Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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