Mr Goodell subsequently wrote

Of the circumstances and the reasons which led to the change of policy on the part of the mission in the organization of churches, Mr. Goodell subsequently wrote: —

“ When I came to Constantinople in 1831, having learned something from experience in other places, I was fully convinced that we ought to stand as far aloof as possible from any connection with bigotry, and to be altogether free from any policy that was narrow and contracted; that from our peculiar circumstances, being thrown among persons of all religions, we ought to consider ourselves as belonging rather to the universal church of Christ than to any particular section or denomination of that church. Accordingly, being often called upon by Europeans of different nations and communions to officiate at funerals, baptisms, marriages, in the absence of their respective chaplains, we endeavored to conform ourselves as far as possible to their forms, — those for which they had predilections, — thus not seeking our own profit or pleasure, but of many, for their edification.

Specially directed

“ In our intercourse with the natives of the countries, for whose good our labors were specially directed, we endeavored to act in the same liberal manner. It was not to pull down their churches and build up our own that we came here, and we have not from the first day until now so much as hinted to any one that he should leave his church and join ours. Our efforts have been directed rather to enlighten, improve, and elevate the whole community by means of books and schools, and in our earlier efforts we had the sanction of these ecclesiastics, and had intercourse with their patriarchs and bishops.

But as the people became enlightened, and some of them began to take a lively interest in the things they were learning, persecutions began to take place. In these persecutions no question was asked the accused by their accusers, no opportunity given them to explain the reason of their faith or conduct, no creed offered to them to subscribe. They were seized and thrown into prison or sent into exile without form or ceremony, and when they were released or recalled, as they had never been excommunicated, they still retained their connection, both civil and ecclesiastical, with their ancient church.

“ But this persecution has been different. The people were called upon to recant their opinions. A creed was presented for them to subscribe, — not a creed of the church, but a creed prepared for them by the patriarch, with special reference to their principles, and which no enlightened, conscientious man could subscribe. The consequence was, many were excommunicated, cut off from their church, were persecuted, and the sufferings of many were great.

Prized the Sabbath

“ As excommunicated persons they were, of course, deprived of the sacraments and ordinances of the Gospel. But these were not men of careless lives that they should continue willingly deprived of these sacraments and ordinances. They were not infidels. They were serious men and women, who prized the Sabbath, the house of prayer, and all the institutions of the Gospel. After waiting some four or five months, they applied to us to assist in organizing them into churches. This we have accordingly done, for ‘ who could forbid water that they should not be baptized? ’ Who could forbid bread and wine that they should not commemorate the death of Christ? And who could forbid their having pastors to feed them with knowledge?

We assisted in organizing them into churches at Constantinople, Nicomedia, Ada Bazar, and Trebizond. These churches are not ours, but theirs. We have no control over them holidays bulgaria. They are not formed exactly according to the model of any of our churches in America. We went directly to the New Testament for our model. These are all Protestant churches, and their articles of faith are such as are acknowledged by all the great branches of the Protestant church in America, England, and the continent of Europe. And these churches we present to you at this time as members, and I hope worthy members, of the great Protestant family.”

The church militant

Before the close of the year two aged members were called from the ranks of the church militant to enter upon the rest and reward of the church triumphant. Mention is made of these cases, not only because they illustrate the power of God’s grace, and the genuineness of the work which had been wrought among the Armenians, but also as showing the extend to which the spirit of persecution was carried on the part of their former brethren. These aged saints, who died in the faith and triumph of the Gospel, were hounded to their very graves by their persecutors.

One of them was an old man, who had learned the way of life in the very evening of his days. Ilis previous history had been remarkable. lie had been once saved from the sword of the Janizaries when they ranged the city altogether without law. When a comparatively young man, as he was going home one evening from the bazaars, he passed two of the Janizaries, who sat in front of a coffee-shop admiring a new yataghan, or sword, that one of them held in his hand.