ceeded in reading the Lord's Prayer, which he had just penned in his living tongue, without realizing the magnitude of the performance. The associations of reading, among the people, were all and altogether with an ancient unknown language.

Such was the humble commencement of writing the modern Syriac, an undertaking which was for some time the marvel of multitudes, both to the sight of the eye and the hearing of the ear.

It was several years after we commenced writing the modern Syriac, before a printer and press reached us. The first press sent out was found to be too heavy for transportation on the backs of horses over the lofty mountains of Old Pontus and Armenia, and we were consequently obliged to order another to be so constructed that it could be taken into smaller pieces. This difficulty obviated, our printer, Mr. Breath, finally reached us, with a press, seven years after the commencement of the Mission. Meanwhile, we had furnished our schools with reading matter by the slow and laborious motion of the pen in the form of manuscript cards, consisting mainly of portions of the Holy Scriptures.

The first matter printed was also the Lord's Prayer, as had been true of the first experiment in writing. I shall never forget the scene in our printingoffice on that auspicious day. A large company had been drawn together by the fame of the marvellous engine which had just arrived from the New World. As it was put in motion, and the leaves of the tree of life, set up by the practised hand of the American printer, who as yet barely knew the letters, were taken rapidly from it, the whole assembly were unconsciously bowing around it, while gazing with the most eager interest, and as unconsciously reiterating "Glory to God! glory to God!" not that they would worship the press, but their profound astonishment and admiration could find no other so natural and spontaneous an expression. And verily the press was a worthy object of their deepest admiration, as it first took its position in the heart of this dark continent; a harbinger of light and salvation to multitudes. Such it has emphatically proved itself to be. It reached us twenty-four years ago. Since that time, it has given to the hungering Nestorians a very precious Christian literature of a hundred thousand volumes, comprising near 20,000,000 of pages, containing the Holy Scrip

tures in both the ancient and modern Syriac-the latter, in several editions, and one edition with references. Other excellent books and tracts have been multiplied: Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress, "Baxter's "Saint's Rest," "Call to the Unconverted," and "Reformed Pastor;" Doddridge's "Rise and Progress," "The Dairyman's Daughter,"

The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain," "The Young Cottager," a Church history, and other books of this general description now have a place in the "family library of many a handsome Nestorian dwelling, by the side of the Scriptures, though always far below them in the reverential regard which this primitive people ever cherish toward the inspired oracles. We have published a book of hymns, containing about three hundred, consisting mainly of translations of the richest and sweetest hymns in our own language. Our first edition of this hymn-book, in our day of small things, consisted of only half-adozen hymns. Each successive edition has increased till the book has assumed the handsome size I have mentioned. The hymn-book, next to the Bible, we have found an instrumentality of unspeakable interest and importance in the evangelization of the people. I now have in press a second edition of a Sabbath-school hymn-book, prepared by an associate, Mr. Cobb. It possesses great attraction and power among the children, who gladly pledge themselves to commit the whole book to memory, and promptly do it for the sake of coming in possession of a copy. We have also published excellent schoolbooks, and scientific text-books, and an able treatise on theology, prepared by the acute and erudite Mr. Stoddard, whose early death we were called to mourn seven years ago. And during the last fourteen years, our press has given to the Nestorians its monthly periodical, made up of the various departments of religion, education, science, miscellany, and poetry, which has been highly useful in our schools and among the people, as a vehicle of religious truth and general intelligence.

The printing-office has thus risen among this fallen people in a dark empire as a stately tree of life, striking its roots deeper and deeper, and sending its branches farther and farther, to drop its healing leaves over every village and every dwelling, even in the remote hamlets of the Koordish mountains.

It is grateful to recognise in this connexion the important agency of Mr.

Halifax, and whilst there resided with her maternal uncle, the late Mr. Benjamin Milnes,-a true Christian, a true Methodist, and beloved by all who knew him. His consistent piety won the admiration of his niece, and made a deep impression on her youthful heart. In her eleventh year she was led to seek religion, and entered into the liberty wherewith Christ makes His people free. She joined the class of the late Jonathan Saville, a lively and popular Local preacher, whose pulpit and platform services were in demand far beyond the limits of his own Circuit. In following years, she referred with grateful pleasure to the kindness and salutary advice received at that period from a beloved and useful minister, the late Rev. A. E. Farrar. Subsequently to the happy change, she continued to approve herself a sincere and earnest Christian. She loved her Bible, frequented the place of secret prayer, and was faithful in the important duty of self-examination; while she was also diligent in her attendance at the public and social means of grace. Whilst naturally cheerful and witty, she was free from foolish levity, and the spirit of sarcasm. In speaking of absent persons, she was governed by high moral principle and Christian prudence. Character was, with her, a sacred thing. She was glad to commend the excellencies of others, and to cover their weaknesses with the mantle of "charity" which "never faileth." In her choice of religious books, she selected those in which the enjoyments of a high spiritual life are set forth. She read the biography of the holy dead, that she might make them models for her own imitation; and, amongst the living, she sought the society of those from whose conversation she could derive instruction and profit. She was dear to the pious poor, who often hailed her as an angel of mercy.

In every conversion which takes place, Almighty God designs to effect two important purposes; the personal happiness of the convert, and the wellbeing of those around. To a most serious extent, He has made the members of the church responsible for the conversion of the world. "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself." Christianity enlarges the heart. It kindles on that altar a flame of charity which it is impossible to conceal. Thus it was with Miss Walker, as long as health and opportunity favoured. She felt that she had but

one youth and one life; that these, once gone, were gone for ever. Her attention was not limited to one particular department of service, but embraced several. She laboured earnestly in the Sabbath-school, in the distribution of religious tracts, in visiting the sick and poor, in inviting persons to the sanc tuary, and in collecting for Missions. To these, and to other acts of Christian duty and benevolence, she was prompted not by irregular impulses, but by an abiding conviction of the claims of Christ and His church.

In the year 1851, she was married to Mr. James Sugden, of the firm of Jonas Sugden & Brothers, Oakworth, near Keighley. In taking this step, she happily had only to exchange one Christian home for another. In some respects, Stainland and Oakworth very much resemble each other. Both are situated on the side of wild moorland, and are remarkable for the combination of natural sternness and spiritual beauty. The industrial habits and general characteristics of the population are also similar. Oakworth is about three miles from Keighley, and one from Haworth; separated from the latter place by the valley of the Worth. Haworth will be long remembered as the residence of the apostolic Grimshaw; and it is now known, far beyond the circles of Methodism, as the home of the late Charlotte Bronté and her literary sisters.

Previously to Mrs. Sugden's marriage, her health had so far given way as to occasion serious anxiety to her friends. She, however, sought, by earnest prayer, the guidance of Him who chooses the inheritance of His people; and her married life, though marked by much personal affliction, was in every other respect a very happy one. Her husband survives, or a more distinct tribute would be paid to his excellence. Mrs. Sugden was unable to resume her former habits of Christian activity. Her nervous system, which had been for some time impaired, seems never to have recovered its tone. To say, with Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him,' this is the faith which God especially values. If believers are "in heaviness through manifold temptations," it is "that the trial of their faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ." At such seasons more real work may be accomplished in the soul, than during seasons of abounding joy.

Faith is not only tested, but strengthened, by the ordeal. Thus was it in the case of Mrs. Sugden. If her religion was less emotional and demonstrative, it became more practical and matured. Called to pass through the fire, she was not alone. She had a companion, and His "form was like the Son of God." She enjoyed the fulfilment of the prayer, so often uttered :

"Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,

For good remember me!

Me, whom Thou hast caused to trust,
For more than life on Thee:
With me in the fire remain,

Till like burnish'd gold I shine,
Meet, through consecrated pain,
To see the Face Divine."

Next to the claims of God, this excellent woman acknowledged those of her beloved family. The husband's homeward journey, from mill or market, was always the happiest event of the day. She dedicated her children to God, and both by precept and example taught them the way to heaven. Whatever worldly good they might or might not hope to possess, she was anxious that they should become heirs of "a better and an enduring substance." As soon as they were capable of understanding the meaning of such exercises, she took them into her closet, and in their hearing pleaded with her heavenly Father in their behalf. All the relations she sustained, she was enabled also to adorn. Few parents have been blessed with a more dutiful daughter than she. Whilst under her father's roof, her good sense and sound judgment often caused her to be consulted on important matters. She was always ready to weep when those around her wept, and to rejoice when they rejoiced. Her affection to all in the circle was tender and constant. Her consistent piety was greatly sanctified to the spiritual welfare of her brothers and sisters, most of whom are members of Christ's church; and they cherish a profound and tender respect for the purity of her principles, and the loveliness of her Christian character.

Although her health had for some time been feeble, it was not until the autumn of 1862 that serious fears were entertained in regard to her ultimate recovery. As the season advanced, it became painfully evident that the sands of her glass were rapidly running out. She would gladly have lived longer, for the sake of her husband and little ones; and the prospect of leaving them cost her a painful struggle. But she gained the victory, and meekly bowed to the

will of her heavenly Father. Her sufferings were great; and she did not escape temptation. Her faith was at times violently assailed by the adversary. This led her to say, "I fear I shall not have power to overcome; pray for me, that my faith fail not." Prayer was answered, and her peace and confidence abounded. In death, as in life, she relied, humbly, but fully, on Christ. "I have not that ecstatic joy," she said, "which some appear to have experienced in similar circumstances; but a calm, settled peace." About a fortnight before her death, one of her sisters, in drawing up the window-blind, said, "It is a beautiful morning; but you will not need the sun in heaven." replied, "No; there will be no night there." As her end approached, she said, “Death is very near; but He will not leave me. My Jesus! my Jesus!" Again: "Pray that He may come quickly.' A few moments after, she was "absent from the body, and present with the Lord." ELIJAH JACKSON.

She

MRS. BROWN, of Benton-Square, in the North-Shields Circuit, died in March, 1863. She was the child of godly parents, nurtured in the fear of the Lord. The piety of her father, especially, was of an exalted kind. At the age of eighteen, our deceased sister, with simplicity of heart, (a trait prominent in her through life,) connected herself with the Methodist people. Her experience was like the Psalmist's, at the time he uttered the words, "When Thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek." She at that time commenced to meet in class; and it is remarkable that her now bereaved husband did the same that same night. This was not by concert, their residence being some miles apart. She was gradually brought to the saving knowledge of the truth, and was enabled, after instruction and earnest seeking, to realize her acceptance with God, through Christ; which confidence she strongly retained, until faith was lost (as we have every reason to believe) in sight.

As

Many years her house was open for preaching, no matter what might be the amount of inconvenience involved. many as there went in and out, on such occasions, can remember with what cheerfulness she received the messengers of mercy, and how greatly she rejoiced when a good congregation attended her cottage-services; and all