THE CHURCH MISSIONARY GLEANER. MISSIONARY ALMANACK. F. Q. 7th .... 11.46 a.m. F. M. 14th.... 3.23 a.m. December. DECEMBER, 1883. 8.8 a.m. L. Q. 21st 1 S I am the Lord, I change not, Mal. 3. 6. [fulfilled unto us their children, Acts 13. 32, 33. 2 S Advent Sun. The promise made unto the fathers ... God hath M. Is. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 7. E. Is. 2, or 4. 2. John 12. 20. 3 M Hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Num. 23. 19. 4 T The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent, 1 Sam. 15. 29. 5 W He is in one mind, and who can turn Him? Job 23. 13. 6 T Imad-ud-din ord., 1868. He cannot deny Himself, 2 Ti. 2. 13. 7F With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lam. 3. 23. [Ja. 1. 17. [word is settled in heaven, Ps. 119. 89. 2nd in Advent. Bp. Stuart consec., 1877. For ever, O Lord, Thy M. Is. 5. 1 John 2. 15. E. Is. 11. 1-11, or 24. John 17. 8 S 9 S 10 M 11 T S. Crowther bapt., 1825. My covenant shall stand fast with him, The immutability of His counsel, Heb. 6. 17. 13 T 14 F 15 S 16 S [Ps. 89. 28. 12 W Confirmed it by an oath-two immutable things, Heb. 6. 18. Supposed day Smith & O'Neill d., 1877. My counsel shall stand, I have purposed it, I will also do it, Is. 46. 11. [Is. 46. 10. Bps. Russell, Horden, and Royston consec., 1872. The gifts and [calling of God are without repentance, Ro. 11. 29. 3rd in Advent. Ember Wk. This Man...hath an unchangeable M. Is. 25. Jude. E. Is. 26, or 28. 5-19. Jo 21. [priesthood, Heb. 7.24. 17 M I will make an everlasting covenant with you, Is. 55. 3. 18 T Townsend vis. Abeokuta, 1843. Who shall disannul it? Is. 14. 27. 19 W Every purpose of the Lord shall be performed, Jer. 51. 29. 20 T He is faithful that promised, Heb. 10. 23. [2. 13. 21 F St. Thomas. If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful, 2 Tim. 22 S 1st Miss, landed N. Z., 1814. His hand is stretched out: who shall turn it back? Is. 14. 27.] [Ez. 24. 14. 23 S 4th in Advent. I the Lord have spoken it, I will not go back, M. Is. 30. 1-27. Rev. 11. E. Is. 32, or 33. 2-23. Rev. 12. 24 MI AM THAT I AM, Ex. 3. 14. [for ever, Heb. 13. 8. 25 T Christmas Day. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and M. Is. 9. 1-8. Lu. 2. 1-15. E. Is. 7. 10-17. Tit 3. 4-9. 26 W St. Stephen. In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie promised, Tit. 1. 2.] [faithful, Rev. 21. 5. 27 T St. John. He said unto me, Write, for these words are true and 28 F Innocents' Day. Can a woman forget her sucking child? Is. 49. 15. 29 S Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, Is. 49. 15. [and in Him Amen, 2 Co. 1. 20. 30 S Sun. aft. Christmas. All the promises of God in Him are yea, M. Is. 35. Rev. 20. E. Is. $8 or 40. Rev. 21. 1-15. 31 M I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world, Mat. 28. 20. 2. They shall run, and not be weary; 3. They shall walk, and not faint."-Isa. xl. 31. AVE we already reached the farewell month of what was so recently the glad New Year? It is even so. Swiftly, silently, have we glided through the times and the seasons. Sunset and sunrise, light and shadow, have pervaded, by turns, both our inner and our outer world; and if we have sighed, now and again, over Earth's continual change, we have also often felt refreshed by Life's ceaseless variety. For Earnestness knows nought of Monotony. To us, each day is a new day. Forgetting those things which are behind, we seck the way to Zion, with our eager faces thitherward, beguiling the journey with Songs of Deliverance. Have we not cause to be joyful? Our own God has proved to us all He promised to be, when we laid our trembling hand within His, amid the mists of the dawning year. Not one thing hath failed of all the good things wherewith He delights to less His trusting ones, and as our hearts burn within us, while we think over His goodness and our shortcomings, we sing with cheerful voice the grand old song: "Thou art my God and I will praise Thee; Thou art my God, I will exalt Thee." And such sweet music cannot fall "as vinegar upon nitre," even on the ear of Sorrow and Bereavement. Its soothing power is soft as the tones of an Eolian harp, and its wondrous melodies exactly adapt themselves to the various moods of unsatisfied Humanity. Tears jar not with its heavenly harmony, and the ripples of happy laughter make no discord among its vibrations. How different things seem when viewed from the experience of a closing year, instead of from the oft-times futile anticipations which mark its beginning. Let us pause, and turn, and look back. How many who started with us are lying at rest; how many are scattered, to meet only yonder; how many, then in health and hope, are now on beds of sickness, or passing through times of anxious care. Inasmuch as we are still here, the Lord must still have need of us, to carry on His work in this world. Let us stir each other up; let us provoke" one another to love and to good works; let us mutually cheer each other, and help, and strengthen. Ah, strengthen. That is the practical word for the erring and the weak. How are we to "renew" our strength? Simply by waiting on the Lord. It is good that a man should both hope and " quietly wait." Dear precious words; full of patience, meekness, the deep repose of trustful activity. And for those who are enabled thus to wait there is a lovely promise, meeting their need at each successive stage of Life's Pilgrimage. We can never be too young, too old nor too busy, to join the goodly company who feel that they must work for the Master while it is called To-day. But, as work is exhausting, so workers need renewed strength. To buoyant Youth, all impatience to set forth, and seeing no difficulties, in its sublime enthusiasm, the promise rings down, with hearty responsive sympathy, They shall mount up with wings as eagles." Onward and upward then, ye, on whose bright heads is the fresh dew of the morning; in joy and sorrow, in prosperity and adversity, wait on the Lord. "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart wait, I say, on the Lord." 66 Too soon Youth is fled, and the soaring is over. Life's discipline has done its work, and we are tied and bound by the chain of circumstances. Gray hairs are here and there upon us, and we like to remember that they are "Death's blossoms." But while the outward man decayeth, our hearts are leal and true, and our life-purpose tried and purified; to us, then, belongs the next sure promise. Strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might, it is we who shall "run and not be weary." We can thankfully feed on this for many days. At length, with stealthy step, Old Age steals over us. The soaring and the running are both long past, and yet we cannot let all our loved duties pass into younger hands, while we try to learn that our strength is now to "sit still." Nor need we. For the aged, there is a special place in the Lord's vineyard; it is full of peace and pleasantness. Good words spoken amid its green shadows do not fall to the ground, and balmy breezes linger lovingly about its rich ripe clusters. The time of the singing of birds is come. It is the glad festival of the Ingathering. No room there for the blank forebodings of waning strength. The voice of the charmer has peculiar comfort for that restful period of the pilgrimage, which is so leavened with prayerful influence. Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you. I will strengthen thee, weary one, yea, I will help thee; and for thee is the promise: Thou shalt 66 walk, and not faint." Let us cherish these beautiful words, according to our need. And in Youth, Maturity, and Age may the Lord bless us, and be gracious unto us, and give us peace. For Jesus' sake. Amen. A. M. V. THE RED SEA A MISSIONARY HIGHWAY. ROM our earliest childhood the Red Sea has been a familiar name to us-the sea whose waters were a wall unto Israel on their right hand and on the left, and which, returning in its strength when the morning appeared, overwhelmed the hosts of Pharaoh. And we cannot but be glad to find that the modern theories which transfer that memorable scene to an arm of the Mediterranean appear to be set at rest by the recent wonderful discovery of the "treasure city" of Pithom. But the Red Sea has an interest also for its connection with missionary enterprise. Nor is this only a recent connection. Which way the Apostle Thomas went, or Bartholomew, or whoever it was that first carried the Gospel to India, we cannot say; but we may safely assume that Pantænus of Alexandria, the missionary of the 2nd century who visited the Indian Churches, sailed down the Red Sea; perhaps also the embassy sent by King Alfred of England on pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Thomas, if they ever got so far. Modern missionaries, however, from the Jesuits downwards, have sailed round the Cape, until some thirty years ago; and the first C.M.S. men to use the Red Sea were the early missionaries to Abyssinia-Gobat, Isenberg, Krapf, and others. Krapf made ten or twelve voyages on it, most, if not all, of them in Arab vessels, the great steampacket lines being still in the future. But latterly, almost all our brethren going to or returning from East Africa, Mauritius, India, Ceylon, China, Japan, and New Zealand, have steamed up or down the Red Sea in the splendid "P. & O." or "British India' letters gave a vivid account of the tremendous heat he and his crew had to endure. The member of the party that suffered most was the Newfoundland dog!-which had to have its hair cut close, and to be frequently tossed overboard, to keep it cool. The great heat of the Red Sea is one reason why missionaries are usually sent out not before October. In this past October the principal steamers have carried large parties of missionaries. The Rewa, of the "British India" line, sailed on Oct. 17 with a C.M.S. party of fourteen, and several ladies of the Zenana societies. The Ethiopia, of the same line, sailed on Oct. 24, with a C.M.S. party of twelve, and several more Zenana ladies. The Peshawar, of the "P. & O." line, sailed the same day, with four from the C.M.S. and one Zenana lady, for China. Before these lines appear, we trust most will have reached their destination safely. How many readers of the GLEANER thought of them when joining in the prayer for those "that travel by land or by water"? Let us also not forget the dear ones whom they leave behind. The touching lines at the foot of this page, written by a missionary's wife, will remind us of one of the sorest trials that have to be undergone by those who go forth as our substitutes in obeying the Lord's command. SUEZ, THE NORTHERN PORT OF THE RED SEA. ships. Before the Suez Canal was open this route took them to Alexandria, and across Egypt by rail to Suez, where they reembarked; but now the same vessel conveys them-those, at least, for India-all the way. Those for East Africa change at Aden. In contrast with the almost crowded state of the Red Sea now, it is curious to see what the Sultan's orders regarding it were just a century ago (1781): "The Sultan absolutely forbids that any Franks' ships be permitted, on any pretence whatever, to come to Suez, openly or secretly. The Suez Sea is reserved for the holy pilgrimage of Mecca, and all such as are content to admit Franks' ships to a passage and do not exert themselves in preventing it, are guilty of infidelity to the religion, to their sovereign, and to all Mohammedans. Such as do not attend to this express command, so important to our state and religion, will most certainly meet with severe punishment in this world and in the world to come. Do for ever, with all zeal and ardour as we command. Our Royal orders are gone forth, and this is our will." (The Times, Oct. 30, 1883.) One memorable voyage down the Red Sea was that of the Highland Lassie, the little steam-yacht given by Mr. Wright's family to the East Africa Mission (now superseded by the Henry Wright). That was in April and May, 1876. The little vessel was navigated by the late Lieut. G. Shergold Smith, the leader of the first Nyanza party (see GLEANER of June, 1876); and his C.M.S. Mosses; MISS L. E. JUKES, 14, St. Paul's Street, Tiverton, writes, "You will be glad to hear that we have realised £2 for the C.M.S. through the notice of the dried mosses you kindly inserted in the April number of the GLEANER. We have added to their number during our summer holiday, and perhaps some C.M.S. friends might like to procure them for Christmas presents." MISS LONGLEY, Claverdon, Warwick, writes, "What can be done with Blackberries? I have had a very large sale of Blackberry Jam this year, and have sold it for the benefit of the C.M.S. at 10d. a pot, and have realised £6 at present for the Society, and I have still three dozen pounds more to dispose of." LEFT AT HOME. A Missionary's Prayer for an Only Child. Close in Thine arms, from all there is to fear; Not in strange hands, dear Lord, nor yet alone, O keep our darling baby, Father, for us, A. G. OVER THE WATER. BY EVELYN R. GARRATT. CHAPTER XII.-GOOD NEWS. HEN Sasie and Leith met the following day both their faces showed signs of a sleepless night; they stood looking into each others eyes without a word, and each saw at a glance that the other had come to no definite conclusion. It is hard enough sometimes to decide even an unimportant question, but when it is a matter which may alter the whole current of a life it becomes doubly so. How could they part? That was the question written on both their faces, and something there reminded each that "this world is not for aye." That their life was but as a tale that is told," as a "flower of the field," perishable-uncertain. The tempter was busy with Leith Lancaster for the next few moments. Meanwhile Sasie, who stood looking up at him, remembered his words, "Would you marry a coward ?" If Leith was in the army, she reasoned with herself, and his Queen and country called for his services, would she wish him, for love of her, to keep at home instead of facing the foe? Nay, would she not rather buckle on his armour and urge him forward, remembering how great and grand a thing it is for a man to fight for his country, and to die for it if need be? If she had to choose, would she not far rather be the widow of a hero than the wife of a coward ? Thus reasoned Sasie with herself. And as she remembered that Leith was in God's army, and that to remain in England instead of obeying the call to go across the water would be quite as cowardly an act as the other, she made up her mind. "What shall we answer, Sasie ? A pause, and then the answer came in clear, brave tones— Looking from him to her two children Mrs. Lancaster thought of Mrs. Venning's words "A deaf, childish old man-what can he do in this great battle of life?" And as if in answer to the question came into her mind the words— "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are." Leith and Sasie were living witnesses of the old man's work in Inglesby. They went away after a few minutes, leaving Mrs. Lancaster for a little while longer with Mr. North. "Mr. North," she said, after a slight pause, "I fancy you know something of what I am going through. It is sometimes hard to say, 'Thy will be done."" Mrs. Lancaster, who was far more accustomed to receive confidences than to make them, to sympathise with others than to ask for sympathy, was surprised to find how easily she was able to talk to Mr. North, and it was a relief to her. Mr. North looked keenly at her, and his sympathy being fully aroused he was able to express himself and collect his thoughts more easily than usual. "Madam," he said, "there was a time I felt like you, and refused to give God my best. I had a child once--just such another as my 'little Sunshine'-and when she grew up the wish to work among the heathen became strong in her; but I would not let her go. Though she was not my only child she was the one I loved best, and I would have spared all rather than her. Year after year passed, and-ah! my memory fails me. But one day a rich man came into our village and stole my pretty bird away. I can see her now, standing in the churchyard with her golden hair, on her wedding morning. Now, I thought to myself, 'We will give unto the Lord that which costs us most-we will give my little girl will never be longing and pining to go over the sea; but I Him each other, Leith." Mr. North had been disappointed to hear that his missionary-box when opened contained only thirty shillings; he had hoped for far greater things, and felt discouraged. "I've done so little, Lord, and I meant to do so much," he murmured again and again. He little knew or expected what he had been the means of doing, and when it was told him the joy was almost too much. One afternoon to his surprise three visitors were announced, Mrs. Lancaster, her son, and Sasie, all old friends of his, for Mrs. Lancaster had often been to see him when Leith was in London. He was not, however, accustomed to receive more than one at a time, and had not seen Leith and Sasie together since their engagement. "We've come to tell you some news," said Leith, "for we feel that you of all people ought to know first." "God bless you both, Gol bless you," said the old man, holding out his hands to them. "I know all about it--why my little bit of sunshine' came round last week to tell me-and may God bless you, my children." "Oh, but we have some more news for you," said Sasie, "news that will make you very, very glad." A strange eager light flashed across Mr. North's face. "Over the water?" he asked excitedly, looking at Leith. Yes, I am going out as a missionary." made a mistake, she went over the water after all,-but it was the river of death that she crossed. All the rest is a blank. I know nothing more, except that she was laid in the grave, in the little churchyard where the primroses and violets grew. I think I nearly died of a broken heart, and I felt the souls of those heathen laid to my charge. It was years before I could believe that God had forgiven me; I had robbed Him of His due, and would not give God my best." They all died; two were carried off by fever, and one was drowned on his third voyage to China." Then, after a slight pause, he added, "It seems to me, somehow, as if God had sent my little bit of sunshine' to me in the place of Gracie; and I have been praying for long that she might be led over the water, though He knows how much I shall miss her. He has granted my prayer about her. Madam, be sure of it, that God's way is always the happiest. You will lose, instead of gaiuing, if you try to keep your son. Besides, will you offer unto the Lord your God of that which doth cost you nothing?" Sasie grew in soul during the next five years, and when they came to an end she felt that it had been good for her to have had that quiet training time. How different now were her feelings, as she looked forward to work in India, from what they had been at the beginning of those five years! Then Leith was everything-the work, save that she was to share it with They were almost sorry that they had told him the news so suddenly, him, nothing. Now, she felt that even if there were no Leith in the for he literally trembled with excitement. "I owe a great deal to you," said Leith; "for you were the first who taught me to care for the heathen, or led me to think of a missionary's life, and now I feel that God has called me." "And you, my dear?" looking questioningly at Sasie. "Father has promised to let me join Leith in five years from the time he starts, if I still love him." Sasie looked up at Leith with a laugh that was very nearly a sob. "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace," murmured Mr. North; "for what wait I for? A look of peace and rest stole over his face as if a burden had just rolled off his mind. question, the work was there for her, and she looked forward with eagerness to beginning it. It was sad work leaving home, and saying good-bye to little Inglesby, which looked particularly sweet in the bright October sunshine, as she leant against the stile leading into the churchyard, taking her last look at the old familiar scene. Standing there, the remembrance of her first meeting with Mr. North came vividly before her, and she could almost fancy she heard his trembling words "Shall I offer unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing ?" Sasie crossed the stile, and made her way to the spot where she had first 1 seen him. There was no bent old man with silvery hair sitting on the tombstone, but by its side was a newly-made grave. It was a simple grass mound; no stone had been erected to tell who lay beneath; but those who loved him needed no reminder of where the old man lay, and his grave was bright with flowers. He had died on a bright summer morning, when the sun was shining in all its glory, and the birds' voices were sounding a joyful thanksgiving to their Creator. He passed peacefully away in his sleep, with a smile of satisfaction on his face. When Mrs. Caston came down from the chamber of death that morning her face bore traces of tears. "I beg your pardon, ma'am," she said to Mrs. Venning, who was waiting in the shop. "I'm afraid I've kept you waiting, but the poor old gentleman has just gone from us." "Has he really died? I had no idea he was so ill. Well, it's the happiest thing that could have happened to such a lonely old man, and it is not as if he had left any one behind to grieve over his loss." Mrs. Caston shook her head sorrowfully. "That he is happier in Heaven, ma'am, I have no doubt, and if any one was prepared to go there he was; but as to leaving no one behind to grieve for him, I can't say much about that. My husband and I feel, ma'am, that we've been entertaining an angel unawares, and though I grumbled a bit about the extra work at first, and went so far as to say I could not stand it much longer, I've learnt better long ago. I've never had a lodger whom I shall miss so much, and I verily believe that God has blessed this house ever since he came into it, that I do." "Will you really miss him so much ?" said Mrs. Venning; "I had fancied that being so helpless "Yes, ma'am, and so he was very helpless, but never a grumble came from his lips, and he wasn't one of those fidgetty ones who always want to be attended to. He would sit quite patient and quiet by the hour together, and I used to hear him praying just beautiful-speaking to the Lord as if He were close beside him, and so I believe He was. And," she added, brushing away her tears as her eyes fell on the missionary-box on the counter, "that box shall stand there so long as I live, and I don't say so only because it would please Mr. North, but because it will please the Lord." Did Mrs. Venning remember her talk with Mrs. Lancaster seven years ago about the new lodger at Mrs. Caston's ? I think so, for her face wore something of the same sad expression as she left the shop that Mrs. Lancaster had seen upon it at the time of Ella's accident, when she had confessed to another mistake, another sin. To the Editor. DEAR EAR SIR,-Permit me to suggest to your clerical readers the following subjects, as suitable for a Course of four Sermons on Sunday evenings during the season of Advent : (1) The Condition of the World without the Gospel. (2) The Means used to propagate the Gospel. (3) The Results achieved by preaching the Gospel. (4) The Responsibility resting upon every individual Christian to assist in the spread of the Gospel. We are now circulating these subjects among the members of our Suffolk Union in the hope that they may be used by the clergy, and tend to awaken among their people an increased interest in the subject of Foreign Missions. Peasenhall Vicarage, EDWARD D. STEAD, Nov. 10th, 1883. Hon. Sec. Suffolk C.M. Union. WHE A Dying Maori Clergyman. THEN the late Rev. Piripi Patiki, of New Zealand, was dying, his son in the ministry, the Rev. Wiki Te Paa, proposed to telegraph to Archdeacon Clarke. "Why should you?" said the old man; "it is the Lord's work. He planted the seed, made the seed to grow, and then to bear fruit, and now that the fruit is ripe let Him gather it in His own way. Do not interrupt the elders in their work. And you, my son, God has planted you here: grow, work, bear much fruit, and when you are ripe He will gather you too. When I am gone, you can write to the elders and let them know." ONE OF OUR HELPERS. HAVE just returned from D-, where I addressed a meeting last night. The Vicar's daughter called for me in the afternoon, and we drove to the pretty vicarage, but stopped on our way, at one of the smallest houses I have ever seen, to pick up a very tiny widow woman, who just matched her house. She used to be the toll-keeper, and the house was the toll-house; but the gate has been removed for many years, though its keeper is permitted to occupy her old home. The old lady came out at the sound of wheels, and greeted my companion cordially. "I shall soon be ready," she said, and began to bustle about. The window shutter had to be secured, the cat conducted to some outside haunt, and made snug for the night, and the door locked. Then she came to the carriage, and got in with some difliculty, grasping her faithful umbrella, her clean white handkerchief, and her well-worn black thread gloves. She was a very neat little old woman, dressed in old, but spotless, black and white. I learnt from others that she has been the chief friend of the C.M.S. in her neighbourhood for many years. She goes round the parish and collects the small subscriptions and donations that so many are willing to give if some one will only take the trouble to call for them. I learnt also that she had a very high character for personal holiness. One friend spoke of her as a saint." I drove back with her this morning, and she told me much about herself. She is 76 years of age, and much regrets that her increasing feebleness prevents her from doing as much as she used to do for the cause she loves. She has lived in her tiny lonely house for 46 years; during 16 years a husband (as small as herself her friends tell me) shared her home, but for 30 years she has been a widow, with no living companion but her cat. She has never been to London, nor wandered far from home, but she has an intense interest in missionary work in the "uttermost parts of the earth "an interest which arises apparently from a real Compassion for the poor heathen who "sit in darkness and the shadow of death," and a deep love for her Saviour, and a desire to obey His last command. It is encouraging for the missionary to meet such friends among the poorest and humblest of Christ's flock. And it should also be an encouragement to those who desire to help the work at Home, to know that one so solitary, old, and poor, can do so much to help the glorious work of establishing Christ's kingdom in the world. L. THE STORY OF THE NEW ZEALAND MISSION. By the Author of "England's Daybreak," ""The Good News in Africa," &c. XII. E heard last month of the son of the blood-thirsty chieftain, Raparahau Katu, at the extreme south of the island, being seized with an earnest desire to learn to read the Book of God, of which he first heard casually from a cousin, and acquiring the power of doing so by six months steady toil with a teacher, shut up in a little islet once used as a prison. The spiritual appetite thus once awakened, Katu and Whywhy longed for further teaching, and felt nothing would now satisfy them but hearing the Gospel "straight from a white man's mouth." Raparahau strongly objected to their going, but they were not to be thwarted in their purpose; and paying their fare in pigs and potatoes, took their passage in an American ship, bound for the 500 miles' voyage to the Bay of Islands, starting courageously, though they left their wives weeping pitifully on the shore. Arriving in about a month, they were taken to our friend Mr. H. Williams, quaintly called "of the Four Eyes" by the natives, because he wore spectacles, and he asked the reason of their coming. "To get a missionary," replied Katu, "to teach my people." Alas! for the blow that awaited him in the reply: "But there is no one whom we can send." Most touchingly did they urge and repeat their entreaties that some one might be spared to return with them, but what could the missionary do but explain the simple impossibility, "There is no one who can go;" they talked together for many hours, but of course it was always with the same result. At |