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DAMASCUS.

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Biblical Illustration.

DAMASCUS, called by the natives Es-Sham, a city of Syria, capital of an important pashalic of the same name, and, indeed, the chief or capital city of Syria, lies in a plain at the eastern foot of Anti-Libanus. It was sometimes spoken of by the ancients as an Arabian city; but, in reality, it belongs to Syria. In 2 Sam. viii. 5, 6, "the Syrians of Damascus" are spoken of; and the words, Syria of Damascus," are found in Isa. vii. 8. It is expressly said, "the head of Syria is Damascus ;" also, Isa. xvii. 3, "the kingdom" is to cease "from Damascus." So that this place was obviously the metropolis of a Syrian empire. Damascus-by some held to be the most ancient city in the world-is called by the Orientals," a pearl surrounded by emeralds." Nothing can be more beautiful than its position, whether approached from the side of Mount Lebanon, from the Desert to the east, or by the high road from the north, from Aleppo and Hamah. For many miles the city is girdled by fertile fields, or gardens, as they are called, which, being watered by rivers and sparkling streams, give to the vegetation, consisting principally of olive trees, a remarkable freshness and beauty. Of all the cities of the East, Damascus is, probably, the most oriental.

The view of Damascus, when the traveller emerges from Anti-Libanus, is of the most enchanting kind. One of the most magnificent prospects in the world bursts upon the sight; like the first view of Constantinople, it is unique. A view is presented from an elevation of a thousand feet; from whence the spectator looks down upon a vast plain, bordered in the distance by blue mountains, and occupied by a rich, luxuriant forest of the walnut, the fig, the pomegranate, the plum, the apricot, the citron, the locust, the pear, and the apple, forming a waving grove of more than fifty miles in circuit; possessing a vast variety of tint, a peculiar density and luxuriance of foliage, and a wildlypicturesque form, from the branches of the loftier trees throwing themselves up above a rich underwood of pomegranates, citrons, and oranges, with their yellow, green, and brown leaves; and the conceptions of the view will be still more heightened by stating, that from the same point are seen, grandly rising in the distance, above this vast superficies of rich, luxuriant foliage, the swelling domes, the gilded crescents, and the marble minarets of Damascus ; while, in the centre of all, winding towards the city, runs the main stream of the river Barrada. In descending from the above elevation, the openings in the trees, here and there, display little patches of green verdure, or a glimpse of richly cultivated gardens; the whole of this rich tract being surrounded by a mud wall, beyond which all is arid and desert.

The interior of the city does not correspond with the exquisite beauty of its environs. In the Armenian quarter the houses are built with mud, and pierced towards the street by a very few small grated windows, with red painted shutters. They are low, and the flat arched doors resemble those of stables. A filthy dunghill, and a pool of stinking water, are almost

invariably before the doors. In some of these dwellings, belonging to the principal Armenian merchants, there is great internal richness and elegance. The furniture consists of magnificent Persian or Bagdad carpets, which entirely cover the marble or cedar floor; and of numerous cushions and mattresses, spread in the middle of the saloon, for the members of the family to sit or lean against. There is a fine wide street, formed by the palaces of the agas of Damascus, who are the nobility of the land. The fronts of these palaces, however, towards the street, are like long prison or hospital walls, being mere grey mud walls, with few or no windows, whilst at intervals is a great gate opening on a court. But the interior is magnificent; the ornaments of many of their saloons alone cost upwards of £1,000 sterling. The bazaars are very striking. The great bazaar is about half a league long. They are long streets, covered in with high wood-work, and lined with shops, stalls, magazines, and cafés. The shops are narrow, and go only a short way back. The merchant is seated in front, with his legs doubled up below him, and the pipe in his mouth. The magazines are stored with merchandise of all sorts, and particularly with Indian manufactures, which are brought in great profusion by the caravans from Bagdad. In the midst of the bazaars stands the finest khan in the East, that of Hassan Pasha. It is an immense cupola, whose bold springing arch recalls that of St. Peter at Rome; it is in like manner borne on granite pillars. The gate of this khan is a piece of Moorish architecture, the richest in detail, and most imposing in effect, that can be seen in the world. The khan has been built only about fifty years. Not far distant is the principal mosque, formerly a church, dedicated to St. John, whose skull and sepulchre, found in this holy place, give it such a sanctity, that it is death for even a Mahommedan to enter the room where the relics are kept. Situated at the edge of the desert, at the mouth of the plains of Cole-Syria, and the valleys of Galilee of Idumæa, and of the coasts of the sea of Syria, Damascus was needed as a restingplace for the caravans to India. It is essentially a commercial town; two hundred merchants are permanently settled in it. Foreign trade is carried on by the great Mecca caravan, the Bagdad caravan, the Aleppo, and by several small ones to Beirout (its seaport), Tripoli, Acre, &c. The population of Damascus is variously stated at from 150,000 to double that number; of whom that portion which may be denominated Christian, is conjectured to be at least one-fifth. Damascus is an eminently interesting town. It is thoroughly Oriental; though, at the present time, the representatives in person and costume of most other distinguished countries of the world may be seen in its streets. Its proximity to Baalbec and Palmyra, which are mere ruins, and its still highly flourishing condition, after having existed for, perhaps, a longer period than any other city on the face of the earth, combine, with many facts connected with its history, to throw around it a calm and attractive, not to say sacred, light.

Political changes and social influences have

lessened and mitigated the proverbial bigotry of the Damascenes. The lower classes, indeed, are still fanatical; but a better feeling on religion prevails amongst the higher. The Damascenes nourish hatred of the European name and costume. They alone amongst the Orientals have been the most averse to the admission of consuls, or even consular agents, for Christian powers. Till within the last few years the appearance in the city of a Frank costume was a signal for a riot. Christians and Jews were alike prohibited from riding on any other beast than an ass. This state of things is clearly traceable to the fanatical disposition of the inhabitants, who deem the city to be holy, and, consequently, have been very careful that nothing should enter within its walls which, in their estimation, would pollute it. There is now, however, a greatly-improved state of feeling in Damascus. The former insolence of the Damascenes has been curbed. Horses are permitted to be used, and Christians may be seen in great numbers mixing with others, and pursuing their business, or taking recreation dressed in their proper garb, without molestation. This improvement may be in part ascribed to the residence in the city of a British consul.

A spot is pointed out where, according to tradition among the Christians, the apostle Paul, spoken of in the Acts of the Apostles as Saul of Tarsus, saw the light from heaven on his way to this city. In winding round the walls on the outskirts of Damascus, the traveller arrives at

a part where they are broken at the top; this is shown as the spot from whence Paul is believed to have made his escape from the indignation of the Jews, as we read in Acts ix. : "The disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket." From hence, passing on through some pretty lanes, the visitor is brought to an open green spot, surrounded by trees, over the tops of which are seen the distant summits of Mount Hermon. At this place he is informed Saul had arrived, when (Acts ix. 3)," as he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a great light from heaven." These localities are pointed out with the greatest confidence by the Damascene Christians of all sects, and are held in great veneration; nor is it difficult to suppose, that the true spots have been handed down by tradition among the followers of the cross. "The street which is called Straight," (Acts ix. 11,) is still found in Damascus; or, at any rate, a street bearing that name. It is stated to be a mile in length, and to have derived its name from the circumstance of its leading direct from the gate to the castle or palace of the pasha. The house of Judas, also, to which Ananias was directed, and to which he went, and his own house likewise, are still pointed out. How much credulity may have had to do in fixing on and perpetuating the recollection of these localities, it is probably easier to suspect than to ascertain.

Lessons by the Way; or, Things to Think On.

INCOMPATIBILITY OF PAPAL INFALLIBILITY IN THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

"A re

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THE View taken in the Sémeur, appear to us to be warranted fully by all these facts. ligion," says our enlightened contemporary, "which proscribes the right of inquiry, would contradict itself by really granting the liberty of the press; a theocracy reposing on the doctrine of infallibility, would belie itself by establishing a balance of power between the ecclesiastical and lay elements. These are impracticable Utopias' at Rome." The hope of real reform lies wholly with the people themselves. They have already, by their enthusiasm, obtained far more than their sovereign would, of his own accord, have given them. This may be partly owing to his personal character. universally believed to be mild, amiable, and generous, with more heart than head, rather greedy of popularity, and extremely fearful of giving displeasure. These, however, are qualities which cut both ways, and perhaps give the balance of advantage to the official and intrigu. ing few over the subject many. It remains to be seen which of the two parties will prevail. Even while we write, intelligence has come of fresh retrogressions on the part of the Government, followed by new demonstrations in the name of the people. The administrative reforms that have been granted, they accept with gratitude; but they demand political rights, so that it may no longer be at the option of another

pope to recall the concessions of his predecessor. The Jesuits may wish to restore the reign of the Middle Ages; but let them rest assured, they will never prevail with a nation once enlightened to "love darkness rather than light."

PRIESTLY MORALS IN MEXICO.

IT is at the altar of the confessional, in the church erected to God, and dedicated to his saints-a place consecrated to uprightness and holiness-where woman's virtue, her brightest pearl, the tower of her strength, is undermined. It is here where all the innocent workings of the youthful heart are unfolded without reservation. Question succeeding question, offspring of prurient imagination, is asked; and ideas are excited in the mind from which virtue flees abashed, never to return, under the eye of the absolver from sin, the holy father-confessor. I deal not in fiction, and I would not have you conceive it to be such. My authority is a high and pure-minded woman, who shed bitter tears while reciting this mortifying account of the debasement of her country. It is no uncommon thing to see the priest at midnight, with countenance inflamed, indicating the depth of his pollution, seated at the gambling table, his priestly character thrown aside, swearing, and betting, and cheating with the most expert gamesters. On the sabbath day, after mass, he is seen at the cock-pit, witnessing and engaging in the barbarous sport; or at the race-course, among the greatest jockeys of the host assem

bled. From these amusements he goes to the bed-side of some dying sinner, to administer the holy sacrament, and grant absolution from sin, and flatter with an assurance of heaven. Such is the priesthood in Mexico!-Bp. Hughes. FAMILY WORSHIP.

"I HAVE no time," says one. Friend, whose are you? For what has God given you time? to labour, eat, sleep, chit-chat, merely? What! no time to pray in your family? Take care!

"I have no ability." How does the beggar? Does he stop to flourish round his periods? Not if ready to perish; his eloquence flows spontaneously. "No ability!" How very fluently you talk about every-day matters. Friend, can you say, "God be merciful to me a sinner?" Very well. Open the Bible-bow the knee.

"But I am ashamed." Ashamed of God, ha! Sinners are not ashamed of the devil, or his cause. Hear that man yonder swear, openly, boldly, awfully! Is he ashamed of his Master?

Reader, cast your eye on Mark viii. 38, also Luke ix. 26. "How shall I begin?" Now, this very day, break the ice, forsake sin; open thy mouth wide, and God will fill it.

A CITY OF PRIESTS.-A PICTURE OF ROME IN 1847.

ROME is a city of priests. They penetrate every cranny of domestic life with the subtlety of air or light; are found everywhere, from the corso to the dungeon; they cluster in the streets like musquitoes; you cannot turn round without stumbling against an ecclesiastic; in short, that which is a very large episode in the life of all Italian cities, is the whole life of Rome. This is the first and last impression left on the mind of a stranger. When you enter Rome, the first thing that strikes you is the immense concourse of priests of all kinds, crowding, pressing, driving, sauntering, and hanging about the streets; when you leave Rome, this same tumult of priests is the last thing you see and hear. The image of that ghostly multitude rises upon your imagination long after you have crossed the Roman frontiers; and when years have elapsed, you can never think of Rome, that the same heaving multitude of sacerdotal costumes does not come upon you as vividly as ever.

IRELAND'S DISEASE AND REMEDY. D'AUBIGNE, in his late work, "The Protector," referring to Ireland, says:

"So long as her friends look to Governmental measures only for a remedy adapted to heal the wounds of this people, Ireland will always be that certain woman which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,' Mark v. 25, 26. One means alone can save her, as it saved that woman; and that will be as soon as she shall have Then, heard of Jesus, and touched his garment. after popery has disappeared from her unhappy soil, she will feel in her body that she is healed of that plague."

STARTING CHILDREN IN THE WORLD. "MANY an unwise parent labours hard and lives sparingly all his life, to give his children a start in the world. Setting a young man afloat with money left by his relatives, is like tying bladders under the arms of one who cannot swim; ten chances to one he will lose his bladVOL. V.

ders and go to the bottom. Teach him to swim, and he will never need the bladders."

Is it not frequent, very frequent, for parents to toil and tug, drag out a miserable, slavish life with miserly parsimoniousness; refusing to contribute to objects of real benevolence? And, for what? to give their children a start! enable them to make a dash! What has been the result? This same wealth, hoarded by cringing parsimony, has proved a curse to body and soul! God has testified his disapprobation of this course most fearfully!

"There is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty."" There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth." Lay up treasure in heaven; be rich toward God. Cultivate the mind. Train your children to habits of industry and virtue; give them a sound, thorough education on Bible principles. These will be of more value to them than the wealth of the Indies, the gold of Peru.

MARTYRS.

ACCORDING to the calculations of some, about 200,000 Christian Protestants suffered death in seven years under Pope Julian; no less than 100,000 were massacred by the French in the space of three months; Waldenses who perished amounted to 1,000,000; within thirty years the Jesuits destroyed 900,000; under the Duke of Alva 26,000 were executed by the hangman; 159,000 by the Irish massacre; beside the vast multitude of whom the world could never be particularly informed, who were proscribed, starved, burnt, assassinated, chained to the galleys for life, immured within the walls of the Bastile, or others of their Church and State prisons. According to some, the whole number of persons massacred since the rise of papacy, including the space of 1400 years, amounts to 15,000,000.

SPIRITUAL DECAY IN CHURCHES. WHEN a man becomes so worldly that he loses his relish for the plain gospel, it is hard to please him. He sees all manner of faultsfaults in logic, in rhetoric, in enunciation. He takes upon him the cant of criticism. For his dyspeptic stomach, a cook of Parisian accomplishment would find it hard to cater. He thinks the congregation would grow faster, if they had a more eloquent man. He whispers the thought to others, and soon the church becomes a whispering gallery. A few old-fashioned souls there may be, who think the fault is mainly in the hearing; but not so the majority. They are, individually, important people; and collectively, by consequence, a very important congregation. A great man, of course, they must have. Their pastor may do for some inferior place; but for the great city of Ephesus, they can hardly think of any one less than the eloquent Doctor Apollos. The pastor leaves. There comes in his place not a real Apollos, but an imitation-showy and attractive at first, but essentially vapid and windy. His race run, another comes and goes, and another still; until, at length, no sort of a candlestick is left, not even a brass one. The people eat of the fruit of their own way, and are filled with their own devices. O. P. Q.

LAWS OF GIVING. THERE are certain principles laid down in Scripture in relation to giving, and the use of pro

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perty generally, respecting which there is much practical scepticism. They are as follows:

1. That which we have, we hold as stewards that must give account.

2. The way to increase is to distribute. Some are rich because they are liberal.

3. That which is given to the poor is loaned to the Lord.

4. That which is done to Christ's little ones is done to himself.

A hundred to one is the rate of interest God allows now; and life everlasting in the world to Mark x. 29.-Dr. Nevine.

come.

THE OLD PATHS. AT the Cowfold Agricultural Meeting (Sussex), the Rev. Mr. Offer made some sensible strictures on the folly and bad judgment of those who affect to ridicule societies of this description, which brought landlords and tenants into those social relations which were beneficial to both; but he seemed to consider that the old working smockfrock farmer was the beau ideal of the art; forgetful of the fact, that study and inquiry are now necessary for a successful farmer, in order for him to march with the improvements of the day. Mr. Offer quoted the following lesson in the old rhymes:

"Man to the plough,

Wife to the sow,

Boy to the flail,

Girl to the pail,

And your rents will be netted.

But man, Tally-ho!

Miss, Piano

Boy, Greek and Latin

Wife, silk and satin

And you'll soon be Gazetted."

LOVE AND ITS FRUITS.

THE love of Christ constrains to good works. The learned dispute in all manner of ways about good works. Love, as is natural to it, constrains necessarily to every good work towards God, towards the brethren, towards our neighbours, and even towards our enemies. Love cannot act otherwise; she seeks to do every one good, and to devote herself to all! She has always enough; she is rich, she is kind, she is bountiful; and if she has no money or anything else to give, she has still a heart, which she gives in sympathy, compassion, and in rendering every possible assistance. In a word, love is always doing good, almost without thinking of it; she performs a thousand good works, without asking whether she sought to do them or not, and the merit of good works never occurs to her. Even when she hath done much she thinks she has hitherto done nothing, and that she will now begin. Thus it is that the love of Christ constrains. Tersteegen, 1720.

CRIME IN SCOTLAND. THE total number of persons tried in Scotland for various offences in the year 1847, was 8,881, viz., males, 2,779; and females, 1,102. Of those there were tried in the High Court of Justiciary, males, 132; females, 54. In the Circuit Court of Justiciary, males, 427; females, 178. By the Sheriff, with a jury, males, 1,031; females, 500. Without a jury, males, 894; females, 254. By burgh magistrates, males, 217; females, 99. By justices of other courts, males, 44; females, 15. The number convicted, outlawed, or insane, was 3,569, viz., males, 2,535 ; females, 1,034. Convicted under the aggravation of previous offences, 1,024, viz., males, 640; females, 384. Convicted

of other offences at the same trial, 151, viz., males, 119; females, 32.

THE BIBLE IN SCOTLAND. THE total number of Bibles published in Scotland in the ten years commencing 1837, was 1,218,871 ; of Testaments, 2,150,978 ; of Psalm books, 2,475,456; and of Confessions of Faith, 60,827. The greatest number of religious books was printed in 1845, viz., Bibles, 284,050; Testaments, 292,450; Psalms, 254,500; Confessions of Faith, 10,000. The allowance in the shape of drawback of paper duty within the ten years amounted to £10,020 28. 8d.

TRUTH.

DID we but in the holy light

Of truth and goodness rise,
We might communion hold with God,
And spirits from the skies.
SIN.

MAN-LIKE it is to fall into sin,
Fiend-like it is to dwell therein,
Christ-like it is for sin to grieve,
God-like it is all sin to leave.
LOST TIME.

I THREW a bauble to the sea,
A billow caught it hastily;
Another billow quickly came,
Successfully the prize to claim ;
From wave to wave, uncheck'd, it pass'd,
Till toss'd upon the strand at last.
Thus glide unto the unknown shore
Those golden moments we deplore;

Those moments which, not thrown away,
Might win for us eternal day.

THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL.
BY THOMAS HOOD.

GOLD gold! gold! gold!
Bright and yellow, hard and cold,
Molten, graven, hammer'd, and roll'd;
Heavy to get, and light to held ;
Hoarded, barter'd, bought, and sold;
Stolen, borrow'd, squander'd, doled;
Spurned by the young, but hugged by the old,
To the very verge of the church-yard mould;
Price of many a crime untold,
Gold ! gold ! gold ! gold !
Good or bad a thousand fold.

How widely its agencies vary;
To save, to ruin, to curse, to bless;
And even its minted coin express-
Now stamped with the image of good Queen
Bess,

And now of bloody Mary.

ANSWERS TO CONUNDRUM IN MAY.

1. THE Apostle Andrew announced Christ as the "Messiah," John i. 41.

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2. The prophet Isaiah declared the Saviour's eternity by the title of "Everlasting Father," Isa. ix. 6.

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3. The name by which St. Paul recommends the Saviour to the sons of Jacob at Rome, is the "Deliverer," Rom. xi. 26.

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4. The prophet Isaiah and the evangelist Matthew describe the union of the two natures in the person

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1. Messiah, at thy feet we humbly bow,

2. Everlasting Father, God, art thou; 3. Deliverer of our sinful, fallen race; 4. Immanuel, Redeemer, God with us;

5. Anointed One, our Priest, our King, our Head; 6. Teacher from God, may we by thee be led; 7. Offspring of David, Rod of Jesse's stem, 8. Rock of thine Israel thou dost still remain. Our Mediator, now at God's right hand,

Take us, Oh! take us to that happy land! Manchester.

1. John i. 41.

2. Isa. ix. 6.

M. B.

6. John iii. 2.

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"WE have such an high-priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the majesty in the heavens." "A

1. "Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle," Heb. viii. 2; Rom. xv. 8. "And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the

2. "Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace," Isa. ix. 6. "And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the 3. "Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob," Rom. xi. 26. "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his

name

4. "Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us," Isa. vii. 14; Matt. i. 23. "Because the Lord hath

5. "Anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound," Isa. lxi. 1-3.

6. "The Christ of God," Luke ix. 20; Matt. xvi. 16. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a king shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord

7. "Our Righteousness," Jer. xxiii. 5, 6. "I would not that you should be ignorant how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat, and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that

8. "Rock was Christ," 1 Cor. x. 4. "For there is one God, and one

(The whole) "MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time," 1 Tim. ii. 5. "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them," Heb. vii, 25; Rom. viii. 34. J. P. D.

The Witness Box.

"I need not assure you that the Temperance 'cause is connected with no party in politics, and with no sect in religion. It is the common and universal cause of all religion and all morality." Lord John Russell, M.P.

"I adopted the practice of total abstinence from

all intoxicating liquors towards the close of 1831, when I suffered, as I had done occasionally, from a weakness of the stomach and want of appetite. Since that time I have steadily adhered to that habit, and I find that my general health has in consequence been very much improved."-Earl Stanhope.

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