davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
The Cataoombs q Rome.

From an illustrated aucla by Pro
lessor Philip Schaf, D. d. in the Jan
uary Century, we quote the following
extract:
The Roman Catacombs are long and
narrow passages or eros galleries, ex-
cavated in the bowels of TIE earth, in the
hills outside and around tie city, for the
burial of the dead. They are dark and
gloomy, with only an occasional ray of
light from above. The galleries have
two or more stories, ali flied with tombs;
and form an intricate netw rk or subter-
ranean labyrinth. Small } apartments
(LOcuh) for the receptions OF the dead
were cut out like shelves ip the perpen-
dicular walls, and rectangular chambers
(cubicatLa) for families Or distinguished
martyrs. They were closed with a slab
OF marble or tile. The more Wealthy
were laid in sarcophagi The ceiling is
fat, sometimes slightly arched. Space
was economical so as 60 leave room us
ually only for single person, the sgerage
width of the passages being two and one
half to three feet. This economy may be
traced to the poverty oil the early Chris
tians, and also to their strong sense Of
community in life and in death. The lit
tie oratories with affairs and Episcopal
choirs cut in the tufa are probably of
later construction, End could accommo.
date only few persons at time. They
were suited for funeral services and
private devotions, but not for public
worship.
The furniture of the Oatacombs is in
structive and interesting, but most of it
has been removed to churches and muse
ums, and must be studied outside. Arti-
cles OF ornament, rings, seals, bracelets,
brooches, rare coins innumerable lamps
OF clay terra cotta) or of bronze (even of
silver and amber) all sorts of tools, and
In the case OF children a variety OF play
things were inclosed with the dead
Many of these articles are carved with
the monogram of Christ or with other
Christian symbols. (The lsnps in Jewish
cemeteries generally bear picture Of the
golden candlestick)
A great number Of TASKS and cups,
with or without ornament8tion, are also
found, mostly outside Of the graves and
fastened to the grave-lids. These were
formerly supposed to have been recepta-
cles for tears, or, from the red dried
sediment in them, for the blood of mar
tyre. But later psychologists consider
them drinking vessels used in the agapm
and oblahons. A suparstjtious habit
prevailed in the fourth century, although
condemned by a council of Carthage
(39O to give to the dead the eucharistic
wine, or to put a cup with the consecrat.
ed wine into the grave
The instrumeRtso Of torture which the
fertile imagination Of cradulous people
had discovered, and which we're made to
prove that almost every Christian buried
IN the Catacombs was q martyr, are
simply implements Of baudicrat. The
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
True Objects of Matrimony.

What Is lovelier to behold, more of
honor and praise, than a noble, good,
true, unselfsh and unconventional wo-
man? Are they many? Are they few?
Man, If you find one consider yourself
blessed, and duly and rightly appreciate
and deserve this prize. count pure,
intelligent well.bred woman the most at.
tractive object of vision and contempla
ton In the world-one who abhors deceit,
trickery, everything save honor and
truth. Picture such a woman as a wife,
mother; cannot you clearly bring to
your vision her home a place of peace,
harmony and contentment? o, young
man, look for such a woman if you are
seeking happiness. If THE ia your OBJ
ject, the right and only one in contract.
ing matrimony, and you are not Cal.
culating Romeo" search till you find
her, for she is TO be found. Man, if you
want wife, companion, helpmate, do
not expect to find her in the conventional
class. 0, how l do loathe convention
alism Give me true, honest person,
for in these there is dependence. When
a woman contemplates matrimony, her
only object ie to marry the man of her
choice, solely for himself, thinking by the
union peace and happiness will be
brought to their souls because she loves
him, and by being joined her love is con.
secrated to q holy cause. They plant
home where there is perfect blending
of two noble natures 1t is good for the
eyesight to view two souls mated. o.
may we see many of them.
Women, look for good men. If you
can t find one of this kind, / implore you
to take none at ALL Don't marry simply
for homo, support, for the sake of
escaping old maidenship, Tor it would be
ten-iold better to remain single than to
be an imperfect wife, or a wife in name
only. O, how I wish I could talk with
you, young women. Do not throw your
selves away. How woman could wed
when she does not love ia mystery to
me. The same query is applicable to
men,
Another point Happiness and selfish
ness can never flourish on the same stem;
one kills the other. To be welded hap
PLY, the promoter is congeniality and
unselfshness. A good woman will en-
dure much for her husband, a mar for his
vile. a true woman will smile cheer
and help her husband should clouds
come. Then is the time to test her char
acter and solve the problem, the object
of her matumony. Men, look for women
with heart, a soul Do not let their
facial beauty be their sole attraction
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18

FRANK LEsLIE's SUNDAY MAGAZINE fol
February is received with the following table
eff contents
In Exchange for Soul.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem.
Humble Philanthropsts
The Best of Countries, by the Rev. T. De Witt
Talmsge.
The Astor Library. Illustrated
Modern English Artists. Illustrated.
Apecdote of Edmund Kean.
A Visit to Porto Allegro, Brazil.
What Lie Cost.
Jesus in the Synagogue.
True Christian Character as Developed in
Woman, Sermon by DR.. Talmage.
From the Suez Canal Through Two Seas, to
the Fqpator. Illustrated.
A HISTORIAN Christian Relic in China
The English Church at Copenhagen.
Some Superstitions of the Synagogue
The Appearance of Jesus, etc.
Frank Leslie, Publisher, Park Place, New
York
THE OLD TESTAMENT STUDENT for January.
VIM. R. Harper, Phi. D., editor. Contents:
Editorial.
False Methods of Interpretation, by Professor
S. Burnham, D D.
Professor Wedner's Lists, by Prof. John P.
Peters, Phi D.
The Pentateuchal Question
Israel and Judah during the Dynastes of Jer.
oboam and Baasha. Seventeenth Inductive
Bible study, by Professors Beecher and Harper
Israel and judah during Omri's Dynasty
Eighteenth Inductive Bible-study, by Professors
Beecher and Harper.
Elijah Elisha, and their Fellow-Prophets
Nineteenth Inductive Bible-study, by Professors
Beecher and Harper.
Israel and Judah during the First Three
Reigns of the Dynasty of Jehu. Twentieth In
ductive Bible-study, by Professors Beecher and
Harper.
Old Testament Notes and Notices.
Correspondence School of Hebrew
Published at New Haven, Conn. 81 year
HARPERs YOUNG PEOPLE is received. Pub
lished weekly. Price FIVE cents. One of the
best of children's paIes. Harper Bros, New
York
TIE SIDEREAL MESSENGER for January.
Conducted by William w. Payne director o.
Carleton College Observatory, Mortified, MINI
SCIENCE is received with the usual variety
of current scientific gossip and discussion. Pub
lished by the Science Company, AZ Lafayette
Place, New York. $3.50 year.
L1TrEIL's LIVING AGE for the week ending
January 18th.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
Mr.. Sturgeon on the Covenant

The Rev. Mr.. Sturgeon, of London,
writes the following characteristic crit
cism of the Rev. R. Lawsons "Cove
nanters of Ayrshire :"-"Anything which
keeps alive the memory of the times
when men really loved the gospel is
precious to us. Ayrshire is rich in Gov
chanting memorials, and this little book
will, we trust, rouse the enthusiasm of
the faithful of that country. Therefore,
we hope it will have a great sale. Would
1t avail to reproduce the Solemn League
and Covenant, making it bond to main.
tain the faith once delivered to the
saints? Our fear is that the modern
theology men would sign it, and swear
to it,without accepting word of it in it's
natural sense. They have trampled on
our trust deede, and make no seruple
about joining committees whose avowed
tents they virulently oppose. How are
such men to be met? By continual expo
sition Of the truth, with the Holy Ghost
sent down from heaven, and by cultivat-
ing the martyr spirit, we may yet battle
them. The Lord grant it ! Amen"
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
The Chinese Disaster.

LONDON, Jan. 5th.-The special cor
respondent OF the Standard gives to-day
very graphic picture of the tremendous
loss of life In China from the overflow of
the river Hoang Ho and the tremendous
famine now threatened He says about
one.siXth of the entire area of 1.-The Gar.
den OF China, as Honan Is styled, is now
converted into vast lake, with here
and there pagoda top or the gable OF
some high wall rising over the increasing
water to mark the cites of what were a
short time ago prosperous cities of many
thousand inhabitants The rest of the
country 10 overrun with wretched refu.
gees who were fortunate enough to escape
with their lives, though with naught else.
In hundreds of instances, men who three
short moons ago were men of wealth, to-
day sit gazing on the inland sea, stunned
hungry, stupid and detected without a
rag to wear or a morsel of food to eat.
The foundations commenced at little
distance from Kaiiung Flu, one of the
largest cities Of the province, and in one
instance some four miles of solid embark.
ment of stones, brick, sand and clay were
swept away with innumerable moles and
iascines. In the districts Of Ching Chow
and Chen Chow no less than three thou
sand large villages are stated to have
been engUlted In a very few moments
and scarcely any of their ill-fated people
mad time to save themselves, as the breach
occurred in the night time. The extent
Of the disaster will be better understood
when l say that an extent of country
much larger than the principality of
Wales and much more thickly populated
is now sea and all the inhabitants
either drowned or fed The people 80
terribly visited can not number far short
of the whole population of Ireland az the
province includes about 25,OOO 600 with
area Of 100000 square miles, and the
waters of the river now cover between
5000 and lO.OOOsquare miles. Accounts
daily published in the native and foreign
papers and In the Picking Gazette reveal
the most horrible suHerings of the surviv.
ors, who are perishing Of famine. I am
told that in hundi eds Of instances when
the waters rushed into the cities. sweep
ing vale houses and everything before
them, people refused to stir and met
their deaths with that wonderful indiher.
ence which characterizes Che Chinese in
some cases, for the Celestial is nothing ifN
not tataist Of the most pronounced and
unreasoning type. According to the
best and most Trustworthy authorities
which 1 have been able 10 consult, the
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18

instinct of nature prompte the bereaved
to deposit in the graves OF their kindred
and 'friends those things which were con.
stantly used by them. The idea pre-
vailed also, to large extent, that the
future life was continuation of the &C.
equations and smusements of the present,
but free from sin and imperfection.
On opening the graves the skeleton fire.
quently appears even now very well pre-
served, sometimes in dazzling wilderness,
as covered with a glistening glory, but
falls into dust at the touch.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
Strength

Strength Is never 80 strong as when
hand-in-hand with virtue" Virtue
when it 10 rooted in divine love, develops
and directs strength, makiugit mighty TO
bless humanity with It's beneiactions.
Let the young man who i'm The pride OF
his intellectual strength is looking for
sphere Of action suited to bis powers. see
this truth illustrated in Paul, in Luther
in Wherefore, in Shaitssbury, and ir
the long list of noble men whose lives
were benedic.ious to mankind In The
light OF such facts ne will be taught to-
ally his strength with the strength of
Christ and thus learn the secret of
achieving all that is possible to bic pow
ers, however great or small they may be-
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
The Native African as a Deacon

When it first became apparent that the
evangelization of Africa by means of
white men was marked by such a terrible
loss of life-for the earlier times of Afri
can missions the mortality was much
greater than in these days of ampler
knowledge-the idea arose that the same
end might be attained, with less sacrifice,
raising up teachers, evangelists, and pas
tors from among the natives themselves.
This idea. theoretically a good one was
taken up with enthusiasm. A negro
Bishop was consecrated, negro Arch
deacons were ordained, large ministry
of negro clergy was formed for service in
Western Africa. Almost every mission
working In the dark continent begin to
employ natives of their own training as
schoolmasters, catechists, readers, and
Deacons. Just as, about the same time,
commerce was to be developed between
the white trader on the coasts and the
natives of the interior by means of negro
commercial travellers, linguisteiros, -
and middle-men, 80 In like manner, the
Christian religion was to bespread among
those that sat In darkness by the jealous
efforts OF negro evangelists, who were to
radiate in their proselytizing paths from a
few Well-chosen centres on the coast pre-
sided over by white men. But in neither
career, evangelic nor commercial, did the
native helpers prove a success. In both
cases have white men found that the
negro ally was broken reed. l regret
to say that with few very rare excep-
tions those native African pastors, teach
ers, and oatechists whom l have met have
been all, more or less, bad men. They
attempted to veil an unbridled immorali-
ty with an unblushing hypocrisy and a
profane display of mouth" religion
which, to an honest mind, seemed even
more disgusting than the immortality
itself. While it was apparent that not
one particle of true religion had made it's
way into their gross minds, it was also
evident that the spirit of sturdy manli-
ness which was present in their savage
toreiathers found no place in their false,
cowardly natures. These are strong
words, but they are not written down
without reflection. The exceptions to
whom these structures do not apply il
would be invidious to name but might
mention that they are men of an alto
gether different stamp to the half taught
native teacher, and have themselves re-
ceived their education and training in
England. trust it will be observed
that in expressing these condemnatory
views / have abstained from arbitrarily
associating the color of missionary's
skin with the worth of his character.
draw attention to this reserve, because
some of the best, hardest working, most
satisfactory, and sensible missionaries
have known have been West Indians-in
color as dark as the Africans they had
come to teach. but in goodness of heart
and mind capacity fully equal to their
European colleagues. But then these
men were several generations removed
from the uncivilized negro, and were as
much strangers to Africa and African
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18

loss OF life will not be numbered by thou
sands, or tends of thousands but literally
by hundreds OF thousands, while the
starving people must amount to many
millions, who are utterly beggared and
depending for subsistence upon the chart
ty OF others. The Emperor has already
contributed 100 OGO taels, or about $685.
200, out OF the privy purse. besides or
dering 1000 600 taels or 50 $50 600, ont
OF the Imperial Treasury towards the re-
lief of the sufferers.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18
Recent Publications.

Our prompt acknowledgment every week of
the books sent to us we consider as ordinarily a
sufficient compensation for the same We re-
serve to ourselves the privilege OF giving more
or less extended notice of the same. which is for
the benefit of our readers. 1t would be impos-
sible for US to examine all the books sent to us,
and especially the innumerable little volumes
written for children.
The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1888-01-18

rather let it be their beauty of soul and
character that inspires your love for
them. For with these there is no au
tumn, no fading, their leaves will be fresh
and beautiful forever.-BaltimOre inner
leO11
The National tribune., 1888-04-26

and bis wife ride, and the wife, II anything,
rides a little better and good deal harder than
her liege lord and master.
A handsome and spacious riding academy was
built here last Winter, which is the favOrite
+" fad Of Washington sWelldom. A Cross
Country Club has been established, and what
with riding to hounds" paper hunts and
what not Society, with big 5, like Gen. Pope,
in his famous general order, may be said 20
have its headquarters in the saddle"
IL is no infreguent thing TO see group Of
lovely West End damsels, living not too far
from the Riding School. strolling down to that
pet resort, their riding-skirts tucked up far
enough to display the cutest kind Of little
boots and trowsers, that would make Mary
Walker green with envy. To such extent has
the mania been carried that recent composite
photograph Of il Of the reigniug bellies Of the
sssson shows This astonishing result:
The National tribune., 1888-04-26

II viii be seen that, with the acuteness of his
race, he Immediately caught on to his new
position, and maintained himself therein with
much dignity till relieved officially of its cares
and responsibilities The mo0n-eyed man of
science, however, and the moneyed men of
no science whatever, seemed to fare alike in
the distribution Of disasters. Those who were
not hung up in the trees like so many latter
day Absaloms, took frantic choppers over
hedges and into bitches, and those who did
not stand on their beads at least once during
the proceedings, only refrained therefrom be-
cause they stood on their heads more than once.
In view OF the deaTth OF equestrian statuary in
Washington, it is understood that bin will
be introduced in Congress at an early day to
commemorate this evenbfUl occasion by a
worthy monument. The preliminary design,
which has met with the unanimous approval
Of a committee appointed by the survivors of
the paper-hunt to consider the matter, is here
with eubioined
The National tribune., 1888-04-26

these lovely Amazons We might say with King
Lear:
Down from the waist they are oentsurs,
Though women al above.
The most IndefatigabIe promoters Of the
equine cult, so TO speak, has been AIr. Alexan-
der Greger, the Secretary Of the Russian Lega-
ti0H, a genial Young Nusoovite of fabulous
wealth and unb0unded generosity. II is he
who gets up the parties which diligently chase
o. trail Of red and blue paper across lots, wind
ing mp with a sumptu0us luncheon and no end
Of diamond badges for those who manage 70
find their way 10 the finish.
For the scene Of the last hunt Of this charac-
ter this clever young Russian hippomaniac Sc
lected the country at the Virginia end OF the
old Acqueduct Bridge. II IS cut up by ali sorts
Of crazy and erratic roads, deep gUllies and "a
vines, and the remnants Of the old forts and
Tife-pits, where, doubtless many a reader Of
THE NATIOSAL TRIBUNE once welded pick
and shovel IN his first introduction - an IN
expected phase ia the duties Of the soldier.
Through this God -forsaAzen region VI. Greger
elected to lead his hosts who were likewise
his guests at the last paper hunt, and the re-
Eultant casualties 70 our Army and Navy were
SO disastrous that il has been hiDted the willy
young diplomat must have rad secret adYices
o. impending difficulties between this country
and Russia and planned TO paTaIv5e GUY land
and naval forces in advance. Secretary VI nit
ney, for instance, who went IN TO disprove the
EluF about sailor On horseback" came cat
Of the hunt IN such bad shape, that low when
he takes down his tarpauiin from its peg to 20
over 70 Cabinet meeting, be gets there in this
fashion:
The National tribune., 1888-04-26
APPROVED.
MIsCELLANEoUs CHAT ABOUT PEOPLE

The President has approved the act to pur-
chase the swords Of Gen. Shields for $4,000.
The National tribune., 1888-04-26

By long ODDS, however. the funniest feature
IN the Tao-e circus was the appearance il the
saddle, o. somewhere fhcreabguts, Of Dr. Vow,
the popular medical attache O. the Chinese Le-
CATION. The genial szfr0u-tiBtCd Doctor Is
prime faTo-.te iu Washington Society, and he
was decidedly aud deservediy the belle OF the
paper hunt China ia most thiaes. including
the atlas & gsr diametric antipodes and q
Chinamaa j. any given case can usually be re-
Lied upon to % a thing in exactly the way an
American 6aa.d try not 10 do IL. The almond
eyed Celestial, for instance, most frequent in
our midst. when he wants to clean clothes, spits
On them, and smokes IL order to get drunk. It
need not be matter q surprisc, therefore if the
funny little medicine man from the Flowery
Kingdom, when he mounted his barbed steed TO
fright the SOILS Of ieaEla. pageT-hunters, did it
OF this wise
The National tribune., 1888-04-26
- ALABAMA gENAroRgHIP.

Representative Oates, Of Alabama, who led
IL the hllibustering against the refunding Of
the Direct Tax, IS anxious to succeed John 7.
Morgan as Senator. Oates is not nearly so
brainy q man as Morgan which is not saying
great deal, for though Morgan IS one Of the
smOothcst and most iutcrminable takers in the
Senate, he is far from being one Of the bright
est. il takes him about . week to see as much
as John J. ingalls, win see in minute. Oates
has somewhat the advantage of Morgan as TO
record IN the rebel army, as he went in early
as Captain of a company, and was wounded
four times, losing his right arm in his 9th
battle. Morgan was delegate TO the Alabama
Convention which voted the State out Of the
Union, and became Major in the 9Th Ala. He
hEd influence enough 20 secure his speedy
promotion TO Brigadier-Gcneral. He has 50
little comprehension OF the march of events
that be opposes protection because the increased
wages which the manufacturers in Northern
Alabama pay has a tendency 70 raise the wages of
farm hands throughout tho State. Oates is
also a Free Trader. lie has less culture and
dignity tban Morgan, but more Ret-up" and
the chances are believed TO be IN his favor.
The National tribune., 1888-04-26
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
TIE Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOIal Capital
HsAssrErYn oN HoRsEBAcK.

~ = u Il ~ " 4 AE4A ENeANs
this season goes upon
all-fours. This is not
written as a reflection
on the dude, or TO in
dictate that the Oar
winisn system, reyers-
ing its engine, is about
to shHnt mankind back
into protoplasm. 1t
simply means { b 8 {
Fashion just now is
nothing if not eques-
trian. The " proper
caper" is cut on horse
back. All the world