unto them Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another— What manner of man is this, that even the wind, and the sea obey him?

IGNORANCE OF THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT.

The public attention being so deeply and laudably excited on behalf of ancient Greece, it may amuse some of our readers to see an extract from the travels of Dr. Enw'D D. CLARKE, a. man of great literary rank in England, who in 1806 visited Constantinople. It shows the extreme ignorance of the barbarians who have so long tyrannized over the inhabitants of that venerable seat of learning, as well as over the country honored by the presence and abode of the Saviour of the world: from which tyranny, it is our prayer and our hope that those countries (so dear to religion and science) may soon be released.

"The arrival of an American frigate, for the first time at Constantinople, caused considerable sensation; not only among the Turks, but also throughout the whole diplomatic corps stationed at Pera. This ship commanded by Capt. Bainbridge, came from Algiers, with a letter and presents from the Dey to the Sultan, and Capudan Pacha. The presents consisted of tigers, and other animals, sent with a view to conciliate the Turkish government, whom the Dey had offended. When she came to an anchor, and a message went to the Porte that an American frigate was in the harbour, the Turks were altogether unable to comprehend where the country was situated, whose flag they were to salute. A great deal of time was therefore lost in settling this important point, and in considering how to receive the stranger. In the mean time we went on board to visit the captain, and were sitting with him in his cabin, when a messenger came from the Turkish government, to ask whether America were not otherwise called the New World; and being answered in the affirmitive, assured the captain that he was welcome, and would be treated with the utmost cordiality

and respect. The messengers from the Dey were then ordered on board the Capudan Pacha's ship, who receiving the letter from their sovereign with great rage, first spat, and then stamped upon it, telling them to go back to their master, and inform him, that he would be served after the same manner whenever the Turkish Admiral met him."

REPORTS TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.

The Editor has been favoured with the perusal of four interesting Reports, made by the pious and benevolent instructors of four of the Sunday Schools in this city, to the Sunday School Association of the church to which they belong. The first report states the pleasing fact of an increase in the number of learners; but adds that there is a deficiency in the number of teachers! The mode of management in this school is thus represented: The hours of instruction are from nine to a quarter past ten, A. M., and from half past one till church time, P. M. The exercises are commenced in the morning by reading and prayer; and closed by singing: in the afternoon opened by reading and singing, and closed by prayer: the order of lessons is necessarily varied in the different classes. From fifteen to twenty minutes are set apart in the afternoon exclusively for religious instruction. The School is regularly visited by committees appointed by the general society; and rewards are given for improvements in Scripture knowledge. Meetings are held monthly for the transaction of business; when plans for the increase or better management of the school are brought forward and discussed and the great utility of this part of the arrangement is highly spoken of. The labours of the committee for visiting absentees are commended; and the school derives great benefit from the use of a library instituted by the congregation; the desire of obtaining books operating as a stimulant to exertion and study.

In the course of this report, however, there is a fact stated, which cannot be read without pain. "During the Spring of 1823, the actual number of attendants was small, although

the register number was large; a careful revision was made and all useless members were struck off: since that time sixtyfive have been received; of which number, by the regu tion of the school, (which provides for a regular attendance of one month before attaining the privilege of scholarship,) only twenty-four have been added to the register! All the others have either removed, or have become refractory and unwilling to attend; and of these, twenty two were from -* of whom,

not one now remains, although the members have been faithful and vigilant in their endeavours to obtain their attendance. We have now, on account of the discouragement arising from the degraded and vicious state of this den of iniquity, abandoned it in despair. We cannot however but hope that others, more able, will either unite with us in another attempt, or themselves make an essay of reform; for we do not believe there can be a field where exertions are more needed." On this part of the report the editor would observe that he cordially unites in the benevolent wish that renewed exertions may be made to reclaim the wanderers referred to. Our blessed Master came into this world, "not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance," and we know that those who are most sick have the greatest need of a physician. The simple fact of their being permitted to continue in life by HIM "in whose hands are the issues of life and death" shows that He has not yet abandoned them; and they must never be abandoned by us while there is life or hope. One of the most benevolent of mankind, who was an ornament to this country, illustrates so well the duty of bearing with the sins and follies of our fellow creatures, and showing them kindness in return, that the editor hopes to be excused for inserting it :

"AND it came to pass after these things that Abraham sat in the door of his tent about the going down of the sun. And behold a man bent with age, coming from the wilderness, leaning on a staff. And Abraham arose, and met him, and said unto him, turn in, I pray thee, and wash thy feet, and tarry all night; and thou shalt arise early in the morning, and go on thy way. *A street or lane in the heart of the city.

And

So he turned and went into the tent. And Abraham baked unleavened bread, and they did eat: And when Abraham saw that the man blessed not God, he said unto him, wherefore dost thou not worship the most high God, Creator of Heaven and Earth? And the man answered and said, I do not worship thy God, neither do I call upon his name; but I have made to myself a God, which abideth always in my house. And Abraham's anger was kindled against the man; and he arose and fell upon him, and drove him forth with blows into the wilderness. God called unto Abraham, saying, Abraham! where is the stranger? And Abraham answered, and said, Lord he would not worship thee, neither would he call upon thy name; therefore have I driven him out into the wilderness. And the Lord said, Have I borne with him these one hundred and ninety and eight years, and nourished him and clothed him, notwithstanding his rebellion against me; and couldst not thou, (who ́art thyself a sinner,) bear with him one night? And Abraham said, let not the anger of my Lord wax hot against his servant lo I have sinned; forgive me, I pray thee. And Abraham arose, and went forth into the wilderness, and diligently sought for the man and found him, and returned with him to the tent; and when he had entreated him kindly he sent him away on the morrow with gifts." FRANKLIN.

The Report of another of these schools states, that this school was organized about two years and an half ago, and then had fifteen or sixteen teachers and visiters, now reduced to six or eight; and that for the last six months it has suffered much for want of visiters of absentees and their parents. Present number forty-average number who attend twenty-five. It states, too, the interesting fact, that since the formation of the school three of the teachers have made a public profession of religion. The course of exercises adopted by this school is: First a chapter is read by the superintendent, who makes suitable remarks; then a prayer is offered by one of the teachers; then each of the teachers takes charge of his class, and hears the Scripture which the scholars have learnt recited; then those who can read in the Bible are directed to read select portions

which are explained by a teacher: sometimes a few minutes are spent in spelling and defining words; and then the school closes with singing a few verses of Sunday School hymns. Three Bibles and eight Testaments have been distributed as rewards.

There is an orphan scholar belonging to this school who will ever have occasion to bless God for the institution of Sunday Schools, as the means of escaping from the wretchedness into which he had fallen, by losing both parents, being deserted by all his kindred, and left in the hut of a poor aged son of Africa, at three years of age. This poor child, who, when received into the school knew not a letter of the alphabet, has now not only learnt to read, but has committed to memory sixty chapters of the New Testament! besides hymns, catechisms, &c. The establishment of a library for the scholars is attended with the happiest effects; and the visiter remarks that he is kindly received by parents whenever he calls to inquire for absen

tees.

The Report of another of these Schools states, that the number of scholars is sixty; all of whom attend occasionally, and thirty-five regularly their conduct is satisfactory. The establishment of a library, and the privilege of drawing books from it as rewards only, have had very happy effects, in stimulating the scholars to increased diligence in their studies, punctuality in their attendance, and correctness and propriety in their conduct. Two of the adults have recently been made the hopeful subjects of regenerating grace, and publicly professed themselves to be on the Lord's side; and one coloured woman appears to be deeply convinced of her ruined and sinful condition, and is anxiously inquiring-" What must I do to be saved?"

The Report of another of these Schools states the very cheering fact, that since the organization of the school, between two and three years ago, eight of the teachers have made a public profession of their faith in Christ, and become members of his visible church! that two of the scholars have become