The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-12
GENERAL ITEMS.

SERIOUS AccIDENT.-On yesterday
evening, October 3d. while Miss NJ. ]. Bald.
win. Principal of Augusta Female Seminary,
and Mrs. D. A. Kayser were riding out the
horse attached to the vehicle took fright at
bear which was being exhibited on the public
streets, and ran off injuring both of the ladies
seriously and breaking the vehicle into many
fragments. Is it lawful for a bear to be ex-
hibited on The public streets of Staunton ?-Spec-
tdtor.
THE SIXTH CoMET.-Intelligen
received at the Warner Observatory Rochester,
N. Y, from Bristol England, states that Prof. w.
F. Denning discovered, bright new comet on
the 4th inst. 1t is located In the constellation
of Leo right ascension 8 hours % minutes. de-
clination North 16 degrees. daily motion 80 min
utes East. This is the sixth comet which has been
seen since May LIST. FIVE being new discoveries,
all but two of which were first observed by
Americans, and it is certainly a high compli
ment to the industry and skill of American
astronomers that they have shown so fine
record. The total amount which Mr.. H. H.
Warner has given in comet prizes during the
past year is 81 300 which shows that the interest
taken in astronomical affairs in the country is
greatly increasing.
New YoRK's Misunderstanding
to the official figures, the total value of real and
personal property within the limits of New
York City, is now 81, 255, 3S2,S09 The real
estate alone is set down as 81 1854, 1885, 772. The
total shows an increase of 100000, OOO since last
year. If the figures of the sum total correct
the property in New York would, if distributed
on the communistic plan, give $1,000 to each
man, woman and child in the city. The net
debt of the city has been brought down to about
$100,0o0,00O, but the taxes still keep high. For
the coming year they will he over $50, 0O0. 900.
The official figures are below rather than above
the real value of property, as they merely re-
present the tax valuation.
The Baltimore Gazette says the five
per cent. bonds of the city of Baltimore
held at 80, and that the taxes OF the city of
Baltimore are $1.37-the lowest that any large
city in the world is called on to bear.
NATIONAL DEBT.-The reduction
made in the National Debt for the month of
September reached the important amount of
$17,4S3 ,641 Sc, while the total reduction for the
quarter ending September, Sal, 742, S86.21. was
the largest decrease that has occurred in any one
quarter for several years. The average daily
reduction since July l has not been far from
million dollars. Of the amount reduced.
$4,000 900 represents interest bearing debt.
The total interest bearing debt is now 81 $685.
102, $50; interest due, ga, 075 2s9; non interest
bearing $442, 1854 1874 %. The cash in the Treas
ury amounts to $250,6S6, 547 80; total debt less
cash, 81, 798, $50, 925.77.
The Commission on the Creed of the
Congregational denomination in the United
States met at Syracuse the last week in Septem-
Der with nineteen of the twenty five present.
President Seelye, of Amherst College, presiding.
The Commission was divided into three com
mttees, namely On the larger confession of
faith, presided over by President Fairchild of
Oberlin on the smaller statement of belief,
presided over by Dr. Goodwin, of Chicago; and
on the Catechsm, presided over by DIR. A. Nc
Kenzie, of Cambridge Mass. The reports of the
committees are to be made to the full Commits
sion, which is to be called together before July
10, 1882.
"A GOOD MONUMENTAL the in
vitation of a number of prominent gentlemen of
Brooklyn, laymen, Rev. George F. Pentecost
commenced on Sunday afternoon, October I'd.
a series of free gospel services for the people,"
in the Academy of Music in that city. The
Hon. Joshua M. Van Colt presided and made
the opening address. After reading of the
Scriptures and prayer by Rev. DR.. Wayland
Hoyt, the Rev. DR.. Storrs and Rev. Mr.. Pente-
cost followed with addresses The services will
be continued every Sunday afternoon during
the fall and winter, commencing at 3 o'clock.
DIR. Bliss, who is President of the
Protestant College at Beirut Syria and to whom
many of our readers have listened with great
delight, is a many sided man, and has doors in
his heart open in various directions. Lately
ne playiully saiu Vi hiiseii IhaC ne was
brought up Baptist, converted as a Methodist,
entered the Congregational Church. ministry
and missionary work, and is now laboring I'M
de- the Presbyterian Board ; so he belongs to the
church catholic"
The FTeenaanS Journal confesses
there are not known to be three thousand Cath
olcs in all the State of North Carolina; trile
whose absence from mass of Sunday would
never be noted in one of our New York churches,
with their twenty-five or thirty thousand Cath
olcs in New York city parish !"
All who suffer from malaria of any kind will