Earlier text: PATIENCETHE following resolutions, passed in connection with the May anniversaries of the Baptist denomination, are a good expression of principle and a sound basis for good missionary work:— "Resolved, That while we rejoice in the decision of our government to withdraw support from denominational schools among the Indians, and to provide for all our wards an unsectarian education, we urge that there shall be no backward step in this matter, and that the principle of separation of Church and State shall be the rule of our policy permanently and universally. "Resolved, That we recommend to all our people the careful consideration of our obligations to our neighboring republic of Mexico, and express the hope that Christian liberality may speedily provide the means for establishing in the City of Mexico a training-school for native Christian workers, who may do the work for their fellow-citizens, as well as for Cuba and Porto Rico, that the missionary from the United States can never do." This one, however, while having a good purpose, and expressing the proper course for the government to pursue, contains one dangerous precedent, namely, "demanding of our government." This is not the prerogative of the church, and its persistence would eventually vitiate the principle of Church and State separation expressed in the first resolution here quoted:— "Resolved, That we deplore the introduction into our new possessions, where we have military authority, of vastly increased quantities of intoxicating liquors, and that we demand of our government that it take every practicable means of preventing the indiscriminate and devastating sale of ardent spirits in the camps of our soldiers and among the new peoples who are to be taught civilization by our example."9 What Does It Mean?—A picture of President McKinley, Cardinal Gibbons, and Admiral Dewey, is said to have appeared in most of the Catholic papers of America, headed, "The Highest Trio in the Nation." Underneath this picture is the following: "The accompanying illustration marks an unique event in American history. The three figures pictured represent the highest dignity in the Catholic Church, the highest official in the United States Government, and the supreme officer in the American Navy. The photo from which the halftone was made, was taken on the occasion of the presentation to Admiral Dewey of the sword voted to him by Congress. The picture was caught at the moment when Cardinal Gibbons was invoking the divine blessing. To the right of his eminence of Baltimore stands President McKinley, with reverently bowed head, while to the left is the hero of Manila Bay." This is worthy of note. THE Chinese Government has rescinded its order prohibiting foreign troops to proceed to Pekin to guard the various foreign legations, and small detachments of Russian, German, English, French, Italian, Japanese, and American troops have been allowed to enter the Chinese city. It is believed to have been Russia's intention to have forwarded a large body of troops to Pekin, which she would have kept there indefinitely, thus furthering her object of gaining control of this portion of Chinese territory. The other powers interested seem to have discovered her design and thwarted it. Several thousand Russian troops are reported to be on the Russian war ships now anchored at Taku. Advices from Tien-Tsin, China, under date of June 4, state that an attack of the Boxers is expected at any time. Chinese officials announce their inability to suppress the trouble, and Russia has offered to the Chinese Government troops sufficient to restore order. The Chinese Government is considering the offer. United States Minister Conger reports that the trouble grows more serious. Many of the foreign missionaries are missing, and murders of native Christians continue. THE healing of disease by destroying the germs of disease with electric currents is a matter that is receiving considerable attention from physicians at the present time. At several well-known hospitals, systematic experiments are being made on consumptive patients. Currents of electricity are passed through the lungs each day, with the result that the number of living bacilli in the affected parts is reduced. When these currents are passed through sponges wet in formaldehyde, the destruction of bacilli is more marked, the theory being that this gas, so deadly to disease germs, is driven by the electric current into the affected tissue. The sputum of the patient after such treatment was shown to contain many of the dead germs of tuberculosis, and the patients showed marked improvement under the continuance of the treatment. A German physician has also demonstrated the fact that certain electrical currents will destroy bacteria, and thus painlessly heal the disease which they had caused. REPORTS from South Africa indicate that the English army has surrounded Pretoria, but that it has not yet been entered by them. Reports differ as to whether the city will be defended; but the Boers seem to have rallied, and are preparing to make a desperate stand against the army of Lord Roberts. Several detachments of the Boer army are threatening the line of English communications. President Kruger is reported to have fled with other officials of the Transvaal, and much bar gold has been shipped on German and Belgian steamers to avoid confiscation at the hands of the English. There is much unrest and apprehension in Cape Colony in view of the action recently taken by the people's Congress denouncing the course of England toward the two Dutch republics. THE Littlefield Anti-trust Bill passed the House on June 2, with but one vote in opposition. This bill provides an amendment to the Sherman Anti-trust Bill, of 1890, with the purpose of making it more effective in the prosecution of trusts and combinations and their agents. By this bill every contract or combination, in the form of trusts or conspiracy in restraint of commerce among the States or with foreign nations, is declared illegal, and every party to such combination is declared guilty of crime, punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $5,000, and by imprisonment not less than six months nor more than two years. It also provides that any person injured by a violation of the provisions of the law may recover threefold damages. A PARTY of Denver scientists have just returned from a tour of five weeks among the ancient ruins of New Mexico. The party found everywhere traces of an extensive population that once inhabited this now desolate waste. Great roads were traced over the hills, and the foundations of large buildings were unearthed. In these foundations were found immense blocks of stone as large as any quarried at the present time. The Rev. C. M. Cobern, one of the members of this expedition, states that the design of these structures was identical with that of those which he had unearthed in Palestine, dating from 1400 B.C. THE rebel forces in the State of Colombia, South America, are reported to be within six miles of the city of Panama. The foreign consuls had left the city with their families and fled to Tobago for safety. The United States gunboat Machias is at Colon under orders to land marines in case the city is threatened by the rebels. It is reported that the latter have sunk a Colombian gunboat near Colon. A COMPROMISE has been reached between the Audubon Societies of the United States and the Milliners' Protective Association. The Audubon Societies have been pressing for the passage of a bill in Congress, known as the Lacey Bill, which would prohibit the use of bird plumage of all kinds on ladies' hats in the future. By the compromise affected, the milliners will be permitted to use only the plumage of such birds as are not found in North America. They can not even import for use the plumage of birds found in foreign countries, if that species is found in North America also. This protects the birds from which the fashionable aigrettes have been so ruthlessly stripped. Having been given this assurance of refraining from dealing in North American bird plumage, the Audubon Society will not press for the passage of the bill. SO DISGUSTING are the oriental dances given in the Turkish quarter of the Paris Exposition that the sultan's brother-in-law has protested to the sultan against allowing them to continue. The sultan's relative closes his protest thus: "Are you destined to humiliate and destroy the religion of Islam, or born to sully the honor and glory of the noble Turkish nation? In the name of our national dignity, I beseech you to have these scandalous scenes removed from this place, which should be reserved for the great marvels of civilization." "MISS WARD writes from Brazil," says Omega, "that the whole country is perpetually in a state of semi-intoxication on coffee—men, women, and children alike, and to babies in arms it is fed from a spoon. It is brought to your bedside the instant you awake in the morning and just before you are expected to drop off in sleep at night, at meals, and between meals. The effect is plainly apparent in trembling hands, twitching eyelids, mummy-hued skin, and a chronic state of excitability worse than that produced by whisky." AT the recent Episcopal Convention of the Diocese of Massachusetts, a new canon was adopted, by the provisions of which any minister of that church who has labored in Massachusetts for twenty-five years and is 65 years of age shall, at his own option, be retired with an allowance of $500 a year. This is a benevolent act, and one which will be appreciated by the aged local minister. It would seem more fair, however, if the canon applied also to the aged minister who had spent a portion of his time in labor in foreign lands. RECENT reports from the Philippines indicate that Aguinaldo has been killed or seriously wounded. His party had been followed by a party of American soldiers for many days. As the Filipinos were leaving the town of Lagat, a company of Americans fired upon them. The officer in command was shot from his horse, and was carried away by his followers. The blood-stained but richly-caparisoned horse was captured, and in the saddle-bags were found private documents and proclamations of Aguinaldo. DURING the last 100 years the Baptist Church in the United States has grown from a membership of 105,000 to more than 4,000,000. Dr. J. E. Darby, in speaking of this large increase in membership, attributes it to the active foreign mission spirit in the church. As proof of this, he cites the fact that the anti-mission Baptists have decreased in membership during the last 50 years from 68,000 to 40,000. The denomination now has 7 theological seminaries, 36 colleges and universities, and 126 other schools. THE discussion, by the Berlin Synod, now in session, in regard to the immorality of that city, revealed a terrible condition of morals there. If evidence were lacking to show that we are living again in the days of Sodom, it was certainly furnished by the facts brought out during that discussion. The Synod decided to lay these facts before the imperial chancellor, the ministers of justice, and the police, urging them to institute methods of supervision and prevention. SECRETARY ROOT, in response to an inquiry from the Senate, has given out the following information in regard to military operations in the Philippines. Since the beginning of the war, 48 officers and 608 enlisted men have been killed in battle or died of wounds, while 22 officers and 1,138 enlisted men have died of disease, and 7 officers and 77 men have committed suicide. In the same period, 128 officers and 1,836 men have suffered wounds which did not prove fatal. FROM reports received in official circles at Washington, it is learned that Russia is manifesting more than usual activity in naval affairs. Her fleets are being rearranged with a view to making them more effective, and a large naval force is to be maintained on the Asiatic station in readiness for whatever may develop in Eastern politics. With the present temper of the nations it would require but a slight misunderstanding to precipitate war in the Orient. THE manufacturers of absinthe, that dangerous and demoralizing drink so common in France, are planning to establish distilleries in New York, St. Louis, and San Francisco, in an attempt to popularize the beverage in America. This is the intoxicant which the French minister of war recently prohibited in the French army, on account of the debilitating effect which it has upon those who use it. ALL attempts to effect a settlement between the striking street-car men and their employers in St. Louis have been futile, and small disturbances have occurred during the week, in which a few have lost their lives, and several have been more or less seriously injured. A force of 2,500 special deputies has been sworn in to preserve order during the continuance of the strike. THE commission appointed by President McKinley to formulate laws and establish a government in the Philippine Islands arrived at Manila on June 3. General McArthur will continue to act as governor of the islands until such time as the commission shall recommend the appointment of a civil executive, when the military will become subordinate to the civil government. THE Methodist Episcopal Conference in session at Chicago, on May 28, refused to adopt the majority report of its committee on resolutions censuring President McKinley for his course in reference to the canteen question in the army. The minority report, striking out all reference to the President or the Attorney-General, was adopted by a considerable majority. ADVICES from Guatemala indicate an almost complete suspension of business in that country on account of the financial stringency. The country is reported to be flooded with paper money, and silver is rarely seen. The acting government, having lost the confidence of the people, is expected to collapse before many weeks, with a repetition of the disasters of 1898. A JOINT resolution was introduced into the House of Representatives on May 31, directing the President to issue a proclamation, declaring the purposes of the United States toward Cuba and its inhabitants, and specifying a time when the government of the island would be left to the inhabitants. No action has yet been taken upon this resolution. THE editor of the Sunday Call, published at Easton, Pa., was recently fined $4.00 and costs for publishing his paper on Sunday. The prosecution was begun by an ex State senator, who threatens to prefer a similar charge every time the paper is issued on Sunday. It is expected that the case will be carried up to the Supreme Court. HUNTERS have discovered the remains of a huge animal in the marsh at Grassy Point, New Jersey. Over fifty feet of the backbone have been located, and several of the large bones have been removed. Three of these measure forty inches in circumference. The entire length of this prehistoric animal has not yet been ascertained. A SYNDICATE of American capitalists are reported to have furnished Brazil with a loan of $30,000,000 to tide that government over its financial difficulties. In return for this loan valuable concessions have been granted the syndicate in the matter of coffee and rubber plantations and valuable timber land. THE total cost to the English of the war in South Africa, up to the present time, is $214,260,000. This is for actual war expenses. The total cost of the war, including losses to property and business, is estimated at $3,000,000,000. Over 24,000 men have been killed, wounded, captured, or invalided ON June 2 the Senate passed the bill providing for the extradition of persons who have committed certain crimes in Cuba from the United States to that island. The bill provides that such criminals shall be tried and punished under the laws of Cuba as administered by Cuban courts. A GREAT military reception is being planned for General E. S. Otis, when he shall arrive at Rochester, N. Y. The estimated cost of the elaborate program mapped out for this occasion is $60,000, which will be met by the government. AN extensive strike is in progress in the city of Chalon sur Saone, France, and the city has been surrounded by soldiers. A large number have been wounded and some killed in the battles between the soldiers and strikers. THE Senate Committee on Interoceanic Canals have reported favorably a bill for the abrogation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, which is regarded as standing in the way of the construction of the Nicaragua Canal. "MISS SUSIE SWIFT, graduate of Vassar, and formerly a brigadier in the Salvation Army, has just made her profession as a nun of the Dominican Order in Albany," says the Catholic Mirror. This is not surprising. SEVEN Americans were killed and four wounded during a Filipino attack on the garrison of Lotian, island of Mindanao. The Filipinos are reported to have lost in this engagement fifty-seven killed. GENERAL MACARTHUR reports from the Philippines that the number of Filipinos killed in battle up to the present time is 10,780. Almost an equal number have surrendered. GENERAL HERNANDEZ, the leader of the Venezuelan revolution, has been captured by government troops, and the revolution in that State is believed to be at an end. CHEERS FOR THE POPE IN A PROTESTANT MISSION.
By Editor
THE New York World of April 2 gives an account of an exciting meeting at Christ's Mission in that city. Christ's Mission is conducted by Pastor James A. O'Connor, an ex-priest. It is designed as a mission to Catholics, and a temporary home for priests who become converted to the Protestant faith. The meetings are quite largely attended, and quite often by those who are hostile to its purposes. On the occasion referred to, Mr. O'Connor read a letter written by a former Franciscan priest, named Alphonsus Hauberich, to the superior of the order. Cries of "God forgive him!" and "God bless him!" and mingled applauses and hisses followed the reading. The report continues:— "An excited man in the middle of the building jumped up and shouted, 'Read the fifteenth chapter of the book of St. John.' Several ushers advanced through the crowd that packed the building and tried to quell the disturbance, but the man continued to talk. In a moment a woman near by joined him, crying out: 'Heaven help this man. This is the way it was when Henry VIII. scoffed at the signs of the communion.'" "There was a commotion, and above the loud voices of the disturbers could be heard the tones of Mr. O'Connor, saying, 'Yes, these are like the scenes that attended the Reformation centuries ago.'" "The man and the woman who had spoken, followed by another man, started to leave. Just then the first man turned, and, waving his hand above his head, cried, 'Three cheers for the pope!'" "Thereupon Pastor O'Connor reminded them that they were liable to be arrested for disturbing a religious meeting, adding, 'Please keep quiet, and the meeting will do you good.' He then said: 'I am sorry to see our Catholic friends attempting to make a disturbance, but they do not know any better. This young priest who is with us here to-night is the sixty-second priest I have had the pleasure of welcoming on his conversion since I came here and started this mission, twenty-one years ago. More and more are coming. This young man's relatives and friends came here and reviled him, called him a traitor, and said he had brought disgrace upon them, but he does not think so, and he will now tell you why.'" "Then Mr. Hauberich, a young man, made an address, in which he took as his text the words, 'Rejoice in the Lord.'" But the Protestant character of the mission was somewhat sullied by the pastor himself, when he remarked that "when three cheers for the pope are given at a Protestant religious meeting, it is not the police that should be called, but the United States Army and the whole American people to repel the invasion." Only the spirit of Rome will ever call for the military force, or any kind of militant uprising of the people, to defend its religion. For the sake of the good work which Christ's Mission is designed to do, we hope its conductors will learn that all power, in heaven and in earth, is vested in Christ, and may be had only of Him—by His Spirit through the Word—in a way that will be of any service in true Christian work. THE Anti-Cigaret League has gained a well-earned victory in the decision of the United States Supreme Court declaring the validity of Chicago's cigaret law, which calls for a $100 license and prohibits their sale to minors. Ever since the passing of the ordinance a few years ago, it has been attacked as unconstitutional, but it has fought its way through the local courts, the State Supreme Court, and the national Supreme Court. It is interesting to note that in the symposium of opinions advanced by prominent business men on the evils of cigaret smoking, is the following from Cashier C. N. Gillette, of the First National Bank: "One thing which has broken up the reign of the cigaret, as far as our boys are concerned, is the strenuous objection of the non-smokers to association with the young men who reek of the nicotin given off by the cigarets." When the odor of nicotin is admitted to be a detriment to the business interests of so stable an institution as a national bank, women can consider that emancipation from the evil against which she has so long and vainly struggled is at hand.—Union Signal. A FEW SUGGESTIONS CONCERNING NATURE STUDY.
By Frederick Griggs
I HAVE already made quite a number of suggestions regarding the methods of nature study, but there is very much more that may be said concerning this most important subject. Next to the Bible, nature study stands in importance; and it should receive a great deal of earnest thought on the part of parents and teachers, to enable them to direct the children in their observation and studies. It is perhaps unnecessary that I should call attention to the necessity of developing a spirit of reverence in the child as he studies nature. Animals and even insects should not be killed and destroyed, in order to study them. Even flowers should not be ruthlessly pulled to pieces for observation. Animals may be kept in captivity for a time that they may be observed, but they should be given their freedom ultimately. But the better way to observe them is in their natural haunts, where they are at home, and where they may be observed unmolested. The bodily structure of all forms of animal life is appropriate to their habits and avocations; and while the structure of all animals should be studied, yet this should not come until after there has been a very close study of their habits and customs. It must be remembered that the child is to gain knowledge, not so much from what he is told as from what he sees; accordingly, to enable him to see as he ought, skilful questioning is necessary. A strong question is one which leads to thought. It is definite, calling for an answer concerning some particular feature of the object under study. A very common question is, "What about such and such a thing?" But this common question is an exceedingly weak and indefinite one. It is much better to ask definite questions, such as relate to size, color, form, and use of the object under study. Indefinite questions lead to inattention, and the whole purpose of the study is lost. The child should not be asked to give a conclusion too quickly. It is well for him to wait until he has had data concerning the object under study, and has had the testimony of others concerning it. This applies to all children, of whatever age, or under whatever circumstances. The older ones, however, should keep note-books, that they may learn to be very definite and accurate. Special emphasis should be placed upon the important characteristics of the object under study. Children will naturally have their attention arrested by many things which in themselves are hardly worth remembering. The curious streaks of the apple will mean as much to them as the number of seed cells, and yet knowledge concerning the seed cells is valuable, while that concerning the streaks of color in the apple is of but little more than passing interest. In studying an object, such, for instance, as a plant, the question often arises, How much study should be placed upon it; that is, how long continued? It is difficult to answer this question definitely. A general rule, however, is that the interest of the child will determine the length of time the study should continue. Wherever it becomes manifest that he is losing interest, it is well to bring in some new specimen; but the interest of the child will be continued much longer if he is asked intelligent questions. In studying any object, whether animal or flower, its relations should also be studied. Every object in nature has some points of relationship which are to be observed. Care needs to be exercised in the introduction of technical terms. The flower should not be taught for the purpose of introducing the terms "stamen," "corolla," "pistil," or "calyx," but rather the purpose of these various parts in the plant as a whole may be studied. However, one should not hesitate to give to the child these technical terms when he can understand them. When the child is thoroughly familiar with the part of the animal or flower under study, he can then assimilate and remember the scientific name of that part, but it should not be given to him in a manner to make him feel that it must be remembered, but rather introduced incidentally. Children prefer to call objects by their right names, just as well as older people, and it is not difficult for them to do so, if they have grasped the thought which the word expresses. While it is true that children should not be told what they can not see for themselves, yet there are many times, indeed, when they should be told much that they are eager to know. It is a mistake to believe that we can find out everything for ourselves. While there is no teaching that is of any particular value, aside from self-teaching, yet if information is given to the child in the right way, it becomes self-teaching to him. The child should come to read intelligently, and if the teacher carefully and conscientiously adds to the child's observation that which he can not well see for himself, by telling at just the right time, and in the right manner, he is led to form the habit of judicious reading, which is but the continuance of intelligent telling by parent or teacher. Perhaps one of the most serious problems which confronts parents and teachers in this matter of nature study is the lack of sufficient knowledge. The majority of parents have not had scientific training, and a great many teachers have had only a beginning in this direction. While it is true that this lack of preparation is a great obstacle, yet neither parents nor teachers can wait till they have been thoroughly trained in scientific study, before beginning to teach. If the parents have no knowledge of the object, they can begin to make observations, and even ask the children questions, which need thought and care on their part as well as that of the children to answer intelligently. It is well for them to choose those animals or flowers or stones which are of interest to them. Fifteen or twenty minutes daily spent in study at home, making thorough observations and careful notes, will in the course of a year be the means of accumulating much definite knowledge concerning many objects. To-day there are many helpful and useful books which will be of assistance in making observations. The desire which the parents have for study, and the interest and determination which they manifest in carrying out this work, give the children inspiration and a permanent interest. Even if the beginnings are small, yet the results may be a fuller knowledge and a brighter, purer power. It is a knowledge of that which is wholesome and helpful which lifts the mind of the parent above the sordid cares and routine of every-day life. If they can study under the direction and notice of some one who is trained, it is a great help; but if this is wanting, there is no necessity for delaying the study, as I have suggested. It is not necessary to wait until some more convenient season, for the convenient season is slow in coming, because parents have their hands, head, and heart full of work already. But nature study, instead of increasing this work, lightens it, and they come to have a deep and permanent interest in the works of God about them. These works of God reveal His power. In conclusion, let it ever be remembered that the purpose of the study of the works of God, as manifested in all the objects of nature, is not simply the acquiring of more knowledge, it is not simply learning, but it is the development of character, the inculcation of truth, the revealing of the love of God; for God is love, and everything that is about us is a manifestation of love; but our minds are perverted, and our eyes are blinded, and unless the Spirit of truth is in our hearts, we fail to see the lessons which are for us. FREDERICK GRIGGS. WHAT DECAY OF TEETH MEANS.
IN Modern Medicine for September, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, in a lengthy discussion of "The Significance of Dental Decay," tells us:— Decay of the teeth is not purely a local disorder, but is an expression of a general disorder involving the whole body, and as such is a symptom of a depreciation of the vital resistance and the physical powers of the individual. . . . The rapid and almost universal existence of dental decay among civilized people is an indisputable evidence of the race deterioration which is going on at the present time with most alarming rapidity. The human body is naturally proof against germs. There are no parasitic bacteria which are capable of colonizing upon a thoroughly healthy organism. The tissues are all capable of resisting the attacks of bacteria when themselves wholly intact. It is only when a number of the tissues become deteriorated by neglect to comply with the conditions requisite to the maintenance of perfect health of the body, that they become vulnerable to the attacks of microbes. A thoroughly well man does not succumb to the attacks of microbes. He can not contract typhoid fever, cholera, or consumption, and I am strongly inclined to the opinion that a man in sound health will not contract smallpox, yellow fever, malarial fever, or any other parasitic disease. It is only the deteriorated man who is capable of getting sick through11 the agency of these so-called pathogenic organisms. . . The same principle applies to the teeth. Decay of the teeth is not simply the result of some accident, an unusual exposure of some kind, but, speaking in general terms, it is, in my opinion, an indication that there is a general deterioration of the body, whereby the tissues have lost their power to resist the encroachments of parasitic organisms. The relation of decay of the teeth to disorder of the stomach is not more absolute than that between decay of the teeth and disorder of the liver or deterioration of other bodily organs, except that disordered conditions of the stomach are primary to a great share of the ailments to which the body is subject, both local and general. Speaking in general terms, a disordered stomach is not the result of decay of the teeth, altho decay of the teeth undoubtedly contributes to the development of indigestion in many cases; and, likewise, decay of the teeth is not directly the result of disordered digestion, but is only one expression of the general vital deterioration which results from the depreciation or vitiation of the body's mutative processes, which are the infallible result of indigestion. The lesson is obvious—amendment of life, reform throughout the whole system. AT THE DAWNING.
By Nancy Patton McLean
Out in the hush of the morning breaking
There came a twitter of startled bird;
I turned to see if the child, awaking,
The first faint herald of daylight heard. Sweet eyes looked love into mine, that love them,
In the gray peace of the dawning dim,
As the birds woke up to the light above them,
Thrilling the air with their matin hymn. Quiet we lay and smiled to each other,
Over the side of the little bed,
Till the child said softly, "I hear you, mother."
"Darling, I did not speak," I said. A happy light on her face came playing:
"Yes, you is speaking; I hear, I know;
Your eyes are talking, I see them saying,
'Dear little girl, I do love you so!'" Then she nestled down to her restful sleeping,
Laying a pink palm 'neath her cheek,
With childish trust in the watchful keeping
Of the love that needed not to speak. The birds sang on, and their praises swelling
Bore up a prayer on their melody;
And the peace that passeth human telling
Fell on my little child and me.
—Nancy Patton McLean. UNANSWERABLE TEMPERANCE ARGUMENTS.
THE following paragraphs are taken from the Pacific Ensign, official organ of the California W. C. T. U. They are worthy of earnest consideration. "We hear considerable of 'duty taking hold on destiny' in our dreadful war in the Philippines, and of a 'benevolent assimilation' of the people. Does this mean that the Filipinos, now a temperate people, are to be made drunken, subject to leg-cuffs and hand-cuffs, like our soldiers? Is the 'benevolent assimilation' to be a general union of Filipinos and Americans in insanity? Mr. Long, Secretary of the Navy, by a quiet order, put liquor out of the navy at the beginning of the war. As a result, the 1st of August, 1899, there had not been one death in the navy from disease, while in the same time 5,277 had died of disease from the canteen-cursed army. In the navy, men were shut up in ships in tropic regions; in the army, there could be freedom of motion, some chance for comfort; and it is fair to attribute the difference to the morality of the navy induced by Secretary Long's order." "A friend, waiting in a Wyoming depot for a few hours, saw fifty-nine car-loads of beer pass, marked Manila. Our government transports carry quantities of liquor. It is openly sold on the voyage. Chaplain Frank M. Wells, recently returned, volunteered a letter to the Union Signal, telling of the constant drinking by officers and soldiers. And the canteen method of dividing the profits among the messes in proportion to the amount drunk by each mess, makes a strong public sentiment, against which the temperate man must struggle; for the more he drinks, the more comes to his mess in luxuries; and drinking men know how to make him most uncomfortable. If we have any Christianity in the nation, it seems the proper time to apply it. The Filipino is really suffering less than the mothers of our own soldiers." "Cunningham Geikie says: 'The Parisians have now the evil repute of being greater victims to alcoholism than either the English, Dutch, or Germans. In a great Paris hospital it was lately found that, out of a thousand patients, seventy in a hundred men, and thirty-one in a hundred women, were hopeless alcoholists.' A German scientist says that the temporary help of alcohol as a stimulant, even in sickness, is more than offset by its effect as a paralyzer." "When the soldiers who have recently returned from the Philippines, were to receive their discharge medals of honor, the powers that be in Oakland placed the medals in the care of saloon-keepers, and issued orders to the soldiers to go to the saloons to procure them." "An official in Los Angeles says, confidentially, that no one can get public work in that city without bringing to the city officials a 'character' from some saloon-keeper in his ward. A temperate man applied for work; he was told that he must have a recommend from a certain saloon-keeper. In desperation, he applied for the recommend, and was told, with much swearing, 'No; you never patronize me.'" AN expedition is now being formed to excavate Ur; and it will be under the direction of Dr. E. J. Banks, who was recently United States Consul at Bagdad. The work will be undertaken for the benefit of the Smithsonian Institution. Ur lies half way between the ruins of Babylon and the Persian Gulf, says The Outlook, and is six miles south of the river Euphrates. Ur was a great city long before the time of Abraham, and, according to the book of Genesis, Abraham was born there, as was also Sarah. The Hebrew people emigrated from Ur to Syria. The great temple Gish-shir-gal, the home of Sin, or the moon god, is the best preserved of any of the specimens of Babylonian architecture which still stand. The British consul, Mr. Taylor, made some excavations a half century ago, resulting in the discovery of the inscriptions of the King Nabonidos, which speak of the crown prince, the Belshazzar of the Bible. The most modern town in Babylon is Nasaria, and it is only half a mile away from the ruins, and the inhabitants are beginning to dig bricks from them, destroying the tablets and defacing the inscriptions. The present appearance of Ur is that of three stories of an ancient temple rising seventy feet above the plain. Surrounding the temple is a group of mounds half a mile in diameter. The ruin of the city is called, in the Bible, Ur of the Chaldeans. The estimated amount required for the complete excavation of Ur in two years is $50,000.—Exchange. MANY people believe that horses do not weep, but those who have much to do with those faithful creatures know that on occasions they will shed tears, as well as express sorrow in the most heart-breaking manner. In the West, where the hardiness of the ponies causes the riders to almost overlook the necessity of providing for their needs, it is quite common when the weather is extremely cold to leave an unblanketed pony tied up for two or three hours where the temperature is nearly zero, while its owner is transacting business or getting drunk. In this case the suffering is evidenced by the cries, which are almost like sobs, and unmistakable tears freeze onto the cheeks like icicles. When a horse falls in the street and gets injured, the shock generally numbs the senses so much that it does not either cry or groan, but under some conditions an injured horse will solicit sympathy in the most distinct manner. I remember a favorite horse of my own, which trod on a nail long enough to pierce its foot. The poor thing hobbled up to me on three legs, and cried as nearly like a child in trouble as anything I can describe. The sight was a very touching one, as was also the crippled animal's gratitude when the nail was pulled out and the wound dressed.—St. Louis Globe-Democrat. STAMPS Collections Bought. Best Prices. Send particulars. Fine old Mission Packets for sale. 100 varieties, 10c; 200, 30c; 300, 60c; 25 (special value) 15c. Postage 2c extra. WESTERN AGENCY, 528 13th St., Oakland, Cal.