What tree? It was nothing less than the tree- the root- - of self and selfishness! What this good fruit is he tells us in the 11th verse: 'He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat (food), let him do likewise.' Where now remains the tenth?" he exclaimed. "Under the new dispensation, not one tenth merely, but one HALF is required!" (At this announcement there was an evident sensation in the audience; many a face lighted up with a smile, as the electric current shot through the assembly). The preacher continued: "Read now the 6th of Luke, 38th verse. 'Give, and it shall be given unto you.' Give, and you shall have the wherewithal to give! Shut your hand and your heart, and you shut the windows of heaven ; you keep back the blessing of God. See what Christ says in Luke 12: 33. 'Sell that ye have and give alms,' &c., which means - consider yourselves as stewards of God's grace on the earth; seeking your inheritance in the world to come. You are to set light store by your earthly possessions, and lay up treasure in heaven. Now read Luke 14: 33." Slowly and solemnly the preacher repeated the words of the Master, "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not ALL that he hath, he CANNOT be my disciple!' Ah, my brethren,” he said, "it is not merely a tenth, or even a half of our worldly possessions that Christ claims, it is our ALL! Think upon the meaning of those words. It is thus He speaks to you: 'If you wish to be my disciple, you must count the cost! You cannot serve two masters. You must give up everything that the children of this world seek after. You must hold yourselves aloof from your earthly possessions, (the Armenian version of the text quoted from Luke 14: 33), holding to them loosely, setting your affections on things above. Your comfort, pleasure, honor, ease, yea, your very life, you must esteem as nothing in comparison with my service! And in thus losing all you will find ALL, and that forever.'

"Open your Bibles at Matthew 19: 29, and Mark 10: 29, and the glorious promise to those who truly 'forsake all' for Christ and his cause. See," exclaimed Hohannes, after solemnly repeating the passage, "see how rich the reward! A hundred-fold in this life, and life everlasting beside! Now open at Luke 19th, read from the 2d to the 10th verse. Note the words of Zaccheus : The half of my goods I give to the poor'. and mark the answer of our Saviour. But what say you? Is salvation to be bought with money? We all know that it is without money, without price.' Why then this blessing upon Zaccheus ?" "Because," answered one of the congregation, "the giving was the fruit of his faith!" "Yes," rejoined the preacher, "Zaccheus brought forth fruit worthy of true repentance, and immediately received the promised blessing.

"Now let me tell you a story. the seminary, our teacher was very anxious that we who were soon to go forth as preachers, and perhaps become pastors, should work upon right principles; and he often talked to us of our duty, as leaders, to teach the people to do for themselves. He sometimes told us of places where much money (of the Board) had been expended by missionaries, and little real good accomplished, because the people had not been taught to give for Christ's cause. 'In one little vil

When I was in the class in sermonizing, in

lage,' he said, '40,000 piastres of the Board's money was spent, the people giving only 50 piastres during thirteen years! And the work in that place amounts to nothing, to-day, in consequence of this unwise course.'

"It so happened, that when my course of study was finished, I was appointed to that village. It was the last place I should have chosen. I had no desire to go to that field, but God had so ordered, and I went. The missionaries told me that my wages would be 1,500 piasters per year,* of which the people were to raise 600 piasters; and before I left, one of them took me aside, and counselled me to make it as easy for the people as possible, by eating at their houses, etc., etc., because it would come hard to them at first to do so much. Soon after I went there, a neighboring pastor came over to the village, and we held a meeting with the brethren. We talked about my support, and it seemed that they had, with much difficulty, subscribed 500 piasters per year. I told them the missionaries had said they would raise 600. Never!' they exclaimed, we cannot raise another para!' And pastor M. said it was impossible — they were too poor. Where then shall I get my other hundred?' I asked. 'We will help you from our place,' he answered.

6

6

"But my mind was not at rest. That night I thought much on the subject. I said to myself - 'Suppose the American Board should some day withdraw its support from this and other feeble churches, what will become of them?' And I prayed: 'O, Thou who knowest all things, and with whom are all plans, show thy ignorant servant how thy kingdom can best be established in this land.' And it seemed to me that a voice said, in my soul-'It can be done, by giving one in every ten!' When I thought it over, it occurred to me to test it first in my own case. One tenth of my 1,500 per year would be 150 piasters. No!' I said, 'I can't give as much as that; I should suffer for it.' But when I came to take it out of every month's allowance, it did not seem so much. 'One tenth of my 125 per month, will be 12 piasters; I can do it,' I said, 'and I will, even if I do have to pinch a little!' It happened that pastor visited us about that time, and I laid the subject before him. done,' he said, 'and it must be. I will give a tenth of my salary.' preacher who also came over. 'Well, then,' I said, 'do you think it will do for me to lay it before the brethren?' 'Yes,' they replied, 'it is the best thing you can do.' So I prepared myself and preached to the people on the next Sabbath. The Lord blessed his own word. They accepted it, and came together to be 'written' for their tithes. When we made a rough estimate it appeared that their tenths would amount to more than my entire salary! Why, how is this?' they all said; it was so hard before, but now it comes very easy, and is truly pleasant.'

9

'It can be

And so said

"Now, to show you how God blessed that little flock, I will mention one case. There was one of the brethren who had a vegetable garden, which the Turkish official, in writing down the taxes, had estimated at 900 piasters (for that year's produce), taxing him 90 piasters. Others said it was too much; it would not produce that amount. But mark the fulfillment of the promise in Malachi iii. 10. That brother sold 3,000 piasters worth of vegetables, besides what was eaten by a household of 32 persons, and given away-amounting to full 3,000 more. Others were also blessed, and all acknowledged that they had never known a year of such prosperity. The people not only supported their preacher and school-teacher, but also paid over 2,000 piasters for other purposes." The preacher was about to close his discourse, when a member of the con$60. The piaster is about four cents. † Hohannes has no family to support.

gregation arose, and asked permission to say a few words. "I have learned," he said, "from one of the missionaries, another truth which has great weight in this giving of one tenth of our income to the Lord. Under the old dispensation, the Jews were only required to care for their own nation, but under the new dispensation the command is, 'Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature!' Therefore a tenth is not enough for Christians to give.” To this the preacher responded: "A tenth is the very least that a disciple of Christ can give. Over and above that, he should give as God prospers him.” "And now," he added, "let us seek the aid of the Holy Spirit, that we, and all our offerings, may find acceptance before God."

To the foregoing account Miss West adds: "It is difficult to do justice to a scene and a sermon so unique. When that sightless man was led up into the pulpit, his appearance was any thing but attractive. He looked rough, and uncared-for; quite inferior in person. But he had a message from the Lord of hosts, and well did he deliver it; reminding one of the words: God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen,'

etc.

"It was worth much to see and hear one who had been so evidently taught of the Spirit, and made the honored instrument of laying a new foundationstone for the building of Christ's church throughout the world! For the new ray of light that dawned in that obscure village of Armenia, two years since, has begun to radiate from many distant points, and we believe that it will solve the problem of the support of Christian institutions in all lands, and hasten the day when the earth shall be filled with the glory of God. Well may every worker in foreign lands say, with Jesus: 'I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight.""

"ANOTHER CRY FOR HELP."

INTELLIGENCE is just received that Mr. Mitchell, who joined the Syria mission last year, reaching Beirut June 12, is constrained, by the state of his health, to leave the work and return to the United States. Mr. H. H. Jessup, of the mission, now in this country for the recovery of his health, on hearing of this, wrote to the Secretary of the Board, in the overflowing of his grief and solicitude, as follows::

"MY DEAR BROTHER,- What shall we do? Another wounded man brought to the rear; another gap in the Syrian ranks; another new missionary recruit on the field obliged to bear the knapsack and arms of his disabled comrade; another probability of a falling back all along the line; another piercing cry for help to save the Syria mission from utter collapse! Last spring, we needed three new, strong men. We found one, and now Mr. Mitchell's return to America leaves the want as great as ever. I confess that I cannot understand

the apathy of our young men. It is said that there is piety enough, and selfconsecration enough among them, but that they need some one to look them up and induce them to go abroad. I believe it is the duty of the young men of the Church of Christ to offer themselves to this work. It is not the Board's work that is to be done, nor the mission's work, but Christ's work. To him they

must answer -not to boards or societies. If it be said, 'Our Board is not managed to suit us, therefore we cannot go'; I would reply-Then go to other boards and societies, but do not rob the heathen of the gospel of Christ.

"It is a very critical time with the Syria mission. We must have immediate help or abandon a part of our field.... The pressure upon the brethren there is too great. They cannot stagger under such a load long. I feel like crying mightily unto the Lord. To whom else can we look in this our hour of need? "If it be his will that I return to Syria, I shall go strong in hope and with cheerful courage. During the past nine months, I have tried to do my duty in laying this subject before our Christian young men. I do not know how I could have done more. If I have sinned at all in this respect, I fear it has been in laboring at times beyond my strength. It has been a great privilege to meet so many earnest, praying Christians in all parts of the land, to receive such a cordial welcome everywhere, for the Master's sake, and to find some young men in our seminaries preparing for the work of preaching Christ to the heathen. I believe that the seed sown by so many missionaries and missionary officers among the youth of the American colleges and seminaries, during the past year, will yet spring up and bear fruit.

"Now we are in straits, but relief may come next year. Meantime, it becomes the brethren in all our missionary fields to husband their resources, economize their physical strength, and try to hold out until help comes. It will not do for us to surrender, or fall back, yet. Do write to the brethren to do only what they can with safety to health, and leave the rest undone. God does not require us to do other men's work."

LETTERS FROM THE MISSIONS.

Gaboon Mission.

(West Africa, near the Equator.)

Letter from Mr. BUSHNELL, May 27, 1868.

MR. BUSHNELL wrote to the Treasurer of the Board, soon after recovering from a serious illness, from which he was raised up just in season to nurse his wife, who, after her care of him, was herself brought down with fever. He refers to encouraging intelligence as to contributions to the mission cause in the United States, and goes on to say:

“I trust Christians will not be content with a liberal bestowment of their funds,

for the present exigencies of the missionary work call for larger and more precious gifts -even the choicest of their sons and

daughters. In time of war, sometimes, exemption from personal service can be purchased with money; but in this war for the moral conquest of the world, the Great Captain exempts no one whom he calls and qualifies for his service. I fear many Christian parents are withholding their sons and daughters, with the plea, 'Lord, accept my money instead;' and that many dear young men and women, whose names are on Christ's draft-roll, are saying, 'Pray have us excused, and we will make and give money to send others.' Oh that all, both

parents and children, might understand the blessedness of the work and the exalted privilege of being ambassadors for Christ to the perishing. His 'yoke is easy and his burden light;' and even his last great command is not grievous, but in keeping it there is great reward. How different will this whole matter seem to us on a dying-bed and in the light of eternity!

"From Du Chaillu's last book you get some faint idea of the terrible power of superstition and sin over the poor African slaves of Satan-willing slaves, who cling to their chains and refuse to let them be broken; but it is only an imperfect impression that you can get from any book. In order to understand it, you must come and dwell with them; see with your eyes, hear with your ears, and let your heart be pained; and then you will see that heathenism has not improved at all since Paul described it; but that, during these 1800 years, depraved heathen nature has been sinking lower and lower in spiritual darkness and moral degradation. Surely nothing less than a divine power can raise it up. We feel our utter impotence as we never have before, and cry mightily unto God. In addition to all the numerous difficulties arising from climate, etc., and far above them all, is the tendency to relapse -to continual backsliding—which we see in the African mind and heart. We educate a boy or girl, but they don't stay educated. We hope a man is converted, and our hopes are disappointed, for his goodness is like the morning cloud and early dew; not always, but so often as to test our patience and faith. Pray for us and for Africa, for we are reminded of our dear Saviour's words: 'This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.""

year. The meeting commenced on Wednesday evening, June 3, and was to close Sabbath evening, June 7. There was "preaching in the chapel every evening, by a missionary, to large audiences. During the day and evening of the first three days, the mission held its business sessions. The ladies and children of the mission also held several interesting meetings by themselves during the time. These were prayermeetings, the mothers' meeting, and the children's missionary meeting." The meeting, as a whole, was "pleasant and refreshing."

"Our pros

General State of the Work. pects of success in the work which we have been sent here to accomplish have never appeared brighter than at present, if we take into view the whole field. At every station there is encouragement. We do not forget the first ten or twelve years of our mission history, when it seemed as though the mission could hardly expect to exist for any considerable period. Nor do we forget how, in the second decade, those brethren who had lately commenced new stations found their patience tested by having to overcome prejudice against instruction, and consequent small attendance on preaching and teaching, and oftentimes studied inattention in those who were present, lest the truth should find a lodging place in their hearts. But though there is inattention now, in many cases, no doubt, from the same cause, yet the improvement in this respect is great.

"In 1851 there were 166 church members reported, in 1861 there were 283, in 1866, 365; and now, in 1868, there are 448 enrolled on our books, not including those who have died. To these we may add candidates for admission, and others who give evidence of interest in the truth. We may be said to have enlisted the first regiment here in the Lord's army, and we think we may count on assistance from those thus enlisted, to aid in bringing in General Letter FROM THE MISSION, June 6, multitudes from among their friends whom

Zulu Mission.

(South-eastern Africa, near Port Natal.)

1868.

THIS letter was written at Umvoti, where the mission was convened for its annual meeting, and presents a general view of the mission work for the previous

we should not otherwise gain.

"We are thus forming an expanding series in our church membership and our schools, and are increasing the attendance on preaching at most of the stations. And