Much territory in Asia

The Turks had thus, in the course of a century, pushed their conquests to within sight of the New Rome. Their progress had been steady, in spite of a series of defeats. At the same time the Saracens in Syria had placed the whole of the Christian population in subjection. The empire had lost almost as much territory in Asia as it possessed in Europe.

The statesmen of the capital were fully alive to the necessity of using their utmost efforts to arrest the progress of their countless enemies. Unfortunately, at the time when Suliman was gaining his greatest success, the empire had other enemies to meet. Robert Wiscard, the Norman, was attacking it on the southwest at Durazzo, and had succeeded in destroying the Italian exarchate over the two Sicilies, while another branch of the Turks was making war in Europe on the northeastern frontier. Still, as we shall see, the New Rome was yet to make a stout resistance against its Asiatic foe.

While the Byzantine armies had been defending Europe the more intelligent of the statesmen

West Bad not failed to observe the danger West- to Christendom from the continual attacks of the Turks and the Saracens. Among such statesmen the popes were pre-eminent. They had their own quarrel with the Byzantine empire, a quarrel which was all the more bitter because it was founded mainly on the rejection of the claim of supremacy advanced by the elder Home, but they nevertheless saw that the empire was lighting the battle of Christianity against Mahometanism, and that it was the interest of the West to help. TIence, as early as 1074, Pope Gregory the Seventh summoned all Christian rulers to unite their forces in favor of the Eastern emperor against the Turks. A few months later he again called upon all the faithful to go to the aid of the empire against the miscreants.

Turks had become more formidable

Four years after the pope’s summons the Turks had become more formidable than ever balkan tours. On the one hand, they had received new strength from an irruption of fresh hordes from the East, who knew no other occupation than war, no other wealth than plunder, and, on the other, their power was strengthened by the appearance of another pretender to the imperial throne, who had applied for and obtained their assistance, and who, in return, delivered several fortified cities to them.

An Armenian writer of the period1 describes the kingdom of Bourn under Suliman as extending from the Euphrates to Constantinople, and from the Black Sea to Syria. Anna Comnena, the daughter of the Emperor Alexis, says that every part of the empire was at this period attacked with mortal convulsions, that the Turks overran and ravaged the East, while Eobert Wiscard lighted up the fire of war in the West, and that the empire had never been reduced to such a pitiable weakness.

Christian population

Suliman, who took the title of ghazi on account of his successes over the Christians, made Nicma the base of operations against the Christian population all round him as far as the Bosphorus, and levied taxes within sight of the imperial city itself.

Alexis, the first emperor of note of the great house of Com- Aiexis the nenos, did his best to drive away the invader; fought First. him and defeated him, and might possibly, as his daughter thinks, have recovered the Asiatic provinces, if the attack of Robert in the west of the empire had not compelled him to make peace. As it was, he succeeded in obtaining a treaty by which Suliman promised that he would not pass the river Drakon.

Aboul Cassim

A little later the difficulties in the western portion of his empire compelled Alexis to ask assistance from the Turks, and 7000 men were sent3 to his aid. When the emperor had defeated his Western invaders he attempted again to check the inroads of the Turks. The governor of Nicasa, Aboul Cassim, had violated the treaty, and the Turks were again on the shores of the Marmora. Their ruler was Ivilidi Arslan, the son of Suliman, who became sultan in 1095, and is often spoken of by Latin writers under the same name as his father.

Finish of artificial training

In all the vicissitudes of a missionary life, all his social relations, in his intercourse with his family at home and his friends around, he was always the same confiding, contented, humble, happy Christian man. In society, native or foreign, high or low, he moved with the same ease, not from any finish of artificial training in his youth, but from the native soundness, simplicity, modesty, and benevolence of his heart and mind, pervaded by the spirituality of his inner life, and guided by a peculiar soundness of judgment as to what was fitting at the place and in the society he was in.

This remark reminds me of very numerous instances in our missionary deliberations, often on difficult, responsible, and complicated subjects, when he would put the question and sug-gest the right measure, often with such clearness as to secure at once the concurrence of the whole station or mission; and he did so, not as the result of any profound or acute reasoning on the subject, but simply as the verdict of a judgment thoroughly clear and sound.

Measures to be adopted

I could mention cases when in later days, in my judgment, the mission had reason to deplore their dissent from him in the measures to be adopted. But in these cases (they were not frequent) he invariably submitted to the majority, and did it unhesitatingly and honestly.

At last, the end of a well-spent missionary life drew near, and, as his health and strength were manifestly failing fast, he turned his face toward the land of his fathers, but still more to-ward “ the land of pure delight, where saints immortal reign.” Not Boston, not New York, not Philadelphia, but the New Jerusalem, was the city he sought, and now has found.

Our Savior does not leave us to grope our way into heaven alone

“ ‘ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.’ Our Saviour does not leave us to grope our way into heaven alone. He comes himself to receive those who trust in Him.”

This thought entered the soul of the dying man. He started from his pillow, and, with a countenance irradiated with joy, exclaimed, “ How beautiful! How beautiful! ” Jesus was revealed to him as the “ rod out of the stem of Jesse,” to comfort him in the valley of the shadow of death.

Blessings on the memory of the missionary’s father! Truly his effectual fervent prayers have availed much. What numbers will have reason to bless God for the labors of his eminent son!

Yours very sincerely.

In November, 1863, our national Thanksgiving was cele-brated in Constantinople, according to recent custom. The occasion was always one of great interest, the families of the mission, and the Americans who might happen to be in Con-stantinople, uniting most heartily in its observance, and usually having some social exercises after those of a more strictly religious character. At this time the day was observed in true American style and spirit.

The Army and Navy

Among the sentiments offered was one deriving its significance from the civil war that was then going on at home: “ The Union as it was intended to be, and as it shall be,” which was responded to by Mr. Goddard, American consul. “ The Army and Navy ” called up the Rev. Mr. Pettibone. The Rev. Dr. Hamlin proposed, “ Our missionary boys and the Federal army,” and called upon Rev. Dr. Schauffler, who had a son in the army; and he responded in an eloquent and patriotic address. On the reading of the toast, “ The Constantinople Colony,” Dr. Goodell was called on, and gave the following historical reminiscences: —

“My family removed to this place in June, 1831. We had then three children, and we constituted the whole American colony of Constantinople. In a few weeks our number was increased by the arrival of Constantine A Washington, whose baggage and the most of whose outfit were, a few days before, consumed in that dreadful conflagration which reduced all Pera to ashes. A\re received him as best we could, and he lived with us nine years.

The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions

“ As my voice and my strength will not allow me to address this large assembly, I have, since my arrival here, prepared my thoughts, and addressed them to the respected President of this Board, and will now request Mr. Dodge to read the paper to the Board.”

VERY HONORED AND DEAR SIR, — Including two years which I spent as an agent of the Board, it is now more than forty-five years since I entered the service, and came under the direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and about forty-three years since I received a commission from your Prudential Committee to labor as a missionary under their direction, among the mingled peoples of Asia Minor.

On account of my age and infirmities it should be known that I am no longer able to perform the active duties of a missionary, and having no voice or strength left to address this great congregation on the subject, I choose to come in this way by letter, and place in your hands, honored sir, the commission which I received about forty-three years ago. Not that I wish my connection with you to be really ever sundered, unless you yourselves should consider it desirable for the sake of the good cause; for when I entered this holy service it was for life, nor do I wish it to terminate but with my life.

Feeling of discouragement

I wish it to be understood that it is not through any feeling of discouragement that I now retire from the field, for the work never appeared to me more hopeful than it does now. Nor is it through any dissatisfaction with the Board, with the Prudential Committee, or with any of my brethren and sisters of the mission. More kind, more con-siderate, and more affectionate brethren and sisters, than those with whom it has been my happiness to be associated, earth never saw, nor can I easily be made to feel that even the millennium itself will ever produce any thing better.

A Turkish service in the Armenian church

Dec. 27, 1856, he writes in his journal: —

“About two months ago the Bishop of Ilass Keuy commenced a Turkish service in the Armenian church here, precisely at the hour of my service. As the Armenians at the capital understand Armenian much better than Turkish, it is difficult to see what the object could be, except to prevent people from coming to our chapel. It was said that he preached evangelically; and that on one Sabbath he preached not only at the same hour, but from the same text I did, and, moreover, divided his subject precisely in the same way.

As I preached the same sermon in another chapel on the previous Sabbath, it is supposed he must have had a reporter there to take notes; for my treatment of the subject was not such as an Armenian bishop would naturally fall upon. But however this may be, ‘ Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, yea and will rejoice.’ The text on this occasion was, ‘ The Master is come, and calleth for thee.’ ”

In March, 1857, Dr. Goodell drew up and forwarded to the Board an elaborate paper on “ The Importance of Constantinople as a Missionary Field,” as compared with some other fields on which a large amount of labor and money had been expended. Only the heads of this paper can here be given: —

1. Constantinople is a great world in itself. It contains, including its suburbs, more inhabitants than the whole Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and ten times as many as all the Sandwich Islands.

2. All the nationalities of the empire are represented at the capital. Every sect and almost every clan in the empire has here its civil and ecclesiastical head; its court, to which all appeals are made, and where all its business of any importance is transacted.

Eastern and Western Turkey

3. All the pashas and acting bishops, or vartabeds, in every part of the empire, go out from Constantinople. 4. Constantinople is the great centre of Eastern and Western Turkey. It stands on the margin where European civilization terminates, and where Asiatic barbarism commences. 5. There are at Constantinople not less than fifty thousand foreigners, from England, France, Germany, Italy, and, indeed, all parts of Europe; and the greater part of them are never reached by any evangelical influence.

These several points he enforced with strong argument, and in answering the objection to the thorough occupation of this stronghold on account of the expense, he wrote: —

Seven evangelical churches in Turkey

There are now seven evangelical churches in Turkey, and, before you receive this, there will probably be eight. These churches of the living God have nowhere to assemble but “ at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,” in a private house, or in a room rented for the purpose, no house of prayer having been yet erected for any of them. The church of Constantinople was organized nearly two years ago, with forty members, and sixty have since been added to it, there having been additions at every communion. The number of those that belong to the congregation is at least four times as large as the number of those that belong to the church, and no private house is sufficiently large to accommodate them. “ Your servants for Jesus’ sake,” whom you have sent here to invite “ as many as they find” to the Gospel feast, can no longer say to those that come, “ And yet there is room; ” but, in direct opposition to the while spirit of Christianity, our straitened circumstances declare to them more plainly than words, You must go away; there is no more room.

A house of God, then, is imperiously demanded. A lot for the purpose has already been purchased. The contract for the building is already made. The house will absolutely be built. The cost will be ten thousand dollars. The money must and will be forthcoming. You will see the bills are drawn at sight. Should you honor them, the honesty and the reward will be yours. Your own precious Redeemer, who poured out His own soul unto death to save yours, has such confidence in your punctuality and uprightness that you have the honor of His first call. Ilis first drafts are on you; and surely not for worlds would you have His confidence in the stability and integrity of your house shaken.

Should it be asked why the people here do not build their own church, the answer is, they have suffered the loss of all things for Christ, and taken joyfully the spoiling of their goods. Some of them are not even yet able to earn their own bread, so vigilant are their enemies to distress and ruin them. “ Now at this time, then, let your abundance be a supply for their want, that their abundance may hereafter be a supply for your want,” beyond the Rocky Mountains, in Oregon, or California.

Contemplated church of the Redeemer

One word more. Satan has a house of worship building here, — a magnificent theatre, — which will cost at least one hundred times as much as this contemplated church of the Redeemer. Some scores of men have been employed on it for many months, and they will be employed for mouths more. This also is built by subscription. Rut all Satan’s drafts for this object are duly honored. We have not heard of a single bill of his being protested here, although he really has no funds in any house.

Now, my dear brother, we have no more words to say. If any more are necessary, you must say them. Rut we fully expect to hear that those on whom these bills are drawn sat down immediately and wrote “Accepted,” and said at once, “ Rise up and build bulgaria holidays.” And thus all that any future historian of these transactions will have to add will be, “ So they strengthened their hands for this good work.”

Alleluia! Amen! Farewell.

In behalf of the station,

W. GOODELL.

To this were appended a number of drafts for various amounts, to be signed with the names of the cheerful donors of the several sums.

Sustaining pecuniary

From his very entrance upon his work at Constantinople, Mr. Goodell had aimed at calling forth the energies of the people in sustaining pecuniary the various operations that were undertaken for their benefit, and this not merely as a matter of economy, but in order that they might appreciate their privileges. What costs nothing is little valued; and it is equally true that those who have expended time and labor and money on any enterprise will naturally look for some return from the investment. The first year that he was at Constantinople, he encouraged the Greeks and the Turks to 15 v

establish tlieir own schools, while he furnished the plans for carrying them on, and, as far as possible, books and teachers, for which they were expected to pay. In this way they were made altogether responsible for keeping up the schools.

The Missionary’s Daughter

In a letter to Mrs. Cumings, written several years later, he acknowledged in his own peculiar style the receipt of a copy of “ The Missionary’s Daughter,” which she had sent to him at Constantinople: —

My good Sister, Daughter, or, what shall I call you?

I suppose, however, it makes but little difference what I call you now, for long before I shall see you, you will be “ called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” I wonder what that name will be! Gentleness? Charity? Patience? Hope? Zeal? or what? I fancy we shall recognize Abraham at once. As far off as he can be seen, CONFIDENCE IN GOD will be seen inscribed in such bold characters on his whole being, that he will at once be “ known and read of all men.” So when we meet with one whose character is throughout and throughout developed in meekness, we shall know at once it is Moses.

Blessed Saviour

Now I can form no idea what your new name will be, nor, indeed, what will be my own, unless it be, Unworthy to have a name. But in the many mansions our blessed Saviour has prepared for His friends, I hope that yours and ours will not be so far apart but that we can see each other occasionally, without being under the necessity of taking a sea voyage. I am thankful that my precious Sandwich Island cousin has put me in communication with you, and that through a daughter of mine and a brother of yours I am brought into almost veritable relationship, while through Jesus Christ, our common head, the connection between us is still nearer and more precious, and it will continue as long as our connection with Jesus Christ will continue.

But let me not forget — for that is, indeed, the object of this note — to thank you for the Memoir of my cousin. I shall read it with double interest now that I know you to be the writer. And, commending ourselves to your prayers, I remain, in Christ,

Yours affectionately,

W. GOODELL.

Even mirthful disposition made

Though in contrast with this expression of parental sorrow, we turn to other scenes of a domestic character. Having in his own family and around him a large circle of little ones, Mr. Goodell took the most lively interest in all that tended to make them happy. His own uniformly cheerful and even mirthful disposition made him always the welcome friend and companion of children. He had the happy faculty of adapting himself to their years and thoughts and tastes, and in their society he was ready to be regarded and treated as if he were the youngest of them all. Some letters are subjoined showing the interest he took in all that related to his own children. The first was written to his aged father, to whom the previous letter was addressed, and was his own way of announcing the birth of a child: —

MY DEAR AND HONORED GRANDFATHER, — As I was not born till the 12th inst., it cannot be supposed that I should know much of letter writing. But having heard my parents speak of giving you some information of my little self, I thought it would be better for me to give it myself, even though my thoughts should be very crude, and I should have to employ an amanuensis to express them, than to leave it entirely to those whose acquaintance with me has been so short.

Grandfather in the world

And, besides, if what I hear is true, I have but one grandfather in the world, and he an old man, perhaps not much farther from the end of his time than I am from the beginning of mine, and therefore I should not lose a moment in commencing a correspondence with him, both for the sake of giving him some token of the respect and love I bear him for all his kindness to my father and to my paternal uncles and aunts, and also to request that he would give me some of the results of his experience during his long sojourn in this world.

You will doubtless expect that I should express my views and feelings in regard to this world; but really I have been an inhabitant of it so short a time, that perhaps the less I say the better. I may say to you, however, in confidence, that my first impressions were very unfavorable; md I felt so much disappointment, that, though it was Sunday, I could not refrain from immediately lifting up my voice and crying aloud.

A nominally Christian community

In order to understand how the leaders of a nominally Christian community could inaugurate and carry on a systematic, high-handed persecution against their former brethren, under the government of a Mohammedan power, and inflict upon them actual punishment, it will be necessary to refer again, and more minutely, to the peculiar constitution of things under which the various nations were living in Turkey. This system of government was established when the Ottoman Turks took Constantinople. It seems to have been adopted to relieve the Sultan and his ministers of the trouble of looking after the various classes of people that were under the control of the Porte. It is a marvel that it worked even as miserably well as it did; but it opened the door for a vast amount of oppression and misrule.

The Turkish government, of which the Sultan was the despotic head, was supreme; but only the Turks and other Mohammedans were directly amenable to its authority. All other nations, such as the Greeks, Armenians, and Jews, had each its own head and its own government, which was literally an imperium in imperia. By the fundamental law of the empire, each nation was a distinct community, and attended to its own affairs very much as if there were no other government existing in Turkey. The Armenians, for instance, had their patriarch, appointed by the Sultan and ranking with the higher Turkish pashas, who was held responsible for the government and the good conduct of that nation, and who was invested for this purpose with almost unlimited authority over his people.

Really subject to the Sultan

Though nominally and really subject to the Sultan, his acts were seldom interfered with, however arbitrary or oppressive they might be, so long as they did not affect the Mohammedans. He was both civil and ecclesiastical head of his nation, and had authority to inflict both civil and ecclesiastical penalties. One form of punishment, dreaded almost as much as death, that of banishment to distant parts of the empire, he could not inflict; but an order of banishment was easily obtained from the Sultan, especially if the application for it were accompanied with a suitable bribe.

Greek church in Pera

The extracts from his journal are continued: —

“ March 5,1837. Some time last week one of the hermits put up a paper on the door of the Greek church in Pera, calling upon all the people to rise and utterly exterminate the corrupter of their youth and the destroyer of their religion. One of the principal citizens, passing by, saw it, and informed the bishop, in order that it might be immediately taken down; for, said he, should it come to the ears of the Sultan, as no individual is specified, he will very naturally think himself intended. But, though the paper was forthwith removed, yet it produced so much sensation that many protected Greeks went to church on Sunday, prepared, in case priest E. should denounce any individual as a heretic, to drag the preacher from the pulpit, and turn him into the street. The Sublime Porte also subsequently took cognizance of the paper, interpreting it, of course, in the very natural way suggested above; and the Greek patriarch found it very difficult to give a satisfactory account of the business. Some of the Greeks were for accusing our own quiet selves as the authors of the paper, but no one dared to do it openly and formally.

“ March 17. Met in the street an Armenian teacher, who occasionally visited us last summer, and who had so much to say against superfluous worship. He asked whether our high school had commenced since the plague. I told him that our school no longer existed, but that there would be another and better one at Hass lveuy. He expressed surprise, and asked me to explain myself. As he appeared to be perfectly ignorant of all that had transpired, I began by saying, ‘ You are doubtless aware that the chief meu of the nation became a little alarmed about our high school, not knowing what might grow out of it, and therefore ’ —

“ ‘ Aman! Aman! ’ (Alas! Alas!) he interrupted, ‘ I understand it all. Aman! Aman! ’

“ ‘ But stop a moment,’ said I, 1 and you will see that it is all ordered right, and has turned out well. You do not uiulerst ’ —

“ ‘ Aman! Aman! ’ he again interrupted. 41 understand it all; my worst fears are realized. Aman! Aman! ’

And thus he left me, crying, as long as I could hear him, Aman! Aman! ’ which, for aught I know, he is repeating to this day.

Sake of the Virgin

“April 4. Being in the city to-day, a beggar, sitting by the wayside, asked charity for the sake of the mediation of Christ. I do not recollect of ever hearing a beggar use this plea before. If Christians, they generally ask for the sake of the Virgin, or some of the saints. In the present instance the poor man’s plea was not in vain; for I stopped at once, and gave him something, and I resolved to give something, if in my power, to every beggar who asked in the name of Christ, recollecting that blessed promise of His, that ‘ whatsoever we ask in His name, it shall be given us.’

Interesting of all the Orientals

But, after all, there is something in the Turkish character which I always admire; and I have frequently made the remark that, should they be brought under the influence of the Gospel, they would, to my taste, be the most interesting of all the Orientals. Their gardens are retired and romantic, their dwellings are distinguished for simplicity and quietness, and the stork loves to come and build his nest on their chimneys. Their children have fine healthy countenances, and are in general neatly dressed and well-behaved, — the girls being modest and retiring, and the boys manly, but not rude. It is very rare to see them boxing or hooting in the streets; indeed, I do not recollect to have ever seen an instance of the kind.

A stranger to our athletic and boisterous sports, to our more effeminate exercise of dancing, or to the bustle and conviviality of our social circles, the Turk reclines on his soft cushions with all composure; partakes of his pilaff and his, in general, vegetable fare, with few words’ and little ceremony; smokes in silence the mild tobacco of Syria, or the still milder tombecky of Persia; regales himself at short intervals by sipping the superior coffee of Moka; troubles himself little with politics, and, if possible, still less about the weather; is easily reconciled by the doctrine of fate to all the calamities that may befall his neighbors or his country; knows nothing of hypochondria; and, if he wishes any excitement, the Jews and Greeks will do any thing for money to amuse him, or he has only to take a few grains of opium, and he is at once in an ecstasy.

Our families recently had an invitation, with Commodore Porter, to attend the circumcision of Ali Bey’s eldest son, — a ceremony which a Prank or a Christian has very seldom an opportunity of witnessing.

Ali Bey resides at Kadi Koy, the ancient Chalcedon; and he is a near and a good neighbor of our Charge d’affaires, who, besides ourselves, was the only Frank present on the occasion. He is of the higher class of Turks; and, holding an important office under government for many years, he has acquired both wealth and renown. The poor among the dogs lie down at his gate, and look up to him for protection and support; and the birds of the air build their nests in his salam/ak, or room for receiving company, where they lay their eggs and rear their young without molestation.

His son was an interesting youth, of a fine form and coun-tenance, pleasing manners, richly dressed, and adorned with various ornaments of diamond and pearl. He was thirteen years of age, which is a later period than usual for the performance of the rite; for up to this time they are considered as belonging to the harem, — the hair of their head is suffered to grow, and is plaited by the women with much neatness; but after this time their head is shaved, according to Turkish usage, and they are taken from the women’s apartments, and admitted only to the society of men. Two other boys from families in the neighborhood were to have been introduced into man’s estate at the same time, but the courage of one of them failed him, and, when the moment came, the rogue took to his heels and ran away, and did not show his face again till he was assured he could do it with safety.

Friends and acquaintance

Ali Bey invited all his friends and acquaintance, and made a great feast. The guests were numerous; and, as we arrived at half-past ten o’clock, A.M., and did not leave till five o’clock, P.M., we had an opportunity of seeing much of Turkish manners. Ali Bey conducted himself with great dignity and propriety, manifesting no levity, nor giving utterance to an idle or unnecessary word, showing much affection and tenderness for his children, and appearing to consult the comfort and happiness of his friends.

Many of his guests were equally courteous and dignified; and, indeed, almost every one main-tained a decorum, both of speech and behavior, which it would be well for some who boast of their superior civilization to imitate Istiklal Street and Taksim Square. I was amused and gratified to see the spirit of equality that seemed to animate them all: the poor and the rich met together; the slave sat down in the presence of his master; and every one that entered received a salaam from one and another all round the room, which he returned with the same easy and graceful manner with which it was given, and with the same apparent consciousness of being a man among men.

But, though they did not condescend to be foolish them-selves, yet, I am sorry to say, Ali Bey hired others to play the fool for them. 1 say nothing now of their music, except that it is always rude, nor of the sentiments of their songs, except that in most cases it is well that so few of the words can be even understood, from the barbarous manner of singing; but three paltry Jews, occasionally relieving the musicians, endeavored to amuse the company by a variety of artful tricks and ridiculous pranks, now practising legerdemain, and now exhibiting the most antic gestures and postures, accompanied with low jests.

Immediately Carabet

“ This is the first time that I have lived alone with my family since my marriage. On our arrival at Malta, in 1823, we lived in the same house with the families of Messrs. Bird and Temple. When we ‘first arrived at Beyrout we lived for nearly a year with Mr. Bird, and when we took another house, we had immediately Carabet, and soon after his wife, with us constantly, besides many Arabs continually about us. We have now for a whole month been alone, and we bless God for this retirement and relief from care and anxiety. Though I spend most of my days at the press, yet I see and enjoy more of my family than I ever have before. The society of my wife and children is indeed a comfort, which my circumstances have never before permitted me to enjoy.”

In January, 1829, he wrote: “ On the 8th Mr. Anderson took tea with us, and we had a fire in the evening, the first we have had since leaving America,” which was more than six years before.

To a friend at Andover, Mass., he wrote from Malta, under date of March 24, 1829: —

Constitute the body of Christ

“ We thank you and all our good friends at Andover for so affectionately and prayerfully remembering us in our low estate.’ Though we feel unworthy of such remembrance, yet we are, I trust, of4 the goodly company ’ of those who constitute the body of Christ; ’ and if so, we aremembers in particular, and members one of another.’ We ‘believe in the holy catholic church, the communion of saints.’ We love to feel united in spirit, labors, sufferings, privileges, and blessings, with allthe household of faith,’ with all4 the elect/ who ‘have obtained like precious faith,’ whose ‘names are written in heaven,’ and whoare come unto Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem; ’ with all who ‘ are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit,’ and who ‘ in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.’