to me, have left an impression on my mind which will not soon be effaced. The recollections they furnish often make me feel almost as if I were in S. again. My last visit there, and the moment of parting, made me more sensible than ever, I was before, of my attachment to that place; to the church and to the people. You can never tell so well the strength of cords, as when you attempt to break them. I have found it so in respect to my attachment to home, and friends, and country. I think I never perceived so clearly the force and import of the condition which our Saviour required, of those who would become his disciples, viz. That they must forsake all, and follow him.”

TO THE REV. P. S. OF J., VT.

“Dec. 15. May the Lord Jesus dwell with you and bless you; make your house the abode of happiness and peace; draw your hearts nearer and nearer to himself; give you more and more comfort in Christian society; make your children sources of consolation, and promote vital piety among the people with whom you are connected. A. and E. are often thought of. Do they remember me? How I should love to see A. a good missionary in Asia. Would you consent, if the Lord should call him? Will you not even pray, that it may be so?

"You have no doubt, heard of my departure from Boston. We have now been out 41 days-have just entered the Mediterranean-passage thus far rather long. We are in a good ship, and have good accommodations;-try to do the sailors good; read, converse, and pray with them daily, and preach to ⚫ them on the Sabbath. They are ignorant, but seem attentive, and in some degree interested. I hope our efforts will not be wholly in vain. But alas! how hard is the impenitent heart! Brother S., are you not sometimes quite discouraged in giving men invitations to enter heaven, while they so generally

slight them? But let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. O how desirable to have more zeal and perseverance, more compassion for sinners, and more love to Christ. Then we should be better ministers."

TO MISS M. D. B. OF W.

"Dec. 23. We are now within a short distance of Malta. Hitherto the Lord has preserved and prospered us. Countries that need missionary labor now present themselves all around us.

"When I cast my eyes on the hills of Africa, I think of millions there, the slaves of Mahommedan cruelty and superstition. When we sailed by Portugal, and Spain, and Sicily, and Sardinia, I thought of the multitudes who are there shrouded in papal darkness. As we proceed, we shall see still more extensive and populous countries, where the God of this world holds uncontrolled dominion. "The harvest is plenteous, the laborers are few.' It makes one's heart ache to think of the religious state of these people. With such faith, such practice, and such hearts, as they now possess, what must be their prospect, what their portion at death? I fear we think too little of the heathen as candidates for eternity. Surely they have souls, and they are sinners. As such they cannot enter heaven. Do think of their prospects. I have no disposition to dispute with those who have so much benevolence and piety as to shudder at the thought that a heathen should perish, while they have not benevolence or piety enough to give a cent, or offer a prayer for their conversion. But I do earnestly desire that Christians, who know the evil of sin and the value of the soul, would think solemnly of the condition and prospects of a world lying in wickedness with-out the Gospel."

The ship, in which Mr. Fisk sailed, entered the harbor of Malta on the 23d of Dec. after a favorable

voyage. Such was the strictness of the quarantine laws, that no one was permitted to land on the Island, except at certain places near the shore, and this for the purpose of receiving such articles as were brought and laid there for them. While lying in harbor an opportunity was enjoyed to form an acquaintance with the Rev. Mr. Jowett, Dr. Naudi, and others, from whom valuable information was obtained, and marked proofs received of their cordial interest in the Palestine Mission. By these gentlemen they were furnished with letters of introduction to persons of influence in Smyrna and Scio. While in Malta harbor, he writes to a brother in Shelburne.

"Dec. 29. There are two missionaries on this Island from England, Mr. Jowett and Mr. Wilson. They come every day to see us; and though we are not allowed to touch each other, yet we may stand in different boats, or at a little distance in the Lazaretto, and converse. They seem to be excellent men, have given us considerable information, have requested us to correspond with them, and have offered us letters of introduction to some gentlemen, with whom they are acquainted at Smyrna.

"We have twice seen Dr. Naudi, native of Malta, who is much engaged in circulating the Scriptures, and Tracts, and expresses great interest in our object. There is a Bible Society here, consisting of these three men and a few others, principally foreigners, merchants, and officers residing here. Thus a little light begins here to glimmer. Though we shall be more than a thousand miles from these men, yet we shall consider them our neighbors.-Your affectionate brother, PLINY."

TO REV. DR. PORTER, OF ANDOVER.

"Dec. 30. Dear Sir.-Your parting letter increased our obligations which have been accumulating for years. It shall be our endeavor to approve our

selves not unworthy of the affection and confidence, you have bestowed. A parting visit at Andover, after the members of the Seminary had returned, we with reluctance relinquished. The goodness of God, however, is manifest in providing for us so favorable a passage to these regions. We have encountered no dangerous storms; yet we have sometimes read with deep interest Psaims, 91, and 121, to which you referred us. How precious the support they yield in the hour of sorrow or of danger. We had often heard it said, that it must be impossible to judge, what feelings are excited on leaving one's country, unless we experience them. This remark is never well understood, till it receives a practical illustration.

"A voyage at sea in some respects is favorable to piety. It is calculated to produce confidence in God, patience under little troubles, and compassion towards those who are in danger, or in want. But on many accounts it is unfavorable. We have no apartments for uninterrupted retirement. We find, however, much comfort in reading John iv. 21 -24. On the whole, our voyage has been as pleasant as we could expect; our accommodations much better than we anticipated. We often think, often speak of the Theological Seminary. We hope to hear that every thing there prospers; and especially that the spirit of the Gospel prevails. Nothing prepares for encountering trials, or performing labors, like the habit of walking with God, and drawing motives and consolations from the cross of Christ. O that we may be thus qualified for our work. We hope you will not cease to pray for us."

TO THE REV. DR. P. OF S.

"Jan. 3. To-day I preached from Acts xxviii. 1. After rehearsing the story of St. Paul's voyage, shipwreck and escape, I endeavored to show what instruction and admonition a storm at sea is calcu

lated to afford. Some of my hearers had suffered shipwreck, and all knew very well the dangers of the sea. They appeared considerably interested. Still, preaching to them and talking with them, sometimes seems like blows on the water, which yields to the stroke but retains no impression. Whether any fruit will be produced from the seed we have sown, must be left with Him who can give the increase. Probably they, with whom we must labor hereafter, will be still more insensible to divine. truth. I need more faith and patience, and I need the prayers of Christians. Above all, I need the supporting aids of divine grace."

On the 9th of January, the ship proceeded on her voyage, and on the 15th, entered the harbor of Smyrna. As the day following was the Sabbath, Mr. Fisk and his colleague remained on board till Monday. Some of his reflections during the Sabbath will be found in a letter written to the Rev. A. B. of S.

Smyrna, January 16, 1820.

"Dear Brother. It was once our happiness to keep Sabbaths together. Now the Atlantic and Mediterranean lie between us. Distance and oceans, however, cannot wholly interrupt the communion of Christian brethren. Will it afford you any gratification to know how I have spent my first Sabbath in

Asia.

"We arrived in this harbor yesterday. Mr. Parsons and I thought it not best to go into town until to-morrow, and we therefore remain in the ship. The Sabbath has been very different from one at Andover. Nearly a hundred vessels lie in the harbor, whose boats have been passing and repassing all day; guns have been heard frequently, which, with the ringing of catholic bells in town, and the shouts, yells, murmurs, and gabbling of Turks, Greeks, and almost every kind of people, in every direction, and