The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-06-24
From the Missionary.
An Instance of the Power of Grace among
the Greeks.
REV. G. W. LEYBURN.
love God.

/
The infant Church at Athens has sustain
ed loss in the death of one of its valued
members, Mr. Katachanss The history of
this man was very eVentful and remarkable.
Born of Smyrniote Greek parents, and los
ing his father at an early age, the mother
did what Greek sentiment and feeling are
generally very much averse to in marrying
Turk. But she acted perhaps from the
constraints of poverty aud Mussulman tyrsn-
ny. The boy, thus left fatherless, and, as
the Greeks would regard it, mOtherless, met
with the farther misfortune of being impress
ed, as cabin boy, into the Turkish navy.
In this capacity he was on board one of the
vessels forming the great naval armament
sent, October, 1927, to strike the last fatal
blow to suffering Greece, and which was ly-
ing in the grand harbOr of Naverino, watch
ed by the feet of Observation" under
Admiral Codrington, sent by the three al
lied powers" England, France and Russia,
then intervening in behalf of the Greeks.
In some unforeseen way the two fleets be-
came engaged most furious contest en-
sued, which continued far into the night and
resulted in the almost destruction of the
Turco- Egyptian heet-the heavens being IL
Illuminated through the night, by the flames
of the burning vessels. Among these last
was the one on which young Katachanas was
found, and he had an almost miraculous es-
cape from his virtual Imprisonment. God
designed to give him yet. higher freedom.
Miugliug at this time, with the French of
the allied feet and army, he learned to speak
French very well. When Prince Ohio of
Bavaria was appointed to the throne of
Greece, young Katachanas going to Naupla
aud mingling with the Germans there who
had come with the young king, acquired not
only their language but the still more valu
able knowledge Of the trade Chat making, in
which he afterwards showed proficiency
When the capital was established at Athens,
Mr.. Katachanas removed thither and gained
the reputation, especially with the naval and
military officers, of the best halter of the
city. But Mr.. Katachanas was, as is not
surprising from his antecedentS, reckless
and dissolute man. Aud so he continued
till God interpOsed for him. The persecu-
ton and trial of DR.. Jonas King attracted
his attention. He was led by curiosity, to
drop in at one of the Sunday afternoon SER
vices, attended by few Greeks, which DR..
Kalopothakes held. His mind became i'm
pressed with the Gospel truth so much
"spoken against" He was led to embrace
it; and from that time he lived the life of
an humble devout Christian, but derided and
cOntemned by his cOuntrymau as a King
ite. He was singular in his love for Gods
Word had many portions of it committed
to memory; and loved to converse on Scrip
tural topics. Finally, he was one of the lit
tie band that have organized at Athens the
Evangelical Church, under the ministerial
care of DIR. KalOpothakes. His life was
ended under some circumstances of peculiar
trial. But we have reason to believe that
he was sustained to the last by Divine grace
DR.. Kalopothakes was with him in his dying
days, as long as he was conscious, and can
testify to his adherence throughout to the
faith of true Gospel and the only Saviour
And yet the enemies of the truth circulated
after his death, the preposterous report that,
in his last days, he renounced the EVangel-
ical doctrines and returned to the old
faith"
We may see, in this narrative, remarka.
bic illustration of Gods providence aud
grace, as combining in their operation, and
case which may be regarded in hope, a;
one of the first fruits of harvest yet to be
gathered from among that interesting people
BE SILENT.-It is a great art in the
Christian life to learn to be silent Undel