may safely interpret it as implying a shower of inflamed sulphur or
nitre. At the same time, it is evident that the whole plain underwent a
simultaneous convulsion, which seems referable to the consequences of
bituminous explosion. In accordance with this view, we find the
materials, as it were, of this awful visitation near at hand, for, at
the present day, sulphur is found on the shores of the Dead Sea, which
occupies the site of the cities of the plain; and the Arabs obtain
enough from the cliffs to make their own gunpowder. Irby and Mangles
collected on the southern coasts lumps of fine sulphur, from the size of
a nutmeg up to that of a small hen's egg, which it was evident from
their situation had been brought down from the neighbouring hills by the
rain.
H. H.
A BIRTHDAY WISH.
Life is before you, friend of mine;
What it may bring we cannot divine;
The path outspread is all untrod;
Unknown are its windings to all but God.
The sun will shine with its gladsome ray,
And sometimes clouds overshadow the day;
Your heart may be lifted with joy untold;
But remember the same is not yours to hold.
At your bidding it comes not, nor does it stay;
But when One speaks it flies away;
And why is this? That One is Love,
And seeks to lead your heart above.
Were earthly happiness all your own,
You never would wish a heavenly throne;
So joys are given, they come, and end,
As seemeth best to our Lord and Friend.
Then let us entrust them to His care,
And of thinking them ours to keep, beware;
Let us seek in the gift the Giver to see,
And trust to His love and wise decree.
Should sorrow and sadness our path attend,
And dark seem the way to our journey's end,
Let us look above to the Hand that guides,
And trust His love whatever betides.
No sorrow is sent with purposeless aim,
But each has its destined end to gain;
He loves us so dearly, and shed His blood
To lead us up to the throne of God.
And think you that He would afflict His child
With needless pains in this desert wild?
No; though all that's sent we can't understand,
Let us never distrust the guiding Hand.
His wisdom is perfect, His love divine,
And changeth not with the flight of time;
To the trustful heart that resteth in Him
He has promised joys that never shall dim.
A quiet peace surrounds its path,
Surpassing all that the worldling hath;
May this be yours in that winding way;
May it lead you up to the "perfect day."
LEWARN CLAYTON.
INSECURITY OF PALESTINE.
"_They that sow in tears shall reap in joy._"--PSALM cxxvi. 5.
The farmer in Palestine had frequently to sow with an armed man
attending him, to prevent his being robbed of his seed. A similar state
of danger appears still to prevail. Tristram, in his "Land of Israel,"
says:--
"In descending the hill from Bethany we saw an illustration of the
wretched insecurity of the country, in a drove of donkeys laden with
firewood for Jerusalem. Each ass was attended by a man armed to the
teeth with pistols, sword, and a long gun; and in one little valley--the
only one beyond Bethany where there was any cultivation--each ploughman
was holding his firelock in one hand while he guided the plough with the
other."
A HEROIC SCOTCH STUDENT.
"A ship ashore! A ship ashore!" was the cry which rang through the
streets of St. Andrew's, Scotland, one fearful winter's day some years
ago. This thrilling cry roused every inhabitant. Citizens, University
students, and sailors, rushed with pale faces and rapid steps along the
street towards a bay to the eastward of the town. Standing on the shore,
the crowd was terror-stricken and paralyzed through beholding a vessel
stranded on a sand-bank but a few rods from the beach. She was shrouded
in surfy mist; the waves dashed furiously against her, and broke over
her decks with irresistible fury. Yet, through the thick air and the
driving sleet, the people on the shore could now and then catch glimpses
of the doomed crew clinging, with the clutch of despair, to the rigging
of the wreck. There were many bold, brave men in that sympathizing crowd
of spectators, but none who dared to venture through the mighty surges
to save those ill-fated sailors. It seemed, indeed, to the stoutest
heart, too mighty a task for mortal man to attempt. All could sympathize
with the wretched ones; none but God, they thought, could save them.
But there was one heroic soul in that eager, wistful crowd who thought
that man, with God's help, might snatch those perishing men from the
door of doom. He was a young man--a University student--strong in body,
but still stronger in spirit. "Bring me a rope," he cried; "I will try
to save them." A strong rope was brought, and fastened about his waist.
Followed by the prayers of many and the good wishes of all, this
chivalric youth struggled, with desperate courage, through the terrific
surf into the deep water beyond. Then, with the strength of a young
giant, guided by the skill of the experienced swimmer, he slowly worked
his way towards the vessel's side. He had nearly reached it when his
friends, alarmed by the length of time and slowness of his progress,
began pulling him back. Then his courage rose to the sublimest height of
self-sacrifice. He forgot himself. He would save the men clinging in
desperation to yon vessel's shrouds, or perish in the attempt. Grasping
the knife that he carried between his teeth, he cut the rope by which
his kind-hearted friends were drawing him to shore and safety. He
buffeted the rough waves successfully. He reached the breaker-swept deck
of the stranded sloop. After a word of cheer to the crew, he took a
fresh rope, plunged anew into the surging waters, and swam back to the
beach. But four days of starvation, unrest, and exposure had robbed
those poor creatures on board the wreck of both courage and strength.
Not one of them dared attempt to escape by means of the rope. What! then
must they perish? Nay, not yet. The brave student will risk his life
again in their behalf. Many speak harshly of their lack of pluck. He
pities their weakness; he rushes into the surf once more, struggles
through the crested waves, boards the sloop, and brings off a man to the
shore. Six times he makes the perilous trip, and saves a human life each
time. The seventh time his charge is a boy, so weak and helpless that he
loses his hold upon him twice, and twice he dives for him into the
seething depths and brings him up. Finally, he reaches the beach with a
limp, corpselike lad--the last of the rescued crew.
The crowd, which had hitherto watched the gallant young hero's movements
with breathless stillness, now break forth into a loud, triumphal cheer,
which neither the roar of the wind nor the thunder of the waves can
drown--they recognize the presence of a genuine hero.
The name of this noble young scion of true chivalry was John Honey, one
of the college friends of the celebrated Dr. Chalmers. His efforts on
that memorable day cost him his life--not directly, however, for he
lived a few years, but the seeds of a mortal malady were sown by his
humane exertions on that grandest day of his life.--_Great Thoughts._
DUTIES OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
It is the duty of brothers and sisters to take a delight in each others'
society, and readily to share their comforts with each other. The
kindness of the heart beams in a sister's smile, and speaks in a
brother's praise. The heart must be sadly corrupted, if the remembrance
of the scenes that passed under a father's roof ceases to interest. It
is the duty of brothers and sisters to admonish one another for their
faults. There are failings in the temper and defects in the manners
which are concealed with care from the eyes of the world, but which are
apparent amidst the freedom of domestic life. If follies are not checked
at home, or by strangers, they will grow into habits. The indolence from
which the young were never roused has kept them all their after days in
poverty, and the pride which was never repressed has rendered them
odious. Never let affection make you blind to the deformity of sin.
It is the duty of brothers and sisters to sympathize tenderly with each
other. The heart is so framed that it requires the aid and comfort of
sympathy. How soothing to a sufferer's heart are the attentions of a
sister, and the word spoken by a brother in season! Let sisters consider
how much the persuasive language of mildness and affection is adapted to
transform the roughest and most impetuous temper into meekness and
wisdom, and that their remarks may direct a brother's attention to
sentiments full of beauty and feeling, which he has overlooked.
Brothers and sisters should vie with each other in promoting the comfort
of their parents. Every one should cultivate respect for their parents'
authority, compassion for their infirmities, attention to their wishes,
and be solicitous to give them all necessary aid, and reverence, and
love, undiminished as they witness the decline of their faculties. How
delightful it is to hear parents say of their children, "I cannot tell
which is the kindest to me." What peace such children are preparing for
themselves when their parents shall have passed away!--_Portia._
THE CHILD AND THE EMPEROR.
It is related of the late Emperor of Germany that, when passing through
a pretty country village once, he stopped to visit the village school.
Taking up an orange, he said to the children--
"To what kingdom does this belong?"
"To the vegetable kingdom," answered a little girl.
"And this?" continued the Emperor, holding out a gold coin, which he had
taken from his pocket.
"To the mineral kingdom," was the answer.
"And to what kingdom do I belong?" he said, expecting the little girl
would answer with her former promptitude, "To the animal kingdom." But
after a pause and many blushes, she replied--
"To God's kingdom, sire."
Thereupon the Emperor, greatly moved, and with a tear in his eye and
much solemnity in his tone, replied--
"God grant, my child, that I may be counted worthy of that kingdom."
OUR BIBLE CLASS.
THE GLORY OF CHRIST.
(JOHN xvii)
In the large, upper room of that house at Jerusalem, where Jesus had
eaten the Passover with His disciples, and instituted His own new feast,
"The Lord's Supper," He had been speaking, and they hearing, most
wonderful truths. "Arise, let us go hence," He had said (John xiv. 31).
Yet He arose not, and they lingered still, held fast in solemn wonder
while He spoke the parable of the vine, and warned and encouraged them
concerning their future course when He had left them. And then, having
assured them that He had overcome the world, and bidden them rejoice in
Him, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and prayed for Himself, for them,
and for all His people to the end of time.
A wondrous prayer! He was just about to enter into His deepest
sufferings; yet He says not a word of pain or sorrow. "The glory that
should follow," "the joy that was set before Him," fill His heart and
tongue, and all His prayer breathes of that reward--that crown of all
His labours--the everlasting life of all His beloved ones.
He thought of His ancient glory, "the glory which I had with Thee before
the world was" (ver. 5); and that glory was connected with His dear
people, as we read in Proverbs viii. 23, where Christ, speaking as
Wisdom, says, "I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or
ever the earth was"; and "Then I was beside Jehovah, as One brought up
with Him: I was daily _His_ delight, and _My_ delights were with the
sons of men" (ver. 30, 31).
"The sons of men," as yet unborn; but "His gracious eye surveyed them"
as they should in future days appear, and He was then their "Elder
Brother," "the First-born among many brethren," and in His image Adam
was formed as a man, "a little lower than the angels, crowned with glory
and honour," and the lord of God's earthly creation (Psa. viii.). And
Jesus looked on to the glorious time when all His people, though they
have fallen, and become sinners, shall be purified and fully saved, and
be "presented to God without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." It
_was_ His glory, before time, to think of this; it _shall_ be His glory,
when time is ended, to see all His desires fulfilled, and all His wishes
accomplished.
Next, Jesus thought and spoke of "the glory His Father had given Him"
(ver. 24)--given Him in the world, in the sight of His people. In
Revelation xiii. 8, He is called "the Lamb that hath been slain from the
foundation of the world"--slain in pictures and shadows; "the firstling
of the flock" that Abel offered; the paschal lamb, and all the
numberless sacrifices slain of old by God's command, pointed always to
the Lamb of God; and He was glorified when His people, in by-gone times,
like Abraham, "saw His day," His coming, and His work, and were glad in
His salvation.
And Jesus prayed that all whom His Father had given Him might behold His
glory. When? Not only in heaven, but here. As we read in Paul's wondrous
description of this sight, "we all, with unveiled faces, beholding as in
a mirror the glory of the Lord" (2 Cor. iii.), do not simply gaze upon
it as on a lovely picture, but are transformed as we gaze--are changed,
until we become like our Lord, and bear His image, and reflect His
glory, as the face of Moses shone when he came down from God on Mount
Sinai, and he did not know it until he found the Israelites could not
look at him unless he veiled his face, for true holiness makes us humble
and lowly, and
"The more His glories strike our eyes,
The humbler we shall lie;
Thus while we sink, our joys shall rise
Immeasurably high."
And if now we see Him thus by faith, we shall see Him as He is, and be
like Him for ever.
"Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall;
Join in the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all."
But the prayer of Jesus began with the earnest request for another kind
of glory--"Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also
may glorify Thee." "The hour" for which I came into the world--"the
hour" of deepest woe, yet most glorious victory. Glorify Thy Son by
strengthening and sustaining Him, that He may glorify Thee by
accomplishing Thy will, and destroying the works of the devil.
Was not the prayer answered? Hear the dying Saviour cry, with a loud
voice, on Calvary, "It is finished!" and we behold Him gloriously
conquering in the very moment of His death, and departing to receive the
Victor's crown, and the grateful worship of all the redeemed, as they
sing, "Worthy the Lamb that was slain!"
Lastly, Jesus says of all His glory, "I have given it to My people, My
followers, My friends" (ver. 22). "My glory, My joy, I share with them."
He is "anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows" (Psa. xlv.
7); but to every "good and faithful servant" He will say, "Enter thou
into the joy of thy Lord."
Is His joy, His glory, ours? Do we delight in His salvation? Do we
desire to follow Him, and, like Him, do good to others? Do we long to
see God's kingdom come, and His will done on earth as it is done in
heaven? If so, He has given us a share in His glory, and we shall meet
with all His saints around His throne on high--
"And with one heart, and voice, and soul
Sing His redeeming grace."
Then will His glory be complete. Oh, that we may behold and enjoy it,
too! Amen.
Our next subject will be, _Gleanings from the Book of Ruth_.
Yours affectionately,
H. S. L.
THE PITCAIRN ISLANDERS AND THE QUEEN.
Captain John Lewthwaite, of Maryport, has just returned to England,
bringing with him a present for the Queen from the inhabitants of
Pitcairn Island. Captain Lewthwaite is master of the _Cairmont_, of
Glasgow, and on his homeward voyage from Vancouver Island he called at
Pitcairn. He found that the descendants of the mutineers of the _Bounty_
had received papers containing particulars of the Queen's Jubilee. They
said they were anxious to make Her Majesty a Jubilee present, and in the
absence of anything more valuable they decided to send some straw hats
of their manufacture. They also sent other goods made of straw, which
they manipulate with a great deal of skill. The presents were handed to
Captain Lewthwaite by M'Avoy, the Governor of the island, and grandson
of one of the mutineers. The box containing the presents has been lodged
with the Vicar of Peckham Rye, who acts as agent for the islanders, to
forward to the Queen.
There are now one hundred and twelve persons on the island, two-thirds
being women. They use no strong drink, tobacco, or money. Some time ago
a harmonium was taken out to them, and Captain Lewthwaite says one woman
plays it remarkably well.
A MAN that cannot mind his own business is not to be trusted with the
king's.--_Saville._
PRIZE ESSAY.
LESSONS TO BE DERIVED FROM THE HISTORY OF DANIEL.
The principal lessons to be derived from the history of Daniel
are--faith, moral courage, patience, perseverance, and the value of
prayer. Daniel's faith was steadfast in God, for, in spite of all
opposition, he stood firm to his purpose. This also shows his moral
courage, in standing alone before his God when all others were against
him. He truly manifested the feeling, "Though He slay me, yet will I
trust in Him." Envied and persecuted by many, he knew that God was for
him if men were against him. It is a dreadful sin to conspire against a
child of God, for Christ will say to such in the day of judgment,
"Depart from Me, ye cursed." And again (Mark ix. 42) He said, "Whosoever
shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better
for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast
into the sea." Daniel knew, too, the efficacy of prayer, for he was
taught by God Himself; and where God gives faith and a true spirit, He
is sure to call it into exercise. Daniel possessed an excellent spirit,
and was preferred by King Darius, who did not worship the true God, and
was prevailed upon to establish an idolatrous decree. But Daniel openly
prayed to God. This showed his confidence in Jehovah's omnipotence and
faithfulness, and he was enabled to leave all in His hands, feeling sure
that all things would work together for his good. It has been wisely
said that "not one spark of real saving faith can be kindled in our
hearts but by God Himself," and if He does this, He will give us the
supply we so much need. As a weak limb often grows strong by exercise,
so will our faith, if it be of God, be strengthened by the very effort
we make in stretching it out towards things unseen. Daniel's chastening
afterwards yielded "the peaceable fruit of righteousness" when the angel
Gabriel was sent to tell him he was greatly beloved, and that he should
"stand in his lot at the end of his days." Oh, what comfort this message
must have brought to poor Daniel! Happy shall we be if the Lord speaks
thus to our hearts.
LAURA CREASEY
(Aged 14 years).
_Sydney House, Sleaford,
Lincolnshire._
[Good Essays have been received from Charles Southon, Kate M. Bond,
Alice J. Wells, E. W. Cray, Martha Ramsay, Sarah Hicks, E. B. Knocker,
and E. R. Harris.]
[The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "Cowper's Poems."
The subject for January will be, "What is the Most Desirable Thing to
Possess in the Spring-time of Life?" and the prize to be given for the
best Essay on that subject, a copy of "The Life of Whitfield." All
competitors must give a guarantee that they are under fifteen years of
age, and that the Essay is their own composition, or the papers will be
passed over, as the Editor cannot undertake to write for this necessary
information. Papers must be sent direct to the Editor, Mr. T. Hull, 117,
High Street, Hastings, by the first of December.]
DEEPER than the love of home, deeper than the love of kindred, deeper
than rest and recreation, deeper than the love of life, is the love of
Jesus.--_Hamilton._
NOTHING is easier than fault-finding. No talent, no self-denial, no
brains, no character is required to set up in the grumbling business.
But those who are moved by a genuine desire to do good and benefit their
fellows have little time for murmuring or complaint.
Interesting Items.
THE length of the Thames from source to mouth is 220 miles.
THE greatest height yet reached in a balloon is seven miles and a
quarter.
IN 1707 it took two days and a half to get to Oxford, a distance of
fifty-five miles.
THE number of Bibles sold by the British Bible Society up to 1881 was
100,035,933.
TWO millions and a half is the number of persons who are said to be
slaves to Sabbath toil in America, and they generally receive no more
than six days' wages for seven days' work.
ANNA SWAN, the Nova Scotia giantess, who, with her husband, Captain Bates,
the Kentucky giant, was an earnest member of the Baptist Church, is dead.
She was seven feet nine inches in height.
A GREAT improvement in Sunday observance in the army and navy has, it is
said, taken place. But there are old officers, like the gallant admiral,
who deplore the fact that "the service is going to the dogs," because
there is not so much pipeclay used on a Sunday as there was when they
joined the service.
LORD SUDELEY, of Toddington, near Cheltenham, has the following fruit
trees planted in his grounds--Gooseberry trees, 93,000; plum trees,
20,083; black currant trees, 167,000; apple trees, 2,919; pear trees,
852; damson trees, 8,845; cherry trees, 532; red currant trees, 10,000;
raspberry trees, 25,000; cob nut, 100; strawberries (acres), 52. In
addition, 100 Scotch firs and 10,000 poplar trees.
THE HAMPTON COURT VINE.--This noble vine is more than a hundred and
fifty years old, and nearly as many feet in length; its stem is
thirty-two inches in circumference. In a good season it will yield more
than two thousand bunches of fine grapes, weighing on an average
seventeen ounces each bunch, or, in the whole, nearly one ton. They are
of the finest black Hamburg kind, and are said to be reserved chiefly
for the Queen's table.
RUNNING AWAY WITH A RITUALISTIC CRUCIFIX.--It is stated that a crucifix
adorns the eastern end of Bourn church. Many of the parishioners are
opposed to certain Ritualistic practices, and have shown their
disapproval by leaving during divine service. During the week the church
is left open, and on Monday, September 17th, a young lady entered and
took away the crucifix. The lady, having secured the crucifix, proceeded
to Bytham Station, and thence to Essendine. Arrived there, she went into
a friend's house and had a cup of tea. In the meantime, the Vicar and
the young lady's brother started in pursuit, discovered the missing
ornament, and brought it safely back and replaced it in the church. The
event has created great excitement in the village, and we understand
that legal proceedings will be taken.
WOLVES AND TELEGRAPH LINES.--It is believed in Norway that wolves are
frightened away by telegraph lines. While a vote was pending on a grant
to a new line, a member of the Storthing remarked that, while his
constituents had no direct interest in it, they would support the grant
because the wires would drive away the wolves. It is stated as a
remarkable fact that since the first telegraph line was established,
twenty years ago, wolves have never appeared in its neighbourhood.
Wolves, it is known, will not enter a roped enclosure.
IN connection with the Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, a hospital ship
was launched from the yard of Messrs. Fellows and Son, of Great
Yarmouth, on September 29th. She is 100 feet in length, and of 152 tons
register. She is to be fitted up as a hospital ship, for the treatment
of accident and illness among the fishermen of the North Sea. She is
named the _Queen Victoria_, and Her Majesty, who takes much interest in
the Mission, subscribed L50 towards the cost of the vessel. The launch
was witnessed by a large number of people. The _Queen Victoria_ is the
same type of vessel as those already in the Mission service.