Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-04-30

young minister, soon after obtaining ncen-
sure, was invited to occupy the pulpit of the
First Presbyterian Church OF Philadelphia,
which had become vacant by the death OF the
was, OF course, q severe trial OF his courage to
preach to a congregation accustomed to listen
to 30 able an expositor. But he shrank not
read to an attentive audience. In the after
noon, after reading over the sermon INTENDED
for the evening, he placed 1t In the pocket OF
study. When about to leave his house, he
changed his coat and started for the church.
On entering the pulpit, with equal surprise
had been left behind. How could the embar-
rassment OF the emergency be relieved? To
60 back himself for the sermon was out
to conduct the preliminary exercises OF devo-
ton during his absence. To send messenger
was equally impracticable for the distance was
too great to ADMIT of the accomplishment Of
the errand in the required time, particularly il
the delay that would occur from a strangers
want OF familiarity with the circumstances OF
evidently but one way out of the delicate and
difficult dilemma, aud this he decided to pur-
sue. After the Introductory services, an
nouncing his text, and closing the Bible, he
proceeded to deliver his message as best he
could. AS he descended from the pulpit several
elders approached him With thanks for his ex-
cellent sermon. After courteous acknowledg-
ment OF the compliment, he added: And am
sure you would regard your appreei ation OF my
services peculiarly grateful to me If You knew
now muGn It cost me- That young preacher
fame In church circles.
How the Australian Savages Marry.
1.-The Academy
Mr.. How1tt's account Of the KurnA people
just north OF Bass Straits introduces US to
new set OF marriage customs. Here the rule is
elOpement. The lad and girl make love to one
another without the knowledge OF her parents,
hr1A IA nf1u
furious, go la quest OF her; and II caught and
brought back she will be severely punished, her
mother and brother will beat her, and her father
even spear her through the legs. AS for the
husband, whenever he returns, he has to fight
his wife's male relatives. The pair may have to
elope two or three times, with new pursuit and
light Better let him nave her, The Wond Sa
thing is that this is not exceptional but the reg.
ular marriage rite of the tribe. The anger Is not
real, and when the people are charged With
being cruel they answer that it is not intended
as cruelty, but simply to follow an ancestral
tom Is q change toward civilized ideas OF mar
riage; 1t is no longer shifting union between
one group or tribe and another, but real pair.
some extent, male descent comes in with it.
THE Kurnai elopement marriage shows an
other interesting feature. Though 1t Is con
never aoWed 70 look at speaK to- or INV i've IN the e
same camp with his wlfe's mother This is the
best fact yet produced In favor of the explana-
ton OF the custom OF avoiding parents-in. law,
as meaning that the act of taking their daugh-
ter, though practically allowed, cannot be
openly agreed to by their acknowledging him.
So deeply rooted Is this custom In Australia
that 1t retains its hold On natives under mis-
Slonary influence.
"a Brabrolung, who is a member of the
Church OF England. was one day talking to me.
His wife's mother was passing at some little
distance, and called to her. Suffering at the
time from cold could not make her hear, and
said to the Brabolung. Call Mary, 1 want to
speak to her. He took no notice whatever, but
looked vacantly on the ground. spoke to him
again sharply, but still without his responding
then said, What do you mean by taking no
notice Of meg He thereupon called out to his
Wife's brother, who was at little distance,
Tell Mary Mr.. Hewitt wants her and, turning
to me. continued repr0achfully, You know very
well could not do thau--you know cannot
speak to that old woman"
A terrific wind and hail storm struck Birds
Point, MO-, Thursday. Ed. DWyer, railroad
warn MASTER killed q froes IN