TEMPORAL BLESSINGS. 71 are now ministers of the Gospel either among the heathen or at home. And no man ever had so many of his tracts circulated as he had. Between six and seven millions of them have been printed in England, and they have been translated into ten different languages, and scattered over the whole world. In America more than seven millions have been printed, so that between the two countries more than fourteen millions have been put into circulation. For the last few years this good man lived in Chester, and laboured in season and out of season to make known the truth of Jesus. About two years ago, he formed a plan of preaching in the market-place of every town in Cheshire, but he did not live to complete his generous design. After many months of increasing weakness and infirmities, he died on the 2nd of January last, aged three score years and ten, full of faith and hope. And who was this good man? He was the Rev. Richard Kirle, whose name has been as a household word with many for years past. How blessed! to live such a life, and die such a death. He has obtained an abundant entrance and a full reward. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn away to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Reader, would you like to be a star in heaven, and to shine for ever there? then, see that you strive now to "let your light so shine before men, that others seeing your good works, may glorify your father who is in heaven." TEMPORAL BLESSINGS. Wish for them cautiously, 72 A GIRL MISSIONARY. Want them contentedly, A GIRL MISSIONARY. MR. RICHARDSON, a missionary at Arabkir, among the Armenians in Turkey, speaks of a village where the people are much interested in the truth. The women are learning to read (for there very few women can read), and are constantly talking about the Bible and its precious truths. And more than this, the children are so interested that they, too, are learning, without the help of any school. Here is what he says of one little girl. Will not the children who read it learn from her, and like her try to do good? "There is one little girl who has thus learned to read the New Testament very well, and although she is not more than twelve or thirteen years old, she is boldly preaching, not only to the members of her own house, which numbers not less than twenty-five souls, but while at work turning the 'rivers of waters' upon the fields easily with her foot, for irrigation, she has her Testament in her girdle, and convinces men mightily from the Scriptures. Some affecting instances of her faithfulness and the good. resulting from it, have been brought to our notice." PERILS OF MISSIONARIES IN CHINA. SOME Missionaries have been in great danger during the late Chinese war. Governor Yeh, of Canton, offered a reward of about £50 for the head of every foreigner, in consequence of which four German missionaries, labouring at stations from 30 to 50 miles from Hong Kong, are placed in great peril. One of these was good Mr. Lobschied, of the Chinese Evangelisation Society of London. He was warned to fly as fast as possible; but too late. He was made prisoner on the way. But he managed to send a 74 PERILS OF MISSIONARIES IN CHINA. message to a friend to come to his help, but before this friend could arrive with a pinnace, which he obtained, the murderous rabble, who beset the mission, became furious, proceeding to force the doors with axes, picks, &c. Mr. Winnis, a missionary and fellow-prisoner of Mr. Lobschied, would not allow him to act; but at last Mr. L. seized two revolvers, rushed to the roof of the house, and there beheld all the approaches occupied by armed men! He, however, jumped down a height of eighteen feet and made for the river, hotly pursued by the Chinese. But he failed to clear the banks, and therefore plunged into the stream up to the armpits. "Escape now seemed impossible," such are his words-but he went down in the water up to his chin, concealing his head amongst some acacia bushes which grew on the brink, forming an arch over him, the pursuers flinging in large stones, and thrusting with their spears in every direction. He heard them talking and guessing about where he would be; and at last two of them got into the river and approached on two sides, within two feet of him! The moon shone bright; but God concealed his servant under the shadow of his wings, and at length they withdrew, declaring that if there he must be dead. He remained in the water nearly three hours, and at length ventured to crawl out. He heard a friendly voice call him: this was a chair-bearer, who soon brought up another man. They gave him dry clothes and proffered much friendship; but one of them was a traitor. With some difficulty he got away, and reached Sai-heang in safety. Poor Mr. Winnis, on Mr. Lobschied's flight, was seized by ruffians, who put their daggers to his throat, and would have murdered him, but for the interposition of the neighbouring gentry and Christian assistants. They all got safely away, for the Lord was their shield and buckler, a very present help in time of trouble. We ought to be very thankful that our own missionaries are safe-being far removed from the scene of war. Let us thank God for this, and pray that He may protect them and His other servants in China from every danger, and make them wise to win souls to Christ. THOUGHTS SUGGESTED BY THE DEATH OF THE REV. ELI SMITH, D.D. MISSIONARY IN SYRIA. By a Lady seventy-four years old. AWAY on the face of the orient sky, We saw the bright beams of a luminous star, And illumined the regions of darkness afar. Athwart the deep shadows a halo of light. That Star is not lost, it is merely transferred. His mission is finished and labours divine, |