davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME.

This caption is applicable to all, but more
especially to young men; and the incident
we are about to relate is one of so forcible a
character that we think it will be productive
of good.
Two young clerks in large American
aud French house in Pearl street were par
ticularly intimate; so much so that although
they boarded in different houses yet they were
constantly together during the hours Of rec
reation from business.
One of them had been presented with a
little French poodle, and he at once set about
instructing it to perform all those little tricks
for which the breed is famed.
For some days his companion witnessed
his perseYering efforts to make Grotto"
bring his handkerchief, catch pennies, stand
upon his hind legs, and do many other trif-
ling but amusing tricks. At length he got
tired of being a lOoker-on at so much waste
of time, and resolved that while his friend
was being the tutor of GrottO he himself
would be pupil to French teacher, and
eudeavOr to master the French language by
the time Grotto's education was completed.
Without saying word to his friend he
commenced his studies, and being diligent
fast acquired knowledge of the language.
He also improved from hearing good deal
of French spoken in the store, though he
carefully avoided uttering word.
AT length Grotto was finished, and had
very truly acquired knowledge of an in6n-
lite number of amusing games, and his owner
prided himself no little on his requirements.
The owner of Grotto was little the senior
in the store of the other, and of course rank
cd over him in promotions. One morning be
came out of the private room of the principal
member of the firm, and looking very much
downeast approached his friend.
"Tom," said he, the firm want to send
one of the clerks this summer to France to
buy goods, and they have offered the chance
to me provided | could speak French but
as 6 oujr' is about the extent of my French,
it's no 90 for this child. What fool was
for not studying il. when 1 was boy"
"Well," said Tom, "whose chance is
next"
"Why, yours, of course. They will put
the question around, out of pOliteness; and
as none Of US can parley vOUs, why somebody
will be engaged, and sll of US headed off,"
In the course of the morning Tom was
called before the firm, and in glowing terms
were the advantages set forth, if he could
only have spoken the language of the coun-
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
Indian Runners.

A correspondent in the Sioux country
writes: "This system of Indian Runners
seems to be little understood. If important
news is to be carried, an Indian gorges him
self with meat, takes short nap, mounts
one of the feetest of their ponies, and rushea
along like the wind until his horse requires
feed, when. he mods few times while his
horse satisfies his hunger from the luxurious
meadows, when the ride is renewed. The
runner needs nothing for his pony, and takes
nothing for himself but his arrows and blan-
kets, and will in the manner indicated ride
two or three nights and days, passing over
from sixty to one hundred miles in each
twenty. four hours. When the nearest camp
is reached his story is taken up by other In
dams, and in like manner carried in every
direction. The speed with which the news
travels depends upon its Importance, but in
this way the Indians often beat the telegraph,
and their first reports, if they come direct,
are usually to be relied upon. The runner
who brings great news is Toasted from one
tepee to another, and it is not until his story
begins to grow old that he lets loose his i'm
agination, adds to the original in order to
keep up the interest in him as the bearer Of
great news. There are always volunteers,
and frequently two or three will start for the
same point, but the one who gets in the last
is bound to tell the biggest story, if he has to
deny the statement of his rivals, or cut his
story out of whole cloth in order to do so.-
Hence the conflicting reports"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
Syrian Scenery and Climate.

Within its four corners nature has collect.
ed the Injuries of every cline, and all posi-
bic combinations of panoramic beauty. True
indeed, desolation has wrought strange havoc
in the greater part of Palestine. This was
distinctly foretold. But yet, even in its ruin,
enough remains of its pristine glory to dis
play both what it was and what is to be again.
No other country, believe, of the same size
can show the like variety. For instance,
from Alpine SHOWS on the summit of Hermon,
10000 feet high, within distance of some
seventy miles, the traveller descends through
every graduation of climate to q region truly
sub-trOpical, in that deepest spot on earth,
the south of the Jordan valley. To those
who know the land of Israel we'll, l have but
to mention, in further confirmation of this,
the wierd Dead Sea; the lovely Gennesa-
reth the park,like woods of Gilead and
Bashan; the pastures of Moab; the wide
plains, such as Sharon, Esdraelon, and Acca,
hemmed in by purple mountain walls; the
central limestone range, with an average
height of over 1000 feet, the largest portion
of the country, diversified as all limestone
hills are by bold gorges, large caves, deep
valleys, and fantastic SUBMITS; and, less
beautiful indeed in themselves, but ever form
ing a striking contrast to the rest, barren
stretches of russet-brown desert. -" PaleS-
tine RepeOpled." By the Rev. James Neil,
formerly of Christ Church, Jerusalem.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
Elections in France.

DR.. De Pressense sends to the Christian
World the following graphic account of the
efforts of the clerical party to carry the cleo
tons in France, and of the result:
"During the week preceding the elections,
the numerous charges delivered by the bish-
OPS all purported to lead their focks to the
poll as to sacred conflict, and the Holy
Father himself promised indulgences to those
who offered prayers for the success of the
good cause. The event of last Sunday con-
firms the superstitious fear which the Ro.
mans have always entertained of Plus TX {,
saying that he has the evil eye, and that his
blessing brings misfortune. 1t has, indeed,
been Intellectual to save our unhappy rulers
from utter failure in the ballot of the 18th
of October. 1t is true the Republican party
had lost some votes; nevertheless it returns
to the Chamber with an overwhelming ma
jority of more than $50, majority all the
more important since it was won in the face
of the most shameless pressure ever known
in our parliamentary history. Our candi-
dates were followed and logged like SO many
pariahs or malefactors they were made the
butt of official calumnies, to which they we're
not allowed the privilege of reply; and these
vile ISLANDERS were placarded by Government
authority on the walls of every commune in
France. The Republican press was every
where Silenced, and if still some protest was
heard, its author soon found himself in prison.
The entire Executive was enrolled in the SER
vice of the official candidates, and last of all,
on the eve of the ballot, the Minister of the
Interior closed the noble campaign by issuing
a placard full of lies and falsifed quotations
from the foreign papers. For the Republi-
can party to have obtained majority at all
under such circumstances, to have continued
calm under such odious provocations, and
never to have been betrayed into single
sortie out of the impregnable citadel of legal
ity, is glorious victory, and one which could
only have been achieved by men who had
learned first to conquer themselves. The
Republican party comes out of this conflict
not only victorious over the Bonapartist and
clerical coalition, but also master of itself
and of its passions, having learnt wisdom in
the school of peril and of patriotism. The
sight of Paris on the evening of the ballot
was sight never to be forgotten. The con-
course which throDged the boulevardS was
almost as vast as that which gathered around
the remains of M. Theirs. You seemed to
hear, as it were, the throbbingS of the ma.
tons heart, eager to know its fate, but calm
in danger as in success. All classes, rich
and poor, citizen and workman, met together.
The women were as eager for news as the
men. France was there, waiting to know its
fate; and We may say, without any infatu-
alton of national pride, that France has
learnt much from her misfortunes, and that
she has deserved in the late crisis the tribute
lately paid to her by the illustriouS Mr..
Gladstone"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
DIRE T o r Y
Presbyterian Church in the United States.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
The General Assembly will meet at Knoxville, Tenn,
on the third Thursday of May, 1878, at IL A. NJ.
CLERKS.
Rev. JOSEPH R. WILSON, ID. D., STATED CLsRK,
REV. WILLIAM BROWN, D. d., PERMANENT CL.kK.
Richmond, Va.
The Stated Clerk is rxoyrroIo the Treasurer of the
General Assembly.
TRUSTEES.
Hon. JAMES HEMPHILL, President, Chester, S. @.
REV. JOHN DOUGLAS, VIcE-PREsIDsSr Charlotte
JESSE H. LINDSAY, Esq, SECRETARY and TREAsuRza,
Greensboro, N. O.
sUsTENTATIoN
Rev. J. LEIGHTON WILSON, D. D., SECRETARY,
Box Ssl, Baltimore, Md
rARY and TREASURER, Box S3l, Baltimore, Md.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
REV. J. LEIGHTON WILSON, D. D., SECRETARY,
RLy RICHARD McILwAINE, Coordinate SEoRsrA-
RI and TREASURER, Box SSl. Baltimore, Md.
PUBLICATION.
REV. JAMES K. HAZEN, SECRETARY, Richmond,
q. GENNET, Esq, TREASURER, Richmond, Va.
EDUCATION.
Rev JOHN NJ wADDEL, d. d. SECRETARY, Mem
G. W MACRAE, TREASURER, Memphis Tenn.
Applications the Executive Committee for aid are
referred to the appropriate Presbyteral Exec
warded by them to the Assemblys Committees
COLLECTIONS.
The General Assembly has appointed the following oo
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 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.
cases where &c highly inconvenis-s - IKE col
lections these days, they shall be az
possible thereafter.
The Assembly recommends 10 the churches that they
adopt the apostolic plan of taking weekly collections
and that the thus collected be appropriated
the above named Objects when necessary, 10 local OBJ
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

BE AGREEABLE AT MEALs.-EVery one
can do something to add to the social life at
the table. If one cannot talk, he can listen
or ask questions and draw out others who can
talk. Good listeners are as necessary as
good takers. Never argue at the table;
but tell pleasant stories, relate or read anec-
dotes and look out for the good of ALL
Sometimes single anecdote from paper
starts conversation that lasts during the
meal timet
A family table ought to be bright and
cheerful, sort Of domestic altar, where every
one casts down his or her Offering, great or
small, of pleasantness and peace; where, for
at least brief space in the day, all annoy
ances are laid aside, all stormy tempers
hushed, all quarrels healed; every one being
glad and content to sit down at the same
board and eat the same bread and salt, max
ing it, whether it were rich repast, or a
dinner of herbs, equally joyful, almost sa-
Ornamental meal.-Dr. Holbrook.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
OFFICIAL notice was given of the presence

OFFICIAL notice was given of the presence
of cholera at Yokohama on the morning Of
the 18th of September. Time had been
taken to ascertain that the disease, which
was slowly extending, was Asiatic cholera.
The best methods recommended by medical
science were promptly adopted and energeti-
cally applied. A Sanitary Commission was
formed, consisting of the Governor, the Chief
of Police, DR.. Simmons, and the more intel
ligent native physicians. The city was di-
vided into districts and an officer carefully
instructed as to his duties, appointed over
each. The most efficient disinfectants were
provided. A series of twenty-four regula-
lions or Instructions was issued by the Home
Minister. The people were told what to do.
The fearful disease was brought under con-
troll, and its progress was checked. No bet
ter management has ever been witnessed in
Europe or America. No other native Orien-
tai government has equalled it. We claim
it as one of the results of Christian missions.
Christian Intelkgencer.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
Aunsehpla Nnrds.
THE COMING MAN"

A pair Of very chubby legs,
Encased in scarlet hose;
A pair of little stubby boots,
With rather doubtful toes
A little kilt, little coat,
Cut as a mother can
And 10 before US strides, in state,
The Futures looming man."
His eyes perchsnce will read the stars,
And search their unknown ways;
Perehance the human heart and soul
Wilopen to their gaze;
Perchance their keen and flashing glance
VIII be a nations light
Those eyes that now are wistful bent
On some "big fellows kite.
That brow where mighty thoughts will dwell
In solemn, secret state,
When fierce Ambition restless strength
Shall war with future fate;
Where Science from now hidden caves
New treasures shall outpour-
IT'S knit now, with a troubled doubt,
Are two, or three cents more?
Those lips that, in the coming years,
VIII plead, or pray, or teach;
Whose whispered words, on lightning flash
From world to world may reach;
That sternly grave, may speak command,
Or, smiling, win control
Are coaxing now for gingerbread
With all baby's soul?
Those hands-those little busy hands
So sticky, small and brown;
Those hands, whose only mission seems
To tear all order down
Who knows what hidden strength may lie
Within their future grasp,
Though now It's but a tafy-stick
In sturdy hold they clasp?
All, blessings on those little hands,
Whose work is yet undone!
And blessings on those little feet.
Whose race is yet unruu /.
And blessings on the little brain
That has not learned to plan
Whate'er the Future holds in store,
God bless the coming man!'
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
THE FOUR ANCHORS.

Mrs. Helen E. Brown, in The Christian.
'sThe day is thine, the night also is thine. y
3. lxxiv: 10. 1.-The darkness and the light are
9th alike to thee. "-Ps. cxxxix II. "They cas-
our anchors out of the stern, and wished for the
ay. Acts xvii: 20.
The night is dark, but God, my God,
Is here and in command;
And sure am l, when morning breaks,
shall be. at the land"
And since | know the darkness is
To him as sunniest day,
I'll cast the anchor Patience out,
And wish-but wait--tor day.
Fierce drives the storm, but winds and waves
Within his hand are held,
And, trusting in Omnipotence,
My fears are sweetly quelled
If wrecked, Pm in his faithful grasp:
I'll trust him, though he slav,
So. letting go the anchor Faith,
I'll wish-but wait-for day.
Still seem the moments dreary long?
rest upon the Lord;
/ muse on his eternal years,
And feast upon his word;
His promises, so rich and great,
Are my support and stay;
I'll drop the anchor Hope ahead,
And wish-but wsit--tor day.
0 wisdom infinite 0 light
And love supreme. diviDel
How can feel one huttering doubt,
In hands so dear as thine?
IN lean on thee, my best beloved,
Ny heart on thy heart lay;
And casting out the anchor Love,
I'll wish-and wsit-tor day.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
PR EMIUM Ms.

New subscribers (applying early for the year 1878
may have, without CHARGE the numbers for the last
quarter of 1877 of such periodicals as they may sub.
scribe for.
Or instead new subscribers to any two, three, or
four of the above periodicals, may have one of the
"Four Reviews" for 1875 subscribers to all five
may have two of the "Four Reviews" or one set of
Blackwood's Magazine for 1877.
Neither premiums to subscribers nor discount to
clubs can be allowed unless the money is RENTED
direct to the publishers No premiums can be given
to clubs
To secure premiums it will be necessary to make
early application, lie stock available for that pur
pose is limited.
THE LEONARD SCOTT PUBLISHING CO.,
Al Barclay Street New York
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

there amid fierce storms; some displaying
great strength, courage, and wisdom, given
them by God; some in utter weakness and
helplessness, as if clinging to log, and car
ried forward by its buOyancy alone. But
with all the children of God, the strong and
the weak, the promise is sure
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

Indian in earnest. Measuring heights against
the door is always entertaining, is playing
postman with bag of letters. But there
are some pleasant games that will better
amuse quiet hour Vide Awake for De-
cember
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

MGR. CApEL claims that the Roman Cath
Ole Church is making converts from among
the higher classes in England as never be-
fore. The Ritualistic party, he says, is do
ing good service as feeler. Yet he adds /:
g have hearty contempt for the Ritualists.
How can any rational man fail to prefer
Catholicism to Ritualism ?-the religion it.
self to q mere imitation?"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

WHAT is unlawfully gained cannot be COM
fortably used; no, nor that which is inordi-
nately coveted; it is just that the desires,
which are Unsuitable, should always be unsat
isfed; and that those should never have
enough, who never know when they have
enough.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
Central 4resbpteriall,
Office 10. 1015 Main street, nearly opposite
tho Post Office.
TIE r n 3

Three Dollars year, payable in adrancs.
PAYMENTS may be made to local agents wherever
practcable all ministers of our Church are author.
ised to act such. Or by checks, Posto6ice money
orders, or letters Registered by Postmaster. Other
wise IT NUsr BIZ AT TEE RISK OF TEE PARTY snxD
IYG IT.
OsIruARIss.-Charged at ten cents line. The
party sending can make the estimate by counting
eight words to line. Payment In advances.
CONSTRUCTIONS AxD LErrsRs ON BUSHELS
should be addressed to Central Prss6yssrian, Boz
81, Richmond, Va.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
The
Southern Presbyterian Review,
A CARD.

a JAM.
THE present Editors of the SOUTHERN PREsBYTE-
RAN REVIEW having invited certain brethren in
Virginia to full and equal share with themselves
in the conduct of the same and certain other breth-
rem in various parts of the Church to become specia
pledged coaborators and these invitations having
been accepted and these pledges made, it is now
hereby announced that the "Association of Minis
ters" responsible for the work will henceforth con-
sist Of
GEORGE HOWE, HENRY G. ALEXANDER,
JOHN B. ADGER, j. M. P. ATKINSON,
JAMES Woodrow, JNo. L. GIRARDEAU,
JOSEPH R. WILSON, CHARLES A. STIILMAN,
r. L. DABNEY, b. M. PALMER,
B. M. SMITH. j. W. PRATT,
THOMAS e. PECK, s. s. LAWS,
STUART ROBINSON.
The REVIEW will continue to be to a certain ex-
tent an open Journal avorng free discussion within
limits; but 1t is the desire of all who have it in
charge to make it more than ever representative
of our whole Church, as its name imports, and q
faithful exponent of the Calvinistic Theology and
the Presbyterian Polity.
There will be no change in the terms of publica-
ton, nor in the general principles of the conduct of
the work.
Communications may be addressed to the publish
ers, James Woodrow, Columbia, s. c., or to Robt
l.. Dabney, Hampden Sidney, Va, or to John B.
Adger, Pendeton, s. G,
The friends of the enterprise are requested to
make some effort to increase the subscription lists
of the REVIEW. de6-tf
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
TERMS FOR 1873 Including Postage:
Payable Strictly in Advance.
Gu BIS.

A discount of twenty per cent. will be allowed to
clubs of four or more persons. Thus: four copies
of Blackwood or of one Review will be sent to one
address for $3.50; four copies of the four Reviews
and Blackwood for $4s, and so on.
To clubs of ten more in addition to the abeve
discount, copy gratis will be allowed to the getter
up of the club
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
BLACKWOOD's EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.

I6y- Thess Reprints are not SELECTIONS; they
give the originals IN FULL and at about one.third
the price of the English Editions.
The latest advances and discoveries in the arts
and sciences, the recent additions TO knowledge in
every department of literature, and all the new pub
locations as they issue from the press are fully re-
ported and discussed in the pages of these period.
calls, in language at once clear forcible, and com.
prehensive. The articles are commonly more con.
densed and full of matter than the average books of
the period.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

GOLDEN TEXTILE BRINGETH THEM
UNTO THEIR DESIRED HAVEN.-Psalm
evil: 80.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
NEW BOOKS
~ FOR BIBLE STUDY.

THE BIBLE TEXT BOOK.-A concordance of
Subjects, Persons, and Places, in compact and
portable form. 1t has twelve fine Maps Tables
of Weights, Measures Time, Chronology, Names
of Christ, First Lines Psalms, Prophecies and
illusions to Christ, &c. 2S2 pages. Small 12mo
Cloth rs cents. Postage II cents.
POCKET CONCORDANCE new Concord
ance, just the shape of BIBLE TEXT Book, con.
tanning one or more references to every verse in
the Bible except the lists OF names. Just the book
for Sunday School use. Small limo. 235 pages
Price rs cents Postage II cents.
BIBLE STUDENTS COMPANION.-This "va-
demecum" contains the Bible Text Book, with all
its indexes and tables, twelve maps, beautifully
colored, new and complete table of proper
names, and their meaning and pronunciation /;
our new Pocket Concordance, all printed on fine
Bible paper, and bound in limp or stiff CLOTH
Price $1.50. Postage II cents.
For sale by L. L. ID. WALFORD,
Depository American Tract Society,
9l4 Main st., Richmond, Va.
je 21-tf
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
TNHE MISSIONARY,
PUBLISHED MONTHLY

Subscription price, so cents year in advance.
1t will be discontinued when the term of subscrip
ton expires
1t is sent free to all our Ministers and to the Super
intendents of contributing Sabbath Schools who
furnish us their address.
Orders may be sent to "The Missionary" Post
Office box SS1, Baltimore, Md. iaSl-t
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
1878.
THE FOUR QUARTERLY REVIEWS
AND
BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE.
The Leonard Scott Publishing Company,
Al Barclay Street, New York,

Continue their authorized Reprints of the
The Edinburgh Review Whig),
The London Quarterly Review, (ConsevatiUe)
Westminster Review Liberal,
The British Quarterly Review, (ErangehcaL,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
- PAPERS,
FOR 1877.

The marked favor with which this Monthly has
insures its success during the coming year, and
strengthens our determination to make it Atil more
worthy of public favor.
While preserving its historic character it will con-
tain many articles of deep popular interest.
We furnish these Papers free of charge to mem
bers of the Society who have paid their annual fees,
and to other subscribers at THREE DOLLARS
per annum.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28
QUESTIONS.

Shorter Cateahism, Question IS.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

The Dslivsrance.-Aots xvii: 9S-44
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

Rev. ]. WILLIAM JONES,
Secretary Southern Historical Society,
ia loft Richmond, Va.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-11-28

December "a, 1877.