The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-12-19

The Boston Pilot coins an epigram.-
the past tense is the curse of Ireland"
i, 1t is possible that this epigram may
have an application to churches and de-
nominations. The forward look is the
one that betokens the highest useful
ness and prosperity.
The Curfew Law is evidently grow
ing in favor after the slight et-back
which it received sometime ago in a
Western State. Our neighboring town
of Harvey, at meeting Of the citizens,
called on the town board to pass such a
law at once to protect the town from the
doings of the bad boys. 1t is whole
some law. and should be adopted in all
towns where boys are on the streets
late at night. and engaged in the mis-.
chief which usually follows late hours.
The Rev. DIR. A. R. Thain, the new
editor of THE Advance" Congregation
alist), of this city. is native of Scotland,
his family having come to this country
when he was four years of age. He was
with Grant and Sherman as soldier in
the Goth Illinois Volunteers, and did &C.
tive service for three years. After the
war he studied at the Chicago Theolog-
ical Seminary, and later engaged in pas
toral work. He is now corporate men,
Der of the American Board and an &C.
tive supporter Of all the Congregational
societies.
The world is acquainted with the
fact that the Carlyle manuscript of the
History of French Revolution, was &C.
cidentally destroyed by servant girl of
John Stuart Mill, and afterward re.
produced by the author in the form in
which it is now one of the masterpieces
of English literature. We see it stated
that the late Coventry Patmore. the
poet of the angel in the House," who
has lately died in England, saved from
destruction the manuscript of I'm Mem.
oriam" which Tennyson had left among
some discarded rubbish in his lodgings.
On what authority this rests we know
not, but it is interesting il true. and re-
calls the other accident, which has been
we'll authenticated.
1t is good Christmas news that the
negotiations between the United States
and Great Britain for treaty for gen
eral arbitration, covering all subjects of
differences between the two English.
speaking nations. present and prospec-
tive, has advanced to stage of compile
teness far beyond what the public has
had reason to believe. 1t is now officia-
lily announced that the negotiations will
be closed within the next three weeks.
As the press dispatch notes, this treaty
will mark an important epoch in the re-
lations between the two English speak
ing nations, andin the judgment of those
who have been closely identified with it's
contamination. it will be the most impor-
tant document of a peaceful character
in the history of their mutual dealings.
Possibly it is unnecessary to remind
the Trustees of the General Convention
of their responsibility in the conduct of
the finances, but this from the Leader is
worthy of attention and not unduly ag.
gressive in enforcing the economical side
of the question; Save in those in
stances in which the freshness and the
melting character of a movement may
reasonably begin in the faith that it will
evoke the generous enthusiasm on which
alone it can have financial support, the
officials OF our Universalist enterprises