fy him. This was the signal for a multitude of boys, and young men to gather around, and I found no way of escaping from their importunity, but by leaving a few with my companion, while I hastened forward with the residue to the school for which they were intended.

I also sold a number of copies of the New Testament, which I had received from the depository of the Rev. Mr. Leeves. Of the degree of publicity with which these books were circulated, the following' will serve as an example. On the feast of St. George, thousands of Greeks from Constantinople and the coasts of Asia, have been in the habit of assembling for merry making at the monastery of that name in Prinkipos. Upon this occasion, I employed a young Greek to expose them for sale during several successive days, in the presence of the Turkish authorities, and of the multitude. One of the Turkish officers passing by, took up some of the books, and seeing they were Greek, or Turkish in Greek characters, laid them down without any remark. In general, there was little disposition among the people to purchase, so devoted were they to their dancing and wine. I could have given away thousands to eager recipients, but I had begun to doubt the expediency of this indiscriminate distribution, even among those who could read. There were however, some pleasing instances of sales effectedone of a little boy which deserves to be recorded. He was a thoughtful and intelligent child, who had come a long distance, as he told me, from the interior of Bithynia. While the youths were engaged in the revel and dance, and the children were expending their money for toys and fruit, he withdrew, and sat on the rocks, eyeing the bright covered books. After purcha

sing a tract for three or four of his paras, he continued reading it for some time, until he became so eager to obtain a second, that he offered to give a part of his dress in payment. Of course, we did not suffer so liberal a spirit to go unrewarded.

If these statements were to end here, as those of an itinerant missionary necessarily must, they would leave a wrong impression on the mind. I am sorry to add, that subsequent observation greatly lowered my estimation of this extreme eagerness to receive books. Many of those who could read fluently, were content with a hasty, and oftentimes only a partial perusal. A book they seemed to regard as something to be kept, not to be read. In the family of a deceased priest who had formerly resided in the Archipelago, I met with a copy of the modern Greek Testament, printed at the Canstein press in Halle. It had been in their possession many years, carefully preserved as a relic, but never opened. Still there were instances not a few, which came to my knowledge, of a happier character. A merchant who was formerly deputy governor of Prinkipos, but had been set aside for some quarrel with his Turkish superior, I always found reading when I passed his shop, until the contents of the books were almost committed to memory. An elderly Greek lady, since deceased, sent her servant for copies of all my tracts, with a polite request that I would call on her. She devoted much of her time to the perusal of them, and I have found her affected to tears, while reading some of these simple narratives. Mr. Leeves and Mr. Hartly who visited her, thought her mind open to conviction. Many of the children, on condition of receiving a new book, would give a very tolerable account of

those already in their hands. Where not fully read, they are in general, carefully preserved, and will, it is to be hoped, rehearse hereafter to others, the short, but weighty message, which they are intended to convey.

CHAPTER XVI.

RESIDENCE AT THE PRINCES' ISLANDS.

Accidental introduction to medical practice-Prevalence of disease-Affecting instance of superstition-Unfeeling physician-Importunity of friends--Vaccination-Advantages and disadvantages of uniting the medical with the missionary character-Hermits and ascetics-State of morals-Concluding remarks.

Syra, Dec. 1827.

An accident which happened to the nephew of the respectable priest whom I have already mentioned, and which called for an unusual, rather than difficult surgical operation, was the occasion of giving an important direction to my summer's employments.* In the midst of the confusion and alarm which prevailed, I offered in the absence of a surgeon, to render the best assistance in my power. The means employed having proved successful, I was thereupon urged to visit several sick Armenian and Greek families.

* The event in question as it brought me into a more intimate connexion with the Greeks than I had intended, may perhaps affect my whole missionary career. If so, it will afford another illustration of that truth, "The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole ordering thereof, is of the Lord."

Though I disclaim any other than a very limited acquaintance with medical science, my opinion was earnestly intreated, and given in some cases, perhaps with advantage. The truth was, the medical professors of my Alma Mater, on learning my plans of missionary life had very generously afforded me every facility for pursuing the studies of their department. I had also improved the opportunity while voyaging with my missionary brother, of profiting by his superior knowledge of medicine, and I was furnished with a few valuable medical books. My fame in consequence of these first essays, soon became noised abroad through all the region round about. In Constantinople and vicinity, though happily there has been this year very little of the plague, there was notwithstanding an unusual degree of sickness. It is perhaps a moderate estimate to say, that one third of the population were ailing. Of course there was much suffering among the poorer classes, and it was difficult for others to obtain medical aid. The Frank physicians at Constantinople, of whom there are several, were as usual, too closely occupied to visit the islands. Under these circumstances, I gradually yielded to the solicitations of the people, and for several successive months, medical practice and the necessary preparatory study became a prominent part of my employment. When I arose in the morning or returned from a walk during the day, my room was often crowded with patients, and for many days in succession I have administered to twenty or thirty. The prevailing fever being for the most part of a mild type, readily yielded to, the course of treatment which I adopted. Many chronic cases also which owed their

chief aggravations to the want of a little medical aid, were greatly benefited by diet, exercise, and the like simple remedies.

So much more rapid was the recovery of my patients than those under the patronage of St. George, that one after another gradually stole away from the monastery and crept down the hill to my door. At length the superior of the convent sent his head servant with a respectful request that I would visit the unfortunate within the walls of his sanctuary. Being desirous of conciliating the saint, I took my usual supply of tracts, and climbed up the hill to unite my exertions with his. There still were instances however in which the superstitions of the people, were attended with unhappy consequences. The following is an example in illustration. An infant child had long been wasting away with a disease which the ordinary remedies of the people had failed to arrest, and I was entreated to administer to it. After considerable examination of my books, I found a prescription which I thought would afford it relief. Having been at the pains of going over to Constantinople, to obtain the necessary ingredients, I was gratified to see the medicine operating favorably. The child again resumed its play and smiled on its mother, whose drooping head was once more raised from the ground. Calling one evening soon after to make my accustomed visit, I missed the mother and child. 66 They have gone very foolishly up to St. George's" said the father. "And have they taken the medicine with them?" "No." Another morning they had not returned-the vow to the saint must be fulfilled, and when at last they did come back, two miles' exposure to the scorching