Earlier text: A MODEL MERCHANT.From Bro. Morse.
By WASHINGTON MORSE
Bro. Smith: The Review comes to us, from week to week, filled with rich instruction and valuable thoughts from the pens of different ones. With many, I am acquainted, which makes it still more interesting to me. Of late I have read from the pens of some whom I had not heard from for years. Especially was I rejoiced to hear again from Bro. F. Wheeler, and S. W. Rhodes. Well, the thought came to my mind that, perhaps, they with others would be glad to hear from me. It has been nearly three years since any communication has appeared in the Review from me. It has not been because I had no interest in the paper, or entertained an unwillingness to contribute to encourage its conductors or readers; but the sore trials and afflictions through which we have been passing, have nearly unmanned me at times, and I have been entirely unfit to write, and indeed feel very unworthy to do so now. But I wish to say that my sympathies are fully with this people. I wish to be willing to suffer with them, bear my part of the trials and responsibilities, and share in the inheritance which will be given to the good of all ages. It has been with deep interest that we have read Testimonies No. 11, 12, and, especially, 13, and also the reports, from week to week, from Bro. and Sr. White since they have been raised up from their affliction. We have also been glad to hear from many others who are laboring with success to spread this solemn message. Dear brethren and sisters, the trials through which we have been passing have done us good. At least I can say that I have learned a lesson, which, perhaps, I could have learned in no other way. And the burdens which have seemed heavy to bear so long, are being taken off, or being lightened, for which I praise the Lord. Our last Quarterly Meeting was one of much profit to us here. Bro. Ingraham was present to preach the word, also to counsel and instruct us. We could adopt the language of Bro. Amadon in Review, No. 25, Vol. XXX. “We trust that, as a general thing, the church is trying to dig deep, lay the foundation sure, and get ready for the appearing of the Son of God. But this is not true with all. Some do not seem to get much burden in the present work of confessing, agonizing, and drawing near to God. Still we pray that God in his sovereign mercy will pity such, and open blind eyes, and soften hard hearts.” Let the sad experience of the Deerfield church during the last two years be a lesson to others. I would add that we are very thankful for the light which is shining out upon the health reform. It has been of much profit to us, and we feel that we want others to be benefited also. I feel determined to come up fully to every test, and try to learn what is God's will concerning me, and do the same. In hope of eternal life, WASHINGTON MORSE. From Sister Lindsey.
By Sarah A. H. Lindsey
DEAR BRN. AND SISTERS: The prophet foresaw a time when they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. I firmly believe we have reached that time, and I want to be numbered with the people who fulfill this prophecy. I will therefore speak, first, of what the Lord has done for me. The past two years of my experience have been spent in self-examination, self-abasement, much doubting, many fears, almost despair amounting to semi-infidelity; then, after a long conflict, and after having been driven by anxious care to a throne of heavenly grace, all my doubts, fears, despondency, and infidelity vanished, and were lost in the light of my Redeemer's smiles. Bless his name! But a sense of my unworthiness remains. Why Jesus loves me, I cannot tell. I only know that he does love me. I will also speak of what the Lord has done for us as a people here in Ulysses. Some time ago we met and disbanded. Brethren had sold their farms and moved away, until but one family retained their home near where our meetings had formerly been held. That family was ours, and we were determined to leave here, and locate where we could enjoy church privileges, but, as Bro. C. G. Daniels says concerning himself, our prospects in that direction always failed, and our way was mysteriously hedged up. But we begin to see why. The Lord would preserve his name, even here among the Allegany Mountains. Brethren from other places have come here and located, and our meetings are excellent. Bro. Fuller met with us last Sabbath, and aided us in re-organizing, which he has probably reported before now. Our prospects are brightening. Praise the Lord! SARAH A. H. LINDSEY.
Ulysses, Potter Co., Pa., Dec. 26, 1867. He who steals my purse steals trash,
But he who filches my good name,
Takes that which doth not enrich himself,
But makes me poor indeed. A slanderer God doth detest, and him who sows seditions,
And who of mere conceit doth raise a foul and false suspicion.
And him that bears a tale about or takes it of another,
Whereby he doth calumniate or vilify his brother.
When men fall out, most commonly they run upon this rock,
They rail, revile, and slander raise, and scornfully do mock.
The errors of the little tongue are great and manifold,
I never yet had strength enough this slippery clack to hold. To backbite is a wicked thing, and darkly to defame
Another man, whom openly I dare not thus to blame.
A sinner that is penitent, whose fault I understand,
Before I would disclose the same, I should cut off my hand. Believing, but not Understanding.
“I WILL not believe anything but what I understand,” said a self-confident young man in a hotel one day. “Nor will I,” said another. “Neither will I,” chimed in a third. “Gentlemen,” said one well known to me, who was on a journey, and who sat close by, “do I understand you correctly that you will not believe any thing that you don’t understand?” “I will not,” said one, and so said each one of the trio. “Well,” said the stranger, “in my ride this morning I saw some geese in a field eating grass; do you believe that?” “Certainly,” said the three unbelievers. “I also saw the pigs eating grass; do you believe that?” “Of course,” said the three. “I also saw sheep and cows eating grass; do you believe that?” “Of course,” was again replied. “Well, but the grass which they had formerly eaten had, by digestion, turned to feathers on the backs of the geese, to bristles on the backs of the swine, to wool on the sheep, and on the cows it had turned to hair; do you believe that, gentleman?” “Certainly,” they replied. “Yes, you believe it,” he rejoined, “but do you understand it?” Bro. A. B. Brant writes from Faribault Co., Minn: The question was once put to our Lord, “What shall this man do?” He replied, “What is that to thee? Follow thou me.” The above question by Peter, and answer of our Lord, have been forcibly brought to my mind of late, by being twice asked what I thought should be done where the heads of a family were divided in regard to keeping the Sabbath. They say that it tends to destroy the Sabbath for the children, so that they regard neither day as sacred. It seems to me that the above answer of Jesus is applicable to all those who fear to obey God because of consequences. If we felt as we should, God’s right to command and our duty to obey, our only question would be, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” It does seem to me that any parent with the word of God as his or her guide, can easily make a child see that there is a positive command for the seventh-day Sabbath, while there is no Scriptural authority for the first day as the Sabbath. But they cannot so easily incline the heart to obey that command. That, they can ask God to do, and leave the event with him. And oh! what ground for faith to stand on, is the word of truth, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” Immediately following, he says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” SISTER E. LOOMIS writes from Licking Co., Ohio: It has been one year and six months, since I was led into the light of the present truth. Ever since that time, I have been trying to keep all the commandments of God, and the faith of his dear Son. I can say that I now see and understand my Bible better than I ever did before, but I am often brought to exclaim, Can it be possible that such a poor, sinful worm of the dust, as I am, can ever be made fit to stand on that beautiful sea of glass? Yes, praise the Lord, I have the promise, if faithful, of being one of that number that will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and ever be with him. I must watch more and pray more. I have dedicated my all to the Lord. I am willing to become little or nothing, for the sake of my Saviour. If we would take Jesus for our pattern, we must avoid all foolish talking, jesting, and joking, lead a sober, quiet life as it becomes followers of Christ. As we profess to be looking for his coming, let us trim our lamps anew, put on the wedding garment, and be prepared to see the King in his beauty. Glorious thought! It lifts my spirit above all earthly things to think our Lord has gone to prepare such a home for us. Is it not worth striving for? Bro. J. D. Hull writes from Henry, Ill.: I have long desired to speak through the Review and tell a little of my experience, trials and determinations, and the goodness of God to me. While reading in Testimony No. 13 that but a small portion of those who believe the truth will be sanctified through it, and be saved, my mind was carried back a few years in the past, when every member of my father's family, of which eight are now living, could rejoice together in keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. But alas! only two or three at most remain steadfast. Some have gone into infidelity and Spiritualism, while the rest are now taking an active part in the Iowa defection. And it has been with no small struggle that I have gained the victory in battling the dark influence of the latter. Inducements have been held out, and various plans devised to prejudice my mind against the proceedings of S. D. Adventists. Letters have been written to me that visions had been had about me that I could never be saved, and that the Lord would come before 1868, and now, contrary to this vision, they were putting it off still further in the future, &c. These are a part of the many like plans that Satan has used to try to overthrow me. But these things only strengthen my faith in the glorious truths that I love. We are down in the sifting time; and it will only be through earnest, agonizing prayer, and entire consecration to the will of God, that we can escape the old serpent's beguiling influence. May each of us set a double watch over our own hearts and ask ourselves the question concerning the clause in Testimony No. 13, referred to above. Is it I? Truly it is I, either to be forever lost or to be eternally saved. Then let us strive for salvation. It may be we may gain eternal life; and we can no more than lose it if we strive for it. REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
I had much difficulty in obtaining a house in this place (Thompsonville, Wis.,) to hold meetings. In one district, the clerk said he would do all in his power against me, and used the most abusive language. I tried another place, and failed. I tried the third one, and got a school-house in a very convenient place. This town is extensively settled with Danes and Norwegians. This is an important point. The emigration goes largely through this place. It is a stronghold of those who oppose us. The time has come when an effort must be made. Much patient labor is needed, but we will try to leave no stone unturned till all who will hear shall be faithfully warned by the last message of mercy. Dec. 24, I commenced meetings. Only a few came. Two days later, a Mr. Hansen sent word all around that he would come to meeting and speak against me. The house was crowded. After meeting, he wanted to quarrel with me all night. I refused. He opposed on the immortality question. I offered to discuss the question with him four evenings. But he would not. He appears like one of these untamable spirits, which will neither submit to order nor rule. He preaches every Sunday to a little party which follows him. He said he would come and make questions. I then told him to come Monday evening. Friday night, I spoke to a well-filled house on the question. Sunday, he spoke against me in a violent manner, in the Baptist meeting-house. I knew nothing about it till afterward. Monday, he appointed meeting just previous to my meeting, in the same house where I preach. I just got the news time enough to go. He was tamed a little by my presence, and did not use quite so many “wolves,” “deceivers,” “false prophets,” &c., as before. When he was through, I reviewed him. The house could not contain all that came. Many were thus brought out to hear, and it was a good move for the cause. He dwelt chiefly on eternal torment. The Lord gave good liberty to present the truth in a clear light. This evening was a turning-point with many. After I had spoken, he commenced again, and tried to blame me. I replied. Again he asked for fifteen minutes. He spoke in a confused manner, and I replied. This ended his attempts, and he said he would come no more. He was very sober, and said I preached much good doctrine, and it was well if people could be turned to the Lord. One man said I had been driven away from Racine. He answered, that that was no bad sign, for the Scripture saith that the righteous must suffer persecution. Since then, the meetings have been better attended than at first, and the interest is increasing. The Lord has blest us with solemnity and clearness, but still we long for much more of the converting power of his Holy Spirit, that his name may be glorified, and sinners prepared for the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Pray for us. Thompsonville, Racine Co., Wis. MEETINGS AT HARTLAND AND NORRIDGEWOCK.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
DEC. 23–25, I spent with the church at Hartland. A few were becoming backslidden, others needed some advice, reproof, &c., but the most of them appeared to be doing well. They have had but little preaching for the past year. Those who had opposed different parts of the message had to confess that they had lost their faith in God by so doing, and had backslidden. There were several forcible illustrations here of the evil of speaking against, and opposing, things in this work which we do not readily understand. We are not at liberty to talk out our unbelief everywhere we go, to brethren or to unbelievers. By so doing we soon lose the blessing of God. These things were seen and acknowledged by the most of those who had done this harm. I think that our meetings were very profitable, being wholly meetings of inquiry. These are very useful and necessary for the health of any church. We re-organized S. B., and Eld. Goodrich stayed to attend the ordinances with them, as we did not have time to do so while I was there. At the close of the meeting we unanimously passed the following resolutions, which I think will be of great benefit to them: Resolved. That we have a meeting of all the Sabbath-keepers here at 10 A. M. on the first Sundays in April, July, October, and January, and that we pledge ourselves to attend promptly, if possible, then and there to attend to the following points, viz., 1. To ascertain who, if any, is in trial, who has neglected duty, or who has backslidden, and what is the cause. 2. Who should be added to the church, or who should be expelled, if any. 3. To attend to the ordinances. 4. To pay our S. B. Resolved. That every member who cannot be present, be requested to report to the meeting by letter. DEC. 27, to Jan. 4, I was with the Norridgewock church. We finished re-organizing S. B., so that it now amounts to over $400. Our meetings were some different from those which we held at the other places. As the church was large, it would take a large time for each one to speak and then for me to make remarks to them; so about a third of the church assembled at a time, at a private house, and we had a very plain, social talk with them about the faults and errors of those present. This I found to be very profitable. As we were not in a formal meeting, all felt free to speak as they thought best. Reproof, advice, and counsel, were taken by all with a spirit of meekness and candor that pleased me much. On the whole, I think that this church is growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. One made a start, and two more were taken into the church. Another deacon was chosen. Resolutions similar to those passed at Hartland were also passed here. We closed this series of meetings, Sabbath, Jan. 4. After fasting and prayer, we had a sweet and profitable social meeting in the forenoon, and closed with celebrating the ordinances. All agreed that it was a very profitable meeting. To the Lord we return thanks for it. A FATAL ADMISSION.
By W. C. G.
A WRITER in the Banner of Light, of Dec. 28, 1867, makes the following admission: “In our present state we are not conscious of having pre-existed elsewhere; and the evidence that we shall elsewhere be conscious of having existed here, is not strong enough to be conclusive.”
If the writer of the above, after having thoroughly examined and sifted the “Spiritual philosophy,” cannot find evidence “strong enough to be conclusive,” that departed spirits are conscious of having existed here, what, then, becomes of the doctrine of spirit manifestations? If those who purport to be the spirits of our dead friends are not conscious of having existed here, then they are a pack of lying spirits, for a communication is rarely received without some allusion being made to a previous existence on the earth. Is it not astonishing that such admissions as these do not open the eyes of candid Spiritualists to the fact that they are “giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils?” yet, such is the hold which this last great delusion of Satan has upon the minds of its devotees, that it is almost impossible to become extricated from its toils. Reader, receive the love of the truth, by going “to the law and to the testimony,” that you may escape in the day of wrath which is now impending. ROBBING GOD.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
“But this I say, He which soweth sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully, shall reap also bountifully.” 2 Cor. ix, 6. The other day I was struck with an impressive fulfillment of this text. One year ago, in the same church, one brother put down his property on S. B., at $1200, the full value. Another brother I could not prevail upon by any argument to give any thing. He was in debt, he said, but hoped to be able to do something next year. So I happened to reorganize S. B. there again at the end of the year. The first brother promptly put down his property at $1500. This was gaining $300, during the year. I asked the other one how much he would do this year. He replied, “Oh! nothing; I am poorer than ever.” So much for robbing God. It does not pay. “The liberal soul shall be made fat.” D. M. CANRIGHT. These words plainly teach us an exception to an established order which ruled in the family. We have not quoted them for the purpose of entering into a consideration of any question of election, but for the purpose of making them the foundation for a few remarks upon an evil which we think is constantly increasing in our time. We allude to the custom of making a pet of the youngest child in the family and causing all the rest of the children to do obeisance to him, to yield to all his desires and to obey his slightest wish. Go where you will, and you almost always see this. Is the attention of visitors called to any member in particular, it is to the youngest. He is praised, he is petted, his traits are extolled, his smart sayings are repeated. Do the children desire to all enjoy a plaything at the same time, or a privilege, it is to him all the rest must yield, instead of all yielding to the elder, and then he be taught to show love and kindness to the younger. We might enlarge on these points, but the effect is that to which we wish especially to call attention. We believe that from the first God designed that the first-born be entitled to peculiar advantages and special privileges which belong to no other member of the family, Gen. iv, 7, one object being to cultivate in children reverence for age as well as establishing order. And what more beautiful sight than is presented by that family where the younger children yield submission to the elder second only to that yielded to their parents, and where the elder acts with kindness and self-denial. And is it going too far to conclude that the disrespect to age, and disregard of the rights of older persons, so common in these last days with the young, is due in a great degree to this perversion of God's established order? I have seen parents who were always all smiles and kind words to the youngest, and harsh and stern to the elder, and compelling him to always yield to the younger, and I have marked, as a result of this, the loss of the manly feeling in the elder children, and a feeling of inferiority and cringing in the presence of inferiors, the consciousness of manhood lost; while I have seen the youngest grow up disrespectful, selfish, tyrannical, to the sorrow of the poor parents, and the loss of the love, esteem, and respect of all about them, with their own happiness marred by the rough knocks they receive in consequence of this misfortune, this defect in their early training.
H. C. MILLER. WAITING FOR CHRIST.
By G. W. A.
Such is the position of the people of God whose lot is cast in the present day. We are looking for that blessed hope, and are fully aware what it is to be in the patient waiting for Christ. We are like the tempest-tossed mariner, who has long rocked on the restless wave, and is now just coming into port. But as the care-worn sailor’s dangers increase as he nears the harbor, so the Christian on the voyage of time finds new difficulties as he is about to moor in the haven of endless rest. The wrath of the dragon was never stirred as it will be in the last time. Every scheme to decoy poor souls from the true faith, every stupefying potion that lulls into carnal security, and every wily trap to ensnare the unconsecrated, will be successively tried by the great arch-deceiver. In these times, the people of God should have their eyes open. The Devil is on the alert; we must watch. Temptations prevail; we must pray. The enemy’s forces are organizing and preparing for a grand attack; we must beat up fresh courage, rally our strength, and make ready for the onset. Who will do it? —The Maine Farmer is thus sarcastic on the present ridiculous style of ladies’ bonnets, or rather that which supplies the place of bonnets. It recommends country ladies who wish to keep up with city fashions to take a medium-sized pumpkin seed, carefully cut out the meat on the under side, put a narrow strip of fur around the edge, and fasten the strings to the sides, and they will have a bonnet in the pink of fashion. The broad end of the bonnet should be worn in front, to keep off the sun and wind. —The Legislature of Tennessee has passed a bill abolishing all distinctions of race or color. This action makes that State the most perfect Republic in America—even more so than Massachusetts. —Russia is said to be preparing for war, and has so concentrated her armies as to be in a position to send 200,000 men to the Turkish or Austrian frontier at a few days’ notice. A Russian newspaper says: “Our Government may continue to circulate peaceful phrases among the public in Paris, London and Vienna, but we know here that war is imminent.” —Report says that since November 18, when St. Thomas was convulsed with a terrific earthquake and hurricane, no less than five hundred distinct shocks have been felt by the residents of that island. But earthquakes seem not to be confined to St. Thomas—more recently they have occurred in divers places nearer home—in Canada, in Vermont, and in Northern New York, although no damage was done in these places, beyond rousing numerous frightened people from their slumbers. Nature certainly appears to be in an unstable and excited state, and many nervous people begin to quake in their shoes. Nobody can predict what is to be in the future; but up to present date, in our country at least, earthquakes can not compare with locomotives as “engines of destruction.” Indeed it would seem far more safe to take a house in St. Thomas, than to take a car on almost any of our railroad routes. Scarcely a day passes without adding to the list of “accidents,” and “railroad disasters” are fast becoming—as “boiler explosions” were a short time ago—part of the regular and standard “news of the day.” —An eminent physician of the last generation, speaking of the progress of medical science in his day, said: “When I graduated, I had a dozen remedies for every disease; when I retired from practice, I had a dozen diseases for every remedy.” The Fenian Movements.—Our English friends laughed at us a good deal during the early years of the rebellion, for our dread of masked batteries and gun-boats; they are now having a more ridiculous panic over the warlike demonstrations of the Fenians, who are represented as endeavoring to blow up the gas-works of Glasgow and Warrington, and who have been using the postal system and officials to circulate torpedoes which have exploded on the opening of the envelopes containing them. In Canada the excitement has been not less intense and comical, and on Christmas last the citizens of Montreal chiefly employed themselves in watching the English Cathedral and the water-works to prevent the Fenians from blowing them up. The Parliament of the New Dominion, which adjourned on December 23, passed several bills for protection from Fenian invasion from the United States. The Roman Question.—What is to be done with or for the Pope is very much disturbing the quiet of both France and Italy. Angry debates in the French Chambers and a dissolution of the Italian Cabinet have resulted from the effort to settle the issues growing out of the late attempt on Rome. So strong was the feeling against France in the Italian Cabinet and among the Italian people that General Menabrea, the Premier, a conservative and friendly to France, was compelled to resign. King Victor Emanuel, again disregarding public opinion and the counsel of a majority of his Cabinet, refused to accept his resignation, and ordered him to form a new Cabinet friendly to France. A dissolution of the Italian Parliament was also contemplated, on December 26, in order to place the issues clearly before the people. The Last Revolutionary Pensioner.—Announcement is made of the death of Mr. Samuel Downing of Amsterdam, New York, on the Mohawk river, aged 105 years. In the convention of New York in 1821, for the revision of the Constitution, Mr. Van Buren said, “In fifteen years the grave will have covered all those who now survive,”—a prediction from which no one expressed any dissent. Time has shown how little any of us know how long we have to live. Wonders of Telegraphy.—On the 30th of July, 1866, Mr. Cyrus W. Field received by the cable a message of congratulation from Mr. Ferdinand de Lesseps, the projector of the Suez Canal. It was dated at Alexandria in Egypt at half-past 1 P. M., and received in Newfoundland at half-past 10 A. M. the same day. Let us look at the globe, and see over what a space that message flew. It came from the land of the Pharaohs and the Ptolemies; it passed along the shores of Africa, and under the Mediterranean sea more than a thousand miles, to Malta; it then leaped to the continent of Europe, and shot across Italy, over the Alps and through France, under the English Channel to London; it then flashed across England and Ireland, till from the cliffs of Valencia it struck straight into the Atlantic, darting down the submarine mountain which lies off the coast, and over all the hills and valleys which lie beneath the watery plain, resting not till it touched the shore of the New World. In that morning’s flight it had passed over one-fourth of the earth’s surface, and so far outstripped the sun in its course, that it reached its destination three hours before it was sent! To understand this, it must be remembered that the earth revolves from west to east; and when it is sunrise here, it is between 8 and 9 o’clock in Egypt; and when it is sunset here, it is nearly 9 o’clock in the morning there.—Independent. The “Italian question” is neither settled nor likely to be settled for a long time yet. The French army remains at Civita Vecchia, the port of Rome; Tuscany is a camp with an army of fifty thousand Italians; Menabrea and his ministry are denounced and despised; the cities received and buried their dead citizens from the late battle-fields with the most solemn and universal respect; and the party of action feel that they have lost the King, with all the advantage that he was to them. The Pope remains at Rome, virtually guarded by France. But while the feeling of the people is profoundly excited, there seems to be no leader who can wield Italy with sagacity and power. There is all the familiar rhetoric of revolution and reform; but the Papal throne still stands, and while it stands Italy can not “do for herself.” The difficulty is not simple. It would be so if it were a question of politics merely. In that case nothing could be more preposterous than France summoning a European Congress to settle the Government of Italy. But it is a combined political and religious question. It is a question of the political status of the head of the Roman Church, and the Italian statesmen are traditionally Romanists, while the Italian people are actually so. They are at once ignorant and superstitious, and it is impossible for them to regard the question as political merely. It is, indeed, often so regarded elsewhere. Intelligent journals ask why, in the name of justice, PIUS THE NINTH should be King of Rome if the Romans do not want him as King? But they forget that the King of Rome is the father of the French and Austrian and Spanish and Italian faithful, and that the Governments of all those countries do not wish to alienate the priesthood which directs the faithful, and must, therefore, incline toward the policy which is agreeable to the priests. Now, the priests feel that a certain visible royalty is very essential to the due impression of the supreme Pontiff upon the minds of the faithful; and those minds, therefore, regard a movement against the temporal sovereignty of the Pope as irreligious and wicked. That there are many enlightened Romanists even among the Italians who believe that a separation of Church and State would be better for both, is very possible. But that is the result of sound political thought and study, and how could they prove it to be the mass of the people against the influence of the priests? The Pope, therefore, remains upon his throne not because his seven hundred thousand subjects wish him to remain, but because Romish Europe is unwilling that he should become in external position what a bishop or archbishop is. And not only is there this ecclesiastical reason for his remaining, but his abdication or removal would be so momentous a step out of the traditional and established order that none of the existing Romish governments wish to take the chance. It would be opening the gates, and what the result may be without who can tell? The proposition which is sometimes gravely made that the question shall be put to a vote of the Roman people is, under the circumstances, very much like a suggestion that the people of the District of Columbia should decide whether the President should continue to reside in Washington, or Congress to make the local laws. These are national not District questions. And with a similar conviction European Romanists feel that the temporal position of the Papacy is not a question for the seven hundred thousand of Romanists in Rome, but for the millions and millions of Romanists all over the world. Whatever Louis Napoleon’s theory or motive may be, France has lost Italy as an ally. The Francesi are becoming as hated as the Tedeschi were. Louis Napoleon has outraged the party of action, insulted the Government, and attached himself solely to the extreme reactionists; the ultra Tories; the children of the Holy Alliance. In the quarrel between France and Italy, Bismarck remains passive, for he at last appreciates the force of the religious view, and has no wish to precipitate a religious war.—Harper’s Weekly.