One has been admitted to the church at Alleghany, which now consists of fifteen. A number more give evidence of piety.

In no previous year have these stations received so signal a blessing. The number of converts at them all is believed to be not less than seventy. The churches now contain about 165 members.

of the Spirit of God upon so many hundreds of the churches, made it impossible to despond. The Committee, therefore, adopted a series of resolutions, expressing their belief that it was their duty to enlarge several of the missions, and that the Christian community would sustain them in their onward progress; and then directed a special effort to be made to awaken the attention of the churches to the necessities and claims of the missions and missionaries under their care.

Schools. The school at Tuscarora contained 25 or 30 pupils; that at Seneca 40 or 45; and that at Cattaraugus about 30. At Alleghany are two schools taught by native teachers hired by the Indians, and attended by 20 or 30 scholars each. For both of these schools and for that at Tuscarora the Indians have erected school-edged in the Report. A series of statements in houses.

Other notices. A temperance society at Tuscarora embraces 70 members; that at Cattaraugus more than 100; that at Alleghany 117. A similar society exists at Seneca; making the number of members at all the stations more than 320.

FINANCIAL CONCERNS OF THE BOARD.

At the close of the year ending August 31, 1830, the financial prospects of the Board were perhaps more unpromising, than they had ever been before. The donations and legacies fell $23,754 short of what they had been the previous year. The consequence was, that the Board was then in debt to the amount of $19,500. The case was rendered alarming by the fact, that, during the seven first months of the year now under review, the receipts were only $46,000; and were they to be in the same proportion for the remaining five months, the income of the entire year would be only $79,000; $4,000 less than the year before: while not less than $100,000 would be required to meet the necessary expenses of the year, and pay off the debt of the Board.

The first object was to enlist the religious newspapers in different parts of the country; and the cheerful co-operation received from many of the editors of these papers is gratefully acknowlrelation to the exigencies of the Board was published entire in about a dozen papers, and was partly copied into others. Afterwards these statements were embodied in a pamphlet, of which five thousand copies were distributed in the community. These, in many instances, were accompanied by letters. Visits were also made by the official agents of the Board, to a number of the more important places and ecclesiastical bodies; and the urgency of the case was made known by sermons and addresses, and by personal conferences with numerous individuals. Nor were the labors of other agents neglected, where they could be obtained, which was to a less extent than was desirable.

On the whole, the results of these efforts, through the blessing of God, exceeded the expectations of the Committee. The receipts 31, 1831, were $100,934 09. The expenditures, of the Board, for the year ending August including the debt of last year, which has been paid, were $103,875 62, leaving a balance against the Board of only $2,941 53.

About $58,000 of the receipts were from New England, contributed chiefly by friends of the cause in the Congregational denomination; and about $40,000 out of New England, contributed almost wholly by friends of the cause in the Presbyterian and Reformed Dutch churches. The receipts from the latter source are estimated at nearly $2,000.

ENLARGEMENT OF THE MISSIONS.

There were some other circumstances, which imparted a lively and affecting interest to this exigency in our pecuniary concerns. Never had there been so urgent a call for laborers from 80 many of the fields occupied by the missions of the Board. According to the most moderate estimate, not less than twenty new missionaries were required to be sent, within eighteen months, Two missionaries, one of them married, have to a portion of these missions-even if our object been sent to commence a mission among the were merely to secure the result of our past la-jibeways of Lake Superior. A married misbors and expenditures, and to make a small gress on the whole in our work. Nothing could be more evident than that the Providence of God called for this additional number of laborers.

pro

sionary has been sent to the Indians in New York. Eight missionaries, a physician, and a printer, all married except the printer, have embarked for the islands of the Pacific. One has gone on a mission to the Jews of Turkey. Another has received an appointment for liberated Greece; another for Palestine; and two others for Bombay;-all to embark for their respective fields, by leave of Providence, before many months.

It was true, also, that there never had been so many candidates for missionary employment, at any one time, who had offered their services to the Committee and been accepted. Not less than three-fourths of the twenty men required had actually devoted themselves to the work, and come into connection with the Board, and either were ready to go forth, or would be so in a very few months; and some of them were urgent in their entreaties not to be delayed in their depar-nder its care-four in Asia, three in Europe,

ture.

SUMMARY.

The Board has now eighteen distinct missions

ten among the Indian tribes of North America, The emergency was great; but, for that very and one in Polynesia. These missions embrace reason, it was not without hope. It was too 54 stations, and are composed of 66 preachers, great to be disregarded by the churches. The 50 lay-assistants, and 136 female helpers, mardeclining health of the Corresponding Secretary, ried and single; in all, 252. The number of withdrawing him from all active influence at that schools is 1,045, containing 50,000 scholars. critical moment, was indeed inauspicious. But There are four printing establishments, with the whitened fields abroad, the waiting laborers eight presses, from which not far from 1,000,000 at home, the prosperity beginning to attend almost of books, and about 47,000,000 of pages, have every kind of business, and the glorious effusionsbeen issued, in eleven different languages.

Thirty-three churches have been organized, and || contain upwards of 1,300 members; and, within the period embraced by this survey, not less than five of the missions have been visited with copious effusions of the Spirit of God.

We should not for a moment lose sight of the vast regions, upon which the Sun of Righteousness has never risen. We owe them a most solemn duty. The publication of the gospel in all countries and climes, and to every creature, ought to be the high and constant aim of the church. It ought to be published so that all men may have full opportunity to hear, and understand, and be saved. But the belief is not to be encouraged, that the church may be detained in any one place, or country, until all men have seen fit to embrace the gospel. The faithful publication of it is all that is enjoined upon the church; and if men, after having full opportunity to understand it, will continue to be heathens; or,

renouncing the outward forms of heathenism, if they will not cordially receive the truth, and bow their necks to the easy yoke of Christ;-no matter where they live, they are not to retard us in our work as heralds of the Lord Jesus. We are to advance to others, and to others still, through all the habitations of men.

It is surely encumbent on us to enlarge our desires, and plans, and expectations. Rapidly as we have advanced in reference to the anticipations of the holy men who began this enterprize, we have proceeded slowly in comparison with the work to be done, and the manifest duty of the churches. Two-thirds of an entire generation have gone out of the world, since the Board was organized, and millions on millions are hurrying where no voice of mercy can reach them. Let the gospel be immediately proclaimed to them, whatever it may cost the churches. Fase, property, fame, even life itself-let all be sacrificed for an object of such amazing importance.

Proceedings of the Board.

Armenia.

COMMUNICATION FROM MESSRS. SMITH AND
IN

at

missionaries, as such, from baptising converts, and admitting them into their own communion, they first sent two missionaries to St. Petersburg, with instructions to

DWIGHT, DATED TEBREEZ, PERSIA, apply for permission to found a colony, JAN. 26, 1831.

THE exploring tour of these brethren in Armenia and the neighboring countries, is noticed at pp. 61, 73, 229, 245, and 349 of the past volume, and P. 5 of the preceding survey. The valuable communication from them now to be inserted, forwarded from the most distant point of their tour, was received at the Missionary Rooms in Boston, while the travellers themselves were in quarantine at Malta. It illustrates very forcibly some of the difficulties to be encountered by missionaries among the Armenians, especially those residing within the limits of the Russian empire.

Circumstances connected with the Origin of the German Mission to the Armenians in Georgia.

with a charter similar to that of the colony at Karass; a singular plan, which, by throwing missionary efforts under the shield of civil improvement, enabled the emperor Alexander to gratify his strong desire to favor such efforts, without bringing upon himself the powerful and much dreaded displeasure of his clergy. Their applica tion was successful; and thus they obtained every privilege they desired, with the request of the emperor, expressed to them in a personal interview, that they would write to him directly for whatever else they wished.

Had they pursued any other course, the imperial sanction would not have been given to their enterprize, and their establishment in the empire would have been in opposition to laws, which the clergy are by no means remiss in causing to be executed. The colony, however, was never commencWhen we commenced our letter of Sep-ed. On their arriving in Georgia, and pretember 19th, it was our intention to lay be-senting their papers to general Yermoloft, fore you some facts, which would enable you to judge of the expediency and practicability of establishing a mission for the Armenians, within the Russian provinces. What we actually sent you, was merely an introduction to such a statement. Permit us now to complete what was then interrupted by ill health.

You need not be informed, that the original design of the Basle Missionary Society in sending missionaries into these regions, was to form an establishment somewhere within the Russian provinces, on the Persian frontier, for the special purpose of introducing the light of the gospel among the Mohammedan population of the latter kingdom. Aware of the fundamental law of the Russian empire, which prohibits foreign

who was then governor of the Transcassian provinces, they were told, that government had no lands on the Persian frontier, which could be granted for the proposed colony. At the same time, he manifested a favorable disposition towards their main object, told them to examine, and select a situation wherever they chose, and they were welcome to land enough for a building spot and garden, and in case of their making any converts he would endeavor to see that they were allowed to baptise them. Thus they were freed from what they had from the first esteemed a very serious impediment, the cares and perplexities of a colony, but, at the same time, deprived of the precious privilege of baptising their converts, and thus having them under their pastoral watch

and care. Encouraged by the favorable reception the emperor Alexander had given them, and the peculiar kindnesses they had experienced from his favorite minister, the pious Galitzin, they made known their wishes to the latter, hoping he might in some way still procure for them the privilege they desired. He returned their letter to the person who gave it to him, saying, that he could not attempt to carry such a point. They made no more applications for the right in question, and are still without it. They have no connection with the German colonies in Georgia.

dissent from the established church is not tolerated in Russia, and still there are very many dissenters, multitudes of whom have indeed suffered severe persecutions, and been banished from their homes to the extremities of the empire; but then others, who happened to be in the diocese of a bishop more benevolent and liberal, remain unmolested at their homes. Might they not hope to find in the neighboring Arminian clergy similar benevolence and liberality? or if not, might they not so direct their la bors as to do much good, and still give no occasion for an accusation to be brought The conversion of Mohammedans was at against them as transgressors of the law? first their exclusive object. But while They had authority from the emperor to travelling through the eastern provinces in establish schools, which should not be unorder to select the most eligible spot for der the inspection of the regular inspectors their missionary station, their attention was of schools, nor be subject to any interferstrongly attracted to the state of the Ar- ence, but that of the minister of education menians, whom they found everywhere himself; but then they were to be only for forming a large proportion of the popula- Tartars, not for Armenians. Public educa tion. They were lamentably ignorant of tion, however, in Russia, is not in the hands letters and of religion, without schools, and of the clergy, but on the contrary, any insadly debased in morals. Few could read terference on their part is looked upon with the scriptures, which the missionaries jealousy. As it was only from the combrought them, and still fewer could under-plaints of the clergy, therefore, that they stand them. The Armenians themselves, had any fear of an attempt to bring their said, Why do you pass by us, and make the conduct under the scrutiny of the law, Moslems the objects of your benevolence? might they not hope to pursue a quiet sysCome to our aid; establish schools for us. tem of education without impediment? In The missionaries were touched with com- these circumstances they made no attempt passion; they also saw the difficulty of at formal preaching or any stated meetings convincing Moslems of the excellence of for exposition of the scriptures. In their the Christian religion, so long as they had private conversations, aiming to inculcate before them so bad a specimen of its practi- truth rather than directly to attack error, cal influence; while, if the Armenians could they dwelt as much as possible upon the be brought under the power of the gospel, fundamental doctrines of evangelical religthey would themselves become powerful ion, carefully avoiding controversy, and coadjutors in the great work. Under these even the expression of opinion on points of impressions they wrote to the catholicos at difference; or if urged for their opinion, givEtchmiazin, and archbishop Nerses at Tiflis, ing it as far as possible in scripture lanexplaining the condition in which they had||guage. The books they used, and the infound their flock, and declaring that they had no doubt that their fellow Christians of western Europe, would readily contribute for the support of schools among them, provided that in those schools the New Testament and Psalter might be used as school books. To neither of these letters was any answer ever received. Still the missionaries, more and more convinced of the importance of the measure, urged it upon their society, whose consent they at length obtained, that two of their number should devote their efforts exclusively to the Armenians.

We shall not stop to relate in detail all the plans and operations of these two brethren. Their situation was extremely delicate. The laws of the empire forbid any Christian to change his denomination for another, unless it be to join the established church. Any course, therefore, which could be construed as an attempt to draw away the members of the Armenian church, might bring down upon them the penalty of the law, and perhaps prove the ruin of the whole mission. Still the object was important and dear to them. They knew that

structions they gave in their school, accorded with this general principle of conduct. In short, all their conduct and labors were in accordance with their plan to enlighten the Armenians, and still leave them members of the Armenian church. At the same time, they did not forget that their mission was looked upon by their patrons and by the Russian government as a mission to Mohammedans, and they always regarded all their efforts for the Arminians as subordinate to this object, and tending more than almost any thing else. ultimately to promote it.

Their Arminian school was commenced in the spring of 1827. In the autumn they placed at its head a wortabet, named Boghos, highly reputed for his learning, and his abilities as a teacher, but who subsequently left them, owing to his reluctance to teach the Arminian catechism and read the scriptures, interpreting them at the same time in the vulgar tongue, which he had bound himself by contract to do. While in their employ he had introduced into the school, as his assistant, a deacon named Moses. The deacon not giving him satis.

Account of two Armenian Deacons.

faction, was obliged soon to leave, and was || they that neither then, nor in any of their immediately taken into the family of the intercourse with their countrymen, did they missionaries on their ascertaining that his excite opposition, till, at one of these feasts great desire was to study Latin and Greek, given by a very religious man who had as the means of acquiring theological made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the subknowledge. He soon informed them of an ject of masses for the dead being introducintimate companion, likewise a deacon, who ed, they cautioned him against relying upon was in search of the same object. He was them and some other things of the like naimmediately sent for, and took up his resi- ture. The man was highly provoked that dence with them. As the history of these all his good works should thus be set aside deacons is interesting, and exhibits in the as of no value. It was immediately noised best manner most of the remaining facts abroad, that the deacons had renounced the which we have to state, we shall give it prayers for the dead, and the worship of somewhat in detail. saints and images; and a general opposition broke out. Boghos Wortabet came out against them with much violence, and one morning a man, who may be considered the principal Armenian in the place, rose upon them in church, abused them with the most violent language, raised his cane over their heads, spat in their faces, and forbade them ever to come again into the church. They bore all with meekness, and returned blessing for cursing. In consequence of this treatment, they had some idea of leaving the Armenian communion entirely, fearing that no church in town would receive them. The missionaries, however, advised them to go to another. They did so, and were received. They always found also, until the last, some priest willing to hear them confess, and to give them the communion. They felt some objections to receiving the latter ordinance with all the ceremony of the Armenian church, but they were never very strong. The missionaries never administered to them the Lord's supper. Things were in this state when the bishop came in the autumn to take up, as usual, his winter residence in town. He immediately began to oppose the deacons violently, and likewise wrote a letter to the missionaries. To this letter they returned such an answer as somewhat calmed him. The deacon Moses also, who was marked for meekness, honest simplicity, and tender piety, had an interview with him, and opened to him his whole heart, with great plainbut in a manner perfectly corresponding with his character. The bishop was quite overcome, became very friendly, put under Moses' instruction two deacons he had with him, and requested him to come every day and teach them. This quite allayed the storm; it was only a temporary calin, however, to be succeeded by a more violent tempest.

They originally belonged to the convent in the lake of Sevan, which convent they left in search of theological knowledge. So strong was their desire, that they had even the secret intention of going to the Catholic Armenian convent of St. Lazarus at Venice, could they not find it nearer. At Etchmiazin, where they spent some time, it was not to be found. They heard of the school at Tiflis, then under the control of its founder, archbishop Nerses, the great light of the Armenian nation, and they went thither, but were not admitted. Subsequently one of them came to Boghos Wortabet at Shousha, where he became known to the missionaries in the manner already mentioned. They were well acquainted with their ancient language, and in the estimation of their countrymen were learned. But their thirst for knowledge was too great to be so easily satisfied. They studied Latin and Greek, and one of them English; and considering the serious difficulties to be encountered for the want of proper elementary books, their progress was good. Half of each day, also, was devoted to assisting the missionaries in their schools and transactions. The missionaries carefully avoided any direct exposure of the errors of the Armenian church in the religious instruction they gave them, but by the study of the scriptures they soon began of themselves to see that all was not right; and Moses one day, of his own accord, came to inquire of Mr. D. if it was right to pray for the dead. For an answer he was merely referred to some passages of scripture opposed to it. He needed no more; he was already prepared to reject it. But his companion had not advanced so far, and for some time opposed him, even calling him a heretic. Yet he also, at length, became convinced. Moses soon gave delightful evidence of a real change of heart. The case of the other, who, being of an intellectual make was more taken up with his literary pursuits, was not so satisfactory, but, to say the least, he seemed to be not far from the kingdom of God. They were frequently invited, after this change of sentiment, to the feasts which the Armenians are accustomed to make upon the occasion of a mass for the dead; yet so prudent were

ness,

One of the Missionaries visits Etchmiazin.

In the mean time Mr. Zaremba, one of the missionaries, as he returned from his late tour in Turkey, paid a visit to the convent of Etchmiazin, which had probably a close connection with the succeeding events at Shousha. The missionaries, among their other labors for the good of the Armenians, have printed several books. So long as the censorship of their press was in the hands of archbishop Nerses, in his capacity as

vicar of the catholicos, and president of the synod of Etchmiazin, they found no difficulty in getting the necessary license. At length their translation of the New Testament was sufficiently advanced for the gospel of Matthew to be put to the press. But Nerses was now removed (or perhaps we should say banished,) to Bessarabia, and the censorship, in consequence, had been assumed by the synod of Etchmiazin. Application was accordingly made to them, and it had now remained unanswered for several months.

Constantinople.

MR. GOODELL'S ACCOUNT OF THE FIRE AT
PERA.

A brief notice of this destructive fire was inserted in the last number, p. 380. A more particular description will be acceptable and interesting to the reader.

It was about nine o'clock in the morning of Aug. 2d, when the alarm of fire was first given. I saw the smoke ascending, and immediately repaired to the spot. It was about a mile from my house, and nearly in the direction of the Frank burying ground. As I approached, the scene became more terrific-men and boys running; children crying; women screaming, or beating their bosoms and nearly fainting; some carrying their babes, or infirm relatives; others dragging a part of their clothes and furniture; some making a feeble effort to check the progress of the fire; and a multitude of others, who felt themselves secure, looking on as mere idle spectators. I was not at all aware of the danger, which those around me seemed to apprehend, and did what I could to calm their fears, and inspire confidence. For near two hours I labored in a large garden, assisting some Armenian women to extinguish the fire, with which their beds and clothes were still smoking. In the mean time, the wind very considerably freshened, and the fire, which it appeared to me might easily have been suppressed at first, began to spread rapidly, and to defy all attempts to arrest its progress. Fire engines had arrived, and were arriving, but the element, like a wild beast that had escaped from the hand of its keeper, was raging too violently, and had acquired too much power, to be subdued.

One object of Mr. Zaremba's visit was to obtain a final answer. On his arrival, he told them plainly who he was, and why he had come. His reception was cold, and marked with much suspicion; in fact, he was for a considerable time left in doubt whether he should be received at all. A room was at last assigned him in a retired part of the convent, where his food was regularly sent, and no one visited him. But he was not to be thus baffled; he urged his main object, and after a considerable delay, they found it expedient to call a synod. This body consists regularly of twelve of the oldest and most respected bishops and wortabets in the convent; and now, in the old age of the catholicos, and the absence of his favorite Nerses, manages all affairs as it pleases. Mr. Zaremba was present at the meeting. Some were more, and others less opposed, and various objections were urged against granting his request. The work was so important that it would take them a long time to examine it and form their opinion. This he overruled. They promised to make a translation themselves. He replied that they had much business to attend to, and if they undertook such a work, it would not be completed in fifteen years; and were they willing to be responsible for all the souls that in that length of time would be lost through ignorance of the word of God? At last they be- I must, I think, have made a mistake as came violent, and declared unanimously to the real situation of my house, or as to that they did not wish the scriptures to be the real direction the fire was taking; for I printed in the vulgar tongue. After re- had no idea, that my own neighborhood maining about a week, and trying every would be in the least disturbed. The owner method in vain, to obtain his request, he of my house, also, whom I met in the vicin left them; not, however, without telling ity of the fire, had the same views as mythem distinctly, that by their coldness, and self in regard to the part of the town likely distance, and reluctance even to show him to be affected. I concluded, however, to go the curiosities of the convent, they had home and rest, and after a while return treated him more like a spy, or a dishonest again to afford any assistance in my power. man, than as a friendly Christian guest. On the way I met Mr. Lazarides, who has There was, however, one circumstance of the charge of the depot of scriptures at GaMr. Zaremba's visit, which throws a cheer-lata, and who had also the superintendence ful ray of light over the dark picture the conduct of the monks exhibits. He had two very gratifying interviews with the aged catholicos. The old man thanked him for all that he and his coadjutors had done to benefit his nation, and lamented with tears that he had not now such bishops as he once had.

[To be continued.]

of a school at Pera on the Lancasterian system, which he had been encouraged to establish by Messrs. Brewer, Barker, and others at Smyrna. He, with many others, was wringing his hands and weeping, and anxiously asked what he should do. I assured him, that I fully believed he was in no danger; but if he thought otherwise, he had better send the slates, books, &c. of the school, and whatever else he pleased, to my house, where they would certainly be safe.