"I REALLY wish, deacon, that you would tell me what your candid opinion of our minister is?"
Deacon Brown looked meditatively at the speaker, a small, wiry-looking man, whose features were almost as sharp as the sharp black eyes fixed so intently upon him.
"I don't know, Brother Quimby, as my candid opinion of our minister would do him any good."
"I dare say not," responded Mr. Quimby, darkly; "but then it would do me a great deal of good to hear it."
"I don't know as to that either."
"There's no one in the church whose opinion I think more of," continued Mr. Quimby. "Not that I approve of giving it to every one. But you needn't be afraid of saying just what you think to me, deacon, for it won't go any farther, and it might serve to clear up some doubts that trouble me."
"What doubts?"
"Well,—about various things. But you haven't told me what your opinion is, deacon?"
"I have only one opinion of Elder Wakeman, and that is that he is a man that tries to do his duty in all the relations of life."
This was evidently something that Mr. Quimby neither expected nor desired to hear, and he stared blankly at the speaker. But quickly recovering himself, he said:—
"Ha! I think I understand you, deacon. What you say is very well put—very well put indeed. I have thought that he might be a leete more willing to take advice; but there is no question in my mind but what he tries to do his duty, as you say. But is he sound?"
"Perhaps not. Some ministers are all sound."
The merry twinkle in the good deacon's eyes found no reflection in the solemn visage opposite him.
"It's no laughing matter, deacon," responded Mr. Quimby, with a rebuking shake of the head. "I am surprised that you should speak on so serious a subject with such unseemly levity. I referred to being sound in doctrine. I have been a good deal exercised in my mind in regard to this ever since I heard his sermon on 'Justification,' which is no justification at all, as I understand it, and as good old Dr. Seaver used to lay it down. Dear old man! I wonder what he would say, if he could come back and hear the new-fangled ideas that are taught from the pulpit where he preached such good old-fashioned doctrines nigh on to twenty years."
"If he's where I think he is, he dosen't want to come back. I only hope that some things he used to preach about are clearer to him now than he ever succeeded in making them to me."
"There's no merit in believing where everything is made clear. There are mysteries of faith, deacon, that nobody has any business to try to understand. Now, Elder Wakeman is forever preaching about what we ought to do, as though such poor, weak creatures as we are can do anything towards effecting our salvation. As for me, I'm free to own that I don't consider anything I have done, or am doing, of the least account whatever."
"A man ought to know better than any one else the quality of his own works, Brother Quimby, so I won't dispute you on that score. So far as I am concerned I feel that the Lord will have quite enough to do in effecting the work you allude to if I help him all I can."
"Well, deacon, I wish I could have my mind cleared up in regard to Elder Wakeman. What did you think of his sermon last Sabbath morning?"
"There is one thing I might say about it, if I thought it a prudent thing to do. We can't be too careful in speaking, especially if it's anything that is likely to affect the character and usefulness of a man like Elder Wakeman."
"Very true, deacon. But you needn't be afraid of my telling; I'm not one of the leaky sort. I knew as well as I wanted to, that a man of your sense couldn't approve of such doctrine as that."
"Oh, I've nothing to say against the sermon; it was a very good discourse—you won't often find a better. But the fact is, every word it contained—I really don't know that I ought to mention it, though; if it should get about, it might make trouble."
"I'll never lisp a syllable of it to any living soul," was the eager response.
"Well"—here the deacon lowered his voice to an impressive whisper—"I have a book at home which has every word of it in."
Here the train for which Deacon Brown was waiting came rushing up to the depot.
"Is it possible?" ejaculated Mr. Quimby, with uplifted eyes and hands.
"But you haven't told me——"
Deacon Brown was already up the steps, smiling and waving his adieux from the platform of the rear car, which rapidly disappeared around a curve in the road.
He was absent nearly a week. When he returned, he found not only the church but the whole village in a state of excitement and commotion.
He had not been home more than an hour when Elder Wakeman called on him, and in the course of the day he was waited upon by two deacons and several church members, to say nothing of being interviewed by various of his acquaintances and neighbors, all of whom were anxious to ascertain if there was any truth in the rumor of the grave charge he had brought against his pastor.
Deacon Brown, though evidently somewhat startled at first by a result so little anticipated, took all this with his usual calmness and serenity. He was very reticent on the subject, asserting that he had said nothing that he was not both able and willing to prove when the proper time came to do so. His interview with Elder Wakeman was a private one, but it was noticeable at its close that the countenance of the latter had a serene, almost smiling aspect. But as the elder took no measures to prevent the meeting of investigation that had been called, no particular importance was attached to this. He did not seem disposed to talk much about it, merely saying "that he thought the deacon ought to have an opportunity to prove or explain what he had every reason to believe he had said about him."
The meeting in question was held at the vestry, which was filled to its utmost capacity before the two chiefly interested, Elder Wakeman and Deacon Brown, entered, and who appeared to be the least excited ones present.
Mr. Quimby was there, full of importance, and with an exultation of look and manner only thinly veiled by the gravity that overspread his countenance. He was standing by the stove, the center of an interested and curious circle, when the two entered, but he avoided meeting the eye of either.
At the motion of Elder Wakeman, one of the deacons called the meeting to order, briefly explained its object, the serious nature of the imputation under which their pastor rested, and, appealing to Deacon Brown to put a stop to the talk it had occasioned by either denying or proving his assertion.
Rising to his feet, Deacon Brown looked around upon the excited and curious faces that were directed toward him.
"Behold, brethren, how much mischief the tongue can do! I said a few words to one of you, under a pledge of secrecy. I think it was under a pledge of secrecy, Brother Quimby?"
"I considered it to be my duty to tell what you told me," said the individual addressed, turning very red.
"You are to be commended for having performed your duty so thoroughly," continued the deacon; "a very painful duty, as it is easy to see! I understand you have said that I told you Elder Wakeman stole his sermon from a book in my possession; are you sure that I used the word 'stole,' Brother Quimby?"
"You said you had a book that had every word of it in! Where's the difference, I'd like to know?" was Mr. Quimby's prompt and triumphant rejoinder.
"There might be none at all, and, again, there might be a good deal," responded the deacon.
"I did use the language ascribed to me by Mr. Quimby," continued Deacon Brown, addressing the rest of the assemblage; "moved thereto by his evident desire that I should say something to our pastor's discredit, and without a thought that it would lead to all this trouble and excitement. I declare, furthermore, that I have seen a book containing every word of his sermon in Elder Wakeman's own library. I have taken the liberty to send for it, and will offer it as evidence to the truth of my statement."
Taking a ponderous volume from the hands of his son, who had just entered, Deacon Brown laid it on the table before the presiding officer, who, carefully adjusting his spectacles, opened it.
Giving one glance at its outspread pages he raised his eyes to the serene and kindly face opposite.
"Why, this is a—a dictionary!"
"Very true," responded Deacon Brown. "But you'll find every word of Elder Wakeman's sermon in it—if you look long enough."
"I must confess, however," added the deacon, as soon as the general laughter and astonishment had subsided a little, glancing smilingly across the table at Elder Wakeman, "that there are not many that can string them together so as to form such an interesting and instructive discourse."
Here the elder and deacon shook hands, which was the signal for a general hand-shaking, congratulations, and good feeling. No one was dissatisfied, with the exception of Mr. Quimby, who, mortified and confounded at the unexpected turn affairs had taken, had slunk from the room.
Mary Grace Halpine, in N. Y. Weekly.
GROWING AWAY FROM OUR LOVED ONES.
Nor going away from them, but growing apart from them, which is surely the sadder experience! When those we love leave us for a journey, for an exile, or for Heaven, our hearts bridge the chasm between us with a hope of future gladness when we shall meet again. But when there comes “the little rift within the lute, that by and by shall make the music mute,” we have no such consolation. What so unsatisfactory as a patched-up friendship? What so impossible as the healing of an intangible, unconfessed wound? Love can survive a good, honest quarrel, and flourish more thriftily sometimes when a summer storm has cleared the sultry atmosphere and swept away the cobwebs, but woe to love when the frost of indifference settles blightingly upon it, or when two who started by being all the world to each other, end by revolving, like ivory balls, in orbits of their own. Sometimes this torpor of love, which is simply a slow death, falls on wedded hearts, and then the home suffers. Sometimes brothers and sisters allow the crowding cares of life to separate them. Sometimes friends give each other up, and lose the strength and help and mutual support which comes of congenial intercourse, simply through sheer indolence, inertia, or selfishness. It takes a little time and trouble to go and pay a call or make a visit. To write a letter requires exertion. So the friend is neglected, and naturally, after a while, the friendship becomes like a worn-out tree, which no longer offers sweet fruit for the plucking.
It is inevitable that as we go on in life changes shall come to ourselves, our homes, our friends, and our work.83Youth is full of fiery impulses, of generous ardor, and of quick decisions. Middle-age moves more cautiously and with less enthusiasm. The evening of life is calm, serene, tolerant, and patient. As a rule, when we are young, we make friends easily and often. In maturity we are apt to grow cautious and careful. But we need, as we advance in years, to cultivate our friends, to be careful to show them attention, and to prize at their true worth dear ones who have stood loyally beside us in sorrow, in joy, and through evil and good report.—Christian at Work.
The Home Circle.
By Kate Clark
THE BACKBITER.
THERE's some one living in this town
(Maybe you know her name,
And maybe should I write it down,
Your own might prove the same),
Who, when you say, "He's good," will cry,
"Indeed! You think that's true,
But"—very confidentially—
"You wouldn't if you knew!"
One says, "What pretty girl goes by?"
"Oh, horrors! you don't think
So!—Since we're you and I,
I'll say, her parents drink.
And so—well, I won't tell it out,
Though I've no doubt 'tis true.
You think she's nice and pretty, but
You wouldn't if you knew!"
If one sings sweetly, "How she flats!"
If dressed in taste, "What style!"
Supremely "vulgar" all her hats,
Her dresses simply "vile."
And when good Deacon Busby failed
(A noble man and true),
She said, when we his lot bewailed,
"You wouldn't if you knew!"
Let those admire and love who can
This malice-breathing dame,
Who seems to think a prosperous man
Must surely be to blame;
That beauty is a mark of sin;
That goodness must be crime:
She sees but thieves and rascals in
The heroes of the time.
Sometimes she doesn't hesitate
To tell us what she knows,
And in nine cases out of eight
A lie is all she shows,
For virtue's sake, I hope to find
One good old doctrine true;
Some heat for such I should not mind,
You wouldn't if you knew.
—Kate Clark, in the Springfield (Mass.) Republican.
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SANITARIUM,
By John Harvey Kellogg
Battle Creek, Michigan.
This institution, beautifully located in one of the most healthful cities of Michigan, is everywhere recognized as the
GREAT SANITARIUM OF THE WEST.
More than 4,000 patients successfully treated. The erection of new buildings and the addition of all the most approved remedial appliances known to the profession, have made it The Most Complete Institution of the Kind in America. All modern hotel conveniences furnished. Terms very reasonable.
J. H. KELLOGG, M. D., Medical Superintendent.
Address, SANITARIUM, Battle Creek, Mich.
ITEMS OF NEWS.
-The improvement of Oregon's harbors is soon to be commenced.
-One hundred and forty-seven ocean steamers were lost last year.
-A Ladies' Branch Land League has been organized in Claremorris, Ireland.
-Eighteen thousand cattle have been lost by floods in the Province of Seville, Spain.
-Baltimore is having a new custom house and post-office, which will cost $2,000,000.
-Stanley Matthews is nominated for Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
-The Germans in St. Louis have held a large meeting to protest against the anti-beer legislation.
-The Jews in Cincinnati number 8000; in Ohio, 15,000 according to the enumeration just completed.
-The subject of dividing California into two States is being discussed by the press in the southern part of the State.
-Nineteen thousand acres of land in Lyon county, Iowa, have been purchased at $5 per acre for an English colony.
-The correspondence of the Land League has been intercepted by the Government, and many dangerous schemes thereby discovered.
-Five hundred and sixty-eight miles in six days is the greatest walk on record. This has been accomplished by John Hughes in New York.
-The Michigan-avenue Baptist church in Chicago was burned the night of the 12th. Loss, $50,000. The janitor has been arrested on suspicion.
-Pennsylvania is having a serious time trying to elect a U. S. Senator. Twenty-six ballots have been taken, and no one elected yet, Feb. 12.
-Samaconaz, Mexican Minister to Washington, is en route for the capital with his wife, two daughters, and six members of the Mexican Legation.
-A bridge to span the Missouri at Bismarck is projected by the Northern Pacific. The plans contemplate a structure of iron to cost $2,000,000.
-Havana is very unhealthy again. The death-rate last year amounted to 40 in 1,000. It will doubtless raise a heavy crop of yellow fever this year.
-It is said that the 12,000 dentists of the United States annually pack half a ton of beaten gold, worth half a million dollars, unto the teeth of the people.
-Prince Gortchakoff has now permanently retired from managing the foreign affairs of Russia, on account of his great age and consequent physical infirmities.
-The Christian Queen of Madagascar has liberated 50,000 slaves at one stroke. They were allowed land, and one of them was raised to the dignity of a crown officer.
-The Chinese Legation is the largest at Washington. It consists of a Minister and Assistant Minister, three secretaries, three interpreters and translators, and five attaches.
-Dr. George M. Beard, New York, claims that teeth can be extracted and limbs taken off while subjects are under the power of mesmerism without their knowing anything about it.
-The death-rate in New York City is about five per cent higher than in other large cities of the United States. Last year it was over 26 to 1,000. This from a New York paper.
-Although six hundred jurors have been summoned in the Kalloch trial, only nine, up to the 12th, had been sworn in. The case has already been before the Superior Court twenty-days.
-The interest that William H. Vanderbilt yearly receives on his United States bonds is $1,904,400. He is believed to own more than $100,000,000 of railroad securities, and is the richest man in the world.
-The citizens of Oakland and San Francisco are being visited to obtain subscriptions toward the expenses of the military company to be sent to Washington to witness the inauguration of President Garfield.
-The St Patrick's Society, Brooklyn, have invited Parnell to be present at their annual dinner on the 17th of March, when it is announced that there will be "an intelligent discussion of the land question in Ireland."
-The Iowa State Teachers' Association last week adopted a resolution declaring that scientific instruction on the effects of alcohol on the human system should be made a part of the course in the public schools.
-Thirty years ago California shipped bread and flour from the East. Last year it yielded 300,000,000 tons more wheat than in 1879, and exported more than any other State in the Union. Is not this a growth to be proud of?
-Since 1870 there has been an increase in the population of the United States of eleven and one-half million. Of this increase about twenty-five per cent is due to immigration, the rest being the natural growth of our population.
-A dispatch from Walla Walla, W. T., Feb. 12, states that no mail had been received from Portland for three weeks. Navigation on the Columbia river has been practically suspended on account of high water and floating ice.
-The manufacture of cotton is an industry of comparatively recent date in the South, and of the entire 230,223 looms in the United States, 16,386 are in the South, and they consume 240,682 of the 1,586,481 bales of cotton consumed.
-The World's London dispatches of last Saturday state that "a meeting of the leaders of the Land League will be held in Paris next Monday, after which it is understood that Parnell will sail direct from France to the United States."
-There is considerable talk of an extra spring session of Congress among Representatives of both parties, since it is regarded as almost impossible for Congress to finish the work that is awaiting action before March 4. Many important bills have hardly been referred to as yet.
-We are paying $100,000,000 a year to foreign ship-owners for transportation, and we have fewer ships each year. Our commerce is dying out, and nothing is being done to restore it. The statesmanship of the country has few problems so important as this to grapple with.
-A Dublin correspondent of the London Herald thinks that one result of the coercion bill will be increased dividends to the transatlantic steamship companies. Parnell and Egan have gone to Paris, John Walsh to Australia, while minor local luminaries have sailed for America.
-Spain has at last taken steps to prosecute our Government for "the Florida claims," which amounts to almost $4,000,000. Stanley Matthews and C. B. Collier, of Philadelphia, have been employed to represent the Spanish Government. The claims are for injury during the war of 1812.
-Floods and hurricanes in Spain are reported to have raged the entire peninsula for ten days. The inundations have destroyed half the crop of oranges and lemons, and a loss of over $40,000,000 to other crops. The loss to shipping on the coast is supposed to exceed one hundred vessels.
-Among the statistics of work accomplished by foreign missions during the past century, are these: Converts from heathenism, 1,500,000; languages into which the Bible has been translated, 226; copies of the Bible circulated, 148,000,000; barbarous languages endowed with grammar and literature, 70.
-The Government of Florida has just given out a contract for draining Lake Okechobee and the marsh surrounding it, comprising in all about 12,000,000 acres of the best sugar land in the world. The territory will include the celebrated Everglades, and be in extent twice as large as the State of New Jersey. This is the largest contract on record, and, when completed, Florida can produce more sugar than the United States now consumes.
-The following item is going the rounds of the press: "The Commissioner of Public Lands has made the startling discovery that within the limits of the United States, north of Texas, between Indian Territory and New Mexico, is a parallelogram of nearly four million acres, 200,000 cattle, and a large number of outlaws, without any form of government. It was overlooked when public surveys were made, and is reckoned one of the finest regions in the West."
OBITUARIES.
FURGUSON.—Died of cancer, at Windsor, Sonoma Co., Cal., February 9, 1881, Sister Nancy Furguson, aged 25 years, 11 months, and 19 days. She was a great sufferer during the latter part of her illness, but at last fell asleep to rest in the blessed hope of a resurrection to a life that is free from pain. She leaves a husband and three little boys to return to their lonely home at St. Clair, Nevada, at which place she was a member of the S. D. A. church. Funeral discourse by the writer from Ecclesiastes 9 :10-12.
CLARK.—Fell asleep in Jesus, Jan. 23, 1881, our dearly beloved sister, Sarah Elisabeth Clark, aged 20 years, 6 months, and 22 days. She embraced the truth in 1875 under the preaching of Eld. Lane and wife, and united with the church at Bowling Green, Wood Co., Ohio. Lizzie possessed a gentle and loving disposition, and won the hearts of many by her Christian demeanor. In her last moments she seemed to trust fully in the promises of God, and to realize that she was only to sleep a little while, and then to enter a life where sickness and death should never come. Remarks by the writer from 1 Thess. 4:13.
BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE,
— AT —
BATTLE CREEK MICHIGAN.
IS A POPULAR INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG men and women in the best manner, and at the least possible expense, for the various vocations of life.
During the five years of its existence, it has grown in a manner unpar-alleled in the history of but few educational institutions in the land.
FIVE HUNDRED STUDENTS are now Enrolled Annually.
SCOPE OF INSTRUCTION.
Its range of studies has been so extended as to meet the wants of all classes of students seeking a liberal education.
Instruction is given in the very lowest grades, onward through all the branches of a thorough classical course.
It has five departments of instruction :—
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARTS AND SCIENCES.
DEPARTMENT OF THE THEOLOGY.
THE NORMAL DEPARTMENT.
THE BUSINESS DEPARTMENT.
THE PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT.
The methods of instruction are such as to secure to the student thoroughness in all the branches pursued, and that true mental culture so essential to the highest success in practical life.
The FACULTY, which consists of fourteen men and women of experience and critical scholarship, act upon the motto, "Not how much but how well."
Parents who regard the mental and moral culture of their children of serious importance should thoroughly investigate the character and merits of an institution that solicits their patronage.
Battle Creek College invites inquiry into its FACILITIES, METHODS, DISCIPLINE, etc., and challenges a comparison of its advantages with those of other educational institutions in the land.
DISCIPLINE.
The College aims to develop character of the highest type, as well as scholarship of the best quality; and its discipline has respect to these ends.
The students attracted here are those of real worth, who value true culture and hard mental labor more than frivolities.
EXPENSES.
It has been the aim of the founders and trustees of the College to reduce the expenses of its students to the very lowest figures.
In price of board, room rent and tuition, the three great items of expense to the student, this College presents greater inducements than any other educational institution in the land. The total expense of each student per year need not exceed $114.
For further information send for full descriptive catalogue:
Address, BATTLE CREEK COLLEGE,
Battle Creek, Michigan.
ADVENT HAROLDEN.
SIXTEEN PAGES.
A SWEDISH RELIGIOUS MONTHLY.—PUBLISHED AT BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, AND CHRISTIANIA, NORWAY.
ADVENT HAROLDEN is devoted to the proclamation of the second coming of Christ, the explanation of Prophecy and Bible doctrines in general, and the defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Its family department is filled with instructive reading, accompanied with beautiful illustrations, and also gives valuable hints with reference to the preservation of health and the treatment of disease.
TERMS, INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
TO AMERICAN SUBSCRIBERS.
One copy, one year....................................75 cents.
To new subscribers, with Way of Life as premium......$1.00.
Five or more copies to one address, per copy.......50 cents.
Ten or more copies, per copy.............................40 cents.
TO EUROPEAN SUBSCRIBERS.
One copy, one year....................................90 cents.
Five or more copies, per copy.........................60 cents.
Ten or more copies, per copy..........................50 cents.
Address REVIEW AND HERALD, or,
ADVENT HAROLDEN, Battle Creek, Mich.
Our Publications in England.
By Editor
ANY of the books, pamphlets and tracts issued at this Office may be obtained of Eld. J. N. Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England, who will furnish catalogues and prices in English money, and receive subscriptions for all our periodicals.
THE STORM UNIVERSAL.
By Editor
ALTHOUGH the first, California is by no means the only, State which has been visited this season by unusually severe storms and high water. During the last week reports of falling rain and overflowing rivers have been received from nearly all quarters of the United States. We have room here, however, to notice the condition of the flooded districts in only a few localities, as reported the 12th inst.
At Washington the doings of Congress were quite overshadowed by the flood in the Potomac, caused by heavy rains and the breaking up of ice in the upper part of the river. The historic Long Bridge was entirely submerged and three of its spans carried away. In the Baltimore and Potomac railroad depot the water stood two feet high, and trains from the north over that road were obliged to stop several squares from the depot, and passengers were transferred in coaches and wagons, through the water which was from two to four feet deep. Near Sixth and B streets, five Ninth-street cars were abandoned, the drivers taking the money-boxes under their arms and riding the horses. That part of the city lying south of Pennsylvania avenue was entirely submerged, and communication with South Washington by means of street-cars was suspended.
Dispatches from various points on the Hudson, Delaware and Schuylkill rivers also report serious damage from ice gorges. The meadows at Hoboken, N. J., were flooded and it is estimated that five hundred families were without shelter. At New Orleans a tract of five square miles, containing about 50,000 inhabitants, was inundated. In many places the water was three or four feet deep, and in low, one-story houses everything was washed out. Ten thousand persons were supplied with cooked food by the Relief Committee. A funeral procession in boats was one of the novel features of the occasion.
At Toledo, Ohio, a fleet of six grain-laden vessels, lying in winter quarters at the Wabash elevator, was swept down the river and lodged in the ice two miles below the city. On Summit street the water rose to the height of two feet, and the basements of the wholesale stores were flooded and entire stocks ruined. The loss is estimated at no less than half a million dollars.
Scores of dispatches received at Chicago, reported storms, overflows, crevasses, breaking up of ice, rising rivers and heavy snows, which delayed trains in every direction.
Not only in this country but across the ocean has the past winter been unexpectedly severe, as will appear from Eld. Loughborough's report from England given on another page. Surely this is the time when are being fulfilled the words of Scripture, “Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.” Luke 21:26
THE PULPIT AND PRESS.
By Editor
FRANKLY, very little good seems to have come from the reading of the Scriptures by the people at large. It has produced more religious fanaticism than anything else, and more abortions which are caricatures of religion. Even among Catholics it fosters a Calvanistic spirit, which in many cases induces individuals to set up their judgment against the wisdom of the church. The indiscriminate circulation of the Bible, even with notes approved by the church, has not always been productive of good. The Church existed before the Scriptures; she guarded and collected them; she alone is their interpreter.—Catholic Review (New York).
The above paragraph shows plainly that the Roman church in its influence is averse to the study of the Scripture by the people themselves. The church guarded the Scriptures, therefore she is greater than the word of God, and must interpret it. This is the logic. On this basis the soldier is greater than the emperor that he protects, and nothing may go out from the great king without being submitted to and corrected by, the little brain of the guard!—Golden Censer.
Definiteness would ruin a great deal of so-called religion. It subsists upon its unknown possibilities—passes current, because it may be anything, from copper to precious stones. But the real thing in the experience will get defined by and by, when the wood, hay and stubble will only serve to make a big fire. And since the definiteness that ruins the poor stuff is sure to come along with its eternal tests, a wise man will begin at once to call for the calcium lights of the truth, and to follow these lights to reformation, repentance and righteousness. "Examine yourselves" is an order that is too easily changed so as to read, "examine your neighbors." Many a man will have nothing better to say for himself at the last day than, "Lord, I never saw a fault in a neighbor, or heard of one at the other side of the world, without condemning it." The Lord will one day compel us to look in a glass so steadily, that we will not be able to instruct him in his duties, or forget our own.—Methodist.
The Philadelphia Lutheran Observer has been investigating the cause of the masterly inactivity of so many professed Christians, and by accident, it were, has hit upon the true explanation, as it thinks, of their suspended animation. A man went to a watchmaker and said there was something the matter with his watch, It would not go. He wanted it fixed. The watchmaker examined it and saw nothing wrong. He wound it up and it went all right. The only trouble was that the owner had forgotten to wind it up at night or in the morning Then it occurred to the Observer, who was listening, that this was what was the matter with many Christians. They are run down. They need winding up every day to go. The key is prayer.
There is one thing that true moral excellence will not permit itself to do, and that is to pose before others in its daily walk, as though it would say: "See me; see how patient I am; how gentle and winning; how resigned to whatever trials may be sent to me; and how superior to the passions and moods of ordinary men and women." A great many persons who are really trying to be Christians, virtually say all this by their manner, if not by their words. But this is a strain of artificiality which has no place in genuine goodness of heart and life, which surely ought to be above self-consciousness and the Pharisaism of humility. "Surely," says a recent writer, "the spirit we should long to find in ourselves, and in any for whom we have a care, is that inward leaning towards all things lovely, that inward shrinking from all things base, which will make right-doing almost instinctive." And instinctive right-doing is not made up of any number of tableaux of saintliness.—S. S. Times.
