Review and Herald, Vol. 48, No. 5. (7/27/1876)

Review and Herald

Jul 27, 1876

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 27, 1876

CLOSING THE GATES.

Decision of the Subject of Closing the Exhibition on Sundays.

Long and Animated Debate in the Commission—Speeches of Messrs. Hawley, Loring, and Donaldson—the Gates Closed by a Vote of 29 to 10—Exhibition Notes.

The United States Centennial Commission met at 11 o’clock on Friday morning at Judges’ Pavilion, Centennial grounds, Gen. Joseph R. Hawley, President, in the chair.

The roll was called, the following gentlemen answering to their names:— Messrs. Nelson, Ala.; McCormick, Ariz.; Lawrence, Dodge, Ark.; Creigh, Cal.; Paul, Col.; Hawley, Conn.; Burbank, Dak.; Dexter, D. C.; Osborn, Bernard, Fla.; Peters, Ga.; Donaldson, Idaho; Matthews, Ill.; Campbell, Ind.; Lowry, Iowa; Crawford, Kan.; Lynch, La.; Nye, Me.; Latrobe, Md.; Loring, Mass.; Collins, Grant, Mich.; Folwell, Minn.; French, Miss.; McNeil, Mo.; Moody, Neb.; Haines, Nev.; Straw, N. H.; Beckwith, Kimball, N. Y.; Goshorn, Griffith, O.; Durfur, Or.; Corliss, R. I.; Gurney, S. C.; Parsons, Texas; Haydon, Utah; Chase, Vt.; Evans, Abernethy, W. Ter.; Boteler, W. V.; Atwood, Wis.; Carey, Wy.

A large number of visitors were present, conspicuous among whom were members of the Committee of Thirteen, and representatives of various religious organizations, some of whom were busying themselves in the distribution of tracts on the necessity of keeping the Sabbath inviolate among the members of the Commission.

Mr. Nye, of Maine, presented a petition from the Maryland State Temperance Alliance, asking the Commission to adhere to their resolution to keep the grounds closed on Sunday; also a remonstrance from the Temperance League against the sale of liquor upon the grounds. Received and filed.

THE SUNDAY OPENING.

Mr. Donaldson, of Idaho, introduced a resolution providing for the opening of the exhibition every day in the week, and providing that no steam be used on Sunday, and that no exhibitor be compelled to be in attendance on that day.

Mr. Loring, of Massachusetts, moved, as a substitute for this resolution the following, in substance similar to that introduced by Mr. Latrobe, of Maryland, on Thursday:—

“The United States Centennial Commission have heard with great respect the statements that have been made to it on the part of those who desire the opening of the grounds and buildings of the Exposition under their charge on Sunday, and fully appreciate the sincerity and earnestness with which they have been pressed upon the Commission. Nor have they been unmindful of the memorials to the same effect that are now upon the table. Nevertheless, the Commission are of opinion that their action heretofore in this connection, on the strength of which they do not doubt that many have been induced to contribute their means and the products of their skill and industry to make the Exposition what it is, ought to be regarded as a pledge to the public, which, in good faith, they are bound to keep; and so believing, the Commission must respectfully decline to make any change in the rule that closes the grounds and buildings upon Sunday.”

Mr. Donaldson submitted that his resolution was much shorter and to the point, and contained, besides, definite provisions for the regulation of machinery and the attendance of exhibitors on Sundays, and insisted that the Commission first proceed to vote on his resolution.

The Chair ruled that Mr. Loring’s substitute was first in order.

On motion, the speeches were limited to ten minutes on the side.

Mr. Loring, of Massachusetts, then took the floor with a strong speech, in advocacy of keeping the grounds closed on Sundays. He said he did not think there was any necessity for the opening of the Exhibition on Sundays. The views of the people, as manifested in the great amount of discussion on this subject, were strongly in favor of keeping the gates closed on Sundays. This demand was the most natural and strongest ever made by the American people since the Declaration of Independence. The Sabbath sentiment was one of the strongest in the American character, and the representatives of all other nations, when they became inhabitants of this country, always became naturalized first by the adoption of our language and our customs. He acknowledged there were a few who were inclined to more liberal views, but they were running counter to the ways of our forefathers planted firmly in American soil, transmitted from generation to generation, and adopted by the strangers who came to share with us the blessings of American citizenship.

It was a bad policy, in an economical point of view, to open the grounds on Sunday. It would send a shock through the whole country that would deter millions of Sabbath-loving people from coming at all to the Exhibition. Mr. Loring was willing to admit that the Exhibition was a powerful educator, both in a moral and an intellectual sense, but was unwilling to have its influence set side by side with the churches. As for the operative classes, he thought their employers ought to have the liberality to send them free of cost and free of deduction of wages, instead of compelling them to work all the week, leaving them Sunday alone for a visit to the Exhibition.

Mr. Donaldson—Yes; but they don’t do it.

Mr. Loring affirmed that in his State it was the common custom for employers to treat their workmen to excursions to the State exhibitions.

FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS.

The speaker concluded by stating that he was the president of one of the leading agricultural societies in Massachusetts.

Mr. Donaldson—Horse trots?

Mr. Loring—Yes, horse trots; and suppose that Thursday, and Friday, and Saturday were racing days, and he should take that excuse to open the horse trot on Sunday, what would the boys of Massachusetts do?

Mr. Donaldson—Guess they would all go.

Mr. Loring—Yes; they would go and tear down the fences and annihilate the disgraceful show.

THE OTHER SIDE.

Mr. Nelson, of Alabama, then rose for the side in favor of opening the grounds.

Mr. Nelson showed, from ancient history, that after all Sunday, about which there was so much contention among Christians, was not a Christian institution at all, but had come to us from the heathen Egyptians.

Mr. Loring—It’s a good thing to keep up, anyhow.

Mr. Nelson said there was a great amount of contention among professed Christians even on this day. The orthodox mediocrity usually took the ground that anything like the liberal acceptance of the day was a violation of the Christian Sunday. There were some men who read the Bible every day, but who did nothing else but read the Bible on Sundays. There were others, generally the leading religious minds of our age, who like David, Elijah, Jesus Christ, and Martin Luther, ate good food, put on their best raiment, took down their harps, and were rejoiceful on that day. He contrasted this with the helpless narrow-mindedness of those who thought sitting astride of a fence, or kissing your wife on Sunday was Sunday-breaking.

Mr. Donaldson—That was the law in New England. (Laughter.)

Mr. Nelson—Great men of modern times have had grave doubts as to whether the New England acceptance of Sunday is the most correct, and, indeed, many consider it directly anti-Christian and anti-scriptural.

Mr. Nelson was followed by Mr. McNeil, of Missouri. Mr. McNeil said that the battle against the restrictive laws had been the great legislative race of the country ever since the Declaration of Independence. From point to point these old blue laws had been fought. The conveniences of the people must be subserved. Progress must have its right of way.

Mr. Loring—Will the gentleman tell us what laws of Massachusetts it has been necessary to repeal in order to advance civilization.

Mr. McNeil—Why, bless your soul, all your early laws. One, for instance, that a man could not travel more than ten miles on a Sunday. (Laughter.)

Mr. McNeil concluded with the following eloquent words: I would like to have seen this Commission, of which I felt a glowing pride to have received my certificate of membership—do something—take one step in favor of the religious liberty which is vouchsafed to America by her Constitution. Nothing would have been more sensible, nothing more patriotic, nothing more Christian. I do yet entertain a faint hope that my brothers, when they cast their votes on this most solemnly important measure, will bear in mind that the Sabbath is made for man and not man for the Sabbath, and Him who made this divine utterance.

GOING BACK ON HIS OWN.

Mr. Morell, of Pennsylvania, arose in advocacy of closing the Exhibition. He said he would not touch the moral or religious aspect of the question. He thought it unjust to exhibitors and stockholders to open the Exhibition on Sunday, because the general understanding was that the fair should be closed on Sundays.

[We do not see how Mr. Morell can maintain this position in the face of the petition of 540 stockholders to open the Exhibition.—Editor of the Item.]

Mr. Morell concluded—The members of the Commission who are in favor of closing upon Sunday would leave for home if the ground were opened.

USING FALSE ARGUMENTS.

Mr. Loring again secured the floor, and, speaking of running horse cars on Sunday, said it was quite different from other days of the week—it has been reduced down to the minimum of absolute public necessity.

Mr. McCormick, of Arizona, read the following extract from the proceedings of the Commission, published by authority of Congress, in 1874: “During this period (from May 10, to Nov. 10, 1876) the Exhibition shall be open to the public daily, except on Sundays, between the hours of 9 A. M. and 6 P. M.”

Mr. Latrobe, of Maryland, thought it was nothing more than common honesty toward exhibitors and stockholders to carry out this provision.

Mr. Nelson—This was not an agreement between the Centennial authorities and exhibitors and stockholders. It is not on the bonds.

OLD WOMEN WITH BROOMSTICKS.

Mr. Boteler, of Virginia, said that in the first meetings of the Commission in 1870 this question was settled, and has always been so considered by them. If he voted to open upon Sunday there is not an old woman in his place but would hunt him down and drive him out with a broomstick. (Laughter.)

Mr. Donaldson—You say it was nominated in the bond that the Exhibition should be closed on Sunday. I say it was not, and I will prove it. Mr. Donaldson then, referring to the regulation read by Mr. McCormick containing the words, “Except on Sundays,” read the following proviso to the same, omitted by Mr. McCormick: “The Centennial Commission reserves the right to explain or amend these regulations whenever it may be deemed necessary for the interest of the Exhibition.” (Immense applause from the members and bystanders.)

REPARTEES.

Mr. Nelson—They are afraid to let it go to the Board of Finance.

Mr. Boteler—We are not afraid to take the responsibility of deciding the question.

A PLAIN TRUTH.

Mr. Nelson then took the floor for the second time. He claimed that his opponents were a set of politicians who had ingratiated themselves into the good favors of certain religious communities, and dared not vote according to their better judgment. He expressed his astonishment that Mr. Loring should so stultify himself as to compare this vast university—the Exhibition—with all its elevating and educating influences, to a horse race.

Mr. Kimball, of New York, said he was not a politician, and, consequently, he had nothing to fear from his constituency. He was in favor of closing.

AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

He thought if the matter were put to a vote in New York, there would be a tremendous majority for opening. Yet he

dared to stick to the side he thought the right one. He didn’t want the question sent over to the Board of Finance. He wanted it settled by the Commission, and if it was not settled in the right way tomorrow, 3,000 newspapers and 20,000 pulpits would cry out against the Commission and its members, in tones of indignation and denunciation.

A CRY OF “COWARD.”

Mr. Nelson—I told you you were afraid to face the question.

“THE MOST UNKINDEST CUT OF ALL.”

Mr. Kimball, excitedly—I allow no man to impugn my courage, either publicly or privately. I fought against the rebels in the late war, and if the South rebels again, I shall do the same as I did before.

Gen. Hawley then made a speech, Mr. Morell in the chair. He said it was the law of God to rest one day in seven. Besides, it was a natural law, and applicable to the physical constitutions of both man and beast, and, as some claimed, also to machinery. It was not for him to demand that any one should violate his conscience on his account, and it was far from him to impose anything of the kind on his fellow-man. But when the Exhibition was opened on Sunday the consciences of millions of citizens of this country were violated. The Commission had no right to touch this venerable American custom. Touch the American’s customs and you touch his feelings in the tenderest spot. Politicians know that. If any one takes away from a people a venerated moral principle, without giving them something better in return, he commits an act as dastardly and inhuman as can be thought of.

This is what was proposed to be done. This was a most important vote; one of the most important ever cast since the Declaration of Independence. If it went the right way, it would form a bulwark to religion and morality for centuries to come; if the wrong way, it would give an upstart to liberalism that would send a mighty billow of irreligion over the continent that might not end in anything short of atheism, and the dissolution of our cherished Christian government. He was not afraid of man in anything, but he was afraid of God to vote otherwise than against opening the Exhibition. It was observed that the great petition of 65,000 asked for the opening only from 12 o’clock. Why was that? That was (with a shudder) in deference to the seven millions of Catholics, who were obliged to attend mass in the morning.

Mr. Hawley concluded by depicting at length and with great force the torrents of denunciation that would be let loose from now until November and long, long after it, upon those voting for the opening.

Mr. Donaldson, of Idaho, then took the floor to close the debate on the opening side. Mr. Donaldson’s speech was one of such stirring, magnificent eloquence that we feel it our duty to give it to our readers in its entirety. He said:—

When I look around me here, I look for the Archbishop of Canterbury, or the Archbishop of York, or the Vicar of Bray if you please. This Commission seems to have resolved itself into a college of Ecclesiastics.

The opinion has been stated by my friend from Massachusetts (Dr. Loring) that there would have been no Centennial if the religious sentiment had not been respected by the American people. I beg leave to present to the consideration of the gentlemen that if the forefathers of that good old Puritan country, from which Dr. Loring emanates, had had their wills, there would have been no Independence Hall—there would have been no Philadelphia. Did they not persecute those of a different faith? Did they not banish the Quakers from their country? Did they not burn witches? The great masses of the people have righted that in time.

We respect the Christian religion for what it has done. If the gentlemen in this Commission, who have espoused its cause, are the Lord’s anointed, I can only say, The Lord help the Lord for the selection of his agents. This is not a question of religion, but a question of right merely, and the will of the people should be respected in their demands. This is a free country, and the people are sovereign, and if the Commission is so foolhardy as to oppose its petty will to the sublime utterances of the people’s will, there will be a retrospect to them that is terrible. This is an unreligious country. I do not say it is an irreligious country, but an unreligious country. There is no State religion here, and the time will come when all the churches shall be compelled to pay their share in taxation for the purpose of supporting the government.

The Exhibition opened as a narrow gauge, and the power was vested in the hands of a narrow lot of men. The Exhibition should be run in the interest of the great number. You have referred to the Catholic religion, Mr. President. Say of that religion what you will (and I know it is deplorably hide-bound in many respects), this is to its credit, that it has always been known to combine the beautiful in life with the true in religion. In European countries the churches open in the morning, and all kinds of places of amusement are open in the afternoon. The theaters are open in St. Louis and the opera in New Orleans on Sunday.

You call this grand Exhibition a temple of God, but why don’t you open it for the million to worship in it? Are the walls and thousand pinnacles of this “temple” to be merely looked at from the outside?

Every Sunday the grounds have been opened to workmen, and hundreds have been at work—and with the knowledge of the gentlemen of the Commission too. Is not that as ungodly as merely coming to see the show on Sundays?

SHOWING UP THE HYPOCRITE.

A few weeks ago the President of this Commission, the same sanctimonious man who is presiding over this honorable body this minute, and who has but half an hour ago averred to you in the most solemn words that he was afraid before God to vote otherwise than for closing the Exhibition on Sundays—a few weeks ago General Hawley had himself admitted five Yankees from Boston to the Exhibition and showed them through on a Sunday. It was right that he did it. I do not censure, I applaud him. I have myself taken many into the Exhibition on Sundays. This same gentleman, the worthy President of our Commission, on another occasion, at a Sunday-school where he was invited to speak, told the little ones that it was an enormous crime to go and see the Exhibition on Sunday. Then you and I are both of the criminal class, Mr. President.

CRAWLING OUT OF IT.

General Hawley (in the attitude of a wet dishrag)—I admit that I took in six gentlemen on a Sunday. I did a wrong, and I am sorry for it.

Mr. Donaldson—This Exhibition is the property of the people. It does not belong to the Commission. It is only in their trust, and in all fairness they must do as the people will.

The streets swarm with the class who spend the Sabbath in desecration, who, if they could be allowed to enter on their only idle day, would be immeasurably benefited.

There are chances enough for reforming the world to higher standards of morality. There are the slums, the rum mills, and all the many hot-beds of vice and crime, right within a radius of five miles of us, by the thousand. Why are you not there, gentlemen, doing a noble work for humanity? Why do you sit around here sentimentalizing about Sunday, and depriving the people of their sacred right of religious liberty, and of the privilege of educating themselves, by visiting the Exhibition on the day most convenient to them?

You admitted Dom Pedro last Sunday and the Sunday before, and for my part I approve of it, for the emperor is an earnest reformer, and is working for the elevation of his people to the highest standard of civilization. Yet why do you refuse American citizens the same privilege? Are they not so good in your eyes as a foreign potentate?

My friend Kimball says that although he knows that the majority of the voters of New York want the Exhibition open on Sunday, yet he will vote against it. Whom does the gentleman represent? Himself?

It is said if we open on Sunday, many of the exhibitors will go home. I say let ’em go. Suppose I bought a house in Philadelphia, on a street where the cars didn’t run. Afterward tracks were laid and cars put on the street. Suppose I was much dissatisfied and refused to pay further taxes. Wouldn’t you think I was insane on the subject, and wouldn’t you advise me to put up with the street cars and pay my taxes, or else sell out and go? That’s what I want exhibitors to do who are not satisfied with the Sunday opening.

Then, again, gentlemen, where is your consistency? You close the gates because it’s “moral,” and you license the whisky peddlers on the grounds because—because its “moral.” This is a fine contrast, gentlemen. You may be proud of it.

Again was that $1,500,000 received from the government given by the Baptists, or the Presbyterians, or the Methodists? No! it is taxes. It is coined from the sweat of the poor. And now the poor come to you with their humble petition, and you turn them away. O gentlemen, have you hearts?

You tell me of the rabble that will tear down this glorious Exhibition if turned loose upon it on Sunday. Why, gentlemen, stop the gin mills, and you have no rabble. On the Fourth there were fifty thousand people at the Exhibition. Most of them were New Yorkers, and most of them of the so-called “lower classes.” Yet there was no disorder, and only one case of drunkenness. I’ll give you my word they will not “tear down this glorious Exhibition if turned loose upon it;” but if you do not yield to the clearly expressed demand of the people, I have my doubts that this will end peaceably. You may be forced to open the grounds.

The American people are a free people, and they have vitality enough to assert their freedom.

Mr. Donaldson resumed his seat amidst rapturous cheers from nearly two hundred people, who had been attracted to the spot by the speaking, and who were held spell-bound by the eloquence of the speaker.

THE VOTE ON THE QUESTION.

The vote was then put on Mr. Loring’s substitute and resulted as follows, the ayes voting in favor of closing and the nays for opening:—

Ayes—McCormick of Arizona, Paul of Colorado, Hawley of Connecticut, Dexter of District of Columbia, Osborn of Florida, Matthews of Illinois, Campbell of Indiana, Lowry of Iowa, Crawford of Kansas, Lynch of Louisiana, Nye of Maine, Latrobe of Maryland, French of Mississippi, Loring of Massachusetts, Collins of Michigan, Folwell of Minnesota, Moody of Nebraska, Haines of Nevada, Straw of New Hampshire, Beckwith of New York, Goshorn of Ohio, Morell of Pennsylvania, Corliss of Rhode Island, Parsons of Texas, Haydon of Utah, Chase of Vermont, Boteler of West Virginia, Atwood of Wisconsin, and Carey of Wyoming—29.

Nays—Nelson of Alabama, Lawrence of Arkansas, Creigh of California, Burbank of Dakota, Peters of Georgia, Donaldson of Idaho, McNeil of Missouri, Durfur of Oregon, Gurney of South Carolina, and Evans of Washington Territory—10.

The vote was then put on the passage of Mr. Donaldson’s resolution as amended, and resulted the same as above, with the exception that Creigh of California voted with the affirmative.—The Item.

SOMETIME

By Helen Hunt

Sometimes, when all life's lessons have been learned, And suns and stars forevermore have set, The things which our weak judgments here have spurned, The things o'er which we grieved with lashes in wet, Will flash before us and light life's dark night, As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue; And we shall see how all God's plans were right, And what most seemed reproof was love most true.

And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh, God's plans go on as best for you and me; How, when we called, he heeded not our cry, Because his wisdom to the end could see; And e'en as prudent parents disallow Too much of sweet to craving babyhood, So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now, Life's sweetest things because it seemeth good.

And if sometimes, commingled with life's wine, We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink, Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine Pours out this potion for our lips to drink; And if some friend we love is lying low, Where human kisses cannot reach his face, Oh! do not blame the loving Father so, But wear your sorrow with obedient grace.

And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath Is not the sweetest gift God sends his friend, And that sometimes the sable pall of death Conceals the fairest boon his love can send. If we could push ajar the gates of life And stand within, and all God's working see, We could interpret all this doubt and strife, And for each mystery could find a key.

But not to-day. Then be content, poor heart! God's plans, like lilies, pure and white unfold. We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart; Time will reveal the calyxes of gold. And if, through patient toil, we reach the land Where tired feet, with sandals loosed, may rest, Where we shall clearly know and understand, I think that we shall say, “God knew the best.”

—Helen Hunt.

BURIED

Precious treasures are sometimes covered with the filth of earth; grains of gold lie hidden deep beneath the worthless sand. Thus the vile and the worthless cover the valuable. And so it is with the truths of the Bible. Error and tradition take the place of its plainest teachings, and carnality and care are sufficient to bury deep its most solemn warnings.

The message to the Antediluvians was rendered worthless to them by their being so much absorbed in the things of this world and so busy about them; and they “knew not until the flood came and took them all away.” According to the account given of the cities of the plain, the same scenes were there acted over: “They did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded,” driving God and his truth out of their minds, until suddenly they were overtaken by the storm of the fire that destroyed them and the objects of their affection and attention. What profit to them were their articles of merchandise, their builded houses, their planted vineyards and orchards, in this hour of overwhelming destruction? None whatever. If anything, they increased the flames that were sent to destroy them.

We can see what a sad mistake the Antediluvians and the inhabitants of Sodom made. They buried the special message and truth of God for them in the pleasures and cares of this life. Shall we profit by their experience? The same scenes are to be acted over again. Note well what the Saviour says, “Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.”

In the third angel’s message of Rev. 14: 9–12, the last great truths for the world and the last warning of its coming doom are embodied. There the coming of the Lord is brought to view, and special attention is called to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The Sabbath of the fourth commandment received a burial at the hands of the papacy years ago. Tradition and custom would fain keep it there. The faith of Jesus, which embraces the pure, practical teachings of the New Testament, is fast being buried by the selfishness and pride of this generation. But the message is going, and, as in other generations, a few are receiving it. This should encourage us.

Is there any danger for those who receive the truth? Let Jesus answer: “Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” It is a superabundance of care, and a gratification of the carnal desires, that will cause some to bury this solemn message, who once received it with joy. This one fact I would have you mark well: The very things that bury the truth of God to individuals open to them his wrath. “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth his coming [thus burying the warning], and shall begin to

KNOW THYSELF.

By Chas. B. Reynolds

It is strange that we can so readily see all the faults and shortcomings of others, and yet remain so blind to our own. We look at the faults of others—especially if irritated by them—through the magnifying end of the telescope. Oh, how we delight to magnify them! But when we are told to look at our own faults, we turn the telescope the wrong way. Then how small they look. We think, “Why, really my faults are so very small—of so little consequence—there can be no need of any anxiety about amending them. My sins and shortcomings are such very little ones.”

It would be better to reverse this—better to magnify our own faults until we detect them all, and realize the need of correcting the miserable quirks, crotchets, and defects of our own character. The true Christian is ever humble, meek, gentle, teachable—not bitter, snappish, self-satisfied. Let us seek to know self. If we have not the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his.

Humility is not more necessary to salvation than self-knowledge is to humility. “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” Knowledge without love always puffs up; but knowledge of God will increase our modesty, awaken our caution, and dispose us to suspect and deny self. Those who are highest in God’s esteem are meanest in their own. The more a man is acquainted with himself, with his own failings, the more he is disposed to make allowance for the faults of others.

Dismiss, then, all angry and wrathful thoughts; these do but canker and corrode the mind. Anger may steal into the heart of a wise man, but it rests only in the bosom of fools. Eccl. 7:9. Watch, then, against all fretful, querulous, and discontented thoughts, which do but chafe the mind,—the utterance of which only makes us hateful, proves the utter falsity of our claim to genuine Christianity, and shows our littleness of soul, the warped bitterness of mind which induces us to thus make ourselves and all around us miserable. To harbor such thoughts and feelings, is to do ourselves more injury than it is in the power of our worst enemy to do us.

Knowing our liability to irritation and the utterance of harsh expressions, let us be ever prayerfully upon our guard, and especially let us set a double watch over the tongue while the fretful mood is upon us. Aggravating expressions at such a time are like oil thrown upon flames, which always makes them rage the more. When tried, irritated, aggravated, we should think how much we ourselves stand in need of pitying forbearance and forgiveness, both from God and man, and make that allowance for the offender which we desire made in our own case. Let us turn our anger into pity; think how fruitless, how foolish to indulge resentment, and how torturing to ourselves.

Watch and pray—do not get angry. What! shall we willfully dethrone reason, and invite the devil to take full control of us? Nay; let us rather guard against his first approach. When were we ever benefited by indulging our peevish ill-nature? Does its exercise soothe and comfort us, and bring us the love and respect of those around us? Knowing our danger shall we not carry it all to Jesus, and implore his promised help to enable us to overcome? Let us heed the admonition of our Lord: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” CHAS. B. REYNOLDS.

GLIMPSE OF THE ANGEL'S RECORD.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance; but God looketh on the heart.” 1 Sam. 16:7.

“'Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours, And ask them what report they bore to Heaven.”—YOUNG.

How happy, lovely, glorious, blest, Of human life the Eden dawn! While feet of innocence still pressed The virgin soil of Paradise.

How sad, how fearful, wretched, lost, When, tempted, sin seduced, man fell; With exile, death—the bitter cost— Earth, cursed with sin, his days must tell. So soon the shouting angel choir Must heavenward fly with notes of woe, Grieved that the unstained record there The blot of sin and death must show.

Dark and more dark the moral night, Man's devious way now shadowed o'er; While farther from the heavenly light His erring footsteps wandered more. Yet God, all loving, watched him still, Though veiled his face to mortal eyes; Betimes, in dreams revealed his will, And treasured each repentant sigh. The angel's record darkly gloomed With sin's vile traces, stained with blood, Man's pathway, sorrowing to the tomb, So little knew of wise and good.

The angel scribe, still faithful, traced, Or glad or grieved, the deathless page; In God's own book the record placed Of every clime, of every age. Man's guardian watcher, hovering near, His inner life he read unseen, And oft, as things to man appear Seldom to God and angels seem.

What varied scenes arise to view! As we time's tireless rounds pursue. In princely halls a festal scene— Throne dazzling o'er a wondering throng; Mid royal purple, golden sheen, Rang loud acclaims of praise and song. A conqueror, wreathed in laurel crown, Drank long the meed of sweet applause; The crowd, in worship bowing down, Shouted, “Long live the hero brave! Immortal honors crown thy name, Which history's page shall proudly bear; Ten thousand foemen hast thou slain, Their lands and treasures all thine own.” So sang the crowd, so flattery paid The servile debt, ambition's due; While far above the angel stood, From truth's unclouded hight to view. He saw, beneath that laurel crown, Selfish ambition, proudly vain; And, on that gold-encircled palm, Of brother's blood the cruel stain. Nor need delay his truthful pen The victor's name with blood to trace. “Though honored, worshiped thus by men, Thou murderer hast in Heaven no place.”

Then quickly sought his angel eye A lovelier sight, a dearer theme; And to the gory fields did fly, Where dead and dying still were seen. He noted there, unseen by man, The feet of mercy—hands of love, All swift to bear the soothing balm, And point the parting soul above. Unsought was wealth, unthought of, fame; Unselfish love—unwearied toil, Relieving sorrow, want, and pain, Illumed the darkly crimsoned soil. The benefactor meekly heard The dying blessing on his head, While on the angel's book appeared The words all traced in glorious light.

In olden days, in Israel's land, When priest and scribe, vain glorious, made Their ample offerings, costly, grand, In name for God, for man displayed— A widow came, thin clad and poor, Threw in two mites—she had no more, Though full her heart of heavenly love. The eye of priest was dark with scorn; Still with his lips to God he prayed;— The Saviour to his followers turned, And these immortal words he said— “Verily, this widow giveth more Than all these lords of wealth have given;” The angel scribe repeats it o'er— Amen! the record stood in Heaven, And often since “the widow's mite,” In Heaven's eternal trying scale, Has many a golden dower outweighed, Which trumpet sound to man displayed.

While near, the boasting Pharisee, Self-righteous, prayed so long and loud— The publican, on bended knee, In true repentance deeply sighed, “O God, be merciful to me!” And Heaven pronounced him justified. Thus, often, while the high-plumed prayer, Without the buoyant wing of love, Is only wasted on the air, Unheard, unanswered from above, A little artless, trusting child, All Heaven has bowed in loving will, Praying in accents lowly, “My dearest Father, love me still.”

Behold! a gorgeous, golden throne— A sceptered lord of many a realm; Submissive millions ready own His word as law, his wish their will. And many a noble, generous deed, Perhaps has graced his regal power; The slave oppressed, he may have freed, And kindly dealt with rich and poor; Then well may fame delight to twine Her loveliest garland for his brow, If wealth and power with goodness shine, So rare this triple crown is worn. On history's fairest page shall shine, The name earth honors, loves the best, And after death, almost divine, His virtues grow, his faults suppressed.

But when immortal he shall rise, Admitted to the mansions blest, The angel record meets his eyes,— His earthly name in Heaven undressed,— Uncrowned, untitled, only bright With simple deeds of goodness done; These radiant glow'd in Heaven's pure light, All else with earthly dross was gone, And, in his heavenly diadem, ’Mid pearls of love, not one star more, For all the stars on earth he wore. More strange than all—beside his name— Scores of his subjects there enrolled, Of equal rank!—or higher still!— Whose deeds on earth were never told! Of humble name, of lowly walk, Earth's sorrowing ones they ever knew; Knew well of Jesus' love to talk, And, in his name, all good to do. Some faithful heralds of the cross, Who sought men's dying souls to bless, Whose holy lives continual taught The way of Heaven is righteousness. Some, busier still, the record said, Love's unseen ministries dispensed, Smiles for the sad, for hungry, bread, On mercy's errands tireless sped. Earth's angels they, whose gentle lives Flow out to gladden everywhere, As silent dew the earth revives, And wakes sweet fragrance in the flowers. While many a noble, grand resolve, Awaiting time, a way is given; The constant, trickling drops of love Have filled a crystal cup in Heaven. Others to feast is love's best feast, Unheeding what reward may be; What ye have done to lowest, least— The angel writes—“ye've done to me.” Some, loving well, have served as well, Bearing affliction's chastening rod; In pain and sorrow whispering still, Thy will, not mine, be done, O God; Others discerned the midnight gloom, Which ignorance spreads o'er mind and soul; Toiled hard the mines of truth to find, Her priceless treasures to unfold.

Long was the list—the page was bright— So many faithful ones inscribed, Whose faults were hid in virtue's light, So much of Heaven on earth imbibed.

Not glad the angel scribe must write The sorrowing list of folly, crime; The shade of sin's dark, starless night, Still hanging o'er the home of time; Of tyrant rule, whose iron hand Has forged oppression's cruel chain, Wide scattering sorrow o'er the land, And chilling fear, and want, and pain; Of power that crushed the trembling weak, Extorting unrewarded toil, Where torn affection hopeless weeps Such bitter tears as curse the soil. For God doth surely hear the cry Of helpless, unrequited wrong; The fearful record placed on high, Will pierce at last the heart of stone, Of gilded traitors who, to raise The mighty self one little notch, A nation's life and honor pays, Oh Heaven! what a fearful price! But time would fail, e'en brief to scan The angel's record—long as time; Each deed, each word, each thought of man, His works of love, his follies, crimes, Accomplished deeds, and deeds designed, All faithful, truthful, entered there.

But on that sin-bedarkened page, None darker seemed than envy’s deeds; Abhorred on earth—engine most vile, To crush man's joys on which to feed, Base “conscious poverty of soul,” That worth in others cannot bear, But with polluting, withering touch, Would wrench the crown it cannot wear. Thirsting for praise, he strives to rob True worth of praise and honor just; Those rising glorious fame's fair lights,

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