The Litchfield County post., 1827-09-13
From the New- York Observer.
THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA

In the spring of 1925, the Rev. John Hart
ley, Missionary ofthe Church Missionary So
ciety, in company with the Rev. Mr.. Arm
deli. British Chaplain at Smyrna, visited six
of the "seven churches of ASIA" viz, Smyr-
ma, Ephesus, LaOdicea. Philadelphia, Perga-
mos, and Sardis. Mr.. Hartley has given an
account of what he saw and felt during this
interesting journey. part of which is pub
lshed in the last number of the London Mis-
sionary Register. For the present week, we
must confne our extracts to what is said of
the
CHURCH OF sMYRNA.----The Church of
Smyrna is represented Rev. il. 8.-11.) as con-
tending with most severe sufferings-poverty
Islander, and persecution: but modern Smyr-
ma is a far greater sufferer. The former things
haze passed oroy: the faithful SmyrI aans
have long since foughttheir battle and woD
their crown: On whatever side we look,
we meet only with what is calculated to
excite painful feelings. The religion
now predominant was unknown in the
days when Polycarp was nnartyred and
unlike the Paganism of Rome which disap-
peared and fell before Christianity, still main
tains ITS seat, and lords it over those countries
where the Redeemer suffered, and where His
UOSpei was uTSt p'oC'diiiicu' NONhc 10 tHc
only place of Importance mentioned in the
Scriptures which had not been for centuries
under the Mahomedan Yoke.
The population of Smyrna has been esti-
mated at 100, 200, and even more: the prac-
tice, however, of exaggerating the population
which is SO general in this country has extend
ed. conceive, to this enumeration. Il do not
think that Smyrna contains many more than
IS, 900 inhabitants. Perhaps there may be
as. 900 Turks, $4,000 Greeks. 5000 Armeni-
ans, 1900 Jews, and less than 1000 Europe
ans. The Mosques are more than 90. The
Greeks have churches; the Armenians, {;
the Latins, Q =; the Protestants, 2. The Jews
have several synagogues.
Mr.. Jowett has given us an interesting ac-
count Of the Greeks in these parts, in his
"Christian researches in the Mediterranean: ~
| regret to say, that, at present, a cloud has
darkened that pleasing picture. The Uni
versities of Scio and Hawaii, which prOmis-
ed to be the cradle of Grecian Learning and
Religion, have been destroyed: and a check
has heen given to education, which there are
but slender hopes to see repaired. Smyrna
has participated in the general miseries Of
Greece no longer do we find Q.conomus
giving instruction to his young countrymen ;
aud in vain do we look for any institution
which is calculated to assist the studies of the
rising generation. lam happy, however, to
remark that the evangelical School still exists;
an institution, which owes its perpetuity to
English protection, and which, if it be not
calculated to lead the pupil into the field OF
extensive knowledge, prevents him at least
from being sunk in utter ignorance ! had
the pleasure of frequent intercourse with the
master of this School, and found him one oil
the most liberal Ecclesiastics whom | have
met with in the Eastern communion. The
number of his pupils is about $50 but they
| are all very young, and their education is lit
tie more than elementary. In addition to
this establishment the Greek Youths of Smyr-
ma have no other means Of acquiring knOwl.
edre. than what is furnished by very
inferior Day Schools and by private lnstruc-
ton.
| During residence Of more than months
in SMYRNA, l enjoyed continual opportunities
of imparting religious instruction. My ex'
ceIlent friend, MIR. King. found occasions O
usefulness still more extensive; and am per.
suaded that the divine blessing has attended
his exertions.a We are both fully convinced
of the importance ola stationary Missionary
being appointed to this place. Unless, indeed
the occasional Missionary visits should be
followed up by permanent exertion, there il
eyery reason to fear that the seed which ha:
heen sosvD will not bear fruit to perfection
May it please God very speedily to bestow
on the Church Of Smyrna faithful Protest
ant Minister. who may deem it his delight &
his honor to emulate the example Of PolycarF
ON the very ground on which that martyr Iiv'
| nd md died