I was at first disappointed in the appearance of these forest saints; I had expected to have seen them scattered along the mountain that they consecrated, each standing apart like a vegetable cathedral; but here was a snug compact little brotherhood gathered together in the most social group; no other tree was visible for many a mile round. When, however, I reached the forest, after two hours' steep and difficult descent, I found my largest expectations realized, and confessed that it was the most magnificent specimen of forestry I had ever seen. It was delightful to pass out of the glowing, fiery sunshine into the cool, refreshing gloom of those wide flaky branches, that vast cedar shade, whose gnarled old stems stood round like massive pillars supporting their ponderous domes of foliage. 66 One of the greatest charms of this secluded forest must have been its deep solitude, but that, alas! is gone for ever: some monks obtained the ground for building, and an unsightly chapel was just being raised on this sacred spot. I confess it seemed to me like a desecration; the place already was holy ground" to all the world, and these ignorant monks had come to monopolize and claim it for the tawdry and tinselled image which they had just "set up." The churls had even pulled down one of the oldest trees to light their pipes and boil their rice with; I fear it was with a very bad grace that I gave a few gold pieces to their begging importunities for the erection of this sectarian chapel, and it was with a very bad grace that they received them. There are twelve old trees, or saints, as they are called, being supposed to be coeval with those that furnished timber for Solomon's temple-yes, twelve, I will maintain it, notwithstanding all the different computations on the subject, are there standing now. It is natural that there should be a diversity of opinion, perhaps, as the forest consists of about one thousand trees, among which there is a succession of all ages; nevertheless, there is the apostolic number, firstrate in size and venerable appearance. The largest of these is forty-five feet in circumference; the second forty-four. Many of them are scarred with travellers' names, among which are those of Laborde, Irby, Mangles, Lamartine, &c. I should have thought as soon of carving my name on the skin of the venerable Sheikh of Eden, who soon arrived to pay his respects to the stranger. That night's encampment was one to be remembered. My tent was pitched on a carpet of soft, green sward, under the wide-spread arms of one of the old saints. After a little, the watch-fire blazed up against a pale, gray cliff; its red gleam playing on the branches beneath, and the silvery moon shining on them from above, produced a beautiful effect, as they trembled in the night breeze, and their dark green leaves seemed shot alternately with crimson and with silver; then the grouping of the servants, and the mountaineers in their vivid dresses, and the sombre priests assembled round the fire, and the horses feeding in the background. Gradually the chattering ceased; one by one the inhabitants retired to their distant village, the salaams died away, and I was left alone, but for the sleeping servants. All was in fine harmony to sight and sound around me; all nature seemed in profoundest rest, yet palpitating with a quiet pleasure; the stars thrilled with intense lustre in the azure sky, the watch-fire now and then gleamed through the heavy foliage; its fragrance, for it was of cedar wood, stole gratefully over the tranced senses "And not a breath crept through the rosy air, And yet the forest leaves seemed stirred with prayer. ' The next morning, before sunrise, I broke up my encampment, with regret. These are the most interesting trees in the world, except, perhaps, those of Gethsemane; they were the favourite metaphor of the "sweet singers of Israel, and of the prophets;" and thus it comes that these few trees, standing on this lonely and distant mountain, are known over the wide earth. THE CRESCENT AND THE CROSS. INTELLIGENCE. BRITISH SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. The sixth Anniversary of this Institution was held at Freemasons' Hall, on Friday evening, the 27th ult. There was a most encouraging attendance; the hall and gallery being quite filled with a highly respectable audience, the platform presenting a most cheering aspect, from the number of warm friends and supporters who were upon it, who by their presence and advocacy showed the lively interest they felt in the operations of the society. The Chair was occupied by J. D. Paul, Esq., the Treasurer. Dr. James Hamilton having opened the proceedings by prayer, The CHAIRMAN rose and said, I rejoice that I am once more permitted to address you, particularly on a subject which ought to be dear to the heart of every true believer in Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. It is moreover, a subject of deeply-increasing importance, and claims all the sympathy and support which we can give it. It is our custom, as well as our duty on these occasions, to bring before you the progress of our work of faith and labour of love, in making known to the Jews Jesus as the true Messiah, their crucified and risen Saviour, as well as their long-expected and coming King. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to the Jew, as the channel of all the rich blessings and spiritual privileges we enjoy under the Gospel dispensation, and he presents the strongest claim to our heart's best affections. If there be any present this evening in this well-filled assembly-a pleasing indication of growing interest in the Jewish cause who have not taken a distinct and peculiar interest in this mission to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, I pray that they may be won to-night to the work of the Lord in this glorious cause, and which, in an especial manner, is the cause of Christ. I trust that we shall none of us become "weary in well doing," whatever our position or vocation in life may be-whether as ministers of the Gospel, or, in the common acceptation of the term, laymen. Surely the signs of the times, the circumstances of the two last eventful years, without parallel in the history of professing Christendom, ought to stir us up to renewed energy in this work of the Lord. The movements amongst the nations, like the first shock of the great earthquake, is manifestly indicative of some approaching and great regenerating crisis, which may be as life from the dead to the world. If 1800 years ago the apostolic warning was, "The end of all things is at hand," how much greater reason have we now to repeat that warning! Occupy till I come," was our blessed Lord's distinct command, and associated with it was another, "Preach the Gospel to every creature." Now if duties are ours, events are God's, and though we may not confidently be able to say, "who hath believed our report, or to whom hath the Lord been revealed," yet, as in the days of the great apostle there was "a remnant according to the election of grace," even so it is now. I believe that our distinct and peculiar work is to gather out that remnant, and thus instrumentally accomplish the number of God's elect. To this we should give our energies and prayerful effort, remembering the words of our blessed Lord, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples:" and then when we have finished our appointed work, whatever it may be, we may anticipate that glad summons, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." I would invite your patient, and I trust, interested attention to the report which we have to bring before you. I must not forestall its details, but I would place prominently before you the Jewish Missionary College. I am thankful for this opportunity of bearing my personal testimony to its efficiency and success. I was present at a part of the examination of the students last Friday, and I feel confident that the result of that examination must have been as gratifying to 66 the professors and tutors who have acted so kindly and sedulously in the preparation and training of these young Jewish converts, as it was full of promise, that many intelligent, pious, faithful labourers will go forth out of that institution into the harvest-field. Shall it not be our united prayer that these young evangelists may enter on this high and holy vocation, richly blessed in themselves, and made an abundant blessing to many of their brethren in the flesh? We are mainly indebted to the liberality of two Christian ladies for the means of maturing this most important branch of our efforts. Indeed we cannot speak too highly of the zeal and diligence of our female auxiliaries generally throughout the country. I would say to each one of our fair hearers, "Go, and do likewise." One word as an incentive to perseverance. Let me once more remind you of the great obligation we owe to the children of Abraham. Is not salvation itself of the Jews? Through their fall salvation is come to us Gentiles, through their unbelief we are grafted into the true olive tree. It is by faith alone that we stand, through unmerited grace and mercy, in their place and stead. Shall we then boast? By no means; let us rather humble ourselves lest we be high-minded. Should not a sense of our obligations to them constrain us to renewed energy and effort, that we may be the honoured instruments of leading the descendants of some of those who crucified the Lord of glory, to cry, in the spirit of love and faith, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord!" Mr. YONGE (the resident Secretary) then read one of the most interesting reports it has been our privilege to hear during the present May meetings. It commenced by referring to the Jewish Missionary College. Its benefits were yet, to a considerable extent, prospective; but its progress hitherto had been so satisfactory, that confident expectations might be entertained of the happiest results at no distant period. It now contained eight students. Mr. Manning, the Society's missionary at Jaffa, had held intercourse with the pilgrims going to and from Jerusalem. One young Israelite had avowed himself a disciple of Jesus, and others were under impression. It was intended that Mr. Manning should now visit Syria and Palestine. Mr. Ben Oliel, who had been stationed at Gibraltar, where he had met with much encouragement, was about to visit Africa. Mr. Stern, the missionary in Germany, had enjoyed great advantages. He had been successfully engaged at Frankfort, where his labours had told on the consciences of not a few. Holland had engaged the attention of the Committee, and tracts had been prepared for the Jews in that country, and also in Russia. With reference to home operations, the report stated, that nine missionaries, a female visitor, and a Scripture-reader, had been engaged labouring among the Jews in London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham, &c. From a deep conviction that no one should engage in that work who was not utterly exempt from blame, the Committee had been compelled to relinquish the services of two of the agents who had been successful in the mission, and whom they still followed with their prayers. The work was advancing among the objects of their solicitude, and the Committee believed that the path of duty was that which they were pursuing. Many young Jews who, when first met with were infidel in heart, were now meeting for inquiry. The female missionary was surrounded by an interesting class of Jewish females; several, during the past year, had been haptized-not on a mere avowal of discipleship, but on evidence satisfactory to the churches which had received them of their regeneration and baptism by the Spirit of God. The thanks of the Committee were due to the British and Foreign Bible Society for grants; to ministers who had pleaded the cause of the Institution, and to many friends who had received the deputations to the comforts of a British home. The TREASURER (J. D. Paul, Esq.) presented his accounts, from which it appeared, that the total receipts of the Society during the year, including a balance in hand at the commencement of 571. 28. 2d. amounted to 4,5277. 128. 8d.; the expenditure, including the purchase of an Exchequer bill for 5247. 108., had been 4,322l. 158. 5d.; leaving a balance in hand of 2041. 178. 3d. The receipts included a donation of 600%, which was to be specially appropriated to home objects; and there were debts due by the Society which would more than exhaust the balance in hand. The Rev. R. W. DIBDIN, (minister of the Episcopal Chapel, Weststreet,) rose to move the first resolution. I think, he said, that every person who believes in Jesus Christ, must believe that the report which has been read was written in a truly Christian tone. It is a token for good, in religious societies, when they preserve their spirituality. I like the object of this Society. As a minister, I am bound to preach the Gospel, directly and indirectly, to every creature, Jew as well as Gentile, thinking that there is an election to be gathered out before the Lord shall come again to reign upon the earth. This Society is employed in its proper work,-that of seeking to call from amongst the Jews those who were chosen in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world. I also like the principle upon which the Society is founded-I mean its catholicity. It is always a recommendation to me, that lower and subordinate matters are laid aside, while attention is paid to great and more important things. It is to me a matter of greater moment, that Christ should be preached as a Saviour, than that any particular form of church-government should be advocated or spread abroad. I delight in the mode in which the operations of the Society are conducted. You do not think it sufficient that a Jew should make an avowal of his Christian belief, and do not recommend his baptism until he has exhibited what is considered evidence of his regeneration,-of his being born again of the Spirit. I think this is a very healthy mode of action, and that it would be good for all so-called churches if they conducted their baptisms on the same principle. I cannot see the propriety of baptizing unconverted people or infidels; or of a Jew coming to a Christian minister, throwing away the faith of his forefathers, and saying "I am willing to profess myself a Christian," if his life does not afford evidence that he is a Christian. It appears to me to make him a hypocrite. I should be sorry to see professing Christians multiplied from among the Jews who possessed nothing but a dead formal Christianity. The Scripture says, that if a man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his; he should, therefore, have that Spirit before he takes upon him the profession of the religion of Christ. The catholicity of this Society is likely to commend it to the affections of the Jew. He sees that you are not actuated by selfish motives, desiring to bring him over to the party to which you belong; but that you wish him to exercise his |