smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1871

One of the vexed questions in New York, jus
now, is whether it is proper thst the Freemasons
should lay the corner stone Of the new capitol st
Albany. No one pretends that the building will
be less stable for having corn, wine and oil
poured upon it's cornerstone by respectable gen
temen in aprons But there is much force in
the suggestion Of the Tribune that as the capitol
belongs theoretically at least to the people Of
New York, and as a very considerable portion Of
the people are hostile to Masonry on religious
grounds, the invitation extended by the CON-
missioners to the Masonic order. to oficia;e ST
the celebration, is hardly in good taste that it
might with equal propriety have been extended
to the Sons Of Temperance, the Union League
Club, or the Ancient Order Of Hibernians. 1t
strikes US that, all things considered, the last
named fraternity have a much stronger claim to
be entrusted with the direction Of the ceremon-
les than the Mssons 1t is none Of our corner
stone laying, but We hope our neighbOrs will
effect an amicsble arrangement withou; starting
another anti-Masonic war, or evoking the per-
turbed spirit Of the late Mr.. Morgan.-Spring-
FIELD Republican.
Year: 1871

DIsCoUST on INPoETED GOODs.-It has come
to the knowledge of the Treasury Department
that certain importers are in the habit of having
the manufacture from whom they purchase
goods render their invoices in such manner as
to show discount Of FIVE per cent, with two and
one half per cent. commission added, which is
the same in fact as sn actual discount Of two
snd one-hslf per cent. This discount is not made
to all importers, but only to particular houses
The fact Of this discount Of FIVE per cent being
deducted. and two and oue-half per cent commis-
sion added, is an evasion Of the TWO and one-half
per cent. duty on the whole amount ofthe invoices
go rendered. II makes no difference to the manu-
fscturer who sells goods whether he makes in
voices five per cent discount snd two and one
half per cent commission sdded. or whether he
makes them at two and one-halt per cent. dis
count only. He receives upon settlement exsctly
the same amount. 1t would depend entirely
upon the action of the appraisers at the port Of
entry whether the evidently-intended fraud
would be discovered and the Government pro-
tected. The cases referred to are practiced by
certain leading houses in the country, to the de-
triment Of the large houses. sud causes q serious
loss to the revenue Of the United States.
Year: 1871

RECENT ACT OF CONGRESS BEING PUT IN
FoRcE.-The Department Of Justice is looking
after the officers Of United States Courts, and
seeing tnst they comply with recent act of Con-
gress, which provides that all moneys in the reg
istry Of any court in the United States or in the
hands Of any officers, which were received in
any cause pending or a1judicated in such court,
must be deposited with 8 sub-tressurer or des-
ignste1 depository in the name and to the credit
Of such court, only to be withdrawn by a certif-
ed order from the Judge thereof The law also
provides that if any clerk or other officer Of
court Of the United States shall deposit any mon-
ey belonging to the registry Of such court else
where, or, or shall reisin or convert any such
money to his own use, or TO the use Of any per-
son, be shall be deemed guilty of embezzle-
ment, and on conviction shall be punished
BY fine of not less than five hundred
dollars, and not more than the amount embez-
zled, or by imprisonment for term not less than
one year, nor more than ten years, or both, at
the discretion of the Court similar punish
ment awaits any one who shall knowingly receive
from elerx or other officer of a Court Of the
United States any money belonging in the regis
try Of said Court, ss deposit loan and other
wise in violation of this act
Year: 1871

ARLINGTON House, April 3, 1852.
My DEAR Son -


am just in the act Of leaving home
for New Mexico. My old regiment has
been ordered to that distant region, and
| must hasten to see that they are prop.
erly taken care Of. | have but little to
add in reply to your letters of March 26,
q and 20. Your letters breathe spirit
OF frankness, they have given myself and
your mother great pleasure. You must
study to be frank with the world frank
ness is the child of honesty and courage
Say what you mean to do on every occa
sion, and take it for granted You do right
If friend asks favor, you should grant
it, il it is possible, if not tell him plainly
why you cannot; you will wrong him and
wrong yourself by cquivocation Of any
kind. Never do wrong thing to make
a friend or keep one; the man who re-
qnires you to do so, is dearly purchased
at q sacrifice Deal kindly, but firmly,
with your classmates, you will find it the
policy which wears best. Above all do
not appear to others what you are not.
II you have any fault to find with any
one, tell him, not others. Of what you
complain; there is no more dangerous
experiment than that Of undertaking to
be one thing before mans face and
another behind his back. We should
live, act and say nothing to the injury of
any one. 1t is not only best as a matter
Of principle, but is the path of peace and
| homer.


In regard to duty, let me, in conclusion
of this hasty letter, inform you that near.
ly hundred years ago there was day
of remarkable gloom and darkness stll
known as the dark day-a day when the
light of the sun was slowly eXtinguished
as if by an eclipse. The Legislature Of
| Connecticut was in session. and as its
members saw the unexpected and unac
countable darkne is coming on, they shar-
ed in the general awe and terror. TWAS
supposed by many that the last day-the
day ofjudgment--had come Some one,
in the CONSERVATION Of the hour, moved
an adjournment. Then there arose an
old Puritan legislator. Davenport, OF
Stamford, and said that if the last day
had come, he desired to be found at his
place doing his duty, and therefore NOV
cd that candles be brought in so that the
house could proceed with its duty. There
was quietncss in that mans mind, the
quietncss of heavenly wisdom to obey
present truth, Duty, then, is the sub
limest word in our language: DO your
duty in all things like the old Puritan
You cannot do more. Never let me and
your mother wear one grey hair for any
lack OF duty on your part.


Il. T.. LEE.


G.. w. CUsTIs LEE.


| ---S$-o


| ~ Whcn l. n door not a door 2 When Il
Year: 1871

Eg- The weather for the past few days
has been pleasant and improved by the
cottou pickers to the fullest oxtent Pity
that the staple is not worth more But
we hope farmers hereafter will learn that
corn is worth rs much rs cotton and will
plant more OF the former and less Of the
latter.
Year: 1871

The original of the following private
letter from General Lee to his son, was
found at Arlington House during the
late war. 1t is interesting as illustrating
phase in his character:
Year: 1871

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.


SIR: Permit me to say few words to the Young
Men of New-York in regard to their duty at
this juncture, and to urge them to action.
Every right-thinking voter and taxpayer
every one who desires honest government and abhor
such peculation and swindhng the Ring has prac-
ticed-should now come to the front" and work for
reform. Young Men, especially should work and
act IN the right direction for upon them will soon
devolve the affairs Of our Municipality They should
see to it that the disgrace which the cOuptiOns Of
Tammany has brought upon the city be obhterated.
If every young manevery voter from q to 40 years
of age-wll simply do his duty until the polls close on
tuesday, the city and its overburdened people will
surely be redeemed and disenthralled


Many young, middle-aged, and even old citizens,
who never before manifested any special interest in
political affairs, now actively engaged in efforts
to defeat the Ring and elect honest intelligent and
high-tOned city, legislative, and State officials.
son of the writeT-a young man who has voted but
once and never before actively participated in poll
tics-is, in connection with Others OF about bis
age, doing his "level best to secure the
election of men who are knoscn to be true and trust
oorhy irrespective of their former party associa-
tions. Let the Young Men of other Wards and 10
calities CO. straightway, and do likewise! No mat
ter whether rich or poOr-whether the sons Of mil


onaires, OF clerks mechanics or day labOrers-every
young man is in duty bound to york and rOte for the
RiOht and endeavor to persuade all his friends to
follow his example.


Young Men! resolve and act! If you can. pos
sibly, give to-day to the redemption of the City
and State from the corrupt cabals by whom they
are governed and despoiledl You, who do not care
for Office or spoils yet believe IN honor and honesty,
must see to it that only honest are PIT guard
to protect your interests and those Of the people at
large, and withal, to prevent the damning disgrace
which would be brought upon us by the oOntinu-
ance of the cursed reign Of Tammany!


Such are the sentiments and appeal Of one who
earnestly desires REFoRA'


Murray HUI, Eels-York, Nov. 7. 1871.
Year: 1871

IN the United States District Court, Judge
BlatchfQrd rendered decision yesterday ordering the
release Of the Florida. He holds that the evidence in
the casedocs lot show that the vessel fitted
vessel against Cuba that there no law prohibiting
the shipment Of ard munitions OF TO Cuba or
any other country and that TO constitute violation of
the neutrality law il is necessary that vessel should he
armed and equipped TO cruise against country with
which this Government isat peace.
Year: 1871

Keep your eye on your neighbors Take
care of them. Do not let them stir without
watching. They may do something wrong
if you do. To be sure, you never knew
them to do anything very bad, but it may
be on your account they have not. Per
haps if it had not been for your kind care
they might have disgraced themselves long
time ago. Therefore do not relax any effort
to keep them where they ought to be. Never
mind your own business-that will take care
of itself. There is man passing along
he is looking over the fence--be suspicious
of him; perhaps he contemplates stealing
some of these dark nights; there is no know
ing what queer fancies he may have got into
his head.


If you find any symptoms of any one pass
ing out of the path of duty, tell every one
else what you see, and be particular to see
a great many. 1t is good way to circulate
things, though it may not benefit yourself
or any one else particularly. Do keep some
thing going-silence is dreadful; though it
is said there was sile' IN heaven for the
space of half an hou not let any such
thing occur on earth ,uId be too much
for this mundane sphere


If, after all your wa yhful care, you can





not see anything out of the way in any one,
You may be sure it is not because they have
not done anything bad; perhaps in an un-
garded moment you lost sight of them
throw out hints that they are no better than
they should be-that you should not won.
der, if the people found out what they were
after a while, that then they may not carry
their heads so high. Kes it going, and some
one may take the hint and begin to help
you along after awhile-then there will be
music and everything will work to charm
Year: 1871

1t is sometimes said that the little sums
often contributed by friends of the mission
work, and by children here can not be ex-
pected to accomplish much for the good of
the heather. But it seems evident chat God
in his providence, does give striking proof
that lie can bless the little gifts to the great
good Of the heather and encouragement of
the gver. In the incident given below,
some one gave the small sum required to
send a New Testament to India, for the
whole Bibleis translated into their language,
and that Testament may accomplish Won
derful work. A missionary account reads
as follows:


"In Northern India, lately, native and
his son, youth fourteen years of age, came
to a missionary, and begged for book
They were asked what kind of book they
wanted. This led to a conversation, in
which it came out that several years ago a
norton of the New Testament had been
given to some one in their residence, which
had excited great curiosity and been dill
gently read, and now they desired further
Information. 1t appeared that they had be-
come firm believers in several elementary
truths of the gospel, and that great many
others in the same place agreed with them.
When the missionaries recently visited the
place. they were received with the greatest
cordiality. Men and women came forward,
and in spite of the expostulations of the
brethren, bowed down to them and embraced
their feet, saluting them as holy men and
teachers. When prayer was offered in their
assembly by native teacher, it was fire.
quently interrupted by the responses, True,
true, blessed, blessed, &c. Preaching was
kept up before large and attentive audiences
for ten days, and when the brethren left, it
was in the midst of similar demonstrations
of reverence and gratitude. What may
come of this excitement cannot be foretold.
1t is certain that the little group of believers
have been forsaken by their townsmen, and
are outcasts from their former caste. Il
may be that through them God will com
mence true and saving work of his grace,
Year: 1871

What strange disposition is that which
leads people to say "hateful' things for the
mere pleasure of saying them You are
never safe with such person. When you
have done your best to please, and are feel
ing very kindly and pleasantly, out will pop
some underhand stab which you alone can
comprehend-a sneer which is masked but
which is too we'll aimed to be misunderstood.
1t may be at your person, your mental feel
ing, your foolish habits of thought, or some
little secret opinions confessed in moment
of genuine confidence. 1t matters not how
sacred it may be to you, he will have his
fling at it; and since the wish is to make
you suffer, he is all the happier the nearer
he touches your heart. Just half dozen
words, only for the pleasure of seeing
cheek flush and an eye lose its brightness,
only spoken because he is afraid you are too
happy or too conceited. Yet they are worse
than so many blows. How many sleepless
nights have such mean attacks caused ten
der-hearted men How after them one
awakes with aching eyes and head, to re-
member that speech before everything-that
bright, sharp, well-aimed needle of speech
that probed the very centre of your soul !!


Household.
Year: 1871

1t is reported in the newspapers that the
music in Christ Church, New York, is to
cost $4,000 for the present year. In the


last number of the Episcopahan the remark
is attributed to an eminent ecclesiastical
dignity" that as much money was paid
for music in two of the Brooklyn churches
last year, as was contributed by the entire
diocese for missions. Esthetics are costly.
We are sorry to say that the same terrible
between the sums wasted upon
the aesthetic element in worship, and the
sums given to advance the kingdom of Christ,
is not unknown in other churches But is
it not sad time in the history of the church,
when church funds, which mig hit have sent
out at least twelue missionaries, the apostolic
number, to the dark lands where the heather
perish without the knowledge of Christ, are
lavished upon quartettes and double quar-
tettes? When God makes inquistion concern
ing these things, will not the Church authori-
tiles by which such things were permitted or en-
couraged, be sorely dismayed by the terrible
rebukes of the Master? Culture and taste
may sometimes prevent and defle the wor-
ship of God and his holy house, as fully as
the money changers of old who were driven
out by whip of small cords.
Year: 1871

The woman who is Indifferent to her looks
is no true woman. God meant woman to be
attractive, to look well, to please; and it is
one Of her duties to carry out this intention
of her Maker. But that dress is to do it
and to suffice, is more than can be brought
to believe. Just because do love to see
girls look well, as well as live to some pur-
pose, would urge upon them such course
of reading and study as will confer such
charms, as no mcdiste can supply. N. P.
Willis wrote once very pretty paragraph
on the power of education to beautify. That
it absolutely chiseled the features; that he
had seen many a clumsy nose and thick pair
of lips, so modified by thought awakened,
and active sentiment, as 10 be unrecog gnizable.
And he put it on that ground that we SO
often see people, homely and unattractive in
youth, bloom in middle life into as softened
Indian summer of good looks and mellow
tones.-N. c. Presbyterian.
Year: 1871

He is, in fact, the town-pound, to which
everybody may commit the truant fancies
that nobody else will tolerate upon the pas
lures and lawns of his attention. He is the
town-pump at which everybody may fill
himself with advice. He is the town bell to
summon everybody to every common enter
prise. He is the town beast of burden to
carry everybody's pack. With all this, he
must have a neat and pretty house, and a
comely and attractive wife, who must be al
ways ready and well dressed in the parlor,
although she cannot afford to hire sufficient
"help." And the good mans children must
be well behaved and properly clad, and his
house be kind of hotel for the travelling
brethren. Of course, he must be scholar
and familiar with current literature, and he
may Justly be expected to fit half dozen
boys for college every year. These are but
illustrations of the functions he is to fulfil,
and always without murmuring; and for all
he is to be glad to geta pittance upon which
he can barely bring the ends of the year to-
gether, and to know that if he should sud
denly die of over,work, as he probably will,
his wife and children will be beggars.


CURTIs-H@psr's Monthly
Year: 1871

This raises the inquiry, Should children
be required to attend the preaching intended
for adults, and which they cannot under
stand? And by some this question is an
swered in the negative. Even some eminent
ministers give this reply.


Suppose, DOW, this tendency to result
generally in leading children to forsake the
preaching of the church, and to remain con-
tent with the Sabbath School Then the
preaching to the children is in fact, taken
from the ministry, and put into the hands Of
Sunday School Superintendents and teach
ers Excellent as these are, in many re-
spects, yet it cannot be denied that they
have not received that training for the work
which its Importance and difficulty demand;
and they may produce imperfect Christians,
or even deceived professors.


In view of this state Of things the follow
ing inferences will be conceded by all:


l. The ministry ought to study with care
and diligence the work of preaching to chill
dren. Some are already doing it, and with
good success. 1t ought to be done by all.


2. The whole subject of theology ought to
be re.studied with reference to preaching to
children and their early conversion. 1t is
profound study, especially as it touches the
question of native depravity, what it is, and
what conviction of sin child needs, and how
to produce it.


3. In our theological Seminaries instruc-
ton should be given as to the best modes of
preaching to children, and theology ought
to be taught from this point of vision. The
hope of the world is in the early and univer
sal conversion of children. A thoroughly
Christian nation cannot be formed till this
result is reached No problem is so pro-
found or sublime. Ought not our theologi-
cal professors to study and teach it Would
it not impart new life and power to all
preaching?


a. The education of superintendent and
teachers for their work ought to be more
elevated and thorough. Their position is
one of the greatest moment, and in some
way they should be prepared for it. Various
means may be used-pastors may teach
normal class; there may be established nor
NAL schools, to prepare superintendent and
teachers for Sunday schools; Institutes and
conventions may be held; books may be pre-
pared with special reference to this end
There is not time for details. 1t is enough
at this time to declare the necessity of such
more thorough education, to fit for so great
work, upon which the coming future of the
church so vitality depends.


5. Christian parents should more thor
ougly study the science and art of preaching
the Gospel to their own children. They are
the earliest and the most permanent of all
teachers, nor can their duties be transferred
to any other teachers. The system of Sun
day Schools ought not to be regarded as a
substitute for parental fidelity, but as CO.
operating with and aiding it. The co-opera-
ton should be mutual and reciprocal.
dependent.
Year: 1871

NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN.-As rule,
children who enter the Sabbath Schools in
Wales continue in them as members till old
age. A Welsh minister writes: owe have
in our Sabbath Schools some who have seen
fourscore years; and we have many who
cannot see to read, yet attend to hear the
Word of God read, explained and applied"
This is as it should be everywhere. There
ought to be no such thing heard of as a
scholar leaving the Sabbath School because
he may think himself too old to be instructed
in Christian truth, or to instruct others in
it. What an idea Children in our Sab
bath Schools, consider yourselves life mem.
bers of them; never think of outgrowing
them.
Year: 1871

DoING COPS W1LL.-How ready we are
to choose out our own work, and to prescribe
the way in which we are to be made use of
BY God! We lay out our life and useful
ness according to our own plans, whereas
our aim should rather be to fulfil the Pur-
poses of our heavenly Father. Our blessed
Lord declared: my meat is to do the will
of him that sent me, and to finish his work. "
This should be the spirit Of the faithful dis
ciple. Let him be content to be made use
of in the way God thinks best and points
out to him in his providence. So shall ne
be most truly useful and most abundantly
blessed-Suaday School World
Year: 1871

THERE ARE TO DAY many moaning Chris
tians in the world who are perpetually wish
ing themselves in heaven, while they ought
to thank God that they are still on earth,
where they can work for him.