ther harvest like the last, and who will venture to foretell the scenes of the coming year?

But let us turn for a moment to Central Asia, and watch the progress, slow, but resistless, of the king of terrors, in another form. Early in 1846 it was announced that the cholera had commenced its ravages in Khorasan, the eastern province of Persia. About midsummer it reached Toheran, where it swept off ten thousand souls in a few weeks. Going out of this centre of influence and power with a divided force, as from conquered capital, it took the great roads North, South, and West, spreading desolation and woe along its course. Soon it lays Ispahan under contribution-Bagdad is compelled to yield up seven thousand of its inhabitants, and in the whole pashalic thirty thousand fell before their relentless foe. Tabreez was spared till the 7th October, but then it paid dearly for its reprieve. In forty days nearly seven thousand souls were hurried to the grave. Three weeks later, Oroomiah was smitten by the hand of the same fell destroyer, and two thousand persons shortly became the trophies of its power.

Here the disease was stayed in its westward progress by the mountains of Koordistan; but, with the ready skill of an able General, it changed its line of march and proceeded South, scattering its deadly arrows on every side, and threatened very soon to find a practical pass to Asia Minor and Europe. Indeed, in watching the advance of this formidable enemy, we have been constantly reminded of the tactics of war. It is careful to seize the roads for its lines of communication. It moves forward with solemn and measured tramp, as if in no haste, and yet sure of success. It attacks the great centres of business, as being the stronger points, which are in no case to be left unassailed. When it enters the walks of a populous city, it moves along from street to street, and ward to ward, as if treading upon the rear of a slowly retreating foe. In about forty days its work is done, and it emerges once more into the open country, and pursues its appointed journey.

And whither is it tending? Will it pause upon the sultry plains of Mosul? Will it stop its career of conquests under the walls of old Byzantium? Or will it sweep over Europe, and finish the sad work which famine has begun! And for us there is another question, more interesting still: Will the broad Atlantic arrest the march of this dreaded foe? In 1832 it proved to be no barrier. Will it avail us now? These inquiries are not propounded with the view of exciting premature and groundless fear, but rather that we look the danger in its face, ascertain its nature and extent, and do whatever true wisdom may enjoin. Boston Traveller.

CROWNED HEADS OF EUROPE.

A WRITER, in arguing against the union of Church and State, adduces the irreligious character of most of the sovereigns of Europe for the last three hundred years. With the solitary exception of one youth, Edward VI., not one king is found on the English

throne giving evidence of piety that would be deemed satisfactory in the case of a common man! Of the rest he says:

If we go no further back than to the times of the Reformation,— which gives us a chance to see the effect both in Protestant and Catholic countries,-what do we behold, during the three hundred years which have passed away! The best royal family which Europe has furnished during that time, has been that of Brandenburg, in Prussia. The next undoubtedly was that of Vasa, in Sweden. Next is that of Oldenburg, in Denmark. The next is that of Orange, in Holland; for although they were Stadholders, and not Kings in name, they were such in reality. But how few of those four Protestant lines of monarchs gave any evidence of being truly religious men! As to the houses of Bourbon, in France, and of Hapsburg, in Austria, who would think of looking to either of them, during the last three hundred years, even for a saint for the Roman Catholic calendar? And what shall I say of the Italian kings? What of the house of Braganza, in Portugal? What of the sovereigns of Spain? Alas! to use the most appropriate word in all the Spanish language, with which to designate them, they were probrecitos-poor creatures, all, all.

NEWS FROM THE CHURCHES.

Carroll County, Arkansas, August 23, 1847. Expecting you would wish to know something of Christianity here, I will just remark, that for seven years we have been pleading the cause of Christianity amidst a flood of persecution, supported by superstition and ignorance until within the last three months we have received some fourteen souls into Christ's church-some from the Methodists, some from the Baptists, and some from the world. We now number 31. We bless the Lord and take courage. On next first day we expect to organize according to apostolic order. Prospects are flattering here.

Having been favored by brethren from a distance with a few numbers of the Harbinger, we have become deeply interested in the work, and accordingly made arrangements for procuring the volume now issuing. You will, therefore, please forward the work to me.

DAVID S. PYLE.
September 2, 1847.

Brother J. T. Hudson and I closed a meeting in Platt county, on Tuesday last. Up to the time of leaving, there were some 12 valuable additions.The meeting was held at Salem, near brother Steele's, who was present with us. A H.T. PAYNE.

Fulton, Callaway County, Missouri, Sept. 24, 1847.

I have been preaching in some sections of the county this summer, where there is much prejudice, nevertheless in a few months past I have heard not less than twenty confessions. The Lord reigos and the gospel will triumph over sectarianism, and I rejoice in the simplicity and majesty of the truth, for "it is mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." ABSALOM RICE.

Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, October 1, 1847. Brother Milton Dodge has been constantly laboring with us in this vicinity for some time. I have attended with him as much as I could. During the last eight weeks of his labors he immersed upwards of fifty persons. On

last night, October 31, I delivered a discourse from Rom. vi. Twelve valiant soldiers made the good confession. This morning we repaired to Cedar Creek, when eleven of that number were then and there buried with our blessed Lord in baptism; and I believe I have never seen as good a prospect for a great ingathering in the different neighborhoods around us, as at present. Let all the saints praise the Lord for all his mercies!

In 1831 the first congregation was organized in this part of Illinois, comprising eighteen members, who agreed to take God's holy word for their only rule. Now, in Warren and Knox counties alone, we number some six or seven hundred. J. E. MURPHY.

'Newport, Giles County, Va., October 12, 18474 Within the last few weeks we have had some eight or ten additions in this region. The good cause is gradually advancing and steadily gaining upon the prejudices of sectarianism and the infidelity of the world.

We rejoice to learn that Great Britain, the proudest empire on earth, is listening to the gospel of Messiah, and bowing to his sceptre. May the seed sown during your visit ultimate in a copious harvest to the glory of God and the weal of inan! Amen. A. B. WALTHALL.

Beech Branch, Owen County, Kentucky, October 15, 1847. I commenced a meeting at the mouth of Beech Branch, in Owen co, on Saturday before the first Lord's day inst., in connexion with brethren T. H. Stout and J. Edwards. Edwards continued till Sunday evening, Stout till Tuesday morning, and myself till Thursday evening. The result was 7 additions-6 from the Baptists, and 1 from the world, who had been raised a Presbyterian. May the Lord bless the efforts of all who contend for the Bible as the only bond of union and communion among the disciples of Christ! JAMES M'MILLIN.

Holly Springs, Mississippi, October 15, 1847. We need some good preachers in this country. Do send some here, for the cause needs immediate aid, and, without it, must languish and die, for which I would be sorry. T. N. LOVING. Groves, Indiana, October 20, 1847.

I have witnessed the confession and immersion of about 115 since the first of July. There have been about 175 additions to the church of Christ within 20 miles of this place, since the first of last June. May the good Lord keep us humble and preserve us blameless till the coming of Jesus Christ! H. R. PRITCHARD. Elizabethtown, Ky, October 28, 1847. Brother W. P. Clark held a protract d meeting near this place, at which he had 17 additions-13 by baptism, and 4 united from the Baptists. S. L. HODGEN.

Paris, Tennessee, October 29, 1847.

Since I last wrote you, I have witnessed the obedience of forty-three persons to the cause of the Lord. Brother James Holmes a few weeks past immersed some sixty-eight persons in Bullard county, about sixty miles from Paris. Prospects appear to be brightening for the better, I hope. May we all be faithful until death! JOHN R. M'CALL: Washington, Pa., November 13, 1847. Brother Graham was with us a few weeks since, and delivered ten dig courses, with which we were much please'. He did not mention or allude to the sects, but preached the gospel. The result of the meeting was, 14 were immersed. General Hodgens came before the meeting commenced, and was immersed by brother Milligan. HENRY LANGLY. Danbury, Ct., November 15, 1847. We have had the happiness of a visit from our excellent, pious, and worthy brother E. A. Smith. Two persons were immersed and added to

our little body He has sown the seed of the word of life, the which I hope will be productive in after days. He is a laborer in the holy cause of our Divine Saviour, that is of great advantage to both saint and sinner. May the Lord bless our worthy brother wherever the servic of our common Lord and Saviour may call him! J. ABBOT.

CALL FROM IOWA FOR EVANGELISTS.

Iowa, November 16, 1847.

To the Editors of the several Christian Periodicals. Please send us some Evangelists, such as you can recommend, to teach doctrine and disciplino We have suffered some by false brethren, though we have had some good men amongst us. We have a good country here, yet we know of no place so destitute of gospel preaching, and sectarianism is growing daily amongst us. All we need is one or two preachers for each county, to organize congregations and state meetings. We need cooperations. As a branch of a tree cannot live detached from the trunk, so it is with us.

From your brethren scattered abroad in Iowa. Come over and help us. DISCIPLES.

Grassy Spring, Woodford county, Ky., November 16, 1847. We have just closed a protracted meeting of eleven days, at Grassy Spring, Woodford county, Kentucky. Elders Walter Scott, Wm. Morton and N. W. Payne, were the laborers. Thirty additions by baptism and five by letter-making in all thirty-five additions to the church. Elder Scott was the chief speaker. The great truth upon which he relied was the divinity of Christ. He seemed much imbued with the spirit of love. May the Lord bless the labors of all the holy brethren!

WM. H. WHITTINGTON. Moulton, Alabama, November 18, 1847. In a short time past, at the meetings which I have attended, either alone or in company with other brethren, there have been 23 valuable additions to the good cause. BENJAMIN COOPER. Ellisburgh, November 20, 1847.

The cause is not advancing much in this region. In Onondaga county the prospects are better than they have been for some time. The quarterly and yearly meetings were well attended at Tully and Pompey in September last, and five were added to the Lord-three in Tully and two in Pompey, and two in Cicero about the same time. More love and union seemed to exist among the brethren than had formerly for some time.

I sincerely sympathize with you (though I am a thorough Abolitionist) in your persecution in Scotland by the Abolition Society. Their conduct adds another to the already too long list of witnesses, that people may be very zealous in a theory, in itself good, but in their practice perfectly hos tile to their theory.- Yours for the whole truth,

J. MILTON BARTLETT. Logan, Indiana, November 27, 1847. The cause is onward. I visited Cass county, Michigan, the last of October, and gained 8 confessions. One who had been a class-leader for some time, but obtained your debate with Mr. Rice, and read it with understanding, comparing it with the Bible, "heard, believed, and was baptized." We preached five days in the Methodist Episcopal (hurch, and would have done so longer, but the "spirit of fear" betook them, and we were turned out. We organized the disciples, numbering, when we left, 21. We left them under the evangelists R. Wilson and David Miller. We arrived home, Cass county, Indiana, on the 10th instant; visited the Reserve, and gained 6 more from the Methodists. May they walk in the spirit of love, and always abound in the work of the truth!

WILLIAM P. SHOCKEY.

OBITUARY.

New Orleans, November 4, 1847. DIED, on the morning of the 26th of August, 1847, of the yellow fever, after a short but painful illness, which she bore with Christian resignation, sister ANN H BATTAILE, at the residence of her brother-in-law, Edward C Payne. During her illness she had all the attention that kind friends and a skillful physician could bestow; but it would not do: Death had marked her for his own. But for her he had no terrors. The faith she had in her Saviour conquered all fear of death. She had for many years lived a Christian life, and died a faithful follower of Christ. What is loss to her friends and relatives is her eternal gain.

On the 31st of August, 1847, of yellow fever, after an illness of only six days, brother JOHN F. SUMMERS. His sufferings were severe, but he bore them with patience. He has left a wife and two little children, and inany friends and brethren to mourn his untimely death; but the grim mouster knows no distinctions-all are alike his subjects. In the death of brother Summers our little congregation has sustained an irreparable loss. Although a young disciple, (only about 15 months old in the faith,) he was one of our most active and efficient members, his place in the Lord's house always being filled when at all practicable. He was intelligent, zealous, and indefatigable in his duties as a Christian in health; and when stricken down with the disease which terminated his earthly career, as long as sane he rejoiced in the hope. About twelve hours before his death he called us all around him, and told us he was going to leave us, but not to grieve for him, for he was going to Jesus; death had lost his sting; his Saviour had died and had conquered death and him that had the power of it; therefore he feared not to pass through the valley and shadow of death; his hope was strong; he feared no ill. He had but one regret in leaving, and that was the destitute condition in which he was leaving his family; but said he was leaving them in the hands of a merciful God. When requested by sister Summers to compose himself and try to get a little sleep, he would feel better, his reply was that he had no wish to sleep any more here; he was going in a short time to take a long sweet sleep with Jesus; and from this time on continued to fail, until his spirit took its flight from its clay tenement to Abraham's bosom.

On the 224 September, 1847, of the yellow fever, after an illness of IS days, sister SOPHIA E. CLARKE. sister-in law to brother Summers, aged about 19 years, one of the excellent of the earth. She was also a young disciple, obeyed the gospel about six months since, and up to the commencement of her illness continued zealous in the good cause. When convinced that she too must die, she had all the friends, brethren, and sisters called around her bed, and told them that she was going to leave them. She was anxiously awaiting the summons, and exhorted them all to meet her in heaven. Some were present who had not obeyed the gospel. She urged upon them the importance of doing it without delay. She said she was sorry she had deferred it so long She was anxious to see her dear brother Summers and brother W. R. M'Chesney, who also had crossed the Jordan of death and had entered the promised land. She was never heard to repine, altho' her illness was of three weeks' continuance. Her hope buoyed her up all the while. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord!"

BROTHER CAMPBELL:

A. A. JONES. Lexington, Missouri, December 14, 1847.

Dear Sir-When I wrote the brief notice, a short time since, announcing the death of Lucy-Ann, eldest daughter of brother James S. and sister Jane Muse, who was cut off in the morning of life, just as the amiableness and sweetness of her disposition began to be developed; I little thought