davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1865-12-16

JrnILAxr.-The -tmsricpa F2ag announces in
thunder tones that the hated Overland Telegraph
monopoly has been . busted wide OPEN, and
that the regu1ar dispatches Of the Eastern Assoc-
atcd Press come exclusively to that paper. But
b. some hocus-pocus the Ballefa and .llta Caii-
fornja still get the dispatches, at which the fIog
bols over with rage.
Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1865-12-16

VENAL SN.-A young lady, going up Union
street from G., yesterday morning, strucl,
and thrown down by misguided sled. Young
lady had prayer boob in her hand, when she
fell. When size got up, she swore. We heard
her fall and saw her swear.-Goid Niif Noes.
a very pretty young lady trjrpci and came
near falling from the walk in front of orr office
the other day. Our devil shut his eyes for fear
liz ehnnll Lcr sI.11ir
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
A Successful Preacher.

Howell Davies was one of the earnest band
of Welshmen who, more than a century ago,
contributed so largely to the revival of pure
religion in the priucipality. Like Howell
Harris, Daniel Rowlands, and other fellow
laborers, he was not content to work in his
own parish, but as an itinerant, penetrated
to every part of Wales, and reused the peo-
pie to religious feelings by his fiery eloquence.
But he did not neglect his own parish, in
abundant labors elsewhere. He built care
fully over against his own house, and the
change in the spiritual condition Of his peo-
pie was quite as notable as that of Kinder
minister under the labors of Baxter.
Prengast, where he settled, had been
parish conspicuous even in Wales for igno-
rance, neglect of worship, and pngodliness.
He gave himself, with an entire conservation,
to the work of reforming the people, having
a sublime faith that there was hidden power
in the Gospel to turn the wilderness into a
garden of the Lord. He formed schools for
the instruction of the people, and for enabling
them to read the Word Of God. He visited
from house to house, to awaken religious in
terest, to invite the inmates to church, and to
catechise both children and parents.
He preached almost without intermission,
having four appointments regularly on the
Sabbath, and one or two services daily in the
fields and groves, in barns and private houses
Many of his long journeys were performed
on foot, as he was too poor to bear the ex-
pense of riding 1t is wonderful that his
strength held out in such incessant labor, but
he lived to good old age.
The results of his labors were most en-
couraging. More than two thousand COM
municants were gathered into his Church,
and on communion days the Church had fire.
quently to be emptied twice to make room for
third body to receive the sacrament. The
parish became noted for its consistent piety.
In almost every house family worship was
observed, and the passer-by might hear, at
evening or morning, the song of praise going
up from the different hamlets, as the day be-
gan and ended with prayer. Cannot a SINH
lar spirit achieve similar results at the present
day?
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03

noSler work for him to do than to spend
many precious hours in the requirement and
practice of the art of dancing.
3. 1t is ruinous to the health-and health
is one of the most precious blessings God has
given to us, and the utmost pains should be
taken to preserve it. l know that it will be
denied by many that dancing is injurious to
health, but believe that the late hours and
the excitement of the dancing hall is calcu-
lated to impair the strongest constitutions.
4. Dancing is immoral in its tendency
Facts in regard to those who attend these
places will prove the truth of this assertion.
To Christian parents, whose children wish to
learn this accomplishment" ] would say,
remember Eli, whose children followed the
ways of the world, and he "restrained them
not" For this, God said, 81 have sworn
unto the house of Eli, that the iniquitles Of
Els house shall not be purged with sacrifice
nor offering forever" And the eternal dis
pleasure of God may come on your house IT
your children are not restrained.
Finally 1t is a system Of iniquity and
temptation-a broad road to hell.
To those who are in the habit of dancing,
I would say, you are on dangerous ground
Change your course, and do it soon, lest your
feet "stumble upon the dark mountains, and
your soul be lost beyond redemption.
j. L. r.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
The Proof of Love.

The King of Armenia not fulfilling his en-
gagement, Cyrus entered the country, and
having taken him and all his family prison
ers, ordered them instantly before him.
"Armenius," said he, "you are free, for
you are now sensible of your error. And
what will you give me if l restore your wife
to your"
"All that I am able"
"What if restore your children?'
"All that l am able"
"And you, Tigranes," said he, turning to
the sun, ''what would you do to save your
wife from servitude p
Now, TigraDes was but lately married, and
had a great love for his wife.
"Cyrus," he replied, ''to save her from
servitude, I would willingly lay down my
life"
"Let each have his own again." said Cy-
rus and when he departed, one spoke of his
clemency, another of his valor, and another
of the beauty and graces of his person; upon
which Tigranes asked his wife if she thought
him handsome.
Greatly" said she, al did not look at
him."
"At whom then did you look ?"
DAT him who offered to lay down his life
for me-"
Greater love hath no man than this, that
he should lay down his life for his friends
Tigraues was willing to die for his wife.
But while we were yet enemies, Christ died
for us. How far this love all earthly love
excels?
The wife of Tigranes did not look at the
king in his beauty She could only look on
him who was willing to die for her. What
shall we desire in heaven more than to look
upon the face Of Him who did die for us ?
There is beauty, glory, infinitely resplendent
glory in heaven, and eye hath not seen, nor
heart conceived it, but nothing there will SC
attract the believers gaze as the face of Him
who died for sinners. Wonderful love I'm,
speakable love! And we may look on Him
and love him forever.
A young man who had lost his mother, to
whom he was most tenderly attached, had
often expressed a strong desire to go to hea
ven, that he might once more meet his be-
loved mother AS he had no interest in re-
ligion, his desire for heaven had no higher
interest than this. Some time afterward he
became a Christian, and when asked about
the anticipations of meeting his mother in
heaven, he said, alt seems to me as if
should want to gaze upon my Saviour thou
sand years, before thinking of any one else. .
Christ had laid down his life for him. He
would not look at another.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
A Verse Opened.

There are delightful moments in almost
every Christians life, when passages of Scrip
ture unfold themselves suddenly with singular
power and beauty New depths are dis
cerned in them never seen before, and the
heart finds in them an unspeakable comfort.
DIR. Hackett, in his beautiful tribute to
Prof Chase, alludes to touching experience
of this kind:
"a few weeks before his death, I was
asking him whether there was any particular
passage of Scripture which had interested his
mind lately more than any other After a
brief, thoughtful pause, he replied, Yes,
there is one And then, as if suddenly in
spired with new strength in his weakness,
and with an interest which spread an I'M
wonted animation over his feature, he pro-
ceeded very nearly in these words:
"' A few weeks ago, had been hindered
by my health for several Sabbaths from going
to the house of God. l was anxious to enjoy
that privilege once more, which l always
loved, and which might prove to be my last.
With difficulty dragged myself along, rather
than walked, and at length reached the
church As l entered the sanctuary, the
choir was chanting the words, Come unto
me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,
and will give you rest The words i'm
pressed me as they never did before. saw
a meaning in them never saw before L sat
down in the pew, and was overcome with my
feelings You know, my brother l am not
given to weeping-that is not my nature
But could not restrain my feelings there
did weep and sob, and it was a relief to
me. l seemed to hear a voice in this invita-
ton which sounded out to all the world. L
seemed to have a view of the Saviour stand
ing and stretching out his arms, and saying
to all the human family, Come unto me, all
We that labor and are heavy laden, and will
give you rest felt that those words were
for me, and for all the children of men l
longed that all might come and partake of
that blessed rest which the Saviour has pro-
vided for those who trust in him. "
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
After Death.

There is to the departed spirit no middle
space between earth and heaven. The old
lady need not have looked with any appre-
hension to going out from The warm chamber
into the stormy winter night, and flying far
away. Not but that millions of miles may
intervene; not but that the two worlds may
be parted by still, breathless ocean, faith
omless abyss of cold, dead space yet, swift
as never light went, swift as never thought
went, flies the just mans spirit across the
profound. One moment the sick room, the
seafold, the stake; the next the paradiSal
glory. One moment the sob of parting an-
guish; the next the great deep swell of the
angels song.
Never think, reader, that the dear ones
you have seen die, had far to 60 to meet God
after they parted from you. Never think,
pareaas, who have seen your children die,
thai after they left you they had to traverse
a dark, solitary way, along which you would
have liked (if it had been pOssible) to lead
them by the hand, and bear them company
till they came into the presence Of Cod
You did so, if you stood by them till the last
breath was gone. You did bear them com
pany into Gods very presence, if you only
stayed beside them until they died. The
moment they left you they were with Him
The slight pressure of the cold fingers hnger
ed with you yet, but the little child was with
his Saviour.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
Pray, Father.

A little Indian girl, seven years old, was
wasting away with consumption. She had
heard tie missionaries preach, had been a
constant Attendant upon Sabbath School, and
for some months had given good evidence
that she was a lamb Of the Saviours flock.
Her father, proud, hard nan, had once pro-
fessed to be a Christian, but for some time
had been backslider whose case was regard
ed as almost hopeless.
The little girl had been failing rapidly for
several days. One afternoon, when she
seemed brig hter, she begged that her father
might be called. He came. Then looking
up to him with her bright but sunken eyes,
she said
81 want to go to the brook once more
May 1 go 7"
lie could not refuse, and without saying {
word, wrapped her up, folded her in bis arms
and carried her out through the yard, across
the green meadow, down to the brook that
wound its quiet way over sand and pebbles
among the alders that skirted the meadow.
Fs-sat down in-the shade ykere tie h.tle
GIRL could see the water and the bright Pisy
of light and shade between, the alders. She
watched them a moment, and then turning
owov her wasted face, she said earnestly
"Pray, father"
ooh, 1 can't, my darling" he said has,
tily. ;,
pleaded
No, no How can /? No, no"
"Father," said she, laying her little thin
hand upon his arm" father, I'm going to
heaven soon, and [ want to tell Jesus Christ,
when [ see him, that my father prays."
The strong mans head was bowed, and
there went up from that brookside such a
prayer of repentance, and confession, and
supplication for forgiveness as must have
thrilled with joy the courts of heaven. He
Enclosed his eyes; the little one was dead
Her freed spirit had fed on the wings of JOY
and faith to tell the Saviour. My father
praVS p Guide to Holiness.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
A Good Superintendent.

The secret Of great Sunday school success
is to be found in the character Of the super
intendent. To convince yourself of this,
you have bat to inquire, Would not the best
organized and most successful Sunday school
in the land become wreck, if its present SUI
perintendent were superseded by an inefficient
man? On the other hand, Would not an
efficient superintendent placed at the head ofthe
poorest school speedily raise it to state of
prosperity?
You see it is men, not methods merely, that
create success. Method is good, is necessary;
but method without men is an engine with
cut steam, horse without rider, thing
powerless for good.
A live man gives life to method; and a
simple method animated by living man
works out the results he seeks to secure.
.e,iye a scheels live and sagacious man for its
sead, aud it will soon have live teachers
provided they are to be had-order, vigor,
purpose in all its departments. Such a SUI
perintendent will see that the room in which
the school meets is made as comfortable,
cheerful and tasteful as possible; that the
singing is well conducted; that the library
is fifty supplied and properly managed; that
the teachers are trained and otherwise aided
in their work-in word, he will be a power
through sShich the school will attain success.
Give such man to every Sunday school in
the land, and you have furnished the church
with the great secret of success.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
The Man Who Thought He Never
PRAYED.

The Rev. Mr.. Kilpin passed very profane
man, and, having omitted to rebuke him, he
awaited him in the morning at the same
place. :,
When he approached, Mr.. Kilpin said,
{" Good morning, my friend; you are the
person have been waiting for"
60! SIR" said the man, "yOu are mis-
taken, 1 think"
81 do not know you; but [ saw you last
night when you were going home from work,
and l have been waiting some time to see
you"
"Sir, you are mistaken; it could not have
been me; never saw you in my life before
that know Of"
"Well, my friend" said Mr.. Kilpin, I
heard you pray last night"
"Now l assure you that you are mistaken,
never prayed in all my life"
"Or said Mr.. Kilpin, "if God had an
swered your prayer last night, you had not
been seen here this morning. heard you
pray that God would destroy your eyes, and
ruin your soul" :,
The man turned pale, and, trembling, said,
"Do you call that prayer? l did, did"
"Wel, then, my errand this morning is to
request you from this day to pray as fervent-
ly for your salvation as you have done for
damnation; and may God in mercy hear
your prayer"
The man from that time became an attend
ant on Mr.. Kipin's ministry, and 1t ended
in his early conversion to God.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
MISCELLANEOUS.
Our Children.

There is not more promising indication
in the Church, than the increased attention
bestowed upon the children. The theory
has always been, that the children were the
hope of the world and Church; while the
practice has been, of the latter especially,
as if they were Of little account. After the
Church had placed her hand upon them in
baptism, they were left to grow up "wild
olive branches" III the nurseries of Satan.
Parental training, catechetioal training, and
indoetrination of our children into the priuei-
pies and truths Of the gospel and Of the
Christian Church, have faded out and be-
come obsolete, with many other customs of
the fathers. AS in the material, so in the
spiritual world, the spirit Of the age is to
accomplish its task by machinery, by patent
and wholesale methods. Hence our children
have been passed over from home toll and
direct pastoral care and training, to public in
situations
We have not doubt that the excellent in
stitution of Sabbath-schOols has been made
an occasion for great neglect in these particu-
lars. 1t is not designed to supersede the
home training and personal pastoral care OF
our cnluren, ana hheue'OA uisiUO . 90
for these, It is perverted. 1t cannot do their
work, and which work, unless done carefully,
there will never be any certainty with regard
to the depths and solidity of the foundations
of Christian character. Whatever other sys-
TENS of instruction we may have, and how
ever perfected in plan and execution, we must
come back to home training and direct pasto-
raj oversight of our children, or they will
never be "rOOted and grounded" in the
truth There may be exceptions, there are
exceptions, and these exceptions are plead,
but exceptions always prove the superiority OF
the rule We have strong confidence that
the increased attention of which we spoke as
being awake In the Church, will lead her
back to the practice of catechetieal days, and
catechumen classes.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
Christian CheerfuIness.

A pastor tells the following story of one
of his flock She was a poor widow, and
supported herself with the most rigid econo-
my by knitting.
l saw her in the intense cold of last win
ter. The house was one upon which time
had made such sad ravages that only one
room could now be inhabited; and in that
she dared not have fire when the wind
blew hard, because the chimney had become
unsafe.
elbow favored I am p' she said, 'for when
it has been coolest, the wind didn't blow
much; or there was so much snow on the
house, could have fire without danger; l
cannot be thankful enough; and then," she
continued, "Joseph has been at home nights
almost all winter, and he could get my wood
and water when there was so much snow
could not get out"
But do you not feel very lonely while
Joseph is away?
40, no; l get along very well through the
day cher Bible lay on the table by which she
was sewing), and when can see the neigh
bors lights in the evening, they are company
for me. [ have thought good deal about
sick people this winter; and then think
how favored l am that l can 90 to bed and
sleep all night in health"
l saw her again to-day. rheumatism had
disabled one foot, and she sat still sewing,
with a swollen, painful limb, raised upon a
cushion. "How favored am !" she ex-
claimed; "when my poor Lydia was alive,
lost the use of both of my feet for time,
and she took care of me; but now can get
about by moving my foot upon chair, and
l make out to do my work, and get Joseph's
meals ready nicely. Whatif it had been my
hands? How favored l am
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
Hoarding and Enjoying.

An old man was toiling through the burden
and heat of the day, in cultivating his field
with his own hand, and depOsiting the pro-
missing seed into the fruitful lap of the yield
ing earth.
Suddenly there stood before him under the
shade of huge linden tree, divine vision.
The old man was struck with amazement.
+" 1 am Solomon" spoke the phantom in
friendly voice. "What are you doing here,
old man ,"
off you are Solomon" replied the venera-
bic laborer, how can you ask this In my
youth you sent me to the ant; L saw its
occupation, and learned from that insect to be
Industrious and gather. have followed it
out to this very hour. -.
"You have only learned half your lesson"
resumed the spirit eco again to the ant,
and learn from that insect to rest in the win
ter of your life, and enjoy what you have
gathered up."-Gern' At1egOry.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03

improves the mind, but such a quantity of
such kind as determines the intellect to the
most vigorous energy. The only profitable
kind of reading is that in which we are CON-
PEELED to think, and think intensely; whereas,
that reading which serves only to dissipate
and divert our thoughts, is either positively
hurtful, or useful only as an occasional relax
alton from severe action. But the amount
of vigorous thinking is usually in the inverse
ratio of multifarious reading. Multifarious
reading is agreeable, but, as habit, it is, in
its way, as destructive to the mental as dram
drinking is to the bodily health. "Our age"
says Herder, lis the reading age" and he
adds, "It would have been better, in my
opinion, for the world and for science, if, in
stead of the multitude of books which now
overlay US, we possessed but few works,
good and sterling, and which, as few, would
be therefore more diligently and profoundly
studied" Sir William Hamilton.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
Sticking for Trihes.

The Rev. DR.. Heugh, of Scotland, had in
his church an elder who was thoroughly or
thodox about church music. This good and
sensible, but somewhat logged and immovable
man, hated the repeating tones as principal
sin of his day. Whenever the precentor
started one of them he bolted from his pew.
He had his hat in one hand, and as he passed
along the passage to the door, he planted a
staff, which he held in the other, with more
energy than was requisite for the object of
firm walking, taking care to be at once audi
bic and visible This worthy elder became
ineurably i'll, and DR.. Heugh was requested to
visit him on his death bed He hoped to find
all his small captiousness dissipated by near
prospect of departure He asked the elder
if there was anything in particular he would
like to speak about The reply was Yes;
would like to tell you what an earnest wish
have, like Hezekiah of old, to 90 up again
to the House of the Lord. But l would be
contented to 90 once" Dr. Heugh asked
him what made him so anxious for this single
return to public worship. cob" he said,
q l would like so much to testify once more
against the iniquity Of vain repetitions."
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
Dancing.

Professors of religion are sometimes seen
in the daneing-sehOol and ballroom. 1t is
my purpose to state briefly a few reasons why
a Christian should not be seen in either of
these places.
1. Because, on making public profession
of religion, he promises to leave the vain and
sinful pleasures Of the world. Now if he
goes to the daneing.school or ballroom, his
conduct is in direct opposition to his profess
sion, and he thereby encourages the impeni-
tent in their sinful course. God forbids his
people to follow the ways of the world
"COme out from among them and be ye sepa-
rate, is his command.
2 1t is a waste of time that might be de-
voted to high, and holy, and noble purposes.
Every Christian should feel that God has a
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
be sure He will come, for He does not despise

be sure He will come, for He does not despise
your invitation"
81 shall set Him seat,,' said the little
fellow and just then there was knock at
the door A poor frozen apprentice entered,
begging a nights lodging. He was made
welcome the chair stood empty for him;
every child wanted him to have his plate ;
and one was lamentiDg that his bed was too
small for the stranger, who was quite touched
by such uncommon attentions The little
one had been thinking all the time.
"Jesus could not come, and SO He sent
this poor boy in His plaee-is that 1T r
eyes, dear child, that is just it. Every
piece of bread and every drink of water
that we give to the poor, or the sick, or the
prisoners, for Jesus sake, we give it to Him;
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of
the least of these my brethren, ye have done
it unto Me-"