AN ANCIENT GREEK MONOGRAM.

547

stating the facts in the case to Dr. Pilchor, of our mission. Dr. Pilchor, knowing that we had brought out from America some attractive schoolbooks for our little daughter Frances, called on Mrs. Taft, who gave him quite an elementary work, entitled The Model First Reader, handsomely illustrated with colored pictures. It has been reported that some rays of Divine truth have reached both the young Emperor and his bride. Let continued prayers be offered that to wisdom and knowledge may be given to him even the knowledge of God, "whom to know aright is life eternal."

THE degraded position of women in Turkey, the sorrow in the household when a girl is born, has often been mentioned, and it is pleasant to know that there is one advantage in being a girl. In an account of a tour recently received from Miss Ely, she writes: "A remark of a woman in the village of Toohk impressed me much. Showing me her baby boy, she said, 'Teacher, I did hope this child would have been a girl;' and added, pointing to a group of boys, who, most wretchedly clad, were trying to keep warm. over the ground oven, 'For each of these we have to pay two medjedias (about two dollars) every year, but a girl is only worth four piastres (seventeen cents).' She referred to the fact that the government collects a tax of two medjedias for each male child, but for a girl simply requires a paper to identify it, which costs about four piastres."

ΖΩΗ H

an

THERE is nothing new under the sun! Prof. A. F. Long, of Robert College, Constantinople, an eminent archæologist, has sent us the accompanying drawing of ancient Greek monogram, which means Life and Light, the vertical letters spelling "light," the horizontal ones "life." The yearning for life and light has existed in all ages, and it is an inestimable privilege to have a share in sending these blessings to those who live in the death and darkness of heathenism. We do not know the use of the ancient

monogram, but we trust that the title of our magazine may furnish a watchword that shall inspire to greater effort than ever before to make its meaning a reality in many lands.

FLASH LIGHTS ON WILLIAM CAREY.

By the side of a weaver's loom in a modest house in the little village of Paulerspury, in England, in the last half of the eighteenth century, a baby boy was born, whose name to-day shares among thousands of people the honors showered on the great discoverer of our continent. The one revealed to the world a country which was to be the birthplace of a powerful nation; the other opened to the eyes and hearts of Christendom a hitherto neglected duty, the obedience to which is bringing nations from gross darkness into blessed light and peace.

A few glances into the page of history will give us scenes in the life of the missionary discoverer which show his character, his work, and his success. Here is a little boy of twelve years studying Latin, fond of his books and of reading, but interested, as well, in the study of nature and in boyish pursuits and pleasures. A tree which other boys have given up trying to climb, tempts his ambition, and in essaying the ascent he gets a severe fall, which lames him badly for a time. Discourged? Not at all. Discourged? Not at all. As soon as he is well again he once more tries the tree, and perseveres, until he stands high

up among the leafy boughs.

A little later, and our young student is apprenticed to a cobbler. Somewhat of a descent, it seems to us, but the steady work helps to give stability to his character. He makes good shoes; so good, that his master keeps a pair of his manufacture on exhibition in his shop, as a specimen of fine workmanship. While still an apprentice his heart is touched by the love of God, and he gives himself to Christ's service, and ere long begins to preach. After awhile he is ordained, and becomes the pastor of a small church in Moulton; but the salary is insufficient for the needs of his little family, and we find him working diligently still at his bench.

But beside him, as he labors, lies a book of science or travel, or oftener a Greek Testament or a Hebrew Bible; for the young minister learns these languages with the occasional help of neighboring clergymen. He has made for himself a map of the world, by pasting pieces of paper together, and on the margin he has written notes concerning the peoples and their religions. Thus dwelling on the Word of God, and studying the condition and needs of the nations of the earth, the demand and the supply have shown themselves to his waiting heart. He sees the sin-sick souls of untaught heathen suffering and dying in ignorance and degradation. He sees before him a tree, neglected or ignored of others, its boughs difficult of access, but he knows that its leaves are for the healing of nations. perish? Shall the leaves be still ungathered?

Are the nations to be left to
Will no one venture to climb?

FLASH LIGHTS ON WILLIAM CAREY.

549

He will at least make the attempt, and at a conference of ministers he proposes for discussion the question, "Have the churches of Christ done all they

ought for the salvation of the heathen?" Yes, he ventured, and the conference is startled; but he got a fall, for an older clergyman reproves him sharply with: "Young man, sit down! When God wishes to convert the heathen world, he will do so without your aid or mine."

Lame and silenced for the time, no doubt he was; still the question burns in his heart, and a few years later, in May, 1792, he preaches a memorable sermon before an Association, from Isaiah liv. 2, 3, with the two leading thoughts, Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." The same divine who rebuked him before is melted and convinced. This discourse and the impression it made results, after a time, in the formation of a society for sending the gospel into hea

then lands.

Three hundred years, plus one, lie between the voyage of Columbus to these New World shores and the voyage of this "Consecrated Cobbler" to the sunny shores of India. The one sought a land where rubies, diamonds, emeralds and pearls might reward his enterprise; the other sought in the land of the Hindu for richer jewels to place in his Saviour's crown. "I'll go down into the mine," he says to the friends who formed the new missionary society, "but you must hold the ropes.'

An ignorant cobbler, he is sometimes called; but surely that epithet is hardly appropriate to one who had acquired both Greek and Hebrew without a teacher, had learned to read the Bible in seven different languages, and had studied it so thoroughly in his

native tongue as to be in advance of his time in his knowledge of a Christian's obligation to the heathen, and his faith and determination to fulfill that obligation to the best of his ability.

TOMB OF CAREY.

Thus venturing out into the unknown seas of missionary enterprise, our pioneer encountered many obstacles that might well have daunted a less devoted man. Such were the determined opposition of the powerful East India Company, driving him from Calcutta to Serampore; the small supply of funds from the home land, necessitating his laboring in indigo factories three months in the year; the misunderstandings with the home society; the difficulties of acquiring the language, where the very means for acquiring it had to be constructed; and last, but not least, the querulous complaints and upbraidings of his reluctant wife, and her final insanity. This thorn in

the flesh was mercifully removed by death, and his second wife proved a helpful sympathizer in his abundant labors.

For seven years he

and his associate, Dr. Thomas, toil, preach, and pray before their faith and patience are rewarded by the baptism of one convert.

After forty years of service in this chosen vineyard, what are the manifest results? The translation of the Bible, in whole or in part, into thirty-six dialects; the establishment of Serampore College, for the training of a native Christian ministry; the formation of "twenty-six churches within an area

WIDOW WALLIS'S BACK PARLOR.

551

of about eight hundred miles, and above forty laboring brethren raised up on the spot amid them"; and the way made easy for all other missionaries of the cross to prosecute the glorious work so grandly begun.

And now the light that shines upon this faithful pioneer comes from above, from the radiance that is around the throne of God; and upward into that immortal light that no knows no fading nor shadow, rises the glad soul of William Carey.

In the cemetery at Serampore stands a monument bearing upon it, as directed in his will, the simple inscription:

WILLIAM CAREY.

BORN, AUG. 17, 1761. DIED, JUNE 9, 1834.

"A wretched, poor, and helpless worm,

In Thy kind arms I fall;

Be Thou my strength and righteousness,

My Saviour and my all.”

M. T. C.

WIDOW WALLIS'S BACK PARLOR.

In the early October days, as our sisters were gathering in their circles to commence their Centennial work, English Baptists across the ocean were also celebrating the beginning of modern missions, in the centenary of the English Baptist Missionary Society, of which William Carey was the founder. Four months ago, commencing May 30th, preliminary meetings, which awakened great enthusiasm, were held in the three places most closely connected with the beginning of the Society: Nottingham, where, May 31, 1792, Carey preached the inspired sermon which led to its formation; Leicester, where he was once pastor, and from which place he went to his life work in India; and Kettering, where the Society had its humble beginning in Widow Wallis' back parlor, Oct. 2, 1792.

A very simple statement this, and the only record we have of Widow Beeby Wallis. Yet somehow, as we read it, the dust of a hundred years is swept away, and she stands before us, the type of the thoughtful, prayerful, earnest women of that day. In imagination we follow her in her daily. round of duty about her house, or tending the flowers in the pretty back garden so necessary to every English home. How she ponders in her heart things relating to the kingdom as she sows the tiny seed, waters the thirsty ́plants, ties up the straggling vine, or digs about the roots that are only cumbering the ground. It may be she is sometimes hampered by the prim box. border which surrounds her garden, and she looks wistfully about for a