POOR little Joe! Poor, lonely, friendless Joe! He had been so fond of the dear young mother, and now that they had laid her away to rest, what was he to do? Who was to mend his ragged coat, tie his old shoes on, and help him to count the few pennies he earned by selling the Sun? Above all, who was to give him love and sympathy when he came home tired and cold, and hungry? The thought of his great loss nearly broke his heart.
It was just after Christmas, and very cold weather; but Joe wore a pair of ragged pants and a coat which had been darned and patched with many-hued scraps, till there was little of the original left. These articles, with a pair of old shoes he had found in an alley, and a piece of an old shawl that he wore about his head in lieu of a hat, made up his entire wardrobe.
Can't you imagine how he looked, with his pitiful, pinched little face, and so poorly clad?
Times were unusually dull with Joe the week following his mother's death. He would get his pack of papers, and stand on the street, too cold and hungry and bereaved to try to sell them. One day as he stood on a register trying to warm his poor little feet, he heard an organ. Looking around, he saw Tim, the organ-grinder, not far away, and, with boyish interest in the rude music, he ran to the register nearest Tim. While he stood there warming and listening to the organ, the president of the bank came out and gave Tim some money.
After Tim had gone, Joe gave a timid little knock on the door of the bank. A clerk opened it, and said the president was busy, and that he had no time to fool away on a ragged, dirty boy like Joe. Of course this frightened Joe; but he found courage to say, "Couldn't you please buy a paper? I'm so hungry." With some difficulty he added, "I'm awfully cold, too."
Lake Alta Morris, One of the Small, Picturesque California Lakes in the Lake Tahoe Region of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
"Hungry, are you?" said the clerk scornfully, "Well, I think I'll have to buy one of your papers; hand me one, here's the money." And, looking around at the fireplace, he said, "You had better warm your fingers there. Now don't bother me, I'm busy; and don't you forget to shut the door tight when you go out."
"Yes, sir," said Joe, not feeling quite as welcome as he might have been, had the clerk spoken more kindly. Just then, before he had seated himself, a crowd of men came in to see the clerk, so that gentleman bade Joe go.
Joe went, and he cried too. He felt all alone in the world, and he thought the song, "I'm Nobody's Darling," must have been written for poor little newsboys like him. He felt this more keenly than ever before; for that day it seemed as if every one was cross when he asked them to buy a paper.
It was not four o'clock in the afternoon when Joe quit selling papers; but he had cried so much during the day that he was sick, and he went to his garret and lay down before he said his prayers. Then he asked God to take his life, and end his troubles, and let him be like his mama—dead, till the resurrection day. Then he fell asleep.
Next morning when Joe awoke he was stiff in the joints, and sick, too; but he must try to sell papers to earn money enough to last him the next day; for that would be New Year's Day. He moped along all day, and after receiving plenty of gruff "noes," with seldom a "yes," the poor tired boy strayed off to the potter's field to his mother's grave.
At night, when Joe did not return at the usual time, even the cross landlady who let Joe have her garret, became uneasy about him. But she never said so; for she hated to have people know she was ever troubled about any one, much less Joe. When he did not come at bedtime she said, "I just bet that boy has gone off with one of them good-for-nothing scamps he stays with." That is what she said; but she could not prove that he kept company with any ungentlemanly boy, because, altho he was only ten years old, Joe always shunned evil companions, and lived a Christian life so far as he knew how. If every one would do so, what a different world this would be!
Why didn't some one take Joe and make him a more fit subject for his Father's mansion? If he had had a place to call "home," and some one to encourage him to walk in Jesus' footsteps, perhaps he would not have felt so friendless, and grieved himself to death, but would have lived and been a light in the world to shine for the dear, loving Saviour.
But no, some of Christ's so-called "big ones" could not conceive the idea that a poor, ragged, little newspaper boy like Joe was one of Christ's little ones in deed and in truth, so the glad New Year found poor little Joe lying cold and still by the side of his mother's grave. Indeed his boyish prayer had been answered; for he had fallen asleep, to wake no more till Jesus comes to take him home.
At his burial the angels wept, not with sorrow for Joe's death, but because some one had failed to see a golden opportunity to do a good deed in Christ's name.
MIRIAM D. RUCKER.
A BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM.
A PRIVATE letter from a lady who is spending a year among the peasants of Tyrol, says:
"The morning of our arrival we were awakened by the sound of a violin and flutes under the window, and, hurrying down, we found the little house adorned as for a feast—garlands over the door and wreathing a high chair which was set in state.13"The table was already covered with gifts brought by the young people, whose music we had heard. The whole neighborhood were kinsfolk, and these gifts came from uncles and cousins in every far-off degree. They were very simple, for the donors are poor—knitted gloves, a shawl, a basket of flowers, jars of fruit, loaves of bread; but upon all, some little message of love was pinned.
" 'Is there a bride in this house?' I asked of my landlord.
" 'Ach, nein!' he said. 'We do not make a pother about our young people. It is our grandmother's birthday.'
" 'The grandmother, in her spectacles, white apron and high velvet cap, was a heroine all day, sitting in state to receive visits and dealing out slices from a sweet loaf to each who came. I could not but remember certain grandmothers at home, just as much loved as she, probably, but whose dull, sad lives were never brightened by any such pleasure as this, and I thought we could learn much from these poor mountaineers.'—Selected.
MY DELIVERER.
By H. G. Thurston
FAR, far from my Saviour
I wandered, not knowing
What peace I could find in
His haven of rest.
Temptations beset me,
Dark clouds overshadowed,
My heart nigh stopped beating,
My soul was hard pressed.
I then did consider
My life was a failure,
And longed it might end and
My troubles be o'er;
But then I heard Jesus,
Whose love knows no measure,
Say, "Come to My bosom,
And sorrow no more."
I came to the Saviour;
His voice whispered sweetly,
"Your sins are forgiven
If now you believe."
All sick, bruised and wounded,
I fell down before Him,
To know that His power
My guilt could relieve.
By faith in His promise,
To-day freed from sadness
I lean on His bosom
And rest in His love.
'Tis blessed to labor
For others now dying,
And turn their faint visions
To Zion above.
Rejoice then, ye sinners,
That Christ came to save
you.
His life He gave freely
That you might'st be
free.
Rejoice in such mercy—
To sinners unbounded.
Shout now and forever,
"He died to save me."
Then, when He returneth
His children to gather,
From earth He will call you
To mansions above.
If the blemish of sin
From your soul has been taken,
He will call, "Child, come home
To My kingdom of love."
H. G. THURSTON.
THE NATURE AND CURE OF DISEASE.
By M. E. Olsen
FEW things are more universally misunderstood than the nature of disease. The idea seems to prevail that after a person has abused the delicate organs of the body and brought on himself sickness, he has only to swallow some bad-tasting medicine, and he will be well again. But this is by no means so. "Be not deceived," says the Bible, "God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." This is true in physical as well as spiritual things. When we indulge in habits injurious to the body, we are sowing for disease, and will surely reap that kind of a harvest. On the other hand, when we reverently and intelligently care for our bodies, realizing that they are the temples of the Holy Ghost, we shall enjoy the blessing of physical health.
Most sick people are reaping the harvest of years of sowing for disease. The thing for them to do is to turn square about, and begin patiently to sow for health. This is done by laying aside every injurious habit, and conforming in all things to the just demands of nature. The sick person may also take simple treatments, such as baths, massage, local applications of water, electricity, and the like. They will not cure his malady, but they will assist nature in effecting a cure.
But this is not the way health is usually sought. The great majority of people, when sick, think only of the pain they suffer, and not of the dangerous condition of the body which called it forth. They try to get rid of the pain by swallowing bitter medicines, which blunt the nerves so that the suffering is less severe for a time, but the diseased condition is not removed. It is often rendered worse instead. Pain is a blessing, rather than a curse. It is a danger-signal given us by those faithful sentinels, the nerves, warning us that all is not well with the body. The sensible thing to do is to take the warning thankfully, and proceed to correct the abuse. Instead of that, we try to put the sentinel to sleep by harmful drugs.
If you would get well, remove the cause of your sickness. God and nature will do the rest. As the Bible has it: "Wash you; make you clean; put away the evil from your midst; cease to do evil, learn to do good." Never seek to smother symptoms by the use of tonics, painkillers, and the like. God can not co-operate with you in this effort to avoid the penalty of your transgression.
In this country a large use is made of patent medicines. These vile compounds are either absolutely worthless, or contain in considerable quantity such harmful poisons as alcohol, strychnia, cocaine, opium, and chloral. Many cases are recorded where persons have acquired the drink habit, or have become addicted to morphine from the use of medicines containing these poisons. Yet parents will give them to their children simply because the physicians recommend it, or because the county paper gives a glowing recital of the wonderful cures that have been effected.
As long as we are content to remain ignorant of the structure and proper care of our bodies, we will be left at the mercy of drug-using physicians and patent-medicine vendors. But, on the other hand, it is our duty and privilege to study these things for ourselves, and teach them to our children. There is no subject of greater importance, and yet none so much neglected, as how to maintain the health of the body.
Let those in every church who feel a burden to study these principles come together frequently for mutual encouragement, and to seek God in earnest prayer that the truths regarding right living may be more widely promulgated, and precious lives saved.
M. E. OLSEN.
"MY HOME SHALL BE MY CLUB-HOUSE."
By The Lutheran
THIS was the language of a traveling man, acting as agent for a firm. He was still a young man and unmarried. He had been visiting one of his former friends, who was married, and lived in a pleasant home. Almost the first words the latter spoke as his visitor seated himself in the parlor, was: "I want you to go over with me to see our nice new clubrooms."
"But I did not come to see them," was the reply. "I came to see you and your family."
"That you can do anyhow," was the response, "so please get ready and we will go over and spend the evening there with a nice lot of friends."
Further protest seemed ungracious, so the visitor yielded. Hour after hour passed by, and it was midnight before the visitor could induce his host, who was beginning to feel the effects of a night's drinking and revelry, to accompany him to his home.
In the morning, the host, who evidently felt that nothing had transpired at the clubrooms that could be objected to, asked his friend, "Well, what is your opinion of our clubroom accommodations?"
"The rooms are very nicely furnished," was the rather evasive reply.
"But what I want to know is, How did you enjoy yourself in them?"
As further evasion was useless, the guest said: "You are asking me a plain question, and I will answer it frankly. I am a single man and expect soon to get married. If I continue to prosper, I intend to settle down in a comfortable home and spend my evenings with my wife and my children. As for your clubrooms, if I wanted to neglect my family and my business and perhaps go to ruin, I think I could soon bring about that result by spending my evenings in your clubrooms; and I am more resolved than ever that when I am married my home shall be my clubhouse."
These are in substance the facts and the language as given by a man who had every opportunity of seeing the snares and pitfalls connected with club life. One of the great dangers that threaten to rob the home life of its pillars is the clubroom; and the age at which to warn against its pernicious effects is that of boyhood. There are many dangers threatening home life and sentiment and feeling, but the greatest of these is the clubroom craze.—The Lutheran.
BREAKFAST DISHES.
By J. E. Paterson
Fresh Fruits, Cold Baked Apples and Cream, Breaded Nucose, Farina Mush and Fruit Dressing.
Baked Apples.
Wash and core the apples and bake them in the evening, serve with cream at breakfast.
Farina Mush.
Stir one cup of farina into a little more than a quart of boiling water. Cook for one hour. Serve with fruit dressing made by pressing a pint of strawberries through a strainer.
Breaded Nucose.
Slice a half pound of nucose into six pieces, put into a saucepan, add a pint of water and cook thirty minutes. Remove from the pan, dip each piece in egg and bread crumbs, and bake or broil to a rich brown. Serve with cream sauce.
J. E. PATERSON.
BOOK NOTICES.
By Editor
GUIDE FOR NUT COOKERY, TOGETHER WITH A BRIEF HISTORY OF NUTS AND THEIR FOOD VALUES. By Mrs. Alameda Lambert. 452 large octavo pages, illustrated. Price, post-paid, $1.50. Joseph Lambert & Co., Battle Creek, Mich.
Many in the world are becoming sick of flesh foods. The sensitive, refined, merciful heart is averse to the destruction of life to minister to mere taste or appetite. And yet many of this class still use flesh foods, because they think them necessary to strength and health. They do not know that there is a substitute. Many more in the world are fearful of flesh foods. Whole herds of swine are afflicted with trichina spiralis or affected with hog cholera, the slaughter-house but a few hours anticipating their death. Whole flocks of sheep suffer from deadly anthrax, and some of the most healthy herds of cattle in appearance, as those killed in Illinois the other day, for instance, are dying of tuberculosis. But those who are fearful of diseased animals know no substitute, yet there is a splendid substitute for meat, namely, nuts; more nutritious, more cleanly, more palatable, if we will let reason guide a little while. "Eat that which is good; custom will render it most delightful." But how to prepare nuts?—Well, the above work will tell you how. Mrs. Lambert, a cook who cooks, describes scores of ways that nuts may be prepared by the arts of cookery to render them digestible and palatable. Almonds, beechnuts, cashew-nuts, castanopsis, chestnuts, coconuts, filberts or hazelnuts, hickory nuts, pecans, walnuts, peanuts and still other varieties are all described in this book—how to make nut butter, nut milk, nut cream, how to combine with grains and fruits, and many other things. But the book is not all of nuts. How to make good breads, how to cook grains, how to cook vegetables, and prepare and preserve fruits, fruit juices, jellies, etc., are told, and well told. It is a book which will be a blessing to the enterprising, honest seeker after a true reformed diet.
THE NINETEEN LETTERS OF BEN UZIEL. Philosophic and devotional essays on the principles of Judaism. Translated into English from the original German of Samson Raphael Hirsch by Rev. Dr. Bernard Drachman. 12mo, cloth, 222 pages. Price, $1.00. New York and London; Funk & Wagnalls Company.
This work is designed to present in English a picture of Judaism, as a religious and ethical force; in other words, to show Judaism as it appears to the mind of the thinking and believing Jew himself. Whoever would know the motives of the deep attachment felt for the ancient faith by all high-minded and noble Jews, can find abundant instruction and explanation in this little but thorough work. The author, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, a man equally renowned for profound erudition, eloquence of tongue and pen, and sterling piety, was for many years the most prominent representative of the Jewish clergy in Frankfort-on-the-Main. The work is, in the light of the present Jew, a fairly good treatise on the philosophy of Judaism, its doctrines in regard to God, the world, the mission of mankind, and of Israel, the aims and purposes of the Mosaic legislation and the religious and social problems which affect the Jewish people in the modern age. It is nicely and interestingly written, and said to be well translated.
THE STANDARD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. Designed to give the Orthography, Pronunciation, Meaning, and Etymology of about 38,000 Words and Phrases in the Speech and Literature of the English-Speaking Peoples. 800 Pictorial Illustrations. Abridged from the Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of the English Language, by James C. Fernald, Editor of the "Students' Dictionary," "English Synonyms, Antonyms, and Prepositions," etc. 8vo, cloth, 533 viii pp. Price $1.00. New York and London; Funk & Wagnalls Co.
This is the third in the Standard Series of dictionaries, and to those who candidly examine it, it will, like its predecessors—the Standard Dictionary (the unparalleled unabridged) and the Students' Standard Dictionary—be heartily welcome. For a small, handy volume for the common schools it is remarkably complete and inclusive in its vocabulary. The newer or later words are given. "Roentgen rays," for example, if the term be forgotten, may be found under "X rays." Where two spellings are sanctioned by good authority, both are recorded, the simpler being given the preference. In definition it is generally excellent. In a condensed form the etymology of the word is given, a feature generally wanting in dictionaries of this class. The illustrations are fine, the typography clear, and the book well bound, and the work, as a whole, a credit to the Standard Series, and that is saying much.
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.
International
International.—The resignation of the French cabinet under the leadership of M. Dupuy has thrown the government into a grave crisis. Three different men have been requested by the president of the republic to form a new cabinet, and after an attempt so to do, have been compelled to confess their inability. This leaves the government in a trying situation on the eve of the return of M. Dreyfus, when there is much partisan agitation over his coming trial.
In the house of the Hungarian Diet, on June 14, an important bill was passed, which means the virtual separation of Hungary from Austria in the year 1907. Hungary will then decline to renew the "Ausgleich," and will conclude separate treaties with foreign powers. . . . At the consistory held in Rome on June 19 the pope created thirteen cardinals. By these nominations Leo has definitely decided who shall be his successor, having named men who were favorable to Cardinal Rampolla, now filling the office of papal secretary of State. . . . At the highest court of Cassel, Germany, on June 17, it was decided that a clergyman of a denomination not officially recognized by the government is considered by the government simply a layman, and that for such a person to offer a public prayer is a crime. A clergyman named Wicke has been sent to jail for this offense.
The commander of the armies of Prussia has suggested to the emperor of Germany and the czar of Russia the advisability of reconstructing into a nation the dismembered fragments of Poland. This would necessitate the surrender of Polish territory by Russia, Austria, and Prussia, and would create between these countries what is known as a buffer State. By adopting this plan the excessive armaments maintained on the frontiers of these countries could be reduced to small garrisons, and Russia could then give her entire attention to the absorption of Chinese and Persian territory, whereas she is now compelled to maintain a heavy army on her western frontier. The czar is reported to have referred the matter to a special committee. . . . Advices from Belgrade state that a number of Servian villages have been attacked by Turks and Albanians, and are now being blockaded by them. The government of Servia has sent regular troops to the scene of trouble. . . . The arbitration tribunal to decide the disputed boundary question between Venezuela and British Guiana held its first meeting in Paris, on June 15. The commission consists of two American justices, two English barristers, and a Russian professor of international law who is to act as umpire. . . . The large Spanish penal colony for Cuban and Filipino political prisoners on the island of Fernando Po has been almost entirely wiped out by the cruel treatment received at the hands of the Spanish jailors. It is stated that only five of these convicts are now alive. . . . The sessions of the Peace Conference at The Hague still continue, but with what success none but the conference itself knows. . . . The war-clouds which hang over South Africa have failed to disperse during the week. The outlook is far from peaceful. Lord Chamberlain seems inclined to agree with the premier of Cape Colony that the course pursued by the Transvaal demands the interference of England. British munitions of war are being shipped in the direction of the Transvaal, and English newspapers have ordered their war correspondents to hold themselves in readiness to proceed to South Africa. President Krueger has declared that the Transvaal will agree to no more concessions to the outlanders, and intimates that war will be the next step in the controversy.
The Philippines.—In the recent battle around Imus the quick-firing guns of the Americans are said to have done terrible execution. One hundred and twenty-one of the natives were killed and about three hundred wounded. The Filipinos, having sworn upon the crucifix that they would never leave the field alive, made one of the most stubborn fights of the war. On June 16 the Filipinos attacked the city of San Fernando, but were repulsed with heavy loss. It is reported that one hundred dead were found on the field in front of the American lines. The U. S. transport Sherman arrived at Manila on June 19 with 1,875 men, under command of Gen. Fred D. Grant. A battalion of the Fourth Infantry, on a reconnoitering expedition south of the Imus, was attacked by 3,000 Filipinos on June 19, and had a narrow escape from complete annihilation. Upon the arrival of re-enforcements the Filipinos were compelled to retire, having suffered a loss of ninety-three killed and many more wounded. . . . Preparations are being made at the War Department with a view to placing in the Philippines, by September, 10,000 more regulars. For this purpose a number of transports are being added to the number already in charge of the quartermaster's department. . . . It is reported that a strict censorship has been established at Manila over all news sent out from there, and that correspondents who have sent reports to Hongkong by mail to be filed from there have been threatened with expulsion. . . . The report of the death of General Luna at the hands of Aguinaldo's bodyguard seems to have been confirmed. It is understood that his death is due to the rivalry existing between the two Filipino leaders. . . . Captain Charles A. McQueston, who recently returned from the Philippines, declares that to subdue the islands will require from 100,000 to 150,000 men; and that the work of the peace commission has resulted in utter failure, through its inability to secure the confidence of the natives. The quickness with which the Filipinos recover from reverses at the hands of the Americans is a matter of considerable surprise to the American officers. At the battle of Zapote, in which they suffered great loss, they were thought to be completely demoralized, but the following day they were marching to the attack of Imus.
Strikes and Riots.—Martial law is still in force in the vicinity of the recent mining troubles in Idaho. About four hundred men remain close prisoners, awaiting the slow process of the courts. The mines in which work is being done are under military control; a newspaper has been suspended because of certain utterances of its editor; and the sheriff and commissioner are under arrest. . . . The strike of the Denver and Leadville smelter employees has not yet been settled, and a longer continuance of it threatens to throw out of employment in the State of Colorado at least 20,000 men who are operating the mines of the State. Large numbers of men have already been discharged from the mines on account of the smelters' strike. . . . The Buffalo strike of grain handlers is said to be extending, and but few men are at work. . . . Striking employees of the Cleveland, Ohio, street-car companies caused a riot in that city on June 14 while cars were being operated by non-union hands. . . . The big strike of coal miners at Reading, Penn., is still on, the no rioting or destruction of property has so far occurred there. . . . In Cleveland a riot occurred on June 20, participated in principally by the striking street-car operatives. The police charged a mob of several thousand, but were received with volleys of missiles, and gave up the attempt to disperse the rioters. . . . Serious rioting is reported from Montserrat, Leeward Islands, over the collection of the excise duty which occasioned similar trouble one year ago. The police were overcome, and for a time the island was in the hands of the mob. . . . On June 20, the street-cars of Cleveland, which were being operated by non-union hands, were attacked by a mob of about 5,000 people. The cars were smashed, and conductors and motor-men assaulted with bricks and stones. The mob also broke into the car house and demolished several cars. . . . On June 21 a number of imported negro miners were shot by strikers at Evansville, Illinois, and some of the injured are expected to die. . . . A pitched battle was fought in Chicago, on June 20, between opposing forces of boys belonging to Jewish and Christian families, and a number were severely injured by clubs and stones. . . . A despatch from India states that over fifty small villages have been burned and looted by rioters in the Tinnevally district. These riots have spread to Travancore, where the police were severely beaten and compelled to retire. About 450 houses were burned by rioters in another district.
Casualties and Calamities.—The crops in seven or eight of the famine-stricken provinces of Russia are again to be a failure, and the eleven million poor peasants who were looking to the new crops for subsistence must face starvation for another year. . . . The town of Montana, Minn., was destroyed by a cyclone on June 17. . . . The property damage in the great tornado at New Richmond, Wis., amounts to about $750,000. The number who perished in that catastrophe is now placed at 125. . . . Four men were killed in an explosion at the smokeless powder factory near San Rafael, Cal., on June 17. . . . In a collision on the river Oder, in Germany, on June 16, thirty persons lost their lives. . . . Eleven men were killed in an explosion in the Caledonia coal mine at Glace Bay, Cape Breton, on June 16. Five of these were men who had gone to the rescue of others. . . . Hundreds of natives are reported to be dying of starvation in East Africa on account of a long-prevailing drought which has ruined the crops upon which they depended. . . . Ten persons were killed and twenty-five injured, five fatally, in the tornado which wrecked the town of Herman, Neb., on June 14. . . . The British ship Lochsloy was wrecked on the south coast of Australia about May 9, and thirty of her passengers and crew were lost. . . . A cloudburst occurred in the mountains near Spokane Junction, Texas, on June 14, destroying a number of lives and much property. At Bracket a large number of houses were washed away, and the inhabitants were forced to flee to the hills for safety.
Trusts.—A trust composed of 1,000,000 farmers is now declared to be in process of consolidation by the president of the National Grange. The purpose of this trust is to combat certain other trusts whose existence is inimical to the interests of the farmers. . . . Seventeen State governors and a number of State attorneys-general have accepted the invitation of Governor Sayers, of Texas, to attend the anti-trust convention to be held in St. Louis, Mo., beginning September 20. . . . The attorney-general of Texas has given orders that no trust shall be granted a permit to do business in Texas. . . . At the session of the Industrial Commission at Washington on June 16 it was developed that the formation of trusts was throwing thousands of traveling salesmen out of employment, and materially reducing the pay of all whom they retained in service. . . . It is reported that a great liquor trust has been formed in Wall Street, New York, including all the largest distilling companies in the country. The amount of capital involved in this combination is $125,000,000.
Domestic.—It was declared before the Industrial Commission at Washington, on June 19, by the vice-president of the Georgia State Agricultural Society, that the agricultural conditions in the South were worse than ever before in the history of the country. The price of raw cotton has decreased in value, forcing down the wages of the laborers, and turning over to the merchants many of the farms from which the farmers have been unable to lift their mortgages. . . . Immense copper mines have recently been developed in Washington and Alaska. It is reported that on Graviana Island, Alaska, 100,000 tons of copper ore are in sight. . . . According to the latest police census of Chicago the population of that city is now 2,083,043. . . . Steamers are beginning to arrive in Puget Sound cities from the gold regions of the North. The steamer City of Seattle arrived on June 16 with nearly half a million in gold, brought out principally by returning miners.
Cuba.—The payment and disbanding of the Cuban troops continue, but the work is necessarily slow on account of the attitude of the leaders. Many of the troops report that it was only by accident they learned they were to receive American money on the surrender of their arms. They are said to express surprise that the American Government has kept its promises to them. The customs receipts at the port of Havana from January to May amounted to $763,194, and the municipal expenditures $178,228, the balance being cash on hand. This surplus is said to create much astonishment among the Cubans, and to be unprecedented in the history of Havana. The figures were never published during the Spanish administration.
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.
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TO CONTRIBUTORS.
By Editor
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a purely missionary enterprise. For this reason it has felt free to ask for contributions from its friends. It pays nothing for contributions, either prose or poetry, unless solicited by the editor, and then the fact is stated when the articles are asked for. This is a plan rarely followed, but sometimes deemed expedient.
Articles Desired.—Those which set forth in the Spirit of Christ the great saving truths of God, short and to the point. It is better to treat one important truth clearly, in a short article, than many points vaguely in a long one. We desire no caustic, critical productions, which might minister to personal pride or pleasure, but can not save souls.
How Prepared.—Write plainly, with typewriter or ink, with wide space between the lines, to freely admit of editing, writing of subheads, etc. Write on one side of the sheet only. Sign the name to the manuscript, as it becomes oftentimes separated from accompanying letter. Anonymous contributions are not used, whatever their merit. If the writer does not wish his name to appear, let him furnish a pseudonym for the public. But we wish the name.
Manuscript Returned.—We will return all unused manuscript desired if stamp and directions are inclosed. We are forced sometimes to return good manuscript mainly for three reasons: (a) Sometimes the articles are too long; (b) sometimes we have a number on the same subject; (c) sometimes our plans are such that an article can not be used till it is out of date. We therefore hope that no offense will be taken by those who have freely contributed their best thought if their productions are returned. When we receive so much matter, we can not use all.
To ALL interested in carrying the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the inhabitants of other lands, and who desire to assist in supporting missionaries already there and others who may engage in the work, the opportunity is given to make an offering to the FOREIGN MISSION BOARD of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Address, 1730 North Fifteenth Street, Philadelphia, Penn.
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
BY JOHN BUNYAN
A new, clear-type edition of convenient size. Neatly bound in cloth, cover design in colors, 240 pages, size 5x7½ inches.
Price, 50 Cents
Address . . .
PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal.
43 BOND ST., New York. 13 W. 5th ST., Kansas City, Mo.
