smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

ghost. was in a lodge of Masons.
They did not observe for n moment
that / could see, ~ l had good
chance TO watch the performances.
They were performing their mystic
rites with a vengeance. They wero
dancing n mystic war dance around
a big skull, and playing at leap frog,
and turning hand springs, and the
big fat fellow Of the ante. room was
standing on his head in n corner
finishing the contents ofmy little
bottle, Order was soon restored.
and ] was led up to desk and told
to be at ease. The chief engineer
of the establishment then put his
thumb to his nose; and stretched
out his fingers in the shape Of a fan
towards me-; commanded silence;
the rest Of the brothers did likewise
and were silent The governor
thon addressed me: Brother
Kobb, you are now one Of rs you
are q member Of an institution
which has lasted ten million Of
years. From this forward your
constitution is sound, you are water
proof even fro proof with impun-
lty you may walk through .he lake
or slt down on red hot stove. You
arc free from rheumatism, dyspCp-
sia, whooping cough and the meas
les. The sheriff dire not seizc you
for debt, nor policeman arrest you
for misdemeanor you are one Of
us-you are safe. ITorcis tho pass.
word with that and a bug club you
can get into any lodge IN Chrlsten.
dom"
Year: 1869

SPANISH PRovERBs.-He is a rich
man who has God io- his friend. -
He is the best scholar who has
learned 10 live well, A handful of
mother wit is worth o bushel of
learning, You hal better leave
your enemy something when you
die, than live to beg OF your friends.
Enjoy what little you have while
the fool is looking for more. Say.
ing and dong do not dine together.
May you bave good luck, my son,
and q wit will serve your turn
Gifts break through stone walls
Go not to your doctor for every all
nor to the pitcher for evory thirst.
ThOre is no better looking, glass
than an old, true friend A wall
betwcea two preserves friendship.
A creditor always has better
memory than tho debtor.
Year: 1869

It has been discovered that the
late Confederate Government had
an experience similar to that which
President Grants Administration
has met with in relation to the
Treasuryship difficulty. When the
Southern States set up business Tor
themselves the United States stat


utes ut large were adopted and put
IN force bodily, which of course inr
cli ded the acts imposing restric-
tiCa9 on the Office in question. In
time, Ir. Trenholm, one OF the lar
gest merchants in the South was
called to tho Treasury Department
and he filled tho Office for como
sine before his lneliglbility was
discovered When it was pointed
ont he severed his connection with
all merchantilo interest in the Con.
federacy, although he maintairbd
his relations with a foreign house.
Year: 1869

True joy is the gift of God; is grace of
the Spirit of God. 1t has God for its author,
and God for its object; and it has this pre-.
rogative annexed to it, that no one can
destroy this gift of grace. The Lord Christ
declares, that he will not suffer any creature
to take away what he bestows; what rich
cordial was this to his detected apostles
They were mourning on account of his leav


ing them, and were sadly ca& down, as men
without hope. But he revives their droop-
ing hearts with promise-"I will see you
again, and your hearts shall rejoice, and
your JOY no one taketh from you" This is
indeed strong consolation; for it is one OF
the streams which maketh glad the city of
Coda stream that never fails--it runs out
of the ocean of free grace, and none can
stop its running back into it. Not as the
world giveth give l unto you, says Jesus.
The world giveth empty joys; continueth
them by an uncertain tenure; and at last
takes away all its gifts, and leaves its de-
luded votary to suffer the vengeance of
eternal fire; whereas Christ gives what is
truly good, solid, and lasting. His gifts are
without repentance. He is of one mind in
continuing, as we'll as in giving: for his mo-
tives are in and of himself, and always the
same. His own mere love, his free-grace,
and the good pleasure of his own will, dis
pose him to give and to continue his favors;
and his one end is his own glory. Therefore
he will not take away the joy which he has
given, and he will suffer no one to take it
away. He secures by his power what he
gives by his love. Such is the believers
right to rejoice in the Lord Away. His title
Year: 1869

One evidence of this love may be seen il
the fact that the Holy Spirit prepared fol
Us the Holy Scriptures. This blessed book
is his gift; for "holy men of old spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Next to the Fathers unspeakable gift of his
own Son, and the Spirits gift of himself, is
His gift of this volume of life; and the love
that brightens every page, is proof of the
love of Him who gave it.


How plainly too might the love of the
Spirit be shown from his agency in awaken
ing and converting men who are "dead in
trespasses and in SIM" What Jesus did on
earth was done in Judea; what be is now
doing for us is in heaven. But what the
Spirit does is within US. 1t is work deep
laid in our own vital experience-from its
first renewal to its lastpreparation for heaven
What love is there in aathese operations


Take the work of sanctifcation as an ex.
ample. Human influence can do great
deal in efecting certain changes in human
character, but this is an entire transforma.
ton. The very springs of our nature must
be laid hold of and controlled. Look at the
abode in which the Spirit comes to dwell.
That abode is the human heart. He who
knows that heart as no other ever can, has
declared that it is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked. How impure!
But he enters there to cast out all that is
vile, and to fill it with his own heavenly
graces. He comes to dwell there as our
counsellor, and guide and comforter.


What but love could prompt him to choose
such residence and prolong his stay in it p?
How much does He find every day to cause
him in sorrow to depart But how truly
does he seem to say-"I will never leave
thee nor forsake thee


Even of our poor bodies does this hold
good. The body of the believer dies, but
the Spirit claims if for Christ That body
was temple of the Holy Ghost, and death
does not change his love for it. That dust
must be precious, for is it not the dust of
his own temple? In His love he watches
over it, and at the appointed time it will be
gathered and quickened, and raised up in
glory.


Is there not, then, an unspeakable com
fort in this brief expression of the Apostle
"the love of the Spirit?" Would that we
knew more of what is meant by walking in
the comfort of the Holy Ghost


How careful ought we to be lest we grieve
that heavenly friend by whom "we are sealed
unto the day of redemption"


Blessed comferter,-descend and dwell in
US; make us what the renewed heart would
long to be; make us "meet for the inheri.
tance of the saints in light
Year: 1869

The Jews we're commanded not only to
render Themselves familiar with the precepts
of the Mosaic law, but they were to teach
tlm diligently unto their children. They
WI 10 do this not statedly, but whenever
an Opportunity to do so could possibly be
Ou4b=ee1a-S Nor, did this obigation- cease
with the abrogation of the ceremonial law,
but we hear the "Man of sorrows, and ac-
quainted with grief" saying, "Search the
Scriptures. "


Is this done? To so limited an extent by
the multitudes, that their ignorance of the
Bible is truly astonishing. Quotations from
it are so garbled that it is almost impossible
through them to recognize the original text,
and teachings are credited to it that do not
occur within its sacred lids. Take for in
stance, "God tempers the wind to the shorn
lamb" found first in an old French chronicle
of the fourteenth century, (Dieu mesurs ls
veut an brebis tondu,) and large majority
will tell you it is from the Bible. Is there
any excuse for this? Certainly not, but
great reprehensibility attaches to it. The
days are past when the Word of God was
accessible to few favored monks; now it is
unclaimed and scattered broadcast in almost
every tongue. If you read only one book,
let that book be the Bible, for it is the great
repository of human knowledge. To it, the
man of science must 20 for the only reliable
account of the creation, the historian for a
glimpse of antediluvian history, and the
moralist for his code of ethics, and it will
make you wise unto salvation. Treasure it
up in your heart, and OH forget not to act
upon it in your life, that it may be we'll with
Won at last ALYSIA.
Year: 1869

more than a penny line,) who desire to have
each church insure the life of its minister
l have the following objections to the pro
posal.


1. To say the very least of life insurance
it is matter of doubtful propriety, and min
listers of the gospel, of all men, should be the
last to engage in any scheme for making
money which may give occasion to men to
speak lightly of them or Of their calling
Even if their consciences are perfectly clear
about the matte :, the consciences of their
brethren, being weaker, may be de6led, and
thereby they may commit sin. See | Cor.
viii 9.


2. If the preacher himself have doubts
about the moral propriety of life insurance,
it is no relief to his conscience to allow the
church to do for aim what he would not do
of his owr notion,


8. Each church enjoying the services of a
pastor, who is almost surely pastor pro
tempore,) does not owe him the assurance
that his family shall be provided for after
his death.


4. The practical difficulties arising from a
change of pastorate make the objections to
the scheme insuperablc.


5. The Church at large may easily miss
her footing in the effort to provide for con-
tingencies beyond her reach and outside of
her province.


6. The strongest argument ever urged for
the celibacy of the clergy, will be found in
the effort of the Church to introduce life in
surance as part Of her working machinery.


Lastly, and above all, every true minister
of Christ is already insured.


Mr.. Editor, when get to this point, my
heart is 30 full, and my hand shakes so that
I cannot write. This is theme to speak
upon, not to write about. 1t seems to me
that if I could speak at all, I would love to
dwell upon the power Of faith In God. If
my life is spared, and the river is not too
high, will try and send you letter upon
this subject next week.


In the mean time, 1 want to ask you why
the insurance companies find it necessary to
publish long letters of thanks from all to
whom they pay any money. Do they gen.
orally pay more than they promise?


Yours, &C., SCoTcH-IRlsH.
Year: 1869

HOUSE MOUNTAIN, ApriL 1869.


Mr.. Editor,-It is said that the principle
upon which life insurance company works
is that of a mutual benefit association. This
is curious. How is it possible to make out
the claim of mutual benefit, when the
interests of the insured and of the insurer
are directly antagonistic? The highest pc
cuniary interest of the company depends
upon the long life of theinsured; the highest
pecuniary interest of him who insures de-
pends upon premature death. Would you
say that there is "a mutual reciprocity on
both sides in this case? There is evidently
no purpose of mutual benefit on the part of
those who engage in this business, because
the man who insures his life desires that the
benefit shall be personal not mutual, and the
history of the rapidly accumulated wealth of
insurance companies shows that they are
shrewd enough not to allow much mutually
in their transactions.


The simple and perfectly obvious principle
upon which these societies are based, is that
each party is willing to risk money on the
contingency Of death, and each believes that
he will win. To say that both may win at
the same time, and ~ the same chance, is
absurd. 1t seems tc me that it is worse to
bet on death than on cards. may be mis-
taken, but [ have a sort of sentiment about
the matter that makes me feel that it is
worse.


A recent publicars endeavoring to show
the morality of thes' institutions, says that
they are nothing moic than the formal union
of body of men Who bind themselves to
pay specified amount to the family of each
of their number at his death, thus reducing
their working principle to that of the SO.
called benevolent societies. Now if this be
SO, will somebody tell us how the money is
made; hcw it is possible to employ such a
host of agents at large salaries; and espe'
cially how distinguished ministers of the
gospel (at the North whose time must ne
cessarily be supposed to be precious, can be
procured to undertake this work? The So
cieties of Masons, Odd Fellows, and Sons Of
Temperance, are not great money-making
concerns. Can the agent tell us how insur.
ance companies make so much money? And
if no money is made, can you, sir, tell us
whether the benevolent intentions of these
societies for insuring life spring from pure
unadulterated philanthropy, or whether they
are the offspring of gospel charity?


If the latter, can well understand why
ministers of the gospel should engage in the
work with earnestness aud zeal.


Entertaining such views as do, 1 have
heretofore refused to aid in having oul
preachers life insured. Some of the most
narrowing descriptions of the suferings Of
the clergy that have ever read were writ
ten by insurance agents, (they ought to gel
Year: 1869

FULL OF LOvE.-The sun is full of heat
and light, and it asks no questions as to hO'0
it shall do good, but is perpetually pouring
out its golden food. The spring that
sparkles at the foot of the hill is full; and,
asking leave of no one, is forever yelling
forth its sweet waters. So the Christian, il
only full of the love of God and man, were
shedding around him benign influences as a
natural result, he could not help doing good
Year: 1869

is indefeasible. God has freely given him
in Christ all the good that can make him
happy; and he enjoys it and is happy, SO
far as he lives by faith. While he goes on
from faith to faith, his joys increase. Grow
ing faith brings him in richer harvest of
iov
Year: 1869

AsUCCEssFUL BOOK is often greater event
than successful campaign. There are
noiseless events in the history of the human
mind that do not scar the forehead of the
world as battles do, yet change it not the less.
Year: 1869

~ A story is told by distinguished
sculptor of tho coolsrecoption which his
mother gave to his FIRST attempt At the
plastic art. 1t was figure of . woman
looking out upon the sea, as if trying to
ret glimpse of the vessel that contained
her sailor husband. The figure. was
scarcely dimi.drapcd about tho mock
which seems to have been the only point
which struck the good ladys attention.
"Well, what DO you think of her? asked
the eager expcctant Of a mothers praise
81 think" said the natron, with decision,
"ths. no decent woman would be seen out
of doors in such plight"
Year: 1869

Referring to the item for Capitol Police,
Mr.. Washburne said that there had been a
howl got up last session that Andrew John
son was to take possession of the Capitol.


Mr. Maynard rose to question of or
der. 1t was not in order to charge MEM
bers Of the House with bowling


The Chairman expressed the opinion
that it was so consistent with the fact that
he could not rule it out of order Loud
Laughter.


Mr.. Washburne-I say, Mr. Chairman,
that with the bowling that was got up that
the Capitol was going to be attacked by
Andrew johnson, we armed little brigade
of police, which cost us S65,00O year
There was $500 year for which the
people we're taxed to run the House Of
Representatives. say there was no justl-
fication for that. This was done in the
face Of our protestation us a party, Of the
resolutions of the Chicago platform, and Of
our protestation on the stump. that we were
going to stop all those disbursements and
become economical ask gentlemen if
this is the way they are going Oh. de-
sire the reporter of tho Associated Press to
put those figures into print.
Year: 1869

IMPORTANT TO GRAPE GRowERs.-On
the completion Of the Central Pacific Rail-
road, the Company intend to arrange to
send grapes through to New York for 800
per ton, and furnish cars expressly for the
purpose on their roads. The price of ta-
bic grapes has ranged from fifty to seventy
five cents per pound in the Eastern States,
and are scarce at that. In California.
they are worth three or four cents, and it
is said that she will not be able to supply
New York City alone.
Year: 1869

CuEERrULNEss.-Don't be afraid Of a
little fun at home. Don't shut up your
houses lest the sun shall fade your carpets
and your hearts, lest a hearty laugh should
shake down the mus,y cobwebs there
lfyou want to ruin your sons, let them
think that all mirth and social enjoyment
must be left on the Threshold when they
come home at night. Young people must
have fun and relaxation somewhere. If
they do not have it at their own hearth
stones, it will be sought in other and less
profitable places. Therefore, let the fire
burn brightly at night, and make the home
ever delightful with all those little arts
that parents 50 perfectly understand. DO
no. repress the buoyant spirits Of your
children half an hours morriment around
the lamp and freight Of home, blots out
the remembrance Of many care and an
noyance during the day, andi, the bestsafc-
guard they can take with them into the
world is the unseen influence of bright
little domestic scene. rH
Year: 1869

b1r No man can tell whether he is rich
or poor by turning to his ledger Itis the
heart that makes the man rich. He is rich
or poor according to what heis, not accord
ing to what he has ..
Year: 1869

died or the flag Of our country floats. |
would respect the rights of all nations,
demanding equal respect for our own. If
others depart from their rule in their deal
ings with us, We may be compelled to fol-
low their prccedents.


The proper treatment of the original
occupants Of this land, the Indians, are de-
serving of care will favor any course
towards them which tends to their civili-
2alion, christianizing, and ultimate citizen
ship.


The question Of suffrage is one which is
likely to agitate the public 50 long as por-
ton of the citizens Of the country are ex-
cludcd from its privileges in any State.
1t seems to me very desirable that this
question should be settled. ! entertain
the hope and express the desire that it may
be by the ratification Of the Fifteenth
amendment to the Constitution.


In conclusion, | ask the patience and
forbcarancc OF one towards another, through
out the land and determined effort on the
part Of every citizen to do his share to-
wards ccmcntinga happy Union. and AJAX
the prayers Of the nation to Almighty God
in behalf of this cousummaton.
Year: 1869




IttusrRIous ExAMPLEs.-In times Of
panic or great public excitement it becomes
those who aspire to the position of leadets in
society 10 maiatain their self.composure, and
set an example that may be useful to those
who are less fortunate. We are led to this
remark in view of the fact that parties from
whom we expected better things have helped
fan the excitement that has grown out of the
presence of a single case of contagious disease
10 our midst For the benefit Of those who
have allowed their fears to get the better OF
their judgment, we reproduce chapter from
the history of Stephen Girard, who in his
day was the weaithiest man in the country.
At the time when the Asiatic cholera drst
visited Philadelphia, and hundreds and
thousands were being swept away BY that
terrible scourge, and even the bravest shraDk
back in terror, Stephen Girard voluntarily
assumed the duties of q nurse in the cholera
hospitals, and giving up all other business,
devoted himself entirely to the oHe sole pur-
pose of nursing the sick and burying the
dead. Here was a man who counted his
wealth by millions, aud might we'll have been
pardoned seeking place of safety; but not
so did he reason, and instead of gathering
himself up in his she'll, he boldly went forth
and perrlled his own life in mnistering to
the wants Of his less fortunate fellow men.
A still more recent case we think will call
the blush to the cheeks of those who fed at
the first intimation of danger. A few years
since France was devastated by the plague,
and the whole of that fair land became little
better than charnel house there was scarce
street ia Paris that did not have its hospi'
tai from which foated the yellow Aag-the
sign of "pestilence which walketh abroad
and smiteth at noon day" In the midst oi
this widespread desolatiOn and alarm, the
world was electrified 10 learn that the EN-
press Eugenie was in the daily habit oi
visiting the sick who were in the hospita
wards, and ministerng to their comfort and
perrilling her own life if thereby she NIGH
mitigate the saferiDgs of even the humblest
of her subjects. 1t is by such acts as thest
that this noble woman has planted herself ii
the hearts of her countrymen and gained 1
name that will live in all coming time. L
is not given to all to emulate the herosm o
Girard, or the womanly devotion Of the lovel!
Empress, but this at least we can dove car
maintain our composure in the midst of dan
ger and set an example that may be useful Il
the thoughtless and ignorant.
Year: 1869

The cities of San francisco aud Chicago
are just now arranging the preliminaries for
the greatest struggle that has been witnessed
in this or any age. The prize for which they
are to contend is The trade of the great inte-
rior basin-the commerce of Utah, Idaho and
Nevada. Chicago is already stripped for The
bout, and San Francisco trembles at the bare
apprehension that this trade is to be wrested
from her. Owing to causes generally under
stood, San Francisco has always been dear
market, and now that the completion Of the
railroad gives the people Of the interior o
choice Of markets, they naturally prefer to
deal with those who sell cheapest The mer-
chant on the line of the railroad can buy at
lower figures and ea better terms at Chicago
than he can at San Francisco, and hence he
gives the Lake City the preference. The
business men Of San Francisco are waking
up to a knowledge of this fact, and are cast,
Ing ABOUT Tor the ways and means to counter
act the tendency of trade to flow in the
direction of Chicago. The abrogation OIL
pilOtage, tonnage and ether dues that have
weighed so heavily upon the commerce oI
San Francisco, is urged, and reduction Of
the excessive rates of transportation to tho
interior is demanded, as absolutely Necessary
to the retention of the trade off which Sar
Francisco has fatteDed and grown rich. Il
is thus that the completion of the cOntinenta
railway at once works a revolution in tb,
course of trade, and eompels the monopolist
on the Pacific coast to unloose the shackle
THAI have too long impeded trade anC
| commerce.
Year: 1869

TAKE Your COUNTY PAPER.--Of course,
an important reason with Us in urging the
duty of sustaining local paper, is, that it
inures to our advantage. But aside from
any personal or pecuniary considerations, !,
is both right and just to do So A local
paper many times contains the kind of iu>
formation thatis of the most importance to
those 10 the county. 1t is made up, and
must necessarily be SO, of that kind Of mat
ter that is most interesting to our citizens.
Even the legal motives have a value that is
not found in the foreign papers. So also
the weekly record of deaths and marriages,
and the uumberieSs items Of incidents daily
transpiring around Us. All these make a
local paper interesting. That mechanic or
farmer, or merchant even, who hastily says
'it is a ope-horse concern has no Just con.


ception Of his own position, or has an inordi


nate appreciation of bis own Importance and


what is necessary to his mental aliment.
Ten chances to one that such person does
not read his foreign paper if he takes one.