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4 ? m Jacqueli ?By V] we r , BLIND-MAN'S BUFF. Paul Hewlett, loitering at night in muaison square, INew York, is approached by an Eskimo dog. He follows the dog to a gambling house and meets the animal's mistress coming out with a large artiount of money. She Is beautiful and In distress and he follows her. After protecting her from two assailants he takes her In charge, and puts her In his own rooms for the rest of the night. He returns a little later to tlnd a murdered man In . his rooms and Jacqueline dazed. II I with her memory gone. He decides to protect Jacqueline, gets rid of the body and prepares to take her to Quebec in a search for her home. Simon Leroux, searching for Jacqueline for some unfriendly purpose. finds them, but Hewlett evades him. Hewlett calls the girl his sister. In Quebec he learns that she Is the daughter of a recluse In the wilds, Charles Duchalne. Pere Antoine tells Hewlett Jacqueline is murrled and tries to take her away. Jacqu"PTtne Is Spirited away and Hewlett Is knocked out, both escape and arrive at St. Ilonlface. On their sled lourney to the Chateau Duchalne their dogs are poisoned, and Hewlett leaves behind his snow goggles. CHAPTER IX?Continued. However, I hoped that the night would restore my sight, and so, dismissing the matter from my mind, I struggled up until at last I stood upon the summit of the hill. Far a^ay, like thin, winding ribbon among the hills, ] bow the valley of the Klvlere d'Or. Beneath me I saw Jacqueline waiting, a tiny figure upon the snow. -I I east my eyes beyond her toward the mist-wrnpped tops of the fur I.nurentlans and the plains. And a sense of an inevitable fate came over me as I perceived far away a tiny, crawling nnt upon the snows? Simon Leroux's dog sleigh. I went hack to the little, patient figare that was waiting for me, and I innlr lin mv no ol? oonln nn?1 nothing. She stepped bravely out beside me, frozen, fatigued, hut willing because I bade her. She did not usk anything of me. The sun dipped lower, and far away I heard the howl of the solitary wolf again. I gripped my pistols as we strode along. We went on and on. The afternoon was wearing away-; the sun was very low now and nil Its strength had gone. "Courage, Jacqueline," I said, patting fter arm. "The huts ought to be here." I Her courage was greater than my wn. She looked up and smiled at me. The wolf crept nearer, and Its howls rang out with piercing stroke across the silence. M.v eyes ached so that I could hardly discern the darkening land, and the snow came down, not steadily but In swirling eddies blown n fierce gusts of wind. And suddenly raising my eyes de parlngly 1 saw the huts. There were five of them, and they had not been occupied for at least two seasons, for the blackened timbers were falling apart, and the roofs had been torn off all but ne of them, no doubt for. fuel. The wind was whirling the snow wildly around them, and It whistled through the broken, rotting walls. 1 flung my pack Inside the roofed ne, and began tearing apart the timbers of another to make a fire. Jacqueline, opening the pack, began the preparation of our meal, which consisted of some biscuits left from the night before. when we had made quantity on the wood ashes. We made tea over the roaring flames, and n( listening to the wolfs call and the wind that drove our fire in gusts of moke and flame. I scooped out a bed for Jacqueline foslde the snow-filled hut and spread It with the big sleigh robe. She lay down in her fur coat, and I wrapped the ends around her. I looked Into her weet face and. marveled at* Its serenity. Her eyes closed wearily. A dreadftfl fear held me In its grip: what If she never awoke? Some people died thus in the snow. I raised the sleigh robe and saw that the fur coat tlrred softly as she breathed. At last, out of the wild passions that fought within me, decision was horn. I would go on, because she had hidden ma. And I would he ready for Lennox and let him act as he saw fit. 1 .aaded my pistols. I could do no more than flglit for Jacqueline, and with God ha the issue. . Tnul 1" 1 must have been half asleep, for I <mtne back to myself with a start and pprvnK xo my it*ex. jncquenne nan risen upon her knees; she flung her arms nut wildly, and suddenly- she caught her hrenth nnd screamed, and stood up and ran uncertainly toward irte, with hands that groped for me. She found me; I caught her, and she pushed me from her nnd shuddered and stared at me'In that uncertain douht that follows dreams, *T am here, Jncquellne," I said. With you?always, till you send me* away. Remember thnt even In dreams, Jacqueline." She knew me now, nnd she was reettllna from me. out through the but SHE'S REAL "KISS BURGLAR" Says Mrs. Orr of Gertrude Harrison In Dlvoreo 8ult Brought In New York Court. New York.?Both on the stage and In real life Gertrude Harrison, an actress playing In "The Kiss Burglar," Is accused of pilfering kisses from her co-star, William P. Orr, by the letter's wife, Mrs. Lillian Carleton Orr. Recently Mrs. Orr returned from "Torveas, where she served as host ^ m ' * 9 > I ne of Goldt ICTOR ROUSSI CouTrljjht, W. U. Chtpmu door, Into the blinding snow. I sprang after her. Jacqueline! It Is Paul 1" I cried. And as I emerged frotn the hut's shelter a red-hot glare from the east seemed to sear und kill uty vision. It was the rising sun. I had 'thought It night, and It was already day. And I could see nothing through my swollen eyelids excent the white lleht of the shljiiiig snow. It was horrible. In that wHd waste, alone. I tried to gather my scattered senses together. . Eastward, I knew, the river lay, and that blinding brightness cnme from the east. Southward a little distance was llie hill that we had last ascended on the evening before. I could discern the merest outlines of the land, but I fancied that I could see that It sloped upward toward the south. I set ofT In the direction of the hill. "Jacqueline! Jacqueline!" I screamed frantically. No answer came. Once more I called. A dog barked suddenly, not far away, and through the mist I heard the slide of sleigh runners on snow; and then I knew. I scrambled down, slipping, and gashing my hands upon the rocks ami Ice. At the foot of the hill I saw two straight and narrow lines on tho soft snow. They were the tracks of sleigh runners. : I followed them, sobbing and catching1 my breath and screaming: "Jacqueline! Jacqueline!" Then I heard Simon's voice. "Ronjour, M. Hewlett!" he called mockingly. "This way ! This way !" I turned and rushed blindly In the direction of the cry. I had left my snowshoe8 behind me In the hut, and at ench step my feet broke through the crusted snow, so that I floundered mm ieu line ii iirunKen man 10 cnoruses of taunts nml laughter. It was a horrible blind man's huff, for they had surrounded me, yelling, from every quarter. "This way, monsieur! This way!" piped a thin voice which I knew to be that of rhllippe I.acrolx. A snowball struck me on the chin, and they began pelting me and laughing. I was like a halted bear. I was ? I Sprang After Her. beside myself with rage and helpless fury. The Icy balls hit my face a dozen times; one struck me behind the ear and hurled me down half stunned. I'pulled my pistols from my pockets and spun round, firing In every direction through that wall of gray, yielding mist that gave me place but never gavq me vision. The clouds had obscured the sky and the snow was falling again. My hands were bare and numb, except where the cold steel of the pistol trigger seured my fingers like molten metal. A dog barked once more, very far away, and at last I understood their scheme. Doubtless Simon had reached the huts at dnwn and had discovered us there. He must have been In waiting, but when he saw Jacqueline run from me he changed his plahs and sent llie sleigh after her. Then, realizing.from my actions that I was snow blind, be had remained behind with some of his followers to enjoy the sport of baiting me, and Incidentally to drive me out of the way while the sleigh went on. Hut Jacqueline? She had tried to escape me. She could not have been playing a Dart? she was too transcendently sincere. Something must have occurred?some dream which had momentarily crazed her; and she had confounded me with her persecutors. I st*?<nl dtep In the snow, n pistol In each hand, waiting. Once I henrd the dojs yelp, fur up the vnTley, and then there wns only the soughing of the wind nnd the sting of the dylvlng sleet dukes. A'nd the gray mist had closed In all about me. I was alone in v ess In a Red Cross hut, to prosecute ] her action for divorce. Bhe assert- I ed her actor husband displayed too i great a fondness for his partner of ' the stage and had continued the drama I behind the scenes. I Mrs. Orr's story at first mystified the ' court and spectators. Her ottorney asked If she knew the eo-respondent. "Of course?It wns the Kiss Burglar," replied Mrs. Orr. < "Was her Tegular business that of a I kiss burglar?" "Well, she was an actress?but < y ' **- ? < I*/ ? ? ? . ?w .? V ;n River I :au? I = that storm-swept wilderness, aipI there was no sun to guide me. I plunged along?half delirious, I believe, for I began to hear voices on every sble of me and to Imagine I saw Simon standing. Just out of reach, a shadow upon the ra'st, taunting ine. I followed him nt an undeviating dis tance, tiring, reload! ug and tiring again. I was no longer oonsclotis of my progress. The fingers that pressed the triggers of my pistols had no sensation in them, ami in my Imnginntion were parts of a monstrous mechanism ?iin.li i uirvcmi. aiy legs, too, ren like stilts that somebody had strnpped to my body, nnd, ins'end of eold, a warm glow seemed to mffuse me. Somebody wns slinking me. "Get up!" he bellowed In nij enr. "Get up! Do you wnnt to die in the snow?" I closed niy eyes nnd snnk bacc Id n lethargy of sleep. CHAPTER X. V g ?r - The Chateau. I bnd nn Indistinct impression of being cnrried for what seemed nil eter* nlty upon the shoulders of my rescuer, nnd of clinging there through the delirium that supervened. When nt Inst I opened my eyes It was lute afternoon. Though they pnined me, I could now see with tolerable distinctness. I wns lying upon a bed of dried hnlsnm leaves Inside a little hut, and through the half-open door I could see the sun Just dropping behind the mountains. Upon n wall hung a big crucifix of wood, nnd under It nu old man wns stnnding. He heard me stir nnd cnme townrd me. I recognized the tnnsslve shoulders nnd commanding countenance of I'ere Antoine, and remembrance came hack to me. "Where nm I?" I asked. "In my cabin, monsieur," answered the priest, stundtng nt my side, nn inscrutable calm upon his face. "It t& lucky that I found you, monsieur, or assuredly you would soon have been dead. Rut for your dog?" "My dog!" I exclaimed. nrt * t i ? vcnuiiiij ; u nog came to me and brought me a mile out of my route to where you were lying. But, now I come to think of It, It disappeared and has not returned. Perhaps It was sent to me by lo bon Dleu." "Where Is Mile. Duchulne?" I burst out. Father Antolne laid a heavy hand upon my shoulder. "Be assured, monsieur, that madame Is perfectly happy and contented with her friends," he said. "And no doubt she has nlready regretted her escapade. I have to depart at daybreak upon an urgent mission a hundred miles away, which was Interrupted by your rescue; but I shall be back within a week, by which time you will doubtless he able to accompany me to the coast." "I shall not!" I cried weakly. "I am going on to the chateau!" lie looked at me steadily. "You cannot," he suid. "If you attempt It you will perish by the way." I hurst Into un Impassioned appeal to him. 1 told him of Leroux and his conspiracy to obtain possession of the property, of my encounter with Jacqueline, and how I had rescued her. omitting mention, of course, of the murder. As I went on I could see the look ui nui|Mi?t; uiuiii ? iuie gruuuHiij change Into belief. When I had ended he was looking at me with a benlgnan^y that I had never seen before upon his face. "M. Hewlett." he answered, "I havelong suspected a part of what you have told me. and therefore I readily accept your statements. I believe now that madame has suffered no wrong from you. Hut I am a priest, and my care Is only that of souls. Madame la married. I married her?" "To whom?" I crtcd. "To M. Louis d'Epernay, nephew of M. Charles Duchalne by marriage, less than two weeks ago In the chateau here." The addition of the last word singularly revived my hopes. It had slipped from his Hps unconsciously, hut It gave nie reason to believe that the chateau was near by. Father Antolne sat down upon thf chair beside me. Hewlett recovers his sight in Pere Antoine's cabin and sets out to find Chateau Duchaine. ?I (TO UK CONTINUED.) Best Method of Rising. Some trust to luck?some rely upon Influence?some expect promotion without self-assertion?hut the persevering rise upon the wings of will.? Herbert Kaufman. Dally Thought. The fearful unbelief la uuhellef la yourself.?Curly le. played both parts equally successrully," answered the wife. "You see, my husband and she were playing In The Kiss Burglar.' It would have l>een all right If they had stopped at that, hut they carried their parts Into real life." "Pinched.1* St Louis?Isaac W. Kelly, 60 years i?ld, pinched Alice Buckley's arm. Policewoman Buckley "pinched" Kelly Judge Ittnor "pinched" Kelly's poclr tbook for UOl I f ? cUTWNW FOR LAND QWNEHS ,'Jr j, UNCERTAINTY AS TO PAYMENT FOR NORTH CAMP JACKSON LANDS CLEARED UP. GOVERNMENT IS RESPONS'ELE Bond of Guarantee Company a Positive Guarantee That Settlements Will Be Promptly Made. Washington. ? (Special) ? Representative Lever gave out a letter from Secretary Haker which should be of interest to the citizens who have prop erty involved in North Camp Jackson. The assurance given in the secretary's letter that while the JLewis W.-ecking Company is primarily liable tor damages to the land owners of the land at North Camp Jackson, still legally the government Is liable be-' cause the wrecking company is under bond with the war department to insure the carrying out of its obligations. Mr. Lever said: "If any person having properly which has suffered damages at North Camp Jackson 'through the Lewis Wrecking Company is having difficulty in the prompt settlement of his damages, I would-advise them to give me the facts which in turn I shall file with the war department, which will see to It that prompt adjustment is made." The secretary's letter is as follows: "Refering to your letter of June 24. I desire to advise you that the improvements at North Camp Jackson have been sold to the Lewis Wrecking Company and that company has contracted to pav the damages to the owners of the land. A bond has been filed with the war department which will insure the carrying out of the obligation.' '* Soldier Dav in Florence. Florence.?Florence is making preparations for the entertainment of the South Carolina branch of the American Legion, which meets in this city July 16 and 17. The state executive committee, which consists of Dr. J. D. Smyzer, N. S. Lachicotte and R. Ben Fulton, has completed the arrangements for the organization of this state, but is handicapped in so far as as the names of the representatives of the several counties of the state are concerned. It is necessary that the executive committee, have from each county the names of the delegat will represent the county It Is hoped that Governor Cooper and W. W. Moore, adjutant general, will be here as honorary guests and thereby lend their influence in starting the South Carolina branch of the Legion on a basis of a purely 100 per cent Americanism. Arson Suspe^ Discharged. Greenville.?Mrs. J. W. MoFarland, who was arrested by Sheriff Rector upon suspicion of being implicated in setting fire to W. S. Ray's stables and garage, a fire which destroyed five buildings, was released at a preliminary hearing before Magistrate J. L. Ballenger and the case of alleged ar son was dismissed. Mrs. McFarland announced she intended to leave for Stateshoro. Ga? with her brother, who came here to he with her while the case was pending;. France for a while. Some Spartanburg Trouble. Spartanburg.?Less than half the cars of the South Carolina Light and Power company were in operation here as a result of a strike of the employees, following the refusal of the company to grant the demands of the newly formed union. The motormen and conductors and other employees at the ear barns are demanding a ninehour day, an increase in pay, the reinstatement of an employee recently discharged, and recognition of the union. Goes on Committee. Marlon.?Miss Penelope McDuffle of Marlon has just been appointed a member of the committee on international relations of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae. The committee was organized at the request of the college women of Great Britain and will have headquarters at the University Club in New York. Its chairman is Dean Virginia C. Gildersleeve of Barnard College, who will go to England this month in the Interest of an international federation of university women. Finish Nurses* Course. Bock Hill.?Six young women who during the past three years have been receiving instruction as nurses at the Fennell Infirmary truining school ol this city completed the courso and were presented diplomas at graduat in* exercises held In the hall of the Chamber of Commerce. Those grad nating were: Miss Marv MeMackln of Clover. Miss flnorgia Plyler of Lan caster, Miss lads Trantham of Cam den. Miss Mne McMillan of Jefferson Miss Fillie Carroll of York, and Miss Jewell Blackmon of Cassatt. Prosperity at Rock Hill. Hock Hill.- During the past tlx months nn unusually large amount ol construction work has been undertak en in Rock Hill, and an even greater j volume is under way now or Is being contemplated for the very near future During this time the real estate mar 'iet hag also been unusually active Many lots have been purchased this tprlng In and around the city with th? dflw of erecting residences on them ?nd many houses have changed hands. Due to the scarcity of houses herg enta have been forced up. ENEMY AttlNS OK THEtfl WAV About 1,000 Alien Civilians, Soldiers and Sailors, Have Embarked For ; "* V ' Return to Native* Hunlapd. Charleston.?Some two hours after the news bad been flashed by cable and over the wires that the Germans had signed the peace treaty, nearly 1.000 Germons, including women and children, left Charleston aboard the transport Martha Washington to return to their country, via Rotterdam, to which port, the ship is bound. The transport proceeded down I Cooper River from the port terminals and through the bay to the jetties at smart speed, and no tears were shed by spectators along the waterfront at the departure of the repatriates. The bells of St. Michael's Church chimes were ringing, hut neither in celebration of peaco signing nor In Jubilation over getting rid of this batch of aliens. The old bells were observing the time Jionpred "Carolina Day" anniversary. Much indeed has happened on Juno 28 with today's events, and for Charleston particularly was the day inter esting, with the signing of the peace, the anniversary of Sir Peter Parker's defeat and the ridding of the country of about 1,000 German aliens. Work to Uphold Law. York.?J. S. Briee and John R. Hart both of the York bar, made addresses 'at a meeting of the Community Im provement Association of Broad River Township held in Hickory Grove last week. There was a good attendance of representative citizens and keen Interest was manifested in tne taias ^nd discussions which dealt largely with methods of stamping out lawlessness and elevating the general moral stand ard of the community. The association owes its organlza tion to the determination of a number of Influential citizens to extirpate the Illicit distilling evil with concomitant lawlessness, which has prevailed in Broad River Township for a Rmg time The law abiding element of the popu lation Is co-operating In an earnest ef fort to secure law enforcement and some progress In this line has alreadybeen made since the organization ol the improvement association a month or two ago. Facina 8uaar Shortaoe. Columbia. ? Columbia housewives face a real shortage in sugar and un less the situation clears up in the next few days fruits and berries will go un canned. The long line of anxious su gar wrought faces that at one time be came familiar during the war waiting their turn to receive the small amount of the most precious food may again he seen if several car loads do not come taTdhortly. The-present shortage is not y?tl acute, according to dealers in the commodity, but may at any time becomt so. ' Large Dividends Paid. QreenviHe.?Several hundred thou sand dollars In dividends were paid t? the stockholders of cotton mills and banks in and around Greenville July 1 according to statements obtained froir the different institutions. It repres ents the largest output of money or the earnings of the industry and tli? banking establishments in their hos tory. Some of the plants, fthich foi good and sufficient reasons have not declared dividends for some time, paid handsome returns on the stock. The handsome dividends which th* directors voted to pay reflects tou prosperity of the mills and the hank! and the stock Is advancing In valui every day. There is an unprecedented demand for both bank and mill stock* ' a nil vorv little* nf tViA I ?... ? ? v?,t w*. iuo iwi uici aim r can be purchased, while mill stock! are taken up as soon as they are listed with the brokers. Mill stocks ar< bain* purchased both for investmeni and speculative purposes and the of flee of any reputable stock broker is c beehlv-e of activity. Persons of al! classes are buying stock and "getting rich,' one broker added. Most of the stocks in the banks and cotton mills is now held by Soutt Carolinians, and during the past fee years there has been much of the cot ton mill stocks sold by Northern hold ers to South Carolinians. Popular Citizen Dead. Columbia.?After an illness that had extended over several weeks B. M ! English, a widely and favorably I known citizen, died at the Baptist hog ' pltal, where he had been taken for an operation on his tonsils. He passed away wmie on tne operating table. Throughout his entire life Mr. Eng lish had engaged in farming and while a man of retiring disposition had made for himself a reputation foi sturdy honesty and uprightness in hit dealings that is a priceless heritage to those he leaves behtnd. * , Bad Crop Report. Oaffney.?Reports form all parts pi Cherokee county are to the efTecl that the water courses are highei than they have been for many year* at this season. It has rained almoBl Incessantly for the past several days and while the farmers are much eon corned over the condition of the cropi at this time, say that if they can have a few days of fair weather, condition* may be speedily Improved. The scar city of labor makes the situation much more serious than it would be other wloa Yet Another Cotton Mill. ? York.?York Is now definitely assured of a new cotton mill with a capital of $450,000", practically all the 4 stock having been subscribed. The mill will be named the Waltmore Thread Mills.1 In compliment to Major Walter ' B Moore, who has been Instrumental. In its organization and who will be its president. The new mill will likely b* located on the northern outskirts ol York near the C. tc N.-W. railroad^ though this matter has not yo'l bees' definitely settled. * ' ' RMM MORE AND BETTER CHlfcKENS Owner of Common Mongrel Flock Will Soon Apologize for Its Existence?Keep Pure-Breda. vPrepared by the United States Department of Agriculture.) It will not be long before the owner of n common mongrel llock will apologize for Its existence. This Is the opinion of the poultry-extension worker of the' tJfiited States department of agriculture Who is'a lender In the cum pnign for more and better poultry on farms In south and southwestern Arkansas. In many parts of Arkansas the Importance of better poultry and more ellicient management Is being recognized by progressive business men, commercial organizations, blinkers and others nnd they are active In their moral and llnanclul support In co-operating .with the government and state extension forces In tfciMr efforts to convince the farmer that standardbred poultry properly managed Is a paying Industry, nnd thnt the old barnyard mongrel hen must get out of the way for standard-bred, uniform flocks. The county agent of Drew county has plrtced 50. pens of one male and four females each of pure-bred Itarred Plymouth Rook and Rhode Island Reds on 50 furms. In charge of a boy and' girl poultry-club member. The Montlcello Chamber of Commerce nnd the bunks of Montlcello have udvanccd the money to purchase these purebred fowls and have assisted In their distribution. 'In addition to the 50 pens, of chickens, over 100 sittings of pure-bred hatching eggs hnve been secured for the club boys nnd girls. The furm nnd home demonstration A Common Mongrel Flock?An Owner Will Take Greater Pride and Get Better Profits From a Good Flock of Uniform Birds. agents of Ashley, Union and Desha counties ore busy with poultry-club work on farms .and in the organization of poultry clubs. In each of these counties un eflytrt is being made to double lust year's poultry-club enrollments. On March 12 tiie Southwestern Arkansas Poultry association was organized at Magnolia with 18 charter members. It is reported that practically every business man in the town will become a member and lend his influence and support for more and better poultry. Plans have been made to hold the state poultry show at Mngnolta November 25 to 28, where the finest aristocrats of the barnyard will be on display competing for the coveted American Poultry association gold medal offered to only one association in each state. KEEPING POULTRY IN TOWNS Especially In Subui^s of Large Citlea Families Should Keep Small Flocks of Hens. ^Prepared by the United States Department of. Agtrtculture.) When conditions render It feasible small flocks of poultry should be kept by families In villages, towns and especially In the suburbs of large cities: The need for this extension of poultry raising is particularly great where consumption exceeds production, us in the northeastern states. Through utilization of table waste, serups and other refuse as. poultry feed much wholesome food In the form of eggs and poultry for home use may be produced at relatively low cost. STRONG BIRDS FOR BREEDING Comb, Face and Wattles Should Be Bright Red?Eyes Bright and Prominent. (Prepared by the United States Department of.'Agriculture.) Fowls for breeding purposes should be strong, healthy, vigorous birds. Tho comb, fnce and wattles should he of n bright red color, oyes bright and fairly * prominent, head comparatively broad and short and not long or crow-shaped, legs set well apurt nml straight, plumage clean and smooth. Best Poultry House. The poultry building should not be so wide that the rays o/.^be Run cannot reacli the back of the fhterlor of ttie holism Otherwise It will be damp. Fourteen feet Is a convenient width. Poultry Panels. no pari or me Rummer equipment for chicks is of more help to the poultry keeper than Inch-mesh-net-tlng panels which may be used as the need artfees. ^ ' W' # - M iMrkQVEO umroiN nmuiATioiUL SDNMrSOKE Lesson fl5y REV. P. B. FITZWATER. D. IX. Teacher of EngilHh Htble In the Moodf Bible Institute of Chicago.; (Copyright. 1W1W. by Weslero Newspaper Union.) LESSON FOR JULY 13 BAPTI8M. LESSON TEXTS?Matt. 28:18-20; Acta 1:34-40. u<jL,ur<w TEXT?Kor an many of you as have been baptized Into Christ hav* put on Christ.?Gal. 3:27. ADDITIONAL, MATKJtlAL-MatL 3:1?17; Acts 2:37, 38; 19:1-7; Col. 2:12; I Peter 3:18-21. PRIMARY TOPIC?Josus Christ Baptised by John. JUNIOR TOPIC?The Baptism of J?su* Christ. INTERMEDIATE TOPIC?The Pledgo of Christian Dlsctpleshlp. SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Slgnlflcance and Importance of Christian Baptism. I. The Apostles' Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). 1. The authority of Jesus, (v. 18). Go$ gave him nil authority In heaven and oft earth. As mediator nnd coming king he possessed nil authority. This authority extends over all the material world, angels, wicked men, devils, nnd his own people. God highly exalted him and gave him a nam* which Is ahove every name (I'hll. 2:9). _ There Is no other way of salvation, for the entire matter of re deinptlon is In Ills hands (Acts 4:12). Since Cod lias so highly honored him It Is extreme folly to expect to be Raved while disregarding him. 2. The obligation of the npostles (vr. 19-20).,. . (1) It was to teach, that Is. make disci plea of all the nations (v. 19). They were to make known to the whole world that Christ had died to save sinners and that Cod had committed to Testis the redemption of the world. Those who are Christ's disciples are bound to proclaim him to others. (2) Itaptlxe those who believe ( . 19). This Is the divinely appointed way of making n public confession of faith In Christ. The disciples must publicly take n stand for Christ. The application of water syn1boli7.es the purifying effect of the blood of Christ and solemnly dedicates*to the service 0/ Cod. This baptism must be In the name of the Father. Son and Iloly Chost. showing that the believer hae been brought Into definite relationship to each member of the Holy Trinity. (3) Tench the disciples obedience (v. 20). Profession Is not enough. It must Issue In obedience. Faith must result In works. To call Jesus "Lord** and do not the things which he says profits nothing. 3. The nil-sufficient promise (v. 20). The Lord had told the disciples what would happen to them nfter he had gone nway. He ninde it plnln that A perils of all kinds awaited them. M Thotfgli -the difficulties weYe great n6th- ?? Ins mattered ?o tong an they had the B presence nnd fellowship of the all- ^ powerful Snvlor nnd Lord. II. The Baptism of the Eunuch (Acts 8:34-40). 1. Philip preached Jcrus Christ to hliu (v. 35). At the invitation of the eunuch Philip Joined himself to the cl.neint and found the eunuch rending from the fifty-third chapter of Isaiah. Beginning with this Scripture he preached Christ. He did not preach Christ as a great teacher, hut as a savior who had suffered nnd died Instead of the sinner. He preached him as one who hud offered himself as a ransom for many. The fact that the eunuch, a great statesman, needed an ^ Interpreter of the Scriptures, even such a plain passage as the fifty-third chaptei of Isaiah, shows the absolute need ,,f <> rvi-unnhm Tl.? I -? a - I ..ri. ?IH- )i|llllt-u IX'K*? >M valuable, but there will always be the need of a preacher. The gospel needs to be experienced before one can be a witness of Its saving power. 2. The eunuch requesting baptism (v. 30). When Cbrlst is truly prenehed men nnturnlly desire to confess him In baptism. In many quarters baptism has been unduly emphasized, but In others It has been disregarded. It Is highly Important that an Intelligent.- understanding of Its meaning be possessed; for that of which Jesus Christ gave an example and a command is highly important. '3. Philip baptizing th? eunuch ( . 38). Having secured from the eunuch the proper confession Philip liaptlsed him. It Is faith in Christ that.saves, hut those who have genuine fulth deslfe 'to seal It in baptism. 4. The ounuch rejoicing (v. 30). Confession of Christ brtngs Joy. Those who obey the commandments of the Lord can go on their wa# tejolclng. More Than Life. Religion Is not n matter of Intel leetunl luxury to those of us who are Interested In It. but something very different. It Is our life; and more thun our life; for thnt Ik measured hy pulse-bents hut our religious con- . selousness pnrtukes of the infinite, toward which it is constantly yearning. It is very possible that a hundred or five hundred years from now the forms of religious belief may he so nltered that we should hnnlly know thrm. It at the sense of dependence on divine Influence, and the neyd of communion with the unseen nnd eternal will ho then Just what they are now. It Is not the geologist's hammer, or the astronomer's telescope, or the naturalist's microscope. that" Is going to tnke awnj- the need of the human soul for that rook to rest upon.?*-Oliver Wendell Homes*. Jesus Saves. As a child watlinjr over-a slippery and dai/jrerous path cries out. "Father, I nin falling!" and has hut a moment to catch his father's hand, so every believer sees hours when only the hand of( Jesus qonies between him and tho ahysseu of destruction.?Cuylor. The Truest Help. The truest help we can render to in rtlletod man Is not to take hla turden from hint, hut io call out his est strength that he may he abto to s?r the huideu.-r-rhllllps Brook*