davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
That Rainless Cloud.

1t had been long season of dry weather,
when the cloud appeared. All hearts were
excited at the sight of it. The very cattle
upon the hills seemed to partake of the gen
eral joy. Nay, even the grass, and corn,
and forests waved signs of gladness. But
alas it brought no rain. Strangely, it dis
solved, and was taken by different currents
of air and borne out of sight Perhaps its
large, dark masses were SO disintegrated into
inGnitesimal particles as to be again ditfused
throughout the atmospheric realm, to fall
somewhere in dewy blessings upon thirsty
land. But even these came not where they
we're expected.
Is there anything symbolical in all this
O., how may pastors can answer! A cloud
of mercy, apparently big with the waters OF
salvation, gathers over church. For days
and weeks it seems that it must come pour
ing down upon all hearts. But it proves a
rainless cloud 1t scatters-dis-
appears What does all this mean? Was
this cloud real? Were there waters of life
in it? Upon what conditions did its bless
ings hang? Was the purpose of mercy but
purpose of the mockery of human hopes ?
Or, was there something wrong in MANN
the church-in the pastor? Here are pro-
blems dark and intricate. Who will solve
them p WatchmGn and Reflector.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
Fall of a Meteoric Stone.

The Times has already made mention of a
brilliant meteor that was seen at Iowa City
and other points in Central Iowa, on the
evening of February 18th, at balf-past ten
o'clock. Its course was from southeast to-
ward the northwest. 1t was apparently
about half the diameter of the moon, and &C.
companied by beautiful train. The color
and vividneSs were about like that of mol
ten iron. While in view it was seen to sep
arate into many fragments, and after about
three minutes, the reports of three explo-
sions were distinctly heard. One of the
fragments seems to have fallen about three
miles south of the village of West Liberty.
An observer near that point says: For
fully minute the heavens were lighted by
the fierce glare of the swiftly descending
fire ball; and when it struck, the earth
shook as from an earthquake for miles
around, and the noise of the conclusion was
heard by the, people of Grinnell, IS miles
away. The fiery ball, striking terra frma
in large open field, frightened residents in
the vicinity half out of their wits. 1t sank
fifteen feet into the ground, and left hole
of that depth and ten feet in diameter. For
hours it continued to spit flame, crackle,
sputter, smoke, and occasionally discharge
loud cannon,like reports, to the infinite ter
ror of the people in that vicinity. None
dared approach while this miniature volcano
continued in action; but with the cessation
of life, hundreds gathered around to inveSti-
gate the wonder. Dubuque Times, Feb. 10.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
University Professors.

AT the anniversary of the Oxford (Eng.,)
Bible Society, the chair was taken by Prof.
Pritchard, the Savilian professor of astrono-
my, who, in the course of the opening ad-
dress, remarked:
We have the testimony of an eminent In
dian statesman that even fragment of the
Divine word has more than once and within
his own knowledge first of all excited the
curiosity, and then stimulated the inquiry,
and last of all led to the conversion of entire
Indian villages to the faith of Christ. In
the sure conviction, then, that virtue &C.
companies the Bible going forth and encir-
cling and informing the soul, let US proceed
with the work that lies before US, resting as
sured that herein we cannot be otherwise
than fellow-workers with God. And now,
but one word as to the individual who thus
ventures to address you: Even as profess
sor of astronomy in this University l am not
without sufficient precedent in joining an
association such as this. The Parent Society
is now just seventy years old, attaining to
the limit of vigorous existence spoken of by
| Tue heprew poet hdppiiy IL e4hlolIs uo
symptoms of decadence, having attained the
possession of a revenue approximating close
ly to that of this whole University. But l
can tell you of Bible Society which sprang
up in the sister University some fifty years
before the British and Foreign Bible So
ciety was SO much as thought of. True, it
was very small society-it consisted but of
two MEMBERSHIP those two were Sir Isaac
Newton and his friend; for it is recorded of
Newton that he annually entrusted to his
friend sum of money for the purchase and
distribution of the Bible. Such was New
ton, the astronomer, at Cambridge. The
Savilian professor at Oxford cannot be
wrong if he follows (haud pari passu) in bis
steps.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
What Every Wife Ought to Know.

Every action and emotion depletes the
physical system. Milk, the first food abb
sorbed by men and animals, is the only nat
ural mixture, containing all the elements OF
blood save the coloring. Water constitutes
three-fourths of the body. To work well,
either physically or mentally, we must be
fed judiciously and thoroughly. The worker
must eat mixed food. Food properly ad-
ministered stimulates the system as wine
does, only more naturally. The long night
hours empty the stomach, deplete the system,
and chill the body. On arising, the physi-
cal condition is low and should be recruited.
If we lose time at early morning in bringing
the body up to its natural heat and strength,
we cannot regain it during the day. A
healthy man requires about one pound Of
nutriment per day to keep him in good con.
dition. While working man would need
daily five pounds of solid mixed food, two
and half would be enough for persons who
lounge and sleep much:
Life can be sustained two or three weeks
on two ounces a day. A change of diet
should follow change of seasons-in winter
fats and sweets; in summer, fruits, fish anc
lighter meats. Milk and eggs, blood food
steak, flesh food; potatoes and wheat
which being heated material, are fuel; ant
coffee a stimulant -Monsieur Palhs.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
Assyrian Discoveries.

Recently a fragment was dug up at Kony.
unssk, and comparing it with other frag
ments which had previously been brought tc
the London Museam, it was found to contain
an account of the creation OF the world and
the fall of man. 1t has not yet been fully
examined, but it is believe by Mr.. George
Smith, the best authority on the subject, tc
be longer and fuller than the account in
Genesis. 1t agrees, however with the in.
spired narrative, in remarkable degree, and
will corroborate the Bible history. Mr.
Smith was sent out by the proprietors of the
London Telegraph, and, in recent letter tc
that journal, he speaks as follows:
"The first series, which l may call The
Story of the Creation and Fall, when com
plete must have consisted of nine or ten tab.
let's at least, and the history upon it is much
longer and fuller than the corresponding &C,
count in the Book of Genesis. With respect
to these Genesis narratives furious strife
has existed for many years; every word has
been scanned by eager scholars, and every
possible meaning which the various passages
could bear has been suggested; while the
age and authenticity of the narratives have
been discussed on all sides. In particular,
it may be said that the account of the fall of
man, the heritage of all Christian countries,
has been the centre of this controversy, for
it is one of the pivots on which the Christian
religion turns. The world wide Importance
of these subjects will therefore give the new.
Undiscovered Inscriptions, and especially the
one relating y the Fall, an unparalleled
value, and I I'm glad, indeed, that such a
treasure should have resulted from your ex.
petition.
Whatever the primitive account may have
been from which the earlier part of the Book
of Genesis was copied, it is evident that the
brief narration given in the Pentateuch omits
a number of incidents and explanations for
instance, as to the origin of evil, the fall of
the angels, the wickedness of the serpent,
etc. Such points as these are included in
the Cuneiform narrative; but of course |
can say little about them until prepare full
translations Of thgfsgends."
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
Bees in the United States.

There are two million bee-hives in the
United States. Every hive yields, on an
average, little over twenty-five pounds of
honey. The average price at which honey
is sold is twenty-five cents pound; so that
after paying their own board, the bees pre-
sent US with a revenue of $S,SOO,0OO. To
reckon in another way, they make clear
gift of over pound of pure honey to every
man, woman, and child in the vast domain
of the United States. Over twenty-three
and one-third million pounds of wax are
made and given to US by these Industrious
workers. The keeping of bees is one of the
most profitable investments that our people
can make of their money. The profits aris-
ing from the sale of surplus honey average
from fifty to two hundred per cent. on the
capital invested.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
Amsbandrp.
Longevity of Birds.

Among the feathered creation, the eagle
and raven, the swan and parrot are each
centenarians. An eagle kept in Vienna died
after confinement of one hundred and four
teen years, ard on an ancient oak in Shell
burne, still known as the "raven tree" the
same pair of ravens are believed to have
fixed their residence for series of more than
ninety-years. Swans upon the River Thames,
about whose age there can be no mistake,
since they are annually nicked by the Vint-
ners' Company, under whose keeping they
have been for five centuries, have been
known to survive one hundred and fifty years
and more. The melody of the dying swan
is entirely NEUROLOGICAL.
Upon approach of death the bird quits the
water, sits down upon the banks, lays its
head upon the ground, expands its wings
trife and expires, uttering no sound.
The extreme longevity of the parrot is
equally authentic. In the Geological Gar
dens of London there is macaw that was
admitted to the Tower in the year 1854
At Versailles, during the reign of Charles
X, there was always hanging a cage in the
Gil-de-beuf which contained parrot pur-
chased by the Regent Orleans for the Ouch
ess de Berri. There is not collection of
birds in any of the royal aviaries of Europe
that has not its ancient parrot. The writer
purchased gray African parrot in 1856,
whose residence in Wales was authenticated
for seventy seven years. The bird, more
wonderful for variety of speech than for her
age, learning everything and forgetting moth
ing, accomplished in the Welsh tongue and
English, born in Africa, living more than
three-quarters Of century in Europe, and
dying in America, might have been alive
now but for heedlessness. In 1867 she had
certainly approached, if she had not reached
and passed, her one hundredth year. Upon
a severely cold night in December of that
year she was sent from New York to Wash
ington, and persisted by the way. She was
in perfect health, and had never known a
day of sickness, showed no decrepitude, en-
ioyed life to the utmost, demanded no allow
ances or concession on the score of advanced
years, al might, but for the exposure to
the rigor of unaccustomed climate, have
been alive to-day.-Boston Transcript.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
Origin Of Some Phrases.

The origin of the term, sub-rOsa or Gun
der the rose is said to be the following
Cupid gave a rose to Hippocrates, and from
this legend arose the practice of Suspending
rose over the table while eating, when it
was intended that the conversation must be
kept secret. The explanation of the origin
of "by hook Or by crook, is that in the old
time, persons entitled to get firewood in the
Kings fores were limited to such dead
branches as ey could tear down with a
" hook or a CT ok, without hurt to his Maj
esty's tree" g In spite of his teeth" orr
ginated thus liking John of England once
demanded of Jew the sum of ten thousand
marks, and on being refused, ordered that
the Isr@lite have one of his teeth drawn every
day until he gave his consent. The Jew
submitted to the loss of seven, and then paid
the required sum, and hence the expression,
(" in spite of his teeth.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
Sparrows and Fruit Growers.

Many Europeans have predicted that the
introduction of sparrows into this country
would ultimately be regretted. That they
destroy insects there is no doubt, but their
work is not entirely benefcent; and melan-
choly accounts have been told of loss to the
farmers by the havoc the sparrows make in
their grain. In France the sparrow appears
as an enemy to the pear-grower, and unless
the trees are at long distance from any
house, the sparrow being an eminently stay
at-home bird, they often have during the
winter their fruit buds attacked by sparrows,
and one case is mentioned in which the trees
upon place, which usually produced an
abundance of pears, one season did not show
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
nICHMoND AND DANvILLE RAILROAD.

lCHMOND AND DANVlILE hAlLhOhO.
n On and after MARCH 10, 1876, the trains
on this road will run daily as follows:
TRAIN No. 1--CHARLoTTE EXPRESS, Westward
Leaves Rich mond at sos a. M; leaves Burkeville
at 1925 a. m leaves Dundee at 1906 p. M; leaves
Danville at D. M; leaves Greensboro at 1881 m.
leaves Salisbury at 6:46 p. m arrives at Airline
Junction at $40 p. M; arrives at Charlotte at 936
p
TRAIN No. 2.-NEw YORK and New ORLEANS
EXPRESS, Eastward-Leaves Charlotte at 1855 M;
leaves Airline Junction at 9. 20 m; leaves Sails
bury at 3S a. M; lie yes Greensboro at 2: p.
M; leaves Danvile at 4:48 p. M; leaves Dundee at
4:57 D. M; leaves Burkevile at 9:l7 p. m, arrives
at Richmond at 11:49 p m.
TRAIN No. 3.-THRoUGH MAIL, Westward
Leave Richmond at l:38 p. m; leave Burkeville
at AL p. NJ; leaves Dundee at 1925 p. M; leaves
Danville at 92S p. m. leaves Greensboro at IL 40
a. M; leaves Salisbury at 1853 a. M; leaves Air
7:10 a. m.
TRAIN No. 4.-THRoUGH MAIL, Eastward
Leaves Charlotte at 1923 p. m; leaves Air Line
Junction at 80 p NJ; leaves Salisbury at r. ~ p.
m; leaves Greensboro at 1886 a. M. leaves DAN
vile at $40 a. NJ; leaves Dundee at $50 a. M;
leaves Burkeville at 1885 q. m; arrives at Rich.
mond 222 p. m.
TRAIN No. 5.-LYNcHBURG PASSENGER, West
ward-Leaves Richmond at 9 a. m; leave Burke.
vile at LEO D. M arrives at Lynchburg at AGO p. m.
TRAIN No. 6.-BURKEvILLE ACCOMMODATIONS
Eastward.-Leaves Burkeville at 4:43 a. M. arrives
at Richmond at sos a. m.
All through trains connect at Richmond and Dan.
vile with trains on the Richmond, Fredericksburg Il
Potomac railroad, and Washington City, Virginia
Midland and Great Southern railroad, to and from
Washington, Bal imore, Philadelphia, and N. York.
Trains Nos. 8 and connect at Richmond with
the Richmond, YORK River and Chesapeake railroad
trains to and from Baltimore and all eastern points
Trains Nos. 2 and connect at Charlotte with
trains on the Atlanta and Richmond Airline rail.
road to and from Greenville, Atlanta, Montgomery,
Mobile, Pensacola, New Orleans, and all South.
western points.
Trains Nos. and connect at Charlotte with the
Charlotte, Columbia, Atlanta railroad for Columbia,
Augusta, Savannah, Tallahassee, and all southern
points.
Train No. connects at Burkeville with the At.
lantic, Mississippi and Ohio railroad from Lynch.
burg, Chattanooga, and all South. western points.
THROUGH TICKETS to all points South and
| West. and baggage checked through.
Unbroken gauge from Richmond to New Orleans.
Pullman palace-cars through from New Orleans
| to New York.
T. M. R. TALCOTT,
Engineer and Superintendent.
81. I. DOUGLASS Master Transportation.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14

WATERING. many house plants suffer
from too much as from too little water. II
is very common thing to see the soil kept
thoroughly soaked from week to week. This
will answer for Callas, and few other marsh
plants, but for others nature only makes the
ground wet occasionally, and often it be-
comes very dry before rain comes again.
No invariable rules can be given for water
ing. When plant is at rest, it needs lesa
than when growing, and even when growing,
it is better to let the soil get somewhat dry
now and then, before watering. If the soil
is full of water, no air can enter, and the
roots need air as we'll as water.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14

AN INFLUENTIAL business man was re-
Gently received into one of our Western
churches, who, on his examination by the
session, gave as the circumstance that led
him to serious thought that on recent can
vass of the prominent business men of the
place the opposers of Christianity had count
ed him as one of their number, 81 could not
BEAR" he said, "to have the infdels of our
town count me as one against Christ" And
yet that is where all are counted who refuse
to profess His name. 10 that way of count
ing, antichrist has the authority of the Mas
ter himself.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14

single flower, every bud having been de-
stroyed by these little birds. Their attack
ing the buds has been attributed to thirst,
but in this case q stream ran the whole
length Of the orchard Prof. Levesque, of
Cherbourg, in experimenting with methods
of preventing this trouble, found that when
the fruit-buds of the trees were painted over
with red lead and water, the birds would not
touch them. That method will do for France,
where pears are reckoned by the dozen, but
with us who estimate by the barrel, it would
be of no use.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
ID edmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
N Route.

ON AND AFTER DECEMBER 18th, 1874, mail
trains on this road will run as follows:
UP DAY MAIL, via rail, and steamer, leaves
Byrd-Street station, 2.35 p. m.
UP NIGHT MAIL, via rail alone, leaves Byrd.
Street station. IL. 10 p M, Except on Sundays.)
UP ACCOMMODATION leaves Broad-Street
station, COS p. m. Except on Sundays.)
DOWN DAY MAIL, via rail and steamer, ar.
rives at Byrd.Street station at 1:3O p. m.
DOWN NIGHT MAIL, via rail alone, arrives at
Byrd Street station, 6:06 m. Except on Mondsys)
DOWN ACCOMMODATION TRAIN arrives at
BroadStreet station. 837 a.. m. Except Sundays.)
FREIGHT TRAINS leave Broad street station
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.25 a. m,
connecting at Quantico with the Alexandra and
Fredericksburg railway. Returning arrive at Broad
street station on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Satur.
days at p. m. ). B. GENTRY,
General Ticket and Freight Agent
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14

Train leaving Richmond at 8. 30 A NJ, runs daily
Sunday excepted stopping at all regular stations.
Train leaving Richmond at 400 P NJ runs daily to
Hinton, and between Hinton and Huntington daily
Sunday excepted, stopping at all stations.
Passenger coach runs on freight train between
Staunton and Millboro' daily Except Sunday) leav
ing Stanton at 8 05 NJ.
For through tickets, rates, and information, apply
at 1926 Main street, at the companys Office Broad
street near Sixteenth.
CONWAY R. HOWARD,
General Passenger and Ticket Agent.
THos. DopAMEAD, Gen'I Supt Transportation.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
THE GREAT
English Quarterlies,
BLACKWOODS EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.
Rspublished by the Leonard SCOTT Publishing Co.,
Al Barclay Street, New York.
The Edinburgh Review The London Quarterly Review,
Westminster Review, The British Quarterly Review,
Published Quartery-January, April, July, October,
AND
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine.
Published Monthly

These periodicals constitute wonderful miscel-
lany of modern thought, research and criticism
The cream of all European books worth reviewing
is found here and they treat of the leading events Of
the world in mastery articles written by men who
have special knowledge of the matters treated The
American Publishers urge upon all intelligent read
ers in this country liberal support of the Reprints
which they have so long and SO cheaply furnished
feeling sure that expenditure for literary matter
will yield so rich return that required for SUBJ
scription to these the
Leading Periodicals of Great Britain.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
DIRECT
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.


The General Assembly will meet at St. Louis, Mo-,
on the third Thursday of May, 1875, at II A. M.
CLERKS
REV. JOSEPH R. WILSON, d. D., STATED CLERK,
REV. WILLIAM BROWN. D. D., PERMANENT CLERK,
Richmond Va
The Stated Clerk is Ex orrrcIo the Treasurer of the
General Assembly.
TRUSTEES.
Hon. JAMES HEMPHILL, President, Chester, s. G.
JOS WILSON yIss PsEsIDssT. Charlotte N @.
sUsrENTATIoN.
REV J. LEIGHTON WILSON, D. d. SECRETARY,
REV. RICHARD MoILwAINE, Coordinate sEcRE-
TARY and TREASURER Columbia, s. O.
FOREIGN MISSIONS
REV. J. LEIGHTON WILSON, D. D., sEcRETAxr,
RIv Richard McILwAINE Co. ordinate SEcRErA
Ri and TREASURER, Columbia, 3. u.
PUBLICATION.
REV. E. THOMPSON BAIRD, d. D., sEcRETARr, Rich
q. GENNET, Esq, TREASURES, Richmond. Va.
EDUCATION
REV. JNo. N. wADDELL, u. D., SECRETARY, Mem
JAMES ELDER, TREASURER, Memphis, Tenn.
first 10 be referred to the appropriate Exec
uve Committees for their approval and are to be for
warded by them TO the Assembly's Committees.
COLLECTIONS.
The General Assembly has appointed the following coll
lections to be taken up annually In all the churches:
For Sustentation On the first Sabbath in January.
For Publication On the first Sabbath in March
For Foreign Missions: On the first Sabbath in May.
For the Relief of Disabled Ministers and the Widows
and Orphans of Deceased Ministers On the first Sabbath
in July.
For Evangeistic Work: On the first Sabbath in Sep
TENDER.
For Education: On the first Sabbath in November.
In where IL is highly inconvenent to take up col
lectons these days. they shall be taken up soon
possible thereafter
The Assembly recommends to the churches that they
adopt the apostolic plan of taking weekly collections
and that the amounts thus collected be appropriated TO
jects such proportion the church may decide
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14

DR.. FRANKLIN says, pride is as cruel a
beggar as want, and great deal more Saucy.
When you have bought one fine thing, you
must buy ten more, that your appearance
may be all of apiece. 1t is easier to sup
press the first desire than to satisfy all that
follow it.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14

FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES.-W have
II now on hand the most superior stock of Furni-
ture and Mattresses ever offered to the buyers of
this State. Our FURNITURE is made by the most
experienced workmen and of seasoned timber. Our
MATTRESSES are also made by our own work.
men. All in need of articles in our line will find it
to their interest to examine our Stock.
We have made great reduction in our prices and
will not be undersold in this State.
HARDWOOD & RITTER,
sep 16-6m Governor St., Richmond, Va.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-04-14
Central 4resbpteriar.
Office No. 1016 Main street, nearly opposite
tho Post Office.
TERMS.

Three Dollars year, payable in Advance.
PAYMENTS may be made to local agents wherever
practicable; all ministers of our Church are author
sed to act as SUCH Or by checks, Post-o6fce money
orders, letters Registered by Postmaster. Other.
wise IT MUST BE AT THE RIsK OF TEE PARTY srrl j.
ING IT.
OB1TUAREs.-Charged at ten cents q line. The
party sending can make the estimate by counting
eight words to a line. Payment in az vance.
CoNNuSIoATIoHs AND LEr7rRs on BUsIxrsi
should be addressed to Central Pres6yterian, Boz
II, Richmond, Va.