The age-herald., 1897-09-03

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 Buddhism cannot exactly be said to be growing in strength or numbers in this country tscauss Countess De Canavarro formally assumed certain obligations and took upon hsrself Buddhist vows few days ago, at New Century hall, 5O9 Fifth avenue. New York city. But it was a singular happening, and has excited much interest in many directions This Oriental faith was foundsd more than D. GOO years ago, and the countess is the first woman in America to embDace its tenets. She renouncal upon entering her new lie, husband. child, home, friends and wealth, and assumed the five requisite pledges of devotion to higher life. The ceremonies were surrounded with all the sensualism of the Orient, as far as accessories were concerned. There were flowers in pro- fusion (Buddhists claiming them as sym bols of purity), and lights, while the priest and the countess were robed in shimmering silken gowns. The vows were reclted in the ancient language of India, and the large audience held in their haiis yellow silk cord, which rep resented the bond of peace, which was to encircle the world The audience was composed of believers and non-believers, all of whom desired to bid the acountess an affectiorate farewell, as she land the officiating priest left the next day for Paris, where a congress of Orientalists will soon be held. Countess De Cana- take up her work She intends first to familiarize herseAf with Buddhism in all its phases and afterwards return to this country and teach its doctrines She is especially attractive in a quaint robe of black silk and lace over which she wore loose, graceful garment of white, which was draped toga-like from her shoulders. silk. The countess has a refined, delicate face She held a bunch of crimson roses os she subscribed to the following vows;
 I pledge myself to abstain from taking conscious life.
 I will abstain from taking anything which does not belong to me.
 will absts1n from sensual indulgence.
 will refrain from islander and ustTuth.
 I will refrain from taking alcohol and drugs.
 I will take truth for my guide.
 The countess will hereafter always wear white robe, typifying her faith. After the ceremony sfie spoke modestiiy of her faith and her future, emphasizing the fact that her work will be chiefly a among the women of India and America. The countess and her family have lived in San Francisco where they had social position and wealth, She has a sona!fS years of age, who is now at college in Cal ifornia, She has had a restSess religious experience, having embraced at different times Catholicism, Spiritualism, Theoso- phy and now Buddhism. The countess justifies herself in aler present course, thus: dIt is true I inteld to leave my dlusbarsd, my child. my home. In order to work for Buddhism I must leave all these. It would seem great deal to those who value the things of this world, but to me it is only the passing of a. dream. I have been searching for peace all my llfe, and now know I shall find it there in India trying to bring light to those women. My husband sympatlhiz with my feelings, but he is not of this faith and does not want to be discusssd in connection with my resolve
 
 Rev. Frank willis Barnett, who has many friends in Birmingham and other parts of Alabama, has accepted A call to the Baptist church at Forsyth, Ga., and will at once enter upon his work. This church is one of the oldest in Geor- gia, and it's congregation is a strong one. numerically, socially and financially.
 At the American Whist League tourna- ment, held this summer one team used no regular signals in playing, to indi- cate to partners the strength of a hand or number of certain cards; they lead from long or short suits, as was deemed best by individuals and from "sneaks'' when desired, and no one slaughtered the hapless offenders. because such playing won against teams which used all the signs, signals and what-nots of Ames. Foster, etc. One team had such an elaborate system of signals that 1t would ,rsquire month for any average playerto make them. and would endan- ger the mental equilibrium of any ordi- nary mansor woman. The signalers lost the games the others won. There is boundless satisfaction in that victory to many simple-minded folks, who can not learn the mystic signs of whist, and have not an intimate knowledge of those