samples. The buyer offers half what he expects to give. Every one is as dishonest as he can be under the circumstances.

Influence of a false Religion. "And is not all this very discouraging? I reply The contrary. This is the failure of a false religion. Five times a day I hear the muezzin's call to prayer, as he utters that 'great truth and great lie' together, 'No God but God, and Mohammed is the prophet of God.' Mohammedauism has done all it can for this people; it has given them a cold, speculative idea for a God, and allowed license to the passions. It combines indulgence and austerity, gratifies the passions, and pleases the desire to acquire merit. The Mohammedan cheats, lies, practices impurities, performs his ablutions, says his prayers, and goes sweetly to rest, feeling that all is well.

"These are the results of such a religion in all this vast empire. The legitimate fruits are brought forth in abundance. Let him who supposes that a false religion is good enough for a people, and that they are happy under it, come and see. The Armenians are not sunk so low in regard to morals; but the Christianity they profess is corrupt, and has little power over the every-day life. They have no idea of a change of heart, or much change of life, in becoming Christians.

"When I see with my own eyes the wretched effects of other religions, it is to me a demonstration of the truth of Christianity; it nerves me with double courage and confidence. I see how its inherent power must triumph over such miserable systems of error.

Results of Mission Work. "They ask us to show results, if our faith is so strong. It is hardly time yet for the triumph of Christianity in the whole empire. We have only begun to compass Jericho, and blow with the trumpets; and we ought not to give up in discouragement because the walls do not begin to crack at the first blast. But if people ask for results we can give them. Protestants are more trusted and respected than anybody else; once they were stoned and spit upon. The Pasha now rises up when the missionary

visits him, and shows him great deference; once he treated him as a dog. The Armenian religion is severely shaken by the assaults of Protestantism; Armenians have to reform their creeds to keep up with the spirit of the times. A born Mohammedan may profess Christianity in the capital and not lose his head. These are results.

"There are also most pleasing results in individual piety, as well as examples of deplorable lack. I will put two such examples together. A dear missionary falls a victim to the cholera, and is buried in the open field. His sorrowful associates wish to build a low wall around the grave to keep the cattle out; and the native brethren refuse to let them do it, though the ground was bought in part with their money! Most people would say, at this, It is time to quit. But if you could see a dear, precious native sister coming to bring Mr. Leonard her ear-rings and other trinkets to help build a new chapel; if you could hear her say, 'I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude to you'; if you could see her going among the sick and squalid and wretched to do them good with her counsel and her means; you would say with us, that one such example is sufficient to counteract all the discouragements we meet.

Encouragement in the Schools. "There is much to affect a Christian heart in our theological school, and the girls' boardingschool. The examinations in the former have just passed, with gratifying success. Many of the young men are able to give all the events in Christ's life, in their order, as arranged in a Harmony of the Gospels a thing which I do not believe a dozen theological students in America can do. In other departments, also, they have made commendable progress. They now go forth to labor four months, in different fields. The demand for their labors is greater than can be supplied.

Satisfied and Happy. "If you wish to know how we feel, I will thus express it,

We are satisfied. The field is great enough; the work extensive enough; the sense of our Master's approval encouragement enough.

"The plain of Marsovan is beautiful; the ring of mountains around is grand; the air as fine and healthful as that of New England. I thank God that we are here, and that I am not engaged in a scramble after a pulpit in America. We have few friends, but they are very dear, and thus far we are happy. We wish continued remembrance in your prayers."

LETTER FROM MR. SMITH, November 27, 1867.

The Theological School. Mr. Smith's labors are mainly in connection with the theological school at Marsovan. Writing first in regard to this institution, he says:"The first class have had instruction in Moral Science, Evidences of Christianity, Butler's Analogy, Natural Theology, Systematic Theology, and Biblical Exegesis. Some of them also are learning English. It is intended that in most of these theological studies the instruction shall not be less thorough than in our seminaries at home. For example, during five months of this year there were four recitations a week in Systematic Theology, occupying one hour and a quarter a day; and it will require nearly as much time next year in order to finish it. But especially in the department of Biblical Exegesis we aim to accomplish even more for them, (i. e. directly,) than is done at home. Instead of teaching them Greek and Hebrew, and so putting them in a position to understand the Bible more perfectly in their future studies, we aim to make them acquainted with a large portion of the Word of God while they are here.* During the present year, we have been over the last half of Isaiah and the Harmony of the Gospels. Under the latter I have explained the more difficult and important portions of the four Gospels, and given them a chronological outline of the life of Christ; which they have not only written

* Mr. Pettibone wrote from Constantinople, December 9th, after spending some months at Marsovan: "I do not believe there is a class of men in any school in America that would pass so good an examination in the chronologi-cal and historical portions of the New Testament, as the first class in Marsovan." — ED.

out, but also, in great part, committed to memory; so that, on the day of examination, some of them were prepared to repeat in order nearly all the principal events mentioned in the four Gospels, arranged under nearly two hundred heads.

The Students. "With very few exceptions, the general deportment of the students, and also their diligence in study, have been worthy of all praise. We have confidence also in their piety, and trust that all of them will become useful men, if not as preachers, at least as teachers. Yet I never wish to speak with too much confidence in regard to even the best of these native Christians. In regard to them all I feel to say: 'Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off. Even in the best of them we are often surprised and pained by manifestations of great moral weakness. It is true that no Christian is strong in himself; all his strength must come from Christ. But yet, or rather just for this reason, there is a vast difference between him who has been united to Christ, abiding in him from his earliest youth, and whose whole character, whose ideas and modes of thought, have been formed under Christian influences, and him whose character has been formed under an opposite influence, and who, all his life long, has walked according to the course of this world, . . . fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind.' Yet God is able to cause even these to 'stand.' And so far as we see evidence of the presence and work of the Spirit in their hearts, so far we have confidence in them, and rejoice over them.

Labors in Vacation. "The term closed nearly ten days ago; and nearly all the pupils are to spend the four months' vacation in preaching and teaching. We earnestly desired to see more evident tokens of the Spirit's presence among them before they separated; and now much prayer is offered for them, that their own souls may be blessed, and that they may be made instruments of blessing to many.

"The Girls' School is accomplishing a good work. There have been thirty-five

scholars during the year-eighteen boarding scholars, and seventeen day scholars from this city, who board at their own homes. Several of them have become members of the church since their connection with the school, and there has been a good deal of religious interest among them during the present year. I know of no school in America where girls are more thoroughly trained in the Scriptures; and the teachers labor primarily and constantly, in their daily exercises, by frequent prayer-meetings, and in private conversation, to bring them to a saving knowledge of the truth. One of the scholars, in whose Christian character we have a great deal of confidence, has just married a Protestant brother in a neighboring village, and gone there to be, as we hope, a means of enlightening, elevating, and saving many of her sex. Two others, who came last spring from the mountains, four days distant, walking nearly all the way, have gone back to spend the winter at home, and dispense to their more ignorant neighbors the little light which they have already received.

"The examination of this and of the theological school occupied three days, and was attended by a large number of Protestants and Armenians. Some of the principal men among the latter were present at a portion of the exercises. Some of them have sent their girls to our school; but this is the first time that any of that class have been present at any of our examinations."

thought. And the greatness of the work only makes the privilege of sharing in it the more blessed; and instead of appalling or discouraging us, should only nerve us to more earnest endeavors, to a more entire consecration, and to a stronger faith in God. These things show that we have underrated the depths of man's fall, the completeness of his moral death; that we, as a Christian people, also, have underrated the value of our birthright; the priceless worth of those heirlooms which we have received from the fathers — their martyrs' blood, their godly character and example, their Christian literature and institutions. It is true that a nation may be born in a day; but it cannot in a day grow to the fullness of the perfect stature of Christian manhood. He who knew alike all the depths of man's depravity, and all the greatness of the power of His salvation, has told us beforehand, that the kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed'; it takes time to grow. 'It is like a little leaven'; it must go on working through the long night of man's earthly existence, and only in the morning of eternity will the whole be leavened.' Pray for us, that it may go on working in our hearts, and among all this people!

"There is indeed a brighter side, to which we have often alluded, especially in our last annual reports. But the brightest of all views is that which we get when we look away to the hills whence cometh our help'; and know, of a surety, that God reigneth, and that not one of his plans, or promises of good, shall fail."

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the Protestants of Hasan Beyli, twentyfour hours distant, in the mountainous region west of Aintab. Formerly, all that mountain district was in a state of rebellion, and robbery prevailed so fearfully that no one could travel safely, except with a powerful guard. We were told that in former days it would have taken forty horsemen to conduct us safely to Hasan Beyli. The inhabitants of that place were themselves among the most noted for their highway robberies, and five of the present Protestants were of this number. But the Turkish government has reduced these mountaineers to complete subjection. We were not only safe on the road, but the door of the house we occupied was unlocked day and night, yet we were unmolested.

Great Moral Change. "The moral change among the Protestant portion of the villagers is still greater. We found undoubted evidence of a work of the Holy Spirit among them. I have never been more gratified with the Christian experience of any Protestants in this region. The traces of a work of the Spirit seemed so clear and distinct as greatly to surprise and delight me. Their convictions of truth and duty, and their views of the fundamental doctrines of the gospel and of the true way of salvation were so correct and thorough, and their apparent experience of the power of the truth upon their hearts was so deep, as to lead me to exclaim, What hath God wrought?' It surely is his work and not that of man. The opportunities they have enjoyed seemed inadequate to such results, except as accompanied by the special influences of his grace. Only one brief missionary visit had been made previous to our going. None but native agency had been employed.

of whom two were females. One of these is a godly man from Lapatchli, a village three hours distant. This man has long been a solitary light amid the darkness of his village, of 50 Armenian houses, where now the leaven of the truth is evidently beginning to work; and we may hope to hear good news from that village in due time. In addition to these fifteen, there are four or five more who seem to be renewed; but for special reasons they concluded to wait a little longer. One of the five who were formerly highway robbers also applied for admission; but he came so late, and there were so many questions pertaining to the matter of his making restitution for stolen property, that we could not take up his case seriously.

Sabbath Services. "The services of the Sabbath were well attended, and listened to with much interest. On the second Sabbath, especially, many wiped away the tears as Christ was held up to them as the sinner's hope. About half of the hearers were Armenians, and they were evidently very favorably impressed. Baptism was administered to three children, and the Lord's supper to the newly formed church.. As this was the first time these ordinances were administered according to the simplicity of the gospel, the audience were deeply interested. Those admitted to church

ordinances were very deeply moved. During the address to them after the reading of the Confession of Faith and the Covenant, and while receiving the elements, many of them sobbed aloud. An. Armenian woman, a person of extraordinary mental capacity, but not yet fully Protestant, afterwards declared that unless their priest administered the communion in this evangelical way, she would i never receive it from his hands again. We hope to send a man to this newchurch in a few days, who will make them. a very suitable pastor.