Earlier text: THE SECOND ANGEL'S MESSAGE—THE FALL OF BABYLONTHE MENACE OF SECRET ORDERS.
ONE of the most astonishing developments of these days is the marvelous growth in the membership of secret societies. Fifty years ago there were scarcely any such societies known outside of the Masons and Odd Fellows, and these had a fraction of the membership which they now possess. But now secret, oath-bound lodges are springing up like mushrooms, and in almost every one of them the membership is on the increase. In only five of the thirty-eight principal lodges have we noticed any decrease in membership, and the principal one of these is a temperance organization, the Good Templars, which lost in the one year from 1901-1902, 45,520 of its members. We can understand the occasion for this loss when we remember that the lodges which are showing an increase in membership are lodges which not only do not have a temperance requirement in their rules, but rather foster the drinking of spirituous liquors. In the year 1901 the number of Masons in the United States and Canada had increased to 877,762. The following year their books showed a membership of 901,968, a gain of 24,206. In 1901 the number of Odd Fellows in the United States and Canada, including the colored lodges, was 1,072,478. The following year their membership was 1,128,323, or a gain of 55,845 for one year only. In the same time the Knights of Pythias increased from 516,944 to 540,138, a gain of 23,194. During that time the Royal Arch Masons increased 12,398, and the Mystic Shriners (composed of those who have taken the 32d degree in Masonry) increased about 5,000. In 1901 the total membership of fraternal orders in the United States and Canada stood at 6,102,663. In 1902 it had increased to 7,546,636. This is an increase of 1,443,973 in the membership of secret, oath-bound societies in the United States and Canada in one year; and this entirely outside and apart from the labor unions, which claim a membership of about 2,000,000. Of course, some are members of more than one organization; so that the number of persons belonging to secret lodges would not be as great as the aggregate membership of all the lodges. Many who are Masons are members of other organizations that are of a Masonic character. For instance, a Knight Templar must be a Master Mason and a Royal Arch Mason; and the Mystic Shriners are composed wholly of Masons who have reached the 32d degree. Thus are built up these exclusive orders one upon another in order to hold the membership to the Masonic idea. It can thus be seen very readily what is the purpose of the great deceiver in the multiplication of these oath-bound orders. It is to fill up the whole time and attention of the people with these caricatures and counterfeits of religion so that they will have no time or disposition to give attention to spiritual things, no disposition to heed God’s warnings in the day of His preparation. Many of the members of these organizations will tell you that their lodge is a good enough church for them. That is just what Satan designed they should be, rivals of the church of God, obstructors of the way, snares to the souls of men. The faithful lodge man can not be a faithful Christian. The lodge and Christ are two different masters, and we can not serve them both and give either what he demands. The lodge idea is as truly a tower of Babel as the one that was smitten by the Almighty on the plain of Shinar. That was man’s attempt to construct a way of his own to heaven. This is, in effect, the same thing. The man who is “a good Mason” considers himself entitled to whatever good things the “Supreme Architect” may have in store for His faithful ones. Other orders which do not put forth such claims accomplish practically the same thing, so far as real religion is concerned, by absorbing the interest and attention of the people, and crowding out the time, and drowning the inclination, for religious things. It is very significant that this mighty increase in the growth of this great movement comes at a time when God’s last great warning message is due. Can we not see in this a purpose of the enemy to blind the eyes and deafen the ears of the people, that they should not see or hear the warning of God’s closing work? In that is the menace of the secret orders. THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IN GOVERNMENT.
By G.
There is no doubt that the growth and prosperity of the United States, as compared with the kingdoms of the Old World, were owing to the direct providence of God, through the influence of the Gospel. Wherever the Gospel of Christ has free course, it works for even the temporal prosperity of the people. This is because of the freedom of the individual and his solicitude for the welfare of others, which prevail wherever the spirit of religious liberty is felt. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Religious liberty is always the precursor of civil liberty. The noted French statesman and author, De Tocqueville, was constrained to acknowledge this fact in an official report. In the year 1831 he visited the United States, having received a commission to examine the penitentiary system of this republic. He remained here a year, and on his return made a report to the French Senate. In that report he said:— I went at your bidding and passed along their thoroughfares of trade; I ascended their mountains and went down their valleys; I visited their manufactories, their commercial marts and emporiums of trade; I entered their judicial courts and legislative halls, but I sought everywhere in vain, until I entered the church. It was there, as I listened to the soul-equalizing and soul-elevating principles of the Gospel of Christ, as it fell from Sabbath to Sabbath upon the masses of the people, that I learned why America is great and free, and why France is a slave. The Gospel of Christ, however, does not produce two antagonistic classes—the very wealthy and the very poor. It finds them in this world and aims to conciliate them, to reconcile them to God, and to save them, but it does not create such conditions of hostility. These inharmonious interests arise because of opposition to the principles of Christ. They do not indicate a condition of true prosperity, whatever the appearance, or whatever the claims of optimistic politicians. Therefore, when we see the ever-increasing prominence of such mutual hostility, we see the fruit of predominating selfishness and greed, which can only obtain through the rejection of the Spirit of the Master, and the consequent waning of the power of the Gospel. And the crowning evidence is in the effort to make some kind of religious legislation do the work of the Spirit. It was the extreme of this principle, coupled, as it always is, with the concentration and oppression of wealth, that reduced France to a condition of infidelity, of rebellion, and anarchy. Such was but a natural reaction. While France might have learned much from us in the past, it is possible for us to learn a lesson from the experience of France. G. A “CHRISTIAN” CHURCH WITHOUT CHRIST.
WHEN a society posing as a Christian church leaves out the essential qualification of faith in the atonement of Christ, its failure to represent the truth of Christianity is sure to be manifest in its educational work. An illustration of this thought is given in the Louisville Courier-Journal, in noting the church activity of the Unitarians in that city. This is also a fair sample of the whole:— The club will consist of several branches, each of which will be devoted to a separate function. One branch will study literature and art; another, the drama, and it will also give plays; still another branch will take up the study of evolution and go deep into the works of the leading authors on this subject. The class in evolution will begin on next Sunday afternoon and will be under the personal charge of Dr. Ramsay. It will be continued during the winter. The main purpose of this club is to bring out the latent talent in every member of the congregation and make the church more influential. Once every month socials will be given, and at these the guests will be entertained by plays and music. The club is really a literary and musical organization, and is the first of the kind to be connected, as a part, with any church in this city. It is an experiment that has been tried in other places with great success, but Dr. Ramsay has rather widened its scope, and believes that it will be productive of much good. YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS.
By Editor
WE are being continually confronted with a condition of our times which must cause astonishment and sorrow to those who will stop long enough to give it even a passing thought, and that is the increase in criminality among the young. We find adepts in the ways of wickedness among those who are hardly out of their mothers' laps, and are being continually surprised by the precociousness of the youth of our day, especially in those things that have a downward trend. Youthful murderers, youthful torturers of playmates, youthful foot-pads and pickpockets and burglars, youthful forgers, youthful elopers and participants in vice, all are increasing as if being graduated from an institution that was working overtime to accomplish its ends. The following is but a sample of a great mass:— In San Diego, Cal. (as in other cities), opium joints abound, and many young children have been found in them, smoking the drug. They are arrested when so found, and either fined or sent to jail, where with other criminals they soon learn other evil practices. A number of boys recently attempted to hold up and rob an Oregon train, and one of them has just been sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary. In Neligh, Neb., on October 5, a five-year-old boy was killed by his playmates, who were “having fun” with him. A boy of sixteen, living at Santa Rosa, Cal., has been found guilty of attempting to wreck a train. He had previously tied a dog on the track to see it killed. A number of boys in Oakland, Cal., have been found guilty of holding up and robbing other boys. They had formed themselves into a band, and tortured their victims when no articles of value were found on them. A boy of eighteen has confessed to having set fire to one of the buildings of the Whittier Reform School. Two youth of Portland, Ore., tortured two small boys by holding their faces over burning powder. The faces and arms of the boys were terribly burned. Two boys of eighteen and nineteen were hanged at Lexington, Ky., for murder. A girl of Los Angeles, Cal., eleven years old, confessed to poisoning the family with which she was living “to see how people act when they take poison.” A girl of seventeen, living at Bloomington, Ill., murdered her two-year-old sister, because she had a special interest in the removal of the baby. There have been a large number of suicides during the year of young men and women from sixteen to twenty years of age. A boy of fifteen attempted to wreck a train in Salt Lake. Two girls aged eleven and nine, with a boy of seven, attempted to wreck a train at the Merced River, in California. A girl of eleven, in Oakland, Cal., is found to be a confirmed kleptomaniac. A boy of nineteen passed two forged checks in New York, on October 15, amounting to $10,076, and eloped with a schoolgirl. They were arrested in British Columbia. A young man of Chicago was arrested recently for the murder of his mother, father, and another man, the theory being that he intended to secure the $6,000 insurance which his father carried. He claimed that his father killed the other two and then committed suicide. Two sisters and two brothers, ranging in age from seven to eleven, were found guilty of housebreaking and burglary in Newark, N. J., early in October. A San Francisco boy of fourteen recently robbed his employer of $135, and locked him in his room. He was captured later. There have recently been a number of cases where boys have shot their fathers during the progress of domestic quarrels, and of boys who have shot young women who had refused to marry them. In some of these latter cases the murderers have taken their own lives. The above is but a small portion of the crimes of children recorded during the past few months. We have heretofore given figures showing a rapid increase of child criminals in France. We do not have statistics for other countries, but it is safe to assert that the conditions are similar throughout. They indicate anything but a hopeful situation. There has recently come to light in San Francisco the existence of what is practically a continuous boycott. At least the machinery of the organization is so arranged that it is understood a boycott will begin at any time when the rules of the association are infringed by any one. A retail fruit merchant recently rented a store, but before he started in business, he learned that he would be boycotted by the Retail Fruit Dealers’ Association. He would not be allowed to buy or to sell. He states the matter in the following words: “Here I am, willing to go into business and to employ two men; but I am not allowed to do so. I know that I could get fruit even with the association opposed to me, but I would have to do so secretly. A new man going into the business would be unable to get fruit without the permission of the association. The commission merchants would not dare sell to such a man, on the wharves or anywhere else, because he would be watched by the members of the association, and as soon as a merchant sold to any one against the wishes of the association the members would refuse to buy from him. They would not say anything to him, or make any complaint, but would just boycott him, and it would not take him long to find out the reason for his loss of trade. When a merchant offends the association he has to pay a fine and promise solemnly to be good thereafter. I know many of the merchants and know how to get fruit without letting the association become aware of the fact, but I would rather lose my rent money than go to the bother at present. It is possible to arrange to get fruit through the intervention of other persons. Of course this must be done cautiously and carefully, as a man’s store is liable to be watched, and the association may be able to find out from where the fruit comes. Then the commission merchant will suffer, and the storekeeper may be effectually prevented from getting any more fruit until he joins the association.” Thus do we see how confederacies are forming to bring about the very conditions predicted in Rev. 13:16, 17. This and much more of a similar nature is schooling this generation for participation in the work there set forth. Chicago has another great strike in progress. All the union street-car men are now out, and the companies are endeavoring to operate the roads with non-union motormen and conductors. Some progress has been made in this direction, tho the great bulk of the cars are not running. Police are riding on the cars, and squads of police are accompanying them in patrol wagons to prevent the mobs from destroying the cars and killing or injuring the operators and passengers. On the first day of the strike many of the cars that were sent out were badly damaged. The firemen in the power-houses are also on strike. Ten thousand miners in the coal mines of Colorado went out on strike on November 9, for an eight-hour day, increased wages, and the recognition of the miners' organization. The miners refuse to confer with their employers until the union is recognized. The annual convention of the American Federation of Labor opened at Boston on November 9. President Gompers in his address stated that the Federation had increased its membership during the year by 442,000. Foreseeing a period of industrial depression, he advised the workingmen not to submit to a reduction of wages which the employers would probably attempt in order to tide over the industrial depression, nor to submit to an increase in the hours of labor. He reported that never before had there been such uniform growth in unionism as during the past year. During this convention a resolution was introduced and warmly spoken to which declared that the so-called open-shop policy, whether under private or government management, could not be tolerated by organized labor. Many of the delegates took the ground that President Roosevelt's position on the union labor question was an affront to organized labor. Bank combinations are becoming more common, due to the feeling that a greater security of capital would be obtained by combining. Several have been noted in the United States recently, and a report from Germany states that two of the largest banks in that country have combined, bringing together a capital of $71,000,000, and making one of the strongest combinations of banking capital in the world. This movement is in harmony with the general trend of the world toward combinations and confederacies, which was to be a characteristic of the last days. Shielding the Liquor Traffic.
“A kingdom divided against itself can not stand.” Then what shall be said of a republic when one of its executive departments shields the liquor traffic from the limitations placed upon it by another department? This query is suggested by the following item taken from the Pacific Ensign:— Yellowstone Park is the most wonderful combination of fine scenery known, and the Secretary of the Interior, in whose charge it is, has forbidden drinking-saloons or bar-rooms in the limits of the park, and soldiers are stationed there to see that all park rules are enforced. Yet there is liquor-selling all through the park, and four gentlemen who went to the park recently made effort to find out, and were invited into the liquor room of three prohibition hotels, and saw on the wall the retail liquor dealer’s receipt for government tax, proving that while the Department of Interior forbids, the Department of Treasury licenses liquor selling in Yellowstone Park. If that is not anarchy, what is? The editor of the New Voice was one of the gentlemen. They bought liquor as a test. In 1830 there were not more than a half-dozen millionaires in the United States, and of these only two were prominent, Stephen Girard and John Jacob Astor. Now there are not less than four thousand. Two years ago it was estimated by the New York Herald that these four thousand men possessed more than $16,000,000,000 (sixteen billion dollars) of the nation's $81,750,000,000. In other words each of the 4,000 possessed on an average $4,000,000, while the 76,000,000 million of people held $867 each. One twenty-thousandth part of the people own one-fifth of the nation's wealth; and by their perfection of organization and combination control very much more. At the close of 1902 the capitalization of the trusts in this country, according to “Moody's Manual of Corporation Securities,” amounted to over nine billion dollars, and including railroad consolidation, $15,000,000,000. Surely this is “heaping up riches!” Recent Advances in Air Navigation
In the matter of air navigation there seems to have been considerable advancement during the year. In England, France, and the United States distinct advancement has been made. The latest achievement was by the Lebaudy brothers of France, who sailed into Paris from a distance of forty-six miles against a six-mile wind, and landed their airship in the place where they had announced they would land. Experts consider that this fact is a more remarkable one than any of those of Santos Dumont. An English aeronaut has sailed a distance of about thirty-seven miles without mishap, and a San Franciscan has made a successful voyage over San Francisco. Various builders of airships intend to compete for a prize at the St. Louis Exposition next year. Harvard College’s New Stadium
The new stadium at Harvard College, patterned after the Coliseum at Rome, is said to be one of the finest structures in the world, and the largest steel and concrete building ever erected. When fully completed, it will have cost $230,000. It is built in the form of a horseshoe, and is larger than the famous Coliseum, being capable of seating 26,000 persons. It will cover three and one-half acres, contains 452 tons of square twisted steel, and 16,000 tons of Portland cement. Inasmuch as the classical education of the present day is based on the myths and philosophies of the heathen world, it is not to be wondered at that educational institutions should be patterning their buildings after those of the people whose ideas they teach as wisdom. Moro Unrest and Philippine Church Schism
The Moros, living in the vicinity of Lake Lanao, P. I., are growing very restless, and are showing indications of trouble. In one encounter with these recently three American soldiers were killed, tho the attacking party of Moros was driven off. A party of these Moros attacked a battery recently, and were driven off after a day's firing. A clash has occurred between the regular Catholics and the Philippine Catholic Church which is under the leadership of Aglipay. Monsignor Rooker has taken possession of the Catholic Church at La Paz, and Aglipay has entered a protest to the governor. Monsignor Rooker has threatened to “take drastic measures to curb the schismatics.” New York Teachers Form Union
A teacher’s union has been formed in Greater New York, comprising practically all the public school teachers in that municipality. They are not now affiliated with the Central Federation of Unions; but it is in reality the first step in that direction. The public schools of Chicago long ago formed themselves into a union, and it has been reported that other cities had followed their example. It is strictly in harmony with the spirit of confederacy which is abroad in the world at the present time. This New York teachers’ union has a membership of 13,000. Garrisons to Remain in the Philippines
The War Department has decided not to reduce the garrisons in the Philippines. There are now thirteen regiments in the Islands, and these will remain there. They are considered necessary to the maintenance of peace. Petitions in great number have been sent in to the Senate, praying for the expulsion of Senator Reed Smoot of Utah, on the ground that he is a polygamist. Senator Hoar has taken the position that the petitioners are entirely out of order; that the question is purely a judicial one; and that the people have no right to petition the Senate in reference thereto. Other senators have taken up the matter in defense of the right of the petitioners in this matter, and there is indication that considerable time will be spent in determining apostle Smoot’s right to a seat in the Senate chamber. Philadelphia Millionaires Suffer Heavy Losses
Great losses have recently been sustained by a group of Philadelphia millionaires. Some of these are said to be crippled. The movement is said to be the result of a campaign of revenge carried on against those who were instrumental in destroying about $5,000,000 worth of Western Union Telegraph wires some months ago, when as a result of litigation the Western Union was ordered to remove its wires from the right-of-way of certain large railroad companies. The aggregate losses are placed in the hundred millions. Mobbed Wedding of an Heiress and Duke
Undignified curiosity was practically turned loose in New York on the occasion of the marriage of a Miss Goelet, a wealthy young heiress, to the duke of Roxburghe. Platoons of police were swept aside by the frantic, well-dressed women who were determined to catch a glimpse, or touch the carriage or clothes, of the couple who were about to be married; and the two poor mortals who were uniting great wealth and an ancient title were practically mobbed in the indecent demonstration. Justice Delayed in Injury Case
The injustice which often accompanies the law’s delays is notably illustrated in a New York case for the recovery of damages for physical injuries received by a brakeman. He had received injuries while passing under a bridge on the roof of a box car. The accident occurred 21 years ago last July. The case has been tried seven times, and altho the judgment has been affirmed, another trial of the case is expected. Italian King and Queen Visit London
Italy’s rulers are now on a visit to London. An English squadron met the royal couple at Cherbourg, France. Extensive precautions have been taken to insure the safety of the king and queen while on English soil, and they have been advised by the British officials not to visit the Italian quarter of London, on account of the presence there of suspicious characters. Yellow Fever Ravages Mexico
The yellow fever continues its ravages in Mexico. Every town between Monterey and Laredo is reported to be affected, and the report states that the scourge is beyond control. It is estimated that the loss of business in Monterey alone as a result of the scourge is over $2,000,000. People are panic-stricken, and all who can do so are fleeing from the infected towns. Congress Convenes for Special Session
The Senate and House convened on November 9, ready for business in response to the President's call for a special session of Congress to deal with the Cuban reciprocity matter. The first bill introduced in the House was the statehood bill for New Mexico, and the second was a bill to restore the army canteen. Evidently the liquor interests intend to leave no stone unturned to have the canteen restored. Tobacco Trust Wins Court Case
The tobacco trust has won its case in the United States Court of Appeals. The plaintiffs held that the trust had violated the interstate commerce law in refusing to sell to them; but the court held that as the trust was dealing in an article which was not a prime necessity, as corn or meat, it had a right to refuse to sell its goods at any price. Transatlantic Telegraph and Telephone
It is predicted that within three months direct telegraphic communication will be established between New York and London without intermediate repeating stations, thus giving a speed of four times the present capacity of the Atlantic cables; and that within one year the people of these two cities will be conversing by telephone. U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo
The United States has now come into possession of the naval station at Guantanamo, Cuba, the transfer of the property having already taken place. Cuba being without a navy, the United States will act as the protector of the island republic. A naval base on the island was considered necessary to carry out this plan. Morocco’s Sultan Abandons Campaign
The sultan of Morocco is reported to have abandoned the attempt to subjugate the rebels in the interior of that country because of the lack of funds to carry on his military operations. Alaska’s Telegraph and Cable Lines
The annual report of General Greely, chief of the signal service of the United States Army, shows that there are now 1,740 miles of telegraph and cable lines in the Alaskan Territory. Cordite Army Rifle Claims Ten-Mile Range
An army rifle has been invented at Plymouth, Mass., in which the recently-discovered explosive cordite is used to eject the bullet. This rifle is said to have a range of ten miles. Millionaire Held for Ransom
A young millionaire of Philadelphia, Edward L. Wentz, is reported to be in the hands of bandits in Southwestern Virginia, who are holding him for a ransom of $100,000. [A Story for the Children.] “AH, there's lots of trouble in the world!” the cook said as the grocer's boy passed out at the door. Daisy, resting in the wide, cool porch, turned her eyes toward the speaker. “Who has lots of trouble, cook?” she asked. “Lots of people,” said the cook, shortly. Daisy pondered awhile, her chin resting on her plump, little hand. Then she said, suddenly: “Do you, cook?” “I should think so! There's that boy didn't bring half the things I ordered. He says the children are all sick, and the grocer's worried, so he forgets things; and he can't come back till he's delivered what he's got with him; and Kathie is in the garden gathering peas, and I can't leave these cakes even to call her.” “I'll go,” Daisy said, jumping up and tying her white sunbonnet. “I can clear off that much of the trouble.” As she ran across the lawn, a group of children—summer boarders, like herself—called to her to join them; but she shook her head gaily, and hurried down between the long rows of pea vines. “To go to the grocer's, is it?” said Kathie, despairingly. “And how'll I ever get peas enough for dinner, then?” “I'll pick till you come back,” said Daisy, encouragingly. “Make haste, Kathie.” The nimble little fingers pulled the plump, green pods swiftly, and when Kathie returned, hot and breathless, the big basket was nearly full. Then Daisy sat in the porch again, and helped to shell them while she rested. “I don't see how we'd have got along without you,” the cook said, looking quite pleasant, as Daisy threw down the last shell. Daisy laughed. “It's nice helping people,” she said. “I'm going to find some more trouble to clear off.” She ran down the steps and paused, glancing at an open window above. A low, wailing cry sounded within, and a sweet, faint voice singing a cradle song. “I'll help Mrs. Verne take care of the baby,” she thought, and she ran toward the hall door. A playful breeze followed her, and, just as she crossed the threshold, a lot of closely written sheets of paper fluttered to her feet. “O, dear!” some one said, and Daisy looked up to see a gray-haired old man at a desk near the door. He looked very pale and tired, and one of his feet was bandaged and resting on a cushion. Daisy said nothing until she had secured all the fluttering sheets, and placed them on the desk. Then she took a large shell from the hall table. “Will this do for a paper weight?” she asked, timidly. “Very nicely, my dear,” said the gentleman. “It was so still this morning that I forgot to ask for one, and I have sprained my ankle so badly that I can't move without assistance. Thank you, my dear; I shall have no trouble now.” Daisy ran upstairs with a happy song on her lips. The young mother's pale, sad face brightened when she saw Daisy. “O, Daisy, dear, you are like the sunshine!” she said. “Baby has been ill all night, and I am worn out for want of sleep. Would you sit by his crib for a minute or two while I bathe my head?” “And then we'll take him out-of-doors,” said Daisy, easily. “Under the big trees it is lovely and cool, and I'll hold him while you rest in the hammock.” Ten minutes later Daisy sat rocking slowly under the trees, while the baby slept quietly in her lap. The tired mother in the hammock close by had forgotten her troubles, and was sleeping the deep, dreamless sleep of exhaustion. The voices of the gay pleasure-seekers on the lawn grew querulous and ill-natured as the heat of the day increased, but Daisy was very happy as she sung softly in the shade. “O, Daisy, I never can thank you enough!” Mrs. Verne said, when she awoke, rested and refreshed. “How much better baby looks! And I feel so much better able to take care of him. I have been so worried!” she added confidentially. “You see it costs so much for us to stay here, and I was afraid the money was all thrown away. Baby was no better, and I was growing sick, too.” “There's the dinner bell,” said Daisy. “Let me take care of the baby while you are eating.” “No, dear, thank you,” the young mother said, coloring a little. “I'd have to dress first, and I'd rather not go now.” Daisy was an observant little girl, and she had noticed how Mrs. Verne, in her worn dress, shrank from observation. She did not press the point, but ran off to the kitchen. “There's lots of trouble in the world,” she said demurely, as the cook looked up and smiled. “Who's in trouble now?” asked the cook, laughing. “Mrs. Verne's baby's sick, and she doesn't want to go to the dining-room; but I just know she could eat a nice lunch under the trees.” For answer the cook loaded a tray with roast lamb and green peas and raspberry tarts, and gave it to Daisy. What a delightful “picnic” dinner they had under the trees! Daisy's mama was away for the day, and no one came to look for the little girl. So she and Mrs. Verne ate at their leisure, and then the young mother lay down in the hammock with her baby on her arm. Daisy waited until they both slept again, and then she ran back with the tray, and told the cook how much Mrs. Verne had enjoyed her dinner. The children were coming in from the lawn, tired and fretful. The gentleman who had been writing had finished his work, and was lying on the lounge. He smiled when he saw Daisy's bright face. “You don't look tired,” he said. “What have you been doing all day?” “Helping people,” said Daisy, “clearing away trouble.” The gentleman laughed. “I should think that was pretty hard work,” he said. “But it isn't,” said Daisy, earnestly; “it's lovely—ever so much nicer than playing. Ah, there's mama! I must carry her parcels upstairs!” And the little helper ran away.—Weekly Welcome. TWO BOYS WHO MEAN BUSINESS.
By Portus Baxter
[Portus Baxter, in November Success.] This is a true story of two boys who represent the independence and grit of the American spirit. James Hackett was not in need of additional help, but an indescribable something about the latest applicant compelled his attention. “So you want work,” he said, after a moment’s thought. “Yes, sir,” came the quick and decisive reply from the lips of the applicant. “It strikes me that you’re pretty young for a lumber-millman.” Mr. Hackett could not refrain from smiling at the thought. “I’m eleven, sir, and, if you’ll give me a chance, I will show you that I can work.” Mr. Hackett was evidently in good humor, for he called the foreman and told him to give the boy something to do. Thus it was that John Arola gave the first evidence of the character which should some day make him a power in the State of Washington. His mother was dead, and his father was away in the woods, thus leaving John and his brother Carl, aged thirteen years, to fight their battles with the world. One day the foreman of the mill said to Mr. Hackett, “That is a bright boy you turned over to me.” “Good,” said Mr. Hackett, “raise his wages to one dollar a day.” “He is worth it,” replied the foreman. John was elated at this turn in affairs, but, to the surprise of Mr. Hackett, he requested permission for his brother Carl to take his place at the mill. “If he is like you, it will be all right,” said Mr. Hackett. “Indeed, sir, he is just as good a worker as I am,” said John, and his face lightened up with a look of pride. Here was loyalty unadulterated. Carl went to work. He gave satisfaction. John disappeared, and, in the rush of business, Mr. Hackett forgot to inquire about him until one day he chanced to meet Carl. “Where is John?” asked Mr. Hackett.11 “Oh!” said Carl, “he is attending school in Aberdeen.” This was a new phase of the case, and Mr. Hackett became intensely interested in the two boys who were not only anxious to earn their living, but who also were planning to acquire an education. By inquiries he learned that the boys were living in a little tumble-down “shack,” and that the one who worked in the mill earned enough money to keep both supplied with food and clothes while the younger one attended school. Out of school hours John did the housework and cooked the meals. Everything about the old “shack” was tidy. Here was honest effort, youthful independence, and happiness. A few days later Carl requested a short vacation. “What for?” asked Mr. Hackett. “Well,” said Carl, in a burst of youthful confidence, “John and I are building a house.” “You may have your vacation,” was all that Mr. Hackett said; but he did a lot of thinking, and, before he went home that night, he instructed the foreman to see that Carl’s salary went on just the same. In due time, John and Carl completed their “mansion.” It has two rooms and the same number of doors and windows. The roof is well shingled. Carl has returned to work in the mill, and John continues to attend school when not engaged in household duties. In the evening the two lads study and read. They are happy in their independence. PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING.
By Josiah Conder
The heavens declare His glory,
Their Maker's skill, the skies;
Each day repeats the story,
And night to night replies.
Their silent proclamation
Throughout the world is heard,—
The record of creation,
The page of nature's word. But there's a radiance streaming
More bright than that of day,
'Tis God's own glory beaming
In truth's celestial ray;
So pure, so soul-restoring,
It makes the simple wise;
And, balm of comfort pouring,
Each aching heart supplies. Thy Word is richer treasure
Than lurks within the mine;
And daintiest fare less pleasure
Yields than this food divine.
How wise each kind monitor!
Led by Thy counsels, Lord;
How safe the saints' condition!
How great is their reward! “We may all be poor worms of the dust, but, thank heaven, there is a chance for all of us to be glowworms.” For years Striker Jones, a tall, powerful Scotchman, has held the position of “boss striker” at the steel works. Nearly all the men in his department were hard drinkers, and he was no exception to the rule. But one day it was announced among the workmen that he had become religious; and, sure enough, when pressed to take a drink, he said: “I shall never take a drink mair, lads. Na drunkard can inhabit the kingdom of God.” A knowing one smiled, and said: “Wait a bit; wait a bit. Wait until the hot weather—until July. When he gets as dry as a gravel-pit, then he will give in. He can’t help it.” But right through the hottest months he toiled, the sweat pouring in streams, yet he never seemed to be tempted to drink. Finally, as I was taking the men’s time one evening, I stopped and spoke to him. “Stowe,” said I, “you used to take considerable liquor. Don’t you miss it?” “Yes,” said he, emphatically. “How do you manage to keep away from it?” “Weel, just this way. It is now ten o’clock, isn’t it?” “Weel, to-day is the twentieth of the month. From seven till eight I asked the Lord would help me. He did so, and I put down a dot on the calendar right near the twenty. From eight till nine He hep’ me, an’ I put down another dot. From nine to ten He’s kep’ me, and noo I gie Him the glory as I put down the third dot. Just as I mark these I pray: ‘O Lord, help me; help me to fight it off for another hour!’” LENDING TO THE LORD.
By James J. White
“My son,” said a banker to his son, “I want to give you a lesson in business. Here is a half-dollar. Now, if you can find any boy whom you can trust, who will take this money, and pay you interest on it, you may lend it to him; and, if you invest this wisely, I’ll increase your capital.” When night came the banker said: “My son, how did you invest your money to-day?” “Well, father,” replied the little fellow, “I saw a boy on the street without any shoes, and he had no dinner; so I gave him my fifty cents to buy something to eat with.” “You’ll never make a business man in the world,” said the banker; “business is business. But I will try you once more. Now here is a dollar to invest; see how well you can do it.” A loud peal of laughter from the boy followed this speech. It was thus explained: “My Sunday-school teacher said giving to the poor was lending to the Lord; and she said He would return to us double, but I did not think He would do it quite so quick.”—James J. White. HOLMAN NEW INDIA PAPER BIBLES
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