not they be encouraged and supported by their countrymen, especially by their professional brethren?

We are quite aware that no class of men in our country are more inadequately paid for the work by which they earn their living than our physicians. No other class do more work for no pay at all, in pure charity. Many physicians-perhaps the majority-like the majority of ministers, barely obtain a modest maintenance for themselves and their families. But unlike the ministry, the medical profession is to some of its members a mine of wealth. Eminent medical ability, in eminently favorable situations, enriches physicians quite signally. Neither their brethren nor their patients should grudge them this success. But are there not some of these favored men who will gladly recognize the honor to their profession thus won by their brethren

in other lands, and show their appreciation of it by generous contributions for the establishment and support of hospitals for which there is such opportunity?

Are there not also wealthy men and women who have received in their own persons or in their families services of "beloved physicians," for which indeed they have made proper compensation, but who still reckon among the choicest gifts of God to them the medical science and skill which distinguish our age and country? Can this gratitude be more suitably expressed than by furnishing means for encouraging and enlarging the work of that honored profession in connection with Christian missions?

We shall be happy to hear from any such physicians or any who feel such gratitude for physicians' services. We shall be still more glad to have Dr. Torrence hear from them.

A practical measure in city evangelization has been entered upon in New York,

which we shall watch with interest and hope.

The City Mission has appointed the Rev. A. F. Schauffler, D.D., Vice-President. He thus becomes the chief executive officer and will represent the City Mission in churches. and Sabbath-schools. He is too well known already as an eloquent exponent and advocate of city missions to need any introduction. He is the son of a distinguished foreign missionary and eminent for his own. devotion to mission work in that city. His intelligent knowledge of city evangelization

and his practical insight into the best methods of Christian work and his high Christian character will secure his entrance into any church or society, and will go far to secure the success of this enterprise.

By an understanding with the Union Theological Seminary, Dr. Schauffler will also take charge of between fifty and sixty of the students in evangelistic work in the city, and will supervise and direct their labors.

How could young men preparing for the ministry have a better opportunity to put to immediate use what they are learning, and by so doing to learn it more thoroughly?

The consul-general of the United States at Shanghai reports that $1200 has been contributed by Chinese in that city for the sufferers by the earthquake in Charleston. The Rev. Hoong Neok Woo, of our mission, was

active in gathering this contribution from the natives. Such an instance of practical sympathy and help from the Chinese should quicken our interest in communicating to them spiritual gifts.-Spirit of Missions.

That the plain and the hills about Sidon were full of ancient tombs has long been known. Every now and then some new discovery of long-concealed treasure or some valuable inscription induces the stone masons to dig and excavate. The stone which they can sell nearly compensates them for their toil, and any antiquities found in the rubbish or tombs make the work remunerative. No systematic exploration has been conducted since the French occupation of Syria in 1860, when they explored thoroughly the extensive necropolis south of the city. About two years ago hundreds of tombs were opened at the foot of the hills east of Sidon, but these were all of the GrecoRoman period, and nothing of historic interest was discovered.

Lately, while some workmen were excavating for building stone in an open field about a mile to the northeast of the city, they came upon a square shaft sunk in the sandstone. This is about twenty feet square and thirty deep. At the bottom of the shaft were four doors in the perpendicular walls, opening into as many chambers. The bottom of the shaft was paved with stone, but the floor of the rooms, as the roofs and walls, were all of the natural rock. There were no signs of plaster anywhere, in great contrast to the Roman tombs I have referred to, some of which were richly frescoed with ornamentations and representations of trees and animals. Entering first the south chamber, two large sarcophagi met the eye. The one on the right was of black marble highly polished, but without any carving upon it. The other was of the purest white marble, with a huge lid of the same material, carved into a grand arch, but not open at the ends. From the four corners of this lid projected four lions' heads. On its front end were two symbolical figures facing each other with uplifted wings. Like figures were upon the other end of this cover, but with the exception that in the one case the bodies were of animals and the heads of birds, while in the other the body was a bird and the face human. The figures were majestic and

noble. Below the ornamental frieze, which ran around the top of the sarcophagus, were figures. On the front two centaurs facing each other and attacking a fallen warrior, who tries to protect himself with his shield. On the back also two centaurs carrying a stag between them. One of the centaurs carries a huge arrow, like a tree, over his shoulder, and from the shoulders of both hang cloaks, the corners of which are ornamented with lions' heads. The two sides are the same. First, two men standing erect with four rampant horses before them. The horses are trampling in the one case on a lion, in another on a boar. The heads of the steeds are not near together, but more as if yoked two and two, and yet not pulling together. Ahead of this group are two other figures, with four more spirited horses.

Below is a border full of representations of hunting scenes. The whole sarcophagus was about ten feet long, eight feet high and five and a half feet wide. These are only estimates made under difficulties. The chamber is only about fifteen feet square, and it was with great difficulty that I could squeeze between the sarcophagus and the walls. The doorway, which had been filled up with building stone, was only partially opened, and the air within was very foul. I had two pieces of candle with me; but held near the floor, they would go out, and my companion soon began to feel dizzy and faint. Water was dripping from the roof, and had filled the smaller sarcophagus, whose lid had been moved to one side. In these were found three skeletons of human beings and five skulls of dogs, evidently grayhounds. Both this chamber and the others had been entered and rifled of all valuable contents. Upon entering the eastern chamber, two sarcophagi were seen; but in this case the carved one was on the right and the plain one on the left, both of the finest white marble. The ornamented one was in the shape of a Greek temple, and composed of only two pieces of marble, the lid and the tomb itself. The former was the roof, with carved ornaments at each end

of the ridge, and the two slopes cut to represent flat, rectangular tiles like shingles, but with strips running up and down covering the joints of the tiles, and with knobs of carved work where these strips crossed the ridge. Where the roof sloped down to the eaves, the sides of the lid arose about a foot, making a panel of that height and the length of the sarcophagus. On each side upon this was represented the funeral pageant-first two female mourners, then two horses with grooms walking by their side. The steeds have neither bridles nor saddles. Then four horses abreast drawing a chariot, in which stands a warrior. Then four other horses drawing a covered two-wheeled chariot, which evidently answered the purpose of a hearse. This was followed by two figures walking. The ends were richly ornamented by cornices, friezes, etc., and in the triangles were three figures, all expressive of grief, the two in the corners reclining, the central one standing. The eaves had at regular distances carved dogs' heads projecting from them. The body of the sarcophagus was carved to represent the porch about a temple, with eighteen statuettes, each about three feet high, standing between the columns, three of these upon each end and six on each side. The capitals of the columns were all Ionic, with the exception of those at the four corners, which were Doric.

These figures were of beautiful workmanship and exquisitely carved. All were female figures, representing various types of grief, and were fully covered with drapery, beneath which the form of muscles and limbs could be seen. Below this porch were narrow panels on all four sides, covered with representations of hunting scenes. There was some debris about the base, which prevented me from seeing all; but I remember a stag pursued by hunters, with a dog leaping upon it. The whole effect of this beautifully-proportioned and finelycarved temple, with the life-like figures upon it, was one never to be forgotten. A hole had been cut in the front in order to rifle the contents, and part of the right panel of the lid was broken off; but with

these exceptions the whole was in a perfect state of preservation. Often such remains when found in the earth have been discolored by the moist soil, and the more delicate lines of carving blunted or worn; but here the whole looked as clear and in as good a state of preservation as if just from the sculptor's hand. Not a nose or finger was gone; not a scratch upon the highlypolished surface. I noted traces of color upon some of the figures. The eyes of the statuettes were painted, giving a life-like look, and the robes of some of the figures showed that they had been painted, but the moisture of the place had destroyed most of the coloring.

The next room into which we went was the western chamber. It was empty, but had a door in the southern wall leading to another and much larger room in which stood four sarcophagi, all of white marble. Three of these were comparatively plain, the covers representing ridged roofs covered with tiles, and the tomb itself being ornamented only with a trailing vine about it, and a cornice. But the sculptured one far exceeded those previously seen in the richness and variety of the scenes depicted, in the graphic way in which various passions were expressed, in the greater minuteness of detail, and in the fine preservation of the colors of the painted robes. The hurried survey of the whole which was permitted me did not allow a careful study of detail. The tiles of the sloping roof were not flat and rectangular, but like leaves with the edges slightly upturned. On the four corners crouched four lions, and the ends of the ridges were surmounted by headless rampant figures, supporting a shell-carved ornamentation. Along the upper side of the eaves were human heads peering out from an arch of leaves, and below the eaves a row of stags' heads with curved horns. In the triangles at the ends of the cover were war scenes. One warrior lying dead in one corner, opposite him a wounded soldier with his fallen helmet behind him and crouching behind a large oval-shaped shield to protect himself from those attacking him. The warriors represented upon this sarcophagus

were of two kinds. One with scarlet cloaks, blue tunics, crested helmets, wearing long, straight swords, greaves and sandals. Their shields were often richly painted, one I noticed with circles and stars,-celestial figures. Others were adorned with figures of animals. Where these warriors were mounted, they rode on what looked like flat padded saddle-cloths, richly worked and painted with bright colors. The other class of fighters were barbarians of some kind, who wore a cap peaked behind like a Phrygian cap, and with the sides of the face wrapped in a large cloth, which was also drawn across the face below the nose, covering the mouth and chin. These were more scantily dressed than their opponents. The battle scenes are very vividly depicted. In one case a warrior seizes his enemy, who has fallen upon his knees, by the hair of the head, and plunges his sword into his shoulder, while the blood trickles to the ground. The two ends and one side are filled with many fighting figures, mounted and on foot. But one side is left for a hunting scene, in which the hunters are all barbarians. One man has just discharged an arrow, and his hands are still extended. By his side another figure is thrusting a spear. Another carries a bow, while the main interest centres in a horseman attacked by a lion. The horse is rearing, while the lion has fastened his teeth in the horse's shoulder. The terror and agony of the horse are apparent, his nostrils dilated with fear, so that the skin above them is wrinkled, while the rider can hardly keep his seat. The other horsemen and hunters are rushing to the rescue, and a bold dog has seized the lion by one leg. The sculpture of the horses is magnificent and very highly finished. Nor does the value of the whole rest solely upon these life-like scenes, revealing to us so clearly the arms, dress and habits of that age, but the carved ornamentation both above and below these panels is also very beautiful. Double lines worked into rectangular geometric figures form one border, and below it is another of vine curving in the line of beauty. I was

so surprised at this bewildering sight that I found it difficult to take mental notes. The suspicion of Turkish officials rendered anything like written notes, measurements or photographs wholly out of the question.

Other sarcophagi have since been uncovered, one under the pavement of the shaft, which has been described as having a lid in the shape of a human figure, with a face of Egyptian type and head-dress. This is probably Phenician. Also in the northern chamber, where only a plain sarcophagus was found, the walls to the east and west were dug through to smaller rooms, where a sarcophagus was found in each. One of these had never been opened before, and contained an alabaster vase about ten inches high, and a gold ring with a stone in it, and a chain of gold weighing over one hundred grains. Another sarcophagus has two faces upon the lid, and still another is covered with carved figures.

The most singular feature connected with the whole is that while up to the present time sixteen sarcophagi have been uncovered, yet not a line of inscription has been found anywhere.

A large number of coins were picked up at the bottom of the shaft, but they were immediately taken to the governor, so that no clue can be obtained as to the date when these places were excavated or used. The material for all these sarcophagi must have been brought from Greece or Italy, as there is no marble of such purity in Syria; but it is difficult to believe that the work was done except on the spot by Greek sculptors, for no amount of care could transport such heavy masses covered with delicate tracery and bas-relief without some defacement of projecting ornaments. At present the doors to these chambers are closed and sealed, and soldiers watch by day and night. Full accounts have been sent to Constantinople, and it is reported that a special vessel will be sent to convey all to the museum.

SIDON.

W. K. EDDY.

At the meeting of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of England, in April, Rev. W. S. Swanson, a foreign missionary of that church, was elected moderator. From his address on taking the chair, as published by address on taking the chair, as published by the Presbyterian Messenger, we extract the following striking application of the maxim, "The tree is known by its fruits":

Some of us have had to stand face to face with heathenism black and vile-different not only in degree, but also in kind, from what is called heathenism here-heathenism with hardly a ray of light to relieve its gloom-heathenism acting on life and all its relations; and we can tell in our own way how the world under that dominancy sorely needs Christ. The facts of such a position burn into our hearts the conviction that Christ, and Christ only, can heal its sores, cleanse its filth and meet its deep necessities. The so-called religions around us, so far as their practical bearing is concerned, only the more deeply emphasize the conviction. With these in the abstract we have hardly to deal. That abstract is not always what it seems. They come to us in the hard and bitter concrete of their action on men. We have to look at them in their practical outcomes on our fellow men. Some men expound these religions, and tell us their philosophy from a distance that does seem to lend enchantment to the view. We do wish that some of them would leave for a little the region of philosophic calm that somewhat chills and seldom sends any glow into the heart, and observe on the spot the real outcomes of these systems upon life and its relations. And if they did so, they would find, what history one would think has sufficiently taught already, that although in these so-called religions you may find some system of morals, yet that, in face of the facts, no such system, apart from the gospel of God's grace, can regenerate the heart and purify the life, supply the spiritual needs and meet the deep longings of men. In these aspects, what has the socalled "Light of Asia" been? Why, it Why, it

has been the darkness of Asia. And when I make inquiry into the adaptation of socalled religions to the wants of the races to which they have come, I am forced to a position that makes me ask some pertinent questions. I put these on the field with all

tenderness and affection for those whom in Christ's name and strength I was trying to raise. I mention now only one of these questions-I could name many of them. I ask what adaptation have we found in these religions to meet the wants, to heal the wounds, of woman, and to give her her proper and rightful position? What have they done to free her from the oppression that imprisons, degrades and brutalizes her? What has the "Light of Asia" done to brighten her lot? What ray of comfort have these religions shed into the shambles where she is bought and sold? What have they done to sweeten and purify life for her? Why, her place in the so-called paradises of some of them, in the way it is painted, only burns the brand of shame more deeply on her brow. And this is only one item among the many that might be adduced; but this and every other are met by the divine adaptation of the gospel of God's grace to meet the woes and wants of our race. To men and women there, to men and women here, wherever sin has to be met, the Church of Christ has to go. This is her function. With the fields white to the harvest-ah! how white as we think of the burdens and woes of our fellow men, with the cry for help ringing in our ears, and ringing all the more loudly that the very power to utter and the sense of need seem to be gone, with a message we know to be full of blessing, with the power of God's Spirit to drive it home: with these penetrating convictions the church has to go, and to bring our brethren and sisters to him and his loving heart, to him who can free them from sin, and make them what they should be, and then send them out again to be the means of bringing the same life and light to others as they have got themselves. This is the mission of the church.