The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-04-15
Professionalism in Greece.

The Missionary Herald for March con-
tains letter from the Rev. DR.. Jonas
King, the pioneer missionary to Greece,
respecting the present condition and
prospects of evangelical Christianity at
Athens. DR.. Kalopothakes is a member
of the Presbytery of East Hanover in
Virginia. DR. King says:
Protestant Sabbath Services. last
Sabbath, at half past 10 A. NJ, went
to hear Mr.. Constantine preach, in his
own hired house, near the Medrese, the
prison, which | was few years ago con-
demned to enter. In the afternoon |
went to a Sunday School, composed of
Cretan refugees, and under the superin-
tendence of Dr. and Mrs. Kalopothakes.
There were about two hundred scholars
present, whom, at the request of DR..
Kaopothakes, | addressed on the impor-
tance of reading and believing the word
of God In the evening | attended the
Greek service of DR.. Kalopothakes,
which he has in his house, near the Tenn
pie of Jupiter Olympus. After the ser
mon, Mr.. Sakellarios offered the conclud-
ing prayer.
cit was to me most interesting to see
these three native Greeks laboring in the
same cause in which | had been laboring
for so many years, and in the midst of
so many difficulties. Two of them are
ordained ministers of the gospel, Zone
was ordained in Virginia, by Presbyte-
rian ministers, and the other in Massa
chusetts, by Copgregationalists,) and the
third is the son Of Greek priest. and
studied theology for while in the Bap-
tist Seminary in Newton. They all
have their Bible classes, and Sunday
Schools, and teach, with simplicity and
godIy sincerity, the same great and es-
sentlal doctrines of the Bible. There is
no tendency in either of them to any
thing like ritualism. 1t was quite affect
ing to me to think of what was the stu
alton of this place forty years ago, and
to compare it with what it is now.
Abundant Labors. "These three men
show great zeal in their work, and they
have as much as they can possibly do.
DR.. Kalopothakes has--besides the edi
ing of his religious paper, The Star Of
the East, preaching in Greek every Sab
bath, and experimenting large Sab
bath School of Cretans, and Sabbath
School in his own house every Sabbath
afternoons great deal of work to do
among the Cretan refugees, of whom
there are thousands. He is also the
agent of the American Bible Society.
"Mr. Sakellarios has the care of the
printing establishment, the printing and
distribution of The Star Of the East, and
teaches a Bible class every Sunday morn
ing. He and his wife superintended a
day-schooi, and Sabbath School con-
sisting of Cretan refugees, and he teach
es, also, class of children in another
Sabbath School.
"Mr. Constantine breaches in Greek
every Sunday morning, has Bible class
Sunday afternoon, and also every Thurs
day evening. He has, also, under his
direction, large industrial school fol
Cretan refugees daily, and Sunday
School in his house every Sunday morn
ing
"These three men are also members
of the American Greek Committee fol
the relief of the Cretan refugees, anC
being the executive members of that com
mittec, very great ameuAt of labor fall
on each of them. Their time is fully
occupied, night and day. A great felt
is opened before them, and they are do
ing great work.
Observation-Disclosures
"There is no need now that | should la
Dor as formerly in the translation anC
printing of books, or in the distribution
of them. These three are doing in tina
way all that is necessary. Before | wen
to the United States they attended my
, Greek service on the Sabbath, but now
{ each has his own service, and | consider
, it my duty by no means to interfere by
setting up a separate service of my own
, My object now is to assist them as tai
as l am able, and to put them forward
r If they can increase, shall be happ.
/ to decrease. That there should thus b
: raised up three such persons, natives o
Greece, to take my place and pursue tn
. work which l commenced so long age
ought to excite joy in the bosoms of a.
. . who love the Lord Jesus Christ in Sin
l cerity.
d "0thers, too, are coming and rangin
e themselves under the gospel banner whic
10 has been raised aloft, and is already a
lowed to wave within the city Of Athen
= One woman of distinction, whose husban
y is wealthy, has joined their communion
' he comes with her regularly TO hear I'll
to preaching Of the gospel, and she assls
SO in teaching Sunday School. :,
CDR, Kalopothakes now inserts in b