Constantinople. JOURNAL OF MR. DWIGHT. FROM the journal of Mr. Dwight which follows, the reader will be pleased to learn that the light of truth is still spreading among the Armenians, not only at the capital, but in other parts of the Turkish empire inhabited by that people. Monthly Concert-Armenian Services Disaffection at Nicomedia. fluence. He finds that they are far from knowing the way of the gospel, and he is satisfied that this is known only by protestants, and for this reason he came to us. He wished to learn the rules of the gospel, and he was willing to pledge himself to continue in this way until death. Only he wanted me to protect him from the Jesuits and the Greeks. He says the former are continually troubling him, and urging him to go to confession, which he is not at all inclined to do. He fears that they will soon discover it, if he comes to me, and take measures to have him punished, and therefore he begs I will protect him. I told him that I am a simple preacher of the gospel, without any political weight or authority, and having no power at all to do what he wishes. I said I am ready to teach, to the extent of my ability, the gospel to all who coine, but it is absolutely beyond my power to give protection to any one. I then explained to them the true foundation of all our hopes, and urged upon them the importance of believing in Christ with all the heart and doing his will. I think he is a sincere inquirer after truth. May 3, 1841. To-day our monthly concert for the natives was attended by thirteen Armenians, besides three or four others, and it was a deeply interesting occasion. One of those present had never attended any of our meetings before. Mr. P., a pious Greek, who has recently returned to this city from Athens, gave them an interesting account of the missionary schools and other labors in Greece. Mr. Ladd made some statements in regard to the labors of the missionaries in Cyprus. We also endeavored to impress upon the minds of our native brethren that opposition and persecution are to be expected in this wicked world; that it is no new thing; thousands of the faithful have suffered before them; even Christ himself and all of the apostles were persecuted, and of|leged ground that they are protestants. course his followers must expect to be. This afternoon a papal Armenian called with a female relative. He called alone the other day and obtained my permission to bring this female with him. They profess to desire to learn the gospel way of salvation. He has been for ten years or more a teacher in the Jesuit's school here and their servant, and he says he is heartily sick of them and wishes to be removed from their in VOL. XXXVIII. Priest' K. also called. He came directly from the patriarchate here. They are greatly troubled there, because the people slander them so much on the al The priest advised that we be a little cautious, and not attempt to enlarge our school at present, as it is probable some further attempts will be made to put it down. 7. Twelve persons attended my service to-day among whom was one of our pious priests, (V.) who has been ordered by the patriarch to go to Nicomedia to counteract the influence of the Jesuits. He goes to-day, and took leave of us. 11 was such that it could not be carried over land. We have also recently sold them some other implements from our foundery in Smyrna. It will be borne in mind that this institution was established in order to oppose us, and that its supporters have always been very inimical to us. These Armenians inquired where the press was from, and the other tools which they admired so much, and when told they were procured through us, remarked, "Well you see how much you are indebted to these Americans. If they had not come here, you would have had none of these things." Armenian Helpers-Opposition to the Seminary-Progress of Inquiry—Calls on Armenians. begging a constant remembrance in our prayers. His going to Nicomedia at this time seems truly providential. Many of the enlightened Armenians there, with others, it is said, are about to leave their church, and place themselves under the papists. The reason of the disaffection is that they have been unjustly dealt with and grievously oppressed on account of the superior power of the leading men among the Armenians in N. They find that justice cannot be obtained from the patriarch, who fears the great man, and therefore they are disposed to forsake their nation altogether and put themselves under the protection of the Jesuits. The enlightened part of them say, "We know that the catholic church is very corrupt, but our church is equally so, and therefore we shall be in no worse condition, if we join the papists; and besides we shall be protected from lawless oppression." Alas they know not the deep spiritual bondage of Rome! If the Armenian ecclesiastical power has scourged them with whips, the RoHans will scourge them with scorpions. This priest goes among them with full power from the patriarch, and may freely visit every house and preach the gospel of Christ to every individual there. The patriarch wishes merely that he may dis-ers, that it seemed to him as if God had suade them from becoming papists, but our warm hearted priest will not stop there, but endeavor to enlighten them, so that they may all become true and evangelical Christians. 10. S. called and informed me that a letter from the village of A. B., beyond Nicomedia, states that twelve have become enlightened and evangelical there, and they wish for more of our books. These men have been awakened chiefly from reading our books, as no missionary has ever been there. They sent an invitation for me to visit them, which I should like much to do, but cannot leave my work here. I gave this man 200 volumes to send them, and hope the blessing of the Holy Spirit may go with these messengers of the truth. 14. Fifteen Armenians were present at my services to-day. One of them was an entire stranger. Several of our missionary brethren, who have come to attend the general mecting, were also present. Some of these Armenians have lately visited the Armenian college at Scutari. Connected with that institution is a printing establishment and type foundery. Their principal press is American, and has the Boston mark upon it. It was sent out by the Board for Persia, but was sold here, as its construction 15. H., our Armenian helper, has been long intending to go either to England or America for an education and for protection. To-day he called to converse with me on the subject. He remarked that he has had all along the same unchanging desire and determination of going to England or America, but that of late the work of God has gone on so among his people, and there is so much to be done, and so few labor put up a wall directly across his path. He could not feel that it would be right for him to leave in the present interesting state of things. It seemed like running away from God. He therefore wished to know if we could devote some time to teaching him theology, church history, etc., so that he may become better qualified to labor here. I gave him very cheerfully my promise to aid him to the extent of my power. I was truly rejoiced to see him so ready to yield to what appeared to be so plainly the leadings of Providence. Three other of our Armenian friends, who had determined to go to Vienna to obtain Austrian passports, to protect them from their own ecclesiastical authorities, have been disappointed. I ascertained for them that the Austrian ambassador here would not respect such passports, when they should return to this their native land; and they at once decided not to go, at which I was very glad, though they were disappointed. I then exhorted them to remember that, if they are true Christians, they have the protection of Christ, who is higher than the highest, and no government in the world is strong enough to pluck them out of his hands. Hereafter, said I, let your trust be in him and not in ambassa dors or princes, and he will take care of you. 20. Some of the parents of Mr. Hamlin's scholars have been called up to the patriarch and ordered to remove their children. One of the scholars, an adult, was himself called and told to leave the school, but first to go back and get the names of all the rest and bring to the patriarchate. As soon as he informed Mr. Hamlin of this, Mr. H. very wisely dismissed all the scholars, except two from abroad. This effort to put down our little school seems to have arisen from the fact, that the party now trying to get into power are calumniating the present patriarch very much on account of us, saying that he is a protestant, and that the school has sprung up under his auspices. thus making a political handle of it. The patriarch, therefore, in selfdefence, wishes to put down the school. 21. Mr. Schneider preached in Turkish to my little congregation to-day, and they listened with great apparent in terest. 23. Mr. Johnston preached for me in the Turkish, and I trust some new impressions were made. It does these people good to hear the witness of different individuals to the same truths. 28. Mr. Adger preached to my little flock in Armenian. The number of attendants is small, but they are all adults, and many of them of extensive connections and influence, and what they hear is published to hundreds and thousands. 30. S., from A. B., the village near Nicomedia already spoken of, called. It seems that the work of God is going forward in that village. More than thirty are in the habit of meeting together for reading the word of God. Among them are two teachers, and one son of a banker, one of the principal men of the village. A persecution has been threatened against thein, but hitherto God has restrained it. This is a marvellous work, being very small in its beginning and proceeding with great rapidity. No missionary has been there, and no means have been used, except our books and the labors of a shop-keeper, an ignorant man, but deeply interested in the truth. He came to Mr. Hamlin and myself at Nicomedia, and there received his first ideas about the true gospel. Since then he has been occasionally at the capital, on business, and always attends my meetings. God knows how to work by many or by few. June 1. Two teachers of the school in called with A., one of our native brethren. They took about thirty copies of the four Gospels in ancient Armenian, for their school, as well as other books. Thus our books are going into circulation, and they are evidently doing much good. Our brethren, who are laboring so industriously at the press in Smyrna, are not spending their time for nought, but already do we see much precious fruit from their labors. 7. Our priest has returned from N. and brings favorable intelligence. None as yet have actually left the Armenian church for the papal, though two individuals are still inclined to go over, in consequence of the very straitened circumstances into which they are thrown by the unjust decision of their highest authorities, and also the promises of relief held out to them by the papists. The priest was enabled to converse with many persons, and make known the truth. The vartabed of the city, and another vartabed from a neighboring monastery, are among those whose minds have become enlightened. 10. After I closed my room in the khan to-day, I made some calls among the Armenians. At the first place I found B. vartabed, whom I had not seen for many years, although formerly he was very friendly. The interview was unexpected both to him and to me, and it was very pleasant and I trust not wholly unprofitable. Afterwards I called at a lapidary's, and found him with a friend whom I had never before seen. Two other Armenians were present, and I found myself a most welcome visiter. This lapidary and his friend both appear to possess very shrewd minds, and are both decidedly evangelical in sentiment and most interesting men. They were formerly living on the very verge of infidelity, because of the superstitions of their church, with which they had become disgusted; and it is only recently that they have become settled in evangelical sentiments. They ascertained that the missionaries here are "learned” men, and yet firm believers in Christianity, and this was the means of leading them to believe also. These visits show me the interesting state of feeling here and their readiness to listen to the truth. We have had recent intelligence from A. B., the village mentioned under date of May 30th. There has arisen some persecution for the word's sake, but the enlightened Armenians there remain firm. Indeed they are quite resolute, and determined to lay down their lives, if necessary, for the work of Christ. They express much surprise at the former heathenism in which they have lived. We have here a most striking illustration of the powerful influence of the press, and also of the aptness of the people to draw right inferences from the simple truths of the word of God. One year ago they were all, or nearly all, in deep ignorance of the word of God. A few books were sent among them, and behold their eyes are opened, and they embrace at once the blessed truths of the gospel. One single handbill tract, which contained merely the ten commandments in their own vulgar tongue, was the means of opening the eyes of many on one point. They read for the first time, in an intelligible language, this one of the commands of God. "Thou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, or the likeness of any thing, etc., and they immediately perceived that their own practice of making pictures in churches, and bowing down to them, is directly in opposition to this command, and they said, "How is it that our priests encourage such a violation of the laws of God?" The result was that there was quite a serious strife between those who adhere to the old practice, and those who became enlightened by this tract; and perhaps this, more than any thing else, was the cause of the persecution. Every thing, however, is now quiet. Desire to Visit America-A Blind Beg gar-Preaching to Armenians. passing, so that I found I could not speak to him without collecting a crowd, which neither he nor I wished. I therefore watched a favorable opportunity and stepped quickly up to him, and placing the tracts in his hands, said, Here are some small books, take them home, and listen to them as your boy reads them to you. Good bye. "Good bye," he replied, and I left him. To-day I stopped again and asked him how he liked the books. "Oh," said he, "they are excellent. Those things are not new to me, for I have thought on these subjects for a long time." He then said he had many inquiries to make of me. One was about baptism, whether we observed this rite, another was about the virginity of Mary. I tried to satisfy him on these points, and urged upon him the doctrine of justification by faith, and man's inability to get to heaven by the deeds of the law. A crowd began to collect, so that I soon bade him adieu. My interviews with this old blind man are more satisfactory of late, and I trust he has made important progress in religious knowledge. 17. One of the Armenian young men who wished to go to America called and conversed further on the subject. I advised him to go to Mr. Hamlin's school, and remain there long enough to prepare for college, and thus save expense and be better fitted for going to America. This advice pleased him, and he thanked me for it and resolved to adopt it. 14. Two young Armenians called and wished me to send them to America, or rather they said they have been laboring hard for some time to get money to go there, and now they have a sufficiency to carry them there, but that they shall not be able to carry themselves through a course of study, and they wished to throw themselves upon my direction and of course upon my purse. I told them that I had no ability to comply with their wishes in this respect, and neither is there any one of my friends in America, to whom I can recommend them. They seemed greatly disappointed, but I exhorted them to be content to remain here and pick up an education where they could find it. They were quite resolute in their purpose, however, notwithstand-than in the papal church. ing all the obstacles in their way. They wished me to write to Smyrna to inquire about vessels for America. 23. I had to-day at our Armenian service one of our native brethren from N. He is one of those who has lately threatened to join the papal church, not because he approves of it, but because he has been so much oppressed by the heads of his own church. He thinks there is nothing to choose, as to the religion of the two churches, both being equally far from the gospel. I believe, however, he has made up his mind to remain. I exhort all such to remain, and all who have joined the papists to return to their own church again. In my opinion they are, humanly speaking, in a far more salvable state, in the Armenian, A few days ago I put a couple of new tracts into my pocket before going out to walk, to give to the blind Armenian beggar mentioned in former journals. It being feast day a great multitude of people were continually passing and re 30. Visited with Mr. Adger, the family of a distinguished banker in the suburbs of the capital. He is considerably enlightened, and we had an opportunity to commend some of the truths of the gospel to him, and to other Armenians present. He constrained us to stay and dine with him, though it detained us much longer than we intended to stay. July 2. Twenty Armenians came to out the walls of the city, near the spot my service to-day. One of them, how-where Mohammed 2d, the conqueror of ever, was called away by business be- the city, first entered it. We came here fore the service began. I preached on with Mr. and Mrs. Adger for the benefit the two ways of salvation, by works and of the country air, and at the same time by grace, and all listened with apparent- we are surrounded by Armenians, and ly deep attention. Three of those pre- find this a promising missionary field. sent were strangers, who came for the Yesterday I went to the Armenian first time, and who appeared much inter- church and heard the vartabed preach a ested in all they saw and heard. Every sermon on the transfiguration of Christ. thing was new to them, and they heard, This man is rather noted for his preachprobably for the first time in their lives, ing talents, and his sermon was all very that by the deeds of the law no flesh good, though too general and diffuse in shall be justified in his sight. They are its character. To-day I called upon him jewellers and men of intelligence and with H. H., an Armenian friend. I was character. received very cordially, and had conversations on several important subjects. Among them was the importance of union among Christians. I told him that all true Christians are one, however great a difference there may be in dress and habit, and that in heaven there will be no division into names and parties. I then related the anecdote of Whitfield, breaking forth in the midst of a sermon on this subject with asking, "Father Abraham, are there any presbyterians in heaven?" etc., with which he was much pleased. He made some very just remarks about attempting to force men's consciences in matters of religion. "God," said he, "left Adam and Eve free to obey or disobey, but did not compel them to either course. For the peace of society there must be laws and a judge to enforce those laws, but faith and obedience to God cannot be enforced. We afterwards conversed on keeping the Sabbath, when I remarked that here, all, even among Christians, seem to seek their own pleasure on that day which God has commanded us to devote to him. He replied that most people labor hard during the week, and on the Sabbath they feel the need of recreation, and therefore go forth to amuse themselves. I replied, but if they are true Christians, what higher enjoyment could they seek, than to read God's word, and meditate upon it, and engage in prayer. It is evident they are not true Christians, for they seek merely worldly things. Spiritual men love spiritual things, and worldly men worldly things. On taking leave he expressed the hope that we should see each other often while at Top Kapoo. 11. To-day there came to my service, among others, three bright young men, one of whom was formerly a scholar in our high-school and the others strangers. Mr. Adger preached in Armenian, as he does regularly once a week, now that he || is staying with us for a season. After service, I had a long and interesting conversation with these young men on various religious subjects. They asked many questions, for the most part of the deepest importance, with much apparent sincerity. One of the subjects discussed was prayer; another was the manner in which sin can be pardoned. When I told them we could only be pardoned through the merits of Christ, and that we neither had, nor could have any merits of our own, as we have brought ourselves | under the curse of the law; and moreover, not only that we have sinned, but do sin continually, even in our prayers and best services, one of them asked, "If this be so, how can any one be saved?" I answered by the blood of Christ alone. We need to be washed in his blood every day afresh, and we know that that cleanseth from all sin. They then inquired if it was useful to pray for the intercession of the saints and the virgin Mary. I told them there is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus-we need no other mediator. Besides, the saints were men like ourselves, how do we know that they hear us when we pray, or are in any way able to help us. Christ is our all-sufficient mediator. We know that whatever we ask the Father in his name, if agreeable to his will, he will grant it. What use then of other mediators? Removal to Top Kapoo-Intercourse with Armenians there Further Opposition to the Seminary. 19. We have been for some days residing at Top Kapoo, a village just with To-day is the feast of the transfiguration, and it is called also a day for the dead, namely, a day to pray over the graves of the departed, for the well being of their souls. On this account I went with my friend above mentioned to Balukly, where is one of the largest Ar"menian burying-grounds about the city, |