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Signs of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 39.

Editorial
Earlier text: CONSTANCY

IMITATE CHRIST.

By Prof. James Strong, LL.D.

WHAT, then, is it to be "a good preacher" in the highest sense of that talismatic phrase? This is our most anxious study, our most strenuous endeavor. First of all, midmost of all, last of all, let me sum up the answer in a word: It is to be as nearly as possible like Jesus Christ himself. He was the model preacher; and he is the one great pattern in this as in every other department and particular of Christian character and conduct. This is eminently true for private members of his church, and preëminently the rule for his ministers.
We must study as well as emulate his example; yea, we must minutely and diligently scrutinize and analyze his whole career and behavior, in its every point and method, in order that we may fully understand and appreciate, and thus be prepared thoroughly and successfully to imitate them, so far as they are applicable to our own position and circumstances; and we should never forget that they are apposite, not only in general design, but in almost every particular, to all the varied situations and questions of his followers' lives, in whatever capacity or emergency they are called to act or to suffer. For he is the exemplar man, the masterpiece, and the perfect specimen of humanity itself, the second Adam, who fills even a more federal and universal place in the history and representation of the race than the first Adam did. Especially was he the fulfillment of all types of mediatorship between God and men to which the Christian minister falls heir; and still more particularly he was the one great Ambassador for saving human souls, for whose sake his deportment and words and spirit have been recorded as a guide and encouragement to his deputies for all time.
How did he preach? "Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" his modes and temper and habits in this regard; then go to copy and practice them constantly, exactly, and faithfully, and you cannot fail of achieving, in your measure, his unparalleled results, or his extraordinary popularity. Crowds—especially of the common people, not unmingled, however, with a few of the rich, the learned, and the influential—hung upon his lips and clung to his footsteps, yea, followed him to the cross, to martyrdom, and to glory on high, as well as to virtue, to holiness, and to peace on earth; and as surely as human nature and the wants and woes of mankind are ever essentially the same, so certainly will mortals still flock to hear "the gracious words that proceed out of the mouth" of his humblest imitator and appointee.—Prof. James Strong, LL.D.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

THE baptism of six converts at La Grange, Wisconsin, is reported by Elder I. Sanborn.
BROTHER H. W. COTTRELL reports the addition of nine to the membership of the church at Worcester, Mass.
WITHIN the past two weeks two new church edifices were dedicated in Nebraska, one at Beaver City and one at Shelton.
IN connection with meetings held in Girkin, Tenn., Elder H. W. Reed reports an addition of five adherents to the faith.
ELDER C. A. WASHBURN recently baptized eight souls at Massena, Iowa, on the occasion of the dedication of the new house of worship.
ELDER K. C. RUSSELL, who is holding tent meetings at Johnstown, Pa., reports an attendance beyond the seating accommodations of the tent.
ELDER D. C. HUNTER reports the baptism of four persons in tide water near Santa Cruz, Cal. One of the candidates was a sister 83 years of age.
ELDER F. M. ROBERTS recently visited Leesburg, Va., where he was encouraged by finding both the Baptist and Methodist Churches open to his use.
DR. J. E. CALDWELL speaks encouragingly of the prospects for work among the colored people of the South. He is stationed at Knoxville, Tenn.
ELDER J. W. BAGBY and Professor T. W. Hiddleson, of Walla Walla College, report the organization of a church of forty members at Union, in that State.
BROTHER C. A. HINTERLEITER, of Gettysburg, Pa., desires clean copies of the Signs, Review, or American Sentinel for missionary work. Send postpaid to his address.
THE Southern Division of the Australian tract society reports book sales by canvassers aggregating over $3,500 during the month of March, and in April over $2,000.
CLEAN copies of the Signs, Sentinel, Youth's Instructor, and Our Little Friend of 1893 will be used in missionary work if sent to Mrs. C. M. Davis, 2013 Division Street, Spokane, Wash.
F. A. HOPKINS, 529 Wall Street, Los Angeles, Cal., promises to use in missionary work clean copies of any of our denominational papers that may be sent postpaid to his address.
THE American Sentinel says that some zealous people threaten to burn the new Adventist Church being built at Ford's Store, Md. “One lady who makes a high profession in another church said she would furnish all the oil necessary to make sure work of it, or words to that effect. It is marvelous what some people will do in the interest of Christianity(?) and law(?)” AT Sharpsburg, Iowa, at the last quarterly meeting, twelve new members were added to the church. This greatly encouraged the little company, which was almost doubled by the accession.
ELDER W. M. HEALEY, who has been holding tent meetings at Sebastopol, Sonoma County, Cal., reports twenty-nine accessions to the faith, notwithstanding the extra efforts of the Methodists to discourage attendance of the people.
BROTHER J. A. DYE, writing about the tent work at Lodi, Cal., says: "Some ministers of other churches have attended and say, 'Yes, that was a good sermon, and it's Bible,' and then go and warn their people to stay away from the tent, as it is no place for them."
THE College View Enterprise gives a good report of the camp meeting at Crawford, Neb. The attendance was not large, but the meeting was very encouraging, especially in the spiritual upbuilding of the brethren in that vicinity. There were also sixteen persons baptized.
THE church in Washington City has purchased the house of worship formerly occupied by the Eastern Presbyterian Church, on Eighth Street, between F and G, Northeast. Services are conducted on the Sabbath and on Sunday evenings, by Elder J. O. Corliss.
A DEEP interest in the truth is reported at Church Hill, Md., where as many as 300 were in attendance at the tent on a recent Sunday evening. If this interest continues, the next thing we will hear will be arrests for Sunday labor. Of course there are plenty of people around there who labor on Sunday, but they have not yet been guilty of keeping the Sabbath of the Lord on the day previous to Sunday.
BROTHER O. J. OLESON, who went on a pioneer canvassing tour to the Faero Islands and Iceland, has been heard from. Arriving at Thorshaven, Faero Islands, he went to church the first Sunday, and on returning a man asked him if he was a canvasser. On being answered in the affirmative, the man asked if he could get for him a paper called the Sondagens Tidende, and a large book entitled "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation." Of course Brother Oleson could get them both, which pleased the man very much, and convinced our brother that the Lord was in advance of him—as usual.

SACRIFICE.

By George Klingle

The keynote of life's harmony is sacrifice.
Not twice, or thrice,
Beneath each sun will souls bow down
To lay the crown
Of will or time beneath strange feet,
But many times, that life's chords may be sweet.
Who sacrifices most
Drinks deepest life's rich strain, counting no cost,
But giving self on every side
Daily and hourly, sanctified
But in the giving.
Living
Is but the bearing, the enduring,
The clashing of hammer, the cutting,
The straining of the strings,
The growth of harmony's pure wings.
Life is the tuning time, complete
Alone when every chord is sweet
Through sacrifice. No untuned string
Can music bring;
No untried life
Has triumphed, having passed the strife.
True living
Is learning all about the giving.
—George Klingle.

TO THE WORLD'S FAIR.

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BAPTISM: Its Significance, Its Nature, and the Necessity for It. By E. J. Waggoner. Bible Students' Library, No. 79. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.

THE BATTLE CREEK

By John Harvey Kellogg

SANITARIUM

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BIBLE SANCTIFICATION:

A CONTRAST OF TRUE AND FALSE THEORIES. BY MRS. E. G. WHITE.
This is a pamphlet of only 84 pages, but its value is not to be judged by its size. It is just what its title indicates: a faithful presentation of Bible truth on this important subject, and an exposure of the false theories prevailing in regard to it. Every believer in Bible truth should read it. Buy it, read it, and lend it to your neighbor. Price, 10 cents.
Address, PACIFIC PRESS, Oakland, Cal.

BICYCLES.

By E. J. Drake

Having made arrangements with Pacific Coast Agents, I can save you money on High Grade Bicycles for Ladies or Gents,— Columbias, Warwicks, Ramblers.
I have a few excellent second-hand wheels of the above makes at greatly reduced rates. Write for prices. E. J. Drake, Care of Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

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It enables every man and woman to be their own lawyer. It teaches what are your rights and how to maintain them, when to begin a lawsuit and when to shun one. It contains the useful information every business man needs in every State in the Union. It contains business forms of every variety useful to the lawyer as well as to all who have legal business to transact.
Inclose two dollars for a copy, or inclose two-cent postage stamp for a table of contents and terms to agents. Address BENJ. W. HITCHCOCK, Publisher, 385 Sixth Avenue, New York.

MEDICAL MISSIONARY.

By Editor

(J. H. KELLOGG, M. D., EDITOR)
A TWENTY-FOUR page monthly journal, devoted to the various phases of medical missionary and benevolent work. It contains each month also articles of general interest on mission fields, and items of missionary intelligence. Each number is illustrated.
Published by S. D. A. Medical Missionary and Benevolent Association.
Price, 25 cents per year. Address Medical Missionary, Battle Creek, Mich.

Biblical Questions About Human Nature

By Alonzo T. Jones

BIBLE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS CONCERNING MAN. By Alonzo T. Jones. Bible Students' Library, No. 76. Pacific Press Pub. Co., Oakland, Cal. 16 pp.; 2 cents.

LESSON VIII.—SABBATH, AUGUST 19, 1893

SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE.

REVIEW QUESTIONS.—(a) What instructions are given to the wife? (b) What to the husband? (c) How will such instruction if heeded affect their prayers? (d) What injunction to union is given? (e) What disposition should we manifest toward those who speak against us?

I. God's Care for His People.

VERSES 12-14: "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears unto their supplication; but the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be zealous of that which is good? But and if ye shall suffer for righteousness' sake, blessed are ye; and fear not their fear, neither be troubled."
  1. What care has the Lord for the righteous? Note 1.
  2. How does he regard the evil?
  3. What question does the apostle ask? Note 2.
  4. How should we regard suffering for righteousness' sake?
  5. How should those things which cause fear in the world affect us?

II. Our Duty in Time of Trouble.

VERSES 15-17: "But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord; being ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear; having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing."
  1. In time of trouble what should be the exalted object in our hearts? Note 3.
  2. What should we always be ready to do?
  3. In what spirit should the answer be given?
  4. What should be kept good? Note 4.
  5. What effect would such a spirit have on those who do us evil?
  6. If it is God's will that we suffer, for what should it be?

III. Christ's Sufferings for Us.

VERSES 18-22: "Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the spirit; in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which aforetime were disobedient, when the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a-preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water; which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him."
  1. Who, though innocent, suffered for us?
  2. Why did he thus suffer?
  3. In what condition was he put to death? and how quickened?
  4. To whom did he preach by his Spirit?
  5. Through whom did he preach? Note 5.
  6. At what time in the world's history did he preach?
  7. How many were saved? and by what means?
  8. What like figure is seen in our salvation? Note 6.
  9. Through faith in what are we saved?
  10. What assurance is given us that Christ is able to save us from all that can come upon us?

NOTES.

1. The eyes of the Lord, etc.—There is nothing which ought so to encourage the sincere Christian as the fact that God cares for the righteous; not the righteous in his own works, but those upon whom the Father sees his own righteousness, that which the believer has obtained by faith (Rom. 3:22), the way in which Abraham obtained his (Rom. 4:3). God hears their prayers, not only if they sin not, but if they are truly repentant of sin (1 John 2:1, 2); for the Lord "delighteth in mercy" (Micah 7:18), and takes pleasure in those that hope in his mercy (Ps. 147:11). "The face of the Lord is upon them that do evil;" that is, those who cherish iniquity in their heart (Ps. 66:18); such really endeavor to divide the heart between God and the cherished idol, and their prayer becomes an abomination (Prov. 28:9).
2. Who is he that will harm you, etc.—In a general way this means that men will have no desire to harm those who are imitators of Christ, and under ordinary circumstances this has been true as promised (see Prov. 16:7), but there are many exceptions to this general rule. But even though we suffer persecution for righteousness' sake, that will not work to our ultimate harm, though it causes present sufferings; for to them that love God all things work together for good; even in the greatest sufferings his followers are, through the love of God, more than conquerors. See Rom. 8:28, 37. In the very sufferings then they may find happiness and rejoice. See also Matt. 5:11, 12.
3. Sanctify in your hearts, etc.—It will be noticed that a part of verses 14 and 15 are almost identical with a part of Isa. 8:12, 13. Peter reads: "Fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord." Isaiah reads: "Neither fear ye their fear, nor be in dread thereof. The Lord of hosts, him shall ye sanctify." Isaiah tells us in the next verse what the Lord will be to those who trust in him: "He shall be for a sanctuary," a safe and holy place; for in the time of trouble God will spread over us the pavilion of his power (Ps. 27:5; 34:7), and hide us under the shadow of his wings (Ps. 17:8), in the secret place of his tabernacle (Ps. 27:5). It will be seen by referring to Isa. 8:9-20 that this scripture has special force in the last days, when men are fearing and dreading all sorts of evil, and are combining together for protection, and seeking unto those who have familiar spirits. In the fearful peril before us, when the wicked shall tremble over imaginary evils because they will not believe God, when the judgments of God will fall because of wickedness, the only safe shield will be the power of God's truth (Ps. 91:4), the only safe habitation, refuge in God (verse 9). And now and then, with God in our hearts as the only object of fear, trust, worship, and love, we may with meekness tell others of the blessed hope (Titus 2:13), the living hope (1 Peter 1:3), which like an anchor holds us and will hold us through all the coming storm (Heb. 6:19). Men may think to do God's servants evil, and destroy his message by destroying their lives or confining them in prison walls, but God will turn the evil for their good (Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28), and to the spread of his truth even as of old (Acts 28:30, 31; Phil. 1:12).
4. A good conscience.—A good conscience is a conscience "purged from dead works" (Heb. 9:14) by the blood of Christ (10:22), and held good by faith in Christ, by the word and Spirit of God (1 Tim. 1:19; 3:9). Compare with Titus 1:15, 16.
5. He went and preached.—The Spirit of Christ is given to every child of God (Rom. 8:9); and the gift of preaching is bestowed through it (1 Cor. 12:4); through that Spirit Christ has always ministered to the souls in the prison house of sin (Isa. 61:1; Ps. 51:12, 13). In the days of Noah that Spirit spoke through the patriarch (2 Peter 2:5), who by faith preached the message and saved his house (Heb. 11:7). The expression "which aforetime were disobedient" is parenthetical, the clause "when the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah," modifying "preached." That is, Christ by his Spirit strove with man (Gen. 6:3), and through Noah (2 Peter 2:5) preached to them during that time when the long-suffering of God waited. Those who lived then were shut up in the prison house of sin.
6. After a true likeness.—The margin reads, "in the antitype." We suggest the following explanation of the difficult passage. The chief statement of the sentence, upon which all the rest is dependent, is verse 18: "Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but quickened in the Spirit." Verses 19 and 20 are composed of several clauses, all dependent upon the statement of verse 18, through the adjunct "in which." Verse 21 is also a relative clause dependent on verse 18. The important facts are that Christ died for our sins, and was raised for our justification by the power of the Spirit of God. See Rom. 4:25; 8:10, 11. It was by faith in those facts, already accomplished in the purpose of God, which were preached by the Spirit through Noah, that those who outrode the deluge were saved; and the ark in which they were saved from the waters above and below was a symbol of Christ and their faith in him. So also baptism is a figure or likeness of the death and resurrection of Christ from the dead. See Col. 2:12; Rom. 6:3-5. The believer's baptism shows his faith in the risen Saviour. It was not the ark that saved Noah and his family, but the power of the Spirit given through his faith in a Saviour died and risen, of which the ark was a symbol of Him who was to come. It is not baptism which saves us, but the power of the Spirit which raised him from the dead, given through faith, of which baptism is the symbol.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8
LESSON VIII.—SUNDAY, AUGUST 20, 1893.

PAUL BEFORE FELIX.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, Acts 24:10-25.

  1. And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do cheerfully make my defense;
  2. Seeing that thou canst take knowledge, that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem;
  3. And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
  4. Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
  5. But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
  6. Having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
  7. Herein do I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offense toward God and men alway.
  8. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings;
  9. Amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult;
  10. But there were certain Jews from Asia—who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
  11. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found, when I stood before the council,
  12. Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.
  13. But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.
  14. And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
  15. But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, which was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
  16. And as he reasoned of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.
Golden Text.—"Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." 1 Cor. 16:13.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

  1. Mention the most important intervening events between this and the last lesson. Note 1.
  2. How did Paul begin his speech? Verse 10.
  3. What did he say that Felix could easily learn? Verse 11.
  4. How did he answer their charges? Verse 12.
  5. What had he to say of the charges which they brought against him? Verse 13. Note 2.
  6. To what did he confess? Verse 14.
  7. In what did he have hope? Verse 15.
  8. How did he exercise himself in this hope? Verse 16. Note 3.
  9. For what purpose did he come to Jerusalem? Verse 17. Note 4.
  10. How did they find him in the temple? Verse 18.
  11. Who did he say ought to have been there? Verses 18, 19.
  12. What did he demand of the men who were there before him? Verse 20.
  13. In what particular did he think they might charge him? Verse 21.
  14. What did Felix do in the case? Verse 22. Note 5.
  15. What kindness did he show Paul? Verse 23.
  16. When was Paul again sent for? Verse 24. Note 6.
  17. What did he preach, and how was Felix affected? Verse 25.
  18. What precept of Paul was notably manifest in his own life? Golden text.

NOTES.

Intervening Events.—In our last lesson we left Paul on the steps of the Roman castle, about to speak unto the Jews. Acts 21:40. Following this he makes his defense to the Jews, which was simply preaching Christ (22:1-21); the rising of the mob (verses 22, 23); his examination before the centurion, when his citizenship saved him a scourging (verses 24-30); his hearing before the Jewish council (23:1-6); his deliverance from their hands and from the conspiracy to kill him, and his conveyance by night under the direction of Lysias to Cæsarea (verses 7-32); his reception by Felix (verses 33-35). Five days after the Jews came to prosecute Paul with a brilliant and eloquent lawyer, who with flattering words to Felix presented his charges against Paul of (1) sedition against the government, (2) heresy, (3) profaning the temple, which were confirmed by the Jews (verses 1-9), after which Paul again made his defense and preached the word. Cæsarea, the Roman governor's residence, was 47 miles northwest of Jerusalem, on the Mediterranean. Here Cornelius had been converted, and here lived Philip. Nero was emperor of Rome. Felix was governor of Judea, A.D. 52-60. Agrippa was king of Trachonitis.
2. Neither in the temple.—Paul expressly denies the charge of stirring up tumult or raising trouble, and challenges them to prove it. He went to worship at the temple, hence not to profane it. The witnesses that charged him—the Asiatic Jews—should have been present. To the charge of heresy Paul claims to be a true Jew, believing all the prophets, and in the resurrection, which the prophets foretold.
3. Exercise myself.—That is, discipline myself in this faith and hope. See 1 Cor. 9:27.
4. Bringing alms.—Those which Paul had collected for the disciples, and perhaps the poor who were not disciples. See Rom. 15:25; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2; 2 Cor. 8:1-4; Gal. 2:10.
5. More exact knowledge concerning the Way.—That is, Felix had seen so much of Christianity that he knew the charges of the Jews were false. He also wanted the testimony of Lysias, an impartial witness. He therefore delivered Paul to the centurion to keep safely, but not rigidly. Paul should have indulgence. Here he was kept for two years (see verse 27), that the rulers before whom he appeared might hear the word.
6. Sent for Paul.—Felix was formerly a slave, purchased by Antonia, the mother of the Emperor Claudius. He was a brilliant young man and was given his freedom. Felix gained renown in the army under Claudius, and was made procurator of Judea. He was "avaricious, cruel, and licentious, but withal a man of great talent and energy."—Rev. Com. Tacitus says that he had "the power of a tyrant and the temper of a slave." His wife, Drusilla, was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who died in such horrible torments (Acts 12:23), and sister of the Agrippa of Acts 25. She had deserted her husband, Aziz, king of Hamath, to marry Felix. She and her son, the only fruit of this wicked union, were buried under the ashes of Vesuvius when Pompeii was overwhelmed. No wonder that the wretched sinner was terrified when Paul preached before him of righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come. But he drove away the fear and kept the sin.

RELIGIOUS.

—General Booth, the originator and chief commander of the Salvation Army, expects to visit the United States the coming autumn.
—The African M. E. Church of this city have inaugurated a new idea in the laying of church corner stones. They had the corner stone of a new church laid last Sunday, and the ceremony was conducted by the Salvation Army.
—At a meeting of the Presbyterian ministers of San Francisco last week, the question of the Sunday closing of the proposed Midwinter Fair was discussed. One minister declared that the time was ripe to prevent the opening, while the effort is being made to raise funds for the enterprise. But the president of the meeting, Rev. Joseph E. Scott, was candid enough to admit that the movement to close the Fair on Sunday would be indorsed by only a small minority of the community.
—The San Francisco Presbyterian ministers and the Alameda County Christian Endeavor Union are disputing as to who is entitled to the credit of first moving in the matter of the Sunday closing of the proposed Midwinter Fair.
—The fifty-sixth annual report of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions shows the total receipts from all sources to be $1,044,504, the deficit of $54,254 carried from last year having been made good, and leaving a balance of $1,858 in the treasury. The Woman's Society and boards raised $329,889.
—A late Honolulu paper gives an account of a political preacher's troubles with his church at Lahaina. He persisted in preaching annexation to the United States, and the congregation by a large majority voted to eject him. The controversy grew so hot that violence was threatened, and officers of the law interfered to preserve the peace. At last accounts the church doors were nailed up.
—Mayor Des Jardenes has created something of a sensation by declaring that he could take no part in the reception of the officers and men of the Italian war ship, Ætna, which was to have arrived there on the 30th inst. He says, being a good Roman Catholic, he can take no part whatever in the reception of the war ship of the country whose government is under the ban of the Vatican. The mayor is a Knight of the Holy Roman Empire and a most devout Catholic.
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