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THE HARBINGER.

SEPTEMBER, 1856.

THE FIRST ENGLISH MISSION TO THE TURKS. SPECIAL APPEAL

OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COUNTESS OF HUNTINGDON'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Christian Friends,—Our attention having been providentially directed to the present remarkable opening for a Mission to the Mohammedans in Turkey, we have laid the subject before a general meeting of our ministers, who have desired us to adopt immediate measures, that a Missionary may be sent to the Turks under their supervision.

The Moslems in Turkey, for the first time in their history, are open to the influence of Christianity. In answer to prayer the war has been overruled for the furtherance of the gospel. The grand obstacle to the conversion of the Turks is now removed. A recent Firman, or decree, of the Sultan announces complete religious liberty to all his subjects. The cruel law, by which Turks who embraced Christianity were put to death, is abolished. This new charter of Turkish freedom is confirmed and guaranteed to all religious parties by the treaty of Paris.

A solemn obligation is consequently laid upon the followers of Christ to assist in sending the gospel to the Turks. The call of God is clear and emphatic. The followers of the False Prophet, Mohammed, should no longer be left to perish. Christians at this important crisis are in duty bound to care for their souls. The door is open which for 1200 years had been closed, inviting the ministers of the truth as it is in Jesus to enter in.

Let us take a survey of the vast field before us. In Turkey, the Mohammedan population alonec omprises no less than twenty millions five hundred and fifty thousand souls, for whom no special means of Evangelization have been provided. Apathy and popular prejudice had nearly doomed this large portion of the human family to utter destruction, either as victims of Russian ambition, or as examples of Divine vengeance. No reason could be given for this sentiment, save the fewness of conversions in the case of the Turks, which may be accounted for by the absence

of Missionary efforts, through fear of penal consequences. The world has seen the armies of the Allies daring to sacrifice their lives for the political salvation of Turkey, while the church militant has hitherto sacrificed nothing to save the souls of the Turks from everlasting destruction! Can we wonder at the fewness of conversions, while no suitable means have been employed, and while in the face of obstacles, the faith and courage, requisite to success, have been wanting?

If it be said, in excuse, that the decay of the Ottoman power is evident, and that the predicted "drying up of the Euphrates" is against us, it is sufficient to reply that those who take this view of prophecy, themselves admit the importance of Turkish evangelization; since they acknowledge that the conversion of the Ottoman people to Christianity, and not their extermination by the sword, is indicated by the prediction in question. And now that the Mahometan system is already sinking into decay, it surely behoves all earnest Christians to assist in the great work of promoting Turkish Missions. The success of all political reforms in that country depends on the measures we adopt for the spiritual enlightenment and regeneration of the people. Evangelize the Turks, and you have the surest guarantee of their advancing prosperity, and the firmest basis of permanent peace in the East.

England now posseses great influence in Turkey, which, under the Divine blessing, may be advantageously employed for the spread of the gospel. Having done our part to rescue that empire from Russian spoliation, gratitude prompts the Turks to prize our alliance. A closer contact with Englishmen during the war has also tended to remove old prejudices from the Turkish mind. Moreover, the Holy Scriptures have had a large circulation among the people. In many parts of Turkey the field is already white unto the harvest. Never were the prospects of successfully prosecuting the proposed Mission so cheering as at this moment. Shall we not make some effort to improve these signal advantages, especially when we have the agency qualified for the work waiting to be sent forth into this promising field of usefulness.

Actuated by these sentiments, we venture with confidence to appeal to the liberality of our fellow-christians of all evangelical denominations for this object. Contributions to the Turkish Mission Fund will be thankfully received by the undersigned on behalf of the Committee.

Rev. T. E. THORESBY, President, 34, Mecklenburgh-square, London.
Mr. F. W. WILLCOCKS, Treasurer, 98, Goswell-street, London.
Rev. T. DODD, Secretary, Worcester.

Rev. B. S. HOLLIS, Canonbury, London.

MEMOIR OF MR. JOHN BATCHELOR, OF MALVERN LINK.

John Batchelor, the subject of the following brief memoir, was born at Newland, in March, 1830. His childhood was distinguished for amiability, sweetness of temper, and obedience to his parents. On the 4th of Oct. 1835, he was admitted into the Sunday school connected with the Coun

tess of Huntingdon's chapel, Malvern Link, and for five years was seldom absent from his class, except when obliged by illness. He continued in the school upwards of seven years; and during the whole of this period his general behaviour was such, that his teacher does not recollect ever having to reprove him for improper conduct, and he received for committing to memory catechisms, hymns, and portions of scripture, a greater amount of rewards than any other boy in the school. He paid great attention to any remarks offered by his teacher, and to the addresses given at the close of the school During his stay in the school, he gave no evidence of a change of heart; and it was frequently a source of grief to his teacher to see him gradually becoming less regular in his attendance at chapel on the Lord's day. He at length joined the Temperance Society, and by its instrumentality, was again brought into close and intimate acquaintance with the friends at the chapel. From this period he never absented himself from the House of God, on the Sabbath, or week-day services, if possible to attend. He also felt greatly interested, and took an active part, in the singing class and the weekly meetings for mutual improvement.

About Christmas, 1853, he attended a tea meeting held in the Rev. P. C. Turner's chapel, North Malvern, when the minister delivered a rousing address, which led him at once to decide for the Lord. After walking consistently for twelve months, he was admitted into church fellowship at the Link chapel, on the first Sabbath in 1855. In repeated conversations with the Rev. J. Lumb upon the subject, he indicated great sincerity, humility, and earnestness; and in a letter to a friend he wrote as follows:

"This morning the sacrament of the Lord's supper was celebrated here when I was for the first time admitted to that holy ordinance. May my future life be consistent with its claims. It is a solemn thing thus to approach that sacred board, but I trust it has not been done without due consideration. May the Lord grant me sufficient grace to withstand the trials and temptations of this world with christian fortitude. I desire an interest in your prayers, that I may be kept steadfast in the faith, and firm in the profession I have this day made, that I may be enabled to battle against the world and sin, with all their temptations, and hold my integrity as becometh a christian."

His sorrowing widow furnishes the following particulars concerning him.

"Our acquaintance before our marriage was sustained for nearly twelve months, as my residence was then in London, by written communications, and his letters were all characterized for their spirituality and prayerful sentiments. He was the source of much consolation to myself and family, at the time of my dear father's sudden death in July, 1854; and I shall ever adore the goodness of God in vouchsafing to me so strong an earthly prop under the presure of such deep sorrow.

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Although blessed in the kind providence of God with a pious mother to whom he was devotedly attached, yet he gratefully acknowledged that it was the religious instruction received in the Sunday school which

formed the basis of his piety; that the impressions then made, by Mr. Towndrow, his faithful and beloved teacher, never in after-life left him ; and that through their influence, by God's blessing, he was preserved from falling into many of the sins and follies of youth.

“His health, until the illness which terminated in death, was generally good. In August 1855 his appetite began to fail, and he was soon reduced to extreme weakness. He went to the sea side, where he gained such strength, that his medical attendant gave sanguine hopes of his ultimate recovery. Shortly after our union, however, which took place the following month, the reappearance of symptoms made it manifest that consumption had commenced its work, and so rapid was its progress that in less than three months it effected its sad mission.

"He bore his trying illness with untiring patience, and very frequently expressed his desire calmly to submit to the will of God. When ultimately told that his recovery was hopeless, he evinced no disappointment or uneasiness, but exemplified much christian fortitude. Although very ill, he was not wholly confined to his bed until the night of the 5th of December, when he changed for death. It had no terrors to him; he was quite calm and peaceful. His aged parents, with other dear friends,, were summoned to take, as we thought, their farewell of him; but God in His wisdom and love, prolonged his stay a few days. He employed the hours as well as his difficulty of breathing permitted him, in exhorting his former companions and friends in the most solemn and earnest manner to secure their soul's salvation. Prepare for eternity,' was his oft repeated appeal, and dying message to absent relations; and most fervent were the prayers he offered for their conversion, which we trust will be answered by the faithful God. His earnest solicitations, and affectionate entreaties to his aged father were very touching. Those who were privileged to witness his death-bed scene will not easily forget the beautiful, though deeply affecting and solemn sight; the holy aspirations and peaceful countenance, beaming with heavenly radiance. Precious Jesus,— 'Blessed hope,'-Eternity of bliss,'-Blessed change," are a few of the many sentences he uttered. He frequently was apparently absorbed in contemplating the eternity of felicity he was soon to enter; and with child-like simplicity looked around upon his sorrowing friends, saying, 'I am going home; and pointing upward with joyous look, said, 'My home is there.' Although he longed to depart, and prayed his Lord to come, yet the language which immediately followed was-Thy time, O God.Thy will be done.'-'Do with me as thou wilt.' He often pointed to the sun as it shone through the window, and exclaimed, 'That glorious sun will soon be extinguished, but Christ my Sun of Righteousness will for ever shine.'

"When unable himself to repeat many of his favorite hymns, he requested me to do so, and said, 'I should like to have Rock of Ages sung, but am too weak.' His views of himself were those of sinfulness and unworthiness, but he trusted alone in the merits of Christ for salvation. 'Precious Jesus'-None but Jesus-Christ my inheritance-my allwere his oft repeated exclamations. He esteemed it a great privilege to