Earlier text: The 2300 Days—Dan. 8:14Cardinal McCloskey’s Pastoral Letter
CARDINAL MCCLOSKEY, of New York, has issued a pastoral letter, in which he urges the bishops and priests to take special pains to prevent people from rushing into hasty and ill-assorted marriages, to insist on publication of the banns before marriage, and in no case to marry a Catholic to a Protestant except under circumstances so peculiar as to justify the exception. And a Catholic marrying a Protestant without permit, or consenting to a marriage service by other than a Catholic priest, shall be excommunicated. He condemns Godless schools, and urges the Catholics to found schools of their own in every case where they can do so, until such time as the people will consent to a division of the school fund. He condemns all secret societies, urges the improvement of Catholic literature to take the place of the depraving literature of our times, and calls on the Catholic authorities to be more rigid in their enforcement of discipline. It is hinted by the Protestant religious press that the letter was written more for effect at Rome than for any expectation in America; but there is more to be expected in that direction in America than most Protestants seem to be aware of. San Francisco.
By M. C. Israel
THE work in this city has never had a more cheering aspect than at the present time. The membership of the church is now about one hundred, showing a gain of about fifteen during the past year. Sixty were present at the last quarterly meeting, and took part in the ordinances; this is a good number considering that thirty of the members are not residents of the city. The prayer and missionary meetings are more fully attended, and considerable of the "first-love" spirit is manifested in the prayers and testimonies and missionary work. While we feel glad to report progress on the part of the majority, we are sorry to say that a few are pitching their tents "toward Sodom." The labor in connection with the Seaman's Mission is bearing good fruit, especially among the Scandinavians. Last Sabbath four met with us, keeping their first Sabbath, besides one who had kept a few Sabbaths at home. One of these young men has gone to the Healdsburg College this week, in company with a young man, Bro. Thompson, from Iceland, who embraced the truth in Humboldt County last summer. Bro. Andrew Brorsen is now holding two meetings a week, preaching and holding Bible-readings in the Danish language. These converts in their turn become missionaries. One of them spent the last three Sundays in doing colporteur work, and succeeded in selling $14 worth of tracts and pamphlets, and five copies of Early Writings, all in the Danish language. We have held several Bible-readings in the last two weeks at the church and mission, and our brethren and sisters are waking up to the importance of having a better knowledge of the Scriptures. Quite a number are preparing themselves so they can bring out the Bible evidence on the different subjects connected with the Third Angel's Message, so that when an opportunity offers they will be able to do good service in presenting Bible truth. We hope to see a like interest aroused in all our churches on this subject. In this way laborers will be developed and the wants of the cause in this respect be more fully met. The V. M. Society is doing a good work. Names for the SIGNS are furnished largely by persons who go out and get monthly subscribers. The papers are furnished from the club, and mailed or delivered by some of the members of the society. One of the sisters has lately obtained twenty-five subscribers, mostly monthly; ten of these she got in one day. Another has created quite an interest by having Bible-readings with persons. I learned yesterday that a lady who has been reading the SIGNS for six months has commenced keeping the Sabbath, and feeling that she wanted to get the truth before others, went out one day this week and got six monthly subscribers for the SIGNS and brought the names to the Seaman's Mission. And still another lady who has had reading matter from the society has commenced to obey the truth, and wishes to be baptized and unite with the church. We feel to praise the Lord for the evidences we see of the progress of the truth in this city, and ask an interest in the prayers of his saints that the good work may go on until all the jewels are gathered in.
M. C. ISRAEL.
October 18, 1883. St. Clair, Nev.
By J. D. Rice
Accompanied by my wife, we left Oakland, October 3, for Battle Creek, Michigan. Arriving at Wadsworth, Nevada, the next morning, we were met by Bro. Wm. Harmon, who took us to St. Clair, about thirty miles to the southeast. Here we spent ten days laboring in the interest of this church. Preached seven times to attentive audiences, besides holding a meeting of the Tract and Missionary Society, and visiting the brethren at their homes. The outside interest seemed to increase to the close. We would have been glad to have spent a few weeks laboring for this people. There should be an efficient laborer in this State, to look after and build up the interests of the cause. Last Sabbath we celebrated the ordinances with this church. Our brethren showed their willingness to "come up to the help of the Lord" by taking advanced steps in the work. Maps and contribution boxes were ordered for the Sabbath-school. Fifty additional copies of the Signs were ordered for the missionary work, $20.00 worth to be sent to a sister in California to use in the work. They will endeavor to do their duty in paying the Lord's tithe into the treasury, and will also pay up their back pledges as fast as they can. Some was paid on these during the meeting. To the praise of the Lord we will say that, by his help, we were able to go through with and accomplish what seemed to be almost impossible, and to leave Nevada feeling better than when we came. We are now as far as Wyoming on our way East. Expect to be in Battle Creek Friday. U. P. R. R., Oct. 16, 1883. "The Signs of the Times."
By William M. Ings
THE name of this journal has become familiar to many with whom I have recently conversed. In my late journey from Healdsburg to Willits, I called upon a number of families that recognized the SIGNS as an old friend. This is the result of persevering missionary labor. The choice matter that fills the pages of this excellent paper is doing its work. While some may not be ready to live out its teachings, the verdict is, it teaches Bible truth. It was interesting to me to learn how the SIGNS had found its way to this remote people. Missionary workers often remark, that as they do not hear from the SIGNS sent out, they are afraid that their labor and expense have been in vain. For the encouragement of such, I will relate a little of my experience while on the journey above referred to. The first family I called upon had received a copy of the SIGNS from a person passing, and this prepared the way for me to obtain their subscription. At the next place also the SIGNS had preceded me, and had won the hearts of the people, and they too were ready to join the army of subscribers. This family had received the paper from a friend, to whom it had been sent by one of the tract and missionary workers at Oakland. Another really intelligent family had been supplied with the journal by a friend who had undoubtedly received it from some tract and missionary worker. Here also I obtained a subscription. Another person who had received the SIGNS from a friend was prepared to examine the Sabbath question, and to continue the reading of the paper. Meeting a man on the road, I handed him a copy of our pioneer sheet. He smiled, and said that he was very familiar with that paper, and believed the doctrines which it taught, although he did not live them out. He invited me to visit him if I ever passed through the part of the country where he lived. A man standing by said that he had received two copies of the SIGNS about a year ago, which shows that the paper is not easily forgotten by the receiver. I could relate many similar items of interest that came to my notice during my three days' journey. On this trip I had the privilege of forming the acquaintance of Sister Bainbridge. This sister is a worker, and it would be well if those of us who have had more privileges would imitate her example in scattering the light of the Third Angel's Message. She is in correspondence with parties in Auckland, New Zealand, who are constant readers of the SIGNS. These have caught the missionary zeal from their correspondent, and are loaning the paper to others in that distant country. The truth is marching on; it follows civilization to every nook and corner of the globe. It will continue on its mission until the earth shall be lighted with the glory of the Third Angel's Message, which must go before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. The SIGNS is doing its part of the work. Willits, Cal., October 11, 1883. San Jose, Cal.
By W. M. Healey
SINCE camp-meeting we have remained in this place to follow up the work. Three have signed the covenant and four have been baptized, and others have commenced to keep the commandments of God. There has been more open opposition to our work than previously manifested. Many positions have been taken on the Sabbath question, but I am of the opinion that about the most pleasing to many is that taken by a minister here. In substance it was this: There is not the least authority for Sunday-keeping in the Scriptures; but Christ spoke peace to the disciples on that day, and we meet on that day to have peace and enjoy our worship. Many congregations dislike to have their ministers try to prove that the Bible enjoins Sunday as a sacred day for worship, for they well know it does not; and they feel that he is only presuming upon their ignorance. But let him tell them, "The Bible does not require it, but others have kept it, and we want to," and they know he is teaching a truth, and they enjoy it, although it may lull them to sleep, and prove their eternal ruin. Downey, Los Angeles Co., Cal.
By E. A. Briggs
AFTER the San Jose camp-meeting, I returned here to continue the work previously begun. We have pitched the tent in the same neighborhood, but upon the opposite side of Downey. Our meetings are attended by large numbers of attentive listeners every evening. Scores acknowledge that we have the truth, and some are beginning to obey the Lord's commandments. Five have already signed the covenant, beside the twenty-nine who have taken hold of "the present truth" at Downey. Pray for the work here. ONE Sabbath in early June I was seated upon the ground in the tent of a missionary, partaking with them of their dinner, when an old squaw entered, and after looking earnestly all around upon us she disappeared. In a moment she again raised the canvas door, and in saddened tones inquired, "He no here? Preach no here?" The missionary was in a reclining position, and as there were a large number of persons in the tent he was unobserved by the inquirer. On hearing himself spoken of, he at once looked at her, and called her by name, just as she was disappearing. The poor old creature turned quickly around, went to him, and with one hand she placed something within his, and with the other she firmly closed it, and said, while the tears of love for the cause of her Saviour coursed in quick succession down her aged and wrinkled cheeks: "Me gib all—me hab no more," and then went to her wigwam. Upon opening his hand, the missionary found one copper, which she had placed there as her contribution to the collection that was that afternoon to be taken for the support of the mission school. Upon inquiry it was ascertained that the day previous she had been to the missionary's wife for food, and as she had none to spare, she gave her a sixpence to buy something for herself and hungry little ones, to last over the Sabbath. Of this little gift she had expended five cents for potatoes; the remaining one she reserved to give for the cause of her Redeemer. Like the woman mentioned in Scripture, she did "what she could;" and if we will but follow her example we shall be blessed and be a blessing to others.—Selected. Goodness Shines Without Applause
TRUE goodness is like the glow-worm in this—that it shines most when no eyes but those of heaven are upon it. THE truly illustrious are they who do not court the praise of the world, but perform the actions which deserve it. A New Zealand girl was brought over to England to be educated. She became a true Christian. When she was about to return, some of her playmates endeavored to dissuade her. They said:— “Why do you go back to New Zealand? You are accustomed to England now. You love its shady lanes and clover-fields. It suits your health. Besides, you may be shipwrecked on the ocean. You may be killed and eaten by your own people. Everybody will have forgotten you.” “What!” she said, “Do you think I could keep the good news to myself? Do you think that I could be content with having got pardon, and peace, and eternal life for myself, and not go and tell my dear father and mother how they can get it too? I would go if I had to swim there! Do not try to hinder me, for I must go and tell my people the good news.”—Central Christian Advocate. Giggles.
By Clara Marshall
MY DEAR NELLIE: If you knew what an aversion I have to your beloved word, funny, I do not think you would, in your last letter, have used it so often and in so many different senses. For instance: "Mrs. Duval's aunt arranged her hair in such a funny style." In this case I presume funny means fantastic. "Kate Stephens writes such funny compositions for a grown girl." Here I take it for granted that funny means faulty. "The new teacher has such a funny way of talking." "We hear such funny noises in the garret at night." In this case what on earth does funny mean? I am sorry this word of many meanings is such a pet with you, because Webster informs us that fun is a low word; and, like Goldsmith's ale-house keeper, "I hate anything that's low." I remember Mrs. Southgate's remarking on an occasion that girls who talked about "having fun" were generally those who found more to laugh at in the disarranged dress of a stranger on the street than in the wittiest speech they ever listened to. "Yes," returned Maggie Yates, who was always quick in making applications; "I heard Amelia Dixon say yesterday that she and Jennie 'had lots of fun;' in fact, 'nearly killed themselves laughing' the last time they were in town, because there was a lady walking in front of them who was dressed within an inch of her life, and didn't know that her back hair was coming down." "They actually died laughing, to let them tell it," said Sue Mansfield, "when Mr. Haas fell down the steps the other day. I suppose that was fun for them, too; although he hurt his knee so badly." "Fun and giggles always go together in my mind," observed Belle Templeton. "I was quite shocked the other day when a friend of father's, who called here to see me, remarked that the last time he saw me I was at 'the giggling age.' 'My dear sir,' said I, 'I never was at the giggling age.' 'I mean you were just about fourteen,' said he; and then he went on and quoted some silly lines about young girls being all blushes and giggles." "I think I know how they begin," said Mollie Archer. " 'Tis true your budding miss, is very charming,
But shy and awkward on first coming out;
So much alarmed that she is quite alarming;
All giggle, blush, half pertness, and half pout."
Now, I don't consider that a very attractive description, especially the giggling part. I don't know how it is with men, but I am sure giggles would never charm me." "I think the writer would leave the giggles out if he had been in the chapel last Sunday," observed Maggie Yates. "Mrs. Duval wasn't there to keep the Dixons in order, and they giggled from the time the preacher (that theological student from B—), you know? came in the door until he had given out the first hymn. I overheard some one ask them what on earth was the matter, and Amelia replied that they 'couldn't keep in' because he had such big feet and held his elbows so funny." "What is the meaning of funny and fun?" asked Laura Lamar. "Ask Amelia Dixon," replied Maggie. "She uses those words oftener than any one else." "I think fun is whatever produces giggles," observed Mollie. "And I think it is the cause of 'the loud laugh that tells the vacant mind,'" said Mrs. Southgate. "Yes," rejoined Mollie; "the last time I was monitress there were such yells and screeches of laughter in Room 27 that Mrs. Duval sent me to see what was the matter, and when Amelia Dixon opened the door she informed me that they were having 'lots of fun' in there. I didn't stop to ask what it was, only delivered Mrs. Duval's scolding and came away; but I heard afterwards they were screeching because their poor French room mate was trying to speak English, and naturally making mistakes." "I am sure they themselves make mistakes enough in trying to speak English," observed Sue; "but it takes very little to make them screech, and as for giggling! why they were giggling off and on through the whole history recitation yesterday, and all because some nation thought the conqueror who subjugated them was the very devil himself." Jennie said that was "so awful funny." "O, girls!" exclaimed Mrs. Southgate, out of all patience; "don't any of the rest of you ever giggle or talk about 'having fun?' It is not your place to criticise or correct the failings of your schoolmates." "I never have Dixonian fun," returned Mollie; "and, as for giggling, I am not likely to be guilty of that as long as I have those girls' example for a warning." "Everything has its uses," observed Belle, "even a girl of the Dixon genus." "Yes," said Mrs. Southgate, reprovingly. "The example of a girl of that kind shows you just what you would have been if you had grown up among her surroundings, and it ought to make you thankful for your superior social advantages, and the care and training of a mother who is something more than housekeeper for the family." "In short," said Mollie, "be thankful that you can laugh decently at what is really laughable, instead of 'having fun' at the sight of awkward gestures and big feet, and giggling consumedly like those poor Dixons."—Clara Marshall, in Christian at Work. Who Tied Down the Bellows?
By Christian Reid
In the old days, before we had found out that coal would burn, and when only wood was used, it was not always easily kindled, especially if it was what is called “green”—not dry. Then there were no matches; our young people hardly know what a little time it is since matches began to be used. Then if you wanted to make a fire you had to carry coals, and there was no blaze until you could blow it up to a blaze with air. People blew with the mouth fit to blow the breath away, and so he was well off who had bellows, with two handles and a nose, or pipe, out of which you could blow the air. The blacksmith uses a big pair to make his fire hot. One day the fire did not burn well; it was a wood fire, such as people have again now. They are very pleasant, but will not make a room very warm in cold weather. We had a fire, for the brightness and cheeriness, and the doctor—Dr. Ellis, you know—liked to see it. So he called out, “Grace, won’t you start up the fire a little?” It was just at twilight; the lights had not been brought in, and Grace reached out her hand and took the bellows and blew a little, feeble stream of air that did no good whatever to the fire. She looked, and thought, perhaps, she had them upside down, for there is a hole on the under side, where the air draws in, and then a little flap falls down inside and keeps the air from coming out that way, and sends it through the nozzle. But if the bellows are upside down, this little trap falls open. No; the hole was right and yet there was no air. “Pshaw!” said Harry, “you can’t blow worth a cent,” and he took the bellows out of Grace’s hands. Harry was a boy who could always do things better than any one else, at least in his own opinion. He went to work with great zeal, with much more zeal than success. “What’s the matter? the mean things won’t half open!” “Let me try,” said Susan; “you must hold them so. Oh, I see! somebody has tied them together. Now, John, you’re always in mischief.” “I didn’t,” said John; “I don’t like to be blamed when I don’t do things,” and there was a prospect of a lively dispute. “Stop, children!” said Dr. Ellis; “I tied them; but don’t you see, they will work just as well,” and he began to use them, it must be owned with very small success. “Why, how absurd!” broke in Susan, taking hold of them. “Of course the bellows can’t do any good tied up in this way;” and she proceeded to loosen the string. “There!” “But,” said the doctor, “you told me yesterday that it made no difference.” “Why, papa!—oh!” and she stopped, conscious—for her father had gently told her she was wearing her dress too tight about the waist, and that her bellows, that is, her lungs, which, with the ribs, work in the same way, were tied down too tightly, and could not do their full work. Down in her inmost soul Susan was conscious that her dress was a trifle tight, but she hoped to train herself, or reduce herself, or get used to it. It was so very nice to have a slender, trim waist! And as she was an honest girl, and did not really mean to do wrong, this lesson rather came home to her. She saw a great many girls who breathed up and down with their shoulders because their lungs had not room “east and west,” as her father said, and she saw corsets advertised “for day and night wear” for the poor misguided souls who did not know how the good God had made them; she would not be so wicked; but, then, it was dreadful not to look trim and nice! So Susan and her sister both understood the lesson of the bellows, and took it to heart. Their father meant to interpose his authority, if necessary, but he much preferred they should see for themselves and apply the lesson. He took off the string, and the bellows worked freely; he picked up the cat, who was quietly taking her ease by the fire, and showed how her ribs moved and swelled at every breath. Then he proceeded to put a band around her and prevent this motion of her ribs. But pussy had no pride, and was not willing to be made uncomfortable, especially as there was so little to be gained by it. So she resolutely protested against a tight band, to say nothing of corsets. Sensible cat! The doctor then went on to talk incidentally of the Flathead skull and the Chinese foot, to show how much the frame can bear and live, made some incidental allusions to high heels and pinched toes as not being exactly what the Maker of all intended, and left his lessons to work their purpose. Then he hung up the bellows by the side of the fire-place, and they went out to tea.—Christian Reid, in Christian Union. "Little by little," an acorn said,
As it slowly sank in its mossy bed,
"I am improving every day,
Hidden deep in the earth away."
Little by little, each day it grew;
Little by little, it sipped the dew;
Downward it sent out a thread-like root;
Up in the air sprung a tiny shoot.
Day after day, and year after year,
Little by little the leaves appear;
And the slender branches spread far and wide,
Till the mighty oak is the forest's pride. "Little by little," said a thoughtful boy,
"Moment by moment, I'll well employ,
Learning a little every day,
And not spending all my time in play;
And still this rule in my mind shall dwell—
'Whatever I do, I'll do it well.'
Little by little, I'll learn to know
The treasured wisdom of long ago;
And one of these days perhaps we'll see
That the world will be the better for me."
And do you not think this simple plan
Made him a wise and useful man? Wisdom Is the Principal Thing
“WISDOM is the principal thing.” THE temper of the family is often indicated by the atmosphere of the table. Three times a day all gather there to have the body fed. If there is at the same time an animated conversation, pure and dignified, it will prove stimulating to all, and an educator to the younger members. Thus three times a day something is added to the stock of information. If, on the other hand, the family drop in one at a time, as the manner of some is, and each one hurriedly disposes of what is set before him, as if eating were a burden, then hurries away, there is an unsatisfied feeling, an uneasiness which will develop nervousness and irritability, aside from the irreparable loss of regular, healthful conversation. Whitelaw Reid, in referring to the wonderful conversational powers of Reverdy Johnson, said it was his habit to rise early, read two hours before breakfast, and rehearse what he had read at the table. The act of repeating impressed what he had to read on his memory, so that he could go over a chapter of history, giving the most minute details and almost the style of the author. Pleasant repartee in moderation is stimulating. It promotes good feeling, but sensational or gossipy small-talk narrows the mind and tends to friction and ill-humor; and that family who are led in the social table-talk by wise and cultivated parents will have little time to give to the failings of neighbors or weak-minded members of the community. It will prove very profitable to give some attention to this important question.—Herald and Presbyter. —Chile and Peru have at last agreed upon a treaty of peace. —Eight fishermen were lost in a squall off Gloucester, Mass., last week. —Gen. Crook is preparing an expedition to operate with the Mexicans at Casa Grande. —The Attorney-General of Massachusetts has decided that a woman is not, legally considered, a person. —A new adulterant of ground pepper is a finely-ground preparation of the kernels of olive-berries. —The average wealth of Massachusetts per capita is $1,500, which is the largest average of the States. —The town of Weston, Umatilla County, Oregon, was almost totally destroyed by fire on the 18th inst. —The Government of Alsace-Lorraine has prohibited the publication in French of papers in that province. —John Demond shot his landlord at Vallejo because he was refused a latch-key to the door of his lodgings. —The British indemnity claims against France on account of the Madagascar outrage, amount to $2,500,000. —The anti-Butler Greenbackers of Massachusetts have nominated A. F. Arnold of North Adams for Governor. —Miss Laura Clark, of Cottage Grove, Or., committed suicide because her lover did not say good-by when he went away. —In Yorkshire, England, on the 19th inst., twenty men were killed by an explosion in Wharncliffe Carlton Colliery. —Staten Island, near Stockton, has been submerged by the breaking of a levee, and immense quantities of wheat destroyed. —At Statesville, S. C., on the 16th inst., a negro was lynched for killing one white man and wounding another in a row. —The Chinamen at Woodland refused to take any washing last week, in retaliation for the order compelling them to move their wash-houses. —The Algerian Insurgent Chief, Si Silman, was invited to a feast by two other Chiefs, who slew him and sent his head to the Sultan at Morocco. —The remains of Dr. Chas. E. Blumenthal, deceased, of New York were taken to the Pittsburg cremating furnace, last week, and reduced to ashes. —The only international street railroad in the world is the one which connects El Paso, Texas, with Paso del Norte, Mexico, two and one-half miles long. —Philadelphia is to have a street car with a patent spring motor. The inventor says that after the spring is wound up it will propel the car eight miles. —An outbreak of trichinosis is reported at Ermsleben, Prussian Saxony. One hundred and eighty persons are suffering. There have been four deaths. —In a recent storm on the Gulf of Finland, sixty vessels were stranded, and a number of lives lost. Sixteen bodies had been found at the date of the report. —Fruit shipments from California to the East for the past fruit year will amount to twelve thousand tons, an increase of over eight hundred per cent. in three years. —Three skeletons were recently found near Glorietta, Texas, supposed to be the remains of some cattle-thieves who mysteriously disappeared from that region about four years ago. —A freight train was blown from the track by a cyclone, near Sulphur Springs, Texas, on the 19th inst., and completely demolished. Several persons were severely injured, but no lives lost. —A solitary highwayman robbed the Sierra Valley and Truckee stage last week. From the express-box (which he compelled the driver to open) and three passengers the robber secured about $300. —A Las Vegas, N. M., special says: "A bad state of affairs exists along the advance of the Mexican Railway. Six men have been murdered in the past two weeks. Parties returning say that life is at a great discount." —A Constantinople dispatch of the 17th inst. reports a severe earthquake on the southern coast of the Gulf of Smyrna. Several villages are said to have been destroyed, with the loss of 1,000 lives, and survivors are suffering fearful privations. —Near Craigsville, West Va., on the 13th inst., the wife of a farmer named Manfin and her infant child were murdered in bed, during the temporary absence of the servant, and the bedding set on fire. No clue to the perpetrators of the deed. —It is expected that the Washington Monument will reach a height of 410 feet before cold weather stops the work, and that it will be completed in the spring of 1885. There is to be 500 vertical feet of masonry, topped off with a pyramidal cap of fifty feet. —Five counterfeit postal notes were the other day redeemed at the Indianapolis post-office. They were on genuine paper, and purported to have been issued at Youngstown, Ohio. The banks at Indianapolis now refuse to receive any postal notes. —In the Cherokee Nation, two weeks ago, a Deputy U. S. Marshal and two assistants were killed in a corn-field fight with three Cherokee desperadoes whom they were endeavoring to arrest. One of the outlaws was wounded, and afterwards captured. —At East Haven, Conn., on the 15th inst., twenty persons were fined $3 each and costs for driving on the highway on Sunday, in violation of a law of 1720. The parties could not show that they were upon any errand of necessity or mercy, hence the fine. —The widow of the late W. C. Ralston, of Bank of California fame, is now living in a new mining camp named Ralston, above Michigan Bluff, Col., where her sons own considerable property. The boys have erected a comfortable dwelling for their mother. —A negro girl aged 18 years was hanged for murder at Calhoun, Ga., on the 20th inst., in presence of 5,000 spectators. She proclaimed her innocence to the last. The minister sang, "In the Sweet By-and-by," and the prisoner and spectators joined in the chorus. —There is a perceptible rise in the demands of the Chinese in this section of the State for nearly all kinds of service performed by them. They are not ignorant of the law of demand and supply, which has been considerably affected by the Chinese Restriction Law. —A man named Jacob Nelling has confessed to the mysterious murder of Ada Atkinson, in Indiana. An attempt to lynch him was frustrated by the officers, but threats are freely made that he shall not escape. It is feared that he may get clear on the insanity dodge. —The Treasurer of the Irish National League at Dublin has returned to the donors at San Francisco a draft letter for the benefit of the families of the Phoenix Park murderers, on the ground that the League would encourage assassinations should it distribute the money. —Work on the Corinth Canal is going forward with activity. Over 1,000 laborers are employed, exclusive of officials and those engaged in the transport service. At the Corinth end a temporary harbor has been constructed, and a breakwater 312 feet long erected at Isthmia Kalamaki. —A colored woman, Jane Lennon, who died a few days ago at Akron, O., about 100 years of age, was, it is claimed, the sole survivor of all Northern slaves. The story of her life dates back to 1775, when the Pennsylvania Abolition Society was founded, with Benjamin Franklin as its first President. —A cablegram dated Paris says that Bennett, of the N. Y. Herald, and Mackay, of Comstock mines fame, have contracted for two Atlantic cables, which are to be ready for operation by next June. Ex-Postmaster-General James is also at the head of a cable enterprise, backed by heavy business men and firms. —A heavy forger named C. F. Dewey, but who has assumed other names, was arrested last week in San Francisco. A Boston bank had been victimized to the amount of $50,000; a Montreal bank lost $30,000 by him, and a New York firm, $12,000. The police found on his person $1,700, and traced amounts forwarded by him to friends aggregating $48,500. —The Russiche Revue gives some statistics of the universities in Russia. As regards students, Moscow stands first, with 2,430; then St. Petersburg, 2,052; Kiev 1,475; Dorpat, 1,426; Warsaw, 1,003. Kazan, however, has the greatest number of teachers (109), and Warsaw the largest library (362,000 volumes), Dorpat coming next with 219,000 volumes. Harvard University has 1,450 students and 175 instructors. Religious Notes.
By Editor
—The Catholics have established an Immigrant Mission at Castle Garden, New York, with Rev. John G. Riordan as missionary. —Several of the parish priests of Columbus, O., recently met and resolved to no longer permit the abuse of exhibiting corpses in their churches. —At Mr. Moody's Christian Convention, held in Chicago last month, it was asserted that out of 647,000 inhabitants of that city, only 30,000 attend church. —The building erected in Boston as a memorial of Tom Paine, and as a propaganda of infidelity, is now named Appleton Chapel, and has been opened for Christian worship. —According to the Directory the number of Catholics in the United States was 5,760,000 in 1874 and 6,880,000 in 1882. This is equivalent to an increase of about 20 per cent. in ten years. —There is considerable agitation in the Protestant Episcopal Church in regard to changing the name of the denomination—some leading ones desiring to drop the word "protestant." —The colored Baptists, in convention at Wyandotte, Kansas, have "resolved" against the recent decision on the Civil Rights Bill, and notify all political parties that they intend to hold whatever ground they can as American citizens. —A Salt Lake telegram says President Taylor of the Mormon Church will resign on account of old age, leaving Apostle Cannon, ex-Congressman, at the head of the church. Cannon is a much more active and aggressive man than Taylor, and it is thought will greatly strengthen the polygamous cause. Thirty missionaries recently left for the East, accompanied by Cannon and Caine, Delegate to Congress. —Dr. Ewer, of St. Ignatius (Episcopal) Church, New York, was stricken down in the pulpit with paralysis, while preaching in Montreal on the 7th inst. The Dr. has for some time been leaning more and more toward Catholicism, and had got so far along as to preach the "real presence" in the eucharist, when the church objected, and he withdrew. A portion of the church followed him, and St. Ignatius was built. —The London Times is authority for the statement that there is an appalling state of poverty among the clergy of the Church of England. In a financial point of view many of the ministers would prefer disestablishment. The practice of purchasing positions by wealthy friends would cease, and the people would have more power in the appointments, and would take upon themselves more pecuniary responsibility. —At West Hartlepool, Eng., on a recent occasion, the furniture and effects of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, under distraint for rent, were up for sale by auction. Amongst the lot sold was a large brass crucifix from the center of the altar, which brought 8s.; the holy water vat and a gong, 2s. 2d.; oaken lectern, 1s. 2d.; and fourteen paintings representing the stations of the cross, 2s. each. The host and chalice were seized and were about to be removed when the priest dared the auctioneer's man to disturb them at his peril, and, after some demur, they were allowed to remain. —That polygamy is not confined to the Rocky Mountain region is demonstrated by a little church episode at Hebron, Conn. It seems that one of the leading members, a man of large wealth, has been married four times, having been divorced in two cases. His third wife is a member of the same church, and his fourth wife, before he could marry her, was compelled to secure a legal separation from her husband. This man's voice was frequently heard in prayer-meeting, a circumstance which naturally annoyed the clergyman. Finally he could endure the travesty of religion no longer, so he preached a sermon giving a spirited sketch of a whited sepulcher, whom every one recognized as the much-married member. The latter was so wroth at what he called a personal onslaught upon himself that he has brought suit for $5,000 for defamation of character. Peace-makers in the church are trying to placate the Connecticut Mormon, because he is a heavy contributor to the current expenses, but the clergyman will make no apology.