Earlier text: Rest in GodBishop Henry C. Potter, of New York, is quoted as having said in an address at the annual diocesan convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church at New York City, that it is futile to hope for a restoration of the old-time New England Sunday by means of the “blue laws.” The bishop discussed the question at considerable length before the clergy and laymen of his audience, and declared that it must be left to the individual to decide the extent to which Sunday shall be devoted to mental and physical recreation. Here is testimony that should not be overlooked by the New England Sabbath Protective League. The extent to which the pantheistic idea of God as a Universal Presence has spread in professedly Christian countries is indicated by a statement made by Canon Hensley, of England, in discussing the nature of creeds. He said:— The modern English Christian . . . is not conscious of any disposition toward a multiplication of gods; it may well be his case that his difficulty is to believe in a personal God at all. What Canon Hensley says of England is equally true of America. The pleasing and seemingly religious teaching of the immanent God is a piece of satanic sophistry designed to destroy belief in a personal God. Let those who love the truth be on their guard against it. The contrast between the instruction given in the day-school and that attempted in the Sunday-school is strongly drawn by a recent writer in these words:— For twenty-five hours in every week our children are taught by trained instructors that the miracle has no place in nature, and then for twenty-five minutes in every week our children are taught by untrained instructors, when they see fit to come to our Sunday-schools, that the universe is based on miracle. It would be difficult to state in fewer words so powerful an argument in favor of the general scheme of Christian education to which this denomination stands committed. The unmistakable tendency of the so-called scientific education of the present day is to undermine confidence in the reliability of the Biblical revelation. Some plain truth about the Sabbath, although mingled with some error, is told by the Birmingham (Ala.) Ledger of recent date in the following editorial note:— Some people insist on calling Sunday the Sabbath. They do not have any Bible authority for calling it so. God said the seventh day “is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” The commandment said, “Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath,” etc. The Bible nowhere calls the Christian Sunday the Sabbath, nor the first day of the week the Sabbath. The word is not applicable to both days. One was named and set apart by God himself as a holy day; the other was not so far as we know. It was observed by the early Christians as a day of worship, but it was not until the English Puritans became a religious sect that the day became at all to be observed as the Jews observed the Sabbath. This subject is worth a few hours’ study next Sunday. Inasmuch as God never made the first day of the week a holy day, and never called it a holy day or the Sabbath, why should we be expected to treat it as a holy day, or regard it as the Sabbath? Speaking of the present financial outlook, Vice-President F. A. Vanderlip, of the National City Bank of New York City, said in an address at the bankers’ convention in Washington:— A strain is on our currency system. We know that we are threatened by great social disorders, that the edict of a labor leader might change a cloudless outlook into an uncertain one. We know there is a disregard of law in labor unions and in corporation offices alike, which is threatening our welfare. Should a stock market speculation start from the present high level of prices in the face of the extraordinary demand for capital and money, which crops and business alike are making, there might easily be temporary disaster. The great change which has come over the political attitude of this nation within a few years past, is noted not alone by those who understand what inspired prophecy has declared of the part to be played by this great power in the drama with which time and probation are to close, but by many others of educated, unprejudiced minds. Here is the testimony of one who is in a position to speak with authority on the subject, the dean of the Yale law school, Henry Wade Rogers. In a recent address in Faneuil Hall, Boston, Dean Rogers said:— Ever since the Civil War there has been taking place in this country a steady centralization of government, and a transformation in the political thinking of our people. The treatment accorded our new possessions is one evidence of what has been taking place in the American mind. The people of the United States have shown themselves unwilling to govern their conduct according to the basic principles upon which our institutions, State and national, were founded. The principle which Lincoln declared would be “in all coming days” a rebuke and a stumbling-block to the very harbingers of reappearing tyranny and oppression has, within forty years of Lincoln’s death, been disregarded by the party which he founded. In place of the distrust with which the fathers looked upon executive power, we find a disposition to resort to the President for relief in matters which are entirely outside his authority. An industrial dispute arises between labor and capital, and men appeal to the President, not yet as a Louis who can decree righteous judgments from a bed of justice, but as a powerful ruler. Unconstitutional precedents are usually set up in a republic under a leader who is popular with the people, and who because of his popularity and of the trust the people repose in him, is allowed a liberty of action which would not be accorded to others. It was thus in the greatest republic of ancient times, and it is the same to-day. The history of the Roman republic is being repeated. The continuous effort of the Church of Rome to entrench herself in power in this nation, shows a new development. A step has been taken in the direction of usurping the functions of the judicial department of the government. This is shown in the following statement printed in the Chicago Daily News of October 3:— The Catholic child-placing bureau has been organized to watch over Catholic children who come under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and other courts of similar powers. The bureau will cover the State. In the juvenile court in Chicago the Rev. C. J. Quille, assistant pastor of St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic church, will represent the diocese. The Rev. Mr. Quille and Judge Mack held a consultation to-day, and the former outlined his method of caring for the children, as suggested to him by Archbishop Quigley. During sessions of the juvenile court the Rev. Mr. Quille will occupy a seat on the bench beside Judge Mack. There he will listen to the stories told the court by children, and in the case of a Catholic boy or girl he will take the child in charge, should Judge Mack see fit to send him to an institution. The juvenile court here mentioned is presided over by a circuit court judge, and is a court of record. It is a new thing in American jurisprudence that a Catholic priest should be placed in a position where he is virtually an officer of a civil law court. The necessity for such an arrangement to secure the ends of justice is not apparent, but it is plainly evident that the effect of it will be to enhance the prestige of the Catholic Church. A Chicago attorney observes: “To my mind there has been no move by the local papists in the past twelve years that will have such far-reaching results as this, where a priest sits upon the bench really as a judge, though not elected.” This move is thoroughly characteristic of the policy of craft which has marked the course of the papacy throughout its history. The Gift of Wisdom
By Ellen G. White
Lessons From the Life of Solomon—No. 6
Solomon, in his youth, made David’s choice his own. Pure and noble in character, he was named Jedidah, the beloved of the Lord. Above every earthly good he desired a wise and understanding heart. Upon him there rested great burdens of state, which he felt unable to bear alone. Not only was he to strive to be a just ruler, but he was also to carry out the long-cherished plan of his father, by building a temple at Jerusalem. As he began to comprehend the magnitude of this special work, and of the duties connected with his kingly office, he sought the great Source of wisdom for divine guidance. Early in his reign, King Solomon went with his chief counselors to Gibeon to offer sacrifices to God, and to reconsecrate himself to the Lord’s service. In the time of Moses the Israelites were commanded to bring their sacrifices to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. During David’s reign the ark of the covenant had been brought to Jerusalem, and set “in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it;” and there he “offered burnt offerings and peace-offerings before the Lord.” The old tabernacle of the congregation was still at Gibeon. David left “Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the Lord in the high place that was at Gibeon, to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the Lord, which he commanded Israel.” With “the captains of thousands and of hundreds,” “the judges,” and “every governor in all Israel, the chief of the fathers,” Solomon “went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness. But the ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem. Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur had made, he put before the tabernacle of the Lord: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it. And Solomon went up thither to the brazen altar before the Lord, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.” These sacrifices were offered by Solomon and his men in positions of trust, not as a formal ceremony, but as a token of their earnest desire for special help. They knew that they were insufficient, in their own strength, for the responsibilities entrusted to them. Solomon and his associates longed for quickness of mind, for largeness of heart, for tenderness of spirit. “In that night” “in Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream; . . . and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.” Solomon answered the Lord with these words: “Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. “And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that can not be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” “And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. “And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king;” “behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart, so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor,” “such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.” “And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” God promised that as he had been with David, he would be with Solomon. If the king would walk before the Lord in uprightness, and if he would do all that God commanded him, his throne would be established, and his reign would be the means of exalting Israel as the light of the surrounding nations,—as “a wise and understanding people.” “And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream.” “Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon,” “to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace-offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.” And Solomon “reigned over Israel.” The Lord imparted to Solomon the wisdom that he desired above earthly riches, honor, or long life. His petition for a quick mind, a large heart, and a tender spirit, was granted. He became the wisest of earthly monarchs, because God gave him superior wisdom and an understanding heart. “And all Israel . . . feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.” The hearts of the people were turned toward Solomon, as they had been to David, and they obeyed him in all things. Solomon “was strengthened in his kingdom, and the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.” For many years Solomon’s life was marked with devotion to God, with uprightness and firm principle, and with strict obedience to God’s commands. He directed in every important enterprise, and managed wisely the business matters connected with the kingdom. His faithfulness in carrying out the directions of God regarding the construction of the temple, resulted in the erection of the most magnificent building the world has ever seen,—a building that could not be excelled for richness, beauty, and costly design; and this caused his fame to spread among the nations everywhere. “God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.” “And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.” All nations acknowledged, and marveled at, Solomon’s superior knowledge and wisdom, the excellence of his character, and the greatness of his power. Many came to him from distant parts of the world to see the manner of his government, and to receive instruction regarding the conduct of difficult affairs. The power of his understanding, the extent of his knowledge, the glory of his reign, commanded the wonder and admiration of the world. Unto the Desired Haven
By A. D. F. Randolph
WHAT matter how the winds may blow,
Or blow they east, or blow they west;
What reck I how the tides may flow,
Since ebb or flood alike is best?
No summer calm, nor winter gale,
Impedes or drives me from my way;
I steadfast toward the haven sail
That lies, perhaps, not far away. I mind the weary days of old,
When motionless I seemed to lie;
The night when fierce the billows rolled,
And changed my course, I knew not why.
I feared the calm, I feared the gale,
Foreboding danger and delay,
Forgetting I was thus to sail
To reach what seemed so far away. I measured not the loss and fret
Which through those years of doubt I bore;
I keep the memory fresh, and yet
Would hold God’s patient mercy more.
What wrecks have passed me in the gale,
What ships gone down on summer day;
While I, with furled or spreading sail,
Stood for the haven far away. What matter how the winds may blow,
Since fair or foul, alike is best;
God holds them in his hand, I know,
And I may leave to him the rest,
Assured that neither calm nor gale
Can bring me danger or delay,
As still I toward the haven sail
That lies, I know, not far away. Buddhism and Romanism
By H. H. Votaw
To even the most casual observer, the great similarity between Romanism and Buddhism, in outward form at least, must be apparent. So striking is the likeness that one man said to me recently, “I am sure Rome has borrowed her forms.” Both Rome and Buddhism have their celibate priesthood, everywhere present, and always recognizable by their distinctive dress, the Buddhist priest wearing yellow, while the Roman is attired in black. In much that a Buddhist priest does he is attended by small boys, robed as he is. The same is true of a Catholic priest. Devout Romanists leave the education of their sons and daughters to the clergy, and devout Buddhists do the same. In each case the teaching consists principally in indoctrination. Each of these great systems has also its priestesses, distinguishable also from the common rabble by peculiarity of garb. Monasteries, where righteousness may be attained by separation from the world and its temptations, and the mind may spend all its power in uplifting meditation, are supported by each of these religions. Again, the likeness is to be seen in the almost worshipful adoration with which the laity regard the clergy, as if they composed some entirely superior order of beings. When we come to the temples, the parallel is fully as striking. Each has its idols. I hear some devotee denying the charge, as the educated from either sect would say that the idols are not worshiped, but simply form a concrete thought for the simple-minded folk who need something beside an abstract conception of a deity. What difference is it other than that the one image has a decidedly Mongolian feature, while the other bears the impress of an Aryan workman and his conception of a god? The burning of candles is equally in evidence, whichever way you turn. Perhaps this is enough to be convincing. But the most striking thing is to come yet. This brand, when fully placed upon Buddhism, will mark it, beyond doubt, as a product of the same nefarious mind that conceived the papacy. The following extracts from Rangoon papers of recent dates will scarcely need any comment. To the student of prophecy they will indicate that God is giving warning upon warning before the fury of the storm breaks; that he is anxious that we discern the signs of the times:— “The members of the Upathika Society intend forming a Sunday Union Society in Rangoon, the object of which will be to observe in a special manner the Sabbath.”—Rangoon Gazette, May 26. “I read an article in the Rangoon Gazette of the twenty-sixth, relating to a society that has been formed, called the Sunday Union Society. Probably many of the Buddhists do not know the object and aim of this society. “Seeing that many of the Buddhists are becoming indifferent to their religious duties, the society was formed, consisting of a large and influential body of laymen, who have banded together to rouse the energy and zeal of their brethren, and bring them to a sense of their duties to their religion. “The society selected Sunday as a very convenient day to observe as a sabbath, owing to the day being a general holiday. Many are unable to attend to the rites of their religion during the week, owing to their daily avocations, as merchants, officials, and clerks in different offices, but they could very well observe the sabbath on a Sunday as it should be observed. . . . “All persons who are Buddhists are eligible for membership. “The society will be registered, and the income is to be applied solely toward the promotion of the object of the society.”—A Buddhist, in the Times. The Buddhists have been guided heretofore in the observance of “holy days” by the moon’s phases. The agricultural classes can still be, but it is not “convenient” for the townspeople. The beginning that has been made toward adopting Sunday is like the Sunday law of Constantine, and I fancy the adoption of a uniform plan by all the people will be soon urged. God alone knows what may occur. But it is not likely that Rome will fail to make some concession to Buddhism, in return for such recognition of the “mark of her power.” We understand from the Word that the image of the beast is to be made and given life in the United States. But the same Word declares, “And all the world wondered after the beast.” The Word of God
By R. C. Porter
How expressive, how all-embracing, is the Word of God! It is so comprehensive in its relation to affairs in this world that when Christ came to live as man on earth, and also to reveal God to humanity, the greatest thing that could be said of him by inspiration was that “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.” Every utterance of that Word is worthy of the God who gave it, yet it is so simple, plain, and practical that the thoughtful child, guided by that Spirit by which it is given, may be able so fully to comprehend it as to be led into all truth. Its own utterances, both prophetic and practical, are so heavenly that to read them understandingly is the strongest evidence that one is born of the Spirit from which they came. If one lacks faith, the practical appeal of that Word to the heart of the hearer is so direct that “faith cometh by hearing” it. It has been so fully revealed that “if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.” Not a word of that revelation can be spared, so perfect is it in every part. “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” None of it was given as a mere theory, but every word was so adapted to practical life that Christ said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” In giving the commission to his disciples, he promised that “all power . . . in heaven and in earth” should accompany those who would proclaim it according to the commission. What is the commission?—“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” This commission embraces a willingness on the part of those commissioned to carry it, to go with it into all the world. It insists that all things commanded be taught. It assures us that when this is done, all power in heaven and earth shall accompany the teaching, and these signs shall follow the believers. When thus carried, God has pledged, “My word . . . shall not return unto me void.” This is our firm foundation. Do we want the promised power? Each of us possesses the key that unlocks God’s10great storehouse of power. We must pray for it; but we must do more, we must receive every word of God. Our Greatest Need
By G. B. THOMPSON
WHAT is our greatest need? Some may think, in view of the frequent calls made, that it is money with which to carry on the work in both home and foreign fields. To some it may seem that it is laborers to respond to the “Macedonian cry” which is coming from nearly every land under heaven for some one to come and teach them the way of life. But it is neither of these; nor is it schools, printing houses, or sanitariums. None of these are of any real value unless vitalized with the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. We need, more than anything else, the Holy Spirit. Without this we have but a form of godliness without the power; the skeleton without the breath of life. Coldness and indifference reign everywhere. Lukewarmness has taken possession of many. Formality is seen in many churches, and instead of growing they are withering. As laborers we toil hard, and yet see but little accomplished compared to what should be done when we consider the tremendous truths with which we are entrusted. The most stirring appeals for help in the “regions beyond” fall on cold, selfish hearts, and produce but little results. Worldliness is laying its icy hand upon the work and the people of God. Something is needed to thaw us out. In their personal experience, many do not bear testimony to the sanctifying power of the truths which we profess, and the strength needed to cope with the powers of darkness is sadly wanting. We do not wish to be pessimistic, or to be understood as doubting the final and complete triumph of this message and people in this generation. The Lord is at the door; the end is almost here. But this admonishes us that there must be a revival of spiritual power far greater than anything we have ever seen in this work. At the pace we are going, a millennium would be needed to finish the work. But, thank God, the pace will be quickened; for the work will be done in this generation. It is power, spiritual power, the power of God manifest through the Holy Spirit, that we need; this, I firmly believe, is our greatest need. Power comes only through a bestowal of the Holy Spirit. Just before his ascension the Saviour cheered the hearts of his disciples with this promise: “But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Acts 1:8. After his ascension, having sought God and put away their sins, they received the promise of the Father; and of their experience we read, “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed.” Mark 16:20. This is the identical experience that we need. And can anybody tell why we should not have just such an experience? Living as we are in the closing hours of probation, when the enemy is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness among his children, will not God pour out upon his faithful children, those who earnestly seek for it, the same measure of strength as in former days? In a special Testimony we are told that “the power of evil can be held in check only by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.” There is but one thing that can hinder, or does hinder, the receiving of the Holy Spirit, and that one thing is sin. When we come to that place in our experience where we love victory and power enough to let go our hold on every worldly, selfish, wicked thing, however dear it may be to us, we shall receive from God the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the power for service which goes with it. But this is an individual work, a personal examination of heart, a personal seeking of God for help. And truly, as we contrast our spiritual power with the vastness of the work to be done in the short time yet allotted to this generation, it should lead us to great humbleness of heart. The blessing of the Holy Spirit brings all other blessings in its train, and for this we should individually seek, not for a day or a week, but “until ye be clothed with power from on high.” We are nearing the end. The sand is almost run through time’s great hour-glass. Probation is almost ended; the destiny of every soul is soon to be decided; the seven last plagues are soon to fall. The wreck of the world, with all the proud, lofty aspirations of men, is just before us. Such scenes of woe and distress as mortals have never seen await this generation. What greater incentives, tell me, could we have to seek in humility of soul for power to stand in that awful time? Surely it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon us. Just now is the time to put our good books into the homes of the people, for soon the decree will go forth that no man may buy or sell save he that has the mark of the beast. One of the first things that the decree will affect will be the sale of our publications. Already word comes to us that the sale of some of our publications has been stopped in Germany, and it will not be long before the same thing will happen in this country. Very often we hear our brethren say, “I don't see the use of putting our books out, for the people do not read them.” But I read in “An Appeal for Canvassers,” by Mrs. E. G. White: “Some will lay them on the parlor table, and seldom look into them until some sorrow comes. Perhaps sickness enters their home. Then they will look for those books, and the stricken ones will find peace and rest, and fall asleep in Jesus, resting in his love because he has forgiven their sins and is precious to their souls. This has been the testimony of many.” And in Volume VI, on page 313, we read: “It is true that some who buy the books will lay them on the shelf or place them on the parlor table, and seldom look at them. Still God has a care for his truth, and the time will come when these books will be sought for and read.” The time that these books will be sought after more than at any other time will be when great calamities come, and the decree goes forth that we can neither buy nor sell. But if we sell them at that time, we shall do so under great difficulties. Now, just now, while it is yet day, and the opportunity still lingers, is the time for us to work. “But,” you say, “it is hard to sell books now.” Of course, it is harder to sell books now than it was some time ago, and it will get harder still, but this does not relieve us of our duty. The children of Israel finally took the land, but how much easier it would have been for them had they taken it when God first wanted them to take it. Just so, now it is in God's plan that this gospel message be given to the world through the printed page, and it will be done even though it be done under hardships. It is not God's fault that it is hard to sell the books. He gave us time, and good times too, in which to do this work, but our negligence has carried the work over into the harder times which are a sign of the coming of our blessed Saviour. But even now the angels are holding the winds for us. God is blessing us this year with such good crops that it seems we can have no excuse for not going to work at once. My brethren and sisters, we ought during the next few months to fairly flood the country with the printed page of truth. Every man, woman, and child in our ranks ought to be doing all that is possible to help scatter the printed page. We should have at least one hundred canvassers in the field at once. A number are now planning on entering the work, but are there not others who will answer the call while the work is as easy as it is? My brother, my sister, don't wait until the way is hedged up so you can neither buy nor sell without danger of imprisonment. Volume VI says: “We have the Word of God to show that the end is near. The world is to be warned, and as never before we are to be laborers with Christ. The work of warning has been entrusted to us. . . . Let us not be backward now. That which is to be done in warning the world must be done without delay. Let not the canvassing work be left to languish. Let the books containing the light on present truth be placed before as many as possible.” Preparing for Cold Weather
By The Commoner
THESE cool, crisp October days bring it sensibly home to us that the year is drawing to a close; that cold weather will soon settle down upon us. One of the most important duties of the homekeeper is to make sure that the cellar is sweet and clean, and in the best possible sanitary condition before the supply of vegetables, fruits, etc., are stored in it. Much of the health of the family is dependent upon this. Quick-lime, borax, charcoal, dry copperas, and plaster are all or variously used for this purpose, and one of the most effective is the old-fashioned whitewash of our mother's time. Every corner, underfoot, and overhead should be well swept, and all dust, dirt, and debris be taken outside. No old, moldy boxes, barrels, kegs, jugs, or other vessels should be allowed to remain. In every enclosed space, an earthen dish should be set, in which lumps of unslacked lime should be placed, and over these, dry copperas should be sprinkled, after which the lime should be sprinkled with water—not enough to wet it, but just enough to thoroughly slack it. The steam from the slacking lime will carry off all bad air and odors, which will pass out through the open doors and windows. After a few hours, scatter in all corners and along the walls, dry powdered borax, and in corners and overhead hang bags of cheesecloth in which pieces of charcoal have been placed. If the walls and overhead are treated to a good coating of old-fashioned whitewash, made from good lime, the air will be greatly sweetened. In pans or old crocks, lumps of unslacked lime should be left about, as this will absorb any dampness, and at the same time sweeten and purify the air. Every few weeks, the charcoal bags should be taken down and the charcoal heated very hot, and returned to the bags to be re-hung. Do not allow any vegetables or fruits to rot in the cellar; as soon as noticed, such should be removed. The cellar should not be “hermetically sealed,” during the cold months, but should have frequent airings whenever the weather will permit.—The Commoner. IN some of the Western States of America the remarkable crusade against cigarettes which has recently been started has led to the passing of laws which make cigarette smoking a criminal offense, punishable with severe penalties. Clergymen and temperance advocates denounce the use of cigarettes, and proclaim their pernicious effects. Medical men assert that the excessive smoking of cigarettes is wrecking the minds of the young men and boys, and leading to the wholesale committal of crimes. Anti-Cigarette Leagues have been organized in many places, and as the movement is steadily growing, the doom of the “paper pipe” has, it is thought, already been sounded. The tobacco trust is preparing to spend enormous sums to procure the annulment of the anti-cigarette laws, which, it declares, are unconstitutional. The dispute will shortly be taken to the highest courts. The law recently passed in Indiana imposes a penalty on any one who sells, gives away, or has in his possession any cigarettes or cigarette paper, and the penalties are doubled with each infraction of the measure. In some places the authorities have seized large quantities of cigarettes and burned them. Men have been arrested and fined for cigarette smoking while some few offenders have been sent to prison. In Wisconsin a new law imposes fines of from five dollars to five hundred dollars, with an extreme penalty of six months’ imprisonment, for cigarette smoking. Informers receive half the amount of the fines. This may seem rather hard on the tobacco devotee, and may be regarded by him as a restriction of liberty. But when the true nature of this drug, nicotin, is understood, and the injury the human system, and consequently the nation, sustains by its use is realized, it will no longer be regarded in this light. That the tobacco habit or nicotin kills our boys or makes them mentally and morally worthless (which is equally bad or worse), is now acknowledged by the leading educators and civilized countries of the world. Laws have been passed in Canada prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and importation of cigarettes. New Zealand, New South Wales, Japan, and other countries acknowledge the evil by passing laws prohibiting the sale of tobacco to youth. But why forbid the sale and manufacture of cigarettes? Is the cigarette more injurious than the cigar or pipe?—No; the reason why the cigarette is denounced is because it offers such an innocent inducement to the young or to beginners. A second reason is, being milder than the cigar or pipe, the smoke is frequently inhaled, bringing the smoke containing the nicotin in contact with one thousand or more square feet of absorbing surface, instead of one or two square feet, as is the case if only passed in and out of the mouth. It has been found by careful analysis that about forty-nine per cent of the nicotin is found in the smoke exhaled. If inhalation of tobacco smoke is acknowledged to be so injurious, why are men permitted to walk our streets and poison the atmosphere with tobacco smoke? If our water-supply should be poisoned in this way, we would not endure it. Why should we allow men to poison the pure air we are entitled to, without protesting? Tobacco is a more subtle poison than alcohol, and it is more difficult to overcome the smoking habit. It is probably doing as much to ruin men physically, mentally, and morally as alcohol, for the consumer of alcohol directly injures himself only, while the consumer of tobacco compels others to inhale the poison with him. . . . Both are evils that should be controlled by law.—Australasian Good Health. Mother and Child
By George McDonald
My child is lying on my knees;
The signs of heaven she reads;
My face is all the heaven she sees,
Is all the heaven she needs. I also am a child, and I
Am ignorant and weak;
I gaze upon the starry sky,
And then I must not speak; For all behind the starry sky,
Behind the world so broad,
Behind men's hearts and souls, doth
lie
The infinite of God. Lo, Lord, I sit in the wide space,
My child upon my knee,
She looketh up into my face,
And I look up to thee.
— George McDonald. Acting Better Than One Feels
It is not necessary for the one who prides himself on being genuine and seeming just what he is, to act as badly as he feels. The world would be a pretty doleful place if we didn’t frequently act far better than we feel. Here is what President King says about it:— “One may be feeling, at a given time, without courage and far from cheerful. This, at least, he can do: he can take a good long breath, and stiffen his backbone, and put on the appearance of cheer and courage, and so doing he is far more apt to become cheerful and courageous. There are two sorts of selves in you, a lower and a higher. You can be true to your higher self, or you can be true to your lower self. But you are bound to be true to your higher self. And one of the sensible, helpful ways to get the feelings you think you ought to have, is to act in the line of them. It is to no one’s credit to act as badly as he feels. He is rather bound often to act much better than he feels. And so acting, he will be helped to better feeling.”— Selected.