Earlier text: Christ’s Glorious Second AdventThe Missionary.
By Stephen N. Haskell
MANY people have, in their minds, associated Australia with English convicts, venomous reptiles, kangaroos, and terrible natives with their boomerangs. Whatever may have been in the past, things are different now, excepting in West Australia, where convicts are taken. As far as snakes are concerned it is stated that there are upwards of sixty different species; in the museum we counted many more, but they were perfectly harmless as they were in glass jars in alcohol. We were told, however, that there were snakes in the "bush" in certain seasons of the year, but they as much dread the approach of the white man as he dreads the reptile, and only give them the opportunity and they will give him the road every time. In the insect world, Australia is said to occupy a foremost position, whether as regards size, number, peculiarity, or activity, the latter quality being conspicuous in the mosquito. But there is nothing serious in these. The worst feature is the annoyance they give. We are informed that sharks abound in the waters, which prevents people from bathing in the bay. Sydney and Melbourne are rival cities, and the headquarters for navigation for Australia. They are the two commercial centers; but Sydney has the advantage of Melbourne as it has one of the best harbors in the world. As you enter the harbor there is a light-house on an elevation 276 feet above the level of the sea. The house itself is over seventy feet high. It has an electric light which flashes every minute and a half, and can be seen thirty miles at sea. The harbor contains many inlets and coves which run into the very heart of the city, and the largest vessels can come into harbor at low tide, while at Melbourne very large vessels cannot approach within nine miles. Sydney is the headquarters for all the coast of Australia, as well as having its regular line of steamers that run to America, India, Africa, France, and London, thus connecting with all parts of the world. What the islands east of Australia are to New Zealand, so is India and the islands west of Australia to Sydney. Wages is high at this place and business good. Here is free trade; while Victoria has a high tariff. This is a hilly country, while in the vicinity of Melbourne it is a plain. The buildings here are built of a kind of sand stone which is easily worked, but hardens by exposure. In Melbourne they use a hard blue stone that abounds in that country. Rents here (and we understand that it is the same in all the seaport cities) are at fabulous prices, exceeding the most expensive cities in America. This with high wages brings the price of goods, excepting fruits and meats, about the same as in America. San Francisco doors and mouldings are used in building, although in the northern part of Australia there is plenty of wood of superior quality that might be used. Those who suppose that the Australian and the New Zealand people are uninformed, are greatly mistaken. They have more and larger libraries, which are better patronized by the people, than in any part of the United States, except it be in some of the Eastern cities. The Free Library at Sydney contains sixty thousand volumes, and the readers for 1884 are estimated to have been 155,000; while in addition to this there is a loaning branch, and whenever we have visited it, there were from three to five clerks receiving and giving out books. There are other large libraries called the School of Art, and Mechanics' Institute, supported by the Government, with which is connected a hall for free lectures upon various topics. This is to instruct the laboring class of people. This same spirit characterizes all Australia, and yet New Zealand, which is a younger country, carries the matter of education and libraries farther than Australia. They have State free schools in every district, and with these schools are libraries for those who attend. Besides these there are schools of art, or mechanic institute libraries, making between five and six hundred libraries for the use of the public. In all of these colonies they welcome every new publication of whatever nature or character if it is moral. They seem anxious to enlighten the people with literature of all kinds from all parts of the world. The reason may be that the colonies are composed of people from all parts of the world and they are anxious that all should feel at home in their midst. The sects in Australia are fewer in number than in New Zealand. In New Zealand it would seem that they encourage every new faith, granting the greatest liberty of conscience. In Australia there is more of a reserved feeling. They partake more of the religion of Europe. Sydney is more this way than other cities. New South Wales settled the first colony in New Zealand, and was the first settled in Australia, and it is the commercial center for Queens Land. Ship missionary work can be carried on here to a greater advantage than in any other port in Australia. With this exception we should not judge that Sydney would be a very flattering field for operations. We hope, however, that443 erelong there may be a mission established here. It affords an excellent opportunity of communicating with the East India and the West. Also we shall make efforts to place our bound books in the schools of art and mechanics' institutes, of which there are about eighty-five in this colony. Already they have been placed in the free library, and we were informed that they are well read. While visiting the sailors' reading-room we found "Ministry of St. Peter," "Milton on the State of the Dead," "Appeal for the Restoration of the Bible Sabbath," "Morton's Vindication," "Teachings of Paul," "Teachings and Temptations of Christ." We also found on the first page the following, "From the Boston Free Reading-room of the International Tract and Missionary Society, 21 Boylston Place, Boston, Mass., A. T. Robinson, Manager." This seemed like meeting old friends. This city is striving for all modern improvements. The principal streets are covered with the Nicholson pavement, made of hard wood called "black-butt," that grows in this country. The present population of the city and suburbs is 251,808. All nations are represented here. We see more East India men than natives, except those that are engaged in business. Judging from what we have seen of the people, the morals of this city are in advance of American seaport cities. Temperance is warmly advocated, although there is a license law. We have no doubt but that God has a people in this city. Bible-readings and colporter work are what is needed in a city like this. We daily pray that God will lay the burden of this kind of work on young men and women, and that here he will raise up those who will assist the work. We cannot recommend this field as an easier field than America, for in some respects it will be harder. But the love of Christ will find its way to the hearts of the honest. One characteristic of the people in this part of the world which is different from America is, they are possessed of a great desire for foreign reading—anything that gives a new idea or wakes up a new train of thought. Almost daily in this city you will meet individuals from Calcutta and all parts of India, in fact from all parts of the world. And what is most singular is, those from these distant fields are nearly all professors of religion, and they gladly receive any religious reading, and if it contains different ideas from what is common they seem anxious to introduce it to their people. New ideas do not meet with that prejudice here that they do in America. This will relate to reading matter rather than preaching. It seems there is a providence of God in thus preparing minds. It opens doors before the work of God as otherwise would be closed. This feature gives us courage and hope that something can be done to awaken an interest to read on the truths for this time. Torre Pellice, Piedmont, Italy.
By D. T. Bourdeau
A WONDERFUL change came over me from the stand-point of health, about three weeks since, in answer to the earnest prayers of my dear companion, and others, and I have been improving since returning to this place. I have ceased raising from my lungs, and the pain has gone from my left lung. My appetite is restored, and my general strength is rapidly increasing. I am able to walk about as straightly as I used to in my boyhood days among the mountains of old Vermont. My strength and clearness of voice are more than ordinary. For this I praise God and take courage. I have completed the work of organization here by establishing the tithes among the believers. Brother Geymet, who took his stand for the truth during our efforts here last winter, is doing a good work at colporting, and preparing the way for series of meetings at different points. I have had precious seasons with him in encouraging him in this important work. In visiting the hiding places of ancient Sabbath keepers, so difficult of access, I have been inspired with a stronger desire to imitate the devotion and self-denial displayed by those worthy Christians.
D. T. BOURDEAU. Minnesota Camp-Meeting.
By G. C. Tenney
At first it was thought to have this meeting at Minneapolis, but this seemed impracticable the present season, and as there was an anxiety upon the part of the people of Mankato to have another meeting there, it was decided to hold it upon the same grounds as last year, one mile and a half west of Mankato, at the confluence of the Blue Earth and Minnesota Rivers. The spot is a beautiful one, and historic, as overlooking the small plain where, in 1862, General Sibley corralled the murderous Sioux Indians, and where thirty-eight of them were hanged for their participation in the New Ulm massacre. But it is too far from the town to secure a general attendance of the citizens at religious meetings. In this respect the meeting was not as successful as was desirable, although a few attended regularly and quite a large number visited the grounds on Sunday. It was not expected that the meeting would be as large as last year. It was a matter of some surprise, therefore, to see a much larger attendance than at any previous meeting in the State. There were about 160 tents well filled with people. Meetings were held for several days previous to the regular appointment, while the work of preparation was going on. These meetings were characterized by a good degree of God's blessing, so that when the time came for the more formal opening service, Wednesday evening, July 1, everything was ready. Careful arrangements had been perfected, and the blessing of God was sensibly felt at the outset. But as the crowds came, this condition was not as carefully guarded as it should have been. Still there was a willingness on the part of all to work, and to seek God, and he did graciously meet with his people. Brother Butler was assisted by Brother R. A. Underwood, of Ohio; and Brother G. B. Starr, of the Chicago mission, labored effectually in the work of Bible-reading and missionary instruction. The message of God's servants was of a solemn and stirring nature. Instructive and profitable meetings were held for the Germans and Scandinavians. The youths and children's meetings were a means of much good. Many came forward for prayers, and about seventy-five were baptized in the Minnesota River. One of the candidates was an invalid, a young man, who was carried upon a couch into the water and baptized. He had for a long time desired to follow Jesus into the watery grave, and, accompanied by a sister, had traveled a long distance to have this privilege. The report of the Tract and Missionary society showed a gratifying state of activity and prosperity, and the prospect is that a considerable force will enter the field to labor in various branches of this work. On account of failing health it seems necessary that the efficient secretary, Sister Mary Heileson, should retire from the heavy labors and responsibilities of that office. Her place was supplied by H. P. Holser, lately of Battle Creek. Elder O. A. Olsen, who has directed the affairs of the Conference and tract society for two years, wished to be released from the office of president in order to be able to devote his time more fully to the interests of the cause among the Scandinavians; and G. C. Tenney was chosen to that position. At the closing service, W. B. White, William Schram, and H. P. Holser were set apart by solemn prayer and laying on of hands to the work of the ministry. The Spirit of God witnessed to this work. Extended reports of the meetings were published by the leading St. Paul and Minneapolis papers. Four tents will go out into the field this summer. It is proposed to hold a camp-meeting in the fall, at Sauk Center, for the benefit of the northern portion of the Conference. There is reason for encouragement in the present state of things in Minnesota, especially in the spirit of union, which exists in the minds of the laborers, and the harmony which prevails in their counsels. North Pacific Sabbath-School Association.
By A. S. Hughes
THE first meeting of the seventh annual session was called June 24, 1885. Elder C. L. Boyd in the chair. Prayer by Elder E. J. Waggoner. Minutes of last session read and approved. The following committees were appointed:— On Nominations—Sisters Fannie Kingsbury, Jennie A. Benham, and Sarah Wilson; on Resolutions—Elder E. J. Waggoner, R. D. Benham, and A. S. Hughes. Reports from the different Sabbath-schools were then called for, and Brethren Reed and Ward gave an interesting report of the new schools organized at Springwater and Irving District. SECOND MEETING, JUNE 25, 5 P. M.
Prayer by Elder J. N. Loughborough. Committee on Nominations reported as follows:— For President, Elder C. L. Boyd; Secretary, Carrie L. Brooks; Executive Committee, C. L. Boyd, R. D. Benham, and John Burden. The names were considered separately and the nominees were elected. Elder Loughborough gave interesting and appropriate instructions to these officers. The Committee on Resolutions submitted the following as a partial report:— WHEREAS, The greater portion of the reading matter that is gotten up for children is of a trashy and pernicious nature, and, WHEREAS, The impressions made on the mind in youth are the most lasting of any, therefore, Resolved, That we regard it as the duty of parents and all who have to do with children to keep such literature out of their hands as far as possible, and to further such efforts by interesting them in that which is good. A motion to adopt this resolution was carried. Stirring remarks were made by Elders E. J. Waggoner, J. N. Loughborough, C. L. Boyd, and others; and such books as illustrated Bibles for children, "Sunshine at Home," Bible Picture Roll, were recommended for the use of children. Some time was then spent in answering questions that were found in the box. THIRD MEETING, JUNE 28, 9 A. M.
Prayer by Elder F. D. Starr. The Committee on Resolutions submitted the following:— WHEREAS, The Sabbath-school is an important factor in our church work, and should have the best service that can be rendered, and, WHEREAS, The Sabbath-School Worker, published by the General S. S. Association, contains the best of instruction by experienced workers; therefore, Resolved, That we deem it to be the duty of every Sabbath-school teacher and officer to subscribe for and study the Worker, and that we will do all in our power to increase its circulation. Remarks by Elder Loughborough and E. F. DeBord. The resolution was adopted. FOURTH MEETING, JUNE 30, 4:15 P. M.
Prayer by Elder Loughborough. Minutes of previous meeting read and approved. The name of J. M. Cole was substituted for that of J. A. Burden on the Executive Committee. An interesting essay on "Teaching" was read by Sister J. D. McCoon. A motion was made and carried that this essay be published. Elder Loughborough gave valuable instructions in keeping class records. Adjourned. (Missionary Department continued on page 446.) "It is the King's highway that we are in; and know this, his messengers are on it. They who have ears to hear will hear; and he opens the eyes of some, and they see things not to be lightly spoken of." It was John Balmuto who said these words to me. John was a Shetlander, and for forty years he had gone to the Arctic seas with the whale boats. Then there had come to him a wonderful experience. He had been four days and nights alone with God upon the sea, among mountains of ice reeling together in perilous madness, and with little light but the angry flush of the aurora. Then, undoubtedly, was born that strong faith in the Unseen which made him an active character in the facts I am going to relate. After his marvelous salvation, he devoted his life to the service of God, by entering that remarkable body of lay evangelists attached to the Presbyterian Church in Highland parishes, called "The Men," and he became noted throughout the Hebrides for his labors, and for his knowledge of the Scriptures. Circumstances, that summer, had thrown us together; I, a young woman, just entering an apparently fortunate life; he, an aged saint, standing on the borderland of eternity. And we were sitting together, in the gray summer gloaming, when he said to me, "Thou art silent to-night. What hast thou then on thy mind?" "I had a strange dream. I cannot shake off its influence. Of course it is folly, and I don't believe in dreams at all." And it was then he said to me, "It is the King's highway that we are in; and know this, his messengers are on it." "But it was only a dream." "Well, God speaks to his children 'in dreams, and by the oracles that come in darkness.'" "Wilt thou then say that he has ceased so to speak to men? Now, I will tell thee a thing that happened; I will tell thee just the bare facts; I will put nothing to, nor take anything away from them:— " 'Tis five years ago the first day of last June. I was in Stornoway in the Lews, and I was going to the Gairloch Preachings. It was rough, cheerless weather, and all the fishing fleet were at anchor for the night, with no prospect of a fishing. The fishers were sitting together talking over the bad weather, but, indeed, without that bitterness that I have heard from landsmen when it would be the same trouble with them. So I gathered them into Donald Brae's cottage, and we had a very good hour. I noticed a stranger in one corner of the room, and some one told me he was one of those men who paint pictures, and I saw that he was busy with a pencil and paper even while we were at the service. But the next day I left for the Preachings, and I thought no more about him, good or bad. "On the first of September I was in Oban. I had walked far and was very tired, but I went to John MacMab's cottage, and, after I had eaten my kippered herring and drank my tea, I felt better. Then I talked with John about the resurrection of the body, for he was in a tribulation of thoughts and doubts as to whether our Lord had a permanent humanity or not. "And I said to him, 'John, Christ redeemed our whole nature, and it is this way: the body being ransomed, as well as the spirit, by no less a price than the body of Christ, shall be equally cleansed and glorified.' Now, then, after I had gone to my room, I was sitting thinking of these things, and of no other things whatever. There was not a sound but that of the waves breaking among the rocks, and drawing the tinkling pebbles down the beach after them. Then the ears of my spiritual body were opened, and I heard these words, 'I will go with thee to Glasgow!' Instead of saying to the heavenly message, 'I am ready!' I began to argue with myself thus: 'Whatever for should I go to Glasgow? I know not any one there. No one knows me. I have duties at Portsee not to be left. I have no money for such a journey—' "I fell asleep to such thoughts. Then I dreamed of—or I saw—a woman fair as the daughters of God, and she said, 'I will go with thee to Glasgow!' With a strange feeling of being hurried and pressed, I awoke—wide awake, and, without any conscious will of my own, I answered, 'I am ready. I am ready now.' "As I left the cottage it was striking twelve, and I wondered what means of reaching Glasgow I should find at midnight. But I walked straight to the pier, and there was a small steamer with her steam up. She was blowing her whistle impatiently, and when the skipper saw me coming, he called to me, in a passion, 'Well, then, is it all night I shall wait for thee?' "I soon perceived that there was a mistake, and that it was not John Balmuto he had been instructed to wait for. But I heeded not that; I was under orders I durst not disobey. She was a trading steamer, with a perishable cargo of game and lobsters, and so we touched at no place whatever till we reached Glasgow. One of her passengers was David MacPherson, of Harris, a very good man, who had known me in my visitations. He was going to Glasgow as a witness in a case to be tried between the Harris fishers and their commission house in Glasgow. "As we walked together from the steamer, he said to me, 'Let us go round by the court house, John, and I'll find out when I'll be required.' That was to my mind; I did not feel as if I could go astray, whatever road was taken, and I turned with him the way he desired to go. He found the lawyer who needed him in the court house, and while they talked together I went forward and listened to the case that was in hand. "It was a trial for murder, and I could not keep my eyes off the young man who was charged with the crime. He seemed to be quite broken down with shame and sorrow. Before MacPherson called me, the court closed and the constables took him away. As he passed me, our eyes met, and my heart dirled and burned, and I could not make out whatever would be the matter with me. All night his face haunted me. I was sure I had seen it some place; and besides it would blend itself with the dream which had brought me to Glasgow. "In the morning I was early at the court house and I saw the prisoner brought in. There was the most marvelous change in his looks. He walked like a man who had lost fear, and his face was quite calm. But now it troubled me more than ever. Whatever had I to do with the young man? Yet I could not bear to leave him. "I listened and found out that he was accused of murdering his uncle. They had been traveling together and were known to have been at Ullapool on the 30th of May. On the first of June the elder man was found in a lonely place, near Oban, dead, and, without doubt, from violence. The chain of circumstantial evidence against his nephew was very strong. To judge by it, I would have said myself to him, 'Thou art certainly guilty.' "On the other side the young man declared that he had quarreled with his uncle at Ullapool and left him clandestinely. He had then taken passage in a Manx fishing smack which was going to the Lews, but he had forgotten the name of the smack. He was not even certain if the boat was a Manx. The landlord of the inn at which he said he stayed when in the Lews, did not remember him. 'A thing not to be expected,' he told the jury, 'for in the summer months, what with visitors, and what with the fishers, a face in Stornoway was like a face on a crowded street. The young man might have been there'— "The word Stornoway made the whole thing clear to me. The prisoner was the man I had noticed with a pencil and paper among the fishers in Donald Brae's cottage. Yes, indeed he was! I knew then why I had been sent to Glasgow. I walked quickly to the bar, and, lifting my bonnet from my head, I said to the judge, 'My lord, the prisoner was in Stornoway on the first of June. I saw him there!' "He gave a great cry of joy and turned to me; and in a moment he called out: 'You are the man who read the Bible to the fishers. I remember you. I have your likeness among my drawings.' And I said, 'I am the man.' "Then my lord, the judge, made them swear me, and he said they would hear my evidence. For one moment I was a coward. I thought I would hide God's share in the deliverance, lest men should doubt my whole testimony. The next, I was telling the true story: how I had been called at midnight—twice called; how I had found Evan Conochie's boat waiting for me; how on the boat I had met David MacPherson, and been brought to the court house by him, having no intention or plan of my own in the matter. "And there was a great awe in the room as I spoke. Every one believed what I said, and my lord asked for the names of the fishers who were present in Donald Brae's cottage on the night of the first of June. Very well, then, I could give many of them, and they were sent for, and the lad was saved, thank God Almighty!" "How do you explain it, John?" "No, I will not try to explain it; for it is not to be hoped that any one can explain by human reason the things surpassing human reason." "And yet, John," I urged, "how can spirit speak with spirit?" "How? I will tell thee that word 'how' has no business in the mouth of a child of God. When I was a boy, who had dreamed 'how' men in London might speak with men in Edinburgh through the air, invisible and unheard? That is a matter of trade now. Can thou imagine what subtle secret lines there may be between the spiritual world and this world?" "Well, then, dreams. Take the dream life out of thy Bible and, oh, how much thou wilt lose! All through it, this side of the spiritual world presses close on the human side. I thank God for it. Yes, indeed! Many things I hear and see which say to me that Christians now have a kind of shame in what is mystical or supernatural. But thou be sure of this—the supernaturalism of the Bible, and of every Christian life, is not one of the difficulties of our faith, it is the foundation of our faith. The Bible is a supernatural book, the law of a supernatural445 religion; and to part with this element is to lose out of it the flavor of Heaven, and the hope of immortality. Yes, indeed!" This conversation occurred thirty years ago. Two years since, I met the man who had experienced such a deliverance, and he told me again the wonderful story, and showed me the pencil sketch which he had made of John Balmuto in Donald Brae's cottage. He had painted from it a grand picture of his deliverer, wearing the long black camlet cloak and head-kerchief of the order of evangelists to which he belonged. I stood reverently before the commanding figure, with its inspired eyes and rapt expression; for, during those thirty years, I also had learned that it is only those
Who ne'er the mournful midnight hours
Weeping upon their bed have sate,
Who know you not, ye heavenly powers.
—Amelia E. Barr, in the Congregationalist. Oh, could there in this world be found
Some little spot of happy ground,
Where village pleasures might go round,
Without the village tattling!
How doubly blest that place would be,
Where all might dwell in liberty,
Free from the bitter misery
Of gossips' endless prattling. And then they've such a cunning way
Of telling ill-meant tales. They say:
“Don't mention what I've said, I pray;
I would not tell another.”
Straight to your neighbor's house they go,
Narrating everything they know;
And break the peace of high and low,
Wife, husband, friend, and brother. Oh, that the mischief-making crew
Were all reduced to one or two,
And they were painted red or blue,
That every one might know them;
Then would our villages forget
To rage and quarrel, fume and fret,
Or fall into an angry pet,
With things so much below them.
—Sel. Health and Temperance.
By Editor
RACING men have made this term familiar to the public as the name of the return half of the course, over which the racer gets back to the goal from his farthest outing. It is that portion of the whole distance which most severely tries the wind and endurance, and where break-downs oftenest occur. Usually, he who reserved himself in going out is most apt to come back in triumph. There is a sense in which this phrase may fairly be applied to human life, as characterizing those later years which lead down and back from the farthest out-post of mature middle life, toward that second childhood which—to those who live long enough—precedes and preludes the grave. If threescore years and ten—prolonged, by reason of strength, to fourscore—be the inspired estimate of the duration of human life, then between thirty-five and forty-five—variously, according to temperament, constitution, and so on—men turn about, face their second infancy, and begin with gradually increasing feebleness to travel, to limp, and finally to totter, "down the home stretch." Now and then there seems to be neither limping nor tottering, and men whose heads may be like the driven snow for whiteness stride on erect and stalwart with all their early robustness about them, as if in defiance of the law of decrepitude. Such men were blessed with "good constitutions" to start with, but that is generally the least part of the explanation. They reserved themselves in their pre-maturity. They habitually lived in close accordance with the laws of health and strength in their young manhood and early ripeness, and so have developed, nursed, and kept unwasted a vigor which now rewards them with its autumn and winter of vivacious content. Now and then, only, is there such an one, for the great majority of young men and women are not content to live slowly enough to live out their full term. The youth of twenty becomes, for example, an incessant smoker, and says it doesn't hurt him. The young woman of the same age turns night into day with "society" amusements, and is sure that she is as well off at the year's end as at its beginning. It may seem so, and may seem so for years. But a reckoning comes. We were deeply impressed, in reading lately Edmund Yates's fascinating volume, with his noting of celebrities who had dropped off before, or just after, they had begun the home stretch. Fechter, Beliew, Shirley Brooks, Sothern, and we know not how many others to whom he refers, burned their life candle at both ends, and came to an untimely—often a deplorable—death. In respect of nothing does the rhyme which Longfellow voiced from the old Sybilline oracles come more true than this: "Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small;
Though with patience he stands waiting, with exactness grinds he all." Every youthful excess, which to all contemporaneous appearance carried its ill no further than the next morning's headache, is sure to be heard from on the home stretch, unless, indeed, with enough of its kind, it have executed sentence of death upon the offender before the distance-post had been rounded. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore—says the preacher of the old dispensation—the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. In their early days they ignored altogether the home stretch. But when it is too late and in their enfeebling frames they feel the rust and rottenness into which the sins of their youth have seeded, vainly they envy those who have been content to live alway according to God's law, and found it health to their navel and marrow to their bones, and having length of days as its fruit and reward.—Congregationalist. English and American.
By John Burroughs
WHEN I was in England, whether in lodgings or in a hotel, one of the hardest things to get at table was a teaspoon to eat my dessert or sweetmeats with. They always brought a dessert spoon, which usually seems large and awkward to the American mouth. Neither were there any small dishes, such as we have at home. They bring you jam, or preserves, or strawberries, on a plate as large as a dinner plate. This fact would not be worth mentioning, were it not characteristic of much that is seen there. In England, nearly all the arts and appliances of life show, to American eyes, a superabundance of material. There is more timber and iron in the wagon, more bulk in the horse that draws the wagon, and more leather in the harness the horse wears. Yes, and more hair in the horse's coat. Our domestic animals, our tools, our vehicles, our architecture, and our women, look trim and slim compared with the English. There is probably material enough in an English van to make two of our farm wagons. It is a sight to behold. It looks like a pontoon boat mounted upon huge artillery wheels. It is usually drawn by three horses, tandem, with a boy walking by their side or riding the foremost. It would be quite useless in this country, as on our poorly made dirt roads it would be a load in itself. The running works of the English dog-cart, a pleasure vehicle, would be considered nearly heavy enough for a light farm cart in this country. Easy roads and heavy vehicles are the rule in England, and poor roads and light vehicles with us. John Bull would hardly trust himself in our cob-web "buggies;" certainly not upon our outlandish roads. He does not know the virtues of hickory, a tree native to this country. Hickory gives us the most strength with the least bulk, and this is no doubt one reason of the lightness and slenderness of our tools and vehicles. Compare an English ax with an American ax; how crude and awkward the former looks beside the latter; how shapely our tool is! Our tools suggest a more deft, supple, and a lighter, race. The tendency in us to pare down and cut away every superfluous ounce, is very marked. We are great whittlers. Did we not whittle away at the hulls of our ships until we made the swiftest sailing vessels in the world? —John Burroughs, in Critic. IN the following there is a good deal of human nature:— A boy, presented with a pie to share with his sister, was told that in cutting it he must give her the largest part. Reflecting a moment, he passed the pie to his sister, with the remark, "You cut it!" Nothing is so strong as gentleness; nothing so gentle as real strength.—Sel. Appetite.
By John B. Gough
A GREAT many claim to have the appetite for rum removed. If you ask me if I have, I will answer, I don't know. Desire is all gone, but I don't know if the appetite is or not, and I won't know! Heaven helping me I will never find out, for the only way to test it is to take a drink, and I advise you not to try it. I don't know what appetite is. It is a mysterious something we can't explain. Colonel Blank was a periodical drunkard. He would have a spree, then for a long time let it alone, then his shoulders would begin to twitch and jump, and his friends knew that the appetite was coming on, and he would go off on a lengthened spree again. Finally he became a Christian, and every one rejoiced with his careful walk and consistent life. He united with the church, and on a certain Sunday was to take his first communion. A friend was talking to one of the deacons on the day of the communion service, and spoke of the Colonel's conversion. "Yes," replied the church officer, "he is to commune with us today for the first time." "Where do you get your wine for sacramental purposes, deacon?" "Oh, at any of the stores." "What!" exclaimed the questioner, "you don't mean to tell me you use the wine of commerce, the alcoholic, intoxicating wine, do you?" "I would not dare to do it; don't let the Colonel have the cup to-day with that wine; pass him by any way; but don't let him touch his lips to it." "Oh," replied the deacon, "the Colonel's a Christian now; it won't hurt him." The hour for the administration came, and the Colonel was there with the rest; grateful friends were made happy with the sight, as he bowed there with tearful eyes for the first time in his life. The cup was passed, and the Colonel's turn came to taste the wine. He raised his head slowly, touched the cup with his hand and raised it reverently to his lips, tasting it, and starting like a man afrighted, quivered from head to foot a half a second, and then clutched the glass and drew it fiercely to his mouth; they tried to tear it away, but in vain; nor would he release his hold, in spite of all their efforts, until the glass was empty. Before night he was drunk, and in ten days was dead!! He died in fearful torment. The appetite was not dead, but slumbering.—John B. Gough. It is advised that water to be filtered should be well stirred with powdered alum added in small amount (two grains to a gallon, or one-quarter of an ounce to fifty gallons), and this poured through the filter pipe. Such precautions, and even boiling of water before filtering, are worthy of thought, not only when any wide-spread epidemic prevails, but also when there is any good reason to suspect impurity of water supply. Where there is the least suspicion of the well water, it is best first to consult the family physician, who may aid in the more simple tests; but if there is good reason for suspicion, he will advise you not wholly to rely upon these approximate results, but direct you to those who have more experience in the work and the advantages of laboratories with all appliances needed.—Sel. "Aunty Phelps" says: "You get riled dreadful easy, Sally, and 'twill set you back time and again if you don't get the master hand of it."