are in the habit of visiting this place every Friday afternoon, and on the first day of every Jewish month, when they distribute alms to the poor that collect there, prostrate themselves on the graves, weep and pray for the souls of the dead, ask their forgiveness, and promise to be with them soon. I was solemnly affected in witnessing this melancholy scene. The screams of an elderly female, who wept bitterly over the grave of her husband, attracted my notice; and I saw her son, a youth standing near her, of rather a sad but prepossessing countenance, in silent meditation. I called him, almost in these words, "Come hither! death is in the world;" and, so as not to disturb his mother in her lamentations, we retired to a little distance from the grave. I then entered with the young man (whose name is Samuel Smama) into conversation about the place, and the various customs respecting it. I showed him the absurdity of praying for the dead. He said that it was recommended by the Rabbis, and therefore must not be neglected, for the Lord will remember the poor soul that was obliged to go to purgatory, and for the sake of our prayers and alms will deliver it from that place, and give it admittance into paradise.

I told him that we Christians have no reason to weep or to pray for those of our relatives who die in the faith of the Messiah, who suffered and died for our sins; for all who believe in Him shall stand justified before God in the day of judgment. The young man was rather startled at this, and went to his mother to ask her leave to continue conversation with me, whilst she went home in company with the other women. We then went to a retired and quiet spot, where he gave me a brief account of the circumstances of his father's death, also of his own occupation, which was that of a dyer of silk; and thanked God that by his scanty earnings he is able to maintain his aged mother and the rest of his family: after which I spoke to him on such topics as the place and occasion suggested, and preached to him Christ as the way, the truth, and the life, the sole foundation of a sinner's hope. He has since called on me twice, and * on each occasion I spent with him a couple of hours in conversation and the reading of the New Testament; and when I offered him the New Testament to take home with him, and to read it carefully by himself, he wished to buy it, but, knowing his circumstances, that he could not so easily spare a few piastres, and judging him to be sincere in his desire to read, I made him a present of it, praying that the Holy Spirit may lead him to the Saviour by this precious book.

Rabbi Jacob Ben Naim is, I am happy to say, steadily pursuing his inquiries into the doctrines of Christianity, and I trust is beginning to feel the truth as it is in Jesus: for he does not, like several others, shrink back from the fear of being calumniated by

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the Jews for visiting the Mission-House;

but calls on me almost daily, when I conwith him for hours on things pertaining to his eternal interest. He is now reading the "Old Paths," and the New Testament, very earnestly. The former, which was given to him by Mr. Ben Oliel, and being the best key to the Talmud, will, I hope, help him to free himself from the thraldom of Rabbinical superstition: and the latter, that I gave him some time ago, being the only key to the Law and to the Prophets, has, I trust, aroused him from his apathy to see the value of our holy religion contained therein; as he lately told me,-"I have never before in my life thought so much of eternity as I do now since the reading of the New Testament." May God grant that it be made the means of bringing him in the right and sure way that leads to eternal happiness!

On the 10th of May I went into a Jewish goldsmith's shop, where I had a conversation with several Jews, Christians, and Mohammedans. The proprietor of the shop asked me many things about London; and, among others, wished to know whether gold, silver, and precious stones were in abundance there. After I had satisfied his curiosity on these matters, at which all were greatly astonished, Abraham expressed a wish to go to London, that he might buy some of these precious things. I told them that there was a thing in London that superseded everything precious and glorious in the world, and which I had brought with me; not to sell, but to give freely as I had received it. They were all not a little anxious to know what it could be. I took from my pocket a New Testament, and said, "This is, above all things, worth possessing and knowing by all who wish to be happy here and hereafter." They looked rather disappointed; for they expected to see something extraordinary. They asked me what it was; and when I told them it was the New Testament, or, as it is called in the Koran, "The Book of Light," one of the Mohammedans, who seemed well read in the Koran, exclaimed, "We, Mohammedans, have the Angel," as they call the New Testament, "and firmly believe it." They assert that the Law, the Psalms, and New Testament are all contained in their Koran; adding, "We also believe in Seidna Aisa," (meaning our Lord Jesus,) "that He was the great Prophet, the Spirit of God, and that the grace of God rests upon Him.' Then, pointing to the Jews, he said, "These infidels have corrupted and perverted the law of Moses, and obstinately reject the Angel: they say that Jesus was born in sin; but they lie, for we know" (addressing himself to me) "that the Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, and that Jesus Christ was born without sin and without a father."

I may also notice another interesting conversation that I had in the shop of a Jewish

apothecary, a kind-hearted man, to whose shop I am always most welcome, and where I have frequent opportunities of preaching the Gospel. After several conversations with him, he expressed himself much inclined towards the truth. On Monday last he sent away his servant, that we might be left alone; when he declared to me that he was weary and disgusted with the superstition and hypocrisy that prevail amongst his brethren in Tunis; and when I asked him what prevented him from leaving Judaism and embracing Christianity, he said, "If you could place me in a position to secure myself and family from the outrages of the Jewish community, I would not hesitate a moment to do so." I could not help sympathising with him, still telling him that we ought to fear God rather than man. On the 18th of May I visited that shop as usual, and had the opportunity of arguing with a few Jews on their protracted captivity, and of refuting their vague reasons for the cause and the long duration of this captivity. Among these Jews was one whose name is R. I., a native of Mogadore, formerly a merchant, but, having been reduced by some misfortune, he now lives retired, devoting all his time to the study of the Jewish religion and literature. Rabbi A. was on a former occasion opposed to my doctrines on the Messiah; but at this time he seemed much disposed to argue, and to know something of them. After a little

time he asked me, in Spanish, (that the other Jews might not understand,) where I lived; and I told him, as I was now going home, I should be happy if he would accompany me. He then requested me to wait till the other Jews left, when we departed together. On coming to my room, the first thing he took up was the Hebrew New Testament; and, on opening it, he found the third chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, which he read through with great eagerness; and whilst reading, now and then exclaimed, "Great wisdom indeed." He finished the chapter, and wished to proceed farther; but I interrupted him, and asked him what he really thought of it; to which he replied, that there was very much wisdom and truth in what our Saviour said to Nicodemus, and that he had never read the like before. We examined together that sublime

chapter, especially the first few verses, which took up four hours: he then excused himself for discontinuing the conversation, as he was obliged to attend prayers in the synagogue on that evening; but, before he left me, begged me to lend him that New Testament, which he said he would read over in two days, and return it to me on the third. But I told him, if he would promise me to read it carefully and prayerfully, I would make him a present of one; to which he replied, "I never read a religious book without close attention, and my thoughts also directed heavenward." I then gave him a small Hebrew New Testament of Bagster's edition, for which I find he made a parchment case, and carries it continually in his pocket. He has hitherto read only the Gospels, as I advised him to study it, rather than merely read it. He has since called on me several times to explain to him some difficulties and apparent contradictions regarding the diversity of accounts given by the writers of the Gospels, &c. After reconciling these differences, and clearing some of his difficulties, to the best of my ability, and by the Divine assistance, he said that he looked upon the Christian religion in quite a different light from what he used to do, and assured me that many things of which I had told him, and which he had himself read in the New Testament, reached his heart, and are written there. I trust that the word of God has indeed reached his soul, and will not return void till it has accomplished that whereunto He sends it.

I have been a few times to his house, and the family are very glad to see me. One day I was conversing with him on the wonderful works of mercy wrought by our Lord during his sojourning in the flesh. His wife and mother, brother and sister-inlaw, who all live together, quietly and attentively listened to us; at the end of which, as I took leave, I heard the aged mother-inlaw whisper to her daughter-in-law, who sat next to her, "A blessing came to-day into our house, and God be praised for it." She said this half in Hebrew, half in Arabic; and I offered a silent prayer that the Lord would grant her the gift of faith in the Gospel of His dear Son, with all the blessings that flow from it.

NEW KINGSWOOD SCHOOL. WHERE sedgy Avon's waters gently flow Through flow'ry meads to grassy dells below,

Where ancient Bath in modern beauty stands,

And claims that fame her loveliness de

mands,-

There Lansdown-Hill stands clad in verdant hue,

By nature favour'd with a southern view; And on its brow, close by a shady wood, New Kingswood School a few short years has stood.

I

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eight in the morning, and close in the afternoon, and also refuse to expand in rainy weather. It is a little trailing plant, with brick-red flowers, very abundant in corn

fields. It was once thought useful in cases of madness, but is no longer held in any esteem on this account.

REMINISCENCES OF A DAY IN A COACH WHILE TRAVELLING IN IRELAND.

It was a very dark, cold morning, the snow deep on the ground, when I entered the stage (as it was formerly called) at Killeshandra, in the county Cavan. Pat Thornton held the reins. He was a very steady lad, a careful driver; as, indeed, were all the Irish drivers who were entrusted with the "day-coaches," before railways were constructed. I was travelling from Killeshandra to Trim. A gentleman came out of a house where we stopped, and took his place: this person I knew to be celebrated through all Ireland; whom I had seen before, but never conversed with until this day. He exclaimed, "It is very cold indeed to-day:" naturally, I joined in the same sentiment, and on we jogged.

The day broke, and soon we halted for breakfast; after which, conversation began very freely, for my companion saw that I was well acquainted with his pursuits, and I did not conceal my own profession. We began to talk on the beauties of ancient literature; and after quoting from the ancient poets of Greece and Rome, particularly translations from Homer and Virgil, we imperceptibly came to modern times; and two celebrated poets, as often referred to, were mentioned. Sir Walter Scott's beautiful verses on the last day were repeated by one of us, and my companion repeated the original :

"Dies iræ, dies illa,

Solvet sæclum in favilla."

He spoke Latin admirably well, and with great effect.

Sir Walter Scott thus translates the hymn:

"That day of wrath, that dreadful day
When heaven and earth shall pass away;
What power shall be the sinner's stay?
How shall he meet that dreadful day?
When, shrivelling like a parched scroll,
The flaming heavens together roll:
When louder yet, and yet more dread,
Swells the high trump that wakes the dead;
Oon that day, that wrathful day,
When man to judgment wakes from clay,
Be Thou the trembling sinner's stay,
Though heaven and earth shall pass away."

I said, I thought there was a hymn in the Wesleyan-Methodist Hymn-Book fully

equal, if not superior, to Sir Walter Scott's verses; and I quoted a part of it. My readers, I am aware, are very familiar with the hymn; yet I will copy three verses, one of which is not found in modern HymnBooks:

"The great Archangel's trump shall sound, (While twice ten thousand thunders roar,) Tear up the graves, and cleave the ground, And make the greedy sea restore.

"We, while the stars from heaven shall fall,
And mountains are on mountains hurl'd,
Shall stand unmoved amidst them all,
And smile to see a burning world.

"See the celestial bodies roll

In spires of smoke beneath our feet; They shrivel as a parchment scroll,

The elements melt with fervent heat."

My companion appeared much struck with the sublimity expressed in these words of the poet of Methodism, and thought them fully equal, if not superior, to Sir Walter's.

Among many other quotations, that celebrated passage in one of Lord Byron's pieces was repeated:

"Between two worlds life hovers, like a star

'Twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge; How little do we know that which we are, How less what we may be! The eternal surge Of time and tide rolls on, and bears afar

Our bubbles: as the old burst, new emerge, Lash'd from the foam of ages, while the graves Of empires heave like passing waves."

I ventured to say, I thought there was a hymn in the Hymn-Book which conveyed some of the same sentiments; and I quoted, very slowly, the first verse of the hymn

blessed Saviour, as containing the substance of religion: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbour as thyself."

We came in sight of Trim; the coach stopped; and-"I must bid you farewell,

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I called again; rather, I passed the gate of the house. He was no more: he was gone to that world of which we had conversed. Awful circumstance! poisoned by his own servant, as every one believed; though a conviction could not be obtained. dwell not on his faults and errors. He often spoke to

some of the friends in the village near which he resided of the pleasure he enjoyed that day; and I shall never forget the interview I had with him, who was generally called, "Father Tom Maguire," of Ballyna

more.

Sittingbourne.

W. O. c.

WILLIAM ROBINSON, of Tintwistle, in the county of Chester, whose mind was furnished with the elementary truths of Christianity in childhood, became convinced of sin when about twenty years of age, and then, by calling upon God with faith in the atoning Sacrifice, experienced change of heart. His conversion was well marked, and the evidences of its reality continued throughout the remainder of his life. He laboured with exemplary zeal as a PrayerLeader and Sunday-school Teacher, and was thoughtful, devout, and serious. After giving unequivocal proof of a full assurance of faith, and expressing strong desire to be joined with the glorified above, he departed, without a struggle or a groan, February 3d, 1851, aged twenty-seven years.

SOLOMON BELLAMY, of Nottingham, was a relic of the Methodism of the last century. When a boy of fourteen years of age, in his native village of Kneesall, about four miles from Ollerton, and nine from Newark, it was one day announced that a Local Preacher named Harley, who used to travel from village to village "practising vaccination, and preaching the Gospel," was going to preach at the Cross. Thither young Solomon went, and heard, for the first time, a hymn sung, and the truth as it is in Jesus powerfully set forth. The text was, "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh." (Prov. i. 24-26.). Three persons were awakened under that sermon; young Bellamy, his uncle George Foster, and Mr. Foster's apprentice, afterwards the Rev. George Smith, now deceased. It was not long before Kneesall began to share in the labours of the Wesleyan Ministers sta

1 X TA

tioned in Nottingham; who were entertained by Bellamy's uncle, and their horse taken care of by a neighbouring farmer. The names of many of these welcome visiters were mentioned by him with affection to the latest period of his life. The earlier part of his religious career, however, was sadly interrupted. A too early and improvident marriage plunged him into distress; and, instead of seeking help where it might be found, he fell into intemperance. In this condition he was wretched, and soon began to remember bitterly whence he had fallen. Grieved and ashamed, because of the dishonour he brought on the name of Christ, and mourning over his own loss, he resolved to seek the Lord anew, and began to attend in the Wesleyan congregation in Mansfield, to which town he had removed; and, on the third or fourth Sunday, felt that the God of mercy had healed his backsliding. From this time he never wavered more. His dread of debt was as great as his dread of drunkenness; no amount of difficulty or suffering seemed to occasion a temptation to relapse into either the one or the other. In poverty, with contentment, his wants were few those wants were constantly supplied, and for the supply he was almost incessantly praising God. As he advanced in age he grew in grace. God was not, to his apprehension, an abstraction, but a Being ever present; his Father and his Friend. By faith he walked with God, rejoicing in Christ Jesus, and having no confidence in the flesh. On Christmas-day, 1848, in conversation with a brother, he pointed to the bed in his room, and said, "Bless the Lord! I would as soon lie down in the cemetery as lie down there. When Jacob was going down into Egypt, God Almighty said to him, I will go down with thee into Egypt;" and He will go with me into the grave, and will take care of me there, and bring me up