more money. Our missions in India, Ceylon, Trinidad, and other places, cannot afford to have anything taken from them; and they require, as it is, the whole income of the Society.

What, then, will our Christian friends do? What will the young, especially, do ? This NEW FIELD is most truly THEIRS.

I am glad to hear that the Young Men's Missionary

Association have proposed to try and raise ONE THOUSAND POUNDS, as a beginning.

Now, who will help? Sunday-school Teachers! Christian fathers and mothers! children, collectors, and contributors! already you do much. Cannot you spare a little more?

Three hundred and sixty millions of people cry, "Come over and help us." In reply, let each one say, "I will do what I can." God will accept the gift, and will bless you in giving.

AN OLD FRIEND.

LETTERS FROM INDIA.-No. I.

Calcutta, 19th March, 1859.

To the Readers of the JUVENILE MISSIONARY HERALD. MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,-An old proverb says, "As water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country;" and though I know this saying applies chiefly to good news of and from those we love and who are near and dear to us, I cannot help thinking that it is true in another sense, and that you will be pleased from time to time to get news from this far distant land, and of its people, for whom I trust you are praying most earnestly that God would bless and send Missionaries, to whom some of you, I know, are contributing your pence. You must give and pray on, for there is a great deal to be done here before the thousands of Hindoos, Bengalese, and Mahommedans can hear of the kind and loving Saviour, or of that heaven "so bright and fair," which he has prepared for those who love him.

LETTER FROM INDIA.

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And perhaps these letters may serve to increase your interest and zeal in the missionary work. Such, at least, is the desire of the writer, who but lately left dear old England's shores, and who is well known to many of the young people at home.

I left England on the 4th of December last year, and 'arrived safely in Calcutta, on the 11th of January, after a very pleasant and interesting voyage. Our steamer first touched at Gibraltar, which, as you will know, is a very high rock jutting out of the sea just at the entrance to the Mediterannean. It is very strongly fortified, and bristled with cannon in every spot. We left Gibraltar, and steamed down the Mediterranean, the bright blue sea beneath, and the bright blue sky above, until we reached Malta. Our steamer stayed at Malta about twelve hours, and then steamed into Alexandria, where we all left the "Ceylon" steamer, to go by rail through Egypt to Suez. I slept one night at Cairo, caught a glimpse at the distant Pyramids, and then went by rail across the Desert. Nothing but sand, white sand, was to be seen, except here and there small patches of verdure. I was told that of late years it had rained in those places, and, in consequence, the grass had sprung up; if it be so, and it continue to rain there, perhaps before long the prophecy shall be fulfilled, "And the desert shall, blossom as the rose." There are, my dear readers, many deserts in the world; deserts where only darkness prevails-deep, dark, grim darkness. India, with all its beauty, is a" desert." There is no life in her people to God. Pray earnestly that God would rain down "dew" upon her sons and daughters that they may live to him.

Just as we entered Suez, I saw a sight which re.