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rw??????? At?- "Fy*' ftk|30L " IIT1 f T^F 4 | O 'A.5LOVE ' Kg ^BYAMELf . ^ .-H-T~tc-r-ir^ ^Copyright, by Boi */%*^v?y\Ay\4/V4/ ^ \T/i mi ra .xy. .^? .v. .v. . CHAPTER nr. CONTIXtED. Mowbray held his cup of happiness frith a steadier hand, but he was Jtrangely affected by this sweet realilation of man's capacity for a double w- existence. For it was not so much |hat something new had come into his Efe, as that something old bad been returned to him. To love Katherine iad been no fresh lesson; he had found . v ker at first sight familiar, and the lense of "right" in her had been the 1 .^^arliest sensation she inspired. Ad- j ^Bfration and affection followed quickly, ^ut he was certain the instant ancl ~ primal idea of his heart was that Katherine was anteriorly and inalienably his own. As he stood feeling the sweetness of this right, but not in any way reaeoning about it, Jessy came to him. "Where is Katherine?" she asked. "Katherine is mine forever," he answered, with the selfish irrelevancy of a lover; for he had not yet been able k to consider Katherine with reference to any person but himself. "Well, then, Mr. Mowbray," said Jessy, "if you will take my advice you will go and talk to Katherine's mother. She is just a most important person. This is your happy hour, and all its work will prosper. So do make the most of it." He went instantly to Mrs. Brathous. one uau jusi pat uu ? new oululucj: gown in which she looked exceedingly pretty, and she wa8 in that charming mood which a consciousness of good , looks inspires; so Mowbray was one of those welcome guests who come just at the right time. She made him feel that she was glad to see him, and he lost not one moment in opening his case. He seated himself before her, he spoke with an eloquence which denied all objections. In a few minutes he was holding her hands and begging her to stand by Katherine and himself against all odds. She was not very easily persuaded. She said Wintoun had looked on Katherine ?? 1-via wifo f/vr nPftl'lv QPVPT1 years. She spoke of the laird's long, unwavering determination to unite the two estates by marriage. "For Win toun is his heir," he said; "and Wintoun-Lands and Levens-hope are no mean patrimony." Mowbray, however, had words far beyond her reasoning; he talked with his heart and she grew silent. Then the tears came to her eyes, and at this favorable moment Kutherine entered the room and slipped within her mother's arm and laid her cheek against her mother's breast. Mrs. Brathous stooped and kissed her child. She had begun then to give way. And Mowbray's adoration of the girl, his impetuosity, his determination to take no denial were irresistible. Undeniably, also, his i A_ _ ? a J. ueuuty YTU3 a ouout uut pn dim friend, for there seemed to be a natural fitness in the marriage of a man bo handsome with a girl so lovely. At tho last Mrs. Brathous surrendered unconditionally. v. * * "It is enough, Mr. Mowbray," she said. "I am convinced by something beyond your words. My heart is with Katherine and you, and I will stand by you to the very uttermost." Then she stooped forward and kissed the young man, and with the kiss took him fully to her love and trust. After this happy settlement the day went to Love and to Love pnly, for tho generous mother set the whole m household to this happy key. While ; Katherine and Mowbray wandered in the warm, sunny garden, she talked to Jessy of the aiFair, and with her own hands spread a more festive table. "We -will let them have a day or two in paradise, Jessy," she said, "for the laird will pull their happiness y to pieces as soon as he finds it out." But for once good fortune was on the side of the lovers. Wiutouu went -w. that very day to Dalkeith to assist at the marriage of a friend, happily oblivious of the stranger who was intermeddling with his own marriuge. And the theological fray was more fierce than had been anticipated; before each man of both clergy and laity had said their say, four days had elapsed, and even then return was a little delayed, because the laird hail bought a Galloway pony, and a man was to hire who could ride it over to Iievens-liope. f So it was Saturday evening when L Brathous reached borne. He found ft nothing to mar the peace and happiA . ness of his return. Mowbray had gone to Edinburgh to buy a betrothal an(l intended to remain over the Sabbath in the capital. Wintonn wus sitting with Mrs. Brathous and : Satherine, giving them uu account of rthe wedding he had attended, and all three were in a pleasant mood of welcome. Besides which he had the further satisfaction of feeling that throughout all his journey he had seen 110 finer house, no more beautiful garden, no more admirably kept farm than his own. Sabbath increased his self-satisfaction. The elders who had not been to Selkirk were anxious to show him attention. He put a larger offering than usual in the plate, and was glad lie had done so when the minister made an allusion to the Selkirk meeting, and to their delegate, the laird of Levens-hope. Then on Monday the very thing happened which Katheriue had foreseen?Mowbray came to Xievens-hope with the minister. They met th3 laird in the garden, and Mowbray was welcomed effusively and carried off to tfce stalls to see the prize ox and the Galloway pony. His stay fcr? dinTipr tnkan n.q a mat.knr of I course, and when Wiutoun arrived Mrs. Brathous said "she thought the three yoaug people ought to walk over to the manse for Jessy; and then they could dance a reel or two before supper." j TV juiv \Ji; ^ iAUOVATEK.J ;|STOEY. p A E. BARR? $ >x*t bonkir's So its') Brathoris did not like the proposition, but having been so good-natured hitherto, he could not at once summon the necessary courage to contest either the walk or the dance. So Katherine with Mowbray and Wintoun went over the hill for Jessy, and the result -was precisely what Mrs. Brathous anticipated. Jessy and Wintoun walked : back together, and Ivatherine and Mowbray turned aside into Leven's wood to see a saint's well; and then they were delayed by the roaring of a notoriously ill-tempered bull, and could not reach home until an hour later. For it had taken Mowbray all that extra time to pnt the circle of gems on Katherine's finger and to tell her how long and dreary the two days had been without her. The delay, however, made the laird very angry, and he did not scruple to scold Katherine for it on their return. "It was not Miss Janfarie's fault, sir," said Mowbray, quickly. "Pray do not let your position as host make you blame her in my place. I asked Miss Janfarie to show me the saint's well. Neither of us is responsible for the furious animal you keep so near the high-road and which?permit me to say?ought to be shot at once." "Mr. Mowbray, you are a stranger. Your ignorance is your apology. As for Katherine,"?and he looked angrily at the girl, who stood with her hand in Mowbray's hand. Then Mowbray's dark eyes flashed a defiance which the laird might have quarreled with had not Mrs. Brathous stepped between them with her charming smile. "Mr. Mowbray, Jessy is waiting for you. Katherine, you are keeping Jamie waiting for you. And if you want me to play a reel, you had better make haste while I am in the mood of being good-natured." In spite of her merry words there was a look of anxious deprecation in her eyes, which both Katherine and Mowbray respected; for she knew with what magical speed suspicion grew in her husband's mind. He had entertained a doubt, twenty would follow, and confirmation be close behind. So, though her fingers struck out the tingling notes, and the light feet of the happy dancers kept time to them, she could see the anger and dislike brooding in her lord's white, weak face; and when he suddenly left the parlor she knew he had gone to his room to walk himself into a passion of injury. It was upon her the storm fell. "Near midnight!" he cried, when she entered the room. "A woman of your age daffing and dancing till such hours!" "Why not scold the minister? He thought no harm of our daffing and dancing." . "He didn't? Then heought to have a reprimand, and I will see that he gets it." "I hope you will." , There was a threat in the "hope" which was provoking. The laird felt it. ii V _ I J T If _"L ivaiuerme oeuaveu uerteu anumefully," he continued.. "Let Katherine alone." "I am her guardian." "I am her mother." "She was making love to that Englishman. I saw her." "You know nothing about love-making." "Madam! Madam! I?I " "You know nothing about it." "I made love to you." ' 'You did not. If you had even tried I never could have married you. You asked me to be your wife, and I agreed because you were Katherine's guardian?and I thought it would be as well to watch the guardian." "This is intolerable! I will not bear it!" "ft is the truth. You will have to bear it!" "It is shameful! shameful! shameful!" I ITL. XI. - L T 1 A_. _ ii is suameim iuai jl nave u> invent excuses for your bad manners every time wc have company. There is no use in storming and sniffling, Alexander." "I will not have that Englishman in my house again. I will order the servants to turn him out." "You, yourself, asked him here. If any servant turns him out, I will turn the servant after him." '"A nobody! An adventurer! Oh, dear me! What a dreadful thing it is to have a kind heart!" "You said he was the son ot your friend. If he is an adventurer, what right had you to introduce him to my daughter? A fine guardian you are! And as for your kind heart, no one ever was or ever will be better of it. There is no use sitting up to "worry, Alexander. Every one in the house is asleep, and I am going to my room." "I shall not sleep a wink. How can I with such goings on?" "You will sleep well enough. You might as well. Nobody will mind your staying awake. Good-night." But in reality he did not sleep much. He was troubled and anxious about Wintoun's affairs, for after Alexander Brathous he regarded James Wintoun as the person of most importance. He was his sister's son, and be looked upon him as his own heir. His marriage wun naxnerine wan tne pei project of bis life, for Katkerine's money would redeem "Wintoun-Lands, and besides this Katherine was one of the best blood of the Border, and her beauty and grace would be suitable adjuncts to his nephew's wife. But there was another reason, and though he seldom gave it, even to himself, it was by far the most potent. He had taken the mortgage on Wintoun with some of Katherine's money, and if Katherine did not marry James "Wintoun, he would have to replace this money when she came of age and demanded an account of his stewardship. And the sum was so larze that he could only do bo by mortgaging Lev* ens-hone. It seemed to him, therefore, that it would be an outrageous wrong to permit the fancy of a mere girl to make void all his plans to save two fine'estates?estates which in the end were to belong to her and her children. In fact, he told himself that he would not and could not have any interference with a project so wise and so beneficial for all concerned. Nobody had interfered yet, but he had a suspicion of Mowbray, for he noticed that the Katherine who talked and danced with Wintoun was but a i i v. j 1 a. : coiorjess buhuow ui me ,n.ui,iieriiic wjju talked and danced with Mowbray. She was sweet and polite and cold to Wintoun. She was light and life and flame with Mowbray. If Wintoun said loving words to her they fell like snowflakes on steel; if Mowbray but looked at her, his looks lightened her eyes and burned in her cheeks and., flashed in smiles her answer. The lovers had told themselves they would be very careful. They had promised Mrs. Brathous to door to say nothing which would rouse the laird's suspicions; but who ever succeeded in hiding love? And whenever were two lovers even ordinarily careful? Tbe next morning a circumstance occurred which confirmed the anger oJ Brathous and brought about a crisis before any one was prepared for it. The laird got into a conversation with his upper gardener and incidentally heard from him that Mr. Mowbray had been a constant visitor during the week he was from home. Immediately he sent a peremptory message to Mrs. Brathous. When it referred hei to the seldom used large drawing-room she knew her husband had somethinfl particular to say, and that he contem. plated saying it with all the emphasis i Via /Iacii<nr3 Anrl alio rUvinofl af /vnf?fi I the Bubject to be discussed. The temper in which she intended to discuss it was shown bj the circumstance that she did not hurry herself in the least to answer the impera- . tive order. Indeed she delayed sc long that she found the laird standing impatiently at the open door ol the room, waiting for her approach. "Why did you not come quicker, Helen?" he asked fretfully. "I seni j you word that you were to come iu haste." "I was talking to Katherine. Whj did you send for me to come to this room? Are you, really, at last, going to get a new carpet for it?" "No, madam. I Am not likely tc have money for new carpets. I chose this room because I want to talk seriously to you, and I did not wish the servants to hear us." She smiled scornfully and asked: "Pray what is the matter now?" "Matter enough! Why did yon deceive me? Were you not afraid tc ask a stranger to my house while ] was away? One would think you were trying to make a match between him and Katherine?trying to ruin both Katherine and ourselves. ' I am- almost beside myself with the news." "Will you remember that it was you who asked him when he was here last? You who said, with your usual ridiculous effusiveness: 'On your return, Mr. Mowbray, come and staj a few days?a few weeks if you wish?" If I had not made him welcome, yon would have asked: 'How I dared to turn one of your invited guests away?' As for match-making?that, it seems, is your business. You have been planning to marry my poor little girl ever since you had the charge of her. It has been your one care for Katherine." "I was planning for her happiness and welfare." "You were planning for yom nephew. Jamie Wintoun maj'not appear to Katherine all that he appears to you. Katherine may not think il a supreme joy and privilege to use hei money to release Wintonu-Lands?tc spare your mortgaging Levens-hope) Oh, I have reached the bottom of yom plans, Brathous! Understand this, ] will not have my daughter sacrificed to carry out your plans." "I understand tbat you are going to ruin your daughter. "Who is this Mowbray?" 0 "You said you knew him." "I will tell Doctor Telfair what ] think of him. I will that! What ? ?v. i. i i? ~ ~ ~ r?n rigilt LIU* UC l> U UilUg tuc 1C11UW LU HI J home?" "Speak to Doctor Telfair, by all ! means! He will tell you some truths you ought to hear. Quarreling with you i3 no pleasure. I shall not continue it." "I am going to send Katherinebaci to school." *i [to be continued.] Two Noisy Nations. It seems strange that two nations sc antipodal in the matter of ideals as lhe United States and China should share the distinction of being great noiseloving people. Yet it is a fact thai the two countries consume nearly all the firecrackers each year, manufactured by the wives and children oi the Chinese cracker merchants. England annually buys a small quantity U1 LUC CAjJiuaivci. Viuui WUUlliCC take only infinitesimal amounts. Here in America the firecracker is tbe small boy's legitimate medium for expressing bis patriotic approval of a great National event. His enthusiasm expends itself in a day, and consequently tbe noise of countless numbers of exploding crackers lasts but a sbort time. Not so in tbe Orient. Tbere tbe use of firecrackers is not limited by age or position. Tbeir use is universal and baa been as far back as history records. It is likely tbat in tbe beginning they were employed to frigbten away evil spirits. But as the country partially emerged from its dense ignorance, and shook off a part of its load of superstitions, tbe cracker became an expression of good will and of ceremonious compliment. Now tbe exploding of firecrackers is as much of an incident at wedding festivities in China as the throwing of rice or old Bhoes is here. Not only is the marriage feast enlivened by the cracker, but births and funerals, and festivals, religious, civil and military ceremonies bring the cracker into play. Also they are used at New Year's to salute persons about to make a journey, and, in fact, on all occasions out of the ordirfary routine. ?New York Mail and Express. In the consumption of sugar the United States leads the world - s ' * - J . : _ .V/tvtffr'AL ; _! 8 THC nr A T HA W 111C IVUAUTI New Yobk City (Special).?The caterers of fashion's follies are ringing in a number cf changes, if not distinct novelties. What we havo A POPULAR BASQUE. kept over from last year are chiefly train.s, long tight sleeves and high tight collars, but on these things the dressmakers are going to exercise an improving influence. They are pledged to cut everv gown en traine, even the pretty muslins and dimities and the adorable chintzes that are glorifying the openings, and they have sworn themselves not to make another silk or cotton dress without an overskirt. These draperies will at first be only the long skirts of the coat-shapei dress waists, such as are already seen here and there, but it does not require a very prophetic soul to see that in a short time the full-fledged overdress will be enjoying undisputed reign. For the present it falls from the1 hips in what is called peplum form to the knees in front, and longer behind, though the popularity of the Louis XV. fronts is DOUBLE-BREASTED BASQUE AND nnabated. The study of the tailors is always after lyon perpendicular lines, and nothing short and bunchy is allowed about the hips. Where a close basque is adopted it is invariably cut in a series of seven graceful scallops about the hips. These curves are not ornamented with anything, and, in fact, after a season of frivolity, the tailor dress is regaining its old tidy simplicity of outline. ' A Favorite in Tailor Mode*. Although generally conceded to be a sennrm nf self-colored and nlain faced fabrics, the tailor gown of mixed cheviot and tweed has proved far too serviceable and becoming to be ruthlessly cast aside, maintains May Manton. No matsriaUis better adapted to the "tailor modes" thau the fine Scotch tweed, and as shown in the large engraving, in military blue gray tones, with bias stitched bands and smooth covered buttons, it is at once simple in construction and stylish in effect. The basque is rendered glove fitting by means of double bust darts, underarm and aide-back gores, the back being made with t?r without a centre back seam as preferred. The fronts lap in double-breasted style and close on the left with buttons and button-holes, a corresponding row of buttons being placed on tli? rignt iront. .Burtons are piaceu on tlie side back seams at the top of short underlying pleats. Narrow revers roll back above the closing and meet the rolling collar in uneven notches. The two-seamed sleeves are gathered at the top.^^moderate fulness being accord^^fto the latest mode. The skirt J^T^ped with a narrow front gore hnd wide circular portions that meet J in a Beam at the center-back. Sho^t darts taken up at the waist line effect a close adjustment over the h&s, the fullness at the back being Ifffd in deep backward turning pleats, j the edges of which OF FASHION. # meet over the placket. Gathers may be used tc dispose of the fnlness if so preferred, as the plain smooth effect is not becoming to all figures. The skirt is of fall length, and the circular flounce, which is of uniform depth, may either be applied over or form the lower portion of the skirt, in which case the skirt is cut off at the indicating line of perforations on pattern. Cf? ? IT- _ _.L_1 1_ ? ouns in wis siyis may us ui piuiu Venetian covert or broadcloth serge, crepon, plain or mixed cheviot, tweed and other wide-width fabrics. To make Vie waist in the medium size will require two and oile-fourth yards of forty-four inch material. To make this skirt for a woman of medium oize will require Bix and onefourth yards of material forty-four inches wide. Five and one-half yards will be required if the skirt is made to the top of flounce. Handsome Watered Sllki. The new watered Bilks are very handsome in coloring and effect, many of the more expensive grades being woven with a floral design on shaded silks. The French goods are in every instance most pliable, being as soft and easy to manipulate as satin royal. An All-Seasons' Garment. Spriug, summer, autumn and winter, all see one garment that is altogether popular, and that is the separate waist. No matter what may be said to the contrary, no matter what laws the dressmakers try to enact, Jhe convenient fashion still rules that it is necessary to have separate waists in all thorough outfits. Cloth costumes will be worn for many years to come, unless there is some great revolution in fashion. The stvle is one that is so practical that it commends itself to every one; but a cloth costume, as a rule, consists of coat and skirt, and under this coat it is necessary to have a waist of some other material. Cloth under cloth is never suitable to wear; it is too heavy and too warm. The silk, satin, or wash-material waists, on the contrkry, go well under the heaviest coats, and if the waists are unlined, it is possible SKIRT WITH CIRCULAR FLOUNCE. to wear iaem unaer tmu suuimyi wdh also. Fancy waists of brocade are very smart; some made of a cream-white brocade are particularly desirable. There is one style which looks very well with a black cloth gown, the jacket of the gown lined with white satin. The waist is made tight-fitting at the back, but has a little fulness that is pulled in at the waist-line. In front it is in snrplice folds, with a square-cut piece directly in front, and a chemisette and high collar let in of either tucked white chiffon or heavy white lace. This style may also be WAIST FOB A LADT. copied in plain satin, ami looks well in a purple satin or a heliotrope, but will be more becoming it tnereis some white lace put on the surplice frontB, and also on the back of the high inner collar. . J .W . , v ' : i THE SABBATH SCHOOL INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS FOR MARCH 5. Lenon Text: "Christ Freeing From Sin,' John Till., 31-36?Golden Text: Johi 111., 36?Commentary on the Daj'i Lesion by the Rev. D. H. Stearns. 12. "Then spake Jesus again unto them saying, I am the light of the world. H< that lolloweth Me shull not walk In dark ness, but shall have the light of life." Bj reading the first verse of this chapter with the last one of the previoua chapter we set something of the bomalessnesB of oar Lore many a time. While all go to their owi homes He goes to the Mount of OMves probably to Gethsemane, for He ofttlmei resorted thither with His disciples (chap ter xviii., 2). Early in the morning H< was again in the temple and teaohing thi people. Now the self righteous Pharisee! bring to Him a woman, whom they sa< was taken while committing sin, hoping that He will condemn her or proving Hin to see what He will do, but He, by writinf on the ground, would tell them when their names were written because they hac forsaken God (Jer. xvil., 13). 31. "Then said Jesus to those Jew: which believed on God, If ye continue li My word, then are ye My disoiples In deed." The evidence of true disclpleshli Is continuance, patient continuance li well doing (Bom. ii., 7). He is able t< keep us from falling and to present ui faultless, and He who hath begun a goot work in us will perform it until the da: of Jesus Christ. No power can take ui out of His hand, but if we are truly there truly His, there will be the fruit.pf right eousness manifest in our Jives, there wll be outwnrd evidence of the life within The light will shine unless it Is only ( painted light (Jude xx., 21; Phil. 1., 6 John x., 27, 28). God will work In ui those things that are pleasing in Hlssighl (Heb. xiii., 20, 21). There are those wh< have a name to live, but are dead (Bev ill., 1). There may be so little life that ll is scarcely manifest, but where there it abundance of life (John x., 10) it cannoi be bidden any more than you oan keep i brlgbt, healthy cbild still. 32. "And ye shall know the truth, an< the truth shall make you free." Thei shall we know if we follow on to kno\i the Lord (Hos. v!., 3). By nature we art in bondage to sin, the world, the flesh anc the devil, and only He who is the Trutl can set us free, but He Is able and as will lag as He is able. He does it by His word by which we are not only born again (Jas I., 18; I Pet. 1., 23). but by the same wore wo are sanctified, cleansed, built up (Johr xvii., 17: Epb. v., 26, Aots xx., 82). Fron Gen. i., 1-4, where the Spirit moved one Qod spake and light came, all that is ac complished is done by the Spirit of Got and the Word of God. From the nefl birth, when we begun to live until wt shall be made like Him, all is wrought b] the Spirit and the Word. Many a Chris tian is in bondage to some besetting sii or weight, and only the Word of God car set him free, even as it is written, When withal shall a young man cleanse his way' By taking heed thereto according to th< word (Ps. cxix., 9, 11). 83. "They answered Him, We be Abra ham's seed and were never in bondagte t< any man. How sayest Thou ye shall b< made free?" Their statement will not agre< with Ex. i., 13,14, where it is said that tin Egyptians made their lives bitter with hare bondage, nor with their confesslonin Johi xix., 15, "We have no king but CeesAr.' After the flesh they were children of Abra hnm?that is, they were descended fron him?but if they were true children of Abra ham they would do the works of Abrahan and not go about seeking to kill Christ Their conduct made it manifest that thej were of their father, the devil, who was both a liar and a murderer (verses 89, 44) Cain and Abel wer? brothers, both sons o: Adam and Eve, but Abel was a true son o: Adam saved by grace, while Cain yr&s o: thft TOfnt-flri nnn'n' .Trtlin ill 12V 34. "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sic is the servant of sin." In Rom. vl., 16, It Is written, "Know ye not that to whom y? yield yourselves servants to obey, his ser vants ye are to whom ye obey, whether ol sin unto death or of obedience unto righte< ousness?" The teaching of John ill., 6-10, and similar passages seems to be that the new nature in the believe}", that which L? born of God, cannot Jfin, but the old nature or carnal mind cannot but sin. If one pro< fessingto be born of God; continue In sin then it is manifest that he Is not a child oi God, but of the devil. A Christian may under temptation, stumble Into sin, but hi will not continue In it, "While a mere pro lessor, one not born again, though he maj run well for awhile, will turn again like e dog to his vomit and like a sow that wne washed to her wallowing in the mire (II Pet. ii., 22). We are slaves or servants t< that which controls us, whether It be sic or Innocent pleasure or the life of righteousness. Our Lord did nothing of Him< self. He only spoke what the Father taughi Him and did only those thing* that pleased the Father., He was a perfect servant ol God. 35. "And the servant abideth not in the house forever, but the Son abideth ever." In chapter xv., 15, He says to His disciples Henceforth I call you not servants, but ] have called you friends, for all things thai I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. In ?om. vlil., 15, 1C, w( read, "Ye have not received th9 spirit ol bondage again to fear, but ye hate received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father!" The Spirit Himself bearetL witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. It is truly a great thing to be a servant in the family of God and tc be able to say, Thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my Lord the Kin* shall np point! (II Sam. xv., 15.) But to be u phild of God, an heir of God and joint heirwitt Christ?who can estimate this? Behold what manner of love the Father bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons of God, and then to think that we shall be like Him and sit with Him on His thronf and come with Him in His glory. 36.* "If the Son, therefore, shall make yo? free, ye shall be free indeed." No one cat make us free but tho Son, and He does il Ut? 1... tliA nnlrlf nt llfl lUUIUUgUI} , JL UO lure VI iuu vt in Christ Jesus makes us free from the law of sin and death, and- this only by Goc sending His Son in tbe likeness of sinfu death (Bom. viii., 2, 3). How much it cosi to set us free! He also frees us from th< fear of deatb, for He came to deliver then who through fear of death were all theii lifetime subject to bondage (Heb. 11., 15) He frees from besetting sins and everj weight and all that is unbecoming in f child of God. All those who are willing t< be delivered He is ready to free. He doc; it when we trust Him and yield ourselves to Him that He may do It.?Lesson Helper STATISTICS OF OUR RAILWAYS. Summaries From the Report of the Inter. State Commerce Commission. From summaries which appear in the tenth statistical report of the Inter-State Commerce Commission, prepared by its statistican, it is shown that ou June 30, lb'97, the total railway mileage ia the United States was 134,42") miles, and the number of railway corporations was 1987. The number of men employed by the railways in the United States at that time wus 823,476, and the amount of railway capital outstanding was 510.635,003,074, which assigned OQ <1 UU-J13 suuna U ui <tvv,u?i per mile of line. The preliminary report on the income account of railways in the United States for tiie year ending June 80. 1898, prepared by tho statistician tq the commission, presents concisely the results of tto operations of the railways for tho last llscal year. This advance report includes the returns of 720 lines, representing an operated mileage on June 3D, 1893, of 131.333.6J miles, or of ninety-seven per cent, of the operated mileage in the United States. The total gross earnings of the mileage represented were $1,233,523,330 for the year ending June 33, 1893. The distribution ol these earnings shows that ?332,892,782 wen derived from the passenger service and 8874,865,487 from the freight service. Othei earnings from operation amounted to $30,765,111. The operating expenses of the railways duriDg the year were $811,241,458 The net earnings for the year were $427, 281,922. Since the enactment of the safetv appliance law in 1893 there has been a decreasing number of casualties. There were 1034 fewer employes killed, and 4062 fewer ic jured during the year ending June 30. 1897 than during tha same period ia 1893. Thesi results have been largely due to automata couplers and other safety appliances mad< Imperative by the act. , GOD'S MESSAGE TO MAN.1 j ; PRECNANT THOUCHTS FRO.M THE r-.l WORLD'S CREATEST PROPHETS. In th? Gra?D of the Almlthtr-Ttif Pow- * . , er of the Truth?Sincerity of Confix ^ '48 I tion ? Opportunities God'# Call* ?A . !?? Prayer for Strength. \ , 'Twixt gleams of joy and clouds of'doubt "< > Our feelings oome and go; . v.fjffH Our best estate is toss'd about \ \ r In ceaseless ebb and flow. H''&5bb t No mood of feeling, form of thought ) Is constant for a day; i L But Thou.O Lord! Thou changeet nit; rig i The same Thou art alway. ' 3 I grasp Thy strength,make it mine o^n, . ' trf , My heart with peace is blest; \ . 3 I lose my hold, and then comes down \ , ' <<?? ?? 3 Darkness and cold unrest. ? 3 Let me no more my comfort draw ' V/vl r From my frail hold of Tbee? j ~ y f 1 r In this alone reioice with awe: i 1 ( Tby mighty grasp of me. \ Out of that weak unquiet drift I " vvj1 That comes but to depart, H * To that pure heaven my spirit lift i Where Thou unchanging art. ) 1 s-.'m Lay hold of me with Thy strong grta* \ Let Thy almighty arm, \' _ In its embrace my weakness clasp, \ .: :'?m And 1 Bhail fear no harm. 1 Tby purpose oj eternal good Yvf !t;Sj Let me but surely know; \ . On this I'll lean, let changing mood ' And feeling come or go; . Glad when Tby sunshine fills my eon) J ,3 ' Not lorn when clouds o'ercaat; t { Since Thou within Tby sure control 1 iVJig Of love dost hold me fast I &lsS J -John Campbell Shairp, in Congregational The Power of the Troth. < MiSS > To discover the truth is the chief employ . ment of human life. The theologian studie* ' <V?1I t it that he may?bold and proclaim correct be? , s Jefs; the scientist, that he may'know tb? t facts about astronomy, biology or something , 'jB i 9lse; the banker, that his operations aaj JJm net him loss instead of profit; the carpenter, ;yJM I because he knows that unless his angtai . i be true bis building? will injure bil 7 renutation: tbe farmer slows and sow* . '/'AMI 3 and breeds cattle with careful recognt- *" ViffiB L tion of what experience has taught to b? ; i true in regard to bis occupation. Each ftflj - of us tries continually to make wise qm ' , of such truth as we possess and to add tc . ' our knowledge of it. Even impostors YVgaM 1 and charlatans seek to clothe falsehood i In the garb of truth or nobody could be vie- - ^<0? i timized. Thus willingly or not,, consciously fJqB 1 or not, all men daily Concede the power of w'JaM - the truth. In the realm of the spiritual . ^ L It is most important of all that tbls power A 7 be recognized, partly because the life ol ; / ' ) the soul is the chief life, to which all else S.'j r Is secondary and partly because it is here y,, that mistakes are most easily made. It i* d l very important that our relations with out i fellowmen be natural, advantageous and . ? promising. As ?ach new year opens we try ..VffigM ? to readjust tbem, if necessary, so as to lm- ; ) prove them. It is. vastly more important ' 'ffigfj that our relations with our Father in neavea ' yM should be improved. In order to nccom- ' > plish this we must take greater pains to v ' Ol ) appreciate the power of His truth, rei vealud in the gospel, over our hearts and i lives. His truth is made known to us in ; ' 0? 1 order to enlighten us about spiritual duty and .rjffl i privilege; to convince us of sin and lead ' op to penitence, faith and righteousness ;,to > fortily us against evil In every form; and to y, i quality us for consecrated usefulness. D? - we thus understand and accept it? Do. w& l comprehend that, ignorant and weak al- ;$ . thouch we raav be of ourselves, we can be- Via ' come wise and strong ty possessing God'?- ' 3 truth? It is His divine gift to ^ every one who is willing to receive f It. It is offered freely and abundantly^ , f It will do its blessed work for the humblest. v?jH| t and poorest as successfully as for the most -1 eminent or the most rich in earthly posses- ' , Bions. By the power of the truth about sin? l about redemption, about holiness, about y-gai > consecrated services thousands of empty, ? useless, wasted, forlorn and hopeless live* \?b have become beautiful, honorable, iruitful -/-.'QM ' and sweet with the very fragrance of heaven- ' \ Sincerity of Conviction. i Sincerity is one of the most winning ot \-4ijal i qualities. It is very pleasi>nt In Itself. It justifies confidence, and we always like ta , feel that we can trust others. It is eloselj f akin to truth, which all respect and admire ' 'Jul , It is so vital an element of religion iha? i sometimes It is mistaken ( for religion He who throws himself heart antf V'Wtfg r soul into the lists in behalf of some prln- > \ ciple wins a certain measure of a8mlra- ; i tlon, even when the principle is ol [ doubtful moral value, and we give scant) > honor to him who advocates real nnd im* i portant truth in a manner which indicate? that be himself in not thoroughly persuaded of it. Sincerity, therefore, needs to be en- * //$Bj i lightened and rightly directed. We must : f ; & I not only be sincere in our beliefs but the} \ t must be ngnt Deneis. utaerwise our very sincerity tends to lend us farther and fartbe* 1 ) astray. Hence nothing is more important ' to one's own Christian progress than to make , sure that it is the substantial, eternal trntb C which we believe. Nothing else which w? :. : can do for others is more necessary than te open their eyes, if possible, to tne errort which they sincerely hold. Sincerity is no* , piety,but tb^re is no piety without sincerity, v It Rives to the believer safety, courage and > hope. It makes him a power for the Lord. It reveals itself more in habit of thoujrbl m than in words, in action rather than in the w ' acceptance of this or that creed, but it always is discernible, where it does exist, and it always is impressive. It was one of the most noticeable qualities of Jesus Himseli r j-', Opportunities God's Calls. Opportunities are a call from God: th?p ' pass by an J never return. Today may be the last opportunity for entreaty with some 4 V soul that you bave thought you would some time endeavor to, lead tc Christ. A teacher criel out bitterly a* he learned of the sudden death of one . : v.1 of his pupils: ''Oh.If I hud dreamed of th? possibility of this, I would have talked so < \ . I .iter Inct Huhhnth ?rut I forgive me!" Opportunities are God's gitt5 I for the mom;nt that now is. It is doubtful 7 y. : if He ever repeats them in exactly the same } form and with the same possibility of blesai ing. A lost opportunity is lost forever.? : Christian Intelligencer. .* ' . *$ ? vm k A Prayer for Strength. ) 0 God, who hast in mercy taught us how ? . ? 5 cood it is to follow the holy desires which ) thou manifoldly puttest into our hearts, and , how bitter is'the grief of falling *boit of whatever beauty our minds behold,. strengthen us. we beseech thee, to walk \v steadfastly throughout life in the better path . which our hearts oneo chose and give us wisdom to tread it prudently in thy fear. as well as cheerfully in thv love; so that, ' i nil ?ha itnvs r?t our life here, wo may be uble hopefully to resign ourselves into tby hands hereafter. Amen. _ ' Though God knows all our needs, prayet 13 nece?pary for the cleansing and eulight* enment of our soul. It is well to stund in j. . the sunshine. It is warm and light; like[ | wise, when standing in prayer before God, our spiritual Kuu. we are warmed and enlightened.?John Sergieff. M God is stronger than all evil, all darkness and ignorance. Aud he who sets to work to right a single wrong, to clear up a single raistftk *, God is with him and the power is " God.?Charles Kingsley. [ Fven the tones of a Christian's voice r>u ht to bta: witness bv their cheerfulness > 41 A 151st Meet Shaft For Boston. The Bethlehem Iron Company, at South i oeiaieaom, ?*enn., nas completed tne iarg[ sat steel shaft ever made. It 1b forth* . Boston elevated road and will be driven by in 8000 horse-power engine. The company , j s now at work on eleven other similar jhafts for the Metropolitan Traction Com| i>any, of New York City. The shaft is twentyjeven feet ten inches long:; largest dlame;er, thirty-seven inches; diameter at ends, , .hlrtv-four inches I Spain Lost 80,000 Men In Cuba, j According to figures published at Madj rid, Spain, 80,000 Spanish soldiers perished, 3 ihlefly from sickness, during the last campaign in Cuba. m