PALESTINE. No. IV. THE providence of the MOST HIGH which appears to have watched over the establishment of the Jerusalem Mission with singular care, having conducted it not only to the settlement of the Bishop and his fellow-labourers there, but also to the laying of the foundation of the church, "at a depth of thirty-five feet from the surface," owing to the number of subterraneous chambers, through which they had to break : hath given his servants rest, and commencing encouragement in their all-important work. "We have now," writes the Bishop, (Feb. 26, 1842,) "regular daily service in the temporary Chapel: at seven in the morning in Hebrew, and at sunset in English; and though we are but a small band, yet I feel it peculiarly delightful thus daily to worship in Mount Zion,”—and again, (March 9.) "Our Mission is beginning to be very interesting, and, I trust, efficient. There never have been such large congregations of Protestants as have been assembled since my arrival here. On Sunday last our Chapel was literally crowded, and never did I wish more that our church was built. I have laid the first foundation-stone on the 28th ult." ISAIAH LX. 11. Imperial Salem, lift thy gates See converts like the drops of dew Lo! the full tribes with joy appear Behold, what clouds of incense rise Rise, mighty GOD, into thy rest, So shall thy glorious cause extend, * Comp. Rom. x. 4. JULY, 1842. D + Comp. Psalm 1xxxix. 15. IT is a very singular coincidence that, not only is the Bishop of Jerusalem "a Hebrew of the Hebrews," but also by birth a Prussian: that from the Prussian Monarch has proceeded half the endowment of his bishoprick, and that at this moment there should be a sum amounting to £11000 or £12000, raised by voluntary contributions, in the kingdom of Prussia, for the support of the Hospital and medical establishments so wisely attached to the Mission in Jerusalem! The following affecting extract from the letter of Dr. Macgowan, will shew at once the necessity for, and the benefit of, this humane provision:-"The condition of some families whom I have visited is wretched in the extreme. Their dwellings are in dark vaulted caves, the roof dropping with damp from above, and the bare earth beneath, and often without door or window to keep out the wind and rain. It is in these dark and dismal abodes, that the descendant of GOD's chosen people drags out a miserable existence, and presents a striking fulfilment of that utter desolation which was to fall on this city and nation.* It may readily be supposed, that disease in every form of bodily suffering is a frequent visitant in these unwholesome dwellings." ness. The necessaries of life, which are already too scanty in health, are miserably deficient in sickThe want of attendance, of cleanliness, of suitable nourishment, and ordinary precautions, is quite appalling. The absence of these destroys more lives than disease itself." *Psalm CII. PSALM CII. Hear thou my prayer, O Israel's God, Let answering mercy come with speed My days, like smoke, do waste and fail: Like grass beneath the parching sun, Like the lone owl, while through the night Or like the pelican, whose flight Is to the desert, so alone I watch, in wakeful solitude Because of thine indignant ire When thou hadst raised which cast me down; Like grass which feels the solar fire, But thou, O Lord, shalt still endure And still shall this remembrance pure, Yea, for the time, the long-wish'd time And mourned to see her dust consume; Counted her stones like valued gold,The temple of thine ancient fold. The heathen, LORD, shall fear thy name, |