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we used as the emblems of that body which was broken, and that blood which was shed, for the remission of sins.

Last Monday we kept our first Monthly Concert of Prayer, on the Mount of Olives, after which we went down to Bethany.

From the letter to Mrs. W. we can make only one extract.

Of all the places I have visited, Gethsemane and the Mount of Olives, Bethlehem and the field of the Shepherds, Zion and the waters of Siloah, delight me most. I would, also, add Bethany, the town of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, and whom he used to visit.

The sun shines brightly on the Mount of Olives, which lies before me, and the swallows are flitting along by my windows; but alas! the beautiful place where they used to build their nests is now destroyed-"Even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and

my God."

GREEK YOUTHS.

OUR readers are aware, that, early in the last spring, two Greek youths arrived in this country, sent out by their friends, at the recommendation of Mr. Fisk, to the care and patronage of the American Board of Foreign Missions. The names of these youths were Photius Kavasales and Anastasius Karuvelles.

We inadvertently omitted to state in our last numbers, that, near the close of October, two other Greek youths, of promising appearance, arrived at Boston, consigned, by the missionaries at Malta, to the same care and patronage. Mr. Temple speaks thus in regard to them:

The names of these youths are Stephano and Pandoleon Galati; the former in his sixteenth and the latter in his twelfth year. They have both attended our Sabbath-school for four or five months, and have conducted themselves in all respects very much to our satisfaction. They belong to a very respectable family, which, like almost ever other family of Scio, had the misfortune to lose all its possessions on that beautiful island, when the Turks made it a desolation. These lads, with a younger brother, their mother, and a few of their neighbors, fled from the city of Scio, when the Turks came, and hid themselves, for several days in an old monastery in the mountains, where with scarcely food enough for their subsistence, they remained until they found means of getting on board a small Greek vessel, which accidentally touched at that part of the island, and carried them to the Morea. Thence, not without much difficulty, they succeeded in reaching Malta. The father of the lads is now in the Morea. They are much more favored than many others of their countrymen, as their maternal uncle is a merchant of considerable wealth, and had none of

his property on the island of Scio. He has a handsome establishment in Malta, but has several sisters who are dependent on him for a support. He defrays the expense of the outfit and passage of these his nephews. We think these lads of much promise, and earnestly desire that they may enjoy all the best means our country affords, for securing a thorough education.

These youths left Boston, in company with the Corresponding Secretary, on the 11th ult., and will probably take up their residence, for the present, at New-Haven, Con., where they have been joined by their two young countrymen first named.

At the present time, when through our community so much sympathy is manifested for the Greeks; when, in their behalf, meetings are held, addresses made, resolutions passed, and funds procured; it is confidently expected, that these young sons of Greece, who have been sent to our shores for qualifications to exert, in future years, a strong regenerating influence upon the civil, literary and moral character of the interesting people to which they belong, will not fail of receiving the most efficient support. It is pleasing to think of the mutual acquaintance and free intercourse, which may arise between this country, Palestine, and Greece.

JOURNEY OF THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

IT has, for several months, been the determination of the Prudential Committee to send one of their number, if practicable, to visit the missionary stations in the Indian country, during the present winter and the ensuing spring. They have supposed, that experience indicates some change to be expedient, in the present mode of conducting these missions; and that, as one improvement, it will be best to reduce the larger establishments, and multiply the smaller ones. Το execute this design, and to confer with the missionaries and the natives on various subjects relating to the success of missions, the Committee have deputed the Corresponding Secretary. On the 11th ult. he commenced a journey to discharge this important agency, which will probably occupy at least six months. In the course of his journey, he will endeavor to promote the interests of the Board, especially in the principal cities in the United States.

Communications designed for the Pruden. tial Committee, should be directed as heretofore.

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PALESTINE MISSION.

JOURNEY OF MESSRS. FISK AND KING
FROM CAIRO TO JERUSALEM,
THROUGH THE DESERT.

As was stated in our number for Decem-
ber, p. 377, that Messrs. Fisk and King re-
turned to Cairo, from their tour into Upper
Egypt on the 24th of March 1823. On the
26th, they attended a Jewish wedding. Of
the ceremonies observed on this occasion
they have transmitted an account, which we
shall probably insert in some future number.
The next day they rode out to Shoobreh to
see the summer palace and garden of the
Pasha, where he puts himself in quarantine
whenever the plague appears in Cairo,-
circumstance which, with zealous Mussul-
mans, is sufficient proof of infidelity. They ||
represent the garden as fine, and the palace
as splendid. Here they saw an elephant and
a camel-leopard; the former from Bombay,
and the latter from Sennaar. The camel-
leopard they thus describe:

An interesting animal! Its body is in size like that of a small horse, but shorter. The neck and legs are considerably longer than those of a horse. Its head and neck are formed like those of a deer, its legs like those of a horse, and its hoofs like those of an ox. Its skin is beautifully spotted, red and white. Its aspect is mild and gentle; its motions lively, gay, and proud.

The following extracts, illustrative of the manners, customs, and state of the country, will not be uninteresting before commencing the journey into the desert.

Near Shoobreh we met a crowd in the street composed principally of women and children following some soldiers, who were leading along a number of Arabs with their hands bound. The women were weeping, and shrieking, and crying, "My liver! my liver!" We found, on inquiry,

VOL. XX.

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that the young men had been pressed as
soldiers by order of government.
process is this. Government sends out
men to the villages with orders to return
with a certain number of soldiers. They
go and seize the first promising young men
they can find. One young man had faint-
ed, and an old man was carrying him off,
followed by women, who rent the air with
their cries. We had scarcely left this
crowd before we met a man carrying a
corpse on a mule, probably to bury it. It
was merely wrapped up in a mat of reeds.
The whole was a piteous and affecting

scene.

April 2. Made a visit to the Ewir Beshir at his retreat on the banks of the

Nile, above old Cairo. He has with him

a number of attendants and soldiers from Mount Lebanon, Druses and Maronites. He incurred, some time since, the displeasure of the Porte, and an order was sent for his head. He, however, found a safe retreat with the Pasha of Egypt, through whose mediation, and, if our information is correct, by means of a present of 100,000 dollars, he has obtained pardon, and a firman restoring him to his former authority. He received us very favorably. He knew something of America, and when we told him we were Americans, he gave us a salutation, and an expressive look, which flattered our national pride. When he learned, that we intended going to Mount Lebanon, he said he should expect to see us there, named a place which he said would be the best for learning Arabic, and promised to give us a letter for that place. We were struck with the stout, robust appearance of the Druses and Maronites.

April 3. Called on Osman Nureddin, the President of the Pasha's College. We gave him some literary pamphlets, and Erskine on the Evidences of Christianity in French. He treated us very politely, but received Erskine's work with a look, which showed that it was not very acceptable. Called likewise to-day on the Armenian Bishop, Gregory. He gave us a letter for Jerusalem.

5

Messrs. Fisk and King were in Egypt about three months, during which time they distributed, or gave away for distribution, 3,700 tracts. They also gave away 256 copies of the Bible or parts of it, and sold 644 (in all 900) for 2378 piastres, or about 185 dollars.

We now commence the description of their journey from Cairo to Jerusalem, in the course of which they passed through the same desert, though not through the same part of it, which the children of Israel passed through, when escaping from Egyptian bondage to the promised land of their inheritance and rest.

Commencement of the Journey. Monday, April 7, 1823. Soon after sun-rise an Arab Shekh came with our camels. We had engaged 13, and were to pay six dollars and a half for each, for the journey from Cairo to Jaffa. Four were for ourselves and servant, one for our guide Mustapha, one for water, one for provisions, four for our trunks of books and clothes, and two for the books of the Bible Society and the Jews' Society. We bad purchased four goat skins and four leather bottles, in which to carry our wa

ter.

We had hoped to find a caravan going through the desert, but finding it not likely that one would go for some weeks, we prepared to set out alone.

At 9 o'clock we took leave of Mr. Salt and his family, and rode out of town; and after arranging our baggage, commenced our journey at ten in regular order for Syria. As we started, a Turkish Dervish and two or three others joined our caravan. We passed a little way from Matarieh, and the obelisk of On or Heriopolis. Till one o'clock we rode in the edge of the wilderness, with its immense extent stretching away to the right, and the fertile plains of the Nile to the left.

At one

our road led us into the fields, but still near the desert. At nearly 4 o'clock, after riding more than five hours, course E, N. E. we pitched our tent on the sandy plain near the village Abu-Sabel. Here a number of Mussulmans and several Armenians joined our caravan. They had been waiting at the village for a caravan to pass, with which they might go through the desert.

In the evening we observed the Monthly Concert of Prayer.

Tuesday 8. We arose at 5, and at 6 resumed our journey. At 8, we passed a village in a large grove of palm-trees. At half past 11, having rode on with our guide, trotting our camels till we were almost out of sight of the caravan, we stopped to rest

under the shade of a tree. Here we felt the force and saw the beauty of the comparison, "like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land." The caravan came up in half an hour, and we went on. At one, after riding seven hours, course N. and N.E. we pitched our tent on the road near the village Bilbes. Found the thermometer in our tent at 85°. In our room at Cairo it had been for some time from 70° to 76°. We have hitherto had fertile fields on our left hand, and the barren desert on our right. In looking off upon the desert we have observed at a distance the appearance of water. The illusion is perfect, and did we not know that it is a mere illusion, we should confidently say that we saw water. It sometimes appears like a lake, and sometimes like a river. As you approach it, it recedes or vanishes.-Thus are the hopes of this world, and the objects which men ardently pursue, false and illusive as the streams of the desert.

Account of the Caravan.

Wednesday, 9. Bilbes being the last village before crossing the desert, our attendants were employed in getting things for themselves and their beasts, and we did not set off till half past nine. Several Turks, Arabs and Armenians here joined our caravan. After entering the desert, we counted the persons belonging to the caravan, and found the whole number 74. with 44 camels, 57 asses, one mule, and one horse. Several of the camels are loaded with merchandize, and most of the cameldrivers perform the whole journey on foot. It may be interesting to some of our friends to see a list of oriental names, and to learn with what a "mixed multitude," we passed through the "great and terrible wilderness."

There were Mussulman Dervishes: viz. Hadgi Mustapha, of Jerúsalem; Hadgi Abdool, Hadgi Khaleel (i. e. the beloved,) and Hadgi Saveer, from Bokkaria; Hadgi Kahman (i. e. the merciful,) Hadgi Mohammed, and Abdallah (i. e. the slave or servant of God,) from near Astrachan.

Arabs:-Mustapha, our guide and the Shekh of the caravan; Ismael (Ishmael) and Abdool Assiz (the slave of the Excellent,) who own a part of the camels; and Hadgi Ahmed, the conductor of a part of the caravan. Among the camel-drivers on foot were Moses, Mahommed of El Arish, Hassan, Hadgi Ibrahim (Abraham,) Mahommed of Gaza, Said, Khaleel, Mahommed, a lad, and Selim and Salina, two Bedouins.

Turks:-Hadgi Ibrahim, of Damascus. [He was attended by a black Eunuch, and his form and size would seem to mark him out as a son of Anak. "He seemed built like a tower."] Three soldiers from

Erzeroum; Hadgi Suleiman (Solomon) of || gave him assistance in carrying his baggage,
Dearbeker; Hadgi Younas (Jonas) of Bag.
dad; and Hadgi Mahmoud.
Armenians:-Boghas (Paul) from Smyr-village far off on our left. In the course of

na; one from Constantinople; Boghas and three others from Koordistan; and Tameer, who passed for a Turkish soldier, but told us privately that he was an Armenian.

Greeks:-One from Tocat, where Martyn died, one from Anatolia, (neither of whom speak any thing but Turkish,) and Elias, a Catholic Maronite from Nazareth.

There were, also, eight women; one the mother of Elias, three Turkish, one an Arab, and three negro slaves.

At half past 2, after riding five hours, we pitched our tent on the plain called Rode el Wolten. Thermometer in our tent at 79°. Asked the Dervish Hadgi Mustapha, what a Dervish is. He replied, "One that eats what he has to day, and trusts God for the future." "Are they priests?" "They are among Turks what Priests are among Christians." "Are they Monks? or can they marry?" "Some marry, others not, as they please." The term Hadgi, which occurs so often in the above list of names, means pilgrim, and is a title given by the Turks to all who have performed the pilgrimage to Mecca. The Greeks have adopted the word into their language, and bestowed the title upon all who have made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Journey in the Desert.

and we set off at seven. Saw a mountain at a great distance on our right, and a

the day the four camels were found at a distance, and brought into the encampment at || evening. At 2, after seven hours travelling, we pitched our tent at Mahsima. Thermometer in the tent 84°, in the sun 104°. Here is a well of what we call here in the desert, good water. The goat-skins, which we took to carry water in, were new, and have given the water a reddish color, and an exceedingly loathsome taste.

In the evening they found, that the butter, which they had put up at Cairo for their raelites kept over night, "bred worms,” so journey, had, like the manna which the Isthat they could not eat it.

Thrice, during the forenoon of the next day, the passports of the different companies composing the caravan were demanded, by Arab soldiers, patroling this part of the des ert for the purpose of stopping travellers who were destitute of passports. One of the soldiers had in his arms a beautiful Gazelle, which at a distance looked like a young deer.

Far off on our right hand, we saw a range of mountains. Our course in the morning was nearly E.; afterwards it varied to nearly N. At 2, after more than seven hours travel, we pitched our tent at Jissar. Those places in the desert where there are wells, or where caravans are accustomed to encamp, have in consequence received We give the names as they were

names.

Most of the time to day we have been rising a gentle ascent, course E. and N. E. We are now in the desert, out of sight of the inhabited world. Its appearance, how-repeated to us by our guide. Our road ever, is not so perfectly barren, as we exhitherto has been alternately loose, movepected to find it. Almost every where able sand, and hard sand mixed with we see thistles, grass, and flowers, growing gravel. out of the sand, though thinly scattered, of stinted growth, and of a dry and withered look. When we stop, we select a good spot for our encampment, raise our tent on its two poles; and stretch out the ropes and fasten them to the earth with pins, and then arrange our trunks and boxes of books, so that they serve us for tables, chairs, and bed-steads.

Thursday, 10. When the caravan stops, the camels are turned out to feed on the thistles, weeds, and grass, which the desert produces. At sun-set they are assembled, and made to lie down around the encampment. Yesterday afternoon four of them, which carried merchandize for an Armenian, went off, and could not be found. Two or three men were despatched in search of them. This morning they were not found, and we arranged our baggage so as to give the Armenian one of

ours.

The rest of the company, also,"

The singular combination of events, described in the following paragraph, took place during this day.

After some refreshment, we took a Persian Testament, and Genesis in Arabic, and went to Hadgi Mohammed, the Dervish. We sat down with him on his blanket spread on the sand, with the sun beating on our heads, and then showed him our books. He reads well in Persian and Arabic. Of the other Dervishes, not one knows how to read. While we were reading with him, most of the Dervishes, and several Turks and Armenians, gathered around and listened. Mohammed || read in Genesis, and said it was very good. Another Turk then took it, and read that God rested on the seventh day, and said angrily, that it was infidelity to say that God rested. Mr. Wolff tried to explain

but to no purpose, till he said he had given such a book to the Mufti of Jerusalem, who said it was good. This argument silenced him at once. We gave the

book of Genesis to Mahommed. While we were sitting with him, Elias the Maronite began to beat his mother, because she did not cook his victuals as he wished. Mr. Wolff went to him, and reproved him severely for such conduct. The Turks said tauntingly, "He is a Christian." We were glad they heard Mr. Wolff's admonition, in which he shewed them how inconsistent his behavior was with the commands of the Gospel. The unnatural man at length relented, and went to his mother and kissed her hand in token of acknowledgment. Towards evening two Turks had a dispute which finally led to blows. Hagi Ibrahim (the Anakite) interfered, and, by loud words and a few blows, settled the quarrel. After this, the Dervish Mustapha became very angry with his ass, and, like Balaam, fell to beating him, and concluded by calling him a Jew.

During the next day, they beheld several Blocks of sheep and goats, guarded by Bedouin shepherds, and feeding on the scanty vegetation which the wilderness affords. One of the flocks, from which our travellers purchased a lamb, contained about 300 sheep and goats. The shepherd and two boys were spinning cotton with a small spindle, as they walked about surrounded by the objects of their care. They also met a caravan of 150 camels going to Cairo.

As they proceeded in a northeasterly direction, they found less vegetation, and more sand and hills, than heretofore.

The necessity for their travelling on the Sabbath, was imperious, they being in the midst of the desert, four days from any human dwelling, with a scauty supply of provisions, with no water which was not exceedingly offensive, and with a company of 70 persons, who would all be likely to suffer by delay. In the afternoon pitched their tents near a grove of palm-trees.

Monday, 14. Hitherto we had generally enjoyed a refreshing north wind, which has served to mitigate the heat, and rendered our journey less tedious, than we had feared it would be. This morning a strong scorching wind from the S. E. commenced. It was indeed distressing. The air sometimes seemed as if it issued from the mouth of an oven. Many of the Arabs bound a handkerchief over their mouths and noses, as a defence against it. After riding six hours and a half, we

pitched our tent on the plain of Loolia, near a well of miserable water. The thermometer in our tent stood at 99°. The country we passed was full of sand-bills. The wind sometimes blew the sand over the hills like snow in a storm. This has been a dreadful day.

To avoid the heat of the day, they arose at midnight, and resumed their journey at one in the morning. They continued travelling till noon.

The wind continued from S. E. during the night, and we anticipated another dreadful day. But in the forenoon it changed to the S. W., and we were refreshed by a cooling breeze. The night was so cloudy that not a star appeared. The loaded camels, which during the day travel like a flock, were all tied together when prized to see how the Arabs, who are acwe travelled in the night. One is surcustomed to the desert, will find their way in a dark night. After 11 hours ride, we pitched our tent at Aboo Jilbana. After the heat of yesterday, and our ride last night, we all find ourselves unwell.

On the Shore of the Mediterranean.

Wednesday, 16. Resumed our journey at five in the morning. Soon came upon a harder road than we had found for several days. It was at no great distance from the Sea. The salt water had overflowed it, and had been evaporated by the sun, leaving a considerable thickness of salt on the ground. At 2, we came upon the shore of the Mediterranean, where the

waves

were rolling, and foaming, and breaking, in a most beautiful and majestic manner. Turning from the sea-shore, and passing over a mountain of sand, we came in a little while to El Arish, a village situated in the desert. At Messaoudia, a watering place on the sea-shore, the caravan separated, and one part took a different route for Gaza. After riding ten hours and a half, we pitched our tent on the plain near the village. Our shekh belongs to this place. When he and his attendants met with their friends, we had an opportunity to observe a curious mode of salutation. They took each other by the hand, put their foreheads together, and smacked their lips, but without bringing their faces in contact. They repeated this joining of foreheads and distant kissing four or five times, saying, "Peace;" "Well?" "Thank God," "How are you?" "Thank God;" "Peace." "God give you peace." "God bless you."

In conversation with the Greek, who is from Tocat, he told us that there are in that place 100 or 150 Greek houses, a

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