The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, November 11, 1903, Image 2
?j AllATl
l ^ X K YT
-Sk0//VUi
9 By Anna Katharine Green, J
COPYRIGHT, 1CBO. BY R
CHAPTER XV. 1
Continued.
"No, for I know that providence has
led you to me."
The look wiiicii iiad nneu tue signurina's
eyes when Hamilton Degraw
spoke to her of God reappeared in
them at these words of her generoushearted
friend. But she did not let it
become visible as she had before, but
turned her face away toward the wide
stretch of beautifully undulating country
-which lay before them.
"Perhaps that is true," she assented,
"but there was not so much trust as
fear in her tones. "I am sure," she
went on in haste, cs if anxious to
cover up any momentary disappointment
which might have been occasioned
by her manner, "that if you
knew my position you would think I
1 - 3 ? /-!* ? J T t?Af r>nlr xritli
uecuea u ineuu. ? ......
out an adviser, but I am threatened
toy a danger?"
"I know, I know."
"You know?"
"Yes. You will pardon me, sig'
norina, but "
"Don't call me 'Signorina'; call me
'Jenny.' That is my true name, and
I should like to hear it from your
lips."
"You shall. I know, then, Jenny,
that you have reason for dread. That
because of this very name, you feel
that you have reason to fear. But
you will be safe here. No one shall
know that you possess this name,
which just now seems to be the har:
hinger of persecution and peril, decides
"
"But I would rather not conceal the
fact that it is mine. There is a cow?r>
dninn cn Tl-hifh is not IlSTee
able to me. Perhaps, because I am
the victim of another cowardice which
I cannot supQj-ess. Since I have failed
as a singer, the word 'signorina' galls
me almost beyond endurance. I hate
its very sound, and long to hear my?elf
called again by my childhood's
came. Do you think there is any
harm in yielding to this preference?
"Would you mind introducing me to
your friends as Miss Rogers?"
"Not at all; why should I mind It if
you do not? But It seems like giving
. up your old hope entirely, and I, for
one, still think you will reap the honors
to which your voice entitles you.
I have a scheme "
"Oh, do not talk of schemes, dear
Miss Aspinwaii. .Let us rest wmiuui
ihought of the morrow in this para " v
dise of sunshine and verdure. I have
never seen anything so delightful as
this place before. It is an experience
for me to be here; let me enjoy it and
forget, if I can, that the world holds
any other riches, treasures or rewards.
The little bird sings sweetly; if I were
free as he and had the earth. and
heaven for my home, I could, sing too.
I wish I were a bird, how my throat
would swell! I can almost fancy in
this solitude that I am. Do you think
any one would hear if I "
"Oh, oh, do sing. Just an aria,
Jenny. Hark, the little fellow is urging
you on. Surely you can rival his
notes."
The signorina smiled. An exquisite
An fin/1 chn
VUlUr Uii/ae uui vu mi v.v
looked so lovely that the noble "woman
at her side "was filled with admiration.
Then without further words, and as if
impelled by an inward enthusiasm she
'could no longer resist, she opened her
3ips and song issued forth, so pure, so
sweet and so entrancing, that the little
Ibird who had previously filled' the silence
with his voice stopped in amaze
und bent his head to one side as if in
inquiry as to the source of such delightful
melody.
The spot occupied by the summer
feouse in the large and amply cultivated
grounds was somewhat removed
from the dwelling. Perched on a slight
jlinoll k commanded a view of much of
*hf? countrv around, and for this rea
rson was a favorite 6pot of resort for
jMiss Aspiawall, who had an eye for
all xhat was beautiful and a heart for
this especial scene beyond all. But it
had one drawback. But a few feet
away ran the fence which marked off
her property from that of her next
neighbor, and as that neighbor tcok
boarders she never felt herself quite
safe in this place from intruding eyes.
Thus It was that, when the signorina
began to sing Miss Aspinwaii let
;ber glances travel in the direction of
this fence and the winding walks beyond,
but seeing no one gave her full
attention to the song which was being
'caroled for her and the birds. It was
melodious as heart could wish or taste
n-v fxac-t, and she was drinking in the
u X mellow notes with delight when suddenly,
without warning, the soaring
notes trembled and fell, and glancing
in haste at her companion she beheld
:ber sitting petrified with amazement,
gazing into the neighboring garden.
'Following her look she "was herself
surprised to perceive a man standing
before them, returning gaze for gaze,
and that with an intensity which
proved he had not been unmoved by
the song he had overheard. She
-thought, at first glance, that she did
not know this man, but in another moment
she recognizcd him for the artist
who had interrupted her in her
work of strewing flowers' over the signorini
on that memorable afternoon
of her supposed death.
Instantly she showed as much feeling
as the woman at her side had done.
A beautiful flush rose on her cheek
and she stole a side glance at the slar- m
tied singer, as if to see whether her
own nrrmtinn wn<5 nhspvro/1 T* -n-ic
' Cot. for after the first movement of surprise
the latter had turned away and
was looking toward the house as if
she longed to take refuge in flight. .
"You know him?" whispered Miss
Aspiuwaii.
"Oh. yes: oh. yes. But I must not
sec him. Why has he come here? It
is fatality: I must go."
Miss Aspiuwaii did not seek to detain
her.
"I will go with you," she said, and
< , . * .. # ' > /
?.,r ?, >:*v /
rER P
jLIONS. Jl,
I Author of "The Forsaken 1
I Inn," Etc.
OBCRT BOHNCH's SONS. jy
they left the summer house together,
not turning their heads, though ?ie
temptation to do so was equally strong
for both.
"I saw him when I loft the flowers
at your house." observed Miss Aspin wall,
as they hastened over the lawn.
"He came in before I left. Is he an
old friend of yours? Pardon me if I
appear too curious."
"He was not a friend; he never cam<*
till that day and then he came on business.
He is an artist."
"I know that; I recognized his face; j
lie is well known in the city. His pictures,
such as I have seen, arc exquisite."
Miss Aspinwnll wns smiling. Her
prait and manner were redolent with
joy.
The signorina, on the contrary,
seemed to have weights on her feet.
She stumbled once or twice, and her
restless eyes had a sort of terror in
them. -Suddenly she asked:
"You know his name, then?"
"Certainiy; it is one that New York
is proud of. Hamilton Degraw. Surely,
you have heard of it?"
"Yes."
They were now at the foot of the
steps leading up to the huge portico
of the great pillared mansion. As the
signorina uttered this assent she looked
back. Miss Aspinwall followed her
example. No one was visible on lawn
9r -walk. .
"He must be stopping at the next
house," remarked the heiress. "Curious
that we should meet him here
and that he should see us together."
"Curious enough:" echoed the signorinn.
But when she gained the room which
had been placed at her disposal and
had carefully shut the door and closed
the windows her composure instantly
left her, and she fell in what looked
like a sudden eollnpsc before a chair,
and burying her face in its cushions
gave a long, low cry, the language of
which it would have been hard to interpret.
Then she started again to
her feet, and opening her trunk took
from it a telegram blank, upon which
she wrote one line. \ But before she
had signed it she paused again, and
stood so long with it fluttering in her
hand that she might have been taken
for an exquisite statue of irresolution.
Finally she tore up the contemplated
telegram, saying as she did so, in the
sweetest of musing tones:
"I will not meddle with fate. Let It
bring me what it will. Its gifts may
be better than any I have lost, than
any I have sought for." And the
troubled brow grew smooth and the
childlike look came back to her face,
and of all the joyous creatures that
fluttered beneath the sun. that day she
was the brightest tjhe sweetest and
the most deligbtSQme.
CHAPTER XVI.
'A BTARTLING INTRODUCTION. f
Miss Aspinwall's hospitality was of
the notable order. An orphan, without
immediate relations, she had cultivated
friendship to its last extent, and
was, consequently, never at a loss to
fill her house with congenial and delightful
companions. This summer she
had for chaperon an elderly widow,
well known in New York circles,
around whom she had gathered a
dozen or more young people of both
sexes, so that the house was us merry
as youth and gayety could make it.
She herself was the balance wheel to
all this mirth and joyousness. Though
cheerful by nature she had suffered
too many griefs, and felt too keenly,
the responsibilities of wealth to be
ever overjoyous. Yet there "was m her
smile so much sympathy with joy that
the lightest hearted felt their pleasure
grow greater when, they drew near
Hilary Aspinwall.
Though alive to mirth she had for
sorrow a still greater sympathy. If
amongst tbe laughing tribe that scattered
itself over her lawns, or gathered
in merry groups about her halls
and piazzas there was one from whose
lips the laughter rang false, or in
whose eyes a shadow lay. deeply hidden,
she was sure to catch the broken
tone or mark the secret tear, and
though she would make no'betrayal of
her discernment at the time, when
night came she would steal into the
presence of the young girl whose grief
she had surprised, nnd, taking the seem
ingly happy one into her arms so win
her confidence by delicate questions
or silent caresses that the brimming
heart would overflow, and the secret
trouble be told almost without its sufferer's
own volition. Ah! she" was a
noble woman, Hilary Aspinwall, as
many a crushed heart which she has
comforted can testify, and if in the
face which Hamilton Degraw calls "A
Poet's Dream" there are some Idealizing
touches not to be found in the
original, no brush or no fancy ,could
idealize the soul which has informed
that face, for it is itself ideal.
For such a one happiness should be
the natural right. Nothing tiiat the
earth contains is too ?ocd for her, nor
any love too rich. Is she to have her
reward, then? Are the best treasures
of earth to be given to her who is always
heaping treasures in the laps of
others? She has wealth, she has
nonor. sne has friends. she has bpaltii.
Will she have love? Lot us look at the
circle which surrounds her on this exquisite
June eve, and see if we can
answer.this question.
She is sitting on the large piazza,
amid a group that leel the iufliunce of
the starry heavens above thorn, though
they do not look that way. hut rather
into the faces of those with whom
they are conversing. The talk is of?
what? Who can say? Who would
care to repeat? But the looks are for
her; that is, the looks of at least three
men who stand there: one against the
large pillar that shields the moonlignt
from her eyes, one behind her chair,
and one on the outskirts of the group,
who, if he dees not advance, has an
other reason for his modesty than thai ,
of indrfferenee. And to any one loon- *
ing at her no-n- such interest wonk'
seem only natural. Though the othei f
women grouped around her are mon
nr lcc<5 fnir. attractive or vivacious, ii)
none does the pure Ugbt of woinanli
ncss shine with such a radiance as it?
her, TrJiilc in her beauty there burns a
obaste fire "which is not always to he
scon there. "What has called it forth/
The influence Is not fully apparent. ]
yet it is felt bv tliese men who study t
her this night with their souls in their J
eyes. t
Are her thoughts with them? The s
man by the pillar has the.air of a satisfied
lover, but, then, the depths of his j
nnven hnvo never been Knnndod. and 'i
--- >
some say that neither have the deptHs
of his conceit. The others <1o not seem
as happy, though one of them stands
so near to her that he ran hear the
short sigh that now and then parts her
lips. Do they miss something from
her look or glance that they have been
aceustonu-d to see there?
It may be, for now there is a change
In her. She has heard a step on the
graveled walk beneath, and. mistress
as .she is of herself, she cannot quite
suppress the flutter of expectation
which that sound provokes. She
moves and others moves with her, so
that there is quite a stir on the piazza
as two figures emerge from the sha- ]
dows b.?neath and pause, one in manly 1
grace and the other in feminine beauty
for a mutual smile or glance, before {
mounting the broad flights of steps. >
Two! and she has. perhaps, anticipated <
but one! '
The man is Mr. Pegraw and the ,
woman Signorina Yaldi, or. as she is 1
dow called. iMiss Rogers, we nas ue
come a frequent guest at the house ^
and she a recognized inmate, hut never \
before have they been observed to- ?
gether. The sight calls up strange '
looks on the faces of their youthful ,
companion, and more than one furtive 1
glance is cast at their silent hostess.. '
But her self-possession Is great, and ,
there is no lack in the cordiality with 1
which she welcomes the appearance ]
of these two. But when.'the first flurry over
they all settle down to renewed <
conveisatlon in the now brilliantly
lighted parlor, those who love her best '
feel that something has gone out of ,
her manner that made it the sweetest i
and most encouraging in the world, '
and one at least of the three men who ^
adore her intercepts more than one of i
her glancps that steal, despite the <
prid#? of the heiress and woman, ?o ;
the huge window scat where sits the ,
artist beside the singer, so happy and 1
proud that he forgets to hide either 1
his satisfaction or his delight. <
As for the signorina she was in that ?
soft mood of unexpected happiness <
which makes a woman beautiful, ]
whatever her features. She to whom 1
nature had given the perfection of 1
mnva f>nntlvflt- ^
K'ruirc mui.ii ,iuc >-.-x ^
ing. From the crown of her lovely i
head, drooping with the weight of tin- \
told hopes, to the tip of her dainty j
foot, she was the incarnation of joy ^
shadowed only by the wonder which ?
such joy often brings. Though she 1
did not speak, much less sing, her j
whole figure breathed forth music, and
one person present heard it, aud heard <
it as plainly as if she had walked at 1
her side a half hour before and list- ,
ened, as spirits listen, to the vows 1
which the ardent artist had w.hispered ]
into the beloved one's half averted ]
ears. Love, pure and perfect, had ;
breathed across this virgin soul,, and a <
deeper love than hers had noted it and \
taken a lesson therefrom?the lesson \
of pain and patience, generous sym- i
patliy and womanly sacrifice.
The more disinterested persons in j
the room had collected about the i
~ ? ~ c nnmhAI* Tt*O C (
piano, wiiere ouc v* iucji uuiuuti ..???
playing thrilling airs from Gounod.
As the melody filled the air more than
one tongue was loosed of the secret
that burdened it.
"Do you observe the couple over
there?" one of Miss Aspiuwall's lovers
?not the most generous?whispered in
her car. "Boy Cupid has been bi'sy
with one or both of their hearts since
We saw them last. I think I can discover
the tip of his wings fluttering in
and about between them now. What
do you think?"
Some questions are very hard to answer;
this was meant to be one of
them. But Miss Aspinwall had the
courage of despair and did not shrink
from uttering a smiling response.
To be continued.
Golri-Diifttecl Sydney.
Gold is to be found in most things,
as we know now?even In sea water?
Avnntiimontu roppntlv
ulii auiuv: Mfcu ??..??
in Sydney under the auspices of the <
local Royal Society yielded curious <
results in this connection. Dust col- |
lected from the roof of the Sydney ]
Observatory was found to contain co- .,
bait, nickel and gold, while at the uni- <
versity buildings?a couple of miles 1
further away from the sea?gold was j
also discovered in the dust. The Ob- j
scrvatory is within a stone's throw of
Sydney harbor, with the wharves all J
around it, and probably the nickel and
cobalt are to be traced to the ship- 1
ments of rough ore brought over from '
New Caledonia from time to time. But ]
the gold Is everywhere, and it was <
shown to be present in dust collected j
promiscuously at such unlikely places ,
as Moruya, Menindle and other towns ]
far removed from the "yellow. belt." I
Possibly, through the agency of some ]
future invention, this common dust 1
may be made to pay for the working, 1
and this would be a helpful new asset !
for Australia, for there is plenty of it. I
?London Chronicle. <
<
An Ompn. I
Apropos the recent Trouble with Irish j
members In the House of Commons, i
the London Dally News says: " Tad- J
dy,' oddly enough, was the name of* ,
the first member of the House of Coin- i
?mons who, in 1604, was silenced under j
a standing order made in the saino <
year 'to prevent the idle waste of i
time.' 'If any man,' the order laid
down, '.speak impertinently or beside ]
the question in hand, it standetb with 3
the order of the House for Mr. Speak j
cr to interrupt him. and to know the 1
pleasure of the House whether tlie.v
will further hear him.' Sir William i
Paddy was entering on a long speech {
when the Speaker 'moderated' him." (
i
Tired of Ti:eincelve?. 1
It is incorrect to say tliat one is tired 1
of life. People expressing themselves '
that way mean they are tired of them- ]
selves.?New York Ne-ws. 3
V SERMON FOR SUNDAY
l DISCCURSE ENTITLED "AN Oi-D
QjESTlON FOR THE NEW ACE."
rhe Kpv. C. R. McNally Tallts Instructively
on a Subject of Vital Importance
to l*R All?The Highest Tjrjio of Lire 18
That Spent For Other*.
"Brooklyn. N. Y.?Tn the Sixlh Avenue
Sapti?t Church Sunday wornine. the pasor,
the IJev. Charles K. Mc-Nallv preached
in "An Oid Question for the New Age.''
iis text was from John x:24: "li Thou be
he Christ, tell us plainly." Mr. McNally
aid:
The men who asked thi.a question were
lead in earnest. They :asked it because
he answer was of vital import to them.
Hiat word "Christ" was laden with a
nu ?f
uciiiu ui ujt aiiuiu ivi mere ?jcn isii iju^aioners.
Onr word Christ is the offspring
if the Grepk "Christos," which in its turn
nherits all the meaninr that the Hebrew
i'mbodied in his word "Messiah." Around
his word for hundreds of years all Jewish
ife, political and religious, had centered,
rhe Psalmists had made it the dominant
lote in manv of their sweetest songs. Jts
nulti-colored shadings had formed the
yam nnd woof of prophetic visions. The
nother as she lulled her little one to s:Pep
sang of a Messianic hope. The little lad
is he came to his father's knee asking for
i tale had his imagination fired Ky the
story of what would he when Messiah
hould fome. More than ihe name of
Cromwell or Weslcv to Kngland. and
>f "Washington or Edwards to Amerca.
was> the name of Messiah to a .lew,
?or it was at onee the battle cry oF his poitieal
liberties and the keynote of his reagion.
The .Tews as they thought of the Messiah
may be divided into two classes, those
*rVksve.A /v\?/>onf ir?r? WQO T\fDf{r> m 1 n 9 n f !tr f*pl
rious and spiritual. and tho?e whose
thought was predominantly political. I
say predominantly because the two views
trere commonly blended. The more spiritual
honed for the deliverance of tlie nations
from the bondage of sin. and the reigious
.<Mit)rcmaey of the Jewish nation
through thp ministry of the Messiah, whi.'e
the less religions looted for the ooliticnl
pre-eminence of the .Tews nnder the leadership
of the Messianic King. However
Jivergent the views, in two things all were
isrreed?the coming of the Messiah meant
Jewish nre-eminence. and he in his coming
would be the especially anointed of God,
having the powers, the words and the
jnirit of God. he.was to be the instrument
if God. the voice of God's will to and for
the nation. Earlier in the history of the
nation the conception was more sniritual.
but bv the time of the coming of Je?us of
fCa?areth their hope had lost its higher
?nd more spiritual character.
One morning toward the close of His
fprthly ministry, when the chilling blasts
)f winter had driven Him from the open
:ourts of the temnle to a sheltered spot,
r u. t? t a
HTMllS, (XIC Ii??nr Ittl J aiiicu icuvfti ??uu
claimant of Messianic honors. miqrht have
been seen pacing up and down the naved
nclosure known as Solomon's T'orcli. It
ivas the feast of dedication and the fathers
of the nation were gathered in .Terusa>
'em. There was m-'cli agitation and convict
among them. The fam" and claim of
Tesus of Nazareth was known to all.
Nfany of these very men had followed in
the crowds to see and hear Him. The
more spiritual had felt a strange stirring
?f the soul in response to the call of this
jtrau<re teacher to a purer and more exaltnl
life. Jjnt su^Jy thev reasoned this could
not he the Christ?He was so different
From what they had expected the Christ
to be. The less religious were even more
puzzled. The life of .Tesus from the creature
comfort side was nothing to be onm'ed.
Thev could find nothing to explain
the aim of this Teacher with His ?ubverjive
teaching. Of one thing thev were
nire. He was a dangerous man. for while
by implication and even openly He claimed
to be the Christ, He in no wav corresponded
to their idea, of what the Christ should
be. S"rely He was rot the Messiah of
Sod! tTnon what could such a man as this
basa sneh a claim!
While .Tesus paced thoughtfully up and
3own within the porch He was quicklv
surrounded by an eager, pressing crowd.
some intense wun yearmntr ior HSFuranc;
md satisfaction of soul, others dark with
the clouds of stricken eonsrienee and the
maliciousness of disappointed hatred. Notwithstanding
their varied feelings, all alike
were anxious to ply Him with questions;'
Eagerly thev pressed unon Him the vital/
question "How long wilt Thou hoM ns inwspense?"
literal'v, "How long wilt Thon
lift up our souls?" excite us. hold us between
hope and fear? "If Thou really art
the Christ, then tell us plainly." Such is
the inevitable nuestion which must be
*sked bv every sonl when brought face to
Face with the claim of Jesus to be the
Hhrist of God. Was He the a^oirted of
Rod? "Was He "the Kind's Son" who
should be called "Wonderful, counselor,
the miehty God. the eva^astinr Father,
the nripce of peace?" Wns He indeed
the Christ, or was He an imposter or a
weaklinr. illusioned by the fervor of H>s
Dwn enthusiasms? These question? as old
ss Christianity are vital to our day and
hour. Tf He is not. the Christ we *nav be
flone with Him and go our wav. If He is
in very truth "the anointed." "the sent of
God." we are bound to listen t* His voice
is the voice of God, to learn His precepts
arm upe.v.
To our inestion "Art Thou the Christ?"
Test's T*-?kes answer; note His words:
"I told you. but ye believe not." The
Immediate atmeal of .Tesi'? was to His verbal
attestation ot His Messiahship. Already
He hgd told them that (?od was His
Father, that the Father had 6ent TT'm
into the world in His nam*, to establish
His kincrdom among men, but they would
not believe. Of what use was it to tel!
Lhem that whieh thev had a-ready beard
ind had refused to believe? Nor was it altogether
stmnge that His verbal attestation
of His M^ssiahshin was not readily accepted.
for His assertion to be one with
[Jod was a most startling one. Men give
credence slowly to th? claims of others;
they must see reasons or they will not believe.
Should a man come to our National
[Jovernment claiming to be the Ambfissaior
of England the first thine that would
be reouired of liir.i would be that he should
furnish credentials. Failing to furnish
them he would b? laughed at for, a fool.
Ie6us saw that He must found His claim
an something more ' onvincing than Hi?
verbal attestation. He reeoznized the necessity
for t>root and furnishes that proof
in His words "the works that I do in M-?
i?? ?r xio "
miners iifinr. .mov ,.A
This nnpeal of .Teens to His works ns ?iroof
that He was the Christ requires that we
For a moment examine them.
Strenuous efforts have been rra^c during
this, the new nee, to read cut of the works
of Jes'is all tliis sunernatural and dirine.
He is unintelligible, we are fold, nriess
accounted for on human grounds alone.
Consider, then, that when viewed in the
light of human action. His works were
beautiful and powerful beyond comnare,
iud in themselves point, to a higher divine
life. The advanced thinkers of our day
have, within comparatively few years,
reached the Conclusion that the highest
type of life is that which they eall altruistic.
i. e., a life snent for others. The
highest personal life is realized only as
that life, forgetting self, rises nbove self
jnd exhanses itself for others. The ethical
world rejoices in this newly found truth.
[Jo back 1900 years and there you will fine
One whose days were soent in doing others
jood. Follow Jesus through His ministry
tnd you will soon discover that you are
following the footsteps of the world's one
unselfish man and its greatest philanthropist.
Every act is designed to help anjther.
You seek for the least trace of
-- - " >. i
selfishness in vain. r>very woik ucuia mv
seal of humanity's best. Indeed, so far
ire they above the world's best that they
bring in their wake 6weet thoughts of
Sod. See Him as He wrtrks. A little
while ago He fed the hungering thousands.
It was but yesterday He touched new life
nto the maniac boy and smoothed the
jeep furrows from a father's brow. This
norn He drove the fever from the sick one
n Peter's home, and mavhap. ere the day
s done He will whisner the hone of a pure
xnd holy life to the harlot at. the well.
We have not too much thought of the
ivorks of Jesus as the acts of one fellow
nan toward others. When viewed accordng
to this standard they are seen to be
:he highest realization of man's highest
deal. Christ was wise when He raid, "Bi>lold
My works," for according to the findngs
of the best thought of all the ages no |
vork?j are more beautiful or nigher Gou.
The mere force, beauty and holiness of
fTis acts prove His kinship with the divine.
But this was not enough to satisfy a Jew.
The Christ tbey were looking tor was to
demonstrate 2iis divine power by the I
might and conquest of arms. They had it I
ail cut and dried just what the Christ j .
should be and do. He was suddenly to ap- '
Hear out of the heavens or out ot some sequestered
way ot' life, attended by great
wonders. With the sword He was quickly
to overrun the world and set up in .lent- i
salem a power that would rule all nation*. |
i ? i- I L| .U.t ka I
Any love or puiiamnruji.v u>?t w*.
worked in would be all rieht, but before
all else Messiah must be the messenger of
(Jod's wrath against the nations, visiting
them with defeat and disaster, that the ]
Jew might rule supreme. i
Thus it was that to the questioners of j
His day -Tesus proved to be a stumbling
block. Did they find in Him a in05c than 1
human power? Yes, they conceded that 1
they did. As they saw ilim restore the f
emaciated body of the leper, or infuse new j '
life into the palsied form or open the eyes 1
of the blind, or raise the dead from the j
grave, they were bound to recognize a more <
than human power. The gross and mali- j
cious said this power is ot the devil, hut 1
the more intelligent said, as they saw the i
unselfishness, the love and tendernes? of 1
His acts. "We have never seen it done oq 1
this wise before!" "No man could do 1
these works except God'be with him!" j
"Surely this must be the Christ!" The ,
answer of Jesus to the questioners of Hie 1
Hav civpn in the terms of love, an answer <
which they would not or could not under- :
stand, is that which satisfies the heart and ]
reason of the inquirer of to-day. J L is as
though Jesus said. "You ask if I am really
the Christ?of God and in Him you look ]
for divine power. Jx>ok at My works, are
they not of the highest type?" Aye. more. 1
they are fraught with the power of God i
and prove, not only that I am the Christ,
but that the nature of God is better than
the thought of man has made him. He is
a God of tenderness, of love." Jilessed an- ,
swer, for it teaches that character is su- ]
preme, and that the highest life is one of j
simple ministry to the needs of others.
To the inquirer of to-day the answer of <
Jesus should be convincing. Since it is
ours to look from the mountain peak of ]
many centuries we may, however, see ?tiU
other proofs and find still other answers ,
to the all important question. "Was Je?us '
the Christ?" History gives a twofold an- i
swer, first as seen in the preparation of
the world for the coming of tie Messiah
and then in the development of the world's
thought since the days of Jesus. Paul declares
that "when the fulness of time was
come. God sent forth His Fon" into the
world. By the fulness of time he must
have meant the period tnat v. to olanse,
according to the wisdom of God, before
His Son, the Christ, should come. Now, if
Jesus was the Christ, we may expect to
find the circumstances of the time in
which He lived peculiarly- fitted for His
coming. What were these circumstances?
The vast Roman emuire afforded a broad
and accessible field for, the spread of a
new religion. The sceptre of Roman power
ruled the world. Radiating from Rome
as a centre were splendid military roads
which extended to the remotest boundaries
of the empire. Because of these and the
opening of ocean routes travel was easy
as compared with preceding centuries.
People traveled more. Thus facilitir-s for
disseminating a new truth were better
than ever before in the world's history.
Again, the Greek language was at that
time widely known. Its wonderful elasticity
made it the best possible medium
for conveying to men the facts of a new
religion. It was the official language of
Government and was spoken by the higher
social classes as well as bv many of the unlettered
and uncultured. Thus in the Greek
the world had the nearest approach to a
universal language that it had had since
? ' Ti -? TKn
the clays 01 trie iuwer 01 uiuci. ?
transmission of the gospel was no very
difficult, thing so far as language was concerned.
But the most notable preparation was
that of the Jewish neople. They hi>d long
striven with their desire to worship idola.
At last their vision was clarified in this regard,
and the way was open for a further
revelation. Moreover, the discerning
among them, from reading the annals of
their fathers, had come to long for the
promised Messiah until that longing was
kindled to a fervent heat. All these thines
peculiarly fitted the time in which Jesus
lived for the reception and spread of great
religious truths.
Is or is history since that time less re?i-?vi?
Ho n (loath of shnme: none i
ijuaj isaujc. ij.% uiwu ? . __
| could according to the common notion be
more ignominious or disgraceful. His
friends apparently were few. That He
would soon be forgotten would seem nat*
;ural. But it was not so. His followers
multiplied with marvelous rapidity. Persecutions
began and thousand* of them
were burned, roasted, speared and given
over to wild beasts. Notwithstanding all
this, within 300 years one-twentieth part
of the empire were professed Christians,
the Emperor himself among the number.
From that time until the present Christianity
and civilization have gone hand in
hand. Manv of the great upheavals of
the world's life is the story of Christianity
asserting herself against the powers that
would stay her triumphant march. It was
so in the time of Charlemagne, of Luther,
of Cromwell and 6f Plymouth Rock. The
lines of history converge toward Jesus
Christ. In 'all thimrs truly He has preeminence.
Surely, this must be the Christ."
From the historic point of view was He |
not more than man? His works and the j
voice of history declare Jesus to be the I
God-man.
If there still be a lingering doubt in the j
mind of any that Jesus is the Christ, "the I
VJniT'o Sinn." 1st him studv the human heart '
and its deepest needs and his douhts will
fly. Sin like a sombre cloud easts a darkened
shadow across every life. Man has
ever found himself gripped in the relentless
grasp of an evil nature. None is exempt.
All alike are tarred with the one
black stick. If a man tells you he ha? not
a sinful nature pet a little "closer and vou
will detect the odor of the tar so familiar
to yourself. Congratulate ourselves as we
may upon our goodness, it is still a fact
that we are hv nature sinful. But while
this is true, it is also true that man feels
stirring within him a higher and holier nature.
He feels within a purpose to be
other and better than he is. Before him
he sees the ideal of a holy character, a nature
wholly free from sin. and that nature
he feels to be,-akin to God.
Now look at Jesus in the light of these
facts. His days are one long sequence of
holy thoughts and perfect deeds. In Him
you look for sinfulness in vain. In Him
there is no fault, not the shadow of a
thought that mnn can brand as sinful.
This at once differentiates Him from all
others. In Him man finds his ideal expressed.
Let the heart once come in touch
with Jesus and it needs no other answer
to its questions. In Him it is satisfied.
What it would have. Jesus already has.
In touch with Him the soul must keep if
it would have its needs supn'ied. and its
higher life realized. Sure!v He who alone
realizes life's ideal and satisfies the need?
and aspirations of the heart must be the
Christ. Oh. soul, have vou the assurance
this morning from need supplied, ideals !
sanctified and heart satisfied, that Jesus j
is the Christ? Believe Ilim for His word j
has been riven. If not f?r this believe
'? T-T:- '-/"-fa cal-e If still VOU I
JllITI iUI nil" noin ? ?
doubt. consult the testimony of history ;
and the human heart, and your soul, re- i j
sprn'dinp to His divine touch, will surely |
cry out. "Yes. .Tesus.'I Ldow Thou art the : 1
Chrisit of God!"
"What We Caa Do.
On every hand one hears specific remedies
for existing defects. There is nothing
singular about this. At a dinner in one
of our large cities Professor Walter A.
Wyckoff, author of "Tlie Workers." had
spoken impressively to an exceptionally
line audience of men on some of the lacks
of the church in reaching the laboring
man. Then a piominent business man rose,
and inquired courteously: "Will Profes?or
Wyckoff tell us what remedy there is for
these evils?" Instantly the answer flashed
out.: "That's a natural question. But there !
is no remedy. There are a hundred rem- |
edics. and their work will not he swift; I
but every one of us can do something per* I
sonally to make an individual workingman |
feel that we are brothers with him."
Christian Faith.
Christian faith is a grand cathedral with
divinely pictured windows. Standing with- j
out, you see no glory, nor can poss.biy
imagine any; standing within, every ray
of light reveals a harmony of unspeakable
splendors.?Nathaniel Hawthorne.
A Great Comforter. j
Your affliction is very great; but there y
is a corresponding greatness in your Com- 1
forter.?George Bowen.
CHE SUNDAY SCHOOL 1
I
NTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS *
FOR NOVEMBER 15.
subject: Davld'a Trust in God, F?alm 2> j
?uoiaen Ttxi, ria> Xii, x ? uowuij
Verses, 1-6?Commentary on the Day'i I
Lesion.
I. The Shepherd and His sheep (vs. 14). I
L "My Shepherd." Christ is the great r
snepherd and His followers are the sheep, f
\a a shepherd, 1. Christ leads the sheep. |
5. Supplies every lack. 3. Guards and
ieeps them. 4. Supports them in times of
Rouble. Jehovah is often spoken of as the
shepherd of Israel, and Israel as His flock.
Die title of shepherd is also applied to
rulers, and in particular to David. Christ
ipplies the title to Himself (Jo,hn 10: 1; ,
lompare Heb. 13: 20; 1 Pet. 2: 25). To ap- j j
preciate the force of the image it is neoes- j 1
5ary to understand the difference between 1
the modern shepherd and the Oriental 1
?hepherd of olden times. In that land 1
there :s a strong attachment between the j
shepherd land his flock. Equally tender ?e- ' '
latrions exist between the good Shepherd '
and His flock. On the other hand there is | j
in unfathomable affection, and on the | 1
other a calm, unlimited commence, onaii
not want." The language is partly of ex- j
perience in the present and partly of con- ;
fidence for the future. So of Israel, looking
back on the wandering in the wilder- j
ness they had lacked nothing (Deut. 2: 7).
md looking forward to'the promised land 1
the promise was that they would lack I
nothing (Deut. 8: 9). With Jehovah for
my shepherd and guardian; whose hand
rests on all the sources of supply, I can 1
lack no temporal or spiritual good. When '
John Fletcher was asked by/George III. if
he would accept preferment -in the church !
is an acknow.edgement for an able, and
timely naper he had written on American
affairs, ne returned the respectful but char- 1
acteristic reoly, "Sire, I want nothing but 1
more cTace."
2. "To lie down." The divine Shepherd
(rives rest to the weary. The wicked are
filled with unrest (Tsa. 57 : 20, 21), but
Christ promises soul rest to those who
W; fMatf 11. OfLMH "firppn
1/UiilC V\J Xlilll \ ilXUbV. A. A . wv;.
pasture*." Pastures of budding or tender
prrass. The original word denotes the tender
shoots (Deut. 32: 2), as distinguished
from the ripe grass, which is expressed bv
another word. Hence, this grass afforded
delicious and luxuriant pasture. From this
we see that soul satisfaction ia promised
the one who follows the divine guide (Isa.
58: 11). "He leadeth me." The Oriental
shepherd never drives his flock as ?ve do,
but goes before them. Jesus never asks
us to go where He does not go, or to do or
to sbffer anything He has not done or suffered;
Be i3 the perfect example; His
jrouur before means ever better things.
''Still water?.'' Literally, waters of rest;
not gently flowing streams, but streams
where rest and refreshment may be found
(Isa. 32: 18). But others think it has reference
to the quietness of the waters. In
either case the figure is most beautiful and
suggests the quiet and peacefulness with
which the soul is filled when it enters into
communion with God.
3. "Rcstorcth my soul." He bringeth
back mv soul.'as a sheep that had strayed
(Matt. 18: 12: 13; 1 Pet. 2: 25). The word
for "restore'b" means "to return." "bring
bafk," or. figuratively, "convert." Of all
animals the sheep is least able to defend itself,
either by resistance or flight; is most
civen to wander away, and has the lea^t
sairacitv in finding its way back to the fold.
"Paths of righteousness." Right paths are j
opposed to intricate and unsafe ways, and
to ways of disobedience and perversity
(Psa. 125: 5). "For His name's sake." To
display the glory of His grace, and not on
account of any merit in me.
4. "Shadow of death." Being so near to
death that its shadow falls over him, for
he is not far from the substance that has
come up with the shadow. The "valley of
the shadow of death" seems to have been
suggested by those deep mountain gorges
through which David, was sometimes
obliged to lead his flocks, though at thd
hazard of death from the wild beasts.
When the walks of duty lie in the midst of
dangers which fall around like shadows,
then, says the psalmist, I will fear no eviL
Such confidence has he in his Shepherd.
"Fear no evil." The soul fears not to enter
the sunless gulfs of sorrow when assured
of the supporting presence and gro
tecting care of the good Shepherd. The
darkness of death is but a shadow, after
all. The trusting soul enters the gloomy
gorge only to emerge into the brighter day
of immortality. The Christian knows that
tke hand which guides us into the d&rk,
valley will guide up through it and up out
of it. '"Rod and?staff." The emblems of
the office of the(shepherd and his protection
of the sheep. The rod and staff seem
to be two name.} for one instrument, which
was used to drive away wild animals, to
direct the sheep, and for the purpose of a
staff on which to lean. The shepherd
walked before his flock, ready to protect
them from assault, and ?they followed
gladly and fearlessly wherever he led.
II. The Host and His guest (vs. 5, G). 5.
"'Preparest a table." The figure is changed.
Jehovah is now described as the host who
bountifully entertains the psalmist at His
table, and provides him a lodging in His
own house, as Oriental monarchs entertained
those to whom they wished to show
special favor. Although the image is
changed, yet we have substantially the j
6a;me ideas as those given in the earlier
portion of the psalm. "Mine enemies." Je- !
liovah had prepared this banquet for David ;
nsa murk of special honor and favor, and '
this in the presence of his enemies, who |
looked on, but were not invited to partake,
l'his was David's answer to those who in
liis affliction had said. "There is no help
.'or him in God;" "Godhath forsaken him.' I
"Anointest." The. reference is to the an-1
ointings which were the regular accom- I
paniment of an Oriental banquet, not to
the kingly anointing for which a different I
tvord is used. Anointing with oil was an |
emblem of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I
"Cup runneth over.'' The overflowing cup |
suggest? a fulness of blessing. Jehovah is
a bountiful provider and is able to abund*
?ntly satisfy. ' I
6. "Surely." "Only." R. V., margin. I
"Nothing but goodness and mercy shall [
pursue me. What a contrast to the lot of i
the wicked man, pursued by the angel oi i
judgment (Psa. 35: G), hunted by calamity
(140: 11). "Goodness and mercy."'
Goodness and mercy are the staple viands j
of the feast, and give a flavor and virtue to
all the rest. Man needs goodness to supply
all his wa?ts and mercy to cancel all
nis sin3. "Will dwell." These words are
to be understood figuratively. The psalmist
expected to dwell in God's immediate
presence forever. "Forever." Here is a
suggestion of the closest intimacy with
God and the ceaseless enjoyment of His favor.
,
Nebraska's Loss on llnnii
By reason of the slumn in the price of
hogs Nebraska farmers stand to lose from
three to five millions. Thev figure their
losses already at $3,000,000. and if prices
continue to recede two millions more can
Uo. frv flirt Ti-rr?nrr ?ino
to reliable arid conservative figures there
are 3,000.000 of marketable hops in the
State. Farmers have been fattening their
pwine on thirty-cent eorn, and the decline
mc-ans that some of the hogs mus* be sold
it an actual loss. Farmers are indignant,
ind charge the packers with causing the
slump.
Cermany Lead* in ?teel.
In Germany the iron and steel works are
running on full time, production restrained
onlv by the limit of capacity and
that capacity is bsing multiplied over the
lencth end breadth of tha* country. And
it finds a sale for the products cf its iron
md steel works. The fact is that Germany
is leading in the iron and steel trade
sf the world, and is doing so desoite the
fact that her own consumption of iron and
jfeel products in far below her own production.
America's Largest Crare.
Th" Kastern Steel Company. Pott'vil'e,
1 I f n#-?? mi'l fl>o
ra.. i;as indicium m h.- ??; ? ^
Iar~c:>t ladle cranc of any plant in the United
States. It weiehs 200 tons, and has a
maximum lift of ICO tons. Its auxiliary
lias a capacity of twenty-five ton?.
Grew 110 Pumpkins on Three Tine*.
Thomas W. Prettyman, of Milford, is
the champion pumpkin grower in that part
if Delaware this season. .From three vines
le has gathered 110 pumpkins, which
iveighed from twenty-five to fifty-live
sounds each. .
BE BELIGIOUS LIFEJ
iEADING FOR THE SUIET HOUR
WHEN THE SOUL INVITES ITSELF.
'otm: 'fiivj'j Will?Why and How W?
Should Bear WItneM For ChriKt?When 4^
Silence Is Golden and When It It In>
peratlvo to Speak.
To do God's will?that's all
Hiat need concern us; not to carp or ask
rhc meaning of it, but to ply our ta8k
Whatever may befall:
Accepting good or ill as He shall fiend, $?%
And.wait until the end. ?
?E. T. Housli. -m
Witnesses For Christ.
The apostles baa oeen put, m prison i? . vm
keep them from testifying for Christ. .Al
ways the enemy gets ready a prison and
seeks to lav hands on Christ's witnesses .
?nd bind them in prison. The prison i?
not always built of stone or iron, nor .jSjj
jnarded by soldiers. Oftenest nowadays " $||
we find that its walls are formed merely J$m
af nicely fitted rules of etiquette, forms ''/jm
md ceremonies, and held toeetuer by cu?torn,
mere firm than any mortar ever a
mixed, though sometimes the building is
but made of a laugh, or a little trembling ^Bj
fear of what people will say or think. ~<JH|
These all form just as effectual walls a* tI
my ever built of solid masonry. Shut
within so close a prison, what &fe we to / -' ?2
do? How witness for our Redeemer? How
jain a freedom to do so? N
The world is the keeper of this priwn.
ft says: "You are not to speak of religiou# '
things. We want no solemn thoughta-.to - a
dampen our gayety. It is not good form
to bring your individual beliefs before" othfre.
It makes them feel uncomfortable. . ijgH
Neither must you for conscience s$ke re- .:!vh
fuse to go anywhere or do anything that
others wish, because by so doing you are u
easting a silent rebuke at them."
Witnessing in done by acts m well as W
words. Sometimes a mere passive smile . ;.?;?
for form's sake at an irreverent jest wit- w '
nesses against our Saviour as truly as if we
had originated it. And words cannot undo
an act that places us with those who do HSHta
not love Christ. 1 H
To those who thus submit to imprisonment
the angel of the Lord opens not the , ^
doors of the prison. But speak from the i-feja
prison room and the walls fall! Yon are Jfl
free henceforth to say what you wilL You
? <?i? xi u j.i ~i i : . w
nave uro&en turuugii toe jjrisuu ujr uuim, -^"1
what it has been out about you to forbid.
By the very fact that you are free are yon
commanded bv the angel who opens the / '??$
prison door, ' Go, stand, and speak to the "???
people!" ;
And Christ's witnesses will be arraigned ~
to-day just as of old. They will be called .
fanatics and sneered'-at, perbaim,. but ifll
honor to those servants of the Most Hiah
who have the courage to make reply> "We ought
to obey God rather that* men." *3
The great reason for our witnenring for.
Christ is that we owe Him all. He gave .
Himself for us; shall we deny so great; ^ij>
love? Would, the loving child refuse to : feBH
witness by every word and act that ita jm
father is great and true? Yet we do often
witness against Him. And great is the
rejoicing among the enemy when a witness "Jl
can be won over from the very household
of God. Oh. the shame of it when members
of Christ's blood-bought church sit ' A' SSM
with silent lips when Jesutr is on trial. VjM
And concerning the way of witnessing. ;
There are some to whom the idea of bearing
pergonal witness in private talk is re- t.* ,'m
pugnant. There are others who are so in- 'as
sistent in testifying for Christ that theyx
forget the "wisdom of serpents" and the jMI
"hannlessness of doves" enjoined upon ma
Christ's followers, and testify for Him a* !
did the severe old Christian butcher; Who '
asked one of his patrons in a solemn voice
as he cut the meat with the great clearer, ' iH
"Madam, are you prepared to die?" ' jQNj
It is perhans such injudicious instances
that have held many good and brave pco- ' 9a#
pie from witnessing for Jesus in this per- |H
sonal way. And yet thefe are many who
owe their salvation, under God, to some jfl
quiet, pleading word from a friend whose H
life is consistent with his sneech.
While silence is often golden, there are
wl>o? 4-r\ onnat io an imnPRlHvp dlltV^
when merely to keep silence is cowardice.
The question of speaking in ^rayer meet- a
ing must give the Christian Endeavorer
much thourht aa to bow to do it to the
very best advantage. It is rare that error. ^
is made here in the direction of speech.
There is usually a surplus of "golden silence."
Some one has said that our grayer
meetings are often like Siberian rivers?
"frozen at the mouth." .' 4|
There has been much talk about the way
people take part in their own meetings.
but it seems as if we had settled down at >|
the present time to accept the fact that M
most of them have either become conatitutional
verse repeaters or sit through the
meeting w*ith scaled lips. Even many of
our young leaders have fallen into the lazy .. '>-3
habit of bringing some one of the numer- J
ous "helps" on the tonic and reading from
it. seeming so tn feei their duty tulJv done.
Now, it may be true that the writers of
those helps a-e much more competent by ,
education tha.i many of the youn^r peoplf : 'fii
who read from them, but that does not
make un for the loss of the personal testimony
that should come from the younc
discioVa heart. Stumbling though it
may be, one sentence of hfart love to
Christ expressed in the meeting is worth
whole columns of wise sayi""3 and telfiii?illustrations.
Pod misses H's "litt!e human
praise." He wo?ld ratker hear the
trembling sentence, "I iore Jesus," than
to have the public duty of testimony dipcharged
by read'nrr another's wor^s.?
Grace Livingston Hill, in the New Yorfe_^
Mail and Express.
The Foot-Fath to Perce. ^
To be glad for life because it gives yan
the chance to live and to work and to play
and look up at the stars; to be satisfied
with your possessions, but not contented
with yourse.f until you have made the best
- * 1 a.
01 tnem: to despise notninj( uj v.uc num.
except falsehood and meanness, and to
fear nothing except cowardice: to be governed
by your admirations rather than by
your disgusts: to covet nothing that i*
Tour neighbor's except bis . kindness of ^ j
heart -and gentleness of manned; to think fj
seldom of your enemies, often of yogr / 'J
friends and every day of Christ ana to m
spend as much time as you can, with body . u
and with spirit. in God'6 out of. door*; B
these are little guide posts on the footpafh
to pcace.?Henry Van Dyke.
The Anchor of the Soj|0^
The anchor which holds^s#ftire the soul
of the Christian in the midst of storm*,
however severe, is pictured as follows bv
Br. Theodore L. Cnylcr:
V/iii .<iro rerfain to be assailed wiiii
troubles. No hurricane can strike a failringed
ship more suddenly than storms of
adveivitv may burst upon you. But if
Jesus Christ is in your soul, yon cannot
eu*"er wreck.
"There is many a bereavement, many a
trouble that may strip a man of canvas* or
cordage, but never touch the solid strength
of his godly character. I have seen just *'
such fast-anchored Christians."
Scoinp With XntelllBcnff.
The more we'iook at the world with i:v
teliiarent and loving eyes, the more \fcc-... >
world means to us. The more we look aV
each other's faces with intelligence and
love, (he more human beinsrs mean to us.
The more we think of the fathomless i
depths am? the lofty heights cf being, and j
of the Being that fil1* beicc: and 13 toe J
source 0? it. the more it will mean to us.-1- A
Charles U. Ames.
Steps to JTeavpr. H
Learn to commend thy daily act3 i.? God,
so shnll the 'dry everyday duties of common
life be steps to Heaven and lift fruy flH
heart thither.?Edward B. Puscy. ^
United States Meter is Correct. 1
L. A. Fischer. of the Bureau of Standard
Weights and Measures, at ..Washington,
has compared the American meter with
the international standard and has fount:
it accurate. Mr. Fischer is preparing a report
on European weights and measures t.v
iid Secretary Cortelyou to make recommendations
to Congress.
Mafcinjc Money From Antnmn L?m.
Large shipments of oak leaves are beiuc
made daily from Norma Station, threo
miles from Vineland, N. J., to the publu W
baths of New York City. The leaves aro
baled and sold at $3 per bale, some individuals
shipping as high aa twenty-five
bales per toy. ?
. .. . J