however, was repeatedly interrupted by a report of some victory gained, or some outrage committed, by the Greeks. My own situation is such, that I entertain very little apprehension as to my personal safety. Yet scarcely a week has passed, for eight months, in which I have not witnessed, or heard of events of the most revolting and distressing kind. The occurrences of this year have made the most horrid things recorded in ancient history seem familiar, seem like facts; and not like the imaginations of a tragic muse. These exhibitions of lust, of cold blooded cruelty, furnish dreadful testimony of the corruption of human nature. O that from these impressive and instructive lessons, I may learn practical wisdom. After some suggestions, as to the effect of the disturbances in that country on the present operations of the mission, Mr. F. proceeds: Be the result of the war, however, what it may, I entertain very little apprehension, that it will be seriously unfavorable to our cause; and possibly it may open a wide door, for the circulation of the Scriptures, the establishment of schools, and the diffusion of evangelical truth. Our general plans should be laid, not with a view to present occurrences merely, but principally with reference to the general state of the country. Under date of Nov. 27th, Mr. Fisk thus notices the sickness of Mr. Parsons, concerning which we barely hinted in our last number:-"It is now a month, since I received a letter from brother Parsons, giving me the painful intelligence, that he had been dangerously sick; but thanks to a kind Providence, the same letter informed me, that he had nearly recovered his health. Had I known of his sickness sooner, I should, if possible, have gone to him; for I fear he suffered much from the want of proper attentions. He was sick, nigh unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not on him only, but on me also." which was said to me, or of any thing which was administered for my recovery. My mind was greatly confused, and for some days remained in a state of the most distressing derangement. Three physicians visited me every day, and the result of one of their consultations was, that my life must terminate within 24 hours. About the first of Oct the fever abated, and I awoke as from a long dream. It was not the dream of death. I opened my eyes, but it was not in eternity. The solemn moment of exchanging worlds, had not arrived. I yet tabernacle in the flesh;and if it may be to contribute a little for the promotion of the Gospel among the heathen; if it may be for the everlasting happiness of one sinner; what occasion shall I have to rejoice! For a month past I have been gaining strength, though, in consequence of frequent colds, I am still confined to my room. Dear Sir, Woahoo, July 7, 1821. I have often allowed myself the pleasure of writing you, and have indulged the utmost freedom on a variety of subjects; and I am persuaded that you will excuse it, if I give you a brief account of the visit of the Russians to this place. On the 2nd of April, two ships of discovery entered this port, the "Otkutic," Commodore Vaseclieff, Lieut. Avenoff, Zelinoie, and Boyle; and the "Blagenamerennoy," Capt. Schishmareff, and Lieut. Lazareff. They sailed from St. Petersburg in 1819, where their Emperor went on board, examined their preparations, wished them success, and took an affectionate leave of them. They touched at the Cape of Good Hope, Port Jackson, Kamtschatka, Hatzebuis Sound, Norfolk Sound, California, and came thence to the Sandwich Islands. April 4. The Russian officers came on shore and were introduced to the king. But as he had no place on shore, where he could politely ask them to sit down, or give them comfortable seats, he took them to the elegant dining-room of the Cleopatra's Barge, where they were well accommodated, and politely served with a glass of wine, when they rose, and drank to his Majesty's health. They were welcomed -on board, also, with a salute of 8 or 10 guns. When they had made known their business, obtained permission to receive supplies, to make astronomical surveys, to survey the harbor and examine the country; I had the pleasure of conducting them to the missionary establishment, and of introducing them to the brethren and sisters of the mission family. We were all happy to see so many of the subjects of Alexander at our house, as friends and neighbors. They were generally dressed in the uniform of their Navy officers, with their side arms girded on. A priest of the Greek Church, 73 years old, in a large black cloak, having a cross suspended from his neck; two physicians, a naturalist, and an astronomer, attended the Commodore. Two of the gentlemen, (Lieutenants) speak English with some facility; some speak Latin, some Spanish, and all Russian. The Commodore inquired with interest, whether we were supported by the American Government; how long we had been here; and how long we intended to stay. He appeared satisfied with our answers, pleased with our enterprise, and said all nations would approve of it. 6. According to previous request, they visited our school, and favored us with their company at tea. They appeared to be pleased with the state of the school, and with the improvement of the pupils, the marks of genius they exhibited, and with our general prospects. The Commodore spoke of the superiority of our system over the Catholics at California, as we were attempting to promote learning, as well as Christianity. The papists there, he says, make slaves of those, whom they attempt to proselyte. 8. We had divine service at our house, preaching from the text, "We glory in tribulations also," followed by MeltonMowbrey*. One of the Russian officers, who was present, finding that Mrs. B. was unwell, kindly offered to bring one of their physicians; who soon came and gave his advice. We notice the kind providence, * A favorite piece of music. which sends us such seasonable advice; and would acknowledge the blessing attending it. 9. The king and queen dined on board the Commodore's ship, sleeping an hour before dinner in the cabin. As I had gone on board to obtain the medicine prepared for Mrs. B. I was requested to dine, and to ask a blessing at table. The Commodore said to the king, "We acknowledge God as the giver of our food." We hope the interview enjoyed by the king, with these gentlemen, will be useful to him. 12. The family dined on board the Commodore's ship, agreeably to a polite invitation previously given;-and received much kind attention. They were shown many interesting curiosities, collected from different tribes and nations; as well as the accommodations of the ship. Beside the Russian seamen, we were gratified to see two Kamtschadales, and one Siberian, who were said to have become excellent sailors, with little practice. 14. We were invited on board the other ship. Both ships are well fitted out for the purposes of discovery. All the sea Captains, in port, dined to day,-a sumptuous dinner of 8 or 10 courses;-one dish of soup put up in London 1819; also milk put up at the same time and place, and preserved good, for coffee. These were curiosities. They enlivened the natives for several successive evenings with the exhibition of fireworks. 16. At their request, I gave the Commodore a written communication, respecting the state of this nation, and committed to his care a letter addressed to the Governor of Kamtschatka, and, with their approbation, a copy of the Memoirs of Obookiab, for Prince Galitzin. They sailed on the 18th. From what we have seen of these gentlemen, they appear to be well educated; attached to the Emperor, whose full length portrait accompanies them wherever they go. They appear exceedingly happy in each other's society, fond of cheerful conversation, and kindly disposed toward all men, especially to us, the American Missionaries. We hope this enterprise of discovery will be the means of promoting science and civilization, facilitating commerce, and other arts of peace; and of hastening the general diffusion of the Gospel. We shall rejoice in the reign of Alexander, the patron of benevolent institutions, while his influence favors the increase of Evangelical light, and the enjoyment of universal liberty and peace. I am, Dear Sir, truly yours, Do. of a small miss. field, Deerfield, Ms. First par. Miss. So. by Mr. G. Wells, Sec'y. De-kalb, N. Y. Mon. con. by the Rev. T. Kerman, Dracut, Ms. First par. Mon. con. by the Rev. J. Merrill, Durham, Ct. A coll. by Dea. T. Stone for hea. sch. at Bombay and Ceylon, A coll. by the Rev. Mr. Bird, A lady, for the For, Miss. sch. Durham, N. Y. Fem. Cent So. by the Rev. S. Williston, Dea. B. Chapman, Thos. Gray, a child, Char. box kept by Mabel Baldwin, An old friend of missions, 9 94 50 00 36 70 Longmeadow, Ms. Fem. Benev. Soc. by Miss L. Booth, 40 00 5 00 3.00 50 Avails of miss. fields, by W. Woodworth, 40 00 5 00 East Genoa, N. Y. Mon. con. by the Rev. S. Parker, Mon. con. by the Rev. G. Burt, Lyme, Ct. Fem. Mis. So. by Mrs. M. Green, Tr. man, I. Sering, N. B. Palmer, a friend, I Sheets, W. H. Lodge, T. Brandt, $1 each, by Mr. Goodell, 7 00 Other individuals, Marblehead, Ms. The So. in the Rev. 5 46 5 32 8 27 Fairfield, Ct. Ladies' For. Mis. So. by Farmington, Ct. A coll. in the first chh. after the first communion in the year, by Dea. E. Porter, A friend of missions, Fitchburg, Ms. A young man, the avails of a small piece of ground, Small chil. in Miss Lincoln's school, for hea. children, Fitzwilliam, N. H. Individuals, by the Rev. J. Sabin, for Indian missions, Frankfort, Ky. Cent Soc. by E. J. Humphrey, 1st ann. payt. for a child to be named ELI SMITH, Hadley, Ms. Avails of miss. fields, by Dr. W. Porter, Mr. W. K. Talbot, Hanover, N. H. A thank-offering from 150 00 1.00 a mother, by the Rev. J. H. Church, 5 00 Hanover, Indiana. J. McClane, by Mr. Goodell, 1 10 2.00 13 00 Hardwick, Ms. Mon. con. by the Rev. So. by A. P. for NATHAN STRONG, 20 00 Do. for general purposes, 5 00 Hatfield and Whately, Ms. Coll. at a prayer meeting, by J. Guild, thro' the Hamp. Chris. Depos. Hingham, Ms. Avails of a small piece of potatoe ground, Holden, Ms. Mon.con. by E. Davis, Esq. 12 00 Hornellsville, N. Y. Judge Hurlbut, by Other individuals, Middleborough, Ms. A friend of miss. by the Rev. A. Bingham, Middlebury, Vt. A friend of miss. a mite offering, by Dr. Hooker, Middletown, Ct. A coll. in the Rev. Mr. C.'s cong. by the Rev. I. Bird, Montreal, L. C. A miss. box kept by Mrs. E. Lyman, Morristown, N. J. Mrs. Alden andMiss Woodruff, by the Rev. Dr. Richards, Murfreesborough, W. Ten. Dea. W. Beard, Another gentleman, 10 00 30 00 2.00 50 66 25 3 00 10 00 5.00 5 00 Nashville, Ten. Several persons, at the Fem. Juv. Mite So. for a hea. youth in India, to be named SAMUEL MERWIN, 1 63 65 80 3.00 New Haven, Ct. A lady, by T. Dwight, Esq. 5 00 1 31 1.69 20 00 New Haven, N. Y. Mon. con. by the 3 00 12.00 Kingsborough, N.Y. Mon. con. for Jan. and Feb. by Dea S. Giles, Tr. Lenox, Ms. Avails of miss. fields, cloth, &c. by J. V. Robbins, Esq. Miss Maria Robbins, -10 00 129 CO 5.00 Northampton, Ms. School children, by Mr. Doaty, thro' the Hamp. Chris. Depos. Julius Phelps, avails of a small miss. field, 42 2.05 10 00 3.00 5 00 18 26 1 50 50 10 00 68 07 Northford, Ct. A friend of miss. avails of a small piece of land, Norwich, Ct. Mrs. Hannah Lathrop, an ann. paymt. by S. Hubbard, Esq. Orange, N. J. A coll. in the cong. by the Rev. Dr. Hillyer, for the miss. at Mayhew, Pelham, N. H. By the Rev. J. H. Church, for STEPHEN CHURCH, in Ceylon, A member of the church, Philadelphia, Pa. John D. Little, by Dr. Butler, Pittsfield, Ms. Mou. con. by the Rev. H. Humphrey, Plainfield, Ms. Washington So. by Mr. D. Whitton, thro' the Hamp. Chr. Depos. Portsmouth, N. H. Enclosed in an anonymous letter, Princeton, N. J. M. for Ind. miss. Randolph, Vt. Fem. Cent Se. by Mariam Edson, Sec. Remsen, N. J. H. Ferry, Esq. Rockbridge, Ky, John A. Douglas, bal ance of a remittance for the Herald, Roxbury, Ms. A friend of missions, Salem, Ms. Mon. con. at the south meeting house, after Mr. Bardwell's miss. sermon, Salisbury, Vt. Mr. Joseph Cheny, by Mr. J. P. Haven, Shutesbury, Ms. Mr. Asa Adams, by Mr. W. K. Talbot, Do. and three "Views of Missions," Southbridge, Ms. Mon. con. by the Rev. J. Park, A Theo. student, 4 37 5 00 Springfield, Ms. C. R. H. the avails of her industry, for the Pal. miss. Stockholm, N.Y. Rev. Moses Parmelee, Mr. Preston Tambling, 4.00 1 00 1.00 Sumner, Me. Individuals, for the Cher. miss. by S. Barrett, jun. Esq. Taunton, Ms. Fem. Benev. So. for ALVAN COBB, at Brainerd, by Mrs. M. Cobb, Tr. Townsend, Ms. A friend of miss. Trumbull, Ct. A coll. by the Rev. I. Bird, Utica, N. Y. Mrs. Susanna Williams, by A. Seward, Esq. for the Brainerd mission, Dr. James Tilton, 30 00 1.00 8.50 7 26 Mrs. Elizabeth Robinson, Newport, Del. 4.00 30 00 Ladies, for BETHUEL DODD,in Ceylon, 12 00 A Seward, Esq. for SALLY ABBOT, in Mr. Loomis's family, Thos. W. Seward, various savings, for the Sand. Isl. mis. 35 00 4 00 Fem. Benev. So. for Wм. HILL at Wareham, Ms. Two mite boxes, kept by Messrs. Prince Ruggles, and A branch of the Hea. Friend So. for I. Baldwin, E. Harris, D. Wood, and |