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THE HOME FIELD.

us from seeing him, but a friend attended him for us, and when next we called he was dressed for the grave. His spirit had gone to God who gave it.

We have given a long account of the labors of the Bible-women in London, showing clearly what may be done for the spiritual welfare of the lower classes. The numbers that are not reached by Our visits to the City Hospital are very the regular preaching of the Gospel in interesting. Although under Catholic influence, yet some love to talk and read about all our large cities are very great. The the love of God in sending his Son to die for City Tract Society is doing a noble us. One poor man, very low with consumpwork in this regard, and deserves the tion, seemed very much interested in hearcordial and liberal support of all the ing about the Saviour, and he would ask us friends of Christ. But we need some"to talk longer," and wished us to soon rething more, something like the plan turn. The last time we saw him he saidadopted in London. We are aiming to "You promised to tell me more about that do something in this way, by the faith-feeble, simple way, we tried to lead his mind MAN," (meaning the Saviour,) and in our ful and untiring labors of Christian wo-to the Lamb of God' who alone could take men. In one of the Western cities one away his sins, and he listened so attentively of our Bible-women writes as follows: that it seemed to us to be a new story to WE were called to go to the bedside of a him. He was sensible he could not live, stranger, just arrived in the city, and we and his pale and emaciated countenance found he was truly in a strange land to him. looked so anxious to us, for something on A native of England, he had been in our which to rest his troubled soul, that we army some eight months, in the hospital at could not help being deeply interested in Duvall's Bluff most of the time, got dis- him, but could only take him to the foot of charged, and came to our city feeble and the Cross, and leave him there to himself to much emaciated, and was picked up by a "look and live." Ere we returned to him runner for not a very notable house; and his spirit had fled. The man said he asked there he was with little or no attendance, several times for "that lady.” and that at the most exorbitant price. We told him we would be a friend to him and attend to his present necessities, but we did desire to see him rejoicing, that God for Christ's sake had forgiven his sins. He looked at us so earnestly and said, “even a mother could do no more," and the tears flowing freely, said "no one ever took so much pains for him." We read the fourteenth chapter of John slowly and distinctly, sang "Rock of Ages," &c., and carried his case to a throne of mercy; for which he said," he could not find words sufficient to express his gratitude." Left him some tracts and little books, and called the next day and found he had read the most of them, weak as he was, and seemed delighted that there was such hope for him. Had thought of nothing through the night but what the "lady had said," and we felt it was a hopeful case. A sick day prevented

Our schools are doing well, and several new and influential teachers have been added. Many of the little girls recite texts, hymns and dialogues, every Saturday, which is gratifying as well as interesting to us. Two Sunday-schools, Church, and the services in the Jail, take up our Sabbaths,and night is upon us before we reach our homes.

Another. Bible-woman in another Western city writes:

THE month of December is gone, and the record of my work as your missionary is made up. Our Sewing-schools are flourishing. The school in the West end of the city is large, having over a hundred names on the roll. The average attendance is about seventy-five. We are better supplied with teachers than we were last year, still the classes are too large. We need four more teachers at least, but we can get along with

The meetings with the women in the Jail have been kept up as usual. I am almost * discouraged, sometimes, in laboring for this class of women. I am so often disappointed in them, even when I have had confidence in their reformation. I have been made sad by seeing them come back to the same place, guilty of the same crimes. This work requires faith and patience. God alone can convert and save a soul. I feel my utter inability of myself to do any good, more and more every month.

THE following letter, from our Missionary at Louisville, cannot fail of being read with interest by any Christian, or any one that sympathizes with the welfare of our noble soldiers.

out. I attend both schools every Saturday. | other prayer meeting in a neighborhood of The school on Fifth-street, in the East part Roman Catholics. An Irishman, who has of the city, is not so large, but it is pleasant. just returned from the war discharged, where There we have two good, faithful teachers, he has been for three years, and in the most but we are much in need of more. severe battles, with very slight wounds, was told by his wife of my visits at their house. She showed him the Bible I gave them with their names in it, and he said he wished to see me. One evening this week they both called. I found him quite an intelligent Irishman. He spoke at once of my visits, and the Bible, and opened the way for free conversation on the subject of true religion. He expressed decided Protestant views, and evinced his anxiety to have more instruction about the Gospel. His wife, much less Protestant in her views and feelings, but yet so ardently does she love him, and boasts of his honesty and faithfulness, that she will most surely adopt his views. They invited me to visit them often. I spoke of having a prayer meeting at their house. They both said "come every night in a week, if you choose." I then appointed next Tuesday evening for the meeting. O that the Spirit of God may go with me, and make this meeting the beginning of salvation to many souls. Our Schools have been sustained as to numbers and interest. At the Almshouse an Irish woman earnestly wished me to take her two little boys into some school or orphan home under my care, and then she could go out to work and could pay at least two dollars a week. They attend my school at the Alms-house with their mother. This school is in fact a children's service — No one to assist me can be depended on. I sing with them, pray and talk about Jesus, about one hour and a half If I can judge from the readiness with which the children of our Market-street School throw up their little hands when I ask if they love Jesus. I think many of them do love Him, and mean to love Him.

SIR-My report has again become due, and I am happy to say that there are tokens of God's favor towards our labors here,that I have not witnessed before.

In my last I spoke of having commenced a stated meeting in a hospital near us. This meeting is composed of soldiers, with health nearly restored, ward-masters and nurses, and also those very feeble and dying, who are lying around near by,--besides the females, who are engaged as nurses, &c. It has increased in numbers and interest, till it has become a precious Bethel indeed.

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The Chaplain of the hospital has not been present at any time yet, nor has he given them his attention for a long time. On last Sabbath, (Christmas day,) I was invited to see the Chaplain on the occasion hf a Christmas dinner for the soldiers. The Surgeon, a pious man, and myself made some remarks expressive of the goodness of God towards the soldiers, and towards the country, and our obligations for such bounties of his providence and grace as we are now receiving. The soldiers were refreshed with an abundance of good things; and we all felt happy that the good hand of our God was upon us

at the present time.

I have now a better room for my preaching at the Refugee Home, and a good and attentive congregation. Since I wrote you last I have taken another lot of twenty refu gees to Indiana, and found good homes for them among the Friends.

Mrs. S. and myself have been engaged This week I made arrangements for an- much of our time, for the last two weeks, in

receiving and distributing second-hand cloth-] I hope as little ones for Christ's sake. Mrs. ing among them. They are taken in, you S. is now receiving for this cause, for no see, here and elsewhere by thousands; and certain time, about $5 a week.

ITALY.

MISSIONARY INTELLIGENCE.

was expected they would reach China in three or four weeks.

MR. FREDERIC HICKS, the volunteer agent in Central America, has gone to Colombia, which he finds to be a more hopeful field for Bible distribution, because it is the only one of the Spanish republics which has divorced the Church from the State, and consequently the denunciations of the priests and bishops against the Bible are impotent. In Central America, where he had distributed many Bibles, which were gladly received, he found on a second visit to the same places, that most of the books had been given up to the priests under the threat of excommunication.

ROME.-By recent letters from the Rev. Dr. Vannest, Pastor of the American Chapel at Rome, we learn that he is greatly interested and encouraged in his work. The services of the Chapel are held in the house of the Hon. Mr. King, American Ambassador. Under the ample folds of the good old American Flag they meet within the walls of the city, and worship God with none to molest them. He says::-"Our rooms are admirably located on the first floor, facing the principal Square of Foreign residence, that of Spagna,-but they are small accommodations, for about a hundred, at most a hundred and twenty. We did not expect much of a congregation, and I could not encourage General King to go to great in prison at Constantinople, has been exiled expense; but I am convinced that we will to Rodosto. After being for a time at librequire more room. Forty, at the begin-erty there, he was seized by the governor ning, will make two hundred before long. I may have to resort to the English fashion of three services a day for different sets of people. But there will be something cheerful in a crowded audience." Who on reading this will not rejoice and thank God that a pure Gospel is preached in "Rome also?"

TURKEY.

Ahmed, the last of the Turkish converts

and cast into prison. Representations to for his release from imprisonment. In the Constantinople however procured an order absence of Sir Henry Bulwer, Mr. Stewart, Secretary of Legation, in pursuance of in structions from London, requested a statement from the missionaries concerning measures recessary to the protection of converte MOVEMENTS OF MISSIONARIES.-' -The last and missionaries. The American missiona"Home and Foreign Record" says: "Dr.ries drew up a paper, which Mr. Stewart. and Mrs. McCartee have returned from subsequently returned, on the ground that Ningpo to Chefoo, where they arrived July it criticized her Majesty's Embassy and po9th, and were cordially welcomed by the licy. The paper will be published in Eng people of that city. Dr. McCartee reports land. Mr. E. E. Bliss writes: "The foun the serious illness of Mrs. Mateer, at Tung-dations of religious liberty seem to be much chow, but she was recovering at the latest shaken by these events; but we have strong date. Mrs. Mattoon, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. hope that in the end they will be mor Odell have been heard from at Singapore, firmly established." August 9th. We regret to learn that Mr. Odell's health was not receiving benefit from the voyage. Mr. and Mrs. Nevius and Mrs. Rankin have reached London, on their jouraey homeward. Mrs. French's arrival at Port Louis, Mauritius, Sept. 11th, we learn by her letter of the 14th of that month. It

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The newspaper organ of the Greek Patriarchate has contained editorials congratulating the Porte on its action against Protestantism, and exulting over the anticipated overthrow of Protestant missions. The Je suits and other Romanists also do all in their power to stimulate the Turkish autho

rities to measures of intolerance towards having been erected by the diligence of the Protestants. "The Beast and the False English and Scotch residents of the place. Prophet" are in league, but will not prevail against Christ and His truth.

Of late the Consul of the United States, who is said to be an earnest Christian, has There are, however, some facts of interest. obtained from the Japanese Government a Our American missionaries, the late Rev. very fine site for the construction of a Dr. Eli Smith and Rev. Dr. Vandyke, have church and an institute in behalf of the misbeen quietly proceeding with a new trans- sions of the reformed Batavian Church at lation of the Scriptures into Arabic, which Yokohama. The value of the concession has had the honor of being adopted by the herein made to the Christians, by a governBritish and Foreign Bible Society. The ment which has often been decidedly hostile best native Arabic scholars and missionaries to them, is estimated at more than 80,000 of all denominations in that part of the florins. "Japan is opened," says a sanguine world have assisted in making the transla- missionary, "and there is no reason to tion as perfect as possible. Through the apprehend that it will be again closed upon influence of the Koran the Arabic has no us: on the contrary, it can only become dialects, but more than a hundred and twenty from year to year more accessible. The millions of people can read the same Ara- various recent treaties into which Japan bic page. Thus the False Prophet has been preparing the way for our Bible among his people. It is now proposed by the American Bible Society to electrotype this new translation, and Rev. Dr. Vandyke is to visit this country for the purpose.

has entered with England, France, Holland and the United States, will not remain a dead letter, but will acquire a vital importance. It is assuredly one of the signs of the times, this magnificent donation from the

rulers of the Island."

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INDIA. KALAPOOR.
The Rev. Mr. Wilder, in a late letter,
says: "The special effort of the Kalapoor
Mission this year has been to build a much

JEWISH MISSIONS IN TURKEY.-The Scotch Presbyterians have in Turkey six ordained missionaries, eight teachers and lay missionaries, and several native agents, laboring for the spiritual welfare of the Jews. The needed chapel. It has proved a hard and schools are well attended; adult inquirers costly undertaking, but the work has gone seek conversation on the way of life, and on, even in these 'troublous times.' When some, it is hoped, have been brought to a our native workmen have been stricken down saving knowledge of the truth as it is in with cholera, or have themselves struck for Jesus. In Smyrna there is a longing for higher pay than we could possibly afford to instruction among the people, and though give, we have put to our own hands the they are prejudiced against Protestant more vigorously; and we now have the joy Boo's, they send to them their children, of opening one Christian temple, standing and especially their daughters. Sometimes erect in this great city of idols, giving its as many as forty Jews in a day visit the silent but impressive testimony for Christ missionary, to learn the explanation of cer- and the living God among these 252 costly tain passages of Scripture. Several are temples consecrated to dumb idols. Much known to read the New Testament secretly work yet remains to finish the inside of our at their houses or stores; though when it is chapel, but this will be accomplished as fast discovered, they are persecuted by their kin- as means and workmen are available.” ded and by the Rabbies.

JAPAN.

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AMOY.-Mr. Doty writes: "At our last communion, the 4th inst., the First Church PROGRESS OF CHRISTIANITY.-It is known of Amoy received (all women) to church that a Christian church exists already in fellowship, four, on confession of their faith the important city of Nangasaki In the and by baptism. No other additions. month of November last a second church

An honest man is believed without an

was solemnly consecrated at Yokohama, oath, for his reputation swears for him.

MOHAMMEDANISM--CIVILIZATION. | become an excellent auxiliary to the whole Mr. Pressensé, Pastor of one of the Re-work of the Christian press in China. formed Churches of Paris, on his return The press at Shanghai now employs twenfrom his visit to the Holy Land, thus writes! ty-four native printers, and issued the last in reference to Mohammedanism: year 13,760,200 pages, of which 7,633,000

Proselytism is very difficult in Moham- pages were tracts. and 5,460,000 larger medan countries. The greatest obstacle pages were the Scriptures. The whole Bible arises from the detestable mixture of Chris-is now completed: the Old Testament in an tian and Jewish traditions with. the impos- octavo edition of 3,000 from the Paris type, tures of the Koran, which is the distinctive in four volumes; and the New Testament trait of Islamism. Speak of Jesus to an in- in royal octavo, 5,000 copies, from the Bertelligent Mussulman, and he will tell you lin type. This edition of the Bible is a very that he reveres Him and gives Hím a place fine one, intended more for use among the in his worship. This purple scrap stitched mission and native Christians than for premiscuous distribution. The mission has upon the rags of a fanatical and sensual religion only serves to preserve it. Terrible also a valuable type foundery. revolutions will be necessary to destroy it, and if these revolutions do not take place it will lead these beautiful countries to physical and moral ruin, to the extinction of all life. Ruin and the desert march fatally in the track of Mohammedanism. There is no need of the cimeter to ravage and destroy; mosque and the harem suffice."

the

EGYPT.

The Rev. G. Lansing, the faithful mission

FRANCE.

AMERICAN CHAPEL.-Since the issue of our January number, our American Chapel at Paris has lost a most valuable friend in the death of the Hon. WILLIAM L. DAYTON, Ambassador to the Court of France. He was always in his place in the house of God on the Sabbath, a warm and generous friend of the pastor, ready for every good work.

The spiritual and financial accounts from ary of the United Presbyterian Church in the Chapel are very encouraging. The atEgypt, writes from Cairo that a good Ara- tendants on the ministrations of Dr. Sunbic press is at their service, and that one derland is large, and its finances in a very Tract of twenty pages is now printing. Mr. healthful state. We hope, ere long, to see L. has spent thirteen years at the Arabic, the time when in connection with the Chapel and with good native aid they can now issue we shall have a Parsonage and a Reading pure idiomatic Arabic. There is also a great demand in Egypt for books in Eng-union for American travelers. room attached, which will be a place of relish, the English population having largely increased,-with the increased raising of cotton and by the colony at work on the Suez Canal.

CHINA.

SANDWICH ISLANDS.

President Lincoln has presented to two missionaries of the Sandwich Islands, Rev. Mr. Kekela and Rev. Mr. Kankan, five hun The press of the Presbyterian Mission at dred dollars in gold, as a reward for saving Shanghai is a most efficient and invaluable an American, Mr. Whalen, first officer of agency for the spread of evangelical truth the whale-ship Congress, from being slaughamong the Chinese. The Hon. Walter tered by the savage Marquesans, in revenge Lowrie, Secretary of that Board, having for the kidnapping of some of their people given early attention to the Chinese lang- by a party of Peruvians, to make them work uage, and to the preparation of Chinese as slaves on the guano islands. With great metal type in Paris and in Germany, with difficulty, and at considerable danger to the active co-operation, for several years, of themselves, these missionaries effected Mr. Mr. Wm. Gamble, the able manager of the Whalen's release, and subsequently treated press at Shanghai, that establishment has him with great kindness.

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