interest in the narratives of sacred history and in God's ancient people. The Jews, alas! are now dispersed in every land, but they are still a distinct people, and we know that God will, in His own good time, restore them to what they yet regard as their own land, which was given to Abraham and to "his seed for ever."

But before telling you about Palestine, I should like to let you have a glimpse of Egypt. Most travellers visit it on the way to the Holy Land, by which alone it is surpassed in sacred interest.

Those only who have experienced the discomforts of a long voyage can realize our pleasure on arriving at Alexandria, after а somewhat stormy passage of nine days from Marseilles. To add to our enjoyment, we seemed almost in a new world. As we pulled to the shore we could see the long strings of camels, and recognize the picturesque Oriental costumes of the busy crowds assembled in the harbour. Still, the aspect of Alexandria is not entirely oriental, as there are many Europeans settled there. It is a sort of link between

Europe and Asia. Cairo, which is only distant seven hours by railway, is comparatively free from the European element; and I now ask you to accompany me on a tour of inspection in that city.

It is too hot to walk, so let us mount our donkeys. These handsome, nimble little animals--so different from the poor ill-used ass we see at home-supply in Egypt the place of carriages. There are always numbers of them standing round the hotels, with their little attendant Arabs, waiting to be hired. We immediately start off at full gallop, with Mohammed or Said running behind, guiding the donkeys, and shouting, in Arabic, to clear the way,

"Make way, O man!" "To the left, O girl!" &c. Of these cautions there is much need, for the streets of Cairo are very narrow so narrow, that in some, the upper parts of the houses on the opposite sides touch.

Now, where shall we go? As it is Friday-which you know is the Mahommedan Sabbath-I think I shall take you to one of the Colleges of Derwishes or Mahommedan monks, situated on the banks of the Nile, a short distance from Cairo. On each side of the road after leaving the city, we admire the beautiful acacias and graceful palms. When we arrive at the door of the college we must take off our shoes, and leave them' at the entrance. On entering, we find ourselves in a large room paved with stone, in the centre of which are about twenty derwishes standing in a circle. Those with their long black hair hanging dis

hevelled about their shoulders are Persians. They are all swaying back and forward rapidly, breathless, and gasping, "Illa Allah! Illa Allah!" that is, "There is no God but God." Their excitement gets greater and their motions faster, until one is seized with a fit, and, staggering about, dashes his head against the wall of the room, and falls insensible. Another of the derwishes steps forward and lays him out as if he was dead. During the time he lies here he is supposed to have a vision. Bye and bye he recovers and leaves the room. Now these are the holy men of the Mahommedans, and this is a religious ceremony. You see to what folly and degradation a false religion leads its victims.

By the time we get back to the city the sun is just setting, and we shall have to hurry, as there is scarcely any twilight in these southern climes, and there are no lamps in the streets. As we pass the bazaars our little guides purchase sugar cane and bread, to satisfy their hunger, for it is Ramadan, the great Mahommedan fast, during which the followers of the false prophet must neither eat

nor drink between sunrise and sunset. Most probably the boy, whose special charge your donkey is, will offer you a piece of sugar cane, and you must not hurt him by refusing. At the beginning of this paper you have a picture of some of these little Egyptians, taken from a photograph. They are bright little things, with beautiful expressive eyes. I am afraid they do not always learn good from their contact with our countrymen. I read the other day of one who was reproved for using profane language. "That English, sir," he replied, evidently proud of his acquirements in that language. Oh, should we not try to do something for the enlightenment of Egypt, where so many of our countrymen go in pursuit of health, or pass through on their way to our Indian Empire? This field of labour is at present unoccupied by Scotland, so far as Mahommedans are concerned. Let us pray that the time may soon come when "princes shall come out of Egypt, and Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands unto God."

In my next paper I shall tell you something about Joppa and Jerusalem.

E. E. S.

:

Germany.-The Rev. Mr Sutter continues to prosecute, with his wonted energy, his labours among the Jews in Baden.

Constantinople.-This important station has, in the course of the past year, been visited by several ministers of the Church, all of whom have spoken most favourably of the openings that exist at it for missionary work, and of the earnest, devoted, self-denying labours of Messrs Christie and Robertson, who have been appointed to occupy it.

Salonica. The various departments of the Mission work, namely, meetings for conversation and prayer with Jewish inquirers, services in English for the benefit of British residents and sailors, and schools for the education of Jewish and Greek children, have been carried on at this station by the Rev. P. Crosbie and Mr Hofheinz.

Cassandra.-Mr and Mrs Braendli continue to occupy this out-station usefully and acceptably.

Monastir.-This out-sta

tion has, during the past year, been under the charge of Mr and Mrs Stober, who have laboured with rare self-denial and devotedness.

Smyrna.-In

November

last, Mr Coull was able to return to his station, and from his own letters, and the testimony of those who have visited the station since his return, he appears to have resumed his labours in a very thorough manner.

Alexandria.-The work of the Mission at this station has, during the past year, been carried on in almost all its departments with singular energy and success. The Rev. Mr Yule has, for six years and a-half, with much ability and earnest devotedness, superintended the whole Mission work at this station. The Rev. G. Brown went, in November, to take charge of the boys' school in Alexandria, and to engage in the work of visiting among the Jews in that city and neighbourhood. He has been chiefly occupied in re-organizing the school; and already an improvement in attendance has taken place -most of the pupils are the children of Jewish parents. The girls' school, taught by Miss Ashley, and supported by the Glasgow Ladies' Association with the assistance of the General Assembly's Committee, has, during the past

youth, but merely received him as a guest.

It was alleged that Wittoo was between fourteen and fifteen years of age; but at last it was established that his age was fifteen years and seven months. It therefore remained for the judge to determine whether the circumstance, that Wittoo had not completed his sixteenth year (the age of majority in Hindoo law), entitled the father to claim his custody, and to request the Court to make an order for him to be given into his charge, by force if necessary. Against a finding to that effect, Mr Connon, on behalf of the youth, made an eloquent and impressive appeal to his Lordship.

Sir Joseph Arnould, in giving judgment, said, that according to English law the age of majority was fixed at twenty-one, and the age of discretion at fourteen; that in India, the age of majority was sixteen, and that at which the responsibility for crime commenced, was twelve, thus recognizing the greater precocity of Indian youths. He therefore should order that Wittoo Dummoo be allowed to choose the place of his domicile. Sir Joseph then asked the question, "Do you desire to reside with the Rev. Mr Forbes, or your father?" when he distinctly expressed a desire to stay with Mr Forbes. The learned judge then said he would, for his

own satisfaction, ask why Wittoo did not choose to go with his father. Wittoo replied that he desired to learn more of Christianity, and that his parents would not allow him to become a Christian.

On the following Thursday evening, the two youths were returning from a pleasure excursion to the island of Elephanta, with four other converts and Mr Forbes, and when they arrived near the gate of the Institution, the uncle of Sumboo Nagoo, the other youth, came up to him, and, assisted by two Afghans, seized upon him. Wittoo was also seized; and both of them were beaten and dragged along the road; the object of the assailants being to kidnap them, and carry them away from the Mission premises to their relatives. Happily the youths had friends on the spot, who stoutly resisted; and great credit is due to Mr Forbes and Mr Poyntz, who, with the aid of two constables, put the assailants to flight, and took the two Afghans prisoners, and having been brought before the magistrate next day, they were fined forty shillings each.

We earnestly commend these two young disciples to the sympathy of our readers, and ask their prayers that those persecuted ones may be guided and strengthened by the Spirit of God, so that they may be enabled to witness a good confession, and