"SUPREME OPPORTUNITY"
A Brilliant Sunday Sermon By Rev.
Cornelius WoeHkln.
The Fascinating. Biblical Homines ol Esther
Sell Year Opaorlanlty Resolutely.
NKW Yohk City. Sunday morning the
Rev. Cornelius Woelfkin. minister of she
Greene Avenue Baptist Church, had for his
subject "A Supreme Opportunity." Ho
chose as hia text Esther iv: 14; "Who
knoweth whether thou urt ;omo to the
kingdom for audi a time a thia?" Mr..
Woelfkin aaid:
The history of Esther ia a fascinating
romance. Every changing scene in the
panorama ia a graphic illiu .ration of the
providence of (Tod. It traces the transi
tion from obscurity to prominence; from
weakness to power. Tho scene opens
showing Esther an orphan girl belonging
to a captive and despised race. Naturally,
every door of influence would be closed to
her. Alone in the world, dependent upon
a cousin's bounty, the horizon or ncr life
was limited. Her chief endowment was
beauty, and tlint, as the world goes, it
more likely to become a snare of evil than
a benediction of good. Vet, behind this
humble, modest lno there is working the
might, wisdom and lovj of God. Th
Queen's throno ia empty. The royal crown
is waiting some one who may please the
mood of the King. Thousands of gentle
blood dream of the Queen's place as the
acme of a'.l ambition, lint the providence
of Jehovah has reserved the place for
fcstlmr, the orphaned Jewish girl.
'i'his same divine power seeks to mold
every life. The circumstances und condi
tions that environ us may not seem prom
ising. But what are these with God? His
strength is made perfect in weakness. The
vast majority of men and women who have
made the molds of history were those
whom Hod's providence broupht from ob
scurity and lowly couditions. Your way is
not hid from the Almighty. There is a
place held vacant for your filling. That
place is as honored and dignified us anv
royal throne, because it ia divinely ap
pointed. The steps leading thereto muy
seem to lie contingencies, accidents, for
tuitous chances, and through the moods of
other persons. But if there be the spirit
of faith to trust Him, diligence to discover
His will and readiness to obey. He will
bring us to the place and position most
suited for our eternal profit and glory. No
one else may step into our place, until we,
through unbelief and disobedience, have
forfeited the privilege of its occupancy.
Every life has its own unique endow
ment. Success or failure depends upon the
manner in which we hold these posses
sion. If we hold them selfishly to profit
ourselves withal, thev turn into corrup
tion. But if they be held in trust as a sa
cred stewardship, used for tho furtherance
of His purposes nnd tho bringing of His
kingdom, thxy will turn out eternal treas
ures. Our temptation is to discredit our
possessions and opportunities. But we may
not despise the day of small things.
Esther had on.y personal beauty to cwi
mend her t first. This is not a gift de
spised by Satan in his attempt to rui'i a
soul; then why should it be discredited ns
a power for good? The bid had only fivo
loaves ar.d two fishes, but, consecrated to
I lis service, they led the mu'titudc and
more. It all turns upon whether wc are
using our endowments in tho interest of
self und by the energy of self, or whether
we nre living nyl working in co-operation
with Him and for His g'oiy. The form of
a life will vary. God does not duplicate
and make all lives to conform to a like pat
tern. There was a vast difference between
the captive maid that served in X.Hainan's
home and the orphan captive who mounted
the Persian throne, but it was the same
Uod who worked in each.
The orphan girl became the bounteous
queen, tsbe enjoys the honors and emolu
ments of royalty. Banquets arc held in her
honor and a retinue of servants minister
to her continually. Can she support the
dignity thus thrust upon her? Will adu
lation, flattery and vanity enervate her
soul's ability, or will she grow strong and
potent for good amid opportunities? Oniy
trial can answer such queries, and that
comes soon enough. From the outer world
she hears the lamentation of her kindred
people. Mordecai. her cousin, is in sack
cloth and mourning and would not lie
comforted. All the captives are wailing
with ftar. What could it mean? If she
had only been party to the conference be
tween her royal husband and the prime
minister prince she would have understood.
li she could see all the clerks writing tho
sentences of death which were bein;j hur
ried throughout the empire sha would hsvo
l;nown. She seems to be exempt.- iJoes
she not dwell in the palace? But the
blackness overshadows her even there.
No circumstance or condition can shut it
out. The court of Persia permitted no one
wearing sack cloth, that symbol of sorrow
and mourning, to enter the royal pre
cincts. They would rot be disturbed bv
painful reminders of life's sorrows. But
even the royal ptirnle can neither ijnore
nor escape thorn. 'J lie tra?ediej of life are
not shut out by hiding and ignoring them.
We can build no barrier tliat will prevent
their invasion.
The Redeemer of the world did not ig
nore them. He did not isolute Himself
from human woe, but through suffering
became a Saviour, forgiving sin. brinjiitu
glory out of the crucible of suffering and
planting the light of hope nmid tho
shadows of death. If Esther seeks to sav
her life alone she will lose it. But if in
seeking to save others she lose it. she shall
save it. We eaunot in a time of epidemic
think of ourselves alone. Individual care
fulness will prove fatal.
There came a moment of despair to
Esther. What can she do more tlinn oth
ers. She had not been called into tin
King's presence for a whole month. And
to venture unbidden mieht mean deat'i.
She had her limitations. Even hr positin i
seemed unequal to the need. Her privi
eges full short. It is alwava so, A grav."
crisis ever brins the shadow of despair.
There are problems 'that confront every
generation that teem insoluble. Y become
bewildered and pem'.exed; we feel our in
adequacy and desoair. This perplexity and
despair is purely human. Its shadow never
falls unon the throne of Und. He "It-ill
not fail nor bs discoursed till Ho ha'h t:t
judgment in the earth. All thit l re
quires is an instrument that will not halk
at the cost, and lie brings snecdv relief.
Let us fling the sacrifice of life into the
situation, nnd nothing shall be impossible
to us. It is this desire to keep our skins
whole, and to conserve our personal e:io
and comfort that make situations difficult.
Paul was an ontimist. because he threw
his life into the crisis. Comfort, esse,
quiet. pleasHre, were rot aimid nt bv him.
therefore he could confidently write:'"! am
pressed on every side yet not straitened;
perpiexed. yet not unto desoair; pursued,
yet not forsaken: smitten down, yet not
destroyed." HelfUhnes brings the mid
night, self-sacrifice the dawn.
Then followed Esther's heroic resolve.
A crisis always develops the chsracter. In
a moment she read the meaning of her
providential experiences, She sow some
thinss of God's plan in her life. Why had
she been exalted from the lowly position
of an orphan to the regal dignity of a
queen? Why had sha been preferred above
all others for this great place? The mean
ing begins to crystallite. God foresaw this
crisis, anticipated the need, and for such a
time as this was Esther come to the king
dom. In the very htart of that gravest
difficulty luy her supreme opportunity. Our
greatest moments ara often set in darkest
circumstance. The providences of God
have shaped our course, and there is a pur
pons and end as definite as that of Esther's
in our lives. The hand that guides may bo
invisible, and the light may not always illu
mine the meaning. But if wa ar faithful
in trust and obedience to every passing op-
wa shall some time understand
that we, too. are come to the kingdom fot
a specific end.
To seise this supreme opportunity in
volved a risk. She dara not wait to waiga
the ahancea too minutely. Life itself ia a
stewardship. Duty eonatraina us to pay
out it anergiea in proportion to obligations
and opportunities. Hometinies tba whole
price must be paid down at onoe. But if
life be held at the disposal of Uod it will
. iuake little difference whether it be paid
in installments or at one paymeut. Lite ia
a possession that we must surrender any
way, but we may elect whether it ahall be
invested in eternal treasure or squandered
in temporal gratification.
Esther was ahut up to two courses, and
both threatened death. Silence and inert
less would mean to be overtaken in the
fUfrai suuuaae... AUsisuk at-salvoluin
emtio: nut anticipate dertiroyT ffw onys,
and had the chance of success. There is
not much room for choice. Death is the
worst that can come, and Hint will I'lnin
either way. Esther said, "If I perish. 1
perish." This is synonymous with those
expressions made by the martyr spirits of
history. It is the only attitude and expres
sion that will fit the supreme crisis and
opportunity. In just such situations Moses
said, "Blot me, I pray thee, out of the
book which thou hast written," Jesus said,
"I hold not My life of any account as dear
unto Myself. X am ready to die." Who
ever goes upon a great mission must, like
the early Christians, take his life in his
hands. It is only along that pathway that
salvation lies. It is a great price, but of
ten paid for an inferior purpose. Heroism
asks for life as the price of patriotism,
home and freedom. Ambition demands
life for reputation and honor. Conve
nience and progress do not hesitate to ac
cept life as a price. Our bridges, buildings
and tunnels are built with the cost of life.
Shall we, then, murmur at the missionary
who is willing to risk fever and riot in the
interests of eternal salvation? When ex
amples of self-devotion fall into the per
spective of history we applaud the inartvr
spirit. G'od help us to value and covet it
when near at hand.
Esther went with fear and trembling,
nut not cowardice. Heroism is not fool
hardy. To go forward in the face of dan
ger, despite fear, is true courage. Paul
ministered in Corinth with much weak
ness, fear and trembling, but beneath all
was the splendid heroism of, self-devotion.
"If I perish" hut such a spirit cannot
perish. It may seem to fall in self-sacrifice,
but it does not perish. Some heroes
of faith come out unscathed from conflict,
they are delivered from the edije of the
sword, the force of violence anil power ot
ire. Others are stoned, sawn asunder and
killed. But lhy do not perish. The mar
tyrs torn by lions on the Roman arena
wcro as victorious as Daniel who was de.
livered. The witnesses who burned at '
omithtielct were as triumphant as the three
men who could not he burned bv the seven
fold heat of Nebuchadnezzar's furnace.
The Huguenots who fell on St. Bartholo
mew's Day were no less conquerors than
Joshua's arrry. Christ did not perish on
the cross. Paul did not perish in Homo.
Telemachus did not perish in the Human
arena. Such dying is the highway to lifu
and power.
Tho Queen ns!:ed the forfeited lives of
her people. She was related to them and
a suflerer with them. From their side she
was moved with compassion. From her
nuccnly puition she obtained deliverance.
This is the object of all mediation. Our
Saviour as the man Jesus is touched with
the feeling of our infirmities. As the ex
ulted Lord IIo intercedes to supply our
need according to His riches in glory. Tho
privilege of prnyer is granted to us. that
from tho human side we may feel the bur
den of human sorrow and woe, and so bo
pressed into an intercession for divine sue
ror. In our weakness we are tempted to
iimise tins irreat curie o.ancne 01 our J.oru.
Salome, who received the same overture
fvim a kin? as did Estb-r, asked the death
3f John the Bantist. Manv n petition of
prayer would erd in death if granted. But
no carnal, selfish supplication will receive
the indorsement of tho Lord Christ, and
lonseqiiently fails.
The.i we come to the banquet scene. It
Is most sugeestive. On'y the hostess and
ttvo guests, hut what issues tremble in the
Mlances. Esther is under sentence of
icath. The dark hour is drawing nigh,
liaman. the prime minister, is in free; ho
s succeeding most marvelous'.y. Yet in
jne day nil is suddenly reversed. The
)ueen becomes the author of life nnd Ha
nan is sent to the gallows bui't for an
ither. Success may be upon us in the very
larkest hour, while failure may be dog
ling the tracks of the most lightsome
leart. Righteousness seeins to he worsted
n the conflict with evil. Good measures
leem to fail, evil ones to triumph. Scru
pulous honesty goes to the wall, whilo
:rickcryand fraud are crowned with sue
less. Virtue is seemingly strangled and
vice is robed with royalty. And wo are
tempted to be envious at the prosperity of
the wicked. But we may not pass judg
ment until the issue is seen. There will
ronie .1 day when righteousness shall flour
ish nnd evil peri-di. The plots of the
world's Human. Herods nnd Jud.ises all
miscarry. Sin and evil rot at the core.
Righteousness and truth have tho quality
of immortality.
At tho right moment Esther rot only
itntcd the plot, but named the adversary
ind enemy this wicked Hainan. It was
tn awful crisis. It is nlways a crisis when
contending principles coire to the decisive
struggle. In everv soul there is a Hunan
who seeks th betrayal and destruction of
the spiritual life. In our conflict with this
evil self there come n time when we must
be specific in naming the foe. No snlvntion
pomes from generalities. This adversary
and enemy may wear different names in
our disposition. It may be nride. envy,
iealonsy, hittcrnrss, worldliness, etc.
Whatever it mtiv be, it has nVinned our
ruin nnd waits the moment of execution.
If we would save our lives, families, citi' i
nnd the world we must dc;d uncompromis
ingly with the particular Unman "ho is
working destruction. Not until Hainan
goes to the gallows can life stand secure.
Having seized the supreme npnortunitv
nt great risk. Esther finds a great reward.
The clerks write the messaie of life more
rapidly than thev wrote the sentence of
death. The e,ood work is hastened w;th
more sneed than the message of woe. Joy
supplant so-row and life comes in the
place of death. The harvest of sacrifice 's
life. We sow in tears, we reap in joy. In
this successful mission of Esther the me
diatrix we have an adumbration of the !
vation wrought out by Jesus Christ. He
took His life in His hands. He died anil
oae a"ain from the dead. He secured a
reversal of the sentence of death written
wainst us nnd proclaims forgiveness of
ins and the gift of eternal life. Ours is
:hi privi'ege first to receive and rejoice in
ihis truth, and then to sneed the glad tid
ing to every creature in nil the world.
These are our supreme opportunities. Thev
may be shadowed with "lf"iacri'i"e. but if
they are reso'ntely seized they w ill issue in
the morning of joy.
Victories Won.
"It is not by regretting what is irrcpar
ib'e that true work is to be done, but by
r.aking the best of what we are. It is not
9y complaining that we have not the right
;ools. but by using well the tools we have.
What we are, and where we are. is (Jod's
rovidential nrranuement God' Joint.
.hough it may be a man's misdoing; and
'.ha manly and the wis- way is to loolt
four disadvantages in the face, and sen
what can be made out of them. Life, like
rar, ia a series of mistakes, and be ia not
the best Christian nor the best general
rho makes the fewest false steps. He is
;he best who wins the most splendid vic
tories by the retrievul of mistakes." i
W. Kobertaoa.
Mukea One Charitable.
True religion will make its possessor
truly charitable in dealing with his busi
ness associates and competitors. Key. U.
. Siir
A Canny Preacher.
Major Pond wa a discreet man, but
he occasionally told one celebrity a
good etory at the expense of another
One ot hla favorite atoriea waa of an
American preacher who preached In
England under hi management
The aermon attracted greater audi
encea than either manager or preacher
bad expected, and at length, one night,
aa manager and managed aat talking
upon the atep of a great London
church after the delivery ot a auccoaa
tut aermon In a neighboring ball, the
fllasatlBfled preacher struck tor higher
aage, and brought auch arguments
to bear that th manager felt It necea
ary to yield.
It waa a coatly talk for Major Pond,
but be keenly .enjoyed the humor of
the altuatlon and took great pleasure
In picturing the great preacher seated
In the moonlight upon the cathedral
ttep bargaining for higher pay tor
preaching r.hn gospel. New York Sun.
Maine' Long Seaoeaat
Maine a seacoast In a atralght line
la 226 mllea, while following the Ina
ana out It la 2,486 mllea. Betwasm
Klttery point and Quoddy bead there
are nrty-iour Iighthoaaea.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for
September 27.
Review ot the Topics for the Third Qairlrr
Read Ptalm 8 Ooldeo Teat, Pta. xtvll.,
I Topic! Israel Obtalolof a Klog
Sanmary of Lessons.
"Lesson I." Topic: Israel demanding
l:in5. Samuel was growing old; there wat
no one to take his place; other nations
had kings; Israel wanted to he like the na
tions around them: the elders came tc
Samuel and asked that they might have
king; the request displeased Samuel: ht
took the matter to the Lord; the Lord
snid, Hearken unto the voice of the people;
they had not on'y rejected Samuel, but
they had rejected the Lord; the Lord tolrf
Samuel to protest solemnly and show what
li king would expect of them.
II. Topic: Israel choosing a king, b'ati'
foes to Samuel seek ng information; tin
.on! told Samuel to anoint Saul to lit
king; Samuel invites Saul to dine with
him; nftcrwards be anoints Saul; Samuel
tails the people together to Mizpch; told
them that they had r-jectcd Uod; ordered
the tribes to nrrnnge themselves for the
purpose of casting lots for a king; Saul li
ehoen; Snul hud hid himself; the Lord
revealed his hiding place to Samuel; Sau'
is brought in and the people shouted and
said. Cod save the king.
ill. 'Ionic: The consequences of o'oey
ing and disobeying God. After his election
as king Saul returned to private life, lull
'jo:i it bcLomc necessary to go against the
Ammonites, nnd Saul called the nrmy to
gether and gained n great victory. Samuel
then called the peop'c together at Ciilgal
for the purpose of establishing Saul in t lie
povcrnmcnt. Samuel makes his farewell
address; speaks of his integrity; recall
Jehovah's past mercies nnd Israel's ingrati
tude: tonhrms his words by a miracle t
thunder storm i:i harvest ti:r.c; the people
are comforted.
IV. Topic: Disobedience punished. Saul
had been kingabout ten years; hehad grown
proud nnd rebellious; lie was commanded
to utterly destroy the Amalckites; he
brought back the best of tho sheep nnd
oxen and Agag the king: Samuel met Saul
nnd charged him with disobedience; Saul
excused himself nnd said the peonle saved
the best in order to sacrifice to the lyord;
Snmuel said, "To obry is better than sacri
lici;" Said is rejected.
V. To'iic: The Lord choosing a kini.
The historv of David is begun; Sfmue! is
command !d to go to Bethlehem and anoint
one of the sons of Jesse; he fears to go: is
told to t ike a heifer nnd sacrifice unto the
Lord; the elders of the town tremble at
Ins coming: Samuel told them he came
peaceably; seven of the. sons of Jesie ara
made to pass before Samuel, but the
prophet said the Lord had not chosen
them; David is ctl'id in from the field
aT d is anointed by Samuel i:i tho presence
of bis brethren.
VI. Tonic: Fighting the Lord's battle.
The Philistines nre nrrayed against Israel;
Ooliatli. the Philistine giant, challenges
Saul's nrmv to furnish n champion to meet
him; David hears the challenge and offers
himself; is first c.ad in a coat of mail, but
lavs it aside nnd takes only his stuff and
sling and five smooth stones from the
brook; thi Philistine derided David;
David answers htm; David slung a stone
nnd smote Ooliatli in the forehead; David
then cut off the head of the giant; the
Philistines fled; Israel pursued them.
VII. Topic: The deliverance and pros
perity of David. After his victory over
(lolialh David acted wisely and wns pro
moted; the women sang his praises; fiaul
became very angry; he watched David's
movements with suspicion; feared David
would seize the kingdom; tries to kill
David, by casting his javelin at him; David
escnned: David made captain over a thou
sand: all Israel and Judnh loved David.
VIII. Tonic: Jonathan's last interces
sion for David. To save his life Uavid fled
to Samuel; Saul pursued him; David then
annealed to Jonathan for assistance; Jon
athan love.) David and promised to find
out what Saul's intentions were; Jonathan
soon discovered that Sam intended to kill
Davtd: Dtviu nnd Jonathnn met nt the
stono Ezel; according to previous arrange
ment arrows were shot nnd David was
war"ed; David nnd Jonathan then have
an affectionate farewell.
IX. Topic: David's noble net. Samuel
died end was buried in Knmnh; David in
exile for six or seven years- "Saul pursued
him with murderous intent; David's exi'o
a benefit to him in many ways; Saul's life
was twice in David's power; Da via exhib
ited true nobi'ity by not permitting iiim to
be put to death; David called to 5nu, from
n distance a"d expostulated with him;
Saul admitted his sin nnd promised tj
pursue David no longer.
X. Topic: The Israelites defeated. Tha
Philistines fought against Israel; SpmI's
sons were slain in the battle; tho arcVrs
pressed Saul hard: he wns grc-i'V dis
tressed; asked his nrmortiiarer to kill hi";
the nrmorbeaivr would not: Sau' too'; the
swor.l and tool; his own life; the itirno:-.
bearer then took his life; the men of Isra' l
fled; the Philistires came nnd dwe't in
the country; the boJie of Saul nnd his
sons treated with indignity inhabitants i f
Jahesh-giiead took the bodies, burnt them,
and buried the bo-"s.
XI. Tonic: David ascending the throne.
David returned fv cri'e; e-'-d f';-"',tiou
of Clod; was told ti "20 up" to Hebron;
those with David 'oca ted Ilea'- Hebron;
David wps nnointe I fcinir of Jmlph: ho
showed kindness o t'le people of Jnhesli
cileod; asked them n rcogn'-c his au
thority; Abner T-'.'e Isli-hoali( th kini(
over tho northern tnb's: Abner nnd Isli
bosheth were both nsnss;-itcd ; i-' Nrnel
came to David nnd urjed him to become
their kine: he was nsrun anointed and es
tablished his cnnital nt Jerusn'cm.
XII. Topic: Warnings aiainst sinful liv
ing. This ep;stlc was written by the Arios
tie Peter about A. D. C4-CU, from llaliylon,
to the Christians scattered ab-on': the
true hie is the Christ-life; nil should for
sake sin; intemperance is a dadly evil; nil
M'ill be jud'ied; Peter nrscs sobriety, watch
fulness, prnyer. fervent clvri v. inspita'ity,
tho proner 'ise.o' crift. In thia 'con wo
shou.d dwe'l on the "o'den text. "Temper
snco in its true sinittcanee is a very broad
term, and in its imnortance ranks third in
the constellation of grace, which, accord
ing to 1 l'et. 1, are tho adornings of true
Christian (hara"tcr. Its proper application
iain'ics the total abstinence from that
which is wronjt. and the moderate Le and
enioyment of that which ia riifht. It ia a
mistaken nd harmful, but too freque-t
conception that it means only to fib-iin
from i"to'cans. Properly understood i(
comprehends a'l the inward impulses and
outward nets of life, 'loxl't command are
both ne-jative and poiitive. The first co-i-riand
to the race ws. 'Thn-i sha't r-'
Its vio'ation w-eeked tho race, li lil;e
manner wreck follows disohHieneo tj v
ro-nmnnd, r.ot drunk with wine.' IIo
tribution wi'l sooner or later overtake fVe
man who indulges, or tho nation which in
dorsee the gigantic wrong. In it is cxcmi
of every kind inebriety, criminality, in
sanity." The Force of Example
A gentleman who has just returnc :
from Guatemala vouchee for thia par
rot story . A good woman of tho c'.tj
bad a bird which she prized highly
but It had ono bad habit. Wheiiewi
she came In In the mornln3 tho bird
would ejaculate:
"Oh, I wish to tho Lcrd tho eld
woman waa dead!"
She confided to her minister and
be suggested sending hla parrot over
adding that by association the lady'r
bird would learn nice phrases.
A day or two lator, when tls
woman enterod the room, her parrot
ejaculated, aa usual;
"Oh, I wish to the Lord the old
woman waa dead!"
Whereupon .the minister's bird
cocked Ita bead to cae aide end fer
vontly added: ' '
"The Lord hear our prayer!"
Coincidence In Aga of Popes.
Pope Plus X. Is the same ae as was
Leo XIII. when the latter was elected
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR TOPICS.
September 27-Ao Eveniof With Japanese
Missions. MsL 4: Li.
LITERATURE.
Hooks on Japan are very numerous.
Any from the following lint will be
found helpful and interesting; they
may be bought from any book dealer;
"The Mikado' Empire," Orlffls; "The
Sunrise Kingdom," Carruthers; "Un
beaten Tracks In Japan," Bird; "An
American Missionary In Japan," Gor
don; "Life and Letters of Joneph
..ardy NeepJma," Hardy; "Japan and
Its Regeneration," Cary; "Things Jap
anese," Chamberlain; "From Far For
mosa," Mackay; "Gist of Japan."
1 Peery; "Geography of Protestant Mis
sions." Beach; and an excellent pro
gram, prepared by Hattte E. Genunft.
and published by the United Society of
C. E., from which the following para
graphs are selected:
, SELECTIONS.
The name given these Islands, "The
Kingdom of the Rising Sun," is the
translation of the Chinese characters
two of which are found In the common
Japanese designation. Dal Nippon,"
"Great Sun-Orlgln." The empire has
bout the same area as the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
and la tho out-lyiii section of eastern
Kala Just as Great Britain la of west
ern Europe. Within the limits of tho
empire are Included five large Islands
and some two thousand smaller ones.
There are three religions: The
Shinto, which Is the oldest, consisting
of a form of nature worship and rev
erence for ancestors; the Confucian,
brought In through Chinese classics
(for Chinese In tho language of litera
ture), and the Buddhist, which Is the
most popular, though not Introduced
until the sixth century, A. D. Thous
ands of Shinto shrines and Buddhist
templies are scattered throughout the
land.
The Protestant churches aent their
first representative to the empire live
years after Commodore Perry had
opened Japan's sea gates to the Occi
dent in 1854. These first mlssionarlep
were Americans, und tho Japanese mis
sions have ever since continued to bo
chiefly In American hands.
Tire country Is now mor,; than cvet
ripe for the earnest, practical use of
the open Elblo, M-n pressing homo of
the guilt of sin. redemption from sin
through Jeiis Christ, end tho call for
pure lives. Already this new move
ment Is being lnt'.lated and largely car
ried on by tho Jipancso themselves.
EPWORTH LEAGUE MEETING TOPICS.
eptember27-Tne Work of Home Missions.
Isa. 2. 2-4
The following account of our great
Home Mission field la taken from Dr.
II. K. Carroll's tract on that subject:
The lines dividing ths "Home" and
"Foreign" fields are not aa distinct aa
thoy used to be. The character of the
work done among foreign populations
In the United States la not essentially
different from that dono among these
populations abroad. Foreigners con
verted and educated on our soil go back
to tho landa of their birth to labor tor
their countrymen.
Our home missionary work Is done
among different classes of people.
Among the Negroes. We have no epec
lal missions to the black people ot the
United States, but large Bums are an
nually appropriated to colored Confer
ences for the support of charges which
would otherwise be unable to exist
Among the Southern Whites the group
of Conferencss showing the largest
proportionate net Increase of commun
icants Jn the last quadrenntum was
that which constitutes our white work
In the South. There are fifteen of
these Conferenoas, Including tha At
lantic and Gulf Missions.
Among the Mormons and among our
communicants are not a few excellent
men and women who have renounced
the hldeouB doctrines of Smith and
Young, and becomo true followera of
Jesus Christ. The work on the fron
tier. Wo expend annually Jn work In
the Rocky Mountains, on tho Paclflo
coast, and in Hawaii and Alaska up
ward of $140,000. And among tho
SpanlBh-speaking peoples. This work
is conducted In New Mexico, southern
California, and Porto Rico. Tho an-
proprlatlons for 1902 for our Spanish
i work amount to $21,602. Last year 41
I missionaries were employed, and 2,522
members ana proDauoners were re
ported. Among the French. Last year we
had alx missionaries engaged In this
work, and 255 members and probation
ers. The work among the Germans
employed 279 missionaries, and report
ed 42,814 members and probationers.
And among the Scandinavians, 260 mis
sionaries were engaged in preaching to
tholr countrymen, and 26,969 communi
cants wore reported.
Among the Italiana we have six mis
s'ionaries and 954 members and proba
tioners. There are colonies of the Portugese
within the bounds of New England and
New England Southern Conferences,
and about $1,000 Is annually appropria
ted for work among them.
In the Chinese and Japanese work
we have 18 missionaries and 1.500
members and probat'.oners. These fig
ures represent only the work on the
Pacific coast In many cities Chinese
and Japanese are gathered Into our
churches through special Sunday
school work. We also have a consid
erable work among the Indians,
The whole Torelirn inlNlonnrv
work of these United States rests back
upon an effective and adequate pro
grain of bome missions."
Snake Captures Dog.
Harry Motzel of Boston went to the
Mountain Tea hills yesterday in
tearch of mountain tea. He was ac
companied by a young beagle hound.
The hound became separated from
Metzel and soon attracted him by Its
yelping. He found the hound la a
small open apace In the underbrush,
and firmly wrapped around the anlma1
was a large anake.
Might Have te Go Far Down.
On a vacant lot of land close by the
electric road, la Medford, a big sign
board reads: "This land for sale, en
quire within." As there Isn't a house
In sight thereabouts, It may puzsle the
would-be purchaser te ascertain Just
where be Is at.
Bridge to Have Long Span.
Quebec's cantilever bridge, now uti
le r construction across the St. Law
rence river, will have one spaa ot
1,800 feet. The longest span now In
use Is one of 1.710 feet In the firth
of Forth bridge, Scotland,
THE RELIGIOUS LIFE
READING FOrt THE QUIET HOUR
WHEN THE SOUL INVITES ITSELF,
I'neiai fttray ThoO(rlil An Kloqurnt
1'rnyer Ilellrereil by the Hey. M. J.
Campbell In the City Temple, London
A Pin For Dlvlno Companion.
In whatever place you arc, do your best;
Linten oft to duty mil,
Do the thinz, however small.
And leave to God tho rest.
In whatever place you po, leave a smile;
Smile upon the hi(h and low;
Smile were made to trade, you know,
And greet you afterwhile. -.
Only a umile and then a word
And n hnndnhake freely given,
May be to the heart.
With the world-thrunt dart,
Tiu grand pathway to heaven.
Kev. Wni. I). Vowcr.
A Supplication.
The following nraver wan made recently
by the Rev. K. .1. Camp, eh at City Tem
ple, London: O .'-nus. Thou Shepherd of
mankind. how unto u.i rt noonday the
light of Thy countenance. We cannot do
without Thee. Thou Saviour of the lost.
ic turn to Thee again; our heart expect
Thee, and we prepare Thy dwelling place;
enter, no bewech Thee, nnd dwell with
us forever. We a'e thankful i:i that Thou
hast dune so much for us. Thou Master
01 us all, Thou Lord and God, and art
continuing to trivo unto every good and
perfect gift. We bless Thee for all that
the Cross signifies in our life, in our daily
experience, ond nil that it reveals of hope
fur us in the life that is still beyond us.
We thank Thee tnat Thou hast not left ui
to onr sin, nor to the eonscquencc of our
own wickedness. Thou bast visited us,
and Thou, the Hcdeemer, dost accompany
us every step of the road of life. We
praise thee tor this eonsciousncs- which
we possess to-day. Forgive, O Saviour,
that which Thou dost see amiss in Thy
people; we believe that Thou lovest us in
spite of our frailities and disloyalties and
failings and fallings; therefore it is that
we look unto Thte with hone and confi
dence to-day. Forgive us in that we have
sinned tn our own hurt, and grieved the
Holy Spirit of (Jod. Forgive us if wo
have harmed one another in any wise;
forgive us if our example has been such
ns to hinder another on the heavenly way;
forgive us if our influence has been cast
in the wronir direction; forgive us if
through hardness or cruelty or thought
lessness we have shadowed the life of an
other; forgive us because we so readily
forgive ourselves. Let the spirit of con
viction be in our midst to-dnv; remind u
of what we are. show us what God hat
yet to do, and be pleased to accept, wo
numbly beseech Thee, the tokens of out
repentance which in our prayers we offer
to Thee, and when we go from this placi;
lot it be into newness of life. We auk it
for us all, those who have known Theo
and those who have known Thee not;
those who have followed Thee near at
band, and those who haw been following
afar off. Let this service be a blessed one
to our own souls; may none go unfilled
away. It is Thine to give the blessing.
Thine is the kingdom, Thine is the power
and Thine shall bu the glory forever.
Amen.
The Hurtl Lire.
The sinner's life is a hard life In its
penalties. He who sows a sin sows a
seed which will spring up and bear fruit
after its kind. The sowing men call pleas
ure, but the harvest all agree is suffering.
It is a hard life to suffer for old ains, and
harder still to see others suffer. For no
nmn can sow evil and be sure that none
of it will ripen in his neighbor's fields. To
reap the evil harvest is bad enough, but
to see it ripening in the lives of those
we love is harder yet. Our increasing
knowledge has only emphasized this cer
tainty of penalty following transgression.
The warnings of the book are continually
illustrated in the experiences of the world.
The transgressor's life is hard in its
denrivatiopa. The question is sometimes
raised whether the sinner does not, after
all. Ret more out of the world than the
true disciple. Ho who has turned from
evil to live with God never raises that
nuetion. He knows that the earth with
out peace of heart, without joy in right
and sympathy and good, without the hap
piness 0-" God's preence and delight or
service, i a hard and narrow and unhappy
place. The true and full inheritance of
the earth bcloncs to the children of God
and to no others. To be self-deprived of
the I-idlest nnd the best is to be cheated
of what makes our life worth living.
For back, also, in every transgresior'4
consciousness lies the hard trial of self
cnntenint. He may not admit it to hi
thoucht. Conscience mav be ill educated
and under careful discipline, but in the
mnn-ents when he sees clear.y the sinner is
self-judged. God has let us sit upon the
seat of counsel, and we see what value we
have put unon our souls in bartering with
evil. It is hard to fear to meet one's own
h'mcht sitting an the iudce; to dodge and
sli'ft and evade the ouiet hour that brings
self-condemnation. It is hard to be, amid
whatever passing joys. ..-ithout God ami
W'thout hope in the world that is so full
of hope and so bright with the presence
of our heavenly Father. Congregational
ist. ,
Presenre officii.
Love Cod. l!o devoted to Him nnd to
Him sii'ireme'y. H ive no affection nnart
from Him. Delight to do His will, lii all
wave strive to grow into closer intimacy
with God and into accord with His mind
and spirit. There nre blessed results flow
ir? from a life thus spent in the practice
of the presence of God. Such practice is
the secret of peace, ft is the wcret of a
life of happiness and joy. It is the secret
of living Ji life of love and highest useful
ness in the wnr'd. Guidance .inii-l life's
perplexities, wisdom for life's decisions,
rhrer for life's sorrows, and heln over
life's hard nlaces come with it. Knowl
edge of Hod and resultant transformation
into His likeness come with it. It is worth
our while, both in view 9' the present and
f-iture blessedness it brings, to practice
the presence of God. Dr. G. 1J. F. Hal
lock. Clod's Plan.
God is ever better than we think. Onr
briehtest hopes never come up to His
realities. One of His dear ones, peaking
in an hour when another wished that the
1 reent had been different and better,
said, confidently: "We know that our Fa
ther will never let us miss any blessing
which we might have had." Our day is
better for us than an earlier or a later
(lav would have been. Dr. I'usev puts
this truth urongly when he snvs: "Xcver
p.cture thyself to thyself under any cir
cumotances in which thou art not. God
Aluiightv loves thro better "nd more
wise'y than thou dot thyself." Do we
think we can improve on'tiod's plau for
ourselves? Sunday-Schaol Times.
Ovrrnowliiflr Kindness.
Let us hide our pains nnd sorrows. Mut,
while we hide them, let them also be spurs
within us to urge us on to all manner ot
overflowing kindness and sunny humor to
those aroun 1 us. When the very dark
ness within us creates a sunshine around
us, then has the spirit of Jesus I -.ken pos
session of our souls. Frederick William
rauer.
This Is Duly.
Xever to tire, never to grow cold, to be
paiient. sympathetic, tender; to lool; for
the budding Hower and the opening hear.;
to hope always, like God; to love iiwsys
this w duty! Am. el's Journal.
Found Curious Ring.
Frank Munroe, ot Porter, Mass.,
bas a curious ring which he found
near Whitman lake. It Is of wooo
and Is In Cie form ot a signet ring
with a silver shield set In where the
soal ahould be. Diamond shaped
pieces ot silver are also set in elthor
ildo ot tho ring.
Rooster Mothers Chickens.
A rocstor with a brood of cblckens
Is attracting much attention la a store
vlculew at Wakebury, Conn.
FLOWERS OF PREY.
Insects of the Form and Color of Oichlils
Which Their Prey Think Plants.
Trobnbly In some rpspects the most
surprising result of late entomological
exploration Is the dincovery of sem
blances of orchidaceous flowers en
dowed with nnlmnl life nnd voracious
onrnlverous oppetltes, thnt seize nnd
Incontinently devour Insect vegetar
ians which, allured by their form nnd
color, IncnutlouHly alight upon them.
These flower Insects belong to the
curious fnmlly fontldne, of which wc
have a well-known member tn our
Southern States, Phnsmomnntls coro
llnn, commonly called "praying ninn
Ms," though If the first pnrt of the
name wns spelled with an "e" Instead
of an "a," It woull be fur more appro
priate, fdnce no known Insect Is more
bloodthirsty and destructive of smnller
and weaker individual belonging to Its
class. Its form Is rhnrncterlstlc of its
predatory habits. The mantis Is really
n four-legged Insect, for the four limbs
nre so mortified thnt they cannot under
any circumstances be used In walking
nnd are no more properly termed tojrs
than would be the nrms of men 01
the wings of Idnls. They nre. In fact,
the nnturnl weapons of the Insect nnd
nre used for imthhri; else thnn flKbtlnp
nnd for capturing prey.
An Insect discovered by Wood Mason
mnsritiorndes sometimes as n pink nnd
nf others as a white orchid. The whole
flower insect Is either conspicuously
white or of a resplendent pink color,
ninl both In color and form perfectly
Imltntes n flower. The lower or ap
parently nnterior petnl of nn orchida
ceous blossom, the liibelluni, often of
a very curious' shape. Is represented
by the abdomen of the Insect, whllp
the parts which mlicht be tnken re
garding it ns nn Insert, for Its wings,
nre nctuully the femurs of the two
pnlrs of posterior limbs, so grently ex
panded, flattened nnd shnped In sucli
mnnner ns to represent the remaining
petnls of the flower. As the nmntls
rests, head downward, nmid the stems
nnd leaves of n plant, the forelegs
drawn In so that they cannot be seen,
the thighs of the two bind legs rnillnt
Ing out on each side, nnd the thorax
and the abdomen raised nt right nnglcs
to each other, tho Insect might enHlly nt
first sight deceive more discriminating
entomologists thnn the honey -seeker
thnt settle upon It.
An allied species, exactly resembling
n pink orchid, Is mentioned by Dr.
Wallace, on the authority of Sir
Chnrles Dllke. ns Inhabiting Jnvn. Its
specialty Is alluring and capturing lint
terdles. The expected guest having
arrived, the seeming feast soreml out
for his delectation nrlses and devours
blm.
Trofessor S. Kurz, while nt Tegii, In
lower Rurmah, snw whnt be supposed
to be nn orchid of a species unfamiliar
to hlin, but upon examination found
It to be a mantis of the genus Gongy
lus. As Is common Tvlth the habit of
Its kind when alighting upon n plant,
It hung head downward, exposing the
nnder surface to view, sometimes mo
tlonlesm, nnd sometimes swaying gently
like a flowertoiiched by gentle zephyrs.
A bright violet-blue dilation of the
thorax, in front of which Its forelegs,
bnnded violet nnd black, extended like
petals, slmnlnted the corolln of a
papilionaceous flower so perfectly ns to
deceive the eyes of n practiced bot
anist. A whole trllie of spiders, members of
the Thomlsdae family, living In flower
enps, assume the colors and markings
of the flowers is) which they lie In wait
for victims.
Brazilian birds, flycatchers, display
n brilliantly colored crest easily mis
taken for a flower cup. Insects, nt
traeted by what appears to be a fresh
ly opened blossom, furnish the birds
with food. An Aslntle lizard Is en
tirely covered like the surface of the
desert plain where It lives, except thnt
at each angle of the mouth blooms n
brilliant red folding of the flesh exact
ly resembling n little flower that grows
in the sand. Insects lured by the seem
ing flower nre incontinently disillu
sioned when they settle upon It. Sci
entific American.
Old Verbosity.
We prided ourselves thnt Hawkins
was squelched. Every time he essayed
to speak we answered not. Kvery time,
he sought to engage our attention, he
found that our attention was other
wise engaged. A silence at length fell
upon the dining room, a blissful,
dreamy silence. We looked nt each
other with congratubitnry smiles.
Hawkins wns squelched at Inst.
Hut what? We suddenly heard the
preparatory little cough with which
Hawkins inviyiably launches bis
speech against nn unoffending people.
"And speaking about nothing nt all."
remarked Hawkins, "und speaking
nbnut nothing at all, reminds me of a
little. "
And there be wnsl
Sometimes we think we will get
married, so thnt we can vary this
frightful monotony. Even If the girl
of our choice should have such n flow
f language as Hawkins has, wo ran
at least nsk her to close her confound
Hi head, occasionally. New York Sun.
A Dash After th Dot,
The Count looked bored.
"And will you daughter have n t'.ot?"
be asked.
A slight ripple of Impatience swept
over the Interesting little tuft of whis
kers thnt so adorned Tawkpukkor's
square set chin.
"A what?" be queried.
"A money settlement n dot," re
Joined the Count. His tones were in
dicative of polite surprise.
"A dot?" repented her father.
"Shucks!" he asseverated Indlgnntly.
W dot!" ho snorted disdainfully.
"Harriet will have nn extra blg-siaml
smudge, you bet!" he continued.
"Why, miin alive." be howled lu scath
ing accents, "what do you mean by
this parsimonious talk about dots?"
New York Sun.
Mew Explosive Trial.
A commission of experts, appointed
by the German Minister of War, 1
conducting a series of experiments to
test the practical value of a new ex
plosive named sophralt, and a new cud
constructed to dlHchnrgo It. Bo far
tho results of tbo trials nro highly
satisfactory. Bophralt is described
as far moro destructive than dynamite,
and ' nil other evUtlnu explosives.
It has been invented by two Bavarians,
n euglueer and a physician.
HIE GREAT DESTROYEi
tOM STARTLING FACTS ABOUT
THE VICE OF INTEMPERANCE. '
oemi A Moeketw Aa Insidious T '
- tlon That Is riared Bator tho Wa
nt tho LoadTito Sola of latoslc
ror Family Uso Is Incrooalaa't
Wine is a mocker," Ah, God. '
It mocks at the widow's cries,
Mocks at the children asking for brtaif.
Mocks when the drunkard dies. '
'Strong drink is raging.' God help as.
A raging lion, in truth,
Seeking the men to slay them.
f rom 01a age uowa 10 youiu.
'Whosoever is deceived thereby,"
vn U . b If , ,IV . ITU. .
God make him see the awful curs?,
A rut nnen his 111 i n mm.
liana's Uorau
A Timely Waratns
The modern "department store," withlnf
whose ample walls, inclosing acres of
pace, you can buy anything from a shoe
itring to an automobile, is certainly al
rrent convenience to the world of ehrrp-
fiers. Hut eonvenience can be carried tos
ar. It is already carried too far when it
nlacea rreat and nerilnna temptation in
the path of those who should be esneciaUj
protcctcd against allurements to evil.
It has long been believed by those wh
have given the subject attention that in
temperance is increasing among a class nt
women not until recently exposed to tht
dancer of acnuirins the drink habit. Tha
ordinary saloon, with its vulfrar associa
tions, oners no attraction to a respectable)
woman. Khe would not risk her re nuta
tion bv venturing within its door. Kven
the fashionable restaurants, where women
can be seen any day openly drinking in
toxicatinj liquors, have but limiredX
clientele, after all. But now come the de
partment stores to supply the lacking fa
cilities for luring thoughtless women t
destruction. Since they have taken tjj
the vile traffic in liquors it is easy for
woman who would not show her face in a
saloon to procure liquors withont eposin
herself to the slightest obloquy. Many at
the retail grocery stores offer the same in
sidious temptation, nnd through those twoi
agencies the sale of intoxicants for family
use has enormously increased. That thl
is a cause for serious alarm is strongly
confirmed by a letter that has hern shnwa
us from the New York State Excise Com
missioner, Mr. Patrick W. Cnllinan, writ
ten to the ltey. Hervev Wood, field secre
tary of the National Temperance Society,
Mr. Wood wrote to Mr. Cullman lor cer
tain information, and in hia letter referreil
to the interest that had been awakened r
New York City by the increase of drunk
enness among respectable women. Mr.
Ct'l'inan replied:
"We desire to state that we have beem
aware of the increase of drunkenness in
thia respect, and have viewed with alarm
the irrawth of this habit.
"We ore inclined to believe that thi
condition is due to the sources you men.
tion (the sale of liquors in department
stores and groceries), and possibly yo
might add drug stores to the list of placet
where liqnor mav be obtained by women.
This is a significant statement. It is nC
"long haired" temperance orator whe
makes it. but a sworn officer of the State,
writing in cold blood over his own eina,
tore aa Commissioner of Excise. If h(
finds the situation alarming are not wa
amply justified in so viewing it?
It is time that a halt was called in this
business. The sale of liquors should be
prohibited in every department store an4
grocery, and permitted in drni stores onlf
on a physician's certificate. No doubt it
is a source of great profit to the proprie
tors of these establishments, and an at
tempt tn amend the excise law so aa te
prohibit it will nnnnestionablv arouse pow
erful opnosilion. But so terrible s menace
to the family life, to the peace of home
and the welfore of the coming generation
should awaken a public sentiment that
will compel reform. Examiner.
Toper's Moral Responsibility.
"Why do men drink?" is an old one
tion upon which some savants are seeking
to throw new lieht. The London Soeietj
for the Study of Inebriety has been rt
cently discussing the problem, though wits
no very harmonious results of opinion,
Th-. Norman Kerr, for one, declares that
little progress will be made in the way of
decreasing drunkenness until it is recog
nized as a diseas. nnd not merely as
moral weakness. It is because this fact has
not been realized, he says, that no result
of all laliors in the line of legislation hava
accrued. Evidently l)r. Kerr beea the
question to this statement. Legislation
rannot do everything to offset the nrm
evil, but that if has where invoked aecorns
rlished something in the way of the
diminution o' this social eurse. is evident
o ever" r-nlid observer, if the ones tion
b asked. "Why do men drink?" of course
the readiest reply is. "Iteeause thev want
to!" lint why should thev wish to? A
the result of an anpetite. all would a?roj
and at the dictation of a denraved and di
eased apnetite, mist be admitted, as In
Kerr contends. Kum is nn intruder in the
physical frame, and induces an abnormal
state, both morally and physically. BuJ
becsnse the toner becomes at length
walking incarnation of disease, we are not
warranted in excusing him from moral re
sponsibilitv for the takin the "first glasa"
end all of the succeeding potions that
nroved so maddening and destructive.
Still, there is a pathology of drink, whirs
may well be studied in connection wita
the systematic prosecution of tcmperancs
efforts.
Treating Torblddea la Vermont.
Vermont saloonkeepers and steady drink
era alike are nerturbel to discover that the
new local ption liquor law contains a frao
ure which i calculated to diminish the
profits of the one and the enjoyment o
the other. It is Section 90, and it read
thus:
"No intoxicating liqnor shall be sold ot
furnished to a person or another person, nt
any number of persons, to drink on the h
rensed premises, in the way commonly
known as 'treating. "
Tins nnioite provision of the law did nol
figure in the debate upon the measar
which waa directed almost wholly tn ths
general issue involved, without mnch to
gsrd to details, and it attracted Tittle notice
after the law went into eject until the Jo
eal authorities in license towns and cities
negan to warn saloonkeepers that thra
jnu.t not violate it, under penalty ot for.
fciting their licenses. Boston Journal.
eottlsh Inebriety.
The high volume nf drunkenness in Scot
land as compared with Eneland ia certainly
strtkinv. and hardly to be accounted fot
by variations in police practice and in the
methods of tabulstion. There seems to be
r," .Tl1 from tne nepmasing roneluaioa
11 ! mr"'"' is largely due to greater
alrnliolie indulgence on the nart of women
in Scotland. British Journal of Inebriety.
Tha Crasade la Brier.
i-f "f l"blie acorn bas never been
lifted from the drunkard.
Between the s-es of fifteen and twenty
where ten to'al ahstaincrs die, eighteen
moderate drinkers di.
When a beer drinker gets into trmiV
f aeems almost as if yon hare to recreate
he man before nn can do anything foe
nim, aaya a physician.
A new I1OT000 '..atrl srrth 519 rooait e
pe'ially. for the moral, religious travelins
r-iibhe is one of the Uteat project, in W
flianapolis. It will be witooat bar or bil
liard room and card playing will not be ale '
lowed.
Would any a moon t of revcr-ne pay tot
the moral loss of the community, for tWe
ugh", snq groans, and heartaches, for tba
orphans er and widows' tear, anil
wasied lives reused by the ta'ooiw.
Tlie V-r fcrlr-'.-er is mnci worse r.fl 'nv
Lie whuk-r- drlnke-, who arema t hive
inn-e e fist ty -d resr-ve p-w-r. writes
.oe:nr. H- wi'1 even par. de'irlca. tre
mon. but ptr- Lie fit i. gore ya wilt
sometime find good material to work
upon.
Some is! tlu mir3,d eon'.rnetors o? t'ui
m abash I ui road h-vc bwa sraurt-d by the
Irruer t cVr.'.hs 0J -.aboring n-ea. Tfca
.Hffsrao-i tojnty (Mn ) authorities (save
- - - " i mr mm
wa:;i bsj e;iu;J iuc&i cr-ila.