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spent a short time at the institution with much interest.

Some of the Druse girls have been received into the mission-schools in Lebanon, and the number of such pupils is increasing. But at first their appearance excited great indignation amongst the Christian population, who cannot forget the share which the Druses took in the horrible massacres of 1860. The lessons of love and forgiveness inculcated by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Gospels have, however, been repeatedly impressed upon the Syrian Christians, and they are evincing a willingness to profit by them. The Druse ladies, many of whom lounge all day long smoking in their harems, are learning to appreciate the advantages conferred by the schools. They now say, "We wish our girls to work; and, especially, to be able to make their own clothes."

A peculiarly important feature of the Ladies' Mission in Syria is, that it is only by women that the homes of the country can be approached. The customs of the people rigidly preclude the communications of male missionaries with the mothers and girls. If the latter are to receive the Gospel and instruction in the Scriptures, it must be from their own sex. Hence the work conducted by Mrs. Thompson and her sisters is of the highest and most essential value. Then, again, the natives peculiarly appreciate the tenderer sympathies and gentler patience of the Christian ladies. On one occasion, when Mrs Thompson, during an earnest address on the love of Christ and the importance of responding to His gracious invitation, shed tears before her audience, the latter exclaimed in wonder, "Why, she weeps!" They thus became more than ever convinced of the sincere and heartfelt nature of her interest in their welfare.

During a season of great scarcity, Mrs. Thompson sought to afford some employment to the female population around her. She therefore invited them to her schools; and, in addition to gratuitous instruction, paid them about twopence each per day for their needlework. This sum, though very small, was all that her very limited fund permitted. The women thankfully received this help until the Jesuits of a neighbouring Catholic institution offered sixpence a day to such as would quit Mrs. Thompson's employment for their own. Such an offer was, as it may be supposed, a great temptation, and many availed themselves of it. But after a short period most of these returned to the English mission, saying, "We are willing

to work for you again for twopence; for although the Jesuits give us much more, yet they do not give to us the Gospel as well, as you do. So we have come back again to you, because we love to hear the Gospel in words that we can understand."

For this reason, also, men and youths are quitting the services of the Syrian and Catholic Churches, conducted in dead languages, for those of the English mission, saying, "We can understand your service."

An increasing desire for education is being manifested in the Lebanon district. Many of the natives have come down to the English schools, asking for instruction. Even elderly women of fifty or sixty years of age have entered themselves as pupils, and eagerly learn to read the Bible. An interesting feature in these Syrian schools is the general willingness of the pupils, both old and young, to impart to their neighbours the instruction which they have received, and especially the texts and hymns which they have learned. The education in the schools is valued by all classes of the population. All the pupils are required to pay something, however small the amount may be, inasmuch as education, wholly gratuitous, is in general less appreciated than that which is obtained at

some cost.

A

desirable sense of independence is also thus maintained. Previously to the establishment of Mrs. Thompson's schools, a general belief prevailed in Syria that the education of girls was an almost hopeless work. This feeling found expression in the common proverb, “Teach a cat or a woman." But now the results of the mission-schools are effectually dispelling such low ideas of female capacity, The schools have hitherto been conducted on an entirely unsectarian basis; and it is hoped that this may be continued. Mrs. Thompson has received an offer of £1,000 to place her establishments exclusively under the care of the Anglican Church; but, although in urgent need of such liberal assistance, she has felt bound to decline the offer, because accompanied by such a condition. Her schools are also opened to all classes of the Syrian population. Thus, in one institution, besides a number of Syrian Christian pupils, there are thirty-six Jewish and six Mohammedan scholars. Some care has also been extended to the poor blind of Syria (a numerous class). Some copies of Mr. Moon's raised type, in Arabic characters, have been procured for these; and several have learnt to read the Scriptures by this means.-Christian Work.

TURKEY IN ASIA.-Dr. West, of the American Board's Missions, writes from Sivas: "My occupation has given me a better opportunity for seeing the effect of the missionary work outside the nominal Protestant ranks than the preaching missionary enjoys. I find the Bible now in a large majority of the Armenian houses to which I am called. In Sivas, I have made it a point for a long time to inquire, so that I do not speak vaguely. This shows what a contrast there is, in this respect, with their condition fifteen years ago, when the priest would not permit the reading of the Bible. It is also now used as a text-book, in the modern language, in the Armenian and Greek schools, and the people acknowledge that this has been from missionary influence. I am surprised to see the familarity of many with the Scriptures. They will quote passage after passage readily, and seem to understand and appreciate the meaning. The Eght of the Divine word, thus beginning to glimmer in this land, is revealing to them their former darkness and errors, and many are ready to confess them. The Bible is as yet their principal book, and they do not read much else; but with the increase of education and knowledge, other and sometimes pernicious reading is being introduced. There is a great desire to learn French in the Armenian schools at present. Fortunately, few get more than a smattering of the language as yet; for a full knowledge of it will certainly introduce infidelity. It is a great reason for thankfulness that the Word of God has got the start of all other, and especially of pernicious, books here. It needs but to be followed up by earnest Christian efort, and by the influences of the Spirit, to make it prevalent against every error."

Mr. Knapp writes: "In the city of Bitlis, the average Sabbath congregation has increased from one hundred-what it was when we left there last August-to one hundred and forty; and Baron Simon, the pastor, writes, that his wife and the teacher of the female school are visiting the people from house to house, to give religious instruction,-labour which they dared not attempt before we left. They also hold a weekly meeting for women, at which thirty are present. The female boarding-school is prospering; and, surprising to say, when he wrote there was no persecution.'

"At Halvadoric, one of our out-stations, the work of the Lord is advancing greatly. Eleven houses, or nearly one half the village, have become Protestants, and the average Sabbath congregation is forty.

In addition to the support of the school and other expenses, the people there are making strenuous efforts to build a place of worship. They are very poor indeed, Baron Simon writes, yet they have done nobly toward this object, and plead for forty dollars more only, to complete the edifice. They live among the mountains, exposed to the ever annoying, plun. dering Koords; and the preacher there writes me, that those of the villagers who are shepherds spend what leisure time they can, while watching their flocks, in reading their Bibles, which they carry about with them; while others, who carry on their backs to the city of Moosh, three hours distant, the heavy loads of faggots they are taking to market, are seen reading their Testaments by the roadside, while occasionally stopping to rest; so interested are they in the Word of God!

WEEK OF PRAYER THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. JANUARY 5-12, 1868.The following circular is signed by several secretaries of the " Evangelical Alliance" at home and abroad :

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Our Gracious God lends an attentive car to the supplications of His people. The records of individual, family, and church life abundantly prove that believing prayer is followed by results that call forth gratitude and praise, and encourage renewed requests at the Throne of Grace.

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In every land, and in most of the leading cities, the annual invitation of the Evangelical Alliance" to observe the "Week of Prayer" at the commencement of the year has been largely and increasingly responded to. Multitudes have united with one accord to implore, in the name, and relying on the merits and mediation, of our Divine Lord, that the New Year may be crowned with the goodness of God, and special blessings conferred both upon the church and the world.

The Evangelical Alliance " by its British and Foreign Organizations, renew their invitation for the opening of the year 1868. In doing so, they express their profound conviction that passing events are more than ever furnishing motives for a closer union among all true followers of Christ, and for the offering of faithful, importunate prayer for things pertaining to the spirituality and spread of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fellow-Christians of every land and language,-in the prospect of the weighty interests and great responsibilities of the New Year,-let us again draw near to the Heavenly Throne, that common centre for universal prayer, and prove the Lord of

Hosts according to His own Word, wherein it is written :

See" if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

The following topics, amongst others, are suggested as suitable for exhortation and intercession on the successive days of meeting

Sunday, Jan. 5th.-Sermons. Subject: The Person, Work, and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Monday, 6th.-Thanksgiving for special and general mercies during the past year, to Nations, Churches, and Families : and Confession of Sin.

Tuesday, 7th.-Prayer for Nations, for Kings and all in authority; for the Observance of the Lord's Day; for the Removal of Obstacles in the way of Moral and Religious Progress; and for Internal and International Peace.

Wednesday, 8th.-Prayer for Families; for Schools, Colleges, and Universities; and for Sons and Daughters in Foreign Countries.

Thursday, 9th.-Prayer for Christian Ministers, and all engaged in Christ's Service; for God's ancient Israel, and for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Friday, 10th.-Prayer for the Sick and Afflicted; for Widows and Orphans; and for the Persecuted for Righteousness' sake.

Saturday, 11th.-Prayer for the Christian Church; for increase of holiness and activity, fidelity, and love; and for grace equal to the duties and dangers of the times.

Sunday, 12th.. Sermons. Subject: Christian Charity.-1 Cor. xiii.

cloth, harsh and wiry. It is worn round the waist with a scarf over the shoulders; the most ordinary colours being a brownish-red and very dark blue. They are particularly fond of adorning the scarf with strings and tassels of beads. The covering of the head is usually the bark of a tree. The superior class wear a strip of foreign blue cloth in imitation of the Malayan destars; and a few have outer garments of chintz. The young women wear in their ears numerous rings of tin, as well as several large rings of thick brass wire round their necks. On festival-days their ornaments are of gold.

SUMATRA.-MISSION TO THE CANNIBAL BATTAS.-The Battas cat human flesh as a mode of showing their detestation of certain crimes by an ignominious punishment, and as a savage display of revenge and insult to their unfortunate enemies. The celebrated bay of Tappanooli, in which navigators assert that all the navies of the world might ride with perfect security, stretches into the heart of the Batta country. Its shores are inhabited by Battas, who do not themselves make long sea-voyages, but obtain the articles they need from abroad by barter. The Batta country is divided into numerous tribes, governed by rajahs. The people are fairer in complexion than the Malays, and are shorter in stature. The dress they commonly wear is of their own manufacture, and is a sort of thick cotton

The morality of the Battas is much better than that of their Mohammedan neighbours. Marriage is kept by them most strictly. Adulterers suffer the dreadful punishment of being killed and eaten up. To this day, in the independent Batta country, this is the most frequent occasion for the practice of this dreadfullybarbarous custom. So far as the Battas are subject to the Dutch Government, they are, of course, not allowed to practise these crimes, or to engage in war and gambling. The incessant civil wars did much evil to the people, and they do so still in the independent parts, in Silindung and High-Toba. Every village has its own king or kings. Petty quarrels and feuds are almost endless. For gambling they are as bad as other people; cardplaying, dice, and especially cock-fighting, being their greatest delight. In many other respects they are better than you would expect them to be as heathens. There is no fear that they will steal anything from you. They are, on the whole, truthful, and, like most heathen people, hospitable. Shortly after the first victory was won by a missionary in Silindung, it appeared also at almost all of the other stations that the preaching had not been in vain. At Sipirak, at Bunga-bondar, at Sigom-pulon, converts were baptized; and in all these places quickly sprung up small Christian congregations. The numbers as yet are not large: at Sipirak there are about thirty converts; at Sigompulon the same number; at Bunga-bondar forty; at Silindung above eighty; but, considering the short time since the Mission-work was begun, the number is large, and gives hope for the future. It is like a dike which has been overflowed by the waters, which gives way first slowly, then more rapidly, until the great waters rush through the opening majestically.Report of the Rhenish Missionary Society.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MRS. C. ROWLAND was born in the year 1782, at Acresford, near Asbhy-de-laZouch. There her father, who was a consistent member of the Established Church, carried on business for many years. When very young she heard the word of God preached by the Wesleyan Methodists; and having been led to Christ, so as to receive forgiveness and experience a change of heart, she united herself to the Wesleyan-Methodist Society. Such was her love for the means of grace, that she has been known to walk to Ashby, a distance of four miles, to attend the watch-night service at the close of the year, and to return home in the first hours of the new year. She could truly adopt the words of the royal Psalmist, "How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God." In the troublous times which swept over the Connexion, she remained faithful, cherishing an ardent attachment to the people of her early choice. Her membership in the Church on earth was maintained with sacred constancy, until her heavenly Father called her to join the fellowship of the saints in glory.

She was united in marriage, in the year 1814, to Mr. Joseph Rowland, who was, for many years, a very acceptable Local preacher, and a wise and laborious classleader. He was also a kind neighbour, esteemed by his Christian comrades, and having "a good report of them who were without." He died in the year 1847, with a firm trust in the merits of the Redeemer; declaring, just before his departure, "I have settled hope and constant peace."

Mrs. Rowland met in the class of the late Mr. Thomas Foster, which was held at his own residence, adjoining the chapel in Oakthorpe. This good man opened his house for the worship of Almighty God, before there was a chapel in the village; and at this early period, when the congregation was disappointed of a preacher, Mrs. Rowland frequently read one of Mr. Wesley's Sermons. Eternity alone can show the amount of good done on these occasions.

She was active almost to the close of life. Her last days were spent with her son at Overseal, a few miles distant from Oakthorpe. Just before she died, she

repated to her grandson the verse commencing,

"In age and feebleness extreme; and then the weary wheels of life stood still, and she entered into the presence of her Saviour. She died on March 19th, 1866. C. B.

MRS. ELIZABETH CRABTREE was the daughter of Mr. John Hemingway, and was born at Lightcliffe, near Halifax, in 1791. Her parents were members of the Methodist Society for more than half a century; and for many years their house was the hospitable home of the Methodist preachers in their periodical visits to that picturesque village. With the names and character of the venerable men who formed the second race of Methodist preachers, Miss Hemingway was extensively acquainted; their sermons, conversations, and prayers were vividly remembered by her, and often furnished topics for edifying and pertinent remark.

Her first religious impressions were thus received under the most auspicious circumstances; and about her twentieth year she was fully led to the Saviour. A visit to a Methodist family at Low Moor, in the Bradford Circuit, largely contributed to this result. Attending a lovefeast in which a friend found peace with God, her convictions were deepened; and while listening to a sermon, in the evening of the same day, on the appropriate passage, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," her anguish became insupportable; and, falling upon her knees in the pew, she cried aloud for pardon. Being favoured with suitable counsel, and fervent prayer being offered in her behalf, she was speedily enabled to rejoice in the assurance of the Divine favour, a blessing which, it is believed, she retained to the close of life.

Exulting in the liberty wherewith "the Son had made her free," she at once joined the class in which her honoured father met, and on her removal to Halifax was connected with the one under the care of the late Mr. Bate. Among other modes of evincing her love to the Saviour, she engaged heartily in promoting the cause of Missions. The formation of the Leeds District Missionary Society, in the year 1813, furnished an appropriate sphere for the exercise of sanctified influence and zeal; and she at once became an energetic and

successful collector; so that when the joyous celebration of its Jubilee took place, she could look back on an unbroken connexion with it of fifty years. One of her last acts was to forward by the writer, four days before her death, her annual donation to the Windhill Missionary Meeting.

While resideut in Halifax, her heart was ever devising liberal things; and she was one of a noble band around whose hospitable board many earnest conversations of ministers and friends occurred, which culminated in the erection of Wesley chapel. Here she became the wife of the late Mr. Benjamin Mills, an excellent and devoted member of the Methodist Society: but the union, though a happy one, was brief, and his early removal was mourned by many. Bowing submissively to this afflictive dispensation, she received rich communications of blessing from on high; her spiritual gifts and graces acquired greater maturity; and her exemplary deportment and eminent fitness for the task, led the late Rev. W. Hinson to request her to take charge of the class vacated by the removal of Mrs. Galland. The responsibilities of a position so important occasioned great searchings of heart, and she shrank from the proposal; but, after much prayer, and influenced by the counsels of her best friends, she felt that she could not absolutely refuse the call. The sequel illustrates the wisdom and happiness of those who neither anticipate, nor tarry behind, the distinct indications of Divine Providence, and proves that "He takes not away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before His people." The duties of her new position were discharged with such judgment, fidelity, and affection, that she won the admiration, and secured the love, of her intelligent and godly charge.

On her marriage to Mr. Crabtree, and removal to Shipley, she entered on the same course of Christian usefulness; and, as long as health permitted, was "in labours more abundant." The Rev. Samuel Allen remarks, "I had the opportunity of observing the soundness of her judgment, and the equanimity of her temper, in trying times. As a leader it was quite evident that her heart was in her work, that she loved the souls committed to her care, and used the influence of her character, office, and position to build up Zion.' I have a vivid recollection of ticket-renewals, when she evinced her strong attachment to Methodism, a system which she unswervingly upheld, and fearlessly recom mended to others. It has been my honour and privilege to be acquainted with many

excellent women and 'mothers in Israel,' of whom Methodism may be justly proud, and not one of them has a higher place in my esteem and affection than Mrs. Crabtree."

Among other traits of character, we may allude to her habitual spiritualmindedness; her conversation and bearing indicating the habit of intimate communion with the Triune God, and evincing an extensive acquaintance with the teachings of His word and the operations of His grace. Her religious experience was not clouded by doubt or uncertainty; and she shared largely in the "blessedness" of those "who hunger and thirst after righteousness," being enabled to testify, with consistency, that "the blood of Jesus Christ" the Son of God "cleanseth from all sin."

Her Christian generosity was prompt, discriminating, and ample, according fully with the wishes, and sustained by the example, of her devoted husband. The "widow and the fatherless," and all whose temporal or spiritual necessities presented legitimate claims on her sympathy, ever found in her a willing ear, a tender heart, and a ready hand. Many an aged pilgrim, and numbers of the poor and destitute, will recall acts of generous and thoughtful kindness which will not be forgotten in that day when "the King" will declare, "Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me."

Nor ought her love to the ministers of Christ to be passed over. In her house they ever found a hearty welcome and a benignant smile; and for their personal and domestic comfort she was deeply concerned. As the wife of a Circuit-steward, she was ever ready to show marks of respect and affection to those who are literally "strangers and pilgrims on the earth," whom she "esteemed very highly in love for their work's sake;" and in various other modes she strove to imitate Him "who went about doing good."

Her spirit was naturally buoyant and elastic; and the language of praise and thanksgiving was frequently on her lips. Few persons could more appropriately exclaim with David, "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Familiar with the Wesleyan Hymn-Book, she loved to join in "the service of song" in the social circle, and in the devotions of the sanctuary. Even when her vocal powers were enfeebled by disease, and articulation became difficult, she several times attempted

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