The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-18


say that we, their brethren and sisters
here, would almost prefer death to hear
ing that an English gun had been fred
against the nation they belong to and
the broad America so many of us know
and love. May God avert so direful
calamity"
The London Times printed on jan
uary 10 the first poem of Alfred Austin
as Poet Laureate. 1t shows that this
new Alfred is prompt in discharging the
duties OF his Office. and comes to time,
but his work falls under DIR. Dodge's
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES poetry" The
poem" is entitled "Jameson's Ride;" it
would be more properly styled Jane
sons Raid" The concluding stanza is
as follows:
suppose we were wrong-were maimen.
Still think at tie judgment day.
When God Sits the good from the bad men,
There will be something more to say.
We were wrong. but we are not half sorry.
And as one of the baffied band,
would rather have had that foray,
Than the crushing of all the "Rand.r
The poem is similar in manner and
sentiment to the poetical work Of
the famous sweet singer of Michigan.
There are dozen of the poets Of THE
UNIvERsALIsT who could write better
and more inspiring lines.
500
1t is Sir Charles Dixie, the English
statesman, and not lingo American,
who makes this prophecy: Naturally,
sooner or later, all the portions Of which
America is composed, in the North as
we'll as in the South, are destined to
come into the Union. The republics of
South America will in time join the
Canada decidedly. in future which l
cannot foresee, will obey that law, and
will be torn from the influence of Great
Britain, and relieved as all Americans
desire, from the European military sys-
tenn which is sought to be introduced
there"
Great Britain has made less fuss
about certain recent acquisitions in
Asia than she has about some other
claims but she has secured them with
greater facility. China has coded a part
Of the disputed Shan states to France.
but the larger and more populous ones
to Great Britain whose share, it is ru-
mored, includes several important cities.
At their western extremity three states
adjoin the British possessions in Bur
NAH. Little is known of the intrinsic
value of the district, but it occupies fine
strategic positions as it cuts France off
from westward progress in Asia and from
Asiatic union with Russian forces.
An esteemed correspondent writes
the editor that he has bone to pick
with him on the private. The COM
plant is that clergyman recently spok-
en- of kindly in these columns did not
fill the bill as preacher when invited
to a certain neighborhood in conse
quence Of our announcement. This is
to give notice that we must not be held
responsible for any pulpit shortcomings
in our preachers. The parishes must
hear them and Judge for themselves as
to ability and fitness. We are only con-
cerned that good men may get a hearing
in our pulpits. Beyond that the people
must decide as to qualifications and
adaptability to pulpit work in the par
ticular locality.
Miss Clara Barton announces that
she will leave for Turkey and the scene
of the Armenian outrages within the
next two weeks. Miss Barton will be
accompanied by a corps of capable as
sistants. Turkey is among the nations
included in the Red Cross treaty and
Miss Barton does not anticipate any
difficulty in prosecuting her mission.
But if the Sultan or the Turkish officials
have caught the echoes of the Chicago
meeting for the relief of Armenia, or
those held in other American cities, the
Angel of the Red Cross will receive
scant courtesy from the Turks, even
while they may not interpose any formal
objection to the work of relief.
800
The January North American con
tains an article by DR.. Judson Smith
who considers with the force of calm
ness the missionary enterprise of the
Christian nations. After dozen pages
of earnest words, DIR. Smith concludes:
christianity is the religion of the ages
and of mankind, as valid and as full of
blessing to the Orient as to the Occident,
to the modern as to the ancient world,
SO related to human nature itself that
the attempt to spread it to every land
and every age is the part of wisdom as it
is the dictate of Christian love and 10y
atty"
500
Chaplain Couden's prayer in the
House of Representatives on the closing
day of 1895 is reported as follows: Let
party contentious be buried and let our
motto be one flag, one country, one God
forever, With malice toward none and