among us, and reception by us, will be as permanently profitable to the members of the Mission and congregation, as it was impressive at the moment to all who witnessed it, I cannot doubt. Indeed, we are all much confirmed in the conviction, that our prayers have been heard of God and answered, in the choice made by the good King of Prussia for this important appointment and difficult position."

ANNIVERSARY OF THE ENTRY OF THE FIRST BISHOP OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND INTO

JERUSALEM.

Extract from Mr. Nicolayson's Journal.

ON Thursday the 21st of January, being the fifth anniversary of the arrival of the first Anglican Bishop in this city, we had, by previous appointment, public service in the forenoon, when I read prayers and the Bishop himself preached for the first time (in consequence of slight indisposition) since his arrival, a very appropriate and impressive sermon, from 1 John ii. 28; which, as we shall obtain a copy of it for you, I need not further characterize here. On the evening of the same day (and for its commemoration) the Bishop had invited the Revds. W. D. Veitch, F. C. Ewald, and myself, to meet all the inquirers and converts connected with the Mission at his house; when his Lordship again (after tea) read and expounded the same second chapter of the first epistle of St. John, and dwelt on the same twenty-eighth verse particularly, in German, and desired Mr. Ewald to close with a prayer in the same language. A German hymn was also sung

to the piano, played by Mrs. Gobat. The occasion was both solemn and interesting to all.

CAIRO.

Some particulars in the history of Mr. Luria, a Jewish Convert now labouring amongst the Jews at Cairo.

ON looking back upon the trials which he had undergone for the sake of the Lord Jesus, Mr. Luria says, though he was compelled to put away his wife, and was deprived of his only child, and robbed of all that he possessed, "I have experienced the goodness and mercy of God: He did not either leave me nor forsake me, though many a time I was troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted; but not forsaken.'"

About six years ago, I had determined to confess openly my conviction of the truth as it is in Jesus, but I had not yet strength or courage enough to leave for His sake all that was near or dear to me. I therefore spent another year in endeavouring to convince my wife of the truth, but I found all my trouble was in vain, she would not even hear the name of Christ, and, dreading she would betray me to the Jews, I desisted from that dilatory course, and began humbly to pray for Heavenly assistance and encouragement to accomplish in me the good He had graciously begun, and I hoped yet to be able freely to speak to her after I renounced Judaism. Accordingly, I was enabled openly to declare my belief in Christ. But, to my great disappointment, I was obliged to leave my house in the Jewish quarter, and was suffered no more to see my wife and child.

About three months after, the Russian ConsulGeneral of B came hither on a pilgrimage, being before Easter; and the Jews petitioned him to force me to divorce my wife. He sent for me. I begged permission to have first some interviews with her, that I might state to her my reasons for embracing Christianity, in the hope that she would consent to remain with me. He promised to order my wife to have a conference with me for fifteen days, an hour each day. She accordingly came once to me, surrounded by many Jews who had previously filled her mind with the most malignant prejudices against Christianity. No sooner did I begin to make her understand what true Christianity is, than her guards began to cry out, "You are a liar, you are an apostate, away with your Thului (crucified one). She repeatedly begged me to return and remain a Jew, but would not listen to a word about Christianity. This was the first and last time she came to me.

When the fifteen days were at an end, new troubles came. Early the next day the Consul sent for me and said, "Now, the time I have given you has passed, and your wife is unwilling to follow you, you must therefore divorce her." She, and the Rabbi and Scribes were immediately called, and began to write the bill of divorce. I tried once more to speak to her in his presence, and assured her, if she would remain with me I would permit her to be a Jewess. She sank into profound misery, not knowing what to answer. She called to mind the happy years she had spent with me, and how could she now consent to separate from me; but would not make up her mind to live with a Christian, which name she bitterly hated. The Consul

interrupted her considerations, by saying to me, "No; you are a Christian, and cannot have a wife a Jewess. I cannot permit that. Either she shall be baptized with you, or else be separated." It was in vain I appealed to the New Testament, to prove that I might have her, although a Jewess. He, in extreme anger, asked, "Where is it written ?" I pointed out to him 1 Cor. vii. He said, "That is Mr. Nicolayson's New Testament. Do not speak any more; no such a thing is to be found in the New Tes tament. Divorce your wife immediately, else you shall be cast into prison; and after a few days, you will be sent to Russia." He then ordered her not to answer me a single word, and commanded the Scribes to finish the form of divorce.

The

The Rabbi then began to question me according to their law. "Dost thou give the divorce with thy free will, and without compulsion ?" I. "I shall give it, because it is the Consul's pleasure; but you know that it is not my choice." Jews then petitioned the Consul to compel me to say, that I gave it without compulsion. He ordered me to make no more hindrances, but to answer the Jews as they would tell me to speak. "I shall divorce her," I said, "because it is your order, but cannot say I do it with my good will. I am a Christian, and cannot lie." sooner had I spoken these words, than I was taken to prison. I found myself confined in a dirty, dark, ruined stable. I groped to find where to sit, but was disappointed. Several friends brought some refreshment, but were not allowed to approach the stable. The Consul's janisary came once, to see if I had not made my escape; for the stable had a door which I could have

No

forced open with one push. I offered him five piastres for a little water; but I could not obtain it. In such a miserable condition I remained nearly the whole day. A little before sunset Mr. Nicolayson and Dr. Macgowan went to the Consul, to use their influence on my behalf. He called me out of the stable, and told me, in their presence, that he does nothing else than what he is obliged by law; that it is only for their sake that he brought me into his presence, to ask whether I have repented of my obstinacy; but that if I persisted still in my disregard to the laws, though he would be exceedingly sorry to cause unpleasantness to his friends (Mr. N. and Dr. M.), yet he must perform his duty, and send me back to prison. Seeing my helplessness, I thought it advisable to comply, on condition that before the divorce the question respecting my child and property should be settled. He promised to take the matter into consideration. The next day my property was adjudged to belong to my wife, and I was ordered besides to pay her 2,000 piastres in ready money. The Consul then held out to her 500 piastres, and said, "I exceedingly commiserate you; what you took will not suffice to defray the expenses of half a-year; take this, as a present from me."

But

neither the 2,000 piastres nor the 500 ever reached her pocket. The Jews, in return, commiserated him, and purchased for him for the 2,000 piastres some silver vessels, in one of which he found a treasure, (as one of Joseph's brethren found in their sacks,) which amounted to 500 piastres; the very sum which out of charity he had just given to a poor stranger!