Earlier text: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLDAccording to the Word of God, there was to come, at a certain period in the history of the church, “a falling away.” Here is the announcement: “That day [the day of Christ’s coming] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thess. 2:3. That falling away was to occur prior to the second coming of Christ. Are there any indications now that we are in that time? Let us look to the facts. The great trend of pulpit teaching now is along the line of “civic righteousness,” whatever that may mean, and farther and farther away from the soul-stirring teachings of the true evangelist, the burden of whose heart is the salvation of souls. Sit down to-day in the luxuriously appointed church and listen to the words that roll from the tongue of the polished speaker, and it is not difficult to determine that you are not listening to the expression of Christ’s yearning pleading for the souls of men, but to the cold, comfortless philosophies of human wisdom. What is the result of this, and what was the cause? We will look first to the result. The cold formalism of the pulpit philosophy finds its echo in the lives of those who drink it in from week to week, until the vitality of Christianity is quenched at the fountain-head, dies out of the heart, and leaves a form of clay where should have been the living, moving, burden-bearing man of God, a harvester, a shepherd. Then in the field where such a one should have carried on his work, weeds are growing, wolves are roving, and souls are perishing; while in many cases the house dedicated to the service of God has been given over regularly to feasting and pleasure. Dancing clubs and boxing clubs have been organized in the church, and dancing and the boxing bout have been carried on within the sacred edifice. While many have not gone to this extent, the influence which made such things possible has worked upon them also, lowering the tone of their Christian vitality, and hindering the work they might otherwise have done. At a conference of a great religious body held in an Eastern State last year, the clause in the articles of church discipline which prohibits dancing, card-playing, and theater-going on the part of the members was ordered stricken out, and the editor of a great religious journal publicly declared that such an article of discipline never ought to have been adopted. The members of a great church in Greater New York last year held a “progressive euchre party” in which 2,400 church-members took part, and in which the players played for some 250 prizes put up by the church giving the party. An admission fee was charged, and the gate money went into the coffers of the church. In the same city at about the same time the members of a certain military post were invited to attend a certain church as a post, to give zest to a military speech which the pastor was to make. They were specially requested to appear in uniform wearing their side-arms, thus bringing into the service of the church the uniform of the deadly business of war and the weapons which take life, instead of the symbols of the warfare of the Prince of Peace, giving instead of taking life. In the conduct of the individual member there is coming in more and more the idea of going with the world as far as we can, “in order to win them;” and the prime essential of keeping as close to Christ as possible thus comes to assume a secondary place, and finally to be covered up entirely by the policy of the world. It was early in the present year that a certain western Sunday-school introduced the cake-walk as one of the features of an entertainment, and the superintendent induced one of the girls who took part in this ridiculous dance to appear in male attire, tho such was contrary to her wish. In speaking of the performance, this superintendent declared that dancing was now a legitimate part of the training of the young in connection with Biblical knowledge, and the old method of religious training he considered obsolete. At about the same time a New York clergyman, dining with a fashionable club, indulged in the use of profanity while upholding the work of the missionaries in China, and then went on to declare that “clergymen were too highly specialized nowadays—so highly that a glass of wine or a cigar is denied them.” It was plainly evident that this clergyman did not so deny himself. A well-known writer in the Gospel Message recently set forth seven causes for the great religious decline of the present time, among which were: the neglect of home religion and devotional meetings; the frenzy of pleasure in worldly amusements and the functions of a hypocritical and hollow-hearted society; the “amusement heresy and the cooking-stove apostasy;” the general and unprecedented prevalence of novel-reading, and the rehashing of novels in the pulpit; lodges and the craze of organizations in the church which lead to clannishness rather than to true Christianity; and the secular, sensational preaching of the day. This writer declares that “the less piety a church has, the more oysters, ice-cream, and fun it takes to run it, and the faster it ‘runs from God;’” and that is true; and these worldly “helps” were never more in evidence in fashionable church functions than they are just now. The faster and farther the church follows after society, the faster and farther society follows after pleasures that are wholly carnal; and thus is accelerated that race away from God and into the arms of the pleasures and pitfalls of Satan. It is no wonder that our Lord, looking down through the ages to the time when He should come back to this earth, was led to ask, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8. The question indicates that genuine faith will not be plentiful at that time, and the evidence that is accumulating before us is indicative of the same thing. The great mass of Christendom seems to have lost its hold on the arm of the Infinite, and to be leaning more and more heavily on the arm of the world. Even in theological schools, where young men are supposed to be fitted for the ministry, that bane of religion, the secret society, is encouraged and fostered; and evolution, the contradiction of God’s Word, is publicly espoused. The fashionable church has become a select club whose interest is almost wholly centered in itself and its own amusement, while warm love for God and His work is fast dying out. A chill is falling over the church like the chill that follows sunset. Evolution has taken the place of the Creator, and man is his own saviour. We are in the time of the last great falling away, which was to take place before the second coming of Christ. The result of this teaching, this preaching, this cold formalism, this apostasy, is that the world is fast being snared and blinded for destruction by the powers that lie in wait for the souls of men. That is what there is in the course being taken to-day by very many of the congregations that bear the name of Christ. How are the signs fulfilling which teach us that His coming draweth nigh! THE UNITED STATES DRINK BILL.
The Statistical Report of the consumption of liquor in the United States for 1900 shows some appalling figures—$1,172,493,445. The New Voice makes the following striking comments:— During the year we spent almost as much money for drink as the total value of all our exports of merchandise to all the world. We spent for liquor $320,000,000 more than for all imported goods. The sum spent by us for liquor last year, together with cash in the Treasury, would wipe out the whole public debt, and leave $95,000,000 besides. We spent for liquor last year $400,000,000 more than the entire output of coal in the country at $5.00 per ton. We spent above $400,000,000 more for liquor than the entire valuation of the corn crop of the whole country. We spent more for liquor than the entire gold coin of the United States. We spent almost as much for liquor as the entire receipts from all the railroads from all sources. We spent six times as much for liquor as for the public schools of the nation. Our drink bill was about nine times as much as our pension bill. THE official report of the registrar-general of Ireland on the prevalence of cancer in that country is re-opening, in the medical world, the discussion of the cause and cure of that rapidly-increasing disease. Doctor Robert H. Perks, of England, contributes an exhaustive article to the November number of the Herald of the Golden Age on the prevalence of that disease in the different countries of the world, giving statistics of much interest to the public. The statistics given in this article show an almost perfect immunity from cancer in those countries where little or no flesh is eaten, while in those countries where flesh is one of the principal articles of diet, cancer is increasing at a tremendous rate. Thus in countries where Mohammedan influence dominates, cancer is seldom seen; and this is also true of those countries where fruit grows in profusion. It9 is of interest also to note that in certain counties of Ireland the number of cancer cases is greatly in excess of the number in other counties. The counties having the fewest cases are those in which the diet is principally or almost wholly vegetarian. These are the poor counties whose inhabitants can not afford meat, and whose diet is chiefly buttermilk, potatoes, and Indian meal. Thus it is that for one death from cancer in Kerry County there are four in Armagh and three in Dublin and Londonderry. In these latter counties there is more prosperity and a larger consumption of carnivorous food, while Connaught and Munster, where little flesh is used, share the immunity of Kerry. While this is only circumstantial evidence of the connection between cancer and a flesh diet, it is evidence which can not be regarded as irrelevant or immaterial; and it is certain that the one who abstains from flesh food is avoiding the increasing risk of infection from that source, as well as avoiding the development of a condition of the system which lays it open to attack from every malignant germ afloat. The fruits of garden, field, and orchard are more inviting, more appetizing, more healthful,—an infinitely better diet in every way. “Secular Catholic priests” are now doing the work in France that the Religious Associations Law was designed to counteract—especially that of the Jesuits. The Jesuits all, or nearly all, left the country; but they had had sufficient foreknowledge of the coming storm to prepare “laymen” to carry on the work of education. A Catholic contemporary says: “The secular Catholic priests in France number to-day over fifty thousand. They are not disturbed by the law of associations.” THE wide purpose of the Catholic University of America, situated in Washington, D. C., is becoming more and more manifest. A despatch to the Baltimore Sun says the University “has taken a practical step toward the defense of religious rights [Catholic rights, of course] in the Philippines by sending to Manila Mr. Celestine Sullivan, a newspaper man of Atchison, Kansas, to promote Catholic education in the islands. He will remain three years, establishing and teaching Catholic schools.” SPAIN is imitating France in legislation regarding religious associations. A recent decree orders all religious associations in the kingdom to apply for authorization within six months. Foreign members of religious orders must record their names at their respective consulates. The decree has caused considerable excitement in Catholic ecclesiastical circles. THE San Francisco Chronicle says that the recent decision of the Supreme Court puts an end to the argument that we are waging a war of conquest in the Philippines, by declaring that we are simply suppressing a rebellion against our lawful authority, but neither the San Francisco Chronicle nor the Supreme Court can tell how that people forfeited their right to rule themselves, or by what process in equity we acquired the right to rule them against their will. We bought their land from a country which took it from them against their will. We are enforcing our claim by taking the lives of those who defend their right to first possession, and who have tilled the land they are fighting for. Their right to defend it is recognized in law in the right of self-defense. We purchased the people with the land; but their right to the possession of their own persons is recognized in our Constitution, and is recognized by every individual American when it touches his own person. No, the dictum of the Supreme Court has not established the justice of the matter, nor made the forcible acquisition of the Philippines to harmonize with the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution has been abandoned, and the Supreme Court has acquiesced in the abandonment. THE War Department has made public the first annual report of the governor-general of the Philippine Islands. This report shows that there is still armed resistance to American authority in the provinces of Batangas and Laguna in the island of Luzon, and in the islands of Samar, Cebu, and Bohol. The governor-general states that conditions in the islands are such that there should be no further withdrawal of troops. It can thus be seen that American authority in the islands is maintained only by military force, and it is likely to be so for many years to come. Some idea of the great financial transactions that are taking place in these days may be gathered from the great losses sustained by Thomas W. Lawson, of Boston, within the past week, through the drop in the price of copper stock. In a few days this financier is reported to have lost $11,000,000. It is understood to be a fight between millionaires for the capturing and cornering of copper stock. Two great concerns, the Rothschilds of England and the Rockefellers of America, are reported to be seeking the absolute control of the copper industry of the whole world. GOVERNOR YATES of Illinois has issued a proclamation in regard to the distressing condition of the captured Boers and noncombatants in the concentration camps of South Africa, calling upon all charitably disposed persons to contribute to their needs. A report from London states that there is a strong probability that the concentration idea will soon be abandoned, and that those now in the camps will be distributed among the farms of the “pacified” districts. A NEW method of restoring respiration has been discovered by a well-known physician of Paris. This consists in a manipulation of the tongue, which he calls rhythmical traction. This system has resulted in awakening vitality when all other expedients have failed, and the discoverer has constructed a small electric machine which will carry on the manipulation of the tongue continuously and rhythmically. THE people of Manila are reported to be pleased over the Supreme Court decision, as it means the return of about $7,000,000 paid into the customs-house in Manila. From the present attitude of Congress, it is probable that there is disappointment in store for the islanders, as it seems very likely that Congress will set up a tariff wall between this country and the Philippines. ARMY and navy experts who have been giving an official test to the wonderful Gathman gun, of which so much was expected, report that the gun is practically worthless; but another gun has been tested by government experts and found to possess wonderfully destructive powers, accomplishing the object which the Gathman gun was expected to attain. REPORTS from the island of Samar, Philippines, state that a vigorous campaign is being conducted there against the native forces. Scores of boats used by smugglers in conveying arms and ammunition to the native troops have been captured, and it is reported that the insurgent chief on that island is anxious to make terms of peace. THE Boston Transcript announces that the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Company has set itself squarely against the cigarette, declaring that it will henceforth refuse employment to any one addicted to the habit of cigarette-smoking. This is in line with a movement which is now quite popular among large eastern concerns. ON December 5 sixty Chicago millionaires contributed a fund of $50,000 toward the erection of a home and training school for friendless and fallen boys. An appeal was then made to the general public, and the fund was quickly swelled to $132,750. It is expected that the fund will be raised to much more than that amount. THE President’s message was listened to with marked attention in both House and Senate on December 3. That part referring to the necessity of laws against Anarchy was applauded. His utterance on trusts received no applause, but both sides of the House applauded his recommendation of Chinese exclusion. THERE have already been introduced in Congress bills providing for the construction of the Nicaragua Canal, for the exclusion of Anarchists and the suppression of Anarchy, for the imposition of a tariff on trade between the Philippine Islands and the United States, and for the exclusion of Chinese laborers. CHINA is reported to be looking for an ally to support her in opposition to Russia’s demand for Manchuria. It is also reported that Russia has quietly thrown an army of 250,000 men into that province. If the latter report is true, it is evident that Russia’s intention is to hold that part of the Chinese territory. IN a test made by the New York Central railroad between an electric motor car and a 118-ton steam engine for speed and handling, the results are reported to be considerably in favor of the electric car. This road is contemplating the use of electricity in its service in and around New York City. OFFICIAL investigations made by the German Municipal Council show that the ranks of the unemployed in that country are growing rapidly. In Berlin there are 20,600 unemployed in the metal trade alone, as against 7,100 unemployed in the same trade at the same time last year. NICARAGUA’S Minister of Foreign Affairs and the United States Minister to that country have signed a treaty by which Nicaragua agrees to lease perpetually to the United States a strip of land six miles wide, which is to include the route of the proposed Nicaraguan canal. THE value of the estate of President McKinley, according to the appraisers’ report, amounted to $135,890, of which $60,000 was life insurance. This does not include the real estate, which, under the will, goes to Mrs. McKinley, and amounts to about $60,000. ON December 6 Mrs. Leland Stanford completed the conveyance of $28,000,000 worth of real estate, stocks, and bonds to the Leland Stanford Junior University at Palo Alto, California. This is the largest amount ever given to one institution by one individual. CONCESSIONS have been granted for the building of two railroads in the island of Porto Rico, one north and south and the other east and west. THE British Government is devising a scheme for largely increasing the military forces of Canada for defensive purposes. Imperial funds are to be used in equipping these forces, and in furnishing the necessary ammunition for practise and for the expense of training. PETRIFIED tropical fruit has been recently found imbedded in coal, mined in Spitzbergen, an island within the Arctic circle north of Europe. This furnishes additional proof that at one time a tropical climate existed in the neighborhood of the North Pole. A CLUB has been organized in Chicago whose members agree to eat no meat except pork for a period of six months, for the purpose of testing its qualities as a healthful diet. Pork is to be their principal article of food for the time stated. THE Federal Government at Washington has sent out orders to the effect that all civil service employees must abstain from active participation in politics. Already several employees have lost their places by not observing this rule. THE governor of Pichili, China, is arranging for the reorganization of the Chinese navy, and for the consolidation of the military forces of that province into an army corps of 100,000 under British and American instructors. THE British Government has announced that the concentration camps in South Africa have now been placed under the control of the civil authorities, and that every effort will be made to place them in a healthy condition. THERE has been a great reduction in the British railway and industrial securities since the beginning of the Boer war. The value of this shrinkage in the stock of 325 concerns amounts to the enormous sum of $600,000,000. ADMIRAL ENDICOTT’S estimate of the amount of money needed for the coming year to maintain and improve navy yards and naval stations is $21,526,359, the largest amount that has yet been asked for from that department. THE Nicaragua Canal Commission has made its report to the government, and as anticipated in previous despatches favors the Nicaragua route. The estimated cost of construction is as given in previous reports. SO HEATED have been the debates on the tariff question in the German Reichstag during the week that there have been several demonstrations of disorder and threatened violence on the floor of the chamber. THE cashier of the Farmers and Merchants’ Bank of Los Angeles, Cal., disappeared on December 7 with between $100,000 and $150,000 of the bank’s money. Nothing is known of his whereabouts. MOST of the influential press of England comment favorably on the message of President Roosevelt, except that some of them think the Monroe doctrine has been made unnecessarily prominent. BY the sinking of a steam launch at Goa, on the west coast of India, on December 3, 140 Portuguese were drowned. The accident occurred during the celebration of the feast of St. Xavier. IT is reported that Russia and China have broken off negotiations in regard to the transfer of Manchuria to Russia. This is believed to have been due to Japan’s objections. AN American system of telephones is to be introduced in London, the general post-office of that city having given to a Chicago company the sole contract for supplying the city. THE 21st annual session of the American Federation of Labor is now in session at Scranton, Pennsylvania, with delegates said to represent 1,500,000 workingmen. ALL the large manufacturers of steel plate are said to have agreed to pool their interests instead of forming a trust. It will work in the same way as a trust. IT is reported that communication has again been established with the captors of Miss Stone and Mrs. Tsilka, and that the missionaries are still alive. THE army transport Hancock arrived in San Francisco harbor on December 4 with 912 sick, insane, and discharged soldiers from the Philippines. CHILE continues purchasing munitions and implements of war, her latest acquisition being three torpedo-boat destroyers and one cruiser. RICHARD R. TURNER, the keeper of Libby Prison during the civil war, died at Suffolk, Virginia, on December 5, at the age of 63 years. THE army transport Sheridan arrived in San Francisco harbor on December 7, with 1,555 soldiers from Manila. THE Senate committee on foreign relations has voted to report favorably the new Hay-Pauncefote canal treaty. SMALLPOX is epidemic in London, there being 420 cases under treatment in the Thames hospital ships. THE Twenty-seventh Regiment of Infantry has been ordered to the Philippines. [From the Present Truth, London, England.] The Saviour mentioned abounding iniquity as one of the signs of the last days; the following item from Germany is a slight indication of how the sign is being fulfilled:— At a conference of German associations for combating immorality, held in Leipzig, the speakers all seemed unanimous in believing that Germany is rapidly growing more immoral. Doctor Stöcker, the well-known ex-court chaplain, especially drew attention to some startling statistics. During the last eight years, he said, crimes against morality have doubled, rising from 7,400 to 14,700. During the same period offenses against girls under fourteen years have trebled, and rape also increases at an alarming rate. He stated that in Cologne and Aachen forty-three persons have been lately imprisoned for crimes against girls under fourteen. Summing up, he declared that such a state of affairs existed that there must be something rotten among the people. A writer in The Echo states that on the 12th of last month he and a friend watched a public-house [a saloon] for an hour and a half, and saw during that time 876 persons enter—290 men, 380 women, 83 youths and girls, and 123 very young children and babies in arms. Seven perambulators were taken in. On the same evening, during an hour and a half, the watchers counted 591 persons enter another house—240 men, 267 women, 16 youths and girls, and 68 children and babies! RABBI GRIES of Cleveland, Ohio, is advocating that his people, the Jews, discard the Sabbath for Sunday. He contends that neither day is divine, so it is wisdom to take the way of least resistance. His reason for not believing the Sabbath to be of divine origin is his unbelief in the Bible. The more orthodox in Judaism strongly oppose this contention of Rabbi Gries. For instance this is the way Rabbi Silverman of New York talks:— From time to time some radical Jewish preacher, for what reason I can not well understand, rises up to favor a transfer of the Jewish Sabbath to Sunday. Such efforts deserve to be treated with disdain when put forth by men calling themselves rabbis in Israel. It is high treason to the cause of Judaism to advocate any transfer of Sabbath or holidays. The Sabbath is one of Judaism’s fundamental institutions and must be kept intact. To make a transfer would create a division in Israel which must by all means be avoided. I believe the seventh day of the week to be the historical Sabbath of Judaism and of the world. It existed even before Judaism. The Christian Sunday-Sabbath is maintained as the true Sabbath by a popular error. No resolution adopted by individuals, council, congregation, or synod, could change the facts of history. Whatever the future may bring, the seventh day will remain the historical Jewish Sabbath. We are glad to note this much loyalty to God’s truth. But unless the Sabbath becomes to the Jews the present, living Sabbath of the Eternal Creator and Sanctifier, they will turn from it, and accept the anti-biblical, anti-Christian Sunday. Really, unless they accept as a life the Lord of the Sabbath, they will yield the day. How do you keep the little ones so quiet during church service?” asked some one of the nursery mother a few years ago. She was in the habit of taking the little ones of three and four years old to church, and they sat quietly through the service, often without going to sleep, altho at an age when children usually find it most difficult to keep quiet. “I train them for it at home,” was the response. “I have times each day when they are asked to sit quietly a few minutes, with folded hands.” They were not forced to do it by punishments, but for one reason or another were prevailed on to keep quiet for a given time. Being done as they supposed voluntarily, it never occurred to them that it was a hardship. For instance, mama was very tired and wanted to lie down and shut her eyes for one, three, or five minutes, and a dozen little people would keep very still with eyes on the clock while the hand crept around to the point indicated. The time is easily lengthened a few minutes now and then. At family worship or in the other services at the Home, the row of little chairs in front contained as orderly a part of the audience as any other. Of course there were some more restless and mischief-loving than others, and these, without knowing why,11 had a place next to mama’s chair or in her lap, where at the first indication of an outbreak some tactful little turn would hold their attention. Sometimes this was only nestling the little hand in mama’s, a reassuring look, a little caress, or a slight readjustment of position such as could be made without disturbance. The resort to pencil and paper is sometimes good, if the little one does not insist on displaying his efforts for mama’s approval; but the less the child depends on such entertainment to keep him quiet the better. We once noted a young mother who came into church with a little child. She seated herself and the little one with quite a flourish. Then the little hat had to come off, the curls be brushed back, the ribbon readjusted, the child lifted again and set back a little farther on the seat. Then a book was thrust into its hands, and one attention after another was given till the child, who was so interested in the place and people that she would have sat almost motionless for a number of minutes without further attention, was wrought up to such a degree of nervousness by the unremitting attention of the mother that she began to fidget of herself. This drew fresh efforts from the mother, responded to by increased nervousness on the child’s part, till, losing control of herself, she had to be taken from the room, to the disturbance of the congregation and the chagrin of the mother, who had done her best, as she thought, to keep her still. Self-control, taught in various ways at home, is the first lesson in preparation for suitable behavior in the house of God. Reverence for the place is more easily inculcated, and the attention of the child directed to the services, if the mother does not occupy herself with little needless attentions to the child after entering the church. If the little one has heard Bible truths or Bible stories at home, he will catch from time to time something that is familiar,—a name, a text, a hymn,—and going on from one thing to another, will learn to listen. Of course if the child has never learned to be quiet under any circumstances, the church service is no place to begin the instruction; but if he knows what it is to sit still cheerfully for a number of minutes, “to rest mama,” or to watch the hands move on the clock, or to let baby sleep, or for any other purpose in which his will is engaged, he will not find it impossible, with occasional slight attention from mama, and the slighter and less frequent the better, to sit through a church service of reasonable length. At least we have seen it done, and done by children of such varied disposition and temperament that it was evidently the result of careful training.—Haskell Home Appeal. THE study of sound leads directly to that of music. The difference between noise and music is in vibration. Noise is disagreeable and music agreeable. Generally a rapid succession of vibrations of the same sort produces a pleasant sensation upon the ear, while a confused mingling of vibrations of various kinds produces the opposite, an unpleasant sensation. Notice this on a railway car. The regular succession of the same sort of sounds as the car passes over the rails is pleasing. But when the brakes are applied, or when the car is rapidly rounding a curve and the wheels strike against the rails at irregular intervals, the effect is not pleasing. We may say, then, that a musical tone is produced by a succession of rapid vibrations and a noise by irregular and non-periodic vibrations. “Nothing can be imagined more purely a noise or less musical than the rim of a cab wheel rubbing against a projecting stone. Yet if a regularly repeated succession of such jolts takes place, the result is a soft, deep musical sound that will bear comparison with the notes derived from a more sentimental source. The report from a cork when drawn from a bottle is anything but musical. But with a sufficient number of properly tuned bottles, a skilful performer could by merely withdrawing the corks easily evoke a simple melody that every one would recognize.” Probably everything has a musical note or key of its own. This is certainly true of hard bodies such as sticks, tables, dishes, stones, etc. This can be determined by striking any of these bodies with another hard substance. They will give a distinct key if there are no loose parts connected with them. Musical sounds differ in loudness, pitch, and quality. Loudness of tone depends upon three things: the length, or amplitude, of the vibration, the density of the air in which the sound is produced, and the distance of the ear from the sound. To observe the length of the vibration, strike a tuning-fork, and hold a piece of paper so that it will touch the side of the fork near the end of the prongs. A quick succession of taps is heard. Each tap results from a vibration. If the paper and fork are held in stationary position, it will be noticed that the taps cease, but the tone continues tho decreasing in loudness. This is because the length of the vibrations has decreased. Pull lightly one of the strings of the Æolin harp, and notice the sound. Now pull heavily, and notice the difference. The reason the sound is louder is because the amplitude, or length, of vibration has increased. Pitch depends upon the number of vibrations in a given time. Quality of tone is that difference which enables us to distinguish between tones of the same pitch and intensity or loudness when they are played on different instruments or sung by different persons. The same tone played on two violins will so differ in quality as to make one instrument very much more valuable than the other. So much with reference to the mechanical features of music. It is all I can say in this connection, as I wish to consider music in its general effect. But it will amply pay parents to get some good text-book on physics, and study the subject with children, as there is so much that is not only of interest, but of practical worth. Music is the universal language of the world. In all parts and among all peoples its effects are much the same. This is so in a physical sense because the rythm of its vibration is universal, and in a mental and spiritual sense because this rythm appeals directly to the soul. Music often is not appreciated for its worth. Musicians often revel in the art, even to worshiping it; but fail to go beyond the pleasurable sensations produced by it. It is a means of culture; but not until it is handled in a spirit of reverence will it develop the powers and accomplish the object which the Creator designed. God is the creator of music as much as of light and magnetism. Its laws are as clearly defined and as firmly fixed as those of any science. It was not designed as a plaything, and should not be so regarded, tho it is often used for that alone. Next to religion itself, music is one of the greatest civilizing agencies of the world; that is, when it is rightly used. There is inborn in all men a love for song. Wherever religion holds sway, there music is a study. From Genesis to Revelation the Holy Word is filled with allusions to music. There is no other art which receives this prominence. Music is the love-language of the soul. As the love of God is immeasurable, so music and its power can never be fathomed. Every one should make a study of music from the Bible. I can call attention to only two or three passages to emphasize the fact that the Lord uses it as a means of communication in dealing with man. In the fifth chapter of Second Chronicles we have a description of one of the grand choruses of the Levites in their songs of worship. It was while they sang and praised the Lord, ‘for He is good, for His mercy endureth forever,’ that the glory of the Lord filled the house. This special manifestation of His glory and power might have occurred during any other exercise of worship, but He chose to exhibit it during song. It was while the minstrel played that the hand of the Lord came upon Saul and he was quieted. The miracle of the falling of the walls of Jericho occurred during the shout of victory and the playing upon instruments of music. The Lord might have performed this miracle at a time when there were no musical sounds, but He was pleased to involve the use of the musical instruments in it. One can not make a close study of the Bible on this point without being impressed that here is a science in which God has especially manifested Himself. But of what particular value is this to parents?—Much every way. Soul development is of the utmost importance, and I do not think that one can have the highest soul development who does not cultivate a love for music. Luther in his blunt language declares that the devil hates music, and he calls all who love not song “blockheads, who ought to be treated to the bawling of donkeys, the barking of dogs, and the squealing of pigs.” He goes so far as to call music “the transfigured daughter of heaven.” Many parents can sing but little it is true; but by the exercise of the little ability which they have, they will find that this faculty can be developed as well as any other. Not only can the faculty be developed, but the love for music can be cultivated as well. Most parents do not sing enough to their little children. Part of each day’s training should consist of song. There are, to-day, not only the grand sacred hymns which children love, but a great abundance of simple child songs of nature which appeal to them very directly, and which parents can learn and enjoy with their children. If they can not sing with their children from a natural love of music, they should do it from a sense of duty, and they will find the love coming to them. The children thus become to parents the blessing which God wishes them to be, and they in turn fill the world with song. There is to be music in heaven, and our homes are to be emblems of heaven. So there must be music in them—there can not be too much if it is good music. “The world is full of wondrous song;
We pause to hearken, and we hear:
Forever sounding far or near,
Those sweet vibrations, soft or strong;
Yet sweeter sounds, and far more dear
Than to the outward sense appear,
That ring upon the inward ear,
The loved old songs of home.” And I add, heaven and home. “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” So. Lancaster, Mass FREDERICK GRIGGS. BETHLEHEM'S STAR.
By William Cullen Bryant
As SHADOWS cast by cloud and sun
Flit o'er the summer grass,
So in thy sight, Almighty One,
Earth's generations pass. And as the years, an endless host,
Come swiftly pressing on,
The brightest names that earth can boast
Just glisten and are gone. Yet doth the star of Bethlehem shed
A luster pure and sweet;
And still it leads, as once it led,
To the Messiah's feet. O Father, may that holy star
Grow every year more bright,
And send its glorious beams afar
To fill the world with light!