THANKSGIVING Wllber Chapman's Sermon Ap propriate to the Day. Dr. J. "Three Meetings ol the Saviour" Reatta Thinks to Ood lor the Greatest ol Gifts, His Son, Jesns Christ. Hew fonK City. The Kev. Dr. J. Wil bur Chnpmun, who has recently resigned the pastorate ol the Fourth Presbyterian Church in this city in order to devote him self to evangelistic work, hai prepared the following Thanksgiving sermon for the press. It is entitled "Three Meeting ol the Saviour," and ia founded on the text. "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray." Psalm 5S: 17. It M quite the custom on Thanksgiving Pay to render thanks and praiae unto God for material gift and material prosperity. We are accustomed to measure the har vests and to try to count out earthly bless ings and then make an effort to put into language some adequate expression ol out appreciation of God's goodness. I leave this task to other ministers, while I in their name and behalf express my grateful thanks to Uod for the greatest of all gifts, namely, His Son, Jesus Christ, and it ii my hope that I may present Him in such a way in this message that all mav see that it is their privilege to come in closest fel lowship with Him. With this thought in mind I use the text, "Kvening. and nt morning, and at noon, will I pray." The Psalmist determines to pray frequently, at least three times he will be on his knees; he determines to pray fervent.lv, for he will cry aloud unto Ood. The text does not run as we would like it to, for we always reverse the order and say at morning, at noon, and at evening, but the Hebrews be gun the day with the evening and closed it with noon. We always begin it with the morning, and one dav we shall reach a morning which shall never end. The Psalmist means that he will pray more than three times. He is simply saying that ho will begin and continue and end the day with (lod. He takes the natural di vision of the day and at each noint he de termines to set up an altar. Mr. Spurgoon aays he lays a line straisht through the day and tracks the sun with his petitions. It used to be said in olden times that we should pray three times nt least, at even ing, because Christ was on the cross, in the morning because He- rose from the dead, and at noon because then He ascend ed. It' our bodies need nourishing three times, why not our souls? We have fre quent Old Testament illustrations of this habit, notably Daniel. "Now. when Daniel knew that the writing was signed he went into his house, and. his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day and prayed, and gave thanks before his (lod as he did foretirne." Daniel 6: 10. We hove the early members of the church in the New Testament presenting us an ex ample, and if we study the Acts of the Apostles we find the disciples many times in prayer, but always morning, noon and night For Jesus to be with us is one thing, and we are all the time in His thought; He hris promised never to leave us and never to forsake ua, nut for us to be with Him in our contemplation is quite another thing, and it is that wo may learn this lesson that I speak the words of the text. The result of this fellowship will be cause for thanksgiving. These three times are suggested because the morning ia the time of feasting, the noon is the time ol questioning or resting, while the evening is the time for the settling of accounts, and I have changed the order of the text for the reason that we are living in the new dispensation. I. The morning. "But when the morning was comV' John 21: 4. John's gospel might properly have closed with the 20tb chapter. The 31st verse of that chupter it most significant and gives the object and aim of trie gospel. "But these arc written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through His name. Hut John adds this 21st chapter because he gives us another beautiful picture of the Lord, and records the onlv miracle worked after the resurrection. May this not be typical and did we but live in touch with our Lord might it not be possible in these days to have filled nets and a multitude about us of the saved. The disciples had returned to theii tionies in Galilee after the events men tioned in the previous chapter. They were probably in the home of Zcbedoe. Thev were doubtless talking of the past. They might have called to mind their first meet ing with the Kaviour and dwelt lovingly on the glory of His life. They might have spoken in whispers of the disappointment of His death, and then with shining faces have recalled the account of His resurrec tion and His personal appearing to thcin. Doubtless Peter was of the company once again. They are back amid ihe familial scenes of their old life; the boats are lying on the beach, the fishermen are mending their nets and these seven, five of whom are named and two unnamed, doubtless stand together. There is a boat pushing nut from the shore, and the women are wishing their husbands and boys good speed, while the men answer with word of cheer. Fishing is always fascinating, and so I can imagine Peter with flashing eye and twitching nerves and quick beat ing heart looking about the busy scene u til he can stand it no longer, and then Its says, "I go a-tishing." Instantlv they ar all ready to go and they push off from the shore. It ia a most beautiful sea in itself, and as their oars flashed in the light ol the setting sun as they are away to the old scenes of other days, the vision is fas cinating. Hut it really was a perilous po sition, for though the sea is always treach erous, the boat might have been old, and hero are these representative lenders of the cause of Christ. What if they had been lost in the night? The same question uiigut be asked concerning Moses when s child in the ark. What if one of the waves of the Nile should submerge the little ark or the crocodile should crunch it? Hut such questions are idle and useless. Moses ia not safer to-day than then, and so these early disciples were safe, because theii hope was centred upon One whose eves are ever upon His own by night. They toiled and took nothing. Kverv old de vice was used to charm the fish, but every time the net was drawn no they knew bv the tug of it that they hud failed. As the light is breaking they are about 100 yardi !rIon the shore. They hear a voice saying, Lads, have ye any meat?" and thev an 8w.Pr No." "Cast the net on the right lie, says the stranger, and 133 fish was "e result of obedience. The disciples shout, "It is the Lord." and Peter, jump ing into the waves swims ashore, and in obedience to the command of the Master, t-onie and dine." they all sit with Hirn atmut the fire and ate. May I suggest sev eral daily lessons for the morning hour? i. i '""" stood upon the shore and they knew not that it was Jesus. He is ah ways nearer than we think, and He hai oeeu waiting every morning since that day begin the day with His own disciples. ,,ou .m"8t begin everv dav with Him, therefore, f you would have a day oj peace. "1 have a Friend so precious, I VIo very dear to me, lie loves me with such tender love, lie love so faithfully, . I could not live apart from Him, I love to feel Hiin pigh; And so we dwell together. My Lord and I." toT.eeV.rh. '5 .th?rT a" !,t looJr I am Ood" "'ii Btl"' an1 know tnat wliil i i1", w message for many of us, make. , .VT in ,h 2M P"""". "He He ll.5!uto "'down in green pastures, must " tii V fbc,ide tu "ti" W ui"t fir.t lo- We must be uuiii urst, active afterward. CS' i1 i "ecret of power always, second n 5'" ""fl '""X1'1 nothing." .kl. "L"ou one SttVS. ''now thev ,r nr,t fishes" -n Wkiti for tl,e multitude ol sains fi.i.i v d l'le same nuts and the nia,l , 'iul,."' o contend with. Jesus power T.l,",e,ence by adding His own How nf.i n'nnv t"e we have toiled. "iiuiy d-iv. . i ' rown weary. How effort w 1 ; We lmvo fuiU"1 " because the Kin a dav" ! .T own t'e"t1'- N'ver be i d clasoi "H1 Vu. strike step with Him . (ovmhVow you " y""; tl,BU U"llm Innd'td;. " M t'KW were romo to uIir, ,?;. J ! "'ly one other place frTTTia T75lirVeFSoor the'lRtlf "fira.TST John, the place of Peter's denial. Ths hint thing that Peter snw was doubtless this fire of coals alter 1ms vision of the Saviour. How the storv of his denial must have flashed across hin mind. It is better for us not to begin a day until we have asked Christ to show us where ws failed yesterday. He will do it, not with a fire of coals always, but with the touch ol His finger. For a Christian to fail at the same place two days in succession is an awful sin. Fourth, Just as ne made a feast fot those disciples in the early morning so He makes a feast for us every morning of out lives. He spreads the table with His own purity. How that will help us in the pres ence of all that is impure. He displays His own gentleness. How that will strengthen us in the time when we are lia ble to be irritable. He sets before us His own love. How that will enable us to love the things that we might naturally hate, and in our presence He makes display of His own power. How that will encour age us in the hour of temptation. I like the close of the 21st chapter of John, the aeth versp. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did. the whicli, if they should be written every one, I sup pose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." Doubtless many miracles were wrought beside the miracle ol the changing of water into wine and other parables sweeter than the Prodigal Son and the Lost Sheep Ho spoke and we never heard of them. There is tnanv a morning when we shall talk ol these things with Him. If you turn to Genesis, the first chapter, you will notice that the first six days of creation have both an evening and a morn ing, while tho seventh day has a morning but no evening. It is typical of that day which shall be ushered in by the resur reetion morning when we shall have eter nity with Christ and go out from His pres ence no more forever, and we shall talk of these things. Noon. "Jesus, therefore, being wearied with His journey sat thus on the well, and it was about the sixth hour." John 4: 6. It is high noon. The husbandman rests from his labors; the cattle seek the shadow of the rocks; the birds have stopped their song. Even Jesus Himself is weary. He has left Jerusalem because He has been surrounded by the wrong kind of n crowd, and under the impulse of the .Spirit He must needs go through Samaria. The disciples are awav and He sits alone upon the well curb. Beyond all question the story of the giving of Jacob's well is in His mind, and as He looks out toward Kbal and Gerizim He has the vision of the crowds listening to the blessing and cursing of the servant of God, when sud denly as He looks there comes a woman on the scene bearing upon her head a water pitcher. The people of the East know good water, and for this reason she has often dipped her water pitcher, not in tho running streams, but comes to Jacob's well, where the water is most refreshing. It is not night, as when Nicodemus came, hut the sun has reached the meridian. 1 always hsveithnught that this was a beau tiful picture of our meeting with the Sa viour for the purpose of solving our diffi culties. Who of us has not had them! From S to 12 o'clock in the morning, -vhen we have said. "Why have I met this temptation and had that trial, and been face to face with this problem!" "A little talk with Jesus, How it smooths the rugged road; now it seems to help me onward, When I faint beneath my load; When my heart ia crushed with sorrow, And my eyes with tears are dim. There is naught can vield me comfort, ' Like a little talk with Him.". Will you note the following points: Jesus said, "Give Me to drink." He always speaks first. Genesis 3: 9, "And the Lord God called upon Adam, and said unto him. Where art thou!" gives us a picture of God, and all through the Old Testa ment and New His word is sunken first to the sinner and to the wandering one. Whatever may be your own desire fot blessing His is irreater than yours. We always think of Him giving to us. Indeed, His was a life of giving, but is it not won derful that we may give to Him? The woman Rave the annointment and Jesui said, "Wherever the gospel is preached this shall be told as a memorial." Paul writes to Titus, "Adorn the doctrine ol the gospel to-day." and he sends his mes age to the Corinthians, "We are unto God a sweet savour of Christ." by which he means that we will remind God of Christ, First, never let n noon pass that you do not make Him an offer. Hest of all, offer Uim yourself. Second, "If thou knewest the gift ol Rod thou wouldest have asked." It ii because we do not know the Saviour that ive have failed to ask of Him; according to the measure of our knowledge we will havs isked, and He is pledged to give us livinq water in contrast to what the world of fers. Do not let a noon hour pass that you do not tell Him every annoviince ol the morning. Nothing is too trifling for Kim. and He will give to you just that blessing which will ever stay the weakness af your life. "I tell Him all my sorrows, I tell Hnn all my joys, I tell Him all that pleases me, I tell Him what annoys; He tells me what 1 ought to do, He tells me what to try; And so we walk together. My Lord and I." Then tuke a deep drink of living watei ind it will be in you a well of living water springing up. . Third, difficulties are often due to incon sistencies. "The path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more . and more. This is a picture of the way ws should walk, "lie that doeth the will'bl Uod shall know." This is Christ's chal lenge to those who are in difficulty. And as Ho sat thus on the well curb lie said to the woman, "Go call thy husband," as much as to say "How about your own life,'' and He puts this sharp, cutting question to her, which opens up the secret of all het Runt life and brings her face to face with er siu, for she has no husband. She wai a sinner of the deepest dve. Just remem ber when you stop at the noon hoar to meet with Jesus tnat sin must be uncov ered. "He that covereth his sin shall not prosper." lt must be confessed. "Who soever confesses his sin God will receivs him," and it must lie forsaken, for "who soever forsuketh his transgression shall find mercy." Then there is victory, and the story of this woman running back to her city to tell all the city of the marvel ous works of Jesus will be a picture o) your owu life and mine. HI. Kvening. "Then the same day at even ing came Jeaus and stood in the midst ol them." John 20: 10. What a wonderful day that was, for this evening mentioned is the evening of tho day which began with the resurrection of Jesus. This is the first meeting of the disciples after they had heard the story, and the door is shut for fear of the Jews. It is not neces sary mat x buouiu uescriuc ins empiyi tomb nor tne sinning lace ot aiury as sua told of her meeting with Him, nor yea again to speak of Christ's special meeting with Peter, to meet him in spite of his de nial, but only that ye should see this won derful riaviour like the Jesus of olden times, and that only while He eats and drinks with them, yet He can pass through the door while the door is yet shut. Note first thut it was at- the evening. This is the time for the squaring of ac counts. No man ought to close his eyes in sleep until he has gone over every hour of the day, made note of every inconsist ency, and presented it ull to the great High Priest, who waits to make interces sion for us. Note second that the door was shut. Alus, there are many things that have closed the door of our hearts, and the difference between tho heart's door and the door of this room is this, that Jesus came into thut room of His own will. He will not come into our lives against our wills. There are certain things tknt. elnun ths door of the liom-fc. First, ill- consistency. Let no man think that hs can be an inconsistent Christiau and walU in fellowship with Christ. Kecond, selfishness. Let no one imagine that he can put self on the throne and have Christ rule in His being. Third, an unforgiving spirit. "Tender hearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you " is the spirit that should control us. Tliiow open the door this evening hour and let the light of the boil of God come in, and llu will nay to you "Peace," aud in tho very saving of it there is rest. Fourth, lie showed them His hands and His side. 'I'll u t, gives h hint us to His Liwicv: Jit- aud what Uu means, fur- ous Kavionr savcTrus not only rronr" t tie' pen alty of sin but from the power of sin, from the penalty when He died upon the cross, from the power as He sits to-day on God's right hand with bared side and outstretch ing hands. Let the evening hour be the time when you meet Him. Mr. Mover gives an illustration of the mother who goes sbout the room nt night gathering up the playthings of her children, putting away their books and clothing and saying, "I always straighten up the room at night after thry are asleep, and this ia whst Jesus does for us. He straightens up the affairs of the day if we will hut let Him. Fifth, "As the Father has sent Me even o send I you." This is what Jesus said to the disciples. We must realise that we have a divine commission to work, and we must also realize that wo have a divine promise of strength. I like tho illustration used by the Kev. F. B. Meyer of the old artist who toiled away during the day upon his model and finished it at night ns he supposed, but there were the marks of imperfection, because his hand had lost its cunning, but when ho has gone from his work his son, a real artist, lakes away the marks of old age and makes the model as it should be, and -the old artist comes in ths morning to . look at it and say, "Why, I can work as well as ever I did," and this is but a picture of what Christ will do if we will but yield ourselves to Him. Sixth. "And lie breathed upon them." He will come as near to ua as that, and as the breath of God made Adam a living soul and His breathing upon the disciples sent them forth to conquer, so His breath ing upon us will change our lives, if we will but breathe in of what He breathes out, and we shall have power in propor tion as we do it. For all that will come to us ns the result of a three-fold expe rience 1 am most devoutly thankful. 8par Points. Purpose is what gives life .1 meaning. Circumstances may change, but God never does. The breadth of Christianity depends on its depth. God puts consolation only where He has first put pain. Early athleties will not suffice for the heavenly race. In this life there is but one sure happi ness to live for others. Expect God to help you when you have prayed for His assistance. True greatness is ability to serve coupled with a meek and quiet spirit. When the Lord is in our hearts His hand will lie seen in our works. Never tnke your eye off the cross, as all the lines of salvation centre there. Poverty of possessions need not be dis creditable; poverty of life always is. A thousand times better are the men who do than the weaklings who only know. The loving judgments of friends are harder to hear than the harsh ones of foes. All God's providences are but His touches of the strings of the great instru ment of the world. When you step upon 'one promise you will always find a higher and a better one before you. The self-centred life comes to nought; the Christ-centred life ever continues in enlargement. There nre some lessons which can only be learned in the garden, and beneath the shadow of the cross. The Ham's Horn. sating sun. To the best comes the time when their very good is evil spoken of. It takes good ness to understand goodness. The pure in heart see God. and only such can recognise the life of God when manifested in the saints. Few trials are more keen than ths misrepresentation of goodness. An evil motive imputed to a saintly deed is as the sting of a serpent. The clouds of defama tion lower at some time over every saintly heart. The life of the snint ia hidden and cannot be understood by the worldling. "Sitting still" is the only possibility. Time exerts a remedial influence, and such rem edy that it cannot exert the One to whom the saints are dead will. He will bring out our goodness as the light and our right eousness as the noonday. Episcopal He corder. Work Makes Man. . Work is 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 s place for making men. A workshop is not a place for making machinery, for lifting engines and turning cylinders: it is k place for making souls; for fitting in the virtues to one's life; for turning out hon est, modest, whole-natured nien. Fpr Providence 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 bewilderiugly, but that men nrnl nations, in carrying them out, should find there, education, discipline, unselfish ness and growth in grace. Henry Drum nond. The Way ta the Cross. None of us can tell for what God is edu cating us. We fret and murmur at the narrow sound and daily task of ordinary life, not realizing that it is only thus that we can be prepared for the high and holy office which awaits us. We must descend before we can ascend. We must take the way of the cross submissively and patient ly if we would tread the way of light. We must endure the polishing if we would be shafts in the quiver of Emmanual. God's will comes to thee and me in daily circum stances, in little things usually as in great; meet them bravely; be at your best al ways, though the occasion be one of the very least; dignify the smallest summons by the greatness of your response. F, B. Meyer. A World Beautiful. Don't crowd your world with hate, an ger, envy, regrets, fears, disorder, discord and inharmony. Every second brighten your world with love and joy and peace and hope. Every minute expand your world by unfolding yourself. Every hoar open your eyes wider to the grand and beautiful sights in your world; open your ears to the delightful snd inspiring strains ol divine music which conies of love, broth erhood, tenderness, kindness, gentleness, cheerfulness aud contentment. Then from hour to hour, day by day, year by year your world will become more beauti ful. Better I nan the Genuine. The plutocratic father finds bis daughter lu tears. "How now?" he asks. "Are you not happy with the noblj count to whom you were married with great eelst and at much expense?" "Oh, papa!" weeps .the beauteous heireBB, fliiiKlns herself Into bis arms and breaking two cigars and the crys tal of his watch. "Oh, papa! It Is terrible! I discover that be Is a bogus count!" "There, there," soothes tho father with a smile of relief, '"that's al) right. It won't cost near so much to keep him and, besides, he Vlll not be above going to work." The Pleasure of Polo. James H. Proctor of the Myopia Hunt club, Boston, treasures a unique souvenir of bis last game of polo. He recently received a terrific blow In the mouth from an opponent's rlub. The jaw was broken and one tooth left deeply Imbedded In the head of the mallet. This piece of Ivory In Its wooden setting Is now one of the most conspicuous trophies In Mr Proctor's collection. ' Divorce In the Family. A curious Instance of the spread ot divorce, as viewed In a single family, Is related by the Independence Bulge. A few days ago, at Brussels, proceed ings were begun In a case iu which a wife sought divorce, which has since boon granted. During tho evidence It trausplred that the divorced woman had bad two Blutere already divorced, tliolr father is a divorced liUHbaild, and they have a brother whose case U lieudln. ... i THE SABBATH SCHOOL International Lessen Comments November 30. Fot Subject: Gideon snd the Three Hundred, Judg es vll., 14, 16-21 Golden Text. Pus. 114, 3 Memory Verses, 2, J Commen tary on the Dsy'i Lessen. Gideon the deliverer. Gideon was a man of an honorable birth snd a good character. The angel of the Lord called him, anl af ter Gideon satisfied himself that it waji really God calling him he called the peopl together and prepared for the battle. 1. "Well of Harod." Or fountain ol trembling. Probably the large fountutn at the northern base of Mount Gilboa. It' is a large pool forty or fifty feet in diameter, and from it Hows, down the valley, east ward, a stream strong enough to turn s mill. "Hill of Moroh. Nothing is known of the hill oT Moreh beyond the fact that it could not be the place mentioned in Gen. 12: 6 and Deut. 11: 30. 2. "Too many." The object of this de liVcrance from God was not chiefly to save the farms anil crops from the Midianites. but to savp the people from their sins and to teach them to trust and obey God. By the manner in which this whole transac tion was conducted both the Israelites and Midianites must see that the thing was of God. This would inspire the lsraeliter with confidence and till their enemies with fear. 3. "Fearful and afraid." The army wat subjected to two tests. The first test was the permission for all who were afraid to go home. This bidding the cowardly de part lest thev should intimidate the rest was commanded even in the law. Deut. 20: R. "From Monnt Gilead." A difficulty arises here, as the Israelites were now nl Mount Gilhoa on the west of the Jordan and Mount Gilead is on the east of the Jordan. It has been suggested. 1. That the text may be corrupted and that Gilead should read Gilboa. 2. That there may have been another Gilead on the west ol the Jordan. 3. That possiblv the text should read. Whosoever from Mount Gil ead ia fearful and afraid, let him return home. 4. "Unto the water." That is, the foun tain Harod and the stream that flowed from it. "Will try them." The word try which occurs here signifies to test by fire, as the refiner tests silver. 5. "Lsppelh as a dog." The second test was for the remaining 10,000. Threa hundred did not break rank or stop In their march, but dipped their hollowed palm into the stream and tossed a littlo into their mouth as they stood. Thus it seems most probable that Gideon was di rected to choose those who lapped as being men inured to warfare, who drank while standing to guard against surprise by the enemy. 8. "Upon their knees." Thus they would be in an exposed position before an enemy. These were sent home. 7. "By the 300." Why so small a num ber chosen? 1. That the Israelites might know that the victory was from God. 2. To show them that the God of their fath ers was unchanged and still able to do Sreat things for them. 3. To shame nd umble His people because of their paat sins. 4. To lead the people to love and worship God. 8. "Victuals trumpets." The 300 men took what victuals were necessary, to gether with the trumpets. 9-15. There was danuer that even the stout hearts of Gideon and his 300 heroes might auail at their nerilousnosition. there fore one more encouragement is given them. Gideon was told to take his servant by night and go down to the Midianitish host. He did so, and heard a dream told of a barley cake overturning a Midianitish tent, which wus interpreted to mean that the Midinnites were to be delivered intc Gideon s hand. 10. "Into three companies." Great ar mies were generally divided into three parts, that is, the right wing, the left wing and the bodv of the army. This army was great in faith. Gideon was in commund of one division. The Midianites had long been : a terror to Israel, and now they were to be overcome hv terror. 17. "And do likewise." Gideon became the example to all his army. As he wai faithful, so would they he in following him. He made his descent in the night, when his enemies would least expect it. His army, beinit small, would not be observed Here is Been the wisdom of having no more tnat are calculated to uiaico a success. 19. "Middle watch." At midnight. An ciently the Israelites seem to have divided the night into three watches evening, midnight and morning watches. Later they adopted from the Komuna the custom of four watches. 20. "Blew the trumpets." There was perfect concert in their attack. "Brake the pitchers." By concealing the lamps in the pitchers they could pass unobserved until they reached the guard of the Midian itish camp, and by breaking them all at once, nr.d letting the light from 300 torches glare on the sleeping company the enemy would be greatly terrified. "They cried. 'Their loud shouts would add to the terror already awakened by the sound of trum pets and the glaring light. "The sword ol the Lord, and of Gideon." Gideon puts the Lord's name first, for by His power only vould this attack be made. These words would give courage to the 300 men to know that they went out under ilie di rection of the great God, and with such a leader as Gideon. God was gaining this victory, but He used Gideon and his men as chosen instruments. We see three ways here used by Gideon to terrify his ene mies: (1) He, with his men. made a great noise blowing trumpets and breaking the earthen pitcher. (2) By the Sudden glare of light, which would be as a streak of lightning. (3) Besides the noise of trum pets he added shouting, calling attention to God and His chosen instrument as lead er in this attack. By this sudden surprise at midnight the people would be terribly alarmed, and naturally conclude them selves surrounded by a great army. 2.1. "Every man in Lis place. Seeing Ihe company with lights and blowing trum pets keep in place the Midianites would conclude they were a great army, whose men were now already in their camp. The army of Israel did not come to fight. Their work was to sound the trumpets, hold the lights and shout. "Kan, and cried, and dud." The Midianites were so perfeotly confused thst there was no order preserved and every one acted according to his feel ings of terror. Thus the battle went on among Midianites, and Israel stood by and watched their own victory without using a sword. The terrified people run in a tu mult and fought each other madly, not knowing friend from foe. God directed the battle and used His own way to deliver His people from their enemies. The vic tory was comolcte. How He Saw It. Uncle 81 (aBri-culturiBt) I've beam the New York zoo Is great. Uriels Jo (countryside joker) Wai, I guess! They've sot the unmitigated ass, and money sharks, and country suckers, and Chicago lobsters, and Wall street bulls, and stock exchange bears, and peacocks c. faHhlon, and monkey-faced dudes, and society apes, and old hen reformers, and gawkles. and snipes, and snakes of vice, and Tammany tigers, and owl cars, and Standard Oil bogs, and doves of peace, and dogs of war, an1 Undo Silas Say, Jo, I want a gallon of that same elder. Life. The Other Fellow. VWJiat do you think of these 'ere trusts?" asked Farmer Bootjack. "All wrong tur'ble things," replied Farmer Sweotflug. "aov'ment bedn't orter allow them to exfut By the way," he added, with a chuckle, "I guess that milk association has got the pesky milk dealer right where we want 'em now. They'll hov to come down with our price for the milk or ele quit sellln'," Torre Haute Ga-sette. CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR TOPICS. Nor. JO "Missions: A Meetinr hi the Inter est of Forelrn Mission." Isa. xhr.l2-2X ' Srrlptiiro Versos 1. John HI. 10; Matt, xvlll. 33; Rom. x. 13. 14, 15; John xv. 16; Prov. xl. 25: Oal. vl. 9; John xv. 5: Luke xlll, SI, 29; Ps. Ixxil. 8; John xli. 32. Lesson Thoughts. It was not Intended that those to whom Christ made known his pur nose of grn.ee should preserve lt an a profound secret. Tho command was and 1b. "Go ye and teach." If we put forth no helping; hand to Ihe poor and perishing lt mutters not what pretentions to piety we may make, we are not true disciples of Christ. The more we have of the mission ary spirit the stronger do we be come. "In watering others, our owa souls shall be watered." Selections. "Oh, the joy to see thee reigning. Thee our own beloved Lord; Kvery tongue thy name confessing;, Worship, honor, glory, blofslng. Brought to thee with glad accor! Thee, our Master and our friend. Vindicated and enthroned! Unto earth's remotest end Gloriled, adored and owned." At the end of the first thousand years after the birth ot ClwlHt there were fifty million Christians, in A, D. 1500. one hundred million Chris tians; in A. D. 1800, two hundred million Christians; in A. D. 1880, four hundred and fifteen million Christians. One cannot study tliC3e figures and remark upon the amazing Increase not only In numbers, but in the ratio of Increase, without becom ing convinced that, we are In the age of Christ's widening kingdom. A half pint of benns was sent to a mlslonary meeting with the re queit that they be planted for three years and the result be given to missions. It was done, and the net result was over four hundred dollars. How quickly and easily the world would be won to Christ. It every con vert became a converter! If God's people would all set to work every day to pray with the whole heart. "Thy kingdom come," and then would set to work to nee that his will was done in their own lives, his kingdom would com thou sands of years soon. Suggested Hymns. Conquering now and still to conquer. Preach the Gospel, sound it forth. Great Jehovah, mighty Lord. Speed away, speed away on your mis sion of light. The morning light Is breaking. Work, for the night is coming. EPW0RTH LEAGUE MEETING TOPICS. Nov. 30 A Cure lor the World' Wee Isa 45. 12-23. The lesson occurs In the midst ot a prophecy concerning the coming of the kingdom of Messiah. God first as serts his authority and ownership of earth, yet declares that ho often hidtn himself in his providence. Yet in all his ways ho designs to redeem and save- his people. The climax of the lesson is in the twenty-second verse, where "all the ends of the earth" are Invited to "look and live." Kvery be ing in the universe shall make con fession, having the eacredness of an oath, that Jehovah is all-supreme, righteous. Just, and merciful. Angels, devils, and men shall confess Christ. In him shall be the cure of sin. The one cure of the trouble of this world is a personal faith In Jesus Christ. An the serpent-bitten Israelites looked upon the 'brazen serpent and lived, so faith in the uplifted Christ saves from sin. The duty Is to look to Jexus. Looking means vastly more than see ing; it Implies both considering and choosing. It Implies a real faith in Christ. It is addressed to "all the ends of the earth." There Is a uni versal atonement made for sin. "Who soever will may come." The universal Gospel carries the obligation to take lt to all. It Christ can save all we must do our utmost to let all know the "glad news." The object In looking Is to be saved. Men are now lost. Without Christ there is no salvation. For the trouble there is a gracious cure. For the world's woe there is a blessed joy and peace. This we are to press upon the attention of a careless age. Meu are dead in trespasses and sins; there is "life for a look at the Crucified One." Ixiolc and live. Look In order to live. Look because there is life nowhero else. The reason of this gracious re sult Is found in the fact that the Christ Is God; and that there is none else. Out of Christ there Is absolutely no hope. All human philosophies fall to save men; the Gospel actually does. Other arms of help are powerless, but the grace of Christ Is suflliclcnt to save. Suffering, discipline, culture, development, and moral precepts are unable to euro men of sin. But look ing to Jesus, tho personal faith In Christ, does effect a cure. And it le because be is God. The Gospel can cure from Trouble. Sorrow. Despair. Anxiety. Disap pointment. Temptation. Fear. Hope lessness. Sin. A gentleman heard a street preacher, as he was passing by, ay, "None other name." Tho words rang In his soul. By the blessing of God he awoke to the new life. "I see lt all," he said; "I have been trying to be saved by my own works, my re pentance, my prayers, my reformation. I see my mistake. It Is Jesus only that can save." WANTED THE MARKET RATE Prospective Bankrupt Sought Informa tion Before Hie Failure. According to Mr. John Clallln, pres ident of the II. B. Claftln company, hU father, the founder of the house, made a strong effort to maintain persona) relations with his customers. He al ways encouraged buyers to come to him for a friendly talk, and as far ae possible he advised them concerning the matters in hand. One day a customer called, and ar he entered the private office Mr. Claf llu looked up from his desk and called: "Hello, bow are you feellns to ay?" "I'm feeling fine, Mr. Claflin; I never was better." "And bow Is the business?" "Oh, that's different. Mr. Claflin. I think I must have a failure." "What! A failure? How Is that? Haven't you made money?" "I used to, Mr. Clafiln, but not now; business is had, very bad, Mr. Clafiln, and I think I must fall." ,. ."Well, now, I'm sorry. But will it be a bad fullure? How much will you pay ?" "Ah, that la what I want, to see you about. How much urn tfcey paying cow. Mr. Clallln?" THE HELIGI0US LIFE READING FOR THE QUIET HOUR WHEN THE SOUL INVITES ITSELF. Toeim A Thought From Day ta ! The (Irentest of All Is I.otb Wll hont It Wliil a. Ursnlate Desert Is 1. ire Love the Dalljr Key. Just to be tender, just, to be true, Just to be glad Ihe whole day through, Just to lie merciful, just to tie mild; Just to be trustful as a child; Just t.i be gentle and kind snd sweet, Just to lie helpful with willing feet. Just to be cheery when things go wrong, Just to drive sadness away with song; Whether the hour is dark or bright. Just to be loyal to God and right. Just to believe that God knows best. Just in His promises ever to rest .Tnst to let love lie our daily key. This is God's will for you snd me, The Standard The Best Gifts. There has been an attempt of late to prove that love is uot the supreme pas sion; that hatred, avarice, envy, covetous ness, ride, revenge, fear or veneration may become just as great as love. Some have even striven to demonstrate this by writing a novel with the love left out, en deavoring to make it as interesting to the' reader as the story of love. Kor. tliey say, love has too long occupied the best ground of the novelist. But while some of these master attempts have been read with interest, they have not been lauded to the skies, and the world still continues to turn to the love stories for its rest, its comfort or its ex citement. And, sfter all, what n desolate desert it is for a setting of any life story, a plaro without love! Strange that there should ever be nny such discussion. The Itiblp has never left any doubt about the matter. Writer after writer speaks out plainly, "Above all things." Christ when He came put love even above the law. which at that time atooil sternly frowning above all else. To quote from Henry Drummond's "Greatest Thing in the World:" "In those days men were working their passage to heaven by keeping the Ten Commandments, and the hundred and ten other commandments which they iiad manufactured out of them. Christ said. I will show you a more sim ple way. If you do one tiling, you will do these hundred and ten things, without ever thinking about them. If you love you will unconsciously fulfill the whole law." But though this has been known for hundreds of years, the church some mem bers of it, continue to forget it, They still long. a they did then, for the "more excellent gifts;" they want to preach, UicV want to teach, thev desire to lie wise, nnd to be great nccordinclv, just as they did in those dava when Paul was writing to the Corinthians. Here is a man who might be of service to the Lord, and n cor ner wherein lie might fit, but he desires most ardently to be the Superintendent of the Sunday-school, and been use he does not seem to be the one for that place he sulks at home nnd refuses to teach that Sunday-school clsss. His own little son is influenced by this and slays at home, too, and hears his father say hard things about the pride of those who do not count him as good ss themselves or see that he is just the one for the auperintendency. And he forgets that he must first bring to life the love in his heart that Ood put there townrd Himself and his fellow man. For if. indeed, he loved God he would be so glad to do anvthing for Him that he would not have time to see whether him self were being honored or not. and thus would be well on the way toward lein tho kind of nerson n good Sunday-school Su perintendent could be made of.' Here again is another Christian, we will sny a Chris tian Kndeavorer, who is nfTended because he wis not made president nt the last election, or because he was not selected to lead a meeting at which strangers from nnother society were to he present, or be cause he was not made the rhairmnn of that prominent committee, counting his own gilts as unworthily employed in any but a most important office. Such men go about like tombstones whereon is en graved that all may read: "Herein lietli dead blie thirteenth chapter of First Co rinthians." "The greatest thing," it is said, "a mm can do for his heavenly Father is to be kind to sonic of His other children." If this be true and who can doubt it? then the poorest of God's children, tho humble worker in the kitchen, the un learned laborer at his task, the most un noticed member of an unimportant com mittee, has in his power na great a gift to exercise for his God ns the wise professor or the great learned orator. It has been snid that a missionary can begin to exer cise this gift of love the moment liis feet touch the foreign shore, but the gift of tongues requires long study now. nnd even with the knowledge of the language of a strange country a missionary might ns well stay nt home, even with nil his eloquence if he carries not with him love. This chapter is not a careful analysis of love. By looking into the fine qualities we may discover if we have rcallv chosen to have imparted to ua the best gift. Grace Livingston Hill, in the Mail nnd Kxpress. True Greatness. Whether we do little or great things is comparatively a minor matter. But whether nil that we do is done as in God's sight, and at God's appointment and com mand, ia ever a mighty matter. Few of us are set at mighty undertakings, but nil of us have the opportunity of giving a cup of cold water to a little one in God's king dom in tho spirit that will be recognized as a Rift to the King of kings. An St. Au gustine expressed it. "Littlo things are lit tle things, but faithfulness in little things is something great." Let lis ail show true greatness. Sunday-School Times. Cheerfulness, If we wish to help our fellow men we can hardly do them a greater service than by being so strong, earnest and cheerful that the disheartened will take a new lease of hope trom us; the doubting a new vision of faith, and the fallen a new impulse to get on their feet again. The most effective philanthropist is not he who empties his purse to relieve distress, but he who, by his own cheerfulness amid life's trials pours a new tide of victorious faith and hope into the souls of men. William Mathews. Children sis Friends. Children are faithful friends. The friend ship of a child is unselfish. It gives to you its heart, its whole little being. It will not deceive you. Older hearts may forsake or forget you; its heart remains true to you. Trial has taught you the vanity and empti ness of all human aims aud wishes. Only in hearts of children du you tind unal loyed comfort. Their hearts will cleave to you though the heavens fall. Benjamin Huusman, U. I)., in Congregationalism Willing Obedience. God calls us to duty, and the only right answer is obedience. If it can be glad aud willing and loving obedience, happy are we, but, in any case, whether we ourselves gel enjoyment and blessing from the task or not, the call must be obeyed. The will of God must lie done for the sake of God, not for the sake of ourselves. Undertake the duty, snd slep by step God will pro vide the disposition. We can at least obey. Ideal obedience includes the whole will nnd the whole heart. We cannot be gin with that. But we can begin with what we have. God calls. It is better to obey blunderingly than not to obey at all. -George Hodges, V). D. Too Oood a Liar. A young man from Banffshire was pending his holidays in Aberdeen While walking on "the green" lu com pany with his uncle, he was surprised to eee so many kites flying. Observing one far higher than tbe rant, ho called his uncle's attention and aalted if evei he hud Been a kite flying as high bo fore. "Did ever I see auu a blub afore? Mun, Jamie, that's naethlng, for 1 hae seen some o' tbum cleuu oot d' HlchL" Scottish America!. TIIE GREAT DESTROYED SOME STARTLING FACTS A30UT THE VICE OF INTEMPERANCE. Poem: The flreai ftplrier. Tteasoa Why Women Drink Sir T. Harlow, nrlUs King's Phjslelan, Speaks of tne Bss aers of the Habit and Ketnedy. A spider sat in his basement den. Weaving his snnres for the souls of mem. "I will not work with my hands," quote he; "An easier pathway must open for me. He spreads his tables of greenish baize. And many a cunning trap he lays; The marble balls are smooth and white, The den is blazing with floods of light; Behind the bar the spider stands; There is not a wise man in the land But will lose his wit snd become a fool If he yields himself to the spider's rule; There is not a man so strong and brave, ' But the spider will d-'g him a shamefist grave; There is not a youth so noble and fair, But will learn' to drink and gamble an swear In the spider's den. But do not. pray. iiare to dispute the spider s sway. If you sweep the den with the law's stronf broom . Perhaps you might mnke n cleaner room. But then, men are fearful a little afraid. In fact, on the spiders to make raid; 'Twould stir up excitement, and spiders must live: So our dear household treasures we pa tiently give. The spider still sits in his basement den, Lying in wait for the souls of men. Tho Evil Among Women Sir Thomas Barlow, one of the King"! physicians, touched upon a most impor tant subject, which greatly cone'erns social conditions in Great Britain, in a recent address upon "Present Day Dangers of In temperance Among Women and the Bcsf Methods of Meeting Them." Lack of oe cupation and childlessness among women, whose husbands leave them during the day, worry, bodily weakness, nagging and pains which women have to suffer, h mentioned as some of the causes. Casei of heredity were rare, and the encourage ment of example in youth was more oftef the cause. Drink, he said, might become a disease hut it started ns an indulgence. Drugs) shampooing nnd galvanic treatment wers all described as of little use as cures. Rest and removal of the cause were the on! real remedies. Even doctors and nurses, he said, were foolish enough to say. Why deprive womer patients of the thing which gives then comfort? It was necessary to stop tha' damnable thing. It could be done, pro, vided there were no friends who were sue! criminal lunatics as to smuggle in alcohol The lecturer would have teetotal doctorr and nurses. Dr. Barlow having dealt with the medi cal aspect of the question, the Bishop of London added that he had had case afte case of character and life spoiled anions, the rich by alcohol and morphia. Turing to the East End, which he knows so well, the Bishop said that out of 10OC women in an East End workhouse to-day 500 were there from alcohol, and that nine ty per cent, of women with children ia the workhouse infirmary were tber through alcohol. Apropos of the drink ouestion Mr. WilT iam S. Caine, M. P., who has discoveree some startling facts in connection with th drink ouestion in India, will bring these before the House of Commons. Within the Inst few years there has beee a 12.5 per rent, increase in the consumption of liouor in India, although the ponulntion has increased onlv seventeen and a fanli per cent. Mr. Caine will suggest that the Government apply the local veto act tc Tndia to support the better class of Mo hammedans and Hindoos in their attempt to nrevcnf the spread of alcoholism. Linuor is. of course, a Government mo nopoly in Tndia, and tcmnerance people here are agitating against the continuant "" these conditions. "Drunks" In a New Tork Court. It is characteristic of almost all the prisoners except the drunks that their chief concern is to secure a delay. They plead and beg for an adjournment, which they know will only postpone the inevitable ioi a day or two, and that although, through their inability to obtain bail, they will have to stay in prison just the same. The most plausible explanation is that they all are fatalists, always hoping that something unexpected may turn up to stave off the impending catastrophe. The drunks, on the other hand, are more eager to face the arbiter of their fates, knowing that noth ing worse than a fine is likely to befall them, and that the sooner it is imposed the sooner it may be paid or served off. And then there is the chance, if the rugi istrate is in good humor, that they may get away unscathed at once. As a rule, although not seldom still in their cups, thev are loath to make nny in criminating admissions. "No, sir," pro tested a man who kept himself from fall ing onlv by holding on nervously to the bar; "I'm not drunk, 'cause no one' drunk who's not falling all over himself." Excuses of the most wonderful kind, some of them really ingenious, others merely ridiculous, are put forward when the fu tility of feigning innocence has been dis covered. The cleverest explanation of that kind that 1 ever heard was advanced by man who, when taxed with having dis played unmistakable signs of intoxication, siinnly replied that he was a painter by trade. "That lias nothing to do with your con dition," said the magistrate. "Of course it has," rejoined the prison er. "I was painting a barber's pole, and kept on twisting about after the stripes until I got so dizzy that the cop thought I was boozy." Edward Biorkman, in the Century. Victims of Alcoholism, Examination of the records of the Cor oner's office of Chicago shows that the number of deaths due to alcoholism and the saloon evil is steadily diminishing since the enforcement of the midnight closing law in January, 1901. Coroner Traeger gave out the figures which disclose the fact that in similar periods of time before and after the issuance of the order to close at midnight the number of cases traced to this source has decreased almost thirty per cent. s Sobriety. It is a fact proved by drinking statistics that America is becoming more temperate, but the best authorities do not attribute tho improvement to the effects of legal penalties. Hard drinkers are no Ion gel countenanced by desirable society. Tint is one reformatory force, and a stronget one yet is the increasing demand in many lines of business for men who are always sober and reliable. The Crusade It Itrlef. 'A Swedish temperance society lias bees' organized at Milbunk, 8. D., with sixty eight members. Local option as to sale of spirits in coun try parishes of Sweden lias long been es tablished, with the happiest results. In 1001, Janiostown, Ohio, had saloons the tax rato wus- $2.70 on the hundred'. During 1902, with no saloons, the rate ot taxation was on the hundred. The retail liquor dealers of Corsicsna, Texas, announce that they have effected an organization for the purpose of aiding offi cers to enforce tbe luw for the control ot saloons. Father Sicbenfrercher, of the Catholic Church, has r-rc;itly preached total absti nence lu Catholic theological eeminarier with such etluct that nine total abstinence societies hae been organized among tliesr priests in raining. It is snid that the labor bureau investi gations show that mure thun neventv-bve per cent, of the employers of skilled labor ill the United Stales require total abati iieme of their employes, as do titty p vent, ot the employers of uuskillvd labor. Iu Mississippi, when saloons existed, it 'WHi ultnost impossible to leep hulp, and. l-irge fuiniiicd were destitute berutise of di uida-iiiu-ss. Now uu-ii who tvci-e in rat;, uu lei- slooti rulo, are prosperous and lniipy. lt is nleo nsMTlcd that cuuutwa vlih h are free from the yul.e could not b UiiW'vd to ug'tiu incline lliu liquor l.nuUc,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers