rejoiced together in the demonstration of the presence and power of the Holy Ghost. After some years of successful labor, Mr. Danforth felt it to be his duty to seek a dismission from his people in Lee, and we next find him in Alexandria, D. C., as pastor of the Second Church. This was a very important position, and continued to be his home for the larger portion of his remaining ministerial life. This church had enjoyed the faithful and earnest ministrations of the well known and much beloved Rev. Wm. C. Walton. Previous to Mr Danforth's settlement among them, and in the years that had intervened since Mr. Walton's removal, the church had been under several pastors, whose brief pastorates and different modes of doing good had not added much to the strength and vigor of the membership. The city itself had suffered a paralysis in its busi ness, and was not characterized by that enterprize and energy which are so important to spiritual as well as temporal prosperity. This state of things, how. ever, seemed at first only to rouse the spirit of Mr. Danforth. He had already written the memoir of their former honored and beloved pastor, Walton, and was, on this account, most favorably known to the members of the church; and he felt a holy ambition to follow him as he followed Christ. Among the many important matters which engaged his early attention in Alexandria was the erection of a new church edifice. The old one was unwisely located, unattractive in appearance, and quite inconvenient in its arrangements. His people enlisted in this enterprize with deep interest, and still it was necessary that they should receive aid from their sister churches. To accomplish the object the pastor engaged personally in the work of obtaining subscriptions and soliciting donations, and after much persistent and self denying toil, he had the pleasure of seeing a beautiful church built in the very centre of the town. It still stands, an ornament to the city, and at the beginning of the present war was filled with a large and prosperous congregation. May it long remain, a monument to the faith and fidelity of him whose hopes and labors were so instrumental in securing its ereetion. The labors of a pastor in a stable and well-regulated church, though not attracting the gaze of the world, are fraught with results of the most important character to society, as well as to the souls of men. During the fifteen years of Mr. Danforth's ministry in Alexandria, there were seasons of deep spiritual interest, when scores of souls were gathered into the church. He identified himself with all the great interests of the town, and was first in every good work. His efforts in the cause of temperance will never be forgotten. He thought much, and planned successfully in relation to the education of the young. His church and his family, and his own pure and spotless character, were a centre and source of all good influences, and it is not too much to say that his excellencies are embalmed in the memories of both the rich and poor of the city. At the same time it must be admitted that during the latter part of his ministry in Alexandria neither his preaching nor his personal efforts for the salvation of men, were characterized by the success which attended his early labors. Some would attribute it to his advancing years, and the distraction incident to family cares. But the principal reason, in my judgment, was the demand made upon his pen by the religious and secular periodicals of the day. He was a ready and graceful writer. He had a happy faculty of seizing passing incidents and presenting them to the public in a very attractive form. The communications over the signature of "J. N. D.," were most eagerly read by thousands, and the knowledge of the fact was a strong temptation to the writer. He may have lost sight of the "little flock" committed to his charge when he looked out on the tens of thousands of the great public who were waiting for his words of wisdom. He may have erred as others have dore in supposing that any other work or object can be first in the mind without fatal injury to the pulpit and the flock of the Christian pastor. When he finally determined to give up his pastoral charge in Alexandria, he accepted of an agency in behalf of the American Colonization Society. He had ever been a fast friend of this great enterprise, and during his pastoral lite had diligently promoted its interests. He regarded it as a div nely appointed instrument for benefiting substantially the colored race in this country, and as a great Missionary Institution for Africa itself. Though his comparatively feeble health prevented his engaging in protracted labors in this cause during the last two or three years, vet he retained his connection with the Society till a short time previous to his death. The Board of Directors will miss his intelligent face and wise suggestions in their annual deliberations, and all the friends of the Society will feel that they have lost an efficient and unfaltering advocate of their cause. Though he was not confined to his bed or to a sick room more than a few days previous to his decease, yet the event had been anticipated by many for a year past. Indeed, previous to laying down his pastoral charge, he had suffered from an affection of the head, which seriously alarmed his friends, and for several years past it has been evident that his intellect had lost its elasticity, and his judgment had become somewhat obscured. Domestic afflictions, especially the death of a daughter in the loveliness of blooming womanhood, weighed heavily on his spirit. In the late ecclesiastical strifes and divisions, he had become in some measure separated from his old friends, and his soul "wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way." And yet in the limited sphere of his own family he was seen to be fast ripening for a better world. He was, though suffering from disease, uncomplaining, cheerful, affectionate, and happy, answering words of inquiry in relation to his health, with a most kind and pleasant manner: "I think I am better," or "God is dealing very gently with me." He continued to conduct family worship till within three or four days of his death, when he found himself too ill to rise from his bed. When told that the physician thought his condition very critical, and asked if it was well with him, he replied, "how should it be otherwise than peaceful and happy, since Jesus has died for me? All is well. I have nothing to regret in the way of God's dealing with me. Just right, just right, all right." In a few moments after this emphatic testimony, he lost the power of speech, though his consciousness remained unimpaired till almost the last minute. death approached, he was asked by Mrs. Danforth, if Jesus was lighting up the dark valley, to signify it by the pressure of his hand, which he did. And when she turned aside to get something for the Doctor, he again reached forth his hand, and repeated the pressure several times, as if he wished to tell her "it was all light.' "" When told that he would soon be with Jesus, whom he had so long preached, and with the dear ones who had gone before, he raised his head upward several times, with a sweet smile, as if enjoying the anticipation of that glorious reunion. He, then, while his friends were commending his departing spirit to God, ceased to breathe without a struggle, and slept in Jesus. As In reviewing thus briefly a life extending over more than half a century, it is, of course, impossible, to do more than merely glance here and there at points of interest. The character of the man, the Christian and the minister, is but imperfectly exhibited, and the impression cannot be otherwise than unsatisfactory to those who knew him well. Did time and circumstances permit, it would be pleasant to dwell upon those intellectual and moral traits which were developed in his life. He was scholarly in his tastes and habits, retaining his love for the Latin and Greek classics to the end of life. He was familiar with the old English authors, and drank deeply and constantly at the living springs of the best poets. He was evangelical and large-hearted in his theology, rather than metaphysical and sectarian, welcoming all Christians to his fellowship, and seeking for reasons why they should be united, instead of magnifying the differences which might exist. He was eminently a man of prayer, and at the family altar, and on funeral occasions, and in the ministrations of the pulpit, his prayers were more appropriate in language, more perfectly adapted to the occasion, and more truly eloquent than the writer has heard from any other man. He loved "revivals of religion," and it was in the midst of such scenes that his intellect seemed illumined with supernatural light, and his sermons were clothed in a splendor of eloquence, which astonished those who had heard him only on ordinary occasions. Much of his time was spent in scenes of intense spiritual interest; and it is a fact well attested, that one thousand persons were brought to the knowledge of Christ through his instrumentality, in the first ten years of his ministry. He was bold and uncompromising in the assertion of his opinions, and especially in his rebuke of sin. His opinions were indeed religious convictions, not light and trivial sentiments. He regarded all matters, not Christian doctrine alone but the customs of society and the habits of men, from one stand pointthe Cross of Christ. He considered their bearing on the eternal destinies of the soul. Hence the stern severity with which he spoke, both publicly and privately, of practices which are common among men. He had no soft words for the intemperate, and his indignation against the vendor of intoxicating drinks was severe and terrible. Profane men, though occupying the high places of power in our National Legislature, felt his stern reproof in public and cowered before it, acknowledging their fault. He felt that the National Capitol and the other magnificent public buildings where the business of the country is transacted, as well as our own beautiful private homes and churches, were polluted and dishonored by tobacco-chewers and smokers; and words were not strong enough to express the disgust occasioned by such a habit. Had he mingled more gentleness and courtesy of manner with his severe fidelity, he would doubtless have made fewer enemies and accomplished more completely his worthy purpose. But those who knew him best will honor the motive that prompted him, and acknowledge that it is far easier to censure the rough, blunt way in which he struck at sin than it is to imitate his fidelity and boldness in merited reproof. As a writer, he possessed rare accomplishments. Though his style was sometimes turgid and heavy, and words seemed chosen by him for the harmony of their sound, more than for the vividness and strength of their thoughts, yet there was generally a purity and fullness and classic beauty in his sentences, which place his compositions above the ordinary standard. Doubtless volumes might be selected from his pulpit performances, which would be more worthy of preservation than some which are much admired among the people. He wrote with great facility, and has left several volumes as a legacy to the Church. The memoirs of Walton and of David M. Wilson, "the faithful Elder," are well known in the churches of Washington. Most of his published writings, however, were called forth by passing incidents, and though replete with interest for the moment, must from their nature be evanescent and soon forgotten. But that which he most prized-" the work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ," which for so many years characterized his efforts as a minister of Christ-shall not be lost or forgotten. His highest honor is that he stands in the glorious company of holy and praying men, of whom it shall be said at last: They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever. "Servant of God, well done! Rest from thy loved employ; "Soldier of Christ, well done! [From the Royal Geographical Journal.] ACCOUNT OF GHADAMIS. BY C. H. DICKSON, esq., F. R. G. S., H. B. M. Consul at Sukum Kale. Read, June 27, 1859. The district of Ghadamis is situated on the northern boundary of the Desert of Sahara, and forms the south-western frontier of the pashalic of Tripoli. It comprises three oasis, namely, Ghadamis Proper, Derge, and Seenawan. Derge, which is distant some 50 miles from Ghadamis, consists of the villages of Derge Proper, Tugulla, Matris, and Tfilfelt. Seenawan consists of the villages of Seenawan Proper and Shawan, distant about 80 miles from Ghadamis. The oasis of Ghadamis, Derge, and Seenawan have an average circumference of 6, 10, and 4 miles respectively. Ghadamis and Seenawan are almost equidistant from Derge, the whole district forming an isosceles triangle, the area of which may be estimated at 1200 square miles. Beyond these cultivated spots the surface is purely desert, the geological structure consisting principally of horizontal strata of sandstone and limestone, intersected by small dry valleys; also of ridges and sand-hills. There is no basalt, nor any plutonic formation. The black stones with which the Sahara is strewn are flints and sandstone blackened by the influence of the atmosphere, owing to the presence of a little iron. Besides being known as the Cydamus of the ancient Romans, Ghadamis, according to the most authentic accounts in possession of the natives, existed in the seventh century, when the first mosque was erected. In this mosque are deposited the remains of Sidi Okba-el-Beddri, successor to the celebrated warrior of that name, and with whose invasion of Northern Africa this epoch corresponds. It is not improbable, however, that Ghadamis may have existed in the time of the Carthagenians, and that it became a Libyo-Phoenician colony. In support of this hypothesis I may advert to the Berber origin of the natives and their language, the subjection of the oasis to the Government of Tunis at a remote period, while the extensive land trade of the Phoenicians must have rendered the acquisition of Ghadamis by them indispensable. Ghadamis has, nevertheless, as well as more celebrated cities, the tales of its origin; yet, whatever, this may be, there can be no doubt that its existence is owing to a large spring which serves to irrigate the whole oasis. According to popular tradition the discovery of this spring, and consequently the origin of Ghadamis, is ascribed to a mare. It is said that a party of Arabs while wandering about the Sahara once missed a bowl out of which they had been eating. One of the party having been despatched in quest of it, retraced his steps to the spot where he had dined the previous day, and on which Ghadamis now stands (then a mere parched waste). The Arab had no sooner arrived and found the missing bowl, than his thirsty charger, a mare, impelled by instinct, began scratching strenuously the ground with its hoofs, and behold a limpid stream gushed out! The successful bowl-seeker, and still more fortunate discoverer of the precious element, on his return to his companions, being interrogated as to the spot where he discovered the bowl and water, replied, "Ghada amis," literally, "Dinner yesterday." Hence the name of the place. On the other hand, the natives presume that after the discovery of the spring by the mare, the foundations of a wall forming a basin were found a few feet below the surface; consequently the spring must have existed at a more remote period, and may have been choked up with sand. The water in question is hot, having a temperature of 89° Fahr. It is used for all domestic purposes, and allowed to cool for twenty-four hours in jars and goat skins prepared for the purpose, previous to be drunk. It has a flat taste, and produces a laxative effect on strangers. Although perfectly transparent, the water must be very impure, and on being analysed deposited a considerable sediment, probably of carbonate of lime and organic remains. Treated with the following reagents it gave, With caustic ammonia, a considerable white precipitate: With oxalic acid, a considerable white precipitate: With nitrate of baryta, a considerable white precipitate: With phosphate of soda and ammonia, also a considerable white precipitate: With nitrate of silver, a less considerable white precipitate. The water, therefore, contains probably the sulphates of lime, magnesia, and alum, and the muriate of soda. The aggregate amount of the population of the whole district of Ghadamis is computed at 6500, of which number Ghadamis Proper contains 4000, Derge 2000, and Seenawan 500, all Mohammedans. The natives are divided into four classes:-the Harar, or freemen, the Homran, the Attara, and the Slaves. The Harar claim their descent from the original male landed proprietors of the country, who were of pure blood. The Homran trace their origin to Arab settlers (male), who, although of free blood, married at the time slaves being the property of natives; hence their designation, which means colored. The Attara are the offspring of manumitted male slaves. One of the peculiarities of this last caste, according to the ancient customs of the country, is that it is incapacitated from giving testimony in a court of law. The classes bear the following proportions taken upon 20:-Harar, 12; Attara, 5; Slaves, 2; Homranee, 1. The proportion of females to that of males is 3 to 1. The district of Ghadamis is governed by a Mondir Bey placed under the jurisdiction of the Governor of the Jebel mountains. The Moudir is assisted in his administration by a Kadi, or judge, and his Mufti, a Sheikh, or Deputy-Governor, and a Municipal Council. Ghadamis contains six mosques and seven schools, at which latter the children of the poor and wealthy are taught indiscriminately; the former being exempt frozu payment. Education is at a very low |