TRUE MISSION OF CHURCH A Scholarly Sunday Sermon By Rer. . M. Brundage. Foster and Develop the Distinctively Rellfloat Life ot Humanity. ' Brooklyn, N. Y. For the first sermon Of pastorate ot the Unity Unltar Inn Clniroh, the Itcv. V. M. Brundage: took for his subject Sundny morning: "Tlie True Mission of the Church.'; The text was from I. Timothy III: 13: "The church of the living God." In the course of a strong sermon, list ened to by a large audience, be said: . '' From the rondltlona which prevailed & few centuries ago, when the church was without a rival to contest Its au thority, to its present condition, when It must contend with numerous com petitors for the very right to exist, humanity has taken a long stride for ward. Freedom has come to be more than a mere name. Multitudes of peo ple have seriously begun to think and act for themselves. Less and less IS the church able to live upon Its recerd In the past: more and more has It be come manifest that it must Justify it continued existence by the work tlint It does, by tlie service that It renderi to society. Unless our churches ot every name can be brought Into vital and helpful relations to the real life of the people, they are doomed to per .Ish. The traditions of the past cannot save them. Their service In the past, great though it has been, cannot Jus tify their present existence. Do they minister in an essential manner to the best life of to-day? An affirmative an swer to this question constitutes their only Justification. Brotherhoods, clubs, philanthropic associations without number are competing with them; 11-' brarles, newspapers and periodicals, and educational institutions are doing much of tlie work which they once did, work that was formerly left ex clusively to them. We find nothing lu the origin of tho church that entitles It to claim a divine right to persist. If It persists it will be because it does a better work for society than any other institution can do. What Is this work that the churches are qualified to perform better than other institutions? Can they feed the . hungry, clothe the naked, visit and comfort the sick and sorrowing, care for those who are in prison, minister to the orphan and the outcast. In tine, engage in all sorts of strictly philan thropic activity better than multi tudes of existing benevolent institu tions? Certainly the churches will continue to do such work as this, be cause tbey are organizations of those who love and serve their fellowmen. But clearer aud clearer does It become manifest that other institutions can do most kinds ofphilanthroplcworkaswell as, If not better than, the churches. On the whole, the great fraterni ties everywhere established in our times can do It better. The organized charities of our cities, the prison re form associations, the humane socie ties and others can do it bettor, more economically, more effectively. Can the churches, however, continue to maintain themselves as centres for the propagation of great dogmatic sys vtems, or, on the other hand, as centres ' tf mere protest against the dogmatic eystems of tlie past? I do not believe that they can. The forum for the dis cussion of such systems is being rap idly shifted from the pulpit to the press. The great magazines and re Views and religious newspapers of our time afford a more favorable Held for their discussion, while the masses of tlie people care less and less for them. Incidentally tho churches will continue to urge upon their people what they believe to be a true philosophy of Und, ot the universe and of man, hut tills .work alone cannot Justify their con tinued existence. Neither as purely sacrnmontorlan in stitutions can the churches long retain their hold upon any large mi in her of the people, because with the growth and extension of new knowledge the claims of sncramentarlanlsm are rap Idly becoming discredited. What is called "the high church reaction" so widely known Is after all but a reac tion and cannot be permaneut in its Influence. It is but a return to tho childhood of religion, aud the thinking .world demands the religion of a man. Can tho churches, however, continue to maintain themselves as social clubs, as organizations of congenial people iwho come together to enjoy one an other's companionship? But when there ure so many social clubs lu every community, membership in which can be restricted to people of congenial tastes and kindred pur suits as membership in even the most exclusive church cannot be, I do not believe that the churches can long Justify their existence as the mere com petitors of these clubs. Has the church then outlived its use fulness aud is it about to pass away? Certainly not, if it arouses itself and, becoming conscious of its U'uo mission, resolutely devotes itself " its dis tinctive work. This, I believe, is what tho churches can do better than any other institution they can and do, in multitudes of instances, act as great Inspirational centr. nilnlsterlur; to tho life of the spirit, to the life of the ideal, to-the life of God in the soul of man. They come into vital and helpful relations with the people n Just so as they Inspire to high thinking and feeling and lovlug, In Just so far as they inspire and quicken the religions life of tho community. Let the churches, therefore, ceato regarding themselves as authoritative ecclesiastical Institutions, authorita tive sacramentarlan or dogmatic In stitutions, aud become free democratic religious societies for the propagation of pure and u mien led religion, for In spiration to high and worthy Ideals, for actually helping men "to do Justly end love mercy, and to walk humbly ,-wlth their God." The churches that are most truly and profoundly religious forces will best Justify their existence in the twentieth century. To foster and develop the distinct ively religious life of humanity, this is tho true mission of the churches. They must be light-givers and life givers. They must bo spiritually alive in order that they may Impart life, for life is what most counts. The outward activities of the churches must be the natural expression ot what they are. The methods for the expression ot this religious life will bo varied he cause the dispositions of men vary. This cr that particular form of activ ity is unessential. A longer or a shorter ritual of worship Is unessential, provided the light; aud power of relig ion are present. Faith, worship, as piration, loving human service, these are tlie essential elements In religion 11 nd the forms In which they embody themselves will be vital. Tim living, inspirational church that is saving men from worldllness and piYieticul materialism, that Is helping tin-in to hi'o the unseen utnl eternal, th.it Is helping them to worship in the noblest sbiihb of that word that is. to attribute supreme worth to the lofty Minis of .'usllee. truth, love, .which are only another "name for uod, to lov and revere these Ideals, and to devote themselves with perfect consecration to their realization in human society such a church is fulfilling Its true mis sion, by whatever name that church may be called, and Is In no danger of being discredited In our modern life. In such a church there will be no distinction between classes, between the rich and the poor, no lingering caste spirit, no recognition of a difference of rank and dignity between ministers and people; In the conscious presence of the All Father there will be perfect equality between tho worshipers. In such a church there will bo no spirit of Solemn gloom miscalled rev erent awe, an Inheritance from a prim itive religion of fear, but a spirit of radiant hope, of abounding Joy, of genuine human sympathy, the spirit of a larger home. The themes of the pulpit of such n church will be closely related to tho actual needs of the people, selected from every quarter, but selected solely that their consideration may minister most effectively to personal and so cial righteous character. Membership In such a church will be unrestricted, free to all who share a common spirit and are serlousl working toward a common Ideal end. In such a church there will be no Jealous rivalries between the members, but In place of these a generous spirit of emulation to serve one another and th common cause. As I said before, the practical activities of such an in spirational church will not be artificial and forced; they will be the perfectly natural expression of the vigorous religious life of minister and people- In Winer Hand. A lady, who had been three or four years away from her childhood's home and settled In one of her own, was taken seriously ill. Her mother, with all a mother's solicitude, was anxious to bo with her daughter at once, and hnstened to her bedside. She found skilful physlcans in attendance and a trained nurse In charge; there was really nothing for her to do nothing that she could be permitted to do. Hay after day she made brief, silent visits to the sick room (even her pres ence could not be allowed long) and went away powerless to aid. Tho ministering was In wiser, more efficient hands than hers, and she could not be trusted with it would not have dared to trust herself with it "But it seems strange." she said, sadly, oue day, "that even I, her mother, can only stand aside and do nothing. There never before wasn't a rime when 'mother' wasn't the one to help and comfort: it seems as if it ought to be so still, and yet I would be afraid to do anything but keep hands off and trust to a knowledge and strength that is greater than my own." It is the same in many a spiritual crisis through which we see our dear ones pass. We long to lift the burdeu, to lighten the trials, to bestow tho covered gift; but the Great Thyslcian holds the precious soul In Ills hands, the hands thnt will make no mistake, and we can only stand aside and trust Him. Forward. Ths Thins Worth While. I know thnt many of you are puzzled to know in what direction you can start to help Christ to help the world. Let me say this to you in that connec tion: Once I camo to a crossroad In the old life and did not know in which direction God wanted men to help hasten His kingdom. I started to read the Book to And out what tho Ideal life was, aud I found thnt the only thing worth doing in the world was to do the will of God; whether Urot was done in the pulpit or In the slums; whether it was done In the college or class room, or on tho street, did not mutter at all. "My meat and drink." Christ said, "is to do the will of Hlin that seut Me," und Jf you make up your mind that you aro going to do the will of God above everything else, it matters little in what direction you work. There are more posts waiting for men than there are men waiting for posts. Christ needs men in every community and in every land; it matters little whether we go to foreign lands, or Btay at home, as long as we are sure we are where God puts ns. Henry Drumuiond. "The Loving Look." Some years ago wo witnessed a pub lic examination of a class of little girls at the end of the school term. The distractions of much dressing und much company operated pretty severe ly on the tickle memories of the chil dren. One little friend lost herself in confusion and stammered to n dend stop in her recitation. Just then her mother moved from out the crowd mid took a seut in full view of the little oue. Tho loving look of that silent face brought order out of confusion. Mind and tongue immediately resumed their functions, everything was lost sight of and the lessons all came back lu per fect order. The examination was fin ished iu triumph. Many a time since then as we have seen some struggling hear' confused by tho world's noise and temptation we have felt llko bidding it look up into the familiar face of the Heaveuiy Father and be reassured that all li well. Not only Is there life in a loos at the begiunlug, but there is assur auco and confidence all along the way, Vrayed For Mix Vear. At a revival meeting In Wales a man spoke from the gallery: "I have been praying for six years for tho salvation of thirty of my mates at the colHery, and I have kept a list of them that I might not forget them before God. 1 am glad to be able now to say that twelve of them have been converted." What will it menu If every Christian will follow the same plan in 1UU5? Picture In Dlsgulaa. Many and strange have been the vi cissitudes of some ot the world's greatest pictures, and a fine painting which now graces Lord Leigh's resi dence in Warwickshire, Eng., has an interesting history. This remarkable picture, which for some years consist ed of a painting of flowers, was pro nounced by an art dealer to be merely a mask for some other picture, and on h(s receiving permission he gradually cleaned off the flowers, discovering underneath a very fine portrait of Charles I, by Vandyke. It Is supposed that the portrait was thus disguised In order to save It from destruction by the Roundheads at the time of the Commonwealth. Small Oxen. One of the greatest curiosities among the domesticated animals ot Ceylo Is a breed of cattle known to the zoologUt as the "sacred running oxen." They are tha dwarfs of the whole ox family, the largest speci mens of the speclea never exceeding 30 Inches In height THE SUNDAY SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS FOR MARCH 12. tfnlijecti The (Haver? of Kin, John IIY S1-40 (loliten Text, John Till., 84 Memory Verne. 81, 83 Commentary on th Day's I.eaeon. I. The test and blessings of disciplohip (vs. 31, 32). 31. "Then said Jeau.A let ter, as R. V., "Jemis therefore snid," be cause many had believed on Him after His doclnrntion that Hu was the Light of the world, and after His answers to the Plmri sees, and now Jean directed His remark to these new disciple. "Which believed." The term "believed" applies here to the disposition, openly expressed. n acknowl edge Jesus a the' Messiah. If ye abide" (R. V.) Not a fitful, intermittent rela tion, but thorough, intense and continuous. "In My word." If ye obey My command ment and follow My teachings carefully. Our spirits must drink in Christ's words as our bodies inhale the atmophere. No man is worth listening to on questions of faith and doctrine who is not himself a reverent listener to Christ. Abiding in God's word must become the permanent condition of our life. "Disciples." A di eiple is a learner; one who accept and fol lows another as teacher and mater. True disciple are real representative of Christ, who live a holy life before the world. . 32. "Shall know the truth." Shall know it doctrinally, spiritually, experimentally, not a a mere theory, but a a living pow er; shall know the reality of thing, and hall know Chrint Himself, the embodi ment of truth (John 14:1). The rulers had spoken of knowing tho Inw, Jesus speaks of knowing the truth. This is a species of learning infinitely transcending all the guesne of doubting scientist and sneering philosopher. "Make you free." Intelli gence is not sufficient. A learned man is till a wicked man under the bondage of in unleas he ha been made free. Knowl edge appears as the fruit of faith, and free dom a the fmit of knowledge. Christ as sociates liberty always with the truth, which He is Himself, and o presents the truth a the cause of liberty as the effect. II. Freedom offered from the slavery ol sin (vs. 33-36). 33. "They answered." Many commentators refer tin "they," not to the many who believed (v. 30), but to the other Jew who had not believed. The little episode of verse 30-32 i thus held as a pleasant parenthesis, and the believers are all allowed to be genuine and perhaps permanent. The word cannot be spoken of the simple people who had already be lieved, but to the earning, caviling I'hari see. "Abraham's seed." They had Abra ham's blood in their vein, but not his faith in their hearts. "Never in bondage." This answer was not more true than the language of pride ordinarily. Politically, the aeed of Abraham had been in bondage to Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome. Spiritually, they had been in bondage to idolatries in past times, were now to the rabbis, who were litcralisU in interpreta tion, and without spirituality or sympathy (Matt. 23:4). "How sayest Thou.1' Upon what possible principle dost Thou promise to U3 that which we already are proud of poscssing, viz., glorious liberty? We al ready possess as our birthright what Thou art ordering to us as the full result of dis cipleahip. 34. 'Verily, verily." A solemn declara tion enforced by these words. "Whoso ever committeth in." In these words Jesus utterly expel the political question from Hi scope. He states first the princi ple and then the application. He gpoke of a more degrading bondage and a higher freedom than they imagined. He whose tendency and habit is to commit sin. Ho who makes choice of sin; prefer the way of wickedness before the way of holiness; who makes a covenant with sin, enters into league; who make a custom of sin; who walk after the flesh and makes a trade of rin. "Is the servant of in." 1 the alave. the bond-servant of sin. He does the work of tin, supports its interests and accepts its wages. He cannot dismiss sin nt pleas ure; the moment he attempts it he finds the chains drawn tighter. Dream not of freedom while under the mastery of your desire. Temperance instruction may be brought in at this point. No bondage is greater than tho bondage to strong drink. Servi tude is repulsive to all men. In our land of freedom men demand their rights in business, yet there are hundreds of men and boys und sometimes Women who put themselves under the bondage of tlie drink habit. 35. "The servant ahideth not." Tho reference may be to Hngar and Iahmael and Isaac tlie bond and the free. They had spoken of themselves as the seed of Abraham. Jesus shows them that thcae, may be of thut seed two kinds: the son, properly eo call, and the slnve. These Jews might be the seed of Abraham, und yet, not being his spiritual children, might not abide in his household of faith. Not many years ufter this their capital and na tion were destroyed, and the Gentile took their place in the kingdom of God. Think not to be made free from sin by the rites and ceremonies of the law of Moses, for Moses was but a servant and had not that parental authority in the church which the Son had. "The Son abideth" (R. V.) The comparison here is between any son and a bond servant, and son should not begin with a capital. Sinners are slaves, Chris tians are sons and heirs. 30. "If tho Son." Christ now refers to Himself. The, Son of God alone has power to liberate those who are slaves to sin. Jesus Christ is the head and has full authority and ability. The Father hath given all things into His hand (John 17:2). "Free indeed." The Jews boasted of an imaginary freedom, but the liberty which Christ ottered was real and lasting in its effects. It would have saved the nation from the bondnge of captivity to Babylon centuries before: it would save them from bondage to the Roman. What freedom they had under the Romans was due to whut they had leorned and practiced of tho word. Jesus knew that deliverance from tho Roman yoke wa tho reat work erpected from the Messiah, le therefore spiritualized this hope. HI. Jesus shows the character of the wicked Jews (vs. 37-40). 37. "Abraham's seed." Christ admits their claim thut they are tho natural descendants of Abraham, but denies that they are hit children (v. 30) in the highest and best sense. "Seek to kill." Thut they desired the death of Abraham's truest Son is proof that they are not true sons of Abraham. Tli.fir mur derous intent prove that they are children of the devil (v. 44) instead of Abraham. "No place in you." You do not allow lly word to enter your hearts and live. 3. "I speak," etc. The Son existed with the Father during past eternity and He reports the things Ho had een, "Ye do," etc. Their father was Satan (v. 44), and they were instructed and led by him. 39, 40. Tlie argument here is that they were not true children of Abraham because they were not like Ahraht.m in character and actions. Abraham's life wa wholly unlike their. THRfcVV AWAY LARUfcTsUM Smoke Cost Poor German Workman a Small Fortune. Not many months ago in Berlin a worklngman stepped Into the shop of a poor widow and asked permission to light his pipe. Drawing a piece of paper from his pccUot, ho mai'.o a spill ot It, lit Ms plpo, ar.d throwing down the charrod paper walked away with a word of thanks. On tho fol lowing morning the widow, while sweeping her shop floor, picked up the discarded and partly burnt pauer arid, recognizing It cs a lottory ticket put It In her pocket. Bho had almost forgotten the Incl dout when sho chanced to toe a Usl of .the winning numbers In a groat lot tory drawing; then It flashed on hci that she had somewhern part-of s ticket which might possibly bo in. tltlad to a prize. Sho discovered the crumpled papor a'ld to her amaze ment found that it bore the number :o which the first prize of $50,000 had oeerj awarded. What tho feelings ol the workman must have been If ovci Be discovered bow much thut pipe had cost him may be left to the l:r.:.2 n Uon. MARCH TWELFTH. "Christ, the Great Physician." Luke 4:1G19; 5:27-32; I Peter 2:24. 8crlptur Verses. Luke 4:18, 19; John 1:14; 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 11:28 30; Matt. 9:35, 30; 23:37; Luke 7:1-10; Matt. 8:8, 9. Lesson Thoughts. Christ's power to heal wua not limited to any one disease, to one pos sessed of nn evil spirit, to one sick of a fevor, to one blind, In every case his word meant salvation. It Is our greatest blessing that Christ Is a Phyiilclan who can cure not only the disease of the body, but that he heals our spiritual diseases, and saves our souls for eternal life. Selections. Mr. Mnclaren compares human love to the Venus of Mllo, which, though a Btnttio of most magnificent qualities as a work of art, has no arms. It may smile In pity, but has no arms to aid; It may look on In sympathy, but has no power to help. Many a time human love stands helpless, armlss. Impotent to aid; hut In Jesus Christ wo have One who Is not only matchless in beauty and grace, but Is mighty to save. Rev. F. D. Kelsey. The one who wishes to do good to others can find a field anywhere. Those who need the ministry of help and sympathy He all about, us. Most eyes are too dull to see the need. The duty of one who Is healed is Immediate. No time for longer re flection belongs to him. The heart which has been ministered unto should minister Immediately to others. When Christ restores, he means that the restored one should take up his work, and continue It by aiding to restore others. "A physician once said that he kept himself In health by going to see his patients. Whenever he dis continued this, and required his patients to come to him, or when he tried to abandon his practice he speedily became lethargic, stupid, and dull; but when he resumed his efforts, and tried and tested his powers, he recovered his strength and vigor. So many a Christian man would find spiritual health and strength In trying to bring others to Jesus." Hulbut. There are In the Blblo nine terms for sin, debts, missing the mark, lawlessness, disobedience, transgres sion, fault (moral aberration,) de feat, Implousness, dis-harmony or dis cord. For all these kinds of sin we need forgiveness. And thero are as many words for forgiveness as for sin forgive, remit, send away, cover up, blot out, destroy, wash away, cleanse, make them aa If they had never been. EPlVOflTH LEAGUE LESSONS MARCH TWELFTH. Christ, the Great Physician. Luke 4. 16-19; 5. 27-32; 1 Pet. 2. 24. Our first Scrlptmi selection da scribes the visit of Christ to his na tive town and his message to his fel low townsmen, quoting what Isaiah had centuries before prophesied about him. In this selection we have the whole programme of Jesus Christ ns to the work of the gospel. The poor, the broken-hearted, the captives, the blind and the bruised aro to bo reach ed and healed. This is just what is lelng done to-dny in all the world. Jesus the Great Physician is healing tho sore of the world. In the next accoirnt of the culling of Matthew we have tho sums thought. He came to the sinners because they needed him; and ho came to the worst because they needed him most. Peter echoes the same truth again when he de clares that "by his stripes we are healed." All these passages set forth the heollng power of Jesus. There are many terms used In the Scriptures, to Ret forth the work of Jesus Christ, but none is more ex pressive than, this one of "Physician." It was Just like Luke, himself tho "beloved physician," to use this term and apply it to the Master. He more thnn the other evangelists knew of tho significance and meaning of the term. The lesson tenches the power of tho goKpel as a healing force. Jesus is the Great Physician. When on earth he healed the body, cured disease, cnHt out devils, recov ered the lume. The gospel has a mes sage to the body. We do not have to adopt the errors of tho "faith heal ers" to see a healthy and helpful in fluence of religion upon the body. But more than thnt Jesus is healing the physical ills of the world. All of sanitary science, of better hygienic conditions, of a wiser medical prac tico. Is but the effect of the spirit of tho Great Physician. Jesus is not only the Saviour from sin, but also from sickness and suffering. Ills precepts and injunctions tend to long life and henlth. His teuchlngs will go a great way toward healing the physical ills of the world. The poor, tho broken-hearted, the oppressed have rn Jesus Christ their bent, friend. Jesus is tho wise Physic ian, who will yet cure tho social Ills of our world. Greed, selfishness, and oppression, on the one hand, are met by violence, strife, and lawlessness, on the other. Nothing but the prin ciples of Jesus Christ can settlo the labor troubles, tho municipal mis rules, tho tenement cramming, ' and social crimes of our day. Jesus is the only doctor who can cure our so clnl sin. Ho Is the only Physician who can or will purify our social llfo and remedy tho evils of our oody politic. But ho In able to save so ciety from anarchy and injustice. Tho greatest need of man is a salvation from sin. The world Is fill ed with babel voices crying, "l.o. here," and "Lo, there." But every professed cure of bi Is a confessed failure save the gospel of Jesus Christ. But. In all ages, and' to all kinds of men, ho has been tho Cr-nt Physioiun who has cured and savd the sln-slck soul. He la able to lift the burden, to case the pain, to strengthen tho will, to rectify tho d-i-slris. nnd to repulute the positions. It makes no dlffcrtncs Jr.st what Mm so of evil sin may nraumo nnv life, Jesus is nbb to cum it. Hi haa the only piimicou in this world. Italian Chief Rabbi Is Dead. Chief rabbi of Padua, Italy, Prof. Kude Lolli, one of the ornaments of the Italian rabbinate, Is dead. The deceased was born at Gun, Austria in 1820 Admirable Suaa-'-MInn. In nn article nbont "Fishing For Men." by Hev. J. II. .Inwett, In the Baptist I'oinnionwenith, we rind somo admirable suggestions. He snys: "A notable nngler, writing recently in one of our dally papers, summed up all bis advice In what he proclaims a goiden maxim: 'Let the trout see tho nngler, nnd the nngler will catch no trout. Now this Is a first essential in the art of lnnn-flshlng, the suppression and eclipse of the preacher. How easily we become obtrusive! How easily we are tempted Into self-nggresslve promi nence! How prone we nre to push our selves to the front of our work In quest of funic and praise and glory! The temptation conies In n hundred differ ent ways. It steals upon us in the study and spoils our secret labor. It destroys the elllcacy even of the bait thnt we prepare. It comes upon us In the pulpit nnd perverts our workman ship even when we are In the verv midst of our work. The devil secretly whispers to us In most unctuous flat tery: 'That was a fine point you made. And we readily respond to the sug gestion. And so the insidious destruc. tlon is wrought. We don't stand aside. If I may vary my figure, let me sny thnt our function Is to draw aside- the curtain nnd hide ourselves somewhere in its robes. Let us remember that as soon ns our people see the preacher they will not take his bait." We have before called attention to the reninrk made by n Western expressman con cerning the needs of the church of which he was n member. Iieplnring past failures, he accounted for them by saying that they had always en couraged the minister to make' much of bis own personality. "Now." he said, "what we need Is not n minister who stands before his work, but one wiio wil stand behind bin work and let that speak for him." How a .Tinlg Wa lo Clirl.t. A well-known Judge In one of the Southern States, snys the Religious In telligencer, when, speaking of his younger days, snys that about flftv years ago he became skeptical, anil that Mr. II , n noble, whole-souled man. whom be revered almost as a fnther. but who was a confirmed deist, though he had a Christian wife, soon found him out, and endeavored to in still in his mind his own iloistie.nl no tions. "But he cinrged me." snid the Judge, "not to let his wife know thnt he was n deist, or that he was skepti cal. "I asked him -..by, to which' he re plied thnt If he were to marry a hun dred times, he would marry only n pious woman. 'Because,' he said, 'If she is a Christian. It makes her n better wife, a better mother, n better mistress, and a better neighbor. If she Is poor. It enables her to bear adversity with patience and fortitude. If she is rich nnd prosperous, it lessens her desire for mere show. And when r.he comes to die, if she is in error, she Is as well off as you nnd I; and If we are In error, she Is a thousand times better off thnn we can be.' "I asked him whether he knew of nny other error, or system of errors, attended with so many advantages. His reply was evasive. But what he said led dip to examine the subject for myself, and I often look back to that conversation as one of the most import-' nut incidents In my life, nnd to it I trace my determination to study the Bible carefully, and to examine the subject for myself, the result of which has led me to n full mil living faith In Jesus Christ, my Saviour." Ktanil-Fnxt Folh. Visiting a large Northwestern city during a public celebration period, my notice was attracted to a negro, who seemed of leadership build. Politics were at white heat. Pictured candi date buttons adorned other coat lapels. The negro wore. Instead, a small looking-glass. He was the reputed master mind among his people. Ills political hero had not yet been selected, nnd the mirror button signified thnt he wore the face of the man who stood before him, nnd chnnged as often as did his enmpa ny. "How sadly this Illustrates some young people!" writes Itev. Chris. F. Helsner, In the Epworth Herald. "With a crowd of Christians, (iospel songs, clean anecdotes, and uplifting acts characterize them. With a company of careless fuiimnkers, they forget former standards. "Paul included nil his success in 'I hnve kept tho faith. Anyone knows he IiikI to 'tight a good light' to do that. His pertinent slogan was: 'Watch ye, stand fast in the faith. We need stand-fast folk. There never were more of this sort, but to-morrow it must be better. The surely coming great revival will need very ninny dauntless workers." The MuiW- of Our Live. Riisklu, writing of some of the en forced pauses in our lives, says: "In our whole life-melody the music Is broken off here and there by 'rests,' and we foolishly think we have como to the end of the tune, (lod sends n time of forced leisure, n time of sick ness and disappointed plans, nnd makes a sudden pause In tho choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that out voices must be silent nnd our part missing lu the music which ever goes up to the ear of the Creator. Not without design does tJod write the music of our lives. Be It ours to learn the tune and not be dismayed nt tlie 'rests.' If we look up, (iod will beat the time for us." An Intoltrnt ItvllKlnn. And so down to this present day Christianity is the most Intolerant relig ion on the face of the earth. Tim other religious will accept toleration, cenipromlse; but Christianity will ac cept no compromise one !od and Fa ther of ns all; one Saviour, one faith, one hope of our calllng.Sermou In Weekly Witness. I.lf I a Nnrrlci. The great fact Is that life Is a ser vice; the only question Is, "Whom alll wo serve V" Faber. Many a man makes a failure at fol lowing because he Is oppressed by his sense of genius for leadership. There is nothing In the nature ot moral asbestos 'u derical cloth. Many a revival born in the prayer meeting! has been killed In the parlor. Ood's refreshing rains do not wait for the thunderlnga of any revivalist. The devl becomes a great economist as soon as you touch his revenues. The politic preacher may be very popular, but he will never be profi THE GREAT DESTROYER SOME STARTLINC FACTS ABOUT THE VICE OF INTEMPERANCE. A Little Temparanre I.Mnr The E parlance of a Drunken Man on th Unwary, a llelatad In the New York Sun Why Ilrlnk I Not Good. There Is much foolish talk about how a man can reform from liquor. In the first place, no man who has any sense nnd knows thoroughly the effects ot drink would ask sueh a question. The Bowery saloons illustrate to n the main thoroughfare where liquor is sold In Inrge quantities, nnd It Is there thnt various respectable men are driv en to drink, through the efforts of probably some of their friends, who make tho Bowery their principal hang out. A man when he Is drunk thinks he has great pleasure, but when he finds out the results of It either by landing in a police station or being in lured physically, he realizes that drink is nol ns good as he thought. Practically the same man It mnde a fool of by his neighbors, who tell othet people nbont him. He Is disliked, nnd finds out thnt he cannot get a place tc work. lie Is ashamed ot the world, and may be either killed or ho mny commit suicide. I will illustrate with a little story: One summer's day In l!o:t a drunken man, In appearance a good looking and respectable gentleman, w-ns parad ing up nnd down the Bowery having a gala time. In one of his coat pocket was a gold watch and a valuable dia mond pin was In his necktie. He wnf approached ami set upon by two thugs, wno came out of a hallway near bj and struck him on the head, so thai he nt once became senseless. Thej carried htm into a neighboring hous'f nnd took from him his valuable ortl cleg. A policeman was seen to pass bj when all hostilities were over, and hit noticed the man lying down on t lie floor near a hallway. He called for assistance, and they sent the man to the hospital, where medical aid wai secured. This goes to show whnt happens tc man, boy or woman when they art drunk, and I advise nil to keep away from it, and If they dike my ndvlcV they will be very thankful to rue when they get older. Frank Albert, In tin New York Sun. ExpenalTa rroseriillon. In the two criminal courts ot Cuya hoga County, Ohio, during th year which ended wllh July, 1!HU. i!78 per sons were convicted of cilnie, ranging from assault and battery to murder It the first degr "Four-fifths of the crimes for which men were tried in criminal court ver caused by intoxlcntlng drinks." Guy Flick, clerk of the cruniiiui court, has written this neiu-nte lu hh annual report. rIe adds the slatemen.' Is based on observation. The prosecution of lenders who got Into trouble iiecjr.se of strong drinl. lias been expensive. Fow of them had money to employ lawyers. Tht county hired lawyers for them nnd paid $()70ri the report says. The graua Jury cost $44!lo.lil and the petit Jurlei The offender were fined SI.'SI. but only $":!(i.G5 was collected. They were also ordered to pay 14,807.15 costs but paid only $10111.77. The surplus tines, amounting to $13,84r.:i, were p Id by the State to the county, because the State alwnyt pays the unedlected fines where con victions nre secured. The amount of i csj cost Items was fZU.UUO.oS. Amer ican Issue. It Take Two. A lad of seventeen, the apprentice of n carpenter, had been sent to n saloou to take the measure for n new counter. It was very cold weather and he nr rived shaking with the cold, for his coat was thin. Tho saloonkeeper im mediately mixed n hot drink and pushed it over tlie counter to him. "It will fc'ist you nothing," ho said. "Irink it and you will soon slop shivering, my boy." "He meant kindly, too, and didn't mean nny barm," said the ap prentice, ns he told the story. "That's what made It harder to push it buck and say I didn't want it." "It must have been a big temptation," said his friend. "Well," replied the lad, "it takes twoto make n temptation. There Is no saloonkeeper and no cold .weather can make me drink whnt I don't want to. The temptation I'm afraid of is the one thnt I'm ready for before It comes, by hankering after it. I don't take much credit to myself for refusing thnt drink, and if I'd taken it, why, I shouldn't put all the blame on the saloonkeeper, us some folks do. It takes two every time to make a suc cessful temptation." Effect on the Normal. Troessor Krnepelln. of Heidelberg. has been engaged for a long time on an Investigation Into the various effects of alcohol on users In normal healthy condition. He lins found the use ol half tin ounce of spirits, equivalent tc nn oidinnry glass of whisky, a Recti all of the vital functions1 of the user both physical und mental. Having first found what an individual could do in normal condition, he observed the same person thirty minutes after taking the spirits and found thnt if the healthy vision will enable the sub ject to read letters thirty feet away, after using the ounce of spirits he can not read them more than from clghteer to twenty-five feet away. A eorres ponding result was observed in tht ability to discriminate colors; also it was noted that forms and shapes wer blurred and indistinct. Tills palsy ol the vision is, of course, much more marked in the case of a drunken man Similar results were perceived lu till action of ull the senses. Leaveu Working- In Garmnny. A correspondent of the Nation, writ ing from Hanover, Oeruiany, describes tlie growth of sentiment fuvornble tc total abstinence among Herman urtl sans, due to tho tracts issued showing why it it best from the scientific stand point. The correspondent points out tho significance of the fact that while church and school stand by Indifferent while physicians look on inactive, a struggle to purify family and natiomi.' life is going on with science nnd sociaV democracy in league as reform In, agents. Saved by a rap nt Ilia Haml. A day or two after Cough hnd signed the pledge he was cold and mlsernbU1 and shaking from head to foot. He knew that a glass of whisky would brace hlin up. in the crisis a gentle man met him, und said how glad he was to hear he had signed the pledge. "Von are having a bad time, 1 sup pose," said his friend, "but I hope you you will stick to It." He grasped Hough's baud und the poor trembling creature's eyes filled with tears as lit said, 'Thank you, sir; I think I env bear If now." Those few words de cided tho contllct, aud (iougU vuii saved. -Barn's Horn. ccsasxiAi mm. R. 0. Thin ft Ca "Weekly Review 4 Tra'Se" say : Better weather has greatly improved trade in many sections oi the country, Spring merchandise being distributed trecly by jobbers, while retail business and mercantile collections, are more nor mal. Interior buyers are placing liberal orders in the large cities, and prepara tion for structural work are being hur ricd. Manufacturing lines have nude splendid progress since the opening ol the year, especially the various divisions of the steel industry, ami textile m;lli are well engaged. Shoe shops have am ple Spring business, but orders for Fall delivery are delayed by the recent ad vance in prices that was necessitated by higher cost of production particularly as to the raw material. In almost every branch of business there is confidence in active trade with the apcarance of settled weather. V'itv tcr wheat is in good condition, but cot ton planting will average much Uter than last year. Prices of commodities are still firm. Progress is most pronounced in the iron and steel industry. A very liberal tonnage of pig iron has been purchased, indicating that confidence i inrreajimj mi the business is well distributed, while quotations are firmly held, but not ad vanced as yet. Failures this week nii.nbrred 23a in the United States, against 3 )C last year, in J 29 in Canada, compared with 22 a veir ago. Bradstreet's says: Wheat, including fl'.'ur. exports for the week ending Feb ruary 23 are 023,022 busl-.fls, against 536,540 last week, 2,091,433 this week last year, 2,656,879 in 1903 and 3J4,540 in 1902. Corn exports for the week are 3,827, 081 bushels, against 2,770 lut week, 1,486,732 a year ago, 2jfxS,g.w in 1903 nd 313,664 in 1902. WHOLESALE BASKETS. Baltimore. FLOUR Firm and un changed ; receipts, 5,431 barrels. WHEAT Dull and lower; spot, con tract, I.i6'4('n2i.i634; spot. No. 2 red Western, i.17J46Si.I74; February, I.i64 i.t64; March, i.i6i.I7; May. I.l8r4(;i:i.i8'4; steamer No. 2 red, 1.09'A til-oo; Southern by sample l.oiI.l6; Southern on grade, 1.05(1.17. CORN Easier; spot and February, ioy4fiisoH; March, 5oJ45oH; April, 5fi'a5oM; May, 5"S'Mi; steamer mixed, 48J48 ; receipts, 16,732 bush els; exports, 68,571 bushels; Southern white and yellow corn, 455a OATS-Firm ; No. 2 white, 36J364 ; No. 2 mixed, 36 bid; receipts, 3,159 bushels. RYE Steady; No. 3 Western, up town, 85. HAY Steady and unchanged. BUTTER Firm and unchanged ; fan cy imitation, 2627; fancy creamery, 33 34! fancy ladle, 2223; store packed, 1020. EGGS Firm and unchanged, 32. CHEESE Firm and unchanged; large, 124; medium, 13; small, 1354. SUGAR Strong and unchanged; coarse granulated and fine, 6.15. New York. FLOUR Receipts, 18, B13 barrels; exports, 425 barrels; firm, with light trade. BUTTER Strong; receipts, 2,454; street prices, extra creamery, 34; official prices, creamery, common to extra, 27 34; do. held, common to extra, 2532; State dairy, common to extra, 233i; renovated, common to extra, 19(27; Western factory, common to extra, 20 28; Western imitation creamery, com mon to extra, 23(0)30. CHEESE Strong; receipts, 95o;Stat full cream, small, colored and white, fancy, JJ; do. fine, 124; do. late made, colored and white, choice, 12'A; do. fair to good, 1 1 J4ffi 14 ; do. poor, vKdiiotf; do. large, colored and white, fancy, 13 do. fine, I24(fl;i2f4 ; da late made, col ored and white, choice, 12; da fair t good, io4ioJ4; do. poor, 94o skims, -full to light, 4io4. EGGS Firm; ret-ipts, 3,058; State, Pennsylvania, and near-by fancy selected, white, 39; do. choice, 37038; do. mixed extra, 36(37; Wester.i firsts, 35; da second, 33Ml Southerns, :oZj5l re frigerators, 2730. HAY Firm; good to choice, 8o8s. Uvs Stock. New York. BEEVES Cows, 5toc. higher. Native steers, 4-306.0754 ; oxen and stags, 4.70(0)5.30; bulls, 3.35 4.50; cows, i.6o(n4.oa CALVES Veals, 5.009.00; barn yard and Western calves nominal ; dress ed calves firm; city dressed veals, 7lAd I3',jc. per pound; country dressed, 6(s! lie. SHEEP AND LAMBS Lambs. 10 (0,15c. higher; Common ewes, 4.50; lambs, 7-85'i?8.55. Chicago. CATTLE Market ioi5c lower. Good to prime steers, 5.603 J V . 1 VJWVM IV fl "". -a.m J-vJ 1. 10; poor to medium, 3-801(1)5.45; stock rs and feeders, 2.40(04.30; cows, 1.25(3 ' 6.1 ers 4.50; heifers, 2.00(11 '5.00; canners, 1.35(0 2.65; bulls, 2.oo(g'4.oo; calves, 3.5OJIM.50. HOGS Market, irxf 15c lower. Mix ed and butchers, A-7&4-9S; good to choice heavy, n.9S5.o2'A ; rough heavy, - 4.65(0:4.75; light, 4-6s4-8S5 bulk of sales, 4.8o'$4.ga SHEEP Market steady. Good to choice wethers, 5.65(6.10; fair to choice mixed, 4-5S15So; native lambs, $.75(i 8.15. WORLD OP LABOK. The journeymen tailors have voted to have a regular convention date onoe in four years. A new teamsters' union has been form ed in Buffalo, which will take in all truck drivers and helpers. The Canadian Manufacturers' Associa tion is objecting to the Union Label bill, now before Parliament. The meeting of the executive board of he United Garment Workers of Ameri ca has been postponed until May 7. The American Federation of Labor has granted its first charter to a local union of paper-box makers in Cbicaga . A machine is being perfected iu a Bir mingham (England) shop tliat is to turn out from 99,ouo to 100,000 finished wir nails an hour. San Francisco Building Trades Coun cil has a representative at Sacramento in the interest of a bill recently introduced in tha Senate to provide work for all unemployed in the State. Brocton, Mass., has an association oi superintendents and foremen, recently in corporated, with view to furnishing manufacturers with information at to competent form en. The Railway Clerks have cliangcd their allegiance from Ihe American Federation of Labor to the American Labor Union and have received their charier from Ihe latter organization. Interest in labor circles, of Minnesota centers at present upon the biiJ iut the establishment of Stale t mploynitnt agency, to be operated under the din tion of the Slate Labor liuriMU.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers