A CORRESPONDENT of the Battle Creek, Mich., Review and Herald gives the following brief report of a Sunday law case in the province of Alberta, Canada:—
Brother Hansen's trial for working on Sunday was called in February before the Supreme Court. He was discharged on the ground that he was a farmer, and that the law did not apply to farmers. Since then the attorney-general at Regina has issued orders to the mounted police not to disturb Seventh-day Adventists or Jews for doing work on Sunday.
This order of the attorney-general illustrates the difference between toleration and liberty. This officer evidently sees the injustice of the law, and will not enforce it against a class. His sense of justice leads him to give by toleration the liberty that of right ought to be recognized in the law. But the present law would sustain him in not granting such toleration, and some day another official, with a less sense of justice, will deem it his duty to withhold the tolerance exercised by the present incumbent.9
Another point in this Canadian Sunday law is worthy of consideration, and that is, its similarity to the first Sunday law on record—the decree of Emperor Constantine, A. D. 321. That document reads as follows:—
On the venerable day of the sun let the magistrates and people living in towns rest, and let all workshops be closed. Nevertheless, in the country, those engaged in the cultivation of land may freely and lawfully work, because it often happens that another day is not well fitted for sowing grain and planting vines; lest by the neglect of the best time the bounty provided by heaven should be lost.
When this decree was issued Constantine was still a worshiper of the sun; he had not yet professed Christianity. But afterward, as the church gained more influence in the affairs of the civil government, the Sunday law was made more stringent and included all classes. Any Sunday law, on any statute book, however mild its face, is a menace to the liberties of the people, notwithstanding the tolerance of any public official charged with its execution.
G.
RETALIATION IS NOT CHRISTIANITY.
By G.
It sounds very much like a "falling away" to read of a Christian missionary's suing a heathen government for indemnity because of being persecuted for Christ's sake. The Lord's direct counsel is: "I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." And the Spirit of the Master, speaking through Paul, says: "Recompense to no man evil for evil. . . . Avenge not yourselves; but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. . . . Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
Paul was the victim of "terrible outrage and indignity" on more than one occasion, but he did not attempt to force indemnity from any one. Yet there is no doubt that he could have recovered. At Philippi he was unlawfully beaten, publicly and severely. When the magistrates learned that he was a free Roman citizen whom they had beaten before he was legally condemned, they were much alarmed, because they knew that Paul could make them much trouble. Had he demanded it, he could have secured a handsome indemnity from them.
Also at Jerusalem, when the Jews mobbed Paul on a certain occasion, and he was rescued from them by the Roman soldiers, another opportunity was given him to sue for damages. In the prison the officer in command had Paul bound in order to examine him by scourging. But when the officer was told that Paul was a Roman citizen, he, too, was afraid, because he had given the prisoner occasion to retaliate upon him through the law. Or had Paul seen fit to make complaint to the authorities at Rome against the Jews for their illegal action, he might have brought trouble upon them. They had laid themselves liable to a reduction of their privileges, just as did the people of Ephesus when Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen raised the uproar against Paul and the Jews of that place. On that occasion the town clerk reminded the rioters that the people of the city were "in danger to be called in question" concerning the "uproar," as there was no cause whereby they might give account of the trouble. The same was true of the uprising at Jerusalem.
But Paul, like his Master, did not attempt to retaliate upon his persecutors. Being a free Roman citizen he could have severely retaliated upon the people of Lystra, who, without trial, stoned him until they thought he was dead, and then dragged him out of the city. But the apostle of the meek and lowly One was not seeking redress or award in that way. To the Corinthians he wrote, "I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." And to the Romans he wrote: "We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." All the trials through which he passed—and they were many—he called, "light afflictions, which are but for a moment." Furthermore not only the apostles, but hosts of other people of God in the olden time, took with joy the spoiling of their goods. But times seem to have changed.
All these suits for indemnity from the heathen because of their persecutions are of the spirit of the world, they do not manifest the spirit of Christ. They only stir up greater antagonism to the work of Christ in the earth, and Christians in China and in the Turkish provinces will have to bear the brunt of the counter retaliation that is sure to come. The more these indemnity suits succeed (apparently), the worse it will be for the cause of Christ in the countries which have to pay. Christianity can not profit through any course not sanctioned by the word or example of Christ. Retaliation is not Christianity, and extorting indemnity from the heathen by professed Christians is only a detriment to Christian work. G.
EMERSONIOLATRY.
By Editor
SURELY if Ralph Waldo Emerson were alive and conscious of America's on-going, his soul and "oversoul" would have been filled with mingled emotions during the last few weeks, as men have vied with each other in acknowledging him as but little less than their Creator, and so on down through all degrees of demigodism. Even a coterie of his disciples, numbering among them ministers of evangelical churches, has sent out an appeal that one Sunday be devoted to the memory of Emerson.
We are glad to see one religious paper at least protest against the suggestion. The Christian Advocate declares that the suggestion is enough "to freeze mercury," and well adds:—
To commemorate Emerson as a genius, as a literary star of the first magnitude, as a citizen, as being of considerable value to the symmetrical development of thought by opposing bald materialism, as one who has extended the fame of the United States far and wide by his poems and essays, as a person of unusual sweetness of disposition, and the sympathizer with the elevation of mankind and the removal of inequalities, is as unobjectionable and as praiseworthy as the vote that placed him so high in the hall of fame; but for orthodox Christians to take the hours set apart for religious worship to magnify the life of one who used his powers to dethrone CHRIST as in any special degree the Son of God, and attached no value to His sacrifice for the salvation of men, except as a mere martyr, would be most incongruous except for Jews, Unitarians, and Deists.
One of his worshipers well tells us that it is utterly un-Emersonian to become so enslaved to Emerson, for he taught the freedom of the individual. And he doubtless did by example, but he made a host of slaves.
Another admirer, in writing of his influence, contends that to only strong minds like Emerson's does such philosophy as his belong, and its utter perversion, the degradation of its transcendentalism, is seen in "Christian Science."
And yet every good thing that Emerson ever taught is in the revelation that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave to the world in the Bible. O how all this worship of men emphasizes the great need of God's last great threefold message, "Fear God, and give glory to Him; . . . and worship Him that made heaven and earth." Rev. 14:6, 7. There is much need of giving it. There is freedom nowhere else save in His fear, in His worship.
THE POPE TO THE PRESIDENT.
Autograph Letter of Thanks Sent through Father Van Antwerp.
THE pope, through Mgr. Bisleti, the master of the chamber, forwarded to Rev. Francis J. Van Antwerp, of Detroit, Mich., an autograph letter addressed to President Roosevelt, thanking the president for his jubilee present and expressing his appreciation of the compliment.
Father Van Antwerp sailed from Cherbourg on May 13, and on his arrival in the United States will go direct to Washington to deliver the letter and report to President Roosevelt on the result of his mission.—Catholic Mirror.
THE SULTAN'S SITUATION.
By Springfield Republican
Not much sympathy is expressed in Christendom for the ruler known, in Mr. Gladstone's phrase, as "Abdul the damned." Yet Abdul, whether damned or not, is in a position such as no ruler would covet. His mixed population of Mohammedans and Christians in European Turkey makes an insoluble mass. Reforms demanded for the Christians, and literally forced upon the sultan by Russia and Turkey, inflame his Mohammedan subjects to revolt. The Albanians are a people honestly devoted, on account of religion, to the Turkish government, and it must be extremely repugnant to the Ottoman regime to impose on them obnoxious laws in order to placate the Macedonian Christians, who never will be content until they break away entirely from the Turkish yoke. Yet, while the situation has elements that seem destined to destroy the Turkish Empire in Europe sooner or later, the undoubted determination of Russia and Austria to postpone the final debacle, if possible, operates as a fire-extinguisher upon inflammable materials in the Balkans. The role of the sultan, however, is not a happy one, in any event. No other European ruler has so difficult a post to fill as Abdul Hamid these spring days.—Springfield Republican.
Wireless Telegraphy
Wireless Telegraphy.—Altho there has been a great disappointment in the matter of the trans-Atlantic wireless messages, on account of the breakdown of the apparatus, the work of extending wireless telegraph communication goes steadily on. Many sets of apparatus are now being installed on vessels for communication with each other and for communication with points on shore. This feature of wireless telegraphy seems to have been a success. Now wireless telegraph stations are being installed in different cities to bring them into communication independent of the present telegraph system. Chicago and Milwaukee are thus joined at the present time, and other cities are preparing to follow their example.
California Sunday-Law Campaign
A Sunday-law campaign for the State of California is now in process of evolution. At a recent meeting of representatives of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Congregational ministerial unions in San Francisco, it was decided to call a meeting on June 15 to effect a State organization. At this meeting representatives of all the various ministerial unions in the State are requested to be present. The purpose of the organization is to secure the legal enforcement of Sunday keeping.
United States Public Debt
The public debt of the United States at the present time stands at $1,130,856,930. The reduction in the debt for the month of May amounted to $3,247,385. The cash balance on hand in the United States Treasury now amounts to $375,168,897.
Another Calamitous Week.
By Editor
Last week we reported a long series of disasters, and the record of the week just closed does not come behind in its list of calamities of various kinds. The flood conditions in the Middle West in general have shown little improvement. While the flood waters are receding in Topeka and Kansas City, points lower down on the raging rivers are in greater peril than last week. St. Louis and points above and below are now suffering from the flood conditions. The receding waters in the cities above reveal the fury of the overflooded rivers. The list of dead in Topeka now numbers seventy-eight, and it is expected that other bodies will be found as the waters recede. Nothing like a definite estimate of the number who have lost their lives in other places has yet been given. In many of the flooded cities there has been great destruction of buildings, hundreds of which have utterly collapsed, while others are practically ruined, tho still standing. Hundreds of persons have escaped death by the narrowest margin, after living for hours or even days in momentary expectation of death. Great financial loss has been occasioned all along these swollen rivers to crops and farm buildings. The rising Mississippi is now doing great damage all along its banks. The loss to the farming section will reach into the millions, and the loss in the inundated cities is impossible to estimate. There is considerable uneasiness over the possibility of disease breaking out in the flooded districts, owing to the great number of dead animals decaying in heaps or among the driftwood. A furious storm visited South Carolina on June 6, swelling the rivers so rapidly that at Pacolet and Clifton great damage was done, and at least eighty persons lost their lives. Great cotton mills were in operation at these places and the flooded rivers rushed down upon the mills, before the operatives had a chance to escape. The property loss is placed at $3,500,000, and there is great destitution among the survivors. Rain fell in torrents, the rivers overflowed their banks to heights never before known, railroad bridges were torn from stone and iron piers, and grist mills and cotton mills were crushed like houses of cardboard, and a great many homes were washed away. On June 1 a tornado dealt death and destruction to the city of Gainsville, Ga., and its environs. The reports indicate that about one hundred persons were killed, and one hundred and fifty injured. Scores of cottages were leveled to the ground, and two stories were torn off the factory of the Gainsville cotton mill. It was in this mill that about two-thirds of the deaths occurred. In all, about two hundred buildings were destroyed in the path of the storm. A great storm occurred at Valparaiso, Chile, on June 2, which caused a number of vessels to founder. One steamer, the Arequipa, was wrecked, and all but seventeen of her passengers and crew, numbering eighty, were lost. Eight persons were killed in a railway collision at Stillwell, Kansas, on June 4. Fierce forest fires are raging in Eastern Canada and New England, destroying much valuable property, and a drought of forty-eight days is said to have practically ruined the crops of that section, entailing an estimated loss of $70,000,000. A hurricane swept over the Philippines on June 5, doing great damage to shipping, and causing considerable loss of life. Word has come from the United States consul at Canton, China, that over a million Chinese are starving in the province of Kwang-si. The stricken districts are earnestly appealing for help. Two hundred persons are reported massacred by Turks at the village of Smerdash, Macedonia. On June 7, near Marseilles, France, more than one hundred persons are said to have lost their lives as the result of a collision between two passenger steamers. Many of those who were rescued were badly injured in the collision.
Opposition to British Tariff Policy
The campaign in England against the proposed new tariff scheme of Mr. Chamberlain continues to grow in interest. The working people, fearing a considerable increase in the cost of living, are opposing it almost as a unit. Almost the same kind of a campaign is now being carried on in Germany, where a very large portion of the people are demanding lower tariffs and cheaper bread. On one night, in the city of Berlin, eighty-one political meetings were held and the following night ninety-six. The campaign is conducted with much bitterness and ill feeling. The Scandinavian countries are much alarmed over the proposed British tariff policy, fearing the practical ruin of their export trade in food and lumber.
A Gift from the Pope
A Gift from the Pope.—The exchange of gifts between the pope and the official head of this government is becoming quite a frequent affair. Many gifts to the pope have been made in recent years by American presidents, the last being a volume of Messages and Papers of the Presidents beautifully bound, and was received by the pope on the 25th anniversary of his pontificate. The pope responded with a magnificent volume of his encyclicals and pontifical acts. Whether or not there is any particular significance in the individual acts, there certainly is significance in the increasing frequency of the exchanges.
The South American Alliance
The South American Alliance.—A report from Buenos Ayres states that the purpose of the new alliance between Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, is for protection against the aggressions of any European power or powers that might threaten the sovereignty of any of the allied nations. These are the strongest powers in South America, and they seem to be preparing to establish a Monroe doctrine of their own.
Saloons Closed at Bremerton Navy Yard
The Navy Department has at last succeeded in having closed all the saloons of the town of Bremerton, Washington, where a government navy yard and repair shops for vessels are located. The great number of saloons, gambling resorts, and other places of evil had made the situation there intolerable to the department, and it refused to send any of the war-vessels to that navy yard unless the licenses for all these places were revoked. As there was every indication that the department meant to keep its word, licenses were finally revoked for all such places in the town.
Belgium Declines to Annex the Kongo
Belgium has decided not to annex the Kongo Free State, and will allow the option of annexation to expire. She had been given ten years in which to decide whether to annex that country, and at the expiration of that time the option was extended. The extension has now expired, and she will not annex the territory because of popular opposition and the attitude of Great Britain. The popular opposition was due to the revelation of the cruelties practised upon the natives by officials of the Belgian Government.
Postal Frauds
Postal Frauds.—Following the arrest of the superintendent of the rural free delivery system in Washington, two other members of the Postal Department have been placed under arrest for dealings similar to those of Mr. Machen, the superintendent of the system. The latter is charged with receiving $22,000 from the firm which furnishes the patent fasteners of the street letter-boxes; the former with conspiracy to defraud the government in the purchase of leather pouches furnished rural deliverers.
Record Year for the Suez Canal
The Suez Canal, during the last year, made the largest showing of any year since its construction. The number of vessels passing through the canal during the year was 3,708, of which more than two thousand carried the British flag. The receipts were $20,744,000. The tonnage passing through the canal last year exceeded that of the previous year by 424,473 tons, and this was more than one and a half million tons in excess of the tonnage which passed through the canal in 1900.
A Worthy Mission
A Worthy Mission.—A report from Lexington, Ky., states that a company of twenty-five young preachers will spend their summer vacation in an endeavor to evangelize the feudal districts of Kentucky. The entire company will be composed of students of the Kentucky University. They will seek to reach the people wherever opportunity presents itself, and by instilling Christian principles into their hearts, create better social conditions, and thus prevent the recurrence of feudal murders.
New Zealand Enters the Beef Trade
The New Zealand Government is planning to capture the English beef trade from the American beef trust, which now supplies a great portion of the beef used in the United Kingdom. The Government of New Zealand will itself go into the beef shipping business, paying fixed prices for the beef and offering it in England at cost. The American beef trust is considerably worried over the new departure.
Russian Jews Prepare for Defense
Contributions continue to be taken up for the Jews of Kishineff. It is now reported that the Jews of Russia are arming themselves, and preparing for their own defense. It is also announced that a list of 101 towns has been named in Russia in which the Jews will be permitted to acquire property, but not outside of these places and the ones hitherto named.
International Exchange Commission
Another commission has been appointed to seek some way of enabling the "silver-using countries" to place their monetary affairs on a more satisfactory basis. This commission is known as the "International Exchange Commission," and will meet first in London and then in Paris. Delegates from America will take part in the deliberations.
Expulsion of Mormon Missionaries
Final action has been taken by the German Government in the matter of the expulsion of the Mormon missionaries. Notices have been served upon ninety of these missionaries to quit the German Empire within three weeks. The Mormons are still looking to the Government of the United States to intercede in their behalf.
Move Against Lax Divorce Laws
A concerted move against the lax divorce laws of the country is now in progress. Ministers of the various denominations will participate in the movement which will be formally inaugurated in New York City the coming autumn, when a convention is to be held there to consider the matter and formulate plans of co-operation.
President Roosevelt Returns From the West
President Roosevelt, on June 5, ended his tour of over two months through the western States and territories. He was accorded a hearty reception by the people of the capital city. The President has heartily enjoyed his trip through the great West, which was entirely free from any accident or unpleasant occurrence.
Volcanic Eruption in the Loo Choo Islands
A volcanic eruption of great severity is reported from the Loo Choo group of Japanese islands, and the governor of the islands has requested the Japanese Government to rescue the inhabitants. The latter are leaving, abandoning their crops, fearing the fate which befell the inhabitants of St. Pierre.
Insurgents Defeated in Cebu
Two hundred insurgents in the island of Cebu, Philippines, attacked a company of American soldiers about May 22, and were defeated with a loss of 68 killed and 29 captured. The losses on the American side are not given.
SOCIETY.
By Mary Wood-Allen
Founding a Home.
[[FIGURE]]
SOME years ago I stopped at a so-called family hotel which a number of young married people made their abiding-place. The men were away all day at business, while the women had nothing to do but shop, visit, play cards, or make fancy work. In this life of elegant leisure they doubtless thought themselves more fortunate than the young wives who, in obscure homes, were cooking, scrubbing, and washing dishes, but they were mistaken. They were contributing nothing to the welfare of humanity, while the obscure housewife in her round of simple, homely duties is not only making her family comfortable, but is building into the fabric of national character the virtues of thrift, industry, order, and loving service.
Housekeeper Versus Home-maker.
It may seem a very small thing when two young people set up a little unpretentious home of their own, but, in truth, it is a deed of national importance. The housewife may well "magnify her office," for she is the teacher in the great school which determines the characteristics of the nation; and well it is for the nation when she is home-maker as well as housekeeper, for there is sometimes a difference. All housekeepers are not home-makers, indeed may be far from it. House-keepers are too often "ridden by things," as Emerson says. The house takes precedence of the family, and ease, comfort, and happiness must be sacrificed to order. The home-maker may not be the most perfect housekeeper, but, with her, souls take precedence of things, and she is willing to endure a little wholesome disorder in order that home shall be the place where the family desire to stay. The housekeeper is restless and unhappy if there is an unwashed dish or an undusted room in the house; but the home-maker, loving neatness equally well, is willing to postpone the duties for a chat or a ride with her husband. Said a housekeeper to a home-maker, "My husband wanted me to go out into the country with him yesterday right after dinner, and I wanted to go so badly, but I couldn't, for the dinner dishes must be washed, you know, even if the heavens fall."
"No, I don't know," said the home-maker. "I know that I should have covered up the dishes and have gone and spent a golden afternoon with my husband out in the pure, country air, and I shouldn't have thought of the dishes all the time."
"Well, I haven't such an easy conscience," said the housekeeper with a tone of superior virtue. "I believe a woman's first duty is to her home."
"So do I," said the home-maker, "but the house is not all there is of the home. Husband and children come first, after them the house, and if their happiness or welfare demand a sacrifice of 'things,' then 'things' shall go."
The home-maker must judge of relative values. She must be able to decide whether the care of the house is the paramount thing, or whether it is best, in the truest interests of home, to shut the eyes to some things that would offend the housewifely instincts and keep the family close around her and happy. Too often children are driven out of the house because they bring in their childish dirt and disorder, and later they stay out because they have found some place more attractive, and the mother sits in her orderly room alone and broken-hearted.
The Husband's Share.
The home is woman's especial domain, and fortunate is she if she had some training in its management. But the man has also a share of the responsibility of home-making. To many men getting married is little more than change of boarding-house. They have been boarding with one landlady at so much per week. Now they have another landlady whose entire expense they bear. They come to the home to eat, sleep, and read the paper, and to criticize the management perhaps, and that is all the responsibility they feel. Business occupies them. The wife has no share in that. Home occupies her, why should he be burdened with its care? This is not a true division of interests. The wife should know about the business and be interested in it according to her ability. The husband should know about the home and manifest his interest by helpful deeds. He can not be a part of the home if he is only a boarder.
One bright spring morning a woman arose at 6 o'clock, built a fire, pumped water, swept the porch, without having time for more than a fleeting glance at the glories of the new day. She fried potatoes, made coffee, cooked steak, and walked a weary way across the large kitchen from pantry to dining-room as she arranged the morning meal. When all was done she rang the bell, and her husband came down stairs, bright and genial, and in good fellowship with the world. He ate with a vigorous appetite, while the wife leaned her pale face upon her hand and said she could not eat, she was not hungry. The man looked at her uncomprehendingly. He did not understand how she could feel so. He was troubled and set about in his mind to find a remedy. It was soon found.
"What you need," he said, "is exercise. If you would walk a mile before breakfast it would give you an appetite. It always does me."
This was a well-meaning husband, but he did not realize his part in the home-making.
To the wife should not be left all the toil, all the anxiety, with no one to give a thought to her, or lift a helping hand. If this husband, with his surplus of vigor, had arisen first, made the fire, pumped the water, swept the porch, and taken a few of the steps needed in setting the table, the wife would not have exhausted her entire strength in preparing a breakfast for him to eat alone. Indeed, after a few mornings of such assistance, he would perhaps have seen the necessity of a new pump; would have made a rolling table which, carrying all at once the articles needed in the dining-room, would save miles of travel in the course of a year; and best of all, he might have been awakened to the needlessness of such an elaborate breakfast, and would have put in a plea for simple fare involving less labor for the housekeeper, and in reality promising more of health for the family.
Well would it be, not only for individuals but for the nation, if a simpler home life could prevail; if we could come to feel that life is not merely eating, drinking, and sleeping; it is thinking lofty thoughts; it is having time to commune with God and each other; and home is the place where the sweet joys of loving service are to be felt in their greatest perfection.
THE HOME
VENTILATION OF THE SICK ROOM.
By A. J. Sanderson, M.D.
Of all places where fresh air is needed, and where respired air becomes entirely unfit to support life, the sick-room stands pre-eminent. Altho as a rule it is the mistaken tendency of the sick to exclude the fresh air, which in reality they urgently need, in nearly all cases of illness there is an enfeebled reaction to resist exposure. This is cultivated on the part of the invalid by his having clothed and protected himself more and more against strong and beneficial external influences. Having created the unnatural condition by which nature's largest benefits have become a source of annoyance and danger to him, he often intensifies this condition by his acquired morbid fear of fresh air.
The amount of impurities that are exhaled from the tissues of the body are greatly increased in any sickness, and oftentimes the atmosphere is contaminated, not only by this increased amount of poisonous product, but often actually diseased germs mingle themselves with the respired atmosphere of the invalid. Nowhere is fresh air and sunshine so much needed as in the place where the sick constantly abide. This is essential, both in the interests of the patient and the attendant. The necessity for tissue repair and renovation is greatly increased, and, on the other hand, the powers of respiration and free circulation of the blood are lessened. Hence the urgent necessity of keeping the atmosphere in the room as fresh and as abundant and as full of sunlight as possible.
When the sick-room is kept closed, the greatest restoring agent is withheld; and the chances for recovery are very much lessened. The methods of ventilating a sick-room are not different from those which apply to ordinary dwellings, but they must be taken care of with far greater vigilance. The atmosphere must be changed in such a way that the temperature of the room will not be constantly altered, and drafts must be avoided. Ventilation must be kept up at night as well as in the day. The dread of night air that is acquired by some patients under ordinary circumstances is but a morbid fear. If the room is properly heated, as much air can be admitted as during the day; and if the case does not demand artificial heat, the proper clothing should be used, and the air should be allowed to enter, even if it is not heated.
The atmosphere of the sick-room may be kept as dry or as moist as is best for the case in hand. In acute diseases, especially those of the respiratory tract, it is best that there should be a moist atmosphere. In chronic diseases, especially of the lungs, a dry atmosphere is preferable.
Cold air is not necessarily pure air, so one must not relax his vigilance on the ground that the atmosphere feels cold. All patients, especially those who are susceptible, should be arranged in the room where they will avoid all drafts. This can be done by properly arranging the position of the beds, and carefully directing the air-currents that enter the room. If a patient is near a window, on a cold day he is liable to feel the draft, not from fresh air, but from the atmosphere of the room coming in contact with the glass and being chilled, and thus in its downward flow toward the floor it creates a slight draft, which is made up of impure air rather than fresh air, and is consequently even more unwholesome to the individual. If a room seems to be drafty whatever position the bed may be placed in, a high screen placed before the bed will often give the patient the proper protection.
It requires but little effort to arrange all these details so that the patient may have the benefit of the best life-restorer and blood-purifier that nature provides.
The opening wide of the windows of a sick-room, and changing the atmosphere completely, will be of great benefit to the patient, and can usually be accomplished during the warmer and most sunshiny part of the day. If the patient is very susceptible, and you have conveniences to do so, he might be11moved to the adjoining room, while the room, bedding, etc., is being thus thoroughly aired.
Houses that are situated in damp and marshy places, where there is constantly a great deal of slow decomposition or oxidation going on in the soil, should have the sleeping rooms and sick-chamber arranged in the second story of the dwelling. This will avoid the danger of an infected atmosphere that often exists near the ground in places where houses are located on low, wet places.
The sick-chamber is not the only place where sick people are met. Thousands of people who go daily about the streets and gather in public halls have conditions of the system which lead to the exhaling of manifold more poisonous and obnoxious products than are ordinarily exhaled by the individual. This is a vital reason why public buildings should be thoroughly ventilated. Where a large number of people are gathered in a single room, there are always a number of persons whose breath is more than ordinarily poisonous, and this necessitates proportionately-increased ventilating facilities in order that others shall not suffer.
A. J. SANDERSON, M.D.
HOME IN THE HEART.
By Eliza Cook
O, ask not a home in the mansions of pride,
Where marble shines out in the pillars and walls;
Tho the roof be of gold, it is brilliantly cold,
And joy is not found in its torch-lighted halls.
But seek for a bosom all honest and true,
Where love once awakened will never depart;
Then turn to that breast like the dove to its nest,
And you'll find there's no home like a home in the heart.
O! link but one spirit that's warmly sincere,
That will heighten your pleasure and solace your care,
Find a soul you may trust as the kind and the just,
And be sure the wide world holds no treasure so rare.
Then the frowns of misfortune may shadow our lot,
The cheek-searing tear-drops of sorrow may start,
But a star never dim sheds a halo for him
Who can turn for repose to a home in the heart.
—Eliza Cook.
