The Litchfield County post., 1827-01-19

From tte Missionary Herad.
 INTELLIGENCE FROM SYRIA.
 Extract of letter frosO Mr. GoodelI, da- ted Begreot. June l9,- 1926.
 l THE ARMENIANs.
 You already know, that the Archbishop at Sidon, the Archbishop in my family, and the monk in my service, have married I wives, in violation of the most sacred caii- ons of their own, and of all the oriental churches. This bold step of theirs, in breaking away from the customs of their fathers, has been noised abroad through I the whole country, and has produced not little excitement. Another Armenian monk, has also recently followed their ex- l ample.
 One important benefit of these narria- ges has been, to excite inquiry, to bring the Bible into notice, and to lead to the examination of other customs and canons, which have had the sanction of ages, and all the corroboration, which pretended mir acles could give. I do not think l state more than sober facts will justify, when I say that the Armenians appear to be ava king from the slumber of many generations,
 
 ful and desirable impression from theda- bors, and examples, and instructions of able and devoted missionaries. .la-
 Jacob Aga, at-Sidon, collects his neigh bors every Sabbath, and reads with them, or to them, the sacred Scriptures, inter- spersing the same with remarks, which though probably not very experimental or spiritual, but confined to the external af- fairs ofthe church, yet serve to direct mems attention to the Bible, and thus to pre- pare the way of the Lord.'
 Signor Wortabet, in my service, who left the convent about a year and half d. go, as wild and as thoughtless, as it was in the liatnre of convent to make s:.s, has now apparently conviction of sin, and is an earnest enquirer to know what salvation is, and how it is to be obtained I
 ARAB lNQUIRERs.
 1t was not till within few months, that we found any among the Arabs, who would acknowledge themselves to be in state of sin and death. Every body " lasted twice week, and thanked God, that he was not as other men," Several individuals appear now to be convinced, that they are in state of condemnation. Of this class are three of our schoolmasters.
 A few no longer frequent the churches, nor confess to the priests, nor observe the lasts, nor pray to the saints, nor bow down before their images, nor regard the festivals in honour of them. Of this class, is an A rab youth of the Greek Church, who has been with. me near two years. 1t is now more than six months, that he has profess sed to renounce all dependence for salva- ton upon the intercession of the saints, the numerous lasts the oft repeated payers, GL prescribed nostrums of his church, and to, believe, that the blood of Christ alone can release him from guilt. On the recent death of his mother, lie refused to pay any I thing to the priests to secure th@sr prayers for her benefit. His father and brother & friends, first entreated, and then. reviled him, and the priest threatened him; but he still persisted saying, 1" had better buy bread and give to the poor, for this will be a real charity whereas. praying forever for my mother, will nut. alter her condition.' .'' I The priests said, that perhaps he would soon die, and no body would pray for kim. Ho replied, "I wish no one, to pray for me after am dead it will be of no avail" 4 Of this class, also, is another Arab youth of the same Church, about thirteen years of age, whom we have instructed in Ital- ian and English, and caused to be instruct- ed in tho grammar of his own language, and in ancient an modern Greek. His !, name is Asaad Jacob. He was thorough I ly superstitions, and really believed, as he } recently told me, that the priests were able to pardon whatever sins he might be guilty of; and that, on this presumption, he might z deliberately commit, before! hand, any sin, which it might be for his interest or plea. D sure to commit. But in regard to all these l things he is now ihtirely changed, and in t consequence, has brought down upon him . the displeasure of his parents and friends. r and the indignation of the priesthood. : "Ah!" said one of his brothers, after urg- ing him in vain to attend upon their foolish ceremonies, you have become what I al- ways said you would, if you had so much intercourse with these men, viz. e keretic.' .' One of the priests, after railing at him a considerable time in the church, broke out \ into exclamations like these; Alas un. happy youth ]. lost! lost lost gone be. ,,end exclamation | undone fcreHar I:s