EXTRACTS

FROM

OF

MR.

THE JOURNAL
READ.

1832

The usual place where this rite is performed

by those who live in and about Bombay, is Bombay.

on the beach near the English burying ground. Though we went at the usual hour of burning we saw none on fire. The ground was almost covered with human

bones, and some were still warm in the (Continued from p. 102.]

beds of embers which remained of the funeResponsibility of a Missionary.

rał pile. I counted no less than twelve

spots where there had recently been a burnThe first of the extracts here given was written ing. But, blessed be God, the living no

longer burn with the dead. The widow no during the passage from Calculla 10 Bombay,

more prostrates herself on the pile and conand only a day or two previous to Mr. Read's

sumes with the corpse of her deceased husarrival at the anticipated field of his laborsa band. solemn period to every devoted conscientious

The next object worthy of attention which missionary.

we passed was a collection of Hindoo tem.

ples. It was about sunset, when the temMarch 5, 1831. I have for some days temples consisted of three parts: the first a

ples are crowded with worshippers. The past been more than ever impressed with broad virandah, over which were hung the responsibility of my present situation. The peculiar relation in which I, as a mis

several bells. As the votaries entered they sionary, now stand to the church in Amer. 1 rung one of the bells, apparently to give ica, to the heathen in India, and to the warning of their approach. They then Lord of missions, throws on 'me a weight passed on into the third or back apartment, of responsibility which sometimes seems

where were the idols which they worshiptoo heavy for me to bear. It is at the ex

ped. Not wishing to offend their prejudices pense of the church that I have been brought | look in upon their gods. No European is

we did no more than pass by and cast & hither. The "widow's mite” must still afford me bread. Would to God that I may

allowed to enter. As I stood contemplating never wound a pious heart by proving my

the scene of paganism now before me, my self unworthy ihe confidence which the

attention was arrested by the approach of a contributors to the missionary treasury have

Hindoo with a little boy in his arms. His reposed in me.

solemn mien bespoke his business to be of a Though we cannot reasonably expect the religious nature. My eyes followed him. whole of the boundless desert before us to

He stopped before the temple and began to blossom as the rose, still we may see some

teach his little son, before he had reached portion of it made as the garden of the

his second year, the indecent rites of idolaLord; and our blessed Lord may, through try: So early are children initiated into the our example, bring others into his vineyard religion of their fathers! We need not who shall finish the work. Where we see

wonder, then, that they should in their nothing but Hindoo pagodas and Mohain

maturer years so tenaciously cling to the medan mosques, they may see the sanctua-practices of their fathers. ries of the living God. On that the God of

I had walked but a few steps, when

my all grace would give me faith and patience attention was again drawn to a miserable to live and labor in his vineyard for many squalid object in human shape, which sat

under a small shed by the way side doing 7. Came to anchor in Bombay harbor at penance. His countenance was horribly 11 o'clock. Our missionary brethren came

distigured by being daubed with white on board immediately and gave us a cordial paint. His left arm was extended, and on welcome. In the afternoon we went in the palm of his hand sat a vessel somewhat company to the house of God which has resembling a flower-pot hung around with been erected in this land of pagan darkness.

a dozen and a half or two dozen of small Here we united our supplications with the brass bells. This he told me, through an prayers of multitudes in all Christendom interpreter, that he had held in that posture who

pray in concert on this first Monday | for twelve years. His hand has withered, in the month. You will here observe the his finger nails, or as it appeared rather the coincidence of our leaving America on the ends of his fingers have grown in the shape day of the monthly concert for prayer and and appearance of ram's horns, to the enorarriving in Bombay on the same day, seven

mous length of four inches. He was seemmonths after.

ingly proud to show us what he was doing

for the sake of his religion. Great merit is Idolatrous Rites,

attached to such mortification in the esti

mation of the Hindoos. The vessel which March 11. Walked to the beach with he held in his hand contained what is callMr. G. on business. On our return we

ed “The sacred tree.” This is held in great took a circuitous route to view some of tlie veneration by the Hindoos. No house can horrid rites of paganism. We passed the safely be without it. It is supposed to keep ground where the Hindoos burn their dead. Il off the devil. VOL. XXVIII.

24

years.

Remarks on Caste and the Halts of the They are bigoted, ignorant, and idolatrous. People.

The policy which they have pursued in

India of accommodating their religion to The following remarks were called forth by the superstitions of the Hindoos has brought the event of Mr. Read's removal to Mabim, on them scarcely a grade above the heathen the northern part of the island of Bombay, the

themselves. Indeed, from what I can station formerly occupied by Mr. Graves.

learn, they are less accessible and less

promising of success to the missionary than March 26. For every species of labor

the pagan Hindoos themselves. They are there is in India a particular class of men,

generally quite hostile to Protestant misThis division of labor is regulated according and generally so bad examples of it, they

sionaries. Being professors of Christianity, to caste. The divisions of the former, however, are so much more extensive than

are a great obstacle to its propagation. the nominal grades of the latter, that differ

You may not be aware, and indeed I ent individuals of the same caste are en

know not that it is practised in all parts of gaged in different occupations. Still, what

the world by that church, that the Romish ever be a man's capacities, he can neither church go through the ceremony of the rise above or fall beneath the calling of his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of father. He will perform only that kind of Christ. On Thursday evening is a reprelabor to which his own subdivision of his sentation of the Lord's Supper, as it occur. caste are accustomed to. One man of low red the evening before the crucifixion. caste may be a dobee, that is a washerman, This scene was exhibited in one of their and another of the same caste a coolie, or

churches. Every street and lane was filled carrier of burdens, and a third a pamool, or

with crowds of people, whom curiosity or palanquin bearer. But a dobee would scorn

superstition had drawn to the place. They to act as a coolie. Even the foot-pedlar | the whole afternoon, and I know not but

were passing and repassing in multitudes will not carry his own pack of goods; nor will the Hindoo servant who provides for Mussulmans, Parsees, as well as those of

the whole day. Thousands of Hindoos, his master's table bring from the market a piece of meat or a basket of vegetables. the Romish communion, went to worship He must employ his coolie. The coolie in

or gaze. Last of all I went, and from the his turn can do nothing that does not come

gallery looked down upon the scene below. within the sphere of his business.

It struck me with awe, and was an affectWhen it became known this morning that ing scene. There were represented in I was about moving, the house was in a

figures as large as life Jesus Christ and his little time thronged with coolies begging twelve disciples. They sat around a table,

Christ at the head and six on either side. for employment. More than half were females. As the last load was taken and

The table was spread with fruits, flowers, many found that they were not to be em

sweetmeats, bread, and wine. Tlie beloved ployed, they went away much grieved, ex

disciple lay upon Jesus' breast. The house claiming, Sahib does not want us, what

was crowded with spectators; some kneel. shall we do for our bread to day?"

ing and apparently paying their adoration You would be quite astonished at the bur

to images; others talking, laughing, or dens which they carry. Two women will pressing through the crowd in confusion. take up a large chest of clothes and walk !) There was no more appearance of solemnity off five or six miles apparently with as little

in the scene than we see at the exhibition fatigue as horses or oxen. Indeed here, as

of a caravan of animals, or of puppets at a in most heathen countries, females are

public show. Alas! how few are they who made a substitute for these animals. worship God in spirit and in truth.

Every coolie has a round bottomed bas April 9. Have had several applications ket, in which he carries whatever may be to establish a school at Worlee. Scarcely Cunimitted to him. This basket, which is a day for a week past but some one has 80 ill-shaped that it will scarcely stand up come to renew the request. To-day a man right on the floor, sits on the coolie's head | brought me a list of several scholars' names with such exactness, that he will carry and a written petition from the inhabitants crockery, glass-ware, and the like, with of the village, praying that we would have perfect safety without touching the basket pity on their ignorant children and give with so much as a finger. Water, milk, I them an opportunity of learning to read. and liquids of all sorts are carried on the Such applications are affecting. Could the head.

friends of missions witness the anxiety that

is here manifested for schools, I am confiRoman Catholic Superstitions. dent they would not sit down and philoso

phise many years before they would come March 31. I have been reminded all this to the conclusion that something more day that to-morrow is Good Friday, or the ought to be done than has yet been done anniversary of the crucifixion of our Savior; for enlightening and evangelizing the that is according to the computation of the heathen. Romanists. There are on the island of 11. Had three more applications from Bombay about 20,000 Roman Catholics, // Hindoo boys to instruct them in English.

They are of high caste, two of them bram-| the more difficult, as so many thousands of
hins, and appear as intelligent and active persons were in circumstances similar to
as any boys I ever saw in America. The our own, and the demand for almost every
father of one of them with four other Hin- thing being, of course, much greater than
doos of high caste has just gone. They could be immediately supplied. There
came apparently to pay their salam, and to were, also, at the same time frequent and
say they wished me to take the boys. One not unfounded reports of cholera morbus,
could speak and read English. He read in plague, and such dreadful couflagrations,
the New Testament both in English and as Constantinople and its suburbs, it is said,
Mahratta, and said it was good. He asked never saw the like of before. Indeed, both
his companions if it was not good. They life and property seemed so insecure, and
said it was. I learnt from them that a Hin- | such precautions and efforts were neces-
doo festival takes place to-morrow in honor sary to preserve both, that we had little op-
of the god Siva. I asked them what they portunity or disposition to attend to any
were going to do at the festival. They said ihing else.
they were going to pray to the god. But Aug. 21, 1831. Sabbath. Preached at
what kind of a god is it? said I, What is it commodore Porter's. He has just arrived
made of? "Stone,” they replied. What as American Charge d'affairs, and has
pray to a stone god! and what good can kindly opened his doors for public worship
that do? Can a stone god hear and pity and on the Sabbath. All the American travel-
forgive! No, said I, I do not believe a god | lers, and visitors who happened to be in the
of stone can do any good. I asked the one village attended; among whom were, a
who spoke English if he believed it could | Jew, a Quaker, an Episcopalian, Socinians
do any good. He said "No." I asked him and Congregationalists. The subject of the
if he worshipped idols. He again, in rather discourse was, Searching the Scriptures.
a confused way, replied "No.". He is Whatever offices we or our countrymen
ashamed to confess the truth. He is, I am may fill, where or for whatever purpose we
told, a worshipper of idols. He repeated may travel by land or by sea, in all places,
the conversation respecting the folly of idol and among all people, of whatever lan-
worship to his fellows. They laughed and guage, religion, or customs, may we feel
assented that it was folly, but said it was and say, "Thy word is a lamp unto my
their custom. This, as far as I can judge, feet and a light unto my path,” and may
is the most any of the Hindoos pretend to our conduct ever be in accordance with
say. They acknowledge that the Christian such a sentiment!
religion is the best for Europeans, but theirs
the best for the Hindoos.

Promising Armenian Young Men.
I hesitate not to say that the poor Hin-
doos about me expend tenfold more in sup | lately accosted me several times in the

Aug. 22. A papal Armenian youth has port of a false, hurtful religion, than men in a Christian land, of the same rank as to

street, and expressed a wish to converse property, do for that true and blessed relig- 1with me on religion, and to become a Proion which makes men happy in proportion | brother and several other young men of his

He also informed me that his as it is received.

acquaintance were of the same way of [To be continued.]

thinking with himself. This evening he

and his brother called, and we had a long

and interesting conversation. They appear Constantinople.

to be intelligent and well educated youth, with minds awake to inquiry and open to conviction. They had been destined by their friends for the priesthood, and had

been sent to the papal Armenian convent This journal of Mr. Goodell was kept at Buyuk- of St. Lazarus, in Venice, to receive the Dere, a village twelve ur eighteen miles above necessary, preparation. But after pursuing Constantinople, whither he removed with his their studies there for some time, they befamily, after the great conflagration in that city.

came acquainted with an English ProtesThe introductory remarks will make known the tant, by whose means their former faith was

so shaken, and their religious views so circumstances under which the journal was changed, that they could no longer think

of remaining in the convent. They accord

ingly returned home, to the no small grief With the copious notes and journals of their friends, and with a disgust to the which I lost on the second of August, in superstitions they had formerly cherished. the conflagration of Pera, I lost also all They are now very desirous of prosecuting traces of my first, and of course, my most

their theological studies in England or vivid impressions of the imperial city with America, and of becoming Protestant clerits inhabitants, and customs, and public gymen. monuments. After that event, I was for a

I have also seen recently a young man considerable time occupied in making pro- from Constantinople, who likewise thirsts vision for our temporal comfort. This was

for knowledge, and is very anxious to go to

EXTRACTS

OF

NR.

FROM THE JOURNAL

GOODELL

written.

England or America to acquire it. He be- | trees, which are planted at the extremities
longs to the old Armenian church; is of a of the grave. These, the dervishes inform-
modest appearance, and great promise; and, ed us, were votive offerings to the prophet,
in addition to the Turkish and Armenian (as they call the giant,) in order to in-
languages, he already understands English, Huence him to act as their intercessor,
French, and Italian. No literary institution and entreat God to bestow blessings upon
suitable for these and such like youth is to them.
be found here. A school of a high order is What the place originally was it is diffi-
much needed; and, judging from what little cult to say; but a mortise in the marble
experience we have had in former years, stone at one extremity seems to indicate
such a school here would be far preferable that a cross was once fixed in it; and the
to sending the young men abroad for an opinion, expressed by some, is by no means
education, unless they were able and wil an improbable one, that it was anciently a
ling to support themselves.

graveyard, or a large tomb, belonging to a
25. Was visited again last evening, as Christian church. But "by this craft,"
well as the evening before, by the two Mussulman dervislies here, as popish priests
papal Armenian youthi, mentioned under elsewhere, “have their wealth."
date of the 22d. Aner answering their From this spot, called also the Cradle
queries respecting various passages of scrip- of Hercules, we could see both the Black
ture, and conversing with them on the Sea and the Sea of Marmora, with high
nature of the gospel, I lent them some of Olympus covered with eternal snow; though
our Armeno-Turkisii tracts to read.

I think not so much of either of the two It would be very easy indeed to provoke former as from the opposite mountain on disputation, and make a great deal of noise the European side, at Buyuk-Dere, which here, but wisdom seems to dictate a more we ascended the day previous, and from quiet way. Schools are much wanted for which we could see also the Balkan moun. the rising generation, and the great mass tains, rising far beyond and towering above of the people are in darkness and need the hills of Thrace. At and near the foot enlightening, rather than to be drawn into of Giant's Mountain were large excavations controversy. And, in an unostentatious, for limestone and furnaces for line. Up quiet way, much good may, with the divine the sides we found a plenty of ripe blackblessing, be done; whereas, by a contrary berries; and in one place we found what course, there would be danger that all our particularly struck my attention, because operations, and also those of the Bible So- they seemed like old friends, whom I had ciety would be entirely obstructed. “He not seen for many years, viz. a haystack shall not strive nor cry; neither shall any and a Lombardy poplar. Oh the power of man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised early associations!' and the numberless reed shall he not break, and sinoking tax lively and tender recollections awakened shall he not quench, till he send forth judg- by it! ment unto victory.” May He wh, "haih abounded towards us, in all wisdom and Progress of Knowledge and improvement prudence" grant that we also may abound

in Turkey. in the same towards our fellow-men!

Aug. 27. Went with an American gentle-
Giant's Tornb.

man to a village in Asia, opposite Therapia,

called Hunkiar Iscalasy. A stream of water Aug. 26. Yesterday, in company with a comes down through an extensive vale, and number of American gentlemen, crossed a sufficient quantity of it, being diverted over to the Asiatic side, and climbed the from its natura: channelata considerable dismountain to the Giant's Tomb on the sum

tance above, is brought down in an artificial mit. This tomb is filty-four feet long, and one directly to this place. Passing on to the perhaps six or eight feet wide, and yet only meadow, and crossing the rivulet about two the head and shoulders of the giant are said hundred yards from its communication to be buried there. The der vishes, who with the clear waters of the Bosphorus, have a religious establishment at the place, found ourselves in a delightful spot. The told us that his name was “ Yoosha" i. e. favorite resort of Turkish opulence and what we call Joshus, from the Hebrew, and indolence. Here the sultan has a paper Jesus from the Greek; that he was nephew manufactory, and a carding machine. Here to Moses, or the son of Moses' brother; and an aqueduct being brought from the stream that he was a Mussulman. Some say that at no small distance above, is conveyed to he was accustomed to sit on the summit of the top of a column, and thence distributed the mountain, and bathe his feet in the by smaller ducts in different directions for waters of the Bosphorus, that flowed a full the convenient supply of the inhabitants, or mile below at its base; and that he could for the various purposes of irrigation &c. step over from the mountain on the Asiatic to which it is applied. Here are large to that on the European side of the channel plane trees, full of shade, and everywhere (say three or four miles) with as much ease the most noble among the trees of this as an ordinary man would pass a ditch country. Here are extended walks, neatly three or four feet wide. Many shreds of laid out, with young trees thickly planted cloth were tied round the branches of the on each side. "And here select parties or

we

1832

whole families, all with the yellow-slipper," Lamentable Ignorance of Christianity.
and some also with the yashmack,t may be
seen on foot, on horseback, or drawn by Sept. 4. Sabbath. An Italian, a petty
white oxen in the araba , f coming to recline merchant, called upon us, in order, as he
under the trees, and enjoy the fresh air; a himself expressed it, to be made a Protes-
coffee-shop, which is always one of the tant. We were just then going to the com-
most indispensable appendages in Turkey, modore's for public worship, and invited
being also in a conspicuous place and near him to accompany us.

I afterwards read to at hand.

him various passages from the Italian New This way of distributing water in various Testament, and conversed with him on the directions from an artificial height is also infinitely greater importance of having a seen in other places in the neighborhood of

new heart, than of belonging to a new sect. Constantinople; and it shows that the About a fortnight ago, a Frenchman called Turks, though generally considered bar on the same errand. Both of them seemed barians, have at least had some knowledge to think, that, in turning from the Roman of the science of hydraulics. But having to the Protestant faith, they must undergo proverbially indolent habits, and being some process, or pass through some ordeal averse to any change in their established

or transformation, such as partaking of the usages, they must heretofore have had but

sacrament in another form, learning a new a very limited knowledge of the sciences | catechism, assenting to a new creed, or generally. The changes now introduced saying a new set of prayers, with either or into almost every thing by sultan Mahmood all of which, they expressed the greatest cannot fail to have an important bearing on readiness to comply; and they were anxious their system of education. Indeed an to be told what it was, that they might set academy already exists at Kass Keni, near about it immediately. Anything but sethe city of Constantinople, where, among pentance for sin and a life of humility and other studies, the French language and the holiness. These and such like men are higher branches of the mathematics receive greatly to be pitied. They need instruction. attention. A library, consisting of an En- Though they are Christians in name, they cyclopedia in French, and many other know scarcely any thing of the nature of works in French, or Turkish, or both, is Christianity; and their desire to become connected with the school, and also two Protestants is in most cases more likely to large globes. In the recitation room is a proceed from a spite they owe their priests, dissected cone, and on one of the two occa or from a hope of improving their worldly sions on which I visited the school, a large prospects, than from any rational convicclass of young men, many of whom were tion of the truth. To receive such persons from the most respectable families in Con into the bosom of a church, would be like stantinople, were engaged with the pro- planting a garden with briars and thorns. fessor in demonstrating a problem in conic But whatever brings them within the insections. The professor Ishac Efendi, is an fluence of our example, our conversation, apostate from Judaism; and, being able to or our religious books, is to be considered speak most of the European as well as the providential, and should be improved for oriental languages, he was for some time

their good.
dragoman to the porte. He showed me
several volumes in Turkish, which he had
recently published, and which were printed

Public Appearance of the Sultan.
at Constantinople. These were the text-
books of the students. They are principally

Sept. 9. Went with some American genon mathematics, but seem to einbrace also tlemen to a village on the Bosphorus, called the whole round of science; for some of the

Beshik Tash, to see the sultan, as he went students told me that to understand them to the mosque. We obtained a good situaall was to obtain a finished education, and tion, and had a near and good view of him. required three years' study;

He went with much less pomp and cere. 30. In the midst of cholera, plague, and mony, than on a former occasion, when I conflagration, the Lord has hitherto been saw him in Constantinople. He had then our preserver. Other families around us just returned to the capital after an absence have been “minished and brought low;" of several weeks, in visiting Gallipoli, but ours has in great mercy been built up, Adrianople, and other places; and the and has this day been increased by a son, crowds that assembled to see him were iman event, however, in no way deserving mense,

Sand was brought and strewed special notice, except as he is the first upon the pavement the whole way from the American child ever born in Constanti- seraglio to the mosque, called sultan Bajanople or its suburbs. May he be “born zet, in the centre of the city, for his horses, again" and "scek a better country even an

which were most richly caparisoned, to prance upon; his pages attended him; the

troops were reviewed by him; the batteries * Worn only by Mussulmans and privileged per

saluted him; and the whole beauty, fashion, 1 The white cambric handkerchief that partly city seemed to be poured forth to do him

wealth, and magnificence of the imperial Concealed the face of the females. 1 A springless wagon, with covering and cushions.

honor. We stood on a stall at the angle of

heavenly."

sons.