Earlier text: INFIDEL CAVILS CONSIDEREDIn regard to that Christianity which the world most requires to-day, Bishop Huntington very truly remarks:— “We want in you a Christianity that is Christian across counters, over dinner tables, behind the neighbor’s back, as in his face. We want in you a Christianity that we can find in the temperance of the meal, in moderation of dress, in respect for authority, amiability at home, veracity and simplicity in mixed society. Rowland Hill used to say he would give very little for the religion of a man whose dog and cat were not the better for his religion. We want fewer gossiping, slanderous, gluttonous, peevish, conceited, bigoted Christians. “To make them effectual, our public religious measures, institutions, benevolent agencies, missions, need to be managed on a high-toned, scrupulous, unquestionable tone of honor, without evasion, or partisanship, or overmuch of the serpent’s cunning. The hand that gives away the Bible must be unspotted from the world. The money that sends the missionary to the heathen must be honestly earned. In short, the two arms of the church—justice and mercy—must be stretched out working for man, strengthening the brethren, or else your faith is vain, and ye are yet in your sins.” The Power of What We Love
That which we love best will form the subject of our happiest thoughts; we will give it the preference of all other themes in our conversation; it will have the largest influence in forming our resolutions, and of putting them into execution. (Condensed from Review and Herald.) HAMLER.—May 24, Bro. H. A. St. John held meeting in District No. 6. The ordinances were celebrated. Before coming to this place, when in the vicinity of Mendon, he met with one instance very encouraging to T. and M. workers. A brother had furnished reading for his sister and she had embraced the Sabbath and kindred truths wholly from reading what he had sent her. Bro. St. John writes that “she gives evidence of having read closely. And her earnest prayers and faithful labor as a missionary, with the few tracts and papers in her possession, have been crowned with success. A son and two daughters-in-law are now keeping the Sabbath. We parted with them with a season of prayer, after a visit of about three hours, feeling that our spirits had been refreshed by witnessing their love for the present truth. Let missionary workers take new courage, and sow the seed everywhere. We cannot tell which shall prosper.” NILES HILL.—Last week it was stated that Bro. Hall would remain here to follow up the work. Of the Sabbath meetings held May 26, he says that they had a good social meeting in the morning in which nearly every one, old and young, bore a testimony, and that at the preaching services the house was well filled. A Sabbath-school was organized, consisting of five classes of children and one class of young ladies. They had an ordinance meeting which was attended by between forty and fifty, nearly all of whom took part. Bro. H. writes that such a day they had not seen for years, if ever; strong men wept like children; and that it was one of the most happy meetings he had ever attended. This revival is felt all over the town. They are anxious to have the tent come to Wellsville. There is a great interest to hear on the subject of the Advent. LEROY.—In a report from Bro. Bliss he says: “We closed our labors here, for the present, last night, having held in all about fifty meetings. We obtained twelve subscribers for our periodicals, and leave a dozen or more keeping the Sabbath. We hope to hold a good meeting here this fall at such a time that the country people can attend. We are offered school-houses near the town, and we hope to be able to supply some of these calls during the fall and winter.” YORK CREEK.—May 26 and 27, Bro. Boyd held meetings in this place and organized a church of thirteen members. This State is a new field of labor, it being only two years last April since the second church was organized. Bro. B. says: “Although there has been but little ministerial labor in this State, there are now twelve organized churches holding their regular Sabbath meetings, with a membership of about two hundred, among whom there is not, to my knowledge, one tobacco-user. I thank God for a religion which cleanses man, both soul and body. May the Lord speed it onward until it has accomplished that whereunto it is sent.” VIROQUA and LEON.—Bro. Sanborn reports as follows: “May 15 and 16 I spent in Viroqua. The few that embraced the truth there last summer at the tent-meeting still continue faithful, notwithstanding almost every possible effort has been made to overthrow them. The Disciple people kindly gave us the use of their house for meetings while there, for which they have our thanks. The interest to hear was good. The 26th and 27th we had a general meeting at Leon, with good congregations. Three were baptized. The brethren manifested a growing interest in all branches of the work. One said he had laid by for the Lord one-tenth of all his increase, out of which he had paid in advance his S. B. pledges, and one-third as much more to the T. and M. fund, and still he had some of the tithes left in his possession unappropriated. He says it is the easiest way to pay S. B. that he knows of, to which we add a hearty amen. May the Lord help us all to do likewise. Try it, brethren, try it.” QUITMAN.—Bro. C. O. Taylor writes: “The people are anxious to hear. I have many invitations to preach, and openings are presented faster than I can improve them. Much must be done by missionary labor from house to house. It would be almost impossible to keep up evening meetings here, the people are so scattered. The plantations are large, and the houses far apart in the woods in all directions from the main roads. The people are not a church-going class. One minister has charge of four churches, speaking to each once a month. This is all the meeting that many of the members have for the month.” “I WISH I were a princess!” Emma stood with the dust-brush in her hand, passing on her way up-stairs to her own pretty little white room, which she was required to put in order every day. “Why, my child?” asked her mother. “Because then I would never have to sweep and dust and make beds, but would have plenty of servants to do these things for me.” “That is a very foolish wish,” her mother replied; “and even if you were a princess, I think you would find it best to learn how to do these things, so that you could do them in case of necessity.” “But it never is necessary for princesses to work.” “There my little girl proves her ignorance. If she will come to me after her work is done I will show her a picture.” The little bedroom was at length put to rights, and Emma came to her mother, reminding her of her promise about the picture. “What do you see, my child?” her mother asked, as she laid the picture before her daughter. “I see a young girl with her dress fastened up, an apron on, and a broom in her hand.” “Can you tell me what kind of a place she is in?” “I do not know. There are walls and arches of stone, and a bare stone floor. I don't think it can be a pleasant place.” “No, it is not. It is a prison, and the young girl is a king's daughter.” “Yes; and her story is a very sad one.” “Please tell me about her.” “More than eighty years ago the king of France was Louis XVI., and his wife was Marie Antoinette. They were not a wicked king and queen, but they were thoughtless and fond of pleasure. They forgot that it was their duty to look after the good of their people; so they spent money extravagantly in their own pleasures, while the whole nation was suffering. The people became dissatisfied; and when, finally, Louis and Marie Antoinette saw the mistake they had been making, and tried to change their conduct, it was too late. The people, urged on by their leaders, learned to hate their king and queen. They were taken, with their two children, and shut up in a prison called the Temple.” “There were dreadful times in France then, and every one who was suspected of being friendly to the royal family was sent to prison and to the guillotine. The prisoners in the Temple passed the time as best they could. The king gave lessons to his son and daughter every day, or read aloud to them all, while Marie Antoinette, Madame Elizabeth and the young Marie Theresa sewed.” “After awhile the angry people took away the king and beheaded him. And shortly after the little son was separated from his mother, sister and aunt, and shut up by himself in the charge of a cruel jailor. Next it was Marie Antoinette's turn to ascend the scaffold, which she did October 16, 1793. Her daughter, Marie Theresa, was then left alone with her aunt, the Madame Elizabeth.” “But it was not long she was allowed this companionship. Madame Elizabeth was taken away and beheaded, and then the poor young girl of sixteen was left entirely by herself in a dismal prison, guarded and waited on by brutal soldiers. For a year and a half she lived thus, leading the most wretched existence, and not knowing whether her mother and aunt were alive or dead.” “Years afterward, when she was free, she wrote a book about her life in prison. In that we read: ‘I only asked for the simple necessities of life, and these they often harshly refused me. I was, however, enabled to keep myself clean. I had at least soap and water, and I swept out my room every day.’” “So here in the picture you see a king's daughter, and the granddaughter of an empress—Marie Theresa of Austria, one of the most remarkable women in history—after having carefully made her toilet, sweeping the bare stone floor of her cell.” “Which in those days do you think caused her the most satisfaction—the remembrance that she was the daughter of a king, or the knowledge of domestic duties, acquired no doubt while she was a happy, envied princess, living in a palace and surrounded by a great many servants?” “Yes, Emma, every word of it; and there is much, much more that I cannot tell you now.” “What became of her at last?” “She was finally released from prison, and sent to Austria to her mother's friends; but it was a full year after she reached Vienna before she smiled; and though she lived to be seventy years old, she never forgot the terrible sufferings of her prison life.” “But, my child, what I wish to teach you is, that though it is sometimes very pleasant to be a princess, it may be most unfortunate at other times. But there are no circumstances in life, either high or low, in which a woman will find the knowledge of domestic duties to come amiss, and in which she will not be far happier and more useful for possessing that knowledge.” Children do not always comprehend everything at once; so I will not say, at that time Emma took delight in dusting and sweeping. But, my readers, bear in mind that the woman is the most queenly who uses her wisdom and her strength for the benefit of those around her, shrinking from no duty that she should perform, but doing it cheerfully and well. A Kind Word at the Right Time.
WILLIAM and Henry were clerks in a large wholesale establishment. They met one morning on their way to the store and proceeded together. After talking awhile on various subjects, the following dialogue took place:— “By the way, William,” said Henry, “I understand you were last evening at ——’s,” naming a fashionable billiard saloon. “A mistake, Henry. I was never in a billiard saloon.” “Well, I thought it very strange when I heard it.” “Why!” said Henry in astonishment. “Why, because you are a religious young man and a church member.” “Do you ever visit such places, Henry?” “Oh, yes; but that is quite a different matter. I don’t profess to be a Christian, you know.” “You would think it wrong for me to be there?” “And right for yourself?” “Well, yes; there’s no harm in my being there.” “Why, because—because I do not profess to be bound by the same obligations that you are.” “And who has released you from these same obligations and imposed them upon me?” “Oh, well, now, there’s no use in talking, William; you know that Christians do not and ought not to engage in what they consider pernicious amusements.” “I certainly do know that they ought not; but I wish to know why it is wrong for them and right for others.” “You know the fact that it is so.” “No, I do not know that it is; and I wish to call your attention to the truth that the obligation to refrain from evil rests upon every rational human being in a Christian land. God has commanded all men to love and obey him; also, to the fact that the difference between the Christian and the sinner is that one acknowledges the obligation, while the other denies it; and that the denial does not remove the obligation. God has not invited you to love him if you prefer to do so; but he has absolutely commanded you and me to love and obey him. I have the right, if you have, to engage in any kind of amusement, and to follow my inclinations in all things; and it is your duty, equally with mine, to honor our Master’s law by shunning every wicked way. Think of this, friend Henry, I entreat you, and acknowledge the responsibility which you cannot remove; and from which, after accepting, you would not desire to be released.” They had arrived at the store, and each went to his own department. These young men had entered the employment of A. B. & Sons at the same time, about two years before the above conversation occurred. William had gained the confidence of his employers, and had risen in position. The senior partner intended retiring from business, and was looking about for a Christian young man of ability and energy to propose as a partner for his sons; and had lately been thinking of William as a suitable person. He had observed him closely, and thought he saw in him the habits and qualifications necessary to make a successful business man. He had also been watching Henry’s course. He had heard of him at places where a young man who aspires to positions of truth and honor will never be seen, and was about proposing his discharge to the other members of the firm. He knew that a clerk whose style of living requires more money than his salary gives him will be very likely, indeed almost sure, to resort to dishonest practices to make up the deficiency. Instances of this kind are every day occurring in our cities; and as long as we meet, as we may every morning and evening in the Broadway stages, dainty looking young men, dressed in finer and fresher broadcloth than their employers wear, with heavy gold chains, fine chronometers, and diamond pins and rings, we may expect to hear of a great many more. That morning’s conversation made a deep impression upon Henry’s mind. The subject had never been presented to him in that light before. He had imagined, as young persons are apt to suppose, that no moral responsibility rested upon him till he assumed it publicly by uniting with the church. Henry did not mean to die a sinner. Oh, no; he fully intended, after he had enjoyed what he considered the pleasures of youth, to settle down into Christian manhood. After this talk with William he could not get rid of the idea of accountability to his God. His wicked amusements and extravagant habits appeared to him as they never had done before, and he began to see their inevitable tendency. The result was an entire change in his aims and conduct. This was so marked that it very soon became known to all of his associates, and, of course, to his employers. He remained in that house; gradually rising to the highest clerkship, and, finally, becoming the junior partner of the firm of which William had for some time been a member. His happiness and prosperity he always attributed to the word kindly spoken at the right time by his fellow clerk. He has been successful not only as a merchant, but as a Christian, exerting a powerful influence for good upon all about him, but particularly upon the young men employed in his house. CHEERFUL looks make every dish a feast
CHEERFUL looks make every dish a feast
Cheerfulness is the sunshine of the soul, and the pleasing influence is not confined to self, but it diffuses happy light and genial warmth to the domestic and social circles. It is a true inward joy, an agreeable and sober emotion, which, while it banishes melancholy, is readily distinguished from mirth, that, like lightning breaks the gloom, dazzles for a moment, when all becomes dark again. Merriment is transient and often spasmodic, but cheerfulness is a permanent and glowing serenity of the mind. The man who enjoys this happy disposition, is not felicitous in his thoughts, but he controls his temper, and his impulses become amiable; while he feels a prevailing gratitude to the Giver of all good, for the many blessings that have been vouchsafed to him. His family rejoice in the sunshine of his smile and his friends unconsciously and irresistibly partake in his presence of that galvanic but agreeable excitement which with a mysterious mental sympathy speeds like electricity from soul to soul, through groups and even entire congregations of the human family. Thus the cheerful man is a living fountain of good humor to those of his fellow beings with whom he may come in contact. His imagination is clear, his judgment undisturbed by ungenerous suspicions, or bigoted prejudices. He looks at the world with a hopeful if not a laughing eye, sees cheerfully the bright side of things, chases away the dismal visions and specters that haunt the idler’s fancy, labors with contentment, and enjoys the fruit of his toil with an exquisite relish. He pries not into the flying scandals of the hour that may involve his friends, and ridicules or lives down the calumnies that affect himself, thus disarming the point and edge of slanderous weapons and rendering their venom innocuous. Good will is the general sentiment felt toward him, for he is affable and obliging, qualities that are naturally reciprocated by all with whom he converses, and whether in business or pleasure has a kindly effect upon the hearts of acquaintances, elicits a kindred friendship and a mutuality of amiable emotion. Indeed, cheerfulness may be regarded as a most manifest sign of wisdom. For as in our lives, so in our studies and thoughts, it is becoming and prudent to temper this faculty with gravity191 in order that the mind may not be filled with mournful ideas and sad forebodings. This virtue which is so universally admired, confers an acquiescence in the decrees of Providence, and a desire to dispense, so far as in our power lies, additional happiness to all around, and a measurable contentment with our own condition of life. We are not only happy, if good humored ourselves, but we are anxious that our friends should likewise partake of the serene pleasure that we experience. Proneness to melancholy is the sad condition of many men. They regard the present with dissatisfaction, and view the future, always an imaginary future, with alarm. They look forward to their coming destiny as replete with woe, and dwell upon pictures of improbable ruin conjured up by a morbidly creative fancy, with such terrible tenacity, that their minds are enveloped in gloom, and thus they first give way to a nervous despondency, then to blank despair, which not unfrequently conducts the victim to suicide. With such doleful persons, who are constantly supposing and building up in their fantastic brains what they conceive to be insurmountable and inevitable obstacles, but which have no real existence, either present or prospective—the conversation of a cheerful companion dispenses the balm of an awakened felicity, and kindles the pure flame of hope; and then the heart of the hypochondriac becomes softened and brightened. He sees his condition and prospects in graver and more vivid colors, and while he resolves to arouse his faculties from the depressive nightmare of sickly fancies, he soon finds that— “Hope, like the glimmering taper’s light,
Adorns and cheers the way;
And still, as darker grows the night,
Emits a brighter ray.”
How important, then, and how gratifying also, will ever be the endeavors of all who encourage a cheerfulness of disposition! It is a faculty that will banish from the soul all that secret heaviness and vain sorrow to which many men are liable, who labor under no real affliction. It deprives the unavoidable evils and adversities of life of half their bitterness, and is a treasury even in hours of severe and multiplied trials, like Pandora’s box, a casket full of ills, with hope at the bottom—and so are the ills counteracted. Cheerfulness promotes virtue, reproves vice, and improves temper. Properly appreciated, it will be recognized as a portion of the “Divinity that stirs within us.”—Exchange. There sat a radiant, white-winged bird,
I listened but no sound I heard,
And then I spake: “Sweet bird,” I said,
“From what far country hast thou fled?
Whence cam’st thou; and why cam’st thou here?
Canst thou bring aught my soul to cheer?
Hast thou strange news? speak, gentle dove!”
And the bird answered, “God is love.” “They tell me so,” I faintly said,
“But joy has flown, and hope is dead,
And I am sick, and sad, and weary,
And life is long, and dark, and dreary—
Think not thy words my spirit move!”
Still the bird answered, “God is love.” “Some dearly loved are far away,
And some who fondly near me stay,
Are sick, and sad, and suffering,
While I am weak and murmuring,
Each for the other grieves, and tries
To stay the tears that fill his eyes—
Why comes not comfort from above?”
Firmly, but mournfully, the dove
Distinctly answered, “God is love.” I started up, “The world,” I said,
“Though beautiful it once was made,
Is full of crime and misery now;
Want sits on many a haggard brow,
The warrior wields his bloody sword,
Slaves tremble at the tyrant’s word—
Vice honored—virtue scorned—we see,
Why are these ills allowed to be?”
He raised his head, that soft-eyed dove,
As though my boldness he’d reprove,
Then bowed and answered, “God is love.” “Forgive,” I said, in accents mild,
“I would I were again a child.
I’ve wandered from the heavenly track,
And it is late to journey back;
My wings are clipped, I cannot soar,
I strive to mount, but o’er and o’er
My feeble wings I raise in vain—
I flutter, sink and fall again!”
In low, but earnest tones, the dove
Still softly murmured, “God is love.” “Thou mov’st me strangely, wondrous bird!
My soul is strongly, deeply stirred,
My heart grows lighter, may I still
My mission upon earth fulfill,
Proving my love to God sincere,
By doing all my duty here.
Shall past omissions be forgiven?
And shall the weary rest in heaven?”
He spread his wings, that radiant dove,
And cheerily answered, “God is love.” Thou blessed type of joy and peace,
My hope and faith thou’lt still increase,
Be ever near me, gentle dove,
I know, I feel, that “God is love.” It is said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true of some diseases, at least of those of long continuance and those regarded as incurable. It is far easier, for example, to put on an extra coat or garment, when about to be exposed to the cold and damp night air, than to remove the cold thus contracted or the fever that naturally follows such a cold. The one may consume the time of a few minutes, the other that of a few months. “It is easier, or should be, to control the appetite, living properly and plainly, than to cure the dyspepsia or the gout, to say nothing of the difficulty of enduring the tortures of these kingly diseases—kingly in their origin and in their sway. The indulgence of a few moments three times each day is to be estimated in contrast with hours, and days, and weeks, and months, and years of suffering of tortures such as no man is able to justly describe. Is such an indulgence a good investment?” It is easier to refuse the first glass of beer, cider, ale, porter or wine, than to resist the full tide of the mighty and devastating stream of intemperance when the victim, degraded, imbruted, and completely reduced to a state of the most abject slavery, feels that he can not assert his freedom—can not obey the dictates of his higher nature. It is easier to decline the first cigar proffered, or the first quid, than to control the almost insatiable cravings of one of the most tyrannical of appetites—one that ever says “Give, give.” It is easier to resist such a solicitation when every impulse and sense of the body is arrayed against this vile weed, when an absolute loathing is felt, than to array one's weakened powers against such a habit after the whole current of the physical being has been reversed, depraved, vitiated and corrupted. A single no, persistently adhered to, will suffice for the first, while many resolves, many efforts, many struggles with the insidious foe, many falls and as many efforts to rise again, have often failed of final success, leaving the fallen victim to feel that he is a slave. Yes, an unequal war, a trial of strength between man, made in the image of God, with a body “fearfully and wonderfully made,” a mind supposed to be capable of unlimited expansion, and a soul destined to endure as long as God exists on the one side, and a contemptible plant on the other. The “weed” the victor, the man the victim, the subject, and for life. It is easier to construct a ventilator in the sleeping room by which the foul and pestiferous air may escape, and open an orifice through which a reasonable supply may enter, or to arrange windows and doors, than it is to remove that most to be dreaded of usual diseases of society, pulmonary consumption, when its firm grasp has been fixed upon the vital domain. It is easier to go out into the pure air of heaven by day, to enjoy its sweetness, to be invigorated by the blessed light of the glorious sun, breathing in joy, and strength and health, thus fortifying one against the insidious attacks of this potent disease, than to dislodge it when once it has taken possession of its unsuspecting victim. It is easier to labor each day, doing what may be done with comparative ease and safety, and thus retain health and strength, than when reduced, emaciated and worn out by excesses and exposures, to stimulate to action dormant energies, and almost raise from the dead a body rudely sacrificed. It is easier to avoid the ice creams, the ice water, the green and unripe fruits of all kinds, the decayed fruits and vegetables, than to resist the cholera attack so natural after such improper indulgence of articles known to be unfavorable to health. In fine, prevention is not only easier but cheaper than cure.—Health and Home. TOBACCO.—The use of tobacco is a needless self-indulgence. But if that were all, its use might be tolerated with some degree of patience. But besides being needless and expensive, it is positively injurious to the system—violative of God's law, as written in man's physical organism. It pollutes the person, and garments of those who use it, rendering such persons offensive to all who are not contaminated with the poison. It also causes many persons to violate good manners and every consideration of decency and propriety. Yet we find teachers, professors in colleges, ministers, church members high in position, and Sunday-school superintendents, practically indorsing this inexcusable abomination, thereby becoming a stumbling-block to many. And is it strange that our boys are found trying to ape the follies of men, with these illustrious examples before them? Parents, do you wish your boys to become tobacco sots? If not, set them a good example—thus exemplifying a cardinal virtue—self-denial. RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES.
—The number of Christians in China is now increasing sixfold every ten years. —Several Jewish synagogues have recently turned their attention to congregational singing. —The Jesuit Barracks is to be demolished. It is one of the oldest historical landmarks of Quebec. —More copies of the Sacred Scriptures are issued in the English language than in all the other languages of the world. —The receipts of the Vatican from the pope's jubilee were 6,500,000 lire in gold, exclusive of valuable presents. —It has been decided by the directors of the Permanent Exhibition at Philadelphia, not to open the exhibition on Sundays. —The pope's jubilee was celebrated in Ireland with great solemnity. Religious processions passed through the streets of several cities. —A Catholic church in Wiescheu, Grand Duchy of Posen, was recently struck by lightning, during service. Six persons were killed, and about seventy seriously injured. —Mr. Sankey's famous hymn, “The Ninety and Nine,” was written by Elizabeth C. Clapham, a daughter of a Scottish advocate. It was written for the Children's Hour, a paper published in Edinburgh. —After a struggle of sixteen years, the Methodist Episcopal church in Mechanics' Falls, Me., succeeded, March 29, in paying its debt. On the first of April the church building was entirely destroyed by fire. —With the union of the Methodist Protestant and Methodist churches, the two principal non-Episcopal Methodist bodies in the United States, the statistics of the new church will be—members and probationers, 140,000; itinerant ministers, 1,800; annual conferences, 40. —It is reported that Miss M. L. Whately, a daughter of the archbishop of Dublin, is carrying on a large school of 150 girls and 250 boys in Cairo. Arabic, English, French and Italian are taught, and Scripture lessons also given. —An exchange says that Bishop Fallow, in his sermon at the dedication of the Madison Avenue Reformed Episcopal church, said: “Year before last there were enough new churches built in the United States to extend, if put in line, a distance of forty miles.” —A midnight prayer-meeting has been kept up for over two years by the railway employees who have to await the arrival of the New York and Boston boats at Stonington. As a result of these meetings three churches have been organized on the line of the road. —The London Missionary Society at its recent anniversary in Exeter Hall reported an income of $318,320; a slight increase on the year preceding. This society has been the principal agent in the Christianization of Madagascar, and has done a great work in the South Pacific Islands. —A New York minister makes the announcement that there are in that city five hundred and twenty-five converts from Judaism to Christianity. These conversions have come through the labors of several Jews, converted at the time of the Moody and Sankey meetings in that city. —From Les Missions Catholiques we learn that the religious statistics of Eastern Tong-King in 1875 were as follows: Eight Dominican missionaries, 8 native priests (Dominicans), 29 native priests (Seculars), 5,000,000 total population, 52,000 Catholic population, 20 districts, 332 Christian communities, 963 pupils at the Mission de Dieu, 2 seminary colleges, 65 students, 2 orphan asylums, 68 Religious Tertiaries of St. Dominic, 2,351 baptisms of infants, 400 baptisms of adults. —There were 71 deaths from small-pox in London last week. —Much damage has been done in the city of Florence, (Neb.), by a recent tornado. —The Tribune says $106,000,000 worth of liquor is consumed in New York each year. —The Cuban insurgents have burned over a million dollars' worth of sugar and sugar plantations this spring. —Ten thousand sheep lie dead around Desert springs, 26 miles beyond Mojave, on the road to Nevada. —It is stated that if the liquor shops in Philadelphia were placed side by side they would extend ten miles. —Professor Palmieri states that Mount Vesuvius has been in an unusual state of agitation for some days, showing at night fire at the mouth of the new crater. —A large waterspout recently broke near Bell Creek, in Elkhorn valley, Nebraska, flooding everything for miles to a depth of twelve feet, and doing considerable damage. —Europe is now taking surprising quantities of American fruit. The purchases amount to over $2,500,000 worth since last June, compared with $600,000 worth in the same period the year before. —The daily requisitions upon the Postmaster General for postage stamps and stamped envelopes lately show a steady increase, indicative of a marked revival of business throughout the country. —The Sheriff of Mecca is said to have placed the treasures of the holy shrine, the accumulated money gifts from pilgrims, at the Sultan's disposal. The treasures aggregate 200,000,000 piasters, $4,000,000. —According to the research of an eminent German naturalist, our earth has at some time been inhabited by 155,000 kinds of animals, of which 20,000 are now extinct, while the other 135,000 still exist. —The Roumanian army ready for actual fighting numbers 55,000 regulars. There are also five or six thousand militia under arms and available for field service, and 5000 regulars employed in non-combatant duties. —The rule that prevails in Germany is, if a person is injured on a railroad, and subsequently dies from the injuries received, the occurrence is not deemed a railway accident unless death occurs within twenty-four hours. —If the suits against the St. Louis whisky ring are pressed it is said that $500,000 will find its way into the treasury. —Reports from north-western Iowa respecting the grasshoppers are far more encouraging than was expected; and it is thought that the damage already done will not prevent the securing of a large crop of grain. —It is reported that the highest point yet attained by any railroad will be reached on the summit of the La Veta pass, in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, by the south-western extension of the Denver and Rio Grande railway. The altitude of the summit is 9,340 feet. —The first regular telephonic line has been put in operation between the place of business of C. Williams, Jr., Boston, Mass., and his residence in Somerville, a distance of about three miles. It is said that it works well, and that conversation can be carried on by it nearly as well as if those conversing were in the same room. —It is announced that Belgium is to make a movement for exploring Central Africa, with a view of assisting in its civilization. Two expeditions are to start, one from Loanda toward the East, and the other from Zanzibar toward the West, and are to be comprised of fifteen hundred men, of whom one-half are to be negro porters. —A special from Copenhagen, Denmark, says: “The anniversary of the granting of the Constitution was celebrated June 5. The crowd, estimated at 20,000 persons, marched through the streets in an excited state of political feeling. Precautions were taken against riotous demonstrations. Before the king's residence the police were strengthened and a part of the garrison were confined to their barracks.” —The Widcombe suspension bridge at Bath, Eng., fell June 6. There were about one hundred persons standing on the bridge at the time of the accident. They were plunged into the stream, which was about seven feet deep. Boats from the shore were immediately set at work rescuing the living and searching for the dead. It is estimated that about twelve persons were killed, and fifty-one injured, some fatally. —A contract awarded by the Turkish Government to a single corporation in Rhode Island is said to involve the enormous sum of $17,000,000. The Providence Tool Company is employing 2500 men and manufacturing 6000 Martini-Henry rifles a day. The Packing Box Company at South Hadley Falls makes 20,000 boxes a year for a Providence corporation, and in these, rifles are packed for shipment to Turkey. —Mount Carmel, Ill., a thriving town of about 3000 inhabitants, was struck by a tornado, on the 5th of June. The duration of the wind did not exceed two minutes, but the rain continued to fall for some time after the cyclone passed. The velocity of the wind was estimated at 150 miles per hour. During its prevalence the air was filled with flying roofs, windows, doors, lumber, rails, clothing, etc. Men, women and children were blown helplessly about, some a distance of four hundred feet, killing and wounding many. The best part of the town is destroyed. About seventy families are rendered homeless. —The Hercules Powder Works, between the Almshouse and Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, were totally destroyed, June 8, by an explosion of nitro-glycerine. There were five white men and thirteen Chinamen employed in the works, and they had prepared a charge of 500 pounds of nitro-glycerine and deposited it in the soda tanks in readiness for its manufacture into powder. The men left the building, and had reached a point fifty yards distant when the explosion occurred. They were all thrown violently to the ground. It was truly a wonderful escape from death. Considerable damage was done in the adjacent country. —A disastrous fire occurred on the night of the 7th, at Bridgeport, Conn. The main building burned was 280 feet long, 50 wide and four and a half stories high. While volunteers were removing goods from the office the back and front walls of a one-story structure suddenly, and without warning, fell out, leaving the two highest walls unsupported. The one adjoining the office leaned outward, and fell upon the roof of the office, crushing through to the basement and burying those within. At the same time the east end wall also fell, carrying the fire into a wing 110 feet long and 50 wide. This was also completely destroyed, together with the engine and boiler room adjoining. The number of lives lost is reported as being eleven.