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mighty wilderness. Westward stretches the bright Mediterranean, dividing the pleasant dwelling-places of Israel from that Europe upon whose destinies it was, and is, to exercise so important an influence. From almost every high point of the country the whole breadth is visible, from the long wall of the mountains of Moab, on the East, to the Great Sea, on the West. Stanley observes that the close proximity of these boundaries-the deep purple shade of the one, and the glittering waters of the other-makes it always possible for those two voices to be heard now as they were by the Psalmist, who exclaimed, "The sea is His, and He made it; the strength of the hills is His also." (Psalm xcv.)

Down the very centre of the land flows its one chief river, the Jordan. Issuing from the recesses of Hermon, and taking on its way several small tributary streams, it rushes through a narrow volcanic gorge to the Lake of Tiberias or Gennesaret. Through this inland sea it flows, and from thence passes, in a winding, tortuous course, to the Dead Sea. Concerning this river we shall speak in detail as we mentally journey on its banks; suffice to say here, it is unique on the surface of the globe. Its deep depression has absolutely no parallel, and the difference of level between the lake and the sea is so extraordinary as to have been the subject of much discussion. It is at least 600 to 660 feet. The whole length of the Jordan, from its fountain, in Dan, to the place where it enters the Dead Sea, is 92 miles in direct line. One more striking feature has to be noticed, and we may then conclude this preliminary sketch of Palestine. The land has been designated as not merely mountainous, but as a mass of mountains rising from a level seacoast on the West and a level desert on the East, only cut asunder by the Valley of the Jordan, North to South, and by that of Jezreel from East to West. The result of this peculiarity is, that not merely the hill-tops, but the valleys and plains of the interior of Palestine, are themselves so high above the level of the sea as to partake of all the main characteristics of mountainous history and scenery. Jerusalem is of nearly the same elevation as the highest ground in England, and most of the chief cities of the land are several hundred feet above the sea. (Stanley.)

We shall have occasion afterwards to refer to the glowing imagery employed with reference to the mountains and hills of Judæa, and to describe them more closely. Suffice now to say that this peculiar conformation produces a remarkable arrangement of plains, such as no other country can show, and which have a more important bearing on its history than even the mountains themselves.

The vast plains of Esdraclon, the pleasant uplands of Sharon, the wild expanses of Moab, and the dread levels of Sodom find prominent places throughout the changeful records of Immanuel's Land.

Having now sketched with a light touch the general outlines and configuration of Palestine, we will leave our readers to fix them upon their minds, and next month, with the Editor's permission, will make our start to localities familiar to us from childhood as to incident, but unknown as to position, ancient history and achievement. M. E. N.

1873.

Missionary Entelligence of the British Society.

EUROPEAN.

ROME.

DR. PHILIP reports that he is still unsettled, owing to the extreme difficulty of procuring a suitable dwelling on any terms. He has searched the city and suburbs, but as yet in vain. He has been forbidden to preach in the streets, owing to opposition from various quarters, but can testify boldly in the synagogues, where he is cordially received, although much opposition to truth is manifested. Still, many listen to the message of salvation.

Exclaiming on one occasion that there would be but little change among the Jews except they received Christ as their Messiah, one of the more respectable of the audience, an old man of the nation, who collected money for their school, immediately quoted, “Hear oh Israel! the Lord thy God is one Lord," &c. "This," Dr. Philip proceeds, "I replied is exactly our creed. But God is just and holy; a sacrifice is required for sin, and we believe Christ is that sacrifice. 'No Christ, no Christ,' he exclaimed. 'Why not Christ?' said a young Jew, stepping forward, 'perhaps He is the Messiah indeed.' 'No, no,' replied the old gentleman, ‘if He had been Messiah they would not have put Him to death.' 'That was the very way,' said I, 'by which He became the sacrifice for sin; according to the ancient word Messiah should be cut off, not for Himself, but for the iniquities of My people.' The old Jew loudly shouted, 'No! no!' but the young one said, 'Yes! yes! these are the very words of the prophet.' Then the first grew angry, and said, 'Will you become a Meshumath?' 'No,' he replied, ‘but I will believe Christ as the Messiah, and the only sacrifice for our sins.""

In a subsequent letter Dr. Philip reports that he has found rooms, but at the enormous rental of 375 francs per month. He believes there are none to be had in all Rome for less, nor even for this sum, except, of course, in the narrow and unsuitable streets. He has taken them for six months.

This mission to the Jews in Rome is of so important a character, that we commend it especially to the prayers of our readers. A wide and an effectual door is opened, and there are many adversaries. Besides this the expense of the mission is great, and funds are needful to carry it on. It would seem to be the best and most economical plan to purchase a house of our own. Land and property of all kinds is very valuable, and is yearly increasing. 'If the British Society could obtain premises for its missionary, services could be held there, and a locus standi be gained, whilst the property would always realise more than its cost. It may be that the good Lord will open the hearts of some, to whom He has committed the talent of abundant means, to faciliate this desirable movement, and to enable the Committee to prosecute the mission in the old world's capital city, where Paul witnessed, and where many of the noble army of martyrs died for Jesus' sake.

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HEIDELBERG.

MR. BRUNNER reports that on his return to this city, after an absence, he finds a determined and organised opposition among the Jews resident therein. They combine to prevent him obtaining lodgings; they oppose every movement he makes, and he is very uncomfortable. He writes for advice, and fears he must shake the dust of his feet against a place which is so hostile to the message, as to the messenger of God.

The Committee will prayerfully consider the circumstances, and all must join in the earnest supplication that the mission may not thus be forced to come to an end.

BRESLAU.

MR. SCHWARTZ complains of the increase of expenses and house-rent. This is becoming general over the continent, and it is well our friends should be aware of the fact, that they may increase their efforts to enable us to go forward notwithstanding. Our missionary says, during last half-year his rent has been twice materially raised. This is very serious. Our friend is full of zeal, and we believe much seed is being sown here. We shall give details another day.

NUREMBERG.

HERE Mr. Jaffe is labouring in word and doctrine, and in this old Mediæval city, once so famous, and still so interesting, is proclaiming to the thousands of Jews the crucified One whom they and their fathers rejected.

He reports the same story as to daily increasing expenses of living, and of all else, saying the city is becoming in this respect a second Paris."

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Mr. Jaffe has been fifteen years in Nuremberg and surrounding country; he has been during that time, he states, "familiar with thousands of Jews, and the Lord has graciously owned and blessed my labours."

He has recently published in one of the foreign newspapers, principally read by Jews, several articles "in defence of our holy religion," and testifying of Jesus. He says they get into the hands of a class of Jews to whom no missionary has access, and to those swallowed up in business pursuits.

STUTTGARD.

MR. GOTTHEIL is very busy in arranging a new edition of a little book of Old Testament texts, arranged in daily portions for Jewish use. He attaches much importance to this, and both the Religious Tract Society and our Committee are assisting in the work of publication. It is named the "Lebensbrod," and is to be brought out in German-Hebrew. Mr. Gottheil states, "Great care in the translation shall not be wanting, and I must plead for any imperfection the indulgence of those who can have no notion of the anxiety, the care, and the labour that is connected with such a work; of the difficulties which beset such a task." May wisdom be given to him, and may the divine blessing accompany the little book.

RUSTCHUK.

DR. ZUCKERKANDL, under date November 8, writes with great earnestness respecting a school in Galatz. He discourses upon the vast importance of

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such establishments generally amidst the vast masses of the Jewish population of the great cities, and remarks :

"There is a great movement among governments to establish schools, but in particular female schools; late experience having shown their necessity and importance. Even the Turks are stirring in this direction." He proceeds to give the result of a personal tour, and enumerates places, out of many, where schools could be planted with every prospect of success; and narrates conversations he had in various places, and with certain teachers and others. He adds: “If you examine all mission schools, you will find the greater part of the children to be girls. Our Jewish brethren are more anxious about these, and the proclamation of the cross would be more readily received by them."

Our missionary urges the subject on our prayerful consideration, and says, could one such school be started, "I am sure the Lord Himself would byeand-bye open the way for the establishment of another and another; and by this way we shall prepare for Him young folk out of Israel, who will cry, 'Hosanna to the Son of David;' and He in whose hands is the silver and the gold, and all hearts too, will give you both means and labourers.”

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Concerning," he proceeds, "our holy work here, it is getting on as usual, and I commend it to the prayers of all the faithful brethren.”

ADRIANOPLE

is an important field of mission work, and is under the care of Rev. L. Rosenberg. He writes (November 6) that he has been suffering for three months, and unable to be much at his post. He has sent good tidings of the Colporteur, and promises, as soon as he has strength, to send a translation of his journal, assuring us it is full of interest, containing accounts of his meeting with several rabbis.

PRAGUE

furnishes us, through our missionary, Mr. Schönberger, with important intelligence of the mission in this great city, which he states is often called the Oxford of Judaism. But, he adds, her glories in this respect are departed. "There is now no Talmudical school nor student, and in fact scarcely any Talmudical Doctor here at all. There are a good number of synagogues, but the preachers-no longer called, even by themselves, rabbis-are silent, mere actors, neither believing Moses nor the prophets. The Jewish population of Prague is 20,000, and the greater part of them are infidels, speaking of the Bible as of little value, treating Moses as Lycurgus, Isaiah and Jeremiah as Demosthenes and Cicero. They count the miracles as fraud or exaggeration. All of high rank and the merchants think thus, despise the missionaries, and feel contempt for all who believe in revealed truth. Another class are rationalistic, rejecting all they cannot understand. There are some Orthodox ones, forming a third class, who stick fast, coldly and as dead ones, to the Talmud and to tradition, but they do not look for a personal Messiah, and their creed is a mere ceremonial. These hate and abhor us, and are very difficult to get hold of.

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"It is not easy to get near any of these classes. One cannot enter into their houses without special invitation, and we have to resort to the more public places, where they may casually be found. I lead the conversation to religion, tell them of my own conversion, how I found Jesus the Messiah, and testify of Him. Thus I am not without some access to the Jews here, and I know some who have profited by these interviews."

This picture is very full of interest, and the letter contains more which we shall quote another time. It is clear there is a great work in this famous place, and that Mr. Schönberger is, by God's help, "wedging, as it were, his way through the dense and compact mass of ignorance, pride, and prejudice." We trust to report, in the new year, that access has been given not only to the homes, but to the hearts of the Jews now in unbelief in this populous place.

LEMBERG

is the town in which the Misses Pick are labouring zealously. The letter before us is addressed to our friend, Rev. Abraham Herschell, and is dated September 21. They say: "We have now eight pupils, but have to give them lessons at their own homes; their parents will not send them to us. Yesterday I spoke with the mother of one of these Jewish children, and she told me that if we had a school she would send two of her daughters, but she will not be the one to begin. From her I learned some of the reasons why some of the Jews objected to our school-room. It was because a Jewish lady who had wished to establish a school, and had been helped by us with information of various kinds, spread it abroad that she was to be our partner, and so hindered the work. I have now," adds Miss R. Pick, "to give lessons in Jesuitical Roman Catholic families; but, both there and in the Jewish houses, I am left alone with my pupils, and to my own choice of books."

The father of these ladies, being in a village, saw a young Jew, and began talking with him respecting the way of salvation. He exclaimed, "Stop, sir, my father must hear this too!" So he would have him into the cottage, and to the whole household the name of Jesus was proclaimed. "They were much affected, and the old man wept aloud. Such a thing had never happened to them before. The poor people are in a sad state, falling entirely into the hands of the Roman Catholics, and being obliged to send their children to their schools also."

Here we must stop for this month, leaving several reports of much interest from abroad, and the entire record of the missionaries in England, and of the interesting work among the Jews in East London, under the care of Mr. Lazarus, until next month. In what we have put before our readers there is much to encourage, much for which to offer praise. There is much, also, to afford matter for thought, and for earnest prayer for wisdom on the one hand, and for pecuniary means on the other. Let all who love Israel ponder, pray, and bring "help to the Lord against the mighty." We hope also to give a sketch of the missionary work among the Jews carried on by other instrumentality.-ED.