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Review and Herald, Vol. 31, No. 21.

THE SEVEN LAST PLAGUES
Earlier text: REPORT FROM IOWA

THE BEREANS.

By Roswell Fenner Cottrell

Of the Bereans it is recorded, “These were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed.”
A message came to the Bereans, purporting to be from the Author of the sacred Scriptures. They took the right course to ascertain its truth.
1. They received the word with all readiness of mind. They did not drink it down without any evidence of its truth; but they were willing to hear, and willing that it should be the truth, if it really was. Prejudice did not prevent them from entertaining the message long enough to decide upon its truthfulness.
2. They searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so. They went directly and daily to the great detector, to ascertain the truth of the message. That would settle the matter. If it was in harmony with the written word and promises of God, they could ascertain it for themselves.
3. Therefore many of them believed. Having taken the right promises, they came to the right conclusion.
Their course was perfectly reasonable, and their reasoning logical. All would do well to follow their example. It would lead to the truth with unerring certainty. It could not fail. When a message comes claiming to be founded upon the promises of the Bible, do not cast it away immediately. Look at it long enough to test it by what is written. If it is in harmony with the morality of God’s word, and is a fulfillment of what he has promised, believe it. There is no danger in receiving it. You will not be deceived. Follow this course fully, and you are sure to arrive at the truth.
But the course generally pursued is directly the opposite.
1. People are not willing to hear, or, if they hear, it is with resisting prejudice.
2. The Scriptures are searched, if searched at all, not to ascertain whether the message is truth, but to find something against it. And, if nothing can there be found that militates against it, an appeal is made to the opinions of men.
3. The consequence is, they do not believe. Having eyes, they see not; and having ears, they hear not; and all, because they are unwilling that the truth should be the truth.
Oh! that there were more men and women like those of Berea! It is truly refreshing to find such ones. The great scarcity of such persons renders the few that are found, like fertile spots and springs of water in the desert.
Oh! that all, and especially all who profess to love God and the Bible, would hear with readiness of mind the third and last merciful warning, and be guided by the Scriptures in regard to its truth. But they will not. Though the number professing to be the Israel of God were as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved. And why? Because they take a course directly opposite to that of the noble Bereans. This message is in perfect harmony with the written revelation; nay, God, who cannot lie, has promised it in his sacred word, but men cannot see it. The spirit of slumber is upon them, and their ears are dull of hearing. But the word of God is true; it cannot fail.
R. F. COTTRELL.

NO HEAVEN, NO HELL.

By M. J. COTTRELL

“I DON'T believe in any Heaven or hell, only what is on this earth.” What a chill these words sent through my very being! I fairly trembled as I realized that I was conversing with a man who had no fear of God before him. I was looking for a situation where I could be earning something, and this man wishing to engage some one, I listened to his statement of what he wanted a girl to do, until I saw that his business would require my attention on the Sabbath. Here I told him that I could not take the situation, as I observed the seventh day as the Sabbath, and therefore could not be in attendance on that day. “You are not a Jewess?” he slowly questioned. No, a Seventh-day Adventist. He then commenced arguing the subject, and I tried to stand my ground, as best I could, until he uttered the words which I have said made me realize that I was conversing with a man who had no fear of God before him. I thought to myself, Nothing would induce me to work for such a man; and interrupting him, as he seemed bound to convert me, I told him I must hasten as I was to meet my sister, and the time of appointment was nearly up; and bidding him good morning, I left the room, feeling grateful that I had an engagement by which I could free myself from his infidel presence. If I had not had an excuse, I think I should have said, Excuse me sir, I do not wish to converse with a man of your principles. I came near saying it, as it was. The very air I breathed seemed contaminated, and as I reached the open stairway leading to the street, I drew a long breath, and wished that I could tell all infidels how horrifying to every impulse of unperverted humanity, is the position they occupy. If they only knew, it does seem that they would denounce their soul-destroying unbelief.
But why should I feel thus? What is there in the sentence I have quoted to inspire such feelings of horror? I have been trying to analyze it.
First, “I DON'T believe in any Heaven.” I understand from this, not merely that the man does not believe in an abode of perfect happiness, righteousness and glory, but that he renounces the God of the Bible and all his requirements: that he is not governed by that great rule of love which is given to fit us for that home of purity, and that he ignores my beautiful hope of an eternal life of unalloyed bliss, beyond this dreary abode of suffering, toil, and sin.
Second, “Or hell.” This gives me to understand that he renounces the idea of future punishment, and consequently is not restrained by fear of a Judgment to come. He rejects my blessed Saviour, and scorns the precious blood of redemption. His selfish, unholy will, and wild, unbridled passions, are the only government he yields submission to. He fears not God, neither regards man.
Enough, enough! I need not pursue the subject further. These were, in substance, the thoughts which came to my mind as these words fell upon my ear. Do you wonder, reader, that I felt horrified to find myself in converse with a man who boldly, proudly, expressed such sentiments. Surely, God's judgments cannot tarry long, when insignificant man thus boldly scoffs at his existence and authority.
Reader, shall you and I have our portion with such scoffers, for want of accepting offered pardon? By not accepting, and openly professing our faith, we virtually reject, and by our actions count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing.
O sinner, delay no longer acceptance of a crucified and risen Saviour. Soon it will be forever too late. Heed, O heed, the warning, and come now to a Saviour's outstretched arms M. J. COTTRELL.

Fun and Nonsense

FUN AND NONSENSE. A small catalogue of books lately received from a popular publishing house in New York, contains notices of one hundred and fifty new publications, of which seventy-two are novels, and sixteen are humorous and nonsensical works. Thus, in an age which the student of prophecy and the careful observer of the signs of the times sees to be the most important and solemn that the world has ever witnessed, people are giving themselves, as never before, to fiction, glee, hilarity, and nonsense. This is the tendency of the age. The nearer we approach to the solemn scenes of eternity, the more careless and indifferent will the god of this world lead his victims to be in regard to its impending realities.

Isaiah 66:23 and the Month

WM. CARTHY. The objection to rendering Isa. lxvi, 23, by new moon, is that it gives a pretext for connecting this prophecy with the new-moon festivals of the Hebrews, and so either cuts it off from applying to the future, or carries the type into the antitype. As the word means month, by so rendering it, all ground for the quibbling of our opponents is avoided. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and it is doubtless for the purpose of partaking of this, that the nations of the saved come up to Jerusalem from month to month. But in what part of the month, this fruit matures, we are not told; we should think more naturally near its close than at its commencement.

Discussion on Spiritualism

ELD. GRANT, of the world's Crisis, and Moses Hull, recently had a discussion in Milford, N. H. A correspondent of the Manchester Mirror, gives the following report of the discussion:
“Moses Hull, Esq., and Elder Miles Grant, have had a public discussion in our town hall, on Spiritualism. The attendance was not large. Neither Moses nor the Elder were overstocked with spiritual life or spiritual knowledge, if we may judge by their rambling talk. The public came to the conclusion that the Elder was the most pious, and Moses the most cunning, of the debaters. The speakers were the only men who made any money out of it,—the managers lost money, at least so reported.”

Graham Flour.

By P. Z. KINNE; John Nevins Andrews

I WOULD like to say again, through the Review, to those desiring to supply themselves with good graham flour, that I design hereafter to give my attention more particularly to the manufacture of the above article, hoping thereby to aid some in the health reform, by which I have been greatly benefited. I am now prepared to fill orders on short notice, from red, winter wheat. The supply of white wheat is very limited now, and prices rule so high that it would not be advisable to purchase much, as the red is nearly, if not quite, as good as the white, except in appearance. It is, however, quite probable that after the coming harvest, white wheat may be obtained at reasonable prices, if desired, either in the State of New York or Michigan. It may be expected by some that I can furnish graham at a price much reduced from what they can get it of others. If any one should entertain the above idea, to such I would say that I design to furnish a reliable article from winter wheat, and the market price of wheat where I have to purchase, will govern the price of the graham flour. My rule is to compute the cost of the wheat required to make a barrel of graham flour, then add the cost of the barrel and a reasonable compensation for my labor, and the result is the price per barrel.
A passable article of graham can be made from very nice spring wheat, at a considerable less price; but I use none of this, except when ordered.
P. Z. KINNE.
P. S. To those ordering graham, I will send samples of corn hulled without lye, and prepared for cooking, if they so request in their orders. P. Z. K.
I would add to the foregoing, a very few words. 1. What Bro. Kinne says, may be relied upon as strictly true. 2. It seems to be in the providence of God that an excellent flouring mill has come into his possession. 3. There is no small difficulty in many sections of the country in getting graham at all, to say nothing of getting a good article. 4. Even where a good article could easily be furnished, much cheating and adulteration is practiced; for there is, perhaps, a better chance for this in graham than in fine flour. 5. Therefore those who wish to know that their flour is ground from good wheat, and that it is what it purports to be, will do well to order from Bro. Kinne. And those who cannot obtain such flour in their part of the country, will find this an excellent opening for them. Brother K. has a good mill, is a good, practical miller, is a good judge of wheat, and, withal, a man who fears God.
J. N. ANDREWS.
Rochester, N. Y., April 27, 1868.

The War Prospect in Europe.

A LATE Paris letter says that shrewd political observers think that Napoleon means war, and they base their belief upon the incessant activity displayed in all the military and naval departments of that empire, and more especially in the zeal evinced by the Minister of War in the organization of the Garde Mobile:
It is remarked that gradually but surely the best troops in the service of the empire are being massed upon the eastern frontier; that this season there are to be numberless camps formed in addition to that of Chalons and Vincennes, for the purpose of exercising the men in the use of the new Chassepot rifle, and rifled cannons. Also, that the officers are to camp out with the men, in short, that the elite of the French troops are at certain stated intervals during the spring and summer of 1868 to remain on a war footing. Even the Generals of brigade have received orders to remain at the camps with the troops. It were useless to deny that all this looks terribly like war, and that the comments of the independent and opposite journals are far from re-assuring. On the other hand, the semi-official journals and the government speakers assure the world at large that the empire means peace. I need scarcely add that as these semi-official denials and assurances take place whether or no, they have little effect, and do not allay the fears of the people. The Emperor has not as yet had an opportunity of speaking on the subject. No great ceremonials, no imperial tours, have taken place, wherein His Majesty might address to his subjects any promise or explanation, and unless he does so this summer at the Havre Exposition, the general suspense must continue. It is a pity that some patriotic and wise men could not prevail upon the Emperor Napoleon to do that which would increase his popularity and secure his dynasty, more than all the warlike victories in the world, namely; that he should propose a general disarmament; that he should set the example, and then to crown the edifice, grant to France such liberties as are not incompatible with real and lasting prosperity. Were he thus to disarm opposition, the masses would then have the opportunity and the will to become acquainted with all that Napoleon has done for France, and his influence and glory would be enhanced, indeed. But as things stand at present, the government irresistibly pushes on its way, and the opposition in the same determined manner attack it. The people, who cannot always judge dispassionately, of course side with the Opposition in such a matter as that of the Garde Mobile, and the Emperor becomes unpopular, where, on the contrary, he should increase his hold upon the nation. If some great change does not take place in the imperial policy soon, a war will become almost imperative. The people will grumble at the needless expense in getting up such armies and navies for no purpose, and the Emperor will have to make use of them to silence the popular clamor. It is this result which is most to be feared, and it is upon this contingency that the Liberal and Opposition journals dwell at present so forcibly.

The Condition of Georgia.

By J. H. Caldwell

FROM an article by J. H. Caldwell to the N. Y. Methodist, we take the following paragraphs:—

ASSASSINATION OF HON. G. W. ASHBURN.

On Saturday, March 28, a Republican mass meeting was held in the Court House square. There were two thousand or more persons in attendance. Several speeches were delivered, State nominations were confirmed, and county nominations made. Col. Ashburn was chairman of the nominating committee. On Sunday afternoon, I preached to two or three thousand people assembled in the Court House square. The principal Union men were present. Dr. Merrill sat near me, and wept like a child. Col. Ashburn stood up behind me on the stand, looking with his severe and rugged features at me, and at times his eyes were moistened with tears. On Monday night, we went to Temperance Hall to hear Rev. H. M. Turner, Superintendent of the African M. E. Church. He made a long and able speech in favor of the ratification of the new constitution. The meeting broke up about eleven o'clock. About two o'clock, Mr. Parker came into my room, woke me up, and informed me that Col. Ashburn had just been murdered in his room. The following facts connected with the terrible murder were elicited on Tuesday before the jury of inquest.
Between twelve and one o'clock, a number of persons, supposed to be between thirty and forty, surrounded the house where Col. Ashburn lived, broke down the doors, and five of them entered his room, and shot him. He received several balls into his body—two fatal shots in the head. Although he had a pistol, yet when he found that he was overpowered, and that the shedding of the blood of any of his assistants would be useless, he boldly confronted his murderers, and received their fire into his mouth and forehead. Thus he died, a hero and a martyr. His loyal countrymen will long remember his services in the cause of patriotism, liberty, and humanity. He was a member of the late Convention, and labored with much zeal and earnestness, and with complete success, to secure the passage of an ordinance recommending the release of all the enemies of reconstruction from all political disabilities. The assassins were all well-dressed citizens of Columbus, wearing masks.

THE KU KLUX KLAN.

No one in this part of the country, who is acquainted with the doings of this infamous secret order, which certain secessionists have instituted, can for a moment doubt that Ashburn was assassinated by the members of that “Klan.” The public has been made acquainted with the atrocious deeds perpetrated by the members of the order in Tennessee. It has been but a few weeks since the order first made, by its mystic signs, unmeaning orders, and cabalistic letters, its appearance in Georgia. But it has inaugurated its bloody work here. General Meade has issued a stringent order (No. 51), requiring all military and civil authorities to be vigilant in ferreting out, and bringing to punishment, the members of this order who may be concerned in any acts of violence, or in any measures calculated to intimidate any one in the exercise of his political rights. But civil authorities who are known enemies to reconstruction will not be apt to be very vigilant in searching for persons who are carrying out their own principles, and the military are only stationed at a few prominent places. These midnight prowlers go unmolested about every town and village in the State, marking their K. K. K. on gates, palings, doors, and walls, hanging up their written, painted, or printed placards containing senseless gibberish, skeletons, and coffins, and breathing out threatenings and slaughter against Union men and the avowed advocates of the new constitution.
I am now writing in one of the villages of Western Georgia, in my room at a hotel kept by a well-known Union man and a reconstructionist. He was several times threatened with hanging during the war. He is yet alive, however, but just now in dread of his life. He has an invalid daughter, with whom some of the family have to sit up all night. After midnight, a few nights ago, the “Ku Klux Klan” made a visit to his premises, while yet they could see the dim light through the lattice of the window to the chamber of the afflicted daughter. The outraged father, hearing the noise, sallied forth with his gun, but the dastardly wretches fled at his approach; not, however, until they had nailed his coffin and skeleton, with their inevitable “K. K. K.,” upon his wall.

WHO ARE THEY?

To what class they belong, it is not difficult to conceive, if we remember the testimony of the witnesses in regard to the clothing of Ashburn's murderers; if we mark the exultant tone of the disloyal press in noticing them and their deeds; and, especially, if we listen to the drift of the conversation in “respectable” circles concerning them. You take your station in company with three or four of the most clever-looking citizens of any of our country villages; presently, a well-dressed, portly, intelligent, old gentleman joins your little company. He is Dr. A., a practicing physician, Colonel B., a respectable lawyer, or Mr. C., who lives at his ease in town, on the income of one of the best plantations in the county. But he is a “true Southern man,” and intensely opposed to reconstruction, “Radicals,” “scalawags,” “Yankee carpet-baggers,” and negro suffrage. In fact, these expressions, with a bitter imprecation generally prefixed, interlard his whole conversation. He begins by referring to the famous Ku Klux, if he sees any one present whom he suspects of a design to vote for “ratification.” He assumes an air of seriousness, and speaks in affectedly low and solemn accents: “Who are they? What do they mean? It is very mysterious! Have you not heard what they have done in such and such places? It is really supernatural. I do not know what to think of them; but they are certainly doing some marvelous things.” In this style of affected mystery, such men will talk, while every one who listens, knows who they are, knows that he knows who they are, and that he knows that he is one of them. He knows that they are bound together with a solemn oath to terrify the superstitious negroes, to annoy and harass the wives and children of Union men, and utterly to crush down, if not brutally murder, leading spirits engaged in the great work of reformation. All this to defeat the Constitution made by “that unlawful, negro, Radical Convention.”
The effect of this terrorism is beginning to be felt. Thousands of whites, especially the poor men who were forced to fight the battles of the slaveholders against their flag and country—men who are sighing for peace, and longing to see the day when this turmoil and strife shall cease—are struck dumb. They are afraid to open their mouths. They know and dread the men who are sworn to persecute and oppress them, if they vote as they please. Some of the more active Union leaders are in dread of their lives. They know not what hour of the night they may be murdered in their beds. Their families are in continual terror. Their existence is torment, and they know not which way to turn for relief or safety. The colored population are becoming greatly demoralized. They are constantly annoyed by horrible tales of the cruel deeds of the mysterious Ku Klux, who is represented to them as a grim, ghostly giant, who flies through the air by night, and threatens to destroy every negro who votes for the “Radicals.” If they continue thus to agitate and alarm this class of people till the day of election, at the same time threatening them with discharge from service, if they vote for any but Democrats, it is impossible to conjecture what the result may be. But, if every one is allowed the free exercise of his own choice in voting, there is no doubt that the Constitution will be ratified, and the full Republican ticket elected.
Since I left Columbus, Mr. Parker has written me that he has been constrained to leave that place. The times became so dangerous that his best Union friends advised him to this course. He has written me full particulars, which I do not deem fit, at this juncture, to publish. He will probably return after the election. If it secure the triumph of the right; if not, it may not be safe for him to do so. A sweet-spirited, deeply pious, and inoffensive Christian minister, with a small, but respectable, flock under his charge, has been compelled to flee from a Christian city in free America, as if it were a land of savages, under the apprehension of personal violence—from a city so lately stained with the blood of one of the martyrs of liberty!

CROSS OVER THE SEA.

By S. E. Lindsley

Air.—“Pass under the Rod.”

ANCIENT ISRAEL.

A COMPANY journeyed from Egypt's domain, Led by Moses, a servant of God, They were bound from oppression and slavery's chain, For the land which their forefathers trod.
Oh! cruel indeed, had their bondage become, 'Till the Lord with a marvelous hand, Sore punished with judgments proud Pharaoh's host 'Till he hastened them out of the land.
But lo! he pursued them with chariot speed, No hope of relief could they find, The foaming Red sea before them rolled high, And Pharaoh's host close behind.
But the Ruler was there—he o'ershadowed the camp, And the pillar of cloud onward moved; And he bade them ‘Go forward,’ at Moses' command, And their hearts' wildest tumults were soothed.
They heard his small voice—their Deliverer he, I'm with thee, I'm with thee—cross over the sea.

FIRST ADVENT.

In Bethlehem's manger an infant was born, It was Jesus a Saviour from sin. The shepherds sang praises and worshiped him there, For there was no room in the inn.
Oh! sinless and pure was the life that he led, He grew mighty in word and in deed, For he healed many sick folks, and e'en raised the dead, And blessed all who his teachings would heed;
But lo! he was seized by a murderous throng, And they led him to Calvary's hill; And they mocked him, and scourged him, and crowned him with thorns, Oh! his anguish no mortal can tell;
But the Ruler was there, and he lightened the tomb, Soon a victor Christ rose o'er the grave, Then he promised his people “I'm with you alway,” E'en my life for you freely I gave,
I am the good Shepherd, O “come unto me,” I'm with thee, I'm with thee,—cross over the sea.

SECOND ADVENT.

In the fullness of power a message went forth, Proclaiming the Saviour at hand, And out from all nations it gathered ere long, A loving and devoted band.
Oh! they earnestly longed to behold him they loved, And they firmly believed he would come To take them from earth, and its sorrow and care, Away to their heavenly home.
But lo! the time passed and their Saviour came not, And why they could not understand, And a dark cloud o'erspread them with sorrow and doubt, And scattered that once loving band.
But the Ruler was there, shedding light o'er the way, And ere long they beheld their mistake; Not long will he tarry, he surely will come, And his waiting ones he will translate,
We may hear his sweet voice, saying “Suffer with me.” I'm with thee, I'm with thee—cross over the sea.
S. E. LINDSLEY.
New Haven, N. Y.

The Sunshine Member

THE SUNSHINE MEMBER.—Let us try to be like the sunshiny member of the family, who has the inestimable art to make all duty seem pleasant, all self-denial and exertion easy and desirable—even disappointment not so blank and crushing; who is like a bracing, crispy, frosty atmosphere throughout the home, without a suspicion of the element that chills and pinches. You have known people within whose influence you felt cheerful, amiable, hopeful, equal to anything! Oh, for that blessed power, and for God's grace to exercise it rightly! I do not know a more enviable gift than the energy to sway others to good—to diffuse around us an atmosphere of cheerfulness, piety, truthfulness, generosity, magnanimity. It is not a matter of great talent—not entirely a matter of great energy; but rather of earnestness and honesty, and of that quiet, constant energy which is like soft rain gently penetrating the soil. It is rather a grace than a gift; and we all know where all grace is to be had freely for the asking.

Charity as the Payment of Debts

EVERY act of charity is but an act of equity. It is not the bestowment of our gifts, but the payment of our debts.

MICHIGAN CENTRAL RAILROAD.

On and after Monday, Dec 30, 1867, Passenger Trains will run on this road as follows:

GOING WEST.

LEAVE. MAIL. DAY EXP. EVE. EXP. NIGHT EX.
Detroit,....... 7:10 A.M. 11:00 A.M. 5:35 P.M. 10:30 P.M.
Battle Creek, 1:35 P.M. 3:48 P.M. 11:15 P.M. 3:40 A.M.
Chicago, Arrive, 9:00 P.M. 10:00 P.M. 6:30 A.M. 11:00 A.M.

GOING EAST.

MAIL. DAY EXP. EVE. EXP. NIGHT EX.
Chicago,....... 4:30 A.M. 7:00 A.M. 4:15 P.M. 9:40 P.M.
Battle Creek, 11:45 A.M. 1:05 P.M. 10:38 P.M. 4:50 A.M.
Detroit, Arrive, 5:45 P.M. 6:10 P.M. 2:45 A.M. 10:00 A.M.
These trains all run by Chicago time, which is fifteen minutes slower than Detroit time.

The Trial of Jefferson Davis.

From the Richmond Enquirer and Examiner, April 25. From certain facts we have ascertained, appearances would indicate that Mr. Davis' “trial” is to be hurried up for some particular cause growing out of the present situation of affairs.
In consequence of orders received here on yesterday from the headquarters of the nation, considerable activity was observed in the United States Attorney's office. Clerks were busy ransacking the papers regarding this case till a late hour last evening, when the two government officials left northward. It is asserted that there is reason to believe that the case will actually be brought to hearing of some sort at the opening of the court on the 4th of May; though at the last accounts it seemed to be the prevailing opinion of some high in authority, and au fait in regard to the points above given, that the trial would remain in its present state of postponement.

A STARTLING FACT.

F. A. Crafts, in the American Wesleyan, says that eighty-eight per cent. of those converted now, in communities where Christian privileges are fully enjoyed, are saved at 20 years of age and under, according to observations made by the writer in 149 cases of conversion. Of this whole number, but four were more than 25 years of age, at the time of their great change, two were over 25 years and under 40; one was above 40, and under 50; and one was 81 years old. Many aged sinners seek God now assured that they will not be cast out, if they do so with the whole heart. But let the young take warning from evidence found in every community, that but few, comparatively, ever seek God, who harden their hearts and strengthen the habit of procrastination, by resisting the calls of the Holy Spirit through more than a score of years.

OUR TALENTS.

Not many years ago, a man appeared at the counter of the bank in Middleton, Conn., asking and receiving specie for bills on the bank to the amount of $1,000. He had kept these bills just as he had received them more than twenty years before. If he had deposited them in a savings-bank, and allowed them to remain on interest, he might have drawn almost three times the amount at the end of this long interval. How many men will appear at the Judgment to give an account of their stewardship, with their talents as little impoverished by a wise and diligent use. To hold aloof from the most active service of the Lord, is foolish, unprofitable, and dangerous. God gives faculties and opportunities to be cultivated and improved by diligent service. Let every man see to it that he makes the most of himself and of his opportunities for advancing the glory of God in the world, for every man must give account of himself to God.

The Demoralizing Tendency of Agricultural Fairs.—

A Rochester paper, referring to the results of the horse-racing, which has grown to be a leading feature of the cattle shows in Western New York, as well as other parts of the country, says that, whether it is necessary to increase the number and improve the breed of fast horses or not, “it is plain that the numbers of fast young men and women are increased with an unnecessary rapidity; while their morals and manners are not in the least improved. Gambling and betting, drunkenness and profanity, are getting to be as common at county fairs, as at any race-course in the country; and men who regard their characters of any account are obliged to keep away, or be accused of countenancing these growing evils.” One of the satirical writers of the day, in reporting his visit to a cattle show, humorously says, “There was few yoke of oxen on the ground, besides several yokes of sheep and a pile of carrots, and some worsted work, but they didn’t seem to attract much sympathy. The people hanker for pure agricultural hog-trots.”
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