at Ebuna's town. In the evening they preached to nearly one hundred attentive hearers. "It was worth coming from America," Mr. Porter says, "to tell the story of Jesus to these poor heathen, who had scarcely

heard it before." Early in the morning another white men, and would kill us all. But discourse was preached; after which our friends he put on a red coat, procured, I supproceeded up the Râgâli. At the end of about pose, from the English, and, taking a seven miles they came to "a town quite large sword, went with us, saying with a and new," respecting which Mr. Porter writes as courage that was truly ludicrous, "If I follows: die, then I will die."

It had never been visited by white men, and curiosity brought a large number to hear us preach. Many, however, seemed afraid to come into the house, but stood around the doors, or looked through the chinks in the wall. The head man was eating dinner with a Pangwe visitor; but he received us cordially. The Pangwe was a man of great strength, judging by his large muscular frame; and he was perfectly composed, though he seemed delighted

to meet us. He wished us to visit his

people on the Asango, and said they would be glad to see us. After the service we returned to our boat; and, as the tide had turned, we went down the stream. Having preached in one of the towns on the Râgâli, and left our guide at Ebuna's, we came that night as far as Konig Island. On the following day we arrived at Baraka in safety.

Passage up the Asango.

The next excursion of Messrs. Bushnell and Porter was to the Pangwe country. They left Baraka September 24, and arrived in the evening at the residence of Dinbedambe, a Shikani who had agreed to accompany them.

About four o'clock in the morning, we resumed our journey, as the tide was beginning to rise. As we sailed up the river, the outline of the opposite shore, some eight miles distant, was just visible through the darkness. At length we left the broad bosom of the Gaboon, and began to ascend the Olombo Mpolu, the larger of the two rivers which unite to form it. This is the left hand branch, and comes from the east, the Rembwe entering from the south east.

As we proceeded on our way, we about a mile of the one where we stopped passed two other Bakělě towns, within

last.

the stream.

Then, sailing through a wild region for some twenty miles or more, and passing a place which, we were told, down the houses and driving away the peothe elephants had destroyed by breaking ple, we came to where the bush spanned in fresh water; but the tide, as we were We had gone some distance ascending the stream, was in our favor all the way; and it was now past noon. least six hours from the mouth of the Our boys had been rowing vigorously at the tide was quite strong, we thought it river, and, as our boat sails finely, and must be as much as thirty-five or thirty

six miles.

Intercourse with the Pangwes.

After landing, Messrs. Bushnell and Porter endeavored to find a Pangwe town. They soon came to a head-man, with a native axe in his hand.

He returned our salutations, and soon invited us to sit down beside him on a

fallen tree. Several other men and one woman gathered around us, all uttering exclamations of wonder and admiration. As some came armed with spears and guns, the head-man sent them away to leave their weapons, before he would let them approach us. We showed him some articles which we had with us, such as coin, pocket-knife, compass, &c.; but when Mr. Bushnell lighted a friction match, he seemed frightened, and did not wish to see anything else.

We wished to proceed to the town; but it was some distance off; the tide would soon ebb; and we were so far up About eight miles from Dinbedambe's that at low water our boat could not is the mouth of the Asango, where we advance. The woman said, moreover, stopped at a small Shikani town, to pur-that we must not go to the town, but chase fish for our men. When we began must stay there, and they would send to ascend the river, it was scarcely day- and call the people. As it was very light. Our general course was north, warm, we concluded to return to our though the stream was very crooked. boat, where we could sit in the shade. Some fourteen miles up we came to a At length the people began to arrive; Bakělě town, where we stopped and and soon there were nearly a hundred procured an interpreter, who could speak men, women and children. We purPangwe. The women, when they found chased a few things, and declared to that the young man was going with us, them the words of eternal life. They set up a great clamor to prevent it, say-listened with respectful attention; and ing that the Pangwes did not want to see when we left they were more quiet than