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Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 30.

Family Prayer
Earlier text: Family Prayer

What Will They Do?

By Alonzo T. Jones

The Christian Statesman and the Christian Instructor are in great agony because Congress has violated the Sabbath by continuing in session on Sunday, July 6. And they say, "The president of the United States was also a partaker in this transgression;" because he was at the Capitol till after midnight on Saturday night, signing bills. They suggest that he should have "sent a message to both houses of Congress just before the Sabbath [Sunday] began, saying that its early hours were approaching, and when it began he would go home and rest according to the commandment, and that no bills would be signed by him on the holy day," etc.
We think they are too hard on the president. For our part we are inclined to be charitable toward the chief magistrate. We think it doubtful whether he has a copy of the commandment referred to. We think it altogether likely that Mr. Arthur has never seen a statute that designates Sunday as a "holy day." And therefore these papers are certainly derelict in their duty, in not sending to the president a copy of the Sunday-holy-day commandment, before they condemn him for neglect of his duty. If they should take our advice, we would throw in this caution:—
Gentlemen, we beg of you, don't commit the blunder of sending to his excellency a copy of the fourth commandment, nor any reference to it as bearing on Sunday, for he is enough of a lawyer to know that that commandment enjoins the observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath, the holy day, and that it makes no reference whatever to Sunday as such. By the way, we wish you would send us a copy of that Sunday commandment, too.
They will not do it, however; but we know what they will do. By constitutional amendment these folks will place themselves where they can issue the command and exact obedience to it. ALONZO T. JONES.

Growing Strong in Christian Life

It is God's purpose concerning his children that they be strong men and women. It is his plan that they shall attain to strength by little and little, and that the rapidity with which the littles are added shall be measured by the use of what has been already attained. The child does not leap at once from the estate of childhood to that of manhood. So the Christian does not go at once from a babe in Christ to a strong man. The child develops a symmetrical manhood by careful discipline of all his powers. So the Christian grows strong by performing faithfully the duties of life as they come to him. "Grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," is the unchangeable law.—Sabbath Recorder.

Christ, the Central Fact of History

By Spurgeon

CHRIST is the great central fact in the world's history; to him everything looks forward and backward. All the lines of history converge upon him. All the march of providence is guarded by him. All the great purposes of God culminate in him. The greatest and most momentous fact which the history records is the fact of his birth.—Spurgeon.

"I Am Afraid of the Jews."

By G. D. Ballou

THESE words are a part of the reply which Zedekiah made to Jeremiah, when the latter had been urging him to acquiesce in the fiat of God, which had predetermined the captivity of the Jewish nation. For nearly forty years the prophet had been uttering warnings and prophecies in relation to their coming captivity and the overthrow of Jerusalem. The captivity had already begun some fifteen or eighteen years previous, and the kingdom of Israel had become tributary to Babylon. But Zedekiah had rebelled, and Nebuchadnezzar had besieged him in Jerusalem. At the time these words were uttered, the siege was temporarily raised on account of Pharaoh having started out with his army to oppose the Chaldeans. Jeremiah continued his predictions that Jerusalem would be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and exhorted the people to save their lives by going forth and giving themselves up to the hosts of Babylon and Chaldea. This was considered treason, and Jeremiah was cast into a dungeon.
But King Zedekiah was not yet so hardened but that he had a desire to hear what the prophet had to say further. So he sent for Jeremiah and held a secret interview with him. Here again the prophet boldly tells the king that if he will surrender to the king of Babylon, he will save his own life and Jerusalem shall not be burned. But if he refuses to obey, Jerusalem shall be burned with fire and he shall not escape. The prophet Ezekiel had already given his memorable prophecy, Eze. 12: 13, that Zedekiah should be brought to the land of the Chaldeans but he should not see it, though he should die there.
Yet in spite of these solemn declarations of the prophets of Jehovah, the king gives answer to Jeremiah: "I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hands and they mock me." Jer. 38: 19. He feared man more than he feared God. And too late he found that the fear of man bringeth a snare. But why did he fear the Jews? Ah, he was afraid they would make sport of him or deride him. And what did his weakness and folly cost him? He was taken captive and was obliged to witness the execution of his own sons and nobles; then his own eyes were put out, and he was carried in chains to Babylon, where he died; thus perfectly were the prophecies of Ezekiel and Jeremiah fulfilled, and Jerusalem was left a mass of smoldering ruins just because this king of Israel was afraid some one would make light of him.
How many are there in these days that, when the plain word of God convinces them of some duty which brings a heavy cross, let the fear of man control them and begin to inquire, What will folks say? and refuse to obey the word of the Lord because they fear some of their fellows will mock them! Ah, we know there are too many of this class in the world! Sometimes we find those who will shut their eyes when they see the light beginning to dawn lest they should be convinced of some duty that will bring a cross.
The fate of Zedekiah is a monument to the folly of such conduct. What sad results to him, and his people, and that glorious city. It was no use for the prophet to plead with him after he had once made a decision not to heed the voice of the Lord. His shameful folly still continued to manifest itself in charging the prophet not to let any one know of their interview. What a heavy heart the poor prophet carried away from that interview none but God and angels could know.
Reader, let me plead with you before you make the foolish decision of Zedekiah, not to lightly treat the light of truth in regard to that ancient and honorable institution, the Sabbath of Jehovah. Sacred day for rest and worship, given to supply man's spiritual wants, founded on the facts of creation, honored by the example of Jehovah and his Son in resting on that day, sanctified for man's use by the Almighty Creator, embosomed among the ten holy precepts spoken and written by God himself, kept by all the holy prophets and apostles; treat it not lightly. When its sacred light dawns upon your spiritual vision, let not the foolish fear of man control you, but "Fear God, and keep his commandments; . . . For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil."
G. D. BALLOU.

Gideon's Army.

By S. J. Niccolls, D. D.

It is a sad reflection that there are multitudes in the visible church who are a hindrance rather than any real help or spiritual power. The enthusiasm which led them to enlist in the service of Christ has died out, and they even regret that they entered his service. If in some honorable way they could be absolved from their vows, they would gladly accept the release, and go back to their old life. Here is a question for our consideration: Is it the overwhelming majority of any particular church or the small minority that is ever ready to volunteer its services for Christ? There were twenty-two thousand of Gideon's army of thirty-two thousand whom God could not use, for their hearts were not wholly joined to him.
But as God is searching for men of his own heart, the winnowing process is still continued. The ten thousand who remain are not lacking in courage, but his service demands other qualities. Courage is not all the Christian soldier needs; there must be also prudence, watchfulness, and self-denial. It was to discover these qualities that the second test was instituted. The whole army was led down in the sight of the enemy to the fountain of Harod to drink. Little things often furnish the best indications of character. So here ninety-seven hundred, either in the spirit of reckless bravado or of self-indulgence, flung themselves down on the ground and abandoned themselves to the luxury of quenching their thirst. They were careless of danger and unthinking of surprise. It was an unsoldierly attitude. Only three hundred stood erect and lapped the water from their hands. They showed that duty, and not self-indulgence, was uppermost in their minds. These were the men whom God chose as his instruments. They were men of faith, courage, prudence, watchfulness, and self-denial. By such men, be they few or many, God conquers. There has always been, there is now in his church, such a minority. They are men and women of unfaltering faith, earnest prayer, and loyally devoted to Christ. They can be depended upon in emergencies. Their object is not to indulge themselves in the good of this world, but to do some good in it. They are ready for labor and count their time, their property, their all, not their own, but God's. "God looks upon them with delight." As they honor him, he honors them. They are the true conquerors of the world, the pioneers in every glorious cause. They shall walk with their Lord in white, for they are worthy.
The three hundred outnumbered the hosts of Midian, for God was with them. It is grand to stand with God's minorities. Better be with them than with the myriads of his enemies. Better be with them than with the large majority of cowardly, half-hearted Christians whom he cannot use. Fear not, little flock, outnumbered and despised by the world. Stand steadfast. "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."—S. J. Niccolls, D. D.

Specific Prayer.

GOD does more than to give general assurance of a willingness to hear prayer, and to relieve human want. He makes mention of specific blessings, which he is ready to bestow. These more minute pledges are in various forms of promise, prophecy, covenant, and command. A promise is a direct engagement; a covenant is a still more formal and solemn act, usually accompanied by a seal; a prophecy is a statement of divine purpose, intended for our encouragement in prayer and labor; and a command always implies a result which God is willing to aid us in securing. It is only necessary, then, to ascertain that the desired favor is covered by some promise, covenant, prophecy, or command, to have a perfect warrant for faith that, in answer to prayer, God will bestow that very thing. One could not ask for a better ground of assurance.
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!”
We are entitled to claim, at God’s hand, whatever he has been pleased graciously to promise. And so our prayers may and should have the characteristic of perfect faith, that they will be literally answered according to the blessing asked.
Are these specific pledges numerous? Do they cover the ground of our usual necessities? Will they impart an element of certainty to our prayers, in the emergencies which men are often called to face? An affirmative reply to these questions is authorized by the language of Scripture. For we find in the Bible promises to the righteous of protection, deliverance, food, raiment, wisdom, guidance, sustaining grace, reward for industry and beneficence, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit as a guaranty of peace, holiness, and usefulness. The prayer of faith uses these divine assurances as a sufficient ground of conviction that God will aid in the emergency to which any of these promises apply, according to the exigency of the case. The man feels that he can pray with an accompanying certainty of being heard. It is not now so much an occasion of submission, as of grateful expectation. God here has made known his will, in advance. The true submission to it is, to take him at his word, and joyfully to claim what he has authorized us to ask. Not to do so, is a distrust of him, as well as a robbery of our own souls. It is as though a poor man should neglect to present a benefactor’s check at the bank, fearing that it might not mean what it said on its face, or might for some cause not be paid. As such lack of confidence is grievous to our heavenly Father, so a firm faith is his delight.—Prayer and Its Answers.

Trusting God in Prosperity and Adversity

Most men feel that when they have plenty they do not need to trust God; and when they find themselves in adverse circumstances, they cannot afford to trust him.

The Bible as Literature of Power

By Charles Dudley Warner

THE Bible is the best illustration of the literature of power, for it always concerns itself with life; it touches it at all points, and this is the test of any piece of literature, its universal appeal to human nature. When I consider the narrow limitations of the Pilgrim households, I can feel what the Bible must have been to them. It was an open door into a world where emotion is expressed, where imagination can range, where love and longing find a language, where imagery is given to every noble and suppressed passion of the soul, where every aspiration finds wings. It was history; it was the romance of real life; it was entertainment unfailing; the wonder-book of childhood; the volume of sweet sentiment to the shy maiden; the sword to the soldier; the inciter of youth to heroism; the refuge of the aged. Perhaps nowhere can a better illustration be found of the true relation of literature to life than in this example.—Charles Dudley Warner.

Prayer Takes Hold of God’s Willingness

PRAYER is not conquering God's reluctance, it is taking hold of his willingness. He is more willing to give than we are to ask.

The Sabbath-School.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

LESSON FOR THE PACIFIC COAST—AUG. 23.

  1. What events did Christ name as signs of his coming?
  2. What have we learned as to their fulfillment?
  3. How surely do these signs prove his coming to be near? Matt. 24:32, 33.
  4. What expression shows the nearness of the coming?
  5. What did the Lord say would not pass before his words would be fulfilled? Verse 34.
  6. To what generation must he refer?
  7. Cite another instance where the term "this generation" is used with reference to a people not living at the time. Ps. 95:8-10.
  8. What reason had the disciples for not expecting the Lord's coming in their day? Matt. 24:4-8.
  9. What was Paul's teaching on this point? 2 Thess. 1, 2.
  10. What did he say must first come? Verses 3, 4.
  11. Why may we be so confident that the Lord will come in this generation? Matt. 24:35.
  12. Can any man tell the exact time when the Lord will come? Verse 36.
  13. Show how we may know a thing to be near, and yet not know just when it will come.
  14. Are we to expect that all will heed these signs of Christ's coming? 2 Pet. 3:3, 4.
  15. Will the last days be days of quiet to the humble Christian? 2 Tim. 3:1.
  16. What will make the last days perilous? Verses 2-4.
  17. To what time does Christ liken the days immediately preceding his coming? Matt. 24:37.
  18. How wicked were the people in the days of Noah? Gen. 6:5.
  19. Upon what were they wholly intent? Matt. 24:38, 39.
  20. Against what does Christ warn us? Luke 21:34.
  21. In what condition does he say we must be? Luke 12:35, 36.
  22. Can we be said to be waiting for that which we are not prepared to receive?
  23. Since the times are dangerous, and we know not how soon the Lord will come, what are we exhorted to do? Mark 13:37.
  24. While waiting and watching what else must we do? Luke 21:36.
THERE are some things that all men may know. There are others which are concealed, concerning which it is useless for man to inquire. It is written: "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever." Deut. 29:29. This is perfectly reasonable. If the Lord has revealed anything, it is most certainly for our benefit. Whenever, therefore, we find definite statements in the Bible concerning any event, we may speak of that event with the utmost positiveness, to the extent that the statements are made. Now let us apply this to the subject of the Lord's coming. We know, (1) That the Lord will come again. We have his own word for that. (2) That his second coming will be as literal as his first,—"this same Jesus,"—and that it will be so glorious, and accompanied with such manifestations that no one can be ignorant of it. Matt. 24:27; Rev. 1:7; 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. (3) That before his coming certain signs will take place. (4) That these signs, as recorded in Matt. 24, and learned in our last lesson, are the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of the stars. (5) That these signs have actually taken place in the exact manner foretold by our Saviour. We do not obtain our knowledge of any of the above things by any process of reasoning, but by plain statements of fact. There is yet one thing more that we may know, that we are commanded to know. The Lord, after having informed the disciples of the signs above-mentioned, said: "When ye shall see all these things, know that it [margin, he, that is, Christ] is near, even at the doors." Matt. 24:33. We are to know it just as certainly as we know that summer is near when the leaves begin to appear on the trees. There can, then, be no more doubt that the coming of the Lord is near, than there is that the stars fell in 1833.
"VERILY I say unto you, This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." Matt. 24:34. There need be no difficulty in understanding this verse. He certainly did not mean to say that his coming would take place before the close of the generation then living, for that would be a contradiction of his own words in verses 4-8, and is directly contradicted by Paul in 2 Thess. 2:1-8. Moreover, whoever claims that Christ did mean that he would come before that generation should pass, must also claim that the dead have been raised and the living translated. 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. The fact that Christ has not yet come is sufficient proof that he did not predict an immediate coming. Then what did he mean? This can be answered by finding out of what time he was speaking. It was not of the time then present, for he was looking forward. He had spoken of the destruction of Jerusalem; he had described the 1260 years of papal supremacy, with its disastrous results to the people of God; and he had minutely described the signs that were to follow, the last of which took place, as we have seen, in 1833. Looking at that time, he said, "This generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled." What things? The things recorded in verse 31. A similar use of the expression "this generation" is found in Ps. 95:10. There are hundreds of persons now alive who witnessed the falling of the stars in 1833. Does anybody doubt that some of that generation will be alive when the Lord comes? Hear what the Saviour says: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35.
"BUT of that day and hour knoweth no man." Here is one of the secret things that belong to God alone. The exact time has not been revealed; therefore we have nothing to do with it; it does not concern us. Yet our ignorance of the exact time does not in the least affect our knowledge of what is revealed, namely, that his coming is near. The farmer knows when summer is near, yet he cannot tell the day when it will be fairly open. We often speak of a friend as coming very soon, yet we do not know the exact time of his coming. After Christ has given us such unmistakable evidences of the nearness of his coming, it is not only foolish but wicked to pay no attention to them, simply because he has not revealed to us the day and hour.
THE fact that comparatively few even of religious people believe in and teach the doctrine of the near coming of the Lord, is sometimes urged as proof that the doctrine cannot be true. If no one believed it, that would not invalidate the Scripture record in the least; the Scripture cannot be broken by the unbelief of men. But the fact that but few are looking for the Lord's coming is one of the signs by which we may know that we are in the last days. Paul says that in the last days perilous times will come, because men shall be lovers of their own selves. 2 Tim. 3:1. Then he gives a list of special sins of which they will be guilty, and to show that he does not refer to the non-professing world, he says, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." "They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him." Titus 1:16. And this is in the last days.
MOREOVER, our Saviour himself has given a description of the time immediately preceding his coming. He said: "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man." Luke 17:26. To find, then, what will be a characteristic of the last days, we have only to read a description of the time just before the flood. Here it is: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." Gen. 6:5. Here is total depravity. If it had been otherwise the Lord would not have destroyed the people of that time. When the Lord comes it is to destroy the inhabitants of the earth. (The righteous are simply sojourners, and not dwellers.) But he would not destroy them unless they were incorrigibly wicked. We are therefore not to expect any great reformation before the coming of the Lord, or general preparation for that event. Yet the warning is to be given just as faithfully, and people are to be just as earnestly exhorted to repent, as though all were expected to reform. All must hear. "This gospel of the kingdom" must be preached in all the world for a witness. The world has not yet arrived at that state of wickedness described by our Saviour. It is the faithful preaching of the word that will call out the few that will turn to God, and harden the others in their rebellion. The preaching of truth always causes a division. Luke 12:52, 53. And when the word shall have been preached in all the world, separating men into the two classes, "then shall the end come." It is for this alone that the coming of the Lord now waits. E. J. W.

NOTES ON THE INTERNATIONAL LESSON.

By W. N. Glenn

AUGUST 24—2 SAM. 24:14-25.

ABOUT six years after the death of Absalom, and the scenes described in the last lesson, David was tempted to number the people. In 1 Chron. 21:1 it is said that Satan stood up and provoked him to do it. That it was a wrong move, even Joab and the captains were aware, and remonstrated with the king, but to no purpose. After the work had been completed, however, David's heart smote him, and he made humble confession before the Lord and sought forgiveness. So the Lord gave him choice of three modes of punishment—seven years of famine, to flee three months before his enemies, or to have three days' pestilence in the land. David was in a great strait, but he chose to "fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercies are great."
WE have here an evidence that direct personal reproof is often necessary to guide men in the path of duty, and that the greatest kindness that can be shown a man is to acquaint him with his faults. It would appear that David, notwithstanding the remonstrance of his officers, was not fully sensible of the magnitude of his offense until reproved by his seer, the prophet Gad; and having found that he could muster thirteen hundred thousand men of war, there is no telling what rash measure his ambition might have prompted him to undertake. This is the second time he was checked in a downward career by timely warning from the Lord. And be it said to his credit, he bowed with becoming humility to the penalties affixed to his crimes. He realized the mercy of God, and preferred to fall into his hands, though grievously offended, rather than into the hands of an enemy. His experience was that "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him."
THE character of the pestilence shows the submission of David to a punishment that might include himself. As Dr. Clarke says: "Had he chosen war, his own personal safety would have been in no danger, because there was already an ordinance forbidding him going to battle. Had he chosen famine, his own wealth would have secured his and his family's support; but he showed the greatness of his mind in choosing the pestilence, to the ravages of which himself and household were exposed equally with the meanest of his subjects."
THE characteristic mercy of God is shown in stopping short of the time proposed for the pestilence to continue, and accepted by David. Jerusalem might have been destroyed, and the angel had already stretched forth his hand to afflict the city. But the Lord mercifully stayed the destructive hand short of the appointed affliction. Wordsworth says: "God stayed the hand of the angel from destroying Jerusalem in the same place where he had stayed Abraham, who had the knife in his hand, from sacrificing his son Isaac."
"BUT these sheep, what have they done?" It is a prominent fact that the people are always the sufferers for the misdeeds of their rulers, as children have often to suffer the consequences of parental sins. But it is seldom that a ruler is found like David, who, notwithstanding his faults, never tried to lay the blame upon others. Few are ready to personally make the sacrifices necessary to avert the evils of misgovernment.
AT the command of the prophet Gad, David went to offer sacrifice in the threshing-floor of Araunah, the Jebusite. Araunah is called a king, and probably had been a king, and was even now a representative man of the Jebusites. He, however, showed entire submission to David and was ready even to give him whatever was wanted for sacrifice. But David had been the cause of the pestilence upon the people, and he did not propose to let another do the sacrificing rendered necessary as a consequence. So he insisted on purchasing the oxen and materials for fire, etc. For these he paid fifty shekels of silver.
In 1 Chron. 21, we learn that David also bought the place for 600 shekels of silver. From this chapter we also learn that the Lord answered David by fire when he had offered the sacrifice, which was positive proof of his pardon and the returning favor of God. On this spot was erected the temple of Solomon, as is shown in chapter 22.
ON David's sacrifice, Matthew Henry says: "Those who know not what religion is, all whose care it is to make it cheap and easy to themselves, are best pleased with that which costs them least pains or money. What have we our substance for but to honor God with it, and how can it be better bestowed." With the principle agree the words of David's honored son and successor: "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase." Prov. 3:9. Sacrifice has ever been deemed a token of earnestness and devotion, and is the practical basis of the redemption of fallen man. The remission of our sins cost the life of the Son of God, can we do less than honor him with our substance?
FROM this lesson we learn that, though Israel be the Lord's people, yet it shall suffer, and suffer more than other peoples for its sins. That God's power in destruction is made manifest in order to show his power and grace in salvation. That God's plans may change, though his purposes are unalterable. That the true penitent confesses his sin, and seeks not to cast the responsibility upon others. That the altar is the meeting-place where God's judgment ends and his mercy begins.—Lesson Commentary.
SO FAR as the record goes, this was David's last fall. The rest of his history, continued in 1 Kings, is concerning his physical decline, his charge to Solomon, and his death. Notwithstanding his honor and wealth in this world, he looked not for satisfaction until he should awake in the likeness of his Saviour (Ps. 17:15), who will bring the reward of every man when he comes in glory. Rev. 22:12.
W. N. GLENN.

Beyond Their License.

THREE saloon-keepers in Chicago were found guilty of selling liquor to minors, and the following is the address of the judge who sentenced them:—
“By the law, you may sell to men and women if they want it. You have given bond and you are licensed to sell to them; no one has a right to molest you in your legal business, no matter what families are destroyed or rendered miserable; no matter what wives are treated with violence, what children starve or cry over the degradation of a parent; your business is legalized and no one may interfere with you in it. No matter what mother may agonize over the loss of a son, or sister blush for the shame of a brother, you have the right to disregard them all and pursue your legal calling; you are licensed. You may fit up for your lawful trade, you may use all your arts to induce visitors; you may skillfully expose to view your choicest wines and captivating beverages; you may then induce thirst by all contrivances, producing a raging appetite for drinks, and then you may supply to the full, because it is lawful; you have paid for it; you have a license. You may allow boys, almost children, to frequent your saloons. You may hold the cup to their lips, but you must not let them drink—that is unlawful. But while you have special privileges for the money you pay, this poor privilege of selling to children is denied you. Here the parents have a right to say: Leave my son to me until the law gives you the right to destroy. Do not anticipate that terrible moment when I can assert for him no further right of protection; ’twill be soon enough for me, for his mother, for his sister, for his friends and the community to see him take his road to death. Give him to us in his childhood at least. Let us have a few years of his youth, in which we may enjoy his innocence, to repay in small degree for the love we have lavished upon him.
“This is something you who now stand prisoners at this bar, have not paid for; for this is not embraced in your license. For this offense the court sentences you to ten days' imprisonment in the county jail, and that you pay a fine of seventy-five dollars and costs; and that you stand committed until the fine and costs of this prosecution are paid.”

Temperance.

By Julia Lloyd Colegrove

ONWARD.

By Mrs. Julia Lloyd Colegrove.
THIS life is such a boon, It is so bright; we love its morn, its noon, Its night. Our hearts go out For good, not ill, which lies about— Only one life, one chance to try Our strength or weakness ere we die. In the great fight we must prevail; We love the right—right cannot fail.
The slain lie thick around; They fought not well. Heedless, on slippery ground, They fell where wine-dregs lay, Thrown by the hands that hell obey, Regardless of the bitter blight Of those who plead through years of night, That there may be a safer way For those whose wills have gone astray.
A time of light is this— The path is clear. Down, down the dark abyss, So near, none need to go. The tippler need not tread the path of woe; Kind friends are on his track; The law shall hedge him back; And he himself shall say: I can, I will be strong; I am a man.
The boys, so glad and free, So full of health and hope and life and glee, And wealth of loving trust, They will not lay their honor in the dust; Though hurried on from joy to joy, They know the gilded, painted toy Of short-lived pleasure in the wine-cup's glow Is but a cheat which they can well forego.
They know the bitter end That, fast or slow, the steps would downward tend; And so, with heart and voice, While mothers, sisters, friends rejoice— The boys, the gay, glad boys Who love to make a glorious noise— They cry, "Let Prohibition rule the world, And Alcohol, the foe, down from his throne be hurled."
Prescott, Ark.

The Ex-Saloon Keepers.

THE saloon is beginning to go from Iowa—in some places voluntarily, in others involuntarily. Even Dubuque landlords are notifying saloon-keepers that their leases end on the 4th of July. In the interior cities many of the proprietors of bars are publicly announcing their intention to quit, and some have already done so. We know of quite a number of those who are seeking a better business and honorable employment.
In Des Moines quite a number of our best people have united in recommending a retiring saloon-keeper—good man who was a gallant soldier—for mail-carrier in the postal service. He is well qualified for the position, deserves well of his countrymen, has a family to support, and now that he is quitting this traffic, he finds his neighbors willing to serve him, and help him to better employment.
This is right. It is to be hoped that in every community in Iowa temperance people and all others will unite in aiding the men who are quitting the saloon business, to get honorable employment. Many of them have impulses toward better citizenship, and the temperance people will encourage them to become useful citizens. The Register, for its part, begs that the best people of all opinions join in and show these men good-will and an active disposition to aid them in securing such business as will afford them a living.
Now is the time for the kind hand and the kind word. The warfare in Iowa has been upon the saloon, as a public curse, and not upon the saloon-keeper as an individual. As their business is doomed to go, and they are going to quit it, they should be met in the right spirit and encouraged into joining the general throng of thrifty, industrious, contented people in Iowa, making a living by honorable means.—Iowa State Register.
AT a recent lecture in San Francisco, Mrs. J. Ellen Foster referred to drinking among women and said: "I say the women are drinking dreadfully, and there is to-day an asylum in New York for inebriate women, and in that asylum the wives and daughters of merchants residing on Fifth Avenue are placed to be cured of this horrible appetite for strong drink. In Boston, in Chicago, and in your own city of San Francisco drinking among women is increasing daily, and among women, too, who are socially high, and are mothers of children and wives of prosperous men."
MANY a smoker throws away the stump of his cigar because he does not like the flavor of it. He does not know why the flavor is unpleasant to him, but it is caused by nicotine, the active principle of tobacco, and a violent poison. This accumulates in the base of the cigar with every draft of the smoke, and the man, noticing the unpleasant flavor, throws the stump away. This reservoir of nicotine finds its way into the cigarette, and the person who smokes it, gets in a condensed form the poison which so often works mischief on the brains of habitual smokers.—Exchange.
THERE never was a stricter temperance pledge than that of Solomon. We think it sufficient to say, Drink not; but he said, "Look not on the wine." The color, the sparkle, the very sight of the intoxicating draught is enough to awaken the appetite in some men, so that it becomes necessary for them to make a covenant even with their eyes.—Ex.
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