BEFORE his death Jesus had, in the upper chamber, told his disciples that after he was risen he would go before them into Galilee; and on the morning of the resurrection the angel at the sepulcher had said unto the women, "Go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you."
MUCH of the time of the Saviour's ministry was spent on the shores of Galilee, and there many of his most wonderful miracles were performed. As the disciples gathered together in a place where they were not likely to be disturbed, their minds were full of Jesus and his mighty works. On this sea, when their hearts were filled with terror, and the fierce storm was hurrying them on to destruction, Jesus had walked upon the crested billows to their rescue. Here the wildest storm was hushed by his voice, which said to the raging deep, "Peace, be still." Within sight was the beach, where, by a mighty miracle, he had fed above ten thousand persons from a few small loaves and fishes. Not far distant was Capernaum, the scene of his most wonderful manifestations, in healing the sick and in raising the dead. As the disciples looked again upon Galilee, their minds were full of the words and deeds of their Saviour.
THE evening was pleasant, and Peter, who retained much of his old love for boats and fishing, proposed that they should go out upon the sea and cast their nets. This proposition met with the approval of all, for they were poor and in need of food and clothing, which they would be able to procure with the proceeds of a successful night's fishing. So they went out upon the sea in their boat, to pursue their old employment. But they toiled through the entire night with no success. Through the long, weary hours they talked of their absent Lord, and recalled the scenes and events of thrilling interest which had been enacted in that vicinity, and of which they had been witnesses. They speculated upon what their own future would be, and grew sad at the prospect before them.
ALL the while a lone watcher upon the shore followed them with his eye, while he himself was unseen. At length the morning dawned. The boat was but a little distance from the shore, and the disciples saw a stranger standing upon the beach, who accosted them with the question, "Children, have ye any meat?" Not recognizing Jesus, they answered, "No." "And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes."
THE disciples were filled with wonder at the result of their trial; but John now discerned who the stranger was, and exclaimed to Peter, "It is the Lord." Joy now took the place of disappointment. Peter immediately girt about him his fisher's coat, and, throwing himself into the water, was soon standing by the side of his Lord. The other disciples came in their boat, dragging the net with fishes. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."
THEY were too much amazed to question whence came the fire and the repast. "Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught." Peter, obeying the command, rushed for the net which he had so unceremoniously dropped, and helped his brethren drag it to the shore. After the work was all done, and the preparation made, Jesus bade the disciples come and dine. He broke the bread and the fish, and divided it among them, and in so doing he was known and acknowledged of all the seven. The miracle of feeding the five thousand upon the mountain-side was now brought distinctly to their minds; but a mysterious awe was upon them, and they kept silent as they looked upon their risen Saviour.
THEY remembered that at the commencement of his ministry a similar scene had been enacted to that which had just taken place. Jesus had then bidden them launch out into the deep, and let down their nets for a draught, and the net had broken because of the amount of fishes taken. Then he had bidden them leave their nets and follow him, and he would make them fishers of men. This last miracle that Jesus had just wrought was for the purpose of making the former miracle more impressive; that the disciples might perceive that, notwithstanding they were to be deprived of the personal companionship of their Master, and of the means of sustenance by the pursuit of their favorite employment, yet a resurrected Saviour had a care over them, and would provide for them while they were doing his work. Jesus also had a purpose in bidding them cast their net upon the right side of the ship. On that side stood Christ upon the shore. If they labored in connection with him—his divine power uniting with their human effort—they would not fail of success.
THE disciples expected that Peter would no longer be allowed to occupy the prominent position in the work which he had hitherto held, and he himself had lost his customary self-confidence. But Jesus, while dining by the seaside, singled out Peter, saying, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?" referring to his brethren. Peter had once said, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended," and had expressed himself ready to go to prison and to death with his Master. But now he puts a true estimate upon himself in the presence of the disciples: "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." In this response of Peter there is no vehement assurance that his affection is greater than that of his companions; he does not even express his own opinion of his devotion to his Saviour, but appeals to that Saviour, who can read all the motives of the human heart, to himself judge as to his sincerity,—"Thou knowest that I love thee."
THE reply of Jesus was positively favorable to the repentant disciple, and placed him in a position of trust. It was, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus applied the test to Peter, repeating his former words: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" This time he did not ask the disciple whether he loved him better than did his brethren. The second response of Peter was like the first, free from all extravagant assurances: "Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee." Jesus said unto him, "Feed my sheep." Once more the Saviour put the trying question: "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?" Peter was grieved, for he thought the repetition of this question indicated that Jesus did not believe his statement. He knew that his Lord had cause to doubt him, and with an aching heart he answered, "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep."
THREE times had Peter openly denied his Lord, and three times did Jesus draw from him the assurance of his love and loyalty, by pressing home that pointed question, like a barbed arrow to his wounded heart. Jesus, before the assembled disciples, brought out the depth of Peter's penitence, and showed how thoroughly humbled was the once boasting disciple. He was now intrusted with the important commission of caring for the flock of Christ. Though every other qualification might be unexceptionable, yet without the love of Christ he could not be a faithful shepherd over the Christian flock. Knowledge, eloquence, benevolence, gratitude, and zeal are all aids in the good work, but without an inflowing of the love of Jesus in the heart, the work of the Christian minister is a failure.
JUST prior to the fall of Peter, Jesus had said to him, "Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." That period had now come, and the transformation wrought in Peter was evident. The close, testing questions of the Lord had not provoked one forward, self-sufficient reply; and because of his humiliation and repentance he was better prepared than ever before to fill the office of shepherd to the flock.667THE lesson which he had received from the chief Shepherd, in the treatment of his case, was a most important one to Peter, and also to the other disciples. It taught them to deal with the transgressor with patience, sympathy, and forgiving love. During the time in which Peter denied his Lord, the love which Jesus bore him never faltered. Just such love should the under-shepherd feel for the sheep and lambs committed to his care. Remembering his own weakness and failure, Peter was to deal with his flock as tenderly as Christ had dealt with him.
JESUS walked alone with Peter, for there was something which he wished to communicate to him only. In that memorable upper chamber, previous to his death, Jesus had said to his disciple, "Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards." Peter had replied to this: "Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake." Jesus now, in sympathy for him, and that he might be strengthened for the final test of his faith in Christ, opened before him his future. He told him that after living a life of usefulness, when age was telling upon his strength, he should indeed follow his Lord. Said Jesus, "When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God."
JESUS here explicitly stated to Peter the fact and manner of his death; he even referred to the stretching forth of his hands upon the cross; and after he had thus spoken he repeated his former injunction: "Follow me." The disciple was not disconcerted by the revelation of his Master. He felt willing to suffer any death for his Lord.
PETER was now an entirely converted man; but the honor and authority received from Christ did not give him supremacy over his brethren. He was venerated, and had much influence in the church because of the favor of God in forgiving him his apostasy, and intrusting to him the feeding of his flock, and because he ever remained one of the closest followers of Christ in his daily life.—Mrs. E. G. White, in Great Controversy.
THE WORK IN FRANCE.
By William Clarence White
Our brethren who are holding a tent meeting at Nimes are of good courage. The efforts which were made by the rowdies to break up the meeting, although most persistent, were finally overcome. But many of those who desired to attend the meetings ceased to come on account of the disturbances which attended the first meetings. Thus the work was greatly hindered. To inform the people that the disturbance had ceased, and secure an attendance at the meetings, it became necessary for our brethren to do much visiting from house to house. In connection with the visiting they have distributed several thousand each of three numbers of an eight-page tent journal. From the very first a deep interest has been manifested in the Bible-readings held at the tent, and at one or two other places in the city. Twice a week an afternoon reading was held in the tent, and the attendance has been from twenty-five to sixty persons, while it has been quite difficult to find opportunities to hold readings in other places, yet whenever the way has opened, the attendance has been very encouraging. We would naturally expect the work to move slowly in a place like Nimes. The majority, even of the Protestants, are so unaccustomed to Bible study that they are slow to grasp the great truths connected with the Third Angel's Message; and we believe that our laborers must patiently teach the truth for a long time before any large number will comprehend its importance sufficiently to take up the cross of obedience. Already ten or twelve are keeping the Sabbath. In Vergeze, a village not far from Nimes, there is also quite an interest, and meetings are held there once or twice a week.
W. C. WHITE.
Basel, Switzerland.
THE PARABLES OF JESUS.
Lesson VIII.—The Unjust Steward.
(Sabbath, November 20.)
1. WHAT accusation was brought against the steward of a certain rich man?
"And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods." Luke 16 : 1.
2. After calling the steward to him, what question did the master ask him?
"And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward." Verse 2.
3. What did he ask him to do? Same verse.
4. What decision did the master make?
5. What inquiry did the steward then put to himself?
"Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship; I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed." Verse 3.
6. By what difficulties was he beset? Same verse.
7. What good did he hope to secure by the course he resolved to pursue?
"I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses." Verse 4.
8. What question did he ask each of his lord's debtors, as he called them to him one by one?
"So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?" "Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, A hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write four-score." Verses 5, 7.
9. What answer did the first one make?
"And he said, A hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty." Verse 6.
10. What did the unjust steward tell him to do?
11. What did the second one say? Verse 7.
12. What was he told to do? Same verse.
13. How was the steward's artifice regarded by his master?
"And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely; for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." Verse 8.
14. What remark is made concerning the worldly wisdom often manifested by ungodly men? Same verse.
15. What counsel is then given?
"And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." Verse 9.
16. What is said about faithfulness?
"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Verse 10.
17. What about those who are unjust in small matters? Same verse.
18. What important question is then asked?
"If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" Verse 11.
19. What is here meant by "the true riches"?
—Probably the riches of grace, and the enjoyments of the world to come.
20. What is meant by "the unrighteous mammon"?—The wealth of this world.
21. How can Christians be faithful with this kind of wealth?—By using it as God has commanded.
22. What has he said with reference to it?
"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase." Prov. 3:9. "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." "Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the Heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth." Luke 6:38; 12:33.
23. What encouragement is given to those who make such a good use of worldly means?
"The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." "He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse." Prov. 11:25; 19:17; 28:27.
24. How is true generosity illustrated?
"For I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee a hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the king shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:35-40.
25. How does our Lord show the folly of having the heart set upon worldly riches, and trying to serve God at the same time?
"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Luke 16:13.
26. How is it that the "children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light"?—Those who seek worldly wealth and honor devote all their energies and the best of their ability to the end they have in view; while those who seek heavenly riches often put forth weak or divided efforts.
27. How did the Pharisees treat the doctrine of liberality which Jesus was trying to impress?
"And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things; and they derided him." Verse 14.
28. Why did they deride him? Same verse.
29. How did Jesus reprove them?
"And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts." First part of verse 15.
30. How does God's estimation of things often differ from the judgment of men?
"For that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." Last part of verse 15.
31. How were men showing their appreciation of the new light which was given them by the preaching of John the Baptist and our Lord?
"The law and the prophets were until John; since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." Verse 16.
32. How did Jesus set forth the importance and steadfastness of God's law?
"And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail." Verse 17.
33. How did he intimate that the Jews had been careless in the observance of that law, even while claiming to guard it so jealously?
"Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery; and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery." Verse 18.
Note.
What Called Out the Parable.—Among the great multitudes who had thronged after him, the publicans of the district were especially noticeable. Many of them were, doubtless, in a good position in life, and some even rich, but all were exposed to peculiar temptations in their hated calling. Now a few seem to have listened earnestly to the first teacher who had ever treated them as men with souls to save, and it was of the greatest importance to them that they should have wise and true principles for their future guidance. . . . The following parable seems to have been delivered specially to them, as part of an address, when they had gathered in more than usual numbers.—Dr. Geikie.
Rest in Christ
By Colville
As soon as a soul receiveth Christ for its Saviour, then is a man at rest and within a quiet harbor. Christ and his righteousness calmeth the sea of God's wrath. When Christ is received he quiets and stills the conscience that formerly, from a sense of God's wrath, raged as a troubled sea.—Colville.
The Flowers of Japan.
IN the spring in Japan the plum and cherry blossoms are the great attraction. The fruit of these trees is worthless, but the flowers are as large and as double as a small rose. These trees are planted in great numbers about the temples. The grounds of the famous temples of Uyeno in the city of Tokio are visited in February and March every day by hundreds of people who go there expressly to feast their eyes on these cloudlike masses of pink and white beauty. At Mukojima, just above Tokio, the road extending along the bank of the river is lined on both sides for several miles by these trees.
When they are in bloom the streets are actually thronged on pleasant days by people who come to see the flowers, and the smiling faces and bright costumes of the pleasure-seekers, together with the natural beauties of the place, make one almost feel that he has been suddenly transported to Fairyland.
The roses of Japan are scarcely worthy of mention, but the wistaria and azaleas surpass anything of the kind to be seen in America. In April and May the scarlet azaleas glow like camp-fires on the mountain-sides, and the white ones look so snow-like that one almost expects to see them melt away in the presence of their flaming sisters, while the wistaria purples the bold bluffs, or, clambering up the quaint thatch roofs of the farm-houses, adds one more charm to pictures already enchanting. The latter is often trained to form beautiful arbors. Sometimes the clusters are from thirty to thirty-five inches long.
After the azaleas and wistaria comes the shobu, or blue flag. Nowhere, perhaps, is this cultivated to such an extent, and with such success, as in Japan. Large beds containing scores of varieties can be seen at Horikiri, near Tokio, if one is fortunate enough to go there at the proper season. These beds are often bordered by rows of fragrant calla lilies, and it is quite a favorite excursion with both the native and foreign residents of Tokio to go up the river in a pleasure boat as far as Horikiri and have cake and tea at one of the many charming rest-houses inside this garden.
In the summer months the moats of Tokio are covered with the sacred lotus. Buddha, whom millions of the Japanese still worship, is usually represented as resting on one of these flowers, and among the decorations of Buddhist temples artificial lotus blossoms are always prominent. This flower is either white or rose-colored, and rises a little above the water, instead of being deftly buried on it. Still the moats, with their covering of thick blue-green leaves, and the exquisite waxen-petaled flowers, are often suggestive of lilied lakelets in America. The roots of the lotus plant are used by the natives for food, and it is said that the plants in the moats which lie around the present residence of the Mikado yield quite a rich revenue, a portion of them merely having recently been let to a seller of lotus roots for about four hundred dollars a year.
Out in the country in the summer we find piles of mountain hydrangea, white almost as Scotland's snow wreaths; airy, argus-eyed lilies with great golden hearts; pink-tasseled mimosas with quivering frondlike leaves; fragrant clematis twining lovingly about old stumps and trees, as if to screen their unsightliness; ivies luxuriant as those that clothe the square Norman towers of Yorkshire's old churches; and mosses—oh, such a wealth of them! delicate maiden-hair, graceful lycopodium, and lichens silvery-gray with tiny coral-tipped cups uplifted to the sylvan deities. The feathery bamboo can be seen everywhere, and occasionally one sees a palmyra palm, while evergreens are so numerous that a Japanese landscape never looks broken and bare.
But the flower of Japan is the chrysanthemum. According to an old superstition, the "dewy juices in the heart of the chrysanthemum are the elixir of life." It is the Mikado's crest, and is a favorite figure in the decorative arts of the country. From 1336 to 1390 there were two Mikados ruling or attempting to rule in Japan, and the war carried on to settle the supremacy of the rival Mikados is known in history as the War of the Chrysanthemums.
These flowers bloom in early autumn, and last until midwinter. They are seen in almost all colors and sizes, and they vary in shape from that of the regular China aster to that of the irregular ragged robin. Every year there is an exhibition of chrysanthemums, in Tokio, which is very interesting. In the garden where it is given, small booths are erected in which are represented scenes in Japanese life, and also tableaux from the history and mythology of the country. The figures are images in clay or plaster of Paris, and the costumes are formed by covering these images with wire or bamboo frames and training chrysanthemum plants to cover these frames.
Before the chrysanthemums are gone, camellias begin to appear, of which there are many varieties; indeed, the tea plant itself is said to be one.
The camellias in Japan, like those grown in hot-houses here, are very regular in shape, and the Japanese make most skillful imitations of them in crêpe and paper. Indeed, the natural flowers look so artificial, and the artificial flowers so natural, that one finds it difficult to distinguish between them sometimes. A friend, once seeing a very symmetrical pink camellia on the table, said, "Humph! I could make a more natural-looking flower than that myself." On taking it up, she found to her astonishment that it was a real one.
The camellias last until the coming of the plum and cherry blossoms, in the early spring; so there is no season of the year when we cannot have bouquets of real flowers in our homes. —Youth's Companion.
Worn-Out Hands.
By Christian Union
WE can see them every day. Poor, worn-out hands, trembling, wrinkled, and unsightly; yet to me how beautiful they are! They have done so much. Their loving work began in infancy. That was many, many years ago, when they, too, were dimpled and white. What tiny hands they were then!
But we find it hard to believe that grandma ever was a baby. We can hardly picture her in the dainty robes she must have worn. Still she had her little niche in the happy household, and she filled it after her own perfect baby fashion. Father and mother both felt the tender touch of her soft, caressing fingers. The former went forth to his daily toil with renewed strength and courage, and the latter's added duties only seemed to grow lighter as the days flew by.
Baby grew fast. A few years later, what busy little hands she had! They were thrust into everything, and if destruction followed, "helping mamma" was the sweet excuse which always shielded their pretty owner. But soon they were a help indeed; always willing and ready. Ah, what dear hands they were!
And they were destined to become still dearer. Only a few more years, and then an impatient lover had circled one slender finger with a golden engagement ring. They seemed the warmest hands he had ever clasped. Love was the only matchmaker and their marriage quickly followed. Charles would have his way. How they missed her—father, mother, brothers, and sisters—when those same dear hands had vanished to deftly make ready the new home nest! They beautified it until the proud young husband thought there could be no lovelier spot in all the wide, wide world.
Another year; they were mother-hands then, and their real life-work had just begun, and, if possible, they were more diligent than ever before. They even found time for other work outside the little home. The needy, sick, and afflicted were helped in a thousand different ways. They were benevolent hands.
And years of peace, happiness, and prosperity were given them in return. Twice had the cozy home been enlarged; the loved faces God had sent filled it to overflowing.
After a time one left it, never to return. How the patient, pitying mother-hands hovered round that dear one in the last sad hour! They tremblingly closed the sightless eyes, gathered sweet, fresh roses to lay on the downy pillow, tenderly raised the coffin-lid for one last look, and finally planted vines and flowers on the newly-made grave. After that the home work went on as usual only there was one less to do for. How strange it seemed!
One by one the others left her side; the boys to make their way in the great Babylon called town, and the girls to exchange the old home for new ones here and there. So mother's hands fondly prepared each outfit as it was needed; knitting stockings and making bridal robes were all the same to her.
Then, after thirty years of earnest, loving toil, her tired hands took a little needed rest. All the children had gone from her. There was only husband to care for now, and his wants were so few in comparison with what theirs had been! Her tender, wifely hands often lingered lovingly on his head. Poor Charles! his once thick, black hair was now thin and gray. He was growing old; but surely he was now dearer than ever. The children could live without her. As in the beginning, he was again her all.669But ten years later he was taken from her.
Oh, the agony of that parting! His dying kiss fell on the dear, tear-wet hands that had always scattered flowers along his life-path. They fashioned his shroud. She would not suffer a strange hand to perform that last sad service. Soon he peacefully slept in the little village church-yard, and she was all alone in the old nest. How empty it was! Her hands were quite idle now. No work to do, no loved ones to wait upon. Only self left.
At her tearful request, one child, a daughter, returned, bringing with her five fatherless little ones. Then grandma gladly took up the broken threads of her life-work. There was still so much to be done. It seemed as though all her own children were back again. She knew just what to do for them. Their many childish wants and necessities were to her an open book, which she read with delight. Little Charles was grandpa's namesake. How she loved the bonny boy!
But at last the grandchildren left home, just as her own had done. Grandma's loving farewell followed them like a blessing. They can never forget her.
She is almost ninety now. There she sits in the roomy rocking chair in which dear grandpa died thirty long years ago. Her work is all done.
Poor, worn-out hands! Age and disease have crippled them, but they are not unsightly. No, no! Some day they will be folded, cold and white, upon her quiet breast; and the sweet rest of the weary will be hers at last.
The Home Circle.
By Mrs. Lyman Wolcott Hall
JESUS WEPT.
WE challenge all the beautiful
In earth, in Heaven, in air,
The rosebud in its loveliness
And dew-drops shining there.
We challenge all sublimities,
That e'er o'er ether swept,
And nothing seems so wonderful
As tears that Jesus wept.
We've seen the gold of Ophir's mine,
And gems of beauty rare;
We've watched the golden canopy,
With coronets so fair;
We've felt the power of eloquence,
Where not an eyelid slept,
But nothing seems so glorious
As tears that Jesus wept.
We challenge all the symphonies,
With all their power to charm,
And all life-giving principles
Of every healing balm;
We challenge all the affluence
In nature's storehouse kept,
And these have no comparison
With tears that Jesus wept.
Yea, there's a balm in Gilead,
And a Physician there;
Our great High Priest in holiness,
Who yields his tender care;
His heart is full of sympathy,
And will our prayer accept;
We need not be disconsolate,
Since for us Jesus wept.
And may'st thou find in early life
Those tears were shed for thee,
And may thy hope be centered there
For all eternity;
Then come what may, come life or death,
No power can intercept,
Since Jesus' prayers avail for thee,
And for thee Jesus wept.
—Mrs. Lyman Wolcott Hall.
Health and Temperance.
Tea Drinkers' Diseases.
It is not a little curious that the diseases arising from the wrong use of tea should be met with in greater frequency in countries foreign to its growth. It might have been supposed that where production went on, there would be found those evils that attend the consumption of tea in their greatest extent; but such does not appear to be the case. The diseases due to tea are well known to doctors, but the public seems to be strangely indifferent to the teaching of their medical advisers in these matters. Recently, in France, M. Eloy has reminded medical men how vast is the number of diseases owning an allegiance to the dominion of Queen Tea. The list of headings in M. Eloy's paper is well calculated to arouse attention, and, we hope, to lead to some abatement of this widespread disorder.
America and England are the two countries that are afflicted most with the maladies arising from the excessive consumption of tea. Individuals may suffer in a variety of ways. It is customary to speak of acute, subacute, and chronic "theism,"—a form that has no connection with theological matters. It is possible to be a "theic" by profession or a "theic" by passion. The predominance of nervous symptoms is a characteristic of theism; general excitations of the functions of the nervous system may be observed; or the weakness may be noted more especially in the brain as distinguished from the spinal cord. Perversion of the sense of hearing is not at all an uncommon symptom—patients hearing voices that have no real or objective existence. The irritability that overtakes women so frequently may sometimes be clearly traced to an excessive indulgence in an afternoon tea.
It is a mistake to suppose that it is the poor seamstress who is the chief sufferer from theism. No doubt the tannin which tea that has been standing long contains does a great amount of mischief, but the derangement that it causes hardly belongs to that class of diseases with which we are at present concerned. Rather does theism belong to that genus of disease in which morphinism, caffeism, and vanillism are found. The habit of tea drinking is one that grows on its victims like similar ones of opium or alcohol. There is hardly a morbid symptom which may not be traceable to tea as its cause. This is a fact that general practitioners often use to their own satisfaction and to their patient's advantage, if it happen to be that kind of patient who does not object to making some sacrifice in order to be rid of troubles.—Lancet.
Malignant Pustule.
A PATIENT suffering from this disease died recently in Guy's Hospital, London. He was employed on a wharf, in the handling of foreign hides, and undoubtedly contracted the disease from the hide of an animal which had been affected with the disease known by the French as charbon, by the Germans milzbrand, but by English-speaking people as anthrax. The patient noticed a pimple on the back of his neck, which in twenty-four hours became greatly enlarged, and the glands of the neck were swollen. The surgeons removed the enlarged pimple at once, but without avail, the man dying in about four days from the time he first noticed the pimple. This disease may also be contracted by the bite of an insect, a fly for instance, which has been feeding upon the carcass of an infected animal. The microbe of the disease is a bacillus (Bacillus anthracis), and was observed in the blood of cattle as long ago as 1849, by Pollender, although its importance was first recognized by Davaine, in 1850.—Scientific American.
Beer-Wagon Drivers.
If beer is a helper to temperance habits, as brewers claim, we would expect to see some evidence of this in those employed by brewers. For years we have observed in this city that the most dangerous class of drivers are those in charge of the teams belonging to the great breweries. Within a few days a passenger in a street-car had his arm broken by the pole of a beer-wagon crashing through the window. Within a week we saw the driver of a beer-wagon stretched on the pavement by the side of his wagon, from which he had fallen, apparently in drunken stupor. Not long since we watched a drunken driver on a beer-wagon driving his team from one side to the other of Fifth Avenue, endangering lives at every moment, and encountering no policeman for several squares. Not long since we saw the driver of a beer-wagon on a ferry-boat so stupefied by liquor that he could not take his team from the boat when it reached the slip. Very often we see them when they appear about to roll off their seats in helpless drunkenness, but such is the force of habit that they are able to make their way, even in this wretched condition. Doubtless other teamsters drink too much, but we do not observe any other class of drivers which presents so many instances of gross intoxication. If the observation of others and statistics confirm this impression, it will add much to the conviction that beer is nothing but one of the grosser elements of physical and moral degradation.—New York Observer, August 12, 1886.
Children's Parties Dangerous Affairs.
By Tid Bits
A NOTED physician of London, in his lecture on children and their diseases, calls attention to the fact that children's parties are dangerous affairs.
Have mothers ever thought for a moment of the wear and tear of the little mind from the time of the invitation to the moment the affair is in action? Do they know the danger of improper food and drink, and thin clothing, and shoes?
Do they realize that the little brain is in a whirl of excitement for days before and after the party; that the event is talked of in the nursery; that sleep is lost in uneasy, abortive dreams? What is still worse, the excitement continues a matter of after consideration in children of tender years; in fact, is continuous until many days have elapsed, perhaps does not disappear until another invitation is received.
The pleasures, pastimes, and amusements of children should be simple, unaffected, free from excitement and false surroundings. Parties will not enhance the pleasure or health of child-life. Mother, bear it well in mind.—Tid Bits.
Digging Out the Egyptian Sphinx.
M. RENAN publishes an earnest appeal on behalf of the excavations undertaken in Egypt by M. Maspero. The special object for which funds are just now needed is to clear away the sand which half buries the Great Sphinx of Ghizeh. Mr. Renan says:
"The clearing of the Great Sphinx was begun two months ago. Up to the present time the ordinary resources of the Boulak Museum have sufficed for the work, which might be completed in sixty days if money did not fail. About twenty thousand francs only are wanted.
"The Great Sphinx of Ghizeh, at two steps from the Pyramids, is, in my opinion, the most astonishing work of the hand of man which past ages have bequeathed to us. It is an immense bed of carved rock, about seventy meters in length. The height of the monstrous edifice, if it were cleared, would exceed that of the highest houses. No fashioned monument, either in the rest of Egypt or in the rest of the world, can be compared to this strange idol, the vestige of a stage of humanity which baffles all our ideas. The impression which such a spectacle must have produced on imaginative races, and who were dominated by the senses, may be understood from that experienced by the Egyptians of the present day when standing before that enormous head, emerging from the sand, and casting across the desert its sad look. The Arab, at this sight, flies terrified, either throwing a stone or firing a gun at the strange being.
"The temple opposite the Sphinx, if it is a temple, has also a character of its own. This fantastic construction resembles less the other temples of Egypt than the Parthenon resembles Notre Dame. But that all this ensemble, which is unique in the world, must be of the remotest antiquity is indisputable, since the statues found there are those of King Chepren, thus taking us back to ages which, everywhere but in Egypt, would be called fabulous."—London Standard.
Avoid Multiplicity of Business
Avoid as much as possible multiplicity of business. Never be envious to know what passes in the world any further than duty obliges you; it will only distort the mind when it should be better employed.—Bishop Milson.