ans; three hundred and fifteen families | should, in consequence, finally claim both of Jacobites; two hundred and seventy cemetery and church! Mr. Hinsdale's families of papal Jacobites, (who in their two infant children have their little religious sympathies are a distinct com- graves in a wall, a few feet distant from munity from the Nestorian papists,) and their father. Mrs. Mitchell was buried one hundred and thirty-six families of in another grave yard, and her husband Jews. The Christians and the Jews of found his final resting place on their way the city of Mosul speak only Arabic, to Mosul! Truly our brethren and siswhile both classes, in the villages, speak ters of that unfortunate mission have modern Syriac. The explanation seems made their graves among strangers, but to be, that the Arabic being generally not one of them will be lost or forgotten spoken in the city, has absorbed the Sy- in the bright morning of the resurrecriac, while in the villages, where the tion. Arabic is less prevalent, the Syriac has not been thus supplanted.

The Yezedees.

In company with the Russian Commissioners, appointed to aid in running the boundary between Turkey and Persia, the conversation turned upon the Yezedees, many of whom reside in that

his extensive mercantile affairs. He is
an active, business man, as a merchant;
and happily, though not professedly a
religious man, he seeks to promote the
interests of Protestantism in Mosul and
the region, in every way in his power.
The keeper of his caravanserai is a Jacob-region.
ite deacon, who is enlightened and evan-
gelical in sentiment, and is encouraged
by Mr. Rassam to exert himself in diffu-
sing the truth by conversation with the
scores who daily resort to the caravanse-
rai on business. There is now a fine field
open for such labors at Mosul. Many
of the Jacobites and papal Nestorians,
seem heartily tired of the superstitious
and follies of their churches, and anxious
for something better. Mr. Rassam does
much to encourage and aid those who
are inclined to search for the truth, and
such naturally and properly look up to
him as their protector.

A Call on the Jacobite Bishop.

Mr. Rassam derives the term, Yezedee, from Yerd, the good principle, in contradistinction to Akhreen, the bad principle, as distinguished by the ancient Persians. He supposes them to be a remnant of the ancient fire-worshipers. They still bow before the sun, like the Guebres, of Persia, and reverence fire. They will not, for instance, extinguish a candle, nor fire. They celebrate several festivals in the course of the year. Their high-priest, on those occasions, carries about an image of an eagle, to which the people reverently bow. They have, at their temple, two fonts for baptism, one within the building and the other without. In the latter, the infant is immersed; and in the former, the child or youth of twelve or fourteen years. The religious capital, or place of pilgrimage, of the Yezedees, is Sheikh Aadee, about fifteen or twenty miles north-east of Elkoosh.

The Yezedees possess the same mild, inoffensive and industrious character as the Guebres in Persia, and they are said to be very cleanly, for Orientals, in their persons. They say of the devil, that he is great, and therefore to be feared; and that it is well for them to reverence him, that they may not be injured by his displeasure. They are very reluctant to make known their religious tenets, or forms of worship.

Micah called on us again after he had finished his daily task of cutting stone. We proposed to him to accompany us in returning the call of the Jacobite bishop, to which he assented, and added, "there is a woman in the house of the bishop, the grand-mother of my wife, who greatly rejoices in your coming here. I have often spoken to her the words of Jesus Christ, and she appears to be the best Christian there is among the women of Mosul." The bishop, Behnâm, received us very kindly, and expressed a strong desire that an American missionary might be sent among his people; but he added, that "the missionary must not at first expect to preach in the churches; that the people would not allow that; but he might open schools, converse with individuals, &c., and he (the bishop) 16. We crossed the Tigris and viswould himself preach publicly, from the ited the ruins supposed to mark the site Scriptures, whatever the missionary of Nineveh. These ruins are just oppomight wish him to preach." Such was the outline of Metran Behnâm's missionary plan. This bishop evidently has a great respect for Micah, making him his confident and counselor in all important business.

The religious interest at Mosul seems to be mostly limited to the Jacobites. Though there is great dissatisfaction with papacy among the Nestorian papists, it is perhaps more a disposition for controversy than love for the truth, except in the case of a few individuals. The case of the monks, who have left the monastery of Rabban Hermas, is extremely interesting.

Ruins of Nineveh.

site Mosul, about three-fourths of a mile distant from the river, the intervening space being low alluvial, but little higher than the stream. This alluvial space may probably have been formed since the period of Nineveh, and the Tigris may have passed very near the ancient city, as it now washes the walls of the modern Mosul.

The ruins consist of ridges, like old walls, inclosing an area perhaps four miles long and about two miles broad. The inclosed area is mostly a level, cultivated space. On the western bound of this area, and about in the middle, longitudinally, is a regularly shaped

Ruins of Nimrood.

18. We visited the ruins of Nim

mound, of quadrangular form, perhaps now going to make disturbance at fifty feet high and as many rods square, Mosul." and nearly level on the top. This mound has a bold, regular, external appearance, naturally suggesting the idea of a castle and inclosed palaces. From the top of rood. Hiring five post horses, for Mr. this mound, excavations are now prose-Stocking, myself, Micah, Mar Yohannan cuted for ancient remains, and with most and the Surijee, we started early, intendinteresting results. Only a few men are at present employed there, by Mr. and nied us, to afford us opportunity of coning to return to-day. Micah accompaMrs. Rassam, Mr. Layard, who is devo-versation with him on the road in regard ted to this enterprise, being absent on a to the religious state of things at Mosul. visit to England. We examined those Nimrood is eighteen miles from Mosul, Tigris. On the way we passed but three directly down the eastern bank of the villages, which are small and very indifferent in appearance. They are inhabited by Arabs, and we passed several large road. The great plain below Mosul is encampments of nomade Arabs on the but sparsely inhabited, and the population is said to be decreasing. The country is level, and was now extensively clothed with rich fields of wheat, alive with the joyous harvesters, many of whom were the nomade Arabs.

excavations with astonishment and rare

entertainment. Descending by an earthy stair-case, formed by the excavators, some twenty or thirty feet, and then passing horizontally under ground, we were suddenly ushered into ancient marble palaces, the walls all beautifully sculptured. We were filled with inexpressible wonder and delight, by what our eyes so unexpectedly beheld. Rod after rod, in the same great halls, we passed along by slabs of marble, nicely fitted together, each slab about six feet high and eight feet long, and seven or eight inches thick, all exquisitely carved with spirited representations of various scenes of scenes of the chase, of battle scenes-the warriors armed with spears, bows and arrows, slings, and swords, and the victors often holding two decapitated heads in one hand, one by the beard and the other by the tuft on the skull, and brandishing a weapon in the other hand. There were forts besieged. There were trains of camels, horses and mules. In many cases there were rivers flowing near the base of the halls, beneath the actors, the streams being filled with sporting fish. There were also rural scenes; peasants on the road, carrying sacks of provisions on their backs, &c. The palm tree, richly clothed with foliage, was also a common object represented. Several slabs were inscribed with the cuniform character.

On their way they passed some swells, "consisting, to no small extent, of the most beautiful alabaster." In the vicinity of these ledges there are sulphur springs. Coming in sight of the ruins of Nimrood, Mr. Perkins says:

The most conspicuous object was a lofty conical mound, at least seventy feet high, which overlooks the other shapeless masses, and is a very striking object at a distance. The Tigris runs at least two miles from the mounds; but the interval is low alluvial soil, having every appearance of comparatively recent formation; and there is hardly a doubt that the river flowed under the walls of the ancient city, as I have supposed in the case of Nineveh, opposite Mosul.

We ascended the ruins by a foot-path, a few rods south of the high cone I have mentioned, being attracted to that spot by the appearance of excavations; and what was our astonishment to be sud

Several pages of the journal, mostly relating to these ruins and others in the vicinity, are omit-denly introduced to ancient halls, the walls lined with magnificent marble slabs most skillfully carved, and as fresh,

ted here.

17. We are informed that the French bright and perfect, as though they had Lazarists in Oroomiah sent messenbut yesterday felt the chisel of the ar

gers to Mosul just after we left tist. home, with letters to announce to the After briefly mentioning some of the many inpapists here our intended visit, and warnteresting objects seen among the ruins, the journal proceeds:

them to beware of us as deceivers. One of their messengers crossed the Tigris in the same boat with ourselves. "The Feeling my incompetence to record Americans," they wrote, "have broken my impressions, as I took up my pen, friendship with Mar Shimon, and are after my return at evening, and my eye

falling at the moment on a scrap from an | saw them, she doted upon them, and sent English traveler, who had surveyed the messengers unto them, into Chaldea." same scenes, I inserted that scrap among Ezekiel xxiii. 14-16.

my notes, and will copy it in this connecTo those who feel an interest in becoming action as a more truthful picture than I can sketch. The traveler reached Nimrood quainted with the ruins of Nineveh, Mr. Perkins at twilight. He descended to the dis- recommends the recently published book of Mr. turbed palace in the evening and passed Layard. Leaving Nimrood, the party returned through a labyrinth of halls, chambers to Mosul.

good repair, inclose a large space of open land, at the north end of the town, and even small fields of wheat and barley. The country without the walls is open and delightful.

and galleries with bas-reliefs, painted The walls of Mosul, which are in flowers and inscriptions covering the walls. He saw these walls covered with gorgeous phantoms of the past, depicted still in the oriental pomp of their richly embroidered robes, still at their audiences, battles, sieges, and lion hunts, Deacon Ereemiah (Jeremiah), one of as when they were mighty hunters, war- the evangelical individuals who have left riors and statesmen, before the Lord. the papal monastery of Rabban Hermas, He saw the portly forms of kings and has strongly importuned us to allow him viziers, so life-like, and carved in such to accompany us to Oroomiah. As he is fine relief, that he could almost imagine an excellent scholar, in Arabic and Sythem stepping from the walls, to question riac, and may thus be useful to us as a the rash intruder on their privacy. Minteacher, immediately, and afterward we gled with them, also, were other mon- trust, as a preacher in this region, we strous shapes, the Assyrian deities of have concluded to take him with us. old, with human bodies, long drooping He married about three months ago. wings, and the heads and beaks of eagles; and he saw, still faithfully guarding the portals of halls, deserted and empty for more than three thousand years, the colossal forms of winged lions and bulls, with gigantic human faces.' "All these figures," he exclaimed, "the idols of a religion long since dead and buried like themselves, seemed actually, in the twilight, to be raising their deserted heads from the sleep of centuries."

The ruins at Nimrood are spoken of as more extensive than those opposite Mosul, but lower, with the exception of the high cone. The marble blocks and slabs are much the largest at Nimrood, as are also the engravings and statues. "There must," says Mr. Perkins, "in those early times, have been perfect artists, and they must have had ample machinery. There is nothing new under the sun.' We hear of the modern invention of glass, but even this is found in the ruins of Nineveh."

His wife and her father and mother have ceased to attend the papal church, and are among those who are seeking for the reside in the village of Ankava, near of salvation. His own friends, who Arbeela, are ready to disinherit him for his apostacy from Romanism.

way

tion of Mr. and Mrs. Rassam, they 20. I preached in English by invitaand Mr. Stocking composing the congregation. We were however, I trust, enough to inherit the promise, that where Christ's name, he is in the midst of them. two or three are gathered together in The room in which we held our meeting is the same in which the first papal service was ever held in Mosul, by the Jesuits, about eighty years ago. The house is owned by the relatives of Mr. Rassam, whose ancestors were among the first converts to papacy, in this city.

The remaining portion of the journal which is given here, will be read with much interest by all who love to watch the developments of God's providence and the workings of his Spirit, as they prepare the way for missionary effort, and invite the church onward in the work of giving the gospel to the world.

The reference in Ezekiel to "the images of the Chaldeans," naturally occurred to us, as we stood among the sculptured palaces of Nimrood, and especially, as some of the engravings are painted. "For when she saw portrayed upon the wall, the images of the ChalPreaching of the Jacobite Bishop. deans, portrayed with vermilion, girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding Metran Behnâm, though probably not in dyed attire upon their heads, all of a pious man, is much enlightened, and them princes to look to, after the manner is disposed to preach the gospel from of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land some motives, we have reason to appreof their nativity; and as soon as she hend, not always the most pure. His

sermons are said to consist almost en- | be sent among them, telling us that we tirely of quotations from the word of must not leave them alone, and allow the God. Micah assists him in the prepara- good seed sown here by Mr. Laurie, and tion of his sermons. The bishop names now springing up, to be lost. They said his text, and then illustrates it by very that they were in the condition of the numerous quotations from different parts Samaritans, when visited by Philip; they of the Bible, selected by the aid of Mi- had heard the word and believed, but cah's English concordance, Micah, by had not yet received the Holy Ghost. I dint of great effort alone, having become trust, however, that the Holy Spirit has able to read and speak English very a dwelling in some of their hearts. well. The people marvel at the extent "These," said Micah, "are all Jacoband profoundness of their bishop's theo-ites;" and he added, "there are many logical lore. Mrs. Rassam states, that persons interested also among the Papersons often come to the consul's pists, who, if a missionary were stationed house, after meeting, and say, "We here, might be quickly gathered into a have had a most splendid sermon. Our congregation, even to the number of fifty bishop quoted full two hundred passages or sixty." of Scripture," &c. Happily, the bishop's hearers retain many of those passages of the Word of God in their memories; and though such preaching may not be just what we could desire, and may be prompted to some extent, on the part of the preacher, by ambition to display his superior knowledge, still it is far better than the traditions of men, so commonly retailed, in the oriental churches, instead of the words of salvation; and we may rejoice that the truth of God is preached, even thus imperfectly, in this dark city. It may prove a John the Baptist, the forerunner of the bright light of an opening day.

Desire of the People to hear the Gospel.

To us, this season was very refreshing and delightful. We could not resist the belief, from the affecting scene before us, that God has verily commenced a great work among this people. They need a missionary with them. Micah is an able and excellent man-one of the most competent missionary helpers that I have seen; but he and others there need a missionary to counsel and guide them; and seldom has a missionary, in any field, entered upon his work under auspices so encouraging as exist at Mosul at this time.

In the evening, Mr. Stocking held another meeting at the house of priest Mehiel, where the brethren often meet for studying the Scriptures. More than forty men were present. All were very At eleven o'clock, A. M., we and our attentive to the word preached. Many Nestorian companions repaired to the of these persons are heads of families, house of Micah, according to previous and their wives and children are thus appointment, to hold a meeting. About under an influence that we may hope twenty Jacobites, all adult men, and ap- will lead them also to a knowledge of parently quite intelligent, soon assembled. the truth. Indeed not a few of them Micah opened the meeting with prayer, are already inquiring. And, numbering in Arabic. Deacon Tamo then delivered the women and children thus favorably a short sermon from Acts iv. 12, "Neith- inclined with the men whom we met, there er is there salvation in any other; for may be, in Mr. Rassam's opinion and our there is none other name under heaven, own, a hundred persons now in Mosul, given among men, whereby we must be who are more or less interested and desaved." Deacon Tamo spoke in the an-sirous to know the way of salvation. cient Syriac, and Micah interpreted into Our Nestorian companions are very Arabic. Deacon Isaac followed with deeply interested in the state of things some most pertinent and excellent re- in this field. They as well as ourselves, marks on the same subject; and Mr. have from day to day, during our visit Stocking, Mar Yohannan, and myself followed him. Our meeting was thus protracted to two hours or more, but the audience, so far from betraying any symptoms of weariness, were very eager to hear to the last, declaring that every word was as a fresh morsel of honey to them. Truly they are hungering for the word of life. They expressed a most earnest desire for a missionary to

here, held more or less religious conversation with individuals, in addition to the meetings which we have attended; and the result on their minds, as well as our own, is, that the set time to favor Zion here has come.

It seems very obvious that this open door should be entered by Protestant missionaries without delay.