Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-05-02

nations, Who are COMPOUNDED under the gen
erai name Of Franks. -. .....
Accounts of the population differ so much
that it is difficult to decide how great il
ought to be estimated. In fact il is con-
SANITY undergoing changes, so that it Is
probably impossible to ascertain the exact
amount. The accounts which have been
examined in preparing this report, have
/ varied from 100000 to upwards of 1,9oo,-
600. The best authorities, however, esti-
mate it at about 400, 600, Of whom zoe, 900
are Turks; 100000 Greeks; and the re-
mainder Jews, Armenians, and Franks
A larger number of Greeks are said to re-
side here than in any other place. As a
body, they are rather inclined to inidelity,
there being probablya revulsion of feeling
/ and opinion from an extreme of supersti-
ton, without anything to give it right
direction. For this reason there seems to
be want of preparation of heart among
them for receiving the Gospel. There has
also been defect on the part OF the mis-
sionaries, none of them well under standing
the modern Greek.
| The Armenians are numerous, and at
their head as a religious sect is Patriarch,
who is appointed by the Armenian primates
of the capital The person whom they
elect receives from the Sultan an order Of
confirmation and is the Patriarch But the
choice OF Patriarch is fruitful source of
strifes, intrigues and corruption. The voice
Of the primates is not always unanimous,
and sometimes more than one candidate
will claim majority hence reference for
decision must be had to an authoritative
arbitrator, and with him, the only weight
that can move the balance of decision, is
money and the decision is often revoked
and transferred on the offer of larger sum
than the one for which it was first given
4 The same is true in regard to the appoint
ment Of bishops. In rank, as to spiritual
matters, the Patriarch does not differ from
the bishops, but in more secular sense he
| is the head of the Armenian church in
Turkey. Through him only can the men,
bers communicate with the government,
and through him also does the government
manage the church establishment. He re-
1 sides at Constantinople as the responsible
head of his sect.
| There is here a missionary station-four
missionaries, two female assistants, and
three native helpers. We would rejoice
that there are any missionaries in this city
but what are these few among so many
Only nine persons among half as many
hundred thousands! There are inquirers
among the different sects, and were there
sufficient number of laborers, there appears
no reason from the nature Of the govern
ment, nor from the character Of the people,
to prevent their speedy conversion to Chris
tianity.
I AdrianopIe isthe second city in impor-
lance in European Turkey. 1t is well stu
ated for commerce, 140 miles distant from
the capital, with population of so,ooo.-I
And here might be mentioned some ten or
twelve cities and large towns, Of popula-
tion varying from 10000 to $4,000, besides
many smaller ones; aud Nth no one to
preach to them Jesus Christ.
! If we turn 10 Asiatic Turkey, we see
equal need of missionary labor, and as i'm
portant stations as can be presented.
Perhaps Smyrna ranks first N importance,
on account Of its local situation. Being
situated in gulf of the Mediterranean,
with an extensive and convenient harbor,
) it has become the common rendezvous Of
merchants from the four parts Of the world,
and is the first post for trade in the Turkish
dominions. Its population is 10000. OF
, these, 10000 are Turks, $4,000 Greeks,
; $1,000 ,Armeniaus, 10000 Jews, and 5000
t strangers and Franks.
There is now a missionary station here,
: and this is the place of the book manufac-
. tory for the Asia Minor and European mis-
T sions. Considering the large classes of
: people here, this station becomes the more
1 important, because, be ones particular OBJ
!, ject the Greeks, the Jews, or any class, he
finds enough to occupy all his labors. Be
Z sides, there is liberalitv which the constant
r intercourse with different people is caleu-
}, lated to produce, and which adds very much
:, to ones personal safety. Here, too, cier-
: gyman of warm-hearted piety, gentlemanly
h manners, and a cultivated mind, might
greatly promote the interests Of American
!. merchants and seamen. Several American
|. merchants reside here, and there are also
= one mr. more of our vessels of war living In