p. 8 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 29. (7/16/1902)

THE ISLAND OF ST. VINCENT.

By Samuel R. Honey

Similar Phenomena to that of Martinique—A Race with a Torrent of Mud.

THE Dixie left Fort de France on the night of May 22, and arrived at Kingstown the next morning. Kingstown was not in need, except for the relief of sufferers at Georgetown and other places about twenty-five miles away. We learned that a great deal of damage had been caused at Georgetown and vicinity, and on the 23rd, in company with two other photographers, I rode to that point.

From Georgetown we had a good view of Mount Soufriere. Its appearance in eruption was similar to that of Mount Pelee, except that there were no fissures exuding steam. A thick volume of smoke came from the crater, however, accompanied by a dull roar, more pronounced even than that of Pelee. The Soufriere eruption was in itself a catastrophe that would have startled the world, but it has paled into comparative insignificance beside that of Pelee, altho a close inspection showed that its devastating force—

Was Quite as Violent.

Altho several miles from Soufriere, Georgetown had seriously felt the force of its eruption. There was not a whole pane of glass in any window of the place. These had all been broken by a shower of what looked to be small pumice stones. The people had also suffered terribly from the effects of the sulphureted hydrogen, and the place would, in all probability, have been swept from the face of the earth as effectually as was St. Pierre, if this gas had ignited, as it did at Mount Pelee. Georgetown furnished uncontrovertible evidence of the effects of the disaster in the surrounding country, too. Survivors from the villages near Soufriere had flocked to it for medical assistance and food, and were being generously supplied as we passed through the place. In the temporary hospitals about fifty badly-burned patients were being treated.

Early on the morning of the 24th we left Georgetown, and soon afterward came to a place called King's Hill, on the road to Mount Soufriere. A man named Porter had had a large sugar plantation and factory there. The entire village was destroyed. A hail of lava-stones and an avalanche of boiling mud changed the entire aspect of the countryside.

Similar to Martinique.

The scene was a replica, on a small scale, of what we had already witnessed at St. Pierre. Its desolation was emphasized by the only moving figures in the picture—a few negroes carrying some articles of household utensils to Georgetown. We pushed on to Overland, two miles farther, a little village which was also totally destroyed. Here, as at King's Hill, a large number of persons had been killed by the eruption, and buried under the ashes. Just ahead of us was La Soufriere, smoking away like a huge chimney, and occasionally giving forth a dull, jarring rumble, which told more plainly than words can describe of the awful pressure concealed behind its lava walls.

We had grown so accustomed to this noise during our trip, however, that we paid very little attention to it, until I started to take a photograph of three negro women whom we discovered amid the ruins of the place, collecting such truck as they could readily gather. They were standing on the hillside, and I had induced them to remain there while I got a picture, when my scheme was destroyed in a most remarkable manner. La Soufriere suddenly belched forth an unusual quantity of black smoke, and, to add to the difficulty, it began to rain in torrents. The women dropped everything, and ran into the ruins, where they attempted to secrete themselves in some of the subterranean cavities, before I had a chance to expose my plate.

On our way out from Georgetown we rode across several river-beds. They had contained water not long before the eruption, apparently, but at the time of our passage they were dry. Looking up one of these sharp depressions or river-beds, we saw a quantity of brown mud coming down the mountainside and entering it. It approached us with the speed of a racehorse, and without delay we turned our nags, and began a race with this mud torrent. It speedily outstripped us, but we felt compelled to keep up an unequal contest. Even if the torrent did not rise above the steep bank, and over-run the country, we were in grave danger; for, if we could not cross at the fords, over which we had so recently passed dryshod, we would be as hopelessly imprisoned as if we were behind the bars of a dungeon, and would be compelled to await the falling of the river, and perhaps to starve. When we reached the first ford, the brown torrent had gained that point ahead of us. It was running like a millrace, but it was not very deep,—not more than two feet,—and we dashed through it without taking any account of consequences. It looked like a river of chocolate into which a generous quantity of milk had been poured. After a struggle we reached the opposite bank. At the next ford, which was through another river-bed running parallel with the first, the muddy solution was deeper, and at the third it was so high that our horses got across only by adding vigorous swimming to their accomplishments.

Group of Careless Colored Refugees, Georgetown, St. Vincent.

We managed to reach Georgetown in safety, and as the force of the combination of rainstorm and new eruption was not felt so far away, we were out of immediate danger. As Soufriere threatened to continue this eruption or to repeat it at any moment, we deemed it wise to abandon, or at least postpone, any further attempt to scale its sides, and started without delay for Kingstown, where we found the Dixie awaiting us.

The scientists of our party say that these eruptions differ from those of Vesuvius, for the reason that no lava has been discharged. Moreover, the eruption of Pelee was not from the old crater, which erupted in 1851, but from a new one farther down the mountain-side. The principal element of destruction appears to have been the discharge of gas,—sulphureted hydrogen, according to the scientific men.

This gas ignited and caused the explosion which demolished the city, and instantly killed all the inhabitants.

There is opportunity for months of scientific work there, if the old volcano again becomes quiescent, but on this point some doubts were expressed. Some of the scientific men said it would not be surprising if the whole island, being of volcanic origin, might continue to burn until it should wear itself away, and return to the bed of the ocean, from which it arose in some mighty concussion of the past.

SAMUEL R. HONEY.

Duty as a Guide

By Southey

WHATEVER weal or woe betide, Be that high sense of duty still thy guide, And all good powers will aid. —Southey.

LOOKING TO THE CRISIS.

The Word teaches that every false system will be flourishing in the last days, in the time of the Lord’s preparation. The flourishing of these systems to-day, from Christian Science through the whole category to the resuscitated cause of Islam, is a striking fulfilment of the Word in this respect, and therefore an indication that we are in the last days.

Perhaps the one thing more than any other that has prepared soil and sowed seed for just such a work as the spread of these systems is the criticism of God’s Word that has been going on for the last few years in the pulpits supposed to have been dedicated to the teaching of that Word. This has weakened the faith of many, overthrown the hope of some, and led a great multitude to look to the lifeless systems of paganism to find what they might have found in the Word of God. Such undermining teachings have made the way easy for the exponents of those false systems to multiply the number of their adherents. Is there not a design in bringing together these two things—the revival of heathen systems and the attempted undermining of the Word of God, the latter opening the way for the progress of the former? Nothing is more certain than that it is the result of a long-planned and deep-laid scheme of that common enemy of God and man.

They who have maintained faith in God’s Word have looked for just such combinations as this, for that Word teaches us to expect them. They have come, and there are more to follow. Every deceptive device that Satan can invent, or has invented and can use now, will be seen in operation in these days. While evil men and seducers shall “wax worse and worse,” their time will be occupied in deceiving one another and being deceived by one another. Never was there a time when so many false systems were being extolled as now; but we have not seen them all yet by any means. Satan has not yet emptied his quiver.

Islam is only one of the devices set for man’s undoing, but Islam has awakened like a sleeping giant, and a furious zeal is taking possession of its devotees. Sheik Abdul Hagk, of Bagdad, has recently published what he calls “the last word of Islam to Europe,” in which he proclaims the unyielding hatred and contempt of Islam for Christians and all things Christian. This is how he looks upon the present situation:—

Are we blind enough not to see the prodigies of your progress? But know, Christian conquerors, that no calculation, no treasure, no miracle can ever reconcile us to your impious rule. Know that the mere sight of your flag here is torture to Islam’s soul; your greatest benefits are so many spots sullying our conscience, and our most ardent aspiration and hope is to reach the happy day when we can efface the last vestiges of your accursed empire. Before the Christian peril we have effaced the quarrels of our sects. Islam’s unity is rising from one end of the world to the other.

The uniting of the various sects of Islam to oppose Christianity is only one of the centripetal forces working in these times. Every other deceptive system is likewise arousing, as tho it had been resting and recuperating for this last great effort. They who are not firmly rooted and grounded in the truth of God in these last days will be swamped in the great sea that is rolling in upon the doomed world. But we are not without hope even in such times as these upon which we are entering; for “the Lord knoweth them that are His;” and “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” “It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.”

Reported Death of S. A. Andree

REV. DR. FERLIES, a Church of England clergyman, who has spent much time among the Indians of the Northwest Territory and has just arrived at Winnipeg, Man., gives what appears to be an authentic account of the death of S. A. Andree, who attempted to reach the North Pole in a balloon. The Indians state that the balloon with its occupants came down near old Fort Churchill in the Arctic regions. In alighting from the balloon a gun was discharged, which was taken by the natives as a challenge for a battle. Thereupon they attacked the explorers and killed them, carrying away all the outfit of the expedition to the far north. The leader of this party of Eskimos related the story to the agent of the Hudson Bay Company, and Dr. Ferlies places full confidence in the report.

Steamers Missing in Arctic Ice

The two steamers, Portland and Jeanie, are still fast in the ice of the Arctic Ocean, and nothing definite is now known as to their whereabouts or safety. The report of last week that these vessels were practically safe is now known to have been premature. Revenue cutters are still searching for the missing vessels.

Amnesty for Philippine Political Prisoners

On July 4 a general amnesty was proclaimed by the representatives of the United States Government to all political prisoners in the Philippines. This released Aguinaldo and all others made prisoners because of their connection with the attempt of the Filipinos to establish an independent government in the islands. It also liberates Mabini and the other political exiles who were sent to the island of Guam. The inhabitants of the Philippines are now under the rule of the civil authorities in all the civilized communities. It is reported that Aguinaldo will soon visit America on a lecturing tour in behalf of independence.

The Lost Chords of Solomon

The cantor of the Hebrew congregation of Beth Israel, Boston, is reported to have unearthed from ancient manuscripts a number of sacred tunes and airs of ancient Jewish composition, known as “The Lost Chords of Solomon.” These are said to have remained hidden because of the profound learning necessary to translate them. They are said to be of remarkable excellence, and furnish evidence of the high attainments of the ancient Jews in music. The key to the songs consists of accents arranged above the letters of the words.

Disposition of the Friar Lands

The matter of the disposition of the friar lands in the Philippines is still unsettled. Judge Taft has presented to the Vatican another note containing final instructions from Secretary of War Root in regard to the matter. Some reports indicate that the Vatican would welcome a display of compulsion in the matter, so that it would not seem to be a party to the expulsion of the religious orders from their parishes. It would rather stand in the position of appearing to yield to force than of sanctioning and joining in the expulsion.

China Seeks Evacuation of Tien-tsin

On July 4 the Chinese Government, through its minister at Washington, appealed to the Government of the United States to use its good offices in bringing about the evacuation of Tien-tsin by the foreign military powers. The appeal states that the foreign ministers seem disposed to comply with China’s desires in the matter, but the military representatives of the foreign governments are opposing the withdrawal. It is reported that Secretary Hay will at once take the matter up with the governments interested.

Cape Colony Constitution Preserved

THE British Government has refused to suspend the constitution of Cape Colony, tho there had been strong influence brought to bear to bring this about. The government takes the position that there is no precedent for suspending the constitution of a responsibly governed colony; that such a step could only be taken by the Imperial Parliament after the majority of the whites in the colony had expressed through the Cape Parliament a desire that the authority be completely transferred to the home government.

Compromise on Government Warship Construction

The House and Senate, on July 1, agreed on a compromise in the matter of government construction of war-vessels. By the terms of the compromise one battle-ship is to be constructed in a government yard, but the Secretary of the Navy is authorized to build all in government yards in case he is convinced that the persons or firms bidding have reached an agreement the purpose of which is to deprive the government of open, fair, and unrestricted competition in letting contracts.

Jalisco Abolishes Bull and Cockfights

The Congress of the State of Jalisco, Mexico, at the suggestion of the governor, has made a law abolishing both bull fights and cock fights in that State. In the past bull fights have been a prominent feature in the social life of the people, but the better element are said to realize that these exhibitions of brutality are bringing upon them the contempt of other people. If the report is authentic, as it seems to be, the law-makers of Jalisco have performed a praiseworthy act.

Exploring the Interior of Labrador

An expedition has been fitted out in Boston for the purpose of exploring the interior of Labrador, which is perhaps as little known as any section of the North American continent. The explorers will study the topography, geology, meteorology, and natural history of this unknown land. The expedition will be in charge of Colonel Willard Glazier, who, in 1881, discovered the true source of the Mississippi River in the lake which now bears his name.

Papal Coronation Anniversary Celebrated

ON July 6 all the Catholic officials of Rome, the entire papal court and boards of members of all Catholic societies represented in that city, with many of the visiting clergy from other countries, met in the Vatican to celebrate the 24th anniversary of the coronation of the pope. The ceremonies were imposing, and the pope, who took part in them, was reported to have been in excellent health. It was a gala day for the adherents of the church.

Tuberculosis in the German Army

So PREVALENT has consumption become in the German army that it is now proposed to inoculate all recruits with Dr. Koch's tuberculin in order to ascertain whether they are afflicted with tuberculosis to any extent. According to Dr. Klimowitz, a Prussian army surgeon, thousands are taken into the army every year who have latent tuberculosis, which develops rapidly as a result of the active life they are compelled to live in the barracks.

Fatal Electric Car Collision Near Gloversville

TWELVE persons were killed and a number of others more or less seriously injured in a collision of electric cars near Gloversville, N. Y., on the evening of July 4. One of the heavily loaded cars became unmanageable on a steep grade, rushed down the track, and crashed into another car also heavily loaded with people.

Brigandage in Monastir

A DETACHMENT of Turkish troops recently surrounded a band of Bulgarian brigands in Monastir, killing thirty and making the remainder prisoners. The report states that brigandage is increasing alarmingly in that part of the country. There is no doubt that very much of it is occasioned by the harsh measures and incessant and heavy taxation to which the people are subjected by those who have the power to oppress them.

Reindeer Importation in Alaska

Rev. Sheldon Jackson, educational agent for Alaska, states that the government will continue the importation of reindeer into Alaska from Siberia, until 15,000 have been brought over. He claims that the experiment has proved a success, and that these, with the natural increase, will keep Alaska forever supplied with this useful animal, which the Alaskans are learning to use for transportation purposes.

French Government Enforces Law on Religious Orders

The French Government has again announced its determination to brook no evasion of the law dealing with the religious orders. The premier declared on July 5 that the government had decided to carry out the spirit of the French Revolution, being “firmly resolved to assure the supremacy of civil society over monastic obedience.”

Union Pacific Machinists’ Strike

THE strike of the machinists and boiler-makers of the Union Pacific has now settled down into a quiet stubborn fight for supremacy. The strikers' ranks have been added to by the sympathetic strike of their craftsmen on the Northwestern and Montana Central roads. There is no present prospect of an amicable settlement of the strike.

Castro Takes the Field Against Insurgents

On account of several severe reverses received by the Venezuelan troops at the hands of the insurgents, President Castro has decided to take the field in person against his enemies. The government troops are now at Valencia in the State of Carabo, awaiting the attack of the insurgents who are on their way from Barquisimeto.

Railroad Building in the United States

DURING the first six months of the present year there have been built in the United States, 2,314 miles of new railroad, which brings the total railway mileage in this country up to 201,839 miles. So far the record of railroad building for the present year is 500 miles ahead of the record for last year.

Sultan Threatens American Forces

The Sultan of Bacolor, island of Mindanao, is reported to have sent a threatening and insulting letter to the American commander in that island, stating that he will be ready to begin offensive operations against the Americans in August. He is now strengthening his position.

King Edward’s Dinner for London’s Poor

On July 5 King Edward gave a dinner to 500,000 of London's slum dwellers. The poor of the city were the king's guests for the occasion. They were gathered in about 400 halls, schools, and parks, the largest number congregating at Stepney, where no less than 45,000 took dinner.

Labor Riots in Southern Russia

A DESPATCH from St. Petersburg states that there have been a number of labor riots recently in the province of Ekaterinoslav, Southern Russia, resulting in several collisions with the troops. The troops fired upon the rioters, killing and wounding a large number.

Chicago Freight Handlers Threaten Strike

A GREAT strike of freight handlers is now threatened in Chicago, nine thousand having decided to go out unless their demand for an increase in wages is complied with. The strike of such a body of men would practically tie up all the railroads centering in Chicago.

Corn Prices Driven Above Wheat

THROUGH the manipulations of the markets by those having the corn of the country “cornered,” the price of that cereal has been forced up to 77 cents a bushel, or 2 cents higher than the price of wheat in the Chicago markets.

Army to Be Reduced in the Philippines

SINCE the proclamation of amnesty in the Philippines and the turning over the government to the civil officials, it has been announced that the army in the Philippines will be cut down to 18,000 men.

King Edward’s Recovery Progress

ACCORDING to the latest reports from the palace of King Edward, all the conditions are favorable to his recovery. The doctors declare that the king's progress continues to be in every way satisfactory.

Earthquake Destroys Buildings in Salonica

A DESPATCH from Turkey states that there was a severe earthquake shock in Salonica, European Turkey, on the afternoon of July 5, destroying many buildings and resulting in much loss of life.

Insurgents Capture Barquisimeto

THE town of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, has been captured by the insurgents after three days of fighting, in which they captured the greater number of the town’s defenders.

Farmers’ Milling Trust Conference

A CONFERENCE is called for July 9 in the city of Topeka, for the purpose of forming a farmers' milling trust and thus saving to themselves the profits of the middlemen.

Montana State Capitol Transferred

THE capital building of the State of Montana was turned over to the State by the building commission on July 4, impressive ceremonies accompanying the transfer.

Lightning Kills 25 at Spanish Funeral

While a funeral ceremony was in progress at Pinero, Spain, on June 24, 25 persons who were in attendance were killed by lightning, and 35 were injured.

Automobile Lawn Mower at Capitol

An automobile lawn mower is now being used to clip the grass on the capitol grounds at Washington. This innovation is pronounced a great success.

Congress Adjourns Amid Celebration

This innovation is pronounced a great success.

CONGRESS adjourned on July 1, amid cheering, applause for the speaker, and the singing of patriotic songs.

MY COUNTRY.

By Robert Whitaker

[Robert Whitaker, in San Francisco Star.]

My country is the world: I count No son of man my foe, Whether the warm life-currents mount And mantle brows like snow, Or red or yellow, brown or black, The face that into mine looks back.

My native land is Mother Earth, And all men are my kin, Whether of rude or gentle birth, However steeped in sin; Or rich or poor, or great or small, I count them brothers, one and all.

My flag is the star-spangled sky, Woven without a seam, Where dawn and sunset colors lie, Fair as an angel's dream, The flag that still, unstained, untorn, Floats over all of mortal born.

My party is all human-kind, My platform, brotherhood: I count all men of honest mind Who work for human good, And for the hope that gleams afar, My comrades in this holy war.

My heroes are the great and good Of every age and clime, Too often mocked, misunderstood, And murdered in their time, But spite of ignorance and hate Known and exalted soon or late.

My country is the world: I scorn No lesser love than mine, But calmly wait that happy morn When all shall own this sign, And love of country, as of clan, Shall yield to world-wide love of man.

THE CHILD

By Mrs. Mary Wood-Allen, M.D.

VI.—PERSEVERANCE.

The ability to concentrate effort and to persevere are always characteristics of the successful man, and therefore to be included in the education of the child. When the child persists in that which to us seems admittable, we call it perseverance. When he persists in that which annoys us, we denominate it obstinacy. We praise the persevering child, and punish the obstinate one. But the problem before us is to know the difference between these qualities, and to train the child in that which is perseverative.

We may define perseverance as a steadfast persistence in a reasonable purpose, obstinacy as a persistence in a selfish and unreasonable purpose. What would be obstinacy in the adult may not be so in the child; for from his standpoint the purpose is reasonable. Along with the cultivation of persistence, men should seek an education of the judgment in deciding whether the purpose is worthy of persistent pursuit, and the cultivation of a willingness to abandon it if not worthy.

In training the child we must ever remember that all character building begins in earliest life; and if we are not actively building up in the child habits of thought and conduct that are desirable in maturity, forces are at work which, in all probability, are building up the undesirable characteristics.

In teaching perseverance, two factors must ever be kept in mind. One is that the immature brain becomes easily fatigued, and must not be kept too long on the stretch. The other is that the child is most persistent in doing the things that interest him. From the first we deduce the conclusion that we can not hold the child to tasks as long continued as we could the adult; that he must have time to rest, and therefore his tasks must be arranged to be repeated at intervals rather than maintained for long periods. From the second we receive the suggestion that we should have easier work in obtaining persistence on the part of the child if we arouse an interest in the thing we set him to do.

It is true that in maturity he will be obliged to persevere in doing uninteresting things; but as judgment develops, his reason will come to his aid, and he will understand why this must be so. Little by little he can be taught to persevere in the things he does not really enjoy; and yet even in these tasks he can be taught to take a pleasure in achievement, in accomplishing a desired end altho by disagreeable means.

Before taking up the positive side of this subject, it may be well to see how we often teach—albeit unwittingly—the opposite of perseverance. We find it hard to remember that the child's business is his play; and that in his play he is learning the lessons which will enable him to cope with the business of mature life. We fail to understand that an interruption of his mental processes is as irritating to him as the interruption of ours is to us. We do not hesitate at any time to break in upon his play with our demands.

Little Carl is building a house with small blocks of wood. His father is building one with large blocks of stone. If the man were concentrating his mind on some deep problem of construction, we would know better than to interrupt him. We see Carl putting on the topmost block of a tower, just balancing it with minute precision; but we say without a compunction of conscience, “Carl, run up stairs and get my thimble, quick.” Suddenly, rudely, the little intent mind is switched off on a track that is not agreeable; his brain receives a wrench; he rebels, and—is punished. We would censure one who would interfere with the man, because we could see the value of his work. We punish the child because we do not see the value of his; and yet in truth it is more important that the immature brain should not receive a shock than that the mature brain should be a little disturbed.

Shall we, then, ever call our children from their play to assist us?—To be sure. It is vital to learn how to turn the thought quickly into a new channel, and then as quickly bring it back. But it is too hard a problem for the little one without some preparation.

Suppose you had waited a moment until the block was placed; had admired the structure, and then had said, “Now, before you go on with your work, I would like to have you run up stairs and get my thimble.” His mind would have been led by degrees into your channel of thought. There would have been no cruel strain or wrench to the delicate brain.

How few parents stop to consider the child's employment if they feel inclined to amuse themselves. They catch the little one away from his play, kiss and fondle him as long as they desire, and then set him down, and wonder why he is irritable! How would the parent feel under similar treatment?

Give the child respectful consideration. Allow him time to adjust his mind to your wishes. If his playthings are on the table when you need it for dinner, do not hastily sweep them off with no word of apology. Give him time and set his mind running in the channel of your desires. Say, “You want some dinner, don't you?” Of course he does. Then add, “Well, if we are to have dinner on time, I must have the table in five minutes.” That will give him time to re-arrange his desires and to bring himself into active co-operation with your wishes.

So much for suggestions along the negative side. Now for the positive. To train to perseverance, the tasks assigned the child must be suited to his ability; not so simple that he can take no interest in them, and not so difficult that he can not accomplish them. It is through success in doing something that seems to him to be worth doing, that he is to be taught to persevere.

Children are ever reaching out toward new and harder undertakings. If continually hindered, they grow discouraged. If always helped, so that they need put forth no effort, they lose ambition. The child who is always carried never learns to walk. He must try, and keep trying; and even if he is helped, he must not be too conscious of that assistance.

Encourage him when he succeeds, and inspire him to new effort when he fails; and in teaching him to persevere you get a good lesson in perseverance yourself. Give him some daily duties to perform, and then see to it that he does them. There is never a time or a place in the training of a child when the parent may safely say, “O well, it won't matter just this once.” It does matter every time. If you do not persevere, he may fail in learning the lesson of perseverance. Give him a plant to care for; and with him watch its growth, and thus reward his care. Do not rectify his neglect. He must some time learn his lesson of cause and effect. Do not cheat him of this knowledge through mistaken love.

Give him a pet to feed. If he neglects it, let him suffer similar neglect. He will learn most quickly in this way; and you need not be afraid that he will allow himself to be harmed for lack of food if his obtaining it depends on his feeding the creature entrusted to his care.

As he grows older, see that he experiences the pleasure of achievement and delight of persistence even over obstacles and through unpleasantness. Teach him especially that if he has a disagreeable task to perform, he should not postpone it and so prolong its pain by dread. You will be most successful if you can cause him to experience some unpleasant result from his failure to persevere. However, do not undervalue encouragement,—not to work for praise, but to work to accomplish and to rejoice in the task completed.

LATENT CRIMINAL TENDENCIES.

PROFESSOR CESARE LOMBROSO, of Italy, who is perhaps the greatest living authority on criminology, recently had an opportunity to test scientifically the effect of alcohol in developing latent criminal tendencies. The subject of his experiments was a man who had surrendered himself to the police with the avowal that anarchists wished to make him their instrument for assassinating the king of Italy. The man seemed sane, but no corroboration of his story could be obtained. Unexpectedly, after drinking wine, he broke out into anarchistic threats. Acting upon this hint, Professor Lombroso administered alcohol to him in carefully measured quantities, and discovered that after he had drunk a certain amount he developed violent criminal tendencies, all recollections of which appeared to have vanished from his mind when the effects of alcohol had passed off.

A HARVEST INGATHERING EXERCISE.

By E. A. Otis

ONE of the means used to awaken in children gratitude to God for His bestowal of the blessings of life, and to develop in them corresponding devotion and faithfulness in the distribution of His gifts to others in need, is the harvest ingathering. It also teaches the great lesson that we will reap what we sow. The following was prepared by a lady of Los Angeles, and we are glad to present it to our readers. It may be used in Sabbath-schools and missionary societies:—

Life’s Harvest.

Boys— Here we sow life's precious seed, Day by day in word and deed, In the harvest-field of life, Where temptations oft are rife. Sleep not while the day is here; For the enemy is near, Watching that his hand may cast,— Sowing thick and sowing fast,— Tares among the precious wheat Springing up about his feet.

Girls— Tell us, friends, O tell us who Is this enemy that you Fear 'mid your good seed may cast Seeds of evil, tares that fast Shall upspring and choke the wheat, Growing while we wait and sleep?

Boys— 'Tis the Evil One, who waits Ever at Life's harvest-gates; We may see him not, but he Ever standeth watchfully, Never sleeping night or day, Seeking always if he may Cast the seed of evil in, From which spring the tares of sin.

Girls— O the blessed Master's hand Sowed the field whereon we stand; Made the world, His harvest-field, Precious grain, not tares, to yield. To the golden field of wheat, Let us haste with willing feet, Haste to see if there we find Evil growth of any kind.

[They move on to the field, where the householder is standing, and find tares growing among the wheat.]

Girls— Sir, what meaneth this we see In this field of harvestry? In thy field thy hand did sow, Only good seed, this we know; Whence these tares, then, that we see, Where but golden grain should be?

Householder— An enemy hath done this.

Servants— Wouldst thou, then, that we should go, And uproot the tares that grow?

Householder— Nay, leave them there among the wheat Till the harvest-time; ’tis meet Thus to leave them, lest ye should With the tares uproot the good. Let them grow together there— Golden wheat and evil tare— Then when comes the harvest-day, I will to the reapers say, “First the tares together bind, And their bundles burn, then mind That the precious wheat shall be Gathered into barns for me.”

Servants— Of this parable would we All the hidden meaning see.

Householder— List, and I will make it plain: Good seed is not sowed in vain, Children of the kingdom, see, Are the good seed sown by Me; Children of the Evil One Are the tares which there have sprung, And amid the wheat we see Growing till the end shall be.

Servants— And what the harvest-time when they Shall be gathered, tell us pray? Who the reapers that shall come To bear the golden harvest home?

Householder— The reapers are the angels blest, Who gather saints unto their rest; The harvest is that wondrous day When earth and time shall pass away.

Boys— When should the precious seed be sown?

Householder— Ere the morning hours have flown.

Sowers sing:— (Tune, Hymn No. 769.) Precious seed we hither bring, Cast it where the harvests spring, Golden in the light of love, Ripening for our home above. Sow it in the morning light, In the golden sunrise bright, Then the blessed eve shall see A rich wealth of harvestry.

Reapers sing:— (Tune, Hymn No. 1053.) Thrust in the ready sickle, And gather in the sheaves; For the harvest now is waiting, And golden are its leaves. O, angel forms are bending With benedictions down, And for each faithful sower God hath prepared a crown.

All together sing:— We sing the harvest ended, We sing of time no more; For heaven and earth are blended, Upon that happy shore Where Jesus reigns forever, And we may sing His praise, And sin and sorrow never Again shall cloud our days. Tune ye your harps, O angels, And sing of Jesus’ love, And of the harvest gathered, For our bright home above. (Repeat last lines.)

E. A. OTIS.

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