DEVOTED ministers, and christians who are labouring for Christ at home, feel from time to time that their sacrifices are great; yet compared with what the missionary to the heathen is often called to make they are too trivial to be named. For years our missionaries, brother and sister Phillips, have had much perplexing anxiety about the prospective future of their large family. Surrounded entirely by the degraded heathen, and, except at distant intervals seeing a missionary from another station, excluded from all intercourse with refined and elevated minds, they could not prepare their children for a successful settlement in useful or respectable stations. A long residence in a tropical clime called also loudly for a change. Their hearts were wedded to their chosen work, and as brother Phillips had no colleague he could not leave without the mission suffering loss. Only one alternative was presented. Many struggles and bitter tears were theirs before they could make the sacrifice. In view of its trials who can wonder! Sister Phillips

must leave her husband to toil on alone uncheered by her sympathy, and with the children God has given her, (eight in number) brave the dangers of the deep, to find in a christian land a fitting home for them, and then for years act the part of both parents. God bless our brother and his family, and enable us as a denomination to appreciate their noble example of self-sacrifice in order to serve our mission and the cause of God. O shall we think it hard to give yearly the scanty pittance of a few dollars each to sustain the heralds of the cross in heathen lands. Had our members generally done this, we could have sent brother Phillips a colleague long since, and this suffering would have been spared. God forgive us and help us in future to reedem the time.

EMBARKATION.

Letters just received bearing date Jan. 5th, announce that sister Phillips and her family embarked Dec. 23, in the ship Ascoutna, Capt. Pipper, bound from Calcutta for Boston. Brother Phillips writes,

"We were all on board on Friday evening, ready to depart on the morrow, but the vessel was delayed a day or two for want of men, and when she did commence "dropping" down the river, her progress was so slow that I had the privilege of remaining with my family nearly a week. finally parted with them near Kedgeree on the 29th, and the ship only left her pilot and went to sea on the 31st of Dec.

I

SHIP ACCOMMODATION AND PASSENGERS.

The "Ascoutna," which is to be the float

ing home of my beloved family for the next and great accommodations for passengers four months, more or less, affords as many have seen. Though a small ship of only as any American vessel I recollect ever to 428 tons burden, and "tween decks" crammed full of cargo, she has a fine room, cuddy on deck, about 30 feet long and 12 wide. Eight cabins, (state-rooms.) open into the cuddy on either side, making 16 in all, each of which is about 6 feet by 5, glass window that can be opened and shut and provided with light and air by a small in each to suit the convenience of occupants. at pleasure. One or two berths are put up Our party has three of these side cabins opened into one, quite to themselves, besides the use of the long cuddy at all hours. very kind and obliging, have each their The captain and officers, all of whom appear Maulmain, a very intelligent, amiable, pious separate cabins. Rev. J. R. Nesbit, from man, is also a passenger on the 'Ascoutna,' and the captain himself being a pious man, I trust, through their whole voyage. A Mr. my family will have religious privileges, and Mrs. Dunn, (Roman Catholics,) who went out in the ship to Australia, return as passengers in the same vessel. They appear to be amiable people, and will, I trust, do much to relieve the monotony of a long sea voyage. native christian from our school at Jellasore, * Dulah, a Santal and member of the church, accompanies my family for the purpose of assisting in their care. He is inexperienced, and knows nothing of English. But he was anxious to go, and as Mrs. Phillips would require the services of some one during the passage, we thought it the best arrangement we could make to allow him to accompany them. He is an amiable, modest, unassuming lad, probably about 18 years of age,as a student, about middling. He would be very glad to remain a few years in America, and acquire an English education. Could he be allowed to do so without being spoiled for returning to his native habits, I should be very glad to have him remain. Perhaps you will consider the subject and consult with Mrs. Phillips in relation to it on their arrival. His proficiency in learning English during the voyage may serve as some criterion by which to judge of his talents for scholarship. Could he receive an English education and still retain his artless simplicity and humble piety, he might prove a great blessing to the mission.

*

BROTHER PHILLIPS PARTING WITH HIS

FAMILY.

I have yet said nothing of my own trial

in parting with my beloved wife and dear children, and my return to my solitary home in the jungle, so lately enlivened by numerous warm and glowing hearts and cheerful smiling countenances. Nor need I. If your own imagination fails to give you a correct idea of the reality, certainly my pen would not be more successful. I called them all into the cabin, and after commending them anew to the God of all grace, took a sad, sorrowing farewell of all, and leaving them on deck, bathed in tears, hastened over the side of the ship into a boat which pulled away for the 'Lucy L. Hale,' an American vessel just passing the Ascoutna,' and standing towards Calcutta. I was kindly received by her commandant, Capt. Hull, who invited me into the cuddy, where throwing myself on a sofa I looked out at the stern window and sobbed and gazed at the floating home of my beloved ones, every moment borne farther and farther from me. But enough. With my dear wife, I trust we have acted according to the will of God, and hence have a right to expect Divine aid and support.

I spent the day and night on the "Lucy L. Hale"-had an interesting conversation with the Captain, who frankly confessed his need of religion,-in the evening spent an hour or more with the men in the "forecastle;" all listened respectfully. I was pleased to find them supplied with Bibles. Î engaged in prayer and received the thanks of the men for my visit. The next morning I got aboard an open boat, and hastened away for Calcutta, where I arrived Dec. 31st, at one o'clock, A.M.

I had a letter from Mrs. Phillips by the pilot, dated Dec. 31. All were getting on well. The captain was very kind, and in terested himself much in the children. My dear wife says: "Now the pilot is about to leave us, and the last opportunity for writing to you will soon be gone, I feel more than ever the reality of our separation, but I think we have reason to believe that we have acted according to the will of God, and if so He surely will bless and support us. May the Lord be with you, my dearest, in every lonely hour, support you in every trial, and give you the desire of your heart in the salvation of those for whom you labour." I am sure I need not ask you and sister Hutchins to give my beloved wife and children a warm reception. Mrs. Phillips is a faithful and judicious as well as affectionate and loving wife. Kindness shown her "and the dear children will be more acceptable to me than if shown to myself person

ally. O what would I have given to have been able to accompany them and minister to their wants. Under God, I commend

them to your kind regard; but, dear brother, a full and oppressed heart and weeping well, God bless you,-bless us all, and eyes will allow me to say no more. So fare

make us a blessing to others.
Yours in the gospel, J. PHILLIPS.

TURKEY.

AMONG the nominal christians of Turkey, included in the general denomination of the Greek Church, and among the Jews also, several societies have been in operation. The American Board of Commissioners has a very extensive and prosperous mission among the Armenian nation in Asiatic and European Turkey, which has been in operation for more than twenty years. Their influence has extended to almost every considerable town in the empire, and there are few large cities in which the light of divine truth has not found an entrance; and the number of persons who have come out from the corrupt and fallen native churches, and profess themselves protestants, under the care of the American missionaries, is continually increasing. It was chiefly with reference to the political and religious privileges of the congregations formed by this mission, that the British Ambassador, Sir Stratford Canning, now Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, applied to the Turkish Government for the acknowledgement and protection of protestant christians in the Turkish empire, in which application he was successful. Under the new

Toleration Act of the Turkish Government "Protestant rayahs (subjects) can live in Turkey, and pursue their lawful callings, and, at the same time, worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences." It is happily no part of our duty to enter upon political discussions in these pages; but we incline to the opinion which has been expressed in high quarters by men well informed on the subject, that one principal reason for the aggression of Russia upon Turkey is the displeasure with which the Czar regards the toleration and protection recently extended by the Turkish Government to protestant christians in Turkey; a measure of religious liberty which does not exist in Russia, and which, while rapidly multiplying the protestants in Turkey, is likely to hasten the scriptual reformation of those churches of which the emperor Nicholas assumes to be the supreme protector. It may be justly anticipated that the hoped for removal of oppression from the chris

tians of Turkey, and their immunity from constraint and persecution will be a great help to the progress of the gospel; and that the Mahommedans, when they see the christians equal to themselves in political and social privileges, will be more inclined than formerly to examine and admit the claims of our holy religion.

The American Episcopalian Missionary Society some years ago had a Bishop and several other Missionaries at Constantinople. The object of this Mission was to endeavour to promote a reformation of the churches of the East; but the project was abandoned, and the Mission withdrawn.

The American Board of Missions and the Free Church of Scotland have Missions to the Jews in Constantinople; and the London Society for promoting the Gospel among the Jews, has also a Mission at Bucharest in Wallachia; and, together with the Church Missionary Society, extends its labours to other parts of the empire, especially Syria and Palestine.

CHINA.

RECAPTURE OF AMOY.-THE MISSION

HOSPITAL.

DURING six months of the past year, the city of Amoy was the scene of the strangest vicissitudes, having been captured by a body of the insurgents, and again, after a protracted and deadly struggle, retaken by the Imperialists. The incidents of the successive sieges were of a varied, though painful interest, but our limited space will admit only of a brief summary.

On the 18th May, an isolated band of insurgents, members of the "Triad Society," arrived before the city, and after a faint opposition, and with the sacrifice of no more than ten lives, entered it in triumph. The new masters of Amoy, though not professing the religious tenets which so remarkably distinguish the main body of insurgents, appear to have used their victory with singular moderation. But their tenure of power was short. By the 25th of August the Imperialists had re-collected their scattered forces, and made formidable preparations for dislodging the insurgents, when, after a series of assaults which took place between that time and the 11th November, the city was retaken, and the Imperial standard once more planted on its walls. Besides the casualities that occurred during the siege, hundreds of the defeated party were, at the close of the contest, massacred by the victors. But the carnage would have been incalculably greater, had it not been

for the presence and active interference of the Missionaries and other foreign resi dents; indeed, the native inhabitants of Amoy have borne unvarying and grateful testimony that, but for the residence of foreigners among them, their city would have been reduced to ruins.

By the wonderful providence of God, our missionary brethren and their families were, throughout these scenes of excitement and imminent peril, preserved from all injury; their persons and property were indeed fully respected by the belligerents on both sides; but their dwelling houses, being much exposed, were repeatedly perforated by the round and grape shot of the assailants.

While these stirring events were in progress, there was frequently a large attendance, chiefly of insurgents, upon the religious services in the hospital chapel: but, since the cessation of hostilities, the inhabitants have returned with renewed zest to their usual occupations, and evince little disposition to recognize the hand of God in their deliverance.

It is, however, pleasing to add, that the members of the native church have continued to maintain their christian profession, and are exemplary in their attendance on the means of grace.

Mr. Hirschberg, medical missionary, formerly of Hong Kong, having joined the Amoy mission in June last, entered into arrangements soon after his arrival for opening a hospital, which was brought into full operation on the 18th of August. -Missionary Magazine.

MISSIONARY ANNIVERSARY.

BIRMINGHAM.-On Lord's-Day, March 19th, the Rev. J. Buckley delivered two excellent sermons in aid of the missions, and also gave an address to the children of the Sunday Schools. On the following evening the public meeting was held, at which Mr. Alderman Ratcliff presided, and the Revs. J. Buckley, G. Cheatle, J. Lewitt, T. Swan, C. Vince, and P. Sibree, took part in the proceedings. Mr. Cheatle on laying the subscription list before the meeting, remarked, that though some of the early friends of the mission had paid their last subscription, and entered upon their reward in heaven, God in his providence had raised up others to aid the sacred missionary cause. This was a wellattended meeting, and the people went from it joyful and glad of heart. The income of the year amounted to upwards of £57.

WE are assembled, christian brethren, on a solemn occasion. The heart of the whole kingdom is awakened, and the attention and sympathies of the whole civilized world are excited, by the events which this day call us together. Entering on a conflict, as a nation, in earnest association with a neighbouring state, with the most powerful despotism in Europe-a despotism that has already crushed the liberties of many nations, and destroyed the hopes and the lives of many millions of men, and which threatens, if unrebuked, to swallow up the liberties, and to blight the hopes of mankind; we are called by the command of our sovereign, and by the impulse of our own free choice, to come before Almighty God, and to pour out our hearts before him, that he, who is the Governor of the nations, may touch the heart and change the mind of the despotic monarch, who is the cause of all this affliction; or, if this may

not be, that he will give wisdom to the councils of our sovereign, protect her armies and her fleets in the hour of conflict, and speedily bring to us and to the world the benefits and blessings of a lasting peace.

That this war has been entered on by our government under a sense of the highest political obligation, and for the purpose of repressing a deliberate and wanton aggression made by a haughty, wily, and perfidious tyrant, upon civilization, freedom, and religion, is a statement which few will dispute; and that our rulers have made use of every honourable means to bring the Autocrat of Russia to abandon his unjust and ambitious purpose, without an appeal to arms, none will have the temerity to deny. Still, war is a very fearful and calamitous thing; and as we recognize the over-ruling power of Almighty God among the nations, and are sensible of our entire dependence on him for our security,

strength, and prosperity, and for every blessing, whether temporal or spiritual, which we enjoy, it is well for us to humble ourselves at his feet, to deplore our numerous errors and deficiencies as a people, and to seek that his mercy and grace may not be withheld from our land; that he "who judgeth righteously," and "whose countenance doth behold the upright," may favour us with his presence and grace, crown our efforts with success, out of this confusion and conflict bring order and peace, and teach all nations "that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men," and that "the shields of the earth belong unto God."

As we have arranged to have two services, I purpose this morning, by a reference to the Scripture I have selected, to shew with what ease Almighty God can humble and subdue a haughty despot; and in the evening to lead your attention to some of the sentiments which it is becoming for us to cherish under our present circumstances.*

I.—The monarch referred to in our text was Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He was, at the time of the events related in this chapter, in the quiet possession of an immense empire. His father, Nabopolassar, a bold and successful warrior, had overcome the old empire of Assyria, and destroyed Nineveh; and he, during a reign of more than thirty years, had extended his conquests, and consolidated his dominions, so as to render Babylon, his capital, the treasure house of the nations, and the wonder of the world. Assyria, Chaldea, Arabia, Egypt, Lybia, Palestine, Syria, and perhaps Asia Minor, were included in his wide dominions. He was now 66 at rest in his house and flourishing in his palace." No enemy rose to disturb him, his con

*The latter address will be given in a future number.-ED.

quests were complete, his ambition satiated, and his magnificent works, and the wealth around him, attested the grandeur of his dominion. In the attainment of this dignity, and the accumulation of this wealth, it little occurred to him how much crime had been committed, how many myriads had been slaughtered, what havoc had been made among the nations he had plundered, captivated, and enslaved. No: the cries of the bereaved, and the tears of the expatriated, were not in his thoughts. The groans of the despoiled and the ruined are but music in a despot's ear. His ease and prosperity were built on the pains and adversity of the millions by whom he was surrounded.

In Nebuchadnezzar do we not discover a prototype or exemplar of Nicholas? What has been the policy, and the progress of this man and his house? Without entering into historic particulars, is it not obvious to remark that he is encircled by nations he has expatriated and enslaved? The kingdom of Poland in the West; the territory of Finland on the North; parts of Tartary, of Persia, of Turkey, on the South, besides many other peoples that he has absorbed in his extended empire. What misery, what bloodshed, what exhaustion of all hope, and what destruction of life and of all the vital interests of men, have been inflicted on the nations to raise his throne to its present state! Yet in all this, and after all this, he was "at rest in his house, and flourishing in his palace." So, at times, does an inscrutable providence permit "the basest of men" to acquire dominion and be at ease.

II.-Nebuchadnezzar was disturbed in his tranquility; and that by a dream. God sometimes speaks to man in this way. Not that every dream is from him. "A dream cometh," says Solomon, "through the