constant theme of his conversation and correspondence to the last. But a short time before his decease, he declared his sentiments fully on the subject of religious liberty, at a meeting convened in the Rev. T. Lewis's chapel, for the purpose of opposing Sir James Graham's Educational Bill. He had always been a strenuous friend of liberty of conscience; and he had lived to see the removal from the statute-book of many odious laws which tended to cast a stigma on Protestant Dissent.

He was able to converse but little in the last moments of existence; but all he said indicated the firmness of his faith, and the sure resting-place of his hope for eternity. He entered into rest on Saturday morning, the 17th of June, at a quarter past twelve o'clock, A.M.; and in the following week his mortal remains were conveyed to Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, where they await the summons of Him who is "the resurrection and the life."

Mosul, Mesopotamia, Aug. 25th, 1843.

REV. AND DEAR SIR, Your kind present of Beattie's "Waldenses Illustrated," (and that so beautifully,) has often reminded me of a debt of gratitude, which I can pay no better than by giving you a sketch of the present condition of the Waldenses of the East, for such, in many prominent features of their character and history, are the mountain Nestorians of central Koordistan. Though perhaps presenting less evidence of evangelical piety, and a somewhat lower grade of civilization, yet proportioned to the deeper darkness by which they are surrounded, the Nestorian Christians have presented a luminous example of long continued and firm resistance to some of the worst errors of the more corrupt forms of Christianity, both in the East and West. It is especially remarkable, that up to the time of the Reformation, these two small branches of the nominal church stood alone and unaided in their steady opposition to the sin of idolatry which had polluted and debased every other portion of the church by the general worship of pictures, images, and tutelary deities; so also of transubstantiation, auricular confessions, &c., &c.; in all which the Nestorians have stood forth the Protestants of the East. In the great extent and long

continuance of her missionary labours, the Nestorian church stands unrivalled in the history of the world. But it is in their civil history, and especially in their seclusion from the world, amid almost impenetrable mountains, that the parallel between the Nestorians and the Waldenses stands out conspicuous to the most cursory observer. And the lines are rendered still more prominent by the existing wars and persecutions which have destroyed the independence of the Nestorian tribes, and threaten the very existence of these brave mountaineers. It is especially to bespeak your sympathies and prayers in their behalf, that I have taken my pen this morning. They have strong claims upon both; and you, I feel assured, my dear sir, have a heart to be penetrated by the tale of their woes. You know the watchword of Islam, "The Koran, the Tribute, or the Sword;" and you may well believe that a people in the very heart of the prophet's domains, who have, for more than twelve and a half centuries, refused to accept the first, or yield to the second, of these requisitions, will be regarded as specially deserving the se verest inflictions of the third. The long-continued independence of the mountain Nestorians under such circumstances has indeed been a reproach and an eyesore to the votaries of the

prophet. But they have now obtained their revenge. More than three years ago a plan was matured between the Turks and Koords, to bring the Nestorians under subjection, which was, however, frustrated for the time by the removal of the Pasha of Erzeroom, the death of the new Governor of Van, and the interruption of harmony with the Hakary Koords. But the chief of the latter, aided by the still more powerful chief of the Buktan Koords, nevertheless, obtained some advantage over the Nestorians, and burned the house of their patriarch. This was two years ago; and soon after my return to the East, last year, war between the Koords and Turks, and the hostile relations of Turkey and Persia, prevented the plan of subjugating the Nestorians from being completed. Their enemies thus gained time to mature their measures, and even to create divisions between the Nestorians themselves; and now they have come down upon them with all the fury of their own mountain storms. The small tribe of Diss, on the north-east, was the first to fall before the invading foe, and the havoc that was made is represented as very great in proportion to the numbers of the invaded. The aged mother, a brother, and several other members of the family of the patriarch, were among the killed; and the mangled remains of the former are said to have been thrown into the river, and told to go and convey the tidings to her son (the patriarch) that such would prove his own fate. Three more of his brothers, his sister, and other relatives, eighteen or twenty in all, were carried away, with hundreds of women and children, into captivity, where they are now suffering the extreme of privation and misery. Up to this time I had retained my position in the mountains, but it was now evident that I had no time to lose, and with some difficulty I effected a timely escape to this city. The victorious army being joined by the chief of Buktan, now made a bold push upon the powerful tribe of Tiyary, and entering at an unexpected point, carried everything be

fore them, till the whole tribe was swept away, as with the besom of destruction. The chief malek (king) was among the first who fell; many were overwhelmed by the vastly superior numbers while nobly defending their villages or the mountain passes; others, seeing that the contest was hopeless, fled to their strongholds. All who fell in the way of the enemy were cut down, or driven away into captivity; their most venerated and ancient churches were blown up, or otherwise demolished; their villages, all but four or five, burned ; their produce and effects destroyed; their flocks driven away, and their lately peaceful valleys made one scene of indescribable desolation and mourning. In one instance, children were thrown up into the air, that the ferocious Koords might display their dexterity in cutting them in two parts as they fell; in another, a priest was driven into the creek, where he was stoned whenever he raised his head above water, till he was finally drowned, or violently murdered in cold blood. A company of women, who were driven away as captives, while crossing a bridge, threw themselves simultaneously into the river, and were drowned; others, who were neither young nor handsome, were put to death after being taken, and not worth the transportation. Their whole country is now in the hands of the Koords, who have made one of the worst of their mountain robbers governor of Tiyary; and he has taken up his quarters, with a guard of some five hundred Koords, in our mission-house, which he is enlarging, at the expense of the muscles and sinews of the remaining Nestorians. The patriarch, with one brother, a priest, and a few attendants, have fled to this place for safety. But his prospects are dark enough. I have little confidence in any arrangements that will or can be made for him or his people. Had he succeeded in his first attempt, and fled into Persia, it would probably have been better for him, as he would then have been with his own

people. people. Something I hope may be

done to rescue the captives. We are making an effort. But even this will be difficult. Two of them were this day brought to this city, as a present from the Koords to our pasha; and thus they are dispersed through the country. May the Lord be their helper in this hour of extremity! I hardly know whether we have most occasion to mourn for the living or the dead,for those who are left destitute of food or shelter in their bleak mountains, the captives who may be left to the option between a change of their religion, extreme suffering, or death, or those who have made the Zab a common grave with their relentless destroyers. now to my exposition of the death of the two witnesses, (p. 80-83 of my book,) and you will see what I regard as a possible sequel of the whole. May God in mercy overrule it for good.

Turn

Our work in the mountains is for the present interrupted, and no one can say when we may return to that part of our field. I shudder at the dangers through which I have passed. As

I look back upon the snares that were laid for my life; I wonder at the goodness and mercy of God in so often restraining the sanguinary Koords, whose chiefs were plotting my destruction, while treating me with every outward mark of respect, and even of friendship. Perhaps the very boldness of my movements restrained their hands from blood. Truly the angel of the Lord encampetli round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Remember me affectionately to Mrs. Morison, and believe me,

Most truly and faithfully yours,
A. GRANT.

P.S. I am obliged for your kind notice of my book, which reached me through Mr. Putnam, my agent. I have been gratified at the reception of my book in England, and to have such men as Dr. Chalmers expressing an interest in it. I may, perhaps, at a future time, take up the criticisms of Dr. Robinson, &c., together with an account of my later researches.

A. G.

A WITNESS is one who gives testimony -who tests and corroborates a fact. The Greek word translated witness, in the New Testament, signifies also martyr-an individual who testifies to the truth at the cost of life, Rev. xx. 4. A true witness is candid, conscientious, faithful, and, if need be, self-denying ; "he sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not." The servants of God are recognised by him, under the honourable and responsible designation of "his witnesses," and this epithet is employed by Christ and his apostles. Briefly to illustrate the dignity and importance of this character is the design of this paper.

Christians are witnesses of the truth of Scripture.-The evidences of the authenticity and Divine authority of

the Bible are so numerous and irresistible, it is wondrous that any thinking mind can cherish scepticism. Besides those evidences to which an appeal is usually made in defence of the Christian religion, there are internal evidences deeply seated in the renewed heart. He that believeth hath the witness in himself; and this evidence, satisfactory to the individual personally, is susceptible of being convincing to others. The Christian's entire experience; his conflicts, enemies, victories, are the precise counterpart of the spiritual emotions of the saints, in all ages, as graphically delineated in the divine word. The despondency, penitence, gratitude, hope, faith, love, expressed by the psalmist three thousand years since; or the apostles, one

thousand eight hundred years ago, is still to this day the varying experience of the believer; and the life of every such Christian is an incontestable evidence of the truth of revelation.

Christians are witnesses of the inseparable distinction subsisting between the church and the world.-There has been a constant and laborious effort to merge the church and the world, and consolidate them into one by mutual compromise. Futile attempt! There

is no congenial affinity; it were as easy to unite and harmonize fire and ice.

Between these two communities there is all the contrast conceivable in light and darkness, in the living and sepulchral world. The great Teacher declares, "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." The solemn command is, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate," &c. And, complying with this injunction, Christians associated with their respective churches are a "chosen generation, an holy nation, a royal priesthood, a peculiar people." An illustrious example of this separation from the world is given us in the history of Israel, when Joshua addressed the people, " Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that you have chosen the Lord this day to be your God; and they said, We are witnesses." Every Christian church, and every believer who identifies himself with an evangelical community, becomes a witness of the broad line of demarcation which dissevers the church and the world.

Hence it is an imperative duty, which no sophistry can fairly elude, incumbent on all God's children, to unite themselves publicly to his people. To hesitate is dangerous and dishonourable.

Christians are witnesses of the death and resurrection of Jesus.-The apostles pre-eminently sustained this chaChristianity is founded

racter.

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certain facts; to these facts, as the basis of their commission, they incessantly and fearlessly appealed. Compare Acts i. 6 to 8; ii. 32; iv. 33.

All Christians who surround the

sacramental board, by their act of faith perpetuate the memorial of the Saviour's death and resurrection; they "show forth his death" until he come.

Christians are witnesses of the reality and necessity of conversion.-The new birth is the most repulsive of all evangelical doctrines to the carnal mind. Men will substitute morality, virtue, pharisaism, baptism, anything to escape the stern necessity imposed by Jesus, "Ye must be born again." Nor can you by reasoning, or the production of Scripture texts, convince them. There is, however, one sort of evidence appealing to their senses and consciences they cannot refute. It is the moral transformation of character divine grace effects, as exhibited in the true convert. Take an instance as an illustration. There is a man who was a notorious sinner, a sabbath breaker, a drunkard, a blasphemer. He was led to the house of prayer: whilst there a sentence, perhaps a word, like a barbed arrow, pierced his heart, and diverted into a new channel the tide of his affections, and empowered him with an energy to conquer inveterate and habitual vices, which all the laws and the magistrates in the kingdom could not control. And now he who resembled a roaring and ferocious tiger, the scourge and terror of his family and society, is gentle and docile as a lamb. The cause of this extraordinary change may be questioned, but its reality is indisputable.

Christians are witnesses of the essential truths of the gospel.-They are enjoined to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. These fundamental doctrines have been maintained by confessors and martyrs, and sealed with their blood; and, as witnesses for God, we are required to give our conscientious and undeviating testimony to the pure doctrines of our holy faith. If in these times, when error is so diffusive, we are to prove ourselves competent, faithful, and successful witnesses for the truth, it becomes us diligently and prayerfully to search the Scriptures, and familiarize

our minds with the great "first principles of the oracles of God." It is more than probable the period is not remote when we must take the field, and measure our swords with no contemptible opponents; but with men versed in polemical controversy, who have been under a long and arduous course of training, and are well disciplined for the onset.

It is of momentous importance we should study our Bibles with increased ardour, and plead mightily for the Spirit's influence, to guide us into all truth, that with this unction from the Holy One we may know all things, even the deep things of God.

Christians are witnesses of the sanctifying, ennobling, and self-denying spirit of religion.-The influence of the gospel on the Christian, his temper, spirit, habits, actions, is undeniable and conspicuous. Spirituality of mind, and holiness of life, is the general characteristic of the followers of the Lamb. There will be inconsistencies and failures, arising from the remains of corruption; but there is the pervading principle of piety, and the absence of that which is incompatible with the mind of Christ. An exemplary Christian cannot be cruel and tyrannical ; he is merciful, as his Father in heaven is merciful he cannot be proud; he has learned of Him who is meek and lowly in mind he cannot be sensual; he "denies all ungodliness and worldly lusts" he cannot be covetous; for "covetousness is idolatry :" he cannot be dishonest; "integrity and uprightpreserve him. Amidst the aboundings of iniquity, he stands forth

ness

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in bold relief from the dark mass behind him,—a noble witness for Jehovah, in whom is seen, embodied, "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely and of good report." An object of more sublime dignity there is not on earth. He is adorned with the graces of the Spirit; he has the mark on his forehead; he has the outline of divinity stamped on his character; he has the luminous and fragrant atmosphere of heaven, like an halo, as his investiture; he is not a being of earth, but a citizen of Zion.

Christian reader, our theme is practical-you are reminded of your sacred responsibility. As members of the church of Christ, the vows of God are upon you; you are his sworn witnesses; you have taken your sacramental oath of allegiance and fidelity. When you are in your family - when you are in the church-when you are in the world, remember! remember! the voice issuing from the excellent glory, "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." The incompetency, the faithlessness of many who are God's professed witnesses, is the most formidable barrier to the progress of the gospel ; "these are the enemies of the cross of Christ." Never will the church assume her legitimate position, and make her aggressive and triumphant movement, and gather her rich spoils and captives, until she shall hear and obey her Lord's command-" Arise and shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee."