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This engraving, drawn specially for the 'Dayspring' from a sketch taken on the spot, represents the scenery on the Lake of Galilee, about two miles north of Tiberias, looking north, with Mount Hermon in the distance.

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THE STORY OF THE FIRST MISSIONARY SHIP.

HEN we next read of the little ship on the Lake of Galilee, its errand was of a different kind. It did not sail to carry the light of the gospel to a dark heathen shore, but to take the missionaries themselves to a quiet resting-place.

The apostles had returned from a mission tour through the cities and villages of Galilee, and had just heard of the cruel murder of John Baptist. Fatigued with their labours, and grieved on account of the death of their friend, Jesus knew that His disciples needed quiet rest, which they could not find in the crowded city of Capernaum.

People from all the surrounding villages were at that time assembling there; some to see the miracles Jesus wrought, others to be healed of their diseases, and many to go to the Passover. There were so many coming and going, that Jesus and His

disciples had no leisure, so much as to eat, So He said to His disciples 'Come ye yourselves apart, into a desert place, and rest awhile.' I have no doubt that these kind words of Jesus are written in the Bible to teach us how careful we ought to be, to do all that we can to promote the health and comfort of ministers and missionaries.

Entering the little ship with His disciples, Jesus sailed for some retired spot across the Lake. Look at the map of Palestine, and you will find on the north of the Lake, near the river Jordan, the place where Bethsaida once stood. On the north-eastern shore of the Lake, a little way from the site of Bethsaida, there is a place called Bataiha. An American missionary, who long resided in Palestine tells us, that here there is a little cove in which boats could lie safely, and at the base of a rocky hill there is a beautiful green sward, on which thousands

THE STORY OF THE FIRST MISSIONARY SHIP.

could be seated. He thinks that cove is the very spot where Jesus landed from the ship that morning.

How did Jesus spend that summer day? Did He rest with His disciples on that quiet green spot? Very differently was He employed. There was no rest for Him, even in this usually solitary place. Many of the crowd whom He had left at Capernaum had watched the ship sailing away, and run along the shore, and when He arrived at the other side were waiting to receive Him.

His own wants were all forgotten in His compassion for the people, who were as sheep not having a shepherd. Welcoming every one of them, He taught them many things concerning the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. Even Christ pleased not Himself, thus leaving us an example, that we should follow His steps.

When a selfish thought would seize us,
And our resolution break;
Let us then remember Jesus,

And resist it, for His sake.

All day long, Jesus continued teaching the people. When evening approached, still unwilling to send them away, He said to His disciples, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.'

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How strange this command must have seemed to the apostles. How could they provide bread for 7000 or 8000 people. They had only five thin barley cakes, (not loaves like ours), and two small fishes, and what were they among so many? They were sufficient. By the blessing of Jesus, and His wonder-working power, every one of that vast multitude ate of that bread, and after all were satisfied, more was left than there had been at the beginning.

The disciples had given away all their little store, and now they had twelve baskets full. Thus does Jesus enrich those who distribute of the bread of life to others.

No one who partook of that wonderful meal seated on the green sward by the Lake of Galilee, could ever forget that evening. The little boys and girls who were there, would remember it as long as they lived.

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But have we not been as wonderfully fed all our lives long? Has not Jesus provided for our wants as truly as He fed the multitudes seated around Him that evening?

Where does the farmer procure the seed which he sows? Who sends the rain and the sunshine which make it grow, and what is the ripened harvest but the seed sown, multiplied?

The earth thou visit'st, watering it;
Thou mak'st it rich to grow
With God's full flood; thou corn prepar'st,
When thou provid'st it so.

Most of the multitudes whom Jesus fed that evening, like many people in our time, thought far more of the bread they had eaten, than of the spiritual bread which Jesus came to bestow. Because they had eaten of the loaves they wished to take Jesus by force and make Him a king; not king in their hearts, but an earthly king, who would free them from the Romans, and give them worldly riches. Then Jesus having constrained His disciples to re-embark in the little ship, sent the multitudes away, for His kingdom is not of this world.

When left alone Jesus went into a desert mountain to pray, and continued in prayer all that night. The busy labours of the day had left Him no time for retirement, and He must spend the hours of night in communion with His Father. Surely then, we should never neglect secret prayer.

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When Jesus was praying on that lonely mountain, a storm came down upon the Lake, and the little vessel was driven far out of its course. Instead of sailing round by the northern shore towards Bethsaida and Capernaum, the ship was in the midst of the sea, tossed with the waves. who witnessed such a storm on the Lake of Galilee, thus describes it, 'My experience in this region, enables me to sympathize with the disciples in their long night's contest with the wind. I spent a night in that Wady Shukaiyif some three miles up it. The sun had scarcely set when the wind began to rush down toward the Lake, and it continued all night long with constantly increasing violence, so that when we

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reached the shore next morning, the face of the Lake was like a huge boiling caldron. The wind howled down every wady from the north-east and east, with such fury that no efforts of rowers could have brought a boat to shore at any point along that coast. In a wind like that, the disciples must have been driven quite across to Cennesaret, as we know they were.'

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The saddest thing of all to the disciples on that stormy night, was that Jesus was not with them. He was not now asleep in the ship, where they could awake Him to rebuke the wind and the sea, and perhaps they thought He had forgotten them in their time of need. But Jesus never forgets His people. All the while He was watching over them with tenderest sympathy, and praying for them and for us. disciples were still more afraid, when at dawn of morning they saw one walking on that stormy sea, and knew not that it was Jesus. But when they heard His wellknown voice, saying. Be of good cheer; it is I, be not afraid,' their fears were turned into joy. Peter, ever warm-hearted and impulsive, could not wait a moment, but wished to walk on the water to go to Jesus; and he did so. While, strong in faith, he kept his eye fixed on Jesus, he walked safely on that deep and boisterous water; but when he looked at the waves he was afraid, and began to sink. So it is with all Christ's people. While they look stedfastly to Him alone, no difficulty or danger makes them afraid, but, when they look at surrounding troubles, their hearts fail, and they begin to sink.

Though the ship was in the midst of the sea when they received Jesus into it, immediately it was at the land. Then on the shore of Gennesaret, with adoring wonder the disciples worshipped Jesus, saying, 'Of a truth, Thou art the Son of God.' Their joy at that moment was a foretaste of the everlasting joy of the ransomed ones, when landed on Canaan's shore, they cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power

Jesus taught His disciples many precious

lessons that morning on the Lake of Galilee. By coming to them walking on the stormy sea, He shewed them His Almighty power and unchanging love, and gave them a pledge that when life's tempests were all over, He would come again and receive them to Himself.

Do you wish that in the hour of death Jesus may say to you, It is I: be not afraid? Then receive Him into your ship now. All who are without Him at that day suffer an awful shipwreck. He, and He alone can guide us safely amid the rocks and shoals of life's perilous sea, and at last minister to us an abundant entrance to His own everlasting kingdom.

Long toiling at the oar, 'gainst wind and tide,
Storm-tossed on life's tempestuous sea,
Weary and faint! In Jesus still confide;
Seen or unseen, He seeth thee,
And cometh walking on the sea; now hear
His voice-'tis I, be not afraid

Or troubled longer-be thou of good cheer:
Entering thy ship-the winds are laid!

JESSIE'S FRIEND.

Little Jessie, darling pet,
Do you want a Friend;
One who never will forget,
Loving to the end;

One whom you can tell when sad
Everything that grieves;

One who loves to make you glad,

One who never leaves?

Such a loving Friend is ours,
Near us all the day,
Helping us in lesson-hours,
Smiling on our play;
Keeping us from doing wrong,
Guarding everywhere,
Listening to each happy song,
And each little prayer.

Jessie, if you only knew

What HE is to me, Surely you would seek Him too, You would come and see.' Come, and you will find it true. Happy you will be;

Jesus says, and says to you, 'Come, O come to Me!'

Frances Ridley Havergal.

OUR MISSIONARY PAGE.

CHILDREN, BEWARE!

AT LAST IT BITETH LIKE A SERPENT.'

the

What does? Wine, strong drink. There is death in the cup: do not, as you value your soul's welfare, as you value your body's comfort, touch the wine-cup. Touch not, taste not, handle not. I was sadly pained, the other day, as I marked a group of children laughing merrily at a poor drunkard, who went reeling by. The man was serpent-bitten, and unless he looked to Him whom the brazen serpent of old prefigured, he must die of the serpent's bite. Did you ever hear of people laughing at a dying man? I saw, some time since, a rude, rough cart bearing home a man who had been sorely wounded at his daily work, and the drops of blood made a red trail upon the ground, as the cart past by, and neither man, nor woman, nor child laughed then. Women were standing on streets, their eyes filled with unutterable pity, and the words, 'God help him,' almost involuntarily passed from their whitened lips; and the rudest child, awe-struck, stopped the merry, boisterous game, till the sad procession had passed. Now, of two men, the reeling drunkard was the one who had most need of tears, of prayers, of strong crying to God. Of all the children who laughed at him, there is not one who would not, with all his heart, have run for a cup of cold water for the wounded, dying miner, and yet they could laugh at the other. I thank God that all children are not like those I have spoken of. Thousands of boys and girls are members of the Band of Hope, and have solemnly promised not to handle the terrible serpent, under whose bite thousands in Scotland are dying every year. I could wish that every boy and girl who reads the 'Dayspring' would solemnly engage not to put strong drink to their lips. What a change this would make in a few years, on beloved Scotland. These boys and girls grown up to manhood and womanhood, would soon blot out the reproach under which we lie; would fill Scotland with happy homes, and lessen the heavy burdens which press upon us.

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OUR MISSIONARY PAGE.

HOW MISSIONARIES ARE PROCURED.

NINE years ago, an honoured missionary

of the cross returned to this country for the purpose of having printed a complete copy of the New Testament, in a language in which the New Testament had never been printed before. The missionary, the Rev. John Inglis of Aneityum, preached one Sabbath evening in a church in the south of Scotland. A large crowd of people listened with breathless attention, to the account which he gave of his arduous work in the South Seas. After sermon, three young lads were ushered into the manse, requesting an interview with the missionary Their object was to receive information and directions as to how they should proceed in becoming missionaries. Mr Inglis explained with much care the various steps which they ought to take. Of the three, only one persevered to the end, and is labouring at present in China. The history of this missionary is one of deep interest. He had been apprenticed to an ironmonger in the town where the missionary sermon was preached. Like many young men, he lived for a time without God in the world; a careless, irreligious life. The tide of revival which visited Scotland twelve years ago, passed over his soul, and when he emerged from the healing waters, he was a 'new creature.' Instant in season and out of season, he devoted every spare hour to working for Jesus. At last, Mr Inglis' sermon gave direction to his life, and he cast himself into the work of the Foreign missions. By a remarkable chain of providential events, he was led to remove to London, where for some time he studied the Chinese language, and was ultimately sent out to labour in that great Empire, which is white unto the harvest. J. S.

was

a remarkable illustration of the proverb, where there is a will, there is a way.' Friends and acquaintances endeavoured in many cases to dissuade him, but he had put

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IN DUE SEASON YE SHALL REAP IF YE FAINT NOT.

his hand to the plough, and would not turn back. Our prayer to God is, that He would raise up many like this young man, for 'the harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.'

THE HARVEST TRULY IS PLENTEOUS.

THE following sentences are taken from

a very remarkable address on missions to China, by the Rev. Dr. Williamson.

'For ten or fifteen years, we have had somewhat over a hundred ordained missionaries labouring in China; that is, one missionary for 3,600,000, or, one minister for a larger population than there is in the whole of Scotland. We need men of action, men to convey bibles and books into the interior, men of good sound English education, with clear heads, warm hearts, and full of enterprise to take the books to the people, and tell what they are. There

are all classes of people in China,-rich and poor, high and low, educated and illiterate, just as amongst ourselves; and so there is room for a call for all kinds of labourers. Cultivated minds may be better adapted for the literate of China, but these are only one in a thousand. We need men for the masses, and women too for the masses. Most of our very best missionaries have come from our mercantile offices. Morrison, the founder of Protestant missions in China, was a last and boot-maker, and after two years' training under Dr. Brogue, was sent off to China. Milne was put out to farm service when very young, was afterwards a house carpenter; he got three years' training, and then was appointed to China. Medhurst, the most illustrious name on the roll of Chinese missionaries, was a printer, and only received six month's tuition under Dr. Collison. Gutzlaff was originally a brazier. The great thing is, good natural ability, and a passion for mission-work.'

IN DUE SEASON YE SHALL REAP IF YE FAINT NOT.

EVERYONE who has ever read of

missions, must have heard of the name of Judson. This eminent missionary la

boured for six years before baptizing a single convert. When three years of the six had passed, a friend asked him if he still hoped for ultimate success, or if there was any evidence that he would, in the end, prove successful. 'Yes!' he said, 'I have as much evidence as that there is a God who will fulfil His promises.' And God did not prove false to the trust which his servant reposed in him, for there are now seventy churches, with one hundred members each, on the former field of his labours.

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I have read somewhere that among the prisoners taken captive at the battle of Waterloo, there was a Highland piper. Napoleon, struck with his dress, and with his noble martial bearing, asked him to play upon his instrument, which he had learned first to sound among the glens and mountains of Scotland. 'Play a pibroch,' said Napoleon, and the Highlander played it. 'Play a march,' it was done. Now, play a retreat.' 'No! said the Highlander, I never learned to play a retreat,' Just so: no retreat' must be the watchword emblazoned on the banner of the cross. Jesus, whose gospel the missionaries go forth to proclaim, did not retreat; when Satan and ungodly men were thrusting at Him, endeavouring to drive him from his work, He stood firm: no going back, that was His motto; let it be ours, and we must conquer. My dear children, what a glorious world this will be yet, if we do not retreat! What a glorious crown shall be ours when we stand before His throne, and hear him say, 'Here are the men who never learned to play a retreat!'

OUR BOOK CORNER.

THE BABE AND THE PRINCESS, AND OTHER POEMS FOR CHILDREN: (second edition) by J. Threlfall. London: Griffith & Farren.

Stories and Poems for children, are among the most difficult things to write well, which we know. Miss Threlfall has succeeded admirably in overcoming the difficulty, and has produced in her little volume, some of the best poems for little ones that we have seen for many years.

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