thought, that the seed of the Word of God has been freely dispersed, and that the leaven is hid in the lump. We may now quietly commit the care of the in crease of this noble seed to the Lord of the Harvest, who has promised that His Word shall not return unto Him void. May the Spirit of God attend this His Word, and revive it in the hearts of the poor Egyptians, in order that benighted Egypt may soon become an enlightened Goshen, and the Land of Egypt together with Syria and Assyria become a blessing in the midst of the earth! Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen. Abyssinia. THE arrival of the Rev. Messrs. Gobat and Kugler at Massowah was stated in our last Volume, p. 354. We rejoice to be able to inform our Readers, that, through the gracious Providence of God, all obstacles to their entrance into Abyssinia were removed; that they were received and treated by Sebagadis, the Ras (or Chief) of Tigré, with the greatest kindness; and that they have hitherto met with every encouragement in the important but difficult undertaking in which they are engaged. May they continually receive such supplies of wisdom and grace out of the fulness of the Redeemer, that His Name may be glorified in them, and that His work, confided to them, may prosper in their hands! The following particulars relative to the proceedings of these friends are collected from three Letters from the Rev. C. Kugler, dated Quila*, August the 8th and 16th, and October the 2d. Mr. Kugler refers to other Letters forwarded in March, April, and July; none of which has reached us. We are, consequently, unacquainted with the particulars of the journey of the Missionaries into the interior, and of their first proceedings in Abyssinia. Satisfactory Report of Girgis. Our Readers will recollect the favourable reports which have been * Quila is not to be found on the Maps: it is perhaps the same place as the Kella of Bruce and Salt: if so, it is situated in lat. 14° 27' 49" N. formerly made of Girgis, the Abyssinian with whom Messrs. Gobat and Kugler became acquainted at Caïro, at the latter end of the year 1826. (Mis.Register, 1827, pp.250252, 587-589; and 1828, pp. 245247.) It rejoiced the hearts of the Missionaries to find Girgis stedfastly maintaining his Christian course, amidst the spiritual darkness and superstition in which the Abyssinian Church is immersed. Girgis is a cordial and zealous friend of the Missionaries; and his kind offices have materially facilitated them in entering on their labours with encouraging prospects of usefulness. Mr. Kugler thus writes of him :— I Our friend Girgis is arrived here from Caïro, with the principal Priest of Tigré, Guebra Mariam. They brought the decision of the Coptic Patriarch concerning their religious quarrels. I was exceedingly glad to see our dear old friend Girgis again; and I am full of joy and gratitude at observing that even the most sanguine hopes we entertained of the progress of the work of grace in his heart are surpassed. I am astonished at his clear views on Fasting, and on other erroneous practices here. His watchfulness over his heart is exemplary. went with Guebra Mariam and Girgis to Sapher, the dwelling-place of Guebra Mariam, on the 30th of July. Guebra Mariam gave a great dinner: he and Dejes Gongul, son of Sebagadis, sat on a sofa, and Girgis and I were directed to sit on the next sofa. While sitting there, Girgis observed to me, "I altogether dislike to appear great in this world, and even fled from it: now you see the people again make much of me. I fear it does harm to my soul: my heart reproves me exceedingly at this moment.' It is true, we are I replied to him: more easily overcome by pride when sitting on a higher place than others; but pride can take hold of us even in a low place." He assented to this. Girgis was the best recommendation for me with Guebra Mariam. He took care, at Caïro, that Guebra Mariam should hear much good reported of us there; and has really succeeded so far, that Guebra Mariam does not merely consider me as a good friend, but even makes me his equal at dinner, in the presence of many Priests. 1831.] MEDITERRANEAN. In his last Letter, dated October the 2d, Mr. Kugler remarks, that the love and care of Girgis for them made his heart rejoice; and adds, "The word of God is his treasure.' In expression of his Christian feelings, Girgis has addressed to the Society a Letter, in Amharic, dated October the 1st; of which the following Translation was made by Mr. Kugler: Your love has been much heard of by (your) fulfilling the Gospel. The Four Your love hearts.* Epistles are in your has much been heard of in our country. Your sons have arrived, and have made us understand it. Do not forget us, for the Lord's sake. We are attracted by your love, having heard your statutes, and having seen your doings in your sons, Messrs. Gobat and Kugler. Your liberality is attested by your sons He (God) has given you in this world. Of men your king excels: your gold is as the dust. Your love is very benevolent. I wished to see you, as you think of me in your hearts. I am at present with your sons, who told me to write to you who are in the city London by the will of Christ, that you may think of me in your love. How do you do? How do you do as the blessing of heaven and earth? Your son, Wolda Girgis, believes in Jesus, that He can do all things. Without Him the world could not be saved; and we are saved by His blood. Our Lord has given us the Holy Spirit, that we all He calls us His may praise Christ. Children. "Till I come and take you away, love to us; and He has commanded love: You are Priests; and your statutes are very firm. The purity of your Females excels washed muslin. The understanding of your sons excels that of Solomon; and I have found help with you-the Gospel of Christ, the Acts of the Apostles, and the teaching of Paul. I praise always Christ, who *The Abyssinians divide the Epistles according to the Apostles whose writings we possess, besides the Four Gospels; as Paul, Peter, James, and Jude. The three Epistles of St. John are joined to his Gospel. It is evident that the Four Gospels have led them to this singular division. has brought me into fellowship with I who have written this to you, my Conference among the Abyssinian Eccle- Mr. Kugler thus relates the result of a conference between the two principal Priests of Tigré relative to the Person of Christ : The next Priest in rank to Guebra Mariam in Tigré is Guebra Mesich, who held the opinion of three births of Christ. Sebagadis called them together, to settle the question. These two Head-Priests, Guebra Mariam and Guebra Mesich, and our beloved Girgis, had a private conference on the 25th of September, under trees near Adigrate. The conversation lasted several hours, but they spoke with great calmness and consideration. Guebra Mariam and Girgis laid their credentials before Guebra Mesich; which being accepted by the latter, settled the question. Guebra Mesich afterward declared privately to Girgis, that he had accepted those credentials entirely from his testimony, Girgis being the only individual of this party who returned from Egypt. Thus has our dear friend and brother in Christ the satisfaction of seeing his fatigue and trouble in behalf of his country crowned with good success. Those who assert three births of Christ consider him as the Son of God, the Son of Mary, and the Son of the Holy Spirit. The orthodox party declares that the Holy Spirit was as well the Spirit of Jesus Christ as the Spirit of God the Father; that Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one in the Godhead, and that they differ only in the Persons; that the Holy Spirit descended from heaven upon Jesus Christ at his baptism, to bear witness to him. Guebra Mariam and Girgis went to Sebagadis, and informed him of the successful issue of their conference with Guebra Mesich on the 26th. On the 28th of September the dispute about Religion was regularly adjusted, in the presence of Dejasmati Sebagadis, in the same manner as has already been mentioned; with the addition, that Guebra Mesich requested to be excommunicated by Guebra Mariam on account of the heterodox opinion he had till then held. Girgis remonstrated against the excommunication, till Guebra Mesich said that they should do it out of love. The conduct of the Coptic Patriarch in this affair shews some prudence. He has refrained from excommunication; and has advised the orthodox Clergy to meet four times with the heterodox party, in order to gain them over by argument rather than by the rude treatment of excommunication. Sebagadis was exceedingly satisfied with the proceedings of the day. He told the Priests afterward, that he was very anxious to make peace amongst them; and that they now also should do their part for maintaining it. Distribution of the Scriptures. Some progress had already been made by the Missionaries in the distribution of the Scriptures. Mr. Kugler states: I lately gave 50 copies of the Amharic Gospels to our friend Guebra Mariam ; and he distributed them, along with 10 copies of the Ethiopic Gospels, in one day. I have promised to give him 50 copies more. I am exceedingly glad to observe that the people love our books so much, and are without the least prejudice. It was a very false representation which was made to us, that the Abyssinians do not like the Ethiopic Psalter; for people always ask it of me. Translations. The work of Translation has been diligently prosecuted by Mr.Kugler. On this subject he informs us : I applied to Guebra Mariam for a good Teacher, whom I could employ at the same time as a Translator: he promised to look out for such an individual. I then asked the favour of him to cor rect my Tigré Spelling-book, and my Translation of the Gospel of St. Luke; which he readily engaged to do for me. My Spelling-book in Tigré will shortly be finished. My Translation of the Gospel of St. Luke into Tigré is advanced as far as the 6th chapter; a few verses being left of the 5th. The Dictionary, mentioned in my last Letter to you of July 10th, has now got 12 pages. Proceedings of the Rev. S. Gobat. Mr. Kugler makes the following report of Mr.Gobat's proceedings:I have received a Letter from Br. Gobat of June 27th, from Gondar, in which he writes: Though it is altogether against my will that I must remain here during the rainy season, yet I believe it is the will of the Lord: He has at least given me here more opportunities for preaching than ever before. I have people with me during the whole day: the majority of them are Priests. I have already had many discussions with Aitchegai, Bishop Philippos. Once we discussed on Confession; and the last time on the Worship of Saints, and particularly on the Worship of Mary. I speak as freely as I could do in England, against Priests, and against all that is contrary to the Word of God. My Journal contains already 86 pages. As soon as the rain is over, I trust to go directly to you. Prospect of War between Amhara and Tigré. We regret that Mr. Kugler's last Letter leads us to fear the recurrence of one of those conflicts by which this unhappy country has been so long and so extensively desolated. He states: The love of conquest has induced the independent Governor in Amhara to declare war against Sebagadis, in a very the news on the 27th of September; when arrogant manner. Sebagadis received he and his friends fired guns and pistols till late at night, abusing his enemy in words as he had been abused by him. Sebagadis is now quietly preparing for resistance and defence. I have obtained some information important for us, which will console your minds at receiving this news of war; as it calmed ours, when the report of war reached us. There are five places in Tigré which are never molested by the troubles and horrors of Abyssinian War, on account of the Churches established in them. Axum, Waldeba, Gundigundi, Debra Damot, Debra Abaï, are those places of retreat in time of war property and persons are entirely secure in these asylums. Axum is about fifteen miles distant from Adowah; and the way thither is not bad. Debra Da mot is an invincible natural fortress: I am informed that nobody can get to the top of this mountain, except by being drawn up with ropes. I intend visiting this famous place as soon as I find time; and shall then, please God, describe it in detail. Mr. Kugler mentions, however, the consoling circumstance, that Girgis was about to be employed in the character of a peace-maker: Girgis is now soon going to Gondar, at the request of Sebagadis and of the Priests. He will do his utmost to prevent war. May God Almighty give him success in this serious affair. Rumoured Attack on Abyssinia by the Pasha of Egypt. The rumour of an approaching attack on Abyssinia by the Pasha of Egypt created considerable alarm in Tigré. The circumstances are thus related by Mr. Kugler: Very serious news has reached us from Egypt. The Pasha has finally resolved to invade Abyssinia, and has already entered the country by the way of Sennar. He is ordered by the Sultan to conquer the whole country, and to make all the people Mahomedans by means of instruction and the sword. The troops of the Pasha have burnt several Churches, and have pillaged Villages in the District of the Abun. The people here are not afraid of him; but the reason is, they do not know his power. I lament, above all things, that there is no love between the Heads of the people. The Pasha is coming as a thief: he makes war upon Abyssinia without any cause whatever, except his will. You can easily enter into our feelings at such a prospect. A Christian Nation, which has been preserved by Divine Providence for so many hundred years, is now threatened to be forced into Mahomedanism. I cannot describe to you how quickly my blood rolls and how it boils, when I reflect a little on this gloom which has now encom passed us. The hand of the Almighty is strong enough to avert this evil; and we trust that He will shew us His glory and power, by frustrating the schemes of the Wicked-one. We are not afraid, knowing that our God and Father has brought us hither for doing His work; and He has engaged to be with us always, even to the end of the world. We are not our own; but are the property of Jesus Christ; and if we live or die, we are and must remain His. Perhaps I may send Letters in a few days, which shall convey important news in detail to you: this is, however, not yet certain. Pray for us, and more particularly for this nation. Mr. Kugler adds, in his last Letter: I am informed that Sebagadis had sent a messenger to the Naïb, inquiring for more information respecting the hostile proceedings of Pasha Mahomed Ali and that the Naïb sent word to Sebagadis, by the said messenger, that the Pasha had given up that project, from fear of the European Powers. The truth or falsehood of this you know better than we do. It was considered desirable that the Missionaries should fix their residence at Adowah, and they had obtained the permission of Sebagadis to do so. Mr. Kugler was about to proceed to Adowah, in prosecution of this design; where Mr. Gobat was to join him. AMERICAN BOARD OF MISSIONS. MESSRS. Smith and Dwight, on their way to Armenia, in a Letter of the 15th of May, make the following remarks on the Want of Protestant Clergymen and Missionaries in Constantinople. We have been surprised to find, that there has not been a single Protestant Clergyman here since Mr. Leeves's departure, nor are we able to learn that any is expected. Does it not bring a just reproach on Protestant Nations generally, that so many of them have Diplomatic Missions here, and every one without a Chaplain; while the Catholic Europeans have Seven Churches well supplied with Priests? Should it be said, that the Catholics are more nume rous than the Protestants, this very apology gives occasion to an additional charge: for what has occasioned this disproportion of numbers, but the activity of the Catholic Church; and the patronage uniformly afforded to its efforts, by the Diplomatic Representatives of the Catholic Nations? Will not every pious American wish most earnestly, that his country may not participate in this neglect of the Institutions of the Gospel; and be anxious, that, by the establishment of an American Clergyman here, the United States may be known, at the commencement of its relations with the Porte, as a Religious Nation? Such a person, although the number who speak English is small, probably less than fifty, would be welcomed with pleasure, by several who have frequently expressed to us their regret at the absence of the Means of Grace; and, as it so happens that a number have been educated in the Presbyterian Church, our own forms would not be unaccept able. We do, therefore, fearing that our Government will not appoint a Chaplain for this place, most ardently desire to see a Missionary stationed here by our Society-who, by the influence of his piety, pulpit talents, and general character, may gather round him and bring under a religious influence the members of this Protestant Flock, who are now scattered without a shepherd; and at the same time increase their number, by inducing other Europeans to forsake the fallacies of the Church of Rome for the pure principles of the Gospel : these two objects might form a distinct branch of labour, and would be sufficient to occupy the time and talents of one man. We do not dwell on the necessity of an additional Missionary or Missionaries for the NATIVES of Constantinople, because we think you hardly need an argument, or a fact besides what you already possess, to convince you, that, in this great capital, where so many Greeks and Armenians reside, the seat of the Heads of their respective Churches for the Empire, and where the case of Missionaries who may be in difficulties in distant provinces must ultimately be brought, there ought by all means to be at least one. We will only say, on the last point, that our Treaty with the Porte, being only a Treaty of Commerce,contemplates merely mercantile characters; and that it is only by oversight, or sufferance, or special favour, and not by right, that our Missionaries can gain a footing. Should their numbers be considerably increased, their case must come before Government; and then they will need some able representative of their body at hand to plead their cause. BRITISH & FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY, and vineyard within their reach: a love of truth soon began to manifest itself; and every scholar prided himself on his veracity, cleanliness, and love of order. Among other gratifying circumstances, I beg to mention, that, two or three years since, I happened to remark that two poor boys (brothers), who were employed in road-making, were extremely well disposed, and possessed considerable abibility. On my expressing a wish that they should learn to read and write, they asserted their readiness to attempt it; one offering to maintain the other by his labour until educated, on condition that the other, in turn, should support him when this should be effected. This was immediately put in practice, the labourer working harder than ever to maintain the scholar. In about eight months, the scholar, being quite a proficient in writing and arithmetic, returned to his work, and supplied the other brother with bread while he also learned the same branches, This affecting example was not allowed to pass unrewarded: aid was afforded; and afterward they were both made overseers, though very young. On the suspension of road-making, they both went to Smyrna; where one is employed by a merchant, and the other has established a School of Mutual Instruction at Burnova. Many instances of grown persons having acquired instruction have occurred among the peasantry. Several sailors have also availed themselves of the facilities which the Schools offer: one, a native of Casso, near Rhodes, engaged a master to teach him in six months for a stipulated sum, and he actually was taught the three branches within that period: another sailor, a Candiote, who did not know a single figure, became surprisingly proficient in calculation in four months. A blacksmith, whose dealings among the the necessity of keeping accounts, also offered a sum on condition of being taught ; and, frequenting the school at intervals as his business permitted, he was enabled with Two months' schooling (taking all his visits together) to write and to calculate; and he now keeps a ledger, to the great admiration of all his rustic friends. Often do we see hardy mariners and sturdy peasants mingled with little children in the semicircles, reading the New Testament; and humbly, though ardently, cultivating the faculties with which God has endowed A CORRESPONDENT in the Island of peasantry were very numerous, feeling Cerigo furnishes the following Instances of the Beneficial Influence of the British System of Mutual Instruction. The System had scarcely begun to work, when the most gratifying effects were evident. Beside the most rapid progress in reading and writing, moral improvement went on with equal rapidity: our little Spartans-who were truly so, as well in their propensities, as by descent soon began to distinguish themselves by their honesty and their respect for property, instead of committing innumerable depredations on every fruit-tree them. |