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hum the tune and then to sing:

"One sweetly solemn thought
Comes to me o'er and o'er,
I'm nearer home to-day
Than e'er I've been before."

The elder one, hearing that hynm, threw down the cards and said.

"Harry, where did you learn that hymn?"

uberance of desire for exercise, but sured faith in God's goodness-an
under the depressing influence of the experience of the Father's willing-
burden and pressure of life, they are ness to answer the prayers of his
tempted to seek more easy positions. children—an appetite for the Word
If then we would retain a reasonable of God, so that the soul hungers for
energy in God's service, it is essential it and delights in it more than in the
that we have high conceptions of choicest dainties of the richest table.
worth of
worth of our efforts in the Such provisions as these will relieve
Master's vineyard.
the winter of any human life and
make its "December as pleasant as
May."

the

And Harry had learned it in the What a contrast is presented by Sunday School in childhood. These the fields of the farmer in autumn, men talked of their former lives and between those acres which have been The seasons as they follow each the better associations of early sown with good seed and carefully other are ruled by the sun which years, and the folly of their present tilled, and those which have been God has placed in the heavens. So, course, till they agreed upon a change, left to produce thistles and weeds too, in and through the varying seaand a permanent reformation of two sown by chance winds or scattered sons of human life the Holy Spirit lives was the result. A hymn by birds of the air. The fruitful whom God has sent into the world learned in the Sunday School, years fields a delight to every eye, and an guides and controls. As men under before this, resulted in the salvation honor and profit to their owner. the power of the sun can affect the of those men, even though they were But the field of thistles and weeds products of the earth by their plantfar from home and early influences. are an eyesore to every passer by ing and cultivating, so also man In the rich soil of the youthful and a damage to every husbandman under and with the Holy Spirit can heart some sort of seed will be sown. in the neighborhood. One patch of affect the results and destinies of If the seed of God's truth and noble Canadian thistles or noxious weeds human life. What responsibilities. principles be not planted, the soil of left to themselves till autumn ripens are here suggested. the heart will be occupied by the them, will suffice to sow a large vicinthistle seeds of selfishness, impurity ity with their pernicious seed. So and other unholy principles. Let us also in the autumn of life of every remember that we are all scattering human being, there is either a fruitsome seed into the yonthful hearts age of good or evil, according as the Impressions which we seeding and nurturing has been. make upon young minds, whether What is there more beautiful in life they be good or bad, will tell when than a noble man or woman, showthe summer or autumn of life shall ing in the autumn of life the fruits of come to those who have received holiness and purity and nobility, one such impressions. whose very presence bespeaks high spiritual attainments and noble re sults in the line of heart culture. But how sad the autumn of life that has nothing to show but the Canada thistles of debauchery, or wickedness or any vile principles come

about us.

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One thought more. How keenly every one, during the past weeks of winter, has been longing for spring. During the cold, cheerless weeks we have thought: "Oh, what gladness spring-time will bring us. How our eyes will delight in the green verdure and rich blossoms of fruit trees and the delightsome music of birds, and in the soft, golden sunshine."

So God's followers may anticipate the beautiful spring-time of eternity. No golden sunshine of this world can give such delight as the sunshine of God's immediate presence. No music of spring songsters can rival the music of the golden harps that are played as an accompaniment to the new song of the redeemed.

But as there is a springtime, so also there is a summer of life. A period when exuberance and energy give way to more sober and reflective life. It is a time when the soil of the heart is less receptive of good seed. But a time when the to maturity. seed of the spring planting begins In winter man is a needy creature. to show results. Summer is char- During this, the cold and dreary sea- No blossoms of earthly fruit acterized by oppressive heat, which son, he lives upon the products of trees are like those of the tree of life, checks enthusiasm, relaxes the ener- previous seasons. Happy are the which bears twelve manner of fruits gies and were it not for the pressure people for whom the provisions laid and yield their fruits every month. of urgent business, many would the up are abundant. So in the winter May God grant that while passing men be who would give over all of life. The human soul sometimes through the changing and often efforts and yield to the seduction of comes to a period when nothing new painful seasons of this life, we have the easy chair and shady tree. In upon which the soul can feed can be the comfort and hope that we the summer of life, those who are produced. Happy then is it if the may and should have in view of the laborers in the Lord's vineyard are soul have laid up a large stock of the eternal spring time which is assuredno longer impelled by the mere ex-treasures of the spiritual life-an as- ly near at hand.

Sinai Not Extinct.

law in our hearts, more law preach- carried to Milan for incineration ing in our pulpits, and more "law according to the direction of his Some people imagine that Sinai is work" in the conversion of souls will, and the Italian customs authori extinct. Certain pulpits seem to be which are to represent Christ by ties levied $70 import duty on the pitched so far away from the keeping His commandments.-Dr. body when it entered the country, sublime mountain that its august T. L. Cuyler.

peak is no longer visible, and its righteous thunders against sin are no longer audible. With this class.

How to Win.

His

many

In Chicago, a few years ago, there of rosewater ministers the theology was a little boy who went to one of of law is voted obsolete and bar- the mission Sunday Schools. barous; the world is to be tamed father moved to another part of the and sanctified entirely by a theology city, about five miles away, and every of love. They preach a one-sided Sunday that boy came past thirty or God-all mercy and no justice-with forty Sunday Schools to the one he one-half of His glorious attributes attended. One day a lady who was put under eclipse. Even sinners are out collecting scholars for a Sunday not to be warned, with tears and en- School met him, and asked him why treaties, to flee from the wrath to he went so far, past so come. They are to be coaxed into schools. "There are plenty of holiness by a magical process which others just as good," said she. makes nothing of repentance, and simply requires a "faith" which costs no more labor than the snap of a finger. This shallow system may produce long rolls of "converts," but it does not produce solid, subsoiled Christians. Sinai is not an extinct mountain in Bible theology. Not one jot of its holy law has been lowered or repealed. In one very vital sense, no Christian is "free from the law."

"They may be as good, but they
are not so good for me," he said.

"Why not?" she asked.
"Because they love a fellow over
there," he answered.

Ah! love won him.

"Because

they love a fellow over there!" How
easy it is to reach people through
love.-D. L. Moody.

Finished Work.

It would not be a "happy conIt is unfortunately the habit of dition for him if he were so, any many people, and it is a habit that more than it would be a happy conwas formed in youth, to finish only dition for New York or Chicago to that part of their work that is in disband their police, and to let loose sight. The part that is not seen is their criminals into the streets. So left with rough edges, or long far from being a kindness, it would stitches, or, if possible, work is only be eventual cruelty to any man, or done that is seen. Years, centuries any community, to place them be ago, in Greece, there lived a sculptor yond the reach and the just penalties whose work teaches us a lesson. of divine law. This is especially an unfortunate time in which to preach a limber-backed theology which has ples, and on being asked why he

A sculptor was employed to erect a statute in one of the Grecian tem

and charged the same export duty when the ashes were taken back to France.

WHEN in Africa, Majwara, the servant, looked into the tent of David Livingstone and found him on his knees, he stepped back, not wishing to disturb him in prayer, and some time after went in and found him in the same posture, and stepped back again, but after a while went in and touched him, and lo! the great traveler had finished his last journey and he had died in the grandest and mightiest posture a man ever takes-on his knees. He had served his generation by unrolling the scroll of a continent, and by the will of God fell asleep.

NEW YORK city is said to support about six thousand lawyers, and it is claimed that the immense amount of litigation done here through the courts or private offices of counsel attracts and keeps here the highest legal talent of the State, if not of the country.

Do to-day's duty, fight to-day's temptation, and do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things which you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them.-Charles Kingsley.

THAT strip of earth called "No Man's Land" is now occupied by several hundred people, and has become everybody's land. The most no stiffening of the word "ought" in carved the back part, which was to it can boast of is bad whiskey and its fiber, and which seldom disturbs be set into the wall, with as much lots of snakes. men's consciences with the retribu- pains as the front, he replied, "The tions of sin. Society will not be gods see it."-Presbyterian.

Cremation.

regenerated with cologne water.
We need more of the sacred author-
ity of law in our homes, more en- Cremation is still illegal in France,
forcement of law in the common- and bodies have to be taken to Italy
wealth, more reverence for God's for the purpose. A Parisian was

STORM KING PANTS CO.

(LIMITED.)

NEWBURGH, N. Y.

Pants Cut and Made to Order for
$3.00. Warranted Strictly
All-Wool. Goods Thoroughly
Shrunk and Fit Guaranteed.

THOS. BECK, AGENT,

'Phone 1366. 69 State St., DETROIT, MICH.

Earning and Saving.

less essential.

A great

WISE AND OTHERWISE.

MISTRESS: 66

Why, Nora, how dusty the chairs are!" Maid: "Yes, mim; there's nobody sat on thim today, mim!."

Question: "When and how long did Solomon reign?"

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JONES: who has been fishing all day and had caught two small fishes, was, on his retutn, thus accosted by Smith: "Well, what luck have you had?" "Oh, pretty fair!"

LADY, in registry office: "I am afraid that little girl won't do for a nurse; she is too small. I should Clerk: "Her size, madam, we look uphesitate to trust her with the baby." Lady: "Indeed! but she is so very on as her greatest recommendation."

There are many families who could save something, without denying With most families the problem themselves any real comforts they of every day life is how to provide enjoy, who fail to do so. what are regarded as actual necessi- help to this is to be found in ties, and when this is accomplished thorough concert between husband there is little energy to devote to the and wife. The policy of not getting work of making provision for the anything until it can be paid for future, which in reelity, is hardly is a safe-guard against extravagance, and a systematized ac- Answer: 10,000 years before We often hear the statement that count of all expenditures will Christ. He rained forty days and American housewives are not as give that perfect knowledge of the forty nights." careful and saving as the women of actual cost of living wichout which, other countries, and that they fre- on a small income, plans cannot be quently waste what would be suffi- laid to the best advantage. It will cient to keep the family in food. also serve to keep expenditures with Domestic economists sometimes lay in the bounds of prudence, and show great stress upon this, but they pro- wherein retrenchment, if necessary, ceed upon a wrong basis. There is can be best effected. There should said Jones. "I caught a hundred or no difference between the United be but one purse, and, as is too often two!" States and other countries in the de- the case, the man should not throw sire of people to have all the com- the whole domestic burden upon the forts they can, and to indulge in woman and grumble because, with such luxuries as they can afford. little money at her command, she There is a greater variety and abun- finds it necessary to expend it all. dance in the daily fare of the aver- Husband and wife should plan toage American than of the average gether. With a complete statement inhabitant of any other country, of expenditures always at handsimply because the former can af- with those by the husband put down ford it, and the latter must do with- as well as those by the wife and for out much he would like to have. the family--there would never be When it comes to comparative re- occasion for the question, "What sults for expenditure, there are no did you do with the money I gave AN English writer tells the followwomen in the world who make a you yesterday?" and, in the large ing: A family let their house furbetter showing than those, gener- majority of cases, it wou'd not be nished, leaving in it a large dog. ally speaking, of our own country. The tenant was an old lady, who The well-kept children and the tidy liked to sit in a particularly comforthouses maintained on small incomes, able chair in the drawing room, but furnish the highest proofs of the thrift and faculty of American as the dog was also very fond of this chair, she frequently found him house-wives. Hundreds of thou- evidently intends that the prohibiin possession. Being rather afraid sards of these do all their own work, tion law shall be enforced. The and their deft fingers are otherwise state's attorney has received a letter of the dog, she did not care to drive him out, and therefore used to go to busy in fashioning garments and from the governor in which he the window and call "Cats!" The The dog would then rush to the window and bark, and the old lady would take possession of the chair. One day the dog entered the room and found the old lady in possession of the chair. He ran to the window and barked excitedly. The lady got up to see what was the matter, and the dog instantly seated himself in the chair.-New England Home Journal.

household adornments.

It is a striking fact that children almost as soon as they begin to prattle, seem to realize about what they can get from their fathers and mothers, and their demands are in a large measure regulated accordingly. That there is waste and loss from this cause through over indulgence is undoubtedly the fact, but the fault lies with the parents. The children take their cue from them.

the woman's fault if something was
not saved for "a rainy day."-De-
troit Free Press-

GOVERNOR LARRABEE, of Iowa,

says
he has reliable information that the

prohibitory law in Lee county, more
particularly at Fort Madison, is not
enforced. Gov. Larrabee calls the
attention of county officers to section
1,551 of the code, which provides for
the enforcement of chapter six of
the code on the subject of intoxicat-
ing liquors and fixes a fine on the of-
ficer neglecting or failing to enforce
the same in a sum of from $10 to $50
and a forfeiture of office on convic-
tion of such neglect or failure.

small." Clerk: "I know that she is diminutive; but you know when she drops a baby it doesn't have very far

to fall."

GENERAL MENTION.

The Elder Son.

Familiar as is this story, which has been called the pearl and crown of all the parables-the epitome of the gospels-and common as are the uses made of the career of the younger son, I find but little

reference to the elder brother.

this brother:

was jealous of his rights and pleas- God blesses us. Occasionally a case
ures, but had no spirit of forgive- is brought before our minds of one,
ness, no love born of humility and who, by neglecting some little duty,
struggle with his own sins, which has changed the course of his life;
were doubtless as real and notorious may this not be the case with each
as those of his impulsive brother. one of us at times? God gives us
How much greater and nobler the some little thing to do, we fail, and
father than either son.
How far the greater things we had hoped for,
above us all, whether riotous livers we may hope for in vain. We are
or respectable sinners, the all-em- weighed and found wanting. If the
bracing mercy of our Father, who business man, with his foresight, ad-
seeks to save even to the utt er

vances his deserving clerks from time to time, from low places to positions of trust, we may also expect that God with infinitely more foresight will advance us to just the place we are fitted for.

We

No incident, in this perfect creation, is without significance. The most. younger brother is, next to the Ir is hard for us to see, ofttimes, father, the object of chiefest interest; how some people are able to accompbut the elder brother is not used lish so much work and yet never be merely as a part of the draping of hurried. There are doubtless many the picture. He is a typical man. things that are of service to them, His double may be found in our but one in particular it may be well letter to the Ephesians, Paul prays IN the third chapter of the first streets, nay, even in our hearts. to notice in these days of activity, that, among other things, they may We notice then with reference to and that is nothing else than the "know the love of Christ, which paspower of concentration. Too much seth knowledge." Are these terms First-He was industrious and effort is lost by its lack. It is by contradictory? By no means. frugal, partly, perhaps from the con- concentrating our minds on the work know many things of the sun that stant and steady presence of that is before us, now at the present rules the day; but the discoveries father's demands, but not less, I moment; whether a duty or a privi- that are annually being made conjudge, from his own willingness to lege, that the work is most speedily cerning its character, history and toil and to save. These are homely accomplished and the most good is power, give good ground for the bevirtues, yet necessary to domestic done both to ourselves and to all. lief that man will never comprehend and national peace and well being. Half-heartedness is detrimental to all the fullness and sublimity of this Secondly-He was obedient. This all good work, and so is looseness of luminary. Many things are, howevis another virtue of great value. It thought. "Well begun is half done" ought to be a common one. It is, I fear, is an old adage, yet its truth holds central body in the solar system; er, certainly known concerning the somewhat rare. Happy the father, today as well as it ever did. "And and every one can enjoy its light blessed the home where this grace is whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as and feel its warmth: so we can get found. He was, perhaps, plain in to the Lord." Go into the work a firm grasp on the knowledge which appearance, unfamiliar with fashionis in Christ, can bask in the sunshine with something definite in view. able raiment, was not a favorite Work for something in particular warm rays of the Light of the of God's love and be cheered by the with ladies, or the merry fellows and God will bless your efforts. about town; yet what beauty there was to his father and mother in his

faded hair and toil-worn garments as he came in at nightfall from the

field.

What we lose by neglecting present opportunities, is not in our power to know. That we have op portunities and often do not use Thirdly-He could say, even in them is evident. Why we do not his father's presence, that he bad use them is perhaps not so easy to kept all the commandments. Dwel- say, but that does not alter the fact ling securely at home, sheltered that we are, in a measure, responsifrom many temptations by his ble for not making the best use of regular and severe toil, intemper- our opportunities. Each day brings ance nor lust were able to conquer with it new chances for service, and we know that it is by doing the Finally-He missed utterly the thing that is before us that we acspirit of the gospel, which makes complish most. It is by seeking to the law of self-sacrifice central. He do the duty that comes next, that

him.

World.

ure

IN deciding upon books to purchase, whether as gifts for a friend the aim should be, not to get the or as volumes for one's own library, book of greatest fame but rather that from which the recipient will derive the greatest amount of pleasA set of Scott's novand profit. tion to any library, would hardly do els, for example, while an acquisia young man the same amount of service as a standard unabridged dic. tionary, or a good edition of Shakespeare's plays. Selecting books is like choosing friends; the most imposing and attractive are not necessarily the most beneficial and desirable.

Changes In The Language.

Few scholars even, are aware of the great changes through which the English language has passed in successive centuries. Following are specimens of the Lord's prayer, as used at various periods in English history: A. D. 1158.-Fader ur heune, haleweide beith thi neune, cumin thi kuneriche, thi wille beohe idon in heune and in erthe. The

A. D. 1370.-Oure fadir that

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This word never is used in the

A. D. 1711.-Our father which art in heauen, hallowed be thy Bible except as referring to money. name. Thy kingdom come. Thy When God Almighty throws out his heauen. Give us this day our saying: "Bring ye all the tithes will be done in earth as it is in challenge in the Book of Malachi by daley bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debt-:

ors.

1

into the storehouse," etc., he means And lead us not into one tenth of all your income, and evil. For thyne is the kingdome, Brother, are you tithing this year? temptation, but deliver us from nothing else. and the power, and the glory It does seem to me that in these forever. Amen.-The Academy. hard times every man who is deplorNOTHING is more remarkable ing the financial status of affairs, eureyu dawe briend, gif ous thilk in the Bible than to see how whose business is slack and run dawe. And vorzif uer detters God, as if to teach us to trust in down, whose obligations are pressvi yorsifen ure dettoures. And! lene us nought into temtation, self, selects means that seem the nothing and in none but Him-ing him sorely, and who spends many a sleepless hour at night brooding bot delyvor eus of evel. Amen. worst fitted to accomplish is over his embarrassments and planA. D. 1300.-Fader ure in ends. Does He choose an embas- ning how to get relief, who is earnheavene. Halewyn estly expecting and longing for an thi kingdom come, thi wille besador to Pharoah?-it is a man era of prosperity once more, I say it done as in hevene and earthe of stammering tongue. Are the seems to me you ought to have fa th Oua urche days bred give us to streams of Jericho to be sweet- enough in God by this time to help daye. And forgive oure dettes ned!--salt is cast into the spring. yourself and to hasten the expectant as we forgiv oure dettoures. And Are the eyes of the blind to be period of plenty and abundance, by lead us nor in temptation, bote opened?-they are rubbed with accepting the overtures and condidelyveor us of yvil. Amen. clay. Are the battlements of a tions of the Lord of Hosts, who art in heunes, hallowid be thi city to be thrown down?-the alone can send the rain and sunshine name, thi kingdom come to, be means employed is, not the blast or withhold them at his pleasure. The conditions of your prosperity thi wille done in erthe as in of a mine, but the breath of a heune, geve to us this day oure trumpet. Is a rock to be riven? Give God ten cents out of every are simply these and nothing more: brede oure other substance the lightning is left to sleep dollar you make after deducting the forgene to us our dettis as we forgauen to oure dettouris, lede above, and the earth quake with actual expense in making it, and He us not into temptation, but de- its throes to sleep below, while solemnly affirms that He will open the windows of Heaven and pour lyeur us yvel. Amen. a rod is used, which is more you out a blessing-temporal blessA. D. 1524-0 oure father likely to be shivered on the rock ing-that "there shall not be room which arte in heven, hallowed be than to shiver it. Are men to enough to receive it." Scores of the thy name. best men in our church to-day can Let thy kingdom be converted by preaching, and testify to the truth of this saying. come. Thy wyoll be fulfilled as won from sensual delights to a Brother, try it the coming year, and well in earth as it is in heven. faith whose symbol is the cross, if you find it to fail then God's Give us this daye oure daly promises must all be discounted. brede. And forgiv us our tres- and whose crown is to be won I cannot see why people believe paces even as we forgiv our tres- among the fires of martyrdom?- and live up to only part of God's pacers. And lead us not into leaving schools, and halls, and, Word, and let the other, fully as estemptation, but delyver us from colleges, God summons his sential, go by default, and yet claim vell. Fyr thyne is thy king, preachers from the shores of to be wholly the Lord's, entirely dome and the power power and the gloyre for ever. Amen. Galilee, the helm of Church is No man can possibly be wholly A. D. 1561.--Our father which intrusted to hands that had the Lord's who lives habitually in art in heauen, sanctified be thy never steered aught but a fish disobedience to the very plain and Let thy kingdom come. ing-boat, and by the mouth of obviously binding command: "Bring Thy will be done, as in heauen, one who had been his bitterest in earth also. Give us today persecutor, Christ pleaded his our superstantial bread. And case before the philosophers of forgiv us our dettes as we forgiv Athens and in the palaces of our detters. And lead us not in- Rome.-Dr. Guthrie.

name.

consecrated to His work.

ye all the tithes into the storehouse." complain of hard times, while God It seems to me it is folly for us to stands at our door promising unholdable abundance on the simplest and easiest kind of conditions.

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