number of Nestorians, who are learning our language, about twenty. Our seminary is full, and has never been more flourishing than at the present time. We hope gradually to elevate its character, by securing more permanent attendance on the part of all the scholars, and more system in their studies at least, when, by aid of the press, we shall be able to furnish them with supplies of suitable school-books."

A Mohammedan youth has for some time been under the instruction of the mission; the prince of Aderbaijan allowing him for this purpose an annual stipend of fifty dollars, to meet his expenses.

-The case described in the following extract from Doct. Grant's journal, may yet prove to have been designed by Providence to exert an important influence in preparing the way for the gospel among the wild mountaineers. It was that of a young Nestorian from Tearee, the principal of the independent tribes.

"What is remarkable, he is the only person I have seen from that distant mountainous region, though we occasionally see individuals from the nearer independent districts. He was totally blind from cataract, and had never expected to see the light of day, till, as he said, my name had reached his country, and he was told that I could restore his sight. With wonderful perseverance he pursued his way from one district to another, travelling unattended and seeking some one to lead him by the hand to the next neighborhood, and then to the next, till, in the course of five or six weeks, he reached this city. He returned seeing, though an affection of the optic nerve prevented his vision from becoming perfect."

A series of extracts from the communications of the missionaries will enable the Board to enter more deeply into the circumstances of the mission.

A descriptive view of Ooroomiah, by Doct. Grant:

"Crossed the Barandoose river and rode about four miles to the ruins of a strong fortification situated on a spur of the Koordish mountains, at the southern extremity of the plain of Ooroomiah. We ascended by a steep and rugged path to the height of two or three hundred feet, and had the plain, in all its luxuriance and beauty, spread out before us in grand perspective, stretching more than forty miles to the north, comprising an area of about five hundred square miles, and bearing upon its bosom no less than three hundred hamlets and villages; while the beautiful lake spread her waves far to the right, and the lofty mountains at our left now reflected the sun's bright rays from their snowy summits, and now frowned with dark clouds, fit emblems of the yet darker minds of this dark land."

Importance of the province as a field of labor, from Mr. Perkins:

"Our field of labor becomes increasingly interesting, as those who are under our immediate influence advance in intelligence and general improvement. Nor is the sphere of our present operations so very contracted as may be supposed. In the ardor of our desire to occupy the hitherto impenetrable mountains, (which is, indeed, an important object, and one that should be

accomplished at the earliest practicable period,) let us not so far overlook the Nestorians of the plain, as to neglect to labor for their salvation. In so doing we may be in danger of dropping the substance, while we essay to grasp the shadow. Grant that the number of Nestorians here may not much exceed twenty thousand. But to this twenty thousand we have unobstructed access; and in how important a relation do they stand to the mountaineers, who come down here in considerable numbers from year to year. Many of them spend their winters in this province, and must feel the influence of any changes that are in progress among the people of the plain; to say nothing of the individual mountaineers, who are at present brought under our immediate influence and instruction, as is the case with priest Dunka, one of our translators, and deacon Yeeshoo, the assistant teacher of our seminary, and some others. And in a scarcely less interesting relation do the Nestorians of this province stand to the Mohammedans of Persia, among whom they dwell, and who cannot fail to behold any reformation in their christian subjects, and be more or less benefitted by it."

Suspicions of the people, from Mr. Perkins:

"To-day we received a reply from the parents of Joseph, through the priest of their village, who is assistant teacher in our boarding-school. The proposition was negatived by the parents, on account of their apprehension that we are training such scholars-those in our families in particular-with the design of sending them to the new world. Similar apprehensions have often been expressed by the timid ignorant Nestorians; and some have occasionally taken their children suddenly from our schools when such rumors have been revived, and restored them again when the rumors have subsided. It is very difficult, in these countries where selfishness is so predominant, to convince people that labors like ours are prompted by disinterested motives. I inquired of priest Abraham to-day whether his people suppose us so dishonest as to be man stealers. The priest artlessly replied, that it is natural for those who are dishonest themselves, which, he said, is the case with many of his people, to think all others so. But their apprehension respecting their children, he said, arose from their ignorance, and the cruel treatment they receive from their Mohammedan masters, who often steal Nestorian children. The priest also stated that the people of his own village and others who know most of us, have ceased to feel such apprehensions, and cherish great confidence in us and our object."

On the same subject, by Mr. Stocking, February 24th:

"The Nestorians, who have come directly or indirectly under the influence of the mission, feel an increased confidence in us and our object. Some, who have been unable to comprehend the benevolent motives which could induce strangers to benefit them, were inclined to uncharitable suspicions as to our object. Others, who considered the essence of nearly all goodness to consist in a strict observance of the fasts, wondered how good designs, and only good, could be the object of those who do not keep their fasts. Such views, at present, if cherished at all, are cherished only by the more ignorant and weak among them. The nature of our work is now distinctly understood and acknowledged to be 'to increase the doctrine of Christ among them,' and that to disorganize their ecclesiastical relations, forms no part of the design of our labors. They therefore feel entire confidence in us and our work."

Mode of urging the truth, from Mr. Perkins:

"We translated the second chapter of the epistle to the Colossians. As we reached the sixteenth verse, 'Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days,' I inquired of priest Dunka how he understood the passage. He replied, that a caution was uttered in this verse against any one's attempting to divert him or his people from their strict observance of their stated fasts, and their exclusive use of vegetable diet on particular days, etc. I requested him to read in connection with it the seventeenth verse: which (the things specified in the sixteenth) are a shadow of things to come, but the body is Christ.' He read it, and promptly said that this passage had reference to Jewish observances, which had passed away, and were now entirely superseded by the gospel. His appearance also plainly told that he knew that the spirit of the passage bore heavily too on the fasts and feasts and other senseless ceremonies of his own church; but he had not the candor to make such an acknowledgment. I did not think it expedient or necessary to urge this application. There is nothing gained, and much may be lost, by openly assailing the religious forms of oriental Christians. It is far better to admonish them of their sins, and preach to them the simple truth; and this truth, if embraced, will not fail to eradicate error. Dr. Chalmers has a sermon entitled 'The expulsive power of a new affection,' from which missionaries in western Asia, may learn important lessons. I, however, improved this occasion, by earnestly urging on priest Dunka the importance of abiding, in all cases, by the Bible, however it might rebuke any of our own prejudices or customs. And both he and priest Abraham acknowledged the justness and great importance of this principle."

Revival of scriptural knowledge, from Mr. Perkins:

"Mar Elias again spent most of the day in my study. I am very happy to have him thus often here, as it affords me a favorable opportunity of instructing and benefitting him. In one or two instances, to-day, I requested his opinion, relative to the translation of passages of the Scriptures; and in reply the old gentleman modestly said that his opinion could be of little use, as his knowledge of the Bible was but very imperfect. Until you came here,' he continued, and brought us Bibles, I had scarcely ever seen the Prophets or the Epistles.' And he and the priests, my translators, in the same connection, remarked that there had been a revival of the knowledge of the Bible among their people since we came among them and commenced our labors. This acknowledgment is, in a measure, true. Most of the Gospels and the Psalms and parts of the Pentateuch, are embodied in their liturgy, in the ancient Syriac ; and the ecclesiastics thus become in a measure familiar with these portions of the Bible; but with the other parts, both ecclesiastics and people, with very few exceptions, were almost as little acquainted as though they had had no existence, before we commenced our mission. We hope and pray that this partial revival of the knowledge of the Bible may prove the precursor of a yet more glorious revival among the Nestorians-that of pure religion in their hearts. We know of no better preparatory work for such a revival, than the diffusion of a knowledge of the word of God. In this momentous work we have made an humble commencement. Our translation is steadily advancing. And we are scattering detached portions of this translation extensively among our schools and among the people, in the form of scripture tracts. We also continue to distribute the Scriptures in the ancient language. And those ecclesiastics who come directly under our influence are improving in their knowledge of the Bible, and their interpretation of it is becoming more and more evangelical; while the same is true, to some extent, of the children and youth in our schools."

Historical notices of the Nestorian patriarchs, by Mr. Perkins:

"A few days since I received a letter from a valued friend, in which he states that he is a little perplexed to ascertain the relation which the two patriarchs, Mar Shimon and Mar Elias, hold to the Nestorians and to each other, etc. As others may be in doubt and feel an interest on the same subject, a brief explanation may be convenient and due to the readers of the Missionary Herald.

Elkoosh was long the seat of the Nestorian patriarch, under the title of Mar Elias. About a century ago, the patriarch and the Nestorians of that region having become Catholics through the efforts of Jesuit missionaries, the orthodox Nestorians (if I may use that term for the sake of distinction) revolted from the catholic see, and created a new patriarchate, which they located in the heart of the Koordish mountains, calling its occupant Mar Shimon. The catholics, at the outset, despising whatever was Nestorian, changed the name of their proselyted patriarch from Elias to Yoosuf (Joseph.) The two patriarchs, the catholic and the orthodox, continued to occupy their respective sees, the former at Elkoosh, and the latter in the Koordish mountains, until, several years ago, the catholic patriarch removed his residence to Bagdad. Soon after his removal, one of his relatives, a talented man, revolted and became an orthodox Nestorian; whom Mar Shimon, on application being made, ordained as a bishop. And very soon afterwards, a council of Nestorian bishops ordained this same man as a Nestorian patriarch, called him Mar Elias, and placed him over their old see at Elkoosh. Their ostensible reason for this measure was the hope, that by making him a patriarch, they might enable him the more effectually to rescue the Nestorians in the vicinity of Elkoosh from the catholic yoke. This was plausible. However, I suspect their real reason was disaffection towards Mar Shimon. The elevation of Mar Elias, as patriarch, could not annihilate the see of Mar Shimon, while the plea of laboring to rescue the Nestorians in the neighborhood of Elkoosh from the catholic yoke, secured for Mar Elias considerable favor. These two patriarchs, in their barbarism and in their want of vital religion, naturally regard each other in the light of rivals; and disregarding the real interest of their church, seek to extend their individual influence and increase the number of their own adherents. When I first came to Ooroomiah, Mar Elias was in the province on a visit; and all but one of the bishops of the province had just attached themselves to his see. He is a very interesting man, for an Asiatic. After he returned to Elkoosh, Mar Shimon, being the nearest, and uttering some threats against the bishops of Ooroomiah for having left his see, all but one of these bishops returned to their old allegiance to him. We, therefore, at present naturally speak of Mar Shimon as our patriarch. Both these patriarchs have, as yet, shown themselves decidedly pleased with our labors among their people.

The ecclesiastical organization, among the Nestorians, is much less firm and efficient than that of the other oriental churches. In this, as well as in some other respects, they may with propriety be called the Protestants of Asia. This is a very interesting circumstance respecting them. It has been the ecclesiastics of the Greeks, the Armenians, and the Catholics, that have fulminated their anathemas and closed the doors of evangelical efforts in various places against our missionaries. But ecclesiastical authority among the Nestorians, should it ever be arrayed against us, being so much more weak and divided, could do comparatively little to interrupt our labors."

Papal interference-from Mr. Perkins :

"Oct. 30. The papal emissaries have just entered this province, apparently with the design of attempting to subject the Nestorians to the dominion of

their master, the pope. The papal hierarch has long been desirous of bringing the whole Syrian church under his withering sway. In the vicinity of Elkoosh, on the western side of the Koordish mountains, the wiles of Jesuit emissaries have succeeded in leading the whole Nestorian population to submit to catholic rule. But in this province and among the mountains, catholic influence has hitherto been very limited. The Nestorians of these regions have nobly resisted, and our hope and prayer is that they may continue to resist, the intrigues and assaults of the man of sin.' We have, however, much reason for apprehension. A protestant missionary recently wrote me from Malta, that it is certainly reported there, that the pope is designing, immediately, to send one hundred catholic missionaries into these eastern countries. Though but a small part of this number may come, the Nestorians will doubtless receive no inconsiderable share of attention. The importance of this field is well understood by papists."

The prospects of a war between England and Persia, during some part of the last year, threw a degree of gloom over the mission. The British ambassador and his suite have always extended the favor of their protection to our brethren, and have shewed them all possible kindness. When that mission retired from the country, the brethren applied for protection to the Russian consul General at Tabreez, who very cheerfully gave them passports, and took other measures so secure their safety.

It having become certain that Doct. Grant's constitution was unsuited to the climate of Ooroomiah, and that he could not live there, the Committee instructed him to commence a station among the Nestorians on the western side of the Koordish mountains, should that be found to be practicable. This was before the death of Mrs. Grant. Mr. Homes, of the mission in Turkey, was to accompany him on the preliminary tour of exploration, and assist him in the preparatory measures until an associate should arrive. An all-wise Providence, in the removal of Mrs. Grant, has rendered the speedy execution of this plan doubtful; and more recent information makes it questionable whether orthodox Nestorians will be found westward of the mountains, among whom a residence will be safe. However, Doct. Grant was at Constantinople in April, in pursuance of his instructions, whence he commenced his tour to Mesopotamia about the first of May, going by way of Trebizond and Erzeroom. Mr. Homes was expecting to follow him in a few days. Whether the object originally proposed be accomplished, or not, a tour over the contemplated route, should the Head of the church be pleased to guard the lives of his servants, must be productive of much valuable information. It was not desired that the brethren should venture among the wild Koordish mountaineers at present.