And bore our griefs in his own sad breast,
And died forsaken, that we might rest.
Alas! how late is the story told

To a spirit quivering in death's chill hold!
When a faltering prayer, with a gasping cry,
And the lifting up of a glazing eye,

And the failing senses of dying hours
Are all the remnant of life's spent powers!
I would your tale had been heard before,
In the days I never shall welcome more;
When mind and memory yet could clasp
Such blessed truths in a vigorous grasp;
I would one Sabbath even now were mine,
Wherein to gather a hope divine;

FOR I'VE HAD NO SABBATHS!-Nor mine alone
Are the lips that utter that bitter moan.
From rail and river, from ocean's wave,

From the ports, and piers that its waters lave,
From the haunts of pleasure, the marts of gain,
From the roads where weariness strives in pain,
Like the cry of blood from a crimson sod,
Goes up the wail of distress to God,

As vext souls mutter in agony,

"We have no Sabbaths!"—" Nor we!"—" Nor we!"

H. F.

JEWS IN TUNIS.

[The Rev. A. Ben Oliel gives the following account of his visits to the Jewish synagogues and schools in Tunis.-ED.]

ON the 11th inst., we took a wide survey of the Jewish section. In proportion as it approached from the Moorish quarter, the streets are dirtier; and on entering it from whatever side, nothing but ruins come to sight. You may fancy yourself treading the streets

of a place but lately bombarded from all sides, or of a town that has been shaken to its foundations by some tremendous earthquake: whilst the condition and appearance of a great majority of its inhabitants seem to tell that they have either been blockaded to starvation, or are recovering from the effects of some dreadful pestilence. The streets are extremely narrow, short, and irregular; and through many of them two men can scarcely walk abreast. The entrance to every house and shop is marked by a pile of indescribable filth, emitting most pestiferous effluvia. Here and there your course is impeded by the sewers being uncovered and overflowing, or by heaps of manure exposed to the sun to dry, before it is removed without the walls of the town.

Should the stranger be tempted to enter any of the houses, he will find himself surrounded by dilapidated walls, and will tremble for his safety while standing under their shade. The apartments present a most appalling degree of wretchedness; they are small, low, with holes rather than windows, and destitute of every article of convenience and comfort. Each is the sole abode of five or ten individuals, in a state of degradation of which it is impossible to convey a correct idea. You behold most of its impoverished tenants halfnaked, dirty, and maimed. No wonder, then, that in the hot season, this quarter abounds with scorpions and snakes, by whose venemous bites many are brought to a premature death.

On walking through the streets, we were thronged by importunate mendicants of all ages and sexes, and met very many who have lost their sight by exposure to the dews of the summer nights, during which many sleep on the tops of the houses, or in the open air. What seems rather strange, is to meet many men and women far advanced in years.

Few of the shops are more than twelve feet square, and admit light only through the entrance, before

which stand the customers. The shopkeeper is squatted on the ground, having all the merchandise on shelves within his reach, without moving from his seat. I must, however, observe, that the rich and respectable Jews do not live there; they reside in the Christian portion of the city.

Every one acquainted with the human heart, will perceive how difficult it must be to produce any beneficial impressions on the minds of people in such circumstances; indeed, it requires more than ordinary prudence and much grace, to escape the general and contagious evils that so awfully prevail.

Of course we visited some of the synagogues. Disgusted with the filthy and miserable condition of those we saw first, we requested some of our retinue, for we were everywhere followed by idlers, to lead us to the great synagogue. After passing under several dark arched streets, with tottering walls, we at last found ourselves within it. Here a number of old invalid rabbis are constantly assembled repeating Psalms, or studying some Talmudic treatise. The keeper recognised me. He was in the very same seat, similarly employed, preparing fringes, and had the very same book before him as when I visited it in 1851. membered the passage in that work, on which I had a discussion with them relative to the shape and dimensions of Noah's ark, availing myself of the opportunity to speak of its typical import, and pointed it out

to me.

He re

It is an irregular old building, which you enter by descending a flight of steps. The walls are all around covered with closets, wherein the rolls of the law are kept in wooden covers. A large number of small lamps hung from the ceiling. There was a large chandelier in the centre, to which our particular attention was directed, expecting no doubt, that we should have admired it much. It had been recently presented by a wealthy Jew, on the occasion of the birth of a son.

It contained many verses from the Sacred Scriptures; passages from the rabbis, and mysterious names of angels inscribed round.

Mr. Lowitz's curiosity led him to enter a small door, whither our guide followed him; we entered it too; it was Elijah's assembly room, capable of seating twenty men. Here they have nocturnal assemblies to study the Cabbala, and hold various cabbalistic services. A prayer in Chaldee, said to have been composed by that prophet, written on parchment, hung open on the opposite wall. The floor was covered with a straw mat, and a small table in the centre, with a few volumes upon it, probably the Zohar, the cabbalistic work attributed to Rabbi Shemeon Baryoliai. Of the said prayer Rab. Haary says, "It is essential to every man to read this prayer on entering the synagogue, before every service, as it is adapted to help and benefit in opening the heart to the fear of the Lord."

We were shown a closet upon entrance, where is contained an old roll of the law. I inquired how old. "It was written by Aben Ezra," they replied. They could not tell how long that is ago, nor how it came to Tunis, as it does not appear that Aben Ezra was ever here. I told them that "the sage," Aben Ezra, was a native of Toledo, and died at Rhodes in the latter part of the 12th century, A.D. It is very improbable that the author of no less than twenty-seven works, including a Commentary on the Old Testament, should have wasted his time in merely copying a Pentateuch. The keeper was enraged all the time, considering it, I dare say, a great sin that our steps should defile that holy place.

Before leaving the synagogue, I gave a tract to each. On offering an Epistle to the Hebrews to one, he told me that he had read the New Testament. I was anxious to ascertain what impression the perusal of that Holy Book made upon his mind, but he seemed afraid to speak about it before the rest; he promised

to visit me. Many youths, whom curiosity brought after us, on seeing the tracts, eagerly asked for them; I gave them to those among them who could read. They were chiefly of the little tracts I got printed in London, which I find from their size, very convenient to carry in my pockets, when I go in search of the lost sheep. May they prove messengers of mercy to their souls, and bring them to the foot of the cross.

OF THE PARDON OF SIN.

In this article, we intend confining our observations to the teachings of Christ alone, leaving those of his apostles for further consideration at another time.

Those who read the previous remarks we made on the subject of the moral principle, will understand that in ourselves, we carry the faithful talisman that ever reminds us of the least defilement that tarnishes the brightness of the spirit-life within. And, when the heart has not grown sere by continual contact with sin, like a strong man, it wrestles with every thought which would pollute the temple, where alone should dwell the spirit of holiness.

But, the observant reader will justly remark, that the keeping of the conscience clear is no easy task; and one which those who are "born in sin and shapen in iniquity," may find too difficult for their weakened powers. And that the experience of all teaches us, that in our developement, we must often err and break those high and divine laws which regulate the economy of the inner being, and its relationship to the High God.

Such an one may cast his eye round upon the circle with which he is acquainted. His home may be amidst the hot breathing life of the full city, and its