Greek they were afterward translated into the Arabic, Persian, and Sclavonian; and, from the Latin, into the other dialects of Europe. The translation of the Seventy was used by the Eastern Church, and that of the Vulgate by the Western.

But, as the art of printing was yet unknown, the transcription of the Versions was a most laborious task; and, on this account, the instruction contained in the Holy Scriptures was again frequently delivered through the channel of Unwritten Tradition: and, while those of a stable mind and right judgment religiously received the instruction delivered to them, cultivated it, and maintained it pure and uncorrupted, those, who were of a vicious life and seducers, or who were infected with superstition, moulded into a new form and corrupted the tradition-the one perverting the truth, that they might graft thereupon their impious conceits; the others, from a zeal without knowledge, heaping on additions, in order thereby to magnify the honour of the Faith. By these men were forged the multitude of false books, particularly of Gospels under different names, to the number of nearly fifty, which were full of irrational and monstrous stories.

It is manifest, therefore, that, by the Unwritten Tradition, both various schisms have been generated in the Church and opinions hostile to piety in the minds of men. But if even, in the present times, we examine the nations of a part of the world concerning the faith, we shall discover infinite abuses in their ideas about religion, and the greater number of these diametrically opposite to the truth of the Gospel. Now all these things are the offspring of the Unwritten Tradition, which, being perverted by superstition exalting itself against God and adulterated by ignorance, becomes the parent of frightful monsters. It being then demonstrated that Unwritten Tradition is the parent of monstrous conceits, and that Accurate Translations have maintained, and are able to maintain, unchanged, the doctrinal and moral notions of Scripture, why should a translation of the Holy Scriptures into our Modern Dialect be prevented? It is well known, that, in like manner as our spoken tongue is the daughter of the Hellenic, the French and the Italian are the daughters of the Latin; but if our Common Language be compared with

the Hellenic, and these two with the Latin, it will be perceived that they are but the spurious offspring of the Latin, while our Common Dialect is the legitimate daughter of the Hellenic. How then shall a translation not succeed in our Modern Tongue, which is almost the same with the Hellenic? And since it may succeed, why is the Successful Translation not to be received, while the pernicious Unwritten Tradition is still allowed?

some

The state of the Priesthood of our Nation is well known: namely that some of them, as well from a stupid insensibility to the value of these Holy Books as from a want of them, have never read the Sacred Scriptures; and if others have perused a few fragments of them, from the difficulty of the language they have not understood what they have read. When, therefore, such Priests as these are asked by Christians concerning some Doctrine, or Ecclesiastical Ordinance, or some point of Christian Morality, what will their answer be? Certainly nothing else, but what each man has heard from his father, and he again from his grandfather: and it might be bearable, if they delivered the thing as they received it; but, either through forgetfulness, or ignorance, or senseless superstition, they put it into a shape still more fabulous, and wholly removed from the truth; and then they utter it, as an oracle delivered by God: while the unfortunate Christian, thinking that his doubts have been resolved, receives with simplicity this abominable counsel, and goes away worse than he came; the unhappy man not suspecting that he is receiving into his bosom, not brass instead of gold, but destroying fire in the place of light.

In my Visitation Journey through Bulgaria, I have witnessed ceremonial observances of Christians. I have observed religious opinions, of which some very nearly approach the Greek Heterodoxy; and others are among those against which both Local and General Synods have been formerly assembled: and the worst of all is, that they have been so strongly impressed on the imagination of the people, that there is the greatest difficulty in removing them. For the Bulgarians do not propose their doubts to their Priests, but to their Confessors; who are travelling Monks, sent out from the Monasteries of Mount Athos and since they consider this Mountain, alone,

to be the sacred object of veneration for the Christian World, according as they have been taught, they receive, as divine injunctions, whatsoever those who come from thence may tell them: but there come from thence men not learned in the science of theology, but accurately skilled in the art of making money. When, however, the Sacred Books are laid open and rendered comprehensible to all, then both the Priest will know what answer he ought to make to the inquiries of Christians, and they them selves, reading the instructions inspired by God in their own tongue, will be able themselves to resolve their doubts, and will walk uprightly.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Cruel Oppression of the Jewish Converts at Constantinople.

We noticed at p. 448 the extension of the imprisonment of the two Jewish Converts to three years: Mr. Hartley thus speaks on this afflicting subject

No language can describe the boundless injustice which they are made to suffer. Their sentence was confinement for six months; but now, when that term is expired, and their release is in consequence demanded, the Turk who has charge of them informs us, that he has received subsequent orders to prolong their imprisonment for three years! I have not the shadow of a hope that they will ever emerge from the walls of their prison. I wish I could say that the Converts were prepared to endure such an accumulation of trials. Hitherto, both of them have suffered all with a constancy which is truly surprising; but I own that I am not sanguine enough to hope, that men so young in Christian Knowledge and Experience, so utterly debarred from all the means of Christian Instruction and from the benefit of Christian Society, and so constantly exposed to temptation the most powerful, will be able to support this tremendous blow. Death would be a light trial, in comparison of continual, heavy, and hopeless sufferings.

Men, who enjoy all the rights, the privileges, and the comforts of England, can form no conception of the weight of misery which crushes the human race in these unhappy countries. My heart is sick with the habitual instances of flagrant injustice which pass within my

observation. Do not imagine that the sufferings of the two Converts are a solitary example.

These affecting representations will ensure, we trust, to these oppressed Christians many prayers to God in their behalf.

Hopeful Prospects in Turkey, in the midst of Difficulties.

Mr. Hartley, after stating a flagrant act of injustice perpetrated against a Lady, by the machinations of Romanists, because she had forsaken their Church, thus proceeds

Thus do we see Popery and Mahomedanism united against the progress of the Truth, just as, in the case of our suffering brethren, Judaism and the Religion of the Korân are beheld in the same unnatural harmony. In this manner, foes the most hostile become friends and brothers, like Herod and Pontius

Pilate, in order that they may tyrannize over the human race, and destroy their present and eternal happiness.

With regard to Missionary Prospects in the Turkish Empire, it must be acknowledged, that, at the present moment, a dark cloud rests upon them. As soon as an individual takes a single step in obedience to the dictates of his conscience, at once the most violent opposition is awakened on the other hand, the disposition of multitudes, is, I have every reason to believe, the most friendly to the truth: the subjects seem willing to believe in Christ, but their Governors are determined to prevent them. Preparatory measures, may be, therefore, for the present, most advisable. Much has been done, and much may still be done, to diffuse information on the subject of genuine Christianity; and, hereafter, the results may be most extensive.

I sometimes draw a comparison between the state of Christianity in Turkey at the present day, and the condition of our ancestors in the reign of Henry VIII. At that time, by means of the introduction of the Scriptures and other Books from Holland, the errors of Popery were greatly discovered, and the knowledge of true religion considerably advanced. And yet the religion then imparted could prevail but in few instances against the power of persecution: a great number, the majority, if I recollect right, of those who embraced the Reformation,

abjured their faith, when they were brought to the test of martyrdom. But, such were the wonderful effects which followed from the separation of those days, that, as soon as Edward VI. mounted the throne, almost the whole nation embraced the Reformation. In the same manner, I conceive, the truth may make such extensive progress in the Turkish Empire, that hereafter it may completely triumph when Providence shall give a favourable opportunity: or even should such an opportunity be denied, why should we deem it impossible, that, by Divine Assistance, it may burst its bonds and prevail against Turkish Opposition; as it did, in the first ages, against Pagan Persecution? With hopes of this kind, I rejoice to see so many persons mentally convinced of the errors of the Greek and Romish Churches, even though at present we may be doubtful of their being capable of forsaking all for the sake of Christ and in this circumstance our friends in England may rejoice as an undoubted fact: there are many persons in Constantinople, who not only reject all doctrines not contained in the Scriptures, but who also join me in prayer, and receive with attention religious instruction.

With regard to the Lady before spoken of, on whom the resentment of the Roman Catholics falls, I regret to say, that, though she has left the Church of Rome, I do not feel confident, either from her former character or present dispositions, that she has decidedly devoted herself to the service of Christ. Hence we have not acknowledged her as received among us; but I frequently visit her, and labour to be useful to her by advice

and conversation.

Among many individuals who afford hopes, is another Roman-Catholic Lady, who, during a severe illness, from which she is not yet entirely recovered, three times refused to receive the offices of the Romish Priests; even though they were backed by the instances of her husband, and accompanied on their part by

threats that she should be buried without any to attend her except the common street-porters. I am also much pleased with a young Pole, who has abandoned the Romish Communion; and who is so devoted to his New Testament, that he never can suffer it to be absent from his person. I could also tell you of a Gentleman connected with one of the Roman-Catholic Embassies here, who re

quested books of me lately; and assured me, that it was interest alone, which kept him in the Romish Church. In short, in spite of all opposition, light is certainly extending itself; and, ere long, even in Turkey, we shall find it verified, "Great is the Truth, and it will prevail!"

Men's minds are, at present, agitated with political anticipations: our countrymen are uneasy; not knowing what may be the issue of the negociations now pending: the Turks are elated with their successes at Athens. The other day I witnessed a melancholy sight: at the gate of the Seraglio, I saw a considerable number of human ears, probably 150, displayed as a trophy of war, and trampled under foot by the insulting multitudes.

Notice of some promising Jews.
Mr. Hartley writes-

You may easily conceive that the Jews are afraid to visit me. One, however, lately met me by appointment; and informed me, that, for seven years, he had believed in Jesus of Nazareth: he has fled to Bucharest, with the hope of obtaining baptism: I wrote a Letter to Pastor Klockner, of the Lutheran Church there, requesting him to pay him the requisite attention, I have also had the pleasure of becoming acquainted with two Polish Jews, who wish to be bap

:

tized with one of them I have had much intercourse: he studies the Scriptures with attention, and manifests many very hopeful dispositions: the other Jew wishes to go to England for baptism: the first, also, is very desirous of visiting England, but he has not pecuniary means he is of a very respectable family, and would have abundance of worldly enjoyment were he to return to his Jewish Friends; but he says he would rather submit to a menial employment in England, and have an opportunity of learning the truth, than have any advantages which the world can offer: though he is not a man of learning, he speaks eight languages-has much simplicity of character-and might, if found faithful, become very useful to his countrymen.

Mr. Hartley's removal to Smyrna. This subject also was noticed at p. 448: Mr. Hartley writes, on the 12th of June (not on the 12th of July, as there stated by mistake)—

I have now to inform you of a resolution which I have lately taken, in harmony with the advice of my valued friends, Mr. Leeves and Mr. Brewer,

Missionaries and other Christians the name of "Biblicals;" a new word, which denotes a follower of the Bible, At Tripoli, there is a Greek Bishop who favours the Missionaries and their Schools, and does all in his power to engage all men to read the Scriptures.

The Missionaries here have formed a strong attachment to our Girgis. Poor Girgis is often in perplexity: he sees errors in the Church of Abyssinia; but he does not yet see them all, and he fears to reject entirely those which he does see, or rather he fears to deceive himself: but he continues to read the Scriptures, and declares that this is all that is necessary to him in the world. He says, also, that our religion is better than that of Abyssinia. I trust that the Lord will make him one of His children; and, if that may be, an instrument of salvation to his countrymen! On his suggestion, the Abyssinians wish to have an Armenian Bishop-who knows but that on his suggestion they may call for Evangelical Missionaries! The American Brethren think that they discern the hand of the Lord, in that at the very time when Girgis comes to seek an Armenian Bishop for his country, he is brought into intercourse with Priests and Bishops of that Church who have abandoned their superstitions.

Endia within the Ganges.

CHUNAR.

CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Visit of Archdeacon Corrie. THE Archdeacon of Calcutta thus speaks of a late visit paid by him to Chunar::

I passed Sunday, Sept. 20th, at Chu. nar; having arrived there on the Friday Evening before. The Alms-Houses built by Government, on the representation of the Church Missionary Society, which, from some cause, have not yet been assigned to the poor Native-Christian Widows, have, on a reference to Government, been placed under the care of the Church Missionary Committee at Chunar; which consists of some of the resident Gentlemen and the Society's two Missionaries.

The same Committee applied to me, officially, for aid from Government toward lighting and keeping clean the Church I forwarded their application

for about 43 rupees per month, to pay the several servants necessary, and to find oil; and I greatly hope that the application will be favourably received. The small contributions which are made monthly, chiefly by the poorer classes of Europeans, will then be applied to the repairs of the Church. The Church begins to need considerable repairs; chiefly in consequence of a violent hurricane, which occurred shortly before the late Bishop's visit there; and the consequences of which were then slightly visible, but are now become serious.

The Congregation of Hindoostanee Worshippers is rather on the increase: the day I was there, upward of 200 attended, of whom at least 50 were unbaptized Natives. I conversed with some of the recent converts; who appear to be really sincere: among them, some are Natives of villages in the neighbourhood; who, at first, were greatly opposed by their relatives; but, retreating to Chunar, they continued to receive renewed strength and encouragement by attending on the Means of Grace. By repeating their visits home at intervals, they have, at length, overcome prejudice so far as to be heard with attention on the subject of their change; and, in one case, the convert (who is one of several Brothers, Brahmins, who are the principal cultivators in the village) has been acknowledged by his family, and allowed to resume his place among them.

These circumstances afford much encouragement to Mr. Bowley. They have made the subject of Christianity much talked of; and he finds himself more and generally. He has purchased a house in more readily attended to by the people the Bazaar; which he is fitting up like a School Room and Preaching House. The cost of the whole will be about 700 rupees, which Mr. Bowley has received from various friends in the neighbourhood.

Of those Natives who attend Christian Worship, one whole family have become Candidates for Baptism. The first of the family who became impressed with the subject of religion, was the eldest Son: about two years ago, he proposed himself for baptism; but his Father entreated Mr. Bowley to delay, and he also would consider whether he should not join with his Son. Mr. Bowley on this account recommended delay to the Son: he has continued steady, and the Father and Mother, and some other