The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-11-10
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.


MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
The notables among the liberal and
lntidel literary cliques have been singtlarlv nm.
fortunate In the contempt they have made man
lIest TO the purity of matrimonial life John
stuart Mill lived with another mans wife. and
George Eliot" or Marian Evans, with another
womans husband Mr.. Lewis lived with
George Eliot" and had wife living elsewhere
AS for theatrical notabilities the most consncn.
Gus Just now is Sarah Bernhardt, whose shame is
open.
-Apropos of the discussion of the
question of Presbyterian liturgy at the Coun-
Gil in Philadelphia, it is stated that the English
Presbyterian Synod of 1881 will most likely be
asked to sanction the optional use of a liturgy
together with forms for dispensing Baptism and
the Lords Supper and for conducting marriages
and burlals. An overture on the subject. it is
said, will be sent up.
DR.. Charles Jewet, while arguing for
prohibition, once said =" Why not pour Wbis-
key In the gutter? 1t Is destined for the gutter
at last; why not pour it there at once, and not
strain it through man and spoil the strainer in
the work?
st. Patrick is said to have ordained
above 300 bishops and 5000 presbyters and
when we remember how small the population of
Ireland was at the time, it is most manifest that
Patrlcks bishops were just parish ministers, and
his presbyters decent Presby terian elders
Miss Taylor's school for Muslin
girls in Beirut, Syria, held its examination july
o. The chief topics were the Bible, the Shorter
Catechlsm, geography, arithmetic, and Arabic
grammar. great gathering of the native PEG
pie attended. Forty girls received prizes 70 /:
faithful attendance at the Sunday School. The
Muslin women present at the Sunday School
celebration remained during the intermission
and through the afternoon session-crowding
the house to the door More than a hundred
men and women attend every Sunday. when
they hear the gospel and join in the hymns-in
Arabic.
ASTONISHING CLAIM" The Papacy
has more, even than in the past resolved to
avoid all interference in the political affairs of
nations. 1t has always recommended the clergy
not TO depart from Its mission of peace" So
says the OsserUatore Romano, in a late number.
What marvel of impudence is this What
has the church of Rome done in all the centuries
that are past but interfere in the "politica1 aE
fairs OF natons?" Did it not assert the right to
dePose princes and release their subjects from
ooedlence-a right which Monsignore Capel
says say Is now only held In allegiance" Did not
dlldebrand declare that the German emperor
Henry. ~ had forfeited his kingdom, and sum
mon him to make his submission at Canossa ?
Did not King John of England resign his crown
and scePtre, and receive them back again from
the hand OF the Pope2 Did not Pope Plus TX
set forth the Syllabus asserting the theocratic
rights OF the church.-PresJyteTian
SATURN AS SEEN BY TELESCOPE
We had view of Saturn few evenings since
through the fine telescope in Mr. Seagrave's
private observatory, that will long be remem-
oered for Its exceeding beauty. The night is
rarely favorable for star-eaziig, the definition
perfect and the atmosphere serene. The picture
Is one Of surprising loveliness, the most superb
telescope scene in the heavens The orb is re-
splendent in coloring-blueish at the poles. pale
yellow elsewhere crossed by two creamy central
Oelts, and hecked with spots that suggest light.
scudding clouds. There is no appearance of a
hattened disc but the rounded outlines of a
sphere, seeming about the size of the full moon
stand out IN bold relief against the azure black
ness OF the sky. Around this softly blowing
centre extend the wondrous rings. openiTg wide
their encircling arms, and grading the planet
IN their protecting embrace. Every detail Of
the complex ring system is sharply defined and
vlvidly painted on the celestial canvas The
outer ring, the inner ring the dusky Tor crape)
ring, the space between the outer and inner RING
and even the division in the outer ring. are
plainly visible; while six Of the eight moons
dot the dark sky with points Of golden glow.
The SIX moons we see-one of them is LARGER
than Mercury-circle around their primary
within an extreme span Of 4, 100000 miles. The
beautiful rings lie within the path of the nearest
moon, and span space Of about 176 600 miles.
The narrow, dark space between the inner and
outer rings, is 700 miles broad and the duskv.
or third ring extends 5000 miles within the in,
ner, OF second, ring.