The National tribune., 1896-01-30


sidereal and mean solar days are both invari-
able, but one day of the latter is equal TO
| day, minutes and $685. seconds of the
| former.
The interval during which the earth makes
! one absolute revolution round the sun is called
| sidereal year, and consists of 365 days. 6
hours, minutes and 90 seconds, which is in
variable.
The tropical year is the interval between
two consecutive returns of the sun to the vernai
equinox. If this were fixed point, the sidereal
and tropical years would be identical; but IN
consequence of the disturbing influence of the
moon and planets on the sphereoidal figure OF
the EARTH the equinox has a slow, retrograde
mean motion of so 26" annually, so that the
sun returns to the equinox sooner every year
than it otherwise would by 20 minutes 23.6
seconds; the tropical year therefore. consists OF
365 days, hours As minutes, aud 46 seconds.
The tropical year is not of uniform length
it is now slowly decreasing at the rate oil .59o
seconds each century but this variation will
not always continue.-Jsmes Mckenna, Pitts
field Mass.
CALLING FOR REGULATIONS.
Loyal HOME WORKERS: i find it difficult
to get pieces suitable for Washington's Birth
day for primary pupils. i have purchased sew
eral books, but the pieces are too difficult.
would like to hear from some primary teachers
as to what books they use and where purchased.
I'm going to use the Flag Salute, and would
like TO have several dialogs and recitations.
Loyalty Nina Whedop, Cortland, Ind.
HANGING UP THE CALENDAR
DEAR EDITOR: / was greatly pleased with
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE calendar, and thank
you much for 1t.
have hung il up in my own little den, and
it shall be reminder of my duty in the olrec-
tiOn Of loyalty and patriotism throughout the
year.
wonder how many realize the broadness of
the education contained in the &C? We are
not only melted to charity and patriotism and
to gaining more culture of the intellect but
the spiritual interests of its members are not
forgotten.
And / think we should all unite in most
heartily than king the Chaplain of the L.H.W
for turning our minds and thoughts to higher
and holier things at the especial holiday of our
land. Thanksgiving, and in warning us against
the little foxes" that may eventually disturb
our peace and happiness in the future.
And, again, wonder how many have noticed
the beautiful thoughts and grand truths that
appeared at the head of Sunday Meditation
column of late, couched in the words of the
great men of the religious world.
/ think the editor of those columns deserves
our sincere thanks for his efforts in collecting
these gems of thought, besides giving us many
helpful hint upon the Sabbath School lesson.
j have two that have been straying a long
time, and would like to hear from them will
send postage for return.
NJ. Elite Fuller, Spring Lake, n. Y.
OUR MOTTO MAY HELP.
C. c. FRIENDS: The first day OF 1896 has
come and gone bringing with it New Year
resolutions, some no doubt broken ere this
others still intact.
TO all who may have broken resolves would
say Begin again.
Someone has said that success is not measured
by the number Of times man falls, but by the
number OF times he rises
STILL falling should be avoided if possible !;
il is humiliating discouraging disagreeable
and il retards ones progress. But if we keep
on trying we may succeed, whereas if we give
up failure is sure. Keep on trying.
We often make the mistake of letting the
burden of all the coming years rest on us at
once. The ever present Now, that maker of
past history, and which may make or mar our
future, is all the time with which we have TO
deal. If we can keep our resolves now, we
need never break them.
A desire to do better and be better seems
inherent in every human heart, and our c. C.
motto, " Progress" comes in nicely TO help us
on that line. IL we cannot be what we desire
TO become all at once, can at least progress
toward IL; and the effort will be beneficial,
even though we should not attain our ideal.
Then let us do as Seth Toilets eel did when
il got In a waterpipe and could not turn
around-go ahead
w. II. Blood, Carlton, Ore.
KEEP YOUR OBJECTS IN VIEW.
DEAR L.H.W. AND &C: Though have not
Of recent days monopolized any of the valuable
space given US by our kind Editor and our
able exponent, the dear old NATIONAL TRIR-
UNE, i have been none the less interested and
benefited by contributions from the pens of
more gifted writers than myself
/ have always carefully read and noted
the advancement made along the different
lines Of patriotic work for which we, the
/ LII w. and &C, stand pledged.
But, dear readers, things have been pub
lished that originated at our annual Reunions
! that do in my opinion. furnish some evidence
! FOR the critic to style us counting club"
Remember, friends, there are thousands Of
/ people who read our columns not members Of
/ the organization, and are doubtless taking note
/ of what is being said and done.
We cannot afford TO lose influence. or TO have
our Reunions lightly spoken of and our whole
work condemned by disinterested readers.
So IN the future / would suggest that we re-
| frsin from bringing before Our readers any.
thing that will give them any reason whatever
| 10 doubt that our objects are nything else but
1 Progress and Patriotism, pure and simple.
| Loyalty
q.
FACES IN THE GLASS
DEAR FRIENDS OF THE &C: have been a
reader of your columns Of The NATIONAL
TRIBUNE ever since ] was q child and feel as
! though knew you all.
/ Ny father, Charles McDavitt, was soldie,
| in Co. X, 18th Mass He lost his right arm al
Fredericksburg, and received commission al
! Second Lieutenant, 4th Mass. II. A.
We came here to Vineand about 10 years
/ I En ;rf
fitted myself for a teacher, but have never been
| strong enough TO take a school.
/ suppose many of you do not know what il
| is TO be sick, but i have never known what
il is 10 be we'll and strong. was very sick all
| the FALL but am better now, and while / wa,
sick wrote you book.
i thought of you all the time while j wa,
writing it, and have called it Faces in The
| Glass"
Ii is story for young people. and / fee
sure You will like IL, for the publisher thought
| IL must be true, it seemed SO real.
i have not got the money 10 have it pub
lished, but If those of the members who would
| like one will send me postal. / can have il
published when get 100 subscribers
will put a note in The TRIBUNE, tellins
you when 1t is ready. and you can send tn,
subscription to me- aud / will forward tn,
book at once.
i have made arrangements to sell the boob
for % cents with my picture in the front, bu
] shall have 90 charge few cents for postage
j will let you know how much when the boob
is ready-just enough to cover the expense
have never been able TO attend TO any cor
respondence as my writing and studies hav,
taken up my time.