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THE WHITSHT CONTROVERSY.
PROF. ALBERT H NEWMAN, D D., LL.D
NO. 4.
The rigorous execution of inquisi
torial methods under Elizabeth dur
ing the last quarter of the sixteenth
century trecm# to have driven most <>*
the anti-pedobaptists, Dutch and na
tive, to the Netherlands. Toleration
and prosperity prevailed in that good
ly land and nonconformists of every
type in large numbers took refuge
there. A few conventicles that may
have been anti-pedobaptlst were dis
covered in 1686 and 1688, and there
were no doubt congregations and In
dividuals who escaped detection. Hut
there is no reason to think that the
number was large. The reign of
James 1. and that of Charles 11. were
equally unfavorable for anti-pedo
baptists. Multitudes of English dis
senters fled to the Netherlands at
this time and it is natural to suppose
that the anti-pedobaptist ranks in
England were still further depleted at
this time. Very few nonconformist
congregations are known to have ex
isted in England from 1606 to 1640.
The church of Henry Jacob that re
turned from Zealand in 1616 and that
became the mother of Particular Bap
tist churches (1633 onward) was one
of a small number, if not for a time
alone. Some of the participants in
Uiis controversy seem to assume that
the anti-pedoliaptlHt life in England
was far more abundant at this time
than any farts within my knowledge
seem to warrant. It is claimed that
many were in hiding anil were ready
to reappear when persecution ceased.
This may be true; but we have little
to build upon but. conjecture. It is
not likely that the antl-pedolmptists
in England even in the early years of
Elizabeth were ever relatively numer
ous, and the emigration of a large pro
portion of them seems certain. They
were more likely to survive in Nor
wich and its surroundings than else
where; but indico'tions of their con
tinued existence there are very slight..
I know of no in-tani’cs In which it
can be proved that individuals or
churches of the oldci Anabaptist type
passed over into Baptist churches of
the more modern type, though such
cases may. of course, have occurred.
Os the antl-pedobaptist life that may
have existed apart from the followers
of Smyth and Helwys we know alm'isl
nothing; but. there is no reason to
suppose that such as may have per
sisted had adopted a mode of adminis
taring the ordinance of baptism differ
ent from that practiced by the .Men
nonites of the time.
The English Baptist churches that
claim to have existed in the latter part
of the sixteenth and the early years
of the seventeenth centuries, invaria
bly depend upon tradition for the sup
port of their claim, no records having
been preserved. Il is. of course, pos
sible that some of these may have
grown out of Lollard or Analmptist
churches of the earlier time and have
later, under the impulse of the Bap
tist movement, become Baptist. As
they must have materially changed
their views in ninny respects (regard
ing oaths, magistracy, warfare. the
incarnation of Christ, etc.), there is
no reason to suppose that, their mode
of administering baptism has re
maim’d urn hanged. As regards the
Dollards 1 have semi tr> documentary
proof that any of them reje ted in
fant baptism.
If any one wishes, with’Ut docu
mentary proof, to believe that there
were nviltitude of immersed believ
ers in liligland Hirtn,; (h<J first forty
' years of the seventeenth century, he
is welcome to do so ns far as 1 am
concerned, and I will not pisltivoly
assert, that m ite such existed: but it
scarcely seems allowable to construct
u]>on such a supposition a theory of
church perpetuity, or to find serious
ftltilt with the e who positively deny
the existence of baptized chore lies un
known to authentic history.
BAPTISM AMONG THE EDI.LOW
ERS OE. JOHN SMYTH AND
THOM \s HELWVS.
• In 1851 Robert Ashton wrote in an
appendix to his edition of the works
of John Robinson, vol. 3. p. 461: "It
is a rather singular fact that zealous
as were Mr. Smyth ami his friends for
believers’ baptism, and earnest as
were their opponents in behalf of in
fant baptism, the question of the
mode of baptism was never mooted by
either party Immersion baptism
idoes not appear to have been prac
ticed or pleaded for by either Smyth
or Helwys, the alleged founders of
the General Baptist denomination in
England. Nothing appears in their
controversial writings to warrant the
supposition that they regarded im
mersion as the proper and only mode
of administering that ordinance. In
cidental nlluslons there are. in their
own works and in the replies of Rob
inson. that the baptism which Mr.
Smyth performed on himself must
have been rather by affusion or pour
ing. Nor is this supposition improb
able, from the fact that the Dutch
Baptists, by whom they were sur
rounded. uniformly administered bap
tism by affusion."
A few years later Dr. B. Evans
(Early English Baptists, 1864). hav
ing. with the help of Dutch scholars,
(especially Dr. Mueller) investigated
the history of the English Baptist
movement that arose in Holland under
Smyth and Helwys more thoroughly
than any previous English writer, vir
tually7 accepted the same conclusion.
‘‘We cannot pronounce positively." he
writes in reference to this matter,
“but are bound to confess that the
probabilities are greatly in its favor.
The harmony of opinion, and the anx
iety for agreement, which their Dutch
brethren manifested in the docu
ments laid liefore our readers, would
more than warrant this conclusion."
namely, that the followers of Smyth
and Helwys agreed with the Mennon
ites in practicing affusion. The later
researches of Dr. DeHoop Scheffer,
a historical scholar of high rank who
has possessed unrivaled facilities for
exhaustively investigating the matter,
has strongly confirmed the conclu
sions reached by his predecessors.
While it must be admitted that De-
Hoop Scheffer has had a certain polem
ical interest in showing that early 7
English Baptists practiced affusion,
his reputation as a scholar and a
Christian are too high to admit of his
testimony being east aside as worth
less. More recently Drs. Dexter and
Whitsitt have examined the sources
with more or less care and have reach
ed the same result.
The practice of affusion by these
anti-pedobaptists has been thus ren
dered so highly probable that in my
opinion specific proof of a contrary
practice must be adduced in order to
set aside the conclusion reached by
the above named scholars. It is idle
to cite the opinions of scholars, how
ever eminent, who have not specially
investigated this particular question
with the use of the original sources.
The opinion of one honest and com-
petent man who him really mastered
the materials is worth more than the
united testimony of a hundred of the
most distinguished scholars who have
depended on secondary authorities.
The correspondence between the fol
lowers of Helwys, who returned to
England, and the Mennonites shows
that while differences of opinion ex
isted which the English were anxious
to remove in the interest of doner
union, the question as to the mode of
administering Imptism was never
raised.
In an apologetical work set forth in
1615 by the party of Helwys, after
their return to England, Iwiptism is
repeatedly described as a “washing
with water," a terminology in constant
use at the time among the Reformed
churches and the English Puritans
and Separatists. The statement of
Leonard Busher in his "Plea for lib
erty of Conscience," supposed to have
been written in Holland and publish
ed first in 1614, show's that he had
a right understanding of apostolic
baptism.
"And such as shall willingly and
gladly receive it (the word of salva
tion). ’he hath commanded to be bap
tized in the water—that Is, dipped for
dead in the water.” But little is
known about Rusher's relation to the
antl-jsslobaptlst churches of the time
and it would certainly be unwarrant
ed to Imse upon this definition of bap
tism a theory as to the practice of the
ithurc’hes that sprang from the Smyth-
Helwys congregation. The most it
could be taken to prove is that im
mersion as the apostolic mode of bap
tism was not unknown among the
English anti-pedobaptists about 1614.
But as we have seen, Hubmaier and
Menno were perfectly familiar with
Immersion as primitive laiptism, yet
were content with alfusion.
What was wanting among the anti
pedolmptists of the Smylh-Helwys
party (1608 onward) was an overmas
tering conviction as to the exclusive
validity of immersion.
Dr. Whitsitt cites a notice (1611),
according to which Smyth, Helwys,
ami Busher are declared to represent
each a special sori, of Anabaptists.
I do not think that the passage cited
by Dr. Whitsitt from Rusher’s writing
to show that he did not recognize Hel
w.vs’ church, then in England, as a
properly constituted church, is right
ly so opplled. He Is seeking to im
press upon King James the fact. that,
his predecessors and himself have car
ried persecution loan extent so exter
minating that no oportunity has been
allowed for the proper development
of evangelical life' “Wherefore, in
all humility and Christian modesty,
I do affirm that through the unlawful
wml-hii it of persecution, which your
prislecessors have used, and by your
majesty and parliament is sti.i con
tinued, there is such a quantity of
wheat plucked up, and such a multi
tude of tail’s left behind, that the
wheat wlilc'h remains cannot yet. ap
p< ar In any right visible congrega
tion.”
To suppose that In this statement
ho was consciously or unconsciously
reflecting on the little persecuted band
led by Helwys and Murton is unnat
ural. By "right visible congregaJion”
he may have meant a congregation
flint felt free to assemble publicly and
to carry forward its w irk without
billing in corners. But this statement
d >es show t hat in Basher's opinion
the organized anti-pcdoba.pl Ist life of
England wa.-> at Hint time insignifi
cant.
In a wok entitled “At ufoipr.i it
Mystery of Liiquity Unmasked." by
J. I' J, nd .1, 1623. was pub«'si.<’d a
loin* letter “If It'" an in’ 'ill-rent
citizen who had recently adopted anii
prdo-l>;ipti: t view-;. This letter is cop
ied by I limey (I. 131-I,in). The writer
spealo. of infant baptism as “wash
in”, or baptizing their Infants,” etc.
"the washing of the flesh,” the wash
ing of the filth of Hie flesh." etc.
He contrasts this with believers’ bap
tism. The author of “The Anabap
tist. Mystery" slated. According to
Ivimey. that the Anabaptists at this
time separated from the established
church, wrote many books, and had
multitudes of disciples He charges
them with denying "the doctrines of
predestination, reprobation, final per
severance, and other truths.”
Those referred to were apparently
the party led by Helwys ami Murton,
amt the letter quoted makes it prob
able that pouring was the form of
baptism practiced at this time. From
correspondence between members of
the I lei wys-Murton connection and
representatives of the Mennonites
(1621-31), we learn that there were
at this time anti-pedobaptist churches
in London. Lincoln, Saruni, Coventry
and Tiverton, with a united member
ship of 150. This correspondence
shows that there was considerable
disagreement among the brethren as
regards oaths, magistracy, warfare,
the divinity of Christ, etc., mid that
they wore not in harmony with the
Mennonites in these and a number of
other p;n-liculars: yet there is no hint
of sine difference of view among
themselves or between these churches
and the Mennonites ns regards the
mode of administering baptism.
Tim statement in "Mereurius Rus
ticus" (1616) that "they have amongst
them (at Chelmsford) two sorts of
Anabaptists, the one they call the Old
Men. or Aspersi. because they were
but sprinkled; the other they call the
New Men, or the Immersi. because
they were overwhelmed in their re
baptization." has, in my opinion, a
very direct and a very influential
bearing on the question before us.
It would seem to settle conclusively
the fact that, some anti-pedobaptists
in England as late as 1646 practiced
sprinkling, and that inimersionists
were by some called “New Men." This
Inst is strongly in favor of the view
that immersion had only recently been
introduced among English anti-pedo
baptists.
What Featly says about the practice
so immersion refers definitely to the
present (1644): "They flock in great
multitudes to their Jordans, and both
sexes enter into the river, and are
dipt after their manner with a kind
of spell containing the heads of their
erroneous tenets, and their engaging
themselves in their Schismatical cov
enants. And as they defile our rivers
with their impure washings, and our
pulpits with their false prophecies and
phanatical enthusiasms, so the presses
sweat and groan under the load of
their blasphemies."
He refers to Roger Williams’ “The
Bloudy Tenet" (1644), as an instance
of the abuse of the press. This refer
ence to the actual position of the
Baptists in 1644 occurs on p. 3 of "The
Epistle Dedicatory.” On p. 6 he
specks of Anabaptists as having ap
peared “neer the place of my resi
dence, for more than twenty years,"
Supposing the recent introduction of
immersion otherwise probable. Feat
ley’s testimony has no weight what
ever against this position.
ODDS «N1) ENDS.
1. In my second paper, Dr. Whit
sitt’s article in the Examiner in an- ;
swer to Dr. King’s criticism of the ]
THE CHRISTIAN INDEX: THURSDAY. DECEMBER 10. 1896.
Encyclopedia article, ahotfld have
been mentioned along with the article
in the Religious Herald.
2, In hia Independent editorial, Dr,
Whitsitt supposed the meaning of the
term "Catabaptlsm” to be immer
sion. In his recent Ixtok he adopts
the view that it means opposition to
the commonly accepted baptism. This
is substantially the view that, without
suggestion from any one so far as I
remember, I adopted early in my
studies. The “Cataibaptlst,” in my
view, Is a perverter or destroyer of
baptism- -that is, of infant baptism.
The early anti-pedobaptists were con
sumed with zeal against infant bap
tism, declaring it to be an invention
of the pope or of the devil. Erom
this point review they were stigma
tized as “Catabaptists." As rebaptiz
ers they were called “Anal>aptlsts.”
That this was the meaning of the term
as used by Zwingli and others In the
early years of the Reformation I have
no
McMaster University, Toronto.
WASHINGSON LAFAYfcTTE KIL
PATRICK, D D.
BY LANSING BURROWS, D.D.
A MEMORIAL DELIVERED AT HEPHZI
BAH ASSOCIATION.
(Continued from laat week.)
These admirable traits of character
which secured the confidence of bis
brethren endowed him with peculiar
power in directing missionary and
educational enterprises. He had as
an inheritance from his father a zeal
for missions, and his own contempla
tion of the mind of God as revealed
in the Scriptures, convinced him of
(he accuracy of those views which had
been quickened in him by his child
hood’s teachings. Throughout his
extended ministry be was intrusted
by bis Association witn the general
oversight of its missionary benevo
lence. His life devoted to the imme
diate section of his birth and rearing
gave min a large acquaintance and
afforded him unusual opportunities for
Impressing scriptural views upon the
people. For years before the com
pletion of the present railway systems
lie rode through the neighborhoods,
over the scope of the country covered
by tills Association, often bringing
with him religious books and other
helpful literature, and tuns contribut
ed to much of the advanced Scriptural
Jraining of such churches as now indi
cate a gratifying efficiency. Such work
as honored the Master and advanced
his cause was not oencatii the dig
nity of tliin minister. Being an am
bassador of Christ, no means were re
jected which would honor his station
and reflect glory upon him who had
sent him. While ho chose to live in
(lie comparative obscurity oi an in
land village, until recently as much as
fifteen miles from railway transporta
tion, his efforts were not confined to
Hie restricted neighborhoods in which
he found his work to lie. The field
lie sought to cultivate must send its
harvests to the perlsiting world afar
oil'. 'l'liis fidelity to the crying needs
of llie whole world extended his rep
utation beyond the narrow coniines
of his home. Although a silent mem
ber of the Southern Baptist Conven
tion, for there is no present recollec
tion of his ever addressing the chair
rind enlarging ais views upon its plat
form, be was recognized by the load
ing spirits of that body as valuable
for co* ;:",;l ion, anil his
comnMH'O is. rm. T ier.’ ,i' ■
on record of bis work, in elaborate re
ports formulated by him and present
ed by tlie bands of another.
His life was entwined about our
educational work in the same manner,
lie found Christ as a Savior amid the
classic halls at Penfield. Mercer Uni
versity became, not only his alma
mater in secular learning, but his re
conciliation with God endeared that
institution to him with peculiar affec
tion. Its interests lay heavily upon
his heart. For many years he occu
pied tile appreciated trust which had
been put upon him by his brethren
as a manager of its affairs, becoming
in course of time Hie president of Its
Board of Trustees. With the ardor
which distingmslied his course in
kindred interests he urged the claims
of a higher education upon the minds
of the people, and especially as a
charge upon those who had learned
of the Great Master of Truth, and se
cured their gifts in times of financial
pressure. His administration of his
office was calm, yet courageous; se
rene, yet determined. Grave problems
came before the Board, when the ac
tive minds of his associates were
troubled by the peculiar environment;
but he was never without a convic
tion of wnat was right to be done in
the premises and memory does not
recall an instance in which the first
decision of bis mind was not tnat
which was reached in final agreement
among his brethren. He had learned
practically the art of educating. He
had with great patience and persever
ance devoted some of his best years
to the schoolroom. Scattered through
out this section of the State are lives
that have been inspired and minds
that have been trained by his admira
ble methods of instruction. No one
demonstrated a better tact or illus
trated the power of plainness and sim
plicity in teaching. To the plastic
mind of childhood and youth, the
treasure-house of secular learning be
came an easy exploration. It is diffi
cult to decide where his superiority
as an instructor lay, whether in the
pulpit dealing with the mysteries of
revelation, or in the academy in the
unfolding of temporal lore.
When now we come to cast a back
ward look over the life which has
ceased as a potent factor of our inspi
rations. how can we help being
moved to admiration at the harmoni
ousness of character and purpose?
A\ T as his life employed in various di
rections? Not so. It was consistent
and harmonious in its lofty aim. As
an educator, as a temperance promo
ter. he was equally the servant of God
and the people of his charge as when
exercising the pastoral office. This is
what it is to be a pastor: a leader and
a feeder of the flock. The right am
bition of the ministry is the uplifting
of manhood and the persuasion to
better things than those that are
merely carnal to contend against irre
ligion in its forms of ignorance and
debauchery. He had no arts of the
politician with which to beguile the
minds of the trusting populace, and
yet he was a politician in the best
sense of that word, which with us has
been degraded into the baseness of the
demagogue and the seeker for per
sonal advancement. His devotion to
educational pursuits and enterprises
was relieved from that unfortunate
conception of duty entertained by
some who leave ignored or to other
minds, matters which are foreign to
the cause espoused. This as well as
his persistent advocacy of morals and
missions was a part of his lawful call-
ing as commissioned by the risen
Christ. All his thought centered in
that adorable Redeemer. Whatever
occupied his mind or employed his en
ergies had reference to his station as
a servant of the Lord Jesus, whether
in training a dull and passionless
mind, in administering important af
fairs, in sounding the clarion call to
duty or even aw directing the votes
of his friends in the effort to disen
thrall the victims of baleful appetite.
Whatever became the topic of his
conversation in the place of business,
or in the family, or in the passing
greeting upon the highways, was
consistent with his office as an am
bassador. When words gave no prom
ise of fruitage in this direction, he
was silent. As there was earnestness
in his life, so there was no frivolity
upon his lips. He gave none offense;
no detractor of the Gospel, no denier
of its power, no defamer of its adher
ents found in him the opportunity of
illustrating malice or bitterness. As
’ no soul may rise to charge him with
unfaithfulness, so none may bewail
of him as a stumbling stone. To those
who were separated from him l>y de
nominational views, he was uniform
ly courteous, yet decided in his opin
ions and clear in his enunciation of
them; no bitterness of sectarianism
found occasion for personal denuncia
tion in his words or life. Among those
who mourn his departure from his
busy scenes, none are more sincere
than those whose denominatlonallsm
varied from his. Standing with hu
mility are to lie found those, also of
a different race who beheld in him
a friend and counselor, ready to serve
them as, occasion demanded. A
beautiful as well as truthful tribute to
his memory has been bestowed upon
him out of the hearts of his brethren
of the colored race. Thus there was
ever upon him a sense of responsibil
ity. terminating not with Sabbath
ministrations in the pulpit, but paus
ing in one form to be renewed in an
other. and animated Uy the motto of
the apostle Paul: "Warning every
man and teaching every man in all
wisdom, that, we may present, every
man perfect in Christ Jesus."
This was the main-spring of
his many-sided life. If at the
door of some there may lie
the charge of “secularizing tlie minis
try”—whatever that may mean -it
may be truthfully said of our brother
that he spiritualized the secular with
which he came in contact.
The assigned task is now completed.
There are inspiring memoirs of men
which we place in the hands of ambi
tious youth, of men like Brainerd and
Eliot and Payson and-Owen and Dod
dridge and Baxter, who in a wider
sphere have attracted the attention of
the religious world. These eminent
servants of God arc well worth the
meed of praise which wo accord in our
passing thought. But there are lives
more obscure than these planets in
the spiritual sky. which, like tlie dis
'ant stars, also reflect the glory of the
heavens. There are men who live in
the hearts of file comparative few,
consumed by the same zeal and ani
mated by the same purpose, as those
so highly distinguished. The long
and lonely rides through the murmur
ing pines, the exposures to the invisi
ble malaria of the sluggish swamps.
Hie nbaniMkih'iit of the ease ; nd de
lights ofdomestic mide for >-x
--’inli’il ilalWthe hand to baud struggle
in.’ disbOßening emiflii'i '• "h nvmb
<■ 11; t. ; KSgibrmiraii’ •• or all iu’.rt:
*• 7 , I* l 4 v
fl; • , Ii Hi” vexstiou-
prolib’:::" <>r our denominational life,
without tlie inspirai.on of sympathy
and fellowship from without- I .fancy
Paul was stich a man. The great
apostle to the Gentiles, at least, could
do no more. Horn lay upon the altar
of a. godly ‘onsecraiion. not only the
best, but all of manhood with its en
dowments of genius, patience and
faith. Perhaps no pilgrimages will be
made to the lonely grave so near the
scenes of nis most efficient labors, and
the sweet spot whore he saw his in
genuous childhood develop into a
rounded sphere of useful manhood,
and where lie reared his own offspring
to usefulness and honor: but there
will l>e that which is better, the greet
ing where no graves sadden the land
scape of them that rejoice in his life
and being led by him. stand about the
eternal throne, glorifying God in him
as a "servant of Jesus Christ.”
Far the I NIIKX,
Pen Droppings.
BY L. L. V.
To the query "Should children be
taught religious dogmas?" the Ro
manist returns an unhesitating affirm
ative. it is the boast of his priests
that if thej can hate exclusive con
trol of a boyior girl up to the age of
seven that the mind of the child will
be unalterably fixed in the doctrines
of their church. It is not wholly an
idle boast At that tender age im
pressions arc made very easily and
very lastingly. But do they not in
flict a wrong on the child by 7 thus
tilling his mind with prejudices so
that it is incapable of discussing the
merits of tbrir creed? We think so.
It is a great injury to one for his in
tellect to be so bound up by preju
dices that it cannot go out in the
honest search for truth. But to a
training of this kind many 7 besides
Romanists insist that children should
be subjected. A great many 7 parents,
we fear, are more solicitous about
having their children brought up in
the special doctrines of their sect than
altout having their minds imbued with
the great principles of justice, mercy
and truth. We sometimes hear minis
ters of the Gospel urge upon their
members to instruct their children in
the truths of their church and to
place the books and papers of their
own denomination in their hands. It
is the idea to get their prejudices so
fully confirmed that their change of
church relationship will be next to an
impossibility.
This is all wrong. The great cardi
nal doctrines of Christianity upon
which all are agreed cannot be im
pressed upon the minds of children
too early 7 or too forcibly. But both pa
rents and teachers should forbear
teaching them denominationalism.
Leave them, as far as possible, free to
select the church to which they shall
attach themselves according to the
plain teaching of the Bible. As Bap
tists we may safely insist upon this
course; for we are fully persuaded
that were it generally followed the
number of Baptists would be largely
increased. Were the young left com
pletely unbiased until they- could read
the Bible intelligently, the great ma
jority of them would, we doubt not.
apprehend that baptism means im
mersion and nothing else. But when
they are taught some other way 7 from
their earlier childhood it is compara
tively easy for them to And in the
sacred volume what the inspired pens-
man never put there. That so many
learned men employ their learning in
explaining away Bhe truth is due to
the fact that their parents and early
teachers diligently cultivated their
prejudices.
flu
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is beautifully bound. It is suitably
illustrated.
Bell's Readers Shakespeare. Vol. 11.
Tragedies and “The Tempest." By
D. C. Bell. The Funk & Wagnails
Co., New York. Price $1.25.
This is a very handy Shakespeare,
it is clearly printed and has good
notes. The special points about it ate
its expurgations, its condensation, and
its explanations. These are all car
ried through on the principle of mak
ing a book to l»e read aloud from.
The expurgations are necessary in a
general school or family bixtk. By
condensing the plays are made about
long enough to read t’hroug'h in an
hour. The action of the play is sug
gested by explanatory notes interjected
throughout, while each play is fully
described in a short chapter. Well
bound, well printed, well wilted, it
ought to be admirably adapted to
school and family use.
Scribner’s Magazine. December. Chas
Scribner’s Sons, New York City.
$3.00 a year, 25c a copy.
Scribner’s stands between the
cheap magazines and the more expen
sive Century and Harper’s. It stands
second to none, however, in genuine
worth. Its fiction is always of a
high order and its illustrations almost
perfect An illustrated article on Sir
John Millais is of exceptional interest.
“Little Pharisees in Firtion" is an at
tack on children’s books. It is a lit
tle extreme. Nearly all of this num
her is devoted to fi< ti >n. Richard
Harding Davis gives a striking sketch
in "The Last Ride Together." "Th 7 '
Lonely Man.” by J. West Roosevelt.
M.D., is perhaps a real storv. It is
touchingly true. The cover of >hi
number is a spet ial one in colors
We do not think it equals that of the
• midsummer hut it i« <far
ahead .of anything else in this line.
The Century. December. Christmas
Number. The Century Co.. New
York.
This number . f the Century is full
of interesting matter. “A Group of
American Girls" Introduces us I ’
American life in the region of New
York and the Hudson in the earlv part
of Hie century, and "Hugh Wynne"
presents us with a picture of that life
in the stirring times of the Revolu
tion. Probably the most interestin' 7
article is “Campaigning With Grant."
by General Horace Porter, this bein’?,
one of a series of articles by the close
friend of General Grant. “Lis’bt on
Dark Places" relates to the opening tin
of the overcrowded sections of New
York city. “The Christmas Kalends
of Provence" afford a charming
glimpse at Christmas customs in that
land of poetry.
These are only the leading articles
of a very full number.
The Art Amateur. Montague Marks.
Publisher, New York. $4.00 a year.
No bettor Christmas present can be
discovered for those loving art than
this magazine. In addition to its
reading matter, two colored pictures
are given with each number. These
are worthy of framing. The Art Am
ateur is especially adapted to those
not claiming professional skill. It
therefore’ devotes much space to china
painting, house decorations and the
more home-like developments of art.
Information as to art production is
not lacking, however, and pictures
are given of all late works, and de
scriptions of exhibitions. Designs for
all kind of decorations and fancy work
are also supplied. We hope many of
the young women readers of the Index
will receive this magazine as a Christ
mas gift.
St. Nicholas. December. The Cen
tury Co., New York. $3.00 a year.
25c a number.
This number opens with a beauti
fully illustrated article on the place
of the nativity, entitled “Christmas in
Bethlehem.” “A Snow-Bound Christ
mas" is a thrilling story of a party
snow-bound on a railroad train on
Christmas, and how they managed to
have a joyous day of it. even to hav
ing a Christmas tree. "Master Sky
lark.” “The Last Three Soldiers,"
"Marco Polo” and “June’s Garden” are
continued. “The Pumpkin Dwarf"
satisfies the child taste for fairy tales,
and "The Voyage of the Northern
Light” gives an account of one of
those curious coincidences between a
prediction and the realization that
sounds like prophecy. A number of
short stories, poems, etc., complete a
bright issue.
The Cbautauquan. December. Theo
dore L. Flood, Meadville, Pa. Price
$2.00 a year.
The students of the C. L. S. C. are
certainly having a rich course of
study, if the required reading here
given are samples of the whole.
“French Costumes,” “French Charac
ter.” “Cardinal Mazarin,” “The French
Revolution.” “Rise and Fall of New
France,” “The Social Life of Ancient
Greece,” and “A Prejudice of Mem
ory.” are all treated in this depart
ment alone. Then follows a depart
ment of general reading. The best is
Dr. Baskervill’s “Irwin Russell, the
Southern Humorist.” “The Woman's
Council Table.” “Editors’ Outlook"
and “Current History and Opinion”
are as usual.
The Review of Reviews. December.
The Review of Reviews Company,
New York. $2.50 a year, 25c a copy.
This number is of remarkable in
terest. The election furnishes plenty
of study in the" Progress of the World”
department. The special articles in
clude "The Books of 1896,” a critical
estimate of the year’s best books,
which will be generally helpful. Next
cornea "The Polychrome Bible." This
describes the effort of Professor Paul
Haupt, of Johns Hopkins, and his as
sociates, to produce an edition of the
Bible based on the latest texts, and
colored to represent the various docu
mentary theories of the higher crit
ics. For such it will be useful. It
is, however, a task of great magni
tude. "Housing Reform in the Me
tropolis” describes the efforts being
made to furnish suitable tenements
at a reasonable cost. The Kinder
garten Age, Child Study in the Train
ing oi Uu.iaren and the Sunday-
Schools; their Shortcomings and their
Great Opportunities,” are all along
the same line. The latter proceeds on
radically wrong ideas and is opposed
to the doctrine of conversion. All the
best magazines are summarized and
their best contents here given.
The Forum. December. The Forum
Publishing Company, New York
City. $3.00 a year, 25c q-foripy-
Every number of the Po’-um is a
good one. This is about as usual.
That, however, means it is of excep
tional quality. "The Election, Its
lessons and Its Warnings.” is subdi
vided into three articles by Andrew
D. White, D. MacG. Means and Gold
win Smith. They are timely and dis
criminating. "How Shall the Child
Be Taught” is the first of a series
and deals with the obstacles to Ra
tional Educational Reform. "Another
Year of Church Entertainments” is a
startling article. The author has no’
been fortunate in some of his previous
studies, but he is in this. He un
rovers a groat evil. "Princeton in the
Nation’s Service,” by Woodrow Wil
son. is inspiring. "Drawbacks of a
College Education.” by Charles F.
Thwing, deals with live objections to
a college education. "Anatomy Liws
vs. Body Snatching" will inform on a
unique subject. There are other arti
cles also. We wish all our intelligent
men would cake one such review in
addition to their newspaper. It will
give a wider outlook.
McClure’s Magazine. December. S.
S. McClure Co.. New York city. SI.OO
a year, 10c a copy.
McClure’s is making a specialty of
history. General Grant is the latest
of its heroes. In the present number
we have an account of Grant’s boy
hood. Os marked interest Is an ac
count of Nansen’s last voyage to the
North Pole. “Bethlehem” Is the title
of the first of a series of magnificent
ly illustrated Bible articles. Rudyard
Kipling, Tun Maclaren and Stockton
give stories. “Dr. Davidson” is the
subject of Maclaren’s story. As is
usual, one feels like reading every bit
of this magazine.
AN OLD LADY
PARALYZED
. . / i_ *■
Cured in a Manner that will Inter
est any Person who is
Nervous.
Another Case, a Court Stenographer in Cleveland,
Run Down from Overwork, Helped
by the Same Means.
the World, drrelnnd, Ohio.
“Mrs. Adeline Benti I. of Hihlson, Ohio,
arrived litre yesterday on a visit to her
daughter, Mrs. <>. W. ( hupinun. .Site in
tends to remain for some weeks."
When liiealmve little item of news was
published a few days aito, it eauseil no little
surprise ns well sis some inrreiluliiy amoiio
the people of Marietta. Ohio, where Mrs.
Bentel lives when she is at home. N'otbi -,
what the lady in question has si perfect right
to travel ami to go to see hei ciiiidren
ever she miy hsqqien to feel so inclined BiC
her neighbor-, who for several years have
known her is a l»e<l-i i<hlen cripple, were at
a loss to itmlersiand how she had managed
to do it. ''ls ■ wsis gcnersiliy supposed to he
so entirely lielple - that motion of any kirul
on her part was simrdy impossible. Some
of th*’ inhabitants of Hudson. led l.v si nat
ural ilesiri’ to b -irn the facts of the nnilti i’,
actually w mt -O Car as to call nt tlie lady’s
home to iiivi stisgaie the subject for them
selves.
Mr. Henry Bentel, her son, when asked
about the matter was not at tirst inclined to
give anybody any satisfaction beyond the
mere statement that his mother was not at
home. Finally, however, after considerable
urging lie consented to talk.
“ You km»w. ” said lie. "that my mother,
like many sick people, is sensitive on tlie
subject of her bodily ailments. .She always
disliked to talk about them and always in
sisted that she would be well in a little
while. For .’ill of that, her left side was pa
ralyzed for several years and our family phy
sician assured us that the trouble would
presently extend itself toother parts of the
body. Nothing could be done for her
and we had all about made up our minds
that she would not live very much longer.
“ Finally her eye lighted on an advertise
ment of Dr. Williams’Pink Pills. Forth
with she insisted on having a box of them.
I opposed the idea pretty strenuously but
gave in for the sake of peace. Weil, one
night I brought them home to her. She be
gan taking them at once. The effect was
perfectly wonderful. The stiffness began to
leave her left side almost immediately. In '
a few ilays she was able to sit up. Os course
when I saw the result I took care she should
have all the Pink Pills she wanted. The
cure was not particularly rapid after the
initial stages. She remained a practical in
valid for a considerable time, but she is now
entirely well with the exception of a slight
lameness in her left leg. I fully expect that
that, too, will disappear by and by.”
Mrs. Bentel confirmed in all its essential
features the facts given by her son. “The
wholefamily believes as I do,"said she, “that
the pills were instrumental in saving my life.
I came away from home without any of them
and was at first afraid that I might find my
self laid up again, but I do not really seein
to have any further use for them. lam not
strongyet but am rapidly improving. Even
the lameness in my leg is disappearing and
I will soon be as well as ever I was.”
From the World, Cleveland, Ohio.
Officials and employees at the Old Court
House were considerably surprised yester
day at receiving a call from Mrs. H. L. Stan
ton, whose attractive face and sunny smile
nad not brightened their rather dismal quar
ters for many a long, long day. The lady’s
presence in the office naturally created quite
a sensation among her former co-laborers
who had never expected to see her again un
til called upon to follow her remains to their
“Mend it
or End it,”
has been the rallying cry of
reform, directed against abuses
municipal or social.
For the man who lets him
self be abused by a cough the
cry should lie modified to:
Mend it, or it’ll end you. You
can mend any cough with
Ayer’s
Cherry Pectoral.
Dr. S. H. Wainright recently visited
Osaka, Japan, and writes of the
Buddhist temples. He says: “At
one place we saw an old tree liter
ally covered with reaphooks, some
new and others old, that had been
stuck in the tree by the farmers as
an offering to the gods. At another,
charms were sold which are supposed
to afford immunity from all kinds of
burglary. Pictures illustrating the
efficacy of the charm were exhibited
in front of the temple. Light was
represented as bursting forth in daz
zling brightness from the charm upon
the thief during his approach. At an
other place two blocks of granite ly
ing in an open lot had large foot
prints, which were claimed to be those
of Buddha himself. Farther on we
;ntered the temple of the sleeping
Buddha. A large bronze Buddha was
on a raised place and in a lying pos
ture. A feeble old woman with sore
eyes was climbing up to reach the eye
f the image. She touched the eye of
the idol several times with a wet piece
of cloth, nibbing her own eye each
time after that of the idol—a better
way to transmit than to cure disease.
But this old woman, ignorant and
bent wiin age, with her arm clasping
the idol's neck and her lips mumbling
a senseless prayer, affords a picture
of the real condition of Buddhism in
Japan to-day.”—Exchange.
“Brown’s Bronchial Troches”'
are of great service in subduing Hoarse
nes’ an 1 Coughs. Sold only in boxes.
Avoid imitations.
V. E Orr. Atlanta, Seats Churches
and schools.
I know not which is the greater
wonder, either that prayer, which is
a duty so easy and facile, so ready
and adapted to the powers and skill
and opportunities of every man, should
have so great effects and be produc
tive of such mighty blessings, or that
we should be so unwilling to use so
easy an instrument of procuring so
much good.—Jeremy Taylor.
last resiing place. During the half hour of
her stay she held a regular levee, shaking
I hands wilh and receiving the congratulations
j of everybody from the janitor to the judge.
Airs. Stanton is well known to the whole
I legal frati rnity of Cleveland. During the
two and a half years that she occupied tlie
position of court stenographer her cheerful
deposition, the unquestionable skill with
which her work was done, the general pub
lic knowledge of the circumstances of her
life, made her a favorite with every person
wilh whom she was brought into contiiet.
When lier chair tirst became vacant and it
was learned that the condition of her health
had rendered a rest necessary, expressions of
concern wen heard on all sides, but it was
then expected that within a few weeks slie
would he back at her place as well as ever.
Gradually it became known (hat her con
dition was much more serious than was nt
first supposed. The weeks lengthened into
months until nt last it came to be understood
that the place that once knew her would
know her no more, that inflict tlie severe
labor she had so willingly undergone for the
sake of those who were dear to her had re
sulted in completely shattering a once vig
orous constitution and driving her to the very
verge of the grave.
For the past few months her friends had
heard little of her, so one may judge of the
niagnitude of the surprise when site floated
in upon them resplendent in the glories of
perfect health and strength. Many enquir
ies were made as to what had worked the as
tonishing change. She was easily induced
to gratify the eiiriousity of those around her.
“You know,” sat” Mrs. Stanton, “when
I left, here I was a co., plete physical wreck.
The long hours of sedentary occupation
were too much for me and my nervous sys
tem was completely shattered.’ My digestion
too. was ruined and altogether, I was in such
a condition that I was scarcely able to keep
out of bed. It was at this juncture that my
eye was attracted by an advertisement—”
She intended to say something further but
the party around her laughed so heartily
that she stopped suddenly.
“ Are you going to recommend some patent
medicine?’’"asked the office boy.
“No. I’m not,” she retorted, “I’m going
home.”
Mrs. Stanton, evidently somewhat piqued
at the occurrence, started for the door, but
her friends fearing that she might not really
be quite as strong as she looked, called a car
riage for her and sent her to her home at 958
Woodland Avenue.
“ Well,” said Mrs. Stanton afterwards,
“theyneedn’t have laughed ; I onlythought
it my duty to let their wives and sisters and
sweethearts know that I was cured by Dr.
Williams’ Pink Pills for Pale People. I
took two boxes and now I am all right. I
think they are a boon to suffering woman
hood.”
Dr. Williams’ Pink Pills contain, in a con
densed form, all the elements necessary to
give new life and richness to the blood and
restore shattered nerves. They are also a
specific for troubles peculiar to females, such
as suppressions, irregularities and all forms
of weakness. They build up the blood, and
restore the glow of health to pale and sallow
cheeks. In men they effect a radical cure
in all eases arising from mental worry, over
work or excesses of whatever nature. Pink
Pills are sold in boxes (never in loose bulki
at s<> cents a box or six boxes for $2.50, and
may be had of all druggists, or direct by
nmi) from Dr. Williams’Medicine Company
Schenectady, N. Y.