Earlier text: OUR EARTHA REVIVAL OF ANCIENT SUPERSTITION
By G.
An Ominous Sign of the Times.
We have received, with a request to publish, the circular of a new Church-and-State movement. The predominant peculiarity of this movement is that it makes the Gospel of Christ dependent upon every government in the world for its dissemination. It proposes to carry the Gospel of salvation victoriously to all nations by simply attaching an outward symbol to the flag of each nation. The opening statement of the circular is as follows:— The “World-League for Christian Patriotism” has just been organized in Chicago. Its object is “to stimulate, aid, and unify movements for Christian patriotism, to hallow the flag, and to point to Christianity as the basis of human order and progress.” It seeks the world-wide use of an emblem, two crossed flags, one to stand for patriotism, the other for Christianity. The design of the latter is a crimson Latin cross on the small field of white, and on the larger field of blue the words, “By this Sign Conquer.” The use of this flag the world around in conjunction with the flag of each country, will, it is believed, be a most emphatic protest against anarchy, and a positive aid in fostering patriotism on a sure basis. History attests that the more importance men attach to forms and ceremonies and symbols, the further they depart from true principles. Display takes the place of real worth only in the estimation of superficial or credulous minds. The farther the Pharisees departed from the Word of God, the broader they made their phylacteries, and the more conspicuous their garments and their ceremonies. Only a misguided or ambitious mind will set up a fetish, and only a superstitious people will follow it. Making a standard of the crucifix, or outward sign, instead of the cross (spiritual) is equivalent to trusting in the blood of “bulls and of goats” instead of the blood of Christ. The proposition of this “world-league” is a revival of an ancient superstition in connection with the Emperor Constantine of Rome. Gibbon tells us that Constantine is reported (by Eusebius) “to have seen with his own eyes the luminous trophy of the cross, placed above the meridian sun, and inscribed with the words, ‘By this conquer.’ This amazing object in the sky astonished the whole army, as well as the emperor himself, who was yet undetermined in the choice of a religion; but his astonishment was converted into faith by the vision of the ensuing night. Christ appeared before his eyes; and displaying the same celestial sign of the cross, He directed Constantine to frame a similar standard, and to march, with an assurance of victory, against Maxentius, and against all his enemies.”—History of Christianity, p. 311. Gibbon deems the story a “fable,” and associates it with another romance by Nazarius, a pagan. The historian says: “Nazarius and Eusebius are the two most celebrated orators, who, in studied panegyrics, have labored to exalt the glory of Constantine. Nine years after the Roman victory, Nazarius describes an army of divine warriors, who seemed to fall from the sky. He marks their beauty, their spirit, their gigantic forms, the stream of light which beamed from their celestial armor, their patience in suffering themselves to be heard as well as seen, by mortals; and their declaration that they were sent, that they flew, to the assistance of the great Constantine. For the truth of this prodigy, the pagan orator appeals to the whole Gallic nation, in whose presence he was then speaking, and seems to hope that the ancient apparitions would now obtain credit from this recent and public event.”—Id. As to the statement of this world-league’s object, it seems a strange infatuation that this fallible human power is to have the wonderful endowment to “hallow” (make holy) the flag to which its emblem shall be attached. This proposition is of itself astounding; but when we consider the further assumption to vouchsafe victory to every country in the world that will set up this emblem in connection with its flag, the assurance is preposterous. For instance, Mohammedan Turkey would attach this league’s emblem of the cross to its crescent and star, and say to its armies; “By this conquer,” and the sultan’s subjects would be fired with such a degree of “Christian patriotism” that no foe could stand before them. All they would need would be the sign. All that Constantine had was the sign, according to the legend, to give victory to the Roman arms. Then the king of ancestor-worshiping Siam would attach the league’s emblem of the cross to his white-elephant flag, and his armies would be invincible. So, too, the heathen Chinese would connect the sign of the cross with the dragon flag of the empire, and what combination of foreigners could stand against the hordes of newly-fledged “Christian patriots”? That is the logic of the theory; but we must not forget that all the other nations are supposed to carry the same invincible sign in connection with their flags. Many people will say, Surely such an absurd proposition can not receive serious consideration. But this is an age of delusions, and the masses are easily attracted by glittering signs and promising schemes. The circular of this sanguine league says:— The striking emblem is used in various forms. As a button badge it was used last October by the one thousand delegates at the annual meeting of [O, the pity of it!] the American Missionary Association at Oak Park, Ill. Its fitness as an emblem of the home mission work of the churches is manifest. As a witness for God and government it is now being worn by many thousands in almost every State of the Union, and in Alaska, Cuba, Porto Rico, Hawaii, and the Philippine Islands. The emblem is also in use as a color print on stationery, church leaflets, etc. Publishers, aware of the spread of the movement, are asking permission to use the imprint on books, and a new song book now being issued in Chicago bears the imprint on its cover. The Cook County Sunday-school Association (Chicago) uses it on its purity and temperance pledge cards, and the Nebraska State Christian Endeavor Union has adopted the emblem for its civic clubs and work of Christian Citizenship. In addition the emblem is being used in the shape of banner flags, church decorations, etc., and is to be used as a design for stained-glass windows. This movement bids fair to leave its mark on history. Already it has started the observance of a Sunday each year in the Sunday-school as “Citizenship Sunday,” and given an emblem to the civic clubs on a Christian basis, now being organized everywhere. It is hallowing the flag and securing a larger use of it in the churches. It has enlisted the co-operation of Methodist, Baptist, Congregational, Lutheran, Christian, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic pastors on the Executive Board. Constantine was the first monarch actually to effect a union of the State with the Christian Church. The principle was brought over from paganism, and was originally a perversion of the true theocracy, afterward attempted in Israel. But the prophecy of Revelation 13 indicates that in the closing years of time the one-time deadly wound of this Church-and-State power will be healed, and all the world will wonder after the beast, and will say, “Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Then it is not surprising to see a revival of the ancient superstition connected with its introduction. It is not surprising to see such schemes adopted by those who imagine they see victory in the outward sign of the cross attached to the flags of the world. The power of the true Gospel of Christ is the Word of God; but “the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith.” It also says that “in the last days perilous times shall come,” because of the selfish worldliness of those who hold to “the form of godliness;” who put their trust in outward signs, and deny the power of true godliness—the Word of God—and lean upon the power of earthly governments. See 1 Tim. 4: 1; 2 Tim. 3: 1-5. It is the part of wisdom to beware of world-leagues for so-called “Christian patriotism.” They are world leagues indeed and in truth. PROSPECTS OF CARDINAL GIBBONS BEING POPE.
The Marquise de Fontenoy, a syndicate writer of several American papers, and a well-informed woman regarding affairs of Europe, and its courts in particular, presents the following interesting questions which have been asked her:— In the event of Cardinal Gibbons’ being elected pope at the next conclave, could he retain his American citizenship and his vote as such, and remain in this country? Would he be “compelled to reside in the Vatican” at Rome, and thus become “a prisoner of the Italian Government”? “In case our cardinal, being duly elected pope and remaining an American citizen, should, while remaining in the Vatican at Rome, be subjected to any indignity by the Italian Government, could he call upon the United States Government for protection?” Would the United States Government recognize Cardinal Gibbons, if elected pope, as sovereign and American citizen at the same time? Could the Italian Government prevent the legal election of Cardinal Gibbons? And, finally, would it not be extremely awkward for the Italian Government if a prominent citizen of a foreign power, such as the United States, should take up his residence in the Eternal City as a recognized sovereign? The marquise replies as follows (taken from the Philadelphia Press):— In the first place, while there is no law, ecclesiastical or otherwise, to prevent the election of Cardinal Gibbons to the chair of St. Peter, his elevation to the papacy is out of the question for several reasons. One is that the Roman Curia has for centuries made a point of invariably maintaining a large majority of Italian cardinals in the Sacred College, precisely for the purpose of preventing the election of any foreigner as pope. What with the numerical preponderance which the Italian cardinals already possess, and the fact that many of the foreign cardinals could not reach Rome in time for the conclave, the election of an Italian is a foregone conclusion. Then, too, the Sacred College is well aware that the Italian Government would not tolerate the presence at the Vatican of a foreign pontiff. The Italian Government has already made this thoroughly clear, and has given the church to understand that in the event of the election of a non-Italian as pope, the Vatican would have to be evacuated, and the headquarters of the Catholic Church be transferred to some other country. For the Italian Government naturally could not allow at the Vatican a pope of foreign nationality, with which the Italian Government might at any moment find itself at war. Take, for instance, the case of an Austrian cardinal being elected pope. Italy may find herself at any time at war with Austria. Indeed, there are many who are convinced that war between the two countries is bound to take place sooner or later. How, in that case, could Italy, finding herself at war with Austria, tolerate the presence at the Vatican of an Austrian pope? He would, of course, be suspected of not merely sympathizing with his fellow-countrymen, but of using his vast influence as head of the church in a sense inimical to Italy and in behalf of Austria. The situation would be intolerable. Not merely the Italian Government, but likewise the foreign powers and the Sacred College realize this,9 and the election of an Italian prelate to succeed Leo XIII. is a foregone conclusion. Neither the Italian Government nor any other foreign power has to-day, however, any legal right to forbid the election of Cardinal Gibbons or of any other member of the Sacred College to the papacy. The right of veto, that is to say, of barring this or that cardinal from election, was formerly enjoyed by the Austrian, Spanish, and French Governments, but is not now. With regard to another point raised by my correspondent, I would call his attention to the fact that the pope at Rome is not a prisoner of the Italian Government. His seclusion within the precincts of the Vatican is a matter of ecclesiastical policy. The pope is not recognized by the United States Government as a sovereign in a temporal sense, but merely as a very august personage, possessed of a right to certain sovereign honors and privileges. Uncle Sam does not maintain diplomatic relations with the pope. [The Philippine church-property question is changing all this rapidly.] Were Cardinal Gibbons elected pope, he would certainly remain an American. It is not conceivable that he would naturalize himself as an Italian. As far as the United States Government is concerned, he would retain his citizenship here, tho, of course, he would not exercise his electoral rights in connection therewith. Leo XIII. in the same way remains an Italian, altho the possession of the chair of St. Peter by international usage carries with it extra-territoriality, that is to say, immunity from the jurisdiction of all tribunals and courts of law, either of Italy or of any other power. MARQUISE DE FONTENOY. THE CRISIS OF THE REPUBLIC.
The Republic has reached a critical point in its history. Around the ideal of free government, erected by the great apostles of liberty, a stubborn conflict is being waged between the genius of despotism and the spirit of freedom; and the most alarming aspect of the battle is found in the indifference of the masses in the presence of a supreme peril. The reactionaries, who are at present so aggressive in State, in Church, and in the market-place, embody the spirit of a selfish egoistic materialism which scorns the ideal; and though frequently affecting a lofty morality in speech and action, they exemplify the same brutal indifference to the welfare of others, the same cynicism touching the principles of justice and brotherhood upon which Christianity rests, and which are the key-note of progress and enlightenment, that have been the most marked characteristics of every great nation when, with death chilling its heart, it has blossomed in the glory of a frost-touched maple, whose peculiar splendor is the certain and inevitable herald of barren, leafless, winter-locked limbs. History teaches no more solemn lesson than that whenever conscience ceases to govern and guide a people, whenever justice is thrust aside by greed or ambition; whenever the ideal of duty is supplanted by expediency, and whenever the fundamental demands of the law of solidarity are disregarded in the interests of a few, a nation, by so far as she is thus recreant to her high and holy trust, passes into eclipse, tho for a time her robings of material splendor and the hectic flush upon her cheek may seem to belie the impending doom.—The Arena. The Beginning of the War.
It will be of interest to those who have condemned Britannia as forcing the Boers to go to war, to learn again from Adolph De Wet, nephew of General De Wet, and himself a Boer soldier, that for years the Boers had been preparing for the war; that for weeks before the outbreak by Kruger, the Boers knew what was coming, and knew that “both the government and private individuals had for many months been accumulating munitions of war. To tell the truth, the Boers had supplies stored up for twice the number of their available fighting men, and, what is more, they doubtless have at present more than enough ammunition sacked to last them another year.” So says Mr. Truman L. Elton after an interview with young De Wet. The latter was a British prisoner at the Bermudas, but escaped to this country. Those who are informed know that Britain had no desire to go to war, but that the war was forced upon her. In some way God will bring good out of it to His own. Eighteen thousand peasants in the provinces of Poltava and Kharkoff, Russia, are reported to be participating in riots, having sacked 80 estates, where they destroyed everything they could not carry off. The whole region is terrorized, and landowners and stewards are fleeing for safety. The agitation at Moscow continues to be serious, and threatening letters are continually received by the Russian officials. One despatch states that the labor population of the whole central district of Russia is in revolt, and that many encounters have taken place between the troops and workmen. On the part of the troops there seems to be a growing disinclination to act against the people, and troops who have refused to fire on the peasants are being transferred to remote provinces as a punishment. Fifty-seven military officers have recently been arrested by the government. Gen. Nikolai Bobrikoff, the former governor of Finland, who has been Russianizing that province with much severity, has been appointed by the czar Minister of War, succeeding General Kuropatkin. This appointment is interpreted to indicate that the czar will grant no concessions to the liberals. Capture of a Moro Stronghold
with Grant's concessions to the Moros. On May 4, the command of General Davis in the island of Mindanao captured what is regarded as the stronghold of the Moro power. The despatch states that all the leading chiefs of the Moros in this fort were killed, and that the trenches around the forts were lined with Moro dead, while many more were lying in the tall grass. The total number of casualties could not be given. Eight of the Americans were killed and 34 wounded. Seven hundred Filipinos have surrendered in the island of Samar. This number includes General Guevarra, who was the leader in that island. Several hundred have surrendered in other parts of the Philippines, most of whom were armed simply with bolos and daggers. Thirty-five of the prisoners captured at the Moro fort were killed on the day following its capture while trying to escape. German Religious Freedom Bill
On May 1 the German Reichstag passed the third reading of the bill giving freedom of religious belief, association, and public and private worship throughout the empire, limited only to the proviso that this freedom shall not be used to the prejudice of civic or national duties. This bill is not passed yet, and there is no positive assurance that it will be. Chicago Corn Dealer Seeks Market Control
Geo. H. Phillips, known as the young corn king of Chicago on account of his remarkable speculation in corn, is now seeking to form a combination of the grain dealers of the United States that will control the entire market. Atlantic Steamship Trust Monopoly
THE Atlantic steamship trust has effected an understanding with the big German steamship companies for the purpose of eliminating competition in the Atlantic passenger and freight business, and also for the purpose of driving out of the business smaller and less influential companies. The German companies and the steamship trust will then eventually unite under one management, in effect if not in outward form, and monopolize the carrying business of the Atlantic. French Premier Targets Clergy for Election Interference
The French premier is planning to “deal with” members of the Catholic clergy, who, he states, “have grossly abused their ecclesiastical functions in a way which can not be tolerated.” He has forwarded to all prefects of departments a circular letter drawing attention to the interference of the clergy in the recent elections, and inviting the prefects to furnish the names of those who have so interfered, in order that he may take measures for their punishment. Congress Urged to Increase the Navy
The House Naval Committee, in reporting the new naval appropriation bill, urges upon Congress a more rapid increase in our navy. The report shows that in point of naval strength this country is not as strong comparatively as other nations, particularly Germany, which by the year 1908 will possess 38 battle-ships and 52 cruisers, with a large number of smaller vessels; while the naval strength of this country by that time will be much less than that. Family Hypnotized for Four Days
At Tonica, Illinois, on April 26, neighbors discovered that a whole family, consisting of mother and father and five children, had been thrown into a hypnotic sleep. They had been sleeping four days when found, and the young man who confessed to have done the hypnotizing had been unable to restore them to consciousness. On the day of the discovery the hypnotist succeeded in awaking two of the sleepers. Anti-Missionary Riots in China
The rioters in the province of Chi-li, China, continue to carry on their campaign, and have inscribed on their banners the words, “Abolish the missionaries.” Troops have been sent into the disturbed district to put down the rioters. One French priest has been killed and another captured by the rebels, and the French are consequently taking a serious view of the present situation. Test for Distinguishing Death from Catalepsy
A means of distinguishing death from catalepsy has been devised by Dr. Icard, of Marseilles, and submitted to the Academy of Sciences of France. He injects fluorescin, a strong coloring matter that is not poisonous, into the veins. If there is any circulation, the body will turn grass green in two minutes, but the color passes away in a couple of hours without doing any harm. Boers Accept British Peace Proposals
Advices from South Africa indicate that the Boers have decided to accept the British peace proposals. According to these reports, concessions on the part of Britain in the matter of punishment for the Cape rebels, and promise to rebuild the Boer farm-houses destroyed and restock the Boer farms, have been strong factors in leading the Boers to decide to give up the struggle. Revolution in Santo Domingo
REPORTS from Santo Domingo state that the government has been overthrown, and that the capital of this little republic is now in the hands of the revolutionists. President Jiminez has taken refuge in the French consulate. Vice-President Horatio Vasquez is the leader of the revolutionists, who are now in possession of every important town except Puerto Plata. Jewish Immigrants Flee Persecution
THOUSANDS of Jewish immigrants are coming to America to escape the systematic persecution of their enemies. Twelve thousand are leaving Rumania for New York. In the two days, May 2 and 3, 13,000 European immigrants arrived in New York City, which breaks all previous two-day records in the history of the immigration bureau. Railroad Tunnel Beneath Behring Strait
A FRENCH company is planning to build a railroad from Eagle City, Alaska, down the Yukon valley, under Behring Strait, and through Siberia to connect with the Russian railroad. It is stated that the tunnel would be 20 miles long, and that the greatest depth of water in this portion of the strait is only 180 feet. American Officers Arrested in Venice
FIVE officers of the American cruiser Chicago were arrested by the police of Venice on April 25 for disorderly conduct, and imprisoned. Through the intervention of the American consul and the clemency of the king of Italy, the men were finally pardoned and released, after paying damages to the amount of $2,000. Russia to Rebuild Frontier Fortifications
A TELEGRAM from Warsaw, Russia, states that the Russian Government has decided to rebuild its fortifications on the German and Austrian frontiers, at a cost of 420,000,000 rubles. This action is necessary as the result of Colonel Grimm's betrayal of the plans of the existing Russian forts. A REPORT from East Africa states that a sanguinary battle has been fought between Turkish troops and the Iman tribe of Arabians at Kofittudor, on the frontier of Arabia. The Turks are said to have been defeated with a loss of 400 killed, and the Arabs also sustained a heavy loss. Queen Wilhelmina’s Condition
GRAVE fears are now expressed over the condition of Queen Wilhelmina of Holland. Complications have arisen which seem to leave little hope of her recovery. New York Central Railroad Considers Electricity
The managers of the New York Central Railroad are favorably considering the idea of operating the entire system by electricity instead of steam. Pennsylvania Coal Miners Threaten Strike
A GREAT strike of coal-miners involving 140,000 men is expected within a few days in the anthracite coal-fields of Pennsylvania. The miners are threatening to strike for the recognition of their union; but the mine owners still insist that they will deal only with the men as individuals. Ship Subsidy Bill Faces Opposition
Reports from Washington indicate that a very strong opposition exists in the House of Representatives to the passage of the ship subsidy bill. It is freely predicted that it will not pass unless it is so amended as to exclude Chinese sailors from the subsidized vessels. Revolt and Invasion in Central Africa
A serious situation is reported on the Upper Nile, where the rebellious natives have attacked the Belgian posts. The British troops are also said to have invaded the Belgian territory; and a fresh revolt has broken out on the upper Ubanghi River, French Kongo. Guatemala Earthquake Casualties
THE latest reports from Guatemala state that the number of persons who lost their lives in the recent earthquakes there, is fully 1,000, and that 30,000 were rendered homeless. Some plantations are reported to have been ruined by the upheavals of the ground. Life Inside Japan’s Aso San Crater
In the crater of the extinct volcano, Aso San, Japan, live 20,000 people. This village is surrounded by the vertical walls of the crater, 800 feet high. The inhabitants rarely make a journey into the outer world, but form a little nation by themselves. Mt. Vesuvius Cone Collapses
THE great central cone of Mt. Vesuvius has fallen in, and the professor in charge of the Vesuvius Observatory predicts that the collapse will be followed soon by startling volcanic manifestations. Much alarm is felt by the inhabitants of Naples. Butchers Organize Against Meat Trust
An attempt is now being made to unite the butchers of the country in a great corporation to fight the meat trust, the price of meat having been forced so high by the trust that the sales of the retailers are falling off in a marked degree. New Comet Orbits Inside Earth’s Path
Professor Leuschner, of the University of California, has made the discovery that the new comet recently discovered by Professor Brooks, has an orbit around the sun inside the earth’s orbit, and completes its orbit in 320 days. Repeal of Boston Blue Laws
It is expected that the obnoxious “blue-laws” now being enforced in Boston will be repealed during the present week. The House has passed the bill for their repeal without debate, and the Senate is expected to do the same. Brazilian Dirigible Airship
ANOTHER Brazilian aeronaut has constructed a dirigible air-ship in Paris. It is a more powerful ship than that of Santos-Dumont, and the first experiments made with it seem to indicate that it will be more successful than his. Philippine Ports Reopened Amid Cholera Spread
The ports of the provinces of Batangas and Laguna, Philippine Islands, have been again opened to trade, subject to the plague regulations. The cholera statistics show a further increase in the spread of the disease in the islands. Electric Lights in the Pyramids
The society which has in charge the preservation of the antiquities of Egypt has decided to light the interiors of the pyramids with electric lights, so that all the passages and catacombs will be easily accessible to tourists. Sugar Trust's Influence on Cuban Legislation
THE Senate committee on relations with Cuba has begun its investigation of the dealings of the American sugar trust, and the charges made against it of attempting to influence Cuban legislation in its own interests. Court-Martial of General Jacob H. Smith
The court-martial of Gen. Jacob H. Smith, who was responsible for the campaign in the island of Samar, has been concluded, and the reports and papers in the case have been forwarded to Washington. A DESPATCH from Calcutta, India, states that a tornado has devastated the city of Dacca and adjoining towns, killing 416 persons, and ruining crops throughout the district. Coronation Medals for King Edward VII
A JEWELRY firm of Attleboro, Mass., is reported to be manufacturing 40,000 medals in gold, silver, and bronze for the coronation ceremonies of King Edward VII. White Star Joins Atlantic Steamship Trust
THE White Star steamship line has joined the Atlantic steamship trust, which is now being put into shape under the directing hand of J. Pierpont Morgan. Cost of the Philippine War
SECRETARY of War Root is preparing an answer to the inquiry of the Senate committee regarding the cost of the war in the Philippines. Moody Assumes Navy Secretary Duties
REPRESENTATIVE MOODY, of Massachusetts, assumed the duties of Secretary of the Navy on May 1, Secretary Long retiring on that day. Illinois Sails for England
The United States battle-ship Illinois has sailed for England to take part in the naval ceremonies at the coronation of King Edward VII. Fire at Mount Damietta Claims 50 Lives
The intensely hot weather prevailing along the Nile resulted in a fire at Mount Damietta, on May 3, in which 50 persons perished. Three Territories Seek Statehood
THE pleas of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona for statehood will be heard in Congress this week. Chinese Exclusion Bill Signed
On April 29 the President signed the Chinese exclusion bill, it having been passed by Congress on April 28. THE boy who has nothing but poverty between him and success in life, the boy who gets up well and strong three hundred and sixty-five days in the year, has no cause to feel that he is handicapped by his environment. Health and strength, with the full possession of sight and hearing and speech, are the best elements of success when they are combined with the manly determination to make the most of life. Boys who are inclined to feel discouraged by reason of mere poverty when they are well and strong, will find in the story of Tommy Stringer much that should encourage them, and that should inspire them to make the most of life. This remarkable deaf, dumb, and blind boy has attracted world-wide attention, and he is a wonderful example of the progress made in recent years in teaching deaf, dumb, and blind children. Fortunately one does not often hear of children having this triple affliction. Nor was Tommy Stringer thus afflicted when he first came into the world. He was born on July 3, 1886, near Waynesburg, Pa., so that now he is in his sixteenth year. When he was about two years old, an acute attack of spinal meningitis deprived him of sight and hearing and the power of speech. His parents were very poor, and soon after Tommy's terrible illness he lost his mother. His father then succeeded in having the afflicted boy put into a hospital in Allegheny City, Pa., and here the boy, contrary to the ordinary rules of hospitals, remained for three years, and here it was that he made the acquaintance of his devoted friend, Helen Keller. She was visiting in Allegheny City when she heard of the little boy afflicted like herself, and her generous and sympathetic nature prompted her to do all she could for Tom's relief. It is possible that if it had not been for the interest and generosity of Helen Keller and others, Tom would have been sent from the hospital to the poorhouse. Money was finally raised to send the boy to the noted kindergarten for the blind in Boston. He was about five years old at this time, and he was the merest baby in intelligence. It is not exaggerating his condition to say that he did not know anything. He was so weak that he could not walk, and he seemed more like a little animal than a boy. He did not know how to make any effort to do anything for himself, and his condition was pitiable in the extreme. His mind was as undeveloped as the mind of a baby a day old, and fifty years ago it would have been regarded as impossible to teach him anything, and he would have been left to his animal-like condition. It is due to such men as Dr. Howe and Horace Mann that progress has been made in teaching the deaf and dumb and blind. Teachers of blind and dumb children must have infinite patience and strong human sympathies. Great patience and sympathy and forbearance were required in teaching poor little Tom Stringer the first principles of education. It was so hard to make a beginning. Of course the sign or finger language was used. The first word he ever learned was the word “bread,” and he was nearly a year learning that one word. Every time he was given a slice of bread the word “bread” was made in his hand by his teacher, and his own fingers were made to form the letters of the word in the hand of his teacher. Then other objects, like a ball, a book, and a hat, were put into his hands, and their names spelled in the finger language by his teacher in Tom's hands. Then he was made to spell them with his own fingers. Days and days would be spent in the spelling of a single word before Tom could spell it himself. Then very short sentences were formed, and slowly the dormant mind of the boy was aroused. Once fully aroused, it proved to be a very alert mind; and while he did not have the mental alertness of Helen Keller, he showed that he had at least the mental capacity of the average boy, and that he had more mechanical skill than most boys. If ever there was a nimble-fingered boy, that boy is Tommy Stringer. In this respect he is superior to Helen Keller, who is rather awkward with her fingers, altho her sense of touch is astonishing. Before Tom was seven years of age he was beginning to read by means of the raised letters used by the blind. Then he began to learn to write by means of what is called the Braille system. The modern methods of teaching the dumb and blind were employed, and at fifteen years of age Tom is as far advanced in reading, history, grammar, physiology, botany, and arithmetic as the average boy of his age. He is far beyond the kindergarten in his education, and he now attends a public school. A teacher from the kindergarten goes with him to act as his interpreter, and there is not a more industrious nor a happier boy in the school than Tom. If you think his triple affliction has made Tom downhearted or morose, you are greatly mistaken. Tom amazed his teacher by his skill with tools. He is a born mechanic, and he is never so happy as when he is at his work-bench. He can hammer and nail and saw with more swiftness and accuracy than the average man, and he is a most painstaking workman No half-done work for Tom. If a piece of board ought to be smooth, Tom never stops planing and sand-papering it until it is just as smooth as it can be. He is quick to detect the least defect in his work, and he will not rest until that defect is remedied. He will undo a piece of work half a dozen times, and do it over again and again until it is as perfect as it can be made. He does not ask for any concessions because of his blindness. In fact, he never makes any reference to the fact that he is blind, and his teachers never refer to the fact. It was not until a year or two ago that Tom knew that he was different from other boys. He supposed that no one saw or heard, but the discovery of his great unlikeness to other boys, while it sobered him for the time, did not depress or discourage him, and he has never been heard to make any complaint about it. One may see at the kindergarten a great variety of things Tom has made at his work-bench. He has made boxes and coat racks and shovels and models of engines and cars, but his most pretentious and surprising achievement has been a model of a house. This model is a surprise to all who see it, so complete is it in every detail. It is composed of various kinds of wood. Tom makes his nose take the place of his eyes when he wants to distinguish one kind of wood from another. So acute is his sense of smell, that he can name any kind of wood he picks up if he has ever smelled it before. He can take a rough piece of board and convert it into a box or a rack or a fancy shelf without the least assistance from any one. Like Helen Keller, Tom has been taught to articulate, but he has not made nearly such rapid progress in speaking orally as Helen Keller has, because he has no interest in articulate speech. The finger language is far more agreeable to him, and he would never use any other method of speech if he were not compelled to do so. He has also been taught to read the speech of others by placing his wonderfully sensitive fingers on their lips, but this method of knowing what others are saying Tom also declares to be “no good,” and he does not like it. He is sometimes inclined to be a little stubborn in regard to speaking orally, and his teachers have to use a good deal of tact in getting him to “keep sweet” and articulate at the same time. Strangers would not readily understand many of his words, but some of them are distinct, and his teachers have no difficulty in understanding all that Tom says.—Philadelphia Times.