Earlier text: INFIDEL CAVILS CONSIDEREDBlessed are They that Mourn.
By C. A. Osgood
“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” How different from the ideas of worldly men are the teachings of Jesus Christ. They “call the proud happy,” they think that the rich, the gay, the mirthful, those who “live in pleasure on the earth,” are the blessed ones. But the Saviour pronounced blessings upon the humble poor, the sorrowful, the persecuted ones, and gave assurance, that such should enjoy the favor of God, and a possession in the kingdom of Heaven. But to the gay and sportive multitude he said, “Woe unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep.” The promise of comfort is not to all in the world that may mourn from any cause, for “the sorrow of the world worketh death.” But it is to those who “sorrow after a godly sort,” that is, in a manner pleasing to the Lord. “It is to those heavy laden ones who come to Christ, take his yoke upon them and learn of him. “They will find rest to their souls.” The children of God as truly as others have their sorrows and joys here in this world. Some of the sorrows that ungodly persons have, they have not; some they have that the world have not; and some, both classes share in common. Sometimes the children of God are “in heaviness through manifold trials.” And again they are enabled to “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” For their comfort God has given “exceeding great and precious promises.” The Holy Spirit is called the Comforter. He “takes of the things of Jesus and shows them” to his disciples. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” The sinner, truly sorrowful on account of his sins against a God of perfect righteousness, justice, and goodness, crying out “God be merciful to me a sinner,” finds peace in believing in the Lord Jesus, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Fleeing “for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before him,” he finds strong consolation in the oath and promise of him who cannot lie. Though God was angry with him, his anger is now turned away and he comforts him. The backslider who has wandered from the fold of Christ, and sinned grievously, repenting with bitter tears over his guiltiness, crying to God, that he would “have mercy upon him according to the multitude of his tender mercies,” confessing his guilt, and acknowledging that he is not worthy to be called a child of God, has restored to him the joys of God’s salvation, so that his broken bones are made to rejoice, and his tongue to sing aloud of God’s righteousness. The glorious things foretold by the prophets are exceedingly comforting to Christian mourners. Do they sorrow on account of the loss of dear Christian friends by death? They do not “sorrow as those who have no hope.” “For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake are assured that their reward will be great in Heaven, and thus are encouraged to follow the Saviour through evil report, and endure long in hope of an eternal crown. The laborers in the gospel field, who toil with much anxiety to save souls, warning every man night and day with tears as Paul did, are comforted, by the conversion and steadfastness, and growth in grace of those for whom they have labored. These are their glory and joy. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” And converts saved will be the joy and crown of rejoicing of the ministers of Christ, in his presence at his coming. 1 Thess. 1:19. The people of God are distressed now in view of the prevailing wickedness of the world. “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes because they keep not thy law.” As they behold the transgressors they are grieved. But they are comforted in remembering the promise of God, that he will create a new earth, wherein the righteous shall dwell. There will be no Sabbath breakers there. For “from one Sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before the Lord.” No profane swearer, or liar, or fornicator, or drunkard, or murderer, or extortioner, or covetous man will be there; but only the peaceful, just, true and holy ones will inherit the land. It is a great comfort to the afflicted people of God, to know that “all things shall work together for good to them that love God;” and that “these light afflictions which are but for a moment,” comparatively, “work out for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” Oh! how the people of God may be comforted, amidst all the cares, perplexities, toils and trials of the present state, when they think that these are not long to continue, but will be succeeded by everlasting comfort, peace and joy! “God will wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying; for the former things will have passed away.” “There will be no more curse.” C. A. Osgood. Shall I Backslide?
By Dudley Marvin Canright
In this land of Bibles and gospel privileges, a majority of those who come to years of maturity, sometime during their lives, make a profession of faith in Christ, and endeavor to serve God and gain immortality. But again, a large majority of these always backslide, give up their profession, and become wicked again. To prove this, we have only to think of the revivals which have occurred in our own neighborhoods, and what the results have been. Some continued in the faith only a few weeks, some months, and some even years, and then gave up. Doubtless many of them were once truly Christians, and earnestly desired to hold out to the end. But they have fallen. Now, here is a young man or young woman, or even one of riper years, just starting to be a Christian. To such an one, it becomes an all-important inquiry, Shall I backslide? Will the day come when I shall again be a wicked person, without God and without hope in the world? Thousands have also started with just as good a determination as you now have, and yet the most of them have backslidden. You do not wish nor intend to do so. Neither did they. Then, you see, this question, “Shall I backslide?” to you is an important one. Yes, you certainly will if you do as they did. There was a cause for their backsliding. What was it? Neglect of duty; small ones at first, then larger ones, till they fell entirely. Now, I will give you a few simple rules, which, if practiced, will help keep you from backsliding. 1. Establish, and never neglect, daily, secret prayer. Without this, you can never live a Christian. With it, you will never fail. It has a restraining influence which nothing else can have. If during the day we sin or yield to any temptation, we cannot go into the presence of God alone without confessing that sin to him, and resolving not to commit it again. If we are tempted to sin during the day, the thought that we are in a few hours to go alone before God in secret will restrain us. Secret prayer is the strong fortress of the Christian. If you neglect this one day, you have reason to fear that you are backsliding. 2. Always maintain family prayer. Neglect this, and you live in continual condemnation. When maintained, it restrains you from sin. You cannot pray before your family when they know that you are not right. Hence you will be careful before them in your walk. When you let the family altar go down, you have reason to be alarmed at yourself, for you are backsliding. 3. Do your duty in the prayer-meeting. Neglect this, and you are condemned. You neglect it once, then again, till before you will own it to yourself, you are backslidden. In neglecting these small duties, is the way persons backslide. How is it with you reader, in these things? Are you going to make sure work for Heaven? Well, you are not doing it if neglecting any one of these duties. You are in the way in which men backslide. Beware, before it is too late. (Condensed from the Review and Herald.)
(Condensed from the Review and Herald.)
PULASKI.—The tent was erected in this place June 5, and Eld. S. B. Whitney commenced meetings the evening of the 6th. He states that the opening seems very favorable. The attendance and interest good. On Sunday, although it rained hard all the forenoon and was very cool, there were about three hundred out, and the very best of attention was given. The town contains about sixteen hundred inhabitants, with four churches, in all of which services were held at the same time. The evening of the 11th, he spoke on Spiritualism. The tent was nearly full. The interest is manifestly increasing. GLENSDALE.—Brn. Wilbur and Bump, are holding meetings in the tent at this place. They report the attendance and interest increasing, and the people friendly and mindful of their temporal wants. WESTMORELAND.—Brn. Robinson and Buzzell have pitched the tent in this place. They commenced meetings the evening after the Sabbath, June 9, with a congregation of one hundred. STUKELY.—At the Sabbath meeting held by Eld. A. C. Bourdeau at this place June 16, a gentleman and his wife, who had never made an open profession of religion, took their stand with those who are keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Bro. B. states that he shall arrange to pitch the tent in a new place soon. PORT HURON.—Brn. Lamson and Burnham report six services held in the tent. And that since the first evening the best of order has been maintained. The average attendance, above one hundred and fifty. They state that the Health Reformer has opened the way for many to come to their meetings. One brother obtained about one hundred and fifty subscribers for this journal, in the vicinity. DANVILLE.—The tent is pitched in a pleasant part of the village, and Brn. Kenyon and Miller are engaged in labor. The attendance thus far is reported good, and the best of attention is paid to the words spoken. MIDDLETOWN.—Bro. Corliss reports having canvassed the Sabbath question, and that ten are now observing the seventh day. The interest in the tent-meetings continues good. It is expected more will come out soon. On a huge cross by the side of an Italian highway hung a hideous caricature of the Beloved of our souls, who poured out his life for our redemption. Out of reverence to the living Christ, we turned aside disgusted from the revolting image, but not until we had espied the words Spes Unica in capitals over its head. Here was truth emblazoned on an idol. Yes, indeed, Jesus, our now exalted but once crucified Lord, is the sole and only hope of man. Assuredly, O Lord Jesus, thou art Spes Unica to our soul, Other refuge have we none
Hangs our helpless soul on thee. We found this diamond in the mire of superstition; does it sparkle any the less?—C. H. Spurgeon. A Little Spring by the Wayside
If you cannot be a great river, bearing great vessels of blessings into the world, you can be a little spring by the dusty wayside of life, singing merrily all day and all night, and giving a cup of cold water to every thirsty one who passes by. Consequence of Indulgence.
“Do not touch the boy,” were the oft repeated words of the indulgent father, Mr. Winslow, to the troubled mother, adding, “You will crush all the manhood within him.” And Will Winslow grew up the worst boy in the village, a terror to all his neighbors. The old, the infirm, and the crippled were the especial objects of his vicious merriment. One poor woman, bent by age and infirmities, he assailed with his ridicule, as she daily went out upon her crutch, to draw water from the well near her house, and just within the play-ground of the school-house. “Only look at her,” he would say, “isn’t she the letter S now, with an extra crook in it?” and his cruel laugh, as he followed closely behind, mocking and mimicking her, called forth from her no rebuke. One day, however, she turned, and looking at him reproachfully, said:— “Go home, child, and read the story of Elisha and the two bears out of the wood.” “Shame on you, Will,” said Charles Mansfield, “to laugh at her misfortunes! I heard my grandmother say that she became a cripple by lifting her idiot son, and tending him night and day.” “I don’t care what made her so,” said Will, “but I wouldn’t stay among people if I was such a looking thing as that. Do look!” “Shame,” said Charles, “shame,” echoed from each of the boys present. And to show their sympathy, several of them sprang forward to aid the poor woman; but Charles Mansfield, the oldest, and always an example of nobleness and generosity, was the first. “Let me get the water for you, ma’am,” and he gently took the bucket from her hand. Her voice was tremulous and tearful, as she said, “Thank you, my dear boy. God grant that you may never suffer from such infirmities.” “If I should,” said Charles, kindly, “it would be the duty, and ought to be the pleasure of young people to assist me. One of us will bring you water every day, and so you need not come for it.” “Yes, so we will,” was echoed from lip to lip. “God bless you! God bless you all.” She wiped away the tears and entered her poor and lonely home. Will Winslow was reported to the master, and was sentenced to study during the usual recess for a week to come. The punishment was hard, for he loved play better than his book; but how slight in comparison with the retribution which awaited him. It was the second day of his confinement, and he sat near the open window, watching the sports of the boys in the play-ground. Suddenly—when the master was absorbed in his occupations, he leaped into the midst of them, with a shout at his achievement. “Now let him punish me again, if he can,” and he ran backward, throwing up his arms, and shouting in defiance, when—his voice suddenly ceased; there was a heavy plunge, and a horrible groan broke on the ears of his bewildered companions. Now it happened that the well of which we have before spoken was undergoing repairs, and the workmen were then at a distance collecting their materials. Carelessly the well was left uncovered, and at the very moment of his triumph, Will Winslow was precipitated backward into the opening. A cry of horror burst from the assembled boys, who rushed to the spot, and Charles Mansfield, the bravest of them all, was the first to seize the well-rope, tie it around his waist, and descend to the rescue. The well was deep; fortunately, however, the water at that time was mostly exhausted, but Will lay motionless at the bottom. Carefully he lifted him, and with one arm around his apparently lifeless and mutilated form, and the other upon the rope, he gave the signal, and was slowly drawn to the top. The livid face of the wicked boy filled his companions with a supernatural horror; and in perfect silence they bore him to the house of the poor woman, which was close at hand. She had witnessed the accident from the window, and upon her crutch hastened to meet them. And now Will Winslow was in the humble home, and upon the lowly bed of her whom he had assailed with cruelty and scorn; and faithfully she obeyed the commandment of Him who said, “Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Silently her prayers ascended to God for the sufferer. Her little vials of camphor and other restoratives, provided by charitable neighbors, were emptied for his relief. She took from her scanty store, bandages for his head, which was shockingly mangled and bleeding; and she herself, forgetful of all but his sufferings, sat down and tenderly bathed his hands and his forehead, while some of the boys ran for the surgeon, and others for the master. The injury to the head was supposed to be the only one he had sustained; and after the surgeon had done his work the poor boy was borne away on a litter to his home, still insensible, and surrounded by his companions, mute with emotion. That day was destined to make an impression upon the school, its master, and all that heard of the awful catastrophe. A few hours later, and a group of boys collected in the play-ground. Their conversation was in whispers; horror sat upon every face; all were pale and awe-stricken. Charles Mansfield approached. “How is poor Will now, have any of you heard?” “Oh, Charlie!” several exclaimed at once as they gathered around him. “Oh! don’t you know? haven’t you heard? Why, he opened his eyes and spoke, but they think his back is broken.” Charles clasped his hands, lifted them high in the air, uttered not a word, but burst into tears. For a few minutes he yielded to his emotion, and then, still pale and grief-stricken, but with a manly voice, he said to his companions : “Boys, shall we ever forget the lesson of this day?” And poor Will—words would be too feeble to portray his agony of body and mind as he lay for long months upon his bed of suffering; but when he arose therefrom, with a feeble and distorted body, and a scar upon his forehead, he was changed in heart also, crushed in spirit, humble, and contrite. Repentance had had its perfect work, and when he became convalescent, and his school-mates came to congratulate him on his recovery, he threw his arms around the necks of each, and burst into tears, but could not speak, except to whisper, “Forgive, forgive.” At his request the poor woman became the tenant, rent free, of a cottage belonging to his father, and his mother constantly administered to her wants. As soon as he could do so, he wrote to her, humbly pleading forgiveness, and in return she gave him her blessing. From this time one-half his ample quarterly allowance was bestowed upon her; he visited her in her loneliness, and at last made his peace with God, declared his punishment just—henceforth to be a cripple and hunchback.” Youthful readers, let the history of Will Winslow impress your hearts. Revere the aged, whether they be in poverty or affluence; and feel it a privilege to administer to them in their infirmities, as they have done to you in the weakness and helplessness of infancy. It is the only recompense which youth can make to age, and God will bless the youthful heart which bows in reverence before the hoary head. KATY GRAY had been to a missionary meeting, and heard a lady speak who had been for fifteen years a missionary in Africa. She had spoken only of the bright side, and not of the dark, and Katy was delighted and interested. “Yes, I have concluded to be a missionary when I get ’bout forty.” “Why wait until you are forty?” asked Katy’s mamma, looking up from the sewing that occupied both hand and foot. “Well, you see, I must teach first, you know, and perhaps write books, too, and make lots of money; and then, when my hair gets gray, and my teeth tumble out, and all—why, then, I’ll look well enough to be a missionary; the heathen won’t mind.” “Sure enough,” said Mrs. Gray; “that is a very good plan of life if you can follow it out. But you know, there was Mrs. Stephens, who died last week, and she was just forty. Do you think you had better place it a little earlier?” “Well, perhaps thirty-five would do.” “Yes, that would only be keeping seven-eighths of life for yourself, and giving one to Christ. That might do only, aunt Katy, you know, died at thirty-five. Would that be safe?” “Well, thirty, then;” and Katy moved to the window and looked out. “Thirty—that’s better; that is just the age of cousin Mary when she was thrown from the carriage on her way to the party. You know she has never walked a step since.” Katy drummed restlessly on the window. Never in her life, it seemed, had so few old persons passed on the street. “Perhaps I could at twenty-five,” she said at last, with a sigh. “That is young enough to go to Africa,” replied Mrs. Gray. “You know that pretty Miss Robins who was buried last week at that age, thought of going to India.” “I do not see, mamma,” said Katy, turning from the window, and laughing with tears in her eyes, “but I shall be obliged to go right away, so as to be safe.” “So you would, darling, if you would be one of Christ’s workers every day right here. If you should live for yourself twenty-five years, it would be rather hard work, all at once, to begin to live for others.” “Don’t dream, my dear, of great things by and by; but be such a helpful worker every day in little things that at the last the Master shall see that you have grown strong to bear great things.” “I will try, mamma. I can help take care of the baby and cheerfully do errands for you.” And Katy did begin right then and there and she began, too, in the true way. Home missionaries are as important and useful as those in foreign fields, and for them there is always an “open door.” Katy followed up the missionary work in various ways which proved a blessing to herself as well as to those about her. There were many things which she could do to help her kind mamma. There were little errands upon which she could go as an angel of mercy. She could carry a basket of provisions to some poor widow and orphan children, even through the rain and snow; she could speak kindly to those in trouble and distress; she could lead and gather up to Sabbath-school the little ones that lived near, who without her services would perhaps never have found their way thither, or the door into the fold of the good Shepherd. In this way Katy is preparing herself for greater missionary duties by and by, should it please the good Lord to spare her. And should it be his will early to remove her from labor, she will be among those to whom the blessed Master will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” ANY one who understands machinery knows what it is when an engine is on a “dead center.” Let us explain to those who do not understand. When the walking-beam of a steam-engine has lifted the crank to its highest point, or depressed it to its lowest, that point is called the “dead center.” If the crank swings over as it usually does, then the rod goes down from the highest point and up from the lowest; but, sometimes when an engine is going slowly, the crank does not swing past the center, and then, as the piston presses straight down or draws straight up, does not tend to turn the crank as it does when in any other position, the engine stops, and the crank has to be swung over the center by hand. Now, this “dead center,” is in an engine just what indecision is in a boy or man. The crank moves slowly, and without force enough to carry it over that point; it is undecided which way to go, and it stops, and, till it can be started by extraneous force, the boat is at the mercy of the winds and waves. If a boy’s mind moves slowly and in an undecided manner, his moral force, his engine, gets on a “dead center,” and away he floats down stream. Standing on the dock in one of our seaport towns, a large steamer getting under weigh could be seen. The current was running swiftly by the wharf and the river full of large shipping. The steamer cast off, and swung out into the stream, the engine made three or four revolutions, and then stopped. The pilot sounded the bell in the engine-room to go ahead, but it was not answered; the boat drifted swiftly, and in a moment crash it went against a ship, and carried away her rigging around her bowsprit; then smash into another steamboat, and made a wreck of her wheel-house, and very badly damaged herself. The pilot was frantic with rage at what he deemed the stupidity of the engineer; the officers of the craft were loudly cursing the stupidity of the pilot, and there was a great running to and fro of all hands, when the pilot was told by the engineer that his engine was on a “dead center,” and till the crank was pushed over in some way he was powerless. By this time the boat had drifted a long way and was almost a wreck; indeed, so badly damaged that she could not go on her voyage, and in her drifting she207 had crippled several other craft. The only remedy was to drop anchor, which the pilot did as soon as he saw that the engine was useless. But it was too late. The damage was done, and the boat was afterward hauled off for repairs. A boy needs decision of character more than any other trait, and I can sympathize with a boy who is doing his best to cultivate this virtue. It is his sheet-anchor, which, by the help and grace of God, can hold him right when all else fails him. A boy should learn how to say “No,” and not only how to say it, but how to live up to it. “When sinners entice thee, consent thou not;” that means, say “No” with an emphasis, and, after saying No, leave the place at once. It is your only safety. If you say, “Get thee behind me Satan,” he won’t “get.” He never goes away politely and humbly when ordered—not he. He will face you, and the only way to get him behind you is to turn around and walk away, and then, of course, he is behind you. This requires decision. If Tom and Harry tempt you to run away from school, or go where you ought not to go, and you reply in an undecided way, “I guess not, perhaps it is not best, I rather think I’d better not;” you are Tom and Harry’s boy. They have you sure. If a boy is undecided he is lost. But if, when they make such a proposition to you, you say “No,” and turn away, why, then you are safe, and neither Tom, Harry, nor Satan has the least hold upon you. A boy who is undecided in his moral character, in his sports, and, when he grows up, in his business, floats, drifts along to sure destruction; for every craft that drifts is doomed. A phrenological “dead center” may arise from such an equal poise of all the faculties that no class or group gets the ascendency when propensity, sentiment, and intellect are balanced. In such a case, there is a safe appeal which must result in accordance with the highest good, namely, ask yourself what would the Saviour do under such circumstances; just what you suppose He would approve or advise, that you will be safe in doing. Do this, and there will be no “dead center,” no indecision, no yielding to temptations. How important that all, especially the young, make the application; don’t wreck yourself and others by indecision; don’t drift and float down the swift stream of life with all your energies on a “dead center.” This is forcibly brought to mind when we see a man who might do a great deal of good in every way, loafing through life, a curse to himself and to all about him. Write, mother, write!
A new unspotted book of life before thee,
Thine is the hand to trace upon its pages
The first few characters to live in glory,
Or live in shame, through long, unending ages;
Write, mother, write! Thy hand, though woman's, must not faint nor falter,
The lot is on thee, nerve thee, then, with care;
A mother's tracery time may never alter;
Be its first impress, then, the breath of prayer.
Write, mother, write! Write, father, write!
Take thee a pen plucked from an eagle's pinion,
And write immortal actions for thy son;
Teach him that man forgets man's high dominion,
Creeping on earth, leaving great deeds undone;
Write, father, write! Leave on his life book a fond father's blessing,
To shield him 'mid temptation, toil and sin,
And he shall go to glory's field, possessing
Strength to contend, and confidence to win.
Write, father, write! Write, sister, write!
Nay, shrink not, for a sister's love is holy,
Write words the angels whisper in thine ears;
No bud of sweet affection, howe'er lowly,
But planted here will bloom in after years.
Write, sister, write! Something to cheer him, his rough way pursuing,
For manhood's lot is sterner far than yours;
He may not pause, he must be up and doing,
While thine more gentle toil among the flowers.
Write, sister, write! Write, brother, write!
Strike a bold blow upon those kindred pages;
Write: Shoulder to shoulder, brother, we will go,
Heart linked to heart, though wild the conflict rages
We will defy the battle and the foe.
Write, brother, write! We, who have trodden boyhood's path together,
Beneath the summer's sun and winter's sky,
What matter if life brings us some foul weather,
We may be stronger for adversity.
Write, brother, write! Fellow mortal, write!
One God reigns in the heavens—there is no other,
And all mankind are brethren—thus 'tis spoken,
And whoso aids a sorrowing, struggling brother,
By kindly word, or deed, or friendly token,
Shall win the favor of our Heavenly Father,
Who judges evil and rewards the good,
And who hath linked the race of man together,
In one vast universal brotherhood.
Fellow mortal, write! RELIGIOUS NEWS AND NOTES.
—Forty London lawyers assemble at eight o'clock A. M., on Sundays, to study the Greek Testament. —A Palestine Exploration Society, after the model of the English Society, is to be formed in Germany. —The “Sunday Rest” question has been taken up officially by the authorities of the Protestant church in Germany. —An exchange says that a Belgian Court has set aside a lady’s will because she was under the influence of a belief in Spiritualism. —Mr. Edward Kimball, who is leading the crusade in the Pacific States against church debts, in six Sundays secured money and pledges for the relief of eight churches, amounting to $156,000. —President Hayes has notified the Trustees of the Methodist Foundry church, Washington, of his desire to contribute for the support of the gospel as much as any single subscriber to its funds—which proves to be $500 per annum. —An Eastern paper says: “The Banner of Light, a Spiritualist newspaper, goes to the expense of cable-dispatches in the Slade case. And that with all the spirit-intelligences of the under world at its command! Who will believe in spiritism after this?” —Dr. Cuyler, during a pastoral life of thirty-one years, seventeen of which have been spent in his Brooklyn parish, has preached 4,800 sermons, besides writing articles for the religious press that it is estimated have had a circulation of some seventy million copies. —Mr. Moody has been urged by evangelical clergymen and others to remain a year, at least, in Boston, and finish the work which the revival has begun. He was a good deal moved by the urgent appeal, but with characteristic directness, said he should not be governed by the votes, but should do as God told him. —On April 27, the English revisers of the authorised version of the New Testament concluded their first revision and their sixty-ninth session. They have also finished the second revision of the Gospels. This second revision occupied eight sessions, or thirty-two days. The first revision has thus occupied sixty-one sessions, or two hundred and forty-one days, and has extended over six years and one month. —A vigorous movement is to be made by the High Church Episcopalians to have the words “Protestant Episcopal” dropped from the title of the church. It would then be designated simply as “The Church,” and the success of the measure would pointedly deny the Christian standing of all other religious bodies and commit Episcopalians to the most exclusive sectarianism. The recent Convention of the Diocese of Pennsylvania declared against the change. On the other hand, some influential church journals are openly committed to the step, and by the time the General Convention meets it is expected the lines will be closely drawn on this issue. —Some three hundred new papers were started in the United States during 1876, and about five hundred suspended publication. —The highest railroad bridge in the world is that over the Kentucky river which the Cincinnati Southern road has just completed. —In the last three hundred years there have been one hundred and forty-six Arctic Expeditions, and full one thousand books written on the subject. —Official reports show a large increase in the number of passengers from the East passing over the isthmus of Darien, as compared with the corresponding period last year. —The town of Williams, Colusa county, was partially destroyed by fire on the night of the 12th. The total loss of property is estimated at $35,000; total insurance, $19,000. —June 14, was the centennial anniversary of the formal adoption of the stars and stripes as the flag of the United States, by resolution of the Continental Congress, June 14, 1777. —A Cincinnati Gazette special from Vanceburg, Ky., states that a fight occurred there between a vigilance committee and a band of horse thieves. There were between 50 and 70 men engaged, and four are reported killed. —There have been between 15,000 and 16,000 head of sheep killed on the Rancho Casmalia, Santa Barbara county, this season, for their hide and tallow. There is no feed for the stock in that vicinity, and the few head of sheep and cattle which remain are not expected to live through. —It is estimated that the sea holds 60,000,000,000,000,000 tons of salt. Should the sea be dried up, there would be a deposit of salt over the entire bottom of the ocean 450 feet deep, and if the salt were taken and spread on the land it would cover it to a depth of 900 feet. —New Jersey is again visited with the plague of the “seventeen year” locusts. They appeared in great numbers on the first day of June, just seventeen years from their last former appearance. Their term of life is brief, but they leave sad marks behind when they disappear. —The Calaveras Chronicle says: “We were shown several stalks of oats this week, grown on Hoskinson’s ranch, Lower Rich gulch, that measured eight feet nine inches, the tallest grain we ever saw or heard of. Some alfalfa grown on the same place measured six feet and three inches.” —A grove of the great trees of the Yosemite has just been explored. It is of an altitude similar to that of the other groves, 6,000 feet. Instead, however, of being only a cluster of forty trees, it is a six-mile-square collection of ten thousand. There are trees in it estimated to be from 100 to 4,000 years old. —The European demand for American produce is indicated by the fact that recently the steamers from San Francisco took full cargoes, including 104,000 bushels of grain, 1,100 boxes bacon, 2,300 boxes cheese, 3,000 packages and 4,460 boxes butter, and 1,600 quarters of fresh beef. The steamship Chester took 4,400 boxes fresh butter, packed in the refrigerating room, in place of fresh beef. —An apparently well authenticated report has been published announcing the appearance among the vineyards of Spain of the dreaded phylloxera, which has caused such deplorable ravages among the fairest vineyards of France. Chiefly owing to the attacks of this destructive insect the wine production of the latter country has decreased from nearly two thousand millions of gallons, in 1875, to less than one thousand million gallons in 1876. —By the timely and Providential appearance of the monsoon, the dreadful famine in India has been arrested, and news from the famine districts is more cheerful. A Calcutta dispatch says the south-west monsoon burst at Colombo, Ceylon, on the 14th of last month, and may therefore be expected at Bombay early in June. If it comes in good time, and brings sufficient rain, the government will be able to congratulate itself on having passed the crisis of the famine. Already official reports from both Bombay and Madras anticipate the commencement of agricultural operations in consequence of rain which has already fallen. There have been showers also throughout Mysore. The Humboldt Times says that an Indian belonging to one of the tribes at or near the mouth of the Klamath river was killed lately, the Indians say, by a white man, or white men. As a result of this the Indians, headed by “Spot,” chief of the tribe to which the murdered Indian belonged, have driven the fishermen and all the white men from the mouth of the river, and announced that they will kill the first four white men who appear on the trail at that point. A meeting of the citizens was held at Crescent City on the 10th to consider the matter, and it was finally decided to send the Sheriff of Del Norte county with four citizens to take “Spot” into custody. These went to the habitation of the chief, but could not find him. —June 20, a destructive fire broke out in St. John, N. B. A strong north wind was blowing at the time, and in an incredibly short space of time the flames burst out, carrying with them hundreds of houses, stores and lumber yards. The loss of hotels, churches, school-houses, banks, etc., was made a thousand times more painful and lamentable by the destruction of life accompanying it. Of the 810 acres in the city boundaries, 400 are burned over, and over 15,000 residents are homeless. The loss is estimated at $20,000,000, and insurance at $8,000,000. Measures are being taken to send speedy relief to the sufferers. June 23, attempts were made by incendiaries to burn the remainder of the town, but they were discovered and the fire extinguished. The mother who indulges her daughter in recreation, or idleness, while she performs the service which the daughter should have done, is doing a most serious injury to the child she loves. Many mothers, from a mistaken kindness perhaps, are committing this error. In many families, even in very humble circumstances, where daughters will sooner or later, be compelled to rely upon their own efforts for support, or else live in the greatest necessity, they are allowed to grow up without any fixed habits of industry, and with very little knowledge of those duties, which they may be required to discharge in life. The mother rises early in the morning, prepares breakfast for her household, while her grown up daughter sleeps away the fresh hours, and only performs her toilet in time to take her seat late at the table which her mother has spread, with a pale cheek, a languid air, and, perhaps, no appetite for the food which her mother has prepared. Both are committing a mistake which they will have occasion to regret in later years. The mother performs her daily routine of domestic duties, does her washing, ironing, cooking, house-cleaning, while the daughter, after some light and unimportant service, dresses herself to entertain company, make calls, take walks, or, still worse, waste her hours in reading novels, and poring over light and trashy literature. A grave and lasting wrong is done to the child, a wrong which may entail sorrow for a lifetime. It is no wonder mothers sometimes say, “girls are not worth as much as they used to be when we were young.” How can they be, when mothers do not train them to those stern, but needful social virtues, those habits of domestic industry, and that knowledge of home duties, without which, no daughter can make a home happy, and fill with honor, the honored station of a wife and a mother? Much of the blame is chargeable on mothers themselves. It is natural for children to desire leisure and indulgence. But all children, from their earliest years, should be made to feel that they have some responsibilities to bear, some duties to perform. These should be graduated according to the age, strength and circumstances of the child. If this be too long omitted, the daughter obeys her own caprices more than her mother’s authority, and either being or supposing herself a young lady, she fancies that housework is unfashionable for, or unsuited to young ladies, and should be left to domestics, that is, to her mother, and such other help as she may be able to command,—The Home.