"If the and while Magdalen stroked his glossy coat, and her mother declaimed against the richness of the saddle-cloth, which though now the worse for wear, was covered with fine embroidery, Angus gave the traveller some words of parting advice respecting the dangers of the way, accompanied with serious admonitions relating to higher matters. Then Gilbertson mounted, and they bade him God speed. day should ever come," he said, "when the fugitive to whom you have shown such hospitality may have an opportunity to repay you for your goodness to him, while he was yet unknown, believe me that your kindness shall not be forgotten. I have some interest with those in power, and perchance, in time of need, this paper may be of service to you. Until then, do not open it; and he dropped a small packet into the hand of Angus, as he pressed it with a friendly farewell. The three stood at the little gate until their visitor had ridden slowly out of sight, and then they returned to the cottage; marvelling what the paper might contain. CARLA MEREX. THE FLOWER-LESSON. WITH dark green leaves that glistened beneath the sunny ray, Admiring glances rested upon a plant so rare; Some praised its shining foliage, and some its petals fair; And many asked the question, as all its charms they scanned, "Whence came this lovely stranger to our far-distant land? From some delightful climate where storm-clouds never rise, Not from such summer regions this pretty traveller came; Where all looks bleak and barren, and snow-clad is the ground. As cheering there its presence as stars that gem the night; And draws not Hope glad lessons amidst that chilling scene, This life however gloomy, however full of cares, Some tokens of God's goodness and watchful kindness shares ; Yes, blessings are upspringing in every sterile spot; Then weary exile, droop not, but through earth's desert see In each fair bud of promise, that God remembers thee! Learn also that the virtues which grace this world of ours, Blooming in soils where nothing as we had thought would grow; By human touch uncultured they thrive from day to day, Our unbelief reproving by all their bright array; The coldest heart that beateth God's smile can warm and bless, And make it bring forth richly the fruits of righteousness. Then as we hasten onwards to purer joys above, H. M. W. THE BIBLE IN EVERY LAND. A YEAR'S WORK IN TURKEY. THE issues of Scriptures from the Constantinople and Smyrna dépôts amount to 9300 copies, which, added to those of the first six months, make the unprecedented large figure of 16,700 copies issued during 1854; more than were distributed the previous year by 9585 copies. To these might have been added 607 copies more disposed of by the Rev. A. Thomson and his Colporteur, but the note of which was handed in when the accounts were already made out, and will therefore appear in those of the present year; so that actually 17,306 copies of the Scriptures were disseminated in 1854. It is true, that of these large distributions of the Scriptures about 6220 New Testaments were given gratuitously to English and French soldiers and sailors, Italian sailors, German and Polish soldiers of the French army, and Russian prisoners; still the demand for Scriptures in the different districts in Turkey, where native Protestants augment daily, has been far greater than any previous year. No less than 4700 copies were sent thither. Independently of our own work, the American Bible Society has issued, during the past year, about 1300 copies of the Scriptures. Thus, with what has been effected in this way by other Societies and private gentlemen, when taken into account with our considerable distributions, it will no doubt be found that upwards of 20,000 copies of the word of God were promulgated in Turkey in 1854. In consideration of this fact, a few remarks occur; viz., that apart from the glorious work which the Scriptures are effecting in these regions of Mahometanism, Judaism, and nominal superstitious Christi anity, by proclaiming pure Gospel truth far and wide, circumstances of a cruel nature are now rendering them subservient to thousands of our brave countrymen in their manifold trials of privations, sickness, and dying moments. They are equally so to our devoted allies, the French, who, similarly situated as our soldiers and sailors, gladly receive the word of God, which our Society tenders also to them, though in some few instances they are prevented from availing themselves of its blessed consolations by those who call themselves their spiritual guides. This is not all: the word of God is given also to the Russian prisoners; and if we cannot talk their language to express our sympathy for their sufferings, from wounds, and sickness, and want of liberty, we can place a New Testament in their hands, which will speak volumes of consolation to their distressed hearts. Many have received it with thankfulness, and some even with startling tears of gratitude; for though generally rough and uncivilized, they cannot but be touched with the conduct towards them of their generous enemies, who not only supply their wants and treat them kindly, but care also for their spiritual welfare. Many, perhaps, may live to bless the day when they became prisoners to the English, without which they would never, most likely, have had the opportunity of knowing the Scriptures. these poor prisoners have been given, up to this date, about 200 Russian Testaments. THIRST FOR LIVING WATER. To The call on our dépôt for Scriptures is increasing daily, so that on several occasions we could not meet the demands. The Rev. John Hayward, of the Church of England, wrote from Balaclava for 700 of these Bibles and 300 Testaments; and the Rev. Mr. Campbell, of the Scottish Free Church, for 400 Bibles and 200 Testaments. These gentlemen are both military chaplains. The Rev. Mr. Righter went to Balaclava for four or five days, and, on his return, confirmed the report of the great demand for Bibles at the British camps in the Crimea. New Testaments are also wanted there, as many were lost at the battles of Alma and Inkermann. An order arrived at our dépôt the other day, from the Rev. H. A. Taylor, military chaplain, for fifty portable Bibles, and twenty-five Testaments, to be sent to him at Balaclava. When the Rev. Mr. Righter left for the Crimea, he took, from our dépôt, a small supply of Scriptures, amongst which were a few English Bibles. He placed the whole in the hands of the Rev. Mr. Hayward, with the exception of two Bibles, which he put in his pocket when he quitted Balaclava to visit the camp before Sebastopol. On his way thither he met a soldier who wanted a Bible very much, and he tendered him one, telling him to pay what he could afford for it. The veteran immediately gave 3s. 6d. (it was one of those marked in our Report 1s.); but on Mr. Righter telling him that was a great deal too much, he replied, "Never mind, keep the money; I shall prize the book the more for it." A sick soldier bought the other Bible, for which he paid 2s. and would not take back any of that sum. Mr. Sellar reports that the soldiers will pay for Bibles; and whilst we had any of the small ones, he found purchasers for them. The Committee of the Auxiliary intend to send Mr. Sellar to the Crimea when they receive a stock of English Bibles; not, however, for a long time, for we have co-operators in our work there amongst the military chaplains, some of whom, we are happy to say, are particularly devoted to the circulation of the Scriptures. SCRIPTURES READ BY TURKS. A circumstance occurred the other day which shows |