The Little Gleaner Part 27

KINDNESS TO ANIMALS.

The following lines are printed on a board over a watering-trough in Holloway, Bath:--

A man of kindness to his beast is kind, But brutish actions show a brutish mind.

Remember, He who made thee made the brute; Who gave thee speech and reason, made him mute.

He can't complain, but G.o.d's all-seeing eye Beholds thy cruelty and hears his cry.

He was designed thy servant--not thy drudge.

Remember his Creator is thy Judge.

HE acts but a fool's part who aims at heaven, but lives at random.

Interesting Items.

THE DEEPEST RUNNING STREAM.--The deepest running stream that is known is the Niagara river, just under the suspension bridge, where it is seven hundred feet deep by actual measurement.

SABBATH-BREAKING.--On Sunday afternoon, March 4th, at Sheffield, a little boy, whose name was Thomas Haigh, was drowned in a dam, caused by the breaking of the ice. He was sent to the Sunday School by his parents. Instead of going there, however, he and another boy went to what is known as the Little London dam. The ice was not safe, but they ventured on it, and ultimately both fell in. Haigh was drowned, and his body has not yet been discovered; the other escaped. Children, beware of disobedience and Sabbath-breaking.

GREAT SNOWSTORM IN NEW YORK.--Every one declares it to be the worst storm they have ever known. Sat.u.r.day, March 10th, was a balmy, spring day. On Sunday evening some cold rain fell, changing at midnight into a freezing sleet. On Monday there was a veritable Dakota blizzard. The air was filled with snow flying before the wind at the rate of sixty miles an hour. It was impossible in the street to keep the eyes open, and almost impossible to walk. Those who did venture out of doors were to be seen clinging to trees for support against the gale, or turning breezy corners upon their hands and knees. Vehicular traffic was totally suspended. Huge snow-ploughs, drawn along the tramways by a score of horses, had to be abandoned in the streets. The tram-car drivers unhitched their teams of three horses, and left the cars wherever they happened to be. Unbroken drifts, as high as the hips, or even in some cases up to the shoulders, filled nine-tenths of the shop doors along Broadway. The storm is believed to be without a parallel. It extended all along the Hudson River and around New York.

DEATH OF THE EMPEROR WILLIAM OF GERMANY.--Berlin has been a city of mourning, and Germany a nation of grief, in consequence of the death of the Emperor William, who closed his long, eventful, and successful life in his palace there, Unter den Linden, about half-past eight a.m., March 9th. Just before he died, when Dr. Kogel, the Court chaplain, repeated to the Emperor the words of the Psalmist--"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me," the Emperor observed, "That is beautiful." His last words are said to have been those with which he replied to a question from his daughter, the Grand d.u.c.h.ess of Baden, as to whether he was tired, and would like to rest. "I have no time at present to be tired," responded His Majesty. Sometimes, when his thoughts were wandering, the dying monarch would think of his afflicted son and successor far away on the Mediterranean sh.o.r.e, and murmur, "Fritz, lieber Fritz." The Emperor was a man who acknowledged G.o.d, and G.o.d prospered his work, as in the case of the Franco-Prussian war, for instance, although many of his enemies sneered at that acknowledgment. A special funeral service was held on Sat.u.r.day, the 10th ult., in the mortuary chamber of the late Emperor, at which the Dowager Empress, the Grand Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of Baden, the Crown Prince and Princess of Sweden, and other Royal personages were present. The deceased monarch lay in the same position as that in which he expired, having a crucifix on the breast, and holding an ivory cross in the right hand. [What Popery!]

THE BERLIN TELEGRAPH OFFICE.--Friday, March 9th, will long be remembered as the busiest day on record at the Central Telegraph Office of Berlin.

The pressure was great on Thursday, when 29,878 telegrams, aggregating 799,926 words, had to be sent off. But this record, was eclipsed by the following day, no fewer than 36,615 telegrams, containing together 1,115,551 words, being despatched to all parts of the globe, and in different languages. All the Government telegraphists fit for duty had to be called in to meet the pressure, and all the available instruments were worked. It was a fortunate circ.u.mstance that the Berlin Bourse was closed, as this enabled the authorities to make use of the instruments there for the work. During the busiest hours of the day, no less than 346 telegraphists were at work at the same time in the great instrument room of the Central Telegraph Office, and 230 instruments were operated.

EPPING BAPTIST SUNDAY SCHOOL.--On Wednesday, February 1st, a lecture was delivered by Mr. William Hazelton, of College Park, Lewisham, ent.i.tled, "Wit and its Uses." The lecture was listened to with great interest.

Pieces were sung by the teachers and scholars, conducted by Mr. G.

Nokes. The chair was taken by Mr. C. Cottis. There was a good attendance, and collections amounted to over two pounds. On Tuesday, February 14th, the children, with their teachers and friends, had their annual tea, after which short addresses were given by the teachers, and recitations and singing by the children. The prizes, consisting of books, were then distributed by the Superintendent, Mr. William Cottis; and singing the Doxology and prayer brought a very pleasant meeting to a close.

SIDDAL, HALIFAX.--On Shrove Tuesday, the annual tea in connection with the Strict Baptist Sunday School took place, when about 160 sat down to tea. The meeting was presided over by the respected minister, Mr. D.

Smith, who gave a short address on "Stealing." A few suitable recitations by the young children followed. Mr. H. E. Greenwood gave a short address on "Prizes," and said how necessary it was for young people to have something to aim at, and also on the value of a good name. Mr. James Moss, Superintendent of Hebden Bridge Sunday School, exhorted the children to obedience to their parents, and related instances where disobedience had been punished in a remarkable way. Mr.

Thos. Smith, Mr. Jos. Smith, and Mr. M. H. Robinson also gave short addresses. Mr. John Smith presented the certificates for attendance and good conduct, and gave excellent counsel to the recipients. After the singing of the Doxology, a very encouraging meeting was brought to a close.

SOUTHSEA.--SALEM STREET SUNDAY SCHOOL.--The annual distribution of prizes took place on Sunday, February 12th, 1888. After the opening services, Mr. Lowe spoke to the scholars respecting regularity and punctuality, trying to impress on their minds that these things would be a good recommendation for their future life. He also gave a hint that teachers should set the example. He then spoke of love as being the mainspring to win the affections of the scholars, for if love will not, the reverse will not do so. He also spoke affectionately to the young men present. He felt surprised that they came so regularly to school. He was brought up to the Sunday School, but as he grew older, he left and sought worldly amus.e.m.e.nts; but, as he remarked, being a vessel of mercy, G.o.d sought him out in His own time. He felt there was nothing in the school to attract young men, but if they were seeking the one thing needful, they would not desire such amus.e.m.e.nts as those by which many congregations seek to draw the minds of youth. Mr. Hitchens, the Superintendent, then remarked that it was twenty years since he first became connected with the school, and that he had seen many changes during that period; but still he could say, "having obtained help of G.o.d, he had continued until the present day." Then came the distribution of prizes. One received a book about the sagacity of animals, and his teacher also gave him a Bible for his good attendance and punctuality, as he did not remember him being away once through the year. The service was ended by singing and prayer.

E. A. HITCHENS.

CIRENCESTER.--PARK STREET CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHOOL.--Dear Mr. Editor,--I am one of the readers of the LITTLE GLEANER. We take a lot of them in our Sunday School, and the girls and boys like them very much. I have been pleased to read about the treats which have been given at other Sunday Schools, and thinking other children like reading about such things too, I send you an account of our Christmas treat, held on January 26th. If you think it worth putting in the LITTLE GLEANER, I shall be very pleased to see it there. Ours is not a very large school, there being only about fifty; but I think it is very nice to go there. Mr. Barnard tells us that some of the ministers who give us an address tell him that ours is a very nice school, for they go to some schools where the children are not so nicely behaved and attentive as we are; but I expect we are not any better than we should be. But I must tell you about our winter treat. We have a summer outing as well. About last October, some of the lady teachers and friends who attend our chapel, knowing that the poorer children of our school would be glad of some warm clothes for the winter, got some money together and bought flannel, serge, and stockings, and had a sewing meeting every week, and made shirts, dresses, flannel petticoats, and skirts; and by Christmas time they had a big box full of all these sorts of things, which were brought and given away at our treat. The children began tea at four o'clock, after singing grace. We had a beautiful tea, and we each had an orange given us; and then, after the visitors (and we had a chapel full) had had their tea, we sang a hymn, and then our minister, Mr. Barnard, gave a nice, interesting address. Several of us recited pieces, and after some more singing and one or two other friends had spoken to us, the best part of the evening came for us children, for Mr. Barnard gave us our prizes--some beautiful books. Mine was a lovely one. Then the big box was opened, and the garments were distributed; and after a vote of thanks to the ladies, and to Mr. Barnard for presiding, the meeting was closed with prayer. I enjoyed myself very much, and I think every one else did. I have not had much practice in writing letters, as I am only a little girl, ten years old, but I have sent you the best account I can of our treat. I remain, your young friend, MERCY RISELY.

P.S.--Perhaps you don't know me, but I have seen you ever so many times at our chapel.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "THE CAPTAIN NEVER SAW ANY ONE LOOK HAPPIER." (_See page 98._)]

THE JESUIT AND THE BIBLE.

There were not many pa.s.sengers on board the vessel in which I was going to Belgium, which rendered our intercourse more intimate. While I was conversing with two elderly persons from Holland, I saw a respectable looking young man, pa.s.sing backwards and forwards, who seemed to listen to what I said. In the afternoon, as I was seated among some bales of goods, the same young man placed himself beside me, and made some remark as to the fineness of the weather.

"Yes," I answered, "it is a proof of the goodness of G.o.d to us; but to be sensible of His goodness is a far greater blessing. Has not a Christian double cause for happiness, since all he receives comes from the hand of his Father?"

He answered, "The captain and I were just now speaking about you. The captain said he never saw any one look happier, and he thought you must have some especial cause for it. I wish, sir, I frankly confess, to be told what your secret is; for, in truth, I am not free from anxiety."

He then proceeded to relate how he had gone from place to place, in order to practise his profession as a painter, and yet all his calculations had been disappointed. He was a native of Belgium, and a Roman Catholic. "But," he added, with a sort of contempt, "all my religion has given me no consolation. What do you think is the use of all these rites and ceremonies? They are wearisome, and that is all."

"My secret," I answered, "which is not one in reality, is of a very different character. The Bible, sir, by the mercy of G.o.d, has rendered me happy, not only for this world, but, above all, for eternity. Perhaps you never read it?"

"The Bible, sir? Do you not know it is denied, and even forbidden, to us Catholics? I have heard, indeed, that some priests allow their parishioners to read it, but they are very few; and the truth is that, if any of us were to read the Bible, he would be forced to do penance, and to give the Book up to our priest. I have never read it, I own."

"Here is a part of it," I said, producing my New Testament. "This is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."

"The Gospel!" said the young man, with surprise. "Is it all contained in that small Book? I should never have supposed it."

"This small Book," I said, "contains, in our language, all that G.o.d has said to us by Jesus Christ, and costs only one franc" (tenpence).

"Only one franc! Is it possible? I will have one, and read it, you may be sure. I promise you, as soon as we arrive at Brussels, the first thing I do will be to get that Book."

"But, sir, you say that your priest will not allow you to read it?"

"No, sir; our Church does not permit us to do so. But if you wish to know my own views, I must say I feel sure that we are prevented from reading the Bible only because it is exactly the reverse of what our priests tell us. They say that the Bible is obscure, and not easy to be understood, and that, if they comprehend it, it is different with the common people. But I do not believe this, especially after something that happened to one of my friends, which I will tell you.

"You know, perhaps, that Belgium is full of Jesuits, and the people dislike them. A certain abbe, who was only a Jesuit in disguise, was confessor to a friend of mine, who, like many others, had been guilty of some imprudence, and he confessed it to this same priest, who imposed rather a heavy penance on him, particularly requiring him to make a rich offering to Our Lady [the Virgin Mary]. Well, on his way home, my friend met one of the colporteurs, who sell Bibles and other religious books. He bought one, and began to read it, and the result was, that he discovered, as he told me, that he must seek the forgiveness of his sins from G.o.d, through the Saviour, and that to make an offering to the Virgin for his faults was at once to lose his pains, his money, and his soul.

"Three months had pa.s.sed, when the priest met my friend, and asked if he had done all he was directed, and especially, if he had made the offering. My friend answered, 'I have got a Book which has shown me that G.o.d alone forgives sin, and that to give money for a fault is to mock the Holy Spirit.' 'That is the Bible,' exclaimed the Jesuit. 'Wretched man, from whom did you get it? Unless you give it up to me this very day, woe be unto you!' My friend refused, and there is no sort of annoyance or vexation which the priest has not made him suffer. However, he was firm. But hitherto, I confess, I cared very little about the matter."

"Then," said I, "you remain in ignorance as to whether G.o.d loves you or not?"

"I am not worse than others," he replied; "and since G.o.d is good, I do not suppose He hates me."

I explained, with all simplicity and freedom, the glorious doctrine of the salvation of G.o.d in Christ, and I saw that no thirsty traveller hastens to springs in the wilderness more eagerly than this young man seemed to turn and hearken to the record of divine love. At length, with much earnestness, he cried out, "Sir, how wonderful is the love of G.o.d to man! We did not deserve that He should give His Son to die for us.

This was surpa.s.sing love. The thought of it overpowers me."