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the sum specified above as given to parochial charities. On two occasions also engravings of a local character have been introduced. The price charged is invariably a penny.

But in order to make it such a pecuniary success, it is needful to find a cheap printer, to secure by diligent effort a good circulation, and to obtain plenty of advertisements. As a check upon unnecessary expenditure in printing, it may be stated that in 1875, when the monthly circulation averaged 350, and there were two pages of advertisements and one of local matter, the printing account averaged 15s. Last year, with a monthly circulation of 550, the printer's monthly bill amounted to £1 13s., when there were two pages of local matter in addition to three of advertisements, and the title-page, and £2 5s. when there were four extra pages given. These amounts include the expense of providing the extra paper. Each blank page is divided into eight sections, and the price charged for an advertisement for one section is one guinea for the year, or half a crown for a single insertion. During the whole time the GLEANER has been in circulation, every space has been filled. If no extra pages are introduced, and space is therefore valuable, it will be found to pay better to have twelve or even sixteen spaces in a page, charging somewhat less than the figures mentioned above.

It is not so easy to calculate the increased measure of missionary interest which the circulation of the GLEANER secures, but it is the chief means which the writer has adopted for that purpose, and the interest now felt by his people in the work of the Church Missionary Society is shown by the fact that whereas in 1874 nothing whatever was contributed to its funds, £36 was contributed in 1875, £42 in 1876, £61 in 1877, and £63 in 1878, besides several young men having been led to volunteer for personal service, one of whom is now in the Nyanza Mission. The writer hopes that many may be induced by these facts to adopt the CHURCH MISSIONARY GLEANER as a parochial magazine, for though other magazines may possibly secure a readier sale, none, he is convinced, will tend so greatly to benefit the flock, or to promote the extension of the kingdom of Christ.

GRAVES AT MOMBASA.

HE sketch engraved above was sent to us by the Rev. W. B. Chancellor, of the Seychelles Islands, to whom it was given by Lieut. Gordon, R.N., one of the officers attached to the British squadron on the East African coast. It shows the high ground at Frere Town, and one of the mission buildings appears a little way off on the left. On the right is seen the harbour of Mombasa, and the Indian Ocean stretching away in the distance. Mombasa island and town lie further to the right.

The grave of Mrs. Krapf, which is the most conspicuous one, has a most touching association with the spread of Christ's kingdom in East Africa. She died July 13th, 1844, only two or three months after Dr. Krapf first landed at Mombasa; and the bereaved missionary wrote home these memorable words: "Tell our friends that there is on the East African coast a lonely grave of a member of the Mission cause connected with your Society. This is a sign that you have commenced the struggle with this part of the world; and as the victories of the Church are gained by stepping over the graves of many of her members, you may be the more convinced that the hour is at hand when you are summoned to the conversion of Africa from its eastern shore."

Among the other graves is that of an infant child of Mr. Sparshott's. One thing, writes Mr. Price, the picture does not show, viz., the bulletmarks on Mrs. Krapf's tombstone, the handiwork of some mischievous Wa-suahili.

UP THE NILE TO UGANDA. JOURNAL OF MR. R. W. FELKIN.

(Continued.)

EPT. 6.-At 12.30 our wood was finished, so five days' work was burnt in four and a half hours. Shembeh still about 100 miles off by river, and no wood near, nothing but marsh. The captain will not burn the mast, &c., so there is nothing for it but to send our boat on. Seeing her got ready was quite an excitement; she has only two oars, and is a very heavy boat, and does not look as if she will make the journey. The tide, or rather current, is very strong, and the number of floating grass islands is very great. Six men went to row, taking it in turns, the pilot,

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and second engineer. They took with them coffee and durah, a box with a small charcoal fire, and three guns, which were very rusty and blocked up with dirt, so we cleaned them. They much fear for the safety of the boat, as several villages of natives have to be passed, some of whom are not over friendly [the Dinka tribe-see the illustrations, and the map in the June GLEANER]. The captain took the anchor out of the boat so that they could not stop (a questionable proceeding). After repeating two verses out of the Koran, which they always do on starting on a journey, they pushed off. The note they took we put in a bottle sealed up to keep from the wet. Poor fellows! what a time they will have of it, as it must take them six or seven days, unless a strong wind comes from the north. Now we must wait. We have been obliged to open a case of English provisions, and have no bread but durah; this is ground between two stones, mixed with water, and baked on an iron plate. It is not nice.

Sept. 8.-Just finished breakfast, when P- saw a native, who was soon joined by another. L-ran for his telescope to look at them; no sooner did they see it than they vanished. The captain told him to put it to his mouth and lick it, as if you lick your gun (which they thought it was) it is a sign of peace. He did so, and they appeared again. All was

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1944

DINKA PROFILES. (From Schweinfurth.)

A DINKA DANDY. (From Schweinfurth.)

they had seen some natives who had threatened them, and they found, although they had guns, powder, and balls, they had forgotten to take any caps with them. But this is like the natives.

We came to the conclusion that they were frightened and so they came back, as if the river is blocked up, as they say, where do all the islands come from which pass each day? They say they come from the lakes, but we can hardly believe it, as in all the lakes we have seen there is no current at all. We asked the captain what we should do. Oh! nothing at all, but wait till a steamer comes from Khartoum; but as there is only food for the men for two more days, and in all likelihood the river is blocked behind us, that will not do. So we held a consultation, and have sent him a letter saying we think it his duty to burn the wood of the ship, and if he will not we shall take the command. Litchfield has gone in the boat to see if they can force a passage to some trees we see in the far distance.

Sept. 12-Boat gone to try and get wood. Worked hard all day and got out eight large cases for them to burn, in each case three small cases of provisions. We have now to use English meat every day, as we have nothing else to cat.

The boat came back at six with a good load of wood. We had hard work to pull her in; the men were quite done up; we had to throw them a rope and haul them in, a bad thunderstorm going on at the same time. Sept. 13.-We shall stay here till we get enough wood to take us to Shembeh (perhaps). The men unload the wood in perfect time, singing a song which translated means, "Give wood, take wood, oh yes, oh yes! oh God! oh God! all the wood we see must come on board the safir. Give wood, take wood, oh yes," &c. &c.

Sept. 15.-We were all ill to-day. If we could get out of this marsh! But God is very good to us in keeping us thus far in health.

Sept. 17.-Another bad night for all of us. The captain says he shall still stay five more days in this place. The marsh is full of snakes and leeches. One of the men had a lot on his leg; they were surprised to see how we took them off with salt.

Sept. 18.-Bad night. Several men ill. I much worse. The boat brought a lot of wood to-day. The poor fellows have to work up to their necks in water to bring the boat through the marsh.

Sept. 19.-Better to-day. IIalf the men of the ship are ill one way or another, and if we do not go soon we shall not be able to do so.

Sept. 21.-Started at last this morning at six, but made very slow progress-partly on account of the immense quantity of "toffs," as the grass islands are called, partly because the engine does not work well, and also the wood does not give much heat.

Sept. 23.-Pearson has begun to go through the Gospel of St. Luke with the two Waganda chiefs, who speak Arabic; they are very pleased. Gave them each an Arabic Bible. Kanagruba kissed the book, and then put it under his shirt over his heart. He was reading it most of the day. May God touch his heart!

Sept. 25.-It is a splendid day. We started at seven. No "toffs," so are going about five or six miles an hour. Passed one very large solitary tall palm-tree on the right bank, marked on the map. Aspect of the country the same "gush" or marsh on all sides; trees, a few in the far distance. You must understand this gush properly; it all floats through the grass; is in many parts fifteen, twenty, and twenty-five feet high. From the deck of the steamer nothing can be seen, no river, before or behind, for any distance, even from the high bridge, only a wide expanse of grass, and a hundred or so yards of the river. The work of forcing the boat through this gush is great; most of the men up to their necks in water pushing her, others push with long poles, and so slowly, very slowly, we are forced along. A great many small birds about singing so sweetly. At about six we came into a large lake, and turning sharp round to the north, came to a standstill in a cul de sac. The captain and pilot say it is the river, but we do not think so, as there is no current to be seen, except a slight one passing to the north. Water-lilies were growing there, and to every appearance there has never been any passage through. Well, we must wait for some light, so steamed into the middle. I should say we see a strong current running from the south to the place where we came out into the lake, and toffs keep passing along.

Sept. 26.-Late last night the captain decided to send a boat round the lake to see if there was an outlet in the direction we indicated. We made up our minds for one of us to go with the boat, and told him to keep the boat for us in the morning, but although we were up at daylight, found he had already sent it; returning at eight, saying there was no way. The captain then said he should send to Shembeh, to which we had no objection, but that he should send to the south. No, he is determined to send north. We have only one hope, and that is, that he will find out his mistake, and when the boat is out of sight take it round. Any way, we are once more left for an indefinite period. Pearson went up the masthead, but saw only water as far as he could see to the south. The Waganda are so pleased with their Bibles, they are spelling them out all day. I have begun to teach Kanagruba to write.

Oct. 1.-Fiftieth day out from Khartoum. We thought of celebrating this jubilee, but did not quite know how. No signs of the boat; it is

getting very serious. Our cook and his better half are not very good. I am afraid we shall have to give them leave of absence for an unlimited period at Lado. In the evening we had a talk with the captain, and at last he told us he would get up steam in the morning and go to the cul de sac and commence pulling away the toffs, and asked us if we would work too. Of course we said, Yes, with pleasure, as anything is better than this inaction.

Oct. 2.-Disappointed. We got up steam and went to the cul de sac. When we got there the captain refused to begin to work, saying that the wind is in the wrong direction, as if that had anything to do with it. Then he steamed out, after wasting an hour's wood in looking at the grass, and steamed up the channel, down which the current and the toffs kept coming, and then to our great disgust, after going 200 yards with plenty of water in front of bim, he refused to go further and steamed back to the old place in the lake, from which he says he will not move. It is hard work not to give way to despair.

The Litany was more beautiful this morning than it has ever appeared. I seemed to take courage, and came on deck happy and contented. I sat down to write, and soon I heard a cry, "A steamer, or vapour, vapour." There was a rush at once to the bridge with glasses and telescopes, and there, sure enough, in the far distance, hardly a steamer, but we could see a mast, and every one began to shout. Ran up the flag at the masthead, and then saw a man go up to the masthead of the coming boat, so that there is a chance of help, and our boat is not lost, as we had feared; some even thought they had been taken prisoners by Suleiman, who has rebelled near Shembeh. We are now most anxious to know where the real river comes; perhaps we may soon. It will take some time to open the way. You cannot think how our spirits have gone up.

At about seven P.M., all of a sudden the pilot turned up; he had come unnoticed in a native boat. He told us with great exertion he had got to Shembeh in four days. All the people were nearly mad with joy when the pilot came, and yelled and shouted themselves hoarse; and in less time than it takes me to write, he was nearly hugged to bits by the men. It was very amusing to see him sitting cross-legged telling his story, and all the people sitting round listening, the whole lit up by the moon and occasional flashes of lightning.

At eleven our old boat came, bringing wood, bread, and two goats for us, Hassan Bey, captain of the soldiers, and a few soldiers. Their dresses very curious and picturesque.

Oct. 5.-Started at 5.45, towing the nuggar, and our black friends on board. We went by a most tortuous course, sometimes very narrow, then turning sharply round. We passed three or four huts, and about thirty men and women. They had never seen a steamer before. The black men called out to them to dance, but they would not. Very large water lilies grow here; the stalks, which are very long, are dried and made into bread by the natives. A most difficult passage had to be made, and just at the edge of the river, which has always been used, she stuck fast on the bar. It required all the efforts of soldiers, sailors, and every one to get us off; so that if we had not brought the nuggar we should have been in a fix. The nuggar had then to be pulled through. When this was done a tremendous shout was raised, as after forty days in the marsh we were at last safe.

From this point the river is very broad and has a swift current, but we got along very well, and soon turned to the right into a lake on the shores of which Shembeh is situated.

OUR HOME IN THE WILDERNESS. Recollections of North Tinnevelly.

BY THE REV. R. R. MEADOWS.

CHAPTER VII.-A CONTRAST.

"The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined."—

Isaiah ix. 2.

N our first chapter we just alluded to the sad condition of Hindu widows. An extract from our journal will more fully illustrate the misery of their lot. Rāmanādān, of whom mention is made, was one of the wealthiest of the head men of our town. He was very friendly with us; he often paid us a visit; occasionally was present at our church services, and seemed not far from the kingdom of heaven. He, however, died a heathen :

Rāmanādān has had a great sorrow of late. His son-in-law has died, and his only daughter of eighteen is doomed thereby to perpetual widowhood. But his chief sorrow is that there is now no hope of having a grandson to perform his funeral ceremonies and to inherit his large property. It was a painful day to that poor young widow, the day of

her husband's death and burial. For the last time she was permitted to put on all her weighty and costly ornaments. She sat in the midst of her female relations with dishevelled hair. They were all wailing, beating their breasts violently, knocking their heads against the floor and walls, and so crowding her with their noisy sympathy, in a small windowless room, that she fainted away. Her husband's corpse, attired as a bridegroom, holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand, in a sitting posture, was carried in a palanquin, amid the discordant dim of native music, to the burning-ground. Then began a widowhood which, unless she becomes a Christian, will be miserable for life. The ornaments are all taken from her. Her handsome coloured garments are exchanged for the white one of mourning. If we could get a glimpse of her now we should probably see her garments, her hair, and her person neglected, and perhaps even filthy. She will never be allowed to leave the house, unless it be to go to mourn and wail the death of some relative.

A few weeks afterwards a visit was paid to this poor widow:We went to Ramanadan's house with the hope of talking to the women. His mother, however, was the only one of the family we were permitted

I was particularly anxious to see his young widowed daughter, in the hope of persuading her to learn of me how to do wool-work, and thus to forget her sorrow in some useful employment. I had the further thought of eventually teaching her to read. I was disappointed to find her in the next room with an aunt, who had already passed many years in monotonous widowhood, broken only by the customary and periodical wailing with her friends. There the two widows were making most piteous lamentations. We heard it so distinctly that my little boy, who had accompanied us, asked what that strange noise was. We tried to have it stopped, but no one was disposed to go and quiet them. I told them how foolish and wrong it was to give themselves up to a lifelong sorrow. Pointing to my matron, I said to Ramanādān, "She is a widow, and became so when very young. She learnt her A B C after her husband died. Look at her usefulness, her cheerfulness, her happiness in making others happy. See how she is glorifying God in the work she is doing for my school children. Is her condition a happy one? Or is the condition of these miserable women, whose piteous wailing we so distinctly hear, a happy one?"

The "school matron" mentioned in this account was Nallammal. She, too, was a widow, who had lived with her husband about a year; but she was a Christian. Soon after the birth of her daughter he had died. It was an irreparable loss to her, "but," as her brother says, "it eventually became her gain, and she learned rightly to understand the words of our blessed Saviour, What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter.' For, humanly speaking, she would not have been so useful in the service of God if she had been privileged to live with her dear husband till now." A more useful life she could not well have lived. First, as the companion of her brother's wife, her help was invaluable. He had to be absent

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six weeks at a time itinerating in North Tinnevelly in his tent. His wife had a temporary home in a little heathen village, and Nallammal was her companion there for two years. Under these circumstances, had it not been for her society, her brother would have felt it impossible to leave his wife, and his work would have been greatly hindered, if not entirely abandoned. In 1864 we asked to have her as the matron of the Boarding Schools. She was an immense comfort to us. We had perfect confidence in her. Her judgment was good, and she studied the best interests of the school. She used to conduct the Wednesday Bible-class of all the women of Sachiapuram, and no one can forget the earnestness which she showed in her instructions and prayers. Every one seemed to look up to her for advice. They carried all their troubles to her. We parted from her in 1870, when we were obliged to visit England for a time. Nothing touched me more than the parting scene between her and Mrs. Meadows. Mrs. Meadows kissed her, and the good woman seemed as if she could not break from her. We never saw her again, for before we returned she had succumbed to a painful disease.

I shall copy out parts of two letters, one of her own to a friend in England, and one from a native brother to ourselves giving

details of her illness and death :

My dear madam, I noticed in your letter your desire that my poor daughter and relatives may grow in the Lord. When I think of my

relations I remember the promise, "They shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the earth for ever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hand, that I may be glorified"; "Thy children shall be all taught of Me." This He says like a dear father to his children. Dear madam, you know the verse," Hath He said and will IIe not do it?" I humbly desire that all the families whom God hath male may look for the coming of Our Savicur. My dear mother, after our precious "teaching father and mother" left, you will be glad to know how the Lord has led us. It is, as you say, a very responsible work. But it must not be said that I carry it on. I am a weak and ignorant vessel. But He who gives strength to an earthen vessel like me has Lordly dominion, is "the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." This mighty God carries on this work for me. After they had gone some winds of trouble did beat upon me; but we go on according as they, by the help of God, wisely planted. Till they come back restored to health, I am not going to let go my hold of Him, but hold firmly on as Jacob did.

mourners.

The writer of the following account of her death has himself been also called to his rest. His life, which we had peculiar opportunities of watching, was specially consistent and upright. Though of low caste he gained the respect of men of all castes, and the most touching incident connected with his death was the following. The place where he died was crowded with excited Amongst them were his two little boys, weeping profusely. But with his arm about the neck of each, doing his best to comfort them, stood a man who, four years before, would have accounted even their near approach a defilement. Now the Brahmin Christian was caressing and comforting two Pariah lads at the death of him whom he accounted among his most valued friends. D. Antony, for that is his name, was buried side by side with Nallammal, at, I believe, his own request :

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Reverend and kind father in Christ. Our dear sister and mother, Nallammal, has passed the waves of this troublesome and sinful world and is gone to the bosom of her Father. This news will cause you not so much sorrow as great rejoicing. For in conversation with her while she was suffering, her trust was such as to give us great confidence, and we learnt a lesson of patience. One said, "A saint has said, Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." She replied, "Yes, Job said that." One day when she was suffering less pain, she told a woman who was reading to her to read Ps. xci. and Ps. ciii. and to pray with her. One day she called the children and asked them to sing softly, "I have a Father in the promised land," to which she listened with eager joyfulness. When the disease was at its height, one reminded her of the verse in her "Golden Treasury," which she was very fond of reading-" Fear not, daughter of Zion." With beaming face she repeated it, and John xii. 15, and Zech. ix. 9, and Zeph. iii. 14, without a single mistake. When the suffering was very great she would say, "My heavenly Father! my Master! She never showed the least sign of murmuring. Her daughter said to "You will die. Whom shall I call mother?" her, She replied, Why are you so worldly-minded? Trust in the Lord. Am I in the place of God?" A person present said, "What message have you for me?" She replied, "The Lord is your help." Her daughter seeing her sickness and weakness increase kept wailing and saying, "Will my mother live? Will my mother live?" She said, "Trouble me not, my thoughts and my treasure are in paradise,” and then turning to Pakkiam, her attendant, she said, "Pakkiam, cannot you speak to her? The attendant said, "The Lord is trying you," to which she answered, "Yes, He is trying me; He will make me like fine gold." Seeing how much trouble she gave to others, she said, "My brothers and sisters, and children, the Lord will reward you for all you have done for me since the day that I bowed my head. He will not send you away empty." When she was too weak to speak, or open her eyes, she was asked, "Mother, are you medita ing on the Saviour Jesus ?" she nodded her head in sign of assent. This is all I remember, but she said more. Who but the Lord's child, who with his mind set on earth, could open his mouth to speak thus ? None but those who have their trust in the cross of Jesus; therefore, dear sir, be not cast down with over much grief, but remember that your labour in the Lord is not in vain. D. ANTONY.

Another native brother wrote of her thus: "The news that your right hand in Sachiapuram is broken and that the voice of lamentation is heard throughout all North Tinnevelly, such as David uttered on the death of Abner, namely, that a great one is fallen,' will fill your mind with trouble and anguish." Hundreds missed her. Who will miss the heathen widow, when she is called away? Rather, who will not be glad that she is gone?

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CALCUTTA: THE ESPLANADE, AND GOVERNMENT HOUSE, THE RESIDENCE OF LORD LAWRENCE WHEN VICEROY OF INDIA.

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