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vice, and delivered a very excellent discourse from the words of Paul, 'I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,'

"It was indeed most cheering and encouraging to the Christian heart far from home, thus to join with the people of God in his house of prayer; and sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. In the evening I was invited to be present at the religious exercises of Dr. Hill's school. The smaller girls were first assembled, and Scripture exposition, singing and prayer conducted in Greek. Then the older pupils were gathered in the parlor, and their devotions held in English. I was much interested to see these Greek girls listening with earnestness to the reading of the gospel and the words of exhortation the Dr. addressed to them, then joining in singing an evening hymn of praise, and all bowing in prayer and thanksgiving to the Father of Mercies, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift.

"The school at present numbers between three and four hundred Greek girls and children, under the efficient and systematic direction of Mrs. Hill. It has been in operation more than twenty years, and has exerted a wide and lasting influence upon the educational and spiritual interests of Greece.

"Through such agencies as these at work, and

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the Scriptures introduced and taught in all the government and public schools, there is much hope for the future of this ancient classic land. "Most sincerely yours,

“C. N. R.”

CHAPTER XIV.

VISIT TO EGYPT.

AFTER completing the object of his visit to Athens, Mr. Righter returned to Constantinople, reaching the latter place Oct. 30th. He resumed his labors here with the same earnestness with which he had pursued them before his departure; and, having made arrangements for the prosecution of the work of Bible distribution during his absence, with the advice of friends who were interested in the cause, he determined upon making a journey to Egypt and the Holy Land, to inquire into the condition of those countries with reference to the Word of Life, and to provide for the supply of their destitution as far as it could be done. Accordingly, having all things ready, he took his departure again from Constantinople Dec. 27th, on board the steamer Emily, bound for Alexandria. The account of his voyage is given in his own words.

"In company with an American friend, I set sail from the Golden Horn just as the sunset was gild

ing the domes, minarets, and palaces of Constanti nople. On our right was the wide-reaching Bosphorus, lined with kiosks and country seats, stretching far to the Black Sea; on the left, the Golden Horn, spanned with bridges, and filled with the shipping of all nations, winding to the valley of sweet waters; before us was Pera, the chosen residence of Franks, crowned with the Russian, French, and English palaces; on one side was Stamboul, the old Turkish city, crowned with mosques, minarets, and monuments, and fronted by the Seraglio Palace, the proud home of the ancient Sultans, ornamented with gardens and evergreen shade trees; and just opposite, Scutari, in Asia, overlooked by its immense military hospital, and forest cemetery of cypress; and the Princess Isles beyond, standing out in the sea of Marmora, as a citadel to guard the entrance to all of these.

"We sailed all night across the Sea of Marmora, and in the morning were passing through the Dardanelles, with the shores of Europe and Asia on either side. We glided by the modern castles of Europe and Asia, and the ancient Sestos and Abydos, where Leander was wont to swim the Straits to visit his Hero; and came to the ruins of old Troy, on the shore, and the island of Tenedos, near by, and on past the picturesque shores of Mytilene, the landing-place of the Apostle

Paul on his voyage to Athens, and cast anchor for the night in the broad and beautiful harbor of Smyrna.

"The next day was the Sabbath. We called upon the Rev. Mr. Ladd, American Missionary, and attended his Turkish service at the chapel in the morning. Though the language is a strange tongue, yet the gospel always sounds delightful to a Christian traveller in a strange land. A little congregation of the natives, Armenians, Greeks, and Jews, were assembled, and listened to the earnest discourse of the preacher with marked attention. It is pleasing to find the good work prospering here under the faithful labors of our missionaries; and Armenians, Greeks, and Mussulmans receiving the Bible and the faith of Christ in simplicity and in truth, thus rekindling anew the pure light of the gospel in the ancient church of Asia, which had centuries since gone out in darkness, whose golden candlestick has long been removed out of its place.

"The next morning, accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Morgan, we visited the old Greek Church where the Bishop Polycarp is said to have preached. Over the door, I read the inscription in ancient characters, POLYCARPION SE THEION POMENA (Polycarp the divine shepherd). It is elegantly decorated within, and nine silver lamps are kept burning night and day. A large screen stands