The following article under the above heading appears in the last issue of the Voice of the West:
“There is much looseness in the Church as well as in the world on Sabbath-keeping; and we are glad of the agitation of this question by the Seventh-day Baptists, as thereby the attention of the Church is specially called to the consideration of the subject.
“Bro. Prehle’s new work on The First-day Sabbath is now out. It is not only an important work, but the only work among us that treats the subject at length, in connection with a triumphant review of seventh-day Sabbath critics. Our people should get this book and post themselves on this question. They owe it to the cause of truth to do it; they owe it to the Churches to do it, in order to meet those seventh-day keepers who stir up strife, and in days past have even broken up our Churches. Hitherto our people have not been prepared to meet the questions in dispute. We must as a matter of duty give attention to this question. Have we a Sabbath? Is it the first day of the week, or the seventh? We should settle these questions, and be prepared to give a reason for the faith we hold.
“As Bro. Prehle has now placed within our reach what appears to him the Scriptural argument, with a critical review of seventh-day writers, we cannot do better than to procure this work and give it a thorough examination. And let our brother be sustained in his labor and sacrifice for the cause of truth.”
Verily, “there is much looseness” in the matter of Sabbath-keeping; and we can rejoice with the Editor of the Voice on account of “the agitation of this question by the Seventh-day Baptists.” But can he also rejoice with us at the much greater agitation by Seventh-day Adventists? Or is that the kind which “stirs up strife,” and has “even broken up churches?” If a little agitation of the matter is commendable, certainly a thorough stirring up in regard to it must be very desirable, especially in view of the “much looseness in the church” which renders Eld. Prehle’s work so important. If we are rapidly nearing the final consummation, as the Voice and Review both unite in teaching, it certainly is important that looseness in the matter of duty, and especially so important a duty as obedience to God’s commandments, be no longer a characteristic of second-advent believers.
It is not a little amusing to see the reluctance manifested on the part of the Voice in endorsing Eld. Prehle’s positions: “Bro. Prehle has now placed within our reach what appears to him the Scriptural argument.” As the readers of the Review have had occasion to notice, what appears to Eld. P. as Scriptural sometimes proves to be very unscriptural, and we are waiting with considerable interest to see how generally his new work will be endorsed.
Perhaps this hesitancy on the part of the Voice may be accounted for when we recollect that it has also very favorably commended one or two other works on the same subject issued by the same Association, which endeavors to prove the entire abolition of the Sabbath. Which of these two positions will it endorse as Scriptural? Certainly not both.
We would also in this connection take occasion to gently remind the Voice that the request to publish the prospectus of this work in the Review which we complied with some time since, was accompanied with a declaration that they would be happy to send us a copy as soon as issued. We have not yet seen it, and hope it has not been lost by mail. Perhaps our advertisement of it has not greatly assisted in the sale of the work, but it certainly is no fault of ours, as we should be glad to have every Sabbath-keeper possess a copy if able, for unless it vastly surpasses any of Eld. P.’s former efforts, the Sabbath cause has nothing to fear from it, but rather will be aided by its publication and circulation.
W. C. G.
SCATTER THE PUBLICATIONS!
By Geo. W. Amadon
According to the recent light in Testimony No. 12, a great work is to be done in the way of circulating Tracts. To those of our brethren who wish to do much good at a trifling expense, we would say, Procure a good supply of our small tracts—those worth from 1 cent up to 5 cents—and scatter them. Never be found a dozen miles from home without being well supplied with these little documents on Present Truth.
Allow us to tell you what we have. On the Sabbath Question, which is emphatically the leading theme with us, we have for such circulation, “Seven Reasons for Sunday-keeping Examined” (16 pp., 2 cents), a good tract to hand out to any first-day observer; “Who changed the Sabbath?” (16 pp.) an excellent document to present to those who think Christ or the apostles changed the Sabbath; “The Sabbath by Elihu” (16 pp.), a standard tract, which is just the thing to convince a reasonable person that the seventh day is the Sabbath; “Time Lost” (8 pp.), dissipates as into thin air the silly objection so often raised, that since creation time has been lost, and so, if we would keep the true seventh day, we can’t tell when it comes; “The Institution of the Sabbath” (16 pp.), is a superb tract, the design of which is indicated by the name; “Preach the Word,” a very clear argument on the Sabbath, and noticing the “eight texts” which speak of “the first day of the week,” and proving that they do not prove anything in favor of Sunday—good for all first-day believers; “The Two Laws” (8 pp.), is a grand tract for first-day Adventists, who generally confound the ceremonial law with the moral code. So much for the small tracts on the Sabbath Question.
On the Second Coming of Christ, we have “Sixteen Short Answers to Sixteen Common Objections against the Second Advent Faith” (32 pp.), which is good for everybody, and is an excellent tract to remove sixteen objections out of the way of the Advent Faith; “The Seven Seals” (8 pp.) shows where we are in this world’s history, and also removes one prominent objection to the sleep of the dead—souls under the altar—in a very convincing manner; “The Heavenly Meeting” (4 pp.) is a gem of the first water on the question of the Advent—it describes in entrancing language the joy which will be experienced by the saints when they shall see Him whom their soul loveth; “Truth” (16 pp.) dwells convincingly on the Sabbath and Advent, and shows the necessity of our being “rooted and grounded in the truth” in these last days of error and fables.
On the Life and Death question we are well supplied. We have “Appeal on Immortality,” (8 pp.), which is a tract hard to be resisted by those who will candidly read it; it is scriptural, logical, and convincing; “Brief Thoughts on the Nature of the Soul, the Resurrection of the Dead, and the Final Destiny of Man” (8 pp.), is an exceedingly comprehensive tract on this great question, and withal very candid; “The Wicked Dead; Are they now being Punished?” (20 pp.), devoted mainly to answering the objection founded on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, which it does in a masterly way, besides imparting much other information on this great question; “Much in Little” (16 pp.), this is truly Multum in Parvo, presenting terse, pithy extracts from various authors on different branches of the life and death theme—an exceedingly valuable tract; “The Sin of Witchcraft, or an Exposition of the case of Samuel and the witch of Endor,” (32 pp.) should be scattered widely—a worthy tract, worth its weight in gold; “Thoughts for the Candid,” (8 pp.) a very candid tract, and one which must carry conviction to the candid mind; “The Doom of God’s Enemies,” (32 pp.) a very able tract on the question of the punishment of the wicked; (24 pp.) just the thing to hand to your friend who believes in an eternally-burning hell—it may help him; “What is Truth,” (8 pp.) should be scattered from one end of the land to the other.
Then we have many miscellaneous tracts. “Judson’s Letter on Dress,” (12 pp.) to which is appended “The views of Seventh-day Adventists on the Subject of Dress, as set forth by the Gen. Conf. of May 16, 1866,” showing the views of this people on that important question in these days of fashion and show; a good tract to hand to that church-going friend of yours; “Popular Objections to the Resurrection of the Body, briefly considered,” (20 pp.) a triumphant refutation of several infidel objections to this glorious theme, which is the chief corner stone of the believer’s hope;—pass it out to the multitude who need its enlightening influence; “The Celestial Rail Road,” (32 pp.) is a most happy exposure of many of the inconsistencies of the popular religion of the day, with an Appendix of Explanatory Remarks; this is an excellent Rail Road tract, and should be circulated widely; it is a stirring document; “Geology and the Bible; or a Pre-Adamic Age of our World Doubtful,” (16 pp.) good for your sceptical friend who believes that the six days of creation were six vast indefinite periods of millions of years each; pass it out, and let it go about doing good; “Infidelity and Spiritualism,” (16 pp.) showing that the two go hand in hand, and that both are of their father, the Devil; “Scripture References,” (24 pp.) a most excellent little work to put into the hands of any who you think will take the trouble to hunt out the references to the subjects mentioned; we publish more of this tract than any other one on our list.
Dear brethren and sisters: We have now presented to you a list of tracts which you can use to the glory of God, and for the salvation of poor mortals. Our shelves are loaded with these tracts, but they ought to be out in the field where they can be doing good. What we do for others must be done “quickly.” A spirit of slumber should not be permitted to come over us now, situated as we are in the last moments of probationary time. But every one should use his whole influence in trying to bring perishing souls to a saving knowledge of the truth. Again we say, Scatter the publications. Our books are written by men who fear God, and many have been the earnest, agonizing prayers offered to God for the light which is herein253set forth. We speak of course of the past labors of our faithful, leading brethren. These tracts are an embodiment of God’s truth, and God will delight to bless the circulation of his truth, and when received and obeyed by those who are now fettered down by error, it will make them free.
Then let these little paper messengers circulate in a thousand directions, and do their part in dispelling the mists of error, and preparing the way for that time, when, suddenly and almost miraculously, a multitude of voices shall be heard in every direction, saying, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and have the faith of Jesus.” Tracts never lose their patience with an opposer, and they are the most effective preachers. What a world of good might be done through the circulation of tracts. All cannot preach, but none have so little talent but what they could hand out a tract.
But some are too poor to buy tracts to give away, yet they are men of judgment and discernment. What shall be done in their case? Let a fund be created for the purpose of printing our small tracts for general circulation in the manner set forth in Testimony No. 12, and let judicious persons have them and scatter them. We have a duty in this matter, and may God move on some one, the proper ones, to set this matter home forcibly to the church. Stewards of the Most High God, awake to your duty! Let the funds roll in, and let the tracts be sent out. Order our publications, and circulate them, and let us all faithfully do our part in getting the last note of warning before the world. God bless the dear brethren who have done so much in the past; but don’t stop, brethren, and turn about and think you have done some great thing, but push ahead and keep doing. In due season we shall reap if we faint not. Why, about $75.00 will print and make ready for the market 2000 of our large 32 page tracts; or 4000 16 page tracts; or 8000 of 8 pages, or 16000 of 4 pages, or 32000 tracts of 2 pages. Again we inquire in view of the great light which now shines down from Heaven on the church, what is our duty as a people? It is of God that we have such conveniences as railroads and telegraphs and steam printing presses in these last days. Through modern mechanism a great deal can be accomplished in a little time. God can have the world effectually warned in a little while, and cut the work short in righteousness, and be a God of justice still.
But we close. Let us all seek and inquire our duty in the sight of the Lord in the matter of circulating tracts.
GEO. W. AMADON.
THE REVIEW.
By Editor
The Review, No. 15, has just reached us in Washington, Iowa. By our absence from the Office, we have the opportunity of seeing how the paper is received at the distant homes of the brethren to which it makes its way. We find its readers more than gratified with its recent enlargements. They testify especially to the value of the Sermon department, which alone they consider worth more than the entire price of the paper. Our preaching brethren will please make a note of this.
Though much of the matter of this number was under process of publication before we left home, yet we have scanned its columns with interest. We notice that the Conference Department is especially short. This is a department of interest to the generality of our readers, as being a portion of the paper in which they may look for a free and familiar record of individual experience, such as they know how to appreciate from their own daily life. When the paper was enlarged it was estimated that should the brethren write sufficiently to fill it, two whole pages might be devoted to this department, and yet leave room enough for such other matter as the paper should contain; but so far on this volume, but little more than a page has at any time been filled with letters from the brethren and sisters, and generally much less space than that. Several have already remarked to us on this trip that they would be glad to see more in this department. So say we; and as we looked over the assembly of Sabbath-keepers at the Wisconsin meeting, we thought, how many scores of brethren and sisters are here, whose names we should be glad to see appended to communications for the paper. And we would say to all, The space is provided, the paper is open, and the brethren are waiting to hear from you.
Another suggestion to our contributors. Subjects are frequently resting upon the minds of individuals upon which they think they would be glad to have something written. Our invariable reply to such is, that they are just the ones to write upon such subjects. When a person's mind is wrought up on any question, so that he can give another an idea of the points resting upon his mind, in nine cases out of ten, he is the best one to sit down and write it out; for the burden of the matter is upon him, and he is prepared to bring out his ideas, and edify the reader, in a way that one whose mind is not thus wrought up on it, cannot do.
LAST-DAY SCOFFERS.
By W. C. G.
The apostle Peter declares that in the last days scoffers shall come, walking after their own lusts, &c. When we see this class being developed, scoffing just as the apostle said they should, we are compelled to believe that we have reached the last days. The following from one of our popular dailies, betrays a spirit of antagonism to the doctrine of Christ’s coming which is peculiar to those who are “walking after their own lusts.” W. C. G.
A DESIRABLE POSTPONEMENT.—
We are by no means sorry to learn that Rev. Dr. Cumming and the other incendiary individuals who have taken up in these latter days the doctrines of the famous Mr. Miller, have discovered a trifling error in their calculations which puts off the destruction of our earth for a matter of a million years or so. We are rather glad of this, for although astronomers tell us that our globe is small, infinitesimal even in comparison with some others of their celestial acquaintance, it is quite big enough to secure our interest and enlist all our sympathies. By delaying the consummation of all things for a million of years he at once relieves us of all personal anxiety.
News and Miscellany.
Can ye not discern the Signs of the Times? Matt. xvi, 3.
Elections.—During the last few weeks elections have been held in several of the States. In Maine the result was quite a loss to the Republicans, caused, it is said, by that party making an issue of the liquor question—indicating the tide of public opinion on this important question.
Perhaps the following item showing the hypocrisy of our political men may account in part for the loss of confidence in party leaders on the part of the people:
A Portland correspondent of the Boston Transcript states that he was personally acquainted with 69 members of the last legislature of Maine, and of these 61 kept spirituous liquors in their rooms during the session, and most of them favored prohibition. This has a bad look for the State that originated the prohibitory scheme.
—It seems to be a pretty generally-received opinion that negotiations are going on between the United States and Denmark for the transfer of the Republic of the Danish islands in the West Indies. These islands will furnish our vessels an admirable coaling station in time of peace; and, in war, will serve as a rendez-vous for our cruisers, while they can easily be made perfectly secure against any foreign power. A navy yard there would save also much money to our cruisers and merchant vessels in need of repairs. But the price to be paid must not be too large.
—The Pope of Rome has called or resolved to call a general council of the primates, archbishops, bishops, cardinals, heads of orders, and other dignitaries of the Church. The principal subject to be discussed is as to the point to which the Pope shall emigrate when Garibaldi occupies Rome.
Russia.—London, England, Sept. 24. It is reported that the Emperor of Russia has refused the proffer of alliance made by the Porte, and he is now seeking to bring about an alliance between Russia and France.
The President's Intentions.—The conduct of the President justifies the alarm which we have expressed. He means mischief, and will be restrained only by his fears. A man in his position who simultaneously defies his opponents and surrounds himself with those who are known to be his devoted adherents, is a man who intends to resist. His word, even if he gave it, could not be trusted. The law does not restrain him, for he denies the authority which makes it. The real situation at present is that the President asserts his will against the will of the people in Congress, and will probably try forcible conclusions with them.—Harper's Weekly.
London, Sept. 24—9 P. M. The following dispatch is received: Florence, Sept. 24.—Garibaldi has been arrested by the Italian Government. He was taken prisoner while crossing the Roman frontier.
Italy.—Florence, Sept. 23.—Evening. The Roman Government is taking precautionary steps to guard against an attack from without, or a sudden rising within the city. All Pontifical troops are being withdrawn from outlying points in the province of Civita Vecchia, Viterbo and Velletri and concentrated in and around Rome.
Foreign.—Serious outbreaks by the followers of Garibaldi are reported in various parts of Italy. His release is loudly called for, and Victor Emanuel will probably call an extra session of Parliament.
Omar Pasha has withdrawn his resignation of the command in Crete.
Fenianism is creating much excitement in England and Ireland, and several arrests have been made.
Trial of Jefferson Davis.—New York, September 27. The Herald's Richmond special says: It has now become definitely settled that the Davis trial will take place at the November term of the circuit court here. Judge Chase has expressed his intention of presiding, and if the rebel ex-President does not fail to come to time on his straw bail, questions of great importance will arise which will require all the diplomacy and ability of the Chief Justice to evade and decide. The opinion is expressed that allowing that Davis will appear, the trial will be evaded and shirked by the Government, and the prisoner will again be set at liberty on bail. There is reason to contradict such an erroneous impression. Indications lead to the belief that the trial will be proceeded with, and a mass of the most important history of the rebellion disclosed. The counsel for the defense will demand a trial, and if the Government urges as an excuse that it is not ready, the court will express its intention to remain in session a sufficient time to prepare. Failing in this a nolle prosequi will be entered by which the discharge of the prisoner may be effected. The latter is not likely, and the trial, which the nation at large demands, will be proceeded with. Davis can scarcely be convicted.
Indian Difficulties.—ST. LOUIS, September 19. Letters from Fort Dodge say the Indians are very numerous in that vicinity. The scouts say the Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Comanches, and Kiowas, have consolidated, and that there are 2,000 of them on the war path.
“Red Cloud,” the Sioux chief, is said to be at the head of over 20,000 hostile Indians, desirous of prolonging the war with the whites.
Famine and Cholera in Sicily.—To the horrors of cholera have been superadded in Sicily the horrors of famine. A drought, which has now lasted nearly two years, has arrested and parched up vegetation, and has deprived the flocks and herds of the food necessary for their subsistence. The cities and towns are deserted by the wealthier inhabitants, the shops are closed, the markets scantily supplied. In Palermo the kilogramme of beef (35 ounces) is selling at 4½ francs, the kilogramme of mutton 4¾ francs; veal and poultry are fetching fabulous prices, and brandy and rum of very inferior quality, from 12 francs to 18 francs a bottle. The cholera, however, is abating. On the 20th of August, it had decreased in Palermo to 125 fresh cases and 57 deaths, in Messina to 28 fresh cases and 15 deaths, and in Catania to 14 fresh cases and 11 deaths. The municipalities were exerting themselves to feed the poor, and have dispatched steamers to the mainland of Italy and the island of Sardinia for grain and cattle.
Temperance and Sunday.—The State Temperance Convention met at Rochester, Minn., Sept. 24, to take into consideration the propriety of running a temperance ticket for Governor and State Officers.
Several resolutions were put forward for and against the movement. After considerable discussion the following resolution was carried unanimously:
Resolved, That, as the friends of temperance, morality and religion, we protest against the action of the two great political parties, opposing any legislation on the great American questions of temperance and the Sabbath; that it is both the right and the duty of the State to protect the interests of the individual, to pass prohibitory laws with reference to these questions; and, as temperance men and friends of the Christian Sabbath, we will not be stultified by platforms made by minorities, majorities or parties, and while we condemn the resolutions, and utterly abhor their doctrines, we think that the cause of temperance does not demand at this time any specific political action by the temperance men of the State.
ANTI-SUNDAY LAW.—An association has been formed in San Francisco to combat the Sunday law. The association numbers five hundred members.
The Canonization at Rome.
A brilliant morning, it was (June 29) when I started at 5½ o’clock, and found crowds in carriages or on foot, all tending toward one point. Many a window was hung with crimson tapestry; the Papal banner was floating over the Ponte St. Angelo, and Papal troops were dashing about in all directions. The Cardinals were indulging in an hour’s more sleep, secure of their places, but, with this exception, persons of all classes were en route. Thanks to kind friends, I entered the church by a private gate, the Porta Santa Maria, and from my place under the Embassador’s loggia, and close to the Papal throne, will now describe the scene which thousands beside myself were gazing at, even at that254early hour.
The taste displayed in the decorations is much more pure and simple than that which was shown in 1862 at the last great canonization. The effort has been to give the effect of color, and this has been done so as to bring out in bolder relief the architectural ornaments. It would be useless to note the materials employed. One looks at the whole, at the general effect, and this was rich and gorgeous in the extreme. Richer still it became when, about 7 o’clock, the Servitori began to light the great wax tapers which hung suspended in festoons beneath the arches under the colossal statues. Still, it was a fearful sight to watch these men at times suspended in mid air on a narrow bit of wood, and swinging backward and forward, apparently no bigger than crows. Twenty-five thousand tapers were thus soon made to shed their light upon the building, giving to the crimson tapestry a deeper hue, now that all daylight was excluded, and lending increased brilliancy to the gilding. Sometimes a puff of wind blew aside a curtain, and then down streamed on one particular spot, a sunbeam so bright and unexpected that it seemed like a flash of lightning, startling those around, as if danger were near. Grander, however, than all else in the way of light, was a colossal, inverted cross formed of prisms of glass, which had been sought for far and wide. Above it were the keys, gigantic in their proportions and formed of the same material, while above them still was suspended an enormous tiara of colored glass. Hanging as did these brilliant symbols of the Roman Catholic faith, in the center of the nave, and flashing and glittering with direct and reflected light, the spectacle was indescribably beautiful. We were looking and wondering at these grand effects of light when a general confusion ensued among the masses who were underneath the cupola. There was a murmur of many voices gradually swelling into a storm. Ladies were rising in their seats, and guards rushing here and there—indications, as some thought, of the approaching Papal procession, but, instead, it was a panic created by the curtain of one of the windows taking fire. There could be no danger in so substantial a building as St. Peter’s; but people do not reason on such occasions, and had it not been that the fire was extinguished, it is difficult to say what might have been the result of the panic. Another, and this is the only other painful incident which occurred, was, as it was reported, an act of suicide by a man named Achille Rossi, a native of Cremonia, before the chapel of the Holy Sacrament. The poor fellow, it appears, was so dazzled by the wonders of the scenes, that he lost his head, and cut his throat with a penknife, that he might enter at once on the enjoyment of a Paradise, which the glories around him were supposed to typify.
Soon after 8 o’clock some minor orders began to enter, and then came the Bishops, two and two, amounting to 480. Wearing a red cope in honor of the martyrs they presented a grand spectacle. Many of them wore a violet-colored beretta on the head, instead of a black one. Each carried his mitre, white for the most part, though there were varieties, as in the dress. Some had mitres resembling imperial crowns, studded with precious stones, while some wore over the cope a dress resembling a hussar’s jacket, with upright collars rigid with gold. Each bore a lighted taper, and as soon as they were seated, and the archbishops (among whom I recognized Dr. Manning) had arranged themselves on either side of the throne, the silver trumpets in the cloister announced the approach of the Pontiff. They always perform the same music, but sweeter notes it is impossible to conceive. In advance were the cardinals. They took their seats on the lower benches, on either side of the presbytery, 48 in number, and in the center of 523 princes and dignitaries of the church, Pius IX was borne in on his chair. So large a number has never, I believe, been assembled together in modern times; in 1862 there were not more than 250 bishops. Altogether, the Church possesses between 800 and 900, and 53 or 54 cardinals; so that more than one-half of her staff, so to speak, met on this occasion. Call it vanity, or what you like, Pius IX must have been more or less than human had he not felt deeply moved and gratified at the homage which he received.
When all was ready, the Cardinal charged to conduct the canonization advanced to the throne, accompanied by a master of ceremonies and an advocate of the consistory, who, in the name of the Cardinal, begged instanter that his holiness would permit the names of the 25 Beati, to be enrolled in the catalogue of saints. The Prelate Secretary of the Breves and Principes replied in Latin that the Holy Father was well acquainted with their virtues, but before deciding on so important an affair exhorted that intercession should be made to the Apostles and all the court of Heaven for light to guide him. The Pope and all the mitred host then knelt, while two singing chaplains intoned the Litany of the saints, the ecclesiastics joining in, and the vast multitude in the church responding as with the voice of many waters. There is a plaintive monotony in the notes which is very touching, and, familiar as they are to the members of the Roman Catholic Church, not a voice was silent, and a body of sound rose and swelled through the vast edifice that made one’s nerves thrill with emotion.
The same forms being observed as in the first instance, a second time the Cardinal advanced, and the request was made instanter et instantissime that the Beati should be canonized, when, in answer, prayers to the Holy Spirit, the source of light and holiness, were implored. Again the Pope and his prelates knelt and prayed, and rising, his Holiness intoned the Veni Creator Spiritus with a voice so clear and loud, and with a precision so remarkable, that people looked upon one another with astonishment. A third time the postulants advanced, and entreated instanter, instantius et instantissime that the canonization should take place, and an answer was returned, that the Holy Father, convinced that the act was approved of God, would now pronounce his definite decision, which he accordingly did, seated in his chair of state, with his mitre on his head. After some other forms the Confiteor or Decernimus, was repeated, the silver trumpets sounded, the cannon roared from St. Angelo, and all the bells of the city were rung for joy at the consummation of the hopes of the Church. The Pope now intoned the Te Deum, that fine old Ambrosian hymn. Oh, how grandly it rose and died away, as it was sung by the choir; and was then taken up by 40,000 voices, pealing forth with a power which lifted one above the world, and then dying away, as if the effort was too great for the human soul to sustain! Do not call this rant or over-excited enthusiasm. You should have heard and seen properly to have felt. I confess that even now I choke with emotion as I recall the impression it made upon me. That glorious hymn, chanted as it was by tens of thousands in unison, will ring in my ears forever, and I found myself joining in the universal song of praise, not as a Roman Catholic with Roman Catholics, but as a Christian man with his fellow man in acknowledgment of the Great Power whom we all worship.
High Mass was performed immediately after the conclusion of the ceremony of canonization. It presents no peculiarity, until we come to the offertory, which on this occasion included the presentation of the offerings made to the Pope by the friends of the new saints, or the religious orders to which they belonged. During the whole of the morning they lay on tables on the left of the high altar. They consisted first of five large wax candles, weighing two of them 60 Roman pounds, and three, 12 pounds each. These were beautifully painted with flowers, intermingled with arabesque, in gold and silver. Secondly, two large loaves, on silver salvers, one of which was gilt, bearing the arms of the Pontiff. Thirdly, two barrels, one plated with gold, the other with silver, filled, one with wine, and the other with water. Fourthly, three cages of elegant construction, in one of which were two turtle doves, in another two pigeons, and in the third various small birds of different kinds. Each saint presented the offerings above described, and the ceremony was conducted with great pomp. As many saints, so many processions, each formed by two macebearers and a master of the ceremonies, two cardinals preceded by their gentlemen, and followed by two members of the order to which the saint belonged or by two priests or laymen, the postulants of the cause and two other cardinals with their gentlemen bringing up the rear. The ceremony therefore continued for some time, and during this interval we were indulged with a Litany composed expressly for the occasion by the well-known soprano Mustafa, in which the names of the new saints were introduced for the first time. To give effect to the music three several choirs were formed, one of which was placed under the direction of Mustafa, near the High Altar; another over the great window at the entrance of the church, directed by Meluzzi; and a third, composed of 400 voices, in the cupola, under the direction of Capocci. Such delicious music surely was never heard, as the dulcet tones floated in a series of echoes through the vast building—first rising from earth in a full body of sound, then gradually diminishing in power, though not in distinctness, and then softly breathing forth as though they were angels’ whispers. As the High Mass proceeded, and the incense began to spread its misty veil over every object, nothing could exceed the beautiful effect of color. His Holiness took the sacrament in both kinds; the benediction was given, and the long-expected ceremonies of a day which will mark an important epoch in the history of the church were over.—Correspondence of the London Times.
Green Devils.
By W. C. G.
THE following pointed remarks from Mr. Beecher under the above head, are worthy of a careful perusal. Many people wonder why they have no more spiritual enjoyment, or why they are so stupid in meeting, when the true solution of the matter lies in their unphysiological habits and gross abuses of their digestive organs.
W. C. G.
In my own experience, the cases that I have most despaired of among those who have come to me for spiritual help, have been persons that were nervously sick. I could do them no good because I could not reach the conditions of their body. If a person will drink green tea, which is like the quintessence of a thousand needle-points in its effects on a man's nerves, what is the use of his coming to me with complaints about blue devils? They are not blue devils; they are green devils! If a man gorges and oppresses his stomach, and so overlays the keys of life,—for the keys of life are located in the stomach, as the keys of the piano and the organ are located in their appropriate places in those instruments,—and he comes to me for deliverance from temptation, or for the removal of obscurities that stand between his soul and God, unless I can have control of that man's habits of eating, what can I do for him?
Misery assails riches as lightning does the highest towers; or as a tree that is heavy laden with fruit breaks its own boughs, so do riches destroy the virtue of their possessor.
RUN not after blessings; only walk in the commandments of God, and blessing shall run after you, pursue and overtake you.