THE evening after the Sabbath, June 14, Brother Israel and myself left Sydney, by rail, for Melbourne. The distance is 573 miles. The cars are of the English style, narrow gauge, and not the smoothest. The Government owns the railroads, and the banks to a large extent own the country. The settlers are therefore principally renters. This prevents individual enterprise. But it is not so in Victoria to such an extent as in New South Wales. There are fifty-eight towns on the line of the railroad between Sydney and Melbourne, besides the flag stations, which are numerous. A goodly number of them range from three to seven thousand inhabitants each. The hills and valleys are covered with thousands of sheep, while horses and cattle are numerous. The country abounds with the eucalyptus, or Australian gum. The timber used in the Nicholson pavement for the streets is a hard wood called "black butt," and comes from the islands on the north and east of Australia. The soft wood that is used in building comes from Queensland and New Zealand. We also saw the spruce, such as grows in Maine. There are reasons for believing that in the Dandenong Mountains, not far from Melbourne, the highest trees in the world are to be found, taller than the celebrated mammoth trees of the Sierra Nevadas. Trees 420 feet in height have repeatedly been measured. Near Healsville, a fallen tree measured 480 feet, being 14 feet higher than Strasburg Cathedral. The native cherry tree is a bushy shrub-like tree, having the peculiarity of the stone growing outside the fruit. Many of the trees are beautiful, and the wood of nearly all is durable and admirably fitted for the finer kinds of cabinet work; especially black wood, myrtle, and myall, which are susceptible of a very high polish.
The railway regulations are of a peculiar kind, and in New South Wales are rigidly enforced. A man is fined two pounds (ten dollars) for getting off the car on the opposite side from the station; for entering the car without first paying his fare; for opening the door and entering the car after the conductor or guard has examined the tickets; for smoking in a compartment where it is not allowed; or if he enters a compartment exclusively for ladies, or if he takes a dog in with him. Five pounds is the penalty for entering the car intoxicated; or for using indecent or abusive language to a passenger or a railroad official; or for entering a first-class car with a second-class ticket. A cabman is fined the same if he enters any station and solicits custom.
Albury is the last station on the road before entering Victoria. It being Sunday we were obliged to wait over here until Monday morning. This town is neat, and the streets are wide, and it contains about 5,000 inhabitants. This is an agricultural district. Before the train stopped, the conductor informed us that we would find good accommodations at the Commercial Hotel, kept by Mrs. Pool, one minute's walk from the station. It is only an act of justice to state that Mrs. Pool, and those who appeared to be her daughters, fully justified the recommendation of the conductor. The charges were moderate and the accommodations were the best that we have found since landing on the Australian shores. We left Monday morning at 6:30, it being more than half an hour before light.
The Victoria railway coaches are a decided improvement over those of New South Wales. They are wider and run very much smoother. The passengers are not locked in as they are on the other line; they are at liberty to get out while the cars are in motion, by running the risk of paying a penalty of ten pounds (fifty dollars). At every station there is posted up on the outside "no smoking allowed." Ten dollars is the penalty. The different styles of houses and the different variety of materials used in their construction, such as wood, stone, and brick, show that the settlers are owners and have used their own taste in building. The Victorian thrift did not wait for the iron telegraph poles, as in New South Wales, but erected wooden ones, and when the iron arrived they were ready for another line.
The country is more thickly settled and cut up into fields. The very fences, roads, vineyards, and the cultivation of the soil, all indicate that a different spirit has touched the face of nature. We almost felt at home again. The settlers did not wait for the eucalyptus to die and rot by girdling, but they dug them out by the roots and burned them, and had their ground cleared while the trees were dying in the other colony. There is a rivalry between these two border towns Albury, and Wodonga. Both are enterprising towns.
We arrived at Melbourne about 2 P. M., Monday. This is a very different city from Sydney. Here everything indicates enterprise of the highest type. We can speak of only a few things. The public library in this city is the finest in Australia. It contains 127,206 volumes of bound books and pamphlets. There are over 3,000 American volumes. I examined many of the books, and in some instances holes were worn through the leaves, and all showed that they had been most thoroughly read. There are, in the colony, 212 public libraries, besides the one in Melbourne, and they contain 289,712 volumes. We have every reason to believe that American literature is eagerly sought and read. The SIGNS is taken, and frequently we hear expressions of the highest appreciation. Remarks like the following: I wish to keep this paper and read from it to-night in our temperance meeting; or I wish to read it in our literary society. The public library contains a set of our bound books, and the SIGNS and Good Health are regularly received. We were informed by the librarian that the Good Health is very much prized. The population of the city and the suburbs is 282,981. Rents here, as in Sydney, are very high.
America is much patterned after because of its spirit of enterprise. Every means is resorted to to improve the minds and morals of the people. However, there are some things that show that the sentiments of the people are not as elevated as they might be. I have reference to the statues that are numerous in the public parks. They seemed to have copied from Paris. We believe that we shall see good accomplished by our coming to this place. Already we have reasons for encouragement. We believe that God has gone before us.
S. N. H.
North Pacific T. and M. Society.
By Chas. L. Boyd; Mrs. C. L. Boyd
THE first meeting of the ninth annual session of the North Pacific Tract and Missionary Society was held on the camp-ground in Portland, Or., June 24, at 4 P. M. Opening prayer by Elder E. J. Waggoner. Minutes of last annual meeting read and approved. The report of labor and financial standing for the present year was compared with that of last year. Brother Dickinson gave expression to feelings of deep gratitude for the blessings of God which had rested upon our brethren, enabling them to pay nearly $5,000 to the advancement of this branch of the work during the past year, notwithstanding the great scarcity of money in circulation.
The president appointed the usual committees as follows:—
On Nominations—O Dickinson, Frank C. Kelley, J. T. Chitwood; on Resolutions—Elder F. D. Starr, Brethren J. E. Graham and W. C. Ward.
SECOND MEETING.
The Nominating Committee presented the following partial report:—
For President, Elder C. L. Boyd; Secretary, Mrs. C. L. Boyd. These names were acted upon separately, and the nominees elected.
The Committee on Resolutions submitted the following:—
WHEREAS, The report of labor for the past year shows a decrease in the amount of tracts distributed; therefore,
Resolved, That, while we highly commend the increase in the circulation of the SIGNS, steps be also taken to increase the circulation of tracts.
Elder Loughborough remarked that probably the framers of the resolution did not realize that each of the SIGNS SUPPLEMENTS used by the society contained an eight-page tract, and thus by distributing papers they are virtually distributing tracts. Further remarks were made by Elders Waggoner, Boyd, and Brother Dickinson, and the resolution was adopted.
Resolved, That we urge every church-member to become a member of the T. and M. society.
This was spoken to by Elders Waggoner and Boyd, and carried.
THIRD MEETING.
The Nominating Committee further reported: For Vice-president, Wm. Potter; for directors, District No. 1, J. C. Bunch, Coquille City, Coos Co., Or., until further appointment be made by the president; District No. 2, Geo. Fulton, Salem, Or.; District No. 3, H. A. Baxter, East Portland, Or.; District No. 4, Chas. Holt, Sumner, Pierce Co., W. T. The nominees were elected.
The following additional resolutions were adopted:—
Resolved, That we hail with joy the Pacific Health Journal and Temperance Advocate, issued by the Rural Health Retreat, St. Helena, Cal., and we will do all we can to encourage and extend its circulation.
WHEREAS, We consider that the circulation of our publications is of great and increasing importance, and, being conscious of the financial embarrassment which makes the sales hard and slow, therefore,
Resolved, That we will redouble our efforts to secure subscribers for "Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation," also the SIGNS and "Great Controversy," and that we will encourage those who have an experience, and can make the work a success, to make earnest efforts to be in the field as soon after harvest as possible.
A motion was carried that the chairman appoint a committee to canvass the ground to secure subscribers for the Pacific Health Journal. Brother Chas. Holt and Sister M. Crosley were requested to act in this capacity.
FINANCIAL STANDING.
ASSETS.
Due from societies on tract society fund....$ 80 27
“ “ individuals..................................... 254 21
“ “ societies on periodicals................... 200 04
“ “ individuals “................................... 58 12
“ “ colportage...................................... 272 78
“ on general expenses......................... 81 39
“ from S. S. Association....................... 2 75
“ N. P. Conference............................... 14 87
“ “ tent and camp-meeting fund........... 187 03
Books on hand...................................... 892 28
Cash on hand......................................... 88 16
Total.....................................................$2131 90
LIABILITIES.
Due SIGNS Office..................................$176 53
“ Review “............................................ 60 99
“ Good Health........................................ 39 00
“ International T. and M. Society.......... 5 15
Total.....................................................$281 67
Present standing of the society...$1850 23
CASH STATEMENT.
Cash on hand June 1, 1884...$ 568 70
Received on tract fund...1037 16
“ “ periodical fund...396 87
“ “ $5,000 “...3227 00
“ “ reserve “...131 50
“ “ tent “...161 00
Total...$5522 23
Cash paid SIGNS Office...$2069 10
“ “ Review “...510 35
“ “ International Society...350 00
“ “ on general expenses...155 19
“ “ “ bill books, Bibles, stationery etc...182 71
Cash paid on tent and camp-meeting expenses for 1884...303 10
Cash paid on new tents...200 00
“ “ church and reading-room debt...1005 80
“ “ for labor...409 68
“ “ sundries...252 34
Total...$5438 27
Cash on hand...$83 96
REPORT OF LABOR FOR YEAR ENDING JUNE 1, 1885.
No. of members......161
“ reports returned...305
“ members added...30
“ dismissed...2
“ visits made...3896
“ letters written...1447
“ pp. of tracts given away...76882
“ “ “ loaned...59458
“ “ “ sold...42987
“ SIGNS taken in clubs...763
“ periodicals distributed...36829
“ full paying subscribers obtained...124
“ short term “...260
CHAS. L. BOYD, Pres.
Mrs. C. L. Boyd, Sec.
Santa Barbara, California.
By W. M. Healey, H. A. St. John
This city contains four or five thousand inhabitants, and has an extreme length of about four miles. Not finding a good central location for the tent, we pitched it in the upper part of the city. About one-half the people here are Roman Catholics, and a large number are Spiritualists.
At first there seemed to be a spirit of almost total indifference to our work, many thinking that our meetings were like those which had been held by the "Holiness Band." We spent four weeks in this locality and awakened considerable interest, several taking a stand for the truth. Then we moved towards the opposite side of the city, where the attendance and interest have been better, and some have decided to obey. We hope for others to do so. Pray for us.
W. M. HEALEY,
H. A. ST. JOHN.
Camp-Meeting at Aroostook, Maine.
By A. O. Burrill
THIS meeting was held ten days in Mr. Putman's grove, within the corporation of Houlton, which is the county seat, and a thriving village of about four thousand inhabitants, and a center for trade for many miles around. The grounds were all that could be desired. Excursion trains were run on Sundays. It had been said that a camp-meeting could not be held over Sunday, but I never saw a more orderly people. I do not remember hearing even an indecent word during our ten days' encampment. Our camp-meeting committee, although inexperienced, had everything in good condition and in time.
Instead of having a provision stand, they had a groceryman and a baker call at each tent, taking their orders and delivering as they requested. I think I never before saw anything work as well. This saved much labor for some of our brethren. I am well pleased, and think our people will find it will work well in other places. The expenses were readily met, and as Moses said, "Let neither man nor woman make any more work," so we said, "Bring no more money for expenses."
About one hundred camped in sixteen tents. The large 80-foot tabernacle was well filled on both Sundays. The preaching was such as to cause deep searching of heart, which was manifested in confessions. The importance of fitting ourselves to labor in some capacity was emphasized, and from this meeting more than one dozen will go out to give a portion or all of their time to the work of canvassing for our papers and books.
Quite a number expressed their intention to attend the Academy at South Lancaster the coming year. The brethren in that portion of the State pledged fully one thousand dollars with which to advance the cause. This, considering their circumstances, was quite liberal, and would be a good example for some of our older brethren in other portions of the State to imitate.
The papers all spoke kindly of our work, and gave candid reports of our camp-meeting. From the first it was apparent that the devil was fearful of his craft. One of his servants sent a full supply of his literature to a man not of our faith, and this man returned it by express to the sender. Letters were written, warning the people against us and our work, but they only served to make friends to the truth. Several embraced the truth and such an interest was awakened that some of the workers remained to follow up the work.
There are about two hundred and fifty SIGNS making weekly visits to this portion of the State. These subscriptions have all been taken by inexperienced canvassers, who are gaining an excellent experience. Our work is crossing the line, and extending into the province of New Brunswick, which seems to be a promising field of labor, and our brethren seem to be waking up to extend this blessed work among that people. Brethren Whittier and Leighton are to visit Washington County, which borders on New Brunswick and the Atlantic, carrying the light into this region. A. O. BURRILL.
113 Pearl St., Portland, July 10.
Missionary Department
(Missionary Department continued on page 462.)
Mutual Giving and Receiving.
A PLAINLY dressed mother and child stood before the window of a large toy store on Fourteenth Street, New York, in which was displayed many elaborately dressed dolls. The little girl, greatly to the mother's surprise, selected the most plainly dressed doll as the one which she wished to own.
"Why did you not choose one of the more beautifully dressed dolls?" asked the mother.
"Because I want to be my dolly's mamma, not her nurse," was the answer.
How much better if this feeling were shared by mothers who think the way to make their children happy is to gratify them by making a complete sacrifice of their own comfort and pleasure! If mothers would only aim to be the companions of their children, instead of being the pack-horse of the household, the expected-to-go-without one of the family, as too many mothers are, how much better and more natural would be the family life! Many mothers let their love blind them to their child's best interests, in the mistaken idea that by doing without the articles of dress that are necessary to make a respectable appearance in church or society, that the daughters may be more fashionably dressed, they are adding to their children's happiness. But what a mistake! How surely they are being unfitted for the real battle of life! What false reasoning! "Let her have the new hat; she will have to do without soon enough." "I can stay at home; let her go; she will have to be deprived of pleasure soon enough," forgetting that by their own treatment they are giving their children false ideas of the real purpose of life, namely, fitting themselves for the necessary burdens and duties which must come to them in their own sphere.
How many young wives and mothers can charge the unhappiness of their early married life—fortunate if they can say early—to the training, or rather lack of training, received from their own mothers! Having been educated to think only of themselves, their own comfort, how can they fulfill the obligations laid on them in their new relations? How many girls go into homes of their own without the slightest idea of the economy which must be exercised, because of a salary scarcely large enough to support one in more than ordinary comfort, and which must now do for two! It is well enough to protest against marriage before support is certain, but such injudicious marriages always have taken place, and always will take place. Sometimes they result in happiness because the wife has been fitted by early education for a poor man's wife, and is prepared to help him.
How much unhappiness might be spared the young wife and housekeeper if she had been taught that in one dollar there are only one hundred cents; and taught to know when, where, and how to buy!
A mother may invite the daughter to accompany her marketing as well as shopping, and the knowledge gained will save heartaches, and often dissension and dissatisfaction, besides the financial gain arising from the difference of buying with or without experience and knowledge. How many girls make fretful, nervous wives, because when placed at the head of a household, in addition to the ignorance which causes much suffering, they learn for the first time that life must be lived even if the seasons come and go without the usual number of bonnets, gloves, and dresses! If the young wife possesses a soul of true womanhood, even with her false views of what constitutes true pleasure, she will prove a blessing to her husband and children; but if, unfortunately, the early training is so firmly engrafted as to bear but the fruit of such culture, then Heaven pity wife, husband, home, and children!
What is the remedy? It is in the hands of mother and child. One is to remember her own struggle, added to and intensified by her ignorance, and by care and training to educate her daughters in such a way that they will be able to meet their new burdens as well equipped as wise counsel and example can equip them; and, on the daughter's part to remember that the mother has traveled the road in which she will walk; that the experience secured was by much outlay of strength of body and mind; that a knowledge gained from such a source is the most valuable to which she will have free access, even if a little old-fashioned. If the world has traveled so fast that many of her mother's experiences cannot be repeated, the lessons of patience taught, and the revelation of a love that outweighs every trouble, will enable the daughter to cope better with the new experiences which come from new blessings.
Mothers, teach from your own experience; lay part of the every-day care on the daughters, whether of economies or household duties; and by so doing prepare the growing back for the coming burden. Daughters, listen and learn, because the mother is the friend who has your best interest at heart. Besides, it is your duty to share the burden, as far as you can, of your childhood's home, that the mother may have a little rest and comfort, and be permitted, before she goes to the grave, to know that her children tried to repay a small part of the care she gave them, when she was the only one glad to give them her best strength and to feel herself blessed and not sacrificed in the giving.
School-Girl Recreations.
By Mary A. Allen
"ALL work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," and doubtless the same combination would make Jill a dull girl. We older people, who are so fully impressed with the truth that "Life is real, life is earnest," are anxious that young people should realize it also. We tell them that we shall soon leave the world in their hands; that they will soon manage its government, its moral, its material forces; therefore they must employ the fast-flying moments in gathering up useful knowledge in preparation for coming responsibilities. In our solicitude for their gaining wisdom, we forget that brains are of no use without bodies, and that bodies "must have exercise to live, and thrive, and grow." Brains wear out bodies, therefore bodies must have rest to re-create that which has been destroyed. Recreation should be re-creation, not simply amusement nor dissipation. The school-girl who is using up a large amount of physical force in mental application, needs, especially, to be wisely guided in her choice of diversions. Too frequently, school-girls try at the same time to be society girls. They attend lectures, concerts, parties, and even balls. They try to make two days out of every twenty-four hours—a day of study and one of amusement, with a snatch of sleep between. This is in no sense re-creation. It is dissipation. It dissipates strength, health, and life.
The first and most important recreation of the school-girl is sleep,—sound, sweet, sufficient sleep. This has a sibilant sound, but it will have a jubilant effect. It will help to cause bright eyes, rosy cheeks, clear brains, and good recitations. Often the very best way to get a lesson is to stop puzzling the already wearied brain, shut the book, and go to bed, determined to forget study entirely until morning. When morning comes, the brain, refreshed, renovated, rebuilt by sleep, comes to the task with new vigor, and the knotty places smooth themselves out as if by magic.
I wish there might never be any evening study, but if it must exist it should not be continued later than nine o'clock; half-past eight were still better. Then books laid aside, the blood should be determined to the feet by gymnastics suited for that purpose, by a brisk run of a few minutes, or by a genuine, merry, rough-and-tumble frolic with a member of the family, or a fellow student. After this, a few minutes' silent thanksgiving to God for his mercies, a commanding of the life to his care during the hours of darkness, and the weary body will rest, the brain become oblivious of books and worries, and the silent life-forces fly noiselessly about our mortal dwelling-place, the body, and make us over anew for the struggles of to-morrow.
In the life of an earnest school-girl there is little time for devotion to amusements alone, but fun may, with propriety, be mingled with many things. A merry chat at the table, a race with a younger brother, a few minutes at ball-playing, the fun of surprising mamma by sweeping a room, or making a bed, or by offering her unexpected help at dish-washing and smoothing out her care-worn wrinkles with your cheerful companionship, all these can be made to furnish healthful, blood-stirring re-creation.
I received a call recently from a young lady who is a student in a great university, and who, by prizes and scholarships, is paying her own way through her course of study. She is about seventeen, and has a large, generous waist uncompressed by corsets; her dress is plain, healthfully and becomingly made, and she wears no frizzes. As a part of her entertainment I offered her a sight of our grand snow-house and a snow-ball encounter with the children, an offer which she accepted with alacrity, and in the contest held her own with spirit and even enthusiasm.
"I was brought up with boys," said she, "and I love active sports." Yet her record as a student shows that she also loves study. She will not break down at college, for she has been well trained, and a good foundation has been laid. She understands the value of sleep and of regularity in eating. Having a large waist, she has large vital powers to keep her in good repair. Loving active sports, she will spend a part of each day in motion in the pure air out of doors.
"Oh," exclaims the school-girl, "what a fuss you make about taking care of one's self! It is altogether too much trouble to be all the time thinking about health. If we do as you say, we should never have any fun."
But, dear child, is health worth having? Are you willing to purchase a few hours of careless pastime now by the sacrifice of future usefulness, and perhaps even of life? If health be worth having, it is worth working for. The wise man was he who built his house upon the rock. Then when floods came and the winds blew and beat upon his house, it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.
The Home Circle.
By Sally Neill Roach
A THOUGHT.
BACK and forth across the woof of years
The shuttle of each life the weaver throws;
And here and there small bits, whence no one knows,
Link with the thread the mystic pattern weaving,
Then lose themselves amid the smiles and tears
Which o'er the web are lights and shadows leaving.
We heed them not—those fragments interlacing
With ours some life that crossed our path one day
(So many seem the tangled threads that stray),
Until amazed we pause, some figure tracing
Thrown up in bold relief, and see and know
The thread whose worth we failed to understand,
But now whose wondrous beauty serves to show
The matchless wisdom of the Master Hand.
—Sally Neill Roach, in the Current.
Spiritual Clouds and Indigestion
MANY a pious man has mourned because he thought himself enveloped in a spiritual cloud when he was only suffering from indigestion.
Agreeableness in the Home
Avoid causes of irritation in the family circle; reflect that home is the place to be agreeable.
Health and Temperance.
By Talmage
Hasheesh and Opium.
IN all ages the world has sought out some flower, or herb, or weed to stimulate its lethargy or to compose its grief. A drug called nepenthe was widely used among the ancient Greeks and the ancient Egyptians for narcotic purposes. The Theban women knew how to compound it. You had but to chew the leaves, and your sadness was whelmed with hilarity. But nepenthe passed out from the consideration of the world. Next came hasheesh, which is made from Indian hemp. It is manufactured from the flowers at the top, or workmen, in leather clothing, walk through the fields of hemp, and the exudation from the hemp adheres to the leathern garments, and then this exudation is scraped off and prepared with aromatics, and becomes an intoxicant for the people. Whole nations have been stimulated, narcotized, and made imbecile with this accursed hasheesh. The visions kindled by that drug are said to be gorgeous and magnificent beyond all description; but it finally takes down body, mind, and soul in horrible death.
I knew one of the most brilliant men of his day. Whether he appeared in magazine, or in book, or in newspaper column, he was an enchantment. He could, in the course of an hour's conversation, produce more wit and strange information than any other man I ever talked with; but he chewed hasheesh. He did so first as a matter of curiosity to see whether the powers ascribed to it really belonged to it. He put his hand into the cockatrice's den to see whether it would bite; and he found out to his complete undoing. His father, who was a minister of the gospel, prayed for him and counseled him, and obtained for him the best medical prescription of the best physicians in New York, Philadelphia, Paris, London, Edinburgh, and Berlin. He said he could not stop. A large circle of friends put their wits together to try to rescue him; but he went on down. First his body gave way in pangs and convulsions of suffering; then his mind gave way, and he became a raving maniac; then he went, blaspheming God, into a starless eternity. He was only about thirty years of age. Behold the ravages of the Persian and Egyptian weed called hasheesh.
Opium demands emphatic recognition. It is made, as you know, from the white poppy. It is not a new discovery. We read of it 300 years before Christ; but it was not until the seventeenth century that it began its death march, passing out from the medicinal and the curative, and, by smoking and mastication, becoming the scourge of nations. In the year 1861, there were imported into this country 107,000 pounds of opium; but in 1880, 533,000 pounds of opium. It is estimated that, in the year 1876, there were in this country 225,000 opium consumers; but I saw statistics more recent that said there are probably now in the United States at least 600,000 opium consumers. The fact is appalling. Do not think that they are merely barbaric fanatics who go down under that stroke. Read the great DeQuincey's 'Confessions of an Opium-eater.' He said for the first ten years it gave him the keys of paradise. But it takes his own pen to describe the horrors consequent. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, after conquering the world by his pen, was conquered by opium. The most magnetic and brilliant lawyer of this century fell a victim to its stroke; and there are thousands of men and women—but more women than men—who are being bound, body, mind, and soul to this terrific habit.
There is a great mystery about some families. You do not know why they do not get on. The opium habit is so stealthy, so deceitful, and so deathful. You can cure a hundred drunkards easier than you can cure one opium-eater. I have heard of cases of reformation, but I never saw any. I hope there are cases of genuine reformation. I have seen men who for forty years had been the victims of strong drink thoroughly reformed; but the opium-eaters that I have seen go on and go down. Their cry in the last hour of life is not for God, nor for prayer, nor for the Bible, but for opium. Perhaps there are only two persons outside the household who know what is the matter,—the physician and the pastor. The physician called in for physical relief, the pastor called in for spiritual relief; but they both fail. The physician acknowledges his defeat. The minister of religion acknowledges his defeat.
O man! O woman! Are you tampering with this habit? Have you just begun? Are you for the assuagement of physical distresses or mental trouble, making this a regular resource? I beg you stop. The ecstasies at the start will not pay for the horrors at the last. The paradise is followed too soon by the pandemonium. Morphia is a blessing from God for the relief of sudden pang or acute dementia, but was never intended for prolonged use; and the peculiar sadness of it is, it comes to people in their weak moments. DeQuincey says: 'I took it for rheumatism.' Coleridge says: 'I took it for insomnia or sleeplessness.' What do you take it for? For God's sake do not take it too long.
What is remarkable, they are going down from the highest and wealthiest classes, and from the most fashionable circles of New York and Brooklyn—going down by hundreds and by thousands. Over 20,000 opium-eaters in Chicago. Over 20,000 opium-eaters in St. Louis. In the same proportion, that would make over 70,000 in New York and Brooklyn. The clerk of the drug store says: 'I can tell them when they come in. There is something peculiar about their complexion, something peculiar about their nervousness, something peculiar about the look of their eyes, that immediately reveals them.' In some families chloral is taking the place of opium. Physicians first prescribe it for sleeplessness. Then the patient keeps on because he likes the effect. Whole tons of chloral are manufactured in Germany. Baron Liebig says that he knows one chemist in Germany who manufactures a half ton of chloral every week. There are multitudes being taken down by this habit. Look out for hydrate of chloral! But I am, under this head, speaking chiefly of opium. There ought to be ten thousand pulpits turned into quaking, flaming, thundering Sinais of warning against this narcotic. The devil of morphia in this country will be mightier than the devil of alcohol.—Talmage.
"Saying a Good Thing."
THIRTY years ago Matthew B— was graduated from one of our principal colleges. A brilliant success in life was prophesied for him by his teachers, fellow-students, and acquaintances. He was, they acknowledged, thorough as a scholar, possessed a strong logical mind and keen wit; was honest, earnest, and by birth and training a gentleman. Yet when he left the college, not a friend came to shake his hand and to wish him good fortune.
B— had a keen eye for the frailties of other people, and a gift for sarcasm. He delighted to "give a quiet cut," as he called it, to the man he liked best; to thrust some sharp witticism into a hidden defect or weakness, and watch the victim writhe in impotent misery.
He really did not appreciate the pain he gave in the enjoyment of saying "a good thing." But he left college without a friend. He went into the ministry with the most sincere purpose. His sermons were powerful, his appeals earnest. But personally he became obnoxious to one congregation after another, until finally he was obliged to give up the charge of a church altogether. He then became a teacher.
No man was more competent for the work, as far as knowledge went, but his satirical gibes made him detested by his pupils. He died a year ago, a poor, lonely, embittered man. Whatever affection or feeling lay unsatisfied in his breast had been thwarted by the habit of sarcasm, which drove all love and friendship from him.
In the arsenal at Venice there is still preserved a small golden key, which bears the name of the "Key of Death." It was an instrument invented in the fifteenth century by an Algerine named Tebaldo. It hung at his girdle, and while toying carelessly with it, he would turn the handle, when a needle of exquisite fineness was shot from it, which would bury itself unfelt in the flesh of the person whom he wished to kill. The needle was tipped with a deadly poison. It was not until Tebaldo's victims could be counted by the score that his secret was discovered.
The young man who sets out in life with a keen wit, a poor opinion of human nature, and a delight in saying a good thing at anybody's cost, will soon find that he wields as cruel and deadly a weapon as this famous "Key of Death," which will not only wound others, but poison his own life and leave him to a solitary, miserable old age.—Youth's Companion.
Who Is Victoria?
VICTORIA is the daughter of the Duke of Kent, who was the son of George the Third; who was the grandson of George the Second; who was the son of George the First; who was the son of Princess Sophia; who was the cousin of Anna; who was the sister of William and Mary; who were the daughter and son-in-law of James the Second; who was the son of James the First; who was the son of Mary (Queen of Scots); who was the granddaughter of Margaret who was the daughter of Henry the Eighth; who was the son of Henry the Seventh; who was the son of Earl Richmond; who was the son of Catherine; who was the widow of Henry the Fifth; who was the son of Henry the Fourth; who was the grandson of Henry the Third; who was the son of John; who was the son of Henry the Second; who was the son of Matilda; who was the daughter of Henry the First; who was the brother of William the Conqueror.—Exchange.
Liquor in Portland, Maine.
By California Christian Advocate
The Chronicle rather bewailed the fact that the Grand Army meeting in Portland was in danger of being a dry gathering. The Maine people do not consider themselves under obligations to supply anybody with whisky. The Chronicle thinks that a meeting of soldiers without liquor would be anything but a success. That is unjust to thousands of old soldiers who hate the drinking habit and loathe the liquor business. But, then, why those tears? We thought that the "press" had indubitable evidence that liquor was more common in Maine than anywhere else. Does not prohibition increase saloons and drinking? Have we not been assured a hundred times that it does? Have we not had many "certificates" showing that Maine is full of whisky? Yet, now comes this affiant and says the Grand Army is likely to perish of thirst. O tempora! O mores!—California Christian Advocate.
Variety Is the Spice of Life
"VARIETY is the spice of life," at the table as well as elsewhere.
Passionate Reproof
A PASSIONATE reproof is like a medicine given scalding hot; the patient cannot take it.
A Curious Corean Custom
AMONG the curious customs of Corea is that of preserving yellow serpents immersed in wine jars for several years and using the "preserve" as a cure for invalids.
Mission at Columbus, Ohio.
By Ida Gates
BEFORE our camp-meeting last fall, which was held in this city, September 11-22, there was but one Seventh-day Adventist in the place. Now there are about twenty-five, and several others who are just on the point of embracing the truth. Brother Moses Randall, with two others, canvassed a small portion of the city previous to the camp-meeting, and, as a result some three or four hundred subscriptions for the SIGNS were obtained, and many were led to attend our annual gathering.
The interest manifested by the people at the meeting, has been followed up by Brethren Van Horn and Randall whose labors have resulted in the organization of a church and Sabbath-school. The former has a membership of about twenty-five, and the latter of fifty-four, with an increasing interest each week.
At the State meeting held at Bellville, it was decided to move the State depository to Columbus. The Lord seemed to be in this move; the way opened clearly, and about two weeks after the meeting, the depository was nicely located; the work is increasing, and more is being done at the depository than ever in the past. There seems to be a great field for labor in this central city, and we can say with our Saviour, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few." Matt. 9:37. As in every other place, Satan has been here to work, but the Lord has sent his angels to resist the powers of darkness, and many honest hearts are being impressed by the Spirit of God.
The future looks encouraging for Columbus, and we feel with the psalmist that, "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we were glad." Psalms 126:3. Ida Gates.