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Review and Herald, Vol. 36, No. 24.

Papal Infallibility

Review and Herald

Nov 29, 1870

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 29, 1870

Papal Infallibility.

It is somewhat remarkable that the temporal status of the pope, which had experienced no change for so many years, and bade fair to remain unchanged for an indefinite period of time, should meet, on the heels of the proclamation of the infallibility dogma, with so many, so radical, and (in a Catholic point of view), such adverse changes. Following so swiftly on this assumption of divine attribute, people not prone to regard remarkable occurrences as special manifestations of divine will, cannot be blamed if they see in these events the hand of the Almighty. Some of these changes are very happily epitomized by the Rev. Dr. Cumming, in a recent lecture delivered at Liverpool on the subject stated in the caption to this article, and which we find reported in one of the papers of that city. No sooner had the pope, says Dr. Cumming, pronounced the dogma of infallibility, thus assuming to himself a divine attribute, than he heard the first sounds of a war, which, in its proportions, in its area, and in its intensity, was more a universal massacre than a war. On that very day Napoleon—the “eldest son of the church,” as he was styled—wrote to Cardinal Antonelli that he must recall his troops from Rome—the troops that had upheld the pope’s temporal power for twenty years. Then followed the overthrow of Napoleon and Eugenie, erstwhile the most powerful supporters of the pope in Christendom. Austria, even, long the dungeon of Europe, always the guardian of the pope when no one else could be found to support him, shocked at the pope’s assumption of an attribute of Deity, tore the concordat into shreds and cast it to the winds, and renounced the pope’s jurisdiction in Austria, root and branch. Then Austria passed a law granting liberty of the press, liberty of conscience, and freedom of education, throughout the length and breadth of the land. Swiftly following the retiring soldiery of France came the armed forces of Victor Emanuel, intent on securing the one fond dream of all patriotic Italians, the unity of Italy. They thundered at the gates of Rome; the foreign levies of his holiness were compelled to surrender, and when his own people were asked by the plebiscite to say whether they would have the pope or Victor Emanuel to be their king, they by an overwhelming majority preferred Victor Emanuel; and yet Victor Emanuel was an excommunicated person—not entitled to Christian baptism or Christian burial. The consequence was that the pope was sent to the Leonine city, denuded of his tiara and stripped of his splendor.
Dr. Cumming mentions an incident in connection with the ceremony of proclaiming the dogma of infallibility, we do not remember to have seen described in other accounts of the occasion. Here it is:
“It was decided by 535 voices—many of them voices of bishops in the air, bishops representing petty dioceses in Italy—that the pope was infallible; and then came the great event of the proclamation of that infallibility. His holiness posed himself—placed himself outside an eastern window of St. Peter’s in his gorgeous robes, expecting the first rays of the rising sun to shine upon him and to cover him with an apparel of splendor. But the sun did not seem to rise to the occasion, for never was there a sky in Rome so black with clouds as on that same morning, and never was the air so murky or dim; and when the pope rose to speak, the thunder rolled in crashing reverberations throughout the length and breadth of St. Peter’s, the lightning flashed from pillar to pillar with unearthly splendor, and so startled was an eminent member of the Ecumenical Council that he leaped to his feet and exclaimed, suddenly, and as if by inspiration, ‘God has sent down another Mount Sinai with its lightning and thunder into the midst of St. Peter’s.’ After that a candle was brought down, as he could not get the light of the sun, and by its light he read the decision of the Ecumenical Council pronouncing him to be infallible.”
Certainly, in a superstitious age all these sudden changes and signs would be regarded as having a particular significance—as marks, indeed, of the Divine displeasure. However they may be regarded, one lesson they teach is plain—to wit; that kingdoms, nor empires, nor infallibility-assuming popes, can stay the onward march of liberal principles and progressive thought, bray they never so loudly of kingly prerogative, “divine right,” and papal infallibility.—Journal.

Bishop Jewell on Antichrist.

As a scholar, preacher, controversialist and earnest Christian, Bp. Jewell, who died A. D. 1571, was one of the best and most able of the British Reformers. His exposition of the Epistles to the Thessalonians—published after his death—has been characterized as “worth its weight in gold.” We intend to make some extracts from it. The following concerning Antichrist may be in place just now:
This shall be the mark whereby you may know him; he shall set himself against God, and against Christ, for he is an enemy of the cross of Christ. Why then, say you, are not the Jews, and Mahomet, and the Turks, either all, or the most wicked of them, so called, * seeing they utterly refuse all Christian religion? Because none of these sit in the temple of God, which is the place where antichrist shall advance himself; and because antichrist shall not in open show set himself against Christ, as doth Mahomet, and the Turk, but subtly and craftily, like an evil and ungracious servant. He will not openly speak his blasphemies, or spit at the gospel of God, or defy the name of Christ; but he will call himself “the servant of God;” perhaps, “the vicar of Christ;” and perhaps, “the servant of God’s servants;” or perhaps, “the head, or the chief member of the church.” [Titles assumed by the pope.] He shall say he is led with the zeal of God’s house, and shall do nothing less; for he shall seek himself; he shall say, he seeks the glory of God, when all that he doth is for the enriching and ambitious enlarging of his own worldly pomp and vanity.
In matters of princes, if any man take upon him the name of an ambassador, or deputy to a prince, having no commission thereto, and in this boldness presume to levy and raise a power, and force the subjects to follow him, although he work all this under the name, and by the color, of the prince’s authority, as is the manner of rebels to do, yet he is a traitor, and his doings are not well thought of, because he deals in the prince’s matters without warrant from the prince.
Even so antichrist shall come in the name of Christ, yet will he do all things against Christ, and under pretense and color of serving Christ; he shall devour the sheep and people of Christ; he shall deface whatsoever Christ hath taught; he shall quench that fire which Christ hath kindled; those plants which Christ hath planted he shall root up; he shall undermine that house which Christ hath built; he shall be contrary to Christ; his faith contrary to the faith of Christ, and his life contrary to the life of Christ. Is any man desirous to know antichrist? His coming shall be notable; it shall astonish the world. By this mark you may know him: he shall be contrary to Christ. To show you at large this contrariety, by comparison of things contrary in Christ and antichrist, would ask long time. It shall be sufficient that we consider only some few wherein they are manifestly contrary, that by them judgment may be made of the residue.
St. Paul saith (Heb. 10), With one offering hath he consecrated forever them that are sanctified. And again: We are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once made. What is he, then, that saith, I make priests to offer a daily sacrifice for the sins of the people, by whom the offering up of the body of Christ is made every day? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist.
St. Paul saith (Eph. 1), God hath appointed Christ over all things, to be the Head of the church? What is he, then, which saith, I am the head of the church? which saith, All the churches of God are knit in me; you must understand as I understand; you must hear with mine ears, and see with mine eyes; I will govern and direct you? He is contrary to Christ; this is antichrist.
Christ ordained that the communion should be ministered under both kinds. Matt. 26. What is he, then, that delivers it to the people but under one kind? He is contrary to Christ; he breaks the first institution of the Lord’s supper; he is antichrist.
Christ saith (John 18), My kingdom is not of this world. What is he, then, that saith, I am lord of lords, and king of kings. I have right to both swords; my power and authority reacheth over all the kingdoms of the world? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. Christ washed his disciples’ feet. John 13. What is he, then, that gives his feet to be kissed of kings and emperors? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. Christ paid tribute to Cæsar. Matt. 17. What is he, then, that exempts himself and his clergy from the temporal sword and authority? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist.
Christ allowed marriage, and reproved fornication. What is he, then, that allows fornication, and forbids marriage? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. Christ saith (John 5); Search the Scriptures. What is he, then, which saith, Give not that which is holy to dogs, neither cast pearls before swine; ye may not search the Scriptures? He is contrary to Christ; he is antichrist. These are the certain and undoubted marks of antichrist.—Advent Herald.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNION.

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another,”
Earnest, faithful, toiling pilgrims, Pressing through this desert land, Looking for the “heavenly Canaan,” “Joined in heart and joined in hand;” Can they travel on together, To the same eternal home, Never speaking of their conflicts, And their glorious rest to come?
While around them, cloud and shadow Chase the rays of heavenly light, And the stars of coming morning Linger in the shades of night; Shall the weary-hearted traveler, Watching for the coming day, Never speak a word of comfort To his comrades on the way?
When along the arid wayside, Cooling waters cease to burst, And the low and murky fountains Mock the weary pilgrim’s thirst; Can we never, never listen To the music of those streams, Flowing through those heavenly regions, Where no shadow intervenes?
When the drooping spirit lingers ’Round hope’s consecrated bier, Shall not then our sweet communion Breathe of kind and heavenly cheer? When the gleaming peak of Pisgah Peers above the gathering cloud, Shall not then our cheerful voices Join in praises clear and loud!
In the land to which we’re going, Union is the life of bliss; Why should not we have a foretaste Of its blessedness in this? Yea, those walls of glowing sapphire Glimmer through these mortal skies, Tinge the heavy clouds with sunlight, Chase the darkness from our eyes.

On Making Wills.

By Jos. Clarke

I SEND a slip from a newspaper, showing what is being done for the Bible cause by bequests. These are often made by good men. Who is making his will as Mr. Wm. Devoe did? that is, remembering the cause of present truth, as he did the Bible cause.

A GREAT LEGACY.

About twelve years ago, Mr. William Devoe, of this city, died and left a property, chiefly in real estate. By will, he made ample and specific provisions for the support of his wife, and he left no children. By the terms of his will, the American Bible Society was made the residuary legatee. Since the death of the testator, the property has been rising in value, and it has been ably and faithfully administered by the executor, J. J. Cisco, Esq., a distinguished financial gentleman of this city. Last week, Mr. Cisco paid over to the American Bible Society the sum of $151,000, as part of the avails of this legacy, and on the death of the widow of the testator, something more, perhaps $75,000, will be coming to the same institution.
This legacy is a most timely and providential assistance to the society, when it is straining every nerve to meet the foreign as well as the domestic demand for the Holy Scriptures. Within the last three years, it has been obliged to expend more than $150,000, upon the single field of the Levant, and the printing of the Arabic Scriptures alone has consumed about $60,000. If another legacy as large as Devoe’s should suddenly fall into the society’s hands, the necessity would be no less urgent for all the help that individual Christians can render. The work is growing more rapidly than the advance of real estate. The calls are imperative. It would not be strange if Spain should ask for the bread of life before many days.
This great accession of funds at a season of such great need, should be the occasion of gratitude to God, while it should stimulate the friends of the Bible to put forth every energy to fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord.—N. Y. Observer.
The Report of the American Tract Society shows the receipt of over $5,000 in the year 1849, in twenty-six legacies, of from two dollars to one thousand dollars; and in 1852, the amount received in legacies was over $7,000, in thirty-four legacies, of from one dollar to two thousand dollars; there were, that year, eight legacies of one hundred dollars; fifteen, of less than one hundred dollars; seven, between one hundred and five hundred dollars.
Now brethren and sisters, shall we be wide awake on this point? shall wills be made with respect to the cause of God? or shall Satan get the whole of your property if you are suddenly called away? Perhaps some are suffering spiritual dearth for this very reason.
But, says one, I have nothing hardly to will to the cause. You must be poor indeed, if you cannot will to the cause from one to five dollars, of which there are quite a number in these lists; and from five to fifty, of which there are six to the American Tract Society in 1849.
There is a strange feeling of delicacy, on the part of most people, with regard to making their last will and testament. Many leave their relatives in a very embarrassing position, by leaving to the law the disposal of their property; for this, many think they have an apology, in the plea that the law makes as equal a distribution as it would be possible for them to do. Now let any man set himself fairly about this business of making his will, he will find it a difficult affair; and if it is difficult for him, how much more so for the general principles of law to do it. But for a Christian, who loves the cause of God more than he loves his life, there is a grand difficulty in the way; that is, the law makes no provision for the cause of God; therefore he is under moral obligations to make his will; for he would not, in his death, slight so good a friend as the cause of God has been to him.
We say it is a difficult thing to make a will—to make it just right. You cannot suit all, unless all are as devoted as you are. You must be above the influence of selfish motives, or selfish persons. You will need more than human wisdom, and much of the fear and love of God. Do not undertake it lightly; think over it; pray over it. If there is an act which God notices more particularly in your secular affairs than any other, it is the making of your will.
Should you live ever so devotedly attached to your son or daughter, and in your will deliberately leave that son or daughter without a dime, while the others were all well provided for, what would be the effect upon that child, after your death? Now let me ask, Can the suffering cause of God ever forgive such a slight as being neglected in your last will? Have you not a clause, in that important document, for the dear Saviour?
Would you, in your will, shut out all hope of Heaven by slighting such an heir? But let it be no niggardly gift; let it be proportionate to your ability. The clause devoting a part to God, let it be a noble, a liberal, portion.
Still better will it be to dispose of this matter, if possible, by distributing to the cause of God while you live, not waiting the summons of death to tear it from you by force. Jos. CLARKE.

HENRY F. PHELPS

By Henry F. Phelps

Trouble.

This world is filled up with all sorts of trouble—trouble among nations, trouble in neighborhoods, trouble in families; and, in fact, men and women are often troubled with their own selves, and we think this is the touchstone of the whole matter. I think nine-tenths, if not ninety-nine one-hundredths, of the trouble men and women have in this world, they bring upon their own dear selves. Dear reader, do other people trouble you? We verily believe if you let them alone, and act right yourself, this trouble will vanish like fog before the sun. Why is it some men are always in trouble with their domestic animals? Their cows ready to jump and spill the milk when they make a motion, if indeed they are allowed to come near them; their horses jump at their approach; and if, perchance, they go round to adjust a rein or strap, they fly sideways or backwards, ready to upset the wagon or carriage. Their oxen always fractious, running away; kicking cows, kicking oxen, kicking horses! What's the matter? Do you wish to know what will cure all these bad tricks? Kindness, dear reader, will do it. The trouble is not with these animals; no, indeed, the trouble is with the man. Follow this person through a day's work, and I venture to say you will become satisfied that this is the truth. He frets, he scolds, he whips, he kicks; and is it to be wondered at that they pay back in some way? Let that man stop, turn right about, change his base of operations, and put a kind spirit outward, and uppermost, and soon trouble will vanish, vanish like smoke. A lady, perhaps, is always in trouble with her neighbors; some one has said this, and some one has said that. Now for vengeance; and it is well indeed if this vengeance was not paid in advance. What's the matter? That woman made her own trouble; she has been meddling with other people's business. Exceptions, of course, sometimes; but I would not dare say the reader's case is an exception. But people sometimes get hit, and this makes troubles; some are falsely slandered, and this makes trouble. No, you are mistaken, this does not make the trouble; but it's hitting back or running to find out who told the story; this makes the trouble. Let a person keep a conscience void of offense toward God and man, never turning to see who strikes, and the blows will fall like grass, or will be very much lightened, at least. Oh! that people would learn wisdom in this world; that they would seek for it as for hid treasures—that wisdom that comes from above. Then would many and many a trouble vanish and become nothing, while all would be much lighter, and compare as nothing when lying by the side of that peace within which passeth knowledge.

HENRY F. PHELPS

Pine Island, Minn.

Aurora Borealis.

By Adolphus Smith

On the morning of the 24th of October, we beheld a display of Aurora Borealis, perhaps never surpassed, if ever equaled, in this latitude. Beginning with a faint, white light near the horizon in the north, it slowly rose and spread with wavy coruscations, until it reached an altitude of about twenty degrees, where, as with a crown, it encircled a very dark nucleus, the diameter of whose circle rested upon the horizon. From this were emitted rays of light reaching almost to the zenith, and assuming, at one time, a form of beauty and sublimity seldom delineated upon the canvas of heaven. This consisted of a ground-work of blood red, with stripes of cream color nearly as regular as those of a carpet, and extending in altitude from the crown of light in the north, almost to the zenith, and, laterally, nearly covering Ursa Major, and reaching thence to the milky way.
As we looked upon this phenomenon, we were led to regard it as one of the many wonders and signs that should herald the coming of the Son of Man.
Greater displays are no doubt frequently witnessed in higher latitudes, but there they cease to be wonders. It is not that such phenomena may not be traceable to laws of nature governing their action, but the magnitude and frequency of their occurrence indicate a convergence to a point near at hand, when an event grand and awful shall crown the wonders of six thousand years.
“All things remain as they were from the beginning,” says the skeptic; to which the Spiritualist responds, “And shall ever remain, as long as God exists.” But the student of prophecy beholds in earth, and sea, and heavens, solemn tokens of this world’s dissolution, beyond which the finger of hope points to new heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.” ADOLPHUS SMITH.

Ask, and It Shall Be Given You.

PRECIOUS words of love for God's people! To the tried, afflicted, and oppressed; to the poor and needy; to the homeless and wandering, and to sinners longing for pardon for sins, Jesus says, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” If we arise in the morning with a feeling that our strength is but weakness, and with a fear that we will not be able to resist the powers of darkness that must surround us through the day, how comforting, how cheering, the thought, I will go to my Saviour and ask for strength. And through the busy toils of the day, how oft the child of God says within his heart, I will go to my Heavenly Father, I will ask his favor, his guidance, that I may direct my affairs with discretion; that I may have wherewith to help in the Lord's cause, and to help the needy; I will ask that his love, his Holy Spirit, may dwell in my heart, that I may bear my trials with patience, and with meekness bear the scoff and scorn of the worldling. When the cares and duties of life gather thick and fast, I will seek my Heavenly Father's aid, that I may cheerfully bear and perform them.
Oh, what consolation! what peace! what abiding love! dwells in the heart of that Christian who, midst the weary toils of this life, midst prosperity or adversity, midst joy or sorrow, can say, I will go to my Saviour; he hath said, “Ask, and it shall be given you.” So, when I am weak, when I am weary and long for rest, when lacking wisdom, in all my necessities, I will go to Him who is willing to give freely and more abundantly than we are able to ask.
West Union, Iowa.

Lost! Lost! Lost!

In the north of England there are many coal-fields which were formerly worked, but which have been abandoned. The shafts of these neglected mines are partly filled with water, and are of great depth. A poor man was returning home one evening from his work, and thought to arrive more quickly at his cottage, by crossing a barren moor in which some of these open pits lay. He had miscalculated his time, and night closed in before he had crossed the moor. As he walked on, hoping that he was in the right path, he was suddenly seized by an undefined terror; his limbs trembled, his heart beat violently, and fear prevented his taking another step. All he could do was to stand still and cry, or rather shriek out, “Lost! lost! lost!” This mournful sound reached the ears of a watchman who was employed to warn travelers of the dangers of the way, and who spent his nights in a little hut at some distance. He lighted his lantern, and shouted back to the benighted traveler in return, “Stand still for your life.” He soon came up to him with the light, and holding the lantern just one step in advance of the feet of the poor wayfaring man, showed him a dark, fearful chasm, half filled with black waters, into which he must inevitably have plunged had he taken one step more.
Reader, unless, by God’s grace, your feet have been directed into the narrow way that leads into life, you are like this wayfaring man. You are on a journey, and your road is beset with fearful pitfalls and dark chambers of death. Another step, and you may plunge yourself forever into a chasm of perdition, from whence there is no escape. Your safety consists in first being aware of your danger. Stop, then, on your way. Stand still, and from your inmost soul cry, “Lost! lost! lost!”
God has set a watchman with an unerring light to point out the path of safety, and to guide you out of the way of destruction. The cry, “Lost! lost! lost!” will reach at once the ears of Christ. He is “the light,” and he is “the way.” Commit yourself to him. Trust in him as truly the Saviour. His name is Jesus, which means “Saviour.” It is his very occupation—his office—to save. To that end was he born into this world. To that end did he die on the cross. To that end was he raised by God from the dead. It is his delight to rescue the sinner from perdition, and he only can do it.
Do not trust in any efforts of your own. Do not think that you know the right path, or that your resolutions, prayers, or religion, can avail. Jesus alone is the Saviour, and he is complete salvation to all them who trust in him. Nothing needs to be added to his death upon the cross. That sacrifice for sin is enough. “He that believeth is justified from all things.” “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin.” All God’s billows and waves of wrath on account of sin, have rolled over the soul of Jesus, and buried him in the judgment of death, in order that no wrath, no condemnation, might ever come near to any sinner that believes in Christ. Stand still, then, and see the salvation of God. Trust the power and the love of God, as shown in the gift of his own Son, “who was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification.” Let your soul rest on Him as your substitute, “who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree,” and you shall be saved. Light, life, peace and joy, shall be your portion for ever.—Sel.

Solomon’s Temple Exhumed.

THE LONDON Times publishes an interesting letter in regard to the discoveries at Jerusalem, from which we select the following: “The colossal foundations of the temple wall, which are ‘stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits,’ laid by Solomon or his successors on the throne, are now being laid bare at the enormous depth of 90 feet and more beneath the present surface. The bridge that once spanned the ravine between the palace of Zion and the temple on Moriah is now proved to have been upward of 150 feet high. If this be, as it seems, the ascent to the house of the Lord which Solomon showed to the Queen of Sheba, we cannot wonder that on seeing it there was no spirit in her. The pinnacle of the temple on which the tempter placed the Saviour has just been uncovered to the base, and is found still to have an elevation of 136 feet. The statement of Josephus is therefore no exaggeration. If any one looked from the battlements into the valley, he would be giddy, while his sight could not reach to such an immense depth. Sections of the ancient wall of Ophel have been exhumed, showing that, as Josephus says, it was joined to the south-east angle of the temple. Aqueducts, cisterns, rock-hewn channels and passages, have also been discovered within, and the harem, throwing new light on the buildings, the arrangements, and the services of the temple. The great work of a complete exploration of ancient Jerusalem is thus fairly and auspiciously commenced. The opportune visit of the Sultan and Grand Vizier to this country, and the representations made to the latter by the Archbishop of York, followed up as they have been by the energy, the wisdom and tact, of Lieutenant Warren and his admirable staff, have smoothed down Moslem prejudice, removed local opposition, and thus brought about opportunities for excavation and exploration such as never occurred before; and besides, large numbers of Arab laborers have been trained to the work, and are eager to be employed; and the exact points for successful exploration are now well known.”—Sel.

UNBIDDEN GUESTS.

By M. D. A.

[The following lines so truthfully tell my own experience that I copy them for the Review, hoping that some other heart may receive the same benefit I have in reading them again and again.— M. D. A.]
In my chamber sit I musing, On a quiet Sabbath eve; Thoughts which come not at my choosing, Thoughts which, bidden, will not leave, Come like specters, come to haunt me From the graves of former time— Silent, yet I hear them taunt me, Now with folly, now with crime;
From the dead past come to linger In the present far too long; Pointing back with ghostly finger, To my every act of wrong. Crowd they on my troubled vision, In a dark and gloomy line, Bearing each its special mission To this trembling heart of mine.
This points out a suffering neighbor, Whom I eased not of his pain; That, how much of all my labor Has been given to worldly gain. This reminds of harsh words spoken; That, of sullen discontent. This recalls a promise broken; That, the hours, of days misspent.
These, with stern though sad upbraiding, Count my oft neglected prayers. Those show faith and love, now fading, Withered, choked by earthly cares. Here arranged in solid column, Each with open book in hand, Many wearing aspect solemn, With their mournful records stand.
Avarice and foul oppression, Unjust judgment, cruel scorn, Trusts neglected, false profession, Haughty pride from meanness born; Friendship cheated, want of candor, Strife and anger, passion dire, Envy, hatred, malice, slander, Stubborn will and base desire.
Conscience, from her slumber starting, Wakens with redoubled force, Through the soul her arrows darting, Terror, anguish, keen remorse. Spectral thoughts, why thus unbidden, From the graves of former time, Bring ye back the deeds long hidden, Deeds of folly and of crime.
Why thus linger to distress me? O'er the past 't is vain to grieve. Comes another thought to bless me, Softly speaks, Repeat, believe! Though as scarlet thy transgressions, White as snow thy sins shall be; Christ for thee makes intercession, God for him will pardon thee.
Bending low in deep contrition, Now in prayer I seek relief; Lord, forgive, is my petition; Help thou, Lord, my unbelief. Hope revives, the light is breaking; Thoughts all vanish, torments cease; Love in still, small voice is speaking, Faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
—Churchman.

Saving: Why Men Put Off Accumulating Wealth

Saving.

A MAN is very apt to deceive himself into the idea that he cannot save, and that it is of no use attempting it. He convinces himself that his income is little enough for present necessities, and puts off the hope of accumulation, if formed at all, to the happy period when he shall be in somewhat better circumstances. His circumstances do, perhaps, improve; but his wants have extended as much, and still the time for saving is far ahead. Thus he goes on and on, resolving and re-resolving, until at last surprised by some sudden calamity which deprives him even of his ordinary earnings, or by death, which cruelly cuts him off in the very midst of the best intentions in the world.
Did any man, we would ask, experience a falling off in his income, even to so small an extent as one dollar in the week? Many answer they have. Did they continue to live at a reduced rate? They reply, We did so—we are compelled to do it. Very well; and, pray, what is the difference between being compelled to live a dollar a week cheaper, and compelling yourself to do it? Or, suppose stationary wages, and a rising produce market—did you not find that though bread rose a penny a loaf, and other provisions in proportion, you still continued to make your income procure something like the usual exhibition of victuals? You answer, Yes. And where, I would ask, is the difference between spending a small, extra sum upon certain articles of food, and laying it by for accumulation, supposing it not to be so needed? It is clear that if you had the fortitude and strength of character to make the savings as much a matter of compulsion as the other circumstances are, you would save. You have, therefore, no excuse to present for not saving, except that you are too weak-minded to abstain from using money which is in your power.—New York Ledger.

GOLD DUST.

In the United States Mint at Philadelphia, when the visitor reaches the gold-working room, the guide tells him that the singular floor is a network of wooden bars to catch all the falling particles of the precious metal. When the day’s labor is done, the floor, which is in sections or parts, is removed, and the gold dust is swept up, to be melted and coined. About $30,000 annually are saved in this way.
Life’s highest improvements and success in this respect, like the sweeping of the gold-room, depend on the ‘spare moments’—the careful use of the fragments. No worker for time and eternity ever reached high success without this wise economy, in which Christ gave us, by precept and example, the perfect illustration.
Said Gen. Mitchell to an army officer who apologized for a little delay:—“Only a few moments; I have been in the habit of calculating the value of a thousandth part of a second.”
In wars, spiritual and temporal, in life and death, the golden sands of time decide great issues; they will swell the songs of Heaven with grateful thanksgiving, and the lamentations of the lost with unavailing remorse.—Congregationalist.
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