Many learned men,

however, say that people are

mistaken in the spot. But even if this were the true sepulchre, would it not seem better to have left it as of old beneath the open sky, than to shut it in by a church, with its curtains and lamps, its crowds and noise?

Yet, since people have believed for many ages that this was truly the sepulchre of Jesus, you will not be surprised that hundreds of thousands from all parts of the world have been accustomed to visit it. The Turks, you know, are masters of Jerusalem, and have been so for many years. Seven hundred years or more ago, there were great wars to get the Holy Sepulchre away from them. These wars were called the Crusades. Large armies of men left France, England, and other countries to fight with the Turks. Very few returned to tell what they had done. There was even a children's crusade. Many thousands of brave lads started for Jerusalem; but they knew nothing of the way: they did not even understand that they would have to cross the sea, and the greater part of them perished miserably. The crusades, however, ended without gaining what was desired, and to this day there stand Turks at the entrance of the Holy Sepulchre, to demand a piece of money every one who enters to see the place, or to worship there. Two of these Turks you may see in the picture.

of

The people of England and France have lately been fighting on the side of the Turks, instead of against them, as of old. Perhaps you will be surprised to know that this very church has again had something to do with the quarrel. The Christians, calling themelves so, who come here, are mainly of two sects, the Roman Catholic and the Greek Church.

or those

A GOOD PLACE FOR AN IDOL.

69

se cannot agree at all. Both want to be masters he Holy Sepulchre, of the church at Bethlehem, n the spot where they say Jesus was born, and of the er "holy places." This has led to sad quarrels, etimes even to fights and bloodshed! The Emperor Russia is on the side of the Greek Church, the ple of France are on that of the Roman Catholics. these very places, where they say Jesus the Prince Peace has been, were really one cause of war ween Russia and France.

But some child perhaps asks, "What had we in gland to do with these quarrels ? We are neither man Catholic nor Greek Church." It would take ong time to answer this question, and, perhaps, ny young folks would not understand the answer en it was given. For one thing we must all be y grateful to God, that the war is over. May the he soon come when all nations shall dwell in peace!

A GOOD PLACE FOR AN IDOL,

AN American Missionary, writing in regard to a lage in Tinnevelly, says :—“ As I approached their vil-temple (now become a house of prayer) enlarged, d, for the first time, enlightened by a window formed one of the walls, I beheld their idols scattered in the nd, with broken heads, arms, and legs. The people owded into the prayer-house with more alacrity than der, and seemed delighted with the change that had ken place. Several of them, after due instruction, ere baptized in what had formerly been the devilmple, the Christian minister standing on the very ot which the idols had occupied. But as the place

but

was too small, they resolved to erect for themselves a more suitable church. A plan having been adopted, and materials prepared, I came early in the morning to mark out and lay the foundation of it. But here a difficulty arose. Supposing that they had provided some large stones out of which I could choose, I had not previously asked to see the foundation-stone; when I did ask, they pointed to some heaps in which there was not one larger than a man's head. In this difficulty, I observed a man approaching the catechist, and whispering something. I asked what he was say ing; 'Why, sir,' said the catechist, he wants to know if one of their old idols will do.' The very thing, I replied, and instantly a detachment was sent off to look up their old idols, which were lying here and there in their hedges and gardens. A number of them, broken or mutilated, soon appeared; and selecting the largest, we laid it down, with thanksgiving and prayer, in the trench, as the foundation-stone of their new church; after which the people threw in the others, as things for ever done with."

AFRICAN CHIEF LYING IN STATE.

uncouth

HERE is an African chief who has been slain battle. He is "lying in state," with his club in his hand, and the wooden images of his strange gods around him. At his funeral, a large number of his slaves will be put to death as a sacrifice to these gods. His wives also will be killed. Sometimes after the death of a very powerful chief there will be a great slaughter of men every week for some time. When a king of Ashantee died, not very long

AFRICAN CHIEF LYING IN STATE.

71

ago, as many as four thousand persons are thought to have been slain. The poor ignorant people think that the chief will want his slaves and wives to wait

upon him in the other world. How little they know of the better land beyond the grave!

In one part of Africa a Missionary was speaking

of the day of judgment, when a chief overhearing his words, cried out astonished, "What, what, you saying? The dead!-the dead arise!"

"Yes," replied the Missionary;

shall arise!"

66

all the dea

"Will my father arise?" inquired the savage.

Yes, your father will arise."

"Will all the slain in battle arise?" asked the ol warrior.

"Yes."

"And will all that have been devoured by lions, tigers, hyenas, and crocodiles arise?"

"Yes, and come to judgment."

"And will those whose bodies have been left to wither in the deserts, and whose dust has been scattered by the winds, will they arise?" demanded the king, in an unbelieving tone.

Yes, they will arise, not one will be left behind." The king then turning to his people, said in a loud voice, "Did you ever hear such strange news as this?" Then, turning towards the Missionary, he laid his hand kindly upon him, and said, "Father, I love you much. Your visit and your company have made my heart white as milk, for the words of your mouth are sweet as honey; but I do not wish to hear again about the dead rising: the dead cannot arise."

"And why may I not speak of the resurrection?" inquired the Missionary."

The chief then stretched out his aged arm, once so strong in battle, and shaking his hand as though brandishing his spear, he cried out, "I have slain my thousands, SHALL THEY ARISE?"

It was a terrible thought to that chief, that the