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Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 43.

General Articles
Earlier text: NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON

Our Good Meeting in Basel.

By Ellen G. White

IN the morning meeting, September 18, there was quite a large gathering of French, Germans, Italians, and English; and prayers were offered in all these languages. The Lord was near to bless his people. My heart was drawn out in earnest supplication that this meeting might be the beginning of better days for the laborers in these fields and for all here assembled; that heavenly wisdom might be given to every one engaged in the work; and that at this important Council the Spirit of Jesus would soften and subdue hearts. I had the assurance of his word and Spirit that the Lord would hear and answer our prayers.
I spoke from James 3: 13-18. I felt urged by the Spirit of God to speak to this people of the necessity of love and unity, and to keep it before their minds that it is entirely out of place for the servants of Christ to be self-sufficient and independent. Great and noble-minded men are teachable; those of selfish and narrow minds are not willing to be taught. It is the privilege of men in their intercourse with others to lay every man's mind under tribute, absorbing all that can be gained from the experience and education of others. If there are things of no value, they can be cast aside. If the heart is humble and the purpose true, there will be sanctified perception to distinguish between the true and the false. The word spoken went home to hearts.
September 19, in the afternoon, I spoke from Col. 1:24-29. I was followed by three interpreters, in German, French, and Danish, but this did not embarrass me in the least. I felt great weakness before going into the desk, and prayed earnestly that God would help me, and bless the people in a special manner. Heavenly angels were in our meeting, and I was blessed in speaking, and the people in hearing. My message seems to be making a better impression here than on the minds of my American brethren and sisters.
After the discourse, we had a most precious social meeting. Our brethren of the different nationalities expressed themselves as being greatly blessed, and very grateful to God for the word spoken. One brother who had been laboring in Naples had been unwilling to come under the control of the Conference, and yet had depended on the Conference for means to carry on the work in his own way. With deep feeling he confessed his unconsecrated state. Said he, “I have heard and read about the mission of Sister White; but now I see myself. I acknowledge that the power of God has come to my heart through her testimony. I receive it as from God, and humble my heart before him.” Many said with tears that this was the best meeting they ever enjoyed. Our American brethren, with brokenness of heart, bore excellent, humble testimonies. We could say with Jacob, “Surely the Lord is in this place.”
We had a very precious season in the early morning meeting, September 22. I gave a little talk on faith. It is our unbelief that is offensive to God, and withholds us from good. If we have faith according to our light and privileges, Heaven is open before us. The rich promises of God will be fulfilled, and nothing will be wanting to us. Christ requires that the experience and character of his followers shall be in accordance with the talents received; that obedience, faith, and love be developed in accordance to the light and grace given. If there is not an increase of faith, there will be a decrease of light and blessings. If there is not an improvement of the talents given us of God, our condemnation will be in proportion to our neglect.
Through the translator, many acknowledged that they were seeing new light, and could now understand why it was that they had not advanced more rapidly in Christian experience. They had wanted to walk by sight, and not by faith. Some then urged that the meetings continue a week longer. They said the lessons they were receiving from Sister White were of great value to them, and that they were gaining much knowledge from the Bible-readings and the instruction given upon the work of canvassers and colporters. The decision was in accordance with the proposition.
From Brother Malan, of Italy, we learned many facts in regard to the Italian field. It will require a strong, determined, persevering effort to introduce the truth there; but when once it has gained a foothold, numbers will be gathered into the ranks of Sabbath-keepers. Many honest souls are buried up in the rubbish of superstition and error,—doctrines which they have received from their preachers, to whom the people are educated to look as the true teachers of righteousness. At some time, I know not how soon, there will be a disturbance in the valleys of Italy. The confidence of the people in their teachers will be shaken, the eyes of many will be opened, and the truth will be proclaimed among them.
September 26 was set apart as a day of fasting and prayer. In the morning meeting for ministers, the Lord poured upon me the spirit of supplication for my ministering brethren. With many tears I spoke to them of the solemn work of the watchman and the necessity of faithfulness. The presence of the Lord was in the meeting. His power rested upon me and upon those that heard. Prayers and tears were mingled, and every testimony borne was characterized by the deepest feeling.
This has been a season of taxing labor for me; but the Lord has given me strength for my day.

The Missionary.

By S. N. H.

The Work in Australia.

There is no truer saying than that, “History repeats itself.” There is no place where this truth is more evident than in the cause of God. Solomon says: “I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever. Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God doeth it that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.”
To give the particulars of the work in Australia is simply to recite a chapter in the history of the Reformation of the sixteenth century. Speaking of that time, Luther says: “I put forward God’s word, I preached and wrote; this was all that I did. And yet while I was asleep, or seated familiarly at the table with Amsdorf and Melanchthon, . . . the word that I had preached overthrew popery, so that neither prince nor emperor did it much harm. Yet I did nothing; the word of God did all.” Again he says: “Do you not know what the devil thinks when he sees men resort to violence to propagate the gospel through the world? Seated with folded arms behind the fires of hell, Satan says with malignity and frightful grin, ‘Ah, how wise these madmen are to play my game!’ But when he sees the word running and contending alone on the field of battle, then he is troubled, and his knees knock together; he shudders and faints with fear.”
Paul arrived one day in Athens, and found, among the many altars erected for the worship of false gods, one to the “unknown God.” He did not touch one of their idol deities, but preached God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. This truth took possession of hearts, and men renounced idolatry and embraced Christianity. This is ever God’s way of working with power among the people. When his word is disseminated, it will of itself affect hearts. Where it gains access to the heart, it is destined sooner or later to bring the mind to a crisis; and where it is received, it will change the life; for God does more by his word and Spirit alone than all the world can do by their united strength. When the word of God has free course in a community, it will vindicate itself. To-day it will affect one heart, to-morrow another, and in such a manner that dry forms and ceremonies will lose their attractions and their power to interest the soul. God lays his word upon the heart, and when the heart is taken, all is won.
Since coming to Australia, it has been our object to win hearts and secure the confidence of the people. It is for this purpose that we preach and do missionary work. A few Bible-readings have been held, and publications have been distributed. No eloquent sermons have been preached, no great demonstrations have been made; and yet the devil has been aroused within the few months that we have been here, more than by the keeping of the Sabbath for five years by some individuals in this place, who have finally given it up through discouragement. For the reading of the Scriptures has presented the gospel in its different phases, so that the word of God could have free course and be glorified.
Some sermons have been preached against us, and other efforts have been made similar to those usually put forth when men find themselves minus proof from the word of God to present to the people to quiet their consciences. One argument used has been that they already have enough different sects here in this colony. They do not need any more; therefore the people should not open their houses to any who come to teach them different views from those they have always been taught. It is dangerous to read the Bible, unless the pastor is present to explain it to them.
Those efforts to stay the progress of the truth have reminded us of the dream of the Elector of Saxony, in Luther’s time. He dreamed that he saw a monk writing something on the chapel of Wittemberg. The pen was so long that it reached to Rome, and tickled the ears of the pope, and shook the triple crown on his head. Then the pope’s partisans began to take hold of this pen, but it grew stiff until it was as stiff as iron. The greater their efforts to break it, the stronger it became, until finally they left off meddling with it. When asked wherein the strength of the pen lay, and where he obtained it, the monk replied that the pen belonged to a Bohemian goose (Huss) a hundred years old. “I had it from my old school-master,” said he. “It is so strong because no one can take the pith out of it; and I myself am quite astonished at it.” Then he saw a host of other pens begin to write matter of the same nature.
We have concluded that some of the pith that was in Luther’s pen is in the truth that is presented here in Australia. The simple efforts which have been put forth have created quite a rustle. And those who would stop the work have only caused the truth to spread. In this we rejoice. And we see the truth doing the same thing now that it did in the time of the Saviour and during the Reformation; that is, making a separation.
Those who have taken their stand on the truth were among the most influential in a large and flourishing Sunday-school, and have been among the best members in the church to which they belonged, allowing the minister to be the judge. But because they have taken their stand on what they believe to be the light of truth, they have been disfellowshipped. They have not been allowed the privilege of speaking in meeting, nor even of saying a word explanatory of their changed views.
In different communities an interest has been awakened to know what we believe and why we believe as we do. Some have come miles to visit us. They receive some of our periodicals, which are sure to kindle a fire in the vicinity where these persons live. It is these things that give us hope and courage in the work. While there are many who take no interest in the truth except to oppose it, there is another class who are more noble, and are desirous to learn what the Scriptures do teach. These cannot be stopped from investigating. And there is a nobility about a real Englishman, that, when his soul is stirred, will lead him to brave danger and withstand opposition from friends and foes.
We have now reached a time when it seems necessary to publish a paper here to meet certain positions taken. Over three hundred copies of “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” have been sold. And we have two additional canvassers, brethren who have embraced the truth here. They have canvassed but a few days, but have had apparent success.
Our courage in God is good. We need, and I trust we have, the sympathy and prayers of our friends in America.
S. N. H.

North Pacific Conference.

By Charles L. Boyd

THE cause is still onward in Clarke County, W. T. During the past eighteen months, the people at Brush Prairie have been favored with considerable missionary work and some preaching. The seed thus sown is springing up. May its fruit be gathered into the soon-coming kingdom.
A Sabbath-school and Sabbath meetings have been organized. Five of this company have been baptized; but until a church can be organized here, these will hold their membership with the church recently organized at Vancouver.
A recent letter from Brother J. C. Bunch reports five persons in Coos County, all heads of families, who have commenced the observance of the Sabbath since Elder Fulton and the writer were there.
The angel of the Lord has gone out before us. Oh, for more laborers, and for more means to follow up the openings of providence! Oct. 29, 1885.                                         CHAS. L. BOYD.

Virginia City, Nevada.

By E. A. Briggs

I AM now paying my second visit to this place since the Carson camp-meeting; and have organized a church of thirteen members, to which several others of the covenant members will doubtless soon be added.
It is very cheering to note the zeal and faithfulness of this little band. The sermons and Bible-readings now being given are well attended, and we trust that of the large number who know their duty some additions will be made to the ranks of those who obey the truth. During the next six weeks my post-office address will be Reno, Nevada. E. A. BRIGGS. Oct. 23, 1885.

Upper Columbia T. and M. Society.

By Carrie E. Mills

REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDING SEPT. 30, 1885.

No of members 145
“ reports returned 146
“ members added 12
“ dismissed 3
“ missionary visits 367
“ letters written 301
“ SIGNS taken in clubs 200
“ pages of tracts and pamphlets distributed 57,101
“ periodicals distributed 4,850
“ Annuals 30
“ new subscribers obtained: SIGNS, 29; Review, 25; Good Health, 7; Instructor, 30; other periodicals, 4; total 95

CASH RECEIVED.

Received on donations and memberships $ 33 35
“ “ sales 9 50
“ “ periodicals 174 00
“ “ reserve fund 30 00
“ “ other funds 3 00
Total $249 85
CARRIE E. MILLS, Sec’y.

How the Young Learn Infidelity.

By Pentecost

NOT long ago I found a lad in an inquiry room. I spoke to him, and found, to my surprise, a degree of cold indifference to the subject of religion not often found in the young. He had come in with a school-fellow friend of his, who wanted to speak with me. He at once avowed himself a disbeliever in the Bible. I, amazed at this infidelity in one so young, asked him on what grounds he disbelieved the Bible. He answered, without a moment’s hesitation, that “the scientific difficulties in the book of Genesis make it impossible to believe the Bible is true.” Probing the infidelity of this lad of fourteen, I found that his teacher in the public school where he attended was a disciple of Herbert Spencer, and that he had managed to instill his skepticism into the minds of his pupils. Moreover, the lad had an elder brother in the scientific school at Yale College, and he alleged the opinions of one of the leading professors, who was an atheist. In addition, I found that the boy backed up his infidelity by naming a large number of the prominent educators of the youth of our land as being among those who did not believe in the divine authority of the Bible. He evidently had been filled by his teacher. We hope that such cases are rare among teachers and pupils; but we fear, at the same time, that they are not so exceptional as we could wish. Thus does this kind of infidelity silently percolate from the higher down through the lower and younger classes.—Pentecost.

Norwalk, California.

By John Norton Loughborough

After the close of the Santa Ana camp-meeting it was thought advisable, as we were in that section, that Brother Ings and myself should hold a few meetings at Norwalk, Los Angeles County, before going to other points. As many of our people at Norwalk had been attending the camp-meeting, the situation of their home affairs was not the most favorable for this meeting. We commenced, however, on Thursday evening, October 29, appointing meetings for day and night until first-day evening, November 1. We held during this time nine meetings. These meetings were fairly attended, and were a source of encouragement and strength to the cause in that vicinity. The Norwalk church has had but little ministerial labor for the last year. It has met with some losses by some who, “when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake,” get offended. We were glad, however, to find so many of this new church determined to persevere, and anxious to learn how to act their part in the cause.
The church renewed their club of fifty SIGNS with which to do missionary work, and replenished their library with tracts. Those who were present renewed their pledges of weekly amounts to keep up their club of SIGNS, and other missionary supplies. There was considerable outside interest especially on first-day and evening. On Monday, the church met to celebrate the ordinances instituted by the Saviour on the night of his betrayal. More would have been present to participate, but were detained by affliction in their families. It was a heavenly season for those who were present. All separated with new determination to be in earnest in this last great cause.
J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.

“Will the Lord Accept Me?”

You may be interested in the case of an old woman who had been led to the Lord by Miss Chickmay. We wondered she did not ask to be baptized, but she seemed to have some difficulty about it. We are careful not to press any one to be baptized, but we had no doubt that this woman was converted; and one day I went and sat down by her side, and I said, “Now, Han Ta-sao (that is, elder sister), what is the difficulty? You do love the Lord Jesus?”
“Yes, I do love him.”
“You do not doubt that he has taken away your sins?”
“No.”
I said, “Where is the doubt?”
Then the old woman said, tears running down her cheeks, “You know that Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.’ I am a poor old woman, nearly seventy, and nearly blind. I cannot go into all the world and preach the gospel. I am willing to tell my husband and son and his wife, when he marries; I am willing to tell my neighbors, and I could, perhaps, go to one or two villages; but I cannot go into all the world. Tell me if the Lord will accept this of a poor old woman of my age?”
I felt as if I could take the old woman in my arms, and I said, “That is all the Lord Jesus wants—he wants each of us to do our best.” Then she looked at me with her eyes full of earnestness, and said, “Tell me, can I be a disciple, and be baptized without going into foreign countries?” I told her she could, and she replied, “Then I am ready to be baptized whenever you like.”—Richmond Christian Advocate.

Infidelity

By J. R. Paxton

INFIDELITY reproves nothing that is bad. It only ridicules and denounces all that is good. It tears down; it never constructs. It destroys; it never imparts life. It attacks religion, but offers no adequate substitute.—J. R. Paxton.
“BE not weary in well-doing.”

Thistles.

Miss Edgerton's “High School for Young Ladies” was advertised to re-open on the 15th of September, as indeed it had done for forty years, except when the 15th came on Saturday or Sunday. Even a Friday fifteenth did not interfere with Miss Edgerton's rule, the High School being much too “high” to have any superstition about Friday.
This fifteenth of which I write happened on a Tuesday, and the dear old lady who had begun life as a teacher here in this very village of Lauderdale by teaching the mothers of all these girls, saw her school-room well filled on this first day of the session.
It was a little strange, of course, that in this advanced and advancing age an old lady of sixty should still hold the best patronage of Lauderdale. But if ever anybody in this world knew how to make things that were pure and of good report seem lovely too, it was Miss Edgerton. Session after session, the faults and foibles that are sure to be found among twenty-five girls, came under her clear-sighted notice; and year after year her tender grace, her ready tact, waged a marvellously successful battle with these enemies to good character.
Barely had a week of school days passed over the dark-haired and fair-haired lassies of this session, when Miss Edgerton made her first move in the battle.
She always made a point of being a great deal with her girls in their “off” hours, and no sacrifice of her own ease stood in her way, when she had a chance to draw the young hearts nearer to her.
It was really quite funny to see them pulling her around when it was time for the homeward walk; for it was held to be a great treat to have her escort them home, and, old lady as she was, she often humored them by walking three times the distance between the school building and her boarding-house, to see one and another home.
The High School was a little off from the edge of the town, and a charmingly shady and grassy lane led to the gate of its well-kept lawn.
As the whole school flocked townward, one afternoon in September, along the lane now bright with the changing leaves, with golden rod and asters, Miss Edgerton walked in their midst, but less gay and responsive than usual.
“I know what makes you so solemncholy to-day, Miss E.,” said a mischievous girl, giving her shawl a saucy pull; “but if you'll smile and look chirpy, I'll never spell separate with an ‘e’ in the middle any more!”
“Miss E.” (this was her school name) did smile, but rather gravely; and after the chatter and laughter that followed Essie's quiz had quieted, she said, “No, girls, I was just thinking how poor I was likely to be this session.”
“Poor”—what did the old lady mean? She had had a comfortable living all her life, and had enough and to spare, what could be the matter?
The girls were silent with surprise, and so Miss Edgerton had gained her first point,—their interested attention.
“You see,” she went on, “I have made myself a large missionary box, a very large one, and yet I fear not large enough; and I have resolved that every time one of my girls speaks harshly or uncharitably, I will drop a silver dime into it. I don't see very well how I can afford so many dimes; still I mean to do it this whole session, if I have to live on bread and water and go without a new frock.”
The silence with which the girls had listened to this surprising statement was broken when they saw a little twinkle in the teacher's eye.
“Oh, that's a joke”—“You're only hinting”—“You don't mean it,” cried one and another.
“Now, Miss E.,” said Essie, rather poutingly, “what is the great harm of criticising our neighbors a little? We're all willing to be pulled to pieces in our turn.”
Miss Edgerton stopped and pulled a pod from a tall prickly bush of purple thistle; its flowering days were over, seed-time had come, and the browned cup was packed full of light seeds, each one furnished with a white wing, ready for sailing. To the surprise of her young companions, the teacher leaned over the fence and with a single puff of breath blew the shining things over into the freshly plowed field.
“Have I done any harm, Essie?” she asked, gravely.
“I fancy Mr. Griffith will think so next spring,” answered the girl, more soberly than usual.
“Yet two whole seasons, a fall and a winter, will pass before he even knows the mischief I have done, unless I tell him, as I certainly shall. And all your idle words, if you allow the devil to tip them with seeds of envy, hatred, and uncharitableness, will sprout and grow and do damage somewhere. I am going to bring my box to school to-morrow.”
True to her word, the missionary box made its appearance; and Miss Edgerton carried out her plan, with this amendment, proposed by Essie, voted upon and carried by the whole school, that for every idle criticism, unkind in tone, the offender should drop her dime in on top of the teacher's.
I am compelled to say that the box grew very heavy as the days went by; but then you never saw girls so surprisingly careful about their idle words as these High School pupils who paid tribute for them to Miss Edgerton's missionary box!—Work at Home.

The Home Circle.

A WORD ABOUT WORDS.

Ah, me, these terrible tongues of ours! Are we half aware of their mighty powers? Do we ever trouble our heads at all Where the jest may strike or the hint may fall? The latest chirp of that “little bird,” That spicy story “you must have heard,” We jerk them away in our gossip rash, And somebody’s glass, of course, goes smash. What homes have been blasted and broken, What pestilent sinks been stirred, By a word in lightness spoken, By only an idle word!
A sneer, a shrug, a whisper low, They are poisoned shafts from an ambushed bow! Shot by the coward, the fool, the knave, They pierce the mail of the great and brave; Vain is the buckler of wisdom or pride To turn the pitiless point aside; The lip may curl with a careless smile, But the heart drips blood, drips blood the while. Ah, me! what hearts have been broken, What rivers of blood have been stirred, By a word in malice spoken, By only a bitter word!
A kindly word and a tender tone, To only God is their virtue known! They can lift from the dust the abject head, They can turn a foe to a friend instead; The heart close-barred with passion and pride Will ope at their knock its portal wide, And the hate that blights and the scorn that sears Will melt in the fountain of childlike tears. What ice-bound griefs have been broken, What rivers of love been stirred, By a word in kindness spoken, By only a gentle word! —The Welcome.

Salaries of the British Cabinet

The salaries of the British Cabinet are: Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Lord of the Treasury, $50,000; Chancellor of the Exchequer, $25,000; Lord High Chancellor, $50,000; Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, $100,000; Lord President of the Privy Council, $20,000; Secretary for the Colonies, $25,000; Home Secretary, $25,000; Secretary of War, $25,000; Secretary of India, $25,000; First Lord of the Admiralty, $22,000; Lord Chancellor of Ireland, $30,000; President of the Board of Trade, $10,000.

A Mother's Tact.

The mother was sewing busily, and Josie, sitting on the carpet beside her, and provided with doll, rounded scissors, and some old magazines, was just as busily cutting out pictures.
“It would litter the carpet.” So said Aunt Martha, who had come in for a cozy chat. Mamma knew this, but she also knew that a few minutes’ work would make all right again, and Josie was happy.
All went well until the little boy found that he had cut off the leg of a horse that he had considered a marvel of beauty. It was a real disappointment and grief to the little one.
“Mamma, see!” and, half crying, he held it up.
“Play he’s holding up one foot,” the mother said quickly.
“Do real horses, mamma?”
“Oh, yes, sometimes.”
“I will,” and sunshine chased away the cloud that in another minute would have rained down.
It was a little thing, the mother’s answer; but the quick sympathy, the ready tact, made all right. The boy’s heart was comforted, and he went on with no jar on nerves or temper, and auntie’s call lost none of its pleasantness.
“I am tired cutting pieces, mamma,” said Josie after a while.
“Well, get your horse-wagon, and play those bits of paper are wood and you are going to bring me a load. Draw it over to that corner by the fire, and put them into the kindling box; play that’s the wood-house.”
Pleased and proud, the little teamster drew load after load, till the papers were all picked up, without his ever thinking that he was doing anything but play.—Christian World.

The Words of a Talebearer

“The words of a talebearer are as wounds.”

No Short Cut to Excellence

THERE is no short cut to excellence. In every department of human achievement superiority is based upon toil, and success is reached only by effort.

A Brave Bird.

By Sel.

While a party of ladies were chatting on a piazza at Clifton, N. J., their attention was attracted by the swift descent of a sparrow hawk. A moment later, the pirate of the air was seen soaring upward with a poor little bird in its talons. The ladies were not the only spectators of the tragic incident. No sooner did a robin, who had been putting the finishing touches to her nest in a tree near by, see the distress of the chippy than she took wing and darted in pursuit of the hawk. Overtaking the robber, the robin at once attacked him with much courage. She dealt blow after blow with her beak on the hawk's body, each blow being followed by the scattering of a tuft of feathers plucked from the plumage of the marauding hawk. That party to the battle in mid-air seemed dazed at first and rose straight upward, the robin following. Then the hawk swooped downward, and turned abruptly in another direction. Still the plucky robin kept close, and at every stroke of her beak the hawk uttered a cry of pain. Thus the combat was continued in a narrow circle near the piazza for more than a minute. The spectators were much excited. They clapped their hands and tried to encourage the robin as much as possible, and they were well pleased indeed when the hawk dropped his prey and fled afar. The chippy fell like a plummet toward the ground. It seemed as though it had escaped from the hawk only to be dashed to death on the earth, when suddenly it found its wings, and, fluttering for an instant, gained a safe poise, and flew to the robin's tree. Meanwhile, the robin had returned to her nest, where she resumed her work as though nothing had happened to mar the serenity of the peaceful afternoon.—Sel.

Benefits of Rest.

By Sel.

It would be of incalculable value to every busy woman, particularly to a mother of small children, to take at least a half-hour's absolute bodily rest every day. I think every mother who is not compelled to be the merest drudge can justly claim one whole hour to herself out of the twenty-four—a half-hour for reading and a half-hour for physical rest. Many a woman by so doing would preserve the bloom and freshness of youth at an age when most American women begin to fade and wilt. The larger the family and the greater the care, the more needful the rest. Don't let your self-sacrificing devotion to others rob you of your own just due and absolute need. Take this little half-hour respite from toil and care early in the afternoon when less liable to be interrupted by callers than later in the day. Shut yourself in your bedroom and lie down with closed eyes. Sleep if you can; at any rate remain quiet. Let your household understand that this is your time for rest, and that you must not be disturbed except under circumstances of the most pressing necessity. Even as regards others, you will be more to your family and your friends if you can, by getting needed rest, keep yourself in good health and spirits. Fretfulness and impatience are often but the result of overstrained nerves, which suitable rest will do much to remedy. This half-hour-rest cure is a simple prescription, but an exceedingly wholesome tonic. Take it daily, and it will add to your life not only length of years, but increased happiness and usefulness as well. If you have not tried it, begin at once, and be persistent.—Sel.

The Rink.

The following note, which we clip from the news columns of a daily paper, is worthy of thought. Is it not worthy of consideration by parents? Wise parents will look to its warning:—
‘An Old Roue’ writes to the Pall Mall Gazette as follows: ‘The evil you have exposed is a warning against roller skating. The evil came with roller skating at the Princess Club. There, for the first time, men about town were brought in daily contact with beautiful children not members of their own families. The little things in their innocence were too prodigal of their smiles and glances, and a passion sprang up for children. The ruin of these children themselves was not the question, but procuresses found the little East Enders, and since then the trade between the East and West Ends has grown enormously.’

Health and Temperance.

A Century of Temperance Work.

The publication by Dr. Benjamin Rush of a pamphlet entitled, “The Effects of Ardent Spirits on the Human Body and Mind,” has been fixed upon by temperance workers as the “beginning of the crusade against liquor, the first evidence of an earnest temperance sentiment in this country.” That little work made its appearance a hundred years ago; and by a common agreement a centennial celebration has been held in all the chief cities of the United States, and even in Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. In Philadelphia, as the home of Dr. Rush, special prominence was given to the occasion. Here a Centennial Temperance Conference was held, which was attended by delegates from all parts of the country. Speaking of the temperance movement, Dr. Cuyler said, in a recent sermon: “One hundred years ago, Dr. Benjamin Rush published the first treatise on the influence of ardent spirits upon mind and body. Fifty years ago the first national convention was held, and unfurled the salutary principle of total abstinence; so that the reform, in its present organized shape, is about half a century old. It has wrought great good. Mistakes have been made; follies have been committed.” But “is it not so with every good cause and every human effort for the glory of God and the good of men? I look back over it, and see thousands of homes changed, thousands of hearts comforted, thousands of stumblers rescued, thousands of souls saved.”

Light in the Sick Room.

IT is the unqualified result of all my experience with the sick, that second only to their need of fresh air is their need of light; that, after a close room, what hurts them most is a dark room, and it is not only light but direct sunlight they want. You might better carry your patient about after sun, according to the aspect of rooms, if circumstances permit, than let him linger in a room when the sun is off. People think that the effect is on the spirits only. This is by no means the case. Who has not observed the purifying effects of light, and especially of direct sunlight, upon the air of a room? Here is an observation within everybody's experience. Go into a room where the shutters are always closed, and though the room be uninhabited, though the air has never been polluted by the breathing of human beings, you will observe a close, musty smell of corrupt air—of air unpurified by the effect of the sun's rays. The mustiness of dark rooms and corners, indeed, is proverbial. The cheerfulness of a room, the usefulness of light in treating disease, is all-important. It is a curious thing to observe how almost all the patients lie with their faces turned to the light, exactly as plants always make their way towards the light.—Florence Nightingale's Notes of Nursing.

Warning Against Strong Drink

God's word says, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Intemperance Among Men

If intemperance should break out among horses and cattle, there would be an extra session of Congress called in less than three weeks, to stay the evil. But pshaw! it's only men that get drunk.—Golden Era.

Drink Statistics.

A GOVERNMENT report by the British Consul-General, in Germany, points out certain serious facts. The adult male German drinks annually on the average about seventeen gallons of spirituous liquors. In the kingdom of Prussia, the whole expenditure in 1882 on wine, beer, and spirits amounted to nearly $227,000,000. In Sweden and Norway, the consumption of spirits has been declining for some years past; but in Denmark the evil of spirit drinking has reached a terrible pitch. In Holland, in 1878, there was a drink-shop for every ninety inhabitants, including women and children; but a restrictive law, passed in 1881, has reduced the number about a quarter. The worst statistics in regard to the consumption of alcoholic liquors are those of Belgium, where, in less than half a century, the drinking of such liquors has far more than doubled for each person. In 1881 there was a public house for every dozen adult males. In France the amount of drunkenness has been reduced by the passing of a salutary law. In Switzerland, between 1870 and 1880, while the increase of population was but 6.5 per cent., the increase of public houses was 22 per cent. In Austria the condition of affairs is similar.
And all this drinking has its effect. There is a horrible array of figures giving the statistics of delirium tremens, suicides, lunacy, and accidental deaths as the result of drunkenness. In Denmark 74 per cent. of the arrests were for drunkenness, or for crimes committed under the influence of drink. The inspector-general of Belgian prisons reports that four-fifths of the crime and social misery is attributable to intemperance. In Austria the hospitals, lunatic asylums, and prisons all testify to the advance of drinking habits. And continental workmen generally—even those who do not become absolute drunkards—spend a large proportion of their earnings in drink.
The foregoing statements, be it observed, are not the froth of a temperance harangue, but the cold statistics of a Government report. They show that earthquakes and cholera are not the most terrible evils of Europe. They should be studied by those who suggest that spirit-drinking can be extirpated by introducing the free use of beer and light wines. In the very countries where the milder drinks are used, the consumption of ardent spirits is increasing at a terrible rate. The temperance question is a growing question, and it demands attention here as in other lands.—Independent.
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