A NEW YORK lawyer, Mr. Eugene Smith, has been studying the subject, and estimates the money cost of crime in this country at $600,000,000 a year.9
PRESIDENT KRUGER'S intended visit to the capital of Germany will not take place, because of the emperor's practical refusal to see him. Italy and Austria, it is reported, have also shown similar unfriendliness to the Boer cause. German official papers declare that Germany could not entertain a proposition to render the Boers any practical support. There has been much skirmishing between the British and Boers in the Orange Free State. The Boers under Steyn and De Wett captured a detachment of 400 British on November 28. The British loss was 15 killed and 42 wounded. A stubborn battle was fought on the same day and the day following between the armies of General Paget and Commandants Viljoen and Erasmus, resulting in the defeat of the Boers. On Sunday, December 2, the British under General Knox and the Boers under Christian De Wett fought an all-day engagement, in which the Boers were driven from their position. General Kitchener is now in control of the British operations in South Africa, and reports indicate that severe and harsh measures will be taken to bring the conflict to a close. These measures are arousing much antagonism among the Dutch of Cape Colony, and fears of serious trouble are expressed in many quarters.
OBJECTS TO THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATIONS.
DR. J. E. ROBERTS, of Kansas City, objects, according to the Journal, to Thanksgiving-day proclamations by the President, on the following grounds:—
“There is ground for the objection to this proclamation which has now grown into custom—first of all, on the score of etiquet. Surely a dignified and reasonable request made by the chief officer of a great nation ought to be treated with a becoming respect, but it is not. The call to assemble on a day and give thanks, makes no impression, is, in fact, treated with amiable disregard and good-natured indifference.
“There is ground for objection to this custom on the score that it is a violation of the principle of religious liberty. It is the more subtle because the danger is masked. If the President were, by the authority of his position, to order people to observe a day of religious service, and should seek to enforce that order, it would be less dangerous because the people would summarily resent that invasion of their religious freedom, but the fact that it is tentative, hortatory, and apologetic, helps to establish it in custom because the peril is not seen, and it thus becomes more dangerous.
“There are laws upon the statute-books of this state which, if enforced, would make this a very unhappy town one day in seven. Nothing but an enlightened public opinion stands now between us and a Sabbatarian despotism. There is an organization with salaried officers and headquarters in the capital of the nation whose avowed purpose is to put God in the Constitution and emblazon the sign of the cross on the Stars and Stripes. Already the church property in every State of the Union but one is exempt from taxation, and in that State within a few days the people have voted upon an amendment to the Constitution exempting their church property from taxation. Thus, the Lord, and the very rich, escape their just measure of taxation, and the poor people pay for both.”
Its Evil Influence
Its Evil Influence.—About eight years ago South Carolina voters expressed themselves in favor of prohibition by about 8,000 majority. The Legislature betrayed their trust and gave the people the State dispensary; in other words, putting the whole liquor-selling business in the hands of the State, the profits going to the support of education. By this law the liquor business has been forced upon towns that repudiated it. Two years ago the dispensary had in round numbers 4,000 majority, but in the last campaign the majority against prohibition was tremendous. The educational bribe has blinded the minds of the people.
China’s International Crisis
REPORTS from China give no hope of a settlement of the international tangle there in the near future. The ruler of China has promised the punishment of other high officials; but the powers have not thus far been able to agree as to what demands they shall make upon China. There seems to be some indication that the empress dowager is coming to sense the seriousness of the situation; but there is no indication that she is yet willing to return to Peking. Punitive expeditions continue to be sent out in different directions from Peking, resulting in small skirmishes and the destruction of property, but no tangible results follow.
Vatican’s Obsolete Weapons
A CABLE to the New York Sun from Rome says that the pope has ordered that about 10,000 old swords, halberds, spears, and battle-axes in the Vatican armory be melted and the iron sold. The weapons are now useless except as curios. Like the nations of earth, the pope finds his army cumbered with obsolete weapons of war, and disposes of them as the nations do; all of which calls to mind the grim mockery of such things. Christ said, "I am come that ye might have life." His so-called vicegerent surrounds himself with a body-guard in whose hands are the instruments of violence and death.
Guam Devastated by Terrible Storm
THE terrible storm which recently visited the island of Guam and sunk the auxiliary cruiser Yosemite, wrecked hundreds of houses, practically wiping out some of the towns on the island. At one town twenty-eight persons were killed, and a number of lives were lost in other villages. The coconut crop is reported ruined for four years, and there is much destitution among the natives. Supplies have been sent from Manila, and building material will be sent from the United States.
Deadly Football Game Roof Collapse
WHILE a crowd of men and boys were watching a Thanksgiving football game from the roof of the San Francisco Glass Works, the roof gave way, precipitating a part of the crowd to the floor of the structure and the rest to the top of the oven in which the glass is melted. What the fall failed to do for some of the victims the heat of the oven quickly accomplished; and as the result of the accident twenty-two are dead, and over eighty more or less seriously injured.
Plans for Powerful Battleships
The Bureau of Naval Construction and Repair has practically completed plans for the building and armament of five more powerful battle-ships. These are to be as large as any in the world, to carry the most powerful armament yet devised, and have the utmost possible speed. It is the design of the department that these shall be the most powerful battle-ships ever projected. Three of these were authorized in 1899 and two in 1900.
Standard Oil Stock Soars
ON December 3 the market value of Standard Oil stock was forced up to $825 a share. The capital stock of the company amounts to $100,000,000; but the present market value at this increased valuation is now over $800,000,000. The rise in the price of this stock has been phenomenal, and its holders have added fortune to fortune within the year. The price of the stock has nearly doubled since last January, when it sold at $475 a share.
Britain Buying Horses for War
It is stated that Great Britain intends to purchase 50,000 horses in the United States within the next six months. In reference to this report the San Francisco Chronicle makes the following pointed comment: "Since the peace conference at The Hague the demand for all sorts of war material has been very brisk, and there is no prospect of any falling off."
A Naval Reserve Urged
Commander Southerland, of the naval militia, in his yearly report to the Navy Department, strongly urges the creation of a naval reserve, which he considers necessary to place the United States on an equality with the first-class powers of the world, and man the ships being constructed. This organization would be in addition to the present naval militia.
Drought Threatens Zuni Indians
ON account of the severe drought in New Mexico the Zuni Indians have been reduced to subsistence on the roots of grasses and herbs growing in the dry beds of the river and its tributaries. Unless substantial and continued assistance is given by the government, starvation will be the portion of many of them before spring.
English Language in German Schools
Emperor William's recent decree in reference to the higher schools of Germany provides that the study of the English language shall be made equal with that of Greek in the under classes, and shall take the place of French in the upper classes. This he does because of "the importance attaching to the English language."
Railway Tunnel Under Strait of Gibraltar
THERE has been submitted to the governments of Spain, France, and Morocco a proposition for a railway tunnel under the Strait of Gibraltar. According to the figures of the engineer, this tunnel would be twenty-five miles long, twenty miles of which would be under the waters of the strait, and would cost $23,000,000.
Temple of Worship Planned for Chicago
Rev. J. S. Bitler, the owner of a rich mine in Cripple Creek, Colorado, is planning to build in Chicago a temple of worship for the masses. It is to be the largest building in Chicago, 500 feet high, and capable of accommodating 10,000 persons, and is to be surmounted with a luminous cross, 100 feet in height.
Brazil Faces Diplomatic Ruptures
UNFRIENDLY feelings have been stirred up between Uruguay and Brazil and also between Bolivia and Brazil, which threaten to result in the severing of diplomatic relations between those governments. The government of Uruguay has intimated that it will soon hand the Brazilian minister his passports.
Rebel Activity in Colombia
REPORTS from Colombia, South America, indicate renewed activity among the rebels in all parts of that State. The rebels are reported in possession of the city of Chagres, only fifteen miles from Colon. Government troops are attacking the rebels, with indifferent success, in a number of different localities.
Beer-Poisoning Epidemic in Manchester
A BEER-POISONING epidemic is reported from Manchester, England, where more than seventy deaths have occurred as the result of drinking poisonous beer, and 18,000 patients are suffering from the same cause. The chemicals used by the brewers have been tested, and found to contain arsenic.
Cripple Creek Gold-Mine Output
The output of the Cripple Creek, Colorado, gold mines for the present year is placed at $23,758,300, which is over $4,000,000 more than the output for last year. This is believed to equal, if not exceed, the entire output of both the Klondike and Nome mining districts for the same period.
Brazil Wins French Guiana Boundary Dispute
The boundary dispute between Brazil and French Guiana, which was submitted to the government of Switzerland for arbitration, has been decided in favor of Brazil. The latter country gets 147,000 square miles of the contested territory, and France about 3,000 square miles.
Presbyteries Favor Creed Revision
A REPORT from Pittsburg, Penn., states that all the presbyteries have voted on the question of creed revision, resulting in the revisionists receiving about 72 per cent. of the votes cast. The committee has met in Washington to take action in regard to revising the creed.
Transport Thomas Arrives With Soldiers
The United States transport Thomas arrived in San Francisco on December 1, having on board the body of the late Colonel Liscum, who was killed in the Philippines; General Wilson, who has been serving in China, and over 300 sick and insane soldiers from Manila.
Cable Planned From Vancouver to Australia
The British Government has accepted the bid of the Telegraph Construction and Maintenance Company to manufacture and lay a cable from Vancouver, B. C., to Australia and New Zealand, for the sum of $8,742,000, the work to be finished by the end of 1902.
Italy Faces Deficit From China Expedition
The Italian minister of the treasury announces a national deficit of 19,000,000 lire, 13,000,000 of which are due to the expenses of Italy's China expedition. This enormous deficit makes it necessary for the government to postpone many useful and needed reforms.
President Diaz Inaugurated in Mexico
PRESIDENT DIAZ, of Mexico, was inaugurated president of the Mexican republic on December 1. The president's inauguration for another term of four years was celebrated by a peace procession of the various occupations of the republic.
Chicago Boiler Explosion Kills Five
By the explosion of a boiler in the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad buildings at Chicago, on December 3, five persons were instantly killed and twelve others injured, of whom three are expected to die.
Naval Officer Mortally Injured
LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER R. T. HALL, Admiral Dewey's aid at Manila, was mortally injured at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital on December 3, by the falling timber of a scaffolding.
Suicide to Solve the Hereafter
A CABLE from Paris brings the intelligence that a girl of twenty-two and a boy of twelve have recently committed suicide in order to satisfy their minds in regard to the great hereafter.
Mexican Central Railway Collision
ELEVEN persons lost their lives, and twenty were more or less seriously injured, in a collision on the Mexican Central Railway near Jimulco, Mexico, on the night of November 30.
Congressional Session Opens
THE short session of the fifty-sixth Congress of the United States was opened on December 3, and the message of the President placed before the House and Senate.
Death of Senator Davis
SENATOR CUSHMAN K. DAVIS died at his home in St. Paul, Minn., on November 27. Senator Davis was one of the members of the Paris Peace Commission.
Pacific Coast Linemen Strike
About 500 telephone and telegraph linemen are now on strike on the Pacific Coast.
Death of Oscar Wilde
OSCAR WILDE, the noted esthete and degenerate, died in a small hotel in Paris, on December 1, forsaken by relatives and nearly all who had known him.
Steamer Wrecked Between Naples and Marseilles
A STEAMER plying between Naples and Marseilles was wrecked on December 2, and forty-five of her passengers and a portion of her crew were lost.
Nicaragua Canal Treaty
A TREATY has been concluded between the United States and Nicaragua and Costa Rica, granting a right of way for a Nicaragua canal.
Kentucky Visits Turkish Ports
THE American battle-ship Kentucky has paid a visit to the Turkish port of Smyrna, and also called at Constantinople.
St. Louis Police Chief Chosen for Manila
CHIEF OF POLICE JOHN W. CAMPBELL, of St. Louis, has been chosen to fill the position of chief of police in Manila.
Railroad Collision Kills Seven
SEVEN persons were killed and over twenty injured in a railroad collision near Suisun, Cal., on December 4.
Russian Czar Reported Recovering
The czar of Russia is reported to be out of danger and on the road to recovery.
BOOK NOTICES.
"DAVID AND HIS FRIENDS," by Louis Albert Banks, D.D. This volume contains 31 sermons, which were preached in the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Cleveland, Ohio, during January, 1900, in a series of revival meetings. The most of them are based on some practical thought in connection with the life of King David. They abound in illustrations from real life, and are very interesting reading, and would no doubt be helpful in the class of meetings in which they were delivered. Cloth, 12mo., 356 pages, gilt top. Price, $1.50. Funk & Wagnalls Co., New York and London.
Man and His Divine Father
By Editor
"MAN AND HIS DIVINE FATHER," by John C. C. Clarke, D.D. A system of conductive philosophy, beginning with the "Enigma of Life," and discussing the "human person" and the "divine Person," and their relations; the philosophies of history outside of the Bible, and the philosophies of the Old and New Testaments. Unlike most systems of mental and moral philosophy, the author of this exalts God and Christ in their true positions. That there is a philosophy in the plan of salvation no earnest student of the Word can doubt. But we feel sure that much of the persistent effort of this and other systems of so-called philosophy to prove by man's reasoning, and by the old forms of expression and philosophical terms, the truths claimed in the topics considered, serves to bewilder minds by many words, and to obscure the light rather than simplify and make plain. Especially is this so, even tho there be beautiful thoughts and much that is good on certain phases of truth, when there exists, as does in this treatise, an apparently entire misconception of the fundamental reason for the existence of sin, and a sweeping misinterpretation of important prophecies like Daniel and Revelation and other scriptures. And in a subtle and plausible manner its philosophy is permeated with the doctrine of the real man's inherent immortality, which the Word defines as error. 364 pages. Price, cloth, $1.50. A. C. McClurg & Co., Chicago.
Thoughts
"THOUGHTS," revised and enlarged edition, by Ivan Panin. Five hundred paragraphs, mostly short, epigrammatic sayings, thoughtful, witty, and more or less wise and helpful. Under the general title of the book are the chapters, Thoughts of Sorrow, Of God and Man, Of Love, Critical, Of Conduct, Of Depravity in Man, and Miscellaneous. 124 pages, 4½x6 inches. Published by the author, Grafton, Mass.
The Temperance Problem and Social Reform
"The Temperance Problem and Social Reform," by Joseph Rowntree and Arthur Sherwell. A compendious volume setting forth facts and figures concerning the drink traffic in the United Kingdom and other prominent countries. Its nine chapters are: 1, The Statement of the Problem, Growth of Temperance Sentiment and Change in Social Customs, etc.; 2, The Social and Political Menace; 3, State Prohibition (United States); 4, Local Option (in United States, Canada, Australasia, United Kingdom); 5, High License (Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota); 6, The Government Spirit Monopoly in Russia, and the Swiss Alcohol Monopoly; 7, The Dispensary System in the United States; 8, The Company System in Sweden and Norway; 9, The Solution of the Problem. The specific moral aspect is not considered, but rather a reform by legal processes, aided by the establishment of reading-rooms, lecture halls, exhibitions, clubs, etc., etc. There are twenty-six maps and illustrations, and the work abounds in valuable tables of statistics regarding the great evil of intemperance. 815 pages, cloth. Truslove, Hanson & Comba, 67 Fifth Avenue, New York.
Food for the Sick, How to Prepare It; Food for the Baby
"FOOD FOR THE SICK, HOW TO PREPARE IT; FOOD FOR THE BABY," by E. C. French, M.D. An arrangement of diets for use in treatment of diseases in general medicine, nervous diseases, and after surgical operations, with a chapter on "Food for the Baby." A portion of the book contains recipes, also, for preparation of food. For those who believe in eating and drinking everything the world calls food, the book might be of some service. But for one who believes much so-called food and drink is unfit to be put into even a well stomach, the book is of little value. 171 pages, cloth. Price, $1.00. John P. Morton & Co., Louisville, Ky.
THE VEXED QUESTION.
By Mariette C. DuBois
BEFORE leaving the subject of the duty of husbands, I wish to say a few words upon a point that causes about as much unhappiness in married life as any one thing. I term it the "vexed question," or, in other words, the money question. I am aware that it is a delicate subject, yet it should be considered.
There are many husbands who have the right view of family finances, and are just and honest with their wives in money matters. God bless them. It is not to such I write, but to those who carry the money so deeply buried in their trousers pocket, with the purse-strings so tightly tied, that a penny scarcely ever finds its way into the hands of the wife. There is a true basis upon which to conduct family finances, so that justice may be done the hard-working wife; but it seems each husband has his own ideas, and runs the business to suit himself, too often regardless of what the right may be.
One man says, "Wife and I are one," but if you watch closely, he is generally the one, and carries the undivided contents of the pocketbook. If wife wants a little money, she has meekly to ask, "John, can you give me fifty cents?" Very likely he will give the gruff reply: "What have you done with that quarter I gave you last week? You seem to think I am made of money," as he grudgingly hands her the small amount, which she quietly takes, turning quickly away to hide the falling tears. Perchance this same little wife, before she married him, had been self-supporting, and carried her own purse. Doubtless she is paying her way now, and honestly earns much more than she is getting.
Another man says, "Wife and I are partners." Good; but how far does the partnership extend? She does her share of the work; how about the income? Does she have a share in that? or do you pocket all, and leave her out of the question? You say, "I am in debt; every dollar has to go that way." Well, talk it over with the wife; she is the other partner, you know. Let her have the pleasure of giving her share. Every true wife is ready gladly to do her part in sacrificing, but she does not like to do it all.
"O," but says still another man, "my wife works for love, not wages!" Yes, that is true; her work is done for love's sake, truly, but she has needs, nevertheless, and really needs money. There are husbands who stand high in church circles, and who give largely themselves to God's cause, but whose wives do not have a penny from one month to another to contribute to the Sabbath-school funds or any other collection. Their whole time and strength are spent in caring for their husband and family; they have no income; no way of earning money outside of their home duties. They do not like to ask for money, and so go without and have nothing to give. Wives who before marriage earned their money and spent it as they chose, feel the change deeply.
Each home is a little kingdom of its own, where no stranger has a right to dictate or intermeddle. But I know that in many homes there should be a reform in this matter. The wife and mother should be treated with respect, and her rights sacredly regarded. One of the pitiful sights of earth is a poorly-clad, overworked wife, who scarcely has the necessaries of life, while her husband is able to supply her with every needed comfort.
On a farm the butter-and-egg money, or a part of it, generally goes to the wife; and if anything is left after the family wants are met, she can use it for her personal needs. I know of one woman who does not even have this income from the poultry-house, as her husband sells all the eggs and pockets the money.
It may be that those who read this article do not belong to the class of husbands here described; but there are such husbands. I have given actual facts, as they exist in many homes, though I do not write from personal experience.
Some men carry the pocketbook; but it unclasps readily to the wife's needs. She feels perfect freedom to take what she needs, and never a word as to what she uses it for. Her husband has perfect confidence in her ability to spend money wisely, and he knows it will not be foolishly wasted. There are other men who are willing their wives should get what they need, and they will pay the bills. This is kind and generous; but there is a better way, which some men prefer, and that is to let the wife carry her own purse. The husband may add to its contents as the state of his own will allow. Then if the husband is absent, the wife is prepared for any emergency that may arise, and may be saved much embarrassment.
But all women are not financiers. Some have no more idea of the value of money, and a right use of it, than a three-year-old child. A man who has such a wife, especially if he is poor, can not, dare not, place his hard-earned wages at her disposal. But every true wife will look well to the financial interests of her husband. There ought not to be a divided interest, and in the true home there will not be.
MARIETTE C. DUBOIS.
Grand Ledge, Mich.
ALCOHOL; ITS HISTORY, AND ITS EFFECTS UPON SOCIETY.
By W. H. Riley
By W. H. Riley, M.D., Superintendent of Colorado Sanitarium, Boulder, Colo.
[All rights reserved.]
Pauperism.
SOCIETY has a burden to bear in the way of pauperism. How readily is seen the connection of this with intemperance! The man ruled by a demoniacal desire for drink hesitates at no sacrifice to gratify his unconquerable appetite. Sickness and disease come, or a parent dies, and society bears the burden of a family's support.
The reports of State and private charities abound in testimony to the fact that the greatest cause of pauperism is caused by intemperance. Two questions were sent out by the chairman of the Massachusetts Board of Health to several hundred towns and cities of the State. The questions were:—
What proportion of the inmates of your almshouses are there in consequence of the deleterious use of intoxicating liquors?
What proportion of the children are there in consequence of the drunkenness of parents?
Replies were received from nearly 300 towns and cities, showing clearly that liquor was the great factor in causing pauperism and destitution. The superintendent of a large almshouse and hospital, replied, "I would answer the above by saying, to the best of my knowledge, 90 per cent., to both questions." Others gave the same figures. One city reported that all the tramps who had been fed had been brought to the begging condition by drink. This fact may be ascertained by any one with a very little investigation.
And pauperism begets pauperism. We have the following from the North American Review:—
A pauper named Margaret lived in Ulster County [N. Y.], some eighty-five years ago. She and her two sisters have begotten generations of paupers and criminals to such an extent that the number now known, mainly from Margaret,—convicts, paupers, criminals, beggars, and vagrants, including the living and the dead,—is six hundred and twenty-three. This mother of criminals has cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars.
And thus the evil increases, and upon the temperate and industrious citizen the burden falls.
Crime.
And there is another great evil from alcohol which directly affects society, namely, crime. The man dazed by drink too often fails to discern the threatening arm of the law, and commits an act he would either fear or not desire to do were he not under its influence. And then society must go to the expense of punishing him and guarding him from similar outbreaks. That the use of alcoholic drinks is the most prolific source of crime, we have as abounding evidence as we have in regard to its being the cause of pauperism.
A terrible testimony to this fact came not many months ago from a young man in Omaha. Crazed by drink, he had shot and killed his best friend, tho for no apparent reason. He was tried, and condemned to suffer the extreme penalty of the law. A few hours before his execution he asked for pen and paper, and wrote a letter to the young men of the city, especially those who had been his associates. After recounting various experiences in his past life, by which he had been drawn under evil influences, he said:—
But if anybody a year ago had told me that I would be in jail to-day with a death sentence upon me, I would have called him crazy. Yet here I am, with only a few more hours to live; and the cause of my being here is drink. If I had kept away from that vile stuff, I would be out in the world among11you to-day. Young men, for God's sake, keep away from drink. Keep out of bad company. Keep away from saloons and beer gardens. Seek the society of respectable and manly young men, or stay at home with your mother.
We have similar testimony from the best of witnesses, and we find that in all ages alcoholic drinks have been recognized as the direct cause of a great deal of crime. Among the witnesses who command the respect of all, we quote from Sir Matthew Hale, chief justice of England, who declared in 1670:—
The places of judicature I have long held in this kingdom, have given me an opportunity to observe the original cause of most of the enormities that have been committed for the space of twenty years; and by due observation I have found that if the murders and manslaughters, the burglaries and robberies, the riots and tumults, the adulteries, fornications, rapes, and other enormities that have happened in that time, were divided into five parts, four of them have been the issues and product of excessive drinking—of tavern or ale-house drinking.
Testimonies from police magistrates throughout the country are abundant. The board of police judges of New York City once stated that they were satisfied that intoxication was "the one great leading cause which render the existence of our police courts necessary." A report of the Massachusetts State Board of Charities traced four-fifths of the crime of the State to intemperance, and Judge Noah Davis, of New York City, places the criminal business of the courts, caused by the liquor traffic, at ninety per cent.
(Concluded next week.)
THE HOME
AUTUMN.
By Mrs. Alice M. Avery-Harper
BEYOND the crimson hill of autumn's splendor,
The twilight fadeth into gray;
And fairy songs from night-birds, soft and tender,
Fall on the ear at close of day.
Above, the bright blue skies are sweetly shining;
The Indian summer days are fair;
And from the fields the busy men are gathering
The golden pumpkins waiting there.
In welcome cadence, zephyrs, softly sweeping,
Are whispering songs through every breeze;
And strewn upon the ground are emblems lying
In rainbow colors from the trees.
E'en thus the sweetest pleasures fade forever,
And vanish into air away;
E'en when within our eager grasp they prove delusive,
And fade, as fades the closing day.
But in that land where reigns eternal gladness,
Autumnal shades shall never come;
Its sacred joys shall know no tinge of sadness;
Death shall be banished from that home.
MRS. ALICE M. AVERY-HARPER.
Laingsburg, Mich.
The Presence of God
"Like the sunlight which fills the air all around us, and enters wherever there is an opening, so does the presence of God fill the whole universe, and enters every heart that opens to receive Him."
STOVES.
THE stove is an invention and improvement of the last days. People of sixty years ago, when the fireplace was the only means of warming the house or cooking the food, would have smiled in incredulity had they been shown models of the many stoves, both useful and ornamental, that are to be found to-day in the homes in civilized lands. But the stove, like many other blessings, is often neglected and abused. Given half a chance, it adds more than half to the comfort and cheer of our homes. With a clean face and a bright fire in its heart, it seems to say to us as we come in from the cold, "Draw nigh to me, and I will make you warm and happy." But many times as I go from house to house I find the stove in such a condition that it is with a feeling of genuine disgust that I sit near it to warm myself. The hearth is covered with ashes, and the stove and pipe are as innocent of blacking as if none could be had at every grocery store for only five cents.
As a person is known by the company he keeps, so a stove is usually found in surroundings that correspond with its own un-Christlike looks; for even a stove may witness for Christ. The floor is unswept, the chairs loaded with rags or cast-off garments, the table is filled with dirty dishes and remnants of the last meal, while the mistress is in a soiled, tattered dress, her hair uncombed, and the children unwashed.
The wonder to me when I see such homes is not that so many men go to the saloon, but that so few go there, where all is bright and clean, and good cheer abounds. Many men build fine new houses with their hard earnings; but by her slovenly ways the wife soon makes the house anything but a home.
I often wonder how angels from the courts of glory can bear to tarry in such homes and watch over their inmates; but there they are day after day, taking note of every careless, slovenly act, every unkind word. All are noted down, and borne to the library above, to witness against us in the great reckoning day unless repented of and forsaken.
O my sisters, if any who read this see in it a picture of your own homes, how would you feel to have the president call at your house? Well, a greater than any earthly ruler is coming soon. He is even at the door, and will you be ready to say, "Lo, this is my God"? Every dirty, careless habit, whether of mind or body or in our houses, must be put away before He comes, or we shall not be ready to enter those mansions He has gone to prepare for us; for nothing that defiles shall ever enter there. Rev. 21:27
A SUGGESTION TO HUSBANDS
By Editor
Has your wife a good cook-book? Not simply some old collection of recipes, but a real, up-to-date book giving scientific reasons for combinations of foods, tables of food values, foods for the sick, foods for infants, foods for dyspeptics, and so on.
If she has not, please read the following description of two books which are appreciated wherever used.
A REAL SEA MONSTER.
THERE are monsters in the sea which would put to shame the sea-serpent as described by summer-resort correspondents or veracious and jolly sea-dogs. A papier-mache model of one of them hangs from the ceiling in the United States National Museum at Washington. This model was made from portions of one of the hideous things that was washed ashore from Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, and is a mere baby, being but sixty feet long.
This genuine sea terror is known as the calamary, or giant squid. It has a soft, pulpy body, which attains a length of fifty feet, and various tentacles or arms, nearly twice as long. The entire carcass will weigh perhaps five tons. It is closely related to the snail family. It has a hard beak, much like the bill of a parrot, which it uses in tearing its prey to pieces, and eyes as large as dinner plates and of a shade of green.
These giant squids are quite common in the Indian Ocean, but are sometimes found in northern waters, especially off the coasts of Newfoundland and Norway. Their tentacles, which give them a reach of more than a hundred feet, are fitted with suckers on the under side, and when they take hold, they never let go. Travelers in the Indian Ocean have seen huge whales attacked by these monsters and dragged downward after one or more tentacles have been wrapped around the helpless whale's body.
When they are attacked, the giant squids eject a dark liquid from a pouch which they have, which turns the water for hundreds of feet an inky black. This enables them to escape their enemies. No large specimen has ever been taken alive, and comparatively little is known of their habits. Their flesh is so pulpy and jelly-like that it has been found impossible to lift them aboard a ship when killed, and only portions have been secured.—Selected.
A TIGHT DRESS.
IT may be well to consider for a moment what a tight dress is, says a lady physician, writing of the evils of tight lacing. Dr. Robert Dickinson has tested the pressure of the corset by an ingenious device, and found that, in a case where the woman measured twenty-seven inches without a corset and twenty-seven inches with one—the same measurement, you see, and you would insist her dress was not tight—the corset exerted a pressure of forty pounds. When her waist measurement was reduced to twenty-five and one-half inches, the pressure was seventy-three and one-half pounds. This gives you an idea of what is really a tight dress. We forget that our dresses are usually fitted over empty lungs, thus giving no chance for expansion in breathing. If this occurs in ever so slight a degree, the dress is tight.
A FRIEND IN THE KITCHEN
By Anna L. Colcord
By ANNA L. COLCORD
Besides containing over four hundred carefully-tested recipes for the preparation of healthful dishes, this book gives tables of food values, time required to digest various foods, rules for dyspeptics, practical weights and measures for the kitchen, foods for infants, etc. It is illustrated and carefully indexed.
