Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-03-17
Religious Intelligence.

Considerable fear is expressed by some en-
gagged in the Syrian Missions lest the war
between Russia and Turkey should affect the
safety of the Missionaries in the interior,
though as yet there are NO special annoyances
on that account, Less danger is apprehended
in and about Constantinople. The bitter
hostility so frequently shown to any protes-
tant ceremonies, especially to those attending
the burial of the dead, among the Armenians
seems to be lessening. Recently in the
Armenian Country person was buried with
protestant ceremonies without any dstur-
bancc.
A change in favor of more liberal course
towards protestants is visible in Greece
Open discussion of religious questions is
freely practiced. Religious liberation is main
tanned in pamphlets and public lectures by
persons of eminence Mr.. King meets with
no more disturbance in his religious teachings
The American Baptist Missions have suf.
fered from the death of four of their mis-
sionares. Two belonged to the Arracan
Mission and two to the West Africa Mission
have died in Africa within year past and
several have been obliged to return home.
From West Africa. it is stated that the
Wesleyans have II chapels in Freetown, the
capital of the colony, 4,2l3 church members,
and 1884 attendants of public worship. The
receipts of the American Board during
January last were S34,27l. From Aug. l.
to Jan. 81, the entire receipts were Sll9,s6
about Sl2 900 less than in the year before
for the same time.
There has been growing interest for some
time past in having earnest forts put forth
by the L. S. Government to secure in foreign
countries for our citizens the right of free re-
liglous worship, and especially the right of
christian burial for the dead according to
the usages of our country. On this sub
jcct meeting was held a few weeks since in
New York City, attended by clergymen and
laymen of eminence. Letters from several
gentlemen who had represented our govern
ment abroad were read in favor of the object
DR.. Baird stated in substance that in Cuba
where thousands of Americans go annually,
and where many die every year, no Protestant
worship is allowed nor can the dead be buried
save according to the Roman Catholic Church,
that in Portugal according to the new penal
code of 1852, the celebrating of public acts of
worship not that Of the Catholic religion is
punishable with Imprisonment from one to
three years, and to fine proportional to the
means of the offending individual-that in
most countries, where the Roman Catholic
religion is that ofthe State, American protes-
tants are exposed to serious NAL treatment, if
they do not show what is there considered an
act of worship to the Host when passing,
though by them the act is consclentiously
deemed an idolatrous one-that..in some of
these countries, through fear of violence they
are compelled to bury their dead by stealth
and almost as unceremoniously as they would
beast. Our government grants religious
freedom to all who come to this country and
it has right to urge on other governments
to relieve its citizens of such expressions.
Copies of the proceedings of the meeting
were ordered to be sent to the President of
the L. S., to the Secretary of State, the Pre-
sdent of the Senate and to the Speaker of the
House of tives.-NIemorials to
Congress from different parts of the country
were also recommended
The Secretary of State had replied that the
government would DO all in its power to
further the great object for which the meet
ing was held.