n
A'
THE MIDDLEIUIRGII POST.
T. B. HARTER, loirea ajtb Puhi
HIDDLEBURQH. TA.. JUNK C, im
KEYSTONE STATE CULL1NGS.
TURKIC CHILDREN' CREMATED.
CACI'IIT lit A tlHK AT TliriM r.tTIIKB't
notar.
C!o!sntTti Eire complete!? destroyed
the Isrm ImiiM of Ssiuuel Skiles In I'bar
itr$ township, two miles west of this plsce.
and in the conflagration Fkiies'three young
est children text their lives. Hkiles was
awakened by the noise of the flames, nni!
hurrying to the kitehsn found the room In
flame. He r-iduavored to subdue the tire,
but linding that Imposiihlo turned his at
tention to rescuing liia little one, who were
sleeping in an utairs apartment. He was
unsticcesaiul In this, and two children, aged
resjiectivcly 4 and ft yf-ars, perihed in the
Hamea. A bub of on'y n few month?,
which was terribly burned, died a few liourt
later. Tho fire originate I Ir-m nn overheated
cook stove in the kitchen, in which natural
gas w as used.
T1IK HOY FAMILY IttT.tF.D
VIIM K THAT HOY roVTFM ft. Trl M10WS-
ix t iiimski r i n Tiir kivfr.
CoSSM.lsVIM.lt. The bodies of John Hoy,
wife and two children, who were murdered
Kundny night, were tinned in Hill (irove
cemetery Thursday. Whi'e preparing
Hoy's b'Mly for bti'utl it wsi i i-covcred that
he had waled into the river up to his arm
pits. This is taken us evidence, that lie first
contemplated drowning himself nnd then
changed his mind and returned to the house
killing family and then himself. As the
furt Is not established that Hoy w.u a murd
erer and suicide, and some think ho died
defending his f:ntly, the Kev. Father
Ot'onnel decided ttiat his bo ly could be
Murie l inc nsecratil ground.
- -
rot n minkis r.Ti.i.v rrr.srn.
Tnr'iosr Through the carelessness of
one of their number, six miners employed
at Middle Creek Colliery, of the Keading
Company, were seriously burned by an ex
plosion of gas this morning. They aro
Charles Maurcr. John Sealer. Frank Hiith.
William llolu. William Iiretitii and Wil
liam Frdman. The injuries of the first four
aro fa'al. The cxplo-iioit was caused ly a
naked lamp.
S i
MONkTRosITV ')V IMVII. SATtT.F.
On. Citv. A ewe owned by n farmer liv
ing near I)e i pseytown gave birth to mon
strosity which lived but two days. It had
two perfect bodies, except that they had
but one neck and onu head, one heart, four
lungs and two livers. nil apparently healthy.
Thu pelt was Jet black and us hue as silk.
MASilt.l'.II TO MATH.
Ktnr Mrs. Antonio Cuidilerleki. a lady
of IK), undertook to cross the I.ako Shore
tracks by crawling under a train. The car
started, and the old lady was mingled to
death.
spenk-essy keepers was amsted Tuesday
. afternoon. At night eight masked men
forced an entrance through ti e ilurgess' of
I i.v. -,J lockup and broke the lock on the
cell doo. in which the speak -easy queen
was and rtl,.rtl,..i (lt.r. A carriage was wait
ing outside and she was driven olT toward
Ml. I'leus tiit. This It thu third time Mary
Uiley has broken Jail.
Mbs. Nancy Mi-CAHRMiint was struck and
Instantly killed by a train nn the l.uke Erie
railroad, near 1'ittvliurg. Her ituiighter.
Ellen, M venrs old. was itl-o struck and was
probably fatally hurt Tin) unfortunate
women were returning home from church.
They were w alking linked lira s on
thu r ilroad.
Tiik cliHrred remains of I'nsineer Wallace
who was killed imFehrnary ii in nn accident
at Williams stiitnm on tlie Ihtititnore and
Ohio railroad. have been found it) the debris
The goM watch lie carried had melted und
was imbedilctl in tlielup bone.
Tin: big new mil! of tho Medix l!un I.trn
be r Co iipaiiy. in F.:k county has begun
operations. 1 be mill wi l saw To.oo.l f,..t of
lumber a day. The company has oo.n i.ini
fuel of timber, -ch telly hemlock. About 1X1
tut n wilt lie employed.
Two i mi. pin . :-f Francis Showers, a sec
tion foreman on the Ynllev n ud at l.opnti's
Ferry, 7.ero drowned while fishing Mid
their ,-odics have not ) t been recovered.
They were uge 1 lo und 1 years.
Ai.ntos Coi.r, aeeij )'!, was found dead
under a trestle in rnlouton ti. where he niul
been ttir.)wn by uu eng iie which ran over
him dining the nurht. J lo had been reduced
to pauarism by drink
Ilotn iiT i vi rs. nn employe of the rail
roacl company, while employed in helping
to clear thu wrecK of Mam's circus, near
Tyrone, was instantly killed by u tank fall
ing upon him.
Tiik wile of Henry Kithn, of Lancaster,
neglecteil to call him in time for dinner.
When ne awoke he was so mury that he cut
his tliroat. Yet ho was old enough to know
better, being ta.
Tiik houe of William l"n:!ison in
Clintonvilli) was .struck by luhtuimr nnd
tre.i. A daughter of I lonaldson, agel l'.l
years was so badiy burned that sliu- will die.
May 31st was the fourth nnniversarv of
the Joluisiow it M d. but no public demon
strataoti was mate ttirtlier lliuu t i dccor.itM
the graves w nil llower.
Mi;s. Davmi I.ovr ati I twi daugliters. f
Alverton. were dangerously iniured in n
runa av vesti'rdav. The older datighti-r is
probably fu'ally injured.
Tiik 10 year-old son of lioor') I.oni of
Jieeksburg. Westnion-land coiintv. fell fro n
u tree and struck ou u snag, f riglitt'ully in
juring hiuis-lf.
I'.r.i'oiiTS riveived at the office of Hip State
board of HL'riculture indicate a bonimlul
crop of nil kinds and of stone fruits except
cherries.
Miis. (iKoiioi tA FnrrMAN, of Mt. Holly,
left her baby at lionte alone lor a lew hours.
When she returned the chi.d had cried itaclf
lo death.
C'mRM" Sai.yaiiiw, whokilleij ro!iixmn
George Martin in April, at Carlisle has been
found guilty in the first degree.
Tut Morgan timtiet on the S'ate Line
railroad, near Smithrield. caved in Saturday
It will take two weeks to clear it.
The Visible Supply of Grain
The statement of the visible supply of
grain in store and attout on last Saturday as
complied at the New York produce ex
change Is as follows: Wheat, 70.157,000 bu;
decrease l,3tJ9.(X) bu; Corn. 3.C2.S,000 bu; de
crease 413.000 bu; oats. 3,342,000 bu; increase
158,000 bu; rye, 300,000 bu: dtcreass, 10,.
000 bu; barley 303,000 bu; decrease 110,00,1
TW1UOHT.
tk goMea glory In the airy,
Mirrored In wave which strive no V.Kt
;,Tns ery of night birds, flitting by,
And lo 1 1: day la o'er.
.The crescent noon disc, rising slow,
With one attendant, radiant sphere,
A cloud aaross the sunset ' glow,
And lo t the night la here I
Xlnettc M. Lowater, in Tooth's Companion.
Tho Sword and tho Altar.
frt IflLCZB T. PA on.
MONO tho nlmoat
innnmernMe inoi
flnta of our Civil
itml ctbrwie,
which from time to
Time nnvo fonnu a
idace in the col
umns of the lend
ing ningazincsj and
tiowH)npera of tho
country, I havo
failed to see any
fner tinn of the nitu
rle utorr which I
am nliont to relat-e, whieh, while it ia
not wholly destitute of pathos, will at
the anme timo nerve to illustrate moKt
forcibly tho undercurrent cf pt-uuino
religious aentiment and iicraotial jiiety
that pervaded all ranks and conditions
of the men engaged in that fratricidal
strife. nn undercurrent nono tho Ickb
deep nnd strong thnt the anrfnee wnii
ftaiued with the Mood of brothers nud
strewn with thc wrecks of Ytur tho
dying and the (lend.
la wn in the early spring of 1802,
when the Federal forces, nnder Mnjor-
Oeueral B , were advancing on thnt
rneinorr.blo rninpnign in tho valley of
Virginia. Every foot of ground, from
the Potomac to Staunton, had already
been fought over at ono time occu
pied by Federal hosts, at another by
Confedirnte.
General B bad advanced his
lines na fur aaMiddletown, in the upper
valley nnd beyond, while the Confed
erate army, under General J , mus
occupying tho Luray valley, near
Staunton and llnrrironburg made fa
moiia in history by tho not far distant
battle field of Fort liepnblic.
It was one of those calm, quiet Sun
eluy mornings, Btiggentive rather of
peaco on earth anil good will to men
than of tho liery pacsioua born if war
and bloodHhed, when General B
rode out from his headquarters in the
town, accompanied by his personal
ataff, on a ehort tonr of rcconnoittMincc.
It was a eightly pageant that well ap
pointed band, with their bright sabres
Hashing in tho aunlight, and their gaily
caparidoned steeds impatient of the
control of bit and bridle.
An hour's rapid ride through field
nnd wood brought them in night of a
email country church, neatled away
juot within tho vestibules of a forest,
with its modest ppiro still pointing
heavenward, having not yet had tho
' Aa1 tuo cavaldado approached they
became aware of the fact that a con
gregation had assembled, and that tho
services had already commenced.
Concluding that he was still by
several miles within his picket
lines. General B ordered a
halt, and after a brief consultation
with his officers, and the stationing of
four sentries commanding all tho ap
proaches to the building, the whole
cavalcade dismounted, and leaving
their horses in charge of their order
lies, proceeded in a body to the
church.
The beautiful morning service tho
distinguishing feature of Episcopal
worship was just ending as this un
expected accebsion to tho congregation
entered.
The organ wau pealing jorth its al
most human cry of "Jesus, Saviour of
my eoul, let me to Thy bosom Hy,"
as, quietly and with niot-t respectful
solemnity, this small but diftingusihed
band of officers took their heats.
Small as was that little country
church, there were numbers of erupy
pews, end those that were occupied
were occupied mostly by women and
children, with a small contingent of
gray-haired men.
There was a most noticeable absence
of men worshipers only two or three
old men with whitened locks, and
threo others, two young men and a
roauly boy who had seen scarcely four
teen summers, all three dressed in
Confederete uniform.
The momentary rirpleof excitement
occasioned by so unlooked-for a pres
ence soon gavo way before the spell of
pious devotion which pervaded that
little sanctuary an though some angel
had w hispered to their hearts : 'Ttace,
be still!"
And now came from the chancel the
roice of the aged pastor, as ho an
nounced his text a voice deep, sonor
ous, and pathetic. Standing there,
with his long white hair and flowing
beard, his very presence seemed a Ber
mon in itself ; but from the moment
he announced his tot : "Come nnto
Me, all yo that are weary and heavy
laden, and I will pivo yon rest," every
eye was riveted upon "him, every ear
was strained to catch hid holy utter
ances. lie stood within tho chancel rail,
without manuscript or note. lie said :
"I come to you this Sabbath morning,
my beloved brethern, with a gracious
message from heaven. I come as the
ambassador of Christ, to offer reht to
the weary, and relief to the heavy
laden rest, sweet abiding rest, to
earth's toil-worn and sin-laden suffer-
"Let us firfct consider, my brethren,
vho it is that makes this gracious
tier. When I tell you it is Christ
Iimself, mighty to save all who come
.into God through Him, you will re
cognize not only the ability, but the
willingness of the gracious offerer.
We all know, my brethren, what rest
means to tho hungering and thirsting
. -T i
onL ' It ts this Ite offers fan on A
sole condition that you will come. Hie
invitation in 'Ho, everyone that
thireteth, come je to the waters, and
he that hath no money, come ye, buy
and eat yea, come, buy wine and
milk without money and without price.
Incline your ear and come nnto Me,
and your soul shall live.'
"This gracious Saviour offers a balm
for every wounded heart in Divine
presence this morning the oil of joy
for mourning, and the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness.
There are many of yon, I know, who
greatly need this Divine Comforter.
Those habiliments of woe (the ladies of
tne congregation were all in mourning
apeak to me of bleeding hearts beneath
them. To yon my teit commends it
self with special emphasis. The grave
nas shut lorever from your eyes the
loved forms ami faces of those who
were once yonr joy and pride. Did I
say 'forever? Oh, not not forever!
Hear the righteous Job, and let his
holy confidence be your abiding con
solation : 'I know that my Kedec mcr
uvetn, ana that lie shall stand at the
latter day upon the earth ; and though
arter my skin worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I sea God, whom
I shall see for myself?'
"Ye, my beloved brethren, b as
sured there will come a time when all
theso tears shall be wiped away, when
our loved and )ot ones shall le re
stored to us. when reunited we shall
king together the song of the redeemed.
"Come! This is the only condition
ITe imposes. Come just as you are.
Weary and heavy-laden, it may lie,
with tho burden of your sins, heavily
oppressed with sorrows manifold, many
of you, like Bachel, weeping for her
children, and ho would not be com
forted because they wero not. Come
to the only Fountain that can wash
away sin, tho only true balm and con
solation for wounded hearts; come,
for earth huth no sorrow that heaven
cannot heel.
"Ti Jesus bids yon come. Will
you slight His gracious invitation?
Come, my beloved brethren, to the ta
ble of your Lord, which is spread lor
you this day ; como with your bruised
and broken henrts. lie has said: 'I
will refresh you.' Como to the foot of
tho cross this morning. View your
crucified Bedeemer agonizing there.
See iu His' feet and hands the
nail prints, and the spear
thrust in His side. Behold that crown
of thorns, ami hear that mocking cry
of 'Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the
Jew s. ' Was ever other king so crowned ?
"Let us rommemerate, my brethren,
that scene in our hearts this day. Let
us feed on Hitu in our hearts by faith
with thanksgiving."
The above is but a meagre sketch of
tho sermon of that eloquent old man.
When ho closed, thero were but few
dry eyes in that hushed and awed con
gregation. Perhaps it was expected
that the visitors would retire nuietlv
at the close of the discourse. But no !
they remained and participated in the
ja,T.t-ejmmunion servicer and wheDtb? f
luiuiu uuii-nu in t-re luviieu to approacn
the sacred table, the church presented
a scene as rare as it w as impressive ;
eight Fedeial soldiers, together with
their general, and three Confederate
officers, including tho boy, knelt to
gether around tiiat holy table and par
took of the broken body and shed blood
of a common Lord and Saviour.
ISot until all had communed, and
the old pastor had invoked a blessing
upon all, did these Christian soldiers
offer to retire ; and when they arose to
go, it seemed as though they were
loath to quit the sacred precincts of
that ohl country church where
they had doubtless been brought
nearer to God and nearer to their
loved ones, worshipers of tho same Al
mighty Father, in temples far away.
With bowed heads and deeply rev
erential manner, they filed two and
two out of tho church, led by the com
mander, the congregHtion remaining
iu their pews until all had passed out.
This soldierly cavalcade, once more
in the saddle, formed an imposing
group to look upon ; the general, a
intin of rare personal preseuce, seated
on a nmgniticent charger, and sur
rounded by his staff officers, each of
whom was but second to his com
mander. The spell of the sanctuary was still
upon them, for as yet not a word had
been spoken, and they waited in silence
for the command "Forward." It did
not come. Their leader seemed pon
dering upon some thought which had
taken possession of his mind to the
exclusion, for thc moment, of tho itol
dier imdinct of mental alertness.
Suddenly ho spoke. "Call an or
derly," he said.
When the soldier came forward, he
thus addressed him :
"Orderly, go to the church and pre
sent General B 's compliments to
the three gentlemen dressed in Con
federate uniform, and say that he
would bo glad to see them for a mo
ment." Without a moment's hesitation, the
three came forward, accompanied by
tho orderly. After the salute, which
was gracefully acknowledged by the gen
erul and his entire staff, the general,
addressing them as "soldiers," paid:
"I requested your presence, gentle
men, because I suppose you cannot
possibly be aware that you aro several
miles within our lines, which have been
very reeeutly moved forward. I do
not know how you propose to get back
to your command, but this I do know,
that any way you may choose will be
attend with much risk and perhaps cap
ture as prisoners of war. After what
has transpired to-dav, I feel anxious
that you should get back without being
subjected to the danger and annoy
ance of arrest and probably indefinite
detention." Then, teariug a leaf from
his pocket portfolio, he wrote i
Give the bearers fe escort Dtyocd the
Federal lutes. Hbiaed li ,
aIajuavGen?ral Commanding.
This he repeated three times ; only.
hen he wrote the boy's passport, lit
said: "Confederate boy soldier." He
Dowea gracefully as he banded each
one his passport. As he handed the
boy his, he eaidt "My son, you are
f-onng to be a soldier J I hope yon may
ive through this terrible conflict to
be a blessing and a comfort to yout
mother." The boy's heart was touched,
for as he turned away, unbidden tears
were in his eyes,
The general continued! "Gentle
men, please present our thanks to yout
worthy pastor for his sermon to-day."
So, saying, "Forward t double quick!"
and almost before the three Confeder
ates had rejoined their friends in the
church, the Federals were out of sight
in the distance.
When five or six minutes had elapsed
in discussing the event of the day, and
before the congregation had dispersed
to their respective homes, they were
startled by the appearance of a horse
man in their midst, riding nobis
steed, black as a raven's wing, except
where his glowing hide was flecked
with foam.
The rider, who, At the head of his
command, sat like a centaur, as he
drew rein in front of the church, war
recognized at once by all the congre
gation as the famons commander of the
"Black Horse Cavalry." When in
formed of the character of their
distinguished visitors, the part they
had taken in the services of the day,
and the generous manner in which the
Confederate soldiers had been treated,
ho made no comment, but merely re
marked: "Wo knew they were here,
and rode hard to capture them, and
should have done so, but for the tima
consumed in a skirmish with their
picket line."
"After what has happened." con
tinued the famons chief of tho "Black
Horse," "I am glad that we did not
arrive in time. Even now we might
cut them off before reaching Middle
tow n ; but let it pass ! We will return
to our headquarters empty-handed, as
we came."
The Confederate horsemen dis
appeared as suddenly as they had
come, leaving the congregation stand
ing in that old church-yard dazed
and uncertain whether it had not all
been a Sunday morning's waking
dream, tho baseless fabric of some
distorted vision. Blue and Gray.
A Dnrablo Watch.
After hanging on the limb of a tree
all winter, exposed to the rain and
snow, a valuable gold watch and chain
belonging to O'Hara Darlington, who
lives a short distance above Sharps
burg, Teun., has been discovered, and
to-day is keeping time just as it did
before it was lost early in last Novem
ber. Mr. Darlington owns the old
Darlington mansion with its broad
acres at Guyasuta, where the noted In
dian chieftain bearing the same name
is supposed to te buried. Last fall he
was in the woods superintending the
burning of some brush.
The clay was warm and sultry, and
On his nay home he carried his coat
and vest over his arm. At the supper
table he had occasion to look at his
watch, but it was not in the accus
tomed pocket, neither was thero any
(trace of the heavy gold chain with
which tho watch had been attached to
the vest. A careful search failed to
reveal the missing valuables. Hastily
leaving the supper room, Darlington
cUled his hired men, six in
Lumber, who in turn gathered together
a large number of neighbors.
I'rocuring lanterns and rakes, tho
party went to tho woods and spent the
entire night in searching for the miss
ing watch and c'uaiu. Early tho next
morning Mr. Darlington wero back iu
the woods again, aud the search was
kept up for two weeks. The entire
woodland was raked from ono end to
the other, but no trace of tho watch,
and chuin was found. Tho search was
tinully abandoned and Mr. Darlington
gave np his watch for lost
Ore afternoon recently Fred and
Frunk Stout, sons of Harry A. Stout,
me.nager of Tibb's glass house, Sharps
burg, went to the wood for a stroll.
The two boys had not gone far till
one of them had his hat knocked from
his head by tho ovtrhnnging branch of
a tree. Glancing up to see what he
had run against, he was astonished to
sue right before bis eyes and within
easy reach a gold watch and chain.
The boys approached the limb to
which the watch was hanging, cau
tiously, lest by some awkward move
ment a pretty optical illusion should
bo dispelled. However, they soon be
came convinced that they had not been
made the victims of a trick, and a
few moments later they were flying
homeward, with tho watch and chain
safely stowed away in one of their
pocket. When Mr. Stout came homo
in the evening and was shown the
watch he, too, was greatly surprised,
for along with a party of other neigh
bors he had gone on an all-night
search for that watch live months be
fore. How the watch came to be in
the position in which it was found is a
mystery. Pittsburg Dispatch.
An Artist lu 1'upcr,
It is remarkable how many wonder
ful children there are in tho world in
latter days. Mrs. Georgo Dunlap, who
is the head and centre of the children's
department of the World's Fair, re
ceives almost daily letters giving an
account of some infant prodigy in that
especial region. One of the most
unique is a youth who produces most
interesting results with paper and
scissors. His mother reads him a
story, w hich he illustrates w ith figures,
trees, houses and animals, all mado of
tissue paper, cut with scissors. It is
said that somewhere in the Eleveuth
Century there wua a young prince
who ecolled in this art, which has
been loft to the world ever since.
Detroit Free I'ress.
Thero are uo native kangsrcoi except
on tho continent of Australia.
ABOUT LEFT HANDED MEN
REV. tH. TAliHiOI FBEACHXS
On the Power of Those Who Strive
Psraeveranoe the Burs Road to
Suoosss In Religion.
TsxT "Rut rae tk rhiUtrm of Itrnrt
tried unlo th Lord th4 honi mitxt Outm up a
dWioenr, Xhud, IK ton of Gra, n Iimjan
r, a man left AoaJnt" Judges lit, 18.
Ehnd was a ruW In Israel. Us was left
handed, and what was peculiar about the
tribe of Itanjamtn, to which be beloogrd.
there wm In It 700 left handed fnon, and
yet so dexterous had they all become la the
usa of the left band that the Rlble says thny
could sling stones at a balr's breadth and
not mtss.
Well, there was a king of the name of
Eelon who was an opprvosor of Israel. Be
Imposed upon them a most outrageous tax.
Ehud, the man of whom I first spoke, bad a
dlrlne commission to destroy that oppressor.
He came, pretending that he was going to
pay the tax, and asked to sen King Eglon. He
was told he was In the summer house, thn
place to which the kiug retired when It was
too hot to sit la the palace. This summer
house was a platie surrounded by flowers and
treett and springing fountains aad warbling
birds.
Ehud entered the summer house and said
to King Eglon that ho had a socret errand
with him. Immediately all the attendants
were waved out of the royal presence. King
Eglon rises up to recelvo the meesenger.
Ehud, thn left handed man, puts his left hand
to his right side, pulls out a dagger and
thrusts Eglon through until the haft went
In after the blade. Eglon falls. Ehud comes
forth to Mow a trumpet of recruit amid thn
mountains of Ephrnlm, and a great host Is
marshaled, and proud Monti submits to thn
conqueror, and Israel Is free. Ho, O Lord,
let all Thy enemlen perish I Bo, O Lord, let
all Thy f rlemls triumph!
I learn first from this stihj.vt the power of
left handed men. There are some men who
ly physical organization have as much
streugth In their left hand as In their rlgLt
haml, but there Is something In thn writing
of this text which Implies that Ehud had
some defect In his right band which com-
fielled him to use the left. Oh. the power of
eft hiutdod men ! (renins Is o'ten self obser
vant, careful of Itself, not given to much toll,
burning Incense to Its wu aggrandizement,
while many a man with no natural endow
ments, actually defe-tivn in physical ami
mental organization, has an earn-ntness for
the tight, a patient Industry, an all consum
ing perseverance which achieve mitrvel for
the kingdom of Christ. Though left handed
as Ehud, they can strike down a sin as groat
and Imperial as Eglon.
I hovn eecn men of wea!th gathering about
them all their treoeures, stiuftlngat theuauso
of a world lying Iu wickedness, roughly
ordering Lamms off their dooixtcp, sending
their dogs, not to lick his sores, but to hound
him off their pramlaes, cuti-hlng all the pure
rain of Ood's blessing into theatagnant, ropy,
frog-Inhabited pool of their owu sellUhncs
right-handed men. worse than useless
while many a man with large heart and little
purse has out of hi limited means made
poverty leap for Joy and started an Influence
that overscans thn grave and will swing
round and round the throne of God, world
without end, amen.
Ah, me, it is high time that you left handed
men who hare been longing for this gift and
that eloquence aud the other man's wealth
should take your left hand out of your pock
et. Who made all these railroads' Who set
up all these cities? Who started all these
ehur-hes nnd schools and asylums? Who
has done nil the tugging and running and
pulling? Men of no wonderful endowments,
thousandsof them acknowledging themsclvi
to be left hnnded, und yet they were earnest,
and yet they were determined, and yet they
were triumphant.
But I do not suppose that Ehud the first
time he took a sling in his hand could throw
a stonn a hair's breadth and not miss. I
snpMse"it was praetioe that gave him the
wonderful dexterity. Oo forth to your
spheres of duty and be not discouraged if In
your first attempts you miss the mark. Ehud
mimed it. Take another stone, put it care
fully Into the allng. swing It around your
head, t.ike better nl in, ami the next time you
will strike the neuter. The first ttmu that a
mason rlugs his trowel upon thn brick he
does not expe rt to put up a purfeet wall.
The first time a ourpentersimds a plane ovet
a board or drives a hit through u beam ha
does not expect to make perfect execution.
The first time a boy attempts a rhyme hn
doos not exjMKt to chime a "Lalla llookh"
or a "Lady of tho Lake." Do not bo sur
prised if in your first efforts -at doing good
ou are not very largely successful. Under
stand that usefulness is an art, a sclenuo, a
trade.
Ther-j was an oculist performing a very
dllfleult operation on the human eyi. A
young doctor stood by itndsnld "Howeosily
you Uo that. It doesu't seem to cause you
any trouble ut all." "Ah," suld tho old ocu
list, "It is very easy now, but 1 spoiled a hat
ful of eyes to leant that." lie not surprised
If It takes some practice le(ore we con help
nieu to moral eyesight and bring them to a
vl-don of tho cross. Left handed men to the
work ! Take the gogpoi for u sling and faith
uud repentuuee for the smooth xtouo from
the brook, take sure uim, (lod direct the
weapon, aud great tioliaths will tumble lie
fore you.
I learn also from this suhjoi-t the danger
of worldly olevutlon. This Eglon was what
tho worhl called a great man. There were
hundred of men who would have considered
Uthu gtmtteot houor of their life lust to buvti
him speak to thm. Vet, although hn is so
high up in worldly position, he Is not beyond
the reach of Ehud's dugger. I see a great
muny people trying to climb up In social
position, having an idea that there Is a safe
place somewhere far above, not knowing that
thn mountain of fame has a top like Mount
lilnnc, covered with perpetual snow.
We laugh at the children of Hhinar for try.
Ing to build a tower that could reach to the
heavens, but I think If our eyesight wore
only good enough we could see a liahel lo
many a dooryord. Oh, the struggle Is lleroo !
It is store against store, house against
house, street against street. Nutlon agulust
Nation. Thn goal for which men are run
ning is chairs and chandeliers and mirrors
and houses and binds and presidential equip
ments. If they get what they anticipate,
what have they got? Men aro not safe from
calumny while they liv.'. aud, worse than
that they are not safe after they are dead,
for I have seen swine root up graveyards.
ono rtuy a man goes ud into publicity,
and the world does him honor, and
people climb up into sycamore trees to
watch hlin as he passes, and as he
goes along on the shoulders of thn people
there is a waving of hats aud a wild huzza.
To-morrow tho same man is cuught between
the jaws of thn printing press and mangled
end bruised, and the very aamn persons who
applauded him before cry : "Down with the
traitor I Ilown with him !"
ttelahazzar sits ut tho feast, thn mighty men
of Babylon sitting all around him. Wit
sparklea like the wins und thn wlue like the
wit. Music rolls up among thn chandeliers :
the ohan.leliers flash down on the decanters.
The breath of hanging gardens floats in on
the night air the voloo of revelry floats out.
Amid wreaths and tapestry and folded ban
ners a linger writes. The march of a host is
! 00 toa "taln- Laughter catches la the
throat. A thousand hearts stop beating.
The blow U struck. The blood on the floor
Is richer bund than the wlna on the table.
The kingdom has departed.
Delshaxzarwas no worse perhaps than hun
Jreds i of people In Ilabylon, but his position
slew blm. oh. be ooutent with Just such a
position as God ha placed you In I It may
uot let said of us, He was a great general'
or "He was an honored chieftain, or "Ho
was mighty In worldly attainments." but this
thing may be said of you and mn, H was a
good citizen, a faithful Christian, a friend of
Jesus." Aud that lu the last day will be the
highest of all eulogiuma.
. I learn further from this subject thn detr.
vv Hinuim aivuaisT, Air ion rim -
xpnet to die la that Una plane. Amid v
flower leaves that drifted like snow b,jf
Ulna i In the sound ot a thousand I.,!
tering on one tree branch i In the eoolli
that came np to shake fnverlah trrmhuT
thn king's locks, there was nothing thu'',
of death, but there he died I la th V
when the snow la a ikmrnl -i
wind Is a dirge. It is easy to think 2
nonau;y, our wnen tae weather la w
and all our surroundings are agrsefl
difficult It Is for as to iimnmi... ?! ''
that we are mortal 1 And yet mr t-it iJl
that death iln inm.ilm-
' " M.U .-W KVUJ,
Hn Is blind and eannot sne the leat-
a uoai uu cannot near tne fountain,
it nsatn wouifl as n tor Mim.
point him to hundreds of people who
rejoloe to have him come. Push hvV
door of t hat hovel. Look at that llttl. J
cold and sick and hungry. It has 3,
heard thn name of Ood but In blasnklt
Parents Intoxicated staggering amo
straw bed. oh, death, thur- Is a iCl
thee! I'p with it Into the light! &.$
tness) little foetttumMa on life's n.tk 1
them rent. - 4
Here Is an aged man. He has dot
Work Wm hn.d. trial, i.ln.l.,.,.!.. m.
.... . ......... . , ,,ubij, in.-i
panions of his youth are all gone, hi i
dren deaxl. He longs to bn at rst J
wearily tne Uays anl the nights pu,
says. "Come, Lord Jesus, come inijr
Oh. death, there Is a mark for thee' -from
him thn stiff and irive him th
I'p with him Into the light, whore ey,tl
,11111, aim ine iiair wnnens not
thn long years of eternity. Ah, diutli
not do that. Iieath turns back fr-,-straw
boil and from the aged man nti
the skies and comes to the summer htu.
What doest thou her, thou botiy.it-,
monster, amid this waving grass an-l
this sunlight sifting through th
branches? Children an at nlav. How,.,
their feet go and their locks toss in th,I
l-... . ..a. . . . . m
riihuct ami iiiumer ntan'i hi tne siij.-r. i.
. enjoying their ; J
slblo that the Well ,; 1
;lmt fold and carry j
nn old archer stun i
- - '-' ..... --iij, j 111-4 .11 ir f
uoes not seem post
ever br rok Into that
Iamb. Meapwhlle
lug through thethicket. He points In. .
at the brightest of the grouo he 1. . M
marksmiati the bow bends, the arrow ,-
ijusn, now: The quick feet have t
and the locks toss no more In the r
Laughter has gone out oi tho hall. 1
in the summi r house '
Here is a father In midlife. His iv
home at night Is the Mgnat for mirth.
children rush to the door.and there bm.
Dn 'the evening stand, and the hour,
sway on glad feet. Them Is nothing,.
Ing In that home, ll.dlgion Is th.-r ,
ai-rlllces on the altar mornlngaii.tr.
Vou look In that household and say -'
not think of anything happier. 14
really believe the world is so sad a pi,
lome people d'-s -rlrio it to be." The,
changes. Father is sick. The dor,r -bn
kept shut. The deHfh watch chirps
fully on the hearth. The children u
and walk soltly where once they roi
Tossing tho house late at night, you
quick glanWng of lights from room tor
It Is all ovei. Iteath In tho summer h. .
Hern Is an aged mother- aged, but c -
firm. You think you will have thn Joyo' ,
Ing for her wants a good while yet. i ,
goes rrom house to hous-. to chlldr-t,
grandchildren, her coming Is a drop,it
sunlight in the dwelling. Vour chll.lrei
her coming thrlugh the lane, ami thj
"Grandmother's come!" Care for yoii
marked up her face with many 1 ,
wrinkle, and her back stoops with 1
tying your burdens. Home days k
very quiet: She . says shn is 1
tick, but . something tells you '
will not much longer have mother, rih-r
It with you no longer at the table nor ti
hearth. Her soul goes out so gently y .
not exactly kuow the moment of It in
Fold the bands that hsvn done-onmnvi
nesses for you right over the heart thi-i
beat with love for you since before you J
born. Let thn pilgrim rest. She Isv J
Ueath in the summer house !
Gather about us what we will of eor
and luxury, when tho pale messenger J
ne does not stop to look at tho archil
of the house before he comes In, nor ent-t
does he watt to examine the pictures wt-J
gamereu on tnn wall, or bending ovr
pillow hn doos not stop to see whether u
is a color In the cheek, or gentleness It
eye, or Intelligence in the brow. l:m
oiinotr :uusi we sttuil tor ever mmirJ
among the fc-mveg of our dead. No ! No!
people In Deugnl bring cages of bird t'
graves of their dead and then they opt
cages, and tho binls go singing heavnin
Ko I would bring to the graves of your-:
all bright thoughts and conirratulutioii!
bid them think of victory and redemptkt
nump un inn nouoni or the gravo.it
reass turougn into tlto light and iflur
neaven.
The ardent used to think that the
etiterlng the lied sea were very dmi.'-r
plw-ea, as they supposed that every sliif.
wuiu inrougn tuoae straits woulil t
stroyed. and tbey were in thn habit of
ting on weeds of mourning for thote
hud gone on that voyage, its thou.'h t.
were actually dead. Do you know what:'
caitea nose strait"? They call them
"Gate of Tears.'' Oh, I stand to-duvt
gate of tears through which muny ol j
lovea ones nave gone, and I want to b-U
that all are not shipwrecked that hiivo t
through thoso strults Into tho great o-i
sireteuing out neyomi.
The sound that eomes from that
shoro on still nights when we are wnr;
lu prayer makes me think that the lrur
are not dead. Wo are the dead -w
toll, we who weep, we who sin -we ar
dead. How my heart aches for human
row ! This souud of breaking hearts tlu'
near nil aoout me : This lust look ot 1
that will never brighten again ! Tiil
kiss of Hps that never will speuk ac
This widowhood and orphanage . Oh.
Will thn day of sorrow bn gone?
After the sharpest winter thn sprinc
mounts Irom the shoulder of a soutbTj
aud outs Its warm hand unon the earth.
lu its palm thero comes the grass, and t-
come tnn nowers, ana Oo.l resits ever
poetry of bird nud brook and bloom
pronounces It very good. What, my frb
if every winter bad not its spring, and "
nignt lis day, ana every gloom Its glow,
every bitter uow its sweet hereafter? I'
have beeu on the sea. you know, us the 1
passes lu the night, thero Is a phosphor''
truck left Isdiiud It, and as thu wutcrs
they toss with tiiiluiuglnubln splendor. '
across this grut ocean of human tr
Jesus walks. Oh, that In the phosphor
truck of ills feet we might all follow an
Illumined !
There was a gentleman in the rail car
saw In that same car three passenger)
very uincreni circumstances. Tne nri
a maniac. . Ho was carefully guarded t
uttenduiits i his mind, like a ship tli.stiia-'
was beating against a dark, desolnte t'
from which no help could come. Thn U4
stopped, and the inuu was taken out Into S
asylum to waste away perhaps through J"
01 gloom. The second passenger w
culprit. The outraged luw had seized on k
As the cars Jolted the chains rattled. V" 1
face were crime, donravitv nnd dusnalr. ''
frpiifll liiiltmf mill In. urai. lulrun nut tl t'
peulteutlury, to which hn had beca f'
demued. There was the third passeiigru
der fur differeiit circumstances. rhe
brldo. Every hour was gay as a niarM
belL Llfegllttered and beckoned. H'1"
iiaulon was taking her to hut father's
The tr.iln halted. The old man was tber-3
Welcome her to her new home, aud tils "'-
locks snowed down upon ber as he eai
Wonl with a father's Lias.
Uub-kly w fly towurd eternity. Wt '
moll lie there Home Iiiuvn tliul life C-
demued culprits. They refused a P-"1'
they carry tueir chums. Oh, may it
us ttiat, luavlug this niiotlng ilfn for n' ".
we may nud our lather ready logn-t"
our uw bo:a" with Hun iorjvdr. '1'ntt '
os a marlage titu-pt-t:. Vttrnrs wi'"
Esther's Untouil Father klasl IK'''
lleuveu '