Dur

"Very dear Sir, It is with emotions of gratitude and satisfaction, that, after a year's separation, we once more sit down together, to address you. ing the past year, we have encountered disappointments, we have endured afflictions, and we have experienced mercies, which we hope never to forget, and which we trust may be useful to us as long as we live. We separated, hoping to meet in Judea. The event has shewn that the divine purpose was, that we should meet again where we separ

ated. Thousands of our fellow men have fallen around us, but we still live. One of us has lain for weeks on the very borders of the grave; yet life is spared, and every thing now indicates a speedy restoration to perfect health. We would, therefore, call upon all within us, and upon all our friends, to praise the Lord for his great goodness. After a year of hopes, and fears, and anxieties; of plans, and labors, and disappointments, such as before we knew nothing of; we were permitted to meet again, Monday, December 3d, and unitedly join with those friends of Zion, who, on that day, raise their supplications to heaven for the conversion of the world. It was particularly pleasant to meet on that day. We met with earnest desires, that the past may prove instructive and useful to us; and that for the future we may be wholly devoted to our work, to the service of our Redeemer, and the good of men. If we know our own hearts, we wish to live for nothing else."

During the month of December, as the English chaplain returned home, Mr. Fisk was invited to preach in the chapel, as he had been on a former occasion. He also continued to distribute the Scriptures and Tracts, as opportunities occurred. He frequently held discussions on religious subjects with different individuals, and in the mean time prosecuted his regular studies. He gives an account of one of

these discussions with a Catholic gentleman of intelligence and learning, to whom he had given a Bible more than a year before.

On the subject of the infallibility of the pope he adduced the arguments of Paschal, who, to prove that the decisions of the pope, as to matters of fact, may be erroneous, brings examples, in which one pope had contradicted and set aside the opinions of his predecessor. "All the morality of the Romish church," said the Catholic gentleman, "changes according to convenience; and what is right at one time, is wrong at another."

The subject of transubstantiation was introduced. After hearing Mr. Fisk's views upon it, he remarked; "What idea the Catholics attach to the language they use on this subject, I cannot conceive. I am persuaded, they do not believe their own assertions. I think it impossible for the human mind to believe them."

The Romish doctrine of purgatory came under discussion. After being referred to Matt. xxv, 46, and to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the man exclaimed;—-"The doctrine is directly opposite to Scripture, and is maintained by the church only for the sake of the money paid for the delivery of souls from purgatory."

Respecting prayers made to the virgin Mary, to other saints, and to angels, and also respecting confession to the priests, Mr. Fisk found this enlightened Catholic favoring correct views, and differing from the opinions of his church. He appeared to have learnt from the Bible which had been given him, that many of the religious views held by Catholics were unscriptural and unreasonable. Light seemed to be dawning upon his mind; and it is not improbable, that one thus led to renounce his papal errors, may one day be brought not only to understand, but love the truth as it is in Jesus.

This chapter, which gives a view of the more important labors and observations of Mr. Fisk, in the year 1821, during which period he was alone will be concluded with the following account of Smyrna, abstracted from a historical sketch prepared by Mr. Fisk. The whole document would be read with interest, but the limits of this Memoir will not admit of its insertion.

The city which bears this name was founded, so far as can be ascertained, about 3,000 years ago. The original inhabitants were Athenians, either a part, or descendants of the colony, which came to Asia with Androcles, son of Codrus, king of Athens. After having risen to opulence, it became enervated by luxury, and was destroyed by the Lydians. The present Smyrna was built about 300 years B. C. by order of Alexander; and it became the Capital of Asia Minor. In the days of Roman dominion it was distinguished as the seat of science, and was called "the crown of Ionia, the ornament of Asia."

When Christianity was introduced into this city, it was in its glory, abounding in wealth, magnificent works of art, and schools of learning. It became the theatre of martyrdom, and the ground was enriched with the blood of Polycarp and others, who laid down their lives for Christ. Temples and theatres from that time began to crumble and fall, to make room for churches.

In the year 177 of the Christian era the place is said to have suffered from an earthquake, the ruins of which were repaired by Marcus Aurelius. Under the Christian emperors it is said to have flourished.

It was for a long time the scene of desolating wars, waged by the Turks; and at the beginning of the 13th century it lay in ruins. It was afterwards repaired, and eventually became subject permanently to the Ottoman power, and enjoyed an extensive commerce, till it was again destroyed by

an earthquake in the year 1688. From the effects of this catastrophe the city began to recover early in the 18th century. Tournefort, who visited the place about 100 years ago, estimated the population at about 27,000, of which 15,000 were Mussulmans. The commerce was then principally in the hands of the Dutch, a time when Dutch commerce was unusually prosperous.

The town has often suffered severely from fires, and from the plague. In 1814 the number of deaths by the plague has been estimated at 40,000. Considering how this ancient city has been conquered and re-conquered, burnt and plundered, overthrown by earthquake and scourged by the plague, it is not strange, that so few remains are left even of the town, as built by Alexander and his generals.

The harbor is large and commodious, and the city faces the N. W. In the south part of it the Turks principally live, and the Franks in the north part. There are about 200 protestants in the city, 10,000 Jews, and 4 or 5,000 Armenians. The principal part of the population consists of Turks and Greeks. The whole number of inhabitants is generally estimated at from 100 to 150,000.* The minarets of 20 mosques rise from the ground, where the blood of martyrs was shed, and the superstitions of a corrupt Christianity have been substituted for that Gospel, preached by "the angel of the church of Smyrna;" while the iron-hearted Ottoman, sitting in sullen grandeur, claims the prerogative of holding in his hand the property, liberty, and life of the oppressed people. O rise some other Polycarp to revive the purity and glory of the ancient church.

*A very recent estimation makes the population of Smyrna only about 100,000.

CHAPTER VII.

PASSAGE FROM SMYRNA TO EGYPT, AND RESIDENCE IN THAT COUNTRY.

THE feebleness of Mr. Parsons' health, after his residence at Jerusalem, required, as was thought, a voyage to some warmer climate. This measure being recommended by the English physician who had the care of him, it was thought best he should go to Egypt. A passage being engaged in an Austrian brig, Mr. Fisk accompanied him from Smyrna on the 9th of Jan. 1822. After a tempestuous passage of five days they arrived at Alexandria. During the first three or four weeks the attention of Mr. Fisk was principally devoted to his beloved friend.

Two letters from him at this time exhibit the concern he felt for the spiritual welfare of the Jews. One was written to the Society of Inquiry respecting Missions, in the Theological Seminary, Andover.

Alexandria, January 21, 1822.

"Dear Brethren,-Permit us to call your attention in this letter more particularly to what concerns that singularly interesting people, the Jews. To you it is not necessary that we should speak of their origin, history, present state, or future prospects. You undoubtedly observe with deep interest the progress of all exertions made for their benefit. But there is one particular view of the subject to which we solicit your attention. In the United States the Jews enjoy such privileges as they never enjoyed under any other Christian government; yet so far as our information extends, little has been said and little done in respect to the Christian instruction of such Jews as live in that country. Why is this? Christians of the United States are sending mission