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looking intently at me.....and, by various gestures, indicating a desire to speak with me....I stopped, at length, by an old monument which stood on a spot little frequented.......The slave submissively approached.......and, addressing me,.......enquired if I was not Peregrine Proteus, of Parium......I answered......." Yes." When he delivered me a sealed note to this purport.

"Follow whither this slave shall "lead thee.”

"The Stranger of Smyrna." I was requested by the slave to present myself the fourth hour after sunset, at a particular place, which he pointed out........when I should find him ready to conduct me where I should be pleased to go.

I promised.........The hour came. The slave was as soon at the appointment......nearly,......as myself..... No time was lost in ceremony.....he

desired I would follow ;.....and led me through a number of narrow lanes, and winding alleys, to a very small door, just sufficient to admit one person at a time.

On a signal.......it was opened from within..... "Take my hand;" said the slave..... and be sure not to loose

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your hold."......The passage was so dark, not an appearance of light was seen...... We at length entered a closet .......he locked and barred the door inside.....There was an aperture, covered with gauze, through which a feeble light just discovered the interior of the apartment.

There were benches above's each other.....all round this small room;.... and crouded with people of all ages, ....sexes...and ranks.....In the middle stood a large elevated table covered with carpeting, e

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While I was making these obser-" vations, a person, clad in a white linen surplice......having a large purple cross hanging down in front.........entered the apartment......He held a censor which he waved at the congregation, filling the place with clouds of in-'

cense.

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This ceremony I found particularly grateful to my nerves,.........as there was a noisome.....damp....smell in the room, which was very offensive.... I at first doubted whether I was not trepanned into some disgraceful situ-' ation; but I soon found I was among a sect of Christians.

Shortly after, a second person appeared......habited nearly as the 'former.....and approaching the table...... said a short silent prayer. began to chant a litany

he then

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sponses were sang by the congregation in low voices, which contributed very

much to increase the solemnity of the meeting.....I could not understand the meaning of what was done, but I saw and heard enough to inflame my restless disposition with an ardent longing to be more intimately connected with these valuable beings. When the chanting finished..

silence, again, was universal......Then the man with the censor once more distributed its fragrance; and he was followed by my Stranger, who went up to the elevation before the covered table, whence he pronounced a dis

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It is impossible to forget the impressive and commanding manner of this reverend man !........I never heard any one speak with tones which conveyed such conviction to the heart...... His manner was unassuming........yet his presence taught you to believe him accustomed to the converse of

superior beings......There was a placidity in his countenance which bespoke him a stranger to the stormy passions and infirmities of mortality.

I will save you from the recital of his eloquent and dignified harangue... It was all that a prophet could utter.... and good men learn to obey........My ears.....or rather my soul transformed into organs of hearing......imbibed his precious doctrine with holy avidity.

I was like the gasping traveller...... Hein who, overcome with excessive drought ...at length descries a_stream.......he drinks with a sensation no language can describe.........But I pursued my panting wishes further.....as I tasted of the spring.....my thirst increased..............I could not swallow fast enough.. sought to ingulph myself in the stream that I might indulge my fill.

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As they concluded this part of the ceremony, the slave, who had con

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