ger's death, commencing July 21. It was appointed there to secure the benefit of his counsels and prayers, and he was to have preached the sermon; but on the morning of the first day of the sessions, he was already "partially paralyzed," and "not able to speak" (though he recognized some of the brethren as they came in), and did not speak afterwards except once, when he was heard to say, "None but Christ." Mr. Hazen writes: "I think he held meetings in English at every place where he resided, and he had fruit in connection with these meetings in every place. In Bombay, he had opened his house for a Sabbath evening meeting, for the benefit of a few families that found it difficult to attend upon regular services, but a few weeks previous to his illness. On the last two occasions he had spoken with great earnestnes upon the 'Heavenly Inheritance.' He was at times so much affected that he could scarcely proceed with his remarks, and his words made a deep impression upon those who listened to them. Several spoke of these discourses as they came to mourn his death. "At a few minutes past three o'clock, P. M., on Thursday, July 23, he ceased to breathe. His eyes opened wide, the film was all gone, and he lay as gazing upward upon the open glory." In resolutions passed by the mission, in view of his death, they say: “We deem it fitting to place on record the expression of our gratitude to God, for his grace conferred upon our brother, enabling him to devote his life to the preaching of the gospel in this land, and sustaining him for a period of such lengthened service; for the preparation of heart and intellect granted him, whereby he has been enabled to testify so fully the grace of God in Christ, manifested to a perishing world, preaching throughout the length and breadth of the Mahratta country to all, European and native, high-born and lowly, the salvation so freely provided; for the evidence of the abiding presence of Christ, and the life of faith hid with Christ manifested in his walk and conversation; and for the spirit of prayer so richly granted to him." His funeral was attended on Friday, and native Christians bore his body to its resting-place in the Scotch cemetery, at Bombay. APPROPRIATIONS FOR 1869. THE Prudential Committee, according to their usage, have made the appropriations which they suppose to be necessary for another year. They have found, as they expected, that a material advance is indispensable; and could they feel confident of securing and sending abroad the missionary force which the different fields require, they would not hesitate to vote a still larger sum. The amount set apart for the expenditures of the coming year is $547,500, an advance of $22,500 upon the appropriations of 1868. The increase is given, for the most part, to the missions in Eastern Turkey and North China; and every friend of the world's evangelization will doubtless rejoice that these two fields are to be cultivated by additional laborers. It will be understood, of course, that the foregoing sum is appropriated for the purpose of meeting the demands of our work upon its present scale. If, however, the missionary spirit shall be poured out upon our young ministers see letters in this and candidates for the ministry, so that they shall give heed to the painful cry that comes up from our brethren in the Mahratta field, number of the Herald, - from the Gaboon, Central Turkey, and Syria, from the perishing millions in China, the Committee would gladly expend the amount ($600,000) proposed at Norwich. Will not the churches pray, earnestly and importunately, that they may have this high privilege? MISSIONARY HERALD. As this is the last number of the Herald for 1868, the time is favorable for asking the friends of the Board to assist in giving a wider circulation to its contents. It is a common remark, "Our church members would feel more interest in the missionary work, if they knew more about it." There is no reason to doubt that if all were to read the communications of the brethren who represent us in heathen lands, from month to month, and thus learn just what they are doing, what trials they are passing through, what successes they are achieving, what hopes they are indulging, there would be an amount of sympathy with them, and of prayer for them, which they have not hitherto received. There is no reason to doubt, moreover, that the reflex influence of such a habit upon the entire constituency of the Board would be invaluable. Many who call themselves the disciples of Christ are timid and half-hearted, because they do not bear the world upon their hearts, and are not, therefore, wholly identified with his kingdom and counsels. The number of subscribers for the Herald is steadily increasing; but a large addition to the list is very desirable. Is it too much to ask the friends of the Board, who know the value of such a publication as an agency for creating a wider interest in the work of missions, to lend their coöperation? It has been the aim of the Prudential Committee to make such changes in the Herald, from time to time, as seem to be called for. Other changes are in contemplation; and as the work, entrusted to them in the providence of God, shall advance and expand, this publication is expected to keep pace with it. For a full explanation of the "Free List," and for other important business matters connected with the Herald, see pages immediately preceding the Advertisements, as also the last page of the cover. LETTERS FROM THE MISSIONS. Dakota Mission. At the Santee Agency, where Rev. J. P. LETTERS FROM MR. RIGGS, August 15 and Sep- are stationed, there are about 1,400 Indians, tember 2, 1868. Locations. A report of the Dakota mission, recently received, notices several settlements of Indians on the Missouri River, which it may be well to mention here. a church, with native pastors, 367 members, and a large congregation. There is also an Episcopal missionary and church there. The Yankton Agency, twenty-five miles above the Santee Agency, is the 66 centre for 2,500 Indians, a few years ago "utterly indifferent to instruction," but now manifesting a strong current of feeling in favor of education, and an open ear for the gospel." At Fort Randall, fifteen miles above the last named point, "a large company of Indians will probably be congregated in the winter," to receive rations from the government. 'Eighty miles above Fort Randall is an agency for the Brule Sioux, the centre for 1,000 or more Indians." Fifteen miles above the Brule Agency is the Crow Creek Agency, with about the same number of people; and at Fort Sully, ninety miles above Crow Creek, a larger body is located, more wild and warlike than those below." A Tour. Mr. S. R. Riggs wrote from Crow Creek August 15. He was on a "missionary tour up the Missouri," accompanied, from the Santee Agency, by Mr. Williamson, by one of the native pastors, and one of the elders of the church. He states: "Any one going to the Santee Agency and spending a Sabbath, will be impressed with the idea that the Santees are a church-going people. The Sabbaths I remained there, between three and four hundred attended the Pilgrim Church service, and Mr. Hinman [Episcopalian] said his house was full at the same time. "I asked Titus, one of the native pastors, what evidence there was of progress in the Pilgrim Church, since the number of church members had not been quite kept up. He said there was a more regular attendance on the worshipping services; he thought they were coming up to a better appreciation of the Word of God and of their Christian duties; and, lastly, the evidences of paganism were almost entirely gone, one old conjurer saying he would have to leave and go up to the Yanktons." the garrison are about twenty Indian men, enlisted as scouts. A few of these were members of our church before; others have been received at this time; and all have been organized into a church, to be called Kettle Lake church. The number of men and women entering into this organization is about twenty. They desired that Louis Mazawakinganna, who had been leading their meetings since some time last winter, might be regularly licensed to preach, and they have agreed to contribute enough for his support. Louis was an elder in the Pilgrim Church, and came here from the Missouri last fall. Chaplain Crocker has spoken very highly of him as a faithful, earnest, and energetic man; and accordingly we licensed him to preach the gospel, and yesterday he wedded Mary, the daughter of Simon. The missionaries were "everywhere received very kindly by the Agents and "The southern settlement, on the borgovernment employees," - "welcomed to der of the Coteau, may be called the Renall the hospitalities of tables and houses." ville settlement. There we organized a On the 2d of September he wrote again, church, to be called the Eyakaptape from "Buffalo Lake, Dakota Territory, Church. The place has been long known about twelve miles from Wadsworth," as the ascent of the mountain, and is theregiving an account of the journey from fore called 'Eyakaptape.' The church there at present numbers over forty members. They selected Daniel Renville to preach to them, and we have accordingly licensed him. Daniel is a nephew of John B. Renville, and next to him has the best education of any of our preachers. He has been an elder and class-leader for two years, and has exercised his gifts in teaching as well as ruling. He is twenty-six or seven years of age, is a fine reader and singer. The church have agreed to contribute to his support. Possibly they may need a little help this year. "The north settlement, on the Coteau border, is Paul's, to which Solomon Toonkan Shaecheye, whom we licensed last year, has been ministering. We have organized a church there with the name of Kaksiza Hamka, that is, 'Long Hollow.' This will be a somewhat extensive parish, and will have a large membership — how many I don't know yet. They have asked to have Solomon ordained as pastor, and we have appointed this day and this place for the ordination. They have agreed to contribute to his support, but will need some aid this year. "A fourth church organization we have formed at Simon's and Peter's plantingplace, to be called Dry Wood Lake Church. These two men are both licensed to preach, and one of them at least will minister to that church. Then we shall probably, on our way down, stop at Lac-qui-parle and organize a fifth church there, to include those at the Yellow Medicine. This church will be under the special care of Mr. John B. Renville for the present. Dr. Williamson will send you a more specific report of the members of these churches when he writes. Some of the little settlements are yet undecided to which organization they will be attached. Other Places to be Reached. "Beyond and outside of these are settlements which must be reached with the gospel. At Fort Abercrombie there are a few Dakota soldiers, with their families, who are asking for books. A voice comes to us also from Fort Ransom, at the Bear's Den, on the Cheyenne, fifty miles from Wadsworth. The church at Wadsworth say that Louis may go and preach to them a while this winter. Thirty or forty Dakota families are reported as stopping there. Then, more than a hundred miles still farther north, is the settlement at Fort Totten, on Devil's Lake. Our people here say that must be visited, and so say we; but whether we shall find the man to send there this winter is somewhat doubtful. A Camp-Meeting-Interest. "Dr. Williamson and Mr. John B. Renville had been here laboring for some time before our arrival. Our camp-meeting was held at Dry Wood Lake, commencing on Friday of last week and closing on Monday of this. The weather was cool, and on the Sabbath we had rain, especially at the afternoon service; but our people sat in the rain and cold, as patiently as the Jews did in the time of Ezra. There is a great spiritual moving of the community here. Over fifty persons were received to the church. About twenty were baptized at one time, counting the children with the adults. When they stood up for this purpose, they made three long rows. One man who stood there, was the son of old Thunder Face, who, twenty-five years ago, was a troublesome man at Lac-qui-parle. So the Lord is working to make this people a Christian nation. The disappearance of the buffalo from these parts I think means civilization and Christianization. Native Preachers. "The work here, as well as on the Missouri, is growing upon us very much. How well our native agencies will accomplish it, with such supervision as we can give them and it, remains to be tested farther. So far, as a whole, they are doing well. Under the present circumstances, they are doing the work better than we could do it, and with much less expenditure from the treasury of the Board." Eastern Turkey Mission. MARDIN. (57 miles S. E. of Diarbekir.) THE RECENT PERSECUTION. AMONG items in the "Summary," in the Herald for November, there was reference to a visit of Messrs. Williams and Barnum to Mardin, on account of cruelties towards the Protestants there. An extended account of the case, prepared for a son of Mr. Williams, now in the United States, and sent open to the Missionary House, has been received. It consists largely of the statement of Shemmas Suleiba (the Protestant preacher from Diarbekir, who was laboring at Mardin at the time), interspersed with notes by Mr. Barnum. It is much too long for the Herald, but some passages should be presented, which exhibit both the cruelty and the unprincipled character of the proceedings. It appears that on Saturday, July 25th, six Protestants were "arrested for taxes" -pretended arrearages - which were not due, and "were taken, not to prison, but to the new cavalry camp,- to bring water for the horses, sprinkle the ground, build mangers, clean privies, etc." Suleiba went to the Muteserif (Governor of the city), and represented the injustice of the proceeding, and, as a result, was ordered to prison himself, but was soon released. Af ter various other efforts with the Muteserif, the Pasha, and others, to secure justice (in which he was opposed by the Papal Syrian Patriarch, by priests and leaders of the other sects at Mardin), and after present ing receipts which had been given the Protestants for their taxes, Suleiba was "delivered to the soldiers, with the rest." He writes: "A Gendarme took me to the camp. The soldiers on seeing me said, 'This is their priest; bring some large jars [water jars] for him.' They fastened two jars to my neck, one before and one behind, and gave two into my hands. [We weighed one such and found that the four, when full, would weigh more than 150 lbs.] A soldier was assigned to each one of us, and each one carried a long stick of wood, an inch or an inch and a half in thickness, and with these they freely beat us. In filling the jars which were fastened to us, the soldiers would pour nearly as much into our necks as into the jars, so that we were thoroughly drenched all the time. Once I was so much fatigued that I begged to set down the jars and rest, but the soldiers would not allow me. I dropped one of them, as I could not hold it any longer, for the road was long and my hands grew weak. In trying to recover it I fell to the ground, and the soldier beat me severely with his stick." It was on Monday that Suleiba was thus sent to the camp, and things remained thus till Friday. "A little after sunrise on that day, a Gendarme came and said, 'The Protestants are wanted at the palace.' We were taken to the Muteserif, and he began to curse us in the vilest manner for not giving the money. I said, Examine our accounts, and if you find that we owe anything we will pay it. He then ordered a stick to be brought, it was a strong one, thicker than my thumb,—and telling a soldier to take me by the head and bend me forward, he gave the stick to a centurion, who gave me ten or twelve blows. I still feel the soreness, though he was not violent in his beating." "About nine Action of the Mejlis. o'clock they called us to the Mejlis [a government council of the city]. After a careful examination of the documents, in which the Pasha's scribe, Fettah Effendi, took a prominent part, the Mejlis said with one voice, to those on the other side, You have no claim whatever on the Protestants."" This decision was not accepted by the enemies of the Protestants. In the afternoon of the same day, Suleiba writes: "The Patriarch and the Papal Armenian Bishop called on the Pasha. They stayed about half an hour. Before they left, a lieutenant came from the Pasha, accompanied by two priests, and said to the Muteserif, The Pasha orders that you instantly deliver each one of the Protestants to two Gensd'armes, and collect the money from each one at once, according to this paper.' The Muteserif replied, 'There is no claim upon these men. What shall we collect?' He replied, "This is the Pasha's order.' The Muteserif said, We have just examined these men's accounts and have found that the Protestants do not owe a para. Tell the Pasha so.' The Lieutenant replied, 'The Patriarch and Bishop were with the Pasha just now, and he told them that this money should be collected.' The Muteserif then turned |