davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07
A Quiet Mind.

OF all blessings to be desired, quiet
mind seems most worthy the Christians
seeking. Calm me my God, and keep
me calm, must often be our prayer, as
we encounter the changes of lite.
Most of us have found out how much
easier 1t is to bear up bravely under a
great misfortune, than to act with pa
tlence, good temper, and coursg e when
little things go wrong. How many times
a day are we tried and harassed in the
family One person is apt to be irritated
at trlfes, and to speak petul"-'
hastily when ROY -"
more quiet
10 as SUI
overcome.
nabit OF speaking 49,
voice, or OF magnifying little Ia
great crimes, the children will soon learn
The trick OF scowling brows and cross
words. We never hear little girl scold-
ing her doll in uplifted tones nor see her
striking and shaking it, without sus-
plclon that In that way she sees the home
government administered And when
we observe gentleness, sweetness, and un-
seltshness pred ominating in the conduct
OF children, the inference is natural that
they live In a sunny atmosphere, and
have beautiful examples set before them
daily.
How often we mothers have gone from
our rooms, secure, as we thought against
temptations, and have had all the peace
hanlshed by some untoward occurrence
To enter the parlor and find that Jennie
is playing tea with the china which is
your pride, or that Tommy has made a
horse of your frail japanese chair; to
have favorite book, which you loaned
in the goodness of your heart, come home
stained and torn to go to the kitchen to
be confronted by the stupidity or OBJ
stinacy OF an ignorant servant-these are
common experiences, and how often our
self-control flies before them 1t is as
humiliating as it is common to find that,
when we are on the level of our highest
moods, we are apt to be swept down to
the lowest.
How can we exercise ourselves so as
to have quiet mind ?
In two or three ways.
We cannot invariably control our
thoughts and impulses, but our words
and our tones are in our power. We
may resolve to preserve silence when we
are exasperated, till we feel calm, and
never to elevate our tones when an.
noyed A low, clear voice is great
charm in woman, and when it is moth
ers, 1t has an almost magical influence
in the maintaining of harmony in the
household.
If we would have quiet mind, we
must give fair play to this house in
which our mind dwells. Often the tem-
per is uncertain and fortitude breaks
down because the body is worn out by
illness or sleeplessness. Let us resolve
to secure some needed repose, and some
small space of solitude every day. There
should be one room to which, morning or
afternoon, we may retire, and be safe
from intrusion, while we read, mediate.
rest or pray.
Let us make daily and practical use Of
our Bibles They are full of help, of in
struction and Of comfort. We can open
them nowhere without finding some
thought Of God, out-shining like star
and dispensing its brilliant light for our
cheer and guidance. The way Of perfect
trust is the only peaceful way in this
world, and they have most of its ioy who
dwell nearest the heavenly Father.
Christian at Work.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07

The ALHAMBRA of Washington Irving is
brought out in cheap duodecmo form (price
90 cents) by John B. Alden, Is Vesey street,
New York.
We are glad to see standard and pure litera-
ture of this sort placed within the reach of all.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07

CHOSEN VESSELS. By Parthene B. Chamber
lain, author of What About Fred" The
Mistress of the House." "a Rare Piece of
Work" &c; limo, PIP. 208. New York ::
Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., 10 Astor Place.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07

We had occasion to mott, DIV the E1zE-
v1R LIBRARY, "a semi-w2ek.y magazine" is-
sued by John B. Alden, n y York AS stated
each number of this little limo magazine
consists of some standard papers or work. For
example, we have received this week The Pill.
grim's Progress" 10 cent? "a Half Hour in
Natural History" "Amerie Humourists-W
Irving" We are especially glad to see ten
cent edition of the Pilgrims Progress.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07

.ny, OF course 1T would
- ground that it was good for
me Christians.
But l had no intention of entering
upon discussion of this subject. 1 wish
simply to call the attention of the Christian
public to what is likely to happen when
ever smallpox or other contagious dis
ease occurs in any community. And
when the example is once set of closing
up churches because in the opinion Of
civil authorities it is good for the people
to do so, the nose of very large camel
will have been introduced into the Chris
tian tent. AS matter of fact, the nose
Of this large camel has been introduced.
There is no telling how soon the entire
beast may be inside. Perhaps it may
not be unwise for Gods people to con-
slider what they will do when the issue
is fairly made up between themselves
and the beast. Our Episcopal brother
and the Roman Catholic priest in Ar
kansaw may, perhaps, be the van of a
noble army Of martyrs.
E. G. GORDON.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07
Virginia Bible Society.

(The following circular in regard to the work
of the Virginia Bible Society is addressed to the
pastors and Christian people of the State)
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07

HE PULPIT COMMENTARY, edited by the Rev.
Canon III. D. NJ. Spence, NJ. A., Vicar and
Rural Dean of st. Pancras and Examining
Chaplain to the Lord Bishop of Gloucester
and Bristol, and by the Rev. Joseph S. Exall.
With Introductions by the Rev. Canon F. w.
Fsrrar, D., F. R. s., Right Rev. H. Cote,
rill. D. D., F. R. S. E., Very Rev Principal
J: Tnlloch, D. D., Rev. Canon G. Rawlinson.
M. A, and Rev. A. Plumtre, NJ. A. 81.
Mark. Two volumes. Royal octave
Exposition by the Very Rev. E. Bckerstith.
D. D., Dean of Lichfeld. Homiletics by the
Rev. Prof. ]. R. Thomson, NJ A. Homiles
by Various Authors. London: Kegan Paul,
Trench q Co. 1888. For sale in Richmond
by West, Johnston & Co., Main street. Price
SIS.
This work is gotten up after the style Of
Lange's great commentary, and is fully as Ella
borate. Printed in small type the exposition,
homiletics, and homilies on the first chapter OF
Mark occupy SO pages. Ministers are thus fur
nished with learned aad exhaustive discus
sion of each chapter, in the preparation of their
sermons, with the trains of thought naturally
evolved from the subject-mstter. The meagre-
ness of the Bible Commentary contrasts forcibly
with the fullness and richness of this. The best
learning and scholarship of the Church of Eng
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07

land are we presume. equs we'll represented
IN the present work, and spirit and tone,
from the imperfect examin n we have been
able to give 1T, seem 20 b angelical and re-
plete with the true spirit gospel.
AS there has been som I'D criticism re.
Gently even In the Presby' Church of this
country on the genuinene he Last Twelve
Verses of Marks Gospel, /, ,ratifyng to note
that the Introduction to Il rolumes, after a
discussion of the external a ernal evidences
on the subject, concludes tamlnation with
the remark that ION tn, lie, the evidence
as to the genuineness anc thenticity of this
passage seems irresistible"
Although we are constantly told IN Appant
language that Christianity is dying out our
publishing houses are continually sending out
new and voluminous comm, ies on the BIZ
bic. Never before did tn, 'ngs elicit so
much and such profound ST.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1883-03-07

Our Church Paper, Lutheran journal,
Of February 18TH
"Church and State are in conflict at
Fort Smith, Ark. The Mayor forbade
all public assemblages, on account of the
prevalence of scarlet fever. The Protes-
TAFT Episcopal and Roman Catholic pas
for the usual services, and were promptly
arrested
l have not learned the issue of this af-
fair, but these two cases show the trend
of opinion and practice. To me the sad
dest feature of the case of Salem, was the
entire acquiescence of the Christian public
in the righteousness and wisdom of the
edict. If any one of the pastors there
had wished to try the issue with the civil
authorities, he could not very well have
done so, unless he had opened his church
and rung the bell for himself Church
officers and sections took the order as
matter OF course. In my own case, l am
quite satisfied that l would have been
opposed by a unanimous bench of elders
and an equally unanimous board Of dea-
cons
Some one will doubtless ask, did it
never occur to the writer that he is
wrong and public sentiment right, in this
matter? Yes, have thought of that
possibility and if that question were
Ought not these Christians voluntarily
to give up, for time, their privilege OF
worshipping God in public, when it is
clear that such surrender will be bene-
fetal to the public health and interest /?
l would agree that we ought to do so
Or, again, if the question were: Would
not such surrender, at this time, be
thus beneficial? and if, on that point, l
found myself in minority of one, /
should think that. probably, was mis-
taken. But if the question were: Are
Christians to be deferred from the pub.
lie worship of God, simply because the
civil authorities do not think it expedi-
ent for them to engage in it? then my re-
ply is, No, not as long as they acknowl-
edge the supreme authority of the Lord
Jesus Christ. If need be, 1 shall have
to be in a minority of one, on this point
1t Is admitted of course, that in this
case the authorities acted conscientiously
and with the best intentions in the
world. They doubtless sought the good
of the whole community. With few ex-
ceptions the same may be said of all the
restrictions which have ever been laid on
Gods people by civil magistrates, who
themselves protested to be Christians. |
am reminded of Bulwers sarcasm in
Kenelm Chillingly" l quote from
memory. When some one said that Mr..
"bili9gly Gordon Represented as ris-
7qlish statesman of advanced
- RI bring in a
he
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
POSTAL CARD ABUSES.
from The Boston Courier.

from me boston 'OUfffF
II ia strange Iat those sapIent books etiquette
which direct Tat bones shall not be- thrown under
the cable at dinner he teeth picked with "A X, oT
III chair tipped upon its bind legs ~ The parlOr do
not devote at least a brief seclon to the use and
abuse Of the postal card.
II NAV be a. one, objected that etiquette does not
recoei iZe the OF postal cards at all, which being
at once allowed, the TACT still remains that posi- al
cards are used, and il should, moreover. be evident
to the most casual observer that some effort should
be made TO modify their usr Al present their abuse
Is far more common than thelHIeGitlmate employ
meut People who should know better send upon
postal cards he uOs private or even comp Om,ing
n, ssages with an obtuslty and 0bhqulty start lnE
even IN this wOrid of total depraNiiy Duns and
condolences scandal and pIeiy, compliments,
threats and confessions, go l3lth aGouS me iahd
destitute Of even the decelcy OF hg-leaf To cover
their nakedness, WHEN sef--ealing envelopes are TO
BIZ had for a song and postage rates are OF the most
reasonable EpIstOlary dellcdcy seems III a ialr
way to become thii OF the past through the Ill
bred olicousDess of these ObstTuslYe bits OF card
board, anu III the interests OF botn manners and
morals there is danger that II will soon be neccs-
sary to institute a society Tor the suppression OF
the poStal-caTd altogether.
We do no. need to call attention to so obvious a
breach of good anner5 and morals, as the black
mailing which il done IN the shape OF postal card
duns No young man in society who has been
forced INTO paying ne bill Of persistent tailor or
washerwoman by an impairment communication
over which his imagination saw ginning he faces OF
penny post servant girl and landady, VIII require
any adjudication tn point. But there is a
large class of pO5 al Impe tinCuccs which arise from
notbina worse than tbOughlles5ness and o these
the voluminOus writer's upon etiquette might al
dress themselyes; their readers are likely to belong
to The number of those guilty Of the derectons Of
How far precept can affect the workings of innate
stupidity or hopeless tastelessness may he an open
oneslion, but the evil has spread so rapidly that
some protest must be made. Americans are getting
to be O people without reserves, cohui!lon inc
blighting and awful effects of which we leave to
the mag native consciousness OF the readers ana
nothing lends more to foster this tendency than the
lndlscriminate use of tue postal card. ln hending
business messages 10 butcher baker and candle
stick maker II is all very well 10 use postals; pro-
not properly be made public. Out III private CORE
spondence the IDEA Of publicity is degeneratlng;
anc one has no right to trespass upon MS IIlenus
good nature by sending these open eplstles.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
A STORM OF SNOW-BALLS.

A curious snow-storm is described by cor
respondent of The Scientific american as occur T.
ring in Connecticut the other day. On the
morning of February 81, he writes, the snow
here (MerrOw StatiOn) presented a novel and
striking appearance. During the previous
night about two inches of light snow had fallen
while there was a fresh southwesterly breeze,
which afterward changed to northwest. and
the morning was beautifully clear. The sur
face of the snow, where the land was not very
uneven or much inclined, was stIewn with
snowbals, varying in size from about nne
inches through do Tn to very small ones. Some
we're nearly spherical in general form, but
nearly all were merely rolls of snow, funnel
shaped at the ends. These rolls, at tie CIR
little less) IN length rs in diameter. There
were many over nine inches through and my
rads of small ones The surface of the snow
WAS marked with shallow burrows as the snow
balls were formed, showing the changing d.
rcction of the wind. The balls were OF suih-
Client consistency to be handled carefully.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
UOUSEHOLD NOTES.

rxcrr,p>r RFAN SOUP-Soak a quart of black
beans over night in clear cold water; dram ,nem
we'll the next morning and put them on 10 boil hve
or SIX hours before dim T, WI small slice OF pOtk
minced and frIed). three large onions, minced ahd
Tried in the pork fat or IN Dntteri a caltot and
nepuer salt gallon of clear cold wafer. Let 10
come slowly TO boil. then set it where Il NAV SIM
mer gntly and steadily; keep II wen skiniie -,
Inst beforA dinner served, strain and return 10
the pot add pepper aud salt necessary ana liShen
10 with q tablespoonful each OF butter anu nour
worked together to cream. lie. II 4olI aP V W
and serve some persons like 1t Favored with WOr'
cestershlre sauce
BAKED CoDFisH.-Stuf the fresh hsh win q nice
breau stufug; sew IL up well, season with salt and
pepper and drrdge win -four Cut mo slces D
large onion, a carrot. turnip, potato and three
sticks o. celery. Put them into the bottom OF
baking pan, aud pus the fish upon them; put some
butter cut into small pieces over he top OF The shj
mt some boiling water III the bottom OF the pan
haste the fish frequently WITH half PUT OF req
wIne or sherry. with tablespoonful OF orcester-
thcken the gravy in the pan. Serve fried oysters
with It, This dish is u universal fayorte.
LOBSTER PATTIEs.-Cut q pint of lobster meat
into dice and stir iuto hall pint OF cream s~uc 1
season with Cayenne pepper and add gratee JUL u
ma, and lemon peel 10 taste. STIR 1t over the hra
until it is well heated then MI pate shells Win 'n'
hot mixture. =, -,
M,voxN.1sr OF sAIMoN.-Cut cold cooked
49,, M, any nretty shape You choose, then pour
over n the TO lowing marinade Mix one salt spoon.
ful of salt one OF pepper ana Que teaspovnl.i ~, o'
ra ,ed onin in a salad spoon; then add three taOie-
snaofnIs of vinegar and tablespoonful of OIL.
Iet tine salmon remain on ice ior ec'tTai ho,iS IA
tS,s n1yjnadr then drain we'll. Form shells OF let
tnce leaves upon low platter oy placing two OF
three leaves together. Put some OF he salmon INFO
each sneh, ana aud spoonful OF thick Mdyonndse
sonce 10 each. The sllmOl may also be ara ged
mon the lettuce IN the form OF a mound. and then
the thick sauce should be spread over II, completely
masking IL.
ORANGE ICE.-Squeeze the juice frcn six largo
oranges aud two lemons; pour s.bOut ave gJis ,ot
boz ing water over the broker 81 and pulp ana les
II sta.d until cool then STRAIN aud ada 'ne n..e.
to the orange and lemon juice. Sweeten " tasss
with Loaf sugar, and iresLe.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
THE LOWERING OF BIRDS.

= The question Of the lowering of birds is now
under discussion in the columns OF MANURE;
Nj unhrrt Airy seeks to show that a bird
can only hover, in an absolutely changeless
position, over slantingly ascending air cur
owl maintains that horizontal aiI-rLrreDts suf
fce. head to the wind; Mr.. David Cum
bingham believes that cyciOnic winds, with
vertically ascending air currents, explain the
mystery best; Mr.. William Galloway adopts a
theory involving slight and therefore imper-
ceptible descent in horizontal All currents; No.
]. Rae believes that no air currents at all are
necessary (which seems TO involve the theory
that the towering of birds is mIaculousl; aud
Mr. LaTden, pointing out that the lifting power
of the air would not exist were there 10 inc
fiOn (any more than "frlctlOnless ship IN a
constant stream" would be moved "were 1t
sufficiently tapering"l, shows that lowering IN
horizontal air-currents could last but very
short time This is very pretty problem as
IL stands and the whole question OF Hight says
,KnorIedge-at least, as blrds ny, ana as ni e
by aid OF machinery, will fly, if they ever fly
Mt all-is involved in it.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
HURRY. WORRY AND WASTE.

The London Lancet utters its protest from
medical point of view against Overwork and
worry. We have, it says, too many irons IN
the fire, TOO much business on band al the
same instant, and ale far too energetic IN our
endeavors. With deliheratOD, calmnesS and
such reserve of strength as result from perfect
restraint, a man may do an lntDiIy OF work
without either trouble OF injury. Breathless
haste, eager anxiety, aud AN excessive expend-
iture of energy are the outcome OF modern ac-
tivty, whether in this county or on the Con-
tinent The system of quick returns" has
been the bane of literature, almost eXtInguish-
ing it and substituting in its place Journal,
ISM The same system has reyolutlonlzed
Thought and science, and it is rapidly under
mining the human constitution. Statesmen
and politicians are kept on the strain OF sus-
tanned attention. and their brains are for many
hours in the Uweniyfour, whether in or out OF
Parliament, 10 condition OF fermend. Ihe
brains of Spectators en- the Stock Exchange
and even the brains of merchants in their prl-
waite rooms, are equally taxed, and in the same
way. Ala classes of the community share the
turmoil. The period ia one OF brain wearing
impetuosity, OF hurry, worry and waste-'he
waste of cerebral energy and nerve force.
The only marvel is that, looking to the utterly
unphy Biological character OF our mental ana
nervous h2 bits of work. the number OF sudden
failures is not greater than 1t is. aud that we
have not a larger percentage OF braln-inoltal-
ifV IN deulOre.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
NEPEhTHE.

The north wind follows free and fills
Our rounding sail, and overhead
Deepens the Tainless blue and red
The sunset burns on quarried hills;
And peace is over al, as deep
As where. amid he secular gloom
OF some iar-rraching, rock-buIlt TOMB,
The nameless generations sleep;
While. undecayed as on the day
That saw them first, the Kings OF old,
In scuptured calm serene, behold
The slow NIL eniums pass away
Still. far behind u.s. as we clcave
smooth flowing Nile, tie din of life
Aud pas IOnate voices OF the strlie
Are hustled to silence, and We leave
The cares that haunt us. dark regret
For wasted years. and wild unrest,
Yeariin0 for praise or pleasure, hlt5t
With life's last bltssng,-io forget.
For still in Egvpts kindly air,
Strong aHtidote of mortal woes.
The painless herb. NepeEthe. grows.
Which she whom fair-haired Leda bare
Mixed IN the WINE. and stille their pain
Who wept in Spartan halls for SIRE
Or brother, wrapped in funerai fire,
Or wandering DER the bCund.css main.
A. J.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04

announces that stars scintillate more during
cred that the scintillations increase simulta-
neously with the magnetic perturbations OF the
magnetograph. This would seem to indicate
that during magnetic storms, and also preceu
ing an atmospheric storm, air is IN state OF
unusual agitation.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-04
CURRENT RELIGIOUS OPINION

It's said in favor Of certain somewhat now no.
tions IN theology modified forms of Expressing
religious ira rs that they tend % reconcile the faith
of the Church aud mOitm philosophical and
scientific opinions. IL that worth whllef II once
begun Nherr is such n movement 10 ondf Besides,
what security Is there that the opinions to which
the faith of the Church Is 10 be accommodated will
remain unchanged for the, next i've yearsT DO
these concusionsin philosophy aud science rest upon
data not likely 20 be essentially modiied-to say
the least Does the history of science and ph0So-
ply warrant an expectation that present theories
will prove permanently And, moreover, what lS
the faith OF tho Church TO represent, me truths OF
revelation or the ind CtOns OF science ami the rult
OF philosopher If the creeds and the accepted
thrOloges tarly and clearly present the truths OF
the Holy Scriptures, what more is to be asked OF
thcmi Are the ministers to he ministers OF the
Word" - instructors in natural science ana human
speculation Indeed. has there not been too much
yielded not in the creed but in practice, already
-LChIistian lntelligcncer.
Tho history Of the Church shows tendency OF
ceremonial worship TO unduly e1alt the nou-essen-
ta features OF relg iOn even at the sacrhce OF the
essential and that the observance OF days aud sea-
sons Is Lab to abuses which leave them associated
In the average mind with customs that are, 70 say
the least, not conducive to peiy: Hence ChIlSt-
inspires little of sincere worship ASH w euhes-
day but little penitence Lent put 1Se oI Sel-
ton. That which they too often seem 10 inspire
is due, In large degree, TO their associations WIN
the customs against which heir h La Ia
ChnTchman, who derives help from men, Is IN
clined to put their helpfulness in contrast WITH
what seems TO him to be the hurtful Dnuences OF
alternate seasons of lehargy and excitement where
these things are not depended on, he will do well
TO RENE nbec what 6ne opportunity there Is for
a counter charge.-lNorthern Christian Advocate
Hes an American" We heard young man say
the other day. speaking OF local politician. ANA
this country I" ayes" he answered; but my
parents were Irish Catholics; am an Irish Amerl-
can" The person to whom he had spoken was tho
orp an of English emllIuUte. III seems To us uu
Improper thing to allow amy class In the Repuohc
to be known as Americans as distinct IRON
other elements. Tho only rue AMERICANS are the
IndIaus all the Tost are "fOreigners.' No matter
about a few dead geneTatiOns The owners OF TINS
country and It's pOss bltics are the men ana women
aud children now allvc IN 1t. 1hoy arc an AheI!-
cans. Let no lTsh-AIuerCan OF Cathoic ever speIH
of Americans as distinct from themselves ~
is absurd as well as untTue-l P!IoG