.'
V
;
A BLUE SILK PAETY BAG.
iHow Mis3 Thanlcful Hop Figured
In a Romance.
It teemed to be one of the ironit s of
Sate that her name should have been
Hiss Thankful Hope. Strangers
smiled instinctively at the name when
they first met her. For to them tiaere
wm so little in her narrow life to be
thankful for, and nothing- to hope for.
And yet to those of the limited number
who grew to know Miss Thankful, the
name was after all quite appropriate.
At number 404 Summerset avenue,
the second-rate boarding-house, where
she lived in room 14, second floor back,
3Jiss Thankful was accepted year after
year as one of the belonging's of the
place; much as the hot water bags, for
extra cold nights, and the dessert
every Wednesday and Sunday were ac
cepted. Settled facts of the houue of
o long standing that they were never
questioned.
She was a faded locking little woman
of forty-five, whose piain face was only
redeemed by a pair of smiling brown
eyes. She was a day seamstress, and
made enough to pay "ser board, and
usually to keep herself suitably clothed.
It was a standing )ke among the
other boarders that no matter how
disagreeable the day, Miss Thankful
could always find something pleasant
to be said about it. And no matter
how unprepossessing the last new
boarder. Miss Thankful's kind heart
was sure to discover soma exause.
Other boarders came and went
transients," Mrs. Simmons called
them but Miss Thankful stayed on.
For thirteen years she had been an
Inmate of the house, until new she felt
that no place would be home tD her
but the tiny twelve by twelve room,
where she Lad spent her evenings and
her Sunday afternoons for so many
years.
She had watched Florence, Mrs. Sim
mon's young daughter, grow up into
womanhood; and had shared her timid
confidences and opinions about the dif
ferent young men of the house. Confi
dences which Florence would never
have thought of telling her practical
mother. There was something about
Miss Thankful which invited confi
dence, and the two were warm friends.
It was a dull February evening; a
slight snow was falling, and Miss
Thankful hurried along toward home
in the early dusk. The windows we-e
lighted up. and presented a tempting
array of millinery, dry gooda. flowers
and confectionery.
But Miss Thankful did not notice
any of them until she turned into Lend
6treet, and there she walked slDwer.
coming to a standstill at last in front
of Cooper dt Cooper's large dwy-.g-oods
house.
She smiled as she looked itt at the
window. "Yes," she said, softly, "it's
there yet; I made sure it would be
sold. So cheap, too; only a dollar and
a half." She was gazing at a bine satin
party bag, lined with delicate pink.
One of those dainty French affairs
which always catch a woman's eye.
U she has any soul for pleasing ejects.
"I can't afford a new dress this year.
That three weeks I was sick last
month put that out of the question,
and so it does seem as if I could buy
that bag if 1 want to. Only it would
Ve silly downright silly!" and she
sighed.
"I never had anything as pretty as
that. Maybe that's why I seem to have
mo set my heart oa it. Ereu my
dresses have always been brown or
black; they last better."'
"I've had a kind of & brown and
black life, anyway. But there now,
that sounds complainin', and I've no
cause to complain. The Lord's been
g-ood to me and prospered me right
along."
"Good evening. Miss ThankfuL" said
a cheerful voice at her side. "Eight
nice window. Our trimmer beats any
in town. Lots of pretty things, too,"
he added, with the pardonable pride of
a head clerk.
"Good evening, Mr. Jones," answered
Miss ThankfuL "Yes. I was just look
ing in at all the goods. I" she hesi
tated "was just noticing that blue
satin bag, over there in the corner
seer' "Oh, yes, that party bag; pretty
tiling, and cheap, too. I know a good
piece of satin when I see it. Funny it
was not sold to-day will be to-morrow,
likely."
Miss Thankful felt ber desire to pos
ee6S the bag increasing.
"On your way home? Let me take
your umbrella," and they walked on
toe-ether.
Miss Thankful had a decided liking
for this one of the boarders. Partly be
cause he never forgot to show her the
same courtesy that he would show to
Florence or any younger woman. And
this is very gratifying to a woman who
has no claim to youth or beauty.
lie was a timid young man, with a
colorless mustache and drab hair, who
talked with a jerk, but Miss Thankful
always liked him.
"When they reached the boarding
bouse, she went very thoughtf ully up
to her room. Mr. Jones had discoursed
most of the way upon the amiable
qualities Florence possessed, all of
which remarks she had heartily sec
onded. When she had lighted the gas
she sat down with the thoughtful ex
pression still on her face.
I wonder," she said. "I do just won
der. But he would never under the
shining sun -have the courage to tell
her," and she smiled.
"Mr. Jones; a name I do abominate!
and Florence so pretty and him with
those colorless eyes, and that washrd
out hair! But then, he is just as kind
as he can be, and I make no doubt would
be a good provider."
The nest night when Miss Thankful
came into Ler room, she turned oa both
the gas jets an unheard-of extrava
gance; she carried a small parcel done
Tip In tissue paper, and before 6he
stopped to take off her bonnet, she
went over to the bed and "Uied the
package. It was the blue satin party
bag.
"It's a lot pritir than it was at the
tore'lsUs said., apaULng t t where l
lay spread out on the white cover, in
all the arrogance of assured beauty.
'Those pink rosettes are lovely; I'm
silly as I can be, I know that well
enough! That's why I asked Mr. Jones
not to speak of my getting it Maybe
next summer I can have a lawn with a
little blue 6prig in it. This would go
beautifully with that I don't think
I'm too old for a lawn on a hot day; and
I'm just glad I got it so there!" Then
she wrapped up the bag and put it away
In her trunk.
After supper Florence canre up to
visit her, and Miss Thankful was
tempted to tell her all about it But
she was full of her own plans, and the
bag was not mentioned.
"There is to be a party to-morrow
evening at Mary Moor's. It's the 14th,
you know," said Florence, happily. "I
am going, and wear my blue cloth
dress; I've worn it a lot. Miss Thank
ful, bat mother says I may have a new
sash that will freshen it up. But oh I
I wisli, I do wish 1 could have a party
bag that I saw down in Cooper's win
dow. It was light blue, and V.tted with
pink such a beauty! I wish yon had
seen it I can't have anything but the
sash, though, and so there is no use in
wisbiag."
"I did see it," said Miss ThankfuL
"and it was pretty. I Borter wished
for it myself."
Florence laughed. "Oh, of course,
you would not want it, but if you had
seen it twenty years ago you might
have," she said, with the serene
thoughtlessness of youth.
Miss Thankful grew silent
"Mr. Jones has asked me to go to
evening service twice lately," she went
on presently.
"I think he is about the best-looking
young man here, don't you. Miss
Thankful? lie never talks much, but
I suppose he thinks a great deal. I
used to think he disliked me. he stam
mered so whenever I spoke to him; but
I guess it was just because he didn't
feel acquainted." And then followed a
recital of Mr. Jones' sayings.
After she had gone Miss Thankful
sat for a long, long time in front of the
grate, with sad, dreamy eyes fixed on
the fire. She was going over in her
mind a time twenty-five years before.
"lie was nothing like Mr. Jones,"
she said.
"lie was good looking, and so tall;
but he was just as timid, and I acted as
careless and as indifferent as I knew
how. Girls are foolish creatures. lie
never got up courage to tU me. And
then we moved away, and that was all.
No other man ever looked at me, and I
can't say as I wanted them to."
She undressed slowly. She felt old.
This looking back at one's youth has a
tendency to make one feel old, if it lies
twenty-five years behind one.
When she was all ready for bed she
opened the trunk and took out the par
ty bag.
She opened the door and listened.
Everything was still in the dim hall.
Florence's room was only a few doors
away. Miss Thankful slipped noise
lessly along, and when she reached the
door she hung the ribbon over the
knot i, and as softly stole back.
She bad put no card in the bag
there was no need. Florence would
know who sent it And then she went
to bed and to sleep.
The next morning Florence knocked
at the door, almost before Miss Thank
ful was dressed, and came in with a
flushed, happy face.
"O Miss Thankful!" she cried. "I
have had the loveliest gift; what do you
think, that blue satin party bag!"
"Of course Mr. Jones sent it I asked
bim last night if it was sold yet and he
grew just as red and Etammered so;
I know why now. Mother says 1 may
keep it and I wrote him a letter of
thanks this morning and put it under
his plate. That was the easiest way of
thanking him. lie is having an early
breakfast now, so I thought I would
wait and go down with you this time."
And she fluttered about the room in
happy excitement
Meanwhile Mr. Jones was in a very
uncertain and puzzled state of bliss.
The note had thanked him for his
beautiful gift, but neglected to tell
what the gift was.
He left the house without being able
to get a climpse of Florence.
At noon there was another tiny
white missive under his door. But this,
much to his disappointment, proved to
be from Miss Thankful.
"I'EAK Mr. Jones: Florence thinks you
sent that satin bag; it would be dreadful for
her to know differently, after thanking you for
It. For her sake, please do not ever tell her
that you did not. Your friend.
"TnASKFTL IIOPI."
Mr. Jones studied this note with smil
ing eyes.
"For her sake," that clause gave him
a quick thrill' of pleasure. She would
be sorry to find out then that it was
not his gift
He must answer Florence's note, and
this was the result of half a dozen at
tempts. "Diab Miss Florxscs: That bag eould
not hold the valentine I would like to give you
If I dared.
"It Is the biggest end homeliest valentine s
young lady ever got. If you care to have me
tell you about It. pleaae carry the blue aatln
bar when you come dows to dinner.
Erastts Jostss"
lie could bear Florence singing in
her room, and he called the bell boy,
and sent the note to her.
"There now," he said, when this had
been accomplished; "if it had not been
for Miss Thankful, I would never have
had the grit to have sent that And
what's more, J believe Miss Thankful
knew it Bless her!
"If Florence does have that blue
thing on her arm, I'll give Miss Thank
ful the very best black cloth dress that
Cooper &. Cooper have in the store."
And Miss Thankful got the dress.
Anna D. Gray, in Interior.
'. n
"Paw, is there any difference be
tween a cold and a infiuenzy?" "If the
doctor calls it a cold the bill is about
four dollars. If he calls it influenza it's
about eighteen dollars. The difference
is fourteen dollars, my son."
Iler Kindness. Fatho'- "Why do
you let that young man pay you such
long calls?" Daughter "Because,
papa, everybody 6ays he can't pay any
thing else, and 1 want to encouregi
LlBi." Detroit Free Press,
BENJAMIN'S RIDE.
Into the west rode Benjamin H-,
On bis Iron steed so fair,
fie rode all day and he rode all night
To see what might be there.
Into the west rode Benjamin H.,
And be trimmed bis words with care.
For the speeches he spake and the talks b
talked
Said nothing of getting there.
Into the west rode Benjamin H.,
And grandpa's hat went too.
But be kept it hid in a dark valise,
Entirely out of view.
Into the west rode Benjamin H.,
And Maj. McKinley sighed;
For he had some doubt of what might be
The result of such s ride.
Into the west rode Benjamin L,
And Mr. T. B. Eeed
Scratched his dome of thought reflectively
And gave the matter heed.
Into the west rode Benjamin EL,
Some pointers for to get;
He rode all day and be rode all night.
And he hasn't "got there" yet
N. Y. Sua
PROTECTION A FAILURE-
Th McKinley Theory Bawd Upon
a Dla-
aster Iroclucins Kystem.
It is interesting to note that while
the United States is engaged in the
attempt to shake off the incubus of the
McKinley law, all Europe is in "an
economic ferment" as some writer has
phrased it It is well known that all
the principal nations of the continent
have high protective tariffs. According
to the doctrines which have dominated
our legislation since 1SG1 they ought all
to be happy.
On the contrary, they are all un
happy. France is giving another turn
to the screw, showing that the tariff of
1SD1 has not brought about the bless
ings expected. Quite the reverse. The
chamber of commerce at Marseilles de
clares that since its adoption there have
been a constant reduction of commer
cial operations, a lack of new enter
prises, a suppression of many that pre
viously existed, that no new factories
are building, that those burned down
are not replaced, that the number of idle
ships grows larger every da3-; in short,
that there has been a change for the
worse in foreign commerce, attended
by a similar condition in agriculture
and internal commerce. The remedy
now proposed is a still higher tariff,
another turn of the screw, an expe
dient certain to aggravate the evils
now prevailing.
In Italy there is chaos. Uprisings
have occurred to resist the outrageous
taxes cn the necessaries of life, and
these have to be put down by military
force. At the same time there is a de
ficiency in the revenue, and while it is
proposed to reduce expenditures the
proposed economies are admitted to be
insufficient to avoid a deficit. New
taxes are proposed, to be levied upon a
people already exhausted by excessive
taxation.
Fifteen years ago Germany entered
upon the enterprise of making the peo
ple happy by protective taxes. This
was largely in the interest of agricul
ture, which demanded to be shielded
from the curse of cheap food. The sys
tem ran its usual course. It did not
answer expectations, and its advocates
said it was not high enough. So in 18S5
rates were put up again. Two years
later it was thought necessary to make
a further increase.
These constantly augmenting im
posts on the necessaries of life have
caused great distress among the poor of
Germany. But what effect have they
had upon agriculture? For answer let
us turn to the recent speech of Dr.
MiqueL in the reichstag. lie has been
counted on in some quarters as an op
opponent of the treaty with Russia, as
he is known to be in sympathy with
the agrarians. lie said that the main
task of the IVussian government for
the next few years must be to devise
effectual assistance for agriculture. In
spite of this he favored the treaty. "In
any case," he added, "the treaty can
not render the condition of husbandry
any worse than it is."
Such is the effect of fifteen years of
high protectio)i upon German agricul
ture. Even in the opinion of its warm
est friends its condition cannot be any
worse. This is but a repetition of the
experience of the United States. We
have had a continued demand for high
er rates and they have been advanced
from time to time. The McKinley bill
went to the extreme of high protection,
and what is to-day the condition of our
industries? According to the state
ments of the parties interested they
were never worse. They are waiting
for the repeal of the McKinley act that
they may have a chance to revive.
It is alleged, of course, that business
depression is Cue to the prospective re
duction of the duties. To what then
is it due in Italy, where there is a
prospect of an increase? To what is it
due in France, where an increase has
just been made? There is no fear of
tariff reform in France, but there is a
paralysis of industry and trade. To
what shall we attribute the depression
in Germany, where agriculture, its
chief beneficiary, is admitted to be in
60 desperate a condition that no com
mercial treaty can make it worse? The
limit has been reached in putting up
duties, both in Germany and the United
States, but the expected blessings have
refused to materialize.
There is a deep philosophy underly
ing thin "economic ferment" that pre
vails in all protective countries. The
theory of creating prosperity by high
taxes is breaking down. Protection has
been tried anl found wanting. Louis
ville Courier-JournaL
Some of our republican contem
poraries are reviewing the first year of
President Cleveland's administration,
and t!:ey rise from the task weeping
for tneir unfortunate country. One
achievement alone of Mr. Cleveland's
first year of oflice justifies the pepple's
faith in him and entitles him to the
gratitude of his country. His sound
statesmanship and inflexible resolu
tion forced the repeal of the ruinous
act that bore John Sherman's name
and Benjamin Harrison's signature.
2s. Y. Times.
The efforts of the republicans to
put the administration in a hole continue-
to deposit their authors in an
awkward cavity. Boston Herald.
A YEAR OF POWER.
Splendid Record Blade by the Democracy
Since March. 1893.
One year ago the democrats assumed
control of the national government
after a total or partial exclusion from
power for over thirty years.
They found the tariff taxes higher
than at any previous period in the his
tory of the government They found a
treasury deficiency impending where
they had left a surplus. They found
the free gold excess of nearly $100,000,
000, turned over by President Cleveland
four years before, scattered in foreign
lands. Thev found the country on the
verge of a monetary panic owing to the
operations of a republican silver-pur-chas
elaw. They found on the statute
book the skeleton of an elections force
law which the republicans had des
perately endeavored to strengthen with
federal bayonets at the polls.
What is the record of the year?
The World has not shunned the duty
of criticising the administration and
the democrats in congress when the
honor and welfare of the country re
quired it But in spite of blunders and
delinquencies it is true and it deserves
to be said that not in half a century be
fore has the first year of a new admin
istration and a new congress been so
rich in important public services as has
the year which has just ended.
The Sherman silver-purchase act has
been repealed. So mischievous had
this law, passed solely by republican
votes, become that business men of all
parties unjted in demanding its repeal.
The firm attitude of the democratic ad
ministration secured an unconditional
stoppage of silver purchases, and for
the first time Since the passage of the
Bland act, in lbTS. the currency of the
country was relieved of the danger of
debasement.
The elections law has been repealed.
With it disappeared the last vestige of
centralized coercion, the fruit of the
war. Elections are hereafter to be free.
The threat of "a bayonet behind every
ballot" of the party in power doing,
as Speaker Reed said the republican
party intended to do, "its own registra
tion, its own counting and its own cer
tification" is removed. This achieve
ment alone is enough to have made the
first year of the democratic restoration
memorable.
A genuine tariff-reform bill has
passed the house. The Wilson bill is
the most scientific and just tariff meas
ure that has passed either house of con
gress in thirty j-ears. If enacted into
law it will free the great body of the
people from needlessly burdensome
taxes, it will relieve our manufacturers
from a hindering handicap, it will en
large the activities and increase the re
wards of labor. It executes the man
date of the people. It fulfills the oft
repeated pledge of the democratic par-
ty-
There has been a promising start in
pension reform. The greatest source
of extravagance and fraud iD the en
tire federal system has been boldly and
honestly attacked. The pension appro
priation bill reported to the house is
nearly $15,000,000 less than the amount
appropriated for the current fiscal
year.
This is a record of which the demo
cratic party has a right to be proud,
despite the shortcomings and wrong
goings in other directions.
As to the reverse bide of the picture
there is this to be said: Every mill that
is closed was shut up under the opera
tion of the McKinley fifty per cent
tariff. Every workingman that is un
employed is idle under the law that
was framed ostensibly to "protect"
him. Every dollar of increase in the
public debt represents a dollar of the
republican deficiency. Every lack in
the treasury is due to the republican
law which cut revenue by raising
taxes. Every expedient to obtain gold
to maintain the public credit is the
necessary result of the net loss of gold
to the country during the republican
administration of over $12'.;. 000, 000.
Every deficiency, increasing payment
from the public treasury, bears the
sign manual of a republican president
That there are dangers ahead of the
democratic party none will deny. But
the record of its first year in power
challenges comparison with any similar
period in the history of the country.
2s. Y. World.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.
The republican newspapers are
now engaged in carrying next Xovcm
ber'selectionsfor theirparty. This is not
the first time the republican party has
attempted to anticipate the output of
the political incubator. N. Y. World.
It will disappoint the calamity
howlers of the g. o. p. to learn that the
deficiency in the revenues of the gov
ernment for the fiscal year is not to be
so great as was anticipated. It should
console them to reflect that it is not
their fault Detroit Free Press.
The more the matter of pensions
is looked into the more apparent it be
comes that the republicans ran the de
partment as the main shaft in their
huge political machine and that they
are still utilizing it to the extent of
their ability in that direction. Detroit
Free lress.
The democratic party has not
only accomplished nearly all it prom
ised to the people, but it has restored
confidence by undoing some of the mis
chief done by its predecessors. And
yet in the face of all this, it is no un
common thing to hear democrats talk
ing of their party in an apologetic or
pessimistic vein. Up to this time the
democracy is all right and we believe
It will triumph over its enemies, both
within and without Baltimore News.
The opium smugglers, or "cook
ers," as they are called, of British Co
lumbia are raising a big purse for a
crusade at Washington to have the
high tariff retained on prepared opium.
When the McKinley bill passed the
smugglers succeeded in getting a
twelve-dollar rate through which prac
tically put an end to honest importa
tion and brought the smugglers large
profits. If the "cookers" are success
ful they will make a great deal of
money, as a reduction of the Wilson
tariff to six dollars will cause direct
importation from China. Kansas City
Star.
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
TO BLOSSOM, LORD, FOR THEE.
Within the dusky pew I knelt
And breathed a rich perfume.
For near at band the altar steps
Were banked with snowy bloom.
And while the people's prayers arose
Like incense sweet to God.
From underneath my drooping plumes
I watched the lilies nod.
I gazed upon their golden hearts.
Their perfc-t whiteness rare.
Their slender stems of clearest green.
And prayed a little prayer.
Twas never found in any book.
Or paid in any cell.
And from my soul it bubbled up
Like water from a well.
"Dear Lord." 1 said, "when I am dead
And done with grief and pain.
If Thou from out the narrow grave
Shouldst call me forth again
To live once more, oh, let me then
A spotless lily be.
Within the church on Easter morn
To blossom. Lord, for Thee:"
Minna Irving, in New England Magazine.
CHARACTER BUILDING.
It la More Than Gaining a Reputation,
and Is Always (ioine On.
We are very apt to confound char
acter and reputation together as being
one and the same thing, and many a
boy is satisfied with earning a good
reputation, when he is not equally
anxious about having a good character.
Reputation is truthfully defined as
"what a person seems." The person
may be all that he seems and his repu
tation may be the reflection of his
character, but it is sorrowfully true
that the reputation and the character
of a boy may be wholly dissimilar.
He may carefully conceal from the
eyes of his neighbors all that is
wrong, and all that is inconsistent
with his profession as a Christian,
and therefore his reputation may be
good, and his standing high as a Chris
tian, a citizen, a friend and head of a
family. All this may he be, and yet
his character be a worthless structure
which shall fall as soon as the storms
of temptation beat upon it, and thus
prove its utter instability.
Reputation is the shadow. Character
is the real substance. If the character
is carefully built all through a boy's
life, reared with painstaking block by
block, each part of the structure being
firm and solid, there is but little dan
ger that his reputation will not be
equally good, but the reputation is not
the thing to be principally desired. It
is the character itself, to which we
should look.
If we make a candid confession of
our real desires, I fear that most of us
would have to admit that it is the
reputation rather thau the character
for which we yearn. Not that we do not
all wish to deserve all the good that is
said about us, but the first thought in
our hearts is that the good shall be
said, and the deserving it, is an after
consideration.
A reputation may be destroyed by
some adverse circumstances, and leave
the character intact A man's charac
ter is like a lighthouse which stands
out in the water steadfast and firm, no
matter what alterations of sun and
storm, of wind and calm, play up
on it If it had been reared as it
should be, steadfastly and surely,
nothing will be able to overthrow it,
and it will abide when all things earth
ly will be stripped from us.
We begin in childhood to lay the
foundations of our characters. Every
deed that is well done, every action
that is pure and true and good, is a
block laid in this foundation upon
which we are to build in after years
the fair structure which men will see
and know as our character. If there
is a weak place in it, that weak place
will sometime be the ruin of the whole,
and all that is strong and fair may top
ple over, because one of the founda
tion stones is imperfect and has not
been securely laid.
Character is not something that can
be built all at once in a month or a
year. Day by day we fashion it, slow
ly and almost unconsciously, and our
building does not end until we reach
the end of life. Every act, every
thought and word has an influence
upon the structure we are fashion
ing, and if we realized this
as we should, we would be more care
ful of the little things we sometimes
hold but lightly, forgetting that they
have a vital influence. Nothing is little
really. It is these small things in
every-day life which are the most im
portant, since they are noiselessly
building a fabric that shall endure
throughout eternity. Every-day life,
with all its petty annoyances, its trials,
its cares and perplexities, forms our
opportunity for character building. It
is not the great occasions of life that
call for heroism, or other great quali
ties. No, these are occasions that show
what our character is, and how it will
stand the test of strain and tempta
tion, but the character itself has
been fashioned in those quiet
hours when we did each little every
day duty that came to our hands faith
fully and well, when we checked the
impatient work, restrained the irritable
speech, and. wrought as well as we
knew each little duty that was "ye
nexte thyngc" in our path.
Overcoming- the little daily annoy
ances that lie in our path help us to
build up true heroism better than over
coming the great trials which come to
us now and -again in life's journey. If
we had givou up to these smaller trials,
we would tot have been able to over
come the greater ones, but faithfulness
in that wt- '.ch is least, strengthens us
so that wSen a greater strain comes we
can meet it as we did the smaller tests
and overcome all difficulties and ob
stacles Our character building should have
Christ as the foundation. If we build
wit, a single eye to His glory, with
Ilif love filling our hearts and
the desire to please Him ever pres
ent with us, owe need not fear
that we shall build amiss. Each act
will be full of love to Him, and any
thing that we do with II is love ani
mating it is sure to be right We can
not go astra3 when we take Him for
Our example, our guide
A consecrated life, one in which
nothing has been too small to con
sider worth doing well, and as unto
Him and His glory, lays a broad, beau
tiful foundation upon which a
symmetrical and strong charac
ter is reared that shall endure
throughout eternity. It will be built
to endure. Let us take heed how we
buill. It is a very pleasant thing to
know that one's reputation is good,
and that one has the love of one's fel
lows, but that should not be the first
thing in our ambition. Let our desire
be first of all that our character shall
be strong and well built, so that it
shall withstand the storms of tempta
tion and prove to all who know us that
we have taken Christ as the Corner
Stone, the foundation which shall never
be removed throughout all eternity.
Christian at Work.
LESSONS OF EASTER.
Christ Jesus the Tlrnt-frolt" of the Con
lit Harvest.
"Easter," which celebrates the resur
rection of our Lord, is a festival that
more, perhaps, than any other ex
presses the joy of Christian faith.
Christmas is an occasion of rejoicing.
It celebrates the beginning of the di
vine life among men. But "Easter"
celebrates its triumphant victory. It
helps us to enter into the spirit of this
great Christian festival, to stand in
imagination in the company of the dis
ciples after the crucifixion, and realize
the sudden flood of light and joy that
burst upon their hearts when they
knew that Jesus had risen from the
dead.
But perhaps we gain a still brighter
impression of the meaning of "Easter,"
when we ask ourselves what difference
would it make to us if there had been
no E.tster morning? A great many an
swer to that question will occur to us
all. If there had been no Easter morn
ing we should not have been certain,
as we are now, that there was an im
mortal life; we should not be certain,
as we now are, that Jesus was the Son
of God; we should have no reason at
all for believing that we have a living
Saviour, who has conquered our ene
mies, and who loves and cares for us
now.
In the outward world, what do these
warmer days, and the budding trees,
and the grass becoming green, and the
northward flieht of the birds mean,
but this, that in a few weeks we shall
le in the glory and brightness of sum
mer? We shall have cold and dark
days in April and early May, but sum
mer is surely coming, and we rejoice
because the chains of winter are bro
ken. In the same way we rejoice in the
resurrection of our Lord. He was the
"First-fruits" of them that slept One
green blade of grass tells us of green
fields, one ealy rose tells of the abun
danceof June, one robin, who has found
his way nortbward tells of the multi
tude of feathered songters that will
soon be with us. So the resurrection
ot Jesus tells us of a better life, in
which death has been conquered, and
in which there is no sorrow, or crying,
or pain, or sin. He is the "First-fruit"
of the coming harvest
When we let such thoughts as these
linger in our hearts, something of the
joy and triumph of Christian faith
come with them. We can not make a
better use of "Easter" than just to
think what it means, and then carry
into the tasks at school, into our home
life, into our busines, and all our rela
tions to other people, something of the
elevation of spirit and the joy of heart
that Christ's victory for us has given
ua Watchman.
FLYING SPARKS.
Troths In Brief from the Coinmns of the
Ram's Horn.
The lapse of years does not shce"U.'
the future.
God's love is something we can never
buy or lose.
Religion that is not used every day
will not keep sweet
It will not take much envy in the
heart to drive Christ clear out
A lie a mile away is always trying to
prove that it is the truth.
You will soon liecome poor in earnest
if you try to keep all you get
It takes a good deal of grace to be a
good Christian with a big income.
No faithful worker for God ever com
plains that he does not get pay enough.
All sins promise to more than pay
their way to begin with.
As long as he knows that God is with
him, why should any good man worry?
God's angels never get very far away
from the man who lives a life of faith.
If angels had to live with some men,
there would probably be more fallen
ones.
One reason why Job did not get en
tirely in the dark was because he kept
looking up.
No man can love his neighbor as him
self until he first loves God with his.
whole heart
One of the first privileges of "very
Christian is the right to live without
worry.
Many a church member sporges his
preaching and pays full price for his
cigars and tobacco.
God does not want His sheep to live
on dry fodder, but a good many of His
shepherds think so.
The man of faith is willing that God
shall take as much time as ne wants
in which to explain Himself.
For the heart to consent that any
kind of a wrong shall live is a vote for
the devil to be prince of this world.
Tliere is no bigger fool in the world
than the man who is expecting to gei
to Heaven because his wife belongs to
church. Many a man will tell you that the
church he belongs to is full of hypo
crites the moment he finds out that he
can't run it
Mark this: You do not attrack at
tention in Heaven for your piety every
time you buy a dish of ice cream tc
help the church.
No Christian has any business toweal
a long face, as long as he can see some,
body smiling who has less to be thank,
ful for than he lias.
God gave His Son to save the world,
and some men who sit pretty well for
ward in church give twenty-five cents
a vear to help tell the ueaUjeu about ik
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