commanded not to wait to hear the singing, exhortation and prayer, with which the school is closed. Still we are glad of an opportunity to teach them from the law and the prophets. We are not acquainted with any particular instances, in which our preaching has been specially blessed to individuals. It has, however, pleased God to excite his children in this place, of late, to more than usual zeal and activity in seeking the spiritual welfare of their friends. There have, also, been some very interesting cases of special seriousness. We have occasionally the pleasure to meet with a party of pious friends to pass an evening in religious conversation, and conclude with prayer. There are a number of pious men among the troops stationed here. There is a sergeant, who is a Methodist preacher. Most of the serious soldiers, I believe, are Methodists. They attend our meeting, and, at other times, have meetings frequently among themselves. After preaching on Thursday evening, I entered into conversation with a soldier, who told me that 10 or 20 of them spend an hour every evening, when not on guard, in reading the Scriptures, singing, and prayer. In the course of the year, there have been several cases of hopeful conversion.

Our congregations on the Sabbath are of quite a mixed kind;-some persons distinguished for learning, talents and accomplishments, and some of the most illiterate; Churchmen, Presbyterians, Independents, Baptists, and Methodists. Nothing gratifies the serious part of our congregation so much as when we preach on the glory and grace of Christ; I mean, in a practical and experimental way. We have several times had at our meeting two young midshipmen, from an English man-of-war, who have become serious in the course of the past year.

Want of Good Books.

We have frequent occasion to lend such books as Baxter's Call, Saints' Rest, Rise and Progress, Memoirs of Mrs. Newell, Miss Smelt, Brainerd, and Martyn. A few such books as these, if we had them, might be disposed of in Malta, with great prospect of usefulness. Mr. Lowndes and Mr. Wilson had formed a small society in the congregation for the distribution of Bibles and Tracts. The concerns of this association, with a considerable quantity of tracts and Italian Testaments, and a monthly income of a few dollars, have now fallen into the hands of Mr. Temple. Mrs. Temple has, also, the management, in connexion with several other ladies, of the concerns of a society, formed by Mrs. Wilson, for the relief of the poor, of whom there are very many in Malta, and in a

very pitiable condition. One object of this society is, to clothe poor children, that they may attend the Lancasterian school.

Distribution of the Bible.

The Malta Bible Society have lately received letters from Mr. Barker, the Bible Society agent at Aleppo, giving information, that he received, some time since, about 1,000 Arabic Psalters and New Testaments, printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society after the edition of the Propaganda at Rome, and that he sold the whole within three days! The reason why these were sold so much more rapidly than copies, which the society had formerly sent into Syria, is, that this translation has the sanction of the Church of Rome. The former copies were of a different translation.

Earthquake at Aleppo.

We have lately heard of a terrible earthquake at Aleppo. The report states, that on the 16th of August, a great part of the city was destroyed by it. We are not certain as to the truth of the report; but we are not without serious apprehensions. We entertain fears for the safety of Mr. Barker and also of Mr. Wolf, who had not left Aleppo, as late as the 14th of August.*

Letter from Mr. Leeves.

Smyrna has been much more tranquil, for some months past, than it was when I was there. I received, a short time since, a letter from the Rev. Mr. Leeves, dated Smyrna, Aug. 31, 1822, from which I transcribe the following extracts.

"I had the pleasure of receiving your letter, dated Feb. 20th from Alexandria, before I left Odessa. I came down to Constantinople, about the middle of May, leaving Mrs. L. behind me, as I did not think the face of things sufficiently settled to bring her with me. I spent three months in that capital, as I hope not without some benefit to the objects of the Bible Society. Our prospects are again brightening in that city, and I have hopes that we shall very soon commence the printing of the Roma ic New Testament at the Patriarch's press. A considerable number of Armenian Bibles and Testaments, and of Turkish Armenian Testaments, have been brought into circulation in the course of the last year.

"My projected voyage to Trebisond has been prevented by insuperable obstacles, and I trust the Providence of God has led

* Mr. Barker survived to give an account of this catastrophe. Concerning Mr. Wolf we have not yet heard any thing, Editor.

me to this place instead, where I have a good prospect of putting the Bible Society upon a footing, which will secure, in all probability, its effective co-operation with the parent society. Things are not yet brought to a conclusion, so I must not speak with confidence. I am much obliged to you for your information concerning the persons most likely to co-operate in our objects. I find the chaplain, Mr. Arundel, a sincere well-wisher to them; and he is ready to give all the assistance in his power. I write to you from his house, where with true 'hospitality, he has received me, and my friend and companion, Dr. Walsh. [Dr. W. is the Chaplain of Lord Strangford, the English Ambassador at Constantinople.] The consul is also favorable."

Remuneration of Mr. Fisk's Services.

I have, also, received a letter from Mr. Jacob Vanlennep, in which he informs me, that a meeting of the subscribers to the Bible Society [at Smyrna,] had been held, and a committee appointed, and expresses his satisfaction that the society is likely to come into operation. I have also received a letter from Mr. Consul Werry, in which he informs me, that he had written to the Levant Company in England, stating the service which I had performed in the chapel, while the chaplaincy was vacant; that the Company had, in consequence, directed him to remunerate me for my services, at the same rate as their proper chaplains; and that he had accordingly assembled the chiefs of the Factory at Smyrna, when it was unanimously resolved to place at my disposal four months pay, amounting to eighty pounds sterling; for which amount he authorized me to draw on their Treasurer. It would be in vain for me to attempt to express the emotions, with which I read this letter. The merchants who compose the Factory in Smyrna, in their liberality fixed the time at four months, whereas I had preached only two months and a half. I have informed them of the error, and have drawn for fifty pounds, instead of eighty. For all the encouragements we meet with, let us praise the Lord; and when we are disappointed, let us bow cheerfully to his holy will.*

THOUGH I am sure that the design and end of the Bible Society has been and always is divine, and has respect to nothing but the common salvation, and the moral and general felicity of the human race both for body and soul; and though there is not the least doubt concerning this, or your other object of sending foreign youths, and particularly Greeks, into your enlightened country, that they may be illuminated, and if possible arrive at the summit of wisdom and virtue, and, after that, return to their own country, that they may sow there, well and systematically, that useful seed, which, through the philanthropy and unparalleled nobleness of the wise and illustrious North Americans, they shall have obtained, under the well regulated government of the United States, and [the direction] of the above mentioned sacred Society, and in consequence reap an abundance of fruit:-notwithstanding all this; yet, as my nephew, Photius Kavasales, now transferred to you by your request, is very dear to me, being the only one that escaped the melancholy and tragical destruction of his father, and mother, and four brothers and sisters, in Smyrna, in 1814, by that destroyer of men, the plague; and, also, for the information and satisfaction of his

brother, Athanasius Timoleon Kavasales, who is now in the Peloponnesus;-I take the liberty, most respected Sir, to beseech you earnestly, that you will have the goodness to give in writing an answer to this; informing me what is your design and end in sending my nephew Photius; to what place, and to what academy; what lessons he will be exercised in, and whence he will have the necessaries of life; and finally, concerning his return to his country, the Peleponnesus, after finishing his studies,whether directly from America to the Chersonesus, or by the way of this island, or by those parts of Europe from which he may easily pass to his own country.

May your reverence receive favorably my request; and proclaiming through life your goodness and philanthropic intentions, and retaining with sincere respect

be taken that they may not forget the two last. As we send them away, our hearts are agitated with hopes, and fears, and anxieties. We commend them to the divine mercy, and to the benevolence and prayers of our Christian friends. We trust all will be done for them that is necessary, and we hope many supplications will be presented to the throne of grace on their behalf. PLINY FISK.

Malta, Oct. 12, 1822.

REMARKS.

THERE are few subjects, it may be safely presumed, on which the minds of the friends of missions would be more united, than with respect to the utility of giving an education to such Greek youths, as Providence might place within the reach of American Christians. The design would be, that these youths might return to their countrymen, with their minds cultivated, enlarged and matured, and their hearts inclined to promote the evangelical exertions of the present day. When it is considered how widely the Greeks are spread, in the populous regions around the Mediterranean, and that they possess active and inquisitive dispositions, we cannot doubt that they are hereafter to exert a powerful influence upon the state of society where they live. In every point of view, it is desi rable that they should enjoy the light of science, and the more precious light of the Gospel, unobstructed by the mist of supersti. tion.

The youths above mentioned are now under the care of the Rev. Mr. Cornelius, of

Salem.

MISSION AMONG THE CHOCTAWS.

ELLIOT.

In our last volume, p. 380, we brought down the intelligence from this station to the close of August. We now proceed to select from the journal such notices, as may be necessary to continue the history of the mission, or to give occasional views of the manners and condition of the people.

The summer vacation having closed, the school commenced on the 10th of September. In a circuit taken by Mr. Byington and Mr. Wood, during the preceding week, they saw nearly thirty pupils at their homes, most of whom had been sick since they left school; and the intermittent fever still prevailed.

The journal pays a tribute to the memory of Mrs. Kingsbury, "who, in a sudden and unexpected manner, was called away from her labors, her cares, her children, her husband, leaving these missions, and this people to mourn the loss of an unwearied and devoted laborer in this vineyard of the Lord."

Sept. 25. Within a few days there have been two large collections of Choctaws, at two different places, to end the mourning for deceased friends. At neither place was whiskey drunk to excess, which has commonly been the case on such occasions. The head men are making an ef fort to repress the use of ardent spirits: a circumstance, which affords us great encouragement to go forward in our labors. Have about 1,500 bushels of corn in the 30. Finished gathering corn and beans.

ear.

At the close of October, Mr. Byington visited that part of the nation, where Mr. Williams's school is situated. Being taken suddenly ill, he was treated with great kindness by the inhabitants. He speaks of the happy visit, which he enjoyed "with Mr. Williams, and those who have recently experienced the grace of God in their own souls." Several members of the mission family were much indisposed in October and the beginning of November; but, on the 18th of the latter month, the journal makes grateful mention of return. ing health. There had been much less sickness at Elliot, than during any preceding summer, though there appears to have been more than usual among the Choctaws gener ally. The missionaries attribute much of their exemption from sickness to the use of Peruvian bark, both as a preventive and a restorative.

Tho 5th of December was kept by the mission family as a day of thanksgiving and praise.

Dec. 6. We visited a family, in which a woman died yesterday. The husband appeared to be much distressed, although a hard-hearted man. Not long since he killed an Indian, who lay under the imputation of witchcraft. A few years before he had also killed a man for the same rea son. Still the customs and ignorance of the people are such, that no notice is taken of these repeated murders. The land mourns because of the cruelty of her sons. Towards night the woman was buried in a decent manner; an address was delivered at the grave, and a prayer offered. Several neighbors attended."

About the 10th of December, Mr. Kingsbury arrived at Elliot to meet the agent of the United States, and confer with a dissatisfied chief, respecting the school. It is a subject of complaint with a part of the Choctaws, that boys are made to work when out of school, and punished for misconduct. With them, as with all untutored people, children grow up entirely free from restraint. It can hardly be expected, that, in the early stages of improvement, all difficulty and embarrassment from this source should be avoided. The missionaries have held but one language on the subject. They have uniformly declared, that children committed to their eare must be subject to their authority;-must be docile and obedient in school, and trained to habits of industry, when not engaged in study; --that if they do not come on these terms, they cannot be received. To these terms the chiefs have repeatedly assented. Yet, when the trial comes, and the children are impatient of restraint, or refractory in their conduct, some of the parents justify them, and blame the missionaries. Cases of this kind had occurred; and the school was considerably diminished, partly in consequence of the disaffection of individuals, and partly from the prevalence of sickness among the people. It is hoped, that firmness and consistency of conduct, united with kindness and gentleness in the management of the school, will conquer the prejudices of these untaught sons of the forest.

The agent of the United States did not meet Mr. Kingsbury according to appointment; yet his visit was not lost. On one occasion he had a long conversation with two chiefs respecting the school. One of them expressed himself thus: "When I come here, I think I am among brothers. I feel like a brother towards you. This is all that is in me, and all I think." After staying a fort

night, Mr. Kingsbury returned to Mayhew.

It would seem, that the children, who continue at the school, are disposed to profit by the advantages which it offers. The journal states, under date of Nov. 27th, that "the scholars are much engaged in their studies and their work."

Mr. Byington has long been desirous of acquiring the Choctaw language, so that he may be able to preach to the natives without an interpreter. For this purpose, he began, in December last, to reside, for a week at a time, in Choctaw villages, where no English is spoken.

Dec. 28. He was much gratified with the kindness of the people, and their disposition to receive instruction. He went to a village about 16 miles distant, and staid most of the time at the house of the chief. Within two miles of the house where he staid are about 20 families, and between 30 and 40 children of a suitable age to attend school, who now have little to do, and are wasting their time in idleness or play. There are three looms in this village; one of them made by a Choctaw. The Indians raise corn, cotton, sweet potatoes, beans, &c. The women were generally at work, picking cotton, spinning, sewing, or cooking, while the men do little else than talk, sit, and smoke tobacco. The children appeared anxious

to learn.

Jan. 4, 1823. Mr. Byington was kindly received by the people whom he visited. They expressed much pleasure that he was learning their language; often saying to him, "When you know our language we can talk without an interpreter." They rendered all the service in their power. One man said to him, "I wanted to see you. I am glad to see you." But it is not to be forgotten, that there is much fickleness in the Indian character.

7. Examined the boys' school. Some of the neighbors attended. The scholars appeared well. There appeared to be a life, and animation in the boys, which was quite gratifying. They read, and spelt, and translated from English into Choctaw, and from Choctaw into English. Two of them are drawing maps of the United States; and two have cyphered to the Double Rule of Three.

Mr. Byington resided a while at the house of the chief, who has been dissatisfied with the school. He was there entertained with great kindness. Among many other things, the chief said that "he was proud of the missionaries, and would not say they were bad men.' He dictated several talks to Mr. Byington, which he wished him to write down, and carry home with him. He said that "when he was a boy it was customary for the oldest men in the nation to give long talks to the boys, concerning the former wars of Choctaws, Chickasaws, &c. and then to whip the boys severely to make them remember the talks."

The following circumstance shows the poverty of the Choctaws, and their willingness to lean on the most trifling aid. Almost all the men go to the place where the annuity is distributed; some of them travelling 100 miles, and being absent from home ten days. At the late distribution each man received 50