Concerning the external affairs we can observe a little progress. In our Sundayschool work we were not molested since the Committee of the Evangelical Alliance made complaint in our behalf to the Consistory. In the suit for baptisms performed, I received notice of the State's attorney, that in five instances the proceedings had been suspended. In two other cases, however, I was fined, July 22, for 150 marks and the costs, eventually fifteen days' imprisonment. I have taken exception to this decision. The matter was to be heard September 9, but was postponed to October 18, and has now, thank God, been decided in my favour. We have sent in a request to give us the recognition of the State. What the minister of religious affairs will do, we know not; if it be awarded, then we shall have, according to Saxon ideas, full liberty."

SOUTH AMERICA.-The Rev. C. W. Drees, superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Church in South America, writes from Buenos Ayres: "Members of this body are labouring in Argentina, Brazil, Chili, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Central America. We have lines of influence and active work extending into Bolivia and Ecuador. Recognising in a fraternal spirit the faithful labours of those who share with us the call to this vast field, we are seeking with them to fill this continent with Gospel light and salvation. The statistical returns for the year just closed will show an increase of nearly one thousand in the number of communicants in our churches. More than 4,000 children are in our Sunday schools, and nearly 3,000 in our day schools. Contributions from local sources almost duplicate those received from our parent missionary society. Yet our resources are utterly inadequate to the calls that come to us. The openings are marvellous as to number and the preparation of the people to hear the Gospel message. Our supreme aim is to secure genuine spiritual transformations through the power of the Holy Ghost. Ask the Christians of England to pray for us."

MISS TAYLOR'S ORPHANAGE AT BEYROUT.-The following incident from the report for 1893 illustrates the difficulties with which Miss Taylor, and others who work among children in Syria, have to contend: "A youth and a friend came with the mother of one of the girls, to get my consent to have the daughter engaged to the youth. On questioning him, I found he had never been to school. I said he must prove himself worthy of the girl, and I gave him three months to learn to read and then return to me. His father was a well-to-do business man in the mountain, and has to get someone to make up his accounts and write his letters, as is common in this country. He said his bride would teach him to read. Well, three months passed, and back came the youth, with his uncle and cousin and the father and mother of the girl, to take her right off. He had learned to spell out words of four letters, and said he would soon learn to write and read! I did everything in my power to get them to let the girl stay for two years more, as she is only fourteen years of age, and I felt it a disgrace to take the girl so young, but they had brought everything necessary for the marriage, and it was no use talking. We had prayer with the girl, and after much kind counsel, I gave her a new Bible, and hope she will make good use of it. I believe her o be a very good girl, and her knowledge of Scripture often surprised me. She came to me very young, and was six years in the school. Will you aid us in pleading for her from time to time, that the lessons she was taught here may not be lost, and that the seed sown may appear in time and bring forth much fruit?" As an instance of the encouragement received from time to time, the following is given: "This morning I visited one of our women, a widow; two of her girls are with me and have been in the Institution four years. They are Moslems. The room was clean, but cold and damp. No wonder she had an attack of pleurisy. She was getting better of fever, and came to the meeting on Sunday and saw the doctor. When I spoke to her of the Great Physician, Healer of both soul and body, she said: 'I know Jesus Christ. He is my Saviour. Will you pray for me that I may have patience to bear this pain, and if I die will you take care of my children?' The gratitude of the poor woman was overpowering. One of her expressions was, O, mother of the poor, long life to you. May the Lord Jesus send you all you need.' One mother said that while her girl was very ill she sang beautiful hymns with a sweet, sweet voice, and would tell her

mother time after time to get her ready to return to school." The treasurer for this work is Mr. William Ferguson, Kinmundy, near Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire.

EUROPEAN TURKEY.-In the European Turkey Mission recent conferences of Bulgarian churches have shown a remarkable earnestness of Christian life. The Albanian work, which is carried on from Monastir, has suffered by the death of a most devoted native pastor, but he gave such evidence of the power of the Gospel in his life, and character, and consecration as to be remembered with profound interest by his people-an illustration such as LO preaching or words could adequately set forth in the life and self-denying labours of this good man. In spite of the steadfast and deepening governmental opposition and inadequate appropria tions, a good report is given of all phases of missionary work in Asiatic Turkey. Allusion may be made specially to the educational work, including the Girls' School and College at Marsovan and the theological schools at Marash and Harpoot. Through these diverse agencies, in spite of all obstacles, the Gospel is taking an ever firmer hold upon the best life of the Turkish empire, and is steadily preparing a brighter day for all the peoples of that land.-Missionary Herald, Boston.

BULGARIA.-An Evangelical pastor at work in Bulgaria writes: "A few Sundays since I gave the Communion, for the first time, to a converted Jew. He told me that his father had been with the French as a dragoman in the Crimea, that, while there, he secured a copy of the New Testament in Hebrew-Spanish, and that he read it and prized it on his return to Constantinople. When he was dying he had it with him on his bed, and died with it clasped to his breast. The wife was commanded by her husband's Jewish friends to destroy the book; but, not being able to read, she could not then tell it from some others in the same type. The result was it was thrown aside and not destroyed. The young man in question somehow obtained this copy, has been reading it, has forsworn intemperance, and professes to have accepted Christ."

THE JEWS.-It is calculated that there are at present over 9,000,000 Jews in the world, 7,000,000 being in Europe, 280,000 in Asia, 700,000 in Africa, 600,000 in America, and 20,000 in Australasia. By far the largest number is to be found in Russia, the next country in which they have settled most freely being AustroHungary. From a religious standpoint they may all be divided into two great classes -first, the Jews of the old faith, who rigidly hold to Judaism in its ancient form; and second, Jews of the new faith, who have purged the law of much that they consider superstitious, and have materially altered the form and character of their services. Many of the latter look for no Messiah, desire no national restoration, and reject the Divine origin of Scripture. They are rationalists, in short, and even infidels. Nevertheless, the whole race is at one in its opposition to Christianity.

THE JEWS IN NEW YORK.-There is some very interesting reading in a recent number of Mission News, from Mr. Warszawiak. In a letter from his assistant, Mr. Cohn, after describing his first attempts at after-meetings, when left to himself on one occasion, and giving his text in the gist of his address, in which he urges that through the Saviour alone can sin be put away, the writer continues: "It was a very sharp sermon indeed, pressing upon them to welcome our Messiah, to accept Him, to crown Him. Then they rushed into the aftermeetings that was very nice indeed-Pastor Leonhard and Brother Cruickshank spoke a little, but other Christian visitors failed because of the heavy rain. I was astonished at some Jews who came up to the platform after the meeting, and expressed their opinions with great respect. One Jew told me he heard for the first time that Jesus is our Messiah, but, he said, 'I believe it.' I asked him, Why do you believe?' 'Oh,' he said, 'you quoted the words of our prophets, which so evidently refer to this Jesus of Nazareth.' One Jew came to

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shake hands, and said, 'Tell me please, how can I come to this true religion?' I told them all to come to the Home where Brother W. and I are every forenoon." Both Mr. Cohn and Mr. Warzawiak describe how the latter preached a sermon vindicating the Godhead of our Lord, during which the Jewish audience was much impressed and solemnised, refusing to allow interruption. Later on we read how several connected with the mission are laid up with serious illness, but here again God's overruling mercy is manifest, when among the contributions we find the

following: "An old friend, Freely ye have received, freely give,' sent £60 to meet he expenses of Mrs. Cohn's illness, medical fees and private ward in hospital.”

CANADA. The Faithful Witness, of Toronto, gives the following statistics of the denominations in Canada: Roman Catholic, 1,990,465; Methodist, 847,469; Presbyterian, 755,199; Episcopalian, 644,106; Baptist, 303,749; Lutheran, 63,979; Congregational, 28,155; Disciples, 12,763; other Denominations, 33,753; Brethren, 11,639; Adventists, 6,355; Quaker, 4,638; Universalist, 3,169; Pagan, 26,709; Jews, 6,414; Unitarian, 1,772; Salvation Army, 13,949.-The balance of the population is made up of various sects.

REVIVAL IN AMERICA.-The following is from The New York Observer: "For several weeks past we have been receiving the glad tidings of revivals of the work of the Lord. Christians of different denominations have gathered together to seek for themselves a spirit of consecration and showers of refreshing, and for the unsaved the visitation of the Holy Spirit in convicting and converting power. Though the awakening has been less general in New England and the Middle States than in the west, the number of conversions in these sections is placed at from 10,000 to 15,000. In the west, according to a computation made by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, there has been a total of 54,291, of which Missouri contributed 20,216, Illinois 15,852, Kansas 8,574, Texas 7,400, and Arkansas 2,244. As numerous revivals have been reported from the Southern and North-western States, indications are, therefore, that some 80,000 persons have during the past few months been aroused to a new and active interest in spiritual things, and have accepted Christ as their personal Saviour."

JEWISH PERSECUTIONS IN JERUSALEM.-The persecution continues at its height, but the Chief Rabbi does not encourage the fanatics. The week before last, one of the two brothers who were compelled to promise the Rabbi that they would no longer attend our Mission, came to the printing place and was seen by a Jew; in a very short time, eight fanatical Jews foreswore themselves to do an injury to the young man even if they should become martyrs in consequence, so that the God of Israel might be glorified, as our dear Redeemer foretold, that "they will put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service" (John xvi. 2). The eight zealots came to the gate, and although no dog barked at them, their courage failed; one asked the other to force open the gate, but no one had courage to do so. They then resolved to stand at the gate till their victim should come out; but fortunately the young man had left before the Chasidim (Pharisees) arrived, and after standing at the gate for some time they left without having had the satisfaction of becoming martyrs. But when the poor young fellow came to his home, he found his elder brother, brother-in-law and father-in-law who, in the presence of his wife (who had been confined only four weeks before), flogged him severely, and he has been kept a prisoner in his room.

LORD'S-DAY OBSERVANCE ON THE CONTINENT. It is known to many of the readers of Evangelical Christendom, that a great work in connexion with the better observance of the Lord's-day in Switzerland, was inaugurated by the late M. Alexandre Lombard, of Geneva. This movement sprang out of the International Conference of the Evangelical Alliance held in that city in 1861, and continued to spread until it resulted in the formation of an International Federation of Lord's-day Societies, of which there is a Central Committee for England, with Mr. Charles Hill as honorary secretary. seventeenth report of this English Committee, just issued, contains a very interesting summary of the present position of Lord's-day Observance upon the Continent. Good progress has been made during the past year, and, notwithstanding many difficulties and discouragements, much has been accomplished. We give the following extracts with much pleasure :—

The

Belgium. The most important movement has been the adoption by the Belgian Government of a new rule as to the Sunday delivery of letters. All the postage stamps now issued by the Belgium Post Office have printed on them in

French and Flemish, words which in English mean "not to be delivered on Sundays." The words are printed at the bottom of the stamp, and persons who wish their letters to be delivered on Sundays must tear off these words from the stamp. In the case of post cards and stamps embossed on envelopes, the words must be crossed out if the sender wishes the letter or card to be delivered on Sunday.

France.-In France great good is being done by a vigorous society called "Lègue Populaire pour le Repos du Dimanche en France." They issue a monthly periodical, enrol members, and have the co-operation of such distinguished men as M. Jules Simon, M. Leon Say, M. E. Cheysson, M. De Nordling, and others. In 1892 the Government voted 600,000 francs to allow the country postmen one free Sunday a month. Postal deliveries in Paris are reduced by one-half on Sunday.

Germany. In 1892, a law was passed in Germany to close shops on the whole of the Sunday. As the shopkeepers had been accustomed to keep open on the whole of the Lord's-day, considerable friction was the result of the new law. A compromise has therefore been adopted, and the shops are allowed to remain open for a few hours. It is, however, probably only a temporary arrangement, and at no very distant period the vast majority of shops will be closed altogether on the Lord's-day. Very recently the head of a large commercial house of Berlin, which employs 120 clerks, was sentenced to pay a fine of 1,200 marks for having made them work too long on Sunday.

Holland. The cause of Sunday rest is making good progress. No newspapers are issued on Sunday. A vigorous society is working earnestly.

Italy. Some progress is being made. A congress of working men's societies, representing thirty-six towns, held at Milan in 1892, voted in favour of a law making Sunday rest obligatory.

Russia. Post offices are now only open on Sunday from 12 till 2 o'clock. The Government is preparing a law for securing Sunday (rest, to be applied to trade, manufactures, and mines.

Greece. The Metropolitan of Athens and the Director of Police are taking steps to promote Sunday rest.

Norway. Marvellous progress is being made. Shops and factories are closed on Sundays. The sale of alcoholic liquors is prohibited from five on Saturday evening till eight on Monday morning.

Sweden. There are now only one or two deliveries of letters on Sunday. The crews of vessels are released from unnecessary work on Sundays.

Switzerland.-Nearly all the Swiss Cantons now have laws to protect the people from Sunday labour. Newspapers are not printed on Sunday. A railway recently built, from Yverdon to St. Croix, runs neither passenger nor freight trains on Sunday.

In regard to the United States, reference is made to the Chicago Exhibition and the attempts made to get it opened on the Lord's-day. The United States Government voted nearly £1,000,000 to help the exhibition on the express condition of Sunday closing. The Commissioners obtained the money and then refused to close. The Central Government Law Courts decided that they must close. The State Law Courts decided that they might open. The Commissioners opened, expecting 250,000 or more visitors every Sunday. The number dwindled down to 16,000 persons, and were chiefly excursionists. This departure from public morality was resented by thousands of religious people, and the Sunday-opening policy became such a failure that the Commissioners by 24 votes against 4 decided to close. Then they were threatened with prosecution if they closed, so they continued partially to

open.

A reference is made in the Report to the need for more substantial financial help, so that our brethren at Geneva may be enabled to carry on and increase this important work. The Report closes with the following words: "We earnestly hope that some to whom God has entrusted wealth, may be inclined by Him Who has given so much, to extend a helping hand to the noble work being carried on by earnest friends on the Continent."

THE May Conversazione of the Evangelical Alliance this year seemed to be specially favoured, for the members and friends of the Alliance from many parts of our own land and other countries arrived very promptly to the programme time at the invitation of the Council. Reference has been so often made to the pleasant surroundings of the Regent's Park College, that it is needless to say much upon this point here. The weather was singularly auspicious, and as the sun smiled upon the sylvan beauties of the college grounds, the numerous friends who met at the all too brief conversazione could enjoy a transient freedom from the hum of city life, although still in the midst of it. A very numerous company assembled, among whom were many well-known friends of Christian union.

It may be mentioned that while the College is now no longer presided over by the Rev. Dr. Angus, who for so many years had invited the Council of the Alliance to hold its Annual Conversazione there, an invitation was received early this year from the Rev. Principal and Mrs. Roberts, to meet again at the College, and the Council of the Alliance very thankfully responded. It was a source of regret to many of those present that Principal Roberts was suffering from a severe cold, and could not, therefore, take any part in the proceedings; but both he and Mrs. Roberts very kindly and heartily threw themselves into the receiving of the guests and making them all feel at home. The attendance was large and, when the meeting commenced, the spacious library was comfortably filled. One of the unique features of this May meeting of the Alliance, is the opportunity it affords for social and Christian intercourse; and the first half-hour spent in the dining hall, where light refreshments are served, affords the opportunity for mutual introductions and conversation. Another feature of this Conversazione always is the large number of ministers attending; and on this occasion the proportion was noticeable.

It is impossible to give a list of all who were present, but the following may be mentioned, among many others, as having accepted the invitation of the Council, and in nearly all cases they attended: The Hon. P. Carteret Hill, General Sir John Field, K.C.B., Admiral Grant, C.B., Lord Kinnaird, the Hon. & Rev. E. V. Bligh, and Mr. Donald Matheson, vice-presidents; Alderman Richard Cory, General Roberts, General Touch, Rev. Professor Garden Blaikie, Colonel Frobisher, Colonel Griffin, Colonel Morton, Dr. Van Someren, Colonel Thomson, Rev. Dr. Hiles Hitchens, Rev. J. T. Briscoe, Rev. William Roberts, Rev. J. Gosset Tanner, Rev. J. Du Pontet de la Harpe, Rev. Dr. Matthews, Rev. Dr. Gritton, Rev. Bishop Taylor, Rev. B. La Trobe, Rev. W. Major Paull, Rev. H. O. Allbrook, Rev. D. Burford Hooke, Rev. E. W. Matthews, Rev. Alfred Sturge, Dr. E. B. Underhill, Mr. Clarence Roberts, Mr. John Wilson (of Waterford), Rev. Dr. Craig, Mr. John Paton, Mr. Budgett Meakin, Mr. W. Marten Smith, Rev. J. Consterdine, and Mr. A. J. Arnold. Among those present from other countries, we were glad to welcome the Rev. Dr. Bruce, Persia; Rev. T. Bryson, Rev. W. Owen, and Mr. C. W. Mitchil, from China; Rev. W. Phillips, of Madras; Monsieur Faure, of Geneva; Pastor Mascher, of Dresden; and others whose names we were unable to obtain.

The company assembled early, and many spent a pleasant time in the beautiful gardens surrounding the College. At four o'clock the friends present were summoned to the dining-hall, where light refreshments were served, and after half an hour had been spent here the meeting assembled in the handsome library, under the presidency of the Hon. and Rev. E. V. Bligh, one of the vice-presidents-Lord Polwarth, the president of the Alliance, being unable to arrive in London in time for the meeting. After a hymn had been sung, the Rev. Henry E. Brooke read a portion of Scripture, chosen from 1 John iv., and then led the meeting in prayer.

The CHAIRMAN then briefly opened the meeting by expressing his appreciation (which he was sure was shared by the Council and by all present) of the kindness