corner of the back; midway between and facing the two was an old-fashioned, high-backed and high-armed❘ rocker with its covering of chintz, telling as plainly as chairs can speak of long years of service and of pleasant memories.

Books, papers, work basket, a roll of work, pens and ink conveniently near, gave to this room that homely look so delightful to see.

In these three chairs sat Mr. and Mrs. Gray and Clara. In the widening circle a friendly guest found room and there, in the brightness of the lovely morning, they took sweet counsel together.

Mr. Gray soon left for his place of business. Clara took up the morning paper and read aloud items most interesting to her. Mrs. Gray glanced it over to see the report of the missionary meeting held in a neighboring city the day before, and her guest was specially interested in the column where could be found news items from her distant home.

Mrs. Gray was the president of the Auxiliary of the W. B. M. in her church, and after a little chat on a variety of topics, she said to her friend, "Cos. Kate, do tell me what I shall take for the topic of our next missionary meeting. It seems to me we have exhausted everything."

After a little hesitation Kate replied, "Didn't you say Mr. Leitch, who has been a missionary in Ceylon, was coming here very soon, to give an illustrated lecture on that country? Why not take up Ceylon? You will find it a very interesting topic."

"Surely, I don't think we have ever given any thought| to that island. It would be well. Perhaps the ladies. will listen more intelligently to Mr. Leitch after they have laid a few foundation stones and put a few hooks in memory's wall on which to hang the knowledge he will give them. I like the idea. You'll help me, will

"Clara, please hand me the atlas near you. Cos. Kate and I are going to study geography," said Mrs. Gray to her daughter.

"Yes, but haven't you a missionary map, mamma ?" "I have a map of India, but not of Ceylon." "It is quite a large one; I bought it at the American Board Rooms in Boston for seventy-five cents and it has been worth ten times that in our lessons on India. I do wish I had one of Ceylon."

"Please let me look at this map of India. If it is like mine it may be useful in this case," said Cos. Kate.

So the map was brought out and opened to view and behold Mrs. Gray was surprised to find on it just what she wanted; Ceylon represented in its relative position to India, and on one side a detailed picture of the seven islands forming the northern province of Jaffna, with the mission stations of our Board marked distinctly.

"How fortunate," she exclaimed. "Now," said Kate, "let us get the encyclopedia and read all it says about these islands. Bring pencil and paper and as we go on we will note what we wish to remember for use in the meeting."

By this means they found so much of interest, that before they were aware the clock struck twelve and Mr. Gray came in just as Mrs. Gray exclaimed, "I have just thought, I am sure I have a sketch of India and Ceylon, in one of those little pamphlets you get at the Board Rooms in Boston for thirty-five cents a set."

"Bring it," said Cos. Kate, "and soon as dinner is over we will glean from that."

They had by this time become so interested that they could not help bringing the islands of the sea to the dinner table. Mr. Gray had brought home the March. "Missionary Herald" and having glanced it over in the horse-car, they were delighted to find he could add to their stock of material, for was there not in this very number, a full account of the present mission work in Ceylon and Jaffna? Mr. Gray remembered, too, reading somewhere that the attention of the American Board was first drawn to Ceylon as a mission field by a letter from Rev. Samuel Newell, the husband of Harriet Newell, who was welcomed in Ceylon when driven from Bombay in India.

He visited Jaffna and was so impressed with the needs of the people and the wonderful opening for Christian work that he presented the case to the American Board, and in 1816 they sent three missionaries and their wives to occupy the place.

After dinner Mrs. Gray and Cos. Kate spent two hours studying the "Missionary Herald " and the sketch of India and Ceylon. They arranged their topics for the introductory exercise as follows:

Situation of Jaffna, length and breadth, climate, soil. Palm trees, of which it is said there are millions furnishing the poorer classes with food, houses, clothing and by sale of timber their little income. Manners and customs of the people.

Their religion and the mission stations.

"Now" said Mrs. Gray, "I must write this out to read and I am sure we have enough here to occupy the whole time without another word."

a slip cut from an old copy of the N. Y. Observer, entitled "A Mother of Missionaries," giving a very interesting account of these sisters. Their parents were sturdy Scotch covenanters, full of zeal and good works, and brought up their children from their earliest days to feel it a privilege to work for the salvation of others. The earnest prayers of that Christian mother were not lost, for three of her four children have for the last twelve years been constantly engaged in Christian work; six years among the freedmen at the south and the last six years in Ceylon. I will look for this, it will be just what I want."

The letter was written to Boston. The newspaper clipping was found in Mrs. Gray's desk in an envelope marked "Choice bits for missionary readings," and the two friends reluctantly laid down their papers and books to meet an appointment at three o'clock, after which they made several calls. At each place Mrs. Gray very soon found Ceylon was on her lips before she was hardly aware, and she was earnestly telling what an interesting meeting they were going to have and urging her friends to be present.

Company in the evening prevented further study that night, but you may be sure, as soon after breakfast as possible next morning, maps and books were brought out and the work was renewed. Cos, Kate began by saying: "Now, Mrs. President, you must not write out your opening exercise on Ceylon; you must get it all in your head and talk it off; it will be much more interesting than reading from a paper."

The map was hung up and Mrs. Gray read over her notes and rehearsed her lesson several times till she became so absorbed in her subject as to forget everything else.

In two days a prompt response came from Miss Stanwood in the shape of quite a budget of good things, including a picture of Miss Margaret Leitch and four bright Hindu girls standing about her. "That suggests to me," said Kate. "Let us look over the old volumes of the 'Herald' and 'Life and Light,' and see if there are not some illustrations of Ceylon or its people." The search was not in vain. In "Life and Light," March, 1884, they found pictures of the Oodooville Seminary and scenes in Ceylon. Mrs. Gray remembered one of her friends. who lived near, had the "GOSPEL IN ALL LANDS." Clara went over and asked the loan of the last year's numbers. In these were larger pictures. Mrs. Gray sent all at once to the publishers and secured copies of the illustrated number of each of the magazines. When they were received she cut out the pictures, mounted them on card-board, put them in press and then went on with her study. She recollected a lady whom she had met in Boston at the missionary meeting who was president of a branch in N. H. that supported one of the missionaries in Ceylon. She wrote a note asking her if she had anything that would help to make a meeting on Ceylon interesting.

A speedy reply came (for these people who are

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thoroughly awake to the interests of missions realize not a moment should be lost), bringing delightful little items from private letters, a picture of Miss Susan Howland and a charming letter containing many facts not printed, all just the things to attract and fix the attention.

In looking over some leaflets Mrs. Gray found one entitled "Givers for Jesus," the incident forming the basis of the story related, having occurred in Ceylon. It was so touching and full of import to the subject under consideration, that it must be on the programme of the exercises.

Thus she found they had material enough for three meetings instead of one.

And now came the difficult task of culling from this plenitude, all equally interesting, just what would most profitably fill the hour, all the time with the thought in mind that a whole month must pass before they could hear the rest.

When this was done and her order of exercises made it was thus:

Invocation. Singing, "Christ for the world we sing." Scripture lesson. Prayer.

Minutes of last meeting. Suggestion of topic. Introductory exercises. Singing. Sketch of the Misses Leitch. Prayer-short.

Extracts from letters in "Life and Light," Vol. 10, page 241. Leaflet, "Givers for Jesus." Freewill offering. Prayer. Singing, "The whole wide world for Jesus.'

"Now," said Mrs. Gray "I must write a card to half a dozen or more of our ladies who do not always come, asking them to make an effort to be present this time without fail. Sometimes such a little reminder will bring in several who would otherwise, with a press of other cares on their minds, quite forget the meeting till the hour was past.

In moments of quiet the mind of Mrs. Gray had turned searchingly toward the word of God trying to fix on some special passage as a lesson for the meeting. At last there came to her thought these words: "Ho! every one that thirsteth," and the words "every one" stood out with marked distinctness and taught the lesson with emphasis "every one that thirsteth," and who more thirsty than poor heathen women, seeking from so many sources the water of life and yet unsatisfied? What a blessed privilege to carry or send them the message that follows: Come ye to the precious fountain, drink and be healed.

You will not be surprised to be told this missionary meeting was a success-more in number were there and manifestly a large increase of interest was felt.

And when Mrs. Gray came home, her heart had been so warmed to Mary and Margaret Leitch that she sat down that evening and wrote a long sisterly letter to them.

The hearts of these toilers in the distant field after a day of multiplied cares and labors were gladdened by this friendly message from across the seas and their hands

strengthened by the assurance, even from a stranger, "I am praying for you."

Thus, around by the way of heaven, came repeated blessings on their work, all because new voices were praying and new hands were working.

Protestant Missions.

(EXTRACTS FROM A SHORT HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS," BY DR. GEORGE SMITH, OF SCOTLAND.)

A missionary is one called by God, obedient to the command of the Risen Lord, endowed with the Spirit of Christ, and sent forth from Christendom to non-Christian peoples. He is sent forth by the whole body of believers forming any one of its Churches, or by a society of believers acting in place of or independently of an organized church, to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The subject of the mission is Christ's death and resurrection. The subject is one unchangeable truth, historical fact, gracious revelation centered in the person of Christ as God; the methods through which the life-giving truth may be presented are varied as the needs, the circumstances, the culture of the nations among whom the missions are placed.

The persons who may be sent are all members of the Church of Christ, both men and women, represented by the first Christians to whom Christ entrusted the commission as he ascended. For each member of the body of Christ a missionary place may be found now, as it was in the experience of the Apostolic Church. The many who are not called to go themselves, are bound to send substitutes for the service.-sons, daughters, offerings, and to pray without ceasing to the Lord of the Harvest.

The word Evangelist, meaning the publisher of glad tidings, was applied to an order which, like the apostles proper, passed away with the Apostolic Church. But it best describes the ideal and the work of the missionary to the non-Christians, as distinguished from the minister, or pastor, or teacher, settled over a fixed Christian congregation or community.

Heathenism is the Prodigal Son among the swine of lust and idolatry, of self and the world, with a conscience, nevertheless, which repels the sin he follows, and a craving for God-a feeling after Him, if haply he may find Him-which is at once the relic of a primeval religion and the anticipation of a truth yet to be revealed to him. To recall the conscience and arouse the craving the missionary is sent.

From 170,000,000, at the beginning of the nineteen Christian centuries, the race has grown to 1,450,000,000. Half of mankind, if not Christian, are ruled by professedly Christian powers. Great Britain alone rules onefourth of the race, for whom the "Pax Britannica" is doing exactly what God used the "Pax Romana" to do for the 85,000,000 around the Mediterranean Sea, where Jesus Christ began His brief three years' ministry.

The History of Missions is the realization of Christ in time and in humanity. The career of every missionary, from Paul to Carey and Livingstone, from John to Duff and Wilson, is worthy of study in proportion as he lived. the life of Christ, and loved sinful men as Christ loved the world. And thus the History of Missions is, in its widest sense, the history of civilization as well as of redemption. All through the history we see the greatest, the most self-renouncing and successful, foreign missionaries reproducing Christ in their own life, their teachings, their converts.

The first Christian missionaries find their record in the book of the Acts of the Apostles, which has been described as the Fifth Gospel, or the Gospel of the Holy Spirit.

In less than 400 years after the Incarnation, the religion taught by the carpenter of Nazareth to eleven fishermen of Galilee, and by the Spirit of Jesus after His ascension to His disciples, everywhere, by peaceful persuasion only, swept away the last and greatest of the four-world empires and world-idolatries.

Christendom spends two and a half million pounds sterling a year on the evangelization of the majority of the human race; a century ago it did not spend as many pence. Large as the sum seems to be, and derived as it is almost exclusively from the mass of the communicants who are of the middle and poorer classes, it is but an installment of what will be given when the rich awake to their privilege and duty, as they are beginning to do, and when not one-third, but at least two-thirds of all the members and adherents of the Church of Christ become enrolled in the missionary host.

The number and annual income of the Protestant Missionary Organizations are as follows: British, 65 with income of American, 50

44

European, 39 Isolated,

Total, 184

£1,461,854

727,170 202,516

40,000

£2,431,540

But the most significant of all the results, alike in itself and its meaning for the future, is that there are nearly 3,000 ordained native missionaries and pastors; in the older mission fields, like that of India, the native exceed the foreign ordained missionaries in numbers. The increase of native communicants, alike from the conversion of adults and the development of the native churches, goes on at a remarkable ratio. The Christian communities in all the mission fields have reached upwards of 3,000,000 of souls. In some, almost every convert becomes a missionary in one sense or other.

Just a hundred years ago, when Carey wrote his En

quiry, which was the beginning of Modern Missions, the human race was estimated at 731,000,000. Of these there were-Pagans, 420,000,000; Mohammedans, 130,000,000; Jews, 7,000,000; Christians, 174,000,000, of whom 44 were Reformed, 30 were Greek and Armenian, and 100 were Romanists.

000,000.

In the year 1886 the human race is estimated at 1,450,Of these 450,000,000 are Christians, divided into 165,000,000 Protestant; 90,000,000 Greek and Eastern; 195,000,000 Romanist. The non-Christians num" ber 1,000,000,000, of whom 8,000,000 are Jews, 172,000,ooo Mohammedans, 820,000,000 Pagans and Heathens.

If we exclude all Christendom, we shall find, as we proceed to survey continent by continent, and empire by empire, that the native converts (communicants and adherents) who form the Missionary Church outside of Christendom, as the fruit of only half a century's really earnest effort by the evangelical churches, altogether apart from the native communities formed by Romanist and Eastern Churches, are:

Word has just been received from Sendai that a most precious work of grace is now in progress in that city. At the beginning, one man became convinced of his sins and found peace in believing in Christ. Thereupon he sought his friends and persuaded them to hold another meeting. This was a very impressive gathering, and the Holy Spirit was present in power and many were convinced of their sins. The next meeting was quite large and more wonderful still. Many were so moved that they went out into the fields and mountains to pray; and some remained in the church until three o'clock in the morning, unable to sleep through deep conviction of

sin.

Others went to the house of the preachers, confessed their sins, and asked for prayer. Some who had no

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sympathy with revivals, and who had even denied the power of the evil spirit, now acknowledged their error with true repentance. One of this class confessed with tears that she had doubted the work of God, and asked for prayer that she might be forgiven for her unbelief.

At a meeting where there were a considerable number of students from the Government school, an address was given on the work of the Holy Spirit, when the whole audience was moved to tears. Many acknowledged that they were sinners, and asked God to have mercy upon them. When it was suggested that a hymn should be sung the emotion was so deep that there was no re

sponse.

ex

At a meeting in another place an address was delivered by one of the brethren, during which all were in tears, and one of the hearers rushed out of the room claiming, "God forgive my sins, God help me!" He was prayed with by some of the Christians and soon received peace and comfort. The churches are greatly awakened and rapidly increasing in numbers and in faith. Many of the outsiders are being reached and the name of God glorified.

The Christians at Shirakawa have been greatly stirred up to increased faithfulness and prayer. Some of them have been moved to devote a considerable season to supplication for God's blessing, and good results are looked for here as elsewhere.

The report of the revival in Sendai having reached Fukushima, a succession of meetings was appointed, and it was resolved to continue in prayer until a blessing was received. On the fourth night there was a great outpouring of the spirit which was manifested in a manner never before witnessed in that place.

One of the young Christians has been enduring most severe persecutions for a long time on account of his faith. His father is a believer in Shintooism, and has gone so far as even to threaten to kill his son if he does not give up his belief. Then he shut him up in a room to prevent his seeing anyone. But the young man has not been moved by such trials. His friends sent him papers, and in other ways encouraged him, and he is always rejoicing in the Lord to the great surprise of those who see him and endeavor to turn him from his purpose to serve God.

A poor Christian widow living in Sendai has but one son, and he is a drunkard. Her home is one of most utter poverty and such misery as a vile and worthless drunkard can make. But Christ is her constant companion, and His presence has enabled her to endure all her trials with peace and resignation to the Lord's will.

Sad as is her lot, she is filled with love and gratitude to God for His many mercies, and it is the constant and great desire of her heart to bring others to a knowledge of her loving Savior.

Some time ago she came to her pastor and gave him twelve silver schiber pieces, which were formerly the current money of Japan, and are worth about twenty-five

cents each. This was like the widow's offering in the temple, the gift of her all to the service of God. And who can doubt but the same gracious Master saw and approved in equal measure of this token of heartfelt love and consecration? Can we wonder that the Christian Church in Japan has had such a marvelous growth and gives such evidence of the Lord's special favor?

The United States man-of-war Marion is now the flag-ship of the American squadron on this station, and has been for some weeks past lying at the port of Yokohama. The captain is a devoted Christian and takes a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of the men under his command.

It was arranged that some special services should be held on board, and the first occurred about three weeks ago. Two clergymen of the Southern Methodist Church were providentially on a visit to Japan, and gave most valuable assistance at the opening meetings. Their plain and faithful presentation of the Word was accompanied by some excellent singing of the familiar Gospel hymns by one of the missionary ladies, and the effect was very marked and powerful. A considerable number have testified that the conviction of sin and their need was so great that they resolved at the first service to begin a new and better life.

At the second meeting there was such an evident manifestation of God's presence and power that the question was asked how many would like to become Christians and to have the prayers of Christian people. About twenty persons thus signified their purpose to turn from sin and serve the Lord.

This work has gone on with increased interest and power. I have visited the ship as opportunity has offered, and found among the men a most humble and receptive state of mind. God has heard the prayers of anxious mothers and led these wild wandering boys to feel their need of a Savior.

One apprentice boy from Connecticut has especially interested me. He had thrown away, or lost, his Bible, and was suffering punishment for some ill conduct. I found him deeply in earnest, and his conviction of sin was very positive. I told him to get a Bible at once and read it, and give himself wholly to the Lord. He followed my advice, and the next day experienced such a change that he could hardly contain himself for joy. A corporal of the marines was so melted by the singing of "Where is my wandering boy to-night," that he gave himself then to Christ, and is now a new and happy man.

A Christian association has been formed which numbers already twenty-two members, and a Temperance society with upward of thirty members. Many more are interested, and the work is still progressing. The change on the ship is very apparent; and it seems that henceforth these men will not disgrace their country in the various ports they visit and make even the heathen more depraved and hopeless, but will show the power of the Gospel to restrain men from sin and enable them to live a holy and a happier life.-Yokohama, Dec. 18, 1886.

The Jesuits.

This famous and dangerous order of the Romish Church, a kingdom within a kingdom, was established by Pope Paul the III., September 27, 1546, just three hundred and forty years ago. Among its chief members were Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, Laynez and Le Fevre, whose names are perpetuated in Roman Catholic institutions the world over. These leaders added to the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience that of absolute submission to the Pope. The great principle inculcated and practiced by the order is that evil may be done in order that good may come, or that the end justifies the means. This abominable and unscriptural edict has been the fruitful mother of deceit, falsehood, murder, and almost every crime in the long, black catalogue.

It is not strange that opposition to the Jesuits, originat ing in the University of Sorbonne, crystallized finally in 1773 into a combined movement on the part of France, Spain, Naples and Parma for the absolute suppression of the order. These powers, determining to rid themselves of such an incubus, secured from Ganganelli a written declaration that a Pope without acting against canonical laws was at liberty to suppress this order, and then they elected him Pope, with the name of Clement XIV., on purpose to put his opinion into practice. After hesitating four years to lift his hand against such a powerful and compact organization, Clement finally issued the famous bull: Dominus ac Redemptor noster, and the Society of Jesus went down externally. But the Jesuits, true to their characteristic of indomitable activity, planned and worked for recognition again by the papal chair.

They achieved their purpose the first year of this century, when the Pope permitted the order to reorganize in Russia. Fifteen years later the same privilege was granted for all countries. Ever since, the Society has had the recognition of the papacy to a great extent. The present Pope was not the favored candidate of the Jesuits, and yet he has just given the order an exaltation it never had before. It comes acceptable to them at a time when civil governments are regarding them as the enemy of the State, and when they have been actually expelled from several Roman Catholic countries.

It is a calamity to civilization that, in this day of progress, the Society of the Jesuits should be practically put in control of the extensive machinery of Rome the world over. Diplomats and statesmen will soon again as in the past, be compelled to face the subtle and unprincipled intrigues of the order. Already the treacherous hand is seen in Italy, in Germany, and France.

In Italy the Jesuits show their confidence in the situation, as insured by the Pope's bull, by the purchase of valuable property, the establishment of numerous convents, opposition to popular education, and in demanding of the State that all livings of the Church be restored to the Pope. In Germany the order makes the imperious demand that the banished Jesuits be restored