who, between them, manage to conduct the various meetings when no missionary is with them. The last Sabbath I spent there [in December] we had the celebration of the Lord's supper, and I baptized six new members."

Eastern Turkey Mission.

HARPOOT.

(About 175 miles south of Trebizond.)

LETTER FROM A MISSIONARY'S WIFE, February 1, 1868.

THE letter from which the following extracts are taken was written to a sister, but sent open to the Missionary House, with liberty to use any of its statements in the Herald. It will be found the more interesting, perhaps, because written thus to family friends. It is an account of a tour among some of the many out-stations of Harpoot, and brings to view, very pleasantly, incidents connected with such work, and with the habits of the people. Only portions of the letter can be given.

Rude Accommodations. "We came next to Ban half hour distant. The preacher and his wife, both graduates of last year, [from the Harpoot schools,] received us very cordially, though we did wish, for our sakes as well as their own, that they had a more comfortable place. About four o'clock in the afternoon, twenty women came together, with whom I held a meeting. One woman seemed to be earnestly seeking the salvation of her soul. The preacher's wife said she came a day or two before, to talk with her; and after meeting she remained talking a long time....

"We spent most of the time in the evening in a stable. Slept in the kitchen and storeroom. The night before, we had for our bed-room, a room about ten feet long and eight wide, partly filled with boards. Our bed was about half a foot from the ground, and under it were stored a bushel or so of onions. But we slept as sweetly as though reclining on a bed of

roses. ...

Mezerch. "Came on to Mezereh. Stopped at the pastor's house. The pastor's wife had lived in our family five years, and knew just what we needed. Soon she had a good fire in the stove, and a cup of tea and toasted bread were quickly prepared; but the cold rooms and discomforts of the last two days were too much for me. I had headache for two days, and spent most of the time on the lounge.

Hooeli. "Here, as well as at the former village, we had a comfortable place to stay, soon had our wet clothes dried, and a good cup of tea revived our spirits. The bell rang for meeting, - for they have a genuine bell, the present of a Russo-Armenian. It was a full meeting. The people have lately completed, or nearly so, a large chapel, which will hold eight hundred, or perhaps more. The people of this village are more intelligent and enterprising than of any other village on the plain; and for this reason the preacher is not acceptable to them. Like too many congregations in our enlightened land, they want great sermons — elaborate, difficult to be understood. This captious spirit on the part of a few has, I fear, hindered a work of grace there.

The Women. "I have never been in a place where the people, especially the women, seemed so eager to listen to the truth. The teacher, or assistant-teacher, of the girls' boarding-school is there. She has a class of thirty women, who meet every day to study the Scriptures. It was a very pleasant as well as encouraging sight, to see such a company of women gathered together to study the Word of God, in that village, where, a few years since, all manner of iniquity and opposition prevailed. I knew, too, that each one had a family to care for, and that each was expected to do a certain amount of spinning and weaving; that nearly every one had a mother-in-law who, until recently, felt that the chief end of the daughter-inlaw was to spin and weave, or till the ground, being in all things subject to her. But now, when the bell strikes, they are the first to say, 'Rise; run to your lesson.'

Church Discipline. "The chapel at Perchenj was so small that it would not contain one half of those who came [to a Sabbath service]; so they quickly removed the rubbish from their half-finished chapel, and resorted thither. Two were examined for admission to the church, and one member, from Hoocli, was suspended, for winedrinking and improper conduct in other things, and because, when told of his fault by the brethren and church, he refused to hear them. They had many times, with weeping, exhorted him to repent; but when he showed no signs of sorrow for his sin, they did not hesitate to perform what was clearly, to them, their duty, though he was a rich man. They did not waver, feeling that the prosperity of the church, in a financial point of view, was dependent on the liberality of the rich. Let the church be poor rather than sacrifice its purity, was their conviction, which led them to act as they did. . . . I do rejoice that, though the charity of these Oriental Christians is so large that it covers a multitude of sins, still they cannot tolerate, within the pale of the church, those whose lives are not conformed to the gospel of Christ.

Kegvank. "Stopped at Kegvank, where a helper is stationed. He was feeling somewhat discouraged, for he seemed to be laboring in vain. The people stood aloof from him, only two or three being inclined to listen to the truth. It is said that the people of this village are exceedingly wicked. The mother of this helper, whom I saw at another village, said her son came home, and with weeping told how great a trial it was to him that he could not see the work of the Lord prospering there. He is a faithful laborer, and I am sure the Lord will permit him, yet, to gather much fruit in that village.

Shukhaji. "There are several church members at Shukhaji, belonging to the church in Ichmeh. One of them is a very exemplary Christian. He was the first to receive the truth in that village, and his life beautifully exemplifies the power of the gospel to refine and sanctify, under severe trial and persecution. He and his

elder brother live together, and there are about thirty in the family. No one but himself is a follower of Jesus, and most of the older members of the household oppose and try him in every way. But his spirit is such that his enemies can find no fault with him, except in regard to the law of his God. He is a very benevolent man, and never says 'No,' when aid is solicited for anything pertaining to the support of the gospel.

Ichmeh. "The next day we came to Ichmeh, one hour distant. The work there is in a prosperous condition. They have lately about completed a chapel and pastor's house. The pastor of the church is a model one, gentle, but firm; meek, but earnest; charitable, but bold to rebuke evil. The people as well as the church are unanimous in their love and attachment to him. They say, when they come to his house it is hard to get away. One good proof of their sincere love is, that they have assumed his entire support. The congregation is between two and three hundred, but only a very few are able to give more than their 'mite' for the support of the gospel.

Working Christians. "There is a society of young men, twelve in number, who go out two by two to different villages, carrying the word of life, and reading and talking wherever they can get any one to listen to them. They meet for prayer every week. Ask the young men of your church to remember this embryo Young Men's Christian Association. There seemed to be more spiritual life in the church there than at any other place we visited. In the prayer-meeting there was no waiting for one another, but often two would rise to pray at once. Then the prayers showed a fervency which was truly reviving. There is a female prayermeeting every week, which is sustained by the women of the church. Seventy-five, or more, are often present. The pastor's wife is a feeble woman, and partially blind. We took our meals at the houses of the brethren because of her weaknesses. She cannot provide for her own family, but the women are very kind, coming and getting

her washing or sewing, and carrying it to their homes to do.

Large Families. "We took two meals at a house which numbered forty persons. Only two men and the son of one of them ate with us. After dinner I went into another room, of not very large dimensions, where there were perhaps thirty assembled, of all ages and sizes, from sixty years down to the infant of a few months. But they told me they dwelt together in harmony, and would on no account be separated into several families. There is a family of sixty in Kompk, but as the helper there remarked, it is a type of the world of woe; for the gospel has not yet shed one ray of light and peace upon them.

Lodging in a Stable. "The work in Haboosi is more encouraging than in any previous year. We stopped in a stable while there. I have had that privilege before, but this time felt that I was more a martyr than ever before, for the weather was not cold. There were horses, donkeys, cows, oxen, buffaloes, and calves. Strange to say, we slept, though the fleas and the strong odor frequently made us conscious that ours was not a bed of down, and early in the morning we were awakened by the cock-crowing near our heads. The place was not raised, but on a level with the stable floor. Perhaps it was a little higher....

Tithes. "A second matter about Ichmeh I forgot to speak of. Lately, fifteen have pledged themselves to pay tithes. The blind preacher, or, as he is called, 'the preacher of tithes,' has been there, stirring them up to good works. One man, who gave tithes last year, remarked to me: 'I never was so prospered. I have not room to bestow my grain, -a thing which has not happened before.' 'He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.' In Haboosi, also, several are pledged to pay tithes. This preacher proposes to visit other out-stations, and bring the subject of tithe-paying before the minds of the people.

Influence of the Girls' School. "Though we visited thirteen villages, we have seen but a small part of the whole. Fifty-eight villages are occupied, and eighty helpers employed, not including the wives. Many of these latter have been educated in the girls'-school, and show that the labor bestowed on them has not been in vain. As we went from village to village, and saw how they were endeavoring to put in practice the teachings they had received, I felt as though I should, on coming home, congratulate and encourage those who are preparing to be teachers in the girls'school; and Miss West, who has labored in it so faithfully these last three years. Surely hers will not be a starless crown.

Persecution. "Letters are constantly coming in from different parts of the field. Not a day but Mr. Allen has letters, sometimes as many as six. Some speak of persecution, some of great encouragements, others of discouragements. There is a persecution going on at Malatia. One girl, a member of the girls'-school, has been driven from her home by her mother. A vartabed, who was there two years before, and did all in his power to annoy the little flock gathered there, has this year returned, and is redoubling his efforts to destroy the work. But he is only hastening the downfall of that kingdom he is endeavoring to build up. The people of God say they are growing stronger, and the congregation is increasing.

Native Missionaries. "One of the missionaries (native) from Koordistan reports great encouragement. He has a congregation of thirty. Others are going from village to village, trying to find an entrance. Three more of these Koordishspeaking Armenians wish to come to the seminary this year, and the funds for their support have been pledged. A member of the church at Diarbekir wishes to assume the entire support of one. Thus this missionary enterprise, of such small beginnings, has already begun to enlarge its operations. Perhaps it is destined to be a second A. B. C. F. M.

Self-support. "I cannot but regret

sometimes, that so much time has been lost in not putting in operation, years before, the system of self-support. But if it has been a failure, as we believe it has, to encourage the churches in their dependent and helpless condition, thus hindering their growth in grace and in numbers, we may hope that good may come out of the evil. The effect of comparison is giving new impulse and energy to those churches which were founded with the idea that, in order to secure their spiritual growth and permanent existence, the streams of benevolence must flow out from the church itself. Those who maintain that self-support is necessary to develop the power and enlargement of the church, see how enervated and feeble are those which exist by the charity of others; and for their own prosperity, and for the sake of example, they feel like redoubling their efforts for the support of the institutions of the gospel.

Encouragement at Gurun. In a letter from Mr. Livingston published in April, he mentioned the urgent need of a preacher for Gurun, and his own intention of going to that place, for a time, with one of the Sivas students, as a teacher. He now writes:

"I mentioned in my last to you, that I was about to visit Gurun. I returned from there some ten days ago, after an absence of a month. I saw much to encourage me in that part of our field. Had we efficient native preachers to send in that direction, we could gather large congregations, and schools in all the villages. At one large

village on the road, where we have from time to time, on our way to and from Gurun, sold Bibles, Testaments, and Spellingbooks, I had a most interesting visit. No sooner had I reached the edge of the village than I was recognized, and the people came in crowds to welcome me and ask for books. I found dozens of men and boys learning to read, and my room was filled, the evenings I was there, with as eager pupils as I have ever seen. Had duties permitted, I should have spent some days with them; but this was impossible, and I could only commend them to God, praying him to send a teacher, which they so much needed. At Gurun I was visited by most of the leading men, Turks as well as Armenians. The week of prayer was observed with a good degree of interest, and the congregations on the Sabbath steadily increased. I had scarcely a minute to myself the whole time I was there. From morning to night my room was crowded. Many came to me in private, who had not the boldness to be seen in the chapel. Numbers of books were sold, and the brethren showed a commendable zeal in giving for the support of a preacher.

"For the first time, men came to me of their own accord, bringing their subscriptions. I am waiting impatiently for the preacher from Harpoot to go to Gurun. It has been a most bitter disappointment that he could not be there this winter. I was assured, over and over again, and my own observation confirmed the statement, that there were at least 150 houses in the city of Gurun, which would this winter have declared themselves Protestant had there been a good native preacher there. There are men who have no faith in the Armenian religion; many of them never go to the services of their church; still they are not infidels, but earnest inquirers after a religion which will meet their wants. Some come together by themselves, to read the Bible and talk on matters of religion. Could they see that the Protestants had a preacher capable of instructing them, and who was to remain with them, there is no question in regard to the course they would take. My great fear is that the time for reaching them will pass before the preacher will go there. We have

encouraging news too from Zara. More than 60 pupils in the school, and a large attendance at chapel on Sunday.

"I am sorry I cannot report progress here, in Sivas. Matters here are much as when I last wrote you. There was a good attendance at the meetings during the week of prayer, but since their close the prayermeetings are much as before. I am afraid the preacher must leave, for want of sufficient support."

CESAREA.

(370 miles S. S. E. from Constantinople.) LETTER FROM MR. FARNSWORTH, March 4,

1868.

MR. FARNSWORTH, when he wrote, was "just in from a tour of twenty-five days, to Yozgat, Soongoorli, and other places in the northern portions of the field," on which he was accompanied by the "good native helper, Garabed." They encountered a severe, "blinding" snow-storm, the second day, and Mr. F. found the importance of having an experienced traveler with him. Some passages from the letter, respecting different places visited, will interest the reader.

A Blind Disciple. "At Koom Konyon, or Sandy Well, two miles from Alenja, we saw a very interesting blind man. He has had the reputation, in years past, of being a very pious man, and in all the villages around he is much respected. He seems now to have received the gospel of Jesus into a good and honest heart, and a crowd of villagers were astonished that day at the gracious words that proceeded from his mouth; especially the first eighteen verses of the seventh chapter of Matthew, his morning lesson. We spent one night at Injirli. Here I found, including children, forty-eight Protestants, about one fifth the entire population of the place. They have been without a preacher most of the time for the last three years, but we hope the Lord has been with them.

seemingly the life, of the Protestant movement in that place, died about a year ago. Many said then, that our brethren would be scattered, but, to their surprise, no such result has followed. Others have stepped forward to take the place of the fallen, and we were never so strong, probably, in Soongoorli, as now. The number of Protestants is seventy, and many others are almost persuaded to join us. The power of the gospel has appeared especially manifest among the Elekgees, a sort of gypsies, of whom there are some three or four hundred in Soongoorli. Some years ago, one of their number, Uncle John, became interested in the New Testament, and though an old man, he took his spellingbook and went to school with the children. People laughed at him, and said, 'If a bear learns to read, then may Uncle John'; but he persevered, and now reads very well, to the astonishment of Armenians as well as gypsies.

We had a meeting on a week-day at the house of this brother, when some fifty gypsies were present, and seemed much interested. Inquiry showed that only such as have become Protestants could read.

Yozgat. "We spent two Sabbaths at Yozgat. The state of things there is not so favorable as my letter of January 29th represented. Things will not stay settled. The wounds are deep, and though at times they seem healed they soon break out again. Yet there has been some increase in the number of Protestants, as I found by a careful enrollment; the brethren are raising more money for a preacher than ever before, and most of them seem ready and anxious to follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. But both time and patient training will be necessary to bring the church and community into a good, healthy condition.

"The depth of the snow and the severity of the weather prevented our completing the tour, by visiting villages farther east and returning by Gemerest and Moonjasoon. We saw one poor fellow. frozen to death, and others perished on the roads that we passed over, but the Lord preserved us."