the sun was setting, orders were given to let go the anchor and clew up the sails. We proceeded immediately to the town, distant three miles, and once more took lodgings on terra firma, after a passage of nineteen days. "Thanks for mercies past received."

29. Spent most of the day in company with Mr. N. M. Ward formerly of the English Baptist Society. He now carries on a sugar plantation, and also is pursuing the study of the Malay language. He has already translated the New Testament, and has collected 40,000 words and upwards, derivative and primitive, for a dictionary, which is more than 3,500 more than Marsden has in his dictionary. He came out as a printer, and first lived at Bencoolen and labored there successfully for about five years, having established schools and brought them under good regulations. Soon after the place was made over to the Dutch, he removed to this place and labored about two years. Mr. Evans, who was originally established here, and labored five years, left about the time Mr. Ward came, on account of ill health. He is now living in England. Mr. Burton labored two years in Tappanooly and vicinity among the Battas. He gathered two small schools, but did not accomplish much before ill health compelled him to abandon the station. From thence he proceed to Bengal, where both he and his wife died. A manuscript collection of words which he made in the Batta language, and some of his other manuscripts are in the college at Serampore; and they, or copies of them, may be obtained; and would, perhaps, be of some use to future missionaries.

[Mr. Lyman.

Padang-Population-State of Religion -Importance of Padang as a Field of Missionary Labor.

||mains of Europeans, show that many, from one cause or another, have fallen. Exclusive of soldiers, of whom there are two thousand Europeans and Javenese, there are 600 free Nyas men, Europeans 200, Chinese 700, and Malays on the whole plain 40,000, slaves 2,000, Cling men 200. The Nyas men are poor and wretched, but more civilized than in their native country. The Chinese are, many of them, from Pulo Pesang; some speak a little English. They are next in rank to European merchants. They do not, as in Batavia, deal in small articles; this is all left to the Malays. Most of them are wholesale merchants, very intelligent, nearly all able to read, and apparently men of wealth.

The Malays have one bazar more than half a mile in length, where the shops, which join each other, contain almost every thing. Some sell articles of food, others clothes, and others still manufacture iron, brass, silver, and gold. The goldsmiths manifest an ingenuity which one would not expect to find in such society. With a handful of tools of the rudest construction, they draw gold and silver wire, and make ornaments that would do credit to any European shop. They are able to distinguish gold and silver from all counterfeits, of which there are here many, almost by intuition. They are so expert at this that their word is law, even with Europeans. The Cling men are butlers, washermen, and petty merchants. They are all Mohammedans.

The Malays have mosques, and the Chinese have a temple, all of which are frequented; but the Europeans have a church, which is deserted. They have a regularly organized church, but for want of a minister it is going fast to decay. Their little meeting-house, in which the Rev. Mr. Evans used to officiate, has been so much injured by an earthquake, that it must be taken down.

30. I have now been long enough in Padang to form some estimate of the place and people. The town is an inconsiderable place, situated on the Padang river, a small stream a hundred yards wide, and extending twenty-five miles into the interior. To the south and east the town is hedged in by high mountains. It enjoys a fine sea breeze every day, is on the whole a very healthy place. The river is so shallow that there is not more than two fathoms of water at its mouth. The shipping finds a safe anchorage under Pulo Pesang. The numerous monuments scattered here and there, built over the re-fifty tracts and returned.

May 3. Went out this morning to distribute tracts among the Chinese. Every where well received. Nearly all could read. Found one old man who seemed much pleased with the tracts. But seeing an idol in the room I took occasion to ask him if he worshipped that for his God; he seemed a little confused, but finally said, that he worshipped God through the idol; or, according to the true catholic principle, he used the image only to give him a more exalted idea of the Deity! But how faint a ray of the almighty Jehovah must shine through such a representative! Distributed about

The Chinese have one small temple, like all the rest I have seen. The Malays have twelve mesjias, (mosques,) and two hundred priests. The Dutch have one school, taught by a common soldier, the last teacher having died in a drunken fit. Their last clergyman was not probably in his right mind when he returned to Europe. All of the people were crying out there for a missionary from America to reside among them. The population are very friendly and showed us much attention. English habits and customs and the English language_prevail. The Resident is more of an Englishman than a Dutchman both in habits and language.

The resident has appended to the resolutions of government in reference to us a circular to the local authorities of Nattal, Tappanooly, and Pulo Batooalso a letter to the Malay chiefs, and If a missionary were to reside here another to the Nyas chiefs on Nyas. with reference to acquiring the Nyas He has also, in a report recently made language and eventually going thither, to government on the Residency, re- he would have a fine field of labor among commended that missionaries be sent the Nyas, Malay, and Chinese. The two into the Batta country, also into Borneo. latter by distributing books, the former He does not, however, recommend Dutch by instructions, and getting around him missionaries, if the American Board a few trusty individuals, who would be a occupy the ground, he says, it is all the great assistance on his going to the same. He recommends that missiona- island. He would find friends in the ries should reside for a while at Padang, white population, and would learn many Nattal, Tappanooly, or Pulo Batoo, and lessons concerning the preservation of make occasional visits there, while ac- his health and the character of the naquiring the language. When this has tives, which it is indispensable he should been accomplished, they can without know before he goes among any uncivildifficulty reside. He thinks the great ized people to labor, in the tropics. He thing for a man to keep on the right side would also be able to form friends here of the natives is to possess a native who would be exceedingly useful, and tongue in his own head. Eloquence will || make the best arrangements for his supdo what the swords of a few cannot. plies;-also, pick up a little Malay, which They are neither difficult of approach, would be indispensable wherever he nor difficult to be persuaded. A man might settle in the Archipelago-a memust know them, allow for their preju-dium of communication with people of dices, bear with their ignorance, be patient under their stupidity, and enter into their feelings, and there will be no trouble.

There has been for some time no missionary or preacher here, except an old gentleman, Mr. Intfield, who has sometimes translated sermons into Dutch and Malay, and held service in the former language in the morning, and in the latter in the evening. Mr. Hartig, a German missionary of the Netherlands Society, who has been for eighteen months in the eastern islands, and whose acquaintance we had the pleasure of making at Batavia, is expected to be established here soon, with a view, however, of laboring among the European population. Mr. H. speaks English and Malay, as well as Dutch and German, and would be a most hearty friend to a missionary who was to reside here; as would also the lady to whom he is expected to be married, whom we also knew at Batavia.

every language in southeastern Asia. He would also be in the vicinity of Indrapore and Priaman, and in a place frequented by people from the interior, and have an inlet into all parts of the country, where he might make tours of usefulness among thousands.

American ships often visit this port directly for coffee. Intercourse with Batavia, Madras, Penang, and the neighboring islands is frequent; and with Europe by way of Batavia and Madras.

11. Most of our conversation this evening has been in reference to the temperance cause. All over India the brandy, gin, and wine come upon the table of every European as regularly, every day, as his food; and no less regular is his segar. But it will be best, perhaps, to give a view of a day's living, as I have observed it.-First, a cup of coffee the first thing when out of bedthen bathing, dressing, exercise, etc., till breakfast, at eight or nine o'clock, which

is served up with coffee, tea, or wine, or ||erty. Rather it is the parent of the hosall. At eleven o'clock comes strong pital and the asylum where the sick and drink; at twelve or one o'clock luncheon wretched are provided with food and with wine; at four o'clock a stomacher; shelter. It is distressing to be assailed at half past five dinner, at which wine is as we pass along the street, by the lame drank without reference to quantity, ac- and the blind and the idle, without feelcompanied usually with strong beer. ing at liberty to respond favorably to After the cloth is removed, the ladies re- their piteous cry, "Carita, carita, seigntire to the drawing room to take their ior," is an affecting appeal. Even now coffee, and the gentlemen finish with while 1 write, I hear the long dolorous fresh supplies of wine, together with a supplication of one at the door, who begs stand of brandy, gin, etc.; and sit and in the name of Christ, and promises "the smoke, and "take a cup of kindness yet," blessing of the Lord" upon him "who till they choose to break up. Smoking gives to the poor." What are we to do? is habitual. Everywhere and at all Give to them and thus encourage indotimes you see a man with a segar in his lence, and bring to our houses daily a mouth-the parlor, the sleeping-room, crowd of those who will eat nothing but the counting-room, it is all one. Every the bread of idleness? Or shall we turn gentleman, almost, has a servant follow- them away and thus perhaps be deaf to ing him with a lighted rope as if not a the cry of the real sufferer. I am in a breath could be drawn unconnected with strait. Those who have been longest in tobacco-smoke. Such is the general the land say, "Do not give at all in this character of the East India Europeans way; but seek out a few whom you know in reference to living, though there are to be deserving, and let these few be many exceptions, as in every country your peculiar care." there will be, where there are men of different tastes. Where the English customs prevail, the people are much more temperate, and approach nearer the New England style of living, as at Padang. Still, here are the strong drink and segars. Under such circumstances, with the apparatus before us, the discussion was highly interesting. Would that every ship to India would come loaded with temperance reports. The people only need enlightening to come forward and dash away the poisonous cup. I have frequently noticed that a discussion of this subject has often caused the bottle to go untouched during the evening. [Mr. Lyman.

Smyrna.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR.
ADGER.

MR. Adger is a native of Charleston, S. C.

Solicitations from Beggars.

Nov. 28, 1834. The blind beggars who sit by the way-side, carry us back to the early ages, when our Lord healed Bartimeus. It is said by those who have lived in Malta, that there are many more paupers in that island than here. Indeed there are as many in some of our cities in America. But the beggars in America are not generally natives of the soil, but imported from abroad. The benign religion which God in his mercy has given us, is not the parent of pov

The ladies here have a poor's society; the gentlemen support a dispensary and physician; and thus provide "a multitude of impotent folk" with medicines and medical advice. To give one's mite to such institutions appears to me much better than to bestow it in indiscriminate charity. The Ladies' Poor Society make it their business to visit the poor at their own houses, and they give truly a touching description of the lamentable con dition of many. The gentlemen's dispensary gave aid during the year past to not less than fifteen hundred diseased people.

The Jews here hardly ever beg, although they are so poor and so much abused. They are not unwilling to engage in any menial service, however vile, for a little money; but I am told that one cannot hire the other poor to work in such a manner.

Another man was killed last night. He makes the fifth whose life has been wilfully taken in this city within the month. What a sad moral condition do these murderers betray.

29. A genuine Smyrna winter day— raining very hard. The females are all wearing clogs, if they happen to be going out. These are made of wood and elevate the feet several inches above the ground; an article quite necessary where the side-walks are not distinct from the middle of the street.

Dec. 1. We live under a deplorable government, and yet as Franks we are free. If guilty of any breach of the law, Franks are tried by their own consuls,

and by them dealt with accordingly. American citizenship then is as valuable to us, as Roman citizenship was to the apostles.

Services at the Armenian Church.

very often repeated without regard to the posture of the rest, and that especially on their first entrance.

Among the different christian churches of the East there are several important and much vexed questions concerning the right way of making the sign of the 17. The Armenian church is within cross; such as, "Shall it be made by a large inclosure, almost covered with touching the right breast before touchtomb-stones. These are level with the ing the left one or vice versa?" "Shall it ground, and lie flatly upon its surface. be made with one, two, or three fingers, The inscriptions are all in the Armenian or with the whole hand?”—What is the character, save one; and almost all bear tendency of a Christianity the most imsome insignia of the office or craft exer- portant dogmas of which relate to such cised during life time by the deceased. matters? What must naturally be its Thus an anvil and sledge-hammer indi-influence over the enlightened minds of cate the grave of a blacksmith; a pair of shears that of a tailor, etc.

The old door-keeper, or sexton, as we would have called him, very politely showed us into the church by lifting up one of the thick carpets of suitable size, which hung before each of the doors. Such appeared to be the only barrier to entrance, after one has entered the church-yard; but this is surrounded by high walls. The church is carpeted, and, if I mistake not, remains always in some degree lighted. It was the hour of evening worship when we entered; and though not yet sunset, the lamps were all burning. There are no pews; the people either stand upright, or sit, or kneel upon the carpet, according to the nature of the exercise.

Two rows of massive pillars support the roof. The altar is rather a semicircular inclosure, and there a number of priests and as many boys were chanting before the lights and pictures. "What a wretched illumination!' is the first thought that enters the mind of a spectator who has enjoyed and loves to enjoy the simplicity of christian worship. They have retreated from the sun, and have substituted for his light that of tapers. A few poor looking men and several children were present. The prayers chanted before them are in the ancient Armenian dialect, understood by few, if any, of the common people.

On entering the church, each one advances to a convenient place with his shoes or slippers in his hand, and after depositing them on the floor and taking off his cap, stoops, and with his forehead touches the carpet; then rising he restores his cap and crosses himself. They wear their caps during the service, except at particular parts, when they remove them, at the same time bowing their foreheads or kneeling down all together. The genuflexions of some few appeared to be of a private nature, being

a community? Can they bow in reverence to such a system? Or when shut out from a knowledge of rational, simple, uncorrupted Christianity, will they not judge of the Bible from that which they sec in the churches around them, and rejecting, as absurd, the whole affair of religion, plunge headlong into infidelity? Let facts in all these countries and in Italy, Spain, France, etc., give the answer.

After all these services a Bible was brought out of a little chamber by one of the priests, which was ornamented with a splendid image of the cross. The head priest kissed the cross, and spoke some words to the people; and then each one of them went forward to the railing to imitate him in kissing the venerated symbol. This was the conclusion of the whole matter.

Armenian Hospital.

26. The Armenians have a hospital here, but it contains very few inmates, only ten insane and seven poor people. They are tolerably comfortable, having mongals (after the manner of the country) in very good rooms. They were receiving their dinners of broth, etc., when we called. There is a large khan near the church and belonging to it, which has once been comfortable, but is now exceedingly old. Instead of many poor, as I expected to see, there are only three or four within its walls. Most of the rooms are empty and locked. Giovanni says there are but few Armenian poor.

At Constantinople there is a large and well conducted hospital, recently instituted by the Armenians.

The mongals above mentioned are open pans of various shapes, sizes, and materials, which are filled with live coals and substituted for fire-places. Some of them are made of brass, but these belong only to the rich; some are made of cop