Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-10-30
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FROM THE RELIGIOUS ISTELLicEvcER.
PERSIA.

PERSIA.
"A Dissertation read before lie Society Of
Iaqairyrespssting missions, in Tie The
illogical Seminary, .Aadouer, .Hass.
(coscLcDED.)
III What is the prospect for the
conversion of Persia, land what encou-
ragemcnt Tor christian effort?
!. Her political relations 10 christian
countries, within twenty years, have
greatly changed. Formerly there was
no such thing as diplomatic inter-
course between Persia and the nations
Of Europe; bat when, on account OF
her vicinity TO the British possessions
III India, and the aspiring views of
Bonapaae, who was suspected f hay
ing designs on the coaniry through the
ned,anl OF Persia, she began to as
suIne an Importance in the politics of
Europe, bolh these nations solicited
ner alliance. A Accordingly the French
| sent successive!y two embassies. and
the English three; but the latter prov
ing successful in the contest, an am
l)assador was obtaincd from the Shah
| to the Coat OF St. James. On these
accounts, there has arisen a very sem
sihle change IN the feelings oil the Per
slams towards christian nations, and
especially towards the English. They
no longer look upon them with that of
contempt so characteristic OF Mahom
tdans; they begin 10 think that some
! thing may be learned from them, and
some advantage gained by their friend
ship. The heir apparent has already
! avalle,! himself Of toe assistance Of the
officers attteiied 20 The various .embas
sizes, add has solicited their instruction.
in the art OF war, and discipline OF
troops. Accordingly, The European
sIress and discipline have been intro.
sdnced---the Prince himself setting the
example; and, strange 10 tell, be CON
sened to have his soldiers shavcd---a
proof that their strong national pfeju-
dices are giving way. s gz he
+ About the year 1900. the Russians
commenced awar with Persia which
lasted thirteen years Daring this " az,
ishey took from her all the country
north OF Eur, that is, the provinces
bordering on the western shores OF
the Caspian; and by The treaty of 1918
they stsli retain them. This part Of
Persia, of course. is open for christian
effort; and any missionaries who may
gothere will be projected by the En-
peror Alexander. liz vicinity to AS.
trachan would enable them to act in
concert with the missionaries there,
and to receive assistance from them.
I Indeed the Church Missionary Socie
| ty have already conferred with Mr..
Patterson, on the subject of establish,
ing a mission at B4ku, or some other
| place'onthe Caspian, This project is
strongly recommended by Mr.. Nit
chel, missionary at Astrachan, and the
Sultan kategerry KrimseGry, a con.
verted Tartar Chief who has recently
visited England, for the purpose of
qualifying himself to become q mis-,
sonary among his countrymen.
9. The character of Mahomedan-
ism protested in Persia, and the state
of it as represented by travellers, af-
fords a strong ground Of encourage
meDt The Mahomedans of Persia
have long been satisfied with miti-
gated system Of faith, insomuch that
the Turks and Arabs call them here.
tics. That fundamental command of
the Prophet to drink no wine, thev
wholly disregard. When Chardin
was IN Persia, the king got so drunk
at an entertainment that he was car.
ried home TO his palace; and when the
late Persian Ambassador went TO Erg
land, Fatteh Ali Shah advised him to
eat and drink whatever he liked, and
conform to the customs OF the people
among whom he resided.
I 8 The rapid increase of those scep-
teal philosophers the Sooiies, is ano
Their ground OF encouragement 1t
seems TO portend the downfall of Ma
homedanism, by principles silently at
work in its very bosom; showing that
the nationis ripe for change Wh,n
we add to these things, the almost uni.
versal spirit of inquiry excited by the
labors offfenry Martyr, and the strong
love of religious discussion to which
all the late travellers testify. Nay
more, when we consider that The Cos
pei is fast penetrating every part of
Persia; we have the highest reason TO
believe that the day OF visitation is
come, and that ere long the warning