a work which has called forth the enthusiastic approval of all classes, both Christian and Mohammedan. We are glad to know that her sister, Miss Jane Whately, is to take up and carry on the work so happily begun.

INDIA.

THE TELUGU MISSION - The remarkable work carried on by the American Baptist Missionary Union among the Telugus is still a cause for surprise and gratitude. It is reported that since the beginning of 1889 there have been over 1,000 baptisms in the Ongole district and 471 in the Vinukonda district. Dr. Clough, of Ongole, reports the baptism by himself of 420 during the month of February. He sends the following striking account of a visit at Ravalporum, a village thirty miles from Ongole. When he reached the village, on account of peculiar circumstances, he pitched his tent at a spot where, unknown to himself at the time, a fakir some twenty-five years before had prophesied that a teacher from God would at some time pitch his tent, who would bring a message to the people from God. It seems this fakir who made the prophecy ordered the people to keep three big pots of ghee (clarified butter), and give them over to the teachers whom God would send them. So when Dr. Clough pitched his tent on the designated spot, the people brought the pots of ghee and asked him what he was going to do with them. He took them, and stuffing old rags into each of the pots, lighted them, making a grand blaze throughout the night. This attracted the people and they came in crowds, and the golden opportunity was seized for preaching Christ. Hundreds heard the word of salvation in the light of this blaze, before which idols were brought out and broken in pieces. The preaching was continued until dawn, and for some days subsequently. It was a remarkable scene, and it is believed many saving impressions were produced.

66

POLYNESIA.

SOCIETY ISLANDS. These islands have passed under the dominion of France, though the people are in some cases refusing to submit to the inevitable. The Chronicle of the London Society reports that it has become evident to their directors that none but French Protestant missionaries can carry on work in the islands of Huahiue and Raiatea. The Paris Missionary Society has been asked to take the responsibility of the missionary work begun in both the Society Islands and the Loyalty Islands. In this connection we may give the testimony of Rev. William E. Richards in regard to what he himself has recently received on Raiatea, which is in striking contrast with the state of things before missionary work was begun there. He says:— A few weeks ago I stood on the sacrificial altar of Opoa, a district of Raiatea. Eighty years ago human sacrifices were offered on that very altar to the cruel god Oro, to appease his wrath. His altars here are broken down, the sacred stones are overgrown with lichens and mosses, and now numerous land-crabs wax fat among the stones and bright little lizards dart in and out among the crevices. Last Sunday our beautiful island church on Raiatea was full to overflowing. More than a thousand people sang heartily their hymns to Christ, and after the service five hundred, out of a membership of seven hundred, joined together in taking the sacrament. After the evening service, our king, Tamatoa VI, joined us in presenting our firstborn to Christ in Christian baptism."

NEW HEBRIDES.

A RECENT report from these islands states that the French priest who settled near Meli has taken his departure. Mr. Mackenzie gives a striking account of the efforts to introduce the gospel at this island of Meli. It is only two years since visits were regularly paid to the people, but they were much averse to the coming of the missionaries. They drove them out and said to them, "If you come back, we will kill you."

But when they went back the people said to each other, "They are just like pigs: we drive them away, and when we turn our backs, they return." Again and again Mr. Mackenzie visited them; on one Sabbath he found few of them at home, but after waiting some time a native came running toward him, brandishing his club. He was drunk, however, and after a time he quieted down and the service was held. The next Sabbath a native interrupted the service by calling for an axe to split up the missionary's boat. Then he approached with a musket saying, “I am coming to shoot the missionary." Mr. Mackenzie continued preaching, but kept his eye on the man, who soon interrupted him. Mr. Mackenzie then went up to him, put his arm around his neck, told him he could not shoot him if he would. The man hung his head and said, "I do not want to shoot you; it was the older people who told me to do it." Later on he admitted that there had been an attempt made to take the missionary's life, but a little after this he brought some gifts to the missionary. The next Sunday a native struck a blow with his fist on the back of the missionary's head, and called for a tomahawk, but friendly natives interfered. The brave missionary keeps on with his work, visiting the islands occasionally, and believes that before long he will gain an entrance to the hearts of the people.

CHINA.

THE HELPLESSNESS OF HEATHENISM. - Mr. Ross, of Chinag Chiu, sends to the Chronicle of the London Society an account of the fearful epidemic of cholera which had been raging in that city, so that for weeks hundreds of people were dying daily. With no sanitary protection, and the air filled with poisonous disease, the condition of affairs was truly terrible. The customary ceremonies for the dead were dispensed with; at times no coffins were used, and the general populace was panic-stricken. In the midst of all this commotion and fear most of the native Christians were calm, and the city church has not lost a member. A native pastor at Chang Chow reports that when the epidemic reached that city the mandarin ordered several hundred soldiers to fire off guns for the purpose of scattering the "epidemic ghosts." As this was of no avail, a proclamation was issued ordering that the people eat no meat for seven days, and “live on vegetable diet, and beg health of the spirits." All sorts of enchantments were tried; carved images of the gods were borne in a procession with beating of gongs and drums. "Red cloth, flags, swords, and guns innumerable were every day in use. The banging and rattling were terrible, and those who had no gong made use of their brass washbasins, and some used brass looking-glasses." The wailing all over the city was oppressive. Here as at Chiang Chiu, only a few of the Christians were carried off by the disease. The church was constant in prayer, and was remarkably kept in safety and in peace.

BOOKS RECEIVED.

Songs of Praise. With Tunes. Compiled and edited by Lewis Ward Mudge. A. S. Barnes & Co.

A volume containing 503 hymns, with 325 tunes, is specially adapted for chapel use. This is in the valuable series of hymnbooks prepared by Doctors Hitchcock and Eddy, of which Carmina Sanctorum was the first to appear.

The Gospel of St. Matthew in Formosan (Sin kang
Dialect). With corresponding versions in Dutch and
English. Edited from Gravius's edition of 1661, by
Rev. Wm. Campbell, M.R.A.S., English Presbyterian
Mission. London: Trubner & Co.

This is an elegantly printed volume, and is a singular reminder of the missionary enterprise on Formosa commenced 250 years ago by the Reformed Church of Holland. The translation make by Gravius in 1661 apparently availed nothing at the time, on account of the destruction of the mission through the Chinese invasion, which drove the Hollanders away. The version is now issued, with the Dutch in parallel column, and the English at the bottom of the page. In connection with this publication the Reformed Church of Holland is invited to enter anew upon missionary work in Formosa.

SPECIAL TOPIC FOR PRAYER.

Notes for the Month.

With hearty thanks for the many revivals which have blessed our missions during the present year, especially in China and Japan, let there be earnest prayer that the special influences of the Spirit may be continued; that the native preachers and teachers may be more fully endued with the power from on high; that the recent converts may be wisely instructed, and may be kept in the hour of temptation and persecution; and that this wave of revival influence may reach all mission lands.

DEPARTURES.

June 1. From Boston, Rev. Wilberforce Lee and Rev. H. A. Cotton and wife, to join the West
Central African Mission.

June 1. From New York, Miss Gertrude R. Hance, returning to the Zulu Mission; also, Miss
Martha H. Pixley, daughter of Rev. S. C. Pixley, of the Zulu Mission, and Miss Mary E.
McCormack, to join the same mission.

June 15. From Boston, Miss Mary A. C. Ely, returning to Van, Eastern Turkey.

ARRIVALS IN THE UNITED STATES,

May 23. At New York, Rev. James E. Tracy and wife, of the Madura Mission.

May 26. At Boston, Mrs. Fannie M. Newell, of the Western Turkey Mission.

May 28. At San Francisco, Rev. W. P. Sprague and wife, of the North China Mission.

May 10. At San Francisco, Miss Ella J. Newton, of the Foochow Mission.

ARRIVALS AT STATIONS.

April 26. At Guadalajara, Western Mexico, Miss Belle M. Haskins.

April 29 (?). At Tientsin, North China, Rev. James H. Roberts and wife, Rev. H. W. Fraser and wife, and Miss Mary S. Morrill.

For the Monthly Concert.

[Topics based on information given in this number of the Herald.]

1. What one hundred dollars will do in China. (Page 273.)