toleration and justice. In consequence of his prodigious commotion. The Armenians presence, the state of things in this town and having been informed of the proposed region is much better than it was last winter. plan, interfered. Getting access to the We have heard of no murders, robberies or girl, they soon brought her, either by burglaries in town. The soldiers, too, are less threats or promises, to co-operate with insolent, and guilty of fewer acts of injustice and them. She was forthwith stealthily oppression." removed from her father's house, and was not to be found. In consequence of this, he was greatly excited, went again and again in the darkness of the night to the authorities, who finally sent one of the police to search for the daughter. At

Colonel Williams will be remembered as the gentleman who exerted himself, in so disinterested and noble a manner, for the release of Deacon Tamo and others in 1852. The Nestorian mission have felt very greatly indebted to him for his kindness; and so have the Prudential Com-length she was found; but the Armenian at whose house she was, refused to give her up. In the morning, her father appealed to the Governor of the city; but

mittee.

Tidings from Moosh.

Some facts are stated in respect to Moosh, he refused to settle the matter, referring

which show that the work of the Lord is advancing there; but the adversaries are many.

it to the Pasha of Erzroom; and before the case could be decided here, the girl This was an unfortunate affair, as it was compelled to marry an Armenian. stirred up the bitterest feelings against the Protestants, and led to many acts of violence against them.

Progress in Khanoos.

In respect to another field, Mr. Peabody writes more hopefully. His language is as follows:

Some time since Pastor Simon of Tchevirmeh, in Khanoos, visited Moosh. He was well received, both in the city and in his native village, a short distance from the city. It required no small amount of courage and zeal to go to these places, in the present disturbed state of the country. Having failed to obtain a booyouroolti for him and the Protestants in Moosh, as we mentioned The good work is making rapid proin our last communication that we were gress in Khanoos, particularly in the endeavoring to do, he still ventured to village of Tchevirmeh, where four fami make the tour; but it was contrary to lies, containing about forty souls, have the advice of the British Consul; so that recently become open Protestants. Othwhatever might have occured, no redress ers are strongly inclined to do so, and was to be expected. He repeatedly all are friendly. The place of worship preached the gospel in the towns, is quite too strait for them, as many who strengthening and confirming the weak are not Protestants now attend. The brethren. The people of his native village were very anxious that he should remain with them to preach the gospel, and open a school for their children, now growing up in ignorance.

After his return, one of the Protestants of Khanoos, with a son and friend, went to Moosh for the purpose of making arrangements for the marriage of this son with a daughter of the leading Protestant of that city. The affair was proceeding very smoothly, when suddenly the current was checked, producing a

Protestants are pleading for a chapel; and we hope in the spring to be furnished with the means of assisting them to build one. The truth is spreading in other villages; and it is hoped that its progress will be much more rapid since a new Moodir has been appointed there, who appears to be very friendly to the Protestants, and has promised General Williams and the British Consul, that he will see that the Protestants are not in any way molested or treated with injustice.

Proceedings of other Societies.

Foreign.

TURKISH MISSIONS AID SOCIETY.

THE first anniversary of this society was recently held in London, the Earl of Shaftesbury occupying the chair. The proceedings were

characterized by a catholic and generous spirit; and it is worthy of special notice that allusions to this country were received with marked interest and favor by those who were present. May this unexpected form of co-operation, in the work of spreading abroad the knowledge of a common

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Savior, strengthen the friendly relations which the two nations, it would also be the means of
now exist between Great Britain and America!
Our religion is one; and so is our work.

creating a hearty sympathy and co-operation be-
tween the Christians of England and those of the
United States. He hoped they would never
cease to labor in the cause which they were as
sembled to promote, and that their efforts would
be crowned with abundant success. The remarks
of Lord Shaftesbury were listened to with pro-
found interest.

After the meeting had been opened with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Marsh, the noble Chairman explained that the society was established for the purpose of collecting funds, not for the prosecution of any distinct missions, but to aid the efforts of Protestant missionary societies already established in the East, and laboring among the Greeks, Armenians, Turks, &c.; and especially to aid the American Board of Missions. It was, he thought, a privilege to be able to assist, in the prosecution of so good a cause, persons who held the same faith, though they were not inhabitants of the same country as themselves. One great advantage arising out of the efforts of the society was, that they tended to cement the union existing between this country and America. No alliance was so strong and so certain, and no alliance could be so holy, as that which was founded on religious principles, and on united efforts to advance, by all legitimate means, the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Americans had already felt and appreciated the sympathy manifested in this country towards their efforts in the East, and the confidence reposed in those by whom they were promoted. The present movement was one of the greatest importance. It might be of immense importance even to the Turkish population. A striking change had taken place within the last two years among the native Ottoman people. He Sir E. N. Buxton, Bart., then moved that had heard it stated by persons of great experience the report be adopted, and printed and cirand knowledge, that five years ago such a thing culated under the direction of the committee. He said he had listened to the report as a converted Turk was not known; but at the with the greatest satisfaction, and was gratpresent time there were not only many converted ified to hear that so great a work was being Turks, but there was a very large and increasing carried on in Syria and throughout the number who were anxious to hear the truth pro- Turkish dominions. As one of the originaclaimed, and to receive copies of the sacred tors of the society, he might be allowed to Scriptures. If the governments of France and say that he and others, with whom he acted, had been guided by two main principles: England could be prevailed upon to use their first, it was the duty of Protestant Chrisbest efforts with the Sultan to induce him to abol- tians to take advantage of the present opish the penalty of death upon any Turk who portunity to convey the light of the gospel should embrace the Christian faith, he (the to the East of Europe and Western Asia; Chairman) believed that a very considerable and secondly, as there was already a society of American Christians who were doing a change would take place among the Ottoman great work in Western Asia and in the population. A great effect had been already Turkish dominions, it was better to support produced; and that a still greater effect would that society than start a new one in England yet follow, as the results of missionary labor and with a similar object in view. He believed other causes, no person could doubt who would they had acted wisely in coming to that detake the trouble to read the records from the termination; for it was very clear that the American Board of Missions, as regards East, and the occasional papers put forth by the that part of the world, had been very greatassociation. It was a great matter in these days ly blessed in its labors. Indeed, there had that they could bring together people of all na- been few instances in the history of missions tions and tongues and all forms of government, in which so great success had attended the for the purpose of combining in the one great labors of missionaries as had attended those effort to make known the religion of their com- of the laborers in Asia and European Turmon Lord and Master. If the Eastern question key. That success had been manifested among the Greeks, the Turks, and especialhad procured for this country the French Alli-ly among the Armenians. Many interestance, and thus been the means of establishing for ing instances of conversion had been remany years, and perhaps forever, peace between corded in the publications of the society.

The Secretary of the Society, the Rev. C. G. Young, read portions of the annual report, which describe the efforts heretofore made in behalf of Oriental Christians and Mohammedans, particularly of the efforts of the American Board. There was probably no mission in modern days, he said, in which the gospel had made such rapid progress as the mission in Turkey; and so successfully had it been prosecuted, that evangelical Armenian churches had been erected at Constantinople. The present society was not pledged to give its aid exclusively to the American Board, but could contribute of its funds to further any missionary labors in Turkey which they might think deserving of support. Several branch associations had been formed during the past year; and many private and public meetings had been held in aid of the society. The receipts for the year were reported at 1,854. 16s. 3d ; of which sum 1,1217. 7s. 6d. had been remitted to the American missions in Turkey.

able. The result of the efforts of Protestants on their behalf had been to create a very warm feeling in their minds towards the Franks; and a great deal of prejudice which had long existed amongst them in reference to the Protestantism of the West, had passed away. With such facts before them, and with the door so manifestly open, it was surely their duty as Christians, cordially, warmly, and energetically to support a mission of such a nature as that which they were met to promote.

One was that of a noted chief, the governor | this gentleman assured him that the change, of several villages. By some means he ob- even within the last few months, in the tained a copy of the New Testament, which Mohammedan population was most remarkhe studied without the aid of any personal instruction, and at last discovered in it the true principles of Protestant evangelical Christianity. Like a true Christian, having found out a great truth for himself, he was anxious to make it known to others; and, accordingly, he had been preaching from the Scriptures to the people over whom he had any influence; the consequence of which was that a considerable church had been formed in his neighborhood. A church had also been formed at Tocat, where the honored Martyn died, and where, no doubt, he offered many prayers for the people of that country, prayers which had been answered by the remarkable success which had of late years attended the preaching of the gospel in that neighborhood. He (Sir E. N. Buxton) hoped that the funds of the society would increase, so that they might have more money to send to those excellent missionaries who were laboring in Turkey with such signal success.

The Rev. Dr. Marsh supported the resolution. He said it was a matter for rejoicing that Christian communities, differing in some respects as to forms of government and ceremonies of religion, yet all uniting in that which was essential to human hap piness, could combine their efforts to spread the gospel of Christ. Every Christian community would have its preference for its own form of government; but he was delighted with the present institution, because it united brethren of various Christian communities in one grand object. He was additionally pleased with it, because it united the Christians of England with those of America. He was likewise delighted with it, on account of the ground which it had taken, occupying as it did that most interesting part of the globe, where Christianity first appeared and first prevailed, and whence it came to this country. He rejoiced also in the operations of the society, on account of the success which attended them. He knew of no mission, in point of labors and of difficulties, to be compared in regard to its success with the mission for

The Hon. Arthur Kinnaird seconded the resolution. He said he entirely concurred in the two principles mentioned by Sir E. N. Buxton as actuating him in giving his support to the mission. The originators of the society felt it to be their duty, much as they lamented the horrors of war, to avail themselves of the opportunity which was presented for planting the standard of the cross, and carrying on an active mission on the Turkish soil. He cordially approved of the resolution of the society, formed after much deliberation, cordially to help the American Board of Missions in their work; for he was convinced that the resolution was a wise and a sound one. It was of ex-which he was then pleading. It was a fact treme importance to do all in their power that, sixteen years ago, in one populous part to educate and train the Christian popula- of the field to which he had referred, only tions of those Eastern countries, who, he one woman was found who could read; was assured, were destined to play a great now hundreds could read, and did read, part in the future history of the East. It their Bibles. Twenty years ago, there was was their bounden duty to avail themselves not one Protestant church in the whole of every opportunity which offered to locality; now there was a large number strengthen the hands of their American springing up in various parts, and filled brethren, who had won the confidence of by numerous congregations. Protestants the native Christians, and who were evi- had now full political liberty, and were, to dently doing a great work. He was thank-a great extent, on an equality with the ful to say that the openings were becoming Mohammedans and the nominal Christian every day more and more apparent, and the churches of the East. He was glad that means of doing good were daily increasing. an opportunity was presented of placing a He regretted the absence, on the present pure form of Christianity in the sight of occasion, of a young American who had the Mohammedans and the Jews, who had just returned from the East, after visiting been so grossly prejudiced against Christhe American missionaries there. That tianity by the form in which it had been gentleman stated in a letter to him, (Mr. presented to them through the Oriental Kinnaird,) that the labors of the American churches. Mohammedans and Jews were missionaries in Constantinople amongst the now acknowledging that there was a ChrisArmenian population, were still attended tianity which was not connected with idolwith the greatest success. Dr. Dwight's atry. He could hardly wonder that they church was in the most flourishing condi- had rejected Christianity, seeing it had been tion, and the Protestants every where en- always presented to them in a form which joyed the greatest freedom. Indeed, he they could not but regard as idolatrous; said, Constantinople was one of the most and he could understand the surprise of promising missionary fields in the world. some of them, on entering the church at These were very encouraging facts; and Jerusalem and finding neither pictures nor

3

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images. It was, therefore, a matter for great thankfulness to those who loved their Bibles, and valued the simplicity of the gospel, to know that the Mohammedan population of the East had now presented to them a pure and unadulterated form of Christianity. The reverend speaker referred to the sufferings lately experienced by the converts and others during the progress of the mission, and said he greatly honored Lord Stratford de Redcliffe for pleading the cause of civil and religious liberty in the court of the Sultan; Lord Cowley, for following his example; Mr. Carr, Minister of the United States, who pleaded the same cause; Mr. Stephens, who told the Pacha that the Christians were suffering contrary to justice and law; the Mussulmans who received under their roof the persecuted Christians, when their own fellow-Christians refused them protection; and the Jew who conveyed the information to the friends of the sufferers, when they could not otherwise obtain it. In conclusion, the reverend gentleman earnestly requested the contributions and the prayers of the meeting in behalf of the society, which he said deserved all the countenance and support which Protestant Christians could bestow upon it. The resolution then passed unanimously. Lord Robert Grosvenor proposed, "That this society be called, Turkish Missions Aid Society; that members of the society shall be annual subscribers of half-a-guinea a year; and donors of ten guineas annually, or donors of 50%. or more at one time, shall be designated life governors, and be entitled The Rev. William Arthur, in seconding to deliberate and vote at all the meetings of the resolution, said: I do not think that, the committee." No one could have listen-looking at the aspects of Christianity in ed to the statements made in the report, reference to other religious systems in the without feeling highly gratified at the suc- world, we could well mark out for ourselves cess which had attended the operations of any new province of effort that has in it the society. If there was one subject more more features of importance than the one than any other that at present occupied the in which our American brethren are enattention of thinking persons, it was the gaged in the churches of the East. Never, state of the Turkish empire; and any efforts from the day that Mohammed drew the towards the evangelization of the inhabi- sword, have the Mohammedans had any tants of that empire must be regarded with thing like a fair representation of Christianfeelings of the greatest interest. He cor- ity before them. They have never known dially joined in the feelings of gladness that what Christianity really is; Christianity, had been expressed in reference to the suc- the system of revealed religion derived from cess of the society's operations; and he did the Prophets whom they venerate, and deso because he could conceive of nothing voted to the worship of the one God whom more likely to advance the interests of true they profess to adore. Latterly, the banner religion than union in Christian efforts by of true Christianity has been raised; and in various countries. What every good Chris-various parts of the Turkish empire our tian must deplore, was the fact that Christi- | American brethren are operating with great anity should be split up into such a variety power. While they are thus moving in the of denominations and branches. We had very heart of Mohammedanism, Providence lost that Christian brotherhood which once has been surrounding its circumference and existed, and existed especially in that coun-limiting it upon every hand, for less than a try which was the object of the society's century, although from the extreme south efforts; and he knew nothing more likely of India a powerful embassy came all the to restore that Christian brotherhood than way to Constantinople, to ask the Sultan Christians of different countries uniting to invest Tipoo Saib with the title of Sultan, their efforts towards the one great object as reigning over such splendid territories of which they had in view, the extension of India. Now all these nations are in the the Redeemer's kingdom in the nations of the East. He was glad the society was not taking any new ground to itself, but associ

ated its efforts with the American mission at Constantinople. There had for a long time been a great desire in the minds of Christians to do something to enlighten that land whence the knowledge and the practice of Christianity came. It was a great thing not to spend money in vain. There were many societies appealing for assistance; and it was, therefore, a great object to economize outlay as much as possible, and this object was sought by the present society. They had every encouragement in regard to the mission at Constantinople; it had been established and successfully carried on for some time; and a noble relative of his own, whom he had lately seen, told him, in answer to a question as to the chiefs of the American mission at Constantinople, that he was well acquainted with them, and he believed that men more capable of carrying forward the great work which they had undertaken, could not be found. They knew, therefore, that whatever money they contributed would be properly applied, with every regard to economy and efficiency. Several previous attempts at a similar object had failed. Such was the case with the Syrian Medical Aid Society, which, perhaps, had done some good, but which certainly did not succeed to any considerable extent, and was consequently abandoned, considerable loss being sustained by some of its supporters. Such would not be the fate of the present society; for a successful mission was established, and the funds raised were chiefly devoted to the furtherance of the objects of the mission.

hands of Protestant Christians. On every other frontier there has been some falling back of Mohammedan power; and at this

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

from Peh-chui-ia went to Chioh-be to transact some business, carrying the gospel with them. By their simple declaration of the truth, the attention of several persons was awakened. Upon this, two of our colporters or evangelists (for our native helpers are both) visited the place. From this time the desire to hear the Word and for instruction became so intense, that time was scarcely allowed to take food or rest. Again and again, both from Amoy and Peh-chui-ia, have brethren gone to assist, and have been constrained by the waiting multitude to speak the Word until voice and strength failed, and so would break down, and be compelled to retire for rest. At present there is less excitement, but the same desire for the Word continues. The agency blessed in this work is entirely native. The most which we have been able to do, was an occasional visit, taking a gen eral supervision, and meeting with the inquiring, and examining those applying to be received among God's people. A chapel has been opened; and on the first Sabbath