heard. Notwithstanding the indiffer- | there is no prospect of any missionaence of the A'sá mese, they are not a ries being sent out for Lower A'sám, stupid people, and could we communi- capt. Jenkins has applied for an Episcate the truth to them in a full and copal chaplain, and Episcopal missionintelligible manner, I have no doubt it aries will probably follow. would produce its effect. Another tract translated. April 3. The translation of Matthew has been suspended for the last two or three weeks, in order to prepare a tract entitled the True Refuge, first published in Bengali, and afterwards in A'samese by the Serampore missionaries. At first we intended to publish it with little alteration, but on examination I found it to be so incorrect, that I was obliged to refer to the original Bengali, and translate a great part of it anew. In the A'samese copy the meaning had in many places been changed so as to express the very opposite of what was intended; several of the arguments were so altered as to lose their force, and in one place no less than three pages were left out altogether. This is a very important tract; it is written in the form of a dialogue between an old and young man, and contains an account of all the Hindu methods of salvation, with a brief notice of their gods, showing that all their works were unholy. It then gives an account of Christ, and the means of salvation by him. 4. Sunday. Read the first part of the new tract to a congregation of twenty or thirty people. They appeared much interested, and declared that all the statements respecting their gods were true, according to the shasters, but manifested surprise that the foreigners should have found out all these things. 11. To-day br. Bronson arrived from Sibsagor, where he has been for several weeks under the care of Dr. Furnell. His late fever has very much reduced him, and will prevent his going amongst the Nágas, at least for the present season. More tracts translated-Tracts distributed. 16. Have at length completed the translation of the Deluge into Shyan, which, with the History of the Creation, will make two convenient tracts for distribution. Had a long talk today with several A'samese, amongst whom the principal disputers were my interpreter, who is a Brahmin, and an old Sadiya acquaintance, who sometime since lost his wife and four or five children by cholera. This old man's talk was a complete exhibition of the natural enmity of the human heart towards God. He declared that his Maker was the author of all his troubles-that he was cruel and unjust, and that he himself had never done any thing to deserve such a punishment. Endeavored to convince him of the folly of contending with his Maker, but he seemed hardened in his rebellion. May 2. Sabbath. Yesterday br. Cutter finished printing the new tract, True Refuge; to-day we took forty copies and went out amongst the people, where we soon disposed of them, and might have given away many more, were it not that so few of the people can read. The tract appears to excite a good deal of attention, and we hope that its extensive circulation may do much good. Reception of Mr. Judson's revised edition of the Bible-Character of this transla tion. 13. Have reached the 23d chapter of Matthew in A'samese. Received today the new edition of Mr. Judson's Burman Bible. I think this will be found to be the most faithful, correct, and finished version that has ever appeared in any of the eastern dialects. The occupancy of a new station deter- It is the result of many years severe mined upon. labor, and it appears to have been revised in a most thorough manner-the alterations from the former edition are very numerous. In translating I always keep the Burman bible before me, and often find it of great assistance. 14. After mutual consultation it was resolved that a new station be commenced at Sibsagor, and that br. Barker be appointed to that field. There ought to be three or four more missionaries in the same region. The 16. Gave away a few tracts. Found district of Jorhath, in which Sibsagor an old man from Mottok, who said his is situated, is very populous through- son had got some of our tracts, which out, and at Jorhath especially a mis- he read day and night. Since we dissionary is needed immediately. Astributed the True Refuge, we have heard of several discussions among the natives caused by reading it. LETTER FROM MR. The following letter from Mr. Brown has just sagor, Upper A'sám, Sept 8, 1841. come to hand by the overland mail, dated Sib written from Jaipur, I think I informed In my last letter to you, which was you that my health had become so poor that I had concluded to come round here to get the medical advice of Dr. Furnell. Under his prescriptions I soon regained my health, and since then I have concluded, with the advice of the brethren, to remain at this place, it being a better situation for missionary labor, in every respect, than Jaipur-besides which it is found to be a very healthy location, and will always have a regular physician. We passed but very few months at Jaipúr, that some one of our family was not sick. We have been disappointed in our expectations regarding Jaipur -instead of increasing in population it has rather diminished than otherwise, owing in great part to the unhealthiness of the place, which makes the natives averse to settling there, and the sparseness of the population in the immediate neighborhood, makes it a very discouraging situation for missionary labor. Since the company have taken possession of the Jorhath district, which is the most central and populous portion of A'sám, we have been anxious to fix the principal seat of the mission in this quarter-and this place having now become permanently established as the capital (instead of Jorhath, the former capital, which is one day's journey farther south) seems most of all adapted to be the centre of our efforts. Although this station is now but two years old, it is already the largest place either in Upper or Central A'sain-containing probably about 5000 inhabitants-with a highly populous country around it, having twelve or thirteen considerable villages within half a day's ride. A great portion of the population of Jorhath, especially the higher classes, have removed to this place, since its establishment as the capital of the district. commended to him Nogong in prefer ence. Br. Cutter bas, I believe, communicated to you the request of capt. Jenkins that his this year's donation of 500 rs. should be appropriated to defraying the expense of the new press, which br. Cutter has requested for the mission. I think it would be well to have a plate affixed to the press, with the name of the do nor engraved upon it.* We have now daily evening worship at the zayat, at which the natives attend and manifest considerable interest. Br. Barker and myself have distributed a large quantity of tracts among the people. In the cold season we hope to be able to establish weekly meetings for preaching in the adjacent villages. Our greatly esteemed friend Mrs. Hannay, died at Gowahati on the 4th of July last. Her end was peaceful and happy. As a token of remembrance, she requested that her wardrobe should be distributed among the missionary ladies. Capt. Hannay has returned with his surviving child to this place, which is the bead quarters of his regiment. He manifests the same interest in our welfare and the prosperity of the mission that he has ever exhibited. We have also been laid under great obligations to Dr. Furnell, who has most kindly and generously attended us all in sickness. He has been very successful in his treatment of the A'sám jungle fever, and it was from a very dangerous and critical state that brethren Bronson and Cutter were raised to health through his instrumentality. Miscellany. [For the Magazine. THE NESTORIANS. The establishment of a mission by the American Board of Commissioners among the Nestorians of Persia, has awakened in the religious community a deep interest for this ancient people. The attachment they have manifested for their early faith through so many centuries, and their unyielding adherence to it, amidst all their discouraging vicissitudes, have entitled them to no ordinary respect, while their present low and degraded condition has enlisted an effective sympathy for their relief. About the During the eighth and ninth centuries, the Nestorians put forth a renewed effort to extend a knowledge of their faith. In this enterprize they were aided by the Patriarch Timotheus, who was celebrated for his great learning and zeal. year 1000 a new impulse must have been given to the Nestorian churches by the conversion to christianity of a Tartar prince, with his 200,000 subjects. At one time There is a tradition among the Nesto- they had numerous churches in Armenia, rians which refers their conversion to Mesopotamia and Arabia, and were almost christianity, to the preaching of the apostle the exclusive sect of christians in Persia. Thomas; but their name was derived from In Syria and on the island of Cyprus they Nestorius, who was elected bishop of were established, and in the East they Constantinople, A.D. 423. Nestorius was spread throughout the vast regions of Tarsoon deposed for alleged heresies, and tary, and even into China. Schools were finally died in Upper Egypt. His adher- organized in various places, designed howents, however, were not discouraged, and ever, chiefly for their ecclesiastics. though opposed, continued to increase, and in the latter part of the same century claimed to be the dominant christian sect of Persia. The Nestorians enjoyed a censiderable degree of favor under the Persian dominion; but in the year 640 they became subject to the Arabian caliphs, and continued under their rule until 1257. It was during this period that they attained their greatest prosperity, and were most active Under the tolerant reign of Genghis Khan and his immediate successors, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the Nestorians continued to propagate their religion in the East; but on their western border they were violently assailed by the followers of Mohammed. These attacks they could not resist, and were obliged to retire before their fierce assaults; but a more devastating scourge awaited them in the *The press was forwarded in Sept., 1840. 66 sword of Tamerlane, and in 1380 vast | contains about 20,000 inhabitants. We multitudes were cut down by this fell make the following extract in relation to destroyer. Since the sixteenth century the commencement of the mission, from the very little has been known in regard to the History of American Missions." Nestorians. Their present number does not exceed 150,000. They inhabit the mountains of Koordistan and the region of Ooroomiah, situated in the northwest part of Persia. Those east of the mountains are in subjection to the Persians; those on the west are subject to the Turks; while such as dwell among the mountains maintain their independence.* There is a considerable diversity of character among them. The inhabitants of the plains partake, in some degree, of the mildness and suavity of their Persian neighbors; those of the mountains are wild and intractable, and are often engaged in predatory warfare: yet they all possess remarkable traits of kindness and hospitality. The Nestorians have not only been reduced in numbers, but have also become very debased as regards their morality and religion. It is not however to be supposed that in their earlier days they possessed the gospel in its purity, though it was unquestionably free from many of the errors now prevalent among them. Indeed, while they have retained in some measure the form of religion, they have become destitute of its power. At the time the missionary first visited them, the entire scriptures, except the book of Revelation, were in their possession. They numbered, however, but a few copies; and in separate books, which were divided among the people. They were of but little practical utility, and indeed, were as a dead letter to the greater portion of them, not one in a hundred, including ecclesiastics, being able to read. In morals they were lamentably low. Lying was generally practised, and intemperance prevailed to a fearful extent. It is well known, that it is a favorite opinion of Dr. Grant, though much controverted, that the Nestorians are a part of the lost ten tribes." He In October 1835, Rev. Justin Perkins, the first missionary of the American Board to the Nestorians, visited Ooroomiah. was cordially received, and engaged Mar Yohannan, bishop of Galavan, as his teacher in Syriac. It was not till the latter part of the succeeding year that a permanent settlement was effected. In the month of November Mr. Perkins, and Dr. Grant arrived at Ooroomiah with their families. This city is on a beautiful plain, about twelve miles west of a lake of the same name, and two from the mountains, and Reports have just reached us, entitled to some credeuce, that they have fallen a prey to the combined forces of the Koords and Turks. "The surrounding plain is exceedingly fertile, and beautiful, with gardens and groves. Here and on the way the Nestorians received the mission with joy. Mar Yohannan and the priest Abraham had left Mr. Perkins in July, and each of his own accord had opened a school for teaching English in his native village. Some of the boys could already read parts of the English New Testament with ease and accuracy. A few of these boys formed the nucleus of a mission school at Ooroomiah. Here one scholar from (each of) the thirty Nestorian villages was to be boarded and taught gratuitously, at an expense of about twenty dollars a year. The Mohommedans, seeing these preparations for the education of their christian neighbors, resentfully asked, Are we to be passed by?' So strong was their feeling on this subject, that it was thought best for Dr. Grant to spend an hour or two a day in teaching a school for them." Such was the establishment of the mission, and it continued to enjoy uninterrupted prosperity. Dr. Grant was overwhelmed with applicants for medical aid. In October 1836, a brother and an uncle of the king of Persia visited the mission and became acquainted with the school, and the next day, unsolicited, sent a firman, commending the mission, and commanding the governor to protect it from all harm. Subsequently another firman was issued to encourage and protect the missionaries. As some of our readers may be interested in it, we have here inserted it; a due abatement will of course be made for Persian rhetoric. "In the name of God, lofty in exaltation. [Here is the king's seal containing the following inscription.] The Almighty God! Mohammed Shah, the arbiter and master of crown and signet hath come; the light of the realm and of nations, the lustre of laws and religion hath come. In the name of Almighty God! we command to be obeyed by the world: It is this: that the high in station, quick of understanding, the noble, the perfection of intelligence and dignity, and the fulness of exaltation and grandeur, the greatest of christian priests, and the highest of the perfect followers of Jesus, Mr. Perkins, who has labored with inestimable kindness, for the sake of the high and refulgent king of kings, for the purpose of exalting and gratifying, (Mr. P.,) let him know that, in accordance with a representation to his refulgent and fortunate majesty, by his beloved and exalted uncle, Malek Kasem Meerza, that the said " high in station,' in accordance with his calling and inclination, has, in the country of Ooroomiah, established a school, and has been, with the most assiduous care and attention, engaged in the instruction of children and the education of the young and the diffusion of science and knowledge, these are the reasons of the manifestation of the graciousness and favor of the king of kings to the said "high in station," and it is that the abundant graciousness of the king of kings may be displayed to exalt and honor him, that this auspicious command is issued. 66 It is requisite that the said high in station" increase his attention to education and instruction of the young, and with even greater zeal than hitherto, teach them the science of history, geography, geometry, and mathematics; and in the performance of these services, his majesty's graciousness and favor will rest upon him. Written on the 27th day of The king's auspicious seal [The prime minister.] In 1839 Dr. Grant at great hazard visited the independent Nestorians of the mountains, and was every where received with the utmost cordiality; a mission has since been established among them. We make the following extracts from his journal on that visit: First reception. "The only person I had ever seen from this remote tribe was a young Nestorian who came to me about a year ago entirely blind. He said he had never expected to see the light of day till my name had reached his country, and he had been told that I could restore his sight. With wonderful perseverance he had gone from village to village seeking some one to lead him by the hand, till, in the course of five or six weeks, he reached my residence at Ooroomiah, where I removed the cataract from his eyes, and he returned to his mountains seeing. Scarcely had I entered the first village, in his country when this young man, hearing of my approach, came with a smiling countenance, bearing in his hand a present of honey in token of his gratitude for the restoration of his sight, and affording me an introduction to the confidence and affections of his people. I was invited to the residence of the chief man of the village, whose house was built after the common style of the country, of stone laid in mud, with flat terrace roof, having a basement and second story, with two or three apartments in each. We were seated upon the floor in a large upper room," which serves as the guest chamber, and the family room in summer, but is too open to be comfortable in winter. Food was placed before us in a very large wooden bowl, laid upon the skin of a wild goat which was spread upon the carpet with the hair side down, and served as a table and cloth. Bread made of millet baked in the manner of the Virginia hoe-cake, but not so palateable, was laid round the edge of our goat-skin table, and large wooden spoons laid down for each one of the party, eight or tea in number, to help himself out of the common dish, as the people here eat with their fingers less than those of Persia. Whenever the goat-skin was brought forward I noticed that it contained the fragments of bread left at the previous meals, and was told on inquiry that this singular custom was observed in obedience to our Savior's injunction, "Gather up the fragments that nothing be lost," and also, that they might retain the blessing which had been pronounced upon previous repasts, because the service being in the ancient language is only intelligible to the clergy and cannot be properly performed by the laity. The women did not come forward to eat with the men, but instead of receiving what they left, as is very common in the east, a separate portion was reserved for the females, and in all respects they were treated with more consideration and regarded more as companions, than in most Asiatic countries. Till evening they were constantly occupied in their various employments, within or out of the house, and in all respects remarkably exemplified Solomon's description of a virtuous woman, even to their method of spinning, Prov. 31: 19; literally holding her distaff in her hand, while she gives her long wooden spindle a twirl with the other hand and then lays hold of it to wind up her thread, for they use no wheel. She clothes her household in scarlet or striped cloth made of wool and resembling Scotch tartan, of a beautiful and substantial texture. Their attachment to the Scriptures. At Ashetha I became the guest of priest Ouraham, (Abraham,) who is reputed the most learned Nestorian now living. He has spent twenty years of his life in writing and reading books, and has thus done much to supply the waste of it, if not to replenish the Nestorian literature. But even he had not an entire Bible; and though |