Earlier text: HIS GLORY SHALL BE SEENTHE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND LIBERTY.
In a monograph published in the Correspondent (Paris) under the signature of Mgr. H. Gabriels, bishop of Ogdensburg, New York, says Public Opinion, the writer examines at length the causes which have had the largest influence on the development of Roman Catholicism in the United States during the last century. Altho stating that the United States was not favorable in 1800 to the expansion of Catholicism, he does not deny that the principle of liberty was the starting force that permitted the 50,000 Catholics living in this country at that time to increase to the millions. The population of the republic amounted then to 5,350,000, while in 1890, the Catholic communicants numbered 10,778,000 out of a total of 76,000,000. Concerning the influence of liberty on Catholicism, Mgr. Gabriels says: “It is an error to believe that in the United States the separation of the Church and State is absolute. This separation has been claimed by a handful of liberals and freethinkers, but until now without success. It is true that the close union between Church and State found elsewhere does not exist; but the States recognize some Christian traditions, such as the observation of the Sabbath, the oath, clerical immunity to a certain extent, and other religious privileges; it protects the ceremonies of the cults, recognizes canonical authority, and passes sentence upon ecclesiastical differences between members of the church according to the laws of the church itself. Not only does it grant entire liberty to religious associations and to educational institutions, but it facilitates the incorporation of dioceses, parishes, congregations, schools, and cemeteries, which thus become individuals and can enjoy their rights in accordance with their own statutes. The public has not been terrorized yet by the specter of mortmain. If it were not for public education without God and a few minor points, we could consider the United States Government as a model for the countries not possessing the unity of faith.” THE CONDITION OF THE WORLD AS VIEWED BY THE POPE.
We take the following summary of Pope Leo's latest encyclical from Public Opinion. Its chief interest lies in the fact that the pope realizes the condition of the world and society as one of anarchy, inquietude, perplexity, unrest. Read what Jesus says in Luke 21: 25-27. But the pope's remedy will never cure it. If all churches united with Rome, it would be no better; for when the Roman Church ruled the world, it was worse than now. That rule is returning, however. Here is the summary:— The Osservatore Romano, the organ of the Vatican, prints the Easter encyclical issued by the pope, in which he says the time has come when he must recognize that he is approaching the end of the term of his life on earth, and that this encyclical should be his testimony to the Catholic Church. The pope says he would encourage the Catholic bishops throughout the world to continue vigorously to resist the persecutions which now afflict the church. These persecutions will continue, but they will not affect the spread of the light of Christ among infidels. Never has humanity found itself in more miserable condition than at present. There is disorder in all social relations, and especially in family relations; excessive liberty has been created, which has fostered Socialism and Anarchism. Unjust wars, the encyclical says, are being waged by strong nations against weak and feeble peoples. There are exaggerated armaments among great nations, the effects of which are even more disastrous than war. All these things have created world-wide inquietude. Unceasing troubles and misery have provoked the people to Anarchism, which henceforth promises to constitute a formidable league against emperors, kings, and presidents of all governments. These governments must adopt decisive measures for the defense of genuine liberty, and must enforce the teaching of religion. In conclusion the pope invokes the union of Christian churches as the leading remedy to save society from the violent attacks of atheists and Freemasonry. He maintains the necessity of upholding the temporal rights of the church, and counsels the active spread of Catholic women's societies. He also condemns the forthcoming institution of the law of divorce in Italy, and urges all Catholics to combat doctrines contrary to religion. THE CARNAL AND THE SPIRITUAL.
By S.
The acting governor of the province of Batangas, Philippine Islands, states that since the American occupation of the islands one hundred thousand of the inhabitants of that province have perished by war, disease, and starvation. The acting governor of Tayabas province, Major Cornelius Gardner of the American army, states that the American troops have tortured natives, have shown no proper discrimination between friendly and hostile natives, have burned property indiscriminately, and by harsh conduct in general have sown the seeds of hatred and continual insurrection. This governor states that “the political situation in that province is slowly retrograding. The American sentiment is decreasing, and we are daily making permanent enemies.” To those who look to the harsh deeds of war, the cruel business of manslaughter, as the advance agents of civilization and Christianity, we commend this picture of war’s work among the Filipinos. The Gospel of Jesus Christ depends upon no such carnal armor for its advancement and support; and civilization does not consist in forcing one people, at the bayonet’s point or the cannon’s mouth, to adopt the ways and customs of another people. Slaughter-weapons and the knowledge of how to use them are not the characteristics of true civilization. There is more genuine civilization in the hut of the most ignorant peasant who has learned to respect the rights of his neighbor than in the breast of the most pompous knight of war who willingly inflicts pain upon those within his power. There is more genuine Christianity in the home of a single poor cotter who daily kneels with his family at the altar of prayer for God’s blessing—in a whole concourse of church dignitaries who depend upon the rifle and bayonet to uphold their station. God has never commissioned any such power to undertake the work of advancing His kingdom in the earth. He has never authorized His representatives to depend upon any such support in their work. Civilization and Christianity are not advanced by the cruelties of war, but in spite of them. The missionary who goes out depending upon the arm of flesh is terribly handicapped from start to finish. But he who goes out in the fear and love of God, depending upon Him alone in every emergency, has a shield which Satan can never penetrate, and a support which can not permit of failure. His weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of sin. S. Twenty-eight organizations of New York saloon men, representing approximately 8,000 saloon-keepers, forming the Liquor Dealers' Association of New York City and vicinity, have been holding special meetings for the purpose of retaliating upon those who have compelled them to close their saloons on Sunday. They propose to unite their forces and compel the closing of every kind of business in the city on that day, not out of reverence for the day, but in order to make the law so obnoxious to business men that they will work for its repeal. There is also, of course, in this move a spirit of “getting even” with any and all who have helped to close their saloons on Sunday. As far as they are able, they propose to make it impossible to purchase anything on that day. Thus do we have that element which is responsible for so much misery and vice in the world enlisted in the work of enforcing Sunday observance through a spirit of spite against those who have compelled them to do the same thing. Surely no good can ever come to the cause of God through such a manipulation of the forces of evil. God’s kingdom is not advanced by any such combination of elements, even tho it result in accomplishing just what the Sunday-law advocates desire. COURT DECISIONS OF INTEREST.
(Full reports of any case below may be obtained for 25 cents from West Publishing Company, St. Paul, Minn.) Killed by the Hair of the Dog.
“THE hair of the dog that bit him.” A literal interpretation of this saying resulted in the death of one who had been slightly bitten by a dog known not to be ordinarily vicious or troublesome. In a suit for damages it was brought out that the daughter of the deceased applied a bunch of the dog’s hair to the wound and over this a piece of salt meat, with the belief that this would cure the wound. The court holds that the deceased died from the effects of the remedy, and not from the dog bite. The case is entitled Martinez v. Bernhard, 30 Southern Reporter, 901. PLAINTIFF, who had been required by decree in divorce to pay alimony, was imprisoned for contempt for a failure to comply with the decree, and endeavored to obtain his release by means of a writ of habeas corpus, on the ground that the imprisonment was for debt, and within the prohibition of the constitution. The supreme court of Washington holds, however, that a decree for alimony is not a debt, and cites authorities from many states in support thereof. The case is In re Cave, 66 Pacific Reporter, 425. THE supreme court of Indiana has recently held that the statute declaring that whoever sells his vote may be disfranchised, and granting a reward to any person furnishing testimony to secure a conviction of the offense, is not unconstitutional as granting an immunity to and protecting the buyer while punishing the seller. They also hold that corruption of elections has always been regarded as an infamous offense, and that disfranchisement for such an offense is not a violation of the constitution. The case is Baum v. State, and will be found reported in 61 Northeastern Reporter, 672. Debris from Burned Building.
The question whether the scattered débris of a building partially destroyed by an accidental fire remains a part of the realty was presented to the supreme court of Georgia in the case of Guernsey v. Phinizy, 39 Southeastern Reporter, 402. After the fire the land upon which the house had stood was sold, and the former owner attempted to remove the bricks and other débris which remained after the fire. The court holds against his right to do this on the ground that personalty, such as bricks and lumber, when used in building a house, becomes realty and constitutes a part of the land, and that they still remain a part of the realty after the fire, and that unless the owner had shown some intention to sever them and convert them into personalty before the sale, he was not privileged to remove them after the sale. Schools as “Charitable Institutions.”
In the interesting case of State v. Board of Control, 88 Northwestern Reporter, 533, the supreme court of Minnesota holds that under the act creating a State Board of Control, and providing for the management and control of the charitable, reformatory, and penal institutions of the State and abolishing the State Board of Charities and Corrections, it must be assumed that the phrase “charitable institutions” therein used gives to said Board of Control supervision of the finances of the State normal schools and other educational institutions. It would seem from this decision that the State University, and the public schools as well, may be looked upon as public charities. The court says that while our public schools are open to all, and are claimed as a right, not accepted as a bounty, still in the broadest sense they are charitable institutions; that the greatest institutions of learning have received with gratitude gifts, endowments, and donations to aid in the dispensation of knowledge; that the gift of knowledge is not obnoxious to the spirit of that divinest quality, charity. DOES PROHIBITION PROHIBIT?
The prohibition sheriff of Portland, Maine, recently lectured in the Auditorium, Chicago, on Washington's birthday, a unique lecture, illustrated as never was lecture before. His object-lessons were his finds, captured from illicit liquor-sellers:— - A sprinkling can from which the liquor can be quickly poured out while the sheriff is trying to get in.
- A large brown pitcher kept over a sink full of water, a string from the pitcher extending to the front door, by means of which the pitcher can be tipped over into the sink.
- A jug kept in a kitchen bedroom, hidden behind an apparently paralyzed woman.
- A tin can holding a gallon of liquor, worn as a woman's bustle, and a hollow cane holding ten drinks. The bustle and the cane worked in company.
- A copper tank embedded in a brick wall, three stories up, filled by a pipe from the roof, the drawing faucet in a toilet-room in the basement.
- A can labeled “chocolate.”
- A box marked “hardware,” holding four gallons. Express companies and railroads brought this into the State; for Maine, like all prohibition territory, must fight the federal government, which sells federal licenses in Maine, also the national liquor business, and all who desire its help as express companies.
- A system of faucets, used in a restaurant, connected to a secret room, and so made that the knowing visitor could draw liquor or water at will.
- A corner section of a parlor floor over which stood a stand holding a twenty-dollar Bible, but under which was bottled whisky.
When sellers are obliged to resort to such devices, dare not advertise, dare have no visible places of sale; when buyers must sneak into basement toilet-rooms, or follow women's bustles into concealment, it looks very much as if prohibition prohibits.—Woman's Ensign. Divorces in little Rhode Island now number about 4,000 more annually, or about 1 to 8.2 marriages; in Massachusetts the ratio is about 1 to 20; in Oklahoma, 1 to 11; in Michigan, 1 to 9.6; in Indiana last year 1 to 5.7. Surely this is a bad showing, and does not argue well for an earthly millennium. One of the most sacred things of earth should be the marriage relation. Around it cluster all the purest and truest joys of home. The frequent and common divorce cases, connecting in some way with almost every family, are rapidly taking from mind and heart all sense of the sacredness of marriage vows, and the integrity and holiness of the home. Parentage grows more and more uncertain in the minds of children, and home ties become a form and a farce. The Prospects for Cuban Independence
It is said that the President “advocates a liberal policy toward Cuba on charitable grounds.” If the situation requires charitable action, what becomes of Cuba’s independence? An object of charity can hardly be said to be independent. It is all right to treat Cuba as an object of charity, if such be the need of the new republic; but if she is really independent, simple justice ought to be sufficient. The prospect is not very flattering for a republic that has to start out under such a handicap. With no opportunity for territorial growth, with practically no privilege of self-defense, and the life-blood of her industries flowing through the veins of American industries, real Cuban independence is what the late John J. Ingalls would have called an “iridescent dream.” The first word this infant’s nurse is teaching her to say seems to be “annexation.” Catholic Control of Westminster Abbey
One of the characteristic inconsistencies of State religion is illustrated in the following bit of comment in the Present Truth, of London: “The Roman Catholic papers are not slow to note that for a season this year Westminster Abbey will revert to the care of a Catholic. From soon after Easter until after the coronation, the Duke of Norfolk will, as Earl Marshal, have sole control of the building.” ADVICES from Wu Chow, China, state that a bloody battle has been fought between the rebels and government troops, in which the rebels were dispersed after heavy losses. The imperial troops attacked the rebels with modern artillery, with which they were unable to cope. The leader of the rebel forces was captured. General Smith’s Order for Samar
GEN. JACOB H. SMITH, whose court martialing was announced last week, has admitted giving the order to his subordinates to make the island of Samar “a howling wilderness,” and to kill every one who fell into their hands over the age of ten years. This was the order upon which Major Waller was acting when he had many of the natives of Samar shot without trial. The government has left the matter of a campaign in the island of Mindanao in the hands of General Chaffee with caution to refrain from provoking a war with the inhabitants. There have been a few slight skirmishes between the inhabitants and the soldiers who are now in that island. One fort on the island has been captured, and this has influenced the occupants of other forts to display a white flag. Some of the chiefs of Mindanao have voluntarily submitted to the American forces. Quincy's Prohibitionist Record
The town of Quincy, Mass., has been a prohibitionist town for the past twenty years. During that period the population has more than doubled; the valuation of property has increased nearly three-fold, the deposits in the savings banks nearly five-fold, and the number of new houses more than five-fold. Notwithstanding the great increase in population, the amount expended for the poor has actually decreased 12 per cent during that time. What the absence of liquor has enabled Quincy to do, it will enable any other town to do. The advocates of the abolition of the liquor traffic have an unanswerable argument in the existence of this town with its model record. It stands as an object-lesson to the whole country; and yet it is not the only town in the United States, by any means, that has had such an experience as this. Colombian Insurrection and Trade Conditions
The Colombian insurgents have given up the town of Bocas del Toro, which they captured on April 18, and the city was at once reoccupied by the government forces. Two days later the insurgent forces captured the seaport town of Rio Hacha after an engagement lasting several hours. The president died recently at the capital while in prison, where he had been thrown on the charge that he favored the rebels. His sudden death has given rise to the accusation that he has been killed by his enemies. On account of the excessive taxation, business on the Isthmus is reported to be at a standstill. Boycott Against the Beef Trust
BECAUSE of the recent action of the beef trust in materially advancing the price of beef, a society of women has been organized in Chicago for the purpose of combating the trust by refusing to eat meat. Two thousand of the employees of the Chicago and Alton shops are reported to have declared a similar boycott on the beef trust. Attorney-general Knox has ordered his assistant to make a special investigation into the charges that a beef trust has been organized and is operating in violation of the anti-trust law, and to prosecute the officials of the combination if a case can be made against them. Unrest Among Russia’s Laboring Classes
THE dissatisfaction of the laboring classes in Russia continues unabated. Strikes and strike riots are occurring daily in many different localities. Many have been killed in the riots in Moscow, and much blood has been shed in other places as well, where the troops have been called out to disperse the rioters. The dissatisfaction among the students is as intense as that among the laborers. Every class of Russian society is said to be more or less influenced by the rising storm. In some localities the people have taken to burning the forests, and raiding and sacking the homes of the wealthy. Proposed Pan-American Railroad
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT has submitted to Congress the recommendation of the Pan-American Congress recently held in the city of Mexico that a commission should be created to investigate the feasibility of a railroad connecting the two American continents. The President indorses the suggestion and advises that an appropriation of $200,000 be made by Congress to establish such a commission. This commission would have to go over the proposed route of this Pan-American railroad and determine its feasibility as well as the financial possibilities of such an undertaking. Naval Appropriation Bill Provides for New Warships
The House committee on naval affairs has completed the naval appropriation bill. This bill provides for the construction of 2 battle-ships of 16,000 tons displacement, to cost, exclusive of armor and armament, $4,212,000 each; 2 armored cruisers of 14,500 tons displacement, to cost, exclusive of armor and armament, $4,659,000; and two gunboats of 1,000 tons, to cost $382,000 each. The battle-ships will be the largest ever ordered for the American navy and among the largest in the world. The whole amount carried by this appropriation bill is $76,000,000. Russia and Japan Prepare for War
THE editor of the North China Daily News, in an interview upon the probability of war between Japan and Russia, is reported to have said: “Both the Russians and the Japanese regard war as inevitable. The Anglo-Japanese alliance will probably have the effect of delaying the occurrence, but the trend of opinion is that it must come sooner or later. The Japanese are preparing as well as Russia, and they are ready to do battle at a moment’s notice.” He further states that the Russians are preparing fortifications at Port Arthur and in Siberia. Turkey Fortifies the Tripolitan Coast
On account of the uneasiness caused in Turkey by Italy's attitude, the sultan has decided to fortify the island of Bomba off the coast of Tripoli, and to fortify and garrison the port of Tebruk, Tripoli. A military commission is also drawing plans for the general defense of the Tripolitan coast. British Government Investigates Steamship Trust
The British Government is much concerned over the great steamship trust which proposes to absorb all the large steamship lines of the Atlantic, and possibly of the Pacific as well. The government is planning to make a thorough investigation into the proposition, with the idea of preventing its consummation if it is found to be detrimental to the interests of Great Britain. It is rumored that it is the plan of the promoters to absorb the British companies and sail the ships under the American flag. Earthquake Damage in Mexico and Central America
AS REPORTS come in of the results of the recent earthquake in Mexico and Central America, it develops that much greater damage was done than at first reported, and that many more persons have lost their lives than stated in first reports. The damage to property in Mexico is placed at $2,000,000, but in Guatemala it greatly exceeds that figure. The disturbance reached from Central America as far north as Baltimore, but all the damage reported is in Southeastern Mexico and Central America. Bulgarian Conflict with Turkey
Another band of Bulgarians has come into conflict with the troops of Turkey. As the engagement took place on Turkish soil, it seems that the Bulgarians are determined upon provoking a quarrel with Turkey, in the hope of having Europe interfere and put an end to the Turk in Europe. It is probably the sultan's knowledge of the purpose of these disturbances that keeps him from taking strong measures with Bulgaria. Chicago Street Railway Strike
The firemen of the Chicago street-railway powerhouses went on strike on April 21 to force the company to reinstate certain discharged employees. The company at first refused to yield; but when the teamsters’ union refused to deliver coal to the powerhouses, the roads were compelled to cease operations, and the company acceded to the demands of the men. Senor Tomas Estrada Palma
SENOR TOMAS ESTRADA PALMA, the first president-elect of Cuba, is now in the island, and is receiving the enthusiastic welcome of the populace wherever he goes. General Wood has issued a call for the first Cuban Congress, which is to convene at Havana on May 5. In his proclamation, May 20 is designated as independence day. Danish Legislature Approves Sale of West Indies
THAT department of the Danish Legislature known as the Landsthing has decided, by a vote of 34 to 30, to adopt the majority report providing for the sale of the Danish West Indies to the United States. The session which ended in this vote was a sensational one, the sentiment against the sale of the islands being very strong. Great Lakes Tug Workers Strike
On April 23 all the deck hands and firemen on the tugs operating in the Chicago River and harbor declared a strike. The same class of laborers in Buffalo, Cleveland, and Toledo joined with the Chicago strikers, and a complete tie-up of the whole towing business on the great lakes was the result. A FIERCE tornado struck the city of Joplin, Mo., on April 25, killing two persons, seriously injuring six, and destroying property to the amount of $300,000. Heavy storms, doing more or less damage, also visited other cities in that State, as well as in Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, on the same day. Investigation of the Cuban Sugar Trust
The Senate committee on Cuba has ordered an exhaustive investigation into the charge that the Cuban sugar crop is now held by the trust, and that any reduction in the duty on Cuban sugar would thus be merely a gift to the sugar trust rather than a relief to the Cuban planters. San Francisco Street-Car Strike Ends
The strike of the San Francisco street-car men was brought to a close on April 26, the company granting most of the demands of the men. The car service had been practically tied up for one week. The number of men involved in the strike was about 3,500. Boer Leaders Consider Peace Proposals
The Boer leaders have had their conference with their men in the field, but nothing has been given out to the public in reference to whether or not they have agreed to accept the peace proposals conveyed to them by their leaders. Insurrection Revived in Venezuela
New life has been given to the insurrection in Venezuela by the defeat of the government forces by the insurgents. In this engagement the leader of the government forces was killed and his army scattered in all directions. Violence in the Patterson Silk Mill Strike
About 4,000 men are on strike at the silk mills of Patterson, N. J. On April 23 the strikers raided the mills, driving away from their work those who had not joined the strike, and wrecking portions of the mills. Whitecaps Assault Farmers Near Nashville
A vicious band of whitecaps is at work in the vicinity of Nashville, Indiana. Two farmers have been beaten into insensibility by them and left in a dangerous condition. British Troops Ready for Soudan
A REPORT from Egypt states that British troops are held in readiness to proceed to the Soudan, owing to the fact that trouble is threatening in that part of Africa. New Postal Cards Featuring McKinley
A new issue of postal cards is now being printed in Washington which is to bear the likeness of President McKinley in place of that of President Jefferson. Steamer City of Pittsburg Disaster
The latest reports concerning the burning of the steamer City of Pittsburg on the Ohio River show that 70 persons lost their lives in that disaster. Queen Wilhelmina Reported Seriously Ill
QUEEN WILHELMINA of Holland is reported to be in a dangerous condition. THE WIFE'S RIGHTS IN THE HOME.
By M. C. DuBois
[A Note by the Editor.—As to the truth of the following article, we have no question. Neither have we any as to the motive or spirit in which it was penned. The great question is as to its use. If wives, wronged or otherwise, use the article in an aggressive way, or use it at all as a weapon to strike a blow at a recreant husband, or a lecture to instruct him, the good advice will probably be resented, and the article will fail of its mission in that family. Let each husband read it himself, let him take home to the heart every truth applicable, and do all in his power to make home what it ought to be.] At the outset let it be perfectly understood that nothing that is written here is written with a purpose to “hit” any particular husband, or to stir up strife in the home. But from personal observation I know that many wives do not have their God-given rights accorded them in their own homes, where they toil so faithfully day after day. The home is as old as creation. Its corner-stone was laid in Eden while in its perfection of beauty and purity. I love to think of the joy and peace that reigned within that Eden home. I do not imagine that Mrs. Adam had to worry about her wifely rights, nor that Mr. Adam lectured her, telling her she should obey him in the great and small duties of home life. They were happy in their innocency until the fall. How sad that they had to leave their lovely home. What sorrow must have filled Eve's heart, as she looked upon the ruin her disobedience had wrought. Doubtless she could not have borne it, but for the promise there given her. Satan caused her to bring ruin into the world; God permitted woman to give to the ruined race a Saviour, and woman was first to proclaim a risen Christ. But to our subject. We may almost wonder why the wife's rights in the home should need to be discussed. If every husband measured up to the standard given in Eph. 5:25-29, it would not be necessary. Alas, so few love their wife as Christ loves the church. Many men are really selfish with their wives, and yet do not realize the fact. The wife has rights, legal, moral, and physical. “Marriage is a legal relation arising out of a contract.” “At common law the husband and wife are considered one person [in most States]. A husband is bound to support his wife; and if he fails to do so, she may purchase necessaries, for which he is liable.” So much for her legal rights. She has religious rights, which should be respected by the husband and by the other inmates of her home. The wife has also a right to the love and respect of her husband. Next to love is the right of consideration. “The first lesson to be learned by the newly wedded pair is that of mutual and equal partnership,” says a writer upon this subject. “Closely following upon this relation is the recognition of the great need of consideration; the consideration that takes into account her feelings, her finer instinct, her sex,” the same writer adds. But God only knows how many women suffer, in their married lives, from a lack of this element of consideration. Love is a fine thing with which to endow a home. It is the foundation of everything. Consideration, born of true love, builds a strong bulwark around the home. In such homes, even in the smallest details of every-day life, the wife's rights will be respected. A wife, if she is capable, should be the mistress of the home, with the right to plan her work to suit her own convenience and feelings. Not long since I read of a woman who committed suicide because her husband scolded her. He came home at night and found her doing some domestic work that he thought ought to have been done in the morning, and spoke sharply about her tardy ways. She threw herself from an upper window, and died soon after. This was a wrong and foolish thing for her to do; but in all probability this scene was the last straw's weight added to her overburdened heart. The wishes of the wife should be consulted in all the household arrangements. This is her wifely right; but I know homes where everything moves just as the husband dictates, even to the arranging of the furniture, and other matters pertaining only to woman's work. I have been in homes where the husband utterly disregarded the wife's rights in the kitchen by bringing all sorts of dirty work indoors, and strewing her floor with dirt and litter, thereby making extra work, and hindering her in her work, which must be done. Some husbands are very slack, and have untidy habits, thus adding much to the wife's daily work, and causing her great annoyance and inconvenience. She has the right to have her feelings respected in all these matters. The wife should know the exact condition of her husband's finances. This is her right. There are women who do not care to know anything in regard to their husband's business, but this is not right. Many husbands and wives get along pretty well until the financial question is touched; then there is trouble. But having in a former article spoken upon this subject, I pass it by, hoping every husband will deal justly by his wife in money matters. Perhaps it is well to stop right here. If husbands and wives measured up to the standard found in the Bible, there would be no trouble along these lines; but self is enthroned in the human heart, both man's and woman's, and clamors for the first place. O, that the Spirit of God would awaken husbands and wives to see their loving duty to each other before it is too late. HEALTH BREVITIES.
By David Paulson
Originally man was given dominion over every living thing; but now germs often gain supremacy over man, because the latter has lowered his resisting power until it is often beneath that of germs. Microbes have probably grown no stronger since the days of Adam, but man has certainly become weaker. It is unfortunate, when we come to the consideration of the condition and care of our bodies, that we should have to admit that some one else knows more about them than we do. The only legitimate way to get nervous energy is to eat proper food, breathe an abundance of heaven’s pure air, and in other ways live in harmony with nature’s laws. The prevalent spirit of the age is a demand for labor-saving devices. Why should we not be as anxious to introduce devices that will serve to lengthen human life, and to add to its comfort by promoting health? Harmony with nature’s laws, and diligent cultivation of health, tend to produce a physiological immunity against all diseases. People do not appreciate that there is healing power in sunshine; and that the same power that puts color into the grass, paints the hue of health on our cheeks. There are multitudes who, at the first suggestion of cold weather, plan for a change of climate; when if they would only change their habits of life, and cultivate health, they could not only remain at home safely, but in addition might enjoy the splendid tonic effect that a cold atmosphere produces upon the human organism. There is a deep-seated delusion abroad that air is improved by adding tobacco smoke to it; that mustard, pepper, and the whole catalogue of irritating flavors can be advantageously substituted for those naturally present in food. In reference to diet, some have wandered so far away into by and forbidden paths that the right road actually seems repulsive to them. It is not advisable to filter through the body the waste products and the poisons that are found in dead animals. When a human system is used as a filter through which to strain all these waste products, it is gradually being prepared for disease. As long as a person has a strong constitution, and his eliminating organs are capable of carrying off four times as much poison as should be necessary, so long he may perhaps eat flesh food with impunity, and even boast that it does not hurt him; but let the reverse be the case, as it is with many thousands, and the use of flesh food becomes at once an important factor in preparing the way for serious diseases. Water-drinking is virtually a bathing of the tissues on the inside; and it is a lamentable fact that thousands who are scrupulously careful with reference to external cleanliness, almost entirely neglect this internal bathing, which is the more important of the two.11 The most essential requisites for health are pure air, pure diet partaken of in proper quantity, pure water, exercise, and a conscience void of offense toward God. DAVID PAULSON, M. D. Chicago Branch Sanitarium. THE BETTER WAY.
By C. M. Snow
O, LET it die, the cruel word
Another in thine ear hath poured!
'Twere better far 'twere never heard;
Then let it die; and know thy Lord
Upon thy silent lips will place
A blessing richer, more serene,
Than rarest gifts of queenly grace,
And brighter than the ruby's sheen. Is't not enough that sorrows grow
By every path like hedge of thorn,
Or must thou plant a nearer row
To vex and harass those that mourn?
Is't not enough that hearts may bleed
Beneath the scourge of petty hate,
Or must thy hand some rankling weed
In that bruised bosom cultivate? A richer gift than store of gold
Bestowed on mission to Cathay,
Or piled in walls of marble cold
Where kneel the good and glad and gay,
Is that which springs from sentient hearts
By loving ministry controlled,
And from sharp penury imparts
The mite the hand can not withhold. O, 'tis a nobler, worthier deed
To hide an insult in the heart
Than give to gossip swifter speed
Or aim afresh its poisoned dart;
To close the ear when babbling tongue
Assails a brother to his hurt,
Or seeks his many faults among
To find some motive to pervert. Go forth in Heaven's name, and hold
High converse with the Heart that knows
The conflicts of our breast untold,
The deepest measures of our woes;
And then with His heart leading thine,
And His hand softening thy touch,
He'll make thy human gifts divine,
And turn thy little into much. HOW TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH OTHERS.
By Fenelon
In order to be satisfied even with the best people we need to be content with little and to bear a great deal. Even the most perfect people have many imperfections; we ourselves have as great defects. Our faults combined with theirs make mutual toleration a difficult matter; but we can only “fulfil the law of Christ” by “bearing one another’s burdens.” There must be a mutual loving forbearance. Frequent silence, habitual recollection, prayer, self-detachment, giving up all critical tendencies, faithfulness in putting aside all the idle imaginations of a jealous, fastidious self-love—all these will go far to maintain peace and union. How many troubles would be avoided by this simplicity! Happy is he who listens neither to himself nor to the idle talk of others. Be content to lead a simple life where God has placed you. Be obedient; bear your daily crosses—you need them, and God gives them to you only out of pure mercy.—Fenelon.