a truth thou also art one of them," his countrymen might say to him, "for thy speech bewrayeth thee."

What little revival there has been in more recent years is partly due under God to the late Rev. Dr Wilson of Bombay, under whose wise and loving care two Abyssinian youths of noble birth were trained. They became decided Christians, and returning to their country they made known the Gospel. One of them was afterwards Prime Minister to his king. But it is not easy to revive a Church when in the last stages of decay; not easy to "put new wine into old bottles," especially when the bottles are hopelessly shrivelled and torn. More good may be done by beginning anew, in casting aside the old bottles, and "putting new wine into new bottles, and then both are preserved."

There are about 300,000 Jews in the Abyssinian dominions, almost the only part of the world where they have never been persecuted. They are, as in nearly every country, an industrious and law-abiding people, and a good field for mission work might be found amongst them.

The work in all these countries on the Nile and its affluents may spread to the vast Eastern Soudan, the population of which may be thirty millions. There are as yet no missionaries in that region. It may also extend to the centre of Africa,—to distant Uganda, Kibwezi, and the Lake regions generally. In these, as we have already seen, much mission work is carried on by various Churches and societies. Let us avail ourselves of the promise, taking the name of Ethiopia in its widest sense: "Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her

hands unto God." The Lord will assuredly bless the ministration of His grace in every heathen land. "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon as among them that know me: Behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; This one was born there."

"Those that be princes great shall then

come out of Egypt lands;

And Ethiopia to God

shall soon stretch out her hands.

O all ye kingdoms of the earth,
sing praises to this King;
For He is Lord that ruleth all,
unto Him praises sing.

To Him that rides on heav'ns of heav'ns,
which He of old did found;

Lo, He sends out His voice, a voice

in might that doth abound."

IV. AMERICA.

WHEN we pass over to the American continent, the first thing that strikes one is the immense difference subsisting between its two great divisions, North and South America. This may be partly accounted for by the fact that the former was mainly colonised by the Teutonic and the latter by the Latin races. These latter have never succeeded well in this work. Even the colonies of imperial Rome were chiefly of a military character, though it had the wisdom to give to many of them the rights of citizenship, as far as these could be held at a distance from the great metropolis. Hence I may remark that St Paul, ever ready to illustrate truth in ways understood by those to whom he wrote, writes to the Philippians, "Our citizenship is in heaven," where as soon as it pleased their Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ to come for them, they should have ampler enjoyment of all their privileges than they could have in this present world.

The French nation has not made much of Algiers, though it is a fine country and not far away. little more than a military colony, and it has never drawn many of the people to its shores. Italy has

had still less profit from its colony of Eritrea, recently established on the Red Sea. It has met many reverses, and being almost in a bankrupt condition, it can ill afford the expense entailed by it.. They should have restricted their possessions to one or two ports, if they wish to secure a footing in that part of Africa. The Rev. Dr Robertson of Venice tells us in a recent issue of the 'Bulwark' that they were fighting, not the Abyssinians merely, but the Vatican. Unless all the world is mistaken, it was the Vatican who financed the French and Russian officers who marshalled the Abyssinians. Then after the war the Vatican posed as a peace-maker, but instead of gaining credit in the eyes of Europe for that patriotism and benevolence to which it is a stranger, it has given one more proof of its essentially deceitful and immoral character. The Government has, however, succeeded in making peace with the Emperor Menelik in an honourable way.

South America, colonised by the Spaniards and the Portuguese, or rather conquered, plundered, and oppressed by them, has been for many generations the scene of revolutions, murder, and bloodshed, which do not as yet seem to have come to an end. Nor are they likely to do so until a purer religion than Romanism, which the Latin nations have carried with them wherever they have gone, prevails there. If its republics were "stablished, strengthened, settled" in such religion, it would go far to bring a conservative element into their constitution and to strengthen them otherwise. For the knowledge of God is the true defence of a nation. It places it on God's side, and it gives character to its people. It is the foundation of national prosperity, the well-spring

of all excellences, the implanting of that righteousness which exalteth a nation. This is illustrated in the history of many lands, and not least in that of Israel. "In Judah is God known: His name is great in Israel. In Salem also is His tabernacle, and His dwelling-place in Zion. There brake He the arrows of the bow; the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Glorious art Thou and excellent, from the mountains of prey."

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

For Him shall endless prayer be made,
And praises throng to crown His head;
His Name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.

Let every creature rise and bring
Peculiar honours to our King;
Angels descend with songs again,
And earth repeat the loud Amen."