The Litchfield County Post

A small basilica to the mission. A garden they had purchased for a burial ground, in which they had deposited the remains of Mr. Fisk—Jan. 1st, 1827, at the time of the monthly concert of prayer, they admitted the first converts of their mission to the church.

The persons received were a European lady of distinction and intelligence, of the Latin church; and two Armenians, Dionysius Carabet, and Gregory Wortabet; the former was archbishop in Jerusalem, the latter formerly secretary to the patriarch. They expected to admit others in February.—At the commencement of this year, Asaad Shidiak was still in bonds for the testimony of Jesus. He is of the Maronite church. These four together with Jacob an Armenian, Mr. Goodell reckons as converts, who have given evidence of piety for a considerable time.—Mr. G. names as inquirers, more or less promising, Maria, wife of Dionysius Carabet, an Armenian, Susannah Leflafy, wife of Gregory Wortabet, Gr. Catholic church; Joseph Leflafy, brother of the preceding, same church, and now superintendent of all the mission schools; Asaad Jacob, Greek church, Tarnoos, the mission schoolmaster at Beyroot, Greek church: Phares, brother of Asaad Shidiak, Maronite church, sent to Malta for the preservation of his life. There are also several individuals, both of the Maronite and the Greek church, who come to read the scripture and converse, and are convinced of the errors of their own churches. These make a total of about twenty; besides many who see that the Bible is right and they are wrong.

General State of the Mission.—In November, Mr. G. wrote, "The number of those, who come to read with us every evening, is increasing. The largest room in my house is sometimes well filled; and as a few of them find it inconvenient to return home the same evening, I have provided beds for them. They usually sit up more than half the night conversing, on what they have seen and heard."

In January last he wrote, "Our prospects daily brighten, through opposition to us continually increases. There is much commotion, and a great noise; and such are the demands made upon our time, that we are sometimes compelled to go without our regular meals, and our usual sleep.—Almost every thing seems to tend towards a terrible conflict between Christ and Antichrist."

Schools.—Thirteen schools had been established, which contained about six hundred children, of whom more than one hundred are GIRLS.

The Press at Malta.—The Editors of the Herald say, "The printing establishment at Malta, is continually rising in importance and interest. Two presses are in operation. Another printer, Mr. Hailock, has been sent from this country, and has entered upon his work with becoming zeal. Mr. Temple is able to superintend the press in Italian and Modern Greek. A font of Arabic types, is about to be procured, and Mr. Smith has gone to Egypt and Syria, for a season, to prepare himself to take charge of the Arabic Press: and lately, as was stated at the close of the biographical notices of Asaad Shidiak, a young man of good promise, has been sent to Malta, to secure his liberty and life against the hostile attempts of his persecuting countrymen; and will be able to render valuable assistance in the Arabic department.—The following extract from Mr. Goodell's correspondence, awakens the expectation that Providence will very soon prepare the way for the erection of an Armenian Press, also, at Malta."

Various Notices.—Phares, the youngest brother of Asaad Shidiak appears exceedingly well, ready to suffer the loss of all things for Christ. O it is good to see the spirits of the martyrs reviving here!

"It is now pretty certain, that there is a firman against the two Armenians with me, (Dionysius and Wortabet;) but Mr. Abbot, the consul is very positive that they are quite safe in my house. We all think it best, however, to send Wortabet to Malta, should a favorable opportunity occur. He will there be out of danger; he can learn English to better advantage, than here; and when the Armenian press arrives, his service will be wanted to correct the proof sheets. We have great hopes of his future usefulness."