davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
THE ANT-LION.

l was going into deep forest alone on
foot, with my blanket, and food, and cook
ing utensils on my back. The day was very
hot, and the road seemed very lonely and
long. Just before plunging into the woods,
| passed over q piece of land which some
hunters fire had burned over. Nothing was
left but here and there tall stump of tree,
blackened by the fire and entirely dead, and
now and then great rock which had its GOV.
ering all burned off, and it was left to be
bleached in the sun, and to be pelted by the
storms Under the shadow of one of these
huge rocks l sat down to rest. Every bird
was still, and every leaf hung motionless on
the trees, and the only sound to be heard was
the murmur of distant waterfall far away
in the forest.
81 am now," I said to myself, "beyond
the reach of men, and almost beyond animal
life; l can't see living thing moving this
is solitude"
Just then | noticed something that caused
the sand to fly up from the middle of my
foot-path and looking carefully at it, l soon
satisfied myself what it was. 1t was a small
insect that had burrowed down in the sand,
and with his tail or some other apparatus Il
could not see what he was throwing up the
sand fast and thick. How it flew In few
minutes he had made for him hole about
the size and depth of a large coffee cup. 1t
was shaped very much like coffee cup, as
nearly SO as the dry sand would take that
shape. The sand was dry in few moments,
and of course would very readily roll down
into the centre. had read of the creature,
but had never seen one before. He was
little dark.looking fellow; and now he put
himself in the very centre of his den, and
pushing himself into the sand, there was moth
ing to be seen but little black horn, as it
appeared to be, sticking out in sight. 1t
looked as if it might be the point of small
rusty needle. This was the ant-lion, and that
was bis den.
After the sand was dry, and the hunter
was still-buried in the sand, had a speci-
men of his skill and power. A little red ant
came running along, seeking food for herself
and her young. So she climbed up on the !
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
D I & E G T O B Y
Church in the United States.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

The GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly will meet at New Orleans La,
IN the third Thursday of May, 1877, at IL Al
CLERKS.
REV. JOSEPH R. WILSON, d. D., STATED CLsRK
REV WILLIAM BROWN. D. D., PERMANENT CIEar,
Va
The stated CLERK is rx.oyrrOro the Treasurer of the
General Assembly.
TRUSTEES.
Rev. JOHN DOUGLAS, VIcR-PRRsIDEsT, Charlotte
JESSE H. LINDSAY, Esq. SECRETARY and TREAsuRrh,
Greensboro, N. q.
SUSTENTATION.
Rev. J. LEIGHTON WILSON, d. D., szoRErASr,
Box Ssl, Baltimore, Md.
REV. RICHARD MoILwAINE, Coordinate SEcRg.
rARY and TREASURER, Box S3l, Baltimore, Md.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Rev. J. LEIGHTON WILSON, d. D., SECRETARY,
RLv RICHARD MOiLwAINE, Coordinate sEoHxrA.
By and TRBAsURRR Box s3l. Baltimore, Md.
PUBLICATION.
REV. JAMES X. HAZEN. SECRETARY, Rich mond,
O. GENNET, Esq, TREAsURER, Richmond. Va.
EDUCATION
Rev: JNo. N wADDELL, d. D., SECRETARY, Mem.
phis Tenn
A. F. DOD, TRBAsutxE, Memphis, Tenn
Applications to the Executive COMMITTEES for aid
hrs 10 be referred to the appropriate Presbyera Exec
utve Committees for their approval and are TO be for
warded by them to the Assemby's Committees
COLLECTIONS
The General Assembly has appointed the following col.
LOTIONS to be taken up annually in all the churches
For Sustentation On the first Sabbath in January.
For Publication; On the first Sabbath in ~
For Foreign Missions: On the first s.
For the Relief Of Disabled Ministe
and Orphans of Deceased MinisterSnn
in July.
TENDER.
For Education: On the first SABBATH
In cases where It is highly inconyenienf to
lections on these days, they shall be taken up 1c
possible thereafter.
The Assembly recommends TO the churches that thew
adopt the apostolic plan of taking up weekly colecons
ana that the amounts thus collected be appropriated to
.he objects, or when necessary local OBJ
ecs in such proportion the church session decide
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
Aonsshnla Nnrds.
THE GOLDEN ALTAR.

A gent<s~aa who was in the habit of Wis.,
iting a vefy aged woman, for many years
confined to her room, found her one morning
very much depressed. She could not see
Why the Lord left her there so long, in weak
ness aud WEAKNESS, when, as she supposed,
she could no longer serve him.
Her visitors thoughts had been much oc
Cupied with the shadows God has given us in
the Old Testament, especially with the taber-
nacle and its furniture; and he tried to bring
before the sufferers mind some of those vivid
pictures which seemed exactly suited to her
case.
The golden altar of incense This altar
is described in Exod. Xxx: 1-20. Its place
vas inside the tabernacle, in the holy place,
with the tables of showbread and the golden
candlestick, where the priests ministered
every day, and just outside the veil which
separated the holy place from the most holy,
which was entered by "the high priest alone
once every year, not without blood, which he
offered for himself and for the errors of the
people.
This altar was never used for the sacrifice.
"Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense
every morning, when he dresSeth the lamps.
And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even,
he shall burn sweet incense upon it, per-
petusl incense before the Lord throughout
your generations.
What is the substance of which this sweet
incense is the shadow? Let Scripture itself
inform us, Let my prayer be set forth be-
fore thee as incense"
Compare also Rev. ": 8, when we read of
the'elderS having every one of them golden
walls full of incense (soe Margin which are
the prayers of saints.
By whom may it be offered By priests.
g e are holy priesthood, to offer up spir-
itual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ" Il
"By him therefore let us offer the sacri
fee of praise to God continually, that is, the
fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name"
What a wonderful privilege! The dear
old Christian eagerly graSped the thought
that she might have share in this priestly
work, that she might, SO to speak, shovel
on the fragrant incense morning BY morn
ing and evening by evening. Life need no
longer be weariness and she exclaimed,
81 can live as long as you like now! A
hundred years longer, even in my one little
room, if can only please Him ]"
To how many sick one is this ministry
of prayer and praise committed ! 1t was
just as necessary to Israels worship that the
sweet incense should perpetually ascend from
the golden altar within the tabernacle, as that
the lamb for the continual burnt offering
should be offered every morning and every
evening on the brszen altar in the court
without.
Both were necessary that the Lord might
meet with his people, and dwell among the
children of Israel, and be their God (Exod.
xxx: SO, to end.) Both were shadows, it is
true, but shadows of far mightier blessings,
of which we, in these gospel days, know the
substance. The Lamb of God has come
We are redeemed by "the precious blood of
Christ as of Lamb without blemish and
without spot. Sunday at Home.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
FOE TIE CENTRAL PRzsBxrER1Ax.
AFRICA.

This dark and dresry continent, though
almost ignored at present, seems to call upon
the Southern Church Of all denominations
for special attention, as we have among US
about 4,OOO,O 900 of the African race recently
liberated from slavery, with very little fellow
ship and fOOthOld in our country. As their
askure destiny is altogether shrOuded in dark
less, We viii suggest plan to solve the o.
Guilty in which we are involved, that may
as important to Us as to them; but it requires
some concern on our part to accomplish it
Inasmueh as they are a distinct and peculiar
race in color and condition, and can never
expect amalgation or social equality with the
Anglo. Saxon stock, We should now have an
eye on Africa as tho proper residence for
them, not by any mode Of compulaion, but
by the force of reason and persuasion, as they
become more and more enlightened. We
have no doubt that great continent Is more
than able to support an addition of 4,OOO,-
900 of inhabitants, If a system Of emigration
was judiciously organized similar to that
which brought our fathers to this country,
but much more comfortable and expeditions.
By this means the slave trade Of barbarous
age will be SO OYerrulsd by a wise Providence
as to prove one Of the greatest missionary in
situations Of modern times; for we brought
them away dark heathens, and will send
them back as humble Christians to pour a
food of light over that great region of the
shadow of death. As they advance here in
education and religion, they will be more able
and willing to become missionaries Of the
cross to their fatherland, for which they viii
have some traditional Partially, and for
which their constitutions and habits are bet
ter adapted than those Of the whites. And,
as colonies, they can find vacant or cheap
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
What Can I Do ?

No question, perhaps, is mere frequently
asked by the sincere Christian than this
And it is one of the defects in our Church
and pastoral work that clear, concise an
sWer to this question is not more readily fur
nished.
Bat, what can I do is the urgent inquiry
You can. maintain consistent walk. Every
Christian should be satisfied, first of all, that
he does no harm. True, We can do nothing
without Gods grace assisting US. Yet We
are exhorted to "keep ourselves in the love
of God" and to "abstain from every form of
evil"
You can be in your place at the stated
meetings Of the church. The pastor is ex.
pected to be there; why cant you? The
Lord may not have given you any special
talent for singing or for speaking and pray
ing in public. But ne has given you tai
knV for listening, and that talent you have no
right to hide in napkin. You can cheer
the hearts of your pastor and of your breth-
rem by manifesting sufficient interest to be
always in your place.
You can be cordial with men. There is
no one thing, perhaps, in regard to which the
majority of Christians are more sadly def
cient than in the cultivation and use of our
social powers. We are too stiff, staid, for
NAL, conventional.
But unhesitatingly We pronounce it as cur
solemn conyicton--a conviction that is the
result Of many years close observatiOn-that
no one thing stands more directly in the way
of the enlargement of the borders of our Zion
than the suppression of the social spirit
Men want sympathy, friendship. They crave
warm, cordial unaffected greeting. And if
We win them to our sanotuaries and hold them
there they must have it. But they come to
our churches, al; through the service, and 60
away oftentimes without a word of welcome
from any one, unless it be the pastor or one
of the deaoOns. Brethren, these things ought
not so to be. Each member of the church
ought to regard himself or herself as "a com.
mi.tee of one" of invitation to welcome the
strangers, and to urge them to turn in and
worship with them again. The atmosphere
of every church ought to be made SO pleas
ant, CHEEKY, warm, hOme.like, that men will
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
Gods Word in the Heart.

There was once little boy who went to
Sunday School regularly, and learned all his
lessons well, so that he had great many
Bible verses in his mind. He was tenn
perance boy. This boy was on steamboat,
making journey. One day, as he sat
alone on deck, looking down into the water,
two ungodly gentlemen agreed that one of
them should go and try to persuade him to
drink. So the wicked man drew near to the
boy, and in very pleasant voice and man
ner invited him to go and drink q glass of
liquor with him.
81 thank you, sir, but I never drink
liquor"
"NeVer mind, ny lad; it will not hurt
you. Come and drink with me"
"'Wine is mOcker, strong drink is rag
ing; whosoever is deceived thereby is not
wise, was the boys ready answer.
"You need not be deceived by it. I
would not have you drink too much. A lit
tie will do you no harm, and will make you
feel pleasantly"
Goat the last it biteth like serpent and
stingeth like an ADDER" said the boy. 81
think it wiser not to play with adders."
"My fine little fellow" said the crafty
man, putting on most fattering air, Il
like you. You are no child; you are fit to
be companion of gentleman. 1t will give
me great pleasure if you will come and drink
D. glass of the best wine with me-"
The lad looked him steadily in the eyes,
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
The Children's Sabbath.

Perhaps, in answer to the mother who asks
how to make the Sabbath profitable and
pleasant to her children, the mention of some
things to be avoided, would prepare the way
for those to be done. We must remember
that to most of our children the labor of the
six days is the "doing" of lessons, therefore
to those who have not love for books, COM
pulSory study or reading must be wOrk rath-
er than Sabbath keeping. It is sad thing
for child to connect the idea of drudgery
with the day of rest and gladness." 1
doubt if there is any new way of teaching
Bible truth to children, equal to the way
they love best, the telling of stories. A
writer on the fashionable subject of household
decoration, speaks of women with "brains in
their fingers" Borrowing the idea for our
subject, l say happy are the mothers who
have brains in their tongues, with which to
interest their children. Is there child
with ears to hear who does not love Bible
stories if told or read as if you loved them
yourself, as of course you must, if you hope
to make others do the same. | have some
times seen the tall lads drop their books to
listen to the oft told histories of Joseph, of
David, of the three who Walted in the fiery
furnace while fourth, like the Son of God,
walked with them. The same is true of the
New Testament. What child is not made
solemn and earnest in listening to the re-
cords and works of our Lord?
Yet We must watch for signs of WEAKNESS,
and not force even "angels' food !" where
there is no more hunger.
Active children love to do as well as hear.
When they tire of their books, let them carry
them to those who have none. Find them
some "good work for others, suitable to
their age and capacity that may employ
some of the hours they are disposed to yawn
through. We are to teach these things dill
gently to our children, but it is to be
"here little and there little" Above
all let the day be happy one. Let no word
of harsh reproof or of fretfulness be heard,
no punishment ever inflicted on that day.
If our children see in US reverent study of
the Word with delight in doing good, we
may be sure that afterward," they too will
follow on to know the Lord.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06

and said "My Bible says, If sinners entice
thee, consent thou not ," This was stun
ming blow to the tempter, and he gave up his
wicked attempt, and went back to his com
panion.
Chow did you succeed ?" said he.
go, the fact u.s. he replied, {" that little
fellow is so full of the Bible, you can't do
anything with him."
And every boys mind and every girls
mind should be SO full of the Bible, that
wicked tempters cannot do anything with
them.
Now there is one verse which shows that
this is just the right use to make of the BIZ
BILE: "Thy word have l hid in my heart,
that might not sin against thee"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
ID ICHMOND AND DANVILLE RAILROAD
IL On and after DECEMBER 10th, 1876, the
trains on this road will run daily as follows:
THROUGH MA

THROUGH MAIL.
Z. 35 A. NJ, leaves Richmond daily, connecting at
Greensboro with trains on N. Carolina
division and N. W. N. G. r. R. at Char
lotte with trains on Atlanta and Rich
mond Airline railway for Atlanta,
Macon, Jacksonville, Montgomery, Mo-
bile, and New Orleans, and all south
western points. With G. G. and A. r.
r. for Columbia, Augusta, and all
southern and southeastern points.
LYNCHBURG ACCOMMODATION,
8. 40 A. M, leaves Richmond daily for BuIkeville,
Farmville, Lynchburg and intermedi-
ate points, making close connection at
Lynchburg for all southwestern points
THROUGH FREIGHT,
s. 10 P. NJ, with sleeping car attached, leaves Rich
mond daily Except Sunday for Lynch
burg, arriving at Lynchburg 5l5 m.
THROUGH MAIL,
T. AT P. NJ, arrives Richmond daily, connecting with
North Carolina division N. W. N. c.
RR., G. C. and A. A. R.R., and At
lanta and Richmond Airline railway
from all southern and southwestern
points, and with Richmond, Fredericks
burg and Potomac and Chesapeake
and Ohio railroads for all northern and
western points.
LYNCHBURG ACCOMMODATION,
4.51 P. NJ arrives Richmond daily from I.ynchburg.
-FormyiAe, burkevfite, ana all fnterme
date points, and from all southwestern
points.
THROUGH FREIGHT.
20 A. NJ, with sleeping car attached, arrives Rich
mond daily Except Monday from
Lynchburg, leaving Lynchburg at p m.
The through freight trains between Richmond and
Lynchburg, with sleeping car attached, offer unusu-
ii advantages in economy of time to business men
Of Richmond and Lynchburg
Tickets sold to all southern and southwestern
points, and baggage checked through.
Palace sleeping-cars run through between Rich
mond and Brunswick, Ga
Local tickets are good only for continuous pas.
sage to the points named on the ticket. No lay.
over checks will be given.
T. NJ. R. TALCOTT,
Engineer and superintendent
j. R. MAoNUBDo, General Passenger Agent.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
Central 4resbptuiar1.
Office No. l015 Main street, nearly opposite
the Post Office.
TIE r NE.

TER NE.
Inree DoIIars year, payable in Advance.
PAYMENTS may be made to local agents wherever
practicable; all ministers of our Church ore author.
iSed to act as such. Or by checks, Ro.o6ics money
orders, or letters Registered by Postmaster Other.
wise IT MUST BE At rar HIsK OF TEE PARrY ssxD
IyG IT.
OsIruAHIns. Charged at ten cents line. The
party sending can make the estimate by counting
eight words to line. Payment in Gdsancs.
CONNUxI0ArIoys Axp LHTT1Rs or Bus1xrss
should be addressed to Central hssbytnian, Boz
81, Richmond, Va.
Terms of Advertising -Psyabls In Advass.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
The
Southern Presbyterian Review,
A CARD.

A CARD.
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 speca
pledged collaborators 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 henceforh con.
sist Of
GEORGE HOWE, HENRY c. ALEXANDER,
JOHN B. ADGER, j. M. P. ATKINSON,
JAMES WOODROW, JNo. l.. GIRARDEAU,
JOSEPH R. WILSON, CHARLES A. STILLMAN,
R. l.. DABNEY, B. M. PALMER,
B. NJ. 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 favoring free discussion within
limits but 1t is the desire of all who have it in
charge to make it more than ever a 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-
tion nor in the general principles Of the conduct Of
the work.
Communications may be addressedt to the publish.
ers, James Woodrow, Columbia, s. c., or to Rob't
L.. Dabney, Hampden Sidney, Va, or to John B.
Adger, Pendleton, 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, 1877-06-06

The British Quarterlies give to the reader we'll.
digested information upon the great events in con.
temporaneous history, and contain mastery crit.
cisms on all that is fresh and valuable in literature
as well as summary of the trumphs of science and
art The wars likely to convulse all Europe will
form topics for discussion, that will be treated with
thoroughness and ability nowhere else to be found
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
PR EMIUM g.

New subscribers applying early for the wear 1877
may have without charge, the numbers for the last
quarter of 1875 of such periodicals as they may SUBJ
scribe for.
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
Circulars with further particulars may be had on
application.
THE LEONARD SCOTT PUBLISHING CO.,
Al Barclay Street, New York.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
TERMS (Including Postage:
Payable Strictly in Advance.
Gu Rs.

CLUBS.
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 tor $3.50; four copies of the four Reviews
and Blackwood for $48 and so on.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
Choice Periodicals for 1877.

Inc Leonard soott Publishing Company,
Al Barclay Street, New York,
Continue their authorized Reprints of the
FOUR LEADING QUARTERLY REVIEWS
The Edinburgh Review Whig),
The London Quarterly Review, (Consavatire)
Westminster Review Liberal,
The British Quarterly Review, (EuangelicaD,
Containing mastery criticisms and summaries of all
that is fresh and valuable in Literature,
Science, and Art; and
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
VNHE MISSIONARY,

i PUBLISHED MONTHLY
Subscription price, so cents year in advance.
It 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 "Ths Missionary" Post
Office box S3l, Baltimore, Md. ja3l-tf
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
BLAOKWoODs EDINBURGH MAGAZINE.

The most powerful monthly in the English Ian.
guage, famous for STORIES, ESSAYS, and
SKETCHES,
OF THE HIGHEST LITERARY MERIT.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06
COUTHERN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
y PAPERS
FOR 1877.

The marked favor with which this Monthly has
been received during the first year of its existence
nsures its success during the coming year, and
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.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-06-06

Rev. j. WILLIAM JONES,
Secretary Southern Historical Society,
ia loft Richmond, Va.