pilgrims on the earth.' Though our new dwelling is not in all respects so comfortable as the other, yet it is better than is enjoyed by many in our station, and should lead to gratitude and contentment with whatever Providence sees meet to bestow. As the blessing of the Lord is in the house of the righteous, may we have the gracious experience of this, and it will infinitely counterbalance any inferiority in convenience and splendour, to many houses of the wicked. When persons remove from one station in the wilderness to another, all is usually unpleasant and disagreeable; but when the Christian removes from one world to another, all is calmness, tranquillity, and peace. How precious the promise suited to his case, Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.'

"July 28th.-For some time past I have been learning church music, that I may sing the praises of God with more harmony and pleasure. This evening my fellow-songsters and others observe as a ball. I retired to a field, where, in reading a good book, I enjoyed a pleasure which I would not exchange for their more noisy entertainment; and in singing in secret these lines

My so shall joy in God, and glad
In his salvation be,' &c.,

I felt much sweetness and delight. I never had much relish for the ball-room and similar amusements, and it is more than ten years since I engaged in any of them; which are often protracted to a late hour, and generally indispose for, and prevent, secret and family worship, and similar duties. Such amusements are utterly opposed to that holiness of heart and life, that tenderness of conscience, that watchfulness and circumspection, that spiritual and heavenly mindedness, that disconformity to the world, and that habitual readiness for our latter end, so often inculcated and enforced in the word of God. Likely they will think me a dull, melancholy soul, that has no love for social pleasure; but such misapprehensions have obtained all along, and will do so, as long as the carnal mind is enmity against God, and receiveth not those things that are spiritually discerned. Experience has shown that such places are frequented by those that have little or no relish for divine things, and that their enjoyments fall infinitely short of the sweets of Christian friendship, which, flowing from the high source of love to Christ, kindle mutual esteem, inform the understanding, quicken the zeal, and better the heart, anticipating by faith the happy period when such friendships shall be without a jar, and without dissolution."

(To be continued.)

FURTHER PROGRESS OF RESEARCH IN CENTRAL AFRICA, AND PROOFS OF THE BANEFUL INFLUENCE OF THE SLAVE TRADE.

THE following communications which have been just received regarding an expedition to Central Africa, that land of darkness, in which

there are so many abodes of horrid cruelty, will be read with interest as well as sorrow :

"Accounts," says the writer to the Athenæum, "from Dr Vogel of his proceedings subsequent to the 20th of February, and up to the beginning of July last, have at last arrived. On the former day the last of his more voluminous communications was despatched by him, and scarcely had he made up his letters and was about to write a despatch to Colonel Herman at Tripoli when he was suddenly seized with a very severe attack of the yellow fever (or 'black vomiting as it is also called), which at once prostrated him and brought him to the border of the grave. For ten days he lay unconscious and helpless, his companions expecting to see him die every moment. Owing to their want of medicinal knowledge, no medicines or medical aid was given to the traveller. Happily, Dr Vogel's constitution, not otherwise a strong one, but seemingly not ill adapted for those dangerous climes, rallied, the delirium ceased after ten days, and when he became conscious, yellow spots on his arms still showed him the great danger he had just escaped. Calomel and Peruvian bark afforded him relief, and afterwards, in recurring attacks of the fever, the cold-water cure proved very effective:-enveloping himself in wet sheets of cloth, which he changed whenever they became warm, the fever generally disappeared in two hours. Thus, in another ten days he had gained strength enough to sit up erect and to walk a few paces, and on the 27th of March he had so far recovered as to be able to accompany the Sheikh of Bornu on a great slave-hunting expedition to the southeast of Kuka.

"On this occasion Dr Vogel penetrated so far south as latitude 9 dg. 30 min. north, or some thirty miles further than Drs Barth and Overweg, who had accompanied the Sheikh of Bornu on a similar razzia in nearly the same direction two years previously. The army consisted of 22,000 men and horse, with a train of 3000 camels, 5000 oxen, and 15,000 camel and oxen drivers, and was said to be the most numerous army brought together in Bornu since the time of the Sheikh El Kanemy. This immense host, bent on murder and robbery, moved slowly in a S.S.E. direction towards the country of the unfortunate Musgo (or Musgu) and Tubori (or Tufuri), who have for some time past been the objects of these Bornuese marauding expeditions. The northern position of the Musgo country, called Adishen by Dr Barth, and situated between 11 dg. and 10 dg. 40 min. north latitude, has been subjugated, and is at present allied with Bornu; but beyond these latitudes, to the south, all the country and its inhabitants were visited by the horrible proceedings of these neighbours. The inhabitants retreated southward as their foe advanced, taking everything with them, nothing but ghafuly and tobacco being found in the deserted villages. It was only in about 10 dg. north latitude and 10 dg. 35 min. east longitude, that the army came up with some of the Musgos and their numerous herds of cattle. Here, also, it was that Dr Vogel saw spread out before him an immense lake stretching to the south as far as the eye could reach, and which he calls the lake of Tubori.

"Behind this lake and its marchy banks the Musgos had halted, believing themselves secure in this position; but to their amazement they soon saw the Sheikh's cavalry cross the lake at a narrow part, where it was only three-quarters of a mile broad and about six feet deep. A great number of the horses and riders perished in the attempt; but those who succeeded in gaining the opposite shores captured about 1500 slaves, all women and children under twelve years of age, as well as about 2000 head of cattle. The men were not taken as slaves, but at once killed; a few being brought to the encampment alive only to die a most cruel and horrible death. No great value is set upon the Musgo women as slaves, owing to their being horribly disfigured by a round piece of wood, one and a half inch in diameter, which they wear in both their lips. One of these poor creatures may, therefore, be bought for about £10, and a child may be had for £2 to £6, according to its age.

"From here the Bornuese marched eastward to the river Shary, devastating the country and villages wherever they went. After following the course of that river for two days, they crossed it at a comparatively shallow place, whereby they lost a great number of horses. Having reached the eastern side of the river, they captured, within a few hours, at least 2500 slaves of the Musgos, who also live there, as well as upwards of 4000 head of cattle. Thirty-six men were also brought into the camp; and in the most revolting way the Bornuese with their blunt knives cut off

one arm at the elbow and one leg at the knee of each of these captives, who thu horribly maimed gradually bled to death. But this was not the worst torture inflicted on the unfortunate captives. The Musgos living in an entirely naked state, are greatly affected by the rain and cool weather; their huts being also well built to afford them sufficient shelter during the rainy season. The rains which commenced while the expedition began their return, namely in the beginning of May, were of the most terrific description; every evening they were ushered in with thunder-storms and whirlwinds, or rather hurricanes, and they came down in torrents, such, says Dr Vogel, as he had never witnessed before or had any conception of. The captives lay huddled together in the camp-which, in those alluvial plains, was soon inundated and turned into a great pool-without any shelter or covering whatever, shivering with cold and suffering dreadfully. The consequence was, that dysentery and small-pox soon broke out among them in a fearful degree, and out of 4000 slaves not quite 500 reached Kuka,—the rest having thus miserably perished on the road.

"When those diseases appeared in the camp, Dr Vogel, who began to suffer, having for three weeks never had his clothes dry, nor been able to procure proper and nourishing food, hastened on to Kuka, in advance of the army, and safely arrived at that place.'

"For four or five hours, the Bornuese army at times marched through uninterupted fields of chafuly. Tobacco is also extensively cultivated, of which the natives seem very fond, especially the women, they being rarely seen without smoking a short pipe cleverly made of clay and straw. A quantity of fifty or sixty pounds of tobacco was commonly found in the huts of the natives. A very singular custom was noticed by Dr Vogel, as exhibited by the Tubori horsemen; when they go to battle, they are in the habit of scratching or cutting the skin of their legs, in order that the blood thus drawn would make them sit on their horses' back all the firmer. "Every man keeps from four to five wives, and possesses a corresponding number of children; when provisions become scarce, he sells his boys into slavery. It may here be mentioned that Dr Vogel met with the common European hedgehog in latitude 10 dg. north.

"The results of this journey of Dr Vogel are extremely interesting. Perhaps the most important fact resulting from this journey is the extremely small elevation of the whole region traversed by Dr Vogel, and extending upwards of 200 geographical miles S.S E. from Kuka. Drs Barth and Overweg, indeed, had previously in unmistakeable terms described that region as a great level plain, but absolute measurements of its elevation above the sea were hitherto wanting. This great central plain of Inner Africa, then, presents nowhere as far as 94 dg. north latitude (a few isolated small granite cones excepted) an elevation exceeding 950 feet. Dr Vogel says, that in about 11 dg. north lat. 120 miles from Kuka, he found, at a depth of 20 feet under the surface of the ground, the same layer, consisting of limestone and freshwater shells, which he met with at Kuka 6 feet under the ground; and he suggests that the whole region extending thus for upwards of 100 miles S.S.E. from Kuka, was at one time occupied by Lake Tsad, when its limits extended greatly beyond its present ones. But whether this assumption be correct or not, the well-ascertained fact as to the slight elevation of that region, together with the results of the previous hypsometrical observations of Dr Vogel and Dr Overweg, as well as of the discoveries and acute estimates of Dr Barth relating to altitudes, are well worthy consideration, as they completely upset our previous notions of African geography. It is well known that all our best authorities represent the Great Desert of Sahara, and nearly the whole of Northern Africa, as one vast plain, if not a dead level, at least one of very little elevation; whereas, immediately to the south of Lake Tsad, the existence of mountain ranges, alpine groups, highlands, and mighty table-lands of many thousand feet elevation was asserted and taught us as well-established facts. Now, from the observations made by the members of the expedition to Central Africa, this is found to be quite the reverse, and both features may be truly said to have changed places, -an extensive table-land from 1000 to 2000 feet average elevation occupying the Sahara, whereas, on the other hand, the extensive basin of Lake Tsad and the river Shary forms a great interior depression, which attains its minimum elevation in the Lake with 850 feet. On every side the basin of Lake Tsad is fringed more or less with elevated tracts which separate it from the other hydrographical systems, as, for instance, those of the Nile and the Kowara. These new facts of the relative eleva

tion of Inner Africa also explain to us many features connected with the physical configuration, the climate, botany, and zoology of the regions they refer to.

The countries round Lake Tsad form an immense alluvial plain. Dr Vogel, after leaving the oasis of Aghadem, situated upwards of 250 geographical miles north from Kuka, did not see a single rock or stone till he came to Waza, which lies upwards of 100 miles S.S.E. of Kuka; thus leaving an alluvial tract between the two points of upwards of 350 geographical miles in the heart of Africa. At Waza an isolated group of granitic cones rises almost perpendicularly out of the alluvial plain to the height of 400 feet above their basis.'

THE MUTUAL ASSISTANCE FUND. *

Ir is of vital moment that the membership of the body should not fail to apprehend the great importance and solemn duty of maintaining this fund in an efficient condition. The apostle speaks of his having on his hands "the care of all the churches"; and it is as really incumbent on the Church to help a weak congregation and impoverished minister, as it is incumbent on a parent to provide for children unable to provide for themselves. We are "members one of another," and the injury of one member is the injury of the whole. "By this shall men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." Love, like faith, will always, where it exists, develop itself in acts.

The localities in which the ministry of the gospel meets least support are often, we might say generally, those in which it is most urgently necessary that ministers should be efficiently supported. The gospel charter runs-" Go ye into all the world," and implies that the means of evangelisation every where must be supported by

This communication, by a Layman, is hailed as a movement in the right quarter. While it is the special work of the public servants of Christ to care for the spiritual things of those to whom they minister, it is the duty of the Christian people to care for their carnal things. And as this duty is laid by the highest authority on the shoulders of those to whom the gospel is preached and divine ordinances dispensed, it seems reasonable that the management of this matter should be in their hands, and of those office-bearers whose special province it is to see to the temporal interests of the Church. And while each congregation should count it a high honour to discharge their duty faithfully to their own minister, it is meet that the unity which forms a prominent part of the glory of Christians, should manifest itself in combined efforts for the creditable support of the gospel ministry, as the ordinance of Christ. The extention of the kingdom of Christ, at which every church should aim-equality of effort on the part of the members of the Church, which is the law of her Head- and the prevention of invidious distinctions as well as of strife among the servants of Christ, and Christian congregations in which a higher grade of emolument forms a leading element-demand such combined exertion. It will be as difficult to show that there is warrant in Scripture for higher grades of income, and a virtual episcopate of money as an episcopate of office.

The more a spirit of self-denial on the one hand, and of generosity on the other, characterizes the Church in her office-bearers and members, the clearer is the evidence furnished that the gospel is producing its legitimate fruits within her pale. Every one should feel that not himself only, but the Church of which he is a minister or member, is honoured or degraded by the part which he acts and the spirit which he displays.

We would not willingly believe that the unity of heart and zeal manifested at, and subsequent to, the disruption, have given place in any case to a spirit of selfish isolation, in caring for our own individual or congregational interests. At that time we rejoiced to see so many, in different parts of Scotland, stand by their testimony

the Church. One grand duty of the Church is, to bring men to the feet of the Saviour:-" How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent ?" There is no warrant in Scripture for the somewhat commercial, or, at least, unduly business-like mode in which some churches seem inclined to deal with the matter. The man of Macedonia did not think it necessary to consult the views of any financial committee. He thought it enough to cry, "Come over and help us ;" and so did the apostles.

Granted that our means are limited-granted, even, that the requirements of duty may in some cases demand sacrifice or self-denial; is not our cause the same as in days bygone? Will we venture to compare our sufferings with those of yore? If our ranks are thinned, we should but draw the closer, plant our feet firmer, and, above all, look higher; cultivating at once more humility, and more faith and love; and, with the divine blessing, no duty can be required of us which we will not have strength to discharge. If our cause be worthy of adherence, it is surely worthy of exertion. Let, then, every adherent put it to himself and herself, whether that exertion is being made. Let it be remembered, that even if we can ill afford to give, we can less afford to harass our ministers and cripple our Church.

It may be doubtful whether it be prudent to provide for ministers of the gospel incomes so princely as to form a pecuniary temptation. But assuredly there is not at present, and will not be for a long time to come, any such danger within the pale of the Original Secession Church. On the contrary, we know that neglect for we cannot believe it to be either inability or wilful penuriousness—renders it difficult, if not impossible, for some of our ministers to escape charges of shabbiness, and no ordinary financial achievement even to "provide for the Covenanted Reformation, and admired the courage and resolution which they showed, in contending against powerful opposition, and in the face of difficulties of no ordinary kind, with which some of them still stand confronted; and shall we, after haring thus stretched out our hand to them with such cordiality, draw back from duty, to the performance of which we then virtually pledged ourselves?

There was a good suggestion made sometime ago in the Magazine, by a young Seceder, as to a meeting of elders and members from the different congregations for mutual encouragement, and the promoting of love and friendship, as well as consulting about the best means of promoting the public cause; and we are satisfied that, in our case at least, this would produce far more salutary effects than deputations and addresses to congregations. It is fit that the witnesses for the cause of Christ should be knit together in the strongest and liveliest bonds of love.

Were we to give place to a spirit of indifference about the condition of brethren, whatever we might profess, it would be difficult to convince impartial judges that we were animated by true zeal for the maintenance of the banner of the Covenants. We would be guilty of virtual breach of covenant with our own brethren, while we professed to be witnesses for the obligation of social compacts, and against the violation of them, as well as of the eternal law, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self." Nor could any one, in this case, expect to escape, by asking, Who is my neighbour?

These statements are made not in the way of complaint; for in some respects Original Seceders have made, and continue to make, great efforts; but rather by way of caution against falling off in this part of public duty, and to urge uniformity of contribution in proportion to ability.