davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
Religion, a Help in Life.

How it helps man to suffer and to toll
How it calms his temper and soothes his
spirit! How it heals his wounds and anoints
him with joy. "His tool slipped" says
Malan, in his beautiful tract, THE Watch
maker of Genera, "his tool slipped, and the
work was spoiled. He repeated the attempt,
and again he was unsuccessful. A slight
and momentary expression of trouble ap
peared on his countenance, but the cloud
soon passed away. He clasped his hands
and looked upward, while his lips moved as
if uttering silent and fervent prayer; the
expression of trouble disappeared-he re-
sumed his work. And SO many a good
man in his cottage or workshop, amidst the
spelling of his work or the breaking of his
tools, or the anger of his master, or the los
ing of his employment, or the cries of his
children, or the sorrows Of his wife, or the
sickness of his body, or the trouble of his
soul, finds prayer is the secret of peace
And in manifold ways does religion bless the
poor man in his pilgrimage. Faith is rod
with which He cleaVes Red Seas of diff
Guilty; and Gods Word is pillar Of cloud
81 day, sadfaf fss b nig5r, amidss Inc
rocks Of sandy wilderness. And Sabbatha
are wells of waters, aud ordinances are beau
tifal and shady palm trees; and prayer
brings down mama every morning; and the
sight of the cross heals the bite Of fiery SER
pentS; and hope is spy going beforehand,
to bring back the clusters of Eschol. And
then, at last, Gods presence is as the ark in
the midst of the river; and the pilgrim passes
dryshod into "the land that Aoweth with
milk and honey"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
Vol. 8.---NO. Al.

| cannot explain. Alas, why was this neg
lect? Oh, my misimproved opportunities
Oh, my ruined soul have known well
enough the truths of religion, but have
thought more of other things. persuaded
myself that l could live without Christ. /
have pleased myself at every new stage of
life with its peculiar labors and pleasures, and
| left no room in my heart for God. have
refused the friendly invitations of Jesus, and
have grieved his Holy Spirit by putting off
accepting them to convenient season.
6" now see the awful delusion by which |
deceived myself. 1 cherished the notion
that if l lived as l chose, even up to the
hour of death, could then turn to God. |
have often resolved that l would call upon
him then, and ask him to save me, and have
thought he would do it; that he would have
mercy on my soul at last. But all my hopes
are gone. l am utterly ruined. Indeed /
am now all unprepared all unprepared"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
Gradually Approached.

| We often wonder that certain men and
women are left by God to the commission of
sins which shock US. We wonder how, un-
der the temptations of single hour, they
fall from the very heights of virtue and of
honor into sin and shame. The fact is, there
are no such falls as these, or there are next
to none. These men and women are those
who have dallied with temptation, have ex-
| posed themselves to the influence of it, and
have been weakened and corrupted by it.
If we could get at the secret histories of
those who stand suddenly discovered as
vicious, we should find that they had been
through the most polluting preparatory pro-
cess; that they had been in the habit of
going out and meeting temptation, in order
that they might enjoy its excitements; that
underneath blameess outward life they
have welcomed and entertained SIN in their
imagnations, until their moral sense was
blunted, and they were ready for the deed Of
which they thought they we're incapable.
! ! very oarnestly and, gratefully Believe IL.
the exercise of diyineiy restraining infu-
ence upon the minds of those who are tempt
ed; but l believe there is point beyond
which it rarely goes l do not believe that
God will interpose to prevent man from
SHINING who either seeks or willingly &C.
counters the temptation and the opportunity
to sin. When man finds charm in oppor-
tunity and delight in temptation, he has al
ready committed in heart the sin which he
shrinks from embodying in action; and God
rarely stands between him and further guilt.
We are to keep ourselves from opportun-
tiles, and God will keep us from sin. He
must be hard and irreyerent, or very ig-
norant and deluded man who can pray to be
delivered from the overcoming power of a
temptation into whose atmosphere he will
lingly enters. In fact, we are taught to pray,
not that we may be delivered from the pow
er of temptation, but that we may not be
led into it.
There is vice enough in the world of act
ual life, and it is there that We look for it;
but there is more in that other world of the
imagination that we do not see-vice that
poisons, vice that kills, vice that makes
whited sepulchres of temples that are deem
ed pure, even by multitudes of their tenants.
Sooner or later in their life will they find,
that from all willing daIiance with tempta-
tion and unresisted entertainment of unwor-
thy and impure imaginations, their charac-
ter has suffered an injury which untold ages
will fail to remedy.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
All Unprepared.

A Christian minister in N had a
neighbor who never attended church. Dis
tressed by this neglect, be resolved to visit
him and urge upon him the necessity of per-
sonal piety.
Before favorable opportunity for such
an errand occurred, messenger came hur-
riedly in one morning and said, "0h, sir,
come at once to our hoase; Mr.. H is
dying" 0beying the summons without de-
lay, he hastened to the residence of the very
individual for whose spiritual interests he
had become anxious.
Going up stairs, he was shown into a
room, where lay the occupant of the dwell
ing, apparently suffering intense agony of
mind and body, and approaching the end of
life.
"All unprepared, all unprepared" were
the first words he muttered, as the minister
entered.
"Oh, my dear sir, cried the dying man,
"you are professed servant of God, and |
have sent for you to tell you that now see
how the neglect Of religion is the greatest
folly in the world. Oh, have known what
serious thoughts are; 1 have known what it
is to hear the Bible read and explained,
have been kindly spoken to about my soul,
| have been prayed for, and have often said
l was resolved at some time to begin to be a
Christian, but never did begin. An, death
is now coming and am not ready to die
Oh, sir, whenever you preach, do bid your
hearers prepare for this hour
"Shall l pray with you-for notwith
standing all your sins and your rejection o.
His love, l assure you that the dear Saviour
of sinners will hear your cry even at this
eleventh hour, if you lift your heart peni
tenty and sincerely to him. Shall we moi
together earnestly pray?"
"Yes, pray for me. But wait till tel
you something of my past days.
Though my parents were not themselve'
pious, 1 lived for much of my youth Will
those who feared God, who priced his wOr(
and who neglected no Christian duty. I re
member now, when little child, otter
wept when hearing about Christ, his love fol
poor sinners, and his death to save us.
was taught to read the Bible and to pray
l saw some of my intimate friends begin
ming in their young days to be Christians
I knew, sir, we'll enough that they were hap
pier than I was, and l have sometime
wished that too was with them in the way
of life. Why did not use my religiOu
advantages to become child of God myself
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30

Christian Church at this day, it devolVes
upon the ministers of the Word to give spe'
cial attention to this subject; diligently and
faithfully expounding and inculcating the
Scripture teachings, showing the people the
nature, obligation and Importance of this
service; it's place and use in the Christian
system, as mode of worship and means
of grace; the blessing, spiritual and tenn
poral, attending its faithful performance,
and the damage to both attending its neg
lect. Itdevolges upon church officers, God 8
commissioned rulers and executors, to give
particular attention to this neglected service,
to encourage, aid and lead the people in it,
to provide suitable places where the people
MAJ conveniently deposit their obations, and
to take charge and dispose of them as the
Church courts gssy authorize and direct.
Hence it deW es upon Church courts to
enjoin upon aisters and other officers,
tbs faSthfai ..slon OF the trust God has
devolved upon shem, and to direct the prac-
tical management and operation of this ser
vice.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
Testimony of Old Age.

The Rev. Lovick Pierce, D. D., of Georgia, ha
recently entered upon his seth year, and has been
minister in the Methodist Church for 81 years, al
the time in active service He is the father of BishoI
Pierce of that Church, and has been wonder tc
many for the long continuance of his faculties o.
body and mind. In a communication to the South
ern Christian Adrocate, suggested by his birthday
he gives, at the close, the following interesting
perience:
"You will perhaps like to hear something
Of my experience. Well, my experience is,
that age in a religious life renders clearer
and more distinct the vision of religious
truths. My conviction, from experience, is
that he who has most religion feels most the
need of more. As to myself think | now
understand what Job meant when he said in
his old age: Il have heard of thee by the
hearing of the ear; but now mine eye. seeth
thee. Wherefore | abhor myself, and re-
pent in dust and ashes This is my expert
ence. / am trying to get to heaven, but /
cherish all the time this wholesome opinion
that it will never be too late to be lost until
| am actually saved. But, brethren, | con.
fdently expect to get safely through. There
is one thing which sadly troubles my spirit,
and you will suffer me just to mention it be-
fore [ close. see so many who seem to be
perfectly satisfied with their religious state,
and who seem to cherish confident anticipa-
tioDs of home in heaven, without any ear
nest crying to God for full sanctifcation.
Either they are dreaming or | am. Which
is it?
l am, as ever, the servant of the church,
l.. PIERCE
MacOn, Ca, March Oath, 1872.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
The Prayer Test.
BY a. A. HODGE, D. D.


lst. If human father can answer hi'
chldren's cry for bread, without violating
natural law, why cannot God!
2. If, as all theists believe, God is an ON
nipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, personal
spirit, touching every atom in the universe
at the same instant, observing and using the
laws OF nature, preserving the equilibrium
Of all forces, while directing them to general
and special results, how could Prof. Tyndall
ascertain the fact or its reverse, by any
analysis of the general phenomena of ply
sical nature as it lies before him, as a stu
dent of physical science?
Sd. If God does answer prayer, which is
personal question between Himself and
those who pray, and which has been affirmed
as true to their personal experience, for
thousands of years, by millions Of the best
and most intelligent inhabitants of the globe,
what is to prevent any man of common
sense, sOho submits IN spirit and act to the
conditions upon vhich the promise is made,
from reaching absolute and rational certainty
of the fact, through the intimate correspon-
denotes of his inward and outward life?
4th. If, as we admit with all our heart,
preachers ought to keep silence on questions
of pure science until they attain some clear
ideas on the subject, why ought not men of
science also to keep silence on questions of
philosophy and religion until they possess
some clear ideas of the matters upon which
they are ambitious to speak?
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
The Religion We Want.

We want religion that bears heavily, not
only on "the exceeding sinfulness of sin,
but on the exceeding rascality of lying and
stealing. A religion that banishes small
measures from the counters, small baskets
from the stall, pebbles from the cotton-bags,
clay from the paper, sand from the sugar,
chicory from coffee, alum from bread, and
water from the milk cans. The religion
that is to save the world will not put all the
big strawberries at the top, and all the little
ones at the bottom. 1t will not make one
half pair of shoes of good leather, and the
other half of poor leather, so that the first
shall rebound to the makers credit, and the
second to his cash.. 1t will not put Jouvin's
Stamp on Jenkins kid gloves; nor make
Paris bonnets in the back room of Boston
milliners shop nor let piece Of velvet
that processes to measure twelve yards come
to an untimely end in the tenth; or a spool
of sewing silk that vouches for twenty yards
be nipped in the bud at fourteen and half;
nor all-wool delaines and all-linen handker-
chiefs be amalgamated with clandestine cot
ton; nor coats made of old rags pressed to-
gether be sold to the unsuspecting public for
legal broadcloth. 1t does not put bricks at
five dollars per thousand into chimneys it
contracts to build of seven dollar material;
nor smuggle white pine into floors that have
paid for hard pine; nor leave yawning
cracks in closets where boards ought to join;
nor daub the ceilings that ought to be
smoothly plastered; nor make window-blinds
with stats that cannot stand the wind, and
paint that cannot stand the sun, and fasten-
iugs that may be looked at, out arc on no
ssso0nsto De toscned. Inc religion that is
going to sanc.ify the world pays its debts.
1t does not consider that forty cents return
ed for one hundred cents given it according
to the gospel, though it may be according to
law; it looks on man who thus acts and
who continues to live in luxury as thief.
Such is the religion of the blessed Jesus and
of His book, the Bible.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30

OUR INFLUENCE.-HistOry records the
account Of a heutenant-colonel who was
watching his men closely in the midst of a
most fearful engagement. The dead were
lying all around him. His attention was
riyeted on some christian soldiers. Several
standard bearers had been shot down. 1t
was certain death to pick up that flag. He
saw one of these christian men grasp that
flagstaff, and as he raised it up heard him
say to his comrades, IF fall tell my dear
wife that die with good hope in Christ,
and that am glad to give my life for the
country"
Said the colonel, 81 cannot forget that;
l want to become christian; know there
is reality in religion"
What convinced him? Not the mans
conversation. No; his action. There was
unconscious influence. That true christian
soldier, who was shot down with the flag of
his country in his hands, did not know that
the colonel, who stood a few PAGES in his
rear, was convinced of the reality of religion
by his action.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30

DIVISIONS IN THE CHURcH.-You will
hear much to the effect that the divisions
amongst Christians are such that they rem
der it impossible to say what Christianity is,
and so destroy the certainty, all certainty,
in religion. But if the divisions of Chris
tians are remarkable, not less so is the de-
gree of their unity in the greatest doctrines
that they hold. Well nigh 1,5OO years,
years of more sustained activity than the
world had ever before seen, have passed
away since the great controversies of Chris
tendon, concerning the Deity and the Per-
son of the Redeemer were, after long ago
n.y.. determined. As before that time, in
manner less defined, but adequate for the
day, SO ever since that time, amid all chance
and change, it is mere matter Of fact to
state that more, ay, many more, than nine
ty-nine in every hundred Christians have
with one will confessed the deity and incar-
nation of our Lord as the cardinal and Gen.
trail truths of our religion. Surely there is
some comfort here, some sense of brother
hood, some glory in the past, some hope for
the times that are to come.-Gladstone.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
Hand Work and Heart Work

The Rev. Henry A. Boardman, D. D., of
Philadelphia, contributed recently to the
Christian Weekly, an article entitled Hand
work and Heart-work," 80 replete with
weighty truth that We regret that we have
not room in our columns for it all. He we'll
says that the real working power of the
Church, under God, lies in the personal
holiness and humble, devout faith of its
members.
Whilst observation shows, that as rule,
the active, working Christians are also the
most devout and godly Christians in q
church, there is unqueStionably danger
that our branches may be out of proportion
to our roots, our external activities exceed
our personal holiness. The remedy, howev
er, is not in any diminution of our zeal fol
the advancement of Christs kingdom with
out US; it is in the culture of closet reli
gion, of communion with God and nearneSt
to him. Earnestly would we commend every
Presbyterian at work and would tha
they all were at work for Christ-the clos
ing words of DR.. Boardman's article;
"Activity without habitual meditation
incessant work without patient waiting upor
God, to be forever doing without carefully
cherishing the indwelling of the Spirit, vii
dwarf the sonl, and, after a while, turr
your religion into deceptive and burden
some ceremonial. There is but one source
and spring for a pure, consistent and perma
nently fruitful Christian life: abide in me
and l in you All true hand work has it
roofing and inspiration in heart-work.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
TIE HIDDEN HOUR.
l know not when but this I know,
That it will surely come TO me,


know not when but this l know,
That it will surely come to me,
The day which comes to all below,
Which every child Of earth must see;
For er his spirit none hath power
To keep it in that last dread hour.
know that l shall watch the sun,
As | have watched him many day
In gold behind the hills go down,
Gliding with splendor all the way;
l shall not see him set again,
Yet this | shall not know e en- then.
Some night, know, the shades viii gather,
The dusky shadows deeper grow,
The silent stars come out together,
The last that | shall see below;
No voice from out that distant sky
Viii warn me that my end is nigh.
Some Spring time shall mark the trees
Grow daily greener 0 o'er may head,
And IN the Autumn | shall feel
The dead leaves rustic meath my tread;
Nor know next Autumn's S winds shall come
To strew the dead leaves on my tou.h-
And there viii be a darkened room,
And they will catch my faintest breath,
And silence and gathering gloom
VIII fall from off the wings OF Death
l shall not hear the mufAsd tone,
The silent whisper, She is gone'
But ioheR this last great change shall come
is hidden from us-and tis best;
If be ready for my home,
1t matters not how soon | rest;
Death viii be but the end OF sorrow,
Dawn of an endless, heavenly morrow
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30
TTo BE CONTINUED
A GENTLEMAN who escaped from the VIZ

A GENTLEMAN who escaped from the wreck
of the Atlantic telegraphed to his brother in
a distant city the single word, "saved. -
Brief though the message was, it was one of
Joy, and so highly did the brother value it,
that he has had it framed and hung up in
his Office. Christ said to the man whom he
had healed, go home to thy friends and
tell them how great things the Lord hath
done for thee, and hath had compassion on
thee. And what joy such an announce
ment should bring to them who have been
anxious for the souls of their kindred?-
They are "saved' from a worse
wreck than that of the Atlantic, and to q
better hope than that of home and country
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30

THE DESIRES of human hearts and the ef-
forts of human hands go into the processes
of providence, and constitute the material on
which the Almighty works.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30

HIT AT HIS PRoFANITY.-Mrs. G.-"I
really must give cook warning, Charles. She
does use such very bad words
Mr.. G.-"Really, dear! What sort of
words are they?'
Mrs. G.-"O-well-the same as you
use
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30

TELL me the way in which you walk, and
the company you keep, and will declare to
you the end you will reach.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30

PAMBUs used to say it took him twenty
years to learn this text-"Keep thy tongue
from evil"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-04-30

In place of another article on this subject,
we present this week an extract from the
Report on Systematic Benevolence" to
the Synod in Baltimore, which was laid on
the table. j. w. P
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-25

some two years ago my daughter seven year old,
H1 & n attack Of rheumatic and peuy lever
Mri elt ner IN very dangerous condition Her
sinking daily. We employed good physicians with
out benefit. After having nearly despaired oS M
recovery we decided to try the New York Inyarst,,
Medicine. In two months she was able 70 srn ~
school, and has not been compelled TO lose ~ AZ ~
since account of i'll health. u"9
CAPT. J. H. THORNDIKE-
Portland, June 25th, 1872. 0e ''ieet'
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-25

had the Catarrh 10 bad for several years that nv
hand became confused and painful. was obliged TO
get up several times night to keep from choking
! employed some of the best Physicians without
benifit. was perfectly cured with the University
The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-25
Iron in tEae Blood
MAKES The WEAK STRONG,

The Pcr1:vi07s Syrup, O. Protect,
ed Solution of the PrOtOEiIe of
Iron, is so combined as to haze
the character of an dIii,aei,t, as
easily digeSted and 0ssi3niLote6
aCith the blood as the simplest
food. 1t increases the giGantity
of NatMre'o OsCn Tit0liSing
agent, Iron ip the blood, and
cures "G thousand iLls," sinspIy
6y T01ei1sg APP, InUigorGtinD and
VitatiSi7sg the System. The en-
7'iched and vitaLized blood per-
snedtes ecery part of the body,
repairing damages and sUGste,
searching 0ut morbid secre-
tons, and Tearing nothing for
disease to feed ap0n.
This Is the secret of the aUo7s-
derfu success of this remedy in
curing Dyspepsia, Liver Com
plant, Dropsy, Chronic Diar-
rhoea, Boils, Nervous Affections,
Chills and Feyers, Humors,
Loss of Constitutional Vigor,
Diseases of the Kidneys and
Bladder, Female Complaints,
ana 0H diseases originating i9I
a bad state of the blood, on. oc-
compa1sieG by debility or o. Io1c
state of the system. Bein0 free
from Alcohol, IN any form, dts
energtStng effects are not fol-
to'ced by corresponding reac-
st0n, 6ut are permanent, i1af,S-
sing strength, ci0or, and me,o
life into dtt parts of the system.
end building up aas Iron Com
stitistiOn.
thousands haze been chanoecs
OF the use of this renaeou. from
sceak, sickly, suferieG creo-
tsares, to strong, heaIthy, and
ndppy men and aU0nse,s; and
s,scattds cannot reasonable hes.
stGte to 0ice 1t a trial.
See that each bottle has PERU.
WAN SYRUP bsosc,a i'a tie glass,
Pamphlets Free.
SETH W. F0WLE & SONS, Prosrietors
No. Milton Place, Boston.
SOLD by DRuGG;srs GESERALLY