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A portion of Scripture was now read to the interesting company, and explained to them by the catechist, who can do that work excellently, being a good Christian and a Kashiniree by birth; so that he is able to speak to the people in their own tongue of the wonderful works of God. I always saw that the passage of Scripture selected, read, and commented on, was one that contained the substance of the Gospel,-man's lost condition by nature, and redemption only through faith in Jesus Christ, God's own Son. After the address, I paid my coolies, that they might return to their own homes. By adhering to this plan, no fewer than four hundred coolies, besides the sick, heard the Gospel during our march from Murree to Srinuggur. Many of them had doubtless never before heard of the name of Jesus; and it is sad to think that, in all probability, many of them will never, in this life, hear of it again. The coolies gone, I then proceeded to treat the sick who were present, as well as the shortness of my time and the scantiness of my resources, by the way, would permit. Sometimes there were as many as forty sick persons at my tent door, both men and women. Their ailments consisted chiefly of febrile, ophthalmic, and cutaneous disorders. At one resting-place, I was surprised by the large proportion of fever cases and the presence of large goitres in the patients. The fever was of the intermittent type.

The march from Murree to Srinuggur I greatly enjoyed; the scenery being in some parts beautiful, in others grand, and the climate all that could be desired. The Ihelum, which is the principal river of Kashmir, being navigable from Baramulla to Srinuggur, and eastward as far as Islamabad, on arriving at the first mentioned place, (which is a town of some six thousand inhabitants according to hear-say,) we hired two large boats to convey us and our luggage to the capital of Kashmir. We were about three days in sailing from Baramulla to Srinuggur, and the whole expense for the whole company was six rupees, or about twelve shillings,-not a very large sum certainly. From Baramulla westward, the bed of the river Ihelum is exceedingly rough, and current very rapid; but from Islamabad to Baramulla, the whole length of the Vale of Kashmir, the incline is very small indeed, only three feet a mile, so that the large body of water flows along very gently, and thus the river is navigable.

We landed at Srinuggur on the 4th

of May, nineteen days after the Valley is open to foreigners. You are, I daresay, already aware, that no European is allowed to remain, throughout the year, in Kashmir. Whatever is the reason, there the reto stands, and it will very materially interfere with our medical Missionary operations, as you can easily

see.

My first work, on landing, was to look out for a conveniently-situated house. You must know that the Maharaja partially treats every foreigner as if he were his guest. A house, such as it is, is provided for every stranger so long as he remains. These houses of the Maharaja are rickety, tumble-down affairs; but as the climate is propitious, they are habitable. In the city itself, no European is permitted to reside, so that I had to look about for a house as near to it as possible. The Maharaja's bungalows nearest to the city, were either already occupied or reserved. Between them and the city there was a portion of a bungalow belonging to a native merchant which I could rent, if I chose. The accommodation was both scanty and inferior; but it being the best I could find for my work, I struck a bargain with the man to let me have it at the rate of £2 a month.

As you ascend to my dwelling, you pass a long verandah on your right hand, and this I have had fitted up as the patients' waiting-room. It is capa ble of affording accommodation to a hundred patients. In this verandah, every morning at seven o'clock precisely, the patients having all assembled, a portion of God's Word is first read either by myself or the catechist, and then expounded by him, for I am not yet able to undertake that part of the work. After reading and exposi tion, a brief prayer is offered up, after which the work of the doctor begins. From the very first, the average daily attendance of patients has been gradually increasing, until from being only five the first day, they reached this morning (June 21st) the large number of eighty-seven. And what is very encouraging is, that the women come to me in great numbers. Indeed there are now about as many women present as men. Having, I may say, to do everything myself in the way of treatment on the spot, and compounding and dispensing the medicines; and being besides, as yet, very imperfectly acquainted with the language, I find it impossible to treat eighty at one time, to the best of my ability, without completely exhausting myself. I have, therefore, resolved to

take the women one day and the men the next. Some patients I shall have to see daily in addition. Cataract is exceedingly common. Up to this time, however, only one case at present suitable for operation has presented itself to me, and I purpose extracting the lens to-morrow. The patient is the wife of a goldsmith in the city, who saw me one day in his neighbourhood distributing tracts and copies of the Gospels, and telling the people I was a hakim and would be happy to see them at my house if they were sick. The man desired us to go to his house, which he permitted us to enter. There I saw his wife, and made preparations for the operation.

Other cases of importance have come in my way, and, I am happy to say, have been cured. For nothing am I so grateful to Mr. Syme, the great surgeon, as for his excellent remarks on the diagnosis and treatment of rectal and joint diseases. It is an interesting fact in the history of chloroform, that although this is, so far as I know, the first time that that invaluable anæsthetic has been employed in the Valley, the natives are taking to it very kindly. They manifest great surprise at its wonderful effects; but, whenever I have had occasion to administer it, not the least objection has been offered. I ask the patient or his friends if they would like me to give him something which will effectually prevent him from feeling any of the pain resulting from the operation, and the invariable reply hitherto has been, that he wishes to have such a medicine. Already, chloroform has been administered seven times by me, and in all, with nothing at all untoward. Thanks to what I learned in Professor Simpson's class, and saw while his house

surgeon.

Of late, I have been very much im pressed with the thought of the absolute necessity of God's blessing on our work as Missionaries, if our labours are to be followed with the conversion of souls. And I believe God has put into my heart to suggest to you,-that our Society at home, all friends of medical Missions, and all medical Missionaries themselves, should set apart some week, or portion of a week, towards the close of this year, or the beginning of the next, for special prayer in behalf of the parent Society, and all its schemes; and of the foreign work, and all its interests. I feel persuaded that if such a season of united mutual prayer were spent by us, we should individually reap a rich per

sonal spiritual blessing, and our work would greatly flourish in consequence.

From the sure promises of God, we know right well that such certainly would be the result.-Christian Work.

JEWISH MISSION IN ALGIERS.—Mr. Lowitz thus writes:-I visited a place called Hamman Riza, a few hours' ride from Milliana, which contains some mineral springs. There are two establishments there for the accommodation of military and civil invalids, as there are always Jews with their families taking baths during the season. 1 met several of them, to whom I spoke of the Divine Physician; and by giving tracts to them I had many applications for books from soldiers and others. I had only a French Testament with me and two religious books, which I left with them. I have since sent above sixty little volumes to the establishment as a begin ning of a reading library, which is very much wanted in that solitary place, and which will, I hope, be a support and comfort to many an invalided soldier.

On June the 7th I left Milliana by the diligence, and, after a long and wearisome day's journey on an unfinished road, I reached Orleansville at night. This is quite a French-built town, on the plain of the Chelfi, with a large garrison of soldiers, and about one thousand five hundred inhabitants. The Jews hardly number twenty families, still they have their synagogue, rabbi, and teacher. Having found these both ignorant and bigoted, I betook myself at once to dis cover some intelligent people amongst the rest of the community. I fell in with two: one of them Mr. S. M——, a liberalminded man, who was so deeply interested in conversing on the subject of religion as to send away several customers from his shop, in order not to be interrupted. He thankfully accepted of a Hebrew Testament, an old book, and selection of tracts. The other, on the con trary, proved in the end a very decided fanatic, ready to argue, but refusing to read my books because the name of Christ occurred in them. I could only tell him that he was an instance of the fulfilment of the prediction, Isaiah viii. 14. An old Moroccan Jew, attended by a lad, came in the night to the hotel to ask me for tracts, which I gave him. He seemed interested in all I told him of Christ as our once suffering but now risen Saviour, and pleased with the books he had received. I made a present of an Arabic Bible and a few tracts to a gentleman who has organized a school for Arab

boys, at some distance from the town, for the instruction of the native soldiers' children. He told me that he would make the pupils translate the tracts into French, and try to make the best use of the Bible. A Jew, who travelled with me from Milliana, and was going to a village at some distance from Orleansville, kindly took with him a small parcel of tracts for the Jews residing there. I sent a similar parcel to Teniet El-Hael for the Jews, by a Frenchman, in the hope that some good results may follow from the perusal of them. I left Orleansville on the 10th, and arrived on the same day at Tenes, which is a little town built on an eminence near the sea, and entirely inhabited by Europeans. The old Arab town, a little dirty place, is at some distance from the French town; there are scarcely a dozen Jewish families living in it. I was glad to meet there with a young man from Blida, who was at a meeting I had with the Jews in that place some four years ago. He was extremely kind; he took me to the house of his relations, and brought the rabbi with a view to have religious interviews with him.

He told

the Jews that my wish and aim was to enlighten them in Divine things; and during my three days' stay there, I was pretty well engaged in delivering the message of salvation to every one of them. I gave tracts to all, and a Testament to the rabbi. When I brought one to another studious Jew he took it from me, saying, "This is the book I have long desired to possess." On the Lord's day I had several visits from Protestants, with whom I spent the greater part of the day in religious intercourse. Some Roman Catholics, too, came in, and asked for books; I gave them tracts, and the last two French Testaments I had left. A Jew being present whilst I was speaking to a Romanist, observed that, if the Catholics could be gained over to Protestantism the Jews would follow. Alas, Popery is the great stumbling-block in the way of many who might be brought into the fold of the Good Shepherd. May the time soon come when that overspreading abomination will be made desolate, and Christ will then be the Light of the Gentiles and the glory of His people Israel!— Jewish Herald.

66

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MRS. ELIZABETH BROOK was born at St. Alban's, November 20th, 1793. Her mother, a Presbyterian, died shortly after, and this bereavement led to her father's awakening. Whilst seeking the Lord, he met one of the early Methodist preachers, who preached unto him Jesus," and he believed. He now endeavoured to train his children to serve the Lord also, and to establish that Methodist preaching in St. Alban's, which had been instrumental in his own conversion; and so the seed brought forth "after its kind." For forty years his house was the home of the Ministers, and thus his child was brought under religious influence. She had the fear of the Lord, but did not enjoy His love. She was a servant, not a child. In 1811 she joined the Methodist Society. About 1817 she left home and came to London, where she married. In 1820 she occasionally attended the ministry of Dr. Leifchild, who in his boyhood had been a friend of her father's. Under a sermon preached by him on the judgment, from 2 Cor. v. 10, she was convinced of sin and of the need of a Saviour. In this state she frequented the prayer-meetings

and services at Great Queen-street chapel. Her regular attendance and devout demeanour attracted the attention of some godly people. In answer to their earnest prayers the gift of faith was bestowed on her, and she obtained the forgiveness of sins. The following ten years were years of trial and persecution for Christ's sake. But the word had taken deep root. These trials were sanctified, and she was able to "rejoice in tribulation also."

About the year 1834, she joined the Society at City-road, and became a visiter of the sick for the Stranger's Friend Society. Her self-denying efforts amongst the degraded poor were very successful, and led to many conversions. After some time she was appointed, by the Rev. E. Grindrod, a leader to form a class. She began with one member, but soon collected a large number of others, over whom she watched with active care. In 1842 she removed to Highbury, where she resumed her labours until compelled by physical suffering to retire, and, after having been a leader for twentythree years, to become a private member of Society. It was during this season of

trial that she wrote, "As it is His will to afflict me, I can say by the grace of God, 'Thy will be done.'"

During the winter months her afflic tion obliged her to keep her room. She bore the trial patiently. Her faith was too strong to murmur, and in her solitude she cherished hope in God. She read God's word much, and also the lives and obituaries of departed saints. She placed a high value on family prayer, and her affectionate and religious counsels to her children, and her children's children, are held in devout remembrance. Her benevolence was uniform and unostentatious. For the relief of the poor, for the spread of truth, and support of religion, she gave as a steward of God's bounty. She remembered that Jesus sat over against the treasury. Gentleness towards an offender was a

marked feature in her character. Her motto was, "Forbear threatening," and also, "Vengeance belongeth unto God." In matters of truth she was unflinching, and scrupulously upright. In giving an opinion of others, she put a kindly their sayings and

construction on doings.

Her Christian experience was of a high order. She enjoyed settled peace; and, assured of His smile, she never doubted the goodness of God, or her acceptance with Him.

In her active love for souls, her reverence for the Lord's day, her diligent attendance on the public and private services of the church, and in her devout and regular observance of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, she left an example worthy to be copied.

On Sunday, July 24th, 1864, she attended the Highbury chapel for the last time.

The late beloved President, Mr. Thornton, preached on his return from America: on her reaching home she expressed her joy and profit in the services of the day. She retired to rest in her usual health, but in the morning she was taken ill. Medical assistance was promptly in attendance, but was in vain. She lingered in great pain until the following Thursday, when she died in great peace. In the interval, when asked if she had any message to send to a relative, "Tell him," she said, "it is now eventide, but it is light;" and to a visiter she recited the triumphant words, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

When in intense pain she raised her eyes, and whispered,

'My Jesus to know, and feel His blood flow, 'Tis life everlasting, 't is heaven below."

Life was now fast ebbing, and the end was near. Her weakness was extreme: she could hardly speak, but in tones weak and low, she said, "My voice is nearly gone, but

"I'll praise my Maker while I've breath; And when my voice is lost in death,

Praise shall employ my nobler powers:" adding, in prayerful confidence, "And when Thou sendest Lord for me, O may the messenger be love." When the messenger came the ser vant was ready; and at ten minutes past eleven on Thursday, July 28th, 1864, she arose to meet the Lord.

When Mr. Thornton, to whom she was well known, was apprised of her death, which took place on the day of his election as President, he wrote from Bradford:-"I have much regard for the memory of Mrs. Brook, sen.

Assure

Mr. and Mrs. B., and family of my unfeigned sympathy. May we all have grace to learn the appropriate lesson." To that prayer, made yet more solemn by his sudden loss, we say, "Amen."

S. L.

WILLIAM, son of Christopher and Isabella SIMPSON, was brought up in the fear of the Lord. Of his conversion there is no record; but in very early life he was employed in the Lord's vineyard. He had also the charge of a class, which he continued to lead until, in the order of God's provi dence, he removed to America, in the year 1822, and finally settled as a farmer in Canada. He had not been long in his new abode before he greatly felt the loss of the means of grace. The population was very thin, only here and there a settler. But he called at their houses, or log-huts, and invited them to join him in the public worship of God. They accepted his invitation, assembled together on the Sabbath, and after Mr. Simpson had addressed to them a few words of exhortation they were accustomed to pray together. Thus that little band continued to go on week after week in the woods, encouraging and strengthening each other. But as there was no one to speak to them of the things of God but himself, he began to be burdened, and to feel greatly the need of some assistance: after some months he invited a Missionary from a neighbouring station to visit them. A small class was then formed, of which Mr. Simpson was made the leader. So greatly beloved

was he, that after his return to England he received a letter from them, saying if he would only go back and end his days amongst them, they would support him. Doubtless these will be the crown of his rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus.

the About

On his return to this country he was He was in again appointed a leader. the habit of praying for each one of the members separately, and of imploring, before the hour of meeting, Divine blessing and assistance. five years before his death he was visited with a severe affliction. In the intervals of consciousness he expressed his hope in God: "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him." He derived much encouragement from the words, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will up. hold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." After quoting this pas"O yes! that is sage he would say, enough." It pleased God after this to restore him, though not to his former to He continued strength. suffer from extreme weakness, which caused him often to long to be released from the burden of the flesh. He was only confined to his bed about a month, and during that time was not able to say much. Yet when an old friend called and spoke of the heavenly city, and said, "You are nearing it: 'in My Father's house are many mansions:' you Yes," will soon be with the Lord;" he replied, "for ever, for ever." On another occasion, when his niece repeated the verse,

"Other refuge have I none,

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee," he said, "O, that is precious! Yes, after all that I have done, Jesus died 'Precious blood! "Mercifully saved from much suffering during his last hours, he departed without a sigh September 5th, 1864, aged eighty.

for me,

three.

Mr. Simpson had very humbling views of himself, being ever ready to give way to any one who he thought could serve the cause of God better than himself. Yet he was always ready to do what he could, and did it with willingness and cheerfulness; and in him the poor have lost a kind and sympathizing friend, one who to the utmost of his ability relieved their necessities. "His record is on high," and "his works follow him."

I. A.

MANY of the Lord's people pass from the church militant to the church triumphant without any record, in earthly annals, of those excellences by which they "adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour in all things." Now and then a life-picture of godliness is arrested on its way to oblivion, and placed among those examples of faith and patience, which we are exhorted to follow. THOMAS WADSON, the subject of the following brief memorial, has left no written account of himself; but his life-witness, his testimony in our religious meetings, and in his last affliction, have left the clearest evidence of a regenerated nature, a holy life, and a happy death. After months of severe affliction and wasting disease, when the time of his departure was at hand, he gave the writer, almost verbatim, the following account:

(This

"I was born at Mere in Staffordshire. My parents died while I was a child. I had no Sabbath-school to go to. I went to the church; but knew none who had When a the fear and love of God. youth I removed to Etruria, and was employed as a gardener at Mr. Wedgewood's. While there, the wife of a fellowworkman died, and in her last moments she uttered the words of Stephen, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Whether she went to heaven I know not; but the words came to my heart like an arrow. I was convinced of my sinful state, and began to pray and seek the Lord. I was ignorant of the way of salvation, and had none to teach me." is surprising, as he was surrounded by so many Methodists in the Potteries, and a number of them were employed in the works of Mr. Wedgewood.) "I was for several years in this state of mind and was very unhappy. About thirty-seven years ago I came to London, and settled in Hammersmith. I went to the church, but found no peace of mind, In a and nothing to meet my case. few weeks heard of the Methodists, and went one evening to the chapel. My wife, then a stranger to me, was standing at the door: I asked her what kind of meeting it was, and she invited me in. I soon found that I was among a people who could tell me what 'I must do to be saved.' I made up my mind to join this people. One night, about a fortnight after, as I was going from the chapel, a friend urged me to believe in Christ for a present salvation. We parted; I turned into Brook-Greenlane; no one seemed to be near, and I thought, 'now is the time for me to believe for this great blessing.' I lifted

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