Central Turkey. A letter from Mr. Powers (page 54) presents a sad picture of exactions, oppression, and poverty at Kessab. Mr. Montgomery (page 56) writes very pleasantly respecting a recent visit to Albustan, an ordination there, and the willing, self-denying efforts of the poor people to support their pastor, and provide a chapel and a parsonage.

Syria. Mr. Lowry, who sailed in October last to join the Syria mission, wrote from Beirut November 23: "It does not seem to me I can be too thankful to the committee for sending me to this mission, where we have met with such a warm and hearty welcome. We were taken completely by surprise, it was so different from what we expected. Yet I suppose it is the same in every mission. So strongly and closely are the hearts of missionaries united in Christ that every one coming into their number is looked upon as a real brother. Such, I feel, was our reception. And here we are now, for a day or two, at the house of Dr. Thomson, waiting to see where we shall go.. I like the appearance of things very much here, and think I shall enjoy the work.”

Mr. Samuel Jessup (page 58) notices decided progress at Bano, and speaks pleasantly of the Female Seminary and the Protestant College at Beirut.

Nestorians. Mr. Cochran and family arrived at Oroomiah, on their return from the United States, October 10. A letter from Mr. Coan (page 54) notices matters of interest respecting the mountain helpers, "perversions to the Papal church," movements in Shirwan, &c.

Mahratta Mission. Letters of special interest from Messrs. Hazen and Fairbank, respecting new movements among native Christians towards self-support, and the expected ordination of seven native pastors, with religious services continuing for several days at each place, will be found at pages 51-53.

Madura. Mr. White wrote from Pulney, September 9: "Our communion season, last Sabbath, was an occasion of much

interest. Forty-two persons, representing seven different villages, partook of the Lord's supper, all but two of whom were members of the Pulney church. Two men, who had been for some time under discipline, were restored to church privileges, on their solemnly promising, in the presence of the congregation, that they would no more walk disorderly, but as should become the followers of Christ. Two women were at the same time baptized and received to fellowship."

Ceylon. Mr. Spaulding wrote, October 1, that there were 47 pupils in the Oodooville boarding-school, and that, for months past, the state of religious feeling in the school had been very good. On the 14th of July, eleven persons were received to the church at Oodooville, ten of them pupils in the school. One female member of the church, "an ornament to the church, and a great loss to her children," had been removed by death, and two members, one a graduate from the school, excommunicated, within the six months reported.

Foochow. Mr. Peet wrote October 5, stating that a church of nine members had just been formed at the Langpuo out-station. Two of the members were then first received by baptism, and there were three interesting inquirers still. Mr. Baldwin had recently baptized two at one of his out-stations, and Mr. Woodin three at one of his. "There seems to be increased interest in hearing the word at most of the out-stations."

North China. A letter from Mrs. Bridg man, of Peking, mentions the opening of the new chapel on Main Street, September 1st, and notices the long-continued drought, the consequent famine, and efforts made to furnish employment for the poor, giving such compensation as would keep them from the danger of starvation. "At length rain came, to the joy of the people; and seed sprang up, with the hope of a harvest."

A letter from Mr. Blodget, respecting climate, diseases, &c., in North China, the call for new men, and the policy which

Sandwich Islands. A letter from Dr. Gulick, and extracts from another communication, (pages 47–50,) present both sides, somewhat, but especially some trying facts, as to the present moral condition of the Islands.

Dakotas. Mr. Riggs wrote, January 1, that he had recently finished, and forwarded to the Bible House for printing, the Psalms in the Dakota language. "It has cost me a good deal of labor," he says. "I present it to the Dakotas as my New Year's gift."

OTHER MISSIONS.

China. Mr. Baldwin, of the Methodist Episcopal mission, wrote from Foochow in August, mentioning the admission of six to his church, August 11, and says: "There is much interest in the city, at Brother Sites's East Street church. In addition to eleven lately received, there are twenty inquirers, more than one half of whom will be received before the annual meeting. Dr. Maclay expects to receive twelve or thirteen more at Hok-Chiang, and some thirty at Nang-Yik, before the annual meeting."

Dr. Maclay wrote, August 5: "The signs of the times are auspicious. The Lord is throwing down barriers, and opening doors for the preaching of the gospel

fifty or a hundred laborers in this field. Then we might expect glorious triumphs for the cause of the Redeemer in this wonderful empire."

LETTERS FROM HARPOOT.

THE children will see that the letter on the first pages of this number of the Herald, about the picture, is to them, and they will find it very interesting, though it is long. It tells them about the Female Seminary at Harpoot, which is shown in the picture. And there are some more letters about the same school, and the teachers in it, which they, and their mothers too, will be glad to read. In March

of last year, two ladies were sent out from this country to teach in that school,-Miss Seymour, from Rochester, N. Y., and Miss Warfield, from Franklin, Mass. They are mentioned in Mr. Wheeler's letter; and so are "Kohar," ("Jewell,”) a native assistant-teacher, and Miss West. Now "Kohar" has written letters about these new teachers, to the pastor of one of them and to the mother of the other. To this mother also Miss West has written; and some extracts from her letter, and the whole of

Kohar's letter to the mother, will be printed here. Miss West writes:

"MY DEAR MRS. I rejoice with and for you, that you have such a daughter to give for Christ. Happy mother! Surely, He who "sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury," and esteemed the widow's mite more than all, because she gave her all, holds your sacrifice upon his altar a costly one; and your reward will be great, even in this life, I fully believe. How many hearts will love you, how many prayers will ascend in your behalf, that never would have been yours had not your dear daughter left your side to teach precious souls the way of life in a far-off, strange land, in obedience to the Master's call. We all love your daughter. She too has found fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, a hundred fold,' and her bright face and loving ways make sunshine in our hearts and home. Loving her, the not seen' mother we love also; and the dear sister, and brother, and grandmother, all come in for a share of our interest and affection, as also the little ones who lisp 'Auntie's' name in their evening prayers. It is a blessed, a glorious work to which she is called. I almost envy her the privilege of commencing it at this period of its progress, with youth and vigor, and the prospect of many years of service for Christ.

"For four school-years it has been my privilege to teach in this interesting school, and I can truly say they have been among the most blessed years of my life- - especially this last year. I shall always feel, in looking back upon them, that many treasures have been laid up in heaven, in place of the life and strength expended here. And oh, the joy of the life that is to come! May none of your dear ones fail of that."

your dear daughter to come to this land. We are very joyful on her account, because, while she was still there, we had many times prayed to the Lord that he would select teachers for us; and now as we rejoice on account of Miss whom the Lord has sent us, we hope that you also rejoice that the work (and the promise) which was not given to angels, has been given to your daughter, for 'they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars, forever and ever.' Although you have sent your child, yet the Lord regards you as working in person.

"Truly, it is hard to be separated from parents and friends, but when we think upon the greatness, the excellence, and the necessity of the work, that even the Son of God took upon himself the bearing of these trials, how much more is it our duty to labor in this work, with our substance, our persons, and our children. Beloved mother! do not ever regret this sacrifice, because after a few days we shall all meet, and then, when your daughter shall bring before the Lord ten, or twenty, or a hundred immortal souls, who have turned to Christ through her instrumentality, with what joy will your soul be filled. I do not think you will ever repent that you gave your daughter, but you will be filled with more pleasure that you gave one, because she has brought with her hundreds of children into the kingdom of heaven! Also there will be no more separation from each other, no more pain or affliction forever.

"Not only when you have died, but even on your dying day you will say, 'Would that I had many children in the work of the Lord; because all the joys and pleasures of the world are vain and empty, but the joy of this work will never have an end.'

"I salute you with love, also your other daughter, our dear sister. Although I have not seen you with the seeing of the eye, and shall never see you in this world, yet I hope to see you in the world above. The Lord be with you!

"I remain your friend, the Assistant Teacher in the Female Seminary.

"KOHAR."

A NATIVE PREACHER WITH THE RATS AND GHOSTS.

Ar a "love-feast" in a Methodist mission church at Foochow, in China, a few months since, a native preacher gave an interesting talk about his work. "He said he thought he had a heavy cross to take up when he was appointed to Ku-Cheng. He was told that the fever and ague was very bad there, and his whole family would suffer from it; that every house in the place was overrun with rats; and that, moreover, nobody dared to sleep in the upper loft of a house, as the ghosts would certainly carry off the children if they did. 'Well,' he said, 'there is a great deal of chills and fever there, but we have not had a single stroke of it. The place is indeed famous for rats, and my neighbors on both sides are terribly pestered with them, but we have n't seen any in our house. I sleep in the loft with my whole family, and not a ghost has appeared to disturb our slumbers.' He was full of joy and gratitude."

One

at the close of the morning service. girl, who surpassed all others in the general excellency of her recitation, received, in addition to the Arabic Bible, a handsome English Bible, that was sent by a girl in Dr. Budington's church, Brooklyn, to be given on some suitable occasion. In the afternoon of the same day, six infants were baptized (by my brother) in the church.

"The day before my brother left, he offered a copy of the new Child's Hymn Book to all the girls in the Female Seminary who would promise to keep it clean and neat for a year, and learn all the hymns in it. They were to give him a written pledge that they would fulfill their contract. This pledge they had ready the next day, and thirty of them added to the contract, 'We will not receive them as a gift, but will work with our hands until we have paid for them all.' You may be sure they will do it, and value the books the more for it."

BOYS AND GIRLS AT BEIRUT.

MR. SAMUEL JESSUP, one of the missionaries in Syria, was at Beirut last October, for a few days, to see his brother, who was soon to sail for America; and he writes about some things there which will interest the children in this country. You know that Palestine - the land of the Jews-the land where Christ lived-was in Syria; but now the people there need to have the gospel sent to them from other lands. And children there, are very much like children here. Mr. Jessup states: "Notice having been previously given [in the Protestant Sabbath-school, perhaps,] that boys and girls under sixteen years of age, who would commit the Assembly's Shorter Catechism to memory, and recite it without a mistake, should receive as a prize a copy of the Bible. Sixteen boys and girls met and passed a most commendable examination, and on Sunday last, each received a beautiful copy of the Scriptures,

CHILDREN CONSECRATED TO THE WORK

A MISSIONARY in Turkey, upon hearing recently of the death of his father, wrote: "He has been a life-long friend of missions, contributing of his prayers, of his children, and liberally of his humble means, for their support. After I had been in Turkey about ten years, I learned for the first time, from a deacon in Dr. Todd's church, in Pittsfield, where my parents were members, that by a special consecration on his part, I was given to the missionary work in infancy. The good deacon said he remembered distinctly the occasion when my father, at a monthly concert, probably the first after my birth, told the brethren and sisters of the church, that he had given me to the Lord to be a missionary, and asked their prayers in my behalf, that he would accept the offering." We hope some of the children who will read this have been thus consecrated by their parents, and will by and by go abroad.

Candia, Cong. ch. and so. coll. 35.15, m. c. 14.80;

Chester, Cong. ch. and so. to const. JOHN LANE, H. M. 108.75; Emily J. Haseltine, add'l, 4 ;

6.00

11 75- -82 75

49.95

112 75

Derry, 1st ch. and so. (Rev. L. S.

Parker's),

70 00

Raymond, Cong. ch. and so. in part, 400

South Hampton, James Palmer,
Stratham, Cong. ch. and so.

Strafford co. Conf. of Ch's.

5.00

16 00-257 70

32 00

52 0084 00

20 00

Yarmouth, 1st Cong. ch. and so. (of wh. from Rev. Nathaniel Cogswell to const. Mrs. REBECCA COGSWELL, H. M., 100 ;)

Berkshire co. Aux. Soc.

151 00-171 10

83 50 5 63

Pittsfield, South Cong. ch. and so. Sheffield, Cong, ch. and so. m. c. South Egremont, ANDREW BACON, for China, to const. himself, H. M. 100 00 Williamstown, Friends, for China, Boston and vicinity, Boston, of wh.

A thank offering

10 00-199 13

for continued being," 100; for China, 50; C. S. T. 10; a friend, 10; ditto, 3.75; C. C. T. 1; 2,374 41 Chelsea, Broadway Cong. ch. and so. m. c. 41.74; Winn. Cong. ch. and so. 36;

Essex county,

Andover, Chapel Cong. m. c. Lawrence, a friend, 25; ditto, 1; Essex co. North Aux. Soc. William Thurston, Tr.

Bradford, Cong. ch. and so. with prev. dona. to const. ABBY H. JOHNSON, H. M.

Rowley, Cong. ch. and so. with other dona. to const. THOMAS B. CRESSEY, H. M.

Essex co. South Conf. of Ch's. C. M. Richardson, Tr.

Lynn, 1st Cong. ch. and so. m. c. 39.45; Tower Hill Chapel, m. c.

77 74-2,452 15