gave notice to the congregation that in the course of the week he
expected to go on a mission to the heathen. One of the deacons, in great
agitation, exclaimed, "Why, my dear sir, you have never told us one word
of this before! What shall we do?" "Oh, brother," said the parson, "I
don't expect to go out of town."
THERE are more beggars in London this year than I ever remember
before--female beggars, crossing sweeper beggars, and singing beggars.
And no wonder, if many of them earn as much as one of the fraternity who
was before a suburban magistrate recently. This man confessed to earning
5s., 10s., and 15s., and on one occasion as much as L1 1s. 6d. He has
earned his living by begging for thirty years, and made a very good
living too. He was sent to prison for fourteen days, and when out will
doubtless resume his lucrative profession.
A CLERICAL MISER.--The Rev. John Trueman, of Daventry, possessed an
income of about four hundred pounds per annum clear; and, by his
self-denying management of it, he contrived to amass fifty thousand
pounds. There were few things too mean for him to do in order to save
money. He would steal turnips out of the fields as he passed along, on
the pretence of visiting the farmhouses, and then beg bits of bacon to
boil with them from the good wives in the parish. Sometimes he would
quarter himself, without any invitation, in a farmhouse, and in the room
in which he slept, he has been known to pull the worsted out of the
corners of the blankets, and take it away with him, in order to darn his
stockings.
IN India we have a few peculiarities because of the great heat. Our
houses are, generally speaking, on the open ground, no upstair rooms,
and the doors are left wide open. There was an English mother who had
the habit, when probably half asleep, of handing out her baby before
daybreak to the ayah, to administer to its wants and cares. One morning,
this poor mother, all but asleep, felt, as she thought, the cold touch
of the ayah (the native nurse), and handed out the baby; but it was a
wolf that was there. We are asleep, my friends. That mother lost her
reason when the dear little infant was thus destroyed; but in our sleep
and in our slumber we lose one child after another by handing them over
to Rome--to the wolf that destroys them. Oh, let us awake!--_W. Ayerst,
M.A._
STEEL LACE.--A new branch of industry is going to revolutionize the lace
trade. A New York dealer in laces is exhibiting a specimen of lace of an
extremely delicate pattern, and so light that it can almost be blown
away by a breath of air. This lace is made of steel rolled as fine as
the point of a cambric needle. It is not woven, but stamped out of a
sheet of low grade steel, so that it should not be too brittle. It was
turned out of a small Pittsburgh mill, and sent to the dealer to show
what could be done in that line. In the course of time other patterns
will be made--heavier, perhaps, but certainly more tenacious than this
piece. There is said to be no question as to its durability, and its
cheapness would make it the most saleable of all laces in the market. It
may create a revolution in the lace market, if rust can be guarded
against.--_Iron._
SULPHUR FOR SORE THROATS.--The value of sulphur in throat difficulties
is but little known among families, though most physicians prescribe it
in some form. An ordinary sore throat will be relieved by a gargle of
sulphur and water--one tablespoonful to a glass of water, and use
frequently. In every family the flour of sulphur should be always kept
ready for use, and at the appearance of irritation or cankered spots, a
gargle should be given, or the powder blown through a paper tube
directly into the throat. At different times we have seen the throat
trouble relieved in a few hours by the simple use of this valuable
remedy. A sore throat is no trivial thing, and no time should be lost in
the matter. If, after discovering it in a child, it does not improve in
a few hours' time after the use of sulphur, a reliable physician should
be called in without further delay.
THE Queen Regent of Spain opened the International Exhibition at
Barcelona on Sunday, May 20th, in the presence of a distinguished
assemblage, including the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Prince
George of Wales. Perhaps this was done as a set-off against our
Protestant commemorations.
Oh, England! England! blush with shame!
Thy princes stoop to foul thy name.
THE present spring has been remarkable for the number of rare birds that
have appeared in this country and on the Continent. These include the
golden oriole, pied flycatcher, sand-grouse, dotterel, hoopoe,
short-toed lark, moustached grass-warbler, and rose-coloured pastor. In
spite of the Wild Birds' Protection Act, many of these visitants are
shot immediately upon their arrival. It is only in rare cases that the
police interfere, even when the killing of the birds is a matter of
notoriety.
HAY FEVER.--Sir Morell Mackenzie has opportunely published a lecture he
delivered some time ago at the London Hospital Medical College on hay
fever, which he defines to be a peculiar affection of the mucous
membrane of the nose, eyes, and air passages, giving rise to catarrh and
asthma, almost invariably caused by the action of the pollen of grasses
and flowers, and therefore prevalent only where they are in blossom.
With regard to the treatment of this disease, Sir Morell Mackenzie
believes the first thing to do is, to remove the patient from a district
in which there is much flowering grass, a sea voyage being probably the
most perfect satisfactory step that can be taken. Patients unable to go
to sea should reside near the coast, while dwellers in towns should
avoid the country, and those who reside in the country should make a
temporary stay in the centre of a large town.
EXTRAORDINARY RAFFLE FOR BIBLES.--A curious custom was observed in the
Parish Church of St. Ives, Hunts, on May 23rd. Dr. Robert Wilde, who
died in August, 1678, bequeathed L50, the yearly interest of which was
to be expended in the purchase of six Bibles, not exceeding the price of
7s. 6d. each, which should be "cast for dice" on the Communion table
every year by six boys and six girls of the town. A piece of ground was
bought with the L50, and is now known as "Bible Orchard." The legacy
also provided for the payment of ten shillings yearly to the vicar for
preaching a sermon on the occasion "commending the excellency, the
perfection, and divine authority of the Holy Scriptures." This singular
custom has been regularly observed in the church since the death of the
testator, but representations having been made to the Bishop of the
diocese, the practice of throwing the dice on the Communion table was
discontinued some years ago, and the raffling now takes place on a table
erected at the chancel steps. The highest throw this year (three times,
with three dice) was thirty-seven, by a little girl. The vicar (the Rev.
E. Tottenham) preached a sermon from the words, "From a child thou hast
known the Holy Scriptures."
ANTIQUARIAN DISCOVERY.--During some excavations on the premises of
Messrs. Walker and Sons, Otley, Yorkshire, a mass of human and other
bones, bears' claws, flint, charcoal, and burnt slates or tiles, was
turned up with the subsoil, and among the _debris_, at a depth of nearly
eight feet from the modern soil level, six copper and bronze coins and a
lead seal were found, several of the coins being in a good state of
preservation. Some of the letters on the coins are worn, but it appears
certain that some of the coins are of great antiquity. The seal is of
more recent date. Seals like the one found were attached to the Papal
bulls, and as this specimen has the usual aperture through its diameter
to allow of the connection of the bull with the seal being made, there
is no doubt that this was so attached to a document of this character.
In years past the archbishops had a palace at Otley, and it is
conjectured that this is one of the many seals used in the manner
indicated. The seal in question bears authority from Pope Innocent IV.,
who occupied the Papal chair from 1243 to 1254. On the obverse are the
Roman capitals "SPA., SPE.," standing respectively for St. Paul and St.
Peter. Immediately below are the heads of those saints in relief, a
cross in the middle dividing them. On the reverse are the letters
"INNOCENTIVS PP IIII."
COLCHESTER.--ST. JOHN'S GREEN CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOL.--The anniversary
services in connection with this school were held on Sunday and Monday,
May 27th and 28th. The sermons on the Sunday were preached by the
Minister, Mr. W. Brown. On the Monday, the usual gathering of teachers,
friends, and scholars was well attended, when suited addresses were
given, and prizes awarded to many of the scholars for regular and
punctual attendance. Sixteen gained prizes for good essays on "The Life
of Joseph." The balance sheet for the last year showed the receipts to
be L18 14s. 1d., and the expenditure to be L23 10s. 3d., leaving L4 16s.
2d. due to the treasurer. The amount received on Sunday and Monday was
L11 6s. 91/2d. There are now 187 scholars and 15 teachers in the
school, 23 scholars and three teachers being added during the past
year.
[Illustration: THE WOUNDED DRUMMER-BOY.]
CHARLIE COULSON, THE DRUMMER-BOY.
During the American War, Dr. Rossvally was surgeon in the army, and
after the battle of Gettisburg, among hundreds of wounded soldiers, a
drummer-boy was found entirely helpless on the field. The case seemed
almost too bad for treatment, but as the lad opened his large blue eyes,
the doctor felt he could not let him die there, so he ordered him to be
taken to the hospital, and found that an arm and a leg required
amputation. The assistant-surgeon wished to administer chloroform to the
young sufferer, but he refused, and when Dr. Rossvally himself
remonstrated with him, he replied--
"Doctor, one Sunday afternoon, in the Sabbath School, when I was nine
and a half years old, I was brought to believe in Christ. I learned to
trust Him then. I have been trusting Him ever since, and I feel I can
trust Him now. He will support me while you amputate my arm and leg."
The Jewish doctor's heart was touched in spite of himself, and he
thereupon asked Charlie a question he had never asked a soldier
before--would he like to see the chaplain? "Oh, yes, sir!" was the quick
response; and after seeing the minister, by whom he sent a loving
message to his mother and the superintendent of his Sunday School, he
told the doctor he was ready for the operation, promising that he would
not even groan if no chloroform were offered him. He kept his promise,
only putting the corner of his pillow in his mouth during the most
painful part of the process, saying, "Oh, Jesus, blessed Jesus, stand by
me now!"
That night the doctor could not sleep. Those soft blue eyes and that
gentle voice seemed to meet him continually, and he could not help
returning to the hospital in the middle of the night to inquire about
the lad. He found him sweetly sleeping, and one of the nurses told him
how two friends had visited him, and had sung "Jesus, Lover of my soul"
by his bed-side, and Charlie had joined in the sacred song.
Five days afterwards, he felt he was dying, and sending for the doctor,
he thanked him for all his kindness, and begged him to remain and see
him die, trusting Jesus to the last moment of his life. He tried to
stay, but it was too much for his Jewish feelings to see that dying
youth rejoicing in the love of the Jesus whose very name he had been
taught to hate, and he hurriedly left the room.
Twenty minutes after, he was again summoned to that bed, and, asking him
to take his hand, Charlie said, "Doctor, I love you because you are a
Jew. The best Friend I have found in this world was a Jew, Jesus Christ,
to whom I want to introduce you before I die; and will you promise me,
doctor, that what I am about to say to you you will never forget?" The
doctor promised, and the lad went on--"Five days ago, while you
amputated my arm and leg, I prayed the Lord Jesus Christ to convert your
soul."
These words sank into the doctor's heart. How could that sufferer, in
the midst of such intense pain, be thinking only of his Saviour and an
unconverted soul? and he could only answer, "Well, my dear boy, you will
soon be all right." With these words he left him, and a few minutes
later the youth fell asleep in Jesus, at seventeen years of age.
Dr. Rossvally followed him to the grave, and for some months the
impression his patience and faith had made upon him still remained.
Gradually it wore off, however; and for ten years longer he remained a
despiser of the Saviour, when God, in mercy, sent another message to His
wandering child.
At the close of the American War, Dr. Rossvally had been made
inspecting surgeon, with charge of the military hospital in Texas.
Returning one day from an inspecting tour, he stopped at an hotel in New
York, and going to be shaved, he found the barber's shop hung around
with beautifully framed Scripture texts; and what was more, the barber
began to speak to him of Jesus in such an attractive way, that Charlie
Coulson's happy death came vividly before his mind. The doctor's mind
was deeply moved, and when he reached Washington, where he resided, for
the first time in his life he went to hear an address in a Christian
place of worship, and he could not restrain the tears that would flow
while he listened; and when the service was ended, an elderly lady spoke
to him before he could escape. He told her he would pray to his God--the
God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--but not to Jesus. "Bless your soul,"
was the earnest answer, "your God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is my
Christ, and your Messiah!"
He went home full of conflicting feelings, and then for hours he wept
and prayed, while many prophecies concerning the Messiah came to his
mind, and at length the conviction came that Jesus was the Christ, that
He was his Saviour, and that God had forgiven him for the sake of His
beloved Son.
He hastened to tell his wife of his newly-found joy, but it only enraged
her, and leaving home, she went to her parents' house, who forbade her
to have any further intercourse with her husband, and took the two
children under their care. So true is it still that a Jew must be
prepared to forsake all when he follows Jesus.
He went away with a sad heart on his next commission, but regularly
wrote to his wife, praying that she might read at least one of his
letters. For fifty-three days each one was destroyed unopened, but one
night their daughter dreamed that she saw her father die, and next
morning she determined to take his letter in and read it. She did so,
and after a while showed it to her mother, who, having secretly read it
again and again, was overcome with strange new feelings, and she also
was led to trust in that long-despised but now precious name--Jesus, the
Son of God.
Husband and wife were now united in the Lord, and their daughter also
became a new creature. Their son, however, long refused even to
acknowledge either of his parents, and his mother died without seeing or
hearing from him, but it is hoped that her prayers for him may be
answered. Mrs. Rossvally's end was peaceful and happy. Some friends
sang, "Jesus, Lover of my soul," and when they reached the line, "Thou,
O Christ, art all I want," she said, "Yes, this is all I want! Come,
blessed Jesus, and take me home!" and so she "fell asleep."
Dr. Rossvally still lives, and like a well-known ancient trophy of
divine grace, preaches the faith he once laboured to destroy, and
"Christ and Him crucified" is his hope and joy.
Dear reader, whoever you may be, may you reflect upon the fact that
there is salvation in none other than the Lamb of God, who died to put
sin away, and ever lives to save all who come unto God by Him. And may
His Holy Spirit impress the truth upon your heart, "He that believeth on
the Son of God hath everlasting life, but he that believeth not the Son
shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John iii.
36).--_From a Tract, published at Leeds by Dr. M. L. Rossvally, a
converted Jew._
A WORTHY Quaker thus wrote:--"I expect to pass through this world but
once; if, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing
I can do to any fellow human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer
or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
MR. EDISON'S PHONOGRAPH.
_To the Editor of The Times._
Sir,--At two o'clock this afternoon, at the address below, I had the
honour to receive from Mr. Edison his "perfected phonograph," which, on
the authority of Mr. Edison's own statement, in his own familiar voice,
communicated to me by the phonograph itself, "is the first instrument of
his latest model that has been seen outside of his laboratory, or has
left his hands," and is consequently the first to reach this country.
At five minutes past two o'clock precisely, I and my family were
enjoying the at once unprecedented and astounding experience of
listening to Mr. Edison's own familiar and unmistakable tones here in
England--more than three thousand miles from the place where he had
spoken, and exactly ten days after, the voice having meanwhile voyaged
across the Atlantic Ocean.
"His first phonogram," as Mr. Edison calls it, tells me, among other
things, that this instrument contains many modifications of those which,
a few weeks ago, were exhibited at the Electrical Club in New York, and
so widely reported by the Press.
In the several long phonogramic communications to me (no single word of
which had to be repeated in order to be clearly and easily understood by
every person present, including a child of seven years old), Mr. Edison
mentions that he will send me phonograms by every mail leaving New York,
and requests me to correspond with him exclusively through the medium of
the phonograph, humorously remarking in this connection upon the
advantages he will himself derive from the substitution of phonograms
for a style of writing not always too legible.
Next to the phonogram from Mr. Edison himself, and before all the
remainder of the deeply interesting contents of the "phonogramic
cabinet" sent me, is an exquisite poem entitled, "The Phonograph's
Salutation," composed by the well-known and gifted American poet and
preacher, Horatio Nelson Powers, D.D., of Piermont, on the Hudson. This
poem makes the phonograph tell its own story of what it is and what it
does, in a style and with a power that must add not a little to the
already high reputation of its author. It was spoken by him into the
phonograph, so that we cannot fail to read it as he would have it
read--a privilege of no small importance to both the poet and those who
hear him.
Perhaps the highest justification of the phonograph's description of its
own power in its "Salutation" is found in the fact that to several
members of my family who are familiar with the Doctor's style of
oratory, from having sat under his preaching in former years, the voice
of the author is perfectly recognizable, even by my youngest child of
seven years, who had not heard the voice since he was five years old.
Besides the above, Mr. Edison has sent for our amusement numerous
musical records of great interest and beauty--pianoforte, cornet, and
other instruments, solos, duets, &c., many of which, he tells me, have
been very frequently repeated--some, several hundred times.
Altogether, our experiences of the day have been so delightful and
unusual, not to say supernatural, that it makes it difficult to realize
that we have not been dreaming--so interesting withal as to make it seem
a duty, as it is a pleasure, to communicate the above to your
widely-read paper, which I have so frequently observed to chronicle the
works of the author of this unparalleled triumph of mind over matter.
All honour to Edison!
I have the honour to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
G. E. GOURAUD.
_Little Menlo, Beulah Hill, Upper Norwood, Surrey, June 26th, 1888_.
P.S.--It may be interesting to add that the above communication was
spoken by me into the phonograph, and written from the phonograph's
dictation by a member of my family, who had, of course, no previous
experience of the instrument.
THE HOUSE UPON THE SAND.
"Whilst we were conversing with a man named Joachim," says a missionary
to Syria, "in the city of Nazareth, a sudden but violent storm arose,
and terrific peals of thunder rolled over our heads. The brow of the
hill whereon the city was built was every moment gleaming as the
lightning flashed. The rain fell in torrents, and in the course of an
hour a river flowed past the convent door, along what lately was a dry
and quiet street. In the darkness of the night, we heard loud shrieks
for help. The floods carried away baskets, logs of wood, tables, and
fruit-stands. At length a general alarm was given. Two houses built on
the sand were undermined by the water, and both fell together, while the
people in them escaped with difficulty. It was impossible not to pity
these poor, houseless creatures, and, at the same time, to thank God we
were in a secure building."
The power and meaning of these words spoken by our Lord was thus made
plain--"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth
them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a
rock; and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a
rock."
UNSEEN PROTECTION.
A lady was wakened up one morning by a strange noise of pecking at the
window, and when she got up, she saw a butterfly flying backwards and
forwards inside the window in a great fright, because outside there was
a sparrow pecking at the glass, wanting to reach the butterfly. The
butterfly did not see the glass, but it saw the sparrow, and evidently
expected every moment to be caught. Neither did the sparrow see the
glass, though it saw the butterfly, and made sure of catching it. Yet,
all the while, the butterfly, because of that thin, invisible sheet of
glass, was actually as safe as if it had been miles away from the
sparrow.
Poor, fearful child of God, it is when our Protector is out of sight
that our hearts fail us. Elisha's servant was in great fear when he
awoke in the morning, and saw the city of Dothan encompassed with
horses, and chariots, and a great host; but when his eyes were opened,
at the prayer of the prophet, his fears vanished, for he beheld the
mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. "Thou wilt keep him in
perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in
Thee." "The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from
this time forth and even for evermore."
"Though now unseen by outward sense,
Faith sees Him always near;
A Guide, a glory, a defence:
Then what have you to fear?"
--_Waymarks for Pilgrims._
ANSWER TO BIBLE ENIGMA.
(_Page 130._)