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THE CM.S. DISPENSARY AT GAZA. (From a Photograph by Herr Sigismund Lauger, of the Scientific Society of Vienna.)

THE MEDICAL MISSION AT GAZA.

HOSE of our readers who have read the account of the Mission at Gaza by Miss Tristram in the GLEANER for February will be interested in seeing pictures of the town of Gaza, the house in which Mr. Schapira lives, and the interior of the Dispensary which forms so important an adjunct to Mr. Schapira's spiritual work. The great lever of Mr. Schapira's work is undoubtedly the Dispensary. Ophthalmia and fever are the scourge of Gaza, nearly every third person seen in the town suffering from partial blindness or severe inflammation of the eyes. From August to October six hundred natives were treated by Mr. Schapira and a native doctor, whom he had engaged temporarily until an English doctor could be obtained. Nearly 480 of these, or 80 per cent., were suffering from ophthalmia of the worst form. Writing about the Dispensary, Mr. Schapira says:

It is heartrending to see little children, who only a few days ago had splendid eyes, with spots on the eye, or else swollen up and in great pain, getting blind for the want of a little timely aid. Just to mention an instance. A few days ago two Moslem women came to see me, which, as you know, is a very unusual thing. To my surprise the younger, a former pupil of our school, who had since married, lifted her veil, and instead of the beautiful eyes she used to have, I saw that she had already lost one, while the other was highly inflamed and swollen. She threw herself on her knees and cried, "Take all I have, only save at least my sight." I sent at once for our native doctor, and he did all he could to release her from pain, but I am afraid he will not be able to save her sight. Her cruel husband has forsaken her in her trouble.

Through the generosity of friends, a fund has been raised to send out a skilful medical man, and we are glad to say that Dr. George Chalmers, of Edinburgh University, has been appointed to take up this important work.

NOTES FROM EAST AFRICA.

BY THE REV. W. S. PRICE.

HRISTMAS DAY, 1881.-Once more I open my eyes in Frere Town. Praise the Lord for all His goodness, and especially for bringing me here in safety. Morning service at 11 A.M. The place which serves as a church, a good large building, was tastefully decorated with palm leaves and other tropical products, and was well-filled with a decentlydressed and decorous congregation. There were some whom I have known for years, and whom I brought up in India, and others who came to me six years ago fresh from the miseries of slavery. I was deeply moved as I looked around. Strange feelings crowded in upon me. Have the last five years been a dream? It was a faint foretaste of the joy of the great day, when those who are united in the Lord shall meet again "over there." In the afternoon there was a special service, when thirty-two persons-eighteen adults and fourteen children-all freed slaves who came to me in 1876, were baptized. Mr. Menzies assured me they had all been carefully instructed, and that they well understood what they were doing in making this open profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday, Dec. 26th.-A general holiday. Two bullocks were killed and distributed amongst the people. Suitable presents were given to the children. In the afternoon there were athletic sports-running, jumping, tug of war, &c.-in all of which, Shaw, with his fresh English vigour, was

life and soul. In the evening he gave an exhibition of the magic lantern. The room was crowded with old and young, and they seemed thoroughly to enjoy it, though two or three told me afterwards that they had seen these pictures several times, and would like to see something new.

Dec. 31st. The last day of the old year. How difficult to realise it! God be praised for all His mercies to me and mine, and not least for having brought me here in safety, and for permitting me to see some fruit of the labours of past years.

Sunday, Jan. 1st, 1882.-A happy new year to all dear friends far and near. May it be a year of grace and blessing to them and me. And whatever of duty or trial it may have in store for us, may we ever find "that as our day our strength may be."

Jan. 2nd.-A general holiday. Gave a feast to the children. Three sheep were converted into curry, and about 200 children, besides some mothers, who crept in, farel sumptuously. There were two weddings to-day-young folks from the dormitory. I was sorry to find they had set their hearts on having a ngoma" (heathen dance), but on my telling

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them so, they readily gave it up.

Jan. 6th-Conversation with Abi Sidi and Petros, who had come from Giriama. They were very pleased to see me again. Got a good deal of information about Godoma and Fullidoyo. I fear the good work at both places is rather at a stand. How can we expect it otherwise? The door was open years ago, and no one entered. Sowing comes before reaping. It is a capital sphere for a young and zealous mi-sionary.

Sunday, Jan. 8th.-A memorable day. I took the sermon at morning service, and for the first time ventured on a short address in Kisuaheli. I then spoke at more length fron John x. 27, "My sheep," &c.

Jan. 10th.-Gave a short address at morning prayers. Prayer for four young men going to Fulladoyo and Godoma as teachers, Tom Sangvoo, Christopher Boston, Charles Denny, and George West.

Jan. 11th.-Launched the "Alice." She looks very well with her new rigging, and seems to sail s, lendidly, but she is too small for a sea-boat.

Jan. 13th.-At noon set out in the "Alice," with Shaw as my companion, for Kisulutini. Only now and then, owing to the windings of the creek, could we get a puff of wind to help us on, so between sailing and rowing we did not reach Jomvu till 3.30 P.M. The comfortable cabin of the Alice," which was her main feature, has given place to a poor awning, which afforded scarcely any protection from the sun. We reached our landing-place at 5 P.M., and found porters sent down by Binns, and a number of other men, chiefly my old Sharanpur boys, awaiting us. There were also two donkeys, but we were warned that they were not on good terms, could not bar sight of each other, and that, therefore, we must keep them well apart. I mounted mine, and trotted away at a good pice. About two miles from Kisulutiui, I was startled by the discharge of guns, when immediately a group of men and women came forward to shake hands and give me a welcome. They then fell into the rear aud kept pace with my donkey. A little further on another volley and another shaking of hands, and so on at every convenient turn of the road, until I found myself surrounded by a surging crowd of some two or three hundred people, running, leaping in the air, shouting, and singing. The women took up their position in frout, and gracefully dancing, led the way, whilst men concealed behind every available thicket on the line of route fired off their guns, and so, amidst a scene of the wildest excitement, which I have no words to describe, I made my entrance into Kisulutini. In the midst of it all many thoughts came into my mind, sacred memories of the past, joys and sorrows, trials and encouragements, which can never be forgotten. I was overcome, and glad to steal away from the crowd and seek the quiet of the Mission-house, where Binns was ready to give me a cordial welcome.

Jan. 14th.-Attended early morning prayers. A good large room was crowded by an orderly and attentive congregation, who joined heartily in the singing and responses. The men and women sat on different sides, a good arrangement; but the place is altogether too small, very anxious for a church, and certainly one is greatly needed.

Binns is

Visited Polly, the widow of Isaac Nyondo. She is an earnest Christian woman, but just now in great sorrow owing to her late bereavement.

Sunday, Jan. 15th.--Just seven years ago I was lying in a miserable cottage at this place, very ill with fever, and apparently nigh unto death. Poor Rebmann was here, stone blind, and almost worn out with twenty-nine years of unbroken service in this trying climate. There was no house fit for a European to live in, and only a few wretched huts, occupied by about a dozen or so of natives in one way or another connected with the Mission. No wonder that Rebmann took a desponding view of things, and came to the conclusion that the poor Wanika were not prepared for the Gospel, that God's time had not yet come. But in this he was mistaken. It isn't always given to the labourer to reap where he has sown. But God's promise doesn't fail, His word prospers, and sooner or later the night of toil is followed by the harvest of thanksziving What would Rebmann think if he could see his dear Kisulut ni now. With its young mis-ionary, living in a decent double-storied house, and surrounded by some 400 Africans, Wanika and others, occupying their own cottages, supporting themselves by honest labour, and who, having laid

aside their heathen customs, come together daily to be instructed in the things of God. For myself, when I thought of Kisulutiui, as I knew it seven years ago, and compared it with what it has now become, I could only lit up my heart in thankfulness and praise to God for what He has wrought.

Jan. 16th.-Started at 6 A.M. to return to Frere Town. The tide being against us, we were close upon four hours in getting down the creek. There was no breeze, and the heat was very fierce. This is a kill ng journey, and more missionaries have lost their lives or been disabled by it than from any other cause. Any rich friend who wishes to confer an inestimable boon on the East Africa Mi-sion, can scarcely do better than make it a present of a small steam launch, which would lessen the distance between Frere Town and the landing for Rabbai to an hour and a-half.

The first news that met us on our arrival was, tha. Meuzies, whom we left three days ago in apparently good health, was seriously ill, and that both he and Mrs. Menzies had been confined to their bed the whole of the previous day.

Jan. 18th-I grieve to write that our brother Menzies is in a very critical state, and his wife, who has borne up bravely hitherto, is beginning to fear the worst. A man-of-war passed to the northward this evening, and I am hoping it may be the "Philomel."

Jan. 19th-Went outside the harbour at 5.30, in the hope of finding the "Philomel" at anchor, but no trace of her. She has probably gone on to Lamoo. Menzies very ill to-day. Taylor and I laid our heads together, and did all we could for him. Shaw is a capital nurse. Our poor brother is in a sad way, and we are very helpless; but our comfort is to feel that the Good Physician is near. The season is against him. I am sitting in my room to-night, with windows and doors all wide open, and there is a fair breeze, yet, though I have doffed my coat, the perspiration is literally rolling off me.

Sunday, Jan. 22nd.-A messenger came at 4 A.M. to call me to Menzies. Mrs. Menzies fears he is sinking. I find, however, he has a good pulse, and I hope he has taken a turn for the better, though he will have to be carefully nursed and watched. I stayed with him, intending to have a short service of prayer with him and his poor wife, but she was too weak to hear it, so all we could do was to attend to the poor suffering body, and commend him to the loving care of the Good Shepherd.

Jan. 24th.-Menzies had a bad night-seemed to be sinking-but a little revival this morning. About 1 P.M. saw a man-of-war entering the harbour. Our hopes revived. Is it the "Philomel"? No, she shows the French flag, and proves to be the "Adonis." I went off at once, and saw the captain, who at my request kindly came on shore, bringing with him his doctor to see poor Menzies. He examined him carefully and prescribed for him. He gave tremendous doses. But having called him in, we must do what he orders, and certainly a great burden of responsibility is taken off our shoulders. Finished off with a very bad headache, the natural result of undue exposure to the sun and worry.

Jan. 25th.-Had a shocking night. Maddening pain in the head, and other symptoms of fever. Maktub, who was sleeping on his mat near my door, heard me greaning, and went and called Ishmael, and he and James came and nursed me through the weary night. About 3 A.M. a messenger from Mrs. Menzies, to call me to her husband. He is much exhausted by the powerful medicines he has taken, and she is naturally auxious. It was impossible for me to move, so Shaw, who is himself also not feeling well, went in my place. Had no sleep all through the night, but most thankful to God for some relief this morning from that dreadful pain in the head. The heat was very overpowering yesterday, and several of us have been more or less effected by it. This morning early there was continuous lightning from the south, followed by an unbroken rumbling of thunder, and ending in a steady downpour. This will, I hope, cool us down a little.

Feb. 4th.-Since last entry I have passed through the "valley of the shadow of death." The exposure froin boarding the "Adonis" in the heat of the day brought on a severe attack of fever; and for eight days I have been hanging between life and death. God has been very good to me, and I trust I am now fairly over it.

Sunday, Feb. 5th.-Took part with Shaw in the Communion Service, all, for once, in Kisuaheli. It was a special thanksgiving service, for God's mercy in raising up Menzies and me, and for bringing G. David, W. Jones, and their families safely from India.

Sunday, Feb. 12th.-A heavy storm last night is followed by a sultry and oppressive day. There was a better attendance at morning service. Shaw read prayers, and Taylor preached, being interpreted by George David. The congregation very well behaved, and apparently attentive; but one wants to see more life. May God the Holy Spirit soon raise them up a preacher, who shall be able to speak to them in their own tongue, rom the heart to the heart. I am realing over again the life and labours of Johnson, of Regent's Town. What a remarkable awakening of souls attended his ministry, though it would appear that he preached in English, a language only imperiectly understood by the people. Oh! that we might see similar results in this place. We must be more in prayer for this blessing.

"ADVANCE ALONG THE WHOLE LINE." (Suggested by some words in Canon Tristram's Speech at Exeter Hall, May 2nd, 1882.)

TEADY advance along the entire line "

Courage, ye valiant soldiers of the cross!
Ye fight beneath an ever-conquering sign,
Press forward bravely, count all else but loss.

Close in the ranks, and onward one and all!
See, step by step the foe begins to yield;

What if before the victory ye fall?

Ye shall be knighted on the battle-field.

And straight from thence, from conflict nobly fought,
While in your ears the shouts of triumph ring,
With everlasting joy, ye shall be brought

Into the presence-chamber of the King.

ALICE J. JANVRIN.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF ANOTHER MISSIONARY BOX. To the Editor of the GLEANER.

AVING understood that you want to glean more facts about boxes, I venture to send some picked up out of my own history. You will see it is very different, not only from that of my relative, whose account of himself or herself has been given in your columns, but I fancy from all other boxes that you ever heard of.

In the first place, you must know that I am an Indian-I think I may now say, judging according to the natural life of a box, an old Indian. I came into being at a place which curiously enough is called Salem, though the only connection between it and the holy city of peace was that it was blessed by a mission of peace. My complexion is, of course, dark, I may alm st say black, as I was made of black wood, though, as I have heard, European boxwood is white. The hands that fashioned ine were also black, but it was under the superintendence of a white German missionary with an English wife.

I was made to order, and intended as an accurate model of an Idol Temple to the village Mother Goddess. My mouth is large enough to admit a rupee or florin, but not a half-crown, though a peuny will just go in. On the ba-ement or walls are four texts, as follows:

"The silver is mine, and the gold is mine."

"To communicate forget not."

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These are all very good and suitable, but, judging from my experience, a still better might be found. It is "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down and shaken toge her and running over shall men give into your bosom"; for I am convinced, from my own experience, that the more that is entrusted to my care the more is left in my patron's keeping. Though I am bound to secrecy, and can neith r speak nor write except by a machine, I may, without any breach of confidence, tell some facts which may be useful to other boxes. As a rule they are mostly placed in the hands of poor children, or in poor cottages, or on the counters of shops to receive the offerings not of the owner, but of others who are asked to put in. On the contrary, I have passed nearly all my life on a table in the hall, and have never asked any one to put in even a penny I could never understand why rich people should be anxious to get bence or farthings from the poor, and not put their own pounds and shillings into their own box. By doing so they can comply with other texts beside those that I show them. For instance, they could “Do their alms in seer t, not letting the left hand know what the right hand doeth." They could also very conveniently "On the first day of the week lay by in store as God has prospered them"; or they could acknowledge special answers to special payers or other special mercies by a special offering dropped into the box.

Let me conclude with a few pieces of advice, the result of twenty-five years' experience:

1. Let all who want to do good and prosper, whether rich or poor, have a missionary box.

2. Let the owner first take heed to feed it himself or herself. 3. Open it quarterly.

4. Gather up the fragments, such as books and papers no longer wanted, discount on ready money payments, and unexpected gains of all kinds, and give them or their tithe to me.

5. Lastly, remember that a free heart is the essence of acceptableness in offering, and therefore never impose your own rules on your neighbour's box. AMMAN KOYIL.

TEN WEEKS IN INDIA.

Extracts from Letters to my Children during a Winter Tour.
BY THE REV. E. H. BICKERSTETH, M.A.,
Vicar of Christ Church, Hampstead.

V.

CALCUTTA, January 17, 1881. Y last letter closed with our departure from Benares for Calcutta. At 10 o'clock on the night of Monday, January 10, we got into a carriage rough as the Adriatic, which made us all sickly; so after four hours we discreetly changed into one equally good, where there was only one clergyman, who kindly welcomed us. We passed Patna and Dinapore, and through vegetation which became more and more tropical (palms, &c.) we slid into the night and slept as well as our jolted heads would allow us, and next morning reached Calcutta just at 6 o'clock. The kind Bishop (Dr. Johnson) had sent his carriage to meet us (the same carriage that Bishop Wilson had), and met us on the staircase, and his sister soon came and gave us the kindest welcome, though at 7 o'clock in the morning.

On Thursday morning the Bishop of Calcutta gave his charge to some sixty-five clergy in the Cathedral. On Wednesday and Thursday there was the Diocesan Conference. Edward was asked to speak on Education, and spoke admirably. On Friday and Saturday there was the retreat. I took the mid-day address on Friday, and the Bishop on Saturday. The only thing I did not like was the unbroken silence. It is not natural, to my thinking. I cannot imagine our blessed Lord enjoining silence on His Apostles, when He called them to come apart into a desert place and rest awhile. However, many men, many minds-but I love liberty.

On Friday evening I spoke at the C.M.S. quarterly meeting to a full room, and walked home alone, by moonlight, some 2 miles. On Saturday afternoon M- and I made an expedition by ourselves to the Botanical Gardens, which lie across the Hooghly river, beyond what was the Bishop's College. We got into a most quaint boat, the rowers sitting sideways to pull. There was a wonderful banyan tree in the gardens, under which I should think a thousand people could stand, and lovely palms and orchid houses. We got back by moonlight. Yesterday I preached in the cathedral in the morning, and at the great church of St. John's in the evening; and to-day have had long conversations with Mr. Parker, the C.M.S. Secretary, and others, at his house. One young Brahmin of the highest caste came, the son of a rich Brahmin, who used to allow him large moneys, but has now cut off every shilling, because his son attends Mr. Parker's Bible Class. It is hard to realise what genuine enquirers have to suffer.

This afternoon M-, and Edward, the Bishop of Colombo, and I called on Keshub Chunder Sen, to whom I had sent Professor Monier Williams' note of introduction. He was most courteous and interesting, and showed us his little prayer-meeting room in his house.

CALCUTTA, January 23, 1881.

We had the most charming "outing" from Tuesday noon to Saturday noon last week. It was a great matter to travel nearly 800 miles to see mountains which might be wrapped in mist and cloud--but God was most gracious to us, and we have seen scenery we can never, never forget. We travelled all Tuesday afternoon and night, and woke up at Siliguri, some 330 miles from Calcutta, to get into a quaint steam tram-car, which, with the most enterprising little engine, was to mount 30 miles of the The foliage was luxuriant; Himalayan range to Kurseong. ancient forests, gigantic reeds, tree ferns, tea-gardens, and then precipices on either side, our little railroad taking the sharpest

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curves with the most perfect adroitness, and once making the figure 8, immense precipices on either side. So we got to Kurseong, and then got into a tonga for the last 18 miles to Darjeeling. Alas! that night the distant hills were all veiled in cloud. I got up at 3 A.M. It was piercing cold, moonlight on near hills, but the snows all hidden. But at 6 we got up, and the glorious view was stamped into us as in a moment. The sun rose on the snowy ranges from 40 to 45 miles distant, though a belt of cloud, perhaps 20 miles broad, lay betwixt us and them, and quite veiled the lower snow ranges. But there arose Chinchingunga, 27,000 feet high, and all her sister mountains, in unutterable glory. M-, Edward, and I walked to the Observatory hill, a mile away, first lost in wonder and delight, and there we had our morning prayer, and I read Rev. xxi. from my Greek Testament. More clouds came up, but the snow hills were in sight, sometimes more, sometimes less, all day. We got three ponies, and rode up the Senchall mountains about ten miles ride, and had a wonderful view of the nearer Himalayas; and the evening roseate lights upon the most distant snows glowed into fire after the sun was set. On Friday morning On Friday morning

I was out by 6. The moon was up, and not a single cloud between us and the whole range of mountains. Edward and M- soon came, and we can never forget the sight-it was a pearl-like transparency, something so ethereal and tender it did not seem of the world-but it might be the steps of heaven let down to earth. The mountains are so much higher than those in Switzerland, that you have to raise your eyes, and find them where you do not expect to find anything but air and clouds. Cowper's lines came continually to my mind"His are the mountains and the valleys his, And the resplendent rivers-his to enjoy With a propriety that none can feel

But who, with filial confidence inspired,

Can lift to Heaven an unpresumptuous eye,

And smiling say-'My Father made them all!'
Are they not his by a peculiar right,

And by an emphasis of interest his,
Whose eye they fill with tears of holy joy,
Whose heart with praise ?"

We left Darjeeling most reluctantly at 10 A.M., Friday; had another delightful day through the gorges and down the lower ranges by

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us the Gospel which you say is for the good of the souls of men, bring us on the other hand that which destroys our bodies, poisons our sons, ruins our brothers, and leads us to beggar our wives and children?" And no process of reasoning will convince them that the missionaries are not in some way identified with the traffic.

The Chinese have a proverb that the opium shops, that is, for selling, retailing, and smoking, are more numerous than the rice shops. There are regular public establishments in many parts of China, with opium pipes and the other necessaries for smoking the drug, in all parts of the suburbs and city, attended by gambling and licentiousness. According to an eye witness, "In entering these places we are accustomed to see the victims of this habit in their different stages of narcotism; some under the full influence of the drug, with a vacant expression and lifelessness; others with the glistening eye and excited expression; others in the intermediate states and stages." Besides these establishments, whither large numbers, especially of the poor, resort, it is to be remembered that in numerous families an opium pipe is kept for the use of the members of the clan or family,

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