Semi=weekly graphic., 1898-02-05
Tbougbt For the Individual.


 Let not one of us think for a moment that he is not welcome to Christ. Nay, he would draw all to himself. We have but to yield ourselves to his attraction and we shall find ourselves getting ever nearer.-Rev B. Ezra Stiles Ely, Jr., Presbyterian, Rockford.
 The Greatest Force.
 Character is the greatest force in the world. Some say money Is the greatest force, some say brains, some say love, but character is the greatest force be- cause it is the force which determines the direction in which money, brains and love shall be used.-Rev. James J. Dunlop, Presbyterian, Boston.
 The Lives of Our Children.
 All of us ought to live more in tho lives of our children than we do. They will not be children always. The little feet will not be pattering on the stairs very long. Be patient and loving and tender, It will be quiet in the house soon, and you will say, "Would God they were back again. "-Rey. George B. Vosburgh, Baptist, Denver.
 Where Heaven Is.
 Where God reigns there is heaven. Heaven is not Q local place away beyond the stars. Heaven Is not 6 place with four square walls, with God on throne as 6 personal being. God is everywhere, and heaven may be in every heart. Tho kingdom of God is within you. That is Ghrist's teaching, and that Is the truth. -J. J. Cornell, Society of Friends, Bal. timore.
 Standard of Righteousness.
 We should measure ourselves by the standard of righteousness set by the Saviour, and the difference between our lives and his is the measure of our shorteoming before God. All fall short of the standard now, but by persever- ance men shall some day rise to the fullness of the stature of manhood shown in Jesus Christ. D. W. Briokert, Christian Church, Washing ton, Ind.
 The Greatest Books.
 There are certain books which no man can read without being @ larger and wiser and better man. The greatest books are those which do not need any. thing outside of themselves for their in. depreciation. They are tho books which live on and on without any reference to tho time in which they were written. They arc written at any time for all time.-Dr. John Paul Egbert, Presby. terian, St. Paul.
 Sims Harvest.
 The wild oats sowing may be forgiven or repentod of, but many a man has been cured by tho inevitable harvest ot ruined health, impaired vitality, shat. tered ambitions. Many man sees daily the revelation of his sin in the ghastly reproduction of Q sons career. Hell is on both sides of tho tomb Sow to siu and reap destruction. Sow to righteous. ness and reap righteousness. Rev. w. F. Irwin, Presbyterian, Chicago,
 Gods High Ideals.
 The stone which was cut into form to make part of one of Gods temples spoke with the harmony of beauty of Gods high ideals, and the emotions on which many of the disciples of tho school oi modern ethics base their theories ot mans high nature camo to them through lines of Christian ancestors or were i'm parted to them through the Madonna. like influence of a Christian mother.- Or. R. A. Holland, Episcopal, St. Louis.
 Power of Faith.
 Faith enlarges the mind, strengthens the will, purifies the heart, lifts man up to new worlds, and if we justly praise and glorify modern scientific progress because it enlnrges our Iznowl- edge of the material universe how much more should we praise and glori- fy faith which not only makes us cer. tain of this life, but of the life to come. Rev. Dr. Stafford, Catholic, Wash ington.
 Leading Motive Tn All Reform.
 The great work of the Christian re. hgion is to save men now from the com mission of sin-save us now because tod loves us. If he finds us in q sinful state' he comes not to judge, but to point better way. This is the leading motive in all reform movements. From love to God we bind up the wounds of our fellows. If wo realized this more fully, there would be no room for con. tentions about theological ideas and no time lost in preparing papers on matters which cannot be proved, but rest simply on opinion.-J. J. Cornell, Society of Friends. Baltimore.
 Fountain pens are rather older than most people imagine. As long ago as l824 they were i'll use. for in that year