the time of the exile, no doubt, most of its inhabitants were carried captive with the other Israelites, and colonies from Babylonia were sent by the conqueror Shalmaneser to fill up their vacant places. These settlers, mingling with the remnant left behind, were called Samaritans. At length they erected a rival temple on Gerizim (B.c. 300), and we know what a bitter hostility existed for many ages between them and the Jews.

But the most interesting event of all marks Shechem in the New Testament, as the spot where our Saviour met and conversed with the woman of Samaria. (John iv. 4, 5.) The new name "Sychar" was given to it by the Jews because of its vices and wickedness. (Sychar is a Syriac word for drunkenness.) But it was the birthplace of many souls! Our Lord looked down on its fertile plains, described as one sea of golden grain," and saw the emblem (v. 35) of that harvest of souls which the Apostles should reap. (Acts viii. 5-8.)

66

The present name of the city, which was built on the site of ancient Shechem by the Emperor Vespasian, is Nâblus. Travellers tell us that it is the most beautiful spot in central Palestine. It lies, as of old, in a sheltered valley, protected by the mountains Gerizim and Ebal, half concealed by rich gardens and stately trees. "It came upon us," says Dr. Robinson, "suddenly, like a scene of fairy enchantment. We saw nothing to compare with it in all Palestine. Here, beneath the shadow of an immense mulberry tree, by the side of a purling rill, we pitched our tent, and rose early, awakened by the songs of nightingales and other birds." The whole valley is green and verdant, full of olives, and brooks and streams, and is remarkable for its rich colouring and that lovely bluish haze so rarely seen in the hot East. Dr. Thompson, in his recent "Travels in Central Palestine," thus describes it:-"One may be excused for becoming somewhat enthusiastic over the pretty vale of Nâblus, sparkling with fountains and streams, verdant with olive-groves and figorchards, interspersed with walnut, apple, apricot, pomegranate, and other trees and shrubs. All this exceptional fertility is due to those noble fountains. Nothing is more delightful than the laugh of the mountain,' the music of

rills and brooks as they leap from terrace to terrace in garden or field. The houses of the city are solidly built of stone, having the same sort of courts, gates, windows, and roofs as those at Jerusalem, but the streets are narrow, crooked, and dark."

The promise of the patriarch Jacob is thus still fulfilled in this inheritance. (Gen. xlix. 22.)

Shechem was, as we have seen, inhabited first by Canaanites, secondly by Israelites, thirdly by Samaritans. It is now chiefly occupied by Mohammedans. There are a few Greek Christians and very few Jews. It was visited by our Prince of Wales in the year 1860.

About a mile and a-half east of the city may still be seen Jacob's Well. In the year 1697 we are told this well was 105 feet deep, and had fifteen feet of water in it. In 1840 Dr. Andrew Bonar, in the act of descending into the vault built over the mouth of the well, let his Bible escape from his coat pocket, and it fell to the bottom. Three years later another traveller to the same spot induced a boy of fourteen, named Jacob esh Shellaby, to go down to search for this Bible. He succeeded in recovering the lost treasure, and it was returned to its owner. The well at that time was dry, and only measured 75 feet in depth, owing to the stones and rubbish which had accumulated in it, but on its sides may still be traced, by deep indentures in the stone, the marks of the cords which were used century after century in drawing up that clear sparkling water, a type and emblem of the water of life, which He who is our Life only can bestow. Let us for a few moments dwell upon the words spoken by Jesus as He sat on that well's side, just outside this ancient city-"Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." It is not enough to know of Him, or to listen, and to read of Him; we must each one drink.

L. W.

THE NOBLE NATURE.

It is not growing like a tree

In bulk, doth make man better be;
By standing long, an oak three hundred years,
To fall a log at last, dry bald and sere;
A lily of a day

Is fairer far in May,

Although it fall and die that night-
It was the plant and flower of light.

In small proportions, we just beauties see,
And in short measures, life may perfect be.

FOR LONDON BIBLE AND DOMESTIC FEMALE MISSIONS.

Money received between April 15th and May 16th, 1883.

Examined and certified by me, as duly entered in the books of the Mission, JAMES WADDELL, F.C.A. (of J. WADDELL & CO.),

1, Queen Victoria Street, Mansion House, E.C.

Received for Bible-women and Nurses, with thanks :-Clothing, old and new, knitted articles, quilt, with German texts, &c., from Mrs. G. Brightwen; Mrs. Stead; Mrs. Robertson; Miss Peache; T. M.; Mrs. Hosken; Miss Sewell; Anonymous; Miss Homewood; Mrs. Fripp; and H. B. M. Periodicals from Mrs. Cox. Worked texts from Miss Raban. Flowers from Miss M. Ewart; Miss Birch-Reynardson; Mrs. Hosken; Miss Colchester; Miss Sewell; Mrs. Sheppard; Baroness Berners; Miss Huish; and Mrs. G. Bright wen. Hospital letters from Mrs. Girdlestone; Mrs. Gurney-Pease; Miss Jeffrey; Mrs. Lander; Miss M. Gripper; and Hugh Seymour, Esq. Invalid chair from Miss C. H. Buchanan.

Contributions to the LONDON BIBLE AND DOMESTIC FEMALE MISSION can be received by Mrs. Selfe Leonard (niece of the late Mrs. Ranyard), 2, Adelphi Terrace, Strand, London, W.C.; by Lord Kinnaird, addressed to the Bank of Messrs. Ransom and Co., No. 1, Pall Mall East; also by Messrs. Barclay, Bevan, and Co., 54, Lombard Street; and by Messrs. Nisbet and Co., Berners Street. Money Orders should be made payable at the Post-office, Charing Cross, W.C., in the name of E. Selfe Leonard, and cheques crossed Ransom and Co. Should any sums be unacknowledged in the above list, friends are requested to write at once to Mrs. Leonard.