ONE of the chief needs of our country to-day is respect for authority. This need is apparent in church and state. Nowadays the most solemn deliverances of tribunals are sharply questioned, the most emphatic orders of officials are flouted. Reckless men are quick to make baseless assertions that bring into contempt the highest officiary. Still more reckless persons go beyond words, and defy all authority. And the deepest pity is that the utterers of suspicion have the ear of many good people; and the defiers of authority have, if not sympathy of true men, at least some who make excuses for their inexcusable lawlessness. All this is a great evil and widespread — and bad men are more and more taking advantage of it. The result is deplorable in church and state — and the worst is not yet.— Southern Christian Advocate.