In 2 Kings vi. 18-23, we are told of a Syrian army coming up with the determination to destroy Elisha, and enslave Samaria and its king. But the prophet's prayer was heard, the army were smitten with blindness, and then led on helplessly to Samaria, and set down in the very heart of the city, surrounded by armed men whose swords and spears were ready to be plunged into their hearts. But God taught Israel that day a more excellent way. He first opened the eyes of this host of enemies to see their awful position, amid drawn swords and pointed spears, in the hands of a people whom they had intended cruelly to destroy. But next, he bade Israel prepare, not death, but life, for their bitter foes! He bade Israel spread a feast for these Syrians! Great provision accordingly was made for them,-they ate and drank on that spot where they expected to die! And being thus treated as friends, all unexpectedly and undeservingly, when quite at the mercy of those who behaved so generously and brotherly, the Syrians' heart was melted, their emnity dissolved,-they departed, and 'came no more into the land of Israel."

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Is not this a picture of the manner in which our God deals with sinners in subduing them to himself? The Holy Spirit opens their eyes that they may see their position,-"in the hands of the living God," whose anger they have provoked, whose judgments they have called down on themselves, who might in a moment say, "Depart, ye cursed." And then he shows God's gracious dealing: "He has not requited our ill," but has set before us the rich provision of pardon, righteousness, life eternal, love, in the gospel of his beloved Son. Can you know and believe this, and yet not be moved and subdued? But here is a more recent case. Tamatoe, the king of one of the

Huahine, embraced the gospel.

In the year 1818, South Sea islands, Some of the heathen

islanders resolved on the destruction of him, and of those who, with him, had become followers of Christ. The enemy laid their plan, and had purposed to burn to death those whom they seized. But the plot was discovered; the small band of Christians were on the shore in readiness to meet their foes as they leaped from their canoes, and soon gained a complete victory. And now these heathens looked for nothing but death, and that a cruel death. How great, then, was their surprise when the Christians assured their disarmed and helpless captives that they meant not to touch a hair of their head, because Jesus had taught them to treat kindly their bitterest foes! They went further, they prepared a sumptuous feast, and asked the captives to sit down and partake. Some of these were so amazed as to be unable to taste. At last one of them arose (one of the heathen leaders), declared himself no longer a follower of helpless idols, stated his cruel intentions had he been successful, but that this utterly unlooked-for kindness of the Christians had fairly overcome him, so that he could only admire their humanity and mercy. The result of all was, that in three days not an idol was to be found in the island; for the heathen were melted by all this kindness, and joined the Christians.

Might we not say, as is written in 2 Kings vi. 23, "So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel?" And, may we not say, Come and see in this mirror the gospel of the grace of God? for thus it is that the Holy Spirit acts in converting souls. He makes them know and feel their helplessness, lays them at the Lord's feet, and then shows them the provision made for sinners, even the chief, in the Lord Jesus. He shows them the blood of the Son of God to cleanse them, the righteousness of God-man to clothe them, the fulness of Jesus,—and all free, so free that they have only to accept and be blessed.

Amazing grace! Go, tell it to all men ! Go, tell it to the heathen and the Jew, for this is the story that, when the Spirit is there, moves the soul to a repentance like Peter's; to a blessed sorrow like the woman's who washed Christ's feet; to a faith like the jailor's; to a happiness like the Ethiopian eunuch's, who went on his way rejoicing; to love like the love that constrained Saul of Tarsus to watch for souls night and day with tears, till he finished his course with joy.

"SHALL I KNOW YOU IN HEAVEN?"

WHEN I was among the Choctaw Indians in 1848 (says a missionary), I spent a Sabbath at Good Land. In the afternoon the dying love of Christ was commemorated, one hundred and twenty Choctaws sitting down, then and there, to the table of our blessed Lord. On that occasion I addressed to them such words of exhortation and encouragement as seemed to be appropriate. When the service closed, nearly all came forward and gave me the right hand of fellowship. As I was about to leave their humble church, a Choctaw took me by the hand, looked earnestly into my face and said, "Shall I know you in heaven?" I replied, that I thought he would. He gave me another look, pressed my hand, and passed away. I saw him no more.

BE FRIENDS WITH FELLOW TRAVELLERS. PASSENGERS by land or water usually try to be friendly, that they may make their journey agreeable. We are all on a journey to eternity; why cannot we always try to make it as pleasant as possible?

DAHOMEY AND ITS HORRORS.

THE great sacrifices commenced on Sunday, July the 29th, 1860. The night before, the whole population slept at the king's gate, and at five o'clock in the morning rose to weep, with a pretended lamentation, for some ten minutes. Before it was concluded one hundred men had been slain, besides the same number of women within the palace. These proceedings continued for three weeks, during which it is said that not less that two thousand human beings were thus cruelly murdered. day the heads might be seen piled up at the gate of the king's palace, sometimes ninety, sometimes sixty, the blood flowing on the ground like a flood. In the midst of all this the king glorified himself, assuming royal titles, and throwing cowries and pieces of cloth among the people to be struggled for.

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When shall these abominations cease? How true it is that the "dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty!" A dark place is this kingdom of Dahomey. Its king is a human butcher, and his palace the shambles.-Church Missionary Gleaner.

ACCUSTOMED TO DIRT.

A VILE course of life is like a man on a journey. At first he doesn't like a little dirt, but let him go on and he will care less for being bespattered all over.

INDIA.

MADRAS.

Village Preaching-Thiruporur.

THE residence of Murugun, the head of the Andees, (beggars). This is a place of great resort for pilgrims once a month. What Veeraagavulu is at Tiruvullore for Vishnuvites, Subramuniyen, alias Murugun, is for the Sivavites at Thiruporur. He is the physician-general of the Sivavites. We placed ourselves near his car-stand, and in less than five minutes upwards of three hundred devotees assembled to hear what we had to say. An opportunity like this seldom offers itself. So that all the brethren tried to improve it according to the grace given them. "Man is lost" was the first topic to which we called their attention. "Come to Jesus" was the next topic we introduced. Here was the chief difficulty, they felt that if they believed this the ancient temple with its gold idols must be forsaken. They began to plead therefore of the power of their gods to redeem them as well as Christ. The conversation next turned upon the kind of Mediator we require. Our ideas were entirely new to them. In the first place they saw no reason why we needed a Mediator, and when the reason was given, they did not see why a God-man was required to be our Mediator. This gave us an opportunity to expatiate very fully on the necessity for a Divine Saviour. This