whose going tenant stormy rn Rev. ‘tained 1S per- duke 5 soon curate and at remind airing he ob- at the t and 1, is hut their ed his wledg- 0t the ,. but ag at vas a good ov. 6, vent to yermis- condl- ion he e used Nn. , it Is him to details ults of to the tice to of the 4 not e that _ -ithout . He nt the | faith, | ques- or the ens of t they piracy: - to be guilty, ust be evated ) over- trusts 2 capl- self a \icago, sident suspi- us to an of- y em- n par- cency. man’s. apers, necking | puts , hardly, e, nor anci- , heen ddesia. le ex- ere of n the. ncient nd all eo age. was nthe ruins. nd al- t and ictures. he ar- 1g as e city e still { race ortion sidera- York Chems- Ww, Ob- suffici- 1 kelp jodine, ct ex- ot in- addi- + Ire- uccess rts to Tiree, la and years, extend arris. - ibuted is sea- n that ers in The 1 tan- ng is family work. re. ith “a whose and r and on the y was iladel- cts of e Mc- , well= dantly e Mc- rican. N0oga, opera- COI n was The troyed i took d suc m the heeks." treets veecks, n are ny of chick- soft : Child Wit. “There are two little girls in my family,” said a fond father to me the other afternoon, “and they are about as mischievous as they . make ’em. Marguerite is the elder and there is Louisa. Louisa was playing house this afternoon, and stepping up to her mother said: ‘Good afternoon, Mrs. B——, how is your baby?’ ‘Quite well, thank you,” replied my wife, entering into the spirit: of the game. ‘But 1 have a little girl who makes so much noise that baby doesn’t get a chanceto sleep long,’ this in the hope that it would point a moral.. The youngster, quick as a wink, inquired: ‘Who ‘is she, mamma”? Margy?’ ’—Albany Journal. Youngest ‘Real Daughter.” Brookline, Mass., boasts the young- est “real” daughter of the American Revolution. She is Mrs. Victoria Rock- well Blanchard and is only 64 years old. Mrss. Blanchard was the daughter of her father’s third wife, and her father was*85 years old-when she was born. Her father was Jeremiah Rock- well and her mother Abilene Stearns. . Her father enlisted when he was only 19 at Lanesboro, Mass., and served at Bunker Hill, Dorchester Heights and Saratoga. He had 20 children, includ- ing the seven he adopted on his mar- riage to a widow, his second wife. Mrs. Blanchard remembers her father well, as she was 11 when he died. She recalls the stories he used to tell her of the Revolution. She 'is ‘a member of Marcy Warren chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, at Springfield, Mass. She ‘has a brother, Cyrus S. Rockwell of Bast Dickinson, N. Y., who is the youngest living “real” son of the Rev- ~ olution.—New York Tribune. og, The Auto Girl. The girl who automobiles, if she would preserve Her skin, covers her face with a cold cream. She lays it on very thick, and over this she _ spreads a thick layer of face powder, using the very best she can buy. Often she does this so thoroughly that she looks as though she was whitewashed. “Then she puts on her. big-automobile veil. . The result of protecting the skin by cream and powder is soon apparent © The cuticle: is covered: and the skin . remains soft and nice. Dust cannot © get into the pores, and wind cannot . -chap-it..- The skin is preserved. and _ the trip -does the face no harm at all. On her return from - her trip, the » woman who has protected her face in this way can remove all traces of powder with cold cream. She ~ must cover her face with a thick ' layer of ‘the best cream that can be made, and must let it stay on at least fifteen min- utes. She then takes it off with a cloth, and there will remain ‘nothing but the smooth, clear, pink .gkin.—Household Companion. A Woman Maker of Violins. To play the violin . is the accom- plishment of hundreds of young wom- en, but few have constructed the be- loved instrument from which such wonderful melody can be obtained. Miss Grace Barstow of San Jose, Cal, has the unique distinction of be- ing the only woman violin maker in America, if not in the world. and, moreover, she is a noted performer on the instrumetns of her own making. Possessing a fitting environment and intelligent Sympathy, when her desire ¢to make a violin became known, Miss Barstow’s family gave her every en- couragement, and sent to Germany for the necessary woods. Altogether, six violins have: been completed -by her, each one a noted improvement on the ‘preceding effort, ‘until the ‘last instru- ment is said by experts to possess a de- jightfully rich and brilliant tone. Miss Barstow has shown considerable in- ventive genius in constructing her vio- lins, successfully experimenting with the native redwood as a base bar, and will use more of that wood in her next violin.—Philadelphia Press. Making Over a Skirt. The question of making over a black skirt was being discussed, and goveral opinions had been given. Final- 1y, one of the group said: “I have my own way of approaching such a task as that. It is one I do not like, and perhaps because I do not like it al- ways do it thoroughly. In the first place, I hang the skirt out on the line and give it a thorough beating, espe- cially around the bottom, with a light cane. Then I brush it to get out all the dust. Even when this has been done the amount of sand and dust which falls out when the bottom bind- ing is ripped off is not inconsiderable. 1 spread a sheet on the floor of the sitting room if I am working there, to catch this dust and any threads which may fall. First, I rip off the bottom binding, and the flounces or trim- mings if there are any. Then I take off the band and the placket pieces, and last of all rip the seams. If ‘the skirt is a silk one, after having brushed it thoroughly again, and picked out all the threads left by the ripping, I lay in on a clean board and sponge it, using a soft black rag dipped in equal parts of ammonia and strong black coffee, mixed’ with the ammonia hot. This is usually suffi- cient to take out any spots or stains. The silk is then partly dried, care be- ing taken to wrinkle it as little as possible in the drying. process. I have seen breadth of silk spoiled by being folded in the middle while damp so when my pieces are partly dried, I roll them up without folding, lay them in a clean towel and let them stand awhile.”—Brooklyn Eagle. Velvet and Velveteen Suits. Velvet and velveteen suits and cos- tumes abound on every hand. There is practically no use to which these most attractive of fabrics may hot be put, from elaborate, dressy gowns in light evening tones, to those of, sim- ple. design that are serviceable and | useful as cloth. The simplest of fall street suits are being made up of the English fast dye velveteens. The tex- ture is so beautiful that the difference between them and the silk velvets can hardly be detected, and from a point of seryice they are much more desir- able than the silk velvets, as they.do not crush and will wear splendidly. The fall shades, dahlia and prune, bronze and olive greens, royal and French blues, golden browns and stone and metal grays, all take on new beauty in the pale fabrics. The simplest models when made in these have a look of elegance. t Women particularly like the short- coated suit in velveteen, and, of course, for general utility wear the skirt must be short. Fashion is even favoring shorter skirts than have been worn. Chiffon velvet gowns trimmed with colored ganzes and ribbons. interwov- en with gold and silver tinsel are among the choicest products of the season for dressy day occasions. These tinsel gauzes give a touch of richness and elegance not suggested by mcre ordinary trimmings. It is possible now to find these gauzes in- terwoven .with color, and in using them a splendid effect is attained when a tinsel gauze and one of color are used together. Thus an exquis- ite gown of blue chiffon .velvet' is trimmed with-a gauze made fom blue silk - threads interwoven with silver, and also with a silver.gauze, the two uniting to make a most effective and novel trimming. git we In velvets of chiffon; weights =it is’ possible to use any design .in which cloth or silk might be used. The quality of bulk and weight has been so perfectly eliminated -from -the chif- fon velvets that there is-no- handicap in its use. This is also true :of the chiffon velveteens. f ' Velvet gowns will be worn very much this winter with furs, for the beauty of the velvet embraces, as it] were, the elegance of the fur. At the theatre or for dressy day re- ceptions and for afternoon calls a'vel- vet or velveteen costume with fur coat will be the . most approved of fashion’s combinations.” Sealskin is especially handsome with velvet, and beautiful models in this most expen- sive of furs are being made up with trimmings of lace and embroidery, to wear with velvet skirts which accord in color tone with the trimming on the fur coat. The hat will again re- peat the color tone and thus ‘a har mony exists throughout the toilet.— Washington Times. _Fashion Notes. Eibow sleeves still stay with us. The most diminutive jackets Worn. Great use is made of contrasting ma- terials. sa : Paris says the correct coat is hip length. The shaded plume evidence. Fancy waistcoats are among the prettiest things shown. Shoes with white cloth tops buttoned with pearl buttons are fetching. Coiffures are puffed out more at the side, giving the head a round shape. Revers and collars of delicately em- broidered silk come for the dressy coat. The new cloth suits are beautifully braided with silk braid in fancy de- signs. Bands of tulle or velvet are fastened with antique buckles or slides around the throat. The most becoming ruches are made of pleated maline, sprinkled with a tiny silky dot. Those in rose pink are the loveliest. Umbrella skirts made with a number of gores shaped almost to a point at the waist line are accepted models of the season. are is not much ir | THE PULP, A SCHOLARLY SUNDAY SERMON BY THE REV. HOWARD MELISH, Subject: The Gospel of Love. Brooklyn, N. Y..—.When $i. ILnke's Church celebrated this year the fes- tival of its patron saint, the Rev. How- ard Melish, of the Church of the Holy Trinity, preached an instructive ser- mon. Mr. Melish's subject was ‘ The Gospel of Love,” and. the text, St. John xv:12: ‘This is- My command- ment, That ye love one another, as I Lave loved you.” Mr. Melish said: What impressed the world, when Christianity was first preached, was Christian love. The world had known patriotism, family affection, clan loy- alty. But interest in and sacrifices for ‘men outside your family clan, country, were new. The outpouring of money to relieve the distress of Gal- veston, Martinique, Armenia, is indi- cative, we say, of our common broth- erhood to-day. Think of the effect on a world which bad never experienced such deeds of the sacrifices Christian people of Macedonia and: Achaia made to send help to the “poor saints of Jerusalem,” at a time, too, when for years the Jew was the most detested of all Mediterranean peoples. The heathen poet Lucian, in his comments on the new religion was especially struck by this. “Their original law giver,” he wrote, “had taught them that they were all brethern, one an- other. * * * They become incredi- bly alert when disaster occurs that affects their common interests. On such occasions no expense is grudged.” And one of the ablest of the early Christian apologists, Tertullian, ob- serves: ‘It is our care for the helpless, our practice of loving kindness, that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents.” . ’ - Professor Harnack has a most inter- esting’ chapter on the gospel of love -and charity in his new book, “The Ex- pansion of Christianity.” He shows that during all those years of expan- slon the Christian people were busy with the support of widows and or- phans, the siek, the infirm, and the disabled, the care of prisoners and people languishing in‘ the mines, the care of poor people needing burial, the care of slaves, of those visited by great calamities, of * brethren on a journey, and of churches in poverty or any peril. The churches also furnished work and insisted on work. It was such love that called forth from the heathen world the exclamation of sur- prise and deep interest, “Behold how these Christians love one another.” The Christian church, as at present organized, no longer impresses the world in this way. Once the church maintained the hospitals and asylums; to-day the State is the great charitable agency, as it is the great educator. Compared with Brooklyn's “public schools and charities our Church Char- ity Foundation and schools at Garden City are mere playthings. The labor unions, not the churches, support their brethren who are thrown out of work. Not only do they contribute heavily to their fellows during strikes, but by means of sick. benefits #nd death pay- ments they maintain their members during sickness, give them decent bur- fal and care for the widows and or- phans. The Roman Catholic church still maintains parochial schools, so- dalities, asylums, ‘hospitals in a great and useful way, because it has the support of members and concentrates its resources. - The Protestant church, though it outnumbers the Catholic church, is divided into eight prinei- pal camps. Each is too weak to make ‘much of an impress upon the. world. and, so far,’ they have. not learned how to ‘unite in 'a common service. ‘Members of Protestant churches are leaders in every educational and char- itable cause, but they count there as individuals and only in the most in- ‘direct way as church people. * The Young -Men’s and: Young Women's Christian Associations are the only great union movements in which the Protestant churches have taken active part. But have those impressed the community as an.expression of the love of the Christian church? It is the opinion of some workers in the Young Men’s Christian Association, and of many clergymen, that the asso- ciation has become another church. It does a splendid work for young men, ‘and every. cent given to it is well spent, but it does not make the Chris- tian church stronger except as all phi- lanthropic work outside the church plows the field and makes it ready for the sowing. Since it was started there are no more young men in the churches than before. On the contrary, from every church, Protestant and Catho- lic, comes the common cry that the men are leaving the churches for the associations, for lodges, for the clubs, for the labor unions. The churches, amoung the working, classes and the so- called upper classes, are attended and supported largely by women. With the exténsion of‘the trade union movement among working women, and clubs among other women, the future alone can tell what the falling off here may be., There are now over a million peo- ple in New York City alone outside the churches, while Protestantism has in the last year actually shrunk in num- bers. It is easy to see why thousands should be out. All grafters, all dis- honest insurance officials, all gamblers, “all lovers of pleasure, more than lov- ers of God,” all indifferent people, and a hundred classes more, naturally stay away from a place where every word and look and sign disturbs the con- science if it is not dead, and bids men live for others. I wish all these were {n the church as I wish all the sick sere in the hospitals and the ship- wrecked safe on land. But when we have subtracted from one million the thousands who can have nothing in common with the Christian church there remain the many thousa ads who may and ought to be within the church. They are outside the church, but they are interested in the Christian religion. I have been deeply impressed this summer with the desire and eagerness of men to hear the Gospel. When two or three hundred men, working at the navy yard, will stand in the sun at noon during. the hottest days of July to hear a man speak about the joy and peace and strength of a religious faith, when you can speak on the corner to as many men as can hear you above the roar of the streets, when a vast! crowd, mostly men, will atfentively listen ¥ religion for nearly an hour on the sands at Coney Island there is proof that religion is not dead. The Christian religion is not dead, but men are not going to the churches for it. Put it in books, and men will read it; preach it in theatres, and a crowd will flock ing practice it in a social set- tlement, a labor union, a hospital, asy- lums, and waiting lists are needed. What is the matter with the Chris- tian church that it does not impress the world as it once did? Labor lead- ers will tell you that it is a class affair and belongs to the employers. Social ists answer that it is the bulwark of the modern capitalistic organization of society with which they are at war. Scientific men reply that it has no love of truth for truth’s sake. While the great mass of men outside will tell you that they are not interested. This hour and a half each week of hymns and prayer and sermon does not seem to them to be a vital thing. To hear some speaker who can touch the heart or head they will come, but not for the church as church. If the church is a class organization its love is not Christian, for Christ's love knows no distinctions. If the church, as socialists claim. is merely poulticing wooden legs in its charity, then it has no love of fundamental Christian brotherhood.. If the love of truth is wanting its love of God is a sham. What the church needs, if there is much or little in this criticism, is not multiplication of its philanthrop- jes, nor concentration of them into a few that would compete with the state and stamp their character more firmly on the world, but a filling of the church itself, of you and me who do spend this hour here on Sunday and have as- sumed membership in the church with the love of Christ. Let me try to tell you what that love is. A man once went to Christ with the question, who is my neigh- bor? But the Master gave no answer. He was not interested in knowing or showing who our neighbors are. What He showed that man was how he might become a neighbor. He told that man the story of the good Sa- maritan aud said to him and to us “Go thou and do likewise. Do not stand there asking who is thy neigh- bors. Be on the lookout for some one to whom thou canst show mercy and goodness and so become a neighbor.” You can put no man outside the field of your.mercy. Even though a man may haté you, and be your enemy, Jesus says the great duty for you is to seek him and do him good. If he rejects you and will have none of your mercy and goodness, your efforts ghould not end. You can at least pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. A member of a certain parish once told me that while he wanted : the church. to reach the poor, he did not want the poor to attend the same serv- ice that he attended or sit in the same service that he attended or sit in the same seat because they were too odor- iferous. I suppose this person stands in his modern temple and exclaims: “God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men are—unlaundered and ui- washed, even as that poor man yonder. I bathe every morning, I wear two collars a day and use patent prepara- tions for my teeth and face.” Such cleanliness is as near godliness as the Pharisee in the Master's story of the publican was near the kingdom of God. Suppose that man is unwashed and his presence is disagreeable, the thing for vou to consider is not what he is, but how you may become neigh- bors to him. . Introduce yourself. Be- come his friend... Show him the ex- ample of cleanliness and godliness, and the time will come when you can make him clean and Godlike. On the night before He died He laid aside His robes and washed the apos- ties’ feet, to show men that the great- est is: he who serves the most, and that . no. service, however menial, is 400 ‘low for even divinity. Whom do you and I. love to honor? The man who serves or the man who rules? Whom do. we imitate? Those who lead in business and society or those who serve? Until the men and women in our churches honor the Christ as He who serveth, not by singing hymns and saying creeds, but giving and doing likewise, the church may give money generously and em- ploy costly choirs and pulpit orators, but it will not impress the world. And then for those without there must be goodness of heart. That the Christian church is undergoing the severest fire: of criticism since the early days is manifest to anyone who reads. Much of the criticism is just but much of it is unfair and one- sided. Some requires that the church should listen patiently and acknowl- edge what is just. and to those who hate her should she return good for evil, blessing for cursing, beneficence and intercession for persecution. No heart that is susceptible to the divine can long withstand the love that seek- eth not her own. A picture has been on exhibition in England and has strongly ‘appealed to the imagination of men. It is en- titled, “Is “it nothing to ‘you, all ye that pass by?” Christ stands on a ped- estal before St. Paul's, as he stood before Pilate’s palace, with hands tied over head crowned with thorns. While the crowd that passes by, absorbed in its work or pleasure, is you, workiag- man, lawyer, doctor, men of affairs, you women of society, working women and boys, and I, priest of His church, with never a glance to Him who died because He loved, or to the poor mother and her child who have taken. refuge from us at His feet. While the motto on thé; pedestal before His ca- thedral, His people, His city is, to the unknown God. Oh, men and women, is that picture true of you? Goodness and Mercy Follow Us. Some people can see providence in their past lives, and hope for them is their future lives, but never trust en- tirely in their being there in the pres- ent. Yet God is as truly working out His plans for His children in each hour to-day as at any time in their lives. Goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives if they follow us at all. The present trial, the present drudgery, are put there to work out good for us, and more than good— grace and glory, too.—J. R. Miller. Value of Surrender. Only in proportion as our own wi surrendared, are we able to discern tl splendors of God's will.—Presbyterian. 1a Lagain.” SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS FOR DECEMBER 3. Subject: Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls of Jerusalem, Néh, iv., 7-20—=Golden Text, Matt. xxvi., 41—7Memory Verses, 19, 20 —Commentary on the Day’s Le:son, I. A conspiracy (vs. 7, 8). 7. ““Sanballat.” An officer of the Persian Government, helding a mili- tary command at Samaria. He was a native of the land of Moab; therefore his hatred to the Jews. ‘‘Tobiah.” A descendant of the hated race of Am- monites. ‘*‘Arabians.” Headed prob- ably by Geshem, and in league with the Samaritans against the Jews. Read 6:6. The building of the wall was con- strued into a design to fort®y them- selves and then revolt and become an independent State. ‘Ashdodites.” In- habitants of Ashdod, one of the great cities of the Philistine plain. 8. ‘“Con- spired.” The enemies of the Jews were so bitterly opposed to the rebuilding of the walls that they employed every form of opposition in their power. 1I. Praying and watching (vs. 9-11). 9, “Nevertheless.” Notwithstanding the conspiracy and all other discour- agemenis. “Made our prayer.” Nehe- miah was conscious that he was work- ing according to God's will, and he knew the source of power. “Set a wateh.” Opposite to the place where they were encamped, probably on the north side of the city. Ifaith and works go together. Watching and praying, weak when apart, a Gibraltar of strength when united. 10. ‘Judah said.” That is, the returned captives, most of whom were of the tribe of Ju- dah. This verse expresses the despair of the little nation. Many of the peo- ple had no heart for the work; some of the nobles were in correspondence with the enemies (6:17-19). Even the high priest had relationship with hos- tile foreigners (Ammonites—Tobiah and his son married Jewish women), and gave them favors (13:4, bb, 28). “Strength—decayed.” From the ex- tent of the work, the fewness of the laborers, and the exhaustion of their physical powers they seemed unable to complete their task. “Not able.” Their statements were probably cor- reet, but their conclusion was wrong. They were able to build the wall, and they did it. 11. ‘Adversaries said.” In this verse Nehemiah condenses the hostile utterances of their cnemies. This would cause a constant and dis- heartening fear. I11. Precautions taken (vs. 12-14). 12. “Jews which dwelt . by them.” Those who dwelt among the Samari- tans and other enemies and found out their evil designs. They were anxious to have their friends and Kinsmen re- turn to their homes and families. “Ten times.” Equivalent to ‘again and “Ye must return” (RB. V.) Leave the work and go home because of the threatened danger. 13. “Lower places.” Within the wall where it was not vet raised to its due height, and therefore most liable to the enemies’ assault. “Higher places.” Where the wall was finished and towers were set from whence they might shoot arrows or throw stones. This would show the enemy that they were fully prepared for their intended assault and would ive notice that their secret plan was known. ‘After their families.” In family groups, so that the men that guarded the wall had their kinsmen nearest them. Thus the soldiers need not be distracted by anxiety for their families, for those whom they desired to defend were at hand. 14. “Be not ye afraid.” The pagan aliies had joined their forces; their army was ad- vancing and doubtless in sight, and an attack impending, when Nehemiah made this skort, stirring appeal. No conflict followed, for the enemy saw from a distance that the whole people them in perfect order and equipment; so they lost heart and turned back. “Remember the Lord.” The best of all arguments for patriotie awaited courage, 1V. Working and watching (vs. 15- 20). 15. “We returned, all of us, to the wall.” Noble persistence in a good purpose. The momentary withdrawal from the work to be ready for the Lord's battle had neither changed their parpose nor dampened their ardor. 16. “My servants.” Probably a spe- cial band of men given as personal ouards, by either the King of Persia or the people at Jerusalem. “Half— wrought—half—held.” This is no unu- sual thing, even in the present day in Palestine; people sowing their seed are often attended by an armed man, to prevent the Arabs from robbing them of their seed, which they will not fail to do if not protected. “Habergeons.” An old English word for coat-of-mail. from “halo” (neek) and “bergen” (tc protect). “Rulers—behind.” The chiefs stood behind the laborers stationed at different places along the wall, direct: ing and encouraging them, ready to lead on the armed torce if an attack was made upon the laborers. 17. “They which builded.” bricklayers and the like. “They bare burdens.” The carriers of mate- rial. 18. “That sounded the trumpet.” The workmen labored with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other: and as they were far removed from each other, Nehemiah, who was night and day on the spot, kept a trumpeter by his side, so that on any intelligence of a surprise being brought to him an alarm might be immediately sounded and assistance rendered to the most distant detachment of their brethren. 189. 20. “And I said.’ etc. By these lant precautions tre counsels of the enemy were defeated ard the work was carried on. God, when He has im portant public work to do, never fails to raise up instruments for accomplish: i it. The work was completed in the brief time of fifty-two days (6.15), end- ing the last of Septemoer. The walla must have been three or four mile? long to reach around the city, Masons, in No Barroom Ever in This Indiana Town A new town laid out in Southern In- diana, Dubois County, bids fair to forever occupy a unique position, as one of the conditions to property own- ership is that no intoxicants shall ev be sold within its confines. The ple is called Cuzzo and is fifteen miles from French Lick Spring. Every deed issued contains a clause that if whisky is sold direc¢tly or indirectly on the premises the land shall revert to its original owner or his heirs.—Indian- apolis News. : judge an Endeavorer’s that CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR KOTES DECEMBER THIRD. Topic—Qur One Excuse.—Rom. 14: 1-12, (Consecration Meeting.) If our pledge were taken in our own strength, it would, not be worth tak- ing; but “God is able to make us stand.” : Our pledge is given not to the so- ciety but to: the Lord. If we keep it, we break it ‘unto the Lord.” No one can judge how hard an En- deavorer is trying to keep the pledge, though he may seem not to be keep- ing it at all; and so no one should pledge-keep- ing. What the lookout committee should do is remind the Endeavorers of the account they must each give to God, and so quicken their consciences. Suggestions. Our pledge is just a promise to try to do Christ's will, in general, and in several particulars. We should be as eager to do that without a pledge as with one. “Excuse’ is not a good word. Wa are “excused” from doing what we do not want to do; we are “prevent. ed” from dcing what we want to do. You are not in the right attitude about any work for Christ until you want to do it, and seek ways of doing it rather than ways of avoiding it. Duties never conflict. Christ. wants useto do only one thing at a time. Success in life consists in discovering that one thing, and doing it. Illustrations, If a man has agreed to meet you and give you a thousand dollars, you seek no excuse to avoid that meeting, and you are grieved if you are prevented from going. We are eariched far more than that by every meeting with Christ in the prayer meeting. Quotations, The only correct actions are those which require no explanation and no apology.—Auerbach. Be honest in copper, and in gold thy honesty «will be sure.—Joseph Parker. One of the sublimest things in the world is plain truth.—Bulwer Lytton. Our good-literature committees are gathering up the fragments, that nothing may be lost. It is always a sin to destroy good reading-matter, while there are.so many that are hun- gry for it and unable to get it. In the lumber camps, the prisons, the poorhouses, in railroad stations, in city parks, on the frontiers—there are many places where good reading- matter would be a priceless boon. It should always be sent freight pre- paid. The good-literature committee should gather it from all the homes of the congregation. EPWORTH LEAGUE LESSONG SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3. Our One Excuse.—Rom. . 14. 1-12, Our lesson is taken from Paul's ar- gument as to the treatment by the church of those weak in the faith. He speaks here of certain weak mem- bers of his day. Ome class were pe- culiar as to their diet; they were vege- tarians. The other class had trouble about the Sabbath; they were over- sabbatariah. * They had morbid con- sciences. But Paul exhorted that they be received kindly; not to a crit- ical censorship. Paul impressively dissuades both parties from judging each other by the fact that they were both amendable to God only. Our lesson is entitled “Our One Excuse.” The theme seems to be from the Scrip- ture we ‘have, ‘‘Personal Conscience the Only Guide.” We cannot do or fail to do simply because others do or do not. We must “be fully persu- aded in our own mind.” We are not to be indifferent to what others think, for “none of us liveth unto himself.” We are to recognize the duty of self- denial for others; yet at the same time ‘our one excuse’ at judgment will be that we did that which our ova conscience led us to see we should 0. The one excuse we can offer at judg- ment is that which Paul offers in one of his testimonies: “I have lived in all good conscience to this day.” We are not to set up our peculiar notions about minor matters as a guide for others; nor are we to excuse our- selves, on the other hand, from duty because others do not see that partic- ular thing as a duty. We are to fol- low our own conscience as a guide in life. Men say, “What am I to be- lieve amid all the difference in doc- trinal teaching and belief?” “What am 1 to do amid all the differences of conception about duty?” The answer is plain from our lesson this week. Be fully persuaded in your own mind. To yourself vou stand or fall before God. Do not despise the painstaking devotion of another, nor let another’s judgment move you from the full per- formance of your known duty. Let your own conscience be the standard. The only excuse for the neglect of any prescribed form of duty is that it does not seem to us to be enjoined by the Word of God. The service of Christ is a “reasonable” service. Any ques- tion of meats and drink, of days and feasts, of fastings and self-denials, of methods and habits of Christian liv- ing must be settled by an appeal to the individual conscience. This is the standard of duty. The excuses which others make for the neglect of what to us is a plain duty will not avail for us. A Wilderness Library. One of the larges: libraries in Rus sia belorgs to Genadi W. Judin. It con s of over 100,000 volures. ~nd 3 thing about it is that it situated in a large citv, but in 1borhood of one of the most ble Siberian towns, Karsjo- The porters of the market place in Paris carry, strapped on their backs, great baskets full of garden produce.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers