interest in it. The recent operations seemed to them to be as important as any that had preceded. At the close of the meeting several of those present gave their names for enrolment as members of the Alliance. Mr. and Mrs. Honeyman kindly convened a drawing-room meeting at their residence in Hamilton Drive, on Wednesday, February 13. Mr. Honeyman, in welcoming the friends who had gathered together, expressed his continued interest in the Alliance, and then called upon Mr. Arnold to give them some account of its recent work, at the close of which the Rev. F. H. Robarts and others expressed their hearty sympathy with the Evangelical Alliance, which had done so much to show the power of Christian union throughout the world. Several of those present, who were not already members of the Alliance, expressed their desire to be enrolled. In the evening of the same day a united meeting was held in the Claremont United Presbyterian Church the Rev. William Boyd, LL.D., presiding-when Mr. Arnold had an opportunity of giving an address on the recent work of the Alliance. The Secretary's visit to Glasgow on this occasion was not well timed, as there were many meetings of a very special character being held during this week, and he was urged to visit the city again later in the year. Mr. Arnold next visited Hawick and Melrose. On the afternoon of Thursday, February 14, a drawing-room meeting was held at the residence of Mr. D. Pringle, at Hawick, when a goodly number of ladies and gentlemen assembled. Mr. Pringle gave expression to his cordial sympathy with the Alliance in its various operations, which he still followed with the greatest interest; and he was glad to have again the pleasure of welcoming the Secretary, who would, he knew, supply information regarding the recent work of the Alliance, which would stimulate to increased interest. Mr. Arnold's address followed, and was received with many expressions of cordial sympathy. THE WEEK OF PRAYER IN FOREIGN LANDS. THE following are among the reports already to hand :— VIENNA. During the Week of Prayer in Vienna, evening after evening, we have had well-attended meetings. The Spirit of the Lord touched hearts and prayers, and the addresses were fervent and earnest. It was a time of great blessing, and it was felt that not mere habit had brought so many Christians together, but the earnest desire to gather as one family round the throne of our heavenly Father. Another country congregation joined the meetings for the first time. SIVAS (TURKEY).-I am very glad to report that our observance of the Week of Prayer in this city has this year been signally blessed. In other years the attendance has been large, though the interest has only been transient. But this year the interest was so marked that we continued the meetings with profit for a second week, and we are now rejoicing in the quickening of the faithful few who have laboured with us, and the change of purpose and life in many who heretofore have been indifferent to the appeals of the truth. The movement has not been as widespread as we could have wished, but it has been genuine, and with courage we begin the work of the new year. ITALY. - An account of the Week of Prayer observance in Rome will be found under the heading "Roman Branch of the Alliance." NAPLES.-The first fruits of the Alliance recently formed in this city, showed itself markedly in the observance of the Week of Prayer. It was decided that each denomination should hold, during the week, its special meeting. On such occasions, the attendance was very large indeed, the places were crowded, and, at all of them, ministers and hearers of all denominations met to gether in fraternal fellowship. All were built up in their most holy faith, and were filled with joy and gratitude.-(From Civiltä Evangelica.) RUSSIA. Our correspondent at St. Petersburg. writes: The meetings were only small, but they were times of refreshing to all who attended. Whether the gatherings be large or small, still there is that gracious, cheering promise, where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." That promise never fails. Long years ago, when a mere youth, I heard a speaker say, that when he had a smaller company than usual to speak to, he always tried to do better for them, "for" and Macedonia, the Week of Prayer has been observed in about twenty-five centres. These meetings are always a means of quickening to those who attend them, and, in some places in our mission, they have been especially interesting this year. CHRISTIANIA. -Pastor Storjohann writes: "The annual Week of Prayer has been kept in Sweden as usual, and there have been a great many meetings, especially in Christiania. The invitation of the Evangelical Alliance was distributed in large numbers (some 10,000 copies). I have seen, in the course of many years, much blessing attending these united gatherings. At a large meeting of more than 900 Deputies, held in December, I seized the opportunity to strongly recommend this annual Week of Prayer." FINLAND. The Right Rev. Bishop Alopæus writes: "I have the honour to state that in my diocese meetings, during the Week of United and Universal prayer, at the beginning of this year, were held in the cities of Helsingfors and Bonga, and were very numerously attended." said he, "it is probable that they have put themselves to greater difficulties than usual to come, and I ought not to punish them because others have not come, but try and do well for them because they have faced difficulties in order to come." How little we know the influence of our words! There was one among the few who listened to that speaker that night, whose whole life has been influenced by the above sentence! I never heard that speaker before, nor have we met him since, but how often in this dark land have I been helped when otherwise I might have been disheartened, had it not been for his words. This was the way a fellow man acted did his best when the company was smallest. There is profound wisdom manifested therein. But, is it not the way our Divine Master always acts? Is He not just as ready to come to the few as to the many? Nay, if we try to recall our experience, does He not seem sometimes especially to manifest His gracious presence where a few have encountered difficulty in order to meet with Him and pray to Him? BULGARIA. Our correspondent writes: Your circular of subjects for the Week of Prayer were duly received. Many thanks for them. They were printed in Bulgaria at our School Press, and have been widely circulated. We have held meetings each day, and, I think, with profit to many, though there has been no special indication of deep feeling. Our local congregation is not large, but those of our two schools, who have remained through the vacation have made up the gatherings to about 100. The holi days coming this week by O.S., and the desire of our people and of ourselves to use the freedom given in these days to call anywhere among the old church people, breaks in somewhat upon the meetings; yet it has been good to attend them. Our topic for next Wednesday's Weekly Prayer Meeting, is: "What is it to be a Christian' BANGALORE (SOUTH INDIA). - A corresand am I a Christian?" I know that you pondent writes: "I am glad to inform you and many others pray for us. God is that we were able to observe the Week of blessing our work; yet we inuch need the United Prayer in Bangalore in harmony with abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. the arrangements notified in the Evangelical PHILIPPOPOI IS. - Another correspondent Alliance circular. The meetings were held says: Allow me to thank you for the pro- in different places of worship, presided over grammes for the Week of Prayer you kindly by ministers of various denominations. The forwarded to me some time ago. We circu- attendance at all these gatherings was late these you send, and we also publish in very good, and we felt assured that Bulgarian the subjects for daily prayer I our common Master was in our midst. am glad to inform you that, in the field At the same times the brethren of our occupied by the American Board in Bulgaria | native churches met together. MALTA.-Meetings were held in the lectureroom, 205 Strada Forni, Valletta, daily during the week following the first Sunday in January. The two Presbyterian, and the two Wesleyan Ministers, and some military officers conducted the meetings. The wet weather, and the absence from our harbours of most of the larger ships of the fleet, greatly interfered with the attendance, which, however, was larger on the finer days, and was generally better than might have been expected under the circumstances. The meetings were profitable. The hour fixed for the meeting, while it suited many, was inconvenient for soldiers and sailors. Some very sucessful evening union meetings, therefore, were held specially for them after the return of the fleet. The ser BOMBAY.-There were daily meetings of united prayer, and the attendance of Christians of different denominations was a good augury of the interest and belief of the Church of God in Bombay in the power of prayer. On Monday the meeting was held at the M.E. Church in Grant Street, the Rev. H. C. Stuntz, the pastor, presiding; on Tuesday, at the Free Church of Scotland, on the Esplanade, the Rev. John Forgan in the chair; on Wednesday evening at Girgaum Church; on Thursday at St. Andrew's; on Friday at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, Fort; and on Saturday in the Baptist Church, Bellasis Road. The programme of subjects, as issued by the Evangelical Alliance, was followed at all the gatherings. RAJPUTANA (INDIA).—In Ajmere there has been a Week of United Prayer, according to the request of the Evangelical Alliance. The meetings were arranged by the Rev. James Gray. The first was held in the native church on the Sabbath evening, January 6. At 5 P.M. forty of the native Christians met together, and the Rev. James one. Gray addressed them in Hindustani. The meeting was a profitable one, and the watchword taken for the year was : "My help cometh from the Lord." On Monday, at the same hour, thirty of the native Christians assembled, and the meeting was an open The prayers were full of power. The English-speaking friends met on Tuesday evening to pray specially for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The need was sorely felt of a revival to awaken Christians to a sense of their responsibility in this heathen land, where souls are perishing on every side. The meeting on Wednesday, January 9, was conducted in Hindustani, and there was a fair attendance. On Thursday the meeting was principally for women. It was arranged for at the Zenana House, as being more central for the majority of the native Christian women. It was well attended, and very profitable to those present. Both missionaries and native brethren engaged in prayer. On Friday, the meeting was in the Hindustani Church, and several of those themselves rescued from heathenism prayed very feelingly for the salvation of their countrymen who were still in spiritual darkness. The attendance was good. On Saturday evening there was a prayer-meeting conducted in Hindustani for a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, on the Sabbath evening there was one in Hindustani, and immediately after another in English. IRISH BRANCH. THE Week of Prayer was well observed in Dublin. The opening meeting was held on Sunday afternoon, January 6, in the Christian Union Buildings. There was a large attendance. Henry Brown, Esq., presided; and an earnest and appropriate address was delivered by the Rev. J. S. Fletcher, D.D. Meetings were held each day during the week in the same place, at noon and at 3.30 P.M., with the exception of Saturday, when only one meeting was held. The attendance was not so large as on some former occasions. Earnest prayers were offered up for the various objects suggested by the Alliance. A profitable week was brought to a close on Sunday, January 13, when R. P. Froste, Esq., presided at a meeting held in the afternoon. An impressive address was delivered by the Rev. Charles Inwood. There was a large attendance. DROGHEDA.—United meetings were held each evening of the Week of Prayer in the Magdalen Hall. The attendance was large throughout. DUNDALK.-In accordance with the invitation of the Evangelical Alliance the Week of Prayer was observed in Dundalk. Each evening members of the three Protestant denominations of Dundalk-Episcopalian, Methodist and Presbyterian-met in the Market House in goodly numbers. The various subjects suggested were taken up at each meeting and earnest prayers were offered during the service. BRAY.-The Week of Prayer was observed here. Meetings were beld in the Friends Meeting House on Monday evening, in the Methodist Church on Tuesday and Wednesday, and in the Presbyterian Church on Thursday and Friday. There was a Drawingroom meeting at the residence of Mr. J. R. Fowler on Saturday afterroon. The meetings were well attended, and earnest prayers were offered up. DAY OF SPECIAL AND UNITED PRAYER FOR IRELAND, THE Council of the Irish Branch of the Evangelical Alliance have issued the following invitation for the observance of Monday, March 18 next, as a day of united and special prayer for Ireland :— have done much to extend the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and at the same time the claims of Foreign Missions are being responded to with increasing zeal and liberality. Nor are we without reason to hope that the social and To the Christian People of these and other political troubles which have so long dis Lands. Dear Brethren,-For, a number of years the 17th day of March (St. Patrick's Day) has been observed as a day of special and united prayer for Ireland. As it falls this year upon Sunday it has been decided that, in addition to the services which may be held on that day, the following day, Monday 18th, be also set apart for prayer. It has been deeply gratifying and encouraging to the Christian people of Ireland to know that their troubled and distressed country has been the subject of so many prayers. In obedience to our Lord's injunction, "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint," we have during these years been lifting up earnest supplication at the Throne of Grace that deliverance may graciously be vouchsafed from the manifold and great evils which still afflict us. In the drawing together of Christian hearts, in the deepening sense of dependence upon God before the manifest failure of human effort to give rest and peace, in the stimulus it has given to renewed efforts in behalf of those lying in darkness and the shadow of death, have we not had already an earnest in our own hearts of the blessing to come? The Council regard with the deepest thank fulness to God the tokens of life and earnestness that are visible in all the churches, and in connexion with those efforts which Christian men and women are unitedly making in behalf of the perishing. Renewed energy has been put forth for the circulation of the Holy Scriptures and a healthy Christian literature. Mission Services on a large scale The turbed the peace of the country are subsiding. At the same time, we cannot close our eyes to the fact that the great and bitter need of our country has been scarcely touched. deep gulf between classes and parties still remains. The great mass of our people still reject that precious Gospel which alone can bring true rest to the heart, and peace and prosperity to the land. Intemperance is still doing its ruinous work, and Sabbath desecration is continuing its demoralising and God-dishonouring influence. Under these circumstances what need there is for continuing instant in prayer! We hope, therefore, that the forthcoming Day of Prayer for Ireland will find us again united in earnest supplication that it may please God to put forth His almighty power, and, for the sake of Jesus Christ His Son, interpose in behalf of those for whom He shed His precious blood, that He may restore peace and concord to His Church, that He may break down the barriers of prejudice and superstition, and cause the evangelical doctrines which St. Patrick so faithfuliy preached to be universally embraced in our land. The Council would earnestly suggest that ministers of the Gospel draw the attention of their people to the subject on St. Patrick's Day, that united meetings be held on the 18th, wherever two or three can meet together, and that Christians generally, in their homes and elsewhere, will remember this country in prayer at the Throne of Grace both on the 17th and 18th of March. (Signed on behalf of the Council of the Irish Branch.) ROMAN BRANCH. THE Vice-President of the Roman Branch | all, at the close of last year the Roman sends us the following communication:— Branch of the Alliance had elected its The Evangelical Alliance has been mentioned in these last days by almost all the Roman daily papers in connexion with a great meeting which it called last week, and which, thank God, was quite a success. Let me tell you, in a few words, what it has been doing here of late. First of committee and officers for 1889 as follows: the Rev. Henry Piggott, Chairman; the Rev. Teofilo Gay, D.D., Vice-President; the Rev. Antonio Tron, Secretary. Then it has held the general prayer-meetings according to the invitation of the London Council, from the 7th to the 12th of January: Monday, 7th, in the Wesleyan Church, Chairman, the Rev. Paschette (Baptist); Tuesday, the 8th, in the Baptist Church, Chairman, the Rev. M. Prochet, D.D. (Waldensian); Wednesday, the 9th, in the Waldensian Church, Chairman, the Rev. T. Gay, D.D. (Methodist Episcopal); Thursday, the 10th, in the General Baptist Church, Chairman, the Rev. G. Zocco (Wesleyan); Friday, the 11th, in the "Apostolic" Church, Chairman, Signor Tummolo (General Baptist); Saturday, the 12th, in the Methodist-Episcopal Church, Chairman, the Rev. H. Piggott (Wesleyan). All the meetings were very numerous and unusually edifying. mony. Most of the Roman papers published long articles in praise of the great part that Gavazzi has taken in the political resurrection of Italy, especially in union with Garibaldi. On Friday last, February 1, a great meeting was called by the Roman Committee of the Alliance, in commemoration of Gavazzi, in the Wesleyan Church just opposite the palace of the " 'Cardinal Vicario." An immense crowd filled up the spacious church, and showed, by loud applause, their enthusiasti approval of the three speeches which were delivered and lasted for two full hours. The Rev. H. Piggott presided and opened the meeting with a few words. After Luther's hymn had been sung, then Mr. Wall offered prayer, and the addresses began. The three speakers had been appointed by the Committee, and were the Rev. Lodovico Conti, who told of Gavazzi as a patriot; the Rev. Matteo Prochet, D.D., who told of Gavazzi as a great adversary of Popery; and the Rev. Teofilo Gay, D D., who told of Gavazzi as an evangelical preacher. May the population of Rome, who so often admired Gavazzi's eloquence, receive the Gospel he preached, and may the Lord give to Italy now an other Gavazzi; nay, a Luther to lead her to a blessed Evangelical Reforma The Wednesday night meeting was deeply saddened by the intelligence which the Chairman gave to the audience of the sudden death of the Rev. Alessandro Gavazzi. Prayers were offered to God on behalf of the Free Church and of all the evangelical churches of Italy, for whom that death is a very severe loss. On Friday afternoon a funeral service was held in the palace of the Free Church, and then the corpse was accompanied to "S. Lorenzo outside the walls." On Saturday morning many friends attended its cremation there, which took place according to the deceased's express will, and was a very solemn and impressing cere- tion! RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN TURKEY. We have received the following letter from our Constantinople correspondent conveying the gratifying intelligence of the release of the Armenian Protestant merchant whose case had been brought before the Turkish Government, as well as the British Foreign Office : "Constantinople, Jan. 28, 1889. "I am happy to be able to report that the case of Nicolaki Effendi, of Alacham, appears at last to be settled, and that through the blessing of God upon your efforts. Special mention of the case of this brother was made during the Week of Prayer, both here and at various places along the Black Sea coast. While the prayers were being uttered the Lord gave answer. .. The Governor of sent a dispatch to Samsoun, where ... of Nicolaki then was, and in consequence this order Nicolaki was at once released and permitted to return to his home at Alacham, after an absence of nearly five months. It is true that the Governor, like the Sanhedrim in the case of the Apostles, first commanded Nicolaki Effendi not to speak in the Name of Jesus; but I do not apprehend further trouble at present. The great thing gained is the release of our brother in a way that leaves all the people convinced that he must have paid several hundred pounds bribe. They cannot imagine any other force potent enough to have secured his release. We are all in great joy, and are very much obliged to your Council for all its efforts to attract the attention of the British Government to the case." RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN RUSSIA. THE Swiss Branch of the Evangelical at St. Petersburg, whose communication on Alliance has sent the following reply to the chief of the Holy Synod of the Greek Church the subject of religious liberty in Russia appeared in Evangelical Christendom last June: |