CHAP. IX.

MISSIONARY EXERTIONS IN TURKEY.

Preliminary Remarks—Introduction of the Scriptures into the Oriental Church The Greek Church, for ages, destitute of the Scriptures in an intelligible language — Translation into Modern Greek procured by Cyril Lucar - His Martyrdom - Hilarion's Translation sanctioned by the Hierarchy-Scriptural circulation encouraged by the Bishop of Talanta, and by the Archbishop of Smyrna-Sale of Scriptures at Smyrna and Constantinople-Scriptures exempted from Custom-House Duty at Syra― Sale in Ægina - Success of Joannes Lazarides - Introduction of the Sacred Scriptures into the Schools-The Scriptures read in several Churches in Tino Church of the Panagia in that island Greek custom of citing the Scriptures, both in public and private-Comparison of the Greek and Romish Churches, in regard to the use of the Bible.

MISSIONARY efforts in Turkey possess a different character from those of most other countries. In regions totally heathen, we go to teach the simple elements of Christian doctrine. We seek to introduce the worship of the One True God, and to overturn every system of polytheism and

idolatry which may be predominant. We proclaim Jesus Christ as the Son of God; and as One who can confer on the guilty, and hopeless, prerogatives, immunities and favours, perfect in their nature, and eternal in their duration. We establish a visible Church of Christ, where previously the very semblance of it was unknown.

But, hitherto, no opportunity has been presented of proclaiming truth to Turkish Mahommedans. The instant a Mussulman abandons his faith in Turkey, he is led away to execution : and a firman is in force, which forbids the introduction of the Christian Scriptures to the possession of Mussulmans. Hence, with the exception of China, there is perhaps no nation which more entirely excludes itself from the benefit of Christian efforts.

Under these circumstances, our labours in the Levant are confined almost entirely to persons professing the Christian Religion; and we have no design of converting men to the Christian name and ritual. Our simple intention is, to bring back to the truths of the Gospel those who have swerved from them to a melancholy extent; to raise up, by Divine assistance, Oriental Luthers, Cranmers, Latimers, and Ridleys, who may be instrumental in restoring to the East that

pure light which originally emanated from it; and thus, instead of present errors and corruptions, to aim at exhibiting in those countries a pure and spiritual Church.

The nature of our proceedings will be better understood, if we call to mind the state of England prior to the Reformation. At that period, there was much in our country which may find objects of comparison amongst the Christians of the Levant. In some respects, English Christians were in a worse situation in the days of Henry VIII. than are Greek Christians at present. Not to mention that the errors of the former were more numerous, the Papal system possessed much more worldly and diabolical wisdom than does the Greek Church. It was protected, to a much greater extent, by political power, and by a larger range of those means which produce influence on the human mind. The Romish Church is an army well disciplined in the defence of error. The Greek Church may be rather compared to their own irregular troops, who are only capable of fighting behind bushes and entrenchments, and in very advantageous posi

tions.

Education had made less progress amongst the lower orders of English, at that period, than,

at present, amongst the inferior ranks of the Greek nation. Equal facilities for the introduction of copies of the Scriptures, and other beneficial works, did not exist. Not only was it more difficult to procure impressions of the Bible, but the English Bishops most vehemently opposed their circulation, and destroyed them when they fell within their reach. Multitudes were at that time compelled to abjure the Apostolic truths which had been conveyed to their understandings; and some, who remained faithful to their convictions, were committed to the flames. Now, the Greeks may ask, with triumph, What member of our Church ever applied fire to the Word of God? and they may almost claim exemption from the charge of persecution. The Church of Rome has ever shewed herself a persecuting Church, and has established her fatal right to the characteristic of the mystical Babylon (Rev. xviii. 24): In her was found the blood of Prophets and of Saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. But, in modern times at least, the Greek Church, however degraded, cannot be charged with this guilt. I know of no instance of her plunging the sword of persecution into the breast of the martyrs of Jesus.

But, great as were the obstacles employed to

thwart the efforts of the English Reformers, they all proved abortive. Tindal, Coverdale, and others, exerted themselves in procuring translations and impressions of the English Bible. They introduced them into our country from Holland and other parts of the Continent. In defiance of every impediment, those Scriptures were extensively perused. During the reign of Henry VIII. the light of true religion was silently piercing the gloom of Papal darkness; and so many persons had become convinced of the truth contained in the Sacred Writings, that when a free toleration of religion was bestowed, on the accession of Edward VI., the nation, almost in a body, rejected Popery.

The means which we employ for enlightening the Eastern Churches are precisely of a similar character, as may be observed from the succeeding chapters. Is there, then, any thing chimerical in the expectation, that, by the blessing of God, our efforts in the present day will, eventually, have success equal to that of the English Reformation? Are not the Scriptures a clue, as fully competent to extricate the Greeks of our age from the dark labyrinth of error, as the English of former times?"Let it be affirmed and granted, that the religious infatuations of mankind are firm