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mand to go forward, and has commenced its resistless march. From the advancement of society, we expect that degree of religious toleration, both in the laws and in the general feeling, which will give scope and efficacy to the operations of Protestant benevolence.

Far beyond the ridges of the Andes, in the bosom of a vast ocean, unknown to the world until lately, and when known, known only to be pitied and despised, lie the little clusters of the HARVEY and RAIVAVAI ISLANDS. Of these, the last year has held before our eyes a picture, made lovely and attractive by its moral beauty. Polygamy, infanticide, war, cannibalism, no longer offend the sight. In vain do we look for the wildness and ferocity of the savage. In vain do we listen for the yell of the warrior, or the shriek of the victim. Every where there is peace, and order, and neatness, and industry. The whitewashed cottage adorns the landscape, and the church gives grace and dignity to the whole. And by what agency has this change been effected? "Not by might, nor by power." A few natives of the Society Islands, who, through the instrumentality of missionaries, had felt the love of Jesus shed abroad in their souls, voluntarily offered themselves as the heralds of the cross to these islands, and were sent thither at the hazard of their lives. There, alone, unsustained, except by the Lord of missions, they prayed and taught, with unceasing diligence, till idolatry fell before them, and barbarism fled away, and the Gospel, as the corrector and the rule of life, became gloriously triumphant.

We should add, in closing this retrospective view of the year, that, in our notices of the STATE OF RELIGION IN THIS COUNTRY, we have reported an accession to our churches, of not less than 7,000 persons; and have announced the existence of revivals of religion in many places, from which we have seen no numerical returns suficiently authenticated to admit of their insertion in our pages We should not be surprised, if extended and accurate inquiries should shew the accessions to the churches, during the year, to have been three, or four, or six times as numerous, as the number mentioned above. "He that watereth, shall be watered also himself." Prov. xi, 25.

American Board of Foreign Missions.

PALESTINE MISSION.

FROM MR. GOODELL TO THE CORRESPOND

ING SECRETARY.

THE following communication is dated "Beyroot (Syria) June 19, 1826;" and, with the articles that follow, from the same pen, cmbodies much interesting matter.

course and much religious conversation with them. Two years ago they would purchase only a certain edition of the Old Testament; now they come a journey of several days, and purchase even the prohibited edition. Then they would not purchase the Prophets by themselves, and the very name of the NewTestament appeared to excite great unMy design in this communication, is easiness and abhorrence in their mind; to state a few facts, which have an now they purchase not only the Prophimportant bearing on this mission, and || ets but even the New Testament, also, which will place before you some of its when it is bound up with their own interesting features; and as they are Scriptures.* Then they had no other entirely unconnected with each other, idea of Christianity than what they I shall arrange them under separate had acquired by seeing the superstitions, idolatries, and abominations of these corrupt churches; now a few of those in Beyroot have had entirely different views presented to their minds, and many solemn considerations urged upon them. One individual, with whom we have had the most conversation, has promised to read the New Testament, and to believe in Christ, if he finds evidence that he is the true Mes

heads.

Of the Jews.

When we first came to Beyroot, the Jews had no more dealings with us, than they had of old with the Samaritans. We could not induce them even to call upon us; and if we visited them or their school, they looked upon us with the eye of suspicion. But a course of uniform kindness on our part has ap- Since writing the above, we have learnt with parently overcome many of their pre-grief, that the Jews, who bought the whole Bible in Hebrew, cut out the New Testament in many instances, if not in every one, and sold it in the Bazar for waste paper.

judices, and inspired them with confidence; and we now have much inter

siah. We had just succeeded in establishing a school among them, when it was broken up amidst those terrible occurrences, which followed the visit of the Greeks here, and has not been since renewed. The Jews, like the Christians, are lamentably ignorant of their own Scriptures; and, like the latter, have incorporated with divine truth so many of their own traditionary legends and absurd tales, that to bring them back to the simple word of God, is like clearing away piles of rubbish, which have been accumulating for many centuries.

Of the Armenians.

You already know, that the Archbishop at Sidon, the Archbishop in my family, and the monk in my service, have married wives, in violation of the most sacred canons of their own, and of all the oriental churches. This bold step of theirs, in breaking away from the customs of their fathers, has been noised abroad through the whole country, and has produced not a little excitement. Another Armenian monk, has also recently followed their example, under circumstances of special interest, which are as follows:

Archbishop Jacob Aga, at Sidon, sent him to Damascus to transact business with the Pasha. The Pasha made many particular inquiries respecting the Archbishop, his age, circumstances, family, character, &c.; and similar inquiries, also, respecting the Archbishop, who is with me at Beyroot. He then said to the Cadi, the Moolla, the Mufti, and all his courtiers about him, "Listen; one year ago, while I was with the Grand Vizier at Constantinople, the Armenian Patriarch came before him, with a long complaint in writing against Jacob Aga, and Signor Carabet, for marrying wives; saying it was contrary to their sacred books, an innovation in their church, &c. &c. But before he had finished what he had written, the Grand Vizier, looking at him with a smile of contempt, said, 'You may put up your papers. If your books are opposed to the marriage of the clergy, your books are not sacred, they are false. Our books are true and sacred. The Koran is from God, and commends marriage in all.' With this he dismissed the Patriarch." Then turning to the Armenian, the Pasha said, "Are you not also a monk?" Being answered in the affirmative, "I advise you as a friend," said he, "to follow your false books no longer, but to take a wife." The Armenian, overjoyed, hastened back to Si

don, on the next day after his arrival married a wife, and the day following came to Beyroot, to inform us of all that had passed.

One important benefit of these marriages has been, to excite inquiry, to bring the Bible into notice, and to lead to the examination of other customs and canons, which have had the sanction of ages, and all the corroboration, which pretended miracles could give. I do not think I state more than sober facts will justify, when I say, that the Armenians appear to be awaking from the slumber of many generations, and to be in a state well suited to receive a powerful and desirable impression from the labors, and examples, and instructions of able and devoted missionaries.

Jacob Aga, at Sidon, collects his neighbors every Sabbath, and reads with them, or to them, the sacred Scripmarks, which, though probably not tures, interspersing the same with revery experimental or spiritual, but confined to the external affairs of the church, yet serve to direct men's attention to the Bible, and thus to "prepare the way of the Lord." Two or three individuals, and one of them of the Greek Catholic church, now enter into all his views, and take part with him in all his discussions.

Signor Wortabet, in my service, who left the convent about a year and a half ago, as wild and as thoughtless, as it was in the nature of a convent to make him, has now apparently conviction of sin, and is an earnest inquirer, not so much to know what is truth, as to know what salvation is, and how it is to be obtained. After a deeply interesting conversation with him a few evenings since, in which I seemed really to have come once more into the province of the Holy Spirit, he made a request, which, as it was the first of the kind ever made to me in Syria, was deeply affecting to me. wish you," said he, "to pray for me. Pray that God would send his Holy Spirit to form in me a new nature. I pray more earnestly for this every day, and desire it more ardently, than any thing else, or than all things else in the world. But I fear, God will not hear my prayers. I think he will hear yours." In this request, he was joined by another individual, of whom more presently.

Of Individual Inquirers.

"I

It was not till within a few months, that we found any among the Arabs, who would acknowledge themselves to be in a state of sin and death. Every body "fasted twice a week, and thanked

God, that he was not as other men." Several individuals appear now to be convinced, that they are in a state of condemnation; and when asked the question, frankly confess, "I have not been born again; I am dead in trespasses and sins; I am in the broad road that leadeth to destruction." On such minds, divine truth, of course, falls with additional power. Of this class are three of our schoolmasters.

A few no longer frequent the churches, nor confess to the priests, nor observe the fasts, nor pray to the saints, nor bow down before their images, nor regard the festivals in honor of them. Of this class, is an Arab youth of the Greek Church, who has been with me near two years. It is now more than six months, that he has professed to renounce all dependance for salvation upon the intercessions of the saints, the numerous fasts, the oft repeated prayers, and prescribed nostrums of his church, and to believe, that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse him from guilt. On the recent death of his mother, he refused to pay any thing to the priests to secure their prayers for her benefit. His father and brother and friends, first entreated, and then reviled him, and the priests threatened him; but he still persisted, saying, “I had better buy bread and give to the poor, for this will be a real charity; whereas, praying forever for my mother, will not alter her condition."

The

priests said, that perhaps he would soon die, and no body would pray for him. He replied, "I wish no one to pray for me after I am dead; it will be of no ayail. Now while I am in life, I must love God, and read his word, and believe on Christ, and that is sufficient." "What! have you turned English?" they exclaimed. "It makes no difference what I am," said he, "if I am right."

Of this class, also, is another Arab youth of the same Church, about thirteen years of age, whom we have instructed in Italian and English, and caused to be instructed in the grammar of his own language, and in ancient and modern Greek. His name is Asaad Jacob; for more than three months he has been in my family, and is now of use to me in copying English and Italfan, and writing Arabic and Greek. He was thoroughly superstitious, and really believed, as he recently told me, that the priests were able to pardon whatever sins he might be guilty of; and that, on this presumption, he might deliberately commit, before hand, any sin, which it might be for his interest or pleasure to commit. Many have

been the conversations we have had with him, during eighteen months past, many the opportunities we have embraced of reading the Scriptures with him, and many and various the arguments we have set before him from the Bible; but not till after a long time, did there appear to be a surrender of his former erroneous opinions, or the least abatement of his confidence in the councils and fathers, and in the dogmas of the church. But in regard to all these things he is now entirely changed, and in consequence, has brought down upon himself the displeasure of his parents and friends, and the indignation of the priesthood. “Ah!" said one of his brothers, after urging him in vain to attend upon some of their foolish ceremonies, "you have become what I always said you would, if you had so much intercourse with these men, viz. a heretic." One of the priests, after railing at him a considerable time in the church, broke out into exclamations like these; "Alas! unhappy youth! lost! lost! lost! gone beyond redemption! undone forever!". He paused.

"But is there no help? Can nothing be done to arrest divine vengeance, and to save this youth from everlasting fire?" After a second pause, he turned to Asaad, and said, with softened tones, "But perhaps there may yet be hope. If you will purchase a few candles to burn before the blessed Virgin, I will undertake your cause, and will save your soul from eternal death." This took place before he had broken off from all connexion with his church, and tended greatly to hasten his entire separation from it.

After such a change in his views, he thought himself, (as it would be very natural for him to think,) renewed in heart; but having become more acquainted with the nature of this change, he is now without hope, and is the individual, who united with, Signor Wortabet in that interesting request above mentioned, that I would pray the Father to send them the Holy Spirit.

Of the younger brother of Asaad Shediak, we know but little at present, except that he refuses to go to confession, desires us to remember him in our prayers, and is called by the Patriarch a heretic and accursed.

Another Maronite youth near us, appears to be in as interesting a state of mind, as any I have described. He had imbibed strong prejudices against us, and had avoided all intercourse with us, til his own mind had become deeply impressed by reading a New Testament, that fell in his way. He now comes almost every night to read the

Scriptures with Mr. Bird, and to beg his prayers. He himself thinks that he has been born again; but, though his case appears hopeful, we choose for the present to suspend our opinion. The persecutions, which, unless "a great company of the Priests become obedient to the Faith" seem likely to fall heavily upon all who openly espouse the cause and the religion of the Bible, will, doubtless, have the effect of preventing many from permanently joining us, whose hearts are not under an influence more than human. That such an influence begins to be felt here, we can no longer doubt. It really seems, as if this were "the acceptable year of the Lord," and as if the Holy Comforter, so long banished from these regions, had come back in triumph, to make these "tents of Kedar" once more the sweet abodes of peace and love. We have joy in our hearts; we have joy in our dwellings; and we look, with the most devout earnestness, and delightful anticipations, to the day, when such "times of refreshing shall come," as shall give joy to all the churches, and shall fill all heaven with praise.

Yours affectionately,

W. GOODELL.

MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS FROM MR. GOODELL'S CORRESPONDENCE.

June 30.-Asaad Jacob came to me for protection on the 19th of March, while the hostile Greeks were in this neighborhood, and has continued with me ever since, and at present, seems likely to continue for a long time to come. The Great Head of the church manifestly designs him for usefulness.

Almost every day, we read the Scriptures in ancient Armenian, modern Armenian, Turkish, Turkish Armenian, ancient Greek, modern Greek, Arabic, Italian, and English; and sometimes we hear them read in the Syriac, Hebrew, and French. Seldom do we sit down to our meals without hearing conversation at the table in ancient and modern Armenian, Turkish, Greek, Arabic, Italian, and English. And with the exception of the Italian, prayers daily ascend from this house, I hope to heaven, in all these languages.

During the year previous, Mr. G. says they had distributed, gratuitously, more than one hundred of their sacred books, and soid there hundred and seventy-nine for 118 dollars. The greater part sold, were Hebrew and Armenian.

The number of those who read the Scriptures with us every evening and

every Sabbath, gradually increases. Among those on the Sabbath, are found Armenians, Greeks, Greek Catholics, Maronites, Jews, and occasionally a Syrian, a Mussulman, or a Latin. Those of us, who read with them, are from England, America, and Germany. Our assembly is literally of "many kindreds and tongues.' We are always able, when necessary, to have reading and conversation in ten or twelve different languages, exclusive of several dialects.

Several respectable individuals said to me to day, "So much inquiry on the subject of religion has probably not been known before in this country, for more than a thousand years." The priests are filled with wrath, and pour forth their threats, and their curses, in torrents. But their violent dealings, though they doubtless deter many from coming to us, and though they are grievous for the poor sufferers, yet awaken so much the greater curiosity in the public mind, to know "what this new doctrine is." Many do not hesitate to condemn the Patriarch's treatment of Asaad Shediak, and seem hardly to have expected that their spiritual guides would go so far in the work of destroying men's lives.*

We leave all events with the Great Head of the church, knowing full well, that the experience of his people has been in all ages, as in Egypt, "the more they were afflicted, the more they multiplied and grew."

In a postscript to a letter, from which the foregoing extracts are made, Mr. Goodell states this noticeable fact:

It is very common here for people to change their religion, i. e. to become, Greek, or Greek Catholic, or Maronite, or Latin, &c. and nothing is thought of it;-but to become truly honest, serious, conscientious Christians, to take the word of God as the only rule of faith and practice, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the world; this, it is to be feared, has not been known here before for many centuries, and it awakens all the malice and rage of minds, that are "enmity against God."

July 26.-So much is now transpiring every day in regard to religion, as to keep us in a high state of expectation. Scarcely a day passes, in which we can

There has been, in former numbers of our work, a mere notice of the cruel treatment received by Asaad Shediak from the Armenian Patriarch, in consequence of the change in his religious views; but the documents, in which his case is particularly described, have not come to hand, and are probably lost. The reader will carefully distinguish between Asaad Shediak and Asaad Jacob. Ed.

be said to have quiet, unagitated minds. Another Armenian priest has come a long journey to see us and to join us, so that I see not but that we are like to become a kingdom of Priests and Archbishops. The Greek Catholic Bishop¦¦ sent his deacon four times recently to converse with an individual at Saide whom he suspected of embracing our faith; but the individual used such unanswerable arguments with the deacon, as to bring him over to the same views. O that the work of regeneration might keep pace with the excitement! Asaad Shediak-it is now a week since we have dared to pray for him with any degree of confidence, that he was living. Though, if he be still alive, we have much hope of his being restored to us immediately; as the Patriarch confesses himself wearied out in attempting to reclaim him, saying he becomes more a heretic every day.

The Patriarch wrote to the brothers of Asaad, to come and take him; for he was almost dead from his bonds and stripes, and he could not bring him back to the Catholic faith.

LETTER FROM ASAAD JACOB TO THE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

THE following letter was written by the youth, who has been repeatedly mentioned in the preceding extracts from Mr. Goodell's correspondence. The reader will perceive, that we have allowed this remarkable young Arab to speak in his own imperfect English, inas much as greater interest is thereby imparted to his shrewd good sense. He was taught our language by Mr. Goodell and Mr. Bird.

Beyroot, July 13, 1826.

My dear friend.-I write this to tell you, that when I believed like the Church, said, I loved very much to go in the Greek church to prayer and confession, and to read with priests and bishops; and I thought there is no religion but the Greek religion. Once I confessed to the priest, and told him, "I have eaten a little cheese in the Wednesday." The priest said, “God have mercy!" and told me, "this is great sin, and if you not do this which I tell you, and do not give the poor and me money, and ask God and the saints for your pardon, you must go to hell." I was very sorry and cried. I thought that is sin; that is, the cheese I did eat. I told the priest, "O my priest, I can to do?" He said, "You must five months pray every night to the saints, and kiss the ground

forty times every night, for this great sin," that is, the cheese, "and then your sin will be forgiven." I did so five months, and then came to the priest and told him. Said the priest, "Very well; now you are a Christian." That prayer which the priest told me to say five months, is the 24th for the Virgin; and every night I read it. Another time I confessed to the priest. In that time I had no great sin, because I had not eaten no meat, neither cheese; because the great sin, the cheese and meat, I did not eat, because I was afraid he would tell me like before. In the next day, I wished to receive the sacrament. Before I went to the church, I told the priest I washed my face, and entered a little water in my mouth. He said, "You cannot receive the sacrament, because the water entered in your mouth; after five months you will receive the sacrament. Go and worship the saints and cry." I was so five months, and after, I received the sacrament. But now I see all that was lie and sin; nor cheese nor meat defile the man: and I saw in the holy Gospel, which is better than every book, and the book of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which he gave us; and I know, when our Saviour and his disciples received the holy sacrament, they have eaten, before, the passover, and then they received the sacrament, Once I confessed to a priest in the mountain. I told him, "I have eaten meat in the fast." He said, "Ah! you have great sin." I asked him, "What I do to be forgiven my sins?" He said, "You must go pray, and worship to the saints, and ask them to forgive your sins, and you must give me some money for to pray I for you."

I came to Mr. Goodell's house, and I read the Gospel. When I read the Gospel, I saw all that talking was lie and sin, that is, the worship to the saints, and give him the money for to pray for me; and saw in the Gospel, no one can forgive the sins but one only, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, and for to save us. When I saw this in the holy words, I read the second commandment, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, thou shalt not bow down to them;" and the priest says, I must worship before them. I saw indeed the priest told me contrary to the words of God, and that it was sin and lie, and I did not worship, nor did give him any money.

Again I went to the mountain; I saw that same priest there; I went to the Church, the priest began to talk with me about the religion. The priest asked me if I worshipped the saints. I

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