davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
European Porcelain.

81 suppose you have all heard Of Dresden
china" said Uncle Jack to the group OF
merry children surrounding him.
60 yes, sir" cried Al. "Aunt Susie had
a Dresden a-pot that belonged to her grand
mother, and she said the tea always tasted
better out of it than from any thing else.
"Well, here is an excellent French copy
of an old Dresden figure. 1t is pretty
fower-girI. She how gracefully she reaches
for nosegsy from her basket. / have seen
bouquets of Dresden porcelain that you could
hardly distinguish from real flowers" said
Uncle Jack.
"YOu'd hardly think that such beauti.
full thing was made from common earth, said
Will.
"Nor is it," said his uncle. "This kind
of china is made from very fine and very
rare clay that, for long time, was found
only in China and the Corean islands; but
about hundred and sixty years ago noted
chemist of Nielsen, in Saxopy, named Bot
tcher, discovered bed of it there, and man
ufactured the first true porcelain made in
Europe" said Uncle Jack.
"Why couldn't they get the fine clay from
China and make their porcelain anywhere ?
asked Will.
"Becauge the Chinese jealousy kept al
their clay to themselves" answered Uncle
Jack.
"How did that man come to discover where
the clay was, and if it was of the right kind?
asked Al.
"By strange chance. According to tn
fashion of the time, men powdered their hair
using wheat -four for that purpose. One do.
neighbor of the chemist, in travelling al
unfrequented part of the country, observed
on his horses hoofs some white sticky clay
and it occurred to him that this white clay
dried and powdered, would make an excel
lent and cheap substitute for wheat -four a
a hair powder. So he carried little HON
with him, and some of it finally reached Bot
tcher. The chemist foundit extremely heavy
and fearing the presence of some metal hurt
full to the skin, he tested the clay in his lab
oratory. To his surprise and joy this whit
hair powder proved itself possessed of tn
same qualities as the veritsble Chinese kaOlin
as their clay is called. st. Nicholas.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
ADAPTATION.

"By the way" said Mr.. s., q must tel
you little story about Cyrus W. Field.
once happened to travel day with Field
and Canon KiDgsley, when Kingsley visited
this country. Field was not very talkative
but having heard that he was great story.
teller, proposed to Mr.. Kingsley that if he
would draw him out on bis experience in lay.
ing the Cable, would pay for dinner for the
party.
"He agreed pleasantly, and we soon got
one of Fields richest experiences. was
in England, said Field, had exhausted my
means, and was much discouraged. Money
would lay the cable, but no person of inAu.
ence would take hold. People thought
was dreamer, and some said | was crazy.
Armed with letters of introduction, | went
from one person of influence to another, only
to meet with respectful unbelef.
"'One day friend gave me letter to
Lord So-and So, with the remark eff you
can get his name on your, list, you will have
no trouble in getting others; but he is lit
tie peculiar, and you must be patient and
study your man."
"' succeeded in getting an interview
with his Lordship, and found him with bis
gamekeeper and his dogs, and such kennel
you never saw. 1t embraced white dogs and
black dogs, woolly dogs and hairless dogs,
big dogs and little dogs, bulldogs and span
iels, hounds and terriers, ours of low degree,
and dogs to the manor born.
"He- politely asked the purpose of my
visit, and fearing that l would lose my game
if did not shoot on the wing, l laid the
cable before him.
al became enthusiastic; / expanded,
quoted Shakespeare, Joined the hands of
England and America, mother and daughter
in electric grasp; pictured Parliament ad-
dressing Congress and Congress addressing
Parliament the same day and hour.
GO showed how the cable would facilitate
the worlds progress.
CSC In the midst of an eloquent peroration,
his Lordship bluntly interrupted me with the
remark: "That's fine dog there, Mr.. Field. I"
l was amazed. What the instantaneous COM
munication of the great powers of the world
the simultaneous throbbing of the hearts
of nations-had to do with fine dog, could
not see.
Swallowing my chagrin, I said eyes,
sir, your lordship, a very fine dog, sir, and
then commenced again.
"Feeling that l had secured his atten-
sion, l mapped the two countries on the
ground with my cane, and stretched an i'm
aginary cable from London to New York.
l pictured his LordShip at breakfast before
the average New Yorker was awake.
"D'ye see that bull pupsM Field, he's
jolly" said his Lordship.
"My tongue Glove to the roof of my
mouth, stared at him, and then at the dog,
and then at my map, and began to think one
of us was insane, and it might be me.
"'Should l shake the dust from my feet
in anger, or had better try him again?
"'If ever Ireach this man, thought l, it
must be through his dogs. J., I'll try him; so
here goes, hit or miss.
al am sure, your Lordship, said 1, "that
q long cable will work as well as a short one,
if the communication is kept open; the only
difficulty is in getting the cable.
"By the way" said !, "did your Lord,
ship ever see dog twjio as large as that
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
Wisdom's Children

The bust of Mrs. Mary Somerville stands
by the side of Sir Isaac Newton's in Edin.
burgh. As he was the greatest of intellec,
tual men, she held the same rank among wo-
men. Of him the foolish story is told that,
having hole made through door for bis
cat to pass in and out, he also had smaller
hole made for the kitten. Whether it be
true of him or not, Mrs. SomerVille has the
credit of similar inadvertence. She was in
the annual receipt Of a pension, granted on
account of her mathematical contributions
to science. To draw this pension while she
was residing in Italy, it was necessary for
her to 20 before the Consul and obtain bis
certificate that she was alive on the date
when her pension was due. One year she
neglected to procure the certificate and the
pension was not sent. When the year came
around again she went before the Consul and
obtained his certificate that she was then and
there aliue, and, of course, entitled to her
annuity. This concluded, she very grsVely
asked for certificate that she was alive a
year ago. The Consul reminded her that it
was quite unnecessary, as her being alive
ROaO was satisfactory evidence that she was
also alive a year previous. The mathemati-
cal lady saw it, and retired quite sure of two
years pay.
A case has Just been reported in the pa
pers which is the reverse of that of Mrs.
Somerville: A Lowell, Mass, firm recently
sent lot of bills West for collection. The
list came back with the result noted against
each name, one being marked dead. -
Three months after the same bill got into q
new lot that was forwarded, and when the
list came back the name was marked "Sdn
dead. ~. Y. Observer.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
Aunsthula &nrds.
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
LOST! sTRAYEDl Oh STOLEN
BY REV. Il. H. HALVES.

Again and again do We see the above head
ing to advertisements, telling US that horse,
COW, dog or something else is missing. And,
not unfrequently quite large reward is Of
fered to the finder, or to any one who will
give such information as will serve in the
case. The owner is worried and troubled
until he finds that which is gone; or if he
never finds it, the loss weighs upon him in
heaviness proportional to the value at which
the loss was held. People interest themselves
very decidedly to take care of their property.
"But to what purpose is this written 2
some may ask. Well, was thinking about
that dear child of yours, and wondering why
you do not interest yourself more decidedly
to keep it from being 'lost, strsyed or Stolen."
That fine little boy of yOurs,-dO you not
see that be is trying to copy you in every
thing? All the world put together is not
influencing him as you are. Think of that
"Mamma, when get to be man, won't
have to pray, will II"
"Yes dear, you will always have to pray
to God, for He loves you"
swell, father doesn't pray, and he is
man."
See what thoughts prayerless fathers are
putting into the minds of their children =
Of course you do not mean to lead your child
astray. But that is not the point. If goa
are going sstray, he will follow you, and
after awhile he will be lost. You sVill be the
cause of 1t too Think of that
"Mamma, are you Christian?
"NO, my child?'
"Well, l am not going to be Christian
either, cause mamma isn't
There it is again. So it is every day.
every hour.-slways. You cannot help it
1t is SO, and will be so.
Some parents will spend both money snd
time,-spend and be spent to find a poodle
dog which is cut of the way, bat ociU let then
Ol0a children Wandsr OF to he'll ~athoat NOV
ing a finger to prevent 1t
I read once of father who, in the spirit
of reckless daring, was climbing the side o.
great precipice. After reaching cOnsid
cradle height, he looked down and saw hi
little son following him-'trying to go where
papa goes. With heart full of fear ant
terror at the boys peril, this father immedi
stely returned to a safe place.
e is time for some others to look back Gnt
return from the dangerous ways in which
they are tempting their children to follow
them. Yea, it is high time The child doe
not know what to do, nor where to 60. Whc
is to guide it? If parents are reckless, care
less and unconcerned, God pity the little ig
norant children Better for the children i
God in mercy would call them now away
perhaps, from the influence which will caus'
their history to be one day written in thes
words, or in one of three" Lost Strayed
Stolen Ut may seem harsh, hard thing
to say. 1t may "nettle" you considerable!
to think that anyone can ever hint that yol
are not caring for your child. Yet, think o
it. Will you!
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
Practical Application of Sermon.

Two little, poorly dressed girls sat cnrled
up in a quiet, out,Of-the-way corner in
church. The minister, however, saw them,
and more than once in bis sermon wondered
who they were and what made them listen so
attentively. He was really sorry when, the
service being over, he looked and they were
gone-vanished like two little bats that be.
longed to the darkness and loved it. BE
had not gone far, however, on his hcmeward
Journey, when shadow stirred, thin, dirty
little hand reached out and touched him.
go, sir, please give me some for my sick
mother"
"Give you what, child ?"
Swine and milk, " replied the eager young
voice. "We've nothing to buy them with,
and the doctor wants her to have them. You
said come without money, you know, and
I'm here. OttO's brought the kettle and I've
got bottle"
"That was my text this evening"" re
marked the minister to friend who had
Joined him. Come buy wine and milk,
without money and without price,. These
children were my most attentive hearers. -
The girl, you perceive, has applied it to the
one great mead she is conscious of. What
can l do p
well go'with them to their home, and
see what is required of us, replied the gen.
tleman. If this story is strictly true, neither
kettle nor bottle shall remain empty"
Ups narrow court in the church's rear,
they found woman far advanced in con
sumption, who had evidently seen better
days. Worse ones, too, because love Of
wealth and pleasure had led her down to the
horrible pit and into the miry clay the Bible
tells US about. Her husband was in his
grave, wealth and station had vanished like
dream, and now as the waters of the dark
valley crept chilly about her feet, she looked
and longed for an upward ray to pierce her
spirits gloom. The Rev. Mr. R, while
ministeriug to her bodily needs, lost no time
pointing her to the Sun of Righteousness;
and as he talked, fear and agony faded out
of the woman's face, and the light of great
hope dswned in her eyes. Those two little
bundles of rags, Ora and Otto, sat curled up
in one corner, listening, just as they had lis
tened from the pew, with hands folded in
their laps, lips apart, and deep, dead shin
ing in the orbg that never for an instant left
me speakers face.
A week later Ora and Otto were mother
less, yet not alone. Kind friends took them
in, kind hands ministered unto them but
neither ever forgot their first sermon, nor
the Kettle they brought to the minister.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
Bruce's Home in Cardross.

A contributor in the Scottish american
Journal, who signs himself Rutherglen, says:
The last years of Bruce's life were spent
in the large house which he erected in the
parish of Cardross, on an elevation overlook.
ing the vale of Lennox (now called Leven,)
and the lower part of the vale of Clyde. 1t
seems that this great king had also genuine
taste for naval as well as military affairs, for
he spent considerable portion of his time
in constructing vessels for war and pleasure;
and he enjoyed sailing on the Clyde and
Leven. he had one great war ship built in
which no less than eighty tons of iron were
used. 1t was employed to guard the firth Of
Clyde, and it's usual place of anchorage was
near Dumbarton Castle. In connection with
this the fact is interesting that Henry Bell,
who constructed the first practical steamboat
in Europe, and sailed it regularly on the
Clyde, was a native of Helensburgh in the
parish of Cardross; and the Napiers and
Dennistons, 80 eminent in modern steamship
building were natives of Dumbarton also
that the Clyde to-day is the seat of the
greatest shipbuilding works in the world
But the Cardross House of Bruce is no more
Not stone of it has been left in position /;
all traces Of it have disappeared; and it is
only by tradition that we know it stood upon
knoll still called Castlehil, about mile
from the cross of Dumbarton. The royal
castle Of Rutherglen, in which Bruce made
his residence for brief period, and where
was written the renewed charter of the burgh
which he granted, replacing the old one
stolen by Edward L. and where also was
written the charter to the monks of Polma.
die, has met with the fate of Cardross Royal
House. Not stone of it remains in place,
and few persons living know where it stood.
The writer of this has seen green kali and
sibos growing in the space once enclosed by
its strong walls, where the royal Bruce once
lived, and where courtly danes and belted
knights often rode out from the gates with
hound and hawk to hunt in the woods of
Cathkin and Aikenhead.
1t is related that plaster cast of the skull
of Robert Bruce was taken under the direc
ton IF the Baron of Exchequer, and in 1853
l saw copy of it in the Crystal Palace Of
Industry, in New York. 1t persisted when
that structure was consumed by fire. The
stone coffin of the king was carefully closed
and cemented, and Dumferline still contains
the dust of the hero of Bannockburn.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26

"PATIENcE," Button is reported to have
said, I" is genius" When Carey, the famous
Baptist missionary to India, was found by q
visitor surrounded by the books he had trans.
lated, and was complimented upon the evil
dences of his ability, he exclaimed, "Thank
God, can plod." DR.. Chalmers, lecturing
to his students at the beginning Of the course,
magnifed in his happiest vein the power of
patient application. He urged them not to
wait for an c,tRatus, but to sit down resolute-
ly, even doggedly if necessary, and go to
work. We have entered another period of
activity. The winter months have always
been especially the season for carrying for.
ward the work of the Church. Patient effort
seems at the present time especially neces-
sary. These are trying times. Success now
is the reward of careful, thoughtful, persis-
tent application. A dash, or q squirt, to
adopt the language of the oarsmen, is IN.
availing; it is the long, strong, steady stroke
which wins. Cheerful patience, with hope in
God, will attain the results ardently longed
for. There is revival of interest in the
work of the Church, disposition to provide
for it's wants, to enlarge it's resources, to les
sen its burdens, to add to its efficiency. To
achieve these results, to do successfully what
God has given US to do, demands at our
hands steady, earnest, patient effort. For q
few years past we have been building hasti
ly, and part of our work has fallen-it has
proved unsubstantial, as hurried work is apt
to be-. Now we are to rebuild solidly, to put
up structure that the storms can neither
shake nor crumble. This demands thong hit
full, patient and persistent effort. Our work
is to strengthen, and to build up, not to pull
or tear down. There has been destruction
enough. We should be thankful that the
work of the Church has suffered so little from
the severe trials through which the country
has passed, that so much remains, and that
We have still 80 much ability to carry for
ward the work of our Lord. Trying days
excite to irritability,. fretfulness, and fault
finding; but if we yield to such disposition
we will only increase the difficulties of the
position and the severity of our trials. To
accomplish desirable ends we must give our
selves to united, kind, patient and resolute
effort, trust in God Christian IntelIgencer.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
N FOR BIBLE STUDY.

THE BIBLE TEXT BOOK.-A concordance o.
Subjects, Persons, and Places, in compact anG
portable form. 1t has twelve fine Maps, Tables
of Weights, Measures, Time, Chronology, Names
of Christ, First Lines Psalms, Prophecies and
Allusions to Christ, dc. 232 pages. Small limo
Cloth rs cents. Postage IL 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. 2S6 pages
Price rs cents. Postage II cents.
BIBLE STUDENTS COMPANION.-Th va.
demecum' contains the Bible Text Book, with all
its indexes and tables, twelve maps, beautifully
colored, a 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 $1.60. Postage II cents.
For sale by 7. L. d. WALFORD,
Depository American Tract Society,
Ola Main st., Richmond, Va
Ia 01-tf
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26

The DUTIES OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
"When man joins particular church he is
bound to identify himself with it, and strive
to sustain and promote its church life. He
must attend its services, and cooperate in it's
measures. He must not 60 first to one
church and then to another, to crafty his
curiosity or his taste. He must be governed
by sense of duty, and not by inclination ;
thus only can he promote his own edifcation
and the welfare of the Church. DR.. Chas.
Hodge.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26

announcement over Fit of fact SO great in
words SO simple had in it something impress
sive to our minds. Bethlehem--the babe IN
the manger-the wi Sc mems adOration-how
one is carried back ito the lessons of earliest
childhood! Here, then, we fpd them real
lied tradition; and let US not at once dismiss
them with sneer but rather try to realize
something of what at lesst they symbolic
for us.-Estract from article, iy Rev. DR..
SchGf, in Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
The
Southern Presbyterian Review,
A CARD.

n OhleD.
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 ssme and certain other breth.
en- in various parts of the Church to become specia
pledged collsborators 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. STILLMAN,
R. l.. DABNEY, B. M. PALMER,
b. M. SMITH. j. w. PRATT,
THOMAS +. PECK, s. s. LAWS,
STUART ROBINSON.
The REVIEW will continue to be to certain ex.
tent 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 Calvinistc 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 Rob't
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, 1877-12-26
PR ENIUM 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 SUBJ
scribe for.
Or instead, new subscribers to any two, three, or
four of the above periodicals, may have one OF the
-Four Reviews" for 1877; subscribers to all Eve
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.
10 secure premiums it will be necessary to make
early application, the 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, 1877-12-26

The RAVENS suppose we have all read
how the ravens saved Eljah'S life. Perhaps
your readers would like to hear little story,
which is quite true, about raven that saved
the lives of some men in England. Many
years ago some men we're working in Wins
ade Quarry near Kingsbridge, in Devon
they were just going to have some dinner,
when raven stole one of the mems dinners,
and few away with it. All the men ran out
of the quarry to see the bird flying off with
it, and while they we're doing 80 the quarry
fell in. If they had been in it they would
all have been killed. So you see that Eli
lah's life was saved by having food brought
to him by the ravens; but these men were
saved by having some of their food taken
awsy.-Little Folks.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
Central 4resbptuiar,
Office Ho. 1915 Main street, nearly opposite
tho Post 0fioe.
TIE b NA.

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-oics monsy
orders, or letters Registered by Postmaster. Other.
wise IT MUST sl At TIM RISK OF TEE PARTY suD
ING IT.
OlIruARIHs.- at ten cents line. The
party sending can make the estimate BY counting
eight words to 9 line. Payment In advances.
CoxxUrIoATIoHs AID LIrrlRs on Bus1rysa
should be addressed to Central hss6rAian, Box
81, Richmond, Va.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26
TERMS FOR 1878 Qncluding Postage
Payable Strictly in Advance.
Gu b 8.

A discount of twenty per cent. will be allowed TO
clubs of four or more persons. Thus: four copies
of Blackwood of one Review will be sent 20 ore
address for $12s0 four copies of the four Reviews
and Blackwood for $4s, and 80 on.
To clubs of ten or more, in addition to the above
discount, copy gratis will be allowed to the getter
up of the club.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26

We need more de6niteness in our work for
young men; and by this mean that we stop
working for young men, and do something
for this and that yOuRg man.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-12-26

THOSE that leave off to take heed to the
Lord, leave off all good, and can expect no
other than that all good should leave them.