Bible and read the following verse from Luke 16: 6. "How much owest thou? And he said, one hundred measures of oil. And he said take thy bill and sit down quickly and write fifty." You will perceive that the word oil occurs-but the idea contained in the verse is as far from proving the truth of his assertions, as the East is from the West. The young man rose and took his leave. A mixture of emotions must have been struggling in his breast. It is difficult to imagine whether he was most inclined to laugh or to weep.

Last evening an individual related to us some of the circumstances, in which he had been placed during the years of his ignorance and folly. Among other things he mentioned this, viz: When he was once on a journey with a Vartabed, they took with them some dirt which they pretended was the dust of some saint, and which they said could work miracles. If they met with a person diseased, a small quantity of this dirt was put into water, and then he was made to drink it. When the Vartabed and his companion found, that the dirt in their leathern bag was nearly exhausted, they would gather up more from the road side, and again palm it off upon the poor, superstitious credulous villagers. This simple people had so much confidence in its healing virtues, that they exchanged for this muddy water their best articles of clothing and various other things of value. They went on from day to day, travelling from village to village. The people imagined that

that saint, whose dust they were swallowing, was in heaven and would plead for them in the ear of God, or Christ, or the Virgin Mary, and that it would undoubtedly be availing. Possibly, some cases of cure might have been effected, merely through the influence of hope existing in the mind, though my informant mentioned none.

Yours affectionately.

13

LETTER XVI.

Ecclesiastics.

MY DEAR FRIENDS:

You will, I presume, be interested in learning something respecting the character of the priesthood.

There are three Greek churches in this city. A Greek Bishop resides here a part of the time and a part of it in Moudania, which is a village on the coast of the Sea of Marmora. There are nine or more Greek priests connected with the three different churches.

But I will pass on to the Armenian priesthood. Among the Armenian population, which amounts to 10,000, there is but one church. A Bishop, two Vartabeds (preachers), and sixteen priests are connected with it. There are frequent changes in the Bishopric. The present incumbent has but recently arrived. He is represented as enlightened. He was reputed a Protestant before he came to Broosa. But we perceive that he already begins to manifest some signs of hostility towards those who are endeavoring to advance the cause of light and truth among their countrymen.

One of the Vartabeds has come more in contact with the truth. He will, we trust, exert a happy influence while a resident here. After preaching a few times, on one occasion, he observed to one

of our native brethren that he began to be discouraged, because he saw no fruit resulting from his labors. Our brother very properly replied, that "St. Paul once preached three years in a certain place and 'ceased not to warn every one day and night and with tears.' You have preached only three times, and I have not yet seen one tear in your eye." He appears to be aware of the errors existing in his Church, but has not moral courage enough to come out and take his stand on the Lord's side and combat them. But we earnestly pray that he may speedily be brought into liberty wherewith Christ alone maketh

that free."

Both the Bishop and this Vartabed are interesting themselves in behalf of female education. It is doubtful however, whether their fine theory will ever get into successful operation. Eventually, a train of causes may be put forth which will result in a fine school for that sex.

Bishops are not allowed to marry. The laws of their Church forbid their forming the matrimonial relation. Whereas, you are aware that in 1 Tim. 3: 2, license is given to such to marry. But to pass on to the priests. There are sixteen connected with the Armemian Church in this city, as I before suggested. None can become priests who are not, or have not once been, married men. But if a priest's wife should die during the first month or week even, after his marriage, he is, by no means, allowed to marry again. ~

The priests purchase their privileged office by giving a little more or less than $10.

The

most enlightened persons do not wish to become priests. Many of the laity are much farther advanced in a knowledge of the truth than the priests are generally. Some of the latter are brought into the sacred office who are not even able to read intelligently. Up to the very time of their induction into the priestly office, they have been engaged in some menial service. From that service and from that state of almost profound ignorance, they are suddenly inducted into the responsible office of leading men in the way to Heaven! Only forty days are usually spent in preparation for this awfully solemn work! Would such an idea be tolerated in enlightened America? Would such a hope be cherished? But I need not pursue such inquiries.

I will suggest that this season of forty days above alluded to, is spent in solitude, within the precincts of the church. They do not once go home to their families during this period. As our blessed Savior was in the wilderness forty days and forty nights before he commenced his ministrations, they, in imitation of His example, spend the same length of time in solitude. And these forty days, spent in solitude for the purpose of preparation, answer to them the same important end as the course pursued by the honorable clergymen in enlightened America, viz: the Academical, Collegiate and Theological. Some difference tru