davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-23
II LIKE TO HELP FOLKS"

Sermons have been preached, poets
have sung and philosophers theo-
rized upon the reflex influence of
helping others, but the vitalizing joy
which fills the hearts of Christian
givers cannot be known to others. 1t
does not come with study. 1t is an
experience, and not an requirement.
There are many happy people in the
world, whose greatest delight is in
helping others. The Indian Messen-
ger gives an incident in a railway
station which so aroused the genius
of a celebrated artist that he put upon
canvas an exquisite picture. The
artists story in detail is that
While he was waiting at railway
station in his own neighborhood he
came in contact with little girl
wearing bright, sweet look and car
rying pleasant, love inspiring voice.
There was, also, at the station sick
woman with fretful baby at the
time. The little girl coaxed the child
to come to her and amused it so that
after a little while the little fretful
thing forgot altogether to be cross,
and presently it went to sleep, to the
great relief of the wearied mother.
There YVES in this group at the rail
way station, also an old man who
was cripple and could not walk
without great difficulty. The little
girl, thinking he might be thirsty,
brought him cup of water. The
poor old cripple thanked her very
much, saying: II wanted a drink,
but it hurts me so to move that
thought I'd get along without it.
didn't like to bother any one. Not
many little girls would be so
thoughtful of an old mans comfort"
"Oh, l like to help folks, said she;
"my mother says that's what we are
here for" What she, this blessed
child of blessed mother, did next,
was to run and pick up something
the sick woman had dropped. And,
this done, she seemed to think of
something new, and she opened her
satchel, and taking out some apples,
gave each of those around her one.
"And here's one for the baby when it
wakes up" she said to the baby's
mother. When the train was in
sight she brought the old man his
crutch, and then ran to the assistance
of the sick woman in getting her
things together. Then turning to-
ward another fellow passenger. she
said: 'Oh you've got the baby, have
you; that's good. Then III take the
basket"
At a recent communion service
Rev. DR.. Riggs gave an incident in
his own pastoral work which illus
trates the source from which comes
the highest inspiration to be helpful
to others. He said, in substance,
that while talking with Christian
woman, who continued to aid an I'M
grateful person, when her unselfish,
loving service was not only not
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-23

of dollars annually. He refers simply
to a purely preventable loss. Some
years ago, the London health author
ities instituted inquiries in certain
low neighborhoods to estimate the
value of labor lost in a year, not by
sickness, but from sheer exhaustion
induced by unfavorable surround
ings. 1t was found that, upon the
lowest average, every worker lost
about twenty days in the year from
this cause. One might go on multi
plying such instances, but it is not
necessary to enforce the argument by
cumulative citation.
Wage-earners are vitality interested
in the passage and enforcement of
wise sanitary laws. Bad sanitation
entails proportionately worse eco
nomic consequences to them than to
the more highly favored. They are
also more often the victim of sickness
and epidemics, fostered by insanitary
neighborhoods. The workingman
has positive interest in using what
ever political power he possesses to
secure legal remedies against unin
habitable houses through expropria
ton laws such as those current in
England, and the measure recently
put into operation by the Board of
Health of New York City under the
Tenement House Law of 1895. Who,
if not wage-earners, are interested in
the oblite ration of rookeries where
the death rate equals seventythree in
a thousand? Whatever promotes
better living conditions, no matter
whether it comes from legal enact
ment or private effort, will find sup
port from wage earners who appre
ciate their true interests.
Important as are the physical and
economic aspects of this question,
they are not the sole, perhaps they
are not even the chief, considers atoms.
Ethical issues have greater ultimate
significance. Many of our moral and
social ills are more nearly connected
with bad housing than appears upon
thesurface. Take, for example, drunk
enness. How absurd to suppose
that immoderate LIQUOR drinking can
be suppressed as long as people are
left to live in houses where lack of
elementary sanitation saps vitality,
while noisomeness and unattractive-
ness impels search for outside relief.
1t is entirely unjust to suppose that
only low impulse to debauch or
reckless disregard of family duties
leads wage earners to contract the
''saloon habit" The utter dullness,
the lack of individuality in tenement
house existence, often lie back of the
fatal temptation Century.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-23

heartily that which lies in his hand
is on the road to the settlement of
all the final questions. He is work
ing his way through the experience
which is to be, from the spiritual side,
one of the great sources of personal
illumination. To learn to leave
things with God, and to do ones
work as if God could be trusted, is
to gain the repose and full-hearted-
ness which permit one to pour out
his whole strength without anxiety,
worry. or Observation-Disclosures.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-23
FOREIGN ITEMS.

When the Siberian railway is COM.
pleted the journey around the world will
occupy not more than forty days and the
cost of transportation will not exceed
$500.
1t would be interesting to inquire
what proportion of the product of hui
man labor is wasted each year by the
great military nations of Europe on the
purchase of instruments Of destruction,
aud the preparation for international
slaughter. If these things are done in
peace, what shall we say of war;
The organ which is generally sup
posed to be inspired by Prince Bismarck
tslls us that Russia has been merely play
ing with the other powers in the matter
of reforms for Turkey. Penelope-ike,
she has been undoing in secret confer
ence the work which she does openly.
This is entirely likely to be true.
The introduction of the potato into
Ireland three centuries ago by Sir Wal.
ter Raleigh was celebrated by confer
ence and show in the Rotunda, Dublin,
recently, under the auspices of the Irish
Gardeners Association, says the London
Field. A larger and more meritorious
collection of the different varieties OF the
succulent tuber. "Ireland's staple food, {"
from almost every part of the kingdom
was never before witnessed either in
Dublin or out of it.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-23
HOUSING OF THE POOR.

What are the wage-earner's special
interests in improved housing? In
the first place, this class is vitality in
terested in the conservation of health.
Good health means earning power,
and as working men lead more or less
of hand-to-mouth existence any loss
of earning power is serious matter
Lord Beaconsfeld aptly voiced this
truth in an address delivered at the
opening of some new blocks of i'm
proved tenements in London. He
said "the health of the people is real
ly the foundation upon which all
their happiness and their power de-
pends." Few realize the loss of pro-
ductive energy through sickness
brought about by bad living environ
ments. Sir James Paget, the distin-
guished English physician, estimates
that the whole population of Eng
land, between fifteen and sixty-five
years old, works in each year twenty
millions Of weeks less than they
might if it were not for sickness.
He puts down the loss inflicted on
wage earners at nearly fifteen millions
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-23

recognized, but abused, surprise was
expressed that she should continue
her ministrations. She replied: II
am doing this for my Lord. He does
not fail to recognize the service"
For ten years a gentleman in this
city has been paying the expenses of
decrepit old man, who, though
relative and the subj of his bounty,
abused his confidence, and went to
distant State, and became very poor
and dependent on charity. Hearing
of his helplessness, his abused bene-
factor, forgetting the things that
were behind, made loving provision
for his declining years; and this was
done several years without any ex-
preston of gratitude from the benef-
ciary.
Pope says: "Many men have been
capable of doing wise thing, more
a cunning thing, but very few gen
erous thing" The little girl who
said, "Oh, like to help folks; moth
er says that's what we are here for"
had the spirit of her loving Master
implanted in her bosom, no doubt,
before she was conscious of it. Her
tender ministrations were like the
perfume of flowers shedding fra
GRANGE for every one. It was her
highest JOY to help others; she did
not look for any return. The reflex
influence of her loving service sup
piled all her wants. Her meat and
her drink was "to help folks;" and
as she goes on her blessed work may
her own happiness be shared by in
creasing numbers of those who come
under her sweet influence Herald
and Presbyter.
The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-23

finished the journey of life, they have
laid aside the worn and weather.
beaten tent, and have entered into
that building of God, not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens" No
more wanderings for them, no more
journeyings in the desert, no more
faintness nor WEAKNESS. "They shall
not hunger nor thirst; neither shall
the heat nor the sun smite them; for
he that hath mercy on them shall
lead them, even by the springs of
water shall he guide them" Hence
forth, to everyone of these footworn
and dropping pilgrims, the words of
the sweet singer of Israel will be
realized: "The Lord is thy keeper
the Lord is thy shade upon thy
right hand. The sun shall not smite
thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from
all evil; he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall direct thy going out
and thy coming in, even forever
more"
And you, too, poor afflicted soul,
upon whom the hand of suffering
has been laid so heavily, wasting in
consumption, devoured with fever,
racked with commissions, or frantic
with the streaming anguish of nerves
on fire; over whom the weary days
and the long nights pass in sad pro-
cession, bringing no relief. 0 be
patient, and brave, and hopeful
every setting sun brings you farther
on your way through the burning
sands; every night you pitch your
frail and shattered tent ga days
march nearer home" Be patient and
enduring, for the river is not far off
now, and on its banks you may strike
your tent for the last time; and, pass
ing over to the other shore, you will
be welcomed by the immortal spirits
waiting to receive you, and to lead
you to your heavenly habitation.
And there God shall aeipe array all
tears from yoatr eg es; and there shall
be no more death, neither so1rOaC, nor
crying, neither shall there be any
more pain; for the former things are
passed aaCay."
Over the river they beckon to me-
Loved ones who've crossed to the fur
tier side
The CLEAN of their snowy robes I see,
But their voices are drowned by the
dashing tide.
And none return from those quiet shores,
Who cross with the boatman cold and
pale;
We hear the dip of the golden oars,
And catch CLEAN of the snowy sail,
And lol they have passed from the yearn-
ing heart,
They cross the stream, and are gone for
aye;
We may not sunder the veil apart
That hides from our vision the gates of
day;
We only know that their barques no more
May sail with ours DER life's stormy
sea
Yet somewhere, l know, on the unseen
shore,
They watch, and beckon, and wait for
me.
And l sit and think when the sunsets gold
Is flushing river, and hill, and shore,
I shall one day stand by the water cold,
And list for the sound of the boatman's
oar:
l shall watch for CLEAN of the Tapping
sail;
l shall hear the boat as it gains the
strand;
1 shall pass from sight with the boatman
pale
To the better shores of the spirit land.
1 shall know the loved who have gone
before,
And joyfully sweet will the meeting be,
When over the river, the peaceful river,
The angel of death shall carry me.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-19
NATIONAL RANKS.

AT last congress seems to have learned
that small towns or cities rights ought
to be looked after, resulting in the pass
age by the house of a bill permitting,
in towns or cities of not exceeding 1000
population, national banks upon capital
of $4,000, and IL passed by the senate
and it becomes a law, it will prove very
acceptable in Alabama, as well as
throughout the entire south. A gentle
man of this city, born and reared in the
north, and extensively acquainted up
there said to the writer: ST believe the
passage of this measure to a law will
mean much in the way of investment of
capital in the Stock of such banks in
labama by capitalists and people of the
north, same as formerly by them in the
west, but they have stopped sending out
there, and naturally it must come to the
south instead. There is no Disgusting the
fact that in places Of less than 1000 pop
ulation in the south, there has been Sc
rious lack of banking facilities, and
which this measure, if carried out in in
tent, will do much to remedy. We be-
heve that if properly managed consider
able of that s25,536, 600 increase in depos-
it's in the banks in New York City be-
tween January and Saturday, could be
induced to be reinvested in such bank
stock in Alabama"
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-19
AWARDED A SCHOLARSHIP.

Just at this time, when the affairs of
the University of Alabama are the sub
ject of discussion and investigation, 1t is
particularly gratifying to the friends and
we'll wishers of that institution, in fact
to all Alabamians, to learn that one of
its graduates, William Berney Saffold, of
Selma, Ala, was last week in competitive
examination awarded over all competi-
tors the Latin scholarship by Johns Hop
kins university of Baltimore, Md. When
we consider the very high standard of
Johns Hopkins. in connection with the
fact that scores of men of ability from
all sections of the country, north, east,
south and west, and even from abroad,
were his competitors, some idea can be
formed of the distinguished honor won
by this son of Alabama for himself and
his native state.s This is Mr.. Saffold's
third year at Johns Hopkins and all Ala
bama is proud of him, and justly so. At
ter graduating with first honors at the
University of Alabama, Mr. Saffold de-
voted several years to teaching Latin and
Greek, part of the time in Alabama and
part in Arkansas, and with the money
thus earned he began a. special course
at Johns Hopkins with a view of further
perfecting himself as an instructor in
these languages, the profession of his
choice.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-19
BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION.

The commercial clubs are taking an
active interest In the movement for the
esta blishment of a bureau of immigration
for Alabama Editor Hildreth, of the
New Decatur Advertiser, was sent by the
club to consult with Gov. Johnston on the
subject. Mr.. Hildreth reports the Gov
ernor as expressing himself as favoring
the measure.
The Appling bill, now pending, provides
for the establishment of bureau of i'm
migration to consist of three members,
viz: Commissioner of immigration. COM
missioner of agriculture and state geol-
ogist The duties of the commissioner of
immigration will be to open and conduct
correspondence with immigration agen-
cies, railroad and navigation companies
and to cause to be published and circu-
lated from time to time such information
as will be of value or interest to persons
who contemplate coming to this state.
The Chamber of Commerce of Hunts
vile has been giving considerable atten-
tion to the subject of late, and the work
is having its effect, and Is now being
taken up by other sections of the state.
Gov. Johnston has been credited a long
time as favoring "a state bureau of i'm
migration, being himself impressed with
the necessity of 1T when he was engaged
in inducing investigation of the mineral
districts of Alabama.
The Appling bill appears 10 cover what
Is needed in the premises. and will no
doubt meet with favorable consideration.
The Commercial club of Birmingham,
perhaps, Is in possession of more facts
bearing on the Importance OF the bureau
than any similar organization in the
state, and the State Herald would sug-
gest that this club prepare a brief of these
matters for the information and use of
the legislators who may not have had an
opportunity to make a personal investi-
cation of the subject.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-19
TARIFF ON IRON.

Thomas Taylor Williams, of Mount
Washington, says the Pittsburg Leader,
has just returned from a six months
trip through England and Wales. While
on the other side Mr. Williams, who is q
skilled iron roller, visited the large mills
in England and Wales, and made the
to him-surprising discovery that many
of them were busy filling orders for
American firms. At Pontypool and Pont-
newydd in Wales, he found the mills
running on full time, engaged in filling
orders for sheet iron sent them by Pitts
burg firm,
This results, Mr.. Williams says, from
the low tariff at present in force and
the small price paid for labor in the old
country. Throughout his trip Mr.. Will
liams was confronted with evidences of
prosperity. and very few mills were idle.
The wages of the men were being adj
vanced from time to time as the demand
for iron increased, and at the time he
left to return to this country, tse scale
was $1.S6 per ton of 1000 pounds. On
December l. Mr.. Williams said that the
selling price of iron was f516.7.
Mr.. Williams was in London on elec-
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-19
CONFEDERATE DREAM.

In vision last night while dreaming,
There were scenes, that can never grow
old. ttt
War comrades lay peacefully sleeping.
While the pickets kept watch in the cold.
/ STROBE by their camp-fires slowly,
And VIZ Ger the worn, tattered gray.
And tome the vision was as holy,
AS virgins when kneeling to pray.
Hard by, was the old banner dropping,
All dusty and torn in the strife,
Yet grandly over heroes still floating.
Sad emblem of the young nations life,
Then passing in the chill of the morn.
While the stars were all melting in light,
There came to my heart-aching a longing,
For faces once rudy and bright.
Hark, a FASH then loud thunder peal.
The earth rocked and filled me with dread,
But the scenes panoramic had vanished
Like ghosts from the graves of the dead.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-19
GENERAL LEGISLATION.

The Huntsville Mercury has struck the
key note on the duties of the general as
sembly when it convenes tomorrow,
wherein it says shelve local legislation
and give general measures priority. Gov.
Johnston recommended that the first half
of the session be devoted in the main to
disposing of local bills in order that some-
thing might be accomplished by the en-
actment of some much needed general
laws.
The various committees to investigate
certain measures during the recess have
given considerable attention to their
work and say they win have their re-
, ports ready by the time the legislature
meets. ,a,s ,...4
The Governor neglected. however, to
recommend that the Ciceros and Demos
theneses should also get in their work
during the first half of the session and
the game of bouquet elocution" and
gallery plaudits", be engaged In at
special meetings set aside for this par
ticular class of oratory and amusement.
The Mercury says:
/. When the legislature convenes We'd
nesday 1t win ber a matter of deep relief
to the peoplei IL local legislation is shelved
and measures Of general interest taken.
up for consideration. Almost the entire
term thus far has been devoted to the
discussion OF local laws which are OF no
moment to the state at large, and really
OF but little benefit TO the sections u
which they refer. iii
The laws relatins TO our ccuyict system
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-19
W. j. BRYAN WILL BE HEARD

In Houston on the Subject That Has
Made Him Famous r'i@
Houston Post. p. ...s.t :
A good deal of inquiry has been made
of late as to the subject of Mr.. Bryan's
address at Houston, so fN
The subject of his opening address at
Atlanta was Ancient Landmarlks,'"' in
which, he discussed the fundamental
principles of government and the for
nation and progress of different political
parties. r.. ..-..,..-s r ~ ~
This address, from the very nature of
1t, was disappointment to the audience
from the fact that Mr.. Bryan had been
so inseperably associated with the all alb
sorblng political issue of the day-bi-
metallism, that it was difficult for the
people to become Interested in anything
he might say upon any other subject.
The audience clamored for an expression
upon the live> issues of the day, but the
programme had been prearranged and
agreed upon and Mr.; Bryan adhered to
his subject. F..',ss
Taking advantage of the experience of
the people of Atlanta, and believing that
the people Of Houston and the surround
ing country prefer hearing Mr.. Bryan
discuss that subject, the advocacy of
which has made him famous--a subject
that appeals to his most impassioned elo-
quence-Messrs. Ellis and Bryan notified
the dlStlngulSneu orator Ihatfa discussion
of bimetallism, from an economic stand
point, would be more acceptable than
would any historical address,, and in re-
Spouse to the request, Mr.. Bryan, who is
now in Chicago. looking after the publica-
ton of his book, wired yesterday as fol-
lows: - ;-Aycr4r eF.s.
Chicago, Jan. 13.-Ellis and Bryan,
Houston: Your telegram received, VIII
discuss metallism in Houston.
"Wa J.. BRYAN"
AS this is subject on which Mr.. Bryan
is thoroughly at home and one into which
he can throw all the fire of that superb
eloquence which won for him the nomina-
tion of the presidency, the change of SUBJ
ject is matter of congratulations to those
who anticipate the plea sure eft hearing
this distinguished statesman aad ma Itch
less orator ----ls.-sats ~ e, -fg