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qite Indisposed. * Had a high fever to-clay, flich left him very feeble. 13. A great rain last night which con tinued through the most of the day. Thi9 will-raise the river sufficient for the boat to ascend with the supplies for the mission. As it respects many things the Lord is smil ing upon us through the dark clouds, of his Providence. Letter from Mr. Kingsbury. The annual report of the School at El liot was made out for the office of the Se- at War, about the close of Decem ’ er; and a copy has been forwarded to the ‘orresponding Secretary of the Board, in letter written by Mr. Kingsbury, Jan. 4th. ’his indefatigable missionary was greatly dressed with the apprehension, that the dause would suffer among the Indians for want of pecuniary means. We have room for only the closing paragraph of the Re port. Missionary Herald. “We acknowledge with gratitude the kind providence of God, in raising up pat rons, by whose generous aid, in co-opera tion with the Government, we have been enabled to extend to so many children of the forest the blessings of education, and to lay a foundation for the more enlarged operations. An increasing desire is mani fested by the natives, to have these advan tages more widely extended. Many full blooded Indians have lately made applica tion to have their children admitted to the school. They are willing to submit them entirely to our direction. Strong desires are expressed to have other schools open ed. It is hoped, that the provision made by the late treaty will be 9nfficient to ex tend the advantages of instruction more generally throughout the nation. The moral and religious instruction of the adults has continued very limited. There has been no person, whose time could be devoted to this Work; and it is but seldom we can have suitable interpreters. The Choctaws still continue the slaves of igno rance, vice, and superstition. Numbers are every year butchered in the most in human manner, because they are supposed to possess the power of witchcraft. Intemperance abounds, and many of the whites in the neighbouring settlements un blushmgly set at defiance the laws prohibit ing the introduction of whiskey. Partial and feeble resolutions are formed by the natives to suppress this evil, but it is feared they will not soon become effectual. Many of them say, they “ wish their children to be at school, that thev may learn better things.” —ozo:*.*oro<f— From the Missionary Herald. PALESTINE MISSION. Letters of Messrs. Parsons and Fisk to the Corresponding Secretary of the A. B. C. F. M. Scio, Sept. 12, 1820. Rev. and dear Sir—lt is impossible for us to express the comtort and encourage ment, which we have received by perusing your highly esteemed favour of April 22d. Owing to causes of which we are ignorant, it did not reach u¥ till the 4tn in?t. more than four months after it was written, and just ten months after we sailed from Bos ton- Several other letters from America accompanied yours. The perusal of them was indeed a rich repast. , A number of subjects and inquiries are introduced in your letter, which claim our attention. Our journal, and the letters which we have already forwarded, will give information on some of these points. But we will endeavour, in this letter, to give you still further satisfaction. Situated as we are, the friendly feelings i and Christian co-operation of the British missionaries and agents, iu tnese regiuns, are, on many accounts, desirable and im portant In consequence of the manner in which you notice this subject, we send you the following extracts from some of their communications to us. When at Malta, we applied to Mr. Jowett, “ as to an elder bro ther, in the missionary work,” for such ad vice and hints, as he thought might be of use to us. In return, we received two large sheets filled with directions concern ing “ languages , conduct and health.’’ 1 [Extracts are here furnished from these direc tions, which not only evince kind and brotherly feelings towards Messrs. Parsons and Fisk, and a deep interest in their object, but exhibit very un confrnon sagacity, and great acquaintance with the character cf the various people around the Mediterranean. We have reason to praise God, that such uien as Mr. Jowett, Dr. Pinkerton and others, men of active and powerful minds, and laborious industry, as well as ardent zeal, and strong love for the soul, —are employed as agents and pioneers, in preparing the way for the Ges pel.] With these hints we received several valuable books; among them Henry Mar tyn’srlife from Mrs. Jowett. The Rev. Mr. Wilson, a missionary from the London So ciety, destined to the lonian islands, sent us at the same time a parcel of books and tracts, with a very brotherly letter, in which he says : “Do favour me with your correspondence, wherever God may cast your lot. 1 shall value it much.” The Secretaries of the Malta Bible Soci ety, in a line accompanying the two Ara bick Bibles they sent to us, wrile thus: The Committee earnestly desire to be favoured with your correspondence, as your researches advance; and will have great pleasure in furnishing you with any requi site supplies of the Scriptures in their pow er, whenever the depot at Smyrna, or any other Levant station, may happen to be in adequate to your wants.” Sometime since we received a,letter in Italian, from Dr. Naudi, dated Malta, June 14, 1820; from which the following is a translation : “ Rev. Sirs, “Flattering myself that you have now acquired the Italian language, at least so ae to read and understand it, I undertake to write to you in this tongue. You can an gler me in English. I received not long to ’ since, a letter from the'London Society for piomoting Christianity among the Jews, ! with a large quantity of Hebrew Testa ments and tracts, and other papers produc ed by that Society for the advantage of the people of Isarel. One part of these, it seems, the Society designed for you. This is my motive for making an extract from their letter, in which they write as follows : “ At present they have only one special request to make on this point, and that is, that you will be pleased to forward to the order of any oMhe missionaries, employed by the American Board of Missions, who shall apply for the same, one or more cas es, as may be requested; and should you meet with or hear of them, you will be pleased to inform them that you have such instructions from us.” On receiving this letter, we wrote imme diately to have the books forwarded to Smyrna, and are in daily expectation to hear that they have arrived. Dr. N. pro ceeds to say,” Mr. Jowett has been, as you know, to Alexandria to obtain a MS. of the Bible translated in the vernacular language of Abyssinia. The MS. was found entire and complete, and at this the Bible Society are much rejoiced. Abyssinia, in this way, will be soon in a condition to see the whole book of the Scriptures circulating among her numerous population; whereas, at present, it is scarcely to be found. And this is the reason, why that nation knows nothing of Christianity, except the name. The Bible not only does not circulate among private individuals, but it is not found even among the priests, uor in the church es themselves.” $ In writing to Mr. Jowett, some time since, we requested him, in case any thoughts had | occurred during his late voyage, or since we left Malta, which he thought might be of use to us, to communicate them. In re ply he says: * “You ask advice. Had I any to send, you should have it and welcome. Mission aries, when they go forth, have two things to learn, languages and facts. The fruit will appear after many days. In the mean while, fear not but that you are serving God, and earning the confidence of your friends in America and in the Mediter ranean.” You will easily conceive, Rev. Sir, that the missionaries in this region would feel no small ilegree of solicitude on the arrival of new labourers from another country, and of another denomination ; especially con sidering the political and religious state of these countries, and the mischief, which might result, from a single rash measure. We have, however, special reason to thank God for the reception we have met with from all our fellow labourers; and it is a source of the most unfeigned joy aud'eomfort to our hearts, that we have such counsellors, examples, and helpers so near us. May God enable us to prove ourselves worthy of their affection and confidence. Our journal will answer most of your in quiries respecting Bibles, Tracts, &c. We haye reason to believe, that ancient Greek Testaments might be very profitably dis tributed to considerable extent, among the priests, and in the schools. If a few copies of the Greek Harmony, printed at Andover, could be easily obtained, they would be very convenient and useful, as presents to Bishops, Professors, &c. In this country, strangers are expected to make presents continually. When it becomes necessary, or seems likely to he useful for us to do it, we intend, as far as possible, to make Bi bles a substitute for money, sugar, &tc. &c To what extent we shall be able to obtain Bibles from the Smyrna, the Malta, or the British and Foreign Bible Society, without paying for them, we do not yet know. If any donations are made for thespecifick pur pose of enabling us to distribute the Sacred Scriptures, we wish to have early notice of the amount. Among the Turks, Jews, and Catholicks, we can hardly expect to sell any copies. If they will accept them, we shall rejoice. Among Greeks some may be sold. But even here the prospect is not very flatter ing. The great body of the Greeks are extremely poor; and must be supplied gratuitously, if ever supplied at all. They always accept (he Scriptures very gladly. We are in daily expectation of communi cations, in answer to ours by Capt. Edes, and the time of our continuance in this re gion will he regulated by such communica tions. At present, however, we hope to set out for Judea in the winter. We have no thought of going by land ; it would be expensive and hazardous, as well as very fatiguing. Possibly we may obtain a pas sage, in some large vessel, direct for Acre or Jaffa. Perhaps we shall be obliged to hire a large boat. In this case, we may visit some large Islands, say Patmos, Cyprus and Rhodes. Os the “obstacles, dangers, and difficul ties to be encountered,” we cannot proba bly say much (hat will be new. We have no special fear of difficulty from the Turk ish government. There is more danger from petty governour*, and still more, when we are on journies, from outlaws and rob bers. It is, however, impossible to calcu late with much confidence respecting the future. • , It has occurred to us as possible, (hat seme Greek boys may, at some future time, be sent to America, for an education at Cornwall. With this we send our journal for August. Some weeks ago we forwarded, to the care of Capt. Gerry of the Washington, our jour nal from March to August.* We wait with no small degree of anxiety to hear whether other missionaries may be expected at Smyrna this season or not. Commending ourselves again to your prayers, and the prayers of the saints who * This communication has not been received. 182 are with you, we are yours, &c. Sc. L. Parsons, P. Fisk. > Smyrna, Oct. 27, 1821. Rev. and Dear Sir, Your letter, dated June 16th, was re ceived on the 19th inst. just as we were preparing to leave Scio for this city. * v e rejoice to learn, that this interesting pert ol the world is not forgotten in the prayers and charity of American Christians. Alter a residence of five months at Scio, and ob serving the moral conditibn of the inhabi tants, our first impressions, with regard to a missionary station at Smyrna, are greatly strengthened. The field is very extensive and becoming more promising. Mfcch might be done by distribution of books among nominal Christians. In our journal we have remarked at large upon this sub ject. On Monday morning, Oct. 23d, we set sail for Scio, and arrived at this place the next day at evening. The Rev. Mr. W il liamson has resigned the office ot British chaplain, and has left the city. His suc cessor is appointed, but has not arrived. We design to commence our journey next week to Pergamos, Thyatira, &c. and hope to return in four or five weeks. Requesting a remembrance in your pray ers we subsciibe ourselves,- Your brethren in the Gospel, P. Fisk, L. Parsons. Journal of Messrs. Pa rsons and Fisk. Scio. Aug.,6. 1820. A Monk belonging to St. Meena’s monastery, who had previ ously requested ol us a Testameat, came to our room for the purpose ot purchasing one. We sold him one of the double Tes taments, .and gave him a few Tracts far his friends. We likewise sold one Testament to a man in the city, and promised to send another by the first opportunity. This in quiry for the Word of God indicates good to the souls of this people. We presented to our instructer, Profes sor Barnbas, Paley’s Evidences of Christian ity. After looking at the table of contents he remarked, “ 1 shall read tbis attentively, both for my own advantage, and for the benefit of my pupils.” We gave him like wise the Young Minister’s Companion.— Looking at the subjects discussed, he said, “ O this.must be excellent. 1 may make a selection from it to print for the use of the ecclesiasticks.” Forwarded a parcel of letters’ to Capt. G. now at Smyrna to be conveyed to Amer ica. Among others were one to Dr. Wor cester, containing our journal from March to August, and one to Mr. Evarts. [These letters have not yet been received.] 4. Saw the Superiour of the College, and paid him for the printing of the Tract, which we are now distributing. [ft was one of the exercises of Messrs. P. and F t to translate that excellent tract the Dairyman’s Daughter, in modern Greek, with a view to its publication in that language. Thin circumetunoa is here mentioned to explain subsequent allu sions.] While we were viewing the different apartments of a very splendid mansion, Professor B. said, “ This is elegant; but the chamber of the Dairyman’s Daughter was still more splendid.” Visit of a School. 5. In consequence of an invitation from Professor B. we visited a large school in the vicinity, (a branch of the College) for j the purpose of distributing religious tracts.. It was the time of the weekly examination. In the first room we entered were about! GO youths, from 12 to 20 years of age, and j three instructed. Two lads were under j examination : one of them was found defi- 1 cient; and, after a severe reproof, was! sent weeping to bis seat. The other ac- j quitted himself with applause. At the close ! of the examination, the Professor informed the Students that two American friends were present, wfoo would supply the school with religious tracts. “ The tract contains [said he] extracts from the writings of St. Chrysostom, a holy man in the church, and must be read with attention and seriousness. On Monday your teacher will inquire whe ther you have diligently read it.” One of the instructers then took from us a quantity of tracts, and passing round the seats gave to each scholar a copy. Joy brightened every countenance, upon the reception of the little, yet invaluable gift. After this we visited the three lower classes, and tracts were distributed in the same manner, with repeated injunctions from the Professor to read them repeated ly. To some of the smallest children he said, “ If you cannot understand them all, you must get someone to explain them.” Although we brought with us two hundred tracts, we found that about 30 scholars could not be supplied. We relieved their evident anxiety by promising them 4o send more on Monday. A little boy, of only 5 years of age, took a tract from us and read with ease and distinctness, a few sentences upon the importance of studying the Holy Scriptures. Tims we have this day been permitted to sow precious seed. Two hun dred youths and children have received those means of instruction which are able to make them wise unto salvation. Proba bly their parents and friends will become acquainted with the same precious truths. Monday, 7. Monthly concert. It en courages us iu our work to be assured, that many Christians will pray for us this day, and for the peace of. Jerusalem. Towards evening a priest, who is an instructer in the i .school, which we visited on Saturday, came ; to our room to thank us in behalf of the 1 students, for the tracts distributed among j them. He said, that the scholars had gen- 1 erally read it, and were very grateful for it. We read with* him a chapter in the Romaick Testament, and some in the Har mony of the Gospels.” Friday li. Sent thirty more tracts (in’ addition to 80 sent on Monday last) to thai school whichVve \ isitedhn Satntda)* principal instructer requested this numWr for supplying the scholars as they enter the school. 12. A refreshing shower this evening, with considerable thunder and lightning. Since the 2Gth of June there has been scarcely a cloud to be seen. • 13. Our recitation today related to the last sickness and death ot the Dairyman s Daughter. Professor B. said, “ I have-not been able to read it without weeping.’ While examining the translation he was much affected, and several times was oblig ed to 9top. Visit of the College. 25. Professor Barnbas invited us to visit the college, and we most cheerfully embra ced another opportunity to distribute relig ious tracts. In the first room were about 40 scholars. Four or five of them were examined critically in grammar and writing —and having performed their parts well, were dismissed with approbation. At the close the Professor said that each student would he furnished with a religions tract through the benevolence of American friends. “ This little book,” said he, “ re lates to the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ, and is worthy of frequent and serious peru sal.” The tracts were distributed, with everv expression of gratitude on the part of the students. In like manner, and with a similar exhortation, three other classes, the largest containing 70 pupils, w'ere fur nished with divine instruction. A teacher of a school in Crete was present, and wit nessing the joy and eagerness with which the tracts were received,requested through Professor B. a supply for” the youth under his care, and for other schools. He re quested 150 copies. We gave him 200 for which he expressed much gratitude and thankfulness. A young gentleman from Thessalonica, a member of the College, accepted, at the same time, of 100 copies to be distributed in that city, where once the Gospel flour ished in its purity and simplicity. When we took our leave of Professor B. he ex claimed with great feeling, in view of the scenes we had witnessed, “ Glory be to Christ.” The day has been refreshing, and we trust, by the divine blessing, will bring forth fruit to eternal life. Three hundred youths here (and three hundred more in Crete and Thessalonica wijl not, we believe, long be destitute) have been supplied with a faith ful exhortation to study the Holy Scriptures, and to receive them as the only guide to a better world. It is but few days since the tracts came from the press, and we have already, either directly or indirectly, given them to more than 1000 youths. To God be all the glory. The seed sewn will be under the constant providence of Him,who will not suffer his word to return void. *lndisposition of Mr. Fisk. 27. Brother Fisk unwell. Professor B. called early this morning to see him, and expressed the solicitude and tenderness of a parent. We read with him several ex tracts from the last report of the British and Foreign Bible Society, which be trans lated into Greek. Afterwards, we read and sung the hymn from Dr. Worcester’s collections, which begins thus : “ Kindred in Christ, for his dear sake, “ A hearty,welcome here receive.” He was so much interested, that he wish ed us to transcribe both the hymn and the tune for his own use. While uniting,in this religious exercise, we were reminded of that blessed assembly, in which Christians of every nation and of every name, will join harmoniously in saying : “ Worthy is the Lamb, that was slain, to re ceive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and bles sing.” 29. Brother Fisk has been unwell for the past week. A physician visited him seve ral times. Today symptoms are favoura ble ; and his health will, we trust, be soon restored. Manner of Teaching Children. 31. During this month, several children and youths have been to our room, gene rally upon the Sabbath, and often upon week days, for the purpose of reading the Holy Scriptures. We have improved the opportunity to instruct them in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. The following will exhibit a” little of the man ner in which we give instruction. The children replied to the questions, as the an swers are here given. Who made the world ? “ God.” Where is God ?“ In heaven.” When does God see yon ? “Always.” Can he see your hearts ? “ Certainly.” Do wicked men go to heaven ? “ No, no.” Where do they go 1 “ They go below to hell.” Do all men love .God ? “ No, sinners do not love God.” Who died on the cross? “ Jesus Christ.” For what did he die ?“ To save sinners.” Where is he now ? “ In heaven.” Will he come again ? “ He will come again with the holy angels.” What will he say to sinners ? “ Depart from me.” At one time a little boy of 7 years, and very small of his age, read among other passages, “Suffer littlechildren to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” 5 From the Missionary Chronicle. THE AFRICAN COLONY. Dear Sir, 1 suppose you have heard before this of the sailing of our little Colony : and I must give you some accouDt of the affair, as I know you will wish to hear all about it at once. Early in last month, (as you may know) the brig Nautilus of this port vras charter ed by government, to take out some liber ated Africans, who were to be sent to their own country. At the same time the Amer ican Colonization Society were inforiqed, that they might use the opportunity to send out a few colonists, to join their brethren Ms. JflPMhan P- Winn, first here with his wife, on the 15th im. and began to make ready for sailing with all despatch. A few days afterwards, he was joined by the sec ond agent, Mr. Ephraim Bacon, who also brought his wife with him. On the eve ning of the 26th we had a meeting ofa few of our respectable citizens at the Mason’s Hall, and formed our “ Norfolk Coloniza tion Society,” auxiliary, to the American Colonization Society at Washington. (I suppose you have seen our constitution and addresses, as they were published at that time.) Our collections in consequence have been quite respectable. • Early in this month, four liberated Afri cans were brought down from Baltimore, and taken to lodge in an out house at our pastor, Mr. Russell’s, with whona Mr. Winn was staying. Here they were put under the care of Sampson, a free black man, a preacher, from Petersburg ; who began at once to teach them our religion. They were all four likely lads, about 18 years old, and could speak a few words of broken English. One of them told us, in his way, that thfe Spaniards came in a boat, and stole them while they were off in a canoe, catch ing fish, “ and then they put irons upon our hands, and took us on board theship.” His action all the time was both amusing and affecting. At first as you may suppose, they were a little shy, and suspicious of our in tentions; and would hardly believe that they were to be sent home; still less, that Sampson and the rest were going with them too; —their answer was, “No, he no go; white people no let him go.” By degrees, however, their hearts were fairly won, and at last, they seemed willing and pleased to be sent away. We all see the hand of God in giving us-the9e lads for interpreters and mediators between our colonists and the natives. On the 12th inst. the coloured people from Baltimore, about fifteen, came down in the steam boat, with Mr. C. Miltenberge, second agent of the society. Amongst them l noticed particularly the wife and family of Coker, who is at Sierra Leone, and wrote for them to come out. On the 14th the colonists from Richmond and Petersburg, about twenty-five, came down in the steam boat, with the Rev. Jo seph R. Andrus, first agent of the society. Among these, 1 observed two preachers, from vour city, Lot Carey, and Colin Teage; the first a black, and the other a dark mu latto; both believed to be men of worth. On Tuesday forenoon, (the 16th inst.) we had a puWick meeting in the Methodist meeting house, to pray for the blessing of God upon the little colony now soon to sail ; and notwithstanding ihe badness of the wea ther, the house was full. The ministers of all the different churches were there to as sist on the occasion. Prayers were offered up to the Throne of Grace by the Rev. Dr. French, Mr. Cornelius, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Mitchell. An appropriate address was de livered by the Rev. Entch M. Lowe, from the te-xt, Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God ; (Ps. lxviii. 31.) and several well selected hymns were sung. All the exercises were unusually solemn and im pressive. But what gave peculiar interest to the scene, was the sight of the agents and their wives, with the Africans and free peo ple of colour, all about to leave us forever. All hearts were touched, and many eyes were full of tears. After service, some came forward and joined themselves to our Society, and others cast in their contribu tions. Among these las), 1 observed with great pleasure, several poor blacks, who gave their little mitts, (some all they had) to aid their brethren who were going out. It seemed to me indeed, that one sentiment was felt by all of us, “ our prayers are heard and God will bless the people.” On Sunday morning, 21st, the brig, with the colonists on board, dropped down to Hampton Roads. After morning service, the agents and their wives, (attended by a few iriends of us, gentlemen and ladies,) and Sampson with his four Africans, went down- to the wharf, to embark in a small sloop that was waiting to receive them. As we went along I was pleased to see the interest our little train excited, and the blacks especially, 1 thought bowed to us with more than usual reverence. Arrived at she wharf, we found a crowd of people waiting to see the party off. After a little, attention was called—all still—and the Rev. Mr. Cornelius, standing on the deck of the boat, offered up a parting prayer. Then followed embraces, and farewells, not with out many tears. At this time the religious blacks who had come down with the Vest, began singing a hymn, which in our state of feeling had a touching effect. At the close of it, the boat pushed off—dropped ( I° wn with a fair wind and tide—and was soon but of sight. I learned from our friend who went down with them, that thev had a sermon on board the brig that night, by Sampson, with prayers by the other preach ers. Next day was rainy, but in the mor ning early, they get under weigh, and went out to sea with a fair wind. Our friend joined in prayer with them off the capes, at 9 o’clock, and then came off in a pilot boat, leaving them all in good spirits. 1 am sure you will unite with our breth ren in this place, in constant prayer to God for their success. Norfolk, January 23d, 1821. THE MISSIONARY. MOUNT ZION, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 1821. One of the strongest internal evidences of the truth of revelation is derived from the excellency of its moral precepts. Every other system of ethicks has been found defective, while observa tion and experience have only tended to confirm the valne and importance cf that system which