The Geographical Position.--Moslem Population.--The Bulgarians. --Their Origin and Early History.--Their Conversion to Christianity.--Their Ecclesiastical Relations.--Their Aversion to the Greek Hierarchy.--Danger from the Papacy.--Seasonable Intervention of Protestantism.--Their Struggle with the Greek Patriarch.--First Exploration of Roumelia, and Dr. Hamlin's Report.--The Result.--Division of the Bulgarian Field between Methodist Missionaries and those of the American Board.--Friendly Cooeperation.--Report of a Tour by Mr. Bliss.--Commencement of the Bulgarian Mission.--Papal Opposition.--The Mission enlarged.--The Accessible Population.--Desire for Education.--Readiness to receive the New Testament.--Church formed at Adrianople.--Labors of Mr. Meriam. CHAPTER XXXII. THE BULGARIANS OF EUROPEAN TURKEY.--1862-1871. Brigandage in Bulgaria.--Mr. Meriam murdered by Brigands. --Distressing Circumstances and Death of Mrs. Meriam.--Successful Efforts to Punish the Assassins.--Check to the Brigandage.--Further Enlargement of the Mission.--School for Girls.--New Station at Samokov.--Results of a General Missionary Conference.--The Great Obstacle.--Signs of Progress.--Unexpected Hindrance.--Popularity of the Schools.--The People not accessible to Preaching.--Awakened Interest.--Girl's School at Eski Zagra.--Cases of Domestic Persecution.--A Serious Loss.--Effect of False Reports.--A Successful Intervention.--Public Celebration of the Lord's Supper.--Its Significance.--New Missionaries.--Death of Mr. Ball.--Death of Miss Reynolds.--The Connection with the Armenian Mission dissolved.--The Mission as thus constituted.--The Bulgarians Ecclesiastically Free.--First Effect of this Freedom.--Promising Events.--Death of Miss Norcross.--Removal of the School from Eski Zagra to Samokov.--A Church organized at Bansko.--Translation of the Bible into the Spoken Language.--The Mission in its Preliminary Stage, but ready for an Onward Movement. CHAPTER XXXIII. THE ARMENIANS.--1861-1863. Dr. Dwight's Visit to the United States.--His Sudden Death.--His Life and Character.--His Views of Missionary Policy.--The Actual Call for Missionaries, and the Discretion awarded to them.--Bebek Seminary to be removed into the Interior.--Its History.--Removal of Boarding School for Girls.--Its Usefulness.--Exploration of the Taurus Mountains.--A Beautiful Scene.--A Barbarous Expulsion from Hadjin.--Murder of Mr. Coffing.--Successful Efforts to apprehend the Murderers.--One of them executed.--The Result.--Mrs. Coffing remains in the Mission.--Dr. Goodell's Estimate of Progress in the Central Mission.--Progress at Aintab.--At Oorfa.--At Harpoot.--Theological School.--A Native Preacher.--Mosul.--Ordination of a Native Pastor at Diarbekir.--Contrasted with an Oriental Ordination.--Disturbing Efforts of Garabed.--Progress at Bitlis.--The Church at Erzroom. --Progress at Arabkir.--Sojourn of Dr. Wood at Constantinople. --Accessions to the Mission.--Ordination of Native Pastors.