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suppose that no advantage is to be derived from affliction except while we are actually suffering.”

From the minute details incorporated in his journal, much of which must be passed over unnoticed, it appears that Mr. Fisk took very deep interest in the welfare of seamen. Here was a field of labor in which he accomplished much, the results of which may not be disclosed till brought to light in the final judgment. When practicable he would visit every vessel in port for the purpose of religious conversation with sailors, and of distributing among them the Scriptures and Tracts.

"Sept. 16. In the afternoon a Turk shot a Greek near Mr. Van Lennep's door. I had entered the door about ten minutes previous to the transaction. Mr. V. was looking out of the window, and saw the dreadful deed committed. I saw the blood on the stones not more than five feet from the threshold. In the evening received a letter informing me of the death of Dr. Worcester. To me and my missionary brethren this is a heavy, a very heavy affliction."

TO JEREMIAH EVARTS, ESQ.

"Oct. 2. Your last letter gives us the painful news of Dr. Worcester's death. It seems like the loss of a father. The tender concern which he felt in the welfare of missionaries, his able and friendly counsels, his enlarged views and extensive information on missionary subjects,-render his death a peculiarly afflictive event to us all. To me the event is more affecting, because I had spent much time in his family; had enjoyed the precious privilege of going often with him to the throne of grace; had spent much time in conversing on that subject, which lay nearest his heart; and had seen how his religion influenced his daily conversation. May

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the Head of the church supply the vacancy which this event has occasioned; and may we all have grace to make such use of this admonition as we ought.

"It is a serious question, what effect the disturbances which now exist, and which must be expected to take place from time to time, in this country, ought to have on our plans. These events interrupt, but do not prevent, the proceedings of merchants and travellers. Amid all the horrors and dangers of the present revolution, ships come and go; trade is carried on to a great extent; and European travellers, though obliged to curtail their plans, and use extra precautions, still pursue their objects. A short time since two English gentlemen arrived from Constantinople, on their way to Egypt, travelling for pleasure, to gratify their curiosity.

"As the study of languages, and the preparation of Tracts will constitute a great part of the business of a missionary here, it will undoubtedly be best to embrace opportunities when the country is tranquil, to travel, and, when plague or war rages, to retire for study. This may render it necessary, sometimes, to change our plans, and may render it impossible to lay plans with precision: but I cannot feel as though it ought, on the whole, to be considered any reason why missionary labors in this country should be relinquished or discouraged.

Rather

let the number and the magnitude of the difficulties which lie in the way, awaken more earnest prayers, firmer zeal, and more unyielding persever

ance."

The tragical scenes, which came under Mr. Fisk's observation, continued in October, and had become so common, that they began to be regarded with indifference by many classes of people. Parties of pleasure and vain amusement were revived and engaged in, as though all were peace. Thousands had fled for their lives, and the streets of Smyrna

were crimsoned with Grecian blood. It was estimated that 2000 had been massacred, and heavy exactions of money were demanded of others for the privilege of living. The bodies of the slain were seen frequently floating in the bay. In a word, exactions, imprisonment, or death, met, the defenceless Greeks in every direction. And yet, strange to tell, multitudes, only because they were better protected from Turkish violence, went thoughtlessly to the assembly-room, and the dance, as though all were peace and security. While the countenance of many gathered blackness through fear, that of others exhibited only the expression of a thoughtless, ill-timed levity.

After relating a long tale of atrocities, of which he had some personal knowledge, and rumors of similar scenes at Constantinople, Salonica, Vassilica, Carabourno, Galacita, the Grecian Islands, &c. -rumors of deeds foul and monstrous beyond a parallel in modern times, Mr. Fisk remarks; (addressing the Secretary of the Board,) "You will readily perceive, that amidst such occurrences as I have described, my studies must be very much interrupted, and my opportunities for active labors few and limited. Here all the selfish, revengeful, cruel, and licentious passions of human nature are indulged without restraint. When and how these direful events are to be made subservient to the cause of Christ, is for Him to decide, whose prerogative it is to bring good out of evil. It is our part to submit to his will, while we weep over the depravity and miseries of men, and to improve what few opportunities we have to do good, while waiting for a wider field of action to open before us."

The state of Mr. Fisk's mind at this time will appear in the following letter addressed to Mrs. H. S. of B. dated Smyrna, Sept. 30.

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"The events of the past summer have made me think often of an early death. There is something

which touches the mind in a most tender and af fecting manner in the thought of leaving a mission, concerning which so much has been said and done, and in which so little has been effected. It must be hard to give up plans and hopes, to which we have devoted ourselves, and on which we have meditated, till they have engrossed our whole mind. There is something very solemn too, in the thought of dying, of leaving this world forever, and all who are in it, and all the privileges of probation; of having the soul depart for a new, untried residence; and of becoming at once acquainted with the full import of that awful word, Eternity. In anticipating such an event, we need firm faith, and the consciousness of having committed our soul most sincerely and unreservedly into the hands of our Redeemer.

"Sometimes I hope that, should I be called, I should be able to meet death as a Christian ought. At other times I tremble at the thought of dying. But I think we do not honor our Saviour as we ought, unless we receive his promises with such cordial confidence, that we can think of death at all times with composure, and triumph when it approaches. To feel, and speak, and act right, in respect to death, while in health, when sick, and at the hour of dissolution, is a great part of the Christian's duty, and one important method of exhibiting the excellence and value of true religion. Dear sister, may we be prepared, so that the approach of the last enemy may not alarm us, and so that we may honor God by our dying behavior.

"I perceive that I am filling up my sheet with reflections on a gloomy subject, and one, which to

the gay and merry, would seem very unsuitable for

a letter. But to you, I trust, it will seem neither unsuitable nor gloomy. With all its terrors death to a Christian is but deliverance from prison, and admittance to his Father's house. Let us then be diligent in our work, and wait with holy expecta

tion, for the moment which shall free us from sin, and admit us to the immediate presence of our God."

The Messrs. Van Lennep's removed in October to their country seat in Sedicui, a few miles from Smyrna, where they were more retired from the scenes of confusion and horror witnessed in the city. Mr. Fisk was invited to accompany them, and accepted the invitation. An account of his residence at that place is contained in a communication to the corresponding Secretary under the following

date:

"Smyrna, Nov. 22, 1821. "Dear Sir, I have already given you some account of the village of Sedicui, and a visit which I made to it last winter. I have just returned from a residence of a month there with the families of the Messrs. Van Lennep's. We went out October 20th. The five Sabbaths which I spent there, I preached in French to a congregation of about twenty persons, from the following texts:-'Search the Scriptures.' The law of the Lord is perfect." "When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.' 'There remaineth, therefore, a rest for the people of God.' These were sermons which I had previously written in English, and translated into French. I spent a little time daily in reading the Scriptures in English; Greek, and French, with six children of the Messrs. V. L., and devoted most of my remaining hours to study. I sold three Greek Testaments for about one third the first cost, gave away four others, and distributed, and left for distribution 100 Greek Tracts of different kinds. I also visited the Greek priests frequently, for the purpose of reading the Scriptures with them. After reading our Saviour's discourse to Nicodemus, I asked, 'What is regeneration?' The head priest replied, 'Baptism.' I asked,

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