come under the observation of missionaries."

The agent appointed by the Persian government, at Oroomiah, for the protection of the Nestorian Churches, has turned out to be a persecutor of these despised ones. An American mission

ary states," Nejef Ali's mission here, to protect our Nestorian Christians, has proved a miserable and contemptible affair. Persian-like, he has proved treacherous, and in his turn become one of their greatest oppressors. He at first beat them, in some instances, because they did not dare complain against their masters; and when, emboldened by him, they did venture to unbosom in confidence the story of their wrongs, he turned right about, and handed them over bodily to those same masters. Verily the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." Whether the imbecile Government has the power and the disposition to compel obedience to its professed wishes from its agents remains to be seen.

The persecuting attitude recently assumed by the Turkish Sultan towards Protestant Missionaries and their converts continues to attract attention.

Evangelical Christendom contains a lengthy epistle from its Constantinople correspondent, explaining the origin of the Mohammedan movement; showing the present unsatisfactory position of the religious liberty question in Turkey, and intimating grounds of suspicion that the British Ambassador, Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, has less sympathy with missionary efforts and the spread of the Gospel, than might be expected from the representative of a Protestant monarch. If the allegations against him be true, it is time he was recalled he is evidently better qualified to write novels than to represent, with credit, the civilization and religion of England. The following extract, in reply to the charges of the Turkish government against the Protestant missionaries, and which to their shame be it spokenhave been echoed by some English newspapers, indicates their nature and futility.-"Are these charges true or false? The following facts, which can be proved any day before the Supreme Consular Court at Constantinople, will enable the Christian public to form an opinion:

"1. No Bibles have been distributed

gratuitously in the streets of Constantinople for many years, and it is the policy of both the Bible and Missionary Societies not to give away any books in the streets or in any other place.

"2. No missionary or native helper has ever preached in any street, square, or public place in Constantinople, either abusively or otherwise, street preaching never having been adopted by any missionary society in Constantinople.

"3. No man, woman, or child in Constantinople has ever been bribed, directly or indirectly, to become a Protestant by any missionary or native helper.

4. No missionary or native helper has ever preached or lectured against Mohammedanism in any place in Constantinople, except as the preaching of Christianity implies the falsity of Mohammedanism.

"5. So far as I can learn, no missionary or native helper has ever visited any Mohammedan's private house without special invitation, and religious conversations have almost invariably been carried on in private houses and in two or three quiet rooms hired for this purpose. It is not possible for any one to say exactly what the nature of these private conversations has been, but I cannot learn that they have in any single instance led to any unpleasant results.

"6. There has never been any great excitement in connection with any public services for Mohammedans in either of the missionary chapels. The whole number of baptised Turks connected with all the Protestant missionary societies in Turkey must be under fifty, and I have never heard of any Protestant religious service in Turkey at which more than twenty-five Turks were present at once. The more common numbers are from one to eight.

"7. No missionary in Turkey has ever had either the will or the power to force Protestantism upon any one. The charge is simply absurd.

"8. In reference to the last charge, I cannot forbear quoting a private letter, which I received yesterday from the venerable Dr. Goodell, who has been a missionary of the American Board in Turkey for forty years. He says,

'I see the Morning Post, as quoted in the Levant Herald, accuses the missionaries of doing the very things to the

Musselmans which we complained of them for doing to the native Protestants before the establishment of religious liberty. Does the Morning Post understand what it says? Does it know what the Protestants complained of? It was not that their religion was reviled and their names cast out as evil. All this they could have borne to life's end, without rendering evil for evil, or asking for the interference of Govern. ment. But it was that the converts were thrown into dungeons or banished to distant parts. It was that they were all cut off from bread and water, and from all employment, their protection papers taken from them, and they left to die in the ditch. Now have the Missionaries or the Musselman converts been guilty of doing anything of this kind? If so, when and where? If not, then is the whole of the reasoning of the Morning Post singularly out of place. Indeed, it has no pertinency whatever, and will not some of our English brethren bring it to the notice of some of their influential friends, who will point out the great error into which the Morning Post has fallen, and the great injustice it has done us? And, at the same time, let them not fail to represent that the Musselman converts, after forty-five days of imprisonment, without being brought to any trial or having a single charge proved against them-two of them have been exiled, while all the others remain in prison. May the Lord give us patience and grace in this day of rebuke and blasphemy.'

"It is hardly necessary to add any. thing to prove that the charges brought against the missionaries are altogether without foundation, and were known to be so by every man in Constantinople who cared to inform himself of the facts."

In America the Federals have gained several important successes. General Sheridan has inflicted a severe defeat on General Early in the Shenandoah Valley; and Grant is said to have approached within five miles of Richmond. His advance has been checked, and in all probability a decisive battle between him and Lee has, ere this, been fought, or shortly will be fought, in the vicinity of the rebel capital. The partisans of Mr. Lincoln and General McClellan are strenuously exerting

themselves to secure the success of their respective candidates at the approach. ing Presidential Flection; the contest causes intense excitement; but it is generally believed that Mr. Lincoln I will be re-elected.

The negotiations between Denmark and the German Powers are said to be approaching a satisfactory termination.

A Convention has been entered into between the Italian and French Gov. ernments, for the settlement of the Italian difficulty. The French troops are to leave Rome. Florence, for the present, has to become the capital of Italy, instead of Turin, and the Italian Government engages not to invade the Papal States. It is thought, by some, to be a striking coincidence, that the French are to leave Rome in 1866, a year to which many inter preters of prophecy point as the period in which events of great importance will occur in connection with the "mother of abominations."

On Saturday, October 1st, at about twenty minutes to seven o'clock, a.m., a fearful explosion of gunpowder took place at Erith, several miles below London, which resulted in the death of several persons, the wounding of others, and a great destruction of property. The shock was felt in all parts of the metropolis; the houses were fearfully shaken, and many ascribed it to the throes of an earth. quake. The cause of the explosion cannot be ascertained; those who, in all probability, could have accounted for it became its victims.

A "Church Congress' " has been held at Bristol, presided over by the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, Its sittings commenced on Tuesday, October 11th, and terminated on Friday the 14th. There was a large attendance of the clergy and laity. The subjects discussed were, "The Increase of the Episcopate," Home Missions and Lay Agency," "Foreign Missions and Supply of Missionary Candidates," "Church Music and Congregational Singing," &c. The next Congress will be held in Norwich. To what will these things lead? The members of the Establishment can hardly meet for ecclesiastical purposes without feeling the fetters which the State has put upon them.

several times sent the teacher, who has been very well received. In that time sixteen persons have given in their names as members, and several others are expected soon to join us. The people are poor, and have not been much used to regular contributions, so that we may not expect much money from them; but they have already purchased a Hymn Book for the pulpit, and are subscribing for a Bible and other necessary articles. There are amongst them a few young men, of whom I have considerable hope. There is a small chapel wattled with bamboo, but needing considerable repair, which I hope they will be able to do. When there last week, I saw the person to whom the land belongs, and received a promise that she would give it to us, to be secured to the "United Methodist Free Churches," according to the provisions of our Model Deed, which promise I shall be interested in getting her to fulfil as soon as practicable. The Chapel is not more than a few minutes' walk from the residence of the Rev. H. Brown, the Rector of Metcalfe, but he has expressed great pleasure at our having opened it for service.

Our Annotto Bay Church is not moving much at present. We have had no addition there during the quarter, but have been called to exclude two young women for fornication. Some of the members are doing their very best towards raising funds for the New Chapel. Some time ago I paid a deposit of £10, and we have promised to raise the rest by the first of October; but I fear I have been too

sanguine. However, we shall try. Several of the gentlemen in the parish have promised to help us, and have spoken very favourably of our efforts, saying that the premises are just what

we want. The present tenant is opposed to our having it, and won't leave until compelled; but six months ago, a legal notice was served on him by the proprietor, and at the end of September he will be compelled to leave. Our Deed has been made out, and will be signed, perhaps, next week. At Enfield, during the quarter, we have had an increase of four members. We need another teacher, at the least, in this Circuit, and with efficient help we might do well. We have no local preacher but our teacher, so that one place is neglected every Sabbath, even when we are both well and attending to our work; but, when one is sick, our circumstances are worse. These two last weeks the teacher has had a severe fever, so that only one place has been attended to each day. I am thankful to say that I have not been prevented from preaching on a Sabbath by sick ness since last November. I have had some sickness; but, as I have none to supply my place when away, I have striven to preach on the Sabbath.

I have had invitations to preach in other places; but, as I have so little help, I cannot see the wisdom of taking any other places into the Circuit. Mr. Griffiths told me that you had asked if we cannot find employment for Mr. Dowse on the island. I think if the Committee would engage him for Met calfe he would do more good than in any other part. Certainly, with the places we have, and the openings which, with help, we could avail ourselves of, we have more need of him than any other Circuit. I hope you will very kindly entertain the matter. Yours most respectfully, JOHN BELL.

Rev. S. S. Barton.

Kingston, Jamaica, August 6th, 1864. REV. AND DEAR SIR,

I forwarded to you by the last mail the Minutes of our adjourned District Meeting. The Amalgamation of the Jamaica Wesleyan Methodist Association with our Churches was then com

pleted. As Brother Hyams undertook to write you fully on the question, I, as Secretary of the Meeting, merely transmitted you the Minutes. We held a Public Meeting in Kingston, in connection with the amalgamation, which proved of a deeply interesting character.