Missionaries have had almost every thing to learn former travellers did not explore the country with reference to Missionary Operations: hence the records which they have published to the world are insufficient, and almost every thing must be seen anew. Besides, several languages are to be acquired, some of which are conquered not without much time and application.

To that portion of the earth the God of this World seems to have directed much of his attention: there he has seized upon the artillery of Heaven, and turned it to the defence of his own kingdom: there he fights under advantages, which, in lands purely Heathen, he does not possess. In those portions of the Christian Church,therefore, which he has bound in chains of darkness and plunged into corruption, we may expect him to make his firmest, most deadly stand; and there, doubtless, will be the most painful struggles and the fiercest conflict.

We invite, then, the friends and patrons of the Palestine Mission to consider the Nature of the Enterprise; and to gird up their minds for a long, and arduous, but glorious struggle. Palestine is a country where almost every species of error and vice is found-where the force of circumstances has impressed everywhere the strong lineaments of party-and where Satan has erected his strong-holds, and triumphantly surveys his dread munitions. The Mission to that country is not for the fainthearted, the irresolute-for him who shrinks from the shock of arms, or the fierce and long-contested battle: it is for minds of firmer nerve, of more comprehensive views, of more unbending fortitude, which, borne upward by the promises of God, can overlook a thousand obstacles, and dangers, and disheartening occurrences, lying in the way to ultimate and triumphant success. Such are the Patrons, and such the Missionaries, who are adapted to this enterprise.

Turkish Oppression in Syria. The troubles of the Missionaries in consequence of the descent of a body of Greeks at Beyrout were stated at p. 38 of the Survey: Mr. Goodell, in May of last year, gives an affecting account of those which befel the Native Christians:

It is impossible for you to conceive, or for me to describe, that system of

falsehood, injustice, oppression, and robbery, which has been in operation here for the last two months. I cannot speak of suffering INNOCENCE; for the land is full of crimes: but I can tell you of suffering humanity-I can tell you of human beings, whose guilt is no greater than that of their proud oppressors, condemned without a trial, their flesh trembling for fear, their religion blasphemed, their Saviour insulted, their comforts despoiled, their lives threatened, and their bodies filled with pain and deeply marked with the blows inflicted by Turkish Barbarity. Some of them were so badly beaten, that they could not walk; but were carried by soldiers, as they went from house to house, to obtain a trifle here and a trifle there, toward paying the enormous exactions made upon them. One poor creature was brought to my door, half dead: I spent several hours in endeavouring to restore him; applied cupping-glasses to two places on his back, bound up his feet, gave him cordials, and finally kept him two days till he could walk.

I have never known before what it was to see all faces gather blacknessmen's hearts failing them-every bosom tortured with the most gloomy forebodings and the deepest dismay.

Had we witnessed all this, two years, or even one year ago, it would probably have given us such a shock, as to have been materially injurious to our health. We are bound to give thanks to our Heavenly Father, that we have been favoured with such a degree of tranquillity amidst so much that was calculated to disquiet our minds. Our wives, espe cially, have been greatly supported, during this whole affair. How often have our slumbers been arrested by midnight cries! and how often has the day revealed cruelties, the very dreams of which would at other times have haunted the imagination for many successive days! The words of Cowper have recurred almost daily to our minds:

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 Pacha. The Pacha 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 Beyrout. 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 Signior Carabet, for marrying Wives; saying it was contrary to their Sacred Books, an innovation in their Church, &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 Korân is from God, and commends marriage in all.' With this he dismissed the

Patriarch." Then turning to the Ar"Are You not menian, the Pacha said, 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 Sidon, on the next day after his arrival married a wife, and the day following came to Beyrout 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 sanc-.

tion 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 labours, and examples, and instructions of able and devoted Missionaries.

Jacob Aga, at Sidon, collects his; neighbours every Sabbath; and reads with them, or to them, the Sacred Scriptures-interspersing the same with remarks, which, though probably not very 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.

. Signior 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 : "I 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 the eagerness of some Armenians to obtain the Scriptures, he thus speaks

Signior Carabet came in, and said that he had had a very long conversation with a number of Armenian Pilgrims, who had just arrived from Jerusalem; and that he thought some of them would purchase the Holy Scriptures. I immediately took four Turko-Armenian Testaments, which were all that I had in

the house; and accompanied him to their place of encampment, at least half-a-mile

distant. I found nine men and four women, seated in a semicircle on the grass. They were from Orfa, the ancient Ur of the Chaldees-the birth-place of Abraham, in whose seed all the families of the earth are to be blessed; and near to Haran, where Terah died, and Laban lived, and Leah and Rachel spent their youthful days. Three months had elapsed since they commenced their pilgrimage; and they would, probably, be another month on the road.

After they left Jerusalem, their animals were forcibly taken from them by the notorious Aboo Goosh; and they remained several days at Arimathea with the hope of recovering them, but in vain: they procured others, and proceeded on their way; but, on reaching Beyrout, two days ago, all their animals were seized for the Tartars to carry some express for the Pacha, and the poor pil. grims were waiting their return.

After taking a seat with them on the ground, and accepting a long pipe, I listened to the sad story of their wrongs, and endeavoured to give them some consolation. Signior Carabet then produced the Testaments: after looking at them a few moments, by the aid of those fires which the Great God hath kindled in the firmament of heaven to give light by night, they immediately purchased the whole, and expressed a wish for more. I told them that the depôt was not a mile distant, and that I would go and bring them as many as they wanted: they all arose as one man, and lifting up their hands to Heaven, with one accord, said, "Praise be to God!" I said, "How many more will you take ?" They an swered, "Ten." As I wished to have a few in the house with me, I took 13

statements:

-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 fusted 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 againI 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 honour of them. Of this class is an Arab Youth of the Greek Church, who has been with us nearly two years. It is now more than six months that he has professed to renounce all dependence for salvation on the intercessions of the saints, the nu merous 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 for ever for my mother will not alter her condi tion." The priests said, that perhaps he would soon die, and nobody would

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pray for HIM: he replied, “I wish no one to pray for me after I am dead: it will be of no avail: 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."

-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 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.

-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 griev. ous for the poor sufferers, yet awaken so much the greater curiosity in the public mind to know what this new doctrine is.

-The persecutions, which, unless a great company of the Priests become obedient to the faith, seem likely to fall heavily on 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 ac

ceptable 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. We leave 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.

--It is very common here for people to change their religion; that is, 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.

-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 be said to have quiet, unagitated minds. Account of Asaad Jacob, an Arab Youth.

Two Young Arabs, both of the Greek Church, are mentioned at p.38 of the Survey: he who is there named Asaad is Asaad Jacob: his younger brother, there mentioned as under severe persecution, is Asaad Shediak. Of Jacob, Mr. Goodell thus writes at the end of June

Asaad Jacob came to me for protection on the 19th of March, while the hostile Greeks were in this neighbourhood: he has continued with me ever since; and, at present, seems likely to continue for a long time to come. We had instructed him in Italian and English, and had caused him to be instructed in the grammar of his own language and in Ancient and Modern Greek. now of use to me in copying English and Italian, and writing Arabic and Greek. He was thoroughly superstitious; and really believed, as he recently told me, that the priests were able to

He is

pardon whatever sins he might be guilty of; and that, on this presumption, he might deliberately commit, beforehand, any sin which it might be for his interest or pleasure to commit. Many

have been the conversations which we have had with him, during 18 months past; many the opportunities which we have embraced of reading the Scriptures with him; and many and various the arguments which 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 dis. pleasure of his parents and friends and the indignation of the priesthood. 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 for ever!" 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!"

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After such a change in his views, Asaad 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 Signior Wortabet in that interesting request above mentioned, that I would pray the Father to send to them the Holy Spirit.

The character of this Youth, and the difficulties with which the moreenlightened Members of the ancient Christian Churches have to contend, will be seen in a Letter, the greatest part of which is subjoined: it was addressed by Asaad, from Beyrout, in July of last year, to the Corresponding Secretary of the Board: it is thus introduced by the Board

The reader will perceive, that we have allowed this remarkable young Arab to speak in his own imperfect English, in

asmuch as greater interest is thereby imparted to his shrewd good sense.

Letter from Asaad Jacob.

My Dear Friend-I write this to tell you, that when I believed like the Church said,

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 Sa

crament.

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 Word, I read the Second Commandment, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image: thou shalt not bow