half-yearly examinations in particular gave great satisfaction. We learn, however, from the last Annual Letter of the Bishop, that it had been found necessary in the course of the preceding year, to place the school on an altogether new footing as regards the teachers. Mr. Palmer, a German, experienced in education, was engaged as teacher for the boys, and Mr. and Mrs. Baldensperger were placed in charge of the housekeeping department. Miss Cooper kindly offered to teach the girls; and also to instruct the boys in English, until a master, expected from Malta for this purpose, should arrive. The number of children of natives has also so increased as to render it necessary to procure an Arab teacher from Nablous.

From the progress made thus far, as appears from the following report of Mr. Palmer for the last year, we may hope that this school, in both its departments, will continue to prosper, under God's blessing, and thus render essential service to the Jewish Mission, as well as to the Protestant congregation in general:

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As in former years, so this year, the Holy Scripture has been the kernel and star of our instruction, the foundation on which our method of instruction and education rests, and the neverfailing well from which we draw; for it is the inspired Scripture, profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,' which sanctifies all other branches of instruction, as well as education itself. And I must confess with joy, that the Lord has heard and answered my prayers for this company of children; that He has excited in them a desire after this spiritual food, and that he has not

suffered our work to be in vain. Much is already gained when children begin to love the word of God, and to rejoice as often as the Bible lesson comes; and it is a double pleasure for the teacher when expounding the word of God, to observe the intense interest and the attention of the children; and thus to have an opportunity of observing, as it were, how the Good Shepherd goes after His Lambs; how he finds them, and takes them on His shoulders. These are comforts, encouragements and refreshments from the presence of the Lord, without which the many melancholy and painful experiences which one is obliged to make at other times, would soon become overwhelming temptations to discouragement. Not to speak of the momentary impressions which the word of God seems often to make on the tender minds of the children, as sometimes expressed by simple observations on their part, I will here only mention the happy experience which I have been permitted to make with a poor peasant boy; who formerly supported himself by begging, when he knew nothing of reading or writing. Since he was received as a boarder, and instructed in the saving truth of the Gospel, a great change has taken place in him. He has experienced the power of the word of God in his own heart; a life of faith in, and love to, Jesus has been produced in him by Divine grace, and he now shines as a light in the midst of the children. This the Lord has done, and it is a marvel in our eyes. But, as stated already, the prospect of the teacher who is called to educate, is not always so clear; it is but too frequently darkened, when he observes how long

and often many children allow the most precious saving truths of the Gospel to be taken away from their hearts; how long sloth and other natural dispositions, as well as bad habits, prevent them from throwing themselves into the arms of Jesus' love; then indeed the burden of our duties will often appear to be intolerable; we are tempted to believe that we spend our strength for nought and in vain. But a searching look into our own hearts, with the application of the touchstone of God's Holy Word to our own state, will often prove that the chief fault is with ourselves; that we have neglected to be instant in prayer to God for the children; neglected the chief duties of our office; neglected to make their everlasting well-being the chief subject of our meditation and the paramount object of our prayers; and hence the want of our fruits. Thus the teacher has again and again the opportunity of beholding himself, as it were, in the behaviour of those committed to his care; and an ever fresh call to look up to Him, from whom alone all help and blessing is to be expected.

With respect to the moral dispositions and the capacities of the children, there is the greatest difference to be observed between them when they enter, either as day scholars, or as boarders, and during the first month of their attendance at school; but with respect to the first point, they by degrees attain to something like the same level as far as man can see, and as to their capacities they prove frequently better than the teacher at first expected. However, in general, Jewish children are found to be superior in

intellectual capacity, whilst in a moral point of view they are inferior to others; yet there are exceptions in both cases.

"The number of children in the School at present is 45; viz., Boys, 32; and Girls, 13. 7 Boys are sons of Proselytes.

5

18

1

1

do. unbaptized Jews.

do. native Christians.

do. is an Abyssinian Christian. do. is a German Christian.

3 Girls are daughters of Proselytes.

5

5

do. of unbaptised Jews.

do. of native Christians. "The branches of instruction are as follows:1. Scripture History, (English and Arabic.) 2. Literal exposition of the miracles and parables of Christ (English and Arabic).

3. Geography (English and Arabic).

4. Reading and spelling lessons (English, German, and Arabic).

5. Writing copies, and dictation (English, German, and Arabic).

6. Translation from Arabic into English, oral and in writing (Arabic and English).

7. Arithmetic.

8. Geometry (English).

9. Natural History (English and Arabic). 10. Singing.

11. Needlework and knitting (for the Girls)."

THE DYING JEWISH YOUTH.

ABOUT two months ago, it happened that a Jewish lad was removed from the Mission School

of the Scotch Church (at Constantinople), because the Gospel was read in that School, alternately with the Old Testament. Immediately upon his removal, the eldest son of that Jewish family, and the ornament of their house, was taken ill, and was soon past all hope of recovery. When the young man saw that he must die, he felt the need of prayer for his poor departing soul. And whom do you think he called to his bedside? The rabbies of the synagogue? No. Or did he beg his parents to read their Jewish prayers over him from their prayer-book? No. There are two little girls, scholars of the Scotch Mission School for Italian Jewish girls, who are known to be well instructed in Christian doctrine, and one of whom, though small, is a believer in Jesus, though she has never been able to profess him publicly. Now these two girls the dying youth called to his bed, and begged them to pray for him! He supposed that they were better able to pray, than the old, proud, learned, infidel rabbies. And he was quite right. Now let me ask you two questions. 1. Ought not you, who read and know the Gospel, in a Christian land,ought you not all to have the spirit of prayer, and be able to pray for the souls of perishing infidels? 2. Ought you not all to pray for these Jewish Schools in foreign lands, where the children of wicked Jewish families are taught to believe in Christ, and to pray?

W. G. SCHAUFFLER.

Constantinople, November, 1851.

(From the "Youth's Day-Spring," published by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions,)