"I do not for a moment suppose that you, my countrymen of the American mission, require a word of support from me. You can safely rely upon your position, which is impregnable, as it stands upon the sure foundation of truth, and cannot be disturbed by the slanders of your enemies. But as it is my good fortune to be present upon this interesting occasion, as I have been for so many years a witness of your good deeds and an observer of their excellent results, I could not say less than I have said. I will close with the hope that you will neither be dismayed nor discouraged by opposition from any quarter; and that still faithfully supported by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and sustained by the admiration and by the best wishes of all good men of your own and of every country, you will persevere in your Christian work unto the end."

EXISTING IDOLATRY IN CEYLON,

MR. HASTINGS, of the Ceylon mission, writing from Manepy, April 3, in connection with statements respecting the recent fearful prevalence of the cholera, refers to the continued worship of idols, even by intelligent people, as follows: "It is surprising how completely this people are in bondage to their superstitions, and how they cling to their vain and foolish ceremonies. We can account for it on no other ground than that they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. Yesterday, having occasion to go up into the tower of our church, I looked down upon the heathen temple opposite, and saw men, women, and children engaged in their senseless performances, and my heart was pained at the sight. A wooden god, fastened upon the back of a wooden image of a bull, with a large red umbrella spread over it, was carried about the temple, within the inclosure, accompanied with music, by men who claim to be intelligent. Following it were more than a hundred men and boys, prostrate upon the ground, each with his feet crossed and hands extended over the head, clasping a cocoanut, rolling with great difficulty on

the hard ground under a broiling sun, at midday; while as many women were making the circuit of the temple, prostrating themselves to the ground at each step as they advanced. And these performances are repeated for ten or twelve days in succession, with other ceremonies equally senseless.

"These ceremonies are performed, generally, in fulfillment of vows made in times of sickness and trouble. The number of persons who are thus fulfilling vows is apparently much larger this year than usual. Several have visited the temple walking upon spiked sandals, bearing their offerings. It is difficult to understand how it is that this system of heathenism, so degrading to humanity and so dishonorable to God, retains so strong a hold upon the minds of the people, after fifty years of missionary labor. If it was sustained only by the rude and ignorant, who dwell in places far removed from Christian influences, it would excite little surprise; but many who are educated at least countenance these heathen practices by their presence, and contribute to sustain them. Few intelligent men would probably attempt to defend them; and many acknowledge their folly, while doing nothing to prevent them.

"Much has been expended, during this visitation of cholera, for extra ceremonies at the heathen temples and for ceremonies for the dead. I have heard a native estimate the expenditure as high as £12,000, - $60,000!"

COST OF MISSIONS AND OF "STRONG DRINK."

A SPEAKER at the last May anniversary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, in London, made the following statements and appeal:

"Who dare say that we have done enough? We talk of what we have done in England during the last year for Christian missions; but what have the working men of Manchester done in another direction? One of the principal officials in Manchester lately made this statement as to the doings of the working men there, and I hope that everybody here will un

derstand it. One of the highest public officers in Manchester made this statement the other day, that the working men of Manchester and Salford alone spent 250,000l. every year of their lives, on Saturdays and Sundays alone, in strong drink! Here then we have three times as much money spent as the whole Methodist body are spending in the effort to convert

the world. Done enough! What, when we give 88,000,000l. to Bacchus! Done enough! When, instead of 5s. per head, as to the missionary cause, the average expended in strong drink, by man, woman, and child, Christian and teetotaller, altogether amounts to 31. a head! Let us have the 31. a head, and I undertake to say there will be plenty of men."

HOME PROCEEDINGS.

THE map presented in connection with the "Annual Survey," and prepared expressly for this number of the Herald, brings to view on a single field, all the stations of the Board in the three Turkish, the Syrian, and the Nestorian missions, thus presenting more clearly than in the sectional maps printed last year, their positions in relation to each other and to well-known places. Some of the more important districts, or general divisions of the country, in Turkey and Persia, the more important cities and towns, mountain ranges, rivers, &c., are designated; but very many names could not be introduced without too much filling up so small a map. The names of most of the mission out-stations therefore will not be found. For general purposes it is sufficient to know that these are in the vicinity of the stations with which they are connected. The attempt to give the pronunciation of the names of stations, and to define their location, in all the missions, is repeated in the "Survey," from that of last year.

In accordance with the action of the Board at its last annual meeting, Secretaries Treat and Clark have already visited Amherst, Dartmouth, and Yale Colleges, Andover and New Haven Theological Seminaries, and one of them the Seminary at Hartford. In each case one of the missionaries now in this country was present also, and they spent a Sabbath at each place excepting Hartford, endeavoring, by

public addresses and in other ways, to deepen the interest of the young men in the work abroad, and to lead some among them to consecrate themselves to that work.

A friend of the Board, in a small town in central Illinois, to whom many thanks are due for his generosity, writes to the publishing agent of the Herald as follows: "Last spring, in a communication addressed to you, I favored a wide diffusion of the Herald, with a view to elicit a deeper interest in the cause of missions, and intimated a design to forward a mite for that end,. or rather to help make up the deficiency of those unable to pay. For that purpose please find inclosed check on New York for $100, payable to your order."

Small sums have been received from others for the same purpose, and can always, it is believed, be well employed.

THE WEEK OF PRAYER.

THE custom of observing a week early in January, from year to year, as a week of united prayer for special objects, by Christians of all lands, originated a few years since (1860), and was first suggested by missionaries in India, with some particular reference to the missionary work, and the need of special influences of the Holy Spirit to make that work successful. The week has been observed with much interest at the various stations of our missions, on each year since that time, and often, as in several cases last year, with

very happy results in mission fields; revivals of more or less power commencing then. The programme for this year, issued from London by the Evangelical Alliance, and published in many religious papers, presents no distinct reference to missions or missionaries in the heathen world; but it is surely to be hoped that they will not be forgotten, either in the public or the private supplications of Christians during the week. Certainly one great work of the Church, for the successful prosecution of which the mighty workings of the Spirit are essential, is to be, still, for the salvation of the nations sitting yet in darkness. The week to be observed commences with the first Sabbath of the month, (January 5,) and the evening of that day at least (the usual time for observing the Monthly Concert) should be observed with special reference to the foreign mission cause; and, in churches cooperating with the American Board, might not one evening be well given to prayer for China, that great field in which now the Board hopes largely to increase its efforts?

MISSIONS OF THE BOARD.

Western Turkey. Dr. Riggs, of Constantinople, reports the dedication of a Protestant house of worship in the Greek village of Demirdesh, six miles north of Broosa. The population of the village is over 2,000, all Greeks. The little Protestant community numbers but about 40; "but there must have been over 150 persons present at the dedication service," which was on the Sabbath, October 27; and "all listened with earnest attention." Dr. Kalopothakis, from Athens, who has been instrumental in collecting most of the money for the building, was present, and preached in the afternoon. Dr. Riggs preached in the morning. It is expected that a church will be organized during the visit of Dr. Kalopothakis, who “remains for a fortnight to aid the good work there." A letter from Philippopolis (page 14) notices progress and encouragements to labor; and mentions increasing opposition, in some quarters, as one among the indications that truth is having influence.

Central Turkey. Rev. Lucien H. Adams, of Adana, and Miss Nancy D. Francis, of Aintab, were united in marriage on the 11th of October last. Dr. Pratt (see his letter, page 16,) makes gratifying statements respecting the theological school and the church at Marash, and progress at some out-stations.

Eastern Turkey. Rev. H. S. Barnum and wife arrived at Harpoot September 26th.

Nestorians. Mr. Labaree (page 17) reports recent attempts by the Patriarch to expel mission helpers from the mountains, and effective interposition by the British Vice-Consul at Mosul. He gives account also of an unwonted outrage against Nestorians by a Koordish chief.

Mahrattas. Mr. Harding's letter (page 20,) respecting a Brahmin convert, and the excitement and violence occasioned by his reception of Christianity, will be found of much interest.

Madura. Mr. Penfield, who recently went to this field, wrote from Madura, September 16, respecting the meeting of the mission then in progress: “I am pleasantly surprised by the numbers present from the different parts of the field; for I did not suppose that the mission had half so many helpers of the different grades.... So large a company reclaimed from heathenism is a goodly sight in this land where Satan's seat is. The pleasure is greatly enhanced by the reflection that these are the under-officers of the army of Christ in this district, of which army we are the generals.

"In the villages and congregations which I have yet seen, Christians seem very few and weak.... At this annual meeting, however, one can recognize the fact that Christianity is a power in this district. If we and all these helpers, filled with a spirit of earnest loyalty to our King, act with one accord as recruiting sergeants, we may yet be strong in the main elements of an army's strength, - a large, earnest, loyal rank and file. We are scattered over an immense field, nearly all of which is in

undisputed possession of the enemy. It is no great wonder if the few natives should feel weak, and at times be tempted to despondency; no wonder if some of the spies should bring back an unfavorable report of the promised land. We shall yet possess it all for Christ; and one of the best results of this annual gathering may be the increase of courage and faith, both theirs and ours."

Mr. Washburn, writing from Battalagundu, August 15, notices indications that appear to one on the ground, in that mission field, that in due time a harvest will be gathered, though it may be but "midsummer now; refers to a recent itinerating tour, with his catechists, on which nearly all the villages of the station were visited and 9,000 persons addressed; and bears testimony to "the great value of this itinerating agency in the prosecution of the mission work." He then mentions the completion and dedication of the church at Battalagundu, and says:—

"After worshiping for years in a building not very different from an empty cabin, or barn, it is not easy to describe the feelings one experiences on meeting, on a pleasant Sabbath morning, a congregation in a house reminding him of a New England village church, and made more attractive by the gifts of friends in our dear native land."

The station school, "begun a little more than a year ago, with 8 scholars," has "gone up to 28, with manifest improvement," and "is a source of great satisfaction." Respecting another matter he writes as follows: "Two or three of the congregations are enduring a great fight of affliction with the Romanists. It will do them good; but for the present it is not joyous but grievous. In cholera seasons they-the Romanists-run to us for help, and we dispense medicine as freely to them as to one another, and watch by them when dying. When they are well they requite us, in places where they are strong enough, by putting the Protestants under ban, refusing them fire and water, and keeping them from the village washerman, barber, blacksmith, and carpenter, so that a plow cannot be mended, or a house repaired except with the greatest

difficulty. It is surprising how suddenly, out of a quiet and calm sky, a storm has broken forth that threatens to wreck the piety of the strongest. Nearly every house has its persecuting agent in it. All this is the work of one Thömè, a French Jesuit, who has lighted down among us."

Mr. Burnell reports the admission of two members to the church at Nélur June 30, and the death, in September, of one of his most valuable native teachers.

Ceylon. Mr. Howland wrote from Batticotta October 5, noticing increased and gratifying efforts by himself, pupils in the training - school, and helpers, among the heathen; says a class of 18 has been re'ceived in the school; and states-"We very much need help." He writes respecting the results, so far, of the ordination of a native pastor at Batticotta, and the independent, self-supporting position of the church: "Although I rejoiced in that movement, I had some fears. I am thankful to be able to say, that thus far my fears have not been realized. There seems to be no want of harmony in the church, while there is increasing satisfaction with the pastor. I think they have good reason to be satisfied with him. He seems to be faithful, even beyond my expectations. He is thoughtful also, and I have repeatedly found that he had forestalled the necessity of my suggestions about things to be done and individuals to be seen and conversed with. His sermons are interesting and instructive. I consider it a personal privilege to hear him preach.

"There is also a manifest spirit of selfreliance and a feeling of responsibility developing in the members of the church committee. Some of the subjects brought up by them for consideration in their stated meetings, and the opinions expressed, indicate a maturity of Christian character, and a soundness in faith and Christian principle, which I hardly expected.”

A letter from Mr. Rice, the pastor, also notices the happy influence of the change upon the church. He says: "The church members are at present in a situation to feel that the privileges of the gospel are