military forges at the village of Kouron-Chesmé. We have much pleasure in recording such youthful exertions for the propagation of the word of God, that young and old may follow the example, and go and do likewise in the world's great encampment.

COPY OF A REPORT OF MASTER E. W. SCHAUFFLER.

"In the early part of April, a French camp was established on the heights near Constantinople, consisting of from 20,000 to 25,000 men, forming an army of reserve to the allied armies now besieging Sebastopol. A great portion of these troops came directly from Africa, and were consequently entirely destitute of New Testaments, or good reading of any kind. Other regiments, although they had embarked directly from Lyons or Toulon, were but partially supplied. My first attempt to introduce anything to read amongst them was with the American Tract Society's tracts.

"These were gladly received by the men, and the idea of supplying them with Testaments was thus suggested. Being encouraged in this attempt by Mr. Barker, Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, I put myself in possession of a supply of Testaments, and commenced doing what little I could by way of scattering the word of life among this mighty host. The pursuance of my studies and other duties did not leave me much time to devote to this work. One or two afternoons in the week was all I could devote to it, and then I only took what copies I could carry in a carpet-bag.

"The encouragement I met with among the men was very great. They appeared very anxious to get Testaments; and, when my stock was out, would crowd around, handing me their names, so as to be remembered at my next visit. I was surprised to find how many of the men were Germans by birth. There being no more German Testaments of the American

British and Foreign Bible Society's at Constantinople, an arrangement was made whereby a number of the American Bible Society's publications were placed at my disposal. In very few cases did men hesitate to accept Testaments or tracts, on the ground of their being Protestant. Protestants and Catholics were alike anxious to be put in possession of the blessed volume.

"I had thus succeeded in distributing 218 copies of the New Testament amongst them, when orders were received to break up the camp, and on the 12th of May the greater part of the troops left. Two regiments, however, embarking at the village where I reside, I there distributed 266 Testaments; and, a few days after, supplied a portion of the Imperial Guards, which embarked at Baltaliman, with 423 copies of the same, making a total of 907 New Testaments given to the French troops at the camp of Maslak. I have already remarked the pleasure with which the men received the New Testaments. In several cases officers asked for them also; or, if not willing to ask themselves, sent some one of the soldiers to procure them a copy. One man begged me to let him have one to send to his sister in France, as one of his comrades was about returning home. I inquired whether she was not in circumstances that would allow of her procuring one where she was. He replied, 'Yes; but she will be much more likely to read it if it comes from me, and from so far too.' I then gave him one, hoping that it may be of saving benefit to that sister. The same man took tracts from me, and circulated them in his company, and was very zealous in bringing men to me who wished for Testa

ments.

"After passing through the camp with Testaments, and returning again with an empty satchel, I have often seen the men sitting before their tents, or by the way-side, reading them half aloud, appar

ently with deep interest. In many cases I have been asked to furnish them with the whole Bible. Soldiers passing through the village have repeatedly called at my room, desiring to be supplied with Testaments, and have been very ready to enter into conversation on religious subjects. Some have, I think, given pleasing evidence of a trust in Christ, and a desire to do His will, and have appeared like truly Christian men. There has been difficulty at times in procuring Testaments; but it is to be hoped there will be a sufficient supply on hand to furnish the troops, which are expected to take the place of those that have recently left. May we not hope, that the seed thus sown will meet with the blessing of God, and that the word of truth may thus be made a 'savour of life unto life' to many souls?

"E. W. SCHAUFFLER."

EVENINGS WITH THE EDITOR.

EVENING THE THIRTIETH.

Emm. I have the pleasure to introduce to your notice THE IRISH WIDOW.*

Ed. No doubt we shall be happy to make her acquaintance. Emm. I am certain you will, when I state that you will then learn more about the O'Connors and Sheehans of "Poor Paddy's Cabin."

Ed. What! a sequel to that interesting picture of Irish life?

Emm. Yes, and a story equally interesting, although it introduces us to a higher rank; that is, to the middle classes of Ireland. The writer has woven together a number of true incidents, and under the guise of a story pleads powerfully against Popery.

Aug. As "Poor Paddy's Cabin" passed through four editions within a year, we may safely predict a large sale for "The Irish Widow."

Emm. Oh, yes; I am sure it will sell. Just listen to the titles of some of the chapters:-" The Priest's Pastoral Visit-The Public Meeting The Farm House-The Family Mansion-The Runaway Match-The Turning Out-The Rescue-The FuneralScene in a Police Court-Priests and Landlords-Found after

London: Wertheim.

many Days," &c. You see there is a great range of incident. The account of Widow Desmond and her child is particularly touching.

Aug. We shall be anxious to read it.

Emm. Have you seen this pamphlet, sir?

Ed. REVIVAL AND MISSIONS*-Yes, Emmeline. Mr. Douglas has given, in this brief treatise, some excellent remarks on the importance of prayer for the world, as especially called for by the present "distress of nations." These are so seasonable that we will extract a portion of them for the benefit of our readers.

"The whole creation pants to be relieved from the burden of sin and misery. The world itself is tired of its stale and unprofitable course, and seeks by fruitless dreams and projects to shape out to itself a serener path through the wilderness of space.

The Chris

tian knows what he desires, and how to realize the happiness he seeks. But the happiness he desires is not an individual but a public blessing. In the very words with which he approaches God'Our Father which art in heaven,' he is reminded that he is a member of an innumerable and august family, and heir of a kingdom which extends through space and eternity. The end and object of his being, is to show forth the glory of God-that glory which is the irradiation of the Divine perfections. Divine glory is the reverse of human glory, so beautifully described by Shakspeare,—

'Glory is like a circle in the water,

Which never ceaseth to dispread itself,

Till by broad spreading it be brought to nought.'

"But the Divine glory, in creation, like the irradiation of the sun upon the ocean, sparkles from innumerable waves, and from the multitude of its reflections, seeks to afford an image, however imperfect, of the Fountain from whence its brightness proceeds.

"Like Abraham, the believer, by obeying the Divine call, becomes the friend of God. But not only Abraham, but his family also, if they hearken to the call, become special objects of the Divine favour. And the very neighbourhood in which those who are like-minded with Abraham reside, become sharers in the blessings which the prayers of the believer draw down-naturally in the temporal blessings, and in the spiritual blessings also if they choose. Thus prayer for the family might easily enlarge into prayer for the locality. And it is cheering to observe how, in each locality, individuals, before unknown, might take their place in a small circle of mental prayer, as the stars gradually come out of the recesses of the heavens at the approach of night. And how easily would prayer for a district swell into supplication for the country at large, and then into appeals for all countries and all climes! Prayer would thus diffuse itself over

London: Hamilton & Co.

6

the world, or concentrate itself upon a particular spot at a particular emergency, revive the decaying, strengthen the feeble, and comfort the afflicted or the persecuted, though, in the words of AchillesMany shadowy mountains and many resounding seas lay between.' "In praying for the world, the field is so wide, the blessings asked for so diffused, that we require some index to point out how far our prayers have been answered. If, with general, we combine particular prayer, we may obtain a broad and conspicuous mark to test our progress. The Pope's prayer is for the City and the World -Urbi et Orbi. But papal Rome, though a centre of error and darkness, is insignificant and powerless as regards the welfare of the human race, when compared with London. Could the united prayers of believers obtain a revival for London, the answer to their petitions would be indubitable. A city set upon a hill cannot be hid. And London is placed upon such a moral eminence, that whatever affects it, commercially, politically, or religiously, would be felt to the extremities of the earth. We can think of no nearer way of reaching all peoples, kindreds, and tongues, than by an abundant outpouring of the influences of the Spirit upon London, where reside men out of every climate and of every tongue under heaven. Even if men were so selfish as only to pray for their countrymen—there, each country has so large a colony-there, the Scotch, the Welsh, the Irish, the French, the Germans, the Italians, have so many of their own people residing-that a blessing upon London would be a blessing upon themselves; and the refluent wave of so happy an influence would speedily reach their own land. Nor would prayer so divided between the near and the remote, the particular and the general, be any diminution of local benefits, but would produce an effect like one of those great telluric changes in the temperature of the globe, when the sun that gilds our skies with unusual summer brightness, is at the same time, and from the same cause, diffusing his unclouded radiance over continents and oceans.

Emm. Here is a pretty book, with a very singular emblematic Cover-JESUS FIRST AND LAST.*

Ed. What is the purport of it? Emm. The author says, 66 to weave a garland for Jesus, and set in it some gems gathered from the mine of his own Scriptures; to combine the lustre of his attributes and offices of grace, and present them to our admiration." This little book is a simple, unpretending, but very earnest and practical exhortation to the Lord's people, in reference to the various relationships which the Saviour sustains towards them. It will be certain to please.

Aug. PLAIN RHYMES,† by Mrs. Joseph Fearn, is a series of simple rhymes on Old Testament history. The authoress has shown considerable skill in getting in so much of the facts of Scripture history as she has done in a brief compass.

London: Nisbet & Co.

† London Partridge & Oakey.