"IREAT1NS A SINNER" Su-aday Discourse by Dr. Chapman, the Noted Evangelist. 8; tells ef lbs World's Treatment, tlx Law's Treatment and the Savloar's Treatmeat at the Errlaf . Htr York Citt. The distinguished evangelist, the Itev. Dr. J. Wilbur Chap man, hai prepared the following icrmon for the press. Jt it entitled "Three Wsya e( Treating a Sinner," and was preached from the text: "Neither do I rondemn thee; go, and tin no more." John 8: 11. There ia something exceedingly pathetic In the beginning of thia chapter where we read Jeans went unto the Mount of Olives. I know the critics aay that thia atory dora not belong to the New Testament, but did you ever eee n better representation of Christ, first, in Hia 'going out to the Mount of Olives aa He waa accustomed to, secondly, in Ilia riaing early in the morn ing that lie might come again in touch with the great throbbing mass of people so much in need of Hia service. Thirdly, in His sitting down and teaching, ahowing that He spo'.e with authority. Fourth, in the scorn with which He treated the Phar isees aa they condemned thia poor, unfor tunate woman, when He said, "He thai ia without sin among you let him first cast a stone at her," and finally in Hia tender treatment of the sinner herself when He said, "Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more." Thia ia all very like Him, and somehow I cannot get it out of my mind that it belongs just where we have ever found it, and that anything which has so genuine n ring ua this must liars been given to us by inspiration of Uod, But the pathos of the first verse cornea to us when we connect it with the lout verse of the 7th chapter of John, "And every nun went unto his own house." Jesui went unto tint Mount of Olives. They all had lionies. His commonest accuser had a home. The people that helped Him all had lodging somewhere, but the Son of Man had not where to lay His head. He was rich, but for our sakes He became poor, a honielet-s wanderer, although the cattle on a thousand hills were Hia and the very vorld in which He lived hail been only, as it were, His footstool. It ia really touch ing to sco Him going to the Mount of Olives. It may be that He went to lodge with a friend, possibly to sleep out in the open air, with only the blue aky above Him; perhaps He went to pray, for again and again do we find Him in communion with His Cntlicr on this mountain side, and lie mav have gone just to wait upon (!od that Hi? might hive some new message from heaven or that some new direction tnihl be Riven to Ilia life of self-sacrifice. He was always going in the direction of this mountain, nnd it in for this reason that Christian travelers always arc ever delighted to do the same thing, but at thia particular time lie was up early in the morning. What, n worker He was. Tha most tireless servant the world has ever seen waa our Master. h?ainning in His childhood when He said. "Wist ye not that I must be about Mv Father's business." going out in His ministry when He de clares, "I must, work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day, .'r the night comcth when no man can work," saying at He said on the well curb. "My meat is tn do the will of Him that sent Me." and then stepping into n boat and pushing oft from the shore when the crowd ia too great to make His ministry helpful, thus using the boat for II is pulpit. Uy day and by night He toiled, in heat or in cold He la bored, with the multitudes following Him shouting hosanna, nnd the mob close tracking after Ilim. let Him be crucified He did nothing but work. What a joy it was to Him to say aa He came up to the cross, "I have finished the work Thou gavest M to. do." How few men can say it. Most men feel as if they were but at. the beginning of their life's journey when thev stop it, and say with regret, if I could but live my life over again I would do something worthy nf note, but Jesus linif'icd Hia work. I like to picture Him riling in the Mount of Olives. The seeno must have been most beautiful. There is the city of the king lying at Ilia very feet, the citv He loved with passionate devo tion. That valley yonder ia the Kidron, between Ilim and Jci-itsa'em. and that stretch of hills in the distance with the pe culiar haze of the Holy Land upon them, looking more like a siring of jcweN then anything else, are the Mountains of Mnhab. Looking oh' in the direction in which Jesus must have ever turned His eyes, that glis tening light in the distance conies from the Dead .Sea. but He cares not fo:- beautiful scenery, although He was in love with all nature. He taught all di'v yesterday nnd He must tnch to-day, so down the mount ain side Ho goes, pat the garden where later lie is to suae:-. o"er the Kidron. in through the gates and Ho is at the temple and takts His with Ihe people throng inn about Him. The dav'a work is begun. I shall never take thia story out of mv Bible, and if others remove it T shall keen it ever in my heart till I ce Him. I find in it three ways of treating a sinner. , First, the world's way, which is cruel in the extreme. Second, the taw's way. which is as re lentless as death. Third, the Haviour'a treatment, which presents to us a sublimer picture than any thing the world lias ever seen. I. The world's treatment of a sinner. "And early in the morniug He came again into the temple, and all the people came unto Him, and He sat down and taught them. And th Scribes and l'hariseea Drought unto Him a woman taken in adultery, and wli;ii they had set her in tho midst they say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act." Verses 2-4. Sin is an awful thing. You do not need to 'tarn to the Bible to understand this; rend tho daily newspapers, keep your eyes and ears open as you walk the streets of tho city; but still you may read it in this account, which is almost 2tHX' years old. It is a woman the molt lint taken and hurried into the presence of the Master. You can understand how a man could sin, but not a woman, yet if out hearts were known how many of us. with out respect to sex, would stand con demned iu the presence of Him who hut said that anger ia murder and an evil im agination ia sin. The other day iu a place of sinful resort man suddenly stood up and rapping on the table with a revolver said, "Hear me," and when other men with frightened fnce would have left the room he commanded them to stop and said. "I used to have a nappy home, a wife and children; now look at me, a horrible wreck, my family gone, ny situation taken from me, my friend Have 4,-saken me," and before thev could 'p him he had sent bis soul into the Presence of his maker. Thia etorv of man ia of common occurrence, but t know almost identically the same wretched storv concerning a woman. Satan has no respect uJ ?' 8'nc women seem to fall from greater heights than men, somehow, alus, iiiey seem to go to greater depths. I suppose w" 1 ci u fa" because we come to n. i h '"' Yo" nvoid tl,e noU8B ' it i ' ' cn'g10" disease upon J,, i )et yu n scarcely read a news rf.Ver ,but you will see tho awful de tail ot some heartbreaking scene, and be ll ou "" 't you are as familiar with Iu" c,rcumtance as if you bad lived in d7nyo,JTlf' nd y" l'lC8 yourself in of i oj b,'m" inoculated with the virus seen u" S'seuse than the world has ever allour we fail all of us because w with A0"!8 'n to '" i" "' hearts, and mi. irV.! .7V11 influence which may bo so our d"l,bU at " 1U our eves to to overS"' and Muses us to be indifferent old i7 ,nfl nmde to us. When the down . V" ,B"l" Common was cut at it. itttt1tli,ei1, bullet was found almost iouid" "J men estimated as they V'w4 "' to enter our hearts in tho siita i ?ur youtn which have pursuud us won.- d ttBa anJ c"ed our wreck. If "mre not escml)t 1,om m Gu(1 P" J"' '!'' mob that hurried this poor Cause i ,,--",l""jr ui men. a Know iv Sllwl V!-the eveth chanter I read they thev ,i i'm 1,e-iver, wliile in the eighth i- T ""'"sea mm as Master and Teacn- IB tile Sixth .r.. nf II... ..,1.1!. .h,n. r ' so read that they brought thil i . I , 1 'lamg nun. lor mey wantei o catch Hni, .... -..I.... .. h. ...... . Points. fi.-.., U TI. . J If . , 1 tli... Vl ' accepieu muses law .' ! '"'..would turn the Komnu citiueiu He"Trmitor pat TlnotlfeT' to' aeallt-if freT pudisted the law of Moses the Jewish pop ulace would have been Hia enemies, hul nevertheless it ia a true picture of Shi world. Have nothing to do with it, there fore; as you love your own souls, bewari of it. It baa slain its thousands and teni of thousands. What ruined Lot's wife' the world; what ruined Arhan until lie de feated the whole camp of Israel? the world; what ruined Judas until he sol bis very soul for greed of wealth? tin world; what has ruined ten thousand souh that are to-day shut away from tlod ant hope, this same old world, "And what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole work' end lose hia own soul. First, the world is critical. Tt will fine every flaw that exists in your nature; im perfections to which rour loved ones would ne blind, and which you yourself were hardly aware of will be pointed out anc" vulgarly displayed. eecond, it is merciless, it has positive!! no excuse for the man that fails, and whili never offering to help him over his difhcul ties when the tide is sgainst him it laughi at his despair and mocks at his hopeless ness. Third, it is heartless. There is no for giveness in the world. There may be sonv time a disposition to overlook hut not t. forgive, and this sort of forgiveness ha; nothing in it of a helpful nature to poo, lost, sinning humanity. You who belont tn the world, may I say to you in all se riousness, don't cast a stone at a mat that is a sinner for the reason that vol are, or have been, or may be, just what yot condemn in others. ro one of us excep' we are linked to the Son of God by fnitl and walking heartily in fellowship witl Him may hope to escniio from the awfn grip of Satan. Don't be unforgiving. Hi that cannot forgive others breaks down tin bridge over which he must pass himself and he who is unwilling to fornivo othen makes it impossible for Uod to forgive him but thank Unit we are not shut m to tin world. There is an open floor before us t that which is mlinitelv better than any thing the world has ever seen. II. The law's treatment. "Now, Moses It the law commanded us that such should bi stoned, but what sayest Thou?" Verse fi this statement is Dertecllv true, that is tin law. It was written by Moses and writtet to mm nt Uou. there are only two torcei in operation to-day in the moral world law and grace. Through one or the othei of these forces wo have submitted our selves and by one or the other we must hope to atnnd before Ood. By the way o' the law the case would seem to be hope less. One act of sin is sufficient to inctu the penalty of death. It is always so witl law; if a man takes one false step in thi mountains he lands himself at the bottoir of the abyss; there is no mercy shown b; the law. Dr. Parkhurst gives the descrip lion of his climbing the mountains ii Switzerland with a rope around his waist held hv two guides, one leading and tin other following after him, when he stooc upon a little piece of rock not two inchei In oi l and looked down into the ilentli which measures 300(1 feet. If he had bro Iteii the law of gravitation and stepped oil1 trom the narrow ledize nothing could havi saved him from a horiihle deatii. We car unite understand this in nature: the sanii tiling applies in morals. If you tin against your health you suffer. Law is a shrewc detective, and is ever on the watch. Ont wheel broken in the machinery' and t In whole is inefficient ; one piece of a rail dis nlaced means fearful disaster. Just mil transgression of one law of (fod the pen iltv must be paid. "He that offends in oik point is guilty of all," the Scriptures tie ;!nre, which simply means that the least ifl'unsc of the law means a breaking away from God. I repeat my statement that there are but two forces in operation to lay in the moral world. law and grace. Ii vou have rejected Christ then your only hope is in the law, and I should think 5very man here must see that t hat is hope less. First, you must suffer, for every bro lien law means a penalty to pav, and every transgression of God's plan brings down .tpon you a burden you cannot well bear. Second, you will be found ont. No man lias sufficient inpenuity to cover up bis sin, nnd no grave has yet ever been deep nough to save th sinner from the search im; eye of Uod. He sure your sin will find you out. A truer text w never written. Third you must die. The wages of ain it leath. I beg you. therefore, thnt vou will not allow yourself to be controlled by th taw. It is 1'ke the world, merciless nnd heartless, and presents to you an opportu nity of cscapt from sin. but, thank God. von are not shut un to it.- There is a way opening up which leads to heaven ahininq brighter and brighter until Hie perfect day. To this w ay I now commend you. III. Christ's treatment of n ainner. "Dili Jesus stooped down and with llis finRCt wroto on tne ground, as though H" heart' them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up Himself and said untc them. He that ia without sin among yot let h': n first cast a stone at her. And aguir He stooped down and wrote on the ground And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one b one, beginning nt the eldest even unto th last, and Jesus was left alone unit the worn an standing in the midst. When Jesus hue lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman. He said unto her. Woman, whert nre tlitme thine accusers? Huth no mac condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I con demu thee; go, and sin no more." From verse 8 to 11. You have a great picture presented to you in this story. First, the angry crowd. Second, the infinite Saviour. If T wers an artist I should paint it, and yet un man could ever paint tho picture of Christ. 1 know of one who attempted it and then de termined that he would never paint again, because after working upon the face ot Christ no other face could be worthy of bis skill. I doubt if any man could paint the trembling woman, her face now flushed and now pule, trembling iu every part of her body, and yet you can see it all as you stop and think. I know why He was so merci ful. Yon say it was because He was di vine, and that is true without saying it, but it seems to me He must have been es pecially merciful because of tha night He had spnt at the Mount of Olives. X am perfectly sure that that man who praye much with Christ is ever charitable in his treatment of those who have gone astray. Mrs. Whittemore's treatment of Bluebird: the poor fallen girl, who becomes the mis sionary to tho outcast; Jerry McAuley'f arm about S. II. lladley and his prayer, which reveal to the poor sinful man that Jerry McAuley knew Christ, are but illus trations of the spirit of which I speak. The man who has the spirit of Christ is ever gentle with tha erring, and up and down the streets of our cities men go in multitudes longing for just one word of sympathy. Said a young business man to me litis week: "I have been four years in New York, most of the time with a heavy heart. No one has ever spoken to me of Christ, nor invited me to the church, nor asked ii he could bo my friend, and I have never craved money from any one, for I have not needed it, but my heart has been hungry for sympathy and the touch of a brother s band," So you notice tha manner of Jesus. First, "He stooped down and wrote in tli-Hiial " Some one has said that Ho did it just because His mind was occupied with thinking what He should do with the siuner. and it was much tho same spirit as you would have if you would scribbla upon a pieco of paper wliile your mind was tak ing in some we.'ghty problem. Soce one else h . suggested that in the purity ot His nature, standing in the presence fit the woman of sin, He stooped down to write because He would bide the Hushing o' His own face. That dust that was then at His feet is gone forevjr; only Uod Himself could bring it back, and yet it by miracle coulrt tiring it back, and yet u ny mii-ncit H hnnlil hi-inw it before us to-uiaht 1 be lieve 1 know what would bs written there on, "Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more." And I am glad that Ve are not shut up to the sand for a record of that truth. It is written iu this book. "J here is. therefore, no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus," ami this record is eternal. "Heaven and earth shall pass, but My word ahall never pass away." Second, wheu He continued with bowed head to write tho crowd became exceed ingly anxious, and finally tlicy aaked Him what He had to say about the woman who waj & ainner, and then comes one of the frandest sentences that ever fell from His ips, and gives us nil the beauty of Hie manhood, as well as the power of His God hood when He suid. "Let be who is with out sin cast tho first stone." I doubt nut the woman bcaan to tremble, and she must have said to lieiself, "My punishment is upon nie. for here are these l'linrisees wlic pave amdt- loud woi.Msioiis.i-t tketr pur: Surely" they'wllf CTsr the" firstton7- " never a hand was lifted and never a stone was thrown, which only reveals to me the fact that when -men are cast with thnsv men who are sinful, not outhreakingly sin ful, but nevertheless wrong in the sight nl God, who of us could cast the first atone in this assembly to-night? The very fact that hands are not lifted and atones are not thrown is our own condemnation. Third, in the ninth verse we read. "And they which heard it being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last, and Jesus was left alone nnd the woman standing in the midst." That tn my mind ia the most dramatic scene in all the chap ter, if not in the New Testament. Sud denly the shouts of the mob are hushed, they have taken their hands off from the trembling womsn. they are speechless in the presence of this Son of Uod. and with out consultation they begin to slink sway. I can see them go. until finally the last one is gone and there is the bush of death upon the two ss they stand together. Y'o I ran all but hear the throbbing of their hearts; you can detect the quick breathing of the woman, who thinks that tha time for sen tence has come. Mercy and pity face each other, and mercy waits for pity to speak. "Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more." And wo arc ever to remembet three thinga in connection with our Sa viour: First, there is never a question as tn Iiow deeply we have sinned: the Stories ot the greatest sinners arc told iu the New Testament for our hope. Second, there ia power enough, in the blood nf the Son to blot out the deepest sin. Though your sins be as starlet they shall be as white as snow: though they be crimson they shall be as wool. And the third thing to remember is if the man with sin is like the sands of the sea for number if he would feel the power of the shed blood of the Sou of Uod he must bv real faith nnd honest confession lay hold upon Hint for eternal life. His kindness lifted her burden, nnd the world is just dying to-day for the want of sympathy. I think the time is long past when men are willing in these days to spend an hour in listening to abstract rea soning or deep theological discussions. I feel confident that the time is upon us when r.ien are ready to explain to that church, or that minister ready to bestow a word of cheer, rcadv to help a little in bearing the burden of life. A woman came with a handful of sand to her minister and said. "My sins arc like that for number.'' and he said, "Take the sand back to the sea and let a wave roll over your handful of sand and they will be gone. To-night I bring you to the sea greater than any the world has ever looked upon. "Thrc is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Jmmnnucl's vein. And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose ail their guilty stains." "Neither do T condemn thee." said .Tesu when -.11 her accusers had slipped away. We do not know what became of this woman, but I tun perfectly sure that she never sinned again. This is the secret of victory over sin: Catch a glimpse of the face fairer than all the sons of men, listen but once to the sound of His voire, sweeter tha.i a'l the music of earth. How the man that preaches the development of character van match this mutclilcss story I cannot sec: how the man who takes the blood out of the word of God nnd the sacrificial part away from the death of Christ can for a moment compare his message with this story of the divine Son of Uod is mora than I can tell. I bid nil burdened ones weighed down because of sin to come into His presence to-night and you can hear Ilim say "Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more." The Kxninple of ratlence. The example of God's forbearance and the incentive of His trust help to prepare us for that self-control and patient wailing which are, perhaps, the most difficult arts of living. Preachers of tho strenuous life often fin got that for one w ho dares to act there must bo many who are compelled to wait and to endure. It is not tho charge which commanders dread for their com mands, it is the waiting before the word to charge is given. Action relieves the tension of the nerves and occupies the thought. The example of God's patience is not in it self a sufficient inccntivo in our time of need. Uod waits because He knows. He sees the end from the beginning, and is never tempted to gather unripe fruit as we so often are. He asks us to be sharers of His patience by the exercise of faith. We can wait because we believe. He trusts us in the partnership of work and waiting, and we renounce and hare pa tience because we trust Him for the eud He promises. The Congregationalist. Work. Work ia given to men not only, nor so much, perhaps, because the world needs it. Men make work, but work makes men. An office is not a place for making money; it is a place for making men. A workshop is not u place for malting machinery, foi fitting engines and turning cylinders', it is n pluce tor making souls, for fitting out honciit, modest, whole nntured men. Foi I'rov'idence cares less for winning causes than that men, whether losing or winning, should be great and true; cares nothing that reforms should drag their cause from year to year bewilderingly, but that men and nations, iu carrying them out, should find there education, discipline, unselfish, ness and growth iu grace. Henry Drum mond. Falltoness An Attitude. Politeness appears to be what goodnesj really i.;, and ia an attitude rather than an action. Fine breeding is not the mere learning of any codo of manners any more than gracefulness is the mere learning of uny kind of physical exercise. The gentle man apparently su the Chrigtiun really, looks not on his own things, but on the things of others, and the selfish person is always both un-Cbristiac and ill-bred. El len T. Fowler. A Perp.taal Life. We liavo not divined the -shole Gospel when lie point to the four Gospels and say: "It is all there." Oniy in a limited sense is that true, for the life they record is a perpetual life r.monrj men. Tliere are volumes of it in tho life of to-day that are not put into print nnd bound up iu a book. Fiev. J. A. Ilondthalcr. RAM'S HORN BLASTS. EARS cool the soul Every effort edu cates. Pride spells peril. Love Uvea on love. Deeds are Indel ible. The call of duty never contradicts Itself. Reverent song will become rever ed fathers. It takes much misery to .make some men seek mercy. Obscurity furnishes a good pedestal for lasting fame. The waiting work furnishes us suf ficient warrant to do it. It doesn't taku much gold-leaf to cover the pupil of the eye. He cannot consecrate hia ' gift who fears to have It consumed. If you use a mirror to find your own faults you will forget to use a micro scope for those of others. Paint cannot make a picture by tta own power. Poverty makes a goodly frame for the picture of purity. Efforts do not always produce the best effects In spiritual things. Too many church-rolls are only cradle-rolls and the preachers export rockera. The only fruit that will keep In the Kingdom la hand-picked and heart packed. Charity seldom erawla out f a crowded nurse. THE SABBATH SCHOOL nteroatlonat Lestba Comment For For November 16. 'bjecl: The Time el the Juijes, JaJfes II., 7-19-Ooldea Text, Pta. 107, 19 Meaory Verses, 18, 19 Commentary On the Day's Lessoa. Explanatory. The judges were the rulers or leaders of Isrsel during the time from Joshua to Saul, about 300 years. Tliere were intervals during which Israel was without rulers, and there were long inter vals of foreign servitude and oppression under which the Hebrews groaned without deliverance. There was no central govern ment, and too generally "every man did that which was right m his own eyes." That is, every man waa largely his own master, lawgiver and executive. There waa no magistrate that wielded power in all the land and whom all the tribes obeyed. Fifteen judges are named in the Bible, beginning with Othniel, some twen ty years after Joshua, nnd continuing until tho coronation of Saul. The rebuke the angel gave at Bochim (vs. 1-5) was not un til aoiiie time after the death of Joshua, which shows that the first verses of the lesson are not in chronological order. 7. "Served the Lord." During the life time of Joshua, and all who lived while ho ruled, Israel had a good reputation for faith and piety. They regarded all the won derful blessings of God, and honored Him by godly lives. From this we see how deep was the imprint left upon the nation by this great and good man. "That out lived Joshua." They lived probably twen ty or twenty-five years after the death of Joshua. They are here referred to as orig inal witnesses of the miracles attendant upon the conquest of Canaan. Their pres ence and testimony kept the Hebrew na tion from degeneracy and backsliding, as the presence of the apostles, eve witnesses of Christ's majesty, preserved the Chris tian church from corruption and heresy. 8. "Joshua died." His character was almost faultless. 1. He was a man of strong faith. 2. He was very courageous. 3. He waa unselfish. 4. He was faithful, fi. He was an illustrious type of Christ. He led the people into Canaan, led them to victory over their enemies and gave them rest. His death was a stroke to the religious interests of Israel. 9. "Timnath-heres." The situation of this place is uncertain. Jewish tradition fixes the place about nine miles south of Shechcm. 10. "Another generation which knew not." Regardless of all the teaching and training which the new generation had re ceived from their departed fathers they showed very little reverence for the reli gion they so much enjoyed. Thus it is said ttiey knew not the Lord. The history of the wonderful deliverance which God had wrought for Israel from Egypt to Canaan had very little hold upon this godless gen eration who lived after Joshua. They were too ready to yield to the corrupting influences of the idolatrous people around them. 11. "Did evil." This was the general complaint against them. All evil is before God and He could see where it began. "In the sight of the Lord." In the presence of His commandments, and in view of His works of goodness and His past punish ment of sin, their acts were treason toward God. It was rebellion to His face. Practi cal infidelity follows quickly upon the heels of speculative infidelity. Decay of morals inevitably shows decay of faith. A curious proof of this fact is embedded in almost every language in those words whose pri mary signification implies unbelief, and whose secondary meaning is impressive of practical wickedness. For example, "mis creant" first signified a "misbeliever," then "a vile wretch;" the word "unprincipled" first had reference to "speculative religious opinions," then passed over into its more common signification of "profligate" and "vicious." "Served Baalim." Baalim is the plural of Baal and signifies "lords." Nothing could have been worse than this. "The worship of Baal was a grossly licen tious worship, fatal to the morals of all who took part in it, and therefore rightly an abomination in the eyes of the Jews.' Nevet was there such folly and ingrati tude. The people deliberately ignored God and broke Hia law. 12. "Forsook the Lord." They did not say there was no God. but when they took up the worship of false gods they forsook Jehovah. They could not forsake His wor ship without forsaking Him. Though they had been joined to the Lord in covenant, they forsook Him, and multiplied unto themselves many gods. "Brought them out." God had been gracious to them, and with a mighty hand had delivered them from Egypt and given them the land of Canaan, and yet they do not hesitate to forsake Him and His worshin. "And pro voked tho Lord." This was not passion or vindirtivtmess, but a feeling of intense in dignation against sin. The very nature of God ia opposed to sin. He is displeased with sin and must punish it, and thus prove His purity and Hia love of virtue. 13. "Ashtaroth." This is the plural fonn of Ashtoreth, the female divinity of the Zidonians, and consort of Baal. Her worship was very ancient and abominable. 14. 13. "Greatly distressed." All of these things came upon them as a punish ment for their evil deeds. They were "sold," that is, absolutely given up into the hands of their enemies. 10. "Raised up judges." Though Israel brought their own distress upon them, God showed pity and compassion. He did not send angels or any foreign power, but raised up men among themselves and qual ified them for the place. The judges had no power to make laws. God gave them. They were not given to explain law, for that was the duty of the priests. But thev were called to uphold the law, to defend their religion, and to fix all punishment on crimes. 17. "Would not harken." So perverse and stubborn were they. They were bent on their own ruin snd would not listen to the judge who had delivered them. "Bowed themselves." They prostrated themselves, probably touching the forehead So the ground in their heathen worship. 18. "The Lord was with the judge." Nothing of importance was accomplished but by God's help. The same is true to day. 'Tt repented tho Lord." When God saw their suffering and heard their cries He delivered them from their enemies Strictly speaking God does not repent. He is unchangeable. But as we change lis metes out blessing or punishment accord ing to His unchangeable law. 19. "When the judge waa dead." Thus we see the powerful influence one man can have in church or state. King Edward's Pull. To the French people of Canada Sir Wilfrid Laurler is the greatest if not the only great person living. Some time ago a "habitant" arriving In the city of Quebec met an old friend and fell to talking politics. In the course of conversation he happened to men tion the name of Queen Victoria and the friend Informed him that the queen had been dead for a year. "Dead!" exclaimed the countryman, "and who, then, rules In England?" When It was explained to him that the Prince of Wales had succeeded to the throne he Bhook his head wisely, . "Mon Dieu!" he said, "but he must have a pull with Laurler." After Twenty Years. Rip Van Winkle came down the hill after hia twenty years' sleep. "But my friends and relatives," he inquired, "where aie they?' . "Dead and buried," replied the strangers as they led him away weep ing. "And the coal etrlke," he faltered. "They are thinking of arbitration." Shrieking with joy, he realized that one link yet bound him to the past, and his life was later made happier by knowing that the original coal strike jokes were still dinned Into the public ear. CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR TOPICS. November Sixteenth Per M.H Isa. Ull. , Lake xill, It, M. Rest, t. ; I John 01, II Scripture Verses John H. 38; Rom. x. 16; Heb. Iv. 15; Matt. Till. 17; Phil. II. 6-11; 1 John 111. G; Rev. . 6; Acts vlll. VI, 33; 1 Cor. XT. 3; Matt, xxvli. 67; Luke xxll. 37; Mark. V. 28. Lesson Thoughts. Sin must be taken tiway by some means. It Is ruining men; It la ruin ing nations. It is the great blank blot on the -world, the source of countless evils. The only remedy yet found for sin Is Christ bearing and bearing away the sins of men, for all who are will ing to receive It by repenting and believing on Him. Selections. During the -plague In Marseilles, the physicians decided that nothing could be done to save the people, un less a victim could be dissected, and the nature of the disease learned. But who would do this? Dr. Ouyon rose and said he would do it. He wrote his will, bade his family farewell, en tered the hospital, made the dissec tion and examination, wrote out the results, and In a few hours was dead. But now the physicians could treat the disease, and the plague wan stayed. Would It not have been the height of meanness and injustice for the people not to love and serve wltli all their hearts him who did so much for them? A worn-out soldier earned his liv ing In Vienna by playlnp; he violin. He grew feeble and could make no more music. As he sat there weep ing a man took his violin and played such exquisite music that the crowd grew, people wept and shouted, and the old man's hat was filled again and again with coin. It was Bucher, the greatest violinist of the realm He endured the poor man's disgrace, and by sacrifice lifted him up. So Christ pities our spiritual penury, and across the string of his own broken heart he strikes a strain of music which wins the attention of earth and heaven and procures for us the treasures of eternity. Suggested Hymns. 'Tis true and faithful saying. When I survey the wondrous cross. He dies! He dies! The lowly man.' It is finished; what a gospel! I am not skilled to understand. I gave my life for thee. EPWORTH LEAGUE MEETINU TOPICS. November Sixteenth Present Opportunities For Methodist Missions, Matt 28. 19; PhIL 3. 7, 12, 16. The isolated passages that form the text are incentives to more strenuous efforts to save the world and evange lize the nations. The great commis sion Is once more sounded In our ears, and the Incompleteness ot the work already done suggested. We blame the Jews for their blindness In not resocgnixlng the. signs that accom panied Jesus, and not welcoming him as the true Messiah. But many Chris tians to-day are as blind to the "signs of the' times" as were these ancient Jews. " Events have happened! within the past decade that are so plainly in dications of God's conquering power that "he who runs may read." The Chinese war and insurrection have only resulted in opening that great empire more to Christianity, es pecially to American missionaries. Africa Is being entered by railways and commerce and thus prepared for missions. No "hermit nations" exist where Methodist missionaries may not go with the Gospel. The whole world lies open and within easy reach and touch of our church. Money can be placed iu the fields as soon as given. We have every physical condition fa vorable for success. A similar opportunity exists In the Intellectual world. The human mind is waking up. China is grasping the thought of modern civilization. Japan has already had a mental revolution. India is thinking on the great Gospel truths, and Is honeycombed with mod ern thought. The masses of Europe are reading and thinking for them selves. The English language Is rap idly becoming the world-language. An atmosphere of expectant change is everywhere. The intellectual signs are favorable to Methodist -missions. But especially in the moral field do we see signs favorable to our mission ary work. The idea of missions seems to be quite universally fixed In the thought of the church. Thousands of workers from all parts of the church have linked the work to tho local so cieties. A more respectful attitude to missions exists in the governments of earth. The drift of the better thought In all lands Is toward Christianity. The number of large and systematic givers Is increasing. The recognition ot the duty to support missions Is be coming universal. The pastors are more enthusiastic. The mission boards are becoming wiser. Mission classes In young people's societies are numer ous. The missionary spirit Is Intensi fying. The religious life is more prac tical and missionary- The morning cometb. The great hope for missions for the future rests largely upon the at titude of tho Kpworth League. Some things It Is expectod each League will do, viz.: Appoint a Missionary Com- mltee,- organize a Mission Class, help the pastor arrange for and carry to a success the Monthly Missionary pray er meeting, distribute effectively and wisely Missionary literature. The members responsibility Is great. Be ye worthy. Isolated. Two well-known officials, one ot the state and the other of the city, while warm friends, occasionally get into arguments as to the proper pronoun elation of words. The other night the word "Isolate" was used by the city man, who pronounced it with the ac cent on the "I" as "l-solate," where upon the state man Immediately "but ted In" wltn "Ob, no, not l-solate, but ts-olate." "Why, you're bughouse," re joined the "1" man. "Common sense ought to teach you that you are wrong. Just look at what the word means Ice, , that is frozen, which it to be a dead one, that is ot no ao count, I meal out ot commission, or put away back, see?" "No, I'll be banged if I do, nor anyone else," shouted the state man. Then a pained look came over the face of the city man, and with gentle pity he said; "You ought not to need pile-driver or an axe. I'll apcil It for you phonet ically. Ice-o-late. Ice, do you catch on? Frozen put away, eh?" "Oh, rats!" yelled Uowon, "let's have some vlchy and milk," aud Will iam acquiesced. HIE GREAT DESTROYED SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT THE VICE OF INTEMPERANCE. (t Is tha rowsr of Bair-Cnntrol Which Is First rarelxsasl by Alcohol-How h Crsivs Por It Is Fnlly Dovslopod Moral faculties Finally Disabled. The lushest ninnacle in a man's moral nature is the power to control or inhibit the suggestions or inclinations of his lower elf. It is this power of inhibition or self-control that is first psralyxed by alcohol, and tha tiaralvsia is annarent at the earliest stage of alcoholic ingestion. A man who has jiift come under the influence of a moderate quantity of alcohol is at once no- ticert to lose nis reserve, me aeii-resiraini, his discretion. Later in the stage of intoxication the next tior of brain cells goes, while the first tier remsins function? throughout, still more and mora saturated with its poison. His moral unlament becomes dulled, and more of his self-control is given up. Another tier is paralyzed anil some mo tor centres are trone: still, in harmony with the lsw that the nerve cells are made functinnleas in the inverse order of devel opment, the highest and last developed suf fering first ami most. During all this time the lower centres (including those governing the animal pas sions) are in a state of over-activity. Another tier goes, nnd tne mind is a blank. Paralysis of all the higher centres is complete; the victim becomes intensi ve; the muscular power of the limbs gives wav, and profound anesthesia results. If the alcoholic dose has been large, nnd still another tier paralyzed, the respiratory function is lost, and tne Heart, wnose cen tre is first developed, soon ceases to beat. Thus at the stage of complete intoxica tion all the higher centres moral, mental and motor are paralyzed; the nerve cen tres are bathed in blood saturated with al cohol, and surcharged with waste products, which the exhausted circulatory system and reduced vitality are not able to elim inate. now. disregarding: the incidental n'"i- holic diseases of the viscera, such ss cirri" sis, etc., this brief description of an attack of acme alcoholism is an accurate epitome of a e-irecr of chronic alcoholism. Chronic alcoholism is simply an attack of scute in toxication spread over a number of years instead of a number nf hours. The cunning hand of man has manufac tured a beverage which has the peculiar property of giving an evanescent buoyancy of spirits and vivacitv of thought, snd of being Dleaaant to the palate, and has placed it ready to his lips in tempting snd alluring variety. It is not unnatural that men to satisfy thirst should accept this tempting potion, unconscious of the fact that though pleas ant to the palate in the end it stina-eth like a serpent and biteth like an adder. But few men at first realize the power of alcohol to beget an ungovernable craving for itself, and we can readily believe that no drunkard over lived who did not at one time boast that he could "take it or leave it alone. The first element in the crave, then, is the simnle desire for liauirl: the next ele ment arises out of the discovery of tha power that alcohol has of producing pleas urable feelinas. exaltation of ideas, and of banishing cares and ills: a third element in the crave ia force of habit; a fourth is the desire to relieve the depression follow ing a previous ingestion, and the fifth and most powerful and pitiable is the loss of self-control which comes sooner or later from alcoholic paresis or paralysis of the highest brain centres. The crave is not fully developed and irre sistible until this highest tier, first and most degenerated alike in acute and chronis states, is paralyzed and destroyed. The victim has now a diseased brain, and to fine him or punish him in any way is worse than useless hi inebriety, at first a vice, has become a disease, because of the alcoholic defeneration of his brain cells. Later in the degenerative process the other layera go, and judgment, perception, and the higher intellectual, as well as the higher moral, faculties sre Uerqngwl, unsta ble, or altogether lost. Many chronic alco holics who, to the casual observer, never seem to be suffering through drink, have. nevertheless, lost their judgment, and their higher mntal powers are dulled, making tueni quite incapaoie oi iiieciiarging nigu and responsible duties with which they may nave Deen previously intrusteu. A Laughter-Curs For Drunkenness. In a recent lecture at Chicago Univer sity, Professor William N. Guthrie de clared that laughter snd comedy may be made to play an important part as cura tive and remedial agents, even to the point of protecting humanity from the liquor habit. Kays the Chicago News in a report Of the lecture: "Drunkenness, oi course, is due only in part to discouragement or desperation. But for the considerable number who drink because they feel dejected and seek a nuick and easy way of throwing off their depression, there is a much larger number whu drink either because they have noth ing else tn do or because thev crave some excitement to relieve the monotony of their lives. Drinking is a great time-consuming habit, and the man who would shake it oft usually finds that the reform leaves him with sn undue amount of lets. lire. One chief trouble with the efforts to suppress the evil. nerhaDS. is that wbila the drinker and his friends make brave ef forts to stop the bad habit, they do little or nothing toward putting a new and wholesome habit in its place. It is in this stage that his bored feeling and his deDi-ea sion recur with greatest effect. Professor (iuthrie's address contains a hint for the despondent person Let him surround himself with the s""enees which make for comedy and laughter. Tha Curs of Drunkenness. A bill to "amend the law relating to the sale of intoxicating linuors and drunken ness, and to provide for the registration of clubs," has recently been introduced into the British Parliament. The secretary who introduced thia bill into Parliament at tributes nine-tenths of all the greatest crimes to aruiiKenness. ine Dill provides turn a icivuii iuuiiu iiu-apaDie in any puD lie.nlace mav be annreherided anil nl,arH and if he happens to be iu charge of a child under seven years of age he ia liable to a penalty ot flu or a month s imprison ment. An habitual drunkard may be com mitted to an inebriates reformatory. A wife will be given protection under tha Married Woman's set aa-ainst a rirunkan husband, and protection is given also a nusoanu against a artinken wite. An ha bitual drunkard several times convicted is made liable to a penalty if he attempts to purchase liquor within three vesra. License-holders will be notified, ami any one auDulvina him will be liahla to a nennltv License-holders will lie punished for know ingly serving drinks to drunken persons on iiieir promisee. The Crusade In Brier. The saloon was born of evil, but it exists oecause good men tolerate it. Andrew Carnegie at the opening of a libraries as a great counter force to saloons. In many cities the whisky manufacturers have presented drivers of open wagons with umbrellas advertiaina their aln.lii- Here is a hint for temperance merchants sou manuiactuiers. -Archbishop Corrigsa, who took charge of the dioceae of 8ioiix City on June 18, is almost as strong a temperance worker as Archbishop Keene. snd they will work uunu ni nanu in me mailer in Iowa. The. mistake of the Htata is locking np uu iiuh( uisivau ui ids urina. No more wine for bsnoueU. This is the decision of the Alumni Association of the vVilliaui and Mary College, of Richmond, The KwAlliktl P.Fli.m.nl k.. n.l bill giving the nruvineisl nv,ninN ihm right to forbid the sale of malt liquors in countiy parishes after the pariah assem blies aave expressed a wish In that direc tion , The treasurer of the United States Brew era' Association reported at the aunua) meeting last month a balanca on hand of aaa,4U6.58, sad it was expected that in creased sssesMnents would bring it up to tlLXJ.OOO or more, to fight ac;iint righteous icgimuiiou aneciiiig ins tranw. THE RELIGIOUS LIFE READING FOR THE QUIET HOU WHEN THE SOUL INVITES ITSELF. rasas I To-doy It Is Oar Datr la tho Chris Slaa Lira to Haas FraltfFa Masai Mas) Warry About tha If suits.. I.oau ss Tow Branches. To-day, at least, thou'rt here, I've journeyed many a year, Had for thee many a fear, And many a hope most dear.' To-day wo greet at last. All yesterdays are past, Now, unveil thy face, , Ursnt me thy boom and grace-To-day, I sea thee same As davs through which I came, ' Thou'it soon be gone ss they, The same returnless way. To-day, oh, that I knew What with thee now to dot Thou'rt on my hands' till night; Uod help me use thee right. . Preston. Gurney. 7. I Frultrul or Fraltlea. Fruit is the orffsnic result nf the Inner life of the tree, ft is not tied on. Many s lazy tree might enjoy sending to the near est market and buying a goodly supply of uiaugt ur B)Hi.a aiiu Having mem - ened on at the proper time for fruit to ap pear, without further trouble, while it used its roots tor legs and traveled about the earth during the delightful summer weath er, only feeling down into the earth for a, little nourishment occasionally when it could not live any longer without it. Bnfc a tree is not made that wav. it muse abide in one dare. It must lie one with. the soil from which it gets its nourishment. neuuer t-Hii jib orancnes tuae a vacation. iYou cannot remove a branch from a tree) and use it to-day to decorate your house, and put it back in place to-morrow to go on with its legitimate work of fruit-bearing. It must abide in the tree if it would bear fruit. It must live through the long, cold winter with the tree and face the same blasts that beat upon the other branches. It must be there in the spring to drink the first sweet sap that the trunk sends up to it, to catch the first spark of new life from the heart of the tree and carry it on to its fiber ends. It must spend its whole time in getting ready for and producing the fruit, which ia the great and final purpose of its presence on the tree. And should a branch with an eye to ap pearances work thriftily at the task of pro ducing leaves alone, thinning to bide t be fact of little fruit by its luxuriant display of foliage, it finds out its mistake when the Snrdener cornea by, for he prunes away this ne smart prodigy of green, thereby indi cating to the branch that here is expected instead a rosy apple or a luscious pear. And a branch that will not take this hint is by and by cut off to mske room for oner that will. Tliere is snother thought in connection; with this close relationship of the branch)' to the vine. If a branch nas been partly torn away, or if it has been engrafted with, the tree, it is most carefully bound to the main trunk and the edges where it is joined sealed with clay or wax that no foreign substance can get in and interfere with this close connection between tree and branch until the growth is fully estab lished. There is frequently much talk When a young Christian comes into the church and is united to Christ, about worldly amusements, whether he may or may not safely indulge in questionable things thereafter, and some say yea, and: some say no, and some will leave it to eachr' individual to decide. Would it not be well to apply the gardener's rule here, and safe ly seal the young Christian from anything which can come between him and Christ, until his growth is fully established, leav ing the decision of such questions for him to take up later when he feels that Christ's life is in his life, and that whatever influ ence may come about him, whatever ill winds may blow, or harmful substances fly about, nothing can enter between him and Christ, because his life is grown into hia Master's and become part of it. Ho many Christians never attain to a true understanding of that union with, Christ that He Himself has said is essen tial to growth in the Christian lite. Nok that they are not united to Him; lacking that they could not be Christians. Bus they often fail to understand the laws that govern the transmission of spiritual life.l and thus fail to reach that fulness of Ufa which otherwise might be theirs. It is evident that our duty in the Chris-, tian life is fruit-bearing, and that our busi ness in the matter is to keep ourselves W such connection with Christ that our Ood-' ?iven powers may perform their functions, t is eoually true that we need not worry about the results, for He says it is He that has chosen us for this great work, and hm will see it through. We have but to ask, "in His name" and He will do it. There fore, if your fruit does not abound, look to the end of your bmnch that lieth next the vine, for it may be some enemy hsjt stolen in and worn your bark away until' the sap is being lost. New York Mail and Express. Tha Joy of Service. The remedy for a joyous life is mors) Christianity, more faith and love and serv ice, and not less. Seeking delight for itself is courting disappointment. When we are wholly occupied with work or with com panionship joy comes unsought. The hsppy Christians are intent upon the business of their life for Uod, absorbed in the work' their Father has given them, studious to serve Christ in ministry to his brethren, instant in prayer which is the medium, and expression of their communion with,' Uod. These things become the condition of their joy. Ii you were to auk them whether they would not be happier if they neglected service and abstained from pray er, they would look at you with the amaze ment of the miner if you asked him whethar tie would not be happier if he forgot hia' treasures. The half-way houses of life ara not the places where joy abides. The the ory of "day off" happiness is fatal to Chris tian peace of heart. Our joy is joy in God. iWe do not hold to Him for security's sake, and find our happiness in occasional forget tings. Our faith is more than a means to happiness it is our happiness. To serve Christ in obedience and helpfulness is nut a rigorous task lightened by occasional hol idays when we enjoy the respita of doing what we like: it ia itself our joy in life, the thing we like to do. More ia at stake in this deep and lasting joy of Christians than their own content in life. It ia their beat testimony to the world for Christ. . Men will bs little moved by the promise. of some dim snd distant heavenly joy. But when they see a present happiness, in spite of toil and sorrow, and because of faith and prayer, they will feel the power of Uod. Tne restless and unhappy life bears a false witness to the joy of service. When we find our happiness in Uod we shall also find ourselves endowed with power of drawing men to Him. Congregationalism Tha Fraseat Hour. It is a great thing to know just when ia the most favorable nour for speech or for action. There are moments when we ran gain more by improving the present than .we can ever nope to by waiting tor coining precious hours, or by seeking to make good) past neglected hours. In God's servica the aocepted time ia ever now. We never) had au occasion so precious fur right thought or action ss tho present time. If we neglect this, its like will never coma again. What a blessing it is to have sn much pivot on the present hour! Uod help, us to improve the hour aright! And God is ready to do this. Sunday -School Times. Imitate Morgan's Manner. Meads of business downtown are beginning to show the influence of much preoccupation with him whom Wall street knows as "J. P." They are copying the Morgan manner, just as all youug Park row at one time waa aald to be barberlng and tatlorlux Itself to look like Harding Darts.. Splutter, gruffness, frowulug-down, arm-waving and a general Intimidating tone and carriage are the voguea. New York Letter.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers