Earlier text: A LAY DISCURSUS ON THE SOULIn the fifth chapter of James, verses 5–6, the Lord has given plainly the characteristics of the last days; and then He tells us (verses 7 and 8) that these are the days when His coming “draweth nigh.” The characteristics there given are love of pleasure, corruption, and greed for gold. Another list of last-day characteristics is found in 2 Tim. 3:1–5. Some of the characteristics there given are these: Self-love, covetousness, truce-breaking, false accusations, love of pleasure, and the form of godliness without the power. The Lord has given us still another distinguishing mark of the days preceding His second advent. It is found in Micah 7:2–4. The distinguishing feature there mentioned is the all-engrossing prevalence of the bribery of public officials. That it is given there as a characteristic of the last days is shown by expressions in verses 4 and 7. Let the reader turn to these scriptures, and read them one after the other. With this prophetic picture of last-day conditions in mind, let us look at the following extracts from the report of the February Grand Jury of St. Louis, Missouri, which has just been made public. The report declares that the people of St. Louis have but a vague conception of the extent to which corruption and venality have, for the past ten years, existed among the sworn officers and public servants. It finds the true conditions almost too appalling for belief. In part the report reads as follows:— We have had before us many of those who have been, and most of those who are now, members of the House of Delegates. We regret to report that we found a number of these utterly illiterate and lacking in ordinary intelligence, unable to give a better reason for favoring or opposing a measure than a desire to act with the majority. In some no trace of mentality or morality could be found; in others a low order of training appeared, united with base, cunning, groveling instincts, and sordid desires. These men, through their corrupt agent, approach the legislative representatives of powerful combinations or corporations competing for valuable franchises, demand and receive of them sums of money ranging from $100 to $100,000 for their individual votes and influence. An official of the city government, according to evidence before us, agreed with one interested, to do an official act for $75,000; and afterward from the opposing interests accepted the sum of $100,000 for doing the very opposite of that which he had agreed to do for $75,000. One legislator received in cash at his own residence the sum of $50,000 for his vote on a pending measure. This was retained by him for a few days, and then returned in the hope of receiving a larger sum. The measure was enacted, and the member, after much delay, was finally compelled to accept $500 in full for his vote on the franchise bill. Convincing documentary evidence was unearthed proving that the sum of $145,000 was placed in escrow in a bank in this city, to be paid to the members of the municipal assembly of St. Louis upon the passage of a valuable franchise ordinance. This ordinance failed, and a second bill was introduced, upon the passage of which the sum of about $250,000 was distributed among those members. After the passage of this ordinance, the franchise was sold for $1,250,000. The city realized nothing whatever for this franchise. In these matters the statute of limitation was a bar to the finding of indictments against nearly all of the guilty parties. The more recent attempt of a street railway company to secure a franchise has been conspicuously brought to public notice through proceedings in the criminal courts. An agreement was made between the legislative agent of the company and the representatives of the combines in both branches of the municipal assembly, by the terms of which $75,000 was to be paid to certain members of the House of Delegates and $60,000 to certain members of the council in consideration of such members voting for the proposed measure. The first-named amount was deposited in cash in a safe-deposit box in a trust company, and the $60,000 was likewise deposited in another trust company. Two keys to each box were issued, the one being held by the legislative agent of the company, the other by the corrupt agent of the members of the municipal assembly. Through the action of the courts the passage of the ordinance was prevented. The $135,000 corruption fund was demanded by the legislators under the claim that they had done their duty, all they had agreed to do, but the company refused to honor their claims. The evidence shows us that there are in this city men of seeming great respectability, directors in large corporations and prominent in business and social circles, who have not hesitated to put up money for the purpose of bribing through the Assembly measures in which they were interested. Some of these are as guilty as those against whom indictments have been returned, the only difference being that they have been more successful in covering their tracks. No names are mentioned in connection with these charges of fraud. The persons against whom indictments for bribe-giving and bribe-taking have been returned are but a small percentage of those whom inquiry convinces us deserve to wear the garb of convicts. St. Louis is not the only city in the world or in the United States where such a condition of things exists. It is present in every large city to a greater or less extent. Valuable franchises are given away or sold at much less than their value, because those who had the power to dispose of them have done so for a consideration. Again and again the people have been deceived and disappointed by their legislators doing the thing they had agreed not to do or refusing to do the thing which they had agreed to do, all because an influential or wealthy person or corporation had backed their demands with money. How explicit the prophecy is in regard to these very conditions which exist now, the public servant asking and receiving a reward for doing that which is contrary to the wishes of those whom he is supposed to serve; asking and receiving a reward for giving judgment in a case at law, and giving judgment for the side which has the money to buy the judge. And right in this connection come the disclosures from New York that numbers of the detective sergeants, who are supposed to hunt out crime and criminals, are directly connected with professional thieves, pickpockets, “fences,” and other criminal characters. These disclosures have been sworn to by responsible persons, and the district attorney’s office is beginning an investigation. The detectives deny every accusation. But the evidence already brought out, indicating the corrupt methods which prevail among trusted employees of the detective bureau, says the report, “reveals a state of affairs which can not fail to shock the moral sense of the entire community. The revelations also connect the police officials with notorious criminal practices, and the district attorney promises astonishing revelations.” Nothing further need be said to show that the times in which we are now living are the times pointed out by the prophetic Word as the times immediately preceding the second coming of the Son of Man. ALWAYS ON THE PART OF PROTESTANTS.
The Christian Work, an independent Presbyterian newspaper, expresses a very general sentiment in the following from an article entitled “The Pope’s Quarto-Centennial,” in the issue of that paper of March 22, 1902:— But, interesting as the occasion is to Catholics and Protestants, it is less the naked historic fact that concerns us than what that fact stands for, as exhibited in the changes witnessed in that time, in this country especially, in the relations existing between two of the three great branches of Christendom—the Catholic and Protestant. And we may say that, while the fundamental differences between Catholic and Protestant are no less fundamental than ever, there is yet to be seen a “rapprochement” between the two great branches which was not observable under Pope Leo’s predecessor; that is to say, on the part of the Protestants themselves. Not only has much of the old-time bitterness entertained by them toward Catholics vanished; but Catholics and Protestants are now often seen co-operating in the work of promoting various benevolent enterprises, such as temperance work, relief of the poor, and other departments of benevolent activity; while such men as Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop Ireland, and others have infused the American spirit in their church, as they are often seen on the same platform with Protestant ministers. And here it is pertinent to note that the Presbyterian Church, as it will formally declare a little later, no longer assumes to identify the Roman Catholic Church with the “Scarlet Woman” of the Apocalypse. The change has always been with Protestantism. Rome is always the same. Her policy may change, and prosper; her principles and purposes never change. But Protestantism is rapidly rejecting, abjuring, or ignoring every fundamental principle of Protestantism, principles which made the great Protestant body all it really is, and which changed the face of the world. Is it for the best? PERVERTING THE STARS AND STRIPES.
By G.
Nominally the American flag is the emblem of liberty. Wherever it waves permanently, the land is ostensibly “the land of the free.” This is the theory, but practically it never has quite reached the goal. There are various ways in which the original purpose of the Star Spangled Banner has been perverted to ignoble uses; but we will note but one—a very prominent one, namely, the protection of the liquor traffic. Not only in the home land, but wherever the government sets up its authority in other lands, the flag is made to hover over and foster this great evil, which not only enslaves, but robs and beggars and actually kills its thousands of victims every year. The war in the Philippines has been represented as a humanitarian enterprise, a crusade in the interest of freedom for an oppressed people, an opening wedge for the introduction of Christianity. But this specially protected tyrant seems to have been the first to gain a substantial foothold—perhaps because it is more alert and wide awake to embrace the opportunity, and perhaps because it can take root and thrive in “stony ground,” where better principles would fail for lack of nourishment. There are evidences that the Stars and Stripes have been made to guard the gates of this universal curse, and to encourage its prosperity, while the ostensible ultimate purposes of the campaign received less consideration. The theory is that the good results can not be realized until the way for them shall have been cleared by the successful termination of the war. However plausible this theory might be, if possibly correct at all, the liquor traffic has flourished from the start, and bids fair to prosper indefinitely. Writing to Leslie’s Weekly under the heading, “Saloons Sneaking in under the Folds of Old Glory,” Mr. H. Irving Hancock says:— Of all the problems that confront us in the reconstruction of the Philippines the gravest and wickedest is one of our own importation. The Manila saloons, taken collectively, are the worst possible kind of a blot on Uncle Sam’s fair name. The city’s air reeks with the odor of the worst of English liquors. And all this has come to pass since the 13th of August, 1898. With the vanguard of American troops entering Manila, rode the newly appointed Philippine agent of a concern that had shiploads of drink on the way. He secured offices, warehouses, options on desirable locations for saloons, and opened business. Some of the proudest and best youth of the land marched into Manila to proclaim the dawn of a new era of honesty, liberty, and light. It was a day of rare import to the downtrodden East. But the saloon-keeper sneaked in under the folds of Old Glory. Almost by the time the American soldiers had stacked arms in the city, a score of American saloons were open. Swiftly other scores were added to them. The number grew and grew. At the outbreak of the insurrection there were hundreds of American saloons in Manila. To-day there is no thoroughfare of length in Manila that has not its long line of saloons. The street cars carry flaunting advertisements of this brand of whisky and that kind of gin. The local papers derive their main revenue from the displayed advertisements of firms and companies eager for their share of Manila’s drink money. The city presents to the newcomer a Saturnalia of alcoholism. The Filipinos of Manila are rather slow to take to drink. They have always heretofore been an abstemious people. Yet slowly but surely the natives are veering around to the temptations to be found in the saloon. Five years more of the present saloon reign in Manila will see a sad demoralization of the natives. At present the non-drinking majority of the Filipinos feel only contempt for the Americans whom they see lurchingly walking the streets or crouching in silly semi-stupor in the cabs on their way to office, home, or barracks. Bishop Thoburn, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, after a personal visit to the Philippines, testified as follows:— Every alternate place of business seems to be a liquor shop of some kind, and the soldier has temptation before his eyes whichever way he may turn. . . . Drunken soldiers meet me everywhere,9and it is painful in the extreme to remember that many of them have come from Christian homes, and that they have been thrust into the very jaws of temptation, from which only a strong man can be expected to escape. Army Secretary Peyton, of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, after a six months’ stay in the Philippines, gave this testimony:— At the present time there is no chance for Protestant effort. It is practically useless to undertake to do anything there until the United States troops depart or reform. When the American troops landed in Manila, there was only a saloon or two in the whole place. To-day Manila is a hell-hole. There are 430 or more saloons, typical places of the Western frontier or worse, and the saloons are more respectable than are many of the other places within the city which Americans have either planted or keep alive by their support. Just before I came away from Manila, I had a talk with Senor Publietti. He is almost the only Protestant native there. He was educated in Europe, and is a most devout and intelligent man. He said to me, “So long as this army is here, and it remains such an army as it is, there is not the shadow of a chance for Protestant effort.” And I think Senor Publietti is right. To cap the climax we here adduce some testimony from the liquor traffic itself. The Wine and Spirit News, a journal devoted to the interests of the business, says:— As one result of American occupancy of Manila, the liquor business has reached enterprising proportions, and is now considered as one of the leading, as well as one of the respectable, kinds of business. Says one correspondent: “On the Escolta, the principal street, only a quarter of a mile long, there were but two places where intoxicating liquors were sold when we entered the city, whereas now there are 18. There are 300 licensed places in the city where liquors may be obtained, licenses costing $3 per year. The income of the largest, the Alhambra, is stated on good authority to be $700 per night. Already the street cars are topped with large signs detailing the exquisite qualities of certain whiskies. One-quarter of the daily issue of the principal English newspaper published is devoted to extolling the perfection of a brand of beer, while the largest drug store in town devotes a whole column to advertising its fine line of liquors, with no mention of its medicines.” When the proud banner of the greatest republic on earth to-day can be perverted and prostituted to the protection of so great an evil, what can be said for the prospect of its protecting civil and religious liberty? And when we reflect that professed Protestantism is mainly responsible for the war through which such conditions were brought about (the papal blessing being upon the cause of Spain), it must be conceded that the prospect is still more ominous. To whom, then, shall we look for judgment and righteousness?—“Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.” “Give us help from trouble; for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly; for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.” Ps. 12: 1; 108: 12, 13. THE VATICAN AND THE PHILIPPINES.
According to a despatch from Rome, when the pope received his legate, Monsignor Sbarretti, before the departure of the latter for the Philippines the other day, he gave him very explicit instructions as to working in harmony with the American plan of settling the question of the friar's lands. This confirms previous statements that the friar's lands, so called, are regarded by our government as the property of the Roman Catholic Church. The despatch also indicates that the lands are to be bought of the church authorities, and that the objectionable Dominican friars are to be withdrawn. It was certainly most expedient to get the papal sanction for any just measure the commission might recommend, and that sanction has been given so promptly that the problem will be more easily solved.—Christian Work. Chilean and Argentine Naval Rivalry
A SPECIAL session of the Chilean Congress has been called for the present week to provide money for increasing the Chilean navy. The navy of Argentina is now much stronger than that of Chile, and in view of the probability of war between these two countries in the near future over the boundary question, the Chilean people have decided that their naval strength must be increased. Argentina has announced her intention of maintaining the strongest navy in South America. So we may expect now to see a navy-building race between these countries, and incidentally another illustration of the spirit of the times—preparation for war. Pacific Cable Reaches Fiji
THE Pacific cable being laid by the British Government from Australia to British Columbia has reached the Fiji Islands in its progress northward. Belgium’s Suffrage Agitation
Late despatches from Belgium show that the situation there is very grave, and a general strike of all laboring men seems imminent. The Socialists and Liberals are demanding a revision of the constitution which will give to them equal rights of suffrage with the clericals and the wealthy class. As it is to-day in that country, some are able to cast two and three votes each. These are the clericals, men who have received “higher instruction,” and men who have engaged in professional occupations. But men belonging to the laboring classes are entitled to only one vote each. Thus, while there were 1,418,480 voters in the election of 1898, there were 2,175,957 votes cast. Belgium is a Catholic country, and this disproportionate voting system has given to that element a power greater than belongs to its numbers. The Socialists and Liberals demand equal representation for the laboring classes. It is recognized that this would reduce the Catholic power in the government, and naturally the clericals are against the proposition. So while the present agitation is of a political nature, it has also assumed an anti-clerical character. The Catholic element is said to have made itself unpopular with the masses because of its disposition to interfere with the public school system. Another probable element of discontent is the fact that the Catholic clergy receive from the government each year 5,234,000 francs besides 56,000 francs for various ecclesiastical expenses. The Protestant clergy receive from the government 93,200 francs yearly, and the Jews 19,000 francs. During the week there have been many encounters between the soldiers and the police and the Socialist and Liberal element, in which considerable blood has been shed and some lives lost. Strikes are occurring in all parts of the kingdom, and the strikers are joining the rioters. The declaration of the Socialist leaders is that “the country has had enough of clerical despotism.” Unless the demands of the dissatisfied element are complied with, it seems certain that there are dark days ahead for Belgium. British War Costs and Grain Duties
BECAUSE of the great expense incident to the war in South Africa, the Chancellor of the Exchequer recommends to the British Government that a duty of three pence per hundred weight be placed on the importation of all grains, with a correlative duty of five pence per hundred weight on flour and meal. The House adopted the recommendation of the corn and flour duties by a vote of 254 to 135. During the discussion in Parliament, the fact was brought out that during the last seven years there had been an annual increase in expenditure of over $195,000,000, a sum entirely out of proportion to the national enrichment. The Chancellor’s statement shows that during the year there has been an increase in the national debt of England to the amount of $283,040,000, and that the cost of the war in South Africa up to the present time has been $805,365,920. Russia’s Conditional Agreement on Manchuria
The agreement recently signed between Russia and China provides for the gradual evacuation of Manchuria by the Russian forces, except those necessary to protect the railroad. The treaty closes with the provision, however, that in case China fails to live up to her agreement in any particular, Russia will not hold herself bound to its terms. This provides for the nullification of the treaty at any time Russia may desire, as she alone will be the judge of whether China fulfils her agreement or not. Russia has not abandoned her plan in regard to China, altho this agreement will probably act as a temporary check. Philippine Civil Government Bill
THE House bill to establish civil government in the Philippines has been perfected by the Insular Committee and been reintroduced. The House bill provides for a complete form of government for the islands, to go into effect when the war terminates, and for a general election in which the Filipinos shall choose delegates to a popular assembly to be known as the Philippine Assembly. It is further provided that all the executive power shall be vested in two houses, the Philippine Commission and the Philippine Assembly, and that the friar lands shall be purchased by the Filipino Government. Boer Peace Negotiations at Pretoria
Negotiations are still in progress at Pretoria, South Africa, between the Boer leaders and Lord Kitchener. Altho telegrams have been exchanged between Lord Kitchener and the British Government in reference to the Boer propositions, it is evident that no definite plan for the accomplishment of peace has yet been agreed upon. At least nothing has yet been given to the public. While the generals have been in conference, some hard fighting has occurred in the field, in which about 300 casualties occurred all told, with little gain to either side. Rebellion Advances in China
ADVICES from China indicate that the imperial troops are powerless against the rebels in Kwang-si province. The forces of the latter are said to be growing in numbers daily. Trade is at a standstill, and missionaries have been warned to leave the districts held by the rebels. The latter have captured several important towns in Kwang-si and Kwei Chou provinces, making prisoners of the local mandarins. The government is sending foreign-drilled troops and artillery to the disturbed provinces. Rebellion in French Kongo
In that part of Africa known as the French Kongo district the natives are in rebellion. Coming down the Kongo River, they murdered the owners of a number of large mills and the natives employed in them, looted the mills and burned them. France has ordered reinforcements sent to the disturbed district. A recent revival of the rites of human sacrifices is given as the cause of the outbreak. A TWO-TON icicle, which had formed upon the huge stack at the Carnahan tin mill, says a Cincinnati paper, fell to-day, crashing through the roof, disabling the machinery so that the mill will have to remain idle for a week. The icicle was formed gradually by the exhaust which escaped at the side of the stack. It grew so heavy that it was finally unable to bear its own weight. Several men in the mill at the time had narrow escapes from death. Occupation of Tien-tsin to Continue
At a meeting of foreign commanders at Tien-tsin, China, it has been decided to continue the occupation of that city until the Taku forts are destroyed, and until China is able to guarantee international interests in China. One of the conditions of turning the city over to the Chinese is that they shall promise not to fortify or rebuild the forts. Hunger Along the Lower Rio Grande
Reports from Austin, Texas, state that there is great destitution on both sides of the lower Rio Grande. Investigations recently made indicate that many have died of hunger, while at least 20,000 persons are in need of immediate aid. The conditions on the Mexican side of the river are said to be worse than on the American side. ANOTHER revolt against the Portuguese has broken out at Goa, the Portuguese colony on the west coast of India. The leader of the Mahratta land-owners has taken up arms, it is reported, with 5,000 followers, who have burned the military barracks at Valpoy, where some of the soldiers were killed. Death of Rev. T. De Witt Talmage
REV. T. DE WITT TALMAGE, the well-known pulpit orator and writer, and editor of the Christian Herald, died at his residence in Washington, D. C., on April 12, after an illness of several weeks. Dr. Talmage was born in 1832, and was therefore 70 years of age at the time of his death. Major Waller Acquitted of Cruelty Charge
The court-martial appointed to try Major Waller, of the marine corps, for cruelty toward the natives of the island of Samar, has acquitted him of the charge. The major admits having shot natives without trial, but it develops that he was acting under orders of his general in doing so. Cholera Spreads in the Provinces
The number of cases of cholera and the number of deaths in Manila continue about the same as during the previous weeks, but the reports indicate that the conditions in the province are becoming alarming. The disease there is on the increase, and the death-rate is very high. Cecil Rhodes’ Funeral in South Africa
In the midst of a great throng of soldiers, civilians, and natives, the body of Cecil Rhodes was committed to its rocky tomb in the Matoppo hills, South Africa, on April 10. After the funeral service was over, the natives sacrificed fifteen oxen to “the spirit of the great chief.” Boer Conference and South African Skirmishes
The Boer leaders are still in conference in South Africa, but reports from that country indicate that but little progress is being made in reaching an agreement. Several sharp skirmishes have been reported during the week with a considerable number of casualties. Castaway Rescued After Seventeen Years
A JAPANESE torpedo boat has just rescued from a deserted island off the coast of Korea a man who had been cast away on that island and lived there alone for seventeen years, subsisting on seaweed and fish. When rescued, he had nearly lost the power of speech. Railroad from Valdez to Eagle City
Work is about to begin on a railroad from Valdez, Alaska, to Eagle City on the Yukon, a distance of about 400 miles. The company intends to begin operations at several different places at the same time so as to complete the road as soon as possible. American Woman Made Countess by the Pope
By decree of the pope a Miss Leary of New York has been made a countess of the Holy See. This is the first time that this title has ever been bestowed upon an American woman. Of course, Miss Leary is a staunch supporter of the Catholic Church. Chinese Exclusion Bill Faces Senate Changes
The Chinese exclusion bill, which recently passed the House, seems destined either to be defeated in the Senate or to be materially amended. It is certain that the clause excluding Chinese sailors from American ships will be eliminated from the bill. Giant Hardware Trust Formed
According to the Iron Age, a giant hardware trust has been formed, comprising about sixty large hardware firms in the United States. The capital stock of the company will amount to $120,000,000. A DESPATCH from Montenegro states that there has been heavy fighting in the province of Novibazar, in European Turkey, between Turks and Christians, and that the revolution is spreading. Pension for President McKinley's Widow
The Senate and House have both passed the bill granting to the widow of President McKinley a pension of $5,000 a year. The bill is now awaiting the signature of the President. Seventeen-Year Locust Plague Predicted
THE State geologist of Indiana predicts for Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Kentucky a disastrous plague of the seventeen-year locust during the coming summer. Chinese Troops Desert to Rebels
It is reported that 1,000 of the Chinese troops under General Ma have deserted to the rebels, taking with them their arms, munitions, and treasury. Hayti Insurgent Leader Captured and Shot
The revolutionary forces in the republic of Hayti were defeated by the government troops on April 5, and the insurgent leader was captured and shot. Sunday Saloons and Raines’ Law Hotels
and the insurgent leader was captured and shot. WHILE the saloons of New York City continue to close on Sunday, the Raines' law "hotels" are reported to be doing a thriving business. Final Action on Cuban Relief Bill
reported to be doing a thriving business. It is announced that final action on the Cuban relief bill will probably be taken this week. THE UNHYGIENIC SIDE OF A MODERN HOME.
By David Paulson
When a plant is taken out of the cellar in the spring, and its pale and sickly appearance is observed, we admit at once that what it needs is sunlight. On the other hand, when we see a plant withered and dry, we know that it needs water. We reason correctly upon these things; but when we see the members of our own families in precisely the same condition, we rarely consider that it is because they have been deprived of some of the God-given blessings of nature. Instead of exerting ourselves to the utmost to find out where we are out of harmony with the laws of nature, we calmly swallow a few drops of some unknown mixture, and then fold our hands as if our duty were done. There are many homes where the curtains are all closely drawn to preserve the color of the carpet and the upholstered furniture; but at the same time the color is fading from the cheeks of the children because they are being deprived of the sunshine. Perhaps later on some of this very furniture may have to be sold to obtain the necessary means to meet the funeral expenses of one of the children. What a pity it is that human lives must thus be sacrificed to ignorance and indifference! Pure air should circulate through the dwelling-house both winter and summer. When winter comes on, we are wont to compete with our neighbors in seeing how thoroughly we can stop up every crack and crevice through which one of heaven’s richest blessings could enter the house. Every time we breathe, we contaminate half a barrel of pure air, which means that a proper system of ventilation will provide an inlet and an outlet for three thousand cubic feet of air every hour for each individual in the room. As window ventilation is the only kind that can be obtained in the majority of homes, we will consider this. When a window is lowered a few inches from the top, as is ordinarily done, the cold air comes in and falls at once to the floor, chilling the lower extremities. It mingles little by little with the contaminated air of the room, and, as it becomes warmer, gradually rises. By this means the only pure air in the room is cold, and at the feet, where it can not be utilized. To obviate this difficulty it is well to lower the upper window-sash nearly an inch for every individual who is to occupy the room. Have a tinner devise a box which will fit on the top of the window-sash, and so arranged that it will project several feet into the room, slanting upward toward the ceiling. By this means the current of air will be directed upward and toward the center of the room, spreading down gradually, and causing no unpleasant drafts. In stormy weather it is not necessary to have the window open so much, because the air presses in much faster. For the foul-air outlet, an ideal plan is to have the chimney constructed in two parts, one to serve as an exit for the smoke and the other for the foul air. Unfortunately very few chimneys are constructed with this end in view, and so a very good substitute is to build a wooden box along one side of the chimney, letting it extend up through the roof of the house and placing a wooden cap over it to protect it from the rain. The heat passing through the bricks will ordinarily create a draft. Often, during the cold weather, some members of the family have to occupy a room which has never been artificially heated. The walls and ceiling of such a room are often covered with moisture, and the bed is unpleasantly damp. If it is not possible to heat the room by means of a stove or furnace, the bedding should be brought into a warm room and thoroughly dried every day, or jugs or bottles of hot water may be placed in the bed some time previous to bedtime. Unfortunately, much of the work accomplished by the general spring house-cleaning ought to have been done day by day during the winter. The longer an unhygienic and unsanitary condition is allowed to continue, the more mischief it breeds. Carpets, wall-paper, neglected corners, the unsuspected place under the kitchen refrigerator, the bottom of the wood-box, and above all the attic, often by neglect become veritable death-traps. Instead of tight carpets for the floors, it is far better to have rugs, which can be taken out every few days, shaken, and exposed to the pure air and sunlight. Many cellars become veritable hotbeds of disease during the winter, and there are many reasons for this. When the cellar is under the house, in most cases the air in it eventually finds its way into the rooms above, and is the cause of much sickness during the winter months, the source of which seems so mysterious to many people. Before articles for winter use are stored away in the cellar, its walls should be thoroughly cleansed and whitewashed, and, if possible, the floors cemented, so as to keep out the foul air from the surrounding soil. A pipe from the cellar can usually be connected with some chimney in the house, so that the foul air can pass to the outside without making any unnecessary opening in the cellar which would admit frost. In houses where there are no cellars underneath, if there are holes and cracks in the foundation wall small animals often find their way to the space beneath the floor, and die there, and others, carried in by cats and dogs, are left to decay, thus giving rise to some of the mysterious odors which are such a puzzle to many housewives. It is well to have some place in the foundation where a temporary opening can be made at certain times of the year, so that some one may examine the situation, and clear out offensive matter if necessary. During the winter, when nature kindly gives us a frozen carpet that so thoroughly imprisons and subdues, for the time being, the various germs, the condition of the premises seems of but small consequence from a sanitary standpoint; but it is well to bear in mind that the same warmth of the sun which restores luxuriant life to all vegetation, also hatches out countless millions of germs in places where the soil is allowed to remain in an unsanitary condition. The front yard usually receives artistic care; but from the back yard is carried away, to make room for more, only a part of the excess of rubbish which has been accumulating during the winter. If our eyes could only be opened so that we could see the pestilence that lurks in every neglected gutter, cesspool, and heap of garbage, we would shudder when we see the innocent children staking off imaginary cities in the midst of all this accumulation, or perhaps making mud pies from some of the contaminated earth in the same vicinity. There is perhaps no more deep-seated delusion in the popular mind than the supposition that disease comes in some spontaneous manner, like the outburst of a volcano. It is simply the result of our seed-sowing; and since this is true, how important it is that we learn to sow for health, day by day, and to avoid those things which uproot the seed and lay the foundation for innumerable ills. If people would strive half as vigorously to keep funerals from the11door as they do the proverbial wolf, there would be fewer premature deaths, and only a small percentage of the present amount of sickness. Chicago Branch Sanitarium.