davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
Are Pledges Binding?

The subject of Secret Societies " ia our
Colleges, though decided SO far as the au-
thorities of Princeton College are concerned,
has taken hold of the public mind, and ia
arousing interest in circles which have little
care for things occurring at Princeton. DR..
Charles Hodge, the veteran Professor in the
Seminary at Princeton, in letter published
in the New York Tribune of last week, gives
full and most lucid statement of the rea-
sons which Influenced the Faculty and Trus-
tees of Princeton College in exactinga pledge
from the students not to enter Greek letter
societies while they remain students in the
College. We cannot publish the letter be-
cause of it's length, but it is summing up
Of the whole case with that impartiality and
calmness which mark judicial decisions, and
which leave the decision so fortified with
weighty reasons as to be clearly impreg-
nable.
There is, however, an assertion made by
those who have disapproved of the action of
the authorities at Princeton which merits
more consideration than, we think, has been
given to it, as it brings the whole matter
within the sphere of morals 1t is said that
the pledge exacted of young men who enter
Princeton College, to the effect that they will
not Join the Greek letter secret societies
while in College, sis not regarded by them
as binding weight upon their consciences,"
and that although renewed pledge has been
given that these societies have been disband-
cd, it is better for the authorities to consider
the evil living one and deal with it as such.
We do not know whether this statement
agrees with facts or not--but the questions
must be instantly started, "DoeS this state
ment fairly represent the tone of morals pre-
Vailing in the Colleges? Do our young
men stand up among their fellows, and take
pledge which they propose to violate, pos
si6ly within week And how has the 80
phistry which pretends to justify such an act
crept so early into their minds :"
NObleSse Ob6ge is an old French maxim,
which certainly has true and good side
So honor obliges, and truth aud sincerity
oblige. ItSeems to US to be specially fine
and attractive trait in young man to be
sCrupulous-yea, to be over scrupulous con-
corning the fulfllmeut of that for which he
has passed his word. The world will soon
teach him its adrOit re6oements and sOphis-
tications. Let him be quick and sensitive,
in his youth, to all that would touch the in.
tegrity of his soul " That which is gone out
of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform" is
the divine command on this subject. But if
this law should be forgotten, surely there is
an instinct of honor which should guide the
young man Alright. Men may differ as to
the rightfulness and usefulness of the secret
Societies which have so attracted the public
attention, but surely there can be no ques
ton, that to take pledge with the reserva,
ton that it is only the utterance of words
which have no binding force, is an immor-
ality.-PreSbytersan.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
Education and the Bible.

Referring to the recent amendment to the
Constitution of the State of New Jersey, by
which grants of public money for sectarian
schools is prohibited and the maintenance of
free schools is made constitutional duty,
Governor Bedle, in his message delivered last
week, states the question of the relation of
the public schools to the State, and the argu-
ment for the retention of the Bible in the
schools, with degree of cogenoy and terSe-
ness that has been rarely equalled. The
Governors views are so compactly stated
and are SO timely in their application to
these important topics which are now upper
most in all minds, as to be worthy Of repro
duction. He says:
"Free schools are safeguards Of the State
and nation, aud should be kept comDletely
divorced from sectarian control or influence.
1t is a cardinal principle in our political
economy, and fundamental in our system of
government, that Church and STATE must be
kept perfectly separate; but mistaken notions
arise oftentimes in applying the principle.
We should never lose sight Of the fact that
this is land of Christian, or Bible character
and civilization, and that It's teacbiogs are
the foundation of our virtue and social ele-
vstiOn These, it is true, may and do assume
different shapes in mems minds, in consider
ing their relations to God, thereby inducing
such religious scots and associations for wor
ship as may be deemed necessary or better
for that purpose, accoIEing to belief, but the
duty to God and m and individual virtue
Which make good ci EMS are in the Bible,
and to exclude it froa being read in schools
is retrogressiOn towards heathenism. The
simple reading of the Bible in schools is not
the teaching of sectarian or peculiar religious
belief, simply because it is used to establish
religious creeds and forms The schools
should never be shut against the Bible. Our
law is perfectly just Its words are, that
it shall not be lawful for any teacher, trus-
tee or trustees, TO introduce into or have
performed in any school receiving its pro-
portion of the public money! any religious
service, ceremony or forms whatever except
reading the Bible and repeating the Lords
Prayer This gives the Bible fair chance
in its influence upon civil character and duty
to the Creator, while an exclusion of it is
terrible stride in making the State goddess.
Also, for the good of society and citizenship,
the State, in selecting the objects of taxa
tion, can we'll afford to, and should, leave un-
touched by the assessor, all editioas for reli-
gious worship and the land upon which they
stand actually necessary for their convenient
use, and 80 exclusively used"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
The Model Sheep Man.

The best sheep man We ever heard of was
soldier of Stonewall Jackson's, who saw
somewhere how valuable sheep are for reno
waiting WORKOUT land, and after the war was
over, he went home to his poor farm and
bought thirteen ewes, all that he was, fortu-
nately, able to buy. He put them in small
field of weeds and briers, which they soon
destroyed. Then he fed them on bran and
meal in the winter, and in the spring he had
thirteen fine lambs. Saving the manure, he
planted the old brier patch with corn, and
harvested fine crop. All his spare time
was devoted to caring for the sheep. Next
spring he had more lambs, then came more
lambs, when he sowed clover and grew turn.
Ups; and now, to-day, as the result of such
small beginnings, he has several hundred
fine young sheep, free from disease, bringing
him $1,000 year, while his farm has be,
come exceedingly fertile, and he is a rich
man. We know thousands and thousands of
poor young men who have free course open
to them to become wealthy by beginning in
a small way.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02

INTERCESSION OF MOsEs-BENEWAL OF
TABLES. Chaps. xxxiii-xxxiv.
1. How did God further signify His dis
pleasure? Chap. xxxiii: 1-6, especially
verses 8 and 5.
?. What visible sign of this displeasure
was given?
3. What followed the removal of the tab
ernaole of the congregation?
4. What was this tabernacle Of the con
gregation Ans. It was doubtless tent
used for scored purposes, before the taber-
nacle which Moses was commanded to erect,
was set up.
5. Meaning of verse IL?
6. What promise did God give to Moses to
encourage him? Verse Il.
Z. What remarkable request did Moses
make, Verse 49, and in what remarkable
manner was it answered.
8. What command did God next give tc
Moses
8. How did the Lord meet Moses in the
mount?
10. Report the sublime and striking de-
scription God gave to Moses Of his character
in verses 6, of chap. xxxiv.
II. How long was Moses this second time
on the mount? Verse %.
u. Effect on the person Of Moses What
did Moses do to remove the fears of the PEG
pie
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
Bribery.

The Governor of New Jersey. in his mes
sage to the Legislature of that State, touch
es upon topic which has general appli-
cation to public morals, and is worthy of
wide consideration. With view to the ex.
tirpation of the pest of bribery and corrur-
ton, especially at elections, crime which,
while it saps the foundations cf public vir-
tue, has hitherto been able to elude punish
ment, he recommends the passage of g a law
depriving every person convicted of bribery
of any kind, of the right Ct suff age; unless
pardoned, and that to be in addition TO other
penalties prescribed. These are times when
sharp punishments are needed for all crimes
in public Office or affecting the purity of the
ballot-box. The less respectable and more
ignominious such crimes can be made, the
more protection there is against their COM
mission" This is sound doctrine in vindi-
cation of public morals, and if our State
legislatures can frame laws which will make
it effective, great public benefits must result.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
The Threshold of the Year.

One of the best known and most instruc-
tive of Addison'S papers in his description
of the mystical bridge which Mira saw
Across it multitude of passengers was ever
iourneying. As they advanced along it,
however, numerous and increasing aperture5
yawned, down which from time to time some
of the bustling throng disappeared, leaving
only slender few able to reach the farther
arches. We still are upon the treacherou9
bridge of life, from which during the past
year 80 meny Of our fellow travellers have
fallen, and the very circumstance of our be-
ing spared seems to invite the Ripd to serious
reflection.
A modern historian of great descriptive
power has afectingly painted the feelings of
Frederick the Great on his receiving intelli,
gence of his fathers illness and approaching
end. He was conscious in many respects of
having used his parent i'll. Ga the news of
his death, however, all appeared altered
Viewed in the soft moonlight of memory, his
own conduct seemed no longer justifable.
His parent had been oil right; ne himself
all wrong As We, too, step past, &C it we're,
the dying couch of 1875, may the flm of
self love drop from our eyes may we see
how far We have used Alright its opportuDi-
ties, SO as better to employ those which its
successor 1876 may bring.
How, then, have We improved the hours
which the last year gave us?
On visiting the Royal Mint, was struck
by the mode in which an instrument resem-
bling hand was filed with blank pieces of
metal, conveying each of them to die,
which stamped them as they passed in sue
,es5ion beneath it with clear and beautiful
impress. And so with ourselves. During
1875 an invisible hand in like manner has
given Us ours, and it was our duty to have
each, ere it left ug, with distinct
md useful purpose. Have we done SO,
hen the old year asks, Whose image did
zach hour bear-Christ's or the worlds ? !
Ind What was the 8uperscription upon it ?
Holiness TO the Lord, or seCularity, sonsu.
.lity, or friVolity 2 !
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
AunsGhnla Entas.
THE FIRST BIRTHDAY IN HEAVEN,

" What shall we give him?'' the children SAID,
His birthday is now so near;
Some glad surprise we must have for him,
To show him he still is DEAR"
And he, lest they should forget the day,
Had many hint to give;
And no one thought that our fair-haired boy
Had only month to live.
But ere the hoop or the skates were bought,
Or the book with the gilded page
And before he could say, with boys bright glet
81 am now twelve years of age"
There came message to US below,
And we knew it was one of love,
That our boy must go from his earthly home
To the Fathers house above.
So we keep the day with Ger saddened hearts,
For how can we help but miss
The joy of seeing his Frightening eyes
At the birth day gift and kiss?
And will not the sound of the merry bells,
And the voice of the children's play,
Remind us aye of our pain and loss,
And the dear boy passed away?
But we think again of the greater joy
He has in the better land.
Perhaps his birth day will there be kept
With JOY by the children band;
He will not weep for the absent ones
Where the tears are wiped away;
And we know in the streets of Jerusalem
There are boys AID girls at play.
Win he get our message? We cannot tell.
VIII he know that we love him still?
Oh, yes for nothing is wanting there,
His spirit with bliss to fill;
And One is with him who died for him,
And he will attend our boy,
And the golden harp and the crown of gold
Will perfect his birthday JOY.
And so we leave him The Lord is good
And we know that He doeth we'll;
Though why he summoned the lad so soon
1t is not for us to tell;
But we know that soon, when the years no more
Are the heralds of grief and pain,
The Father will gladden. the parent-hearts
With the sight of their boy again.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
The Atheist and the Flower.

When Napoleon Bonaparte was Emperor
of France, he put a man by the name of
Charney into prison. He thought Charney
was an enemy of his government, and for
that reason deprived him of his liberty
Charney was learned and profound man,
and, as he walked to and fro in the small
yard into which his prison opened, he looked
up to the heavens the work of Gods fingers,
and to the noon and stars which He ordained,
and exclaimed, Cali things come by chance !"
One day, while pacing his yard, he saw
tiny plant, just breaking the ground near
the wall The sight of it caused pleasant
diversion of his thoughts. No other green
thing was within his enclosure. He watch
ed its growth every day. How came it
here ?" was his natural inquiry. As it
grew, other queries were suggested. How
came these delicate little veins in it's leaves
What made its proportions SO perfect in every
part, each new branch taking its exact place
on the parent stock, neither too near another,
nor too much on one side p
In his loneliness, the plant became the
prisoners teacher, and his valued friend
When the flower began TO unfold, he was
filed with delight. 1t was white, purple,
and rose-colored, with fne, silvery fringe.
CharnOy made frame to support it, and did
what his circumstances allowed to shelter it
from pelting rains and violent winds.
"All things come by chance" had been
written by him upon the wall, just above
where the flower grew. Its gentle reproof,
as it whispered: "There is One who made
me, SO wonderfully beautiful, and He it is
who keeps me alive, shamed the proud mans
unbelief. He brushed the lying words from
the wall, while his heart felt that " He who
made all things is God
But God had further blessing for the
erring man through the humble flower
There was an Italian prisoner in the same
yard, whose little daughter was permitted to
visit him. The girl was much pleased with
Charney's love for his flower. She related
what she saw to the wife of the ailor. The
story of the prisoner and his flower passed
from one to another, until it reached the ears
of the amiable Empress Josephine. The
Empress said. The man who SC deVotedly
loves and tends flower cannot be bad
man." So she persuaded the Emperor to
set bin at liberty.
Charney carried his flower home and care
fully tended it in his own greenhouse. 1t
had taught niaa to believe in God, and had
delivered him from prisieu.
"All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures, great and small
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
A Stranger in the City.

If there were more with the spirit and
habit of Harlan Page in our churches, not
half so many of our young men in our cities
would 90 to destruction.
A young man entered church one even
ing, and found no one present but the sexton.
Presently plain man came in, spoke pleas
antly to the sexton, and then sat down by
the stranger. He gave him kind saluta.
ton, such as goes to the heart of young
man alone in strange city, and then said
very tenderly;
81 trust you love the Saviour"
Oh, how these words thrilled through bis
heart. He had been preached to all his life
at arms length This was the first time the
word had come home to him face to face
After some conversation, addresses were ex,
changed, and the next day Mr.. Page called
at his place of working, and gave him little
tract called, "The Way to be Saved" which
he said he thought he would like to read.
These efforts were blessed to his salvation.
But for Mr. Page" he was wont to say,
81 should probably have sunk into miSera-
bly, eternity"
Christian employer, do you look after the
souls of those young men who come into
your service? If not, will the Lord hold you
guiltless? eff thou fail to warn the wicked,
then shall he die in his iniquity, bat his blood
will require at thy hand.
The reluctance you feel in beginning a
practice so entirely new to you, the awk-
wardness you may -%parienCe, will very
quickly vanish after one or two efforts. You
will be surprised to find how easy and pleas
ant it is thus to work for Jesus. And the
peace and real JOY it will bring to your pill
low will far exceed the pleasure you FEEL
after the most prosperous day in business.
Sunday School Times.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02

D ICEMOND AND DANVILLE RAILROAD
IL On and after NOVEMBER IS, 1876 the
trains on this road will run daily as follows
TRAIN No. I-CHARLoTTE EXPRESS, Westward
Leaves Richmond at sos a. M; leaves Burkeville
at 1885 a. m; leaves Dundee at lila p. H.. leaves
Danville at LII p. M. leaves Greensboro at 1858 p
M. leaves Salisbury at 6:l6 p. arrives at Char.
lotte at S;43 p. m.
TRAIN No. 2-NEw YORK and New ORLEANS
EXPRESS, Observation-Disclosures Charlotte at s. 45 a. m.
leaves Air Line Junction at 20 a. m; leaves Sails.
bury at 834 M; lie yes Greensboro at 10. 90 D.
M. leaves Danville at 1:12 p. H.; leaves Dundee at
lao p M; leaves Burkeyille at 6:07 D. M, arrives
at Richmond at 9:4r p. m.
TRAIN No. 3.-THRoUGH MAIL, Westward
Leave Richmond at 1888 p. M; leave Burkeville
at 452 p. M; leaves Dundee at 1898 D. M; leaves
Dsnville at 1899 p. m.; leaves Greensboro at 5
a. M; leaves Salisbury at 5:32 q. M; leaves Air
Line Junction at 1850 m. arrives at Charlotte at
8:08 a. m.
TRAIN No. 4.-THRoUGH MAIL, Eastward
Leaves Charlotte at 9.l5 p m; leaves Salisbury at
l1.58 p. M. leaves Greensboro at 3:l5 a. M;
vile at sos a. M. leaves Dundee at 6.1S a. M;
leaves Burkevie at 1885 a. M; arrives at Rich.
TRAIN No. 5.-LYNCHBURG PASSENGER, West
ward-Leaves Richmond at q. M; arrives at
Burkeylle at 1926 D. NJ; leaves Burkeville at 2 D.
M, arrives at Lynchbprg at 500 p. m. No tickets
beyond Burkevilie will be sold by this train.
TRAIN No. 6.-BURKEvILLE ACooMMoDA Tros.-
Observation-Disclosures Burkeyille at l:20 p. M; arrives
at Richmond at 4:43 D. m.
Trains Nos and Connect at Greensboro with
trains to and from Raleigh and Goldsboro'.
All through trains connect at Richmond and Dan
vile with trains on the Richmond, Fredericksburg
Potomac railroad aud Washington City, Virginia
Midland and Great Southern railroad, to and from
Washington, Bal more, Philadelphia, and N York.
Trains Noa. 8 and connect at Richmond with
the Richmond, YORK River and Chesapeake railroad
trains to and from Baltimore and all eastern points
Trains Nos. l and 2 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, tlanta railroad for Columbia,
Augusta, Savannah, Tallahassee, and all southern
points.
Train No. connects at Burkeville with the At.
entie, Mississippi and Chic railroad from Lynch.
burg, Chattanooga, and sll South western points
Unbroken gauge from Richmond TO New Orleans.
Pullman psl4ca-cars through from New Orleans
10 New York.
THROUGH TICKETS to all points South az,
West, and baggage checked through.
T. N. Il. TALCOTT,
Engineer end Superintendent.
j. R. MAcMURDo, Gene al Passenger Agent.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
DIR &c OR Y
Presbyterian Church in the United States.

Presbyterian Church in the United States
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The General Assembly will meet at Savannah, Ga,
on the third Thursday of May, 1876 at IL A. m.
CLERKS.
Rev. JOSEPH R. WILSON, u. D., STATED CLERK,
wilmington, N. @.
The Stated Clerk is OFFroro the Treasurer OF the
General Assembly.
TRUSTEES.
Hos. JAMES HEBrPHILI. PREsrDyyr Chester. s @.
REV JOHN DOUGLAS, VIcB-PKEsIDESr, Charlotte,
JESSE H LINDSAY, Esq SECRETARY and TasAsrnra
SUSTENTATION
REy LEIGHTON WILSON, D. d. sscHErARr
REV. RICHARD MoILwAINE, Coordinate SEcRs.
TARY and TREASURER, Box $751; Baltimore. Nd.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
REV; J; LEIGHTON WILSON, D. d. sscEErARr,
Box Ssl. Baltimore Md.
RLv. RICHARD MoILwAINE, Coordinate SacRErA.
EY and TREASURER, Box SSl. Baltimore, Md
PUBLICATION.
REV. E. THOMPSON BAIRD, D. D.. SECRETARY, Rich.
@. GENNET, Esq, TREASURER, Richmond. Va.
EDUCATION.
Rsv: JNo. N. wADDELL, d. D., SECRETARY, Mem
phis, Tenn
A +. DOD, TRzAsrsEs, Memphis, Tenn
Applications Executive COMMITTEES for aid are
first 70 be referred to the appropriae Prebyteria Exec
utye Committees for their approval, and for
warded by them 10 the Assenblys Committees.
COLLECTIONS.
The General Assembly appointed the following col
eetons 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 Minister'S On the first Sabbath
in July
For Evangelistic Work: On the first Sabbath in Sep
TENDER.
For Education: On the first Sabbath in November
In cases where is highly inconyenient TO take coll
econs on these days, they shall be up soon
possible thereafter.
The Assembly recommends TO the churches that they
adopt the apostolic plan of taking up weekly collections
and that the amounts thus collected be appropriated 10
the above named Objects when necessary 70 local OBJ
ects such proportion the church session may decide
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02
Hard Work and Head Work.

Mr.. Gladstone, at the distribution of
prizes in the School of Science and Art, at
Greenwich, remarked very wisely upon hand
work and head-wOrk. He thought there was
too much eagerness on the part Of the work
ing classes to get themselves, and especially
their children, out of the sphere that de-
manded manual labor-to escape from bard
work and to engage in head-work. We think
this eagerness is more conspicuous in Amer
lea than in England. He advised those who
worked with their hands, to put more head
into their work rather than to leave their
work for what might prove far less profitable
and elevatiug. A young carpenter wrote as
follows to Mr.. Gladstone on this point /" if
the carpenter is thoroughly skilful work
man, selection Of the best work is given
him, and | assert with the most complete
truth that during the progress of his work 3
constant communication must be kept up be-
tween his brain and hands. not merely pas
sive in character, but active, concentrated,
and almost unintermittent. It is necessary
to consider economy of time and labor, and
| might add material ready methods of me-
chanlcal resource must suggest Themselves
to his mind, his eye is being educated with
new forms Of design and finish; and in pro-
portion as machinery supplants in heavy
work the mental labor of the ARTISAN, are
fresh demands made upon the intellectual
gesogrceG of the craftsman"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-02-02

CHURCH MUSIo.-At a recent meeting of
Moody and Sankey's "Chri8tian Convict
ton" in Philadelphia, the question was con-
aidered, How shall music be- CONDUCTED in
the Lords work ?" Mr.. Sankey gave his
views, which, since he may be considered
specialist in that line, are entitled to great
weight. He faVors-frst, that the choirs
should be composed Of people who are, in
life and belief, Christians; that they sing
simple tunes; that they should sit in the
front Of the church, near the preacher, and
not back, where they cannot be seen and
that there should be no fancy pieces.