davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
Fifteen Great Mistakes.

1t is great mistake to set up our own
standard of right and wrong, and judge peo-
pie accordingly. 1t is a great mistake to
measure the enjoyments of others by our
own; to expect uniformity of opinion in this
world to look for judgment and experience
in youth; to endeavOr to mold all DISPOSE
tons alike; not to yield in immaterial triaes;
to look for perfection in our own actions; to
worry ourselves and others with what cannot
be remedied; not to alleviate all that needs
alienation, as far as lies in our power; not
to make allowances for the infrmitieS of
others; to consider everything impossible
which we cannot perform; to believe only
what our finite minds can grasp; to expect
to be able to understand everything. The
greatest of all mistakes is, to live for time,
when any moment may launch us into etsr.
nity.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
"On the other side is
LIFE,
SAVED,
HEAVEN,
LIGHT,
SALVATION,
HAPPINESS,
GOD.
"ON WHICH SIDE ARE YoU?"

CON WHICH SIDE ARE your
l Ipaused, perceiving that had at length
caught his attention his fixed look and earn
est solemnized manner proved that he under
stood and felt what l had been saying; and
on my repeating still more strongly, "ON
WHICH SIDE ARE your" he slowly replied
CON THE LOST SIDE"
81 am not sorry to hear you say so, l
continued. "These are the only words of
truth concerning yourself that | have ever
heard you utter; and as you are on the lost
side, there is only one other side on which
you can be, and that is the saved. Alto
gether lost now, you may be at once and for
ever saved by believing in the Lord Jesus
Christ. To believe in Jesus is to step across
the line at once; or rather the lost sinner
that trusts in the Lamb of God is translated
by God himself out of the power of dark
ness into the kingdom of His dear Son. No
effort of yours, no good works, no good res
olutions, no good prayers, can translate you
from fitness for hell to fitness for heaven
Christ alone can do that, and when with
earnest cry we ask him, he will not refuse.
His own words are, Him that cometh unto
me will inmo,Ofss cast OUT
The old shoemaker found this true by
blessed experience, and now he has gone to
be forever with the Lord.
We ask the reader, On which side of this
line are you?
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
Sayings Of Spurgeon.
line are you

Spurgeon sententiously expresses num-
Der of thoughts "worth remembering in
the following appropriate sentences, which
he publishes as "advice gratis:'
Nobody is more like an honest man than
thorough rogue.
When you see man with great deal of
religion displayed in his shop window, you
may depend upon it he keeps very small
stock of it within.
Do not choose your friend by his looks
handsome shoes often pinch the feet.
Do not be fond of compliments; remem-
Der "thank you, pussy, and thank you,
pussy" kill the cat
Don't believe the man who talks the most,
for mewing cats are very seldom good
mouSers.
By no means put yourself in another per-
sons power; if you put your thumb between
two grinders, they are very apt to bite.
Drink nothing without seeing it; sign moth
ing without reading it; and make sure that
it means no more than i; says.
Don't go to law unless you have nothing
to lose; lawyers houses are built on fools
heads.
Put on dependence on the label of bag
and count money after your own kind.
In any business never wade into water
where you cannot see the bottom.
See the sack open before you buy what
| is in It for he who trades Ia the dark ask
to be cheated.
Keep clear of man who does not valu
his own character.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

again, there is powerful argument blasting
rebuke,-withering sarcasm, and the mos
melting pathos. N B. There is note un
der this head, of two pages in small print
worthy of being set up in letters of gold.
"3. It as the duty of our Church to FIR
mish a sufficient supply Of soell-educated min
isters for our constantly Increasing pOpsla'
tion.'
The expansion and filling up of this last
point, l leave to others, and especially to
those who remember the man who preached
this magnificent sermon.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
Revival Meetings in the Established Church

An interesting movement is made in one
of the parish churches of London, St. Pan
cras, with the sanction of the Bishop, which
is decided innovation upon the Established
Chursh services 1t is the holdiug of
series of meetings strikingly similar to the
revival meetings that have been held in this
country for many years, and are to be con-
ducted in much the same way. They are
called pre-Advent Mission Services, but their
character is set forth in the following extract
from the circular which has been distributed
in the parish:
"We aim at conversion, but the only way
of conversion we know of is the preaching
of the Gospel in the power of the Holy
Ghost. We are utterly helpless without our
Saviour's presence, but there is no other
means of obtaining it than the prayer Of
faith. We long to help individual SOU,
tighten burdened Conscience, TO send
in peace and joy,s
can this be done,
with those who seek ou. -. :,
is what is being done every day, more 6
less, by our ordinary Church ministrations;
but Gas has been explained already we wish
now to make an additional effort for our
Lords glory, by the voice of special preach
ers peculiarly qualified for the work, through
short and stirring evening services in church,
as well as by simple school-room services,
where, in less formal way, we can speak
at our leisure to anxious and inquiring souls,
who stirred to seek the Lord. Prayer, praise,
preaching, personal conference are the SIM
pie and apostolic methods we desire to en-
ploy. May we not believe that God will
bless them, if we have the heart and the faith
to ask?"
An invitation is addressed to the poor of
the parish in the following persuasive and
appropriate language:
"Come readily, for your soul is more pre-
cious than the wealth Of the Indies quickly,
for you may be gone to morrow; frequently,
for it s but one week out of many years; as
you are, for does God care about your cloth
ing without fear or shame, for there is no
cowardice so miserable as being afraid of
confessing your Saviour; ask others to come,
for if all men loved Christ it would be a
happy world. Come with US, and we will
do you good"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

"Desiring to be teachers of the law; understand
ing neither what they say, whereof they affirm.
/ TIN /; Z.
This sermon was preached at the College
church, Prince Edward, by the Rev. John
II. Rice, d. D., at an Anniversary of the
Education Society of Hanover Presbytery.
Many who heard it expressed wish that
it might be printed, and it was accordingly
printed in the Stb Vol. of the Literary and
Evangelical Magazine, edited by Dr. Rice
at the time. The sermon occupies 36 PIP.
Of the Magazine, and was, no doubt, writ
ten after its delivery, aud so fails to preserve
some Of the illustrations used, as well as
some Of its most eloquent passages. As it
is. it is entitled % the highest cOmmenda-
ton, for the.sa tassing ability, and the deep
toned earnesi With which it discusses a
subject of thS most absorbing-I would
rather say-vital interest, to the Presbyte-
rian Church. If was able, would at
once have an edition published of $4,000
copies, and send them to every neighbOrhOOd
within the bounds of our General Assembly.
It would serve to correct the narrow minded
and short-sighted views, of those who would
thrust in ignorant and incompetent men to
supply the want Of ministers for our vacant
churches. 1t would serve to cure the fever
shall it be called malignant fever THAT
for few years past mas been burning in the
brains of some of our brethren, to supply
our pulpits with lqymen who are as ignorant
as their hearers.
"But what did Dr.. Rice say in that ser
mon for we had rather know that, than
read your comments upon it" No doubt of
it-aud beg pardon for not doing what l
fully intended to do, when | begun,-name-
ly-present an analysis of the sermon
Gladly would give you the whole of it-as
i, is, if could,
After brief but clear exposition of the
text and context, the author goes on to say
"The words of the text present to our
view, men affecting to be teachers, who are
not we'll instructed in that which they I'm
dertake to teach. And the context clearly
shows that the Apostle thought such instruc-
tors injurious to the cause which they under
took to advocate. We may, then, make it
the principal object of this discourse,
II. To CONSIDER SOME OF THE EVILS
WHICH ARISE FROM IGNORANCE IN RELI
GIoUS TEACHERS.
''But that the subject thus discussed may
not be mere speculation, your attention
will be directed to the INQUIRY
al. WHAT Is OUR DUTY AS CHRISTIANS
AND PATRIOTS IN RELATION TO THIS IMPoR-
TANT MATTER.
"And then some remarks will be made
"III. OK THE PLANS AND METHODS FOR
rHE DISCHARGE OF THIS DUTY, BEST ADAPTED
TO THE SITUATION OF OUR COUNTRY.
In treating this subject'-GgnOrant
d. under 1st head 81 am aware
character. But convinced
~essaadcd too that il
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
afrom the discussion, IN
snfrehension Of consequences. :

a. apprehension OF consequences.
aish TO observe, that the attention
is confined to one topic, because, the preacher
wishes to discuss it as fully as the limits of
a single sermon will permit. An ungOdly
ministry is one Of the greatest curses that
can afliet Church, or people. Terms al
most as strong might be applied to luke
warm, indolent ministry. But the obvious
importance Of these subjects has caused them
to be frequently presented to the Christian
public, while that which now claims our at
tention, has been mentioned only inciden
tally in the pulpit; aud certainly has not re-
ceiyed that consideration which it deserves,
''Hence, perhaps, it is, that many in our
country greatly under-value learning in the
ministry; and some regard it as disqual-
iGcation,-at least as an injury to their spir-
itaal qifts. Men, from whom better things
might be expected, while they require medi-
cal and legal science in physicians and law
yers, are entirely Indifferent as to the intel
leetual qualifications of preachers of the
gospel. 1t has often appeared to me sur
prising that men of sense, 10hO are Out Of
the Church, should be uneoncerned while the
most powerful Of all moral causes is under
the management Of the rude and unskiliful;
and tits truly amazing that Christians should
ever be willing to entrust the most mOmen'
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
Cross Bearing.

What is it? Who does it? 1t is not the
having piece of the true wood of the Cross,
on which Christ hung. Not the wearing of
Jet, or Coral, or Gold Cross, as an orna-
ment, as badge. Not something Of my
own making, and then calling it a cross-nct
the giving up of san, as san, and calling it
cross to do so. But it is something, to be
done, or borne, that is contrary to our natu-
raj tastes, and feelings, and inclinations-
something-not sinful, in itself, which Jesus
requires US to give up, or do, or suffer, for
Him, and for His cause. 1t consists, in part,
in denying ones own ease, or pleasure, or
comfort even, for JesuS-in giving up the
innocent, or doubtful amusements, pleasures,
and practices of the world, for Jesus, and
His cause; when they hinder our power to
do good to others-or our desire to get good
for ourselves. 1t consists in giving up, or
denying ourselves, of whatever, and whoever,
is likely to lead US away from Jesus. 1t
consists in bearing the neglect, the pity, the
scorn, the hatred, and the persecution of
the world, for Christ's sake-and because we
belong to Him. 1t consists in counting all
things else but loss, so We may but win
Christ, etc.
Alas, how few know anything of such
croas-bearing. Does the money-lOving pro-
fessor know of it?-or the pleasure-lOving?
or the dram-drinking: or liquor selling
one? Does the Theatre going, the card play
ing, the Dancing Professor know of il, or
bear it? Does that Professor know anything
about it who is content to receiUe alwdys,
and never to impart
How often, or when, do any of US bear the
cross, by doing, or giving, (time or money!
or suffering, or giving up something, for
Jesus, that we would not otherwise have
done? Jesus bore a terrible cross for u.s.
Are we bearing any for Him! Rene,
no cross, no crown. r''sv~ mus b
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
On Which Side of the Line.

In a village near the sea coast in th'
south of England there lived, year or two
ago, an old man, by trade a shoemaker.
often looked in upon him as lie sat at hi'
stall, making or mending shoes, and hac
many interesting conversations respecting
the state of his soul: but generally came
away disheartened and very sad, for he was
built up in selfrighteousness.
One day, after long conversation with
him, l perceived that all l said was of no
use, and pausing moment lifted up my
heart in prayer to God that he would help
me to set forth the truth 80 as to strike upon
the conscience of this poor perishing sinner.
With my cane l then slowly drew line
on the sand of the cottage floor, and, looking
up, said, "Do you see that liner He had
watched my action, wondering what | was
about, and answered, eyes, Sir" swell,
then mark me" said [:
9 On this side of the line is
s1lyst IT'S
LOST,
HE'LL,
DARKNESS,
DAMNATION,
MISERY,
SATAN.
"On the other side is
LIFE,
SAVED,
HEAVEN,
LIGHT,
SALVATION,
HAPPINESS,
GOD.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

CHARAcTER.-It is his whole life, and not
q few incidents of it, that proves the man.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

saw my sad estate-condemned to die:
Then terror seized my heart, and dark despair )
But whea to Calvary turned my eye,
saw the cross, and read forgiveness there.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

I saw that I was lost, far gone astray;
No 6ope # safe return there seemed to bei
Dlt hen I heard that Jesus was the way,
.ar nd liv'ag way prepared for me.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
ITHcUGHT-ANp SAW.

This is a faithful saying and worthy of al accep-
tation that Christ Jesus into the world to save
sinners of whom | am chief l TIN /: Is.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13
Foa ruE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
TIE INJURY DONE TO RELIGION BY
IGNORANT PREACHERS.

SERMON DELIVERED BEFORE AN EDUCATION
SOCIETY, IN SEPTEMBER, 1925.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

cross Tor Jes'I-
indeed. If you y.
dulgencies, the pleasures, and the
ments, that belong to the world; ho~
you be Christian at all?
Loving the world, you are an enemy of
God. Choose you this day the Cross, with
its crown; or the world, with its sins, and ats
0aqes. South Western Presbyterian.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

] thought upon my sins, and was sad;
Ny soul was troubled sore and filed with pain
But, then, l thought on Jesus and was glad
Ny heavy grief was turned to joy again.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-12-13

I thought upon the law, the fiery law,
Holy, and just, and good in its decree;
looked to Jesus, and in Him l saw
That ,sw fulfilled, its curse endured for me.
New-York tribune., 1871-05-06

The law Of capital punishment has got the
Circuit Court in Ulster County into nice
mess. More than year ago a negro named
Levi Bodne killed his employer, Daniel Has
bIouck, rich farmer, and was duly arrested
and lodged in Jail. There was no reasonable
doubt of the facts in the case, and one would
suppose the trial ought to have been swift and
easy. But it so happens that Levi Bodine is
deaf and dumb. He has never learned the
dumb alphabet. He cannot express himself
except by rude and arbitrary signs. He can
not understand bis counsel. If he should be
tried on the indictment for murder he would
not have fair opportunity for defense, and
the Judge avows natural repugnance to hang
him unheard There was some hope that he
might be found insane, but on the contrary
he seems to bo remarkably intelligent The
Court made the ghastly suggestion that he
should be educated especially for the purpose
of being hanged, and his trial postponed to
allow time for the process; but there is no
law justifying tho appropriation of the
public money for such an object, and
Levi consequently waits in Jail till
the Judge aud the District Attorney can make
New-York tribune., 1871-05-06
HOW TO ACHIEVE REFORM.
To the Edftor Of The Trtbune.
S,y. bave q nlan for reforming tn

SIR: have plan for reforming the civil
service which proceed to submit TO you MY pan soo
further back than any have seen, and commences d.
the elections by the people. Looking at the average
legislator whether in Congress or the state Leg'"''
w-adays it seems obvious to me that we neeu Quiet
reforms beside the Of appointments to ONCE
Isuppose that there least man In every Con
oress district In the country who does right because IL
is right and who does not do wrong simply because IL
wrong Now let that man be sent to Congress anu VIC
shall hear no more OF corrupt lobbes There VIII DC o
difficulty In passing Civil Service Reform b' &C. @c
But you AJAX, How is this to be donet Wen; Will 'en
Won how il can be done. You newspaper publishers
boleva Won call Yourselves "The Press claim to bo
mnd think with good deal Of TRUTH leaders OF the
people, conservators Of our interests &C., &c. NO" iet
the members OF the press in each Congress dsrct meet
ouetly and K upon the man who has the quancauohs
above described irrespective OF what MS party ana
tons have been and then join hands in the canvass and
the entire press in his favor he Will be elected
and being elected, all needed reforms VIII ioho"' Vi
course. - , , ,,,.. .o,,.,o l.. o., .bo an,
tire press TO jOn heartily In It, Now is not the object to
be obtained sufficient to warrant such actionf c
IBoshl There are good and bad men in jour
nalism, as in other callings: if not, how would
the depraved find the periodical aliment they
| coyeti Bad readers don't want good journals,
but the other sort-and they get what they
want. 1t would hence be impossible for jour
nalists to agree on candidates any more than
lawyers or doctors could. And, if they did
agree on just such candidates as Mr.. c. sug-
gests, these would often be badly beaten. We
can name district in this City where
thoroughly good, worthy. conscientious man
would be beaten heavily by any keeper of
disorderly dance-house. We judge that our
Members of Congress are now as good as their
constituents will average, and, if they differ.
are a shade better.-Ed.
New-York tribune., 1871-05-06
ND their minds what to do with him. There,

I'D their minds what to do with him. There,
we suppose, he is likely to stay until the other
gentlemen in Jail protest against the undeslr-
able companionship, and what disposition will
ultimately be made of him is problem which
we prefer to leave to the ingenuity OF the
prosecuting officer. IL the punishment OF
murder were TO be perpetual Imprisonment in
stead of the gallows, we presume there would
be none of this embarrassment The man is
believed to be responsible for his actions, and
there is no question that he struck the MUIR
derous blows. His physical defects would not
deter a jury from sending him to Jail, and
would not really deprive him of fair trial
with the aid of intelligent counsel. The re-
luctance to place him at the bar is nothing
but the instructive horror of shedding human
blood which constantly asserts itself in spite
of laws and sOphisms.
New-York tribune., 1871-05-06

English journals report that the policy OF
Protection for native industry is gaining head
way rapidly in the Australian colonies, and
that during the recent elections the popular
cry was for duty Of 25 or 30 per cent on
every imported article which could as well BIO
produced in Australia. It is expected that the
next Parliament will be strongly Protectionist.
Tho vigorous younger countries of the world
give lessons in political and economical truth
to the older nations. 1t is in the new lands
like America and Australia, that we must look
for indications of the principles upon which
society is hereafter to be governed.
New-York tribune., 1871-05-06

The New-Haven Democrats are to COnnec-
ticut Democrats in general what the Tam
many Democrats of to-day are to the Demo-
Gratis of the last generation. 1t is, therefore,
not surprising that they have contrived to spirit
away from the ballot-box of the Fourth Ward OF
New-Haven 100 of JEWELS ballots tnelepy
oflsetting the extra 100 votes which they s.uieu
in for English on the evening OF the ei1I',on, a,
The facts are clearly stated in our New-iia'sn Sn
letter, and the fraud will d0uoueSs Sn, 70
more fully exposed by the Legislative ',sar O1,n-
mittee, which has adjourned nntlI Monuay, n.;. .
If by any perversiOn of justice the pemoSfaS So"iS
omordmcnt of the New-Haven count should
be allowed, it secures the election of Gov
English bv the people. Otherwise. the cleo
tion of Gov. Jewell by the Legislature is
New-York tribune., 1871-05-06

The Detective Police of the chief cities of
the country anxious to increase their efficiency
by cooperating are agitating for something
resembling a National organization. The sug-
gestion lately put forward by the Chief of
Police of st. Louis and its manifest advantages at
once directed attention to the proposition for con-
ventiOn of the Chiefs of Police and OF
Detectives The active cooperation of the
Detective forces of the country Is very desirable
thing, and would accomplish great good if the
necessary organization completed with the de-
sign of preventing crime, not merely detecting crii-
nails. Such an organization, formidable in numbers,
superior in sagacity to the worst combination of
skiful criminals perfect in training active in CO.
operation, Jealous and honest in the performance of
duty, and with the best means of speedy communi-
cation would make crime so dangerous profession
that the skilled criminals who weigh well the chances
and engage only in large and dangerous enterprises
would be deferred. On this principle Of prevention
only can an effective Detective Police be organized.
"The principal object of the institution of the
force" as Sir Richard Mayne once wrote in the
Order-Book of the London Metropolitan Police, is
the prevention of crime, aud to this end
every effort of the police is to be di-
rected" 1t is the observance of this principle,
fixed by the highest authority in police circles,
which makes the Metropolitan Police of London. and
particularly the department of Detectives of Scot
land Yard the most effective organization of the
kind in the world. If the proposed Convention will
adopt this principle-and we glad to that the
st. Louis Superintendent has the common sense to
suggest it-and make it general in its applica-
ton, a great step will have been taken
toward reform OF most important
branch of the Police service Not only will it reform
the regular Detective service necessary to every Po
lice force but it will in time abolish the present
quitous system of private detectives. Many of these
are nothing better than social spies who act only
for rewards; who are as ready to take the pay of
the rogues they are set to watch as of
those who employ them; who carry their sys-
TEN of espionage to such an extreme that they
manufacture testimony when they cannot procure it
otherwise and who being paid rule. only in the
event of conviction find it TO their interest to foster
crime rather than to prevent it. Any organization
which will effect this reform of the regular Detective
service and abolish the system of private spies will
be heartily welcomed by everybody but the crimi-
mails and the spies.