音

TALKS WITH YOUNG WORKERS.

BY THE REV. J. E. SAMPSON.

CHAPTER II.

T was not easy to form the proposed meeting. Our zealous friend Mr. Harper worked hard. He went to every teacher

in the Sunday and in the day-schools, to the district visitors,

to all subscribers in the congregation, to every likely young

man or woman to whom he had access. But he found he

had undertaken a very difficult business. One thought him too enthusiastic, another pleaded that there were already more meetings and classes than could be sustained, and some urged that the missionary subject was not sufficiently interesting to attract.

Not interesting, Mrs. Lukewell!" cried our friend; "why I think the missionary subject the most interesting subject in the world."

"I do subscribe, Mr. Harper, you know," she said, apologetically. "Yes, madam; and it strikes ine that if you would attend our proposed meeting, you would find our studies so interesting, that you would be disposed to double your subscription."

To some this would have been an argument for not joining the meeting; but Mr. Harper knew with whom he was dealing. Mrs. Lukewell know the grace of God, and needed, like hundreds of our subscribers, only to know more of the work of God to prompt within her more earnest desires to help. She yielded to her importunate visitor, and consented to come. Many times that day Mr. Har er's countenance was expressive of strauge wonder, and if you could have heard bis thoughts you would have heard these two words often repeated, "Not interesting!"

His first meeting was a decided success. Most of the teachers came, some of the district visitors, the collectors, and several others who did no definite work in the Church.

Old Mrs. Hope was delighted. For fifty years she had taken a genuine interest in the Church Missionary Society and its holy work. Though poor, she knew the GLEANER well, and many a time had she spread it on a chair in her chamber and knelt down, and, in her own simple way, "talked to the Lord" (as she expressed it) about what she read therein. She hailed this new meeting with deepest gratitude, and predicted that it would be the beginning of great things at St. James's.

Mr. Harper felt somewhat nervous when the time of the first meeting drew near. He felt the importance of reading and informing himsel thoroughly in all branches of the subject, in order that all might learn and be interested. And many were his prayers to the Lord for His guiding hand, and of course with prayer he opened the meeting.

It was not long before the conversation became general. Mr. Harper had arranged in his own mind that this first gathering should be very informal, and that they would talk over the subject of Christian Missions generally.

"The very word GOSPEL," he remarked, "implies missionary work. It means preaching if it means anything. And preaching to whom? To those who need its gracious tidings-to the perishing and the lost; for the burden of its message is Salvation."

"And the word APOSTLE," suggested Mr. Treddel, "really means missionary. It is one who is sent. As the Father hath sent Me, even so send I you.' So Christ Himself, our great Exemplar, was a Missionary." "Can we be Christ-like," rather tremblingly asked Mrs. Hope, "if we lack the missionary spirit ?"

"Certainly not," was Mr. Harper's decided reply.

"But you don't mean to say," interposed Mr. Ryme, "that missionary zeal is an essential characteristic of Christian life? I rather look upon it as a department of Christian work, which is for some but not for all." "For whom, then?" asked Mr. Harper.

For those who are more especially adapted for it," was Mr. Ryme's reply. "The gif s of the Spirit, and the works of those in whom He dwells, are various, and we are not all called to the same work. Some, therefore, I think, may engage in it and s me may not."

"But who may, and who may not do this especial work? Who is to decide?

"I think that those who are called to it will be disposed to it. They will feel an inward call prompting them," continued Mr. Ryme.

"But," said our friend Mr. Harper, "will not all who love our Saviour be disposed to it? If they know anything about it I am sure they will; and if they don't know anything they won't desire anything. It just comes to this, that those who are ignorant of missionary work may neglect it."

"But still," urged Mr. R me, "you would not have all Christians doing the same thing. Now I re'er home work and you prefer to eign work; and if you attend to your line and I attend to mine, both will be attended to."

"I grant that there should be a division of labour, that all workers should not be working in precisely the same line, but what I insist on is this that the aim and tendency of all Chri-tian work should be the evangelisation of the world. The Church of Christ is one great army.

The grand warfare in which we are engaged is the preaching of the Gospel to every creature. And as in human war are there are those who go forth to the war, and those who abide by the stuff, so must it be in the divine. But then those who abide in the camp are equally interested in the issue of the battle with those who are out in the battle-field. There they peach and labour: here we must also work and pray and help in every way we can. There is one Leader and Commander, and only one army, and one holy warfare."

Certainly not; but the heart should be in it as well as the help, and the head as well as the heart."

"I think that is really the point before us," interposed Mrs. Hope. "If we know we shall do."

"Quite so," said Mr. Harper. "The first missionaries were disciples before they became apostles. It is very interesting and suggestive to notice that the earliest title of the followers of Christ was Disciple. They were disciples-learners-before they were anything else."

"Nor did they cease to be disciples when they became apostles," said Mr. Treddel.

'No, dear friends, whatever we may be called, saints, or brethren, or faithful, or chosen, in Holy Scri ture, we are always still disciples."

"I have thought," said Mr. Tred del, "that St. Paul, the greatest and first of all missionaries, the Lord Jesus only excepted, is an example of this. He asks, Who art thu, Lord?' before he asks, 'Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' I think he was always, in all his life and in all his labours, asking these two questions. Ab, if we wou'd work more and more effectually, we must ever be learning more of the 'treasures of wisdom and knowledge' which are hid' in Christ. This will inspire us, and energise us in service, and therefore I conclude, with Mr. Harper, that the more we know Christ and the more we are like Christ, the more shall we be filled with the missionary spirit. And in saying this I must confess that the consideration of this subject to-night has brought to view in me one thing in which I have been sadly unlike my Master."

"I think," said Mr. Harper, "you have looked upon missionary work too much as if it were the work of a society, of which you might or might not be a member. Something outside of you, like a literary society, baving no real claim upon you, and doing a work in which it was not actually necessary that you should be engaged." "I am afraid it has been so."

"But missionary work is Christ's work. No one bearing the Christian name is free from its gracious obligation. He has given the great command, and we must eituer obey or disobey."

Old Mrs. Hope said, "I think praying is one of the best ways of obeying." She never said much, poor woman, and when she had said it she always looked as if she wished she hadn't said it.

II. FISHERS OF MEN.

"From henceforth thou shalt catch men."
Matt. iv. 17-20; Luke v. 1-11.

OU have often seen men fishing-perhaps fished your-
selves in sea or river. Sea-fishing hard and rough work,
often dangerous, many fishing-boats lost in storms.

Andrew and Simon fishermen-their town called Bethsaida (house of fish). But not in sea or river-in lake (describe). Not so perilous a sea-yet hard live-out all night-sometimes caught nothing (Luke v. 5; John xxi. 23)—sudden storms (Matt. viii. 24; xiv. 24).

Jesus now beinning to preach-comes to the lake (Matt. iv. 17, 18)-He, too, going a fishing-what fish to catch? Those Galileans just like fish in lake, immersed in darkness and sin-He will throw out the Gospel net to catch them-but not to kill them-to give them new life.

The Great Fisher of souls wants helpers. Whom shall He call? Learned rabbis? scribes used to teaching? No, but these fishermenhumble men, but diligent, keen, patient, at their own work, and He will make them so at His (see 2 Cor. xii. 16). "Follow me," He cries. Did they follow ? (Matt. ix. 20)—straightway; but went back to nets again a te wards, and in Luke v the second call. (Read ver. 1-11.)

Two things Simon yet nee led to make him a good fisher of sous-(1) to feel his own unit e s-(2) to be sure of Christ's power and love. How did he set the e? Byte m racle. The bursting net showed him what Jesus could do; and then, seeing the power and love of Jesus, He saw himself as an unwortoy sinner-how could he ever be fit to work with such a Master?" I am a sinful man, O Lord-depart from me!"

THAT FISHING IS STILL GOING ON. Missionaries, at home and abroad, all who seek souls for Christ, the fishermen. WHAT DOES THE GREAT FISHER SAY TO US? (1)" Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." What to leave? Not only sin. Every good thing, even, that we care for more than for Him. Then He wil "make" us good fishers-and only He can !-patient, keen, dilis ent, as Peter was-humble, trus ful, as the miracle made him. (2) "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." Not merely stand on the sho e, and quietly throw a hook in. Launch out-to Africa, India, China-hink of the multitudes of souls to be caught there-iet down the Gospel net-expect "draughts" (as lately in Tinnevelly).

(3) "Fear not; thou shalt catch men." Here is the sure promise. We may "toil all night, and take nothing" (as at Fuh-chow for ten years)never mind, go on-"at Thy word we will let down the net "—and IIe will give us more than we ask or think!

But you, too, are fish! The net is thrown to catch you-have you slipped away? or is Christ's boat bringing you safe to land?

"A RESPECTFUL PETITION."

(Sent to the Rev. A. ELWIN, Hang-chow, by the persecuted Christians of Great Valley, China. Translation.)

T the present time, through the great mercy of the Triune God, His people gathered from amongst the sinful inhabitants of the Chu-ki district, trusting in the Saviour's great merit, brought n'gh to G d, and renewed by the Holy Ghost, are all standing steadfast and unwavering. I, your ignorant younger brother, write this letter with my own hand, and commit it to Mr. Tai's kind care.

I must, however, inform you that this year all the Christians have endured heavy calamities. Alas! alas! it has been bitter indeed. I will give you a brief summary of our troubles.

In the former part of the year, as we walked through the fields, the evil-disposed lay in wait to revile and insult us. On my elder brother's ground near the hill-top, a thief dug up and stole more than seventy bamboo shoots,* and bambeo trees, with other kinds of wood, were stolen in large quantities. Our whole family, however (four brothers), bore this patiently, and shut our mouths. The enemy then grew more courageous in his malice towards us. Another of our Christian band has lost a great deal of loose wood; and afterwards his house was broken into and things stolen. Now, when he goes to church, bad people cry after him, " Break his legs! break his legs!" Much of his Indian corn is uprooted.

My eldest uncle [Luke's elder brother] is prevented now by the enemy from using a path which has been common from time immemorial. We had proposed to inform you, sir, of these facts after our last Church meeting, but as you had so earnestly exhorted us all to be patient and forbearing we did not forward our letter. But the enemy, emboldened by our quiet behaviour, are conceiving worse measures against us.

On the seventh day of the eighth moon my uncle's Indian corn was uprooted and stolen, and his hoe and sickle taken away also, and up to the present time the constable has not brought back the articles. Three times over, another piece of ground belonging to my uncle has been thus stripped, and he is in great anxiety and distress.

My fourth uncle [Silas] had a plot of clover, and this was uprooted and spoilt by night; and a straw shed was burnt down. Through God's merciful providence it happened that no one was watching that night.+ Had it been so, surely the man would have been burnt to death in his sleep. My second uncle was very ill at the time of this outrage, and the news so agitated him that he has been wor-e ever since.

Sir, we write this narrative to you, begging you to devise some means whereby peace may be re-t red to the Christians in this district. A respectful narrative presented by

JAMES TSE.

In sending the above, the Rev. A. E. Moule writes:Possibly, in reading this over, the troubles may not seem to you very serious. Knowing, as I do, the people named in the letter, and having witnessed the malice and violence of their enemies, I seem to feel the daily worry and alarm in which they must be living, and I cannot but fear that more serious attacks may be attempted. And the thought that in one sense we have brought these troubles on the poor people makes one long in honour to do what we may to bring them help. God grant them grace to pierce through the clouds of this brief life's sorrows, and to catch a glimpse of the glory to follow!

* These are used as a vegetable by the Chinese, and somewhat resemble large asparagus.-A. E. M.

These sheds are occupied at night by men in order to guard the crops from thieves.-A. E. M.

OUR PORTFOLIO.

NE of the Times correspondents in China wrote last year respecting the great famine there:-"I cannot make a brief allusion to the famine without once more recognising the admirable devotion with which the Protestant missionary band of relievers have gone through their work. They have exhibited in the brightest manner the best qualities of Englishmen and of Christians, and if this zealous self-sacrifice has not been cheered by the exuberant and clamorous thanks of the sufferers, it has at least earned them the respect and admiration of their own countrymen. Criticism of the expediency of missions and missionaries is hushed in the presence of such men, and disarmed by their existence."-Times, June 13th, 1879.

DR. N. G. Clark, the Secretary of the American Board of Missions,

in a Report lately presented on the Christian Missions in Japan, thus states their results:

Less than ten converts ten years ago; no Church organised; no native agency; no schools for the training of such an agency; no missionary devoted to preaching; only the scantiest Christian literature, and that derived from China; placards everywhere denouncing the very name of Christian, till the utterance of the word blanched the face and sent a thrill of horror through the listener. To-day, more than two thousand five hundred professed believers in Christ; a recognised Evangelical community three times larger; a fine body of earnest and faithful native preachers; Christian schools for the preparation of a native ministry; a Christian literature, including more than a hundred thonsand copies of portions of the New Testament; editions of the "Life of Christ" and other works, reckoned by thousands, and finding a ready sale; a Christian newspaper that circulates in all parts of the empire; and, illustrating in their lives the faith that breathes through all, more than a hundred and sixty devoted men and women from Christian lands. These are fact to quicken to the faith and to encourage the most vigorous exertion till the field be won. And yet our oldest missionary remarks that "the change in the moral aspect of the country is in no wise measured by the number of Christians; but the influence of Christian thought and sentiment is manifest in every direction."

AN

N American lady Missionary in Asiatic Turkey was trying in vain to make a sick old woman understand the freeness of the Gospel. At last she said, "It's God's backshish!"-and the poor creature instantly and joy fully grasped the truth.

RICH merchant in St. Petersburg, at his own cost, supported a number of Native missionaries in India. He was asked, one day, how he could do it. He replied, "When I served the world, I did it on a grand scale, and at princely expense, and when, by His grace, God called me out of darkness, I resolved Christ should have more than the world had had. But if you would know how I can give so much, you must ask of God, who enables me to give it. At my conversion I told the Lord His cause should have a part of all my business brought me in; and every year since I made that promise it has brought me in more than double what it did the year before, so that I can and do double my gifts in His cause." Bunyan said :—

A

"A man there was, some called him mad:
The more he cast away, the more he had."

TAMIL Christian in South India has written a tract for circulation among his heathen countrymen, referring to the kindness of British Christians in relieving the people in time of famine. He says:

The very same good Christian people who sent the missionaries to do your souls good, showing you the worthlessness of idols and the true way to Heaven, as soon as they heard of our distress collected thousands of rupees, which they sent to missionaries to expend in buying clothes and food for us. Thus you see, O friends, who have been our benefactors. They have not looked upon our faces. They have not seen our distress. They are not of our race. They do not worship our gods or attend festivals like ours. Why did they pity us? Why did they pour out their charity upon us, strangers? It was because their Bible bid them have such a mind; because their God and Saviour taught them to do so by His example, when He was incarnate. They did not give this great charity in the famine to bribe you to become Christians. They did not ask what your religion was before giving it. They did not require you to become Christians in order to obtain it. They distributed it through Christians and heathens. They desired to do us good and to remove our hunger. As the fruit, so is the tree. Behold some of the fruit of their holy religion, and judge you of the tree. If this religion has been so good for them, changing their cruel disposition and making them powerful and prosperous, generous and pitiful, will it not be good for us also? Listen. At this time many of the Hindus living in Tinnevelly, near to the Christians, have waked up to consider all that this religion has done now for the people in the famine, and, in years past, for villagers who have become Christians; and they say, "It is better that we too become Christians. Our children should learn, our wives should improve." More than 20,000 people of all castes, in more than 200 villages, have within a few months thus broken their idols, and begun to worship their Creator and Saviour, Christ Jesus; and in Arcot and Canara many more have done likewi-e. Note well. O friends, this statement which I have now made to you. Consider among yourselves whether the religion which has done these things is a good religion or not. Judge for yourselves whether you should not embrace it, that your children and you may enjoy its benefits also.

UP THE NILE TO UGANDA.

JOURNAL OF MR. R. W. FELKIN.
(Continued.)

OV. 27.-Litchfield better. Made him tea and a fowl, and packed him up safely in his travelling bed. I had had the fowls cooked over night, and to make sure that no ants would get at them I had put them in plates on the top of my mosquito curtain. It was no good, however, and when I took them down they were black with ants. At six A.M. 100 porters and the soldiers who were to take charge of us came. The porters were a fine set of men, armed with spears, bows and arrows, and clubs; ornamented, too, with iron rings and chains, and some with ivory rings round the upper arm. Some seven or eight had leopard skins hung over the shoulder, the others were all naked. After some little delay in picking out men to carry L., we started, first a guide with a spear, then his boy carrying his old-fashioned musket, then two soldiers, then L. in the angereb, carried on the heads of four men, then his two boys, then my soldier and myself

on horseback, then my boys, four relief men for L., six porters, and two more soldiers as rear-guard.

We soon passed Kerrie, her flag flying in our honour, and then struck off into a low range of hills, which runs parallel to the river, and is called the high road, the road near the river being under water just now.

As soon as we got into this road a most splendid panorama came into view. On our right the Neri Mountains, running in almost a straight line to Dufli, half hidden in haze, which the sun soon dispelled between them and us a plain studded with trees, and now and then small Bari villages. On our left the Nile winding along like a silver snake, its foaming wave-covered surface telling of many hidden rocks beneath; and then Mount Kelan formed a huge mass of dark blue for a background, over which the sun was shining in all its tropical brilliancy. Such a view must be seen to be fully realised; I cannot pretend to do it justice.

We went on at a good pace up hill and

down dale, sometimes poor L.'s feet being considerably higher than his head; but the men went much better than I expected they would do. About seven we came to an ugly deep valley, at the bottom of which was a deep stream; the water came nearly up to the men's shoulders, but it was passed in safety.

The way now led through high grass, which was very troublesome, as one could see nothing, often not the man in front of you. Some of the peeps, however, which I got of the Nile were grand, especially one of the Gougi Cataract, where the Nile is divided by a small island and the water comes rushing down on each side, breaking into spray on the rocks. We passed through two more ravines, and in the second I nearly came to grief. My horse got one of his hind legs fast in the mud and plunged violently, the bridle broke, and we fell twice, but he regained his feet at last, and we came out with little hurt.

I was indeed glad to see Moogi at eleven o'clock; the sun was getting very hot and I was greatly tired. The town lies low, right down at the water's edge. We arrived there, or rather to our huts built near the river, some five hundred yards north of the town, at 11.30. The soldiers were drawn up as usual to give us a welcome. We were very glad to get out of the sun, and I was glad to find Litchfield no worse for his journey. The others soon came up, and then dinner was sent to us by the agent; it was good, but less oil and butter would have been preferred. The agent was very sorry not to be able to give us sugar in our coffee; perhaps this was a hint to give him some: if so, it was not taken, as we have none to spare. In the afternoon Pearson and myself went to see the town; it is surrounded with a very strong stockade, and guarded by two brass guns. The cataract here is very fine; the water rushes and roars along, throwing up spray to a good height. Up to here they managed to bring a steamer, but a rope broke and she was dashed against the rocks, so they took her to bits and carried her to Dufli, where we hope to see her. Coming back we saw the natives at work killing cows; they killed and ate four in a very short time.

Nov. 28.-Up early; Litchfield better than I had hoped; and as the sun was rising over the hills we were on our way. The grass was worse, if possible, than yesterday. The march was most trying, it was so hot; there was no

shade at all. At 2.10 we came in sight of Labore, and glad I was to see it, for I was nearly done up; in ten minutes more I saw the flag run up and the white coats of the soldiers forming into line to give us our welcome. Labore looks very picturesque, situated on a hill some two hundred yards from the river, and surrounded by plenty of trees.

As we got there at 2.40 a surprise awaited us, for we saw four large elephants in line, and as the soldiers presented arms they all raised their trunks as their salaam. Our compound was well built, and we were most glad to get into the shade of a large tree by the river to wait for the arrival of our goods and companions. Litchfield was pretty well, but very tired; he had felt the jolting very much to-day.

At supper-time Pearson thought we would have a treat, so opened a tin of mutton cutlets, but it was putrid; a second tin was hardly fit to eat; so we were disappointed. I cannot understand how Brand could send such old stock for us; one would have thought he would have done his best after his promise, and knowing where we were going.

Feet in hot water before going to bed when one is very tired is a good plan; I tried it, and got no dreams that night.

Nov. 30.-The natives came to-day and wanted to go on to-morrow, but as it was Sunday we refused to go. They made a great noise in the evening; the scene was, too, quite interesting. Up the hill under the trees they had made small fires, round each of which four or five men lay or sat.

Dec. 1, Sunday.- A quiet and very happy day. Sixteen sick people came first thing this morning, and I was able to do a little good to several of them.

Dec. 2.-We got up at 4.30, and at 5.30 we found the natives ready for starting. The chief addressed the men before they took our goods. It was quite interesting; bardly daylight, the natives standing in a semicircle, warlike with spears, &c., the chief in the middle with left leg stretched out, body and head thrown well back, gesticulating with his right arm, a long spear in his left, his voice musical and powerful. At

5.45 we started as before; the sun soon rose and made the dew-drops glisten and sparkle, and gave a warm look to the otherwise damp surroundings. The way to-day led for the most part close to the water's edge; on the right bank the mountains come down to the water's edge; on the left bank the ground rises into a plateau, and then to a low range of hills farther to our right the Neri Mountains again. The journey was somewhat better to-day, as an order had been sent on to burn the grass,

A WORKING MEN'S MISSIONARY BOX.

To the Editor.

EAR SIR,-A good deal has been said lately in the CHURCH MISSIONARY GLEANER about Missionary Boxes, and I should be glad, if I might do so, to mention a humble effort that we have just made in connection with our Working Men's Bible Class, trusting that many others may be stimulated and encouraged to do the same, only with still greater success.

In my former curacy I always made a plan, in connection with our Young Men's Bible Class, of devoting one Sunday (the first) in every quarter of a year to bringing before the members of the class some interesting missionary subject, such, e.g., as the history of the Nyanza, or Niger, or Fuh-Kien Missions, or the story of Metlakahtlah, or illustrations of the idolatrous customs of the heathen, &c.; I used also to lend every month half-a-dozen copies of the GLEANER, and I am sure that this effort, slight as it was, greatly increased the interest of the young men of our class in missionary work. I never, however, in my former curacy ventured to suggest the idea of a box for our class; in fact, I said that I would not have one, for fear it might keep any away from attending the class because they were unable to add their mite to the general contributions.

so that we had for the most part an uninterrupted view. The river is studded with islands, and each turn reveals some new and interesting view. In passing some high grass we suddenly came upon a small elephant, one that had come up with us in the steamer from Khartoum. My horse was very frightened, and, turning round, bolted, giving me a good deal of trouble before I got him back, and the elephant had to be hid before I could go on.

At eleven we came to Mahata el Pascha, where the road leaves the river and crosses or runs along a range of hills some 2,000 feet high (that is, above sea level), till half a mile from Dufli. The ascent was very difficult; the path is very stony, and up and down deep ravines running across the path every quarter of an hour or so.

A heavy rain came on for half an hour, and I used my umbrella for the first time for rain since leaving home seven months ago.

Dec. 3.-The path soon began to descend the hills, and the end of the Neri Mountains told us that Dufli was not far distant. Marks of rhinoceri all round our camp. They are not pleasant visitors.

The first sight we caught of the river was very grand; it is very broad, and Magungo and Fatiko Mountains can be seen in the far distance. At 7.30 Dufli itself came in sight, a small town by the river.

Here, however, in my present curacy I have introduced into our Working Men's Bible Class the custom of devoting one Sunday in every quarter of a year to giving them some information on missionary work, and the members of the class have themselves asked if they might have a box placed on the table to receive their weekly contributions. As the result of our efforts for the first quarter (we mean to open our box quarterly, not yearly) I was agreeably surprised to find that they had managed to contribute about ten shillings, so that we shall hope to collect at least £2 every year, and "none of them" (as one of them said) " a bit the worse off for it."

No, indeed! surely not! but all the better off. Better off because they are asking themselves, "What shall we render unto the Lord for all His benefits?" Better off because their sympathies are widened and expanded, and in precious souls won to the Saviour they are laying up treasure in heaven, "where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal." Bristol.

H. H. S.

A TRAVELLING MISSIONARY IN CEYLON.
UR picture shows one of the C.M.S. missionaries in Ceylon, the
just starting

The cart is drawn up opposite the Government Rest-house at Matale. It is a Jaffna cart, come from the north end of the island with tobacco, and hired by Mr. Coles for its return journey to take him on a month's visit to the Anaradhapura district, seventy miles off. The man on Mr. Coles's left hand is a Singhalese catechist, and the man on his left is Mr. Coles's travelling servant Anthony. The bullock-driver is a Tamil. In this way, and on foot, Mr. Coles has been travelling over the whole central province of Ceylon during the past year. There are, scattered over this wide district, 28 Singhalese congregations, consisting of 1,176 members; and 39 schools, attended by 1,396 children. There were 82 baptisms last year. There are 49 candidates for baptism, and 155 inquirers. More than £200 was raised by the Native Christians for religious objects last year. The Gospel was preached to 100,000 persons. Mr. Coles might be much assisted by Native pastors being provided for the more advanced congregations; but the Bishop of Colombo refuses to ordain several good men who have been long waiting.

1 S Sexagesima. I have made, and I will bear.

M Gen. 3. Matt. 18. 1 21. E. Gen. 6 or 8. Acts 19 21.

Is. 46. 4.

2 M Purif. V. M. Nile party reached Uganda, 1879. It is the Spirit that [beareth witness. 1 John 5. 6. 3 TE. J. Peck ord, 1878. Bearing precious seed. P's 126. 6. 4 W Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord. Ex. 28. 12. 5 T 1st bapt. Abeokuta, 1848. The tree beareth her fruit. Joel 2. 22. 6F Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit. John 15.8. 7 S 1st Telugu clergy ord., 1864. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of [the Lord. Is. 52. 11. beareth all things. 1 Cor. 13. 7.

8 S Quinquagesima. Charity.

M. Gen. 9. 1-20. Matt. 22. 1-15, E. Gen. 12 or 13. Acts 23, 12.

9 M Bp. W. Williams died, 1878. A chosen vessel to bear My name. 10 T Bear the infirmities of the weak. Rom. 15. 1. [Acts 9. 15. 11 W Ash Wednesday. He shall bear their iniquities. Is. 53. 11.

M. Is. 58 1-13. Mark 2. 13-23. E. Jonah 3. Hleb 12. 8-18.

12 T Who His own seif bare our sins in His own body on the tree. 13 F Once offered to bear the sins of many. Heb. 9 28. [1 Pet. 2.24. 14 S Stokes and Copplestone reached Lake, 1879. I bare you on eagles' [wings. Ex. 19 4. 15 S 1st in Lent. Ember Wk. He bearing His cross went forth. John 19.17. 16 M Whosoever doth not bear his cross cannot be My disciple. Lu. 14. 27. 17 T Let us go forth unto Him, bearing His reproach. Heb 13. 13. 18 W That which beareth thorns and briers is rejected. Heb. 6. 8. 19 T Other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundred20 FThe branch cannot bear fruit of itself. John 15. 4. [fold. Lu. 8. 8. 21 S 1st C.M.S. Miss. sailed for India, 1814. God also bearing them [witness. Heb. 2. 4. 22 S 2nd in Lent Himself bare our sicknesses. Matt. 8 17. M. Gen, 27.1-41. Matt. 28. Gen. 28 or 32. Rom. 6. [heavenly. 1 Co. 15, 49. 23 M Mrs. Devasagayam d., 1879 We shall also bear the image of the 24 T St. Matthias. Ye also shall bear witness. John 15. 27.

M. Gen. 19. 12-30. Matt. 25. 31. E. Gen. 22. 1–20, or 23. Acts 28. 17.

25 W Bear ye one another's burdens. Gal. 6. 2.

26 T Every man shall bear his own burden. Gal. 65.

27 Bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 28 S The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the [children of God. Rom, 8. 16. 29 S 3rd in Lent. Remember me with the favour that Thou bearest unto [Thy people. Ps. 106. 4.

M. Gen. 37. Matt. 7. E. Gen. 39 or 40. Rom. 12.

دو

NOTES.

The word "Bear" comes in appropriately for the season of Lent, which begins this year on February 11th. We do not call our sins to remembrance that we may sink into despair, or set about removing their guilt and power by acts of self-denial. We look to Him of whom it was prophesied, "He shall bear their iniquities," and who in the fulness of time "His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree," being once offered to bear the sins of many." And not only so. During those forty days He was tempted like as we are; and being made in all things like unto His brethren, He even "Himself bare our sicknesses." And when "He, bearing His cross, went forth," He taught by act what He taught by word, "Whosoever doth not bear his cross cannot be My disciple." Nay even now in glory, the word may still be used of Him, for when God said, "Aaron sha1 bear their names before the Lord," it was that he might be the type of the Great High Priest in the presence of God for us.

But these are not only the texts in this month's Almanack which tell of a Divine "bearing." Not only the Son bears, but the Father and the Spirit too. Gd says, "I bave made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you." And looking back on the journey, He says, "I bare you on eag es' wings." He "bears witness" to those who speak for Him, and there is a "favour" He "bears unto His people." And the Spirit, too, "beareth witness" to the doctrine of Christ (1 John 5. 6), and to the adoption of God's children (Rom. 8. 16).

Then we have texts teaching what we are to "bear"-"much fruit," "the infirmities of the weak," Christ's reproach," one another's burdens," &c. The date of the ordination of Noble's converts, Ratnam and Bhushanam, reminds us of the injunction, "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord"; and that of the ordination of our sailor-missionary to the Esquimaux tells us of the messenger of Christ "bearing precious seed." The date of the first baptisms at Abeokuta, thirty-two years ago, makes us thankful for the many fruits of that fruit-bearing tree; and those of the deaths of Bishop Williams and Mrs. Devasagayam recall to our memory one who was indeed "a chosen vessel to bear Christ's name "" to the heathen, and the blessed anticipation that "as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." The dates of the first sailing of our missionaries for India, and of two incidents of the Nyanza enterprise, suggest texts concerning the "bearing" on God's side.

DR. KOELLE AND THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT. HE "missionary Köller," whose case has excited so much attention in the newspapers, is the Rev. Dr. Sigismund W. Koelle, for thirty years a missionary of the C.M.S. He is a German, but was ordained by Bishop Blomfield in 1846-7. He worked for some years in West Africa, and one fruit of his linguistic studies was his great work, Polyglotta Africana, in which a hundred African languages are tabulated and compared. This book gained the prize annually given by the French Institute from a fund left by the infidel Volney. For the last eighteen years Dr. Koelle has laboured at Constantinople, to set the Gospel before the Turks by means of quiet conversations and Christian tracts; more open evangelistic efforts for the conversion of Mohammedans being forbidden in Turkey. Two years ago the Society closed its Mission at Constantinople, but Dr. Koelle continued to reside there, and has been assisted in his translations by a learned and distinguished Mussulman Ulema or priest (not a "poor schoolmaster," as the newspapers called him), Ahmed Tewfik Effendi, who has held important posts under the Turkish Government.

On Sept. 23rd, Dr. Koelle and Ahmed Tewfik were arrested by the Turkish police, and taken before the notorious Hafiz Pasha. Dr. Koe'le was detained six hours and then released, but his translations were kept, and the Ulema was thrown into a foul dungeon. Dr. Kelle appealed to Sir Henry Layard, who immediately sought redress, but for three months was unsuccess'ul; and meanwhile Ahmed Tewfik was sentenced by the chief religious tribunal to death. At length Sir H. Layard demanded the immediate restoration of the papers, the release of Ahmed, and the dismissal of Hafiz Pasha; failing which, he suspended official relations with the Porte. The Sultan then yielded so far as to restore the papers, and to spare the Ulema's life; but the latter is to be sent to an island "for safety," and a subordinate police officer (who had behaved very courteously to Dr. Koelle) is to be dismissed instead of his chief.

This is the briefest and barest summary of the fac's. The full narrative is given in this month's C.M. Intelligencer. We need only ask, If a learned Ulema is incarcerated and degraded, narrowly escapes with his life, and has to be banished "for safety" for assisting a missionary in Turkish translations, what would have befallen him if he had committed the enormity of confessing the faith of Christ and presenting himself for baptism?

EPITOME OF MISSIONARY NEWS.

Our January number went to press just too soon to enable us to announce the death of the Rev. J. Welland, at Calcutta, on Dec. 17th. He was a graduate of Dublin, and went to India in 1860. In 1871 he succeeded Mr. Stuart (now Bishop of Waiapu) as Secretary of the C.M.S. Calcutta Corresponding Committee. Mr. Welland was a mo-t able missionary, and his death is a heavy loss to the North India Mission.

Some further le ters from the Nyanza missionaries have been received. On July 14th Mr. Mackav and Mr. Lichfield were in Uganda, much troubled by the open hostility of the Jesuits five of whom had arrived. Mr. Pearson accompanied Messrs. Stoke and Copplestone across the Lake to Kagei, and on Sept. 29th was ab ut returning to Uganda; the other two being at Uyui (ear Unyanyembe) on Oct. 18th. There is no news from Mr. Wilson and Mr. Felkin, but Mr. Mackay had heard that Mr. Wilson was at Mruli, in Egyptian territory, on July 6th.

The Rev. V. W. Harcourt, late of Tinnevelly, has been appointed to the Tamil Cooly Mission, Cylon.

Memorials have been presented to the Archbishop of Canterbury from the C.M S. missionaries in Ceylon, and from more than 3,000 Native Christians the e, asking for his interposition in the difficulties occasioned by the proc elings of the Bishop of Colombo. The Archbi-hop propo-es to associate with himsel in the consideration of the subject the Archbishop of York, and the Bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester. The girls in the Tamil Mission Schools, Colombo, Ceylon, have collected 78. 6d., and the boys 8s., for Bishop Ridley of Caledonia, in response to his appeal for a steamer in the GLEANER of September last. Fitty-eight Native Christians, prepared by the Rev. Ruttonji Nowroji, of the C.M.S. Mission at Aurun-abad, in the Nizam's Te ritory, Central India, were confirmed by the Bishop of Madras on Nov. 21st.

The Rev. T. J. L. Mayer, our missionary lately at Bannu on the Afghan frontier, writes that Mr. Jenkyns, one of Sir L. Cavagnari's suite, who fell in the massacre at Cabul last September, "was the great hel, er of the Dera Ismail Khan Mission during the troubles concerning boy converts in 1874."