davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17

that l might be ready to start by the ship
in the morning. In some countries,
Charles, no person is allowed to go away
without passport; that is, a PERMISSION
to leave.
81 ran toward the gate, but, when
within short distance of it, saw flash,
and then in an instant after, the report
of the gun was heard on the evening
breeze. The hour had come | was few
minutes too late. The gate was shut. L
cast away the flowers l had gathered on
my journey. They could not repay me
for my delay and loss. The ship sailed
early next day without me, and l was
left behind to blame myself for my folly.
"Such is travellers story. Will you
listen to me while l tell you there is such
a thing as being one minute too late in
matters of higher concern. You may
be too late for the railway or the steam
boat; you may be too late for party of
pleasure, or to receive bag of money;
and you may suffer for your folly: yet
another time may come when you may
set yourself right again. But, my dear
children, do not forget that you may be
too late for repentance-to obtain pardon
to enter heaven. You may be not
only one moment too late, but forever
too late.
Your life is like journey. You
may be 50 taken up with the pleasures
that lie in your path, that you may loiter
by the way. AS 1 lost my time on the
banks of the Nile, while gathering few
flowers, so it may be with you. You
may be very busy in pleasing yourself,
but what if you should not attend to the
great concerns of your soul? 1t will be
sad indeed if you let the days of your
youth pass away, while you neglect to
give your heart to Jesus. If you should
not seek pardon through his precious
blood, what will you do in the end? II
you should not now strive to enter in at
the strait gate, and into the marrow
way, what will you do when you find
that the door is shut?" You may think
you have plenty of time: so many have
thought. But when the shades of death
have gathered over them they have awak-
ened to see their danger,-when it was
too late. The right and the best time is
nOa0. 1t may be the only time.
"There, Charles, l see you and your
sister are ready to return home. Yet
you must not go till you have read to me
the parable of the ten virgins, in the
twenty-6fth chapter of Matthew.
"And the door was shutp'
"NOw stop: those are solemn words 5;
do not forget them
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
A Thriving Trade.

When Chief Justice Whiteside visited
Italy, dozen years ago, he was struck,
he tells us in his published tour, with the
multitude of priests, and asked Roman
Catholic friend what they could possibly
find to do.
"Find to do" answered his friend,-
-"they have more to do than they can
possibly get through"
"How can that be?" was the natural
reioinder, "what have they to do?"
"They have to say masses for the
dead, was the reply; "you see, no man
in good circumstances likes to die without
leaving money, perhaps a 100 crowns, or
even 500, for masses for his soul mass
es to get out of purgatory. Or, if he
loses his wife, or his child, he goes to
the priest, to order 100 masses for the
benefit of the soul of the departed.
Now, for all Italy, this is such an enor-
nous demand, that the priests are always
tens of thousands of masses in arrear.
That is, they were paid, last year, or the
year before, for masses which they have
not yet been able to say"
''But what happens then" said Mr..
Whiteside, " if as you say, they are al
WAYS getting into arrears? p
"Oh, he issues decree, once in every
two or three years, that so many thou
sand masses, which have not been said,
shall be entered in the Chancery of
Heaven, as if they had been said; and
that you know, makes all right"
eyes, of course" said Mr.. Whiteside,
thinking within himself that whether the
said masses were said, or were not said,
mattered in fact very little.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
A New Process for Conserving Figs.

Editor Southern Planter,-It may,
perhaps, be of value to your journal to
be informed of new process to make
the fg-crop of Importance.
The Chesapeake shores, eastern and
western, are prolific of figs of every va
riety-large, small, white, brown, black
equal IN saccharine matter and flavor
to those of Smyrna and Italy. The is
lands, such as Tangier, Watts, Smith,
Skies, Dell, Half-Moon, Fox, and all the
head-lands of creeks on the bay, produce
them spontaneously, without cultivation,
and in vast quantities.
Heretofore, they have not been fruit
for the markets, because the climate did
not admit of drying them. Now, it is
proposed to take them when fully ripe,
skin them, and stew them in porcelain
lined kettles to "marnaalade," without
sugar-none needed-and when in the
state of half-dried paste, dried in wooden
trays, roll them out into what is called
"fgleather," like apple, pear, peach, or
ounce leather, rolled in Drowned -four and
spices.
This leather, baked, may be kept as
long as the Smyrna fig, and is more lus-
cious.
A gentleman, to whom Watts island
belongs, now of Jersey city, proposes
this new mode of conserving the fig. 1t
will add largely to the value of the Ches-
apeake shores and islands.
ENTERPRISE.
Southern Planter and Farmer.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
A Travellers Story.

'Now, uncle, you said you would tell
us tonight some more about your travels
in Eastern countries.
$50 did, Charles; and as you and
your sister Mary seem quite ready to lis
ten to me, may as well begin at once,
But as a story is of no great value unless
it teaches lesson worth learning, l will,
while I seek to please you, try also to do
you good.
'EIn our British lands we do not know
much about lofty walls around our cities.
We 90 to sleep at night without any fear
of being aroused by the alarm that an
enemy is at our doors. Let us be thank
full for our safe and quiet homes. In
some eastern cities it is quite otherwise.
High and strong walls inclOse the houses
for defence, and those who work in the
fields, or labor outside at trades, or are
on a journey, have to pass in and out
through the gates in the wall.
at is usual to shut the gates at night,
and to open them at daylight. A gun is
mostly fired as a signal when the gates
are closed and opened. Should there be
any persons beyond the walls at the even
ing signals, they are shut out for the
night, and must find place of rest where
they can.
Gone day, when going through Egypt,
l was in small boat, sailing slowly down
the far-famed river Nile. Sometimes l
landed to look at the ruined temples on
the side of the river, or to pluck the gay
flowers that grew on the high banks. L
was well aware that | had to get to the
city that evening, for | was to sail to an
other country early in the morning. i
am all in good time, said l to my
self, as l plucked the flowers, or stood
looking around me. Now one trihe, and
then another, caused delay; and when
the boat did move, it was allowed to drift
slowly along.
'SOon the golden CLEAN of the sun
= was seen on the broad waters, warning
me that it would soon set. Still l thought
only of my pleasure, or that 1 could soon
make up for the lost time. AT last the
sky began to darken, and l sprang up in
the boat, as if it had only just entered
my mind that might after all be too
late. The hour for shutting the city
gates knew was not far off. The row.
ers pulled away at the oars, and as we
got near the city, Jumped quickly ashore.
l had to get my passports that night,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
Graces Before Gifts.
Standard

This view should obtain in the family
and in the school. In our families what
are too often the first impressions given
boy?-what is he taught to believe to
be the chief end of man?-to get money
or office In our schools who is most
honored-the boy of graces or the boy of
gitts9 which are most assiduously cult
waited graces or gtts2-to qualify for
noisy contentious life, or sober unam-
bilious career of Christian usefulness?
are medals given for enlarged and quick
ened graces or developed gifts? Thus is
the gospel order reversed by placing
gifts before graces. DR.. Arnold, the
great educator, indicates and estimates
their relative Importance as follows.
Religious and moral principles. 2. Gen
tlemanly behavior. 3. Intellectual ability.
Man says, the power of Church is in
the wealth, social position of its members,
and in the talents of the minister-God
says it is in the graces of both. The
power of church is in the graces of its
members. Churches now are uneasy,
restless, Observation-Disclosures are not 60
ing on as they should: all sorts of devices
are adopted for lettering them. Taste
ful, attractive houses of worship are pro-
vided; music is called in to add its mi lightly
allurements. No small amount of wit
is employed in inventing plans-in start
ling movements. A careful reading of
the New Testament discovers a more ex-
cellent way-let the churches set them
selves to increase and multiply their
graces-let them abound more and more
in patience, generosity, humility, courte-
sy, peaceableness, good temper, unsus-
piciousness, love of truth-if these were
in the churches and abounded in them,
they would move on in such splendid and
substantial prosperity as they have never
known.
Every Christian is to labor for the con-
version of men to Jesus. By such efforts
is the church to be enlarged and perpet-
uated. Position does not at all affect
this duty. Every man, layman or minis
ter, is to do all he can. The sphere of
ministerial labor is the church itself; the
end, the perfecting of the saints-or the
increase of their graces, This is the test
of ministerial success-not growing
congregation, not large number of con-
versions, but a church growing in graces.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
How to Do 1t.

Do what? Sundry things; build your
minister parsonage, for instance. And
how was it done? On this wise. Houses
were scarce. The pastor had moved
three times in two years and a little
more, and was about to repeat the exer-
else, this time to house a mile and a
half from the church. That would not
do, the people said. What then? Buy
a house? 1t could not be done without
paying two prices. Then we'll build one.
Where? Right on the corner of the
church lot. Accordingly all hands set
to and carried stone for the foundation,
and masons were procured to lay them.
One man furnished all the heavy timbers,
another the shingles; one, so much lum-
Der; another carted sand, a third lime,
and so on. This was in November. Be-
fore winter set in the house was enclosed,
so that with the aid of stoves the car
penters could do the inside work at lei
sure. By the middle of May it was
finished, plastering, painting, and all; a
generous house, with its double parlors,
bedroom, kitchen, pantry, and wood-shed
below. Three bed rooms, closets, study,
&C., above; with cellar under whole.
That house has been a means of grace
ever since, and all for about 81, 200, be-
side the work and coarse material con-
$4,000 in all.-Evangelist.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
Mining Statistics.

The Secretary of the Treasury trans
mitted to the House Of Representatives,
recently, report by James W. Taylor,
Special Commissioner for the collection
of statistics of gold and silver mines and
mining east of the Rocky Mountains,
which was referred to the Mining Com
mittee and ordered to be printed. Be-
sides general review of the operations
of the year 1867 in New Mexico, Colo
RADIO, Eastern Montana, Dakota, Mime
sofa, and the gold districts of the Ale
ghany range, this report refers to the
mining interests of the British terrific
ries, especially to the new discoveries on
Lake Superior and at Madoc. A full
account of the Nova Scotia gold field is
added. Among other topics, prominence
is given to the probabilities of increasing
the water supply of the Western plains
by means of artesian wells, the recent
discoveries of coal along the eastern base
of the Rocky Mountains, and the most
practicable means of reducing the OPP
pressive rates of transportation west of
the Rocky Mountains. This last discus
sion, he says, brings forward the neces-
sity of national railroadsystem through
out the northern and southern as well as
the central tier of Western States and
Territories. 1t is understood that the
Secretary of the Treasury has continued
the Mining Commission of the Depart
ment, directing special inquiry into the
best methods for the economical reduc-
ton of the obstinate sulphurets which
have hitherto INSTRUCTED the economical
reduction of the gold-bearing rock.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
Amsbamdrp.
Pomological Authority.

The fact that fruit growing is just fairly taking
a start in this State will explain the total alb
sence of genealogical books edited by home au-
thors; but, at the same time, this very fact only
renders it the more necessary to exercise caution
in the use of works originated in other sections.
We would not be understood as condemning
the many excellent books edited and published
in this country, but would impress upon our
readers the fact that the directions for culture,
the selection of varieties, and the methods of
pruning recommended by Northern, Western
and Eastern horticultural writers, cannot be sue
cessfully followed in the Southern States.
Especially is this true of the selection OF va
rieties usually found in these works.
Very few of the varieties of fruits best adapted
to the North and West are of any value here;
climate, soil and seasons must control these.
The difficulty which presents itself is, how
then, are our people to know what to plant?-
With 40 competent authorities on the subject,
must they grope their way through years of ex-
perimenting before they can arrive at correct
knowledge? To some extent, they will have
this to do; but much may be sayed-by-e
Ing anu dDlulIS ny Jilc duNiCc VI tHS HurSStg
with whom you deal, provided he be home
man. The recommendations of dealers in other
sections cannot be relied upon; not that they
are dishonest, but because they lack just what
our people lack, viz, experiences; and while
they produce and send out none but the best
fruit for the sections in which they live, still
they are not competent to recommend varieties
for other localities, save as they do it in the
light of authority, of which, as we have already
said, there is very little for this section.
What, then, are our people to do? We reply:
LIST. Use every exertion to produce native va
rieties.
I'd. Disseminate good ones already produced.
Sd. Foster your county and State societies.
4th. Keep careful notes of all successes and
failures, and ascertain, as far as possible, the
causes.
9Th. Encourage, by pen, money and influence,
home journals.
Let each individual do these, and, with aston
ishing rapidly, we will have an authoritative
horticultural and genealogical literature, as well
as save ourselves much disappointment and loss.
Southern Planter and Farmer.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
The Eye.

The eye-the study of which alone,
old Sturmius tells us, is a cure for athe-
ism-is perhaps one of The most marvel
Gus constructions in nature. It's move
ments, its expressions, its protection, its
chambers, its lenses, and the great deli
cacy of all its component parts, have
been the study of the anatomists of all
times. How wish | could show to the
readers of this paper one single portion
of the human eye-that part called the
vitreous humor 1t resembles half mol
ten crystal in its purity and its brillian-
cy. And, above all, could l show you
the beautiful adaptation of every struc-
ture to the office it performs in the ami
NAL economy, you would probably be
lost in amazement. Imagine yourself
for a single moment standing on noun
tain eminence, with an autumn landscape
of twenty miles in extent before you !;
every constituent which goes to make up
the beauty and harmony of the scene is
fully appreciated by your sense of vision,
the great variety of color, the fields, the
hedges, the foliage, the cottages, the
village spire in the distance, the river, as
it curves around the gentle slopes, and
the clouds that float overhead. The
landscape of twenty miles you take in,
and are able to see entire through an
aperture an eighth of an inch in dame
ter.-Ahantic Monthly
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
Auasehnla atfuras
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
I Must Work Now.

Did our blessed Lord, whose existence
was eternal" who hath neither begin
ming nor ending of days, did he deem
it wise to economic time? Did he de-
clare so solemnly, 81 must work the
works of him that sent me, while it is
day." Did he think it important not
to lose moments, opportunities of doing
. good, because the time was near when
seasons for labor would be gone? Then
how much more should s0e, we who are
only creatures of a day whose day of
life must soon be closed by the night of
death, of darkness and the grave! Oh
how true it is" The night eOmaeth "
o that l could impress the weighty
truth of this text upon the young. Sup
pose that to-day some mysterious, unseen
being should follow you on your way
home, and whisper in your ear, "THE
NIGHT CONFETTI p and as you entered on
the threshold, should utter again, with
doleful cry, "THE NIGHT COMETH ~ and
again, at midnight reused you, as if with
the alarm of fire, exclaiming, "THE
NIGHT CoMETHlll' and on tomorrow,
should once and again break In upon you
with the foreboding words-"THE NIGHT
CoMETHl,!l" Would you not feel and
think deeply? Would you not be ready
to say-"Surely there is meaning in
that voice for me! Let not the solemn
sound pass unheededr'
Well, remember then that the word of
God tells you-and it is voice from
heaven-that " THE night cometh." Be-
fore it comes be persuaded to seek God
Immediately, saying to him "Create in
me clean heart, o God, and renew a
right spirit within me" Pardon of sin
for the most guilty is provided through
the Lord Jesus Christ. lie died ON the
Cross. He is just such Saviour as the
poor sinner needs. His word is "tO-day.
Accept his offer, and then how blessed
will be your choice.
But if you turn away, then | warn you
to remember that "THE NIGHT CONFETTI
A night that shall be followed by no
dawn OLD PILGRIM.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17

empty pockets, and see what other boys
have, is it wonder that they determine
to leave the farm as soon as possible.
When farmers will endeavor to encour-
age their sons by giving them some per-
sonal interest in their business as co-part-
ners, or otherwise, as mel chants do their
faithful clerks, and allow them the occa-
sional use of horse and carriage, and
some spending money, I think they will
have less occasion to mourn over the I'M
easiness of the boys, and will find their
sons more willing to remain upon the old
homestead and cheer their declining age.
Adopt this course and there will be fewer
idlers in our cities and villages.-COr.
W r.. Farmer.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
Dissatisfaction of the Boys with Farming.

Among the reasons for dissatisfaction
with farm life is the fact that parents fail
to interest their sons in the farm and its
surroundings. Young people often wish
to have the things look well about the
buildings, with snug little flower garden,
etc. But if they attempt to put things
to rights they are called off to the potato
field in manner that indicates that at
tention to these home matters is waste
of time, and that time spent among these
improvements is fooled away.
Is it strange that we get tired of drill
ing on corn and potatoes, potatoes and
corn all the season? And when the pro-
duce is all sold in the fall what share of
interest have we in the proceeds? When
the boys visit the city or village with
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17

GEOLOGICAL CHANGES IN ITALY
curious geological changes that have been
remarked from time to time in the north
of Italy, and especially on the shores of
the lakes in that part of the country, are
now attracting more than ordinary atten-
ton. An hotel, built many years ago at
Densenzsno, on the shore of the Lake
Garda, is gradually sinking at the rate
of six inches daily, aad the ground floor
has already disappeared. The immersion
is taking place imperceptibly, and with
out any shock. A scientific commission
from Milan has been appointed to ex-
anime and report upon the phenomenon.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17

The LITTLE GIRL TEsTIMONY.-The
most stirring exhortation we recollect
hearing in the prayer room, came from
the lips of a little girl some ten years of
age, who was troubled with a serious i'm
perfection of speech. With considerable
difficulty of articulation she told of her
hope in the Saviour, ending with, eff
ever the time comes that 1 can't talk at
all, 1 shall raise my right hand to show
that l love Jesus" Let all silent Chris
tians come to like Observation-Disclosures
Standard.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
INSTITUTIO AND OFFICERS
OFTHE
Presbyterian Church in the United States
CLERKS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.


Rev. Joseph R. Wilson, D. D., Stated Clers.
Augusta, Georgia.
Rev. VIM. Brown, D. D., Permanent Clerk,
Richmond, Virginia.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF sUsTENTATIoN.
Rev. j. Leighton Wilson, D. D., Secretary
Columbia, South Carolina.
Rev. Prof James Woodrow, Treasurer, Co.
lumbia South Carolina.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Rev. ]. Leighton Wilson, D. D., Secretary,
Columbia, South Carolina.
Rev. Prof. James Woodrow, Treasurer, Co
lumbia, South Carolina.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF PUBLICATION.
Rev. E. Thompson Baird D. D., Secretary,
Richmond, Virginia.
C. Gennet, Esq, Treasurer, Richmond, Va.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF EDUCATION.
Rev. E. Thompson Baird, D. D., Secretary,
Richmond Virginia.
c. Gennet, ESQ.,, Treasurer, Richmond, Va.
TRUSTEES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Hon. Thomas c. Perrin, Chairman. Rev. B.
NJ. Palmer, D. D., Secretary. Joseph 81. Will
son, Esq.,, Jesse 81. Lindsay, Esq, Robert Ad'
ger, Esq, j. A. Ansley, Esq, John A. Craw-
ford, ESQ.,, DR.. James B. Walker, Hon. j. A.
Inglis, John Whiting, Esq, Hon. R. NJ. Patton,
Rev. DR.. George Howe, Rev. DR.. ]. l.. Girkpa-
trick, W. L. Mitchell, Esq.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-17
CLU b s


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