The Christian index. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1872-1881, January 20, 1881, Page 2, Image 2

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2 ■ JOTTINGS BY THE WAY. Dear Index: My last letter closed with my visit to Warrenton. Upon boarding the train for Thomson I was delighted to meet Rev. A. J. Battle, theable and beloved Pres ident of Mercer University, and Hon. W. J. Northern, for a long series of years one of the most efficient educators in Georgia, and now and for several sessions, representing II in «ock county in the Legislature with signal ability. Those gentlemen wereen rout e for Thomson to attend the Middle Georgia Teachers' Association. Professor Orr, State School Commissioner of Georgia, came down on this train from Atlanta. I felt myself truly fortunate in having such excellent company on my first visit to Thomson. At the depot we were met by a committee of gentlemen who took us in charge. After a good dinner at the hotel we wended our way to the Teachers’ Association, then in session. As the secular papers have already given in full the pro ceedings of the Association, I deem it en tirely unnecessary for me to repeat them in this letter, if time and space would permit. Suffice it to say that the proceedings were •quite interesting and instructive. The es says and lectures were good—very good. Dr. Battle's address on “Memory" was char acteristic of this truly great and good man. The lecture of Professor Butler, of Madison, •on Physical Training in Schools, was high ly entertaining, exceedingly pleasant and unanswerable in argument. I hope the day is in the near future " hen this will be regarded as quite as important in all our schools as grammar and arithme tic. The prize declamation and reading at night, by students from various schools, Was very good. In fact, so well did the young contestants acquit themselves that 1 understood that the committee regrets there were not prizes for each one. But there Were only two prizes—one for the boys and one for the girls,—and these were awarded to Master E. H. George, of Madison, and Miss Annie Gallaher of Warrenton. Others were highly complimented by the commit tee. Thomson is a charming place. No whis key sold here, and the town is advancing, as all others do when that abominable busi ness, the liquor traffic, is driven thence. ’Whilst here brother Northern and I were the guests of Hon. H.C. Roney, the able Representative of that county in the Legis lature, and a pleasant time we had truly. My only regret is, brother Roney, that 1 couldn't join you in that last dinner. From Thomson to Augusta, where 1 spent a part of two days and nights. The weath er was very disagreeable, however, and im peded my operations. Besides, 1 was now within sixty miles of my family, whom 1 had not seen lor more than two months, and every hour seemed long until 1 could once more be in my dear home circle. Hence I did not see perhaps one-fourth of the large number who patronize The Index in that city. 1 was glad to learn, however, from our beloved brother, Rev. W. W. Lan drum, pastor of Green street church, that it was his custom to make The Index a spe cial matter o r business with his church at the close of every year, and that he would do so on the following Sunday. I wish all the pastors of Baptist Churches in Georgia wouldCJ^.'I*' 1 *' ‘ How it would increase the circuJij .> paper! I w/ ry 1 cotold not see the pas- tors o\ Mlss ltrches if i Augusta, but so it wtai. i ~i_ ’ returning there as soon as “will permit. • • Spent Mjiday in Wavnesboro. When I got off the dhrs and made inquiry for the Baptist church, and was directed to that im posing building in lull view, I cannot ex press my feelings. 1 knew the Baptists of Waynesboro, with their beloved pastor, Rev. W. S. Kilpatrick, had been struggling to build a house for the Lord, but I bad no ex pectation of seeing such an edifice as this. And in my heart 1 can but say, God bless the brethren and sisters of Waynesboro, with b other Kilpatrick, and make them truly a city not set upon a hill. When I arrived at the church serviceshad begun. In the pul pit with brother Kilpatrick were the pastors of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches, each taking part in the services. "Behold how good, and how pleasant, it is for breth ren to dwell together in unity.” Services over I could not resist the temptation to in spect the interior of this handsome church. It is finished throughout with perfect taste, and independent of th • splendid organ, handsome carpet, excellent stove —which • warms the whole house—cost between three and four thousand dollars The carpet was a present from one of Waynesboro's most enterprising young men. 1 would like to mention his name here, but lest 1 do vio lence to his modesty, prefer to forbear. The splendid silver communion service was presented to the church by one of Georgia’s noblest citizens, but he will not permit the fact of his making the donation to be pub lished in the ' newspapers. 1 will say this, however, (and 1 hope be will not be offend ed) that bis ho ne is in Atlanta, and that he is the most popular man in Georgia. While in Waynesboro I was the guest of brother Jethro Thomas, and a more pleasant visit 1 never had anywhere. 1 am also spe cially indebted to brethren Thomas and Kil patrick for aiding me in my work for The Index I believe it was my privilege to add to the list of subscribers to The Index nearly —if not quite—every Baptist family in this flourishing towu, who were not taking it before. And now 1 am off for home. Home, sweet name! A happy home, next of kin to the home above. Arrived safely, and find loved ones all well. Only those who have been long separated from wife and children can fully appreciate thejoysofthe reunion after these two months of absence. O.will it not be a happy, happy time, when loved ones meet to part no more. May God bless every reauerof The Index during the year 1881, and may it be the happiest and best year they have ever spent- With some of us it will be our last. Help us, O, Lord, to be ready when the summons comes. J. M. G. Medlock. THREE MOTIONS. Dear Index: I .css than five months to Hie next meeting of the Georgia Baptist Convention. In anticipation of that event I have three motions to offer: I. That a lively discussion of its business be kept up in The Index from now until that time. Such a discussion in advance ■would invite the attention of the churches to the proceedings of the body when it meets, and prepare them to support its measures during the following year, It would no doubt be agreeable to the editors and readers to have communications from many sources, of reasonable brevity, and brim'ful of the beet thoughts of the writers. J. That our State Mission Board to be elected at that seraion, appoint not less than four able brethren, effective preachers, in full sympathy with the work of tneConvention,as itinerants through the State at large, or each one in some particular section of the State, that every community may see and hear an influential advocate of the enterprises we THE CHRISTIAN INDEX AND SOUTH-WESTERN BAPTIST: THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1881. are prosecuting. Hundreds of our churches I need to be impressed that the Convention is I something to them, and they something to the Convention. I know not how this is to be done except by sending among them men who can preach the Gospel with power, and show the connection of our denominational enterprises with the interests of the Savior’s Kingdom. It would probably be advisable to instruct these itinerants to avoid railroad towns which have been often visited by agents and corresponding secretaries, and spend tbeir whole force upon more remote districts where a representative of our Con ventions has rarely been seen. This kind of work would have a tendency to bring to our assistance thousands of brethren who have never taken much interest in our general operations. 3. That a resolution be adopted, or some other means devised, to prevent our State and Home Mission Boards from taking an unfair advantage of the Foreign Mission Board. When the State or Home Board is requester] to appoint a missionary in some domestic field, the request is acceded to on condition that the Baptists in that commu nity or region will become responsible for a stipulated part of the salary. The brethren agree to the proposition, and devote all or most of their contributions to the liquida tion of the debt thus incurred, leaving for eign missions to take care of themselves, or to be sustained by churches in other sec tions. lam reliably informed that Georgia is now behind hand in her contributions to the foreign work; no discerning brother need look far beyond the practice now under consideration for the principal cause of this deficiency. The fact is that, our people are already sufficiently disposed to give the cold shoulder to foreign missions without our encouraging that spirit by offering special inducemei ts to dismiss it from their sympa thies. I move that our State and Home Boards be requested either not to make such conditional contracts as are mentioned above, orelsethat they incorporate another condition that the church or Association desiring the appointment of a missionary in their bounds shall also contribute a stipula ted sum to foreign missions. If the For eign Board can ailord to send out missionas ries to distant lands without a special guar anty from the churches, your correspondent sees no reason why the other Boards may not take similar risks in appointing mis sionaries in their own land. Very respectfully, Dundee. A WELL ORDERED CHURCH. Editor Index : I send you a few facts concerning our church, which you may print in The Index if you think proper. 1. Our church is comparatively small. The majority of its members are poor. They are about on an average as to culture . 2. We have preaching every Sabbath morning and at night. The church keeps up a weekly prayermeeting, which is con ducted by the brethren. We also have a Sunday-school, which is managed by the church. These various services are very well attended. 3. Our church makes great effort to main tain a good and healthy discipline over its members. As a rule we have been able to correct disorderly members by t ie use of gentle means. But, in a few instances, we have had to withdraw fellowship from the offending. We have excluded one for get ting goods under false pretenses ; two for drunkenness ; one for non-attendance upon worship; one for non-payment of his sub scription to the church on pastor's salary, and two for other causes. My memory fails me if we have excluded any other member during a period of about eight years. ( 4. Our church paidUo our State Board for missions, during the lAj‘Conventional year, about fifty cents per/• Anber. I trust God ■will put it into our f ,'*rts to do more this year. )" 5. Our church pay% its pastor a stated salary. This salary is not large, though liberal to the pecuniary strength of the members. This salary is paid monthly to the day. 6. Our church requires all members desir- ing letters to pay their indebtedness, sub scriptions, etc., before granting tbeir appli cations. In case the applicant has been un fortunate, and cannot pay, he is excused, and the church assumes and pays his sub scription. A Pastor Several items in the above letter are worthy of special notice. Observe, in the third item, that members are ex cluded for non-attendance —no other charge being brought; also for no other offence than failing to pay what they have subscribed for the pastor’s salary. This is right, and exactly as it ought to be ; but how many of our churches do it? Observe, in the fourth item, that, for purposes outside of their own immediate affairs, they pay fifty cents per year for every member, whether man, woman, or child. There is not I a rich man in the church, and but few i who can be said to be well-to-do in the world ; most of them are poor people who have to work for their daily bread. Observe, in the fifth item, that the pas tor’s salary is fixed at a certain sum, and that it is always, without fail,paid j promptly to the day. Observe, in the i sixth item, that a letter of dismission ' is never granted to a member who is ,in arrears as to his payments. Ob i serve, finally, that if, in the providence j of God, a member has become abso lutely unable to pay, the church as sumes the debt and pays it for him. It is the best ordered church that we know of in the State; but every other might be ordered just as well; all that is wanting is the will. How many of our churches will “go and do like wise?”—Ed. Index. PROGRAMME of exercises of Sunday-school Convention of Bethel Association, to be held with the Baptist church at Milford, Baker county, conuncnciHg on Saturday before the fifth Sabbath in January, 1881. at 8.30 a. m.: SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION 1. “The Obstacles in the way of Sunday- School Work in the Country, and How to Avoid Them.” —T. J. Beck, Morgan. 2. “Mistakes to be Avoided tn our Sunday ! School Work."—Rev. R T. Hanks. 3. “The Qualifications and Duties of an Efficient Superintendent."—W. J. Horsley, | Leary. 4 "The Great Object of all our Sunday j School Work, and the Methods best Oalcula -1 ted to Insure that Result."—Rev. Thomas Muse, 6. “The Importance of Cultivating a Mis sionary Spirit among our Pupils to Success ' iu the Effort," —W. W. Fleming. Missionary sermons will be preached, both on Sat unlay and Sunday at eleven o'clock a. m. Sundav-school exercises Sundav morn ing at 8:3(5, conducted by Rev. Win. H. Cooper. It is earnestly hoped that all the churches within reach of Milford will send delegates. Wm. H. Cooper, Pres't. 8. 8. Convention Bethel Asin. "MERGER MEN IN TEXAS." Editor Index : Dr. 0. C. Pope, of our theological class of 1860, sent your paper a very interesting letter with the caption above quoted, which appeared November 25th. We have not had the addresses of the living alumni mentioned by him, and knew little of their growth and usefulness. Hence their record in our late triennial catalogue is very meagre indeed. We thank him for the ad dresses furnished, and will try to keep in communication with them hereafter. A word or two in reference to several of the brethren mentioned by Mr. Pope: REV. JOHN F. HILLYER was a teacher in the Mercer Institute'l334-6. He had considerable mechanical genius, and made, with his own hands, an air-pump, the first piece of apparatus the Institute possess ed. The barrel was said to have been cast from lead. The writer has seen only the wooden s’and and the iron lever, which re mained in the apparatus room at Penfield for many years. W. M. TRYON AND NOAH HILL were students in the Institute. I had been told that brother Tryon was never at Pen field, but studied under Rev. B. M. Sanders in Columbia county. But, in the Mercer Institute Rolls, published in The Index some months since, the name of W. M. Tryon appears in the year 1835 The name of Noah Hill occurs in the year 1838. P. B. CHANDLER was at college when the writer entered i.i 1844. He, brother Jesse M Wood, Dr. Lan drum, Joseph M. Bakerand Rev. J. G. Me- Norton were the leading debaters in the Phi Delta Society. BOONE, PRESTON AMD HILLDRUP graduated in theology in the years 1859,1860 and 1861, respectively. We had lost sight of brother Boone, and did not know of his death. Brother Preston went as a Missiona ry to the Indians after graduation, and, be ing driven home from the Nation by the war, preached in Georgia until his departure for Texas a few years since. Mrs. Preston was a sister of Mrs. Thomas Stocks and of Mrs. Bowen, Missionary to Africa. x W. M. REESE AND WILBUR J. BROWN. Rev. W. M. Reese was called away before graduation ; but, with his talents and char acter, it is not surprising that he is at the head of an institution of learning. Wilbur J. Brown graduated in 1861, and seems to be maintaining in Texas the hon orable position he ever held at Mercer. W. R. MAXWELL I is not our R. H. Maxwell, but probably a near relative. "Dick” Maxwell appears as Richard H, Maxwell in our catalogues, as Sophomore in 1858 9, and so on till gradua tion, and since as an alumnus. W. T. CHASE V '-* graduated in theology in 1862 It had been rumored that he had joined the “true apos tolic succession,” and was dispensing the gospel in surplice and gown. It is gratifying to know that he has not departeel from the faith ofhis father, and from the sound theo logical training of Drs. Crawford and Wil liams. Wethank Dr. Pope for his kind remem brance of Mercer, ami for making known to her friends the valuable labors of some of her sons 1 in a far distant State. J. E. -Wjilet. Mercer University. FROM THE SEMINARY AT LOUIS VILLE. Editor Index: To-day being the first day of the month, was the day ofthe month ly meeting of our Missionary Society, and I thought a short sketch of the proceedings would interest you. Dr. Manly presided, and brothetLovelace, of Kentucky, opened the melting with prayer. Psalm 72.1 was read w fiW / ’ Cd 4>y a hymn. Brother J. S. HardawAyTp’wlrghiiaf was Essayist, to’whom Brazil had Been as signed as a subject. Among the many in teresting facts about this great country, the essayist remarked that Brazil had a popula tion of more than eleven millions, of whom nearly all were of Portugese descent. The Roman Catholic religion, in its very worst form, prevailed, amounting to mere super stition. Men bow to images of the Virgin and worship they know not what. The priesthood have lost, the confidence of the people, being themselves notoriously cor rupt. Brazil needs the gospel. She lies upon the highway of the world with a free and available press. All religions are tolerated, but only Roman Catholicism, in its most corrupt form, has made any headway. Dr. Manly then stated that, of all Roman Catholic countries, none is more important than Brazil, and the corrupt state of that religion there, was among the greatest rea sons why Protestants should establish mis sions in that country. Dr. Broadus gave some special reasons why Brazil is a most promising field of mis sionary enterprise. They are fast coming into more sympathy with us. The question of emancipation is agitating the minds of the people, and they are beholding the his tory of the United States, both before and since the late war. Again, trade between this country and that has been established on a firmer basis. And, lastly, we are all Americans. He then urged the importance of Missionary Societies, with a specific work and field in view. This does away with the vague conception of missionary work, and gives it definiteness. Before closing let me tell what the stu dents are doing outside of the recitation rooms. We have established between six and ten Mission Stations in the destitute parts of the city. Sixty-five students out of eighty-live or ninety, teach regularly in Subbath schools established in these places, at all of which four hundred and fifty Sun day-school scholars meet every Sabbath, Two hundred copies of "Kind Words" are distributed through the month. The ex penses of this work are met bv rich Baptists m the city. Besides this the students average fifteen sermons every Sunday in and around the city. We have set apart the fourth Thursday in January as the day for prayer for colleges. ’ W. 8. W. Louisville, Jan. 1, 1881. .V/NN/r'.VN. Editor Index: I have lately had the pieazure of reading Dr. Tupper's interesting work on Missions, and pursued my reading by reviewing the lives of the Judson's. While I have long been a friend of the cause, my feelings have become enthused on the sub ject. What a grand cause for every Baptist to support I All cannot become bearers ot the glad tidings of salvation to those who are in darkness, but all can contribute his and her mite to the blessed cause. Would that I could induce every Baptist to purchase and read Dr. Tupper’s work, and 1 feel sure that the hearts of many would bun with a desire to do more for Christ. They would understand more clearly what made those self-sacrificing ones for nke home, friends and the luxuries of civiliza tion to be instrumental in sowing the seed of Christianity in dark and heathen lands, and be encouraged by their success to help spread the good news. What a privilege to give something to the cause of Christ 1 How? many a brother, sister and child will ask; how'can 1 help where so much is needed? Will you allow me to tell what I have re solved to do? I have long desired silver forks, and other articles so dear to house keepers. They would look so much nicer than my old plated ones, and last, oh, how long! But the grave question presents itselt: What good would the mere possession do me, when that money would do lasting good spent in the cause of missions ? Would not God be more pleased and honored to have it spent in that way than in self-grati fication ? The readers of The Index will remember Mary Carter's effort to do something for Jesus, and tbe poor bed ridden sister who knit four pairs of socks and sent them to orother DeVotie as a contribution. “The ministry ofthe weak" is often strong, result ing in good that eternity alone will unfold. Let us all this jear resolve to do more for tbe cause of Jesus. Let us denv ourselves of something and send a New Year’s offering that will not only be acceptable to God, but will cheer the hearts of his servants. A Lady Friend of Missions. bea thTofbartojTsgo TT. Zion churqh, Newton county, Ga., has had another telling loss. In August last Deacon Jarman, of that church, was suddenly dis missed from earth On the fourth day of December last brother Barton Scott, of tbe same church, was killed almost instantly by a falling tree. Brother Scott was about twenty nine years old, had no family, and had been in feeble health for some years. He had been a church-member for a long time, and was among the most steady persons of his age tbe writer ever knea’. So marked was the soberness of his deportment, that tbe name “old ’ was sometimes given him. A friend who conversed with him at the close of the last annual meeting of his church, was deep ly interested with what appeared to be his earnest and genuine piety. He read his Bi ble, attended his meetings, as few young men do, and remembered that the laborer is worthy of iris hire. Loving parents and brothers and sisters ' are the mourners around his grave. Tbe j writer—tbeir old pastor—can only offer his ■ condolence to them and bisprayer for them. W. M. Davis. Lake City, Fla., Jan. 6, 1881. A WORD TO THE CHURCHES IN GA. Dear Brethren: The new plan of col lecting for missions, inaugurated at Colum bus less than two years ago, worked well at first. At Savannah, less than a year since, the report of Dr. DeVotie was cheering. If since then there ha- been any falling off in I receipts in certain quirters, perhaps it has I been owing, in part, to a change of pa-tor.s | in many country churches. In making such changes tbe incoming pastors may not, in some cases, have been favorable to the cur rent plan of collections; or they may have lacked in method, or, in the confusion of the interval between pastors, tbe regular collections may have been omitted. I have this suggestion to make: some active brother in each church make it bis business to insiston taking the missionary collections regularly and punctually,whether the pastor thinks of it or not. Cannot each church ' appoint such a brother? W. M. Davis. THINGS B’///( H~A~M~INISTER CAN'T DO 1— He can’t always preach eloquent sermons. ! There are few eloquent writers, and still I fewer eloquent speakers. It is, on the whole, j a great blessing to the Church that it is so; ; for divine truth appears best in a simple garb, and the most useful pastors have been I those, generally, whose names have never | attained to anything like notoriety. But with tbe power to be eloquent, or using tbe term in tbe popular acceptation, his sense of duty would oblige him to sacrifice popular! jty to usefulness. Comparing himself with himself—that is intellectually—the minister is not able to be alike interesting in iris sermons. Some sermons must be doctrinal, and by a certain class of hearers they will be called dry ; others must be expository, and by another class—those who go to church more for amusement than for instruction these will be considered tedious. Besides, the minister is bnt a man, feeling sometimes in the mood for study, and, at other times, almost incaoable of any intellectual effort. His sedentary life renders him peculiarly liable to nervous depression, headache and indigestion. These affect the mind, and render study, at times, almost out of the question ; still he is expected to be just as interesting at one time as at another. How unreasonable I Again, he cannot always feel equally in terested in the delivery of his sermon. There are subtle causes at work to deaden feeling, and what he has prepared with great study may be delivered in a heartless manner. Is this under bis own control ? Every minis ter will say nay. Hence sermons that cost but little study, delivered under a state of excitement, will often be more admired and talked of than those which cost vastly more effort, but which, unhappily, have been pronounced with less feeling. Then again, his congregation is thin when lie expected to see it full, or those are absent for whose edification especially the discourse was pre pared ; and are not these circumstances calculated to depress the mind? How, then, can it be expected that ministers should always preach interesting and eloquent ser- I mons ? Another thing which ministers can’t do is to visit as much as the people expect. This will always be a standing charge against them. Until thej 1 can get a power of übiqui ty 1 see not how this expectation can !>■ met. If six mouths, or even three, sone times elapse, they are saluted with the ex clamation, “Why, what a stranger you are ; we thought you had forgotten us.” Now, I maintain that if a minister, especially in a large city congregation, attends to all the ■ sick, tbe bereaved and the serious inquiries ■ with great punctuality and faithfulness, the rest of the congregation should accept a visit ! whenever it can be conveniently made.— Puritan Recorder. Spiritual Consumption.—A church that never sends a son into the ministry, and never prays or cares about an in crease in th < number oi ministers, may expect to be left, in the course of time, either wi'hout a pastoror with oue whose ministry is barren. A church that has never learned to worship God with its money, and doesnot regular]v contribute j to carry on the work of the Lord in the : home and foreign field, may expect that its light, which, like all other lights can only shine as it consumes, will go out in darkness. A church that neglects disci pline, and allow s offence* to go unrebuk ed, may expect that this cancer will fi nally eat away its life. A church that allows its prayer-meeting to godown, be ! cause its officers and members are averse to praying in public, may consider itself ; in spiritual consumption, witli its right lung already gone. A church that loses all fervor of desire, and effort and pray er, not only for the instruction, but also for the conversion of her children, and I of the poor and Ignorant, and of those out of the way in its immediate locality, may expect to be found in the next gen ! eration frozen to death. A writer in the New York Sun says re formers make a mis’akc in beginning at the poor. They should commence upon the rich. He adds that the sins of low life are open to inspection and merciless ly revealed, while the crimes of high life are refined away and hidden.—Evening News. In our opinion the sins of low life are no more numerous than tbe sins of high life; and in general they are far more excusable. The Sunday-School. International Sunday-School Lessons. [Prepared specially for The Index by Rev. 8. H. Mirick, of Washington, D.C.] Lesson V. —January 30, 1881. SIMEON AND THE CHILD JESUS. Luke 11:25-35. B. C. 5. When Jesus was eight days old, he was circumcised and named in accordance with Jewish law. When he was forty-two days old, his parents took him to the temple “to present him to the Lord ” At the same time an offering was made for tne purification of the mother. See Lu. 2:21 24 and Leviticus 12:1-8. At this time tbe eventof our lesson occurred. OUTLINE. I. The waiting, v- 25,26- 11. The recognition, v. 27-31. 111. The prediction, v. 32-35. NOTES. I. The waiting. V. 25 “Simeon.” We know nothing more of him than is here related. Thein definite expression “a man" seems to indi cate that be was not a prominent man in Jerusalem. Five things are said of him. 1. He was “just” toward his fellow-men. 2. "Devout." careful to observe the moral and ceremonial law of God. 3. “Waiting for tbe consolation of Israel." Patiently waiting for the coining of the Messiah, who was to be the consolation of the nation in its oppression. Compare “Hope of Israel” in Acts 28:20. “The Holy Ghost was upon him." He was guided by the Spirit in an unusual manner V. 26 5. Thu Spirit revealed to him that he should see the Messiah before be died. Tout this was a direct revelation it would be presumption to doubt. 11. The recognition. V. 27. “Came by tbe Spirit,” as actually as if he had been invited and accompanied by an earthly acquaintance. “Into the temple,” where and when he should see the Me slab “To do for him after the custom of the law.” Tbe first-born male in every Jewish family was claimed by God as -specially his, to be devoted to his service. Num. 3.5 13 8:17. Afterward the tribe of Levi was taken iu the place of the firsfborn. In order, however, to keep in mind the Lord's claim and the deliverance from Egypt, the first-born males were brought to tbe priest, dedicated to God and then Ndeemad by the payment of the shek-la Num. 8:15,14. 18:15, 16. This was the cus tom referred to here. V. 28. “Then.” Through the Holy Spir it, he recognized the child as the Messiah. “Blessed God ” Praised him. V. 29. “Lord.” Not the usual word translated Lord but one denoting master and corresponding to servant. Simeon here denotes his entire dependence on his divine Master. “Depart iu peace.” “He speaks asoneto whom this life is one of toil and bondage, and the other one of rest and liber ty; and he waits for the day of his emanci pation—the true ideal of the aged Christian's anticipation of death.” Abbott. “Now” that I have seen the Messiah, "According to thy word.” See verse 26. V. 30. “Mine eyes have seen.” What prophets and kings had desired to see. “Thy salvation.” The Messiah and all that the actual presence of the child signified. “His mind Mstens on the thing, not tbe person; and he sees the world's salvation while be holding the form of a helpless child.” Van O isterzee. V. 31. “Os all people." Literally, of all peoples or nations. Salvation is for the world without distinction of nations. V« 32. “A light to lighten the Gentiles.” The Gentiles are represented as being In darkness and the coming of the M-'Ssiah as the dawning of day. The Gentiles are ig norant of God and sinful. Christ makes them acquainted withthe law of God, with his true character and with his plan of sal vation. “Tne glory of thy people of Israel.” The first offer of salvation was made to the Jews. Among them had been the prophets who predicted his coming. He was born among them. His first ministry was among them. 111. The prediction. V. 33. "Marvelled.” Wondered because they had gained a new and larger concep tion of the mission of their child. V. 34. "Blessed them.” Prayed God's blessing upon Joseph and Mary. “Is set " Appointed. We should never forget in reading the New Testament, that Christ was sent by his Father for a specific work, and that wherever he went and in whatever be did, he was doing the Father’s will. “Fall.” Ruin. He was the destruction of all hope of a temporal prince who should relieve them from Roman rule. Many would reject him as tbe Messiah and thus be ruined. The na tion would reject him, and so rush into ruin, the people be scattered, Jerusalem be dess troyed. and the temple thrown down. “Ris ing.” Omit again. Through faith in Jesus, many would rise from the idea of a political d-liverance for tbeir nation to the grander idea of a universal kingdom of all peoples, and to the conception ot a purely spiritual kingdom. “A sign,” of God's love to man. “Shall be spoken against." Opposed, reviled, re jected. This is the first hint given in the New Testament ofthe opposition which the Mes siah should meet, from the unbelief of man. The angel had announced tidings of great joy, but this man of God goes further and announces that men will reject that which gives joy to angelic messengers. V. 35. “A sword shall pierce through thy own soul also.” Referring to the anguish which her heart would feci at the opposi tion which would meet her Son, at his -ejec tion by her people and his crucifixion at last. “That” or in order that. This is to be connected with verse 34. “Tbe thoughts.” The wicked, selfish thoughts of men. The ungodly among the Jews were opposed. Nor less did he reveal the truly pious. ' REMARKS. 1. The Holy Spirit leads us to Jesus. 2. If one lias seen Jesus, he can welcome death. 3. The cross is still a revealer of the hearts of men. 4.There is to be a final revelation of what is the heart of man,—tbe revelation of the judgment day. 5. Have you found Je SUS? “Throwing Away Votes.”—The JlVst ern Christian Advocate talks straight to the mark about a common fallacy, as follows: A good deal of twaddling is heard about throwing away votes, as if every minority vote was a vote thrown away. Even if this were true, it might lie better than a vote with the majority. A vote may be worse than thrown away. A vote f>r the wrong is worse than no vote. But it is not true that minority votes are thrown away. Their influence is felt—felt for good ar-for evil, as they are for the right or for the wrong. Mi nority votes have shaken empires. One vote in a minority may outweigh ten thousand of those in a majority. In this world all great movements in favor of truth and righteousness begin with mi norities, Better a thousand times to be a minority of one in the right than to go with a multitude in doing well, It is unmanly, it is cowardly, not to date to stand alone when truth and righteous ness require it, or to stand with those the world may despise. Oh, for a little manly courage for righteousness! Teaching communicates ideas. Train ing forms habits. Teaching imparts knowledge. Training develops power. In teaching, the adult explains words. In training, he shows methods. Under teaching, the child hears what is said; under training, he sees what is done. Teaching is a spur that judges onward. Training is food which gives strength to' run. Again, teaching is apt to beget aversion; it palls if prolonged, and al most necessarily grows irksome from the repitition which it involves. Training wins one’s liking; it whets an appetite for itself. In many branches of tuition this is so well understood that training forms the chief element in the master’s work. W hat teacher es the voice of instruments, what writing master, what artist, would instruct wholly or even chiefly, by ex plaining the thaory? When an art is to be taught all understand that example and practice are the most essential means of progress; the teacher i« to show the pupil “how.” But when the moral train ing of the young is in question, when family education is ob«erv«d, how little is seen, even among the most thoughtful and cultured classes, of systematic, inju dicious pains taken to show the children how. Now, it is not enough to provide good books, or even to give lucid and repeated explanations about honesty, courage, gratitude, economy, industry, courtesy, or the like, training in these things is needful.— N. Y. Tribune. Do you want your children to be punctual? Show them how; that is, be so yourself. Do you wish them to be methodical in their .habits? Show them how. Do you wish them to be indus trious? Be so yourself, and thus show them how. Do you wish them to be unselfish and generous? Give liberally, and this will show them how. Do you wish them to be even-tempered and amiabla? Set the example, and show them how. Do you wish them to be prayerful? By your daily habits show them how. Do you wish them to sustain the church of Jesus Christ and his min isters by all possible means? Just show them how. Children cannot be talkqd into dutiful ways; but they can be led in them. They take their habits from what they see, not from what they read and hear. Show them how. CANDOR OF JUDGMENT. And here is wisdom from that clear headed, level-headed, and fair-dealing journal, the Methodist, of New York. We pray you, dear reader, give it good attention. —Ed. Index. Candor of judgment fails in men chiefly under the stress of two influences—opposi tion and habits of mind. By the first we mean that few men are candid when dealing with an active opposition. Tne desire for victory makesone, in such a case, too ready jto grasp the nearest weapon. By habits of ' mind we mean those fixed opinions, often very numerous and running down into de tails, which men are apt to embrace in the i heat of conflict, and keep tenaciously after I they have lost all relation to existing facts. There is nothing more tiresome to an intel | ligent person than to listen to this antiqua- ted twaddle or to reed it in newspapers. And yet one-half of nearly every man's life is probably controlled by justsueb twaddle. Me are all more or less "Bourbons who for get nothing and learn nothing”—who are always deciding living issues by old half truths learned when we were still capable of learning. Now it seems to us to be a posi ; tively religious duty of every man to resist tbe influence upon his judgment of many ■ opinions as to life, society, politics, public men, which may once nave had a certain amount of truth, but have ceased to apply. No man can be candid, and therefore a good Christian, unless he takes pains to be well informed by reading and bearing both sides, and by rethinking it out, concerning tbe character of Iris neighbors, public men, so cial habits and a thousand trivial, but more or less potential, concerns. To be able to slough off from time to time a 'mass of such minor opinionsis to be able to live three or four times as much as many do. Never to so grow young is to be soon like a sapless tree which is still counted a tree, but bears no leaf or fruit. Medicine in a Vehicle.—A physician was called by a foreign family and prescribed “one pill to be taken three times a day in any convenient vehicle.” The family looked in the dictionary to get at tbe meaning of the prescription. They got on well until they reached the word vehicle. To this they found, “cart, wagon, carriage, buggy, wheel barrow.” After grave consideration they came to the conclusion that the doctor meant the patient should ride out, and while in the vehicle he should take the pill. Tbe advice was followed to the letter, and in a few weeks the fresh air and exercise cured the patient. KITCHEN ECONOMY. Interesting Tests made hy the Uovernmenl Chemist. [New York Tribune, Dec. 17.] Dr. Edward G. Love, present Analytical Chem ilit for the Indian Department of the Govern ment, has recently nuiue some Interesting ex periments ss to the comparative value of baking powders. Dr. Love's tests were made to determ ine what brands are tho most economical to use. And as their capacity lies in their leavening power, tests were directed solely to ascertain the available gas of each powder. Dr. Love's report give* the following: “The prices at which baking powders are sold to consumers I find to be usually tojeents per pound. I have therefore calculated tneir rela tive comm -rcial values according to the volume of gas yielded on a basis of s’l cents cost per peund. Conpa- Ara liable gas, rative cubic inches per worth Nameoflhe each ounce powder. per baking powders. pound. • Royal" (cream tartar p0wder).„....127.4 60 eta. “Patapsco" (alum p0wder)....125 2 49 •* “Rumford's” (phosphate) freshl22.s 48 '< " “ 01d32.7 13 •• "Handford’s None Such" .121.6 4784" "Redhead’s"ll7 0 45 •• “Charm” (alum powder)ll6.9 46 •' "Amazon” (alum powder) .111.9 44 “ "Cleveland” (shortweight ?4-ozllo.B 43 “ •Czar"loo.B 42 •• “Price's Cream”...™_........10.36 40 " "Ix'wi»'s'’ condensed 94,2 SSVX" “Andrew's Pearl" 93.2 86%'' "Hecker's Perfect” 92.5 86 " Bulk Powder. 80.5 80 •' Bulk Aerated P0wder..75.0 29 11 Notz —“I regard all alum powders as very un wholesome. Phosphate and Tartartlc Add pow ders liberate their gas too freely In process of baking, or under varying climatic changes sutler deterioration.” Profitable Patients. The most wonderful and marvelous suc cess in cases where persons are sick or wasting away from a condition of misera blenees, that no one knows what ails them, (profitable patients for doctors), is obtained by the use of Hop Bitters. Thev begin to cure from the first dose and keep It up until perfect health and strength is restored. Whoever is affiicted in this way need not suffer when they can get Hop Bitters. —Cin- cinnati Star.