ings you underwent last winter; but you no more than thousands of the Sultan's are not to build a school, until a regular subjects were now doing, namely, buildorder for that purpose has been procured ing a house to rent to foreigners. The from Constantinople. This stipulation I Pasha inquired how much he had built, guarantied, because my mission was that and told him to level it with the ground. of humanity; and all my arguments The prisoners were then all ordered were aimed at his fears of your suffer- from his presence; and all but Deacon Taing in health in his pashalic, and from mo were dismissed to their homes. One of his order to discontinue that necessary the deacon's brothers was made the bearwork. And I am sure you will readily er of a despatch to the Pasha in Bash abide by this decision, not losing sight Kullah, where he was detained a week of ulterior efforts on the part of the longer. As for the second part of Mogreat men at Constantinople, and calling hammed Pasha's promise, no order has yet to mind that Rome was not built in a been received removing the injunction day.' Thus, my dear sir, we have gained forbidding us to build. the most essential points, viz., 1. The saving of the precious lives of the accused, and ensuring the necessary steps for their regular and legal enlargement from unjust thraldom. 2. The construction of a house, which will preserve your health, and fit you for your future efforts in the good cause upon which you have embarked your fortunes, and to which you have dedicated your lives. I think Mar Slewa is unmasked completely; but as you will always be ready to render good for evil, I need not recommend you all to propitiate these bishops and priests," &c. The Promise not performed. Mr. Coan next proceeds to show in what manner the promise of the Pasha was kept. Papers, very kindly furnished in our behalf by Mr. Stevens of Tabreez and Mr. Brant of Erzrúm, were subsequently forwarded to Mohammed Pasha; and Col. Williams, suspicious that he might not have kept his promise, despatched Mr. Loftus to Van to ascertain the facts; and in a letter, just received, he expresses the belief" that the approach of Mr. Loftus towards Van caused the release of the five prisoners." He expressed the hope that orders were also transmitted for recommencing building. Mr. Loftus, in a letter dated Van, August 31, wrote that he had just seen Deacon Tamo; that he was kept separate from the other prisoners, his neck and legs being at perfect liberty, so far at least as was consistent with jail regulations. And this gentleman assures us The humane and philanthropic Col. that every influence will be exerted in Williams once out of sight, the poor our behalf at Constantinople by the prisoners were out of mind. They were British Ambassador and Col. Williams. called from Bash Kullah to Van, how- In speaking of our school, however, he ever, about a fortnight after Col. Wil- says, "Proceed cautiously, and be conliams left. After remaining there three tent with a small beginning. In fact, days, they were summoned before the your personal safety depends on this. Council, when they were made to swear, It is even worthy your consideration, each fifty times, that he knew not who whether it is worth the risk of giving any was the murderer of the soldier. Upon instruction this winter. Whatever you being asked before whose door the mur- do, do it advisedly; for the Pasha is der was committed, Deacon Tamo said, clearly not your friend." "Before mine." The Pasha then said, "I shall exact from you thirty thousand piastres, and retain you a prisoner three years." He had signified to Col. Williams his intention of fining and imprisoning Deacon Tamo; but he had promised to make the fine a mere "nominal thing;" and the imprisonment was not to exceed ten days. Colonel Williams, in his last letter to our brethren, congratulated them upon the discharge of fivesixths of the prisoners, and then remarked: "But I must not conceal the fact of the principal sufferer in this nefarious scheme of vengeance being still in prison. Here is an occasion for further efforts; and if my first representation to Constantinople shall have failed to produce its The Pasha asked Deacon Tamo why desired results, I still trust that my second, which he was building a house for us, without I propose to send to-morrow, will have a more permission from him. The Deacon re- fortunate issue." The friends of missions will minded him that we had a vizierial let-perceive that this distinguished gentleman is layter, authorizing us to reside in Gawar; ing the Board under new obligations, by his that as a matter of course we must have a continued efforts in behalf of the brethren at house to live in; and that he was doing Gawar. Mar Shimon. had but little hope of engaging herself in the missionary work, she could allow her husband to It were useless to comment upon the continue in it, and could aid him by making his course of the Turkish authorities in re-home happy. Then she gave herself anew to lation to us. However tolerant they the enterprise. It was to the last a pleasant may be in other parts of the empire, it is thought to her that she had made this decision. very certain that there is very little toleration in Koordistan. Mar Shimon has been known to say that all his previous troubles, put together, had not caused him so much anxiety as our residence in Gawar the past winter. And it is morally certain that he will make every exertion in his power to banish us from the country. He is now recognized by the authorities as the head of the Nestorians; and he begins to feel his power, and is trying to use it. The father of one who was taken prisoner, in his distress, went to Mar Shimon to get his aid in the re-joined extract from an article in the Oriental lease of his poor boy, who was sick as well as in prison; but he was turned away with the reply that he had become English, and he must look to the English for help. pe This persecution bears very hard upon our poor village; and some who do not love the truth for its own sake, feel that their sufferings are greater than they can endure. Accordingly they have titioned the Governor for permission to remove to another village. Sickness and death have also been busy; and the superstitious and wicked delight to connect every thing unpropitious with our residence here. Bombay. DECEASE OF MRS. FAIRBANK. She be spared many years; and ten days before her It was fondly hoped that Mrs. Fairbank would death there were no serious apprehensions in regard to her. But suddenly the prospect was darkened; and on the 21st of August she closed her pilgrimage. "It had been unpleasant to her to think of death and its terrors; and the day before she died, she breathed a wish that she might die sweetly. And she did die sweetly. She sunk away without a groan or a sigh, or even a long drawn breath; and then she lay, as if smiling in some pleasant dream." The sub Christian Spectator, which has furnished the foregoing statements, gives some additional information in regard to this excellent woman. Mrs. Fairbank's humility led her to put a character, and she was almost too severe in low estimate on the graces of her own her self-searching. In her last sickness, as before, she said much of her unworthiness, and bewailed her sinfulness and unprofitableness. She asked her husband, time and again, to pray, not for her body, but for her soul. Still she expressed her confidence of meeting him in a better world, where they should dwell together forever. When a sister in the mission, Mrs. Hume, told her that she had been a very pleasant sister, but that still she could not ask her to be spared, if the Lord wanted her, she said very emphatically. "He cannot want me; but oh! I want him." It was the intensest desire of her heart to obtain assurance of hope, and to have the fullness of the love of God. She has it now. She is safe from her fears. She is piness. holy; and that to her is perfect hap- Jesus, lover of my soul, which she did not arise. She trusted not in herself, but in Christ alone. And no one who trusted in him, was ever confounded. Yea, rather, "blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord." THE name of this estimable lady must be added to the list of those, who have been recently discharged from the missionary service. landed at Bombay on the 21st of September, 1846; but within six months from that time, her was always a favorite with her. It was the health "became a wreck"; and most of her re-when confined to a bed of sickness, from last one she taught to her little daughter, maining days she spent as an invalid. After she bad spent three years in the Deccan, it was decided that she should return to America, as the only means of prolonging her life. She thought of her native land and friends with strong desire; but it was painful to her to leave India, and still more so to withdraw her husband, even for a time, from the missionary field. There seemed no resource, however; and they reached Bombay, intending to avail themselves of the first opportunity for returning home. But in that city she came under the care of a skillful physician, in whom she soon learned to place implicit confidence. Her health began slowly to improve; and she then decided to remain. Though she Natives of all castes who had been more or less acquainted with her, came in great numbers to see her remains. The voice of their weeping hardly ceased through the day; and now the tear starts in many eyes when mention is made of her. A brahmin who was well acquainted with her, and face once more, was much struck with its came among the rest to look on her sweet expression, and said with great earnestness to those with him, "The religion must be true, that secures a death like this." Shall we say then, with the world, through their instrumentality have been "Why was this waste?" True, she might rescued from the darkness and the deluhave adorned a choice circle in her own sions of heathenism, and made the troland. But she gave herself away for the phies of redeeming love! good of others. In this she followed Christ. She gave herself and her all to his service. Her talents, her acquisitions, her affections were all his; and though often restrained by his appointment, "she did what she could." She was attached to the missionary cause from no unworthy motive. She was tested and found true. Interesting Discussions - Infidelity. The facts stated in the following extract are certainly hopeful and encouraging. For about two months past we have had a series of public lectures in the mission chapel, followed by a free discussion, in which all present are allowed LETTER FROM MR. HUME, SEPTEMBER to state their objections and to make in 14, 1852. quiries. Each subject is considered at two different meetings, the first on Tuesday, the second on Friday. The Friday THIS letter of Mr. Hume contains several items of intelligence; and all of them are inter-meeting is opened by a recapitulation by esting and important, though they are somewhat diverse in their character. Death of a Hindoo Girl. The city is full of discussion and excitement on religious subjects, a process which Hindooism cannot long endure. The danger now is that heathenism will give place to infidelity. one of us of the lecture and discussion of the previous Tuesday. The Mahratta language is exclusively used. The attendance thus far has been very encourEight days after Mrs. Fairbank's de-aging, the chapel being often filled with cease, we were called to mourn the a deeply interested and even excited death of Minee, who has been a pupil in audience. At first we had the Friday Mrs. Hume's school for eight years past, meetings in an open preaching place, reand a member of the native church for cently erected; but as that was found two years past. She was, as we fully too small, they have been removed to believe, a true child of God. She had the chapel. We trust the divine blessan amiable disposition, a serious, well-ing will attend the use of these means. balanced mind, and had received an excellent education, both in English and Mahratta. We had hoped that she would be very useful, as an example and a guide to other native females, and that she might long be an ornament to the church of Christ in India. But the Lord, who doeth all things well, hath ordered otherwise, and hath early removed her from the church on earth to the company of the redeemed in heaven. We were greatly attached to this dear girl; but it is not for us to murmur at the dispensation. Rather would we praise God that his grace was so clearly manifested in and towards her, and that at the last there was hope in her death. Her memory is precious; and we feel that she has not lived in vain. A Christian lady in Edinburgh, Scotland, in connection with others, has provided for Minee's support during the past six years, and without ceasing offered up prayer to God in her behalf. Those prayers have been graciously answered, and the money thus contributed has not been spent in vain. How pleasant thus to see the Lord's people, in Scotland and America, laboring for the good of the ignorant and despised females of India! And hereafter how will they rejoice together over those, who The lectures and the subsequent discussions are briefly reported in the Dnyanodaya, both in English and Mahratta; and thus the influence of them is greatly extended. Our brethren at Ahmednuggur tell us that they have excited considerable interest among the people there. In this connection the subjoined statement should be carefully and thoughtfully pondered. We have had a succession of infidel vernacular periodicals in Bombay; which, however, have been rather short-lived. One recently commenced, called the Wave of Inquiry, is published once a fortnight, and is exceedingly bitter in its spirit. You may judge of its character by the following specimen, translated from the second number: "The Mussulmans worship a God destitute of form and of qualities; but these Christians believe in a God, deceitful, false, perverse, unjust, irate, unmerciful, self-willed, inconsiderate; one who is dependent, and capable of being overcome; one who killed his own son; and who, for the sake of a custard-apple, would send the whole world to hell. How false, perni cious and abominable must be such a religion! And how can any one be blessed through its means?" It is painful to see the native press giving utterance to such things. But these blasphemous ravings, in a good degree, defeat themselves. Were the writers more moderate, we should have more fear of their influence. By being so outrageous, they fail to carry with them the confidence and the sympathy of the native community. Native Missionary Society. Prevalence of Deism. There are many Deists in Ahmednuggur of Bombay and Poona in this respect is at the present time. The influence great. Nearly all the educated youth in these places despise Hindooism; but of caste. Young men of this description they cannot break away from the shackles are employed as teachers of the government schools all through the land; and they teach their pupils to ridicule the idols which the parents worship. Thus the child may incur the anger of its parent, while the parent knows that he is In pleasing contrast with the foregoing, is helpless, so far as regards influencing another extract from Mr. Hume's letter. Many influential men belong to this deistical class, and yet nominally retain their caste standing, thus acting a lie. his child to follow his own course. He may command an outward compliance The meetings of our Native Mission- with caste rules; but he knows that it is ary Society, during the past year, have only outward. Instances are known in been held on the first Monday of each which children of the highest families month, for the communication of intelli- have beaten the idols set up in their gence, prayer, &c. They have often fathers' houses. This skepticism extends been well attended, and are among the to all religion; and it infects very many most interesting of our Mahratta meet-of the pupils of the government schools. ings. The amount collected during the year was about seventy dollars. The way in which this should be used, was considered at the last meeting; when it was resolved to give it as a first A paper has recently been commenced at contribution towards the erection of Poona, the object of which appears to be to pubanother preaching place in the native lish as many objections to Christianity as possicity. A heathen man from the Concan, ble. "It is cheap, and furnishes objections to who has attended the meetings and Christianity, which many want; whether foolish sometimes contributed a trifle, then or otherwise, they do not stop to inquire. It has arose and proposed that the money a very large circulation in Bombay as well as should be given towards the erection of Poona; and copies of it are scattered in all the a chapel at Rutnaghery, nearly two hun-principal villages. The Doyanodaya furnishes a dred miles distant, that being an impor- good antidote, so far as it is read." tant place, and without a missionary. He was perfectly sincere in this, and subsequently offered to give ten dollars towards carrying out the plan. This was a pleasant incident, and served to add interest to the meeting. THE Hindo population of Ahmednuggur and its vicinity is obviously in a very interesting state. Their superstitions and errors have received a severe blow; and though Christianity has not gained so strong a position as we could wish, with the divine blessing we may soon see great changes in this respect. It is manifest, however, that there is need of an increase of laborers in this field; and all Christians should pray earnestly and constantly for the descent of the Spirit, that whenever and wherever Hindooism is renounced, the gospel may take its place. Some of the deistical young men of Ahmednuggur profess to be seeking the truth. They acknowledge that they are sinners; and they say they trust in the mercy of God for salvation. They would readily attend a course of lectures upon the evidences of Christianity, &c., similar to those which our brethren in Bombay are delivering. There has been a debating society here for some months, mostly attended by young men of this class. The object of the society is the reform of the people. They would inquire what is right, and induce men to follow it; point out what is injurious, and lead men to forsake it. They have discussed some of the abuses of Hindooism, and have recently attracted the notice of some of the Hindoos of the "old bigoted school." Some of the members, indeed, have received warnings as to the consequences, if they shall continue this course. Two or three of our Christians have taken part in the doings of this society; and this has made them acquaint- Formerly my hour and my strength ed with some of these young men, and would be nearly exhausted in combatgiven them a good opportunity to make ting the Hindoo notions which would be known their belief at other times in started by the audience; and I often friendly intercourse. In this way much lamented that I found so little space in truth has been made known of late. Mr. Hazen thinks it desirable that persons of this description should receive more attention than he is able to give them. He was hoping that on Mr. Ballantine's return something might be done for them. Congregation-Interest-Changes. My Sabbath congregation is large and which to speak of Christ, the Savior of the world. Last year I found, to my delight, that I could bring in Christ at once difference which I perceived can hardly as the subject of discourse. Still the be described in words. Cherokees. attentive. In addition to our Christians, LETTER FROM MR. WORCESTER, OCTO BER 25, 1852. Death of Major Lowrey. From the and quite a number of inquirers and hearers of the mahar caste, there are usually a number of educated youth present, some formerly connected with our ONE of the first fruits of the Cherokee mission schools, and some others. They give good attention; and I cannot but hope has just finished his earthly course. that they may receive good from what following letter of Mr. Worcester, it will be seen they hear. The interest in other places that he rendered important services to his peoappears to be as great as it has been ple, and died in the faith of our Lord and Savior heretofore. Several times have deputa- Jesus Christ. tions come to me from villages in this Maj. George Lowrey, one of the most vicinity, asking for instruction, and stat-distinguished citizens of the Cherokee ing that they have thrown away their nation, and a deacon of our church, died idols, &c. It seems to me that a great last Wednesday morning. The National work is in progress, although its results are as yet but a ripple. Mr. Hazen mentions a case, illustrating the foregoing statement, in respect to which we may hope to hear more hereafter. Council, being in session at the time, on hearing of his death, passed resolutions making provision for his interment at a burying place near Tahlequah, and for funeral services on the occasion, and then adjourned till Friday morning. By funeral sermon at Tahlequah on Thursrequest of the Council I preached his 66 There is also a disposition to regard with more favor, or perhaps I should say with less animosity, those who turn from their ancestral religion, and embrace the truth. This may result, in such places as this, in part from indifference to religion in any form; and it may be occa- day. sioned in part by a half conviction that The following notices of some of the Christianity may be true after all. Per-leading incidents in his life were kindly haps the feeling that force should not be furnished me by the Principal Chief: brought in to control a man's religious George Lowrey was born at Tahfeelings, may have some influence. skeege on the Tennessee river, near Tellico Block-house, about the year 1770, and so at the time of his death was about 82 years of He was one of age. the Cherokee delegation, headed by the The change in the minds of the peo- distinguished John Watts, who visited ple is so evident, that it has been partic- President Washington at Philadelphia ularly noticed by my assistants at Seroor. in 1791 or 1792. He was one of the Coming in from a preaching tour, near captains of Light Horse companies that the close of last year, one of them said, were appointed to enforce the laws of "We are not questioned as much as for- the nation in 1808 and 1810. He was a merly The people generally know what member of the National Committee, orChristianity is; and there is not so much ganized in 1814. (I think Mr. Ross surprise manifested as formerly." I have added in conversation that he continued found the same thing to be true. I can to hold that office from year to year, until preach Christ more directly than ever he was elected Assistant Principal Chief.) before. Our course is not so much to He was one of the delegation who negoattack Hindooism as to state the truth tiated the treaty of 1819 at Washington The other may come in incidentally. | City. He was a member of the conven |