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Asia Minor.

LETTER FROM MR.

SCHNEIDER, DATED

AT BROOSA, aug. 5, 1834.
BROOSA is situated in the ancient province of
Bythinia, near the western base of the Asiatic
Olympus, and was the capital of the Turkish
empire for one hundred and thirty years be-

the students in general, in ancient Greek, geography, history, geometry, algebra, the philosophy of language, and in the sacred Scriptures. This last part of the examination I conducted myself. At different intervals, during the examination, compositions were read by different students in the first and second classes. The nomarch, the bishop, and others, among whom were several priests, attended on different days. Those gentlemen of intelligence who attended fore the taking of Constantinople. It is now seemed much pleased with the examina- described as one of the most beautiful cities in tion and the progress which had been Turkey, containing a large Moslem populamade by the students generally, and tion, about 6,000 Greeks, as many Armenians, have expressed to others their cordial approbation of the Gymnasium and of three synagogues of Jews, and a few papists; the course of studies, etc. in all about 50,000 or 60,000 inhabitants. For my own part, I rejoice greatly in seeing the proThe place was first visited by Mr. Goodell, in gress of the youth in knowledge, both May 1832. The distance from Constantinople human and divine; and I have evidence is about eighty miles. It was at first designed in the conduct of the students, that the that the mission should be commenced by study of the Holy Scriptures has had, Messrs. Schneider and Johnston, and their and is exerting, a most salutary and hap-wives, who embarked at Boston Dec. 12, 1833; py influence upon them. Different students of the third class have, of their own accord, expressed to me how much they felt indebted for the study of the Scriptures. One of them said to me yesterday, "Before you expounded to us the gospel, we knew nothing of it, and we were continually in quarrels and disputes; but now, we are more easily reconciled and forgive one another.

but owing to circumstances which occurred about the time of their arrival at Constantinople, which was in the month of February following, it was deemed expedient by themselves and their missionary brethren there, that only one family should proceed to the place at first.

Before removing his family to Broosa, Mr. S. visited the city, in company with Mr. Goodell, and made some necessary arrangements for a residence there.

ary Labors.

My last letter, which informed you of my first visit to this place and the reception the people gave us, stated my intention of removing hither as soon as possible. We arrived on the 15th of July.

Fifteen of that class committed to memory Christ's Sermon on the Mount, to which as the rule of their lives I refer them in their disputes and difficulties, and in all their conduct one towards Arrival and Commencement of Missionanother. The whole class have studied the whole of the gospel according to St. Matthew, and the next year they will study the law and the prophets, particularly the law, i. e. the Penteteuch, and also the historical parts of the Old Testament. The coming year, if I should live, I shall have a great deal to do; shall have to teach the first class Bickerstith's Scriptural Help, and didactic theology; to the second class evidences of Christianity, and historical parts of the Scriptures; to the third the Penteteuch, and to the fourth the gospel. If I give all these lessons, and prepare for them as I ought, besides preaching once or twice on the Lord's-day, you must not expect me to do much else, than attend to the duties of the Gymna

sium.

I have now two teachers in the Gymnasium and one assistant. I think I must add another teacher, and that will suffice.

VOL. XXXI.

When we were here before, we found appearances highly favorable. The people were very friendly and seemed pleased in prospect of having one of our number in the midst of them. The door seemed to be wide open. After our departure, however, the priests began to excite opposition; so that on our return we found the state of things materially changed. Though we had partly engaged a house, we were fearful of not succeeding in securing it. For we ascertained that the Greek bishop had commanded his people not to furnish us a house until he had written to the patriarch at Constantinople about it, at the

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give us wisdom from above to direct us in all our ways and duties. Our health and spirits are very good.

Endian Archipelago.

same time threatening to use his influence with him to interpose his authority. But the owner of the house, being a man considerably enlightened, would not be deterred by the menace of the bishop. "The house was his, and he would dispose of it as he saw fit. If any one wished for it, he would give him the use LETTERS FROM MESSRS. MUNSON AND of it at his own pleasure." In a few days after our arrival he came to complete the contract, much to our relief. Thus we have been permitted to settle down quietly under our own vine and fig-tree, grateful that we have a shelter, remembering that our Savior "had not so much as where to lay his head."

The young Armenian, whom we had left to superintend the school to be opened, was engaged in making the necessary preparations during our absence. We found the room and all the apparatus in readiness. But it was with some difficulty that it commenced. Several meetings among the Armenians were first held on the subject. Some were not favorable to it. The principal priest, in particular, opposed it. He said it was a "protestant concern. The children would all become Lutherans. It was dangerous to their religion," etc. After much consultation and some altercation, it commenced. On the first day it was visited by five of the principal men, one of whom was the vartabed. They were pleased, and pronounced it good. It has now been in operation two weeks and contains already seventy children.

A friendly priest is to be the teacher. The people generally are pleased with it. The most influential man among them is its principal supporter. If it were not in his hands, the opposition of the inimical priests would, I fear, have already put a stop to it. It seems very providential that he should have taken it under his particular care. We hope it will weather the storm, though we have some serious apprehensions to the contrary. The opposition of the priests is becoming more and more de

termined.

We are very glad to have reached our destined home at length. After wandering about from place to place for nearly a year, it is very pleasant to have a spot which we can call our own. Though we are alone, we are happy, quite happy in our situation. Opposition in our work we expect; but the more opposed the people are to the truth as it is in Jesus, the more do they need our labors and our prayers. Our desire is that we may be faithful. May the Lord

LYMAN.

WHILE the last sheet of the number for Feb

ruary was in press, the painful intelligence was received, that Messrs. Munson and Lyman were, on the 28th of June last, murdered by the Battas, a savage tribe of Sumatra, while on an exploring tour in that island. The afflictive event could then merely be announced. Communications will now be inserted from themselves, giving information respecting their travels and labors till within a few days of their removal from missionary toils and perils, to the rest of the faithful servant. These will be followed by an article communicating the particulars respecting their death.

It will be recollected these brethren embarked on the 10th of June, 1833, for Batavia, with the expectation that they would remain there such a length of time as might be necessary for the purpose of preparing themselves most advantageously for exploring the islands of the Indian Archipelago, especially the Malayan group; which, in accordance with their own inclinations, they were instructed to make their first object of missionary labor. The end to be accomplished was to communicate to the Christian community more full and definite information respecting this large and almost wholly neglected portion of the heathen world; and also to ascertain where there were important posts which might be occupied by

other missionaries who might afterwards be sent into that quarter of the world. They arrived at Batavia on the 30th of the following September, where they remained till April of the next year, when they commenced their travels, as will be seen in the following letter, written from Padang, a Dutch settlement on the southwest coast of Sumatra. A melancholy interest will be attached to this and those which follow, from the circumstance that

they were written while these brethren were on their way to the place where they laid down their lives.

Sumatra, as may be seen on a map of those regions, is an island 700 or 1,000 miles long, stretching off northwest from Java, from which

From Batavia to Padang-Niyas.

it is separated by the straits of Sunda. The || you were assembled for the monthly three principal European settlements on its concert. We trust the Lord heard your southwestern coast are Padang, about mid-prayers. But we cannot close without way, Bencoolen, about equally distant from inquiring, Are there men preparing to that point and the southeastern extremity of The Mohammedans and papists are excome over into Sumatra and help us? the island; and Tapanooly about as far from ceedingly active. Notwithstanding that Padang, towards the northwestern extremity. through the influence of the former, two Under date of May 6th, 1834, they write French missionaries were two years from Padangsince poisoned on Niyas, others are soon coming to make another attempt. As yet neither of them have made any progress in the Batta country, except in one small district. No doubt exists but this highly interesting people are ready for the reception of the gospel. Send men and Bibles, and pray for the descent of the Holy Spirit, and ere long these more than ten times the population of the Sandwich Islands, with their written language and bamboo books, may be reading the word of God and setting at the feet of Jesus. But send men full of faith and the Holy Ghost; for if they once come among these islands we can assure them they need look for no rest till they find it in heaven. Withhold no men, from the suggestion we have made concerning Niyas, for if it is an island we cannot now enter, we must occupy the point nearest to it.

You will doubtless rejoice to hear from us on our tour. We took passage at Batavia in the Diederieca, capt. Townsend, on the 8th of April; and arrived at this place, (after encountering a storm and putting back to Bencoolen in distress,) in eighteen days. We did not, however, regret in the least the detention, as it enabled us to gather information concerning that place, and to distribute there many Chinese and Malay books. We find the people here quite disposed to forward our views. Particularly in Mr. Ward we find a valuable adviser. There are many conflicting opinions among this people concerning Niyas. All, however, concur in saying that there is there no paramount authority, and a total insecurity of life.

superior to them. He has also in preparation a new dictionary. Already he has collected 40,000 words, while Marsden's has only 5,000. It is on an excellent plan, adapted for both Malays and English.

You will doubtless rejoice to learn We shall go (the Lord willing) and that Mr. Ward has completed a new endeavor to ascertain the state of the translation of the New Testament in case. We have accordingly hired a Malay. All other translations are above boat and expect to leave here on the the comprehension of the people genmorrow or next day. We are to be ac-erally. This is believed to be vastly companied by Mr. Munson's Chinese teacher, also a faithful trusty servant from Batavia who is eager to learn the way of salvation, and a man born at Padang of Niyas parents, who understands Malay, Niyas, and a little English, to act in the capacity of cook and interpreter. We have provided ourselves with about one hundred dollars worth of articles to be used as presents and for the purchase of food. The boat is to leave us at Tapanooly, from which place we expect to proceed to the interior of the Batta country-if possible pass around the great lake, where no white man has ever yet been known to go, and return either to Tapanooly or Natal, and make the best of our way to Batavia, where, if the Lord prospers us, we hope to arrive about the first of October. Such are our plans. The Lord alone knoweth the future. In him we trust. We weighed anchor at Batavia on Tuesday morning. April 8th at seven o'clock-just the time (allowing for difference of latitude) that

* Pronounced Nee-Yas; sometimes spelled Nizs.

Mr. Ward is an English Baptist missionary who has resided on the island of Sumatra many years. The Malay language is spoken extensively on the coasts of all the islands in the Indian Archipelago. Niyas is an island of considerable magnitude on the southwest coast of Sumatra, nearly opposite Tapanooly.

Batoo Group-Niyas.

From Pulo Batoo, another island, a short distance south of Niyas, near the equator, the brethren write on the 18th of May

We have just learned that a China boat sails soon for Padang. Therefore we write hastily that you may receive intelligence from us at this stage of our progress. Perhaps we may remain here,

at the Batoo group, which includes 122 We cannot in a single letter fully islands, (the largest, Minto, requiring four days to sail around it,) thirteen of which are inhabited by perhaps seven or eight thousand people, mostly Niyas. As they are not vicious, and as there have been recent disturbances in the south part of Pulo Nivas, in which some boats from Padang killed several people, we shall probably be obliged to cut short our visit there. A Chinaman who was engaged in the disturbance returned to Padang a few days before we left, and was fined $120.-Nevertheless we shall, with the blessing of God, make an attempt to see something of the island and of the people. From Gaenong Si Yoolis we shall be able to enter at least one day. We are distant from there twelve hours' sail. On our way hither we have visited Priaman and Ayer Banji, on the Sumatra coast, besides several small islands.

We are in good health and fine spirits. If we are unable to enter Niyas we beg you will not say "there are yet four months and then cometh the harvest." In Padang and the Batoo group are at least ten thousand Niyas people-all bowing to gods which their own hands have made, loving pork and hating Mohamedanism, friendly to Europeans and free to choose life or death, people of intelligence, ingenuity, and a cast of mind superior to any natives we have yet seen.

communicate the results of our observations: yet we wish to give you the impressions that have been gradually springing up and maturing in our own minds. The facts from which these impressions have originated will be stated at length in our report to be made hereafter. But in the mean time we would say that we have fully made up our minds strongly to recommend to the Committee the immediate establishment of a mission among the Niyas people. Padang, as we before stated, holds out every possible facility for the acquisition of the language, and for reducing it to writing. The Batoo Islands offer a safe retreat for the commencement of a mission. Four or five thousand inhabitants, grouped together in singularly compact villages of from fifty to three or four hundred souls each, present many and great advantages for familiar intercourse with the people, for the establishment of schools; and indeed for introducing and carrying forward the whole train of missionary operations. Our impression respecting the Niyas people, are exceedingly favorable. We consider them as superior to the Malays in every respect, except that the latter are able to read. After the most diligent and often repeated inquiries, we cannot learn that any customs or prejudices prevail among them, which will be likely to hinder the progress of the truth.

From Batoo, we had a quick passage Tapanooly-Contemplated Tour in the to Niyas, where we remained two weeks.

Batta Country.

The following letter is probably the last written by our lamented brethren, and was dated at Tapanooly, June 22d, 1834, the day, previous to their departure for the interior of the Batta country, and, as nearly as can be ascertained, six days before their death. They arrived at that place on the 17th. Their journals, written previously to their leaving Tapanooly, together with maps of the places visited by them, were forwarded to Batavia, and will probably be soon received in this

country.

We cannot permit any favorable opportunity of acquainting you with our circumstances to pass unimproved. Since we last wrote you from Pulo Batoo, we have finished our observations there, also on the island of Niyas; and have arrived in safety at this place. Though some of boat-men were visited by disease, * own life and health have been lly preserved.

་ །

We visited Sinnumbawa, Mana, and Gubut did not penetrate far into the intenang Stoti; and called on several rajahs; rior. The reason of these partial investigations on Niyas will be fully stated in our report. But we now say in one word that it is unsafe travelling in the interior of the island. After the information we obtained at Batoo, we did not think that the object to be gained by a journey inland, would compensate for the time, labor, and expense which it would require. There are some places on Nivas where a missionary might live in safety; yet we do not consider it as the best place to commence the work of reform.

We arrived at this place last Friday; since which we have been making diligent preparation for our journey into the Batta country. We have made preparations to penetrate as far as the great lake, which is the heart of the Batta territory, and return by another route to this place. Mr. Bonnett, the post-holder here, who, though a Catholic, treats us

with great kindness, has himself been in || They are warlike, extremely fair and honorathe country. He thinks we may be able ble in all their dealings, most deliberate in all to accomplish the journey in one month. their proceedings; their country is highly culAll testimonies concur in pronouncing tivated, and crimes are few. the way very difficult, owing to high mountains and impenetrable forests. Our arrangements are now completed, tual improvement, the Battas, according to

and tomorrow we start.

With these indications of civil and intellec

the same author, exhibit some of the worst Should we return in one month, we characteristics of unmitigated barbarism. may possibly reach Batavia early in They are cannibals-even the laws of their September. Thus far the Lord has country enjoin upon them, in the case of prospered us beyond our expectations. We trust that the Board and the churches four crimes at least, to devour the flesh of the will make every possible exertion to fol- || criminals, and to dispose of prisoners taken in low up these incipient efforts; and to important wars, in the same manner. The thrust in laborers, wherever the fields are law does not permit them to wait till they white and ready to harvest. The work have put a period to the life of the victim. that has been assigned us is beset with This, however, is said to be seldom, if ever, perplexities. It is laborious and trying done to gratify private malice or revenge; to both body and mind. Yet we labor cheerfully. Our greatest danger is, that and in the case of criminals, the awful punishour faith will fail us, and the grand ob- ment is never inflicted until after a regular ject of all our efforts be lost in the shade trial has been held, evidence produced, and of minor considerations. the sentence publicly pronounced by the conYesterday we visited the village-stituted authorities. It is said that the people where Mr. Burton formerly resided; but nearly all traces of his operations are now obliterated. His house is removed, his school scattered, and indeed no vestige of missionary efforts now remain.With many prayers that you and we may be guided by unerring wisdom, we remain, etc.

STATEMENTS RELATING TO THE MURDER
OF MESSRS. MUNSON AND LYMAN.

BEFORE proceeding to give the mournful de-
tails, it may be proper to make some addi-
tional statements respecting the Battas. The
following is an extract from a letter of Sir

prefer human flesh to any other; and that for

merly this savage practice was much more prevalent than now, so that the lives of nearly all the old people were terminated in this manner. Sir Stamford Raffles, in 1820, estimated the number of persons annually eaten, in time of peace, at from sixty to one hundred. He still speaks of the people as being honest and honorable, and as possessing many virtues. He thought that no danger was to be apprehended from travelling among them, and had himself planned a journey to the great lake Tobah, mentioned by Messrs. Munson and Lyman as the limit of their contemplated journey. Respecting this tour he remarks,

Thomas Stamford Raffles, inserted in his memoirs. He was for many years governor of Sumatra, and well acquainted with the island "Lady Raffles will, I hope, accompany me.

and its inhabitants. He remarks

I am perfectly satisfied that we shall be safe, and I hardly know any people on whom I would sooner rely than the Battas." He does not state that this contemplated tour was ever performed.

The Battas are an extensive and populous nation, occupying the whole of that part of the island lying between Acheen and Menangkabu, [embracing nearly half the island,] reaching to both the shores. The coast is but Messrs. Burton and Evans, missionaries of thinly inhabited, but in the interior the people the English Baptist Society, settled in Sumaare said to be 'as thick as the leaves of the tra in the year 1820, and the former took up forest;' perhaps the whole nation may amount to between one and two millions of souls. his residence at Tapanooly, in the Batta They have a regular government, deliberative country. They were afterwards reinforced assemblies, and are great orators; nearly the by Mr. Ward, from the same society. He whole of them write, and they possess a lanwith Mr. Burton penetrated far into the integuage and a written character peculiar to themselves. In their language and terms, as rior, intending to reach lake Tobah, but this, well as in some of their laws and usages, the owing to the sickness of one of their number, influence of Hindooism may be traced, but they have also a religion peculiar to them- they did not accomplish. Respecting the peoselves; they acknowledge the one and only ple and their country, Mr. Ward, (whom the great God, under the title of Dibata Assi Assi. || brethren saw at Padang) remarks—

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