But now a change is taking place. Meetings for prayer and the study of the Bible are frequent all over the country; and in many parts the inhabitants of whole villages are asking the question, "What must I do to be saved?"

This has given rise to a sad persecution, for it is against the law in Sweden for any religious meetings to be held except in the Established Lutheran Church.

Many of the poor people are cruelly treated by the police, and put in prison, to be fed on bread and water, for the sake of Christ. In one district of country, great numbers had professed the name of Christ, and refused to give up their prayer-meetings. The little prison in the neighbouring town, to which they were condemned, was too small to hold them. They were forced to stay in the town, that they might take their turn to be imprisoned in the jail.

In some places the children have meetings for reading God's Word, and for prayer and praise. Through means of one colporteur, or hawker of good books and tracts, twelve students in one neighbourhood have been awakened. A minister writes as follows:

"We already reckon more than twenty congregations around this,

where a greater or less number of men have been either awakened to understand their ruin, condemnation, and danger, or have been brought, through the gospel, to new and right peace in Christ. Whole congregations, for instance Fjelkestad, where formerly no token of spiritual life had been discerned within the memory of man, and where ministers, equally with laymen, were asleep, have been awakened to the intensest anxiety, so that a hundred, yea, even a thousand, are at one and the same time inquiring, 'What shall I do to be saved?'

"Who are the instruments whom the Lord employs for their awakening? Laymen, poor peasants, and workmen. The present proprietor in the parish of V., who built a Free Church at his own cost, is the person who, all around here, has been the instrument of the most remarkable revivals."

A letter from Sweden says:"We lately visited R- in East Gothland, the residence of Baron H. He, with his wife, and the factor on his estate, are followers of Christ, and friends of his cause. In that country the winter is long and severe, and the people must labour hard while the summer lasts. little after daybreak in the morning, the farm-bell rang a quarter of an

A

hour before the labourers went to the field. They gathered from all around, men and women, old people and children, into an out-house or workshop, where they spent a little while together in praise, prayer, and reading a few verses from the Bible. Their devotions were conducted by a godly teacher, who has been a means of blessing to many. And at night, after their labour is over, in like manner, when they return from the fields, they meet to worship God.

"It is well for us, not only when we eat or drink, but whatever we do, to seek to do it to the glory of God, and be able to ask a blessing upon it. Will these simple, earnest people prosper less because they sanctify their labours with the Word of God and prayer? We were glad to learn from our friend who has charge of the property, that those who are most earnest about the meeting are uniformly the most faithful and diligent in their work in the fields.

In Sweden, the people who are in earnest about their souls are called by the nickname of lasares, or readers. Not long ago Mr H. was at dinner where the sheriff of the

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district was present. The sheriff said to him, before all, in a sneering manner, 'Mr H., is it true that the people at R- are becoming readers?' Mr H. answered, 'I

may say, first, that I hope they are; but, second, I should like if you would say more distinctly what you mean by readers.' 'I mean that they put off all their time reading the Bible, and neglect their proper work.' 'No,' said our friend'we have too much to do at Rto get on with such people. We have not such people about us. Besides, I believe that the people who fear God most, are likely to be the most diligent and faithful servants.' So there was no more said at that time against the readers.

"What an honourable name,that the followers of Christ should be known by their earnest reading of his Word! It is to be feared there are too few, in our own country, on whom the reproach is likely to be cast.

But the charge meant was a cruel falsehood. Let us seek to be like poor Swedish peasants, 'not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.'

MISSIONARIES.

of the murder of a missionary and his wife:

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"It was one morning, about three weeks ago, while Mr Gordon was busily engaged erecting a printing office the few natives who are nominal Christians being away to get grass to thatch the roof--that a party of heathens went to him and asked him to go and see some natives who were sick. Mr G. said he was just going to have breakfast, and offered them medicine; they, however, urged him to go and see the parties, in order to ascertain the real character of the disease. He at once consented, and was going to his house to get some medicine, with one native before and another behind him. When they got near some bush the latter struck Mr G. with his tomahawk on the back, upon which Mr G. fell. Then a number of natives rushed out from the bush, and with their hatchets despatched him. His arm was broken in three places while in the act of defending himself, and his head and neck were cut fearfully. After Mr Gordon fell, four of the natives instantly ran off to Mrs G., who came to the door and asked what the noise was she heard. The men replied, 'Oh, 'tis only some natives laughing.' She turned round to go into the house and was treated in a similar way to her husband. There happened to be but one Englishman on the island at the time,

who resided about a mile and a half from Mr Gordon's house. He, upon hearing what had taken place, armed himself and went to the fatal spot and rescued the bodies of Mr and Mrs G., and was just in time to save the house, which had been set on fire by the natives. Our lamented and much-loved friends and late fellow-labourers are buried on the spot where Harris fell, and was murdered, by this cruel people. Oh ! that the light of the glorious Gospel of love and peace may shine on dark, dark Eramanga. Four have fallen martyrs to the truth on that island, and little or no fruit as yet. 'Tis one of Satan's strongholds, nor will he let it go without a desperate struggle. Shall we raise the siege? God forbid even should it cost forty lives to plant the Gospel standard on Eramanga. What is that compared with the good that would follow ? Are there not to be found a sufficient number of young men, with a little knowledge in their heads, and their hearts full of love to Christ and perishing souls, who are willing to give their lives to Jesus, in order to rescue multitudes from Satan? Four hundred lives would not be considered much in the taking of a city; here is an island under the bondage of the worst of tyrants; wherever you turn your eyes there is