Ir is doubtless proper that missionaries should be contemplated, not only in their labors, cares, and trials, but also in their social character and enjoyments; and in those pleasant local circumstances in which Divine Providence places them, conducive to their comfort and happiness. If there be any Christian in the wide world, to whom a pleasant residence, and the enjoyments of social life, and of a cultivated taste and intellect, are desirable and reasonable, it is the missionary. And the Christian at home, of generous sentiments, will rejoice to know that the "laborer" whom his contributions are sustaining in a foreign land, finds some of the same temporal blessings which are bestowed upon himself; and will never take it up as a reproach against him, that he finds enjoyment in his field of service.

Mrs. Smith carried into her missionary life and labors, all her taste, mental cultivation, and social habits; and appeared in Syria much as when in America, amidst the pleasant circumstances of home and her father's house. And one important object of this Memoir will be answered, if it shall serve to convince any- who need the conviction that it is possible for a serious, devoted, and useful missionary to be as happy as any other Christian. These remarks are made with reference to some portions of the present chapter; and also to passages which have appeared, or will appear, in others.

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"BEYROOT, JULY 3, 1835. You mention the manner

"My ever-beloved Parents: in which the contents of my letters are made known to my friends. It is certainly a very good one, if they do not contain much which would be esteemed trifling, except to the beloved family circle. Since I left America, I have never allowed myself to be flattered with the thought that others would have access to them. I have written as freely and simply as if I had been making a visit in Lebanon or New London, and I must continue to do the same. Long may the period be deferred, when any thing like restraint shall characterize our correspondence, or any diminution occur of that confiding affection which has been the earthly charm of my existence.

"How good God has been all my life, in giving me so many to love me and to be loved by me! To this I attribute the want of jealousy in my disposition, and indeed I sometimes fear that I appropriate to myself more affection than is my portion; certainly more than I deserve. I am reading your little book in course; that is, taking up the portions of Scripture in order, on the Sabbath, as you read and heard them. Perhaps we may talk of them in our Father's house above.

"July 16. Although thus late in the season, through the goodness of God my health continues perfect; and I am able to keep school every day, notwithstanding I am in a southern clime. I often think of the precious promises contained in the 121st Psalm, especially these words, The Lord is thy keeper; the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in, from this time forth, and even forever

more.'

My school interests me more and more every day, and I do not love to think of suspending it even for a few weeks, during the hot season. Day before yesterday, a wealthy

6

Jewish lady came with her two daughters to the school, and begged me to take the youngest as a scholar. The elder sister remained also; her age I cannot tell, but she is a discreet, intelligent girl, in her teens.' Yesterday morning they came again, and the mother asked me to teach her eldest daughter Italian, and ornamental needlework. I replied that my cares in the school were at present as much as my strength would allow; that my husband was every day urging me to suspend the school for a season, but if additional laborers arrived from my country, as I expected, we would extend our operations. She answered politely; and furthermore, requested that I would allow her little girl to go home before the religious exercises of the school, as their prayers were of a different kind.' I expressed no surprise or displeasure at this, but courteously assured her that it would be as she had desired. She then gave me her salâms, and with her other daughter went towards the door, where they stopped and conversed several minutes. They then returned to me, and the Jewess said her elder daughter would like to learn Arabic, and to be taught and controlled like the other scholars; to which I consented, and they left me. Before prayers, I gave them liberty to go home. To-day they came, and behaved, as before, sweetly. I told them, when we were about to close the school, that they might leave. The larger one did not seem inclined to go, and said to her sister, ' Will you go or stay?' The latter, from childish feelings rather than religious prejudices, probably, preferred to go, and they left. I think I shall take great pleasure in instructing them, for my Saviour's sake. But how was I struck with the fact that Moslems, Catholics, and Greeks, could remain where He is acknowledged; while that nation, whom with fraternal feelings He denominated 'his own,' despise and reject him, and cannot endure the place where he is worshipped!

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Sabbath, July 19. At our Sabbath school to-day, were twenty-eight scholars-twenty-one girls and seven boys. I began, some weeks since, to read and explain to my class the

histories of the Old Testament, from the creation. To-day, the lesson was the arrival of Jacob in Haran. The children seem delighted to find such 'sweet stories,' as they call them, in the Bible, and I think it incites them still more in learning to read. The few who can now read a little, commit to memory portions of John's Gospel, from one or two verses to forty and more. Your Sabbath school will excuse me if I make a comparison, on this ground, in favor of our little school in Beyroot. In committing to memory, these evince more perseverance and more exactness, than those of the same age whom I had the pleasure to instruct in America.

“July 31. — To-day I closed my school for the month of August, by the distribution of rewards to thirty little girls. The American and English Consuls, and a few Arab friends, were present, and expressed much pleasure at the sight of so many young natives in their clean dress. The invitations to friends were unpremeditated, and no exhibition of work was made; a few of the more advanced scholars read a little in the New Testament.

"If it were right and practicable to obtain any temporal blessing by a wish, I would utter one on this anniversary of our wedding-day, which would bring you quickly here, my dear parents, in spite of age, infirmities, and the broad Atlantic. How we should enjoy a visit from you in this our pleasant house, where, in our affections and our comforts, we would make you forget, for a little while, that you were on missionary ground! Our house, which we have taken for ten years, is large, airy, and commodious; in which, though it is midsummer and a southern climate, we enjoy health and are able to pursue all our occupations. We have a fine breeze from the sea nearly all the time; and at night we sleep as quietly and soundly as two little hearty children, who are without responsibility and care. Yet we have much of both these. In addition to the superintendence of the press, my husband preaches every Sabbath in Arabic, and more than every other Sabbath in English, besides attending the native Sabbath school. I attend constantly the fe

male school from 8 to 11, A. M. Yesterday I had twentyeight girls.

"You would perhaps like some description of our residence. It belongs to one of the wealthiest and most respectable families in Beyroot; is situated in the midst of gardens of mulberry trees, retired from the road, yet very accessible. It is built of stone, with a flat roof; and beside the rooms of the press, has upon the lower floor, a kitchen, store-room, lumber-room, servants' room, and bath; all of which surround a large covered court, opening upon a pretty little flower garden, between which and the court is an awning of grape vines, whose luxuriant fruit is beginning to enrich our social board. Upon the second story, which we occupy, are a large dining-room, a bed-room, study, room for Raheel, my little girl, and two rooms beside are now being built. These occupy the sides of a beautiful open court, where we can sit and gaze upon the illimitable sea which stretches out before us; and every evening we may see the sun sink behind its peaceful waters. The morning and evening skies here are brilliant beyond description. When bright aurora streaks the eastern sky,' before the sun shows his head above Mount Lebanon, we rise from our undisturbed slumbers, and after a season of retirement, Mr. Smith works in the garden an hour, which greatly promotes his health and cheerfulness; and when he comes up at 7 o'clock to prayers, he seldom fails to bring me a rose, jessamine, or carnation pink, to add to the choice bouquet upon my work-table. The flower garden contains orange, lemon, and pomegranate trees in full bearing; and behind the house is a garden somewhat larger, containing apple, peach, plum, apricot, and mulberry trees.

"My letter, some might say, is not a very missionary one; but you can read the intelligence of our operations in the Missionary Herald, while in that you learn nothing about our house, family arrangements, &c., and these are what friends wish to know. In reading my description of our situation, you must remember that this is the dry season of