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per, and these are still more costly; and most people use those made of earth. The color of these is red; the shape that of a large bell, with a very open mouth. In the families of the wealthy the mongal is placed upon a low stand under a table, which table is covered with some very thick clothes in order to enclose the heated air. The ladies sit with their feet under the table.

Broosa.

EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF MR.
SCHNEIDER.

AN account of the commencement of missionary labors at Broosa, with some notices respecting the place, may be seen at p. 97 of the number for March.

He was attended by his only son and servants. He is a man of considerable learning for a Mohammedan. He was much interested in the terrestrial globe, and made many inquiries respecting it. Being rather fond of learning, he seemed pleased with the various books which were shown him, more particularly by those relating to the natural sciences, of some of which he seemed to have a general idea. He expressed his pleasure that we had come to reside here. Turks are not addicted to flattery, and as he condescended to call on us, we may reasonably infer that he regards us with feelings of kindness and friendship. His favor will be of the greatest importance to us; especially, if a door should be opened for schools among the Turks, as I hope will be the case in the course of time.

As

In the evening several Greeks of the July 20, 1834. Sabbath. This day first rank in the place called to see us. being our first Sabbath in the place, we Every day since our arrival we have had expected to be troubled by many visitors, visits of this description. All seem to be this holy day being considered peculiarly friendly, and the Greeks, more especially appropriate for visiting by the people. the young among them, are much interTo avoid interruption, we had our relig-ested in books, and have a strong desire ious services in the early part of the day. Agreeably to our expectations, a number of the most distinguished and influential persons in the place called at our house. All appeared friendly. One of them interested us especially by the degree of intelligence and information which he manifested.

22. This morning our hearts were cheered by the intelligence that the school among the Armenians before alluded to, was to be opened on the morrow. The principal priest has proved himself unfriendly to it, and has used his influence with the other priests and with the people, to prejudice them against it. Their chief men have had several meetings to consult on the subject. It was finally concluded to commence the school, and to make the experiment whether it was a bad thing, accepting the service of Hohannes, the young Armenian in my employment, as teacher.

23. The Armenian school has been opened to-day, the names of seventy children were handed in, though only part were present. Five of their principal men, among whom was the vartabed above mentioned, came to see the school. They examined the cards, looked at all the apparatus, and saw the principles on which it was to be conducted. They all united in expressing their approbation.

24. This morning we were honored by a friendly visit from Nesah Effendi, a Turk of great influence and in high rank.

VOL. XXXI.

to be educated. When I tell them of our schools and colleges in America, they immediately burst out into expressions of admiration, lamenting, at the same time, that they have no more and no better schools, and are also so destitute of books.

30. Several rather pleasing incidents have occurred during the last few days, one of which I will mention.-The Armenian vartabed asked Hohannes, the young Armenian, "What do your friends (referring to us) do on the Sabbath? Do they drink wine, visit, or attend to their business, etc?" "No," was the reply, "they spend the day in reading, meditation, prayer, and preaching. "Oh," said he, "that is like the primitive Christians. But there are no Amenians here now to preach to."-"They talk to each other on serious subjects when only a few are together. But when their number is large, they assemble together and have regular preaching."-"Very good."

Aug. 4. I find that the priests are making special efforts to prejudice the people against me. Their opposition is the result of their ignorance. Many of them cannot read well, and all of them seem totally ignorant of holiness of

heart. With the Bible they seem as much unacquainted as if they did not possess it, except those parts of it which they have perverted in order to favor their rites and ceremonies. Many false reports designed for our injury are in 39

"and why should not we visit their country?" He made many inquiries respecting our government, etc. He is the most liberal-minded Turk in the place, and possesses a vast degree of influence. The governor consults him in all cases of high importance. I have very strong hopes that he will be the means of opening schools among the Turks here before long.

circulation. It is not a little amusing to || learn our manners and customs," said he, hear what various, strange, and bad things are said of us. I am somewhat apprehensive that they will have an unfavorable effect upon our school, as the priests who are opposed to it take every possible occasion to give these reports circulation and weight. A young Greek falsely states, that he was offered six hundred piastres, if he would become a Protestant. Probably, he has been bribed to fabricate this falsehood by one of the priests. He had previously manifested much interest in my removal to this place; but as he has no moral principle, he would easily yield to so strong a temptation as money, to tell a falsehood, which a priest could easily shew him, was, in this case, rather a meritorious act than a sin.

14. It is difficult for these people to learn the meaning of disinterested benevolence. It is known that the school among the Armenians has been opened and thus far supported at my expense. There is much speculation as to my motives. As they never act but for some selfish end, they cannot conceive how I should be influenced by better motives. "He must have some sinister design," say they. "Why should he give money, if it were not to receive something equivalent in return?" Hence they are exceedingly suspicious, and the very nature of the missionary work, which is one of benevolence from beginning to end, throws an obstacle in our way. But difficult as this lesson may be, in the course of time we may hope they will learn it.

15. Went to-day to return the visit to Nesah Effendi. I found him sitting in his delightful shady garden, according to the custom of the Turks, by the side of a fountain beautifully playing. He received me very cordially, offered me a pipe and coffee. There was much ease and dignity in his manners. I inquired whether he had heard of the Turkish school in Constantinople. He replied in the affirmative, and with much satisfaction. On learning more of the Lancasterian system he was much interested and remarked, "We must have such schools here, seeing they have them at the capital." Supposing that the school among the Armenians was to teach English, he proposed to send his little son. I gave him some account of the schools, academies, and colleges in America. He was delighted with the rehearsal, and expressed a strong desire to visit our country and see its institutions. "The Americans come to visit our country and

Sept. 9. This morning I had an interesting conversation with an intelligent young Greek. In the course of our remarks, I was led to speak of the character which the Bible requires of Christians, and what are the principles which actuate them. He inquired if such was the character of professing Christians in America? I replied, that to a good degree it was possessed by many. He then inquired if in America Christians traded without telling falsehoods and defrauding. I assured him, that if any person was detected in either he would immediately forfeit his character as a Christian; indeed, that he could not be a genuine Christian who indulged in them. He replied, to use his own language, "This is a great thing." These ideas and kindred ones which I advanced, were entirely new to him. All his inquiries and the whole tenor of his remarks, showed his entire ignorance of the spirituality and the extent of the divine law.

15. A few days since Matteos Vartabed, who is to be the Armenian bishop of this place, arrived here. He was escorted to the city by the priests and principal men of their nation.

18. For several days past, Greeks have been leaving the city to go on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. They assemble in their church, when the priest reads prayers for the occasion. Afterwards they walk through the street in procession, the priests leading the way and chanting some sacred song. Then follow several little boys with lighted tapers in their hands, and last of all come the pilgrims themselves, attended by their friends. In this manner they proceed till they arrive at the end of the city, when they mount their horses and commence their long journey.

19. There exist in Turkey and some other countries farther east several orders of religious persons, called by the general name of dervish. They are among the Turks what the monks are among the Catholics. They generally live secluded from the world, spending their time in fasting and various other

Oct. 4. Called to-day upon the new Armenian bishop, and was kindly received. He is decidedly friendly to the new school. He is considerably enlightened, and though self interested, yet he will be useful to his people, and will probably favor our plans to a good degree.

Afterwards called on a vartabed from Jerusalem. He is on a circuit to visit the various Armenian churches, to collect money. This money is to be appropriated to the support of a convent of monks in Jerusalem. From a place like this he will probably raise little less than a thousand dollars; and the amount from others will be in proportion.

observances, and supposed acts of piety. || representation none are admitted into the One of these orders is called the "Whirl-association but those who are convinced ing dervishes," from a particular religious of the imposture of Mohammed, and who exercise in which they whirl their bodies reject him as their prophet. They are around in a circle. This exhibition, for about five hundred in number, and asI can give it no other name, is made sume the name and form themselves every Friday, the Sabbath of the Turks. into a fraternity of dervishes, that they I went to-day to see them perform, in may the more easily escape detection company with our consular agent and and propagate their sentiments with several friends. They have a house ap- more safety. They are acquainted with propriated to them and constructed in a all the circumstances under which Mocircular form in reference to this exer- hammedanism arose, and know all the uncise. Spectators are permitted to enter, just and unlawful means its founder used but a circular railing encloses the sacred to establish it. spot where they worship, which no spectator is permitted to enter. When the dervishes entered, they all made a very humble bow towards the head of the order, and then seated themselves in a circle by the side of the railing, prostrated themselves to the floor, and then took their places. The exercises commenced with a sort of invocation by the principal, during which they frequently bowed themselves to the floor. When this was finished, they walked round their inclosure three times, each making a bow as he approached the seat of the principal. After passing this the third time, they commenced whirling themselves around. In the act of whirling with their loose robes spread out like the wings of a bird, with their arms extended, and with their long conical caps, they present a very singular appearance. Their movements seemed to be regulated by a long pipe and a tambourine. For the space of fifteen or twenty minutes they continued this motion, with three or four short intervals of half a minute spent in walking and prostrations. Sometimes they continue whirling for half an hour or more. These momentary intermissions are undoubtedly observed for the sake of relief; for it seems hardly possible that they could endure so rapid a whirling for twenty minutes without cessation. Indeed, some of them seemed wel! nigh fainting, and all appeared as though they were glad when it was over. After the whirling is over, a few more prostrations and prayers complete the performance. Who would suppose that they could persuade themselves to believe that such things would be pleasing to their Maker? But what rite so unmatured, so foolish, or even wicked, as not to be regarded as an act of the highest possible sanctity. None are so holy as these dervishes in the estimation of the Turks.

There is now in this city a dervish from Persia, who belongs to a new order recently formed. According to his own

13. Yesterday was the Sabbath. For a number of days past the Greek and Armenian population have been much engaged in making wine. Immense quantities of grapes are transported to this city every day. As the extensive vineyards of the plain produce so very abundantly, thousands of barrels of wine are manufactured every year. And as it is so easily procured every family is supplied, and most of them have contracted the habit of drinking much. Indeed, to a stranger it seems almost incredible what an amount they can dispose of at a time. Both males and females drink tumbler after tumbler unmixed, as freely as a temperate man drinks water. It may seem incredible when I say, that at some meals one individual makes way with a half gallon or more. Yet, it is an incontrovertable fact. I have often thought that this intemperate use of the grape, will prove a great obstacle to the spread of the gospel among them. There can be no doubt that it intoxicates when taken so freely. I was in hopes that the Sabbath would not be prostituted to this improper purpose. But, really our ears were stunned from morning to evening with the bells upon the strings of camels, horses, mules, and donkeys, laden with this burden. It seemed as though every

person was intent upon making the most of this sacred day. This is but a fair specimen of the manner in which the Sabbath is observed here. If the people have any special business, such as does not fall in with the regular course of their occupation, it must be done upon the Sabbath to save time; they cannot spend the days of the week in attending to it. The Sabbath is their holiday also. It is spent in visiting and amusements. And that they may have as much of the day to devote to these purposes as possible, they have church very early in the morning, beginning with day-break.

more.

30. As I walked out to-day, I saw several young Turks led along the streets with their hands tied. They had just come from a neighboring village, where they were taken by force and surprise to be made soldiers. On one occasion I saw fifty or more, linked together two by two, drawn along the street like so many criminals. They had just been torn from the embraces of their families, perhaps never to see them Some of them doubtless had left parents who had looked to them for support. Some had left wives and children to suffer for the want of the necessaries of life. And all, contrary to their wishes, were cruelly torn from relations and friends to die, perhaps on the battle field. When soldiers are needed, each village must furnish a quota proportioned to its population. Whoever happens to be found in the street, is apprehended and brought bound to the place of rendezvous. Thus they proceed till the requisite number is obtained.

Nov. 20. Under a former date I gave some account of the dervishes, a class of religious devotees among the Turks. There are different orders, slightly distinguished from each other in their rites and observances. There are eleven of them in Broosa. I had an opportunity of seeing them all to-day, as they walked in procession through the street. The occasion of this exhibition was the circumcision of the son of a distinguished Turk, which it was designed to grace. This lad was in the midst of the procession, arrayed in elegant ornaments, and mounted upon a horse richly caparisoned. Each order was preceded by its principal, mounted upon a horse, and by a large banner generally of green silk, covered over with Arabic letters descriptive of the distinctive traits of the order. They had also various instruments of music of a very rude kind. As most of them are in the habit of torturing themselves in various ways, they all carried

their instruments with which they inflicted pain on themselves as they passed through the street. One class held in their hands pieces of iron, the hot ends of which they applied to their tongues. A vessel containing coals of fire was carried along by their side for the purpose of heating the irons when they became cool. Another carried hatchets raised on long handles, and large knives and cutting instruments of various forms. These, however, did not gash themselves to-day. Another order had strong pointed wires, which they thrust through their arms, necks, ears, and other parts of the body, leaving them inserted. In many cases the wires entered one side of the face and came out at the other. Among this class were several little boys, I should suppose not more than six or seven years of age, whose tender flesh was thus cruelly pierced, the ends of the wire appearing on each side of the face. Another order had a round wooden ball, perhaps three inches in diameter, fixed on a piece of iron about a foot in length, pointed at the end. This instrument they first swung and whirled around in their hands to give it a momentum, and then directed it towards themselves, inserting the pointed end into their necks, cheeks, etc. Wherever it lodged it left a bleeding wound, so that many parts of their bodies were besmeared with blood. Another class were entirely naked, except their middle. These had large knives upon which they threw themselves, making incisions into the flesh. The blood issuing from the wounds they conveyed to their mouths. With their bodies besmeared with blood, their long disheveled hair hanging over their naked shoulders, and with their horrible knives in the act of cutting themselves, they presented a most terrific appearance. The announcement of the word Allah (God) was the signal for the infliction of torture, which was repeated at the interval of every few moments. They passed through the principal streets of the city, which were crowded with men, women, and children to witness the spectacle. The whole scene together was truly heart-stirring. Their large banners, their rude music, the various instruments of torture, some sticking in their arms, some in their necks, and some penetrating the whole face from side to side,their limbs disfigured with wounds and stained with blood, resembled more a company enlisted under the banner of Satan, than a band of worshippers, peculiarly devoted and acceptable to God, as

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Number of Missionaries.-The whole number of missionaries and agents is 719. these, 484 are settled as pastors, or are employed as stated supplies in single congregations; 185 extend their labors to two or three congregations each, and 50, including agents, are employed on larger fields. The number of congregations, missionary districts, and fields of agency thus supplied, in whole or in part, during the last year, has been 1,050.

Of the missionaries, 494 were in commission at the commencement of the year. Of these, a number not yet ascertained have ceased to require the aid of the society, being now wholly sustained by the people whom they serve, or are employed in other fields where aid is necessary, and five of our number have been removed by death. The new appointments of missionaries not before in commission, have been 193.

Additions to Churches, etc.-The number reported as added to the churches aided, since the last anniversary, making proper allowance for imperfection of reports, is about 4,500, viz. 1,500 by letter, and 3,000 by examination on profession of their faith. Many of the churches, though a less number than in some former years, have been blessed with special revivals of religion, and the probable number of conversions under the labors of our missionaries, is more than 3,000.

The Sabbath schools reported embrace not less than 40,000 scholars, and the Bible classes not less than 12,000 pupils of all ages.

ments of the year were $83.394 23. Of the receipts $23,217 19 were from the State of Massachusetts; $9,537 93 from the State of Connecticut; $7.602 35 from the State of Maine; $5.380 37 from New Hampshire; and $9,961 11 from the central and western agencies in the State of New York.

Comparative Results.-The following table shows the results of the last year in several particulars, compared with those of preceding years

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Summary Review.-At the time of its organization, in 1826, the society assumed the support of 101 missionaries, who had been previously appointed, and whose labors were extended to 130 congregations and missionary districts.

From our table of comparative results, it appears that the annual number of missionaries and agents employed, has been increased from 101 to 719, and the number of congregations and missionary districts aided has been increased from 130 to 1.050.

It appears also from the same table, that the whole number of different individuals, who have been employed by the society, as missionaries and agents, since its commencement,

The number of subscribers to the principle of total abstinence from the use of intoxicat-nine years ago, has been 1,421, this being the ing liquors as a drink, reported by the missionaries on the fields of their labor, is more than 70,000.

Receipts and Expenditures.-The total amount of receipts during the year was $88,863 22; being $9,951 78 more than the receipts of the preceding year. The disburse

number of new appointments reported within the nine years. The average length of time which each of these missionaries and agents I has labored in the service of the society has been one year eleven months and a fraction, making in all 2,726 years, which is the actual amount of ministerial labor report

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