stroke, on the right side of the neck, which almost severed the head from the body; and the others, rushing from their concealment, quickly cut their poor victim to pieces. "While this tragedy was being enacted, another native, whose name was 'Ouben,' ran towards the mission house, and Mrs. Gordon, who had been alarmed by the fiendish yells and laughter of the savages, had run out, and was standing near an out-house. She asked Ouben what all that noise was about? He laughed, and said, 'Nothing; it is only the boys amusing themselves.' She said, 'Where are the boys?' and turned round. Ouben then, with the tomahawk, which he carried behind his back, struck her a blow below the shoulder blade; and, on her falling on a heap of grass, he nearly cut the head off, and otherwise mutilated her in various parts of the body.

"Such was the fate of two of God's most zealous servants. It is now four years since Mr. Gordon and his wife arrived here-namely, 14th June 1857-and during this time they have laboured hard among the rude and ferocious Erromangans with little apparent success.'

Mr. Macfarlane, who was on the spot immediately afterward, goes on to write :

"I then went and selected a spot for the grave; it is situated on the right bank of the river, near the spot where Williams was killed, and over-shadowed by cocoanut and banana trees. In the morning I made two coffins, in which the bodies were placed, and at two o'clock we carried them to the burying-place. There, at my request, a native named Mana,' who had been for some time at the Samoan Institution, and who acted as a teacher under Mr. Gordon, conducted the services. A hymn having been sung, he gave an address, which, to judge from the effects visibly produced, must have been deeply felt; and a prayer having been offered up to Almighty God, the bodies were consigned to the earth.

"It was deeply interesting for me to witness the emotion exhibited by a native standing next to me, who seemed to be utterly overcome by grief; yet this very man, in 1839, murdered another of God's labourers, John Williams. The tears and lamentations of all present at the interment it was painful to witness."

DURING Mr. Jean Ounkovsky's stay in Japan with the frigate Askold, of which he was captain, a Japanese, a clever man and one who sought instruction, rendered him some service. To express his gratitude, Mr. Ounkovsky made him a present of a crystal vase; but struck with his intelligence, it occurred to Mr. Ounkovsky to ask him if he would like to read the Testament in the Chinese language. The laws of Japan prohibit the reading of the gospel to the natives under pain of death; nevertheless, the Japanese received the book with pleasure, and promised to return it very speedily. Accordingly, at the end of five days he came to Mr. Ounkovsky, and entreated him with tears in his eyes to give him the Testament. "No," said Mr. Ounkovsky, "I cannot leave this book with you, notwithstanding the pleasure it would give me. I will not do it, as I fear for your head." "Ah,” exclaimed the Japanese, "if I had three heads instead of one, I would willingly sacrifice them for the happiness of possessing it! I never thought that any human tongue could speak as this book. I feel myself quite another man now-it is as if I were born for a new life, a new light."

This is what is said of the gospel by an idolater, one well versed in the tenets of a most bigoted sect-that of Buddha. We may imagine with what joy Mr. Ounkovsky made him a present of the Testament, with the following words: "Do not expose your life inconsiderately; but if you are put to death for the reading of this book, it is certain that the benefits you have derived from it are incomparably more precious than the life of which you may be deprived."

If it is sweet and edifying to hear the words of this

Japanese idolater, ought we not to study earnestly the Great Book for ourselves?-The Book and its Mission.

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HOW TO TURN AWAY WRATH.

LAST Thursday, Mr. Williams, our Turkish preacher, was in his hired garden, where he has a wash-house. Opposite to his garden is another, belonging to a Greek. Fifteen soldiers coming up the road between, ran into the Greek's garden. Some climbed upon mulberry-trees and shook them, others picked up the ripe fruit below, and all began to eat. The Greek's neighbours seeing this became excited, and most inconsiderately seized clubs and even guns, and ran to attack the soldiers Mr. W, seeing that bloodshed was coming, and noticing the fright of the people in his garden, ran out, and in a decided tone of voice called the soldiers out from that field. They came, apparently expecting that he would lead them on against the Greeks. But he invited them into his garden, and showing them some of his mulberry-trees, told them, "Climb up there, shake them, and eat as much as you want." This invitation was cheerfully accepted. you want bread to your mulberries?" Mr. W"Yes," they replied. And now he made them sit down in three circles, five soldiers in each, and treated them courteously with bread and fruit. Meantime the Greek's neighbours came in, all cooled down, and beheld in silence. And now Mr. W began to preach to both parties about God, about love, mutual good feeling, and forbearance, &c. At last the soldiers went away inuch gratified, and the Greeks (there were about fifty persons there) said, "You have kept us this day from shedding blood, and bringing upon ourselves incalculable evil. We are infinitely obliged to you. Come and see us in our houses."

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asked.

This happened in a week of excitement, when a contest commenced thus carelessly, for a worthless trifle, might have brought on the destruction of much life and property; for there was no telling where it would have stopped then.-Rev. Dr. Schauffler, Constantinople.

I WAS visiting lately a little girl, a dear lamb of the Shepherd's flock, and one whom He seems to be carrying in his bosom.

Wondering at the unvarying peace which her countenance and words always expressed, I ventured to ask her, when speaking about the Saviour's legacy to his disciples, if the sweet peace which Jesus had given her was never ruffled or disturbed. "O yes," she said; "I lose it when I sin. It gives me such a sore pain here," she continued, laying her hand on her breast, whilst her eyes slowly filled with tears, "when I fret or murmur, and forget all that the Lord bore for me." "And what do you do then, to regain your peace?" said I. "I confess my sin, and ask God to pardon me," she replied.

"And do you know when He has forgiven you?" I continued; supposing she would tell of the pain at her heart removed, and a renewed assurance of pardon shed abroad there.

Her answer rebuked me,-0 that I knew more of the child-like simplicity of the faith which it manifested-a faith which looked wholly to God's word, and not at all to inward frames and feelings. Turning her eyes upon me, and speaking slowly, she replied,-"He says, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity. He says, I will cast all your sins behind my back; your sins and your iniquities will I remember no more.

He says! That is quite enough for faith. "Hath He said it, and will He not do it!"-He, whose very name is Truth.

Truly out of the mouth of babes and sucklings God perfects praise, and shows us how it is that if we receive not the kingdom of God as a little child we shall in no wise enter therein.-British Messenger.

A FEW SIGNS.

SOLOMON Said many centuries ago, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." When I see a boy in haste to spend every penny as soon as he gets it, I think it a sign that he will be a spendthrift.

When I see a boy or girl always looking out for him or herself, and disliking to share good things with others, I think it a sign that the child will grow up a very selfish

person.

When I see boys and girls often quarrelling, I think it a sign that they will be violent and hateful men and

women.

When I see a little boy willing to take strong drink, I think it a sign that he will be a drunkard.

When I see a boy who never attends to the services of religion, I think it a sign that he will be a profane and profligate man.

When I see a child obedient to his parents, I think it a sign of great future blessings from his Heavenly Parent.

And though changes sometimes take place in the character, yet, as a general rule, these signs do not fail.