We take the following article from "The Centennial History of the United States," just published at Hartford, Ct., pp. 768-779:—
"Here, on the verge of the centennial anniversary of the birth of our Republic, let us take a brief review of the material and intellectual progress of our country during the first hundred years of its political independence.333"The extent of the conceded domain of the United States, in 1776, was not more than half a million square miles; now (when the word now appears in this relation it means the year 1875) it is more than three million, three hundred thousand square miles. Its population then was about a million and a half; now it is forty millions."
"The products of the soil are the foundations of the material wealth of a nation. It has been eminently so with us, notwithstanding the science of agriculture and the construction of good implements of labor were greatly neglected until the early part of the present century."
"A hundred years ago the agricultural interests of our country were mostly in the hands of uneducated men. Science was not applied to husbandry. A spirit of improvement was scarcely known. The son copied the ways of his father. He worked with no other implements and pursued no other methods of cultivation; and he who attempted a change was regarded as a visionary or an innovator. Very little associated effort for improvement in the business of farming was then seen. The first association for such a purpose was formed in the South, and was known as the 'South Carolina Agricultural Society,' organized in 1784. A similar society was formed in Pennsylvania the following year. Now there are State, county, and even town agricultural societies, in almost every part of the Union."
"Agricultural implements were rude and simple. They consisted chiefly of the plow, harrow, spade, hoe, hand-rake, scythe, sickle, and wooden fork. The plow had a clumsy wrought-iron share with wooden mold-board, which was sometimes plated with pieces of old tin or sheet iron. The rest of the structure was equally clumsy; and the implement required, in its use, twice the amount of strength of man and beast that the present plow does. Improvements in the construction of plows during the past fifty years save to the country, annually, in work and teams, at least $12,000,000. The first patent for a cast-iron plow was issued in 1797. To the beginning of 1875, about four hundred patents have been granted."
"A hundred years ago the seed was sown by hand, and the entire crop was harvested by hard manual labor. The grass was cut with a scythe, and 'cured' and gathered with a fork and hand-rake. The grain was cut with a sickle, threshed with a flail or the treading of horses, and was cleared of the chaff by a large clamshell-shaped fan of wicker-work, used in a gentle breeze. The drills, seed-sowers, cultivators, mowers, reapers, threshing-machines, and fanning-mills of our day, were all unknown. They are the inventions of a time within the memory of living men. Attempts were made toward the close of the last century to introduce a threshing-machine from England, but the flail held sway until two generations ago."
Indian corn, tobacco, wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, and hay, were staple products of the farm a hundred years ago. Timothy and orchard grass had then just been introduced. The cultivation of all these has been greatly increased. Then nearly the whole products, excepting tobacco, were consumed by the million and a half of people; now forty millions are supported by them, and vast amounts of agricultural products are exported to foreign countries. At the present time these products amount annually, on an average, in round numbers, as follows: Indian corn, 900,000,000 bushels; wheat, 270,000,000; rye, 22,000,000; oats, 300,- 000,000; potatoes, 165,000,000; and buckwheat (introduced within the century), 15,000,000. The hay crop averages about 28,000,000 tons; the tobacco crop about 265,000,000 pounds; flax, 28,000,000 pounds, and hemp, 12,000 tons. To these agricultural products have been added, within the century, barley, cotton, and sugar. Of barley, the average crop is about 28,000,000 bushels; cotton about 2,000,000,000 pounds each. The expansion of the cotton culture has been marvelous. In 1784, eight bales of cotton sent to England from Charleston were seized by the custom-house authorities in Liverpool on the ground that so large a quantity could not have come from the United States. The progress of its culture was slow until the invention of the gin, by Mr. Whitney, for clearing the seed from the fiber. It did the work of many persons. The cultivation of cotton rapidly spread. From 1792 to 1800, the amount of cotton raised had increased from 138,000 pounds to 18,000,000 pounds, all of which was wanted in England, where improved machinery was manufacturing it into cloth. The value of slave labor was increased, and then dying institution lived in vigor until killed by the civil war. The value of the cotton crop in 1792 was $30,000; now its average annual value is about $180,000,000.
Fruit culture a hundred years ago was very little thought of. Inferior varieties of apples, pears, peaches, plums, and cherries, were cultivated for family use. It was not until the beginning of the present century that any large orchards were planted. The cultivation of grapes and berries was almost wholly unknown fifty years ago. The first horticultural society was formed in 1829. Before that time fruit was not an item of commercial statistics in our country. Now the average annual value of fruit is estimated at $40,000,000. Our grape crop alone exceeds in value $10,000,000.
"Improvements in live stock have all been made within the present century. The native breeds were descended from stock sent over to the colonies, and were generally inferior. In 1772 Washington wrote in his diary: 'With one hundred milch cows on my farm, I have to buy butter for my family.' Now 11,000,000 cows supply 40,000,000 inhabitants with milk, butter, and cheese, and allow large exports of the latter article. At least 225,000,000 gallons of milk are sold annually. The annual butter product of our country now is more than 500,- 000,000 pounds, and of cheese 70,000,000. There are now about 30,000,000 horned cattle in the United States, equal in average quality to those of any country in the world."
"A hundred years ago mules and asses were chiefly used for farming purposes, and ordinary transportation carriage-horses were imported from Europe. Now our horses of every kind are equal to those of any other country. It is estimated that there are about 10,000,000 horses in the United States, or one to every four persons."
"Sheep husbandry has greatly improved. The inferior breeds of the last century, raised only in sufficient quantity to supply the table, and the domestic looms in the manufacture of the yarns and coarse cloth, have been superseded by some of the finer varieties. Merino sheep were introduced early in this century. The embargo before the war of 1812, and the establishment of manufactures here afterward, stimulated sheep and wool raising, and these have been important items in our national wealth. There are now about 30,000,000 sheep in the United States. California is taking the lead as a wool-producing State. In 1870, the wool product of the United States amounted to 100,000,000 pounds."
"Improvements in the breed of swine during the last fifty years have been very great. They have become a large item in our national commercial statistics. At this time there are about 26,000,000 head of swine in this country. Enormous quantities of pork, packed and in the form of bacon, are exported annually."
"These brief statistics of the principal products of agriculture, show its development in this country. and its importance. Daniel Webster says, 'Agriculture feeds us ; to a great extent it clothes us ; without it we should not have manufactures; we should not have commerce. They all stand together like pillars in a cluster, the largest in the center, and that largest—AGRICULTURE.'"
"The great manufacturing interests of our country are the product of the century now closing. The policy of the British government was to suppress manufacturing in the English- American colonies, and cloth-making was confined to the household. When non-importation agreements cut off supplies from Great Britain, the Irish flax-wheel and the Dutch wool-wheel were made active in families. All other kinds of manufacturing were of small account in this country until the concluding decade of the last century. In Great Britain the inventions of Hargreaves, Arkwright, and Crompton, had stimulated the cotton and woolen manufactures, and the effects finally reached the United States. Massachusetts offered a grant of money to promote the establishment of a cotton-mill, and one was built at Beverly in 1787, the first erected in the United States. It had not the improved English machinery. In 1789, Samuel Slater came from England with a full knowledge of that machinery, and in connection with Messrs. Almy and Brown, of Providence, R. I., established a cotton factory in 1790, with the improved implements. Then was really begun the manufacture of cotton in the United States. Twenty years later the number of cotton-mills in our country was one hundred and sixty-eight, with 90,000 spindles. The buisness has greatly expanded. In Massachusetts, the foremost State in the manufacture of cotton, there are now over two hundred mills, employing, in prosperous times, 50,000 persons, and a capital of more than $30,000,000. The city of Lowell was founded by the erection of a cotton mill there in 1822; and there the printing of calico was first begun in the United States soon afterward."
U. S.
The European Mission.
By John Nevins Andrews
A LONGER period has elapsed since writing my last report than I intended to permit before writing again. I have desired to speak of a marked improvement in my health, and have waited in the hope of being able to do this. But it has seemed almost impossible for me to gain strength.
The World’s Evangelical Alliance held its session in this city during the first week of September. All denominations were represented from all parts of the world. I made great calculations on doing something in behalf of the truth at this Conference. I hoped to become acquainted with many during the session of the Alliance, and I selected a large quantity of publications to give to such as I thought would be benefited by them. But I was obliged to keep my bed during the entire period that the Alliance was in session in this city. I deeply regretted my situation, but could not change it. My strength returns very slowly, but I hope every day for a marked change in answer to prayer.
During this period of feebleness I have dictated much writing, and attended to many matters of business. I have made the best use of my time that the circumstances have admitted.
One thing which we have undertaken to do I hope will be of much service to the cause of God. We have attempted to obtain the names and addresses of many thousand persons who speak the French language. This will enable us to introduce our paper to the attention of the general public, and I trust will be of great advantage to the cause of truth.
To show the bitter spirit which prevails in some places I will mention the fact that the authorities at Orbe, Canton Vaud, have assessed a tax upon Bro. Ertzenberger on the basis of an assumed salary of 20,000 francs, or $4,000. He has appealed to the higher authorities at Lausanne, and I have sent a statement in his behalf showing that he receives for his services as missionary only enough to furnish his food and clothes and pay his traveling expenses. The persons who have assessed this tax know well that Bro. Ertzenberger is a poor man. They have placed this immense tax upon him in order to drive him out of the Canton. Bro. E. will appear before the authorities at Lausanne, and present documentary proof with respect to his income, and make oath to the same. We hope the authorities of the Canton will correct what the city authorities have done.
I have confidence that the Lord is about to work for us in Switzerland, and I hope in my next letter to report myself in active service in the field.
A Baptist lady writes from Geneva that she has commenced to observe the Sabbath. We have the same news from a lady in Canton Vaud. In a former report I spoke of Sabbath-keepers in the Turkish empire; I have since learned that there are fifteen in this company.
J. N. ANDREWS.
Bale, Oct. 6, 1879.
Missionary Institute Postponed.
By S. N. Haskell
IN consideration of my return East sooner than anticipated the proposed Tract Institute will be indefinitely postponed. The number from whom we heard who designed attending was sufficient to guarantee the holding of one in December, had not other arrangements interfered. Also the general meetings we had arranged to hold will necessarily be given up for the present.
We hope, however, there will be no failure on the part of our brethren and sisters, and indeed we do not expect there will be, in cooperating with Eld. J. D. Rice, Secretary of the Conference, and Miss Barbara C. Stickney, assistant Secretary of the Tract Society. God is waiting to be gracious, and will bless the work in this State if the friends of the cause will move forward.
There are different enterprises, all of which should be looked after in each company of Seventh-day Adventists in this State. Soon the Judgment will be past, and they who have been faithful over a few things will enter the joy of their Lord. S. N. HASKELL.
Health and Temperance.
By Stephen Nelson Haskell
WE rejoice at the good already accomplished by the temperance movement, together with the encouraging prospects for the future; and, judging from the interest manifested by the friends of the temperance cause, we expect within a few weeks to hear from every company of our people in this Conference, and learn that each has a temperance club organized and in working order. There are a few, however, who do not feel the importance of signing the pledge; they never become intoxicated themselves, and are temperate in all their habits, so why should they sign the pledge? Such persons do not realize the power of example. Their refusing to sign may stand directly in the way of some whose only hope is in signing the pledge.
The object of the temperance organization among Seventh-day Adventists is two-fold. First, that we as a people may raise the standard of temperance higher than those who do not have the fear of God before them. By each signing the teetotal pledge we present a bold front to those around us, which carries a strong influence in favor of temperance reform. Not unfrequently we meet with brethren who have fallen into the pernicious habit of tobacco using; and in some instances we have even found those who were drinking wine. When we invite them to sign the pledge and urge them to renounce these habits, they finally, with a sense of the sin of the indulgence of appetite, and feeling deeply convicted of their wrong, when they come right to the point of making a total surrender, ask, Has brother or sister so-and-so signed it? If we have to say no, they will, with a sense of relief, fall back and shield themselves under the influence of such a good brother or sister. This I have seen in many cases.
In our temperance meeting at Oakland, Rev. J. Thompson, an ardent anti-tobacco advocate, at the close of his remarks, called for a vote of those present who would pledge perpetual war against tobacco. The congregation, composed largely of our people, unanimously voted against its use. This surprised him; but he was more surprised and felt anxious to know more about our people, when he learned that we, numbering twenty-five thousand in this country, and represented in every civilized nation, universally discard the use of tobacco as well as of alcoholic drinks.
Secondly, in the temperance work we should reach out the hand to save any who have become slaves to their appetites. Every Seventh-day Adventist should sign the teetotal pledge, and raise the standard of temperance to that of the Bible. We should make no compromise with appetite when it enslaves those moral powers which distinguish man from the brute creation. And how can the Christian reach out his hand to save the poor inebriate who is reeling in the street, when he himself is a slave to the same master, only in a less degree? I have labored with conscientious Christians upon this coast, who felt a dependence on an occasional glass of wine, and with others who could not renounce the use of tobacco, because it would unfit them for labor; also with those who drank tea and coffee because it was necessary to quiet their nerves, relieve their headache, and many such ills. The same arguments which are used by some in favor of tea and coffee are used by others to vindicate their practice of using tobacco and alcoholic drinks. We must stand free from all stimulants ourselves if we would have a moral power that will lift our brother from the mire of filthy habits.
We are anxious to see the cause of present truth take advance steps; we might multiply nominal Sabbath-keepers by hundreds, but unless there is a connection with God, and a putting away of those indulgences which sacrifice health and vitality to the god of appetite and worldly lusts, we are weaker than we were before. Let God lead and his people partake of his holiness, spirit, and power: then terror will be put into the hearts of our enemies and victory will be upon our banner. Each minister, colporter, and tract officer should consider himself a special agent to secure signers to the teetotal pledge. Also all those holding credentials or licences should co-operate with T. and M. officers in the missionary work.
We shall expect soon to hear that a temperance club has been organized by every company of our people in this State, and that the Seventh-day Adventists of California have but one mind upon the temperance question. Let the constitution which has been sent out be carefully read, and remember that none except those who pay the initiation fee become full members, and none but full members who have signed the teetotal pledge are eligible to office. S. N. HASKELL.
Remarks at the Funeral of Stephen Maxson.
By P. B. Chamberlain
By Rev. P. B. Chamberlain, Pastor of the Congregational Church, Walla Walla, W. T., Sept. 28, 1879.
It is generally understood that on funeral occasions I seldom make any reference whatever to the character, the life, or the probable destiny of the deceased. In most cases I cannot do so without violating either the sacred feelings of the mourners or my own settled convictions of divine truth.
There are, however, exceptional cases, when neither my words nor my motives can well be misunderstood, in which I feel at liberty to depart from this general course if I choose to do so. I am prompted by my feelings—if, indeed, my feelings will allow me to speak at all—and my judgment, to make the present occasion such an exception.
I have known Mr. Maxson somewhat intimately for fifteen years in various relations, social, official, and religious; and as I have observed him, I do not hesitate to say that he came as near, if not nearer, to my ideal of a true living Christian man as any one I have ever known—a fair exemplification of the apostle's graphic picture—"Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." While he attended wisely and even energetically to his secular affairs, he never allowed them to override or crowd out his more important sacred duties, but seemingly held himself always ready for all good works, social, political, educational, reformatory, or religious. I suppose two of the church edifices in this city are largely if not mainly the monuments of his earnest, persistent effort, and liberal, if not lavish munificence.
Having lived such a life three score years and three—not quite, it is true, the full measure of "three score years and ten,"—he lived too fast, for that, having in seven years less, probably thought more, felt more, and done more, than most men of less tiring zeal do in the full period, showing that "that life is long which answers life's great end."
Living to see all his children grown up and comfortably settled in life; having the past year paid a general visit to the friends and scenes of his early life, from which he recently returned to renew the associations here thus temporarily interrupted, and, finally, having just returned from a visit to his youngest daughter living in the Palouse country, his circle of life was surely admirably completed, and without protracted suffering to himself, or any burdensome tax upon the devotions of his family, he has lain down to his last sleep—his final rest.
Surely such a picture, though just now draped in mourning, is a goodly one to contemplate,—a life to be admired,—an example to be emulated,—a memory to be sacredly cherished. I will presume to add to it but a single thought, and that in few words, "Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the children of men."
May the Lord help the community. It had no such men to spare; it now has at least one too few. May the Lord help the church, when such pillars are removed; it must lean hard upon divine support. May the Lord help the family. They have now parted with their wisest and best earthly friend. May they gain largely in the friendship of the God of the widow and the Father of the fatherless.
Standing in Our Own Light
Most of the shadows that cross our path through life are caused by our standing in our own light.
Civility to Children.
A lady and gentleman were speaking of another's Christian character. The gentleman said, "He was once my Sunday-school teacher, and although I have no doubt he is a Christian, yet no word of his could ever have any influence upon me."
"Why?" asked the lady, in great astonishment.
"He would talk very earnestly and seriously to me in Sabbath-school, but if he passed me on the street a dozen times during the week, he never took the least notice of me; therefore all his words were lost upon me."
"I do not want to be in Miss R.'s class any longer," a boy said to his mother.
"Why not, my son?"
"Because she is too proud to speak to me if she meets me on the streets, and I do not want to go to Sunday-school to be in her class."
A friend once said, "I had rather fail to recognize older persons on the street than children; for they always give me such a wistful look before I speak to them, and such a gratified one afterwards, that it pays well."
"Oh, it is only a child," says some: "she will not mind if I did not speak to her!" But children do mind, and they are often more critical and appreciative than older persons.
Children are always required to express gratitude and thanks for favors bestowed upon them: but do we often express ours to them? How many little favors they bestow upon us during a week or month? How many times their little feet run "up stairs, down stairs, and in the ladies' chamber," but do we think it anything?
Certainly it is the parent's or the teacher's duty to command, and the child's to obey; but are there not times when a milder form than "Do this, do that" (with some threat attached), would be an improvement and a kindness? They must always say please, and cannot we say this to them sometimes? I remember a dear little girl who struggled nearly all day with her wilful little heart before she could say please to her dear mother; but at last the victory was final and complete.
Children usually copy the manner and tone of older persons, and their treatment of others is very similar to that they receive.
There are two aged gentlemen who are frequently in contact with a particular set of boys. One of these gentlemen can ask and obtain a favor from them at almost any time, and he always receives great courtesy and kindness from them; but the other would not dare to ask a favor, and I am sorry to say he frequently receives rude, disrespectful words, and even nicknames from them. What makes the difference? The first old gentleman is always kind, grateful, and courteous to these boys, while the other never speaks to them without a snarl and a sneer, and gives them nothing but frowns and threats.
How many little ones in this beautiful world hardly know what a kind word or a smile is! Then let us give them, and all other children, the courtesy we can; let us brighten their skies and smooth their paths all we can, for to them all there must come, some time in life, storms and hedged up ways—then the memory of pleasant events in childhood will be a comfort and cheer. Let us also show them that the religion we profess and recommend is, in itself, attractive and desirable, that it makes life better and kinder. A writer of the present day, who does not care for the Christian religion, has lately said, "Some Christians act as if they thought that when Christ said, 'Suffer little children to come unto me,' he had a drawn sword under his mantle."
True Success in Life.
WHO is the truly successful man? Mr. Catchpenny says, "of course he who has scraped together the most money—whose note will pass without an endorser,—who holds many mortgages, and has a large deposit in bank. He of course is the man; what else is worth living for, and striving after. Get gold honestly if you can, but GET it at all events; a man without money is of little account in the eye of the multitude. He is only fit to be a hewer of wood and a drawer of water. What he was created for is hard to determine!" Stop one moment, Mr. C.; do not jump at conclusions. How did your rich men obtain their riches? If by honest dealing, in the true sense of the word, prudence and temperance combined,—by steady, energetic action:—by earning their money in an honest calling, not grinding the poor to the dust; if they have obtained it in this manner, I will say God speed to them, and can rejoice at their success. But if, on the other hand, they have coined gold by handing the sparkling cup to their neighbor—the taste of which is pleasant to the palate but will sting like a viper, and hurry the victim of indulgence to a premature and dishonorable grave,—if they have converted what God made to nourish and sustain His children, into a subtle poison, the constant use of which will dethrone reason, and often makes man a brute and a murderer, and which dissolutes a thousand happy firesides and makes earth a dreamy waste; if from the young man, enticed to the snare of her who would decoy him from the path of virtue, by the greed of an unscrupulous landlord,—who, for the sake of a high rent, cares not for what purposes his premises are used, can he only get more gold; if the widow and the orphan are robbed to increase his unjust gains; if the Sabbath is desecrated by being spent in counting up ill gotten accumulations, and in forming plans for the future—can this be called true success?
He who is truly successful has learned to rule his own spirit, to return blessings for cursings, to be unjustly slandered and to move on calmly; only mindful to be true and faithful in all situations and circumstances. Though rich, he does not glory in his riches, remembering he is only a steward and must render an account at that bar where justice will be dispensed to all; but uses his riches mainly to benefit others—scattering his blessings all around him, as the sun scatters clouds and darkness by its silent influence. If at the head of an establishment,—be it a bank, farm, or a manufacturing house,—he does not appropriate the lion’s share of the profits, and grow more selfish as his riches increase; but stands ready to increase the pay of those under him unasked as the profits increase. If poor, having neither silver nor gold, houses nor lands, and can barely support a dear wife and children; still he toils on cheerfully and hopefully, having made his peace with his Maker,—having resolved to obey and follow the Saviour, even unto the end, and work out for himself a true Christian character—he is faithful to the light he possesses. Such a man will shine as the stars in the Heavenly Jerusalem, and when ages shall have rolled on will still be progressing in virtue and holiness.
This is true success in the only true sense of the word. Let the young strive after it, as the Pearl of Great Price. May the man of business in all his strivings after the things that perish with the using, be sure to obtain this success even at the expense and loss of all things else,—may the old remember if they have not yet secured the prize that a moments' delay is dangerous, as the present is the only time for action.
Courtship and Marriage.
WE commend the following truthful words to the attention of every wife and husband in the land.
There was much more than a mere witticism in the remark of the old bachelor who had paid attentions to a maiden lady for twenty years, visiting her regularly every night, when rallied for not marrying: "If I were married I should have nobody to court, and no place to go at night."
He had deeply felt the contrast between his own delicate and ethereal enjoyments, and the hard, discontented, fretted life of too many married people; and his answer was irony. He saw there was something in courtship which too often exhales and expires after marriage, leaving a cold, dull, monotonous burden where all was buoyancy before. Let us see what that something is. In courtship nothing is taken for granted. Both parties are put on their good behavior. Love keeps itself fresh and active by constant expression in word and act. But, strange to say, courtship usually ends with marriage. (Very soon after both parties yield to the sense of possession, and the feeling of security robs gallantry of motive and extracts the poetry from the mind. The beautiful attentions which were so pleasing before marriage are too often forgotten afterward.) The gifts cease or come only with the asking; the music dies out of the voice; everything is taken for granted, and the love that, like the silver jet of the fountain, leaped to heaven, denied its supply, ceases to flow altogether. Then come dull, heavy, hard days, with unhappiness, tied together and wishing themselves apart, and not always content with merely wishing. This is unnatural and wrong. What married life wants to give it new tone and sweetness is, more of the manner as well as the spirit of the romantic courting time. Very much of the pleasure of courtship comes from the constant attention of the parties to each other. Their affection voices itself in all possible ways. Every sentence is edged with a compliment and spoken in tender tones. Every look is confession. Every act in the new world is the exhaustless vocabulary of love. Kiss and caress are parenthetic clauses and gestures in the dialect of love, and gifts and sacrifices are the most emphatic expression of the spirit no language can fully articulate and no devotion declare. And it is the fact that affection confesses itself continually in look and act, making the voice musical and the fingers poetic in their touch, and doing that makes experience so beautiful—the only Eden many a woman ever has on earth. Love must have expression or it will die. It can be kept forever beautiful and blessed as at first, by giving it constant utterance in word and act. The more it is allowed to flow out in delicate attentions and noble service, the stronger, and more satisfying, and more blessed it will be. The house becomes home only when love drops its heavenly manna in it fresh every day, and the true marriage vow is made not once for all at the altar, but by loving words and helpful service, and delicate attention to the end.
The Home Circle.
LOOK UP, NOT DOWN.
Life, to some, is full of sorrow,—
Half is real, half they borrow,—
Full of rocks and full of hedges,
Corners sharp and cutting edges,
Though the joy-bells may be ringing,
Not a song you'll hear them singing,—
Seeing never makes them wise,
Looking out from downcast eyes.
All in vain the sun is shining,
Waters sparkling, blossoms twining;
They but see, through these same sorrows,
Sad to-days, and worse to-morrows;
See the clouds that must pass over;
See the weeds among the clover;
Everything and anything,
But the gold the sunbeams bring.
Drinking from the bitter fountain,
Lo! your mole-hill seems a mountain;
Drops of dew and drops of rain
Swell into the mighty main.
All in vain the blessings shower,
And the mercies fall with power;
Gathering chaff, ye tread the wheat,
Rich and rare beneath your feet.
Let it not be so, my neighbor,
Look up! you may love and labor;
Not for one alone woe's vials,
Every man has cares and trials.
Joy and pain are linked together,
Like the fair and cloudy weather;
May we have, oh, let us pray,
Faith and patience for to-day.
Saved by His Child.
SOME twenty-five years ago I was at my desk, when David N. Sears came up to me and said:—
“Have you any petition? I wish to send my name in to the Division of the Sons of Temperance. I am determined to be a man. I have as good a wife as any man, and three lovely little girls; and yet, like a fool, I am spending the most of my earnings for whisky. I am now under the influence of whisky; have been on a spree for a week. I never go home when on a spree for the place would be too warm for me. I determined, this morning, to “call off” and go home. Soon as I took my seat one of the little ones, my pet, came to me as usual and sat upon my knee. Looking up into my face, and at the same time stroking down my hair with her little hands, she asked me:—
“‘Papa, do you love me?’
“‘Yes, my child.’
“This was repeated twice. The last time she asked the question, I said:—
“‘Why do you ask me whether I love you? Do you not know I love you?’
“With tears running down her cheeks, she said:—
“‘Well, papa, if you love me why do you let me be called a drunkard’s child?’
“I dashed her from me as if she had been a serpent; and if the Sons of Temperance will receive me, sir, I will become a man; and, God helping me, never shall a child of mine, again, be called a ‘drunkard’s child.’”
He was received, and, subsequently filled the highest office of the Division, and was a highly esteemed and honored man.
He removed from our town and, when under very strong temptation—led into temptation and sin by improper association—he violated his pledge; but was restored. He finally removed to a small town in East Tennessee, where he established himself in a good business, and lived an honored and highly esteemed citizen.
I saw him a few months before his death. He was then confined to his room by protracted sickness, but was waiting patiently for the coming of the Master. He died in peace.
In giving the foregoing statement, I have written it for the purpose of bearing testimony to the power and influence for good of children, when properly trained by their mothers. The mother of the child was a Christian; and the child but reflected under the influence of the Spirit, the teachings of the mother.—Our Morning Guide.
Courtesy in Business.
By Christian Weekly
As we paid our four cents for a paper in the office of one of our largest dailies, the other morning, a pleasant "Thank you" from the clerk greeted us. We have thought much about it since. We should not have considered it discourteous if our money had been taken mechanically; four cents is a small sum. But it was very much pleasanter as it was, and the little incident set us to thinking on the subject we have put in the head of this article.
Would it not be much better all around if there were more courtesy introduced in our business dealings? We go into some shops and offices where there seems to be the most utter indifference whether your wants are supplied or not. We sometimes meet officials on railways or steamboats who are almost brutal in their manner, as if a gold band around the cap gave them the right to be insolent and overbearing. And then we find others quite the reverse, ready to answer civil questions civilly and to promote the comfort of those who are temporarily under their care. It is needless to say that a little courtesy goes a great way in making things smooth and agreeable.
This lesson of courtesy is one, it seems to us, that young persons entering in any capacity upon a business life ought to learn. There need be nothing fawning or simpering about it. It is the best when thoroughly manly or womanly. But it certainly is most easily acquired in youth and it will stand its possessor in good stead in all after years. The courteous clerk will rightly be the favorite clerk. We know that the homely old proverb is in one sense true, that "words do not take the place of things or actions." But it is also true, as the scripture says, "that a soft answer turneth away wrath." This politeness in manner and in words will be like the oil that prevents the friction to the machinery. It makes everything easy.—Christian Weekly.
Proud of His Work.
THERE is a natural satisfaction experienced in the contemplation of the results of diligent and well-directed toil. The workman's grandest monument is the work which he has completed. He looks at it, points to it, and rejoices in it. • Even "the Lord shall rejoice in his works;" and in similar rejoicing all true workers have some right to participate.
But as our good works may be an occasion of rejoicing, so the evil which men do, not only lives after them, in dark and terrible permanence, but it often confronts them, haunts them with its shadow, and shows to them the dire and terrible results of wrong doing even in this life.
During a recent discussion of the temperance question in the Canadian parliament, Mr. Ford, of Queens County, referred to a member of one of the families in the province, who had not long before been laid in a pauper's grave in consequence of being addicted to the use of intoxicating drink, and remarked that such a circumstance was "a temperance lecture in a nutshell."
Mr. Pugh, member from Halifax, immediately arose, and in opposition to Mr. Ford stated that he was a liquor-seller, and that the business was just as honorable and legitimate as a carriage-builder's.
This remark called up Mr. Ford again, and he said: "I build carriages; and when I turn out a fine wagon, and put it to rolling along the streets, I say, That is my work. I would ask the honorable member from Halifax if he is proud of his work, as he sees it rolling along the street."
There was no answer to this question; it was a question that answered itself.
Patience with Children.
If I were asked what single qualification was necessary for one who has the care of children, I should say patience—patience with their tempers, patience with their understandings, patience with their progress. It is not brilliant parts or great acquirements which are necessary, but patience to go over first principles again and again, never to be irritated by willful or accidental hindrance.
Honesty.
A right mind and a generous affection hath more beauty and charms than all other symmetries in the world besides; and a grain of honesty and native worth is of more value than all the adventitious ornaments, estates, or preferments, for the sake of which some of the better sort so often turn knaves.