that he would be glad to see any of the missionaries who might desire to call upon him, and mentioned the time when he would be ready. Three of our number at once called, and he made many inquiries about our labors, converts, schools, &c. In all the conversation he manifested his interest in mission work, and in the progress of true knowledge. The next day he visited our schools, which were assembled in the large chapel, and examined, in some of their studies, in his presence. Several of his suite,-gentlemen high in the civil and military service,-accompanied him, and all appeared much interested, though some of them were not very familiar with the Mahratta language. The Governor remarked to us, that he was very much pleased with the religious instruction given in the schools, and was particularly struck with the thoroughness of that instruction. He was also much gratified with the singing of the children, who have learned many English and native tunes, (at the close they sang, "God save the Queen," in Mahratta, all rising,) and stated that, in his opinion, missions in this country had not paid sufficient attention to singing. He was glad to find that we were making so much of this means of impressing the truth upon the minds of the natives. At the request of one of the secretaries to Government, who was unable to accompany the Governor on Friday, the schools were assembled again on Saturday, at the same place, when several ladies and gentlemen were present, and expressed great interest in the examination.

Generous Donations.

One of the gentlemen present on Friday, afterwards sent us a donation of 200 rupees for the mission schools. (A few months ago the Governor sent our brethren in Satara, 200 rupees, in the name of Lady Frere.) The next week I received a letter from a young gentleman in the medical service in this country, (formerly

stationed here, but now six or seven hundred miles distant,) saying that he had deposited 1,000 rupees, in one of the Bombay banks, for our mission, to form the nucleus of a fund for the benefit of the catechists' school at Ahmednuggur,-the yearly interest being available for the expenses of the school.

During the same week we had a visit from our good friend, W. F. Stearns, Esq., an American merchant in Bombay. Providence has greatly prospered him in his business, and he was desirous of making the mission a donation. Before he carried his purpose into execution, however, he wished to see our missionary operations for himself; as some persons had been whispering in his ear that our policy was a bad one, that we had made a great mistake, &c. He came and saw the schools, and was much delighted with the appearance of the scholars. Particular inquiries were made by him, as to our system of labor, theological class, plans of education for the future, &c., &c., and after looking at our estimates for the expenditure of next year, he asked what amount we could probably expend to advantage beyond the sum we had asked for. I made a rough calculation, and told him that, apart from larger buildings, which were much needed for the schools in Ahmednuggur, we could probably expend 4,000 rupees, and still be within the limits of the demand. He looked over the figures, and having raised the sums put down for additional chapels, school-houses and teachers, he stated his intention to give the mission 5,000 rupees ($2,500) this

year.

We are thankful that God has put it into the hearts of his servants thus to aid us in our work, and we feel that he thus signifies his approbation of our labors.

Another letter from Mr. Ballantine, of later date, says: 66 A few days since, I received a letter from the private secretary, enclosing one hundred rupees as a donation from the Governor to our mission schools, with strong

expressions of the interest he felt in our work. I also received fifty rupees from the private secretary himself, for the same object."

KHOKAR.

LETTER FROM MR. BRUCE, SEPTEMBER 15, 1863.

MR. BRUCE has recently joined the mission, and his letter exhibits something of the impressions and feelings of one fresh from a Christian land, looking for the first time upon the people, the newly gathered churches, and the field for Christian effort in Western India.

The Native Christians.

It is now more than six months since we first arrived in Bombay, and within that time, we have seen much to fill our hearts with joy, as well as much, in the degraded condition of the people, to call forth our deepest sympathy. It has been my privilege to meet the Christians at Bombay, and at all the stations of the Ahmednuggur branch, and I have rejoiced to see such evidence of the divine blessing upon the labors of the missionaries. The cordial welcome which we have received from them all, shows their appreciation of the efforts made for their welfare. I have often taken them by the hand, and received the assurance that they had long prayed for our safe arrival ; and this has been followed, generally, by some expression of gratitude that God had heard their prayers. It is pleasant to labor for those who appreciate our services, and our hearts have been often raised in thanksgiving, that we were permitted to come to this dark land, to make known the glad tidings of the gospel.

Most of the time, since our arrival, has been spent in Ahmednuggur, where we have been engaged in the study of the language. We have, therefore, seen the best fruits of missionary labor, in the two large churches gathered there. The Christians generally seem to be earnest in their efforts to serve the Lord, -the Sabbath congregations are large,

the prayer meetings are well attended,— and I doubt not they are faithful in their more private duties. I was pleased to see one aged man, who had no place for private devotion at home, come daily to the chapel, that he might there hold communion with Him who seeth in secret.

Growing Influence of the Gospel.

About six weeks ago we left Ahmednuggur for the northern field, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Barker. We spent the first Sabbath in August at Pimplus, the most northern station of the mission. Five persons were examined for admission to the church at that time. Four were received and one was deferred for longer trial. One of those received-Gowajee, from Raunde, thirteen miles away-has suffered the severest opposition from enemies of the truth, but through it all has manifested a steadfast purpose to lead a Christian life.

There is abundant evidence that the

gospel is working powerfully, and slowly overcoming the strong prejudices which it has to encounter. Yet, among a people who think they cannot do any thing, or believe any thing, except what their fathers, for thousands of years before them, have done, and believed, and been, we cannot hope for any great turning unto the Lord, until a long contact with gospel influences shall have liberalized their minds, and thoroughly convinced them of the absurdity of their heathen superstitions. No expression is more common among them than this: "As our fathers have done, so must we do."

Facilities for Labor-Calls.

We have every facility for laboring here. We can preach the gospel without let or hindrance; can mingle freely with the people, and, in conversation, impress upon them the necessity of accepting the offers of a free salvation through Christ; can establish schools in which Christian truth is the prominent subject

the gospel, and render our work a slow, and, for the present, not very productive one. Still, persevering toil and patient waiting are rewarded here, as they are among the granite bowlders of New Hampshire.

Our congregations average more than in previous years, and more candidates for admission to our fellowship have offered themselves than last year. I have assisted our helpers in administering the Lord's supper in seven villages, since the first of May, in nearly all of which one or more new members were received. In Seir, including members of the seminary, and in Barandooz, about twenty have been admitted since the beginning of the year; and there are at least as many more candidates, who have given their names. I know not how many have been admitted in the other divisions of the plain.

Benevolence-Lawlessness of Koords.

I trust our older villages will not lose sight of the duty and importance of systematically contributing, both for the aid of their schools and to support preaching among themselves. It seems to me the legitimate way to enlarge our borders, and open new villages on the plain of Oroomiah, is to draw upon such contributions, or their equivalent, for the support of efforts. True, the people are poor; but the poor, the world over, are liberal when the heart and confidence are won.

For a month or more, all the border villages have been kept in constant trepidation, by the robberies and murders of the border Koords. Property to the amount of thousands, and many lives, have been sacrificed to their lawlessness. But the greatness of the evil has probably worked a temporary cure. An army of two thousand has been sent to the border, with orders to arrest all the chiefs, and kill all who may be caught in robbing. The two principal chiefs are in chains in the city, and others will probably soon find a place by their side.

Mission to Eastern Turkey.

ERZROOM.

LETTERS FROM MR. POLLARD, August 5 AND 7, 1863.

Tour of Helpers into Russia.

IN these communications, Mr. Pollard

gives account of a recent tour by two mission helpers, on which they were absent seven weeks, visiting, among other places, Kars, Alexandropol, Tiflis, Echmiadzin, and Erivan, and finding evidence that more or less knowledge of the truth is spreading far abroad, by means of books, and of individuals who, from time to time, come in contact with missionaries, their helpers, or members of the churches they have gathered.

At Kars, a city of about 10,000 inhabitants, something more than 100 miles north-east of Erzroom, they found no Protestants, but some things which encourage the hope that the labors of a helper in the city might not be in vain. Passing into Russia, they went to Alexandropol, 33 miles beyond Kars, where they found friends, and learned that there were in the place, nineteen open Protestants, and twenty or twenty-five other persons who are said to be such secretly, fearing persecution; from which an enlightened priest, and others, had suffered much. "The brethren there are now in great afflic tion," Mr. Pollard writes, "and send to us to come over and help them; and to pray for them, that, if possible, they may enjoy religious freedom." They are so closely watched that two of them cannot converse together about their worldly business, without exciting the suspicion of their enemies. At the village of Rakhvalley, also, about six miles from Alexandropol, they found "not less than twenty-one enlightened men, to say nothing of their families," who long for religious liberty, and would rejoice to have a helper sent to them, if they could enjoy it.

Tiflis-German Lutherans.

After four days of travel, [from Alexandropol,] the helpers reached Tiflis on Saturday, July 4, where they remained until the next Thursday. On the Sabbath, they visited the Lutheran church, attended by the German colonists, who are quite numerous and occupy a distinct quarter of the city. They were much surprised to find a regular Euro

pean church, with its bell and spire, its pulpit and gallery, and to hear the singing of the choir accompanied by instrumental music. There was an audience of about forty, (mostly females,) all of whom, by their dress, manners, &c., appeared to be Europeans. They were surprised also at the fine appearance of the houses, not only of the Germans, but of the city generally. It appeared to them much as they imagine a European city to be.

Enlightened Armenians-Book-store.

One of the helpers found a few persons at Tiflis whom he had known at different missionary stations in Turkey, and Mr. Pollard writes:

Besides these, he was informed that there are some fifty individuals, who are persuaded of the truth but dare not confess it, especially since a violent persecution commenced, about a year ago. Then several persons were beaten, and some merely because they were suspected of being Protestants.

While at Tiflis, the helpers visited a book-store, kept by an Armenian, Avidis, whose brother Hampartsoom is the owner of the printing-house, where books in Russian, Armenian, French, &c., are published. The book-store they found to be a room of about fifteen by twenty feet, and filled, on three sides, with books in various languages. They were greatly surprised at the size of the shop, So different from the small Turkish shops, and at the thousands of volumes, which they beheld; for there is not probably to be found in Turkey, this side of Constantinople, so extensive a book-depot. They were also surprised to find there quite a number of different Protestant books for sale, and were informed that the Armenian Catholicos, from Echmiadzin, who had recently visited Tiflis, desired Avidis not to sell Protestant books. He replied: "I have bought these books with my own money and must sell them. If you do not wish me to sell them to others, do you pay

the money, and you shall have them all."

Echmiadzin.

From Tiflis, the brethren returned to Alexandropol, where, and in neighboring villges, they again spent four days, and then left sooner than they would otherwise have done, having learned that the Armenians were plotting to seize them. They went next to Echmiadzin, forty-five miles south-east.

On reaching Echmiadzin, they visited the shop of a gunsmith, named Muggerdich, of whom they had heard from the brethren at Alexandropol, and found him, as he had been represented, quite an enlightened man, and very friendly. Another person of the same character, named Vartavan, came in, and learning who our helpers were, invited them to his house, where they spent the night. The news of their arrival was soon spread among those who were friendly, and in the evening about twenty persons assembled, with whom they held an interesting meeting, reading and explaining the Scriptures, and engaging in prayer. They feared to sing, lest they might draw the attention of enemies and excite persecution. The brethren were informed, that there are at that place, twenty-two men, most of them heads of families, who are persuaded of the truth. A list of these individuals was given them, and a copy is now before me. We were the more surprised that enlightened individuals, or any encouragement should be found there, since that place is the residence of the Catholicos, Matteos, the head of the whole Armenian nation, formerly the Patriarch at Constantinople, who so persecuted the Protestants. There are several monasteries, a little out of the town, containing many bishops and vartabeds, of whom four are said to be quite enlightened and friendly. Before the arrival of our brethren, a number of enlightened persons were called before the Catholicos, and would doubtless have been punished, had not these four vartabeds interceded for them. It is at this