The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1885-04-29
ESPoN NOE.
Letter from New York.
Warm Weather in April.
APRIL 23d, 1885,

There has been no lack of matter for
conversation in New York for the past
two weeks. Even the weather has mer-
tied comment. Wednesday of this week
was the hottest day in April that we have
had in some years. There have been only
two or three such warm April days in
over sixty years. But cool breezes have
prevailed since Wednesday and the wealth
er has been less of the midsummer order.
| am, to certain extent, weather pro-
phet. When my friends ask if we are
ever going to have any spring or any
summer, as the case may me, / tell them
in the very teeth of cold wintry blasts
and delayed warm weather, that we are
sure of our seasons. l tell them that l
base my calculations on the word of the
Author of the seasons, who has said that
seed time and harvest, summer and win
ter, shall not fail while the world lasts.
Criminal Builder.
Another fruitful topic of conversation
is the Buddensiek rascality-owing to
which eight new houses, nearing compile
tion, fell without a moments warning
Fortunately few workmen were engaged
upon the buildings at the moment, and
while some were injured the deaths were
not as many as was first supposed. But
even one lite should not be sacrificed to
such greed as that Of Buddensiek. A
spirit of deepest indignation prevails
against him, as well as against that de-
partment of our city government which
is supposed to watch all builders and
buildings, and prevent bad work Think
of refuse bricks, with mud for mortar,
and of beams resting in the sockets to the
extent of half an inch, in place of four or
six inches. Yet this man was guilty of
such criminal work, and though scores Of
complaints had been lodged against him
concerning other buildings before he has
managed to violate the law with impuni-
ty hitherto. Now he is under Indictment
for manslaughter in the first degree. But
he has money. and may get off without
punishment.
The improved condition of Gen. Grant
Is pleasing topic of remark. 1t is rath-
er an agreeable tribute to the humanity
of mankind that another's weakness and
suffering should positively make him
more friends than his strength and sue
cess ever did.
A Prolonged Fight
Christian men are still watching with
deepest interest and anxiety the treat
ment of the Freedom of Worship Bill at
Albany. The Senate has passed it and
the Assembly's Committee has agreed to
report it for the consideration OF the
House. The final battle is not yet fought,
but it is hoped that the Supreme Ruler,
who is greater than all human legisla-
lures, may hear the prayers of Christians
and forbid the perpetration of such an
outrage as the passage Of this measure
would be.
A Singular Utterance.
Your readers may have seen the singu-
lar remark attributed to the Rev. DR.. J.
P. Newman, that great men have moth
ing to gain from religion but that religion
has much to gain from great men. Some
what tardily DR.. Newman endeavors to
remove the false opinion created That
he did not vouchsaie denial or an ex-
PLANTATION sooner, he says, is because he
presumed no sane person would believe
that he uttered the words. Alas for DR..
Newman's credit that it should have
been believed that he could have made
such a suggestion. Yet many persons
thought he had simply taken another
step in his erratic course. He now states
that he is willing to be held responsible