davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07
Church Music.

"God has established so intimately this
law of nature, that "out of the abundance
of the heart the mouth speaketh," that it is
impossible that music and devotion can be
divorced The melody which the heart makes
in itself strives and rushes to the utterance
of the lips; and the sweet repose of the
soul, in its rapt communion with God, is
nursed by the solemn harmonies that come
from without. Think of the transactions
which are going on, day and night, around
the throne of God; where the sea of uplifted
countenances reflects his countenance, and
ten times ten thousand tongues utter the
volumed music that bursts from many ador-
ing hearts. No scene on earth can so re-
semble this as whole congregation, lifted
up on their feet, and joining in one chorus
of musical worship. This is the only true
conception of ecclesiastical music and when
this is realized in practice, one most i'm
portant element is gained of the beauty of
holiness. In order to this, the melodies of
the church should be simple, to bespeak
those feelings of devotion which are among
the simplest of the human breast. Its
harmonies should be broad and grand, to
embrace the whole soul. and bear it strongly
up. Its symphonies should be short and
easy its voluntaries fitted to the character
of the occasion and the spirit of the sermon u
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07
The King in His Glory.

The masterpiece on which Raphael spent
his best hours is picture of the Transfgu-
ration. Though more than three centuries
have passed away since it was executed, it
still retains its freshness and beauty. 1t is
preserved in the Vatican at Rome, and doubt
less awakens more reverence in the hearts
of its many beholders than the wondrous
story it portrays.
In the centre of the picture stands our
Saviour, his raiment white as the light; but
no words can paint the seraphic glory about
that head, so soon to be crowned with thorns.
On either hand, floating on the air, appear in
glory Moses and Elias. Beneath are the
three disciples, overshadowed by bright
cloud, shielding their dazzled eyes with their
hands as they fall prostrate before the heav-
enly voice proceeding from the cloud. Be-
low the brow of the hill is the picture of the
boy possessed by the evil spirit which the
disciples could not cast out. Scribes are
cavilling, physicians close their books which
they have consulted in vain, the disciples con-
feas their inability to help, while the mother
and sister of the lad stand by, half frantic
at his suferings.
The greatest pains are taken to preserve
for ages these religious paintings of the old
masters, while the spiritual beauty of the
simple gospel story often leaves no impress
on the heart lt'sis hetter-to have. Christ
glorifed in the soul, than upon the walls of
our houses. A fortune is required to buy
one of these paintings of the old artists;
but the humblest believer may possess far
more glorious image of his Lord, and may
obtain at the last an entrance into that celes-
tial mansion where he may behold face to
face "the King in his glory"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
WHAT DO WE LIVE FoR9

My Dear Friend,-I have had it on my
mind, for some time, to write you letter.
This may surprise you, as l frequently see
you in passing about. You may be surprised,
on the other hand, that l, protesting to be a
friend, land 1 feel assured that you have no
doubt of my friendship and kind feelings to-
wards you,) should have conversed with you
on every variety of subject, and yet should
never have introduced the most important of
all subjects. intend to be delinquent in
this respect no longer.
And, now, my dear sir, let me take the
liberty "a liberty l feel free to take,) of ask
ing, "What are you living for?" Or, in other
words, "What is the chief end of your life ?"
Is it to glorify God that you may enjoy Him
forever? Or, is it to crafty self and attain
selfish aims and purposes? You are doing
either one or the other of these two things.
Every man is either serving God or serving
mammon. No man can serve two masters.
And how shOrt-sighted-how vain are the
aims and purposes of those who serve man.
mon-the God of this world They follow
one another-they rival each other in the
pursuit after wealth, or honor, or pleasure,
only to find, even in case of success, land
how few succeed, as they call it, out of the mul
titudes that are engaged in the eager chase,
only to find, 1 say, that they have eagerly
chased mere butterfly, which when grasped
loses all its beauty, or that they have only
crushed with their teeth fruit of Sodom
which, though fair and inviting in appear
ance, turns to ashes when tasted.
Let me invite your attention-let me call
you off from this vain pursuit to other-to
higher-to nobler objects of desire, even to
the pursuit after riches that endure, after
honors that fade not-after pleasures and
joys substantial aud secure. Ny text is,
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his
Righteousness, and all other things shall be
added unto you" You have Gods word
for that. And even in point of policy, how
much better are Wisdom's ways than all
other ways Look at it, If you will make
Gods glory your aim, you have the word of
Him who cannot lie, that you will be better
of, even in this world, than those who make
the world the object of their pursuit. "GOd-
illness is profitable for all things, having the
promise of the life that now is, as well as of
that which is to come" Having opened up
the subject, l leave off for the present, hoping
aud praying that, in this life as well as here
after, you may thank, not me, but God, that
your attention has thus been called to this
great-thiS only great subject.
With best wishes for your welfare, now
and hereafter, L.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07
Asking a Blessing.

1t is related that on a certain occasion an
English ship of war touched at one of the
ports of the Sandwich Islands, and that the
captain gave dinner to the royal family of
the islands, and several chiefs. The table
was spread upon the quarter deck, and
loaded with viands and delicacies of all kinds.
After the company were seated around it
and the covers were removed, and every
thing appeared ready for operations to COM
mence, the islanders seemed to be in no
haste to begin, but looked as though some
thing else was expected. The captain thought
that the trouble was with the food and that
it was not what they liked, or that it had
been prepared in manner to which they
were not accustomed, and accordingly COM
menced apologizing for the fact. He had,
however, pious waiter, who stood behind
his chair, and who was quick to discover
where the obstacle was, and who, whispering
to the captain, said-"These persons are
waiting for a blessing to be asked" "Ask
it, then" said the captain. The waiter did
so-reverently and gratefully imploring the
Divine benediction. No sooner was this
done, than Queen Pomare, her family, and
the chiefs, soon showed, by the manner they
attacked the provisions, that it was not be.
cause the dinner did not suit them, or that
they had no appetites, that they had previ-
ously refrained from eating, but because no
one had "said grace" The Sandwich Island
ers have been heathens; some call them
heathens now; but are they so much as those
in this Christian land, who have no family
affairs, and never invoke the benisons of
Heaven upon their food? Nay, will not
those islanders rise up in the Day of Judg.
ment, to the condemnation of some of our
readers?
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
A Churchless World.

You have felt strangely when accident
has removed you temporarily from the Cos
pel's sound. Accustomed to its public invi-
tation-though not accepting it-7you have
sbeensa alarmed when for a SINGLE Sabbath that
invitation has failed to greet your ear. Per-
sons who have exchanged a residence among
privileges for an earthly churchless home,
have written strongly of their sense of loss
and deprivation.
What then will be the misery of church
less world-a world beyond the gospels
reach-beyond the Sabbath's light-a,world,
where no voice invites you to come to Jesus
Christ and live
And yet such world is before you who
do not love the Lord-and pastors are, from
time to time, crossing out in their registers
the names of the departed and the doomed,
as one by one they leave us to go into this
dreary land of castaways! W. E. B.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07
What Elders Can Do.

The american Presbyterian, in very SEN
sible and timely article, enumerates some of
the things which the elders can do. We
give an extract:
"Elders can do many things that the pas
tor cannot do. They can promote peace,
unity, and good understanding among the
members of the church. They can allay
jealousies and alterations, and prevent the
springing up of any "root of bitterness" to
disturb the harmony of the flock. They can
be active and foremost in showing courtesies
to strangers, and in winning the careless and
the Indifferent to the house of God They
can keep the standard of Christian fidelity
high in the Church, by causing it to be seen
and said that they are always in their place
at every service, and every call of duty is
sure to be answered promptly and oheerfully
by them. When the pastor calls for laborers
in any new field; when he would rouse the
church to greater spiritual activity; when
he wishes to enlarge the benefactions of the
congregation, and secure for them the greater
blessedness' of giving; they can supply him
with the best arguments and illustrations, by
responding to the call with promptness and
cheerfulness. 1t is hardly possible that any
pastor can fail to carry his church with him
in any good work, if he has earnest, devout,
highly esteemed, honorable men in the elder.
ship to enter into his plan, and sustain il
before the congregation.
"Elders can visit the sick, the poor, the af
Aicted, the dying. They can carry the bles-
sing of peace and consolation to the house
of mourning. They can go, as Jesus went
in meekness and lowliness, to the careless
and wandering, and win them back to tht
fold by words of gentleness and love. They
direct the anxious inquirer to the Lamb O
God, who taketh away the sin of the world.
They can make themselves acquainted will
the children and the young people, SO as tt
call them by name, and give them word o
cordiality and good feeling whenever the,
meet them. They can meet together to pray
and to devise measures for the increase ant
upbuilding of the church. They can carr,
themselves with such sacred and thoughtful
propriety, when acting officially in the ordi
nances of the Church, that all observers shal
be made to feel the purity, the selectness
the sanctity of the Lords house. They cal
infuse into the whole body of the Church
spirit of devotion, of liberality, of self-denial
of self conservation. They can do much t.
make the whole Church known and charac
terized by pure, earnest, strong, spiritua
l;fa +"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07

once caught an expression that you have it,;
but it is not so with me in Chinese. I may
get an expression from my teacher one day,
and the next day may try to use it with him,
and he looks blank at me; and when he finds
out what it is am trying to say, he tells me
I ought to have said chi instead of chi, or
yeu, second tone, instead of yeu, fourth tone.
There are also in the Chinese some sounds
to which our organs have never been accus.
toned, and this adds to the difficulty. Yet,
withal, believe | can say that I have never
engaged in any study with more interest and
less fatigue than in the study of this difficult
language. The prospect of preaching the
good tidings of salvation to my fellow-men
here, certainly ought to keep me from flag
ging.
AS regards physical comfort l am as well
off here as man should wish to be. The
two gentlemen whocame with me, and myself
keep house together, and we are warm and
well.fed. Our "staff' is rice, and we never
see bread on the table; but we get fish, sweet
potatoes, molasses, mutton, eggs, &c. The
Chinese have great variety of good provi-
sions, and have not yet seen the pictorial
man of the Biographies, who hawks about
cats and rats dangling from a bamboo pole.
Yet. there is great deal of suffering among
the poor people. Beggers are numerous,
and many of them are wretched looking OBJ
ects. We had snow here last week, two or
three inches deep, which remained on the
ground for several days, and there must have
been much suffering among them. My duty
here is blessed one, and though l am sepa-
rated from my country and those most dear
to me. 1 do not repine, but am thankful that
have been called to the work in which l
am.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07

as they become due. The survivors have
enjoyed the assurance of the dead in COM
mon with all the resi-, that their own families
shall receive the same benefits now realized
by those who are already bereaved. The
deceased have contributed according to the
ascertained ratio to the fund appropriated to
the fulflment of this pledge, which still re-
mains, and will in due time become available
to that purpose. Thus, all parties receive
the benefits anticipated, and to all the results
are those of purest beneGcence.
SAMUEL J. BAIRD.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07
THE SURE ANCHOR.


(Which hope we have as an anchor of the sou
9th sure and seadast, and which entere,h into thu
ithin the vail Heb. vi 10.
Traveller oer life's troubled ocean
Bound for the eternal shore,
When the waves in wild eommOtion
Render vain thy helm and oar,
Cast thine anchor,
And be safe forevermorel
When temptations shoals surround thee,
LOokl the lighthouse CLEANS afar!
Hark that Captains voice doth call thee,
Steer thy bark by 'Bethlehem's star"
Then cast anchor;
Thou shalt conquer in the war.
Hope in Jesus! blest fruition
Of his humble life below
Sad and fearful our condition
Had he not endured our woe.
Blessed SaviOurl
Thou eanst cleanse and pardon too!
When Ger deaths dark, sulleu river
Tremblngly our spirits glide,
Thou eanst from our fears deliver, =.
Ere we reach the other side;
And our anchor
Shall the 6ereest storm outridel
Then, her glorious mission ended,
Entering within the vail
Hope shall change to raptured vision,
Joys that nevermore shall fail,
Crowns of glory,
Glory that shall never pale.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07

RICH AND NOBLE RELATIvEs.-"I was
reading lately of very good answer made
by very little boy, who afterward became
very distinguished minister of the gospel.
One Of his school-fellows was boasting one
day about the number of rich and noble re-
lations that he had. Then he asked the
future minister if there were any Lords in
his family. 'Yes, said the little fellow, Il
know there is one at least, for I have often
heard my mother say, that the Lord Jesus
Christ is our elder brother.'"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07

The CONDITIONS the easiest to live in &C
cording to the world, are the most difficult
according to God; and vice versa. Nothing
is so difficult, according to the world, as the
religious life; nothing is easier, according
to God. Nothing is more easy than to live
in high position, and to have great wealth,
according to the world; nothing is more
difficult than to live in them, according to
God, without taking part and pleasure in
them.-Pascal.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07

IF YOU HAVE DONE nothing yet toward
saving a soul, you have that before you which
exceeds in glory all that you have hitherto
accomplished in your whole life.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-04-07

The IMAGINARY TROUBLES are to us like
the dissolving views of camera; sometimes
magnifed hundred fold.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19

connection be more clearly defined, and
made in such way that the College will
be equally gamer with the Board. The
former, we are more convinced than ever
is destined to work grand revolution In
our farming. 1t is bound tor win the APP
prevail of the farmers OF Maine. The
more we become acquainted with 1t, with
It's teachers. with the pupils, with its
necessities. with the work it is doing, the
more we are convinced of this fact. It's
students. educated to perform labor in
the most intelligen: manner, will return
To the farms and workshops. and form a
heaven that will transform the business OF
farming from drudgery to a science and
pastime,
Viewed as an isolated transaction. as
standing by itself, the late session of the
Board could hardly be called success
rs the first of series of sessions working
in = somewhat novel channel. as the be-
ginning of a new order of things, il is yet
too early to measure its results.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19

OBsTRUCTIoNs.-Davi Rittenhouse, the
celebrated astronomer, who was skilled in
measuring the size, and determining the
position of the heavenly bodies. found that
thread of ordinary sewing silk drawn
across the glass OF his telescope would
compile tely conceal a star The fines,
fibre of silk would hide distant star for
several seconds. So the smallest speck
of prejudice or the finest thread ofworldly
policy or ambition drawn across the lens
of the mind obstructs the light OF divinest
truth and hides half the glory of the
heavens To see the spiritual world we
must keep the passions, cares and loves
of the earth from the eye of the soul As
the astronomer wipes the steam and dust
from his glass.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19
Letter for Farmers.

Not many days since while speaking TO
the farmers of your vicinity, referred TO
the influence ola superabundance ofwater
in the soil rs a serious drawback TO the
farmers labors. And | write You hoping
YOU NAV see the propriety of recalling
the matter to the minds OF your farmer
reader.
The fell of water during the last week,
ought 10 convince them of the necessity
of giving attention to the subject now
while the effects are seen so plainly.
The most inexperienced eye cannot fail
to detect and be convinced after such fall
,ains rs we have experienced, what is
effect will be upon rctentive soils.
We may expect in the usual course of
things that the ground will freeze long
before this extraordinary excess is mate
rally reduced. Aud water being such =
perfect conductor of cold, the ground will
. freeze much deeper.
Please ask your practical taTrler read
srS If they expect the surface frozen full
of water upon clay SubSoil, will answer
their hopes when spring comes, obliged
~ they will be 10 wait the evaporation
from the surface which does not com
mcncc freely until their crops ought TO bc
in the ground. aud, when ut last, ii does
become dry enough to work. this cvapo'
ration from the surface has letl it compact
and work, the best it may bc done II
proves clodv. and unfit for seeding a.
well Is out OF season for most crops for
which such land is otherwise so well
adapted.
Excess Of water in the spring when the
surface has partially thawcd, must carry
of much soluble matter which would be
food tor vegetation. This would not be
;he ease if undcr,lNined, a. the fall rains
are lcachcd from the soil which does not
freeze nearly 50 deep and the tcmpcra-
turr OF the earth Is communicated nearly
20 the surface, through the pores OF which
the water has passed down.
Then add the fact that cold penetratcs
more readily mass which i made good
conductor by being filled with water, and
another fact that heat is not 50 easily con-
ycyrd downward through such = mass,
one readily secs why the advantage is
largely in favor of drainage.
Please ask Your readers 70 answer for
themselves wha, makes one class of lands
earlier than other. il ii i, not the facility
with which water i carried off TO absorb
the heat and warm air in it, place.
Farmers need not fear that soluble ma
nure will be carried off in such under
drains Let them try the experiment and
convince themselves 10y taking vessel
filled with dry earth and pour upon it
slowly, blacA liquid manure of the barn
yard. The liquid which teaches from he
holes in the bottom of the vessel has lost
il soluble vegetable constituents ~ will
be- seen by Is loss OF color or any test de
,irahl-. And thi> soluble matter i lett
near the surface Seed such soil and IL
WI bc found extremely productive, ger
miualing seed readily, but tl,l the earth
in the vessel with clear water and stop
the drainage A. clay stops the Percolation
OF water in such soils. aud YOU may ma
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19
Assignee's Sale.
Commissioners Notice.

WYE having been appointed by the Judge OF
w Probate for the County Of Oxford, 10 receive
and examine the claims of the creditors OF Cyrus
Waite, late Of Canton, in said County deceased,
whose estate Is represented insolyent, give notice
that six months, commencing the third Tuesday
OF October, \. ID. 1853, have been allowed tn said
creditors To bring in and prove their claims and
that we will attend the service assigned Us ut the
Oflice of X. H. Thompson. in Canton, and ON the
third Saturdays Of December and March next,
from one TO i've o'clock L. NJ.
ROSCOE H. THOMPSON,
CALEB L. HOLLAND.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19

Let the youth who stands with glass
of liquor in his hand consider which he
had better throw away-the liquor or him
self.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19
Musical Notice.

MUSIC FURNISHED FOR BALLS, SOCIAL
vi PARTIES, &c, ON reasonable terms. Any
number OF pieces, from two 10 i've, ON applica-
ton by mail or otherwise, TO
L. II. WEEKS,
Oct ~, 1853. Norway, Ne.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19

Citizens temperance meetings are
being held at Bruins wick, at which speech
e~ are made 10y clergymeu and other ci,i-
ZenS.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19
HORSE TRAINING.

fTZS containing a new system Of horse train.
An ing, from the young colt up. By Or Trd
ball, the well known oil English Horse Trainer
and Farrier Our most noted trick horses have
been taught by this plain, practical system and
wild and runaway horses can be completely -ub
dued IL also contains q Treatise on Shooting ana
100 Recipes for the most common disease with
numerous Tricks pract ed by Horse Jockey
Every horse breeder and owner should have t
foa will never regret buying IL. sent Dy mail Tor
only 80 cts. Address, GEO. ;. MELLEA, Lewis
ton, Me. Agents wanted.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19
An Extra Dividend

OF TWO AND A.HALF, (2D per cent. will be
~ PAYABLE Nov. lhth. t. the stockholders OF the
First NatiOna! hank of TOftland.
w. L. GOULD, Cashier.
Portland, Nov. L. ls5y.
Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19
Farm for Sale.

AuTUATED nj Rumford Corner, within quar-.
> ter OF n mile of n school House and a mile II
three Meeting; House.
II contains Thirty five acres Of good lnteTvalc
Land and has twn.-tory house, well finished
with III connecting the barn, aud Black mith' :
shop upon It There y young Orchard, Sugrr
Orchard and house, good pasture, plenty o; wood
aud timber.
There Is = daily mail from Bryant Pond
For further particulars, inquire OF the owner
GEORGE 4. RAY.
Rumford Aug. :, lSG.