the Rev. W. Antliff, Governor and Tutor of the Northern Institution for the Education of Candidates for the Ministry; the Rev. J. Petty, Governor of the Connexional School, York. The Body, we rejoice to observe, appears to be in a healthy and good state.

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THE NEW "JOHN WESLEY" MISSIONARY SHIг.-The new missionary ship, John Wesley, sailed a short time ago from the Thames for her cruising ground amongst the Wesleyan mission stations in Australasia and Polynesia. The original John Wesley, it may be remembered, was on her voyage to and in sight of the island of Tonga, in November, 1865, when an unexpected ocean current swept her close to a coral reef, and, despite the utmost efforts of her captain and crew, ultimately drove her against it. This was followed by an immense tidal wave, which lifted the vessel bodily on to the reef itself, and left her almost literally "high and dry." The ship was lost, but the lives of the crew and passengers were happily saved. The new John Wesley is a vast improvement on her predecessor. She is a three-masted brigantine, of 238 tons. Her dimensions are-118 feet in length, 23 feet 9 inches in breadth, and 13 feet 5 inches in depth. She has been built under Lloyd's special survey, and is classed A 1, the highest character assigned. A special valedictory service was held before her departure.

WRECK OF THE "JOHN WILLIAMS."-The directors of the London Missionary Society have received intelligence that their missionary ship, the John Williams, has been wrecked off Savage Island. Captain Horton, of the Nimrod, bound for Valparaiso, when near Savage Island, in February last,

reports that he saw in the distance the wreck of a vessel, and shortly afterwards a boat put off from the island, bringing a letter from the Rev. Mr. Laws, announcing the total wreck of the John Williams, but adding the consolatory information that all on board were saved. Similar intelligence has been received through other channels, which leaves but little doubt as to the fate of the vessel. The circumstance will produce deep regret in the breasts of thousands. The directors had taken the precaution to insure the ship for £8,000.

CHRISTIAN EFFORT AT THE PARIS EXHIBITION.-We believe much good will be done at the Paris Exhibition by the diffusion of Christian truth. It is exceedingly gratifying to find that the friends of the Gospel are so actively engaged in disseminating the seeds of truth among all comers to that great centre of attraction. Popular literature of a pure character, tracts of a distinctively evangelical tendency, and, most of all, the Word of God itself, are sown broadcast among the visitors. This is as it should be. Who can tell what the results may be among the representatives of all nations, who are thus enabled to read, in their own language, the wonderful works of God? It is a cheering sign, too, that among the Protestant churches in France the sound members are beginning to draw apart from the Rationalists, and to hold conferences among themselves. This is the only safe course, and will, we trust, prove but the prelude to that more decisive witnessing for Christ which will end in a total separation from those who deny the divinity of our Lord, his miracles on earth, and the great atonement he made for sin.

THE CONCLAVE AT ROME.

Why this assemblage of Roman Catholic bishops in Rome, at the invitation of the Pope? What is the matter? What idea has Pio Nono got into his head? What new stroke of Romish policy is going to be developed? Are we going to have some new article of faith brought out? Or does His Holiness wish to extract from the assembled bishops a declaration of his personal infallibility? Or is the object of the august gathering a formal declaration in favour of the temporal power of the Pope, as essential to the proper discharge of the Papal functions? That the celebration of the eighteenth centenary of the martyrdom of the Apostle Peter is anything more than the nominal object, no one believes. We confess we feel a little curiosity on the subject, but we are quite willing to wait. Many surmises are indulged in, not only in our own country, but in France, Italy, and Germany. Probably the matter will be cleared up before long. One thing is pretty evident-that the "old man" is anything but comfortable or happy. He feels his position to be neither pleasant nor

secure.

We are happy to find that in spite of all the efforts of the Pope and his myrmidons, and in spite of the Scepticism and Rationalism which prevail, as the almost necessary result of the state of things, political and religious, which had so long existed, Gospel truth is advancing in Italy. The transition through which Italy has passed, and is still passing, cannot be contemplated but with feelings of deep interest, and, in many respects, of lively satisfaction

and joy. "The progress which Italy under an enlightened and free Government is making," writes the Rev. W. G. Moorehead, of the

American Mission, from Sarzana, "approaches the wonderful. The priest, whose influence was incalculable, whose power was not even second to that of the State, who disposed of the bodies and souls of men at his will, is now totally shorn of his strength, and is trusted only by the most ignorant and superstitious. Time was when all lifted hats to him in the streets; now even passing with the consecrated wafer, few are found who cross themselves. Time was when the Romish churches were crowded with an ignorant, docile, believing multitude; now they are comparatively empty. The priests and canonicals howl their meaningless, unintelligible liturgies to themselves. A few old women, and as many beggarly old men, constitute their audiences. Ask any one if he believes in the dogmas of Infallibility and Purgatory, or the power of the priest to absolve from sin, and the reply is, in forty-five cases out of fifty, an emphatic No. In one word, Roman Catholicism, as it once was in Italy, is dead. The Ultramontane party is making every exertion, is spasmatising itself, as the Italians say, to hold on to its shifting power, which every day is rapidly slipping away, but it is only hastening the irresistible downfall of the Papacy. Rome is doomed.

The Gospel, which is the power of God, is making headway in the midst of intense darkness. Churches and stations, as beacon-lights, are throwing their cheering and illuminating rays far into the night of superstitious Paganism, falsely called Christianity. Colporteurs have gone where the Evangelist had not time to go. The Word of God, and evangelical books and tracts, have been scattered broadcast over the land. On the one hand Popery has been laid bare in

all her defilement and deformity; on the other, the pure Gospel, with sublime power and living light, by the contrast, has been presented and made all the more attractive." Mr. Moorehead supplies copious details to substantiate his general statements, and to show how God is working in various parts of Italy. Our hopes are still sanguine in relation to this interesting country. We trust its financial difficulties will be ultimately surmounted. Why should not the extensive possessions of the Church, corrupt to the last degree, be secularized by a bold stroke, and effectual relief be thus obtained?

AMERICAN LIBERALITY.-Our brethren in America are not afraid of parting with their money. There are in New York about 300 societies for religious and philanthropic objects. The sum total for the last year gives about 5,000,000 dollars contributed for Bible, Tract, Missionary, Seamen's Friend, Education, and Temperance Societies; and about 1,500,000 dollars for the local, benevolent, and religious associations. This is noble. Such conduct is not by any means unworthy of imitation.

TURKEY.-A

GOOD WORK IN very interesting communication from Miss West, written at Kharpoot, and furnishing details of a blessed revival, appears in Christian Work. "God has been powerfully working in our midst," says Miss West. "Such a blessed work my eyes never before saw in this land. Oh, how I have longed to see such a revival; a genuine work of grace which should sweep away all the refuges of lies, and the cobwebs of superstition which hide the truth from so many hearts among this people! And now it has come, first in the

arts of God's people, then reaching

those on the outside, rebuking our want of faith, and bringing us down into the dust at the Master's feet, that all the glory may redound to his holy name, who has visited this people with his salvation. This is our fourth week of prayer, and the windows of heaven are still open. Oh, pray that they may never again be shut! I cannot tell you at this time, in detail, of the scenes through which we have been passing. I fear to do so, lest it might grieve the Spirit by magnifying human means. Indeed, I have hesitated about sending you the paper for Christian sisters at home; but my sisters and brothers here advise me to let you see it. I may, at some future day, give you more particulars of this Pentecostal season. I am very busy, and never more happy than now. Oh, it is good for soul and body too, to be in the midst of such a reviving. The dear children of the Protestant community are now being brought to Jesus by their parents, and coming themselves to receive his blessing. At a meeting I had with them on Saturday last, seventy were present. Several have, they hope, found Jesus." Intelligence of this character is exceedingly cheering and refreshing, and calls for gratitude and songs of praise.

ENCOURAGING TIDINGS FROM SYRIA. The Rev. H. H. Jessup writes from Beirut:-"A joyous day in the Beirut church. Six young men and five young women were received to its communion. The services were crowded, and most solemn. Of the eleven received, two only were born of Protestant parents. Two were graduates of Abeih Seminary; three had lived for several years in the families of missionaries; one has taught different missionaries the Arabic language for ten years; and eight of

them are now engaged in teaching in various capacities. Only two of the eleven were born in Beirut."

At Sidon the attendance on religious services has been considerably in advance of that of former years. Five persons, we are informed, have been added to the Church. The zeal for education, though not so great as in Beirut, is increasing year by year, and the success of colportage has been "unexpected and cheering." One colporteur was employed by the American Bible Society, and three were sent out at the expense of a gentleman in England. The report states:-"They visited most of the villages in which nominal Christians dwell between this place and Jerusalem, and opened their packages and sold the Word of God within the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Not a few Mohammedans manifested an interest in hearing the Gospel. In one Moslem village, the men called the women and children together to listen with them, for a long time, to the tidings of salvation through a crucified Redeemer. In another place, a Mohammedan kept the colporteur two days, not allowing him to depart, and hardly to rest, while he read and expounded the Gospel. He asked to be taught to pray, and declared that henceforth his trust for salvation should be in Christ alone." Oh, that instances of a similar nature might be of very frequent occurrence, not only in Syria, but everywhere, until darkness and error, superstition and idolatry, sin and misery, shall disappear from the earth, and the light, and truth, and power of the Gospel shall be universally diffused and experienced!

THE AWAKENING IN THE NORTH OF CHINA. A VISIT TO SHANGTUNG. In the current number of Evangelical Christendom, there is a

well written and very interesting paper, containing an account of a visit to the scene of the great awakening in North China, by the "Wife of a Missionary." The fair writer resides, it appears, at Tien-tsin, and from statements contained in the narrative, we infer that she is the wife of one of the London Society's agents. Of our Mr. Hall and Mr. Hodge, who were visiting our stations at the same time, and also of Mr. and Mrs. Hu, frequent and affectionate mention is made. On several occasions, Mr. Hall and Mr. W. (the lady's husband, we presume) addressed the same congregations; and the lady herself and Mrs. Hu acted much in concert. It is very pleasant for such harmony and kindly feeling to exist among those who belong to different sections of the Church of Christ. This is the true spirit of the Gospel, and it was beautifully exemplified on the occasion referred to. The people gathered in large numbers, and listened to the truth from the lips of Christ's servants with eager attention. Meetings exclusively for women were also held, and were addressed by Mrs. Hu and her lady friend, the "wife of a missionary." The scenes were very exciting, and the services deeply interesting. They will not soon be forgotten. May a glorious harvest of good be the result of the seed then sown! At one of the services, Mr. Hall took notice of a touching incident which had occurred a short time previously. A poor woman, one of the first converts in connection with the awakening, was seriously ill, while Mr. Innocent was there last October. Mr. Innocent visited her several times, and gave her medicine. She lingered some time, and died in December. She left a firm and clear testimony to the power of Divine grace on a dying

bed, and exhorted her husband, children, and friends, to trust in the same Saviour in whom she had believed, and to follow her to the better land. It was decided to give her Christian burial; so, instead of observing their heathenish rites, a band of Christians followed her remains to the grave, where prayer and exhortation were offered. A deep and lively interest in the truth was excited in the mind of the husband, who appeared as a candidate for baptism; and he, with a number of others, received the ordinance during Mr. Hall's stay. Several other very pleasing instances of what the grace of God had wrought are noticed in the narrative. May the blessed work continue and extend, until it has spread through the whole of China!

PROGRESS IN INDIA.-The Rev. J. Duthie, of the Nagercoil (Travancore) London Mission, reports several baptisms; and from the Kottaram district, the Rev. W. Lee reports that several more of his best men have been ordained to the work of the ministry, and that the subscriptions of the people towards the support of their own pastors are increasing. Sixty years ago there were no Protestant Christians in Travancore; now there are 27,000, with a staff of 500 agents, and eleven ordained native ministers.

Ar this season of the year the duration of twilight prevents the long continuance of celestial observations. Nevertheless, the objects now visible well repay our gaze. In the article for June the course of the Milky Way, in the neighbourhood of Cygnus and Lyra, was shown in page 386. These constellations are now more favourably situated for observation, and at midnight the course of this luminous zone may be plainly perceived. Ursa Major is fast progressing towards the northwest, and with it have advanced the neighbouring constellations. Lyra is now over our heads, and another fine group of stars, to which some reference must be made, is near at hand. Before we point out the place of this group, let the observer look towards the south-east soon after dusk, and in the constellation Aquarius he will see a star of superior brilliancy, far exceeding in lustre the other gems of the celestial con

cave.

This is the planet Jupiter, and nearly over it, towards the left, may be traced four stars in the form of a square, commonly called "the square of Pegasus," or the Flying Horse. This group (usually represented on globes by the head and fore-paws of a charger at full speed) enables the observer readily to recognise the neighbouring constellations, and is delineated in fig. 1. The star at the lower right-hand corner of the square is Markab; above it is Scheat; at the lower left-hand corner is Algenib; while the star at the upper left-hand corner belongs to the neighbouring constellation Andromeda, of which it is the brightest star. Immediately under Markab and Scheat, and below Jupiter, but at a very low elevation, is the bright star Fomalhaut, in the Southern Fish, which never rises to a high altitude in Europe. At mid