ld not forbear lifting up our testimony against
the injurious effects of such a creed.

28_th_.--We have had a ride to-day with I. Lowndes and family across
the island, sixteen miles, to the sea on the other side. Our road led us
through a perfect wood of olive-trees, thickly planted and loaded with
fruit. The hills are often variegated with the cypress, &c., and near to
the sea are beautifully romantic. We dined at the fortress of
Paleocastazza, on the top of a high hill, on provisions we took with
us,--the air good, and the prospect delightful. This place was formerly a
convent; the church still remains in use, and we visited two of the old
Greek priests. One of them is ninety-five years old; he was lying on a
dirty hard couch in a miserable apartment; the other performs the liturgy.
I. L. gave him the book of Genesis, which he could read but very
indifferently. He was besides extremely cross, full of complaints of the
soldiers who were stationed there. What a proof that to those who are in
the gall of bitterness there is no peace, even in such a remote place.

2 _mo_. 1.--Another long and pleasant visit from Count Sardina. He is
mild and condescending, but close in argument His mind appears gradually
to become impressed with the truths of the gospel; and I trust the notions
he has received from sceptical writers are giving way to a hope of
salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. Fearful of doing anything to make
the members of his own Church his enemies, he comes to us by night,--not
for fear of the Jews, but for fear of the Greeks.

9_th_.--How often our hearts are ready to sink within us in the midst
of this dark and superstitious people. We have now been here nearly three
months, and have not had one opportunity of publicly preaching the gospel.
The power of prejudice in favor of their own superstitious rites, and the
overwhelming influence of moral evil, seem entirely to close our way in
this line. We have had much conversation with our friend, Isaac Lowndes,
who has resided on this island thirteen years, on the subject of publicly
preaching the gospel to the people; and he says that such is their
attachment to the ceremonies of their own church that they cannot be
prevailed upon to attend the ministry of any other denomination.
I. Lowndes is a character with whom we feel much Christian unity, and his
family is like a little lamp shining in the midst of gross darkness.

This darkness, adds Martha Yeardley, i