scene of desolation! With the utmost truth and feeling has it been observed, by a celebrated traveller: It is a solemn and most forlorn spot! And, at night, when the mournful cry of the jackal is heard on the mountain, and the nighthawk, and the shrill owl, (named from its note, Cucuvaia) are flitting around the ruins, the scene awakens the deepest sensations of melancholy.' I was also much struck to observe, how the stork appears, at present, to claim possession of these ancient edifices. You see this bird perching, in all directions, upon the summits of the buildings, or hovering round them in the air, or fixing its immense nest, like the capital of a column, on the large masses of ruins. As for the stork, the ruins of Ephesus are her house. There is a great peculiarity in the note of this bird; it reminds the hearer of the sound of a watchman's rattle... We found only a single Greek inhabiting the village of Aiasalúck. In a missionary point of view, Ephesus offers no attractions: her ancient church has vanished; the candlestick has been removed; and even the Turks who dwell at hand are few in number. . .

...

"March 31st, 1826.-This morning we crossed the plain of the ruins of Ephesus. One of the first objects which attract notice, are the numerous places of burial which are observed on the declivity of Mount Prion. They consist of excavations in the side of the hill, arched with stone-work. It is here that, tradition informs us, Timothy was buried... Nothing at Ephesus was so interesting as the remains of the theatre. It was here, that the multitude collected by Demetrius and his craftsmen excited the uproar which threw the whole city into confusion; and the situation of the building affords illustration of that remarkable occurrence. The theatre, like other ancient structures of the same name, is seated on a deep declivity; the seats having been formed, in successive tiers, on the slope of a lofty hill, and the whole building being open to the sky. I have no doubt that upwards of thirty thousand persons could

have conveniently seated themselves in the theatre of Ephesus. Before them, they had a view of the most striking description. Across the market-place, and at no great distance, they beheld that splendid temple, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and which was dedicated to the great goddess Diana, whom

all Asia and the world worshipped. There can be little doubt that Demetrius would avail himself of the sight of this splendid object, to inflame to the highest pitch the passions of the multitude.

"We may imagine their eyes fixed on this famous temple, and their hands directed towards it, while they all, with one voice, about the space of two hours, cried out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!' The very situation of the theatre would add to the tumult. On the lefthand, and at no great distance, are the steep and rocky sides of Mount Corissus; forming a natural and lofty rampart, which completely shuts out all pro

spect in that quarter. The shouts of twenty thousand persons, striking against this mountain, would be reechoed with reverberations, and not a little augment the uproar. The high situation of the theatre on Mount Prion, accounts also for the ease with which such an immense multitude was assembled. From every part of Ephesus, on that side, the inhabitants would have a view of the people rushing into the theatre, and taking their seats on that lofty elevation; and would, of course, themselves run with impetuosity, to see and hear the cause of the assembly. Under these circumstances, it is by no means matter of wonder, that the attention of the town clerk was excited, and that he felt himself called on to interpose his authority.

"Contrasting the state of Ephesus as we found it with the circumstances just alluded to, there was sufficient room for astonishment at the mighty change. The plough has passed over the site of the city; and we saw the green corn growing, in all directions, amidst the forsaken ruins. While we were in the theatre, two large eagles perched at a small distance above us, and seemed to gaze on us with wonder, as if astonished at the face of man. The lines of Cowper seemed most appropriate :They are so unacquainted with man, Their tameness is shocking to me.'

"I shall not dwell on the buildings, which have been so often described by travellers.. nor on the great beauty of the surrounding scenery. We may notice, however, the supposed ruins of a Christian church, which may have been either the church of St. John or that of the Virgin... Here was perhaps held,' we said, ' the General Council, so well known in Ecclesiastical History.'

6

"On leaving Ephesus, my mind was very naturally occupied with the important Epistle which was once addressed to the Angel of this Church. (It) teaches (us) that it is possible to exhibit some brilliant parts of the Christian character, and to be distinguished for labour, for patience, for perseverance, and for other very excellent

qualities, and yet to have a fatal malady commencing its attacks upon us, which threatens the very ruin of all our hopes.-Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love! How few are there, who do not feel the charge too applicable to themselves! But unless we call to remembrance the station from whence we are fallen, and repent, and do the first works, that intimation of the Divine displeasure which is here given, will not fail to be accomplished-'I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, unless thou repent.' The neglect of such an admonition, in the case of an individual, would involve consequences analogous to those which are more peculiarly threatened against a whole community: but, when an entire body of Christians, when a Christian Church, becomes guilty of this sin, the indignation of God is exhibited in the face of the world itself. At Ephesus we find, at present, only one individual who bears the name of Christ !-And where, in the whole region, do we discover any semblance of primitive Christianity? The country once favoured with the presence of St. Paul, of Timothy, and St. John, is now in the situation of those lands, of which it is said, Darkness covers the earth, and gross darkness the people—he, then, that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches."- HARTLEY'S Researches.

SCRIPTURE NOTICE.

"AND unto the angel of the Church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them, which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."-Rev. ii. 8-11.