tries, are many thousand Jews, and many nominal Christians. But the whole mingled population is in a deplorable state of ignorance and degradation destitute of the means of Divine knowledge, and bewildered with "vain imaginations" and "strong delusions." No doubt, those who bear the Christian name, would willingly and gladly receive the Bible, and do something towards imparting the heavenly treasure to the Jews, Pagans and Mahomedans around them. Were they to be aroused from their slumbers, and become active in doing good, they would have great influence in dispelling the shades that now envelope those dark regions. To the Jews we are indebted, under Providence, for the oracles of God, and most of the other blessings that distinguish us from the heathen nations. Long have they been an awful and instructive monument of the sovereignty of God, under the tremendous curse, so terribly imprecated, when the blood of the Lord of life and glory was demanded. But their dereliction is not to be perpetual. "They are beloved for the fathers' sakes." By these, and other kindred considerations, the "American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions," was induced to send a Mission to Palestine. The Rev. Levi Parsons, and the Rev. Pliny Fisk, were designated in 1819 to this Mission. They were first to go to Smyrna, and there to acquire the requisite languages then to proceed to Jerusalem, and there fix their station, "if found practicable and eligible; if not, at such other place, within or without the limits of Judea, as Providence should indicate." Accordingly, on November 5, 1819, they forsook the land of their fathers, to preach in other regions "the unsearchable riches of Christ." They sailed from Boston; and after a favorable passage, entered the harbor of Malta, on the 23d of December following. There they met with those eminently useful Missionaries, Mr. Jowett, and Dr. Naudi, and enjoyed with them much friendly intercourse. On the 9th of January 1820, they sailed for Smyrna; and in six days entered its harbor. They were received with much cordiality, by several gentlemen resident in that city. pe Smyrna is a place of no small importance, in the Ottoman empire. It is situated in Asia Minor, at the bottom of the Hermean gulf, about seventy miles west of Scio, (the Chios of Scripture,) in lat. 38° 30' N. and lon. 44° 40′ E. It was first built by the direction of Alexander the Great, and soon became, by the excellence of its situation, the enterprise of its inhabitants, and other culiar advantages, the centre of the arts and commerce of Asia Minor. M. de Choiseul, Tournefort, Chandler, and Peysonnel, have fully described the place, and given the history from its origin. The ancient dialect was the Ionic. "This language, says Choiseul, "was smooth as to impart new charms to that eloquence which appeared to be an attribute of the Greeks. Strangers resorted hither to enrich this city with the productions of their countries, to admire its wonders, to sing with its poets, and to derive instruction from its philosophers." This part of Ionia claimed the honor of being the birth place of Homer. After the Christian era, it fell with other eastern cities, under the yoke of barbarism. It was alternately in the power of the Turks and Greeks plundered and destroyed; so that at the commencement of the thirteenth century, nothing existed of it but ruins. The knights of Rhodes afterwards built there a fortress, which was soon reduced by Tamerlane. || membered that here was planted one When, however, the Turks became of the seven churches of Asia, which complete masters of the empire, the beloved John was commanded to Smyrna rose, and became once more address, Rev. ii. 8-11. It was this the mart of the adjacent countries. church, the Lord so highly commendVery few vestiges of its former gran-ed and encouraged. "Be thou faithdeur now remain. ful unto death, and I will give thee a Chateaubriand says, that the mod-crown of life." ern city has suffered severely from earthquakes, conflagration, and pestilence. It is still a place of considerable commerce; but the ignorance and bigotry of the native inhabitants are notorious. Mr. Jowett and Dr. Pinkerton, those zealous, indefatigable agents and pioneers of missionary operations on the shores of the Mediterranean, have given us repeated accounts of the moral condition of the people in Ionia. In Smyrna, the Jews and Armenians are the principal brokers to the European merchants. Smyrna is now the most populous, and approaches nearest in its manners and institutions, to Christianity, of all the seven places. In the city are nine synagogues, and about twelve thousand Jews. In the spring of 1820, these gentlemen having learned that Scio would furnish them with greater facilities for pursuing their studies, resolved to spend a few months on that island, and avail themselves of the instruction of Professor Bambas, the principal of a Greek College. On the 1st of May they sailed from Smyrna for Scio, and were well reThe former adhere, with unyield-ceived; the Professor granting them ing tenacity to their favorite rites all necessary aid to pursue their deand traditions. Here are some Chris-sired object. tians, who are very destitute of the scriptures and other evangelical books. The languages spoken here are various the Hebrew, Modern Greek, Arabic, and Turkish, are the most important. Luminary. From the Boston Recorder. CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. Mr. Willis-If you think the following subject adapted to promote the benevolent purpose of the Recorder, please to insert it. I purpose to endeavor to show, from the New Testament, in what cases Christ requires his followers to maintain holy fellowship with each other, and in what to withhold it. So far as Here Messrs. P. and F. found encouraging facilities for the establishment of a Mission, for the acquiring of the dialects of the Levant, and the distribution of Testaments and tracts. They found the most satis-the will of Christ is justly displayed, factory evidence, that these regions it must be a subject interesting to evpresented many extensive fields for ery individual. One way by which missionary labor. They were not we learn the will of Christ is, by idle; but pursued with assiduity the the approved example of the holy acquisition of the Modern Greek, and apostles. Being in such cases, under other languages, necessary to render the immediate direction of the Holy their exertions in any way efficient. Spirit, this practice would be infalliThey distributed the scriptures to bly right. Approved, I say, for in various classes of persons, and con- some cases they acted out of characversed with individuals upon the ter: as Peter in his dissimulation aconcerns of their souls. They re-bout eating with the Gentiles. It is Jerusalem, the transactions at the house of Cornelius, the objections made against Peter were overcome, and they said, "Then hath God also to the Gentiles, granted repentance unto life." These things, taken together, render it exceedingly evident that it was Christ's will, that believing Jews and Gentiles should mutually receive each other as christian brethren. The friendly letter that was sent from "the apostles, and elders, and brethren, to the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Celicia," mentioned Acts 15, is a further evidence of the cordial fellowship of Jewish and Gentile Christians. abundantly evident, that the believing Jews and Jewish professors, had holy fellowship with each other, as christian brethren. This appears from the following texts. Acts 2-41, 42, 43. Then they that gladly received the word were baptized, and the same day were added to them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And all that believed were together, and had all things common. All that believed were together. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with glad- That it is the will of Christ that ness and singleness of heart. Acts all his followers should receive each 4-32. And the multitude of them other as christian brethren, further that believed, were of one heart and appears from Rom. 14-1. Him that of one soul, neither said any of them is weak in faith receive ye. This dithat ought of the things which he pos-rection is equally binding on all sessed was his own; but they had all churches, as on that at Rome.-Did things common. Not a word is to be believers suppose they ought to exfound to disapprove this conduct. In clude any from their fellowship, they this apostolic example there is the would naturally fix on such as were strongest evidence of complete Chris-weak in faith. This direction ought tian fellowship. to satisfy them that none ought to be In connexion with the The vision shown to Peter, of the excluded. great sheet, and the subsequent trans-above passage, Romans, 15-7, may actions, recorded in the tenth and be advantageously adduced. Whereeleventh chapters of Acts, manifest fore receive ye one another, as Christ that it was the will of the Spirit, that also received us to the glory of God. the Gentiles should be fellowshipped Christ, with the most cordial affecas christian brethren, as well as the tion, received all them that came to Jews. When Peter objected against him by faith, and now receives all eating things common or unclean, the such. So ought all believers to reSpirit directed him not to call those ceive each other. things common or unclean, which he had cleansed. "While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold three men seek thee: arise, therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting; for I have sent them." When Peter began to speak to Cornelius and his friends, the Spirit was given, in his miraculous operations, as he was given at first to the believing Jews. And upon Peter's relating to the believing Jews at Additional evidence that it is the will of Christ that believers should all be received as such, by their christian brethren, may be derived from gospel injunctions to live in harmony, and from the prohibitions of divisions, Romans 12-10, 16.-Be kindly affectionated one to another, with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. Be of the same mind one toward another. 1st Corinthians, 110. Now I beseech you brethren, by deavor to see as nearly alike as possible, in every thing; but it is in a very high degree important that they should be of one heart and of one mind, as to all the essentials of religion. Union among those that are agreed in the essentials of religion, would exceedingly abate prejudices, and lead to a friendly discussion of subjects wherein there was a differ ence. It appears that Christ would have all his followers receive each other as Christian brethren, from the spiritual union existing between brethren and especially between Christ and believers.-In the view of law, Christ and believers are one. In consequence of the sufferings and right are as free from condemnation as if they had never sinned. Rom. 8-6. There is therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. For a variety of other things there the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. Phil. 1-27. Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ-that ve stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel. Phil. 2-2. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 1 Peter 3-8. Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. 1 Peter, 4-8. Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves, for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Rom. 16-17.eousness of Christ, believers in him Now, I beseech you, brethren, mark them that cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 1 Cor. 3-3. For ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you en-is also a close union. Believers, in vying, and strife, and divisions, are proportion to their sanctification, have ye not carnal, and walk as men? The affections, hopes, joys, sorrows, inapostle here condemns divisions, as terests, pursuits, and happiness, corwell as the grounds of them. 1 John responding with these things in Christ. 2-19. Speaking of antichrist he Several very striking similitudes are says, They went out from us, but used, to illustrate the near spiritual they were not of us: for if they had union subsisting between believers, been of us, they would no doubt have and especially between Christ and continued with us. Those that were believers. Believers are said to be with the apostles gave scriptural evi- the temple of God. 1 Cor. 3—16, 17. dence of faith in Christ. Separation Know ye not that ye are the temple from such persons was the fruit of an of God, and that the Spirit of God anti-christian spirit. These injunc-dwelleth in you? If any man defile tions and prohibitions are equally the temple of God, him shall God binding on the followers of Christ. destroy: for the temple of God, is There is scarcely in any case a more holy, which temple ye are. open, gross violation of these require-2 Cor. 6, 16, and Eph.2 -20, 21. ments, than where those who give There is said to be a complete public gospel evidence that they are union between Christ and believers. believers in Christ, and yet are ex-John 17-20, 23. That they all may cluded as if they were not christian brethren. If men actually designed to violate these requirements and prohibitions, could they do but little more? Christian brethren should en See also be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. This is spoken of those who should believe through the word of Christ's immediate disciples, and others. another. the body as that which remains? This is done, if those who give gospel evidence of being members of Christ are not treated alike, or if one refuses fellowship in any duty or doctrine which is mutually acknowledged as from Christ. As all believers are equally one in Christ, if one is réceived because he appears to be a be gives similar evidence of faith in Christ, this must be respecting per sons; an evil that God abhors. The unity of Christ and all believers is such, that when any of them is rejected, Christ himself is rejected. Matt. 25-40. Inasmuch as we have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Christ suffers with his children as much as he is benefitted with them. The unity of believers, and especially the unity of Christ and believers, is strikingly represented by a body, and by a body and its members. Rom. 12-4, 5. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office,liever, and another is rejected who so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one member one of 1 Cor. 12-27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. The idea here suggested, is abundantly illustrated in the foregoing part of the chapter. Eph. iv. 15, 16: But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things which is the head, even Christ. From whom the whole body fitly joinThose that reject visible believers, ed together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, accord- and refuse to fellowship them as ing to the effectual working in the brethren, act inconsistently with measure of every part, maketh in-themselves, as well as contrary to the will of Christ. It will not be precrease of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love. Eph. v. 29, 30. The tended that all the members of a Apostle, after directing how men church, have the same ideas of each ought to love their wives, says even gospel doctrine and duty, and yet they are received, after giving gospel evidence of faith in Christ, though they have some errors; to reject other visible believers because they have some errors, must be inconsistent conduct. There must be something wrong, where men are obliged to violate their own principles. as the Lord the Church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. Col. i. 18. And he (Christ) is the head of the body, the church. In view of the foregoing passages it may be proper to remark, that God dwells in each believer alike. The unity of Christ, and each individual believer is equally perfect. To Christ would have his followers speak in language corresponding with fellowship each other only as holy a body, it may be asked, how Christ persons, or in holy conduct.—“In commissioned certain members of his many things we offend all." Probably body to take a carving knife, a saw or every one errs in some doctrine or a cleaver, and in the first place maim duty. Errors either in sentiment or themselves (for believers are mempractice, cannot consistently be felbers one of another,) and then lowshipped. Paul could not fellowproceed to amputate this and that mem-ship Peter and Barnabas in their disber of Christ, equally sound as they simulation about eating with the Genare; and proceed to mangle his body tiles, but could fellowship them as by cutting off a portion of his flesh, christian brethren. He could not and splitting off a portion of his bones, fellowship the Corinthians, in their all which are equally sound parts of divisions, or in their going to law with |