JERUSALEM.

A Field for a Ragged School.

DR. MACGOWAN has noticed of late that there has been a larger proportion of young children of both sexes than usual, who have sought to be admitted into the Hospital at Jerusalem as patients. He says :—

"They generally come alone, and many of them represent themselves as orphans, without father or mother, and having no home. These statements are not always strictly true; but making allowance for such, my attention has been drawn to the fact that there are actually a large number of orphan children in Jerusalem among the Jewish population, and that no small number of these have no regular home or employment, and pick up a livelihood by any means they can. I have often thought, what a fine opportunity for making a Ragged School is here presented in the Holy City!

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Yesterday (Nov. 26), a little girl came at the usual hour for out-patients, and begged to be admitted into the Hospital. She was suffering from ague, and I was truly concerned to refuse her, as I had just admitted two patients, who completed the full number. She was much distressed, and entreated to be allowed to sleep on the floor. As this could not be allowed, she was obliged to retire sorrowfully; but instead of returning home, she remained standing before the Hospital in the street, and weeping bitterly. In this situation she was seen by the nurse of the female ward, from a window above. Her compassion was moved, and she persuaded a patient in the ward, who was convalescent, to leave the

Hospital, that she might make room for this poor little girl. She succeeded in her object, and came down into the consultation room with a joyous countenance that a bed was vacant, and that the little patient could be admitted, which was forthwith done.

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I have the satisfaction of recording the accession of a Jewish family, consisting of a man and his wife, and three children, who had all been patients in the Hospital, to the number of inquirers. The husband, Saadiah by name, is an African Jew, who had distinguished himself in the wars of the Hospital, by the bitterness and violence of his opposition against that institution. He was one of those who came armed with cudgels, to attack the patients on their way to the Hospital, and prevent them from applying for medical relief. Not very long after that opposition had subsided, Saadiah fell ill, and applied for relief and admittance into the very institution which he had done his utmost to destroy. I recollect that on his admission, one of the servants of the Hospital pointed him out to me as one of our bitterest opponents, and seemed much astonished that I did not immediately turn him out of the ward. Since that time, Saadiah has been oftentimes a patient in the Hospital; and six weeks ago himself and all his family were admitted, all being at the time suffering from ague and catarrhal fever. On his recovery, he left the Hospital, and shortly afterwards came and communicated to me his wish to receive Christian instruction. I referred him to Mr. Nicolayson, who desired him to bring his wife with him, that she might also declare her intentions. A day was appointed for their

coming; but his wife, through the influence of her family, instead of keeping her appointment with her husband, went and denounced him to the Chief Rabbi. Saadiah was so incensed at her conduct, that he determined to divorce her, and the usual formalities had already been commenced to that effect, when I sent for him, and told him that such proceedings were highly disapproved of by Christians, and recommended. him to be reconciled to his wife. After some hesitation on his part, he at last consented, upon which his wife was sent for, and peace was made between them in my presence. They will be placed under the instruction of Mr. Daniel. husband is a whitesmith, and able to gain his own livelihood. This is the first instance of a whole family of native Jews coming out as inquiring Christians. The children will soon be of an age to go to the Diocesan School."

CAIRO.

Feast of Khamsin.

The

In a letter dated April 15th, Mr. Lauria writes "Second day of Easter. This was kept as a feast by all the inhabitants of Cairo, Jews, Christians and Mohammetans. It was the first day of the Khamsin, i.e., the fifty days during which the hot S.E. winds often occur. Early in the morning crowds of people went out into gardens, particularly into the garden on the isle of Roda, to take the air, which, they say, will have a beneficial effect for the ensuing forty-nine days, which are considered very dangerous; and this day is therefore called Shem-en-Nesim, i.e., the smelling of the Zephyr. I believe that the superstitious belief

prevalent amongst the Jews in different countries, that the fifty days, or rather seven weeks, between the first day of Easter and the feast of Pentecost, are very dangerous days, was first taught them by a Rabbi of Cairo, who learnt it from the Copts, though the Jews relate other stories about its origin.

"As I had never before seen this festivity, I went in company of several Englishmen to the Isle of Roda, which we found crowded with people of all denominations. Any one, who has never seen the great misery of the Egyptians, would on this occasion pronounce them to be the happiest people in the world. Everywhere you hear the sound of tambarines, and see men and sometimes low women whirling about or dancing in the midst of an admiring circle. Under the shade of acacia trees groups are reposing on mats, or by the side of steaming kettles, pots and frying-pans, warbling their favorite songs. Jews over their wine, Greeks and Copts over the araki, and Mahometans over their coffee or sherbet, and smoking their long pipes; interspersed with Italians, Poles, Frenchmen and Englishmen.

"I was of course most interested by the kind feeling shown towards me by all the Jews. 'Mr. Lauria, come and dine with us,' was the request of every group of Jews as we passed by. I accepted, with one of our company, the kind invitation of one group, and sat down in the midst of eleven kind-hearted Jews and Jewesses, where we had an excellent luncheon. On our return to our company, these Jews, and another group sitting near us, brought food and wine for the several Englishmen who accompanied me, and who could not but admire Jewish hospitality.

Several of the Jews there invited me to call on them the following Saturday. Oh, what kind brethren after the flesh have I here! Would to God that they all might become my brethren also in the Lord Jesus Christ!"

LONDON.

Extracts from the Journal of à Missionary
Agent.

A Missionary Agent in London writes:"Went out and met Mr. C, a native of Königsberg, whose acquaintance I had made on the previous Saturday, at the Lecture in Leadenhall-street. He is a well-informed man, thoroughly acquainted with Jewish literature. After we had conversed for about two hours, he said, I came here to London in order to transact some business, and am going to leave again for Königsberg in a few days; but, believe me, this journey has been greatly blessed to my soul, for which I cannot be sufficiently thankful.'

And producing a New Testament, which he carried in his pocket, and which seemed to have been very much used, he said, 'I have been reading this book for many, many years, so that I almost know it by heart; I have also had many a conversation with Mr. Noesgen, missionary at Königsberg. I have even myself written a manuscript in Hebrew, called "Proofs that Jesus of Nazareth has been the promised Messiah," which I intend to have printed, and which I can show you, if you will take the trouble to go with me. I have been persecuted by the Jews, and turned out of synagogues for having made known my opinions and views. But, alas, I only