one of the smaller divisions in the valley, is the Pool of David, a cistern about fifty paces square. From this place we repaired to the heights south-west of the town, to see the sepulchre of Jesse, David's father, on the opposite side of the valley from the tombs of the patriarchs. On our way the Jew pointed out three wells, one of which he called Abraham's, another Isaac's, and a third Jacob's. An old building covers the tomb of Jesse. There is a well in it, and the Jew seriously assured us, that a fowl once put in here, was found three days afterward in the Jordan.

"On returning to our lodgings, we gave orders to have the horses in readiness for our departure.

"In half an hour from Hebron, we came near the place where it is said that Abraham received and entertained the angels. Gen. xviii. The place is a little east of the road, and we rode across a field to it. It is a quadrangle enclosed by the foundations of a very ancient wall, composed of stones, ten feet long, and several feet thick and high. These stones are in a great part composed of shells. I have since learned, that there is another place west of the road, marked by a large tree, where some say that the interview between Abraham and the angels took place. In another half hour we passed, at a distance to the east, a building with a minaret.

The

place is called Nabi Yoonas. In a little more than five hours from Hebron, we arrived at Bethlehem, and were greeted in a most friendly manner as we passed the streets, and met a hearty welcome again at the Greek convent.

"27. We went out south-east from Bethlehem to visit the cave, where it is said that David cut off Saul's skirt, and Mount Ferdis, or Jibil Fransahwy, (the French Mountain,) so called because the crusaders had a citadel here, which held out a long time after the Mohammedans had regained the rest of the country. We rode an hour and a half, and

It is on

then walked a short distance to the cave. the side of a tremendous ravine, which runs down to the Dead Sea. We entered the cave, and found one irregular apartment, thirty paces long and fifteen wide. Several passages lead to other apartments, but they are difficult of access, and we did not enter them. It is said there are a great number of large apartments. The account in 1 Sam. xxiv, would lead us to suppose the event in question took place in the wilderness of Engedi. Our Bedouin guides told us, that one day's journey from this cave, on the borders of the Dead Sea, there is place now called Engedi (Ain Jedee.) They gave us also a wonderful account of certain sorts of fruit that are found there, apples, oranges and quinces, which appear very fine externally, but, when opened are found to contain nothing but dust and smoke. Here then, (if we may credit their story) is the apple of Sodom in perfection. Other Arabs have told us the same story, and Father Nau has published a similar story about the same place on the authority of Daniel Abbot of St. Saba. I offered the Arabs a handsome reward to bring me some of these fruits; but, though they love money, they did not seem at all inclined to undertake the job. From this cave we rode, by a circuitous route, in an hour, to the French Mountain. Not far from the cave we passed the ruins of a Greek convent, and observed many caves in the sides of the ravine, in which the Arabs find shelter for themselves and their flocks. French Mountain is high, and very steep, and there are no other mountains in the immediate neighborhood; a strong citadel on the summit might be deemed almost impregnable. The foundations of the wall and of four towers are still standing, there are also subterranean magazines. The summit presented an area 270 paces in circumference. From this mountain we returned to Bethlehem in an hour and a half. During this visit, we sold, in the vil

The

lage where our blessed Redeemer was born, sixteen copies of the Scriptures, and gave away eighteen, and sixty Tracts. About sunset we again reached our rooms in Jerusalem. In the course of five months at Jerusalem, I sold 703 copies of the Bible, New Testament, Psalter, or Genesis, and gave away eighty-six, and four hundred Tracts. I left a large quantity in the Bible Society room at Jerusalem and a considerable quantity at Joppa.

"About six weeks before I left Jerusalem, I was attacked with a fever, which interrupted my studies and labors for the rest of the time. The fever was attended, for several days, by a violent head ache, and great restlessness, approaching delirium. Bleeding gave me some relief, but the fever continued near three weeks. I then began to recover slowly, and was just able to travel when we left the city. During this sickness I felt more than I ever felt before, the need of a skilful and faithful physician. We had no medical adviser, in whom we could repose the least confidence. Our chest of medicines, one or two valuable medical books, and our own very limited experience, were all that we had to depend upon. It is quite probable that proper treatment might have removed the fever at once. As it lingered along, we often doubted what course to pursue. May we not hope that the churches of our Lord, which have sent us to this land, will ere long send to our aid a skilful physician, who will watch over our bodily health, and also assist us in our spiritual labors?

"April 17. I witnessed a second time the cere'mony of the holy fire, as it is called. A few days before, I went to the metropolitan Daniel, and told him that, if it were possible, I wished to enter the sepulchre itself with the metropolitan Peter, the only person who goes in, and see how the fire makes its first appearance. He said I could do so without any difficulty. When the day arrived I took care to be

at the church of the Sepulchre in season, and when the bishops came I went to Peter and spoke with him on the subject. He said the Turks would not permit it. I said, 'If you tell them to do so, perhaps they will.' He said, "There is no way in which it can be done.' How true is it, that 'he who doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.'

"After the ceremony of the fire was finished, the Greeks had an ordination service. An Arab Christian from one of the villages was raised from the office of deacon to that of presbyter. The bishop of Philadelphia performed the service, assisted by a number of the clergy. I think an hour at least was occupied in reading the prayers and Scripture lessons, in walking round the altar, and about the church, and in performing ceremonies. The candidate then kneeled, and the bishop placed one hand on his head, and read a prayer. Then the clergy first, and afterward the laity, cried 'worthy, worthy, worthy,' repeating it a long time, and thus signifying their assent to the candidate's admission to the office of a presbyter."

April 22d he left Jerusalem, about a year from the time of his first arrival there, having spent seven months of the year in that city, and the other five months on Mount Lebanon, and in journies.

"May 4. We reached Beyroot. My heart beat high with joy, as I drew near the dwelling of my brethren and sisters. I had long anticipated this interview. Just before they reached Malta, I sailed for Egypt. Just before they arrived at Beyroot, I set off for Jerusalem. But we were brought together just when, worn down by studies, sickness and journies, I most needed repose and relaxation in their society. This revival of old, and forming of new acquaintance and friendship, this season of inquiry and conversation about far distant and dearly beloved friends, this reviving the recollections of

days and of scenes long gone by, these days of busy, friendly, joyous intercourse, have greatly served to revive the spirits that drooped, to refresh the body that was weary, and to invigorate the mind that began to flag. I came here tired of study, and tired of journeying; but I begin to feel already desirous to re-open my books, or resume my journies. We have joined as one to praise God for bringing us to this land. We have consulted freely on the measures to be adopted, and the difficulties we have to encounter. But in the midst of our conversations, singing, prayers, and reading, we often seem to forget that we are in a land of Turks, tyranny, superstition, and intolerance. I suppose we are as cheerful, contented, and happy, as any little circle of friends in our happy country. We have had several meetings to discuss questions relative to our mission and missionary labors. We have spent two days in fasting and prayer, and we have once renewed all our vows at the table of our Lord. Dear brother Parsons! ah how would his tender, affectionate heart have rejoiced to welcome such a company of fellow laborers to this land. But he is happier in union with the blessed above. And if, with all the imperfections that attend our intercourse here, Christian society is still so cheering and so sweet, oh what will be the joys of that day, when all the ransomed of the Lord shall meet, each perfect in the image of his Saviour! The hope of that cheers me, while far separated from those I love. Meeting with those who bear my Saviour's image, revives the hope, and seems to give me a foretaste, of its fulfilment. O for grace to be faithful until that perfect bliss shall be obtained."

The natural history, as well as the moral condition, of the countries through which he travelled, engaged the attention of Mr. Fisk, to whom some of the lovers of natural science in this country are in