rock, which is Christ. Special prayer also for members of the Greek, Armenian, and other ancient Churches of the East.

II. Prayer for the Churches of Christ in England, Scotland, and Ireland, in the United States, and in the Colonies of Great Britain. That there may be a great revival of godliness through a more abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. That the corruptions and divisions of the Churches may be healed. That men full of the Holy Ghost and of power may be raised up to teach and to preach Jesus Christ. That the press may increasingly exert its influence in favour of righteousness and holiness, and that the Gospel may effectually reach all classes of society.

III. That the Mahommedans in Turkey and other lands, the heathen in India, China, Africa, and the many isles of the ocean, may speedily be brought in large numbers to the foot of the cross. That power may be given to the servants of Christ to grapple successfully iu His name with the various systems of Antichristian error, and that for this purpose they may be filled with the Holy Ghost as on the day of Pentecost. That believers everywhere may recognise the responsibility resting on them in accordance with the great commission, to do what in them lies for the evangelization of a lost world. That a spirit of prayer, of personal devotedness, and of liberality may be imparted to the universal Church of Christ; and that those who name His Name may cease to be a stumbling-block to unbelievers.

IV. That the Protestant and Reformed Churches generally throughout Europe, and America, may awake from lethargy, as well as speculative and practical unbelief. That the Holy Scriptures may be demonstrated to be Divine, by their mighty efficacy, when accompanied by the grace of the Holy Spirit, in regenerating souls, whether Protestant or Roman Catholic, nominal believers or avowed unbelievers. That the power of Christ's resurrection may be proclaimed and felt, so that to His sceptre as the King of kings exalted at God's right hand, men may bow; and be blessed, because they trust in Him.

V. That the rulers of the earth may be brought to acknowledge the sovereignty of Christ, as King and Governor among the nations, and not give their power to His enemies. That

events may be so ordered throughout Europe and the world at large, that the Churches may have rest and be edified, and that wherever any movement has begun, as in Spain, in Italy, in Turkey, and other lands in favour of the Gospel, it may not be hindered, but greatly intensified in its saving energy. That the Jews in Rome, delivered from the tyranny of long oppression, may receive the truth as it is in Jesus; and that wherever missionaries are labouring to make Him known to Israel after the flesh, there the Lord may work with them, confirming the truth of His Word.

VI. THANKSGIVING.-1. For the answers that have been vouchsafed to united prayer.

2. Prayer, that believers who have been stirred up during the past week to pray, may continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; and that there may be a greatly increased missionary spirit manifested among converts from heathenism, as well as in the Churches that send out missionaries.

POOR MOTHERS' SEWING CLASSES IN PARIS.

HAVING a deep conviction that regeneration for France is only to be found in true Bible-work, beginning with the poor mothers, of the lowest classes, we insert with pleasure, at the request of a recent visitor to Paris, the following particulars of a movement in this direction.

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During a short stay in Paris, we visited some of the sewing schools that have been established the last few months, than which no movement can be more important among the lowest and most degraded of the population. As yet, we believe, there are but four of these; the two we saw are in Belleville and La Villette, and are superintended by two ladies, who gave us a few particulars of the work which they carry on together, and to which they are most devoted.

"In these districts, the men, who should be the bread-providers,

are wanting; they have been killed, disabled, or imprisoned, not unfrequently without fault, having been carried away in a wave of Communists. The women and children remain to starve, without the means of gaining a livelihood, and under the frown of the ruling classes, who, far from aiding them, appear to put difficulties in their way. Deeply ignorant and low as they are (some had even to be taught to sew), their hearts have opened and responded to the power of love. The "Sewing Classes" are much like our "Mothers' Meetings;" the poor women, whose ages vary from 85 down to very young mothers, are invited to come for a few hours to the warm and cheerful room, where work is given them, for which each receives 50 centimes (5d.). The Scriptures are read, with prayer and singing, and (as kindly talk with personal interest leads to visits to many a sad and sick home) a little temporal relief is given, while the word of life is also carried there. As our friend said, really to do them good il faut les pour-suivre, avec l'affection.'

"The meeting to which we went one morning, might have been in St. Giles's; a room' filled with about fifty women, who welcomed the English ladies most kindly, and seemed interested to hear of sister gatherings the other side of the water. Many faces told of famine and deep suffering. Mdlle. De B- said that in their first gatherings three poor creatures had fainted, and fallen apparently lifeless. They were rubbed and revived, and a medical man being sent for (for the ladies did not wish to be responsible to the police), told them it was from sheer want. These are not the only instances in which they have rescued some from starvation. 'Their blood seems to have turned into water; no one can tell the horrors they have gone through.'

"A great change has come over the poor women since the first meetings in September last year. We noticed their clean faces, combed hair, and orderly bearing. At first,' said our friend, 'they came wild, dirty, their hair unkempt; but gradually the kindly influence has told, and further, among some, a spirit of inquiry and earnest seeking has been awakened, and with simple earnestness, and apparent interest, as we can testify, did they take part in the little religious exercises in which we joined."

"It is very touching to see the gratitude evinced by these poor women, who have not been pauperized by ill-judged charity, as too often is the case among ourselves. One time, at La Villette, 150 came to tea in the nice large room in this district. Many from sickness could not come. Great was their surprise at the reception, and manner of the entertainment. The white tablecloths, the freeness and fulness of the fare, the ladies waiting upon them, and their manner towards them, elicited remarks which showed the kindness was fully appreciated.

"At Belleville and La Villette respectively there are two sewing classes a week, the attendance being from forty to sixty and upwards. You may there find one who has been un artiste dramatique, un peintre, and so down the social scale, till you meet the poor chiffonière. The ladies hold other meetings also. Twice a week there is a Night School, where some (as many as fourteen, former prisoners with their wives) have come to learn. On Thursday evening meetings they are assisted by an evangelist. At La Villette it is hoped shortly to add a Sunday meeting for soldiers, who are willing to attend.

"There are many expenses which fall on the self-denying workers themselves, for which they greatly need help, and through us they make this appeal to their Christian sisters. Above all, they entreat their sympathy and earnest continued prayers to Him who alone can bless their labours and give the increase.

"One remark more. Workers are wanted-devoted English women. They are said to carry more weight with them than the French, and are especially needed at the outset of the work.' 'A great door is opened, and effectual.' The harvest is great, and the labourers VERY few.'"

Further information will be gladly given, and donations. received, by Miss Buxton, Champion-hill, S.E.

N.B.-BY THE EDITOR.-We are also further solicited by our friends, Mr. and Mrs. GEORGE PEARSE, to say that they have thirteen Bible-women in France, whom they hope that English Christians will sustain. They are at present themselves leaving England on purpose to try every possible means to

make Christ known to the French. A pamphlet called “THE BIBLE-WOMEN IN FRANCE," a second Occasional Paper, price twopence, is just issued by Morgan and Scott, 12, Paternosterbuildings (E.C.), which contains very many interesting details of the visits of these humble Female Evangelists.

THE APOSTLE PAUL IN ROME.

IN a vaulted subterranean chamber of the church of Santa Maria via Lata, in Rome, is placed a pillar, surmounted by a vase said to contain Martyr's blood. This pillar was brought from the catacombs beneath the city; an iron chain or fetter is suspended loose from the centre, above and below which are inscribed these words in Latin

"BUT THE WORD OF GOD IS NOT BOUND."

This is traditionally considered to memorialize the spot where the illustrious prisoner Paul remained in custody of a State officer for a few days after his arrival, in the ancient Government building of the Septa Julia, erected by Julius Cæsar, B.C. 26. It is not supposed that this was Paul's "own hired house," but the temporary lodging which preceded it.

So it is considered by Dr. Macduff,* who also describes another building to which he was directed by reliable authorities, viz., the Church of S. Paolo e Paolino alla Regola, in rather an inaccessible situation, adjoining the Ghetto. Over a doorway, to the right of the altar in this church is inscribed in Latin, "THE CHURCH AND SCHOOL OF ST. PAUL." A few steps conduct down to the oblong apartment, whose walls are surrounded with marble slabs, over which are written appropriate verses from the Acts and the Romans, such as

"And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."-Acts xxiii. 11.

* See "Footsteps of St. Paul in Rome," by Dr. Macduff.