According to that treaty Turkey in Asia is placed under what approaches to an English protectorate, and one of the principal covenants is that England shall in future have a voice in its government. Now think for a moment of the vast importance of that part of Turkey in Asia now called Syria, and consider whether there is any plot of land on the face of the globe that is of more importance to the commerce of the world. On the S.W. it reaches down to the isthmus of Suez, through which the traffic between the Eastern and Western hemispheres is now passing like the sand through the narrow neck of an hour glass. The result is that any powerful nation holding Syria would have the power of interrupting the greater part of the trade of the world. Then on the East and North East it is bounded by the valley of the Euphrates, which is almost certain before long to become the line of Railroad from Europe to India. That country therefore, though not much above 400 miles from North to South, commands the two great highways between the Eastern and Western hemispheres. Any powerful nation holding Syria will command both those communications between Europe and the East. Can we then believe it possible that England, now having the right of interference, will leave that most important country to the miserable maladministration of six Turkish Pashas? Can we doubt for a moment that the first object of this Country will be to secure for Syria a Government so firm, so just, and so trustworthy, that it may give security to life and property? Is it not next to certain that those who have made this treaty will do their utmost to secure through its means an efficient administration for a district of such vast importance? But if they succeed, what will be the effect of such a government? Will it not immediately attract thither both capital and enterprise? As things are now, nothing can prosper, because there is no security. If people grow a crop they cannot be confident that they will ever enjoy the fruit. If it is not plundered by the Bedouin, it is too often seized by the Pasha. So that one of our Missionaries writes—“The inhabitants of Palestine are becoming poorer every year. This is especially the case with the cultivators of the soil, who mostly suffer the burden of a cruel and grasping system of taxation, now doubled on account of the Russian war.” But if there were a good government all would be changed. Then he that planted the vineyard might eat the fruit thereof, and he that tilled the soil might calculate on the produce of his labour. And this is the change that we may expect to see very quickly brought about by England. This I trust before many months are passed will be the blessed result of our country’s use of her new treaty rights.