"Notwithstanding these errors and defects, we preserve a great charity for this
distressed part of the Catholic Church, and wish, and pray heartily for their
deliverance-and that in the mean while, they may see from what purity of doctrine
and worship they are fallen, and may be restored to their ancient integrity and
splendour. This Christian charity obliges us to do."-

PREFACE TO SMITH'S HISTORY OF THE GREEK CHURCH,

LONDON:

JAMES NISBET AND CO. BERNERS STREET.

One Shilling and Sixpence.

MDCCCXL.

890.

T. C. JOHNS,

Red Lion Court, Fieet Street,

TO THE RIGHT REV.

THE LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN.

MY LORD,

During a journey which I have lately made in Syria and Egypt, it has been my endeavor to collect as much information as possible respecting the present state of the Christian Churches in the East. I could wish that my efforts had been more satisfactory, but probably your Lordship is aware of the difficulties which attend such an undertaking. The reserved and idle habits of the Orientals, the suspicion which they attach to every enquiry, and the necessity of communicating through an interpreter, are serious obstacles to an European traveller, unacquainted with the Arabic and modern Greek languages. Imperfect, however, as the result of my journey has been in this respect, I venture to bring the subject before the notice of your Lordship, in the hope that it may lead to further investigation.

Having made a statement once or twice to my brethren in the ministry, which has awakened an extraordinary measure of interest, I have been urged to bring the facts before the Bishop of London, and in order to do this through the proper channel, I am encouraged to address your Lordship as my Diocesan.

My object is to shew, that there is a wide field. open for usefulness among the Ancient Christian Churches; and that the peculiarities of it are such as to call loudly for the interference and aid of