the ward at a time. Miss Jones soon had permission to enter. The gentle woman, whose hair was whitened with a sorrow of long ago, was well known in every haunt of human suffering.

"She's in the worst ward now-Dora Lynn is," said one of the nurses, leading the way along broad airy passages towards a pair of swinging doors. "You'll mind your clothes when you come out, ma'am; it's the worst thing in the world, ma'am, for going about."

Miss Jones nodded, and went quietly into the ward. She passed down the lofty lightsome room over á polished floor. The great open windows high up, and the size of the whole spacious place, seemed to dwarf the row of narrow beds along by each wall. There were only a few cases; no head was raised or stirred; those who lay there were too self-conscious in suffering to take notice who came or went. The nurse in the room--a white-capped pleasant-looking woman -smiled a recognition at little Dora's name, for the child was every one's pet, because of her littleness, and her patient helpless ways. She led the visitor to the bedside, with a warning not to bend over it. The

little child-oh! how weak, and little, how sweetly childlike she looked in her narrow bed!-opened her eyes, and smiled a recognition to the kind face that she recognised well. Doddlekins, hot and worn with suffering, was sadly changed; but when she began to talk in a small hoarse whisper, it was the heart of Doddlekins that spoke, true to the might of its deepest feelings, as all hearts are at the last-true to the end to its devoted love.

"I'm chokey-in here," she whispered, with a moist little hand raised weakly to her neck.

"Poor darling! You'll be better soon." "Don't t'ink so. I hear 'em say--they don't know I hear but I'se not going to be besser."

"Dora-darling-they are trying to make you well. You will be well and happy soon."

Miss Jones felt her own voice choking at the word. Ah! who could tell how happy this little one might be very soon, when the heart of the poor lonely father would be breaking! Then, all at once the visitor noticed what made Doddlekins so unlike herself-the curly locks were gone. (To be concluded.)

T is daily becoming a more and more recognised fact that missionaries in heathen lands lack one of the most powerful means of winning the confidence and attention of those whom they seek to serve, if they enter upon their labours without having first obtained some competent knowledge of the "healing art." Pain and sickness are universal heirlooms, and they are certain not only to be welcomed but to be even eagerly sought after, who have it in their power to relieve either the one or the other.

This is found to be especially the case in countries like India and China, where the missionary is seldom listened to with attention and respect until he has gained the confidence and sympathy of his hearers by other means. Such considerations as these have for some years past turned the attention of those engaged in the promotion of missionary effort to the urgent need of providing suitable means of instruction in medicine and surgery for those who are to be sent into the mission field. Indeed, recent experience has proved that in this direction lie the richest treasures of the already whitening harvest.

"But the labourers are few." Many, it is true, are ready to devote their lives and energies to the task which lies so invitingly before them, but the obstacles in the way of their attaining the

requisite qualifications for success are, or have hitherto been, great. The greatest of all, perhaps, has been the expense attendant upon passing through the necessary hospital curriculum, one which only a very few of those intending to become missionaries have been able to incur. This is especially true in the case of ladies; and yet, in the comparatively few instances in which they have entered upon this interesting and useful work, they have proved themselves fitted for the task in a pre-eminent degree, and have met with great and, we may almost say, unvarying

where the sufferings of the sick are rather aggravated than relieved by the rude and unskilful remedies suggested by native practice.

In such localities the presence of the Lady Medical Missionary is especially welcomed by the native women, who are, naturally, most frequently in need of her help, and who are beginning to realise the advantage of putting themselves, whenever it is necessary and obtain able, under her superior treatment and advice.

It was with a view of enabling ladies to prepare themselves thoroughly for entering upon this vast and interesting work that the Medical Mission Home and Training School for Ladies was established, in 1879, at Vincent Square, Westminster, under the auspices of Dr G. de Gorrequer Griffith, whose observations in India and China had led him to see the necessity of such an Institution. A committee was formed, an able staff of lecturers secured, and the workaided freely by the contributions of the many who recognised its importance-soon proved likely to become a success. Most of the Missionary Societies have expressed their readiness to send out its pupils from time to time on the completion of their medical studies and training, and indeed several of the young ladies there prepared have already been employed by them in this way in India and elsewhere. At the present time the number of pupils exceeds the accommodation at the Home, and the committee are taking steps to secure additional houses.*

The full course of instruction extends over a period of two years, and no pupil is eligible for examination with a view to gaining the usual certificate of proficiency who has attended the classes for a less period. Of course there can be no doubt that the better qualified and the more skilful the Lady Missionary is, the greater will be her opportunities of not only doing good to the bodies of the suffering ones around her, but also of winning their attention and confidence when she wishes to speak to them of higher things. But it is acknowledged by most of those who from long experience, both in India and China, are well qualified to judge, that a two years' course such as the Institution offers, provided that the opportunities afforded are honestly and diligently employed, is sufficient to give the pupils such an amount of medical knowledge as will enable them to treat with skill and confidence all cases of at least ordinary sickness, and secure their ready admission into the secluded homes of the women of the East. "It must ever be borne in mind," says Miss Hewlett, an experienced and successful Lady Medical Missionary at Amritsar in the Punjaub, "that the first work of the Medical Mission Lady is not to perform difficult operations,

* Since the above was written, the Home has been removed from Vincent Square to more commodious premises at 58, St. George's Road, S.W.

which some believe, with much reason, to be beyond a woman's province altogether; but to minister to the sick in such a way as to lead them to inquire into and love the religion of Jesus, which sent them such ministries, and we may safely say that if fifty of these ladies were labouring in one city in the performance of the simplest of these ministries, they would all be fully occupied, and find no time for surgical operations."

Besides attending the lectures given by eminent physicians and surgeons in medicine and in minor surgery, the pupils enjoy the advantage of hospital instruction at two ophthalmic hospitals, at the hospital for skin diseases, at the throat and chest hospital, and at the hospital for women and children in Vincent Square.

The year is, as usual in the management of such institutions, divided into three terms, and the fees for instruction are at the rate of five guineas per term. These go to the funds of the Institution, as both lecturers and examiners give their services gratuitously.

Besides the instruction fees, resident pupils pay one guinea a week for board and the use of the Home. Only half this amount is charged during any period of unavoidable absence in the course of the term. Partial boarders, that is to say, ladies living at their own homes and only wishing to have dinner and tea at the Institution, can do so for a payment of half-a-guinea a week.

"Presentation pupils" may be nominated by any one either contributing fifty pounds to the Institution funds in one sum, or collecting the same amount, and these, if approved, are admitted to all the advantages of the Home for one year without any other payment whatever.

All the pupils, whether intending to be resident or otherwise, are required to enter for the first month as probationers, to enable the Committee to form an opinion as to their fitness for missionary work. During this period, the fees for instruction are not charged unless the candidate be permanently accepted.

The "Home" is pleasantly situated at the side of a large old-fashioned square, the windows at the front overlooking a grass enclosure of considerable extent, bordered with trees. It is under the direction of a lady superintendent, and the aim of the Committee appears to be to render it in every sense worthy of its name. The internal arrangements are all that could be desired, and calculated to insure the comfort and well-being of its inmates. It need only be added that the Home is always open to the inspection of visitors, who are thus enabled to see for themselves the value of the work which is there being done towards the extension of Christ's Kingdom in the dark places of the earth by the training of Lady Medical Missionaries. W. MAURICE ADAMS.

No. 1. INTRODUCTORY LESSON.

INTRODUCTION. Have now finished the parables. Been having lessons on them for ten months. Propose to have lessons on the Feasts and Fasts of the Jews.

All like festival 'days. Children have many such. Keep birthdays; anniversaries of joyful events in families; deliverance from danger; return home of brothers, etc. Also have sad anniversaries; mother's death; breaking up of home, etc. Nations made up of families; have their days of rejoicing; national mercies, e.g., defeat of Spanish Armada in English history, and also days of sad memory. Jewish nation many feasts and one fast. Shall see why, when, and how they were kept; also what lessons they taught them, and what they teach us.

I. FEASTS APPOINTED. (Read Exod. xxiii. 14-17.) By whom were they appointed? therefore must be kept. Were positive commands of God, called "appointed feasts," "solemn meetings" (Isa. i. 13, 14). Who were to attend them? But women went also, especially to Passover. Remind of Hannah going every year, and taking Samuel a new coat (1 Samuel i. 3, 9); of Mary going with Joseph (Luke ii. 41). Boys taken usually when fourteen years old, but forward and intelligent boys allowed to go earlier. Who increased rapidly in wisdom, and attended the Passover when twelve years old?

Travelling difficult and dangerous in those days. Roads bad, thieves numerous; so people went together from the country in large companies. (See Ps. lxxxiv. 6, 7, where "strength to strength " means company to company.) Would not their land be in danger? No; because God promised to protect it. (Exod. xxxiv. 24.) Now must learn names of the three great feasts-viz., Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles. Repeat in right order till quite perfect. In above verses are called by three other names. Passover is called "unleavened bread." Pentecost is "feast of harvest," and Tabernacles is "feast of in-gathering." These names tell us something about each feast, but the other names are generally used.

II. THE FEASTS KEPT. (Read Exod. xxxiv. 18-23.) Can find out much about them. There was (a) Joy and Gladness. (Ps. lxii. 4.) Can easily understand why. Reminded of mercies-were occasions of meeting friends-came at pleasant times

of year. (b) Sacrifices. (2 Chron. viii. 12, 13.) Offering to God for sin-also thank-offerings for His goodness. Were told never to appear before the

Lord empty. (c) Entertainment, and giving presents. Thus Elkanah gave presents to his family at this time. (1 Sam. 1-4.) Just as we do at Christmas.

LESSONS. (1) The duty of praise. Great object of them was to praise God. (Ps. cxxii. 4.) When nation forgets to praise, soon forgets to pray. (2) The blessing of worship. God commands it-we must obey. Will be for our profit and happiness. (3) The duty of giving. They always connected worship with gifts to God-s -so should we.

No. 2. THE PASSOVER. PART I.

Scripture to be read-Exodus xii. (parts of). INTRODUCTION. Recall the circumstances of the Israelites being in Egypt. Jacob and his family, seventy in all, settled in Egypt-increased rapidly. Another king arose who knew not Joseph-afflicted them. Moses raised up to be deliverer-sent to Pharaoh to bid him let them go-his refusal-the plagues sent the last and most fearful being death of eldest son in every house in Egypt. What did Israelites do that night? Ate a solemn feast and came out of Egypt. This feast called Passover. I. THE FEAST. (Read 1-11.) Question on the details. A feast appointed by God to be observed yearly for ever. (Verse 24.) The animal-a lamb or kid of first year-perfectly sound-in highest perfection, to be taken on tenth day and killed at even on fourteenth day. What was to be done with the blood? Picture the father of each family taking basin of blood-sprinkling the side post and cross bar of the front door with blood-family looking on. Then the family meal. How was it to be cooked? No bones broken-the whole lamb to be roastedbitter herbs to be eaten as sauce, and unleavened bread. And all must be eaten, none left till the next day. Notice how it was to be eaten. Not reclining on couches, as usual at a feast, but all standing ready dressed for a journey, dress fastened up, sandals on feet-eaten in haste.

II. THE OBSERVANCES. (Read 12-20.) What was to happen the night of the first Passover? Can conceive the great horror through Egypt at one dead in each house. Can conceive the joy of the Israelites at their safety-mothers clasping eldest sons to their bosoms. Possibly some Israelites neglected the order. Would be cut off. But remainder-all saved by the blood.

How long was feast to be kept up? On first and last day a holy convocation or assembly for worship. Offered special sacrifices and offerings of corn, etc. (Num. xxviii. 19-24.) Also as were just beginning to gather barley which ripened first, were also to offer a sheaf of barley on the day

after the Sabbath, i.e., the first day of the week. (Lev. xxiii. 10-14.)

III. THE MEANING. The first Israelites would know why all this was done, but in after years children would ask meaning of it all. (Verses 26, 27.) Were to be told its double meaning. To commemorate (1) The safety of the firstborn. Therefore, all the eldest sons were to be dedicated as holy to the Lord. (Exod. xiii. 2.) (2) Deliverance from bondage. This affected all the people--all left Egypt that night-all were saved from king's tyranny-all began journey to promised land. Well might they remember it for ever.

IV. THE LESSON. Only time to-day to speak of one great lesson, viz., gratitude for mercies. Their deliverance work of God alone. He must be praised. Have we less need to praise God? His mercies still abound. Let us bless the Lord at all times.

No. 3. THE PASSOVER. PART II.

Scripture to be read-various. INTRODUCTION. Impress on children that the Passover was the great feast of the year-celebrating the greatest event in history of Jewish nation. Would they ever forget to observe it? Strange to say, they did. Neglected the feast because forgot God and turned to other gods. But sometimes a revival of religion. Three times read of a solemn Passover being kept. In reign of Hezekiah (2 Chron. Xxx. 1), reign of Josiah (2 Kings xxiii. 22), and in time of Ezra after their return from seventy years' captivity in Babylon (Ezra vi. 19, 20). Another reason for observing it. Not only taught lessons of the past, but was type of the future. Shall see how wonderfully was typical of Christ and His work.

I. THE LAMB. (Read Exod. xii. 3-9.) Same passage as last lesson. Shall see, verse by verse, how is type of Christ. The lamb was (a) Without blemish. So Christ absolutely without sin. (1 Peter i. 19.) (b) Taken from flock. So Christ was taken from among His brethren. (Heb. ii. 14.) (c) Killed in evening. So Christ died at sunset on evening of fourteenth day. (Mark xv. 34, 37.) (d) No bones broken. So Christ, being dead already, His bones not broken as those of the two thieves. (John xix. 36.) (e) Blood was shed. So Christ spoke of His blood being shed. (Luke xxii. 28.) (f) Blood sprinkled on door-post saved Israelites. So we saved because of shedding of Christ's blood-spoken of as sprinkled on our hearts. (Heb. ix. 14.) (g) Those who despised were lost. How much more shall they be who despise Christ's sacrifice! (Heb. x. 29.)

II. UNLEAVENED BREAD. (Read 1 Cor. v. 7, 8.) What kind of bread? But why? To remind how they came out of Egypt in haste-had no time to let the yeast work-so baked unleavened cakes. Are told that Jews still most careful to search houses to see that no scrap of leavened bread is found during seven days of feast. What is leaven? Decayed putrid matter. Therefore a type of sin. Christ died

Scripture to be read-Deut. xvi. (part of). INTRODUCTION. Point out that this feast only occupied one day (see Acts ii. 1); other two great feasts lasted seven days each. Why this difference? Ask when this feast came? Fifty days after Passover; that was just beginning of earliest harvest. Israelites, a nation of farmers and shepherds, could manage to spare seven days when ploughing and sowing corn, but Pentecost at busiest time of year, full swing of sheep-shearing, haymaking, etc., therefore only occupied one day. Tabernacles at end of year, farmers' labours completed, lasted seven days. Point out how considerately this was arranged.

I. THE FEAST. (Read 9-12.) Called "Feast of Harvest" (Exod. xxiii. 16), because was beginning of regular harvest of the year, so called also "Day of the Firstfruits." (Num. xxviii. 26.) Was held fifty days after Passover. Show how this makes the completion of seven times seven, seven being considered the perfect number, because of God's creation of the world in that time. Therefore called also "Feast of Weeks." (Exod. xxxiv. 22.) II. OBJECTS.

This feast referred to events in(1.) The past. To remind of Law given on Mount Sinai. Compare Exod. xii. 6 with Exod. xix. 1—11, will be found to be fifty days-and the Lord came down in the sight of the people. Might well keep the day in remembrance.

(2.) The present. A yearly harvest festival-were beginning to gather in the harvest-therefore must thank God, the Giver of all increase.

(3.) The future. Ask what was going to happen on this day. (Acts ii. 1.) Both times God appeared with fire. Both times a rushing mighty wind. Both times a wonderful voice. At Sinai God's own voice to Israel. At Whitsuntide God's voice to Apostles, enabling them to speak God's Word to all nations.

LESSON. The Israelites had the law-we have the Gospel. Do we still more than they thank God for this blessing? Not on one day alone, but all days. Best way to thank God is to live to His service.

No. 5. THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES.

Scripture to be read-Deut. xvi. (parts of). INTRODUCTION. Once more let children repeat