The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-02-08
GENERAL ITEMS.

One of most finished Biblical schol-
are pronounces Prof Green's reply to Robert
son Smith the greatest effort of DR.. Green's
life, the best work he has ever done" And the
National Baptist says
We remember when Colenso sent forth his
Gruditles some eighteen years ago, how Prof. w.
d. Green OF Princeton showed up his folly, and
so we anticipated radical exposure when the
same person took Prof. Smith in hand ; and we
nave not been disappointed. He has turned
our indignation against Prof. Smith into pity.
bis blows are heavy, for the whole Scriptural
argument is on his side and he leaves Prof.
Smith like a knight endorsed and wounded"
The Carson City Appeal says: 9" An
old Ruby Hill miner, who had fifteen years
experience under ground says that he had OBJ
served one peculiar fact-that between II and 2
o'clock In the night, if there is loose stone or
Dit OF earth In the mine it is sure to fall. Saws
he About this time it seems that every thine
begins to stir, and Immediately after IL, altbono6
the mine has been still as a tomb before. Won
wall hear particles of rock and earth come t1m
ping down, and If there is a caving piece of
ground IN the mine it is sure to give way"
There is important truth in this
paragraph from the Christian Advocate.
The funny man of the Ne,0 York Times hit
- OA LlSdu, IeCBQDly, IN this sentence
The true way to abolish the false religion that
teaches the atrocious doctrines of love for God
ana ior our nelghbor, is to gently undermine it
by dlscardlng one doctrine after another in a
quiet and inoffensive way" The article is a
satire on the tendency to reduce religions ex
erclses and ceremonies to a minimum. and pro.
poses to substitute this mode of DESTROYING re
hglon for the open attacks of infdelity. But the
sentence we have quoted contains a serious
truth. The disposition to make light of fun
damental doctrines of the Christian system he
cause they areunacceptable to unregenerate men.
has pernicious tendency Some Churches are
becoming so liberal, that it is very difficult to
classify them. There is much unreasonable ont
cry against creeds. creed that formulates the
great doctrines of Christianity and is inculcated
IN the Church, the Sunday school and the home.
win the reasons for it, is priceless blessing 1t
helps wonderfully to obey the scriptural ininnc.
ton to be ready always to give an answer TO
every man that asketh you reason of the hope
that is IN you"
"A special feature in the semi-cen-
tennial OF the ordination to the diaconate of
Bishop Howe, of Central Pennsylvania. was the
presentation OF pastoral crook staff which cost
more than 300. The symbolism of its struc.
tqre and parts was explained at length by Dr..
hopkins. This was part of it 1.-THE entire
NUMBER OF Jewels employed is 127; the 100 BEING
the number of the flock of God and the 27 he
ing three times three times three-the three-fold
number OF the ever blessed Trinity" Which we
confess we do not understand
The Scotch Free Church .Monthhl
thus refers to the religious condition abroad
Perhaps it has suggestion also for this side the
water
There has seldom been time when il
seemed more necessary for the members of Evan
gelcal Churches to close up their ranks and
prepare anew for the defence of the pospel and
its propagation. Recent statistics have shown
that in the great cities Of England Christianity is
hardly holding its own and there is some cause
TO fear that close inquiry might reveal an
equally unhappy state Of things here. At anv
rate, we know enough ALREADY, without any
special inquiry, to make it certain that we are
IN the slack Of the de, and that if we do not
look out we may soon find ourselves with great
deal Of leeway to make up even to regain our
former anchorage.
OPIUM SMOKING IN AMER1CA.-Hor-
Pers Weekly gives a brief but interesting record
respecting the habit of opium smoking in this
country. 1t estimates, upon what seems true
data that there are to-day from three to FIVE
thousand Americans male and female. who are
incurably addicted to the smoking of opium
twice daily. The smoking houses are called
Joints" There are also a number of private
rooms, provided with complete outfits, where
their patrons indulge their appetite for the drug
In secret. Most Of the "joints" in this city
consist OF apartments in which cheap and scanty
furniture, bad light, and miserable ventilation
combine to produce the utmost discomfort To the
patron but 1t is asserted that in San Francisco
Chicago, and other Western cities. some Of the
opium houses are fitted up with mapnifcence
Oriental in its lavishness The smokers pursue
their occupation stretched upon rug upon
9unk' ana ply their pipes with the drug. rolled
IN the shape and size Of pea until they secure
their Dreamy unconsciousness to attain this
usually requires the consumption of from thirty
two to sixty four grains of the drug accorJigo
to Its quality There are two methods ofinhala7
ton while smoking, designated as the long and
short draw, the former Of which. drawing