370 THE VINES OF JUDEA. THE vine is a tree familiarly known even in these northern and ungenial elimes. Of this valuable plant, the species are numerous, and strongly marked. In the vales near Jordan, in the neighbourhood of Jericho, not far from the Dead Sea, is found, growing in great abundance, the vine of Sodom, a plant from the fields around that devoted city, which produces grapes as bitter as gall, and wine as deadly as the poison of a serpent.* This deleterious fruit is mentioned by Moses in terms which fully justify the assertion :- For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah; their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter, their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.' It is probably the wild vine, à species of gourd, which produces the coloquintida, a fruit so excessively bitter that it cannot be eaten; and when given in medicine, proves a purgative so powerful, as to be frequently followed by excoriation of the vessels and hemorrhage. It seems therefore, to have been early, and not without reason, considered as poisonous. It was of this wild vine the sons of the prophet ate; and its instantaneous effect, together with their knowledge of its violent action, easily accounts for their alarm:- And it came to pass as they were eating (of the pottage which had been mixed with the gourd), that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot, and they could not eat.' Another species of wild vine, but of a milder character, which grows in Palestine, near the highways and hedges, is the Labrusca. Its fruit is a very small grape, which becomes black when ripe; but often it does not ripen at all. These are the wild grapes to which the prophet compares the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah:- And he looked that it should bring forth (sorek) grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes They are also the sour grapes to which another inspired prophet alludes, when he predicts the destroying judgments that were coming upon his rebellious people :-'In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge. Every man that eateth the sour grape, his teeth shall be set on edge." One species of vine is not less distinguished by the luxuriance of its growth, than by the richness and delicacy of its fruit. This is the Sorek || of the Hebrews, which the prophet Isaiah has chosen to represent the founders of his nation-men renowned for almost every virtue which can adorn the human character:- My well beloved has a vineyard in a very fruitful hill, and he planted it with Sorek, or (shoots of) the choicest vine.' It is to this valuable species that Jacob refers, in his prophetic benediction addressed to Judah; * Isaiah xxxviii. 21; 2 Kings xx. 7. + Lowth's Notes on Isaiah, pp. 62, 63. Kings iv. 39. Isaiah v. 2; also Jer. ii. 21. [Bishop Lowth on this passage makes the following remark: By the force and intent of the allegory, to good grapes ought to be opposed fruit of a dangerous and pernicious quality, as in the application of it to judgment is opposed tyranny, and to righteousness, oppression.-N. T. of Isaiah.]-Editor. § Jer. xxxi. 29, 30. [This was a proverbial expression among the Jews, the use of which was ordered afterwards to be discontinued, Ezek. xviii. 2.]-Editor. Sorek and Eschol were extensive vallies situated between Ascalon and Gaza. They belonged to the tribe of Judah, and hence in Jacob's dying prophecy of Judah's fortunes it is said, 'He shall wash his clothes in wine, and his garments in the blood of the grape,' expressions indicating that the locality of his tribe should be in a country abounding with rich and extensive vineyards, Gen. xlix. 11. The vineyards also of Engeddi, Jazer, and Sibmah, are mentioned in Scripture as excellent, Song i 14; Isaiah xvi. 8. So also were the vineyards in the hilly district of Shechem, in the tribe of Joseph, 'Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?' Judges viii, 2.-Editor. ¶ Isaiah v. 2. and the manner in which he speaks of it is remarkable:- Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine.' In some parts of Persia, it was formerly the custom to turn their cattle into the vineyards after the vintage, to browse on the vines, some of which are so large, that a man can hardly compass their trunks in his arms.* These facts clearly show, that, agreeably to the prediction of Jacob, the ass might be securely bound to the vine, and without damaging the tree by browsing on its leaves and branches. The same custom appears, from the narratives of several travellers, to have generally prevailed in the Lesser Asia. Chandler observed, that, in the vineyards around Smyrna, the leaves of the vines were decayed or stripped by the camels, or herds of goats, which are permitted to browse upon them after the vintage. When he left Smyrna on the 30th of September, the vineyards were already bare; but when he arrived at Phygela, on the 5th or 6th of October, he found its territory still green with vines; which is a proof that the vineyards at Smyrna must have been stripped by the cattle, which delight to feed upon the foliage. This custom furnishes a satisfactory reason for a regulation in the laws of Moses, the meaning of which has been very imperfectly understood, which forbids a man to introduce his beast into the vineyard of his neighbour. It was destructive to the vineyard before the fruit was gathered; and after the vintage, it was still a serious injury, because it deprived the owner of the fodder which was most grateful to his flocks and herds, and perhaps absolutely requisite for their subsistence during the winter. These things considered, we discern in this enactment the justice, wisdom, and kindness of the great Legislator; and the same traits of excellence might no doubt be discovered in the most obscure and minute regulation, could we detect the reason on whieh it was founded. But, if the vine leaves were generally eaten by cattle after the vintage was over, how, says Mr. Harmer, 'could the prophet (Isaiah xxxiv. 4) represent the dropping of the stars from heaven, in a general wreck of nature, by the falling of the leaf from the vine ? If they were devoured by the cattle, they could not fall. The answer is easy: the prophet refers to the character of the vine leaf, not to any local custom; nor is it reasonable to suppose that the leaves of every vineyard were so regularly and completely consumed, that the people had never seen them showering from the branches by the force of the wind, or the nipping colds in the close of the year. The beauty and fertility of the Sorek, or choice vine, add great force and elegance to the comparison in the gospel of John :-'I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandI am the root, fountain, and head of influence, whence my people derive life, grace, and every spiritual blessing; and my Father orders all things concerning those who believe in me, by uniting them to me, as branches are engrafted into the vine; by visiting and defending, supporting and purifying them continually, to make them fruitful in every good work to do his will. man: The land of Egypt never produced a sufficient quantity of wine to supply the wants of its inhabitants; but still it contained many vines, although it *Chardin's Travels, vol. iii. p. 12, 12mo edition. + Chandler's Travels in Asia Minor, p. 142. Other benevolent provisions of the Mosaic law were, that in the grape harvest the vintagers were not to be too parsimonious in gathering the grapes that fell, but should leave some for the poor to glean, Lev. xiv. 10; Deut. xxiv. 21, 22; that to encourage the growth of the vine, planters of vineyards were forbidden to use the fruit until the fifth year, Lev. xix. 25; and that passengers might freely eat as they went by the side of a vineyard, but carry nothing away, Deut. xxiii. 24.-Editor. § Harmer's Observations, vol. ii. p. 295. In volume first of Illustrations of Manners and Customs, it is mentioned that the withered leaves as well as the prunings of the vine, are used as fuel in the present day as in ancient times. Allusions is made to this in two passages, Ezek. xv. 3, 4; Johu xv. 6.-Editor. could not boast of extensive and loaded vineyards. The vines of Egypt are conjoined by the Psalmist with the sycamores, in his triumphal song on the plagues which desolated that country, and procured the liberation of his ancestors:- -'He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost.'* This was to the people of Egypt a very serious loss; for the grape has been in all ages a principal part of the viands with which they treated their friends. Norden was entertained with coffee and grapes by the aga of Essauen;† and when Maillet resided in that country, the natives used the young leaves of their vines even more than the fruit. A principal article of their diet consists in minced meat, which they wrap up in small parcels in vine leaves, and laying thus one leaf upon another, they season it according to the custom of their country, and make of it one of the most delicate dishes presented on their tables. The grapes of Egypt are said to be much smaller than those which grow in the land of Canaan. The extraordinary size of the latter is confirmed by the authority of a modern traveller. In traversing the country about Bethlehem, Doubdan found a most delightful valley full of aromatic herbs and rose-bushes, and planted with vines, which he supposed were of the choicest kind it was actually the valley of Eshcol, from whence the spies carried that prodigious bunch of grapes to Moses, of which we read in the book of Numbers.§ That writer, it is true, saw no such cluster, for he did not visit that fruitful spot in the time of the vintage; but the monks assured him they still found some, even in the present neglected state of the country, which weighed ten or twelve pounds. Dandini, though an Italian, seems to have been surprised at the extraordinary size of the grapes produced in the vineyards of Lebanon. They are as large as prunes, and, as may be inferred from the richness and flavour of the wines for which the mountains of Lebanon have been renowned from time immemorial, of the most delicious taste. To the size and flavour of the grapes of Eshcol, brought by the spies to the camp in the wilderness, and carried on a staff between two men, the Italian traveller, little versed, it should seem, in the history of the Old Testament, imputes the ardour with which the people of Israel prosecuted the conquest of Palestine. The magnificent cluster which the scouts brought from the land they were sent to reconnoitre, was certainly fitted, in no common degree, to stimulate the parched armies of Israel to deeds of heroic valour; but their kindling spirit was effectually damped by the report of the robust and martial appearance of the Canaanites, the strength of their cities, and the gigantic stature of the sons of Anak.¶ The grapes produced in the land of Egypt, although very delicious, are extremely small;** but those which grow in the vineyards of Cœlo Syria and Palestine, and which are of different colours,-red, white, but chiefly black,swell to a surprising bigness. *Psalm lxxviii. 47. § Travels, chap. xiii, pp. 23, 24. Part ii. p. 112. Letter ix. p. 14. Laborde, describing the vines of Idumea, says, 'The vines of this country, of the fruit of which we saw some specimens, account for the enormous grapes which the spies, sent out by Moses, brought back from the places they had visited.-Travels, P, 203. It is extremely probable, however, as Dr. A. Clarke conjectures, that those grapes of Eschol were carried between two persons, not so much from their size as to preserve them entire, as specimens of the productions of the promised land. **Norden, vol. ii. p. 112, Paxton by Jamieson. 373 RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. SHEFFIELD. In the latter part of the year 1841, the state of this circuit was sufficiently discouraging. The Society was low both in number and in piety, as was most manifest in their very slack attendance on the means of grace. The congregations also were exceedingly small; and, to bring us lower still, there appeared to be a removing mania among the local preachers and leaders, so that out of sixteen preachers-the number given in at the Annual Assembly of that year-by Christmas we had but nine: and since then one of even that small number has gone from us. Our discords, together with the last-named circumstance had, as might be expected, a most withering influence, upon the church, and so confidently was our ruin predicted, and expected, that some of the members actually began seriously to consider where they would look for that church communion, which would give them the most satisfaction. But, blessed be God, these things are now only remembered, as events that are past, and which afflict us no more. "The Sun of Righteousness hath arisen upon us, with healing in his wings," the clouds have dispersed, the storm is succeeded by a calm, and the fertilizing showers of divine influence come down, and frequently fill our hearts with gladness. The first indication of better days was given in a love-feast held on the twenty-sixth of December last, when a very powerful sense of the Divine presence rested upon each individual present, producing a most refreshing and quickening effect. And at the reading of the covenant on the following Sunday afternoon, which service was closed by the administration of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, we were again favoured with a gracious manifestation of the power of God upon the minds of the people, giving each to see, and to feel, the solemnity and importance of the engagement into which we had just entered. Near About this time two or three backsliders were restored, and became very active in the church; and on the 16th of January, we had one very clear conversion to God, in the prayer-meeting after the sermon in the evening. the close of the same month we had another equally satisfactory conversion. This inspired our members with new life, raised our expectations, and excited the hope that these were really the beginning of good days; and such, comparatively, they have proved to be; From that time to the present, first one, and then another, has stepped into the liberty of the children of God. 0 may the blessed work mightily increase and abundantly spread! We are thankful that a divine influence rests upon the preaching of the word, the blessing of God attends the ordinances of his house, and, although it is still the day of small things with us here, yet the most sceptical of our members acknowledge with gratitude that the Association in Sheffield is in a far better state now than it has been for years before: to God be all the praise, to whom alone it belongs. A few months ago, some half a dozen of our members, who had recently felt the quickening influence of divine grace, happened to call together at a friend's house one evening as they were going from the chapel, and entered into conversation as to the most likely way in which they could benefit or help our little cause; when it occurred to them that our chapels were in a most wretched condition for want of painting and colouring, and if they could be made clean and respectable it might be the means of increasing the congregations, and of inducing persons to take sittings therein. It was foreseen that great difficulties would have to be encountered,-the expense would be very considerable, and the means at command exceedingly slender. However, they formed themselves into a committee, called "the Painting and Cleaning Com mittee "obtained the sanction of the leader's meeting-laid down a plan of operations-carried it out with the most untiring perseverance, and, through the good hand of God upon them, have brought their labours to a successful termination; having accomplished far more than their sanguine expectations, and almost all that they wished or desired. The annexed" Report," which was read to a social tea-party that was held on the Monday evening after the re-opening of Surrey Street chapel, will give a luminous view of the nature of the work, and its happy accomplishment. "The consummation of the work which has given rise to the present meeting is a matter of sincere congratulation, and the satisfactory result that has attended almost every effort of the Committee is a convincing proof that the hand of Providence has signally favoured the design. The state of our places of worship, and the desirableness that they should be thoroughly painted, and cleaned, with as little delay as possible, became the subject of conversation amongst a few friends, who, speaking after the manner of men, accidentally-but as it appears from the results, providentially, met together; and they determined to enter upon the work, if its practicability were generally admitted. They were appointed a Committe to carry out the object. The purpose every where met a hearty response, and the Committee entered npon their work with the determination of doing all that the means with which they might be furnished would warrant. They met on the 17th of February, and resolved to originate a fund which should be open for three months before the work was commenced. Donations were announced, collectors appointed, and by the 8th of April the fund had reached from £11 to £12. On the 25th of that month a social tea-meeting was held, at which our female friends most liberally exerted themselves. The whole of the provision was furnished gratuitously, and the sum of £3. 6s. 7d. was realised to the fund; exclusive of £1, which was kindly presented by a friend at the close of the meeting. That meeting pledged itself not to relax any effort that could be put forth to enable the Committe to paint, white-wash and clean the chapels throughout, as originally intended. And such was the handsome manner in which that pledge was redeemed, that, by the 20th of May, the fund had reached the sum of £20 10s. 11d., and the repairs of Stanley Street chapel were commenced in the ensuing week and at the reopening of that chapel £2 158. was collected. Such were the laudable exertions of a few of our female friends that by the 17th of June, the fund had accumulated to £32 11d. It was now determiued not only to complete the work originally designed, but also to include several necessary alterations and repairs; many of which have been accomplished. The expenditure, as near as at present can be ascertained, is about £46, The collections at the re-opening of Surrey Street chapel amounted to near £12, which, added to the other receipts, makes a sum which it is anticipated will cover all the expences which have been incurred. To persons unacquainted with all the facts of the case, these results may appear inconsiderable, but when the unprecedented depression of the times, and other circumstances are taken into consideration, it must be admitted that they could only have been effected by the blessing of God upon the humble efforts of the parties concerned. They acknowledge their utter dependance upon Him from whom alone proceedeth "every good and perfect gift," and now only desire that the work may be made subservient to the glory of God, and the salvation of men; which are the highest objects that can engage the attention of sentient beings." At the re-opening of Surrey Street chapel, the Rev. J. Verity, Primitive Methodist, preached in the morning; the Rev. R. S. Bayley, F. A. S., Independent, in the afternoon; and the Circuit Preacher in the evening. The congregations were good, and the collections such as have not been obtained in our chapel for some years before. But better still, a divine influence rested upon the word; and in the |