question, by asking if there were not other useful objects to be attained by study, and seclusion, and celibacy: we pressed upon him, that St. Paul gives no other reasons for the expediency of the state of celibacy, than that it gives more freedom from worldly distraction, and thus affords more leisure for the active Service of God; and now," in what way," we asked, "do these Convents promote the active service of God? Do the Priests here preach the Gospel, at the hazard of their lives? Is it to this, that their Young Men are trained? Does their unmarried state, which would give them an opportunity of more easily escaping if their life were sought for, encourage them to stand out boldly on behalf of the Gospel? What, for example, is the state of the Convents in Mount Lebanon? What converts are they in the habit of making among the Mahomedans?" "Are You, then, he asked," "come to preach to the Mahomedans?" I replied, "I will go with you, and preach to them:" but from this answer he manifestly drew back. He asked what ground we had for supposing that all countries would become Christian-expressing it as his opinion, that the promises of Sacred Scripture do not go to prove that all the world will be Christian, but that there will be some Christians in all countries; a sufficient number to stand as witnesses of the truth, and examples to their Heathen or Mahomedan Neighbours. "Is there, then," I asked, "a sufficient number of Converts to Christianity in Mount Lebanon and Syria?" To this he principally answered, that he thought the call to preach the Gospel applied fully to Pagan Nations; but that, in these countries, nothing could be done without

Protection-that the moment any one should begin to preach generally, out of the line which he was known to occupy, he would be put down by the Government. Here he, at once, came to their magnum gravamen. We dwelt on the obstacles opposed to the first entrance of Christianity, and its triumphant success in spite of them; endeavouring to shew how much we all need the revival of the faith and zeal of the primitive times. The expression was used by me, incidentally, that they needed New Opinions-at which they started: I immediately explained, pointing to a Bible on the shelf, that that Book contained all my opinions; and that what I meant to express, was, NEW FEELING of the opinions there laid down for Christians. Mr. Fisk emphatically added, " A NEW HEART!"

The two Priests, in conclusion, asked me, whether there were many in England who thought on this subject as I had expressed myself. Remembering the scenes which I had witnessed at the Anniversaries of the different Religious Societies in May 1821, I ventured to say, that we have both Bishops and Noblemen, as well as many others of the Nation, who earnestly desire to see the preaching of the pure Gospel in the Turkish Empire. I am not sure that his question was not intended to elicit a feeling of sympathy for their political circumstances. I limited my answer to the religious view of the question.

They, likewise, inquired whether our Religious Societies would encourage their Young Men in their studies, and give them help if they went to England. To this, considering the sense in which the question was put, I did not give any very encouraging reply,

Indeed I am more than ever convinced, that, although it would be less gratifying to our feelings to teach them in their own native soil, than to invite them to ours; yet more good incomparably will be done, by one faithful Missionary's going among them, than by a plan for receiving twenty or any number of them among ourselves, Should any of them visit England, mere courtesy will lead them to accommodate themselves, as far as possible, to our habits but, should they change their manners in their own land, the change may be more fairly set down to the account of real conversion of heart. And is not this change more likely to be effected by the example and instructions of one pious and zealous man stationed among them, than by their viewing us "en masse," and acquiring what at best might be only a general good impression in favour of our national character?

RETURN TO ANTOURA.

At the close of this conversation we prepared to depart. The first part of our ride was as hot as it had been in the morning; but, during the latter part of it, we enjoyed the coolness of evening, and the descent of the dew after sun-set upon the fragrant herbs-the smell of Lebanon (Canticles iv. 11.) It is not, indeed, very easy to converse in these single parties, where one follows another: but, although conversation cannot thus be rapid, or among several persons at once, yet when it is between two individuals it assumes a much more meditative cast. In this manner, wearied with the day, but refreshed by the last half-hour, we reached Antoura.

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 1823 — The early part of the morning was engaged in preparing finally to quit Antoura, where I had been so kindly welcomed by Mr. Lewis; and where, with the rest of the Missionary Brethren, I had unexpectedly derived, from our united prayers and conversations, a greater measure of spiritual edification, than, in my former solitary travels, I had ever had the opportunity to enjoy. After we had breakfasted, the Latin Friar of Hareesa, Padre Carlo, came in from Beirout: to him I gave an Italian Testament. The number of rooms in his Convent he states at thirty, now occupied by himself alone.

CONVENT OF MAR MICHAEL.

On quitting Antoura, I proceeded to the Convent of Mar Michael, about three-quarters-of an-hour distant; where dwells Ignatius, the Catholic-Greek Patriarch. He is a very infirm old man, blind and bed-ridden. About fifteen or twenty Priests are in the Convent; and, at a small room near the entrance, is a School, where I noted about fifteen boys noisily saying their lessons to the Master. The Service of these Greek Catholics is chiefly in Arabic; with a few Doxologies in Greek. They call themselves Melchites. The aspect of this establishment was very far from comfortable or clean; and the Ecclesiastics whom we saw had a very indolent appearance.

RETURN TO BEIROUT.

I reached Beirout in the afternoon. Here I found Mr. King, and learned that Mr. Wolff had set off for Damascus.

Wednesday, Oct. 22-This afternoon Mr. Fisk arrived from Antoura. We remained in Beirout a week during which many copies of the Sacred Scriptures were sold, while we also made our ar rangements for departing for Jerusalem; Mr. Fisk having kindly consented to be my companion on this journey.

Saturday, Oct. 25-This evening Mr. Lewis also arrived from Antoura, with the intention of making a tour of some length to Damascus, and from thence to Jerusalem. I had, also, this evening an interview with the Greek Procurator, who acts for the Greek Bishop of Beirout, of the Orthodox Oriental Church. We wished to sell the Greek Sacred Scriptures to him; but he complains of the great distresses which have fallen upon his nation since the Revolution. The Bishop has retired from the city to the mountains: the people are scattered; and are in continual alarm.

The Procurator reads Ancient Greek very well: his Uncle was a Greek Bishop; and, perceiving in him a turn for study, educated him. How many of this people are now continually being sacrificed

-men who have made a far greater progress, than any others of the East, in useful knowledge!-men truly distinguished for having blended commercial and literary enterprise! Were THEY to be exterminated, the Levant would be thrown back some ages into barbarism, and the instrumentality of learning in the propagation of Christianity nearly lost. And yet if the sword has a charge against these countries, to destroy the accumulated errors and superstitions of so many ages-corruptions which seem likely to yield to no other dicipline-it