Newspaper Page Text
n the Minionary HekU/oTOtober, 18#?
PALESTINE MISSION.
Extracts from a letter of the Rev. Pliny Fish,
to the Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, o f Boston.
Smyrna, May 4, 1821.
Rev. and Dear Sir,—Having lately re
turned from a lour to the ruins of Ephesus,
1 have thought it might possibly afford you
some gratification to receive a detailed ac
count ofthis excursion. I set out on Mon
day April 9th, in company with Mr. George
Perkins of Smyrna, and Messrs. Thomas
and Joseph Langdon of Boston. With four
attendants, viz. a Turkish Janizary, an Ar
menian, and two Greeks, we left Smyrna at
4 o'clock P. M. went out bv the Caravan
Bridge, on the east side of the town, and
then turned to the sontb, leaving Bujah on
our left, and, a little while afterwards,
Sedicui on our right. At 6 we passed a
coffee house nearly east of Sedicui. At
7 1-2, after travelling a short distance over
a rough road, we came to another coffee
house, where were several armed Turks.
They came out and demanded mono}’;
whether as a sort of toll for passing the
road, or on some other pietext, we did not
stop to inquire. The value often or twelve
cents satisfied them, and we went on. At
9 we put up for the night at another coffee
house, standing on the south side of a riv
ulet ; the place is called Trianda or Ter
renda. About midnight, some Turks came
after horses for a Fasha, who is now trav
elling through the country. One of our at
tendants heard them say, “These Franks
have a Janizary with them, we cannot get
their horses.” Upon this, they went in
pursuit of others.
The next morning at 5. we resumed our
journey. At 7 we passed another coffee
house, and near it we met the Pasha’s men,
who came after our horses. They had
found six or eight horses, and were taking
them, while several women, probably the
wives of the men who owned the horses,
were running and crying after them. This
they continued to do about an hour ; but,
finding it of no avail, they gave up the pur
suit, and returned.
When a Pasha travels through the coun
try, (an occurrence which is by no means
rare.) he is usually accompanied by some
hundred attendants, who receive from him
no other compensation than the privilege
of living on the people of the country
through which they pass, or the city in
which they may happen to he quartered.
As they move, they take horses wherever
they can find them, ride them a few days,
until they find fresh ones, and then send the
first ones back. The poor peasants, in
stead of expecting any reward for the use
of their hor'es, or for the provision?. &c.
which are taken from them, have only to
he grateful that no more is taken.
At 9 o'clock, after having passed a large
valley with bills at a grpat distance on both I
sides, nod a pond of water on our left, we
Stopped for breakfast as a coffee house
called Jellci. We had passed in sight of
one small collection of huts on our left, and
two on our rignt. Large flocks of cattle,
sheep and goats, were seen in different
directions. A little pat ten we set forward
towards Ephesus , and soon came to a
branch of the Cayster, and rode along the
west side of a fertile valley at the foot of
Mount Gallesus. On an elevated summit is
an old castle, called the castle of the goats ;
probably because so many of those animals
are seen feeding in its vicinity. A little
past one we crossed the Cayster, over a
good stone bridge, in which were pieces of
wrought marble, evidently taken from
some ancient edifice. The passage of the
bridge was rendered safe by firm side walls,
a thing 1 do not recollect to hare seen be
fore in this country. There is a fall of
water at the bridge, and the place is occu
pied for a mill. At two, we reached Aiasa
luck, in 12 hours ride from Smyrna. Stra
bo says, that Ephesus was 320 stadia, i. e.
40 miles south of Smyrna. You will per
ceive that our journey corresponded well
with this statement. We found at Aiasa
luck three English gentlemen, who had
been travelling in Egypt and Syria, and
were now on their way to Smyrna. The
only coffee house in the place furnished
lodgings for us nil. Its walls were of stone
and mud ; its roof was thatched with gras
and straw, and almost filled with swallow’s
nests. The establishment consists of two
apartments, one for travellers, the other
for horses : the only passage to the stable
leads through the centre of the bar-room,
or dining room, or whatever it may be call
ed. Before the coffee house is a Sarco
phagus with an inscription n it, now almost
entirely illegible. Beyond the Sarcopha
gus is a mosque. The ruins of several
Turkish baths are in sight. Around the
coffee house are a few miserable huts,
which constitute the village of Aiasaluck.
We went to the church of St. John, at
the foot of the hill on the west. It was
probably built by the Greek Christiana who
settled at Aiasaluck when Ephesus was
destroyed. When the Mahomedans took
possession of the country, this, like many
other churches, was converted into a
mosque. It is now entirely deserted, with
out doors, windows, roof, or floor. It is
divided into four apartments. One embrac
es half the building, and seems to have
been the church yard. In this yard some
large trees are standing. The other three
apartments are nearly equal; and rank
weeds are now growing undisturbed where
Christians first and afterwards Mubome
dans, offered their prayers. In the church
are some immensely large pillars of granite,
said to have been taken from the temple ol
Diana, having thus served successively in a
Pagan, a Christian and a Mahomedan place
of worship.
At 7 o’clock on Wednesday morning we
mounted our horses, and leaving the sarco
phagus and the old mosque on our right
rode to Mount Prion, and then sent oui
horses back, and set out on foot to survey
(he ruins of Ephesus. The ground wai
Tee-wed with high grass or graC and a
; very heavy dew rendered the walking rath
er unpleasant. On the east side of the hill
we found nothing worthy of notice; no ap
pearance of having been occupied for build
ings. On the north id* was the Circus or
stadium. Its length from east to west is
40 rods, or one stadium. The north or
lower side was supported by arches which
still remain. The area where the races
used to he performed is now a field of
wheat. At the west end was the gate.
The walls adjoining it are still standing,
add of considerable height and strength.
North of the stadium, and separated only
by a street, is a large square inclosed with
fallen walls and filled with the ruins of vari
ous edifices. A street running north miJ
south divides this square in the centre.
West of the stadium is an elevation of
ground, level on the top, with an immense
pedestal in the centre of it. What building
stood there is not easy to say. Between
this and the stadium was a street passing,
from the great plain north of Ephesus into j
the midst of the city.
I found on the plains of Ephesus some
Greek peasants, men and women, employ
ed in pulling up taros and weeds from the
wheat. It reminded me of Matt. xiii. 28.
I addressed them in Romnick, hut found
they understood very little of it, as they
usually answered tne in Turkish. 1 ascer
tained, however, that they ali belonged to
villages at a distance, and came there to
labour. Not one of them could read, but
they said, there were priests and a school
master in the village to which they belong
ed, who could read. I gave them some
tracts, which they promised to give to their
priests and schoolmaster. Tournefort says,
that when he was at Ephesus there were
[hit tv or forty Greek families there. Chan
dler found only ten or twelve individuals.
Now oo human being lives in Ephesus; and
in Aiasaluck, which may he considered as
Epheus under another name, though not
precisely on the same spot of ground, theie
are merely a few miserable Turkish huts.
“ The candlestick is removed out of his
place.” “ How doth the city sit solitary
that was full of people.”
While wandering among the ruins, it was
impossible not to think, with deep interest,
of the events which have transpired on this
spot. Here has been displayed, from time
to lime, all the skill of the the
musician, the tregedian and the orator.
Here some of the most splendid works of
alan have been seen in all their glory, and
here the event has shown their transitory
nature. How interesting would it be to
stand among these walls, and have before
the mind a full view of the history of Ephe
sus from its first foundation till now ! We
might observe the idolatrous and impure
rites, and the cruel and bloody sports of
1 Pagans succeeded by the preaching, the
prayers, the holy and peaceable lives of
the first Christians—these Christians mar
tyred, but their religion still triumphing—
pagan rites and pagan sports abolished, and
the simple worship of Christ instituted iu
their room. We might see the city con
quered and reconquered, destroyed and re
built, till finally Christianity, arts, learning
and prosperity, all vanish before the pes
tiferous breath of “the only people whose
sole occupation has been to destroy.”
The plain of Ephesus is now very un
healthy, owing to the fogs and mist which
almost continually rest upon it. The land,
however, is rich, and the surrounding coun
try is both fertile and healthy. The adja
cent hills would furnish many delightful sit
uation* for villages, if the difficulties were
removed which are thrown in the way by a
despotick government, oppressive Agas,
and wandering banditti.
At 2 o'clock, P. M. we set out for Smyr
na. At 10 we put up for the night at the
same coffee house where we slept on our
way down. The English travellers, hav
ing left Ephesus in the morning, had also
put up there. Both companies, with all
onr attendants, and some Turks, who also
lodged there, made a total of between 20
and 30 men. The tavern consisted of hut
one room, with no floor but mats spread on
the ground, no bed, table, or chiar. Such
are the accommodations usually afforded at
the country taverns in Asia Minor. As to
food and drink, the only article furnished is
coffee made in the Turkish style, very
‘hick, without sugar or milk.
At 6 o’clock on Thursday morning we
resumed our journey, in company with the
English gentlemen, and about 10 we en
tered Smyrna from the south, by the way
of the Jewish burying ground. We had
left town, on our departure, with some, ap
prehensions that a disturbance might take
place, as there were accounts of a rebel-
lion in Moldavia ; and as a difficulty already
existed, in consequence of the Turkish
guard having insulted and abused ihe offi
cers of a French ship of war now in port.
We therefore approached Smyrna with so
licitude. But before entering town we
met Mr. Vanlennep, who told us all was
quiet. We had, however, scarcely enter
ed the part of the town where the Turks
reside, when, on a sudden, we saw the peo
ple around us in motion, and in a few min
utes the streets was filled with armed
Turks. It was impossible no learn the
cause of this sudden movement. In answer
to our inquiries, one Turk told us, (hat the
Greeks had rebelled, and were all in arms.
Another said the Franks, (i. e. the Europe
ans) had taken arms against the Turks
A third said, they were going to attack the
French ship of war. We could not learn
the truth, and were not a little alarmed.
Flight was impossible, and resistance would
be utterly in vain, in case of danger. We
were entirely in the hands of the Turks,
and if there had been in fact any rebellion
or war, it is impossible to say what might
have befallen us- Mustapha, our Janizary,
took us immediately to the head quarters
of the regiment of Janizaries to which h
belonged, and we remained there under
the guard of Janizaries till all be
came quiet, anl w then pursued our wav
to Frank street. On reaching our lodg
ings, we learned that * report reached
town this morning from Constantinople,
that a large army of Moldavians, under the
prince Ipsilante, wa* marching against the
Turks. Soon after this report was circu
lated, a man very innocently fired off a
gun on his terrace. This was believed an
alarm gun, and the Turks instantly (lew to
arms without knowiig whv,and the Greeks,
panick struck, betook themselves as last as
possible to the boats and vessels in the har
bour. Happily no blood was shed.
I carried with me the word of God in
Turkish and iti Greek, but found nobody
to receive the precious treasure. Possibly
the tracts which I gave to the peasants on
the plains of Ephesus may uat he wholly
lost.
The present rebellion on the part of the
Greeks, will probably prevent my doing
■ much among them for some time. I should
I not think it prudent to travel much, or to
I circulate book* among the Greeks very
extensively, till these troubles are over.
Mean time I shall he employed ; and 1 trust
not uiiprofiiably. As to the printing press,
&c. 1 shall write more fully to Mr. Evarts
and Mr. Tappan. I hope God designs to
make us a blessing to western Asia.
My health is good, and 1 love my work
more and more.
I am your affectionate brother,
Pliny Fjsk.
CHEROKEE MISSION.
Extracts from the Journal.
In the Journal from the 10th of March to the loth
of April mention is made of the departure of Mr.
Hoyt and others of the mission family, to meet
Dr. Worcester, and the sadden rise of the Ten
nessee River, by which a large quantity of corn
belonging to the establishment was nearly ruined.
Examination of the School,
April IC. This being the day appointed
for the examination of the schools, most of
the parents of the children were present,
and several others. We dressed the chil
dren decently, and first examined the girls’
school; then walked in procession to the
boys’ school-house, and examined their
school. We thought the childreo appeared
well. All present seemed highly pleased
with their improvement. After examina
tion most of the children left us to spend
the vacation at their respective homes.
May 17. The persons have been detec
ted who broke open the trunk last winter,
and the captain of the light horse wishes to
know what articles were missing.
[By the light horse , among the Cherokees, are
intended a select number of men, six or eight in
each district, designated in a general council to
apprehend all malefactors, and keep the peace.
When a theft is committed, complaint is made to
some captain of the light horse, who exerts him
self to detect the offender.] Mies. Herald.
19. Father Hoyt, Anna, and Mr. Vail re
turned from Mayhew. We were surprised
to see them without Dr. Worcester. They
left him at Mayhew on the 3d ins!, in a very
feeble state of health. They made a short
stay at Creek Path. Brother and sister
Potter were in good health. The people
in that neighbourhood were assembled, and
listened attentively to a discourse on the
subject of religion, and the importance of
education. All appeared pleased with their
teacher, the school, and the great concerns
of the mission. The church members ap
peared to be walking in love, and in the
fellowship of the Spirit. One of the prin
cipal chiefs assured the brethren, that he
would always do every thing in his power
to promote the welfare of Ihe school, and
the comfort of the teachers.
Arrival of Dr. Worcester.
25. Dr. Worcester arrived this day. He
left Mayhew on the 7th inst.; was detained
three days at Rus*ellville, a small village
in Alabama, about 118 miles from Mayhew,
partly on account of the sickness of Dr.
Pride, his attendant, who was attacked with
the intermittent fever. Dr. P. being una
ble to proceed, a man was hired to take his
place ; and Dr. Worcester, notwithstanding
hi? extreme debility, travelled without far
ther intermission, (ill be reached Brainerd,
a distance of full 200 miles. It appears to
him and to us, almost a miracle that he has
been sustained to perform such a journey ;
being, at the time of his arrival unable to
support himself on his feet, or even to
stand by leaning on another.
Most, of the particulars relating to the last mo
ments of Dr. Worcester, were communicated to
his friends at the time of his decease, and publish
ed in (his paper of the 27th of August last. As
they appear to have been transcribed from the
journal, they are here omitted.
7. With reluctance we enter upon the
events of this day. Our pen stops. Invol
untary tears darkeD our eyes. We seek
where to weep. We enter into our closets
and weep there. We resume the task.—
Onr weakened hands refuse to perform their
office. We look at each other and say,who
shall communicate the melancholy tidings ?
A solemn silence casts a still darker shade
over the gloomy scene. O, ye daughters
of Israel, weep for the heathen. Let the
friends of missions hang their harps upon
the willows ; and for a moment suspend
their songs. But will not some Elisha be
found to seize the mantle of this departed
Elijah ; and with a double portion of his
Spirit, revive the hopes of the heathen
world ? Is not our Immanuel still head over
all things to the church ? And will He not
accompany the heralds of salvation even to
the end of the world? Why may we not,
then, leaning on the bosom of Jesus, an
uounce the death of that champion of the
ert-s, that friend of God and man, whose
mortal remains now lie before us. This
morning, about 7 o’clock he cast his eyes
towards heaven, and smiling, resigned his
spirit to God. Without the least apparent
pain or struggle, he fell asleep in the arms
of Jesus.
9. Many of the Cherokee?, some from
considerable distances, came to perform the
last act of kindness to their friend and ben
efactor. We walked in procession to the
grave, and consigned to its last rest, till the
great rising day, the body ol the dear de
ceased. We (hen repaired to Ihe school
house, where a letter from brother Hicks
to the Cfcerokees present, concerning Dr.
Worcester, was read, and an appropriate
sermon preached by lather Hoyt, from
Ps. cxii. C— The righteous shall be in
everlasting rememb ranee.
——
CHOCTAW MISSION.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL KEPT AT ELLIOT.
Solemnity in the School.
April 21, 1821.—For a few days the
brethren have observed, that the children
were uncommonly solemn. Yesterday,
brother Smith found a boy, named J. L.
who appeared to be in great distress of
mind, on account of his sins. He put many
inquiries to the dear child, and learned by
his answers, that before he came here he
knew not that he was a siuuer, or that
there was a God. When brother Smith
proposed to pray with him, he dropped on
his knees in an instant. To-day, as one of
the brethren entered brother Smith's room,
he saw a boy sitting with a sad counte
nance. “ This,” said Mrs. Smith “is J. L.
and here is a letter which he brought.”
The following is a copy. “ I feel that I
am a sinner, and every thing that I do is
displeasing to God. I wish that the mis
sionaries would pray for me; else l die, and
go to hell, and be tormented forever.” A
few words were addressed to him, and tears
stole down his cheeks. Who, at the sight
of a child born in this wilderness, and thus
intreating our prayers, could himself refrain
from tears? Several other boys are affect
ed much in the same way.
22. Sabbath. Several men arrived
here last evening and this morning, from
Ohio. Having come on foot from the Hills,
they were weary and much exhausted.
They were on board the flat boat, which
in February left Marietta with a generous
donation of provisions from the friends of
the Redeemer’s cause, for this mission.
We had been long expecting ther arrival.
Two of them, Messrs. Charles Putnam, and
Joshua Shipman, we were happy to em
brace as brethren in Christ Jesus. There
were with them four other men, who have
come out to be employed as mechanicks
and labourers. Two of them are brick
makers; one of them is a blacksmith, and
the other a shoe-maker, tanner and currier.
23. Several of the hoys are quite seri
ous. Five or six appear to be much affec
ted with a sense of their sins. The chil
dren appear to be quite ignorant. They
require much instruction. May the Lord
carry forward a work of saving grace ;
among them. While we hope for his pres
ence, it is with trembling.
May 6. Sabbath. Our exercises were
as usual. In the evening, we had a prayer
meeting for the scholars. Several of them
attended. Among thpm was one, who was
awakened during the day. It was affecting
to see five or six of these heathen children
sitting around the room, anxious to know
the way of salvation.
Application for admission to the School. I
This morning a request was made to us,
that we would take a boy into our school.
The boy was present. We made inquiries
respecting him; and found that he was,
about 12 or 14 years of age, and had come I
150 miles to join our school. He appear
ed to be a bright youth. Our situation was
trying. We had taken all the boys in our
power, and another had come here resolv
ed to stay at all events, eat at our table, and
attend our school. Our means would not
allow of our taking any more. Our num
ber was complete. We are obliged to stop
at some point; and that point is the end of
our resources. We were obliged to refuse i
the child the privilege of staying here. It
pained us very much to send him away, to
go back to the haunts of ignorance and sin.
Arrival of Air. Bar dwell.
14. About noon, to our great surprise
and joy, we saw brother Bardweli and his
family, and Miss Frisselle draw near our
dwelling. We received them with glad
ness. They were weary, having rode on
horseback from the Hills through a wilder
ness of 145 miles, sleeping on the ground
at night. The Lord God of Jacob be prais
ed, that we may now see these dear friends,
and welcome them to a share in our labours,
cares and blessings; and hope to live with
them, or near them, till one after another
of our little number shall cease from labour
and be laid in the tomb; where we may
rest till the trump of the archangel sounds.
[Under date of May 15th, the journal
mentions the fact, that a man, who had
live children in the school, sent a sixth to
be entered ; but, because the mission fami
ly could not take the boy, the father was
so enraged, that he immediately despatched
a messenger for the other five. The mis
sionaries were sorry for the children, thus
snatched from the means of instruction, but
could not retain them. About three weeks
afterwards, the relatives and friends of the
children, the father being absent, sent a
humble petition that they might be received
again, which has probably since been done.]
16. in the morning the family and school
assembled in the school house, where an
address was delivered to the children, a
prayer offered, and the 02nd hymn of Dr.
Worcester’s selection was sung. We gave
the children, who were taken from school,
some Bibles, all of us went and took them
by the hand aud bade them farewell; and
it was affecting to see the children weep
ing and sobbing aloud, as they parted with
each other. It was trying to see these
children go away. One of them is the girl
spoken ot in our former journal, about a
year and a half since, who offered to sell
her cow to purchase clothes, that she
might come here to school.
20. Sabbath. Brother Kingsbury preaefi
ed in the morning. Brothers Smith, Bard
well, Howes, and Dyer, and sisters Bard
well, Frisselle, and Thacher. were receiv
ed into our church : and then seventeen of
the professed followers of the Lord Jr.su.s
were allowed to sit down together around
bis table, in this great w ilderness. This is
the largest number, that overcame at once
to Ihe table which eternal mercy has
spread in this place. It was a refreshing
season. After many of us had been long
wandering from our native land, it was in
teresting and refreshing to our hearts, here
to hold fellowship with kindred in Christ,
and here to meet the Redeemer at his own
table. In the afternoon brother Wright
preached.
22. We have heard that our keel boat is
about 150 miles below us; that some of
the hands are sirk ; and that there are but
four men at the oars. Without more aid
the boat cannot be got up to onr landing.
We shall send four men to their assistance.
This is one of the many instances of our
expensive disappointments. The Yazoo
passes through an entire wilderness, after
leaving the neighbourhood of the Hills, so
that no aid can be obtained short of Elliot.
27. Sabbath. Our exercises were this
day as usual. Several neighbours and sev
eral of the parents of our scholars attended
our meeting. The parents came to visit
the school. They bad heard various re
ports respecting the school, some of which
were injurious to its character. Since
they have been here, they have repeated
ly declared themselves to be well pleased
with the school. One man, who came
about 70 miles, and who attended our Sab
bath school, said, after meeting, in his own
language, which was interpreted to us, “ I
have heard many reports respecting the
school, some for it, and some against it; [
no*’ have seen with my own eyes, and am
rejoiced at the sight; if it please the Lord
to lake me away, I shall die in peace.”
[Under date of May 30th, the journal
mention?, with expressions of gratitude,
the arrival of the keel boat with provisions,
&c. from the Walnut Hills. The estab
lishment began to he in want of several im
portant articles.]
14. Tusheamiubbee, an aged Indian
chief, this day came to us from his home,
which is 40 miles distant, bringing with
him his grandson, a bright looking boy, of
12 or 14 years of age, to place him in the
school. He gave him entirely up to our
care, and wished us to govern him, and in
struct him, till he shall finish his education.
The chief at the same time, drove a cow
and a calf to this place, which he gave to
the mission.
HINDOO DEGRADATION.
Calcutta , Jan. 22.—1n this country there
is a description of slavery existing to a
great pxtent, and which is one of the least
evils to which the Hidoo system of worship
has given rise. In most of the Hindoo
places of worship in India, (Southern India
especially) there are establishments of
dancing women. Many of these poor crea
tures are purchased when infants, by wo
men of the worst description, who have
served in the Pagodas as prostitutes ; and
these childt en having become by purchase,
the slaves of purchasers, they dispose of
them as they please when they grow up.
The whole of the base profits of the slaves
are received by the purchasers who sup*
ply them with food, raiment and ornaments.
But this slavery is not confined to the
Pagodas, where these women have certain
allowances in common with the other ser
vants attached thereto. There are num
erous women of this description, seme of
whom having been attached to the Pago
das when young, have resigned their al
lowance therein, and live by purchasing
young girls and bringing them up as prosti
tutes. In this manner, I apprehend, most
of the unfortunate women have been ob
tained of whom mention is occasionally
made in the newspapers of their having
displayed their talents for singing and danc
ing at the several feasts and nautches at
Calcutta and other places.
In conversing with a learned Bramin late
ly on the subject of these women, he in
formed me that it was considered that if
thpse women were not obtained by pur
chase, they could not be procured at all ;
that if there were no dancing women in
the Pagodas, they would be deserted ; and
that the advantages of having them in the
Pagodas was this, that persons coming to the
Pagodas to hear these women sing,j are at
tracted by the ceremonies of the worship,
and become devoted to the Deity to which
the Pagoda is dedicated. Their songs in
the Pagodas are generally of an obscene
nature ; many indeed which they sing be
fore European Ladies and Gentlemen are
equally so, where the women are not warn
ed against singing such songs before hand.
“ 1 WILL GO WITH HIM .”
A little child, when dying, was asked
whither she was going? “To Heaven,”
said the child. “ And what makes you wish
to he there ?” said one, “ Because Christ
is there.” “ But what,” said a friend, “If
Christ should leave Heaven ?” “ Then,”
snid the child, “ I will go with him.” Some
time before her departure she wished to
have a golden crown when she died.
“ And what will you do,” said one, “ with
the golden crown ?” “ I will cast it at the
feet of Christ.”
King Henry the Sixth, on being rebuked
for the meanness of his attire by the Earl
of Warwick, is said to have replied, “It
becomes a King to excel his subjects in vir
tue, not in vesture .”
Hope is a flatterer—but the most up’
right of all parasites ; for she frequents the
poor man’s hut, as well as the palace of his
snperiour