davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

Randalls decision, with the hearty con-
currence of the Baptist church of which
he is pastor, to receive other than inn
mersed persons into membership, when
they come by transfer from other evan
gelical denominations. But on the other
hand, DR.. Randall's church is happily a
self-governing body and the outcry of the
backward communities will affect 1t not at
all.
Very interesting and instructive Is the
story of Baptist development in England,
Scotland and Wales, during the past gen
GRAFTON. That denomination, sturdy in its
Puritan and Calvinistic traditions, was
strongest In England and weakest in
Scotland, but with noble representation
in all three sections OF great puritans.
Thirty years ago it was still common to
hear references to General" Baptists,
and Particular" Baptists and strict
Baptists. Indeed, a suggestion that a
very prominent General Baptist clergy
man should be united to the presidency
over a Particular Baptist theological sem
mary was promptly NET rs years ago by
the fear lest such a step should invali-
date the deed of trust and ALLEVIATE the
friends of the institution. The two Sec
lions are now one Baptist body. General
Baptists, be il observed. were the Oldest
branch of the denomination, and were not
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

usual coins. The angel was first struck
IN France in 1910. and was introduced
into England by Edward II in 1865. It's
value was nearly $40.
In the Merry Wives" we find cer-
tain Mrs. Ford "who has all the care of
her husbands purse and he hath a ls-
sion of angels Happy womanl SO
few of US have had the satisfaction Of
hearing. from the depths of our ample
pockets. the rattle of loose coin. 1t is
purely a masculine habit to stand pom
pously and jingle ones silver
Bassanio tested the friendship of An
tonic when he asked the loan of 1900
ducats. This amount was equal to $1,000
The ducat was named from the fact that
It was first coined by duke in the
duchy of Apalia; II had a legend on it
designating IL as such. II Is no longer
in clrcuation in any country, though once
a great fayorite. Those of silver were
worth half as much as those of gold.
Jessica. just prior to her elopement
with Lorenzo, purloined her father of
certain treasures, and proposed to gid
herself some more with ducats." We
sometimes wonder If 1t is cupid or Gu
pidity that fires the breast of man like
Lorenzo so ardent. so eloquent, SO pa
tent He even saw visions of gold in
the skies Shylock would take no doit
for the sum he loaned Dot Is an in
significant coin used in several coun-
tries but it's origin Is unknown.
Pounds are mentioned in several plays
and such money dates from the time Of
the Conqueror "All take the ghosts
word for a thousand pounds
Their farthing was a thin silver piece.
1t had on one side a profile of Queen
Elizabeth with rose at the back. IL
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

ing the gamut of musical expression. even
caught with a degree OF delight the
slissando in the Jingle of coin.
He had a palm itching for coin which
rendered him aggressive in his overtures
OF Plutus There are many of us hav-
ing the wrong idea of the use and value of
coin, thereby becoming poor hnanciers
who fail to find ourselves on the visiting
list Of the blind god; but his ear is
normal and the solicitations of the per-
severing arts not in vain, though accumu-
ation OF coin is generally possible. One
coin Is silent and embarrassing; two or
more make music. They are also gregari-
GUS and men of providence usually get
for themselves longevity. So the aceumu-
lation of wealth must be a wholesome
vocation. The case of Shakespeare does
not corroborate this theory, however. He
was successful in the pursuit of money.
yet died before he was old This race
may be accounted for by a lack of benevo-
fence or providence on his part for the
money as 1t is not recorded that he es-
tablished scholarships nor endowed col
,eges.
Shakespeare's money talked as 1t does
at present for he says 1.-The Angel spoke. -
The angel Is mentioned in five of his
dramas. The Prince of Morocco in ex-
aiming Portals caskets mentions the
fact that "They have in England a coin
that bears the figure of an angel stamped
In gold" and he compares Portia TO the
piece of money. An angel was a gold
coin named from the fact that on one
side of II was a representation Of the
Archangel Michael in conflict with the
dragon. The reverse had ship with a
cross for the mast the letter r on the
right side and a rose on the left, while
against the ship was a shield with the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

Salt was once used in Abyssinia and
Mexico-but metals have finally succeeded
in driving out all their inferior COM
petitors from the field, and have become
the important substance for many at
present.
So we come to the discussion of coins.
A coin is piece of metal of fine weight.
stamped by authority of government, and
employed as a circulating medium. Like
people, they may have "fillet head" or
flowing hair," and also are lettered or
unlettered.
They sometimes reveal the presence of
mint marks. They have faces (obverse)
and backs (reverse), and ways perverse-
and there are many types.
Tennyson says. I'VE are like to coins
some true, some light, but every one
stamped with the image of the King.
Iron, lead, tin and copper have served
as money, and silver has always been a
favorite, and formed the main basis of
Greek coins, which are the most beau
tiful and was introduced into Rome in
2e7 B. C. Gold has been steadily gain
ing ground into the growth of commerce,
and we have silver and gold particularly
to deal with regarding the coins men,
toned by Shakespeare.
We do not know when coins were first
used but the ancients knew the joy of
possessing pieces of the most beautiful
types.
They have been variously shaped, but
preference Is given to fiat, circular pieces.
The spendthrift says make them round
so they will roll: the miser likes them
fat because they can be stacked.
Shakespeare, with various other gifts
possessed the ear of trained musician.
He was conscious of the movement in the
grand oratorio of the skies, and in descend
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

Calvinistic, but American In their fun
damental ideas. The Particular Baptists,
by far the more numerous group, were
essentially Puritan and Calvinlstic. Among
the latter the doctrine and practice OF
strict communion prevailed, and still pre-
walls In Wales, Scotland and large areas
OF rural England In the English cities,
on the other hand, not only have open
communion principles long had the VIC
tory but considerable number of Bap-
tist churches have grown up with union"
principles, accepting to full membership
persons of Christian life who have never
been immersed. In supn church as that
over which DR.. John clifford is pastor in
London a Quaker who has never been
baptized by any form or ceremony would
be acceptable for membership on the
strength of a letter of recommendation or
dismissal from the local body of Quakers
to which he belonged. The same is also
true of many city churches which are not
called union churches, but In all essential
respects still hold the Baptist faith.
Twenty-Five years ago the village Bap-
lists in England were in the habit of ex
Guiding from the communion service their
Methodist or other evangelical neighbors.
So far have we Travelled in those years
that now union churches are springing
up all over rural England, and In the
new suburbs of the cities three or four
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

"HE great variety of objects which
has been used to supply the need
L of a circulating medium is sur
prisirg.
skins, for instance, seem to have been
one of the earliest forms of money.
AS the hunting stage gave place to the
pastoral the animal itself became the
principal form of money. Thus we ind
that in Rome and the Italian tribes gem
orally, "oxen and sheep formed the oldest
medium of exchange
In we'll known passage of the Had the
value of two different sets of armor is
estimated in terms of oxen. Slaves also
have been adopted as medium of ex-
change.
The most remarkable instance OF an
agricultural product being used as cur
rency is to be found in the case of to-
bacco which was adopted as legal tender
by English oolonists in South America
have been told that women in some
parts of this country at that time were
meeker than at present Some of them, as
humble as Griselda herself. and allowed
themselves to be estimated as worth SO
many pounds of this obnoxious weed,
which only men and goats used as a
luxury; and that woman who command
ed as much as 100 pounds of tobacco had
all the privileges of the enviable circle
of F. r. VS..
The American womans price advances.
however, and now since she has grown to
he clever, ingenious and witty, brilliant,
lively and strong. charming, noble and
wealthy, she sets her own price; goes to
England and other countries the willing
sacrifice. bartered for grand title. Some
times the tobacco trade might prove the
more sensible exchange.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

With an eye single to the eddyffcas
sion of the Peepul and the Uplift q
the Nasion, he looks ovver the variua
and sundry statesmen who have -
abully assisted him in raising cans
pain funds, and picks out those whe
air to deckerate the varius cabbynsi
offices. All exsept one. There is ons
he don't have to bother about. He u
alreddy on the job. Secretery Wilsuz
has beet him to it. He has been Sec
retery of Agriculture so long thai
he knows all the Army Wurms and
bool-weevils in the country by theirs
first names. Uthers around Wash
ingtun may be temporary, Secretery
Wilsun is perminint. He's the Gus
that put the Wash in Washington.
After these few general directsionA
I trust that no one will not vote be-
cause they do not understand the sit
uasion. No one has ever used thai
for an excuse. Yours trooly,
BILL VINES.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04
HEART TO HEART TALKS-By Edwin A. Nye

lie what sort of barbarian he might
become7
I thought Of another mother wiser
mother.
when her boy leased the household
pinched the childs ears And when
the child cried out with the pain she
would say:
THAT is the way kitty feels when
you pinch its ears Poor Kitty! You
should be kind to it. and It will love
YOU"
The lesson was salutary.
Says Mrs. Enrich: Every child
should have a pet If every little one
were held accountable for the welfare
of the pet he would learn how to treat
a wife and there would be fewer di-
yorces.
Surely.
The time to begin training a husband
Is before he begins to walk And when
he is old he viii not depart from 1t.
Much is being done in the schools
and By the humane societies In teach
Ing children the lessons of kindness
and gentleness to animals, but that
education should begin in the family
Mrs. Enrich makes this further start
ing statement.
Nine-tenths of the convlcts in the
fsnitentiary never had a pet.
Poor fellowsl
They were denied the transforming
power that resides in the affections of
the child who owns something II may
love. Education Is of little value IL
It does not touch the heart
See that your child has some sort of
pet and carefully watch It's treatment
Of the pet
Now, listen.
A bin has been introduced into the
Hungarian parliament 10 pay men
wages according to the size OF their
familiesl
Fact.
The measure under discussion d.
vides all government employees. in
GLIDING railroad men, into two general
classes. known as the upper and lower.
The upper class will get an allowance
Of $40 Der year for one child $50 for
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

itual intelligence. In such an evolution
the Baptists are returning to their orig
inal principles. Their earliest protest
was not against mode of baptism or In
favor of another mode. 1t was the pro-
test against giving baptism to any per-
sons except those who gave credible
proof of their regeneration. Moreover the
logic of the Baptist position Is in no de-
gree endangered by surrender of the uni
versal practice of immersion. That logic
merely requires that none but personal
confessors of the Christian faith should
receive baptism In any form. Hence 1t
goes a long way toward simplifying the
situation that tho Mount Morris church
at Ithaca, N. Y, and other Baptist
churches in America have followed those
In Manchester and London and cirming
ham, and other English cities by throwing
their doors wide open to members of
other than Baptist churches, while in
sisting that persons not already church
members and seeking membership should
be baptized before entrance into the
church. This attitude toward members
of other churches is sheer question of
gracious hospitality.
The sympathetic student cannot but feel
that the whole movement grows out of
conditions of varying culture. Wherever
men have emerged from the parochial
and narrow sphere into the worldwide
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

NROGREsS in religious circles during
- these days must be largely esti-
i mated by its tending to unity.
Some of us have been watching that ten
dency for upward of a quarter of CEN
fury, and are still watching it with grow
ing confidence. There are indeed back
ward minds and backward regions. where
official separatism, schism, sectarianism
holds the undisputed field. But the one
beautiful and satisfying fact is that the
men who, by their gifts and knowledge,
reach positions of spiritual leadership,
steadily guide the rank and file back to-
wards the original solidarity of the
church.
Only the other day a welcome sign came
from that body of earnest souls who are
known as Disciples, or Christians, the fol-
lowers of Alexander Campbell. Observers
of the movements of the day must have
long been aware that as spiritual intelli-
gence was being added to the fervent en-
thusiasm OF that body, less emphasis was
being placed upon the ritual forms which
historically it has so largely emphasized.
Now comes the beginning of an overture
to the Congregationalists, not indeed an
Official overture. but the expression of the
conviction of leading Disciples that i'm
mersion in water is not essential to use
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

was then the court fashion to put a rose
in the ear
The obolus was an ancient Greek coin
originally of copper. afterwards of silver
and was of very small value. The Greeks
had many NEUROLOGICAL characters
stamped upon their coins. and the obolus
was placed between the lips of the dead
man TO pay his passage across the Styx.
A drachma was the value Of a penny.
and when the Roman citizen proclaimed
that by Caesars will. 10 drachmas were
left TO each Roman, some one cried,
Most noble Caesar, we'll revenge his
DEATH" Brutus said TO Cassius on one
occasion, Il had rather coin my heart
and drop my blood for drachmas than
to wiring from the hard hands of peas
ants their vile trash by any indisere-
ton"
Groat is mentioned In King John, and
is contemptuously mentioned as being
half faced" like the King groat is
worth 4 cents and is proverbially used
TO express a trifling sum.
Guilders, mentioned often In the plays,
is a favorlte Dutch coin worth 40 cents.
In her entreaties to Angels, Isabel
says: mot with fond shekels of test
ed gold or stones whose rates are
them, but into true prayers would he
be paid"
A shelSel is Hebrew. coin worth
IS cents, but at the same time 1t was
issued money was worth 10 times as
much as it is now. Shekels of the
Maccabee period still exist. They were
put in circulation in LA b. c. by Simon
Macabaeus by decree of Antloehus.
The observer has a vase over which
are Hebrew letters; the reverse, a twig
with three buds and the inscription,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04
BAPTIST PROGRESSIVES-B George Ea

denominations often officially unite In
promoting a on-denominational subur-
ban or parish church.
1t is, of course misleading statement
that has been made by some one In this
country and extensively quoted, that En-
gllsh Baptists have always received
members of other churches on presenta-
ton of letters" / remember with singu-
lar pleasure taking prominent part during
my student days in the movement to
make certain village churches in Somer
setshire open-oommunion bodies. | also
remember how sadly the defeated party
foretod that the next step would be to
allow non-immersed persons to become
active members of the churches Alas,
and most happily, the prediction was
valid and has come TO pass.
Now the Independent authority of each
Baptist church Is the splendid safeguard
alike of progress and OF conservation.
1t may be that the time is almost at
hand for modifying that safeguard In the
interests of efficiency. But the nearer
certainty is that the immediate years
will make Baptist churches not merely
open communion, but open membership
bodies, that is to say, bodies in which
membership will be based on character
and spiritual facts and not on similarity
of opinion or practice. Non-essentials are
multiplying in these summer days of spir-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04
SHAKESPEARE'S COINS-By Mrs Dora c. Fell

"Jerusalem the Holy" shefei means
ito weigh out"
An English crown is worth about
SIPS. Gold crowns were first struck
by Henry VIII and were so called
from the figure of the crown on the
reverse. The silver crowns issued by
Edward VI had the King crowned on
horseback
Besides its bearing upon the history,
the religion, the manners and the arts
of nations which have issued coin, the
science of numismatics has special
modern use In relation to art and coins
supply us with abundant means for
it's advancement.
From Macbeth" Act I, Scene ",
line 70 we quote; Nor would we deign
him burial of his men, till he dis
thousand dollars to our general use
Shakespeare did not refer to our
American dollar, but as we are now
subjects under its reign 1t will not
be amiss to give it passing remark
Dollar Is variety of the German
thalers which gained such reputa-
tlon that 1t became king of pattern;
this was at about the end of the
eighteenth century.
The American dollar Is taken from
the old Spanish dollar and is slightly
less. Gold dollars are no longer coined,
but the silver dollar has Il handsome
face and as long as one salutes your
palm you need never be without
friend. 1t was coined in 1884, The bold
eagle was the bird selected as the
emblem of our country, and thereby
gained his place on our money Frank
lin was opposed TO the bold eagle be-
cause In the first place he Is not bold,
tho white feathers on his head make
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

full membership In the church, and ought
not to be hindrance to useful co-opera-
ton IN the same church between those
who do and those who do not practice it.
Here you have the hub of the whole
question involving the enlightenment and
therefore a Protestant grouping. 1t is a
question involving the enlightment and
craftsmanship rather than the so-called
loyalty" of Christian men. Among those
of the highest rank you will find practi-
cally one view, namely. that service to the
modern community demands closer and
closer bonds of union between the follow
ers of Jesus Christ. You will, for In
stance find great preachers and students
like Alexander Whyte of Edinburgh
frankly avowing that 1t matters not one
pin whether a church or man believes in
the Presbyterian or the Congregational
mode of church government. You have
a great Church Federation movement
manneo by the greatest churchmen of
America. You have the whole rresby-
terrain body of Canada coming to a unan
imous vote In favor of union with Metho-
dist and Congregationalists. And now
you have the old elementary question
raised once more among the American
Baptists. Village pastors and village 6<a-
cons in backward communities will We
hemently protest against DIR. j. Herman
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

regions OF Christian interest. wherever tht
wrongs of civilization have wrought Z
cry of anguished amazement in the Chris
tian heart. wherever the necessity oil
bringing the Kingdom of God into thir
vast chaos of greed has dawned on Chris.
tan conseiences; wherever the missionary
passion has been educated there the Angel
of the Covenant appears beside the whee
of the chariot and there the flame OF
common passion blazes on every soul
1.-THE spirit of life is In the wheels" On
the other hand, the wheels drag where
civilization has built no roads and ner.
vous sectaries ask: Would you destroy
our consciences with q Chicago steam
roller? But the chance attendant at
Baptist church, even in progressive Alas
bama, wonders on Communion Sunday"
whether he should stay to that servics
and perhaps steam-roll the susceptiblities
Of his hosts or go away without com-
munion and thus deny the unity Of this
Christian fellowship. steam-rolling hia
own conscience.
Let me but add this one word: Those
who glorify their denomination by much
boasting of the church are candidates 70,
the great conversion. when they shall
learn that the work of the kingdom de-
msnds not a denomination but a church,
unified by a single spirit and modified by
a great common purpose.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

him seem so. Franklin wanted the tur-
key chosen in his stead, so do I think
him more appropriate. Eagles are cruel.
and the greatest snobs on the earth, or
In the air; and have no PARTICULAR
country. Turkeys are strictly Amer
lean and are really bold. They are
purposely bold, choosing an unadorned
patio in remembrance of the great
faithfulness Of a noble gobbler of prim-
tive days in this country.
Why boldness Is a thing to boast of
cannot imagine, but the majority of dis
tinguished men are thus featured Sc, as
birds and men have many interests in
common, I suppose bold bird must In
variably represent wisdom, and at thu
same time Is not a myth In the case OF
the turkey.
But we will not quarrel about the Amer
lean eagle. we like 10 hear It scream.
for we need the money. We are told
that II Will purchase occupation. that IL
will purchase all the conveniences OF life.
that II Will purchase even a variety OF
company, and all sorts of entertainment.
and though IL be but trash yet II will
change the manners of men and alter
their condition; that It Is the key to tho
mouths of all men. and without 1t men
cannot open even the lips of a lawyer:
that, IN fact all mankind fall down be
fore IT, for II Is sharper than the sword
and the final reason of all things
The Phoenielan connected the idea OF
money with the Tree of Life. and the
serpent in the Garden Of Eden. and this
was the origin of their sign for money.
But bnek to our subject In the Eliza
bethan era, while Shakespeare was buried
with the accumulation Of wealth. there
was an increasing national prosperity.
and we do not wonder that he was ia
miliar with all sorts Of coins-ancient
and modern.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-08-04

where in the arrives of the House of
Representatives, which have newer
been used. The only time Presi-
dint's veews air ever red is before
he is elected. During the campain
there is not patryot in the coun-
try who cannot quote what he has
committed to riting by the square
foot. 1t is all rite for a eannydate to
say what he pleeses but when he puts
it down in black and white he makes
a fatel blunder. 1t is sertain to be
used against him. In picking out a
cannydate to vote for, for the Presi-
densy, there is but one safe rule to
follow. Select your man, and then
get all the infermasion you can both
regarding him and his opponints, frum
His campain committee, in this way
you will immediately BEGUN con-
vinsed that he is the only living
Champion of the Peepul and all the
rest who seek the offise are bunch