Southern Christian Advocate

Smyrna.—A recent letter from the Rev. Mr. Adger, an American Missionary in Smyrna, states that there is a rapidly increasing demand for books in that country. There were 45,074 books and tracts issued last year from the depot at Smyrna. We have had, says Mr. Adger, during the last few weeks, three or four men from the city of Kaisarea and two from the city of Ak-shehr, seeking for instruction concerning the way to be saved, and buying copies of all our books in Armeno-Turkish, which alone they can understand; and these books and these truths they are soon to carry back with them to the interior. Who shall set limits to the influence which our press may thus be made to exert over those distant cities, where our faces have never been seen, and our lips never been opened? These facts, and others similar, which are occurring daily at Constantinople, and at our other stations in Turkey, open to my mind, a most exciting and delightful prospect. As I think of it, I cannot repress the tear of joy and gratitude. I see men coming from all parts of the interior to get the light of truth, and to carry it whither we have never gone. I see God's providence and grace going far before the dull progress of his church, and causing those who are ignorant of the truth, but whose salvation requires that they wait not upon our slow advance towards them, to rise up and come to us, and from our lips and from our press carrying back the word of life to their families and friends, become our co-workers in the missionary service.