davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Temporal Support of the Ministry.

Sometimes the question is asked, Why
is so much said on this subject by editors
and correspondents The answer is not
far to seek. The matter is distinctly
foreseen and provided for in the words of
Scripture: "The laborer is worthy of his
hire" Given so hath the Lord ordained
that they which preach the gospel should
live of the gospel" Let him that is
taught in the word, communicate unto
him Vhat teacheth in all good things" The
duty then being so plainly and unequivo-
cally enioined, and yet being so generally
and sadly neglected, it is right for the
religious press to keep it before the peo-
pie until reform is effected. If this is
done, it will and must be by the efforts Of
laymen. Here and there minister may
be found who will clearly make known to
his people his wants, and their duty to
supply them. But for the most part,
preachers lack the nerve to do this, or
shrink from the appearance of seeking
their own things, and would rather suffer
in silence. In such case, it is the duty
of the laity to act and speak, not only in
their own congregations, but in others
lust so far as their influence extends.
But some seem seriously to think that
the discussions of the matter in the jour
nails have a bad effect, degrading the min
isterial Office and lettering the young,
who otherwise would set their faces to-
ward it. We share in no such apprehen-
sion. A truly faithful ministry never
has been a fesh-pleasing profession.
Trial belongs to the Office. No oman can fill
it without severe and constant self-denial.
1t is better, therefore, for every one to
understand this from the beginning. He
who has the true love of the Master and
zeal for souls burning like fire in his
bones, will not be turned away by the
scantiness of the support, but will be
ready rather like Paul, to preach at his
own cost and charges. One who has the
call from God is not to be driven back by
any discouragements. But all this makes
10 sort of difference to those to whom he
sows in spiritual things. Their duty con-
tinues. They may withhold the tithes
and embitter the lot of their faithful
shepherds, but the Higher than the high
est regardeth, and He who said: "Do
my prophets no HARM will see that every
violation of duty receives its recompense.
Christian MtelHgencer.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Thought and Expression.

Upon the opening of the Statistical
Section of the British Association, Lord
Stanley, the president, offered some excel
lent advice as to speaking:
"You can say all You have got to say
in very few words if you will think it over
beforehand. 1t is not abundance Of mat
ter, it is want Of preparation, want ofex-
act thought, that makes difuseness. A
man goes round and round his meaning
when he is not perfectly clear. Again,
we don't want preamble or perorations.
We are not school of rhetoric; and in
addi essing an educated audience good
deal may be taken for granted. Lastly,
We only wish to get the truth of things"
Quintilian has written to the same eff
feet, and goes even further, for he says
that perfect thought will always clothe
itself in appropriate language, and that
when people suppose that they are in want
of words TO express themselves they are
really in want of thought, have only got
hold of part of thought instead of the
COuipicle tnOuSHI; "h" oiO III UinNui'g
about the clothing Of an uniformed thing.
De Retz says that strong emotions find
their utterances in monOsyllables, and the
language of the poor in grief is often of
an earnestness and simplicity rising to
eloduence. Out of the fulness of the heart
the mouth speaketb. 1t was said of an
ancient writer's negligence that it was
that of man studying his matter more
than his expression; but, if Quintiian be
right, the author had not completely mas
tered his matter, and therefore fell into
faults of manner. Quintilian may, per-
haps,. push the proposition little too far,
but it is safer general rule to suspect
the completeness of thought when its de-
livery in words is difficult, and calls for
help. As Lord Stanley well says, ga
man goes round and round his meaning
when he is not perfectly clear. London
Examiner.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
The Highlander's Prayer.

A Scotch Highlander, who served in
the first disastrous war with the Ameri-
can colonies, was brought one evening be-
fore his commanding officer, charged with
the capital offence of being in direct COM
munication with the enemy The charge
could not well be preferred at a more
dangerous time. Only few weeks had
elapsed since the execution of Major An
Dire, and the indignation of the British,
exasperated almost to madness by the
event, had not yet cooled down. There
was, however, no direct proof against the
Highlander He had been seen, in the
gray of twilight, stealing out from a clump
of underwood that bordered on one of
the huge forests, which at that period
covered much the greater part of the
United Provinces, and which, in the i'm
mediate neighborhood of the British,
swarmed with the troops of Washington.
All the rest was mere inference and con-
lecture. The poor mans defence was
summed up in a few words. He had
stolen away from his fellows, he said, to
spend few hours in private prayer.
Have you been in the habit of spend
ing hours in private prayer" sternly
asked the officer, himself a Scotchman
and Presbyterian.
The Highlander replied in the afirma-
tive.
"Then," said the other, drawing out
his watch, "never in your life had you
more need of prayer than now; kneel
down, sir, and pray aloud, that we may
all hear you,
The Highlander, in the expectation of
instant death, knelt down. His prayer
was that of one long acquainted with the
appropriate language in which the Chris
tan addresses his God. 1t breathed of
imminent peril, and earnestly implored
the Divine interposition in the threatened
danger, the help of Him, who in times
of extremity is strong to deliver. 1t ex-
hibited, in short, a man who, thoroughly
conversant with the scheme of redemp-
ton, and fully impressed with the neces-
sity of personal interest in the advan-
tages which it secures, had made the
business of salvation the work of many
a solitary hour, and, in consequence, ac-
quired much fuency in expressing all his
various wants as they occurred, and
thoughts and wishes as they arose.
"You may go, sir, said the officer, as
he concluded, you have, [ dare say, not
been in correspondence with the enemy
tonight
ellis statement" he continued, adj
dressing himself to the other officers, "is,
I doubt not, perfectly correct. No one
could have prayed so without long APP
premiership; fellows who have never at
tended drill always get on i'll at review"
Hugh Miller.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
God Does Not Forget.

Many years ago, an old man, devo-
ted Christian, commenced a prayer meet
ING, which is still continued, having result
ted in many and glorious fruits. AS a
pastor it was my privilege to be with him,
particularly during his last illness. In
several visits made to his house, 1 found
him on the Mount, looking over to the
land of promise. Finding nothing seeming
ly to mar his comfort orinterrupt his joy, |
determined to satisfy myself whether
there was nothing that gave him any trou-
bic of heart. On entering his chamber,
l asked him in simple terms,
Glow are you. this morning.
90 sir !" he said, 81 am well; why
should not I be well? am near home.
Yes, [ am near home-near heaven"
I took the opportunity to ask him,
"My dear sir, has there been nothing
of late resting upon your heart as an oc-
casion Of trouble 2"
He spoke not word, but turned his
face towards the wall, and lay so between
five and ten minutes then he rolled his
head back upon his pillow, with his face
towards me and | saw the tears stealing
down his cheeks.
"Ol yes, sir" said he, "there is one
great trouble"
"What is it?" 1 inquired. "Speak
your whole mind to me freely
"Well, said he, Il have ten children,
and | have prayed to God for more than
thirty years, that might see some of
them converted before [ died; but he has
denied me. They have all grown up, as
you know, but not christians.
How do you get over that troubled"
Iasked.
"Ah" he replied, 81 get over it as l
get over all other troubles-by rolling it
over upon Christ. | know that God
means to answer my prayers, buthe means
to wait till l am gone. But he will do
it; L know he will; my children will be
converted"
This man has been in his grave for fif-
teen years, and | have watched his chill
dren ever since his death and now to-day
1 am able to say that seven out of ten
have been born into the kingdom of God,
and that the eighth has also just expert
enced conversion. This is the answer to his
prayer. God did not forget. He only
waited. And, in like manner, he will
answer the prayers of all parents who
pray in faith for the conversion of their
children. Let us take courage, and lay
hold upon the precious promises of God.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
II a C t

The author of the 'Life of the Rev.
Mr.. Dunbar gives the following instance
of his great tact in introducing religious
conversation in any company with which
he mingled:
Once when going up the North river,
a sudden shower, about sunset, drove all
the passengers from the deck into the
cabin. There they surprised party of
gamblers round centre-table, whittier
they had drawn two or three unwary
youths. After little pause at this inter-
ruption, they went on shutting their
ds---"When, says one who was present,
"a gentleman rose and went up to them.
He looked on as if with interest in the
game and soon one of the number Of
fered him seat, saying, will you try
a hand with us, sir =
"'No,' replied the gentleman, who 1
learned was Mr.. Dunbar; | do not know
the name of card. When was young
1 had great many games, which en-
joyed as much as you do yours, and l
now love to see all young men happy
He then told me of his early life in the
Highlands of Scotland, with its wild
sports, and its hair-breadth escapes, until
qute a group, besides the card-players,
had gathered round him. The young
men ceased playing, and gave him all
their attention. Soon he spoke of time
when he grew sick of these pleasures, and
was dissatisfied with himself; when he
felt he was at enmity with God, and that
unless converted and reconciled to him,
he must be eternally lost. He told them
of the despair into which he fell, and of
his fearful looking for of judgment, and
then of the manner in which Christ re-
vealed himself as the way of life, and of
the change this made in all his prospects
and pursuits for this world"
By this time the cards had all been
slipped into the pockets of the owners,
while the man of God, having gained their
ear, preached Christ to them. Even those
who, under other circumstances, would
have scoffed, now listened with interest
and attention, and all treated him with
the greatest respect.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
S}listellamGnM5.
A Healthy Christian.

A healthy Christian is one who can
work as well as eat. If there is heavy
load to carry in Christ's cause he takes
to it at once. If there is wallto build.
he is the man to lift the big stones. If
some one has to go out into the storm,
and en1re the pelting opposition, who
so able to bear it as his broad breast and
brawny arm? A man that loves Christ
loves work. A dSspeptic Christian breads
work. A lazy Christian shirks it. What
a hospital is many a church Here lies
one poor man down with paralysis Of
faith. Here is another laid up by a
sprain which he got by sudden fall
into temptation. Here is one whom
the fever of passion has burned out; he
he looks hardly worth the medicine to
cure him. Alas for another he is under
pastoral treatment for the blindness of
unbelief; and for another, whose gaping
wound. reveals the spot where Satan's
fiery dart went in A revival commonly
clears the church hospital. But a long
period of spiritual declension crems it to
the doorway. 0, what need that he
who went through Galilee, healing all
manner of diseases, should come into
some churches, whose atmosphere is load
ed with the efluyia of incipient putrefac-
Automatically Treasure.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
He Bore Our Griefs.

"Now is nv soul troubled. John xii. o.
"When Jesus had thus said he was troubled IN
spirit. John xiii. u. ''Let not your heart be
troubled. John xiv. l.
"Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried
our sorrows. lisa. lii. 4.
His trouble was our deliverance from
trouble,-his poverty was our gain,
soul suffered for our souls the load which
would have crushed us was borne by him
in the strength of his divinity, that he
might set as free. "Greater love hath
no man than this, greater love can no
man conceive. Let us gaze on this
great sight, as Moses on the bush in
Horeb, burning yet unconsumed, till our
hearts are touched and melted. The
view of Jesus in his hearts trouble may
well lift the load from us of much of our
hearts troubles; and the thought of him
as really enduring all that weight for our
sakes, may help us to bear for his sake,
in meek obedience to his will, whatever
he sees fit in his high and holy wisdom to
Law upon us. We do rot erect sculp-
tured cross, nor bow before a material
image of our Saviour in his hour of an
ouish; but all the more do we desire to
fix that image and that cross in our very
hearts core, where the impress of his
love and his agony may most efectually
cruelty the world unto us, and us unto
the world.
Remember thee, and all thy pains,
And all thy love to me,
Yes while BREATH a pulse remains,
VIII remember thee.
London Sunday at Home.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Care Of Sheep in Winter.

Fattening sheep should not be allowed
much range, in fact the more closely they
are confined the better, so long as their
good appetjtes give indications Of con-
tinued health. Sheep confined in close,
dark quarters, four or FIVE in pen, hav-
ing nothing to do but eat and sleep, lay
on fat much more rapidly and economical
" than if allowed even the range of a
small yard. Breeding ewes ought to be
in the sunshine more or less daily, and
have a walk of considerable extent. The
leaves and twigs Of our common ever
green trees, especially of the hemlock,
are palatable to sheep, and they may
very pro6tably be fed frequently. The
resiuOus and astringent substances con-
tanned in this kind of food appear to ex-
ercise an excellent effect, promoting the
health of the flock, besides aifording a
relishable variety of diet, and tolerable
substitute for roots. All sheep ought to
have occasional change of dieti if possible,
especially the breeding ewes.-Ameriean
lgricultlrdEI.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21

PAINFUL inconsistencies. Some men
talk like angels, and pray with fervor,
and mediate within deep recesses, and
speak to God with loving affection and
words of union, and adhere to him in ST.
lent devotion, and when they go abroad
are as passionate as ever, peevish as
frightened fly, yexing themselves with
their own reflection; they are cruel in
their bargains, unmerciful to their ten
ants, and proud as a barbarian prince;
they are, for all their fine words, impa-
tient of reproof, scornful to their neigh-
bors, lovers Of money, supreme in their
own thoughts and submit to none. All
their spiritual fancy is an illusion. They
are still under the power of their pas
sions, and their sin rules them imperiOus-
ly, and carries them away infallibly.-
JeremV TAILOR.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Central 4rcsbgtuian,
4M56andtn.
Eradication of Stumps.

When it is necessary to remove large
stumps under circumstances which render
it impractical to avail ones self of the
assistance of a "stump machine, % the
work NAV be successfully accomplished
bv burning. This is done by digging
under them, filling the cavity with com
bustible materials, and covering the
stump, after firing, in the same manner
that coal-kilns are covered. The fire
viii in short time effect the entire de-
struction of the stumps-eyen the long
lateral roots, unless the soil is very
humid, in which case the burning should
be undertaken during the dry weather Of
summer. If the dirt is eXcavated few
weeks before the burning is undertaken,
the operation viii be more speedily effect
ed. The ashes produced by the combus-
ton will afford an excellent stimulus for
the soil, and should be carefully applied
as soon as the operation is completed.
But in all cases where eradication by
pulling is practicable, the stump machine
should be used.-Germastosrn Tele-
graph.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Ashes as Manure.

Every farmer, or orchardist, or gardener
should econOmize ashes and use them as
manure. The bar of inferior soap re-
ceiyed from the ashman is a poor equiva-
lent for the large quantity Of plant-foOd
which he takes away in the wood ashes.
There is not a crop in the garden, orch
ard, or farm, that may not be benefited by
the application of ashes. They contain
the ingredients of vegetable life which
have been extracted from the ground by
the trees during the whole period Of their
growth. If ashes do not contain a sin
gle particle of plant-food, they will be
useful in other ways. They are valu-
able solvent, and by their action on the
soil dissolve silica and VARIOUS acids,
bringing them into a proper state to be
taken up by the roots of plants. Coal
ashes are an excellent top dressing for
orchards, and also for flower beds, as they
keep down weeds and keep the soil fra
bic and admit the atmosphere to the
roots. Wood and peat ashes may be
used in the same way.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Water Baths in Cooking.

a smoky chimney and scolding
wife, was a proverb applicable to the
old days of open fre-places, but the trou-
bic from smoke has been pretty efectually
overcome by the general use Of stoves.
In these days, the temper of cooks and
housewives is probably more frequently
disturbed by the burning Of milk or other
articles on the sides of the kettle, than
from any other cause. This difficulty is
complety overcome by the use of a water
bath.
A water bath may be improvised by
simply setting a smaller kettle into
larger one. In boiling milk, the milk
may be put into a porcelain or earthen
pitcher, and the pitcher set into kettle
Of boiling water.
Double kettles for water baths areman-
ufactured, and may be found in the mar
kets, and generally those who have once
used them sooner give up any other
utensn than 70 part with them. They
are so entirely effectual in preventing any
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Manuring Trees.

Some people, in setting fruit and other
trees, have made the mistake of applying
manure directly upon the roots. That is
a ruinous practice, as the fbres Of roots
of trees can only derive sustenance by
direct contact with the earth. When
trees of any kind are set out, the roots
should first be covered with a rich loan,
well trodden down, and upon this loan a
little manure of any kind may be safely
placed; but it is better to spread it upon
the surface of the ground, where it acts
as a mulch, and prevents any injury to
trees from drouth, unless very severe and
long prOtracted.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21

in illustrating his lectures by drawings
upon the blackboard. One of his lee
lures was upon the general structure of
organized beings; and fishes, quadru-
peds, ETC., skillfully drawn, appeared
with rapid succession. The Brazilian
Punch meets friend, and thus halls
him:
"Well, Jose, were you yesterday at
Agassizs lecture? In what language
did he speak 2"
Jose.-"Now that's a good one. Of
course, in the universal language-the
French"
But you didn't understand what he
said, You don know French"
Josc.-"Well, now you are unbeara-
bic. is it necessary to understand
French to understand such genius as
Agassiz? Oh what clearness and per-
spicuity he employs! He takes the chalk
in his hand ike lightning; he draws a
fish. What can he add by words ? The
thing is already complete. 1t is fish. "
Boston transcript.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21

REAL. YOUR BIBLE SLowLY.-Take
time even if you have but little time. A
great mathematician once said, if his life
depended upon solving problem in two
minutes, he would spend one of the two in
deciding how to do it. So in reading the
scriptures; if you are pressed for time
and this ought to be rare case-then
spend the precious moments on a portion
of chapter. When you feel that the
mind and heart are beginning to drink in
the sentiment even of single verse, then
stop and drain the heavenly chalice, be-
cause the divine Spirit is filling thy cup.
1t is true, solemn, and interesting
thought that we are to wait, to linger, to
tarry for the blessing to come from the
word before us.-British Messenger.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Butter-Making.

At Berlin they have discovered new
way of preparing butter. The cream is
pat into close linen bag, and buried in
the ground at the depth Of about foot
and half. At the end of twenty-four
hours it is taken out, and found quite
firm. 1t is then only necessary to beat
it up with a glass of water to get rid Of
the buttermiIk. To prevent any admix-
ture of earth, it is better to enclose the
first bag in a second. This method is
said never to fail, and the butter to be Of
u particularly fine quality. Our farmers
ought to try it.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
TERMS.

FoUR DOLLARS year in advance; TWO DOL
LARS for six months.
ADvERTIsEMENTs.-Pe square of eight lines,
first insertion, IS cents; subsequent insertions,
each square, so cents. For advertisements OF
longer than four weeks the terms will be-one
square $40 year, So for six months, IS for
three months.
MARRIAGES AND DEATHs.-N Offices inserted
without charge.
OBIrUARIEs.-Charged as advertisements
payment in advance
Personal---very. cents year-to be paid al
the Office where the paper is received.
COMMUNICATIONS AND LETTERS on BUSINESS,
should be addressed to Central Presbyterian,
Box 452, Richmond, Va
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
Cure Of Burns.

The Gazette Ne3jcaIe, of France,
SAYS that by an accident, charcoal has
been discovered to be a cure for burns.
By laying a piece Of cold charcoal upon
q burn, the pain subsidies Immediately.
By leaving the charcoal on one hour, the
wound is healed, as has been demon
strated on several occasions. The rem
edy is cheap and simple, and deserves a
+riol
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21

substance from burning on the sides Of
the vessel, and they deliver their contents
so white and clean, it is a luxury and
satisfaction to use them. The time will
come when a water bath viii be deemed
as indispensable in the kitchen as it is now
in the chemical laboratory.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21

IT IS not more necessary for surgeon
or physician to understand the anatomy
of the human body than it is for minis
tiers to understand what may be called
the anatomy of the soul.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.

Office on Main street, near Fourteenth, No. o6,
third story over Messrs. BLUNT MosELEY,
Druggists.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21

Cor has implanted within us a prin-
ciple of emulation but the abuse of this
is pride and ambition.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21

COB has created us with the love of
pleasure; but this INDUCED to excess be-
comes sensuality,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-12-21

The WISDOM of some men is to I'M
derstand things which cannot be under
stood.