the event of the boats being destroyed. Great care, too, was taken in the selection of the men who were to conduct the perilous experiment. Ten vigorous young men, American-born, were appointed to the honour, each of whom was required to give a pledge of abstinence from all intoxicating drinks; and the Commodore states, that "to this stipulation, under Providence, is, perhaps, to be ascribed their final recovery from the extreme prostration consequent on the severe privations and great exposure to which they were unavoidably subjected." The most terrible foe to be encountered in the business was fever, which cut off Castigan and Molyneux; and hence no scheme was ever planned to explore the Dead Sea that did not end fatally; for all who survived the calamity were plundered or murdered by the Arabs. It deserves, indeed, to be noticed, that these things took place so recently, that the sword of the destroyer had scarcely been sheathed, and his spear ceased to quiver, when these brave Yankees offered themselves as fresh victims, if it should so turn out, and pursued their adventurous way till they reached the Dead Sea-the Sea of Sodom-upon whose pestiferous bosom they spent the long period of twenty-two nights. The following is given by Lieutenant Lynch as the result of the expedition :

We have carefully sounded the sea, determined its geographical position, taken the exact topography of its shores, ascertained the temperature, width, depth, and velocity of its tributaries; collected specimens of every kind, and noted the winds, currents, changes of the weather, and all atmospheric phenomena. These, with a faithful narrative of events, will give a correct idea of this wonderful body of water as it appeared to us.

From the summit of these cliffs, in a line a little north of west, about sixteen miles distant, is Hebron, a short distance from which Dr. Robinson found the dividing ridge between the Mediterranean and this sea. From Beni Na'im, the reputed tomb of Lot, upon that ridge, it is supposed that Abraham looked "toward all the land of the plain," and beheld the smoke "as the smoke of a furnace." The inference from the Bible, that this entire chasm was a plain sunk and "overwhelmed" by the wrath of God, seems to be sustained by the extaordinary character of our soundings. The bottom of this sea consists of two submerged plains, an elevated and a depressed one; the last averaging thirteen, the former about thirteen hundred feet below the surface. Through the northern, and largest and deepest one, in a line corresponding with the bed of the Jordan, is a ravine, which again seems to correspond with the Wady elJeib, or ravine within a ravine, at the south end of the sea.

Between the Jabok and this sea, we unex

pectedly found a sudden break down in the bed of the Jordan. If there be a similar break in the water-courses to the south of the sea, accompanied with like volcanic characters, there can scarce be a doubt that the whole Ghor has sunk from some extraordinary convulsion, preceded, most probably, by an eruption of fire, and a general conflagration of the bitumen which abounded in the plain. I shall ever regret that we were not authorized to explore the southern Ghor to the Red Sea.

All our observations have impressed me forcibly with the conviction that the mountains are older than the sea. Had their relative levels been the same at first, the torrents would have worn their beds in a gradual and correlative slope; whereas, in the northern section, the part supposed to have been so deeply engulfed, although a soft, bituminous limestone prevails, the torrents plunge down several hundred feet, while on both sides of the southern portion the ravines come down without abruptness, although the head of Wady Kerak is more than a thousand feet higher than the head of Wady Ghuweir. Most of the ravines, too-as reference to the map will show-have a southward inclination near their outlets; that of Zerka Main or Callirohoe especially, which, next to the Jordan, must pour down the greatest volume of water in the rainy season. But even if they had not that deflection, the argument which has been based upon this supposition would be untenable; for tributaries, like all other streams, seek the greatest declivities, without regard to angular inclination. The Yermak flows into the Jordan at a right angle, and the Jabok with an acute one to its descending course.

There are many other things tending to the same conclusion; among them the isolation of the mountain of Usdum; its difference of contour and of range, and its consisting entirely of a volcanic product.

But it is for the learned to comment on the facts we have laboriously collected. Upon ourselves the result is a decided one. We entered upon this sea with conflicting opinions. One of the party was sceptical, and another,

believe,

a professed unbeliever of the Mosaic account. After twenty-two days' close investigation, if I am not mistaken, we are unanimous in the conviction of the truth of the Scriptural account of the destruction of the cities of the plain. I record with diffidence the conclusions we have reached, simply as a protest against the shallow deductions of would-be-unbelievers.

It was to be expected that in such a narrative some reference would be made to Lot's Wife, and the pillar into which she was turned, and of which tradition has said so much in confirmation of the Sacred Scriptures. Now, it comes clearly out in the Narrative of the expedition, that there is, in the locality, to this hour, a pillar of salt, which appears to have been the basis of the tradition. Of the origin of this pillar, of course, nothing can be affirmed with certainty. One thing only is beyond dispute-it is in the locality of the terrible visitation; it is, therefore, possible, abstractedly con

sidered, that the body of the unhappy woman might have been its basis, but for the circumstance that the pillar is upon a hill, while it appears from the Scriptures that the hand of the Lord fell upon Lot's Wife in the plain. The Lieutenant describes the pillar as follows:

To our astonishment, we saw, on the eastern side of Usdum, one-third the distance from its north extreme, a lofty, round pillar, standing apparently detached from the general mass, at the head of a deep, narrow, and abrupt chasm. We immediately pulled in for the shore, and Dr. Anderson and I went up and examined it. The beach was a soft, slimy mud, encrusted with salt, and a short distance from the water covered with saline fragments, and flakes of bitumen. We found the pillar to be of solid salt, capped with carbonate of lime, cylindrical in front, and pyramidal behind. The upper or rounded part is about forty feet high, resting on a kind of oval pedestal, from forty to sixty feet above the level of the sea. It slightly decreases in size upwards, crumbles at the top, and is one entire mass of crystallization. A prop or buttress connects it with the mountain behind, and the whole is covered with debris of a light stonecolour. Its peculiar shape is attributable to the action of the winter rains. The Arabs had told us, in vague terms, that there was to be found a pillar somewhere upon the shores of the sea; but their statements in all other respects had proved so unsatisfactory, that we could place no reliance on them.

The pillar was sixty feet high, and forty feet in circumference. Another member of the expedition has given the world his views of the matter as follows:

We cannot suppose that Lot's wife was a person so large that her dimensions equalled

that of the column. Many think that the statue of Lot's wife was equal to the pillar of salt which the Bible speaks of, let that pillar be whatever it may, and whatever its size. They will not probably credit that this is the pillar: their preconceived notions have much to do with the matter; and they would have everybody, Americans and Syrians alike, think she was at once transformed into a column of very fine grained, beautifully white salt, about five feet or a few inches in height, and in circumference that of a middle-aged woman of the nineteenth century. Be that as it may, no two minds have, perhaps, formed exactly the same opinion on this matter who have not visited the spot. But here we are, around this immense column, and we find that it is really of solid rock-salt, one mass of crystallization. It is in the vicinity which is pointed out in the Bible in relation to the matter in question, and it appears to be the only one of its kind here; and the Arabs of the district, to [by] whom this pillar is pointed out as being that of Lot's wife, [must believe this to be] the identical pillar of salt to which the Bible has reference; the tradition having been handed down from each succeeding generation to their children, as the Americans will hand down to succeeding generations the tradition of Bunker's Hill Monument in Boston. My own opinion on the matter is, that Lot's wife having lingered behind, in disobedience to God's express command, given in order to insure her safety; that, while so lingering, she became overwhelmed in the descending fluid, and formed the model or foundation for this extraordinary column. If it be produced by common, by natural causes, it is but right to suppose that others might be found of a similar description. One is scarcely able to abandon the idea that it stands here as a lasting memorial of God's punishing a most deliberate act of disobedience, committed at a time when he was about to show distinguishing regard for the very person.

MEMORY.

A BUCKET or tub may, for want of use, and standing dry, be so full of slits and rifts, that all the water you take up in it runneth out; yet often dipping into the well, and filling it with water, will make it moister than otherwise it would have been, and more retentive. Thus it is with our memories in the things concerning God and the good of our souls; being very brittle and pertuse, that they will hold very little, or nothing at all. They are dolia pertusa: all goes through. This must, therefore, be matter of great necessity, to hear often; that the frequent inculcation of the same things may imprint them in our mind by often hearing, which others of more happy memories have got at the first.-D. Gonge, 1644.

RELAPSES IN SIN. WE find in Scripture many desperately sick, yet cured the first time by our Saviour; but where do we read in all the Scriptures, where in all the gospel, of any blind man's eyes twice en

lightened? of any deaf ears twice opened? of any tied-tongue twice loosened? of any possessed with devils twice dispossessed? of any dead twice raised? No doubt but Christ could have done it, but we read not that ever he did it. The reason, that we should be most careful to avoid relapses into former sins, the recovery whereof is very uncertain, always difficult, and, in some cases, as the apostle teacheth, impossible.-Alphonsus.

TRUE PHILOSOPHY.

THE philosopher being asked, what was the cause that philosophers attended at the gates of rich men, and rich men attended not at the gates of philosophers? answered, "Because philosophers knew what they stood in need of, but the rich knew not that they had need of philosophy." So, did but men know how much they stood in need of spiritual knowledge to lead them to their Creator, they would tread oftener upon the threshold of the sanctuary; they would be more diligent in searching the Scrip

tures, more laborious, digging, as it were, for silver; and they would be more chary, too, of those earthen vessels by which such excellent treasure is conveyed to them.-John Weemse.

AFFLICTIONS FROM GOD.

A MAN when he would drink of the waters of the river, drinketh not of it near the sea where it is brackish, but he goes up to the fountain where it is sweet and pleasant. So, if we will ever find comfort in our afflictions, we must learn to take them out of God's hand; to pass by the instrument, and look up to the agent : for in the second causes we shall find much malice and hatred, but in God much mercy and goodness. Thus did Job, when the Chaldeans robbed him; thus David, when Shimei cursed him; thus Joseph, when his brethren maligned him. Goddard, 1649.

GOD'S DEALINGS IN PROVIDENCE. THERE is no wise physician that gives the same physic to all patients, or in the same proportion, but he fitteth it in quantity and quality to every one's need; giving to one a pill to purge him, to another a cordial to restore him; one must be lanced, another must be healed; one must have sauce to quicken his appetite, another must fast it out, and be cured by abstinence. And thus the Lord, in wisdom, dealeth with the sons of men. He giveth that allowance to every one which he knows most requisite for them, respecting the persons of none, but doing good unto all, as their state and condition doth require. One man is bettered by liberty, another by restraint; one, being ingenuous by nature, is made better by benefits; another, of a more servile disposition, becomes worse, and is only mended with threats and punishments. One man is fit to be rich, another to be poor; one for the court, another for the cart. Thus every one hath his portion, every one his station, allotted by God, in his wisdom and goodness.-Down's Christian Warfare.

HEAVEN, GOD'S DWELLING-PLACE. WHEN, in our travels, we chance to cast our eye upon some goodly structure of inestimable value, we presently conceive it to be the palace of a prince so, when we see the frame of heaven so full of wonders, where stars are but as dust, and angels are but servants, where every word is unspeakable, and every motion is a miracle, we may safely conclude it to be the dwelling of Him whose name is "Wonderful."-J. Weemse.

LITTLE SINS DANGEROUS.

A LITTLE rope sufficeth to hang a great thief; a little dross abaseth much gold; a little poison infecteth much wholesome liquor; a little heresy corrupteth much sound doctrine; a little fly is enough to spoil all the alabaster box of ointment ;-so, the smallest sin, the least piccadillo, without God's mercy, is sufficient to damn our souls to all eternity!-Phil. Boskieri.

SELF-EXAMINATION.

It is reported of the elephant how unwilling he is to go into the water, but, being forced, he paddles it, lest by the clearness of the stream he should discern his own deformity. This is the condition of every wicked man; he is loath to look into himself, had rather put the candle out at the door than go with it into his house to make any discoveries there: either he thinks he

is so good that he need not examine himself, or he thinks he is so bad that he is loath to examine himself.-P. Goodwin.

CONTENTMENT.

By the art of navigation, with great pains and industry, men can fetch in the silks of Persia, the spices of Egypt, the gold of Ophir, the treasures of the East and West Indies. Oh! but by the art of contentment, a man may stay at home and fetch in the comfort of any condition whatsoever. That is, he may have that comfort by contentment, that he would have if he had the very things themselves.

THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED. PROSPERITY to the wicked is as wind to a bladder, which swells it until it bursts; like a ship when she is top and top-gallant, soonest cast away; like a spider in the king's house, soonest swept down. When a wicked man is at the highest, then he is nearest his fall; and usually when he is in the ruffe of all his bravery, God so orders it, that he is humbled on a sudden.Tho. de Prugillo.

EVIL OF SIN.

In this story (the temptation and fall of man), we see the amazing evil of sin manifested in the conduct of the tempter. What a disposition was that which was exhibited in the seduction of our first parents from their obedience! From what a state of innocence and happiness did it plunge them and their posterity! At the same time no personal resentment operated, nor revenge burned in his breast against them; for between him and them there had never been a controversy, nor even a connection. They were ignorant that such a being as himself existed, and had never done or wished him any evil whatever. But he envied, he hated their virtue, their happiness, and their prospects. Under the influence of these infernal feelings, he laboured to destroy them, and a world with them; and voluntarily entailed on countless millions of intelligent beings, sin, wrath, and ruin. How vast, how wonderful, how dreadful is this malice! How hateful is he in whom it resided! Such is the true nature of all sin.-Dwight.

LIFE SOON CUT SHORT. A VESSEL of wine or beer, kept for a man's own use or his special friend, may hold out a long time, being moderately drank off; but if there come in such customers as are strong to drink strong drink, that may be spent in a day which would have lasted a month. So the life of man, which otherwise, with temperance and care, might have lasted and spun out to a full length of years, that with less diet might have reached to a full period, if God do but let in great drinkers, as agues, burning fevers, plague, &c., it will be spent and gone on a sudden.-Rd. Sibbs, 1619.

THE PICTURE OF CHRIST. IF a man profess himself to be a painter, and take upon him to make a picture of a king, and mis-shape him, doth he not deserve just blame? Yes, surely; for he occasioneth strangers to think meanly of the king's person, because of his ill-favoured portraiture. Thus Christianity is nothing else but an imitation of the Divine nature, a reducing of a man's self to the image of God, in which he was created, to righteousness and true holiness. Then, shall a Christian

escape punishment, whose life is to be a visible representation of Christ,-if infidels and enemies of all goodness blaspheme him, while they judge of him according to his counterfeit? He shall not. Wherefore (saith Chrysostom) let us represent heaven in earth: so live that man may say, God is in them of a truth; and our light so shine before men here on earth, that they may glorify God who is in heaven.B. Lake.

THE WAY TO GOD.

A MAN that walks by a river, if he follow the river against the stream, it will at length bring him to the spring-head from whence it issueth; but if he goeth along with the stream, it will drill him on to the salt sea. So he that is cross-grained to the humours of the world, that swims against the stream of sensual delights and pleasures, that well improveth these outward things to God's glory, shall at the length be brought to God, the sweet fountain of them all but if he sail with wind and tide in the abuse of the good creatures of God, they will carry him down like a torrent, into the dead sea of perdition.-Jos. Shute, 1626.

THE PRESENT AND FUTURE LIFE. A PHILOSOPHER asking one which of these two he would rather be-either Croesus, (who was one of the richest, but most vicious in the world), or Socrates, (who was one of the poorest, but one of the most virtuous men in the world) -his auswer was, that in his life he would be a Croesus, but in his death he would be a Socrates. So if many in these days were put to their choice, they would be Dives in their life, but Lazarus in their death: they would, with Balaam, "die the death of the righteous," but live the life of the wicked. But that cannot be, for death is a thing of truck or exchange: here it is that the Israelites make the bricks, and the Egyptians dwell in the houses; but hereafter St. John Baptist's head will become a crown as well as a platter; and he that had his consolation, his heaven in this world, shall, at the time of death, meet with torments, and hell in that which is to come.-Fonseca.

FILTHINESS OF SIN. IT is said that swine, especially the wild boars, are of that strange quickness of scent, that if the huntsman means to shoot at him, he must take the wind of him, or else he will wind him

out, and be gone. Now, on the contrary, they are not so sensible of the ill savour of a dunghill, nor the stench of mud and mire, but rather take delight to lie wallowing therein, esteeming it as a great recreation and refreshing unto them. This is the figure of a filthy, foul sinner, who will fly a thousand miles from the perils and dangers of his body; so that he may sleep in a whole skin, he cares for no more; but in the meantime takes delight and pleasures in those muck-hills and dirty puddles which defile his soul.-J. Gerhard.

THE BLESSED MAN. WAS Abraham rich?-80 was Abimelech. Was Jacob rich ?-so was Laban too. Was David a king?-so was Saul. Was Constantine an emperor ?-so was Julian. Was John a disciple? -go was Judas. Thus riches, honours, and preferments, though the blessings of God, yet are no demonstrations of a blessed man. What a wise, good God have we! Lest any man should take them to be ill, they are bestowed on them that are good; and lest any man should reckon them for the chief good, they are likewise cast upon the wicked.

THE PRAYERS OF THE WICKED. It is said of the precious stone, diacletes, though it has many excelling sovereignties in it, yet it loseth them all if it be put into a dead man's mouth; and certainly prayer, which is the only jewel of a Christian, though it have many virtues in it, many excellences belonging to it, yet it loseth them, every one, if it be put into a man's mouth who is dead in sins and trespasses. -Vinc. Burgund.

FALSE PLEASURES. IT is observed by the mythologists that Pleasure went on an occasion to bathe herself, and, having stripped off her clothes, laid them on the waterside. But Sorrow, having hid herself in the covert, as unseen, steals the clothes away, puts them on, and so departs. Hence it comes to pass that multitudes in the world are at a great loss; they run and ride, court and woo pleasure, which they have no sooner obtained than they perceive their error, and acknowledge their mistake. It is nothing else but Sorrow in Pleasure's clothes. The pleasures of the world are bitter sweets at the best. God only is true happiness, the fount and origin of all good. At his right hand are true pleasures for evermore. Alsop, 1649.

not in vain, as Catherine gave very early indication of a gracious influence upon her mind.

After the decease of her mother she was sent to a boarding school at Northampton House establishment, Canonbury-place, Islington, conducted by an excellent Christian lady, from whom she experienced all the kindness of a parent, combined with the careful discipline of

an intelligent instructor. Here she remained for six years, enjoying advantages which contributed in no small degree to the formation of the religious character she subsequently displayed. It was during this period that deep spiritual impressions were produced; and she ever referred to this season as that in which she had been led to feel the great importance of decision for the Saviour: then, no doubt, the work of grace was commenced in the heart; and whatever judgment she might form of herself, others took knowledge of her that she had been with Jesus. Towards the school of her youth she ever cherished the strongest affection, and often spoke in grateful terms of the solicitude evinced for her eternal welfare by her muchbeloved and amiable governess, Miss Bifield.

At the age of seventeen she returned to the parental roof; and up to the time of her late fatal illness, filled a situation the duties of which occupied a large portion of her time; but while diligent in business she was equally fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, and never allowed worldly care to entrench upon the time sacred to the exercises of the heart. The seasons which she might have devoted to innocent relaxation, were eagerly employed for the improvement of her religious character; and the prevailing bias of her mind was clearly indicated by the fact, that the intervals of leisure were spent in retirement, where in prayer and meditation she realised her purest earthly happiness.

Some time after she left school a monthly missionary prayer-meeting was formed, at the recommendation of the governess, amongst the young ladies of the establishment, and those pupils who had left previous to its formation were invited to join the little praying association, and to meet the first Tuesday evening in each month. Miss M'Ewen cheerfully responded to this appeal; but the distance of the place of meeting, and the claims of home duties, prevented her from being so regular in her attendance as she wished; however she never omitted to retire to her closet, and spend the appointed hour in prayer: thus enjoying fellowship of spirit with those with whom she could not be personally present, and sympathising with their desires and petitions for the spread of the gospel among the heathen, and to the very last she kept this hour sacred; and on the Tuesday evening previous to her death, which took place on Friday, the 4th of May, she requested that her attendant should leave the room, and allow her to spend the time alone. Indeed she took a lively interest in everything relating to the missionary work. She rejoiced at the formation of the juvenile association in connection with the Poultry chapel, and immediately enrolled her name as a collector; and when weakness and approaching death admonished her that her period of active service was over, she transferred her collecting-book and cards to her sister, with a solemn request that, as God was about to remove her, she should supply her lack of service.

It was not until March, 1848, that she united herself publicly with the church; her timidity of disposition and fear of self-deception had hitherto prevented her taking this step; but when her pastor presented the subject to her mind in its Scriptural bearings, she at once admitted the obligation to make an avowal of her love to

Christ; and though she was permitted to enjoy but few seasons of communion at the table of the Lord, she ever reviewed her act of public dedication with emotions of thankfulness. The leading features of her character were deep humility; a spirit of self-renunciation; absolute deadness to the world, and entire separation from it as a source of happiness. The world had no attraction for her in any of its scenes or associations; she was spiritually-minded. She never went to any place of public amusement or entertainment but once, and that was with great reluctance-it was to an oratorio at Exeter-hall; and the following day, when asked how she liked the performance, she said, "I cannot tell-I felt truly miserable;" and, on being questioned as to the cause, she said, "It may be very well for a scientific display, but it seemed to me a solemn mockery, and I hope I shall never go again."

The Bible was her chosen companion, she read it much and devoutly; and as the necessary concomitant of love to the Bible, there was a uniform prevalence of a devotional temperament, prayer was her strength and her joy.

She carried about with her for seven years a little book, the title of which is "Christ is All:" it was truly her vade mecum; and never once did she part with it whether at home or abroad, in sickness or health, by day or by night; not even for a few seconds: for when shifted from the bed to the couch, or from the couch to the easy-chair, the first thing she asked for was her little book and Bible, and she died with them both by her side.

On some observation being made as to the state her Bible was in from the note-marks and folded leaves, the result of long and constant reading, she replied: "Yes, it has been my best friend for fourteen years; and though it has often got me into trouble, I have never loved it the less." On being asked, how it could be the means of involving her in trouble, her answer was: Many times when I have been reading it in private, I have been accused of negligence and idleness." For some years after she left school she devoted the Sabbath afternoon to instructing the girls in the Bakers' Orphanschool in the knowledge of the Scriptures; giving each a portion of God's word to read and reflect upon during the week, and to be prepared to answer any question arising from the same on the following Sabbath afternoon; and proofs are not wanting that her efforts were not in vain. Indeed she was singularly happy in simplifying her ideas to the comprehension of the most tender age. At home she took a pleasure in withdrawing from the family into her room, taking her little brother and sister with her (the one three and the other four years of age), for the purpose of reading to them the Bible narratives, and talking to them of the love and compassion of Jesus Christ; so that by such means they could answer questions (from memory, of course,) which would have been creditable to adult years.

She was pre-eminently entitled, both by her conduct and conversation, as well as the amiability of her disposition, to the beatitude of our Saviour, "Blessed are the peace-makers," &c. It was often remarked, that she always carried a vial of oil to pour on the troubled waters of contention, whether in the social or domestic circle; and when at school, where ample oppor