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sailors on deck. They informed me that there were ten men hopefully pious on board, one of these a boy; we talked long, though the evening was cold, and I felt rather unwell. These men have their united seasons of prayer on deck every morning at four o'clock, and their practice, besides this, is to rise each by himself an hour before being called to duty, to have time for Bible reading, prayer, and meditation. I promised to join them to-morrow morning.

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Nestorians of Persia.

LETTER FROM MR. PERKINS, DATED AT
ERZROOM, JUNE 26TH, 1834.

MR. Perkins and his wife arrived in Constan-
tinople, from the United States, Dec. 21st,
1833; where he remained till May, 1834, when
he started on his journey for Oormiah, the
northwestern province of Persia, where he
hopes to labor among the Nestorians, a nomi-
nally Christian sect, residing in the western
part of that province. These were visited by
Messrs. Smith and Dwight, during their ex-

ploring tour in the years 1830 and 1831.

Journey from Trebizond to Erzroom.

I wrote you May 30th, and again June 4th, at Trebizond. We have since, as the place of our date informs you, passed far the most mountainous and difficult over one third of the distance, and by part, of our land journey. We were thirteen days on the road, including two Sabbaths, on which we did not travel. We came here in company with a cara

8. The weather was too stormy in the morning to render a meeting on deck expedient. In the evening the sailors requested another lecture. I gladly embraced this opportunity to address them from Exodus xx, vii, on profaneness. The subject was the more delicate to handle, because of the uncomfortable situation into which its plain and faithful developement must necessarily place the greater part of my hearers. After exhibiting the plain, home-spoken manner of preaching, which they were about to hear, by alluding to the example of Nathan, and other prophets, of John the Baptist, Paul, etc., I proceeded to state, that I was no theorizer on the subject, but knew the power of this injurious habit by the painful experience of goneby days, and felt myself qualified to appreciate the apologies offered in extenuation of the guilt of profaneness. But after having given all proper weight to those considerations, I could still not forbear to condemn it, in the most unqualified terms. It was of course easy to shew that swearing implied neither piety, nor moral sensibilities, nor good sense, nor education and good breeding, nor intelligence, nor talent, nor reading, nor We have found our journey, thus far, even true courage or manly independ- much less tedious than we had appreence; and that it was no sign of either hended. We have, indeed, climbed up, of the above honorable qualities; but and again descended, many long, frightrather, so far as it was done consciously, ful, and perilous precipices; but our short it was a sign of every thing contrary to stages, about twenty miles each day, them; and so far as it was done uncon- have, for the most part, been little more sciously, of neglect and forgetfulness of than agreeable exercise. We have divine laws, of the example of all and crossed many lofty, snowy mountains; every good and holy, or well bred and but the air, at this season, we have found respectable man, and of every feeling in general only invigorating and delightand principle of propriety, etc. And ful. Our house at night has been the what could I now say more to the credit open canopy of heaven, save a shelter of of my hearers, than this, that they listen-canvass; but our tent has been uniformly ed attentively and solemnly to what was said, and that no sign of resentment was perceptible, and that ever afterwards, they appeared much more careful in this respect than before.

van.

Mrs. Perkins, as well as myself, rides upon a saddle.

comfortable. It has relieved us from the necessity of seeking lodgings in the filthy houses of the country. Besides, there is something in that rural kind of life--in spreading a tent in green pastures, 9. In the evening the sailors request- on the banks of running streams, sured another lecture. We met as usual, rounded by shepherds and grazing flocks on the quarter deck, and I addressed-which to us has not been unwelcome.

VOL. XXXI.

8

As soon as true intelligence of what had happened reached here, the pasha of Erzroom sent additional troops to meet Mr. Brandt, and commenced making preparations to go with all dispatch at the head of his troops, to chastise the Gellalees; who, it is said, as soon as they heard of soldiers being on the road, fled toward the Russian provinces. The pasha intends to start from here in about two weeks, with all his troops, and is de

To adopt this style for life would, in- [[men. Thus escorted, Mr. Brandt is daily deed, be to become barbarians; but to expected at Erzroom. follow it a few weeks, on the road, in the summer season, few, I believe, of the most cultivated even would find disagreeable. A missionary, at least, will be the last to complain of it, when he recollects who it was that "had not where to lay his head." Our table, too, we have spread in the field; but a good servant, kindly furnished us from the family of the English consul at Trebizond, has prepared our food in a cleanly and palateable manner. Our course is not to enter the vil-termined to follow the Gellalees until he lages on the road at all; but pitch our tent at a little distance, and send to them for simple articles of provision, as milk, bread, eggs, etc.

In reference to our muleteer and the other Turks connected with the caravan, I should be ungrateful not to speak decidedly in their favor. Not an article of baggage has been lost on the road; and they have all been uniformly kind and attentive to our wishes. For myself, I am satisfied that it is entirely practicable to travel comfortably in Turkey, with suitable preparations. A tent, for instance, I regard as indispensable to health as well as comfort, especially for a lady. Cooking utensils are also neces

sary.

We arrived here on the 23d instant, and are kindly entertained by Mr. Torab, the English consular agent. We are likely to be detained a few days, on account of late disturbances on the Turkish frontier. The account of these disturbances is as follows:-About two weeks

ago, the Gellalees, a powerful Kurdish tribe, fell upon a Persian caravan, on its was from Tebriz here, and took away about fifty loaded horses. This took place near Bogazid, the Turkish frontier town. A day or two after the Gellalees attacked another Persian caravan, near the same place, consisting of five hundred horses, on its way from Erzroom to Tebriz. Two hundred horses were taken from the latter caravan, and a number of men killed on both sides, in the encounter.

Mr. Brandt, the English consul at Trebizond, in company with lady Campbell, on her way from Persia to England, was one day's ride this side of Bogazid, when these robberies were committed. The pasha of Bogazid sent to Mr. Brandt immediately, requesting him to stop until he should raise troops and come on to accompany him. Mr. Brandt stopped a day or two, and the pasha overtook him, with three hundred armed

finds them. The uproar, already created has, I doubt not, secured entire safety on the road for the present. We deem it prudent, however, to advise with Mr. Brandt before proceeding, and shall, therefore, wait for his arrival.

Most of the Armenians of Erzroom, you recollect, followed away the Russians, at the time of their invasion, in 1829. Some families have since removed into the city. Mr. Torab informs me, that there are now here, about three hundred Armenian, and one hundred Catholic Armenian families. Notwithstanding the late dispersion of the nominally Christian population from Erzroom, I still think the city an eligible location for a missionary, and sincerely hope it may ere long be occupied. In nearly all the villages in this pashalic, on the road, I have found on inquiry a portion of the inhabitants Armenians. These may be reached more or less directly by a missionary stationed at Erzroom. And the Mohammedans in all these regions I regard as a far more hopeful class for missionary effort, than There is everywhere a high admiration I had supposed before leaving America. for European improvements, in schools as well as other things; and a prevailing desire to introduce them.

Perkins much better than when we left Our health is quite good; that of Mrs. Constantinople; and we are happy in the confidence, that our Father in heaven will carry us in safety to the place of our destination.

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on the first of July 1833, and joined the mission in Ceylon about the close of the following October.

we were informed that at least one other missionary and a printer might soon be expected to join us. The numerous and valuable books, philosophical apparatus, and other articles necessary for missionary operations on an extended scale were in full proportion to the number of laborers sent to our assistance. These, together with various other points, either distinctly stated or alluded to in the In

evidence of the liberal views of the Committee, and of their determination to furnish us with means for making the most of what has already been done, as well as for extending our operations to new fields of labor.

Previous letters will have given information respecting the principal circumstances attending the arrival of our new brethren and sisters in Jaffna and their entrance into the field of their future labors. We, whose privilege it was to receive at once ten brethren and sis-structions, furnished us with pleasing ters, devoted first to the Lord, as laborers in this part of his vineyard, and then to us, as co-workers and helpers in the varied labors of the missionary lifemight, several months ago, have written a letter from the overflowing of our hearts, which would doubtless have been acceptable and even highly gratifying to you. But the desire of communicating something more than first impressions, which are transient in their nature, and not always well founded, has prevented us from writing till the present time. It is, however, impossible, even at this period, to speak of our unexpectedly large, and most seasonable reinforcement, withBusiness and Social Meetings. out adverting to first impressions, for After hearing the Instructions and they are such as we delight to cherish-taking a nearer view of our dear brethfinding that they are borne out by subзe-ren, who had consented to be governed quent intercourse and acquaintance with those whom we may now denominate our beloved in the Lord and helpers in our joy.

It was on our return from the quarterly meeting, held at Tillipally October 24th, that we received the joyful intelligence of the arrival of missionaries at Madras, destined for Ceylon. Scarcely had we time to render thanks to the Great Head of missions, for bringing them so speedily and in safety to these eastern shores, and to congratulate each other on the opening prospects of the mission, when, on the 20th of the same month, we received a short note announcing the safe arrival of the whole company at Kaits, six miles distant from Batticotta.

The scene of meeting and the events of the three following days, during a general rendezvous at Oodooville, need not be here described; though they will be often pondered in the hearts of those who, for twelve years, had been admonished to believe that the extinction of the mission here would be simultaneous with the termination of their own lives.

From several notices we had received, we had reason to expect that three missionaries might be sent to our help in the course of the year. Instead of three,!! five were already in session with us, and

In this connection we are made sensibly to feel our need of more of that wisdom which is from above-more of the mind and holy energy which our Divine Master manifested; that we may in no way betray the interests of his kingdom, nor disappoint the reasonable expectations of those who sent us hither.

by them in the new and interesting relations we were forming, we proceeded to make the following arrangement respecting their places of residence, viz. that Dr. Ward be stationed at Batticotta, Messrs. Apthorp and Hoisington at Manepy, Mr. Hutchings at Oodooville, and Mr. Todd at Panditeripo. After mutual congratulations, prayers, and thansgiving, we returned to our several stations.

On Monday, November 3d, the monthly prayer-meeting was held at Nellore. On this occasion, the time usually allotted to detailed accounts from our several stations was spent in hearing statements from each of our new associates respecting the cause of Christ generally, and of missions in particular, in those parts of our native country from which they respectively came. In the course of this meeting we became more particularly acquainted with their views and motives in devoting themselves to missionary labors among the heathen. It was a season of peculiar interest; and all present appeared to feel that not only our mission, but the whole missionary circle in the district, both collectively and individually, was greatly strengthened by the new reinforcement.

On the 14th of November all the brethren and sisters in the mission were

invited to spend the day at Batticotta. The object of this meeting was two-fold; -first, That our newly arrived friends might be introduced to the seminarists, and be made acquainted, in several particulars, with the state of the school; and secondly, That the brethren might have a season of free intercourse with each other on principles and subjects of a practical nature regarding the missionary work.

that could be touched with the feeling of "the infirmities" of both old and young missionaries, and that he was competent to give a word of advice and encouragement in due season to each. The subject was then followed up (prayers and praises intervening) by the remarks of each of the brethren, which were not only heartily reciprocated by the speakers, but were of a nature to be impressively seconded by the silent expressions of the sisters, on whose appropriate cooperation the prosperity of the mission in no small degree depends. This occasion, it is believed, will be long reviewed as eminently a season for cementing hearts with bands of Christian love.

On the 25th of December, was held a quarterly examination of the seminarists. The brethren and sisters who have recently joined the mission were particularly invited. The brethren, by request, kindly took the lead in conducting the examination of the several classes, and at the close of the exercises each of them addressed the students, bringing before them a variety of topics appropriate to the relation they sustain to their own countrymen and to their unknown benefactors in America.

At ten o'clock, the five classes in the Seminary, comprising about one hundred and thirty-five students, assembled in Ottley Hall. After a slight examination of the school register of each class, which exhibits their course of study, monthly progress, etc., the name of each individual was called, in connection with the name or names of his benefactors in America. As their names were called the students rose up, and the brethren and sisters present had an opportunity of giving them information respecting those of their benefactors with whom they were acquainted. Information communicated under such circumstances appeared to bring home the truth to the feelings of the seminarists, that they have friends in America who are deeply interested in their welfare, and who The object of adverting to these vahave raised expectations respecting their rious meetings in this communication, is moral character and progress in study. to show that we have had opportunity, The students were then slightly examin- and have used special means for forming ed in one or two branches, showing that that acquaintance with each other in even now they have a sufficient knowl- relation to the affairs of the mission, edge of English to communicate with which we conceive essential to a well their new friends, who may shortly be- founded hope of an union of effort, and come their pastors and teachers. At the consequently, of a successful prosecuclose of this interview, in order to mark tion of the missionary work. In referthe event of the arrival of the reinforceence to the same object, we think it exment strongly in the minds of the semi-pedient to turn their attention to some narists, each one received an appropriate present of books from the valuable parcels recently received. A very salutary impression was made upon the minds of the students, which, it is presumed, will not be soon effaced. The whole scene, in its most obvious associations and bearings upon the cause of missions in the district, could not fail of being deeply interesting to all present.

In the afternoon a meeting was held in the same place, exclusively for the brethren and sisters of the mission. After the meeting was commenced by prayer and praise, brother Allen, by previous appointment, gave us a short address, pointing out what he considered to be the principal difficulties and dangers, duties and privileges of our enlarged missionary band, at the present time. In the course of his remarks it was most obvious that he had a heart

things which have but a fair appearance, that by seeing what is weak and defective, they may be able to make a correct estimate of the magnitude and difficulty of the work on which they have entered; for we are aware that, from a variety of causes, they may be in danger of mistaking tinsel for gold, as well as of casting away the real as a thing of nought.

Aside from the object of giving and receiving information on mission subjects, at the time of forming new relations, the social meetings, of which we have given some specimens, are attended with other important advantages, which could not probably be secured by other means. The frequency of such meetings forms a prominent feature in the history of our mission, even from its commencement in 1816. The advantages we have hereby experienced, though accompanied with some incon

veniences, and the evils we have known || sus, and the feeble representatives of the to arise from the want of a free and a American churches to this crooked and frequent intercourse among missionaries, perverse generation. have fully convinced us that these social meetings are, in this moral desert, of almost indispensable importance. They are appropriate means for promoting the welfare of our own souls, for keeping the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace, and for devising ways and means for carrying forward the great object of the mission. In the light of this subject we see increasing force of beauty in those divine maxims which teach us that "Two are better than one." "In the multitude of counsellors there is safety;" and "Woe to him that is alone when he falleth."

The enumeration of particulars already given, has, we trust, prepared the way for the principal observations we have to make in the present letter;-observations which we pen with heart-felt satisfaction, and with unfeigned gratitude to him who, when "he ascended upon high, gave gifts unto men." After nearly four months free and frequent intercourse with the brethren and sisters who have recently joined the mission, we, who have been long on the ground, are unanimous in the opinion that they are such helpers as the best interest of the mission rendered necessary. We do most heartily extend to them, one and all, the right hand of fellowship, and welcome them, believing that they are the blessed of the Lord, whom he hath sent to labor with us. They now have our full confidence and affection, and it is in our hearts to render them every assistance, that they may be initiated into the arduous labors of the mission under every advantage that we can give them. Though we thus speak, we are solemnly admonished, by what we know of ourselves and our fellow-men, to "rejoice with trembling"-to be watchful-to "see that we fall not out by the way,"--"to take heed that we be not consumed one of another." From a conviction of danger from this quarter, we would earnestly solicit the assistance of the Board, and of the churches which have sent us hither, to strive together with us by their prayers in commending us to him who is able to keep us from falling-"that our loins may be girt about and our lamps burning," and we ourselves like unto men that wait for the Lord; and that while waiting, utterance may be given unto us, that we may open our mouths boldly and make known the mystery of the gospel, for which we are the unworthy ambassadors of the Lord Je

Mr. Allen's visit to our mission was highly interesting to us, and we trust mutually beneficial. He remained with us four weeks. His former residence and missionary labor at Bombay-his recent visit to America, and free intercourse with our patrons at home-his intimate acquaintance with the interesting party whom he had introduced to our mission-his own destination to a new and important field of labor, together with other circumstances of a more private nature, all correspond to render this visit among us a most pleasing and memorable event. Truly we had fellowship with each other, and we trust "our fellowship was with the Father, and with his son, Jesus Christ."

On the 22d and 23d of January we had continued meetings of several kinds at Batticotta. On the forenoon of the 22d, we held simultaneously two meetings, the one in the Seminary chapel, with the schoolmasters collected from our different stations, and the other in the large unfurnished church, with the elder lads for our native free schools. As the brethren and nearly all our native catechists were present on the occasion, it was not difficult to furnish speakers for two congregations at the same time, while each had the advantage of being appropriately addressed. In the afternoon all assembled in the large church, where was held the semi-annual meeting of the Native Evangelical Society. This was a season of some peculiar interest, as it furnished a favorable opportunity for bringing before the minds of the missionaries and of the native church members a very important but difficult class of duties which devolve on native Christians towards their heathen countrymen. Native teachers and catechists from the Church and Wesleyan Missions were present, and addressed the meeting to good acceptance.

Arrival of Visitors from Syria.

On the following day, Thursday the 23d, was held the quarterly meeting of our consociated churches, for celebrating the ordinance of the Lord's supper, and for other appropriate services. On this occasion we were favored with the company of two strangers, who arrived at Batticotta from the neighboring continent on the evening of the preceding day, and who have excited no ordinary degree of interest in our mission circle;

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