I resolved immediately to set out. The coincidence appeared remarkable. The town I knew would be hotter than the country, and I wanted the doctor to see me that night, feeling that time was precious. After tea we got asses, and the innkeeper also accompanied us. The muleteer guided my donkey, occasionally giving me a helping hand at the steep parts of the road; and, doubtless, that promise too was fulfilled to me in your favorite psalm, mamma, "He shall give his angels charge over thee." The cool mountain breeze revived my wasted frame; and though the hour seemed long, still I arrived in safety, and found a delightful cool room and a divan, where I laid me down. We found that the doctor had once lived here, but not now; that Mr. Calhoun was gone to Constantinople. But a native doctor was brought to me, who told me, in Italian, to put a cloth dipped in vinegar on my head, and to take castor oil in the morning. I saw that he did not understand my illness, and therefore felt anxious for another doctor. Now mark the singular way in which God provided for A ship of war happened to be in the roads of Smyrna. The officers happened to ride out to this village, and were now in the same inn with us-the doctor among the rest. He saw me, and immediately ordered me to be shaved and leeches applied, and wet cloths kept on my head all night. All this was done at first without effect; but toward morning the fever abated, and I slept quietly. The native doctor came in the morning, and was surprised to find a shaved patient. We explained all to him, and he bade adieu. I forgot to mention that the same night we came out, a Mr. Hanson found me out, uncle of Miss Urmston, and told me of her being at our house, and now at RHe offered me. any kindness in his power. Mr. Lewis, the English chaplain, also came, and insisted on my coming to his house the next day. The doctor of the corvette saw me in the morning, and sent me a perspiring medicine. I was better nearly all day. Friday, 1st August.-In the evening I was carried on a sofa to the house of Mr. Lewis, where I have been ever since. Here I found a home indeed; and in Mrs. Lewis one who has nursed me like a mother. I cannot tell you how wonderful it has appeared to me that God should have led me by the hand to this family, the only one perhaps in Smyrna where I could find such kindness and care. They are both delightful Christians. They have 3 children and one adopted daughter, a young Syrian. They insisted on Andrew Bonar and Mr. Calman also living with them. The house is pleasantly situated, with a nice garden-from which I used to get sweet flowers brought to me every evening. On Saturday I had another attack of the fever. The best doctor of the place had called on the Friday, Dr. Wood. He could not attend me, his wife being ill, but recommended the native doctor, Dracopoli. He has treated me remarkably well. That was my last day of the fever. He says it is a fever of this country. Febre perniciosa, he calls it. Every day I have been gaining strength. I cannot tell you how I have been cared for by the truly good people of this family. Every morning I get my head bathed with vinegar and water. My voice has quite returned. I have been two Sundays at church. I walked out every evening for the last fortnight -and to-day (24th Aug.) I have ridden into Smyrna with my kind friends to sail for Constantinople at 5 this evening. I am now at their house in town, and after a hearty dinner, have sat down to finish this. Eliza's letter, I fear, I must leave unfinished, as I have not much time. Andrew and Mr. Calman went to Constantinople last Saturday, to spend the past week in inquiries there. It is only 30 hours' sail, over a delightful sea and in a splendid steamboat-the captain an Englishman. Lord Rokeby and Mr. Littleton, both of whom we met in Palestine, are also passengers. On Monday morning Andrew is to come out to the steamer; and at 12 same day we sail for the Danube. We reach Galatz in 60 hours. I cannot tell you all the kind things which the Lewises have provided to go with me. We have a quarantine of 7 or 10 days at Galatz; thence to Jassy, we go in 2 days and a half; from thence to Brody, and thence to Warsaw. Do send letters to Warsaw, where we may be in 4 or 5 weeks, if the Lord prosper us. "The way of a man is not in himself." It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." God has chastened me sore, but not given me over unto death. I have conducted family prayers 3 times. My heart troubles me very little. I suppose it will beat on all my life; but I have a good hope that if it please God to return me to my flock, it will not hinder me from my duty. I am still a little deaf in one ear. Could you find the name of the German aurist whom Dr. Duncan consulted, and write me his address? I would go and consult him as we pass through Germany. Warsaw, Posen, Berlin, Hamburgh, seem to be in our line. Do lay all this to heart. You see how easily I might have been gone-how God has spared me to you. Oh! that you may be all drawn by His mercies to take him for a Father-as He is to all who are washed in the blood of his Son. I have no greater desire on earth than that all of you may be saved. Kind love to dear Willie. I am glad he is better. May God restore him to us all. Kind remembrance to Doctor Russell and all friends.-Your affectionate son, ROBT. MURRAY MCHEYNE. LETTER XVII. TO THE REV. ALEX. N. SOMERVILLE, IN CONTINUATION. BOUJA, NEAR SMYRNA, 22nd August, 1839. MY DEAR FRIEND ALEX.,-You will see that nearly a whole month has passed away since the above was written. It has pleased our heavenly Father that I should spend that time in a long illness, from which I am now by his blessing recovered. I am sorry this was not finished and sent away from the Holy Land; but I was taken quite suddenly ill of a most dangerous fever, I think the day after writing you. A converted Jew, who is generally stationed at Jerusalem, Dr. Gertsmann, a fine Christian, was my doctor. He took great care of me, so that by Sabbath the 28th, he thought the fever had left me, and we all thought it best that I should leave Syria by the boat that sailed that day. I was very weak, but managed to get on board, and was stretched out on the deck. The fever soon came back upon me worse than ever. Andrew and Mr. Calman were as kind to me as they could be; but sea-sickness rendered them incapable most of the way. Nobody on board had any English, so that I was cast upon God indeed. At Cyprus I thought I should have died. I lost my voice almost entirely; my memory also began to fail. I was very ill again at Rhodes, and again near Smyrna. We sailed among the lovely islands of Greece, and saw scenes hallowed by Paul's voyages; but my eyes were looking toward the eternal hills. Indeed there was the greatest reason to believe that I never would recover. But God has raised me up from the brink of the grave. We arrived in Smyrna on Thursday evening, 1st August. The town appeared close and hot, and the medical man lived out of town, so that we resolved on proceeding to this village. It has been a second birthplace to me. We rode on asses-the muleteer holding me on all the time. Here we found a home in the house of the Rev. Mr. Lewis, the English chaplain, and I found a mother in his lady-most Christian people. I had two very severe attacks of fever here-my head was shaved and bled. I have long since been free from fever, and am daily gaining strength. I feel confident that God means all for good. My mind was very weak when I was at the worst, and therefore the things of eternity were often dim. I had no fear to die, for Christ had died. Still I prayed for recovery, if it were the Lord's will. You remember, among your last advices, you told me to be humble. You see God is teaching me the same thing. I fear I am not thoroughly humbled yet. I feel the pride of my heart, and bewail it. Pray that, if it be the Lord's will, I may get the blessing of this illness. Pray also that I may be restored to the work of the ministry, if that be his will. Andrew has not been idle, but has gained much information. He went to Constantinople on Saturday. We parted with much regret, but I hope to join him on Monday next. Three days more will carry us to Galatz, on the Danube, where we have a short quarantine. From thence our way is plain to Poland, by Jassy. My zeal in the mission is not diminished by my illness. Indeed the cause is now interwoven with every thought and feeling of my heart. I only now see plainly that all our views about the Jews being the chief object of missionary exertion, are the plain and sober truth according to the Scriptures. I have not been able to advance much in Scripture reading, being driven more to meditate on divine things, and on the portions hidden in my heart. My eyesight is not very good, and, for the same reason, I am not good at writing. I have cause for nothing but thankfulness and praise. God has dealt with me as a son. "Trials make the promise sweet; Lay me low, and keep me there." I never was so severely tried in this way before. But he hath saved my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. This has been one of the hottest summers ever known. The therm. is generally about 90° or 95° in the coolest room in the house. I get a pleasant walk every evening. Last night I was helping to gather grapes in the vineyard. The remains of old Smyrna I have not seen. Still I do not forget how Jesus sent messages of love to this very place. I have not room to ask how your soul and flock prosper. Do not overwork yourself. There is much of self in that, I know by experience. A breathing of believing prayer may be worth many hours' hard labor. Endure to the end, and be saved. Yours ever, in sweetest bonds, ROBT. M. M⭑CHEYNE. I heard of your mother and sister this day, by a letter from home, dated 8th June. your father and Colin. ers of your grace. Remember me most kindly to them, and LETTER XVIII TO HIS SISTER, IN CONTINUATION. GALATZ, ON THE BANKS OF THE DANUBE, Sept. 1, 1839. MY DEAR ELIZA,-This letter should have gone from Beyrout, but I suppose you have received, or will soon receive, my letter from Smyrna, telling you of my long and dangerous fever, from which it has pleased God to recover me entirely. I still feel weak sometimes, but am perfectly well in mind and body. The voyage has done me a great deal of good-quite reviving me-and the cool atmosphere of Europe makes me feel quite another being. We have great cause to thank God, and to serve him better in days to come, and to prepare more fully for an eternal world. Since You cannot imagine a kinder home than Bouja was to me. It was with unfeigned regret that I left them. What a wonderful providence that I should be guided there. I left on the day I wrote, 24th August. Mr. Lewis came on board with me. then, I have rapidly gained strength. We sailed up the Dardanelles all Sunday, through the English fleet, and by sunset were in the sea of Marmora. Next morning by 5 we were anchored in the splendid bay of Stamboul. It is a wonderful place. Such a dazzling city I never saw before. Andrew and one of the missionaries were soon on board, and we were glad to meet again. I went on shore till 12. At that hour we sailed, and were soon stemming the current of the Bosphorus. Such a lovely sail! You would have enjoyed it much. The coast may be said to be lined with palaces; but alas, what are they but the dwellings of sin and wretchedness, doomed to sink with the sinking empire! The Black Sea was very rough as we entered it—a wild tossing sea; but next day (the 27th August) it was like a sea of glass. We landed at Varna, after passing the Balkan mountains; the same evening we passed the Cape of Kalakria. 28th.-At 12 o'clock we were in the Danube, after passing two mouths. "The dark rolling Danube" is very like the Forth as you go up to Stirling. The number of mosquitoes is dreadful. A Prussian prince was on board-an infidel- with whom I had long discussions of great interest. 29th. We landed at Galatz, and put ourselves in quarantine for 7 days. This is the fifth day, so that we have 2 more. I shall describe a quarantine some other time. On Thursday we go to Galatz, and thence to Ibraila. The Consul invites us to sleep at his house. Friday we go to Bucharest (20 hours), then back to Jassy. We are forbidden to enter Russian Poland, and therefore go to |