Earlier text: THE TWO-EDGED SWORD:THE CHRISTIAN'S HOME.
By THIRZA M. FOSTER
It gives my soul fresh courage here,
While in this world I roam,
To look by faith to Heaven above,
And view the Christian's home. When I am weary, worn, and sad,
My heart with grief oppressed,
It comforts, cheers, and quickens me,
And gives me peace and rest. When pain and sickness here I feel,
All my poor soul can bear,
There's balm in Gilead for me,
And a Physician there. When earthly friends I fondly prize,
From me become estranged,
That home presents a world of love,
And friends that never change. There God my Father ever reigns
Upon the great white throne.
And when his children cry to him,
He hears their faintest moan. Ten thousand holy angels dwell,
Within those courts above,
Who oft to saints on earth descend,
With messages of love. There Jesus our High Priest has gone,
Who pleads the sinners case
Before the righteous law of God,
In the most holy place. And oh! my soul rejoices now,
To think the time draws nigh,
When God will call his children home,
To dwell with him on high. Shall I the invitation hear?
Will Jesus welcome me?
Shall I go through the gates of pearl,
And eat of life's fair tree? Yes, if I watch, and fight, and pray,
And in God's law delight,
I shall go there, and have a place,
When faith is lost in sight. It is very evident that the Catholics are in earnest to get the control of this country. During the past twenty-five years they have been gaining ground here very rapidly. They now have great power in the political elections, and a large influence in religious matters. Many prominent men in this country are Catholics. No pains are spared to bring the youth under their influence. The abolition of slavery has opened a new and important field to them. The ignorance of the freedmen makes them easy subjects for the shrewdness of the Catholic priesthood. At the late Catholic Congress, held at Malines, where distinguished men made speeches, some noted American prelates were present. Among the rest was Bishop Lynch, of Charleston, S. C., who delivered an address, of which it is said in the Catholic Mirror: “After giving some interesting details concerning the late Council in Baltimore, and the progress of Catholicity in the United States, the Bishop spoke of an enterprise somewhat novel in its character, which owes its origin to the late civil war in America, which was nothing less than the evangelization of the freedmen. Their number was estimated at 4,000,000, which has been reduced by war, famine and other casualties, to 3,500,000. Of this last number the Bishop estimates that 150,000 are Catholics. These last are generally good Catholics, many of them very exemplary. They are a testimony of what the church can do for the blacks. ‘There are negroes and negresses, in religious orders, who are,’ says the Prelate, ‘our consolation and our joy. It is the aim of the church to enlighten and elevate these pariahs of American society.’ It has prepared special catechisms for them, it has enrolled them in confraternities, it has founded new churches for them as in Baltimore, New Orleans, St. Louis, and in Charleston, where her eminent Prelate will open one for them on Christmas day. ‘In the meantime,’ asks the pious and zealous Bishop, ‘can nothing more be done for these poor unfortunates? I ask you this question: How was your Europe civilized? Was it not by the monastic orders? How did the Jesuits found the Reductions of Paraguay, destroyed by your modern philosophy, which preferred a return to savage life to the civilization of the gospel? The moment appears to me opportune. St. Philip commenced a work because he was poor, because he had in his purse but twenty centimes. Well, Messieurs, I am poorer than St. Philip Neri. I have nothing; yet I begin! (Applause.) Alas! I have less than nothing. I have seen my cathedral in ashes, my seminary burned, religious houses, orphanages, asylums ravaged by the bombs and bullets of civil war; have seen the religious seek the forests to live, or rather to die!’ The Prelate, overcome by emotions, in which his auditors participated, paused for awhile, and then proceeded. ‘However, I commence, I put my hand to the work. (Applause.) It is decided, it will be done. (Acclamations.) I have been borne down with grief, my head blanched by sorrow, yet there is enough courage left in me to undertake this work. I propose to buy an island of 600 hectares on the confines of my Diocese, and establish three religious orders, and open there the Benedictine colonies of Paraguay and California. (Applause.) A Protestant minister said of them, ‘the blacks are like a fallow field’ and will belong to whoever can secure them. Well, Messieurs, the negroes will belong to the church. In ten years we will have ten colonies. The Protestants wish to imitate us; they will not succeed, and we will accomplish at last, what is our grand aim, the introduction of multitudes of saints into Heaven.’ ‘We cannot express,’ says the reporter, ‘the enthusiasm with which the Bishop’s speech was greeted.’”—World’s Crisis. SISTER E. MOTT writes: I have been in a state of mind in which it seemed no use for me to make any further effort for salvation. It has seemed to be beyond my reach. Thus I have groped along in midnight darkness, with scarcely a ray of light to pierce the thick clouds that surrounded me, until I read the experience of Brn. Rhodes and Lamoreaux. Since reading of the victory which they have obtained over the strong foe, a little gleam of hope has sprung up in my heart, that the Lord will yet be gracious to one so poor and unworthy as I am. I deeply regret my past wrongs, and earnestly desire to forsake every evil way, and like the prodigal, return to my Father's house once more. I am trying to search my heart by the aid of the Holy Spirit, and my daily prayer is, Lord what wilt thou have me to do? In all my darkness I have never yielded up one point of present truth. The Review has always been a welcome visitor. I believe all the Testimonies to the church, and take pleasure in reading them, and mean to try to heed the solemn warnings therein contained. If any should read these lines whose feelings I have ever injured, I would humbly ask their forgiveness for all that I have said that is wrong. I hope my sad experience will be a warning to all who are suffering affliction and trial, and lead them instead of yielding to the tempter, to cast their burden upon the Lord and he will sustain them. All these struggles will only make rest the sweeter if we are so happy as to be found among the redeemed when Jesus shall come. SISTER J. M. REYNOLDS writes from St. Joseph Co., Mich.: It is nearly a year since I began to look for the weekly visits of the Review, as one looks for the coming of a dear friend. I think the people who sustain it the nearest to the Bible in doctrine of any I am acquainted with. I have long been a believer in the doctrine that the Saviour, in like manner as he ascended, would, at the appointed time, descend from Heaven to take his weary children home. I have been striving for more than forty years to so purify my soul by obeying the truth that I shall not be left behind. “Have fought through many a battle sore,
And ready stand to fight through more.” Through a marvelous train of events, I had the privilege of associating with a little handful of this people in the town of Greenbush in this State, and truly feel to thank God and take courage. My strength increases and my path grows brighter. I then embraced the Sabbath, and have kept it the best I could since that time. I am a lone one, and have attended meeting with this people but once since I left Greenbush. Am indebted to a dear sister of that place for the many rich feasts I have had in reading the Review, which is all the publication I have. I am watching with deep anxiety the progress of the cause among you, and feel that it is truly time to gird on the whole armor. The lions are roaring on every side; but, praise the King of kings, their chains have their length, and while we are in the way, there is no danger. More than forty years' experience has taught me that it is safe “to trust in the Lord and mind his word;” a lesson I learned at my mother's side nearly sixty years ago. It is wise and good counsel now. Would that people would heed it, instead of following cunningly devised fables. How is it? Do we who profess to follow Christ strive daily to put off the old man with his deeds? Do we seek to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts? How many Abrahams are there among us? The Lord in mercy grant an increase of the light of his Holy Spirit, that we may see ourselves as we are seen, and enable us to work while the day lasts. Deny thyself, is the first injunction of the Saviour; and everything of which God would have us deny ourselves (though seemingly hard), is but exchanging dross for the purest gold. Take every idol, O our Father. May we purify our souls and bodies, that we may become fit temples for the Holy Spirit. SISTER S. J. McFERREN writes from Richland Co., Ohio: I love the true Sabbath of the Lord, and hail with delight its weekly return. Its holy hours of peaceful rest bring strength to heart and life. Most highly do I prize the sermons that come to me each week through the Review. They are precious to me because we are left without a minister here. I have been trying to serve the Lord since 1844. At that time I was blessed under the sound of the first angel's message. But from that time to this, have been deprived of meeting with any of like precious faith. I am trying to be a possessor, and not a professor only, and not like the unworthy servant, saying, “My Lord delayeth his coming,” and thinking there is no danger of indulging a little longer in some sinful lust of the appetite, or some other evil, and so come short of the blessed promises that the Lord has given to them that are faithful. I have been trying to live out the health reform as far as I can understand it. I have often been made to rejoice while reading the letters from the lonely ones, setting forth their determinations to serve the Lord. I would say to them, Be not weary in well doing. God has promised to be with all them that love him. There are a few of us here who are trying to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus; and we would humbly ask of all who have access to the throne of grace, to pray for us, that we may grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord, and be prepared to meet you all on Mount Zion. SISTER M. A. SCRIPTER writes from Water Valley: For more than a year I have been striving to keep the Sabbath of the Lord our God, and I am not weary, but delight in his law, although surrounded by the trials and temptations of life. “But though affliction be our lot,
Our hearts with anguish riven,
Still never let it be forgot
There are no tears in Heaven.”
I believe the Lord is on the giving hand, and willing to hear even me. The Review comes weekly laden with precious truths. It is sent to me free, for which I am very thankful. SISTER E. M. WOOD writes from Johnson Co., Iowa: I am thankful that we have this privilege of speaking often one to another through the columns of the Review. We, a little church in Iowa City, are striving to live out the truth and the health reform. It is doing a good work in my family. I praise God for his goodness. It is my determination still to walk in all the light. Though the way be narrow, if we are willing to be led by the Spirit, we need not fear. The Lord’s arm is strong, and he will give us grace and strength. BRO. S. W. RANDALL writes from Haverhill, Mass.: I wish to express my thankfulness through the Review, in union with the remnant of God's people, for the Testimony through sister White; that he has not ceased to care for his people by giving us instruction, that we may know our own hearts, and learn to purify them by strict obedience to that testimony. They tend to the purifying of God's people, that Jesus may present them blameless before the Father and the holy angels. I would also express my thanks for the health reform. I think it a great help in the purifying process; and if there was ever any one needing it more than another it was myself. I often have fear of coming short, but I am determined to strive to be an overcomer. Is it possible to be cleansed so that there will be neither spot, nor wrinkle, nor any such thing? Oh! for the tried gold, and a meek and quiet spirit. TEMPTATION.—High places are dangerous places, “Those that stand high are concerned to stand fast.”—Henry. THE COMING REVOLUTION IN ENGLAND.
That Great Britain is gradually tending to a social and political revolution is assured by countless indications. The English people are very conservative, and this peculiarity belongs also to the Scotch and the Welsh. The Irish are the extremists, and are the impracticables. The Reform bill of thirty-five years ago arrested the growth of that revolutionary spirit—which in 1867 refused to be appeased by an additional but partial reform in the suffrage. In that thirty-five years liberal ideas have made wonderful progress in Europe. Germany has been emancipated; the millions who have been broken up into small fragments, and ruled by hosts of petty tyrants, are now uniting under one government, and that one founded upon the unity, freedom, and intelligence of the people. The hand of reform has fallen crushingly upon the despotism of Austria. Despised Hungary is now the priceless jewel in the crown of the Emperor. Concordats have lost their value; religious liberty has been established; Church and State have separated; and the popular Legislature has become the law-making power of the empire. It is but natural to suppose that this progress, which has been so universal, should have had some effect even upon the staid, if not sluggish, mind of the British people. Two years ago the House of Commons rejected a bill granting an extension of the suffrage; but within a year the House of Commons has been compelled by an unmistakable demonstration of popular feeling to enact a bill far more liberal than that which was rejected the year before. But the reform has been delayed too long to be accepted as a favor. The people who had waited thirty-five years for the privilege of voting, refuse to regard that as a favor, which is conceded with conditions and restrictions of the most objectionable character. In discussing the popular tumult and the uneasiness in England occasioned by the Fenian excesses, and the popular policy of the government in relation to the suppression of sedition, the Saturday Review, an extreme Tory organ, has the frankness to say: “The Irish are not the only discontented portion of our community, nor is discontent confined to the lowest class in either kingdom. There is another class far above this—a class of men not wealthy nor yet very poor, with the education, the tastes and the habits of the highest ranks, a class containing some able and many disappointed men, a class which is equally offended by the presumed insolence of the aristocrat and the vulgar pretensions of the rich parvenu, a class which does not sympathize with the ‘citizen-brothers’ of the friends of the people, but which, on an emergency, would gladly use, and be used by them. From this would come, in a critical time, the leaders of the popular insurrection; men with tongues and pens capable of kindling the passions of a people, even if they were incapable of calming them. These men are quiet or active according to the vigor or weakness of the government. They love comfort and safety too well to throw their lot in with a doomed cause. But their discontent, disaffection, and ambition might make them, for a time, powerful leaders against a vacillating and blundering government.” The Saturday Review applauds the policy which has been adopted by the government, of arresting, indicting and punishing men for the expression of opinions. That is the very way to swell the ranks of the discontented people of England. The discontents embrace all those Englishmen to whom political standing is denied; they embrace the thousands of artisans who are bereft of the privilege of voting because of the want of a few pennies in their annual rates. It embraces all those men who, having votes, whether workmen or tenants, have to vote openly and not by ballot, and whose representation in Parliament bears no adequate proportion to their numerical strength in the aggregate of population. It embraces every Englishman, rich or poor, who finds that every day the soil of England is passing into the hands of a narrowing circle, and that soon there will be but very few Englishmen who can say that they have any pecuniary interest in the land of the kingdom. The separation of the people from the ownership of the soil, is of all things, the most certain to produce discontent. To tell the people that they shall never own the land upon which they are to toil, and from which they are to earn their bread, is to condemn them to lives of hopeless labor without one relieving thought. These people in all parts of the United Kingdom may be set down as willing to avail themselves of any revolutionary proceeding that may take place; they may not all take part in popular tumults, nor in disorderly proceedings, but their sympathy, their feelings, hopes, desires and interests are all enlisted in the overthrow of that ministry which obstinately stands still and refuses to recognize the happiness and freedom of the people as the objects of all true government.—Chicago Tribune. BRO. J. DEMING, Jr., writes from Kickapoo, Wis.: I take the privilege of writing a few lines to let you know that we are trying to live out the truth in this dark corner. We are truly among the lonely ones. We have had no preaching here, since L. G. Bostwick was here, but his influence is wearing away, and there are some inquiring after truth. Oh! how it becomes those that are trying to live Christians to put forth all their energies to live it out before the world; for practice is the strongest preaching. My prayer is that there may be more holy preachers, who will live out these truths that others may see our good works and thus glorify God in their bodies and spirits which are his. I wish so to live that I may be found among the faithful when Jesus comes to call his children home. Oh! blessed thought, that one day we shall be set free from the effects of sin. I want to be there where we shall see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Shall I be there? should be the question that each should ask himself. At this time, when so many are beginning with the year to read the Bible through, we take pleasure in laying before them the following “rules,” sent us for the Review by D. F. Newton, author of Shining Light, &c. We believe that much benefit will be derived from a practical application of them. I. For the improvement of the understanding. Rule 1. Begin your Bible-reading with prayer for the divine instruction. 2. Attend carefully to the narrative. 4. Note every prediction and promise, together with times and institutions, both civil and religious. 5. Attend to the types of Jesus Christ. 6. Attend to the characters and conduct of the principal persons, and consider their excellences and defects. 7. Consider the practical uses to which the different texts may be applied. 8. Observe God’s faithfulness in keeping his promises and in fulfilling his prophecies. 9. Render thanks to God for the light you receive, and ask his blessing to attend the endeavors you are making to become wise. II. For the improvement of the heart. Rule 1. Read the Bible in the spirit of constant prayer. 2. Believe what you read. 3. Cherish a humble desire to learn and know the truth, and that you may feel its power and sanctifying influence. 4. Read a little, frequently, and meditate on what you read. 5. Receive the whole Bible as God’s instruction for the salvation of your soul. 6. Read the whole Bible in connection, and compare one part with another, so as to know the whole truth, and its saving application. 7. Use such helps as you have, to ascertain its literal meaning. 8. Observe the testimony of the whole Bible to Jesus Christ. 9. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. THE BIBLE ITS OWN INTERPRETER.
A careful, candid comparison of parallel passages of Scripture will remove a number of infidel objections. Worthy of all attention is the remark of Bishop Horsley: “It were to be wished that no Bibles were printed without references. Particular diligence should be used in comparing the parallel texts of the Old and New Testaments. It is incredible to any one who has not made the experiment, what a proficiency may be made in that knowledge which maketh wise unto salvation, by studying the Scriptures in this manner, without any other commentary or exposition than what the different parts of the sacred volume mutually furnish for each other. Let the most illiterate Christian study them in this manner, and let him never cease to pray for the illumination of that Spirit by which these books were dictated; and the whole compass of abstruse philosophy, and recondite history, shall furnish no argument with which the perverse will of man shall be able to shake the learned Christian’s faith.” “Upon this life’s uneven way,
As we are swiftly driven,
It sheds a bright, celestial ray,
It points to an eternal day,
And bids us strive for Heaven.”
THE YOUTH'S INSTRUCTOR.
By G. W. AMADON
ACCORDING to previous notices, both in the Review and Instructor, our Secretary has now cut off all subscribers on the Instructor who have not paid up to the beginning of the present Volume,—i. e., to Jan. 1, 1868. In all, some over 800 names have been discontinued. We are very sorry to part company with so many readers, whom perhaps we might assist in the rugged road to Mt. Zion; but could it be expected, after the repeated notices that the “advance-pay system” would be adopted in all cases, that we should continue to send the Instructor to those persons who did not have interest enough to even drop us a line and say whether they wanted it or not? Of course we do not wish to send the Instructor to those who don’t want it. But we would not for twice the subscription price discontinue it to any person who should receive it, and wants it. In the January Number we stated as follows:
“We will send the Instructor FREE to ALL who are NOT ABLE TO PAY, and at HALF PRICE to those WHO ORDER FOR THEIR FRIENDS.” This certainly throws all the responsibility on our patrons, whether they will take the paper or not; and as we remarked in the January Instructor, so we now repeat again, “We do not wish to part company with one of our readers.” At present, our actual subscription list is some less than 2000 subscribers. Think of this, in connection with the fact that this people probably numbers about twenty thousand! Is there not evidently a lack somewhere? and where is it? and how shall this lack be remedied? We propose that all good Seventh-day Adventists take hold of this matter with a zeal which is worthy of so good a cause. 1. Let the elder of every church, or community of Sabbath-keepers, see that the Instructor is circulated as it should be. If there are poor persons that should have it, let the church assume the responsibility of having it sent to those persons free, at half-price, or as is thought best,—only be sure and have it sent. 2. Let all those who would esteem it a privilege to do something in so good a work, and are able, send the Instructor to their unbelieving friends, and others. To such it will be sent for 25 cents a year. This, considering the quality of the paper used, and the smallness of the type (small type costs much more than coarse type), and the fact that most of the articles are original, makes the paper well worth that price. We are very much in earnest about the Instructor. Something more must be done. It is not flourishing as it should. Is the fault in the editor, or in the people? or both? If it is in the editor, let him see it, and if he can’t do better, let a new one be chosen as soon as possible; but if the fault is in the people, certainly they should be stirred on the point, and made to understand what their duty is. Let us all look to this matter at once, friends, and see what is required of us. God bless the youth and children, and may it be in all our hearts to feed Jesus’ lambs. Who will set about this work at once? G. W. AMADON. P. S. There is one most valuable feature of the Instructor which should not be overlooked, and that is the S. S. lessons for small children, in each number. This will make it especially serviceable to the faithful S. S. teacher. G. W. A. MEETING AT WEST ENOSBURGH, VT.
By A. C. BOURDEAU
A word about our meeting held in this place last Sabbath, the 11th inst., I think, will not be out of place. The expectations that we had entertained about having a good time, were fully met. The brethren, as usual, were quite punctual in coming to the house of worship in good season for the meeting. Several of the neighbors and friends also attended. In the morning, I spoke one hour and a quarter on a subject as indicated by the following words: “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment.” Gen. xviii, 19.93 My brother followed about thirty minutes on the same subject with affecting and stirring remarks to parents and children. Then we invited the young and others who expected to be baptized that day to speak, and several cheering testimonies were given, which affected even some of those without that were present. In the afternoon we went down to the branch, near Bro. A. A. Cross' house, where eighteen were buried in baptism. Here I experienced for the first time the convenience of wearing a rubber baptizing suit in administering this ordinance. Thirteen of those who were baptized became members of the Enosburgh church, making in all twenty accessions to this church during the past three weeks. We shall spend next Sabbath with the church in this place, after which my brother and myself intend to spend a short time in visiting our old friends at the Grand Ligne Mission in Canada East, and a few families of French Sabbath-keepers in Northern New York. West Enosburgh, Vt., Jan. 14, 1868. THANKFUL FOR LIGHT.
By L. L. Howard
Bro. L. L. Howard writes from Dartmouth, Mass., Jan. 6, 1868: As I am unaccustomed to writing for the press, I have thought I might be excused from that task; but after passing through an experience of some weeks in company with Bro. and Sr. White, I may be permitted to say that I feel sincerely thankful that God in his providence sent them to Maine. I know it has removed a great amount of prejudice from the minds of many, and I trust placed the cause on a footing where it will prosper. In regard to myself I can say that the experience of the few weeks past has wonderfully relieved my mind, so that I can heartily support the cause of present truth on points where before there were lingering doubts remaining. I see now more clearly than ever before the necessity of the Testimonies in connection with the third angel's message; and I can say, Thank God, for giving us light to guide us in this hour of great peril. Since Bro. and Sr. White, and Bro. Andrews left Maine and New Hampshire, the work is still onward. Some new ones are coming in, and brethren and sisters are making haste to get ready for the day of trouble which is at hand. THE UNITED STATES TAKING THE LEAD.
In literary enterprises, as well as in many other particulars, the United States, it seems is now leading the world. Mr. G. W. Child, proprietor of the “Public Ledger,” Philadelphia, has just erected a magnificent building in which to carry on the publication of that journal, which is said to be “the most extensive and complete newspaper establishment in Europe or America.” We learn from the last N. Y. Independent that the millennium is about here, the year 1868 opening as a most brilliant precursor thereof. A “reverend” contributor to its pages says:— The year 1868 rises more brilliant with the light of heaven than any of its predecessors. It may be presumptuous to name it the morning star, or to believe that it is the immediate precursor of the day when the “earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord.” But that its splendor is more full orbed than that of any of the years now mounting to the zenith of their yet accumulating influence, or of those which are sinking to the horizon of the forgotten past, will hardly be questioned. CENTURIES are required to build up an empire; an hour is enough to reduce it to dust. Were these literal days of twenty-four hours each, or long periods of time as Geologists guess? Biblical commentators are pretty generally agreed that they were literal days. The following authorities on this point, are quoted by N. V. Hull in a late Sabbath Recorder: J. G. Murphy, D. D., T. C. D., in his Commentary on Genesis, published the present year, on page 44, says, “The days of the creation were natural days of twenty-four hours each. We may not depart from the ordinary meaning of the word without a sufficient warrant, either in the text of Scripture or in the laws of nature. But we have not yet found any such warrant. Only necessity can force us to such an expedient. Scripture, on the other hand, warrants us in retaining the common meaning, by yielding no hint of another, and by introducing ‘evening, night, morning, day,’ as its ordinary divisions. Nature favors the same interpretation. All geological changes are, of course, subsequent to the great event recorded in the first verse, which is the beginning of things. All such changes, except the one recorded in the six days of creation, are, with equal certainty, antecedent to the state of things described in the second verse. Hence no lengthened period for this last creative interposition.” Knapp, in his “Christian Theology,” page 177, speaking of the six days of creation, says, “By days, Moses appears to have meant common days of twenty-four hours.” The Comprehensive Commentary, Baptist edition, page 19, in the body of the work, says on verse 5, “This was the first day’s work; the evening and the morning were the first day, not only of the world, but of the week.” In a note at the bottom of the page, Poole says, “It is acknowledged that the evening and the morning are not to be understood according to our common usage, but are put by a synecdoche, each of them for one whole part of the natural day.” Such, also, are the views maintained by Edward Hitchcock, D. D., LL. D., in his “Religion of Geology.” On page 61, he says, “It supposes the six day’s work of creation to have been confined entirely to the fitting up of the world in its present condition, and furnishing it with its present inhabitants.” Dr. J. Pye Smith holds essentially the same views. John Harris, D. D., holds the same opinion, and says, “Now, that the originating act, described in the first verse, was not meant to be included in the account of the six Adamic days, is evident from the following considerations:” &c. (Preadamite Earth, page 280.) —The receipts of the New York theaters for the last year far exceed those of London or Paris. Twenty-two establishments in New York and its suburb, Brooklyn, return over three million dollars as their receipts. Niblo’s seems to have made, from a single spectacle, double the amount of money of any of the other theaters—a striking comment on the state of the drama at the present day. Wallack’s and the Olympic come next in order of receipts, and the circus follows close on their totals. The fall and winter season, despite the stagnation of business, exhibits an increase of patronage in the majority of the theaters. The Condition of Italy.—Italy, for the present, has abandoned the notion of going to Rome. It has answered the “Never” of the French Minister by a renewal of the solemn declaration that Rome is her natural capital, and has wisely acknowledged the necessity of the situation by supporting a Ministry whose principle seems to be patience and good government now, and hope for the future. The nation could hardly be more rudely awakened from its dream than by the budget laid before the Italian Chambers for 1868. The contents of this important paper, of which the cable gives a summary, are uncongenial facts for a nation of artists. The people of Italy are called upon to consider the very serious question of national bankruptcy. They are informed that to meet the liabilities and expenditures of the ensuing year, it will be necessary to impose new taxes to the amount of 190,000,000 liras (about $38,000,000) and to authorize a new loan of 400,000,000 liras, $80,000,000. The Italian deficit for the current year is thus more than a hundred million dollars, and the amount of indebtedness for the past six years amounts to 390 millions of dollars. Italy Recognizes the Mexican Republic.—FLORENCE, January 14. Italy is the first of the European powers to recognize the restoration of the Mexican republic by diplomatic appointment. Senor Sosa Vasso, now Colonel General at Belgrade, has been appointed Minister to the Republic of Mexico, and will leave at an early day for the Mexican capital. New Treaty.—VIENNA, January 14. The Dabatta, a journal of a semi-official character, asserts that negotiations between France and Italy for a new treaty in regard to Rome, to displace the September convention, have been rapidly progressing and are now nearly concluded. France and Italy.—The complications in the relations of Italy and France, in regard to the Roman question, seem to be rapidly approaching a crisis. The Italian Ministry has been defeated in the popular branch of the Legislature, by a much smaller majority, it is true, than we had expected to see—only two votes; but the cabinet has thereupon resigned, and it is believed that Ratazzi will again be called to the head of the ministry, which he will organize on a basis of hostility to France. We expressed the belief, a few days since, that in case the contingency which has now occurred should arise—the resignation of the present Italian cabinet—it would be difficult to preserve the peaceful relations between France and Italy. The Italian Parliament is unmistakably controlled by the party of action, and has already refused to fulfill the national agreement to pay the interest upon the debt of the provinces formerly belonging to the States of the Church, which Italy had assumed when she annexed these provinces. It is evident that the Italian people are resolved not to be longer bound by the provisions of the September Convention, and that the Parliament, in obedience to the popular demand, is even determined to risk a war with France in the attempt to regain the possession of Rome. It is asserted, with what truth remains to be seen, that the Emperor Napoleon and King Victor Emanuel have already commenced negotiations for the abrogation of the September treaty. It will be well if this can be peacefully accomplished, for Victor Emanuel is plainly powerless to maintain his portion of the obligation. Unless this peaceful settlement can be arrived at, the Convention will, no doubt, be washed out in war. The other European powers, to whom it is proposed to submit the matter for final approval, will not be likely to cavil at any basis of settlement which shall be agreed upon by these parties most interested, for Italy will be content with nothing short of the repossession of Rome, which is rightfully the capital of Italy, and the suppression of the Pope’s temporal sovereignty. We do not see how any agreement can be made between France and Italy which does not involve this result as the final conclusion of the controversy. Less than this will not satisfy the Italian people, and Napoleon can afford to concede so much. In the meantime, matters in the peninsula are assuming a decidedly bellicose appearance; and the Pope’s allocution, congratulating his adherents upon the defeat of Garibaldi, and the preservation of the Holy See from great danger, may be, after all, premature.—Chicago Republican. THE employees of the Pacific Mill, at Lawrence, (Mass.) have received notice that after the 15th inst. a reduction of fifteen per cent. will be made in their wages. A reduction was made some time since in the wages paid at the iron rolling mills, and accepted, as the hands were convinced that it would be better to keep the mills in operation, and thus secure employment, than to refuse a reduction of wages, and thus oblige the mills to close. The step taken by the Pacific Mill will be followed by others, and indeed a general movement on the part of manufacturers, in the present depressed condition of the market, is inevitable. Some of the manufacturing corporations which paid a dividend the present month, drew upon their surplus funds, and it would be better for the interests of stockholders if the mills were to close until trade revives. From the Troy (N. Y.) Times. No one can form any idea of the number of persons that seek work daily and cannot secure it. Hundreds are out of employment in this city, and merchants and others who employ help are looking to a reduction of salaries. Provisions generally are rising in price, while a reduction is taking place in the price of clothing. The New York World continues to give statistics of the number of workingmen out of employment. It recently stated that 50,000 wanted work in New York city, and 10,000 in Brooklyn, and now says that the depression in New England throws out of work at least 160,000 people—10,000 in Maine, 20,000 in New Hampshire, 30,000 in Connecticut and Rhode Island, and 100,000 in Massachusetts.