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July 1846. Before this day arrived, a pamphlet was prepared against me, very secretly, by a priest here, named Callistratus, who, as I am told, was formerly for some years Abbot of the Greek Convent on Mount Sinai.

Many copies of this pamphlet were sent to Syra a few days before my trial was to come on, and were industriously circulated among all classes of people, by the Bishop himself, who sent his deacon to give it to shopkeepers, and the lowest class of people, with the message that this was from the Bishop. He is Metropolitan and the High-priest of all the islands called the Cyclades, and of course has much influence with the common people. Through the advice of my two lawyers here, Mr Calligas and Mr Triantaphylles, I had employed also to assist them, in my defence, three lawyers in Syra, namely, Mr Stephen Galati, who was educated in America, and whom you know personally; Mr Basilopoulos, and Mr Beakes, who had all engaged to defend my cause.

Through one of these I learned that the above-mentioned pamphlet was being distributed, and was producing a powerful effect in Syra. And, on this account, I had determined, before leaving Athens, not to go on shore at Syra, till my two lawyers, who accompanied me from Athens,should go on shore and consult with the three above-mentioned, and in case of danger, to ask for the necessary protection.

By an arrangement of the Austrian steamboats, it so happened, that we could leave Athens at six o'clock P.M., on the 21st of July, arrive at Syra at six o'clock on the morning of the 22d, and leave the same day at six P.M., by the same boat, for Athens.

This, together with my having employed the three lawyers at Syra, was probably the means, in the hands of God, of saving my life from premeditated and certain destruction. Soon after we cast anchor in the harbour of Syra, the morning of the 22d-the day of my trial-Mr Galati came on board and said, that he had come to advise me not to leave the steamer, till he, with my other lawyers, should have a consultation, and come for me, to accompany me to the Court for trial.

I replied, that this I had decided upon before I left Athens.

He then went on shore with my two lawyers from Athens, and after about an hour, or an hour-and-a-half, my five lawyers came on board, and gave me their decided and unanimous opinion, "that I should not go on shore, and that I should have my trial put off to some future period."

Though disappointed in not having my trial, I thought that it was the part of prudence to listen to their counsel, and so I remained on board the steamer during the day.

My lawyers then went on shore, but all came again on board just before I left for Athens, with the two who had accompanied me from that place.

From them I learned that the danger, had I gone on shore, was quite as great as I had supposed: that the priests had assembled in the Court-house waiting for me-that the Highpriest himself was to have been presentthat a multitude surrounded the Court-house, and that when it was said that I had got out at a certain place, some rap in that direction -that when my lawyers went on shore in

the morning, they found, at least, a thousand people waiting my arrival. Even one of my lawyers told me that he felt almost afraid to go on shore in the midst of them.

In fact, I have every reason to believe that there was a murderous plan deeply laid by the priesthood at Athens and at Syra, to rid themselves of me at once; and that they thought themselves sure of their prey.

Since I began this letter, I have learned,from a source which I deem worthy of confidence, that there are about fifty persons combined here, who are determined to kill me, and it seems that this is known to the "Holy Synod." A certain person, who is very friendly to my wife, having learned this in a very direct manner, immediately sent his wife to inform my wife of this, namely, that they intended, when I should go out, to kill me, and that if they could not accomplish this in any other way, they would come and burn my house!

His wife came immediately, and with tears told this to my wife, who told me.

The Rev. Mr Lowndes being accidentally present, I asked him to call on General Church, and request him to call on me, and also to call on Sir Edmund Lyons, the British Ambassador, and inform him of what. was passing.

In the meantime, I wrote a note to Mr John Colletti, the Prime Minister, of which the following is a translation :

"VENERABLE SIR,-Called by the civil authority, I went, the day before yesterday, to Syra, to be judged. But on arriving there, I learned that there was so much tumult, and so many plots against my life, that all my lawyers advised me not to leave the boat.

"And now, I learn that there are also plots against me here in the capital, and I wish to learn from the Government of Greece whether I have safety here or not.

"I also inform you, that the books of the Consulate of the United States of America are in my keeping, as also the seal, and the flag, &c., and as a citizen of the United States of America, and as the keeper of the seal, and the books, &c., of the Consulate, I wish to learn whether I have safety in this city or not.

I remain, with all respect, an American citizen, and your friend,

"JONAS KING. "Athens, 12th (24th) July, 1846. "To the Venerable Mr John Colletti,

Prime Minister of Greece."

While writing this, I sent for my two lawyers, one of whom, Mr Triantaphylles, came, and I requested him to convey this letter to Mr Colletti, so as to be sure that he received it, which he said he would do, and also take with him the king's attorney, Mr Diomedes.

Colonel Mostras, who was present, sent for a carriage, so that it might not appear that there was any movement from my house.

He is now gone, and I am waiting to learn the result.

About this time, a priest, Chelidon by name, who is a known enemy-who burnt my book in one of the churches, and anathematized me, and who lives with the priest Callistratus-who published the pamphlet which awakened so much rage at Syra-passed my book shop, and asked Constantine, a man in

my employ, "How is your master to-day? Does he not go out? Why does he not go out?"

I have no doubt they are waiting for me to go out, that they may take away my life. I have all the doors of my garden locked or barred, though I do not much expect an assault to-day. I think it more probable that they will choose next Sunday for the attack, rather than this day.

My wife thinks that I ought to go away for a few months to Europe, and perhaps to America, till there shall be some change for the better. But I do not like much going away, because it will be so difficult to get back again. If, however, this conspiracy continues, and I find that I cannot be protected by the Government, I shall feel warranted, by the commission of my Master (Matt. x. 23), to leave for a while, hoping in better times to return.

I do not know what may happen, but I feel confident that He who has thus far delivered me will still deliver me, and that I shall yet, in some way or other, gain the victory. Yours truly, JONAS KING.

P.S.-Evening of the 24th July. After I had written the above, Sir Edward Lyons, the British Ambassador, having learned the danger to which I am exposed, called, and very kindly offered me, in case of need, British protection. This I consider of great importance in my present circumstances, and I beg that you will communicate this to the Government of the United States.

II. The next instance is the attempt to kidnap a converted priest, in which the Austrian Government is unpleasantly involved

CONSTANTINOPLE, Sept. 23.

A flagrant breach of international law has just been committed here by the Austrian power. An Armenian Catholic priest and rayah has been snapped up by the authority of the Austrian minister, and whisked off in a Trieste steamer to Ancona, for trial before the Dominican tribunal at Rome. The pretence alleged for this outrage on the personal liberty of a subject of the Sultan, is that the priest has a Vienna passport, that his life has been unholy, and that he has changed his religion. In the meantime the prisoner managed to make his escape at Smyrna. But for this, probably, the man would have been handed over by the inquisition at Rome to an Austrian dungeon, and no one would have heard a word about the matter. Johannes Serapian was brought up at the Catholic Armenian Convent of Mechtar at Vienna. From thence he came to Turkey, and took charge of a Catholic Armenian congregation at Angora in Asia. Two years ago he was accused of having formed a connection with a woman of the place, and was expelled by the Catholic Armenian patriarch to Sivas. From Sivas he came to Constantinople, where he has relatives. Here he formed acquaintance with the American Protestant missionaries, and having embraced their religious views, was received into the small establishment which they maintain Bebek, a village five miles up the Bosphorus,

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on the European side. During all this time, the Austrian authorities had not lost sight of John Serapian; and were only waiting, it seems, for a convenient opportunity to pounce upon him. A visit which the converted priest was paying to his uncle at Pera presented a favourable moment for putting their designs in execution. While he was conversing with his uncle, a message arrived from the Catholic Armenian patriarch. Two kavasses of the Austrian embassy waited at the door; and, securing his person, led him by the elbows down to Galata, and conveyed him on board the Imperatrice, an Austrian government steamer. In vain John Serapian protested against this violence; in vain he asserted that he was not an Austrian subject, but a rayah subject of the Sultan, and showed his teskery, or permit of residence, and his receipt for the Haratch, or capitation-tax, which he had paid, as a proof of this. On board the steamer he was treated as a prisoner. The Imperatrice arrived at Smyrna on the afternoon of the 10th; and, during the captain's absence on shore, the prisoner made his escape through the cabin window into a boat. No sooner was he landed than he took refuge in the house of an American missionary. The captain, as soon as he became aware that his prisoner was flown, set on foot a strict search, and succeeded in tracing him to the missionary's abode. He called upon the latter in the name of his government to deliver up the refugee priest, whom he claimed as an Austrian subject and his prisoner.

The missionary affirmed that John Serapian was not an Austrian subject, but a rayah subject of the Porte, and refused to give him up. Both then appealed to their Consuls. But Mr Offley, the American Consul at Smyrna, taking up the matter firmly, and being warmly seconded by the English Consul, Mr Brant, the priest was placed under the temporary protection of the American flag, and the Austrian captain was obliged to sail without his prisoner. Meantime these gentlemen have written to the Minis ters of their respective nations at Constantinople, and the matter is being debated with much animation at head-quarters. Count Sturmer, and Mr Carr, the minister of the United States, have sent in notes to the Porte upon the subject; and no doubt Mr Wellesley gives as much support as the nature of the question will allow him to the representations of the latter.

III. But chiefly we call for sympathy on behalf of the poor people of Madeira. We do not dwell so much on the wrong and injury done to Dr Kalley, the Misses Rutherford, and other English residents, who have suffered from mob violence and official pusillanimity, or something worse. We leave it to Lord Palmerston and the ship of war he has sent out to settle that matter. It is somewhat instructive, however, to observe, that there is in so many quarters a disposition to attach

blame to Dr Kalley himself for all that has happened, and to congratulate the island on peace restored by his expulsion. Will men never open their eyes to see what sort of peace Popery values? Is there to be no struggle for freedom of speech as well as of thought? Are British subjects to be held sufficiently protected, if they have merely house-room on that petty rock, while their mouths are gagged, and their Saviour's name must not be spoken to any Portuguese man or woman they may meet? But what shall we say of the Portuguese converts themselves? Glory be to God! He has been carrying on a great work: its greatness might never have been seen on earth, but for the trouble that has arisen. Hundreds, probably not fewer than half a thousand, have embraced the gospel, and are ready to suffer for it. Thanks be to God, also, for the marvellous and most seasonable providence which has opened up to so many of them an asylum of refuge in Trinidad! We hope to hear, immediately, of some provision being made for the organizing of this new Church, in the land of their exile: as well as for the supply of their pressing temporal wants. Their case is near to every Christian heart, and is carried by many Christian prayers near to the throne of grace.

We let the following extracts speak for themselves:

1. Extract, letter of Dr Miller, dated Maderia, 14th August 1846.

You are well aware of the long continued persecution to which the poor Protestants here have been exposed-brutally beaten and maltreated on all hands, without the least notice being taken by the authorities of such outrages, or any thing being done towards the punishment of the perpetrators. Encouraged, as was natural, by all this, the enemies of the truth, instigated by the priests, on Sabbath the 2d instant, took a more daring step. On that day a few Portuguese had assembled by permission in the house of an English family (Misses Ruther ford,) for reading the Scriptures and for prayer. On the meeting breaking up, and the Portuguese gentleman who conducted it passing out, he was met by a mob, headed by a Cunego or Canon of the cathedral, who thrust an image before his face, and desired him to" adore his god." Passing quietly on with some mild expression, the priest struck his hat from his head. One or two others

who followed the gentleman were struck, deprived of their Testaments, &c. The bulk of those at the meeting were afraid to venture out. The mob besieged the house till late in the evening; they then left, and the guard, which had been sent, left also. About one o'clock in the morning the mob returned they broke the windows of the house; large stone thrown through a window, narrowly missing one of the ladies, who was remonstrating with the mob on the illegality of their proceedings. They forced open the door, commenced a search for those withinbrutally injured one of those whom they fell in with, laying his head open to the bone with a large stick, and throwing him over the balustrade; and they were proceeding in their work of violence, when some police and soldiers arrived, and put a stop to it. Two of the perpetrators of the outrage were apprehended on the spot, but were set at liberty the very same afternoon! What could be looked for as the consequence of this? Perhaps exactly what has happened. The rabble apparently satisfied not only of their power but of their security, paraded the streets in parties with music, vociferating against the Kallistas and Calvinistas, and

threatening an attack upon the house of my brother-in-law the following Sabbath. These threats were kept up throughout the week, and the very hour at which it was to take place (leven o'clock forenoon), and the signals ar ranged, were towards the end of the week openly spoken of. In these circumstances, Dr Kalley felt it to be his duty to make the Civil Governor and her Britannic Majesty's Consul aware of the exasperated feeling which existed, and the danger to which he was exposed, and he demanded as a British subject, the necessary protection. I waited on them both also on Saturday with a similar purpose. Protection was promised. How was the promise fulfilled? A party of six or

eight soldiers were sent on the Saturday evening to guard the house; but about the dead of night, my brother-in-law and I, who had been busy for several hours fastening additional bolts to the doors, barricading windows, &c., overheard the soldiers in familiar converse with men who were walking about outside the wall, in masks, and with their faces blackened, and in converse with those whom we heard whetting their knives on the door lintels as they passed, preparing, as they said, for the "killing on the morrow." This at once struck conviction to our minds that the very men sent to guard, or their employers, were faithless, and that life was in imminent peril. After consultation and prayer, we resolved it was my brother-inlaw's duty to flee-to trust himself, not to the protection of faithless men, but to the good providence of God, to guide him to a place of concealment for a time. Mrs K. and I disguised him, and he left by the garden, and found his way through fields and vineyards to the house of a friend. I then got Mrs K. removed in disguise to my house, and after making all as secure as possible, left myself, about day-break, riding quietly through the soldiers in front, as if leaving all things as usual within. At the hour fixed (eleven o'clock), the mob collected in front of the cathedral, where they had been at mass, moved to Dr Kalley's house, broke into

it in a few minutes, and in presence of the Governor, head of police, and a party of soldiers-Mr Stoddart, H.B. Majesty's Consul, being also shortly afterwards on the spotransacked and destroyed at their pleasure, taking especial delight in heaving Bibles and other books and papers from the windows, and making a bonfire of them upon the street. Their eager search for the Doctor was, of course, in vain. Meantime, after seeing from my windows that the mob had the mastery, I had removed with Mrs Kalley and my family to the British Consulate, judging that my house would be the next point of attack and search. Failing in their principal object the possession of Dr Kalley's person-and believing what was told them, that my house was empty, they came next in a body to the Consulate, demanding Dr Kalley, and would have succeeded in breaking into it, but for the interference of the soldiery. While all this had been going on, seeing that there was no safety for Dr Kalley on land, we had been taking measures for his being removed secretly, and again in disguise to the beach, to be placed on board some English merchant ship in the bay. Before this was completed, the mob got some hint of the movement, and rushed to the beach. In God's good providence, however, they were a little too late for their object. Dr Kalley, when the mob reached the beach, was on the sea, and being put on board the West India mail steamer, which had providentially almost at the moment arrived. After the most agonised feelings for some hours, we now breathed freely. No more violence was done in the city that night, the mob having taken their way to the country, to fall upon some obnoxious Kallistas, or rather their houses, which had for several days been deserted for safety; and Mrs Kalley was quietly placed on board the steamer with her husband.

We were now in hopes, the principal object of their aversion being thus violently forced from the island, that quietness might be restored. Next day, however, after remaining during the night with my family at the Consulate, I was met at all hands with reports that the mob, having felt their power, were determined to use it in attacking the houses of those persons especially who had been particularly connected with Dr Kalley, and forcing them too to leave the island; and we were advised, together with the Misses Rutherford, and Mr Tate, in whose house my brother-in-law was for a time concealed, to take refuge on board some ship in the bay. We did so on Tuesday (the whole of the three families), one of the Misses Rutherford in extreme ill health, and almost killed outright by the events that had taken place, and Miss Tate (also extremely delicate); and so we remain, obliged, in all probability, to leave the island by the very first opportunity; while the enemies of the truth are scouring the country in all directions in search of the Kallistas, hundreds of whom are at this moment driven to the dens and caves of the earth, for shelter from their persecutors.

The Governor told Dr K., when he demanded of him protection from the threatened assault, that he was himself the cause of the disturbances; and I daresay that there are many in half-Popish England who will most gladly believe it.

2. Extract, letter to Rev. Dr Henderson, Glasgow, dated Madeira 29th August 1846.

Madeira, August 29.1846.

After the night of the 2d of August, a series of attacks was commenced and carried on, without opposition, upon the houses of all the Portuguese families who had left the Church of Rome. Every night we heard of some new instance of violence and cruelty; till at last all the converts felt themselves under the necessity of seeking safety in flight. The mob broke open their doors, destroyed the windows, furniture, and all they could find, and trampled down the grapes and corn of those who had vineyards and gardens. When the work of destruction was done, the ruthless persecutors followed the scattered flock to the Serras, hunting them down like wild beasts, Early on the morning of the 9th (the day of the attack on Dr Kalley's house), a girl in the outskirts of the town had her neck broken, so that she died in a few hours. Another poor woman was beaten till she was supposed to be dead, then her body was dragged down to the place where the Portuguese converts have been buried on the road side. She afterwards revived; one arm was broken, and her whole body a mass of bruises. Another woman was treated in the same way some days later; and one man was murdered in St Roque.

When this dreadful state of things had lasted about ten days, and the government began to be afraid of the spirit they had conjured up, but could not now control, a deputation waited on the Governor, and obtained from him a dispensation as to personal application for passports; and also as to the certificates of Church attendance, always insisted upon from the vicar before a passport is given.

The ship "William," Captain Lyon of Glasgow, bound for Trinidad, came into the harbour on the 10th of August, and offered peculiar advantages for emigration-a Government bounty, securing a free passage to all labourers and their families. Besides these, however, it was necessary to send off many old and infirm, and also some young and unprotected women, who could have no claim on this bounty. At least twelve such have been sent off in the "William"-a gentleman, at present residing here, having become guarantee for the payment of their passage. At thirty dollars per head, the sum required for twelve would be £75. And probably more than twelve must be thus provided for out of the 200 who left their native land in the "William," on the morning of the 23d inst.-literally leaving all to follow Christ, and seek across the Atlantic another land, and other homes, where they might serve the Lord in peace. The largest proportion of these emigrants had left all; hunted down from the hills, many of them could not, without risking their lives, return to their ruined cottages to collect their little property. Many of them came on board with nothing but the clothes they had on-and these worn with their wanderings among the Serras-yet during the days we sojourned among them in that ark of refuge, which their Heavenly Father had prepared for His

persecuted flock, no words of repining reached our ears (except from one or two unconverted members of large families, who had not yet learned to love the cause for which the rest of their family rejoiced to suffer.) The more I saw of this persecuted flock, in these most trying circumstances, the higher did their Christian principle rise in my estimation. Those who know the general character of the Portuguese, in their state of darkness, can alone form a just estimate of the total change that must have passed on these converts. They had become " new creatures." The mate and steward both remarked to us repeatedly," that they had never seen folk love one another as these folk did." 200 are gone, and at least 350 more of the converts are now preparing to leave their native land, and follow their brethren to Trinidad. The "Lord Seaton" from Liverpool will probably take about 200 more, and will sail on the 3d of Sept.; and 150 more are waiting for the first opportunity that may afterwards offer.

3. Extract, letter of Rev. Mr Hewitson, dated Linlithgow 22d September 1846.

September 22, 1846.

A letter which I have received this morning from Madeira brings the intelligence that the church of native converts in that island is completely broken up, and being scattered in fragments upon distant shores. A hundred and eighty of them, including children, were about to sail from Madeira in an emigrant ship bound for Trinidad. Seventy of these had embarked before the 18th of last month. Another vessel was expected, which was to take an additional number likewise to Trinidad. The rest of the converts were ef fecting their escape from Madeira by other vessels, bound for other lands. The local Government seems to be desirous of facilitating their emigration, for it had issued a proclamation to the effect that all of them might obtain passports without exhibiting certificates from the priests of their respective parishes, or making a personal appearance at the police office.

The

Many of the converts were still in their hiding places among the mountains. seventy who were on board the emigrant ship had been all previously in hidings; their houses had been forced open and pillaged; and many of them had nothing left of earthly substance but the clothes that they wore. They knew in themselves, however, that in heaven they had "a better and more enduring substance" than that of which they had been spoiled. Driven from all besides, they clung to the Lord as their portion. My correspondent, who was on board the same vessel, writes-"The sound of their hymns is very sweet as it rises from the tide. Martiulio's (an elder) prayer last night was full of the spirit. It is a great privilege to be near them in their time of need, and to be able to say that their faith does not fail."

The Lord has wonderfully upheld his people amidst the buffetings of this storm, and enabled them to "overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the testimony which they held." One has been murdered-others have been beaten almost to death. A woman, apparently lifeless in consequence of the bodily injuries which she had sustained, was dragged by the blood-thirsty mob to a part of the causeway where one of the converts, a considerable time ago, was buried, and there she was cast upon the grave. Having revived, she was carried by the police to the hospital, and there ordered to confess. She refused, and was carried to the police station; but Divine grace enabled her still to maintain stedfast her adherence to the cause of Christ. Several of those who had professedly embraced Protestant doctrine, but who never exhibited anything like decided evidence of being renewed by grace, have yielded to the violence of the persecution, and returned into the bosom of the persecuting Church. There were others, regarding whom better hopes were entertained, though it was impossible to hazard a judgment as to whether they were true disciples or not. One of these has fallen in the day of trial: perhaps when more detailed intelligence arrives, it may be found that several of these have given way. But a great number, whom I rejoiced in as being by manifest tokens children of God, have remained firm and immoveable in the Lord. Some of them have, in the hour of seemingly impending death, evinced a calmness and resignation, an intrepidity and readiness to "seal their testimony with their blood," which nothing but the grace of God could have inspired. They know the voice of the good Shepherd, and whithersoever He goes before, they gladly follow, though it be " through the valley of the shadow of death."

Let me request all who love the Lord to give thanks and praise ou behalf of those of the persecuted flock now scattered abroad, who have been upheld by His mighty arm, and "delivered out of the mouth of the lion." If they could send a call to us from their hiding-places in Madeira-from the ships that now waft them across the sea-or from the distant shores on which they are already landed, their call would be," Brethren, pray for us." In their name, therefore, and as one who has laboured amongst them in the work of the ministry, I request that prayers and supplications be offered on their behalf: that, as they have been kept hitherto, they may be "kept still by the power of God through faith unto salvation." Nor should the weak ones of the flock who have denied the Lord through fear of death, be forgotten in our prayers. Peter denied his Lord, and was converted." Cranmer also, and Jerome of Prague, nevertheless the Lord restored them, and they died in martyrdom for His name's sake. Who knows but the Lord will be pleased, in answer to many prayers, to lift up again those who have stumbled in Madeira during this "dark and cloudy day!"—I am, dear Sir, yours truly, W. H. HEWITSON.

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